Hurt Me

Running through the gardens, Cora searches for Loki. He missed his lunch with Frigga and Frigga was worried. Cora assured the Queen, that nothing was wrong with Loki. For the last two weeks, Loki's moods where good, he was clam and didn't snap at anyone like he use to. He interacted with Frigga a lot more and he even spoke to Thor, even if it was forced pleasantry. He may not have spent much time with Cora, but she did not care, he was happy and that was all that mattered. Cora was sure that Loki had simply lost track of time reading or practicing his magic, like when he was younger. Cora searched the gardens and she frowned seeing that Loki was not in them. She thought of where he could be and giggled, feeling a little daft at not visiting the stables first. Running to the stables, Cora is out of breath and a little sweaty when she reaches them. “My Prince,” Cora calls out, her voice coming out in one rushed shout as her eyes dart around the stables.

“Loki?” Cora's brows furrow together and she sighs, maybe he took Archer on a run. Walking father into the stables, Cora walks to Archer's pen and she frowns, seeing the all back horse munching away on his food. “Where is your master, huh?” Cora asks out loud and Archer picks his head up, his large brown eyes staring at Cora as if to say he doesn't know. With a huff, Cora leaves the stables, it's pointless to search the fields or anywhere outside of the Palace walls, Loki can not get to them unless on horse back and Loki had always refused to ride any horse unless it was Archer. Heading back inside the Palace, Cora walks the halls that lead to her chambers. Loki is a grown man, she is sure that he is safe...wherever he may be.

The sound of giggling fills the air, followed by a manly chuckle, “Shhh, someone might hear us.”

“Oh my Prince, no one is around. We are alone...again.”

“Our sounds echo.” Cora bites her lip, she knows that voice.

“Then maybe you need to keep me quiet.” Again with the giggle and chuckle. Cora pokes her head around the corner and her eyes widen at the sight. A young servant is pressed against the wall giggling away as Loki whispers who knows what in her ear. His hand stroking the inside of the servant's thigh while her hands fist Loki's tunic. Shaking her head, Cora slams herself against the wall, her chest heaving as she struggles to breath. Her eyes burn, but she blinks away the tears. The sound of a door shutting fills the hall and Cora holds her breath. Deeming that the coast is clear, Cora walks around the corner, ready to sprint to her room. The idea is short lived however when Cora crashes into Loki, sending them both tumbling to the floor with Cora on top.

“If you wanted another go, darling all you had to do was ask. No need to attack me,” Loki jokes and Cora glares at him. Without a word, Cora get up off of Loki and walks down the hall. “Wait. Cora!” Loki calls and he jogs after Cora. Hearing his footfalls, Cora starts to run, her room coming into sight. “Stop!” Cora's heart pounds in her chest and when she gets to her door, Cora sighs in relief, but that too is short lived. Cora opens the door and Loki is right there, slamming it shut, “Why did you run?” Loki asks his breathing heavy and labored.

“Please move,” Cora whispers.

“Cora-”

“Move!” Cora's voice breaks as she shouts and Loki stares at her with wide eyes. Slowly, Loki removes his hand from the door and Cora moves to rush inside, but Loki grabs hold of her wrist. “Let go of me.”

“No. What have I done wrong?”

“Let-”

“Stop being childish and tell me!” Loki orders, his voice firm as he narrows his eyes at Cora. Tears burn Cora's eyes and Loki sees them, with a flick of his wrist, they are in his bed chambers. “Who hurt you?” Loki asks, letting his thumb trace small circles on the underside of Cora's wrist.

Cora looks down at the floor, the image of Loki cozy between that servant's thighs burning in her mind. “Is she the only one?” Cora's voice is below a whisper, hardly making any sound.

“What?” Loki asks having not heard Cora's question.

“Is she the only one?” Cora picks her head up and stares right into Loki's eyes. “The servant from the hall, is she the only one you're bedding or are there others?” Loki's eyes widen and he drops Cora's wrist like it's on fire. Loki turns his back on Cora and walks over to his window, “Answer me!” Cora demands after a few moments of silence.

Turning around slowly, Loki stares at Cora. He takes in her outfit, a simple white dress with gold ascents, he notices her green nails and eyes. It doesn't take long for Loki to understand her odd behavior. Loki tilts his head to the side, almost like a snake and he smiles mockingly at Cora, “Does it bother you?” Loki questions. “It burns you inside to know that my bed is shared with others besides you...”

“No,” Cora shakes her head. “You're not going to do this. You can not do this, Loki!” Cora cries glaring at him.

“Do what?” Loki asks innocently.

“That!” Cora points at him. “All of that, twisting the situation around so you can hide your true feelings,” Cora accuses and Loki smirks.

“True feelings?” Loki prompts, amusement clear in his voice, but his eyes are filled with so much pain.

“Say it,” Cora orders and Loki raises his eyebrows. “Say it and I'll forgive you. I'll forget all of this if you just tell me you-”

“Tell you that I what?” Loki shouts, his eyes wild. “T-that, that I love you?!” Loki demands talking with his hands. “That you're the only woman I want? That my heart feels like it will leap out of my chest whenever you are near me?” Loki's voice is cold and taunting as he speaks. He steps away from the window and Cora stands her ground, the tears blurring her vision.

“Why can't you just tell me?” Cora begs, her voice thick with her tears.

“Because it would be a lie!” Loki hisses and he instantly regrets his words when Cora's frame seems to shrink in on itself. Loki holds his breath watching Cora as she stands in front of him, he bites his tongue refusing to apologize for his words.

“A...a lie?” Cora nods her head with a humorless chuckle and smile. “I see,” Cora licks her lips and looks down at her hand. “Well then, I don't see the point of wearing this anymore.” As Cora speaks she starts to twist a ring off of her finger, the ring that Loki gave her so many years ago. Loki's eyes dart down to her hands and his eyebrows come together as he watches the ring slip off of Cora's finger. “I'm sorry I'm such a problem for you,” Cora apologizes and walks over to Loki's bed, setting the ring down on the side table. “I guess feelings change over time,” Cora mummers with tears rolling down her face. She forces a smile and Loki nods his head, forcing a smile back before Cora turns her back on Loki.

Loki watches Cora leave, he can't see the tears, but he knows that she is crying and it's because of him. “I-” Loki closes his mouth and frowns. No he won't go begging for Cora's forgiveness, it's for the best that she hate him. He's no good for her, he's poison. “Now we're back to the way we started...as strangers,” Loki sighs sadly and runs a hand through his hair. He knows that it's for the best, but it doesn't ease the pain in his chest any less or make the sickness in his stomach settle. Seeing his vision blur Loki wipes his eyes at his unshed tears, collecting them on the end of his sleeve. With a single sniff, Loki clears his throat and holds his head high, he had to do this. He had to let her go.

Notes

Cora's outfit

“I guess feelings change over time,” Cora mummers with tears rolling down her face. She forces a smile and Loki nods his head, forcing a smile back before Cora turns her back on Loki.



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