Chapter 7
Caught Up:
"So you mean to tell me you rescued a complete stranger? ..What the hell he's staying in your house, and you are gonna do what?" Anne just kept the questions coming like Regis philbin on who wants to be a millionaire. She was on her annual 3 month European vacation tour relaxing with her new French boyfriend Marion, of two weeks.
They met when he knocked her out the way of a car heading towards her in the streets of Paris. It was love at first sight for them both and bliss ever since. She and Grayden were talking on Skype before she met Marion for a breakfast date. "You heard me, I'm going to ask him if he wants to stay. Annie, he has nowhere else to go and for some reason beyond explanation I trust him." "But you know nothing about him! How about this, you can drop his ass off to a homeless shelter!" She said talking with huge hand gestures on the laptop screen. "He's not a stray cat or dog G, he's a grown ass man! Bless your heart I know you mean well but think here girl!" "I have thought about it that's why I'm going to ask him later today. Hold up wait a minute lets backtrack and re begin it! Should you be one to talk after moving in with Marion just ONE week after you guys met?" She fired back with even bigger hand gestures. "G, I knew him a full conflabbin' week before he asked me to move in with him, and it's only for three months. You've only known him for a day and a half and you're gonna ask him to permanently move in with you? You're drinking that coo coo bananas juice with a side of foolishness again!" Ugh, damn she did have a point. Still something about Loki made her want to be there for him. This Asgard place didn't sound like all it was cracked up to be from the little he did say about it. "Touché but I've made my choice Annie. My battery is dying I've gotta go I love you and bring me back some clothes from every amazing designer you can think of!" "But Gray-" the screen went blank. She loved her best friend, but she was very naive sometimes. She always let people in gave them her heart and paid for it in nights of miserable tears. She was worried about her, but she's a big girl she could handle it for that much was certain no matter how silly she thought she was acting. She looked at the clocked and ran out the door now 5 min late to meet Marion. I'm gonna kill her next time I see her she always makes me late for shit! She thought slamming the door behind herself.
Grayden woke up about 6 hours later. She was fully dressed and feeding Tetris, when she heard a knock on her door. Loki was going to ask her if he could stay with her permanently. He was nervous. Would this offend her? Would she cast me out? He didn't want to be alone and despite his pride he really felt at ease around her, so why not ask? If she said no at least he would always remember the one mortal that did show him kindness, and be on his way, wherever that may be. "Grayden are you decent?" He called from the other side of the closed door. "Yeah, come in!" She yelled. He took a breath and prepared himself for the outcome. He opened the door. His nose was assaulted by wonderful fruity sweet scents all around her room. He looked around and thought to himself the decorations and adornments she chose for her private quarters suited her very well.
He noticed her bed was arranged similar to the room he was staying in. All sorts of things caught his eye, but one thing distracted him from all others. She looked exquisite in a simple white t-shirt and tight dark blue jeans. The shirt was snug complimenting her plentiful breasts, while the jeans hugged her in all the right places. She wore her hair curly letting it fall freely down her back. To her no outfit was complete without a pair of knee high black studded jimmy choo boots. Her makeup was minimal but not overly done. She looked comfortable and natural. Loki just stood there taking a minute to appreciate what he saw. I could get used to this. The way her strange trousers display her curves..she most certainly has a very round and nice..- he felt something rub against his ankle. He looked down to see a brown spotted ball of fur moving fluidly around him. What in Jotunheim is that? Why is it moving and touching me? Get it off me! He thought. "Oh, I almost forgot about my little man this is Tetris, and I think he likes you" she smiled. This was a little man? Was he a mortal that was cursed?
Thankfully I was just banished but I feel horrible for this little man sentenced to being a furry ball thing for the rest if his days! As if reading his mind and seeing his confused expression she said "he's not actually a little man that's just what I call him. He's a Bengal kitten, and he's my pet." "I see, well he's indeed a strange creature." He bent down to pick up the kitten. He inspected it in his hands and it looked up at him meowing. They locked eyes and Tetris purred. He's indeed a tiny strange fellow but he's very cuddly and cute. I suppose we shall make suitable companions to one another! He put the kitten down and he wrapped himself around Loki's ankles once more. "I think he likes you" she giggled. "I wanted to ask you if you would be interested in living here with me, you know if you want" she said. "I would like to stay here permanently if this-" wait did she just best me to my own question? Curses! Feeling a little relieved and mad he was beat to the punch he replied "I can think of nothing more is rather do. Thank you" "Yay!" she swept him into a big hug without realizing it. He gave in and accepted the hug.
