"Darling, wake up." Loki's voice surprised you, as you sprung up, wide awake now.
"I'm up!" You exclaimed, rubbing your eyes. "I'm glad you slept." Loki talked smoothly, crouching down by the bed. "Mm.." You hummed, pushing aside the warm sheets you were enveloped in.
"How are you feeling darling?" "Alright. How did your errands go?"
"It went fine, thank you. Now," A smile returned to your face as he spoke, "I want to take you somewhere."
Lifting your eyebrows you sighed, "Take me where?"
"It's another surprise, though I'm confident you'll love it." Loki displayed his smirk.
You grinned and rubbed your eyes again. "Sounds fun, when shall we go then?"
"Whenever you're ready my darling, though I'm afraid we'll need to leave soon. No time to lay around now." Loki helped you out of bed. You nodded in agreement and made your way to the bathroom to freshen up.
Loki sat down on a chair and pulled out a book out of thin air, courtesy of his magic. He read while he wait.
First, you washed your face. You had a few new supplies and remedies that some maids had offered you. It felt nice to wash your face and the supplements provided were all organically made from ingredients freshly grown on Asgard.
It created an invigorating, fresh feel for your skin, you enjoyed it so. You were ought to thank the maids who brought it, later.
Washing off the clear residue off your now smooth, clean face, you brought a small towel to your face, patting yourself dry.
Your feet padded on the cold stone, though you didn't mind. You'd been in a warm bed long enough.
Searching through your closet you found a lovely titanium white sun dress. It had small yellow ochre beadings around the waist and shoulders. The beads were handstitched with a golden thread.
You slid out of your old dress and into this new one. It fit perfectly to your body figure. You nodded and smiled as you flushed out the petticoat, which made it look fuller.
The top was open, allowing your shoulders to feel the nice breeze.
Hidden underneath some oaken boxes were a pair of sandals with a sturdy, straw heel. The sandal itself was made of a thick material, most likely leather. It was dyed the same yellow ochre color as the detailing on your dress.
"Perfect match!" You squealed in happiness.
Stepping out, you did a little twirl for Loki. He looked up and set his book down. "Now, don't you look lovely." He spoke deeply, approaching you.
You giggled and he took you by the waist, planting a large kiss on your head. You looked up at him with big, puppy dog eyes.
"Cute." He muttered then turned away. His ears were turned red and you couldn't help but smile at the fact you made him blush.
"Alright, are you done swooning yet. Let's go, darling." Loki teased, and took you by the hand. Taking it, he gently brought you along his side. Escorting you out, he took you down the hallway and down the may staircases until the pair of you reached the grand golden entrance.
"Not so fast." Loki smirked, and turned away from it. "But lohk-" You furrowed your brow. "We're going out the back way." He winked in return.
Loki took you down some more corridors until you approached a much smaller, normal oaken door. He pushed it open and held it for you.
"Thank you." "Of course, darling." He smiled and took your hand again.
"We will go down to the stables now, love." He grinned excitedly. You gasped at the thought of horses. "Are you aware how to ride a horse?" Loki asked politely.
"No, I'm sorry.." "No need to apologize! You'll be riding with me then. Which, is a better option anyway."
"Alright!" You laughed. The two of you journeyed down the large green hills. They were a lot more vast and wide in person. Finally you made it to the stables. A few Asgardian Knights stood, tending to their stallions.
You awed as you strolled past, you longed to have a 4-legged friend as well.
Loki's horse was way on the other end. You learned that the royal beasts were kept further away from the common ones. Apparently, the horses had their entire schedules as well, Loki explained in detail.
"At 5pm they are groomed, hooves are checked and hair is searched for lice. At 5:30pm they are given their dinners and a barrel of water." And so on, so on. He stopped once he reached his stall.
Inside was the same gorgeous midnight black stallion, which escorted you to Asgard from the Bifrost the first day you'd arrive.
"This is Svadilfari, meaning unlucky traveler. I stumbled upon him in Jotunheim." Loki watched his stallion with proud, father-like eyes.
"Oh, he's just beautiful!" You exclaimed with a grin. "I know." Loki smirked back.
He unlatched the horse stall gate and allowed for Svadilfari to exit. Reigns were already attached. Loki grabbed them and led the horse out onto the perfect, green grass.
"First we'll get you up." Loki cocked an eyebrow. You rolled and your eyes and stood up tall next to him. Loki picked you up, seemingly with no effort and suddenly you were on top of the horse.
Loki climbed up behind you, so you were fitted in between his legs, but also so he could hold onto you if needed.
"Reigns, please." You had taken the reigns in your hand and passed them over to him.
"Thank you." "Mhm." You nodded, ready to go explore.
Loki hit the reigns and off you were.
Svadilfari galloped quickly across the lush dunes. It was a windy day, your hair flew through the air like a hurricane, Loki had to tie it down with a magical hair tie. Loki's hair on the other hand was perfectly untamed.
Loki steered the horse down a trail. You were right outside the town. Little Asgardian people roamed within. You smiled thinking about all of the families who lived peacefully within.
