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Your golden trio had been traveling through the realm of Muspelheim for what felt like an eternity. Their latest stop brought you to the desert kingdom of Asethka, a realm renowned for its ancient red-hued civilization. Towering ceramic buildings and gold-laden temples stretched out across the sands, their grandeur undeniable, even in the fading light. This place thrummed with power—a hub of cosmic energy where celestial magic coursed through the very land like the heartbeat of the universe itself.
The constant glowing of your necklace confirmed the King of Dwarves’ intel had been accurate. You were on the right track to recover the next chipped piece of Yggdrasil. But as you quickly learned, navigating Asethka’s complex, matriarchal society would be no easy feat—especially with Thor and Loki as your companions. Here, men were viewed as little more than pets or servants, treated with casual disdain by the women who ruled. It was a society steeped in strict customs, enforced by powerful priestesses, where masculinity was a weakness to be exploited.
You hadn’t anticipated Loki’s solution to this challenge—mostly because he hadn’t bothered to inform you of it beforehand.
The village where you had stopped for the night was little more than a refuge in the endless desert. It was an odd place, small and self-contained, where the air was heavy with the scent of spices and sweat. The people here wore flowing garments that shimmered under the torchlight. The women’s attire reminded you of elaborate Arabian dance costumes, their bodies adorned with coins and glittering jewels. The men, however, were not nearly as free. Many were chained, performing laborious tasks or serving as docile attendants to the women who commanded them.
It was an unsettling dynamic, but not entirely unfamiliar. You had seen societies like this before, where power was hoarded and wielded with ruthless precision.
The bustling fly market had been chaotic, packed with traders and travelers alike. The air was thick with the aromas of exotic spices, and the hum of whispered deals surrounded you. Loki, true to form, had disappeared into the crowd without so much as a word. You weren’t sure what he was up to—possibly hunting for something, possibly scheming. With him, it could be either or both.
While Loki was off doing whatever it was Loki did, you and Thor had spent your time gathering what little intel you could before returning to the modest inn where you were staying. Exhaustion weighed heavily on you. The unrelenting desert heat had drained you, and the constant tension of your journey was beginning to take its toll. When night finally fell, you decided to take a break from the stress and the oppressive masculinity of your traveling companions.
The tavern downstairs was dimly lit, filled with the low hum of music and the comforting aroma of roasted meats and spices. You settled in at the bar, ordering a drink that looked vaguely fruity but didn’t bother asking about its ingredients—better safe than sorry, especially after your last unfortunate experience with local cuisine.
As you sipped your drink, you turned to observe the room, letting your guard down just a little. It was a rare moment of reprieve, one you intended to savor.
That was when you saw her.
A woman standing out amongst the mass, dressed in shimmering gold and green, intricate patterns painted onto her skin. Her long, midnight-colored hair framed a stunning face and fell like a waterfall around her slender body, shimmering under the moody light like her eyes that glinted with both assurance and intrepidity. Her movements were graceful, almost hypnotic; she moved as though the hot desert wind from the outside itself guided her steps.
You froze, the drink halfway to your lips, unable to tear your eyes away. She was stunning—commanding, even. Her presence was magnetic, her beauty almost unreal. And yet, there was something else about her, something that made your pulse quicken.
She was beautiful, commanding, and… looked eerily familiar. She wore a stunning local desert outfit of deep emerald, adorned with intricate gold jewelry all around her body that shimmered under the flickering torchlight.
You raised an eyebrow as you watched her approach the bar near where you were stationed, your eyes narrowing in confusion. Loki? It couldn’t be. You had to be delirious—surely the constant teasing and lurking of the Asgardian hadn’t messed with your head so much that you’d immediately think of him at this moment.
You tried to shake the odd feeling in your chest as your gaze lingered on the stunning woman. You were just imagining things; there was no way it could be Loki. And yet, the woman’s features—those sharp, calculating eyes and the mischievous glint in her smile—felt undeniably familiar, even though they seemed so out of place in this realm. It had to be a coincidence , you told yourself, but the more you watched her, the more something about her presence seemed to pull you in.
