Power of the Throne (Closed for Watching Cloud)

[WatchingCloud]

Loki followed Ivy's gaze to the marks she'd made on his skin. Superficial, certainly, but it told him plenty about his partner.

"A lady who's not afraid to deploy every weapon available to her," he said. "I can respect that."

He ran his hand up between their bodies, propping himself up just enough to cup a breast and assess the "damage." There were a few lines across her luscious flesh, but he hadn't drawn blood.

"I'm sure we can find more cream," he said. "Especially as we'll need to go back into the city tomorrow. I need to touch base and Odin will no doubt want to check in with you. Soldiers should be cleaning up the rest of the rabble out by the remnants of the gate, so I don't think we'll have any immediate worries now.

"I could even show you the healing springs. If you think that cream works well, then you're in for a very pleasant surprise."

Loki kissed Ivy across her collarbone.

"While we have things to do, I do still owe you a more proper tour of Asgard. I'll have to be discreet, of course, but we should have more freedom to move when and where we like. Is there anything you'd like to see or do?"

 

[scarlettnuit]

“Too bad that cream won’t work on the mattress…not that I’m complaining,” She told him as she lazily traced her fingers up and down his back.

As he spoke about giving her a tour of Asgard her eyebrows knitted a bit as some facts came drifting back into her head. She moved her gaze up from the strong hand that was delightfully playing with her breast, to reflect in Loki’s blue.

“So…what kind of terms are you on with your brother?” She began and then traced his nipple with her finger tip, “As you may or may not have guessed, there is a certain…what did he call himself…playboy-rockstar-philanthropist that has been funding my research,” she paused to roll her eyes, “I’m not sure if they’ve noticed my absence from earth, but if they have, I thought it would be wise if we were prepared for any sudden appearances,” she confessed.

“That being said,” she paused and moved her hips, sighing softly at the feeling of him still within her, “Given that I am a sweaty puddle of goo, perhaps, oh God of my idolatry, you would be so kind as to help me into that delightful pool of sin. You know, the one in which we get dirty more times than clean?” she teased.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Loki's eyes darkened at the mention of his brother, despite his efforts not to respond. His body tensed slightly, as well, until Ivy's hand began working their magic over his skin.

He couldn't help but roll his eyes at her goofy request that they proceed back to the bathtub. Loki withdrew his still turgid cock and slowly began to rise, helping Ivy up along the way.

"Well, speaking of sweaty puddles of goo," he said with a laugh. "There's never a servant with fresh sheets in hand when you need one."

Loki retrieved a bottle of wine, a slightly weaker vintage so they might rehydrate somewhat, and led the way to the bathroom. At a word, a dozen previously inconspicuous candles lit themselves around the room and the tub filled with warm water and bubbles. They settled in, side by side, facing the massive windows looking out over the forest, sea, and spectacular night sky.

"You asked about my relationship with my brother," Loki said. "As usual, it's complicated. For a variety of reasons, he believes me dead, like most of Asgard aside from Odin and a few select others. It's for his own safety, really, since so many others would like to use him to, well, get to me. All misunderstandings, of course, but you know how people can be."

He drained his first glass of wine and refilled.

"That you mention your benefactor in almost the same breath, would I be mistaken to assume you're referring to one Tony Stark?"

There were a few human who Loki took a particular disliking to. Stark was certainly up there, though probably because he saw so much of himself in the man. If he was Ivy's benefactor, then there was a chance of him or Thor becoming a problem.

"And do we need to go back to Earth so you can check in?"

 

[scarlettnuit]

When Once they were in the tub again, Ivy couldn’t help but relax. Her body was sore from their rather violent sexual escapades and the hot water soothed everything. She saw Loki tense up as he spoke about his brother and she moved him so that his back was to her. She gently moved his head back as he spoke and dampened his hair before working shampoo into it, massaging his scalp, neck, and shoulders before she rinsed out the suds.

When he brought up Tony it was her turn to tense up. It wasn’t that she entirely disliked the man, but his ego often set her on edge, especially given how pushy he had been about wanting to see the details of her work, details she refused to give him.

