Unity
"Why do girls take so long to get ready?" Thor asked idly, watching disinterestedly as Loki leaned impatiently against the wall, tapping his foot irritably.
Loki stopped tapping his foot for a moment, thinking. "Well," he said reasonably. "It's not that they have more to put on, since they'll both be wearing tunics and trousers. It's not that they have to do anything extra with their hair—"
"Our hair takes a considerable amount of maintenance," Thor input, and Loki nodded in agreement.
"So it can't be that. So maybe they're just trying to keep us in suspense," Loki concluded.
"It's working," Thor sighed morosely.
Loki hesitated, hating to admit that he was feeling so impatient and nervous to see Noir. "…Only a little," he conceded carefully. The two brothers stood outside Marron's room, where the two nekos were dressing for dinner with the royal family. It was two days after Noir had woken up from her coma—only one day after Loki had apologized for his accidental… confession. The previous day had consisted of the princes and nekos catching each other up on all the happenings since the four of them had last been together at the ball, and then simply enjoying each other's company. Loki had found himself relieved to be sitting on the foot of her bed, able to just talk and laugh with Noir, and with Marron and Thor. The day had been… nice. Even if Loki had never gotten the chance to have Noir alone again. He had been certain he would be able to spend time alone with her the following day.
But evidently there were other plans for today. Frigga had announced that she was going to take Noir to the tailors for a new wardrobe ("I will not have Lady Noir wearing only the plain dresses the healers give her, and if Marron didn't object to receiving quality clothing, then I am going to extend the same courtesy to you, Noir," Frigga had said firmly when Noir tried to protest that it was unnecessary). Marron had excitedly accompanied Noir and Frigga to the tailors, and Thor and Loki had been left to amuse themselves.
It was amazing how boring everything suddenly seemed when Loki found he wasn't in Noir's company—he had spent so many of the last several days with her, attending to her in the healers' wing, and talking idly with her the entire previous day. Thor seemed gloomy to not be with Marron as well. And then a servant had come to inform them that the Allfather wanted to have a private dinner that night with the royal family and the two neko guests. Loki's stomach twisted slightly at the idea of dinner with both Noir and his father together in the same room, but there was nothing to be done for it. And so now Loki and Thor waited for Marron and Noir to finish readying themselves for dinner so they could be escorted to the chamber the dinner was to be held in.
Just then, the door opened, and Marron's face peeped out. "You can come in. We're nearly ready."
"We're decent!" Noir's voice added from inside the room.
Loki felt himself blush slightly at the idea of going into the room if the girls weren't decent. Marron disappeared back into the room, and the princes entered.
Noir was seated on the bed, fiddling attentively with the neckline of her shirt while Marron was carefully tugging on her long sleeves so they weren't wrinkled at the elbows.
"We're just about ready," Noir said absentmindedly as she sat up straight and looked at the boys that had just entered.
Mentally, Loki took back everything he had said. Without a doubt, the girls' hair had to take much longer than Thor and Loki spent on theirs, and he was almost certain that there was something more complex about the girls' clothes than the princes' ensembles. But he was also sure that Noir and Marron had purposely been keeping Thor and Loki in suspense. And it was worth it. Noir's long midnight hair had been curled into ringlets at the ends, and her tunic was white as a dove with silver buttons and hems that winked in the light. Her trousers were a soft gray, contrasting with the black leather boots that matched her hair. And, he noted belatedly, there was a small green ornament in her hair—a small clip with emerald green jewels to form the likeness of a leaf.
Her sharp gray eyes met his levelly, almost solemn and questioning and hopeful. But clearly she meant to look as though she didn't care if he said anything about how she looked, because she didn't ask. He wanted to say something, but he wasn't sure just what. Loki tried not to stare, but how was he supposed to help it if she looked extraordinarily fair in her new clothes from the tailors, and her hair was obviously painstakingly done to a shimmering perfection?
Thor's voice was the first to speak, cutting off whatever Loki was about to say. "Lady Marron, Lady Noir, you both look wonderful," Thor complimented generously.
