#Frigga can say she's his mother and Odin can claim whatever he wants but it's just a reminder of what he no longer has

[worstloki]

Thor knowing that their family is terrible and hurt them both but still asking Loki to return to it because it's what they have

[valkyrieandstrangeridingaragorn]

Okay so I'm tired of reading the words "character development" over and over again on the basis that episode 1 was so good at helping Loki change and grow.

There are two different parts in this, the footage he sees when Mobius chooses what scenes to play and the part where he's alone and making that decision himself.

Mobius is picking what scenes to show

At first we see the past, then he shows the future.

The first part is pretty straightforward: images of NYC, the Avengers towering over Loki after he's been defeated, Coulson's murder and Loki shooting at civilians from the Chitauri ship.

After that we see Loki "liberating" a man from one of his eyeballs and ignoring the DB Cooper bit we see the infamous "the bright lure of freedom diminishes your life's joy bla bla" speech that it's quite obvious in the Avengers movie Loki is talking about himself there but I suppose the show didn't want to go there so they frame it as Loki being a dictator looking for slaves. Whatever.

That's all Mobius shows him about his past. No mention of Thanos, no mention of the Mind Stone, nothing. From Loki's perspective the TVA thinks he did all this out of his own volition - and remember all this happened a few minutes ago for him.

Now on to the future.

He sees himself walking the halls of the palace while in chains and meeting his mother. Cue the moment in the cell as Frigga asks "Am I not your mother", Loki says she's not and she replies "Always so perceptive about everyone but yourself".

At which point Mobius chooses to lie to him and by using the scene in the cells where Loki tells the Kurse "you might want to take the stairs to the left" he lies to him by telling him that line was meant to lead the dark elves to Thor but ended up with them finding Frigga and killing her: "you led them right to her".

At this point he shows an image of Frigga lying dead on the floor and pauses it, followed by "You weren't born to be king. You were born to cause pain and suffering and death. [...] All so that others can achieve their best version of themselves" as Mobius shows the Avengers circle™ in NYC.

Now, Loki has seen his past and his future. But the reality is that his past is being rewritten and all his experiences ignored in order to further the narrative that he's a power hungry villain because his fate says so, not because his purpose is to rule but for one reason and one reason only: just so that those around him achieve greatness while he stays in the shadows.

At this point Loki has revived the invasion of NYC when mere minutes ago he was there and has been blamed for the death of his mother, blamed by an authoritative figure who claims to know the future and his whole life. Loki believes him and at this moment this is what he knows:

The TVA is unaware of Thanos and his influence on him. There's no mention of his upbringing, nothing about his heritage and how it was used against him, nothing about family dynamics, they don't know about this. The only thing that defines him is the NYC invasion and the fact that he did this willingly. And what's worse, he thinks he's responsible for Frigga's death.

At what point in all this is Loki growing? At what point in all this you call it character development? He knows what he did in NYC. And those scenes from TDW only show him chained, imprisoned and blamed for Frigga's death.

Where's the development there?

Loki is alone and choosing the scenes himself

Once Loki is alone he can choose, play and pause whatever scenes he wants. So of course the first thing he does is watch Frigga lying dead on the floor - as he still believes he had her killed. Which again, it's a lie.

Following that it's Odin saying "I love you, my sons" and "Remember this place, home" as he dies. The next scene is Thor saying "I thought the world of you" and "I thought we were going to fight side by side forever" as an image of Thor, Valkyrie and Loki standing together on the Bifrost comes up on the screen.

That scene is all he sees, he doesn't know about Hela, he doesn't know about Sakaar, he doesn't know he tried to convince Thor to stay, he doesn't know he showed up with a huge ship, he doesn't know the only reason the Asgardian race is not extinct is because of him.

The following scene is Thor saying "Maybe you're not so bad after all, brother" to which Loki replies "Maybe not". Then "Thank you. If you were here I'd might even give you a hug" and Loki's "I'm here".

All these scenes are out of context, disconnected. We as an audience we know what they mean but Loki doesn't. From his perspective that's Thor being kind to him but why? The context is important. What would bring growth and development is knowing exactly why this happened in the first place.

But the writers made it so that we'd fill in the blanks. "Of course Loki is going to change because look at what Odin says, look at what Thor says, they love him!". Yeah but why? If we hadn't seen the movies those scenes would make no sense.

It's like watching the trailer for a movie. You need the whole film to understand.

Yeah, Loki wants to be loved and accepted by his family but having that love come out of nowhere means very little and only brings more questions: do they love him because he changed? do they love him for who he is? did he do anything to deserve that love or did they realize how they had been treating him and apologized to him? And what of Frigga's love? There's not a single line of her since she's dead, killed by him or so he thinks.

Finally, lest we think Loki can have a happy ending, the next scene is Loki attacking Thanos, the Titan saying "Undying? You should choose your words more carefully" and killing him on the spot after Loki says "You will never be a God".

End of file.

These two parts do very little to help Loki grow. Mobius shows the deaths in NYC then Loki being imprisoned as he's blamed for Frigga's death. Then Loki only sees disconnected scenes of Odin saying I love you, Thor claiming he's not that bad and ultimately he watches his own death.

[And that's another thing, when discussing the NYC invasion Thanos is not mentioned at all but the only moment they do show him is when he kills Loki, the scene in which it's made clear that he had him sent to NYC is not shown].

Now read this whole thing and tell me: where's the development?

Nowhere. None of these scenes make any sense without their context. It's a piss-poor job of trying to rush 2012!Loki into some form of Ragnarok!Loki where he just wants to rule and is not as serious as before. But going by this episode alone not a single person who has never seen the previous movies is going to understand Loki because not only the scenes are disconnected, his past has been rewritten.

[sserpente]

Ok, i dont have anyone to talk to about the new episode of Loki, so imma dump my thoughts here (please), what are your thoughts?(thank you)

I just wanna say that I aint here to gatekeep or hate on any thought, my feelings and opinions are my own.

Ok, the first thing I gotta say is: why did, whatever moment Loki and Sylvie had, make a nexus? By the TVAs own rules, nothing they did should have made a blip cause they were still on/at an apocalypse.

Next bit is that i dont understand the hardcore leaning the episode had to ship Loki and Sylvie. Like, personally i dont think the ship makes sense, but that aside, why would Loki, a dude who keeps his emotions close to the vest, fall in love with anyone in a 12 hour period. Thats like a fanfic oneshot writing right there.

And even *if* they did have a romantic relationship, why does that matter? Loki has love. He loves his mom, brother, and even jerk face Odin. So platonic love isn't enough? It *has* to be romantic love for it to mean something?

Good on Mobius and 15 for taking a step towards rocking the boat.

And while I did think that the Sif bit was a bit harsh (again being told he is alone AND physical pain), it was nice to see a reference to mythology stories.

I heard rumors that a season two could already be green lit. If its true, i hope Tom can come back so we can have more of his take on the character.

Okay, I'll go through this because I've seen quite a few reactions like yours to this episode, so here are my thoughts and I hope they'll help! ♥

So, I assume that their connection and feelings for one another (whether they're romantic or not) are so strong they could create that Nexus Event. Loki also said that they may lose but never die so maybe that hope and strength also helped with the Nexus event--it was so strong that it actually created a branch even though they were in an apocalypse! But maybe we'll got more information on that in the next episode!

I freaked out about it and I seriously thought he was going to kiss her. It makes sense to me, somehow. While Sylvie is the Goddess of Mischief and hypothetically a Loki Variant, technically she was born as the Goddess of Mischief because of an event that we still don't know about--so there's still some secrets around her character. So what I'm trying to say is that Sylvie has always been her own person and never just a "photocopy" of Loki himself. So technically, just because Mobius claims he fell in love with another version of himself, that doesn't necessarily mean that's 100% what it is.

I don't see what's wrong with fanfic oneshots? 😅 I must say, I don't really like that comparison, love. That makes it sound like fanfiction is some low-quality fangirly work to quench our Loki thirst. You probably didn't mean it that way but MEEEH, I disagree with that comparison completely!

Listen, I completely understand your point. It happened so fast. But you know what? I bought it. 100% I bought it. Maybe that's purely because of Tom's marvellous acting but it's actually more than that. I write romance novels myself and yes, in most cases it doesn't make much sense to have the protagonist(s) fall in love within a day and kiss and live happily ever after. But it always depends on the situation and when I watched the episode I did not once get the feeling "how did this happen so fast". So I sat down and thought about it and the conclusion I came to is the following: Yes, Loki has only known Sylvie for a very short time. But she is the Goddess of Mischief. She is just like him but different. Loki has finally met someone who resonates with him, someone who went through similar things. I feel like part of Loki feels like he has known Sylvie for much longer (and he has because she's ALSO the Goddess of Mischief) which is how he could develop feelings for her so quickly (plus, Loki admitted that this is new to him, that he's never had anything "real"... I think it's overwhelming for him. If Sylvie turns out to be his love interest then it's probably the first time for Loki that he feels this way which also explains his strong reactions). Now I say feelings and I definitely got that romantic vibe from them and it does look like he's in love with her and I'd be SO here for that (if you've seen my reaction to the episode you'll know how excited I was) but ultimately, we don't know yet if this will take off in a romantic direction after all. It might as well be that through Sylvie, Loki finally learns to love himself (not in a narcissistic way--if anything, him "admitting" that he's a narcissist proved how much he struggles with himself; that narcissistic side of him is part of the show, part of the mask he wears to protect himself--and he seems so broken and sad now that he actually started believing it, especially since others, including Mobius, kept telling him that as well; I mean that's just one theory but there's 100% more to Loki believing that he's a narcissist) which would be equally beautiful.

I mean... sure he loves his family but ultimately and even though they all love him back in their very own somewhat twisted way, they are one of the main reasons why Loki suffers so much. Odin treated him like the second fiddle all his life, never told him about his Frost Giant heritage until it was inevitable and Thor? Remember when Loki told him "I remember a shadow, living in the shade of your greatness" in The Avengers? The romance, whether it is one or not, doesn't overpower the plot to me, it's part of Loki's self-discovery. So it's not so much about the "it has to be romantic love" aspect. Loki's family was pretty toxic, you can't deny that. It's about him feeling for a person who accepts him just the way he is (including the fact that Loki himself doesn't quite know what he actually wants) and Frigga (don't get me wrong she's a wonderful mother and I like her very much but she too kept that secret from Loki and helped gaslighting him in TDW, she's not perfect), Odin and Thor all failed to do that. Not to mention that this Loki doesn't have a timeline and is, in fact, COMPLETELY alone. No one he loves is here anymore. So it's not far-fetched that he'd get attached to Sylvie (and fast too), in whatever way that may be.

Mobius and B-15 going against the TVA were a HIGHLIGHT for sure!

I loved that reference too and yes, it was very harsh, I agree on that. Sif acted like he cut off her nose and not her hair, so she must have been REALLY angry.

I thought it was already confirmed? Either way, I am 100% certain there will be more seasons! I mean, it was clear from the beginning to me that if they're making a Loki series, there will be more than one season! 😅

[imagine-loki]

Soulbonds and Fairy Dust

TITLE: Soulbonds and Fairy Dust (rewrite) CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: 17/?

AUTHOR: nekoamamori ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine one of the fae has been helping the Avengers, jumping in to help them on missions and vanishing before Shield can bring her in.  Loki joins the team and convinces her to come talk to the team and consider joining before Shield takes more drastic measures. RATING: M NOTES/WARNINGS:  This is a rewrite of the original work of the same name.  Also on AO3 here

Loki and Sigyn walked together to the great hall for dinner.  Their armor shimmered to court clothes as they walked, each using their own magic for it.  Sig noted that she and Loki both chose clothes that allowed the soulbond marks on their arms to be clearly, proudly, visible. Sig started to worry as they neared the great hall. She remembered something as they walked together, her place used to be at one of the tables with her mother and other nobles. She didn’t know where she’d be now and she didn’t remember anyone really except the royal family and Thor’s dumb friends.  Loki held out his arm for her to take. “Would you be up to sitting with me and my family?” He asked her gently, seeming to know where her thoughts had wandered to.

Sig was shocked but took his arm automatically.  “But… only the royal family sits at the head table…” She’d heard that line thousands of times over the first couple of centuries of her life when she used to demand from her mother why she couldn’t sit next to her best friend at dinner. 

“Things have changed.  With the soulbond, you are considered part of the royal family now,” Loki reminded her gently.  That consideration hadn’t occurred to her yet, nor him either if he was to be honest.  “Besides, my mother wouldn’t have it any other way,” he added with a warm smile. Mama Frigga adopted everyone who came into her children’s lives.

It was strange to Sig that she was considered part of the royal family now when she and Loki weren’t even officially courting.  She wasn’t quite sure what they were, except that she had her best friend back, and for now, that was enough.  It was still strange that just because she had power lines on her arm, a soulbond mark with Loki, that made her a member of the royal family. She wasn’t getting over that fact anytime soon. She squeezed his arm glad he was there. “Then I’ll gladly sit with you,” she told him warmly.  His bright smile was completely worth her nerves and they continued on their way to the great hall.

Sig walked with Loki happily and looked over the statues and decorations on the way, noting which ones she remembered from her childhood.  “Should I don an illusion too?” she asked him softly, in case it made things easier on him.  Or on them both.  She knew her strange looks drew a lot of attention.  She looked nothing like a proper Asgardian anymore.

Loki’s eyebrows furrowed in that look of confused concentration Sig knew so well.  It was the same look he had as a child when trying to work through a difficult problem.  It brought a warm smile to her face as she remembered.  “What do you mean?” he finally asked her, legitimately confused.

“You aren’t the only one with the power of illusions, trickster,” she told him with a smirk.  With a shimmer of power, an illusion settled over her and Loki was no longer looking at the fae he’d come to know, but an older version of his Sigyn with long golden hair and blue eyes, with normal non-pointed ears, though with the green lines of power still on her skin.

Loki froze in disbelief as he looked at her.  “Wow. You look so much like the little girl I used to know…” he said in awe.

She laughed at her silly best friend. “Of course I do. This is what I would have looked like had the fae not gotten ahold of me,” she told him as if that were obvious.  He was being dense that day in her opinion.   

Loki nodded and considered his next words carefully.  “You don’t need to hide behind an illusion though,” he reassured her. “I hide behind once because most Asgardians hate frost giants, and I hate that I’m one of them,” he explained.  There wasn’t pity in his voice, just a fact.  “Plus, I’ve been wearing it all of my life, even though I didn’t know it until a few years ago,”

Sig hesitated, unsure.  “You don’t prefer-?” She couldn’t get the rest of the question out, unsure if he would say yes and be unable to accept her for who she was now.

“I care about you either way. I don’t care what you look like, I care about you,” he reassured her firmly.  There was no ounce of lie in his voice. 

She hesitated a moment longer, unsure, but let her illusion slowly fade away.  “If you’re sure…”

“I would not lie to you, I know better. Besides, you would be able to tell if I was lying,”

“That may be what the Sigyn you knew would have looked like, but this is who I am now,” she said softly when her illusion was gone and she was back to her usual fae looks.

He gave her a warm, reassuring smile.  “I know. And you’re beautiful,”

She gave him a small tentative smile since he wasn’t lying.  “And you’re handsome, my prince,” she replied warmly. 

“Thank you, darling,” he replied just as warmly. 

They finally reached the dining hall and Loki paraded Sig on his arm as he led her to the head table where the royal family sat.  He led her straight to the chair beside his and pulled it out for her.  His chair was between hers and his mother’s.

“Careful thanking a fae,” she teased, trying to ignore the stares from the nobles as she was seated at the head table. She gave him a warm smile of appreciation as he pulled out her chair for her. 

“What happens if I thank a fae, little one?” Loki asked her, more curious than anything. He was always that way when teased with new knowledge.

She pondered over how best to explain it to him.  “It implies enough gratitude for whatever you are thanking them for that they can claim you owe them a favor in return.  And you do not want to be indebted to one of the fae,” she explained.  She wouldn’t hurt Loki, but she knew there were plenty of fae who would if give the opportunity.

He nodded, accepting the reality and the seriousness of her words. “I shall keep that in mind.” Sig nodded her approval and glanced over at the morons’ table where they seemed to have gotten over the worst of the fairy win, though they seemed hungover. she laughed quietly at them. Loki looked over as well and saw how hungover they were too.  “That is certainly some powerful wine,” he commented approvingly.  He hated that they always tried to get him drunk.  This was definite recompense.

She smirked. “None of the morons have magic of their own, so they have no immunity to fae wine.  You could have some and not be nearly so affected, as long as you were careful,”

“That’s a relief. I might wish to try some at some point,” he was willing to try almost anything, especially when it had to do with magic.

“I’ll share.  And even be kind enough to make sure you don’t drink too much of it,” she added teasingly.

He chuckled. “I appreciate that.” 

She noted that he carefully hadn’t thanked her, which earned him a grin.  “You’re learning,” she told him warmly, noting how her light conversation felt like… home.

“Brother! You actually joined us for once instead of hiding in your room with your books,” Thor greeted Loki too loudly jovially when he arrived to dinner. 

Loki rolled his eyes and Sig hid a laugh behind her glass of wine.  “I did not wish to leave Sigyn alone with you and your hungover friends,” he replied dryly.

“Speaking of, that was a cruel trick on your old friends, Lady Sigyn,” Thor told her with a glare.  It wasn’t a severe glare, not really, but it was a glare nevertheless. 

Sig shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, but her hand gripped Loki’s too tightly in nerves.  Upset males made her cringe and shy away.  “They should know better than to accept gifts of drink from the fae…” she replied softly, shyly.  “And I didn’t hurt them,”

Loki glared at his brother for making Sig tense up when he’d just gotten her to relax.  “They were asking for it,”

“They simply wished to see their friends,” Thor replied, but he was cut off from making things worse by Odin and Frigga arriving. Which made Sig stiffen even worse.

Odin was always scary.

[justjessame]

Glorious, Before the Burden - The Mourning ~ 8

I’d hardly had a moment to settle into my new home when my first gift arrived. Crying myself to sleep hadn’t worked, not that I’d expected it to, so I was in the small garden - staring up at the night sky when I felt it - a shift like a whisper. Turning around, there it was - a small casket, but I could feel her magic around it - Frigga’s magic.

Tempted to ignore it, or better yet to destroy it, I took a deep breath and reconsidered. Perhaps this was a peace offering. Frigga had been like a mother to me for far longer than she’d been an enemy - so I crouched in the soft grass and reached out, smiling despite myself at the warmth coming off the wood. So like her, as if she was in the garden with me, waiting with her arms open.

Inside, when I opened it, were my dearest belongings - books, jewels, nightgowns - along with enough Midgardian currency to be comfortable for, well I’d have to do some research on how long I could make do with it - and tucked underneath it all was another letter.

 Sigyn ~

I know that what I’ve done is unforgivable. Taking away a part of you that is ingrained in your very fiber to keep a peace within my OWN marriage isn’t something I took lightly, not when I know that it will keep you separated from YOUR love.

