Hello everyone! This is my first Loki story. I was originally going to make this a short story but I had some ideas for it so I'm planning to make it a full length story. This story stars pre-Thor and then will continue through Thor, the Avengers, and post-Avengers. I'm hoping I'm able to keep it going as long as I intend to do. Primarily, I'm going to focus this story on friendship but I may include romance later on(it's a strong possibility). I hope you all like this first chapter and please review and follow! Thank you :)
You walked outside with your journal and quill to your favorite spot by the enormous willow tree in the palace's garden. The garden was your safe haven-the place you went to when you needed to clear your head or just relax by yourself. Heaving a contented sigh, you abandoned your Asgardian manners to plop down onto the cool grass. Smiling to yourself, you opened your journal and began to write. Losing yourself in your thoughts, you failed to hear the footsteps that were approaching you. Before you could react, a pair of hands snatched the leather bound journal from your hands.
"Hey! I don't know who you think you are but-" you began as you turned around to face the person who had so rudely interrupted your thought process.
Fandral smiled down at you, flashing his enticing smile, "My deepest sympathies in disturbing your peace, Lady Aurora."
"Not sorry enough to not do it." you replied bitterly.
Fandral let out a chuckle as he traced his fingers over the spine of the journal. Your hazel eyes fixated on Fandral's fingers as they moved to the edge of the journal, threatening to open it.
"Don't you dare open that journal, Fandral! Hasn't your mother ever told you it's impolite to invade a lady's privacy?" you spoke as you narrowed your gaze at Fandral who simply continued to smile down at you.
"I don't know why you're so afraid of others seeing your work," Fandral began as he opened the journal which elicited a small gasp from you.
Fandral continued, "Your writing is so good you know, and your pictures?" Fandral inquired as he turned a page of the journal towards you, "Absolutely beautiful."
You found yourself blushing despite your wishes. "Thank you, Fandral."
The picture that Fandral had opened the journal to was an earlier sketch you had done of the Asgardian sun setting over the water of the lake. You had also sketched the willow tree with its tendrils hanging down and touching the placid had paid attention to the details of the grass and the flowers as well as the line where the soil turned into the lakebed.
You had an interest in writing down your deepest thoughts as well as aphorisms and poetry. You also liked to draw portraits and landscape scenes. While most Asgardians had an interest in combat, you preferred to engage in less thrilling activities. To you, finding the perfect words to convey your thoughts and feelings or capturing the perfect lighting for your sketches was just as exhilarating as the rush of battle. However, you still took part in the basic training required of all Asgardians. You struggled with hand to hand combat because you were smaller than the other children your age and lacked the muscle mass required to force an opponent off of your body. Of all the required forms of defense taught to citizens of Asgard, your favorite was swordfighting. It was the only form you'd willingly practice on your own without the supervision or demand from your instructor, Vali. But, you were without her sword which would do you no good in this minor situation with Fandral.
Fandral and his band of friends were collectively referred to as the Warriors Three. They were also rather close with Thor and Loki, Odin's sons, as well as Sif. You were not particularly fond of Fandral because his incessant flirting quickly became cloying and you had no interest in him. The other two members of the Warriors Three, Volstagg and Hogun, were not as annoying, but they were certainly out to help Fandral in his quest to win her heart. Sif was one of your best friends, being one of the only girls around your age in the palace that wasn't a servant or didn't get on your nerves. Sif was much more adept at fighting than you, but the two of you had plenty else in common. The Odinson brothers; who didn't know about them? The two brothers were often the talk of the palace, but you wouldn't guess they were related at all by looking at them. Thor had long golden hair and blue eyes that were always brimming with emotion. Thor, even at a young age, was of sturdy build and commanded attention simply with his presence.
Loki was the polar opposite of Thor in all aspects. Loki had medium length black hair that was straight unlike Thor's wavy hair. Loki's eyes were a shimmering emerald color that never provided a glimpse into how he was feeling or what he was thinking; Loki was always shrouded in mystery. Some would even say he was guarded. Loki was considerably shorter than Thor and he was also much thinner. Loki's complexion and build make him look fragile and frail, but despite his appearance, Loki was just as healthy as Thor. Loki's presence would be overlooked if he were not an Asgardian prince. Loki had a timid voice and demeanor which highlighted his preference for staying out of the spotlight. You liked both of the brothers but of the two, you were much closer with Loki. Loki was your best friend in all of Asgard. He too, did not share the same enthusiasm or proclivity for combat like most Asgardians did.
"Sincerely, I could boast of many lovely things about your work. None of which of course, are as lovely as you."
"Oh save it, Fandral, can't you see that flattery isn't garnering you any favor with her?" a voice called out from behind Fandral.
You craned your neck to see who had just saved you from coming up with a reply to Fandral to discover a thin, dark haired and pale skinned boy behind Fandral. Fandral also turned around to see who had ruined his attempts at courting you to see Loki clad in his usual royal attire standing behind him.
Fandral squinted at Loki, "I'm not sure what garnered means so I don't know if I should be offended or not."
Loki rolled his eyes which earned a giggle from you. "Maybe if you spent more time studying than striking out with girls you would understand what it means."
"Okay, I've decided that I am officially offended." Fandral huffed.
Loki took a few steps forward so he stood close enough to Fandral to quickly take your journal from his hands.
"Hey! Give that back!" Fandral yelled.
Loki tucked the journal under his arm and shook his head. "It does not belong to you. You took it and I'm taking it from you. Doesn't feel too good, does it?"
Fandral sighed in frustration. "I could easily grab that from you, Loki."
"It does not matter, you wouldn't try." Loki replied as he circled Fandral to stand closer to your side by the water.
Fandral raised an eyebrow, "I wouldn't?"
