Fractures of Eternity

Looking at the clock by the door, a soft sigh left my lips as I got off the bed, trying to take off Loki’s shirt, only to be met by him grabbing me by my hips. A second later, he pulled me onto his lap, prompting me to sit on it, shifting my gaze onto him.

“Why don’t you stay the night?” He purred into my ear, kissing my neck.

His hands traveled up my curves as I intercepted them, knowing full well what he was trying to do.

“I can’t stay here anymore,” I mumbled.

Gerta, Emery, or Ivy might kill me in my sleep if I continued to stay in your room. There aren’t any more excuses, especially after parading around the town.

It was apparent I had recovered from whatever injury this vampire had inflicted on me.

“But you could stay either way. Be my permanent bed warmer, Vivi.” He teased, triggering me to scowl at him.

Instantly, a smirk appeared on his lips before I took the chance to kiss him lightly.

What are we? Surely, nothing, right?

It might’ve appeared like we were a couple, but that was an illusion since we hadn’t confessed or asked each other out. After a moment, I drew away from his lips before licking mine.

Sex friends... well, sex enemies? Hm... Sex frenemies?

“Loki, how can I wake you up if I’m sleeping in your same bed? Plus, I must get up earlier than you to report with Gerta. You’ll be the one to kill me instead of her after everything.” I rolled my eyes.

A soft hum left his lips as he rested his chin on my shoulder. “Well, sorry to say, but you can’t go back to that room or anywhere without me while you’re in Night City or all of Celnaer. Not after the rumors that are going on about you.”

“If it’s the vampires after my blood, I’m not afraid of them.” I huffed as he dragged me into the bed, prompting me to lie on it.

“No, but I’m afraid of what one of them will do if you go walking down those halls alone. Royals can hurt you before you can even see them.” Loki sighed, joining me as he dropped beside me.

You’re right… I know that, but even so, I can’t depend on anyone but myself. You may be my ally right now, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be there always.

“But…” I mumbled, feeling like I would drown in Loki if I stayed in this room.

How will I survive when I leave you here? Argh! Stop trying to make me soft!

“Hm?” He hummed.

Softly, I turned my body to him with a slight pout. “Gerta—” I began, only to be interrupted by him pressing his forehead against mine.

“I already spoke to her two days ago when Oswald let me know what was going on. You’re to stay with me,” The vampire informed.

Huh?! You spoke to Gerta?! What did you say to her?!

“What?!” were the only words that left my lips.

Two days ago… It must’ve been when I was sleeping! This sneaky vampire! How will I face her now?!

“That old woman was so surprised when Loki told her,” Eli announced, sliding in between the space between us.

I could barely form a word before Loki continued.

“They’re coming to install a bed here tomorrow, but they don’t need to. Just sleep with me.” He smirked playfully.

This wasn’t a bad turn of events, since it would mean I would be with the prince all the time, but it wouldn’t be good for my heart.

“If I do, I might spoil.” I breathed, turning to face the ceiling.

This is both a blessing and a nightmare. I haven’t experienced terrors while I’m sleeping with you, and I can’t allow that to continue. My heart won’t survive it when you’re finally gone.

This warmth would shatter this goddess if it continues like this.

“Good, I want to do that.” He beamed happily, thinking he won, but I would never give him an easy victory.

“No,” I grumbled, turning my head to him, allowing me to watch his victory smile disappear as his eyes twitched.

“Wait, what?!” Loki huffed, prompting me to smirk at him.

You really are...

“I won’t sleep with you. So, let them install the extra bed.” I announced, causing him to shake his head in disbelief.

A growl left him, “Fuck! Vivi, why play so hard to get?”

“Play? Pfft, you’re so full of yourself. I’m a goddess and out of your league.” I assured playfully, poking his nose with my fingers.

He chuckled. “You little… I hope you know I’ll jump into your bed instead.”

I shrugged, gazing back towards the ceiling above us.

“I’ll make sure it’s uncomfortable for you,” I reached upwards towards the roof before it suddenly turned into what appeared to be the night sky that surrounded us.

There was no reason to hide my powers from him. He already knew what I was, and it had been a while since I could do this—a spell to project the cosmos onto the wall. Loki followed my gaze to see what I had done, only to grab onto my hand and snuggle closer next to me.

“We’ll see about that.” The vampire challenged, causing me to giggle, intertwining my fingers with his.

Hah… I give up. There isn’t any winning against you tonight.

For a while, we both stared at the stars above, holding our hands together while Eli lay comfortably on us.

“Oz can’t do that,” My vampire voice, admiring the night sky that couldn’t be seen through the barrier of this city.

This was something he probably hadn’t seen since coming into Night City, filling my heart with bliss that I at least could show him again.

A soft cackle left my lips when I shifted to press my lips against his pointy ear.

