Chapter 2
The Asgard Universe - The Twins of Fate Saga - Summary/Content Note
Music and laughter still fill the great hall when Gwen slips back inside from the balcony. The air is warm and sweet with the scent of mead and roasted meat. She takes a moment near the doorway, letting her eyes adjust to the golden light before moving toward the long tables.
Thor’s booming laugh rises above the noise, drawing her attention to a circle of warriors swapping stories and bragging about old battles. Around the room, the rest of the Avengers mingle in smaller groups, comfortable, if a little overwhelmed by Asgard’s grandeur.
Gwen hesitates only a moment before weaving through the crowd to join Thor. When he spots her, she lifts her cup in greeting, a small smile playing at her lips.
Thor turns with a boisterous grin, nearly spilling his own drink as he gestures to Gwen.
"Ah! There you are! I was just telling these fine warriors about the time you ensnared an entire squadron of mercenaries with nothing but vines!"
"Oh? You were talking about me?" She looks surprised but maintains her smile at Thor and the warriors.
The gathered Asgardians murmur in approval, clearly impressed. Thor claps her on the shoulder—gently by his standards—and leans in conspiratorially.
"You were gone awhile. Did my brother try to lure you into one of his schemes?"
She then lowers her voice to match.
"Nothing like that. I just needed a moment of air, and he happened to be there. He's...interesting."
Thor lets out a hearty laugh, clearly amused at her tactful reply.
" 'Interesting' is one way to put it. My brother always manages to find something to occupy him." The warriors chuckle in agreement. Thor claps Gwen on the shoulder again, a little lighter this time. "But seriously though, be careful with him. He'll weave words like silk around you before you even realize you're caught."
"Thank you but don't worry about me. If he gives me any trouble, I'll just string him up with vines and leave him in the garden." Gwen smirks mischievously.
"Now that I would pay to see! Loki dangling from your vines—what a sight that would be!" Thor guffaws at her remark, his booming laughter ringing out across the hall. He slams his tankard down on the table in approval. The warriors cheer in agreement, raising their own drinks.
"Apparently, you've heard about my exploits with the Avengers. Who has the best story here?" Gwen asks, turning to address the whole group.
One particularly burly Asgardian with a braided beard steps forward, grinning.
"Oh, I’ve got a tale for you! The time Thor wrestled three bilgesnipe at once while drunk off his arse!"
"I was not drunk, just... deeply celebratory!" Thor responds with mock offense.
"Are you feeling...deeply celebratory now? Do we have to worry about a wrestling match here at the banquet?" Gwen laughs.
Thor throws back his head and roars with laughter, sloshing mead over the rim of his cup as he gestures grandly.
"Worry? Never! Though perhaps hope is the better word. I haven’t wrestled a worthy opponent in ages!" He grins broadly at her, mischief dancing in his eyes.
“Wrestle! Wrestle!” The warriors chant.
"A challenge to the lady from Midgard!" says one of them, holding a large tankard of mead.
Gwen laughs again and raises her voice over the chanting.
"No, no, that was not a challenge! No wrestling. I won't have you getting me in trouble with the Allfather for instigating a wrestling match in the middle of the celebration!"
The warriors all groan in unison at her rejection, grumbling their disappointment.
"You're such a spoilsport!” Thor looks at her, a mock pout on his face. ”The Allfather isn't even here—he wouldn't know a thing! And I promise I'll go easy on you..." He flexes his impressive muscles, a sly smile on his face. The warriors cheer again.
"Well, I'm not going to wrestle. I'm a lady and in a very nice dress! If anyone is going to wrestle you, it'll be a champion on my behalf." Gwen knows she shouldn't encourage this but how often does one get this attention from warriors in this magical realm?
A wicked gleam passes across Thor's face at her suggestion, his grin widening.
"A champion on your behalf, you say? And what exactly will you wager, my dear fair lady?"
The other warriors all lean in, eager to know the terms. Even the rowdiest ones have gone quiet, their attention focused on Gwen.
"Oh, I have no idea...Do you have a suggestion, Thor?"
"Hmm, how about…” His eyes glint as a devious thought crosses his mind. There's a hint of mischief in his voice when he speaks again. Thor taps a finger against his chin, considering the options carefully. “...A favor. If I win, you owe me one favor—no exceptions, and no limits. And vice versa if you win, of course."
His grin widens, challenging her to accept the terms. The warriors all gasp, exchanging excited looks as they wait for her answer.
"A favor..." She thinks it over for a moment. "Yes, that would be acceptable. But if my champion wins, I think they should get something as well... First, I need someone to wrestle Thor on my behalf. Any volunteers?"
The warriors all start shouting over each other, eagerly stepping forward and flexing to prove their worth.
"I'll take the challenge!"
"No, I shall defend the lady's honor!"
"Puny fools! Only I have the strength for this task!"
Thor merely laughs in amusement at their antics. He then raises a hand to quiet them all down before pointing one finger directly at... Loki, who has just wandered back into the hall with an aloof expression.
"Brother! What perfect timing!"
