A/N: The prologue in italics is several decades pre-Thor. The actual story takes place post-Avengers.

Enjoy! And thanks for reading.

Title: Poison & Wine by The Civil Wars

Prologue

The sun danced on the bubbling brook, painting intricate designs upon the cool stone walls surrounding the cove.

Two young Asgardians sat in the mid morning heat, atop the coarse, white sand.

Polishing her sword, Sif's back slouched against a large rock. Loki's head rested on her thigh as he read a book of spells; his dark brow furrowing and his mouth forming silent words.

This was often how they would spend summer afternoons, especially when Thor and his warrior friends were away hunting. As Loki had little interest in such activities, he chose to stay behind. Sif, however, would've given anything for the chance to join the hunts. But being a young woman prevented her from attending ("At least it does for now." She had growled on one such occasion.) Although, soon she had felt her bitterness about the matter deteriorating, as she grew to enjoy the company of the younger prince. Like herself, he was an outsider among his peers; preferring to sit in the shadowy library for hours on end and study his arts of trickery and magic, rather than duel in the dusty ring with the other boys.

True, sometimes he was irritating, as he rarely spoke with sincerity and had a troublesome temper, but nevertheless Sif found herself greatly valuing their friendship. He was one of the few people who didn't question her when she self-assuredly declared to him that she would be a great warrior one day. And she believed that he had developed an attachment to their relationship as well. Although he rarely showed deep emotion, Sif found herself listening as he confided in her on several occasions. Almost always these complaints were about the same subjects: his envy of Thor and his desire to be viewed as his brother's equal in the eyes of the king. However, if these conversation grew too personal, Loki would abruptly end them and sarcastically brush away any attempt to rekindle the discussion.

As Sif shined the blade of her weapon with vigor, she pondered what the older prince and his warrior friends might be doing in that moment. Had they caught a beast yet that day? Were they tracking it correctly? Had they already finished and set off to celebrate in an ale house?

"Do you want to be queen someday, Sif?" Loki's voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.

"Hm?" She asked, unsure if she had heard him correctly.

Placing his book on his chest, he stared up at her with an expression she couldn't read. "Would you like to be queen?"

"I...don't know." Swiftly stabbing her sword into the sand, she bit her lip. "Why do you ask?"

"I heard mother and father having a discussion yesterday morn." His eyes fixed on a lizard which clung to the stone wall. After muttering an incantation of some kind, the creature changed from red to yellow and sprouted wings.

Sif snorted.

Loki sighed, "Damn."

"That's not what was supposed to happen, I gather?" A wry amusement graced her voice as the prince rolled his eyes. "You say they were having a conversation?"

"Yes. About Thor. About selecting a wife for him, should he be king." Completing the sentence in a mocking tone, Loki's nose wrinkled.

"And...they mentioned me?"

He nodded.

Instantly Sif felt a blush burn on her cheeks. The idea of marrying Thor, that handsome, foolish youth with whom she only spoke when forced was something she'd never even considered. But now that it was suggested aloud, she realized how obvious it was. She was well educated and skilled in the art of war. She was close with the family. She came from a noble line.

Of course she would be considered. "They want me to marry Thor?"

"Yes, are you flattered?" Lifting his head from her leg, Loki's voice was sharp with sarcasm. "Already planning out your wedding?"

"Calm your tone." Sif glared at him, all too used to his outbursts when it came to his brother. "I'm simply surprised."

With a sigh, Loki slouched against the rock beside her.

There was a moment of silence, filled only with the sound of the bubbling stream.

"You know, they talk as if Thor is already king." The dark haired boy breathed, his tone defeated.

Eyes flickering to his face, Sif felt a pang in her chest for him. There was a raw pain in his eyes which she had not seen before. "Perhaps they speak of you that way as well, when you are not eavesdropping."

"They don't. Occasionally my mother with patronize me with mentions of kingship." Digging a pebble out of the sand, he tossed it across the water. A humorless laugh escaped his lips. "It is nothing but pity. I know this too well to deny it." He spoke through a clenched jaw, trying to hide the tears in his voice.

Unsure of how else to respond, she took his thin, pale hand in hers.

He flinched instantly, but did not pull away.

They sat in silence for some time.

"I wish..." Loki started again, eyes focused on their clasped hands. "I wish I could blame father for choosing Thor."

