Chapter 1
He woke to sunlight flooding the room. He adjusted to where he was and remembered the previous days events. His stomach flipped a little and he felt a bit sick with nerves.
He realized he was in the middle of the bed and shivered slightly as the blanket was not covering him and he looked up to try and find it. He was alone in the bed, wondering where his master was.
He sat upright and something stirred on the floor beside the bed. He looked over to see his master lying on the floor.
"Why are you lying on the floor?" he asked, forgetting to address him properly.
Thor opened his eyes, squinted and looked up at him "Because you thrashed about most of the night and took over the bed, so I ended up here" he said, looking down at the floor. Loki leaped out of the bed and threw himself on the floor on the other side covering his head with his hands, terrified of the beating that would follow.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" he cried. "Please forgive me and have mercy!" I'm sorry!"
Thor looked up to see a now empty bed and furred his brow, "What...? he asked, puzzled.
Loki repeated again, "Have mercy!"
Thor got up and walked around the bed. Loki waited for the beating to start, but Thor picked him up and sat him on the bed. Loki shivered, more out of fear than cold.
Thor put the blanket round his shoulders, bent down to his level and asked "What was that about?" Loki whimpered looking down and trying to avoid Thor's eyes.
"Y...Your Majesty had to sleep on the floor because of me, a slave, t...that is worthy of a beating."
Thor sighed and rolled his eyes. He placed a finger under Loki's chin and lifted his head up and said "Look at me" Loki reluctantly looked at Thor "Boy, speak of this to no one and we will leave it at that." he said.
"And...there will be no beating, not today, nor any day thereafter."
He then placed his hands on Loki's shoulders and said "We will sort something out for tonight, but first breakfast and you need a bath."
Thor walked into the bathroom and started running a bath.
"When you are ready," he called from the bathroom, "come in."
Loki sheepishly rose and walked into the bathroom to see his master sitting on the edge of a large bathtub and running a bath for him. He was pouring various liquids into the water to make it foamy and smell nice. The steam was rising and it looked inviting.
Loki stood watching with the blanket pulled around himself. Thor turned off the taps, stood up turned to him, smiled and said "All yours." motioning to the tub and he walked out, ruffling his hair as he passed.
Loki stood for a moment taking it all in. He hesitated a little, making sure no one would be coming in, then he dropped the blanket to the floor and slipped off the night shirt and holding on to the edge of the bath, gingerly lifted his leg to dip his foot into the water. It was blissfully warm, just the right temperature.
He climbed in and slid himself down in the warm water that felt so good against his skin. As he stretched out, he felt the tension slowly leave his body and he relaxed.
"Ah, this feels so good." he thought to himself. Time seemed to stop for a while as he lost himself forgetting briefly all that had happened to him.
Thor called through bringing him out of his reverie.
"Is everything fine in there, can I come in?"
Loki sat up and wrapped his arms around his knees "Y...yes." he said, nervously.
Thor came in "How is the bath?" he asked "G...good, thank you." Loki replied.
Thor picked up a wash cloth, wet it in the bath and began to wash Loki's back. He relaxed slightly, it felt good. Thor then washed his hair. Something no one had ever done for him, not even his own Father had ever done this for him.
Loki heard a knock come to the door of Thor's chambers which startled him and he tensed. "That will be breakfast." Thor said.
He dried his hands and said to Loki "Don't take too long." Then he left.
Loki stretched out again and sank back down into the water and closed his eyes, feeling contented. A few minutes later Thor called through again "Can I come in?"
"Y...yes." Loki said and sat up again clutching his knees.
"These are for you, I hope you like them." Loki saw he had a pile of clothes in his hands and a pair of boots.
Thor handed him a towel, "Come on, we are waiting for you." he said "We are going to spend the day in the gardens, with a picnic." He then went off to get organised to leave.
Loki got out of the bath and dried off. 'We...?' he thought to himself.
He looked at the pile of clothes and held each item up looking at it before putting it on. A straw colored shirt, a pair of black trousers and a green jacket.
He took a look at himself in the long mirror. He felt so smart. He knew he was a prince back home, but he could almost pass for a prince here in Asgard. He picked up a comb and dragged it through his hair, tying to untangle it, his raven curls bouncing back as they dried.
He left the bathroom to join Thor and saw a young girl standing by the door. "Ah, Loki," said Thor. "This is Asta, she will be joining us today, maybe a friend for you and she can help you with your studies too, but that will be for another day. Today the gardens!"
The young girl had been looking at the floor, but then lifted her head up to look at him when Thor spoke. She smiled shyly and Loki looked into the most beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen. Her strawberry blonde hair fell in curls around her shoulders and framed her soft face. She on the other hand looked into the most beautiful green eyes she had ever seen.
They both looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity.
Thor broke the silence. "Well, introductions done. Lets go!"
"Oh Loki, you've not had breakfast, this will suffice for now." he said and tossed him an apple. "There is plenty in here." He pointed to a basket on the floor, which he then picked up and ushered them both out of the chambers.