Disclaimer: I don't own Thor or its characters. Just my OCs.

A/N: This fic is twelve chapters long so far and I'm not far from finishing it, so just let me know what you guys think of this first chapter, and let me know if you want to read the rest. This was inspired by A DangerousMind by Within Temptation and I'm hoping to continue this into Thor, Avengers Assemble, and Thor: The Dark World. I've always felt so bad for Loki throughout everything, even though he does very bad things. It just seems he's been rejected for being different from the minute he was born, and because of this, I just want to shower him with cookies and cuddles. Anyway, please review this, guys! Let me know what you think!

Happy reading!

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Dangerous Minds

Chapter One

During his whole life, Loki had only had one true friend other than his older brother, Thor; and he wasn't even sure he could call Thor a true friend.

Freya had been this mischievous little girl who was the daughter of one of Odin's most respected soldiers, and the moment that Loki had seen her for the first time, he'd felt an instant connection with her. She'd been naturally gifted in magic from an early age, and would enchant the young Prince with wisps of magic and her colourful imagination, and from their meeting, he and Freya were pretty much inseparable, which brought comfort to their mothers. If there was ever a perfect match, it seemed that Freya and Loki were it.

As they grew older, they were often seen together, whether it was studying, reading, practising magic or simply having fun. Usually their idea of fun was playing a prank or chasing each other through the palace, and even sparring. Loki would never forget the first time that Thor wanted to test Freya's fighting abilities against him. She'd thrashed him, in front of all their friends and had sent the group into a stunned silence. Thor was shocked to say the least when she'd kicked him in the chest so hard he'd flown through the air, and hit the ground with a sickening slam which had winded him, rendering him useless. She'd merely winked at him as he rolled around on the floor and then told him never to underestimate her again before she turned on her heel and left. Loki and the others respected her a lot more after that incident.

Our story starts with the two friends sitting under a large willow tree in the gardens, reading a book together. Anyone who would happen to come across the pair would think that they were in a loving relationship rather than just a friendship. Loki sat with Freya's back against his chest, his legs either side of her as they both held up the large book in their hands. Loki was reading to her, his deep voice soothing her as she rested her head in the crook of his neck, breathing him in.

"You are a lovely reader." Freya praised him quietly, looking up at him with a warm smile, "Your children will be very lucky to have a father who can read so beautifully. They will adore you for it."

"Children?" Loki asked her with a half smile, "You have my life planned for me already?"

"Of course." Freya replied with a beaming grin, "I only want the best for you, Loki."

With a soft sigh, Freya looked at the setting sun, feeling rather sad at the thought of leaving Loki for any amount of time, no matter how small.

"Oh, dear..." She breathed, "I fear that now is the time that we must part. The ball starts in a couple of hours and we have to make ourselves look presentable."

"You always look more than presentable." Loki told her, closing the large book, "Always."

He placed the book beside them and then took her hands in his, allowing her to use him as support to help her stand. With a warm laugh, she used her power to quickly move to the side of him in a wisp of blue smoke, picking up the book as he got to his feet. She grabbed his hand and began to pull him towards the palace, gripping his hand tightly in her own. She was the only one he would ever allow to pull him around like that.

He escorted her back to her chambers, kissing her hand gently before leaving her to go and prepare for the ball that his mother had insisted on holding that night. He would have to wear his regal attire, which annoyed him since it was uncomfortable and weighed him down. He'd have to put up with Thor being a loud and irritating beast, who would no doubt shamelessly flirt with countless ladies, and he would end up standing at the other end of the hall with only Freya for company. He was certain that Freya would be his saviour that night. She was the one who would faithfully stay by his side, and dance only with him just to spend time with him. No-one else really made that effort, and for that, he truly valued her friendship.

Freya, also valued her friendship with the Prince. If not for him, she would get one dance with Fandral and then be a mere wallflower for the rest of the night. Fandral always insisted on a dance with her, but she was sure it was merely out of politeness, whereas Loki would dance with her because he wanted to. She was the only lady that he would dance with. She sighed softly as she settled in her freshly drawn bath, beginning to wash her body and her hair ready for the night's festivities. Her gown was ready and waiting. It was an emerald green dress with straps to support half-sleeves, leaving her shoulders exposed, and it had exquisite golden trimming and embroidery. It was a new gown, and her very best. She always wished to look her best for Loki.

