Chapter 8
The people gathered around as they watched their lords and masters gather their luggage and place it atop their carriage. It was larger than the ones Loki had used before so they all wondered where it came from and how it came to be that Balder was taking Loki from the Isle
In their experience, he thought it best to stay put.
Loki could hear their comments as he sat inside, fidgeting with his hands while Lord Ullr watched him. He was a beautiful lad, he wouldn’t lie. It wasn’t unexpected to have a bære look anything other than absolutely gorgeous.
He saw how the light cloak he wore looked upon his frame, how his eyes followed Thor as he hoisted yet another trunk effortlessly to the top of the carriage. His stunning green eyes, his dark hair, all added to his allure, it truly did.
Ullr had touched his skin and found it soft and tempting.
Sirens, they were, all of them were sirens.
And he was truly thinking of answering the call Loki gave him.
He’s been so pleasantly surprised when Loki announced that he was accompanying them too. He wasn’t about to let his husband go with a man who was clearly wrought will ill intention. He was not going to take that chance.
The people were surprised but none of them were against it.
In their opinion, it was good to have Loki leave the Isle, to see the world. His work would be done behind him, Fandral and Heimdall would ensure it.
He had no reason not to go.
And Ullr couldn’t be happier.
He had a stunning looking companion and the promise of his problems melting away before his eyes.
The carriage jolted when Thor climbed up and tied the rope securely over their baggage. He jumped down and caught Loki looking right at him, face to face, from inside the carriage. Even from the glass between them, he could see the worries swirling in Loki’s gaze.
And he hated it.
Thor had given his hat to Heimdall and walked around the carriage to him, smiling.
“You will take care of everything, yes?” Thor asked
“I will” Heimdall replied, then held his wrist as he gave him the hat “you take care”
The hat was heavier than it should have been and Thor spotted a small pistol hidden in it.
Loki was right, nothing escaped Heimdall.
“Thank you, my friend” he pat him on the back
Fandral stood by the door, still dubious and Thor smiled at him
“Don’t burn everything to the ground” he said
Fandral rolled his eyes and closed the door after him.
Inside, Thor gave Ullr a nasty, hateful glare before he took the seat next to Loki.
“So, shall we depart?” Ullr asked
“If that is your wish” Thor told him
Ullr beamed and knocked three times on the carriage before it started to move forward. Loki jerked forward, hissing in annoyance but Thor’s hand came to rest over his own. He looked at him, at the man who was pretending to be his husband, and found his gaze assured and confident.
Even if Loki didn’t think so, Thor believed they would be alright and he guessed that was what mattered.
He didn’t feel like speaking and if Thor were honest, he did not, either
This situation was a bleak affair and other than asking each other for some space, they didn’t interact.
Ullr, however, was jovial and kept his gaze on Loki
“You know I never got the chance to express my condolences” he drawled “after all, you lost a husband and you a brother. It was so rude”
“You’ve played with the boundaries of propriety anyway, might as well go the full distance” Thor told him “we do not need your condolences”
Ullr hummed. He was bored and they his entertainment, so he went on.
“Have you told Loki of your reputation?” he asked “of the bodies you left behind in that quaint little village?”
Thor turned to him very slowly and Ullr laughed
“Of course you haven’t” he beamed “see, Loki, dear boy, your friend here is wanted in five major cities of England. He was called to exterminate an army of marauders and he, instead, fought and killed eight police officers as though they were nothing. It was a blood bath and he barely escaped.”
Loki raised his gaze to Thor’s but didn’t give Ullr the satisfaction of a response.
“He would have gone on further had it not been for …what was that woman’s name?” Ullr asked
“I am aware that you feel incredibly thrilled with your teasing” Thor said “but if you keep talking, I will strangle you with my bare hands and toss your body off into the waters before your men know what happened to you”
Ullr snorted and looked away “Hardly, you wouldn’t”
“Then keep testing me and find out” Thor dared
Loki placed a hand lightly on Thor’s thigh and felt his ease
But Ullr turned his gaze to the window. If Thor wanted him to worry then he’d gotten what he’d desired.
Thankfully.
The rest of their ride was uneventful. Loki managed to get some sleep when he dozed off. Thor felt his head rest on his shoulder and he looked at him before carefully readjusting his cloak so he stayed warm.
If Ullr noticed, he wisely kept his mouth shut.
They were going to the town Loki had first met Thor in. From there, they would head to London
Needless to say, the journey was a long one and Thor wasn’t looking forward to it.
Thankfully, Ullr fell asleep, too and it was just him, thinking. He looked at the pistol Heimdall had given him and put it safely upon his person. He would never know when he would need it, after all.
It was nightfall when they finally stopped and Thor gently woke Loki so they could go in.
The chill was in the air and the sooner they hurried inside, Thor thought, the better.
Ullr got them two of the best rooms and smiled at Thor.
“I think you are rich enough to afford this” he said “yes?”
Thor’s face was stern as he walked over, glaring at Ullr as he produced a bag of coins from his cloak and handed the tavern owner the rent for the night.
Ullr took the key to his chambers, Thor took the one to his own and they headed upstairs.
“Goodnight, Lord Balder, Lord Loki” Ullr bowed to them in mocking “tomorrow, we head out truly”
Thor ignoring him, taking instead, the trunks and bags so they could set them in their room and relax as best they could.
Loki exhaled when he took his cloak off, placing it aside while Thor stoked the fire, groaning as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“I guess I deserve this for sleeping the way I did”
Thor turned to look at him “Your neck hurts”
“And my back” Loki told him “and everything. Are carriages always such a nasty way to travel”
“This was explicitly nasty because of our company” Thor put down the poker and came to him “let me see”
Loki gave him his back and blushed when he felt those hands on his shoulders. He ducked his head and felt conscious of himself, making Thor laugh a little.
“Do you think this is why you’re feeling badly?”
“Forgive me” Loki said
“Are you shy?” Thor looked at him over his shoulder “We’ve been together, how can you be?”
“I am, alright?” Loki frowned “I am allowed to be irrational after the day we had”
“True”
Thor watched Loki leave and go to get his clothes from the trunk.
