Love and Mischief

Chapter One: An ending and a beginning…and another ending.

Sitting in the abandoned hall of Valhalla, Loki stared at his hands. They were still blood-stained, but not nearly as stained as his soul. He closed his eyes, swallowing the bile that came to his throat. He'd done as Odin as des destroyed one of his most prized friendships. And what did he have to show for it?

Nothing. But the AllFather had asked...so he had obeyed.

Freya had been looking everywhere for Loki; sensing that something was wrong with her would-be lover. She wanted to get a chance to help him if she could. She entered Valhalla, and saw him sitting there...and the blood on his hands. It didn’t deter her though. She came up to him and knelt in front of him, smiling softly up at him.

"Loki, can I help?" she asked quietly.

"Nothing will ever be right again," Loki said, not even really seeing her. He knew he was covered in blood; Heimdall had bled quite a bit before he'd gotten his once friend's eye free. His face had smudges of blood, his hands caked in it. He finally looked up at her, his green eyes shadowed; filled with pain and despair. "Nothing will ever be right again, Freya. Ever."

"Loki?" Freya laid her head in his lap, ignoring the blood. "I know it won't be the same, but it doesn't all have to be the evil that Odin wants it to be, surely you see that."

Closing his eyes, Loki sighed. He opened them, looking down at her. "They all think I'm evil. Now they'll have proof of it. I...don't think I'll be here much longer, Freya. Why are you here?"

"I felt you were in need of comfort. And I don't think you're evil Loki. I never have and no matter what you do – or what Odin makes you do – I never will. I need you to remember that."

"I will try." Loki sighed, looking at her with a frown. "Thank you, Freya. You didn't have to come here but you did. Thank you." He gave her one of his rare, sincere smiles.

Freya felt her heart flutter at his smile, and she leaned up to kiss it, wanting to feel it as well.

"No thanks are necessary Loki. I would hope that we would be at least friends after all that has happened between us over the years."

"I would like that." Loki let her kiss him then impulsively returned the kiss. "Sweet Freya... You are too beautiful to belong in this place."

Freya couldn't help but giggle at him, "That's because I don't," she reminded him, "I may live here, but I really belong in Vanaheim. I may not look it, but I'm a hostage. It's just that I've lived here so long that most people have forgotten."

"I haven't," Loki said, touching her cheek briefly before pulling away. "Why do you stay, Freya? You and Freyr are powerful enough to leave on your own. You don't have to stay here."

"And start another war?" Freya shook he head, "I don't want more people dying over the simple differences between two families L and and I know that Odin would not see our leaving as anything other than a declaration of war, even after all this time." She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head gently on his chest. "Will you come home with me Loki? You need to cleanse your soul as well as your body, let me help you with that...Please?"

Loki's eyes lowered, his face hidden in shadow. "All right, Freya. It isn't like I have a home of my own to go to, after all." He'd never cared about the fact that Odin had ever given him a place of his own, but he did now.

Freya hugged him tightly and gave him a sweet kiss on the forehead before pulling him to his feet and leading him to her hall.

Loki let himself be led, his head bowed. The front of his shirt was smeared with blood, bits of the red liquid dripping from his hair and hands. He followed Freya into her hall, only once looking out towards Bifrost and shivering before turning away.

Freya could both see and sense Loki's upset, and she gently guided him on, into her hall, which was blessedly quiet, due to thoughtful construction and very thick walls. She sat him down on her bed...not her "entertaining" bed, but the one she kept for when she just wanted to sleep and nothing more, she didn't care if there was blood on it, sheets can be washed, after all, and she kissed him softly again. "Stay right here and I'll bring a tub of hot water for you," she said gently.

He nodded, unable to stop from looking around curiously. Henly nly been here once and he hadn't been too keen on looking around then. "Thank you, Freya." He looked up at her, gratitude shown clearly on his face.

Freya came back in leading one of her large cats, which was pulling a tub full of water. She positioned the tub in front of Loki carefully then looked over at him. "Loki, you are always welcome," she smiled, then unhitched the cat and stroked his chin in thanks before letting him off to roam the rest of her palace at will.

He smiled at her, reaching out to touch her hand. He then stood, grimacing as he removed his clothes and slipped into the hot water. He sighed, closing his eyes in gratitude.