Loki threw a rueful look to Thor as Noir and Marron both chirped their thank you's. "Thor's right. You both look…" he trailed off for a moment. "Exceptionally beautiful tonight." He looked meaningfully at Noir as he said this, and a smile immediately split her face.
Marron twirled slightly, positively radiant with happiness. Her hair had been combed into a smooth, silky sheet so it was no longer as wavy as usual, and her tunic was a pale sunset peach color over her fitted tawny brown trousers and soft dust-brown boots. "Thank you, Loki."
"Well, we must be off to the dining hall," Thor announced. "We don't want to be late."
There was a quick, nearly-imperceptible look exchanged between Marron and Noir, and Loki barely caught the shifting eyes and minute nods.
"Yes, we should go," Marron smiled up at Thor.
"May I?" Thor offered his arm to Marron, and her cheeks quickly grew to match her tunic as she took his arm bashfully.
Loki turned to Noir and went to the side of the bed. "And may I?"
Noir cleared her throat. "Of course." She managed to push herself to her feet, but swayed once she stood, and she grabbed onto Loki's arm. "Actually, perhaps I should wait a moment and catch my breath. All the activity today—the tailors, all the work getting ready, it's rather tiring, and I haven't got my full strength back yet."
"Are you alright?" Marron prompted with affected worry. "You should just sit a minute, and follow us when you're ready."
"I think I will," Noir murmured, glancing at Loki. "Do you mind, Loki?"
"Not at all," Loki replied immediately, playing along even though he wasn't sure what she was planning—because obviously Marron and Noir had planned this. "You two go ahead," he nodded towards Marron and Thor.
"Perhaps we should wait as well," Thor hesitated. "Are you well, Noir?"
"I'm fine," Noir answered quickly.
"We wouldn't want to be late," Marron added hastily. "We should go."
Thor wavered, but softened when he looked down at Marron, who was biting her lip hopefully. "…Very well," he gave in. "Let's go, and we'll tell Father and Mother you'll be along shortly," he threw a smile to Loki and Noir, and led the way out.
Noir sighed when the door closed, and she sank back down onto the mattress of the bed.
"What was that about?" Loki asked immediately.
A smile flickered over her lips. "I'm perfectly fine, don't worry, my swaying and pretending to be faint was all an act just now. I wanted to talk to you before we went."
Loki hesitated for a second before sitting down next to Noir. "Alright." He examined her face as she dropped her eyes to the floor, gathering her thoughts. "…Did I tell you how strikingly lovely you look?" he queried offhandedly.
Noir blinked and met his eyes again, looking a bit surprised. "…Mmm… briefly, yes, you did." She paused before grinning lopsidedly. "Did I tell you how handsome you look?"
Loki scoffed self-consciously. "…No, you did not."
"Well, you are exceedingly handsome," Noir whispered and slipped her hand into Loki's. He tightened his hand around hers slightly, and she smiled wistfully. "So… there was something I wanted to ask you about before we left."
Loki quirked an eyebrow. "Very well. What did you want to ask me about?" He couldn't imagine what it was, unless she wanted to return to the conversation they had had yesterday in the healers wing, after his accidental 'I love you.' He hoped she wasn't bringing that up again. He wasn't ready to talk about that any more.
"Your father…" Noir glanced down to the floor.
Loki frowned slightly. His father? "…Go on," he prompted as Noir fell silent.
"I mean…" Noir scuffed the toe of her boot against the navy blue carpet as she asked quietly, "Are things still as bad as they were at the ball?" Noir asked anxiously, only meeting his eyes as she finished asking her question.
Loki felt his shoulders relax a bit at her question. Good… this wasn't anything too difficult to answer, at least. "Oh. Well… no, things…" he paused, considering how to answer. For a moment his heart felt hard at the recollection of Odin's anger with him on the balcony at the ball. But then the frustration slid away as he remembered how Odin had asked for his help when they brought Marron to the war council, and how his father had rested his hand on Loki's shoulder. And then there was the memory of the moment in which the Allfather had told Loki that he hoped that Noir get well soon. "…No, things aren't as bad. Things are better now."