“Wait” Thor said “I can massage your neck and back, otherwise it will get ten times worse tomorrow”
Loki looked at him, grimacing “Truly?”
“Aye, unfortunately” Thor walked over “I’m going to wash up, why don’t you take your tunic off and lay on your front? I promise, I will not return until you feel comfortable”
Loki hugged himself, but nodded “Alright”
He was dubious, clearly, but Thor was trustworthy, he knew. They’d already done much but still, that little doubt inside him was enough to make him blush.
Thor went to the bathing room and Loki took his tunic off, feeling immensely aware of the fact that he was half naked. He was half naked and Thor would soon be…touching him.
God’s teeth, was this what embarrassment felt like? How could Thor so easily walk without a tunic?!
To him it was nearly impossible. The only man to have seen him without it was his husband, this was…new.
He was nervous as he lay down and curled his arms under his chest, set his head on the pillow and waited
His head was turned away from the door and his entire body tensed when Thor walked out from the bathing room
Loki’s breathing became a little harder when he saw him walk out from behind the wooden screen placed before the bathing room door and then vanish behind him
He could almost feel Thor’s gaze on him and his body stiffened further when Thor’s form didn’t appear in his line of vision again.
His breath caught in his throat when he felt him climb on behind him, one knee on either side of Loki, his hands coming to rest left and right of Loki’s head.
“Don’t be nervous” Thor looked down at him “I won’t hurt you”
“I know” Loki whispered “But I can’t help it”
He could see the tattoo on the forearm Thor braced himself on in front of his face, inked into his skin.
Thor settled his weight on one arm and brushed Loki’s hair off his nape with a tender hand.
“Even after our little adventure?” Thor smiled “you wound me”
Loki let out a soft laugh “Especially after that time, sir”
“This is nothing like that”
Loki saw him back away and felt his weight on his thighs when he sat astride him. And by the stars, that weight sent a delicious shiver up Loki’s spine that he denied enjoying. But by the blush on his face, he knew that Thor was aware of some of his feelings if not all.
“Alright, it hurts here?”
Thor placed his large hands on Loki’s shoulders, laughing when Loki raised them self consciously.
“I can’t do it if you’re not relaxed” he pointed out
“Forgive me”
Loki took a deep, deliberate breath and slowly lowered them, relaxing as he lay there.
Thor’s hands came over them again, warm against his skin and squeezed his shoulders, making Loki gasp softly. His thumbs pressed at the back of his neck and Loki bit his lip to keep from moaning at the feeling it gave him
Comfort, relaxation.
“There’s a few knots I can easily feel” Thor said
He started to knead his shoulders, his large hands spread over his shoulders, then went lower as his thumbs pressed down on his spine with every inch he moved lower and lower. Loki’s eyes fluttered closed as Thor pressed down on his skin and worked out the knots and tense muscles. He could feel Loki relax under him.
And Loki could feel every fingertip Thor had pressed to his skin. His face was flushed and he lay there panting softly, biting his lip every now and then when his fingers touched sensitive spots on his skin.
He had to close his eyes and make himself breathe deeply, just so Thor wouldn’t be aware of the effect he was having on him.
For his part, Thor seemed unaware.
He worked up and down his back, squeezing and pressing along his spine, his sides, his shoulders and neck until he heard the first unstifled moan escape Loki.
He smiled “Are you feeling better?”
“I am a little” Loki whispered “Thank you”
“Alright”
He kept working, sliding his palms up Loki’s back and hearing another moan, this time a little louder.
This time, it almost made Thor shiver.
He did it again, then raked his nails down Loki’s back lightly, which made Loki hiss, his breathing stuttered.
“Do that again”
His inhibitions were melting, it seemed.
Thor smiled and did it again, hearing the moan Loki gave once more when he scratched down his back. He felt his muscles tense, then felt him release them, letting out a quieter, albeit no less relieved moan.
Thor pressed down with his thumbs and slid them up Loki’s spin till he reached his neck and he started to squeeze and massage them, too.
“You’re so good at this” Loki whispered
“Thank you” Thor turned around and picked up one of his feet
Loki tensed “Wait…”
“Relax” Thor said “enjoy it”
He rubbed circles on the sole of Loki’s feet one by one. He heard Loki whisper and squirm behind him but he didn’t let go, not till Loki was completely relaxed and content.
It felt nice, feeling him relax and get comfortable. It really felt good.
Afterwards, he got off and pat his leg
“Turn on your back”
Loki, who had his eyes closed, suddenly blinked them open, startled
“Pardon?”
“Lay on your back, I will do your front” Thor repeated “come on, while you’re still warm”
Loki twisted to his side, his face red, then lay on his back, swallowing thickly when he saw Thor loom over him, hands on either side of him as he sat on his thighs.
His weight excited him, the feel of him so close and above him excited him and he felt his hands itch to touch his skin.
Loki pulled at the sheets as he looked anywhere but at Thor.
Thor put his hands on Loki’s shoulders and slid them down his arms, slow and careful.
“Relax”
“I am” Loki whispered
He’d turned his head away and Thor studied his profile.
“I could sleep on the floor if you wish” Thor offered
“Nay, it is not your fault”
“How can you be so nervous?” Thor asked “It is just a massage”
“I…” Loki licked his lips and looked at him “I get thoughts when we are like this”
At that, Thor arched his brow
“Oh?” he stopped his massage “what kind of thoughts?”
“I’d rather not say” Loki whispered
“Are they truly so bad?”
Loki was overwhelmed by the feel of Thor’s weight on him, of his hands touching his arms, and his eyes shining so beautifully in the dim light, lest he wouldn’t have said it. His scent made his head whirl more than he’d ever experienced and he swallowed thickly before he spoke.
“I wish to do…what we did at that house again” Loki confessed “but more. I wish to know those feelings once more”
He wanted to forget, he wanted to forget Ullr, this situation, the fear, the exhaustion, all of it. He wanted those glorious sensations in his body again
“I am not certain you know what you are asking” Thor’s voice was low and dark “I wouldn’t not have us finish here and have you fill with regret”
“I do not think I will regret it” Loki closed his eyes when Thor stroked his cheek “Please, I am asking for it. Don’t leave me wanting”
Like Balder had…that was what Loki wanted to say and it seemed that Thor heard it.
