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batsutousaiTitle: Clouds In My Coffee
Fandom: Marvel (movie 'verse) & Real Person Fiction
Author: Batsutousai
Rating: T+
Pairings: Loki/Tom Hiddleston
Challenge: 30 Day OTP Challenge
Summary: For a challenge, 30 days of Tomki/FrostPudding.
Chapter Warnings: BAMF!Tom, Loki's a little shit, Daddy problems, mention of canon-torture, Tom has all the Loki Feels
A/N: So, different clothing style. Like, what? Asgardian?
Oh. This is going to end well.
And, again (and forever, at this rate), sorry about the late posting. I had a cat constantly waking me up all night, demanding love, and have been kind of sleepy-pathetic all day as a result. The tea did finally kick in, sometime around 3pm, thankfully, but this was a ridiculously long response to the prompt and it took a bit to write, especially with cats and parental figures constantly pestering me.
- Day Fifteen: In a Different Clothing Style -
"What is this?" Thomas called from the bedroom.
Loki glanced up from the magazine he'd been flipping through, more than a little uncertain and trying very hard to hide it. "It's Asgardian clothing," he said, managing to keep his voice uncaring.
Thomas stalked from the room, arms crossed over his chest and expression tight with displeasure. "I can see that. Why is it on the bed? Also, not your colours."
"Norns, no. I should never be caught in so ghastly a shade of bl–"
"Loki. Why. Is it on. The bed."
"You're to wear it, of course."
"Oh, of course," Thomas returned, a bite to his voice that made Loki want to rip out his throat so he might never hear such again. "How stupid of me for not realising–"
"Are you being obstinate on purpose?" Loki bit out, clenching his hands on the magazine so hard a rip began to form along both covers.
Thomas narrowed his eyes, and then he simply looked. In that way that meant he was seeing everything that Loki really didn't want him to see, but which would keep him from saying the wrong thing and turning Loki homicidal. It was a skill that Loki both loved and hated, and, right now, he leaned more towards loving it.
Thomas' shoulders loosened from the hard hunch they'd drawn into and he leaned back against the doorframe. "Right. To where am I expected to wear Asgardian garb?"
"To Asgard, of course," Loki snapped, not bothering to reign in his temper. He hated this enough as it was, and Thomas attacking him over clothing did not ease his temper.
"Last I checked, I was still mortal. Unless you've been slipping me golden apples or some such in my sleep?"
"And from where would I gather such?" Loki demanded.
"Magic," Thomas deadpanned, expression a study in seriousness.
And Loki, quite helplessly, burst out laughing. The mere idea that one could just...summon a golden apple by magic was preposterous.
"I'll file that under 'Things Magic Can't Actually Accomplish'," Thomas decided, rolling his eyes. "Loki, my love, why are you breaking laws to take me to Asgard?"
Loki silenced his amusement and looked down at the ruined magazine, very carefully closing it and setting it aside. "I have been summoned by Odin Allfather."
"Okay. Why am I coming?"
"You would rather remain on this pathetic rock of a plane–" Loki snarled.
"Let me rephrase that!" Thomas called, cutting Loki off and giving him a helpless smile when he glared. "Why would you like me to come to Asgard?"
Loki glared at him for another long moment, making certain the idiot mortal was aware of just how much Loki hated being cut off – not that it ever made a difference; Thomas would do as Thomas pleased, which was just the sort of thing Loki should have loved, but he actually kind of hated – before he explained, "You had put forth interest some months ago in seeing Asgard. Does this no longer hold true?"
And there was that look again, Thomas reading everything Loki wouldn't say. "I would love to go with you," he agreed with a faint smile, turning to return to the bedroom. "But, next time, why don't we try asking, rather than just leaving clothing on the bed with no explanation?"
Loki pointed a finger at the disappearing human. "Don't think yourself to have any power to direct my actions, Hiddleston," he snarled.
"I'm glad you agree!" Thomas called back, all good cheer and likely grinning like a fool. The idiot.
(Loki really was fond of him.)
Loki picked the magazine back up and flicked some magic at it to repair the damage done, then opened it back up to finish the article he'd been reading. Something to do with innovations in the film industry. Loki could have honestly cared less, but it was the only reading material in the flat that he hadn't read yet. And reading it meant he wasn't as lost when Thomas invariably started talking about his occupation again, which made Loki feel accomplished and won him a bright smile from the human that made reading the dry material completely worth it.
(Loki was one hundred percent not smitten, and anyone saying otherwise needed to be throttled.)
Thomas stepped from the bedroom at least, fiddling with the cuffs of the fine clothing with a faint frown. The outfit was very like the one Loki had preferred as Second Prince, before Thor's banishment had thrust him into the position of First Prince, then King; soft leather boots and trousers under a tunic that carried little armour or ornamentation. Where Loki had preferred black with hints of green, Thomas was dressed in a shade of grey humans called 'cool grey' with hints of azure, colours that did well with his lighter colouring and emphasised the blue of his eyes.
What little decoration Thomas' clothing had was the bright gold Loki had adopted during his stay with the Chitauri: some light armour along his upper arms that weighed little, but had enough protection magic woven into it to keep Thomas safe in spite of its small protection area; the curved chest piece that had long been Loki's mark, just as the six circles of silver were Thor's; and a set of bracers detailed with Loki's helmet.
"I feel like I should be heading for the Thor set," Thomas commented, finally looking up from his cuffs and spreading his arms. "Sufficient?"
Loki hummed and rose from the couch, his clothing shimmering around him to don the far more war-like dress he'd adopted with the Chitauri. "I was correct in believing that the blue was the better choice," he said evenly.
Thomas glanced down at himself and let slip a faint smile before looking back up at Loki. "As ever, you have excellent taste."
Loki stepped forward and slipped his hand into the human's hair at the back of his head. "I do so enjoy your compliments."
"Oh, that wasn't a compliment, just an observation."
Loki chuckled and pressed a chaste kiss to Thomas' lips. "You do well to put me in a good mood."
Thomas' hands came to rest on Loki's waist, expression darkening with an emotion Loki wasn't sure he could read, or if he even wanted to. "I know," he said before smoothing his expression out into something more neutral than positive. "How are we getting there?"
"We shall teleport to the Bifröst site, and shall be brought to Asgard from there. Are you prepared?"
"If I say no, can we ignore Odin's summons?"
Loki smiled at that, though it was tinged with bitterness. "No."
"Bollocks. Well then, yes. I'm prepared."
Loki pressed another kiss to the human's lips, then transported them to the Bifröst site. "Do not let go of me," he warned as the magic of the summoned bridge started around them.
Thomas' hands tightened in Loki's jacket and he pressed his face against the god's throat. Loki ensured he, too, had a secure grip on the human, then they were being dragged between Realms, the journey dizzying and less smooth with the jagged edges of the newly repaired bridge interrupting the energy flow.
