There's a certain healing found in raindrops. In the kind that lazily fall upon the place beneath, gently kissing the Earth and cleansing her wounds.
But these raindrops aren't lazy. Or gentle.
They slice at your skin, burning your cheeks and chest. They bring with them tidings of danger as the winds whisper "caution" between their howls.
Your heart pounds and your breath catches, as if snagged upon the warning being delivered by the storm. Your eyes flit quickly between the two Gods who circle each other slowly. Neither is willing to attack first, nor willing to trust the other won't. Loki bears a silver dagger, conjured in a haze of green. Thor keeps a tight grip on Mjolnir - his knuckles white.
Suddenly, Thor's voice breaks through the empty white noise of the rain as it falls upon the parking lot, drowning out the drum of the crashing waves on the beach's distant shoreline.
"I don't want to fight you, brother. But I must have an answer. Will you help me?"
You wince as he grows in volume and step back, instinctively placing a protective hand on the wet hood of your shabby brown Volvo. Your son is inside. And you'll be damned if you let anything happen to him in your presence.
Your eyes flit back to Loki as he lets out a low scoff in detest. His long raven hair is slicked down by the rain, hanging heavily on his shoulders. And although his Asgardian robes must be growing burdensome under the weight of the layers of wet fabric, he holds his head high and keeps his shoulders thrown back proudly. His nostrils flare slightly and his green eyes narrow as one dark brow arches in equal parts contempt and intrigue.
"After all this time...and you believe we will come when called, scampering to the steps of the palace like dogs trained to their master?" Loki snarls in response.
"Loki, please, I-"
"Let me tell you something, brother," Loki interrupts with a cold sneer. "Odin is no longer my master. I will not bow to he who has hunted my family out of pure spite. And I will certainly not help him."
You watch as the vein in Loki's forehead throbs. He cocks his head slightly, his jaw tight. Despite these small and nearly imperceptible displays of anger, he keeps a cool and collected demeanor. One that is, perhaps, even tinged by the slightest expression of sickened amusement. His mask.
Loki's mask is dangerous. You know if he keeps it on too long, he will become that which he pretends to be, and a shiver crawls down your spine. You're chilled by the slow emergence of the old Loki you once knew - the angry, sadistic, and suspicious God of Mischief. Your Loki - the passionate lover and innocent prankster - is nowhere to be found. He is gone. Buried somewhere deep inside.
You have seen this once before - in Galway. The night of the attack. You pray Thor proceeds cautiously.
"You would refuse this olive branch, Loki?" Thor calls out above the rain.
"Is that what it is?" Loki growls, tightening his grip on his dagger. "Or is it a play to put me in yet another set of shackles?"
"I speak truth, brother. This offer has been delivered through me straight from Odin himself. Freedom. And immortality for Lady Y/n. Please, Loki. I beg you...think about your next words carefully."
You glance back at Thor, who despite speaking to Loki, is looking directly at you. You know what he's asking you to do. And you agree with him. This is a chance to broker peace. A chance at a different, and longer life together.
Slowly, you move from the car to Loki, stepping in front of him and wrapping your hand tenderly around his that holds the dagger. You watch as his lips curl and he impulsively tries to pull away. But you keep your grip strong, and his fingers loosen. Loki allows you to take the dagger from his hand, but does not drop his iron glare from Thor.
"Loki..."
Your voice saying his name for the first time in years is enough for him to falter in his façade and look down at you. You watch as his gaze softens, and his mask cracks. You see the Loki you know, your Loki, fighting his way back through. After a moment, Loki raises a hand to your face, pushing away a few strands of wet hair that cling to your temples.
"I've missed your face, kærasta," he says, placing a gentle kiss to your lips. You smile into his kiss. It has been a year and a half since you have last glimpsed his face. And it has been over two years since he has seen yours.
You place one hand on Loki's chest, and toss the dagger he had conjured aside before entangling that hand in his sopping mane, pulling him in deeper. You feel his hand travel to your lower back, resting gently on the small of it as his lips move against yours.
You have missed the shape of his jaw and the texture of his skin. In some ways, this kiss feels very much like your first as it causes you heart to flutter and your cheeks to grow warm.
Breaking away, you place your wet forehead gently to his, allowing the rain to fall like teardrops down your cheeks and noses. They cool the fire in your chest.
"We have a chance here, Loki," you whisper to him. "A real chance. We should at least hear him out - think carefully and fully negotiate our terms."
Loki lets out a sigh, kissing you gently once more before threading his fingers through yours.
"Fine. But I want you out of this rain," Loki says.
With a smile and a nod, you nuzzle his wet neck lovingly before pulling away and walking up to Thor. Loki hangs back several paces - watching.
"We'll hear you out Thor," you say confidently. Thor smiles and takes a friendly step towards you, but you hold up one hand, stopping him. "But that doesn't mean we agree to anything. Not yet," you say firmly.
Thor nods in understanding. Although he may have spent the better part of the last two years watching over you and your family - protecting you - up until now you had believed him to be a threat. You aren't ready let your guard down around him. Not yet.
You gesture for Thor to follow you as you start walking back to the car, where Anthony - strapped into his car seat in the back - plays with his red plastic bucket from the beach. You're about to open the driver's side door as Thor opens the door to the backseat. He only manages to open it a few inches when, from the corner of your eye, you see Loki's large, pale hand slam it shut again.
Thor cocks his head in confusion at Loki, who grins sadistically.
"Y/n may have invited you back to our home. But you're not riding in the car next to our son," he says.
"Then where will I..." Thor starts. But Loki simply nods up to the top of the car.
Thor grumbles, but quickly jumps on top, sitting cross legged on the roof of the Volvo.
"You can't be serious," you say to Loki, who gives you a staunch and firm glare back.
Clearly, he is going to make Thor as uncomfortable as possible.
Rubbing your temples as Loki walks by you, you let out a surprised gasp when he grabs your ass and places a kiss on your cheek as he passes. You roll your eyes and look at Thor, who is clearly annoyed.
"Sorry," you say, casting an apologetic glance his way.
Sliding into the driver's seat, you look over at Loki, who is grinning maniacally.
"Really, Loki? This isn't necessary."
"Actually, darling, I think it's more than necessary. In fact, I believe I'll be driving us home," he says. In a flash of green, your positions are switched, and Loki now sits in the driver's seat.
You groan and place your head in your hands, preparing yourself for what will undoubtedly be an uncomfortable ride home, followed by an even more uncomfortable conversation.