Hangover
Last night was fucking exhausting. On a more positive note, though, it forced me to get a good night's sleep. So I guess I should call that a win. I wonder if Fandral and Thor will spend the day sleeping off last night's drinking session. If so... I might be able to get away with not doing any training. If so, Maybe Fandral and Thor getting wasted last night wasn't so terrible after all. But my good feeling was short-lived. Sif informed me that we will be going to Asgard soon. I don't know how I feel about going. I know Hela must be stopped but she was my family for a time. She cared for me and stuck up for me when no one else would.
"Aurora?" Loki knocked on my door. It did my heart good to see him up and walking around.
"Loki," I made a spot for him on the bed, "Please come in. How are you feeling?"
"A little better," he walked over with a slight limp. I frowned and shook my head.
"Your left hip is still out of its alignment, isn't it"
"It is nothing I can't handle." Loki winced as he sat down. I put my hands over his left leg. Waited a few seconds before I heard the pop "Ow,"
"Sorry but it should feel better," I sighed. Loki stood up and walked around. with a lot less limping.
"You truly are something incredible, Aurora," he sat back in awe, rubbing his hip.
"I know." I grinned. I laid my head on his shoulder. Then, right on cue, a beautiful black wolf came into my room with his head and tail hanging low. He jumped onto my bed and nestled his head in my lap.
"Good morning Fenrir," Loki fussed over the wolf. I gave the good boy a scratch behind his ear.
"Are Fandral and Thor not feeling well this morning?" Fenrir let out the cutest little whine "I bet they are hungover." Fenrir let out a bark.
"Did Fandral try and out-drink Thor or something?" Loki laid down on the bed and Fenrir laid his head on his thigh. I nodded. Loki sighed as he scratched his dog's head "I remember those days, You will not fare well the next morning."
"Oh that I know" I laid back down "Loki, do you need me for anything?"
"Nothing comes to mind. Just wanted to see you" Loki smiled as he lifted his leg, "It seems that everything seems to be back in place."
"Easy boy, lower that leg. We don't want people getting the wrong idea now" I smirked as I placed a hand on his leg and lowered it. Loki licked his lips as he propped himself up on his elbows.
"Such a flirt. I may have to put you over my knee," Loki tilted his head.
"Promises. Promises but I think we will have to rain check. I have a couple of big babies to take care of." I said as I stood up.
"I could be your baby," Loki looked at me softly. I cupped his chin.
"Then do as you are told and keep resting. Sif announced earlier that we may soon be making a move on Asgard" I sighed. Loki flopped down and looked at the ceiling "Could you be any more deflated?"
"You offering to pump me up?" Loki flirted.
"Easy tiger" I smirked, winking at him "Did you have any luck breaking the enchantment?" I needed to change the subject.
"I did try and break the enchantment on the men but it seems my powers are still too weak," Loki looked at his hands, which I noticed shook a little bit. I took his hand in mine.
"It will be okay. We knock the crown off Hela's head and feed her to the wolves," I stated. Fenrir barked in agreement. I will destroy Hela. She might have been family once but I have a new family to fight for.
"And I will be standing either behind you, in front of you or by your side," Loki sat up. I looked at him in confusion "I will always have your back, I will always protect you and I will be by your side for all time"
"Loki..." I whispered as he took my hands in his. This man is going to be the death of me "I... I... I need to hunt" I pulled my hand away and ran out the door. Part of me knew that I should have said something but I needed to think. I wasn't used to people wanting to protect me. Let alone wanting to be with me.
The hunt didn't take as long as I thought it would. A few foxes and rabbits. Sif can make some provisions for us to take to Asgard. I broke their necks and hurried back to the house.
I took the animals into the kitchen and hung them up over the sink. Now for the morbid part. I took my knife and slit their throats. They needed to drain and I couldn't find any buckets.
When left the kitchen, Fandral was balled up on the sofa. A part of me wanted to get him a blanket, but this was his own fault.