Once she was dressed, she sat at her vanity table and began to comb her hair, smiling as her mother entered her chambers to help her with her long locks. Eydis beamed at her daughter, leaning down to kiss her on the crown of her head.

"You look beautiful." She whispered, "You wear his colours again..."

Freya nodded, feeling her eyes sting with the beginnings of tears. Her feelings for Loki could only be hidden for so long, especially when she was with her mother. Her friendship was so wonderful with the Prince that she didn't want to jeopardise it by telling him how she felt.

"Oh, my love..." Eydis sighed, "I cannot bear to see you carrying a burden such as this."

"He and I have a beautiful friendship, Mother." Freya sniffled, hurriedly wiping her eyes, "I will not forsake it. Not for anything."

"So, you would be content to see him fall into the arms of another?" Eydis asked her daughter, "It will happen one day. And you will not be able to stop it. Then you will live the rest of your life regretting your secrecy."

"Oh, hush." Freya snapped, "Please, Mother. You do not make this any easier for me."

"Forgive me, darling." Eydis whispered, "Your happiness is my only concern."

"No, forgive me..." Freya answered, wiping her eyes again, "This is not your fault. I should not be so harsh with you, Mother."

"Dry your eyes, my love." Eydis spoke gently, "We will make you even more beautiful."

Loki rubbed his fingers across his brow slowly as he eyed his brother downing another tankard of mead. The Warriors Three, Sif and Thor were all having a great time drinking and stuffing their faces, while he was alone, awaiting the arrival of Freya.

It wasn't until he spotted her golden-red hair (which was tied into a set of intricate braids with two loose strands hanging by her face, one on either side), that he felt remotely comfortable being there. She was standing alone, holding a goblet of wine, looking as if she wanted the ground to swallow her up. He slowly slipped through the crowds of people, soon coming face to face with the porcelain skinned woman. Her eyes moved up to meet his, and she gave him a warm smile, curtseying to him slowly.

"Your highness."

"My lady." Loki replied, taking Freya's hand and kissing it before leaning in to whisper into her ear, "You're looking very beautiful."

If only he knew how her body tingled when he drew so close to her. If only he knew how her heart hurt whenever he would touch her or hold her, because she knew they would never be together. Her pain was unbearable. If only he knew.

"Thank you." She said softly, looking towards the ceiling as she tried to will her tears away, "You look very handsome, as always."

Loki gave her a small smile, his eyebrow arching as he heard the ending of the current piece of music. He was determined to get Freya on the dance floor for the next piece. His mother would only nag at him if he didn't, and he didn't need her smothering him when he was finding it a trial just to be there. He only ever danced with Freya. It was a special part of their bond, and no matter how many women were without a partner, if Freya was dancing with another man, he would wait for her before asking her to the floor again.

"May I have this dance, my lady?" He asked her, holding out his hand to her.

"I would be honoured, your highness." Freya said softly, allowing him to lead her to the centre of the hall.

Queen Frigga watched with a warm smile on her face, casting a glance at Eydis who wore the same expression. The two mothers moved closer together, watching as their children took their position on the floor. Loki enveloped Freya in his arms gently, enclosing his hand around hers. Her free hand moved to his shoulder as the music started, and the pair started to move steadily, joined by several other couples.

Their eyes met, silver and emerald, and that was where they would stay. They had to stick to formalities at public events like this, and Loki hated it. He couldn't truly be Freya's friend at social occasions, no matter how close their bond was. He felt her move just that little bit closer to him, so that they could speak without others overhearing them.

"Does this colour please you?" She asked, referring to her gown.

"It does..." Loki answered with a small smile, "But you should only dress to please yourself, my lady."

Freya bit her lip and nodded, hiding her eyes from him. She wondered if his compliments were genuine or if he merely felt sorry for her. She was a plain little thing after all. The only other male who paid any attention to her really was Fandral, and that was simply because he was a notorious flirt.

"Do not feel forced to compliment me, Loki." She spoke so quietly that the Prince almost couldn't hear her, "I do not mind if you truly think me to be plain."

The Prince spun her carefully and welcomed her back into his arms, drawing the hand he was holding closer to kiss it.

"You are anything but plain, my lady." He said tenderly, leading her across the floor, "You outshine every woman in this room."

