*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
You grin with your eyes still closed as you hear Loki's grumpy morning groan.
Your eyes flutter open just in time to watch Loki roll over, his face now so close to yours that the tips of your noses touch. You push forward just enough to rub them together.
"Good morning," you whisper.
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"Shhh," Loki hushes you in response, reaching out and pulling you into his chest while placing a few lazy, sleepy kisses on your head. "If we're really, really quiet, perhaps they'll go away."
"BROTHER. LADY Y/N. I STAND OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR!"
You can't help the small, tiny giggle that escapes your lips at Thor's unnecessarily loud announcement of his presence. He must still be scarred from the day before.
Loki frowns at your giggle, cracking one eye and pulling a slow, drowsy finger to his lips.
"If we're silent, he won't know we're in here," Loki whispers.
"I KNOW YOU ARE IN THERE!"
"Damn," says Loki, letting out a groan.
"I AM COMING IN. YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS TO MAKE YOURSELVES PRESENTABLE!"
You giggle once more, knowing full well that you and Loki are both still completely naked below the sheets.
"What do you think, love? Should we play with him?" Loki says, grinning.
"Lo, come on," you say, pressing a flirtatious kiss up on his jaw before sliding from the bed and walking tantalizingly slowly to your wardrobe, allowing Loki to watch your curves as they cross the room.
"So you decide to play with me instead?" he growls playfully.
"I AM NOW ENTERING YOUR CHAMBERS!"
You finish pulling a navy kyrtill over your head just as Thor throws open the door. You see the relief on his face as he sees you fully dressed and safely across the room the from Loki.
"Good dawning, my lady!" Thor beams brightly. But his eyes quickly widen as they drift over to the bed, noticing the broken bed posts laying on the ground, and the splintered, wooden stumps left behind.
Loki simply smirks at his brother's look of shock, spreading his legs beneath the sheet and crossing his arms against his chest.
"Good dawning indeed, brother," sniggers Loki.
You roll your eyes as you struggle to tie your corset strings behind your back.
"I am pleased to see you both in higher spirits," Thor says, his normal humor restored once the shock of finding such destruction in your quarters has passed. He looks to you and notices your struggle, quickly walking over and immediately taking the corset laces you are struggling with from your fingers, tying them quickly behind you.
"Yeah, I'm sorry about yesterday Thor...I kinda lost it," you say bashfully.
"No matter, my lady," says Thor with a smile, turning from you to Loki. "And you brother? How do you fare?"
"If I was faring anywhere less than perfectly I would not have allowed you to tie my woman's gown," Loki says, placing his hands behind his head and leaning back contentedly.
You blush and roll your eyes as you sit on a nearby sitting chair.
"Why are you here, Thor?" you ask.
"You have been summoned to the Allfather's chambers," Thor says.
Your stomach lurches. Of course the Allfather wants to speak to you. How foolish could you be to think that there wouldn't be a consequence for your behavior yesterday?
"Why?" Loki demands.
He stands quickly from the bed, tossing aside the sheet as you watch his fists clench. Advancing on Thor, he's either forgotten, or simply doesn't care about his naked state. You use your seidr to dress him in a pair of sweatpants but he doesn't even notice.
"I know not, brother. But I was told mother would be present," Thor says, holding his hands up in a calming surrender.
At Thor's words, Loki's shoulders relax slightly. You're not sure what Frigga's presence means for this particular audience, but apparently it's a good thing.
"And when are we expected?" Loki asks.
"Immediately," says Thor.
"Very well."
With a nod Thor departs, leaving you and Loki in silence. Your stomach feels akin to a fishbowl full of eels, slipping and wriggling around. You feel the urge to vomit, but hold it back.
"Lo, you don't think...you don't think he'd arrest me for what I said, do you?" you ask, your hands beginning to shake.
Loki seems pensive for a moment, pushing you to the edge of a nervous breakdown. But right before you reach your breaking point he speaks.
"No, darling. I do not believe so. If the Allfather's intention was to arrest or otherwise punish us for your behavior yesterday, he wouldn't have sent Thor."
You let out a long, shaky breath. "Okay, so what does he want?"
"I cannot know, darling," Loki says.
"Do you...do you think Frigga had to tell him about...," you trail off, tapping the side of your head.
Loki shrugs.
"There's only one way to find out," he says, using his seidr to dress in his palatial robes. He then fixes his own hair before doing yours. In a matter of moments, you're both dressed for an audience with a king.
Upon arriving to Odin's chambers, you find it odd that the door is standing wide open. But once you step inside, you see something even more strange: the Allfather, completely bathed in a familiar, golden glow.
"Loki. Lady Y/n," he greets you both stiffly. Yet in a way, warmly. It catches you off guard.
Your eye catches Frigga's who smiles.
Your mind races as Loki's hand pulls you forward into the ornate bedroom. What do you say to a King whom you had managed to royally piss off the day before? Do you apologize? Grovel?
No. Definitely not grovel.
You may not have meant to say the things you said the way you had said them, but that doesn't mean you regret saying them.
"Lady Y/n of Midgard, you know why I have summoned you in this early hour, I presume?" Odin's voice rings out across his chambers.
"I-I...," you stammer briefly.
"You showed great disrespect in how you spoke to the King of Asgard, young lady," says Odin firmly, interrupting your pathetic excuse to answer.
You feel tears brim in your eyes as your cheeks flush. It's true. And you're embarrassed that you lost your temper. And you're scared about what Odin may or may not have found out about himself as a result of your outburst.
