#What have they done to the Mighty Thor ?!

[vertigoartgore]

1980s house ads for the legendary run of Walt Simonson on Thor, more specifically 1983's Thor #337 (where the alien Beta Ray Bill made a rather memorable first appearance) and 1985's Thor #363 (where Thor is turned into a frog by his brother/archnemesis Loki).

[shinjisdone]

𝑇𝜎 𝑆𝜎𝑓𝜏𝜀𝜋 𝛼 𝑊𝛼𝑟𝑟𝜄𝜎𝑟’𝑠 𝐻𝜀𝛼𝑟𝜏 (Vinland Saga; Thorfinn - 𝑺𝒍𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑨𝒓𝒄, 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕 4)

In which you have joined Askeladd’s band…and grow closer to the Son of Thors - though as your future seemed promising, his thirst for revenge devastated all that you had left.

[Headcanons of how it would be like to meet Thorfinn again after he shattered your heart (based on season 2; both platonic and romantic)

Sᴇᴀsᴏɴ ₁ ﹙Wᴀʀ Aʀᴄ﹚ is here

Part 1: - (Thorfinn as a slave and his struggles) Part 2: - (Thorfinn trying to accept your existence as a slave)

Part 3: - (Thorfinn finds a reason to live, you finally see him)

Tag list:

@luopenis , @jinsecho , @mitsureigen , @theknightssecrets , @lana-del-stan , @theghostofanficpresent , @night-shadowblood-writes2

[Mentions of murder, death, war, slave trade, harrasment against women and whatever awful things happened in the viking era. Slavery will be a main subject throughout the entire arc. Mostly gender-neutral examples but female-leaning ones are there, too.]

[TW: This part will specifically mention: depressed tension, attempted murder, suicidal thoughts, lots of talking, lotsa dialoge, short but detailed description of strangulation, finding reasons to still keep living including being begged to]

Mighty River, Release My Soul...

Your arms were as warm as they were on that winter day.

You scolded him back then too, though he reckoned it was far more vicious than your prattling now.

The way you looked at him, were so focused on tending him even if it was for a mere moment, was like breathing in fresh, icey cold air that he has been deprived from for weeks. It coursed through him and stung each limb. It only found an end after Pater cleared his throat.

Immediately you let go of Thorfinn, spinning to the man with a confused noise and a gasp. He smiled. "Thorfinn is fine now, you don't need to worry. These two boys just need to take the rest of the day off. Now that you are willing to talk...I believe we'd best have a conversation. Not with Master Ketil, do not worry."

Still, that flustered panic did not leave your face as you meekly nodded and followed him. Pater waved Thorfinn and Einar one last goodbye before motioning you to follow with an easy gait. You looked back to Thorfinn before tailing after Pater.

Einar let go of his baited breath. "How..strange. They...you really know them, don't-" The brunette chocked on his breath as Thorfinn was disappearing into the dense forest. Work had to be done, injured or not. Perplexed and with a huff of irritation, he ran after him.

First he doesn't know how to show gratitude and say 'thank you' and now he is shrugging off - someone who was scared to death for him!

What the hell is this guy's problem?!

The way to the forest was easier than the last few weeks. The both of them were able to cut down quite a lot of trees, clearing the path, but the stumps remained, leaving the woods like a rugged wasteland of dead trees.

Einar didn't even noticed his stomps and the way his bruisened feet dug into the soil. Narrowed blue eyes watched Thorfinn swing down the axe again, again, again. Cut, cut and cut.

His movements were fluid as he observed him, as he wasn't threatened this day at all. As if he wasn't a second from throwing his life away at all.

But he dodged. He sprung out of the way and didn't seem to be aware to have tried to kill Snake. He seemed so...light and out of it. Like a drunken bird.

"Hey, Thorfinn." The blonde barely showed any sign of listening to him, continuing to cut. "Have you ever been to war?"

Thorfinn chopped once, "I have."

Einar's gaze darkened. He answered him clearly and with focus.

"Have you ever killed people?"

Again, he cut. The tree fell down swiftly. "I have."

"How many? A few? Five, ten?"

"Why do you want to know? Don't you hate war?"

His blue eyes snapped up as the blonde halted. If he stalled or wanted to hear his answer, he didn't know. He just knew that each and every day of being with him confused him more, made a tiny flame in him flick, made the gall in his throat come up.

"I'm asking because...if you went to war and killed, then how-"

Einar took a deep breath and swallowed the gall that threatened to spit out, "-How can that person be worried about you? Why do they want you to live if you killed?"

The axe hovered above his head before he slowly lowered it down - and having it fall with a thud to the ground. His dull eyes oversaw the mess he left. "I don't know...", "Why not? They seem to know you. Are they like you?"

"No." Thorfinn quickly and sharply answered. Though his next words fell flat and soft again, "They aren't a dog like me."

Not when you looked at him like that. Not when you were so heavily relieved by seeing him breathing and battered, like his father was back then.

...I Need To See The World...

Waged war since he was a child.

Ever since he was a wee lad, he said, but he couldn't remember the exact age. He is only about eighteen, so how long ago was it that he can't even remember? Could he even recall it?

It sounded...ridicilous as Einar walked back to the little barn they called their home - or beds, he wasn't sure - back hunched and steps sulken, though his face was as dark as thunder.

He pillaged and killed and stole of people's hard work. Their land, wheat and loved ones. And he can't even remember who, when and why?

Let that fool cut away at the last standing trees as roughed up as he is. Einar is allowed to rest and he'd rather drown in his thoughts alone, bundled up in hay than look at Thorfinn for another minute.

Falling asleep alone feels somewhat sad...but at least he'd fall asleep without any screaming waking him into the early night.

It was the sound of spilled water that made him shoot up his gaze up at the person holding a bucket and rags with them. You shuffled awkwardly to the side, standing right in front of the barn.

Einar was quick to wipe the glare off his face. "Oh...good evening."

"...G-Good evening." You struggled to reply, he thought.

Einar couldn't help but make a long and wide face, pursing his lips as his blue eyes took in your uncertain form. You finally met his eyes with your own. "Are you waiting for Thorfinn?" Your brows rose as you nodded. He must've figured it out quick - or you are just that predictable.

"Pater allowed me to go see him quick. For his ear. Just to make sure the wound didn't fester through the day." "He's still back in the forest chopping. If you wait too long, you might get in trouble."

Shuffling a bit, you hesitated. "I'll wait a bit more. He's stubborn."

The brunette's shoulder sank. With a sigh, he swiftly sat down on the boulder next to the barn's entrance and crossed his arms. "I'll wait too, then."

He sat there on the right, while you stood on the left side. You stared at him briefly, confusion written on your face. The sky turned even darker, with the stars shining through their hiding spots. The moon was nowhere to be seen but the lights from the master's estate still offered some solace. It was illuminated enough for both people to see each other and perhaps recognize an possible incomer.

The silence did not feel heavy yet pressuring. As if any moment, something was waiting to happen.

You glanced at the man and took a deep breath. "...Are you hurt somewhere, too?"

"Uh, what?" Einar jumped and whipped his head to you. "You were there too, right? With the guests. They must've hurt you, too." "Oh! Well - I'm fine enough. Just a few bruises," He rolled his shoudler while chuckling dryly, "The real unlucky bastard is Thorfinn."

You hummed and rose the bucket in your hand. "Pater didn't give me any balms or medicines but the water should cool the bruises." "Ah, uh," Einar waved with his arms, laughing as he shook his head, "No, no, I'm okay. Honestly I...got really off scott-free. Really, the one who has it the worst is...Thorfinn."

You pulled a face - Einar could not decipher what it meant - and went back on being on the look out. "I'd figure. He likes getting in trouble."

The man glanced in your direction, taking in your unreadable, narrowed expression briefly, before staring back down the hill as well, though halfheartedly. "You know him?" He dared to glance to you again, "That he's like that?"

The grip on the bucket tightened and your eyes darted around the cool meadow below. For a moment, you shifted aimlessly but decided to give in. "Yes. He...is an old friend."

There was no need to pretend. To act coy and unknowing when you so foolishly started to speak and cradled him in your arms. Not when you were waiting here like an idiot for him to return and see him again just this once for tonight.

As if he was deserving of it. Thorfinn did not return when you ran after him, did not stay as you lead him to Leif's boat and now you are waiting for him again - and the only certainty you had was that he had the order to do so as a slave.

You yourself needed to oblige.

Lying here will bring you nothing but punishments and you had to be on your best behaviour, even if it meant not being with Thorfinn for however long you were allowed to. But for now, you could use Pater as an excuse and do all that you could - even if this whole place, Thorfinn himself and your own actions didn't make any sense to you.

You are a slave here now on this farm. Why should you even try?

Back with Askeladd you could fight back. But here, your hands are only untied by Ketil's orders.

"There he is." Einar lowly let out and made you snap your head up to see the short blonde march towards you with a hunched back and one arm holding the other bandaged one. His own lidded gaze was focused on the ground before they widened upon your sight.

"Your friend has been waiting." Einar got up with a start, his voice stern and certain, "I'll be just outside. Let's head to bed soon after." Thorfinn barely had the chance to utter a protest as the brunette simply turned around the corner of the barn, staying a few steps away from it. Though his eyes quickly went back to you, wide and unsure, before he walked into the barn and sat down on the hay. You kneeled down next to him, dunking the cloth into the water.

Wordlessly, you got up and went around to his side, pulling his greasy strands away to observe his ear. Thorfinn felt the gentle, almost ghostly tips of your fingers graze his shell as he unblinkingly hung his head, sitting cross-legged. His hands were clutched and the fingers would tense around one another, slightly, as if shivering from the cold.

There was nothing to see. No festering, no tissue. A clean cut that won't affect his hearing at all. You knew, but wanted to see him anyway. Perhaps it was the paranoia, perhaps you didn't trust Pater's word, felt like you couldn't, or you truly just wanted to see him again. This ghost of a man from the past.

You didn't know. But you knew you were a fool for feeling drawn to him after all this time, for wanting to see if he is really alright.

Gaze remained on the wound for a while before you let his hair slip off your hold and kneeled down next to him again. Watching him, Thorfinn didn't meet your eyes, not even when you brought the wet, cold cloth up to pat his face.

His jawline felt thinner. The short stubbles tickled your skin and bent back against the cloth. You couldn't remember him with any stubbles, let alone a sliver of what seems to be a beard ever appear on his grimsome mug. Blonde hair heavy and stringy tickling his shoulders - he used to hate having long hair. It bothered him so that he'd cut it whenever it got too long for his tastes, leaving him with this disheveled, wild look. But here, he was downcast, downtrodden, like nothing he has ever been before or wanted to be. Yet his eyes stayed the same. The sorrow you saw reflected in the deep brown, the same you saw that winter day.

Still, Thorfinn didn't want to look at you.

...To The Unknown, I'll Go Against My Sorrow...

"What are you doing?" Was all he muttered instead, staring holes into the ground. The cloth hung in the hair before you dapped it in water again. "I don't know. I think I wanted to see if you're still...here."

Pressing the water out, you took his limb hands and gently glided the cloth over his course skin. "You shouldn't. You'll get in trouble and..." For a moment, Thorfinn glanced to the side, "...I'll drag you down with me."

You couldnt help the frown as you focused back on his hands and picking out the splinters of wood. Thorfinn dragged you down with him ever since you met him. Drowning together seemed like fate, a curse that befell upon you the moment you so foolishly returned his dagger.

Is it punishment for not being like Askeladd and letting him die? For not being like Canute and letting him be? Are people like you just meant to suffer in this world, all caused by your own actions?

It felt like it. Yet here you were with him again. Was a reunion another form of punishment, prolonging your suffering just a bit more before you die?

Was sitting here and tending to him suffering as well?

"I can't be dragged lower than this. There's nothing else." Finally, Thorfinn looked at you and the action was as painful as he thought it'd be. Your hair was longer, face bearing more and you've grown, too. Lidded eyes were focused on his calloused hand, the shadows of the night consuming you, not even the stars were bright enough. Hesitation would flicker within every minute, every moment, if it's really you - yet then his eyes would unwittingly search for the familiar injuries you had in the past, that one uniquness you wore, a certain pattern of speech and it would ease all doubts he had, eliminate them with the memory from just today. When you embraced him. When you told him he should be back in Iceland.

Thorfinn turned his hand around, grabbing one of yours, while the other one swiped the cloth in your hand off, as if it meant nothing in this, as if his injuries meant nothing at all, and held both of your hands in a tight, suffocating grip. With every passing second, they trembled more.

"You shouldn't be here. You should be somewhere far away, somewhere that isn't here. I'm doing this to you." He glared at your hands with an anguished frown, gripping them as if they could be swept away any second while yours were lying limbly in his. "I thought if I could be here...it'll be fine. But I'm still finding ways of doing this to you. Even after all I did...I'm still managing to hurt someone, and that's you."

Suddenly, he whipped his wide-eyed stare to you, taking in your own frustrated and chagrin-filled face. Your dry, pressed lips, the frown etched onto your visage, your bulging eyes. Thorfinn felt like he needed to continue before you began tearing up. "I'm...still me. But I will be here tomorrow. And the day after that." The blonde hesitated - before deciding to not promise it. He can't tell how much faith you can still put in him and neither can he.

Your watery gaze narrows before looking back over your shoulder. The house's lights are out and you'll need some to find your way back.

Slowly, weakly almost, you got on your feet. Hands still clung to Thorfinn's as they slowly slipped out of his grip. With one last look you offered to him, you hoarsely whispered, "You'll be here."

The man could only nod with wide eyes as you finally let go and went back. The darkness of the night swallowed you whole, only the sound of splashing water letting him know you're still nearby before only the sound of critters were left.

As Einar turned towards the entrance of the barn, he saw Thorfinn lying on his side. He watched him, the blonde almost motionless but the rise of his chest was a relief. He wondered how on earth Thorfinn could've fallen asleep so quickly but he didn't care enough to ponder for a minute more. This...guy. He was another beast, wasn't he?

He killed and pillaged and caused people like him and Arnheid and Pater to end up in places like this. Though Master Ketil was a kind trader, he was an exception to the rule. Anywhere else, and he might have it worse. And you seemed to be just like this guy.

