“My apologies, AllFather,” you said quickly, dismissing yourself as fast you could but still snagging your book on the way out, wanting to get out of there as fast as possible. You still wanted most of the day to yourself. But as you walked back to your chamber you couldn’t help but think of how odd that meeting was. It was so unlike Odin to be prowling around the libraries, especially in the middle of the day. Especially in Loki’s old nook. You shook your head and brushed it off. 

Maybe Odin just missed Loki more than he let on. 

Deciding not to read to much into it you ready yourself for your relaxing bathtime once more. 

The day had flown by so quickly, but as the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun. You found yourself lazily dressing yourself in a deep green gown, simple as you liked, but elegant enough to be fit for dinner. 

Entering the dining hall, you saw Odin at the head of the table, awaiting your arrival. A soft smile pulled at the corners of his lips as he saw you enter the room. 

“Ah there you are, love. You look lovely,” he beckoned you, but you paused, almost as if a haze around you was beginning to lift. 

Loki used to call you love. 

“Little dove?” The AllFather called once more. Shaking your head slightly, you shook it off and proceeded to take a set next to him at the table. 

“My apologies, my king. I was just being a little absent minded,” you excused, to which Odin nodded.

“Are you feeling well, little dove?” He asked, as servants came to dish up some food for the pair of you. 

Nodding slightly, you gave him a shy smile. “I am sure it was nothing, AllFather,” you essured, glancing around the room for a second. It was a beautiful night out in Asgard. You could see the stars twinkling between the large columns, torch light illuminating the room giving the room a soft glow. 

You thanked the servant as she placed your plate in front of you, before all of the servants were dismissed, leaving the pair of you alone as usual. 

“If I may, AllFather, why do you always dismiss the servants?” You asked him gently. You had always allowed the servants to stay in the dining hall while you ate when you were back in your courts. Sometimes you ate with them, whenever your parents were busy. 

“Force of habit, little dove,” Odin said with a light shrug, brushing past the subject. 

That’s odd. Odin didn;t dismiss the servants before Freya and Loki had died. 

“I see. We just didn’t dismiss the servants in my court is all,” you said absent mindedly, but quickly regretted what you had said. “Not that Im complaining! I am very very happy here in Asgard, and I am so thankful that you have offered me refuge here for so long!” You corrected, not wanting to seem ungrateful

A chuckle resounded from Odin’s chest as he gently patted your hand in a comforting manner. “Easy there, little one. You have said nothing wrong,” he eased, a smile dancing across your face at his comforting. 

“After all, taking you in was the best thing Odin ever did,” he said, reassuringly but your blood ran cold at his words. 

Odin? Why was he referring to himself in the third person? Unless…

It all came crashing down around you in that moment.

On your last birthday you went on a star light walk in the garden where you admired the rose bushes and told him the crimson ones were your favorite. 

And everyday, Odin always gave you a crimson rose after your garden walk. 

Being in the library. 

Sitting in Loki’s chair. 

Calling you love.

Using Odin’s name. 

You knew Loki was good at trickery, but you would have never assumed he would take it this far. But if this person in front of you isn’t Odin, then where is he?

No

You'll never be alone

When darkness comes, I'll light the night with stars

Hear the whispers in the dark

Beginning to withdraw your hand from under Odin’s you were quickly halted by “Odin” you grabbed your hand, as if he had realized his mistake. 

“A-AllFather, I think I am feeling ill. I should return to my chamber,” you tried, wanting nothing more in this moment to flee. 

“Let me walk you to your room then, little dove,” he pressed and you knew you wouldn’t get your way without causing a scene in the dining hall which wouldn’t play out well for you. You needed to talk with him privately. 

Nodding slightly, you stood up as he released your hand. All the color had drained from your face and you had broken into a cold sweat. 

The walk back to your chambers was the most tense walk in your life. Neither of you spoke. 

What felt like hours later, you finally arrived at your chambers and stepped in, the man soon following, closing the door behind him. 

It was silent for a few more moments, and you were the first to speak up. 

“Loki, show yourself,” you demanded, eyes locked onto his face though your lower lip quivered. 

He opened his mouth to argue, but knew there was little he could say to persuade you from the truth. Sighing, a golden glow came about him as the face of Odin melted away to reveal the Raven Haired Prince.

A surge of overwhelming emotion came over you and you placed your hands on his chest and shoved him as hard as you could, which did little to the god. 

“How could you?! I mourned you for months! I still mourn you! What about Thor? He misses you dearly and he fled because of it!” You hissed at him, careful not to shout too loud and draw unwanted ears to your chamber. 

Against your will, tears began to pool in your eyes and you bit your bottom lip to keep from crying. “How could you do this to us? To me?” You whispered, hurt seeping into every syllable of your words. 

The man in front of you paused, for the first time in his life at a loss for words. Taking a few moments to gather himself, he spoke up. 

“Love, you have to trust me on this. There is a lot going on that you wouldn’t understand,” he tried, taking a step towards you, only for you to jerk back. 

