A Love Before Time- A Loki x Reader Fic

Chapter 11: The Grove

"Phew Loki, first day out of bed and you're already marching me around huh?" I tease

"Oh, I thought you were stronger than that little knight..." Loki teased back

It was a lovely summer day in Asgard, and the sky was a brilliant blue with fluffy clouds dotting by. Loki led me to a forest, which we had been walking in for a few hours. It was beautiful, with the tall pines towering above us and the fragrance of flowers permeating the air. However,
It
Was
Hot!!
I had my guard armor on as protocol, which wasn't particularly breezy with the heavy breastplate. I didn't mind too much, it was worlds better than being stuck in that stuffy infirmary for any longer.

"We're getting close Y/N!" Loki said excitingly

We passed over a fallen tree and stream, and then were met with a large wall of foliage. Loki proudly walked up, lifted the vines, and swooshed his hand charmingly to beckon me in.

"Whatever prank this is going to be, I'm a liiiitle worried!" I teased

"Oh Y/N, I do much more than just prank." Loki laughed softly.

When I walked through the opening, the forest opened up into a beautiful grove. Honeysuckle and lavender plants lined a beautiful lake shimmering a wonderful green. The sun left beautiful rays of light to shine down on the water, leaving it to sparkle and shine. A small waterfall trickled into the lake, with massive oaks and pines concealing everything into a little haven.

"Woah..." I breathed

"Like it?" Lokis voice asked from behind me

I whipped around to see Lokis cheeky grin and spoke "Like it?! Loki this is beautiful! How did you find this place!?"

Loki smirked and said "A princess has got to keep her secrets." With a happy sigh Loki sat down on a smooth rock and stated "I could tell you were getting miserable cooped up in that room no-matter my wonderful entertainment, so I thought I would treat you."

I sat down next to him gently, and said genuinely "Thank you."

We sat in the grove for who knows how long, talking about our favorite foods to funny memories from our past (I did the best I could to tell him things) but then all of a sudden Loki looked sad, and said

"I've... never had this before."

"Had what before?" I asked

Loki looked at me and with embarrassment said "A friend."

"Oh... me neither really." I said quietly

"Really?" Loki asked, shocked

"I know, It's surprising with how lovable I am" I teased

"More lovable than me..." Loki retorted

"Hey, you're plenty lovable! Anyway.. like I said before, not the best childhood... so I could never relate to people my age. No one understood what it was like to be assigned to be something you're not, and how hard it is to express yourself from that."

"... I feel that way too Y/N. I've always been royalty and act like I love it, but it really separates me from many people. Everyone thinks I'm trouble, and that Thor is just a better version of me..." Loki said, eyes cast down

"Thor seems nice, but nothing like you..." I said softly

Loki looked up, so I continued

"You are your own person, and you are not evil. People can judge you however they want, but the people you should care about are the people who see you for who you truly are. You are a wonderful, charming, funny person who acts like they don't care but actually cares too much. And let me tell you, it's an honor to be your knight and friend."

Loki looked at me, lost in thought for a moment, and then said

"You scare me."

"I scare you!!!" I laughed

"Yes. You are frightening." Loki smirked

"What are you going to do about it?" I teased

And with a quick swoop, before I knew what was happening, Loki picked me and and dropped me into the lake!!!!!

With a splash I went under, the cool water a grateful change from the hot temperatures. I swam up, struggling a little with my heavy armor, and popped out of the water to see Loki cackling on the shore. I swam to where I could stand and with my hand on my hip said

"You happy now you little gremlin?"

Loki wiped tears from his eyes and looked over at me. He quickly smiled and looked away, and with a wave of his hand he magicked some modest swimwear onto me. With a flash of green my armor appeared in his hand, and he laid the clothes out in the sun to dry.

I walked over to the prince, squeezing the water out of my hair, and said

"You really are something huh!"

"You look like a leech." Loki retorted, smirk evident on his face.

With a quick pull, I drew Loki in close, shock evident on his face.

Faces inches apart, I whispered

"Takes one. To know one." And pulled him hard into the water.

With a splash Loki fell in, and he popped out sassily, his hair in his eyes and resembling a wet cat.

"Pppphthahahhah!!!!!!" I laughed gasping for breath.

"You've messed with the wrong god, little knight!!" Loki boomed, and pushing the hair out of his eyes.

We played in the water for a while, splashing each other and giggling like mad, when a voice from the shore said

"So this is where I find you."

Loki immediate straightened up, which was quite comical due to his wet cat appearance, and quietly said

"Father."

Odin stood on the shore, anger palpable on his face, with Thor behind him looking amused.

"Did you forget, our dear Loki, that today was sparring class with Thor? It seems your little knight is more of a distraction than a punishment. I should've known you wouldn't be able to be professional with a lady your age, but I am frankly disappointed."

"Father please I—"

"Not now, Loki. Please get changed and get ready for the sparring match. We will leave once you're ready. Thor, head to the arena and get ready, my son." Odin stated.

With a small smile, Thor left the grotto, and Odin cast a disappointed look at Loki, beckoned for me to follow him, and headed out of the grove.

This was the last straw. I knew how evil Loki was in the future, and how it was probably because he was raised never being treated equal and not knowing why. Thor had told me before I went through the ritual that Loki was a frost giant, and that Odin kept it secret. Odin has been nothing but unfair and cruel to Loki, and if no-one else is going to stand up to him, I will. Once we were out of earshot, I stood in front of the king and hissed

"What is your problem?!"

"You have a fire within you, surprising." Odin scoffed

"Listen here Mr. Royalty, I am not someone to be underestimated." Leaning in close, I whispered into the kings ear

"I know Loki is a frost giant. I know you're hiding it from him. And I know if you keep him in the dark, things are going to end badly for Asgard. If you don't tell him soon and start acting like a real father, I will."

Odin eyes bugged out of his head as he whispered

"What... are you....?"

"Someone who isn't bluffing." I hissed, and with a face full of rage I walked away back into the grotto to see—

Loki... standing on the beach... shirtless and gorgeous standing in the sun...

"OH MY GOSH LOKI I AM SO SORRY!" I quickly averted my eyes, found my clothes dry on the beach, and scampered away hearing Loki's light laugh behind me.