Gwen is grinning at this spectacle. The other Avengers have taken notice as well. Usually, Gwen isn't the center of attention, and she shies away from it but tonight she is wrapped up in the atmosphere and mead and finds the whole thing entertaining.
When Thor points out Loki, Gwen's smile drops slightly. She wonders what complications this will bring.
"Perfect timing..." Gwen sighs but stays positive.
"You've been up to trouble again, brother?" Loki says, approaching the group, his usual smirk in place. He raises an eyebrow at the scene unfolding before him, taking note of Gwen's reaction.
"Just a friendly wager, brother! And I need you to fulfill a small... duty on my behalf."
"Oh? And what sort of 'duty' is this?" Loki asks, his eyes drifting over to Gwen, a sly gleam in his gaze.
"Our friend here needs a champion to take on a challenge." Thor laughs, slapping Loki on the back a bit roughly.
"I see. And I suppose you expect me to take on this challenge, don't you?"
"Of course! You're the only one here who can match my strength."
The other warriors grumble in assent, none of them particularly happy about that fact. Loki sighs, pretending to be inconvenienced.
Gwen takes in this new complication. Loki could wrestle for her...
"It's a simple wrestling match. I need someone to be my champion against Thor,” she explains to Loki. “If Thor wins, I will grant him a favor and vice versa; however, my chosen champion should they win..." She thinks for a second. "...will get a fresh cup of mead delivered by me with a kiss."
She doesn't assume Loki will want the task, so she asks the group again. Let them figure out who will be the one to wrestle. The Avengers have gathered around by now. They haven't seen Gwen in this way before, tipsy and enjoying being the center of attention.
"Who is up for it?"
The warriors start shouting over each again, their cries and boasts filling the hall. They are all eager for the chance to be the one to claim the prize of a kiss from her.
"I offer myself as your champion, fair lady! Thor shall be defeated and you shall deliver my mead with the most passionate of kisses!"
"Nonsense! I say I shall be your champion! My victory over Thor shall fill you with such love that you will shower me with countless kisses!"
Gwen laughs at this. She has plenty of options. She isn't concerned, however. She is sure that whoever does take on the task of wrestling Thor will lose, so the mead and kiss is basically an empty promise. She will have to grant Thor a favor, though...
Gwen looks over the warriors who have lined up to volunteer. She walks by them and looks them all up and down appraisingly with a mischievous smirk. Even if they are going to lose, this is fun.
"Very well, I choose...."
Just as she's about to point to one of the warriors, Loki smoothly steps in front of them all, arms crossed and looking very smug.
"Ah-ah. No need for dramatics. I’ll be your champion."
"Cheating bastard..." A chorus of groans erupts from the warriors.
"Excellent! Shall we begin?" Thor lets out a booming laugh and cracks his knuckles.
Gwen smiles and nods. She steps up to Loki and lowers her voice for only him to hear.
"Don't lose."
Gwen then stands on a bench as the center of the room is cleared for the wrestling match.
"One last proposal. Loki, as you know, if you win, I will deliver you mead with a kiss. Thor, if you win, you will get the favor you requested but...I will give you the same prize offered to Loki, mead and a kiss." More motivation for Loki to win. It's one thing to lose but another if he thinks she'll kiss Thor instead of him.
Loki's smirk vanishes the instant she mentions Thor getting the same prize as him. His eyes narrow slightly, a flash of something dangerous passing through them before he smooths his expression back into its usual cool amusement.
"Oh, darling. Now you're just playing dirty," Loki responds in a low voice, just for her.
The warriors cheer at the added stakes, clearly enjoying this turn of events.
"I like these terms! Let’s begin!" Thor grins even wider and cracks his knuckles again.
Gwen takes a seat, ready to watch this wrestling match. She didn't anticipate that this is where the party would end up, but then again, she didn't know what exactly could happen at an Asgardian banquet.
The warriors form a loose circle around Thor and Loki, chanting and cheering as the brothers take their positions. Loki stretches lazily, rolling his shoulders, but there's a sharp glint in his eyes now, focused entirely on Thor.
"You’re going down, brother," Thor says, grinning
Loki doesn’t reply. Instead, he strikes first, quick as lightning, aiming to sweep Thor’s legs out from under him. But the God of Thunder is just as fast; he dodges at the last second and counters with a grapple of his own.
The fight is fierce—fluid shifts between skill and brute strength. Loki favors tricks, slipping out of holds at impossible angles, while Thor relies on raw power to push back against him.
Gwen watches intently from her seat... until one particular move sends both brothers crashing right into her bench, nearly toppling it over! The crowd roars with laughter at the close call.
Gwen yelps in surprise as the bench wobbles precariously, but she quickly regains her balance, gripping the edge of it with both hands. She glares down at the two tangled gods now sprawled at her feet—Thor laughing heartily while Loki just smirks up at her.
"Are you trying to make me regret this?" Gwen asks the two of them dryly.
"Only if it means you’ll join in next time!" Thor grins.
Before she can retort, Loki suddenly hooks his ankle around Thor’s knee and yanks—sending his brother crashing back onto the floor with a loud thud. The crowd erupts into cheers as Loki fluidly rolls to his feet and offers Gwen a mock bow.