She must have sensed your attention because the woman turned her head slowly, her lips curling into a knowing smile. Her sharp eyes locked onto yours from across the room, sending a jolt through you. There was no mistaking it now—she was watching you, and not just idly. No, her gaze felt deliberate, purposeful. She was engaging .
Your breath caught as your gazes met, the inexplicable pull between you growing stronger. Your heart rate quickened, and you took a sip of your drink without thinking, trying to steady yourself. Your thoughts raced, but no matter how hard you tried, you couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this encounter than what it appeared to be on the surface.
The woman tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable but somehow inviting. Then, with a grace that seemed almost unreal, she began to saunter toward you. Each step was measured, exuding confidence, her emerald dress shimmering in the dim light while the golden accents adorning her caught the flicker of nearby torches. The air around you felt heavier as she approached, and the bustling noise of the bar seemed to fade into the background. All you could hear was the rhythmic click of her heels and the pounding of your own heart.
When she finally reached the counter, she didn’t speak right away. Instead, she leaned casually against the bar, her gaze fixed on you, unrelenting. You suddenly found it difficult to meet those piercing eyes, and an unfamiliar warmth began to spread through your face.
“ Are you always this transfixed by strangers, or is it just me? ” The woman’s voice carried a soft, seductive sweetness that sent shivers down your spine.
You quickly wiped your hands on your pants, pretending not to notice the heat spreading across your cheeks. “ I… I wasn’t staring ,” you muttered, embarrassment lacing your tone, though you knew it was a futile attempt to deny the obvious. Your voice came out flustered, and you winced internally. Normally, you’d be the one doing the teasing, not stumbling over your words like this.
The woman smirked, clearly enjoying the effect she had on you. “ Oh, but you were ,” she purred, sliding gracefully into the seat beside you. “ Do not worry—I take pleasure in being admired .”
Your mind scrambled for a response, something witty to reclaim control of the conversation. “ I wasn’t admiring you ,” you shot back quickly, your tone sharper than you intended. “ I was just… curious .”
Her eyebrow arched, and a knowing grin spread across her lips. “ Curious? ” she repeated, her voice playful as she let the word linger. “ Curious about what exactly? The woman who can command a room with just her presence? ” She gestured faintly toward the rest of the tavern, but the glint in her eyes made your stomach twist in a way that was hard to ignore.
You shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, the tension between you growing thicker. “ I—well, uh— ” you stammered, struggling to steady your thoughts. “ Maybe… maybe I was curious about why you seem so different from everyone else around here .” You’d tried to keep your tone light, but your words carried more weight than you intended.
Despite your attempt to maintain composure, your attention was momentarily drawn to something small and ornate attached to her waist. It was a charm, shimmering with a cold light that seemed out of place against the desert’s relentless heat—yet somehow familiar. Your eyes lingered on it briefly, a faint flicker of recognition sparking in your mind. You had seen that trinket before, earlier in this journey.
Her gaze darkened almost imperceptibly, and her lips pressed into a serious line for a fleeting moment. If she noticed your glance at the charm, she gave no sign of it. The somber expression faded as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a teasing smile. “ Ah, I see. A keen observer ,” she remarked, her tone light and lilting. “ You’d be right to notice. I don’t exactly fit in with the rest of these people .”
You opened your mouth to ask what she meant, but before you could speak, her fingers brushed lightly against your arm, sending a jolt of electricity through you. Your breath caught at the sudden contact, and your heart stuttered in your chest.
“ But I do enjoy the attention you’re giving me ,” she murmured, her voice low and intimate, as though she were confiding a secret meant only for you.
Your pulse quickened, heat blooming in your chest as you struggled to steady yourself. “ I— ” The words caught in your throat, and you cursed yourself internally. This wasn’t like you. You were usually the one in control, the one who stayed collected. But something about this woman—her enigmatic presence, the way she spoke, the way she moved—it left you feeling unmoored.
