The Unthinkable Offering (A Loki FanFic)

The Heatwave

Loki had been acting very differently toward her since she slapped him, much to Eisa's delight and surprise. He was less impatient with her and seemed to be more tolerant of presence. He stopped flinching away from her casual touches and he made a point to try and have conversations with her more regularly, mostly pleasantries and small talk, but she would take it over broody silence any day. He remembered Eisa's comment about new clothes providing her with a distraction, so he sent for a fashion catalog and arranged for an appointment with the realm's finest clothier.

Loki watched sprawled out in an armchair in the bedroom as seamstresses took Eisa's measurements and offered her samples of fabrics to choose from. The week leading up to this day, Eisa had been giving all her attention to the catalog of Asgardian women's fashion, culling garments from her already overflowing side of the closet and making a list of items she wanted made.

"What do you think of this one, Loki?" She handed him a swatch of dark forest green satin.

"I like it," he pulled the fabric through his fingers, "It has a pleasant texture. What did you have in mind for it?"

"A dressing gown, perhaps? Or a new nightgown?"

He handed the swatch to the seamstress recording the order, "Make it a matching set. With slippers too."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Oh, and also one of those," he drew circles around his head with his index finger.

"A hair scarf, My Prince?"

"Yes, but break up the green with some golden embroidery."

"Of course. Do you fancy any particular patterns? Florals, or fauna?"

"Little doves, if you please."

She nodded and scribbled the notes in her book, "Doves it is."

Eisa blushed and covered her grin with her fingers as she went back to the swatches, her fingers trailing over an inky black silk. If he was trying to make her fall more in love with him, it was working.

oOXOo

Several parcels arrived for Eisa the next day.

"That was a rather quick turnaround," Loki said as he helped carry the elegantly wrapped packages from the dressmaker to their bedroom.

"Oh," she giggled, "No these are just a few staples that are not custom. Mostly undergarments and a couple of light summer pieces."

"I see. Are you going to have enough room for all of this?"

"Greta is still helping me go through my things. I will be donating quite a bit. Most of these dresses I have had since I was in secondary school."

"So not very long at all?"

"Hilarious," she rolled her eyes, "Maybe the King could use a new jester at court?"

"Odin is surrounded by enough clowns as it is." Loki smirked as he set the boxes in the closet, "Speaking of which... What is the latest word on your father?" He motioned for her to walk out ahead of him.

"Since he resigned from working for the King, Yulla finally agreed to the dissolution of their marriage, contingent he pays her a monthly stipend. According to Groa, he is now courting the daughter of the ambassador to Vanaheim. Who just so happens to be the same age as my sister, Brita." She made a disgusted face as she relaxed on the sofa.

"What's this?" Loki laughed as he went to the bar and filled two glasses with water, "I thought you were all for older men with younger women?"

"There is a difference between a little bit older, and well, just old. My father is not that much younger than yours. I do not understand the appeal. Thank you," she accepted the glass from Loki's outstretched hand.