Infection

Chapter 3. Mommy is back.

Loki sighed. By the time he woke up, Fandral had disappeared. The feeling of loneliness came back. He got up, reluctantly. Put his clothes on. It was a rather good morning, so far. A knock on the door.
- Yeah.- Loki said. His heart was sinking. "Please, not Thor..."- he prayed.- Who is there?- he asked.
- Loki! It's me!- a concerned voice. Frigga's voice.
- Mom!- Loki breathed, ran to the door, opened it immediately.- Mommy?- hardly had Frigga came in, he hugged her tightly, and clutched to himself.
- Son!- Frigga whispered. She pulled away only to take Loki's head in her hands and kiss him on the cheeks countless times. Tears ran down her face.- Oh! I have missed you so much!- she said quietly.
- Mom!- Loki whispered, hugged her tighter.- I've missed you too!- he said.- Where have you been?!
- A political mission.- Frigga sighed, caressed her fingers through Loki's hair.- Oh, my boy... Loki...- she whispered. Loki lay his head on her shoulder.
- I have so much to tell you!- Loki said.- I haven't seen you for centuries.- he gasped, pulling away.- Mother... I am really so happy that you are back...
- I know, Loki.- Frigga smiled.- Come on, son, we will have some breakfast first... Then we will talk.
                           ***
For the first time in a long while Loki actually ate something. It's not like Thor or Odin forbade him to eat. No. They didn't mind. But still, with Thor's attitude and Odin's indifference... Loki felt like he wasn't worthy of eating. Except during the feasts, when Sif and the Warrior Three made sure he ate enough dishes and drank enough ale. Now Frigga came back... If there was anyone who cared about Loki besides Fandral it was her - Frigga, and Loki loved her dearly... So, he actually had an appetite.
                         ***
- I'm glad you're back.- Thor said. Frigga smiled.- I have missed you.- the lie fell easily from his lips.
- I've missed you too, my sons.- Frigga said softly.
Thor poured himself more ale.- Have you been...- she trailed off.- Have you two been getting on?- it was a question that didn't have to be answered.- I hope you have.- she took a small sip of her wine.- La...- Frigga coughed.- My love. Have you missed me?- she asked; her smile was sincere and gentle.
- Of course.- Odin put a big piece of meat into his mouth.- Of course I have missed you, how could I not?- he smirked.- My darling wife.- Odin smiled.
- I'm afraid I'll have to leave again.- Frigga sighed quietly. Loki stopped chewing.- I have something to finish off...- she said.- It won't take much time.
                         ***
The breakfast was already over... Loki went to the training yard and sat under the tree. It was one of his favourite things: sitting under a tree, "reading a book" while secretly watching Fandral train. He could watch it for hours. Fandral glanced at Loki, and smiled. Loki smiled back, forgetting that he's supposed to be reading a book, and not staring at his dashing friend. He sighed, looked at the book.
                         ***
After staring at Fandral during the training, Loki went to the Library. He loved this place. Not only because of the books. But also, because there was little to no chance of bumping into Thor. Though, that day... It must have been an exception, then...
                         ***
- Thor? I didn't expect to see you here.- Loki said.
- Oh, really?- Thor smirked.- Come, Loki, let's go to mother's room now... Shall we?- he whispered.
                          ***
- My prince. My prince.- a familiar nervous voice.
- Sif.- Loki sighed in relief. Thor rolled his eyes as he watched her approaching them.- My dear Sif...
- Sif!- Thor exclaimed "happily"- Glad to see you!
- Glad to see you to!- Sif chuckled. Loki had never seen her so nervous before. "Gods! How could Sif fall for that... monster? So many people around" Loki thought bitterly. "So many men, good men... Yet she chose the absolute worst" Loki pitied her, he really did.- You...- she was talking to Loki, but looking at Thor, her eyes wide, full of admiration. Loki raised his eyebrow.- Uh, Loki... Fandral is...- Sif stuttered.- He is looking for you, Lo!- she said.
- Oh. Alright.- Loki said, heart sinking, eyes filled with hope. He looked up at Thor.- I will go then...
                            ***
It was almost strange how easily Thor let Loki go.
"Shall we go to Mother's room?" Freaking psych!
What's next? The Throne room? Fandral's room?
- Booo!- Fandral shouted, appearing next to Loki, like he'd popped out of nowhere. Loki screamed.- You idiot.- he hissed, breathing hard.- You scared me to death!- Loki whispered and closed his eyes.
- Sorry...- Fandral smiled, pulling Loki to himself.
- You wanted to see me?- Loki asked him quietly.
Fandral didn't answer. Instead he pressed his lips to Loki's. That kiss was gentle. Short. But Fandral
put all his love into it.- I... Mmm...- Loki moaned.
- Wanna more, Lo?- Fandral purred. Loki gulped.
- Y-yeah.- he said, voice cracking. Fandral sighed.
- Loki,- the warrior grabbed him by the collar but there was no anger, neither in his voice nor in his eyes. Only love, and concern. Fandral took a deep breath.- Loki... You might be the God of Mischief. But, please!- he let go of Loki, touched his cheek.- Don't ever lie to me.- Fandral whispered.- Please!
- I'm sorry.- Loki said.- I just... Thor was about to r... He... again.- he sobbed out.- Please, don't ever leave me. I don't want to be alone! I'm scared, I...
- Shh, I won't.- Fandral breathed.- Honey, I won't leave...- he trailed off. They had been together for centuries... Both, him and Loki, had to be honest! Not only Loki. For nothing kills love quicker than lies. Fandral sighed heavily.- Loki...- he got on his knees, took Loki's hands in his.- I can't always be around!- his eyes were full of tears. He loved Loki dearly, sincerely... loved him more than anything, in all the nine realms. Seeing Loki, his sweet Loki so close to yet another mental breakdown pained him.- Kitten... I can't! You know, I can't!- he said.
- Please!- Loki sobbed.- He was about to rape me.
- I know, love, I know.- Fandral whispered.- Loki, you... you must learn to defend yourself. I mean... I can and will defend you whenever I can but you do realise...- he got up, Loki's hands still in his.- I am...- his voice was quiet, calming.- I'm not... I'm considered a master swordsman and an excellent overall battlefield Warrior.- Fandral said.- And...- he was interrupted by Loki's hysterical laughter...
- What a humble man!- Loki exclaimed.- Fandral.
- Loki.- Fandral said as he wiped Loki's tear away and laughed.- I am Fandral the Dashing, sweetie, not Fandral the Humble.- he winked.- Anyway...- his face became serious, concerned again.- Loki. I love you more than anything.- he breathed.- I am a warrior. But I...- Fandral was interrupted again.
- Anything before "but"... is horse shit.- Loki said.
- Shh! Listen to me, Lo!- Fandral said calmly.- As much as I'd hate to admit it... I am not immortal. If anything happens...- he sighed heavily.- I want you to be able to defend yourself...- Fandral said.
- But Fandral... we've been together for centuries.
- I know, love, I know.- Fandral whispered.- Look at me, Lo. I love you, but I can't guarantee I won't get killed one day, kitty!- he cupped Loki's cheek.
- Alright...- Loki breathed, leaning into the touch.
Fandral was gentle, so gentle, so unlike Thor. He sighed.- Promise you won't hurt me...- he begged, voice cracking. A long pause... A short, quick kiss.
- No, Loki!- Fandral sighed.- Sweetheart, I won't!
- Then...- Loki licked his lips.- Then fuck me now.