Only a hint of a romance, mostly just something to read.
The reader landing on Midgard with Thor, to retrieve Loki.
Based in 2012 Avengers.
Word Count : 747
Missed You
The harsh winds of the indigo night carried over the depressive showers, and while the booming sounds of thunder made the Asgardian grimace, the falling precipitation that accompanied it offered him a soft comfort that came from the innermost part of his heart.
Unwillingly, the gentleness enveloped him, momentarily silencing the madness that festered in his mind, and in that moment a soft smile graced him.
However, the tranquility he felt was disrupted by the sound of an obnoxious boom, the echoing roar bringing him back to his reality,
“What’s the matter, scared of a lil’ lightning?” Steve spoke, his words holding equal parts of interest and mockery as he gazed down at the captured male, his keen blue eyes having caught the jump that the man executed.
“....I’m not overly fond of what follows,” Loki responded while he looked up at the ceiling, knowing that very soon, they’d have a visitor.
He momentarily closed his eyes while a low breath left him, knowing that the unkind rocking of the flying vehicle wasn’t entirely due to the heavy weather,
"At any moment..." he started, his voice low and airy as he counted down the seconds.
He could then hear Stark fall, a low grunt leaving him as he was attacked, and by then Loki was expectant of a less than welcoming grasp to fall upon him, until, a voice he found all too precious spoke,
“Where is my prince?” The arriving (h/c) haired woman spoke firmly, standing both tall and proud as her eyes roamed the sight of the vehicle’s interior, quickly finding the regal male sitting, restrained and defeated, the very sight knotting her stomach.
As his image graced her, her heart then defrosted, the expression of frigid ice that set her face into seriousness melted, showing her inner musings and relief,
“Loki,” She breathed, sounding utterly mystified and entranced.
‘Loki… it’s really you…’ She thought to herself, almost on the verge of tears with the joy she felt.
'You're alive,'
All the while the dark-haired male looked at her with wide-eyed surprise that soon melted, his expression going soft and boyish,
“Darling…” He muttered, cooing out the word lovingly while on his lap his bound hands itched to reach her.
‘To think you’d come…’ He thought to himself, a small smile gracing him, and during then his eyes twinkled with delight.
However, another loud boom was let loose, and soon after the flying vehicle shook, signaling the arrival of another person, and at that, Loki's eyes snapped to the other Asgardian that landed into the vehicle, his entrance being less graceful, being a complete contrast to the woman that now stood watching.
For a split second, Loki’s face morphed into startled fright before the expression was replaced by a harsh grimace as Odinson reached out to him.
Thor had stormed in, slapping a vicious hand onto the younger prince’s shoulder, and at that (f/n) snapped out of her daze,
“ Thor...Gentler!" She advised in a harsh whisper, giving the larger male a warning he disregarded as he gripped the younger’s throat, pulling him back before he used Mjolnir to escape, abruptly leaving without a say.
‘Of course, Thor,' She inwardly sulked, quickly worrying over the two males, knowing that Thor was in no shape to act rationally, the pain and anger he felt at his brother’s betrayal still festered within him.
‘And My god of mischief…’ She thought while her heart ached, understanding the thunder god’s scorn, because she’d cried heavily over the younger’s presumed death, and the range of emotions she’d experienced since she found out the truth were far too many to properly process all at once.
‘..I missed you.’ she mused while her eyes misted with a light sheet of moisture that blurred her sight, momentarily having forgotten that she was left within what was possibly enemy territory.
Regaining his composure Stark stood before her, his palm facing her as a nearly blinding light illuminated from it,
“ I’m going to count to thr-”
Cutting him off she closed her (e/c) eyes, her arms stretched out at her sides as she let the weight of her body pull her back, and by doing so diving into the mercy of the powerful winds.
Within that instant, her body morphed into a soft mist that melted with the precipitation.
‘ My prince…how I've missed you,’ She thought while traveling through the atmosphere, hoping to find Odin’s sons so they could safely return home.
“That’s a cute color,” he said softly, eyes trained on the glowing color spread over her face.
Absentmindedly her fingers weaved through her hair, the newly colored strands in her line of sight, "My hair?" She said softly before flickering her (e/c) orbs back at him.
She heard a small sound draw from him, an amused breath that made her insides stir with giddiness,
“No,” he said lowly, the back of his fingers gently running down her heated cheek,
“This one,” he said smiling lovingly, answering her with a soft press of his lips to her warmed, blushing face.
A/N: This will be a 3-4 Part. Quite enough to fit a bit of drama I suppose. This starts off in Civil war goes through to Endgame.
warning this one is lengthy,
Word count: 4224
Wanting compromise
“ Steve,” (f/n) said firmly, staring at the said man straight on, her (dark/bright) eyes filled with determination, unwilling to back down, being just as stubborn as he had taught her to be.
Fiercely glaring with stern (e/c) orbs, she held her chin up as she spoke to him, attempting to push down everything else that wasn’t reasonable understanding, stepping over her own sentiment to meet him halfway and go just beyond that point if it was necessary.
‘I’m willing to do anything...anything to stop this,’ She thought to herself.
She was more than willing to come to a comprise, hoping he’d do the same, desiring nothing more than to have him return the same effort.
" You need to stop this...Stop before it escalates any further...before it gets any worse," she said soberly.
‘If that’s even possible…’ she thought to herself, adding onto her words, but keeping the snide thought silent.
‘No...I’m not here to play the blame game...’ She rationalized with herself, knowing that it would only invite more resentment to surface if she stayed on those cracking grounds.
" You don't want to do this…" she continued on lowly, cautioning him for what was to come.
‘I know if I can get through to him, then it won’t come to it... We won’t have to fight,’ She reasoned, knowing that the only other way to stop him would be with force.
But she detested the thought, just thinking of raising her hand at him made her insides bubble. However, she willed herself, knowing that there were only two roads she could take....
‘Whatever it takes, I can’t be the one to back down,’ she thought with a harsh swallow.
If it wasn't possible to reason, she wanted to show him she wasn’t afraid to stand in his way, that she wasn’t willing to let him just trample over her and everything they had built.
Because It wasn’t just about her...
It wasn’t just about Bucky either...
There was just too much on the line, so much to lose to simply let him walk away.
‘Not like this,’ she thought stubbornly, knowing every action in which he had taken had only caused a greater rift between every member of the once united Team.
