Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“I dont see how this is necessary” he huffed. Frigga was unimpressed “well that is unfortunate my son but i assure you, it is very much for your own good” she responded, her voice tinged with a note of exasparation. She grabbed his hand from across the table and waited until he looked at her “there is nothing to be ashamed of, I promise.” He couldnt help but feel the shame bubbling up. “Even the brightest of minds need help with clearence from time to time.” she was trying to lessen the blow, he knew. His mother was just too kind to say it out loud but he knew how pathetic this was. He has already had his coming of age ceremony for Norns sake! He should not have told his mother. He just couldnt help himself, could he? Whining to her about every little inconvenience, like a little child. She reached to some hidden pocket in her gown and pulled out a small vile that she than slid across the table to him. He took it with a sharp exhale and stashed it in his sleeve.

“This is a sleeping potion. We used to give this to you when you were younger. Remember?” Loki gave a nod. “do you still remember the instruction i thought you?” he gave a shrug. “Okay, repeat after me: One spoon sleep soon, two spoons makes bad dreams go away, three spoons sleep deep until comes the day, and...”

“And?...”

“Loki! And???”

He wasnt looking at her. He was looking at the bush nearby and wishing he could be one right this instant. Frigga sighed, now possitively exasparated. “Loki, finish the end of that perscription for me dear.” Would someone chop him off if he were a bush? Maybe. “I am not going to cite some form of rhyme as if im some kind of a slow minded toddler.”

“...and more than four, wake no more.” she leveled him with a strange gaze that he couldnt quite get the meaning of. “it is important that you understand my love, do not drink any more than that. One or two spoons should be enough for your trouble with sleeping and nightmares, two and a half if you feel it getting worse. Any more than that is unnecessary, even if you may feel likeit isnt.” Ridiculous.
"The dreams werent that bad. They were just dreams. Nothing i couldnt take. How pathetic would i have to be to need medicine for a few nights of restless sleep?" Frigga only hummed in response. It was Lokis turn to sigh.

“Yes mother” he turned his gaze back to her “I understand.”

“Good. Now, i believe our time is up! Finish your tea dear. Duties await.”

After he swallowed down the last sip and said goodbye to his mother, he made sure to walk as fast as plausible without appearing to actualy speed walk to his chambers. Upon arriving he took out the vile first for further inspection. It was no longer than his palm, rounded on the tip and full of dark purple liquid with the consistency barely thicker than water.

How pathetic indeed. He locked it away into his nightstand drawer before he let himself think more about it. It is not that bad. Not embarrasing at all. It is nothing. Nothing.

He directed his attention at the mirror instead. Thor and he have been invited to a council meeting today. He needs to make himself look more presentable. Thankfully they didnt have a training today, so theres no need to take a bath. A bit of freshening up will do.... as well as a new outfit. One more formal than what he wore for his lessons. While observing his reflection, he used his seidr to change into a darker tunic. One that is less vibrant and has a nice lion lily ornament on it, with silver buttons matching the ones on the black pants he selected along with a black vest on top. Perfect.

Almost.

There was a little wrinkle on his tunic. He smoothed it out. It appeared again. What a stubborn little thing. He smoothed it out. Again. Alright, good.

For his face he used a bit of glamour under his eyes. Just enough to smooth out the visible sign of the lack of sleep he has gotten lately. He than took a black eye liner and applied a little bit of it on his lower eyelids. He was rather pleased with his percision and skill. He gave himself a one over (maybe more than once) and when there was no doubt in looking like a true prince, headed out of his chambers.

Chapter Text

Upon arriving to the hall where the council meetings were being held, Thor was already there (stupid, you have to be quicker next time ,if only you wouldnt take so much effort to look as good as Thor does all the time without even trying). He was having a lively conversation with two of the council members who looked to be all ears as Thor made wild gestures mimicking some kind of fighting technique (how clever, appealing to the lords with open friendliness. Although he is probably just being his usuall people person self instead of being politically aware...). looking around he seemed to arrive as one of the first ones anyway so he just took a seat by the right side of where the king would sit. Thor sat on the left, the council of the nine on the remaining empty seats around the table. Not long after Loki seated himself the rest of the council seemed to appear one by one, slowly filling the room. Odin arrived last along side Tyr and stopping in the doorway to finish off whatever private matters they were going through in hushed voices. At last, when Odin stood behind his chair and all stood up to let the King take a seat , the meeting began...

“Lord Hordun” spoke out Odin from his seat “you may begin.”

Lord Hordun, the oldest council member, an elderly man with long grey beard and a hunch nodded at this and began with the matter at hand. Finally. Tis not the first council assembly he and thor went to, so he knows tis not the most expeditious of events (he knows this of course) but it is none the less eventfull and informative. A great credential for a prince -

A rude nudge to his foot snaped him out of his train of thoughts and made his eyes dart to now noticeably gawking Thor .

