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A LOVERS' QUARREL

"You drew stars around my scars,
but now I'm bleeding." —Taylor Swift
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"YOU have no idea who I am, do you?" Loki clenched his jaw tightly as the memory replayed, wondering if he would get a different response. Instead, she had a look plastered on her face that he recognized... confusion or curiosity, something he always adored but this wasn't her. The goddess didn't ponder much of his request, seeing she needed to focus on important matters. After all, this was going to be their first interaction, and even so, Morbius noted the tension between the two mythological deities together. It appeared that the TVA would try to separate them as a precaution; considering, they had a complicated history.

"I'm afraid not, I'm—." The goddess faced him and politely outstretched her hand as if she were void of any emotions. Her eyes held no recognition when she stared at his face, almost as if she was a clean slate. A mystery how he was able to retain everything up till now but she was like an enigma. He could have been fooled by her calm aura if Loki hadn't looked into her almost lifeless eyes.

"Athena." He muttered with clarity as if it was clear as the breaking of dawn. Restraining himself from reaching over for an embrace, after thinking he would never see her again. It broke his soul that fate was cruel to them both, she always watched him die and now he was nothing more than another faceless person to her.

"Can we focus right now?" Morbius countered the pair from whatever was going on, Athena giving a firm nod while she decided to stand beside the agent. His presence only made her curious yet she knew better than to act upon herself to say something. The agent sighed silently before continuing, "Right— like I said we're gonna break into two teams, including myself and Professor Loki. So let's bring in an expert."

"That's me." The Asgardian pointed to himself with a small smile, she managed to let out a tiny grin from the action. The group finalized their plans, she didn't question anything nor react to the orders given. Loki marched forward in an attempt to converse with her yet was swept away the moment the timedoor opened. He was conflicted now about what he needed to prioritize... a way to discuss with the Time Keepers or have Athena's memories restored. He wanted both no matter the cost.

Entering the Renaissance Fair in 1985 Wisconsin timeline, walking alongside B-15 since the goddess was more tolerable than the God of Mischief. Athena glanced around in astonishment at how their technology works, receiving a weapon of her own which was a small gun— of some sort. Many civilians were staring at the misfit group however ignored it as they continued inside the cabana tent. Immediately noticing the barely lit torches along with the equipment of the missing minutemen. Morbius and the others pursued forward, giving Loki a chance to speak with her.

"How is this possible? You're still... but how?" He stood in front of her, the obvious height difference made the goddess slightly startled before realizing who it was. His presence was starting to become a nuisance from all the glances he'd been giving her, inching forward to not appear intimidated. In fact, it would be the other way around like old times, loving a good challenge.

"I beg your pardon—," Athena remarked slightly offended as she tried to move aside yet he held her firmly by the shoulders. Feeling his breath fanning delicately on her face as she held eye contact for what seemed like minutes but in those mere seconds, it felt... familiar. The goddess was the first to look away as she silently cursed herself for caving into her curiosity. She noted that he was associated with her by his body language, perhaps from another timeline. After all, she is a variant herself.

"Your emerald ring? Where— You must remember something... Tell me what is the last thing you remember?" Loki fumbled with his words, a habit he only had with her whenever he tried to get an explanation. She was known for her honesty and never lying so for a God of Lies and Mischief, Athena was his perfect match.

"I-If you must know, it would have been three nights before my Coronation Ceremony." She swallowed her pride as she harshly pushed herself away from him, offended by his constant pestering. Her mind plagued her with those memories she desperately wanted to fade, it had been so long ago when it happened.

"Alright, lovebirds less chatting more searching." Morbius interrupted the conversation as he got in between the two mythological deities before walking forward to investigate. Athena softly nodded her head as this was the moment she could prove to the agent that she was reliable and useful in missions. Remembering her time as a SHIELD agent when she visited Earth, so she had some expertise in apprehending wanted individuals.  

"That would mean... wait!" The god called out to his lover; however, she took out the hidden dagger on her necklace and lightly pressed it against his neck. He immediately lifted his arms in surrender, taken back by how fierce she looked and how much she changed. He knew she was the Goddess of War and yet she never engaged in combat unless absolutely necessary.

"Let me make one thing clear— I don't know you nor will I believe that you do. We only have one goal in our minds right now and it's to apprehend the variant, fix the timeline, and return to how everything was. Now please just leave me be." Athena demanded, her blazing stare sending an involuntary shiver down his spine as she slowly let her weapon away.

