Hellfire

Fireflies

It did not take long for the two to ready themselves for their upcoming adventure. Steve had snuck into the kitchen, grabbing two flasks of water without being noticed. One would think that such a thing is nearly impossible, yet being a Midgardian has always meant being unworthy of even as much as a glance.

Loki had ordered for a servant girl to bring him some fresh fruit, bread and cheese, informing her that he would spend the rest of his day studying his Seiðr, not wishing to be disturbed. The frown on the young girl's face was one of skepticism, not because of the prince's desire for isolation, that happened more often than not, but for the fact that the raven was actually asking for food.

She wanted to venture, but knew better. The Allfather might have her head for being in the trickster's presence for too long so she merely nodded and obeyed in silence. Even without the King present in the palace she still feared his all-seeing gaze.

Loki managed to mutter his gratitude before the maid closed his door, his face buried in his book on ancient potions. He waited for the sound of footsteps to disappear and for complete silence to crawl back into his chamber.

He finally looked outside, his gaze falling upon the Northern Mountains, their clear blue skies and misty peaks. He opened the window, gently, as if the glass would shatter at the lightest touch. A biting breeze howled through the mountains and nipped at his skin. Loki closed his eye. The seasons were changing, autumn was coming and so was the cold which he favored so. Much unlike his brother and his parents, he had never been able to stand the Summer's heat for long.

He drew a deep breath, exhaling through his thin lips as the calls of a Gyrfalcon beckoned him, its song echoing through the foothills.

He wanted to leave this custodial, to escape from Thor's grip and taste the sweet nectar of freedom even it was only for a short amount of time.

A shiver ran down his spine, caused not by the icy winds but by the voice of his brother.

It echoed within the deepest part of his mind, clear and vibrant;

"If you ever try to run from me again I will rain down every agony, every violation imaginable, upon you... I will parade your cold body from every realm, and feed your soul to the vilest filth in Hel, that is my promise."

Loki needed to remind himself to breath. He could still change his mind, if he wanted to. He could tell Steve that plans have changed and not owe him the slightest of explanation.

He could just pretend this entire idea never existed and all would be well.

He shook his head as if to clear his mind from a fog of fear. Thor will not be back for three more days, at least. No one will ever find out of his disappearance if he would go now and return before the setting of the sun.

He was determined, his mind set. He will leave this palace, today.

'You ready to go?' Steve asked quietly as he stood in the door opening, flasks filled with water in hand. A satchel filled with empty bottles for collecting bugs was hanging from his shoulder.

'Almost.'

Loki had ordered Steve to change into a simple, inconspicuous tunic, a dark grey cloak covering his face. He used his Seiðr to disguise himself, an easy yet affective trick.

'There,' the raven neatly tucked a lock of blond hair back before pulling up the captain's hood. 'No one will recognize us like this once we are outside the palace walls.'

'Right,' Steve was grateful for the lack of mirrors in the trickster's room, not really knowing whether he wanted to see himself in what felt like a renascence costume. 'So, you know how to get us out, right?'