Freya watched him bathe, and bit back an offer to help, or share the bath, knowing that he needed some time to be alone. She bundled up his clothes instead, and then turned to him. "What do you want me to do with these?" she asked him.

"Burn them," Loki said, wrapping his arms around himself. He blinked then looked up at her. "You're very kind, Freya. You shouldn't be here, you know. You're far too kind for this place."

Freya leaned over to kiss his forehead, being careful to not let the clothes touch him. "We've been over this darling, right now I don't have much of a choice about being here. I do miss my home sometimes though," she sighed, and looked at the bed. There was blood on the sheets as well, and she didn't want Loki to see it, so she stripped the bed and wrapped the sheets around his bloody clothes. "I'll be right back, I'm just going to take this to the fire," she said.

"Okay." Loki turned back to the water, watching the clear water become pink tinted. He sighed, then leaned back and closed his eyes. He was so tired and his heart ached.

As soon as she had disposed of the bloody clothnd snd sheets Freya hurried back to the room and came up behind him where he was sitting in the water, wrapping her arms around him and laying her head against his neck. "Loki, what do you need me to do for you?" she asked softly, "I want to make you feel better, how can I do that?"

"I'd say make it all go away but I know you can't. Help me...forget?" Loki asked pleadingly, looking back at her.

"That, I can do," Freya smiled, pulling him up out of the now-soiled water and whistling for one of her toms, who pushed the tub carefully into the other room, where it was emptied. She held out a clean, warm towel to him with a smile.

He smiled back, letting her wrap him into the warm towel. He rested his head on her chest, closing his eyes and sighing.

Freya wrapped her arms around him, rubbing him dry with the towel then pulling his head up so she could kiss him. This kiss, however, was not so sweet and innocent as the others had been, this time she licked at his lips and nibbled at them as well.

He groaned slightly, instinctively wrapping his arms around her. "Stay with me tonight, Freya. Keep me warm." He returned the kiss, his own kiss becoming heated with desire and passion.

Freya whimpered slightly against the kiss. "Of course I will Loki; I'll warm your body and your heart, and keep your mind clear of everything but passion." She ran her hands down his back, massaging him gently as she opened her mouth beneath his.

"What about love?" Loki asked against her lips, kissing her deeply. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing himself against her. He'd seen how she looked at him sometimes.

Freya whimpered, melting against him, "I didn't think you wanted that from me," she whispered against his lips.

"Maybe I do now. Maybe I don't want to be alone anymore," Loki said softly, cupping her face in his hand. "I'm not as blind as you think; I've seen how you look at me."

"You have?" Freya asked in wonder, gazing up at him with her love showing clearly on her face, "I was trying to be discrete lately, I didn't want to bother you when I could see it wasn't what you wanted.”

"I didn't say anything because I didn't want urt urt you. Every woman I've ever loved has either died or has been hurt," Loki said, remembering Glut and Angrboda. He'd loved both of them equally, and both had suffered because of him. "I didn't want that for you."

"Shhhh....silly boy, I can handle more than you can imagine if I have love to buoy me up," she said, and kissed his eyes, then his nose, then moved down to suck at his pulse.

"Maybe, but I didn't want to take that chance.ki gki groaned, closing his eyes in pleasure. "I had to watch my one wife die, and the other be taken from me. I didn't want to see you hurt as well. Besides...I didn't want to have deal with Freyr. He's too...strange." He nibbled on her neck in retaliation, his hand sliding underneath her top to caress her back.

Freya giggled at his mention of her brother. "He is, you're right, and still a little possessive, even if he does have Gerd, but fear not, I know how to deal with him," she grinned, squeezing his behind to bring him closer to her.

"Right...Gerd is just as weird as he is." Loki groaned, arching into her. His hands trailed over her body, exploring every inch. "I've wanted to do this for a long time. I can’t tell you how many times I've been jealous of all your other lovers, including Odin."

"They never had more than my body," Freya moaned, "passion is one thing, love is another. And I ought to know."

"Very true. You are the goddess of love… and such a beautiful one at that," Loki whispered, trailing his lips down her neck. He slipped her dress off, orinoring her soft skin with vigor.

