Fic: The Prince in the Rook 5/? (Frostiron)

[bookishwench]

Anthony continued visiting Loki whenever possible, bringing him books on every topic imaginable. Anthony either read them before he gave them to the prince or sat beside him and read along with him. In part, this was to stave off the possibility of a curious librarian asking him questions about the volumes he was selecting, but he also found that he was learning an immense amount about everything from interplanetary war to the folklore of Vanaheim. Even more wonderful, he and Loki were able to converse on so many subjects, and the world broadened for the imprisoned man.

For his part, Loki slowly learned to trust that his touch really didn’t harm Anthony. Almost timidly, he began to embrace Anthony every time he arrived and again as he left. They would sit close together now on Loki’s rickety bed, which sometimes creaked dangerously, their legs pressed together as they shared a book or spoke. Anthony could tell Loki was trying not to be overly clingy, but it was obvious how much he had missed human contact.

Or perhaps it was more than that.

About a year later, Odin was planning a trip off-world to Alfheim, and it was rumored he might be considering the possibility of a new bride. Anthony wasn’t sure whether it was truly the king’s goal. Queen Frigga’s legacy among the people was so strong that there were mutterings against anyone taking her place even now. However, it did provide Anthony with another opportunity to see Loki since the king couldn’t be in two places at once.

Anthony awoke the morning of Odin’s departure with excitement in his heart, anticipating seeing Loki again. Gleefully, he picked up his usual bag of treasures for Loki and headed down the stairs, humming an old song. It happened in an instant, between one step and another. With an audible gasp, as though he had been hit square in the face with Mjolnir, Anthony realized he was in love. He literally staggered and had to grab the railing to keep from tumbling down the steps as the full weight of the idea hit him.

“When did that happen?” he asked himself, more than a little terrified.

Anthony had always laughed the loudest at what he called romantic foolishness. While a good bedding was always a pleasure, it had never been more than that, nothing more meaningful than a fine roast or a well-played tune. But now, when he thought of the prince, he realized that somehow the other man had become the center of his world. He judged everything by when he could see him again. Loki’s happiness sparked his own, and his sadness made Anthony’s heart twist. They had been meeting for decades and somehow, slowly, Anthony had begun to love the handsome prince without even knowing it was happening until now he couldn’t imagine his life without him.

He sat down on the stairs, feeling dizzy as he allowed the realization to hit him full-force in the chest. He was in love with Loki. And Loki was not only trapped in an unbreakable prison, but he hadn’t seen anyone except his father and Anthony in well over a century. He frowned. Was it manipulative to tell Loki of his own feelings when the other man had no basis for comparison? Wouldn’t he feel compelled to accept Anthony because he had no one else and didn’t want to risk being abandoned again? How was that fair? Grimly, he realized it wasn’t.

“Not a word,” he promised himself, hoisting the bag back onto his shoulder. “Not a single word.”

When he arrived at the spot in the woods that was now so familiar to Jarvis that the horse walked himself over to his favorite grazing spot at once, Anthony took a few deep breaths before he stepped into the circle of stones and called out, “Allow me entry!”

In less than a moment he found himself in Loki’s prison again, the prince smiling at him with relief.

“How long has it been this time?” he asked.

“A full five days,” Anthony said, dropping the bag to the floor.

“It felt like a very long time,” Loki said quietly before adding, “I missed you.”

“Yes, well,” Anthony said, feeling himself blush in spite of himself. How had he never noticed how green Loki’s eyes were before? “I brought you that pork sandwich you liked from Dagrun’s, the one with the roasted mushrooms, and you’ll find a bottle of cider as well along with some blossoming starwort.”

He dug the items out of the bag and handed them to Loki. Their fingers touched briefly, and Anthony jumped.

“I’m sorry,” Loki said, immediately looking guilty.

“No, no, your fingers are only a little cold is all,” Anthony said, cursing himself for the guilty reaction since Loki had taken it as repulsion instead of what it was: attraction.

“You’re certain?” he asked, giving him a searching look as though looking for a lie.

“Yes,” Anthony said, taking his hand in his own to prove it to him. “I apologize for making you think otherwise. I was… distracted.”

“Distracted?” Loki asked, not letting go of his hand. “By what?”

“Nothing, merely a thought going through my mind.”

“Was it,” Loki paused, swallowing nervously before continuing, “was it of me?”

“I—”

“Anthony,” he said, “I have a confession to make.”

Anthony tipped his head curiously, then looked at their joined hands.

“I’m listening,” he said quietly.

“I have very little else to do in this place but think,” Loki said, chuckling for a moment before drawing a shaking breath and continuing, “and my thoughts often turn to you. I have been aware for years that my feelings for you encompass more than our friendship, but for a long time I thought anything else was impossible since I believed my slightest touch would cause you pain. I finally accept now that is not the case. I wondered if you might consider… if you would be…”

Loki let go of Anthony’s hand, twisting his own fingers together and dropping his gaze to the floor before taking a deep breath and admitting in a quiet voice, “I’m no good at this. What I am saying, Anthony, is I would give you my love if you would take it.”

“But you have known no one else,” Anthony said gently. “It would not be fair for me to court you when you have no other choices.”

“But am I alone in this?” Loki asked, fear widening his eyes. “Are you attracted to me as well?”