"There are still many decades ahead before he must decide, Loki-"

"But he will choose him. And not for any practical reason. No, he will be selected because he's handsome and liked by every fool in this realm. Our father will decide to overlook Thor's temper and conceit. He will ignore the hours I have devoted to studying strategy and history. He will put his favorite son on the throne...and doom Asgard to an incompetent rule."

Pressing her lips together, Sif squeezed Loki's cold hand and said nothing. She knew his pattern. The conversation was betraying too much of his feelings, so in a moment he would change the subject and refuse any attempts to continue it.

"You never did answer my question, you know." Pulling his hand away from hers, Loki stood up from the ground and rested his back against the boulder.

"What question?" She sighed, rising to join him; disappointed that she had been right.

"About being queen."

"I suppose I haven't thought about it."

Loki lifted his eyebrows, not accepting that answer.

"But..." She continued, "I believe there would be parts of it that I would enjoy. Perhaps."

Nodding, he said in a soft tone, "You would make a good queen."

The comment took Sif by surprise. Flattered, she felt a smile tug at the corners of her lips. "Thank you, Loki."

"But would it be worth marrying my dimwit brother for? I think not."

"He is not the only prince, you know." She jested, touching her shoulder to his.

Slowly, he turned to face her; forehead knitted with confusion. "What...what do you mean by that?"

"I was..." Shaken by his sudden seriousness, Sif thought about telling him she had been joking. However, as his gaze tore into her, she couldn't find the words to do so. Because, truth be told, she had considered a marriage to Loki recently, but it was never for the purpose of becoming queen.

"...you heard me." She said at last.

A moment of silence passed.

Loki breathed a small laugh and looked away. "Well...it is not likely that I will ever be king, so...that remark was...not...in order for you to be...if my brother..." Then, giving up on words, he suddenly spun to face her.

And after a tiny pause, he stepped forward, lips meeting hers.

The unexpected nature of the gesture caused Sif to release a small noise of surprise. However, after a moment she relaxed in his embrace and heartily returned the kiss.

It felt far more...right than she had expected it to. True, it was clumsy and nervous, but Sif found the prince's awkwardness rather charming. And the way he gripped her waist made her heart leap.

After a moment, he pulled away slightly.

She mourned the loss of his cool lips against hers.

Their foreheads stayed together, however, and she felt his brow furrow against her skin.

"Will you...could you make me a promise?" His voice was hoarse and breathless.

"Yes?" Eyes fluttering open, she took in his pleading, vulnerable gaze.

"Promise to be my queen, should I be king." His grip on her waist tightened slightly.

"You have my word." She replied.

"And...not to marry Thor." He added, voice sounding strained.

"On my honor as a warrior." Taking a step back, she put her fist to her chest and bowed.

"You are not yet a warrior." He lifted an eyebrow wryly.

"And you are not yet a king." She smirked in reply.

"Dearest Sif, you must know." Frigga's voice echoed through the high ceilings of the throne room. "From your childhood many in Asgard believed you to be their future queen. I myself confess that it is what I had hoped for."

Sif opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted, "Pray do not feel compelled to feign surprise. This cannot be news to you."

"I confess...it is not." Sif bowed her head, blushing slightly at admitting such a prideful belief.

However, the queen's kind smile put her nerves to rest. "And I will tell you, I still harbor that same hope. That is the purpose of my calling you here." Folding her hands in her lap, Frigga looked at the painted ceilings, ignoring the confusion which clouded the warriors face. "The Allfather has fallen into Odinsleep once more. As he was disrupted last time, it is my belief that he will not awaken in the foreseeable future. Perhaps not for the next thousand years. And when he does, he shall be a weak, old creature. I dare say...his days as Asgard's ruler are behind him."

"My apologies, but I do not follow you." Sif bowed her head, eyebrows drawing together.

"You are an exceptionally smart girl, Sif. Surely you must have some notion as to why I tell you this." Kindly holding out her hand, the older woman beckoned for the her to approach. "Odin is asleep, Thor desires to be with his Midgardian, I am emotionally exhausted and too old to lead this realm alone-"

"Pardon the interruption, my queen, but I do comprehend those facts. I simply don't understand how they concern me. You cannot be thinking of my wedding Thor despite his engagement?"

"I confess I had indeed once hoped for that, but no. It would be cruel to force him away from the human when her lifespan is so short. As a mother, I haven't the heart. And he has no interest in ruling, anyway."

"Then-"

"I am certain you know who the line of succession falls upon next."

"Indeed, your majesty, Fandral-" Sif stopped cold. Frigga was suggesting she marry Fandral? Flirtatious, suave Fandral? Fandral why cared more about the amount of women in his bed, than the amount of battles he'd won? Granted, he was her friend. But could she ever be married to him? "Are you proposing I wed Fandral?"

