#SO ATTACKING ONE SPY BUT SPARING THE OTHER IS HYPOCRITICAL | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

robininthelabyrinth · 4 years

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For the prompts! Wen Qing/Jiang Cheng, accidental marriage that still has to be honoured for political reasons.

Wen Qing was a proud woman, talented and arrogant in it – but all of her medical skills didn’t help defend her when she refused to raise a sword in the Wen sect’s war of aggression. She’d been offered a post as the head of a supervisory office, with assurances that she could offer her medical services to prisoners of war as well as Wen cultivators, but it hadn’t taken her long to realize that her prisoners of war were being sent to the Fire Palace and then back to her, her medical assistance being used to prolong their pain rather than end it.

She “carelessly” permitted a break-out of the most grievously wounded and, out of shame for having failed, resigned her post. Instead, she went to join battlefields, offering what care she could to whoever she saw on the basis that she couldn’t be sure if those cultivators in different colors weren’t secretly Wen spies.

It was not a position that made her very popular.

She was still surnamed Wen and Wen Ruohan had once prized her talents in peacetime; no matter how much disgrace she was in, it wasn’t enough to lead to her immediate execution, or that of her loyal subordinates. She was safe enough from that, and from the base physical abuse that other women in the Wen battle camps faced –

But not safe from everything.

The attack on the Jiang sect had been brutal; she hadn’t known about it in advance and had rushed over as soon as she could to preserve what lives she could, even though Wen Chao and Wang Lingjiao laughed at her frenzy as pointless – the order had been to wipe them out.

She smiled in the face of their mockery and sent her subordinates to help “clean up” instead, smuggling as many of those still living as she could out of the Lotus Pier in boats filled with corpses. Wen Ning was especially good at it, since Wen Chao seemed incapable of remembering either his name or his face for more than a handful of moments at any given time, and seemed to generally assume that someone had given him proper orders to do…something.

It only worked in the spaces where no one was paying attention, though. There wasn’t anything she could do when the guards brought back Jiang Cheng to be the star entertainment in Wen Chao’s celebration of his victory. She couldn’t save him.

She couldn’t even save herself.

“Qing-jie,” Wen Chao called, laughing; Wang Lingjiao at his side was positively cackling, tears in her eyes. “We found you a husband to match you, Qing-jie – look at him, a perfect fit for you: beautiful and useless! Say ‘thank you, Wen-gongzi’.”

Jiang Cheng might be beautiful, underneath the tears and the blood that covered him, the ruin of his chest and back, the bruises that stained his flesh, but his eyes were empty and dull – as dead as the golden core inside of him that was no more. That wasn’t something her medicine could fix, even if Wen Chao would be inclined to let her try.

“Thank you, Wen-gongzi,” Wen Qing said politely. “Do you want me to take him out of your sight?”

That would have been too easy.

Her subordinates had all been sent away; she was alone, outnumbered and helpless, and with Wen Zhuliu standing close by, his eyes a little too intense as he stared at her, she didn’t dare protest – not even when they wrapped her in a banner of red silk and had Wang Lingjiao stick pins in her hair, a mockery of a bride’s wear, or when they made her kneel down in front of them and bow three times: to the Jiang ancestral shrine and to Wen Chao as representative of her ancestors, to the heavens and to the earth, to Jiang Cheng…

He was barely conscious for the process, which wasn’t a surprise – the discipline whip was not a toy to be played with lightly – but he was aware enough to flinch away from her when they were thrown into a room together, a cheap storage room with nothing but a bed inside, the door locked behind them.

“I’m not going to touch you,” she said to him. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t do that.”

He looked at her dully. “Do you have a choice? They’ll check.”

It was Wen Qing’s turn to flinch. It would be just like Wang Lingjiao’s vile bitterness – this entire thing stunk of her plotting – to get some grannies to come in later to confirm that Wen Qing had, in fact, lost her purity. That was the goal of this, surely, in addition to humiliating her for having been better liked by Wen Ruohan than the useless Wen Chao had ever been, son or not – after something like this, she would never be able to marry anyone else.

Her husband would be beautiful, but useless, and he’d hate her for doing this to him in the bargain.

She closed her eyes and felt the tears drip down her face. “I’ve been helping people escape, where I can. There’s not much I can do, just little things, but – some people have lived that would have otherwise died. That’s worth something, isn’t it..?”

She shook her head when she realized she was trying to talk him into agreeing to it. She wanted to live, yes, but…at this cost?

“I won’t –”

“Just do it,” he said, cutting her off. “I’m useless now. If you can help even a few people live…that’s more than I can do.”

He was as much of a virgin as she was, and they fumbled together through it, neither of their bodies cooperating to make the process easier – he was in pain and in mourning, she was revolted by the idea of the rape she was committing, but in the end they managed it.

Wang Lingjiao came the next morning with the grannies, triumphant smile on her face, and of course she laughed at Wen Qing, pretending as if it had all been a joke that Wen Qing had taken far too seriously – but now that she’d gone ahead and lost her purity, well, what could be done..?

“Is there anything else you want?” Wen Qing asked coolly, not letting the vile things pouring out of Wang Lingjiao’s mouth touch her. When it came to questions of purity, at least she had bowed to the heavens and earth before touching her husband – Wang Lingjiao couldn’t even say that much.

Perhaps Wang Lingjiao sensed her barely-hidden disdain, and realized the cause for it, because she bristled and ordered Wen Qing to accompany her for the day, treating her like a maid in the guise of giving her ‘marital advice’ – and in the end the only good thing that came out of it was that Wen Qing had a very good alibi when her husband mysteriously disappeared.

Wang Lingjiao slapped her a few times on the basis that she must have forgotten to lock the door, but even hypocrites like them couldn’t concoct any way for this to actually be Wen Qing’s fault.

She went back to her room later that evening, and found her brother had come back at some point.

“Did you..?” she started, then stopped, because of course he had. Her little brother was good at saving people. “Thank you.”

He shrugged, averting his eyes. “Jiejie, they said –”

“A joke,” she said firmly, rolling her eyes. “You know Wen Chao’s sense of humor. So I did a bit of bowing, so what? It’s not like it counts if you don’t mean it.”

Wen Ning looked relieved, then glanced from side to side, his shoulders hunching. “Jiejie…do you think you can come away with me for a little while?”

“Where to?”

“Back to Yiling,” he said. “There’s a patient there that could use your help.”

