ephemeral ━━ 𝘓. 𝘓𝘈𝘜𝘍𝘌𝘠𝘚𝘖𝘕 ✔

□ playfully

Loraine realized Loki was already sleeping.

For a peaceful moment, she watched his chest rose up and down as he slept. Loraine found her hands soothing his smooth pale cheek.

How could this man, so peaceful in his sleep, be miscievious within a matter of seconds?

Loki shifted his position and moved closer to her. She placed a peck of kiss on top of his forehead.

Then she left.

Loraine sat at a nearby bench, just in front of the stables.

It was a great afternoon for horseback riding and Loraine was excited. She had always wanted a horse to herself ever since she was a young, but it had never happened. Thus, her problem? Well, she wasn't entirely sure she would be good at horseback riding in the forest ---in an unfamiliar forest.

Loraine was six years old when she went to the forest alone. The deeper she walked, the taller the trees seemed to grow. She raised her little arms back then, drummed her fingers against the air and the trees bended to her will. All of them rustled to the side, forming an empty circle on the ground.

Then, she gathered a bunch of twigs, and placed them at the center. She outstretched her palm, facing down, and immediately, the grass rolled away from the ground, revealing soil. She took one of the twigs, broke them and made a circle.

Focusing, she pictured a brown stallion, with white mane. She outstretched her palm once again, closed her eyes and went around the twigs.

Slowly, a twinkle of fire lit from the line of the circle. The fire ate up the twigs as it released embers, colorful embers through the air. The fire turned green, releasing a sudden huge hush of wind.

Her eyes snapped open. The fire gulped the twigs and the stallion appeared in her desire.

"A bit worrisome now, are we?" A smooth voice interrupted her thoughts.

Loraine's soul almost lept out of her. She looked up and well, obviously, it was him.

Loki was there. Those mistifying eyes studying hers. "Sorry, did I gave you a fright?" He chuckled.

She remained silent. The memories of last night flashed in the back of her mind as she stared at him.

"Hi," she said under her breath.

"Why are you staring down my sweet?" He asked.

Her cheeks flushed. She was suddenly embarassed and shy to look at him. This was ridiculous. She shouldn't be this way, afterall she was the one who challenged him last night.

She kept on twisting the amulet nervously. "About last night, I..."

Loki stopped her. "Loraine, look at me."

Her heart won. She met his cool gaze and breathed in his image. She couldn't help the fact but thought as if each day he was more handsome than the last. He always captivated her to look. If there was a human quicksand - it would've been him.

"What about last night?" He called out soothingly and held her hand. He sat.

She shifted on her sit. "Oh, well..."

"Tell me," He insisted and kissed the back of her hand. She blushed.

"Last night, the guards," she cleared her throat. "The guards knew I spent the whole night with you."

"Oh," Loki paused and stared at her. Then he grinned. "Why, I suppose you're shy," he chuckled.

She tightened her grip on him. "Nothing happened last night. We both know that."

"Nothing?" He looked confused for a second. "It was the night I confessed. Last night was hardly nothing."

"No! I mean, Loki yes, I appreciated you being honest with me, telling me surprising things, comforting me a-and well you know other things--"

Loki snaked his arm on her back and brought her closer to him. "Well?" He leaned to her. "Other things?"

She got lost in his eyes for a moment then she said, "Yes, those things," she breathed and shook her head. "What I mean is, nothing nothing happened."

He cocked his head to the side. "It seems that I do not understand you. What do you mean?"

She looked at him and shot her eyebrows up as if to say: really? You don't get me?

Still, Loki only stared at her.

"I mean, nothing happened beyond that 'other thing'" she explained, hoping now he could understand what she had meant before.

"Oh," he nodded. "You mean sex," he chukled playfully.

Loraine was hoping for him to understand but she certainly did not expect him to say it out loud. That was the reason why she was careful not to say it in the firstplace.

"My dear," his eyes looked playful. "Everyone knows that. There's no reason to hide that word."

"I'm trying to be sensible prince," she replied. "The guards may spread rumors that you and I---" she trailed off, blushing at the thought.

Loki grinned. "Had sex."

"Again with that!"

"You are very mmm," Loki licked his lips as he thought of a word. "Modest," he continued. "I like that."

Her cheeks only continued to heat up.

Taking her hands on his, Loki softly caressed her knuckles. "The guards won't say a word Loraine. Do not worry my dear. You do not have to be anxious about it. We both know what truly happened, is it not?"

She pondered for awhile. "Well, okay I guess so."

Loki smiled and she held his hands tighter. "Good."

"It's just that Thor's pretty shaken up when I told him I gave you the amulet so if he knew I went by your room last night and spent the whole night there, gods know how he would react."

He chuckled. "Alright alright, I understand." Loki hooked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "So, this clothes--"

"Yes, well you know, it's horseback riding. I can't do that in a dress." She shrugged.

"Hmm," he smiled. "Well, you always look beautiful in everything."

The ambiance shifted and the wind seemed to get warmer. There was a slight difference in the surrounding as if a third prescence somehow appeared out of nowhere. Before Loki could fathom what it was, another voice spoke.

"Beautiful?" Thor, with his blond hair and red cape, asked.