Even though Loki knew that his compliment would not sway her opinion of herself, he accepted Freya's thanks for it, which consisted of a weak and almost tearful smile. He couldn't quite understand her behaviour of late. She had become rather emotional around him, and rather distant, like she was withdrawing herself from his genuine efforts and gestures of friendship. He gripped her hips suddenly which startled her, and he hoisted her into the air, spinning her around before their hands returned to their former positions.

"You've been practising." Freya said, her eyes sparkling softly, "That pleases me."

"Oh, does it?" Loki asked with an arched eyebrow and a half smile, "Well, I am glad."

Freya giggled sweetly as he led her around the floor, letting him spin her again and then lift her once more. Looking over her shoulder, Loki could see Thor giving him an encouraging smile, and he simply rolled his eyes, continuing to lead Freya through the dance. As the music slowed to a stop, Loki kissed Freya's hand gently and offered her his arm. Just as he was looking for a place to take his friend, he met eyes with the most incredibly beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

She had mysterious green eyes and silver-blonde hair, and she shot him a smile that made him almost weak at the knees. With a slight swoon, he smiled back, noticing her curtsey to him right from the other side of the room before she turned to a tall, strong looking man who Loki recognised as one of his father's guards.

"Freya..." He said softly, catching his friend's attention, "Look over there..."

Freya looked across and saw the beautiful woman, feeling her heart sink as she looked at her friend's expression. He was already lost in the other woman's gorgeous features and stunning eyes. Swallowing thickly, Freya cleared her throat and gave her friend the best smile she could. So much for her outshining every woman in the room.

"She is very beautiful." She said, watching how Loki's smile grew.

"She is. Should I ask her to dance?"

Freya's chest hurt. Loki only ever asked her to dance. She never expected it to make her feel so bad. The reality of him finding love with another hadn't quite sunk into her brain yet. She always had that little flicker of hope that just maybe the two of them could have something. She blamed herself. She shouldn't have let her feelings for him grow so deep.

"If that is what pleases you, my lord." She said quietly, hiding her face from him, "Go and dance with her. Excuse me."

"Freya?" Loki asked softly as she began to walk away, "Freya?"

He was confused. Why was she suddenly behaving so coldly? It wasn't like her to just up and leave him in the middle of a conversation like that. It was like she couldn't wait to get away.

"Excuse me, your highness." Freya said again, her tone a little sharper, "Go to her, before someone else snaps her up."

Loki watched his friend go and shook his head. She was simply jealous. That had to explain the sudden change in her behaviour. Taking a deep breath, Loki made his way over to the other woman, hoping that she wouldn't think him a fool for asking her to dance with him. Freya watched as the Prince introduced himself, feeling a stinging hit her eyes as the young woman he was speaking to swooned and gave him a really beautiful smile.

'You're being so silly.' She scolded herself, 'Why would Loki ever love you anyway?'

"Lady Freya?"

Freya startled at the sound of Prince Thor's voice, and she put on the best smile that she could so that she could avoid any uncomfortable questioning about her current state.

"Your highness." She spoke as evenly as she could, curtseying to the tall, broad man.

"What ails you?" He asked her, taking her trembling hand in his, "Where is Loki?"

"He is speaking with a lady over there." Freya said quietly, ducking her head to avoid Thor's gaze.

Thor looked across as his brother took the lady in question to the floor for a dance and huffed with surprise and shock at the fact that Loki had abandoned Freya for another woman. He was rather appalled that Loki had left Freya in such a state. Loki usually never left Freya's side at events like this.

"You seem most distressed by his actions, my lady." He said softly, surprising the young woman in front of him, "I cannot allow this to continue."

"Please..." Freya spoke quickly, "I assure you, I am quite well. I am sure I will find another dance partner somewhere, and I have not had the pleasure of speaking with Lady Sif or the Warriors Three yet. Leave him be..."

Thor watched her look towards his brother, who was dancing and making great conversation with the newcomer, and he noticed her pained expression. He hated to see Freya looking like this, and the last person he expected to cause this pain to her was his brother, especially since the two were such close friends.

"He is happy." She told him, curtseying once more, "Excuse me, your highness."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked in the direction of Fandral, who was already giving her his usual grin. Perhaps she could improve the night with the company of friends.

-TBC-

Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks for reading so far!

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