My Best Friend's Brother

Chapter 13

The carriage ride to North Asgard was the most fun ride I'd ever had. Loki and I sat side by side the whole way to our first stop, with Sage and Alder in the carriage in front of us. We watched the scenery, told stories and played Uno. By the time the carriage came to a halt outside the first changeover, we were all ready to stretch our legs.

We all got off. Alder kept looking between his and the board overhead, trying to make heads or tails of things. We needed to make sure that we grabbed the right carriage (they don't like it if you jump in the wrong carriage) My brother scratched his head, perplexed. it wasn't clear which one we were supposed to take.
"Erm, which one do we get in?" He asked no one in particular. We all studied the rail board.
"I don't know. What time is our carriage supposed to be leaving?" I also asked anyone.
"I thought four but none of these carriages leaves at four," Alder's head cocked a little.
"Maybe I should go find someone," Loki offered.
"Good idea! I'll stay with the stuff," our brother chimed. Sage perked up a bit.
"Is there enough time for a Nectar run?" She placed her hands together into a prayer as she stared up at our older brother.
"You wanna leave the station now? We don't even know what platform we're supposed to go to," poor Alder sounded exasperated. The rest of us just came along for the ride. But Sage's Necter quest would not be deterred. She pulled at his arm.
"Oh, come on. The Nectar store is right across the road. Please? This'll be our last stop before North Asgard, and I want a decent drink,"
"You can get something when the woman comes with the trolley,"
"I said a decent drink. Train Nectar tastes like sewage water," Her eyes rolled.
"Are you even old enough to drink?" Alder quizzed.
"I'm 180 years old! Of course, I am," Sage frowned. She was the only sibling who did not look her age. People back home often confuse her for Cassia. Saying that, there are only 10 years between Cassia and Sage so I can see why people thought it "Okay, I am barely old enough but still old enough," Alder huffed then checked the time on his phone. Even if our carriage did leave at four- which none present on screen did- that'd still give us half an hour. He knew he didn't have a legitimate reason to say no. With a reluctant sigh, he relented.
"Fine. But hurry up. We don't know when we're leaving."
"Stop worrying, we have plenty of time" Sage countered.
"Get me an iced walnut Nectar, venti," he ordered. Our sister visibly winced.
"Ew! How can my brother have such bad taste? Come on, Willow." I blinked, previously not really engaged in their conversation. I was still busy minding the board with Loki. She waved her hand in my direction.
"What do you need me for?"
"Nectar run," Sage grinned.
"Why me?"
"You need to help me carry the drinks." Sage grabbed my arm.
"But I don't want anything," I countered.
"They have Honey Fusion," Sage smiled.
"... I'll come. You want anything, Loki?" I then hollered out to him. Unfortunately, I did not hear what he said before Sage yanked me by the wrist to follow her.
"Come straight back!" Were Alder's last words we heard. I looked back to see that Loki took off to find some assistance soon after we left.

Of course, the Necter shop across the road had to be super packed. It took forever to order our drinks and even longer to get them. The store was jam-packed. Sage and I stood by the window facing the carriage station where we could see everything. I kept anxiously checking the time on my own phone, half-expecting our brother to call demanding to know what was taking so long any minute. Only, He didn't call.

I was in the middle of peeking looking at my phone when Sage dropped a bombshell. She was watching my face as she said it, so to gauge my reaction I'm sure.
"So, this exhibition at the University of North Asgard... It wouldn't have anything to do with that application you've been working on, would it?" I nearly dropped my phone. The look of horror I gave her was palpable. She smirked, but not as maliciously as you would think.
"How did you know?!"
"I have ears, Willow. You were talking about it with your old supervisor." I cursed myself for not getting a lock on my bedroom door "What's it for?"
"Nothing! Well, nothing you need to worry about." She looked at me hard for a second. Her eyes flared with realization.
"It's for PhD, isn't it? Gasp!" Sage asked. I didn't answer but she knew what my silence meant "Does Thor know?"
"It's just something I've been working at for a while. Look, it probably won't amount to anything anyway! Just don't tell anyone else, please," I was begging her. No one can no just yet. She looked at me for a moment, as if she was deciding what she ought to do with this new information. I knew my secret was safe... for the moment anyway. I might have to limit my sister's intake of Nectar for this trip. Sage smiled.
"Don't worry. It'll stay between us. But what are you going to do? If it is for PhD, I mean-"
"I don't know; I haven't thought that far yet. But I'm not going to worry about it; not now anyway," I don't even have an interview scheduled, after all.