“Before we proceed, I must ask you and do not be offended” Thor twirled his hair between his fingers “do you truly want me?”
“You fear I have you as a replacement for Balder?” Loki questioned “I do not. There was a time where I had wanted nothing more than to have him touch me but that time’s long since passed. You are so different, I can hardly replace him with you even though I am tricking the Isle into believing that”
Loki shivered under him and Thor felt his lips curve into a smile.
“I want you, Thor Odinson” Loki said “entirely and completely, to make me feel good once more”
“Then who am I to refuse you, my lord?” Thor bent his head to take his mouth under his own
His tongue pushed into Loki’s mouth and he felt Loki’s hands clench in his hair as he responded to the deep kiss. He craved his touch, his obvious passion set his spirit ablaze and Thor groaned, moving to hover over him better, to feel his desire match his own.
Thor knew what he was doing and Loki shivered and gasped at his touches, feeling them ignite his passion, one he hadn’t felt since that day when they looked at the houses. He felt Thor’s leg sink between his. He drew it upwards and Loki whispered out a cry when he felt it open his legs for him.
His hands tugged on Loki’s pants and Loki swallowed heavily, then lifted his hips to allow it.
The silken feel of them sliding downwards then off him was undeniably sensuous and Loki bit his lip, especially when Thor started biting his neck at the same time.
“You’re ready for me” Thor whispered “may I?”
Loki shuddered and his hands tightened in Thor’s hair.
“It would be disappointing if you didn’t.” Loki replied
Thor started to touch him the way he’d done before, stroking him once more. His fingers felt like magic and Loki hissed and bit his lip, held him close with a hand behind his head, another raking his nails down Thor’s arm.
“Thor…”
“Aye, darling”
Thor eased a finger into him
Loki moaned, wrapped his leg around Thor’s and let out a demanding hiss. He clutched at his tunic, then pulled, wanting it off him, wanting to feel him beneath his hands.
He arched himself against his finger.
“You’re already wet” Thor’s whispered, his voice hoarse and strained “Like your roses after rain”
“Stop talking” Loki gasped “you’re distracting me”
Thor laughed then trailed a string of heated kisses down his throat to his shoulder while sliding another finger into him.
“Oh…” Loki gasped “Oh.”
“So tight, so sweet, just for me”
“Does your poetry help you in doing this?”
“Nay, sir” Thor laughed “it does not”
“Good then you can do without it” Loki quipped “It is diminishing my enthusiasm”
“I hardly think your enthusiasm is in any way diminished” Thor kissed the curve of his shoulder.
Loki could feel him stretching him, opening him for his own body, getting him slicker than he already was. He was shaking with need now, the magical tension he’d felt that day was twisting within him in anticipation
He started to get restless and impatient.
“Hurry” Loki breathed, nipping at Thor’s ear “Please hurry”
Thor lifted his head and looked at him, his gaze slightly amused
“I have chosen a tyrant”
“Sorry” Loki muttered, blushing “I didn’t mean to…”
“But in this case, I feel I should abide completely”
Thor loosened and removed his own clothing, freeing his erection. Loki caught a glimpse of his aroused body as he position himself between his knees.
“Perhaps” he said “we should diminish some of your enthusiasm before we go ahead”
“I think it is too late for that” Thor smirked, placing his hands on either sides of his shoulders and looked down at him. “I am sure we can manage”
“Aye, we will”
“I am very enthusiastic about this, Thor”
“I can tell” Thor smiled
He took his mouth beneath his own again and began to push into him
Loki groaned at the hard feel of him and broke the kiss off, hissing loudly
“Thor!”
“Trust me”
“This is no time for poetry” Loki muttered, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and hanging on “By God’s teeth, this feels incredible!”
He pressed in harder and Loki moaned, letting his head fall back against the pillows. Thor sheathed himself fully inside him and Loki groaned, the feel of his movements stunning him.
He scratched down his back and broad shoulders, feeling every second of the thrilling pleasure he gave him.
Loki moaned again when he slowly glided out of him, then back again. His leg came to hook around Thor’s waist, his teeth biting his lip.
Thor withdrew and pushed into him.
Again and again.
Each stroke delivered exquisite pleasure to Loki, making him pant into Thor’s ear, his eyes closed. He felt the dampness on his back, on his shoulders and turned his head to kiss his neck.
Thor in return kissed him, placing soft little kisses on his lips, then his nose and cheeks as he continued, rocking into him slowly.
Loki dug his nails into his back when the pleasure began to turn into a tension he’d felt earlier and he moaned, holding him closer. Wondrous ripples of pleasure went through him and soon his world turned white, Thor’s ragged shout of release somewhere in the background of the pleasure haze Loki was in.
“He felt boneless as he fell back on the bed, holding Thor when his weight settled upon Loki’s body.
His eyes were already closed, his body sated and with the exhaustion of the day, Loki fell asleep, barely aware of the strong arms that cradled him to an equally strong chest.
***
Ullr made their breakfast frightfully unpleasant. He’d had a vulgar night with three women and left the room in shambles. Then he’d arrived in the morning before breakfast, to demand coin from Thor to pay those women
By all means, it had been a horrible way to be woken up.
He breakfast at the inn was marvelous and they chose to dine out in the sunlight, sitting and warming up before their trip.
It would have been a beautiful way to start their day had Ullr not been there, openly watching Loki, making him uncomfortable.
Loki hated him and Thor glowered at him
“Must you stare?”
“Is there a law against it?” Ullr challenged
“Yes” Thor growled “now look away”
“I wouldn’t be so rude to me if I were you, I think you know what is at stake” Ullr smiled
“I am very much aware of it” Thor told him
He longed to hurt him, to strangle him with his bare hands as he’d said before but such was their situation that he couldn’t
No matter how much he wanted to, he could not.