Heimdall and Thor awaited them as they arrived, the Guardian looking as vaguely disapproving as ever, and Thor grinning widely. "Loki!" the First Prince called, starting forward. He slowed when Loki and Thomas parted, a frown turning his mouth. "Thomas," he offered, friendly enough. He and Thomas had met a few times on Midgard, and honestly seemed to like each other, but that didn't change the fact that mortals weren't allowed in Asgard.
"Hello, Thor," Thomas replied, holding on to Loki's arm for a moment as he shook his head. "I would very much appreciate never travelling the Bifröst again, I think."
"It was less trying before Thor broke it," Loki said, turning a cruel smile on his not-brother.
Thor opened his mouth to point out Loki's own part in those events, but Thomas snapped, "Both of you, shut up. You're sharing the fault like adults, or I'm borrowing Heimdall's sword and tanning both your hides."
Heimdall raised an eyebrow, something approving in his gaze, while Thor just sort of stared, stuck somewhere between amusement and disbelief that a mortal would speak to him in such a way.
Loki, for his part, burst out laughing. He would very much like to see such an attempt, for while he was sure it would fail, it would at least be a most excellent story to tell at a later date.
Thor shook his head and focussed on Loki as the younger calmed himself. "Bro– Loki," he corrected at the scowl Loki turned on him, "for what reason have you brought Thomas? I had thought you cared enough for him to not bring him to his death." Ah, there was the disapproval and anger. One day, Thor would understand that Loki did nothing without thought for consequences, and he always had a reason.
"He is my betrothed, of course," Loki informed his not-brother smoothly, as if he wasn't lying through his smile. A betrothal was one of the two reasons a mortal would be allowed, alive, in the Realm Eternal. As he doubted either he or Thomas would act well to say the human was his slave, a betrothal would have to suffice. He just hoped Thomas would play along without giving up the game. (The mortal insisted he couldn't lie to save his life – for all that he spent his days stepping into the shoes of others and had plenty-mastered the art of lying for his part as Loki – and Loki rather thought this was an excellent time to prove the falsity of that statement.)
Thor narrowed his eyes, disbelieving, and turned to Thomas. "Indeed?"
Thomas, to his credit, smiled and spread his arms a bit helplessly. "It was a surprise to everyone," he stated, not quite lying.
Oh, Loki's clever little mortal.
Thor glanced them both over. "And your symbol of binding?"
Thomas frowned for a moment, likely trying to sort out what that question meant, then shrugged and asked, "Ours is an unorthodox relationship; are you truly so surprised that we might choose to avoid the expected?"
"At least one of you is capable of truth," Thor decided, turning to lead the way from the chamber. "If you will follow?"
Thomas and Loki followed Thor to the horses held for them. "I had been unaware of Thomas' attendance," Thor said by way of apology for their being only two horses.
"Some of us are not so broad as to break a horse's back by riding double," Loki replied sweetly.
"Stop it," Thomas ordered, pushing Loki towards the darker of the two horses, knowing Loki's preference. "You're already on the couch for a month, don't push it."
Perhaps Loki should have warned Thomas that they would be acting as betrothed before they arrived.
The trip along the bridge was filled with Thomas and Thor catching up, having not spoken in nearly four months. Thor wished to ask of Loki – Loki always refused to speak of himself when asked, but Thomas had no such compunctions, and when Loki tried to shut him up, Thomas would just smile at him in that way that promised he would start offering up blackmail if Loki didn't behave – and Thomas wanted to know more of Asgard and the current state of affairs.
As they neared the gates into the city, Thomas finally got around to asking the question Loki knew he'd most wished the answer to: "Why has your father summoned Loki?"
"He did not say?" Thor wondered.
Loki didn't have to look over his shoulder to know that Thomas was giving Thor that look that said, 'Are you honestly asking me that question?'
Thor let out a sharp laugh. "Forgive me, of course he did not." He sighed and rubbed his hand against his beard, looking towards the golden city sparkling before them. "Loki is required for the continuation of his punishment."
Thomas tensed at Loki's back. "Punishment?" he repeated, confused.
Thor glanced at Loki, who refused to meet his eyes, then reigned in his horse and grabbed for the reins in Loki's slack grip, forcing them to stop before they could pass through the gates. "Loki, you bring him to court his death, and haven't even told him why?"
Loki thinned his lips, refusing to reply. He had every reason for not telling Thomas why he would wish his attendance. Loki only wished for Thomas to be waiting for him when he returned to his rooms for the night, and if that was selfish, well, Loki was a selfish creature.
Thomas was comfortable enough on a horse, and the trip had been an easy enough one, that he hadn't bothered holding on to Loki, using his hands, instead, to speak for him as he and Thor had conversed. Loki had wished, more than once, that he'd let Thomas sit in front – if only to save him from almost being hit – but he was suddenly most grateful that the human was behind him as his arms encircled Loki's chest, right hand held protectively over Loki's heart. "One of you needs to tell me about this punishment," he said, voice perfectly calm.
Thor looked to Loki again, but he only pressed his mouth in a tighter line, so the elder god said, "Once a year, until Loki has paid for his crimes, he is to spend every day for a week being removed of his skin."
Thomas' arms tightened around Loki's chest. "And when," Thomas asked, voice tight with anger, "will Loki have paid for his crimes?"
"When Father believes him to be truly repentant."
Never, Loki didn't say, though it was the truth. Loki felt no sorrow for the lives lost through his deeds, never would, and even should he find reason to honestly feel shame for his attacks on Jötunheim and Midgard, Odin would believe he only ever spoke lies. He was the God of Lies, and he'd earned that title.
"Did no one speak in his defence?" Thomas demanded, and Loki knew that question was aimed at Thor with a look certain to make the blond god feel the greatest shame.
Thor looked away. "Mother and I both did," he said quietly.
Loki took pity on his not-brother and commented lightly, "It was to be a week once every month."
Even through the thick leather and armour separating them, Loki could feel Thomas shaking, and that was never a good sign. "I would like to request an audience with the Allfather," he stated.
Loki snorted. "You are a mortal; you may request nothing of the sort."
"No?" Thomas replied, enough ice in his voice to put Jötunheim to shame. "I am your betrothed, am I not? Does that not grant me the right to meet with your father?"
Loki felt a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach, because he really didn't want to let Thomas near Odin. If Odin discovered they were not true betrothed, he would see Thomas dead only to punish Loki. Mortals were expendable, and that Loki would care enough to bring one into Asgard, then claim him as his betrothed to see him safe, would tell Odin as certainly as anything that Thomas' death would wound Loki in a way that his current punishment never would.
He never should have brought Thomas along.
