Ineffable- A Loki Fanfic

7

They reached a small pool at the bottom of a modest waterfall. The water was crystal clear and a brilliant shade of sapphire. Loki watched the waterfall cascaded down the face of a tall cliff, straight and lean. It roared to life, exerting a calming white noise that filled the forest and helped to drown out the buzzing of his own thoughts.

As Loki slowed he felt an intense longing for home as memories began to resurface of his childhood. He became so overwhelmed with the feeling that he staggered backward and fell into the sand. He pocketed his fists in his eyes trying to make the visions go away. Even in a place where he had true free will, his past kept creeping forward, threatening to swallow him whole.

Loki raised his head and sat on the beach, he let his thoughts ebb away with the sounds of the water cycling around him.

Clara wasted no time, stripping completely down and running into the water. Her body was lean and rippling with muscles. The water glistened brightly off of her warm toned skin and he could see that it was adorned with scars. A Lot of them. Loki stared at them a bit too long, feeling saddened and a strange empathy towards her. She definitely noticed him staring but mistook it for something else.

"Are you done staring? Or is that a little blush I see?" She teased.

"Taking the time to be embarrassed about one's nudity, or..." Gesturing towards her... "Someone else's is entirely a Midgardian response I assure you." Loki promptly slid out of his shirt and pants and waded in after her. The water was cool on his worn skin and he realized he hadn't had a chance to clean himself in weeks. Months maybe. Time wasn't so straightforward here. Disgusting, he shuddered at the thought.

"Besides," He continued. "What's a little nudity between friends?" His smile was as brilliant as the sun was warm.

"Ahhh, I didn't have to wait long for that one did I?"

They swam in complete silence for hours, enjoying not being alone. There was no pressure between them to carry on a conversation, and just enjoy knowing the opportunity was there if they needed it.

Again, Clara broke the silence first, swimming closer to him. "I can't believe how quiet you are? It's really marvelous. Truly!" She said, mocking his accent and splashed him, laughing.

"Sounds to me like you're missing the sweetness of my words upon your ears."

Clara made faces at him as he talked.

"Oh I suppose you think you're really clever then? Mock away Midgard cretin." He swam past her, dunking her head under the water. "At least my vocabulary accends past, 'Fuck' and 'TWAT'." He yelled that last one trying to swim underwater to get away from her as she charged at him. He was under for a really long time.

"Loki?" Her laugh faded as she turned around and around searching for him.

"Loki? LOKI! " He popped up at that moment directly in front of her pushing her underwater again, laughing hysterically. "Shit! You asshole, you scared the fuck out of me!"

"Worried for me?" He mocked a sultry voice.

"I'll show you worried."

Clara jumped on his back forcing him under until she was able to stand on his back. She cried out in triumph, laughing, and 'surfed' him while he swam under until they reached the waterfall where she couldn't withstand the weight of the water and fell off. When Clara went under she expected to pop right back out but under the falls were a series of sharp rocks that she rattled hard against cutting her arm. She resurfaced on the other side of the waterfall where it was apparently his turn to look worried.

"Clara, are you hurt? I apologize I didn't intend.."

"On what?" She laughed, "Trying to kill me again? Ouch shit!" Clara grabbed at her upper arm pulling her hand away only to see blood. "Greeeeeaat."

"Come here, let me see." Loki pulled her close, inspecting her arm and she was suddenly aware of how close they were and weirdly of his breathing, slow and rough.

"Really it's fine, just a scratch." She tried to reassure him and distract herself by taking in her surroundings.

"Loki." She whispered.

"Hmm?" His breath was very close to her neck and she tried desperately to ignore it.

"Look." And she pointed up.

Loki tore his gaze from Clara and looked around them. The entire side of the cliff, hidden by the waterfall, was made of crystal. The dappled light that came through the water flecked off the surface, making it shine as the light kissed each facet, creating a secret world of rainbows that tucked in around them. Another reminder of home.

Loki was unable to tear his eyes away from the beauty, letting tears spill from the corners of his eyes. Clara stared at him, wishing she had the right things to say or do to help him. She felt very awkward and inadequate next to him. This was the first time she had really thought about him in any other sense than some annoying guy she was stuck with. It was so easy for her to forget that he was a god. He had lived for thousands of years and experienced incredibly beautiful things and severe losses. Without realizing what she was doing, she reached up and gently wiped a tear from his face. He shuddered at her touch, coming back into himself. Loki closed his eyes and leaned into her hand, holding it against his face in his own.

"Everytime I have an intense longing for home, you've been right there next to me. either you're causing it," He teased," Or you are keeping me grounded I guess." He laughed softly and began to sing. It was slow and loving. At first it sounded sad, you really had to watch the way his eyes lit up to know there was a secret happiness hidden between each word.

Clara didn't realize he had finished when she noticed him staring at her. Her hand still clasped in his, resting on his cheek.

'Fuck'

Quickly she melted under the water and swam towards the shore. Leaving him to follow, a little bemused.

Once out she swiftly grabbed her shirt and pulled it on, followed by her shorts. As she shook out her hair Loki swept himself out of the water and she took the time to genuinely appreciate him. His fair skin was shining and it left a stunning contrast with his shadowy hair. She saw a flash of green as he looked up at her and she looked away fiercely, thanking whatever gods she needed to, that her darker skin concealed blushing quite well.

After he too was dressed they sat together as he asked to see her arm again.

"Really it's fine," She sighed. " I just need to maybe get it wrapped but I can do that back at camp." With that she got up and left him looking after her once more.