He tolerated it that morning and when they were to leave, he took a moment with Loki and held his hands while Loki picked up his bags
“I am sorry” Thor told him, stroking the back of his hand “I would have hurt him if I could without consequence”
“I know” Loki smiled, his face so tender, his eyes so understanding “I imagined it over and over, it gave me pleasure”
Thor laughed softly, lifted Loki’s hands to his lips and kissed them
“Thank you for being so understanding”
“That man’s threatened my Isle” Loki picked up his bag again “I think eventually, he will get what is coming to him.”
“Aye”
Thor hoped for that, too.
The journey to London was long. With Ullr, it was unbearable. They tried to keep it pleasant by reading together but Ullr kept making lewd comments.
They were nasty, disgusting but they could be ignored.
What Thor hadn’t been able to ignore was when Ullr did something unforgivable.
Loki was sleeping in the carriage when they stopped to have a walk, stretch their legs
There was a stream nearby and Thor went there to wash up, cool off a bit, too. Streams were clean and the water was clear, he loved how they instantly revitalized him. He had taken his glove off to dip his hand in it when he saw Ullr climb into the carriage
The carriage Loki was sleeping in.
Thor stood and rushed over, his eyes livid in rage
He’d lost all sense then
He’d seen it, Ullr sliding his hand into Loki’s tunic, his face lecherous
“Get off!”
Thor grabbed him and yanked him out by the collar, throwing him to the ground, his arm raised to punch him.
An unfamiliar, buzzing energy went through his entire body, especially his wrists and his hand, a power begging to release, to cause violence.
He wanted to break Ullr into a thousand pieces and somehow he knew that if he wanted to, if he touched him with the energy he had in his hands, it would happen
He would be able to kill him without mercy.
But Ullr’s men arrived then, having heard him yell and Ullr’s cruel, arrogant grin told him now was not the time.
He would have retribution, just not at this moment.
Loki had woken to the commotion and they all acted like Thor had lost his head. Thor stuck close to Loki after that, not leaving his side for the rest of their trip.
London’s air was poisonous and Thor saw Loki place a handkerchief over his mouth and squint his eyes.
He’d come from the cleanest air to this.
Dusty, dirty, filthy air.
He coughed and Thor could already tell he would likely have a hard time adjusting to it.
Ullr took them to his own home and gave them separate rooms.
“I thought you would show decency” he beamed insultingly “sleeping with one another out of wedlock crosses that”
“As though you know anything about that word” Thor rasped
Loki felt ashamed, still, but he took his things to one room, defying Ullr completely. But if they thought it would irritate him, they were wrong.
Nothing would ever come close to that.
Ullr was a disgusting man.
They had a terse, unsatisfying dinner then retired to bed early.
Or, at least they tried
“Odinson” Ullr called “come to my study so we can work this out, aye?”
Thor let out an almighty exhale to gain the patience needed, then followed him. He didn’t know what this man had planned but he knew he would despise it with every fiber of his being. Ullr knew that too, so he decided to be overly caring and attentive to him, getting him a drink and a comfortable chair.
“There are eight men I suspect of trying to blackmail me” Ullr told him “now my crime may shock you…”
“I do not think that is possible, knowing you” Thor cut in
Ullr grinned “But…it was in self defense”
He crossed his arms over his desk as he looked at Thor and exhaled
“I have been accused, falsely, of murdering the husband of one of my lovers” Ullr said “they were rumors, spread by an angry woman, so basically not worth thinking about”
His crass, disgusting manner made Thor even angrier, if he was honest.
“However, the person who is blackmailing me has come across a rather damning piece of evidence, which will likely send me to the Americas or get jailed. Neither of those futures is what I want. I will host a ball in my home eight times over the next few weeks and you are to go to their houses and search for the evidence in that time, since I will be inviting all the suspects”
“And I am to sneak into their homes one by one and steal whatever evidence is enough to jail you?” Thor asked
“Aye” Ullr beamed
“And what evidence is it?” Thor asked “will you describe it to me?”
“Tis a paper weight” Ullr said “solid gold, made like a gun. It’s small, too small to do much damage but the blackmailer thinks I used it to kill that man”
“Which you didn’t” Thor was clearly unconvinced
“Aye” Ullr grinned “tomorrow, I will take you around to the houses so you can see them and figure out a way to get in and out. I want no risks taken”
“Of course” Thor said
He finished his drink and got to his feet
“Now since we are all tired and this conversation is finished, I will retire to bed” he told him
“Your own?” Ullr smiled
Thor didn’t dignify that with an answer.
He simply strode to the door and left, hearing Ullr’s disgusting snicker behind him as he departed.
***
As promised, Ullr sent out invites for the ball a week later.
He was a well liked man and he was eagerly getting responses from everyone he invited. It was a private ball, so they would most definitely know who was coming and who was declining.
Ullr wanted only one person to attend and that was Lord Galahad
He was, like Ullr, a man in his late years but had enough youth in him that he attended balls and soirees, hopping from one to another. He thought of himself as a severely important man.
And thus, he considered his attendance to the balls as something of a feat for Ullr. And Ullr encouraged it because of his own agenda.
He’d already shown Thor his house, the night was the ball was getting close and Thor would be able to get the needed evidence easily.
Easily for Ullr.
The man had the gall to ask Loki to stay for his ball, which Loki resolutely declined.
He was going to help Thor, he announced, which truly surprised him.
Thor was much the same, but he wasn’t one to complain.
The sooner this was done with, the sooner they could go back and pretend all this didn’t happen.
There was, however, one good thing about this affair.
When the rains settled the dust and smoke, Thor took Loki out to the town. The skies were stunningly blue then and the pollution to a minimum.
Loki got to see the city and the wonders that came with it.
He also found a shop that sold his potions and found that it was nearly sold out of his creations. That filled his eyes with hope and pride, something Thor loved seeing. He loved seeing Loki happy.
They’d taken a walk in the park, on the damp grass where Loki took his shoes off to walk in it.
Thor was enchanted, following him with his shoes in his hands, a smile on his face. A few people stared but they didn’t matter to Thor.
No one but Loki did. His safety and happiness was key to Thor.
They started to talk soon after, walking side by side, together.
“I have noticed something about you” Loki gave him a sidelong glance
“Oh?” Thor smirked “What is it?”
