Chapter Text
“Darling? Are you ready?”
You could hear your boyfriend’s voice coming from the other side of the bathroom door. Loki always was an impatient one, but he never raised his voice at you. Not once in the one year you had been dating. In fact, it was a year today that he had asked you out and you had accepted, obviously.
“Almost. One more second, Loki.” You took a deep breath and straightened up your (h/c) hair and dress before making sure that your makeup was perfect.
Loki had invited you to a ball tonight, one held by Tony Stark as a charity event. All the proceeds would go to the local schools (Pepper’s idea, of course). You stared down at the beautiful emerald green dress, the perfect shade to match Loki’s eyes, with its simple golden embellishments. The dress had little sleeves that hung off your (s/c) shoulders and showed off your curves well, but still left much to the imagination.
Taking one more deep breath to calm your nerves, you opened the door to the bathroom and walked slowly into the bedroom that you shared with Loki. He turned from his place by the window, a wide smile spreading across his face. God, you loved his smile; so full of mischief and yet so soothing.
“You look beautiful, (Y/N). Truly, a goddess must stand before me.” He walked over to you, taking your hand in his own pale one, and placed a kiss against your knuckles. A soft blush spread across your face, something that you were never good at hiding from Loki. “Are you okay, darling? Afraid that he-“ You quickly shook your head. “Don’t say his name…please. You know how he makes me feel.”
Loki nodded once, his lips pressing into a thin line. Once, about two years ago, you had been taken as the consort of a powerful creature, an incubus—more like a demon in your eyes—that held you as his wife until you were finally able to escape. That was where you had stumbled upon Loki on one of the few days he was allowed to leave Stark Tower, under the watchful eye of his brother, Thor.
He had taken you before Tony and pleaded to allow you to remain here, a feat only accomplished with the help of Thor, who thought it wiser to protect you here from whatever you were running from. While you didn’t remember much of your time with the incubus, you could never forget his name or face, but you rather wished you would be able to.
“Hey, we don’t have to go tonight if you would rather stay here.” Loki lifted your gaze to his, green eyes meeting with your (e/c) ones. You shook your head again. “No. I’m okay, really, Loki. We should head down, though. The ball must have started already.” Loki nodded, taking your arm in his.
Loki led you to the lift, which you took all the way to the base floor of the tower, and into the grand hall that would be used for this ball. As the ornate doors opened, you were met with a sea of people, most of which you could not recognize. Loki sensed your unease at the amount of people and placed his arm around your waist protectively.
“You’re safe with me, love. Nothing bad will happen to you.” You smiled at your boyfriend, happy that he had your back. Slowly, you waded through the sea of people until you were face to face with the host himself.
Tony Stark looked quite handsome in his suit; his blue tie matching the shade of blue that Pepper’s dress was made out of. Pepper rushed over, enveloping you in a hug. “I’m so glad you could make it tonight! Please, enjoy yourself, okay?” Tony exchanged quiet glares with Loki, but made no move to speak to him. “Thank you for allowing us to attend. It really is a magnificent turnout, right Mr. Stark?”
Tony turned his head to you, lowering his drink from his lips. “Yes, it is. I’m sure Reindeer Games is pleased as punch that he was even allowed to attend.” You sucked in a quick breath before gently tightening your grip on Loki’s arms. You knew how much Tony got under his skin at times. But it was Pepper who took control this time.
“Tony, that was very rude of you! You should apologize to them both. I’m sorry (Y/N), he is just being cranky right now.” Tony turned to look at her in surprise. “Cranky? What are you talking about?” You and Pepper exchanged looks, but couldn’t stop yourselves from laughing at the man. “Oh, ha ha ha.” Tony feigned, taking a large swig of his drink. “We are only teasing you, Tony.” Pepper rose up on her toes and placed a kiss against his cheek.
“We should leave you to your hosting. Thank you again for inviting us.” Loki stated this time as he led you away from the pair. Looking around the room, you could see the rest of the Avengers as well as some other Shield operatives dancing, drinking, and having a lovely time. But your eyes had caught on to a certain face.
Pale blue eyes, almost like ice; tanned skin, like deep caramel; fine features, crafted by the gods themselves.
Your body halted in its movements, eyes quickly trying to lock onto the owner of the features you had just seen, but you couldn’t find any trace of them. “(Y/N)? Are you alright?” Loki gently stroked your cheek, bringing your focus back to him. “Yes, I’m sorry. I thought I saw…it doesn’t matter. Shall we dance?”
Loki led you to the ball’s dance floor just as a new song began. Normally, you didn’t dance, but dancing with Loki was always pleasant. He would lead, and you followed. Nothing too complicated. Gently, he led you through the waltz as the musicians continued to play. “Waltz of the flowers…such a wonderful piece.” You remarked.
“Yes, Tchaikovsky had such a way with music. The only thing more beautiful in this room than his music is you, darling.” Loki smiled at you, knowing that you loved when he knew your favourites. Your blush crept back up your cheeks. “I’m sorry, my dear. I didn’t mean to redden your face.”
A short laugh escaped your lips as he twirled you once before continuing the waltz. You couldn’t help your smile as you stared at Loki’s face. But your smile faltered as the music faltered as well.
Instead of the beautiful aria you had been enjoying previously, there was nothing but maniacal cackling sounding around you. You clung to Loki’s chest, eyes darting around the room as the voice grew louder before it stopped. Blue light surrounded the room; blue mist enveloping the musicians and moving their instruments of their own accord. A new song, one you couldn’t name but sounded very familiar, began to play.
Your eyes moved to the staircase in front of you. You could see a larger swirl of blue mist congregating there. Loki held you tightly against him, eyes never leaving the tower of mist.
Then, the mist dissipated quickly, leaving behind what you had hoped you would never see again. Those pale eyes had haunted your every step for months. You would never forget them, never. The newcomer’s eyes met with yours, a sly smile spreading across his face.
“Found you, Kraliçem.” The man slowly stepped down the staircase. Tony pushed Pepper behind him, careful eyes watching as the man stopped at the base of the stairs. “Come to me.” He raised his hand, hand stretched out awaiting yours.
Blue mist swirled around your feet. Before you could call out to Loki, you had been engulfed by the mist and transported before your nightmare.
“Braxis, please…don’t do this…” You pleaded with the incubus before you as he curled his fingers around yours and placed a kiss to your knuckles, right over where Loki had earlier. “Did you miss me, Aşkim? Because I missed you.” You could hear shouting coming from behind you.
Loki rushed forward, attempting to reach you. Without even glancing at the man, Braxis flung his hand out toward Loki, sending the god flying amidst a flurry of blue lightning. His screams sounded around the room as the lightning tore through his muscles. Tears fell from your cheeks, but you couldn’t move from your place at your previous partner’s side. Loki groaned as he pushed himself up. He clenched his fingers, willing his seidr to come to him, but nothing came, like every time he tried.
The incubus let your hand go, motioning to move closer to Loki. “No! Please, don’t hurt him!” Your voice cracked as your tears ran down your cheeks. Your eyes bored into Loki, lying on the floor, bloodied and fighting to remain conscious. “Braxis…please…Kralım…Don’t hurt him.” You knew exactly what to say to make him feel superior…you had done it for many months while you were his prisoner.
The pale-eyed man halted his steps. Instead, he walked back to you, arms wrapping around your waist. “Let us go home, Aşkim.” You stared at Loki, memorizing every feature of his perfect face, knowing that you likely would never see him again.
“I swear…I’ll find you…I’ll find you…(Y/N)!” He screamed out your name, but you didn’t hear him as Braxis transported you back to his realm, and Loki collapsed into unconsciousness.