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

Sakaar pt 7

A/N: So, I'm loving writing this whole AU Sakaar part to where I wish I could move it into its own separate book, but since I have no way of doing that (literally, I'm only allowed to delete or move it around within just this area, at least just on my phone where I do all of it) please continue to enjoy this mini series within these one shots and other short stories. I'm keeping the chapters together so it'll be easy :)

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"What are you two up to?" "Nothing!"

Frigga smiles at you and Loki knowingly, folding her arms under her chest. Loki had snuck some sweets that he wasn't supposed to be having, and was sharing them with you as you both were in a hidden area within the garden. "You know that lying to me is unwise, children. And you have crumbs on your faces."

Busted!

You quickly wiped your face clean of the dessert debris that you didn't know was on you, standing up and bowing respectfully to Frigga. "S-Sorry, your highness, it's my fault." "No, it's my fault, Mother."
Chuckling softly, Frigga kneels down to be eye level with the two of you. Loki was seven at this time, and you were four. "I'm not going to have you get in trouble with such an innocent act of friendship. But if you get tummy aches before dinner tonight, you won't feel well enough by the morning. Now, go along and get cleaned up." "Yes, Mother." "Yes, ma'am."

Frigga smiles at you both and goes to walk off, enjoying one of the desserts herself that she has snuck from you without you having even noticed.

Your eyes open up quickly, tears prickling at the corners as you relive the short memory in your dreams. Seeing that it's night time outside, you carefully wipe your eyes and breathe carefully. How late was it? You listen for a moment, and almost immediately catch the sound of Loki's breathing next to you softly. He's still asleep, and you were glad that you hadn't woken him up.

Slipping out of your bed carefully, you gently pull one of the books from the shelf and quietly step over to the extra bed.

Sitting on the far edge facing the window, you glanced over the words. It's in the language of Midgardian English, that's what Loki has told you, being the easiest to decipher and read. It was filled with nothing but poems and short stories, and you could only hope that reading enough of them would distract your mind from the sad thought of never being able to see Frigga again.

You have been reading the same page for over ten minutes now.

About to give up as your head hangs low, you feel two hands going down your arms gently before taking the book from you gently. "What's stirred you from your slumber, my dear?"

Lifting your gaze up some as Loki makes himself comfortable by sitting behind you and pulling you into his lap, you rest your back against his chest. "Just.. another memory coming back." You answer quietly, feeling him plant a kiss on your head. "Would you like to talk about it?"

Struggling with yourself for a moment, you run your thumbs over his knuckles slowly. "It... It was about Frigga.. when she had caught us with those little cookies that had just been baked." You gave a small smile as you recalled it again, before your smile fell sadly. "I had almost forgotten about her... Her smile and true love for us.. I regret.. Not being able to tell her how much I appreciated her.." You whispered quietly.

Loki squeezed your hands between his gently, resting his chin on your shoulder. "She loved you as her own daughter, and was as hopeful as I, that you would come back to us." You look up to him, your gaze meeting the sadness reflected in his own eyes before you both rested your foreheads together.

It was good to be sad sometimes, it was peaceful and helped to detox negative tension mentally, emotionally.

"We should get some more rest.. I'll help lull you back to sleep." He lilts gently, and you gave a small smile to him. "Don't become upset if I do fall asleep during a good part of the book, my Prince." "I'd never be upset, I'll just finish the book without you." You chuckled softly, kissing his cheek. "Such a meanie." You joked softly.

Loki gently pulled you down to be laying on top of him, grabbing the book and opening it to read to you.

Listening to him, you turn carefully so that you can hear his heartbeat in your ear, following along with the words as he's holding the book close enough with one hand as his free hand is gently stroking your lower back.

You do end up falling asleep against him a few chapters in, and he bookmarks the chapter instead of continuing.

Running his fingers through your hair, he revels in the beauty that is you before he carefully delves into your mind. He doesn't dare intrude in your actual memories, at least not deeply. Only does he look at the unguarded ones that you aren't hiding from him, from yourself, tears slightly welling up in his eyes as he sees the memories of Frigga from your point of view. How happy you felt from seeing her as your real mother, as he did, before your happiness for him made him smile. You truly did care so much for him, and how funny you thought he was when you helped him with pranking people in the palace. And then how guilt ridden you were when you messed up something by accident, even when you weren't at fault.

Leaving your mind before he truly decided to snoop deeper, he wrapped his arms around you. "I don't deserve you.." His voice is barely audible, as he plants a kiss on your temple. Listening to your soft breathing, and feeling your warmth against him, he does indeed begin to fall asleep rather quickly, vowing to himself that you'd never be lost to him again.

"Now this isn't something I'd be expecting upon my return."

Your eyelids flutter heavily, before you're met face to face with an old book that's worn for wear but still holding up. You know this voice, and you try to lift your gaze. But you're just too damn comfortable right now.

"Send it back.." "Excuse me, I went through five feet of a trash mound to dig this out! If you don't take it, I'm dropping it on your face." "Do it..- Ah!"
The book is much heavier than you anticipated, and you feel like you've been slapped by paper that stinks rather strongly. Sitting up quickly as you toss the book away from you, you rub your face in pain. "Dammit.." "You said to do it. And who is this?"

Finally waking up, you look to see that Loki is watching humorously with a cup of tea in his hand, sitting away from you innocently. When did he get tea? Looking back the other way, you see Val also watching with humor, and some skepticism. "The poet." You joked, and she understood instantly. "Ooh, so you did find one! I thought you'd be an old woman before you gave it up." "Well, I'm not sprouting any gray hairs." You stretched, yawning sleepily before getting out of bed. "Do I not get a proper introduction?" Loki asked teasingly. You hum, smiling as you see that Tikia has already come and gone, as the tub is steaming hot with the usual bubbles and a different array of flower petals. The colors were vibrantly romantic, with hues of pink, red, and baby blue, smelling sweet. "Loki, this is Scavenger 142. 142, this is Loki." "Eh." You smirk as Val allows it, and makes herself comfortable on your bed. "Well, it's nice to meet you, 142." Loki says bemusedly. "Likewise, poet."

Undressing, Loki watches you a bit differently, half of it being incredulous, the other being lustful. "We have company, you know." "I've seen her naked far more many times than you, you know. And not because of pleasantries." Val speaks up, and you chuckle. "She doesn't care about my privacy enough, and we're both women, Loki." "Oh my." You and Val can't help but laugh, and you slip into the tub carefully.

"So, when did this happen, Y/N?" You sit back. "Um... The day after my birthday?" "Oh, you naughty girl. Did you use any of your gifts?" "Eugh, never. I'm pretty sure those disgusting tools were used already and just rewrapped." You say. Val hummed, looking Loki over. "I see. And you, did The Grandmaster not make a move?" "He's made plenty, but I recall hearing Y/N proudly say that she's claimed me as her own and I was off limits." "Ooh, Y/N."
Ducking down into the water some more, your cheeks are red. "I didn't know you heard that. Plus, it's true. Loki didn't want to hear about The Grandmaster's famous moves, but I think he should. Wanna describe the famous 'Butter Stack'?" You ask teasingly. Val grins. "I could describe the incredible 'Train of Shame' better." "And you can't forget the," "'Triple Decker High Rise Peggers'!" You both bust out laughing, as Loki's face has paled. "Y/N, I would rather go deaf before ever hearing either of you describe those to me, Ever."

(It's short but it'll continue in the next chapter! I've gotta be at work, stay tuned!)