Wen Qing repressed a sigh at how obvious her little brother was – he wasn’t born to be a spy. But she found a reason to make some excuses (Wang Lingjiao was pouting over her plan not being funny anymore, and convinced everyone to agree as long as it meant Wen Qing would leave) and she went to Yiling, where Wei Wuxian waited.

Where he asked her to –

Well, at least her husband wouldn’t be useless anymore, she argued to herself, and pretended that what she was doing wasn’t every bit as much a violation as what she had done to him in that spare room.

He probably wouldn’t forgive her, if he knew – but he wouldn’t know.

He would go his way, she would go hers, and they wouldn’t meet again.

She thought that way for a long time.

Long enough to run to Wei Wuxian, who owed her a favor, to rescue her brother – long enough to follow him back to the Burial Mounds – long enough to expect a siege.

She hid behind a tree when she saw the flash of purple that was Jiang Cheng walking up the mountain.

“Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian said in greeting – he looked calm, but she could tell he was nervous. “You’re here about the Wen remnants, aren’t you?”

“Yes,” Jiang Cheng said, and he looked irritated. “I’m here to bring you back to Yunmeng.”

“I’m not going –”

“Without them, yes, I figured,” Jiang Cheng snapped. “The entire cultivation world knows that by now, I think. I told them you were acting under my orders.”

Wei Wuxian’s jaw dropped. “You did what?! Jiang Cheng! The whole point of doing it without telling you was so that you could avoid being blamed for it!”

“Maybe you should have told me what you were planning first,” Jiang Cheng said snidely. “Then we could have coordinated better. Are you going to get moving or not?”

“Wen Ning can’t be moved yet,” Wei Wuxian said automatically, then frowned. “You really told everyone that you permitted my actions? What – is the Jin sect upset?”

Jiang Cheng just gave him a look.

“Of course they’re upset,” Wei Wuxian answered his own question. “But…you’re here, and you want to bring everyone back to the Lotus Pier. You – convinced Jin Guangshan to drop his claim?”

Jiang Cheng nodded.

“How?”

“I told him that we discovered that he’d accidentally kidnapped my wife,” Jiang Cheng said.

Wen Qing covered her face with her hands, stifling a yell in her throat. He couldn’t be serious!

“Your – wife?” Wei Wuxian said blankly. “You…married?”

Nothing they’d encountered so far had stumped him – not her request, not the Jin sect, not the Burial Mounds – but apparently the thought of Jiang Cheng having tied the knot was all it took to break him.

“To who?!”

“Wen Qing,” Jiang Cheng said. “She’s here, isn’t she?”

Wen Qing made a face, gathered her courage, and walked out from behind the tree.

“Sandu Shengshou,” she said politely. He nodded back at her in a way that would be all regal and dignified except for the way his cheeks flushed pink at the sight of her.

Which was better than she expected, honestly – she wouldn’t have held it against him to pull out his sword and stab her.

“…Jiang Cheng, you can’t do that,” Wei Wuxian exclaimed. “You can’t just say you’re married to someone! Wen Qing has a reputation to think about, what if she wants to get married someday –”

“She’s already married,” Jiang Cheng said flatly. “To me.”

“Jiang Cheng!”

“You don’t have to honor it,” Wen Qing said before Wei Wuxian could say too much. “It was under duress; no one would hold you to it.”

“I hold myself to it,” Jiang Cheng said, crossing his arms in what was probably meant to be impressive but came off as defensive. “We bowed to the heavens and earth together. I’m not going to – it counts. At least to me, it counts.”

He hesitated, even as Wei Wuxian’s head swiveled between the two of them faster than an open window in a thunderstorm, his mouth gaping open like a fish.

“I mean – I’m not going to demand anything from you,” Jiang Cheng continued, ducking his head. “Just, you know, politically, I thought – if you wanted –”

Wen Qing can’t quite keep herself from smiling. Her husband was even more charming when he was being extremely awkward and ill-footed than he was when he was being impressive.

“I’d be happy to go back to Yunmeng with you,” she said, and he smiled – he was rather attractive when he smiled, actually. Wen Chao hadn’t been wrong when he’d called him beautiful. “But only after Wei-gongzi finishes with my brother.”

“What is he doing with your brother?” Jiang Cheng asked.

There was a little bit of a fuss after that, what with Wen Ning taking that moment to wake up as a fierce corpse and just barely recover his consciousness – Wen Qing secretly suspected he’d waited for the most dramatic moment to do so, and if this one hadn’t been dramatic enough, he would’ve waited longer – but in the end it all worked out.

The Lotus Pier was a much better place to rest than the Burial Mound, no matter what Wei Wuxian’s grandiose plans for a home there had been; Jiang Cheng arranged for rooms for all of them near the main family home and told his disciples to keep an eye out for anyone who even thought to make trouble.

Wen Ning was shown to a room not far from Wei Wuxian’s.

Wen Qing –

Jiang Cheng stared at the hallway in front of him, body stiff and cheeks bright red. “My sister’s room is on the right,” he said. “She’s currently staying at Koi Tower, and I don’t believe she’s coming back – an engagement is in the works between her and the Jin sect heir, and anyway even if she was, she wouldn’t mind you taking it for a while.”

“Mm,” Wen Qing said. “And which one’s yours?”

Jiang Cheng was adorable when he started stuttering about how he really wasn’t going to pressure her into –

“I meant to sleep,” she clarified and poked him. “Besides, given what happened between us, I would understand entirely if you’re not attracted to me –”

“You’re extremely pretty and I like you a lot but I don’t know how to deal with that!” he yowled.

“We can date,” Wen Qing decided, not even pretending not to smile. “Take it slow – get to know each other.”

That plan lasted exactly one shichen.

(Wen Qing wasn’t sure how they’d started kissing, but Jiang Cheng had valiantly asked her if she was sure when about half their clothing was off, which was very noble of him but also extremely getting in the way of what she currently wanted, so she’d justified it with a half-assed excuse about needing to make sure they’d be compatible as marriage partners and he’d found the argument convincing. To no one’s surprise, sex was much better without the duress and one party being half-dead from torture.)

Afterwards, though, when he was running his fingers through her hair, she felt the slight stirring of her conscience. If they were going to be married – originally forced and politically convenient as the marriage might be – was it really acceptable to go into it with lies?

“…I know why Wei Wuxian didn’t tell you about coming to help me,” she said, and Jiang Cheng’s fingers stopped. “And about why he hasn’t been helping you here. I’ll talk to him tomorrow and tell him he needs to tell you about it. You should know in advance that you’re probably going to be very angry when you hear it.”

“I’m just happy to know that there is a secret reason,” Jiang Cheng confessed, his voice low. “I thought – never mind.”