And it would only get worse if she didn’t take action,
‘We were once a team...And there's still plenty to salvage,’ she thought with hope, accompanied by a nod of assurance.
‘we won’t come to it...To the fall of the Avengers, ‘
It hadn’t ever crossed her to believe they’d ever be on opposing sides, almost as though they'd never been friends... partners… and perhaps something more.
‘ No No No No No, ‘ she chanted, ‘I’m here as just a friend,’ She reminded herself, because any other way would complicate things.
Any other way would bring the rotten bitterness she’d been trying to swallow down right back up.
"You know that I’ve always had your back,” She told him, “I always have… and will continue to,” she added, speaking earnestly. “ I'm always at your side... so please, don't treat me like the enemy," she pleaded him, her eyes softening, her mask of hard ice melting for a moment to give him sight of her true inner turmoil, exposing it for him.
“I don’t want to fight you,” she said quietly, the words not reaching him, but with his focus on her, he could read her lips as they moved with each uttered word.
“I wouldn’t ever want to hurt you,” she added, forcing up a smile, her hand going out to him.
“So Please,” she said to him, her eyes glittering with hope, “Please take my hand,” and stilly, he stared at her open palm.
He stared at her gloved hand, his fingers twitching as they responded to the action that had been repeated so many times in the past.
He had become used to taking it, after training, after sparring, after battle...
But this time all he did was stare on, motionlessly.
She took a hard swallow after clearing her throat of the knotted ball formed within it, " Steve, “ She started, her voice reaching him once more, sounding sturdier. “I've known Tony for the longest,” she continued on, her ties with the other man being just as strong as the ones she believed to have with the blonde.
“He sees you as a friend. And I know at times he can be hard-headed,” she mused, “ But let’s face it… you are too,” she added with a soft chuckle being forced out from within her chest.
The two of the most important men in her life were hard-headed mules, which in itself was a struggle. And it was even more troublesome when the two often clashed, causing her to be pinned in between.
She was often stuck choosing between the man who was, and had been her best friend for years, and the man who she not only had formed a solid bond with, but also coincidentally admired and loved.
“But regardless of that, I just know he'd do whatever it takes to help you out,” she told him, nodding, believing it to be true. “ I just know he will...because he’s your friend.” She assured him. “And I’m your friend too,” she reminded him.
“So is Nat, “ she added with a secure nod. “And we’ve all been through too much together to let this cause us a rift.”
“ Right now, you have to understand that things aren’t looking good for Bucky.“ She explained to him, hoping he’d turn over. “And I know you love him. I know how much you've struggled to get him back. We understand. We really do...but you have to come to reason as well.” She said to him. “ That if anything, it’s better to stay together. Because that way, we can get through this. Trust me,” she urged him, stepping forward a step, still holding her hand out for him to take.
“ We can do this...together,” she assured him.
Hearing her out, his jaw tightened, something she caught sight of and with a shuttered breath, she took a step back, her hand coming to her chest.
She retreated shaking her head at him as her eyes rounded, being stunned by that one simple twitch.
She then strayed her gaze away from him, growing disillusionment notable in her (e/c) eyes, because he had already made his mind.
He had already known what he’d have to do and was willing to push forward...
He had found it easier to face her, all the while she’d simply wasted her breath, strummed on false hope, naive enough to think she could break through to him.
The decision which would have torn her apart was one he had already made, taking the path to no return.
“ I see, ” she said softly, drawing more space between them.
“You know...You're standing in front of me, holding your shield so tightly within your hand. Your muscles are all tensed... Steve, I can see it…” she informed him, “ And if you could only see the way you look at me right now... you’d understand why it hurts…” she told him. “After all, it’s the same way you look at your enemies…” she said with a dry chuckle rousing out from her to mask the hurt residing within her chest.
“ I would know... Because I've stared at you enough times to know. I’ve been at your side enough times to have memorized it,” she said sadly. Looking around, she let (e/c) colored her eyes gazed over to see their friends fighting among themselves, the entire airport a battleground, ensuring more destruction than what had already let loose.
“ This is tearing us apart, but I guess you already know that, huh?” she told him, a seldom smile slowly growing over her face as she lived through their final moments of peace together.
“ And as much as it pains me,” she shuttered, her body running cold with what she was going to say, “ I’ll have to stand in your way, " she warned him, lifting her hands from her sides, her feet elevating from the ground, levitating her body off the concrete by only a foot, ready to confront him straight forth.
“ Because I have no choice if you don't back down,” She informed him.
His stubbornness, though at times annoying, was a trait she had admired. She had always found respect in his steadfastness, his devotion in what he believed to be right, something she wished she had more of, something she’d striven to be like.
What made him a hero wasn’t the power he had gained from the enhancing serum, it had been his determination, and much more that only Steve Rogers had. His will was just as powerful as his fists, able to go against greater powers than his own in order to protect, that was his strength.
‘Damn it...’ She thought to herself, because even then, all while she was ready to go against him, she found herself admiring his drive, stunned by his love for his longtime friend as well.
Far from within, she began to question whether or not she was on the right side,
‘ I’d wreak havoc for you,’ She thought to herself, understanding him, uncertain if she was doing the right thing by opposing him because she too would go against the world to save him.
But then she remembered Stark, she remembered his words, his own reasons.
His own pain...
“Just answer me this...” she breathed, “Why?” She questioned him. “ Do you not trust him?” she asked. “Does his word mean nothing?”
“Steve...Are we not friends?” She asked him.
‘What did we do wrong?’ She wondered. ‘Just say anything... something,’ She pleaded, having received nothing but silence from him all along.
“ I won't let anything happen to Bucky, “ He informed her, making those his chosen words.
“ I won’t take the risk,” he added, “And even if I have the whole world going against me, I have to do what’s right,” he informed her. “ Because even if someone is telling me that something wrong is right...even if the world is telling me to move... ” he continued on, drifting off towards the end, securing a direct lining to connect his blue eyes to hers as he continued on, “ No...I won't move,” he said with assertiveness.
“I won’t be the one to move aside,” he told her. “I’m sorry (f/n),” he told her, his lips pressing together tightly afterward.
She had her answer, but shaking her head rapidly, she still couldn't accept it,
“There’s another way!” she persisted.”You know there is!” she said out loud. “we can come to an agreement!’ she argued frantically, nodding her head furiously.
“Don't you get it? There is nothing to compromise!” he fought back, “ I can't trust anyone else to do this. I can’t trust him, and I can't trust -” he stopped himself mid-sentence and bit his tongue, holding back his words.
