ephemeral ━━ 𝘓. 𝘓𝘈𝘜𝘍𝘌𝘠𝘚𝘖𝘕 ✔

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"And that was the only reason?"

From the silence in the cell, Loraine could feel his hesitation. "Only reason." His voice tightened. "No more."

She pursed her lips into a straight line. "Well. I guess, you do know how it feels to lose someone you love." Loraine commented.

"If that fiction was true," he interjected almost too quickly.

"Of course," Loraine smiled.

Then he leaned back on his chair again, rake his hair and said, "Do you really think I am worth your time, Loraine? Do you really expect me to change?" He found himself asking, his emerald eyes staring intently at her.

"No." Loraine said this time, different from before. "I figured that you cannot. You don't have to change. Because, I don't know, I feel like this what you are meant to be Loki. But," she paused. "You should decide where you use it."

This time he didn't reply.

"The first part of change is generally the most confronting," she continued. "You realized you made the first step?" She asked.

"You mean the whole telling the truth part, isn't it?"

"Yes."

Loki sighed. "And yet no one believed me," he smiled sarcastically.

"It'll go a long way," she replied. "Wait, how old are you anyway?"

"Mmm," he hummed. "Centuries by now."

"Century!" She coughed.

He shrugged. "I don't age that fast."

"Yeah right," She chuckled

It was hard to tell what Loki's age was. She examined his regal face with those emerald eyes almost looking as if they were true jewels --- timeless, his strong jaw perfectly placed, his ebony hair, and the way he spoke of words as pure and elegant as what he should be, and beautiful.

"Loki? If what you had with Nathara was centuries back. Do you not miss love at all?"

"Oh, if you must ask," he narrowed his eyes on her, leaning closer. "I do miss her lips on mine," he grinned.

She watched him carefully, trying not to think about how loud her heartbeat was---hoping to Hel, he wouldn't hear it, wouldn't notice her thin sentiment skimming from her heart, threatening to spill right at this very moment. He was too close now, and she continued to watch him as he suddenly hooked a strand of her hair behind her ear. His touch was so warm, in spite of what he truly was. And Loraine saw the emotions flooding his face, waiting for her to push him away, but she didn't. Now, with fingers tracing the outlines of her face, the air shifted so tenderly that it made her feel as if the world wasn't there, as if the dungeons ceased to exist, as if they were the only ones left.

"How about you then?" He whispered so soothingly it sent butterflies on the pit of her stomach.

"Yes."

And just like that, Loki brushed his lips to hers, soft and careful, like the touch of a petal. Lightweight. And when she didn't pull away, he kissed her more and she kissed him back, just as cautious as he did, her desire delighted but frightening her at the same time. His body moved closer and her hands pressed his chest, feeling his own beating heart, drumming just as fast as hers.

Did this moment really led to this?

Then they pulled away from each other--- his breath soothing her burning face. It was too soon.

Loki opened his eyes and leisurely, he raised his arms, and Loraine saw, from there, the Amulet dangling from his hand.