Chapter 11
Loki is far more nervous than his son the following morning, his hands trembling as he helps the boy into one of his old breastplates and leather guards with detailed snakes like a strange border on the top towards the elbow. Toki finally calms him by taking his hand and promising he'll be fine but Loki can tell Toki is just as nervous. Loki, in return, gives his child a tight smile and begins to comb out his hair before pulling it back into a low horse-tail that he makes more secure by braiding three loops. Loki is wrapping the loops with a leather band just as Thor comes into the room with heavy footsteps.
"You ready, Nephew?" Thor asks with a smile, holding up Mjolnir like a banner in excitement. Toki nods, sending a small strand of light brown hair that Loki couldn't capture into his eyes before rising to his feet. "Then come."
Loki finds his hands reaching out involuntarily to draw the boy back to him but they meet only air as Thor escorts the boy out of his suite. A part of Loki screams at him to run into the hall and snatch his child back into his arms, but he ignores it. Toki has to prove himself a man today or forever be labeled like him. Loki turns to the small window in his lounge area and looks at the small sliver of light on the horizon.
Loki desperately wishes he could go to the training fields with them but 'women' are forbidden to set foot on the grounds out of safety. There are some grounds manipulated by old magic, like the mountain avalanche zone, that even Lady Sif is forbidden to use despite her warrior status. If Loki were to violate these rules, his child would most likely bear the consequences and he would not have Toki reprimanded by his father if he could help it.
So Loki used his magic to summon one of the benches to slide under the window and sat down, waiting for the sun to fully rise for morning meal where the warriors of the court would rejoin their families for breakfast. For hours, he sat there wondering how the training was going and how many bruises his child would come back with. For a few minutes, Loki even contemplated taking his child to another realm but there was no way to mask him and his child's presence from Heimdal permanently. Odin or Thor would find them and bring them back. For that matter, what realm would offer the same semblance of safety that Asgard offered?
He must have fallen back asleep at some point for the next thing he knew the sun was shining on his face and there were soft noises coming from the Great Hall, indicating morning meal was commencing. The slight crack and shift of his bones informed Loki he'd been laying in an uncomfortable position. He straightened his attire and checked himself in the mirror before walking as fast as possible without drawing attention to his anxiousness to the Great Hall.
The first thing Loki notes is the sound of joyous laughter and the teasing, playful tones of men. Then there is the smell of fish and ripe fruit as he enters the open door before he sees the hall almost completely filled with Asgardian men, women, and children. Most do not look up as he enters the hall but the few who do offer him smiles and he is instantly suspicious as he begins scanning the area for his brother and child. He finds them sitting at the far end of the hall surrounded by Thor's friends.
Relieved, Loki almost runs to gather his child into his arms, no longer paying attention to anything else at the moment. The minute Loki reaches them, his anxiety is eased by his child's steady voice. "…and den Pickles jumps ons Dr. Rockso ands…" Loki interrupts Toki when he gently touches his child's shoulder, forcing Toki to turn to him. "Hi Pater!"
There is a large swollen blue-purple bruise on the bottom of Toki's jaw and a red, irritated looking scrape on his left hand but his child seems oblivious to his injuries. A big, warm smile is stretching Toki's face and a matching grin is seen on Thor beside him. Both are covered in dirt and sweat but Loki doesn't care as he clutches Toki closer. "Your child has proved quite the warrior this morning, brother," Thor states as he gestures to the empty spot on Toki's left and (conveniently) Hogun's right to sit down.
"Oh?" Loki questions as he takes the seat and gently lifts, Toki's chin with one hand to see how far the bruising goes. He will have to rub some cabbage leaf salve on it later.
"Yes, the boy took on Georolf the Bald and won! Never seen such fierce fury in my life or such a strange fighting style," Volstagg supplied as he raised his glass of water in mock toast to Toki and took a huge gulp.
Loki turned and saw Georolf several tables up sitting with his wife, who was fussing over his leg and side. Georolf was a man whose bulk rivaled Volstagg's, with a muscular chest that was half the span of Loki's height with muscles to match. "And why was Toki facing Georolf, Thor?" Loki questioned in a low tone that made Thor fidget in his seat.