And Thor, the unthinking fool, was smiling. "It surely does," he agreed. "If we hurry, we might catch him as he's leaving the Council."
Thomas nodded behind Loki and Thor turned to lead the way through the streets, Loki numbly directing his mount to follow.
In the stables, Loki caught Thomas' hand and pulled him to a stop before he could follow Thor into the palace. "Do not do this," he said, aiming for an order, but certain it came out as more of a plea.
Thomas cupped his cheek and leaned forward to rest their foreheads together. "Loki," he whispered, "I can't just sit back as they hurt you."
"So you would, what? Chance your own death to tell Odin what a good soul I am?" Loki snarled, suddenly angry and clinging to the emotion because it was safer.
Thomas' lip turned up at one end. "You're not a good soul," he replied and Loki snorted in spite of himself, "but that doesn't mean you deserve this."
"And what does the murderer of over one thousand mortals deserve?" Loki demanded with no little bite. He knew Thomas' thoughts on the worth of every human being, knew he disapproved of Loki's actions most when someone was harmed. This was not a discussion he'd ever wished to have, but if Thomas would back down, would realise that this was for the best–
Thomas smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to Loki's mouth, then pulled away. "Not this," he said before moving towards where Thor had stopped to wait for them, brow furrowed with concern.
Loki was left with nothing but to follow behind. And hope he could keep Thomas alive, despite his stupidity.
They came upon Odin some steps from the doors to the Council Chambers. He looked almost surprised to see Thor and the man with Loki's face walking calmly at his side, Loki dragging along behind like a well-beaten, yet unbroken, hound. "My sons," he offered before focussing on Thomas. "And who might this be?"
"Loki's betrothed, Thomas Hiddleston," Thor introduced, and Odin's eyebrow raised. "Thomas, Odin Allfather, our father and king."
Thomas sketched an easy bow, smiling like he hadn't spent the ride through the city silently furious at Loki's back. "Allfather. It's an honour to finally meet you and, perhaps, put some of Loki's rather unflattering tales to rest."
Oh, yes, Loki thought, half bitter, half pleased, butter him up so he'll be less likely to see you dead.
Odin considered Thomas for a long moment, then looked to where Loki stood sullenly just behind the human. "A mortal, Loki?"
"He amuses me," Loki replied shortly, in no mood for an extended conversation. "Thomas, you have met–"
Thomas shot a look over his shoulder, one that said, in no uncertain terms, 'Shut up'.
Loki's mouth snapped shut against its will.
"I wonder if I might beg a private audience, Allfather?" Thomas asked, perfectly polite.
Odin looked almost intrigued and gave a short nod before motioning for them to follow him down the hall in the opposite direction from whence they'd come. "You will understand, I hope," Odin said to Thomas as they walked, "why I am surprised to find a mortal in my son's company, let alone one professing to be his betrothed."
"I'm aware of Loki's crimes," Thomas said, a note of steel in his voice that he forced away before continuing, "Everything he's done to Jötunheim, Midgard, and Asgard, though I believe much of the lasting damage done to the latter was a joint effort between him and Thor?"
"Indeed," Odin agreed, clearly surprised.
Loki wondered if Thomas was intending to show Odin that he had, as the humans said, 'turned over a new leaf' by suggesting that Loki had opened up to him. Which he hadn't, hadn't needed to, given Thomas' occupation.
It didn't matter. Odin would never forgive him simply because he'd spoken to a human of his crimes.
Odin motioned for them to proceed him as they reached his private office, then closed and warded the door behind himself as they gathered before his desk. Thor sat in one of the two chairs without question, but Thomas refused the other, waving a hand at Loki for him to take it.
"No," Loki hissed, grabbing Thomas' hand and pulling him closer to the chair. "Sit."
Thomas carefully extracted his hand from Loki's and pointed out, "I'll only be up again."
It was the actor in him, Loki knew, that made Thomas speak with his hands all the time. And, on those occasions where he was particularly invested in whatever he was speaking of, he used his entire body to talk. But he was practised at doing so from a seated position – often had to do so during interviews – so why he seemed so certain he wouldn't be able to contain himself this time, Loki couldn't begin to guess.
"Sit?" Thomas requested, and Loki huffed before doing so. "Thank you."
"You had wish to speak with me, Thomas Hiddleston?" Odin interrupted, expression unreadable.
Thomas smiled as he turned to face the king. "Yes. And I beg you forgive me some impudence, but I'm really quite cross with you."
He's going to die, Loki thought, and wished he could go back in time and tell himself to not bring Thomas along. A week of knowing there would be someone waiting for him who cared for him when he stumbled back into his rooms every night, skin still regrowing under his bloody clothing, was not worth Thomas' life.
Odin watched the human, expression still unreadable. "Indeed. And in what way have I awakened your ire? Some of Loki's unflattering tales?"
"Unflattering truths," Thomas countered, his hands twitching at his sides. "Perhaps it's just my mortal sensibilities, but I fail to see what you hope to gain by skinning someone alive."
Odin's eye narrowed, but before he could speak, Thomas was off, words flowing so quick and sharp from his tongue, it was as though it had been possessed by Loki's silver tongue, but carrying with those words so much more truth than Loki would ever think to offer:
"Perhaps you'll indulge me to point out the flaws inherent in your own society and worldly – or Realmly, in this case – views? The very views which gave rise to Loki's actions against his and my peoples? Don't think I condone his actions – Loki is very well aware that I disapprove – but it is your own fault, and yet it is him you punish.
"Since your war with Jötunheim some thousand years ago, your people have spoken only hatred of the Jötunn. It was well within your power to tell everyone to tone it down, to try explaining to your own sons, at the very least, that they were not the violent beasts of the stories, deserving only death. And then, when given the chance, both Thor and then Loki attempt to see them all dead. And you, rather than trying to correct that hatred they were raised with, you punish them.
"Now maybe Thor learned from his exile. Yes, well done, but I guarantee it wasn't your doing. He met the right people, the sort of human that caught his attention in just the right way when he was at his most vulnerable, and instead of punishing him, she offered him friendship, showed him that even the least of the species of the Nine Realms have a worth.
"But Loki... No one stopped and said, 'The Jötunn aren't just mindless monsters that we'd all be better served seeing dead'. Instead, he discovers he is Jötunn, and then, when he tries to rule in your stead, everyone turns on him. And maybe he went about it wrong, maybe backstabbing the Jötunn by pretending to backstab Asgard wasn't really the way to go about that whole mess, but that doesn't change the fact that he was acting the way he'd been taught was right. He was trying to prove that he was actually worth something, in spite of his – and allow me to quote him, here, because this is something we disagree about – 'bad blood'.
