A/N: Thank you to everyone reading this story! I'm going to be incorporating this story into my Camp NaNoWriMo time, so I will be (hopefully, if all goes well!) upping my posting to about 2, *maybe* 3 times a week instead of only once.

I hope you all enjoy this relatively light-hearted chapter! :)

Just a brief warning that this chapter has definitely earned its previous T rating, and has finally been bumped up to an M rating since that's where this story is heading. If anyone has any problem with this just let me know, and I will put warnings on any of the M-rated chapters.


Chapter Seven

The training grounds were sparsely inhabited when they arrived, with only several men at some of the different weapon training areas. Thor explained that many of the men that usually filled the area were home or in their quarters preparing for the journey tomorrow, and that the rest of the currently active guard could be found patrolling the palace and the city.

Loki approached the castle skittishly, wondering as he always did what would happen if someone who could recognize him saw him. Thor immediately asked Loki for a match, but he declined. When it looked as though Thor might protest, Loki assured him that he would join them later, but would like to watch for the moment.

Disappointed, Thor walked off to challenge Hogun at staves while Sif and Fandral faced off with swords. Meanwhile Volstagg went to the other end of the training grounds to practice throwing axes.

Loki wandered over to where the thick green grass began to grow and leaned up against one of the trees there to oversee the proceedings. He watched with interest as Sif and Fandral began their match, aware the entire time that Thor kept looking over to see if he was watching. He smiled inwardly and pretended not to notice, fixing his attention determinedly on the other battle.

For a while they were very equally matched. Fandral was quick, flexible, and fought a bit dirty, (not that Loki was surprised), while Sif was determined and methodical, her strikes precise and clever. He was actually impressed, watching carefully to see what he could learn. Not that he thought they would be bad, but he guiltily admitted to himself that he had not thought they would be as good as some of the Jotun warriors he knew. Maybe—just maybe—the idea that Asgardians were undisciplined barbarians when they fought was ugly propaganda. Loki shifted uncomfortably. It wasn't the same though, he reasoned. He was here willing to learn and leave those stereotypes behind, whereas Thor was uninterested in changing his mind. Although, he wasn't really giving Thor a chance to change his mind, was he? Loki decided not to examine that thought too closely.

As the match progressed he watched for weaknesses. Fandral, while well balanced and careful at the beginning, had gotten a bit more reckless with some of his dodges. Loki thought that this could also be because Fandral was trying to be showy. Every once in a while the lithe blonde looked over at Loki and winked as he fought.

Loki snickered as Sif took advantage of these moments to give Fandral some solid bruises.

Sif, on the other hand, showed no obvious signs of weakness. Privately, Loki thought she might be the best warrior he had ever seen. She was at least in the top three. He watched with interest as she broke through Fandral's defenses multiple times.

He was so focused on trying to find a flaw in her effortless motions that he didn't notice Thor approaching from the other direction. He jumped slightly as Thor's long red cape dropped carelessly onto the dirt beside him, followed by Mjolnir. Loki gave the golden prince a confused look as he worked on unbuckling his armor, which joined the pile a moment later. His eyes widened fractionally as Thor lifted the tunic over his head as well to reveal his chiseled chest.

Then, naked except for his tight leather pants and boots, he gave Loki a cocky grin. "It's easier to move without all of the armor," he said in explanation.

Yes, Loki thought sardonically as he pried his gaze away from Thor's gorgeous hipbones, of course that was why Thor was stripping. He swallowed and tried to come up with a smart response. "Do you go into battle like that?" he muttered, irritated with himself as he fought a losing battle to not look.

Thor just laughed, "Sometimes."

With that, the Asgardian turned and headed back to where Hogun waited for him with a faintly exasperated expression. Loki allowed himself to watch the muscles play across Thor's back as he retreated, and the way the leather tightened over his ass as he walked. Truly, the man's body was perfect. He edged forwards slightly to watch Hogun and Thor's match this time, telling himself that it was just because he hadn't gotten to watch them at all yet.

That really had very little to do with it.

Thor peeked backwards as he stooped to switch out his staff for a blunted practice sword and felt a trill of success go through him as he noticed that Luke was finally watching. It was about time. He beamed over at Hogun, who gave him an impassive look while also switching out his own weapon. The man was probably a bit annoyed with him for stopping their match to strip. But really, they did battle all of the time, and it wasn't every day that Luke was here.

