Chapter Text
It is dawn now, the sun coming up from behind the clouds almost bashfully as the world lightens. Streaks of gold escape the warm glow and slide downwards, gliding into the streets, the alleys, the tops of buildings.
Slowly, the earliest of New York awaken; fishermen take to the docks, a few bus boys from restaurants, bribed by their superiors, wait for the fresh catch of the day and interactions begin.
Blanketed by the warmth of the sun, the buildings of the city seem to glow, a mixture of gold and silver that illuminates the city further.
One such building, a massive obelisk of steel and concrete, stands empty save for the lone figure standing at the window, watching the world awaken.
Light glints off the sign of the building, making 'Asgard Industries' flash like the metal they trade. The onyx words are a stark contrast to the grey building, shining gold now, making it far more intimidating than a building had a right to be. Just like the man currently standing before the window, looking out into the world.
His hair is a mane of gold, falling to his shoulders like a cascade of amber. His build is strong, muscles stretch even as he stands at ease and taut against the fabric of his white shirt. He is tall and, like the building more than he has the right to be, with the figure of a warrior.
Indeed he looks like one at the moment as he contemplates the world below him.
The ginger dawn light that hit him upon the worlds waking is now gold, shining, like the god he appears to be. The only thing that breaks the image is the shocking pink mug in his hands.
Shuffling is heard behind him and he turns, the opened front of his shirt parting with the momentum.
The woman on his couch smiles up at him "Morning..."
She lies in nothing but her dignity and a strategically placed jacket. Her hair is tousled, her lips swollen and, if that wasn't enough evidence of what had transpired here last night, red marks blared on her skin as she moved.
"How long have you been up?" she slurred, twisting around to see the wall clock.
"Never slept" he answers, placing his mug on the desk and walking over to her.
Her greeting smile fell a little when he bent down to gather her clothes from the floor "What are you doing?"
He glanced up at her, observing her through his curtain of striking blonde hair "Picking up your stuff"
She scoffed "You don't have to. I still feel a little" she stretched, putting her body on display for him "energetic"
He sighed "Amora ...."
She fell back, her green eyes looking at him "What?"
He exhaled loudly "I can't...not right now. I have a big day today, a meeting that I have to get to"
Amora rolled her eyes and scoffed, telling him in no uncertain terms that she didn't believe him.
He exhaled and walked over to her "Amora, please. I am not lying"
"But you are not being honest, either" she said, turning away from him
"No, I am!" he said suddenly "I swear. I have to see the designs a few teams made, then I have a meeting with Tony and a few board members. We are discussing what improvements can be made on the titanium UAV's Tony designed. Then I promise I will be free"
She looked at him, still skeptical "You won't leave me hanging?"
"No, I won't, I promise" he said, his eyes imploring.
She debated a second longer before conceding. Her face melted into a smile and she threw her arms around him.
"Stop with those eyes, you know I can't resist them"
His deep voice rumbled like barely suppressed thunder.
Heedless of her nudity, Amora pulled back "But you will have to make it up to me"
"Make it up to you?" he asked, eyebrows raised
"Yes" she said sternly "take me out to dinner and we shall call it even"
"Dinner?" he asked, thinking it over "very well, where do you want to go?"
"Surprise me!"
She stole a quick kiss off him and yanked her clothes out of his grasp to go to the other side of the room and change.
He stood slowly, turning to watch her.
"Oh no, you don't!" she said, pulling her clothes before her "you don't get to see any of this till I decide you are worthy. Turn around."
Shaking his head, he obeyed and crossed his arms over his chest. He could hear her dressing.
"You know, it's nothing I haven't already seen" he said, rewarding himself with a high heeled shoe hitting his back.
"Hey!" he said, turning "that hurt"
"It was meant to" she said, glaring at him and pulling the strap of her tight dress up "you are no gentleman"
"Aren't I?" he asked, fingers touching his scruffy beard as he slowly walked to her.
She guessed his intent "No way, you are not getting this, Thor!"
She screeched as he simply hoisted her into the air with a hand at her waist and carried her half hearted struggling form to the couch. He held her down and looked into her eyes.
"Apologize"
She giggled, "Never"
Thor smiled and was about to kiss her again when his phone rang.
Amora let out a sound of dismay as he straightened to dig it out of his trousers.
The shrill ringing intensified as he pulled his cell phone out and looked at the number.
"Shit"
"Who is it?" Amora frowned
"Ah ..." Thor scratched his head, putting the phone on silent and back into his pocket "just my Father, no one of consequence"
"Good" she smiled, raising her arms to catch him again as he leaned over her.
Thor kissed her again, knowing he had lied to her.
Yes, there was a meeting today but it wasn't required that he attended. Balder usually handled such things and Tony was a friend that Thor trusted completely. He didn't feel guilty now as he kissed his own co worker passionately, just as he didn't feel guilty about cutting Jane's call a few moments ago.
His fiancé had a habit of wishing him a good morning whenever she awakened. Though it usually served as a nice wakeup call, these days, with her absence and the strain on their relationship, it was becoming annoying.
He'd call her, Thor knew, as soon as he was done with Amora and sent her packing, he was going to pick up the phone and call Jane, making up an excuse about him being in the shower or another insipid reason.
She would believe him, basically because Darcy would insist that Thor couldn't lie to her.
He nearly scoffed now. Many people thought him honest and incapable of lying and he made use of that very well. In his mind, he could get out of any situation whenever he chose, just by lying. He had been doing it for so long now; it seemed to be a part of him.
For example, Amora knew nothing of Jane and Jane knew nothing of Amora. Neither of them knew of Elli, a young woman in Manhattan that he had taken a liking to.
Yes, Thor thought himself an accomplished liar and knew he could get away with everything he wanted.
***
Frigga looked up from her breakfast when she saw Thor sneaking in through the back door.
His hair was tousled, his shirt rumpled and she could smell the sex off him even as he tip toed in, shoes held in one hand.
Their large kitchen was divided into two. The table where she sat was on the dining side of the room and Thor had entered from where the stoves, ovens and grills were planted. He hadn't seen her and she chose this moment to make her presence known.
"Thor"
He stilled as he heard the soft command, slowly turning his head to her.
"Good morning" Frigga said, leaning back and crossing her arms over her chest "had a pleasant night?"
Thor bit his lip, trying to bite back the lies that already rose within him.
His mother was the one person he never lied to.
"Mother" he dropped his shoes and walked over to her.
"Working late again?" she asked, though she already knew the answer.
"I .... uh" Thor scratched his head
"Does Jane know?" Frigga asked
Thor felt himself go cold. He froze, not knowing what to say. For one ludicrous second, he contemplated asking her who she knew about; Amora or Elli.
"Mother ..."
