#au!loki

So instead of reigning terror on others, Loki decided to reign terror on me. Why? I’m not sure. The other girls in my house say it’s because he likes me, but I highly doubt it. They overheard him talking about some girl he likes, but they didn’t catch a name. I think they just filled in my name because they have a crush on him and him liking me is the closest they’ll ever get to him liking them back.

I’ve never talked to Loki about that conversation because I don’t want to look like a freak, but I am curious. He’s talked to me from time to time until last year when he decided he wanted to be my best friend, but quite the contrary, we became frenemies. He’ll prank me or tease me, I’ll get mad and yell at him, then he’ll apologize. Sometimes he’ll trip me in the hallways in front of his friends, but then buy me a butterbeer whenever we go to Hogsmeade.

A couple of days ago, Loki must have woken up on the wrong side of his bed because all day he had been in a mood. His raven black hair wasn’t styled like how it always is and he didn’t bother putting on his uniform except for his robe. He was sleeping during classes and skipping lunch.

As I wandered my way to potions, I spotted Loki walking up the stairs with a somber look on his face. I’ve never seen him so sad before. He’s usually so full of energy and mystery. It almost hurts to see him this way even if he bothers me so much. His friends are nowhere to be seen so I kept walking to potions.

I sat down in my seat and waited for Loki’s arrival. Professor Snape wasn’t in the classroom yet and some of the students started to get restless. They were excited that class might be cancelled but my mind was stuck on Loki. He finally entered and sat down next to me, resting his head on his arms. I looked at him for a while, waiting for a jest or insult, but nothing came.

“Loki?”

“Shut up.”

I furrowed my eyebrows and kept staring at him. He’s never been so direct with me before. There was no humor or a joking tone in his voice.

“Is everything okay?” “I said shut up.”

“No, I’m not going to. You’re not okay and I’m concerned.”

“Don’t be. Don’t pretend like you care, you mewl.”

Rage flowed through my body. He’s never been like that. We make fun of each other, but it’s always a joke. We never really meant it and here he was an ass. I readjusted myself in my seat and looked forward at the other students who are now throwing paper airplanes and making things levitate.

A loud slam flowed through the classroom as Professor Snape walked in. He must have had a rough morning too because he seemed more stoic and irritated than normal (which says a lot because he always looks highly annoyed).

“Stop the shenanigans and open your books. We will be learning the Draught of Peace potion today. Gather your materials.”

The students opened their books and ran around for their ingredients. I noticed that Loki didn’t move from his seat, but instead held up his head with his hand. Feeling bad for him, I gather two of each item for him. I placed them down on his portion of the desk. I didn’t expect a thank you, but he didn’t even acknowledge the act which made me even more mad.

“Now, start following the instructions.”

Professor Snape isn’t my favorite professor because I think half the time he doesn’t care about us learning something, but instead just wants to see us fail and then yell at us for it. He just likes us drinking potions and getting injured. I think he's a masochist.

I turned to see Loki sheepishly making his potion. His hands were shaking and his eyes were dashing all over the place. He was a wreck. About ten minutes go by and the whole class had finished their potions. Loki put in his last ingredient and Professor Snape looks relieved. He’s equally annoyed by Loki’s attitude.

“Wonderful, now, find a partner and have each other drink the potions. We will discuss the effects, history, and use after you embrace the effects.”

I don’t agree with Professor Snape's hands-on take in the classroom, especially since these are potions and anything can go wrong. I watched as the other students eagerly drank the potions and they seemed to react alright. They were giggling and happy. Looking over to Loki, he stared down at his desk, not asking anyone to drink his or bullying one of his friends into doing so.

“I can try yours if you want,” I offered.

Loki just grunted under his breath so I swapped our drinks. He took a sip of mine and sat up. His eyes woke up as if nothing had happened and he was his usual self. Loki looked at me and smiled, waiting for me to drink mine. Based on the name, the potion must be some kind of peace or calming drink which is probably why he perked up so quickly. Confidently, I took a drink of his potion.

