Love The One You're (NOT) With

Thor and Loki are in the sparring arena fighting each other. Things have gotten back to normal, mostly, since their return from their hunting trip. After their return Loki and Thor invited their friends to a private room to talk. Like before, Loki took off his tunic so that his friends might better see how fully Jotun he truly is. Thor squeezed Loki’s hand as the blue overtook his skin. When Loki opened his ruby eyes to look at his friends faces, he did not see judgment. Sif actually stared a little too long, biting her lip. When her eyes met Loki’s the glimmer of desire there was replaced by embarrassment. Well, at least the ladies will approve.
Frigga is preparing Loki for the day when Odin disowns him, and he exposes his Jotun form. Their friends are aware of the situation. Thor and Loki are getting married. They have had to distance themselves from one another in public. They cannot be seen cavorting until after the betrothal announcement. Once that has taken place, it has been decided that it is best if they are “caught” cavorting a lot. The whole family had debated that little bit, but Loki had raised the point that this marriage is going to be scandalous regardless. It will be up to Odin to convince the people of Asgard that this betrothal was planned all along (which technically it was) and that Thor knew Loki was Jotun the whole time. Acting ashamed of themselves while being betrothed and getting married will send the wrong message.
Thor and Loki will have to convince the people that they were pretending to be brothers and that they knew they were destined to marry the whole of their lives. Sif has been drafted to perpetuate the ruse. Everyone knew that Thor and Sif were a couple for many years. She will have to play the part of the co-conspirator. They don’t expect to convince everyone, but if they are believable, they will not be challenged.
Thor lands hard on his back with a loud thud. Loki has bested him again. This has become a new thing for him the last few days. Loki is radiating a new confidence he has never before possessed. His fighting style has changed, becoming more aggressive, and intuitive. He isn’t second guessing his movements or use of magic anymore. The shame is gone.
“You’ve bested me again Loki. I think it is time we take a break and let our friends take a turn bruising each other.”
“Fandral, spar with me.” Sif says lightheartedly.
“Ah, no… ah, I injured my shoulder. I think I’ll pass.” Fandral says. Sif glares at him.
“What’s the matter lad? Some maiden wear you out last night?” Volstagg jokes. Sif blushes.
“Fine then. Hogun, will you spar with me?” Hogun nods and steps into the ring. The sparring session is typical, but Fandral is on edge the entire time. Watching Sif get attacked, though it is only a practice session, is unbearable. Hogun knocks Sif’s feet out from underneath her and moves to bring down what would be a killing blow with the practice blade, until Fandral The Freight Train shoves Hogun to the ground. Hogun stares up at Fandral with a look of pure confusion. What the hell man?
Loki looks at the scene. Fandral offers Sif his hand and she glares daggers at him. She looks around at the others and blushes. Sif has been fighting with their little group for years and Fandral has never behaved like that towards Sif. None of them had ever dared. Treating Sif like a damsel in distress was a one way ticket to her knee in your nuts. He’s treating Sif the way Thor used to treat Loki before…. Oh!
The silence is broken by Loki’s laughter. Everyone turns to look at him.
“So...When were the two of you planning on sharing this little secret?” Loki grins like the Cheshire Cat.
Everyone turns back to look at Fandral and Sif. Sif takes Fandral’s hand, who grins sheepishly at her. Clearly they are going to have to work through this little wrinkle in their fighting abilities.
“You’re an idiot.” She says to him.
“I know.” Fandral says, and pecks a kiss on her cheek. Hogun gets up and stands next to Volstagg. Volstagg looks at the new couple, and then at Loki and Thor. Then he looks at Hogun.
“I’m not kissing you.”
___________