"I thought I raised you to be better than this" she sighed
"I - "
"She doesn't deserve this, Thor!" Frigga said "what are you thinking?"
He sat opposite her "Mother, you have no idea ..."
"Of what?" she asked "that she is your fiancé or that you have been cheating on her with that office harlot of yours?"
That's one question answered, then.
Thor sighed "Mother, Jane and I ... we ... I mean it's ..."
"I understand it is difficult" Frigga said "but she is your betrothed. You asked her to marry you, remember? That means you have to be loyal to her"
"I know, Ma, I - "he broke off, growling "can we please not talk about this? At least not this early."
Frigga hummed "Only if you stop. You don't have to tell Jane immediately, but you have to stop this, Thor. You devoted yourself to her"
Thor groaned "Mother ..."
"Alright" she lifted her hands off the table. Then she looked at him, at his large imploring eyes and rolled her own identical ones "Oh go away! Those eyes wound me"
Thor nodded, giving her a small kiss on the head before leaving the kitchen.
He didn't want to marry Jane. If this was the seventeenth century, his engagement would be called political. His Father and Jane's late father had been good friends. When the latter had died an untimely death, Jane was left with no one. Her mother had long since left and she had no brothers or sisters.
So it was the logical thing that the Odinson's adopted her.
She spent most of her life with them, moving out when she was twenty. Apparently, she couldn't live in with the man she had just started to date. She didn't go far, just a few blocks down, claiming she wanted to stand on her own feet.
Jane began to date Thor when she was eighteen. Thor had been twenty four and they hit it off great. She drew him in with her talk of stars and he lured her into his bed with his expertise and experience.
Then came the day she turned twenty two. It was her birthday and they had been together for four years now. His mother was proud of her and his father approved of the match.
He asked her to marry him three months later, to his mother's delight.
There were talks of weddings and cakes and bridesmaids and caterers and flowers. Thor took this all in with a huge smile on his face, letting them go on without complaint.
However, when Jane mentioned babies and houses, china patterns and schools, Thor panicked. He didn't want to settle down, he didn't want for his life to change. For the love of God he was only twenty eight!
But he couldn't run, either. Not without hurting Jane badly, disappointing his parents and jamming a wedge between everything he loved.
Thor began to feel suffocated, pressed into a corner which got smaller with each breath. He didn't know what to do -until he did.
The idea was a simple one and chillingly effective.
Using his contacts, his power and position, which was immense, Thor got Jane transferred to New Mexico. His friend, one Eric Selvig, was astrophysicist and worked there on his research. He expressed his need for Jane's expertise. He demanded she work for him, asking her to name her price.
Jane had been ecstatic ... but she didn't want to leave Thor. She was preparing her wedding; she didn't want to dump it all.
It was relatively easy to convince her to go. Her fiancé would still be here, the wedding wasn't going anywhere. She could focus on her career and come back and continue with the wedding. Thor was very understanding; he made her go.
So, packed with her belongings and her assistant Darcy at her side, Jane left for New Mexico.
That was two years ago.
Now, she was so focused on her career that her wedding had taken a back seat. She still wanted to marry him, the band was still around her finger, but her sentiments had long since left. She clung to the band and wedding because she had to. There was nothing honorable in calling it off and marrying your first sweetheart was every girl's dream come true. She wanted the dream wedding and nothing was going to get in her way.
Except that one man a year ago.
Jane had been drunk and alone on her birthday. He was a stranger with a good smile. It didn't take long for her to go home with him.
Thor had been surprised, honestly, when she had confessed to him. He'd expected himself to waver first.
Then he had been angry. Just because he didn't want to get hitched now didn't mean he was totally against it. Jane was beautiful and a wonderful girl, he really loved her.
He had yelled at her, she had cried, then he hung up. Then he told her it was going to be okay.
They hadn't been the same since. She apologized everyday for three months after that and Thor went to other women.
He didn't tell her, he didn't have to.
Jane knew he slept around, but she wasn't admitting it. In her mind, she was wrong, not he.
Thor had once told her to call off the wedding. The doctors barely managed to save her in time.
He didn't mention it again and they went through that episode in their life with ease.
So now, Thor felt trapped. He was in an engagement he didn't wish to be in and had no way of calling it off without having Jane try to kill herself.
He climbed the stairs carefully, making for his room where he intended to take a long shower before he had to go to work again.
As he reached the first floor of his mansion, he saw his older brother come out of his room.
Balder grinned at him "Morning, baby bro"
Thor ducked as Balder tried ruffling his hair, blue eyes shining "Not now, I have to go to work"
"Oh please" Balder said, taking another swipe, grinning when he missed "when have you ever rushed to work?"
Thor ducked, then grinned and tackled his brother.
Both men fell back against the door, wrestling each other as though they were children.
The two women in Balder's bed shrieked when the boys fell in.
They ignored them.
Thor rolled over, trying to pin his brother down, but Balder reached up and tickled his middle.
Thor cackled in laughter and in doing so, lost his grip. He was on his ass, with Balder holding him in a headlock.
"Give up?" Balder asked
Thor tried pushing him away but Balder only noogied him "Argh! Balder, that's not fair"
Balder laughed, then yelped when Thor used the same technique he did and began to tickle him. Balder was severely ticklish and Thor manipulated him to the ground in an instant.
"Concede?" Thor asked, sitting on Balder's stomach and looking down "because I can always continue"
"No!" Balder panted "I give up ... I give up"
"Good" Thor grinned before reaching down and kissing him on the forehead
"Yuck! Thor!" Balder rubbed his forehead and Thor got off, winking at the two laughing women in his brother's room
"Ladies"
They giggled and pulled the covers closer to themselves.
***
Thor had just pulled his hair back in a tight little knot when there was a knock on his door.
"Come in"
Balder opened the door, fully dressed, his brown hair brushed back "You mind giving me a ride?"
"Sure" Thor said without hesitation as he fixed his tie "You want to leave now?"
"Are you kidding?" Balder walked in, looking around Thor's room "I hate Stark, but I can't find a way out of it so I have to be in the meeting in an hour."
Which reminded Thor.
"Why don't I take the meeting?" he focused on the miserable tie "you can relax a little in the meantime"
"Why?" Balder walked over and pulled Thor to face him "you hate meetings. And you can't sit still to save your life"
"I'm not that bad" Thor let his brother fix his tie "besides, I told Amora I had to attend the meeting"
"Ah, so we come to the crux of the matter" Balder gave him a pat on the shoulders before stepping back "There, done. You no longer look like a hooligan."
"Hooligan?" Thor asked, lifting his jacket from his bed "who the hell uses that these days?"
"Cultured people" Balder said, walking beside him as they left Thor's large room "you wouldn't know anything about it, though"
"Really?" Thor asked, pulling on his suit
"Really" Balder said.
