You can feel yourself getting giddier and giddier with each drink. Thor, sitting beside you, is getting louder and louder too. Everything is beginning to seem exceptionally funny in your eyes – even Loki, who sits on your other side, is looking comical as he stares at you with a sullen look in his eyes.
"Another?" you slur at Thor, who grins.
"Another!" he yells, flinging his mug out of hand. The mug crashes against the far side of the bar, and suppressed screams echo around.
"Thor," Loki hisses, "There are other people – "
He stops short when you giggle and lean onto Thor's shoulder. Thor opens his arm and pulls you to him as two more mugs were set down on your table. "Here, dar-ling," he says to you, dragging a mug to you, "Take it – hic – easy, though."
You cock your eyebrow at him, completely forgetting about Loki. Thor's arm around your shoulder has enveloped you in a heavy warmness; you feel secure and happy like this. "You challenge me?" you ask cheekily, "I – I bet I can out drink you," you tell him.
Thor roars with laughter. Loki cuts in. "That's enough," he says sternly, his jaw taut as he tries to lift Thor's arm off you. You pull a face and slap his hand away; you liked Thor's arm draped around you. You see Loki's eyes harden, but you're too drunk to care.
Gripping your mug, you chug, the alcohol spilling from the sides of your mouth. You slam the mug down and grin at Thor. "Your go," you tell him, raising your eyebrows. "Go on, big boy," you say as you take his mug and push it to his mouth. Thor lets you feed him, drinking and drinking until the mug is dry. He burps, and you laugh. Before you realize, his whole body is tilting onto you, his weight pushing you down. The both of you topple over, with Thor on top of you.
Loki gasps quietly, clenching his fists. He bends down and flips Thor off you, with a disdainful "Get away from her, you oaf!" Ignoring your protests, he picks you off and strides out of the pub. You continue to struggle in his arms, but to no avail. When he finally lets you down, you try to slap him, but you fail and nearly stumble because of the momentum of your swinging hand. Loki catches your wrist and holds you still, his hard gaze on you.
"I was having fun!" you cry indignantly, the world spinning in your head. "Thor – "
"No," he says in a voice that makes you shut up, "No."
You blink, trying to focus on Loki's eyes. His hands still gripping your shoulders, he pushes you back and your back hits a wall. You stare up at him, wide-eyed, shocked into soberness. He is breathing heavily, his face close to yours. You swallow, wanting to avert his intense green eyes but can't. "Wh-what?" you stutter.
With a jerk you're pulled into him, his arms tight around you. Your ear is smashed against his chest and you can hear his heart's strong beating. "No," Loki whispers in your ear, "Not Thor..."
You squirm and he tightens his hold on you. "L-Loki..." you choke out, "I can't – breathe – "
"Tell me you're not falling for Thor," he says, his voice cracking, "Tell me it was all the alcohol – "
You shove with all your might and finally break free from his embrace. You are confused; the alcohol befuddling your brain. You back away when he takes a step towards you. Your back hits the wall again. "What... What in the name of Odin do you mean – "
"I love you," he blurts out before you can finish. "I love you..." he repeats again, breathlessly. Gently, he raises his hand and traces your jaw line with the tips of his finger. "I love you," he whispers, leaning in and pressing his lips against yours.