When I told you that Loki was many things, but never malicious, I wasn’t lying - I still don’t think I am. Being led astray can happen so easily, especially after not being given the truth - and I did tell you how admirable your honesty was and still is - how your husband’s family should revere you for it. Instead you’ve been punished harshly and by me.

As I’ve said, I don’t expect your forgiveness. I’m sending along your things, not all of them at once, since the Bifrost is still inoperable. It took immense power to send YOU, much less these items - but I will try to send more, as time and magic allows. I do hope that you find solace, if not peace where you are - no matter how inconstant that may sound.

He’s home, a prisoner for his crimes, but he IS home. And I’m only allowed to visit him through illusions. Home, safe, alive, caged - and grieving the loss of you.

Frigga

 I didn’t understand. Most of her words made sense - she was trying to make amends, while admitting that she chose the lesser of evils - my banishment and the removal of any possibility of Loki finding me, should he somehow escape his imprisonment for whatever crimes he committed, but the last part confused me.

Loki grieved the loss of me. The husband I knew and loved would never simply give up on me because he was locked away. He wouldn’t have taken the news that I was banished - even if they refused to tell him where and that they’d removed the ease of his usual course of finding me - and feel defeated by it. To grieve me, to act as if - NO. The feeling of suffocation kept hitting me, and it seemed to always originate from Frigga’s hand.

The ONLY way I could think of for Loki, my husband, to GRIEVE my loss, to feel defeated by it, and to give up - was if they told him I was dead.

 I’d been in Midgard days, mere days, the casket having arrived the night of my arrival and I had unpacked it - put away my things, including the hair picks that Loki had given me and even gone out among my new neighbors to find food and drink, and also add to my wardrobe - magic was wonderful, but I wanted to see precisely what I was supposed to be wearing. I contemplated burning Frigga’s letters, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it - these parchments with the dark ink written in her hand, were the ONLY fragments I had left of her. And even after everything I’d gone through - she was my teacher and my mother.

I was in the cottage, one of my favorite books open and a cup of tea next to me where I’d curled up in the chair that I’d claimed as my most comfortable when a knock came to my door. Thinking of all the very kind and rather personable Midgardians that populated the small village I’d landed in, I marked my place and got up, checking the ornaments I’d added to the twist I’d put my hair in - Loki’s warnings about safety loud and clear now that I WAS living in Midgard.

Looking out the lacy curtain that covered the glass portion of the door, I saw a tall, dark man wearing leather and sporting an eyepatch that brought Odin to mind. My confusion grew, but then he flashed a smile and a golden badge. “Director Nicholas Fury, ma’am,” the door stayed closed as he spoke through it. “I’m with S.H.I.E.L.D.” I waited for him to give me further explanation. “That stands for the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division.” Blinking at him, his smile didn’t falter. “As an Asgardian who crash landed in the middle of nowhere-shire England, I think you should let me in.”

Asgardian - I sighed. He knew. Unlocking my door, I turned the knob and stepped back to allow him entry. There were others, I could see, ringing my little cottage - “Could you please, ask your -” I groaned when I noticed one of the men stomping through one of the bushes. “Please, don’t destroy the garden!”

Director Fury raised his eyebrow at my tone, but glanced outside and shook his head. “Guys, stand down!” He sounded bored. “I apologize, Miss?”

I glanced up at him, and then back to where his people were starting to retreat - I waited until I could assess the damage and once I was satisfied it wasn’t beyond repair, I returned to the topic at hand. “Miss what?”

He looked bemused. “Your name?” I sighed. “You dropped out of the sky in a flash, three days ago and - let’s just say that’s cause for concern.”

“Why?” I stared up at him. “I’ve done nothing wrong.” Aside from the compulsion to get the cottage, which I have paid for - once the casket came from Frigga and I COULD pay.

He studied me as if he couldn’t decide if I were lying or if I were ignorant. “We had a situation -” Pulling one of the tiny boxes that all my lovely neighbors had held when I first woke from his pocket, he pressed something and then turned it so I could watch -

So I could watch Loki, my Loki run amok - I watched, but I couldn’t believe it. He wouldn’t - he would never - Loki wasn’t cruel. He wasn’t hateful or - Seeing him remove a man’s eye, watching him force a crowd to kneel, witnessing the destruction and ruin - I realized he COULD and he DID.

“You didn’t know?” I couldn’t breathe, why couldn’t I - “WHOA,” Director Fury caught me, and then I was sitting in the chair, he was kneeling before me. “You are VERY pale -”

“I -” gasping wasn’t helping. Why was the air too thick? “He -”

“You know him?” I shook my head, no, I didn’t know HIM. Not that Loki. “Are you -”

“Oy, who’re you?” That voice, why was it so familiar? “What’re yer doin’ in ‘ere?”

“Now wait a minute,” Fury was on his feet, but I couldn’t focus, not when the images were flickering through my mind - against the Loki I knew - the soft one who held me and played in the bath with me. “How did you get past my -”

“Dos wankers?” The voice snorted. “Told ‘em what I’ll tell you, she’s my granddaughter, and ye’ll do well ter go.”

“I think you and I both know -” I shook it off, the pain and the confusion - I needed to get him out and away - NOW.

“He’s right,” I nodded, looking up to see that it was my rescuer. The elderly man, kind and smiling. “Director Fury?” He glared down at me, but I had his attention, which is what I needed. “My name is Margaret Elizabeth Johns -”

“After my sainted mother,” the kindly man added, his grin growing. “HER lovely mum, and sadly her married name - she’s a widow.”

“Yes,” I sighed, infusing my voice with all the will and sincerity that I had that first day. “I’m a widow. My husband, Lucas Johns, died in a terrible accident. My grandfather -”

“Michael Griffiths,” my eyes widened, along with his smile. “I asked my girl to come closer to home.”

“He did, and somehow you got incorrect information,” standing up, I touched Director Fury’s hand. “I’m incredibly sorry that you came ALL this way for nothing.”

“For nothing,” he agreed, his eye slightly unfocused.

 He left soon after, a few more nuggets and as Director I knew it would grow with my touch to the others. That left just Michael and I - but I was more than willing to have a sit down with him.

“Griffiths,” I bit my lip. “Your eyes do look familiar now that I think back.” Like Elizabeth’s, observant and eagle sharp.

“You’ve been a story passed down for so many years,” I almost called him out about his less than local accent, but I had a feeling that we all had our own secrets. “In my family, I mean.”

I got him a cup of tea and he told me how not everyone in his family had thought it true, the tale of the newlyweds who had been found at the end of a flash of light - who told a tale of woe so dramatic and traumatic that it would have done well as an offering in a penny dreadful - but were also so in love that who could find fault with them?

“I’m guessing that Elizabeth started the tale?” We were sitting in my sitting room and he nodded. “I knew she was too observant.”

“She thought you did,” his grin was still wide. “Margaret was easier to fool, but Elizabeth - well some of the family can’t be fooled.”

“Like you?” Head tilted, I was smiling with the knowledge that he hadn’t been affected by my little trick when I came to. “I can’t be angry, you just rescued me again.”

“Twats,” he bit out, and I snorted - thankful I wasn’t about to take a sip of tea. “Those S.H.I.E.L.D. types,” he shook his head. “Showing up here to try to equate you with HIM.”

It hurt, to hear even Michael consider Loki in that light, but I understood - somewhat. “Yes, imagine that.”

[lovelyirony]

Hello. I'm having kind of a shit day ( just found out my sister's hair was full of lice) so if you wouldn't mind could you write some thorbruce? Sorry if this bothers you, I hope you and your family are doing ok

 this could never bother me. I hope that this little story helps! i really wanted something comedic, or at least my attempt at it. so without further ado...a fusion of a thief AU and royalty AU! 

Bruce Banner technically has a career as a scientist. He writes research papers occasionally, helps out with other science projects, and wears smart, science-y glasses. 

And so what if he just happens to make most of his money stealing rich people things like paintings, wine, and other assorted items off of boats and out of houses? Well, that’s extra. Doesn’t even go on any tax forms. 

“You’re gonna get something done to you one of these days,” Tony tells him over margaritas. Tony is one of the rare people who caught him, let him still take the Warhol because “I sure as hell didn’t pick it out, I have taste,” and invited Bruce for cocktails. 

“Of course I am. Maybe jail.” 

“No, not that,” Tony says. “You forget I will be offering my lawyers. They could get the devil himself scot-free. And you’re way better than that guy.” 

“Then what?” 

“You’re going to have to balance yourself,” Tony says, smiling. “And I can’t wait to see you pull it off.” 

Bruce wishes he had more friends like Tony, because unfortunately both Jane and Helen have texted him that he’s screwed for his next goal: Odin. 

Odin is a king who made his whole goal to cover up the shady dealings of his reign, and while his sons are doing better to call it out and bring about new policy ideas now that it is said that Odin will be retiring from the throne, so to speak, nothing has changed yet. 

Bruce knows that people say the next king in line, Thor, is very similar to his father. 

So he’s planning on infiltrating a party. This involves getting a planet ticket to Asgard, sneaking in, and maybe also leaving by boat. He’s not sure yet, depends on how quickly Tony can engineer a self-steering boat. 

(The boat’s gonna be there.) 

“You’re gonna get your ass kicked,” Helen snickers over drinks. “Have you seen his arms?” 

“I’ve heard your ramblings about ten or twenty times, yes,” Bruce says. “For someone who loves their wife as much as you do, you also have an interesting love for Thor’s arms.” 

“They’re buff!” Helen protests. “Jane also nice arms, but they are not buff.” 

“Guilty as charged,” Jane says from the kitchen, rolling her eyes. “Bruce, be careful. And for the love of god, don’t talk to any of them if you can.” 

“Like I would.” 

- 

Thor is very bored with present society. His father has banned all of his friends from attending, Loki has decided to go on their own way in as outrageous of a dress as they could find, in any case guaranteeing that their mother’s attention would be focused on making sure that they had the right accessories. 

There is not one interesting person to talk to. 

Thor is bored. 

This means Thor isn’t so much as paying attention to any sort of conversation and has found one new guest that he has never met before. 

“Hello,” he says. 

The man whirls around. He has curly, nearly-messy hair. Nice nose. 

“I don’t think we’ve met before,” Thor says. “I’m Thor.” 

“I’m Bruce,” Bruce blurts out, because he is a Class-A Idiot. 

Of course he gets caught at a royal function. 

“And you haven’t met me before. I’m a...scientist.” 

Thor smiles. 

“Well, what study of interest are you in?” 

“DNA sequencing,” Bruce says weakly. “And you are...Thor, right?” 

“Yes,” Thor says, smiling. “Did my father invite you?” 

“Your mother,” Bruce says, knowing that Queen Frigga is occupied at the moment trying to ensure that Loki is not stealing all of the strawberries. She cannot possibly come over and confirm his story or realize that she has no idea who he is. 

“How is your night faring, Your Highness?” Bruce asks nervously. He cannot make eye contact. 

“None of that,” Thor says with a chuckle. “That title is...stuffy. Overused. I’m just a regular person who is assuming a throne.” 

“Any plans then, regular person?” Bruce asks in a snarky tone, grinning.

“None that I’m comfortable sharing within earshot,” Thor mutters under his breath, into his drink. Bruce smiles. 

His eyes crinkle up. That’s cute. 

“Good idea. Never know what your father listens to.” 

“Not a fan?” Thor asks. 

“Can’t say I’m dedicated,” Bruce answers with a shrug. Thor smiles, leaning in closer.

Thor’s about to answer more, willing to speak with this man. The night was turning around, and--

Odin claps him on the back. 

“Thor, I have some people you must talk to for the future,” he says, not even sparing Bruce a glance as he turns his son towards a group of the most ancient looking old men Bruce has seen. 

Thor swivels his head back. 

“I hope to see you again!” Thor calls. 

Bruce waves. 

“Probably not,” Bruce sighs to himself. “But I’m sure you also won’t see some of your vases again.” 

- 

In the news, they reported that it had to be at least a three-man job. The surveillance didn’t help, heirlooms had been nicked out of at least six different rooms, and top secret documents had been spilled out into the back lawn, some artfully arranged as if they were reading material for the next garden party. 

Thor has an idea of who did it. Has since his mother confusedly asked “who’s Bruce?” 

He’s clever, that’s for sure. Going directly to the house? Using Odin’s disregard of people he doesn’t think are worth his time? Oh, it’s perfect. 

It would also make a good quality in a husband, if he says so himself. 

- 

Bruce is currently lying on his back at Jane’s house, the sunshine warming him. 

“You’re gonna die!” Helen yells. “You told him your name and you are storing, just casually, a priceless artifact!” 

"I’m not storing it. I just put it back in a museum,” Bruce says. 

“You think that Odin’s honestly not going to get it back?” 

“Nope,” Bruce says. “Because he didn’t change the paperwork on it and it has a loan repayment clause thingy. I don’t know how it works but he needs to pay the museum for it and it’ll be bad press for a while. That and his shady dealings with repressing country public opinion. I think Thor’s up to the plate.” 

He is. Bruce is right. Odin has rescinded his claim on the throne, allowing a coronation to be held for Thor. 

“Are you gonna go?” Jane asks. 

Bruce snorts. 

“And what, risk being detained in Asgardian jail or being murdered? Nah,” Bruce says. “Besides, I probably won’t ever really interact with them ever again. And I have no purpose for being there.” 

- 

Bruce isn’t sure how. But he gets an invitation to go. Well, he’s sure how he got it. Thor remembered him, probably found out that he wasn’t supposed to be there. 

He’s mad. 

He’s from fucking Ohio. He knows that no one is supposed to notice him under any circumstance besides maybe an eating competition or a tornado warning. 

“You have to go,” Tony says. “I’ll be there, I can cause a distraction. Loki owes me a favor.” 

“How does Loki owe you a favor?” 

“They needed some help with executing a perfect red carpet walk a couple years back to ensure they upstaged someone. I don’t know who, but I helped. Loki owes me.” 

“But why do I have to go?” 

“Because if you don’t then Thor’s not gonna stop,” Tony says. “Because if he personally invited you, that means something. It means you’re either going to die or he’s going to make sure he has a very fun time at his own coronation.” 

“Why wouldn’t you have fun being coronated or whatever the fuck you call it?” 

-

Two hours in. There’s been two hours of this. Bruce has fallen asleep twice, and Tony keeps jabbing him in the side. 

“Decorum,” Tony hisses. “If you fall asleep, you’re going to cause a scene.” 

“So sorry that I don’t find this just entirely interesting,” Bruce says, “I wasn’t the one who minored in anthropology.” 

“Majored,” Tony says. “Among other things.” 

“Is this when we couldn’t find you for a year? Like, when you went to California or whatever and had a crisis?” 

“I didn’t have a crisis,” Tony says. 

“Sure you didn’t,” Bruce said, snorting. “You were sad and probably ate five loaves of pumpernickel in one day.” 

“If you keep talking we’re gonna get kicked out, and I want my record of being kicked out of royal events to be kept to a minimum of two.” 

“You’ve been kicked out of two?” 

“One was England. That’s practically a given.” Tony hisses. “Now no more.” 

Bruce falls asleep again. 

Thor catches him in the audience. 

He has to bite his own tongue to stop from laughing. Sif side-eyes him. 

He raises an eyebrow. She looks out into the crowd, sees the man who has fallen asleep. She stills, trying very hard not to laugh. 

“Is that the man you want to pursue?” she whispers as the officiants droll on about tradition. Thor nods. Sift snorts. “Of course you do.” 

- 

The party afterwards is tasteful. People are in a line to congratulate Thor. Bruce is by the appetizer table slowly but surely stealing all of the colby-jack cheese slices. 

“I hate you,” Tony says to Bruce. “You’re a menace to society.” 

“Put that on my headstone, see if my ghost sticks around to cause trouble,” Bruce says. “Besides, I am not paying for any of this. I’m already eyeing the chocolate fountain.” 

Tony rolls his eyes. 

“I suppose this is what I get for bringing you here.” 

“You literally did not have to, I got an invite and you forced me to come,” Bruce says. “And all because I stole priceless artifacts. Ugh.” 

- 

Thor finally manages to escape a long line of well-wishers/want-to-make-sure-he-won’t-do-things-he’s-gonna-do people. 

He finds Bruce slowly but surely demolishing the pineapple. 

“Nice to see you again, Dr. Banner,” he says. Bruce stills, turning. 

“I wasn’t expecting to even meet you today again,” Bruce says, smiling. “How have things been?” 

“I’ve gotten some more space for storage,” Thor says, referencing to the act of stealing and also revealing his father’s less-than-golden past. “Thank you for that, by the way.” 

Bruce stills. 

“You...know?” 

“The queen knows no one by the name of Bruce who is a scientist. You paused. Terrible lie, really. You’re lucky you’re quite good-looking and my father is a fool.” 

Bruce looks at him. 

“I stole a lot of shit from your house and you’re calling me good-looking?” Bruce asks. 

“Well to be fair, I’m just glad you didn’t steal my blanket on my bed. It’s pretty soft, pretty valuable,” Thor says grinning. 

“Didn’t get to see that room,” Bruce responds. 

“You’ll have to come up with me some time then.” 

Bruce almost spills his drink. 

“Are you...?” 

“Flirting with you? Yes.” 

Bruce takes a sip of his drink. 

“Interesting. Although I hardly doubt your mother will be pleased to see you talking with someone who stole things.” 

“On the contrary, she most likely won’t mind,” Thor says, smiling. “Just because she married my father doesn’t necessarily mean they’re affectionate.” 

Bruce tilts his head. 

“So what you’re saying is that no one in your family likes your dad?” 

“Not especially. Kind of a bastard, if you ask me.” 

Bruce laughs. 

“So. What kinds of things does a king like to do for a date?” 

Thor puts a finger on his chin, teasingly. 

“Well I’m not sure. Is it kingly of me to offer a lunch?” 

“I would say I’ll accept,” Bruce says, laughing. “So long as it’s a good lunch.” 

 - 

Tony is gasping in disbelief as he sees Thor put a hand on the small of Bruce’s back, leading him to meet the queen. 

“Only my brother,” Loki says, pursing their lips. “Of course he falls in love with the man who stole from the kingdom and would probably be arrested for about twenty years.” 

“He does that,” Tony says. “Thank you again, for inviting me.” 

“No problem,” Loki says. “God knows I needed someone else to judge the questionable fashion choices people made. Just...ugh. Look at her shoes.” 

“I need another drink to even think about looking at those,” Tony says, turning towards the bar. 

- 

With Thor and Bruce, the kingdom gets two excellent rulers. Bruce is more focused on environment sustainability and education infrastructure, and can frequently be seen leading children all over the grounds of the kingdom, identifying herbs and plants and grinning as they picnic for lunch. 

Thor focuses more on bringing more of the...unfavorable history to light, reinventing what he wants for his country, and leading by example. 

Of course, Bruce and Thor are photographed together getting breakfast, lunch, and on one memorable occasion, in-sync eye-rolling at a United States event. 