Noir blinked, searching his eyes. His expression was earnest and hopeful. "Really?" was all the response she could offer, remembering Loki's insistence that he was drowning with nobody to save him, and her own mother's hissing that Odin only pretended not to see the ones who were struggling.
Loki dipped his head solemnly. "I… I'm sure I can get his approval. I can keep trying, and Thor won't be favored higher than me. I know it."
A smile tugged faintly at Noir's lips as she tried to convince herself to believe Loki. He looked certain. Her mind still flitted back to the tension between Loki and Odin, and she couldn't help but feel there would always be something there not-quite resolved. And even though it was unfair that Loki was always put second, why was he so insistent that he had to be so much approved? Perhaps it was something she couldn't quite empathize with, without having her own parents to strive for affection from. "Who knows… Odin might make you the crown Prince instead of Thor, if he really wanted to."
Loki's eyes grew bright at the idea. "Who knows?" he murmured.
Noir let her gaze drop as she felt her cheeks grow hot under his warm look. "That's good," she muttered. "Then… we should be off to dinner." She absentmindedly reached up to her neck to fiddle with something before realizing that what she was looking for wasn't there.
Loki gave her a peculiar smile and brushed a finger along her neck, satisfaction filling his heart when her cheeks flushed and she tensed slightly at his touch. "Problem?"
Noir smiled sheepishly. "…I keep reaching up to play with the handkerchiefs I always had tied around my neck, but… I can't remember what happened to them. Blanc threw away the one tied around my wrist, and…"
"The handkerchiefs," Loki repeated, his eyes lighting up. "Actually, I…" he paused and slowly reached into his pocket. "Um… You had left them with your clothes in my room before the ball." Half-embarrassedly, he pulled something out of his pocket and opened his hand. "…I may have been carrying them around since I found them."
Noir stared at the knotted green cloth in Loki's hand for a long moment, and then she laughed softly in wonder and happiness. Her hand rested on top of his, the handkerchiefs between them. "Thank you, Loki."
00000
Later Noir sat at a long candlelit table, her hands folded neatly on the edge of the wood as she surreptitiously glanced down the seats. Loki sat to her right, and Marron was across from her. Thor sat across from Loki, looking a bit uneasy as he shifted his eyes between Odin and the neko girls. Frigga and Odin sat at opposite ends of the table, Odin taking residence at the head.
To Loki's relief and surprise, everything had managed to go smoothly enough so far. When he and Noir had entered, Frigga and Marron had been carrying on a lively conversation about fashion and which colors complemented each other's skin tones while Odin and Thor sat uncomprehending and silent. The discussion fell away when the door opened and the second prince and a limping Noir on his arm slowly took in their surroundings. There had only been a moment of awkward quiet before Frigga smiled graciously and invited them to sit.
Loki nervously introduced Noir to Odin. The fact that the last time the king and neko had met had been under false pretenses was not mentioned.
Noir anxiously dipped her head to the Allfather and offered a polite smile. She noted how he looked at her with a kind of curious respect, neither cold nor warm but perhaps undecided regard (his eyes did linger on the green kerchiefs around her neck perhaps a moment too long, but staring at the odd adornment was understandable enough). She felt herself let her guard down just a bit. It seemed at least he was willing to be open to having her as a guest, as the young woman on his son's arm at this dinner (the fact that she was on Loki's arm partly because she could not walk on her own notwithstanding).
Yes, so far it had been pleasant enough. Noir remained relatively quiet the first of the five courses, content to stay silent and listen to the idle conversation the queen and Marron carried on about this and that. She was forced to speak up, however, when Odin addressed her.
"Chatte Noir, how have you fared since you've awoken?"
