EXT. GARDENS - EVENING
You sit on the grass in the gardens, surrounded by colorful flowers. It's almost like a tent.
You write in your journal about your childhood, continuing to add small details you remember.
You smile and decide to write a pretend story about you as a child with your parents.
As you're writing, you hear a bush rustle.
You sit up straight, looking around. You close your journal.
You hear rustling again. Your heartbeat quickens.
YOU
Who's there?
You hear harsh whispering as if someone were arguing in hushed tones. All of a sudden, a body rolls out of the bushes.
It's Thor.
You stand up.
YOU
Thor?
You walk over to help him off the ground, although you aren't much help considering his size.
Thor stands up and brushes himself off. He lifts his head high as if he meant to fall over.
YOU
What are you doing here... in the bushes?
THOR
Uh... I...
Thor looks at the bush he fell out of.
THOR
Um... I was... watching you... in the grass?
YOU
What? You sound like you don't know why you're here.
THOR
Well that's just it. I don't know why I'm here. One minute, I was poking fun at my brother, the next, I was here.
You squint your eyes in confusion.
THOR
I mean... my brother was no where near here.
Thor coughs.
You stare at Thor.
You lunge at the bush Thor fell out of, pulling the leaves apart to see the other side.
Thor peaks his head in the hole, too.
No one is on the other side.
You let go of the bush. It squeezes back into its normal position.
You pick up your journal and head back inside.
YOU
It was nice seeing you, Thor.
Thor coughs nervously again.
THOR
Goodbye.
As you walk away, Thor punches the air beside him. Loki appears from thin air, bending over with his hand over his stomach.
LOKI
What'd you have to do that for?
Thor chuckles.
THOR
Why do you watch her?
LOKI
She's interesting.
THOR
Ooooh.
LOKI
Shut up, brother.
Loki walks away.
INT. YOUR BEDROOM - MORNING
The sun peaks out over the horizon as you get ready for the day.
You debate in your head whose room you'll clean first. Neither sound very exciting after yesterday. Why do boys have to be so weird? They never seem to tell the truth.
You decide you should clean Thor's room first, just to get the hard work out of the way. But then you might be all sweaty when you clean Loki's room. Not that he'd care... you hope. Maybe he won't even be there.
You walk out of your room and take a deep breath. Today is a new day. A fresh start. Whatever is going on between Loki and Thor is behind you.
You knock on Thor's door.
He opens the door.
THOR
Come in.
INT. THOR'S ROOM - CONTINUOUS
You take a look around the room. It's cleaner than yesterday, but it's gotten so dirty for one day.
You laugh to yourself.
YOU
I don't know how you manage to make such a mess.
Thor shrugs his shoulders.
THOR
It just happens.
Thor sits down at his desk.
You start cleaning.
THOR
Do you happen to know anything about math? My instructor assigned this problem that I can't figure out.
YOU
I'm sorry, I barely know how to read and write.
THOR
Oh. You don't have lessons?
YOU
No, just work.
THOR
That sounds somewhat boring.
YOU
Be thankful you get to learn instead of work, Thor.
THOR
Fighting lessons are always the best. Especially with a sword.
You decide to go along with Thor's small talk.
YOU
Are you any good?
THOR
The best! Well, sometimes.
You continue cleaning.
THOR
Would you like to watch a match sometime?
YOU
A fighting match?
THOR
Yeah.
YOU
I don't think it's my place-
THOR
-No one will ever know it was you.
YOU
I don't know.
THOR
Oh, come on.
You stand there, too worried to respond.
THOR
Wait, I'll be right back.
Thor runs out of the room.
You continue cleaning. Making his bed is next on the list.
Thor comes running back into his room, dragging Loki behind him.
THOR
Loki, we're sneaking (Y/n) out tonight.
LOKI
What? Is that why you brought me here?
THOR
A sparring match tonight. We'll get a group of friends to come watch. You need to use magic to make her blend in with the others.
Loki glances at you, taking in your appearance and your rugged clothes.
You stand there timidly.
THOR
What do you say, brother?
LOKI
Who's fighting you?
THOR
Whoever dares stand against me.
You and Loki stare at Thor.
THOR
Whoever wants to.
LOKI
Ok, fine, but who sneaks (Y/n) out from under the head maid's watch? This is after curfew, right?
THOR
I can.
Loki squares up in front of Thor.
LOKI
Or I can. I am making her blend in, after all.
THOR
Fine. You may go now, brother. I'll notify you of when we sneak out.
Loki turns to leave. He stops at the door.
LOKI
I'll see you when you come to clean my room, (Y/n).
