Having his nephew swing him around was as much fun as he had thought. Thor's hands were strong and steady and even though he lacked some finesse while dancing, he had potential. Being lifted so easily from the floor was exhilarating, almost as floating around. And he loved to float around! That was why he loved living underwater. Often times he would let the currents take him away, curious as to where he would end. Other times he went up and changed his scales for feathers. Soaring in the sky could be compared to swimming in the ocean. There were currents, one floated and the feeling of freedom filled his chest.

Now, with this dance having the feminine party being thrown around, he was happy he had selected his nephew instead of Svad. It wasn't as if the pirate didn't know the steps, but even though the man was fit and strong, his nephew possessed a superior musculature, and Loki wasn't exactly a lightweight. More than seventy kilos of muscle, skin and bones weren't easy to lift, that was for sure, but Thor made it look so easy that he was anticipating other men asking him to dance to this kind of dance later, just to see them struggle to lift his body. So much fun!

As he twisted around he located his next... partner. Victor had waited patiently for Loki to approach him for his dances, but Loki had been dancing –ha!– around, evading him and going from partner to partner after the first two. Of course, he knew that the moment Lord Richards approached him to even ask where he could go to relieve himself, Von Doom would explode into an indignated mass of disapproval and would swear vengeance on the slight inflighted upon his persona. Loki knew how far to push Von Doom now, so he would be the next one he would go to.

"You should go looking for her, Thor," Loki recommended. Thor looked at him, apologetic and confused. "I don't know what's going on, clearly," he huffed," but you need to talk with her now. Even if you are not going to marry her now..."

"We are not going to marry later either," Thor grumbled.

"Yes, you said that."

"I don't know if I want to go back home, yet," he added and Loki nodded. To go back now would mean he failed and Thor was still too young to pass up his bruissed ego and go to mom and dad to cry. Luckily for him, Uncle Loki was here to rescue him and lent a shoulder to cry. Though not for long, he had pissed off enough guests now so he would need to do some damage control. Which meant to piss them off further, if possible. He loved it when people first were interested in him and then he ruined the mental image they did of him by speaking. It was truly delightful to shatter their dreams.

"You can stay as long as you need," he told Thor, though he would very much appreciate if the pu- young man would just want to go back. He wanted his tail back!

"Um... Thank you," Thor said, surprising him, looking at him in the eye. "For staying with me, and trying to help."

Loki beamed at him and Thor mirrored with his own smile.

"You are welcome." Oh! The irony. It wasn't that he was there of his own accord, though, but he would do whatever he could to enjoy this punishment. At least he had an asshole now. The dance ended and Thor's hands gripped his hips. Loki threw him a questioning look, but he was looking somewhere else. Then, the next one started and Loki thought no more of it while they swirled around the rest of the couples.

00000

"What troubles you?" Jane looked up from the koi. Loki was sitting at her side, hair disheveled, cravat missing, a healthy rubor on his cheeks and panting slightly. He had also shed his jacket and waistcoat, it seemed. Jane didn't know if Loki was like this because he had just had a rendezvous with Svar or because he had been dancing non-stop.

"Your nephew," she said.

"Ah, yes... He spoke to me," he took her face delicately with one hand and with the other whipped the trace of tears from her cheeks. "How long have you been sitting here?"

"I don't know."

"Well, child, you should go back in and enjoy the party. There are plenty of young fools who would love to have a dance with you. And now that we have changed into the second part of the ball, you can decline to dance the two customary dances," he winked. Jane giggled.

"I don't know. It's just... I thought I was ready for this? I mean, we have not done anything beyond kissing and still... I miss him already. His embrace, you know? Once he stayed with me all night and we just... Slept together. And I woke up with his arms around me," she knew she sounded like a fool. "I was ready for him to leave. I knew it couldn't be love. A crush at most," her voice wavered. New tears fell from her eyes. "Why did he have to make me l-" she cut herself. She couldn't even say it out loud. Taking a deep breath she continued. "I knew it wouldn't last, from the start. But tonight... Tonight I have discovered something, and I'm not sure he even knows it."

