Chapter Text
The heat in the slaving markets was as usual nearly unbearable. Loki found his cloak oppressive in the heat but knew that it would be improper for him to be without it. He shot an envious look to his brother who was walking along seemingly basking in the heat. It was not the first time their differences had irritated him and he was certain that it wasn’t going to be the last.
His brother was everything that a king should be. Strong, courageous, and kind were some of his non-physical qualities. It did not hurt that he looked every inch a king with his tall broad figure shaped with hard earned muscles and a crown of golden hair and the beginnings of a beard he couldn’t be bothered to trim. He was a king and it showed.
Loki on the other hand was adopted and his heritage never let him forget it. His talent for magic made him useful in court at the very least. It had never bothered him he would not be the one to rule because he was useful in ways different from Thor. He had a mind for strategy and a tongue gilded for court life. He was also tall but slender and his dark hair contrasted with his pale skin. If he wished his other form of blue skin and blazing red eyes could be revealed, he mostly used it for intimidation. Which often worked rather well. He was content to co-rule the kingdom. His focus being the less showy but largely delicate finesses of court life that Thor lacked the gift for.
The people of Asgard waved to them both as they walked along the market stalls. Their father often reminded them to make a showing here, despite knowing how Thor and Loki both felt about slaving. It was not something either of them relished but it helped them get to know the people of their kingdom and since their wealth came largely from conquering other kingdoms it was good to see the trades that kept their people fed and happy.
An outburst from a nearby stall caught Loki’s attention. It seemed that a slaver was having a hard time controlling his new merchandise. Though why he was confounded Loki. The slave in question was small and weak looking. His fragile body trembled from the strain and heat as he held his hands defensively in front of him. He had pale gold hair that was a favored trait amongst indoor slaves which was fortunate given the strength of his body. What was astounding was that he was protecting another slave, one with more bulk and dark hair from the slaver. He was saying words in his mother tongue but it was obvious the slaver didn’t know or care why the slave was stopping him. He brought out the whip and began to beat the boy until he could no longer stand.
Loki parted his lips to speak but Thor was already striding forward. Cursing his brother’s impatience he hurried to keep up with him. Thor’s feelings about slaves were well known. They were prizes of war no doubt but they were still people. He expected all his people to treat their slaves as such.
“Hold Slavemaster! I demand to know why you are soundly beating this boy.”
The booming voice of the Prince had the slavemaster halting at once. He seemed to deflate at the Prince’s dark blue stare but held his ground. “He’s part of the shipment from the New World we have discovered. They are an incredibly stubborn lot, hard to break in for proper service. This one usually keeps his head bowed but his friend’s got a mean temper. I’m trying to punish him but this one won’t get out of the way.”
While Thor was dealing with the trader Loki wound his way past and helped the boy up to his feet. From a distance he was beautiful but up-close he was stunning. Soft pale blue eyes and the pale blonde hair gave him a delicate innocence that seemed to radiate from his thin body. His eyes were wide with fear as he regarded Loki and he seemed to recognize him immediately as the co-ruler for he fell back to his knees at once and lowered his head.
Sighing at the fact he would now be forced to dirty his robes Loki knelt next to the slave and gently placed his hands on the trembling shoulders. He was not yet as learned in the language of the New World as he was in others but he knew enough to find out what he wanted to know. “Are you alright?”
The slave looked up at him in surprise and slowly nodded his head “Y-yes Sir…I was only protecting my friend. When he gets mad he…he isn’t himself. He doesn’t mean to hurt people. He’s a berserker but please have mercy on him. He’s very kind.”
The earnest expression in his face stirred something in Loki that was often content to let slumber. He abruptly stood and pulled Thor away from his confrontation with the owner. He gave a charming smile as he told the owner they needed a moment to discuss something. Sensing that a deal was going to be made the trader was more than content to stand off to the side.
“What is it brother? Have you spoken to the slave?” Thor gave a concerned glance to the boy whose friend was now helping him bandage his injuries. He could tell even from this distance that the dark haired one was scolding his friend.
Loki shook his head “Look at him Thor. Even your taste cannot deny that he is in line with our…preferences.” They had a tendency to share their bedroom pets. Both of them were gifted with superior strength; even Loki with his lithe build had slender muscles of steel cording him. They liked delicate things in contrast…and they liked to break them.