The throne room is abuzz with gossip. The King has called a special audience, and all the nobles, dignitaries, and courtiers have gathered to listen to their King’s announcement. The most popular rumor is that Thor and Sif are finally to be betrothed. Others speculate that the Kingdom is about to go to war. A less popular rumor is that Frigga is pregnant. All gather and wait to hear the word of their King, whatever it may be.
Odin comes into the throne room dressed in full regalia, which means one of three things, either there is a birth, a wedding, or trouble, usually war. Bets on the Thor/Sif betrothal are placed. Queen Frigga stands near him on the dais. Odin speaks.
“I Odin, the Allfather, call upon Loki Odinson to come forward.” The large double doors at the end of the hall swing open. Loki marches down the long procession path to the throne to stand before his father. Loki kneels in respect.
“Please rise and turn to face the people.” Loki does so with a wicked smile on his face. Loki knows the speech Odin is about to give. He’s heard it verbatim, over a dozen times now. Though he is filled with fear and trepidation, he does not show it. No, he must strut. Today he will stand tall. It will be a lie, but he is the God of Lies. He has a title to uphold.
“Years ago, at the end of the great war with Jotunheim, I brought home with me to Asgard many things. I took from them The Castket of Ancient Winters, I took gold, I took spoils of war, and…..I took a baby.” The hall erupts in loud murmurs.
“The baby I found was a runt, cast out by its dam and left to die. The child was not just any child, but the first born son of King Laufey, and rightful heir to the throne of Jotunheim. I took that child and brought him to Asgard to raise in the hopes of one day bringing about a permaneant peace, through marriage. Knowing the prejudices of my people, however, I did not want that child subjected to the cruelty and hatred of my people. I wanted him to love the people of Asgard as though they were his own. But the time has come for that child to fulfill his purpose.” Odin looks down at Loki, who has his back to him. Loki takes his cue and starts to remove his tunic so that all may see. Blue begins to overtake pink as Odin speaks his next words.
“I, Odin the Allfather, disown you Loki. You are not my son. You are Loki Laufeyson, rightful heir to the throne of Jotunheim, and I announce your betrothal… To my son Thor.” Loki’s ruby eyes pop open upon hearing Thor’s name and the crowd gasps collectively. The double doors at the end of the hall burst open and Thor, dressed in full regalia strides into the hall. He marches almost at a run, his eyes fixed on Loki. His eyes are narrowed, and filled with passion. There is but the slightest hint of a smile only Loki can detect. Everyone else looking on thinks Thor’s about to kill him.
Thor’s pace quickens as he nears the throne and when he reaches Loki his body smashes into his, almost like a tackle. Thor’s lips smash into Loki’s lips. Thor’s arms lift up and embrace Loki roughly, possessing him. Loki wraps his legs around Thor’s waist and the throne room erupts into scandal. Thor turns and carries Loki out of the throne room in just that way. Kissing him all along the way so that all may see.
___________________

The feasting hall is packed beyond capacity. The betrothal feast has attracted every curious onlooker in the kingdom. People not specifically invited to the event push and shove to get a look at their Jotun prince from a small balcony usually utilized by the servants. Loki sits next to Thor, curled into his side. Thor has his arm around Loki’s shoulder, like a protective shield. They do their best to try to pretend that they are alone together in a crowded room.
The fact that Loki is now blue is not enough, he is dressed in traditional Jotun fashion as well. Almost all of Loki’s old wardrobe is gone. Everything that had his emblems marking him a prince of Asgard were confiscated, and replaced by items marking his new station as a prince of Jotunheim and future King’s consort. Loki is wearing a lot less clothing than he is accustomed to, and a lot more jewelry. He is wearing an Egyptian style floor length skirt of white and gold. His gold arm bracers with his new insignia cover the lengths of his entire forearms. He is wearing a great gold collar with emeralds encrusted all over it. Even his hair, which Loki grew out because he knew it pleased Thor, has emeralds braided into it. It is almost waist length.
“You look stunning.” Thor says to Loki.
“I look like a girl.”
“You look like a Jotun.” Thor smiles at him. Loki would die before ever admitting it, but he does actually feel rather pretty. At least, when he keeps his eyes on Thor. When he looks around, however, he feels like a freak. Thor sees the look on Loki’s face.
“I know it will be hard, getting used to the staring. I wish there was something I could do about it. After the wedding you can go back to looking like your old self and people will move on.” Thor says and bends down to kiss Loki’s forehead.
Thor looks out into the crowd and spots Sif, who is being snogged to death by Fandral in full view of everyone. Thor smiles. He is relieved to see she has moved on and that she is happy. Thor still feels a pang of guilt whenever he looks at her. One day he will find a way to make it up to her.
The evening wears on. Thor and Loki kiss each other gently in full view of everyone. People are debating heavily the nature of the union.
….Do you really believe they have been betrothed all this time? I still think it’s incestuous.
…And what about the Lady Sif? She must be jilted.
…No she’s not! Look at her! She and Fandral must have been carrying on a secret love affair for years!
…While he was bedding a different maiden every night? No way! Do you think Thor is really attracted to him? I mean, he’s his brother, or was. It’s just weird.
… I think Loki is beautiful.
…Beautiful? Not handsome? He does look rather feminine tonight.
…Oh please, we all know he is ergi. He has been for years.
It is not very late, but Loki doesn’t care. He is done with being on display and is ready to sleep. Thor and Loki stand and the hall goes quiet. Thor bows to the guests and states that he and his betrothed are retiring for the evening. Cat calls go out as Thor escorts Loki out of the feasting hall and down to their private quarters.

Notes