(Tony gets it framed for their wedding gift.) 

[lokikingofasgardslover713]

Best Laid Plans of Gods & Shield Maidens

Masterlist

Loki Laufeyson Masterlist

Pairing: Loki Laufeyson X Plus Size Reader OFC

Warnings: Smut, self-loathing, bullies

Summary: After years of chasing after the reader, Loki finally gets his chance to show her how he truly feels. Though it takes a masquerade for the reader to understand just how much he has longed after her and only her when he could have anyone in the 9 realms.

Request: @lovesmesomehiddles​: Can you do a plus size reader x Loki (set in Asgard) where he is head over heels in love with reader, but she doesn’t understand why when he could have his pick of any woman and in order to show her how he feels about her and it leads to smut?

A/N: Look it! I got a request! I believe I would call this an AU where Thor did take the throne and Loki has become his advisor. Frigga, Odin and the readers mother have all passed.

Words: +4,700

————

Y/N was young for an Aesir, one Loki had found himself following with fleeting glances the more she grew into a woman. The girl had wonderful magical talent, one even his mother took into account, taking the young girl under her wing to teach, meaning Loki got to know her well, and that was more than he could have hoped for. 

Her mother was an event planner of sorts for Frigga, and inevitably Loki knew it meant the young woman would follow in her mother’s footsteps, seeing as they knew little of who her father was. Rough and tumble for even an Aesir woman, Loki found it a trait he couldn’t dismiss, especially when she put Thor on his ass more times than any could count.

Loki considered her his shield maiden. There had been numerous times the moment she came of age the dark prince invited her to attend the extravagant balls and feasts her mother helped put together. Each time she declined only to hide in the chamber on the opposite side of the palace she and her mother occupied.

It wasn't her mother preventing her from attending, he truly didn’t understand it until he happened to overhear a conversation between several other attendees. It was very hurtful and had he not been specifically ordered to behave or face the whip; Loki would have removed their tongues himself.

It seemed his shield maiden, though appearing confident was very shy, a bit of an outcast such as himself due to her shyness and being favored by the royal family. The jealousy that came from the others made his hair stand on end, having left the festivities that night to wait out the ball with Y/N, practicing seidr.

This did and did not make since all the same. Frigga doted on the girl, more so than he or Thor who were more than accomplished warriors, centuries old while she was a few decades. 

Was this the talk his shield maiden endured when the two of them weren’t walking the gardens? Was this why he found her in her mother's chambers when she wasn’t with him and he made an excuse to deliver things that any servants could have?

Short of confessing to her in the open, which Loki swore he had done numerous times and even spoken to her mother on the subject; it still appeared she lacked the confidence to allow him to court her. 

Yes, he could force her to do so, but that wasn't the way he wanted. It was a crude way of thinking, one that would do more than ruin the beautiful, confident woman she had become. The very one he was watching direct the servants in how this feast was to be prepared, and the room decorated.

Stopping at her side, Loki knew she sensed him there. Skillfully she directed a servant while holding out a hand for him to place whatever he had brought her this time. 

Y/N was no fool, she could sense his care for her, but she didn't understand why he picked her over the others. Thick frame covered in the garb of a man because she despised dresses. A cool hand wrapping hers made her jolt and spin on the god as he tugged the calloused hand to place a kiss over the knuckles.

Letting out a quiet yelp, she met Loki’s gaze. "My prince," she breathed, knowing formalities were in order as they were in public.

"Loki, always Loki to you love," he whispered across the soft flesh, allowing  her the hand back, stepping closer to watch the servants hang gold, ebony, evergreen, and burgundy tapestries from the ceiling. It seemed Thor wanted a masquerade for the arrival of the royalty of Alfheim.

Clearing her throat she tried to push it to the side. "Did Thor tell you his plans for this one," she hummed looking to Loki who still watched her close, her cheeks beginning to warm.

"Aye, it appears his majesty has come up with something crafty, though I have a feeling his wife may have her hand in it as well," Loki chuckled. "It's very elaborate if I do say so myself."

"It is," she smiled back at the god before looking away.

The idea behind the masquerade was each man or woman, would be assigned an animal with their invitation. That in turn meant their lover, or whomever they chose to attend with them were to be gifted a similar mask along with matching clothing. Honestly it sounded like a match maker scheme since most of the invitations she had sent out personally were mostly single men, and women.

"Have you received a parcel yet," Loki asked, of course she hadn't, it was still locked safely in his chambers. The god gave a sly smile, noting her slight look of shock that she would receive anything.

"Me? No, of course not," she laughed, it had been a thing she had put out of her mind.

"Don't sale yourself short love, it would be an honor for anyone who chose you as their guest, you are a very wonderful creature," Loki spoke knowingly, placing his hands behind his back to watch the decorating along with her.

"Hmm. Someone desperate then," she hushed under her breath, watching the servants closely, but felt a chill as Loki took in a sharp breath; a thing he normally done when he was about to let someone have a piece of his mind.

"I will not endure you speaking of yourself in such a way," Loki snapped, not meaning it as he did, but now that he was in a position to assure no one spoke ill of her, he felt she shouldn’t take up the mantle herself.

Turning slightly, she eyed Loki close, what was said under her breath wasn’t meant for him to hear but it made her fluster and feel the need to take up for herself.

"Then tell me why you," she began calmly but with authority, taking Loki off guard, "the crowned prince of Asgard, and royal council to the Alfather Thor have an interest in a subject such as myself when you have numerous others who would be better suited to serve you as a lover? I'm nothing but an arranger for the courts elaborate festivities, I would bring no honor to yourself or the crown."

Taken aback, Loki was silenced for the first time in a long time. Damn tradition damn the powers that be for deeming how royalty and non-royals were to interact. 

"You think I care for honor," Loki began calmly, kindly actually, as he moved with her the instant she began to step away as if heading towards the kitchens. "As long as you have known me, you know factually that in no way would I do anything to hurt or to degrade you. I care too much for the woman you have become. Tradition, fate, all be damned. As long as you are by my side, none of that matters to me."

That was a bit of a shock, making her pause in the corridor, both moving out of the way as others passed busy with work. Stepping into the columns with Loki, still not sure how to approach the subject of the god forsaking fate and tradition for her.

"You can’t forsake all for me. I'm-," she began not backing down as he tugged her out of the way of a cart and into his body.

"Anyone worth their salt would know what a pleasure it would be for you to be by their side for the rest of their lives,” Loki admitted, wrapping an arm carefully around her torso to pull flush. “You forget; I myself am nothing more than a bastard child spawned by giants with no claim, no reason to be kept here or given the position I am."

Keeping Loki’s gaze, hands clenching at her side, wanting so badly to touch him as her chest ached. She desired to wrap her arms around him, hug him close and not let go but all her brain could do was cobble words together in a weak excuse to push way and hurry towards the kitchens.

Stepping out of shadow, Loki looked after his maiden as she hurried down the corridor. Quickly he spun on his heel, needing to assure her gift was ready to be sent, she should receive it and several others when reaching her chambers for the night. She would know who it was from obviously; as if the present confession wasn’t a giveaway.

Stepping into her outer chambers, Y/N was relieved Loki had left her alone for the rest of the evening. Moving into the bedroom, using seidr to call for light only to freeze at the sight of an elegantly wrapped parcel on her bed. 

Approaching it slowly, she treated it as if it was a poisonous animal and stared at it for Norn’s knew how long before finally tugging the leather string. Smoothly the soft outer fabric fell away to reveal a beautifully crafted dress that didn’t appear too flamboyant and a wolf mask laying atop it all.

Only one man, god, was to wear the wolf mask, same was with Thor who was the only to wear a golden eagle mask along with Jane. A note tucked under the mask caught her eye and carefully she tugged it out.

‘Please,’ was all the note stated as she carefully took the mask in her hands to run fingers over the midnight black fur, buttery soft and glittering like stars in the night sky. Teeth made of moonstone glittered as she looked down to note the jewelry that was to go with the set up. 

The only jewelry she owned was that of her mother and what pieces Frigga had gifted her. Using sider she lifted the garments and other things as she called forth a form her size to appear at the edge of her bed, everything laying on it as it would her.

The neckline was low but still kept an elegant since of decency but as she circled to the back, oh gods it was very revealing. It was open back, gold chains holding it closed with emerald accents and appearing it stopped at the small of her back. 

Taking a deep breath she moved to the front once more, eyeing the elegant jewelry and mask. The dress, though a glittering black twinkled with green highlights and beautiful light golden knot work appearing to be inlaid with seidr. Knowing Loki it was. 

Looking over the necklace, running wolves carved from emerald encircled the entire neck with matching earrings, but the wolves there were woven into a knot like circle. 

Taking a deep breath she honestly couldn’t think about this. She needed a bath and rest. Leaving the dress on the form, she stepped into a candle lit bath, one already drawn in the marble tub with steam rising from it and the edge lined with expensive oils and soaps.

The sparkle of a note caught her eye on a chair near the tub, the one she placed her robe and night clothes on. Taking a deep breath to step towards the chair and immediately note this wasn’t her old clothing; these were new, elegant, soft things. Feeling the fabric as she took the note to look over the beautifully scrawled writing.

Simply stated it read; ‘Consider it love.’ 

The next morning she didn’t take a second look at the dress until that evening when retreating to her rooms.

Time grew near, visitors arrived, and Y/N found herself, reluctantly readying for the masquerade. Looking at the dress, the thought sprang to mind there was no way she could do this. Having not gotten the chance to speak with Loki all day, let alone the few glances she was able to catch from him did little to calm wracked nerves.

The princess of Alfheim appeared to hem Loki up every chance she had gotten, and every time Loki did manage to get close to Y/N he was drug away. There was no doubt in her mind the princess was getting on his nerves, knowing Loki despised the attention the elven princess was giving. 

“It’s easy love-,” came the calmness of Loki, lithe fingers running over her clothed forearms and making her jump slightly but continued to glare the at the dress. “Put on the dress and join me in the dining hall, I assured they served your favorites as well.”

“You’re supposed to be entertaining delegates,” she spoke looking back to note this was a well-placed illusion. 

“I am. Regardless; you should come to the masquerade love. Please,” he spoke quietly giving her arms a reassuring squeeze before he was gone. 

Trying to calm her nerves, she looked at the mask on the mannequin, no one would notice her. It was simple, put the garb on, go appease the dark prince and never speak of this again. 

“Where is your shield maiden brother,” Thor asked Loki silently as they sat at the head table, the chair Loki’s guest was to sit in empty. 

The two were in their garb, Loki the wolf and Thor the eagle, except for Thor had his matching counterpart next to him. Jane smiling under her own mask every time Thor moved to place a hand on her thigh.

“She’s coming,” Loki spoke up looking to the entrance. 

“She’s a very shy creature, but she is more than worthy wouldn’t you agree,” Thor spoke. The two looking up as the visiting elven Kings daughter, Jastera, dressed in an elegant white peacock mask and matching gown, stepped to the table eyeing Loki like prey but they all knew that was the wrong move. 

“Would your highness care to join me at my father’s table? I would enjoy your company,” Jastera began eyeing Loki seductively. 

By the Norns, not this. Preparing to decline the request, the princess having hung on him all day, Loki wasn’t sure he could take much more of the put-on preening to his character. 

There was as an announcement of one entering, the god looking from the princess to the door where one of the guard escorted his shield maiden to the table. The wolf mask she wore matching his only it was slenderer than his own. 

“Excuse me,” Loki spoke quickly, getting to his feet to escort his guest to the chair next to him, the princess in the white peacock mask remaining, albeit begrudgingly.  

Stoically, the princess eyed Y/N as Loki helped her to seat before taking his own. “I am the crowned princess Jastera of Alfheim, realm of the light elves," the white-haired woman spoke, eyeing the gods guest closely through her mask.

Norns, this elf couldn't be serious. Having taken the seat Loki had showed her, she was relieved when the god sat brusquely next to her, clearing his throat to lay a hand gently on her glittering knee.

Calling her name, Loki began to list her title as such, "royal shield maiden and seidr master to Frigga Freyadottir, my personal confidant and member of the royal family," Loki finished quickly and stoically, eyeing the other through his own wolf mask. 

"Forgive me, I meant no ill will to a student of Frigga herself," Jastera was quick to remedy.

"Be sure to remember that, I will not have my shield maiden insulted," Loki spoke sternly receiving a look from Thor but it appeared the king shared in the sentiment.

Once Jastera left in a hurry, Loki turned to his guest, taking her hand to bring to his lips as he had the day before kissing the lightly scented flesh. "A dance love," he echoed, meeting her gaze, watching a blush creep over her chest to under the mask.

"Yes," she choked out as Loki carefully tugged her to nervous feet and out to the center of the room with Thor and Jane.

Taking their places, the music had begun as Loki tugged her close and kept all focus on her as they moved about the floor. "Your beautiful love, it suits you," he spoke, carefully guiding her over the floor.

She was clumsy by nature and couldn’t fathom why she wasn't tripping over their feet but the slight twinkle in Loki’s eye told her he may have something to do with it. "You're a wolfish creature Loki," she whispered with a smile, knowing he knew what she spoke of.

"Yes love, but it would appear I am your wolfish creature," he hummed, carefully guiding her to the music.

"Hmm, appears so," she hummed, for once enjoying the revelry instead of being locked in her chambers.

As the night wore on, guests began to retire, leaving the rowdy crowd that had drank too much. Thankfully she drank very little, turning to Loki as he guided her around the room on his arm proudly, to speak to him of turning in for the night.

"I have another surprise for you," the god purred, the two still downing the masks. Gracefully Loki led her out of the banquet hall and through the dark, quiet corridors to his own chambers. 

"My chambers are that way," she smiled, but he only shook his head and hinted to his own.

"I believe you will like what I have planned. Neither of us got to partake of the feast," Loki admitted, guiding her through his outer chambers. Steeping into his bedroom, past the darkened bed to a well-lit balcony that held a small table with food waiting for them.

"I'm flattered Loki, but this dress doesn't feel as if it will allow-," she began, taking masks and clothes in a whisper of seidr. In moments she was covered in his robe, a light shift underneath while clothing himself in lose lounge clothes.

"Better love," he asked, taking a seat and tugging her across his lap unexpectedly.

"Loki," she yelped, careful of placing her entire weight on him but he was quick to scold her gently to think she could hurt him. Gingerly she settled into him for seidr to pull the table close. 

"Allow me love," he hummed, reaching for a meat pastry to lift to her lips.

"I'm a pet now," she questioned, Loki smirking at her boldness, but still taking a bite.

"More than that. Do me the honor of allowing me to court you," he spoke, sitting the pastry down and turning her to face him slightly.

"I would advise against it, but I believe you have been courting me since the day I turned sixteen; if we are honest on the matter," she admitted, smiling as he cupped her cheek gently, thumb brushing the crumbs and oil from her lip.

"It appears so love. It was then I spoke with your mother; she did give her blessing," he hummed, looking her over with a growing smile.

"I know. She and I spoke of it often, so did Frigga and my mother before they both passed-," she admitted, swallowing the lump at the thoughts of their mother's death but calmed in seconds.

"I know love. They would both be very proud of you," he smiled as she relaxed into him, the food forgotten. Sliding to the seat, her legs in his lap, Loki leaned close, pressing his lips to hers, tasting the faint remnants of the pastry and the mead both had partaken of.

Carefully her hand laced into his hair, the gods freehand tugging at the string on her robe, pausing as it feel open to pull away and meet her gaze. "Is this what you want," Loki asked quietly, watching her suck her bottom lip between her teeth, the image making his manhood twitch.

"Yes. I have denied us long enough; that is if you will have me," she smiled, knowing what his answer was, emerald orbs sparkling with the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Yes, my shield maiden, a thousand times yes," he whispered, gathering the thick framed woman into his arms to hastily carry towards the bed.

The room now lit by a low light to illuminate the massive bed surrounded in candles. The mattress was covered in lush blankets and furs, the god holding her close to shuffle across them on his knees to the center. Gently settling back on his heels, Loki moved the woman to straddle his hips, an arm under plump buttocks and the other around her torso, drinking in the open robe.

"I don't want to take you like a beast love. I want to enjoy us," he whispered, carefully laying her back for the robe to fall away in a wisp of seidr, leaving her in the thin shift.

The same seidr that took the robe took his shirt, only leaving his pants which did little to hide his excitement at having her in his bed. Closely Loki watched her every move, running his hands along smooth, plump thighs to gently ruck the shift slightly above clothed core.

Only continuing at her nod, this time Loki didn’t stop until the light fabric was tugged over her head and instinctually her hands went to cover bare breast.

Bowing over his shield maiden, Loki spoke across her lips, "I want to see all of you lover, please,” he hushed, lips pressing to hers greedily. In moments it broke for Loki to pepper kisses along trembling jaw, to soft throat, nipping the pebbled flesh.

With a breathy moan, her arms unraveled, hands reaching to Loki, placing one on his neck, for the other to caress the taught flesh of his side. More kisses peppered down plump body, over fleshy belly for calloused fingers to loop into sheer panties, tugging at them for her to lift plump hips for them to be discarded.

Another kiss, this time to the top of ready slit, making her gasp out. Never had she thought it would come to this, the god, the very dark prince between her legs, kissing the most intimates parts of her. Releasing him to prop on her elbows to watch, tugging bottom lip between her teeth as Loki didn't hesitate to kiss over delicate nub before suckling at it.

“Norns,” she all but screamed out, trying to keep herself propped with one hand while the other reached to lace in his hair, scratching the scalp. Never had she had this attention, a lap and suckle making her moan out and buck involuntary, whimpering for more.

Letting out a chuckle Loki paused to look at her ecstasy clouded face. "Found your sweet spot have I,” he hummed, making aching core clench around nothing. Drinking in the panting wreck she had become, a blush creeped up her pebbled chest and neck. “Relax and allow me to attend to my princess.” 

Delving between delicate folds, Loki prodded at wet core with his tongue before sweeping back up to attend to delicate bundle of nerves. The overwhelming pleasure had her falling back to the mattress, the hand in his hair tugging slightly to earn a gasp as Loki pressed first one, then another digit into wet center while lapping over delicate nerve.

He gave another chuckle at her desperate whimpers and quiet prayers muttered to him. Fingers curled beautifully to caress the perfect spot inside her while keeping attention on needy nerve. She tasted more delicious than he could have ever imagined, and in moments he felt her clench around his fingers before she cried out her release.

It had only taken moments for Loki to bring her first orgasm crashing down on her, thighs shaking as fingers wrapped in his hair and the others in the furs. Even better than the ones she had given herself, shivering at the loss of his digits but relishing in how tenderly Loki kissed over shivering flesh to her lips. The taste of herself on his made her shiver harder and crave him more.

The feel of the god situating between splayed legs, deepening the kiss for a moment while free, erect manhood prodded between wet folds had her grinding down on him, begging. "Please,” she whimpered, not having to beg long before Loki sank painfully slow into tight core.