“Don’t call me that!” You snapped, putting your hands in front of you protectively. “And don’t come near me either. You have deeply and utterly betrayed all of us,” you spat, even though there were tears streaming down your face. 

Silence encompassed the pair of you, as Loki waited with baited breath to see what you would do next. 

“Where is Odin?” You whispered, voice shaking with intense emotion. After a few more seconds of silence, you asked again, this time louder. 

“Loki, what the hell did you do with Odin?” demanding an answer, you were dismayed to see Loki take a deep breath, readying himself for the answer. 

“Let’s just say I don’t have to worry about him interferring anymore,” he said with confidence to your upmost horror. 

“Oh Loki, what the hell have you done?!” You cried, using your sleeve to wipe your tears away, as you glared at him. Taking a few more moments to compose yourself, you took a deep breath before speaking again. 

“Get out of my chambers, now,” you demanded, pointing at the door, but keeping your eyes down, locked on the floor. 

“Love…” Loki began to plead, but you refused to hear his words. 

“Get out of my chambers now before I scream and everyone comes running to this room to see what’s wrong,” you threatened, which Loki sighed at. 

“Alright. I shall leave you be, but this isn’t over,” he reminded before transforming into a servant woman and leaving your chambers without suspicion. 

You openly wept as soon as you knew he would be far enough away where he wouldn’t hear you. How could he do this to you? He watched you mourn for months and did nothing. And on top of that, he must have done something terrible to your king. Where is Odin? 

You didn’t know, but you definetley didn’t want to stick around to find out. Quickly, you began packing. Grabbing a large satchel, you placed everything of value that you could sell for a high price in there along with all of your coins and a change of clothes. That should be all you needed for now.

Before you left your chambers for good, you snatched the crimson roses you had in your vase from the last few days of walks and tossed them into the fire, watching them burn for a few moments. 

Quickly leaving the palace, you made your way to the stable and chose a trusted horse. Mounting, you rode as fast as you could out of the castle grounds and towards the capital city, never looking back. 

No

You'll never be alone

When darkness comes, I'll light the night with stars

Hear the whispers in the dark

So here you were, in a tiny shack on the outskirts of the capital, hiding in your closet underneath bedding like you did every night. Evey night you feared he would come for you. After all, he had found you in the past before. 

When you lived at an Inn in the capital, mysteriously crimson roses would appear on your bed stand. When you lived in a manor as a servant for a lord for a couple weeks, your favorite book from the palace library miraculously showed up on your pillow in the servants quarters. 

He was toying with you. He was sending a message. That he could come and get you whenever he wanted. That he was watching you, no matter where you went to hide. 

You had moved six times now within the past four months because of the “gifts” and just overall paranoia. You had sold everything of value, and you had little options left. 

Suddenly, you heard a knock at the front door.

No

You'll never be alone

When darkness comes, you know I'm never far

Hear the whispers in the dark

Pulling yourself into the tightest ball possible underneath the spare bedding in the closet, you waited with baited breath praying that whoever it was would go away. But you were not so lucky. A few moments later you heard the door lock click open and you instantly knew that somebody used a charm to unlock your door. 

You heard sure footsteps exploring your most humble abode, looking for something. Or someone. The footsteps halted in what sounded like the middle of the hallway before a voice called out to you. 

“I know you’re scared, love,” the voice called and tears instantly welled up in your eyes. 

Loki. 

“Come out and come home with me. I can explain everything,” he called out to you, as you did everything you could inside of yourself to not panic. 

He took a few steps more down the hall, towards your bedroom. 

“Love, I need you to come with me. I need you by my side as I rule Asgard. You were made for me and you know that,” his voice drew nearer to your room. 

A few more moments passed and you could hear his footsteps stop just inside of your bedroom. 

“I’ll make you a deal with you because I know you are frightened. If you come out on your own, I won’t have to punish you. But if you make me come and get you, which you know I will, well my mercy can only be extended so far. I’ll give you to the count of five to reveal yourself and come with my peacefully,” he bargained, and you did not doubt his words. You knew he would find you and drag you out if he had to. You would be a fool to put it past him. 

“One,” he began, his voice stern, leaving no room for argument. 

Your heart leapt into your throat, as you fought to keep the tears in your eyes. This couldn’t be happening. 

“Two,” he continued causing your breath to hitch. Gods you were so terrified, and you definetely did not want to find out what the punishment was if you disobeyed. 

“Three,” he took a step towards your hiding spot and you knew he knew exactly where you were. 

“W-Wait,” you called softly from under the sheets. “I-I’ll come out.” You sat up on your knees from where you were crouching, the bedding falling off around you in a pool as you rose to your feet. Meekly, you made timid steps toward the trickster, eyes locked onto his shoes as you approached him. 

Tilting your chin up with his hand, your teary eyes met his deep green ones, and you felt a whole new overwhelming wave of emotion.