Loki angrily walked through the palace to the brothel. No one dared to stop him. The look on his face enough to discourage even the Norns from intervening. He burst through Nikolas' door to find the room in utter disarray. There were pages ripped out of books that

littered the floor. Clothes tossed aside from the dresser. The bed was a disgusting mess of blood, cum, and rose oil. The prince used his magic to tidy and clean the room when he heard a groan come from the next room. Loki found Nik in the tub in the small bathroom.

Nik looked awful. From what Loki could see, Nik was covered in bruises. The water in the tub was tinted red. "Nikolas? What happened?" Nik's head lolled to the side to look at Loki. " My prince! If you'll give but a moment, I shall be ready to receive you." With that

said, Nikolas tried to get up. He would have fallen onto the floor had the young prince not caught him. He helped Nik out of the tub and dried him. He then carried Nik out to his bed. "What happened?" The words sounded as cold and stern as the look on Loki's face.

Nik just smiled back. "Another glamorous and well-paid night as a whore. Nothing to concern yourself with my Lord. I thank you for all your help. Is there anything I can do for you?" Loki sneered. "Do not bullshit me! You look as though you have gone ten rounds with Thor's beloved hammer! What happened!?"

Nik laid back on the bed and sighed. "I've told you my prince. Just another night doing my job as a pleasure slave. Some of my clients enjoy marking me and causing me pain. It makes them feel powerful. And as long as they are paying, they are welcome to do as they like with me."

Loki huffed and looked away. "You enjoy letting them abuse you like this?" A bitter laughter filled the room. "I don't have a choice! No I don't enjoy being fucked or beaten day in and day out, but it's better than what I've had before. I am a slave and this is my lot in life. At least now I get paid for being fucked. I have a bed and food. I can bathe when I wish as long as I fetch the water. You have no idea what it is like to be where I've been! I would not want that for anyone."

The last sentence was only a whisper but Loki heard it. Loki healed Nik's injuries. "Mmm that's a really handy spell. Need to learn that one." That was the last thing he said, before Nik passed out.

Five hours later, Nik finally began to stir. He sat straight up, only for his head to collide with a book. He looked around rubbing his head. He was in his room where he had apparently been laying with his head in the young Prince's lap. "You should drink some water and eat something. Then we have some things to discuss."

Nik went to get off the bed, but Loki grabbed his arm. "Thank you for staying with me Prince Loki, but it was not needed." Nik pulled his arm back and walked to the door, opening it. Loki raised an eyebrow "I'm not leaving until you have eaten and have spoken about some things."

Nik sighed and closed the door again. "What is it we could possibly have to talk about? You're a prince and I'm a slave. The only thing we would need to talk about is what you'd like me to do for you and how much?" Loki put his book down and walked over to Nik, putting his hands on Nik's face. "Stop this nonsense. Sit down and eat. We have much that needs to be discussed." Nik grabbed Loki's hands, but didn't take them from his face. "Very well. Let us go get some food. I can't stand being in this room any longer."

Loki and Nik sat on a blanket in the royal gardens with a basket of food between them. "Always wanted to come here. I've often heard about how lovely Queen Frigga's gardens are. She has wonderful taste in flowers. Most of these I don't know, but some I recognize from Vanaheimr."

Loki frowned. "Do you miss it there?" Nik gave Loki an amused look. "Do I miss Vanaheimr?" He starts to laugh. "By the Norns, No!" The prince looks confused. "But it was your home." Nik chuckles. "I may have been born there, but it was never a home to me. My life has been vastly better here on Asgard."

Loki sighs and looks away. "Here on Asgard where you are beaten and raped!?" "For money. Yes it is better to be beaten and fucked for money rather than for nothing at all. At least now I can have food to eat and clothes to wear and any extra I have I give to others less fortunate. If I had a choice, I would do something else, but this is all I am good for! I understand that I'm not good enough for you. That doesn't mean you need to rub it in my face every chance you get!"

By the time Nik was done talking, he was on his feet and turning to leave. Loki quickly stood and grabbed his hand. "Have me whipped for my disrespect but don't expect me to stand here and listen to how much better you are compared to me." Loki turn Nik's head to look at him. "I apologise. That's not what I meant to do. There is something we must discuss. This is not how I planned it going though."

Nikolas took hold of Loki's hands. "So just tell me. I'm not high born or noble. Don't talk fancy to me. Just tell me what it is."

"I believe we may be soulmates." Nik pulled away. "Soulmates!? There is no such thing. And even if there was, it wouldn't happen to a whore like me. Please do not mock me." Nik began walking away. " I'm not mocking you. I didn't believe it either at first but there is such a thing as soulmates. They are very rare yet it is known to happen. I was drawn to you the moment I saw you." Nik froze. "You aren't playing with me?"

Loki smiled and stepped in front of Nik. "I don't bring just anyone to my mother's gardens. It would pleaseme greatly if I could court you." Nik grasped Loki's hands again. "You're talking fancy again. Just kiss me." Loki leans forward to lay his forehead against Nik's. "That would please me greatly as well." Nik rolls his eyes and presses his lips to the young Prince's.