“You are a cautious man” Loki told him “you watch out, as though for familiar faces.”
“I have to be when I have something valuable to protect”
Loki narrowed his eyes at him a little and Thor knew he was scrutinizing him.
“I can protect myself” Loki told him
“Who said I was referring to you?”
Thor’s teasing made him narrow his eyes further, but they both knew Thor had been talking about him. Hell, his eyes were focused on nothing other than Loki. He gave people a cursory glances but other than that, his companion was his sole focus.
Loki did wonder, however. If it was Loki that enchanted him or Seidr. From what he knew, Thor was not accustomed to belonging anywhere. By the scars on his body, which he had grown to know very well in these past days, Thor was not allowed to.
Did the Isle and promise of a forever home lure and keep him there? Likely.
But then his association with Loki and his fascination with him was genuine. Balder cared for the lands, Thor cared for Loki.
And if Loki was honest, he cared for Thor, too. He liked seeing him smile, he liked seeing his eyes light up in joy, too.
Where Thor wanted to protect him, Loki wanted the same for him. To give him a home, a place to stay, a place to belong so he could grow.
He’d already seen his ability, he wanted to see him, as a man, grow, too.
Because for the moment, Loki saw the look in his eyes. It was like Thor expected someone to take all this from him. He couldn’t blame him, Ullr was here, threatening to do it.
Thor was one guard even as he was relaxed.
The past two days had been an adventurous time for them in bed. His knowledge of love making clearly passed Loki’s own. He knew exactly what to do to make Loki react to him the way he wanted and do what he wanted to do.
Every writhe, every gasp was carefully pulled from him because Thor knew how to please him.
Balder had never been able to that even at their best. What Thor did made him see stars.
His cheeks flushed at the memory of where Thor’s mouth had been last night and he cleared his throat, searching for a neutral topic for them to discuss.
“Do you think we should get something for Sleipnir?” Loki asked
Thor looked towards him and smiled “Like what?”
Loki shrugged “How about we get some wool and I can knit him a sweater?”
Thor barked out a laugh till he realized Loki was not making a joke
“Truly?” he asked “you can do that?”
“Aye, I can” Loki said “I like knitting”
“Interesting” Thor hummed “Will you ever knit something for me?”
“If you desire it” Loki told him “I would love to”
Thor’s lips curved into a smile and he walked closer to him, holding his hat in his hands as they walked onwards.
Someone was selling sweet ices in a parlor and they indulged in it, talking to each other about various things that came to mind.
Loki was in the middle of a rather lovely story about how he made a love potion that he sells to people, claiming it works when Thor suddenly grit his jaw.
His gaze was focused in the distance, over Loki’s shoulder, he’d stopped listening.
Loki furrowed his brow as he looked at him “Thor?”
Thor closed his eyes and sighed “Forgive me, continue”
Loki couldn’t he turned around and saw a tall, well dressed older gentleman with white hair and a large dog.
They were walking together with a young man with blonde hair and blue eyes, then another younger man of the same build and features, but a slightly youthful face.
Clearly, a father and two of his sons taking a walk …
…towards them.
Loki looked back to Thor, who refused to look up from his table and Loki touched his hand.
“Thor, what is it?”
“Nothing” Thor lied “may we leave?”
His father and half brothers were the last people on earth he wished to see.
Fenrir, however, was different. He would love to meet that dog again.
However, today luck was not on his side as Odin spotted him. His entire body tensed and he knew Odin was aware of who he was, who Loki was and what was happening. He excused his sons and walked over, making Thor cuss and wish he was invisible.
Loki had noticed Thor’s demeanor change and opened his mouth to speak when Odin arrived.
“Tis a good day indeed when one runs into you” Odin said “Thor”
Loki looked stricken, as though he was caught in between something hard. But a glance at Odin’s face this close clicked something within his brain and he felt his mouth fall open when he realized this was his father in law.
Loki immediately got to his feet and stared at him
“M-My Lord” he said
“Ah, the husband” Odin smiled “I have heard much of you but I never thought we would meet. I wish it was under better circumstances, of course, but you two do not seem to be too upset”
“Bold words coming from a man who barely knew his own sons” Thor looked at him “I would be very careful if I were you, old man”
Odin arched a brow “Oh, really? Why is that?”
“I wouldn’t want Hodor and Halvor to know that their illegitimate brother is right there, talking to his father” Thor said “I am sure your wife would dislike that with how hard she tried to keep us apart”
“They will not mind, I assure you” Odin took Loki’s seat
Thor stood from his own “I am not here to chat or reminisce with you, Lord Asgard. I am here only for a few days and I expect none of them to be in your company”
“You will not let me mourn with you?” Odin asked “as a father who has lost a son, I think that would be cruel if you didn’t let me”
“What is cruel is your dismissal of us both” Thor growled “we were never your sons. We never will be. I have accepted your condolences about my brother, good day, sir”
Thor took Loki by the hand and left, leaving Odin to stay where he wished
“You have accepted more than condolences” Odin said “shame on you, Loki”
Thor spun around sharply and Loki grabbed his arm
“No, let it go” he said
Thor glared at Odin “Show a modicum of respect, old man. Say whatever you wish to me but leave my brother’s widower out of it”
“You didn’t” Odin said “tis a little hypocritical”
Thor’s jaw was clenched but here, in public, he could do nothing.
“And you wonder why we never wanted to stay with you”
Odin’s expression didn’t waver and Thor hated it. He was so emotionless, he sometimes wondered if he was even human.
People were now staring at them and Thor knew that word would get out about this, that people would question what happened and who he was. Sooner or later, someone would know, someone would figure out who he was and what he was doing.
That would harm Loki and Thor didn’t want that at all. That was the only reason he let Loki take him away and walk off with him.
Odin closed his eyes in disappointment.
Thor always had a way of pulling the worst from him and Odin always gave in and did it, pushing a wedge through them.
He couldn’t help it, couldn’t help making those comments. Balder was dead and Thor was there, having an affair with his dead brother’s widower?
It was sick.
It was morally wrong and Thor knew it, it was why he reacted the way he had.
This posed a danger, a threat to their lives again. If Odin let this slip, more people would question what happened.
