Egil went to her daughter's room and he crossed his arms disapprovingly. He had seen Loki waiting outside waiting for her and he wasn't very amused that he was alone with a familiar glint in that boy's eyes. It didn't help that his daughter was dressed in a very flowy pale blue dress and he was very upset.
"Need I have to ask why only one son of Odin is waiting for you outside, specifically not Thor."
Astrid sighed as she finished her hair with a flora hair clip. Egil still had a fantasized dream of her and Thor together Astrid thought. Knowing her father's past, it was clear that a lot of his anger towards Loki was his own inadequacy and failure with magic. Loki was dear to her and they had made plans without Thor. There was no way he could dictate what she should be doing and who to spend her time with.
"Yes we are going to spend the day together." Astrid said in a matter of fact tone.
"You're not even back a full day and you've seen more of that trickster than the rightful heir to Asgard. You really need to play your cards better, Astrid. I will not have you ruin your life."
Astrid found that comment hurtful. Everyone and anyone picks Thor over Loki aside maybe their parents. Astrid cared for both her friends but she wasn't blind to see how different they were and how differently they were treated.
"Both men can be king, and Loki is no less fit than Thor. Besides Thor has his new ladies now. I will not compete nor will compete with them. Thor is a dear friend and a very loving brother." Astrid pointed out.
Egil wasn't having any of this. It was his own daughter's fault that Thor courted and loved other women. Thor loved her too Egil knows but she was just not giving him the affections Thor needed.
"He wouldn't if you just do what I want you to do and use your wiles to charm him more! I don't understand why you seem to be breaking away from him. You were so close."
Astrid groaned in annoyance.
" We grew up and I spent 5 years in our homeland. That gave me a lot of perspective and helped me see things a lot clearly. Thor is still my friend, but I have no interest in being another one of his ladies. It will ruin the friendship we have and we threaded this ground before...father." Astrid said.
The words felt wrong on her tongue somehow. Past and origins aside, Egil raised her and was by all accounts her father even if not by blood. Yet with how different they were...could Astrid even see that man, Egil, as the same man and father to her before her time in Vanaheim. Egil grabbed Astrid's wrist firmly, glaring at her with intensity. His daughter was many things but stupid and naïve weren't what she was. Astrid simply wasn't trying and that angered Egil.
"You can be his main one and you will do better by him. You're better than all those ladies Astrid. I don't see how you'd want to not spend time with Thor lately… unless you've been bewitched, hexed, or cursed." Astrid broke off and glared back defiantly.
How dare he, Astrid thought. Loki would never do that to her and she was just really hurt and angered at that last part.
" I have more in common with Loki than Thor. We're all friends and I just wish you'd see that maybe part of growing up means certain bonds get stronger...and maybe perhaps my bond with Thor can't get any closer than friends and a brother figure. You can't and shouldn't dictate who I see anymore." Astrid scoffed
Egil raised his hand up to hit his daughter but refrained for a moment. She glared at him with those amber eyes and he only was reminded of Frode.
"You best watch your tone Astrid. You may be a woman, but I still have a say in your life. Be thankful I am letting you go and will let this matter slide. Make no mistake, at least show some balance after today or you're not going to like what I will say and do."
Astrid scoffed and headed for the door
" You're right, I am a grown woman, I will make my own choices from now on. Just wait, you will see I'm not your little girl anymore and that things have changed." Astrid said before leaving.
Astrid got outside her house and saw Loki waiting up front. He could always cheer up her moods and she gave him a soft hug.
"Sorry about my….he's just was being...so where are we going?" Astrid said, trying to gather her thoughts and mood.
Loki offered a small smile and took Astrid's hand in his.
"Come on, let's go somewhere beautiful and enjoy our day." Loki said softly
"You lead and I shall follow."
Loki smiled and they began walking. It was not a far walk but it was enjoyable. They soon arrived at a garden with a weeping willow tree that provided needed shade and a beautiful pond with fish of different types swimming in it. Astrid noticed a blanket set up with a lovely basket and she blushed faintly. She didn't expect this but it warmed her heart all the same that Loki was treating her like this.
