Chapter Text
Loki looked to (Y/n) who remained beside him, lost in thought. “You really weren’t going to see me while you were here,” his voice was quiet. He wasn’t sure how to fall back into the ease of their friendship.
“No, as I said, I wanted to spare you, milord,” she took a deep breath and rested her hands on the cool stone of the railing.
“Why do you call me that, (Y/n)?” his eyebrows drew down in concentration. A spark of amusement leapt into (Y/n)’s eyes.
“Is that not who you are?” she turned slightly to look at his confused face.
“To you I was always Loki,” he said slowly, considering his words. (Y/n) took a deep breath as memories of running, playing and talking with Loki surfaced. When they were children he never seemed to be anything other than her friend. Propriety was cast aside once the two were off in their own world.
“We were children, it’s hardly appropriate for me to address you with such familiarity,” her voice was distant now, lost in the past. Loki leaned against the railing next to (Y/n), eyes focused on his folded hands.
“Perhaps not,” he said. “How is your father?” uncomfortable with the direction their conversation was heading. (Y/n) frowned as she considered her words.
“His business thrives as do his many, many, contacts. You must remember how proud he was of maintaining those relationships throughout the kingdom,” Loki grunted in acknowledgement. He hadn’t interacted much with the man when he lived at the palace with (Y/n) years ago. “He provides for me, taught me what he knows,” (Y/n) began to ramble on. Loki did not miss the fact that she did not actually answer his question.
“And yours? I saw the King and Queen, and your brother. Your father and mother have changed very little, but you and your brother…” she gave a small smile. “Much has changed,” she added with a laugh.
“You were going to leave without greeting them as well,” his statement was accusatory, but not cruel.
“The King and Queen have far greater matters to attend to than myself, and Prince Thor I am sure has put me out of mind completely!” (Y/n) shook her head, “No, I did not think it worth embarrassing myself,” her voice faded.
“And you used to call me the dramatic one,” Loki’s tone was dry but when he caught (Y/n)’s eye he gave her a tight lipped smile. “Come, Mother would never forgive me if I kept your visit to myself,” he held out his arm for (Y/n) to hold. Cautiously, she slipped her hand into the crook of Loki’s elbow and he led her back into the banquet hall. (Y/n) breathed a sigh of relief when Agni was nowhere in sight, yet felt eyes from around the room boring into her.
“Loki,” she leaned over and whispered, “people are staring,” her eyes went to her hand on Loki’s arm. He saw her pointed stare and leaned down to speak quietly into her ear.
“Let them, I’ll wager you how long it takes for word to reach back to me of this mysterious woman I have on my arm in public,” his eyes sparkled and (Y/n) couldn’t help but grin in response.
“You tend to lose our wagers, Loki,” her formality slipped but neither noticed. Loki narrowed his eyes at her comment.
“Are you afraid to lose, (Y/n)?” he mocked.
“Can you afford to?” (Y/n) scrunched her nose at her old friend. “What do you wager?” she finally relented.
“A trip to the throne where the winner will be crowned ruler of the forest,” his voice embodied the mysterious hideaway of their youth and the hours upon hours of adventures it provided them.
“I accept,” (Y/n) elbowed Loki lightly. “By tomorrow morning you’ll hear news either spoken in whispers or someone will ask you.” Loki nodded once.
“I think it’ll take at least until tomorrow evening if not the day after. My life is not watched nearly as intently as Thor’s,” he said as they made their way to the front of the banquet hall.
Nearing the few steps that led up to the head table, Loki caught his mother’s gaze and she raised her eyebrows in question. Odin soon looked to see what had distracted is wife. A small knowing smile briefly touched his lips. Thor remained oblivious, caught up in the telling of a wild misadventure story between his friends. Frigga stood when the two neared her seat and (Y/n) immediately dropped into a curtsy, her hand falling from Loki’s arm.
“My Queen,” she slipped back to formality. Frigga watched the young woman in front of her before reaching out to gently tilt her head up to study her face.
“Surely this cannot be the same free spirited girl who ran about the palace so many years ago,” her smile was kind as she urged (Y/n) back to her feet. “My you have grown, (Y/n).” (Y/n)’s smile reached her eyes at the queen’s words. “You will stay here for your visit?” She glanced to Loki, determining if she needed to scold him forgetting an invitation.
“Yes, your majesty. Your son insisted,” she added ensuring Loki remained unscathed. Frigga regarded (Y/n) warmly. Ever looking out for one another even now, she thought before taking her seat once more. She reached over to place a hand on her husband’s arm as he silently watched the exchange. When (Y/n) noticed the king’s attention had turned to her, she quickly fell into another deep curtsy which Odin acknowledged with a slight nod of his head.