“Yes, he is” she said eventually, “I think he is a bit…put off that I managed to come up with something he hadn’t been able to fathom,” she replied, though there was a clear air of disdain in her voice. She lathered up her hands and started to massage his shoulders and back.

“I suppose it would be a good idea for me to go back. Check emails, make sure Tony bloody Stark hasn’t got his nose in my business as he so often tries to do…” she replied and then rinsed off his back.

She wrapped her arms around his torso and rested her cheek on his back, “Not that I particularly want to go back to reality,” she sighed, “But I suppose I must. I don’t want them…interfering here," she said, pushing away the thought of what might happen to Loki if the Avengers decided to come looking for her.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Loki wasn't happy to get confirmation that Ivy's research was at least in part supported by one of the so called Avengers. Stark was smart, for a human, and probably nosey. At least Ivy seemed to distrust Stark nearly as much as he did... Or she was fooling him brilliantly and taking him there to entrap him. No, he didn't want to believe that, but it was the sort of move he'd make. He'd have to be careful.

"How long will it take, do you think? Checking in and establishing a cover story?"

He savored the feel of Ivy's hands as they worked him over, cleaning him with intimate familiarity. It wasn't as if he hadn't enjoyed such things, but seldom was it with someone he considered...well, not an equal, but worthy.

After letting her hold him for a bit, Loki insisted on trading places to wash her. He began at the top, knowing well how soothing a scalp massage felt, especially enhanced with the fragrant soaps they had on hand.

 

[scarlettnuit]

She happily switched places with him, enjoying his fingers moving over her scalp and skin.

“Honestly, it depends on what I find when I get there,” she said and then pulled away from him to look him in dead in the eye, “and while I know you aren’t the best an honesty, I am,” She told him, point blank, in her own way hoping he would realize that he could trust her, before she turned back around. She knew it was a pipe dream, as was the whole situation, but she refused to live on anyone’s terms but her own.

“You’re welcome to come of course, though I imagine if Mr. Stark or one of his minions are poking around my lab, it could cause some…friction. Especially if what you say about your death is true,” she sighed, thinking about the fact that he faked his own death.

“Anyway, hopefully it will be a quick in and out, but one never knows.”

 

[WatchingCloud]

Loki wasn't fond of going back to Earth, and he was pretty certain the feeling from humanity was mutual. Still, he was interested in seeing Ivy's lab and he was very keen to know where her device was at all times.

"I'll come along," he said. "And keep a low profile, of course."

He rinsed Ivy's hair, then proceeded to wash the rest of her. He took his time, both in the interests of being thorough and getting to know her body better. When finished, he reclined back while letting Ivy settle in his arms and lap, head on his shoulder. His hands absently explored her arms and hands, tummy and breasts. He could feel her succumbing to exhaustion. Much as he'd happily have kept her up all night, he knew she'd need rest if tomorrow was going to be a busy day.

Finally, just as she nodded off, Loki led Ivy out of the tub and toweled her dry. He stripped to top sheet from the abused mattress and laid her down.

"Can't forget this," he said, producing the jar of healing cream. He worked a generous amount of cream into all of her injuries from the fading bruises caused by the giants to his scratches to her more intimate abrasions. She sighed and gave in to his massage until sleep took her.

"Sleep well, my lovely," he said, kissing her on the cheek.

He made a few quick communications in the guise of Odin to be sure the frost giant matter was closed, then crawled into bed beside his new lover.

"Shut up, Thor," he grumbled as he tried to find sleep.

 

[scarlettnuit]

When Ivy woke up the next morning, she found herself snuggled up next to Loki. As much as she wanted to go back to sleep and never leave the comfort of their little love nest, she knew that she had to get back to Earth to check in with her lab. She inwardly sighed before finally rolling out of bed and walking to the armoire. She slipped on a gold satin-like robe, picked up her device, and took it into the study so she could reprogram it.

She placed the cube in the Asgardian interface and went through it’s travel history until she found her lab. She calibrated the device and then shut off the computer, setting the cube on the desk. She wasn’t looking forward to going back, the amount of questioning she would receive and the amount of emails that would be piled up would be atrocious. Her only hope was that no one had come to check on her. Given that the lab was attached to her home, it could go either way.