"Loki...this is beautiful. Are we really having a picnic?' Astrid asked.
She liked it, good since he wanted their time together to be enjoyable. His mother made this location as a place for people to reflect but also to have calming moments. This is what he and Astrid needed after years apart.
"Yes we are Astrid." Loki smiled
Astrid sat on the blanket and took in the cool breeze. She listened to the birds chirping as Loki sat beside her. A part of her wondered how long it took Loki to set this up. She got herself comfy with the pillows that were on the blanket and smiled lightly.
"Did you conjure the pillows or steal them from Thor's room?"
Loki laughed a bit but shook his head.
" Absolutely I did not take these from Thor, especially since he is not the only one who uses them."
Despite the context, this made Astrid laugh. So thoughtful and the pillows had a calming flora scent that lifted her spirits. Loki can tell her father and her shared words that weren't pleasant, which made Loki worry for her a lot.
"What did your father have to say?" Loki asked
"You heard us arguing or you could feel his pent up anger when he saw you outside our door?" Astrid sighed.
Astrid had a strong idea what...she was still debating whether to still call that man her father or not. Either way, she knew why he was very bitter and mad; she was connecting with Loki a bit more than Thor.
" More like he is always displeased when I come around. " Loki noted.
He did wonder why Egil seemed to be hostile towards him. He never did anything to Egil and he was very kind to his daughter. Maybe it was because he preferred magic more and something about that really rubbed Egil the wrong way.
Astrid sighed.
"He was hoping Thor would either be with you or him here instead of you….what else is new." Astrid stated bitterly.
Loki sighed as he realized that Egil, like all others who knew Astrid, wanted her to be with Thor. Loki was simply the other man, the other Odinson, the different one, and most importantly not Thor.
" Of course he does. Let me guess he doesn't like you spending time with me, because of magic?" Loki asked
"There's probably a lot more to it than that Loki. I don't even know where to begin since I learned a lot...perhaps more than I should in Vanaheim."
Astrid looked inside the basket and saw Loki had brought her favorite finger sandwiches. A smile formed despite her mixed emotions and started to eat.
" What did you learn Astrid?" Loki asked, since he was curious.
Astrid and her father haven't always seen eye to eye, but it seemed that since she returned she was more angry toward him and he wondered what it was that made Astrid feel that way? I mean she hadn't been home for a full day and they were already at odds.
"I worry if I tell you...you won't see me the same...That I was some mistake because my mother was…"
She sighed since she didn't know where to start...the beginning would help, the early beginning since even how her mother met Egil was a lie.
"Let's start with one lie and work up. My father and mother didn't meet after the war, but during it. My mother nearly killed him in combat and not the 'love at first sight' gentle moment I was told. His brother didn't make things better since he became a close friend to my mother because of their mutual love for magic."
Loki listened as Astrid told him and he wondered something, but he had an inkling of where this story may go.
" Astrid you're my best friend, I can never and will never see or think of you as a mistake. What happened between your parents?"
Astrid finished her sandwich and sighed once more. She had felt numb when she learned of her true parentage, but now that it's processing and she's retelling it, she herself was getting sad and sick.
"My mother's romance was an unhappy one, a very unhappy one….they couldn't have children...they couldn't get pregnant or have children and Egil left for weeks at a time for Asgard to drink his sorrows and to train. My mother, she..."
She couldn't speak the words since it disgusted her in some ways that her mother didn't just do the right thing from the beginning.
" Your mother stayed with Egil even though she was not happy, and he could not make her bear children?" Loki asked curiously.
"And she was unfaithful...cheating on him with his own brother...a man she arguably should have married. She maintained the affair with Egil's frequent trips to Asgard...they were very intimate."
Loki's eyes widened in surprise since that was certainly not expected, but did explain a few things. Like how Astrid was amazing with magic while Egil hated it.
" I am taking a wild guess and saying you're not Egils child then if your mother had an affair?"
Astrid sighed and projected an image of what Frode looked like with her magic.
"You tell me."