Loki had to pause, hovering over her, anchoring next to her head with one hand while the other caressed along her jaw. "Norns lover," he breathed, careful he wasn’t hurting her, it left Loki curious to if he was her first.

Reaching up a shaky hand to place to the nape of his neck, Loki was taking time pressing into her, his care a turn on in itself. Slowly she moved her hips, Loki teasing as he would pull away only to sink deeper with each pass; it may have been mere centimeters each time, but it felt more than that.

Carefully her free hand drifted along the arm anchored next to her, feeling muscles twitch. She had toys, but none like him, Norn’s none like he! Loki was a god, all god, pushing the breath out of her lungs as he fully sheathed himself inside of tight core.

The burn and stretch overwhelming as he stilled, bowing to kiss over her flush chest. Letting out whimpering pleas for him to move, Loki did so, ecstasy flooding her body as he rocked his hips against hers.

Lips kissed along her jaw as thrust deepened, becoming desperate as she felt him swell within her, lips falling to hers and calloused hand slipping to her nape of her neck. The god grunted down her throat, tongue slipping past her lips to tangle with hers and swallow the whimper the hard thrust caused.

The air around then filled with sounds of flesh and desperate pants as Loki refused to allow her lips from his. He had waited so long for her, to feel her like this, to worship her, he didn’t want to release her just yet. Feeling lightheaded, he barely broke it, the two of them taking in gasping breath as he thrust harder, making her cry out.

Quietly, passionately, Loki whispered prayers to her across swollen lips, her tongue darting out to soothe the tender flesh as he thrust deeper into her. Desperately Loki begged her to cum, felt her clench around his girth while using seidr to dance over delicate nerve to give the final push as he spilled deep inside her.

All she was allowed was a muffled whimper the moment they feel from the edge, the hand on the nape of his neck and wrapped around his bicep clawed as her sight blacked for an instant. Panting, she drank in his praises, feeling his sweaty forehead laying between her neck and shoulder, lips pressing to the pebbled flesh there.

Keeping his weight off of her, Loki carefully slid spent man hood free, arousal coating the sheets as he remained over her. “My princess," he hummed, rolling them to their sides, her body going limp as he brushed fuzzed hair out of her eyes.

Giving Loki a lopsided smile, she relished in the feel of him caring for her, the hand brushing once elegantly styled hair away gliding along plump side to tug her thigh over his hip. "My prince," she panted tiredly, leaning close and enjoying the chaste kiss he gave.

“Stay here love, in my bed, share my chambers,” he spoke gently, hand on her thigh rubbing the soft flesh, causing it to pebble at the raw emotion he was showing.

“For how long,” she hummed, pulling closer, the tickle of the furs making her shutter but in a good way.

“Till the end of time, if I may use such a worn-out phrase,” he smirked, showing the young god who had attempted to court her all those years ago.

“Hmm, why not,” she hummed, leaning in for a kiss and getting more than she bargained for.

Wrapping a hand around the nape of her neck once more, Loki pressed her back into the mattress, the kiss needy and full of passion. Finally breaking it to allow her to breath, noting her drunken look.

“So loving, you truly have desired me after all this time,” she stated, moving closer while Loki slipped a thick fur over them.

“You will never know just how much lover,” he hummed, pulling close to pepper her with kisses and settle in for a few moments before carrying her to the baths.

Tags are open and Reblogs always welcomed!

Tags:   @marshyrebelcloud​ @cruel-kitten​  @moonfaery​ @dark-night-sky-99​ @gramaeryebard​  @katstablook​ @andiyholly​ @jovanna-shewolf​ @nickyl316h​ @aslandia726​ @furstinnajoelle​ @itsbqueenthings​ @collinsstanharbour​ @jazzieomega​ @bambamwolf87​ @tomhardy41​ @drakonwild​ @scorpionchild81​ @devilbat​ @wayward-student-philosopher​ @blah6666​ @jane-777​ @the-minus-four​​ @cherrygeek86​  @iamverity​ @get-loki​ @alexakeyloveloki​ @moonlightprime​

[dearlazerbunny]

Lie to Me (Ch. 19 of 28)

Pairings: Loki x Reader

Genre/Ratings: M eventually (aiming for a slow burn here); warnings for kidnapping and subsequent anxiety/PTSD (will be marked before every chapter)

Words: 2800

Summary: If you had to guess what the captured, traitor, trickster god Loki Laufeyson wanted or needed at this moment, a babysitter would be far, far down on the list. (Set after the events of Avengers 1.)

SHOUTOUT TO @molmcb and @jessiejunebug, who are a glitter bomb to my aching mind

Requested Tags: @deraniel, @iamverity,  @yasnooshka24, @wegingerangelica, @themusingsofmany, @dark-night-sky-99, @tarynkauai, @stuffandstuff-stuff, @angelicshinigami, @my-current-fandom-is, @geekysimmerthings, @lokis-butter-knife

Luckily, your grip is weak and your aim goes wide, missing anything important. Loki can feel one ping! off the metal of his helmet and fly off somewhere to the right. The other bullets sink into his shoulder, muted slightly by his leather armor but still hitting their mark. Loki grits his teeth and stays silent, not wanting to scare you. He has no doubt you thought he was one of those HYDRA lackeys coming to finish you off.

A small spark of pride flares in his chest. Even after all you’ve been through, you’re still fighting.

He enters the room cautiously, not wanting to set you off, but quickly sees that you’re well and truly unconscious. Your wounds look even more dire up close, and though he can see all the broken bones and bruised skin and stuttering lungs with his magic, he can’t do anything about it. His healing skills are nominal at best, and now is not the time for experimentation.

Quickly, he creates a double of himself to fetch Thor from the upper levels of the compound and then unpins his cloak from his shoulders, grimacing slightly as the wounded one stretches and twists. The cloth is laid on the floor, and ever so gently Loki moves to pick you up from your fetal position and onto the soft fabric. His hands are careful, and he watches your face for any disturbance at his touch. You’re obviously in pain, but his presence doesn’t seem to cause you any undue stress. And so you’re carefully wrapped in his cloak as best he can manage, both to keep you warm and hopefully to give you some mediocrum of comfort.

The second he cradles you in his arms, some of the tension leaves your body. It’s as though you know he came for you, and you can finally rest.

His double appears and disappears back into himself, followed by Thor rounding the corner. He stops at the sight he sees: a broken girl shrouded in his brother’s colors, held by a man whose eyes look as though they’re shattered glass. “How is she?”

When Loki looks up, there are tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. “Desperate. Brother I- I cannot fix this.”

“Can your magic not-”

“My healing skills are meaningless against this-!” He stops. Takes a breath to steady himself. “She needs mother.”

Thor’s eyes widen. “You cannot possibly think-”

“I can, and I will.” His voice is firm, but Thor thinks he has never looked so vulnerable in his entire life. “Thor, she- I can’t- she will die.”

And in those few words Thor can hear a plea, a warning, and and a demand all at once. I can’t lose her. Please. Help me.

Thor looks at your face, torn and bloodied, trying to see past the bruises and soon-to-be scars to the girl he has come to think of as sister. And in you, he sees not one heart, but two- your own, and the one you have claimed piece by piece, word by word, jest by jest. Loki’s heart beats with yours, fragile as it may be. If one stops, the other may cease as well.

He will not lose his brother again. Not if there’s anything in his power he can do to prevent it.

“You will have to deal with Heimdall,” Thor warns. “I cannot speak for you; not on this.” Loki nods. Talking, he can do. He can talk his way into anything, whisper ideas into the ears of the very Fates themselves, make heads turn in his direction or never notice him at all. Never in all his years did he think he would be using his silver tongue to beg so desperately for a life that wasn’t his own. But here he is, and here you are, wrapped in his cloak and cradled in his arms, barely clinging to life. He moves lithely, trying to rattle you as little as possible, but when the Bifrost opens he clutches you to his chest so tightly a whimper escapes your fevered lips.

“Prince Thor.” Heimdall, ever constant, stands watch. “Asgard welcomes you.” And then, with his all-seeing eyes, he turns his gaze to the God of Lies.

“Heimdall.” Loki purposefully does not move, does not step forward towards the bridge that leads to the golden city. “I know I stand here a traitor to Asgard and Midgard alike. I have committed unspeakable acts that have cost lives in both realms. And I do not make excuses for what I have done.” He looks down at you, and he suddenly has to fight very hard to keep his voice from wavering. “But this mortal is innocent in my crimes. Her life hangs in the balance at no fault of her own, save perhaps a fondness for me that I do not deserve.” There is no response, and no emotion is his juror’s clouded eyes. “I will soon stand trial before the throne of Odin, and I will happily accept whatever fate befalls me. But if you have ever viewed me fondly; ever served the crown of Asgard- do not tell the Allfather of my plan. Let us pass, and seek out our Lady Mother without my Father’s knowledge. I fear it is her only chance. And I would not do well to lose her,” he adds softly.

The gatekeeper steps forward and moves aside the cloth you are wrapped in, letting your face be seen. Slowly crusting blood covers half of it, and from the tension in your brow it is clear you are suffering. Occasionally your eyes open and flit around, seeing nothing, before fluttering closed again.

Heimdall looks at Thor. “And you agree to this?”

“I do. She does not deserve the fate that has befallen her. And I know my brother will not chance risking her life further by doing something foolish.”

“For once, the God of Mischief promises none,” the man says solemnly. Hope flares in Loki’s chest, a dangerous spark of light in the dark. And then he steps aside, letting the gods pass, and resumes his post as if they were never there at all.

Sneaking into the palace is not difficult; they have been doing it since they were children. They know every corridor, every secret passage, and every unknown doorway that will deliver them straight to their Mother’s chambers. It is heavily shielded with magic, but the wards have always allowed her children to pass through. In front of the roaring hearth, Loki lays you on Frigga’s bed. But you start shivering immediately from the loss of contact, so he simply picks you back up again and sits on the edge of the bed himself, tucking one of his hands among the folds of the cloak so your own has something to grasp.

“I will go summon her,” Thor says, and disappears into the hall.

Your breathing is shallow, and sometimes stops, making his heart stop with it until another gasp shudders through your chest. “Please hold on, love,” he whispers, and your head leans more heavily into his chest as if to say, I’m trying.

The grand wooden doors open, and then close again. Loki hears a sigh, delicate as winter’s wind, and then: “what have you done now, my son?”

“Mother.” His voice does break this time, and without shame he looks at Frigga with tears in his eyes. “I need help.”

“So your brother has said.” He looks at Thor gratefully, relieved he does not have to relive the tale. “Are you hurt?” She reaches out to graze his wounded shoulder, instinctively assessing the damage as only a mother can, but Loki shrugs her off.

“It is minimal. Please, she- she is in far more dire straights than I.”

Her face folds into something hard. A face that has seen too many battle wounds, too much blood and too much suffering. “Let me see her.” Loki lets his cloak unravel, revealing your scarlet-soaked clothes and misshapen limbs, which have folded in on themselves at unnatural angles. Frigga’s hands work quickly, illuminating you in blue magic, probing your body for the most insistent wounds. Incoherent noises fall from your lips. Even unconscious, you can tell that a stranger is near.

All at once, she stops and steps back. “Well?” Loki’s voice is anxious enough to roil the sea.

“Her body can be healed, though I fear it may be more painful than when she was inflicted upon.” He nods. That was to be expected; healing an entire body is a feat only Frigga would dare attempt, and even it comes with a price. “I cannot promise how quickly her mind or her sanity will return with the rest of her.”

“I know.” She looks at him carefully. “Whatever the outcome, I will take full responsibility.” He cannot remember ever saying those words before and meaning them.

And so you are laid on the bed, your head and neck in Loki’s lap, so his magic can give you what comfort it can during the healing. A light shines through Frigga’s eyes from some ancient and unknowable place. Her hands glow blue. And ever so gently, she places your hand on your forearm, to med the bone that is broken within.

Nothing could have prepared Loki for your scream.

He grits his teeth and lets his fingers rest on your temples, sending waves of calm and relief to you. But still you writhe and shriek, terrified and begging for the pain to stop in all the languages you know and others you don’t. Frigga’s concentration is unshaken, but the man holding you can feel his own heart slowly being torn to shreds by your agony. It is more painful than anything he has ever endured. Odin’s punishment will be a blessing compared to this. He searches his mind for good memories- reading to him in his cell, bickering back and forth about anything and everything, the warmth he felt in his chest the first time you truly smiled at him- and pushes them to you, trying to replace your current situation with pleasant dreams.

In your own head, you watch the scene play out in terror. Your body is trembling so hard you’re scared it will come apart at the seams, and while your screams sound far away, the sound sends ice down your spine. And Thor, Thor is in the corner mumbling words you can’t understand, and Loki- oh, Loki. He’s crying. There are tears running down his cheeks. You try to go to him, wanting to wipe away the salt and water, but a voice stops you. “I would not, little one. You have enough to handle as it is.” The woman bending over you encasing you in blue- you don’t know her. But her voice speaks to you anyways, echoing in the back of your mind.

“I have to help him.”

“You need to help yourself.”

“Who are you?”

“I am Frigga, a healer. Do not distract me, child. You are proving quite the project.”

Frigga. You know that name. Frigga, as in Odin’s wife, as in Loki’s mother, which means… you’re on Asgard. That would explain your surroundings, covered in intricate carvings and gold leaf. But if you’re on Asgard- Loki brought you here. He left Earth. He escaped SHIELD. He’s probably on the run from humans and Asgardians alike by now and oh boy you are so going to smack him the next time you see him for getting himself into trouble-

Frigga’s laugh is gentle and sweet. “You seem to care quite a lot for my son.”

“He saved my life.”

Memories rush through your head, pulled to the forefront of your mind- you see the endless hours of talk between yourself and Loki, you see the laughter and the smiles and the looks of gratitude and longing and wistfulness. The tears in your eyes as you accuse him on the anniversary of your brother’s death. Loki teaching you his favorite Asgardian hymn. The books you read, the games you played, the thoughts you kept to yourself. Frigga sees them all, and you are powerless to stop her.

“No, my dear,” she murmurs. “I believe you saved his.”

In the land of the living, you gasp like you’ve just come up for air for the first time since you were born, chest heaving, hands scrambling for something, anything, to anchor yourself from the free fall you’ve just dived out of. Loki ties his fingers together with yours so you don’t hurt yourself in your confusion. “Peace, darling,” he says, relief and wonder obvious in his voice. “I have you.”

He watches you try to focus on his face, eyes darting back and forth but not quite there. “Loki? Am- did I die?”

“No, Witling. It was not your time.” He leans his forehead down and lets it rest against your own, breathing almost as hard as you are. You’re alive. You know him, you know his voice and his touch. Your screams will haunt him until Ragnarök descends, but he can deal with that as long as you never let go of his fingers. “You will have to put up with me a while yet.”

You hum a little in agreement, and a few of the vices wrapped around his chest fall away.

Once you’ve fallen into a fitful sleep, Loki carefully removes himself from your side, though he stays within arms reach. You’re blanketed in every fur he owns, only your nose and the tips of your ears peeking out from the bundle. It’d be unbearably cute if only you weren’t crying listlessly in your sleep.

“I healed the worst of it. I imagine she will still require Midgardian care for quite some time.” She sighs, and magicks away the tears on your cheeks. “Much of the work was ensuring her soul stays tethered where it belongs.”

Loki has to look at you for a few moments to reassure himself you’re still with him. Still breathing. Still alive. In a flash, he’s pulled his mother into a hug. “Thank you,” he whispers into her hair, and she smiles and hugs him back. She hasn’t seen him like this since he was a child who needed comforting after an especially angry bout of words with Odin. Since he so wrongfully decided that his burdens were his alone to bear.

“You are most welcome, my son.” When he pulls away, she keeps him in her arms. Brushes a stray piece of hair from his face. “You care for her greatly,” she says gently.

“Yes,” he admits, so soft only she can hear.

“Well, then. Take her home; keep her safe. She will need you when she wakes.”

“Mother,” he says hesitantly. Carefully. “Do you know of the All-Father’s plans for me?”

She studies his face. “I do not. He has not been keen to share the information. I will do my best to placate him, but-”

“No. I accept my fate, whatever it may be. Only…” he glances back at you.

“-falling in love was not part of the plan.” She finishes his sentence with a small smile on her face. The words sound so naked spoken into the air. Of course, he knows he loves you. He has known since you sat down to read him stories with a smile on your face, caring not what the consequences may be. Still, the fact remains that his ending will be an unhappy one. And now he has dragged you into his ever-unfolding tragedy. “Things will turn out how they should.” She presses a hand to his cheek and kisses him lightly on the forehead. “You deserve happiness for once in your life, my son.”

Happiness? Perhaps. But he does not deserve you, or your smile, or the way you look at him-

“Loki?” Your eyes open, then immediately close again, the dim light giving you a headache.

“Go now.” Frigga pushes him gently towards you. “We will meet again.”

And so while Thor scouts the way ahead, making sure the three of you won’t be seen, Loki once more gathers you up in his arms. You’re dazed, but conscious enough to look up at him. “Hey, Trickster.” Loki has spoken sonnets that would bring gods to their knees; heard epics spanning centuries; learned divine words that even he struggled to comprehend. But nothing will ever be so sweet as the lazy way you said his name in that moment, smiling in his arms as though it’s the only place you’d ever like to be.

A/N: Deadass just having a bad night and want some validation sooooo have a chapter XD and look! NO cliffhanger this time!

[veliseraptor]

Everything sucks AU is a punch to the gut, but in the best possible way? I really like it, especially how it shows how much Loki meant to everyone else, even though he wasn't an official avenger. Just great stuff there. Also, any chance of Frigga coming to the verse?

dearer to my soul, ~2k, frigga pov in the everything sucks ‘verse (on AO3 here), quick summary for those who missed it: the spinoff au of remember this cold where loki died on the raft, thor and steve (and tony) brought him back eventually, but things are still pretty fucked up, a whole bucketload of angst here

She waited a long while for Loki to reach out to her, because she hoped that he would. Because it seemed better to let him make the first step, though she should have known better than to expect him to do so. Loki did not do that anymore. He no longer sought her out for comfort.

That hurt, like a knife twisting in her chest. The more so now, when she knew he was suffering.

Frigga had shouted at Odin for doing as he had done. For going without telling her to inspect their son, when he must be so fragile - but when her anger burnt out she asked him to tell her everything. None of what he said was good.

He is not whole, my love, he said heavily. Returned, and alive, but not whole.

She reached out to Loki’s dreams with aching hope, but they were closed to her. Finally, after nearly a month of waiting, she sought out Thor’s instead.

“Mother,” he said, and even here he looked weary, newly careworn. She drew him into an embrace, and he leaned heavily into her, resting his head on her shoulder.

“My son,” she said gently. “You look exhausted.”

He drew back and tried to smile. “I am all right.” She just raised her eyebrows at him, and he looked down, abashed. “Perhaps a little tired.”

“You do not need to be strong with me,” Frigga said, and his shoulders slumped.

“I do not know what I am doing,” Thor said. “I am afraid that I am going about it all wrong. I thought once it was done - once I had him back…but it is almost harder, now.”