A surprised laugh escaped the queen's lips. "Why, no Sif. You and I both know he would be an ineffective ruler. I am grateful that he defends Asgard as a warrior, but his reign would be an...embarrassing chapter in our history. For that matter, he has even made it known to me that he does not desire a life beyond the sword. And, as the nine realms stand in uproar, a competent, dedicated ruler is more important now than ever. No, indeed, there is actually one before Fandral in the line."

Instantly, realization dawned on the warrior.

Loki.

Her heart sunk as the old pain of his betrayal rose in her memory.

"But...he forfeited his right to the throne when he committed treason-"

"One would think that, yes. However there are no rules prohibiting him from becoming king. The law only states that he is not permitted to make laws or wield Gungnir. There is nothing that says he may not take a queen who will lead the realm."

"But..." Sif's heart began to beat heavily as the reality of Frigga's proposition settled in her head. "Surely Loki has not agreed to this?"

"I have yet to suggest it to him. I wanted first to bring it to your lap. But should you agree, I haven't the least bit of doubt that he will not refuse."

"Then...I would wed Loki." Voice hoarse, Sif spoke aloud; more for her own benefit than the queens.

"Yes, that is the general idea." Frigga looked on kindly. "But come now, Sif. Loki is imprisoned, and sentenced to stay that way until his death. You will hardly have to speak with him, save for your wedding day-"

"-but Loki would be my husband."

"Yes, and you would be queen."

There was a moment of silence.

"Is there...are there not laws prohibiting a queen from ruling whilst her husband is in chains?"

"There are. But once again, there are ways around them. Should you marry, Loki would be transferred to the holiday palace in Nornheim. That would act as his prison, while still lawfully being regarded as a suitable dwelling place for the spouse of Asgard's ruler."

"-but would this not still be imprisonment?"

"You cannot be blind to the fact that Loki's mind is quite unbalanced. In the palace he could be treated, while you rule as monarch. The laws clearly state that, should the king fall ill, the queen may take over in his place. Now, are you satisfied?" A wry twinkle shone in her eyes.

"Yes, your highness."

"And have you any other objections, besides your concern for upholding the law?"

Sif felt a strange guilt in her stomach as she shook her head. She should've had more objections. Any person in their right mind would've been repulsed at the idea of marrying Loki. But somehow, perhaps due to their history, she couldn't bring herself to recoil at the notion.

And that worried her.

"May I...may I have a day to consider it, your majesty?"

"Of course, Sif. Shall I mention it to Loki in the meantime?"

"Yes-no." Pausing, she studied the floor. She wanted to see Loki again before the decision was made. "I...I would like to mention it to him myself."

"Very well. I'll tell the guards to give you leave to enter the dungeon."

"Thank you, my queen." She responded distantly. And with a small bow, she quitted the room.

"Loki."

Her voice met his ears like a gunshot, ringing through his mind.

He'd known she was coming. The moment he'd heard her footsteps on the stone floors he had created an illusion of himself to sit reading on the chair. This way he could be as close to the window as possible without her knowledge.

But he hadn't been prepared for her to speak to him. He had assumed she was there to interrogate a prisoner. Although, in a way, she was; as her presence was his worst possible torture.

Walking to stand close to the cell window, he remembered to make the illusion look up and nod blandly.

"Loki...I must discuss something with you." Sif said sternly, though her eyes betrayed some apprehension.

"What an honor." The illusion looked back at his book and turned a page.

"May I enter your cell?"

"I have no power to stop you."

Soon, the shield walls fell and Sif stepped into the small room.

"What is your business with me, oh great warrior? Have you come to at last fulfill the king's wish and execute me? Because I must say, I am flattered that you have condescended to swing the axe yourself-"

"Enough. I come on a different matter. Your father has fallen into Odinsleep once more." Her dark eyes fixed on the illusions face, as if she expected some reaction, but received none.

The figure simply read on. "Hm. How interesting."

"Thor is on Midgard and the queen declares herself too old to lead. Asgard is in dire need of a ruler."

Ah. So she was there to mock the would be king.

A cold stab of betrayal gripped his chest. He hadn't expected this from her.

Loki made the illusion raise its eyebrows mildly.

"...because of this, the throne has been offered to me-"

"Congratulations. I've no doubt that-"

"-I'm not done, Loki. The throne has been offered to me on a condition which required my speaking to you this day."

