FIC: One Day I'll Fly Away ~ Tom Hiddleston/Loki ~ Teen ~ Part 2/2

[batsutousai]

Title: One Day I'll Fly Away
Series: Tales of the Fairy Men
Fandom: Marvel (movie 'verse) & Real Person Fiction
Author: Batsutousai
Rating: M/R
Pairings: Tom Hiddleston/Loki, Thor/Jane Foster
Warnings: Intersexual Loki, throwing gender norms out the window, abuse, angst, hurt/comfort, character death (Frigga), OoC Odin,
Challenge: 2013 Fairy Tale Writing Prompt Challenge
Summary: After you've hit rock bottom, there's nowhere to go but up. And, as Loki discovers, there's someone out there for everyone, no matter your physical "deformities".

Part One

-0-

Loki couldn't say how much time had passed when Thor was suddenly there, face a mask of concern. "Loki?"

Loki blinked at his brother. "Thor." He glanced down at Natalie and smiled at her. "Natalie. Thank you for the gown."

Natalie smiled. "You're welcome."

"Loki, I thought you said you had to leave by twelve thirty," Thor interrupted.

Loki turned immediately to where he could see the clock tower out a high window. It was just past twelve thirty, and the happy floating feeling he'd been surrounding himself in all evening vanished, leaving him to crash to earth and the cry of panic that awaited him there. "Oh no," he whispered, and couldn't stop himself from looking towards Odin.

"I can take you home," Natalie promised. "Mother and Father won't leave for another three hours, anyway."

Odin turned towards Loki, some sixth sense always warning him when he was being stared at, and their eyes met. Across the distance, Loki saw that single blue eye narrow.

"Lo'," Natalie called, touching Loki's cheek and drawing his attention back to her. "Come on. Let's get you home."

Tom, who had stood watching all of this in silence, caught Loki's hands before he could follow Natalie and brought them to his mouth for two kisses. "Promise you'll return tomorrow night. Don't make me dance alone."

Loki forced a smile against the fear clawing at his insides. "I promise," he whispered and kissed Tom's hands back before letting them go and brushing past him without a further word of good-bye to the prince or Thor.

Out amongst the carriages, Loki waved to Heimdall's worried face as soon as he saw him, then motioned towards the rather fine carriage Natalie was leading them towards. Heimdall nodded, but the concern didn't fade as Loki climbed in, Natalie ordering the driver to make haste.

They made it back to the manor is excellent time, and Darcy ran out to meet them, calling, "I was afraid something had happened!"

"Something did," Natalie teased as the coachman helped Loki out. "Loki is head over heels for our prince."

Loki flushed and shot Natalie a silencing look. "Yes, thank you for that announcement, Natalie."

"Ooh. Did you ask him?" Darcy demanded.

"Ask him what?" Natalie asked as Loki nodded.

"If he would be okay with Loki," Darcy explained. "What did he say?"

"I didn't tell him it was me," Loki was quick to correct. "But he's... He thinks it's brilliant. And he has so many questions." Had continued to ask them throughout the night, even. Loki had answered the ones he had an easy answer to, but some he put off, insisting he'd have to ask his friend.

"I told you!" Darcy crowed.

"Yes, yes, well done," Loki said with a huff. "Come on, let's get me changed back into normal clothing. Thanks for the ride, Natalie!"

"Any time," Natalie promised, smiling. "Darcy, I'll try to come by tomorrow afternoon. Lo', I'll see you tomorrow night."

"I'll actually try to talk to you this time," Loki promised with a laugh, which Natalie echoed.

"Bye!" Darcy called before taking Loki's arms and leading him into the manor.

They got Loki changed as quickly as they could, then Darcy stayed to help Loki with his night chores. When the clock rang out one o'clock, though, Loki ushered his friend out, insisting he could finish everything on his own just fine, and not wanting to chance his family seeing her.

Loki had just finished when he heard the front door opening. He hurried out to meet the three men, only to pause when he noted the concern still writ across Thor's face. And then, like an avenging angel, Odin was in front of him, a smack sending Loki reeling to the ground. "What–?" he breathed just before a booted foot connected with his stomach.

"Thought you could disobey me, boy," Odin rumbled, the calmness of his voice at odds with the violence he was unleashing on Loki, who had curled into a foetal position, trying to protect his stomach and head.

"Father, please," Thor tried. "You're hurting hi–"

"Would you like to share this servant's punishment, Thor?" Odin asked, letting off on the kicking while he was distracted by his eldest.

Loki took the chance to raise his head and shake it at Thor. It was fine. He wasn't going to break from a little bit of kicking. He didn't need Thor facing Odin's wrath on his account.

Thor swallowed and shook his head in response to Odin's question. Next to him, Baldr looked so very confused as he asked, "What's going on?"

"Loki disobeyed my order and attended the ball," Odin announced before he started kicking Loki again.

"Of course she did," Baldr spat.

"Enough," Thor murmured to him.

The kicking stopped again and Loki fought the urge to peek out, trying to hear Odin's movements. But the man moved far more silently than one might have thought from looking at him, and Loki had no idea where he was until that booted foot darted into the space between his legs and arse, connecting with his sex.

Loki screamed in pain and tried to shift away without poking his head out.

Before Odin could kick him again, strong arms surrounded Loki. "Leave him alone," Thor snarled.