One by one, the brunette took a step closer. How many has he killed? And have you taken lives as well? Can any of you remember?

The hay glided off his legs like snow. Have you caused fires, burned down fields and houses, flung spears and arrows into people?

He stood in front of him. The hay was warm around his knees. This murderer is now cutting down trees to make a field, to plant, to grow, to thrive. To feed people. To still their hunger, use the wood for houses and tools and use the wheat to bargain and trade.

His thick, scarred hands fit around his neck. The anger burning inside him and filling the hole in his chest made it easy to clam them around tightly. Einar could feel his pulse, steady and clear against his skin. Further back was part of his spine, feeling every movement of each inhale. Yet it feels so surprisingly soft when he puts pressure. Soft as his fingers curl around the back of his neck, squeezing the spine in, feeling his pulse quicken and his breath labored. The peaceful snores turned into winces, into pleas for the pain to stop.

Just a bit more. More. The blonde gasps, wiggling around in the hay as his whimpers turned into groans of pain. Somehow he could still breath.

"...Shit."

The throat was warm but Einar could feel his palms getting sweaty. In an blink of an eye, he surprised himself of how quickly he let go. His squatted legs trembled and stumbled back. Thorfinn didn't stop screaming.

Shit. He can't do it. Einar can't kill someone!

It's scary. The feel of someone's neck around your hands is terrifying and daunting, like a weight itself is put on his chest even though he is pretending to be the predator. To be stronger. To be the winner. He can't do it. He doesn't want to do it. He doesn't want to hate. He doesn't want anyone to die.

Suddenly his hands whipped out into the air, wailing around for help. Thorfinn gasped for air, only to screech out more. Even when Einar tried to kill him, he's still throwing a tantrum.

Quivering with hitched gasps, coughing and panting. It's the same every night.

A man like him. It's all nightmares, every night, and he knows it but now - now he wants to live to keep dreaming and live to keep seeing you and live to keep chopping down trees. Yet still, he feels so out of place here.

A desperate inhale and he reckoned he wanted to call for someone. His sweaty hand stiffened. In an blink of an eye he could feel it coil to a fist, pressure forcing his fingers down and he snapped his gaze wide open. Einar's hand clung around his.

"...You..." Thorfinn could finally feel the coolness of the air, the way the hay prickled his back as he desperately sucked in deep breaths like a man starved of food.

A good minute passed, at least to Einar, and Thorfinn shuffled around to sit up. He wiped the sweat off his face before glancing towards the brunette's back. Finally he calmed down, and noticed how dry his mouth was while swallowing. "...Why..." The blonde licked his lips, "...Why do you wake me...everytime I have a nightmare?" He took another breath and could clearly hear the crickets, hiding among the high grass, now. "...I...killed people, too." Propping his knee up, he leaned his elbow on it and his face against his hand - scarred and big enough to cover half his downtrodden visage. "I helped pillage and kill in each village I passed by. People like you. For years. I am...I am as despicable as the warriors that killed your family. And I'll just drag you down, too. So why-!"

Suddenly, Einar shot up, like a predator seeing his chance. Swiftly he snapped to him, a steel-tight grip on his tunic and a glare as dark as thunder as tears welled up in his eyes. "So, you wanna die, huh?!" He gave him a good shake and Thorfinn let it happen, "You wanna die here in the woods you chop down?! You and your - listen," His tone turned dark and Thorfinn's eyes widened, "I don't know exactly what happened to you. And I don't wanna know! I can't even imagine it!" Another rock, "But even if we are far down in our lowest point, there are - there are still some things we can be glad about to experience! Even if we just eat, work, sleep and shit all day, it's worth something! Never had anything good happen to me, my ass! When you get cleaned up all nice, even when its with a stinky, worn out rag, it's still something good! By someone...someone that cares about you! And all of that...all of that is only possible because someone let you live!"

Through gritted teeth, he swallowed his snot and fought against his tears. Images and voices of his mother and sister flashed by and Einar bit his lip to focus on the pain. He shook Thorfinn again.

"So be grateful for that at least! Do you hear me?!" He couldn't help but let a shaky sigh escape him. He didn't even have the strength to throw the blonde to the ground - he'd let that happen, too. So his grip grew softer and in defeat, Einar slumped down on his side of the barn. "Besides," He muttered, "It's not like you were the one who killed my family."

His brown eyes observed his hunched back, the way his body curled into a ball. Quiet and steady were his breaths as Thorfinn looked back to his hand. His scarred, calloused hand Einar took to get him back to the waking world, to the cold and dark night, the crisp air as crickets played their songs. It was better. Calmer than any other place he had ever been to.

"...Thank you, Einar." His voice was a mere attempt to utter his gratitude but it made Einar's heart beat faster. "Thank you for always waking me when I have a nightmare."

"...Yeah. Can't get a good night's sleep with you brailing around. Just go to sleep, Thorfinn."

"I will. I'll get up with you tomorrow."

Mighty River, Release My Soul, Out To The Open Gold...

He did wake up first.

Washed his face, stretched, got his axe. Waited for Einar to finish his chatting with Arnheid as you came around the corner.

It seemed like Pater was not angry last night nor did you get in trouble. Thorfinn couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.

Einar noticed you as well and tried to give his best welcoming smile. "...Good morning!" The brunette noticed the crack in his voice but tried to brush off his embarassment with a wider grin. You blinked and gave a somber reply. "Oh...good morning." Your eyes immediately went to the shorter blonde, seeing him ready with the axe over his shoulder. His locks hid the shine in his gaze. He, too, greeted you. "Good morning."

The sound of your name on his tongue felt foreign. Like a hometown meal he hadn't had in ages, or learning a melody from his long-gone childhood. He saw your eyes widen as you struggled to instantly give a response. "G-Good morning, Thorfinn..."

His back was straighter, you weren't sure if he even noticed that himself, and his steps were heavy. The deep rise and fall of his chest was...relieving in a way, but before you could glance at him again, Einar sucked in a baited breath and stepped forward. "Well, we'd best get going, haha!" His laughter was too forced and so was his goofy grin, "Trees don't chop themselves! Uh, have a good, productive day, you two! See you later!" He marched away with a comedic wave towards Arnheid, and with Thorfinn in tow.

The woman chuckled before looking at you. "We're lucky to have such sweet and funny guys as our neighbors, don't we?"

The sun slowly went her way down across the sky but Thorfinn was more eager than ever to drop his axe, rope and knife to walk towards the edge of the decreasing forest. Einar rose a brow but brushed his confusion off, believing the blonde wanted to greet the master. "You're up and about, you lads, aren't you? Very good work ethics, I must say."

"Thank you, Master Ketil." Einar noted Thorfinn's quick and serious reply but kept his mouth shut. As fair as Ketil was, here on his high horse, it wasn't like Thorfinn to be so eager for conversations with him. "I do plan to turn this place into a field in about three years," Thorfinn added with an determined tone, his words cut and clear. Ketil, too, rose a brow. "Oh? Have you planned for that exact time?" The shorter man shook his head. "No. But I will get it done by then."

Look at that guy. Talking all high and mighty, confident like a carpenter as if Einar isn't doing half the work, too!

"And when it is done, Master...I'd like to ask you for a favor." The elder straightened his back and took a sharp inhale. Thorfinn making any suggestions piqued his interest - yet rather in puzzlement. "What did you have in mind, boy?"

Now, he, too, straightened his back, widened his eyes as if trying to pierce through Ketil's soul, wanting dearly for him to understand the utter necessity that bore in his words, that tore apart his heart. He had to say it and the man had to understand. Please.

"If you would so kindly allow, I'd like to work as much as I need to till this soil and grow its crops here. But instead of buying myself, I'd like to sell you the produce in order to buy their freedom back."

"What?!"

Both Einar and Ketil jumped at the boldness of his words. Thorfinn didn't blink an eye as he kept his expectant stare on the master. "Thorfinn...do you know what you're saying? Three years, at the least, all for this...one, one person? You don't mean the shy, new one?"

"I do." Thorfinn did not falter, "I want to work to buy their freedom back. To get somewhere else, far away from here. I want them to be free."

I Can't Stay Here Forever In This Hollow...

----

okay, so, this took too long-

ngl, I didn't get his speech at first - but pondering it about it more, Einar had already gone through a tragedy as a child with his father fighting off warriors/vikings to defend their village and not being sold off as slaves. After the huge amount of damage vikings have done (I imagine), there was prbly a lot of things to recover and rebuild again where all he, as a child, could do was work to rebuild, eat what they had, sleep as much as he could, and shit all day until their village recovered and they could enjoy their peace again - aka Einar being rather hopeful and ready to do that all over again as a slave and buy his freedom back.

first of all, I noticed way too late that Einar is, in fact, not a brunette;;;;his hair is rather dark reddish...oops. i'll pay more attention to that in the next

also, i read a few posts of manga-onlys/those who read the manga first that they didn't like Einar's confrontation with Thorfinn in the barn after their drama with Snake. That he's too violent, put in a bad light and I do get that - considering how incredibly kind and open-minded the guy actually is and even called Thorfinn his friend in that very chapter (in the anime it happened way later).

this is...complete bias on my part but I don't mind the scene in the anime. its scary, almost unnecessarily so in some regards considering how long the strangle goes on, like wtf - but I do like that it allowed Einar to be angry and grief in a rather negative way and realise in the midst of the action that what he is doing is wrong and that he physically does not have the guts nor want to kill someone. Imo not even giving into the thought of hurting Finny (like in the manga) shows more maturity but I don't mind both scenes. Plus, I like his speech of finding even the smallest things worthwhile and letting go of his anger in the moment to wake up Finn, cause he knows its wrong - that he isnt doing anything helpful or good, despite not liking Finn during that time at all.

[cbsghostsmetasandtrevor]

Flowers win makes no sense.

Flower can't technically have money because she doesn't have a bank account (Trevor clearly set one up for himself but he wouldn't have a fake SSN for Flower to give her the money - just like Isaac).

This means that Trevor probably sent the money to Sam who then bought the skates because FLOWER CAN'T Touch the computer.

That makes SAM had have done this to punish Trevor for no reason. Which is shitty and again those skates now belong to Sam not Flower.

And I feel like Sam might have been okay using the money on candles, but I can't see her wanting to be involved in this chaos to this extent especially when Trevor gave some of his money to fix the fountain AND he's saved or gotten them money multiple times and saved Sam's life multiple times.

Not to mention that why was it okay for Isaac, who didn't earn that money, to spend it on what he wanted (although giving it to the restaurant) and then having control over said restaurant when again he didn't earn that money???

Gahh I'm so annoyed by this plotline.

Side note - it'd be mighty shitty of Thor to light the skates on fire when we can see that a Trevor and Thor have a good friendship going.

Also it seems weird for Flower suddenly have all this idea for scheming when she's never been that way before and she can't even remember Jays name.

[donteverblameash]

Something... Reminiscent of brotherly love.

Requested by my friend @just-a-fluffy-knight!

DISCLAIMER: This is a tickle fic (SFW and strictly platonic in this case), but if you are uncomfortable with this, feel free to scroll!

Lee! Loki

Ler! Thor

Words: 912

Summary: Loki decides to play a little prank on his brother, but Thor isn't going to take it lying down because when does he ever?

A/N: My first tkl fic! I hope all readers enjoy! 😭

Fic under the cut :)

"I SWEAR ON MY HEAD, AND I SWEAR ON THE GODS YOU WILL WISH YOU'D NEVER BEEN BORN WHEN I AM DONE WITH YOU, LOKI ODINSON!"

The said Loki Odinson giggled devilishly. Quite the reaction for someone who is getting threatened.

For reference and record, the youngest Asgardian prince decided to play a practical joke on his brother involving water, twigs, and an awful mortal thing called glitter.

The oldest prince was none too pleased and acted accordingly.

"EHEHE!" Loki squealed with delight as his brother chased him through the palace like he has done a million times prior and will continue to do until they are old a gray.

Thor was giving Loki exactly what he wanted, a reaction. Thor's words, curses, and measly threats slid off Loki like nothing short of butter, and the black haired boy simply continued to run and teleport down the halls of the castle without a care.

That was until he quickly started to care when his brother managed to catch up with him by doing a flip/run/jump maneuver that would have landed anyone else in a hospital. But not Thor, blinded by his need to get back at his brother (and his protective immortality).

Thor made short work of pining the smaller boy, and the smaller boy looked up at his brother, looking painfully unimpressed despite his undermining concern. Yet he did not teleport. Maybe from his sheer surpise that Thor has caught him OR his sheer nosiness, needing to know what was going to happen next.

"You COWARD, running from me instead of owing up to... THIS!" Thor wildly pointed to his damp upper body, his hair sopping to one side, glitter falling down out of his hair and onto the very amused trickster below.

"Not owning up to it? Brother, you must not have heard me over your cursing. I said: 'Another victory for Loki of Asgard'. I'm very proud of my work, you see." Loki gently explained, like Thor was nothing more than a confused toddler in need of guidance.

"YOU- THATS-!" Thor outwardly groaned. "Insuffrable, Loki. You're insufferable."

"Are you capable of a single original thought?" Loki groaned back, slumping lazily under his brother's body and rolling his eyes.

"You think this is a game?" Thor asked darkly.

"Why, yes, I've just played a joke." Loki condescended once more.

"Alright then!" Thor said, somewhat decidedly now. "If you want to play, let's play! Let's see how willing you are to joke when faced with the tickly wrath of Thor Odinson!" Thor announced with a grin and at the word "tickly" Loki thought some teleporting would be mighty useful about now, but he didn't have time to do anything besides think that thought as huge fingers easily found their way up bony sides and on top of protruding ribs.

Thor, with no mercy to be found, scratched and digged into Loki's ribs. The younger was shocked into silence before erupting into high giggles that he knew Thor would never let him live down.

"EHEHE UNHAHAHAND MEHEHE YOU BRUTE- AAHEHEHEE!!!" That hyena reminiscent type screech was product of Thor weasling his pointer finger between the space of two of Loki's top ribs and wiggling the diget with vigor.