"Well… I…"
"He said means things abouts yous ands Papa," Toki interrupted his uncle. "I teaches him not twos."
"That boy of yours is a berserker, Loki," Fandral supplied. "Thor had me teaching him how to fight with a sword when Georolf made a comment about your… ways… The kid instantly turned on him, discarded the sword, and started striking out with his legs and fists so fast they were the air itself! Never seen that type of fighting before…"
"Papa hireds mans to teach mes kickboxing," Toki clarified somewhat bashfully. "Buts I nots really dos it rights."
Loki raised an eyebrow at Thor who was grinning sheepishly. "He proved himself," Thor reasoned as he pushed around a piece of smoked salmon on his plate. "Father was even pleased."
"The All-Father took Toki into his arms and declared him worthy of the house of Odin," Sif confirmed as she took a delicate sip of her own water glass. Loki stole a glance to the head of the hall where Odin sat with Frigga laughing at something one of the older warriors, Kel the Red, was telling him.
"Who would have thought that a child with Loki's face would be such a fierce wolf in battle!" Volstagg boasted, reaching over to clasp Toki's shoulder in affection.
"Or such an interesting story teller," Fandral added with a smirk that turned lecherous as his eyes settled on Loki. "What do you think about having another one with me?"
Loki rolled his eyes.
"Another what?" Toki asked innocently just as Fandral let out a hiss and turned a sharp scowl at Hogun.
"Nothing of importance," Hogun answered as he returned Fandral's scowl with a warning glare, making Volstagg howl in laughter and Sif to shake her head with a soft smile.
Volstagg stood up, to offer another toast; an event that ceased all talk in their area. "I wish to offer my congratulations to the newest warrior of Asgard, Toki the Wolf-Eyed. May you be a warrior that will forever make your uncle proud." Thor answered with a 'here, here' and chugged a large gulp of his water as everyone followed suit. "And may any other children of Loki be equally or greater blessed." There was another 'here, here' as Loki glared at Volstagg.
Talk resumed again in the hall like nothing had happened. As Loki began to assemble his own morning meal on his plate, Hogun leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Loki, would you join me in the garden after breakfast?"
The fork with the small sliver of salmon stopped right next to Loki's lips before he set it back down briefly to answer the question. "If I must…" Loki said flatly before turning back to his breakfast and ignoring the frown of the man to his left and the startled expression of his son to his right.
Charles awoke to the feeling of being buried under mounds of blankets on an uneven floor. When he realized the blankets were moving, he thought initially it was James on top of him until he felt the long hair brushing up against his neck. James sported an army cut, so whose hair was tickling him? Hazel eyes snapped open and were met with the sight of a large arm curled possessively around him and long black hair cascading down a large back as well as something very large and pokey pressing the top of his thigh.
Oh, f(guitar riff)k. He had sex with Nathan Explosion, who stank heavily of alcohol and would likely need another liver transplant sometime soon if he had been drunk enough to sleep with him.
This would definitely affect his work.
Charles attempted to slide his body out from under the heavy one atop him but his movement earned no ground and only served to cause Nathan to tighten his arm with a grumble about sunlight. Seeing there was no way out of it, Charles called out, "Nathan."
"Gtuddrrr," was the grumbled reply as the large head borrowed more into the crevice of Charles' neck and shoulder.
"Nathan," Charles called again, more firmly this time.
One green eye cracked open for a moment before the singer mumbled, "It's not two yet; go back to sleep, Charles." Charles instantly stiffened in shock, waiting for Nathan to realize who he was grinding his morning wood into. Minutes later the green eyes snapped back open and met hazel in shock. "Uhhh… did…uhhh…"
"Yes, we did," Charles confirmed, keeping his face and tone neutral. The incident would be easier for Nathan to brush off if he demonstrated no emotional attachment. "Now, would you kindly get off me?"
For several minutes, Nathan just stared at him with a strange expression on his face that made him look like he was constipated and did not budge. Then, the large hulk of a man released Charles out from under him and slid off the surface, which Charles realized was his own desk. With the stains and memories they had left on the hunk of wood, it appeared he had to order another desk from IKEA.