He leaves.
You smile as he walks away, daydreaming about tonight.
THOR
Are you finished cleaning?
YOU
Oh! Almost.
Thor sits at his desk again.
You finish cleaning and head towards the door.
YOU
See you tonight.
Thor looks up from his work.
THOR
Bye.
INT. LOKI'S BEDROOM - LATER
You knock on the door. Loki opens it and lets you inside.
LOKI
Did Thor say what time the match is tonight?
You frown.
YOU
No.
LOKI
That's alright. I'll come to you later tonight.
You take a look around the room.
You laugh to yourself.
YOU
Loki, how many times do I have to tell you-
LOKI
-That I'm too clean. I know. I left a special mess just for you.
He leads you into his bathroom and points at the counter.
LOKI
I happened to accidentally spill some hair product. I was going to clean it up, but then I remembered what you said.
You smile at Loki.
YOU
I'm glad you left me something to do.
Loki smiles into your glistening eyes.
LOKI
I'll let you clean. I'm going to the library.
YOU
There's a library here?
LOKI
Yes, Odin's library.
YOU
Oh.
LOKI
Do you like reading?
You move to start cleaning up his mess.
YOU
Yes, I enjoy it very much, Prince Loki.
Loki smiles.
LOKI
Please, it's just Loki. I'll see you tonight.
Loki turns around and leaves.
You finish cleaning up his room.
INT. YOUR BEDROOM - NIGHT
You sit on your bed, the dim light flickering beside you.
You're writing in your journal, daydreaming about tonight.
Loki could hold your hand as you escape the worker's quarters. He could dress you up in the most beautiful outfit you've ever had. He could kiss you in the moonlight.
A knock pounds on the door.
HEAD MAID
Turn out that light, miss!
YOU
Sorry!
You quickly blow out the light.
You sit in the darkness, your heart pounding. He better come soon.
You feel yourself drift off... your eyelids... slowly... closing...
INT. YOUR BEDROOM - LATER
A soft knock. Another knock.
You're sound asleep on your bed, journal lying open.
The door slowly creaks.
Loki's silhouette stands in the door frame.
LOKI
(Y/n).
He takes a step inside and softly closes the door behind him.
LOKI
(Y/n).
He holds a candlelight that barely illuminates the room.
He sets it down on the table beside your bed, and taps your shoulder.
LOKI
(Y/n). Wake up.
He gently shakes your shoulder.
You stir awake.
When you realize Loki is in your room and what time it is, you quickly sit up.
YOU
(whispering)
I'm sorry! The head maid said lights out and I fell asleep-
LOKI
-Shh. It's okay. Let's go.
Loki takes your hand as you both stand up.
Your eyes go wide as you remember your journal lying open.
You quickly turn around and close it, setting it on the table.
LOKI
Would you mind handing me the candle?
YOU
Oh, yes, here.
You grab it from the bedside table and hand it to Loki. You feel his soft hands on top of yours as he grabs the candle for himself.
LOKI
Let's go.
Loki opens the door and peaks his head out. He waves for you to follow him.
You follow him out into the hallway.
INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
Loki leads you down the hall.
YOU
A guard usually-
LOKI
-Shh.
At the end of the hall, a guard stands at the big double doors.
Loki lifts a hand, and a lightning bug appears.
The guard swats it away.
The bug lands on his nose.
The guard silently panics and drops to the floor, trying to get the bug off of his face.
Loki grabs your hand and runs full speed straight towards the door.
He opens it and you both fly through. Loki spins around and shuts the door.
You stand there, catching your breath. Loki leans on the door, his face surprised that that worked.
The door nearly opens. Loki's eyes grow wide. He takes your hand again.
LOKI
(whispers)
Run!
You both dart down the next hall and out of sight.
After a while, Loki slows down and lets go of your hand.
LOKI
That was exciting.
YOU
I just broke the rules. I'll be in so much trouble if-
LOKI
-That's why I'm here. Stand still.
Loki closes his eyes and touches your shoulder. Your clothes become a simple, yet elegant gold gown. You look like a princess.
He opens his eyes and looks at you.
LOKI
Missing one thing.
Loki steps in front of you and touches your messy hair. It turns into a beautiful updo.
Loki takes a step back and looks you up and down.
You feel your hair and the material of your dress. You spin around.
YOU
This is incredible! I've never been so fancy in my life.
LOKI
You'll blend right in. We should get going.
Loki walks you down corridor after corridor until you reach a courtyard. You can hear voices out on the grass.
Loki takes both of your hands and pulls you behind a pillar.
