Chapter 9
Loki sat on a rock face just a few yards from a cliff that hung off the large hill that some would mistake for a mountain. He had come here after Lady Jane had asked about his mother. It brought up the horrid feeling of not sensing her anymore, that he does not know where she is or if she was alive. At first he thought she was dead, but come on, Loki! This is your mother you are talking about! The woman frequently poisons herself for giggles and to scare your father! But still it was moments like these that cropped up every once and awhile, that horrible depression where he wanted nothing but to sit alone and either cry or over think things.
"There you are, Loki." Thor called out, walking over to him and sitting beside him. "You shouldn't run away like that."
"I needed to be alone." Loki told him, bowing his head.
"I know... She did not mean anything by it, but she is right you do talk about your mother quite a bit."
"That's because Mother is the name of God on a child's lips. Mother is the one who carries us, sharing their bodies with us and feeds us until we are ready to be born. They are the ones we hear and see first once we are born, who feed and care for us. We are completely dependent on them until we are adults. For every scraped knees they kiss away the hurt, when we are scared they comfort us, when we are sad they cry with us and when we are angry they calm us down. I love my father and brothers dearly, but because father is King, he is always very busy and rarely has time to spend with me. My brothers as the Crown Princes are just as busy, though I see them more often than father. But mother, she is a constant. She would wake me every morning, smiling bright and full of love. Helping me dress and comb my hair before we would eat a meal together. After she had her duties and I had my studies, but when ever the noon meal came around, she would bring me my food and sit with me as I ate, telling stories of her life and her world. So yes, I speak frequently of her, especially now that she's gone." Loki smiled, watery and sad, bitterly alone.
"As all mothers are, Loki... I will not pretend to know what you feel, but I do not say this as a means to hurt you either. Mother is my God as well and in some ways Mother Jalan as well. For the longest time I only had the two of them when I needed them most and sometimes it wasn't enough. You however have succeeded something that they've tried and failed many times. You make the Beast calm, not tamed, but certainly no longer feral. My mother adores you greatly for that. And while she is not your mother, she loves you like she does me. You have not lost your mother for your mother is in all mothers who put their children before themselves." Thor whispered into his ear, kissing his temple as he pulled Loki into his chest to allow him to cry.
They sat like that for a while, Thor petting Loki's raven hair as Loki cried for his mother and the lost times. When he could no longer cry, he simple laid on Thor's chest, listening to the steady heartbeat.
"You know... Atara would have loved to meet you... and scare the daylights out of you." Loki giggled, picturing his mother trying to frighten Thor would would stand there nervous and unsure what to do about the strange woman. "Father would be looming and ominous as my brothers would challenge you to see if you were worthy..."
"Worthy of what, Civip Kethend?" Thor wondered.
"... Of my hand..." Loki blushed pulling away and looking away from Thor.
The young man sat stunned and then his face split into a wide pleased smile as he gently turned Loki's blushing face back to him. Loki looked into his eyes a moment, the blush intensifying as he looked away, nervously wetting his lips. Thor dove in then, kissing those naturally rosy lips, a soft peck at first that made Loki gasp and his eyes flutter shut. His whole body going lax in his hold allowing Thor to kiss him again, deeper this time.
Loki's brain felt like it short circuited, his toes curled with pleasure and his whole being felt fuzzy and warm. His quim throbbed softly, moistening and for the life of him, Loki wanted to know why, but couldn't find the brain power to thing about it now. All his focus was on the slightly chapped feel of Thor's lips on his, the slightly rough drag of his tongue against Loki's and those large calloused hands buried in his hair, caressing his neck.
"I vowed once to be all that I can be to you, your sword, your shield and now I wish to be your lover. Even if you deny me this, I will always be your friend and never begrudge you your decision." Thor growled low, a calming sound as his eyes looked brighter, less human.
"Please..." Loki begged, his voice wrecked, lips a bright red from the kiss. "Please, Thor..."
"What is it? Tell me." He ordered, soothing the younger prince.
"Don't leave me... stay... be mine... please..." Loki sobbed and Thor pulled him in for another kiss...