"Yet," says Odin, softening his tone. "You showed great courage in speaking your mind to a powerful God you knew to be unsteady."
Your eyes widen as Odin approaches you and lays a gentle hand on your shoulder. The golden haze surrounding his body is warm. It buzzes comfortably, like the feeling of falling asleep.
"Allfather," you say. "I...I regret the tone in which I spoke to you yesterday. I apologize," you find the courage to say as Odin gazes softly upon you with his blue-grey eye. "But I do not regret the things I said."
Much to your surprise, Odin lets out a barking laugh and takes a few steps back. His hand leaving a tickling reminder of its placement on your shoulder.
"I should expect no less from the woman who tamed my son," says Odin. "Listen well, Lady Y/n of Midgard. Without your honesty yesternight, it may have been days, if not weeks longer that I had remained infected by the witch's dark mind magic, my hugr damaged. But after thorough healing throughout the night, I am healed."
"Not yet healed, my King. But on your way to restoration," says Frigga from his side. "Do not be foolish enough to think your mind free from all her influence. She still poses a threat to your sensibilities."
Odin shakes his head. "After all I have survived, my Queen still worries," he says, casting you a quirked glance. You stifle a giggle.
"It's because I worry that you survive," answers Frigga, raising one delicate brow knowingly.
"Lady Y/n," Odin says once more, turning to you. "You have my gratitude."
You fight to keep your jaw from simply falling from its hinges as Odin looks down at you through his golden glow, giving you a curt nod. Loki squeezes your hand in reassurance.
"Thank you, Allfather," you say respectfully, yet skeptically as Loki gives your hand a tug, and you turn to leave, believing his tone to have been one of dismissal.
"We are not done," you hear Odin call after you, as you and Loki slowly turn, and take several steps back to where you had just been standing. "Thor, you may now enter."
You look over your shoulder to see Thor walk in with a smile, giving you a wink as he passes by and stands next to his father.
Odin clasps his hands behind his back as he looks down on you. He regards you kindly, but you watch as his emotions pass by like clouds in the wind. Shifting from admiration, to concern, to frustration, and ultimately landing on suspicion.
"My judgment may have been in impaired, child. But my sight was not. It is still clear to me that you know more, Lady Y/n, than you have shared."
Your entire body tenses as Odin takes a step forward, and places his hand once more on your shoulder. Gently, but not quite as warmly as before.
"It is critical that we know all that there is to know," he says quietly. Just to you.
Yes staring into his gaze, there's something different about it now that yesterday. Gone is the dark and dull fog that had once resided in the corner of his eyes. His brow is relaxed, and his tone has shifted to one of genuine concern.
This is not the same man you had argued with. You can sense it. Your Perception can sense it.
But Loki's hand, squeezing yours so tightly you struggle not to wince, warns you not to trust your observations. 'Ignore your senses', his grip screams. But you dare not look at him. You know this is a decision you need to make for yourself.
You think silently for a moment, your gaze never leaving the Allfather's.
"With respect, Your Majesty, there are laws on Midgard that protect us from testifying against ourselves. I...I cannot tell you what I know because it will hurt me. Unless....unless you can promise that anything I may or may not have to say will not be used to punish me. I want immunity."
Odin's brow furrows and he lets out a sigh.
"It is as I thought," he says quietly, beneath his sigh.
You chance a quick glance over at Thor, who has a look of confusion on his face. And Frigga, who simply seems...sad.
"We have similar laws in Asgard," the Allfather finally relents, waving a tired hand in your direction. "You may speak freely, without fear of consequence."
Suddenly, you feel Loki step into your mind without asking.
We CAN'T trust him kærasta. Please.
Maybe not the old him, Loki. But he's changed. I can sense it.
How can you be sure?
You look back at Odin.
"Sir, I mean no disrespect, but based on our recent experiences...I'm finding it hard to believe you. I...I have to be able to verify that you will honor your word," you say nervously.
Odin arches one brow. "And how do you intend to do that?"
You close your eyes and let out a breath, steadying yourself as you open your Perception. When you look back at the Allfather, his gaze narrows as your silver eyes meet his.
"What magic is this?" he asks.
"To keep it simple," you say, "I can tell when people are lying. If you'll let me confirm that you plan to keep your word, I'll tell you what I know."
Odin regards you skeptically for a moment before nodding, and resuming his impossibly straight and tall stature.
"Go on, girl."
You let out a breath and connect with the Allfather. You're not sure what you were expecting, but you're surprised to find that his emotions feel...well, human.
"Will you abide by your agreement of immunity regardless of what I know, what I've done, and/or what I share with you here today?"
"I will," Odin answers. You search his emotions carefully, probing deeply. Searching. Scrutinizing. Hoping to find even a seedling of dishonesty or doubt. Any reason to hold back the horrible truth.
But you find none.
You cast a look at Loki, whose eyes widen as he shakes his head, casting you a desperate look.
You glance at Frigga, who gives you an encouraging nod.
"Please," you hear Loki whisper from beside you as he keeps his grasp on your hand. "Kærasta," Loki says lowly. Quietly. A warning.
"Amora doesn't have the entire inscription," you say in singly, shaky breath.
"You're certain?" says Odin. "How?"
Your heart skips as the empty, hollow pangs of fear wash through your body. Your hands begins to shake as you feel the words building in your chest, crawling through your mouth and finally leaping from your tongue.
"Because I'm the one that gave it to her."