He was risking the safety of Loki’s Isle with his stupidity, Thor realized as they walked onwards and he exhaled, running a hand over his face
“I am so sorry”
Loki looked at him, surprised “For what?”
“For … for everything” Thor said
His gaze was apologetic, self deprecating and he shook his head
“I have brought this trouble upon you, I have disrespected you” Thor looked at him “my reasons were selfish and now…now I do not know how to apologize”
“You don’t have to” Loki frowned “You have nothing to apologize for, Thor”
“I do”
“Then you confess to regretting being with me?” Loki asked
Thor tensed and stared at him “What? No, never, Loki, I …”
“Then you will not apologize” Loki said sternly “it takes two, if I recall, to do what we did. I am fully aware of what I have been doing and I do not care what an old, angry man says.”
“He could jeopardize us” Thor began “jeopardize you”
“He will not” Loki said confidently “he has one of the major shares in the Isle. He would never lose that”
That surprised Thor, truly
“What?”
“Balder made him get shares in the Isle so that the business stays fruitful and the Elite follow” Loki said “trust me, he will never do anything to hurt that”
That was clever, Thor had to admit, very clever of his brother. He shook his head, marveled by it a little bit
It was so simple and yet so effective.
No wonder Balder was so revered.
Thor could never come up to par with him, never.
And yet, he seemed to be the one Loki wished to be with. Thor knew why – Thor gave him the attention and affection that Balder hadn’t
He just hoped it was more than that, too.
***
The day of the first ball was upon them soon enough and Ullr was practically beaming with joy. The house looked splendid, the food was plenty and his guests very exclusive.
And Galahad would definitely attend, along with a few of his friends. Ullr knew the man loved to be the center of attention and he would never miss the chance to be here and boast about what an important man he was now.
He was a fluttering peacock in Ullr’s opinon.
In Loki’s, all of them were prancing peacocks.
He was dressed in his best clothes, loose, flowing and a stunning green that matched with his eyes.
Ullr had asked him to attend.
Nay, he was forced to. He didn’t have much of a choice with Thor being gone.
He hated it more than he could express. He felt powerless, the same as he did when Byleistr had taken him in his home. Only there, he had the liberty to lock himself away, here, he was alone, a little scared and being blackmailed by the lord who had him as a guest in his home.
He had on trousers that accentuated his legs and boots that none of these men had ever experienced wearing. They were elegant, sleek and completely unlike the heavy soled ones that every man here wore.
He stood at the top of the stairs, watching all of them flood into the house.
He didn’t want to go down there.
He wanted to stay up in his room where it was relatively safe and he wanted Thor to come back
He didn’t know if he was alright or not, he’d already been gone for an hour
Galahad was here, had been here for a long time so there was nothing that should keep Thor away, aye?
And yet, he wasn’t here
Footsteps to his right alerted him that someone was approaching and he turned his head to see one of Ullr’s staff members walk over to him.
“The Lord wishes to introduce you to his friends” he said “come along, Sir”
Loki gave the man a terse smile and nodded, going with him, downstairs and towards the guests.
They all stared
Loki had an aura that marked him as different and they all immediately saw it. The conversation turned to whispers about him, their gazes went from his feet up to his face, scrutinizing and cold.
They all thought he was some prized possession being brought out.
And Ullr made him feel that way when he gallantly kissed his knuckles in front of everyone.
“This is Lord Loki” he told his friends, but his voice was loud enough for everyone to hear “He’s a bære, owner to a massive Isle that produces one of the most potent concoctions I have ever had. I am sure you, Ulrich, have had a few”
There was good natured laughing from them all and Ullr let his hand run down Loki’s back.
He didn’t tell anyone he was married to ‘Balder’. Loki moved away from his hand, but spun back sharply when Ullr grabbed his wrist tightly.
“Come, I will introduce you to others”
Loki felt paraded.
He felt sick. He spoke when he had their attention, telling them of Balder but Ullr only laughed, insinuated that they were together despite him being married and Loki felt sick. He wanted to leave!
But he couldn’t
Ullr had a firm hold on him and took him to a rather secluded corner of the room to smile at him
“Must you be so sullen?” he asked “they all loved meeting you”
Loki yanked his wrist away from him and glared “You’re despicable”
“And you’re at my mercy” Ullr smiled
A passing servant offered them a tray of champagne and he picked up two glasses, extending one to Loki.
“You have to do whatever I say” he told him “or that man over there, you see?”
He gestured to one of the guests who was talking to his friends at this hell gathering.
“He will tell everyone the truth about you and dear Thor” Ullr grinned
Loki glowered at him angrily, then at the glass Ullr extended to him.
“Drink”
A hard hand landed on Ullr’s shoulder.
He spun around and found himself looking up into Thor’s cold, angry eyes, his face stern and dangerous.
“Get back” Thor hissed, applying enough pressure to move him away
Ullr smiled but his eyes were a little worried, mostly because people were beginning to stare.
“Ah, Balder” he beamed “come back from your errands, eh?”
Thor grit his jaw and Loki picked that moment to slip away and vanish upstairs
“Come on, let’s talk in my study”
Thor was tense in anger and walked after him, glaring even then.
Ullr was eager to know what happened and he took him far from the festivities to talk to him. The moment they were inside the study, Thor was shoving him against the wall, his hands holding his collar, lifting him up off the ground as he glared at him
“If you ever do that to Loki again” he rasped “I will kill you, damning the consequences, you understand?”
“My, my” Ullr beamed “Someone is confident in their abilities. Did you do what I asked you to?”
“Aye” Thor let him go sharply and pulled out a letter “You were right about one thing – all the men you suspected have a hand in this, not one”
Ullr looked taken aback, blinking in surprise
“I beg your pardon?”
Thor placed the letter on the table
“According to that, they all know you killed that man and are all conspiring against you” Thor told him “there is not one blackmailer. Galahad is the fourth in line for getting something, another, Lord Sullivan is the one currently sending you the blackmail notes. I do not know where they have hidden the paperweight but it is written in that riddle at the bottom of the letter. Go what you wish with that information”
“You were asked to bring it back” Ullr watched him go to the door “Are you telling me you will not do that?”
