HOME | DD

Description
Post Thor and the Avengers, Pre and early Thor: the Dark World.

You pause at the stairs, hesitating. Whatever you do, never ever talk to the prisoners. You repeat this in your head over and over. It was something mama always said. Your family had long worked for the royal prison, giving food to prisoners or other necessities. But before your first day, before every day actually, until she died, you’re mother warned you to never make eye contact with the prisoners and to definitely not speak to them. When you asked once why she said this, she explained, “That’s all they need. One second of talking to you. Some are dumb, some are tricksters and sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference. The tricksters get you to trust them. And before you know it, you’re handing the key to their cell over with a smile on your face.” Your mother looked at you sternly. “Our family has worked for King Odin for centuries. Do you really want to be the one that ends it all?”
You had shaken your head rigorously and your mother, satisfied, gave you a big hug. “You’ll do great, I know.”
You smile wistfully as you think about your mother. At first, it was really hard to heed her advise. So many of the prisoners were fascinating and they tried so hard to get you to speak. But somehow you had managed to keep your tongue. Then your mother died shortly after, and since then it became about honoring her memory. You couldn’t do anything to mess it up. Some days were harder than others, however, and especially since they recently imprisoned Loki, Thor’s brother. Your contact with Loki had been very brief before he ‘died’, but you had always been drawn to him when you had seen him walking around the castle. Then he had attacked Midgard and returned with Thor, only to be imprisoned for life. You are dying of curiosity. What is Midgard like? You’ve never met anyone who had been there except for Thor, and you certainly never spoke to him. So, it took all your effort not to speak to Loki. Your mother said you couldn’t always tell who the tricksters were, but you knew as soon as you saw Loki that he was one. And he’s so mysterious and beautiful and-
You shake your head, repeating Mama’s mantra. Steeling yourself as best as you could, you continued down to the cells, basket slung on your arm. You stop at each designated cell, putting some bread into the them. The guards took care of the water and you would have to make a second delivery later for special items. But right now, you just had to feed certain prisoners. Other girls would come down too, serving the others.
When you come close to Loki’s cell, you peer up carefully, giving the bread to a prisoner a few rooms down. Loki is reading, propped up near the window, legs crossed and looking immensely bored. That’s never good. Mama always said bored tricksters are the worst. When you finally make your way to his cell, you keep your eyes on the ground.
You place the bread in the spot, pushing the button so it would go into the cell. You see movement above you and you tense. No talking, no talking.
“Why don’t you just ask me?” You hear Loki say. His voice is rich and smooth and sends tingles rushing down your spine.
You clench your jaw. “You’re dying to know. I can see it on your face. What is Midgard like?” Loki says this last part in a high imitation of your voice.
You can’t help it. You snap your eyes up. Loki has put his book aside and is watching you intently. From this distance you can see the color of his eyes and they are a surprisingly gentle blue, though Loki’s expression is cold and distant. Briefly, you crave to see him smile. You quickly push that thought aside. Mama was right. All they need is a glance.
“You won’t talk?” Loki rolls his eyes. “And here I thought there would be entertainment finally.
When you continue to look at him without saying a word, he sighs.
“Fine. I’m bored and so I’ll humor you.” He leans forward, so only inches and the force wall is between you. The proximity is making you slightly breathless. He is even more handsome up close. “Midgard is a horrible waste of space. They have potential, but only with a true leader. And they even messed that up,” Loki spits out.
You narrow your eyes. Don't speak, don’t speak, don’t- “And you are that great leader?” you ask softly. Oh no….
Loki cocks his head and smirks. “Yes. I am.”
You purse your lips, resisting a dry laugh. Instead, you realize you’ve already broken too many rules. You back away quickly, hoping it isn’t too late. “Come again,” Loki calls after you. You ignore him, rushing to catch up and feed the other prisoners.