Loki saw an image of a man who definitely looked familiar. He took a closer look and he had the same color of hair as Astrid, same amber eyes, and the same straight nose. Frode was tall and had a similar build to Loki and his hair length was up to his shoulder like how Loki wore his hair. It was becoming apparent why Egil hated him and why Astrid was so different.
"That does explain your looks not matching Egil… how did you even find this out Astrid?"
Loki was definitely interested in learning more. Astrid felt a bit sick but pressed on.
"My Aunt Thyra has these books she can conjure from memories of people and save their likeness and histories. First, she showed me what my 'uncle' looked like, then when I went to see the high councilman Volund he informed me how I looked like him, and then yesterday my Aunt...shared a memory archive illusion of my mother telling her she was pregnant and it wasn't Egil's."
Loki ate his sandwich as he listened. He expected Astrid's time in Vanaheim to be filled with magic lessons, learning about who she was and who she wanted to be. This probably was not something she wanted to learn.
" Wow… uhm.. That's definitely a revelation.." Loki stated
"That I'm a product of an affair and my 'father' probably hated me all my life and sees me as a tool more than a daughter? My life and history's been a lie Loki...yes clearly that's what I wanted to know."
Astrid felt herself tearing and looked away ashamed. Loki felt awful; he did not know what to say to comfort Astrid. He instead pulled her close and embraced her gently stroking her beautiful hair. He didn't care about who Astrid's father was and in some ways...it made Astrid a better person.
Astrid hugged back and sniffled a bit. Loki was still here...he wasn't disgusted with her truths and he remained here with her.
"This doesn't bother you?" she murmured.
" It does, but not the way you think Astrid. I know this is not what you wanted or expected to find out on your trip, but it doesn't change anything between us. You are still one of the most important and precious person in my life, who your father is or was does not change that" Loki said softly and kissed Astrid's hand.
Astrid cracked a light smile. He was truly a friend among friends and he truly had a heart that cared for her.
"Still tell no one else about this...especially Thor. I would hate for him to think awfully of me since he adores my….dear what am I to call him?"
Loki continued to hold Astrid's hand and thought. If Thor finds out he wouldn't think the same of Egil for sure, nonetheless it was something Astrid requested.
" I won't, as for Egil… I wish I could offer you advice, but I am at a loss myself… calling him father is not right. But, calling him by his name will give away something and make him act worse" Loki thought aloud
Astrid nodded in agreement.
"Yes, so maybe with us alone I will drop the façade. Least I'll never lie to you...I never want to lie to you."
"As well you shouldn't. I don't want to lie to you either. Do be careful around Egil especially when alone. I know you know things but, you need to be careful how to use that information. Why do you think your mother stayed with him and did not elope with your father when she knew she was having you?"
"She planned to leave him after Frode's trip to Jotunheim before the war with Asgard." she stated flatly.
They never had the chance since frost giants supposedly killed him. But that made no sense since they were at peace she learned but Frode was still very much dead. Loki gently stroked Astrid's hand with his thumb tenderly.
" I'm starting to understand why Egil dislikes me so much," Loki said with a bitter chuckle.
"History is kind of repeating but I'm making the better choice?" Astrid humored lightly with faint pinkness to her cheeks.
Loki looked at Astrid a bit surprised, but not in a bad way. Was she really choosing him over everyone's favorite? Did her time away from him and Thor really make Astrid miss him a lot more.
"I hope you're making a choice of your desire and not the influence of others." Loki said with a smile
Astrid cuddled close to him, gazing softly in his eyes.
"My choices will always be my own. Now in other Vanaheim stories that are fun, kind of...my Aunt Thyra is seriously amazing with magic. She knows how to make her copies fight like they are actually her and she's taught me so much more magic. Kind of hate she made me spar with her though but I can understand why."
" She sounds like an amazing sorceress. I would love to meet her someday. I 'm glad you learned magic. I hope you can teach me some more" Loki asked.
He placed an arm around Astrid, being respectful but still wanted a bit of intimacy. Astrid felt Loki's tender embrace and enjoyed it, perhaps more than a friend should.
"I would like to learn from you as well."
Astrid recounted her tales and when she went more to Volund she truly lit up.