“That’s because my magic’s more special than his. I don’t even know what it is yet.” I murmured, feeling his hand tighten on mine.

The gentle warmth radiated from it and into me, ensuring I wouldn’t let go. I had never spoken with anyone about my magic before. Dad never asked, just taught, and Lilith couldn’t care less as long as I knew how to survive. They were all too busy to care to show me the beauties I could perform with it, which I didn’t mind.

“You’ll find out. I’m sure of it.” Loki reassured me, trailing his free hand down my curls.

Giggling, I couldn’t help but meet his gaze.

Those eyes… Everything about you… makes it… too much. Why do you try to comfort or befriend me? Is this an act? No… It’s genuine, and that’s why I…

The playful smirk that appeared on his face soon made my heart stop.

“What? Falling in love with me, my princess?” he teased, causing me to try to hold on to my laughter.

Hah, you won’t give up, will you? Good... keep me on my toes so I don’t fall too deep.

Though I was already at the bottom of this abyss, I would kill for him, yet I hesitated to destroy his world.

“Pfft… What a foolish prince you are.” I tugged my hand from his grip and onto his warm cheek.

I was already…

Too bad my love’s poisonous for you.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked, attempting one last time to place a wall between us.

He leaned into my palm before clasping onto my wrist.

Does my warmth comfort you, too?

“Well, it isn’t uncommon for personal servants to stay near their master,” Loki informed me.

“But I’ll be in your room. With you… You won’t have your privacy nor—” I began, only to be interrupted by him.

Eli coiled around the arm that had my hand hostage as well.

“Sweetheart, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Any other room would be too dangerous. Even if you were to stay with Oz, it would still be too risky. I can undo a royal’s damage if I’m close enough, but if I’m not, it’ll be too late to stop it.” He didn’t let go of me as his voice showed no doubt in it.

“But…” I trailed off.

“And since their blood control is useless against me. No royal would ever come in here, especially not with Eli around. Unlike my magic, he’s another monster to deal with,” my prince assured me of this course, and I couldn’t help but give in to him fully.

You aren’t as stupid as you project yourself to be. Hah…

In tight quarters such as the castle, I was helpless against a royal since all they needed was a second to blow a vein in me. If I could have seen them coming before they got to me, it would’ve been a different case, but in Night City, vampires were the apex of predators. Their speed was another factor I couldn’t keep up with unless I used my time magic, and that would cause me to lose this world when the gods came down to find me.

“Hah… Right.” I sighed, pulling away from him and turning towards the other side.

“Hm… There was this one time a male vampire came into this room.” Eli commented, causing me to sit up slightly as the magic I used to change the ceiling disappeared.

“What?” I huffed.

Papa never told me anything about an attempt on your life!

Loki sighed, following me up. “Oh, that, yeah, Eli ate him.”

“He had a knife aimed at my other half.” The snake scoffed, slithering onto my lap.

Just how many people are after your life? That’s unforgivable.

“Loki…” I mumbled, clasping my chest.

Even though all he did was to be born into this world, everyone either wanted to be with him or make him disappear—all because he had the power they desired.

Ah... You’re… just like me.

“That was four years ago, Vivi. Don’t worry. No one knows of the event. Though his family was searching for him for a while.” Loki shrugged as I launched myself at him, only to cling to him the moment he was in my grip.

You’re like me, but purer. Unlike me, you deserve to live unrestricted.

In response to my sudden affection, he embraced me back as I smothered myself into his chest, allowing me to hear the drumming of his heart, which was strong and pleasant to my ears.

“Make sure it keeps beating,” I mumble, finding reassurance in the way his torso rose and fell with each of his breaths.

“I-I’ll make s-sure… it does.” Loki stuttered, holding me tighter.

Ah… I have to fix this.

Softly, I peeked from his chest and onto his face, where the gentlest expression was, triggering my heart to want to stop what was about to leave my lips, but I was too stubborn to halt them. After all, I had to keep the prince on his toes, too.

“Good, because without it I drop,” I smirked.

It prompted him to shake his head and kiss my forehead lightly.

“And who would want that to happen?” the vampire rolled his eyes.

I giggled, pulling myself up to his level. “Shut it,” I whispered before planting my lips on his.

From there, a feverous make-out erupted, only to be continued in the bathroom before ending in the bed again. This fatal attraction was too strong to stop. We were too much alike to ignore, and it felt right to be with him, yet that wouldn’t stop me from fighting it. I refused to give in to the feeling that made me adore him. For the rest of that night, all we did was kiss, cuddle, and chatter about stupid things that would usually end in a bicker or two.

I never knew having an equal would feel so right. As we headed to the future, all I could hope was that my love wouldn’t poison him.

Not that I’ll ever let you know what I truly feel. That will be my guilty pleasure.