IDUNA (Loki x Reader)

Chapter 5 - A Gift

Loki's boots crunched the leaves and grasses behind you as you made your way back to the pond.

"Apparently she'd come here with some friends but they've managed to keep it under wraps for years. Just wait until you see it. It certainly doesn't make me miss Earth."

"How could you miss that place at all?"

"It's been a home for years now. I've even embraced the trends." You dramatically gestured toward your hair. "I'll admit though, I think I'm ready to give Asgard another chance. But I can't promise that I won't dip out again if I get sold to a giant warthog."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

You approached the alcove in the forest now, and the blue-green waters were just as beautiful as you remembered. In a way, you wish you could jump right in, but you had no intention of giving Loki the satisfaction. You tossed your bag down on the ground and started to walk around the edges of the massive lake, taking in the sweet smells of jasmine and rose.

"It's nice."

"Nice? This place looks like it was drawn in a children's book."

"Fine, it's beautiful." Something about the sound of Loki being complimentary of anything was shocking. You watched him sit down on the ground. "I'm surprised you trusted me enough to bring me."

"Well, maybe it was a mistake."

"Certainly not. Adding to my list of places to be alone is not a process I wish to disrupt."

"You speak like such an author sometimes." You squatted down next to him. "What else is on the list?"

"Wouldn't it defeat the purpose if I told you?" You tilted your head at him. "Fine, a trade. You only get one though."

"Hit me."

"Well, there's this massive field off of the castle grounds, and if you go far enough, a large tree is there that I've managed to secure a swing to. I go there to read often, and it's far enough away from everyone that I can get some solitude. Kind of like the orchard."

"That sounds lovely."

"Oh, it is. One day I'll bring you."

"Thanks." You wish you could slap yourself in the forehead. Just as the silence began to get awkward, Loki stood up briskly, simultaneously removing his coat and boots. "What are you-" He ran right toward the water, kicking up splashes as he reached the deeper part of the lake. "Oh-kay, I-"

"You don't have to wear a bathing suit if you don't want to, but how can you possibly resist?" He leaned back into a floating posture. You felt so uncomfortable in your own body as you tried to catch up and walk in, still in your clothes from dinner. "It's not so bad, is it?"

"I was never concerned about the water, Loki."

"Oh, I know." He splashed at you and you returned the favor. It was something out of a bedtime story. The sky that you could still see through the breaks in the hovering trees was purple and pink, and it lit up the water around you like heaven. You looked down at the surface and could see straight to the bottom at your bare feet and, now soaked, pant legs. Loki was floating on his back, looking straight into the dimming light above. Suddenly, you heard him return to standing and come toward you. As he came closer, you felt the same smallness you always have when he's near you, but now, with his hair wet and stuck on his neck and his clothes drenched, he seemed a bit less like a god and more like a friend.

"I'm starting to think that you enjoy my company." He said in his deep, accented voice that you'd love to rip right from his throat.

"Sure." He laughed to the side at your poor attempt at indifference.