Lithasblot pt.3
Music and laughter filled the halls, much more than you had ever heard in the short time you had lived in Asgard. Each clinking of glasses or boisterous laughter only added to the anxiety that was slowly growing inside you. You pulled at the fabric that was knotted around your shoulder as you watched the people move around the room.
“Careful, you do not want that to come undone.”
You flinched at the voice before recognizing it as Loki’s. You quickly turned to him. His robes were similar to what he normally wore but instead, the accented colours were red and orange. You preferred green.
“Sorry I took so long, nearly everyone tried to stop me to talk about nonsense.”
He handed you a small glass filled with a silver-looking liquid which you carefully took into your own hands.
“No one bothered you did they?”
You pulled your eyes up from the glass and gave your head a small shake.
“Good.”
Loki gave you a small smile before taking a sip from his glass and turning to the crowds.
“There are more here than usual. If it is too much just let me know.”
He turned back to you and you gave him a small nod before eyeing the glass again.
“It is a special juice made from the Pinak plant. Mother makes it herself, it is pretty sweet but rather refreshing.”
You glanced at Loki who seemed to have caught you staring at the glass.
“I can get you some water if that is what you would prefer.”
You gave your head another shake before taking a small sip from your glass. He was right, it was very sweet, like nothing you had tasted before, but you couldn’t help but taste some more. You heard Loki stifle a laugh and you shot him a questioning look.
“I have never seen you enjoy something that much.”
You shot him a glare which caused him to laugh even more. You were ready to give him a piece of your mind but were cut off by an older gentleman.
“So you are the one Odin rescued from that slave planet.”
The closeness of the voice made you flinch, causing some of the juice to splash on your hand. You felt a presence beside you and glanced up to see that Loki had stepped in front of you.
“It is a rather fascinating story, however, father tells it much better than I, you should converse with him.”
It was like Loki’s voice and demeanor changed completely, there was a business-like coldness you had never heard before that sent a chill up your spine. It reminded you of how Dionysus spoke to someone he was not fond of. But the older gentleman seemed to believe Loki’s words and turned quickly scanning the room, most likely for Odin. Loki waited until he disappeared from view before turning to face you again.
“Sorry, I hadn’t realized word about you had spread. There will probably be more like him, I’ll make sure they do not bother you.”
You nodded your head slightly, still trying to process the change you just witnessed in Loki’s personality. You felt a familiar coldness on your hand breaking you from your thoughts.
“Come with me, we should wash this off.”
Loki took your hand, gently pulling you through the crowds, getting stopped occasionally for conversation but quickly blowing it off to continue through the crowd. After making it through two ballrooms and multiple hallways you finally found yourself in an empty garden. Loki finally letting go of your hand. He took a few deep breaths before facing you.
“Sorry, everyone is so talkative at these events.”
You slowly shook your head as if telling him it was fine before looking around the garden. It was rather plain, a few bushes along the edges and an empty flower bed on either side of the entrance. But in the center was a magnificent 3 tiered fountain with various Pegasus’ carved along the base. Normally you found water made you nervous, but you felt drawn to the fountain. So beautiful. You slowly walked along the perimeter of the fountain taking in each individual carving.
“This is one of my favourite places, it’s normally nice and quiet.”
You turned to Loki who was at the other side of the fountain, dipping something into the water. He had a point, even with the party happening throughout the castle, it was relatively quiet in this garden.
“Alright come here.”
You gave him another questioning look but he waved you over. You slowly circled the fountain to him still unsure what he wanted. Once you got close you realized he had a damp cloth in his hand, his other was outstretched to you. You must have still looked confused as he let out another small laugh.
“If we do not wipe that juice off quick it will get sticky.”
He gestured to your hand. You raised it to inspect it and he quickly caught it in the cloth, you flinched slightly but calmed as Loki carefully wiped the remnants of the juice off your hand.
“There, no harm is done.”
Loki let your hand go and quickly washed the cloth off in the fountain. You felt a pang of guilt go through you as you realized how much work you had been.
“I’m sorry.”
Your whisper barely left your lips but somehow Loki heard it. His face turning to you.
“What for?”
You bit your lip, your head turning towards the party.
“I’m stopping you from enjoying the party.”
Loki’s laugher filled the garden.
“You think I actually enjoy this. Hundreds of people asking you about your life when they really don’t care, all they want is to brag about theirs. The special clothes, the special ceremonies, the dances, it's rather exhausting. I doubt anyone here even knows what it is we are meant to be celebrating.”
Loki slid down the side of the fountain to sit on the ground, his hand playing with the grass.
“It is important to keep up relationships with the various colonies but there has to be a more conservative option than this. What is wrong with one meeting between the leaders, why do we need all this pomp and circumstance? Furthermore, nothing of consequence ever gets mentioned at one of these parties anyway.”
Loki’s eyes were fixed on the blades of grass between his fingers, as he sulked. All the tension you had been feeling seemed to melt away and you moved to take a seat next to him.
“Sorry, I did not mean to bore you.”
“You aren’t. I’m just glad I’m not the only one that doesn’t like parties. We could just stay out here.”
You gave him a small smile.
“You could, it is expected of me to attend.”
Loki’s expression seemed to drop as he stared towards the direction of the party. It was a look you decided you never wanted to see on his face.
“In that case, I’ll stick by you during these parties.”
Loki’s eyes snapped to you, a slight expression of shock present across his features.
“I could never force you to endure that. You barely survived an hour in there.”
You paused. It was true these parties made you very uncomfortable, but you had to get used to them. This was your home now, things here were different, you needed to get used to your new normal.
“If you stick by my side, I’ll stick by yours. We are stronger together.”
You gave him a soft smile before rising to your feet and stretching your hand out to his. He stared at you for a moment before breaking into a smirk and grabbing your hand. You quickly hoisted him up to his feet. He took a moment to brush off his robs before locking eyes with you.
“Then we shall get through these parties together, and if either of us needs to leave for any reason the other will help them escape. Deal?”
Loki held his hand out to yours and you quickly grasped it.
“Deal.”
You both gave a firm shake before Loki pulled your hand and maneuvered it around his arm. You gave a small laugh before following him back to the party arm in arm.