"Apologies for nearly unseating you, darling. I promise my victory will be far more... elegant from here on."
Gwen laughs at the idea of joining the next wrestling match between Thor and Loki. The idea crosses her mind that being in the middle of them might not be a terrible place to be. She gives Loki a dramatic head nod in acknowledgement, acting the part of a reigning queen. She sips her mead and continues watching the match.
It's a close fight; while Thor is strong, Loki is nimble and unpredictable. As the match drags on, he begins to gain the advantage, using his quicker reflexes and dirty tricks to outsmart his brother. And with every move, Loki's eyes linger on Gwen, clearly taking in her reactions and playing up his performance for her benefit.
The warriors watch with rapt attention, muttering amongst themselves. Some are impressed, but most are annoyed—clearly preferring a more clear-cut victory for Thor. But Thor himself seems to be enjoying the fight, taking every unexpected move from Loki in stride with that signature grin.
Gwen whispers to the servant woman next to her and asks her to find the largest cup and fill it with the best mead they have. She is preparing for the end of the match, which might be soon.
The servant woman scurries off eagerly, returning moments later with a massive, ornately carved drinking horn filled to the brim with golden mead.
"The finest from Odin’s own reserve. Good luck," the servant woman whispers as she hands it to Gwen with a knowing smirk, clearly enjoying the spectacle as much as anyone.
Gwen whispers thanks to the servant and adjusts her grip on the heavy horn just in time—because in that exact moment, Loki twists sharply and flips Thor onto his back with a thud, pinning him down decisively! The crowd erupts into cheers (and groans of disappointment from those who bet against him).
"...Told you I wouldn’t lose." Loki pants, breathless but triumphant, eyes locked on Gwen.
She is honestly surprised that Loki beat Thor. She thought no one could beat him, but apparently Loki was properly motivated. She keeps up her role as judge and stands on the bench again, commanding attention. She raises the large, heavy horn of mead in the air.
"Loki, as promised, here is your mead." She lowers the horn and hands it to him. "And... your kiss." She stays on the bench but bends down and cups Loki's face in her hands. She looks into his eyes, takes a deep breath, and kisses him. It's not just a small, short kiss; it's one that she hopes will take the rest of his breath away.
Loki’s smirk fades the moment her hands touch his face, his usual mask of amusement slipping into something far more real. When she kisses him, he doesn’t play smug, doesn’t tease. Instead, his fingers curl around the horn of mead, but his other hand lifts to tangle in her hair, pulling her deeper into the kiss with a quiet intensity that surprises even him.
The warriors erupt, some cheering loudly (Thor among them), others groaning in jealousy. But Loki barely hears them. When Gwen finally pulls back, he exhales slowly and murmurs low enough for only her to hear:
"...You definitely play dirty." There’s no mischief in his voice now, just raw sincerity.
She grins at Loki before speaking up again for the room.
"Thank you for a very entertaining match! Well done, Thor and Loki!" She leads the room in a round of applause and then steps down from the bench.
A round of applause fills the hall, the warriors cheering and whistling as Thor and Loki stand from the floor, the latter still holding the horn of mead and looking uncharacteristically thrown off.
"I’d say you earned the reward, brother. Well done!" Thor claps Loki on the shoulder with a grin.
"Indeed, I did," Loki answers. He doesn’t take his eyes off Gwen as he takes a long pull from the horn.
"I hope you had fun," Gwen says to the two of them as she steps between the brothers with a smile. She speaks more quietly this time, no longer commanding the room. She gives Thor a big hug. They are good friends, and she always has a good time with him. She would have been fine with it if he had won instead of Loki.
Thor laughs and hugs her back enthusiastically, lifting her right off her feet and spinning her in a circle the way a big brother would a much younger sibling.
"Of course I did! I always have fun when I'm beating my brother!” He sets Gwen back down, still keeping an arm draped over her shoulders. Loki watches this display with... something unreadable in his gaze. Jealousy? Frustration? Desire?
"Well, maybe next time you'll actually beat him." Gwen laughs, leaning into Thor's side. "And I believe I won something too... I don't know what favor I want yet, but when I think of it, be ready."
Thor laughs again and gives her shoulders a comforting squeeze, completely at ease and unaware of the strange undercurrents between her and his brother.
"Of course! You know me, I'm always ready for whatever you need, my dear."
Loki watches the two of them together. For a moment, his usual cool composure cracks to reveal a brief hint of something he can't quite hide. It's the brief flash of jealousy.
"Watching the two of you made me thirsty. I think it's time for a refill of my own," Gwen smiles up at Thor before stepping away from his side. She glances at Loki with a knowing smirk before making her way to the table full of refreshments.
"Oh, I definitely lost this round." Loki mutters under his breath to no one in particular. Loki's fingers tighten around the horn of mead, his gaze tracking Gwen as she walks away. He takes a slow sip of the mead.
Thor glances at him, brows furrowed, oblivious to what he truly means.
"What? You won, brother!" Thor asks cheerfully confused.
But Loki just smirks and takes another drink without explaining further.