Mythology Nerd

thelokiimaginechronicles:

Anonymous requested: Could I request a Loki x reader where the reader is secretly a Mythology nerd and so they don’t talk to Loki very much (either because they’re a fan or intimidated or something else) even though they talk to Thor (bonus points if thor knows about their love of mythology) but then one day Loki catches them reading a norse Mythology book super late at night? Anyhow, I love you! Your work is amazing and I hope you’re having an amazing day!

A/N: Thank you sm I love you too!!! I loved doing this request! I actually studied Norse Mythology for a year (that’s why I love Loki so much) so… !!!!

~

It was bad enough Thor knew.

The book of Norse Gods had been given to you by a history teacher a long time ago after they saw you tearing through Greek myths. It was old, bound by  leather, and had been one of the few personal items you had brought with you to Avengers Tower. 

Which had been before Thor moved in. 

He had found you reading the book in the kitchen one day and smiled. He jokingly asked if you wanted his autograph.

“That,” you said, “Is exactly why I didn’t want you to know. You knowing I like these myths is like me being a creepy fan for a teen show… It’s weird.”

Thor shrugged. “Honestly, Y/N, it’s comforting. You Midgardians seem to have forgotten the truth ever since my brother and I arrived. My people are more than my own family squabble.” You smile at this. “Speaking of my brother…” Thor continues, wriggling his eyebrows. “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear of your disposition of us. I’ll just-” 

“No!” you lept forward, grabbing Thor’s hands. “Please, don’t tell Loki.” you beg. Thor looks confused.

“Why not?” he asked. You stutter, knowing no matter how hard he tried, Thor would tell Loki of your feelings for him if he knew.

“I… Can you imagine what this would do to his self-image?” you say. “It would be higher than it already is… We don’t want that.” Thor nods, and you breathe a sigh of relief.

“You’re right.” he says. “My lips are sealed.” you nod, and pots and pans crash behind Thor in the sink. When he goes to see what happened, you scurry out of the room, berating yourself for being stupid the whole way. 

~

“Have you been reading anything good lately Y/N?” Loki asks you the next night over dinner. You nearly choke on your food, coughing so much Thor slaps his hand on your back. Loki looks unamused.

“Um,” you say after downing a glass of water. “Nope… Just training as much as I can.” you nod, praying Loki will turn his gaze elsewhere.

You quickly excuse yourself. As you walk out of the dining hall, Thor is (not so) subtly mouthing ‘good save’ to you. Through gritted teeth, you smile and give him a thumbs-up. 

~

When you’re certain everyone, especially Loki Laufeyson, have gone to their rooms, you go to the couch with your book in hand. The couch has the softest blanket ever, as well as an amazing view of New York.

You’ve been sitting for around fifteen minutes, the floorboards creak, and you look up suddenly. 

Shit. you think. Loki stands in front of you, wearing no expression.

“Mind if I sit?” he asks, gesturing to the seat next to you. You pull your knees to your chest, wordlessly saying yes. Loki sits and stays silent for a few minutes, breaking it with “Is there a reason you avoid me?” 

You scoff, shutting the book on your lap.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” you tell him, knowing exactly what he was talking about. Loki turns so his whole body faces you, and you notice how relaxed his arms look in just a simple tee shirt.

“Is that so? Y/N, you talk to me less than you talk to Hawkeye. And he’s retired.”

“That’s not true.”

“Really? Tell me, what’s the difference between me and my brother? I at first thought you were intimidated by a god, by you aren’t scared of Thor at all. What’s different about me?”

“Um, maybe your criminal record?” you retort. Loki chuckles. 

“Fair enough.”

There’s quiet once more, before Loki points at (godamnit, godamnit) at the book in your lap.

“What are you reading?” you quickly drop the book on the ground.

“Oh, just an old classic. Nothing important.” you say. 

“Hm.” Loki tuts. “Because I could have sworn it was-” he snaps, the book appearing in his hands. “My history, yes.” he opens the book to the drawing of Yggdrasil, flashing it at you. You groan, upset you’ve been caught.

“I’m sorry I kept it from you, it’s just that-”

“There’s no need to be sorry Y/N.” Loki interrupts you with what sounds like feigned innocence. “I understand. It would do horrors to my self-image. “ he smirks at you. “You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

“How…?” you ask, trying to figure out how Loki could have heard you say that. “The pans! Were you in the room with us?!” Loki shrugs once more.

“You should know from these, I am a shape-shifter.” he says.

“I’m sorry.” you admit. “I… Shouldn’t have said that. It wasn’t nice.” Loki smiles.

“Well, Y/N, I’ll accept your apology on one condition: You tell me why you didn’t want me knowing about your penchant for the tales of my people.” You freeze. All the time Loki had been in the the Tower, you’d manage to keep your feelings for him hidden. You weren’t going to throw all the stolen glances and secret swooning away for some banter happening at 12:03 a.m. 

“No.” you say. Loki’s expression hardens for just a moment before returning to normal.

“Very well.” he says. “Hm, what myth are you reading now? I hope you don’t mind if I…” Loki begins to open the book to the page you have marked.

“No, Loki, wait!” you jump closer to Loki than you’ve ever been, but it’s to late: Loki’s eyes narrow, and his knuckles have turned white as he grasps the old leather.

“Ah.” he says. “My torture.”

You look to the page, the image of Loki chained to a rock as a snake dripped venom into his eyes. 

“That was one of Odin’s worst punishments, I’ll admit.” he says. Loki begins to get up. “I think I’ll leave now-”

“It’s my least favorite myth.” you say. Loki looks at you, your faces so close your noses almost touch. You shake your head.

“Why?” he asks.

“I’ve always hated the idea of you being in so much pain.” you whisper. Loki’s face begins to relax, but soon looks distressed. “Odin intended to leave you there forever.” you rest your hand on Loki’s knee. He does nothing.

“I always dread that part of the book.” you continue. “And for what? You’ve been so mistreated Loki, and I’m so sorry.” you’re combing through Loki’s hair now, moving your thumb up and down his leg. “I’m sorry.” you repeat. “They won’t even accept they’ve wronged you… It’s always made me upset.” Loki looks into your eyes, and you bring your other hand up so you’re holding his face. Slowly, you lean forward and press a kiss on each of the god’s eyelids, where the venom had dripped so long ago.

Loki breathes out, grabbing your wrist.

“I want to kiss you.” he tells you. “I have since I arrived…” he pauses. “Odin’s punishment was horrible, but I’d take it any day over denying myself of you.”

“You don’t have to.” you tell Loki.

Loki closes the little space that had been between you, pulling you onto his lap. He smiles, which makes you do the same into your kiss. 

“What was it you didn’t want to be?” he asks. “A creepy fan, was it?” you rolls your eyes and swat at Loki’s chest.

“Shut up.” you say.

“Make me.”

You do.