His fists tightened at his sides, his face whipping itself towards another direction, anywhere else but her way.
He hadn’t wanted to say that last bit, and yet, it slipped past him.
And then it dawned on to her…
‘of course...’ Of course, it all made sense.
Her chest tightened in pain, making her breath hitch.
She immediately tightened her own jaw, teeth clamping tightly together, grinding against each other harshly to the point it became painful. “ Finish what you were going to say... go ahead…” she rasped, feeling her blood boil, bubbling like scathing water.
She urged him to continue, but instead, he stayed silent, not willing to repeat his words, nor continue on where he stopped.
“ You don't trust him...and you don't trust me either, “ she said finishing for him, her hands balling. "Is that it?" She asked him, her voice rising with viciousness.
It stung, striking her right at the center of her chest when he revealed that he had no trust in them. It pained her to know he hasn't been filled with the same sentiment she had been, because she had been certain they had grown to be true family, one where they all fit together.
She HAD been convinced of that.
“You don’t trust me…” she repeated, feeling a stabbing pain within her chest. “I’ve taken so many bullets for you,” she reminded him, “ I was so sure you’d do the same for me,” she admitted.
“ But no...of course not, " she murmured to herself.
‘You’re such an idiot... a complete moron,’ she berated herself. ‘He never had...’
"....But you trust her right?" She asked through clenched teeth, venom spitting out from her mouth. She couldn't help but show the bit of green that had festered within her. She tried to press it down the entire time, but his sudden revelation made the thought of HER rise...
“You trust her enough to have her sneak all your gear out for you, right? “ she asked darkly. “You trust her enough to talk to her, don't you?” she continued on. “ You trust her enough to meet up with her, and conspire," she spoke with envy, her fists tightening to the point they shook.
He looked at her with surprise, and he asked himself what Sharon had to do with anything, what role she played in the woman's agitation.
"I ask you one final time Steve," she said with a long breath, her heart gearing up, it's pace fastening as she already knew his reply.
His blue eyes shut tightly seeing her so visually hurt, but even then he couldn't back down. He rolled his shoulders, steadying his stance, and it was a wordless signal showing his final decision, one he hadn’t been considering to change since the start.
One she hadn’t been able to accept...
Her vision blurred slightly and with a frustrated grunt, she quickly swiped her arm over her eyes.
"I hate you...I hate you so much," she rasped, rising up higher before shooting towards him like a quick bullet, her right arm clenched back.
From her mouth words she'd never dream of uttering to him with wholeheartedness had escaped. However, as she claimed to hate him, it wasn't the case.
The female avenger spoke out of heartbreak, out of betrayal.
She had spoken as a wounded woman...one who felt betrayed and scorned.
No…She didn't hate him, she had just become disenchanted with him, the pedestal she had placed him on breaking down as though the foundation had been nothing but cheap wood.
Had their friendship been nothing more than a cheap mess?
Had she been stupid enough to think there was anything more there as well?
And of course, there was the question that haunted her, ever so present in the bitter moment,
‘Why Sharon...Why her?
Why not me?’
As her right fist struck him, he fell back, rolling into a safe land, his own right hand taking hold of the ground to stop himself.
His blue eyes glared right at her, sternly looking towards her with confusion, absolutely stunned.
Without hesitation she went towards him again, her other fist colliding at the star center of his shield as he raised it up before him.
His right leg was placed further in front of his body while his left stayed behind him being dragged back as a result, digging into the cement ground as she pushed forward.
A cry of frustration left her as he pushed his body forward, adding a jut to the vibranium made guard in his possession, successfully pushing her back.
Falling back herself, she dragged along the hard floor before wordlessly lifting herself from it, her rage-filled face unaffected by the aftermath of his opposing strike.
With a mocking grin, she cackled out with laughter, her head inclining back as she displayed dark amusement. She felt her eyes sting as little pricks jabbed and prodded at her already wounded heart,
“Don't hold back now!” she cried out, running straight towards him.
The damage had been done, by that point it was an insult to pull punches, and she saw it nothing more as cruel mocking.
‘If you see me as an enemy then fight me as one,’
" I always trusted you! " She said angrily, her eyes beginning to glow, going from their normal (e/c) glimmer to a glowing white brilliance.
Beneath his mask he showed obvious concern, his eyebrows creased with worry as he looked on at her,
‘Somethings not right,’ He thought to himself, knowing it wasn't normal for her eyes to change.
It wasn’t normal for her to have such physical force either, something he’d noticed from the start.
" I Looked up to you! " She continued on, pushing him back with a straight kick, snarling as he once again blocked it with his shield, pushing her back as he had before.
Stumbling, she fell back, both her tightened fists slamming onto the concrete ground, cracking the floor with two craters.
And yet again, he was left stunned...
Stepping back, he eyed the formed hallows with caution.
She choked up, hating the wetness that fell from her two eyes, and with another harsh wipe to them, she forced herself up. She stood up with stiffened muscles, breath coming out from her parted lips in harsh pants.
With quick steps she went towards him, her left arm sweeping over to him, and with that a blue, cylinder container came from behind her, shooting towards him with incredible speed.
Whipping his own arm right he sent the object hurling another direction as it bounced off the metal shield in his hold.
Immediately afterward, knowing he’d parry the attack with his guard, her right arm whipped aside, picking up the large metal piece once again, and aimed it back at him.
Mercilessly hitting its target, it struck him right at his midsection, a huff leaving him as it knocked the breath from him.
" I thought you cared, " She seethed, watching him be hit, both her arms raised high above her, a strained heave sounding out from her. He could hear her struggling, pushing herself until she tore herself from within,
“ Are you alright? “ he asked her, placing a hand at her upper back, kneeling down with her. Nodding enthusiastically, she beamed up at him, giving him a dismissive wave, “ It’s nothing,” she assured him, not convincing him in the least bit, and he was about to argue back, but another voice cut him off.
“It’s not ‘ nothing ‘,” Tony interjected, the metal armor he wore giving away his approaching figure before he had even spoken.
He then offered her a hand, his brows creased with concern as he lifted her up, forcing her to stand on wobbly legs. Leaning onto him she gave a deep sigh, (f/n) looked over at Steve, watching as he raised himself from his crouching position as well.
“Ok, so it’s not just ‘nothing,’” she admitted sheepishly.