Thor tossed the sword into the air showily, and Hogun rushed him, just as he expected he would. At the last second the Asgardian prince grabbed his sword from the air and spun quickly out of the way, turning to slash across the other's back in one fluid motion. Hogun had recovered well from his missed lunge, however, and their swords clanged loudly as they clashed.

Thor followed up with several powerful attacks that he knew showed off his muscles nicely, but made sure to pace himself. Hogun, for his part, was putting up admirably with Thor's showiness. He gave his friend a quick apologetic look as he feigned an attack on the left before quickly following up with a powerful blow on the right.

Hogun just managed to catch his sword, but was forced back several steps by the sheer strength behind it. Not wasting time, Thor followed with a series of quick strikes to his abdomen and legs, finally breaking through Hogun's defenses on the last one and leaving a solid welt just above his knee. He smiled triumphantly and looked back quickly to see if he still had Luke's attention. He did. Distracted by Luke's gaze and his success, he nearly missed Hogun's next attack.

Thor parried the strike just in time, only to leave himself open enough for Hogun to knee him in the crotch. Hard. He doubled over, flushing red as he heard the distinctive sound of Luke's laughter. Hogun rested his sword tip at Thor's neck, signifying the end of the match. Thor glared up at his friend and, just slightly, Hogun smiled.

Loki couldn't contain his gleeful laughter at Hogun's underhanded victory. He was sure Thor was wishing he had kept his armor on now. He was still laughing as Sif and Fandral finished their bout—Loki hadn't seen the end, but he was certain that Sif had won—and moved back over to him.

"What did I miss?" Fandral asked as he sprawled next to Loki. "Unless you are laughing at my defeat, in which case, you injure me," he clutched his chest melodramatically as Sif shook her head.

Loki just chuckled and explained what had happened in the other match as he regained his breath. Sif let out a good shout of laughter and grinned mockingly across the grounds at Thor, who gave her a dark look. Then he caught Loki's gaze and turned quickly away, embarrassed.

Loki broke into a new fit of uncontrollable giggles, and a moment later Fandral and Sif joined in. Volstagg took notice of their revelry and left his axes to come and inquire what had happened.

By the time the laughter had finally subsided, Hogun and Thor had left the practice field to join their friends at the tree. Loki smirked up at them, and Thor grinned sheepishly and shrugged, "I probably deserved that," he conceded at last, nodding to Hogun. Loki couldn't help but notice that he made no move to redress himself, however. He made a conscious effort to keep his eyes up at Thor's face level, reminding himself fiercely that he was angry with Thor, and not at all interested. That smile was disarming though.

"Well then," Fandral said at last, jumping to his feet, "We haven't gotten to see Luke fight yet. Are you done sitting on the grass and ready to try and take me on? Don't worry," he reassured, puffing himself up, "I'll take it easy on you."

Loki almost gave him a snippy response until Fandral broke his stance and grinned teasingly, "Come now, you didn't think I was serious? I don't think you'll be easy, and darling I'm always hard," He finished with an over the top wink before bounding off towards the training area as Sif groaned.

Loki couldn't help but laugh just a little bit at his ridiculousness as he followed. Thor threw his tunic back on and he and the others got up and came closer as well. Just faintly Loki thought he heard Thor mutter, "Why does Fandral get to go first?" but whatever he had to say was quickly silenced by an elbow in the gut from Sif. Loki pretended not to notice any of it.

Fandral waited for him in the ring, already holding his practice sword and bouncing on the balls of his feet. Loki pushed up the sleeves of his green tunic and took a moment to stretch. After a couple of minutes he looked up to find Fandral grinning at him suggestively. Something made him think that Thor probably had been watching him closely as well, which gave him an uncomfortable fluttery feeling in his stomach. That was followed immediately by irritation with himself, but he had to remember that it was a good thing that Thor was watching. This was all just a part of his plan.

He'd make Thor fall in love with him, and then reveal the truth and laugh in his face. He'd laugh at all of them. Loki gritted his teeth and grabbed a couple practice swords, testing them for balance. When he found two he liked, he moved to where Fandral was standing.

"Ready?" The slender blonde asked with a smile.

"Always," Loki replied smoothly, before darting forwards.

