What Comes Next?

Chapter 4: Prime Time

We walked through the gate to the sound of thunderous applause. Loki Prime was waving as people of all shapes and sizes crowded the room we stepped into, some reached out to touch his cloak and others handed him gifts. These people didn't look or feel like Loki variants...they were just normal people... They were Asgardians I realized with a sense of wonder.

They continued to cheer as we walked the green carpet to a set of raised steps topped with a massive golden throne. Next to the throne was a larger then life sized statue of Frigga, a pool of water gently bubbled below it full of floating pink and white blossoms. Candles burned along it's edge and as we passed a elderly woman kneeled to light another and pray. Blue butterflies fluttered around the altar, children's laughter could be heard echoing through the halls and the notes of a drinking song wove their way through the lingering applause.

Loki Prime turned dramatically in front of his throne and lifted his arms into the air, the emerald green stone of his scepter reflecting the brilliant light of the hall. Everything had a shine and glow about it..and a familiarity. It was different, but so similar to what I remembered of my childhood home. My home that I hadn't had a spare moment to give a thought to in so very long.

I was completely unprepared for the wave of nostalgia that hit me. I belonged here once..this was what the TVA tore me away from. This was what they cost me.

"Sylvie?" The Prime was now seated on his throne, one hand resting on his scepter, the other resting on his chin. His long legs were splayed wide. His eyes bore into mine and the hall was suddenly silent as if they were waiting on a response.

"Uhhh I'm sorry. What?" I couldn't bring myself to call him your highness or majesty so I awkwardly settled for nothing.

"The hall? It's beautiful isn't it? Is it similar to the one were you are from? This seems to be the one constant with all of us." His eyes got that slightly unfocused look again. I wasn't sure if he was lost in thought but I answered anyway. "It's stunning. It's even more beautiful then I remembered." I struggled to keep the emotion out of my voice and know I failed.

Pleasure sparkled in his eyes as he focused on me again. He stood, moving within a few inches of me and lowered his voice so only those closest to us could hear. "You know you may stay as long as you like. It could be your home again." The top of his hand brushed mine. "I always welcome powerful allies. However, we shall have to talk more after you've rested. Dinner tonight? More casual attire?" He asked as the green shimmer passed down his body leaving him in a spotless white button up tucked into black slacks. He stood next to his twin and the contrast was stark. My Loki looked filthy, exhausted and very nearing his max level of tolerance for the mischief of others.

Prime winked at his filthy mirror image then waved at two nearby servants. "Please show our guest to their quarters. I'm sure Lady Sylvie will prefer something on the floor above the gardens. She obviously has more appreciation for the finer things then our other friend here."

My Loki rolled his eyes, "I can find my own way thank you very much." The crowd parted easily as he turned to go, no one even stopped to acknowledge his existence. It seemed they had no problem differentiating him from their King.

"This way my Lady." I followed a servant to incredibly lavish quarters. As promised a large balcony overlooked a garden exploding with flowers. "The baths are through there." She gestured to the door on our left then poured a glass of amber liquid and handed to me. "It seems you have much to celebrate, let me know if you need anything at all." She smiled and left as I downed the drink in a single gulp.

She was right, I had much to celebrate the foremost of which was the ability to finally get clean. I stopped in front of a mirror and spent several minutes attempting to magic the grime away like the Lokis could with absolutely no luck.

I stepped out of the shower to a new outfit of the finest Asgardian leathers already laid out on my bed. I got dressed and downed another drink before I stepped out on the balcony.

Directly below my room a group of children were gathered around Loki, who was dazzling them with his handheld fireworks. The mini light show reflected off the gazing pond beneath them making it seem even more grand. I couldn't help but smile at the purity of it.

Loki choose that moment to look up and wave. His hair was wet, his white button up and black slacks were spotless and freshly pressed. I downed another drink then poured two more and took the wide marble steps leading down from the balcony to the gardens.

By the time I reached him he was alone in the garden, sitting on the ledge of the pond looking more relaxed then I'd ever seen him. " It's you." I said passing him one of the cups.

"Tis I," he replied taking a sip of the mead, his eyes watching me over the rim of his glass. I narrowed my eyes at him and downed the last of my drink. The warmth of it made me feel bold and without a word I reached out, wrapping my hand around the back of his neck picking up the same position I had him in earlier. On contact I tapped into his memories. I sifted through flashes of his life on Asgard, his deaths, and his time at the TVA.

He lifted his eyebrows at me in curiosity, "Did you find what you were looking for?" He asked with amusement.
"I did." I climbed onto his lap, straddling him and knocking his drink into the pond. His dialated eyes locked on my mouth as I crushed into his, my hands pulling him towards me. I was demanding and hungry, eager to release the tension of the past weeks.

He was receptive, but slow and...curious in his exploration. Both of his hands hovered awkwardly near my arms, almost touching me but hovering in the air instead.

I pulled back, my mead muddled mind slow to understand what was happening. Something was off. His eyes were downcast, his face blushed pink, his arms raised in surrender, "It seems I've unintentionally mislead you," he said with a smirk, his clothing shifting to the same leathers that matched mine.

"YOU." I pushed off his shoulders and lept to my feet, shoving him backwards into the pond. He splashed in laughing and sputtering as I attempted to wipe his taste off my lips.

"You tricked me!" I yelled, lobbing a stray garden stone at his head. He dodged the stone and regained his feet. His green shimmer drying him instantly. "I'm sorry. I couldn't resist, truly. I did try." His face didn't hold the least bit of regret.

"UGGGH!" I yelled as I shoved him backwards again. He blocked a kick and a right hook, but my left caught him in the ribs. His breath huffed out in a puff, his right arm grabbing my left wrist as he bent over. "Please. I'm sorry. You have my word it won't happen again." His eyes met mine and he looked genuinely remorseful for the moment. I paused a moment to consider his words then elbow dropped him in the neck.

He collapsed to the ground, his sharp inhale sucking in the yellow dust of the gardens path. He coughed and gagged as the sound of a single person began clapping behind me.
"Well that was a long time coming." Said my Loki in an identical clean outfit to the one the beaten Loki had been wearing moments ago.

The grounded one caught his breath and pushed himself up onto his hands, flipping his hair up to glare at My Loki. "We do look good when we do the hair thing though," mine said offering me his arm. "Would you like to walk with me Sylvie?"

"You think I need your protection?" I responded irritably.
"You very clearly do not." He admitted with a sly smile.
I sighed and admitted wearily, "Yes. You do look good when you do the hair thing."