“Loki,” she said. “He is still…”

“Better,” Thor said, with a determination that suggested he at least needed to believe it was so. “He is…better. But so slowly. And he suffers, and I cannot always ease it.”

Frigga put her hands on his shoulders and squeezed. “You are doing all you can,” she said. “And…ensure you take the time for yourself, as well. To rest. To grieve.”

“Grieve?” Thor said. “What do I have to grieve for?”

“For your brother,” she said. Thor looked down.

Frigga paused, and then said, “I want to see him.”

He glanced up, sharply. “Why are you not asking him?” he said, and there was something painfully suspicious in his voice. Protective, and she remembered what Odin had said about Thor’s reaction, his bristling, near hostility. Was that how it would be with her, too?

“I would,” she said, “but his dreams are closed to me. So I am asking you to pass on a message to him.”

Thor paused, considering her, and Frigga controlled her face, not letting the hurt show. Finally, he nodded. “What message?”

“Only that I thank the Norns for his safe return,” she said, “and ask if he would accept my visiting. That I want to hold my son again. If not now…when he is ready.”

Thor’s expression softened. “Mother…”

She smiled sadly. “I know,” she said. “Your father told me. I will not force him if he is not ready. But I need to know, for myself, that my youngest child is alive. That he breathes. And perhaps…perhaps there is some healing I may offer.”

This time it was Thor who drew her into an embrace. “I will ask,” he said, and then paused. “I am afraid. So afraid that one wrong move may break him.”

“You are afraid I might be that wrong move,” Frigga said. Thor shook his head.

“No,” he said. “I am afraid anything might be.”

**

For the fourth time, Frigga glanced at herself in the mirror, smoothing her dress, adjusting her hair. She knew it was foolish - she was going to see her sick son, not attending a festival - but it was something to do with her nerves.

It had been Thor, not Loki as she had hoped, to bear back the answer to her message. He says you can come.

It was agreement, permission, but it did not say that Loki wanted her there. He could be agreeing because he thought he had to, or felt guilty refusing, or any number of other reasons. It had been some time since they’d spoken, and Odin’s words were fresh in her mind. His soul is wounded. Torn. It does not rest easily in his body.

One wrong move may break him, Thor said. She had made mistakes before, with the best of intentions.

And yet - what would Loki think if she turned away?

She took one of the shadow-paths to Midgard rather than using the Bifrost; it would be subtler, less disruptive, and she did not want to make a performance of her visit. She reached out, seeking Loki, but could not find him - he must be shielding himself. She sought Loki instead, as she had sought him in the Void, and followed the familiar texture of his energy.

It led her to a door, and she knocked quietly. She heard the quiet sound of footsteps on the other side, and Steve opened it.

He seemed briefly surprised to see her. “Your - Frigga,” he said. “Thor said you might be visiting, but he didn’t say when. Um - come in. Can I get you anything?”

He was polite, Frigga thought, but wary. Cautious, much as Thor had been, and also wearied, new sorrow weighing on him. She offered a small smile and extended her hands. “No, thank you,” she said. “But thank you.” She stepped inside the unfamiliar rooms. She could see touches of Loki here and there, though in sum it did not feel much like him.

Frigga’s eyes only noticed details for a moment, though, before she saw Loki. He was sitting curled up on one of the couches, looking at her with wide eyes.

He was so thin, she noticed. The lean muscle he’d built over the decades almost all gone. There were new shadows in his stare, new fear, and this close she could feel the strangeness of his energy. Tangled, twisted and knotted on itself. Her heart ached.

“Loki,” she said softly. “My son.” Frigga stepped forward, past Steve, and watched Loki rise. He was…skittish, on the point of flight. A deer in the wood trying to decide which way to leap.

She stopped, and took a shaky breath, tears burning in her eyes. “Will you let me touch you?” Frigga asked. She could feel Steve hovering nearby, but kept her eyes on Loki.

He walked toward her slowly, and silently held out his hands. She took them, and felt his body twitch, almost a flinch.

“What?” she asked quickly. “What is it?”

Loki glanced toward Steve, and then back at her. “Touch is…hard, sometimes,” he said. His voice sounded different, too. Quieter, subdued. She started to let go, but his fingers tightened slightly. “No,” he said. “Don’t…”

She wanted, so badly, to hold him. To pull him into her arms and ease his hurt with her magic. But she could not erase wounds on the soul, and embracing him would only hurt him.

But she could hold Loki’s hands, gently, like a flower or a wounded bird. “Would it be all right if I stayed for dinner?” she asked quietly.

“Steve?” Loki asked.

“It’s up to you,” Steve said. Loki nodded.

“Then…yes,” he said. “You can stay.”

**

Thor joined them for the meal. Loki barely ate, and he did not speak much, either, leaving her and Thor and Steve to fill the silence. Frigga was careful not to speak too much of Asgard, and did not turn toward reminiscing of the past, either. She asked about this country they were dwelling in, instead, and the welfare of their friends, and all too soon Loki excused himself with a wan smile, claiming exhaustion. Frigga stood and kissed him lightly on the cheek.

“It will be well, my son,” she said, quiet and for his ears alone. Loki’s eyes briefly closed.

“Thank you, mother,” he said. It did not sound as though he believed her words, and he slipped away like a fish vanishing back under the surface of the stream.

He is better, Thor had said. What had he been like before?

She returned to the table, sitting down once again. Steve was staring at his plate, a furrow between his eyebrows. Thor cleared his throat.

“Well?” he said. It took Frigga a moment to identify the tone of his voice.

“I am not here to judge,” she said. “Neither you nor him.”

“Good,” Steve said, though under his breath. She pretended not to have heard, since she didn’t think she was meant to.

“Can you…” Thor paused. “Is there anything you can do? To help him?”

Frigga was briefly surprised to be asked. And a little relieved. Much as she was trying to suppress it, the coolness Thor - and Steve - were showing toward her…hurt. But… “More than what you are doing, you mean,” she said. “You are asking if I can use my magic to heal Loki’s ills.”

She took a deep breath. “I wish I could,” she said softly. “But soul-wounds are…I know no healing but time, and care.”

Thor’s disappointment was audible in his sigh. Steve, she thought, did not seem surprised.

“I wish I could offer more,” she said, meaning every word. Steve smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes.

“You don’t have to rush back,” he said. “If you want, you could stay the night. We can find some place to put you up.”

“Thank you,” Frigga said. “I would appreciate that.

**

That night, Loki dreamwalked to her.

The landscape of her dream changed gradually, clarifying into a grey and misty wasteland, a featureless plain. Loki stood in front of her, and if in life he looked thin, here he was ghostly - insubstantial, as if a breeze might scatter his atoms, spread him across the universe.

“Loki,” Frigga said, surprised.

“Mother,” Loki said. “I wanted to tell you that I am…that I am sorry.”

Frigga blinked. “Sorry? Whatever for?”

“For making you grieve,” Loki said, as though it was obvious. “And now, for not being…what you want me to be.”

“No,” Frigga said, after an incredulous pause. “No, love - you do not need to apologize for dying. Please don’t. And as for now…Loki, all I want you to be is yourself.”

Loki closed his eyes, and wrapped his arms around himself. “But I am not,” he said. “I am not - myself. I don’t know what I am, but I am not…I am pieces of myself. And I can feel the ones missing.���

Frigga took a step toward him, and halted. Glancing around them, she began to shape her own dream, drawing them back to her garden, away from the terrible, colorless void. “You are not the same,” she said. “No one could be the same. But you are still Loki. I am not the same as I was before I lost you the first time. Thor is not the same. Steve is not the same. You are hurt. But you are healing.”

“Sometimes I wonder,” Loki said, sinking down to sit on the ground, “if I should not have stayed dead.”

A shiver went through her. “No,” she said vehemently. “No. Loki - when your father told me that you had returned, I cried for joy. And perhaps I was selfish. I knew you would suffer, but all I could feel was gratitude that you walked among the living again.” She couldn’t hold back, but knelt down, reaching out and cupping his face, gently, so gently. “You belong here. With those who love you.”

Loki looked at her, his eyes full of misery and pain and despair. “Amma,” he said, “it just hurts. So much.”

She wept, then. Wept, and gathered him into her arms, cradling the back of his head and rocking him like a child, her child, her bright-eyed, curious boy.

[readyfreddieforyourbullshit-blog]

Perfectly Unraveled, Chapter I

Rating: Mature

Modern day AU.

Warnings: Abusive parent, swearing, mentions of drinking, drug abuse, self harm, anorexia, mental abuse, physical abuse, favoritism, run away child, cheating, suicide, depression.

Fandom: Marvel.

Plot: Odin Borsons family was perfect. Perfect wife, perfect children, successful business. He donates to charity, feeds the homeless, he helps with school events. But behind the scenes, two of Odins children struggle to survive and to earn their fathers approval. Will they be able to escape the life they were born into, and find happiness? Or will their souls die trying?

A/N: Jesus I really need to write something light hearted, ffs.

Hela had officially had it.

She was sick of it. Sick of her step mother acting like everything was just perfectly fine, while Odin, her father, abused her and her little brother Loki mercilessly.

She was sick of looking like the perfect family. The typical, normal, perfect family. With well behaved children, who wouldn't dare speak without being spoken to. Married high school sweethearts who broke up after senior year, only to meet again after Odins divorce and marry in less then a year.

Helas mother walked out when she was only 5. She remembered the day she left. Her long black silky hair flowing behind. Hela trying to follow her out the door. Her mothers cold glare with her piercing green eyes. Eyes that they shared. She still remembers her last words to her.

"Last thing I need is Odin claiming I kidnapped his fucking brat. Stay with daddy and play princess, bitch."

Last Hela heard, she was found dead six months later in a alleyway with a needle in her arm.

She didn't know what made her mother finally snap. The abuse, the need for drugs, the pressure to be the perfect wife and mother to Odins heir, it didn't fucking matter. Long as Hela was concerned, she was an orphan.

She remembered the day Odin introduced Frigga to her. How her long golden locks wove into an intricate braid, her stunning hazel eyes, her gentle smile. How she immediately took to her as her own. Hela always loved Frigga, striving for her approval. Things were so good. Her father stopped hitting her over the littlest things, she had a mommy again. Her future was bright.

Then Thor came along.

At last! The golden haired, tan, blue eyed son Odin always wanted!

Hela was immediately ignored by him. All he ever did was coo at his beautiful son. He never let her around his perfect child, fearing she would poison him. She would always wait until the dead of the night, and then she would go into Thors room and look at him. She didn't understand, what did this supposed miracle child have that she didn't? She was smarter, faster, why, she could count to 1000!

Then Loki came.

Immediately Hela loved him. Finally! A brother that looked like her!

He had dark black hair, just like her, but instead of it being smooth and straight like hers, it was curly and unkempt. He had baby blue eyes that you could melt into. She noticed that Odin didn't take to Loki like he did Thor, or even like he did Hela herself. Frigga was extremely protective with Loki. Not even leaving the maid alone with him. The only other person she trusted alone with Loki was Hela.

Hela looked at her phone. It was almost dead, and she didn't have a charger. She paused, and in a moment of rashness, chucked the phone to the ground and stomped on it with her foot. The phone smashed underneath her boot. She didn't want Odin to track her. She learned that the hard way.

She walked up to the park. All she had was a bag she kept packed in case she needed to make a run for it. She had two. One for her, and one for Loki. She tried to get him before she left, but it was either run without him, or get caught. Hela couldn't afford to be caught a second time. This time, the punishment would surely be worse then the first.

As they grew older, it became evident that Odin favored Thor. Loki was always Odins target. Hela tried to protect him as much as she could, earning herself many bruises and a broken arm. Loki and Hela stuck together as much as possible. Walking the hallways together at school, studying for tests together, helping the other get the best grades possible. They tried to please their father, but nothing was enough. If Thor got a D, Odin got him a tutor. If Hela got a C, she got beat. If Loki got a B, he would be berated venomously. Odin couldn't lay a finger on Loki. The moment Frigga found a bruise, she would pack her bags and leave him with nothing. So he made little comments. Ones that would build up, taller, taller, like a Jenga tower, pulling some out, rearranging, until eventually, it collapsed. Only to be rebuilt. Over, and over again.

Odin could do whatever he wanted to Hela. She was no ones favorite. No one noticed why she started wearing long sleeves in the summer, why she bleached her hair and tried to make it curly like her brothers. Only had every inch shaved off. No questions as to why she was becoming so worryingly skinny. Nothing.

It boiled to a point, where she couldn't take it anymore.

One night, about a year ago, Hela packed a bag. Loki sat on her bed, swinging his legs. His green sweater sleeves over his hands as he picked at a stray string.

"Don't." Hela said. She placed a black shirt in a spare backpack. "It'll unravel the sleeve."

"Sorry." Loki looked up at her, his big blue eyes looking worried she would be cross. She only smiled and ruffled his curly hair. "What are you packing for?" He asked innocently.

Hela froze.

"We're, uh… going on a trip. Just you and me." She said. She put a sandwich in a plastic baggy with R2 D2 on it.

"Really?!" He smiled. His front tooth was missing, creating a big gap that made his smile just heart melting. "Where to?"

Hela paused again. What exactly can she say here? He was just a kid. She couldn't just say the truth, that they were going to run away from this toxic home and find a new one. Hopefully. Who would want to take in a 12 year old and her 6 year old brother?

"To this place."

"What place?"

She huffed. She looked around the room desperately, as though her dirty laundry she threw on the floor carelessly this afternoon held the answer. Then she got it.

"Vallhalla." She replied, and continued packing.

"Valhal-Val-What?"

"Vallhalla. Home of the warriors of Asgard. Mr. May has been teaching us about Norse mythology, so we're going to go visit them."

He grinned. Great job, Hela. You didn't scare the kid, you made him excited to be homeless. Nice one.

"When are we going? Are we going tonight? Should I bring Peter?!" Peter was his stuffed rabbit. He carried him everywhere. Odin had mocked it one time, only to be overheard by Frigga and be berated by her. He didn't do it again.

"Y'know, that's a great idea! Why don't I get him?" She smiled. They had to leave tonight. Odin was away on business and it was only for the night. They had to run while they could. It was their only chance.

The stars above twinkled gently as Hela sat on the park bench. It was chilly, and all she had for warmth was her thin sweater. She put her backpack under her head and played down. She was under a tree that was a bit far from the main part of the park, so hopefully no one would notice, or bother, her. God, she was starving. She looked at the moon. It was a crescent moon. Lokis favorite. She preferred the half moon. She opened her bag and rummaged through it, looking for something important.

Hela walked quietly through the garden, holding Lokis hand.

"Lala, why can't mommy come?"

"I told you, Kiki, Vallhalla doesn't allow mommies and daddies. Now be quiet, we can't let anyone know." She whispered. The sky was cloudy and the air humid. Her heavy clothing causing her to sweat, but she didn't care. She had worn as much clothing as possible. She had on two pairs of jeans, three t shirts, and two sweaters.her hair was in a high bun, her stray hairs sticking to her wet skin. She had managed to get two pairs of jeans for Loki in her bag, but could only fit one pair on him. He had on two t shirts and one sweater. She had more clothes in their bags, but she mainly put in essentials.

Loki whined.

"I'm tired. Can you carry me?"

Loki asked softly. Hela shook her head.

"Mm mm. You're too big for me now. You have to be strong or else we won't make it to Vallhalla." She replied. How was she gonna do this? Just live in a homeless shelter for the rest of her and Lokis childhood? They'd turn them into foster care. Besides, not like she's old enough to claim he's her kid. She could call the police, tell them what's going on, but c'mon. Her father was the richest man in town. He was the owner of Asgard Inc. A business his father passed down to him. Who would believe that he, a man who gave to charity, went to church every Sunday, fed the homeless, would beat one child, and mentally break the other?

It didn't matter. They were almost to the woods just outside of their house. Just a little further and they'd-

An alarm started blaring.

Fuck.

Hela grabbed Loki, who was frozen in terror, and ran. She ran blindly into the woods, pushing past branches and bushes, hearing dogs barking, following them.

Her breathing started becoming harsher, harder. Her legs started to trip over themselves. Loki dug his fingers into her back. She feels tears streaming down her face, her eyesight becoming blurry.

She can see the edge of the forest. They're almost out. Just keep running. Just keep running. Just keep-

Her foot catches on a root sticking out of the ground. She pushes Loki from her so she doesn't crush him. She stumbles trying to get back up, grabbing Lokis arm, tugging him to the edge, but it's too late. A man grabs her wrists and handcuffs her. A needle pricks her skin. She screams for Loki to run. To go away. Her vision fade to black as someone grabs Loki.

Hela finally finds the thing she was looking for. She pulled it out. The little stuffed toy that Loki gave her. Peter the rabbit.

She hugged it to her chest and felt tears running down her cheeks. Odin had beat her to the point of a broken arm, and after that, starved her and locked her in her room.

Frigga was on vacation with the kids, to 'recover from the truama'.

Hela looked back at the sky. She felt sleep tugging at her eyelids. She finally did it.

She was free.

She smiled as she faded out of consciousness, praying that Loki was okay, and that one day, she could go back and get him.

A/N: I hope you guys like this! Please reblog!

[tarithenurse]

I see you - Ch. 7

Pairing: still promised Heimdal x fem!reader Warnings: fluff and pining. Little bit of tension. Then some fluff and pining. A/N: I guess I’m a sucker for slow burns ;)

Ch. 7 – Unwritten

At first, things were happening in a fog, obscuring facts and swallowing memories. More than once, you were told, you had insisted that your sister must be told that you were alive, and just as often you’d be comforted by Heimdal or Frigga telling you that it was sorted, and all you should worry about was getting better.

You spend more time asleep than you first had expected. Of course, it will take a lot of energy for your body to recover, not to mention that the Asgardian healers aren’t stingy with the painkillers that make you drowsy, but there’s something else that you can’t quite identify to begin with, and whatever it is, it makes you drift off mid-conversation without much warning.

As a result, it has taken you and Heimdal to get through the recent events back home (when you finally heard that it was Loki behind the attacks and that he was awaiting sentence in a prison, you tried to get out of bed to go and tell him off and possibly punch him – for obvious reasons that didn’t work out), and learning about the Asgardian culture was turning into a multi-chapter saga of it’s own.

“No but wait!” You were protesting to Heimdal’s heritage. “So, you really do have just one mom?”

“Yes…” catching the way you tilt your head, he continues curiously, “is this not common in Midgard?”

Of course, there are various family constellations depending on culture and personal preferences, so two dads and a mom isn’t that strange. The reason it makes you hesitate has to do with the myths in which it’s claimed that the Bridge-Keeper should have no fathers at all but eleven mothers. Does it make sense? No. But neither does a rainbow bridge or an eight-legged horse. Meeting Heimdal’s eyes, you feel your cheeks heat and you try not to focus on the growing smile as you stammering attempt to explain. His deep, rolling laughter when you’ve finished is contagious. It sweeps you up and carries you along on a great sea of warm comfort where ships with doubt and shyness sink, leaving room for an unconcerned happiness even when you end up laughing too much and the pain returns with a vengeance, silencing you and stealing your breath away.