Freya leaned her head back to give him better access to her neck and moaned softly as she felt his hands on her bare skin, the way she had been dreaming of for so long. "Loki...I need you so much..." she whispered.

"And I need you. More than anything," Loki whispered, then scooped her up into his arms and laid her down on the bed. He touched her breasts, his body leaning over her before kissing her deeply.

Freya arched against him, moaning into the kiss and running handsands down and over his sides and back, stroking his warm, supple skin.

Kissing his way down her neck, Loki leaned over her, pressing her into the bed sheets. He suckled on her neck, exploring her soft skin in wonder.

Freya sighed with pleasure and ran her fingers encouragingly through his hair. "Oh Loki, you have no idea how long I have dreamed of this... Of sharing my bed and my love with you..."

"Really? Why have you never said anything to me before?" Loki asked, looking at her curiously. "Am I that intimidating?"

"N…not intimidating; merely sure of yourself and your own needs. I decided that if you did want me, you would come to me; and since you didn't come, then evidently you didn't want me," she shrugged, looking away.

"Oh Freya," Loki shook his head, caressing her face tenderly. "That wasn't it. You...frightened me. You're so beautiful...and you remind a little of Glut. I was afraid to love you."

"I remind you of...Glut?" Freya was, quite frankly, stunned. No one knew much about Loki's first wife, he never really mentioned her, but everyone knew that the two of them had been deeply in love when she was killed, and all Loki had left of her were his twin daughters. "I am honoured that you would make such a comparison." She turned her head back to look up into his eyes with her love for him clear on her face.

He smiled, touching her cheek. "You are like her a bit. She was lov loving and cared deeply for others. You're the same way. I am honored to know you and I'm actually glad of the war that brought you to me."

Freya's smile grew, and she stroked his cheek. "I am too; otherwise I doubt I would ever have met you in Vanaheim."

"Probably not, considering I've never been there," Loki quipped, winking at her. He smiled, nuzzling her neck before kissing it.

"Mmm... We'll have to correct that someday." Freya sighed, "It's very beautiful."

"I'd like that," Loki whispered, snuggling against her. He smiled at her, tracing a finger over her lips absently.

Freya flicked her tongue out to lick at his finger, then wrapped her lips around it and sucked at it lightly. She traced one hand down his side and hip, then up his back slowly.

Loki groaned, his eyes fastened on hers almost hungrily. He pulled his finger out of her mouth, replacing it with his own mouth, kissing her passionately.

Freya whimpered as he kissed her, then opened her mouth beneath his and invited his tongue in to play with hers, at the same time wrapping her arms around his shoulders to draw him closer to her.

Taking the invitation all too willingly, Loki tangled his tongue with hers, making love to her mouth as he intended to do with the rest of her. Leaning in closer, he trailed his hands down her body, exploring every inch of her.

Freya let her tongue play with as as she massaged his neck and shoulders, using firm but gentle pressure to relax him, then tracing her fingers lightly down his back on both sides as she writhed beneath his own skilled hands

Groaning, Loki pulled away form the kiss, nibbling on her neck. He ran his hands over her chest, teasing her breasts. "Let me love you, Freya..."

"You only had to ask," Freya moaned softly, arching into his teasing hands, "You are free to love me as much as you wish, and I will do anything you wish in return."

"The same goes for me." Loki smiled up at her, the sadness from previously gone. He kissed her deeply, his fingers removing her clothing, wanting no barriers between the two of them anymore.

Freya willingly helped him remove the last of her clothes, and trailed her hands down his chest as she gazed up at him. "You're so beautiful," she whispered, "so perfect... I want to know every part of you."

"Perfect? Me? Hardly," Loki shook his head, leaning back. He smiled at her, his hands trailing down her chest. He kissed his way down, his lips and tongue teasing at her stomach.

Freya groaned, her legs slipping open a little in invitation to him as she let her hands trail up his chest and over his shoulders to tangle her fingers in his hair. "You're perfect if I say you are," she protested, her eyes slipping closed in contented bliss.

"Well then, it must be so if you say it is," Loki purred, his lips trailing farther down. He kissed the side of her leg, parting them more for him. He leaned forward, caressing her womanhood with his tongue, his fingers slipping inside her.