She looked up in surprise at the king, and she could sense Loki shifting slightly in his seat next to her. But the Allfather was looking at her levelly, that same curious respect in his eyes. Noir wondered what exactly he had heard about her, or what he thought of her. "I've…" she cleared her throat slightly. "I've been fairly well, all things considered." She wasn't sure what else she was supposed to say, how to direct the conversation. It didn't feel right to ask after him in return…
"The healers have been treating you well? The accommodations in the healers' wing suits you?" Odin continued, the picture of a polite host asking after his guest.
Noir forced herself to relax her shoulders and remind herself that Loki was on good terms with his father now. She had nothing to mistrust or begrudge him. "Yes, the healers have been kind and provided me with whatever I need. I'm not sure how much longer I'll need to be under their care, though. I'm beginning to feel much better."
"I have heard that your recovery goes well," Odin dipped his head in acknowledgment.
"It's true, she's walking much better today than she did yesterday," Marron put in, nodding at Noir.
"And Marron and your sons have been very helpful with assisting me whenever I need it," Noir added, switching her appreciative looks between all those who sat at the table.
"And once you have come back to your full health, what is your plan?" Odin asked. Noir fell still, and the others looked intent at the question. The tone in which the king had asked this wasn't dark, exactly, but his voice was heavy, as if wary of the gravity of the question.
Noir glanced at Loki questioningly, but he just looked questioningly back.
"Technically Chatte Marron is under the custody of the crown already, but has made herself useful as a rebel informant, granting her rights within the grounds of the palace. She may not leave, however, because she is still our prisoner by all legality… despite the friendship between her and the royal family," Odin continued.
Noir shot a glance to Marron. She hadn't known that she wasn't allowed to leave the palace grounds. Marron's smile was brittle, but she said nothing.
"But you, Chatte Noir, were not captured by the soldiers of our city. You find yourself in a unique situation," the Allfather took a sip from his goblet and peered over the rim at the young woman. "Nekos in the city are being rounded up and thrown into the prisons—"
"Is this really an appropriate thing to be talking about at the dinner table?" Frigga interrupted. "This can wait until after our meal is done."
"Frigga, I'd like to know how we proceed."
A long look was passed between the monarchs, and then the queen seemed to shake her head in exasperation. The king looked back to Noir, whose face had transformed into a disconcerted frown.
"As I said, the nekos are being rounded up and thrown into the prisons in an attempt to weaken the numbers of the rebels. Because you are neither a rebel nor a prisoner, we do not have occasion to imprison you. If you wish it, you are free to leave the palace, but at any time you could be captured by the soldiers and then meet the same fate as all those who have also been arrested. I don't see that as a fair option, seeing as how you are not one of Catalysseur's followers, and it wouldn't do anyone good to have you locked up. I propose that, if it is favorable to you, the palace could provide you with furnishings and a place to stay until the rebellion has ended. As a guest of the royal family." He finally set his goblet down and waited for Noir's answer.
Her eyes drifted down to her hands, troubled. She glanced sidelong at Loki, who wore a surprised but pleased expression. Noir shared his surprise. But she was not as pleased. He probably wasn't seeing the unfairness here.
"So… because I was not captured by the guards, I can stay as a guest of the royal family," Noir repeated slowly. "Nothing would be required of me?"
"Correct."
"…And Marron stays a prisoner. Even though she is making herself useful."
A slight frown creased the brow of Asgard's ruler.
"I would have been a prisoner if our first plan had gone right and I had gotten to leave with Marron. Instead I had to stay longer with the rebels and ended up getting stabbed while Marron was giving you information to further your cause. But for some reason she's the one getting punished.," Noir glanced at Marron determinedly. Marron looked shocked that Noir was making this argument.
Thor looked thoughtful, and Loki looked vaguely confused for once.
"Then what would you propose? Is this your way of rejecting my invitation?" Odin rumbled, his voice suddenly more pronounced and kingly, more commanding and a little less curiously respectful to her.
Noir sighed. "I do very much appreciate your offer to allow me to stay and relax as a guest, but it wouldn't be right of me."
"Noir," Loki whispered in disbelief.