"Why, brother, we're only playing! Isn't that what you wanted?!" Thor asked slowly, taking his turn to be a condescending jerk as he shifted his focus to gently clawing at Loki's tummy, causing him to arch up his back and frantically shake his head at nothing in particular.

"NOHOHOT LIKE THIS EHEHE! NOT LIKE THIHIHISSS!!" Loki insisted, twisting and thrashing to no avail.

"Fine then, fine, new game." Thor announced, slowing his tickles to nothing as he rested his hands on his brother's sides, letting him catch his breath.

"Promise to stop with your foolish pranks?" Thor questioned, looking at Loki with mock sterness.

"Ahh, I hate this game." Loki started then quickly stopped as Thor gave his side a squeeze, causing the boy to let out an unmanly squeak.

"Loki, do you promise?!" Thor questioned again.

"N-now brother, you know even if I do promise, there's no promise in me keeping it-" Loki tried to reason, having no chance to try again as Thor started his tickling right back up, targeting Loki's thin shoulders, the boy scrunched them up immediately. "EEEheHEEE! Thor! Nahahah!!"

"Promise Loki..." Thor warned with a little smirk, digging all the more. Loki squeaked and lightly kicked his legs under Thor, lightly only because he hadn't much wiggle room to kick Thor in the shins like he would like to.

"Promise! Promise!" Loki cried, knowing he would never keep it, but oh well, it made Thor stop.

"Good." Thor looked satisfied and helped up his brother, who was buzzing with tickly after effect. "Never forget who's the oldest and strongest brother. You have your wits, but it doesn't outweigh my brawn." And with a lesson seemingly well learned, Thor turned to leave and assess, y'know, the twigs in his hair.

"We'll see." Loki said lowly, and the oldest Odinson had no time to react as Loki tackled him from behind.

"LOHOHOKIII!!" Thor roared, letting out unmanly shrieks of laughter, and you can imagine the rest for yourself. But I will say it was a brotherhood filled with laughter.

Thor continued to get back at Loki for his little stunt, and Loki did the same. Thor always did remember it, as the glitter never fully did get out of his hair.

[mintyys-blog]

CORSET CATASTROPHE— thor odison

WARNINGS: none

The Avengers had gathered in the compound after a long mission, and you were dealing with the aftermath of a wardrobe malfunction. Or, rather, corset malfunction.

“Thor!” you called out, your voice strained with frustration. “Can you come help me with this?”

Thor, sitting on the couch and enjoying a much-deserved break, immediately sprang to his feet. “Of course, my lady! What does your humble god need to do for you?”

You were standing in front of a mirror, desperately tugging at the laces of your corset. The thing had been a battle all day, but now it was giving you serious trouble. You turned slightly to show him your predicament.

“I can’t get it tight enough,” you explained, almost embarrassed. “I need someone with… a little more muscle to help.”

Thor’s grin widened, his eyes twinkling. “Worry not! I shall use my strength for your benefit!”

You stepped aside as Thor approached, already rolling up his sleeves as though preparing for a mighty war. With a confident flourish, he grasped the laces and began pulling.

“There,” he said with satisfaction, pulling the cords tight. “I shall make you feel like a queen in this—almost like my own armor!”

“Oh, Thor, that’s… really tight,” you gasped, feeling the pressure of the corset squeeze your waist. “I didn’t think it would be this… intense.”

Thor’s face softened with concern. “I can go gentler, if you wish. I only wish to help you look your finest.”

You shook your head, trying to keep your breath steady. “No, no… Just—just a little more. I want it to fit perfectly.”

Thor’s brows furrowed, and he tugged again, harder this time. “This must be done, my friend. For victory, we must endure!”

The laces creaked as he pulled with all his might, and your chest tightened—not just from the corset, but from the absurdly suggestive sounds that were now filling the air.

“Just a little tighter, Thor…” you breathed, half-wincing, half-laughing. “It’s… almost there.”

Thor grunted as he pulled again, his face red from the effort. “Almost?” he asked, clearly confused by the intensity of your words. “We are so close now! Surely, you can handle a little more, my lady?”

You couldn’t hold back a laugh, but you quickly turned it into a cough. “I can take it, I swear. Just a bit more.” With a grunt, Thor yanked at the strings harshly— you gasped, “Thor! Not so rough— you promised to be gentle!”

“Apologies, m’Lady,”

From down the hall, you could hear Tony’s voice, loud and clear. “Uhhh, you sure that’s just a corset you’re talking about?”

You glanced at Thor, who was oblivious, still pulling the laces tighter. “It’s nothing,” you called back, trying to sound casual. “Just—just corset stuff!”

Meanwhile, Thor was fully invested, his muscles flexing as he yanked again. “There! Now, you will be able to breathe easily and look magnificent!”

“I—can’t… breathe yet,” you gasped, feeling the weight of the corset nearly crush your ribs. “I mean—yes! It looks great. I can’t wait to show off how… how… tight it is.”

Thor paused, clearly misunderstanding your words, but then he smiled proudly. “Ah, yes! I knew it! The finer details are always the hardest, but we have conquered them!”

“Definitely conquered,” you muttered, wondering if you’d be able to feel your legs after this. “It’s just… you really know how to—”

“—Make you feel like a goddess?” Thor interrupted, his grin getting wider.

“Exactly,” you choked out, half sarcastic, half breathless.

A muffled voice from the hallway interrupted once again. “Yeah, that’s definitely not what it sounds like,” Clint said, his tone dripping with mischief. “You guys need a moment or something?”

You and Thor exchanged glances, both of you flustered and equally confused as to why this had gotten so out of hand.

“No, no,” you assured them, now trying not to burst out laughing. “We’re—it’s literally just the corset! Can you guys not hear us struggling? It’s like the laces are alive!”

“I’ll take your word for it,” Natasha called, clearly not convinced. “But the sounds coming from there… sure don’t sound like struggling.”

Thor beamed. “Fear not! We are simply—uh, preparing her for battle! It requires strength and dedication!”

You were so close to laughing that you nearly lost your breath. “Yes, a battle, exactly,” you said between chuckles, your ribs aching from both the corset and trying to hold it together.

“Just a little bit more,” Thor said, pulling once more. “We’re almost there.”

You couldn’t help but whisper, “You’re doing great, Thor. So tight… just a little more…”

“More?” Thor asked, clearly pumped. “I am ready for anything!”

From the hallway, Tony sighed dramatically. “Please, for the love of everything holy, don’t tell me you’re seriously doing this right now.”

And with that, the Avengers were left with the sound of you and Thor in the room, wrestling with laces, caught somewhere between a struggle and a very awkward misunderstanding.

[ewingstan]

Been curiosity-reading comics lately and rather enjoyed Immortal Hulk. I noticed it was Ewing and looked up what he's done, but that's a rather long list of other things he's written-figured it'd be best to ask tumblr user ewingstan for any particular recommendations to look at from here.

Oh dang! Glad you're enjoying yourself. I'll say up front that Ewing likes to use a lot of the same characters across series, and that they tend to have larger arcs between series, so reading all his stuff in order is pretty rewarding. I also provided a few reading lists below the cut. That said, If I were to recommend some highlights:

Iron Man: Fatal Frontier— Co-written with the incredible Kieron Gillen, this is one of Ewing's first series working in Marvel. A mini-series with a great premise (Iron Man acting as basically a sheriff on a Moon colony) and a great take on Stark, emphasizing a pig-headedness that makes him very entertaining to watch. It's also Ewing's first use of Doom as a character, who'll become one of his favorites to use—and damn if he doesn't write a good Doom.

Loki: Agent of Asguard— One of my first experiences with comics, and one that set the benchmark for what you could do with an extended universe. What starts as an interesting setup for a mythical spy storyline spirals into a larger tale of deciding what kind of character you want to be. Technically a follow-up to Gillen's runs on Journey into Mystery and Young Avengers, but these aren't at all necessary—Ewing sets up the context quickly.

Contest of Champions (2015)— An especially zany one, this series lets Ewing indulge in his favorite passtime: bringing back a bunch of unconnected obscure characters and banging them against each other like never before. An excellent showcase of Ewing's abilities to quickly spin a compelling character out of very little.

Avengers: No Surrender and Avengers: No Road Home—These two series have a soft spot for me. Co-written by Ewing, Mark Waid, and Jim Zub, they're both some of the best examples of classic "there's a big weird threat, lets assemble some heroes" storylines to date. They also serve as a culmination of sorts for Ewing's various scattered Avengers series, though they can each be taken on their own. (Those scattered Avengers series are typically quite good, though they tend to be mired in event cross-overs. Usually you'll need to quickly look up the basic premises of the event an issue is tying into to avoid confusion, though larger engagement with the events are unneeded. These two series thankfully avoid that trend).

Guardians of the Galaxy (2020): This is Ewing firing on all cylinders. It arguably requires a bit more comics background to get the full effect, but it employs some of his most interesting ideas and most compelling action. This ended too damn soon.

Now for the reading lists:

Ewing loves working on team books that are 80% made up of heroes the average person has never heard of. Some of his favorites to work with are Blue Marvel, Spectrum, Sunspot, and various iterations of White Tiger. The most direct reading order for what I consider his most classic, pulpy superhero work is going in order from Mighty Avengers (2014), Captain America and the Mighty Avengers (2014), New Avengers (2015), U.S.Avengers (2017), Avengers: No Surrender (Avengers #675-690), Avengers: No Road Home, Empyre, and Avengers Inc.

However, you can alternatively take the Mighty series to be the start of his exploration of Marvel's larger cosmic makeup. For this somewhat separate, trippier storyline, the reading order is Loki: Agent of Asguard, Mighty Avengers (2014), Captain America and the Mighty Avengers (2014), Ultimates, Ultimates ^2, Contest of Champions, Avengers: No Surrender, Avengers: No Road Home, Immortal Hulk, Marvel Comics #1000, Defenders (2021), and Defenders: Beyond. From what I understand, Venom (2021), The Immortal Thor, Venom War and All-New Venom (2024) also follow from this storyline, though I haven't gotten to these yet. Do make sure to check out the tie-in Absolute Carnage: Immortal Hulk, the one saving grace of the whole Danny Cates Venom series.

Finally, you can construct a list focusing on his take on Marvel's interplanetary politics: Royals, Rocket, Empyre, Guardians of the Galaxy, S.W.O.R.D, X-Men: Red, and The Resurrection of Magneto.

Here's a more detailed breakdown with notes on where you can continue specific storylines. Note again that many of these will have tie-ins, just look up the basic premise of whatever event they're connected to and you'll be fine.

Mighty Avengers is directly continued through Captain America and the Mighty Avengers.

After that, Ewing starts working on two different ensemble books: Ultimates (2015) and New Avengers (2015), each using some characters from the Mighty Avengers books. Each of these are followed up in later series, creating two separate storylines. The New Avengers is arguably a more direct continuation of the larger Ewing Avengers storyline.

If you liked Spectrum and The Blue Marvel, and like your sci-fi with a dash of mytho-poetics, start with Ultimates and continue with Ultimates ^2 (2016). The team also makes an appearance at the tail-end of Contest of Champions. Much of the focus on the big cosmic beings it explores gets revisited in Marvel Comics #1000, Defenders, and Defenders: Beyond.

If you liked Power-Man and White Tiger, and want something pulpy and frenetic, start with New Avengers. Optionally, read the 3-issue Ultron Forever miniseries first. Then move on to U.S.Avengers.

After finishing U.S.Avengers, continue onto No Surrender (aka Avengers 675-690.) This is the last hurrah of the team started in New Avengers, and ties back in several characters from the Mighty Avengers runs. If you want more Roberto Da Costa afterwards, check out X-Men: Red.

No Road Home follows up on No Surrender, and follows up a bit more directly with some of the plot threads from the Ultimates series. Optionally read Rocket beforehand. Afterwards, you can continue the storyline it set up in Guardians of the Galaxy.

The event series Empyre, co-written with Dan Slott, follows up on character arcs from the Mighty Avengers with She-Hulk, The Ultimates with Captain Marvel and Black Panther, and from New Avengers with Wiccan and Hulkling. It also sets up storylines in GotG.

Avengers Inc. is not especially related to other works here, though it uses several characters that he's frequently used across his Avengers titles. Optionally read Ant-Man (2022) and Wasp (2023) beforehand.

[fateoffireandwater]

Top ten MCU girlbosses

before I start writing I want to say that when I think girl boss I don’t think rude bitch or queen of literally everything. It is just someone who stands up for herself I also don’t know how to explain it lmao.

10. Monica

Honestly she just slays that’s all I can say.

9. The mighty Thor

In the Thor movies she starts an amazing scientist with bravery and confidence. Then she becomes a hero and dies defeating Gorr.

8. MJ

I like this character because her personality is different from the average girlfriend of a superhero and she always does what she believes is right and will never shy away from the truth.

7. Darcy

She just whatever she wants and is such a character. She is a girlboss don’t really have a reason why.

6. Rio

I love how she does whatever she wants and has a fun humorous attitude and while everyone is terrified she’s having a great time.

5. Agatha

Just like rio she does whatever she wants and has a great personality.

4. Scarlet witch

literally the most powerful avenger and would do anything to protect her family literally. After she realises the horrible things she’s done she doesn’t hesitate to do what she thinks she needs to do to fix it. She went from a scared character who needed to be constantly saved by Hawkeye, Petrio and other characters to the strongest avenger.

3. Nebula

She starts of as an avenger who wants to get revenge on her sister to a tough, smart, independent, protective and strong character who secretly cares about all her friends.

2. Mantis

After being told what to do and having no freedom for her whole life she finally leaves and uses her incredible kindness, empathy and powers to live her own life. I love how the movie makers didn’t mark her the average female character who either is absolutely perfect at everything and is a bitch and never does anything important or is useless and always needs saving. Instead she has her flaws and strengths.

