Loki doesn't sleep that night. He worries that King Frey is trying to manipulate him, but even Loki cannot deny the logic of the man's argument. He then thinks of Thor, what it would be like to be married to his brother. Loki has never thought of Thor in the sexual sense before. He has to admit, the man is amazing to look at. Loki has not had many bed partners but they have all been female. Since coming to Vanaheim, many men have openly tried to seduce him. Loki has blushed like a maiden more times than he cares to count. Such a thing is unthinkable in Asgard, and that is what frightens Loki most. If he does this, if he tries to seduce Thor, he will inevitably face the scorn and derision of the Asgardian people. They will call him ergi. They will insult him and may even threaten him. But if he is to become Asgard's next queen the people must see him as someone who is womanish. Thor, to his knowledge, only enjoys the female form. Loki will have to experiment, and test the waters to see what works on Thor and what does not. With a pensive heart Loki closes his eyes and formulates a plan of seduction.

It begins with light touches. Loki is wearing another feminine outfit today and once again has flowers weaved into his hair. Everyone is vying for his attention. Thor looks sullen as usual. Used to being the center of attention and adoration, he never knew what a big shadow he cast over Loki until coming to Vanaheim. This must be what Loki's life back in Asgard is like. Loki glows with a radiant light this morning that seems to shine from his inner being. Thor has never seen Loki looking so happy. He is surrounded by admirers and conversing on all manner of boring subjects that Thor knows he should have learned as well. Never before has Loki ever bested Thor in anything, and yet here in Vanaheim he is exalted for his brilliant mind and exotic features.

Loki gently lays his palm on Thor's arm to get his attention. Something about the light and airy touch sends shivers up Thor's spine. Loki smiles at him. Thor has never seen Loki smile at him like that.

"Thor would go with me on a sight-seeing trip today? We only have a couple more days left here and we have yet to see anything beyond the palace walls." Loki asks gently.

"Yes of course." Thor says with a warm smile. Loki smiles brightly at him again and Thor feels…feelings. Confusing feelings. It must be the honey wine twisting up his stomach so. They finish breakfast and head to the stables. Loki is wearing a long flowing coat and loose trousers. The extra yards of fabric on the outfit give the effect of looking like a dress even though it is not. Loki's long hair is bound up in flowers and braids. He looks stunning Thor notes. Just yesterday Thor mocked Loki, but if the truth be told, Thor likes the way Loki looks.

They ride into the countryside and marvel at the spectacular views. They pass meadow after meadow of wild flowers in every color of the rainbow. After a couple of hours of exploring they come upon a small pond, fed by a little waterfall. The black rocks are covered in green moss and there are butterflies, dragonflies, and all manner of insects everywhere. They stop to water their horses and take a break. It is a warm day and after all that riding Loki is feeling sweaty. Loki takes off his boots and rolls up his pant legs to dangle his feet in the water.

"Thor? Would you mind giving me a shoulder rub brother? My neck is hurting." Loki asks plainly. He doesn't look at Thor as he makes the request, but simply puts it out there as if it were any other day in any other place when Loki is not trying to seduce Thor.

Thor feels his hands tremble nervously. Why? He swallows hard and kneels behind Loki, placing his large strong hands on Loki's shoulders and begins to massage them. Loki groans in a mixture of pain and pleasure. Though Loki's eyes are closed and Thor is behind him, Loki is paying close attention to Thor's physical reaction. Thor's breath is shallow and his hands seem…unsure. Perhaps seducing his brother will not be as difficult as Loki had feared.

"Mmmm. Thank you. I think I'll go for a swim and cool off." Loki announces. He starts stripping in front of Thor like he has a thousand times before. They have seen each other naked many times but Thor feels panic well up in his chest as Loki peels away his clothing. Thor has never notice before how graceful Loki is. Just the simple act of taking off his shirt is like a delicate dance revealing alabaster perfection. That is something else that has changed since coming to Vanaheim. Right about now Thor would normally chime in with some insult about Loki's fair complexion, but the people of Vanaheim have made Thor see the beauty of Loki as he is. When Loki's pants come off Thor has to look away. It is not until Loki's lower half is in the water that Thor feels safe to look again. His body is reacting to Loki in a way it should not.

"I have come to the conclusion brother that I was born in the wrong realm." Loki announces as he swims out into the water. It is so cool and refreshing.

"I must confess I have come to that conclusion as well. You seem very happy here." Thor says sounding morose. "I have never seen so many suitors vying for your hand."

"You mean maidens fawning over me and not you." Loki says.

"Something like that, yes." Thor confesses.

"Are you just going to stand there and overheat or are you going to get in?" Loki asks. Thor feels hesitant and hopes the cold water will keep certain parts of his anatomy in check. He strips off his clothes and dives in. Loki sneaks a peek at his brother's naked form. He's seen it a million times before but this time Loki appraises it for his own purposes. Having all that golden muscle on top of him, inside of him, wouldn't be the worst thing he'd ever endured, Loki muses. He smiles as he dives under the water to gaze at his brother's meat. Yeah, he could endure that.

XxXxXxXxXx

Thor and Loki make the rounds as they prepare to leave. In spite of certain setbacks Loki has managed to procure five new trading agreements for Asgard. Odin will be pleased. Loki and King Frey shake hands and Loki looks at Thor in a way to convey his intensions to the Vanir King. Frey smiles and nods his appreciation. When Thor and Loki walk to the courtyard Loki is still dressed in a feminine style and still has flowers in his hair. Thor shoots Loki a look of concern but says nothing. He knows people will say unkind things to Loki about his appearance. Surely Loki must know this? Thor decides that if any should dare to make a snide remark in his presence, the commenter will feel the wrath of Mjolnir.