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[worldsaway]

"Poor timing. Leave your name so I can seek you out in future."

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[ikols]

... No cheating.

[ Stupid charming Thor. ]

[worldsaway]

I'm not cheating. [Thor straightens up, furrowing his brows at Loki.]

How is that cheating?

[ikols]

[ Solemnly, Loki informs him. ]

Your face is very deceitful, there are tricks and secrets within every wrinkle. I know your game, Odinson, and will have at thee if you try that adorable shit again. I own daggers.

Okay! Again, this time with filters!

[ Perking up from the dour intonations, she beams and makes a peace sign as bunny ears pop up over both their heads on the screen. ]

[worldsaway]

You're mistaken, I don't have wrinkles. [Very pointedly.]

Interesting that you tell me not to be adorable, then you pick this. [He points at the camera, but lowers his hand so he can smile in a less charming and completely goofy manner.]

[ikols]

Don't be rude to a lady, oaf.

[ Pinching his chin between thumb and forefinger, she squishes his expression for another photo. ]

Wah, wah, I'm the God of Short-Back-And-Sides and I think I'm cuter than a bunny rabbit!

[worldsaway]

[This is significantly less flattering, because Thor is pulling a face. He embraces the fact that he looks like a fool, at the very least.]

I'll be rude to a lady if she starts it. [Thor narrows his eyes.] I know green is your favorite colour, but this is a bit much.

[All of that envy over his selfies, Loki.]

[ikols]

That's not how manners work!

[ Laughing, Loki stuffs her phone away and orders two more drinks from the bar. ]

Shut your mouth, I won. It was my game and I get to decide who triumphed.

[worldsaway]

That's not how games work! [Thor argues, but he's not sure why he cares about who wins a selfie game.

He digresses.]

It's a nice place you've got here, Lokes. Very bold, it suits you.

[ikols]

You think me bold?

[ Chewing her lip, she shakes her head. ]

Ah, I'm anything but. You're the one who bounces around with lightning on his heels.

[worldsaway]

More than two people can be bold.

[Thor points out, then reaches out to brush a lock of hair from her face.]

Besides, I think you're bold. Bold with your tastes and illusions, you're anything but subdued, don't you think.

[ikols]

[ Leaning into the gentle touch, she brings her hair forward and idly starts a messy knot, failing to braid it properly on purpose. Maybe, as her batting lashes and coy smile suggests, Loki could use some help. ]

How in the name of Ymir do you know anything about my tastes, hmm? Please don't mean in fashion or decor.

[worldsaway]

I know your tastes because you exude them.

[Thor, surprisingly, takes the hint. He's perfectly adept at braiding hair, but he's not nearly so deft and gentle as Loki. He's a little rough and he tugs at her hair as he pulls it into place.]

Don't make me explain myself, you know I'm not good at explaining myself.

[ikols]

I exude them? What a word to use ... Ouch! Gods above, you're not plucking a chicken, be gentle.

[ Her hands briefly cover his, guiding his rough touch into something less like a grip lonely for its hammer. She peeks up at him, black lips pressed into a tight line in scrutiny. ]

I demand you explain, even if poorly.

[worldsaway]

[Thor's pull softens when Loki guides his hands, but there's still something firm and methodical about the way he braids.]

Oh, you demand do you? How bold.

[ikols]

You're going to talk yourself into a position you won't like and it won't be my fault.

[ Thor's current position, however, is as Loki's personal couch as she slumps into his side while her hair is being prettied. ]

[worldsaway]

I've never been in a position I don't like with you before.

[He visibly acknowledges the double entendre, but opts not to comment on it. When Loki relaxes, Thor starts to feel a little niggle of envy. He's going to miss having his hair braided like this, there's no telling how long it will be until it gets to that length again.

When he's satisfied with his braid, he reaches up to scritch his fingers over her scalp.]

[ikols]

[ Laughing, she leans in further and finds a home in the curve of his neck, her nose running over beard-scruff. Loki's arms wind around his middle when the hand in her hair turns her spine to marshmallow and she closes her eyes to better enjoy the embrace, his warmth and weight. It's reassuring in ways she hasn't experienced in almost a year. ]

Hearing that only makes me more adventurous.

[worldsaway]

[It's starting to becoming a little too intimate for Thor, but he relates it to the fact that the change of form is difficult to wrap his head around sometimes. He doesn't often associate Loki with being an attractive woman.

He gives her hair a tweak again, if only to remind both of them that they're brothers.]

More bold, you mean? [He won't drop it.]

[ikols]

[ Pity for Thor that pulling Loki's hair isn't the cheat-code to turn her back into a man. She merely grunts and raises her head to put them nose-to-nose, reaching around him to yank on his shorter hair in return. ]

How is it you've become more annoying than me?

[worldsaway]

Practice. [Thor says, and for the first time he actually does shy away. He looks at the floor, then back up to Loki.]

Thank you. [He doesn't elaborate, but he does move to squeeze her hand.]

[ikols]

[ When he gives thanks and squeezes her hand a free one comes up to touch his face; a cool, black-lipped kiss presses into his other warm cheek and Loki beams with a pleased smile, albeit not knowing what the gratitude is for. ]

Thank you. I would be lost without your friendship, truly.

[worldsaway]

My friendship? [Thor closes his eye when she presses a kiss to his cheek, then opens it to give her a curious look.]

All I do is moan at you.

[ikols]

Oh, I'm used to men moaning at me.

[ Her impish chuckle avoids answering Thor entirely and her hands fall into his, tugging him toward the spiral staircase that leads downstairs. ]

Dance with me?

[worldsaway]

You're determined to make me look like a fool.

[Thor is semi-reluctant, but he follows along when she leads him to the stairs.]

If it makes you happy, I will.

[ikols]

Hah!

[ Once they take their first step down, the music seems to grow in volume on their spiral descent into shadow and flashing lights. ]

You'll not get lost with only one eye, no fear. [ Sidling in close, Loki grins and speaks near his ear to be heard over the bass. ] I have no intention of letting you go.