Wen Qing didn’t need to know all of Jiang Cheng’s history to know what it probably was: he’d thought the problem was with him; that somehow, through some failing, he’d driven Wei Wuxian away.

“I’ll talk to him tomorrow,” she said. “He’ll tell you, or I will. We’ll all have a great big fight about it and then we can decide what we’re going to do next.”

“I like how practical you are,” Jiang Cheng said. “It’s one of my favorite things about you.”

Wen Qing squinted at him. “You barely know anything about me. How can you have a favorite?”

“I know lots of things. I like the way you pretend that you don’t want to strangle people when you think they’re being stupid –”

“You’re not allowed to like that!”

Maybe this marriage had a chance of working out after all.

#mdzs #wen qing #jiang cheng #wei wuxian #my fic #my fics #dub-con #forced marriage #Anonymous

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kd-holloman · 3 years

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First Line Tag Game!

I was tagged by the wonderful @writingamongther0ses! Thank you so much! As much as I’d love to use my first lines from Oh, Hell, they aren’t that great. So, I’m going to give the first lines of The Traveler’s Gift!

Chapter One:

Jerry Reubinault knew he was going to die.

Chapter Two:

A dizzying array of colors flashed behind his eyes as his head hit the pavement. The sharp sting of asphalt cut through the muted sensation of his limbs as his elbow scraped across the ground.

Chapter Three:

Louis had been in the twenty-first century for six days and he liked Rodney. No matter how bad things got, he always looked at the bright side of things. If it was raining he’d look up at the sky and say, “We could be baking in the sun.” If they were hungry he’d say, “That hunger means we’re still alive.” If someone shouted obscene things at them through their car window he would say, “Sometimes people need to vent.”

Chapter Four:

The first thing Louis learned about the man running the O’Shea mafia was that his parents must have hated him. His honest-to-God name was Rick O’Shea. The second thing he discovered was that Rick had inherited his father’s reign at a fairly young age.

Chapter Five:

Louis tossed what little remained of his cigarette to the glass and pebble strewn pavement. It bounced, sparked, and rolled to a stop. He couldn’t sit beneath the overpass, breathing in the stink of exhaust fumes for another minute. “I’ll be back in the morning, Rodney.”

Chapter Six:

Louis couldn’t tell if he was awake or dreaming. Everything felt far away, but simultaneously too close. If he held his hand up in front of his face he couldn’t tell how far away it was from his nose. His palm was blurry. The lines creasing his skin reminded him of smudged ink on a freshly written letter.

Chapter Seven:

Drip, 347. Drip 348. Drip 349.

Chapter Eight:

“What do you say?”

Chapter Nine:

Louis paced his cell. He had no way to entertain himself. So, he spent his time wandering around aimlessly from corner to corner. He was growing frustrated.

Chapter Ten:

Hours passed. At least, it felt like hours. It had to have been hours because Louis’s head no longer felt like it was full of wet cement and he could slog his way from one end of the room to the other without tripping over his damned feet.

Chapter Eleven:

For the first time since his arrival to the twenty-first century, Louis finally had the chance to experience it without being hurt, drugged, or homeless. It gave him the opportunity to explore the era the way he wanted. He got to try technology he’d never dreamed of. Things had changed dramatically in the past ninety-something years. The way people talked, listened to stories, and enjoyed music had all changed. He was just now becoming familiar with the technology and trying it out for himself.

Chapter Twelve:

“My, oh, my. Don’t you clean up nice.”

Chapter Thirteen:

Louis liked a lot of things. For instance, he liked strawberry jam on his toast, he liked to watch people, and he liked that he had hundreds of options for television at his disposal. He also hated a lot of things. He hated menthol cigarettes, raw onion, and listening to some palooka talk himself up when he was really full of shit.

Chapter Fourteen:

The blood on the plastic was so thick and dark it seemed black.

Chapter Fifteen:

Almost a week after [Redacted]’s death, Louis sat at the table and played solitaire. It was a game that required just enough thought that it kept him from hearing the horrible wet sound as [Redacted]’s heart had been ripped from his chest.

Chapter Sixteen:

The precinct smelled of old coffee and body odor.

Chapter Seventeen:

The benefit for the police department was a formal affair. It consisted of wrinkle-free navy tablecloths, white-linen napkins, crystal long-stemmed glasses, and some of the city’s wealthiest people pretending to get along for just a few hours as they shamelessly donated obscene amounts of money to the cause.

Chapter Eighteen:

By the time Louis had cleaned up Slater’s mess, both he and Ardford were long gone. He asked the bartender where he’d gone and he’d been pointed in the direction of a side door not too far from the bar.

Chapter Nineteen:

Slater stood in front of Louis. “If you didn’t have bad luck, you wouldn’t have any at all. What happened?”

Chapter Twenty

Louis went straight to his bedroom when he got home. He didn’t think he could stand the metallic stink on his clothes for another minute. He stripped out of his shirt. The blood splattered down its front had dried a burgundy-brown color.

Chapter Twenty-One

“You’re kind of a hypocrite, y’ know that?” Louis asked. He juggled bags of Thai takeout while Damien was slurping from a box of noodles as they walked. “You’re always talking about eating healthy and cooking at home, but you’re the first person to suggest eating pizza, tacos, or whatever this stuff is.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

The act of spying was to observe furtively.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The following afternoon Louis sat elbow-to-elbow with Slater and Damien at Rick’s dining room table. The conversation was a murmur. There was too much underlying tension for it to grow and swell. It felt like the dry, burning, heat of summer being cut with the sharp chilling breeze of a cold front before a nasty storm. Nobody knew why they’d been called together, but Louis had a good feeling that it had to do with [Redacted]’s betrayal.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Louis had never been one for waiting. He had never wanted to wait for his punishments as a kid. He had always wanted them to be over as quickly as possible. He hadn’t wanted to wait for Christmas because excitement had him eager to tear into the brown wrapping on his gifts as soon as possible. He’d hated patrolling the trenches in France because he had known an attack was coming, but had hated holding his breath, waiting for it to come.

Chapter Twenty-Five

“Have I ever told you that you’re annoying?” Slater asked. It was the night of the Quench delivery and he seemed unconcerned as he sat on a crate. He kicked the wood beneath him with the heels of his red and white Chucks.

Chapter Twenty-Six:

The dark silence of the night pressed heavily around him. The flickering of the votive and tea light candles were the only source of light in the church. It made the shadows seem darker, more ominous, alive. They made the watchful eye of Christ behind the pulpit seem even more damning.

