No plans to die today.

May raised a brow at the god before her. It took some effort not to let her gaze skim over his well-toned muscles, but she managed. The truth was she was never the ambassador or diplomat type. Coulson or Daisy would be better suited for that, in her opinion. Why SHIELD ever put her on the Welcome Wagon was beyond her. She heard many agents say the same thing, but she never let it get to her. “Diplomacy isn’t exactly my strong suit,” she responded.  “That’s the problem,” May said, giving the horse a weary look. She wasn’t afraid of horses, but her infamous moniker was whispered around enough that supporting the claim would, in fact, solidify the nickname. There was little she disliked more than that name. 

“Nor is it mine, unfortunately it’s required of a prince.”  And of a king, a role he meant to take as soon as he felt ready to leave Midgard to its own devices.

nogodofhammers‌:

“I suppose you do not.  It is hard to miss, it makes me quite hideous,” he could tease too.  He ran his fingers through her hair, “You must truly love me to put up with such a sight!”  His thumb brushed over her cheekbone, he could see how tired she was.  She had travelled far, and then, well, he gave her little opportunity to rest.

She knew him too well not to worry there might be some thread of his own worry beneath those words. Sif pulled away from his embrace, but only so she could climb to lay kiss upon his scarred brow, and stay there a moment, moving only so she might watch his eye. She wanted his gaze for this. “You are never hideous to me,” she said with low and heart firm words. “It would take far more than scars to make you so.” Deeds alone could do such a thing, terrible ones, ones she trusted he would never do. Sif swore her words with a slow kiss to his lips, a hand at his jaw to lead. You are beautiful to me.

She brushed away his hand, gently, surely, but still she pushed away his attempt at soothing and let her hand rest on her chest in emphasis. “He is not to be trusted,” she said softly, but firmly. “You know this, Thor. I know he is your brother and dear to you, but we both know how many times he has betrayed that trust,” she warned. She would be honest and firm with him, there was nothing else she could be with good conscience. “You must be careful. More than careful.”

His heart caught when she pushed his hand away, but he understood that she needed to express herself firmly.  He replied with an even tone.  “Will you believe me when I say that I am not trusting him?”

nogodofhammers‌:

Thor knew there was information missing here, but he also knew that Loki was not about to provide it.  It was reason to be suspicious, but he decided it might also be reason to keep his brother close.  Still, it was a lot to ask for him to keep Loki here.  Loki would have to prove himself exemplary as a guest in this place.  “It is good to see you, Loki.  Try not to take it too personally that I will be the only one who will probably say that on this planet.”

“I expected little else,” Loki laughed softly. “In fact if they acted differently I would be extremely suspicious. You and mother are more than enough for me. I need no one else’s approval.” That wasn’t entirely true. A part of him would always yearn for his father’s admiration, deep down, though he would rather feast on shard’s of glass than ever admit it. “It is enough that you are glad to see me, brother, and now we have our future adventure to look forward to.”

“Yeah, I remember the first time, his spear went through my chest.” Coulson snapped back, “not that any one of you give a damn about that.” He rubbed his face and said, “so please, do me a favor and talk down at me as if I’m some sort of child. I’ve been through shit the past six years myself. But I’m a mere mortal.” Coulson gestured to himself. “I’m sure what I went through is NOTHING compared.” 

Coulson shrugged at the apology, “it’s fine. In an encampment of hundreds of people, many that I know, didn’t bother to tell me anything. I’m glad to see where I stand.” 

“You may choose to interpret my tone as condescending.  I imagine you would prefer that I would rise to your anger and sling barbs of my own in return for yours.  But I am not angry, I am sorry, as I have said.  You can accept that or not.”

“I would like that. For as flawed as we Midgardians are, I think both parties could benefit from it. Only recently have the Midgardians even realized other life forms exist and it has created this fear. Of course the fear of the living dead has taken precedence. But one day I’d like to see a new SHIELD and a new Asgardian king working together and learning from one another,” May said before adding dryly, “That was my best attempt at a Coulson speech.”

May took a step back farther from the horse. “Motorcycles, yes. Horses–no.”

He thought it considerate that she chose to use the Asgardian word for her planet.  It made him certain that May was one of the right people to be an ambassador for Earth, she would easily adjust to calling her home Terra like much of the galaxy did.

“It was an eloquent speech, Coulson or no.  We may have an ambassador in you yet,” of course, getting this planet back on its feet was important.

nogodofhammers‌:

He resolved to kiss the spot later.  He had missed too many battles with her, he did not intend to let her fight alone again.  He stroked her hair, pressing his lips to her hairline.  “Goblin claws are filthy, I am not surprised it festered.”