Thor laid on the soft grass, the sun had set and the moon, only a thin smile in the sky had risen, his Beast was awake and alert, their mate slept curled around his side. Lips swollen and inviting, tried tear tracks on still flushed cheeks while that wonderful pale neck was covered in his claiming bites and hickeys, letting all who saw know that this wonderful Jotun belonged to him. And as much as he wanted to stay here for the evening, it was a strange realm and he did not wish to endanger his precious mate. Slowly standing, Thor scanned the area for danger when he sensed none, he swept Loki up into his arms, the man growling adorably in his sleep as he snuggled closer.
"No..." he moaned out, a weak thump on Thor's chest. "No move..."
Thor chuckled at the cuteness of Loki and turned the way he came. He walked the three miles without a problem, he's used to running around all night and most of the day time, his stamina is beyond that of even his people. When he entered the town he saw Jane and Darcy wandering about. He quickly walked up to them and both women looked relieved.
"Do not wake him..." He told them when he saw them about to speak.
Darcy cooed at the cuteness before, how tiny Loki looked in Thor's arms. Jane felt a flash of jealousy, but shook her head as she looked Loki over to make sure he wasn't hurt. She saw the love bites on his neck and again that fission of jealous rose up and was stubborn to be shoved aside again.
"Glad to know you're both alright." Jane told him.
Thor wasn't foolish he heard the skips in her heart, can smell the bitterly sour smell of jealously coming from her, but he nodded none the less. She turned and leads them back to her place and he walked to the cellar as soon as they arrived. The two women watched him as opened it and then gently wake Loki. The darker man whined, but awoke and they seemed to start speaking gibberish before Loki sighed, standing on his own feet as Thor striped naked. Darcy and Jane watched shamelessly at first before horror found its way to their faces as once Thor was naked, he turned into a beast, that then circled around Loki a moment or two and then wandering to them.
"Don't move. Don't run..." Loki told them as Thor got closer and began to head butt them softly, sniffing and nipping at their hands. "He's familiarizing himself with you. As of now, you are part of the Clutch."
"The Clutch?"
"Yes. Mother Jalan is a Demoness and the form she is most comfortable in is a Dragon. Dragons had Clutches." Loki told them as Thor gave Darcy a happy purr when she shy rubbed the spot between his ears.
"Whoa... he's like a chimera of animals... He looks like a wolf, but is hulking like a bear, but he's graceful like a big cat! And he purrs too..." She giggled as he brushed passed her and huffed at Jane before he walked back to Loki, bringing his head under the hand that had their contract bindings, the ring&bracelet glowed and the collar around his neck appeared, glowing as well before he brushed by Loki and into the cellar.
Loki flicked his hand and the doors shut behind Thor, the chain connecting his ring to his bracelet disconnected from them and enlarged itself, wrapping around the doors and securing them tightly. Once it was done, Loki turned to the two women and the three of them went inside for the night, Loki explaining to them that Thor normally wandered around at night and hunted and ate whatever crossed his path, the only things safe from him were those in the Clutch. Jane paled as Darcy asked what most would call insensitive questions, but Loki realized she liked to know as much as she could about something so she can either avoid it or keep herself and those she cares for out of harms way. They sat up nearly the whole night talking, falling asleep on the sofa bed about an hour before dawn...
"Mr. Stark, Director Fury is on the line for you." came the calm voice of his AI while he was busy installing a new component to the clean energy power source he was building for his building.
"Oh, and what does old One Eye want?" Anthony Stark, more commonly known as Tony Stark, asked.
"It would seem he is assembling all Avengers." the AI said again. "He is also in the elevator about to get off."
"Wonderful..." The ping from the elevator came a moment later and sure enough Nick Fury was walking off the elevator. "Hello again, Fury, what did I do this time?"
"Nothing. Though I wanted to personally thank you for the medical teams you sent, it saved a lot of peoples lives." Nick told him, a rare moment of genuine gratitude shown to the annoying but brilliant billionaire.
"You're welcome. Did we lose anyone?"
"Only Dr. Selvig, but he isn't dead. He seems to have been brainwashed by Baron Strucker and some strange insectoids. They took the doctor and something else that he was working on."
"Oh? And what was it? Is it dangerous?" Tony asked, still working, but very interested. "Jarvis, I just finished installing it, time to see if it works."