Karen

Oh my god Karen has to be one of my favourite characters. The reason she was in daredevil in the first place is because she had murdered someone but she doesn’t remember doing it. Because she has no money she works with Matt and Foggy as a lawyer WITH NO EXPERIENCE OR KNOWLEDGE ON BEING A LAWYER. She tries to solves mystery that daredevil is trying to figure. She and her friend Ben are working together to bring these people up. Then she finds kingpins mum which no one knew existed except for a couple people including kingpin, his friend (forgot his name) and the workers at the nursing home the mum was at. Kingpins bestie friendo finds out that Karen knows this and kidnaps her. Then she KILLS HIM which is crazy because he isn’t a weak character or anything. I mean he was kinda stupid guy for leaving the gun on the middle of the table anyway. She gets kidnapped again in season 2 at the end and she tries to escape with some guy and he nearly dies but daredevil comes and saves everyone and she helps everyone get out. After that she writes the most inspiring article (because she gets given a new job WITH NO EXPERIENCE OR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS JOB AGAIN in Ben’s office once he dies.) At the end of season 2 daredevil reveals to her who he is. This is some key moments that show how much of a character she is. I won’t include everything awesome she did because this will be way to long. Anyways throughout season 1 and 2 of daredevil she shows her persistence and hope by always pushing through struggles and reassuring and helping others . Even while she was recovering from murdering someone twice and later losing two good friends all of these on separate occasions she was doing her job, being a good person and helping Foggy and daredevil. She also doesn’t put up with people doing horrible things whatever it is and will to ever she thinks is the right thing no matter the consequences. Dame I should stop writing now lmao.

Like for part 2 if you want.

[queen-of-the-avengers]

Thor: The Dark World (Part One)

Pairing: Loki x Female!Reader

Word Count: ~2.1k

Warnings: canon violence and angst

MCU Rewrite Masterlist

Author’s Note: any and all comments are appreciated <3

x

Long before the birth of light, there was darkness, and from that darkness came the Dark Elves. Millennia ago, the most ruthless of their kind, Malekith, sought to transform the universe back into one of eternal night. Such evil was possible through the power of the Aether, an ancient force of infinite destruction. The noble armies of Asgard, led by Odin's father, King Bor, waged a mighty war against these creatures.

As the Nine Worlds converged above him, Malekith could at last unleash the Aether, but Asgard ripped the weapon from his grasp. Without it, the Dark Elves fell. With the battle all but lost, Malekith sacrificed his own people in a desperate attempt to lay waste to Asgard's army.

Malekith was vanquished, and the Aether was no more... or so they were led to believe.

Loki is put into chains to keep from escaping as he is escorted back into the castle to face sentencing. The muzzle is off his mouth, but he doesn't say a word. Odin, Frigga, and Sif and the Warrior's Three are waiting in the ballroom with a plethora of guards inside. You guess his parents don't want to underestimate him. Loki has magic and can do anything at any time. You don't think he will do anything, but they don't want to take the chance.

You're about to enter the ballroom when one of the guards stops you.

"Let her through. She's a witness and a noble warrior. I trust her," Thor says.

The guard nods and allows you to go through. Thor makes his way to the front, but you don't follow him. You've fought well next to Thor but you don't think Odin would appreciate you standing at the front with the royal family. Instead, you stand off to the side where Loki can still see you.

"Loki," Frigga sighs.

"Hello, mother. Have I made you proud?"

"Please, don't make this worse."

"Define worse."

"Enough!" Odin's voice booms off the walls.

"I really don't see what all the fuss is about," Loki laughs.

"Do you not truly feel the gravity of your crimes? Wherever you go, there is war, ruin, and death."

"I went down to Midgard to rule the people of Earth as a benevolent God. Just like you."

Loki doesn't see the errors of his ways. He's confused, misguided, and full of rage meant for his father. It breaks your heart to see him this way.

"We are not Gods. We are born, we live, and we die. Just as humans do."

"Give or take five thousand years."

Odin decides to change tactics because talking to Loki about what he's done isn't going to get him anywhere.

"All this because Loki desires a throne."

"It is my birthright!"

"Your birthright was to die! Cast out onto a frozen rock. If I had not taken you in, you would not be here now to hate me."

"If I am for the axe, then for mercy's sake, just swing it. It's not that I don't love our little talks, it's just ... I don't love them."

"Frigga is the only reason you are still alive, and you will never see her again. You will spend the rest of your days in the dungeons."

Loki looks to his mother who stares at him. He looks at his brother who looks sad for him. He can barely look at you.

"What of Thor? You'll make that witless oaf king while I rot in chains?"

"Thor must strive to undo the damage you have done. He will bring order to the nine realms, and then, yes. He will be king."

Loki is taken down to the dungeons while the rest mutter amongst themselves about the circumstances. You don't wait to hear what they have to say because you're already leaving the ballroom. Thor looks to the right and sees your hair right before the big doors are closed. He knows exactly where you're going, but he doesn't know if you're capable of helping Loki, not after all this time.

The guards place Loki in an empty cell and put up golden glimmering walls that not even Loki can escape from. There is already some furniture inside of it so he's not in a completely barren room but he pays no mind to it. He paces the entire length of the cell in thought while you wait for the guards to leave. There are other prisoners stashed in their own cells, prisoners who have been here for a long time.

They sneer as you walk past them but you don't pay a single lick of attention to them. Loki's back is turned to you when you walk up the steps to his cell. It takes him a second to recognize that you're there based on how his body freezes. He slowly turns to look at you with an unreadable expression on his face.

"That's twice you've snuck up on me." You take a seat on the ledge by the golden wall and Loki follows in your footsteps. There is a small step on the inside of the cell that can fit a person if they decide to sit on it. The only thing separating you and Loki is a thin shimmering gold wall. "What are you doing here?"

"I want to be with you."

"Why? After everything I've done to you, why would you want to stay with me?"

Loki can be so dense sometimes.

"You want to know what you've done to me? You gave me a home when I needed it. You showed me kindness when everyone else gave me pain. You weaseled your way into my heart when I didn't think I had one. What kind of person would I be if I gave up on you after you've done so much for me?"

Loki sighs and looks down at his attire, and he picks a loose piece of thread from it.

"That was a long time ago. You're living in a fantasy." Loki looks into your eyes. "What we had is in the past. It's not real anymore."

"Well, I'm not leaving," you shrug.

"Darling, I'm not a good person," Loki sighs.

"You think I am? Do you really think you're the only one who has done bad shit in their life? Try as much as you want but you're not getting rid of me that easily."

Loki needs to push you away. He needs to get you as far away from his heart as you can. He doesn't know how to deal with someone who loves him despite everything he's done. You scare him. You're everything he doesn't think he deserves.

"Look at where I am!" He's raising his voice to scare you but you're not backing down. "I've killed thousands of humans in one day! How can you sit there and look at me?"

"Like this."

You lean your head on the pillar and stare at him with love in your eyes. He has to look away before he breaks down in tears. Though, if you look hard enough, you can see a slight blush on his cheeks.

"Stop looking at me."

"I can't help it. You have such beautiful eyes. I'm a sucker for blue eyes." This time, he can't stop the blush. "Do you want anything? To eat or read, maybe?" He stays silent. "I know what you like. I'll be right back."

Loki watches you walk off with a sigh. What is he going to do with you?

As Loki was wreaking havoc on Earth, other battles were happening all across the Nine Realms. He aided where he could and put order back into the Nine Realms faster than you've seen anyone do. He certainly got praise from his family which is why they wanted to have a big celebration for him. They kept putting off the big celebration due to what happened with Loki but they couldn't wait anymore.

If Asgard and the royal family know how to do anything right, it's how to throw a huge fucking party.

It didn't take them long to get everything set up since servants were pouring out their ears, apparently. You're not interested in partying with them if the one person you want to be there can't. You'd gladly take this celebration down to the dungeons and spend it with the one you love.

You reach the main hallway right next to the dungeon and see a bunch of servants with trays of food in their hands rushing down the hallway to the main banquet hall. Man, they don't waste any time. Asgardians are fast-moving people. They don't take time to slow down.

You walk into the banquet hall to see so many people already inside with plates of food and smiles on their faces. It pisses you off to see them so relaxed after putting one of their own in the dungeon. Not only one of them but one of the Princes. None of them are loyal to anyone but themselves and it shows.

You go to the table of food and grab two plates, one for you and one for Loki. Thor and Odin are off to the side talking near the table, and you transform your ear into that of a bat to eavesdrop on them. You shouldn't do that since it's an invasion of privacy but Odin has that look about it. Call it the protector in you. Thor might be stronger than you in some ways, but you'll still want to protect him in any way you can.

"Is Vanaheim secure?" Odin asks.

"As are Nornheim and Ria. Though our work would have gone more quickly with you at the fore."

"You must think I'm a piece of bread that needs to be buttered so heavily."

"That was not my intent," Thor chuckles.

"For the first time since the Bifrost was destroyed, the Nine Realms are at peace. They're well reminded of our strength, and you have earned their respect and my gratitude."

"Thank you."

You look at Thor to see him look around the room with distraction in his eyes. He's thinking of her.

"Nothing out of order except your confused and distracted heart."

"This isn't about Jane Foster, Father."

"Human lives are fleeting; they are nothing. You'd be better served by what lies in front of you." You follow Odin's gaze to Sif who is on the balcony. It hurts to hear him say humans mean nothing. There are humans ten times better than Odin will ever be. "I'm telling you this not as the all-father but as your father. You are ready. The time has come for you to take the throne. Embrace and celebrate what you've won. Join your warriors. Eat and drink. Revel in their celebration. At least pretend to enjoy yourself."

Odin leaves his son, and Thor thinks about his words. You finish gathering enough food for you and Loki before heading in the direction of the library. Thor sees you and perks up. He waves you down and joins your side.

"I hear congratulations are in order."

Thor sees your ear turn from a bat to your normal one. He isn't mad you eavesdropped. He's actually relieved to know someone understands his struggles with his father.

"Eavesdropping, are we?"

"I can't help it. I'm protective of my friends. I don't quite agree with Odin's parenting styles."

"I'd like to think of you more than a friend. You're my teammate. A trusted ally."

"Yeah, same to you, Thor. I have to go. Excuse me."

Thor sees two trays of food in your hands but before you can escape, he speaks.

"Do you really think Loki is the same man from when you knew him all those years ago?"

"I believe it to be."

"Only you would truly know," he nods. "Loki is confused and misguided. He has the potential to be good if only he were given an opportunity to do so."

"I'm giving it to him."

"Then I wish you luck."

Thor departs and heads over to Sif who smiles at his presence. She looks over at where he once was and locks eyes with you. She gives a small wave and you smile in return. You quickly make your way to the main door and quietly curse when Frigga steps out of the shadows to confront you.

"I know where you're going."

"Am I in trouble?"

She shakes her head with a smile. "You are good for him. He deserves someone like you."

"I wish he would see it that way," you sigh.

"He will, given time." She looks at your plate and reaches for something on the table near her. It's a small bowl of Asgardian fruit. She places it onto one of the plates. "It's Loki's favorite."

"Thank you," you smile.

x

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[sicklyseraphnsuch]

(prev)

When Hiccup returns to the hut, he finds their guest awake, and sitting up. That's good. That's an improvement. Before Hiccup could take a better look at the guy, Gothi parks herself in front of him.

"He's delicate," she scribbles on the ground. "The seas left its mark. Don't excite him too much." She punctuates those last two words with a tap of her walking stick.

Hiccup lifts both hands up. "Alright, okay! I'll be careful! You make it sound like I'm gonna give him a heart attack!"

"Are you?" A low voice croaks out.

Hiccup turns to face their guest. And yeah, okay. He gets where Gothi's coming from. The guy looks like he's two steps from entering Hel or Valhalla, probably Hel from the looks of him. He's thinner than Hiccup, but then again, Hiccup has filled out a little. He's got honest-to-Thor biceps now. But this guy - Hiccup has seen chickens with more meat on their wings than this guy has in his arms. And he's deathly pale, which makes sense given the circumstances. Seriously, Hiccup could trace the guy's veins - blue, nearly black, against his skin. Hiccup never had the good fortune of seeing a dead body - not the way Ruffnut and Tuffnut keep saying they have. But Hiccup hopes this guy will be the closest he'll ever get.

And yet... The weirdest part about this guy has to be his face. Hiccup can't figure it out but there's just something really weird about his face. It wasn't the eyes or the hair, both colored a common as dirt brown. So what...

"If you keep making a face like that, you'll really give me a heart attack," the guy murmurs, cutting through Hiccup's thoughts.

"I think you can manage one without any help..." Hiccup replies.

The guy snorts. "I'm feeling better if you can believe it." He nods at Gothi. "Can she talk? All she's done this whole time is stare at me. I swear I never saw her blink."

"Yeah... She does that. But um... good, I mean, about your uh health. Glad to hear it." Hiccup rubs the back of his neck. He's supposed to ask the guy more about himself, but outside of a straight up interrogation, he's never been good at the 'let's get to know each other' kinda stuff. They shoulda sent Gobber to do this, now there's someone that can get folks to tell stories. But Dad says it's all part of his Chief training, whatever that means.

"Thanks for pulling me out of the ice," the guy says. "This was mighty kind of you, and really, if there's any sort of payment I can offer, just let me know? Unless, I mean, my Mom spoke to you already?"

"Your... Mom...." Hiccup echoes. He can feel his face freezing up. His Mom? But there was never - They couldn't even find a shipwreck.

"Yeah, you know. A woman that looks kinda like me, almost like we're related or something." The guy goes on.

Hiccup's throat dries up and he clenches his jaw. This guy washed ashore with nothing but the strange clothes on his back. They figured him for dead before he started coughing like he was trying to throw up his lungs. It was... Yeah, Hiccup doesn't like remembering it too much. If this guy was that bad, then anyone else would be...

"And she keeps calling herself too old or that I'll give her gray hairs, but really she doesn't look a day over a hundred." The guy chuckles, or tries to, mostly he makes this wet, wheezing noise.

Hiccup opens his mouth, shuts it, then opens it again. "We... There was no one else in the water..."

He braces himself for the guy to start wailing, to froth up a rage - some kind of strong response. But the guy just tilts his head. And oh. Hiccup gets it now - the thing that's been bothering him about this guy's face. He's always kinda smiling. As if a grin is permanently pasted on his face, even when his hands are balled into fists, even when his shoulders are drawn in tight, even when there's literally nothing about him that matches a smile.