"Ah, but then there's Earth. So much rampant destruction, so many pointless deaths. But what does it matter, really? We're just mortal. Our lives are come and gone in a blink, so far as the rest of the Nine Realms is concerned, and we're not really good for anything but breeding and destroying our own planet. There's nearly seven billion of us, what's a thousand or so in the grand scheme of things?"
"Mortals aren't so easily disposed of!" Thor cut in, stealing a chance to speak when Loki and Odin could do little more but stare at the furious mortal pacing between them.
Thomas offered Thor a strained smile and asked, "If I wasn't Loki's betrothed, what would happen to me for visiting Asgard?"
"You would be killed," Thor admitted hollowly.
"Or made a slave," Loki managed to get out past the lump in his throat. He knew Thomas cared for him, even when the mortal was furious with him over a prank set in poor humour, Thomas insisted he loved him. But to have Thomas – his foolish, fragile, wonderful mortal – stand up against Odin Allfather without flinching – even Thor and Frigga would flinch when met with the stare Odin had levelled on Thomas – on Loki's behalf–
He felt dizzy.
"Oh, that's reassuring. Thanks," Thomas said drily before turning back to Odin, meeting his stare head on. "My point is, you're doling out punishments when your sons act as they were taught to act. You basically taught them, 'The Jötunn need to die', and then, when they went to follow that, you told them they were wrong, that the Jötunn had every right to life. You're punishing them for listening to you, and then you wonder why Loki wants nothing to do with you?"
Odin was silent for a long moment, staring at Thomas with a blank expression, but for a hint of anger dancing in his sole eye. At last, voice dangerously low, he asked, "And what, then, would you have me do?"
"Stop teaching lies, for one," Thomas returned, fast as his best game of table tennis. Then he sighed and looked down, rubbing at his eyes. "I can't speak for the rest of your people, but I've discovered that the best way to handle Loki is to reinforce his good behaviour and, well, not exactly ignore the behaviour I don't agree with, but I don't react with violence. I just...refuse to give him what he wants. And that...that works pretty well. He hasn't hurt anyone in almost five months, even if he does still cause enough trouble to drive me spare." He glanced over his shoulder, offering Loki a tired smile.
Loki sniffed, unamused, but he did reach out and catch Thomas' hand, sending a quick spell through the physical contact to ease the knots he could practically see forming in his shoulders.
(Purely a selfish move; Thomas was an absolute misery when he got too tense, and the quicker Loki dealt with it, the more likely Loki was to get what he wanted.)
Thomas' shoulders relaxed and Odin's eye narrowed at their joined hands.
"Please," Thomas whispered, and he sounded so tired, so heartbroken, that Loki wanted to pull him into a hug, audience be damned, "please don't skin him."
Odin stared at Thomas for a long moment, then looked to Loki. "Do you regret your actions?" he demanded.
Loki sneered. "No."
"Then I cannot–"
"Wait, please," Thomas requested and turned to crouch in front of Loki. "Loki, what if I'd been in New York?"
Loki felt like his blood had turned to ice.
"What if my name was on the list of the dead?" Thomas pressed.
"Stop it," Loki hissed, because he couldn't deal with those thoughts, avoided them to the best of his ability.
"Or, not even me. What if it was Emma? Or Chris?"
"Stop!" Loki shouted, shoving out of his chair and turning to leave the office.
But Thomas still had his hand and he used it to pull Loki into an embrace. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Loki, I'm sorry."
Loki pressed his face against Thomas' throat, taking comfort in the familiar smell of him, the sensation of holding him close while the human breathed into his hair. And he really didn't care, right then, that he was showing a weakness to an enemy – Odin certainly wasn't his ally – because he'd just seen Thomas dead, a blast from a Chitauri singeing his shirt, and he didn't need that in his head. "I hate you," he breathed out against Thomas' skin.
"I know," Thomas breathed back. "I'm sorry."
"Loki," Odin called and Loki tensed in Thomas' arms. "Do you regret your actions?"
Loki lifted his head away from Thomas' neck just long enough to snarl, "No," then returned to his original position.
"Would you do it again?" Thor cut in. And that...was a surprisingly intelligent and relevant question, considering the speaker.
"...no," Loki admitted, because he had no interest in wrecking Midgard again. And, as much as he wanted to see Jötunheim burn, he had no urge to do it himself. He didn't even really want to visit Asgard, truly, would rather remain on Earth with Thomas, reading stupid filming magazines and fighting over the last piece of pie. Preferred to keep his pranks to wrecking displays in the shops or spelling Emma's hair to frizz up as she was leaving the flat after a visit.
"Father," Thor said, "he's learned. Maybe not the same as I, but he's learned. He's becoming someone worthy of his title again; all he needs is time. Please, Father, please end his punishment."
"...very well," Odin agreed at last.
Thomas sagged against Loki and it was suddenly him holding the mortal. "Thank God," Thomas breathed, and Loki could hear the smile in his voice.
Odin cleared his throat and said, "There is the matter of this mortal, however."
Loki spun around and kept Thomas behind him, glaring at the Allfather like he should very much like to see him dead. Which he would.
"Father," Thor tried, looking worried, "he is Loki's betrothed."
"Is he?" Odin wondered.
Sometimes, Loki forgot that Heimdall wasn't the only person in Asgard capable of knowing things Loki would be better off if he didn't.
Still, this could be solved, and Loki very much doubted he would ever regret turning around and taking Thomas' hands in his. "Will you?" he asked, and how was it that asking a mortal to marry him was more nerve-wracking than the idea of spending a week being skinned alive?
And Thomas smiled, wide and gentle and full of all the love he always claimed. "Of course I'll marry you," he agreed.
Loki turned a challenging stare on Odin and the king sighed. "Very well."
Thor let out a cheer while Loki celebrated in the far quieter and more pleasurable manner of kissing Thomas breathless.
Days:
1 - Holding Hands ||| 2 - Cuddling Somewhere ||| 3 - Gaming ||| 4 - On a Date ||| 5 - Kissing
6 - Wearing Each Other's Clothing ||| 7 - Cosplaying ||| 8 - Shopping ||| 9 - Hanging Out With Friends ||| 10 - With Animal Ears
11 - Wearing Kigurumi ||| 12 - Making Out ||| 13 - Eating Ice Cream ||| 14 - Genderswapped |||15 - Different Clothing Style
16 - Morning Rituals ||| 17 - Spooning ||| 18 - Doing Something Together ||| 19 - In Formal Wear ||| 20 - Dancing
21 - Cooking/Baking ||| 22 - In Battle, Side-By-Side ||| 23 - Arguing ||| 24 - Making Up After ||| 25 - Gazing Into Each Other's Eyes
26 - Getting Married ||| 27 - Birthday ||| 28 - Something Ridiculous ||| 29 - Something Sweet ||| 30 - Something Hot
Masterlist
..