Chapter Twenty-Seven:

[Redacted]’s parents held a quiet funeral for their son a few days after his death; at least, that was what Louis had been told. He hadn’t attended. None of them had.

Chapter Twenty-Eight:

“I’m out of coffee and this is stupid,” Slater complained. “This is bitch work. I don’t do bitch work.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine:

The next night, Louis found himself standing across the street from Tito’s Pizza.

Chapter Thirty:

Louis’s head was throbbing to each knock on the door. He groaned and threw an arm over his eyes. Pain jolted him awake as his arm touched the bruised and tender flesh of his swollen eye. He swore and sat up.

Chapter Thirty-One:

Louis wasn’t a fan of spiders. They had too many legs, too many eyes, and moved too damned fast. He hated them when they touched him and hated it even more when he found them in the shower.

Chapter Thirty-Two:

“What did you mean when you said Rick had fooled you before?” Louis asked. He checked his gun to make sure it was full of rounds and made sure he had enough spare ammunition in his pocket. He knew Deuce wouldn’t be stupid enough to do a job empty-handed. Especially, knowing that Rick was looking for him.

Chapter Thirty-Three:

“Louis? Wake up.” Clammy fingers pressed against his cheek.

Chapter Thirty-Four:

Louis’s life was spinning out of control again. He was lost. Knowing that Slater was in the bowels of the hospital while he was confined to the waiting room felt wrong. And there was nothing he could do to change it.

Chapter Thirty-Five:

All it took was a jump a few blocks from the apartment building and a quick check of the junk mail in the mailboxes on the front of the duplex porch to figure out which one belonged to Wes the Weasel.

Chapter Thirty-Six:

Louis didn’t have anywhere else to go. So, after Slater was settled into his room at the hospital, he curled up in one of the chairs in the corner of the room and let himself fall asleep.

Chapter Thirty-Seven:

That night, when the nursing staff told Louis visiting hours were over, Slater insisted that he stay.

Sorry for the long read! I’d like to tag (with no pressure): @howdy-writes, @littlerothridinghood, @gloriafrimpong, @gwens-fiction, @goblingraveyard, @vivian-is-writing

#the traveler's gift #tag games

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brandtmax · 4 years

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welcome back to gallagher academy, soo-yun ‘maxine’ brandt ! according to their records, they’re a first year, specializing in research & development; and they did not go to a spy prep high school. when i see them walking around in the halls, i usually see a flash of ( sugar-free mints, a messy low bun, wisps of hair alongside her face, the end of a pen between her teeth, the patek philippe calatrava 4897r-010 in rose gold, off-white pants in every fabric ). when it’s the ( virgo ) ’s birthday on 08/23/1997, they always request their japchae from the school’s chefs. looks like they’re well on their way to graduation.

henlo it me again i hope u guys aren’t sick of me yet bc i have a new bby named max! i’ve written a lot™️ so brace urself but it’s worth it ( i think ) + trigger warnings: death and alcohol dependency under the cut xxx

the basics

full name: soo-yun ‘ maxine ’ brandt

nicknames: max — just max

age: twenty-two years old

birthday: august 23rd, 1997

gender: cis female

preferred pronouns: she / her

sexuality: bisexual

major: research & development ( formerly a b.a. political science degree from yale university )

known languages: english ( native ) / german ( native ) / korean ( native )

background

nationality: american

birthplace: new haven, connecticut, new hampshire

current location: gallagher academy, roseville, virginia

financial status: upper class

religion: non-theistic

appearance

eye color: brown

hair color: black

height: 5′8.5″

notable features: curly hair on lazy days, rosy cheeks

usual mood and expression: calm, furrowed eyebrows whenever her eyes are on work; lethargic and irritable when she’s overworked ( or without alcohol )

family

birth order: second born

parents: soon-bok ‘ vivian ’ jang and stephen brandt ( d. 2018 )

siblings: min-jun ‘ parker ’ brandt ( b. 1995 ) & georgia ‘ gigi ’ brandt ( b. 2001 )

significant others: chris harmon ( 2013-2015 ) / ava carrillo ( 2015-2016 )

her story so far (this is so long n serious lol)

soo-yun 'maxine' brandt was born and raised in new haven, connecticut, to jang soon-bok ( vivian ), a surgeon, and stephen brandt, a ( n allegedly shady ) criminal justice lawyer.

the brandt siblings were raised like any other blue-blooded, very strict but loving household ( strict = mom / loving = dad )

brandt house rules: get straight a’s, follow the 12 am curfew and don't bring anyone home that you know you’d get disowned for. follow those three rules, and you can do whatever you want.

there was pressure for the brandt siblings to be academically accomplished, but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. they were well-tutored, semi-popular, attractive teenagers, which were common in new haven, and everyone knew they were destined for ivy league.

in high school, she dated chris harmon, and it was the kind of relationship that could only be described as the personification of a kinder egg. sweet on the outside, a waste of time and money on the inside.

which is fine; it took max about 2 months to get over it when they broke up halfway through senior year, because neither of them thought of their relationship going far. the joy of getting into yale ( already expected ) trumped the feeling of losing a boyfriend. she even bet parker $5,000 she'd get early admission. she won.

during college, she had an on-off relationship with ava carrillo for a year, which inevitably became a permanent off. it turned out that it wasn't a good idea to throw herself into a committed relationship the minute she stepped foot into yale. max never had the time, and ava didn't have the patience. at least she tried it tho !

things seemed to be on the up and up for their family, and the worst thing max has ever been through is being awake for 24 straight hours to prepare for a final presentation. but ! you know what they say about the calm before the storm.

( tw: death ) on december 18, 2018, their father unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack during a layover flight in new york. the brandt family was at home when they heard the news. needless to say, they had a quiet christmas and new year.

the family tried to move on as best they could, but the siblings knew their dad's death irreversibly changed their mom. they have a rocky relationship to begin with, the siblings always feeling like vivian never wanted to become a parent and only did so for their father. they have absolutely no mother-children bond, and it got worse when stephen died. being the older brother, parker took it upon himself to take care of vivian, balancing that with running the home stretch with his undergrad degree.

on the other hand, maxine still had a few years left at yale. no amount of therapy helped her cope with the loss of her father, the way her mother seemed to become a shell of herself, how parker had to break the momentum of his career to be there for their mom, and the constant pressure to do good academically.