They climbed down the stairs only to have a large Labrador lunge at them.
"No, Mjolnir!" Balder immediately went behind Thor, pushing the other ahead "I don't want your hair on my clothes!"
Thor laughed, dodging his dog and trying to push Balder away at the same time "Balder, what the hell are you doing?"
"Keep him away from me" Balder was already back on the stairs.
Thor went down on one knee to pet Mjolnir "There, there sweetheart. Balder's just a big baby, isn't he? Isn't he? You weren't going to hurt him were you?"
The dog barked and leaned over to lick Thor's face. Thor pulled back "Not now boy, I have a meeting to attend"
"Besides" Balder said as he climbed down the stairs, eyeing the dog "that's Amora's job"
Thor glared at him "I'll release him"
Balder chuckled and grabbed Thor's car keys "I'm waiting outside"
Thor rolled his eyes and went to give Mjolnir some breakfast so that he didn't follow him out when he finally left.
His parents were in the kitchen, talking and having their breakfast.
"Morning"
Frigga smiled at him "You look incredibly handsome"
Odin grunted a response.
Thor kissed his mother on the cheek and tended to Mjolnir.
"Don't forget the meeting today" Odin said "they expect something from you"
Thor didn't let loose a sigh "I know, Father"
"And impress the new head they bring in today" Odin said "it took me a lot to get Stark to hand him over"
"Yes, Father"
"And make sure you pull off all the dog hair on your suit" Odin added "makes you look like Mjolnir"
"Odin!"
"Goodbye, Father"
Not wasting more time, Thor used the back door to leave and found Balder already in the passenger seat when he reached their porch.
"What happened?" Balder asked as Thor joined him "Dad?"
"Who else?" Thor closed the door
"Now what?" Balder buckled his seat belt
"He said I look like a dog" Thor started the car and revved the engine.
Unconsciously, Balder held onto his seat as Thor roared out of their driveway and into New York's crowded streets.
***
Balder kicked Thor under the table when his eyes drooped again.
Thor startled awake, glaring at his brother. Silently, Balder shifted his gaze to the screen before turning them back at Thor. The interns and juniors had worked hard on these reports and Thor needed to hear them.
Inhaling loudly, Thor sat up straighter and listened to their monthly finances and budget. Balder listened with his chin braced on his thumb and fore finger, his gaze intense. Thor tried to listen, tried to focus. His head drooped.
Balder kicked him again.
"Ow!"
The junior broke off and Thor found himself the center of everyone's attention.
He flushed, ignoring Balder who was laughing behind his hand that held up his head and was of no help at all
"Uh ..." Thor turned to the juniors before him "continue"
They nodded uncertainly and continued.
Thor tried kicking Balder but his brother dodged him, raising his legs till they were parallel to the ground. He was grinning.
Their scuffling went on for a good few minutes before they realized that their father's right hand man, Heimdall, was watching.
Heimdall glared at them and they stopped, their grins remained however.
Their meeting was tortuously slow, agonizing now that Tony had postponed their meeting till after lunch. Apparently their new head, the 'code maker' as they called him, decided that their company was not good enough to be prompt to.
Thor had stood the second the interns shut up "Excellent meeting, friends. Now please excuse me"
Balder shook his head at his younger brother and turned to the people before him, ready to ask whatever questions Thor ran from.
Thor walked to his office and closed the door behind him. His assistant, a girl named Bella, was told to hold all unimportant calls for him and divert the important ones to Balder.
"Yes, sir" she droned before doing as he asked.
Inside his spacious and luxurious office, Thor pulled down the blinds, shrugged his suit off and placed it on the stand before all but crashing into the large, leather couch that had been his sleeping space more than once.
He kicked off his shoes and put an arm across his eyes, ready to get a few hours of sleep before their meeting with Stark.
He was just about to fall asleep when his door opened and heavy steps came in.
"Nice to see you doing something productive"
Thor contemplated the farce of pretending to sleep, to not answer him, but his brother knew him far too well.
He groaned instead "What do you want?"
Balder shrugged and walked over, straightening Thor's overturned shoe with the toe of his own "Wanted to see why you rushed out of there like that"
Thor grunted a response, not moving his arm.
Balder pushed Thor's legs away till Thor retracted them, then grimaced when he placed them in his lap the second he sat down. He didn't shove them down, though.
"You know he probably meant it as a joke"
"I don't care"
"Yes, you do" Balder looked at his covered face "you pretend that you don't, but you do."
"Is there a point to this?" Thor asked
"Probably" Balder said "but I can't remember it while Amora's lipstick shines on your shirt"
Thor immediately moved his arm and looked down. Balder laughed when Thor raised his dry glare to him. There was nothing there.
"Come on, Thor"
"Come on, what?" Thor fell back again, arm across his eyes once more
"What is bothering you? Other than Dad" Balder asked
Thor heaved a sigh "Nothing is bothering me, Balder, I just didn't sleep last night"
"Why not?"
Thor raised his arm long enough to arch a brow
"Oh" Balder looked away
There was silence again.
"Are you going to tell her?" Balder asked after a while
Thor shrugged
"Thor!" Balder shook his legs
"What?" Thor nearly whined
"Are you going to tell Amora you are engaged?" Balder asked
"I don't know, maybe" Thor replied
"When?" Balder prodded
"Whenever. Why are you so interested all of a sudden?" Thor asked
"Because I don't want to see you get hurt" Balder said "or see Jane hurt. She may not be perfect for you and she may have done you wrong, but she doesn't deserve to get hurt."
Again, Thor just shrugged. He didn't like it when he was denied sleep.
"Thor"
"What?" Thor droned
"Don't do this to yourself" Balder said simply "you are not a cheater. You are a wonderful person, sincere and honest. What happened to you?"
"Maybe I changed"
Balder shook his head "No, you're still too annoying for that"
Thor gave him another glare.
"Did you tell Mother about Amora?" Thor asked
Balder frowned "What? No, why?" his eyes widened "She knows?"
Thor nodded "Yes, sank her teeth into me the second I came home. I wonder how she knows."
Balder thought about it but came up with no answer.
"That leaves you in trouble, brother dearest," Balder said "because if Mother knows, chances are Jane will find out, too."
Thor hummed "Maybe"
Balder gave him a reading look "Ah, I see. This is another plan to break off the engagement, isn't it? You want Jane to know, don't you?"
"Don't you have something important to do?" Thor asked "Like watching Desperate Housewives and worrying about menopause?"
Balder hit him
"Ow!" Thor sat up, rubbing his rib where Balder had rammed his fingers painfully "that hurt"
"I know" Balder grinned, pushing his legs off and standing "the meeting is in two hours. I'll come back to wake you up around 1.30 alright?"
"Whatever" Thor turned over, turning his back to Balder.
