Bend Around the Wind by Scyllaya

Chapter 80: Alfheim Day Two

Chapter Eighty

Alfheim: Day 2

Nine Realms

Alfheim

Loki didn't sleep well. He lost count on how many times he woke up from images of shouts, smoke, and blood. He eventually gave up on sleeping altogether. Normally when he woke from an unpleasant dream reality welcomed him in the form of Stark's warm body next to his. Now there was only his enormous empty room and the too big bed. It was so ridiculous to feel Stark's absence so strongly. He was just not used to it, that's what he told himself. He did not fret about losing some sleep and at least he could watch the sun rise over Wolveswoods and the hills beyond it. That was a sight he dearly missed.

His mood was still not the most pleasant after a night like that and it didn't take long for others to notice. When they all sat down for breakfast it was Thor who brought it up first.

'Something the matter, Loki?' he asked. The question was genuine and so was the concern in his voice.

'I did not sleep well,' Loki said. Drongo immediately understood and asked no questions, he knew how often Loki still woke from nightmares and how it made him a little more irritable than usual.

Thor, Frey and Frigga on the other hand looked surprised. It took Loki a moment to realize why. Loki answered with something other than some variation of "fine". He never used to do that, admit things like this. He was probably just too used to Stark and Hatchet asking prodding questions. There was no use trying to keep things from them. Why the Ragnarök must be upon them, the Trickster of Asgard was overly used to being honest.

'If there is something bothering you...' Thor started, but Loki interrupted him. That was just enough concern for one morning.

'I just haven't slept on my own in years, so I was restless.'

'Oh?' That one sound from his Mother had a plethora of questions in it.

'Years, you say,' Frey said. 'Do tell us more.'

That was no hardship at all.

'Thor already knows him,' he said. 'His name is Tony Stark and he is of Midgard.'

Frigga turned to look at Thor questioningly.

'Isn't that the...?'

'Iron Man,' Thor said. It was the same proud tone he used when he introduced his posse. 'I told you about him. He is one of Midgard's most beloved heroes.'

'Not what I would have started with,' Loki commented, it made Drongo chuckle.

'What would you have started with then?' Thor asked.

'That he is one the most intelligent men on Midgard,' Loki said. 'A truly ingenious inventor, who has impressed me many times with his brilliant creations.'

'And while that is all true, the people of Midgard seem to celebrate him more for his heroic deeds,' Thor said. He was smiling though, not truly arguing.

'The masses perhaps,' Loki said. 'But the greater minds of Midgard avow him for his intellect.'

'At least we can agree that he must be quite exceptional,' Frey said. 'If both of you are singing his praises.'

'There is much to praise after all,' Loki said.

'He is also one of the wealthiest men of the realm,' Thor added. 'Whenever I'm back on Midgard I enjoy his hospitality. And he's a good friend.'

'That I can attest to as well,' Drongo added.

'He was taken along with you, was he not?' Frigga asked.