"Hey! You know better than to have a dagger, especially when he's around." Morbius clamored at the sight of the weapon. Without hesitation, the goddess sighed and gave it to the agent as she didn't protest further. Heading in the opposite direction while intently watching the others investigating the scene, trying to come to a conclusion.

Athena heard Hunter B-15 mention something about the variant changing strategies and they were nearly at the red line until the nexus event was irreparable. Morbius declared that they searched for C-20 as the goddess paid careful attention to her surroundings. Light footsteps echoed around the cabana tent as the barely lit torches emitted an ominous sensation. Walking closer toward Morbius, Hunter B-15, and Loki, she noted a certain source of magic that was used not too long ago.

As the other agents were going to leave the tent to investigate, Loki had a look in his eyes as his hand subconsciously gripped Athena's. Calling out to warn them, "Wait... If you leave this tent, you'll end up like them."

There was a moment of silence as no one made a move until Morbius came up towards them and asked what Loki saw. She was trying to comprehend what was the variant's motive as Loki explained to the group, "I see a scheme and in that scheme I see myself. We have a saying in Asgard, 'Where there are wolf's ears, wolf's teeth are near.' It means to be aware of your surroundings. Which is absurd, because my people are, by nature, gullible fools. A trait that I, the God of Mischief, exploited time and time again simply by listening. My teeth were sharp, but my ears even sharper."

Athena rolled her eyes at his statement as Loki walked closer to the missing agent's discarded items while letting go of her hand. The Olympian Princess concentrated on sensing the energy source through her magic while the Asgardian continued his explanation of the similarity between the TVA and the Asgardian gods. Glancing in his direction, he declared, "You underestimate me, just as you underestimate this lesser Loki. Which is why, you walk into one wolf's mouth after another."

There was a little dispute between Morbius and Hunter B-15 while Athena turned to Loki with a neutral expression. Staring into his eyes for any indication she could use to get a lead as she told him, "Success is dependent on effort... your other self must have known that the TVA would bring you along to turn them in. And based on my assumption about you Loki, you wouldn't want to be lured easily, correct? Rather the other way around?"

"That's exactly what the Variant wants. It's a trap. He's waiting for you outside this tent." Loki affirmed the goddess's words as his gaze flickered between Morbius and Athena. One of the TVA Hunters asked B-15 to reset the charges yet the God of Mischief interrupted, "No. He wants me. I'm the key to his plan. He knows that I'm stronger."

Every second was another moment wasted as there was one unit left until the nexus event could get out of control. Athena noted Loki's rather egoistic attitude as he was spewing words that held no weight. Luckily, the goddess could see right through his deception of 'loyalty' and 'new purpose' in helping capture his variant. However, as she got closer to the missing TVA Hunter's discarded weapons and helmets, she sensed a faint secondary power source... completely difficult from Loki's variant.

"We'll need to speak to the Time-Keepers at once. They're in graver danger than we realized," Loki persisted to Morbius yet Athena stood up and glanced at the agent with a calm expression. At that moment, Athena understood what the God of Mischief was trying to gain in the situation and so did Morbius. The device beeped as it indicated that the nexus event was merging with the sacred timeline. The male agent called Loki's bluff as they started to move out of the tent to reset the timeline.

"Wise men speak because they have something to say... fools because they have to say something...." Athena muttered to Loki as she walked right past him, her arm colliding with his momentarily. The Asgardian saw her displeased expression as a timedoor was waiting outside the cabana tent. However, Morbius held Loki back as he needed to discuss with Judge Ravonna Renslayer about their recent mission.

Athena returned to TVA Headquarters and returned the weapon to B-15 before taking a long stroll around. The sound of her footsteps echoed throughout the hallways as she debated between heading to the Archives or back to her little office cubicle. She was subconsciously gripping her Uru necklace with a short sigh at the thought of her daughter, Aurora. Alas, the goddess eventually decided to go to the Archives in hopes of gaining insight into some of her questions.

Within half an hour, she arrived at the Archives, although it could have been faster if she had been able to use her teleportation. Nonetheless, she strolled through every section for information about herself or anything related to her. Athena was given special access granted by Morbius and Ravonna Renslayer considering her clean track record. And because Athena couldn't resist learning new and gaining knowledge considering she is also the Goddess of Wisdom. A few names appeared along the shelves like her siblings or friends until she came across one in particular... Aurora Stark-Parker.

'Must be from the future in the sacred timeline,' Athena pondered as her fingers traced along the file but pulled her hand away. She knew that Aurora was Tony Stark's daughter but the last name sounded unfamiliar to her. However, the goddess also understood that knowing too much about the future... could affect the timeline that is yet to be concluded. She inhaled a short breath as she saw her own file, Athena Parthenos-Laufeyson.