Fandom: Marvel (movie 'verse) & Real Person Fiction
Author: Batsutousai
Rating: T+
Pairings: Loki/Tom Hiddleston
Challenge: 30 Day OTP Challenge
Summary: For a challenge, 30 days of Tomki/FrostPudding.
Chapter Warnings: BAMF!Tom, Loki's a little shit, Daddy problems, mention of canon-torture, Tom has all the Loki Feels
A/N: So, different clothing style. Like, what? Asgardian?
Oh. This is going to end well.
And, again (and forever, at this rate), sorry about the late posting. I had a cat constantly waking me up all night, demanding love, and have been kind of sleepy-pathetic all day as a result. The tea did finally kick in, sometime around 3pm, thankfully, but this was a ridiculously long response to the prompt and it took a bit to write, especially with cats and parental figures constantly pestering me.
"What is this?" Thomas called from the bedroom.
Loki glanced up from the magazine he'd been flipping through, more than a little uncertain and trying very hard to hide it. "It's Asgardian clothing," he said, managing to keep his voice uncaring.
Thomas stalked from the room, arms crossed over his chest and expression tight with displeasure. "I can see that. Why is it on the bed? Also, not your colours."
"Norns, no. I should never be caught in so ghastly a shade of bl–"
"Loki. Why. Is it on. The bed."
"You're to wear it, of course."
"Oh, of course," Thomas returned, a bite to his voice that made Loki want to rip out his throat so he might never hear such again. "How stupid of me for not realising–"
"Are you being obstinate on purpose?" Loki bit out, clenching his hands on the magazine so hard a rip began to form along both covers.
Thomas narrowed his eyes, and then he simply looked. In that way that meant he was seeing everything that Loki really didn't want him to see, but which would keep him from saying the wrong thing and turning Loki homicidal. It was a skill that Loki both loved and hated, and, right now, he leaned more towards loving it.
Thomas' shoulders loosened from the hard hunch they'd drawn into and he leaned back against the doorframe. "Right. To where am I expected to wear Asgardian garb?"
"To Asgard, of course," Loki snapped, not bothering to reign in his temper. He hated this enough as it was, and Thomas attacking him over clothing did not ease his temper.
"Last I checked, I was still mortal. Unless you've been slipping me golden apples or some such in my sleep?"
"And from where would I gather such?" Loki demanded.
"Magic," Thomas deadpanned, expression a study in seriousness.
And Loki, quite helplessly, burst out laughing. The mere idea that one could just...summon a golden apple by magic was preposterous.
"I'll file that under 'Things Magic Can't Actually Accomplish'," Thomas decided, rolling his eyes. "Loki, my love, why are you breaking laws to take me to Asgard?"
Loki silenced his amusement and looked down at the ruined magazine, very carefully closing it and setting it aside. "I have been summoned by Odin Allfather."
"Okay. Why am I coming?"
"You would rather remain on this pathetic rock of a plane–" Loki snarled.
"Let me rephrase that!" Thomas called, cutting Loki off and giving him a helpless smile when he glared. "Why would you like me to come to Asgard?"
Loki glared at him for another long moment, making certain the idiot mortal was aware of just how much Loki hated being cut off – not that it ever made a difference; Thomas would do as Thomas pleased, which was just the sort of thing Loki should have loved, but he actually kind of hated – before he explained, "You had put forth interest some months ago in seeing Asgard. Does this no longer hold true?"
And there was that look again, Thomas reading everything Loki wouldn't say. "I would love to go with you," he agreed with a faint smile, turning to return to the bedroom. "But, next time, why don't we try asking, rather than just leaving clothing on the bed with no explanation?"
Loki pointed a finger at the disappearing human. "Don't think yourself to have any power to direct my actions, Hiddleston," he snarled.
"I'm glad you agree!" Thomas called back, all good cheer and likely grinning like a fool. The idiot.
(Loki really was fond of him.)
Loki picked the magazine back up and flicked some magic at it to repair the damage done, then opened it back up to finish the article he'd been reading. Something to do with innovations in the film industry. Loki could have honestly cared less, but it was the only reading material in the flat that he hadn't read yet. And reading it meant he wasn't as lost when Thomas invariably started talking about his occupation again, which made Loki feel accomplished and won him a bright smile from the human that made reading the dry material completely worth it.
(Loki was one hundred percent not smitten, and anyone saying otherwise needed to be throttled.)
Thomas stepped from the bedroom at least, fiddling with the cuffs of the fine clothing with a faint frown. The outfit was very like the one Loki had preferred as Second Prince, before Thor's banishment had thrust him into the position of First Prince, then King; soft leather boots and trousers under a tunic that carried little armour or ornamentation. Where Loki had preferred black with hints of green, Thomas was dressed in a shade of grey humans called 'cool grey' with hints of azure, colours that did well with his lighter colouring and emphasised the blue of his eyes.
What little decoration Thomas' clothing had was the bright gold Loki had adopted during his stay with the Chitauri: some light armour along his upper arms that weighed little, but had enough protection magic woven into it to keep Thomas safe in spite of its small protection area; the curved chest piece that had long been Loki's mark, just as the six circles of silver were Thor's; and a set of bracers detailed with Loki's helmet.
"I feel like I should be heading for the Thor set," Thomas commented, finally looking up from his cuffs and spreading his arms. "Sufficient?"
Loki hummed and rose from the couch, his clothing shimmering around him to don the far more war-like dress he'd adopted with the Chitauri. "I was correct in believing that the blue was the better choice," he said evenly.
Thomas glanced down at himself and let slip a faint smile before looking back up at Loki. "As ever, you have excellent taste."
Loki stepped forward and slipped his hand into the human's hair at the back of his head. "I do so enjoy your compliments."
"Oh, that wasn't a compliment, just an observation."
Loki chuckled and pressed a chaste kiss to Thomas' lips. "You do well to put me in a good mood."
Thomas' hands came to rest on Loki's waist, expression darkening with an emotion Loki wasn't sure he could read, or if he even wanted to. "I know," he said before smoothing his expression out into something more neutral than positive. "How are we getting there?"
"We shall teleport to the Bifröst site, and shall be brought to Asgard from there. Are you prepared?"
"If I say no, can we ignore Odin's summons?"
Loki smiled at that, though it was tinged with bitterness. "No."
"Bollocks. Well then, yes. I'm prepared."
Loki pressed another kiss to the human's lips, then transported them to the Bifröst site. "Do not let go of me," he warned as the magic of the summoned bridge started around them.
Thomas' hands tightened in Loki's jacket and he pressed his face against the god's throat. Loki ensured he, too, had a secure grip on the human, then they were being dragged between Realms, the journey dizzying and less smooth with the jagged edges of the newly repaired bridge interrupting the energy flow.