"Right away, sir. Ms. Potts is on the line." He informed.
"Hi Pepper." He called cheerily to her.
"Tony, what are you doing now?" She asked, fond exasperation coloring her tone. "Is there a reason I am flying around Stark Towers?"
"Yep! Just one second... Jarvis."
"Right away sir."
Moments later the machine came to life and began humming with power as brilliant lights began to pulse in and out of it in controlled intervals as a single beam shot out of the top and up into the tubing. Moments later the building flickered to life and Tony smiled.
"Pep, how does it look?"
"Ohh, Tony..." she breathed, amazed. "This is that new project you were working on?"
"Yep, self re-energizing clean power. This building is a test run, if it meets all expectations and beyond I want to build more of these for affordable housing, hospitals and the like. I was very bored..." He shrugged.
"Of course, because Tony Stark never does anything for the better of humanity." Pepper rolled her eyes.
"Exactly. Are you on your way out to a meeting?"
"Yep. I will be gone for a few months, don't do anything crazy. Or I will have Natalie hit you with a horse tranquilizer." She threatened him. "Or Phil."
"Seriously?" Tony gaped at the holo vid as Pepper smiled and disconnected the call. "Shit she's not kidding..."
"Well I'm glad you got this up and running-"
"The top floor is the Penthouse suites. They are available for the Avengers to use for now." Tony cut him off. "Now what else do you want from me?"
"How about Iron Man joining the Avengers? We could use his help."
"I'll talk to him and see about that..." Tony smiled.
"Good. Also you will be joined by Agents Romanov and Barton, when he gets back from his mission. Dr. Bruce Banner and Capt. Seven Rogers. And tell me, how much do you know about Norse Mythology..." Nick smirked...
Darcy was watching the news about a strange satellite falling earth, the locals making a huge party out of trying to pull it out of the ground and the like, but it wouldn't budge for nothing and then the government came and sent everyone home. She snorted in disgust because while she loved her freedom as an American, she hated the government for always covering up shit. If it was a satellite why couldn't the 150 odd people not pull it out and when they tried to dig it out, why couldn't they dig under it? And if it really was a satellite, why would Secret Service looking goons show up and not NASA?
Her phone ringing is what saved her from jumping on line and breaking a few more rules than normal. Picking it up she blinked at the unknown collar.
"Hello?"
"Hello, is this Ms. Lewis from the other day? You came to my father's store to sell a couple of jewels." The woman on the other end said in a false chipper voice, the one used for costumers to make them feel valued and welcomed.
"Yes this is Darcy." She told her. "What about them?"
"Well we've gotten in contact with a few of the high end Jewelers and they've sent a few of their people here to look at the jewels and to estimate their value. Could you please stop by at your soonest convenience?" She asked.
"I'll get my friend and we'll stop by later this afternoon, is that alright?'
"That's perfect, have a pleasant day."
"You too." And Darcy hung up as she got up to go look for Loki. She found him down in the cellar with Thor, the blonde looked like he had a really rough night and was passed out, naked on Loki's lap "Hey, the Jewelers just called, they got some of the Big Boys to come and take a look at those gems of yours and to estimate their value."
"I see, well I'm sure the money I have now is more than enough for us, we don't need anymore..." Loki told her. "But still if they give it to me, I'll just give it someone else. The old man was kind and I feel terrible I almost caused him health issues due to shock."
"Well they said to come in when it was convenient for us. How's Thor?"
"Sleeping better now. He's not used to be locked up at night. And it was even worse because I wasn't here with him. He hurt himself pretty bad, but he's healing and resting." Loki rubbed Thor's head, smiling fondly at him.
"You really love him, don't you?" Darcy asked, squatting down near them, a fond smile on her lips.
"Yes... and I know he feels the same for me, we may not have said it, but its there in out actions. He didn't have to save me, welcome me into his Clutch, bind himself to me for as long as I will have him. The collar you saw last night is our contract, much like this bracelet and ring." Loki told her, smiling softly at the white gold jewelry. "It keeps us tied together no matter how far apart we are and allows us to find one another."
"Whoa, cool... Hey what's this one?" she asked pointing to the silver bangle on his left wrist.
