IDUNA (Loki x Reader)

Chapter 7 - Only Muse

You were able to spend the night sleeping back in your room. When you woke that morning, you reached the drawer on your bedside table to retrieve the poem. Ignoring the pain as you bent to grab it, you lined its edges with your fingers as you read it over again. "My only muse." You wondered how often Loki would write poetry or work on other arts. Your painting back on Earth was always a welcome outlet, but Loki was far more talented in poetry than you ever were as a painter.

Today's plan was to meet with the Odinsons and discuss what had happened. Thor had returned to Asgard and you were already bracing for some lecture toward you and Loki about your carelessness, but you were only looking forward to seeing Loki again. Your dreams went over and over the swinging tree in your head. The way he opened up to you in a way no one had, let alone someone who seemed to be made from stone. You always struggled with feeling guilty over every small thing, but this wash of emotion that he expressed to you made it even harder to convince yourself that you were only friends, or even simply training partners.

After preparing for the day with the help of far too many royal assistants, you were walked to one of the grand rooms where Odin and Frigga often spent time discussing wars and threats to the realms. Thor and Odin were taking up the two most monstrous velvet chairs in the room, while Frigga was sitting across from them and Loki was alone on a small couch. Without considering the look of it, you joined him.

"My dear, I was so worried when I heard what had happened. Thank goodness everything was okay." Frigga began. You appreciated the family's sympathy, but it was hard to digest over the stinging reality that each word of kindness was a stab to Loki's already guilty heart.

"We were all worried." Thor piped up. "That never should've happened, and though it's no fault of your own," you tried to glance at Loki and telepathically console him, "You need to have protection. As long as you're in Asgard you could be in danger."

"Well, I've been fairly safe so far. There were only two incidents-"

"Two is too many, dear," said Odin.

"Plus, we can't rely on Eir to heal you whenever you decide to venture outside." continued Thor.

"Eir is a close friend of mine, I'm sure she wouldn't mind-"

"Iduna, this is not meant to be a debate," Thor said sternly. You were quiet. "We will have royal guards at your ready should you choose to leave. And I will be personally training you from now on."

"What?!" you yelled. Your cheeks went warm with embarrassment and you felt your hands begin to shake. "Nothing that happened was due to Loki's training me. I can defend myself just fine. Thor, you're underestimating me."

"It's not only Thor's idea, dear, we just want to ensure your safety while you're staying with us," added Frigga.

"Then I'll stay somewhere else!"

"No." Loki finally spoke. "They're right. You should train with Thor. I can't put you in danger again."

"But Loki I-"

"It's okay, Iduna." you tried to convey your pain to him in your eyes, but he looked away to avoid bending. You tried to defend yourself one last time.

"I will not be paraded around with some entourage of security everywhere I go. My time alone is sacred to me." Images of your hours at the lake with Loki flashed in your mind. All of the best moments together to be ruined by a group of royal guards for the rest of time. "I will keep training if I must. But I will continue to train with Loki as well. If he will have me." Loki looked at you with the unreal sweet surprise that you will never tire of. Odin and Thor looked at each other.