In-between Love Sweat And Tears (Loki Short Stories And One Shots)

Sakaar pt 5

(A/N: I'm enjoying making this a lot more but since it's from my phone I can't figure out how I could possibly move this into a whole other book. But I'll have all of the chapters sticking together. Thanks everyone!)

"You insolent child! Watch where you're going next time or it'll be a true whip instead of a lashing!"

Your brows were furrowed heavily as you held your tears back from falling, and your tongue from crying out. You were only about 11 at the time. You didn't deserve so many lashings just from this, and it hadn't even been your fault. You were properly carrying out your morning tasks and bringing one of the newest stringed instruments to Loki's room: A beautiful hand carved cello that matched no others that you had ever seen in the palace before, and a book full of musical pieces for him to practice learning.

It was as big as you, how could you even avoid the drunken warriors that bumped hard into you when you rounded the corner? In that instance you had dropped the cello and busted the bottom frame when trying to catch yourself, just as one of the older and higher up maids was coming through.

Instead of her reprimanding the obvious ones at fault, she turned on you for ruining the beautiful piece in one fell swoop. Yelling in your face with nothing but the worst insults and horrid complaints. "You're such a useless maid! When will you ever learn that you aren't worth even being a presence here? Every week it's something new! Spilling wine over the balcony and onto some of Odin's council, or catching fire to the dining table, and the spiders!!" You accidentally snorted at that one, which only ended up making it worse for you as she just about spat in your face.

As she dragged you into one of the main chambers where punishment for maids was common, she threw you down onto the dirty floor hard enough that you scraped your knees and palms upon impact. You had only managed to sit up before she was at your back, a horse whip in her hold.

Thirteen times she had struck you, half of which you knew was because you hadn't even given a whimper to satisfy her, which prompted enough force with them to break the skin. Part of the leather straps had managed to hit the sides of your neck, and the heels of your feet as you kept your head bowed. Once she was done, she turned on her heels. "You are to apologize to the young Prince for your graceless steps that have resulted in his studies becoming disorganized, and you are forbidden from enjoying a meal until the baths are scrubbed clean!"

You were carefully standing outside of Loki's chambers afterwards, your heels sore but not bleeding as you raised a hand up to knock. It was time for his music lesson, but thanks to you, he wouldn't be having one today. You quickly dropped your hand as the doors opened before you could even touch them, and a 14 year old Loki stood there. "Y/N, you're late, where have--" His voice had yet to truly deepen at this point in his life, but it still held an air of power. Even as he gasped softly, you felt bad for even making him worry. You kneel down in front of him, your head hanging low as you speak up. "Y/N... You're.. what happened?" "I... I am here to apologize, Prince Loki. As it's my fault for your lack of a lesson today, any punishment you may have for me, I will accept."
You knew he could see part of the lashes through your torn maid garments, as the material of the tunic was far cheaper than the true Asgardian royalty.

"You know I don't like when you kneel to me." He muttered. "Look at me." Doing as he says, you meet his concerned gaze with a steely one as the tears are trying to make their way through. "Stand up." You listen to him and follow his orders, ignoring the uncomfortable heat radiating from every lash.

Gently, he grabs your wrist and pulls you into his chambers before closing the doors. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine." Loki watches you, his baby green eyes having flecks of blue in them as he goes to get a dry facecloth before he dips it in some water from a small basin above his nightstand.