"Thor, no," Loki whispered even as he grabbed at the front of his brother's jacket, seeking safety.

Odin was silent for a long moment before rumbling, "I was right. You were helping him." He tutted. "Thor, my son, whatever Loki promised you, it isn't worth the betrayal of your family."

"I'm not betraying my family," Thor spat. "I'm protecting it. Loki is my brother."

Baldr let out a quiet noise of uncertainty.

Odin chuckled, the noise low and dark. "You can't claim something half-human as a sibling, Thor. He's a servant, and not even a particularly good one."

"If he's so terrible, then why did you get rid of all the others?" Thor demanded, arms tightening around Loki. "If you hate him so much, why keep him here? Why not just kick him out after Mother died? If Mother was still alive, she'd be ashamed to call you husband!"

"Frigga picked that creature over me!" Odin roared. "She picked him, and then she left me with him. She should be ashamed of herself!"

"Father, no!" Baldr shouted just before Thor's body shook and he grunted in pain.

"Thor," Loki whispered as Thor grunted again. "Thor, what are you doing?"

Thor looked down at him, blue eyes clouded with pain. "What I should have done eight years ago," he whispered back before grunting again, teeth gritted in pain.

"Go to your room, Baldr," Odin ordered.

"Father, plea–"

"Now!"

Quick steps sounded against the floor, then the stairs as Baldr retreated, leaving Thor and Loki to the violence of a jealous father.

Well, at least until Odin picked up the ancient chair left against one wall for the doorman they no longer had and used it to knock out first Thor, then Loki.

-0-

Loki felt like his whole body was one great bruise when he woke. He simply laid there for a moment, aching and trying not to think too hard about what had happened to leave him in such a state.

Then, like a chair to the face, he remembered Thor protecting him and opened his eyes to look for him.

Thor was lying across from him on the narrow (if the sense of nothingness at Loki's back meant anything) bed they were laying on, hands bound with thick coils of rope against his chest. The weak daylight coming in through a window somewhere behind Loki lit up the dark stain of dried blood against blond hair.

Loki tried to reach up to check the blood, but found his hands had been similarly bound, twisted oddly between his breasts and held in place by a rope circling his chest. He blinked down at the bindings a bit dumbly for a moment, his mind slow to decide on a reaction.

Finally, he turned his attention back to Thor. "Thor," he rasped and shifted closer. Stretching his fingers uncomfortably, he was just able to brush his brother's knuckles. "Thor. Thor, you imbecile, wake up."

Please don't be dead. Please, please don't be dead.

Thor let out a moan and his eyelids fluttered, but didn't open. His fingers flexed, then he froze, whole frame tensing in a way Loki wasn't sure he could have managed himself. Blue eyes cracked open, took a moment to stare at Loki, then darted around in their limited field of vision. "Brother?" Thor whispered, voice as wrecked as Loki's.

Loki refused to breathe out in relief. Instead he hit Thor's hands as much as he could. "You imbecile! If you'd stayed out of things, we wouldn't both be tied up in here."

"Because leaving you to be hurt and wake up alone was an option," Thor snarled back.

"If you weren't in here, you could be out there, trying to get me out. But, no, you had to go and be noble. You stupid, idiotic–" Loki's voice cracked and he closed his eyes against the tears he hadn't even realised were falling.

"Loki," Thor whispered. His fingers brushed against the back of Loki's hand and he immediately extended his own fingers without looking, leaving Thor to tangle them together in what little comfort he could offer. "I'm not sorry for protecting you," he added, squeezing Loki's fingers gently. "I'm only sorry I didn't do it sooner."

"Idiot," Loki whispered, squeezing Thor's fingers back.

A sound made them both tense, fingers tugging at each other uncomfortably. The sound came again and Thor tried to lever himself up enough to see over Loki. After a moment and a third repeat of the sound – Loki was beginning to think it was someone trying to muffle a sob – Thor gave up, eyes closing and brow scrunched up with pain.

When the sound came a fourth time, Thor called out, "Hello?"

Loki hissed at him angrily and wiggled his fingers to try and get Thor to entwine their fingers together again so he could squeeze really hard or something.

"Thor?" a tired, familiar voice called, sounding as though it was muffled by a door.

"Baldr?" Thor called back. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. A-Are you?"

"A bit tied up, but we'll live," Thor promised.

There was a long pause, then Baldr asked, "Loki's there?"

"He is," Thor agreed, cautious.

The sound came again – Definitely a sob, Loki decided – then Baldr said, "I'm so-orry, Loki! I didn't think it would ever go th-at fa–"

"Oh, shut up," Loki snapped.

"Loki," Thor hissed, disapproving, as Baldr let out a much louder sob.

Loki clenched his eyes shut, waited until the silence between sobs, then called, "If you want me to ever forgive you, Baldr, you will stop crying, listen to me, and do exactly as I say. Am I clear?"

They waited in silence as Baldr attempted to get his upset under control, Loki glaring at Thor to keep him quiet. Finally, Baldr replied, "I'm listening, Loki."

Loki let out a quiet sigh. "Where is Father?" he asked first, because that was important to know.

"He hasn't left his room yet this morning."

Loki raised an eyebrow at the mention of the time; he'd thought it was much later. That made his plans both easier, and harder. Ah, such was life. "Do you know where Heimdall's cottage is?"