"Sweet dreams"
Thor groaned and closed his eyes.
Sleep didn't come.
***
Thor stifled his yawn with difficulty, gaining a sympathetic look from his brother.
Tony and his assistant were talking to Heimdall, explaining their requirements for a metal that would sustain heavy fire, extreme heat and extreme cold.
"What you are talking about is a blend of several metals" Heimdall said "that is not going to be easy. Or cheap"
Balder rolled his eyes a second after Thor. Like their father, Heimdall talked about money, right to the point, this man was.
"I know" Tony said, his smile never wavering "but I'm sure you know that money is no issue. Can you do it or not?"
"We will try" Heimdall said "I'll send word to the mills immediately."
"Actually" Balder said "you will be going to the mills. Give them the order in person"
"Excuse me?" Heimdall said
Even Thor looked at his brother
"There have been rumors of corporate spies in our mill, I'm sure you've heard already" Balder said "someone from Jotunhiem Steel. I don't know who but I wish to find out. Other than my brother, you are the one man I trust completely and that is why I ask you to aid me in this"
"Balder ..."
Balder cut Thor off with a single look.
"I ..."
"Find out who is behind this" Balder cut Heimdall off "I can tolerate many things; espionage is not one of them."
"How do you know this?" Heimdall asked "who is your source?"
Balder gave him a hard look "That is not your concern. Finding out the spy should be your anxiety. You may leave at your earliest convenience"
Heimdall tried glaring at him, but in the end he realized it was futile. Thor and Balder owned the company. He may have a hand in its birth and growth, but he didn't own it. He was an employee at the end of the day and they were his employers.
"Very well" he nodded "I will leave in a few days time"
"Good" Balder nodded, then turned to Tony "Stark, consider your demands met. As soon as Heimdall can, he will start reporting us of the goings on in our factory. Now, I wish to know where your new head of diagnostics is. We have been having some issues with our computers here and in the factory"
"Ah" Tony smiled "He's on his way. Relax, Odinson, I won't go back on my word to your father."
"Who is he?" Thor asked before Balder could start a useless argument "and what makes him so special?"
"He's a genius" Tony said "he created this program, it's like an anti virus, only without the 'anti'. It detects when people send a virus or try and hack into encrypted files and stuff. Then, not only does it stop them, it fights back, plants a virus of its own into their computers and destroy all their files. It's brilliant."
" Impressive" Balder conceded "where is he?"
Tony glanced at his phone "Well, as of two minutes ago, on the elevator."
They waited for thirty seconds before the doors opened and Bella led in a tall man dressed in a grey suit.
His short cropped grey hair stood untidily on end as his deep brown eyes scanned the room "Afternoon, gentlemen" there was a subtle lilt in his voice.
"Svad!" Tony grinned at the man as he stood "Come in, we've been waiting for you"
Svad walked in, and surveyed the room and the two men in it "Ladies"
Balder rolled his eyes heavenwards Oyy
"Good afternoon" Thor said
"Oh!" Svad said "You're British, that's cool. I'm Swedish, ever been to Sweden?"
"Many times, it's a beautiful place" Thor stood and extended a hand "Thor Odinson. That's my brother, Balder"
Balder nodded and he stood and shook Svad's hand "Pleasure to have you on board."
"Pleasure to be on board" Svad smiled "Svad Svadilfari, name's hard to pronounce, so call me Svad."
Thor smiled "Svad. Absolute pleasure to meet you. Tony had been telling us about your remarkable talents. Would you mind elaborating?"
"Sure" Svad said, already helping himself to Thor's vacated seat "Okay, so where do I begin?"
"Why not the start?" Balder asked "Talk about yourself, where you came from, how you ended up in New York"
"Okay" Svad nodded, "I can do that"
He was thirty five, from Stockholm, brought here when he was ten since his parents wanted a better life. However, they had a car crash not even five months later. With no family, Svad was put into foster care. He didn't like it and ran away when he was fifteen. He got a job at a 'no questions asked' inn where he realized his love for computers. He worked himself up a small fortune and put himself through computer courses, he learned a lot through those, creating programs, going through other people's computers by a simple code. He loved it.
Then he made the mistake of trying to hack into Tony's computers as a challenge.
Tony chuckled "I had him pinned in ten seconds flat. Knew where he was, what he did and where he had come from. It didn't take long after that to come face to face with him."
"He offered me a choice" Svad said "either work for him or stay in the tiny empty life I had. Needless to say, I chose him"
"Jumped at the offer, more like it" Tony reached over and patted his back "this guy has helped me create an iron wall against my technology. Nothing passes his creations"
Svad grinned proudly "Yeah"
"Well, I'm pleased to hear that" Balder said, the first thing he spoke since Svad started talking "and I hope you like it here in Asgard just as much as you liked it in Stark Industries. We could use a man of your intelligence"
Svad bowed his head in gratitude
"Now, how's about a tour?" he asked "I would love to see my new office"
"Certainly" Balder said, standing.
Thor didn't hear a thing as they gave Svad the tour, showed him around. His mind was buzzing from lack of sleep and he desperately needed to find a place to rest.
So, he wasn't exactly conscious when he slammed face first into a glass door without pushing it in.
Thor fell flat on his back, his hands over his stinging face.
"Thor!"
Balder fell on his knees beside him "Are you alright?"
He grabbed Thor's wrists and pulled his hands away, revealing a bruise on his forehead and bleeding nose and mouth.
Behind Balder, Tony and Svad were having a hard time keeping a straight face.
Thor groaned and hid his face again, turning to his side as Balder demanded a first aid kit from the many, many people that had witnessed Thor's ungraceful accident.
***
Thor hissed as Balder pressed the ice pack on his forehead
"Sorry"
"No you're not" Thor said immediately "you can't keep a straight face"
Balder bit his lip to keep from smiling as he treated Thor's swollen lip, using Thor's hiss of pain to compose himself.
"You bit clean through your lip" Balder said "you will need stitches"
Thor grunted, unable to do much since his lower lip was held out.
"So, you mind" Balder cleared his throat "telling me what happened?"
"I already told you" Thor groaned "I didn't sleep last night."
Balder nodded and noticed a tiny cut in the middle of Thor's bruise "Why don't you go home? I can handle these guys fine"
"Really?" Thor winced as his brother put antiseptic on his forehead "without going for Tony's throat?"
Balder laughed softly, the sound deep "I can manage. What?" he asked at Thor's disbelieving look "I can be nice if I want to"
"Whatever" Thor said "just don't screw it up or do something embarrassing"
"More embarrassing than walking into a glass door?" Balder asked and stepped back
"Idiot" Thor shoved him "get away from me"
Balder chuckled and threw the used cotton balls away "Get out of here, take a nice, long nap"
Thor rolled his eyes but picked up his jacket "You sure?"