It was as if Thor was seeing the slave for the first time. His hair, his eyes, that slender body red with whip marks. His blue eyes darkened with lust as Loki’s arm tightened on his wrist. “I do see what you mean brother…”
Loki gave a small purr of agreement “Of course I sense we will have to take his berserker friend as well. We wouldn’t want to distress him.”
Giving a careless shrug that had his cloak billowing behind him Thor chuckled “Lord Stark is always looking for new projects. The fact that he is a challenge will only entice him more…”
Having reached an agreement Loki pulled away and approached the slave trader “We’ll take them both. Please have care with your future charges. We would hate to have to withdraw your license.”
He had a charming smile as he slid the small pouch of gold in to the man’s sweaty hand. Paying the man no further attention Loki took hold of the leads for the slaves. The thin metal cords were connected to cuffs on their wrists. “You two are coming with us.”
Steven wasn’t sure if this was a blessing or a curse in disguise. It was well known around the slave pens that the royal brothers took very good care of their slaves. It was also well known what they did to them. Steve shuddered at the thought but Bruce put a gentle hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. He could tell that his friend was both irritated and grateful he had stepped in to take his punishment. The slave trader had threatened to kill him if he acted out again. He didn’t’ seem to understand that Bruce didn’t mean too…he just couldn’t control it.
He supposed that it didn’t matter now. They were being taken to the Palace and their fate awaited them there. He shivered as he caught Prince Loki’s gaze lingering on him. He was concerned over the fact that there was no feeling of revulsion as he was expecting. Instead there was just a hesitant hopefulness. He felt his face heating with shame as he looked down and minded his place.
He felt a movement on his arm and watched as the chains holding him turned to gold. He looked up in shock at Loki who merely smirked at him before turning back around. He saw that it was not only Loki who was watching him. Reigning Prince Thor was watching him with a dark intense gaze that made his breath catch. He sent a confused glance at Bruce but his expression was closed off as they neared the palace gates.
Their first order of business once they got back to the palace was to deposit the darker slave with Lord Stark. He was where he always was, toying around in his lab and for the most part ignoring the world. His humanoid creation Jarvis let them in and Loki was the one to present their ‘present’ to him.
Tony looked over the slave curiously. He didn’t seem like much. Mousy hair, a squint to his eyes that made Tony think that there was something wrong with his vision, though his body was good. He gave Loki a curious look knowing there had to be something special about him that had brought him here.
The slow smile that Loki gave him told him he would not be disappointed “He appears to have a rather fierce and…destructive temper. A berserker I believe they are called. I thought it might interest you.”
The light went on in Tony’s eyes as he looked at the mousy one “Sure I’ll take him.” He reached forward and plucked the lead from Thor’s hand “I appreciate the gift but I’m in the middle of something…So toodles?”
Not being at all offended Jarvis led them out and it was just the three of them. In unison the Princes turned on him. Steve pulled on his bonds reflexively and shivered as Thor’s large hand slowly pulled on the lead until he had Steve’s hands trapped between his own. “Would you care to refreshen yourself little one?”
Steve blinked at the Prince. His grasp of this new lands language was tentative at best. He shifted nervously wondering if he was already going to be punished from his lack of response. He cast desperate eyes to Prince Loki who seemed to understand his plight. The dark haired prince reached forward and caressed his long slender fingers through his hair. “He wants to know if you want to take a bath.”
There was a welling of emotions inside of him. He had accepted when he had been captured that his new life of a slave meant that he no longer had control over his own fate. He had in fact expected worse and knew that he had been very fortunate to catch the Prince’s eyes. He also was under no illusion that they were going to put him to work in the palace. There was only one use that the Prince’s ever acquired slaves for. Now they were asking if he wanted to bathe which he did…but was there going to be more? Was this the start? Panic welled in his throat as he began to tremble and his breaths became short and raspy.
Strong hands were on him and he felt his feet leave the floor as he was hurried quickly to a room and place on a large bed. The world was getting blurry and he knew it was his breathing sickness coming up again. Tears dripped down his cheeks, now they were going to no doubt get rid of him because of his illness.
There was a glowing light and the tension in his chest seemed to fade and a soothing darkness took over. He felt a cool hand on his face wiping away his tears and he let himself fade completely into black.