“Meaning?” Steve said with a question filled tone.
“Meaning,” Tony started, “ She’s not able to go on all day like you can,” he informed the first avenger. “ She can overexert herself if she’s doing too much,” he continued on, making (f/n) grimace.
“I know it’s stupid,” (f/n) admitted, smiling tiredly, “ Don’t get me wrong,” she said strengthening her back, “I can pull my own weight, “ she assured him, “But i have my limits,” she admitted.
“I’m just as human as anyone else, “ she reminded them, “Just with a special talent,” she added.
“One that I have to control... or it could very well kill me,” she murmured with a dry chuckle, the last bit meant for herself, something true and grave, but amusing to her.
" Dammit! I loved you!" she said out loud, her voice ringing clear as day as she said it.
And at her final words, his eyes widened, growing as large as they could as even she seemed surprised at her confession.
It had been caused by the slip up she had made in her frustrated state, something she hadn’t wanted him to know, especially not then when she begged him to stay.
She hadn’t wanted him to know, not when he clearly showed he hadn’t felt the same either.
She felt pathetic, even moreso as she caught sight of the look he gave her.
He stared at her like she was a kicked dog like he felt bad for her.
But it made sense to him now...
All the missing pieces fit snuggly and he began to understand many things.
“(f/n)...” he started, stopped by her frustrated cry.
With a snarl, she shook off the look she wore, erasing the traces of heartache worn over her. Instead, she dashed towards him again, her face shifted to anger, the only feeling powerful enough to hide everything else.
But as she advanced, she was stopped by a barely visible wall created by red magic, causing her to be frozen just a couple of feet from the blonde man.
Staring dead on she swallowed hard, seeing him gazing right at her, his eyes hardly blinking.
Her (e/c) eyes then moved to find the Chestnut haired enhanced female, glaring at her as she felt her red magic begin to shell over her body, coaxing over her. Wanda's fingers moved against each other, her face filled with focus, teeth pressed together as she encased the other woman in her red aura.
Resisting, (f/n) put her own power into use, gaining function in her movements in a manner of seconds. "Little red.. you're a long way from being able to take me on," she warned her friend.
She had always used the loving nickname given to the other female as a show of care, but in her agitated state, she spat out the words with vice, making it seem like it held a disgusting flavor in her mouth.
Wanda Maximoff was undoubtedly a hell to be reckoned with, and (f/n) was sure she'd rank the strongest of the Avengers... but that was only with more years to go, only with more time. unfortunately, the teen had yet to fully manipulate her powers, and the elder could see by the pained expression formed over her that she was exerting far too much energy at attempting to stop the (h/c) haired, more experienced telepath.
(F/n) had years of practice in hand, born with the talent, so it was only natural.
“You can’t possibly believe you can, Right Red?” (f/n) said lowly.
"I know," Wanda replied back, half-heartedly smiling as she looked on towards the other woman with sympathy, because all in all, they were friends. Not only could she see the visible pain within her (e/c) eyes, she could feel it.
There was a ridged darkness to her typically kind face, one that made her seem like a completely different person.
But there was no mistaking her...
Wanda was certain it was the same (f/n), simply muddied by darkness, too hurt to see with anything but hazy eyes dimmed with spite.
"... I'm only drawing time," Wanda revealed.
With a short gasp (f/n) looked back towards the first Avenger as he threw his shield at her, striking her right at her chest, and with its force as well as Wanda's own she was sent back.
Sighing and wiping off the sweat formed over her forehead, Wanda trained her eyes on the First Avenger as he held up his hand, waiting to grab his shield.
" You hesitated too long," she complained.
"I know," Steve replied back with a heave, worriedly looking back to where the woman had crashed.
Enveloped by cold metal the (h/c) young woman wheezed, partially wedged through a parked plane’s outer wall. Tears bubbled from her eyes, the pain induced wetness seeping into her parted mouth, the taste-making her huff.
“I...I have to...” she groaned, using both her strength and power to free herself, ungracefully falling to the cement ground in a filthy heap. she continued to weep as she lay there, her eyes glued to the man that stared back her.
From afar, Rogers stared over to the woman, clenching his teeth as he saw her lay still.
“You said to not hold back,” Wanda told him, “ Take your own advice,” she offered him, making him nod, pressing his lips together with a tightened smile,
“ Yeah your right,” he replied, tearing his sight from (f/n).
It was hard to do so, and it pained him, but he did.
"come on," he said afterward, beginning to run off, "we have to leave," he told her and as Maximoff watched him pick up speed, she trailed behind him.
Meanwhile, (f/n)’s hands balled tightly over the cement ground, shaking as she tried to force herself up.
Her legs wobbled as she walked forward, her eyes glued to the fleeing man, and only him. Her left hand then went to clutch her aching heart, right at where he struck her, knowing she’d hold the pain far into her future.
Her vision was hazy, unable to see fully well, but even then she trudged forward, her (e/c) colored eyes glued to the blue blur.
“It hurts...It all hurts...” she said to herself, slowly moving, her hand still resting at her heart.
This would be set during Thor and The Avengers (2012).
Summary: She couldn't see him anymore, and she desperately wanted to believe that he was alive, that he lied there, waiting for her reach… just holding on to the idea of someone wanting him as he was.
My Love For You
"Barbaric woman." He muttered while watching the (h/c) haired woman and his brother spar.
It was a pastime going back to her years of infancy with the two men.
Usually, she'd center herself into the field, opposite of the thunder god to test her skills, better advancing with every fall she'd take, and growing more confident with each triumph she'd hold over him, which were too few in her book.
Off to the side, Odin's other son usually situated himself, paying mind to his own activities, occasionally glancing over to the fighting two with mild interest.
(f/n) and Thor had originally started off with sticks, advancing to using anything they could find to pretend to be true warriors, much like the mighty Valkyrie.
They'd boast on, cry out their names with elatedness as they declared their future victories.
Later on, they grew, maturing alongside each other, and while Thor grew to be a man worthy of the title of a warrior and ultimately named would be king, she blossomed into a woman, a beautiful one at that.
She grew to be a true goddess, both lovely and virtuous, holding qualities of a delicate creature, but with skills of a mighty combatant.
- And she prided herself in that fact.
She prided herself on being strong and valiant.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Loki also matured, both in body and mind, and while his two other companions grew to excel in a more brutish manner of offense, he found his own talents in the witchcraft his mother had a mastery of.