We returned with four oversized drinks with time to spare. The carriage pulled up right as we were all finishing our beverages. Like before, Loki and Alder loaded everything on, and we piled onboard the cart. The carriage was smaller and blue, so we couldn't sit next to each other and unfortunately, Loki and I had to share a carriage with my siblings. There were no more games or loud chatter; we were all pretty knackered. Sage and I sat on one side of the carriage while Loki and Alder sat across from us.

I'm not sure quite when, but at some point both my sister and I fell asleep, leaning up against each other. I kept drifting in and out of consciousness; the rocking of the carriage helped lull me back to sleep each time. Neither of the boys slept, though they were quiet. They were talking in hushed tones when I woke up next. I'm positive that they were under the impression I was still fast asleep like Sage. Otherwise, I doubt they would have said what they did. I couldn't see their expressions because my eyes remained closed but I could hear them well enough.
"I never did give you my condolences on your bio dad's passing," Alder spoke. Loki let out the loudest sigh I have ever heard from him "When did it happen?"
"Happened almost six months ago. His effects are all sorted out now," this was Loki. Funny, he always talked about his father so coldly. I already had the notion in my head that he and his father were likely not on good terms. He certainly hadn't disclosed any details to me to make me think otherwise.
"So will you be taking his place?"
"No. I have no desire for a throne. My place is here," There was a brief pause, where I imagined Alder to be nodding.
"It's hard... losing a father,"
"Mmmmm, my loss was not so hard to bear, I'm sad to say."
"I'm sorry, Loki. I never met your dad, but Thor did say that he was quite a character."
"That is quite amicable of Thor considering that he hates Frost Giants. But yes, you could say that he was quite a character indeed. At least he loved his other children," Loki whispered "But I do wish that he acted like your father. Heck, I wish that with both my fathers."
"My father?" Alder asked.
"Your father loved you all. And while he is going about things the wrong way, I can see why he is doing it," I next got the tingling sensation that they were both looking at us, whom they still believed to be fast asleep. Alder let out a chuckle.
"Father did love us, but not equally, I'm afraid. I'm sure you already know this, but Willow was his favourite."
"Favourite child. I heard that you were the favourite son," Loki gently corrected. Alder chuckled again.
"Heh, that's true. But she was still his golden child. You're right about what they said about Father. Being the grandson of the Queen. He and every male in my family was brought up to be a social-climbers; which is kinda painfully obvious when you look at the will. Of course, the estate had to be entailed to me, being the eldest son and all. But Willow... Grandpa used to come over and yell at Father for her behaviour when we were young. According to him, Willow was too unladylike. he said. Even though Willow is a Princess, Both of them see Willow as their ticket to move further up in society,"
"But your Grandfather is King of Alfhiem... How much higher does he need to go?"
"He wants all of his children and their children to be high up. It's where that whole 'marrying your daughter up the rank' sort of nonsense. Father knew it was horseshit so he designed the will designed to see that through... Even at the expense of the six of us." There was another short pause. I heard Loki take an audible breath.
"So the clause on her PhD trust fund, then?"
"Call it insurance. She made the colossal mistake of telling Father that she wanted a PhD more than anything before he died. That went against everything she was raised for all their hopes and dreams for her. So, Father being Father, amended his will and made Thor swear to him to see Willow married before she turned a thousand, respectively." Yet another lull in the conversation.
"So that's why he has been dragging her to all these balls and parties?"
"He is proud to call her his best friend and he just to show her off. Because she has absolutely zero interest in finding her own husband," Alder said with a hint of irony. Loki chuckled.
"Yes, she's made that quite clear," he agreed.
"Well, it's the same for you, isn't it? You don't wanna get remarried."
"Mmm, it's true. I have no desire to get re-married ever."
"Why? Don't think you'll ever fall in love again?" Alder questioned. Another low chuckle befell Loki's lips.
"Love has nothing to do with marriage; not at our level of society anyway. That's one view your father and mine had in common, though they thought end goals were different. Marriage is solely for procreation," Loki explained "I adored Sigyn but I never loved her,"
"Father never fell in love either; he only ever loved us... But when Willow came screaming into this world... Willow was his whole world. She'll be the first one of us to get married, which should make Father happy. Even beyond the grave." I lost track of how many pauses there'd been so far, but here was another one.
"But there's no prospects yet? Like serious prospects?" I detected a hint of concern in Loki's tone.
"Hmm? Oh, no! No, not yet. It's weird. Thor says he wants her to get married, but he never really considers anyone. He shows her off in society but then wards anyone away who shows even the slightest interest in our sister. I don't think this is what my Father had in mind," Alder chuckled "Personally, I just think he's the one who's not ready for Willow to get married," Alder added some wit to the end of his sentence. Loki sighed.
"Well, let's not take it as a bad thing. She should take her time getting married."
"But time is something she doesn't have a lot of," Alder objected.
"What do you mean?"
"Remember the clause? If she wants to go to PhD anywhere in the next six years, she better get a ring on it."
"That's hardly a reason to get married." The Prince scoffed.
"It's better than trying to nab a title. But that was the whole point of the clause," I'm sure my brother shrugged. Loki scoffed again.
"Well thankfully, Willow's smart enough not to enter some hollow marriage just for the sake of a PhD."
"you sure about that?" Alder didn't sound so confident.
"You don't think so?"
"My sister's wanted a PhD more than anything for as long as I can remember. I think that as much as she hates the idea of marriage, she loves her academic goals more. Now, I hope she's not forced into something she detests for the sake of her education."
"Thor wouldn't let that happen, would he?" Loki sounded scandalized.
"I doubt it. But you never know/ Unlike us, she has conditions she has to live with, both health and monetary-wise. I have a feeling if marriage is what it takes, she'll do it. She may not like it, but she'll do it," Alder sighed gravely. Yet another dark pause set in- this one much heavier than the last.
"You said she has no offers yet?" Loki finally broke the tense silence.
"None that I know of; and trust me, we would know. Thor wouldn't keep something like that to himself."
"So then it's a moot point. She can't get married if no one asks her," Call me crazy, but Loki sounded a bit relieved just there. There was this quiet moment where I think Alder was looking at Loki, mulling over what he'd just said to himself.
"You seem relieved by that, Loki. Why? Why do you care? You said you're never going to get remarried."
"Do not judge me... I care for your sister's happiness. That's all," Loki quickly defended himself.
"So do I, and definitely Thor does. But she is going to have to get married someday."
"Someday being the key word. She's not ready yet," the Prince said with certainty.
"Isn't that for Willow to decide?" Alder asked him.
"She's already told me that she doesn't want to get married. I'm sure when the time comes, she'll be good and ready... whenever that may be. But I'm quite certain it's a long way off. She hasn't even finished Master yet."
"She'll be graduating this year."
"Willow can't possibly find a husband between now and then." A final moment of silence fell over the pair. I swore I could feel Alder's hidden smile from across the table.
"What if she already has?" He inquired in a sly fashion. Loki snorted.
"Well, I couldn't imagine who that would be." I'm one hundred per cent sure Alder was smiling ear-to-ear right now facing the Prince.
"I can."

