#fadingcoast

Loki is dead. Thanos has snapped his neck and the last thing he remembers is the pain of all his nervous system shutting off. His soul makes his way to Helheim. He’s not even surprised to end up there: as heroic as some of his last acts on life were, apparently they weren’t enough to override all the awful things he also did.

He takes his time wandering around. He has read enough to know he will be going to Náströnd, but he’s in no hurry to get there yet, unless someone forces him.

“What are you doing here?!” Loki suddenly hears, and turns to see no other than his big (adopted) sister Hela.

“I’ve come to visit.” He deadpans sarcastically. Hela just raises an eyebrow, clearly not amused. Loki rolls his eyes and shows her his bruised broken neck. “I’m dead, why else would I be here?”

“Who killed you?”

“Thanos.”

It is Hela’s turn to roll her eyes. She knows the name, and the creature attached to that name. She knows him way more than she’ll ever admit.

“Hmm.” Hela looks at Loki with a hint of a smirk. “Do you want to stay dead?”

Loki nearly jumps in surprise. “What?”

“I am the goddess of death.”

“I know that.”

“So, do you wanna stay dead?”

Loki looks at Hela with half a smile. “I’m guessing you won’t be helping your little brother out of the goodness in your heart, if you have one.”

Hela laughs coldly. “I like you.”

“What’s the price, then?”

“You get revenge, I get revenge.” She explains simply. “You live and send that purple son of a beiskaldi here.”

Loki looks at her, rather amused. “I’m afraid to ask–”

“Then don’t ask. Just say you accept.”

Loki ponders for a few seconds.

You have trained with him on a regular basis. Pyrokinesis and energy manipulation was right up Loki’s area of expertise, so it was a natural decision to have you both team up.

As you make your way to the kitchens to grab a drink, you hear music coming from the training room.

You know that lately, Loki has been listening to all kinds of “midgardian” music, and he has realized that some of it helps him work better with his magic. He even has trained with you using music. It was a good technique: it helped you both focus and it has helped you to get your body more in tune with your powers for battle. More than once, you’ve “danced” with him while listening to his current selection.

It doesn’t surprise you that right now, he’s playing some slow tunes and working with his seidr on the training room. What does surprise you is his choice of music.

Coldplay? Really?

Suppressing a giggle, you follow the sound and peek through the door. Loki is in there. Tight green shirt and sweatpants, sporting quite an adorable manbun. He’s making a choreographed fight move to a tune. And singing said tune, while blasting seidr and throwing knifes.

You had to stifle a laugh when you recognized the song.

Call it magic Call it true Call it magic When I’m with you

Something lights inside of you. You blame it on the choice of song, cause really, could he get any more cheesy? You take off your shoes and enter the room. Loki is startled, but you start singing with him, positioning yourself into battle stance in front of him

And I just got broken Broken into two Still I call it magic When I’m next to you

Loki smiles sweetly, and continues his dance / fight, now with you as an opponent. His movements are fluid, but firm. This choreography you have fought to a million times, it’s the pacing that’s tricky. Every song has its own rhythm and you have to adapt, he’d say.

And I don’t, and I don’t and I don’t, and I don’t No, I don’t, It’s true I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t want anybody else but you.

Each word was in time adorned with the bright sound of daggers clashing. It was such a slow and dozy tune that you find yourself lagging your moves. Loki has a few near misses that manage to snap you out of it. You glare playfully at him, knowing he wouldn’t hurt you. In fighting, as in dancing, you have to trust your partner. And you have come to trust Loki quite a bit, despite his record.

And I don’t, and I don’t and I don’t, and I don’t No, I don’t, It’s true I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t want anybody else but you. Ooooh oh oh…

At the end of the phrase, Loki speeds up the movement that followed, catching you off guard, and he manages to trap you, your back against his chest. Somehow you fend off his dagger to your neck, but the sudden lack of air didn’t let you keep singing. That, and the feel of his muscles trapping you. You take a deep breath. Loki gives you a condescending look and lets you go. He starts singing and prowling again.

Call it magic Cut me into two And with all your magic I disappear from view

The dance / fight continues, and it becomes increasingly more difficult to keep singing. Loki tuts his tongue and slaps your arms with the back of his blades everytime you either lose a step or lose a note. You can only glare at him, not wanting to ruin the moment, knowing Loki will scold you if you do. To be focused it his first rule. Even when you’re finding it hard to focus with his voice vibrating through you.

And I can’t get over Can’t get over you Still I call it magic You’re such a precious jewel

Parry his blade to your neck, guard your stomach, move from his tripping attempt. The moves become more fluid as you find your pacing, and your reflexes are more aware of Loki’s sudden changes of stance. Your knowledge of the song and your body responding to it more easily, allows you to surprise Loki with a few moves. It’s not like you could hit him at all, but it does put a smile on your face. Still, is not easy to keep singing, so you’re grateful when Loki picks up the song from you and gives you a moment to breathe.

And I don’t, and I don’t and I don’t, and I don’t No, I don’t, It’s true I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t want anybody else but you

Again, each syllable is met with the sound of iron clashing. You’re amazed by how Loki doesn’t miss a beat or his breath. Now he’s pushing harder. The sudden changes of speed keep you on your toes. He gets a little closer with each blow, and you somewhat let him. Your body is betraying you. It wants to feel Loki closer. It wants to feel his body flush against yours.

I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t No, I don’t, It’s true I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t, no, I don’t want anybody else but you

He slows down again, but you know him better than to expect a respite. You take a step back to find your footing before he’s pushing you again. You start to realize that the slower song tires you more than the fast ones, as you have to hold back his attacks and hold your own posture longer than a fast pace. Your muscles are beginning to complain. But you’re not nearly close to yielding. It doesn’t matter that you’re nearly panting, or that sweat it tickling down your chest.

Wanna fall I fall so far I wanna fall I fall so hard

With Loki, there’s always a surprise. Reading your weariness, he speeds up a bit again. He’s successful in making you lose balance, and you land squarely on your ass. You know he’s not going to stop, so you defend yourself from the floor. It does you a favor though, as you’re no longer holding him off by yourself. He has taught you how to transfer the weight to the floor. It gives you a second of advantage. You manage to push him back, and you’re back on your feet as he charges again.

And I call it magic And I call it true I call it magic

Loki’s face is less than an inch from yours, both are panting with the extra effort the last movements have taken. Or at least you are. Loki has more endurance, he shouldn’t be panting but he is. In a surprise move, that is not part of anything you’ve rehearsed before, he sends your daggers clattering to the floor. Next thing you know, his arm is on your waist and his lips are on yours.

Ooooh ooh ooh Ooooh ooh ooh Ooooh ooh ooh Ooooh ooh ooh

He sings the last Ooooh ooh ooh as he pulls away and smiles awkwardly at you. You smile and lick your lips. He tries to kiss you again, but you step back. Your smile hides something playful.

“And if you were to ask me after all that we’ve been through.” You sing, pulling on his hand and twirling yourself under his arm. “Still believe in magic?” Loki pulls you in, rolling you on your arms. “Oh yes I do…”