Lean On Me (I Promise, I Will Not Fall)

Chapter 1

This is another book from my fanfiction.net account Lukas Avier. I'll try to post the chapters on FF.net on here as quickly as possible!

— Yuki :D

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When Loki was little, he was always in his brother's shadow. It was all he knew, all he was used to. Still, he couldn't help the bitterness that built up inside of his and settled on his tongue as he watched Thor receive praise from their father as he stood getting scolded for practicing magic. It wasn't the "warrior's way" after all. His mother, Frigga, was kind to him but he could see the disappointment hidden carefully in her eyes when he refused to go out and practice with a sword or bow. He felt alone and trapped, different from everyone else.

Now, Loki was, as Midgardians would call him, a teenager and was working on a spell, something to help pull a prank on his arrogant brother. He failed at it three times before but he knew perfection didn't come on the first try. He was getting farther than anyone else that used magic for he was creating his own spells. Many couldn't do that, especially at his age.

"What are you doing?"

Loki started at the unexpected voice and felt his magic give a slight burst, losing its small green light. He quickly hid his hands behind his back, thinking maybe it was a castle guard searching for him under the orders of Odin. Those thoughts vanished, however, when he glanced up at the person that interrupted his self-appointed practice session.

The person was his age with wavy black hair and green eyes brighter than his own. He was dressed in a simple white shirt with a brown vest over it and baggy black pants that fell to his ankles near brown shoes. His hands were shoved in his pockets and Loki figured he was not someone from the castle, but a citizen of the land, perhaps a tradesman.

The teen's eyes scanned the area, taking in the magic books and the notes carefully laid out around the god, "You use magic?" He looked up when the other gave no answer and raised an eyebrow, "Well," He took a seat on the grass, mindful of the papers near his legs. "Carry on then."

"I- Uh," For once, Loki was out of words, eyeing the green-eyed person like he was the oddest creature in Asgard. "What is your name?"

"Ah, I apologize, Odinson," The person crossed his legs, leaning one elbow on his thigh and using his hand to cushion his cheek. "I am called Perseus."

"It's a pleasure, Perseus," Loki nodded, getting his bearings back. "May I ask what you are doing out here?"

Perseus shrugged and gestured to the large field around them, "I'm fond of the flowers. They are very pretty."

Indeed, flowers graced the land, dotting the area and circling the pair. They were an unchanging part of Asgard, something that was a constant in Loki's life. He came to this area when he was troubled or wanted to be alone to practice his magic. "Yes, they are. I must admit, the golden ones are my favorite."

"Angasiiar," The teen said, eyeing the flowers. "They are called Angasiiar. They are the most beautiful flowers in all of Asgard, and perhaps all the worlds. They are used as a courting gift."

"Courting?" Loki was now curious. He had never heard of this before.

"Figures Odin never told you," Perseus snorted but there was no hate in his voice, just something strange like disappointment. "When you find a man or woman you feel you want to marry, you bring them gifts. It can be something small like a simple earring or something grand like a stable full of horses. Courting in Asgard lasts about maybe a week at most. The last gift given is an Angasiiar flower, showing deep love and devotion. Of course, a courting attempt can be denied if the one you are courting refuses to take or use the gifts you are given."