Heimdall and Thor awaited them as they arrived, the Guardian looking as vaguely disapproving as ever, and Thor grinning widely. "Loki!" the First Prince called, starting forward. He slowed when Loki and Thomas parted, a frown turning his mouth. "Thomas," he offered, friendly enough. He and Thomas had met a few times on Midgard, and honestly seemed to like each other, but that didn't change the fact that mortals weren't allowed in Asgard.
"Hello, Thor," Thomas replied, holding on to Loki's arm for a moment as he shook his head. "I would very much appreciate never travelling the Bifröst again, I think."
"It was less trying before Thor broke it," Loki said, turning a cruel smile on his not-brother.
Thor opened his mouth to point out Loki's own part in those events, but Thomas snapped, "Both of you, shut up. You're sharing the fault like adults, or I'm borrowing Heimdall's sword and tanning both your hides."
Heimdall raised an eyebrow, something approving in his gaze, while Thor just sort of stared, stuck somewhere between amusement and disbelief that a mortal would speak to him in such a way.
Loki, for his part, burst out laughing. He would very much like to see such an attempt, for while he was sure it would fail, it would at least be a most excellent story to tell at a later date.
Thor shook his head and focussed on Loki as the younger calmed himself. "Bro– Loki," he corrected at the scowl Loki turned on him, "for what reason have you brought Thomas? I had thought you cared enough for him to not bring him to his death." Ah, there was the disapproval and anger. One day, Thor would understand that Loki did nothing without thought for consequences, and he always had a reason.
"He is my betrothed, of course," Loki informed his not-brother smoothly, as if he wasn't lying through his smile. A betrothal was one of the two reasons a mortal would be allowed, alive, in the Realm Eternal. As he doubted either he or Thomas would act well to say the human was his slave, a betrothal would have to suffice. He just hoped Thomas would play along without giving up the game. (The mortal insisted he couldn't lie to save his life – for all that he spent his days stepping into the shoes of others and had plenty-mastered the art of lying for his part as Loki – and Loki rather thought this was an excellent time to prove the falsity of that statement.)
Thor narrowed his eyes, disbelieving, and turned to Thomas. "Indeed?"
Thomas, to his credit, smiled and spread his arms a bit helplessly. "It was a surprise to everyone," he stated, not quite lying.
Oh, Loki's clever little mortal.
Thor glanced them both over. "And your symbol of binding?"
Thomas frowned for a moment, likely trying to sort out what that question meant, then shrugged and asked, "Ours is an unorthodox relationship; are you truly so surprised that we might choose to avoid the expected?"
"At least one of you is capable of truth," Thor decided, turning to lead the way from the chamber. "If you will follow?"
Thomas and Loki followed Thor to the horses held for them. "I had been unaware of Thomas' attendance," Thor said by way of apology for their being only two horses.
"Some of us are not so broad as to break a horse's back by riding double," Loki replied sweetly.
"Stop it," Thomas ordered, pushing Loki towards the darker of the two horses, knowing Loki's preference. "You're already on the couch for a month, don't push it."
Perhaps Loki should have warned Thomas that they would be acting as betrothed before they arrived.
The trip along the bridge was filled with Thomas and Thor catching up, having not spoken in nearly four months. Thor wished to ask of Loki – Loki always refused to speak of himself when asked, but Thomas had no such compunctions, and when Loki tried to shut him up, Thomas would just smile at him in that way that promised he would start offering up blackmail if Loki didn't behave – and Thomas wanted to know more of Asgard and the current state of affairs.
As they neared the gates into the city, Thomas finally got around to asking the question Loki knew he'd most wished the answer to: "Why has your father summoned Loki?"
"He did not say?" Thor wondered.
Loki didn't have to look over his shoulder to know that Thomas was giving Thor that look that said, 'Are you honestly asking me that question?'
Thor let out a sharp laugh. "Forgive me, of course he did not." He sighed and rubbed his hand against his beard, looking towards the golden city sparkling before them. "Loki is required for the continuation of his punishment."
Thomas tensed at Loki's back. "Punishment?" he repeated, confused.
Thor glanced at Loki, who refused to meet his eyes, then reigned in his horse and grabbed for the reins in Loki's slack grip, forcing them to stop before they could pass through the gates. "Loki, you bring him to court his death, and haven't even told him why?"
Loki thinned his lips, refusing to reply. He had every reason for not telling Thomas why he would wish his attendance. Loki only wished for Thomas to be waiting for him when he returned to his rooms for the night, and if that was selfish, well, Loki was a selfish creature.
Thomas was comfortable enough on a horse, and the trip had been an easy enough one, that he hadn't bothered holding on to Loki, using his hands, instead, to speak for him as he and Thor had conversed. Loki had wished, more than once, that he'd let Thomas sit in front – if only to save him from almost being hit – but he was suddenly most grateful that the human was behind him as his arms encircled Loki's chest, right hand held protectively over Loki's heart. "One of you needs to tell me about this punishment," he said, voice perfectly calm.
Thor looked to Loki again, but he only pressed his mouth in a tighter line, so the elder god said, "Once a year, until Loki has paid for his crimes, he is to spend every day for a week being removed of his skin."
Thomas' arms tightened around Loki's chest. "And when," Thomas asked, voice tight with anger, "will Loki have paid for his crimes?"
"When Father believes him to be truly repentant."
Never, Loki didn't say, though it was the truth. Loki felt no sorrow for the lives lost through his deeds, never would, and even should he find reason to honestly feel shame for his attacks on Jötunheim and Midgard, Odin would believe he only ever spoke lies. He was the God of Lies, and he'd earned that title.
"Did no one speak in his defence?" Thomas demanded, and Loki knew that question was aimed at Thor with a look certain to make the blond god feel the greatest shame.
Thor looked away. "Mother and I both did," he said quietly.
Loki took pity on his not-brother and commented lightly, "It was to be a week once every month."
Even through the thick leather and armour separating them, Loki could feel Thomas shaking, and that was never a good sign. "I would like to request an audience with the Allfather," he stated.
Loki snorted. "You are a mortal; you may request nothing of the sort."
"No?" Thomas replied, enough ice in his voice to put Jötunheim to shame. "I am your betrothed, am I not? Does that not grant me the right to meet with your father?"
Loki felt a sinking sensation in the pit of his stomach, because he really didn't want to let Thomas near Odin. If Odin discovered they were not true betrothed, he would see Thomas dead only to punish Loki. Mortals were expendable, and that Loki would care enough to bring one into Asgard, then claim him as his betrothed to see him safe, would tell Odin as certainly as anything that Thomas' death would wound Loki in a way that his current punishment never would.
He never should have brought Thomas along.
And Thor, the unthinking fool, was smiling. "It surely does," he agreed. "If we hurry, we might catch him as he's leaving the Council."
Thomas nodded behind Loki and Thor turned to lead the way through the streets, Loki numbly directing his mount to follow.
