Battle [Loki x Reader (pt 31)]

Loki shook your shoulder and waited. Nothing happened. You chased another butterfly, turning your back on him.

“(Y/n)!” he tried, whispering as harshly as he dared.

You wrinkled your brow, but reached for another butterfly and laughed it off.

He clenched his fists so that he wouldn't stomp his foot and ruin the entire illusion. This Aether was better than he gave her credit for. And she would pay for it. Dearly.

Since he couldn't shake you out of it and you wouldn't listen when he spoke, Loki decided there was only one thing left to try. He closed his eyes and made sure he had his feet firmly planted.

On the outside of your head, the real Loki smiled mischievously and blinked. Inside your head and out, he knew what he had to do. He kept the spear to your chest, aware of the Aether inside you as well as what he was about to do. He leaned closer. Hesitated. Smiled again.

And Loki pressed his lips to yours.

Back inside your mind, your subconscious jerked mid-air and fell to the rocks. The butterflies dispersed.

Your form blinked, then pressed your palms to your head, then blinked again. Looked around. You glared, and he smiled. You were back.

“What are you doing here? What's going on?” You rushed him, but Loki knew better than to succumb to your anger. He pressed a finger to his lips and pointed behind you.

You turned and stared at the mental clone and the Aether.

Loki folded his hands behind his back. The Aether had said something about distracting you being the only way to get anything done. He hoped beyond hope that this worked.

“Get out,” your subconscious demanded.

Loki blinked, but stood his ground. He refused to leave you alone with her. Absolutely refused.

You turned to him, the anger boiling just beneath the surface. “Get out!”

Your subconscious raised a hand, and Loki felt his grip on your mind slipping. So, instead of allowing you to crush him, he stepped out.

He woke with a start and stared down at the still girl before him. You looked so peaceful, but he knew what truly went on inside. Time would tell, and he hated to wait.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Loki's clone disappeared with his consciousness, and you felt the heat rise from your toes, engulfing your entire body. Or, subconsciousness. Whatever, it was too confusing. You wondered what that red-black thing was, and an answer instantly assaulted you.

Aether.

The liquid shifted and turned to face you, lifted its arms from its sides.

You put one foot behind the other to brace yourself. No way was she going to take over everything you ever were. You would die first, but that wasn't the plan. No, this Aether would pay for what she was doing to you. You were tired of being helpless.

“I distracted you,” the Aether whined.

You raised an eyebrow. “I snapped out of it. Are you going to leave or am I going to have to make you?”

“I'd like to see you try.” The Aether laughed and extended her hands in your direction. The liquid shot to encompass you, and you stood your ground.

Choking, crying, dying.

You closed your eyes and the liquid dispersed.

“How...?” The Aether spun in a circle, trying to see how it hadn't worked.

You smiled. “This isn't your playground anymore. Welcome to the human mind.”

You circled your arms, mentally gathering every drop of Aether still floating around you, and pushed it back in her direction. The liquid shot forward and burst through her abdomen. It circled back around to finish the job. You twisted your hand, slowly at first, instructing it what was to be done. You knew what was happening. It clogged what semblance of lungs she had. It stole into her consciousness and ripped away her thoughts. The only thing powerful enough to destroy the Aether inside you.

The Aether.

You woke up abruptly and dove for the side of the bed. Loki held your hair back while you lost...something. A dull black liquid, heavy and rancid.

“What is it?” you asked, trembling.

Loki stroked your hair and shook his head. “What's left of the Aether. You killed her.”

“She was going to kill me.”

“I know.”

You pulled back and curled your knees up to your chest. “How did she know about me? Why me?”

Loki smiled wryly and set his spear on the floor. You knew he wouldn't be needing it again. “Allow me to explain some things.”