This Sinner’s Red
Janus ran his hand through his hair, letting out a deep sigh. The morning light shone from the windows and fell upon the shimmering snow that was Loki’s skin. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “It’s time to wake, Loki.”
Loki groaned, burying her face in her pillow. “No…”
“Come now, my flower. Let me see those pretty eyes,” Janus chuckled.
With another huff, Loki’s eyes fluttered open, staring at her lover. She moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Mmm… I love how you look in the morning light.”
“Is that so?” Janus’ hand carded through her hair, smelling the rosemary and mint that oiled it.
“It is. You look like a statue… chiseled from marble.”
Janus’ expression seemed to go haywire, and he felt lucky that she couldn’t see him from where her head was resting. “…Thank you, dear.” He rubbed his cheek as if trying to wipe away the red flush. He felt a slight tickle and tug of his hair. “What are you doing?”
“Braiding your hair. It’s pretty and soft… I like touching it.”
There was the flush again. Janus often came off as cold and unfeeling, and at that moment, he wished that were true. “Thank you.”
Moments went by with Loki braiding and unbraiding his hair, over and over, almost having Janus asleep again. Silent.
“Do you love me, Janus?”
Janus flinched at the question. Love wasn’t necessarily something he’d known, and he liked it that way. The sex was lovely, truly, but love? Perhaps… or not.
Janus shrugged nonchalantly. “I feel for you as fire does for kindling.”
That didn’t seem to deter her. “Is that good, then?”
“Very.”
Loki chuckled. “I love you, too.”
Janus rolled his eyes, yet again glad that she couldn’t see his face. “Yes, yes. Well, I’m sure you’ve got things to do today. Go.”