In the stables, Loki caught Thomas' hand and pulled him to a stop before he could follow Thor into the palace. "Do not do this," he said, aiming for an order, but certain it came out as more of a plea.
Thomas cupped his cheek and leaned forward to rest their foreheads together. "Loki," he whispered, "I can't just sit back as they hurt you."
"So you would, what? Chance your own death to tell Odin what a good soul I am?" Loki snarled, suddenly angry and clinging to the emotion because it was safer.
Thomas' lip turned up at one end. "You're not a good soul," he replied and Loki snorted in spite of himself, "but that doesn't mean you deserve this."
"And what does the murderer of over one thousand mortals deserve?" Loki demanded with no little bite. He knew Thomas' thoughts on the worth of every human being, knew he disapproved of Loki's actions most when someone was harmed. This was not a discussion he'd ever wished to have, but if Thomas would back down, would realise that this was for the best–
Thomas smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to Loki's mouth, then pulled away. "Not this," he said before moving towards where Thor had stopped to wait for them, brow furrowed with concern.
Loki was left with nothing but to follow behind. And hope he could keep Thomas alive, despite his stupidity.
They came upon Odin some steps from the doors to the Council Chambers. He looked almost surprised to see Thor and the man with Loki's face walking calmly at his side, Loki dragging along behind like a well-beaten, yet unbroken, hound. "My sons," he offered before focussing on Thomas. "And who might this be?"
"Loki's betrothed, Thomas Hiddleston," Thor introduced, and Odin's eyebrow raised. "Thomas, Odin Allfather, our father and king."
Thomas sketched an easy bow, smiling like he hadn't spent the ride through the city silently furious at Loki's back. "Allfather. It's an honour to finally meet you and, perhaps, put some of Loki's rather unflattering tales to rest."
Oh, yes, Loki thought, half bitter, half pleased, butter him up so he'll be less likely to see you dead.
Odin considered Thomas for a long moment, then looked to where Loki stood sullenly just behind the human. "A mortal, Loki?"
"He amuses me," Loki replied shortly, in no mood for an extended conversation. "Thomas, you have met–"
Thomas shot a look over his shoulder, one that said, in no uncertain terms, 'Shut up'.
Loki's mouth snapped shut against its will.
"I wonder if I might beg a private audience, Allfather?" Thomas asked, perfectly polite.
Odin looked almost intrigued and gave a short nod before motioning for them to follow him down the hall in the opposite direction from whence they'd come. "You will understand, I hope," Odin said to Thomas as they walked, "why I am surprised to find a mortal in my son's company, let alone one professing to be his betrothed."
"I'm aware of Loki's crimes," Thomas said, a note of steel in his voice that he forced away before continuing, "Everything he's done to Jötunheim, Midgard, and Asgard, though I believe much of the lasting damage done to the latter was a joint effort between him and Thor?"
"Indeed," Odin agreed, clearly surprised.
Loki wondered if Thomas was intending to show Odin that he had, as the humans said, 'turned over a new leaf' by suggesting that Loki had opened up to him. Which he hadn't, hadn't needed to, given Thomas' occupation.
It didn't matter. Odin would never forgive him simply because he'd spoken to a human of his crimes.
Odin motioned for them to proceed him as they reached his private office, then closed and warded the door behind himself as they gathered before his desk. Thor sat in one of the two chairs without question, but Thomas refused the other, waving a hand at Loki for him to take it.
"No," Loki hissed, grabbing Thomas' hand and pulling him closer to the chair. "Sit."
Thomas carefully extracted his hand from Loki's and pointed out, "I'll only be up again."
It was the actor in him, Loki knew, that made Thomas speak with his hands all the time. And, on those occasions where he was particularly invested in whatever he was speaking of, he used his entire body to talk. But he was practised at doing so from a seated position – often had to do so during interviews – so why he seemed so certain he wouldn't be able to contain himself this time, Loki couldn't begin to guess.
"Sit?" Thomas requested, and Loki huffed before doing so. "Thank you."
"You had wish to speak with me, Thomas Hiddleston?" Odin interrupted, expression unreadable.
Thomas smiled as he turned to face the king. "Yes. And I beg you forgive me some impudence, but I'm really quite cross with you."
He's going to die, Loki thought, and wished he could go back in time and tell himself to not bring Thomas along. A week of knowing there would be someone waiting for him who cared for him when he stumbled back into his rooms every night, skin still regrowing under his bloody clothing, was not worth Thomas' life.
Odin watched the human, expression still unreadable. "Indeed. And in what way have I awakened your ire? Some of Loki's unflattering tales?"
"Unflattering truths," Thomas countered, his hands twitching at his sides. "Perhaps it's just my mortal sensibilities, but I fail to see what you hope to gain by skinning someone alive."
Odin's eye narrowed, but before he could speak, Thomas was off, words flowing so quick and sharp from his tongue, it was as though it had been possessed by Loki's silver tongue, but carrying with those words so much more truth than Loki would ever think to offer:
"Perhaps you'll indulge me to point out the flaws inherent in your own society and worldly – or Realmly, in this case – views? The very views which gave rise to Loki's actions against his and my peoples? Don't think I condone his actions – Loki is very well aware that I disapprove – but it is your own fault, and yet it is him you punish.
"Since your war with Jötunheim some thousand years ago, your people have spoken only hatred of the Jötunn. It was well within your power to tell everyone to tone it down, to try explaining to your own sons, at the very least, that they were not the violent beasts of the stories, deserving only death. And then, when given the chance, both Thor and then Loki attempt to see them all dead. And you, rather than trying to correct that hatred they were raised with, you punish them.
"Now maybe Thor learned from his exile. Yes, well done, but I guarantee it wasn't your doing. He met the right people, the sort of human that caught his attention in just the right way when he was at his most vulnerable, and instead of punishing him, she offered him friendship, showed him that even the least of the species of the Nine Realms have a worth.
"But Loki... No one stopped and said, 'The Jötunn aren't just mindless monsters that we'd all be better served seeing dead'. Instead, he discovers he is Jötunn, and then, when he tries to rule in your stead, everyone turns on him. And maybe he went about it wrong, maybe backstabbing the Jötunn by pretending to backstab Asgard wasn't really the way to go about that whole mess, but that doesn't change the fact that he was acting the way he'd been taught was right. He was trying to prove that he was actually worth something, in spite of his – and allow me to quote him, here, because this is something we disagree about – 'bad blood'.
"Ah, but then there's Earth. So much rampant destruction, so many pointless deaths. But what does it matter, really? We're just mortal. Our lives are come and gone in a blink, so far as the rest of the Nine Realms is concerned, and we're not really good for anything but breeding and destroying our own planet. There's nearly seven billion of us, what's a thousand or so in the grand scheme of things?"
