Muffins - Loki & Ylva alternate universe stories

Love with a bite XI

Author's note: Top art of this chapter by the talented Nanihoo.

***

Making out in the back of a dark movie theater; it's like Loki is a teenager again! Not that there were movie theaters like this on Asgard, or pretty, young women who wanted to press themselves flush against him, when he actually was a teenager. Thor was the one who caught all the attention, with his impressive physique and golden locks. Loki was just the scrawny, bookish younger brother; they were the typical nerd and jock counterparts. Growing up in Thor's shadow had been equal parts of agony and joy, often mixed together in a confusing melting pot of jealousy, envy and brotherly love. The blond vampire cast a large - often cold - shadow, yet he had a warm heart that always had a place for his adopted brother. Loki had since long learned that those contradictions could be united in one person and it was Thor who had secured him a place at Odin's court, alongside with Lady Frigga. The small Jotun child was a prize of battle, a playmate for the young heir to the throne of Asgard. But along the years that playmate became a brother, a second son for the Allmother and a part of the family. And even though Loki felt the need to rebel against his family - the Allfather mostly - ever so often, he also always returned to that family; to Thor at least, he was more than happy to live far away from Asgard and Odin.

He is also happy to have Ylva in his lap; to feel the warmth of her body, the softness of her curves underneath the supple fabric of her clothes. They can't get much closer, not without actually undressing themselves. All they do is kiss and hold on to each other, hands caressing and touching; and although Loki is only one small step away from fantasizing what this wonderful young woman would look like underneath him, he deliberately refrains from taking that step. Her warmth and affection is more than enough right now.

But, of course, his body betrays him. Triggered by her taste and scent his fangs grow out to the point where they start to get in the way. The smell of her blood is getting more prominent with the minute, bloodlust getting harder and harder to push from his thoughts. Loki knows the moment Ylva notices it, how she licks his lips open with the tip of her tongue, tentatively searching for the canines she suspects to be there. No matter how much it pains him, they will have to put their amorous exploits on hold. He promised not to bite her without her consent and if they keep this up, he will not be able to restrain himself.

Ylva slides easily off his lap, nestling herself in her own chair again and grabbing her drink. She's still close, but not too close, clearly giving him the space she believes he needs. Loki stares at her profile; the lights of the movie reflecting in her glistening eyes, her lips still a bit wet from kissing. Although his primal instincts call for him to sink his fangs - and more - in her, Loki only reaches out for her hand, pressing his lips lightly to her fingers. The warmth he feels in his chest has nothing to do with the carnal reaction of his body; love is too big of a word for it, yet he is rapidly growing very fond of the lovely young woman at his side.

"She was so beautiful," Ylva whispers when the screen shows a close up of the lead actress.

"Miss Bergman was a very nice woman, yes," Loki answers. "She was from Sweden, you share some Scandinavian roots with her."

"You've met her?"

Loki nods in the dark. "Hollywood parties were very glamorous in those years, it was fun to hang around."

"I would have loved that," Ylva sighs.

The dark prince chuckles. "It was a snakepit, but still, fun to watch."

"I do the same in the coffee shop," Ylva says in a hushed voice, her eyes directed at the screen. "Watch people, I mean. The first dates are always fun to observe, same as passive-aggressive fights in public. Thomas and I made a game out of guessing the connections between people, or other stuff, like their jobs. I usually win."