"Despite him kind of intimidating me and kind of knowing I wasn't Egil's daughter...he took me under his wing with diplomacy. He and my real father were very close."
Loki heard her stories but it sounded a bit lonely since it was mainly her, her aunt, and the councilmen.
" Did you make any friends there?" Loki asked softly.
"I was mostly with my aunt. She wanted me not to be distracted. Only reason I made an acquaintance with Hogun was because men were harassing me."
" Who should I dispose of?" Loki asked jokingly but he wondered who dared to have their way with Astrid.
"We both kind of did that already. Hogun's not much of a talker, good with a sword, maybe decent magic but didn't see him use it...still the main guy was able to make my conjured dagger disappear like nothing and he was with like five other guys."
Thankfully Hogun was there since she didn't know if she could fight off six men on her own.
" He sounds like a nice body guard in a way. I'm glad you had someone look out for you."
"Hogun's probably bound for Asgard soon since he wants to fight for peace. Last I spoke to him he informed me that he would be making his way and be staying with a man named Fandral as they train to become warriors."
"Perhaps I can meet him and thank him for protecting you in my absence." Loki said with a light chuckle.
Loki mused softly. He enjoyed the soft breeze and now a lighter atmosphere than mere moments ago. Best part was his best friend was with him again and things felt right. They both shared another small sandwich before they both felt like something sweet. Astrid got out some grapes and plucked one off, smiling a bit.
"So...what about you Loki? What were you doing while I was away?" she asked as she placed a grape near Loki's lips.
Loki ate the grape with a mischievous smirk.
" Training, sometimes we would have parties, but they were all so repetitive and mostly for Thor's accomplishments, and I got into learning diplomacy since Thor sleeps a lot during those lessons. After a while, certain things became mind numbing since it was Thor's enjoyment rather than my own." Loki explained.
He plucked one of the grapes and placed it near Astrids lips. She was so beautiful and her amber eyes had a shine and allure to them, that made Loki's heart race. Loki knew and spoke to his mother about what it meant to care for a woman romantically...and Loki had strong feelings for Astrid that were building up.
Astrid allowed Loki to feed her and cracked a small smile.
"So things have changed here...and for a bit for worse. I don't understand people here. You're both talented and yet…"
Astrid decided to change the subject since she didn't want to get on her rants again as she plucked another grape.
"Well maybe things will be better...they will be better." she told him with a playful wink.
Loki smirked since he knew Astrid had ideas and it made him wonder what went on in that beautiful complex head. She wasn't like a lot of women and not even like Sif.
" What are you planning, my dear Astrid?"
She chuckled as she flicked her wrist and made a perfect projection copy of herself. The copy walked to Loki's side with a gentle smile.
"Well since I can make much better copies, we can slip out and do so much more. One thing I am thinking about is dancing under the pale moonlight." The copy spoke perfectly.
" I see the mischief hasn't left your mind even after all these years… I do love the idea of dancing with you." Loki smiled softly.
Astrid made the copy disappear and chuckled softly.
"Oh trust me...it might have grown." she whispered.
Astrid got another grape and she played around with it on Loki's lips, almost teasing him. She didn't know why she wanted to do this….but she felt like it. Loki ate the grape with a smirk. He loved how Astrid could match his mischief at times… and at times even exceed it. She was his best friend… but Loki didn't want just that anymore. He wanted them to be more.
Astrid and Loki continued to feed and tease each other with the grapes until they were all gone. Astrid felt truly at peace and at ease with Loki as she cuddled close to him under the tree. She glanced at the basket and there was still so much food left. A soft giggle escaped her and she asked,
"Did you have the kitchen staff make you extra food for us to indulge ourselves?"
" I did, and I asked them to make some of your favorites. I don't know what kind of food you had on Vanaheim but I figure you would enjoy your favorites, and even miss them if you haven't had them" Loki replied gently playing with bit of Astrid's soft long locks
Astrid chuckled as she grabbed a hold of his hands,
"You're such a good man Loki."
Loki smiled when Astrid said that. People call him a trickster and often jealous of Thor, but aside from his mother it seemed only Astrid truly understood him and took time to listen to him.