Before you could regain your footing, she leaned in closer, her lips brushing lightly against your ear as she whispered, “ Tell me, does your curiosity extend to more… personal matters? ”
Your teeth grazed your bottom lip as you fought to maintain your composure, but the undeniable chemistry between you made it nearly impossible. “ I don’t know ,” you began, your voice low and measured, “ maybe I was curious if someone like you could hold my attention for longer than a few minutes. ”
Her eyes sparkled with amusement, a satisfied smile curving her lips. “ Well then ,” she responded in the same hushed tone, “ perhaps you should test me, and see if I can keep you intrigued for the rest of the night .”
A rush of heat flooded your body, your chest tightening with anticipation as you tried to steady yourself. You weren’t used to feeling so out of control, but there was something about her—something magnetic, intoxicating—that was impossible to resist. Tilting your head slightly, you met her gaze, your lips curving into a bold, mischievous smile. “ I have a feeling you could keep me intrigued and entertained ,” you replied, your voice gaining confidence.
Her lips parted, her expression shifting to one of impressed delight. “ Oh? I must admit, I’m intrigued by your confidence ,” she said, her eyes narrowing slightly in a way that felt both playful and predatory. “ Not many women can keep up with me .”
You raised an eyebrow, refusing to back down. “ Well, maybe I like a challenge ,” you countered, your tone daring as your heart raced with a mix of nerves and exhilaration. You leaned in, closing the space between you just enough to heighten the tension. “ Are you up for one? ”
For a moment, she paused, her eyes glinting with mischief as she shifted closer. Her voice dropped even lower, almost a purr. “ I’m always up for a challenge ,” she murmured, her fingers ghosting over your arm again, sending another shiver through you. “ But are you ready for it? ”
Her touch left you dizzy, the heat between you now far surpassing the desert’s warmth. You weren’t entirely sure what was happening, but you had no intention of pulling away. “ I think I am ,” you replied, your voice steady despite the wild rhythm of your heart. Your eyes remained locked on hers, unable to break free of the spell she seemed to weave around you, every deliberate move and teasing smile pulling you further in.
Your breath caught as the woman leaned in just a little closer, her intoxicating scent mingling with the warmth of the air around you. The way she moved was almost predatory, each gesture purposeful and fluid, as though she had every intention of drawing you in deeper. Her eyes were dark pools of mystery, reflecting the torchlight with a gleam that made your pulse race. You could feel the space between you shrinking, the magnetic pull between you undeniable. Your chest tightened as the woman’s lips curved into a seductive smile, not quite a grin but a promise of something dangerous.
“ Do you know, darling ,” she murmured, her voice smooth as silk, “ I find you far more intriguing than I initially expected. ” Her gaze never wavered, and you felt your resolve begin to slip.
Wait, what did she just call me?
Before the moment could escalate further, the door to the tavern burst open, and a booming voice shattered the tension like a cold gust of air.
“ Ah, Loki! There you are! ” Thor’s voice echoed through the room, loud and unmistakable.
The woman beside you—Loki—chuckled softly, the amused sound making your heart stop for a beat. Straightening with an air of nonchalance, Loki didn’t seem fazed by the wide-eyed look you shot in their direction.
You froze, your gaze snapping toward Thor as he strode into the room, grinning broadly and heading straight for the two of you. “ Are you ready to help me with this whole… ‘womanly’ thing we’ve got going on? ” he asked, his voice full of cheer.
Blinking, you glanced from Thor to the woman—Loki—beside you, confusion knotting in your mind. “ Wait, what? ” you managed, struggling to process the situation.
“ Oh, brother, you’re ruining the fun ,” Loki said, their tone light and teasing. Then, turning back to you with a smirk, they added, “ Don’t worry, darling. We can continue our little conversation later, when we’re alone .”