She padded quietly into the bedroom, doing her best not to wake Loki. The Asgardians didn’t seem to be huge fan of pants or anything that looked remotely Earth-like and so she settled for a royal blue dress that wouldn’t cause too much attention, or at least, that was her hope. She slipped on the dress and a pair of sandals that matched the gold embroidery. She thought perhaps being dressed would help keep them on track.

She sat on the bed next to his sleeping form, running her fingers up his bare back before she moved her hand to stroke his hair. After a few moments of tenderness she pulled the covers back and slapped his ass unceremoniously.

“Wake up dark prince, we need to visit Earth.”

 

[WatchingCloud]

Loki groaned and rolled over, blinking against the morning sunlight streaming in through the windows. Finding Ivy standing over him made up for it a bit. She looked well rested and, while he'd have preferred to find her in less, fetchingly attired.

"Earth." The word was partly a groan. He'd slept well despite discomforting dreams about Ivy's home planet. Thor was supposed to be on a quest across the realms, searching for something, but he wouldn't put it past his brother to have simply used it as an excuse to slip off to earth for a long term booty call. Not that he was any longer in a position to judge where it came to human women.

There was also the small matter of Odin. Loki had crafted some of the finest, most intricate spells ever on Odin before stashing him safely away on Earth. The old god wouldn't know who he was or where he was from, hopefully for decades, but Loki's presence might affect those spells.

"Is this the kind of wake up I can regularly expect from my witch?" He said the words with wry humor, taking him time in getting up by stretching languidly.

Finally, he rose, and gave Ivy a kiss and playful swat on her rear.

"Give me a few to get ready," he said, heading for the bathroom.

Loki cleaned up and dressed, his mind busy with things that needed his attention. He wasn't sure how long they'd be on Earth, so he'd need to send orders to his underlings at the palace before leaving. With a peek to be sure Ivy was downstairs, Loki stepped out onto the porch off the bedroom and transformed into Odin, then snatched up and activated the image transmitter.

"Highness," Regar, the head of the palace guard, said, snapping to attention through the hologram.

"Were the frost giants cleaned up?"

"We believe so, my lord. Just as you ordered, none taken alive. We have scouts in the area, searching for any stragglers."

"Good. I may be away for another day or two, possibly out of reach. Cancel any meetings I have scheduled. Understood?"

Regar clearly wasn't happy about the arrangement, but nodded. Loki killed the connection and stashed away the communicator. He then shifted to his Lucius disguise, only a little different from his usual appearance, complete with human appropriate suit.

"Sorry about the look, dear," Loki said as he went downstairs to find Ivy. "But, well, you know me and Earth."

 

[scarlettnuit]

Ivy was enjoying the warm sunshine, or whatever starshine it was, when Loki came outside to meet her. She looked him over and nodded as he explained his disguise.

“I understand. Pity, you look so much better as you are,” she replied and then reached into the cross-body bag that held her all her research and materials, “Are you ready?” she asked as she pulled out the recalibrated cube.

Ivy then moved towards Loki, wrapping her arms around his torso and leaning her head on his chest as she hit the button in the cube. She squeezed her eyes closed as they swished through time and space, eventually landing in her lab. A few papers swirled around them and she opened here eyes once more.

She hadn’t realized how much she had missed home until she got there. The familiar sights and smells set her nerves at ease. She looked around the lab and noted that it looked as if nothing had been touched, other than a few papers that had been disrupted upon their landing. However, she did hear a faint banging sound.

She released Loki, pocketing the device and went to monitor that sat on the desk in the far corner. Her security cameras showed someone was at the door, but before she could say anything over the loud speaker, the figured worked their way into her house.

“God dammit,” She said with aggravation and then made her way to the lab door. She looked back at Loki a moment before stepping outside the lab.

“Well if it isn’t my favorite female scientist, hey Ivy,” Tony said, meeting her halfway through her house, “nice dress, a bit of an upgrade from the yoga pants and cat t-shirt, but I like it,” he smiled at her charmingly.

“What do you want Mr. Stark?” Ivy said with sigh.

“Oh nothing…just wondering where you’ve been for the past month…and how many times did I tell you, you can call me Tony.”

“Month?”