( tw: alcohol dependency ) it started with buying bottled moscow mules because she didn't like how beer tasted, and she wasn't dumb enough to go straight to hard liquor. just one to take the edge off whenever stacks of coursework became too much, or when her mother would send her an email talking about her day, and she didn't have the courage to read it. then it went from a one, two, three-time thing to a whenever-i'm-upset thing, which slid into a whenever-i-feel-like-it thing. after a while, it became a daylight thing where she would add a splash of soju ( or whatever ) to her lunchtime drinks, and she genuinely thought it was just a funny idea at first. max wasn't the only day drinker in her social group, anyway. she found it acceptable, no different than how other people would pound red bull every 6 hours like it's their life force. it was manageable for her since she was able to schedule when she'd be indisposed, and she still can.

parker had ( and still has ) no clue. despite the two being close, max spared him the burden of having another thing to worry about. as long as she can control it ( or she thinks she can ) then nobody had anything to worry about.

eventually, both maxine and parker were offered the opportunity to join gallagher academy, with parker in line to graduate with honors in global affairs and maxine, not far behind with her own impressive academic portfolio in political science.

though really, her acceptance into gallagher has less to do with her published papers ( still impressive, tho ) and more to do with her covertly helping her father win cases by doing some expert sleuthing, strategizing, witness dispatching + discrediting, sexc breaking and entering, and good, old-fashioned manipulation !

it was something they both wanted; to be a part of the bigger picture in the world, but they knew they couldn't leave their mother alone. parker, who chose to make the sacrifice, let maxine go and stayed behind to take care of vivian.

( but if we’re honest, maxine would’ve left for gallagher regardless if parker was coming with her, but she’ll never tell him that )

despite the guilt and telling parker she wasn't going anywhere ( cough ), he insisted on her taking the once-in-a-lifetime chance to be a part of something they never knew existed. he knew they were going to end up resenting each other if they both stayed. at least one person in the family should be doing something that made them happy.

and so max dropped out of yale and left for roseville, even though she hadn't thoroughly planned out her career trajectory.

she’s eager not just because of the school, obviously. she can't handle going back to their childhood home and seeing how hollow everything is. plus, the immense anger and denial she feels over her dad’s untimely death has no place in new haven anymore.

she promised parker she'd make it up to him, though. somehow, someday.

who is this b*nch

max is relatively easy to get along with, tbh !

she’s a mood matcher; meaning if you’re nice to her, then she’s nice to you ( and if you’re gonna be a punk bitch, then she’ll be a punk bitch right back )

she’s a lil spoiled, lil sheltered, and lil ignorant but her general friendliness makes up for it, she’s the type to be friends with ( almost ) everyone

internally: perfectionist to the point of being ruthless, first place is the only acceptable place, meticulous, neurotic, workaholic, overachiever, if you’re not useful then what’s your purpose?, slightly egotistical, etc etc

externally: caring, protective, and supportive mom friend who just wants people to get their shit together because inadequacy is unacceptable, fixer, likes to dip into different social circles, consciously makes the effort to be more patient with people

she’s incredibly ambitious ? morally ambiguous ? slightly self-serving and self-involved ? her father’s a criminal “justice” lawyer whose clientele doesn’t exactly consist of the beacons of society so... she learned a lot of lessons about how you can win any case in the courtroom if you’re smart enough to a ) make a good story, b ) get the fitting evidence by any means necessary, c ) discredit and discard the necessary people, and d ) be charming and persuasive enough to rock the jury

she’s actively trying to be more open-minded and assimilate to a diverse group of people because back in yale she was definitely in a wasp bubble, and admittedly there are times where she will come off as super snobby without meaning to and tbh sorry about it

she’s still an extremely sociable person because yale also taught her how to network like a motherfucker, and how it’s important to know / be friends with everyone

honestly, intense people turn her off ( both positive and negative ) a little because she can't handle concentrated personalities in one sitting

even though she’s a little intense herself sometimes but it’s fine, we love hypocrites in this house !

neat freak ? but honestly who doesn’t like a friend who squeegees the shower every day and has a tiny can of lysol in their bag and an aroma diffuser with three ( 3 ) oil blends

she’s like... weirdly aggressive sometimes and most definitely has anger issues ( still in denial over her father unexpectedly passing away and getting stuck with a mom who doesn’t like her own children very much )

but also, she’s just agro in general and has a number of physical hobbies. she’s an ice skater, equestrian, a soulcyclist, and a kickboxer. she can fite.

she’s not the type to make fun of herself because she's not at a point where she sees qualities in her that are okay to laugh at ( unless you’re tight )

keeps her negative juju to herself because she’s a very private person

will prioritize work over play because she'd hardwired like that, but that doesn't mean she's anti-fun ( clearly )

definitely needs to loosen up a little that doesn't involve alcohol... jenga perhaps ? or actually try therapy again ?

very effectively sneaky about her growing alcohol dependency ( sugar-free breath mints, brushes her teeth + uses mouthwash after every meal )

dry sense of humor

at all times: wears a 1-carat, emerald cut, pavé diamond ring ( family heirloom ) + carries her trusty black hydro flask with her ( 24 oz. ) and no one is allowed to drink from it !

her signature scent is le labo bergamote 22 🤍

hmu on my discord @ tin#0697 for plottage !

#gallagher:intro #death tw #alcoholism tw #alcohol dependency tw #ps when u see a typo #just close ur eyes

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saralaurensmagalona · 7 years

Text

The Embassy Part 3 A Thorki Fanfiction by Magalona

Hello there ! Finally there will be another chapter... The third was to big. Enjoy !

Thor had expected a sweet night of passion, he ended up with a crazy wild cat, hissing, spitting, trying to gouge his eyes out…

Loki was fighting as if his life depended on it. He was screaming and hitting. Completely insane. After a few more seconds of fight, Thor managed to grab him and lay him on the bed, holding his wrists above his head and, doing so, made a parody of a forced lovemaking and created even more terror… Loki's horror was complete. His throat constricted and he remained open-mouthed, unable to form a word, a flood of tears on his cheeks, like a small child making a tantrum. And Thor couldn't help but notice that anyone would have looked ugly in this situation. It only made Loki more beautiful to his eyes…