Freya's eyes went wide and she whimpered with need as she felt his attentions move between her legs. She ran the fingers of one hand encouragingly through his hair and gripped the sheets tightly with the other.

Sucking on her clit, Loki strove to drive her over the edge. He needed to hear her scream his name in pleasure, needed to know that she enjoyed his attentions. He pushed his fingers faster within her, groaning as his arousal began to ache with need for her.

"Mmph!" Freya bit her lip in an attempt not to scream, but she couldn't contain her pleasure as his fingers and mouth sent her over the edge, and she bucked beneath him. "L...Loki!" she cried as the world exploded around her.

Groaning, he lapped up what she gave him then slid up her body, his own hot skin rubbing against hers. He kissed her hard, groaning into her mouth with need. He pressed against her, whispering into her ear. "You're mine, Freya... No one else can have you." He entered her smoothly, claiming her as his own and no one else’s.

"Y...yours," Freya echoed, arching her body against his as he entered her and submitting completely to him, allowing him to claim her utterly.

Sliding slowly into her, Loki clasped his hands with hers, leaning over her. He moved his body within her, his hot skin moving against her own deliciously. "No one may touch you ever again...you're mine." He kissed her fiercely, his tongue tangling with hers, mimicking the passion the rest of his body gave her.

Freya looked up at him wide-eyed. Many had loved her before, but none had ever so emphatically claimed her! And this was Loki, whom she had dreamed so long of having with her forever... "Only yours," she moaned against his lips.

"Good." Loki couldn't quite understand why he'd been so insistent. All he knew was that if anyone touched her, even Odin, he'd kill them. She wasn't a harlot to be used, she was a treasure to be loved and cared for. Kissing her desperately, he groaned into her mouth, the rhythm he set fast and furious.

Freya echoed his groans as she moved with him, matching the pace he set and wrapping her legs around his waist to pull him in deeper. She needed to feel every inch of him she could inside her, to feel the way he claimed her with aggressive passion and made her his own.

Kissing her fiercely, Loki moaned her name breathlessly. He tangled his tongue with hers, his body entwined with hers. He moaned deeply, shaking in pleasure as she surrounded him so perfectly. He drove her harder, faster; striving for that state of completion he knew was so close between them.

Freya cried out for him with little mewlcriecries as she tightened her body around his. She could feel her climax coming nearer, and she wanted to be with him, she wanted to reach that peak as he did, and complete the deep bond they were forming.

"Freya!" Loki cried out, arching against her. He shook then sealed his lips with hers just as his release hit him. It hit him hard, sending his mind reeling with the intensity. A part of his mind briefly remarked that it was quite similar to what he'd felt with Glut, but it was quickly pushed aside from the intensity of their joining.

Freya screamed into his mouth as his climax set off her own and she shuddered beneath him as he filled her. This was like nothing she had ever felt before, it felt almost like they were merging and becoming part of each other, as though their bodies were secondary to their souls, which were intertwining.

"G...Gods Loki, what was that?" she breathed in awe.

"I don't know," Loki breathed, opening his eyes to gaze into her blue ones. He touched her cheek tenderly; then he grinned. "Maybe we really did bond together. Glut and I did once, you know. It was a lot like this."

"Hmmm...Being bonded to the trickster god for all eternity...I could deal with that." Freya winked at him, "especially given your...talents." She snuggled against him and squeezed him affectionately.

"You think so?" Loki arched an eyebrow up at her, grinning. "Isn't it an oxymoron? The goddess of love and the god of mischief?" He nuzzled her neck, sighing happily. He hadn't been this happy and content since before Glut died.

"Not at all," Freya giggled, "Love can be very mischievous at times, or haven't you seen that?" She ran tickling fingers down his back and back up, grinning wickedly.

"Ah I see." Loki grinned, shivering at her touch. He smirked, shifting inside her and moving slightly. "Just as mischief can be filled with love, eh? Or passion?" Having her surround him was the greatest feeling...he never wanted it to end and wanted to stay here with her like this forever.

"Indeed." Freya bit her lip to stifle a moan, "They are easy to mix and meld one with the other...even as we are," she pointet ast as she squeezed him and shifted her hips to cradle him within her.

"Aye, even as you say." Loki groaned, unable to withhold his desire. He kissed her deeply, making love to her again.