Noir didn't react to his whisper, difficult as it was. "Your Majesty, I wouldn't feel comfortable being given unfair conditions over Marron, and simply sit idle while the rebellion still lurks in wait. Please… I'd like to offer my services to you, in whatever way I can. Consider this me turning myself in as a neko."
"Noir—" Loki whispered again, but Noir plowed ahead.
"I only have a little more information than what I'm sure Marron has already told you, but…" she took a deep breath. "As I said, I'll offer my services in whatever way you need. If there is an attack, I will fight alongside the warriors of Asgard, if you'll have me."
There was a stunned silence at the table.
"I'd fight alongside her, if you'll allow it," Marron said quietly. She looked less happy now, more solemn.
Loki flicked his gaze between the two neko girls, then glanced to Thor. The caught-off-guard look on the first prince's face matched exactly how Loki felt.
Odin seemed to think this over for half a moment, steepling his hands as he looked thoughtfully between the girls. "…As king of Asgard, I accept your service, Chatte Noir. You can be of the same station as your friend if that is what you wish. And who am I to refuse you if you wish to make use of yourself in our efforts to suppress the rebels? Both of you may fight alongside the Einherjar if this hostility comes to a head in battle."
00000
"Do you think that was stupid of me?" Noir asked quietly after the dinner, as Loki helped her walk back to the healing wing.
"You mean the part where you ate two slices of cake or the part where you offered to fight in a battle you're nowhere near ready for?" Loki asked mildly with a touch of bitter sarcasm.
"I'll take that as a yes," Noir sighed.
Loki heaved a deep breath and looked down at his little thief with a look of exasperation. "I don't think you're stupid, Noir."
They rounded the corner into the hall, Loki's petulant glare enough to make the healers avert their eyes and not try to take over Noir's care again just yet.
Noir looked up at Loki skeptically as she shuffled along towards her room, still relying on him for her balance. "But you think me offering my services to your father was stupid."
"No, I don't think it was stupid," Loki replied defensively.
"Well," Noir said reproachfully, "you looked like you thought I was stupid when I said it, and you kept giving me these looks the rest of dinner."
"What looks?" Loki challenged.
Noir looked up at him and adopted an exaggerated expression of annoyed disappointment, complete with a head-shake of disbelief. "This look."
"I gave you no such look, Chatte Noir Voleuse," Loki announced imperiously.
"You're a liar, Prince Loki Odinsson," Noir announced imperiously.
"Sometimes," Loki acknowledged.
"So tell me," Noir dared. "Do you think I was stupid for offering my services and giving myself the status of prisoner and traitor to the rebellion?"
"I told you no, I don't think you're stupid for that," Loki repeated himself.
"Then what's the problem?" Noir asked impetuously as they turned into her room.
Loki groaned softly and gave her a pained look.
Noir returned his look with a stubbornly defiant one of her own. By now they had reached the side of her bed, and Noir's hands were both in Loki's as they faced each other down.
Loki waited for her to lower herself to the mattress so he could counterbalance her slight weight and make sure she didn't sit down too hard, but she made no move to sit, meeting his eyes coolly. "Noir, get in bed," he ordered irritably.
Her fingers tightened on his. She had mostly liked being able to lean on Loki for literal support as she walked, and having his arm around her waist or her hands in his. Right now, though, it just felt like a nuisance. She couldn't even remain standing for longer than a few minutes without his help. "No. Talk to me. Why are you so disapproving of what I did? Don't lie and say you're not. I can tell."
"Noir…"
"Why?"
He closed his eyes. "Noir."
"Loki." Her voice was sharp where his was pleading and apologetic. "Do you think that I'm not capable of fighting, or that I'm too delicate? Do you think I can't take care of myself, or that I can't take the responsibility of being in the service of the Allfather?"
"Noir," Loki said firmly, clenching his jaw. "I'm scared," he whispered. He didn't open his eyes, too ashamed to see whatever pity or disgust was on her face at his admission. Her hands loosened their grip on his momentarily. Then she squeezed his hands tightly again, and he opened his eyes hesitantly.