“I’m sorry, my lady –“

“[Y/N]!” You’re trying to get him to use your first name only, but he’s reluctant.

Smiling crookedly, the god nods. “[Y/N].” The way he pronounces it, makes it sound like it has a deeper, richer meaning. “I didn’t mean to hurt you by laughing,” he explains, “yet…that particular story was born as a prank by a pair of young, mischievous princes. They stole their father’s horse and went to Midgard, this would’ve been nigh a thousand of your years ago, and those that recognized them as who they were…” A flicker of sadness crosses the handsome face, distancing the golden eyes.

For a moment the only sounds are from the world outside the windows. Out there, the sun’s getting low and its radiant colours are reflected off the snow on the mountain tops. I wonder if I’ll get to see more of Asgard before they send me home? Squinting, you find where the last trees on the steep, jagged sides and where a ravine has cleared a broad path across the lower growths above the treeline.

Turning back, you find Heimdal still lost in memory with his large hands clasped loosely between the knees and the urge to reach out overwhelms you. Your hand is small as your fingers close gently around his, startling him at first before returning the gesture and allowing your thumb to rub gentle patterns around his knuckles.

…

“Father, I must say that I agree with both Heimdal and mother on this matter.”

Looking towards Thor, it strikes the Keeper of Bifrost that the young prince has still to smile since his return to Asgard. What does he have to smile about? True, the battle has been won, however he lost his brother in the symbolic sense in the process, and to the older brother Loki was as a close friend and trustworthy companion once. Someone who was always there. The reasonable and calmer of the two. Now the adopted relative sits in a cell, refusing to see anyone or acknowledge the relations formerly shared, while Thor has acquired a wisdom vastly superior to the boy that he was a few years ago.

“You would grant her haven? For how long, my son?” Despite the kind moniker, Odin’s voice is cold, carrying the disinterest in the Midgardians whom he thinks of as lesser. “Until she’s well enough to be moved or maybe until she has healed completely? She will be a burden to us although we carry no responsibility for her or her realm.”

“Loki’s our responsibility, whether you want it or not.” Sighing deeply, there’s no challenge or anger in Thor. “The people of Midgard have been thrust into an infinitely larger reality than they were prepared for. They are frightened…lost. Without guidance, they will stumble and fall in their foolish naivety unless we show them a better way than they would choose on their own. Father, if we do not grant this girl the same honours as we would a hero, then we are no better than they are, and we do not deserve Midgard’s respect.”

Although Frigga doesn’t say a word, the troublemaker who has brought the foreigner in question to the Asgard can sense the queens pride and excitement at the direction the discussion is moving. A twinkle of a smile is in her eye even as she looks down to hide it, and it causes Heimdal to feel as though they are two children smirking over a well-played prank that a parent is defending, just as it had been once.

“Fine!” Tossing his hands in the air, Odin finally gives in. “She can stay for now and we will take up the matter once she has recovered.” A clear blue eye bores into a pair of amber. “I hold you responsible for her and any action of hers while she’s here. You will not return to your duties before she’s gone! Your only task is to make sure she stays out of trouble.”

Bowing deeply, Heimdal radiates calm. “Yes, your highness.”

…

The day arrives where you can move your feet and the good arm without paling from the agony. That’s the day where you ask what is going to happen, when you will be told to leave. Valhalla isn’t your home, as Odin so clearly had pointed out, and you know that you’re going to have to face the facts and leave even if you don’t really want to.

Frigga and a few healers are fluffing the pillows and adding more to guarantee enough support to sit up against them after they’ve helped wash and turn you to prevent bed sores.

“Queen Frigga,” you begin nervously, fiddling with the clean linen, “I’m very, very grateful for the kindness you’ve all shown me…for saving my life…”

When you don’t continue right away, she sinks down on the edge of the bed and takes your hands. “You can speak openly. Don’t worry, dear child.”

“I know, I’m not supposed to be here…what I mean to say is,” watching her slender hands rest effortlessly on the fur calms you enough to finish, “when will I have to leave?”

Don’t I want to leave? New York is your home. The first place you’ve felt free and safe after leaving your then-boyfriend. So what, if you’d only been there a few months, there were people you cared about and who, hopefully, cared about you. Like your new colleagues. And the old widower that always had his little folding chair out and sat by the corner to watch people walk by. The curious kid next door. Too often you wonder how they’re doing, until you remind yourself that there neither was nor is anything you can do about them right now, and that their lives will go on easily. Afterall…it was just three months since you moved to the city.

“If you wish, then we can bring you back to Midgard now…” the queen admits, “however, you’re welcome to stay as long as needed for your recovery.”

The smile on your face is not simply from the light feeling after a worry has been lifted of your shoulders, rather it’s from a warm glow within you at the thought of getting to spend more time with – Oh! Stop it! Scolding yourself doesn’t erase the visage in your mind of a man with eyes like liquid gold and skin the vibrant richness as mother earth would have.

“I trust you have found good company, but don’t hesitate to ask for anything.”

The slight smirk and playful glimmer in her eyes makes you suspect that she knows more than she says openly, which shouldn’t surprise you as that is exactly what the myths you used to read had said.

But what’s real and what’s just stories?

There’s so much still to figure out.

[katiekat1321]

The Master and The God (part 6)

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5

A/N: Someone asked me to start doing a short recap of the previous chapter before each chapter so in the previous chapter: You arrive in Asgard with Thor and Loki, where Loki is essentially put under house arrest in his room. Odin (surprisingly) allows you to stay under a few conditions and Frigga asks if she can train you in Seidr magic.

The first couple days in Asgard were interesting to say the least. The morning after your arrival you met with Frigga and figured out a training schedule. She also helped get you some new clothes made, similar to your own that you wore back in Kamar-Taj. You just couldn’t give up the bell-sleeves and hooded look.

When the training started you found it to be an interesting struggle. You learned quickly, considering you were the only Midgardian Frigga had ever taught Seidr magic to, but it was difficult to make sure you weren’t using dimensional energy to complete the tasks Frigga was trying to teach you. You found the Seidr magic to be more strenuous on yourself because it was pulling from your own energy or life force, but you figured that it was worth learning in case you were ever in a situation where you were unable to use the mystic arts.

After a week of training with Frigga you had built up a better resistance to the strain the Seidr magic was putting on you. “When you arrived here, your Seidr was very weak. Its glow was dim. But after just a over a week here it is already much stronger,” Frigga had explained to you as she paced in the small room you had been practicing in.  

“What does Loki’s Seidr look like?” you had asked in return. You were very curious, but unsure if you should mention Loki. You’d quickly taken notice to the emotions she radiated when he was brought up, there was so much love and pain.

“It is one of the strongest I’ve ever seen,” she replied, “It burns like the eternal flame, but he wastes its potential. He could do so much good, but he has barely tapped into its full strength.”

“It may be a blessing in disguise then,” you offered, “if he’s going to use his magic to harm others perhaps it’s better that he has been wasting his potential.”

She sat down next to you, eyes downcast. Her pain was palpable. “He was a good boy. I know all parents say that, but he really was. He was so kind and sweet, and then Odin forced him to compete against Thor for his love and approval.” Frigga had her hand tightly clasped together and they started to glow slightly, “I love Odin, but I can never forgive him for what he made my Loki become.”

You placed a hand on hers and the glowing ceased. “I want to be honest with you Frigga. Loki has done some awful stuff, but I don’t think he is a villain. He can still redeem himself. I have faith in him, and I guess I’ll find out if it is misguided faith at some point.”

Frigga smiled at you, “I’m glad he has you to believe in him, if no one else will.”

After your training with Frigga ended you were heading to go meet with Loki for what you were calling his ‘therapy session playdates’; a name he found unamusing at best. But on the way you passed Thor who asked you to train with him since the Warriors Three and Sif were busy trying to prevent a war in one of the realms you couldn’t recall the name of. He had been asking to train you since your arrival. He claimed he wanted you to be able to defend yourself if Loki tried to escape, of course he knew you were training in magic with his mother, but he assumed that it was a fruitless effort.

It’s still very early… you thought to yourself. I was about half an hour until the time you told Loki you would meet him, so rather than be early you decided to humor Thor. So, he led you to the palace courtyard for sparring. You set your cane down on the bench and felt it huff in annoyance as you walked over to a rack of weapons, choosing one similar to a naginata. He can’t know about you yet… you thought to the Staff of the Living Tribunal. Your staff was tired of being hidden and unused. Back at home, at Kamar-Taj you regularly trained with the Staff, it was used to being able to use its power much more regularly. I promise I’ll put you to use later, you thought to it before turning back to Thor.

“If this is the best you can do then I’m not sure meeting alone with Loki is a good idea Lady Y/n,” Thor said as he beat you a fourth time. You had made the decision to not use any powers in the fights to make it more fair for Thor. You knew he wasn’t going to use any lightning bolts on you, so you thought it was only right to not create any weapons with energy or cast any spells. “I can go easier on you, if you’d like.” Thor offered, but his pity only annoyed you.

Just do it, you know you want to… You could hear Loki thinking to you. You looked around and saw him sitting by the window sill up in his room. It over looked the courtyard you and Thor were practicing in. Lie and tell him you’ve been practicing with Mother and you’ve learned quickly.

I have been learning quickly, you argued back to him.

Loki chuckled, If you insist, but he wouldn’t know the difference between Seidr magic and whatever you do anyway. Just beat him. It was entertaining at first, watching you struggle, but now it’s just getting pathetic. Loki replied.

You pushed him from your thoughts and set the Naginata-looking blade back down. “Tired of losing already Lady Y/n?” Thor joked.

You shook you head. “Not exactly, I would like to try something,” you explained, “Your mother has been trying to train me in magic and I’m learning pretty well, at least that’s what she tells me. May I try fighting against your strength that way?”

“I don’t know that you will fair any better, but sure, let’s give it a shot,” Thor said with an amused smile.

You decided that it wasn’t actually lying if you did use some seidr magic as well, so you first materialized a dagger and shot it at Thor. It flew past his face, just missing him by millimeters. His eyes widened, realizing you actually knew what you were doing. Thor tried to charge at you, but you created clones of yourself using the mystic arts. Twenty of yourself surrounded him, at that moment you conjured swords in all of your clone’s hands. Then all the clones became transparent, becoming astral projections, and rejoining your actual form, the swords remaining where they were. You held both hands out in front of you and the swords closed in on his throat. Then you closed your fists and just as suddenly as they appeared, the swords turned to dust and fell to the ground.

Thor stayed where he was, too shocked to move. You looked up to Loki’s window, he was smirking. As soon as he noticed you looking he turned his back to the window. Hurry up, I don’t like to be kept waiting… Loki thought to you.

You rolled your eyes and held your hand out towards the bench you left your cane on. It flew into your open hand as you walked over to Thor and offered a hand to help him up. “Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“No!” Thor insisted, “I am in perfect health. I’m just… I had no idea you were learning so well from the Allmother. You could be an Avenger Y/n.”

You laughed and patted his shoulder, “I don’t know about that, but thank you. I must go to meet Loki now. I don’t want to keep him waiting too long.” You had turned to walk back into the palace, Thor had insisted he was going to train more, when you paused and turned back to him. “Thor are you still concerned about me being alone with your brother?”

“Not anymore,” Thor said with a chuckle and with that you turned and left, heading to Loki’s room.

You entered Loki’s room and saw he was lying down, reading a book. This was how you found him every time you came to meet with him. “Did you enjoy the show?” You asked him as you set your cane down, leaning it against the dresser by the door before plopping down on the edge his bed.

Loki didn’t even look up from his book. “I haven’t a clue as to what you are referring to… Oh, you mean your party tricks you’ve picked up? They were quite cute,” he said as he tried to push you off the bed with his knee.

You and Loki quickly developed this back and forth type of banter. You weren’t sure if he was flirting with you or not, but each time the thought crossed your mind you tried to ignore it. “Oh, party tricks? You wanna see them up close?”

That got Loki to glance at you finally. He tried to hide his amusement as he replied, “I’d be honored.”

As soon as the words left his mouth you froze him with Seidr magic and moved to sit closer to him. “Try to stay calm,” you said as you placed a hand on his cheek, caressing it for a moment before moving your hand to his forehead and sending him through a whirlwind of dimensions. You watched his facial expressions changed from confusion to panic as he flew through different dark dimensions, some were like kaleidoscopes and others that were just generally like an acid trip. After a few minutes you decided to bring Loki back to reality. You remember one of your first days at Kamar-Taj, when the Ancient One showed you these dimensions in this way, you had been gone for much longer, but you took pity on him.

When you brought Loki back into his body he shot upright and panted. His eyes screamed panic and shock, but he quickly recovered. “Okay, I will admit… your powers are formidable Lady Y/n.” Loki said, looking to you.

You were about to make a witty comment back to him when you realized how close you were sitting to him. It was cliché, even to you, but you really did freeze. You looked closer at Loki’s features, his deep blue eyes that pulled you in and his lips that looked so natural when pulled into a smirk. It finally all clicked in your mind, the pull you felt towards Loki all this time; the reason you didn’t step in sooner when Loki appeared on Earth to take the tesseract, you had liked watching him. You thought it was just intrigue, but now you realized it was desire, magnetism, you had feelings for Loki.

You were lost in thought, even freaking out a bit, until you finally heard Loki speak up. “Y/n… Y/n? Asgard to Y/n?” He blew a cloud of green smoke in your face and you shot up off the bed. You covered up the awkwardness of the moment by going to your cane.

“Sorry, I just remembered my staff wanted a chance to stretch it self out,” you said quickly as you tapped the cane on the ground twice and it transformed back into the staff. Its energy hummed happily as you stretched it out, letting the power crackle for a moment before whipping it once, being careful not to hit and break anything. “We can’t do too much, this isn’t the best place for you to work out all that pent-up energy,” you said to the staff.

You realized that you probably looked a little crazy for speaking to a stick, but when you looked over to check Loki’s reaction you realized he had gotten up and was standing beside you. “May I?” he asked, hand outstretched toward the staff. You bit your lip as you thought it over. Relics were very fickle things, especially the Staff of the Living Tribunal. Because it had chosen you it tended to do what you needed it to. It listened to you, but the Staff has had a history of being very troublesome with others. You gripped it tighter but didn’t feel any negative reaction from the staff, so you nodded and held it out to him.

“This is amazing,” Loki said after holding it for a moment, “I can feel the magic within it, but I can tell that it won’t allow me to access any of it. You’ve put quite the charm on it.”

“It’s no charm,” you said as the staff flew back to your waiting hand.

“Oh wonderful, it knows Mjolnir’s trick too,” Loki said, rolling his eyes.

You giggled a bit, but continued explaining, “relics choose who can wield them, this one has chosen me. And it has also chosen to not allow you to use it. Though I will say that I’ve watched people pick up the Staff and be blasted across the room, so you’re not a total loss.”

You tapped the staff twice and it turned back into your cane, though you could almost feel it groan in annoyance. You mentally apologized to it before moving to sit in Loki’s arm chair. “We’ve gotten to know each other a little better over the past week Loki… Now can you tell me more about what happened in New York?”

Loki walked back to the bed and sat down with a sigh, resting his head in his hands for a moment. “You already know the stories,” he said.

You looked at him with a bored expression. “I’ve heard plenty, yes. But I want to know your side of all this.”

He’s tried using that excuse before, “I’m not sure where to begin…” You could barely make out the muffled words as he said them. This was the closest he has come to confiding in you in a week of your odd meetings.

Loki opened his mouth to continue when a guard knocked on the door and peeked in. “I apologize Lady Y/n, Heimdall has urgently requested your presence.”

You groaned and looked at Loki, “Don’t think this conversation is over. I’ll be back later,” you said and got up, grabbing your cane, and walking out of the room.

**If you would like to be added to the tag list for this fic send me an ask! 

Tag List: @missaphrodite23 @sidemenaremylife @casuallyobsessivewitchcraft @alfoos @fiftyshadesofriri @dammitkatt @awkwardnesshabitat @fiery-feyre 

Part 7 -->

[imagine-loki]

of numbers and strange friendships

TITLE: Of Numbers and Strange Friendships CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: 22/? AUTHOR: nekoamamori ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Loki being friends with Peter Parker RATING: T NOTES/WARNINGS: None so far.  Also on AO3 here

Loki needen’t have worried.

At all.

Frigga came forward and hugged them both around the neck, though Loki had to bend over for her to reach. He minded oh so much.  He loved any contact from Frigga that he could get.  “Any blood brother of my son is a son of mine,” she told them and kissed each of their cheeks in turn. 

Peter blushed red as Frigga stepped back while Loki lit up in pure excitement that his beloved mother had accepted his blood brother.  Peter looked up at Loki. “Did your mom just adopt me?” he asked in a shocked whisper.

Loki chuckled.  “That she did,” he agreed and ruffled Peter’s hair affectionately, while Peter gaped at just being automatically adopted by Frigga.  Though that’s what Frigga did.  All of Thor’s friends she treated as her own children.  Of course she would do the same for Loki’s.  Especially a friend he cared for enough to claim as a brother.  “You should head to class, Arachnid.  You and Aunt May will be having dinner with us tonight,” he reminded the teen.  “Happy will pick you up, so do not be late getting home from patrol,”

Peter grinned. “Whatever you say, witch,” he teased.  Loki rolled his eyes, but didn’t complain any further in front of his mother.  He looked to Frigga and offered her a polite smile.  “It was a pleasure to meet you ma’am. We’ll see you tonight.”  Peter and Wanda both waved before they rushed off to make it to class on time.  It was a good thing Happy was driving them or they never would have made it on time.  At least not unless Loki teleported them.  Which he’d done for Wanda exactly once, since she’d been out all night on a mission and he’d taken pity on her.  

Loki turned to Frigga and offered her his arm.  “Would you care to meet the rest of the team, mother?” he asked her warmly.   

She took his arm with a bright smile.  “I would love to meet the rest of your friends, darling,” she told him warmly.  

The four of them started to head inside.  “They are more Thor’s friends than mine,” Loki warned her.  Besides Peter and Wanda, the rest of the team were pretty much all Thor’s friends.  Though Bucky and Loki had become close over shared experiences (and Loki healing Bucky’s abused mind), and the rest of the team was friendly with him, except Stark, who tolerated his presence.  Loki and Stark had agreed on a truce while Frigga was in town. 

“I am sure they are your friends as well, darling,” Frigga told Loki reassuringly, as she had his entirely life when he complained about Thor’s idiot friends and not having friends of his own.  

The team was gathered around the common room when the trio returned and they all stood to be introduced to the queen of Asgard.  Everyone was equally polite and Clint had even made pancakes for Frigga, at Loki’s request.  “This is my favorite Midgardian food,” Loki told Frigga warmly as he pushed her chair in at the dining room table.  