“Welcome child,” he seemed so weary, (Y/n) thought as she thanked him quietly, standing once more. “It is good to see you again,” he said politely before the attention of he and his wife was demanded elsewhere. Thor remained fully entrenched in his story, arms waving as he acted out the tale of battling against all odds. (Y/n) could feel Loki’s irritation radiating from him as he stood by her side. Leaning towards Loki, (Y/n) began to mime Thor’s storytelling, hidden as she was at Loki’s side. It was a pastime she enjoyed when she was young, everything always seemed so dramatic when Thor was speaking. Loki had to struggle to keep his composure.
Forgotten for the time being, Loki led (Y/n) out of the banquet hall, once again holding his arm out for her to take. This was new for (Y/n) to take in. When the pair was very young, they would run about the palace holding hands and adults would look on with indulging smiles. As they grew, hand holding became less frequent giving way to games of tag and teasing. Only at the most formal of occasions (or for practice during etiquette instruction) did Loki ever have (Y/n) on his arm.
The two walked in silence through the deserted halls of the palace. It was late and the moon was rising; those not in their quarters for the night were still feasting and drinking. (Y/n) caught a glimpse of the stars as she and Loki passed by an open window. The next hall they turned down made her stop, pulling on Loki’s arm.
“Isn’t that…?” her voice trailed off and Loki craned his neck to see where she was looking. There was a small alcove not far in front of them half covered by long thick drapes. Before Loki could say a word, (Y/n) was making her way quickly to the alcove. Loki grasped her hand lest she get away and broke into a light jog to keep up with her pace.
“(Y/n) what’s gotten into you?” He couldn’t help the small smile that came to him at (Y/n)’s sudden delight.
“You don’t remember this,” she looked up into the bright eyes beside her before she knelt down reaching behind the fabric and pillars. Her fingers landed on a piece of stone that stuck out beyond the flush walls, well hidden from view. Realization dawned on Loki as he watched (Y/n), her tongue poking out as she pushed at the piece of stone before it gave way. A low grating sound filled their ears before (Y/n) moved forward on her hands and knees. “Are you coming?” she glanced back over her shoulder at Loki who looked up and down the deserted hallway once before climbing into the alcove after her.
Behind the fabric, a small tunnel was revealed. It would have been easy enough for a child to crawl through, but as adults, (Y/n) and Loki struggled. At the end, (Y/n) carefully eased herself out onto the roof, careful of her footing. Loki soon followed and placed himself next to his old friend who was starting to giggle.
“When was the last time you came up here?” she looked over to Loki and his smile faltered.
“A few years after you left,” his gaze dropped from (Y/n)’s face to his hands. He busied himself getting comfortable before looking up at the stars overhead. “When I realized you weren’t coming back,” (Y/n)’s heart broke at his words. “I’d honestly forgotten about it,” he chuckled finally bringing himself to look back to (Y/n).
(Y/n)’s heart broke at his words, but she forced a smile. “We used to come up here all the time,” she said pulling her knees to her chest against the chill of the night air. “Has anyone else ever found it?” she asked offhandedly, concentrating on the lights of the city below.
“Judging from the state of that tunnel, no,” Loki griped wiping absently at the cobwebs that stuck to his shoulders. The two sat in silence, caught up in their personal thoughts and memories until the cold became too much for (Y/n) to handle. “You should get back inside,” he said with a light chuckle at (Y/n)’s blue lips and chattering teeth.
“And you, my lord, should retire for the night I’m sure,” she nudged Loki playfully before the two began to climb back through the tiny tunnel. Loki led (Y/n) to a room not far, opening it for her. She stood in the open doorway looking back. “You must have things that require your attention tomorrow,” she said suddenly regretting her decision to accept his offer to stay.
“Yes, unfortunately,” his voice was distant as he considered the truth of her statement. “However, I have managed to master the art of escaping duties and responsibilities” he chuckled before continuing, “for a short time at least.” (Y/n) crossed her arms stepping back into the room.
“What would your mother say?” she narrowed her eyes at Loki’s back but couldn’t keep the amusement from her face.
“That I learned it from you!” he called back over his shoulder smugly. (Y/n) laughed out loud as she shut the door and faced the warm fireplace and bed in the room. For just a few days she could pretend, she decided as she let her gown drop to the floor and washed before crawling into the large bed. Just for a few days she thought to herself as sleep took her.