Two Blades, One Dagger

The Bloody Reunion

"Where the hell is Sylvie?" Loki snarled.

Kang lowered his arms and raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Sylvie?" he said, scratching his chin. "Hmm... I'm sure she's around here somewhere. I'll admit- I expected you to be a little more excited to see me. You have worked very hard to get here, after all."

Loki gripped his daggers even tighter, baring his teeth. "Enough of your games!" he spat. "Tell me where Sylvie is or I'll-"

"What?" Kang interjected. "Kill me? Loki, you seriously need to get some new material. I've watched every moment of your entire life- call me a stalker, I know- and that's always your go-to threat. Maybe you could try something a little more original for a change."

Loki glowered menacingly. "I say it," he growled, "because it's true. Now, you will tell me where Sylvie is, or I will take great pleasure in slitting your throat, you pathetic mortal!"

To Loki's surprise, Kang burst out into maniacal laughter. "Truth!" he exclaimed, slapping his knee. "Loki, do you even hear yourself right now? You, Loki of Asgard, God of Mischief, are talking about truth. I'll admit, in my short time up here as timekeeper, I have witnessed some extraordinary plot twists, but this right here is some serious character development. Tell me, what did this to you?"

Loki refused to respond. Instead, he continued to glare at Kang, blades in hand. He would not succumb to whatever game the madman intended to play. 

Kang seemed to realized Loki's unwillingness to respond, so he continued. "Seriously, what was it? Did the change of heart happen on this noble quest of yours while you were fighting alongside Wanda and Mr. Strange? Did you have a glorious revelation while inside the great beast, Alioth? Or, perhaps, did this change of heart happen sooner? Might it had something to do with... Sylvie?"

The name slid off his tongue like poison. Loki clenched his jaw. He wanted to shout- to tell the man that he had no right to speak her name, but Loki would not give Kang the satisfaction of getting under his skin. The blades were trembling in his hands now, itching to slice their way through Kang's heart. 

Kang eyed Loki's clenched, shaking hands, and he looked Loki back in the face, grinning from ear to ear. "Uh oh," he mused, shaking his finger at Loki. "Oh, no! Is this a code L kind of situation? The big four letter word? Seriously, this can't be happening! Don't tell me Loki Laufeyson, prince of Asgard, God of Mischief, is in love." 

Loki's face grew red with anger, which only made Kang smile even wider. "Oh, Loki!" he exclaimed. "This is incredible. Absolutely adorable. Let me give you a hug, you sweet, mushy little Frost Giant." He opened his arms and stepped forward from his desk to embrace Loki. Once he was within striking distance, Loki lunged forward, thrusting the blade towards his chest. At the last possible second, Kang teleported back behind his desk. "Or not," he scoffed, rolling his eyes. "I see it's a touchy subject. Why don't we sit down and chat like proper gentlemen?" Kang waved his hand, and two chairs appeared on either side of the fireplace to his left. He slowly made his way over to the chair closest to him and sat down facing Loki. Kang gestured for Loki to sit down in the chair across from him, but Loki stayed put, eyeing him warily. Kang let out a heavy sigh at Loki's lack of cooperation. 

"You know, I really expected you to be more chatty. Normally, you have quite a way with words," Kang said heavily, the enthusiasm drained from his voice. "Now, don't you wonder where your friends are? Wanda and Strange?"

This was an amature in attempt at intimidation; Loki had used it at least a couple hundred times. Taunt the subject with the unknown fate of their companions. Maybe they're hostages. Maybe they've abandoned you. Maybe they're dead. Loki knew better than to fall into the trap of giving Kang any emotional leverage over him. "No," he replied curtly, "actually, I don't. Whether they accompany me or not, I shall still relish the feeling of your blood on my hands nonetheless."