“That is exactly what I will do” Thor told him “because if you do not back off, I will make sure your downfall comes to you sooner than expected”
Ullr smirked “I have not dismissed you”
“I am not yours to dismiss”
Thor strode out and upstairs, going to see if Loki was alright. He’d looked scared and angry all in one when Thor arrived.
He’d seen red, seen fire and behind it, he saw Loki, who was cornered by that sadistic bastard. Never had Thor wanted to hurt anyone as much as he’d wanted to hurt Ullr in that moment.
He knocked on the door before he entered and frowned when he saw Loki applying balm on his wrist in front of the dresser.
“He did that?” Thor walked over
“Aye, but it’s nothing” Loki said “How was… How was your adventure?”
“Hardly that” Thor took a gentle hold of his arm and studied his wrist “this will leave in a few days”
“I envy it, then” Loki grimaced “The city is no friend of mine, I feel. It is disgusting and impure”
“Just like the people” Thor laughed softly “Aye, it is. Have you eaten anything?”
Loki shook his head “No…what happened with…everything?”
“Well”
Thor dug into his pocket and pulled out something wrapped in a napkin. He opened it before Loki and Loki stared.
“I found the evidence that will damn Ullr to the cells and back” he grinned “and tomorrow, I will take this to the constable, one I heard is very interested in any evidence to lock this bastard up”
“Why not take it to his debtors?” Loki asked “They were all whispering about how he owed people a fortune and was having a ball instead of returning their money”
Thor smiled slowly “I think you might be a sorcerer after all”
He leaned forward and kissed his forehead
“Have you eaten anything?”
Loki shook his head “And I do not want to. I have never had food so…nauseatingly rich. It’s slightly repulsive”
“Aye, I can imagine how it can be” Thor grinned “How dare we have rich food?”
Loki narrowed his eyes at him “You are supposed to be charming”
“I am not a prince, my lord” Thor said “but for you, I will be”
Loki gave a magnificent roll of his eyes and stepped back
“I would like some fruit” Loki said “is there any?”
“No, but we can get some” Thor said “I feel I need to get out of here in any case”
“As do I” Loki said “let us go”
He got his coat, some money and the two of them walked out, easily sneaking out of the house with the ball happening behind them. They were all dancing anyway, none would notice their absence.
They chose to go by foot and Thor took Loki’s hand in his own a few minutes after. Loki looked at their hands, then felt a smile curve his lips and held on.
At this time, everyone was out of their homes. Gentlemen and women walked about, going to balls and gatherings, laughing and chatting.
It was lively, even if it was smothering.
The skies were painted blue and black, stars glimmered in the distance, those the lights hadn’t washed out.
There was little flora around, only the barest since the buildings had taken most of it.
And as someone who was born and raised in greenery and flowers, Loki felt so out of place. He felt lost, as though he was in a strange land.
The people looked at him like he was, too. His clothes didn’t match their fashion, he had no walking stick, no hat, he looked out of place.
He’d wanted to go to the city, but this seemed like he was in another world, a dirty, dying world.
Thor took him to a tavern where it was packed with warm bodies seeking drink and food. They crowded around tables, leaned against walls and eyed potential conquests for the night.
A few of them glanced at Loki, but looked away when they saw him already with Thor.
He didn’t seem to be worth their effort.
Thor found him a table and they sat down, sighing in contentment. A server walked over and Thor asked if they had any fruit.
They did and they were more than happy enough to get Loki a platter of it.
Thor asked for some wine and something to eat, which he was given a few minutes later. Loki made a face at the chicken and vegetables Thor got, but the man had no qualms about eating them.
It made him wonder how many nights Thor went to bed hungry before.
He knew he agreed for basic reasons primarily. He just didn’t know how deep that ran.
Balder’s death left him with little choice but to become a vagabond, Fandral had told him. But Loki didn’t believe that. He saw Thor as a knight without a title
A Vagrant Knight, one that handled his life by himself, with no help from anyone and a questionable past.
A line of thought that brought him to lean over and ask Thor something.
“Thor” he said “May I ask you a question?”
Thor smirked at him before he nodded “You can ask anything of me”
Loki laughed softly and shook his head “Nay, this is a little serious”
“Oh?”
Thor sat up straight and looked at him
“What was Ullr talking about when he mentioned those officers?” Loki asked “and about you being wanted?”
Thor felt his body stiffen. His expression was stoic, however, giving nothing away but at the same time, in doing so, giving a lot away to Loki, who’d come to know him.
He knew Loki would ask him that eventually and it seemed that a decent amount of time had passed so he took a deep inhale and played with his fork.
“It is not as he describes”
“I am aware of that, I do not he is an honest man” Loki said
“Aye, but … many would call me dishonest, too” Thor set his fork down
“I wouldn’t” Loki told him bluntly “So tell me what happened”
Thor let out a loud sigh, then nodded his head once
He wasn’t used to someone asking for his side of any story unless it was to turn it around and blame him. No one listened with rapt interest like Loki was ready to do. He sat patiently with his arms crossed gracefully over the tabletop, his green eyes shimmering in the lights of the tavern.
“Well” Thor said “it was an ambush. I was hunting for a man who was wanted for the murder of eight families. All members, leaving no one alive. He worked for someone high up, I suspect someone in the police or the ruling bodies. This happened in Sussex and I was told to bring him in. At that time, the person who had hired me, sent me with a woman named Valkyrie. She was a fighter and a good one at that. I trusted her.
“She wanted to get these men as quickly as possible.” Thor said “Or so I thought. The night I was ambushed, we were going to find this man, who was rumored to be robbing a noble of high rank. I was excited because if I caught him doing it, then it would be easier to get him a sentence and with Valkyrie, I would have a witness.”
Thor exhaled “The noble had a massive library and that was where we had to go and within it, there were some artifacts that would be stolen. This woman, Valkyrie, was eager to get him, she knew her way around, which occurred to me far too late. When I entered the library, there were eight police officers and Valkyrie, pointing their weapons at me. Too late I realized that I had been cheated.”
Loki frowned “What happened next?”