He was an eager learner, keen to master every trick she could advise him on, and doing so impeccably.
As time progressed, and they grew, so did the growing affection the young goddess held for the princes of Asgard, moreover, so did the feelings of longing affection she had for the younger, dark-haired one.
Whereas most other women were more drawn to the powerfully built form and golden locks of the elder brother, Thor, (f/n)'s eyes always strayed to the more graceful of the two.
Somehow, she always found herself drawn to Loki.
He became the center of her attention and sight, stemming back to when she was still an innocent young girl and without say, the dark-haired god of mischief was somewhat of a harbored crush for her, a sentiment that only grew into love.
He'd grown up to be beautiful, having shining dark hair that was undoubtedly soft and silken, the locks always kept neatly maintained, brushed back to show his lovely sculpted face. His eyes, which were a lovely color that perfectly reflected the mystical side of him, shined like polished gems, their emerald color always showing a small tease of his inner heart.
Truthfully, she always saw them as gateways into another realm he commanded, and that she was always drawn into.
They glowed with playfulness when he caused mischief because he just loved the attention he received from his little tricks.
They dimmed whenever he felt lonesome, the wonderous vibrancy of them being affected as his heart fell weak, something he didn't like showing off.
Through and through, he gathered up all his pain, tucking it away in hopes to make it die out, but fragments of it would still make itself known through his gaze.
Yet, later on, it seemed that there wasn't much to find within his eyes, only brewing emotions that tinted his lovely orbs dark, stealing away the pure light within them, something that she caught onto far too late.
As he matured and grew into a man, he hardened, mastering illusion.
He mastered tricks to hide his inner self, leaving him to become an enigma.
Her heart was always soft for him, and with time only became more feeble to his whim.
It yearned for his attention and affection, but he wasn't as easy to read as Thor. He had become too much of a mystery, and he wasn't as simple to please, being far more secluded with himself and his emotions.
Nevertheless, she wanted to serve him, to protect him at all costs, despite the fact that her duties and as well as loyalty were meant for the next in line, and for the current time, the all-father Odin.
Her (e/c) eyes quickly dashed towards the lonesome young man, seeing him pick at the upper corner of his book, turning over to the next page with a rather placid smile, one she found breathtaking despite its simplicity.
She'd seen him read the same book for years, somehow never getting tired of the old tale and always visiting it back, finding the same enjoyment as he did the first time,
'What makes you love that old worn thing?' she wondered with curiosity, wanting to ask him.
During then, the golden-haired god opposite to her took advantage of her preoccupied mind and toppled her over with a single sweep of his mighty hammer.
The force of his strike quickly snapped her out of her daydreaming and she threatened him with a harsh glare as she picked herself up from the ground.
He knew it was cheap to attack while she wasn't even in the mindset of battle yet, but he held no regard to clean fighting with her, nor the fact that she was a woman, and it had been like that for some time now, because she was everything but delicate on the battlefield.
He knew she was able to stand up again, bloodied or not, wounded or not, and even an inch close to death.
In the end, she would always rise up again, and he found it admirable.
"- Thor, mighty Asgardian prince, at the will of a woman!" She said grinning wildly as her boot came down on his chest harshly, letting her full weight and more fall upon him.
"Tis no woman I see here, " he responded in a wheeze, courtesy of her vicious stomp, "More like a beast," he commented, laughing heartily as she stepped off from him.
She giggled slightly and shook her head, "Don't flatter me!" she said, still smiling jovially.
Extending her hand out to the prince, she smiled triumphantly as he took it.
"You tend to use dirty tricks. " he huffed before standing and dusting himself off.
"I know...but in the end I was victorious," she replied with a smug tone and at that, Thor rolled his eyes at her.
"That's all that matters," she said with a small smile, "You taught me that remember?" she asked him as she walked alongside him.
Discreetly, her eyes trailed to the side, off to where the younger of the two princes still remained.
Loki sat far off to the side, still reading his book, completely oblivious to the lovestruck gaze that melted upon him.
'He's so lovely,' (f/n) thought while smiling, ignoring Thor's idle talk for just a moment, something he took notice of quickly.
Peering down at her, he found her glancing at his brother and rolled his eyes,
"Again with the wandering eye lady (f/n)," Thor mused, crossing his beefy arms as he waited for her response.
"Yes, again with my silly, little wondering eyes, Thor," she replied huffing, soon glowing red, because it hadn't been the first time she'd been caught staring by him, and it certainly was not going to be the last either.
"I am sure he wouldn't mind your company," Thor said while smiling lightly, nudging her shoulder with his elbow.
"- I'm sure he would." She retorted.
" For someone so cute, he truly is a grump," she added while gently shaking her head.
"He always acts like conversation pesters him," she explained, "And even if I could ignore his obvious brush offs, I'd only make a fool of myself yet again," she added, deciding to turn to walk away, intent on heading back into her chambers for a refreshing wash.
Passing Loki while on her way, she could see his eyes follow her, the gaze making her feel light, little feathers tickle her insides, teasingly brushing over the walls of her stomach.
During then, while trying to ignore his stare, her boots touched the ground, increasing the distance between her and her charming prince, something she detested.
Unfortunately, the timidness he arose from her always bested her. It never failed to settle in, no matter how hard she tried.
Furthermore, if it wasn't difficult enough to be in his presence already, her past encounter with him the week prior was still fresh in her mind, and she desired nothing more than to go back in time to play it off better,
"Hey, Loki-Dokie, you want to play too?" She asked happily, forcibly swallowing down her nervousness, inviting him over to join her and Thor, even if it was just for a moment.
'- Again with that stupid name.' he thought sourly in regards to the pet name that followed him from his childhood, courtesy of the (h/c) haired female.
He scoffed and continued to read instead, only sneaking a slight peek at her.
And as his emerald eyes landed on her, he noticed the way her fingers played with each other, relentlessly poking one another, all while she waited for his worded response.
"Why are you fretting?" He asked nonchalantly, slowly flipping to the next page and skimming his eyes over the handwritten words.
At his question, her eyes grew wide, and instantly, she bawled her fists, setting them to the sides, and by doing so stopping the little display,
"I'm not nervous!" She said all too quickly, huffing out the swift response .
"I never said you were nervous?" He asked her while being utterly perplexed, and altogether he set the book aside and began to focus on her, wondering just what had her so shaken.