"My mother gave this to me... I've never taken it off since then. She is gone now... I don't know what happened to her but I do know that it was painful to no longer feel her and it still hurts. I try to feel her out with our bond, but it echoes and nothing ever comes back. I can feel my father and brothers, they are all safe and alive, but not her..." He bowed his head, petting the bracelet.
"I'm very sorry, Loki... It's not easy losing a parent. I've only had my dad since I was a little girl. Don't get me wrong, he's the absolute best! But sometimes I'd see others with their moms and would get very sad and angry because I didn't have a mommy. She died from breast cancer, we didn't know until it was too late to get her help. But even if she's not here physically, I know she's s here spiritually because sometimes when I get really depressed I can almost hear her telling me to stop, breathe and let go." Darcy smiled weakly.
"I'm sorry you spent so little time with her..."
"Hey, like the old saying goes, Mother is the name of God on a child's lips..." She shrugged.
Loki smiled, he had said the same only the night before.
"... Loki?" Thor groaned.
"Shh, we're safe, we're here..." Loki told him, cooing and shushing him.
"... Feel it... something calling... something missing..." he whispered, slowly sitting up, Loki magicking pants on him before Darcy got to see the legend that made the man. She pouted at Loki who gave her a playful mocking look.
"You feel what?" Loki asked.
"Something... something that was missing..." Thor murmured.
"I don't understand..." Loki sighed, but then smiled brightly. "But you can go look for it. I'm sure if it feels like it is a part of you, then go get it. No one likes to feel incomplete."
Thor smiled, kissed Loki as he stood, he blinked at Darcy who had her phone out. She just giggled and kept doing whatever it was she was doing. Shrugging, Thor grabbed the shirt Loki summoned up for him and after a quick meal (a whole box of poptarts and a cup of coffee) Thor left to find whatever it was he felt and Loki smiled at Darcy, after changing his clothes to a black button up shirt, a hunter green vest with earth brown skinny jeans and pair of women's three inch ankle boots. His hair was curly from washing it, limp still with water and he looked yummy.
"Damn it... Are all Gods this hot?" Darcy asked.
"I wouldn't know... I'm not a God." Loki told her.
"Well according to Norse Mythology, you're Loki the God of Mischief."
"So I've been told by Lord Eric." Loki huffed.
"Well we'll look into it later on and see what is true and what is false Ok?"
"Sure. Let's get going." Loki chuckled as they linked arms and left...
Laufey blinked at the small woman before him as she gazed calmly back. Who was she and what did she know about his wife and child? Slowly moving to sit down on a low cushion, something his wife has made back in the palace for her comfort. He felt a chuckle want to rise as he sat on the chair that magically grew to fit his frame comfortably, but repressed it. The woman nodded and turned to the nest like bed, grabbing a damp cloth to lay it on something within the cocoon of blankets.
"As I've said, we need to discuss your wife and youngest son... She is not all she appears to be, but I'm sure you've noticed that a long time ago." She smiled at him
"Yes, I've noticed." He murmured, eyeing her.
"Wary of me, good." she smiled. "However unwarranted. Rhyg and I are very good friends, sisters and once upon a time lovers."
Laufey went stiff, but the woman laughed.
"She was my husband and a handsome man she makes, dear Ice King. We are old and we are ancient. We make ourselves mortal and reincarnate every few life times when we are needed most. We are not worshiped, in fact we are feared and loathed. Death for us is not death, but simply sleep. She is in that sleep right now..." She turned to the bed, taking back the cloth to rinse and wring it out in cool water.
"I do not understand..."
"I mean, Laufey-King, that your wife and I are Death and Chaos, the oldest of the Gods, the Father and Mother of the Universe, the ones who breath life into you and all realms." She said, her voice turning from young to something ancient, her presence was so overpowering he fell to his belly, prostrating himself before a being who is said to reside in Valhalla and another who weaves the Loom.
"Forgive me, my Lady Norn!" He begged.
"Stop that." and like that the presence was gone and he was able to look up again. "You married Chaos and she has birthed you a wonder child, you are not our servant, but our equal. You are on of the many we have loved and mate, have sired and carried children for, have loved and died for."