"Hm."

"...the condition that we must wed."

A moment of silence passed.

Then, Loki breathed, "What?"

Sif jumped and spun around, suddenly facing him.

It was then he realized he had dropped the illusion by mistake.

Loki stood before her, eyes wide and expressionless. The deep shadows which surrounded them suggested that he hadn't slept well in months. His tangled hair was tied back, revealing angry red welts where the chains had hung on his neck.

"What did you say?" He breathed hoarsely again.

"We would be married...then you would be transferred to the palace on Nornheim and I would govern the realm as queen." Struggling to maintain her confidence under his intense gaze, she crossed the cell. Without the illusion, she could now see the true state he had been living in. One metal chair stood in the corner, with a stack of books beside it. A small copper colored streak stained the white floors, suggesting Loki had bled. Whether self inflicted, or brought about by the guards, it made her stomach sink.

"And-and why...why have you come here?" The prince rasped after a moment, regaining a bit of his composure. "You seem already decided. Why not simply go forward with this course of action?"

Turning, Sif's eyebrows drew together. "...I wanted to ask you-"

She was interrupted by a hollow laugh. "What power have I to refuse?"

"I would not force it on you, Loki-"

"Well why not? Am I not already forced to eat, to sleep," his voice grew sharper, "Am I not already forced even to live? What is one more meaningless action." A frantic desperation flashed briefly across his eyes, but soon melted behind a humorless smirk. "You feign pity. How generous. As if you were unaware of the torture I have endure at the hands of the people you swear loyalty to."

As a warrior, Sif knew when a battle was already lost. She knew when to give up, and when to continue fighting. Loki was toying with her, she reminded herself. It's what he was best at. He would not agree to this arrangement. And every moment spent with him put her in danger of viewing him as anything more than a traitorous prisoner.

He was not the shy boy of whom she had once been so fond.

And she was a fool to have come.

"...I take it you are rejecting the offer, then?" Speaking coldly, Sif lifted her head.

"No."

"Well, should you reconsider, mention it to one of the-" Nodding, she began to walk towards the exit. Then she stopped. "-what?"

"No I am not rejecting this offer."

Lifting her eyebrows, she paused again. "Are you...is this a jest?"

"No, I accept your proposal."

Another beat passed.

"But you-"

"This is my decision. Now leave me before I change my mind." Voice dropping low, he spoke through a clenched jaw.

"But-"

"I said leave me!" He suddenly shouted, taking Sif by surprise.

"Damn it, Loki!" Instinctively gripping her sword, she drew away from him and nodded for the guards to open the doors.

Heart beating heavily, she glared at the prince and backed out of the cell.

But just before she left, she thought she saw a brief glimmer of apologetic regret in his eyes.

They were married three days later.

Less than twenty people stood about the hall. (Four of those in attendance were simply the guards, shadowing the groom with weapons drawn)

Loki avoided Sif's eyes as he repeated the words of the elder. His neck was bound in chains, as were his wrists and ankles. Since her visit to his cell he had been allowed to clean up slightly, Sif observed. His hair was cut just above his shoulders and brushed back. His face looked strangely young and the dark circles beneath his eyes were gone. Sif suspected this to be the product of one of Loki's illusions. It seemed as though he did not want to provide any onlookers with the satisfaction of seeing how he'd suffered.

Not that there were many onlookers.

"-with these sacred words you are hereby bound together in matrimony." The elder's voice droned coldly, as he gave a low bow.

At a typical Asgardian marriage ceremony, this statement would be followed by a kiss and cheers from the audience. However, that day it was met with silence and the groom was ushered away.

For several moments following the proclamation, Sif stood, eyes glued to the floor, listening to the sound of Loki's chains rattling against the hall floors.

She was married.

Married to Loki.

She would be made queen at her coronation tomorrow.

And he would be sent away.

They would likely never speak again.

Looking up, Sif caught his eyes just before he was led out of sight.

Unsure what she wanted to communicate, she gave a small nod.

And Loki, with a strange look of sadness and amusement, returned the gesture.

A/N: After not writing Sifki for almost two years, suddenly I was hit with all these feels and got inspired to write this AU. Does anyone even still ship Sifki? Gosh I hope so. This pairing is so beautiful... Anyway, hope you enjoyed the first chapter! This fic will be about 8-10 chapters long. And if y'all like it, I'll try to update every two weeks or so.

Thank you so so so much for reading! If you enjoyed it, mind leaving a review?

Have a lovely day!