"Yes."

"Good. Go to him, tell him you need to have Miss Darcy get Natalie. Thor and I are in trouble. Understand?"

"Yes."

"Repeat it back to me."

"Go to Heimdall. Tell him I need to have Miss Darcy get Natalie, because you and Thor are in trouble."

"Good."

"What if Heimdall asks what happened?" Baldr asked.

"Tell him. It'll make him move faster, with luck."

"If he thinks he might be able to help by coming here, tell him to follow Loki's orders," Thor added, frowning. "Which are?"

Loki couldn't help but smile at the irritated sigh Baldr let out. "Miss Darcy needs to get Natalie, because you two are in trouble."

"But first you need Heimdall," Thor insisted, mirroring Loki's smile.

"Yes, Heimdall," Baldr agreed. There was a moment of silence, then he asked, "What do I do after?"

Loki blinked and looked a bit helplessly at Thor, because his plans hadn't moved past making sure Natalie knew they needed help.

Thor's brow furrowed for a moment in thought, then he gave a quick nod and ordered, "Go to the castle. Tell the guard that your father had a fit and you're too scared to stay at home. If anyone asks if they need to send someone here to check on things, tell them your brothers are handling it and will come get you when it's safe. Don't mention any names, and if anyone asks for more information, tell them your brothers will answer any questions later."

"Okay, Thor."

"Go," Loki snapped and there came the sound of movement through whatever barrier was between them. Loki waited until he was sure Baldr was gone before asking, "Why avoid names at the castle?"

"He's traumatised enough without being dragged into the middle of all this alone," Thor said with a quiet sigh, pressing his fingers against Loki's. "Anyway, your prince will hear about this soon enough from Lady Jane. No need to have him rushing in here in a panic because he heard through the grapevine that Father beat you senseless."

"He knocked you out first," Loki reminded him, though it was hardly a contest.

Thor looked, for a moment, like he wanted to snap out a reply to that, but he stopped himself, expression darkening, and squeezed Loki's fingers. "I'm sorry," he whispered instead.

"You realise I'm going to start throwing things at you for apologising long before you'll have made up for this," Loki deadpanned.

Thor winced. "I know. And I know that you'll never forgive me–"

"Oh, Thor..." Loki sighed and leaned his head forward, squeezing Thor's fingers. "Brother, I already forgave you."

Thor's breath caught and he leaned his own head forward, until their foreheads were brushing. "I don't deserve it."

"Probably not," Loki agreed with a sad little smile. "But I forgave you anyway. Imbecile."

Thor chuckled, the deep sound reverberating against their miniscule points of contact.

They were silent for a long while after that, drawing what comfort they could from each other.

Eventually, though, Thor whispered, "Your prince is going to find out."

Loki clenched his eyes shut tighter. "I know."

"I'm sor–"

"Don't make me headbutt you. I'll regret it, but I will do it."

Thor snorted and tightened his fingers around Loki's.

Loki chewed on his lip for a moment before admitting, "I asked him, last night, how he would react to such a person. He was...intrigued."

"But he doesn't know it's you."

"No."

"At least we already know he doesn't mind a bit of deception."

"Shut up, Thor."

Thor chuckled, deep and comforting, and Loki let himself relax into the sound, and sleep.

-0-

Loki woke to the sound of distant shouting. Thor was staring past him, towards whatever barrier had held Baldr back before, though Loki knew his brother wouldn't be able to see more than the upper part of the wall and the ceiling while his head rested on the bed.

"It started maybe five minutes ago," Thor whispered, his eyes refocusing on Loki. "I believe it's the castle guard."

"They haven't found us yet," Loki murmured.

Thor offered a lopsided smile. "Evidentially not. They probably had to deal with Father first, though."

Loki grimaced at the thought. "With luck, we won't have to see him again."

Thor squeezed his fingers. "If he wishes to ask forgiveness, I would see him," he admitted.

Loki squeezed his fingers back. "That's your choice. I will be happy to cut all ties to him."

"I know. I'm so–"

"Don't you dare."

Thor's lopsided smile returned for a brief moment before the distant shouting suddenly stopped. They both fell quiet, looking as much as they could towards the barrier between them and the rest of the manor.

"Loki!" Natalie's voice rang out. "Thor!"

"Jane!" Thor called back, his voice carrying far better than Loki's ever could.

"Down here," Natalie said, just loud enough that Thor and Loki could hear. After a moment, she called out again, "Thor? Talk to me."

Thor looked a bit helplessly at Loki, who sighed and raised his voice to call back, "You've stumped him. Which, not hard to do–"

"Shut up, Loki," Thor complained, quiet enough to stay between them.

Loki smirked at him. "Given, I won't complain. He's much quieter this way. And the Lord knows my eardrums were about to burst from his yelling in my face."

"You're much nicer as a woman," Thor muttered, squeezing Loki's fingers to show he meant no offence.

There came a banging and Loki startled, shifting minutely closer to Thor.

"Jane?" Thor called.

"Sorry, that was me," she responded. Then, to someone else, "Did anyone get a key ring off him?"

"Father never carries his keys on him," Loki offered over the quiet reply in the negative from whomever she'd been speaking to. "It'll be in his desk, or I've a set hidden in the red pot over the fireplace."