He offered her a dull look, propping his chin on his palm, ready to entertain her in whatever silly conversation she had in hand, because honestly, it'd been far too long since they'd stood face to face for longer than a fraction of a second, and he wouldn't be honest if he said he was entirely pleased with that.
In the past, she'd always trail behind him, following his every step, however, That was of course before she grew older.
- Before she'd changed.
" what in the 9 realms is wrong with you?" he questioned her with wonder, receiving back an aggravated sigh before she turned to her heels, walking away without any response back to him that left him satisfied.
Immediately, he raised a brow in inquiry, "Am I missing something?" He asked himself.
"What in the world did she want?" He muttered to himself, not being able to think about anything else but their little conversation... if he could call it that.
He rolled his eyes and nibbled at his bottom lip before getting up abruptly,
"Honestly... that strange girl..." He huffed while trailing behind her, stopping immediately as he noticed her standing before Thor.
Hiding behind a pillar, he looked onto their interaction, his hold tightening onto the stone as he saw them showcase their obvious comfort with one another.
He couldn't hear them speak as they talked lowly to one another in a secretive manner that was only amongst themselves, but, even so, he felt green envy fester as he watched the way they stepped closer to one another.
From where he stood he saw a hidden romance, something he'd been growing suspicious of as of late, and much more despised.
"Perhaps...if you'd simply be straightforward, you'd get somewhere rather than turn back to me. " Thor grumbled with exasperation, snickering at the way her face colored cherry red.
" - You fight grand beasts, and yet fall under my brother's heel the second he sends you a look. Lady (f/n)...you truly amaze me." He chuckled before placing a hand to her head, ruffling her hair before trailing his hand down to grab her ripened cheek, pinching it.
"Teasing me doesn't help me," she sighed, brushing his hand off and hanging her head.
"Alright, Alright, forgive me," he said softly, grabbing both her hands in his, before raising them up to set them between their two bodies, tightly cradling them with true affection.
"- But I don't think you understand how much I love you both, and it brings me great comfort and joy to know that there is a woman here who truly loves my brother, and much more would do all she can for him." He confessed. "When you are ready to step forward and proclaim your love for him, I will do all I can to make sure you both see nothing but joy." He told her with sincerity.
Smiling largely, she brought her forehead down to their linked hands and thanked him, her voice soft and sweet as she was struck with tenderness,
"Would you truly accept me as part of your family?" she asked him breathily.
" A foolish question to ask," he stated, " I'm certain mother and father would both be pleased to have you as well." He told her. "But first you have to win over my brother," he reminded her, with a small bit of tease,
" Just remember, I will always be on your side, and I trust he will not overlook an amazing person such as yourself," he told her, quickly boosting her spirits with his uplifting words, giving her budding hope.
She remembered Thor’s promise of help as she trailed behind him, her heart soaring all the while, coming back to life once she'd heard the news that Loki was still alive.
She had mourned greatly over his presumed death, crying heart wounded tears at his passing, but now, she felt hope as she discovered he was alive, and in Midguard of all places.
"- I want to go with you," she said to Thor, a beautiful smile stretched over her face, illuminating her features. "You have to take me with you," she told him, her shining eyes filled with brimming optimism as she continued to speak.
She then playfully slipped herself to stand before him, wearing the same elation, her jubilance soon melting as she noticed his less than pleased look,
"What...What's the matter Thor?" she asked him with concern, not understanding his grave face.
Was he not happy to know Loki was alive?
She figured he would be the first to jump for joy, possibly surpassing her own enthusiasm.
Thor looked down at her, his blue eyes both filled with conflict before he closed them with a hard breath, pushing her aside and walking past her altogether.
Stunned and wide-eyed she whipped back to glare at his back in disbelief, storming over to him, and making her way in front of him within a few stomps, her hands both pushing him back.
"What's wrong with you!" she asked him, growing alarmed. "Did you not hear me? " she asked him, her voice rising to a higher pitch as her eyes hardened, demanding not only to go alongside him but an answer to why he seemed so ominous.
Again he stayed silent, his chest rising and falling hard as he reached for both her hands with the hand not holding Mjolnir.
"Why...Why won't you talk to me...?" she asked him in a small voice, "Are you not happy he lives?" She questioned him, her eyes wide as she looked up at him with innocence.
His hand then shook as it grasped hers, tightening at her question, "You'll see him when I bring him back," he told her sternly.
"Why are you refusing to answer me?" she asked him, stepping forward to get closer, her chest touching him as she looked up at him with question, searching for the truth.
" Answer me Thor!" she cried out, knowing that something wasn't right and that she was being held in the dark.
She then wiggled her hands out from his grasp as a sense of dread draped over her shoulders like a cold, wet blanket.
Glaring down at her, Thor dropped Mjolnir from his hold, placing both his palms on either side of her face, peering down at her with hurt blue crystals, " Have you heard of why he's there?" he questioned her in a low rumble.
Shaking her head she answered truthfully, " I just know he lives, " she admitted to him.
" Why?" She breathed. "What are you not telling me?" she asked him, her head tilting as she tried to see his eyes in a better light, desperately searching for answers in any way she could.
"- My brother has been on a downward spiral," he began, " and he has only sunken lower," he informed her.
"He's become a tyrant," he told her. "He's wielding power he cannot be entrusted with, and reigning down on Midguard as a wicked oppressor, already having taken lives for his gain.
So, I'm not there to simply speak to him..." he informed her.
"- I need to do this alone," he told her. " You love him so, but only the man he once was. I've seen him grow wicked. He's -"
"He's still Loki!" she stubbornly input.
"He's still your brother..." she said while growing glossy-eyed, fearing the worst for the younger Asgardian male.
"which is all the more reason why I must be the one to go. I have to convince him to come back, to give up that mindset in which has placed us in conflict.
To stop this madness...
To bring back the tesseract... And if I cannot... then..."
"Then what?" she questioned him, watching as his jaw tightened while he struggled to find the right words.
"Then...You'll kill him..?" she said with a hitch in her breath, pushing him off.
"Are you going to kill him?" she said anxiously, her aching chest rising and falling at a rapid pace.
"The Earth is under my protection," he answered her, not being able to stomach the idea of harming his brother.
Blood or not, they were still siblings, and love was not something that could be fabricated.
He loved his younger kin and would stop at nothing to bring him back safely, but with that being said, he understood the possible outcome, the probable outcome that is -
' He won't come easily,' He told himself.