Loki gestured with his free hand, "Prove me wrong if you feel so entitled."
At that, Fandral sought out to do just that. Quickly, Fandral lunged for the book in Loki's hand anticipating contact only to see Loki disappear before his eyes. Instead of making contact with Loki, Fandral met face first with the lake water.
"Hahaha! Fandral, you fell into the lake!" You found yourself laughing uncontrollably.
Fandral snapped his head up out of the water as droplets fell back into the water from his soaked hair and face. Utterly embarrassed and confused, Fandral turned around asking, "How? He was right there..." only to see Loki standing a foot in front of you with a ghost of a smirk on his lips.
You also turned to look for Loki who smiled down at you as you continued to laugh at Fandral's expense. You knew it was rude, but you thought he deserved what was a potentially fatal blow to his ego.
"Perhaps you are not as swift as you think you are." Loki said quietly.
Fandral stared back at Loki in shock before standing up and angrily marching his way out of the lake, past you and Loki, and out of sight.
"That was brilliant Loki! How did you do it?" you asked, your eyes shining.
Loki took a step closer to you and knelt down to hand you your journal back, "Magic, Lady Aurora."
You lightly punched him on the shoulder, "Nonsense Loki! You're too young to be a sorcerer."
Loki chuckled at your light punch. "I am so sorry to disagree with you, but I have been learning. You know I read a lot."
You nodded at Loki's response; reading was a common interest the two of you shared.
"Well, I've been studying up on magic books and it seems I have an aptitude for it. This suits me such better than fighting does." Loki said with a frown.
"I know what you mean. I wish I had something different like you have magic now." you said wistfully.
Like you, Loki's stature hindered his performance in combat. You were slightly jealous that Loki had found a new way to deal with situations besides relying on brute strength. Loki's emerald eyes twinkled suddenly. You knew that look.
"What is it Loki? I'd recognize that look anywhere." you inquired.
"It's just that maybe I could try and teach you some of what I've been learning." Loki said with a shy smile.
"Really!?" you asked excitedly.
Loki nodded, "Yes, although I must warn you that I'm probably not a good teacher since I've never taught anyone anything before and I don't know much magic yet myself. I haven't even perfected this yet."
"It's no matter Loki! I'd love for you to try and teach me!" you smiled.
Loki returned your smile. "Great! When would you like to start? I'll need to get my books though..." Loki began before a loud voice cut him off.
"LADY AURORA, FANDRAL TELLS ME MY BROTHER PUSHED HIM IN THE WATER. IS THIS TRUE?!"
Loki sighed heavily as Thor came bounding over.
You shook your head furiously. "Loki did no such thing. Fandral fell in the water. He stole my journal, but Loki got it back for me. That's when Fandral stumbled into the water."
Thor nodded his head and smiled. "Glad to hear it. I must confess I was skeptical of Fandral's tale even though he is sopping wet. Can you imagine my brother pushing someone over? Haha! No offense brother," Thor clapped his hand down on the smaller brother's shoulder, "but you haven't enough force to knock over Fandral."
Loki jolted at the impact of Thor's hand on his shoulder. "None taken brother, as long as you believe that I am innocent of this affair."
"Oh I do brother! Perhaps Fandral made up that tale so as not to seem so uncoordinated!" Thor boomed.
"Yes, surely he is not feeling so confident about himself right now." you added.
"It is not my fault that Fandral has embarrased himself. I am merely a witness to what happened; I did not force him to fall." Loki spoke.
Thor nodded. "I believe you, brother. I'm going to go back inside now. I shall see you later. Farewell, Lady Aurora."
"Farewell, Thor." you waved as he began walking back to the palace.
Now you turned your attention to Loki. "I've yet to properly thank you for retrieving my journal."
Loki shook his head. "No need, I was simply returning what was taken from you. Any person with manners would have done the same thing. You do not need to thank me. "
"Nonsense." you said with a smile as you stood up and hugged Loki.
You wrapped your arms around him and he gingerly did the same to you. Loki wasn't one for much physical contact with his peers, but he was not as afraid of hugging you. It was probably because you didn't intimidate him and you could relate with him. That ability made you both feel comfortable near each other.
"Thank you, Loki." you said in the embrace.
"Anytime, Lady Aurora." Loki responded before the two of you broke the embrace.
"Hey," you grinned at him, "It looks like we're the same height now. Remember when I was taller than you? Now you're catching up!" you pointed out as your gaze fell even with Loki's.
Loki looked slightly awkward as he gave you a small smile. "It's about time. Maybe someday everyone will stop teasing me about being short."
"You're getting there!" you said as you ruffled his neat hair.
"Hey! What was that for?" Loki asked as he scrambled to finger comb his hair back into place.
You giggled, "Just thought I'd mess up your hair while I can still reach."
"I'm sure you'll have plenty more opportunities." Loki said as he finished smoothing his hair down.
"Why do you always keep yourself so...rigidly in place?" you asked.
Loki stiffened slightly at your use of the word "rigid". "Since I'm Odin's son, I have to look my best and be on my best behavior because I might be chosen as king one day...unless of course, Thor is chosen instead."
"I think either of you would make a suitable king." you said softly.
"Thank you, I'd like to think so too." Loki answered.
"So, when are you going to tell Thor about your magic?" you asked.
"I don't know," Loki paused, "I'm not sure how he or anyone would react to it."
"I think you should tell him. He'd probably think it's amazing." you offered.
"Maybe I'll tell him soon." Loki said quietly.
You nodded," I understand."
Loki offered you a smile, "Would you like to come with me to get my magic books so I can try and teach you?"
"Definitely! Let's go!" you exclaimed as you grabbed his hand and began pulling him with you up the hill to the palace.