Chapter 1
The Asgard Universe - The Twins of Fate Saga - Summary/Content Note
A quiet, moonlit balcony overlooking a grand Asgardian courtyard. The air hums with faint magic, and lanterns flicker softly. Gwen stands alone, catching her breath during a gathering filled with unfamiliar faces.
From the shadows, a smooth voice cuts through the stillness.
"Tired of the endless revelry, or simply looking for better company?"
"Just needed a moment of air." Gwen turns to see who is speaking. "I didn't realize this balcony was taken."
At the far end of the balcony, Loki leans casually against a baluster, watching her with a hint of amusement.
"Not taken, simply awaiting a worthy guest." His casual pose belies his sharp eyes, studying her with quiet curiosity. The faintest of smirks plays at the corner of his mouth.
"A worthy guest, hmm? Well, perhaps I will be worthy enough for now," Gwen says with a smile. "I'm Gwen and you are... Loki?" She only knows him by reputation and through SHIELD reports.
Loki's smirk broadens at her easy familiarity. He pushes off the baluster, moving closer with confident, almost predatory grace.
"Ah, word spreads even among your Earthly allies. Yes, I am Loki. God of Mischief, Prince of Asgard, and so forth." He stops a few steps away, studying her with open curiosity now, his gaze lingering on the piercings in her ears.
Gwen nods and studies him right back.
"SHIELD reports are fairly accurate but maybe they didn't paint a complete picture of you. You seem... different from the reports I've read."
He quirks an eyebrow at her observation, clearly intrigued.
"Different, you say? How so? Let me guess, they warned you I'm a lying, murderous lunatic, and an all-round menace to society." His smirk turns into a grin, not denying any of it but clearly amused by her calmness.
"They might have but I've heard plenty of stories, some from Thor. They weren't all bad and I'm good at reading between the lines. Thor actually invited me here tonight. The other Avengers are hanging around in there too."
Loki chuckles, his expression softening almost imperceptibly.
"Of course Thor would. The oafish fool never could pass up an opportunity to play host. And you... I find it unusual to see a mortal at a gathering like this." His gaze sweeps over her appearance again, taking in the details of her attire, her jewelry.
"I know it's rare for mortals to visit." Gwen frowns a bit at that. She knows that Loki doesn't care much for mortals and they aren't usually allowed in Asgard but Thor insisted he wanted The Avengers to celebrate with him. She notices Loki's appraising look and she glances down at the borrowed Asgardian gown, hoping it's alright.
Loki chuckles again, his gaze sharpening as he catches her self-conscious reaction. He steps closer, circling her with a languid stride, his eyes roaming down her figure.
"The dress suits you. It almost makes you appear Asgardian." There's a hint of teasing mockery in his tone, but there's a glimmer of genuine interest too. He stops in front of her, tilting his head slightly, studying her face with a curious intensity
"Almost... Thank you." Gwen already feels out of place at this party of warriors and royalty. Sure, she is an Avenger and her friends are there too but she is still the newest one on the team. Thor has been very welcoming and friendly to her though. "Why are you out here instead of inside?"
"Why not? The revelry grows stale after a while. The same toasts and empty courtesans. It all becomes so... predictable. I tire of playing the part of the noble prince, especially when most of the attendees only come for the food and ale." Loki leans against the baluster again, crossing his arms over his chest. His smirk returns.
"I can see how centuries of the same types of parties can be boring after a while." Gwen stays in place. She isn't ready to relax and she isn't ready to go back either. Gwen is good at carrying herself properly in these situations, even if the Asgardian celebration is new to her. "I needed a moment of quiet. The stories were getting a little loud." She glances over her shoulder at a group of warriors talking and laughing loudly.
Loki's smirk deepens at her observation, a knowing glint in his eye.
"Ah, yes. Asgardian revelry does tend to be... boisterous. Though I imagine for someone accustomed to Midgard’s more refined gatherings, it must be overwhelming." He steps closer again—not threateningly so, but enough to test the boundaries of her personal space. "Tell me—are you here as Thor’s guest... or your own?"
"I've been to plenty of unrefined gatherings on Midgard as well." She chuckles softly. "I am Thor's guest but not his date, if that is what you are asking. We're friends. I'm sure if I were Thor's date though, those guys wouldn't be trying so hard to impress me with their stories."