“Then I must try it,” she replied just as warmly.  Clint looked nervous when he placed the stack of pancakes in front of Frigga.  No one wanted to upset the kindhearted queen.  Knowing what they did of Asgardians, they didn’t want to see her upset.  She or her sons would kill them where they stood and not feel a drop of remorse.  They didn’t need to worry about the gentle, caring Frigga, though.  Once everyone was served, she took her first bite of pancakes and nearly moaned in pleasure over them, just as Loki always did.  “These are wonderful,” she told Clint approvingly and wish such open honest that Clint actually blushed as he accepted the praise.   

After breakfast, Thor and Loki took Frigga and Sif around New York to see the sights of Midgard.  Loki and Peter had been working to create an itinerary of fun things to do that Loki’s beloved mama would love.  Loki had also gotten Stark to give up Happy for the day to drive them around.  Tony had also gotten them VIP passes to anything they wanted to do.  He wanted to stay on Frigga’s good side as much as anyone else did. 

They took Frigga to museums and she loved seeing Midgard’s art and history.  They did all the touristy things with her, seeing the statue of liberty, times square, and even caught a matinee on broadway.   Loki found himself identifying a little too much with the green witch in the show who no one loved.  But Frigga adored the show and adored the ‘darling green witchling’, which warmed Loki’s heart.

The press followed them around all day and Loki and Thor kept having to apologize that they were a bit famous here and the press always wanted to know what they were up to. Frigga shook it off.  She was a queen after all and used to drawing attention when she went out.  Sif didn’t care, she was happy to spend the day on Thor’s arm.  The pair kept sneaking kisses when they thought Frigga wasn’t looking.  Frigga kept exchanging knowing looks with Loki over the pair and he chuckled at her delighted matchmaking.

“Is that why you brought Lady Sif along with you?” Loki asked her as they wandered around the zoo admiring the Midgardian animals. 

Frigga laughed. “Only partly, your father insisted that I bring a guard with me,” she explained.  Odin was overprotective of his wife.  Of course he’d made her bring a guard and Lady Sif certainly qualified.  It was just a bonus that Frigga got to do some matchmaking while she was at it. 

“Hey Loki! What’s the number today?” Peter asked as he dropped from a web next to them.  

Loki smiled over at the teen. “One.  We are having quite an enjoyable day, Arachnid,” Loki told him.  He turned to Frigga and added. “Spiderman searches the city after school most days looking for people to help,” he had told her already about Peter’s alias and why he hid his identity from the people.  

Frigga smiled warmly at the masked teen.  “It was kind of you to check up on us, darling.” Loki could sense Peter’s blush under the mask, though of course he couldn’t see it.  He couldn’t help chuckling at the easily steamrolled teen. 

“Have you eaten, yet?” Loki asked him.  Peter shook his head.  Loki huffed and rolled his eyes as he pulled a twenty from his wallet, which he pulled from the back pocket of his suit pants.  “Your metabolism is much faster than a normal human’s.  On top of that, you’re a growing boy.  Make sure you get something to eat,” he told the teen.

Peter grinned and accepted the twenty.  He never went asking for money, but he wouldn’t deny it, especially since he knew it came from Stark’s “feed Peter” fund.  Loki didn’t know or care if he had his own money on Midgard.  He was perfectly happy to use Stark’s instead.

“That was my next stop,” Peter reassured Loki.  “I’m glad you guys are having fun.  I’ll see you tonight at dinner.  Aunt May is excited to go.  She said Mr. Stark got us into the fanciest restaurant in town,” he turned to address Frigga.  “See you tonight, Mrs…” he paused, lost and confused as to what to call Frigga.  He looked to Loki for help.  “Odinson isn’t right,” he said, but didn’t know what the proper polite form of address was for Loki’s mother, especially since she didn’t want to go by royal title or address on Midgard.  

“You can just call me Frigga, darling,” Frigga tried to reassure the teen.  She wouldn’t be difficult on Loki’s friends and she really was just visiting as a mother.  This wasn’t a diplomatic mission. 

Loki chuckled. “Her proper title is ‘allmother’,” he supplied for the polite teen who would’ve died before he called an adult by their first name. “No Mrs.” He felt Peter’s relief at having a proper address that wouldn’t offend any of their sensibilities.  

He nodded to Frigga.  “Until later, Allmother,” he said before he shot a web at a building and took off.  

“He’s such a polite young man,” Frigga commented when Peter had gone.  

Loki chuckled.  “That he is.  It was months before I was addressed as anything other than ‘Mr. Loki’.  He keeps insisting his beloved aunt and uncle who raised him would have skinned him alive if he was caught being anything other than polite.  And now it is too ingrained in him to be anything otherwise.  He is unbelievably goodhearted,”

“And his question about the number today?” Frigga asked curiously as the pair moved to look at the giraffes.  Loki had been impressed the first time he had seen the giant creatures. 

Loki laughed again and explained Peter’s number system to her and how it had helped the pair bond.  He explained all about his blood brother and how the teen had gone far out of his way to befriend Loki.  Frigga absolutely adored the fond look on Loki’s face as he described his relationship with Peter and told his mother about their adventures.  She also saw how much he cared for the boy when he made sure the teen had eaten. 

“So… about that camping trip…” Frigga said with a smirk.

Loki gave her an incredulous look. He hadn’t told her about the camping trip. “Have you been spying, mother?” he accused.

She laughed.  “I couldn’t help checking up on you, my darling.  Though, I must admit that you and Thor attempting to camp with Midgardians was wonderful entertainment for sitting in front of the scrying mirror with those cinnamon candied nuts the chefs know I adore,” she teased.  

“Mother!” Loki huffed indignant and horrified.  She’d gone all day pretending to have never seen Wanda and Peter before and she’d been sitting watching them on the equivalent of Asgardian TV.  

“What did our beloved mother do, Loki?” Thor asked as he and Sif caught up with them.

“She scried on us through the entire camping trip!” Loki protested, his cheeks turning red in embarrassment at some of the things they’d done on that trip.  Including turning Flash into a goat.

Thor turned red too.  “Mother…” he protested.  The boys may have acted differently had they known their mother had been watching their actions.

Frigga laughed and cupped Loki’s cheek.  He closed his eyes and leaned into her touch as he always did.  Poor thing was always so touch-starved.  “You acted admirably, my darling.  You handled the Midgardians well, including that troublesome one who threatened your student.  I’m proud of you, my son,”

I’m proud of you

It was exactly what Loki needed to hear from Frigga and he pulled her into a hug.

“Thank you, Mother,” he told her softly enough that Thor wouldn’t be able to hear.  “Thank you,” 

[greetingfromthedead]

Loki - Midgardian princess - What if...?

Reader gender: female!

WARNING: You aren’t really supposed to read this unless you have read the rest of Midgardian Princess, but I can’t tell you what to do so... whatever

Summary: What if your necklace would have been kept safe? How would things have played out?

Author’s note: Sorry I haven’t written anything for a while, can’t say I will now either, but I just wanted to get this alternative ending to you. I’ve been writing this for the best part of a month now so I hope you enjoy. I might even do something else similar to this in another 100 years or so. In other words, if you have any ideas on what kinds of “What if...?”s I should write, let me know and I might do it or at least give a brief comment on it.

Parts: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, Epilogue

After a moment of hesitation the guards allow you to pass and with your head held high you begin your decent into the depth of the ground. The numerous steps finally lead you into a grand hall that is filled with rows upon rows or prison cells. You look at the inmates, most of them stare back with a murderous expression, one monster more terrifying than the other. You walk on, keeping close to the walls when you finally see a familiar figure. Loki stands proud in the middle of the room, his face surprised as his eyes meet yours. As you go closer you start to notice his tricks and illusions, after all you knew them better than anyone.

“Loki... lift your magic,” you silently say as you stand in front of this cell. He hesitates not wanting you to see the real him at that moment, but the illusion fades and you see him sitting in the middle of the mess he’s created, the furniture thrown around the room in pieces, his ragged looks matching his surroundings.

“You shouldn't be here,” he says.

“I’m so sorry,” you say and walk closer to the barrier, “It’s not fair that you couldn’t attend, that you didn’t get to say goodbye.”

“She wan’t my mother,” he silently says.

“You don’t believe it yourself. She raised you, she thought you, she was always by your side. She was your mother... she will always be your mother.”

“You shouldn’t be here,” he repeats and stands up to walk closer to you.

“There is no place for me but by your side.”

You just sit there, your conversation brief as neither of you can really find the words. Finally some guards show up who have been sent by Odin to escort you back to the castle and with a heavy heart you leave your love behind.

You run up to the man and hit his chest, you try to push him.

“You stupid, stupid man!” your voice thick with anger, sadness and worry, “You stupid man!”

Your strength is no match to him and as you try to push and hit him, he doesn’t move an inch.

“You fool!”

“Yes, yes I am a fool, I deserve it all,” Loki answers you and just wraps his long arms around you and pulls you close against his chest. Your fingers still uselessly claw against his armor as you start to breath more deeply.

“I’m an idiot, I’ve hurt you and I can never make it right,” he says against your head, “I’m so sorry for everything I’ve done. I am so sorry.”

“Don’t say it like you’re saying goodbye,” you whisper, “This isn’t goodbye, this is just the beginning. You are free, we can just go, disappear.”

“Oh, love,” he takes you hands into his and looks at you, “I can’t hurt you again, I can’t cause you any more suffering. I’m going to go to Odin, I’m going to face whatever sentence he assigns me. Last time he sentenced me to a life of imprisonment, but only because of Frigga, now, after breaking out of the prison... nothing is stopping him from taking my life.”

“No, you can’t... he won’t. You saved the Universe from the dark elves, you helped your brother, you are a hero, it has to be worth something.”

“I’m so sorry, but this is the way it gotta be. Only then will you be truly free.”

You stand behind the rest, a little ways away, you are here as a representative, as a royal. Loki stands in cuffs, his head low. The guards hold the chains tightly, but Loki isn’t going anywhere. Thor stands a step closer to his father, explaining the situation. After all, he had committed treason. Behind the brothers Sif and the warriors three await their sentence together with Heimdall.

You can barely watch as the old King weighs his options and looks at the traitors. His expression puzzled, but not angry, he doesn’t let on anything.

“All of you have committed treason of the highest order. You failed to follow orders, you risked the life of everyone by giving Malekith the Aether. Darkness could have swallowed the universe and it would be your fault.”

Everyone looks down as the All-Father speaks. Nobody denies their fault.

“You deserve death for your crimes against the throne, because if anything would have gone differently, death would be all any of us would have gotten.”

You watch as the All-Father stands up.

“But if it wasn’t for that betrayal, Death would have come for us all with certainty. For that reason you are pardoned of your crimes.”

You can hear a gasp of surprise fill the room as everyone looks up at the King, everyone but Loki.

“I wish to speak to my sons now, the rest of you can leave,” Odin looks at you, “You can stay too.”

You walk closer as the rest of the warriors walk out of the great hall. Odin gestures to the guards holding onto Loki to let go and leave. With a second of hesitation they do as told. Loki looks up at his father surprised.

“Thor, today you had the best interest of our people in mind, you didn’t let anything stop you from protecting them. It’s a sign of good leadership, you will be a good king.”

“I don’t deserve your forgiveness, Father,” Thor lowers his head.

“This isn’t forgiveness, this is my gratitude.” Odin turns to Loki. “You showed courage today, you proved me that you are still a good man, deep down.”

Loki looks down and keeps still.

“But you have committed horrible crimes that cannot be excused nor tolerated, but without your help their mission would have been doomed to fail. You are my son, whether you want to accept that or not, but the throne suits you ill and the prospect of a crown poisons you, therefore I have no other choice but to annul your claim to the throne. I will take away your title and banish you to live your life as human on Midgard.”

You look up at the All-Father just as Loki. The meaning of the words don’t quite register.

“You’ll let me go?” Loki finally says.

“Yes.”

200 years later

You have returned to Asgard. The king stands on the bridge, already waiting for your arrival. Loki stands behind you, not saying a word.

“All-Father,” you curtsy.

“Y/n!” the low voice booms with  a chuckle.

“Thor,” you smile at the armored man.

He closes the distance and hugs you.

“It’s good to see you. Is it time?” he says.

“Good to see you too and almost. We thought it would be wiser to wait it out here,” you nod.

“If it means you’ll stay here even for a little bit, I am glad. And of course, I can’t wait either.” Thor nods before turning to Loki.

“Welcome back, brother.”

Loki nods, more concerned about what is about to happen than the fact that he has returned home after all this time. You feel his hand on your lower back as he steps next to you. All together you go to the castle where the healers are already waiting.

Every atom in your body is being ripped into pieces. Yet again you dig your nails into the mattress. Another jolt of pain fills your body. You feel a hand on your back, but you shake your head and Loki steps away again. It hurts to see you in so much pain, but you don’t want to be touched, you want to be alone with your pain. Of course this is not an option as all the healers buzz around you and prepare. 

Soon Loki is guided out of the golden room and the doors are closed, the last you see of him he mouths I love you. 

Loki stands right were he is guided, too struck with worry and panic to do anything but just stand there. His fingers are knotted together in front of him as he stares at the ornaments. Occasionally he hears your moans of pain and he would rather be stabbed than hear that. 

“Everything will be fine, brother,” Thor comes in and slaps Loki on his back, but his brother just slowly shakes his head.

“I can’t do this. How could I possibly do this?” Loki silently says still not looking up.

“I worry too much. You’ll do great.”

You walk into the bedroom you are staying in. The dark haired baby boy sleeping soundly in your arms. You smile at the man sitting on the edge of your bed. Loki smiles back, admiration in his eyes before looking down at the infant girl on his lap. You carefully sit down next to him and lean your head on his shoulder.

Tired as the both of you may be, after everything the two of you had gone through, nothing in this wast Universe could make you happier that this moment.

Masterlist

Taglist

@white-chocolate-mocha-fan @1800-fight-me @spookycatqueen @ikeneasul11  @true-queen-of-mischief @obsessed–with @gliderbudgie@witchinghour24 @sarahivi @bookgirlunicorn  @jdm-is-dad @loki-god-of-my-life @kbarnes-2001 @cuddleskitty @thefallenbibliophilequote @seasidespecter@saladalpaca @blueguardian1306 @fire-in-her-veinz @honey-anon @helena-way07 @chris-evans-teamcap @slimjim687 @nzmstuff @glittertearsandpain@justaplainfangirl @honeyicouldntthinkofaurl

Read more about getting tagged here.

[dentelle-grise]

Your Latest Trick - Chapter 26

Long after everyone has stopped talking about Loki and his misdemeanors, his failed attempt to take over Midgard and his punishment, you meet him at a party.(Loki x Reader NSFW) -

First chapter here (can be read as a oneshot) All chapters to date at AO3 (66K, NC-17)

Tagging my rebloggers, commenters and other folk who asked. Please let me know if you want in (or out) of the list: @joanbushur, @frenchfrostpudding, @lovely-geek, @wolfsmom1, @sigridlaufeyson, @lokislonelylady, @monitoroutside, @daniissuchadani, @devilbat, @deadlydreamersecrets @helenisabel, @stardustandangelsfanfiction, @ely-seum, @wendyrobson1978, @the-ships-i-ship, @shemart101, @dreamourbrainout, @sadghostomg, @lokilover2000, @blobfishington, @lynneth1968-blog, @deaddecade, @nardo94, @tom-fucking-hiddleston-1981, @ashesandfire, @imagines-of-the-fandom​, @beingrandomisfun​, @tomsragnarok, @skulliebythesea, @bubbles8231999, @jesuisunthot

Chapter 26

The silence in the great hall makes a stark contrast from the bustle and merriment outside. The room does not have the same cold as on your last visit though,  at least there’s that. You look around for the mysterious casket, but there’s no sign of it. This is a different place now, a place of day. It’s still empty though. There’s really only you and Thor. For good or for ill… You follow his red-cloaked back down the long aisle toward the throne, half expecting him to seat himself there, finally. He doesn’t. Instead, he rounds on you, examining you with a look approaching distain. This is not the Thor of old - the friend you could jest with.

If you didn’t feel so confused at events and at his behaviour, you’d wish Thor the congratulations that the whole city is preparing for him and Jane.  But here he is alone, severe and terribly imposing. A single ray of light from a still untended gash high in a wall hits his pale hair just so, making him look every inch a deity.  Surely the news about Loki would have made him happy. If he’s had the news…

He doesn’t look happy. His expression is like a thundercloud. Rumoured wedding or no, something has displeased the god of Thunder and you strongly fear that it’s you. You’d forgotten how he could be. While Loki’s presence relies on his poise, force of personality and the intense mental energy he radiates, Thor is a physical entity.  His sheer size, regal allure and ceremonial dress make him all the more impressive.  You search in vain for the young man who was part of the gang way back when, or for traces of vulnerability he showed at Loki’s death. But no. You’ve no trouble, however, seeing in him a monarch with the same fear-inspiring demeanour as his father.

“It must end between you and Odin.”

So  that’s it. Thor believes the rumours too.

If you hadn’t just had the conversation with your mother then you would have no idea what he meant.  But now… You want to scream at the sheer ridiculousness of the idea. He’s made the same mistake as you mother but added an altogether different judgement.

So you’ll have to put him right, then get the hell out of here and find Loki.

“I’m not seeing your father. It’s nothing but a vicious rumour.”  And you let out an exasperated sigh. There’s something else that riles you too though you’ve sense enough to hold it back. What business is it of Thor’s to run his father’s life?

“My father  is…not himself at present from what I have heard,” With that Thor looks at you hard a second, or like he wants to stare imposingly but then his gaze skitters off, embarrassed or incredulous. At last some humanity.  But, intended or not, his words hit like an insult - no man in his right mind would court you.

Your anger boils up again, but you maintain your countenance. And say, flatly and slowly, but still trying to sound respectful.

“The King and I are not in a relationship.”

Then you remember the flowers again and banish the image furiously.

You wish with half of your heart that Odin would appear to confirm this.  With the other half you dread him arriving and the embarrassment of explaining it in front of him.

Has Thor even asked his father himself?  Somehow you doubt it. While Thor would counter his father in affairs of state, you can’t imagine them arguing on matters of the heart. No, Thor must just have heard the rumor and coupled with the fact that his father, still finding his feet after losing Frigga, is indeed behaving strangely, decided it was true.  

“Would that you speak the truth. It would be far simpler.” Thor shakes himself and there again is a shadow of his younger self; as though the sight of you conflicts with whatever he’s going to say. It’s this glimpse you hang onto. “Though I hate to question your word, the eyes of Heimdall always see true.”

Heimdall! Whose eyes do see true.  Who would surely not report such an untruth. And you feel a pang… Heimdall who found you once as a lost and wandering child, would not betray or lie.

Unless…

Unless he was tricked.  And at that idea all the warmth that there is gets sucked out of the room.

Because trickery is Loki’s signature.

You don’t know who to be more angry with. Thor for his accusations. Heimdall who you’ve always trusted.  Or Loki for playing a trick at your expense.