LOKI
Before we go out there, some things to blend in. Don't speak too loudly. Don't ask to fight. And have fun.
You look up at him and smile.
YOU
I can do that. Will you be fighting Thor?
Loki peaks his head out to look at his friends. He looks back at you.
LOKI
I had planned to, but I'm really no match for him.
YOU
I believe in you.
Loki smiles, staring deeply into your eyes. You smile back at him.
THOR
(distantly)
Where is Loki?
Loki snaps out of it.
LOKI
We should go.
Loki takes a step away from you and walks out onto the grass. You follow behind him.
LOKI
Thor, I brought your honored guest.
The young lady you saw fighting Thor the other day speaks up.
SIF
Who is she?
Thor walks up to you and puts his arm around you.
THOR
A new friend.
Loki nearly scowls at Thor, but you don't notice.
THOR
(Y/n), who should I fight first?
YOU
You should ask them, not me.
THOR
Very well, who will fight me?
SIF
I'm not fighting first.
Sif goes to sit on a rock. You follow and sit next to her.
SIF
He would lose if I fought him first, and his ego would be crushed.
You laugh.
THOR
Brother, fight me.
LOKI
Fine.
Hogun, Fandral, and Volstagg, sit on the grass in front of you and Sif.
Thor lifts his hammer. Loki pulls out his daggers.
Thor starts by swinging at Loki's head. Loki dodges the swing.
Thor continues to swing at Loki. Loki evades him every time.
THOR
Come on, brother, fight me!
LOKI
I'm letting you tire yourself.
THOR
That will never work!
Thor swings his hammer harder than before. Loki lifts up his arm to block the swing. He gets blown to the ground, dropping his daggers.
Loki stands back up, gripping his arm.
LOKI
You will pay for that.
Loki lunges at his brother, forgetting about his daggers.
He grabs Thor around the waist and pushes him to the ground.
He sits on Thor's stomach to keep him glued to the ground, and punches his brother in the face.
LOKI
(sneering)
Let me know if I'm being too harsh with you.
Loki punches Thor again in the face.
Thor grabs Loki's shoulders and rolls him onto the ground. He lifts his hand high above Loki's head.
THOR
You will never win.
Suddenly, a shield appears over Loki's face. Thor lowers his hand in confusion. He touches the shield. It disappears into thin air.
THOR
LOKI!
Loki desperately tries to squirm out of Thor's grasp.
Thor pounds his fist into Loki's face. Loki's head twists to the side by Thor's sheer force. He stops squirming.
You gasp, covering your mouth with your hands.
Thor stares at Loki. Loki's eyes are closed. He's lying perfectly still.
Thor shakes Loki's shoulders.
THOR
Loki. Loki.
He doesn't move.
Thor looks up at his friends.
Sif runs over and you follow her.
SIF
Did you really hit him that hard?
Thor stands up.
All of a sudden Loki leaps up and jumps onto Thor's back.
You scream. Sif jumps a mile. She takes your hand and guides you back to the seats.
Loki wraps his arm around Thor's throat. Thor tries to throw him off.
Loki tightens his grip.
LOKI
You're losing.
Thor falls to his knees.
LOKI
Are you done yet?
Thor falls on his back, crushing Loki. Loki lets out a pained gasp.
Thor stands back up and grabs his hammer.
His friends start chanting for Thor.
Thor lifts his hammer over his brother.
FRIGGA
WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?
Thor and Loki's eyes grow wider than a full moon. Thor drops his hammer, and Loki sits up on the grass, gripping his arm.
The Queen of Asgard walks out onto the grass. All of Thor's friends kneel on the ground. You follow their lead.
FRIGGA
You may stand.
Frigga looks at you curiously. Then she turns her gaze to her sons.
FRIGGA
Loki, get up. Thor, what are you doing with you hammer? You know you're only allowed to use it during lessons.
THOR
I'm sorry, I-
FRIGGA
-I don't want to hear excuses. Loki, I told you to get up.
Loki grudgingly stands.
FRIGGA
Why are you two fighting... with an audience?
Frigga glances at you again.
THOR
It was just fun and games-
FRIGGA
-It's dangerous. And you should be sleeping. All of you should be sleeping.
You look down at the grass.
FRIGGA
Thor, Loki, I want you in your beds instantly. The rest of you may leave.
You start to internally panic. You don't know how to get back to your room. You've never been on this side of the palace before.
The others turn to leave, so you follow them. You can hear the Queen yelling at her sons. You decide to slow down and let Thor's friends leave ahead of you. You slip behind a pillar and hide there.