Loki huffs out a dry laugh, amused by her observation.
"Indeed. Those louts are incapable of any sort of restraint when they think they have a chance to impress a beautiful woman." His gaze drifts casually over her figure once more, taking in every curve, every detail—though it's more curiosity than lechery. "And I take it they're not succeeding in their efforts?"
"If I had been in the mood to entertain their advances, well... there's no harm in a little fun but no, I'm not interested in them tonight."
Loki hums in approval, his smirk sharpening just slightly.
"A rare display of discernment. Most mortals—or even Asgardians—would be flattered by their attention." He leans back against the balcony rail, studying her with renewed interest. "And what are you interested in tonight?"
"I'm not sure. I didn't have a plan or ulterior motive for coming here. I suppose if something stands out to me, I can follow that. Their attention is flattering, don't get me wrong, I'm just not going to leave a party where I am a guest to 'hook up' with one of them." Gwen is starting to relax. She has heard plenty of things about Loki but she isn't too worried about him at this moment.
Loki lets out a low, approving chuckle, his fingers drumming idly against the railing.
"A refreshing attitude. Many would leap at the chance to boast about conquests in Asgard’s halls." He tilts his head slightly, eyes gleaming with quiet mischief. "But you... you strike me as someone who prefers quality over quantity." His voice dips into something smoother—not quite flirtation, but testing the waters nonetheless.
"Yes, you could say that." She raises an eyebrow in a curious challenge at Loki. "Are you someone with that same preference?" She probably knows the answer already. He is a god and prince and over a thousand years old. He's had plenty of... quantity.
Loki lets out an amused huff, his expression growing almost wolfish at her bold question.
"Now, that's a rather direct question, isn't it?" He pushes off from the rail, circling around her again, his steps light and calculated. "To answer truthfully, yes, I do prefer 'quality' over 'quantity.' It's simply more satisfying." He stops, standing just a little bit closer again, his eyes roaming over her, appraising and curious.
"I figured it was only fair to ask since you brought it up." Gwen shrugs with a small smirk.
He chuckles, clearly appreciating her confidence. He stops mere inches away from her now, close enough to notice the way his eyes darken as they linger on her face, her neck, her bare shoulders.
"Fair enough." He cocks his head, a sly smile spreading across his face, almost cat-like in its playfulness. "But I must admit, I'm more interested in a different sort of quality at the moment." He pauses, letting the words hang in the air, his gaze intent on her reaction.
"What sort of quality?" Gwen stands her ground and matches his tone, unbothered by him. She doesn't fall for charms easily. She's too guarded.
Loki's smirk only widens at her unflinching gaze, amused by her defiance. He steps ever so slightly closer, practically crowding her personal space. His eyes rake over her face, searching for any cracks in that carefully constructed defense. The God of Mischief loves a challenge, and he can sense one in her. He leans in, his voice a deep, silky whisper.
"The kind of quality that's worth savoring—like an exquisite wine or a rare, priceless object." He's so close now; she can feel his breath on her skin.
"Hmm... So something...collectible? Something to obtain?"
Loki chuckles again, his gaze drifting down to her lips, lingering there for a moment before returning to her eyes. He moves his head a fraction closer, his voice dropping to an almost intimate level.
"Precisely. Something unique. Something with... worth." He reaches out, the tips of his fingers gently brushing a loose strand of hair away from her face. He doesn't touch her but it's a near thing. "Something that doesn't come along very often."
"Well, I hope you find someone who doesn't mind being collected." With that, Gwen steps away and goes back inside to the party.
Loki is taken aback for a moment, watching her saunter off. He hadn't exactly been rejected but she'd definitely gotten the last word. He stares after her, that familiar mix of annoyance and fascination stirring in his eyes.
"Cheeky mortal." He mutters, a hint of reluctant admiration in his voice. He watches her retreating figure as she disappears back into the crowded room.
Gwen takes a deep breath as she re-enters the great hall. Was that Loki's attempt at charming her? No, can't be. She expected more from him...or maybe less. She isn't going to be collected and looked at like that. She didn't entertain it from the warriors trying to impress her with stories and she won't entertain it from Loki either. His methods might be different but the goal was the same.