Chapter 3.5 Coming Together Part 5

Instead, Loki nodded, choosing his next words very carefully. "I look forward to it, then."

Thor kissed his knuckles once again before pulling away, so Loki resumed eating breakfast, their conversation giving him lots to think about. He was only 30, so while he was quite young for a Jotun - they usually lived to about 125 - he understood that he couldn't get what he wanted if he allowed himself to open up to Thor and fall for him. If he fell for Thor, that meant that he could be used and manipulated in the same ways he was planning to use and manipulate Thor, and that just couldn't happen.

He told himself then that he would pretend to fall for Thor as he'd been planning, in order to gain everything that he wanted to achieve in this life. If he wanted to rule the realm with an iron fist, Thor was the way he could do it, and together they would build up this settlement until it stood as strong as a kingdom. Then, they would conquer the other kingdoms one by one, until they ruled them and if he was able to get Thor to fall in love with him, that would make his goals all that much easier to obtain.

Their world was a cruel one and he didn't feel an ounce of guilt for his decision, as he knew this was how it had to be. Love and emotions and vulnerability led to being manipulated and used, and Loki refused to allow someone to have that much power over him.

He solidified these thoughts while getting ready for his and Thor's wedding, and planned out how he needed to establish relationships with those in this town. The more people he got along with, the more influence he would have, and the easier it would be to accomplish what he wanted to do.

Although their wedding was supposed to be small since it was thrown on such short notice, Loki was surprised to see a vast turnout. All of the members of Thor's council of ten showed up with their wives and families, as well as other prominent members of the town.

There seemed to be a mixed reception to him being there, with everyone trying to be happy for Thor, but feeling confused about the situation and feeling some level of apprehension about him. From what he could gather, Thor seemed to be a beloved leader of his people, and although this made Loki feel nervous, he understood that he couldn't be a cruel tyrant as Drotta.

He needed to get the people to love him just as much as they loved Thor so that they would be willing to do anything for him. Of course, his careful planning to take over the realm would take a lifetime to achieve, but he had time. The average lifespan of a Jotun was 125, and Thor's lifespan as an Aesir was about 150, so Loki was certain that with seidr, he could keep himself alive long enough to achieve everything he wanted in this life, with Thor by his side.

"Drotta?"

A small yet strong voice pulled him from his thoughts and Loki turned around, inhaling sharply once he saw who was talking to him. "Norns! You're a niouvi! What are you doing in a settlement like this?"

The niouvi that called out to him smirked, inclining his head politely. "I was born here. My name is Dageid, and I have been sent by the Alliance of Jotnar in this settlement to formally welcome you into our town."

Loki couldn't believe that there was another niouvi here - they were so rare - and gaped, staring at Dageid up and down. "Norns have mercy… I'm not alone."

Dageid had a patient look on his face, understanding completely why Loki was in shock. "The Jotnar alliance of this town would like you to know that you have our support in all that you do as Drotta of our town. We are honored to serve you."

Loki was still stuck on the fact that there was another niouvi in this town and noticed that he was dressed in pants and a shirt that closely resembled the style of an Aesir male. "Why are you dressed like this? Why are you covered up?"

Dageid seemed taken aback by the question and looked down at himself, laughing softly. "My husband is an Aesir too. He wasn't too pleased with how niouvi dressed."

This made Loki frown and he gestured towards himself and his outfit. "What if you wore something like this? Thor and I were able to compromise on this."

The niouvi hummed softly, a wistful look in his eyes. "I suppose I could ask my husband." He smiled then, nodding politely to Loki once again. "I will stop by your home in three days to introduce you to the Jotnar Alliance in this town. Please, enjoy your wedding ceremony, Drotta."

Loki watched Dageid walk away, still amazed that he wasn't alone in this settlement. When he first arrived yesterday, he'd seen a few Jotnar, and knowing that there were more than he assumed here comforted him as he waited around for him and Thor's ceremony to begin. Aesir weddings started exactly at noon, so while waiting for it to begin in a few minutes, Loki decided to observe his surroundings a bit more.

"More people showed up than I originally believed would."