“CALM ! DOWN !” Thor didn't want to scream but Loki was making such a racket he was unable to hear anything. It made Loki freeze and look at Thor with absolute distress. It simply broke the Thunderer's heart. “Please...” Thor said in a softer tone. “Please... Just calm down, okay ? I won't hurt you...” But everything in Loki's eyes yelled that Thor was a liar. Thor clenched his teeth. Nothing of this mess made any sense. Loki was willing one second and looked at Thor as if he was trash or worse the next ? Incomprehensible. Thor was known to be impulsive and not much of a brain user. If he had not inherited his mother's cleverness and wisdom, he still had her sense of empathy and sensibility. He wasn't stupid. There was something really wrong and he needed to know what. But he wouldn't get any answers from Loki in the state he was in. He stepped back, hands above him as if threatened by a sword. “See ? I am not touching you, right ? So, now, calm down. Please. ” He slowly moved from the bed. Loki, still sniffling, raised himself on his elbows, unsure of the outcome. He kept a watchful eye on Thor. “I won't do anything, Little One… Please...” Loki sighed and seemed to relax a bit. A relative bit. He was still looking at Thor as if ready for an eventual attack. Loki breathed a last time, gradually getting back to normal. “Please.” He said in a calm but trembling voice. “I don't want to do it...” Thor felt a pang of anger, disappointment, confusion and sadness all at once. “But… You came !” Deep inside, he knew he was sounding ridiculous and childish. Thor knew perfectly well anyone had a right to change his or her mind at any time. But, whatever he was feeling right here and now for Loki, he had never felt before. He had no idea it was only possible... The deception of realizing they were not reciprocated was painful... “I … I...” The beautiful creature was losing it. None of his reactions made sense. Actually, Thor didn't know the storm raging inside Loki's brain. He had gone to Thor's room like he would have marched to the scaffold. Once in front of the catalysis of his horror, all his carefully pretended carelessness was blown out. Panic was making his heart pound like a hammer. His mind that was usually composed and rational was now totally erratic. In presence of Thor, he had no leverage. Which was probably the reason why he started blabbering against himself, as if someone was talking with his mouth. Had he been in a normal situation he wouldn't have been spilling the beans like that...

“They made me ! You are the Mighty Thor but they wanted me to.. to... I can't ! I'm sorry but I can't ! I'm supposed to... Occupy you or something but... How could you have done this ? They did nothing to you !!” Loki was so confused he was yelling nonsense. Thor understood yet one thing and it was devastating. Someone had forced Loki into this. Loki never consented. Worse, he seemed to hate Thor, for some reason... He felt his heart break. He actually felt little pieces of cold flesh falling in his chest, making it turn into ice. “I see.” He calmly said, rising of the bed. Then Loki realized what he had just done. He had just told his worst enemy his brothers' plans for their country in order to survive. He had ruined everything that had been so carefully prepared in less than 10 minutes. He had made Thor even worse and set against his people than he already was. He had doomed them all. Now, Thor was going to destroy Jotünheim thanks to Loki the useless runt prince... Loki lost it totally. The abject fear made him jump out of the bed and throw himself around Thor's legs. Grabbing his knees from behind, literally crawling and begging, the terror being so overwhelming he didn't realize this was unbecoming to his station. In fact, he was beyond all of this, he didn't care anymore. If Thor wanted his life to restore his pride, then be it... “PLEASE ! Please, hear me out !” Loki was screaming in desperation though he had no idea how to stop this disaster. “Please ! Do not harm my brothers ! Do not ruin this, please ! I am begging you, my country...” He was scratching at Thor's calves. That actually woke Thor up. He softly grabbed a sobbing Loki by the shoulders and did a very unexpected thing.

He put him on his knees like a very big child and held him on his chest for comfort.

Loki stopped crying and pleading at once. He was in shock. He had his nose on Thor's shoulder blade. He could smell the musky male scent of his soft skin. He was amazed to feel it so nice. Being colorless, he thought it should be disgustingly flabby but no. It was almost silky. Thor's large hand was resting on Loki' nape. It was heavy and warm. It could have felt like a humiliating gesture of dominance. Right now, it was soothing Loki's nerves. Loki was surprised to find himself almost ready to go to sleep. Thor's body was unexpectedly warm and comforting. “Better, Little One ?” Thor murmured. “Yes...” Loki answered shyly. “I am sorry... I'm” He tried again. Thor shushed him and caressed the stiff neck. Loki yielded to the incredible comfort. For the first time in his life, he realized that he was being held. Truly being held to be reassured and soothed. No one took him on his knees and arms before, not even his nannies. They couldn't get too close to him. He was a runt but a prince before everything else and, most of all, above them all. The closeness was a very first. And who would have known that his most terrible opponent would be good at it ?

****

Some blissfully long minutes passed without even the sound of the crackling fire being heard. “My Lord, I...” Loki tried again. This hugging was pleasurable but he had to stop it and make Thor understand. He had to be sure... “Thor.” Cut the Thunderer, but without impatience. “Thor.” Meekly repeated Loki “I beg you to forgive me, to forgive my brothers... My country needs us to...” “Hush, Little One.” Thor murmured against Loki's hair. Their perfumed scent was intoxicating and it was an ordeal for Thor not to manhandle Loki and... But he still had some gray cells left. “There is nothing to forgive. You were only acting as you were told to. You have nothing to fear from me.” “But, my brothers... Jotünheim … ?” Loki couldn't believe he was that lucky to be spared the Thunder God's wrath. Thor sighed. “Loki, I am vexed but I am not that petty. I will do nothing that would provoke another war. If your brothers play their part, I shall play mine.” Loki was astonished. Thor seemed sincere. And tired, very tired. Probably disappointed too, but not plotting a bloody revenge. Loki sighed of relief. “I am so very grateful... Thor.” He tried. They remained silent for a few minutes. Not knowing what to do with each other, not knowing if they had to grab the remains of their dignities on the ground and march their opposite paths or stay and pretend that something was not happening between them both. Whatever it might be...

“I am still very sorry for not doing... What you expected me to do...” Loki insisted. Thor gave a tiny laugh. “I'll survive, Little One. The question is what are we both going to do ?” Loki pondered this. Indeed, no matter how long he had stayed there, his brothers weren't too discreet about the fact that their baby brother had been summoned to Thor's chambers for the night. It was an open secret and everybody will pretend nothing happened and that they didn't hear nor see anything for appearance's sakes.

But both Asgard and the Jötnar legacy would know that Loki had been alone with Thor long enough to consider the Jotünn Prince as Thor's new concubine.

Rules regarding mating were looser in Asgard than in Jotünheim. Common-law marriages and “menages” were rather ordinary and considered as a harmless way of life. Concerning the Royals, they could gladly take anyone they fancied. Even hostile realms could be proud that one of their elite had been successfully throwing himself or herself at one of the ruling Asgardian feet. Everyone could gain something valuable in the bargain. So everyone was happy and closing their eyes on this obvious diplomatic high-class prostitution. Loki realized he had been part of an hypocritical system based on people's lust and stupidity. Or maybe on everyone's opportunism. Politics were a bitch, really...