"Are we in the very back rooms of the manor?" Thor asked over some murmuring from the other side of what was, apparently, a door. "Rotting furniture in the hallway?"

"You don't even know where you are?" a new voice exclaimed in disgust. It sounded vaguely familiar to Loki, but he couldn't place it.

"There is, yes," Jane agreed.

"The older servant quarters," Thor whispered to Loki. "Baldr and I like to hide back here."

"I know," Loki replied drily. "I clean up after you two."

Thor grimaced, then raised his voice to explain, "Above the worst of the chairs, there's a loose stone. There's a key in there that unlocks both doors on this hall."

"When did you have that made?" Loki hissed, scowling. No wonder locking the doors had never kept his brothers out.

Thor grinned. "Mother's key ring, before Father had it melted down. You helped me, remember?"

Loki blinked and frowned in thought. It took him a moment, but he finally recalled the conversation he and Thor had had about making themselves feel better by tormenting the servants in the night. They'd never done anything, but Loki had been the one to sneak in and steal the needed key while Thor distracted Odin. "Oh. I forgot about that."

A key turned in the lock and the door dragged against the floor as it was pushed open. "Oh," Natalie whispered.

"A knife, please," Thor requested, exhaustion colouring his voice. "These ropes are not comfortable."

Loki felt someone behind him, carefully bracing his back as something sharp slipped between the thick rope and his tunic. A second person leaned over him to start on Thor's ropes, and Loki was surprised to recognise Matthew, one of Tom's cousins. He was immediately disappointed with himself for his surprise; he'd known Natalie would collect help from the castle, and so it made sense that some of Tom's cousins would be a part of the rescue party. Even if Tom wasn't.

(Loki shoved away any hurt at the thought that Tom wouldn't have come as soon as he heard Loki was in trouble. Despite what the prince thought of him, he wasn't a blushing maiden in need of a prince charming!)

The rope gave and Loki wasted no time in lowering his wrists to finish freeing them against his abdomen, leaving more room for Matthew to work on Thor's bindings. The silent person who'd freed Loki kept bracing him, a sort of reassurance that Loki hadn't even realised he'd needed.

Once Thor was free, Matthew straightened, asking the person at Loki's back, "Have you got her?"

"Yeah," Tom whispered, and Loki froze, heart jumping to his throat. Across from him, Thor flashed him a knowing smile, and Loki scowled back on principle. "Loki," Tom called, "can you roll backward? Get you off the bed. I promise I'll catch you."

Loki swallowed and closed his eyes on Thor's continuing smile, then let himself roll backwards into the bracing hands and that void of air he'd tried not to think about the entire time he'd been laying there.

Tom caught him with a soft grunt, pulling Loki up to rest against his chest. Dizzy with relief, Loki hid his face against Tom's throat, one hand grabbing for his jacket without Loki's conscious thought. "You're safe," Tom whispered into his hair. "I've got you, you're safe."

"Shit," Thor breathed, and Loki peeked up at him to find his brother staring at the narrow space Loki had been occupying on the bed. Seeing it now, Loki shuddered, not sure how he managed to keep from falling off through the night and most of the day.

"What happened?" Matthew asked as Thor sat up, Natalie hurrying forward to help. "Your father was not very forthcoming before the guard dragged him off, and Lady Jane didn't have the full story."

Thor shook his head. "Father found out Loki attended the ball last night. He'd forbidden Loki from going as soon as it was announced."

"But why?" Tom demanded. "The invitation said all women of a marriageable age."

"Father doesn't care for me," Loki announced drily, even as he cuddled closer to the prince. "He saw no cause to bring the family servant to a ball."

"Loki and I are not related by blood," Thor hurried to explain, more capable of reading their audiences' expressions. "Mother took him in as a babe when it was apparent he had no parents."

A heavy silence followed then, as it occurred to everyone what pronouns Thor had let slip. Natalie let out a quiet sigh, and Loki didn't need to look to know what expression Thor would be wearing.

Tom's arms tightened around Loki, hugging him closer. "You could have said," he whispered into Loki's hair.

Tension Loki hadn't even realised had filled him drained in a great rush and he clung tighter to Tom's jacket. "My father made me a servant for what I am," he whispered, voice awash in shame and relief. "Do you blame me for not telling you the whole truth?"

Tom sighed. "No," he admitted.

"Explanation for the hired help, if you would," Matthew interrupted.

Tom chuckled at the description for his cousin, but it was Thor who explained, "Loki was born with the body of both woman and man. Mother loved him for it, Father did not." He sighed. "It is to my shame that I followed with my father upon discovering the truth, when I should have judged my brother on his own merits."

"You're trying," Natalie insisted. "That's what matters, right, Lo'?"

"Thor already knows my feelings on the matter," Loki replied, having no interest in rehashing their earlier discussion in regards of his forgiveness.

"I do," Thor agreed quietly.

"So, query," Matthew said. Someone must have motioned, for he continued, "Which do you prefer, Loki? To be a man, or a woman?"

Against him, Tom tensed, and Loki wondered at that even as he turned the question over in his mind. After a moment's silence, he admitted, "I was raised as male, and other than these few days, it is all I have ever known." He shrugged. "It is easier, in truth, to physically appear a woman, given my breasts are not–" He flushed, recalling who was in the room with him.