Balder waved him off "Go, before you fall asleep where you stand"
"Thanks, bro" Thor pressed his shoulder in gratitude as Balder packed up the kit "See you later"
"Yes, yes of course" Balder waved him off.
Thor kept his gaze lowered as he walked through the halls, only lifting them when his phone rang.
"Perfect" Thor growled and picked up the call "Hey, Jane"
"Hi, my love" Jane cooed "I missed you"
Shifting his jacket to the arm holding the phone, Thor dug around his pocket for keys "I missed you too. Thought about you all day"
"Really?" she asked "what did you think?"
That I want this over between us. I don't want to spend the rest of my life with you. Things have changed, Jane, I don't want the life you do. Please just let me go before I resent you – more than I already do.
That's what he wanted to say.
"Nothing special, just the way you think" he said instead
"What about it?" she asked
"Your eyes light up instead of blanking out" Thor opened his car and slid in "and you get far too excited for someone talking about stars"
The car revved powerfully as Jane laughed.
"They are beautiful, Thor" she said, as if coaxing more compliments from him "they are magic"
"So are you"
Thor could deal out false compliments like drugs. He didn't even need to be creative; he could use clichés and still make her melt.
He stepped on the gas, hand idly holding the phone as he maneuvered himself into traffic. Their idle banter continued, Thor only half listening as she explained her latest research or something.
He was getting frustrated by the second and his foot increased the pressure on the accelerator without him knowing.
I don't want this! I don't want you in my life, woman, just understand it. Just let me go.
He meant to turn right at a signal, but somehow, with Jane talking in his ear and his frustration increasing, Thor found himself going straight and into the most popular place in New York.
'Hel's' was a combination of grace, poise and tequila.
The whole place was done in rich colors, gold, black, emeralds and silver. It was huge, three floors served as the restaurant and the first floor and basement combined to make a bar and dance floor.
As he pulled up, people were in line outside the double doors, waiting for the security guards to let them in. Thor parked his expensive silver and red tinted Porsche before getting out and heading for the line.
Men and women glanced at him, at his radiating power and strikingly bright blonde hair. Then his bruise and swollen lip.
Music thumped inside, the base could be felt in his chest as he walked up to the security guard.
"Thor Odinson" his deep voice stated as he handed the security guard his I.D "I'm not on the list, so don't bother checking."
The guard, almost a head shorter than Thor glanced at the I.D, then at the man himself "I know you, you run Asgard Industries, don't you?"
"Yes" Thor said dryly and took his I.D back "Am I in or out?"
The guard didn't reply; he simply moved the thick velvet rope away and Thor walked on without a backwards glance to the dismayed people.
Inside, the music was so loud, it vibrated against him. People danced and talked all around him, drinks held in their hands, heads thrown back as they moved to the beat of the music.
Thor ignored the dancing bodies, the complete bliss induced ignorance of the people and walked straight to the bar.
There were four bars scattered on this floor and if he glanced down from the veranda he stood on, he could see more bars in the basement where even more people danced and drank. Up above, the ceiling reflected whatever happened downstairs in the shining aluminum that looked far too clean to be a metal. Thor saw his own upturned face, the frown on his features and the still tightly tied hair.
He reached behind him and pulled his hair free, shaking it into the cascade of gold that it naturally was.
He immediately felt better.
Mood elevated slightly, Thor made his way to the closest bar and raised his hand for an order.
When the bartender didn't notice, he whistled "Hey!"
The man turned and looked at him just as one of the many revolving lights hit him.
The effect on him was remarkable. His pale, pale skin seemed to shine under the light blue light, his black hair glowed.
Thor blinked, forgetting himself for just a second, when the man's sharp emerald gaze fell on him.
Then it was over.
"Vodka and coke, please" Thor called
The man nodded wordlessly and went about making his drink. Thor took the time to watch the place around him.
It was rich; expensive. Even the counter before him seemed to glitter like diamonds.
Everything was so clean and shiny that Thor felt an urge to touch everything. The music was loud and devoid of words, just plain, untainted sounds that made him bounce his foot to it. There was no smell of access liquor or any other smell associated with a bar. If he concentrated, he could smell musk and the slightest hint of crisp money.
His drink arrived with a sharp click.
"Twelve dollars" the bartender turned his gaze to Thor "put the money under your glass when you are done"
Thor nodded and picked up his glass, draining it in seconds "Another"
The man lifted a brow "Don't you want to smash the glass on the ground?"
Thor frowned "What?"
The man shook his head "Nothing"
As he took the glass from him, Thor thought he heard him mutter something very similar to 'Neanderthal'.
His next drink arrived and Thor sipped it slowly, intending on enjoying it. He didn't know when two glasses turned to three or when three turned to five, then ten, then thirteen.
"Enough"
Thor blinked lazily at the bartender before him "What?"
"I said enough" green eyes focused on him "we have a policy against deliberately getting people drunk, especially when they are alone"
"I can handle it" Thor said, frowning
The man rolled his eyes "Yeah, right. Give me your keys and your I.D"
"What? Why?" Thor pushed back his stool, almost falling over.
The man raised his brows Need another reason?
Scowling, Thor gave him his car keys and his I.D card. Then, as an afterthought, handed him his phone as well.
At his confused gaze, Thor explained "Call the name Balder if I pass out and keep the drinks coming!"
The man rolled his eyes and put Thor's things in a compartment under the counter.
Thor's drink arrived a few moments later.
***
It was around nine when Balder's cell phone rang.
He was leaving the office and fished his phone out from his blazer.
'Thor'
"Hello" he answered
"Is this Balder?" an unfamiliar voice asked
Balder stopped walking "Yes, who is this?"
"I have a Thor Odinson here, dancing on my bar and singing Eye of the Tiger for the eighth consecutive time" the man said "I'm at Hel's, do you know it?"
Balder groaned, hand going to his forehead "Oh no ..."
"I'm guessing that you do" the man said "if you could pick him up, it would be great. Thank you"
"I'll be right there" Balder sighed "thank - "
The man hung up.
"You" Balder pulled his phone down.
He looked at his wrist watch and sighed
Thor was going to die tonight.
When he reached the bar fifteen minutes later, his jaw dropped. Thor was bare to the waist, swinging his blazer in the air and singing at the top of his lungs. Women and men surrounded him, cheering him on.
Someone was taking pictures.
"It's the eye of the tiger, it's the thrill of the fight! Rising up to the challenge of our rivals! And the last lone survivor - "
"Thor!" Balder yelled, cutting him off "what the hell are you doing?"
Thor looked down at him with a frown so comical, Balder stepped back.
"Brother!" Thor hollered "join me!"