"You too, Fandral," Sif walked in, noticing the man on the sofa. Is Thor suffering too?
"Not so loud, Sif," Fandral begged, placing a pillow over his head. Sif laughed before walking to the kitchen.
"Aurora?" Sif cringed, noticing my hard work from earlier. She looked pale as she walked back into the front room "Is there a reason why there are foxes hanging in here with their throats slit?"
"I needed to hunt this morning. I thought we could do with the meat to make provisions before we make the trip to Asgard," I explained, "They are hanging so I can drain the blood quicker. There isn't exactly a more efficient way of doing it. Or a less morbid one,"
"Still... ew..." Sif shivered. I patted her shoulder.
"Sorry." I lied. I wasn't sorry.
"Will you both shut up?" Fandral buried his head into the sofa. Sif shot him a glare.
"This is your own fault," Sif raised her voice "Our two strongest fighters are out of commission a few days before we storm Asgard because they got stupid last night."
"I know that mistakes were made. believe me," Fandral whimpered. I bet he doesn't "How did we do this every night in Asgard?"
"How any of you have a liver left will forever baffle me" I chuckled before turning back to Sif "How is Thor this morning, Sif?"
"Praying for death when I last saw him," Sif pulled up a seat at the table, dragging the chair across the floor. Fandral winced at every screech. She didn't have to pull a chair out as there were three other chairs. She was just doing this to torture Fandral "Usually, Thor's pretty ok after a night like that, but I've never seen him this bad."
"Maybe he is actually coming down with something." I leaned on the back of the sofa.
"Unlikely but either way, this is definitely his fault."
To our surprise, shortly after, Thor came shuffling in, still half asleep and looking like complete and utter shit.
"Dear gods, You like delightful." I chuckled "You look like a man was dragged by wild horses for miles."
"Fuck off," Thor groaned, throwing himself on an empty chair. Any other day and I would have put him on his arse but he seems to be already there.
"Thor..." Sif stepped in. I stopped her.
"Leave the man. It's understandable. He's miserable," I then walked over to Thor, leaned in close and whispered in his ear "I will let you off this once. Speak to me like that and I will banshee scream in your ear,"
"Consider the fuck off retracted," Thor applauded. I then looked at Sif and nodded. She clapped loudly.
"Ow," Both men groaned.
"Now that you're both here," Sif got serious "We can discuss the wedding plans." I had almost forgotten that we were going to do this.
"What?" Thor looked at her strangely. And Fandral wasn't much different.
"Oh, yeah," I stifled a giggle.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Fandral stood up. Then, at that moment, I think Thor saw his life flash before his eyes. All the colour drained from his face.
"Sif... I'm going to ask you both a question and I need a one hundred per cent honest answer."
"What is it, Thor?" Sif laid her head on his shoulder.
"Did I propose to you last night?" Thor winced.
"Not me," she promised "And we are already married, you oaf,"
"Good," Thor let out a little sigh of relief. Only to gasp in the same breath. He held his face in his hands, "Please, tell me that Loki didn't propose to Aurora,"
"Fuck no!" I assured him. Thor and Fandral both let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh, thank the gods." Thor placed a hand on his chest "So, who is getting..." Thor asked. Slowly, he stared across the table at Fandral who had flopped back down onto the sofa.
"What are you staring at me for?" Fandral rolled onto his side.
"No... No... no..." Thor gagged. I held back the biggest smug grin I have ever had.
"Yes," I nodded. Sif covered her mouth as she giggled. Thor's forehead met the table.
"no... no... no," He kept repeating. Fandral lifted his head and looked at me, then Thor then Sif. And we ladies nodded.
"Not in a million years," Fandral shot him down, just as disgusted.
"That is not what you said last night," Sif pointed out, "You were all up for it last night,"
"This is bullshit."