His first attack was designed to fail. As Fandral dodged to the left just as Loki predicted, Loki spun and moved with him far faster than he would have had his first attack been genuine. Fandral was good, though, so his follow-through swipe only scratched the man's arm instead of catching him across his back.

Now Fandral was alert, watching Loki warily with a serious expression that Loki hadn't yet seen on his face. He was playing defensive, so Loki took the offensive and attacked again. This time Fandral caught him blow for blow.

A good quarter mark later neither of them gained any real ground, although both had managed minor cuts and bruises. Loki had done more damage, but he attributed that to the fact that Fandral hadn't had a chance to really see how he fought beforehand, whereas Loki had gotten to watch Fandral take on Sif for an entire match and analyze his fighting style.

Finally Sif shouted out a draw, and the two dropped their stances, panting. Sweaty and tired they made their way back over to the others for a break.

"I'm impressed, you know," Fandral told him when he regained his breath, "Not just anyone can hold out against me for that long. And I'm really not trying to brag, it's just the truth. Who did you learn from?"

"Random people taught me the basics, but I'm mostly self-taught," Loki replied, mentally apologizing to Thrym, who had first worked hard to develop a fighting style that matched Loki's physique and then doubly as hard to make Loki practice it. He couldn't risk naming someone and then having one of them check with that person, however, and he could hardly name a Jotun as his trainer.

"Really?" Sif asked, surprised. "That's remarkable. I had to do much the same, since at first no one would train me."

Loki frowned, confused. "What do you mean? Why wouldn't anyone want to train you?"

After a long pause, Volstagg finally spoke up. "You don't know? Have you not heard of how hard Lady Sif had to fight to be where she is now?"

Loki just shook his head quietly, now honestly confused. Why would Sif have to fight harder than the rest of them? Did she come from a lower rank?

Sif rolled her eyes, "It's a long, tedious, stupid story and I'd rather not go into it. Plus, it would make certain people here look bad," she glanced at the Asgardian men around her, who were all looking a bit ashamed. "But I should think the gist of it would be obvious."

It wasn't. Loki cocked his head slightly, thinking hard. He must have looked as confused as he felt, because finally Sif snorted. "Oh, come on Luke, you're smarter than this. How am I different than all of them?"

He decided to go out on a limb and guess the only thing that had come to his mind. "Were you from a lower rank?"

Sif gave him an incredulous look.

"Actually," Thor inserted, "Lady Sif comes from an old noble family, one of the highest ranking in Asgard. Her mother was especially displeased with her hobby of choice."

Loki was lost. Sif finally threw him a bone. "It's because I'm a woman, idiot."

If anything, he was now even more lost. He knew, of course, that Asgardians were split into genders, and so each person only had one set of genetalia, but he didn't understand how this would change anything. Svartalfheim also had two genders, and Muspelheim had three, but neither of them thought that this somehow affected fighting ability. Loki debated not saying anything, but then settled for humor. "Do Asgardian men fight with their cocks now?"

Sif let out a surprised bark of laughter. "Well, you would think so." She gave him a considering look, "You're honestly having trouble understanding it, aren't you? I knew I liked you for a reason."

Thor shifted uncomfortably. "Well, there is some basis for…" Sif gave him a sharp look and he trailed off, looking embarrassed, before trying again, "Sif, you know I don't think any less of you. You're one of the best warriors I know. But men do have more muscle mass than—"

"Thor, darling," Loki drawled, "Would you say you have more muscle mass than Hogun?" Thor blinked at him, before nodding. Loki continued, "I didn't exactly see you besting him, did I?"

Thor flushed. "That's different, I—" he broke off with a sigh and after a moment gave Sif a guilty look. "I'm sorry, he's right, it's not. It's just that some arguments sound so logical until you all poke holes in them." He looked down at his hands, "This is why I'm not good at politics."

"You need to stop listening to Tyr," Sif said darkly, and Hogun nodded his agreement. "I'd recognize his poisoned logic anywhere. And for what it's worth, Thor, you were one of the few who always supported me and I know that." She turned to Loki, "Thor tried to have the rules changed for me when we were young, but Tyr wouldn't have it."

"What about now?" Loki questioned, curious.

"Now, with Balder's cooperation, women are allowed to train and join the city guard," Thor said, beaming. "It's a good step in the right direction. Tyr still won't allow women in his army, however."

"And you have no say there?"

