Two Blades, One Dagger

Nothing Bites Like a Frost Giant

Being captured was not part of the plan.

Loki, Wanda, and Strange stood in shackles before the Grand Master's throne, which was surrounded by his enslaved paparazzi.  The trio each had one of the electric shocker chips attached to their necks, which the Grand Master activated lavishly. Strange leaned over to Loki. "You said you knew this guy," he whispered. "Now's the time to put your money where your mouth is." It was true. Loki had charmed the Grand Master before, after the first time he had landed on Sakaar. However, after a few weeks of being on the planet, he had betrayed the Grand Master. This time, it would be a lot harder to gain his favor. 

"You!" The Grand Master exclaimed, pointing his infamous "melt stick" at Loki. "You have made me very angry, Loki. Very angry! Do you know what happens when people make me angry?"

"I'm going to assume it has something to do with that glowing stick you're pointing at me right now," Loki replied coolly.

The Grand Master smiled. "Ah, still a charming little devil, aren't you? It's too bad that your charms cost me my grand Champion." He stood up from his throne and strode towards Loki, still wielding the melt stick. This was bad- very bad. He stopped inches away from Loki's face, staring intently into his eyes. The staff was dangerously close to his forehead. "What's to say I don't turn you into a puddle of Asgardian soup?" 

It was do or die time. Loki had to decide upon his approach to charm the Grand Master on the spot because if he wasn't quick on his feet, he would have a very short amount of time left to live. While appealing to his humanity could've worked, Loki knew well that the Grand Master was a madman. Any sign of weakness might've gotten him melted even sooner. Instead, Loki did the one thing that he knew would amuse the Grand Master, even if it was only for a short amount of time: flirt. 

Loki slowly looked the Grand Master up and down. When he resumed eye contact, he grinned mischievously. "You wouldn't really kill me, now would you?" he mused. The two maintained eye contact for a few more seconds, but it felt like an eternity to Loki. He began to worry that he had lost his charm, and he would die anyway. However, the Grand Master's face finally broke into a smile. 

"Ah, Loki. You know, I still remember what you said to me when I first brought you in. I was going to enter you into my tournament, but you insisted 'I'm a lover, not a fighter,' and oh, how you proved it." He turned to Kang, who still stood guard by the throne. "Tell me, have you ever been with a Frost Giant?" Kang furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head. Loki could feel Strange's eyes boring into him judgmentally, but he continued to stare straight forward. In all honesty, Loki found the Grand Master to be repulsive, but if pleasing him meant saving his own ass, then he would play whatever role he had to. The Grand Master brushed a lock of Loki's long hair behind his ear. "Still such a handsome face, and those blue eyes of yours really give me chills," he continued. He glanced around the room at all of his counterparts, then returned his gaze to Loki. "Ah, fine!" he exclaimed. "I'll let you and your little playmates live, but you owe me big time, Loki."

Loki nodded, still smiling. "That is very gracious of you, Grand Master."

"Oh, don't thank me yet," the Grand Master replied. "Away with those two! Take them to the dungeon," he said, waving his hand. The guards seized Strange and Wanda, escorting them down the hall. Wanda lurched and struck out at one of the guards, and magic red sparks began to fly around her hands, but then the Grand Master activated the electrocuting neck chip, and she dropped to the ground. Kang and the other creature that was guarding the throne, Loki noticed, followed them as they were forcefully dragged down the hall. Loki was left alone with the Grand Master, who stared him down expectantly. 

"Well, what now?" Loki asked, even though he immediately expected the worst. The first time he had been captured by the Grand Master, sleeping with him had seemed impersonal. It was what he had to do to gain the man's favor, and mind you, it was very effective. However, now the thought of being with him gave Loki a sense of guilt. He thought of Sylvie and the way holding her hand on Lamentis had given him butterflies. Then, when she kissed him, his knees turned to jelly like they never had before. Being with Sylvie was unlike any romantic connection Loki had felt before; it felt real. To share affection with anyone else, even if it was just a means of staying alive, felt like betraying her.