"Are you insane?" Balder asked, blinking when he saw a few bills stuffed into Thor's waistband "get down from there"
"I can't!" Thor replied "I have people that love me!"
A cheer sounded from behind Balder, fraying on his temper.
"Thor Odinson get down this instant!" Balder commanded
Thor looked at him and pouted gingerly because it hurt his lip "Why do you ruin all the fun I have?"
"Because I can" Balder hissed "now get down"
Thor rolled his eyes "Fine"
Then he lifted a hand to his crowd "Goodnight! I love you all"
Thor stepped back as he stumbled
And lost all footing.
Balder cried out when Thor fell back, right on top of the poor bartender behind him. Bottles and glass shelves shattered as the men crashed into them and landed in an undignified heap on the ground.
"Thor!" Balder rushed over to look over the counter.
"Get off me, you big oaf!" the bartender shoved Thor's weight off and kicked him
"Are you alright?" Balder asked once the man stood, pushing his hair back
"You are paying for this" he poked Balder's chest "both of you, for everything!"
Balder felt the gaze of the people on him and raised his hands in surrender "Alright, alright. Just let me take him home"
The man narrowed his gaze at him, then put something on the counter with a loud crunch.
Thor managed to right himself with the help of another bartender.
Balder looked down at Thor's car keys, I.D and phone. He bit his lip, looking guilty.
Thor was helped out to his side by two men.
Balder's lips thinned at his brother's expression. He was proud of himself.
"Where's ma coat?" Thor slurred, pulling a bare arm around Balder's shoulders.
"Here" a man handed Thor his jacket "a few women stuffed their numbers in your pocket and I think one of them stole your shirt"
Despite his mood, Balder felt his lips quirk "Thank you"
Thor took the coat and pulled into it, leaving the front open to show his finely muscled form. He felt Balder hold his arm more firmly around his shoulders and lead him out.
"M'car" Thor slurred
"Too bad" Balder clicked his remote and his BMW chirped to life. He pulled open the door and sat his brother inside before pulling his belt across his torso and closing the door.
When he slid in, Thor looked at him with large eyes "'m sorry"
"I know" Balder started the car
"No ..." Thor whined "you still mad"
Balder didn't say anything as he reversed the car. He was highly aware of his younger brother's gaze.
"Bald'r ...." Thor whispered "'m really, really sorry, brother"
Balder sighed and looked at him, stopping the car. Thor's eyes were huge and pleading. No one resisted that look.
Balder growled "Fine, I forgive you"
Immediately, Thor grinned "I love ya"
"But not too much" Balder stepped on the gas "what were you thinking, Thor? You know what sort of scandals we are open to. Why bait people?"
Thor sighed and looked away.
"No, don't look away" Balder said gently "look at me, Thor."
Thor slowly looked at him
"Why would you get drunk?" Balder asked "you haven't done it in years"
Thor sighed loudly, contemplating.
"Thor?" Balder prompted after a very long silence
"I don' want to marry Jane" Thor said, startling his brother "I don' wan' to spend my life with 'er. It's not that I don't like 'er, I do, I love her. Just not in the way that counts. I feel trapped, claustrophobic, 'cause if I call off the engagemen' she will kill herself and Mother will cry and Father will hate me even more."
Balder watched the traffic then turned his gaze back to Thor
"I hate that 'm cheating on her" Thor said "but it's the only way. I have to make her call it off because…I don't know what else to do!"
"Have you told Jane any of this?" Balder asked
Thor groaned and pulled his knees up in irritation, rubbing his hands over his face. Then he relaxed completely.
"I tried" Thor said "and you know what happened"
Balder nodded "Thor, I think you should talk to her face to face, not over the phone. Keeping everything to yourself and then getting drunk doesn't solve anything"
Thor giggled "It made me happy"
"Yeah" Balder said, lips thinned "I'll ask you how happy you are when you wake up"
Thor laughed, then grimaced "Oh no"
"What?" Balder asked
"Mom and Dad will be pissed" Thor said, almost childishly "I don' want them to know I'm drunk"
Balder chuckled "That will be a problem"
Thor groaned "No ...."
Balder laughed when Thor curled up on himself "Okay, tell you what. I'll make you a deal. I will help you get past Mother and Father if you promise not to do this again"
"Promise!" Thor said, instantly happy
"No, I mean a real promise" Balder said. He raised his hand, middle finger out "like when we were kids"
Thor copied the gesture and they twined their fingers.
"May whoever breaks this promise, be fucked for all eternity" they chorused.
Laughing, Thor leaned back in his seat "So how are you going to get me past the old man?"
Balder grinned "You'll see"
Thor didn't see. He fell asleep.
Balder shook his head and got out of the car. As he straightened, Mjolnir came bounding to his side, barking happily and trying to get at the sleeping Thor in the car.
"Hey boy, easy" Balder said, pulling on the dog's collar and crouching down "hey, listen to me"
He made Mjolnir face him "I have a very important job for you, understand?"
Mjolnir wagged his tail.
"I want you to go in and destroy whatever you see" Balder told him "create chaos, run around, bark like a manic, understand?"
The dog yipped
"Idiot" Balder shook his head. He stood and made his way to the backdoor.
Frigga was there, reading a magazine on the kitchen table.
Biting his lip as he thought, Balder's blue eyes searched and finally found a squeaky toy that belonged to Mjolnir.
He grinned
***
Frigga turned the page of her magazine and concentrated, the recipe for Lemon Chicken looked highly inviting and she thought about telling their chef to try it.
A squeak interrupted her and a second later, a rubber toy bounced in front of her on the table, then sprung to the floor.
"Oh no..."
A second later, their window burst as Mjolnir tore through in a rain of glass and wood and mud.
Frigga shrieked and narrowly missed falling out of her chair.
Mjolnir grabbed the toy in his mouth and began running around the kitchen, howling.
"What happened?" Odin ran in, hearing the crash, scream and the clank of pots and pans as Mjolnir threw everything about in his mad dash.
"Mjolnir!" Odin yelled, running towards the dog.
But Mjolnir had other ideas. He dodged Odin, sprinting to the side, jumping on the counter and throwing almost everything in his path on the marble floor.
Frigga ran over and pressed a bell that rang for their night guard.
Odin still chased the dog, cursing whenever he missed.
Outside, Balder calmly opened the door to his car, got Thor out and balanced the large man in his arms. His scant superiority in height proved vital as he carried his brother's sleeping form to the door before releasing his legs to open the door. Then he pulled his hands under Thor's knees again and walked in.
Sounds of shrieking, breaking and howling could be heard from the kitchen on the other side of the house and Balder grinned, kicking the door shut and carrying Thor upstairs to his room. Nudging the door open with his foot, Balder placed Thor on the bed, removed his shoes, jacket and socks, then pulled the covers over him before turning to leave.
