Have no fear, beloved. [ His lips fall gentle upon the arch of Loki's cheekbone and at the corner of his eye, tasting the salt of tears; his kisses are like drops of rain. ] The world has changed, even as we have gone old; it is a harder place, and it will grow harder still, but mortal life will change itself as it must to persevere.

[ And if it should not? Then let all fade away to dust and shadow, as surely he and Loki must, for he cannot bear to live long in a world without the king of winter lain sweet and yielding in his arms.

Still Loki is a twisted creature, cold and quiet with sorrow, and Thor has known grief that weighs him as heavily as a stone. He has grown, he has changed himself to bear it, but the pain has worn him, printed lines and shadows upon his face, in his eyes. He will not go back to the palace but that Loki is there beside him, forever his consort; and this here will be their shelter, their solace, until strength is returned, until sorrow has faded and grown soft with the bittersweetness of memory. ]

Kiss me, my heart. [ he murmurs to him, as Loki's fingers trace his skin. ] Yield up your sweetness for me, as you did when we were young. I have not had your love upon me for so long, and I have ached so for you. We can know happiness again.