'Since when did I get married? And to whom?!' The Olympian Princess remarked mentally as she decided to take a small peek inside the file. Considering it was information about herself, it wouldn't affect her– at least she thinks so.

"I anticipated you would be here..." A voice called out to her, the goddess turned around to find Loki a few feet away from her. Their eyes met with a mysterious aura surrounding them as she swiftly put the file behind her back. This only raised suspicion in the Asgardian as he strolled closer to her with a curious expression, observing her closely. A small smirk appeared on his lips as he recalled, "You could never stay away from a library."

"Really? Well, I didn't think I would see you here... not exactly your preference, I suppose." Athena commented as she glanced at the files he had in his hands. Her calm gaze could have fooled anyone but not Loki as he took a step closer. However, she took a step back as she walked away from him to continue searching through the shelves.

"You got it all wrong, darling. It's a place I too seek to escape my troubles." Loki explained as he reached over to grip her left hand that held her file. He glanced down momentarily as he tried taking a peek at what the file contained. However, Athena immediately tugged her wrist away from his grip while maintaining her calm nature as she stood directly in front of him. 

"And yet aren't you the one who creates those troubles?" The goddess countered in a teasing tone with a playful smile on her lips. Loki could have sworn that at that moment it was the Athena he once knew.

"I have no recollection of that," Loki remarked as his piercing blue eyes stared into her soft brown ones. Athena rolled her eyes at his wittiness, observing his persistence although she did have to admit he intrigued her.

"Is that so? What about the incident during the Renaissance Fair? I was under the impression that you were the cause of that situation." The Goddess of Wisdom announced as she crossed her arms above her chest. Loki peered through her arms to try to read the file but Athena knew what he was looking at, moving the file so it was out of sight. At that moment, the god cursed the TVA for rendering him powerless as his curiosity got the best of him.

"How little faith you have in me, my love," Loki smirked as he liked her boldness, at least something that hadn't changed in the slightest. Athena scrunched her nose softly when he called her 'love' as if she was a possession of his. A soft chuckle erupted from his throat as he merely shook his head, "If I recall... it was a variant of myself."

"Same thing, it's still you. And I'm not your love." Athena retaliated briskly as she started to walk away so she could continue with her own little investigation. Both were unaware that someone within the TVA was observing them closely, in case they needed leverage against them later on. 

"You just don't remember that's why. You've simply forgotten everything of our history together." The Asgardian told her as he took long strides to stroll beside her much to Athena's dismay. Clutched the file tightly in her hand as they entered the Archive's lobby where other agents were seated glancing at files on their desks.

"I find your persistence rather exasperating, Loki. Look... if what you say is true that we once crossed paths before, tell me one thing no one knows about. That not even the TVA knows." Athena turned as her eyes stared through his soul yet it held no warmth or comfort. The God of Mischief pondered on her question as he tried to recall everything before he was captured by the TVA. At that moment, he couldn't come up with an answer that would satisfy her.

"I see... now if you excuse me. I would like to be useful as the variants continue to be a threat and possibly risk the sacred timeline." The Olympian Princess nodded her head firmly yet the Asgardian Prince held out his hand to grip her right wrist. A force of habit he had with her whenever she was playing hard to get, like right now.

"Wait! Thea, you must understand–." Loki called out to her yet was shushed by a few agents nearby them. The couple glanced in their direction as they shared a harsh glower before facing each other with a deep sigh.

"No one calls me that unless we're close friends or my family... and right now, you're neither." Athena's words cut through his heart like a spear. If only she knew that Loki was her husband, her significant other. His eyes softened at the slightest as she really didn't remember anything about him... and he had only himself to blame. And the TVA.

"...You're right, I am neither," Loki murmured as he lessened his grip on her wrist, his fingers lightly caressing her soft skin. Her eyes flickered down as something about the gesture felt... familiar to her. Yet decided to keep those thoughts to herself as she slowly pulled her hand away.

"I must go now. But for both our sakes... I hope we find the variant." The goddess told him, indicating the files he had tucked under his left arm. Light footsteps were heard as she trekked forward before stopping and facing him one last time. Trying to find the right words before telling him calmly, "I hope you find what you've been looking for in the Archives."

"It's you... it's you that I've been searching for...." Loki uttered in his mind as he watched the woman he loved leave him. The doors closed behind her as Athena maintained her calm demeanor around others. However, internally something was bothering her that she couldn't exactly pinpoint what it was. loved.

But nothing could separate what is destined to be together.