“Yeah…” he began as he picked up a random book from her coffee table and started flipping through it, “For someone as OCD as you, I found it odd when you didn’t respond to my emails…I mean, even when you’re pissed at me you usually get back to me in a day or so…SO, where have you been?”

Ivy was at a loss for words. She supposed where she was, time might have worked differently. Of course, now she had Loki hiding in her lab and she was wearing an Asgardian dress, not that Tony seemed to know that, for which she was grateful…or was she?

“You know what Mr…eh…Tony, can you give me a second, I was in the middle of something in my lab. Have a seat, I’ll make some coffee,”

“Please don’t, I’ve had your coffee before, I’m still recovering.”

“Oh right. Fair enough, I’ll be right back.”

With that she went back into the lab and was glad she went through all the trouble of installing biometric security. When the door opened she closed it firmly behind her and then leaned against it. She then looked up at Loki, doing her best to hold back her tears.

“So…Loki…or should I say Odin…or Lucius,” She began, not moving from the door, “now that I’ve got you here, you have exactly thirty seconds to explain why you’ve lied to me and why I shouldn’t open this door and let Tony Stark have his way with you.”

 

[WatchingCloud]

Loki surveyed Ivy's lab with interest. Messy, but with many of the signs of a brilliant mind at work. He wished he could grasp her work at a more fundamental level. The knock at the door alarmed him, doubly so when he recognized the voice of Tony Stark out in the other room. It was too convenient that his earthly nemesis would be waiting here. Were there others, too? What would be the quickest way out?

As he listened in on their conversation, Loki plotted his best escape route.

A month? Ivy had only been in Asgard a few days and sounded alarmed to find it had been otherwise. Did her device also travel through time? Was there some dilation they didn't realize when traveling? At least she didn't sound pleased with Stark being here. She definitely didn't look happy when she returned to the lab.

“So…Loki…or should I say Odin…or Lucius,” She began, not moving from the door, “now that I’ve got you here, you have exactly thirty seconds to explain why you’ve lied to me and why I shouldn’t open this door and let Tony Stark have his way with you.”

Loki looked hurt and offended. And Odin? Had he slipped up somewhere?

Keeping his voice low, he said, "Me? Lied? I'm hurt."

He spread his arms wide, disarming.

"No, I haven't told you everything, partner, because we only just cemented our relationship and you were in a hurry this morning. But I've been nothing but forthright when it comes to the risk to Asgard and my role in trying to hold it together. If anything, I've undersold the problem, since Odin is also...well, missing. You, truly, might be the salvation of Asgard."

Loki glanced at the door behind Ivy. "Now, can you get rid of Stark or do I need to take care of him? I'm assuming he's not presently wearing that tin can."

 

[scarlettnuit]

“I saw you on the balcony you oaf,” She growled at him between clenched teeth and then shoved him away.

“You really think I’m stupid don’t you?” she asked as she pushed past him and walked to her laptop .She typed in a few things locking it securely and then looked back at him. She pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed.

“I don’t know what I expected. I knew there was some kind of dichotomy to you, but I suppose being an asshole is first and foremost on your list of things to do,” She told him and then stared at him for a minute, not sure what she wanted to do with him.

“Should I get your brother on the phone? Do you have some things you’d like to discuss?” she asked as she walked towards the lab door, intent on leaving Loki stuck in her lab to stew in his own juices.

 

[WatchingCloud]

“You really think I’m stupid don’t you?”

Loki raised his eyebrows. "Not at all. Quite the contrary, actually."

Ivy continued to berate him and Loki considered just how risky a position he was really in with her. He'd thought she was allied with him, and yet here she'd flipped in a moment simply because he hadn't told her everything. No one ever seemed to appreciate the nuance of his behavior.

"Just because I haven't told you everything doesn't mean I'm trying to trick you," he said. "Not in the way you seem to think."

Loki studied Ivy as she seemed to try to resolve what to do. Her hand was reaching for the door back to the living quarters. What would she tell Stark? Loki wouldn't mind killing the pesky human, but that would certainly sour what had been a promising partnership with Ivy.