"Sweet dreams"
He flicked off the light and closed the door behind him.
***
The shrill tone of his cell phone was like needles in his brain.
Thor reached out, patting his bedside table as he searched for it.
Cursing when he couldn't find it and feeling a migraine reach painful intensity; he sat up and found the phone in his trousers' pocket. He yanked it out, cut the call, shut off the phone and slammed it on the bedside table before falling back into bed again.
He lay there for a good hour, feeling his migraine dissipate. His eyes drooped again and he fell asleep.
He woke a second time to dark skies.
"Damn it" he mumbled and pushed himself off the bed.
He groaned when his mouth felt dry and his head felt dull. Rubbing his hands over his face, Thor stood, stumbled, then gained his balance and padded to the bathroom for a nice, long shower.
He emerged an hour later, hair dripping wet, to change into a sweat shirt and sweat pants. He ran a brush through his hair, leaving them open and went downstairs barefoot.
It was twelve at night. He had slept for a whole day.
"Damn"
Odin was sitting in the living room, watching TV.
"Hey, Dad" Thor greeted
"Thor" Odin nodded to him "feeling better?"
Thor furrowed his brow "What?"
Odin gave him a dry look "Don't tell me you think I don't know what happened last night?"
Thor felt a pang of nerves "What happened?"
"You got drunk" Odin stated "like the boy you are, and got beat up from the looks of your face. Your brother snuck you in thinking I would never notice and then you slept for a day. Did I miss anything?"
Yes, you didn't say what a disappointment I am as a son and you didn't mention what a failure I am as a man
"No, Father" Thor sighed
"What were you thinking?" Odin asked "And please don't say you were having fun because that would be pathetic. Even for you."
"Father..."
"I'm not done!" Odin snapped
Of course not
"Do you realize what that dog did last night?" Odin asked "he destroyed half our kitchen, that's three thousand dollars worth of damage!"
Just three? I remember you topping that by five a few times
"I thought I raised you better than this, Thor! I wish, I hope, everyday that somehow you become the man I know you can be, but all you have done is disappoint me."
You raised me? I don't think so, old man.
"Sometimes I feel like you do it deliberately" Odin continued "just to get back at me."
Thor managed not to roll his eyes
"Other times, I think it is because I spoiled you far too much"
Thor blinked. Okay, this is new
"Maybe if you lived the life I did, you would appreciate what you have" Odin said, then sighed "maybe not, I don't know anymore ...just ...."
"Father?"
"Sign Svadilfari on tomorrow" Odin said "make sure he gets what he wants till he signs that damned paper, understand?"
"Yes, sir"
"And go sleep" Odin turned off the TV "you have work tomorrow and staying awake all night won't help."
"Yes, sir" Thor said as Odin stood
"There is some pizza leftover in the fridge" Odin said "eat before sleeping"
"Yes, sir"
"Good night, Thor"
"Good night, Father"
Thor didn't sleep and he didn't eat. He stayed up all night and watched TV.
He regretted it the instant Svad walked into the meeting room the next morning.
He was dressed in grey again, looking down at the contract in his hand. His brown eyes scanned the paper and occasionally he lifted a hand to run through his premature grey hair.
Thor watched impassively from by the window, sipping his coffee.
"Okay, this seems about right" Svad said "hand me a pen"
Balder smiled and gave him what he wanted. Svad signed with a flourish
"Ta da!"
Thor snorted softly and drank his coffee
"Welcome aboard" Balder grinned at Svad.
Svad smiled back and they shook hands "This calls for a celebration. My treat of course."
"Oh no, we can't possibly let you..."
Thor ignored the banter and looked out of the window, watching pigeons fly across the sky in a graceful angle. He envied them.
"Thor!"
Thor looked at Balder "Yes?"
"Svad just invited both of us to a cocktail party tonight" Balder told him.
"Oh" Thor smiled at him, raising his cup to him "we will be there, don't worry"
"Excellent" Svad clapped his hands together "Now, before I go to my new office, is there anything else you wish to know about me? Something in particular you want to discuss?"
"No, I don't think so" Balder said "is there something you wish to volunteer?"
Svad thought about it for a few seconds "I'm gay"
Thor choked in hot coffee, coughing as the scalding drink went down the wrong way.
"Jesus!" Balder and Svad rushed over, punching and slapping his back.
Thor raised his hands after a coughing spell "I'm fine, it's okay"
"You sure?" Svad asked, smiling "did my revelation scare you?"
Thor flushed red "No, it's just...um...I didn't think you would...just... say it"
Balder's lips thinned at the lame words but Svad only laughed "Relax, bro, I'm just messing with you"
Thor pretended not to notice the relief on his brother's face.
Yikes
***
The party was a surprising turn around for the events of the day.
Thor threw back a glass of champagne and snagged another off the passing waiter.
After showing Svad his new office, Thor had gone to his own office to tend to some neglected paperwork and look at the emails his friend and co worker, Fandral had sent him.
He had found new sights that housed a rare metal and wanted Thor to buy it. It would be expensive, the email said, but it was worth it.
He was just typing a reply when his door slammed open.
"Forget something?" Amora snapped at him
"Oh shit ..."
It hadn't ended well.
Thor had sent back his stunned assistant and Amora had clawed into him mercilessly. She had screamed and insulted and then cried, then gotten angry again, called him a few inventive names, then slammed back out like a tornado.
Thor had promised Bella a raise if she kept silent. He had lied, of course, she wasn't doing a good enough job and had decided to let her go.
He roved his gaze over the room now, standing in Svad's rich townhouse and observing all the people around.
They were fifty of his closest friends and colleagues, mostly from Stark Industries but Thor could make out a few people he'd seen about his office as well. He could already see Tony talking with Pepper on the other side of the room.
"So, having fun?"
Thor turned as Svad came to stand beside him "I was observing your house. You live here alone?"
"Oh no" Svad said "my partner and I have been living here for some time now, almost seven years"
"Wow" Thor snagged another glass "that long?"
"Yup" Svad said "been married for that long so yeah. Moved here when I was twenty nine. We fell in love with it instantly and haven't moved since"
"Nice" Thor said, mainly because he didn't know what else to say "lucky guy"
"I know" Svad winked "hey, you should meet him"
Thor began to protest but Svad was having none of it
"Stay here, he's bound to be here somewhere" Svad said before slipping away.
Thor groaned and leaned back against the wall. He searched for Balder, hoping to convince him into leaving.
But Svad was already back.
"Thor Odinson" he grinned "I would like you to meet the love of my life, Loki Laufeyson"
Thor turned his welcoming grin to the man Svad pulled ahead, only to feel his jaw drop.
Shit!
Emerald green eyes scrutinized him as the bartender from Hel's looked at him "Hello, Mr. Odinson."
