The Other Brother

Chapter 2

- Loki's Pov -

Later that evening, Vali and I were sharing a drink on the balcony. Vali had said he had an idea of how to solve my Sigyn problem. And with Thor wandering around the palace, We needed a quiet place to talk.
"Okay, Vali, shock me with your brilliance." I mocked. Vali rolled his eyes before explaining. "Okay, so from what I have heard... Sigyn truly has already made up her mind about you and it is not favourable. I'm not sure exactly why she has such a bad opinion of you, but she does." I barked out a hollow laugh.
"It's probably because all those gossip rags talk about how I'm some kind of manwhore when in fact, I've only dated one woman in the past three years." I held up one finger. Vali tipped his head.
"It is possible. Anyway, we need to figure out a way to change that."
"You know, how come I didn't think of that?" He took a sip of his whiskey.
"Vali, the woman is clearly not interested in anything I have to say. I mean look at earlier. I tried to have a polite conversation with her and yet, I received the same kind of just lovely responses I did today." My brother nodded slowly.
"We both know that talking isn't going to get shit done. But she is attracted to you. And you clearly fancy her," I went to refute that, but I was cut off "In the interest of saving time, let's just skip the denial portion of this conversation shall we?" He may have received a glare in response but continued, unfazed "As we all know, men want what other men have," I nodded in agreement "Well according to Sif, women are also cut from the same cloth. So long as they are attracted to the man. Which Sigyn is." Vali lifted his glass before taking a sip, leaning back into his chair as if the matter was settled. I waited for him to continue until it became apparent that wasn't going to happen.
"Will you get to the brilliance part already? I fear I may die of old age at this rate." Vali sighed, setting his drink down then leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.
"You need to make Sigyn jealous. Make her realize that she is attracted to you and there is more to you than she knows. Make her realize she wants to know the real you."
"And just how am I supposed to do that?"
"By dating someone." My brother grinned. I stared at my brother a moment before I scoffed at the idea.
"I may not be a saint, but I am not going to date some innocent girl all with the intention of making Sigyn Westergaard jealous, and then when I get what I want just drop that girl like she means nothing. That is just... cruel," plus, mother would have a wobble if she found out.
"Well, look as a conscience," Vali rolled his eyes "When I say date someone, I mean pretend to date."
"Vali, I am the God of Mischief but this is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. What woman is going to agree to that?"
"Loki, you can't tell me you can't think of at least one woman that would be interested in this plan Maybe she would get something out of it too, mutually beneficial. I mean I know at least one other person going through the same thing as you," A slow smile spread across Vali's face when I tilted my head.
"Who?"
"The one who has been in love with our older brother for the last 300 years,"
"Serena? That's a bold choice." Safe to say that I am impressed. Who knew that my brother had a brain cell?
"That's why she's perfect. She will get something out of it. Men want what other men have right?" Vali laughed.
"That they do. Thor will lose what little brain cells he has,"
"That's the whole point. Especially when she's with you, his brother," Vali beamed. I guess he can be smart sometimes, "Now you just have to convince her. I wish you luck getting past her guard dog that we call sister," Damn... I forgot about Hela. Serena's best friend.

- Serena's Pov -

The next day, I was sitting in the bay window of my father's study when someone knocked on the door.
"Enter," I licked my finger as I went to flip a page.
"Lady Mayflower, there is a gorgeous specimen of a man at the front asking for you." I stopped reading before looking up at the maid.
"Are you sure he's here for me?" I said as I closed the book.
"Considering it's Loki Odinson... yes, I would say so."
"Thor's brother?" I couldn't think of a reason why the eldest Odinson son would be at my house and asking for me but either way, it can't be good, headed up to the front door. Where I saw Loki patiently waiting for me.

"Hello Loki," I smiled. He looked up at my voice, flashing me his classic charming smile. It always made my heart skip a beat.
"Hello, Siri. You look beautiful." I blushed a little at his compliment. Then I threw him a knowing look.
"You're laying that charm of yours on thick, so you just need something from me" Loki chuckled.
"Would you care to walk the gardens with me?" He offered me his arm like a true proper gentleman.
"I accept," I settled my hand in the crook of his elbow, allowing him to lead her to the garden.