When Ivy's hand brushed the handle and triggered the security to relax, Loki stepped forward. He brushed by her, smiling, even as his appearance shifted in a cascade of light. Where "Lucius" had stood a moment earlier, now a woman with a sophisticated air about her stood. He'd gone for a thirty-something woman with long legs and slim figure, both revealed to good effect by the form-fitting red dress that straddled the line between elegant and club-wear. Long brunette locks were piled atop "her" head.

Loki swept past the stunned Ivy, opening the door and waltzing into the living room with a hip sway that would make a supermodel jealous.

"Oh my god!" Loki said, employing an Eastern European accent. He gaped at Tony Stark. "It really is Iron Man. Tony, may I call you Tony?"

Stark, predictably, did a double take and his eyes roved up and down Loki's assumed body. "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've met."

"Penelope," Loki said, offering his hand to be kissed, which Stark managed to do with a smooth recovery. "You can call my Penny, though. And here I though Ivy was all full of shit, telling me she was working for you and needed to touch base on this project or whatever it is she does."

Loki wrapped an arm around Stark, not without thinking how easy it would be to snap the fragile human's spine without that blasted armor on. He looked back at Ivy and winked.

"I guess I owe Ivy an apology," he said. "But so do you, Mr. Stark. I mean, seriously, working her to the point of breakdown? My goodness, when I found her at the club, she was so stressed I think she was about to snap. My heart went out to her. I did what I could, but licking a girl to a screaming orgasm can only do so much. Am I right?"

Loki nudged Start conspiratorially. The playboy managed to take it in stride. "Always a good first choice, yes."

"I knew she needed the full Penny treatment," Loki pressed on. "So I whisked her away to my chateau in the Alps, took away her phone, and wouldn't let her out until she finally loosened up and backed away from the edge. It wasn't easy and there might have been some...tying up...involved."

Loki gave Ivy a genuine, smoldering look.

"But eventually she came around. I swear, she insisted the whole time she prefers cock. If I'd believed her about you, well, maybe I'd have bought that."

Stark chuckled. "Yes, well, Dr. Wild and I have maintained a strictly professional association."

Loki shrugged. "Your loss. Actually, Ivy's loss, too, based on what I've heard about you, Tony." He squeezed Stark's ass, eliciting a surprised but amused response from the human.

Loki leaned in closer to Stark, pressing his amply displayed cleavage into the man's arm. He spoke softly, almost a whisper, but loud enough for Ivy to hear from the doorway. "I'm really sorry I kept your associate away so long. Is there any way I can make it up to you? Maybe Ivy and I could both...make it up to you."

 

[scarlettnuit]

Ivy watched as Loki transformed himself and moved into the room with Tony. She followed, watching the display as she crossed her arms over her chest, a sour look on her face. However, when he recounted some of the truer facts of their time together, she turned red from head to toe.

If she hadn’t been so pissed off at the God and man dualy that were standing in front of her, she might have laughed when Loki cum Penelope grabbed Tony’s ass, but as it was, she was not amused in the least.

“Well,” she said finally, “You’ve both had a good time of talking about me like I was some piece of filete mignon in the butcher’s window,” She said as she moved to escort Tony out.

“As you can see I’m perfectly fine, I’ll respond to all the emails in due course,” She told Tony as she opened the front door, “and I’ll make sure to up my security before you return, if I ever let you of course.”

“I was worried about you Dr. Wilde, I…”

She cut him off by shutting the door in his face and locking the deadbolt. She then marched back into the room where Loki stood in his disguise and grabbed his hand. She reached in her pocket and pulled out the working cube and slapped it into his hand.

“All I wanted was an explanation. I would have given you anything,” she told him. Though she was angry it was clear by her voice that she was more hurt than she was upset.

“Now, you have what you came for. Click the button, it will take you back. I’m sure your scientists can figure it out,” she told him as she went back to her lab, doing her best to make it before any tears fell.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Loki / Penelope took the device with a look of disappointment, then followed Ivy into the lab before she could lock him / her out. Loki set the device on a work bench, then took Ivy by the shoulder and gently but firmly turned her to face him.