Thor shook his head, "Father gave Tyr full reign over the army, second only to him."

Sif rested a comforting hand on Thor's arm, "You've made a huge difference, though, and one day you'll fix the rest of it. Don't beat yourself up over things you have no control of."

"Speaking of Balder," Hogun said quietly, and then nodded behind them.

The captain of the guard was making his way over to the practice grounds, a dozen or so of his men behind him. He visibly brightened when he noticed them there. "What are you all sitting around for?" He yelled across to them with a smile, "I thought this was a training ground, not the barracks!"

Thor grinned and grabbed Loki's arm, pulling him upright. "Come, let's see how well you hold up against me."

"Are you going to use the swords or the staves?" Volstagg asked, grabbing several of each from the racks.

"How about weapon of choice?" Thor suggested with a glint in his eye.

Loki weighed this option. Thor would choose his hammer, of course. He expected Loki to turn him down, but Loki grinned slowly. He had different ideas. "Certainly. Weapon of choice it is."

"Are you sure?" A concerned voice asked. Balder had caught up to them and had overheard their conversation. Loki looked back over to Thor only to see that he was looking concerned as well.

"Maybe we shouldn't. I don't want to accidentally hurt you," Thor muttered.

Loki snorted derisively. "Don't be ridiculous. Weapon of choice, or I won't fight you." He turned and moved off towards one of the practice rings, hands empty.

When he finally turned around to face his opponent, the first thing he noticed was that Thor had removed his tunic again. His mind immediately went blank for a moment. Thor took advantage of his distraction and literally flew across the ring at him.

He was faster than Loki had thought he'd be, and Loki very nearly didn't teleport out of the way in time. He vanished at the last second and Thor, who hadn't realized that Loki had chosen his magic as his weapon, was disoriented for a moment. It was just long enough for Loki to weave a hex to make the Asgardian prince's arm go numb, causing him to drop the hammer.

Not missing a beat, Thor called the hammer to his other hand and aimed a lightning charge at Loki. Nothing lethal, of course, but Loki appreciated that he wasn't taking it easy on him. He blocked it with one of his shields, but misjudged how powerful it was and was forced back several steps.

Thor advanced on him again, and as Loki cast his next spell he took the moment to admire how the other man's muscles rippled as he stalked forward. A moment later he stopped, however, completely confused.

"What's wrong?" The Loki to the left of him asked mockingly.

"Can't figure out who to attack?" The Loki on his other side teased.

One of the clones teleported behind Thor and sent a concentrated charge at him. Thor immediately attacked that one, and Loki snickered as he fell right through it. Instead of getting disoriented again, however, Thor changed direction surprisingly quickly and threw himself at the Loki who had laughed—the real one this time.

Loki was distracted for just a split second by how Thor's body moved as it shifted weight, but that second was just a moment too long. Thor tackled him into the ground, grinning triumphantly. Mjolnir pinned one of Loki's arms to the ground, while Thor himself served to pin down the rest of him.

The Jotun prince attempted to weave a spell that would throw the Asgardian off of him, but nothing happened. He turned his green gaze to Mjolnir and gave the hammer a look full of professional curiosity. "It nullifies magic," Loki murmured before turning back to look at Thor… whose face was now scant inches from his.

Loki's breath caught in his throat as he registered Thor's half-naked body on top of his, surrounding him and pinning him down. The heat from Thor's bare, sun-touched skin soaked through his thin tunic and his warm breath lingered on his neck. His powerful thighs rested on either side of Loki's own, holding him firmly in place.

Loki opened his mouth to say something—he wasn't even sure what—but to his embarrassment he only let out a short, breathy pant. Thor's eyes darkened with lust and his cock twitched with interest. Loki's own body was beginning to respond as Thor purposefully lowered his head, intent on capturing Loki's lips as fully as he had the rest of him.

Before he could, however, he received a sharp kick in the ribs. Thor jerked and looked to his attacker, breaking the moment.

"Come on, get up already," Sif grumbled, "No one wants to watch you two fuck in the dirt."

Fandral cleared his throat loudly from the sidelines, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

Sif sighed and rolled her eyes heavenwards dramatically. "Fine. Almost no one wants to watch you two fuck in the dirt. Now get up and let someone else into the ring."


A/N: Thank you for reading!

If you have a moment, please let me know what you think! :)