"It's true," I chimed in, "you were so insulted by the fact that he said he wouldn't marry you. So Thor overcorrected himself and decided you two would get married,"
"You even asked if my Grandfather could marry you," Sif added. Both boys kept repeating the word no "And Thor wanted you to come cuddle with him last night," Sif giggled, "And that was before Aurora got him to put some pants back on,"
"Not the greatest moment of my life," I mumbled.
"Fuck me..." Fandral shuddered.
"I think that would have happened had you gone into his room," I leaned my head on my hand.
"No. Not happening. Cancel the wedding and any pipe dream plans you may have had."
"Finally something we agree on," Thor approved. The boys were silent from the shock of what we had revealed. Sif had gone and got both boys a glass of water.
"Besides," Fandral took another drink, "I could do so much better."
"Excuse me?" Thor jumped on the defensive "You could do better?"
"I would rather sleep with the fishes than with you, Thor" Fandral skewered Thor's pride, "No offence, Sif."
"None was taken," Sif shook it off. I then stood up and walked to the door.
"Who wants breakfast?" I asked. But I don't think anyone heard me.
"Well if you must know, I have done better than you, Franny." Thor mocked as he crossed his arms "And how Sif puts up with me I have no idea,"
"That is something we can all agree on," I whispered in Sif's ear.
"I will have you know that I am a 10 and why out of your league," Fandral downed his drink.
"Bitch, please... I was never in your league," Thor looked at the wall. I rolled my head and stared at the men of this house. Why did life pair me with this house? What was my mother thinking?
"Did I walk in at a bad time?" Loki stood in the doorway, mildly uncomfortable. Though he was looking fresh. It's amazing what a bit of rest and a hot bath can do.
"Not at all," I smiled "Did you need something, Loki?"
"I heard prospects of breakfast," Loki reported. I told him to follow me and we left Thor and Fandral to bitch at each other.
I went back to the stove and started working on breakfast. Loki took a seat at the counter.
"Do I want to know what is going on with my brother and Fandral?" he pointed with his thumb.
"Thor and Fandral are hungover," I reminded him, "They also have a habit of being a thorn in each other's side. So do you want bacon and eggs?"
"Please. But please, Spare the poisons and maggots. If you can, there's no need to go out of your way for me." Loki smiled.
"All out of maggots, I'm afraid," I smiled softly.
"Such a shame. I suppose I will just have to make do with the poison then," Loki joked.
"I'm sure we have some in the back," I looked him over carefully "Was that really what Hela was feeding you?"
"You were there. I got maggots when she was feeling kind," Loki looked over at me with a little smile on his face, "Thankfully, I had you to feed me on the odd occasion,"
Once breakfast was served, The other came and joined us. Thor and Fandral fought over the bread basket.
"Some things never changed," Loki mumbled as he moved out of the way. I offered him some orange juice "Please,"
"Rory... By the way, We're skipping training today," Thor started cutting pieces off.
"I kind of figured." If they were both this bad, I had a feeling I wasn't going to train much with Fandral today either. I wonder if Loki can teach me anything.
"But..." Thor shoved a piece of bread in his mouth. I hate it when someone says that word "I want you to meet me in the library when you're done making breakfast."
"Alright," Gutted. I wanted to spend some time with Loki.
"When did you learn to cook, Aurora?" Sif wondered.
"I had to learn. Once my mother started getting sick, we still needed to eat. There were days when she didn't have the energy to cook for us, so I would make something instead," I turned my back to the others. They dropped the subject thankfully.
When breakfast was done, Thor went to the Calland Library while Fandral went back to bed. Sif went to do something. Loki helped me with cleaning the dishes. Which took longer than normal. There may have been a bit of splashing involved and I threw water at him.
I headed down into the family home. Every time I come down here, it starts to feel more like home. Even though I never connected with my father, it still felt like I belonged here. (and frankly, I am still pissed at him but I have been for 20 years. I don't think that feeling is going away anytime soon) And sure enough, I found Thor balled up on the floor in a quiet corner of the library.
"Alright, why did you want to see me?" I slid in next to him. Thor sat up, his hands fidgeting in his lap.