Anyway, by the fact that he had gone to Thor's room and stayed there, even for a short time, had made him the next hot topic in court. No one would stress on the fact that his brothers almost dragged him there... The deed was done but, unknown to all and especially to Loki's brothers, not completed. If anyone knew that Loki and Thor did nothing but talk, they would be in trouble. Having sex was harmless, talking could imply double play, spying activities, treachery, anything that could be suspicious... The situation between Asgard and Jötunheim was holding up by a thin thread and a fragile truce. The least tiny rumor could provoke another war. Loki had been sure that his brothers wanted to secure a lasting peace, whatever the cost (including their brother's chastity) and he had actually believed that Thor desperately wanted another go at the blood bath. He was right in a way for the second point. But what Loki couldn't know right now was that Thor's carefully controlled little world was currently falling apart... Thor, on his side, never had to think hard to protect his status or even more his life. He had taken everything for granted. He was not dumb, he was born with a silver spoon of gargantuan dimensions in his mouth. So he had some excuses for being blind, death and mute...

For the first time in his life, Thor had been told “No.” For the first time in his life, he felt he had been actually told the truth.

And now, while Loki was thinking of easy ways that could help him and Thor to get of this mess without any more aggravation, Thor was silently making a review of his former liaisons. And what he was remembering gave him shivers at the light of the recent incident. He remembered a handsome Einherjar with dark hair and blue eyes and a dashing smile Thor never entirely forgot. He had been much younger then. He had been swept off his feet and had a sweet time of unrelenting passion. Then one day, his lover mentioned a position in the Northerner garrison that seemed interesting. In a by-the-way tone of voice. Wanting to please his beloved, Thor endeavored to obtain the situation for him. And when it was secured, the Einherjar had come with tears on his face and a sad smile that he had to go there earlier than expected for he feared that Odin All-Father suspected something about their relationship. Thor had swallowed this and had let his lover go, totally distraught. He had never heard of him since... Thor now realized that, whether that man had feelings for him or not, he had fooled him for social climbing. Years later, on another occasion (and that brought horror in Thor's heart), there had been that Vanir Duke's young daughter. A redhead with misty green eyes. Thor recalled how shaky she was the first time he had invited her to his room. Thor remembered now the tremor in her voice when she told him she loved him. The strange facial expressions she had in bed...

In the light of Loki's attitude, he realized the girl had been forced to go to Thor for diplomatic reasons. Probably for a chance of becoming the next queen, or at least the official mistress. Exactly like Loki.

Thor now understood what had really happened with those two. But how many others ? How many came to him with an agenda or pressured to go ? He could almost see some of them with trembling smiles and cast down eyes. Thor had thought then that they were shy or impressed. Although they were probably as terrified as Loki. That also explained why some of them, mostly the younger girls, went away so fast once Thor made it clear he was not ready to marry yet... Thor was feeling dirty from head to toes, as if he had been drenched in mud and filthy water... He was wondering what in the Norns' names in his sentimental life was real after all...

Loki moved his head from Thor's shoulders to look at Thor's eyes. “Are you angry with me ?” Thor woke up from his dreary thoughts. The bright red lights were fixed on him with anxiety. They were the present and Thor was currently sticking his head in the past. “No, Little One... I was just thinking.” He caressed Loki's silky dark hair. “What are we going to do ?” Loki said then hesitated. “... Thor ? Do you want me to leave ?” Thor continued his caresses, lost in his mind. “No, you are staying with me tonight.” Loki trembled under Thor's hand. He sadly smiled. “Fear not, Little One. We can share one bed and simple sleep in it. I won't do a thing...” Loki breathed more easily. It made sense. No need to sneak out to his room in confusion and shame. He would have had no intimacy there. He would be tracked down and interrogated by his brothers the minute he stepped out of Thor's rooms. He would be spied on and surrounded by voracious courtiers, greedy for juicy details the next day... And he would be expected to lie and keep lying until he finally came back home. If they let him go back home... A cold thought crossed his mind he quickly suppressed. He was surprised to realize that Thor's bedroom was the safest place he could be. Thor's presence, maybe his only security. “You want us to pretend we are... That we did...” Thor smiled sadly. “Your brothers are assholes. They knew what they were doing and I am perfectly sure they had spread the word about tonight. They are going to brag and demand favors to my father. Oh, in a subtle manner, of course, but my father will make some concessions to avoid your father's anger. If they think I have seduced a Jötunn prince... They could go to war again to save your honor.”

Loki felt as if Thor's words had struck him like a lightning. In seconds, he knew exactly what his family had planned. He had to keep under control a need to vomit.

“Little One ? Are you alright ?” Thor panicked seeing Loki turn pale gray again. Loki clenched his teeth. “ Thor, Farbauti will not be offended. Or at least, he will pretend to be offended and so will Laufey, my mother. They will exactly know what to do to blackmail your father and play the victims here. It was their trap, Thor. It wasn't my brothers' idea …” Or maybe it was probably Býleistr's, Loki thought, but he had no proof. “It was my parents'. They set everything up to turn the peace treaty in their favor...” Thor paled. It did make sense. He sighed heavily. “Clever. We are stuck.” He grimly said. Loki tried to think at light-speed. And then, inspiration. “No, we are not.” He calmly said, now back into control. “We need to turn the trick against them.” Thor looked at Loki, not comprehending. “They expect you to hide our little tryst. They think you are going to be ashamed of bedding me and will leave me once you get tired of my body. Then, they will cry rape and want to publicly accuse you for defiling me. So, we mustn't hide. We must pretend we are lovestruck and parade around. You are to pretend you are madly in love with me and worship me.” Loki was excited. He was going to teach his family a lesson in manipulation. “You are going to give me all the respect due to a royal consort and act as if we are officially bounded. If I am publicly recognized as a concubine, there is no offense ! We can be one of your short-term common-law marriages !” Indeed, there was a law in Asgard allowing couples to contract a bound for a year or two that helped them see if they were fit to be married for good. It they weren't, they could separate without bitterness and their rights intact. “So, they won't say a thing for you'll be honoring Jötunheim without degrading yourself. Our little show will be the proof that an union is possible between our realms and my parents will be muzzled for good !” Loki was almost clapping his hands for joy. He was so relieved at what his cleverness had concocted that he didn't notice Thor's sad smile. “So, we'll have to pretend we're in love ?” Loki happily nodded. Still unaware of Thor's bittersweet mood. “You don't mind, do you ?” Loki finally said, realizing that something was off with Thor. “I would have thought of something else but... It is the easiest way to avoid another conflict or any humiliation on either side.” Thor gave a hearty laugh. “You are a very clever little one ! You are right, that's the easy way. We'll do as you said but can we go to bed now ? I am exhausted...” Loki was astonished. This was the bloody monster he had seen butchering his own ? He looked older, tired. Far more less impressive than the last time. He was casually undressing as if Loki wasn't here anymore. Keeping only his breeches, Loki couldn't help but notice the broad shoulders, the finely muscled back. He surprised himself by feeling a tingle of warmth. He had no idea what it meant. “You mean... Go to sleep ?” “What else ?” Thor laughed. “Let's start the party. Let's go to bed and stay there until morning. When the servants will come tomorrow, they'll see I am not alone and the set will be in motion !” Thor carelessly threw his shirt on a chair and hoped on the bed. He patted the covers on his side. “Come on, Little one. It's very late and we'll need to be fresh and alert tomorrow ! We need a well deserved sleep to catch the little plotters !” Loki meekly came. He was back to his fears, although rather muffled. He was determined to keep his nightshirt. He felt better about Thor but he did not entirely trust him. He snuggled under the covers next to his warmth. But nothing more occurred on this particular night.