"Unnoticeable when you wear clothing intended for you, rather than your brother's castoffs," Natalie finished for him. "There are ways to hide them, but they're not comfortable. Truthfully, you might be better off as a woman."

Tom took a deep breath and leaned backwards fast enough that Loki couldn't continue hiding against him before the prince caught his chin. "If your choice, my Loki, is to be as a woman, then I have a request for you."

Loki's mind caught on the possessive and it took him a moment to catch up with what Tom had said. He licked his lips and whispered, "What's your request?"

Tom held his gaze as he let go of Loki's chin and took one of Loki's hands, letting their fingers fold together with the familiarity of two people who'd spent hours on end dancing hand-in-hand. "My lady, I would be honoured if you would agree to be my wife."

Behind Loki, Thor sucked in a breath, while Natalie let out an excited squeak.

Loki's answer had been set the moment Tom had accepted what he was without a moment's hesitation last night. "My prince, I would be honoured to accept," he replied, formal to hide the way his heart was thundering at his chest like it thought to break through the barrier of skin and scream joy for all to hear.

Tom smiled widely and leaned forward to gently rest his forehead against Loki's. "Thank God," he whispered under the cover of Natalie's unladylike cheer.

"We'll have to get you cleaned up!" Natalie started babbling, coming up beside them and holding down a hand to help Loki up. "You look an absolute mess, and your clothing is simply shameful. You can hardly be expected to meet their Majesties like this."

Loki stumbled as he got to his feet. "Meet the king and queen?" he whispered, only now truly realising he had just agreed to marry into the royal family.

"They'll love you," Natalie promised. "Are your gowns here? Darcy said she wasn't keeping them."

"They're in Thor's room," Loki agreed distantly.

Natalie nodded. "Thor, come along. You can clean up and change in Baldr's room while I help Loki. And you two–" she pointed between Matthew and Tom, both smiling bemusedly at the young woman giving orders "–will await us in the carriage."

Matthew chuckled. "Certainly, Lady Jane. Come along, Thomas. Best not to anger your fiancée or her friend."

Tom blinked, then his smile widened as he met Loki's eyes. "Indeed." He took one of Loki's hands and brought it up to kiss the back. Then, brow furrowing, the rope mark around his wrist. "My lady," he murmured at last, smile only a little strained at the reminder of Loki's recent ordeal.

Loki shook away the fog that had settled around his head and kissed the back of Tom's hand, winning a far more honest smile from him. "My prince." He squeezed his hand once before letting it go and allowing Natalie to usher him from the room, Thor trailing.

Upstairs, Thor was quick about retrieving a change of clothing and leaving for Baldr's room. Natalie considered Loki's two gowns while he set about washing blood out of his hair and off his face and wherever it had got past his tunic . When Natalie at last turned to him, holding the sage green gown, she let out a horrified sound and came over to gently touch Loki's back. "Oh, Lo'," she whispered, voice breaking.

Loki had seen the impressive bruising on his arms, legs, and the one from the single kick to his stomach. Recalling all-too-well Odin's plan of attack, as well as the subtle aches of his body, he didn't doubt his back was a macabre patchwork. He sighed and stood, offering a tired smile to Natalie. "They'll heal." He nodded to the gown she was holding. "While that's the nicer of the two, the grey one might be the better option; it has sleeves." He held up his arms as proof that the long sleeves were necessary, lest they wanted everyone knowing he'd been beat senseless by Odin.

Natalie swallowed and looked away. "Yes, of course," she agreed quietly before turning and trading the gowns off.

When she returned, Loki caught her chin and offered a smile when she looked up at him. "Thank you," he said, putting every ounce of gratitude he possessed into the two words.

Natalie pulled him closer for a one-armed hug, touch gentle, gown crushed between them. "You're welcome," she whispered.

After a long moment of stillness, they pulled apart and Natalie helped Loki into the gown, expression tightening each time Loki couldn't help but react to moving his aching body, or the fabric pulling a little too tight against a bruise. In the end, though, the gown covered all the bruises, and none of the seams pressed into any.

"We'll have to have a new gown made for you for tonight," Natalie said as Loki fought with his hair. "Something a bit less dull, I think."

"I like these shades," Loki insisted, to Natalie's apparent amusement. "Given everyone else's infatuation with bright colours, I would think grey a far better choice."

Natalie sighed. "You do realise there will be an announcement that you're engaged to Prince Thomas at the ball, right? You'll want a colour that really calls attention. Something green, perhaps, since you favour it."

Loki closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his patience, then turned and pinned his friend with a flat look. "I've spent the past eight years trying not to be seen, Natalie. I can manage the public announcement, but you can not make me wear a bright colour. Please."

Natalie's eyes went wide for a moment, then she looked away. "I forgot," she admitted, then took a deep breath and looked back up at Loki. "Okay. Dull colours. Or pale ones? Purple?"

Loki considered that, motioning that he was ready to meet up with the other men. "Maybe," he decided. "I'll look at it, see what I think?"

"Sounds like a plan. After your introduction to King James and Queen Diana, we'll stop by the royal tailor's. He'll want to have you stay while he works, so he can alter anything then and there, but it would probably be a better idea to send you and Thor both to the physician." She sighed. "We should do that first, honestly, but I'd rather not fight with your gown any more than necessary."

