#balderxloki

SCREAMING INTENSIFIES.

Title: Suspect Sprig

Fandom: Thor

Pairing: Balder/Loki

Summary: Loki wants to try a Midgardian tradition. Balder is wary.

Author's Notes: Christmas Special. A reply to this prompt: http://norsekink.livejournal.com/6119.html?thread=11291111

Balder was immediately suspicious when he found Loki in his rooms with his hands behind his back. He remained at the doorway, ready to make a hasty retreat back to Thor and the Warriors Three if necessary.

Returning a wary smile, he watched as Loki took a few steps closer than Balder made no move to walk into his own rooms.

'What can I do for you tonight, Loki?'

The responding predatory smile on Loki's face put Balder even less at ease.

'I want to try something, brave Balder, but I cannot do it alone.'

Balder didn't like where the evening was going, but he didn't give into the urge to take a step back as Loki continued to come closer.

'Could Thor be of any assistance? He is not so busy tonight.'

Loki stopped a foot away from Balder and shook his head.

'No, I don't think he can. I need you specifically for this. Worry not, Balder, I just want to try a Midgardian custom. A harmless Midgardian custom.' And then Loki pulled his hands from behind his back and held up a sprig of mistletoe.

Balder stumbled back into the hall, slamming the door in Loki's face, but Loki appeared right in front of him a moment later. He tried to lift his hands to push Loki away, but found his limbs frozen.

He swallowed and shut his eyes as Loki's grinning face came closer. He saw the mistletoe arrow again in his mind's eye from many years before and hoped Loki wouldn't prolong his death that evening.

But the mistletoe never touched him. Instead, he felt a pair of scarred lips press against his own.

Balder's eyes flew open in surprise as Loki withdrew, smirking as he lowered his hand with the mistletoe.

'A Christmas tradition amongst the mortals, Balder. Curious, but not unpleasant,' Loki supplied to the gaping god as he turned around and began to walk away.

Balder found his limbs unfrozen a moment later and grabbed Loki's arm. He said nothing when Loki glanced back questioningly and pulled the trickster close for another kiss.

Loki dropped the mistletoe in favour of wrapping his arms around Balder's neck.

The next morning, when Balder woke up and found his bed empty, he noticed a crushed sprig of mistletoe on his bedstand and smiled. He gingerly plucked a leaf from the sprig and touched it against his swollen lips.