Cleave | Loki x Reader

• XIV •

A/N: Yes. There's another part to the story.
Thought I would just let it end like that? Nah.
It has taken me far too long to upload this and I hope now you know why.
This was a behemoth of a finisher for our past-timeline. One that was originally meant to be a single chapter.
I hope you enjoy.
All my love
- Vio
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▪︎ as the driven snow ▪︎

1960-2010, Asgard

Y/n

The sparring ring thrummed with the clang of metal against metal, the sharp cries of warriors in training ringing through the morning air.
My grip tightened around the hilt of my short sword as I twisted away from my opponent's strike, shield coming up just in time to deflect the blow. A grunt escaped me as the force of the impact shuddered from the shield through my bones.
But I pressed forward, seizing the advantage in his momentary lapse. A sharp turn, a well-placed sweep of my foot, and he was down - my blade hovering just above his throat.

A chorus of cheers rose from the watching Einherjar but I barely took any note of them.
My eyes were drawn to a small figure standing at the edge of the training grounds, clinging to her nursemaid's hand.

Randi.
Bundled in warm furs, the child's thick curls were barely contained beneath the delicate braids Ilsa had woven that morning. Her bright eyes - so familiar - were wide.
One blue, one hazel, but both round with awe as she gazed at me.
At the armour encasing me.
At the sword in my hand, the shield on my arm, Loki's dagger at my hip, my silver braid snaked around my crown.

Hurriedly and with a nod, I dismissed my opponent before unfastening my horned helmet - more of a coronet really - and tucking it beneath my arm as I strode toward her.
Before I could say a word, she pulled free from her nursemaid's grasp and ran towards me, little arms outstretched.
I caught her with ease, lifting her high into the air before settling her on my hip.

'Did you see all that?' I asked, brushing a stray curl from her forehead, as my gaze caught Ilsa's.
I'm sorry, the maid mouthed, blushing.
Randi nodded, her small hands gripping at the edge of my breastplate.

'You're so strong, Y/n.'
Her voice was breathless, brimming with admiration. 'Wear the helmet again, pretty pleeease. It's soo beautiful.'

Siwftly, I glanced over at Ilsa, my eyes telling the Ljósálfr all she needed to know, and her features conveyed just the same.

As if I could ever say no to that face.
Reaching up, Randi wrapped her small hand around one of the horns, tugging lightly. Seconds passed with her simply being in awe of the golden horns on my brow.

Then her small smile made way for mumbled words, 'I want to be just like you one day.' And I froze.
A pang settled deep in my chest.
Then, I set her down and the moment her little feet met grass, she was off.

Randi has always been small. Delicate, with limbs too thin, too fragile - yet her spirit is anything but. Oh, and her grip. Those little hands can crush finger bones.
She moves through the world with reckless energy, fearless and unyielding, as if she belongs to it in ways no one else does.

'Randi, slow down,' I called as she barreled ahead of me through the palace gardens.

The golden light of Asgard's late afternoon suns caught in her curls, turning them almost ginger, but her little feet moved too fast for her own good. She dodged flowers and brushed past hedges, her laughter like the tinkling of wind chimes.