I was starting to feel lightheaded by the time we exited the carriage in North Asgard's Waverly Station. our hotel was oppsiote us as we pulle dup. Alder went to the front desk to check us all in. While he was busy with that, we stood off to the side. I was breathing a bit heavier than normal since it caught Loki's attention. He looked at me with mild concern.
"You alright, Willow? You've been awfully quiet since the carriage pulled up." I didn't even bother to try and give Loki a fake reassuring smile. My eyes kept facing forward as I focused on my breathing. A quick check of my pulse reaffirmed my suspicions.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little tired," Both Sage and the Prince were looking at me when Alder came back with our room cards.
"Here we are! Four room keys. Sage is on Willow's right and Loki's sandwiched in between us..." Alder stopped speaking "Willow, are you ok, sis? You're looking a little pale," our brother finally noticed my flushed face. There was no point in mincing words with him; I looked him straight in the eye.
"I need to lay down, Alder."
"Is this the cause of your condition? Do you have a fever?" My overly anxious brother put his hand on my forehead right there in the lobby. I cringed, knowing we weren't the only ones present. Still, I knew why he was acting like this. If Thor was here, he'd be laid back and let him deal with everything. But we all knew who Thor'd destroy the place should anything happen to me. It didn't help that it was painfully obvious Alder had no actual idea what he was doing and merely mimicking what he saw Thor do. His eyebrows set in "Hmmm, I can't tell if you're warm."
"Alder; stop it. I'm fine; I just need to have a little rest, that's all," I pushed his hand away from my face.
"Ok well here's your room card. Let's go all get settled in," he then led us to the elevators. Loki didn't say a thing the whole time but he stayed very near my side until we got to the hotel room doors on the first floor.