Thor wanted to convince Loki with just words, to make him understand his wrongdoings with simple talk, but he knew his stubborn brother. Muchmore, he had come to see the pain held within him that had only manifested into resenting and spite, all of which only plunged the younger into more darkness.
"Please..." (f/n) said softly, "Y- You can't!" she said in disbelief, shaking her head.
"You can't do this to him! You can't do this to your own brother!" She cried out in desperation, her hysterics stopped by his booming voice,
"Do you think I want to !" he cried out to her. "Do you think that if I had any other option, I'd avoid all of this!" he went on.
And in his split moment of vulnerability, she could see his truths, all of which left her even more brokenhearted.
Her hands then tightened at her sides as she took in his words,
" Then with more reason..." she murmured, " with more reason I need to go. Because if he doesn't make it back...
I want to at least see him once more." She told him. " I already know punishment awaits him as he returns, I already understand that ... but even so, I will still love him," she told him.
"Even after knowing his true heritage, I still mourned him, and I still continue to cry for him and yearn for him. " She admitted to him, wanting him to understand the true depths of her affection,
"Can you not see, Thor?" she asked him, her voice soft and filled with plea,
" So please have mercy on me," she begged him. "I not only ask you as a wounded woman, but as a warrior without heart.
Without true purpose anymore...
I beg you as a friend to please take with you. Please let me be at his side once more." She rambled. " I will do all I can... I will do all I can to save him," she promised him.
" Please... let us share this pain, for if it comes to be that his heart has grown black, and too far gone into villainy...then I will help you carry his body back," she told him, bowing her head.
Gazing down at her, he saw her own defenselessness, taking it in with understanding, blue orbs.
With a small, silent nod, he slipped his hand into Mjolnir's leather strap before tightly holding onto the hammer and picking it up.
"We have no time to waste," he told her after a strong heave, "We will have my father transport us to earth," he then told her.
Nodding quickly, she placed a hand onto her sword at her side.
"It is not just Loki that is there, There are others who want his head now," he warned her, "His actions... they have been...unpleasant," he continued to caution her, letting her know what lay ahead.
"Then I will protect my prince," she stated firmly, her hand that had already been placed on her weapon, tightening, "From others and himself," she said sternly.
"And I will aid you, Thor, " she said with certainty.
" I know there is good in him," she told him, clinging onto the former image of him, " I know We can bring both he and the Tesseract back," she added, a crooked smile twitching at her lips.
And he wanted to believe her.
He wanted to agree with her words, but far, deep within his heart, he knew she was being nieve.
Yet, he said not a word to confront her, because he had felt love too. He had come to know the feelings within her breast, identifying the same naiveté that had once been his own heart.
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Once she found herself before him, she'd already been exposed to his wrongdoings. She knew of every wicked act, and yet, she still felt the same for him.
' I know there is good in you...I just know there is,' she thought with faith, firmly grasping onto the belief.
"Please Loki", she begged, both her eyes pleading with him as every ounce of her being was doused in mercy and benevolence, wanting nothing more than to stop him from falling further into the dark abyss he had stepped into.
She threw her weapons aside, making them fly out to land many feet away from her, striping herself of everything she'd strived to be.
She made herself vulnerable for him, throwing aside her blade to show him he was above her pride as a warrior.
Because, truthfully, all in which she had prided herself in would have never been obtained if it wasn't for her devotion to him.
Her prince was hurt, he was wounded beyond the flesh and punctured deep within his bleeding heart, and in response, her own cried out. And it only began to fall apart as she watched him sink furthermore.
Like many times before she was weak for him, but this time, rather than shying away, she stepped forward, finding new strength.
"Have you come here to beg for my mercy ?" he questioned her with animosity.
His dimmed evergreen gems bore into her (e/c) eyes with anything but the innocence that once lay within them in the past, and yet, she still approached him.
' You are there Loki... I just know it,' she thought to herself.
"I said did you come to ask for my mercy ?" he repeated, seemingly savoring the moment he had at boastfulness, enjoying having the world under his whim and in submission.
And to him, it was almost laughable.
He'd easily evaded their "mightiest." and was now only steps from ruling.
He'd assumed that he couldn't reach a greater high, and that things couldn't have gotten better, until she showed up.
"I came to help you..." she spoke softly. " I came to aid my prince, " she told him, and at her words, he laughed the sound evolving into an unhinged state.
"Prince?" he questioned her with mock. " I am no prince, I am a king!" he told her.
"Don't you dare insult me with such a low title, with such pathetic words, as though I need your good virtue to 'save me'." He told her.
"I know you're reasoning." He started, " Of course...you came here for his sake," he said lowly. " You came to beg under his word, to bring Odinson his victory, have you not?" he asked her, sounding certain.
" Thor Odinson, or should I say Only son...Only worthy man ..." he added, his voice drifting into a low rumble.
"You are still Odinson aswell," she uttered, causing his teeth to bare,
" Don't belittle me, I've told you once to not provoke me." he sneered. " You must know well enough I am no son of his...That I am nothing but a trophy... A monstrous creature you, yourself also swore to slay!" he said angrily, spitting out the words that were laced with hurt.
"I came here for you Loki, not under Odin's command, nor Thor's will." She declared.
"I came because..." She started, taking in a shaky breath, "because..." she struggled, "Because I ...I Love you," she said softly, still feeling the same sentiment for him, her heart almost popping as she said the words.
"You...love me..?" he breathed, stepping closer to her by three steps.
Nodding she spoke, " I swear I do Loki, I have loved you for years, and I will continue to for more to come ... " she confessed.
She'd always imagined the moment she finally confessed to him her love, and now that it was happening, she felt once again as she did when she was younger; and soon, bashful, beautiful little fuzziness teased her from within.
As he approached her, the feeling became almost unbearable, very near to consuming her.
He hung his head as a smile curled at his lips, a deep chuckle rousing from his chest, "then do as I wish... under my whim, bow down." He said with the utmost vainglory, seething the words to her as he looked down at her.
She stared at him glossy-eyed, her lips trembling as she heard him speak,
"Loki?" she said softly, taken back by his order.
The harsh tone in which he had spoken to her shook her, making her (e/c) eyes moisten, wearing the heartache that lay in her breast out on display.
"Kneel, " he ordered again, the second time sounding even harsher, outraged at her disobedience, "Show your loyalty to me, Show me your supposed love," He told her, taunting her.