- Loki's Pov -

"So, what's up Loki?" I looked up at Loki as we strolled through the garden.
"Can I not spend time with you outside of Thor's friendship?" Loki tilted his head at me.
"Loki, I have known you for 500 years. You're scheming."
"You do know me," He breathed out a slightly nervous laugh "Alright. You right. I am scheming. I have a proposition of sorts I guess you could say. One that I believe will be beneficial for us both."
"Well, colour me intrigued. What's your proposition?" Loki took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly.
"There is a woman who is the handmaiden to my sister. She despises everything about me." I gasped in shock "I know right? I'm fantastic." She giggled in response, a smile coming to Loki's face, "Anyway, this woman... she is a nightmare to be honest and I--"
"Fancy the pants off her"
"You've been hanging around Vali and Thor far too much" Loki grumbled but he still nodded "But yes. I like her very much. And despite my best attempts to talk with her and show her that I'm not the manwhore she believes me to be, I have come up a with new idea. Or Vali did."
"Oh no, the two of you collaborated? That can't be good." a teasing smile on my lips. Loki lightly glared at her, a playful gaze being returned to his face, "What did Vali come up with?"
"I need to show her that there is more to me than what she thinks, parts of me she hasn't seen yet. That's where the idea comes in."
"I dread to think what the idea is," I rolled my eyes "What's the plan?" Loki reached out to take one of my hands in his, pressing his lips to my knuckles.
"Siri, I need you to date me." Her eyes widened at his words.
"I beg your pardon?" I slowed down in my steps as Lloki let go of my hands and Loki walked slightly ahead of me.
"Think about it, Sigyn will realize she is wrong about me when she sees how I am with you. I'll be able to show the side of me really only you and the family see."
"And how does this benefit me?" I crossed my arms.
"Men want what other men have. I know how you feel about my brother. Thor will go mad with jealousy, making him finally realize what is right in front of him." I gazed into his eyes. They were glinting with determination.
"How do you know about my feelings for Thor?"
"Any fool can see how you gaze at him. He is just an airhead that can't see it. He wouldn't know that you cared for him even if you slapped him in the face" Loki smiled.
"You're serious about this,"
"Very much so." Loki nodded. I simply just stared at him, utterly confused as to what to say next. With a little shake of my head.
"Loki, you do realize the holes in that plan right?" He shook his head. I huffed, running a hand through my hair, "To start, yes I have feelings for Thor, but I have been working on getting over that. I don't want to be in love with him any longer," Loki's expression remained unchanged.
"So, don't. When he is all jealous and wanting of you, slam him securely into the friend zone as he did you." I made a noise of protest. Loki smirked at me "You can't tell me that doesn't sound like fun." I tried to fight the grin that wanted to play on my lips.
"Maybe just a little." Loki licked his lips as he walked a little closer.
"I knew you had a dark side, Siri." I looked away from him, his grin getting to me "It is why we are friends after all,"
"Well, there is another hole to your strange plan," I swept a hand along my body "Nothing about me is going to make Sigyn jealous. I've seen that girl, she is gorgeous. You need to find someone more on her level." Loki cocked his head to the side.
"You really don't realize how ravishing you are, do you?" I blushed at his words and tried not to bite my lip "Siri, you can make her jealous. Trust me." I knew Loki wasn't a liar. Despite being the God of Lies.
"We would also have to be a couple entirely, all the time. We have to convince everyone, your entire family. Or they will never believe us otherwise." Loki smirked at me.
"I'm not seeing the problem yet."
"You would have to pretend to be attracted to me... You may have to kiss me," Loki licked his lips as he tilted his head at me.
"Siri... Being attracted to you isn't going to be a problem. As for kissing you, If you recall... We used to do it all the time when we first met... I never had a problem with it," I blushed at that memory.
"That was nearly 500 years ago. How can you remember something like that?" I let my hands drop to my side.
"The memory crosses my mind now and then," Loki reached for my hands again, "Come on Siri, it could be fun."
"I don't know. It would be crossing a lot of boundaries," He reached out to tip my chin up so he could look into my eyes.
"Siri... Do you trust me?" I didn't even have to think about my answer.
"Of course, I do." More so than anyone.
"Then let's do this." I looked into his eyes for a few moments, before I flashed him a dazzling smile "We can show those two what they are missing out on,"