Archive of Our Own

 Loki whipped around releasing a throwing knife, followed by a second as he completed his turn. Both hit the center of the swinging target hanging from a branch in the wooded area of the palace grounds. They disappeared and reappeared in his hands and he did a forward tumble, letting loose one as he went into the roll and the other as he came out. Again, both hitting the center of the swaying target.

   "It seems you have taken a liking to those daggers you saw the first time you came to the training grounds. The fact they are a woman's weapon doesn't bother you then?" Loki didn't bother gracing Thor with a look, as the daggers reappeared in his hands once again.

  "Well, as it so happens, I am a woman."

  Thor was taken aback by that and fumbled on a reply. "I thought you were more of a man? That you wanted to do manly things?" Loki flipped into an aerial cartwheel, and let the daggers fly together at the end. He spun around facing Thor, as he summoned the daggers back to his hands.

  "I am. and I do." Then he flipped backwards, one leg after the other, and let them fly again. Thor blinked, confused. "I don't understand....You are and do which?" Loki flipped a hand, causing a swoosh of air to get the target to swing side to side again.

  "Yes to all of it. I'm woman and man and prefer all that they entail. I will learn to be proficient in anything you can do, and I will also excel in everything a proper queen can do. I am everything. I will not let you make me feel half, or less any longer Thor."

  He stalked closer to Thor, and Thor started backing up when seeing the fury and purpose in Loki's red eyes. Loki was almost his height now, and with a tilt of his head gave the illusion of looking down on the warrior. Loki put his hands out and froze Thor's feet to the ground to hault his retreat.

  "I am done with your persecution and coercion. What You have been doing, would be severely punished had we been on Jötunheimr. You should be grateful I did not share details to The King. But I would rather work things out between us. Know this Thor, things as they have been, are no more. You crossed a line, and I no longer will tolerate it, Odinson."

  Loki was close enough now Thor could feel his chilled breath on his neck. Thor shoved at Loki, who gracefully fell backwards and rolled into a backwards tumble, tossing his blades behind him as he bounced up again. He smirked at a stunned Thor.

  With a lofty intake of breath, Loki suddenly looked quite joyful. "I feel the need for a bath. While you are chilling out here, seems to be an oportune time to do so." He flitted his twinkling gaze and a dark smirk to the ice still encompassing Thor's boots. He walked past Thor, chin up and long strides.

  Thor gaped at the boy. Who was this person?!?