" You are and were always an amazing woman. Anyone who knows you is blessed in life" Loki murmured.
Astrid bit her lip and slowly reached her hand to Loki's cheek, gently stroking it with her thumb. She cared for Loki so much...so much that she wanted to be there for him. People were cruel but why couldn't they see what she saw. She saw a beautiful, handsome, talented man with a sincere heart that just wanted...love.
"I'm the blessed one Loki...you make me feel...happy and whole."
" The feeling is mutual, you make me feel happy and understood. I feel truly...remarkable." Loki said softly.
He leaned in a bit feeling a pull towards her as he couldn't ignore Astrid anymore.
"Hey there you are brother! So this is where you ran off to...oh and Astrid's here too, perfect!"
Loki pulled away and grew very annoyed. He hoped they could be alone in peace but no, Thor had to find them. He forced a smile at Thor since he wasn't going to be rude in front of Astrid.
" Thor, what are you doing here?" Loki asked not really caring if he had to be honest
Thor chuckled as he sat down with them.
"Well I ran all the way to Astrid's to work out my leg muscles but she wasn't there. Went to find you but you weren't in the library or your bedchamber...then I remembered mother making this area and you liking it so I came here. Oh good a picnic, I'm starving." Thor explained as he pulled out a couple things from the basket.
Loki gritted his teeth. He was visibly annoyed that Thor interrupted. This spot was important to Loki and he only wanted Astrid here with him. He loved his brother but he really couldn't take a hint or ten that this was kind of like a date.
" Thor, you should have made plans with Astrid ahead of time." Loki stated calmly but he was really passive aggressive and bitter about it.
Thor chuckled as he scarfed down three sandwiches like nothing.
"Oh come on Loki. Astrid's missed us both so I'm sure she won't mind me being here as well, right Atti?"
Astrid smiled but only a bit. She did not want to be rude to her friend, however she was not keen and rather annoyed that Thor interrupted.
" I did miss you Thor, but Loki is right, you should have made plans in advance. I would have come if you wanted to see me." Astrid mentioned politely
Thor had a look of confusion on his face but still chuckled lightly.
"Since when do I need to make plans to see you? We're best friends Astrid and I don't think you ask that of Loki. I missed you as much as he did and I would have made them but you were pushing me off yesterday...Kind of hurt since I missed you too."
Thor stuffed his face with another sandwich, not understanding Astrid at this moment. Astrid had to have self control not to roll her eyes since she can tell when he was trying to compare himself to Loki.
" I did not push you off Thor. I was tired and I wanted to rest when I got back. Sorry it came out that way, but I had a long...very meaningful five years." Astrid stated.
Thor couldn't understand why Astrid was not missing him as much as he thought she would. He thought she wouldn't want to be away from him but now he didn't know.
"I just really missed you. These five years weren't the same without you. I merely wanted to hear your tales of magic and family over a nice cooked meal. I'm sure my mother would have loved to hear your tales and maybe has heard of the aunt you stayed with. Come on Loki, back me up in that my intentions were good and that you would have liked her over last night."
Loki rolled his eyes in annoyance as Thor was really that dense at times. Yes he cared for his brother, but lately or rather more so Loki saw his brother was oblivious to certain cues of when he was not wanted.
" Astrid is right Thor, She just got home yesterday and she had every right to want to go immediately home and relax. These stories could wait until she was well rested and felt up to it. I know our mother would see it the same way. You need to let a person breathe." Loki remarked.
Thor nodded but he did feel like he was getting pushed aside. It was then he remembered another reason for wanting to see Astrid. He dug out a leather bracelet with a blue round center bead.
"I saw this and thought of you Astrid." he said, giving it to Astrid with the softest of smiles.
Astrid took the bracelet out of politeness. It was charming, but not really her style. However she did not want to be rude since Thor got it for her. He was also her dear friend so the thought itself was nice and sweet.
" Thank you Thor, it is really pretty.' Astrid said softly with a warm smile.
"I know, that's why I got it." Thor grinned.