“Loki, I realize you have not had much of an opportunity to study your own appearance during your imprisonment, but believe me, were you free to walk the streets of Asgard, you would have Aesir falling out of trees for a chance to be yours,” Tony said. “You should be free to choose for yourself.”

“And so I am,” Loki said, taking his hand again and squeezing it in his own as though he were afraid his ability to touch it might be taken away. “Anthony, you have given me back the world. No, no, you are my world.”

Anthony looked at him, his eyes pleading.

“But you must see… no, I suppose you don’t,” Anthony said, trying to put his thoughts into words. “Pretend that you were never locked in this place, that you still live in the palace, and that during a royal feast all of Asgard is arranged before you. The most beautiful men and women in the realm are standing before you in their most glittering clothes, all of them hoping to capture your notice.”

Loki snorted, then said, “I suppose that might happen for my dear idiot brother Thor, but not for me.”

“Humor me, my prince,” Anthony said. “Can you not imagine some other who might be more to your liking than a weaponsmith of no noble birth?”

“Anthony—”

“And I’m short into the bargain. I work at strange hours and drink too much mead. I enjoy the sound of my own voice and always think I’m the cleverest one in the room,” Anthony said.

“Because you are,” Loki said.

“Not when I’m with you,” Anthony challenged him.

“Fair enough. We match,” Loki said. “We complement one another.”

“I have a thousand flaws.”

“And I am far from perfect. But for your sake, I will imagine the palace filled with besotted admirers,” Loki said. “I would still have eyes only for you. I would be bewitched by you at first sight. I would ask you before all the court to dance with me, desperate to have you in my arms. Anthony, would you say yes?”

Loki held out a hand to him, and Anthony found himself standing, allowing the prince’s arm to wrap around his waist as their fingers joined. Their feet began to move to silent music, following the steps of one of the court dances as Loki carefully led him across the floor of his prison. Gradually, Anthony found himself held close in the other man’s embrace, Loki’s head resting against his own.

“And when the night had grown deep, I would whisper in your ear,” Loki murmured, “inviting you to my bed.”

They stopped moving, and Anthony couldn’t remember when he had last drawn breath.

“I have had no choices at all, and I most likely never shall,” Loki said. “Allow me this one choice. Allow me to give my heart where I wish.”

Anthony looked up at him, taking in the prince’s shining eyes and tender smile, and he knew despite all his plans not to press his advantage, he was lost.

“Only if you will allow me to give you my heart in return for your own,” Anthony said.

The smile that lit up Loki’s face was so brilliant that it was as though the sun and all the stars had filled the dark room with their light. Anthony gently guided the other man into what he fleetingly realized had to be his first kiss, touching his lips gently, sweetly, as Loki’s fingers caressed his cheeks. They drew apart, and Anthony decided to be fully honest.

“I am already in love with you, my prince,” he whispered.

They kissed again, smiling with each new touch, until at last they sat beside one another on the floor, reading together from the same book, eating the same apple tart, drinking from the same bottle of sweet mead, curled around one another. Hours passed until finally Anthony knew he had to leave.

“I will return tomorrow,” he said, standing and starting to repack his bag. “The king will be gone for a good many days.”

“Ehm, Anthony,” Loki said, joining him and putting a hand a little awkwardly on his shoulder. “I have a request. For a book.”

“What would you like?”

Loki’s gaze shot away, not meeting Anthony’s eyes, and he was blushing.

“Something about… biology.”

Anthony raised an eyebrow curiously.

“Anatomy,” Loki clarified in a firmer voice.

Anthony’s second eyebrow joined the first.

“You know precisely what I mean, you brat,” Loki grumbled, and Anthony laughed. “I have not had much education on… that particular subject. I would rectify that gap.”

Anthony smirked at him, but his heart was racing.

“I believe I understand,” he said. “I shall find something appropriate. And perhaps I can provide you with some private tutelage as well.”

Loki’s eyes changed to a darker shade of green, one that had heat in its depths.

“Yes,” he said. “That is the general idea.”

Anthony glanced towards Loki’s bed, which was not only small but already listing dangerously to one side.

“That’s not going to work, is it,” Loki said, grimacing as he followed his gaze.

“Definitely not,” Anthony said, starting to chuckle. In a moment, Loki joined him, and soon they were both laughing so heartily that they were grasping each other to stay standing.

“Don’t worry, my prince,” he said when they had finally died to quiet laughter. “The floor is sturdy and broad, and I can bring pillows enough to make us comfortable. But for now, I should go.”

Anthony quickly returned all that he had brought with him to his bag, not truly wanting to leave.
As he prepared to cross the portal and return to the wood, they kissed again. This time, it was much more difficult to stop, but Anthony finally managed it.

“I hope to see you again very soon,” Loki said, his voice trailing behind Anthony as he reappeared in the forest.

Anthony rode Jarvis home while smiling so much that his face began to hurt. He hurriedly settled the horse in the barn for the night, giving him an extra cube or two of sugar so he could share their good fortune, then went to his own bed. The sheer exhilaration he felt was enough to put him into a land of delectable dreams at once.

Meanwhile, Loki was startled to find that somehow one single blossom of starwort from Anthony’s bag had fallen under his bed. He took it carefully in his hand, smelling its fragrance, then tucked it beneath his pillow and fell asleep, his own dreams mirroring Anthony’s.