"Well... That's good, right? I was the only one in the water then. But so... Does my Mom know I'm here? Does my sister?"

Okay. Well. Now Hiccup's just confused. "No... How would we reach out to your family? Do they live nearby?"

"Uh... Yeah? I mean, maybe? Do you guys live anywhere near Hawthorne?"

"I... have never heard of that place."

"What? No. That can't be right. Hawthorne's barely the size of a village, sure, but it's the only settlement for miles!"

Hiccup slowly shakes his head. "No... I don't remember hearing of someplace like that."

At last, the guy's grin falls away as he scowls at the blankets. He chews on his lip, clearly thinking hard.

Hiccup tries to remember if he's ever heard of a Hawthorne. But he comes up blank. "I can -"

"Where is-"

They share a look. Now it's Hiccup's turn to crack a grin. "You first."

The guy blinks. "Oh, uh... I was um... Where am I now? Where is this?"

"Berk."

When the guy just gives him a blank stare, Hiccup folds his brow. Berk's been making a name for itself since they started the whole dragon co-existence thing. Surely, this guy would have heard all the rumors about them. Thor knows, they've been suffering the consequences from all that attention.

But this guy - there's not a shred of recognition in his expression. He could be faking it. Or 'the seas left its mark', as Gothi put it. Hiccup really wants to give him the benefit of doubt here.

"Berk, one of the isles in the Barbaric Archipelago? Home to the Hairy Hooligan tribe? No? None of that sounds familiar?"

The guy wordlessly shakes his head, fear starting to twist his face. Okay. That's not ideal.

"Is that... Is that anywhere near the New World?" The guy asks, his knuckles going white as he squeezes the blankets with both hands.

Gothi makes an irritated tap of her walking stick. Hiccup ignores her.

Did this guy just say the 'New World'? But that's just an old mariner's tale. And even if it was true, it's definitely nowhere near Berk.

The look on Hiccup's face must give him away because the guy locks up, eyes going wide, limbs closing tight and stiff.

"H... How... But I was just there! The pond was right by my village! How did this happen?!"

And that, Hiccup thinks, is the real question. Either this guy is a really good actor or he really has no memory. When he starts breathing faster, clutching his chest like it hurts, Hiccup makes a decision.

Dodging Gothi's stick, which tries to keep him away, Hiccup crouches next to the bed, putting himself at eye level with their guest. "Hey, we can figure this out, okay? You'll be back with your Mom in no time. Just... Just hang in there... Uhm..."

The guy looks at him, and there's that smile again - completely out of place given that he's literally one heartbeat away from a breakdown. "Ca-Call me Jack. And you?"

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third. But everyone calls me Hiccup."

[acatinstarktower]

The Avengers: Earth's mightiest heroes

S1:Ep2 Thor The Mighty

My thoughts and opinions getting into the show!

Whoever this lady is im in love with her ngl. Medical professionals 👏 get 👏 shit 👏 done 👏 unlike cops

I also like the small detail of the neck brace she put on that officer, like that is actually a thing you would do for someone who has been thrown around like a toy and therefore may have spine/back injuries from that. The other paramedic is honestly a real one tho cause that scene is not safe to enter and if Thor didn't show up there would be 2 more casualties from that event.

Those shoulders 🥰 but that's such a ridiculous fight ngl. He's a god why is he getting pushed around by this group so much. Like okay he's being a good guy and trying not to kill them, but also dude why are you so slow to react to things and letting them get so many hits on you.

Jane is so far my 2nd favorite character in this show. I'm also very impressed by how many little moments the show has developing the side characters as opposed to just focusing on the main ones. Adds a lot more depth to the world/people.

The frost giant fight is also absolutely ridiculous however. Almost all of it was, Thor gets hit/crushed under something! But then he gets back up again! And hit again! And up again in a more powerful way! Why does Thor wait so long to do the big lightning attack. People are dying. This is (hopefully an intentional one?) contrast to Tony in Ep 1 using his biggest attack immediately on the the threat killing people so to subdue it as quickly as possible. Thor is very much a tank in that no damage seems to stick on him but my god does he move slow.

I mean Loki's kinda right tho Odin is a bitch. (And why'd they make my girl have her bare thighs out, it's snowing outside and they just got attacked by frost giants isn't she cold??)

Ayyyyy I like Thor standing up for himself and others against Odin. Those Loki flashbacks were very interesting as well, presumably lying to the giants about Odin being an immediate threat but it does say smth about their politics/climate that it was reasonable the giants believed him. I'm enjoying how this show portrays backstory and gives hints to deeper conflicts very much.

The enchantress' facial expression twisting (in guilt? 👀) when Loki compliments her on how well she can trick Thor intrigues the fuck out of me. What's their backstory?

And Odin and Loki better get the fuck away from my girl Jane I swear to god.

So I like the setup in this episode of Loki as a new threat, I like the little hints to deeper feelings in the side characters, and Thor being pulled between Earth and Asgard. Fight scenes were ehhhhh but I think that will be a recurring opinion of mine.

[quirkwizard]

What would a Quirk based on Thor be like? One idea have is that they have localized Tempestakinesis and have some resistance to their own Quirk. Another one is that they have Bio-Electrogenesis

So I've already done the whole storm thing with "Stormfront" and "Hydrometer". Though that doesn't matter too much since the obvious choice would be to translate Thor's hammer.

I see it working as a Transformation type Quirk allows the user to cover their hands in metal and form a small hammer via clasping their hands together. This hammer generates electromagnetic energy when the user moves it, causing it to spark with electricity. The user can then utilize this electricity by moving the hammer, such as hitting something and unleashing the stored energy or thrusting it to fire out a blast of lightning. The user's hands act as magnets for the hammer, allowing them to attract and repel the hammer from their grip and vice versa. This gives the user a good tool for combat, able to blast and smash their foes with their mighty hammer. They can blast enemies with electricity, fling the hammer to get around, unleash powerful combos via moving the hammer, augment their close quarters abilities with electricity, or simply beat someone with the hammer. Though the application of the Quirk requires the hammer to use the Quirk, so losing or damaging it can hamper the Quirk. The user needs to move to charge this hammer, requiring some build-up for some of the user to apply it. If not, the hammer is effectively dead, and the user can generate or control its power. A possible name for the Quirk could be "Thunderstruck".

[noe-pri08]

Loki x Y/n

Summary: You are the new recruit living in the tower and you have your first interaction with Loki, what he doesn’t know is that you have a… special personality

Your powers are that you can control the elements and you can control and read minds

I'm sorry If there are any mistakes, English isn't my first language

 You were in the library reading a book that Thor recommended me about The Avengers when Loki enters

Loki seems slightly surprised to see you there “The elemental, you’re reading?”

“No, I just like hold books. You’re Loki right?” you say sarcastically, making a grin

He nods “Indeed I am. I’m the God of Mischief, and you are the elemental?

“Yeah but I prefer Y/n”

He chuckles “My apologies Y/n. But it is a mighty name isn’t it? Elemental” He says the word as if it were some riddle “Well, Y/n why not follow me and we can talk in somewhere more private?” Loki has a sly smile on his face

“Okay” you follow him, being a bit suspicious because of his background and what not. He seems a bit much enthusiast about being in private. Some minutes later you get to a quiet room. He smiles and closes the door behind the both of you

“So…elemental. What can you do” he says while looking you up and down

“I control the elements and minds, but I also can read them” you are alert for whatever might happen

“Read mind you say?” He looks at you chuckles “Well that should come in handy for spying and stuff” he smiles

“Yeah, that’s why I’m here”

“And do you control all the elements too?” he asks with curiosity

“Yeah. Fire, water, wind and earth” you answer

He smiles at you and nods “Maybe you could demonstrate them?”

You agree and make fire come out of your hand while you summon a burst of wind

He chuckles and smiles “That should be enough proof” he looks at you a bit more and then speaks softly “I like your powers elemental, they could be very useful. I wonder what I could do with you as an advantage”

“What do you mean?” you say suspicious and prepared to fight in case you need to causing to smirk

“You think I’m going to attack you? Me? I would never do such a thing. What I am going to do is offer you a deal…”

“Well you see Loki, you attacked New York and I’m sorry but I’m not that kind of things you know” you smile at him with irony

He looks at you annoyed “Not that again! Let’s forget that” he waves dismissively “You can help me with my future plans. Together we could accomplish things you wouldn’t expect. The gods themselves would bow before us!” Loki seems to get more and more excited while talking about this

You look surprised “But I don’t want that , I just want help the innocent people, I wanna defend them. Besides, I’ve heard your plans are lead the Earth and I’m not interested” you say, refusing to help him

He laughs a bit “So what? I could make things better for Earth if I led it. If I controlled it…I could achieve better things then this so called Avengers group ever could”

“But, like I said, I don’t want to”

Loki starts to get annoyed “Look, let me explain to you what you do don understand elemental. I am the master of mind manipulation, I could make you do things you would never dream of doing. I have this gift. I could change the world…And I could start by making you into being on my side and achieving my plans” Loki smirks “You may not want to join me. But as I will show you…You don’t have a choice” he thinks he’s the best, but I’m here to demonstrate him that his wrong

“I do have a choice, you know why? Because I can also manipulate minds, including yours”

He chuckles “You think I would be affected by your powers?” Loki smirks even more “Elemental… I am a God. I would laugh at your pitiful attempts”

“You sure? Let’s try” I control his mind, making him feel hurt

He starts to feel pain and his eyes widen “What have you done elemental?!” he stumbles back holding his head in

“You think I can’t control you, that I’m not strong enough, so I’m showing you otherwise. I think you underestimated me and my powers” you say looking at him angry due to he didn’t think you were capable of have power over him

He kneels down on the floor holding his head in pain “Aghh…you are not going to give me much choice with this are you elemental?” Loki looks at you

“Say I can control you, say that you’ll stop your stupid plans, and then I’ll stop” you say, looking down on him

“Okay, okay. You have a small edge over me elemental. But what if I told you that I can give you something that you’ve never felt before?” he says struggling to talk

“What?” you ask, still angry and faking interest about what he says

He stands up straight and smirks “If you work with me elemental, you’ll learn things. Knowledge that normal humans, and even other gods wouldn’t dare know. What do you say elemental?” Loki is still in pain but it’s going away. He looks at you with a serious face

“I don’t think I need to learn anything more” you say bored

He chuckles “But knowledge is the most powerful weapon that one can wield. I have the knowledge… and I can unlock your potential that you’ve never realised you had” Loki’s face turns from serious to a more calm tone. And I’m offering all of this to you elemental” he is still recovering from your mind manipulation and you think it has affected him more than you expected, because everything he says is more and more stupid

“I won’t collaborate in such plans as yours” you firmly and tired of his perseveration

He laughs slightly “Why don’t you trust me elemental? Don’t I seem like a nice and caring person?” Loki smiles “I am offering you the chance to unlock the most powerful version of yourself. Just take my hand elemental…just accept my deal”

You chuckle “First, did you really have to ask that? Let’s see, you attacked an entire town just because you wanted to, now you’re saying stupid things about Gods bowing before us and you’re the God of Mischief, that’s why I don’t trust you” you smile sarcastically at him “second, no you don’t exactly look like a nice and caring person, but I’ll accept” you are curious so you take his hand

He smiles triumphantly “You’ll see, I am the God of Mischief after all…I’ll treat you like royalty. You’ll enjoy the knowledge that I give you”

“I am warning you, as soon as you say something I don’t wanna do I’ll go, understood?”

He nods and smiles “Understood. I’ll be fair with you elemental”

“You’ll have to do something more, I can’t accept just your word, you’re the God of Mischief after all” you say, not trusting him

He smirks and leans in “Look elemental, if I wanted to make you do something you don’t want to, I would’ve done so already. But I respect your choices for now”

“Okay, I guess that will have to be enough” you nod

Loki’s smirk grows wider and wider “That’s right elemental. Now come with me and I shall show you things you’ve never seen before” Loki smiles and starts walking to the door and you follow him. Loki is leading both of you across the base until he stops infront of the door and the opens it. When he opens you see something that surprises you. Loki smiles and beckons you to come inside with him “Just come in elemental, there is something I wanna show you”

You enter the room, looking amazed at everything. There are lots of computers and scientific equipment. He has made a fully advanced lab. There are even weapons that are all laid out. He turns to you and smiles

“What do you think elemental?” he asks

“What are the weapons for” you say

He chuckles “Well we never know when a problem happens right elemental? So it’s best to be prepared. What if another Loki came to this universe? Wouldn’t we have to be prepared for that” Loki chuckles as he speaks, but he is being serious though

“We have to be prepared for you, I don’t wanna even think about two of you” you say absent as you keep looking around

He laughs “You see my point right elemental. I am a God after all so we better prepare for that” Loki smiles. He then gestures for you to come with him to another part of the lab “Come elemental, I have a present for you”

We walk over to some sort of weapon “Now elemental, you do not only have the ability to control the elements right? You can also read minds…what if…” he turns to you and smirks “I took away that ability?” Loki chuckles “What if I showed you how to not only boost your powers… but to make your mind control a lot stronger, what do you think elemental” he starts to grin widely

“Are you insane? You’re not gonna take my powers away. And even if you try to, you know what I’m capable of to defend myself” you threaten him

Loki seems slightly irritated at your remark “So hostile aren’t you elemental? “ he smiles “And how do you know that that I don’t  have the power to take it?” he starts walking towards you slightly

“I don’t know, and I don’t trust you either” it makes him laugh

“I don’t think that you have any choice elemental…if you do not do what I ask you to I’ll simple take it from you” he smirks and walks over to you. You can feel the presence of his mind control powers growing

You smile widely “You sure about that?” you askand start manipulating him again, but this time stronger

He falls to the ground in pain “Agh!! What… are you… doing elemental? Stop!!” Loki seems in a lot more pain this time

“This is nothing compared to what I could do to you if you try to take my powers, and don’t think I don’t have the ability to” you say to him, your jaw clenching

He touches his head in pain “S-s-stop it!!” Loki struggles to try and speak as you still had control of his mind. He seems to be in a huge amount of pain, this was a lot more intense than before

I stop it “Do you get my point Loki?”