There was an awkward silence that filled the air as neither Astrid nor Loki knew what to do now that Thor Invaded' their privacy in some way. Astrid cared for Thor but she wished he did not crash, especially since he was eating a lot of their food.
"Anything else you wanted Thor? I should take Astrid home." Loki stated a bit flatly.
"Why nonsense, she didn't finish her meal and these are her favorites right?" Thor asked.
He didn't get why his brother was cutting the meeting short and why Astrid was oddly not eager for him to be here.
" I actually had some before you came along with some grapes. I should get home to my parents since I shouldn't stay out too late." Astrid said with a softer tone.
Thor chuckled.
"Astrid, you're a woman now. So long as Loki or I bring you back you can stay out until the stars shine bright. In fact, Egil encourages you to be out late with me."
Astrid got annoyed since Thor was dense. Of course Egil would push that idea. She got up and really wanted this moment to end quickly.
" Yes, well I want to go home for today and rest a bit more. I am a woman and I'm choosing myself for now." Astrid said assertively.
Loki did not want Astrid to go, but he understood she should rest, also not give any reason for Egil to be suspicious of them.
"Well um...okay then...perhaps tomorrow then?" Thor asked with a hopeful look.
"I'm seeing Sif tomorrow actually but maybe the day after?"
Thor's face fell since it felt like he was becoming a lesser part of her life. Then again, Sif hadn't seen her yet so they did need the girl time but still.
"You can escort me home though since I know my father would like to see you." Astrid said to appease Thor.
She threw Loki a look that was apologetic and bit sorrowful. She did want Loki to take her but Egil would want Thor to take her home. Astrid wanted Thor to stop acting so...entitled and wanting to push her to be another of his ladies...ones he slept with.
Thor took her home with little talk between them and Astrid pecked his cheek out of politeness before heading inside. Thor returned to the palace and went to his bedchambers to rest off his meal.
Loki was massively annoyed that Thor crashed their picnic and he had a feeling Thor did it intentionally. He barged into Thor's room without even knocking since he was that irate.
" Are you really that dense that you cannot tell when you are interrupting someone's time alone" Loki expressed annoyed.
Thor got up and looked to his brother. What was he upset about?
"Hey now, you usually knock brother. Also, why do you need alone time, don't you need to be alone to have alone time?" he questioned.
Literal Thor and he wondered if Thor was genuinely unaware he was interrupting them earlier.
" I made a plan to have a picnic with Astrid. I wanted to spend some time alone with her so we could catch up on magic" Loki expressed
"Of course it's magic with you two...Say you know what I've observed brother?"
"Do enlighten me?" Loki sassed
Thor chuckled a bit. He adored his brother but he kept to himself a lot. Loki barely entertained women and he would have thought Loki would love using his silver tongue to charm ladies to their knees. He wanted his brother happy but that did mean him getting a lady of his own or at least romancing one.
"You don't court much do you? In fact, it seems like no woman in Asgard is good enough for you? Mother worries about you as do I."
Loki scoffed.
" That's because every woman in Asgard is chasing after you despite my charms and tongue. Besides, none of them have depth and cannot hold a conversation for long, and the women I did talk to end up just gushing about how handsome and strong you are. Not to mention the few I do 'connect' with either lose interest when you come around or I tire of their company because they don't stimulate me." Loki stated bitterly
"Stimulate?" Thor asked with a grin.
Loki rolled his eyes but he stupidly chuckled at that.
"My mind Thor, stimulate my mind. If my mind isn't stimulated then for sure my body won't be."
"That's not what taking in a woman is though. When passions hit you don't need to think." Thor expressed.
He truly felt bad for Thor's lady 'friends' if that's what he thought when he shared a bed with them. Loki at least wanted to connect and have something real on multiple levels.
"You think Astrid met someone in Vanaheim? If she did, you think she would tell us?" Thor questioned.
Loki smirked and shook his head.
" Well she would tell us since we are her closest friends, she had told me she met a man in Vanaheim. He was nice and kind to her and always protected her. Not much of a talker though, but she likes him" Loki said.
Thor's face fell a bit.