Sage entered her own room and both Alder and Loki joined me in mine first. We all glanced around.
"Nice, very nice," Loki noted, allowing me to hear his voice for the first time in minutes. Alder approached my side.
"Now just lay down and. do whatever it is you need to do for this thing. Did you bring your digital thermometer?"
"Yes, bro. Don't worry about me! I got this," I rolled my eyes. His sharpened.
"Don't worry she says. My days. You know who Thor will blame if you go unconscious?"
"But that's not gonna happen. This happens all the time, Alder; it's just something I have to live with. I'll be fine after I drink some water and have a rest." My brother didn't look convinced, and neither did Loki for that matter. They were about to say more before Sage burst my room door open. Out of everyone, she was acting the most gleeful.
"Alright?! Everyone settled in? Let's go!"
"Go? Go where?" Alder's eyebrow raised in her direction unsure.
"Duh! Out to see the city! North Asgard's so pretty a night! Plus I'm starving. There's a food stall I saw on the way in that I wanna try." Our brother simply shook his head.
"I don't think we should go out tonight. Willow's not feeling well and I should stay." To our surprise, the Prince cut him off by lifting his hand up into the air. He smiled- also for the first time since we got here.
"Why don't you go out with your sister?"
"What?! But what about Willow?" Alder sounded surprised, or he did until Loki shook his head.
"Don't worry, I'll stay here with Willow."
"Oh no, Loki! You don't have to do that. She's my sister. You go and I'll stay."
"No, really; it's fine. I don't mind. Plus I'm a little tired myself; be nice to go to bed early, seeing as we have a long day tomorrow," the Prince explained. Alder's eyes drifted between me and him, still somewhat reluctant. I don't think he minded the idea of leaving Loki and me alone together; I think he felt guilty about going out and enjoying himself while Loki's stuck here in his hotel room. When Loki flashed him a convincing smile, he turned my way.
"You ok with this, Willow?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" I glanced at Loki. Alder shrugged.
"Well, alright then. Just get some rest, drink lots of water, and let me know if you start seeing stars or whatever it is you see."
"I will, I will. Go and enjoy your food, you guys. Have a good time!"
"Want us to bring you back anything?" Sage inquired.
"No, I think it's too late for me. Loki?" I declined.
"Same. We'll eat breakfast together tomorrow," he said.
"Alright then, see you in the morning," they called out before leaving.
"See you in the morning," I chimed back.