When she looked at him, Loki had his head cocked to the side, the chain on his head shimmering between the black of his hair as it fell over his shoulder. It was so unfair! Why did these creatures have to come into her life and shake it up from the foundations? The worst of all was that she couldn't even hate them.

"I should do something about this," Loki said, suddenly, looking back at the mansion. His hair floated around him, making the coins jingle. Jane stopped him.

"No! You have done already all you could think about."

"It's not right for a mer to play like this with the feelings of others," Loki scoffed. "Unless he pretends to drag you down and nurture his pups with your flesh, what he is doing is not right."

That... Was surprisingly sobering. She looked at Loki with horror.

"Wh-what?"

"Ah! No, don't worry, pup. There are laws now. We are not supposed to bewitch any more humans now. We have enough to eat and besides, no-one would want to eat something that has the same face as us nowadays," Loki said, trying to downplay it.

"What. You mean, all those stories about mermaids and fishermen..."

"Almost all true, I'm sure," Loki smiled, shrugging. "But in times of my father it was deemed unsanitary to keep human corpses to fed the litter. Even when the flesh could be preserved, somewhat, it wasn't as good as fresh and some pups got very ill, so after much consideration it was prohibited to consume human flesh unless it was fresh. But it was too much work to take the pups above water to feed them –they got tired easily– and by the time the freshest of catches arrived some fish had already nibbled on it."

If Loki thought that his history explanation had calmed her down, he was sorely mistaken. She was now looking warily at his teech each time he spoke. She remembered clearly how pointy and sharp they had been when he came out of the water months ago, the claws on his hands. Even though he looked human enough, now, she wasn't exactly reassured.

"I see..."

Loki's smile lost some of it shine.

"No, you don't! You are afraid of me now."

She didn't try to deny it.

"Has Thor ever eaten human flesh?" she asked. To her surprise, the laughter that Loki let out was much more reassuring.

"Of course not, pet!"

"Have you?"

Loki's laughter was cut short. He looked at her in the eye, his smile now making her shiver.

"I might..."

Oh... Oh gods! Loki had eaten people! She felt nauseated.

"You... you..."

"When I was very little, my mother took me and my twin up on a little excursion. She caught a sailor for us," he said, wrinkling his nose. "It was nasty. And it reeked of cheap alcohol. Not that we knew what that smell was, but to this day I will remember it."

"So... You won't... Eat any of us?"

Loki laughed again.

"No, pet. You don't need to worry about that," he said, patting her hand. "There, are you feeling better now?"

Jane's eyes widened.

"You! You just told me that to take my mind-"

"Off of painful things, my dear. Now, go wash your face and come back into the ball, you should be having fun," he winked and left.

00000

Svad wasn't fuming. No. He was just plain angry, and he knew he was feeling jealous. Loki had been dancing with Von Doom for almost an hour now and even when he knew that Von Doom wouldn't lay a finger on the mer in any sexual way, the predatory gaze he threw Loki was making him want for his sword. It seemed that Loki had succumbed to his own wants and had shown Victor a parlour trick –maybe some colours coming from his fingers, or changing the shape of an ornament– and now the man was chasing after Loki.

He went back to the conversation Duke Marlowe and Lord Richards were having. He was doing it on purpouse. By giving his attention to Richards, Von Doom got agraviated and the more Von Doom demanded of Loki the more attention Svad paid to Richards. It seemed that the man had caught on it, so when the music stopped, he bowed to Loki and left him. Loki swept the place with his eyes, then until they rested over Svad's. He smiled mischievously and Svad had to repress the impulse to roll his eyes.

"Well, my Lords, it seems that Loki reclaims my attention, have a good night," he cut whatever they were saying and left.

Loki met him half way but before they could say anything they were interrupted.

"My prince, may I speak with your companion?" Svad's eyes darted to Lord Strange.

"But of course, Sephen, darling. Let's go," Loki answered instantly, offering his arm. When Lord Strange didn't take it Loki took his instead and dragged him away mutting a "I'll see you later," to Svad.