"Now when you say met a man, does that mean just a friend or romantic? After all, Egil would be crushed if his daughter's heart was stolen."
Loki scoffed playfully.
" Astrid said she really liked him and he was good with magic too as well as combat. The way she talked, I think it was more than just friends. Besides, Astrid is a young woman. If she wants to marry a man she loves, she should. Egil has no right to stop her even if he is her father. She is not a child anymore."
Thor looked to his brother and it was clear he wasn't keeping a straight face and chuckled. His brother, the trickster but it wasn't a really good trick, especially since it included Astrid's heart.
"You really had me for a second brother. Astrid is still not spoken for. Good since I really need to take up my tactics a notch for her to be mine. She's truly a wonderful woman and she deserves the best of all of Asgard."
Astrid was somewhat spoken for since Loki did like Astrid. However he was not going to tell that to Thor.
" Yes well, she will probably get bored with you keeping her in Asgard all the time, while you go off on a fight to keep peace. Astrid has more to her life than just being a wife of a king" Loki expressed
"Of course...she would be a wonderful sorceress as well since she is really strong. She still thinks I just want to bed her and have us be friends still despite what we've done. I've missed her and clearly I'm losing sight of what she likes and what she wants. I do but I need to reconnect with her. Five years was a long time and I hope we're still great friends….I want us to be close."
Loki was annoyed but refrained from commenting on that. More so since he did not want to reveal he wants to be with Astrid, and thinks Thor does not deserve her. He left Thor and went to his room. He cared for Thor but for once he did not want Thor to get everything and everyone he wanted. Loki wanted to be the one who won Astrid's heart. He walked into his chambers and closed the doors. He turned to see Astrid standing there with a small sweet smile.
"So this is what your chambers are like….I should have seen the green and gold being key aspects of the room. Green was always your favorite color after all." Astrid spoke softly.
Loki smiled albeit a bit startled. How did she get past the palace guards to slip in his room...how did she even find his room at all he thought.
" Astrid, what are you doing here?" Loki asked softly since he didn't want anyone to hear them.
She stiffened a chuckle to lighten the mood.
"Felt like I needed to see you. You seemed rather angry and annoyed once Thor came and I didn't want your mood to be soured for the day. Oh and I recommend if you know a silencing spell, I would cast it. Wouldn't want people thinking you were bedding a woman or talking to yourself now would you?"
Loki blushed a bit and nodded. He cast the silencing spell so he and Astrid would have privacy.
" I was annoyed with Thor. I care for him but he is dense" Loki expressed in a frustrated tone.
"I know you wanted it to be just us….even I saw that." she accused softly.
Loki chuckled since there was little he could get away with when it involved Astrid.
" Is it selfish that I don't want Thor to get everything he wants, just because he is a favorite?" Loki asked, feeling a bit conflicted with himself.
If Astrid wanted his brother over him...it would be hard on Loki to accept that. He valued her happiness but he also wanted to be happy. He sighed as he looked at Astrid's tender eyes.
"Not really. I mean Thor can't get and have everything. It wouldn't be right or fair. He needs to start really looking at bigger pictures. Tell me...how um...how has he been in my absence?"
" He did get upset a lot for the first while, but after a while he had parties and training, and he even wanted me to go courting women with him… I've started to tell him no after the first few times since it wasn't satisfying." Loki expressed
"Should I be thankful or worried about that?" Astrid questioned with a raised eyebrow.
" I won't lie, that I haven't tried talking to women as much. However none of them can hold an actual conversation and most just end up swooning over Thor." Loki stated in an annoyed tone.
"I can see that...the blonde hair, the muscles, the scruff in his facial hair...honestly there must be something wrong with me."
" Why do you say that?" Loki asked, moving a bit closer to Astrid.
"I mean while I do see Thor as attractive do not misunderstand...he's just...not my type or maybe I see him too much like a brother to give in to the attraction." Loki raised an eyebrow with a chuckle.
" Oh so you do have a type. Do enlighten me Astrid, what kind of man would you want for yourself." he said with sweet smirk
Despite his outward confidence, Loki was nervous...no he was scared to hear what she would say to him, or anything at all. Astrid blushed a bit but chuckled softly.