He starts feeling a bit better, but seems very irritated at you. Then he gets up and dusts himself off and smile “How about we get to your present?”

I nod, waiting for him to tell something, hoping it’s not something stupid

“Okay elemental, now that you know I have some special technology here. Loki smirks and walks over to…a strange looking collar

“What is that?”  you say suspiciously

He giggles a bit “This, elemental, that will revolutionize your powers. This collar will boost your mind control abilities with a boost of your elemental powers” Loki smiles “I just need you to wear this collar and your powers will grow”

“Well, we have a problem now” I make a grin “Cause I’m not gonna put that on” I smile at him

He sighs and smiles “I’ll make sure you put it on elemental. Don’t you want your powers to increase in strength? I know you do”

“No, I don’t. I’m okay with my powers being like this” I smile at him

He smiles and comes closer to you “Elemental, you have to trust me. I am giving you the chance of a lifetime. To boost your powers and even to help you control your powers fully. I’ll help you achieve things that you never thought were possible”

“That’s another problem, I don’t trust you, besides if it isn’t dangerous put it on you neck”

He grins “Me? Why should I? I’m a God, my powers are as strong as they can get. It is safe, just put in on and I’ll give the key” he seems very eager to have you put the collar on

“No, I’m sorry but I’ll go. Thanks for showing me…this” you say and then start walking to the door, wanting to get the hell out of there

He reaches out and puts his hand on your shoulder gently “Elemental, I can’t let you go, you could tell someone or the avengers could see it. I cannot risk it” his grip turns tighter holding you in place. You can feel the presence of his powers over your shoulder

“I won’t tell, let me go” your eyes turn purple because of your powers

He senses your powers as they flare up “I’m sorry elemental, I’ve tried to be fair with you… but I can’t let you go. You will be wearing that collar and you will serve me” he seems to be getting mad

“I said no” you control Loki, making it impossible for him to move

He tries to move but he can’t. He looks surprised and horrified. He seems to be trying to get your mind control off. A few moments later you stop it

He is very angry “What are you doing elemental??!! Don’t you dare do that again. Loki grabs your arm tightly and looks at you serious. I need that collar on you elemental, I need it “ his grip in your arm get tighter

“Well, I would prefer that it was your hand what is on my neck” you seductively, kind of controlling him

He blushes slightly “Oh…well if you insist elemental” he smiles slightly and puts his hand gently on your neck. Then leans in closer and whispers in your ear “You know Elemental…you have a lot more power than you think” he leans closer to you

“I know” you whisper in his ear and with your powers you push him, making his back crash on a wall

“What are you doing elemental” His mood changes “Oh, what would you do if I did something much more intimate with you?” Loki smirks as he speaks seductively

“You really think that you’re…seductive voice was gonna work on me?

He smiles “Maybe, but I bet there are other ways to seduce you. I know that your body…is as beautiful as the gods” he says while looking at you up and down “What if I tried getting a bit more…intimate with you in other ways elemental? Would that get you to comply with me?”

“No, for that I would go with your brother, lo looks nicer than you” you say teasing him

He smirks “Oh, I’m hurt. I see, you are sucker for the nicer gods” you nod “Well elemental you aren’t going to escape my grasp. I need you, I need your powers to achieve my future plans” Loki stares at you. He gets closer to you again and leans next to your ear “I know a lot of ways to seduce you elemental and I know for certain that there is a way to do it”

“ You don’t know everything Loki, and I can assure you that I won’t let you use my powers to achieve your little stupid plans” you say to him

He chuckles and leans in “Oh but I know there is a way…I just have to find it. All you need is…a little temptation to bring out your true nature” Loki smirks and leans back, he looks at you with a smile

“Really?” you say innocent “and what is that?”

He walks closer and whispers “Oh elemental…all I need to do is find your weakness, your true desires. Then I’ll have under my control” Loki seems to be having fun talking to you in like this and you’re starting to like it too

“Well, I assure you, that you won’t find them” you raise a mental shield

His smirk grows wider, making you a bit nervous, but you hide it “If I find your weakness you will be mine, and I will find it elemental. You are a unique one elemental, even I can’t understand you completely, you are a mysterious one. When I find your weakness this little shield will be nothing”

“You’re not the God of Magic, your powers were taught to you, I was born with them, they’re more powerful”

“I know elemental, I know your magic is more…natural but you do not realize how powerful I am. I may not be the God of Magic but I am a god of the same tier” he leans in again and whispers to you “You know, I’ve been wanting to tell you this, but you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen”

“I know, and you know what Loki?” you say charmingly and put your hands on his chest “I am also very clever and there is no way I would fall in your little games”

He smiles and looks at you “You’re much more intelligent than I thought, and I know that you won’t fall in my games, but do you wanna know why I keep trying to seduce you? Do you wanna know why I find you so tempting?”

You chuckle and smile at him softly “Why?”

“You may be beautiful and very clever, but I like something else too more than your beauty and intelligence” he whispers seductively in your ear “wanna know what are they?”

“Yes, that would only boost my ego” you say smiling

“Let me tell you…your hair, your eyes, your lips. They all fascinate me. I go mad over you. This outfit you’re wearing? I fucking love it, so tight so it embraces your curves, you breasts and your hips so amazingly, you’re absolutely beautiful elemental” Loki stares at your outfit a bit too long

“Everything you said? I already knew it, I’ve heard so many times, I have so many men on their knees for me. But I admit that it sounds so much better from your lips” you touch his lip with the of your fingers, making him feel nervous

He leans even more “You have men on their knees for you?” he chuckles “And how do you make them kneel before you?”

“I do nothing, they just kneel, I don’t even need to use my powers”

“I must confess elemental…I think I’m on my knees now” Loki is looking at you with an attractive smile. He gets closer to you and whispers “What would you have me do y/n?

I smile at him “First I would have to see you on your knees to believe it”

He chuckles and then gets down on his knees while his gaze is focused on you “Is this okay y/n?”

“More than okay Loki” you say and put your hands in his hair

He looks up to you “Is this what you wanted elemental? To have me kneeled for you? What do I get out of this darling?”

You are enjoying this a lot “You get this view of me, isn’t it enough for you?” you said innocent and take his chin making him look at you

“Oh believe me, I love this view, you can watch me being in my knees all day, but you know…I want something in return my dear” he says while he stares at you like a puppy

I smile at him “And what that would be Loki?”

He looks you up and down “you know…a little treat”

I giggle “You have to say what you want, ask for it” you caress his face

“I want a kiss y/n. Is that much to ask for? Will you give me a kiss?” he bites his lip as he stares at you, waiting for an answer

“Umm, you’ll have to earn it Loki” I say teasing him

He chuckles “You confidence is so attractive” he gets up moves closer to you “you know what? I accept your challenge. What do I have to do to earn that kiss?” His eyes are fixed on you

I laugh a bit “I’m not gonna tell you, that wouldn’t be fair don’t you think?”

“Oh such a cruel game you’re playing. What am I gonna do to get that kiss?” you smile at him “I know you’d like to play the dominant, but don’t forget who the real god is y/n, the chase is on, I’ll play if you will”

“I’ll play, and I may not be a goddess but you were the one who kneeled” I chuckle

“You have a very high self worth, but I can change that. Do you know what I could do to make you feel more…submissive?” your bodies are touching and his arms wrapped around you

“I’m telling you right now, the idea of being the submissive one is not very attractive to me you know” I put my hands on his chest

He smirks “But do you know how it feels? It is very appealing my dear” he rubs your arm “I can teach, I can teach you the beauty of it”

“Well, I guess I’ll never know what it feels will I?” I smile widely

“I guess not” Loki continues rubbing your arm, but it turns into a grip “I could teach you so much, so many things elemental” Loki smirks

“I don’t have to learn anything from you Loki” you take his hands off you

“Oh, are you gonna finally submitted to me darling” he says while tucking a strand of hair behind your ear

“Me?” I chuckle “Never”

Loki whispers “If only you would let me” he seems to not wanna give up, he’s still trying to seduce you

“Not gonna work” you say in a singsong voice, smiling

“Elemental, it isn’t the seduction what it’s difficult, it’s you. You’re making it difficult. You are just making me want you even more”

“Good, it’s my specialty” you smile

“You’re like a game to me. And I love games. And I will win this game, you’ll see” he puts his hands on your hips

You lean till your noses are almost touching “You seem so sure about it” then you step back, making him flustered “but that won’t happen”

“Please darling, don’t leave, don’t leave me like this. My desire for you is much bigger now. Please allow me to get to know you better”

You put your arms around his neck “I don’t think that’s a good idea, you know why? Because it will give you advantage, and we don’t that do we?” you touch his nose

“You’re such a mean one. But I like it, I like it a lot” Loki grabs you from behind “You can’t go anywhere elemental, you aren’t going to leave me like this” Loki’s grip tightens a bit

“Oh, but I absolutely will” you get off his grip, now I’m gonna work, I have things to do” you say walking to the door

“Ok, you win. But I won’t give up, I will have you and you will be mine”

“Yeah sure, by the way, I always win” you say and you go, leaving him looking at the window, feeling frustrated

“You can’t escape me y/n, I’ll see you again” he says looking at the window, and he seems to be planning something…

[mads-weasley]

3. Bound to Madness

Hvitserk Ragnarsson x Eira Torsteinsdottir (OFC)

Series Masterlist

Main Masterlist

Word Count: 1.2k

Hvitserk sat at the bustling feast after the ceremony with his head down as he ate silently. Since his interaction with the woman on the dock, he couldn’t get her words off of his mind. He’d watched her disappear into the night, the soft crunch of her boots in the snow the only sound that followed her retreating form. 

“Prove it.”

Her challenge echoed in his mind. Prove it. Prove that he wasn’t like Ivar. Prove that he wasn’t just another shadow in his brother’s wake. But how? How could he when his entire existence seemed tangled in the fate that was already carved for him? What was left for him if not this?

But what if she was right? What if he was just another one of Ivar’s dogs? 

The hall quieted as Ivar held up his horn, the white and red paint still covering his face, the sharp crown sitting atop his head. “Here is the blood of the witch that murdered our mother!” Ivar cried, followed by loud cheers from the feast’s attendants. 

He remembered the woman’s words: “Why are you doing this to your home? Your people?”

An innocent woman was murdered in cold blood to fuel Ivar’s delusion…and he just stood and watched.

“You know very well that wasn’t Lagertha,” Hvitserk said matter-of-factly, sucking his fingers as he continued eating.

Ivar sat up on his throne. “You will drink to Lagertha’s death.”

Prove it.

“She’s not dead,” he nodded. “And you are not a god.”

Murmurs broke out among the crowd, and before Ivar could respond, Freydis came to his defense. “Of course, he is a god.”

“How dare you say that I am not a god, huh?” Ivar fumed, pointing at his brother with a scowl. 

Having had enough, Hvitserk rose from the table and stared down Ivar for a few moments as he left the hall, shoving his way through his brother’s loyal supporters. A booming crack of thunder echoed in the sky just as he exited.

“Can’t you hear Thor beating his mighty hammer, welcoming me into the Hall of the Aesir?”

Hvitserk’s feet led him back to the docks, to the place he couldn’t get out of his mind. He stared at the still-smoking pyre, at the burnt corpse of the poor woman who was sacrificed still hanging there, a physical reminder of his brother’s madness. Of the madness he’d become so wrapped up in.  

How did he get here? How did he become part of Ivar’s tyranny? 

There was so much he didn’t understand anymore. His loyalty to his brother, the gods, the past…everything seemed to crumble around him. 

It all stemmed from his decision to jump from Ubbe’s ship all that time ago in England. Since that moment, he’d been floating along, unsure of his destiny, his fate. Unsure of where he stood with the gods. 

Among his many questions, one stood out: who was she? Who was the woman who so bravely spoke her mind to Ivar the Boneless’ brother, the very man who could kill her on the spot? And then again, she hadn’t known Hvitserk wouldn’t kill her either. 

Whoever she was, he wanted to prove her wrong. 

Prove it.

Two Hours Earlier:

People were returning to their homes by the time Eira arrived at her own, her teeth chattering violently as she closed and locked her door. She quickly grabbed the furs that lay in a heap on the floor where they’d fallen and threw them over her shaking body. It was then that her actions truly dawned on her. She sunk to the floor, dropping her head in her hands.

What had she done?

Eira sat slumped against the cold wooden wall of her home. The fire in her hearth was little more than a few glowing embers now, but she didn’t move to rekindle it. What was the point? They would come for her, and it wouldn’t matter if her home was warm or cold, if her body was wrapped in furs or stripped bare.

She sighed shakily as she accepted her fate. There would be no mercy for what she’d done. If there was one thing she had learned in her time under Ivar’s reign, it was that he did not forgive. Not defiance, not disobedience, and she had spat in the face of his rule.

The hours seemed to stretch by endlessly, and the longer the silence lasted, the more her nerves frayed. Her body remained tense, coiled like a spring, waiting for the inevitable pounding on her door, the rough hands tearing her away, the flash of a blade. 

But the knock never came.

With a deep breath, Eira rose from the floor, her legs stiff and unsteady beneath her. If they were going to take her, let them find her on her feet, not cowering in the dark. She crossed the room and stepped outside, letting the frosty night air bite her skin. Pulling her furs tighter around her, she stared up at the sky.

The moon still hung heavy and full above the fjord, its pale light washing over the still and frozen world. Eira tilted her head back and gazed at it. If her end came tonight, she would meet it beneath the stars. She thought of Liv and the townspeople she treated. They would find care from Kattegat’s other healers, she convinced herself. She whispered a quiet prayer to the gods. A prayer for strength, for peace, for an end to her endless torment of guilt.

The minutes dragged on, but the streets remained eerily quiet. Eira heard the faint revelry from the longhouse, the shouts and laughter of men who celebrated with full bellies and empty consciences. And still, no one came.

Eira lowered her gaze from the heavens and let it wander, eventually falling on the docks in the distance, the dock she’d confronted Hvitserk on. Confusion spread in her mind when she spotted a figure standing there.

It was him.