"Mortals aren't so easily disposed of!" Thor cut in, stealing a chance to speak when Loki and Odin could do little more but stare at the furious mortal pacing between them.
Thomas offered Thor a strained smile and asked, "If I wasn't Loki's betrothed, what would happen to me for visiting Asgard?"
"You would be killed," Thor admitted hollowly.
"Or made a slave," Loki managed to get out past the lump in his throat. He knew Thomas cared for him, even when the mortal was furious with him over a prank set in poor humour, Thomas insisted he loved him. But to have Thomas – his foolish, fragile, wonderful mortal – stand up against Odin Allfather without flinching – even Thor and Frigga would flinch when met with the stare Odin had levelled on Thomas – on Loki's behalf–
He felt dizzy.
"Oh, that's reassuring. Thanks," Thomas said drily before turning back to Odin, meeting his stare head on. "My point is, you're doling out punishments when your sons act as they were taught to act. You basically taught them, 'The Jötunn need to die', and then, when they went to follow that, you told them they were wrong, that the Jötunn had every right to life. You're punishing them for listening to you, and then you wonder why Loki wants nothing to do with you?"
Odin was silent for a long moment, staring at Thomas with a blank expression, but for a hint of anger dancing in his sole eye. At last, voice dangerously low, he asked, "And what, then, would you have me do?"
"Stop teaching lies, for one," Thomas returned, fast as his best game of table tennis. Then he sighed and looked down, rubbing at his eyes. "I can't speak for the rest of your people, but I've discovered that the best way to handle Loki is to reinforce his good behaviour and, well, not exactly ignore the behaviour I don't agree with, but I don't react with violence. I just...refuse to give him what he wants. And that...that works pretty well. He hasn't hurt anyone in almost five months, even if he does still cause enough trouble to drive me spare." He glanced over his shoulder, offering Loki a tired smile.
Loki sniffed, unamused, but he did reach out and catch Thomas' hand, sending a quick spell through the physical contact to ease the knots he could practically see forming in his shoulders.
(Purely a selfish move; Thomas was an absolute misery when he got too tense, and the quicker Loki dealt with it, the more likely Loki was to get what he wanted.)
Thomas' shoulders relaxed and Odin's eye narrowed at their joined hands.
"Please," Thomas whispered, and he sounded so tired, so heartbroken, that Loki wanted to pull him into a hug, audience be damned, "please don't skin him."
Odin stared at Thomas for a long moment, then looked to Loki. "Do you regret your actions?" he demanded.
Loki sneered. "No."
"Then I cannot–"
"Wait, please," Thomas requested and turned to crouch in front of Loki. "Loki, what if I'd been in New York?"
Loki felt like his blood had turned to ice.
"What if my name was on the list of the dead?" Thomas pressed.
"Stop it," Loki hissed, because he couldn't deal with those thoughts, avoided them to the best of his ability.
"Or, not even me. What if it was Emma? Or Chris?"
"Stop!" Loki shouted, shoving out of his chair and turning to leave the office.
But Thomas still had his hand and he used it to pull Loki into an embrace. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "Loki, I'm sorry."
Loki pressed his face against Thomas' throat, taking comfort in the familiar smell of him, the sensation of holding him close while the human breathed into his hair. And he really didn't care, right then, that he was showing a weakness to an enemy – Odin certainly wasn't his ally – because he'd just seen Thomas dead, a blast from a Chitauri singeing his shirt, and he didn't need that in his head. "I hate you," he breathed out against Thomas' skin.
"I know," Thomas breathed back. "I'm sorry."
"Loki," Odin called and Loki tensed in Thomas' arms. "Do you regret your actions?"
Loki lifted his head away from Thomas' neck just long enough to snarl, "No," then returned to his original position.
"Would you do it again?" Thor cut in. And that...was a surprisingly intelligent and relevant question, considering the speaker.
"...no," Loki admitted, because he had no interest in wrecking Midgard again. And, as much as he wanted to see Jötunheim burn, he had no urge to do it himself. He didn't even really want to visit Asgard, truly, would rather remain on Earth with Thomas, reading stupid filming magazines and fighting over the last piece of pie. Preferred to keep his pranks to wrecking displays in the shops or spelling Emma's hair to frizz up as she was leaving the flat after a visit.
"Father," Thor said, "he's learned. Maybe not the same as I, but he's learned. He's becoming someone worthy of his title again; all he needs is time. Please, Father, please end his punishment."
"...very well," Odin agreed at last.
Thomas sagged against Loki and it was suddenly him holding the mortal. "Thank God," Thomas breathed, and Loki could hear the smile in his voice.
Odin cleared his throat and said, "There is the matter of this mortal, however."
Loki spun around and kept Thomas behind him, glaring at the Allfather like he should very much like to see him dead. Which he would.
"Father," Thor tried, looking worried, "he is Loki's betrothed."
"Is he?" Odin wondered.
Sometimes, Loki forgot that Heimdall wasn't the only person in Asgard capable of knowing things Loki would be better off if he didn't.
Still, this could be solved, and Loki very much doubted he would ever regret turning around and taking Thomas' hands in his. "Will you?" he asked, and how was it that asking a mortal to marry him was more nerve-wracking than the idea of spending a week being skinned alive?
And Thomas smiled, wide and gentle and full of all the love he always claimed. "Of course I'll marry you," he agreed.
Loki turned a challenging stare on Odin and the king sighed. "Very well."
Thor let out a cheer while Loki celebrated in the far quieter and more pleasurable manner of kissing Thomas breathless.
1 - Holding Hands ||| 2 - Cuddling Somewhere ||| 3 - Gaming ||| 4 - On a Date ||| 5 - Kissing
6 - Wearing Each Other's Clothing ||| 7 - Cosplaying ||| 8 - Shopping ||| 9 - Hanging Out With Friends ||| 10 - With Animal Ears
11 - Wearing Kigurumi ||| 12 - Making Out ||| 13 - Eating Ice Cream ||| 14 - Genderswapped |||
16 - Morning Rituals ||| 17 - Spooning ||| 18 - Doing Something Together ||| 19 - In Formal Wear ||| 20 - Dancing
21 - Cooking/Baking ||| 22 - In Battle, Side-By-Side ||| 23 - Arguing ||| 24 - Making Up After ||| 25 - Gazing Into Each Other's Eyes
26 - Getting Married ||| 27 - Birthday ||| 28 - Something Ridiculous ||| 29 - Something Sweet ||| 30 - Something Hot
Masterlist
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no subject
Date: 30/11/12 11:22 (UTC)XD Go Tom, go Tom! You tell Odin how it is! And Loki loves his human *snickers*
*sighs happily and pets them*
no subject
Date: 30/11/12 19:29 (UTC)And, oh yeah, Odin got told. XD