“It’s not true.” is all you can say. Your word against Heimdall’s is nothing.   You don’t want to appear as angry as you feel. It would be an insult to the King that you appear in any way repelled by the idea.  As mother so clearly implied, any woman of Asgard should be honoured by Odin’s suit.

“But that it were not. But I know my father is weakened, such that someone, in the pursuit of wealth and power…”

“What?” You’re shaking your head. “Have you asked him?” you keep your voice steady though you want to spit the words at him. Thor looks somewhat abashed.

“He sleeps still.” Then, before you can point out how this undermines his claim Thor adds. “You should not be putting my father under such stress.”

You flush hot, livid at his implication and burst out in anger

“What! I’m not. How dare you.” Then, more controlled but no less vicious,  “What do you mean?” You’re seething and Thor, rightly, lowers his eyes.

“Only that he’s trying to be a young man again.” he tries to backtrack, pitifully.

“He has protected the realm and prepared us to defend if we come again under attack”.  You picture Odin holding the sword that day at the training fields…the ambitious experiments…What Thor says is not altogether untrue. Even though it’s not what he meant.

“Exactly as I thought, this is why he sought a young woman–”

“That’s not the point.” You raise your voice.

“You will swear to leave my father in peace.”

“I haven’t touched your father.” You yell in exasperation, shaking slightly. “He strives to ready us should Malekith come again.”

Even in the midst of your fury, you realise your mistake, but it’s too late. Brought on by your anger and Thor’s  bullheadedness you said just said the wrong thing.  You couldn’t have known about Malekith, not unless someone had confided in you.  Someone like Odin.

There is no way Thor will believe you now.

But he merely looks confused.

“Malekith?! But of what nonsense do you speak.”

And the his face lightens and he actually smiles. Radiantly. You don’t understand.  What is there to smile about in that? Then you see he is not looking at you but over your shoulder.

“My lady Jane’s valiant band put paid to the tyrant.” He says, as loud as though he were addressing a crowd.

You look and there she is, the tiny Midgardian, a fully formed woman barely older than a babe in arms, dressed in Asgardians finery cut to her smaller foreign frame. The dress is broad skirted with a low bodice hugging her torso. Around her shoulders she wears a white gauze stole like a cloud. Thor has clearly not seen her dressed like this before because he cannot look away from her and you suddenly might as well have evaporated.  You notice the hand of your own seamstress on the garment, but such a detail is meaningless to you in the light of the danger and of Thor’s obliviousness. If only Asgard was once more become a place of peace where you worry about how many rows of pearls would look best.

Thor doesn’t know about Malekith.  How does Thor not know of Malekith, of the danger? While you panic silently,  the couple gaze at one another and Jane slowly approaches, a wide grin on her face, holding her skirts as though unaccustomed to how they move with her steps.

“I’m sorry, my lady Jane’s valiant research group.” Thor corrects himself with a chuckle. This is clearly a private joke between them. Your thoughts are in a whirl, but you sense that in the last instants, your importance for Thor has shrunk to indifference.

You foolishly revealed something you meant to hide, only to not have it taken seriously. You want to yell it at him now, to make him see sense, but he’s already shown you how much he’d listen.

You have to get out. Find out what’s really going on.

“This is…”He goes to make an introduction, then looks at you and there’s that distaste again. If only Thor stopped to think of the you he knows. But he doesn’t stop. What is he even going to introduce you as. You don’t want to hear it.

“Your humble servant.” you say quickly and bow before both of them. “You are right that I should not have a relationship with the King.” You add in a rush “I will speak with him at the first opportunity. Consider it over.”  You salute them as you would your sovereign then make to exit as fast as you politely can, not caring that you’ve all but admitted Thor was right.  

As you straighten up you glance at Jane Foster’s face, and see her eyes flare with an indignance you could almost believe is on your behalf.

Chapter 27

[unofferable-fic]

UNOFFERABLE: 8 - DUTY AND WORTH

Summary: The unexpected arrival of an injured Midgardian child clinging to life causes a ruckus on Asgard. The princes, Thor and Loki, are somewhat intrigued by this unusual guest, unsure as to how and why she ended up in such a state. What they did not expect, however, was the turn of events her appearance would inevitably cause.

————

Set Pre-Thor 1

Pairing: Loki x child OFC (platonic)

Inspired by this imagine

Warnings: Fighting, fluff.

Word Count: 3,219

Previous Chapter     Next Chapter

Playlist: “Santa Monica Dream” — Angus & Julia Stone, “Pools” — Glass Animals

————

A/N: Also available on AO3  and FanFiction.net.

The princes’ visit to Alfheim ended up lasting for far longer than they had both hoped for. By the time Odin saw them fit to return, almost a year had passed by. They had missed many an occasion in Asgard as well as Ellie’s tenth nameday — something that Loki knew she wouldn’t be impressed about. Odin had lengthened their stay when Thor had created a ruckus in a local village by getting exceptionally inebriated and accepting a challenge from a surprisingly aggressive group of travellers.

“Thor, there is really no need for you to accept,” Loki had explained, trying to convince him to just let it go as the crowd from the tavern began to gather around them. They cheered loudly, slamming tankards down on tables in delight. Though more reserved than the Aesir, it seemed that the Light Elves were feeding off the buzz created by the lumbering travellers who had initiated the fight in the first place.

‘Come out’, Thor said! Loki thought to himself. ‘We can go and find ourselves some voluptuous maidens for tonight’! All I wanted was a decent fuck and now Thor has to prove just how powerful he is to some other imbecile out to do the same thing.

“Nah ah, Loki,” he drawled, pulling up the sleeves of his undershirt and pausing to hiccup. “This man wants a fight and a fight he shall have!”

“Thor—”

“Get a load of this, fellas!” Thor’s challenger, a burly brute who also hailed from Asgard, declared to his friends. “I am about to beat the God of Thunder at hand-to-hand!”

Thor bellowed in amusement at the comment. “You’re quite cocky for someone who has not felt the force of a strike in the jaw from said god!”

While Loki was also on the verge of being drunk, he was very close to sending the men away with some particularly chosen words that both stroked their ego and subdued his brother in his drunken mess, but it was a sudden lunging punch at Thor from one of the challenger’s friends that caused all the violence to erupt.

“Oh, bugger,” Loki sighed and watched as Thor tossed a body off of his and across the tavern. Chairs flew along with people, drinks splashed everywhere, people yelled and roared as fists met stomachs and boots met teeth. Loki managed to dodge most of the blows thrown his way, bar one that left him with a black eye he covered up with glamour.

“Thor!” he screamed as he reached his older brother. “We need to get out of here!”

“But the fun has only started!” was the delighted reply as Thor threw a man out of one of the windows. The glass smashed everywhere and before Loki could even reach his sibling, he had another man grasped in his huge hands. Even in his intoxicated state, he was still tossing punches left, right, and centre, and effectually subduing his attackers.

“We have to get back to the castle!” Loki insisted and grabbed Thor’s shoulder while the fight waged around them, bodies slamming together like a churning, sweaty sea. “Now!”

“They started it!” Thor scoffed and swung a table into a man charging him. “Who’s up next?”

Loki had had enough and shoved with all his might and with the assistance of seiðr. “Out! Now!”

Once outside in the formerly peaceful night, the battle refrained from spilling out with them. They were lucky that the drunken brawlers were in fact too drunk to notice the reason for their aggression had left. The cool and fresh night air was a welcome change to the sticky and hot feeling of inside the tavern. That and it was always nice not having to dodge numerous punches towards you.

“When Father hears about this,” Loki grumbled as they mounted their horses and began their escape. “He is going to wring our necks.”

“You worry too much, Loki,” Thor slurred with a dismissive wave of the hand while he struggled into his saddle. “We will be fine, you’ll see.”

Loki rolled his eyes and pushed some soaking hair from his face. “I should have gotten a bloody goat to distract them.”

“Oh, yes, brother!” Thor agreed and began to laugh uncontrollably. “The revellers do love it when you tug with the goat!”

Despite the rough night they had, the brothers looked at each other before sharing a laugh on the road back to the castle.

Thor’s confidence ended up being for nothing. While the berating Odin gave them was mild upon hearing about their antics, they were forbidden from returning to Asgard for another five months. Frigga sent a letter from home every now and then, asking for how they faired and telling them of whatever happenings occurred in their absence. Because of their galavanting about in what was formally a peaceful tavern, Frey ordered them to remain within the castle walls for the remainder of their stay, mostly due to Odin’s insistence, so the siblings were forced to obey. The five extra months they had to suffer through ended up being surprisingly quiet. It was hard to create a ruckus when they were confined to the palace. That and the endless mentoring and political meetings they had to attend left them drained.

If Odin’s goal as to leave them regretting their ‘unseemly’ behaviour, he had succeeded.

Loki usually relished in time away from Asgard to explore other realms, but he was genuinely happy to be home when their time was up. The embrace that his mother gave him was a comfort that he had surely missed.

Ellie was more than merry upon their return. She even let Thor pick her up and embrace her when she first saw him again. But Loki was not left out when they reunited — a firm hug around his waist was a surprise, but he didn’t push her away.

“You missed my tenth birthday,” she said dryly as they separated.

Loki rolled his eyes.“Namedays have less meaning to those who have roughly five thousand of them in their lifetime.”

Her eyes went wide. “You guys are so old!”

“I am only just passed my thousandth year, little one, so I am not that ancient yet.”

“But you’re a lot older than me. That makes you old.”

“It would seem that your logic is quite flawed.”

Ellie crossed her arms over her chest and gave him her best pout. “You’re just annoyed because I’m not scared of you!”

He shrugged dismissively. “I never claimed that I wanted you to be frightened of me. That you should recognise me as your God and that you are beneath me, maybe, but frightening you was not part of my intention.”

She let out a little laugh and grinned up at him since he first arrived. “You’re funny, Loki! I missed your jokes.”

“I did not make any jokes!”

No one had said that he was amusing before. It was not a common word people used to describe him, but if saying saucy remarks resulted in her laughter, he wouldn’t mind saying them more often. It was far better to see her laughing than cowering from him.

* * *

A few days later, Loki was strolling idly through the gardens of Asgard with Frigga. They had been in the yard together going through their combat training as usual. While she had taught him how to effectively wield daggers and to win a battle through tactical assault many years ago, she still insisted on refreshing his skills once a week. Two handmaidens followed them at a distance, bringing them cups of water or some fruit when asked.

“What is your opinion on Midgardians, Mother?” he asked her after a brief silence.

“Why do you ask?” was her curious reply.

“I have been thinking on what Father said about them during the banquet when he informed Thor and I that we would be sent to Alfheim. He said that they were of no importance, that their lives end so quickly they are a waste of our time as gods. Do you agree?”

As Frigga contemplated her answer, their footfalls began to sync up, their feet landing in step on the stone path below. “Not entirely, no.”

“No?”

“I do not agree that their mortality makes them unworthy of our time. Yes, we are gods and they are mortals with much shorter lives who, in some cases, worship us as being above them, but I would say that their mortality has an entirely different meaning.”

Loki furrowed his brow and turned his gaze on her pensive expression. “And what would you say it means?”

“Your father believes that a human’s mortality makes them unworthy, whereas I feel that their mortality makes their life precious.”

“Precious?” he scoffed. “Mother, I would agree that Father was harsh in what he said, but you cannot honestly tell me that you believe them to be cherished? Surely they are there to worship us and go about their human lives, while we prolong their existence by keeping peace within Yggdrasil?”

Frigga gently rubbed the arm that he had linked around her own. “My son, look at it this way for a moment. Their lives are short — far shorter than our own. That means that they have a lot to do is such a short amount of time. It also means that we will outlive them. Take little Ellie for example. She has now spent half of her own life here on Asgard with us. She looks up to you, likes playing with you and Thor, likes to read her stories and listen to her Midgardian musicians, but you will see her pass from this world before you do. It is an exceptionally harsh reality when you have bonded with a human, but their mortality will inevitably cause you pain. Yes, your position as royalty means that you are above her in status, but her human life does not make her unworthy of your time. If anything, it makes your time with her more precious. Do you understand?”

He paused and mulled it over. It made logical sense — the less time you had with someone, the more it should be cherished, but he knew his father was firm in his stance. As far as Odin was concerned, mortals were beneath the gods and that was that.

“I can understand your logic,” he eventually said, slowing as they walked around a well-decorated fountain. “After all, she is exceedingly less annoying that I thought she would be.”

“And she also seems to have taken after you in some regard,” Frigga laughed gently, giving his arm a little tug. “I have never seen Thor’s hair so well decorated with flowers before.”

“She may be mortal,” Loki murmured with an air of approval. “But I must admit she has a knack for little tricks.”

“It does not surprise me after all the time she has spent in your company.”

“The less she spends in Thor’s, the better.”

That earned him a mild scold, even if Frigga did recognised his playful tone.

* * *

Loki was in the library late one night when he had unexpected company. The large doors opened with a slight creak, and he looked up from his book to see Ellie potter in.

“It’s a little late for you to be wandering these halls, don’t you think?” he said loudly, causing the little one to jump.

“Loki!” she exclaimed before letting out a sigh and visibly relaxing. “I didn’t know it was you. I thought I was caught for a sec.”

Upon questioning her further, she revealed that she had forgotten to get one of her new Harry Potter books from the library earlier and managed to sneak from her shared quarters to come and get it. He remained in his chair, brushing over some seiðr notes his mother had given him as the girl went to fetch said book. Three years after his return from Alfheim, Ellie had reached the age of thirteen. Her interest in Midgard — which had just reached its two thousandth year — only grew stronger the more history and facts she learned. After his discussion with Frigga, Loki saw the importance in her words and refused to let Odin’s insistence prevent him from making Ellie’s life in a foreign realm a little easier. She had remained settled thankfully and continued to slowly adjust. The mental scarring from whatever befell her on Midgard remained, but physically she had looked less weedy of late. As a result, he and Thor settled into their old habit of seeing her when they could and the Allfather said nothing about it. As to whether that had anything to do with the Allmother, Loki did not know, but he still assumed as much. He was so transfixed by the sheets of paper, he barely noticed her return.

“Are you studying seiðr, Prince Loki?” she asked with the book tucked under her arm.

“Yes, little Ellie,” he replied, looking up briefly.

“Can’t sleep?”

“I have not yet attempted it.”

Ellie looked between the prince and the book in her hands. “I wish I could do magic.”

“Like your book?” he asked absentmindedly.

“Maybe… But more like your magic — seiðr.”

He scoffed. “It is not exactly a Midgardian practice. There are even few Asgardians who are very familiar with it. The Vanir would be considered the masters of it, even if they are ridiculously arrogant about the fact.”

“Hogun doesn’t seem that arrogant.”

“That is not exactly the word I would use to describe his personality…”

Perhaps the term pompous ass would better suit him?

“I know it’s not a very Midgardian thing,” Ellie continued on, seemingly unfazed by Loki’s words. “But I wish I was as good at it as you are.”

He looked up from his studies at her statement, lips pouted curiously. “You wish to learn seiðr?”

She shrugged. “If I could.”

Loki remained in his seat, tapping his fingers and watching the young mortal as she read the back of The Goblet of Fire. In his mind, he considered his options (mostly Odin’s disgruntled reaction to said options) before opening his mouth.

“You know,” he began casually. “There are certain Midgardians that are capable of learning the art of seiðr.”

His statement seemed to grab her immediate interest. “Really?”

“Indeed, little one. Certain individuals who trained hard enough and for a long enough time. They dedicated themselves to the art and became shamans with a connection to both good and evil spirits in the world.”

“Would they not practice for a super long time?”

“Well, you could put it that way, yes. It took a lot of practice, a lot of time, and a lot of patience. Much as it was when my mother taught me.”

“Have you ever taught anyone seiðr?”

He shook his head. “Not as of yet. Although I had yet to find someone I thought worthy of learning.”

“So,” she drawled out, rocking back and forth on her heels. “Does that mean you would teach someone? If you thought they were worth it? You would then?”

“Perhaps.” He shrugged slightly and gestured to the stack of tomes on the table. “If my student is willing to study as hard as I.”

“I’m willin’!” Ellie blurted out before he could explain any further.

He assessed her expression — a surprisingly earnest one — before he opened his mouth to answer. “Are you now, little Ellie?”

“Yeah, I am. I would love to learn how to do magic, my Lord, and you’re the best one to learn from, instead of maybe the Queen herself!”

“Oh my, you do flatter me.”

Standing abruptly from his chair, Loki strolled over to the section of the library dedicated to the practice of magic. Being so familiar with this section, he easily found one of the first books he read in relation to beginners seiðr and made his way back over to where Ellie was waiting. Upon his return, she straightened her posture and waited to be spoken to, a habit instilled in her by her handmaiden training.

“Relax yourself. There’s no need for formalities at this ungodly hour,” Loki grumbled and held out the book to her. “If you want me to teach you, then go and familiarise yourself with what you will be learning. Once you have completed your duties and lessons each day, read the history of seiðr, what it consists of, and how you can develop your skill over time. Read chapters one through ten and then come back to me when you have done so. After you have done that much, I can start the basics with you if you wish to continue.”

“My Prince—”

“Loki,” he corrected calmly.

“Prince Loki—”

He groaned loudly. “Just Loki is acceptable at this time of night. It’s a bit late for grand titles, wouldn’t you agree?”

“If you insist,” she said with a nod, and took the book he had offered. She gently traced the intricate design on the cover with a finger, wonderment clear in her expression. “Would you really do that? Would you teach me how to wild seiðr like you?”

He snorted slightly. “You have to understand, you will most certainly not be as skilled as I; I do have a thousand year advantage over you.”

 She frowned at the book, brows furrowed at his comments. “If I can’t practice for as long as you can, then why bother teachin’ me? I’ll probably suck at it.”

At first he thought her words were in jest, but it became increasingly clear to Loki as he studied her disheartened expression that she was being perfectly serious. If she could not study seiðr for thousands of years to master it, if she could never amount to the level of skill that he or other sorcerers possessed, then why bother at all?

… human life does not make her unworthy of your time. If anything, it makes your time with her more precious.

Without another thought, Loki placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Whether you can survive one hundred years or one thousand means little to me in terms of learning. After eight years in another realm, you have managed to continue your learnings of Midgardian English and Norse ruins, and have excelled in your responsibilities as a handmaiden. If you want to learn, then I will teach you as much as I can in the time we have. Do not think so little of yourself. You won’t get far with an attitude like that.”

“Sorry,” she replied sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful.”

He waved his hand at her and took his seat once more. “Worry not. Now, get yourself to bed before the Einherjar find you sneaking about. I trust you to get back in one piece.”

“I won’t let you down,” she insisted, gesturing to the books in hand as she made her way to the massive library doors. She opened it, careful not to let it creak, hesitated, and then turned to face him again with a small smile. “Thanks for that. And for the books too.”

He gave her a nod and answered. “You’re welcome, little one.”

With that, Ellie turned on her heels and slipped out the door, leaving Loki alone once more, reading his notes in candle light.