He knew that she admired scars, rather than being repulsed by them.  Still, he was a little unsure about his new ones.  Especially the one over his eye, it seemed to take up so much of his face.  He knew he looked very different now to when they had last been together.  He pulled her closer, if possible, and rested his cheek against the top of her head.  He knew – or hoped – that she would think he was being foolish.

She hummed an agreement and her hand stilled to find rest at his neck.  With the warm peace they had she was slow with any reply. “I suppose I don’t need to ask where your new scars are,” she said easily, drowsy and perhaps teasing a little. That wasn’t wholly true of course, he certainly had more than just his eye, but neither of them had any other scar so vital. The change in his appearance was only proof of his bravery to her; she accepted him fully, and didn’t see the scar and false eye as anything to diminish him. Scars were to be worn proudly, that one included.

nogodofhammers‌:

He listened, taking in the events of her day as if they were the most interesting story he had heard today.  “My day has not been without its complexities,” he began when she asked the question.  It was time to come out with it all.  He stroked his fingers through her hair, “Have you heard that Loki is here?”  It was best to begin with what information she had.  That way he would not repeat what she knew, and she would not be blindsided.

Sif went very, very still.

“He is here?” she asked although lips moved soft and light, and head tilted only slightly, the tension was tight in stomach. Her eyes went a little unfocused as her mind started its calculations of what that might mean. This changed so many factors in their stay upon Midgard. “And why is he here?” she asked calmly, the tension starting to peek through to her voice, just a fine thread pulled taut against false serenity.

A grin spread across Thor’s face, he was glad they could come to this agreement.  He wanted the rift between them to heal as best it could.  

“Well, I will have a word with Storm.  She seems to be the highest authority here, she will want some kind of assurance that you mean well here.”  He paused a moment, “Thank you, for meaning well here.”  Thor was certain that another betrayal would be Loki’s last, but he also dreaded the chance that such a thing might come to pass.  Loki was willing to kill Thor, Thor had never found the resolve to murder his brother.

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May smiled, “So humble.”

“Asgard seems like a beautiful place. I wish I could have visited. And I’m sure all of the livestock had to be strong to withstand Asgardians and their whims. Your father’s army was of legends, quite literally.”

May was able to hide most of the disappointment from her face when she learned there was still no mission for her. “Important training, indeed then. These men will be our future first line of defense then?”

“Perhaps when all of this,” he gestured around to indicate the outbreak and ensuing destruction, “is over and I take my place as King of Asgard, I may be able to make the borders less impassive.  I want Asgard to interact with the Galaxy, not stand aloft, separate from it.”  Much of the universe lived far shorter lives than Asgardians, and so it was easier to separate themselves, to avoid entanglements with those who would live and die in a Asgardian heartbeat.  But hiding away meant that they didn’t make progress.

She gave a soft chuckle, and kissed his cheek for good measure as she settled into his lap, wrapped arms around his shoulders. “I killed a stray creature or two, but otherwise things were thankfully quiet. I think with all the preparations for expansion we’re doing a good job of keeping them further out,” she said as she combed fingers through his golden hair before brushing it back over his shoulder. “Before that was rather average. I trained, I spoke to a few people.” Sif gave a half shrug. “The day has been fine thus far.” She traced a stray piece of his hair, tucking it out of the way of his face before her eyes fell back to his. This type of intimacy was addictive, each gentle moment something craved and treasured.  “How has yours been?”

“Yes, several times over, I imagine…. but it was fun just the same,” Loki smiled at the memories. Deep in his heart, he longed for those days more than he would ever admit out loud. Their younger years when they were inseparable. A team.  Even with all Thor’s egotism in his youth, Loki never hesitated to give his advice and everyone knew that if there was anyone’s words that the thunder god would give credence to it was his brother. 

The god of mischief, he might have been but there was never a doubt in time of need or battle whose side he was on. Never a question of his loyalty. Those days, of course, were long gone and he had no one to blame but himself. Deep down he knew that. But such truths hurt too much, he much preferred to blame his troubles on Odin or the Titan than the path he rushed down so foolishly that brought him to his current state.

“Then it settled,” Loki smiled. Her dimples deepening when Thor agreed that an adventure would be in order. “We will help the Midgardians with their infestation and then enjoy one last escapade before you become kind.” 

A grin spread across Thor’s face, he was glad they could come to this agreement.  He wanted the rift between them to heal as best it could.