Unbroken (Loki x Reader)

Chapter 6 - Sword in a Haystack

The dueling arena, although outside and open to a gentle breeze, somehow manages to smell like hay and blood and sweat. From your vantage point in the stands a few rows above the dirt battleground you have a perfect view of Volstagg as he stumbles from the dueling pitch, bruised and bloodied after his bout with Thor. The bearded giant limps to the side of the arena, and struggles to haul himself over the short walls of the ring.

"Just stay there, you old fool," grumbles a young, dark-haired warrior who nurses an injured arm and emerging black eye. Hogun, you had heard him called, another of the Warrior's Three who had been quickly bested by Thor before Volstagg.

You stifle a giggle as Hogun makes his way down the steps and grabs the back of Volstagg's tunic while the rotund man continues to struggle in climbing over the low wall. Hogun swiftly pulls him over the side, and Volstagg lets out a grunt as he hits the ground.

"Well fought, my friend!" bellows Thor as he takes a victory lap around the pitch. With every celebratory step, the nervous butterflies in your stomach multiply. As you watched Thor and Volstagg fight, you had gotten increasingly squeamish. And you wish that you had eaten less at breakfast with Fandral, who now sits across the ring in the stands near Hogun - and as far away from Loki as possible.

Loki, still in his foul mood, sits beside you - but nearly a full arm's length away.

You ignore his attitude in favor of nursing your own nerves.

"Your turn, Lady Y/n!"

Your head flies up at Thor's call, and your heart drops into your stomach. This isn't like training with Steve or practicing combat with Natasha. These are Gods.

You don't stand a chance.

"I'm good, Thor. I think I'll just watch," you shout, trying to hide the nervous tremor in your voice.

"Nonsense my lady! You are quite the fighter! Come - prove yourself in combat!"

"Thor, I'm a mortal, remember?" you cry out, your voice echoing off the stone arena. "One smack from that mallet of yours and I'm toast!"

Thor lets out a loud, thundering laugh as he makes his way to you, climbing over the railing and taking the stone benches two at a time until he stands in the row directly below you.

"You need not fear my lady - I would never truly hurt you!" he says, placing a gentle hand on your face. "Come, I will duel you in hand to hand combat. No weapons."

"Your gentlest punch would knock me out, Thor," you laugh. "I think you forget that I've watched you throw people through solid glass windows."

Loki rolls his eyes and huffs from beside you, irritated. But Thor merely laughs. "And you think I would ever dare do the same to you, my lady? Never. Come, and fight!"

"Leave her be, brother. She isn't strong enough to fight you," scowls Loki from beside you.

Your blood boils as your lips part in surprise, uncertain if his words are intended to be in defense of your mortality, or in insult to your abilities. Either way, you glare at Loki, who refuses to make eye contact as he crosses his arms even tighter against his chest.

"You know what?" you say, grabbing Thor's hand and pulling him behind you down to the arena. "Fine. I'll fight. But you don't get any weapons. And no flying. And only left handed punches."

"There's the Avenger I know!" says Thor, as he walks to the other side of the pitch.

Bad idea, you think to yourself with each step. This is such a bad idea.

You push away your own doubt, determined to prove Loki wrong, as you take a moment and close your eyes. It takes longer than usual to quiet your thoughts and reach for that warmth behind your cheeks. As Thor gets into position, you grasp at your Perception, opening a link and casting it wide, connecting with Thor's emotions - anything to give you an edge.