The door closed behind them, leaving Loki and myself in the room. We looked at each other, a grin naturally appearing across our lips.
"Well! Here we are..."
"Here we are," he chuckled back.
"Thanks again for coming, Loki."
"Would you stop thanking me? I want to be here, Willow. I was the one that showed you the leaflet," His saying this only deepened my smile. He always knew what to say at the best of times. I went to speak but all the blood suddenly rushed from my head, causing me to be supremely dizzy. He watched with horror as I collapsed onto the bed. I didn't fall or anything and was still sitting upright, but it was clear that I didn't intend to do that. He hurried over to my side while my hand came up to my very light forehead.
"Willow? Are you alright?!" I don't think Loki has ever witnessed anything wrong concerning my condition but he was about to on our trip.
"I'm just lightheaded. That's all," it gets worse when I'm tired, and the lack of electrolytes today didn't help matters.
"Here, lay down," Loki stood at my bedside as I did as I was told. I did feel a bit better once I was in a vertical position. My gaze wandered back up to his worried expression and I smiled.
"It's not dangerous. Well, this isn't dangerous. I just need to be a little more careful on this trip." Loki nervously sucked in his lips.
"Does this happen a lot?"
"No... but I will admit that it's getting worse. The older I get, the more symptoms show up,"
"So this lightheadedness isn't a good sign, then?" He meant it for me, I'm sure. I continued to look at him, eventually grinning. It wasn't a happy grin, more so an understanding grin.
"The doctors say it's because I'm female and slim, and it does run on Father's side of the family. The good news is I haven't actually fainted yet. That's when the real problems start." He nodded, calming down a little. His eyes drooped downwards to my unclenched hand.
"And you're doing everything in your power to avoid that?"
"Yes." My grin widened. Somewhat satisfied, though obviously not completely satisfied, Loki clasped his hands behind his back and went to look out the window. There was a terrific view of the castle, which looked so lovely and lit up at night. I wanted to say something but couldn't shake the feeling that I should wait for him to talk first next. Loki wasn't looking at me when he spoke, just continuing to stare outside like his mind was flying off somewhere. Hopefully somewhere nice.
"I can't imagine what it's like for you. I've always been in peak health. It must be so trying... Your heart condition, I mean." Loki's voice was a little hollow.
"It could be a lot worse," I brushed it off, perhaps a tad too quick with hindsight. Loki's head shook, he was still not glancing my way.
"Sometimes I can't understand your father or brother's actions, but other times," I blinked confused, not grasping that he was talking about their instance at my marriage. Finally, Loki spun around so to face me; he did not look particularly happy just then "Be honest with me, Willow."
"Always," I said. I will always be honest with this man. This made his grin return- somewhat. But don't be mistaken, his expression was still as serious as ever.
"Does our being here have anything to do with you getting into PhD?" This certainly caught my undivided attention, but I knew there was no way he could know about the Amsterdam application.
"Well, it definitely doesn't hurt my chances of getting into PhD somewhere." I leaned back against the pillows and lowered my eyes with a clever smile.
"Why do you even want a PhD? Do you want to teach at a university?" Loki took a step towards me. My shoulder gave a shrug.
"Maybe one day, but that's not why I want one."
"Then why? Your brother said you've wanted one for as long as he could remember." My grin morphed somewhat into a playful smirk.
"He did, did he?" Heh, this was fun. Well, for me anyway. I wasn't so sure about Loki, who blinked a bit frazzled.
"So it's not true, then?"
"No, it's true. I just want one. that's all." A moment of silence fell over us, giving me the chance to gaze up at the white ceiling in a considerate fashion.
"To be honest, I don't know why I want one so badly. Our family has always had everything. We've never needed anything. And I don't suppose I need a PhD, rather I want one." Loki's eyes softened onto me, his head lowering a bit.
"And you don't know why?"
"Well, I suppose I do. I've never really wanted anything that family valued. Money, titles... it really doesn't mean anything to me. All that can be taken away. You never own anything; not really. You just have it for a certain amount of time. I've always wanted something that's mine and only mine." I sucked in a deep breath before continuing.
"But that's where education is different; education and experiences. I remember one of my great uncles once told me that they could take everything from you, except your education. A PhD would be mine and mine alone. No one inherits a PhD or can steal it; I'd earn it. Maybe in a weird way, that's what I want for me. I don't want money or status, even though I was born into and destined to marry for both," I looked towards the window, staring at the sky "But what I really want is something I can call my own, something I choose for me. That's why I want a PhD; that's why I value education so highly. It's mine and no man, no husband, will ever take from me." Loki could only stare for a long time.

Eventually, his lips parted and his arms moved a little. It was as if he really digested what I'd told him like he's never heard anyone say that before. There was this faint glimmer in the corners of his eyes.
"You know something, Willow... I don't think I've ever met someone like you before."
"I'll take that as a compliment," I giggled, shutting my eyes.
"I'm serious. When you speak... things just suddenly make sense. Though I admit I'm slightly disappointed you still find men so controlling."
"Not all men, Loki. You're not like that," I smiled softly "I've never met anyone like you either before. You're kind, caring and warm. I feel safe when you're nearby."
"Good, I'm glad to hear it; I want to keep you safe. And I don't want to see your wings get clipped either. If you soar in academia, then you should fly." I smiled at him.
"It's not that easy. I want to spread my wings, but there's a string tying me down to earth, and there's nothing I can do about it." Loki's eyes lowered with the utmost tenderness onto me.
"Don't worry. You'll get your PhD; it just may not be right now. You have time, Willow- don't rush into anything you'll regret. It's not worth it. You have lots and lots of time" It was my turn to gawk at him and smile.
"I hope you're right, Loki. It doesn't feel like I have a lot of time."
"You do," his own grin widened. Loki then went to fill up my water bottle and place it on the nightstand beside my bed. He patted the clear space beside it "Charge your phone here," he instructed. I blinked at him surprised "Keep it close, so you can call me when and if you need me." Loki, my eyes grew a bit. Then this sneaky smile passed my mouth.
"Shouldn't I call Alder?" I asked this with a bit of a mocking tone. He shook his head, his smirk rearing on it.
"Firstly, He is out in the town and secondly, My room is closer. Don't be afraid to call whenever you need something. I'll keep my phone on beside me all night too, just in case."
"Thank you, Loki. You're too good to me."
"I'll be the judge of that," he chuckled. I smiled.
"But really, I don't want to be a bother to you. You didn't come to North Asgard to babysit me."
"Didn't I?" He asked sarcastically, causing me to send him a smirk. The tenderness in his stare came back in full force after this "Seriously, Willow; I don't mind. Anytime day or night, call if you need me, I will come."