You peak a glance out into the courtyard. Loki follows his mother with his head hanging low.
You sigh and sit down in defeat. 'Maybe he'll come back and help me... Maybe he thinks I know my way back. What do I do?'
You grab a leaf and play with it in your fingers, listening to the sounds of the nature in the courtyard. You wonder what time it is. Or if the head maid found out you were gone.
After a lot of what if questions, you hear footsteps.
You peak your head out to see who is coming. You don't see anyone.
The footsteps stop.
You feel a tap on the shoulder, and start to panic.
LOKI
Miss me?
Loki appears out of thin air.
You let out a breath of air.
YOU
Don't sneak up on me like that!
LOKI
I'm sorry. I can't get in trouble again. Let's get you back home.
Loki grabs your hand and leads you down the corridors.
When you approach the double doors that lead to the worker's room, you both stop in your tracks.
The door is wide open, and the head maid is talking with the security guard.
Loki drags you back into the previous hallway.
LOKI
(whispers)
What do we do?
YOU
(whispers)
I don't know. Does she know I'm gone?
LOKI
Is there a back entrance?
YOU
No, I don't think so.
LOKI
A window?
You stare at him in disbelief.
You hear voices getting closer. The head maid and the guard round the corner.
Loki puts his hand over your mouth and leans up against you. He closes his eyes.
GUARD
All I saw was someone run out. Whoever it was, was short, so I assume one of your employees.
HEAD MAID
No one sneaks out under my watch.
The head maid and the guard pass right by you.
GUARD
We'll catch 'em, ma'am.
They turn down another hallway.
Loki lowers his hand and takes a small step back.
YOU
How did you-
Loki gently takes your hand.
LOKI
-Shh, let's go.
He walks you down the hallway and through the double doors. There's no one in sight. He walks you up to your door.
LOKI
I hope you had fun.
You lean against the door.
YOU
I did. Thank you for taking me. And sneaking out.
Loki leans in and whispers.
LOKI
It was worth it.
You smile.
YOU
And thanks for keeping me from being caught.
LOKI
My pleasure. I'll see you tomorrow?
YOU
Yes, see you tomorrow.
You fumble for the doorknob, not wanting to turn away from Loki.
He reaches out his hand and turns the knob for you. You nearly fall back with the opening door, but Loki catches you with his other arm, his nose an inch away from yours.
You stay as still as you possibly can, waiting. Loki doesn't move a muscle. All you see are his beautiful blue-green eyes, starring back into yours.
Loki slowly leans in closer. You close your eyes.
All of a sudden, Loki stands up as stiff as a board.
Footsteps.
Loki pushes you inside. You fall to the ground. He stumbles over you and shuts the door as quietly as possible.
He grabs your arm and pulls you up.
LOKI
(whispers)
Are you okay?
YOU
Yeah.
Loki bends down to look through the keyhole.
LOKI
The guard is back.
YOU
What about the head maid?
LOKI
I don't see her.
You sit on your bed, watching Loki's silhouette from the moonlight shining through the window.
LOKI
I see her now.
Loki turns around and sits on the floor, leaning against the door. He leans his head back.
LOKI
This didn't go as planned.
YOU
It's okay.
Loki turns to look through the keyhole again.
He sighs in defeat.
YOU
What is it?
LOKI
The head maid has a chair. I'm stuck here.
YOU
I'm surprised she isn't checking rooms.
LOKI
Don't let her hear that.
Loki stands up, surveying the room.
LOKI
Can I get out through your window?
YOU
I suppose it's the only way out.
You walk over to the window, unlock it, and open it.
Loki leans out of the window, and then comes back in.
LOKI
We're not too high up, thankfully. I can scale down that side of the wall.
You look at him nervously.
YOU
Are you sure?
LOKI
I think it's my only choice.
You give him a half smile.
YOU
Okay. Be safe.
LOKI
I will.
Loki swings one leg out of the window. He looks back at you.
LOKI
If I don't see you tomorrow, it means I got caught.
You smile.
YOU
I have no doubt that you'll make it back just fine.
LOKI
I'm glad one of us is confident.
Loki smiles at you, his eyes glinting in the moonlight.
LOKI
Goodnight, (Y/n).
YOU
Goodnight, Loki.
Loki swings his other leg over the window and descends down the wall.
You watch him make it safely to the ground.
He looks up at you. You wave to him. He waves back.
He turns to leave, and you close the window.
You lie down, thinking about the adventure, the excitement, the way Loki saved you from the head maid. The way he held you, time and time again. You sigh, and drift off to sleep, your old clothes appearing on your body, and your hair becoming messy again.