Svad sighed, rubbing his face before turning around and go to take another drink. He had just put his fingers around the glass when a small group of giggling young girls surrounded him.

"Your Highness," they said in unison. Svad groaned internally. He smiled instead of snarling and gave them a small nod of aknowledgement.

"We were wondering if Your Higness would honour one of us to a dance," one of them managed to say before turning beet red. Oh god! Not again.

"I am sorry, my ladies, I have promissed to-"

"Ah! Prince Sigurd, I was looking for you," Jane interrupted him. They all turned in her direction. Her face had been washed and a lighter make-up had been put in the stead of the heavier one she wore during the dinner. She looked lovely, nonetheless. "There are some discussions we didn't finish about our contract," she said, graciously positioning herself at his side and taking his arm, ignoring the girls that were glaring daggers at her.

"About the shipment, am I correct?" he continued with her charade. Whatever she wanted to talk with him about, he was not going to miss the opportunity to be otherwise engaged. "I am sorry, my ladies," he repeated to the group. "But it seems I have been caught. Maybe later," he smiled at them and gave a small nod, walking away with Jane at his side. "Thank you," he muttered.

"You are welcome," she answered. "Now, to business. I do really want to talk about shipments and a fleet," she said, turning towards him once they were seated. She looked serious.

"Of course," he answered. "Though I cannot use the Royal's fleet to anything else but to waste on myself and the family, I could commission a ship for you."

She nodded.

"I have the planes of a specific one."

"Your father's?"

She nodded

"The very same. Isn't it ironic? Your crew sunk it and now you will be building it again," she glared at him while smiling. It was such a contrast between hate and friendliness that Svad couldn't less that chuckle.

"You are very cute. Maybe one day you should go out into the ocean with your own crew and assault pirates. You could be the pirates' pirate."

"I will think about it. Though first I would need to be taught how to wield a sword."

"Ha! You would be a fearsome adversary."

The answer she was going to give gets swallowed when Lord Richards and Lord Von Doom start to accuse each other of whatever nefarious thing this time. Svad's eyes swept the place, searching for Loki, but he is still having a tight conversation with Lord Strange. Both men look at the other two Lords and then go back to their conversation, uninterested and both roll the eyes the exact same way. Svad can picture them saying "mortals" at the same time and can't help a little laugh that he concealed as a cough.

"I would like to see you trying!" Von Doom was saying when Svad arrived at them.

"Please, gentlemen, this is a party, a moment of celebration, if you cannot behave accordingly I will have to ask you to leave," he said, motioning for Stark and his men to be ready just in case he needed to escort them out. Stark nodded at him, they were ready.

"Ah! Forgive me, my prince," Richards said first bowing before leaving. Von Doom glared after him and then made to leave to the other side but Svad stopped him.

"A word, Lord Von Doom?" he asked, coldly. It was more an order, so the man had no other choice but to follow him to a more secluded area. "I will advise you to leave Loki alone," he said, impassible mask on his face. Von Doom's eyes widened.

"I assure you, my prince, that I have no intention of-"

"Bedding him, of course. You just want to cut him open and put his organs on flasks and study his blood, mm?" Von Doom's face became a blank mask now, but his eyes talked about a passion that ran deeper than the pleasures of the flesh. Yes, this man would hurt Loki just to get the answers to the questions that kept him awake at night. He said nothing, so Svad spoke again. "If you ever try to get even a drop of his blood, Victor..." he let the threat hanging on the air. The man nodded, bowed and left, most surely to his state, Latveria, where he would let his fury run wild.

"Want me to follow him, sir?" Stark asked from the shadows. Svad nodded.

"But not you. Send someone else after him. I want you at my side."

Stark bowed, mockingly, and left. He and Stark had known each other since they were cabin boys and had had many adventures on the seas. That part of his previous crew had accepted his offer of being Royal Guards had reassured him. If he had his men, people who he knew how would react and where their loyalties lay, he could relax. Not that he didn't think some of them were the worst kind of mercenaries, but at least he knew how to keep them on his side.