"Rory... I'm going... going to be honest with you. I am not what one would call a good person. It's never bothered me. I'm brash, slightly bitter and some may say kind of an asshole."
"So I have been told," I remembered, giggling to myself "But what does that have to do with anything?"
"I'm..." Thor was pushing himself. I could tell by the big ass vein sticking out in his forehead, "I'm not good with sentimentality."
"Really? I couldn't tell,"
"smartass," he chuckled a bit, "What I wanted to know is... What did you have planned for after this nightmare is over?" I pulled my knees to my chest.
"I don't ever think about after," I confessed, "After is too uncertain. I don't even know if I'm going to make it out of Asgard yet,"
"Enough," Thor snapped, his voice shaking, "Don't you ever let those words come out of your mouth again. I never want to hear them again. You are your parent's daughter and I am not losing you... I've already lost them, I can't lose you,"
"Thor, I can't make that promise," I took his hand, "But I never said I wouldn't go down swinging."
"I still don't want to hear those words," Thor put his foot down, "You don't know what you're doing after, do you?"
"I never thought about it." I shrugged.
"Then... I will make the decision for you," he demanded, "When we beat my sister, you're staying with us. You're not going off on your own again." That took me by surprise. I didn't think he would be so forward.
"You think so?"
"I wouldn't mind you staying here," Thor went on, "Someone needs to stay and keep an eye on us. Who better to have stuck around here than you?"
"You know what, You're right."
"I am?" he looked at me strangely, "I mean, obviously I am but what do you mean?"
"You do suck at sentimentality."
"Shut up," Thor gave me a light shove. Only to pull me into his shoulder, "You really are a pain in the ass like your mother."
"I try," I shrugged, "But I do get it. Stay alive. Stick around here. I think I can cope with that"
"Good girl," he pushed himself up from the floor, steadying himself, "We're leaving tomorrow morning. Stay here and read. You could use all the knowledge you can stuff into your head." I gave him a nod. He went to walk away when I spoke up.
"And hey, Thor?" I spoke as I climbed to my feet. Thor glanced over his shoulder before spinning around.
"What?"
"Talk to your brother. He thinks you hate him," I crossed my arms. Thor stumbled.
"He does?" he whispered. I nodded softly.
"I do get why you would. He betrayed your family so Hela could win" I sighed.
"I don't hate him. I... just... can't look at him..." Thor's arms dropped to his side "Hela tried to get to both of us. She promised us that life would be better. I laughed her away but Loki followed her. He was hurting after our mother died. He blamed our father for her death. Hela promised to take the Dark Elves out,"
"Did she?" So Hela got to him when he was emotionally weak. Fucking bitch. I'm going to tear her a new one.
"Yes. The only promises I think she has ever kept," Thor sighed leaning against a wall "She killed Odin when he refused to abdicate. Those who would not bend their knee were also killed. Sif, Fandral and I all ran away with our tails between our legs,"
"Did my father run?" I asked.
"We got 75% of Asgard out of the city. Volstagg and Hogun stayed behind to protect those getting through the Bifrost. He cut the portal off once Hela got too close," Thor looked at the floor.
"So it's possible that Hela killed him?" I felt my stomach flip "Loki said that Hela killed Hogun. But my father... She said that someone else killed him but she might have had a hand in it," She lied... She fucking lied.
"It is possible,"
"She lied... She said she didn't know how he died... She fucking lied to me," I whispered. My hands clenched as they grew cold "At this point, I don't know why I am surprised. She told me she might have had a hand in my father's death but I thought... I thought someone else did it,"
"Rory... you need to control yourself... Your hands are turning blue," Thor spoke. I looked down and saw that Thor was right. My skin was blue and had some weird ass markings on it.
"I look like my mother..." I whispered, holding my hands in the air. I then looked at Thor and ran out of the building. I could hear screaming my name. I needed to find the biggest animal I could and kill it. I needed to control my Frost Giant side and hunting was the only way I could think of.