A few farmers worked outside the town, collecting vegetables from the ground, and fruits from bushes and trees near the forest. A few of them waved as you passed. "Is that the prince?" You overheard one say. "I believe so."
Loki turned onto a winding trail leading into the thicket. Svadilfari slowed down as Loki pulled his reigns. You were gripping onto his long black mane. Svadilfari was a lavish beast. He was a big and muscular animal who only answered to Loki, you found out.
"From here on, it'll be a longer ride." Loki commented dryly. "That's alright. I have patience." "Thank you, darling."
Tilting your chin, you stared up at him with big blue eyes. His met yours and that electric feeling shot through your veins again.
Loki went wide eyed and directed Svadilfari to a halt. Furrowing your eyebrow, you silently questioned him.
"I can feel you." He mumbled.
"What?" You squeaked. "Yes, darling. I can read your mind, I can hear what you're saying." Loki spoke up, enthusiastically.
Your eyes went wide as well as you realized what he was saying. "Can you hear this?" You spoke inside your head.
"I can." He validated. You watched, astonished as he stated things that you'd say in your mind. "So, you really can hear me.." You smirked.
"Thank you, darling." Loki smiled brightly. "What are you thanking me for?" You giggled. "For opening up. For not closing me off anymore." He spoke rather gently now. Your cheeks became pink with blush.
"Now you must learn to read minds too." Loki laughed, Svadilfari started to trot again.
You gripped onto the horse once again as he started to move. "Maybe another time, perhaps when we're home. I hope I haven't gotten rusty." You voiced your concern.
"Not at all, darling. Being in Asgard heightens your powerful abilties. There's a special force that allows power to carry itself through the veins of somebody who possess these abilties." Loki explained. You took a deep breath of the forest air as he continued.
"After we return home you should be energized once again." Loki kissed your neck, making you squirm and him to laugh.
Soon enough you reached a clearing. It'd been about a half an hour ride. Loki halted his horse and the two of you got down. Loki grabbed you by the waist and set you gently on the forest floor.
You looked up to the clearing and what you saw made you gasp. Loki brought you to ruins.
"This once was Asgard." Loki stated, watching you with adorning eyes.
"Oh my god.. Lohk.." You breathed heavily, unknowing what to say.
In front of you were giant cement stone walls, a dirty grey. They looked like they been there for thousands of years.
"That's because they have." Loki winked at you. You frowned forgetting. Then you remembered he could read you. "Ohhhhh." You nodded.
You were going to have to get used to this new power Loki has acquired. You'd have to stop thinking about all the things you didn't want him to hear. Which, you knew was inevitable.
"So, this was once Asgard? What do you mean?" You pondered, taking a few steps towards the ruins.
"The first builders started here. Though the ground was unstable, walls would fall and crack, even after all that they did to make sure it was stable. It just wasn't worth to continue. Now, this is what it looks like." Loki smiled, breathing in the mossy air.
A slight smile crept onto your lips. "Do a lot of people know about this place?" You peeked around a corner of the fallen walls.
"No. Many are too busy trading or serving in the castle, no one has time to explore."
"Oh that's too bad," You frowned, "If I lived here for real, I would explore everyday!" You grinned widely, taking another glance at the grassy cement blocks.
"Hmm, would you now, darling." Loki smirked, slowly coming toward you. "Oh I would," You spoke gently "I'd adventure every afternoon, after my duties are completed and my chores have been met." You nodded, dignified.
Loki let out a chuckle, making you laugh long. Loki took you by the waist and whispered into your ear, "Let's dance, darling." And so you danced. Placing your hands on his shoulders, and his around your waist, you danced.
Your feet glided and slide on the mossy, forest floor. A few butterflies floated pass, their wings, pieces of nature's puzzle.
"You're lovely." Loki sighed happily, after awhile. "Thabk you for taking me here." You put your head on his chest.
"I knew I wanted to show you this place since we arrived." He spoke quietly into your ear. "Good choice."
"However.." You stopped dancing, taking your arms off his shoulders, and his hands off your waist.
"I'm still so... confused."
"How, darling?"
"Well, what Odin told me. I just can't get it out of my thoughts. It's crazy to think that, me of all people is Asgardian!" You brought a palm to your face.
"If I'd want anyone to be Asgardian, it's you." Loki shuffled his feet, making you cock an eyebrow.
"Well.. it's just so hard to comprehend. My mother was from and entire different realm and she never thought to told me, or my brother. I wonder if dad even knows?" You started to panic.
"Darling," Loki rushed, taking you to a stone carved bench. It looked to be just as old as the ruins.
"I know it must be hard to finally be told all of this. And she was wrong for not telling you. But at least you know." Loki looked a bit unpleased with your reaction.
"It'll take time to fully understand," Loki started, "Augh, I just want to go home." You buried your face deeper into your elbows.
"Darling.." Loki rubbed your back affectionately and with an empathic tone of voice.
"God's, I'm so sorry, lohk."
"No, no. Don't be sorry Y/n. You have nothing to even be sorry for. I was in the same state when I found out I was of different heritage." Loki patted your shoulder and sat down on the bench next to you.
You stopped to think for a moment. "What do you mean, "I found out I was of different heritage"?"
(Published: 10/30/2021)