Your eyes darted between Thor and Loki as realization hit you like a thunderbolt. “ I—what? ” you stammered, your face heating as you stared at Loki. “ Loki? That’s— you —?”
Loki’s chuckle deepened, their grin widening as they basked in your stunned expression. “ Yes, yes, ” they said, waving a hand dismissively. “ I’m afraid you’ve been flirting with me this whole time. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to have a bit of fun with you .” Leaning closer, they whispered near your ear, their breath warm against your skin, “ And I must say, you were rather entertaining, darling .”
Your heart raced as embarrassment and confusion flooded through you in equal measure. Your cheeks burned as you clenched your jaw, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Shooting Loki a glare, you sputtered, “ You—you were pretending to be someone else this whole time?! ” Folding your arms across your chest, you huffed, “ Why didn’t you just tell me? Why all the games? ”
Loki lounged back, utterly unbothered, their expression brimming with amusement. “ Where’s the fun in telling you right away, darling? ” they teased, their voice light and carefree. “ Besides, you didn’t seem to mind. You were quite enthralled, if I may say so. ”
Your face flushed a deeper shade of red as you balled your hands into fists at your sides, huffing in frustration. “ I don’t know what’s worse ,” you muttered, your voice tinged with irritation and humiliation, “ the fact that I just flirted with you like a fool, or the fact that you thought it was so funny! ” Crossing your arms tighter, you pouted, clearly unhappy with the turn of events.
Loki’s soft laugh only seemed to add fuel to the fire, their eyes twinkling with mischief. “ Oh, come now ,” they said with a playful grin. “ Don’t look at me like that. You’re so easy to tease—it makes me want to eat you up .”
Before you could protest, their hands were suddenly at your waist, lifting you effortlessly and settling you onto their lap. A gasp escaped your lips as your eyes widened, your heart skipping a beat. Instinctively, you tried to scramble off, but Loki’s grip was firm, holding you in place.
Their gaze was practically glowing with mischief as they tilted their head, their voice dropping to a low, teasing murmur. “ What’s wrong, darling? ” they asked, their finger trailing lightly down your arm, sending shivers through you. “ You seemed so eager to talk to me earlier… What’s changed now? ” Leaning in, they whispered against your ear, their breath sending a fresh wave of heat through you, “ I think you like this more than you’re letting on. ”
Your heart hammered in your chest, a chaotic mix of annoyance, embarrassment, and something else entirely swirling in your stomach. Swatting at Loki’s chest, you tried to push away, but the god merely smirked, effortlessly dodging your hands.
“ Stop it, Loki! ” you snapped, wriggling in their grasp, but Loki only tightened their hold, their grin growing more devilish by the second.
“ No, I think you’re enjoying this more than you care to admit ,” Loki teased, their hands resting lightly on your thighs, fingers toying with the edges of your clothing. “ I could stay here like this all night, if you must know. ”
Your face burned hot, a mix of fury and flustered embarrassment flooding your senses. You didn’t know whether to yell at them or—gods forbid—kiss them. The swirl of emotions clouded your mind, making it hard to focus. “ You are impossible, ” you managed through clenched teeth, your voice strained with frustration.
When Loki leaned in just a bit too close, your patience snapped. In one swift motion, you pushed yourself off their lap, your heart still racing as you took a step back. “ I’m going to my room ,” you huffed, your voice firm even though your pulse betrayed your composure.
Loki chuckled, leaning back in their seat as they watched you march toward the door. “ Oh, come now, little minx ,” they called after you, their smirk as insufferable as ever. “ Don’t be too long. You wouldn’t want to leave me lonely, would you? ”
You turned just enough to shoot them a heated glare, your cheeks ablaze with a volatile mix of anger and something you refused to name. Without another word, you stormed off toward the exit, fully aware of Loki’s gaze lingering on you the entire time.
Thor, standing by the entrance, finally broke the tension with his booming voice. “ What’s going on here? I thought you two were having a quiet drink? ” His brow arched as his eyes darted between you and Loki, taking in your flushed, irritated expression with a look of growing confusion.
