Muffins - Loki & Ylva alternate universe stories

Princess in the tower V

Chapter 5 - Ylva

There's no time to scream when they suddenly go horizontal, crashing hard on the grass. Yet there is plenty of time to yell when Ylva rolls away from the boys, ending up flat on her stomach. She spews all kinds of curse words, directed at both her kidnapper and her so-called savior.

Brann is laughing so hard he can't speak; all he does is shake and wheeze, his back on the grass. Loki on the other hand is scrambling to his feet, shooting Brann a dirty look as he jogs over to Ylva.

"What did you do that for!? You -"

Her rant is caught in her throat when Loki suddenly scoops her up in his arms. He walks quickly, gently setting her down on the rock over the pond.
"You're safe now, princess. I've got you."

Something in his voice makes her swallow her words. He sounds too serious, too involved.
She searches Loki's face for a hint of mischief. She doesn't know what kind of trick he's pulling, but this is one she doesn't particularly enjoy, if not only for her bruised hip!
Ylva groans softly as she feels around her hip and thigh; she's gonna be black and blue by tomorrow, that's for sure!

"Were you hurt, my lady? I'm so sorry!" The words are rushed and jumbled together, though they are clear enough.

"What?" Loki's worried gaze catches her off guard. This truly is some elaborate trick!

Ylva is too perplexed to react when Loki steps closer and puts one hand on her shoulder as he inspects her side and grazes his free hand over her bruised hip. He mumbles something about being sorry, before his gaze suddenly snaps up and she is caught in his green eyes. His hand moves from her hip to her cheek, his thumb stroking gently across the heated skin there; Ylva is transfixed by his stare, completely overwhelmed by his unexpected sweet behaviour.

"Damn, Loki!" calls Brann from behind them. "You really wanted to win this time, didn't you?"
He groans a little as he gets to his feet, though he's clearly not mad; the Light Elf can appreciate a good brawl.

Her brother's voice breaks Ylva's trance and she quickly steps back from Loki and his worried gaze. Her face feels like it's on fire and if Ulf's smirk is anything to go by, her bewilderment is clearly visible for everybody.

Loki slowly turns back to face Brann, his posture getting tensed. He reaches back with one hand, lightly touching Ylva's arm as if to make sure she's still there. To make sure she stays there. He certainly is acting weird; she can't see his face, but she can see her brother and he approaches Loki warily, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion.

"Stop right there, you foul monster!" Loki calls out, his voice laced with anger. "You will not touch her again!"

Brann snorts, surprise and amusement clear in his expression. "What in Odin's name is your problem, Loki?"

He takes another step in their direction and that is apparently a mistake. A big one. Because Loki jumps him without warning and before Ylva knows what's happening the raven-haired prince has Brann pinned down with a knife at his throat.

Everybody is screaming and running towards the two princes in the grass at the same time. Thor is the one who hauls Loki away, his younger brother kicking and growling - not screaming, no, he is actually growling!

"He's gone feral!" Ulf utters astonished, picking up the knife Loki dropped when Thor grabbed him.

"Something's really wrong," Ylva agrees, keeping a sharp eye on Loki, who tries to break free from his brother's iron grip. Thor is talking to him in a low voice, trying to calm him down.

Brann grumbles, coming to stand next to his siblings. "Has he hit his head? Boy's gone crazy!"

"Get away from her!" Loki yells, fixing his attention back on Brann all of a sudden. "If you hurt her..." He doesn't have to finish his sentence for them to know what he wants to do to Brann in that case. And when Brann reacts angrily - making it clear he thinks Loki has gone mental - Loki only starts thrashing around worse to get to the Light Elf.