He stood motionless, his broad shoulders hunched slightly beneath his furs as if the weight of the world rested on them. His gaze was fixed on the blackened remains of the pyre, and his hands hung limply at his sides. Eira watched him from her hidden perch, unsure of why he was there. A hundred possibilities raced through her mind. Perhaps he had come to the docks to plan her execution or to send word to Ivar. Maybe he would turn on his heel at any moment and march toward her house, leading her to her doom. She swallowed hard, her fingers gripping the fur wrapped around her shoulders. 

But he didn’t move. He simply stood there, staring at the pyre as though it held the answers to questions he couldn’t speak aloud.

She wondered if he felt anything at all for the lives that had been lost, for the destruction his family had brought to Kattegat. If guilt weighed on him, he hid it well behind that blank expression. Eira didn’t understand how someone could stand there so still, so detached, amidst the suffering that had engulfed their home. Did he even see it, or had he grown numb to it all?

She inhaled deeply and turned away, retreating back into the shadows of her house. For now, she would let the gods decide what came next. If it was her death, so be it.

A/N: message or comment if you want to be added to the tag list! <3

[runawrites-blog]

Alone (Loki x Reader)

Summary: After Loki's death at the hands of Thanos, you do your best to fight on and be strong but in the end, it doesn't matter. Without him, you realise how truly alone you are and wonder if loving him has made you weak. Word Count: 2,205 Warnings: Canonical Character Death (Loki), Mild Violence, Swearing, Passive Suicidal Thoughts/ Accepting Death (Reader), No Y/N A/N: The beginning is from the fanfiction "Lies", so don't wonder why it's the same. In this, however, the reader doesn't have clairvoyance powers but rather some that are similar to Wanda's. Crossposted on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22619269

---

“You will never be a god.“

Those were the last words you would ever hear of Loki, the man you loved more than anything and who had promised you to always be by your side.

The horrific crack that could be heard as his neck snapped in two made you fall to your knees. You tried your hardest not to break down as you watched your lover’s dead body fall limp onto the floor.

“No resurrections this time.”

You crawled over to Loki, not even caring whether Thanos was already gone or he would kill you, too. The only thing you had left was Loki. Thanos had destroyed your home, murdered everyone you held dear, and now he had taken the only person who you had left. Crying your heart out seemed like the reasonable thing to do as you let yourself fall halfway onto Loki’s chest.

Your body was wracked with sobs as you felt for a heartbeat at his wrist, his chest, or anywhere that you hadn’t checked before. Yet, you did detect no heartbeat. Loki was dead and you would never see him again.

Never again would you hear his voice. Never again would he tease you, trick you, or prank you. Never again would you feel his warmth or see his smile. Never again would he hold you. And funny enough the first thought that popped into your head was to talk to Loki about this and find comfort in him, but that could never happen again.

Another sob wracked your body as you came to terms with the fact that he was in fact dead. You didn’t know what to do or how to move on from this. In the background, you could hear Thor calling out to you but you didn’t listen.

When you didn’t listen, Thor tried to drag you away, his own eyes filled with tears. You didn’t listen; you just clung to Loki’s body harder. Thor eventually sat down next to you, apparently giving up on trying to move you, tears now running down his face.

You didn’t look at him, didn’t talk to him. All you did was cling to Loki and cry as you felt the warmth leaving his body.

Nothing mattered anymore. Loki was dead.

Slowly, Thor’s voice drang through your thoughts of despair. “We need to leave! Are you listening to me? Do you hear me?”

You turned to him, tears streaking your cheeks. “He took everything from me.”

“We need to get to Midgard. We need to stop him.”

“Why? He took everything from me. What do I have left to fight for?”

“Don’t say that.”

“But he did! He killed my family, destroyed my home planet and now he’s killed Loki, the only one who stuck around through all my despair, the only one that still loved me, the only one I had left!” You screeched, more tears falling from your cheeks.

“You have me.” Thor said in earnest. “I am just as devasted as you are but you are my friend and I will be there until the very end. We can still defeat him.”

“How?”

“We will find a way.”

---

Stopping Thanos proved to be harder than expected. When he eventually arrived in Wakanda, large armies in his tail and destruction in his path, you felt yourself freeze all over. There he stood, mighty and powerful, the gauntlet on his hand -- the hand that took Loki from you, the one that choked the life out of him.

Your fear was quickly replaced with anger as you saw him stand there all high and mighty, after all he had done not only to you but the universe. Images of the telegram that informed you of your planet’s destruction, of your family’s death filled your mind, images of the way he had taunted you over your lost home when he finally met you again, images of Loki’s dead body lying on the ground.

Tendrils of your powers sparked at the tips of your fingers, blue magic engulfing your hands. Thanos stood before you, intend on taking more from you, intend on taking more from the universe than he already had. White-hot rage filled you. You were more than ready to fight him, even if it meant your own demise. You wouldn’t let him get away with taking Loki from you, too.

Loki was gone now, too. You had nothing more to lose. You would have your revenge.

As Thanos’ army charged you were glad that your teammates were at your side. Just the sight of all of Wakanda, along with other heroes fighting side by side, leaving differences and fights aside, gave you a sense of community that strengthened you.

You and your teammates fought for hours, being injured and injuring the opponents. The fight seemed pointless in the end as more and more of Thanos’ men kept appearing. At one point you ended up pinned to a three by Proxima Midnight, her ridiculing words about your weakness of loving Loki paining you more than anything. But you managed to blast her away, a hue of blue slamming her away from you against a nearby tree.

You were glad to be rid of her and her ridicule but when you turned you came face to face with Thanos. Before you could even react, he had you by the neck, pressing you to a tree.

“Tell me where the Mind Stone is.” He demanded. “Where are your people hiding it?”

Of course, you denied, struggling in his grip, and to your horror, your powers proved useless to him with the stones he already possessed. “I will never tell you!”

“Then I shall dispose of you, as well.”

You swallowed against your fear. Never would you tell him where the stone was, never would you betray the universe like that. Even if he killed you, at least he would be none the wiser to the location of the stone. A little voice in your head was telling you that at least in death you could be with Loki again.

“You took everything from me.” You spat at him, grabbing his fingers that were wrapped around your throat but not squeezing hard enough to restrict oxygen. “I will never turn over the stone to you.”

“Everything?” He then began to laugh, tauntingly as if he could ever understand the pain you were in. “Does Loki hold such a dear place in your heart?”

“You destroyed my planet, murdered my people and my family. Then you took the only one I had left.” You hissed, your voice like venom. “But he was right; he was so right about you. You will never be a god. Your tyrannical ways will never work.”

“Why is that?” He squeezed a bit tighter. “Tell me if you are oh so wise.”

“As long as there is injustice there will always be resistance.” You said in earnest though you were in tears. “As long as there is tyranny there will always be revolution. You will never find peace, you will never find glory or power and you will never be a god.”

“You are pathetic.” He shook his head. “The universe is on the brink of chaos and you mourn one being?”

“You would never understand, no matter how hard you try.”

“And why is that?”

“Because you don’t know what it is to love. You have never in your life felt selfless love for someone, the kind of love that makes you strong and weak at the same time, the kind of love that makes you fight, the kind of love that makes you choose their happiness over yours.”

“How touching. Is that what you felt for Loki? You are weak because you allowed yourself to love someone this much. Your love will be your undoing!”

“Then so be it.” You closed your eyes, tears falling down your cheeks. “I may have lost love. But the greatest tragedy of all is never to feel the warmth of love.”

“Pathetic.”

You pressed your eyes shut but to your surprise, he dropped you and you fell to your knees. When you looked up he was gone. Tears were still rolling down your cheeks but as quickly as you could, you got to your feet and made your way to the rest of your team, your abilities lifting you in the air and carrying you. When you found Steve, you plopped down next to him.

“He knows the Mind Stone is here.” You stammered out. “He found me in the forest, and threatened me to tell him but I wouldn’t.”

“And he let you go?”

“Perhaps he knows its location by now. Maybe I was of no use.”

“Are you crying?”

“He kept taunting me.” You sobbed out. “I am so weak for having loved Loki so much that his death is my undoing.”

“No.” Steve said sternly. “You are terribly strong for fighting on even in the face of such horrible heartbreak. Loki would be proud of you.”

“You barely knew him.” You wiped your eyes.

“I knew him enough to know.”

Bucky cleared his throat. “Even though I agree with Steve, we need to concentrate now. Where is Thanos?”

You looked at Bucky, tears in your eyes. “He tried to get the location of Vision’s stone from me but- but I wouldn’t tell him. I think he knows anyway. He stopped talking to me and simply disappeared. Maybe someone told him.”

“Let’s not assume the worst.”

“It’s pretty obvious where the stone may be.” You looked at Steve.

---

Vision was destroyed, Wanda was crying next to his body, Thor didn't go for the head, the stone was in Thanos’ hands and the mad titan was gone. You looked around your teammates as everyone was clueless on what to do.

“I was alone with him.” You confessed. “I could have killed him but I was too weak. Ever since Loki’s death, I feel so-- so empty, and maybe I let my emotions get the best of me. I should have been stronger, like Wanda.”

“No one blames you.” The woman said softly. “We all failed. This is not on you. I’m sorry about Loki, I really am. You were so genuinely happy with him.”

You looked at her, nodding slowly. “I am also sorry about Vision, Wanda. I know how much he meant to you. If he were still with us he would be proud of you.”

“As would Loki be if he knew how hard you fought without him.”

“Still, we lost.” You tried your hardest not to break down crying again. All that kept you together was that your friends were still there.

“If anyone is to blame, it’s me.” Thor said softly.

“It was a mistake. You had no idea that a fucking axe to the chest wouldn’t kill him. Anyone else would have been dead.” You said and shook your head. “No one is to blame but Thanos. He is a tyrant and a murderer. He took so many innocent lives, not only on my home planet but also in the whole galaxy. I just pray that the others can defeat him.”

But as you waited, all of you knew that something wasn’t right. You heard nothing from either of the others that were still out there with Thanos. Something was not right and you knew it.

Your fears were proven right when suddenly you heard people start to exclaim nearby. When you turned they were turning to dust. You heard Wanda scream in fear next to you as you watched her slowly turn to dust. Unsure of what to do, you looked at Steve for help but he was busy trying to hold Sam and Bucky together as they as well turned to nothing but dust.

Then with horror, you realised that you felt strange and when you looked down you saw your hand slowly turning grey. You tried to move your finger but they immediately turned to dust. Tears welled up in your eyes as you looked around, trying to find some help or at least solace in your friends. But all of them had someone else they were trying to help. Not even Thor was looking at you; he just seemed shocked by how many people were turning to dust. Without Loki, you were truly alone.

Slowly, however, your fear turned to hope. As you fell to your knees, your arms turning to dust and your legs disappearing, you had hope. Images of your past with Loki flashed before your eyes, memories of his laugh, his smile, the sparkle in his eyes when he had talked to you, the way he had held you or how safe you had felt. And you dared to hope that he would see you again.

Maybe in your final moments, you could allow yourself to be weak enough to hope that you would see him again. And maybe, just maybe there was a chance.

With that perspective, you felt calm. You accepted your fate. You were at peace.

Because finally, you were again hopeful.

[ghostiegwennie]

thē tri¢kŞtēr & thē ຟit¢h: 1/0

@galdrameistari

Alright let's go through this ONE. MORE. TI....... eh...... errr Let's not & say we did. Done that too many times now. I'm Gwen Stacy, NOT the one & only but definitely still ME. I was originally from the version of Earth known as Earth-65. You should know the rest. For the most part. I had to leave my world, & NO it wasn't for the Miles Morales of Earth-1610 or any of that. Different Gwen Stacy. Told ya I'm not the one & only. There's a universe where I am Captain America....Like seriously, another where I am the Mighty Thor....Gwor? Thwen? Never figured that one out.

AnyWAY.... this version of me is the plain old, synthetic Venom suit wearing, learning how to traverse the multiverse from Dr. Strange, Gwen Stacy. The good doctor MAY be trying to teach me how to use magic, & I MAY not be as good at it as the doc may have wanted. I picked up on the multiversal travel JUST fine though.

It was JUST another day, I had just walked into the Sanctum after a long-ASS day of patrols. You know, to do some lessons with Dr. Strange when my spidey-sense went off. That totes shouldn't happen in here. Before I could even begin to fully wonder what the hell was going on with THAT a flash of green blasted the door that I had just came through, Enchantress zooming out of the hole before Gwen do much more than jumped out of the way.

"I thought you spider-people were supposed to be fast! GET HER!!!" Dr. Strange came running out from the direction Enchantress had jus came from.

"She stole.........." The doc's voice was lost to me, I went after Enchantress. Plus I didn't want to stick around here & hear the doc's degrading lecture. It worked out.

THWIP!!!!! THWIP! THWIP!!!!

It didn't take me long to reach her. I let lose a web slinging myself towards the witch, she turned suddenly, suspending me in air.

Well Fuck.

I haven't quite got the hang of magic yet, as stated earlier. I shot a web at the Seidr, & she blinked causing it to dissolved in midair. I really need to figure out anti-magic webs. Wonder if the doc would have any ideas. er.... Not without the cost of 3 theses, & 4 courses on the book of such & such along with a lecture about how I'm not doing good enough in my studies.

Think Gwen. Think.

[voiceoffenrisulfr]

When the Wolf Howls - Chapter Six

"In the Midst of Storms and Darkness, There is a Strength Greater Than Our Own."

𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 -> James "Bucky" Barnes/Original Nonbinary Character(s). Secondary Pairings; James "Bucky" Barnes/Clint Barton, James "Bucky" Barnes/Steve Rogers, James "Bucky" Barnes/Natasha Romanov, James "Bucky" Barnes/Clint Barton/Steve Rogers/Natasha Romanov

𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐘 -> The story is told from the other side, and important decisions have to be made.

𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐃𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓 -> 2597

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 -> (M)  Mentions of Abuse, Percieved Risk to Life, Storms

𝐀/𝐍 -> Check it out below, or on AO3 here!