I had never felt such pain in my stomach before. It felt as if someone took a knife and jabbed it in there, twisting it at a rapid speed. I fell over clutching my stomach. Loki quickly stood up in panic and stared at me before kneeling down to my side. The other students stared at me in shock, rushing to my side in fear. Professor Snape pushed past the kids and looked into my eyes before frantically turning to Loki.

“What did you do?”

“I- I don’t”

“You idiot children. Thinking with emotions.”

Snape ran around the room and quickly made up a potion we didn’t know. Rushing to my side again, he made me drink it. Slowly the pain in my stomach went away but my anger at Loki didn’t. With the help of the students, I stood up and turned to him.

“You fucking dickbag! I’m sorry you’re having a bad day but that does not give you the right to make my day bad either!” I screamed.

Everyone gasped at my sudden outburst and Professor Snape stood by. Loki’s eyes went wide and started tearing up. I quickly second guessed my words at his reaction. He looked sorry.

“Y/N that is no way to talk to a fellow classmate, no matter the wrong they did to you,” Professor Snape scolded.

“But he-”

“I know and he will get what he deserves. Both of you detention Thursday.”

“WHAT?!” Professor Snape shot me a look of anger which sent me back in my seat with my arms crossed. I did nothing but yell at Loki for being a jerk all day, but here I am in trouble. At least Loki got in trouble as well.

Loki sat back down in his seat and didn’t say a word to me for a couple of days, no matter how awkward it was during class. Now, I’m sitting in detention with a silent moping Loki. He hasn’t talked or even looked at me the whole time. It’s been twenty minutes since we sat down and Snape locked us in for the hour.

“Y/N, I-”

“Don’t even try,” you sigh.

“Can I at least explain myself?”

You look over to him. His eyes are full of that pity look again, the one he had when he made the potion wrong.

From: Odin Borson <[email protected]> To: Loki Laufeyson <[email protected]>; Thor Odinson <[email protected]> Date: Friday, 31 March 2017 at 15:56 Subject: Laufeyson Resorts Merger w/ Asgard Corp Attachment: Laufeyson_Trust_Documents.pdf

Loki-

In accordance with the provisos set when your father entrusted me with the stewardship of his business, your trust and, ultimately, you, upon his untimely death, it has been brought to my attention that we are reaching the end of any obligations Asgard Corp may have with Laufeyson Resorts.

However, our attorneys, upon closer inspection of the stewardship documents, have ascertained that you have failed to meet one requirement to achieve full separation from Asgard.  This is Article 3, Section 10, of the attached document wherein it states that, “Loki Laufeyson, natural son of Laufey, must, upon majority, seek marriage to an eligible person and enter into legally binding marriage by his thirty-fifth birthday. In such case that he is not wed by midnight of his thirty-fifth year, Asgard Corporation shall retain all trusts and operating control of Laufeyson Resorts. Should Asgard Corporation wish to fully merge with LR, then any future employment of Loki’s is subject to the Chairman and Board of Directors.”

You have not complied with your father’s wishes. Your birthday is three months from now. I tire of seeing reports of your continuous string of women. I also tire of reports of your general misbehavior. 

Since it appears as though you will not meet the deadline, we are now faced with merging the companies. In the effort of facing this eventuality before it puts us all in a difficult place, we will begin conducting our initial transition.

I have copied Thor on this matter as he will be assuming the role of acting co-CEO to smooth the transition.

                                                            —   O.

From: Loki <[email protected]> To: Odin <[email protected]>; Thor <[email protected]>; Bucky <[email protected]> Date: Saturday, 1 April 2017 at 06:51  Subject: RE: Laufeyson Resorts Merger w/ Asgard Corp

This is bullshit. I rebuilt this company ground up after you ruined it years ago. Over my dead body will Thor take my place at the head of the table and reap the rewards of it, even if my idiot father had anything to say about it.

My lawyers will be looking into it as well.

