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Anthony was checking the balance of his latest sword when the door to his forge opened. He knew the footfalls and didn’t glance away.
“Anthony,” Loki began, sounding stressed. “Anthony, what is your awareness of the inner workings of the feminine trading structures?”
“I have not the faintest, Loki.”
Loki made another sound of distress. Anthony sighed softly and put down the sword. He turned in his seat to find his lover’s hands wringing.
“You interrogated Virginia again, didn’t you?”
“I merely asked her of her lesson plan.”
Anthony lips twitched and he tried not to chuckle.
He had been married to Loki for going on one hundred years, and a decade ago, they had welcomed a child. They’d debated having one for some time and there had been additional struggles with the Aesir’s prejudices towards seidr and Loki’s shapeshifting abilities, but, in the end, they had gained Liv.
Neither of them regretted their choice and the realm had quickly accepted and adored having a royal child.
They loved her with every fibre of their being and Anthony equally loved his husband, but he had noticed that ever since their daughter had begun lessons, Loki had become… fretful.
Liv was incredibly intelligent (she took after her fathers in that) and curious. She often came to them demanding answers as to how the world and realms worked. Loki had always taken pride in being able to answer anything she brought to him. He’d also spent many years as her sole tutor in seidr as well as the subjects befitting of a young princess.
But she was older now and required to mix with children her own age and gain information from additional sources. She had many royal tutors, but only one of them was willing to put up with Loki’s overbearing nature. It helped that she was one of Anthony’s closest friends.
Anthony was certain Loki hadn’t realised that Virginia was deliberately choosing subjects he wouldn’t know. He’d been on the wrong side of her temper once before and he knew the signs.
“Loki,” Anthony said softly. “Liv will not think any less of you if you cannot answer her question. Rather, is it not better that she is forced to seek out the answers herself?”
The look Loki sent him proved it was not a better solution. Anthony shook his head softly and rose from his chair. He wrapped his arms around his stiff lover and kissed the underside of the man’s jaw.
“You are aware that you cannot remain perfect forever?” Anthony questioned. “That she is going to grow up and divine that her father, while an incredible warrior and scholar, is still capable of fault and lapses in his knowledge?”
“Of course I know that,” Loki muttered.
“But you do not wish for it to be so soon?” Anthony suggested, keeping his voice soft.
Liv, after all, was the apple of Loki’s eye, and Anthony knew his husband’s many short-comings. Including the insecurity that the people he cared for would find him lacking and turn their backs on him.
It took a few moments before Loki admitted, “I do not want my actions to make her doubt me. For if she does that, then the tongues of others may have her believing something of me that I am not.”
Anthony couldn’t help it, he sniggered.
“Oh, there is little chance for that, Loki. Have you not bore witness to the children she has tackled into the dirt for insulting you? Have you not watched her use her fledgling seidr to try and trick someone whom spoke unkindly of our union? Our daughter is not oblivious and she is loyal to a fault.”
“Yes, well.”
Anthony pulled back, seeing most of Loki’s tension had receded and he was smiling faintly.
“Give our daughter more credit, Loki. In fact, let her tell you about what she has learned. She always enjoys speaking with me about the many things she has discovered.”
“Yes,” Loki drawled. “She also enjoys expressing to me how she knows more than you.”
“Well, I am the only one not raised by royal tutors,” Anthony teased.
Loki’s smile faded. “We do not think any less of you for that.”
Anthony took the perfect opportunity: “Just as she will not think any less of you.”
Loki sighed loudly.
“Very well,” he grudgingly admitted. “You have made your point.”
“Excellent.” Anthony bent up and kissed him again. “Now, stop worrying about Virginia’s lesson plan. Liv is in very capable hands.”
“That she is,” Loki agreed, yet he started frowning. “But to choose such an obscure topic. It is perhaps useful for a young woman to know the business of others of her gender but why would she-”
Loki’s expression went blank. Anthony repressed a wince as he realised his lover had caught on.
“My, my, Virginia,” he murmured. “What a clever thing to do.”
“Loki. Loki, we talked about this. No mischief on Liv’s tutors. Especially when she is my friend.”
“Why, Anthony. I have no plans for mischief. Rather, I am impressed. She shall be a very good teacher for our Liv.”
Despite his words, Anthony could still see a glint of something dangerous in his husband’s eyes.
He had a feeling his battle with Virginia was far from over. Anthony just sighed softly and decided he would be wise to go back to his forge.
More than likely, when the day was through, their daughter would run into the room to regal him with everything he’d missed. He hoped Rhodey would get off duty soon. He had a feeling that if Loki and Virginia went to war, he would need an Einherjar at his side and a good bottle of sly ale where Liv wouldn’t see it.