Loki x Reader: Into the MCU

Chapter 39: When in Rome

Loki's glare turned to Ceyla, who did a much better job of not cowering under his penetrating stare.

"When I say bring her here in an hour's time, did you take that as the last possible second?" he asked her harshly.

"Brother," Thor began, but Loki waved him off, waiting for her answer.

The memory of a time you'd been teaching Ceyla some responses for if Loki ever was rude to her again popped back in your head, and the fearful gaze Ceyla turned upon you showed she was thinking the same thing...but was afraid to do it. You gave her a subtle thumbs up, nodding slightly with a smile. She took a breath to calm herself, standing taller as she mentally committed to what she was about to say.

"Your Highness..." she began kindly, "...Fuck off!"

And with that she smiled, curtsied, and turned briskly out of the room.

"Yes, Ceyla!" you called after her, cracking up the instant the words left her tongue.

Loki looked so adorably caught off guard, brow instantly furrowing at her response and seeming so hopelessly at a loss for words. The laughter of you and Thor brought him quickly from his trance, his lips sealing in a thin line and jaw tightening as he did a slow turn towards the two of you.

"You've spent your time on Asgard...teaching our servants to verbally disrespect us?"

"I think just you, brother, I've received no such treatment," Thor said happily.

"I don't know what you're talking about, I didn't teach her that," you denied, still giggling over the event.

"We all saw the thumbs up."

"Thor, did you see any thumbs up?"

"Thumbs up? No, no I don't believe so. What even is a thumbs up?" he said, making the two of you hold in more smiles.

"There's no end to your wit, Thor," Loki mocked, as Thor further tried to do a thumbs up by turning his thumb any way but up.

"Nah, I think it's like this," you joined, turning both of his thumbs in opposite direction.

"Ah, yes, that looks right. Nope, can't say I saw Wren do this at all, Loki."

A guard entered, announcing that the king was on his way.

"All inane attempts at humor aside, you really were cutting it close," Loki whispered as you walked with him over to the table.

"Sorry, we had a lot to discuss."

"I'm glad you dressed for the occasion," he scoffed.

"What, is this not good enough for your father?" you snipped back.

"Better than your usual attire, but first impressions are often won by outward appearance."

"And Loki Odinson is so desperate for me to make a good impression with his dad?"

"No, I..." he sighed, "You're infuriating, you know that? Is it so bad for me to want my father to find no fault with my friend?"

"When that's incredibly out of character for you, yes. Besides, outward appearance can have little reflection on who a person is."

"Or, contrarily, it could capture exactly who a person is."

"I'm not dressed like a loser, Loki, and I think this reflects who I am perfectly fine."

"You're right," he agreed reluctantly, "Um...forgive me," he added.

It was clear he was nervous. About what, you weren't sure, but it was probably just being around his father. He was more easily flustered this morning, and you noticed his usual worried mannerisms.