<- Chapter Five

Dividers by us! <3

Prompts; - ‘Hope is the Last to Die’, “Is This Another Test?”, ‘Storm Warning’ – @fandombingo (The Martian); - “If We Decide Not to Help, No One Will Know We Could Have.” – Fandom Bingo (The Martian); - “Slavery and Happiness Do Not Dwell in the Same House.”, “You Deny Reality!” – Fandom Bingo (Wonderland, 5x5); - “I May Be Crazy, But That Don’t Make Me Wrong.” – @fandom-free-bingo (Gingerbread Edition); - ‘Fatigue’, ‘Surprising Dispatches’ – Fandom-Free Bingo (Gingerbread Edition); - ‘Pinned Down By a Person or An Object’ – @julybreakbingo (5x5); - “How Long Have You Been Like This?”, ‘Struck By Lightning or Shock Collar’ – July Break Bingo (6x6); - “How Hard Could it Be?” – July Break Bingo (7x7); - “What Have You Done to Yourself?” – July Break Bingo (Flash); - “Who Did This to You?” – July Break Bingo (Kofi Exclusive).

The silence that followed the great beast’s words was all-consuming, the deafening timbre making the ground beneath our feet tremble and stripping our voices in its wake.

I barely felt Mars tug their arm free, taking a step back toward the salivating creature, their head tipped up to look him in the eye. “You… You can speak?”

The enormous maw parted once more, flexing and stretching without the interminable restraint. “Without That Toothpick Between My Jaws, Yes. Though It Has Been Many Millenia.”

I saw my partner stiffen sympathetically, inching further forward, and panic coursed through me even as fear held me fast.

“Bug…” Winter murmured mercifully off to my side, but they simply shook their head without looking back.

“How long have you been like this?” they breathed, their voice cracking with pity for this shackled beast.

“Longer Than Your Mortal Mind Can Comprehend,” he replied evenly, his head lowering to lick at a raw-looking laceration along his shoulder. I frowned at the words, taking in the various stages of healing littered throughout the tattered, unkempt fur.

“Left, but not abandoned,” I whispered, nausea rising in my throat. The great creature simply nodded, and Bug hummed, taking another step forward.

“All this wounds… How have you managed to do it? What have you done to yourself?”

I reached out at last, my hand finding their shoulder. “Not himself. Look,” I murmured, pointing at the strip of flesh that was passing beneath the rasps of his tongue. “That’s not him.”

They blinked in surprise, eyes widening before they narrowed, inspecting the injury from the distance at which they found themselves held. “That’s… Not you,” they echoed weakly, brow furrowing. “Who did this to you?”

“Someone has been coming here?” Thor clarified, stepping forward at last, his usually strong voice underpinned by a subtle tremor. “To… Inflict harm upon this helpless creature?”

“Mind Who You Call Helpless, Asgardian,” the wolf spat, raising his head once more to glare at the thunder god. “We Both Know I Am Destined To Consume Your Kind.”

“You know of the prophecy?” Thor demanded, and from the corner of my eye, I saw Tem wrap a hand gently around the god’s forearm as the muscles tensed, fingers clenching on the helve of his hammer.

“Never mind that,” Mars hissed, turning their head to shoot a glare that cowed even the mighty Thor into submission. “Who did this? Was it one of them – one of the Asgardians who trapped you here?”

“No Asgardian would be so low as to-!”

Thor’s outburst was interrupted by a warning snarl from the wolf, his claws curving against the rock underfoot. “You Deny Reality! You See Nothing, Thunder God. You Know Nothing. For Millenia, I Have Been Abandoned. And He – Yes, One of Your Kind… He Has Been My Only Companion.”

Thor fell silent, digesting this revelation – the notion that his people were capable of even greater cruelty that this quest had suggested would not sit easily with our teammate.

“Who was it?” Bug whispered, moving forward once more – well within range of the mighty maw now, despite the delicate chain still wrapped around the creature.

“My Father Has Never Been A Kind Man,” the beast answered at last, his eyes shifting away infinitesimally. “And Hope Is Always The Last To Die.”

My brothers and I winced in unison, well acquainted with the cruelty of which the wolf’s father was capable. My mind, and likely that of those who bore witness, flashed with images of the Spiders’ ruined body and shattered mind, the long road of recovery – and the nightmares that still sometimes woke them in the night and left Lia, in particular, terrified of the snow. I considered the beast again, a fresh pang of sympathy washing over me, and thought once more of Sleipnir, waiting patiently on the opposite bank, an asset and a joy despite his origins. Any lingering mistrust I had held for him was eradicated when he led us to safety the night before – without the steed’s intelligence, we’d have been unable to push on, and it wasn’t safe to turn back. He had, quite likely, saved the life of my beloved.

“Loki,” Thor acknowledged, his voice low and deadly. “Of course it’s Loki… Who else?”

“He Is My Father,” the wolf growled, eyes returning to the god and narrowing threateningly. “Do Not Speak Of Him In This Way.”

“How long has it been since you’ve seen him?” Bug prompted softly, their voice quiet and kind.

“Several Months,” the creature acknowledged reluctantly. “His Visits Vary In Frequency.”

“These don’t look several months old,” Mars mused, moving closer still, peering up at the lacerations with concern.

 “These Wounds Are Magic. They Will Not Heal Until Treated.”

“That’s barbaric,” Bug muttered, earning only a sideways glance of annoyance. “When was the last time you ate?”

“I Do Not Require Food In This State,” he noted with an air of annoyance. “…But It Has Been Some Time.”

With a sympathetic hum, Bug reached into their backpack, holding their tub of chicken thoughtfully. “You’re, uh… You’re a bit bigger than I thought you’d be. Sorry.”

Win moved to step forward as the great maw opened once more, the salivation increasing once more, less red as the time passed, but Greg’s hand closed firmly on his arm. “They won’t forgive you if you intervene,” he warned softly, and Winter hesitated, his eyes flickering between his two loved ones uncertainly before stepping back, leaning against the sailor’s side. I knew how he felt – the urge to scoop Mars up into my arms and run far, run fast, was almost overwhelming, and my muscles itched with it.

The pot opened with a pop, and the scent of once-warm chicken wreathed around us, making Tem giggle. “Our Bug and their chicken,” he noted, moving to stand by their side.

The motion startled the beast, and he growled, yellow eyes narrowing until Tem stumbled back. “Hey!” Bug snapped, fury radiating from their every tense muscle. “No. We do not growl at Tem – he’s just a sweet baby, okay? He’s not going to hurt you – none of us are. You can have some chicken, but only if you’re nice. You’re clearly smart; you can see reason. Use some of that higher thinking.”

“Is This Another Test?” he asked eventually, the ominous rumble sounding surprisingly uncertain and fearful.

“No more tests,” Mars responded softly, slowly extending a sliver of chicken pinched between two fingers. “Especially not ones you were never going to win.”

The enormous yellow eyes flitted between my lover’s open, honest face and their paltry offering, full of indecision. Those of us behind were helpless to do little but watch with bated breath, knowing with an uncomfortable certainty that if the great beast lunged, our own actions would be of revenge, not salvation.

He wouldn’t even need to chew, I noted with a distant horror. He could swallow them whole.

The wolf slowly lowered its chest to the floor, saliva dripping steadily, and leaned its head forward.

I didn’t dare twitch or blink for fear of startling the creature as I watched Mars carefully place their hand between the parted jaws, laying their gift upon a tongue that rivalled them in size, canines the size of their arm mere inches from their face.

But then they stepped back and the spell broke, and we all watched, transfixed, as the mighty creature closed its formidable jaws around my love’s offered morsel, chewing thoughtfully as we stood silently before him.

“Well?” Bug prompted eventually, nervousness wavering in their voice, and I fought the ask to laugh at the incredulity of the situation.

I don’t think they’ve ever asked a dog its opinion on their cooking before.

Though most aren’t likely to eat you if they don’t like it.

“Thank You,” he offered eventually, settling more fully onto his chest, his enormous paws relaxing before him. “While It Has Been A Long Time Since I Ate, I Imagine That Was Delicious By Anyone’s Standards.”

Even from my partial, side-profile view, I could see Mars light up, cheeks tinging pink at the praise. “I- I have more? It’s not a lot, but I mean – you’re welcome to it,” they clarified quickly, the tub popping open once more. Their entourage, myself included, watched in helpless disbelief as they settled themselves on the ground beside Fenris’ colossal form, their head barely reaching midway towards his shoulder. The muscles in my jaw gave up as they tentatively leant against the coarse, blood-splattered fur, gazing up at their companion contentedly. The wolf stiffened for a moment, upper lip twitching and hinting towards a snarl, and I saw Win tense beside me – but a heartbeat later the expression was gone, and Mars was permitted to gently run their fingers through the tangled strands as they slipped slivers of chicken into the great beast’s mouth.

We could only watch in awe, each of us slowly relaxing as no harm befell the curious mortal, their own posture becoming looser and more sure with every passing moment.

“They are not fully in control of their faculties, are they?” Thor mused thoughtfully, his own fingers finally unclenching from around the hammer’s haft.

Tem giggled, settling himself on the ground with his legs tucked beneath him, pride shining in his eyes as he watched his partner. “You mean they’re crazy? Yep.”

“Absolutely insane,” Greg agreed, a broad smirk across his face.

The great wolf let out a soft huff, one enormous yellow eye rolling down to consider the creature beside him. “You Are Certainly Interesting, Little One.”

Mars only beamed, petting the enormous shoulder gently, then turned their head to consider the chains that encased and encaged the creature. “… Thor? How do we…?”

The god arched an eyebrow as all eyes turned to him, jaw stiff. “I don’t think…”

Mars sighed as they stood, Fenris simply watching them with open intrigue as my love moved to stand before the towering god, arms folded across their chest. “Slavery and happiness do not dwell in the same house,” they noted, chin tipped up to meet his gaze.

“If we decide not to help, no one will know we could have,” he countered quietly, sparing a glance over their shoulder. The wolf looked on, seemingly uninterested in the end result, but the subtle flexing of his claws betrayed him, as did the infinitesimal shift of his eyes between the god’s hard expression and the tensed muscles of Mars’ shoulders.

“Look…” Bug sighed again, shaking their head softly. “I may be crazy, but that don’t make me wrong. You know the right thing to do here, Thor. And I know you to be a good man. You know I can’t do this without your approval, so… Please. Help me. Help him.”

The sight of tears pricking in the corner of their eyes made my heart speed up, an irrational, protective urge making my gaze narrow as I looked at the god – do whatever they want, or I swear, I’ll-

“There was much suffering at my brother’s hands,” Thor murmured quietly, considering the mortal and the creature behind thoughtfully. “I will never forgive myself for not intervening sooner when he sunk his claws into the Spiders – or when he moved against the Earth.”

“Thor, you didn’t-” Tem began softly, but the god held up a hand, gently cutting him off.

“Whether I could have or not is irrelevant, Little Wolf,” he replied, a sad smile gracing his lips. “I regret that I didn’t. My brother has always been my responsibility, and my burden to bear. I’ve known for a long time what he was capable of – or at least, I thought I did. He had a greater capacity for cruelty than I ever could have imagined. But I should have kept a closer eye on him. I can’t erase his past mistakes – but I can ensure that there is no more suffering caused by his actions.” His eyes shifted to the wolf once more, clouded with emotion. “Let’s let him loose.”

The chains turned out to be more complicated than we thought. Delicate and fine, they didn’t seem a worthy opponent – but even with our combined strength, my brothers and I found no give in the slender links.

“What the hell did they make this thing out of?” I huffed, sweat beading on my forehead.

“Oh, I know this! So basically, it was crafted from impossibility – the sound of a cat’s footsteps, the-”

I interrupted Mars’ excited response with a good-natured huff, shaking my head. “It was rhetorical, sweetheart,” I chuckled. As much as their reply was unnecessary, I appreciated their brightness – the futility of our act, as we strained and grunted, was beginning to wear on me.

“Impossibility,” Thor mused, growing quiet. We paused to watch him, somewhat surprised to see the burly god think. After a moment, he turned to Greg; the sailor stood leaning against a rock and watching his partner haul on the chain with an indecipherable expression.  “Lieutenant Tyne?”

“Odinson?” Greg replied, snapping to attention immediately. As much as his hunger for Win was insatiable, he was professional when he needed to be, his back straightening and eyes fully focused on the god.

“I hear you’ve been practicing your weather-working.”

Greg nodded once, immediately falling back into his role as the commissioned officer. “Yessir.”

Thor smiled, eyes alight with mischief. “Would you care to help me with something impossible?”

The sailor’s own lips quirked, and he arched an eyebrow. “How hard could it be?”

Mars, my brothers and I had been made to move away, clearing the danger zone. I was quietly grateful for the reprieve – fatigue was beginning to settle in from wrestling with the chains, even despite my enhancements.

“I’ve had some surprising dispatches in my time, but this…” Greg chuckled, flexing his fingers. “This takes the prize.”

I saw Win puff with pride beside me as his partner’s feet pressed more firmly into the ground, storm clouds beginning to gather. The sailor’s hands moved slowly at first, then faster, and Thor’s hammer began to spark and pop.

Beside me, Mars slid their hand into mine, chewing on their lip. It had taken some convincing to get them to agree – one wrong move, and the wolf would be fried. But we were running out of ideas, and it seemed like combatting impossibility with impossibility was the only thing that might work; after all, what seems as impossible as the team of a thunder god and sailor-turned-headmate-turned-singlet with weather powers?

But eventually, they had murmured their reluctant consent, offering the wolf one last pat on the shoulder before coming to stand between Tem and I. Their fingers clung tightly as they laced with my own, nails digging into the soft flesh of my knuckles, but I didn’t dare ask them to ease up as they watched with bated breath. The wolf, for his part, was shrunk as far from the boulder as his chains allowed, permitting as much space as possible for the men to work, with something akin to uncertainty in his flickering gaze, shifting repeatedly between the two men near him and the Bug by my side.

Greg was taut with concentration, and the god wheeled his hammer with increasing speed, the thunderclouds condensing and darkening overhead.

“Ready?” Thor grunted.

“Ready,” Greg huffed in response, sweat beading on his forehead.

In an explosion of light and sparks, so blinding that I instinctively closed my eyes, the lighting struck where the chain looped around the colossal boulder, sending shockwaves through ground and air.