Thor was done bathing

He had been instructed to be absolutely clean.

Loki wanted everything to be clean and smooth. No other than those on his head and eyebrows.

The most wretched thing was that he had listened.

He had no choice

If he refused and if Loki took offence the runes would flare on his neck. the runes which had been etched as part of the wedding rites. The runes would dig into his skin and twist and turn and reach for his spine. Priest who officiated their marraige had explained in detail what the runes would do.

The runes decreed that Thor was prince-consort of Jotun King Loki. Thor had submitted willingly. Thor had to obey. The runes only compelled Thor – not the other way.

Obey. He still remembers the word which echoed in the great halls of Jotunheim 3 months ago. He had looked to Odin who looked at him with his one inscrutable eye. No choice.

Loki had demanded Thor as his consort to end the war to leave Asgard relatively unharmed when he had won the war. Odin had laid down the demands to thor. Thor had not understood this demand neither had Odin. But he understood he reprecussions of not taking the deal. Death and destruction of Asgard.

So for Asgard. He had to Obey.

Obey he did. He took exquisite care to clean himself in the luxurious bathing rooms. Asgard’s were bigger but this one was luxurious beyond his experience. It was opulent. The sunken tub was as big as a pool made of single block of marble. The faucets and fixtures were gold. Loki had stocked for him every possible scent, serum, lotion and scented soap for him. there were hundreds to choose from. There was also a curated caddy sitting for him with Loki’s suggestions. It wasn’t a suggestion. Loki wanted him to use these and nothing else.

False choices were everywhere on Jotunheim

His felt his heart sink only a little as he picked up the lotion meant for removing the hair.

Once he shaved his face his face looked boyish and vulnerable. The way Loki liked. This was the first instruction given by Loki.

“I want the fur gone. Every day. you understand” Loki had ordered the very next day of their wedding. The voice rough but not unkind. Thor had nodded. He wanted to be angry, but he recognized there was no way out of this. he had submitted.

Next day when he had emerged after shaving in their common chambers. Loki looked up from his desk and smirked. When Thor had looked away Loki approached him and brushed the back of his hands across his newly clean cheeks.

“Good”  he had said

Then added

“Good boy”

Thor still remembered the way he had said THAT phrase.

GoodBoy. He wanted to be angry. to be caustic but he couldn’t deny the thrill he felt when Loki smiled at him. He felt a jolt of strange pleasure.

“Thor. Consort” Loki’s voice called to him “I am anxious to get the day started my sweet” Loki continued.

His cue to get out of the comfort of the warm dark bathing room designed for his comfort.

My sweet

That’s what he called Thor in private chambers. Like he was some blushing bride. New and virginal. He bristled at it but that made Loki use it even more. Mischief glinting in his eyes every time Thor flinched the word.

He tied a small cloth across his hips. He hadn’t been given the choice of robes today. Just a small white cloth. A suggestion of modesty. He tied it barely able to cover till mid-thigh.

He loves it when I fidget with it.

So, it doesn’t help if he becomes self-conscious.

He was instructed to appear before dressing. Thor wasn’t self-conscious but this was a a choice he wanted to take. a modicum of boundary between him and Loki

Loki was waiting outside. A few attendants were standing. A couple of Midgardian women dressed to the nines waiting with piles of fabric and gold ornaments.

Thor stopped with a start. He wasn’t expecting attendants.

Loki’s eyes landed on the white cloth tied across his hips and then back up to his face and hair which was now curling around his neck and lower back.

Loki loved his hair. He liked to pull on it every night. His scalp was still smarting from yesterday. His hand went automatically to his head to soothe the phantom hurt.

“What are they doing here?” Thor asked not moving ahead to the dias set up at the center of their bedroom where they were waiting.  

“Consort. They are here to dress you. It’s the reception of the inter-real council today” Loki smiled “have you forgotten?”

His heart beat thudded.

Inter-real council reception.

He was aware of this. but he had not taken into account Loki’s penchant for humiliating him. he had thought he will dress as himself. His leathers and metal. Ceremonial clothes.

“I will dress myself – like I do everyday” Thor said defying loki “I will wear my ceremonial dress commissioned during the wedding” Thor turned to him “it was made with your office approval. So I am not wearing my old Asgard status”

Loki smiled gently and shook his head in a slow motion.

“no Thor.” He called him forth near him with one finger “come.” a command that loki can enfoce anytime. So Thor walked towards him.

“I have commissioned special clothes for you.” Loki said gliding his hands across his arms which though still rippled with muscles were completely hair less and extremely sensitive to featherlight touches of Loki.

“something suited for the consort of Jotunheim” his hands traced the dip and curve of his muscles and moved across his pecs teasing the areola of his nipples. His breath hitched and the nipples hardened. “Something from the ancient consort tradition. No one has used it for so long but I think it has merits.” Loki said as his other hand moved across his hips and below the cloth cupping his right buttock.

Thors mind had gone blank at the soft touches. Something was aching in him. what was it? his breath increased and the chest fell up and down rapidly as loki pinched a nipple hard.

“Now go stand there”

The attendant women looked at each other hiding small smiles and moved with the things in their hands.