[earlier days, pt. 2]

[forewarned_is]

Kali wakes to sunlight on her closed eyelids. She stretches luxuriously without opening them, taking a moment to savor the pleasant lingering ache of last night's exertions -- both the battle, and what came almost immediately after.

That was, she has to admit, pretty unexpected. But there's some satisfaction -- all right, a lot of satisfaction -- in the knowledge that it took him even more by surprise. And a lot of amusement in watching him try to pretend that it was his own idea all along.

She rolls to her side, and opens her eyes.



At the volley of astonished swearing, a flock of small, brightly colored birds takes swift and panicked flight from the trees overhanging the little tent.

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[forewarned_is]

There's no doubt in her mind that he knows exactly how infuriating that smile is.

Or (though there's no way she'll admit it at a moment like this) how attractive.



She gets to her feet, sweeps her hair behind her shoulder with one hand, and lifts the other to push open the tent flap. Strong unfiltered sunlight pours in, gilding her brown skin with fire.

[changeinasnap]

He's pretty sure she's not still choking him. Kind of hard to tell for a second there though, when she's framed in the doorway like that: lit up like the most gorgeous bonfire he's ever seen.

He keeps the appreciative whistling to himself. The sentiment sticks close by his smirk, though.

Some people have no compunctions about letting the other party know how attractive they are.

[forewarned_is]

Outside the tent is a stretch of brilliantly white sand, fringed on one side with lush greenery, sloping gently down toward water of the most astonishing blue-green. Sunlight darts back from the wavelets as though from a handful of diamonds.

Kali studies the scene for a long moment.

One would have to be standing very close to her to hear the faint intake of breath.

[changeinasnap]

He untucks his hands and sits up, the sheet bunching at his waist; his smile maaaay be softening a little bit. Maybe. Just a little.

"You like it?"

[forewarned_is]

"No."




She looks back over her shoulder, with the smallest smile twitching the corners of her mouth.

[changeinasnap]

His own smile grows.

"Yeah," he agrees. "Figured you wouldn't."

[forewarned_is]

"It's beautiful," she says, without her tone changing in the slightest. "Where'd you steal it?"

[changeinasnap]

"Hey, stealing," he says, lifting a finger, "implies previous ownership. Nobody's set foot on this place except birds and a couple turtles."

[forewarned_is]

"Really? Losing your touch, are you?"

She lets the flap fall, and makes for the little heap of fabric draped over the tiny folding table at the other end of the tent.

[changeinasnap]

Blandly, "More like thinking uninhabited's the way to go, what with every habited continent turning into one big happy disease cesspool."

He rolls onto his stomach and rests his weight back on his elbows, watching her with interest.

[forewarned_is]

"It happens every so often," she says, unperturbed. "And it's not as though either of us are subject to disease."

She draws a length of silky red fabric from the pile and starts wrapping it about herself.

[changeinasnap]

"Yeah, but..."

He pulls a rather impressive face of disgust.

"It's depressing."

[forewarned_is]

"Aren't the humans calling it the end of the world, in Europe?" Faintly amused.

[changeinasnap]

In spite of himself, there's a touch of fondness to the snort he offers in reply. "They wouldn't know the end of the world if it bit 'em in the ass."

One foot lifts, idly, and he rotates the ankle to and fro.

[forewarned_is]

Unconcerned: "Oh, they'll know when it comes."

She drapes the end of the fabric over one shoulder, and bends to pick up something else.

[changeinasnap]

"Mmm-hm." Another crooked smirk. "I'm sure you'll make very certain of that, m'dear."

She's not really one for holding back in the midst of battle.

Or anywhere else.

[forewarned_is]

"It's my job." Simply.

The necklace she picks up next has changed some over the centuries; it's made of gold and copper now, a broad flat pendant, with a subtle skull motif worked into the design and the clasp.

Again she pushes her hair out of the way as she works to fasten the chain.

[changeinasnap]

And not yours alone, he thinks.

He lowers his foot, flexing his toes against the sandy ground. Then in a smooth continuation of the movement, he stands to let the sheet fall away, walking the few steps to meet her in the corner of the tent.

Feather-light, he sneaks his fingertips across her shoulder.

[forewarned_is]

"Don't distract me, Loki," she murmurs.

The tone doesn't quite go with the words.

[changeinasnap]

"From what?"

Perfectly innocent, as another light touch joins the first: a kiss this time, to the spot where neck and shoulder meet.

[forewarned_is]

A tiny sigh, both fond and exasperated.

"Make yourself useful," she says, holding the ends of the clasp in one hand and gathering her hair in the other; a careful twist, and she trails the heavy rope of hair across his fingers.

"Hold this."

[changeinasnap]

By contrast, his sigh is a good deal more theatrical -- if no less affectionate.

"If you insist," he says, grandly, and lifts her hair up and away from her neck, keeping a path clear for the necklace chain.

[forewarned_is]

Kali fastens the clasp quickly, once her hair's out of the way.

And shifts backward in a sinuous motion, bringing her shoulders up against his bare chest.

"Now was that so hard?" she murmurs, as one hand rises to the back of his neck in turn, fingers threading lightly through his hair.

[changeinasnap]

"Mmmm."

He's probably agreeing with her. Maybe. If the noise sounded less like a purring cat, though, that might help a little.

Letting her hair cascade back over her shoulders, he slips both arms around her waist and leans his head back against her hand, eyes drifting closed.

[forewarned_is]

Her fingertips touch his head, massaging lightly; she turns her head enough to brush her lips across the line of his jaw.

And whispers in his ear: "We're not going to stay inside all day, are we?"