"So… um… what…" Nathan's large hands gestured slowly over the singer's body.
Charles stole a glance at the disheveled metal star and had his eyes linger slightly on the large organ that dangled between the hulk's legs. "Don't worry about it, Nathan. This never happened. Now, kindly leave my office so I can focus on the more important matters…"
"HEY!" Nathan interrupted, his body tense. "But uhhh… we… and… you…" The singer seemed to be at a loss of words, not that unusual but Charles could usually piece together what he was trying to say. In this case, Charles would have to guess.
Charles covered what parts he could with his hands as he slid delicately off his desk and winced at the soreness, but having seen the organ that had been inside him hours earlier, he was surprised he could move at all. "Nathan, you were drunk and I was sleep deprived. This would not have happened any other way and it does not mean you are gay." Green eyes shifted to the floor in either embarrassment or guilt. "Now, kindly hand me my jeans over by the sofa and we will behave like this never happened."
Completely ignoring the manager's request, the singer instead turned around, pulled on his own pants and boots. "Nathan?" The larger man ignored the soft call and left without saying another word. When the door slammed behind the hulking singer, Charles sighed and went about the painful task of picking up discarded papers, pens, and garments with an aching lower body.
A stray piece of paper caused him to slip and Charles fell painfully on his already sore behind with a groan. When he turned to angrily glare at the document, Charles noted the crudely carved wooden image of the God Loki from a modern day village in Norway near Lillehammer. What got his attention was the fact that the image was pregnant.
Although Charles did not believe his former lover had been the actual God, Charles could not help but think that there may be a possible connection between his Loki and a village that worshipped a pregnant Trickster god.
He had more research to do.
This was not how Loki wished to spend the morning. He would much have preferred to attend to his child's bruises immediately but he knew he had to dissuade Hogun's pursuit of him before the warrior's emotions for him became too strong. So, he had agreed to a walk in the garden with the dark featured man.
Every inch of Loki's body was tense as they walked, the grass crunching beneath their feet as Hogun led him down rows and rows of greenery until it was clear they were alone and Hogun stopped and took Loki's long-fingered hand in his calloused one. The touch was gentle yet immediately set Loki on edge as he turned to gaze into the sharp, dark eyes of his brother's friend only to freeze in shock. The look the man was giving him in the privacy of the garden was the look one would give their most treasured person in the nine realms. What gave Hogan the right to look at him in such a way?
"Release me," Loki ordered.
Loki tried to pull his hand back gently but the warrior held firm as he moved in front of Loki and used his other hand to gently lift Loki's chin. "Loki…," Hogun began, lightly rubbing their middle fingers together, "I beg of you to listen…." Loki immediately stilled. When had anyone begged anything of him? "As children, I was drawn to you. At first I believe the reason was because your features as well as your quiet nature were similar to my own people. As we grew older, I admired your mind. Unlike our comrades, you always thought things through before acting except when it came to matters of the heart. After your preferences were revealed, I waited to see if you would come to me."
He paused, dropping his gaze. "Instead…you went to a golden Aesir, Fandral no less, in disguise of a woman. While the others thought it was a great prank, I knew the reason why you had done it. I kept silent and waited for you to seek me out for counsel as you had done when we were children but then you fled…"
Loki scrunched up his nose at that word. He hadn't fled; he had left of his own accord to find happiness in another realm.
"I already stated my intentions to court you to your brother and he has given me his permission. On my mace, I pledge my protection of both you and your child if you accept my suit."
The trickster was taken aback by the offer of protection and for the briefest moment Loki considered saying yes to the courting but his stubborn ways quickly caught up with him and reminded him that Odin had yet to order him to consider suitors. Whether that had been an oversight or a result of guilt, Loki would not take another husband until it was his last option.
"As tempting as your offer is, I'm afraid I must decline at this time."