Loki blushed when Thor's strong arms wrapped around his slim waist for a hug, and Loki warily rested his arms on top of the Aesir's, telling himself that PDA would make it appear as if he and Thor were marrying for love as well. If Thor's people saw him being intimate with Thor, that would automatically make them trust him more. "It seems you are well loved and respected by your people."

Thor kissed the center of his scalp, careful to avoid having his eyes poked out by Loki's horns. "And once you establish yourself with them, they will come to love and respect you as well."

Turning in Thor's arms, Loki looked up at him, finding himself marveling at the deep sea blue of his eyes. "Well, I can only hope so." Thor was leaning down to kiss him then, so Loki stretched up, meeting him halfway. It was surprising that Thor was so physically affectionate - especially when they'd only been engaged for two months - but he didn't mind, as this only meant that it would be easier to get what he wanted out of Thor. He could play his part well enough; this was nothing new.

Someone clearing their throat made the pair pull away from each other, and Thor blushed when he saw it was Hogun, his dearest friend. "Hogun! It warms my heart to have you officiate this ceremony."

Hogun smiled softly, his ever-present twinkle in his eyes. "It warms my heart to do this for you, my friend. It's only fair since you officiated my wedding." He reached out to shake Loki's hand then. "It's nice to meet you officially, Drotta. What is your name?"

Loki politely shook Hogun's hand, plastering a smile onto his face. "Loki. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Retracting his hand, Hogun nodded again, looking up at the sun. "It is high noon. I believe it is time to start the ceremony."

Thor and Loki followed Hogun to the center of the town's main square, their movement causing everyone to quiet down and face them.

Thor felt a bit nervous about getting married in front of everyone and took a few seconds to observe Loki, feeling butterflies in his stomach. Loki was more beautiful and serene than anyone he'd ever come across, and he was still amazed that he was marrying him. He sometimes wondered if Loki cast a charming spell on him, as he found himself so enamored by the niouvi that he couldn't help but reach out to touch him or hold him close.

Blushing deeply, Thor reached out to caress Loki's cheek, smiling when he noticed a faint smile on Loki's face. "You're beautiful, Loki."

Loki's heart admittedly skipped a beat and he felt his face heat up, quickly looking away. "Thank you…" Thor told him this with such genuine wonder in his voice, and it unsettled Loki, as he'd never really dealt with someone that didn't have any ulterior motives behind their words. He reached up and held the hand on his face with his own, telling himself that a soft smile wouldn't hurt him.

Hogun cleared his throat gently then, catching their attention. "Let's begin the ceremony."

Taking Loki's hands in his, Thor nodded, a gentle smile on his face. "Please."

"I would like to thank everyone for coming to this ceremony in the name of the Norns, to celebrate this union between our Drott, and his intended." Began Hogun, his gentle voice managing to ring out throughout the crowd. "Thor, my dearest and oldest friend, do you take Loki to be your wife, in the eyes of the Norns?"

Thor nodded, gently squeezing Loki's hands. "I do."

"And do you swear to love him, protect him, honor him, and cherish him, until the day you are separated by death?"

"I do."

Hogun turned to Loki next, asking him the same questions. "And Loki, do you accept Thor as your husband, in the eyes of the Norns? Do you swear to love him, protect him, honor him, and cherish him, until the day you are separated by death?"

Loki nodded, surprised that he felt this nervous. "I do."

"Then under the watchful eyes of the Norns, may your union remain blessed until you are parted by a dying breath. I am proud to announce you both as husband and wife. Please seal your union with a kiss."

Smiling down at Loki, Thor wrapped a strong arm around the niouvi's waist, and pulled him closer, slanting his lips against his for a tasteful, appropriate kiss.

Loki pulled Thor closer as well and returned the Aesir's kiss, separating after a few seconds and leaning in to whisper into his ear. "We'll continue later on tonight."

Thor's hands went to cup Loki's rear and he squeezed him here, grinning when Loki jumped slightly from surprise. "I'll hold you to it, then."

His people cheered for him then and Thor relaxed, relieved that he was finally married. He hoped that this would make Loki begin to trust him a bit more, and he could only pray that his people would grow to love and cherish Loki like they loved and cherished him. He understood that his settlement needed to grow larger so that they could defend themselves against the kingdoms in this realm, and he could only do that with Loki's help.