Unexpected

Chapter 18

Upon his return to the palace, the guards ushered him into the throne room by request of the Allfather. By this point, Loki and his party had only been separated by a few hours and his guards had already filled the king in on how things went on Vanaheim, causing Loki some anxiety as he wasn't sure what the verdict of his father would be as far as the decisions made were concerned. Whether or not he would be happy was up for debate and the possibility of being scolded for having made the wrong choice caused his stomach to turn over a number of times.

He made his way down the impossibly long hallway at the end of which the throne of Asgard laid nestled. Odin sat speaking to a guard beside him and turned his attention to Loki as he reached the base of the stairs before him.

"Welcome home, my son. I hope you are faring well after your travels."

"Hello, father. I am, thank you." He automatically replied.

"I've just finished being informed of your journey and must say, I am pleased with how you handled things on Vanaheim."

Loki, who's eyes had been distractedly staring through Odin's chest, snapped his attention to his father's face and replied with surprise in his voice, "You're pleased."

"I am. It seems that the Viceroy had nothing but good tidings to say on your behalf and reported that your efforts to handle the problems there have remained effective. Of course, they'll keep an eye on things to ensure all remains well, but as it stands now, you've done well."

He wasn't sure what to say and stood stunned while processing one of the few moments of praise he was receiving from his father. A sly smile crossed his lips at the thought of a nervous Viceroy saying positive things on his behalf in response to the number of threats Loki'd left him to chew on.

"Thank you, father. I'm glad that you're pleased."

Odin continued, "In recognition of your accomplishments and return, we'll be holding a feast tonight in celebration."

His heart chest warmed in response to Odin's words and though he knew that this was a minor reward for a minor quest, all he could think about was how he was being validated by his father and treated with praise as he'd always wanted.

"Thank you, father." Was all he could think to say.

"I'll see you tonight, my son." His staff struck the ground in dismissal of the entire court. Loki made to leave the hall flanked by several guards who were on their way out as well.

After the meeting with his father, Loki found it difficult to focus on anything else. Texts in books seemed inscrutable and the words of servants went in one ear and out the other. His mind reeled on the words of his father and when they took a breath, they turned back to Endre.

Endre - Pacing around the study, he tried to clean up the piles of volumes that littered the floor, but hardly make any progress as his mind kept finding its way back to the man who'd confessed his love for him. Love for him. At some point his mindless organization of his study was halted when his feet came to a stop, and he sank down to the floor amidst a pile of scrolls that backed up against another tall window behind his desk. He gazed out over the sun-soaked city and gave in to the hallucinations that danced around his brain of their time together on Vanaheim.

It took no time for his heart to become enamored by his memories and soon he couldn't stop his subconscious from conjuring portraits of Endre's face or recreating the sound of his laugh or the touch of his hands. Longing took over the muscles of his fingers which came to press against the glass as if to reach through and across the city to the Bifrost, where he could find his way back to his companion. He surprised himself that when the thought of Endre not feeling the same about him crossed his mind, he held no doubt that his insecurities were incorrect and that sure as the man stood on Vanaheim, his heart too, longed to reconnect with princes'.