Summary:
Natasha stakes her claim publicly.
Notes:
my beta is mischieffuckingmanaged
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
There was a rush of arousal that passed through Natasha as she watched Loki walk in wearing the jacket and necklace that she had made for him. To watch him walking and talking, knowing that she had her mark on him made her pulse quicken. She would dress him often when she owned him. He'd be her doll and not in this Aesir skin that he wears. No, she wants to touch his true skin, show him the pleasures of being a giant.
"Oh Norns no." Natasha was so engrossed watching Loki that she hadn't even noticed Sif take a seat next to her. "Tell me you are not his admirer."
Natasha licked her lips and smiled. "What is there not to admire?"
"He's Loki." Sif answered as if that explained everything. When she first heard about Loki's little gifts she thought it was a prank at first. But then Thor assured her it was a very real secret admirer and thought it had to be another Frost Giant. After all who else would think another Frost Giant was attractive?
"Yes he is. Tell me you think you're the only one who is worthy of a prince?" Everyone knew that Thor would marry Sif, despite the fact that he bedded everyone he could get his hands on. Natasha had no ambitions to be a queen, nor a princess for that matter. Her only interest was owning a Frost Giant. But sometimes, because Sif thought herself to be the next queen, she had a bit of a snotty attitude.
"You know I don't think that." Sif said leaning in close to Natasha. "But Loki is flighty. And you can do much better."
"Really?" Natasha gasped as if surprised before adding, "Why? Is a Fire Giant better than a Frost Giant? Or is it because you more easily forget that I'm a giant and there is no forgetting that he is?"
Sif opened her mouth to speak but Natasha didn't give her a chance to.
"You know for the last week, he has not once visited the Library. He's asked every servant what they've seen and heard and he's been to Tony to see if he could pick up clues. I don't deny that Loki is flighty but I'd like if you'd stop hating him because he's a giant."
Sif swallowed hard trying to find something to say but it didn't matter because Natasha stood up and walked away.
Loki, on the other hand was actually having a good time. Though he never caught sight of someone staring, he felt different. He felt more confident and dare he say, more attractive. He felt light as a feather as he told his jokes and did his tricks to amuse the people at the party.
He ate more than usual and even found himself dancing with his mother at some point though by then things were getting fuzzy thanks to Tony's wine.
000
Despite the heavy drinking, Loki was up early the next morning to take his trip to Barton, his Light Elf tailor. Before leaving he tried to question Heimdall about what he's seen. He figured the all mighty seer of all things had to have spotted something.
Heimdall only smiled. "Do you remember that time you hid my helmet?"
Loki grimaced. "What? Me? That doesn't seem like something I would do."
"Really? Well, telling you who has been leaving you love presents isn't something I would do." Heimdall said with a smile.
Loki squinted his eyes at the elder man. "This place is full of jerks."
The Bifrost opened and Loki was sent to the home of the Light Elves.
Barton looked up from his fabrics when Loki came walking into his shop, hands behind his back and that sly smile on his face. "My Lord, you have come for a new shirt perhaps? Because I know you need not a coat."
Loki couldn't keep the smile off his face knowing that the elf before him had the information he wanted. "Who summoned it?"
Barton sat back in his seat smiling smugly. "Someone who thinks you're awesome."
As if Loki didn't know that. "Such as?"
"You really think I'm going to tell you that?" Barton scoffed.
"Can't you at least give me a hint?" Loki prodded. "Just some small clue that might point me in the right direction?"
"Well I could." Barton admitted.
"But…" Loki prodded further.
Barton's smile widened. "I don't really like you."
000
Loki was more distracted than ever, Natasha could see that. He was sitting only three people away from him and across the table so she should see his eyes wonder about the room whenever he had a moment trying to spot someone staring at him. It was satisfying to see that she had managed to hold his attention for this long. In the nearly three weeks that she'd left him gifts, he hadn't traveled anywhere and even declined to go with his brother to a hunting trip which he always went on if for nothing else but to be the entertainment. After all, Loki didn't eat meat. His sensitive Jotun stomach couldn't handle it.
That gave Natasha an idea. Said idea came bursting through the feast room's door with trumpets blaring and the two Midgardian fish mongers leading it in.
This would be the first public gift she'd given him and it was meant to prove that this is no hoax nor trick and that she was serious about her intention toward him. It was also, a subtle way of staking claim on him. It wasn't the way of the Valkyrie that made him do it though, it was the giant in her.
It took a moment for Loki to realize it was for him and when he did, he blushed a pretty blue color, betraying the Aesir image he flaunted daily. The two fish mongers bowed before him.
Loki took a moment to collect himself to keep his voice light and his demeanor indifferent. "Sir Steve, Lady Darcy, what is this?"
"A gift, my Lord." Darcy answered. "From your secret admirer."
"Killed and flayed by her hand." Steve added. "And we are allowed to answer five questions as to who it might be though we will not speak her name."
Natasha knew Loki would recognize this as a warrior's gift and though it could be seen as an insult, giving a male a kill, she had a feeling Loki would appreciate it, even if he didn't realize it was because of his giant heritage. Linking it together with the 5 questions would titillate his mind as the food would his stomach.
She watched as Loki's wild eyes surveyed the room. A smile of amusement on his face as he tried to think of a good questions. "What realm is she from?"
Steve smiled. "That's an easy one my Lord. She is from the realm she was born in."
That earned a chuckle from everyone in the dining hall and a frustrated look from Loki. She told them to leave their answers vague forcing him to think hard about his questions.
He licked his lips. "What color is her hair?"
Natasha was a bit startled at that question. It was hard to be vague with such a direct question. Lucky for her, Darcy was quick to reply. "Whatever color she wishes it to be."
"So she's a shapeshifter."
"Yes she is." Steve answered. "Two questions left."
"That wasn't a question it was a thought." Loki attempted to explain.
"I saw a question mark." Darcy answered. "Didn't you Steve?"
"Most definitely."
That earned another chuckle as Loki shifted in his seat. Suddenly he eyed the fish and then titled his head to the side. "How did she kill the fish?"
Oh that was a clever question. Each realm used different tactics and depending in which one used, he could narrow the field down tremendously with the answer to this question. Steve and Darcy eyed each carefully, Natasha could see the many years of their relationship as they used their eyes to communicate with each other before both answered. "We didn't see her do it." And they followed it with a guilty smile.
That made even Loki laugh.
Suddenly his shoulders slumped, Natasha saw the defeat in his stance. He knew he'd get nothing out of them and she waited to see what he would ask as his final question.
After a few moments he asked, "Is she well read?"
It was a question that would lead to nowhere. It was a personal preference, she knew. He liked smart women and he wanted to know if she was one. In essence he was asking if he'd like her and for some reason, it made Natasha's heart swell.
Apparently it made Darcy's heart swell as well because a huge smile spread over her face. "Yes. Very much so."
That seemed to please him but he quickly masked it with annoyance. "Well you may leave since you are of no use to me."
They both bowed as servants came to cut into fish and serve it to Loki.
Notes:
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