Your face burned even hotter as you whirled on Thor, pointing an accusatory finger at Loki. “ This —this is what’s going on! ” you burst out, your voice cracking with frustration as you waved your arms in exasperation. “ I just spent the last hour flirting with this— this —person! And it turns out… it turns out this is Loki! ” You practically yelled the last part, gesturing dramatically toward the smirking figure still lounging casually in their chair.
Thor’s eyes widened as realization dawned, and then, to your utter dismay, a slow grin spread across his face. He raised a hand to stifle his laughter but was clearly failing miserably.
“ Ah ,” he said, his voice carrying a note of amusement only years of experience could muster, “ I thought you knew. ”
Your confusion deepened, and you turned on Thor, planting your hands on your hips as disbelief colored your voice. “ Knew? Knew what? That this—Loki—was playing tricks on me? ” you practically growled, your exasperation bubbling over. “ I had no idea! ”
Thor’s grin widened, and he crossed his arms, leaning casually against the doorframe. “ Ah, well, you see, this isn’t the first time Loki’s taken a form like this. There’s a rather famous incident you might’ve heard of. You see, back in the day, Loki and I had to… well, disguise ourselves as women to retrieve Mjolnir from some giants .”
Blinking, you stared at him, your anger momentarily derailed by sheer bewilderment. “What?”
Thor leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if recounting a grand tale. “ Oh yes. The giants had stolen Mjolnir, and the only way we could get it back was by convincing them we were women. Loki, of course, thoroughly enjoyed that particular ruse .” He chuckled, shaking his head fondly. “ I thought you knew, my Lady. Loki’s… well, not just a god of mischief, but also of many forms .”
Your jaw dropped as the information settled uncomfortably in your mind. “ Wait—wait—you’re telling me this entire time I’ve been… flirting with Loki in his female form? ” You turned sharply back to Loki, your eyes narrowing as your emotions roiled. “ Ugh, this is way worse! ”
Loki leaned back even further in the chair, their smirk widening as they observed your turmoil. “ Ah, but you see, that’s what makes it so fun ,” they said, their tone low and playful. “ You thought you were flirting with someone else, and now look where you ended up. In my lap, no less. ”
Your fists clenched at your sides, your heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst. “ I’m going to my room. Now . ” You shot Loki one final glare, your face burning with frustration and a strange, uncomfortable attraction you couldn’t quite shake.
Thor raised his hands in mock surrender as you stormed past him, muttering angrily under your breath. “ Alright, alright ,” he said, still grinning. “ No need to get upset .” He glanced at Loki with a knowing look. “ But you’ll have to admit, that was a rather clever bit of trickery, Lady [Y/N]. ”
You didn’t bother to listen as Loki’s teasing laughter echoed behind you, but their voice followed you like a taunt. “ Don’t stay away too long, darling. You wouldn’t want to miss out on more fun, would you? ”
Your teeth clenched as you quickened your pace, needing the solitude of your room to collect your thoughts. Even as you walked away, your heart betrayed you, still racing with a mixture of frustration and something far more maddening.
Thor chuckled as he watched you leave. “ You know she’ll be back, right? ”
Loki’s grin softened but remained. “ Oh, I’m counting on it .” They glanced over at Thor, their tone playful yet oddly sincere. “ It’s part of the fun .”
Thor sighed, his expression caught somewhere between amusement and concern. “ You enjoy tormenting her, don’t you? ”
Loki’s smile turned almost fond, though the glimmer of mischief never faded. “ It’s hardly torment, brother. She’s got a kindred spirit. I like that .”
Shaking his head, Thor pushed off the doorframe, his expression tinged with mild exasperation. “ One of these days, you’re going to push her too far. ”
Loki gave him an innocent look that fooled no one. “ Do you think so? I have complete faith in her resilience .” Their eyes sparkled with mischief. “ And besides, it’s far more fun to watch her try to resist .”