“psst” several heads turned around at this. Thor didnt seem to mind. Or be aware. “psssst” (does he think him a cat? He wont respond to this!) “brother” another nudge under the table.

“WHAT” Loki mouthed, thankfull he is on Odins blind side. Thor pointed with his chin in Lokis direction and gestured to his face while mouthing “make up? Seriously?” he gave a slight shrug accompanied by a vague “so?” wishing that Tyr would stop boring holes into the both of them before the king follows his gaze. “too much for a council meeting. You look like youre about to attend a different kind of assembly.” Feeling the blood rushing to his face Loki decided to give his dear brother the dirtiest glare he could muster without being seen and judging by Thors amused expression clearly not glare-y enough. A kick will do. Thor let out a squeal which made the Allfather turn for a moment, scolding the crown prince with just one eye and immeadietly reverting his attention back to the on going debate. Thor shut his mouth but looked back at his brother again anyway .“Not too much. You just do too little. Now hush and pay attention” He considers this a rare gift of his, getting his point across with minimal effort. Or maybe its because of the two of them being close (not anymore though...so probably not...). “Can see it from here. Too much.”

“there is never enough mascara” And Thor was just teasing him anyway. It was an appropriate amount of make up for such an occasion (not so sure now- are we?). Thankfully, Thor took this as a valid argument and let them both start paying attention again.

“- elves could take offense, which we certainly want to avoid this time...” this earned a few chuckles across the dim lit room “so it is probably for the best if the host is of higher rank and diplomacy skill to avoid any unwanted... misunderstandings.” Odin caressed his beard in thought “thank you for your input councillor Alruna, I do agree with you that it doesnt take a blind archer to miss that our camaraderie runs rather thin with the ice elves.” to lightly put it. The ice elves are known for their petulant attitude. It does not bode well with the care free nature of the Aesir. “Yes, we need someone to entertain them and let our well intentions be know. A host both carefull to not misstep but also a friendly face that wont make them think we are being cautious around them. Otherwise they might think we are wary of them or we may come off as patronising.” spoke out another councillor while persumably deep in their thoughts. (a host with a skill to entertain and a diplomat none the less they say...interesting)

“but who...”

“perhaps if the elves were to-”

“nay, she may be a great warrior and a friendly face but hardly good for anything when it comes to-”

“and what about -”

(“an important task...only for a person of great skill and importance...” an opportunity to show to father, to everyone...) The room errupted in murmurs of proposals and disagreement as everyone had someone else in mind. And amongst the ruckus, Loki had an idea: “If i may interject-” he said and felt a small bit of pride bubble up when the room went quiet almost immeadietly. Thor quirked an eyebrow. “id like to volunteer as a host for the elven ambassadors and ensure the smoothest of ventures” His father was now looking at him. A grey eye with the wisdom of much more than what just one eye usually holds, seeping itself in and under his skin. Feeling of unsureness made its way into his stomach and he pushed it down. Hard.

“No doubt you thought this through my son, there is no one with a quicker mind... but are you genuine? Even with your good intents, you do have a way to sneak in a prank or two. A thing there is no place for in matters like these.”

“Yes father.”

“you swear?”

“i do.”

“hmm” The king hummed, seemingly agreeing with himself on something “very well then-”

“My king! If i may-” Tyr. Who else of course (he probably never liked Loki to begin with). “i mean no disrespect but everyone knows that the second prince of Asgard isnt really the face of sincerity. If you recall my suggestion earlier- id advise you to choose prince Thor instead. Not only is the crown prince better known for his skill with people but he is also of higher rank, something that the elves will take note of.” now it was Lokis turn to bore holes into him.

“Well, they did say a friendly face” mumbled councillor Gwendolynn and the room filled with quiet laughter. Thor snorted. (Thor laughed) though he did seem to look apologetic when their eyes met. He felt his face redden for the fourth time that day. Odin didnt look amused. He kept his ever-so blank face of indifference as he seemed to go through both of the notions. After everyone quieted down he spoke out once more “I do recall you mentioning so earlier Lord Tyr” he took to caressing his beard once more as he resumed his speech “although you may have a good point with the crown prince being of higher political ranking, which is a thing the elves will take to account first, this is still maintly a matter of diplomacy first. What is a higher ranking diplomat for if he is not a dipomat at all?” more carefull agreement could be heard amongst the table.

“The event is two moons away. Perhaps if your highness has more time to consider...” suggested councillor Alruna as she looked away from the princes and to the king. “Indeed i shall." he nodded to himself after awhile... "I shall give the finall answer in three days to the candidates personally."

"Now, any other matters to bring forth?”