Hurt crossed the dark warrior's face, but he released his light hold on the other. "Very well but in time perhaps you shall see my worth as a husband." Then the dark warrior left the way they came and Loki breathed a sigh of relief. Getting rid of his first suitor had been easier than he expected and perhaps the other single men of Asgard would have no interest in a spouse like him who could easily turn their skin colors or rust their weapons. He might be able to live as a widower for the rest of his life.
Smirking at the thought, he left his place in the garden and went to seek out his child. He found Toki still sitting at the breakfast table long after the plates had been cleared with Thor, Lady Sif, and a younger warrior whose name escaped Loki for the moment. The boy was listening to some tale of Thor's exploits with an awestruck expression despite Lady Sif's occasional elbowing when the Hammer-wielder exaggerated on some detail.
Loki remembered the story well. When the two had been children, Odin had promised to take the two hunting for the first time but there had been a situation in another realm that required his attention. Never one to be denied, Thor had led Loki and his friends into the forest for their first hunt on his own and got them hopelessly lost. The small group had wondered aimlessly until they reached the cave of bear cubs and had almost been killed by the mother. Thor still bore the claws of the mother in his side as proof of his idiocy and in the end it had been Loki that had saved him… "Before I knew it, your mother had climbed into a tree and jumped on the bear's back to get her attention away from me…not that I could not have won the battle, mind you, but it gave Fandral and Volstagg enough time to flee into the trees themselves and me to…"
"To faint on the ground from blood loss and leave me to stab the bear with my hunting knife," Loki finished, his arms crossed over his chest as he stood right behind Thor.
"I did not faint!" Thor protested, but was smiling none the less. "I recall striking out with my own blade from the front and…"
"…And only struck the creature's paw right before it nearly squashed you as it fell." Lady Sif was laughing loudly at this point and was soon joined by Toki and the young warrior when Thor simply shrugged the comment off.
"Still brother, it was wonderful to see Father's proud face when brought our spoil home."
"I remember only his terrified face and not being able to sit for a week after he tanned our hides," Loki countered.
Thor laughed again. "By the Higher Gods, it is good to have you home again brother!"
Loki shook his head with a genuine smile before taking a seat next to his son and absently brushing back a long strand of hair that had escaped the tie.
"How did it go with Hogun, brother?"
When the laughter stopped and the people remaining all turned their eyes upon him, Loki cast a glare at his brother. Thor never seemed to realize what topics one kept private and what topics one could speak in front of stranger. "It didn't," he hissed.
"He would be a good match."
"Then perhaps he should be courting you," Loki countered, his glare intensifying.
Immediately unsettled with the change in mood, Lady Sif cast a quick, meaningful glance at Loki before asking, "Toki, have you seen the tapestry room?"
Toki's nose wrinkled in disgust. "Whys woods I wants to see dusty cloth pictures?"
"One depicts a battle scene I believe would interest you. Come." She motioned Toki away and, to Loki's concern, the other warrior followed as well like a puppy. Question was who the boy was following- Sif or his child?
When the three were out of ear shot, Thor softly addressed Loki, "Brother, you must consider your future and the boy's. Your husband left you with no Asgardian lands, property, or even a morgengabe to sell to support you and your child. Father is willing to provide for you now, but his time is drawing to a close and you know Mother's feelings."
"And you would not have me under your roof?" Loki questioned, anger and hurt clear in his voice.
"I do not know what the future shall hold for me as King, Loki. We may go to war and I may either perish or my future wife or children will cast you two out in my absence. You know how the people of Asgard treat you."
Slightly touched but unwilling to concede to Thor's point, Loki turned away only to flinch when a large, tanned hand came his way and brushed aside a lock of hair.
"Please consider my words, brother. I am certain Hogun would provide for you and your children if you would have him."
And then, just like that, Loki was alone again. By the Gods, did he hate it when Thor was right.
To be continued…
A/N: Sorry for the delay. My father passed away in September and I had trouble writing or doing anything really. If anything is disconnected or strange in this chapter please let me know.
Thank you for the reviews:
Lukando, Supercutelolita, oshii-enma, bloodpocky, adraven, toki-warooth, guest, iewuciukaz, mewmew2, and cassseee