Her face didn't hold disgust at his admission of fear, nor pity. Instead, something like sadness and understanding had settled in her feline features. "Oh, Loki," she shook her head and leaned back. Slowly, she sat on the edge of the bed with Loki's help, and another tug on his hands invited Loki to sit by her side. As he settled himself to her left, she rested her head on his shoulder, and a melancholy smile touched her lips as he tensed before relaxing against her. "Are you scared because I'm still healing?"
"Only partly," Loki said uncomfortably. His hand slid to cover hers. "I know you'll heal quickly, and we still have a little over a week before the rebels attack."
"I'm sure I'll be back to normal in another two or three days. Four at the most," Noir agreed.
"Right… so it's not only that."
"Then what is it?" Noir queried gently, lacing her fingers with Loki's and softly tracing circles over the back of his hand with her thumb.
A quiet bark of morbid laughter forced itself from his throat, and he set his chin atop her head. "Two days ago, darling, you were lying in a coma on this very bed, and I was uncertain if you would ever wake. Five days ago, Noir, I found you poisoned and bleeding to death on my balcony. Six days ago, I thought you had tricked me and left me to join the neko uprising. I thought I was going to lose you forever so many times, my little thief. I can't bear the thought of it happening again. It would have been so much easier if you just accepted my father's offer and just remained a guest of the royal family in the palace. Then I'd know you were safe and well-cared-for."
Noir chuckled lightly because it was easier to laugh than to cry at his words. She knew he wouldn't take offense at her uncalled-for laughter; he always did exactly the same. "You can't keep me locked in a golden tower forever, you know. I'm too adventurous for that."
"I know. That's why…" Loki trailed off for just a moment before getting back on track. "That's why I care for you so much." He cleared his throat. "I just don't want you to be hurt."
Noir wrapped an arm around his waist and squeezed him reassuringly. "I'm not going anywhere as long as I can help it. Remember, I've lived on the streets for years. I know how to take care of myself, and I know how to fight. I know my strengths and my limits. I'll be fine. I hope you are, too."
"Of course I will be," Loki admonished. He paused and quirked his lips. "Unless you're hurt, of course, at which point I shall simply have to throw myself off the tallest tower in Asgard."
"Loki!" Noir gasped in mock shock at the gallows humor.
"Joking, joking," Loki smiled wryly. "But really. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Well… you'd probably have a lot more handkerchiefs," Noir smiled knowingly.
Loki scoffed and reached up to pinch her cheek. "Silly girl."
"You love it," Noir breathed, flushing and tilting her head up towards him.
"Maybe," Loki ceded, tilting his head towards her.
"Excuse me, Prince Loki, but our patient needs her medicine and her rest," a voice interrupted from the doorway. There stood the head healer, the sympathetic one who had given Loki his invigoration potions.
The two on the bed quickly sat up straight, and Loki quickly dipped his head in deference. "Yes, we'll be just another small moment, and then I'll be off."
The healer raised her eyebrows almost warningly, as if to say 'you had better,' before she stepped out to allow them another moment's privacy.
Immediately, Loki looked back to Noir, but she was now grinning wryly at him.
"You had better go," she told him reluctantly. "But… are you still upset with me about what happened at dinner?"
He shook his head. "No, I'm not upset… I'm still just… worried for you."
"I'll be alright," Noir reminded him. "I promise I'm not leaving you anytime soon of my own accord."
"Good. Then as long as you're not leaving, I promised we'd have time alone together to talk sometime." Loki looked at her intensely. "Tomorrow? Just you and me?"
She beamed at the prospect and nodded vigorously. "I look forward to it."
"Come now," the head healer had returned to the doorway, looking vaguely amused at the sight of the two still sitting and talking.
"Yes, my lady, I'm leaving now," Loki looked toward the woman, chagrined. He gave Noir's hand a final squeeze before lifting it to his mouth and planting a kiss on Noir's knuckles. He reveled in her pink cheeks before nodding to the healer as he stood, giving Noir a final look of affection and promise, and bidding them both good night.