“Well, the ambush took me by surprise and I ran, but they started to fire” Thor closed his eyes and took a deep breath “Valkyrie started to fire. She killed those men, stole what she wanted to and fled. I was seen by multiple people, running from that house when they heard the gunfire. It didn’t take long for them to convict me of that murder”
“But you did not do it” Loki whispered
“It doesn’t matter to a community, they only want punishment” Thor told him “I would have been hanged had – had my father not come in to save me. And if I were honest, I would have taken the punishment”
Loki grimaced “That sounds nasty”
“You met my father, have you not? Isn’t he amazing?”
Loki laughed softly “Alright, I can see your point. What happened after?”
“Well, I was wanted in Sussex and I haven’t been back since. But it taught me to always work alone and never work with someone who looks like they are too good because chances are they are not”
“Possibly” Loki picked up his fork to have his fruit “I assume that made you very careful with who you go after”
“Aye, I had a very thorough screening process” Thor went back to his meal “I would see if I needed money and then take the job”
Loki grinned, then laughed, shaking his head “You’re…well, you are something else, Thor”
“I most certainly am” Thor said
The air was light between them despite their topic of discussion.
“As hard as that was, you have led a far more adventurous life than I” Loki told him
“Oh course, clapped in irons, thrown in prison, it was an incredible adventure” Thor laughed
Loki kicked him under the table “You know what I mean”
“I do, I know.”
“I have never left that Isle” Loki continued “I stayed there, looking after it ever since I could remember. I was never asked about what I wanted”
“What did you want?” Thor inquired, his eyes focused on Loki’s face
“Well, I wanted to have a shop in the country” Loki said “a small home and a lot of books. I wanted to be free, but I guess everyone has their tethers. One just gets used to them”
“Very true” Thor nodded “but I feel your tethers are not…no longer that bad. At least I hope. You have a competent second and third. Perhaps it is time you have a taste of your dream.”
“I was seven when I dreamt it, it was childish” Loki said
“Perhaps, but maybe we can do something about it, still” Thor smiled slowly “no dream should be left untried”
Loki had to admit he wanted to, it felt right, it felt like he owed it to himself.
He didn’t say anything affirmative to it, but he didn’t deny it either.
And once they finished their meals they made their way back to Ullr’s home. The ball was still taking place so they went upstairs quietly, not wanting to disturb them or be seen. They would lock themselves in their rooms and just…breathe.
“Let me put my coat away, change and return” Loki told Thor “you choose a book we can read.”
“Aye. Reading…that is what we will do” Thor winked
Loki blushed and turned away, going to his room so he could change.
The moment he entered it, he knew something was wrong. Nothing was out of place, but he knew. And a second later, it became apparent
Ullr was sitting in one of the chairs and he smiled at him
“Do come in” he said, “I was waiting for you”
Loki didn’t move. His heart was racing at the thought of him being here and only later did he see his clothes on the bed, Ullr having gone through them.
His body went cold at that thought and he looked back at him
“I want you to leave”
“This is my house and my chambers” Ullr got to his feet “I do not think you can tell me what to do”
Loki turned around to open the door and gasped when the man advanced in him and grabbed his wrist just as he stepped outside
“No!”
Loki growled but Ullr yanked him back and threw him to the floor.
He locked the door and turned to Loki
“I have had enough of watching” he told him “Now I want to touch you”
“Like hell you will” Loki rasped “get away from me!”
Ullr stormed forward and Loki retreated, picking up a fire poker. His eyes were blazing green in anger and he raised it, ready to hurt him.
“Don’t come near me”
He was scared, Ullr could tell. He could almost hear his heart beat and he walked over, confident.
He didn’t expect someone to grab him
Ullr yelled as he was hauled up and thrown hard to the floor, where he lay, groaning in pain.
Thor stood behind him, his face a mask of rage
“Pack your belongings” Thor told Loki
Loki raced around Ullr, dropping the fire poker.
Thor went to help him, both of them ignoring Ullr for now as they stuffed Loki’s clothes in his bag. They didn’t hear Ullr get up.
Loki turned and saw him raised Loki’s discarded ‘weapon’ ready to strike Thor from behind
“Thor!”
Thor spun around and grabbed his wrist just as he brought it down. Ullr’s face was a mask of rage and Thor’s was no different
This bastard had been waiting here for Loki, to assault him and force himself on him!
He felt so much anger and hatred go through him, his body shook with it.
Nay, it didn’t shake.
It vibrated
Loki felt a thrum start from the base of his spine upwards, like a caress, a pressure that he’d never sensed before. He felt it move to his shoulders, then his collar, then snake to his arms where it increased, in a compressed power he’d never felt before.
Light illuminated from the marks at his forearms and he let out a shout a second before it released.
A huge, soundless blast erupted from his palms and hurled Ullr back against the wall with a stomach-turning snap and crunch. His body twisted at an impossible angle, like a handkerchief that had been wound and curled in the hands of a bored wielder.
His eyes were wide in shock, his hand still clenched around the poker but no life remained in him. He looked unreal, turned and coiled in a grotesque shape right before their eyes.
There he lay, dead.
Loki was pale, his hands over his mouth as he stared at the body in shock. Thor was froze, looking at his hands from where the power had come to do this to Ullr.
He’d killed him with a force and power he’d never felt before.
He’d killed him!
Thor turned and his heart clenched when Loki gasped and backed away, shocked
Thor held up his hands “It’s alright, I will not hurt you. I won’t. Whatever happened to my hands, it’s over, aye? I won’t hurt you”
Loki swallowed thickly and nodded, letting Thor walk over and hold out his hands. He was giving Loki the option of touching them or not.
“We have to leave” Thor told him “go to my room, have a drink, I will pack everything for you and then follow, alright?”
He stepped far from him, to let him pass through their connecting door.
“Go”
Loki nodded, his face pale, his knees shaking. He rushed to Thor’s room and closed the door behind him.
He couldn’t help but lock it before he slid down against it, his hands over his face, his eyes wide.
What the hell had he just witnessed and what was he going to do now?
He didn’t know the answer, but one thing was certain. He had to get Thor and leave this place.
They had to.