Freya received his love with all that she had, and returned it to him with her own, stroking and kissing and lightly nipping his body everywhere that she could, intoxicated by the taste of him.

Drawing it out this time, Loki kissed her lovingly. He whispered her name, loving her with his whole body and soul.

Freya arched beneath him, moaning his name as she reveled in his love. It was wonderful to be so completely loved by him, and she smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling. "My Loki, you're so sweet to me."

"Freya, my sweet one," Loki whispered, kissing her hotly. He groaned into her mouth, suddenly driving himself hard into her. He needed to hear her screams of pleasure and completion. Nothing else would satisfy him.

"Ai! Loki!" Freya clutched him tightly as his pace changed, sending her closer and closer to climax again, "Always yours..."

"And yours," Loki panted, desperate to drive her over the edge. He cried out her name, spilling into her as his release hit him hard.

Freya screamed his name to the heavens as his climax set hers off, and she arched beneath him, her fingers digging into his shoulders.

"Freya!" Loki cried out her name then fell against her, panting for air. He closed his eyes, nuzzling against her as he tried to regain his breath back.

Freya stroked his hair shakily as she recovered, feeling every soft strand with sensitized fingers and shivering softly. "What will we do now, Loki?" she asked.

"Stay together. At least until they kill me," Loki said with a shrug. He looked up, touching her cheek. He didn't even think Odin's protection would keep them from hurting him after they found out what he'd done to Heimdall. Unless Odin told them the truth…

"They won't kill you. Or if they do, they'll have to kill me too." Freya said sternly, "I won't let you be alone any more Loki, not even in death."

"Oh, I wouldn't be alone in death. At least then I could see Hel," Loki said with an impish grin. He smiled, snuggling close. "Thank you, Freya. I won't let you be alone either."

"Good." Freya sighed happily. "I've been alone in a crowd for a long time now, you know?"

"I know. At least you have Freyr, though. Though...that might not be a good thing," Loki rolled his eyes. Freyr was as scatterbrained as they came and seemed to enjoy speaking in third person, which drove Loki crazy.

Freya giggled. "I have ways of dealing with him," she assured Loki, "And they're even basic enough for him to understand...most of the time."

"Right...sure they are," Loki rolled his eyes heavenward, "whatever you say, Freya."

Freya stuck out her tongue at him. "It doesn't get much more basic than a cake pan to the head. Even Freyr figures it out if I hit him enough times...or at least he passes out, which is just as good in the long run."

Loki snickered, shaking his head. "I need to see that!"

"Oh have no fear. As soon as he finds out that we're together, you will," she sighed. "He still thinks I’m a child to be protected by my big brother. Except for those times he gets nostalgic for Vanaheim and wants...other things."

Loki couldn't help but smirk. Unlike others, he wasn' all all adverse to the concept. After all, he'd grown up with siblings loving each other. "Well, he'll have to keep his mitts off this time."

"Yup!" Freya grinned, "Cause I'm all yours, an' nobody else is supposed to touch me now, right?"

"That's right. Now go to sleep, Freya," Loki said, amused. She was all but incoherent. He kissed her softly, holding her close. "Sleep now."

Freya giggled, then yawned and snuggled closer to him. "You'll be here when I wake up, right? This isn't all just some kind of bizarre dream?"

"Nay, I'll be here when you wake up. I don't have anywhere to go and I like it here," Loki whispered in her ear, kissing her neck. He closed his eyes, feeling safe and content in her arms.

Freya sighed and snuggled into him, purring against his warmth as she slipped into sleep.

Watching her briefly, Loki smiled then followed her into sleep as well. It had been a long day of discovery and love and he was glad of it.

***

About halfway through what remained of the night, Freya stirred in her sleep, whimpering and struggling to try and wake up.

Loki yawned, cracking an eye open. He blinked, tapping Freya on the shoulder. "Freya?"

Freya whimpered in fear and grabbed onto Loki like a lifeline, although she still didn't wake.

"Freya!" Loki said urgently, shaking her, trying to wake her up. She was really starting to scare him now.

Freya's eyes snapped open then, but she wasn't really seeing what was around her. "No! Odin, Don't!!" she screamed, shivering.