"I came for you, Ivy," he said. "I could have taken that trinket, valuable as it may be, whenever I wanted. But you're worth far more to me. Just because I haven't told you everything going on doesn't mean I'm trying to hide things or deceive you. You have to understand, though, I'm the god of mischief. Not the god of straightforwardness or boredom or sensibility. I'm not evil and I'm not...entirely...self-centered. I do care about things, and people. I do want to protect Asgard. And I do crave to be understood, by someone capable of doing so."

He looked up into her bleary eyes, vaguely aware that in this guise he did have to look up a little instead of down.

"The entire palace has been clueless that I'm having to fill in for Odin while he's in absence. Mourning or whatever the hell he's doing. But not you. That's why I need you. Why I want you by my side. I need that woman, that partner, brilliant enough to get it. Get me. Get the big picture."

 

[scarlettnuit]

“I realize all that, but you didn’t trust me,” She told him softly. “I told you that you could trust me and the first moment that you had to do so, you immediately decided that I was not worthy of your trust,” she told him looking down.

“Oh for fucks sake can you be you? It’s difficult being angry at a woman I’ve never clapped eyes on,” She sighed heavily.

“Although I am pissed that you didn’t tell me about being Odin. On that matter I feel like an idiot. There I am reporting you…to YOU…” she plopped down on a stool by her computer and covered her face with both hands, “on that count, I am thoroughly embarrassed. Was there anyone else you were impersonating while I was there?”

 

[WatchingCloud]

Loki slipped back into his Lucius disguise, just in case. He wouldn't put it past Stark to have tapped Ivy's security. Though, by now, their conversation alone would be plenty incriminating.

"Plausibly deniability? What you don't know can't be extracted from you."

He shrugged and tried to look contrite. It felt awkward.

"Besides, I had to do the Odin thing to start. I'm playing it for Asgard, I didn't know you or your intentions, and you'd have never trusted me as, well, me. My reputation does proceed me. I needed to repair some misconceptions."

Loki didn't like sharing all his secrets, but he suspected this time Ivy would see through a lie...even from a pro like him.

"As for other impersonations? In front of you? Just one other, I think. Anja. Sweet girl in reality, to be fair. I think I portrayed her in a fair light.

"To your credit, you've treated everyone equally. Except, perhaps, the real me. And, well, even I'd let that slide."

 

[scarlettnuit]

“Anja…” she rolled the name around in her mouth and half smiled, “Well that explains a lot…desperate to get into my knickers weren’t you?” she half teased him as she entered the various access codes to her laptop and plugged in a thumb drive. She then typed several other things in and let the program scroll through while she turned back to look at him.

“I told you that you could trust me. I even told you when I was naked. While I presume you thought I was going to rat you out to Tony Stark, I had other plans,” she said and then motioned for him to join her at the laptop.

“Tony is many things, but he likes to play a few things close to the chest…including this thumb drive that I slipped off of him when I kicked him out. Perhaps one day I’ll tell you about my nefarious teenage years that made me such a delightful pick pocket but in the meantime…” she paused and started typing away furiously.

“In the meantime, you should be able to track your brother…and the other Avengers. Hacking into Tony’s security is almost impossible without that damned thumb drive he keeps practically up his ass…” she told him as she started scrolling through information.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Loki beamed at Ivy's admission.

"Why, Dr Wild, I keep underestimating you. I'd almost like to know how you knew this was on him. But I'm more interested in what we'll find."

He watched over her shoulders as she worked, rubbing them affectionately. He then leaned down to whisper in her ear.

"And of course I wanted in your...knickers. I wouldn't trust a man who met you and claimed otherwise. I'm just not the type to let a woman like you slip past."

 

[scarlettnuit]

“If you want me around, don’t feed me compliments that you don’t mean, you’re better than that,” She said, though his hands on her shoulders did relax her.

“This will at least keep you safe while you’re here. As for the thumb drive…he keeps wanting to use it to ‘save’ files here that might be important. Like I don’t know it’s a direct uplink to that monstrosity he built in New York. If he comes back I’ll slip it back in his pocket…if not. Oh well. I’ve burned it out so none of this can be traced.”

She got up and moved away from his delicious hands to go gather up some of her device protypes, as well as the materials she needed for further experimentation.

“So what’s the plan?”


THE END