"Not to mention my hair," Loki muttered, hiding a smile behind one hand. He glanced down at himself and added, "I feel simultaneously over- and underdressed."

Natalie smiled. "Ball gowns aren't really general court wear," she agreed, "but it's what you have. We'll have the tailor make you some everyday dresses, as well as the gown."

"That's not a bad idea," Tom said as he held out a hand to help Loki and Natalie into the carriage. "I assume you don't really own female clothing?"

Loki shook his head as he dropped gratefully into the open spot next to Thor. "You've seen all I own."

"Even your under things?" Matthew asked from where he was sitting with the driver.

"Matthew!" Natalie snapped as Tom reached back and smacked his cousin, cheeks stained pink. "Recall that you are speaking to a lady and chose your words accordingly."

Loki raised an eyebrow and very primly informed all of them, "I don't show what's under my gown to any man who hasn't first returned the favour."

Matthew and Thor both chortled while Natalie groaned. Tom just smiled and reached across the space between them to take one of Loki's hands in his. Loki allowed it with a fond smile, leaning forward slightly to ensure they could keep the contact, in spite of the movements of the carriage. Natalie and Thor both smiled at them, then picked up a conversation they'd apparently been in the middle of the night before, when Thor had realised the time.

-0-

Once they got into the castle, Tom sent a servant ahead to warn his parents that he wanted to introduce them to his chosen bride. Then he asked another servant about Baldr, whom Loki and Thor had admitted was hiding out in the castle before they arrived.

"It will serve us best to introduce both of your brothers with you," Matthew explained as Tom sent the servant to fetch the youngest brother.

"Given recent events, I was hoping you would all remain in the castle for a time," Tom added quietly as he re-joined them. "We can explain it away as having you on hand for the wedding preparations, if you wish to avoid mentioning your father."

Thor nodded. "I know I would appreciate some time away from the manor, and I'm sure Loki feels the same."

"I would be happy if I never set foot in there again," Loki deadpanned.

Thor grimaced and pulled him into a careful hug, which Loki returned without hesitation; hours spent staring at the blood in Thor's hair had rather cured Loki of any lingering resentment for the past. There would always remain a distant fear that Thor might turn on him again, certainly, but he would be damned if he refused another hug from the man who had protected him from the father he'd always idolised.

Baldr arrived before Thor let Loki go. He paused at the sight and called, "Brother?" Both Thor and Loki looked at him and it took a moment, but his eyes eventually went wide. "Loki?"

Loki flashed his younger brother a sharp smile and pressed a kiss to Thor's cheek. "I will leave this explanation in your capable hands, Brother," he murmured before slipping from Thor's grip and stepping closer to Tom.

Thor groaned, but made no further complaint as he motioned Baldr to one side to explain things to him.

Tom offered Loki his arm, which he took, gladly. "What sort of reception should I expect from your family?" Loki asked, looking down at where the bottom of his gown seemed to float above the floor. "Behind closed door, I mean."

Tom hummed. "Mother will very likely love you in spite of your differences. Father might accept you without pause, but he may also disapprove of you becoming my wife. If he does, however, I promise he won't act anything like your own father did."

"Father's reaction was quite extreme," Loki murmured. "And, from what he said last night, may have had as much to do with jealousy as my differences."

"Jealously?" Natalie asked, having joined them with Matthew while Thor and Baldr whispered in a corner, both casting occasional glances towards Loki.

Loki paused, then explained, "Mother always put my brothers and me first. Where Father didn't mind that she paid so much more attention to Thor and Baldr, as they were his true-born sons, I was an interloper and...defective, I suppose, in his eyes. He wasn't pleased that Mother paid me attention when she could have been devoting her time to other things."

"Such as himself?" Tom grumbled.

Loki shrugged. "It's possible. I wasn't in the position to ask what he thought her priorities should have been."

"I'd suggest you might ask him now, but I'm not sure I'm comfortable with you seeing him," Tom admitted, expression twisted with uncertainty.

Loki patted his arm. "I am perfectly happy pretending he's dead, so don't concern yourself."

"Morbid," Natalie murmured and Loki shrugged in response.

Tom nudged Loki's shoulder. "Sarah and Emma should both love you. I apologise in advance if Sarah decides to, ah, mother you, I suppose. Grandfather died shortly before Emma was born, and while Mother tried to be there, Sarah ended up raising Emma for the most part." He shook his head. "I'm convinced she turned away so many suitors because she wanted to be here for Emma."

"I don't doubt it," Matthew agreed with a fond smile. "I suspect half the reason Auntie and Uncle decided to hold this ball for both of them, was in the hopes that if Emma found a husband, Sarah would finally move on."

Natalie laughed. "Maybe we should wait to introduce Loki to your sisters, until after Sarah has announced her intent to marry."

"Too late now," Tom replied as Thor and Baldr joined them.

Loki slipped his arm from Tom's as Baldr stopped next to him, posture defeated. "Baldr," he said once it became clear his younger brother had no words.

Baldr looked up, eyes damp. "I'm sorry, Loki."

Loki shook his head. "You'll have to prove that to me before I'll accept it."

"Loki," Thor pleaded.