With the glowing sector in his hand, he brought it down to the floor with a harsh clunking sound, making the length of her spine run cold as ice.
She jumped slightly, never having heard him sound so irate, especially not with the spite directed at her.
The gleaming light in his eyes that showed merriment at her terror also was captured by her wide eyes, and bowing her head down in mercy she trembled, placing her hands flat to the floor as she kneeled down to him.
She shook with harsh tremors, but not with fear, nor lividness.
She shook with sorrow as she released her withheld tears and let them descend down to the filthy, debris-covered ground. The small drops of salted water spilled to the spot, creating small, dark specks for him to witness.
Her heart still ached for who she thought he was.
Kind, sweet, and misunderstood Loki.
Loki, the young boy who played with her as a child.
The same one who was enchanted by the uses of magic and filled with wonder boundless by the existing dimensions.
The same Loki that never liked to fight, but nonetheless stayed to entertain his brother and her.
Loki, the one who'd smile every so often and melt her heart with the soft showcase of affection.
The shield in which her eyes had once set on him became cracked and slowly crumbled, soon seeing nothing but a bitter, cruel person cackling at her showcased sorrow.
The kind Loki she knew wouldn't do such a cruel thing, even if he rejected her affection.
And by then, she couldn't see him anymore, despite desperately wanting to believe that he was alive, waiting for her reach and holding on to the idea of someone wanting him as he was.
' Loki... where are you?' she thought sniveling, raising her gaze up to him, not knowing the man before her.
" I came to beg you to come back," she said kneeling before him, this time sounding uncertain.
'All I've ever wanted... Was your happiness, Loki. I wish I would have been clear with you, because if I had known you were so troubled, I wouldn't have wasted time with my own fears. I would have let go of my insecurities to assure you of yours...'
" Please. Please just come back." She said imploring him, her voice shaking.
"You're as annoying as that oaf." He said snidely. "But once I rule over Midguard, and make all those pathetic humans fall to their knees as you are now, you will understand." He told her. " You will come to realize...No... Everyone will see how fit I was to be the one in rule.
Everyone will know much mightier I can be, " he said with certainty.
"- How much better I am than Thor!" he claimed. "I will prove I am filled with glorious purpose," He told her.
"Tell me, did you truly come here thinking I was a fool?" he asked her. " No... much more, did you believe your ploy as a wounded damsel would work on me?...when I know the truth?" he asked her.
"What ploy Loki?" she asked him, utterly perplexed. "what truth are you speaking of?" she said in confusion.
" Don't insult me any longer foul wench!" He said angrily, crying out to her with frustration as he saw her look up at him so wretchedly.
She dared to look at him as though he was deserving of pity, and it scathed him.
"You think I'm that stupid little boy, don't you?" He asked her, " You think I'm the same fool you constantly teased, as you went to that idiot time and time again, following him like a dog! like a bitch in heat!" He cried out.
His words struck her as he spoke so coldly and full of spite, and she did nothing more than listen to him, knowing none of it was true.
Did he honestly believe such a thing?
Her love for Thor was brotherly love, admiration, and nothing more.
It was her strive to be just as powerful and mighty, all so she could be worthy of Loki's affection.
- So she could protect him and keep him safe.
- So she could love him and be deserving of him.
She suddenly stood up, quickly stepping towards him before daringly touching her hands to his cheeks, "Please believe me," she told him, " please know that I am here for you, that I came here for you only," she insisted, staring deep into his jaded eyes.
She searched for something, anything that showed his true, inner musings, but she found nothing yet again.
"I truly do love you..." she said before stretching to capture his lips, salty tears melded with the taste of her lips and she poured her entire heart within that single, long kiss.
All the years of her harbored love, as well as all the suffrage she felt at his absence, were there, mixed with all the heartache she felt while seeing his current state.
It was all there, and he eagerly accepted her, one of his hands fisting her (light/dark) hair as he pulled her closer.
"So you believe me..." she said softly, her crying face blossoming with young optimism as he stared down at her.
He gave her a soft smile as he tightened his hold, once again capturing her lips, and with a staggering breath, she willingly let herself melt.
Her arms desperately held him as her body gravitated to him, never wanting to part.
He pulled away slightly, his lips still grazing hers, also unwilling to part, "It doesn't matter now," he said softly, " because now I have you... And I'll make sure to keep you tied down.
- At my order and whim," He said tearing away from her, his hold on her strands still there as he restrained her.
Her (e/c) colored eyes opened wide, staring at him with obvious hurt as she watched him use his other hand to raise his weapon.
He felt his heart tighten as his body reacted with aggression. Admittedly, her touch had affected him, because he'd loved her for years.
He'd always been longing for her, but wasn't convinced that her love was true,
'It's no coincidence,' He thought to himself, unable to overlook the timing of her confession,
'You do it for him.
You do it to toy with me again...' He thought with lukewarm amusement.
Through a tightened jaw he touched the tip of the scepter to her heart, "Temptress... I know you play dirty," he mused as a blue light emitted from his scepter.
She felt a surge of its power spreading throughout her body in shockwaves, making her feel suffocated at the overbearing power. Her pounding heart came to a sudden halt as she felt quakes of snake-like bursts course through her body.
Her pretty (e/c) eyes then turned pitch black before an electrifying blue settled into the irises, and it was only then that he let his grip fall.
"Now... you'll be at my side instead.
As you always should have been., as you'll remain for the rest of eternity, my (f/n)," He said sweetly, running his left thumb beneath her tearing (e/c) right eye.
'All I've ever wanted was your happiness...
Loki...All I wanted was to keep you safe...' she thought with sorrow.
Behind her glassy eyes, she stared out into the world from her puppet state as she was bound to him by a wicked spell. A colossal excess of woe weighed down her lacerated heart as she watched him fall further into the dark abyss he so eagerly drove through headfirst.
She watched him destroy himself, falling more from Grace with each wicked action he gleefully took part in,
'if only I had known...Loki ... Loki- Doki...Are you still in there? Are you still waiting?'
A bittersweet feeling overcame her as she came to a realization that now she was at his side, cuddled with him in the same dark, empty corner he had previously occupied on his own.
Together...
' I won't fail you again,' She thought with a small glimmer of light barely flickering in her expressionless eyes. 'And you won't be alone ...Because I'll always be there.' she thought with selfless commitment.
'I'll always be at your side, and when you fall, I'll make sure to do so as well, ' She swore, ready for the inevitable demise awaiting them.