"Well...hair doesn't matter too much color wise but there is a mystique to darker versus lighter since my hair is rose pink. I do like a man with strength, but one that shows it in deceptive ways. People might not see him as strong at a glance but is clearly skilled and is able to defeat opponents with a balance of strength and skill. A good mind is something I value as well. Lastly...they must either love or at least respect magic. Magic is literally in my blood and veins so having a limited scope or understanding of it would just upset and insult me."
Loki smiled softly, since he admired how Astrid had reasonable standards, with a bit of mischief to it which made Loki happy. It still did not mean anything just yet but...he did notice he would fit all of her standards, right down to the dark hair.
" Well my dear, Egil would say your standards are unreasonable and you should just admire and love Thor. I, on the other hand, want you to choose wisely and not settle. You can do amazing things, should you choose a husband he should be someone you will love, who loves you as you are" Loki mused softly.
Astrid nodded and she walked around his room, chuckling softly.
"You know what's interesting Loki?"
"What is that?" Loki asked curiously
"How did I get in your room in the first place?" she grinned. Loki smirked and thought for a brief moment. He chuckled since of course that's how she's here; in fact she wasn't really here at all.
" Well I suppose it is the same way I ended up in your room years prior. You were upset at Egil and Thor for entertaining the idea of you two getting married in future." Loki said and raised a hand to touch her, but stopped himself.
"Why did you stop yourself?" she questioned. Loki was not sure but he didn't want to ruin the illusion despite his knowledge of the subject.
" You are not really here Astrid, I wish you could be but we know it is not possible.. Not right now anyway. Plus touching this illusion will make it leave and I don't want it to go just yet." Loki expressed.
Astrid nodded and smiled softly at him.
"We have plans to discuss...least where we are sneaking off to at night and when."
He grinned lightly at that and mused,
" Did I hear this correctly, or do you want to sneak off at night? Where do you have in mind? I really don't want Thor to crash again."
"Well Thor as of now is a good boy so he won't sneak off at night...only thing I see is him taking ladies in...am I right?"
Loki laughed a bit at that since that was very, very true.
" Oh yes, there is a reason I cast a silencing spell on my chambers even without you here. But where would we go?" Loki stated with a grin.
"Well of course the library, that pond garden and we can always scout locations in the day and come back in the evening. I don't want to limit how much I can see you, Loki."
Loki smiled softly, since it made him excited that Astrid wanted to see him, more so than Thor. He wanted to see her too, any chance he got he would take for her.
" I want to see you often too Astrid, I don't want to limit that time either"
Egil would hate that she's becoming a bit of a mischief loving woman...but that's just what she wanted to be. Loki's gaze lingered on Astrid's projection. She was talented, it was so real, he could almost touch it. He instead admired how beautiful she was and how much he wished she would not choose Thor despite what Egil wanted.
"What are you thinking about that has you bothered still?" Astrid asked softly.
" Just how lucky I am that I get to have these moments with you, and Thor doesn't. I know it's selfish of me, but I do not always wanted to share you with my brother, more so… lately" Loki expressed gazing at Astrid softly
"I know you don't...frankly I'm the same if I had to be honest at least recently."
" Well then we better make sure, our secret rendezvous are not notice by anyone" Loki whispered
Astrid's copy smiled softly and nodded in agreement.
"I need to appease Egil first by seeing Thor and I want to take time to see Sif as well. She's going to let me have it for delaying our reunion." her copy spoke softly.
"But of course, I would feel the same if I hadn't seen you yet and you've been home. Whenever we are ready to see each other for a nightly venture, one of us should send the word."
"Until next time Loki."
"Until next time Astrid."
As Astrid's copy faded, Loki's head was full of thoughts of him, his brother, and Astrid. He knew he was taking a huge gamble; but he wanted to push his relationship with Astrid. She's the only woman who treated him like a man that's equal to Thor and as a man in general. He was scared but he wanted her and no one, not even Egil or his brother could prevent him from at least trying to court Astrid. She and him had something special, just how special will be up to time.