Loki frowned at his elder brother. "I will not sugar-coat this, Thor. You had a fair chance to make things better between us, and Baldr will get the same." He turned hard green eyes on the youngest. "You need to earn my forgiveness, Baldr, just as Thor did." He reached out to touch Baldr's cheek and was unsurprised when he jerked away. "You can start by not flinching when I touch you."

"I'll try," Baldr whispered.

Loki stared at him for a long moment before nodding. "Good." He softened his gaze as he looked around at the other three. "Everyone, this is my younger brother, Baldr. Baldr, this is Lady Jane, Lord Matthew, and His Royal Highness, Prince Thomas."

Baldr swallowed and did a careful bow towards Tom. "Your Highness." Then he turned to Natalie and Matthew. "My lady, my lord."

Tom considered him for a moment before nodding to himself and looking at Loki with a small smile. "We'd best make our way to the throne room, before they send a servant for us."

Loki took a deep breath and held out his arm in invitation. Tom chuckled and slid his arm into Loki's grip, unperturbed by the easy trade of gender roles that Loki had been playing with since their first meeting. Only Baldr seemed at all surprised, and a glance towards Thor's faint smile had him quickly masking any hint of disapproval.

The formal introductions were almost tedious, in the long run, and Loki knew he wouldn't remember a moment of them later. Tom did ask about lodging for his fiancée and Loki's two brothers, which Queen Diana granted without pause, sending a couple of servants to ready some rooms for the three.

The rest of the day was filled with a visit to the tailor, the castle physician, then back to the tailor for last minute fittings before the start of the ball. Tom stayed with Loki for almost the entirety, only leaving when Thor and Baldr arrived so he could change.

Loki had ended up picking a dark purple fabric for his gown, as he hadn't cared for any of the pastels. Judging by the way Thor had grinned in approval and Baldr's eyes had gone wide, Loki figured he pulled it off quite well.

He'd been forced to wear fancy shoes, Natalie insistent that Loki was the prince's fiancée, now, and couldn't chance being caught wearing his old shoes in the castle. She did agree that Loki didn't need heels, though, and flats were ordered in the same colour as the new gown. (Loki didn't doubt he would find similar shoes waiting with the new everyday dresses, as well, as much as he didn't want them.)

The formal announcement of Loki and Tom's engagement was as memorable as when he'd been introduced to Tom's parents, and Loki was quite happy to escape out to the garden with Tom, his cousins, Natalie, and Thor.

They did, eventually, have to go back indoors, and Loki allowed Tom to talk him into a few dances before he had to sit down.

"I keep forgetting that this hasn't been an easy day for you," Tom murmured as he brought a drink over to where Loki had collapsed into a chair. "I apologise."

Loki shook his head. "I'm quite content with no one else discovering what occurred last night, in all honesty."

Tom offered him an understanding smile. "Just let me know when you need to retire and I'll make your excuses and show you to your room."

Loki smiled in gratitude. "I will," he promised before asking a question that had been worrying at him for the entire afternoon, "When am I expected to meet your family for real?"

Tom let out a nervous laugh and looked towards where the king and queen sat in their thrones. "Tomorrow afternoon, at the earliest. Otherwise, probably not until the day after." He glanced back down at Loki. "Normally, you would meet them after dinner, but with the ball..." He shrugged.

Loki nodded in understanding. "At least I'll have a chance to sleep, first?" he suggested.

"That is very true, yes."

Loki lasted another hour and a few more dances before he wasn't completely certain he could make it back up to his room. Thor had left at least twenty minutes before, and Loki hadn't seen Baldr anywhere when they first came in from the garden, though he knew his younger brother had been there during the engagement announcement.

Tom helped him out of the ballroom without complaint, and was apparently well practised at keeping his partner from looking like they were about to fall asleep on their feet. (Loki wondered, absently, how many times his fiancé had been required to help one of his sisters or cousins to bed without concerning anyone as to their state of exhaustion. God knew, Loki had seen Thor attempt the service for Baldr a couple of times, when Odin had his military friends over.)

On their way to the main staircase, they came across someone Loki hadn't seen since his luck had changed so radically. "Heimdall!" he called, straightening.

The coachman turned away from the other coachmen he'd been talking with. His face lit up when he saw Loki and he quickly strode over. "You look more and more radiant each night, Young Ma– Mistress." He grimaced at his slip and glanced at Tom. His eyes caught on the crown Tom had been forced to wear for the evening and his eyes went wide.

Loki laughed. "Heimdall, may I present my fiancé, His Royal Highness, Prince Thomas. Tom, my family's coachman, and my personal guardian angel, Heimdall."

Heimdall sketched a low bow. "Your Highness."

"Please," Tom insisted, pushing against Heimdall's shoulder to get him to straighten. "I hardly require that of our servants; I'm certainly not going to ask it of Loki's friends." He glanced at Loki. "Or guardian angels."

"Heimdall was the one who found me as a baby," Loki explained to the unasked question as Heimdall straightened. "And he...gave me a shoulder to cry on when I almost lost hope not too long ago."

"And it seems I was right," Heimdall pointed out. "Fiancée to the prince, Master Odin awaiting trial for his crimes, and the belle of the ball." He cupped Loki's cheek. "I'm proud of you, Young Mistress."

Loki stepped closer, into the embrace Heimdall immediately offered, and hid his face against the man's shoulder. "Thank you, Heimdall," he whispered, voice thick with tears. "Thank you so, so much."