Thor blinks at the man, his extended limb, his greeting and the smile on his pale, pale face.
It changed his whole face, Thor noticed, making the high cheekbones look pretty, though the word shouldn't b used on a man, his pink lips supple and the aquiline features all turn soft. He looked stunning, like a perfect marble statue; real and unreal at the same time.
Then he noticed that there was something akin to anxiety in his startling green eyes as he waited for Thor's response.
He didn't want Svad to know that they knew each other.
"Pleased to meet you" Thor took his hand, soft and lean in his own, and shook "nice place you have here"
Loki smiled "Thank you, we've been here for seven years now"
"I know, Svad told me" Thor said "congratulations on making seven years, Mr. Laufeyson"
Something moved in Loki's gaze that Thor couldn't decipher "Please, call me Loki"
There was a hint of an accent somewhere in Loki's voice. He was British, that Thor could easily tell, but there was another country, hidden deep within his tongue and Thor found himself with a desire to know.
"So, where are you from?" Thor asked.
"England" Loki said "but I spent the first four years of my life in France"
And that was the pleasant lilt.
"I moved here when I was seven and ..."
"And that's when I met him" Svad cut in, pulling an arm around Loki's shoulders "this love of my life has known me since I was sixteen. Knows me inside and out"
Thor probably imagined it, the slight wince that Loki gave before his features turned to irritation.
"Why don't you mingle?" Loki asked Svad "your guests might feel neglected"
Svad laughed "Always worried. Thor, you might wish to turn away if it bothers your because I am about to kiss him"
Thor politely turned his gaze away as Svad leaned over and planted his lips full on Loki's mouth.
Thor felt a strange feeling in his gut and it began to hurt when he heard Svad groan.
Loki pulled away from him "Svad, please, people are watching"
"Let them" Svad lowered his head again and kissed Loki once more, deepening it till he heard his friends clap and whoop.
Loki was flushed by the time he was released and kept his gaze on the floor.
"Am I the luckiest man here or what?" Svad cheered and disappeared into his friends.
Thor, who was admiring the ceiling, gasped when he felt a hand on his wrist and a sharp yank as Loki dragged him somewhere.
"Hey, what?"
The man didn't reply. He pulled Thor into a room and closed the door. He turned to face him.
"Why didn't you tell him that we know each other?" he demanded.
Thor blinked "I'm sorry, what?"
Loki rolled his eyes "Are you drunk again? I asked you why you didn't tell Svad that we met."
"Uh..." Thor began to think around this strange situation and his drink "because you didn't want me to, I assumed ..."
"Liar" Loki said "tell me the truth"
Thor's mouth hung open. No one had ever called him that word before. Ever.
"I swear, I'm telling you the truth" Thor replied
"No, you have an agenda" Loki said "what is it? Do you want money? Do you want me to take my claim of you paying for the repairs back?"
Thor shook his head, utterly confused "What are you talking about?"
Loki exhaled loudly and threw his arms over his head in exasperation "Do you want to blackmail me?"
Thor blinked again, opening his mouth and closing it twice before replying "I am not going to dignify that with an answer"
Loki narrowed his eyes at him, suspiciously. He crossed his arms over his chest and contemplated Thor. He seemed to be sizing him up.
Thor was perhaps three or two inches taller than Loki and had a good vantage point of his face.
Loki raised his narrowed gaze to Thor's face "You mean to tell me you didn't say anything because you figured out I wanted to keep it silent?"
"Yes" Thor exhaled "it's called being polite. If I had known it would get me interrogated later, I wouldn't have bothered"
Loki's eyes widened, that same emotion in his gaze "No! Don't tell him anything."
Thor was taken aback "What? Why?"
"Do you need a reason for everything, Odinson?" Loki asked him as if he thought him stupid "just do as I say and I won't tell him it was you who destroyed our restaurant"
"Your...." Thor began "you own Hel's?"
Loki rolled his eyes again "God, it's like talking to a child. Yes, we own it. How do you think we pay the rent?"
Thor felt a migraine coming on "I'm sorry, I have to go. I am getting a headache"
"Wait!" Loki suddenly blocked his path.
From his angle, Thor could make out the faint freckles on Loki's nose.
A sudden desire to touch them came over him.
"Don't tell Svad we already knew each other, okay?" Loki asked, looking at him "and you can have a favor on return"
"A favor?" Thor asked
"Nothing absurd, so keep it simple" Loki told him "but yes. Keep my secret and I will give you a favor"
Keep my secret
Why the hell did that sound so hot to Thor? He felt slight stirrings in his loins.
He swallowed "Fine, deal"
Loki seemed to relax, his shoulders fell back and he appeared less bristled "Good. Now let's go before people start talking"
"Yes, we wouldn't want that..." Thor began but Loki had already turned to leave
"Oh and one more thing" Loki spoke over his shoulder "you can't call me Loki. Call me by my surname"
He was gone a heartbeat later.
Thor was still mulling over the strange incident when he lay down to sleep that night.
***
"So" Svad came up behind Loki and pulled his arms across his waist "have fun tonight?"
Loki, who had tensed slightly, relaxed in his grip "Of course I did. It's always nice to meet your friends."
Svad was Balder's height, so some five inches taller than Loki. He craned his neck up to place his chin on Loki's head.
"You spent almost all the time in the kitchen"
Loki chuckled softly, one hand going to rest on Svad's around his waist "Someone had to work while you partied"
Svad chuckled deeply "What do you think of my new colleagues?"
Loki stilled for a millisecond before replying "They are nice, but I only just met them so I can't be that good a judge"
Svad hummed and lowered his head, brushing his lips across Loki's nape. Loki shivered, closing his eyes and Svad moved one hand to tilt his head away for better access.
His lips raked across Loki's long, elegant neck up to his ear that Svad caught between his teeth.
"Liar, you met them before" Svad spoke huskily
Loki's eyes snapped open.
"When you were working at Hel's" Svad tightened his grip ever so slightly around Loki's waist "am I right?"
"Svad ..." Loki swallowed audibly, his heart racing.
Svad let his ear go and proceeded to kiss his neck "I told you I don't want you to work. You have been doing it your whole damned life, you deserve a break. What do you think I am here for, my love?"
Loki swallowed again "I want to work, Svad, I feel caged doing nothing"
Svad chuckled, making Loki gasp when he bit down on his neck "I didn't tell you to do nothing. I just don't want you to bury yourself into the ground like you do when you work. Is that so bad?"
His hand traveled down to Loki's trousers "Is it?"
Loki's breathing accelerated "No..."
"Good" Svad chuckled, pulling his zipper down "but there is something else I wish to be buried and it won't be in the ground"
Loki yelped when Svad spun him around and pushed him down on the bed behind him.