Both of them felt a surge of heat as their arms were wrapped around one another. So caught up in their own excitement neither realized they were so close hugging. He inhaled her scent. She smelled like vanilla and ripe strawberries. He was lost in her pleasant sent. He smelled like spearmint. Realizing they were embracing they broke apart. "I'm sorry I didn't mean..when I get excited I give out best hugs" she said a little surprised by her actions towards him. Why did it feel so natural? "It's alright" he said secretly wishing he didn't let go of her. His face was a little flushed. Why did it feel so natural he thought. Brushing it off she asked "so you ready to head to the supermarket?" "Uh, yes let us be on our way" he said hastily. "So this is where mor-people purchase items when they are in need of sustenance, does this not become confusing there are endless things to choose!" Loki looked around the store called "Bargains Plus". He couldn't believe how one were to shop here and not become overwhelmed. After twenty minutes of gathering all the things she needed she said "would you like to pick out some things for yourself?" "Alright, but where do I begin?" "It all depends on what you have a taste for." He remembered how much he loved those baked cookies, so he started with that. They walked over to the snack isle and he saw varieties of sweets. Unable to decide "I shall take them all at once!" He shouted, with a few people looking at him but he didn't notice. "Yeah, um I said a few things not the whole blasted store!", she laughed. He looked around until concentrating hard until his eye landed on something. "Alas! I have come to a decision..Oreos and chips ahoy it shall be!", he said triumphantly. He really needs to get out more she thought. As they continued shopping a great idea came to her. "I'll be right back" she said getting out the truck and quickly disappeared into the condo. She returned with a square contraption with wheels attached to it. "We'll load the groceries in.." As she looked up from the cart her mouth fell to the floor to see that he had already picked up ALL of the heavy bags in his arms. "There is no need I shall simply carry them inside"
Grayden watched in amazement as he walked with such ease and grace into the house. Just how strong is he, strong like superman? Well if that's the case he can lift everything in the house makes my job of cleaning much easier! She thought with a wicked grin on her face. He set the bags down on the counter and stood there. "Might I ask for a beverage I'm quite parched," he said sheepishly knowing full well he barely broke a sweat. The Asgardians were all gifted with super strength with an anatomy far more advanced than humans beings. If you were a god, you had more strength of course, but it was to be replenished by eating golden apples and drinking water from the silver tree of life. "Of course give me a sec" Grayden walked over to her stereo plugged up her iPod touch and set it on shuffle. She turned it up and walked over to the fridge grabbing a bottle of water. "Here you go" "thank you." There was a comfortable silence as he helped her put away the groceries while noise was coming from that strange little device spreading throughout the entire house. This must be what they called music, it sounds dreadful! Just as they were finishing up a Zero 7's Destiny started to play. "Oh! I love this song, Loki come dance with me!" Before he could protest she grabbed his hand dragging him into the living room. Since he was a child and royalty no less dancing was a part of his life. He was to attend many balls over his lifetime celebrating numerous occasions, some of which he thought were pointless.
Thor shot an arrow through the wooden target nearly breaking it. Lady Sif was mortified as he just bested her in a bet they placed. Volstagg was devouring some form of meat laughing, Fandral had a women in his lap bragging about the sword he was polishing in his hand. Hogun was meditating in the fields peacefully. Out of all of his brothers friends he could tolerate Hogun the most. They talked to one another here and there and that's how he liked it. The sun was as bright as ever on this warm summer afternoon. The birds were soaring high above the azure lake, where they often swam especially on says as hot as this. The palace could be seen in the distance, and it was glorious. Metallic gold's and silvers covered the tall towers. Stern fierce Guards were at every post surrounding the palace, and they stood not too far from the training fields, ready to protect their princes at any cost. "Did you see that brother? I have conquered my target!" Thor walked over to Loki excitedly where he was sitting under a tall shaded tree with his head buried in a book. "I'm afraid so brother, but I've already mastered that weeks ago I'm sorry to say", Loki said sarcastically his face still deep in his book. "Do not be foolish brother, you may have mastered this mere weeks ago, but I can easily defeat any monster with one puny hit of my hammer!" Thor melodiously laughed. "Yes dear brother how could I forget just how invincible you are?"
Loki rolled his eyes finally closing his book annoyed. As long as his brother was talking he wouldn't be able to continue reading, how pointless it was. "You've always got your nose in a book. Tell me brother what fascinates you so?" "Things which your big headed brain cannot fathom in the slightest" Thor laughed completely ignoring Loki's insult as he usually did. "In honor of my victory we shall have a great feast tonight!" Thor shouted. "Here here! And besides I am starving!" Volstagg said as if devouring whatever animal he was just eating 20 minutes ago wasn't enough. "To our brave and mighty Thor!" Lady Sif shouted at the dinner table. The banquet hall was exquisite decorated. It was huge. Odin sat at the head of the table with Frigga to the right of him. They were both engaged in a conversation with Queen Hippolyta and her daughter Princess Diana of Themyscura. Frigga and Hippolyta were old friends and she was often invited to her island. An island with no men, whatever do they do there and do they not get lonely? Loki thought sitting at the table eating watching this beautiful princess. Loki looked down at his plate when he heard a soft voice speaking his name. "Good evening your highness it is a lovely banquet your parents have prepared is it not?" Diana smiled at him. "It is indeed princess, are you enjoying yourself?" "Very much so" she spoke. The dance floor was filled with people happily engaged in the rhythm of the band. "May I offer you a dance?" Loki said reaching out his hand. "I would be delighted" Diana said nervously. He whipped her around the floor with grace and elegance and her eyes sparkled brightly with excitement. "I never took you to be this exquisite of a dancer Loki, you are stealing your brothers shine", they both laughed. "It seems my years of lessons since I was a child all those centuries ago has successfully paid off princess."
After three dances with him, she went to dance with Thor and many other gods who fell all over themselves just to catch even a glimpse of her. Loki felt proud to have even one dance with her let alone three. As the ball came to a close Diana bid the royal family goodnight and rode away with her mother. For the first time Diana had her first real dance and with a his and prince no less! She was glowing and though men were forbidden in her land, she was elated that her mother gave her permission to accompany her to a ball and a night she would never forget. Loki and Thor were up all night sharing tales of their nights and how they both scored a dance with one of the most beautiful princesses they'd ever seen. It had been a good night, and even with all of their bitter and fierce rivalries through the years, for tonight they were simply just brothers.