"That was so vulgar of them," Loki's velvety voice purred into his ear from behind. Svad nodded. "I would have kicked them both out. Or better yet! A duel! At dawn. That would get rid of at least half the problem." He was drinking in a relaxed way from his flute and looked amused. So he was serious about killing one of them.

"Who would be your champion?" Svad rose to the bait. But Loki only snorted.

"I wouldn't chose. I know next to nothing about the importance of their families in your country, dear. I wouldn't like to... influence such a major change," he said, nonchalantly. But Svad could detect in his tone the amusement that would bring Loki. After all, it all would happen in the blink of an eye.

"I've been thinking about staying and becoming king here," Svad commented, half turning around to take Loki's glass and drink from it. "But then I feel caged, just imagining it, and hate them all." He looked at Loki's eyes. They shone with a strange intensity in the dimlit alcove. He had half a thought of closing the door that linked it to the ballroom and locking it. Loki had shed his cravat, jacket and waistcoat and was now wearing more chains at his hips. The one at his hair was tangled with his black strands and made him look even more ethereal in the pale moonlight that seeped through the windows. Instead, he took another sip.

"Would you like me to drown this place?" Loki asked serious. Smile in place, Svad knew Loki would be able to do that.

"No. I might be heartless but there are people who don't deserve that just because of the assholes that are over there," he grumbled and Loki, chuckling encircled his shoulders, plastering his body to his in a sinuous way.

"Then, let me help you relax for a second," he whispered to his ear before nibbling at it. Svad shivered, throwing away the glass and wraping his arms abou Loki's waists. He took his mouth forcefully. He had been waiting for hours! He deserved a reward after all that he had suffered under Loki's teasing. He was going to pummel him so hard the mer wouldn't be able to walk straight for a week. He had just backed Loki against a side table when someone cleared their throat from the door. Svad left Loki's liks and glowered at the intruder.

"What!?" he barked.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, my prince, but there's a matter you must atent to immediately. Some guests had started a fight and they are outside preparing to duel," the servant looked nervous and his face was politely turned away, though his face was red.

When he had interrupted them Svad had gone as far as to slide Loki's shirt down his shoulders while biting and kissing his pale flesh, hand tangled in his hair to bend his head back and expose his throat to his mouth, and his lips pere parted. Anyone who looked at Loki now, even with all the preventions the mer had taken, would be enthralled for sure.

"Go, dear. I will see you later at bed," Loki purred, freeing his body from between his legs. "You may go," he added then, to the servant, in a chastising tone. The servant had lingered there too long.

"I shouldn't have thrown this stupid party," Svad sighed, resting his forehead on Loki's shoulder for a second. Loki's hand caressed his hair.

"But you did, and we are having fun, aren't we?"

"I suppose."

Svad took the time to tug himself in place and Loki helped him look less rumpled. Before he left his lover, he kissed Loki tenderly on the lips.

00000

Thor finally found Loki on a side alcove adjacent to the ballroom. He was reclined on a lounge, drinking from a glass. His clothes were dishevelled and he could see faint marks on his throat and part of his exposed chest.

"Ah, Thor," he greeted. "Are you having fun, my prince?" he purred. Thor was surprised by that. He seemed... different. Loki got up but almost fell down. Thor was instantly there grabbing his amr to steady him. Loki leaned on him and chuckled against his neck. "I must have had more to drink than what I thought. Thank you, I can stand on my own now," he said, smiling at him.

Thor didn't smile back but that didn't seem to matter to the man. He released his arm slowly, grieving the loss of contact.

"Why aren't you dancing?" Thor asked.

"All my potential partners are busy," he said, dismissively. "Care to acompany me on a walk? I think some fresh air will suit me." He started walking without waiting for Thor to follow him, taking his cane with him. Thor hurried to follow him. Loki was leaning on his cane more than he had seen him before.

"Are you all right, Loki?" he asked. Loki looked at him. Then chuckled.