The next day, you find yourself repeating mama’s phrase again. You can’t let your slip up happen again. Your families’s reputation is on the line. But when you approach Loki’s cell again, you find your resolve crumpling.
“Hello again,” Loki says quietly, watching as you place bread into his cell. You do everything slowly, reluctant to move on. This time Loki is standing and he’s so tall, with the added cell height you have to crane your neck to see his face. He crouches down to your eye level.
“Cat got your tongue?” Loki chuckles. Your ears perk at the odd wording and you glance at him questionably. Once again, his face his so close to yours. You shift away. “It’s a Midgard phrase. Means, something keeping you from speaking?”
You store that information away for later, excited to learn something from Midgard.
“I’m not supposed to talk to you,” you admit.
Loki furrows his brow. “Why not?” He spreads his hands out. “I’m in a cell,” he grins.
“It’s….I’m just not,” you repeat.
“Hmmm….” Loki hums. Then he moves so close to you, he startles you. “If you talk to me, I promise I won’t try to seduce you,” he whispers conspiratorially.
You shift uncomfortably. “I’m not worried about that.”
Loki leans back, looking amused. “What are you worried about then?”
You sigh, glancing behind you. No one seems to be paying attention, so you turn back to Loki. There are no official rules about talking to prisoners, it just seems to be common sense. You apparently didn’t have a lot of that. “I refuse to believe Midgard is a waste of space. What’s it actually like?” you burt out.
"Primitive,” Loki scoffs. “Why the fascination with Midgard?”
You shrug. “It just seems….so romantic.” You blush slightly as you realize what you just said. “Strange words for a girl who works in a prison,” Loki says.
You laugh bitterly. “I suppose I am foolish.”
Loki frowns. “I never said that. You have dreams.”
“Dreams are easily shattered.”
For the first time, Loki actually looks somber. “Yes,” his voice is quiet.
“You should know that better than anyone. You destroyed Thor’s,” you say. You know it’s risky, but you have to see what Loki will say. He looks up angrily.
“NO!” he says vehemently and you flinch. “Thor shattered mine.”
“But he loves a girl on Midgard. That’s what they say anyway,” you add.
“Love….” Loki groans. “Thor is foolish.”
For some reason, that really bothers you. “You don’t believe in love?”
“I have yet to experience it,” Loki says bitterly.
“Doesn’t your mother love you?” you ask. You hear things around the castle and how Loki feels about his brother and father are among them.
“She’s not my mother,” Loki says.
“But, she treats you like a son,” you point out. It seems like Loki just wants a pity party.
To your surprise, he smiles faintly. “Yes, I suppose she does.” You both stay silent for a minute. You know you should get going, but you can’t make your feet move.
“And you?” Loki asks finally.
“What?”
“Have you experienced ‘love’?” he says ‘love’ like it’s a joke. “With my family,” you say. Loki edges closer to you, smirking. You are starting to figure out that that smirk is bad news.
“Not with a…..man?”
You blush, a strange sensation spreading through your chest. “No.” You raise your head, trying to act unaffected. “You with a woman?” You didn’t much like the thought of Loki with another woman. Loki just continues to smirk.
“You’re bold,” he says.
“And you didn’t answer the question,” you say firmly.
“Jealous?” he asks seductively.
You blush, ducking your head. “You wish,” you mumble. “I have to go….”
“Until next time.”
You smile at him and he surprises you once more by smiling in return.

Several weeks pass and you discreetly continue to talk to Loki. He’s so fascinating. He has a million stories to tell and he’s extremely charming and witty. It isn’t long before you start to fall in love with him. You try to talk yourself out of it, after all he is in prison. But you aren’t able to. So you keep daydreaming, and talking, and more often than not, laughing. Soon though, an unfortunate event occurs. The Dark Elves attack Asgard, including the prison. You were down there when it happened, searching wildly for Loki. When you found him still in his cell, you saw as he directed the Dark Elf on which way to go. You stared horrified as Loki glanced over and saw you looking. His eyes went cold and he smirked. Horrified, you ran away as fast as you could, tears running down your cheeks. You should have known better.

Asgard starts to recover from the attack and what prisoners can be recaptured are placed back in their cells. Loki is still there and you avoid him as much as possible. You are even able to have another girl take over his cell. You heard about his mother though, and wonder how he’s doing. One time you saw him crying and you hurriedly walked away. You knew he wouldn’t have wanted you to see him. You had been through the same thing with your own mother. Then Thor came, taking him away. As he was led away in shackles, you stood in the shadows, watching. Loki saw you, and gave you a sad smile. You didn’t return it.

You wander through the halls, making your way from the prison. Thor had just taken Loki less than an hour ago and already you miss him. Then you hear voices. Loki and Thor. You back against the wall, careful not to be seen.
“Thor,” Loki is saying, “Let me do this. It’s the only thing I ask.”
“You don’t get to ask for favors, Loki,” Thor says angrily.
“Please, Thor.” Loki has a desperate note in his voice you never thought you would hear and perhaps that’s what makes Thor agree.
“Very well,” he says.
“Thank you, Thor,” Loki says. Then Thor and Loki come right around the corner and see you.
Your eyes widen. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t- I was just-“
Thor interrupts you. “Just one minute, Loki,” he says firmly, then steps away, remaining within sight.
Loki turns to you. “(y/n), I wanted to see you.”
“Did you?” you say coldly.
Loki frowns in puzzlement. “You’ve avoided me.”
“I saw you, Loki. You know I did.”
“Yes. You did. A mistake I will have to live with the rest of my life. It cost my mother,” he says quietly.
Somehow you believe him. “I’m sorry.”
Loki smiles softly. “I know.”
He reaches out and brushes your cheek. “You remember that time you asked if I had ever experienced love with a woman?”
You nod, not trusting your voice.
“Now I have.” He slips his hand behind your neck and into your hair, drawing you close, so close, until his lips reach yours. His lips are as smooth and pleasant as his voice. You reach up and clutch his shirt, pushing even closer. Slowly, Loki ends the kiss, leaning his forehead against yours.
“I love you,” he says. Your heart speeds up, hardly able to contain your joy.
“I love you too,” you whisper, pressing your lips to his again. You feel a tear slip down your cheek.
“Loki,” you hear Thor say.
“I have to go,” Loki says apologetically.
You nod, squeezing your eyes shut, trying to remember the feel of his breath against your skin, his hand on your waist, his thumb gently caressing your jaw.
“Will you come back?” you ask.
“Loki, we have to go,” Thor insists.
Loki places a kiss on your forehead and runs his thumb over your lips before stepping back.
Then he grins. “I’ll always come back.”
You watch him go, fingers pressed to your lips, replaying your kiss over and over in your mind. Mama was right. Never talk to prisoners, because some steal your heart. And you handed it over with a smile.