When he arrived in the room, it was already dark outside and the fireplaces had been lit. Sif was playing chess with Hogun. They were alone at the moment. Feeling the cold of the fall creeping in, Loki went to prepare two cups of sweet wine. He didn't really need it, but he liked the taste, and he knew Sif would be glad of it.

He came beside them, putting the warm cup on the table near Sif, Hogun grunted a welcome and focused back on the game. Loki then sat, moving close to Sif, his knee touching hers. He sat back and spent some time watching the two players. It was a peaceful evening. In the end, he placed his hand on her shoulder, softly caressing it. She smiled, still intent on her game.

Still sipping his wine, and watching, he let his hand slowly move down along her back and settle at her waist. Sif then shifted slightly, so that their legs and thighs were touching. He smiled to himself, such a small gesture and still he was revelling in the sensation, in the fact that he was able to do it...

A hand on his own shoulder made him look up, to meet the gentle smile of Volstagg. He smiled back to the giant who then walked towards the table full of food that was waiting for them. Loki was still surprised at the new found kindness of Volstagg towards him. Of course, he had never been the most antagonistic, but seeing how Volstagg was now, while preparing a sumptuous supper for himself, looking towards them with this kind, fatherly look, made Loki slightly uncomfortable; he wasn't used to this affection.

A loud discussion announced the arrival of Thor and Fandral. Thor smiled broadly when he saw his brother and Fandral nodded in his direction, still trying to win the argument. Loki had been surprised at how easy it had been for the Warriors Three to accept their relationship. Fandral had been the most surprised, looking at Loki as if he had never seen him before. Hogun... had not really reacted... a quirk of an eyebrow had been the only sign of his surprise. And Volstagg... Volstagg had been the most expressive, and emotional, of the three. Something that had surprised even Sif when the giant had burst into tears...

Thor had not seemed surprise, and Loki had realized their mother had already talked to his brother. He had been overjoyed when he and Sif had decided to speak to their friends. Loki could remember Thor, slapping him on the back, smiling broadly and hugging Sif, making jests about the Shield Maiden abusing his little brother... Loki had been slightly embarrassed at first, but seeing how happy and radiant Sif was, had won his heart...

Still, they were discreet. Holding hands, sitting together, or any of the little gestures of tenderness between them, were kept for those moments when they were among their friends and family. But in the Palace crowd, they were keeping them to themselves. Staying side by side or talking to each other was all they would allow themselves to show; they were keeping the face of friendship in the eyes of the people of Asgard.

But even then, rumours had begun... To Loki's great surprise, they weren't as vile as he had feared. Some of them were painful though; saying Sif was aiming for the Throne, that she was the one to manipulate Loki or that she was merely with the Second Prince out of despair... There were also some telling about spells Loki had cast on the Shield Maiden or those accusing him of pushing his brother into the arms of a mortal, by stealing his bride...

Strangely they did not last long. Their discretion, the support of the Warriors Three, the open and staunch support of Thor, had quelled the worst of them. People now were whispering of how Sif, brave Shield Maiden of Asgard, risked her life to help the Second Prince in his redemption. Some anonymous poet had even written an epic story where Loki had become a hero, resisting alone the traitors and fighting enraged Frost Giants to save his love... It was one that had made Loki laugh. But he had admitted, once, while resting in the dark by Sif's side, that he had loved this feeling of being the champion...

It was a bitter victory for him somewhat. People adored Sif, she was known to be fierce and faithful. Seeing her by his side had changed the perception people had of Loki. Once again, he was in their favour, but not for himself... But he did not let this upset him too much, he was glad things were easier than he had feared. Glad he could be at the side of the woman he loved, without having to hide...

There was something else that kept Loki from being too bitter. The rumours had been like a wave; coming, crashing down on them and leaving... But there was another wave that came and this one crashed down on his brother.

The story of Thor and Jane, of the love of the heir of Asgard for a mere mortal, was at the center of the most vicious rumours. Loki couldn't help but find it ironic. He had always thought people would spit on him for doing what he had done. That Sif would suffer for having chosen him in place of Thor. But now, Loki had come to realize, Thor was the one to suffer. After all his brother had done, for the realm, for the people, to save so many lives, he was the one to be judged and criticized, for letting his heart speak true. Because he had fallen in love with a mortal.

Loki was thinking about all of this whilst sipping his wine, feeling the warmth of Sif by his side and his fingers caressing her waist, softly as not to disturb her in the game of chess. Thor and Fandral were still arguing, but he wasn't really listening to them...

He was thinking that life was strange indeed. There was a saying, crime never pays. Looking at what he had done, almost slaughtering an entire race, trying to get rid of his own brother, creating mayhem in different realms... He had done terrible things, but still people had tried to help him, to save him, people had showed him love and compassion. He had done nothing to deserve this. But here he was, beside Sif, while his brother was criticized, scorned; Thor the mighty and noble warrior, whose only mistake was to love the wrong woman. This made him wonder if, sometimes, crime did pay after all.

Loki hadn't noticed Sif watching him, an amused smile on her face. Smiling back, he quirked an eyebrow at her.

'You're thinking too much, my love,' she said with a tilt of her head, while resting her elbow on the back of the couch. Loki realized then that they had ended their game for the night, knowing they will continue the next day. Hogun had left and was now speaking softly with Thor and Fandral, while Volstagg was finishing his supper. He smiled apologetically, tightening slightly his hand around her waist.

'You know me, Sif, always something on my mind...' His tone was humorous, but he saw her eyes darkening with worries. He leaned towards her and kissed her lightly, pulling her closer with his hand at her waist. 'It is nothing, my love, do not fret.' He saw her smile again, still slightly concerned. He knew she was always careful of his moods, trying to find and alleviate the slightest cloud... Finally, she sighed and leaned against him, whilst he nuzzled her hair, planting a kiss on the top of her head, his hands on her back now.

Thor was watching them, a kind smile on his face, but his eyes were sad... Loki knew why; his brother had told him once how lucky he was that the woman he loved will be always by his side. That he was able to be with her, whenever he wanted...

Still holding Sif in his arms, his fingers tracing meaningless figures on her back, Loki thought how ironic life could be. He realized something else, in this quiet evening, with friends and his lover by his side.

He wasn't sure he would not do it again. Life could be boring sometimes. Mischief and tricks were something he could not really live without. It was a part of him he could not refuse or deny... He did not want to anyway. Besides, he had secrets that he had kept from his brother and father, allies and plans he hadn't dared speak about... He did not know at this moment if he would ever make use of them... But it was a possibility. Right now he only wanted to rest, heal, to drink this sweet cup life had given him, until the last drop. After that, he did not know…

Sif shifted and he let her go. She smiled at him, kissed him on the cheek and stood to walk towards the Warriors Three and Thor. Loki stayed seated, watching her, her grace, her smile, her dark hair loosened... And he wondered, when the time would come, if it did, would she leave with him?