"I must admit I have danced more than I thought I would and overestimated my endurance. Would you care to help a poor cripple like myself," he asked with a smile. Thor offered his elbow instantly, kicking himself mentally for not having thought about that before. "Thank you, pup," Loki said with clear relief in his voice. The cool breeze of the night danced with his hair in an alluring way. Thor was surprised when he didn't feel bad being called pup by Loki then. The walked through the stone path bordering the koi pond and reached the entrance to the labyrinth. Loki looked inside, interested.

"Do you want to enter?" Thor offered. Loki shook his head.

"Not now. Maybe tomorrow. Would you like to play hide and seek with me inside?" he smiled at him and Thor felt his insides move. Yes, very much. He could picture himself chasing after Loki. "I will be it. So you better hide well, little pup, I can be a very vicious predator," he added, something menacing shining through his eyes.

And Thor could picture it. He had seen Loki fighting against a shark three times bigger than himself without weapons and against those humans before they arrived. And suddenly he was aware of how dangerous and powerful Loki was. He was just holding back. Loki could have gutted that shark on his own just fine if he had wanted. Loki was never prey, he was predator. Always. Thor looked away, swallowing hard. A thrilling feeling making him shudder.

"I don't know. I prefer to chase after people," he said as they moved away. They walked in relative solitude through the garden. The moon was already past zenith and was way on its way to the horizont. Loki's leg gave in and he almost fell. Thor reacted fast and grabbed him by the hips, pulling him in. "Are you alright!?" Thor exclaimed. Loki's hands were gripping Thor's shirt at his chest, a slight tremor going through them.

"I... ah... I should retire for the night, after all," Loki's voice sounded strained.

Thor looked down, following Loki's eyes. His left leg seemed to be unable to keep him up. Then he saw the cane over the grass. Looking around him, he saw a bench a few paces away and without warning he lifted Loki from his thighs, guiding them around his waist to take him there. Loki let out an undignified sound that he would never acknoweldge later, but his startled face morphed into one of warmth when he was seated on the bench.

"You are such a good boy," Loki said, laughing softly.

Thor didn't comment on that and went to retrieve the fallen cane, face flushed red. He had had Loki's body pressed to his in such an intimate way that he feared his body would react again without his consent. Once seated beside Loki he passed the cane and the man did something surprising. He stretched his left leg over Thor's, mumbling something akin to "much better".

"Maybe I should go fetch your... The prince?" Thor stammered. What was Svad for Loki? His mortal? His companion? His... spouse?

"Don't worry about Svad. He is used to swim between sharks," Loki dismissed it, then pointed at the sky. "In a few seconds the fireworks will start," he noted. And sure enough, a few seconds later the dark sky was painted by light and colour, illuminating the gardens. Through the corner of his eye he could see couples that stood looking at the sky. Loki's own face was tilted upwards. But Thor could only look at how the colours pained Loki's pale skin and reflected on his eyes.

He was halfway leaning towards the black haired man when a voice startled him out of his reverie.

"Oh! There you are, Thor. Ah! You were with your uncle, sorry. I hope I didn't interrupt," it was Jane. Thor's face snapped up to look at her. "What?"

"Uncle?" he said, dismay in his tone.

"Why, yes. Can't you see the uncanny resemblance between me and your father?" Loki asked. Thor looked at him. He had lifted his eyebrows in a questioning way. Then he frowned. "Ah! Yes, you don't know half the story, do you? Of course. I was erased from the memory of the Kingdom," he spat, bitterly. "If you will excuse me." He got up and left, gripping the handle of his cane with maybe too much force, and limping.

Jane looked apologetic.

"I'm sorry, I thought you knew already... I... I'm sorry," she said. And she truly looked sorry. For what, he didn't know.

"What do you mean?"

"You seem... Surprised that Loki is your uncle and since you are attracted to him..." she started to say, and then she cut herself off, looking at his face. She spat a blasfemy. "I better get going, lest I say something else that you'd rather discover on your own."

And then, he was left on the garden's bench, a lovely show of fireworks over his head and a ringing in his ears. He was attracted to Loki... As in attracted. And Loki was his uncle. He laughed. What else could he do?

"No wonder he never looked at me twice," he growled between his teeth.


More Notes: I'm sorry? xD