Heimdall kissed his forehead, arms tightening when Loki couldn't hold back a quiet sob. "No thanks are necessary," he murmured to Loki. He ducked his head until he could meet Loki's eyes. "It is, as ever, my honour to assist you." He smiled faintly. "And, for the moment, I believe you require assistance getting to bed."

Loki let out a quiet laugh and pulled back. "Thor, Baldr, and I have rooms at the castle until the wedding."

"So you're saying I'm unnecessary."

Loki shook his head. "No, no, nothing like that!" He paused. "Or, well..."

Heimdall smiled and cupped Loki's cheek. "I understand, Young Mistress." He glanced towards Tom. "If it wouldn't be an imposition, I would happily return each day, for if my young masters or mistress have need of a carriage."

"I'll see to it that you aren't turned away," Tom promised, pressing a gentle hand to Loki's back. "You are right about getting Loki to bed, however."

Loki smiled. "I'll come down to see you tomorrow, and we can catch up."

"I look forward to it." Heimdall stepped back and inclined his head in the most minute of bows. "Your Highness, Young Mistress."

"Goodnight, Heimdall," Loki returned before letting Tom lead him away, towards the stairs.

As they reached the bottom, Tom handed over and handkerchief. "You look a fright."

Loki laughed and wiped at his face. "Well, if whatever maid you've assigned me can't handle me after a few tears, she won't last very long with the rest of me."

Tom sighed. "For tonight, someone who knows volunteered to take care of you." Loki raised an eyebrow; there weren't many women who knew what he was. "We'll conduct interviews over the next few days to find someone who won't cause undue strain. If we have to go outside the current castle staff, we'll do it." He paused on the landing and took Loki's hands in his, uncaring for the damp handkerchief. "You will be happy here, I promise."

Loki squeezed Tom's hands. "I already am," he promised, winning a smile from the prince. "I'll be even happier once I'm out of this gown."

Tom laughed and moved to his side, slipping an arm around Loki's waist to help support him. "It's not much farther."

It really wasn't much farther. And when Loki opened the door, he found himself greeted by a familiar smile. "Darcy!"

Darcy laughed and came forward to pull Loki into the room. "Natalie asked me to come and help out until you can find someone who won't make an idiot of themselves because they're jealous they're not you."

"You're terrible!" Loki laughed.

Darcy winked, then peeked around Loki to where Tom was standing in the doorway, smiling. "I take it this is your Prince Charming."

Loki nodded and turned to include Tom in the conversation. "Darcy, Prince Tom. Tom, this is Darcy, Jane and my friend from town."

"A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Miss Darcy. Jane speaks quite highly of your teas."

Darcy grinned at him. "If you're lucky, you might even get to try some one day. For now, though–" she started closing the door "–go about your princely duties elsewhere so I can get my friend to bed. Shoo. You can have him again in the morning."

"Darcy!" Loki complained, secretly grateful. "Goodnight, Tom."

"Goodnight, my lady. Sleep well," Tom managed before Darcy slammed the door in his face.

"You really are quite terrible," Loki informed the shopkeeper.

Darcy shook her head and offered a far tamer smile than she'd worn previously. "I know what you look like when you're tired, Loki. Let's get you to bed."

"Yes, please," Loki agreed and turned so Darcy could reach the ties for his gown. "Please don't overreact, though, at all the bruises. They look terrible, but the physician gave me a salve for them that's supposed to make them heal faster, and they're quite numb when it's first applied."

"Is there some of that salve up here?" Darcy requested as she reached the blemished skin of Loki's back, voice tightening.

Loki nodded. "He said he'd have a jar sent up. It should be next to the bed."

"Good. We'll put it on before your nightgown." She sighed and paused in helping Loki out of the gown to brush her hand over Loki's back. "I really hope they hang him."

Loki bit his lip to keep from agreeing, if only because he wasn't sure how Baldr and Thor would take that sentence.

Darcy finished helping Loki get ready in silence. Once he was tucked into bed, the shopkeeper knelt down next to the bed and brushed a lock of hair from his face. "Goodnight, Loki," she whispered. "When you wake up, know you'll do so in a world where you're safe and happy." She kissed Loki's forehead, a reminder from not too long ago, when Heimdall did the same. "It's everything you've ever deserved, and don't you ever again think otherwise."

And Loki didn't.

The Tales of the Fairy Men Series:
Part One: Before He Drowns ~ The Little Mermaid (Turquoise)
Part Two: Crackle of Flames ~ The Steadfast Tin Soldier (Orange)
Part Three: The Curse Stops Here ~ The Frog Prince (Black)
Part Four: Occluded Front ~ The Ugly Duckling (Pink)
Part Five: Let Me Be Your Wings ~ Thumbelina (Purple)
Part Six: Chime of a Bell ~ The Red Shoes (White)
Part Seven: Regardless of Warnings ~ Beauty & the Beast (Blue)
Part Eight: Little Green Riding Hood ~ Red Riding Hood (Green)
Part Nine: Für Loki ~ The Crane Wife (Yellow)
Part Ten: One Day I'll Fly Away ~ Cinderella (Grey)
Part Eleven: Don't Count the Miles ~ Bearskin (Silver)
Part Twelve: The Snow King ~ The Snow Queen (Red)

..