With “respect”,

Loki

From: Odin Borson <[email protected]> To: Loki Laufeyson <[email protected]>; Thor Odinson <[email protected]>; Bucky <[email protected]> Date: Monday, 3 April 2017 at 07:41 Subject: Re: RE: Laufeyson Resorts Merger w/ Asgard Corp

Loki-

You have one month. If, at the time, I see no change in your behavior and you have not yet found a decent prospect for marriage, we will proceed as I have suggested. Please be advised of the “Requirements of Marriage Prospect” outlined in Subsection A of Article 3, Section 10:

“Any prospect must be of legal age and of sound mind and body. She/he will possess a degree from an accredited university in a serious field of study so that there is reasonable assurance of their positive participation in business aspects of the company. She/he must also be in love. No trickery, bribery, blackmail, or other inducement, including contracts for money or other consideration, may be used to achieve a legal marriage. The intended spouse shall prove to Odin Borson their true feelings at the time of engagement or before, as needed, and at the discretion of Mr. Borson.”

                                                                                   — O.

From: Thor Odinson <[email protected]> To: Loki Laufeyson <[email protected]> Date:  Saturday, 1 April 2017 at 10:33 Subject: Mazel Tov?

Lokster-

Am on my way to Las Vegas. Bringing reinforcements. We’ll get this sorted for you.

From: Loki <[email protected]> To: Thor <[email protected]> Date: Saturday, 1 April 2017 at 10:40 Subject: My eyes are rolling out of my head

Thor:

I don’t need your help. I’ve never needed your help.

From: Thor Odinson <[email protected]> To: Loki Laufeyson <[email protected]> Date: Saturday, 1 April 2017 at 15:01 Subject: RE: My eyes are rolling out of my head

“Bad time?”

Scowling, Loki glared at the woman leaning against the open doorway. “What do you want, Selena?”

Selena rolled her eyes as she stepped into the room, closing the door gently behind her. “Everything okay?”

He didn’t bother with an answer as he swivelled his chair around to stare out the 30th floor window overlooking the city. She considered him for a moment before continuing her way to the desk, settling in across from him.

“Well, Mr. Odinson -”

Loki hissed in disapproval. “Don’t call me that.”

“It’s your name, isn’t it?” she raised an eyebrow.

“You know very well that he’s not my father.”

Selena sighed. “Careful, the media would just have a field day with that one. I might be the Director of Communications, but not even I would be able to salvage that shit storm.”

“He’s driving this company into the ground all on his own,” he shot back. “My true parentage would merely be an added bonus.”

“He won’t be in charge for much longer,” Selena reminded him. “His retirement is due in only a handful of months.”

“And it won’t even matter. That idiot will get the grand seat. My seat.”

“Then take it.”

Loki paused as he caught her gaze through the reflection of the glass. Selena was beautiful, he couldn’t deny that. But it wasn’t her beauty that had caught her attention, and instead her sheer determination to get the job done. Even if that meant manipulating the system to get the end result. They had meshed well since he had taken his role in the company. He, unlike his brother, had worked his way into his position. Just as Selena had. For a 29-year-old woman, she had done well for herself. It was what had drawn the two together.

“It’s not that easy.”

Selena leaned forward. “It’s far easier than you might think, Loki. You know I have a hefty enough file on both your father and brother that would drive them out of the company. The only logical replacement would be you.”

“I’m not exactly an innocent bystander,” he pointed out.

“But compared to them, you are practically a saint. And any dirt that may be dragged up about you, well I can manage it,” she shrugged, her lips twitching into a smirk. “We’ve been talking about this for years, Loki. There’s no better time than now. If you’re going to do this, it needs to happen soon.”

Loki twisted back around to face her. “If we’re going to do this.”

“It’s not my seat.”

“But I won’t be able to do this without you. You realize that, Selena, don’t you?” his gaze darkened. “I’ll need a Queen once I’m on the throne.”

Her smirk widened. “I’m not the Queen type. Could use with a fatter pay check though.”