Except that Loki was actually sleeping with someone for the first time ever in his young life.

****

On the next morning, the servants knew his Highness had spent quite an agreeable night (nothing new, there.) and that his current love affair had not left the building yet (now, that was something quite rare...). Needless to say, when they discovered in the bed the Runt Prince's fluffy dark hair and his red eyes with marks underneath, proofs of his Highness' virility, they almost dropped the breakfast tray.

Everything went very fast. Thor acted like a satisfied macho man during breakfast, making a fuss of a shy and embarrassed Loki all the time the servants were cleaning up the place. They got dressed (but Loki avoided taking a bath at the same time Thor's did) and went to the great hall for the morning meeting. Loki had his heart in his heels all the way to it. Once in the hall, it was like a public proclamation of their bound. Loki was dark blue with confusion. Coming and being announced together was a display of what they wanted people to believe. It was as if Thor was proclaiming to all asunder “Look what I have shagged tonight !” Loki was not really ashamed but he wanted to hide. Especially when he saw his brothers' infuriated faces. This was not going the way they intended it to be. They had told Loki to leave, once the dirty business done, so that they could complain the “forced maiden's” sob story. And now their carefully prepared plans were totally ruined and they were not the happy bunny. Curiously, Loki lacked courage in front of them. He couldn't confront them yet. But he took a deep breath and ignored their furious glares. Of course, Thor insisted for Loki to sit next to him. Which wasn't planned by protocol.

Loki had nothing to fear from his brothers, for Thor was not leaving his side for one second. He was casually holding Loki's shoulders with one arm, or his hand, as he would his spouse. He was clearly displaying Loki. But as long as they were together, neither Býleistr nor Helblindi could approach him. As for the rest of the assembly and Thor's parents, they were indeed in shock. Frigga was very much displeased. She had guessed her son was highly interested in the Jötnar prince but she had no idea he would make his move so fast ! Now, they would have to mix private affairs with political and public ones and she simply hated that. She hoped that, at least, this surprising alliance would prove that a rapprochement with the two countries was indeed possible. Odin was fuming. His damn son and his damn d... He couldn't believe that he was again stuck in his love mess. And worse, Farbauti's bastard ?! That mini-giant lurking in his palace ?! How could his own son have so much bad taste ?! Norns ! This embassy was turning into a nightmare with his son getting involved with the worst suitor EVER ! He was clutching at his spear Gungnir so hard he could have broken it. Frigga, who knew him as her soul-mate, had to give a look that said “Let me deal with this.” It helped Odin to breathe. Frigga was the mistress of damage control. He just hoped there wasn't not too much damage right now.

To say that the day was a turning point was an understatement. Asgardian were shocked that the Prince was so carefree. That he was an insatiable lover and wanted many encounters was certainly renown and no one dared to question him that. He was not yet married after all... But he had a duty to the realm and the fact that he paraded around with the crippled child of Asgard's mortal foe was incomprehensible... Loki had felt his heart beating wildly in his chest all day long. He had felt the heavy looks of the whole court and the daggers his brothers' eyes were constantly throwing at him. Everyone everywhere were an enemy to him, or at least an antagonist. And yet he had never felt so safe, as long Thor was near. Not in his whole life. Thor was not leaving his side, making him talk at the council and asking for his opinion. It gave Loki surprised glances from the members for no one would have thought the runt would also have had a bright mind. Loki became a subject of admiration after the awe his new suspicious status gave him... Thor made him drink from his own glass, eat from his own plate and from his favorite dishes. Thor made him sit next to him every time, danced only with him in the evening... Only one moment, Thor really had to leave him alone for his mother wanted a private chat with him. Loki braced himself. Even with Thor's Einherjar bodyguards, he knew his brothers were coming at him full force. He had to be ready...

****

Frigga was massaging her temples. They were hurting bad as they did every time she was stressed, confused or angry. What her son said was not she was expecting to hear. “Are you sure they were going to use that boy to put pressure on us ?” Even for her, it sounded too cruel. She, most of all, knew what ruling a kingdom entailed. Sacrifices, compromising, ugly little deals that make you feel sick and dirty but... This ? Selling your own flesh and blood ? “If Loki had been female, they would have proposed her to you in decent matrimony... But him being a male and knowing your tastes...” She gave a hard look at his son who had the decency to look ashamed. “It was easy to lure you...” “Mother, I have it under control. Loki and I will play our part. We will see that Jötunheim will be settled with honors and peace will prevail...” Frigga sighed. “This idea is not so bad. We'll have a secured peace without too much compromises. They'll be forced to maintain their greediness under control... But what about you, son ?” “What about me ?” Thor tried to remain aloof. Frigga's expression told him she was not going to be fooled. “And that boy, Thor ?” She insisted. “His name is Loki and what about him, mother ?” “Do your really believe his brothers will calmly accept the fact he had betrayed them ?”

****

Here they were, all anger and self-righteousness. Helblindi was so red he looked about to burst. Býleistr was so pale he looked almost white but Loki knew it was also out of rage. They were walking towards him as if ready to trample him down. “You bastard...” Hissed Helblindi in his face. “You thought you were going to run away with this ?”

#thorki #Thorkislashfanfic #dubcon #Smut

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