"But she was mortal-"
"We are ancient beings, Immortality is long and boring life. Boredom is the true Evil of the universe, all universes. Idle hands are the Devil's playthings, however a God with idle hands in nothing buy destructive. Your son, Loki is not just your son and Prince of his people, he is the Heir to the Chaos Mantle. Unlike his many siblings, he is not Havoc, Discord or Strife, nor is Catastrophe, Disaster or Destruction. He is born Mischief and like his mother, Chaos, he is neither good or evil. He is balance and balance is what the world needs." She told him.
"What!?"
"Ragnarok will come, Ice King... But if all goes to the will of Odin, it will mean the death of your son and the return of the Dark Age." She frowned. "It also means your mate and wife will lose her memories of you, of the love you have and she is a terrible being when she has lost all that anchors her."
"No- You are lying!" He bellowed, making the figure whine, curling up tighter in the bed.
"Shh, Rhyg, please..." Serene begged, petting the figure's head. "You've hurt yourself something terrible, you need rest... shhh..."
"... -oki... -aby... whe-..."
"Shh, Loki is safe, he's well, no need to fear..." Serene promised, looking at the Ice King who looked shocked and somewhere between elation and utter horror. "Your husband is here, he wishes to see you..."
"NO!" She screamed, curling up tighter, a formation of crystals around her make it impossible for even Serene to see or touch her.
"Shit... stubborn fool..." She sighs. "I am leaving her in your care, Ice King. I should not be here, but I came because she was hurt and needed me. You better take very good care of both her and Loki. Do not let Odin's will win out against yours. You love your son, you want him safe and happy. Ragnarok cannot be avoided, however if Loki is loved and happy, then we will not perish, if he is broken and bitter, we will fade and personally I do not like putting up with Rye when she is in one of her Destructive phases. Ask the Dark Elves what happened to their world to make it so barren and dead, ask them what happens when you poke a sleeping entity of Chaotic nature."
With that she stood, smirked at him and faded away. As soon as she was gone, Glade came in, placing his hand on the crystal formation, it glowed and an opening appeared.
"My lady, I've been contacted by a Dr. Eric Selvig, he says someone was attempting to build illegally on our territory." He spoke calmly, almost emotionlessly.
"... bas-... too tired... Why are you all bothering me!?"
Laufey smiled, she sounded much better, and always so cranky when woken up.
"My wife... please do not be angry with your man servant." He spoke up coming to her bedside, but the crystal closed before he could see inside. "Rhyg, please... do not hide from me..."
"No..." She moaned. "You will not like what you see..."
"Rhyg, you could never be ugly in my eyes..." He told her, laying his hand on the crystal. "You and Loki are my most treasured possessions. Fárbauti, Helblindi and Byleístr as well. I could be poor and homeless, but still feel like a King if you were all at my side. I buried one mate, I do not wish to lose another... Our sons are hidden, safe, but not for long, you need to heal and quickly if we are to find them and hide them from Malekith..."
Glade bared his teeth, fangs that did not belong to an Elf gleamed in the light as his amethyst colored eyes turned a demonic blue that matched those of the Dark Elves perfectly.
"Never speak that cur's name!" He growled.
"Glade!" Rhyg growled out, the crystal vibrating with the sheer force. "Go look into the issue, call Eric back and tell him I wish to see him..." She huffed, the crystal slowly melting away as she sat up and Laufey could see why she wanted to hide, but still she was beautiful to him. "You see me?"
"I see you... I will always see you..." he cupped her cheek, ignoring the terrible burning in his hand, the way his flesh blackened and he lost feeling in it. "You look beautiful..."
"I'm a monster, Husband... I'm not what I appear to be..." She told him, pulling away and instantly his hand felt better, the nercotizing affect reversing as he regained feeling. "I'm the thing that all fear, cursed and damned."
"And yet I see the mother of my sons... the Queen of my people, my mate whom I will love and die for. Now come, let us get you bathed. You will feel better. Maybe once you are done we can search for our children, yes?"
"Helblinid is safe with the King of Musphelheim while our darling Byleístr has returned home and is gathering the whole of Jotunheim to rally to their King when he calls. And our sweet little one is safe... HERE!? Aw Son of my accursed womb!"