Redamancy | Loki x Reader

I'm Not Doing 'Get Help'

You flew to your feet, panicked. "Loki, no!"

"And why not?" The dangerous glint in his eyes was beginning to frighten you. "She's committed unspeakable crimes against you, and strutted around in all her glory as if she were above everyone. She is a deceiving, traitorous snake- no, calling her that would be an insult to snakes."

He froze, and you could see the wheels in his mind churning. "You're right. Death would be too good for her. We'll speak with my mother."

"Loki, let's talk about this first. Just you and I." you said gently. "We can't just walk into the Great Hall and accuse my mother, one of the most influential people in Asgard, of abusing a child."

"Of course we can. She may be influential, but I'm even more so." Loki said stubbornly. "You are my truest friend, and I refuse to allow her to hurt you any longer. Now can you walk to the healer's room, or do you need my assistance?"

"Yes, I can walk." you said hotly. "And you may be Odin's son, but he doesn't love you as one. At least, not enough to convince him to imprison his best advisor. You and I both know this."

Loki stopped. "It's true that my father and I have never been close. Somehow, I still have a small bit of hope for him left. If he dismisses us, he will no longer be able to call me his son." he said, his voice like steel. He carefully guided you out of the room and down the hall.

"You cannot denounce your father because of me. And think of your mother!" you begged. "Please listen to me, Loki."

"You underestimate me, my friend." he said, marching you through the corridors.

"If my mother hears of this, she may try to kill me." you said, lowering your voice as you passed Lady Sif.

     You had never gotten along with Sif. You being Loki's best friend and her being Thor's, the distrust was mutual. There was no way in Helheim that you would let her overhear your conversation with Loki. She looked at you suspiciously as you hurried in the opposite direction. Your heart stopped when you remembered that Loki had dismissed the illusion hiding your bruises, and your head whipped around to see her disappear around a corner. You swore silently and hoped that she didn't think anything of it.

"If your mother hurts you again, I cannot be held responsible for my actions." Loki muttered.

You picked up the pace, your face heating up. "I don't need you to rescue me like a- like a damsel in distress! This is humiliating, can we please walk faster?" you hissed.

"As your friend, I believe it is my duty to help you no matter the circumstances, and I will not have you injuring yourself any further by rushing. Now hush, we're almost there." he said firmly. "And if you truly wish to know humiliation, we could do 'get help'."

"I'm not doing 'get help'!" you stated.

You finally reached the healer's room, and Loki shoved open the heavy door and ducked inside after you.

Borghild quickly stood up, banging her hip into the table in the process.

"My lord, how can I assist you?" she said, bowing.

"My friend has a broken rib and needs first aid for several bruises." Loki said smoothly, taking his hand off your shoulder.

The old woman ushered you over to a bed and had you lie down.

"Now, dear, when did this happen?" she asked politely, examining your face and neck.

"Late last night." you answered. "Loki, I'm going to ask you to avert your eyes."

He looked at you in confusion. "And why would I do that?"

You rolled your eyes. "In order to bandage my rib cage, she's going to have to remove my shirt." you stated. "As we are not lovers, that is not something you need to see."

He nodded awkwardly and turned his back to you, folding his arms over his chest. "Very well. Borghild, you are aware that anything you hear is not to be repeated, correct?"

"Of course, my lord." she answered, gently prodding your rib and apologizing when you winced.

"Loki, if you must speak to your parents about my.... 'situation', then I must ask you to do so in private." you requested as Borghild made you sit up again so she could wrap a bandage around your torso.

He nodded, his back still to you. "As you wish. Even if your mother has forbidden you to leave the house, I must ask you to stay in the palace during the day, if not twenty-four seven." he said. "She may be your mother, but I am a prince, and she cannot disobey me."

"But I must be home by the time she gets back, or she'll have my head." you added.

Loki sighed. "Fine. But the second she leaves, I need you here. I won't let you sit in that miserable pit all day."

"It's a deal, then." you agreed, strapping on your breastplate over the bandage. "And you can turn around now."

"Finally. However, there are some precautions we must take." he said, turning to face you.

"Such as?"

"First, you must stay away from the Great Hall and surrounding areas, unless you're with me." he started, counting off on his fingers.

"Second, I'll have a guard keep watch and let me know when your mother arrives and leaves, and I'll help you get in and out of the palace."

"Third, you stay close to me at all times. You don't have to be with me, but I would like you to stay within earshot. If you need to use the baths, take an escort."

"Finally, I'll instruct you on ways to reach me in case of emergency." he finished.

"I agree to your terms." you said, standing up. Borghild handed you a small jar stoppered with a large cork.

"This is some medicinal salve for the bruising. Apply it twice a day, and it should fade within a week." she explained, patting your shoulder gently. "And make sure to come back in the evenings so I can change your bandages."

"Thank you, Borghild." you said, moving to the door. You stepped out into the bright hall, Loki right behind you.

"Shall we begin?" you asked, feeling immensely better.

Loki nodded, starting down the hall.