Contained

Thor was on the training fields, sparring with Fandral, when one of his servants came scuttling to announce that the Allfather wanted to see him in his chambers. He knocked Fandral to the ground once more before telling the severant to tell his father that he was on his way. When the servant walked off, he helped his friend up with a laugh, brushing some dirt off his shoulder.

“Maybe next time, my friend.” Thor said, patting his back and laughing, “Though it’s unlikely.”

"One of these days, Thor, I am going to surprise you.” Fandral responded with a playful shove. Thor laughed again as he walked away from the training fields, waving to his friends who were still sparring. The day was warm, and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. The sun felt divine upon his skin and as he walked to the castle, he allowed himself a moment to soak in its heat and breathe the fresh spring-sweet air. He walked through the open air hallways of the palace grounds, past giggling ladies, and colorful gardens. He walked the stairs past the throne room, and down the hall to his chambers. He knocked on the door to signal his entry to his father before swinging it open. He was immediately taken aback by what he saw. His father sat in Thor’s large lounging chair, his legs spread wide, and a boy laying on the ground between them with his cheek resting on Odin’s boot. Thor could catch a glimpse of a golden collar around his throat through his black hair, and a leash tied to the elegant leg of the chair. The boy was shirtless and filthy, his long hair fell about his shoulders in greasy waves and dirt and blood were encrusted on his white skin. He appeared to be shaking minutely and his green eyes were innocent and fearful. When he saw Thor, he cringed back further into Odin’s legs.

“Father… what-what is this...who is this?” Thor said, his voice wobbling slightly. His brow knit in confusion.

“My son, when we stormed the castle of Laufey, the men found him cowering in a room alone. He was chained and… well, animal-minded. They thought it cruel to kill him. After all, look at him. What harm could he have possibly done? He does not even know how to speak. So, they brought him to me. He is a lovely thing, and you fought so honorably. You made me proud, Thor. I thought you deserved a reward, and here he was. He is yours, if you want him.” Thor ran a hand through his hair, and looked at the little thing on the ground, still pressed against Odin’s legs, watching him cautiously. Odin was right, he was lovely beneath all the grime. He looked so innocent, like a pup torn from his mother too soon.

“Why does he not look Jotun? And, father… do we know who he is?”

“The runes on his collar are a glamor that I have placed upon him. I found the appearance of a Jotun to be rather… unpalatable. The glamor allows him to withstand heat the way you and I do, as well, so he may go out into the sun without being burned. If you would rather him appear Jotun, however, I can alter the runes…” Odin said, as he rubbed the boy’s forehead where a horn may have once been. The Jotun leaned into his touch. Thor shook his head, and Odin continued, “As for who he is, the men found him in the royal wing of the palace. We thought that perhaps he had been kept as a pet by one of the princes, but then I remembered. Laufey was said to have a runt, by the name of Loki-his youngest son. Smaller and more frail than the others. We never heard more about him, but given the circumstance, and his appearance, we do believe that this is Laufey’s runt son. As I said, his name is Loki, but I do not think he would mind being called something else, if you prefer.”

“Loki…” The name felt right rolling off of Thor’s tongue. The boy looked up at him, seeming to recognize his name. His eyes were a lovely shade of green.

“So… you will take him?” Odin had an odd gleam in his eye that Thor had never seen before, and it made him uneasy. The boy was starting to edge out from between Odin’s legs to creep up to where Thor stood to cautiously sniff at his boots and hands. He took a step back, as if to see if Thor would do something to him, before leaning back in to butt his head against Thor’s knuckles and gently lick the back of his hand. He stroked the black, knotted hair back, and the Jotun let out a soft sigh, eyes fluttering shut. The display was just so endearing, and he couldn’t say no.

“Yes, I will take him.” Thor said, leaning down to unclip the leash tying him to the chair and rubbing behind his ears. Loki began to purr softly, surprising Thor for a moment before making his heart melt and causing a smile to split across his face.

Odin left with a smile, and when the door closed, Thor pulled the purring creature into his arms. He ran his hand gently through the greasy hair, over his filthy naked back. Inwardly, he cringed and decided he very much would need to groom Loki. But for now, he enjoyed the soft rumbles coming from his pet, the way he curled into Thor's chest, his occasional nervous glances at his new master-as if Thor could even think about hurting him.

“Welcome home, little Loki.”