"Freya! Wake up!" Loki sat up, pulling her up a bit. He shook her, trying to wake her from her dream. Or was it a dream? Could it be a premonition or fear of what was to come?

Suddenly Freya was awake, and she stared into Loki's eyes, panting hard and shivering. "Loki? Oh thank goodness you're here," she whimpered and buried her face in his chest.

"Of course I am. Where else would I be?" Loki frowned, rubbing her back soothingly. "Are you all right?"

"I...I think so. I was having a horrible nightmare, but I can't remember any of it now except that Odin was laughing at me," she sighed, soothed by his touch.

"Well it's okay now. Don't worry about it," Loki said, frowning thoughtfully. What could it have been of?

"Already better," Freya smiled. "Just being in your arms makes everything better."

"Well that's good to hear." He smiled, kissing her softly.

Freya kissed him back with a sigh of contentment then she smiled at him. "Sorry for waking you up. We've had little enough sleep as it is, and dawn will come far too soon."

"That it will," Loki knew that come dawn, the hunt for him would begin. He sighed, pulling her close. "Go back to sleep, Freya."

"Hold me?" she sighed as she closed her eyes again and snuggled close to him.

"Forever," Loki held her close, snuggling close to her. He couldn't think of anything that could mar this beautiful time with her.

"Mmm..." Freya mumbled, drifting into peaceful sleep in his arms.

Loki watched her to make sure she didn't have any other disturbing dreams. He sighed, shaking his head before joining her in sleep once more.

***

With dawn and the first chirping birds, came Odin as well, pounding at the doors of Freya's hall. "Where's Loki? I know you have him in there! Where is the traitor who stole Heimdall's eye?"

Loki mumbled in his sleep then shivered. He opened his green eyes, sitting up. He got out of bed, going over to one of the windows. His eyes widened at the sight of his blood brother. Odin's words cut him deeply. What was he saying?! Odin had practically ordered him to get it! And now he was accusing him? What was going on here?

Odin adopted a stern look, playing it up for the audience he knew was gathering. Asgard was horrible for gossip, and this was a juicy bit of it if ever there was... "Come on out. Loki, and face your punishment for maiming my son!" he called, pounding on the door again.

Loki looked back at Freya, still sleeping, and then looked out through the window at Odin. His blood brother was insane; he even had Heimdall's eye in his possession! Loki had given it to him the previous night!

Not wanting to cause trouble for Freya, Loki gathered his clothes. Dressing, he gave her a quick kiss before heading down the stairs, his eyes filled with hurt and anger.

Freya rolled over, waking just in time to see Loki close the door behind him, and it took her a second to realize what was going on. She grabbed a robe off the nightstand and ran to the door herself.

Opening the door of Freya's hall, Loki gazed back at his blood brother. "What nonsense are you speaking now, blood brother?"

"You have gone too far this time, Loki," Odin said imperiously, "I am banishing you to Midgard in the form of a child as punishment for this evil deed."

"Evil?! That sure is the pot calling the kettle black!" Loki retorted, his eyes angry. "If you are so concerned, perhaps you should return a certain item I gave you yesterday! Or are you forgetting the true circumstances?"

This was beyond insane! Odin couldn't do this...he couldn't banish Loki!

"I refuse! Why are you doing this, Odin? We are brothers! Is this how you treat a brother?!"

"You have already killed Baldur, is that any way to treat a brother?" Odin retorted then lifted his arms, spreading them wide and saying a rune word. Loki's form was changed to that of a child and a massive cyclone surrounded him, pulling him down to Midgard.

Freya rushed out the door just in time to see the cyclone take Loki away, and she fell to her knees with a gasp, staring wide-eyed at the place where her bonded had just disappeared from her sight.

"And let that be a lesson to you." Odin sneered, turning from the now-empty place in front of Freya's hall.

"Odin...ODINN!!! STOP!!!"

Loki felt himself change, becoming that of a small boy. He reached out to no avail, the only thing in his vision the swirling cloud of nothingness that surrounded him.

"This doesn't end, Odin! I will return! I WILL!!"

Freya stared wide-eyed for a minute, then remembered herself and very quietly went back inside. She was determined to get Loki back, but she wasn't going to Odin... Not yet anyway, not until she had exhausted all the other options available to her.