Loki braced himself at first when Hroovitnir roared at them, but then Hati leaped forward and Loki chickened out. He wouldn't admit it, of course, he'd call it a strategic retreat, but Hroovitnir wouldn't believe him and frankly Loki didn't really believe it himself. He backpedaled so swiftly that Hati, fully expecting to land full on him, instead landing on his face in the dirt.
Loki couldn't help the snicker that bubbled up from his chest at the sight of a grubby Hati sprawled bewildered in the dirt, but the snicker died quickly when the hefty young wolf leaped back to his paws in a fury. Hati liked being humiliated as little as Loki did and was much more prone to violent retaliation... which made this the worst possible time to have embarrassed him, under Hroovitnir's watchful eye.
Loki had to move quickly to dodge Hati's toothy charge, but he still caught the brunt of his brother's weight on his shoulder. He yelped as he was barreled off his feet but turned it into a roll, bringing himself out of immediate range. Even as he'd found his feet Hati was charging again, snapping teeth driving for flesh. Unable to spring again with his legs still disentangling themselves, Loki braced himself.
