hesperussword | No, of course I'm not drunk. (For Loki/tr1ckortreat)

Loki finally awoke from his rather uncomfortable slumber having disturbing dreams about angels, drinking and people laughing at him. Did any of that actually happen or was he dreaming it all? Whatever it was he was now returning to the land of the living waking up with a gasp and then a loud groan. Norns, what happened last night? His head felt like it had been hit by Thor's hammer several times.

"Oh Norns- my head. What is that awful banging noise and---where am I? Would you stop that dreadful banging? My head hurts and I feel like I'm going to be sick."

This was not happening. What was wrong with him? Was he sick? Did he eat something in the Nexus that actually disagreed with his constitution. It was a distinct possibility. Loki tried to move and then froze. Oh no-- he could feel a painful throb attack his right temple and his stomach gave a few nasty somersaults.

"Quieten that noise will you?"

He hadn't even opened his eyes yet since he was still clutching his head and in agony. Oh, Norns. Was he drunk? Had he been poisoned? Now, it was starting to come back slowly. There was an angel with powerful drink and--

It's quite awhile before the pounding hammer stops. Then it's replaced by the sound of metal on a grindstone.

Finally, Beelzebub came back toward the house. He's in just his kilt, a little sooty, and swinging a rather large long sword one handed.

"Good morning, Lush."

Loki finally snaps his eyes open rather painfully, allowing slithers of light in at a time before he opens them fully noticing the man in front of him. Man? Angel. Oh, that angel. Beezelbub, wasn't it? Lush? What was he talking about?

"I beg your pardon?"

He noticed the large sword held in one hand and the sooty torso of the muscled angel. Ah yes. The night before was all flooding back into Loki's liquor-soaked mind. Norns, he had gotten drunk the night before and now he was paying for it.

"Was it your liquor that did this to me?"

"No." Beelzebub laughs as he stops swinging the sword, happy with its weighting. "Your arrogance did this to you."

True, it might be an insult from some, but from Beelzebub it simply sounds like a ribbing from an older brother. "You did make it longer than I thought you would."

That much was true. Loki's own foolish arrogance had gained him a rather horrid headache and stomach ache from Hel itself. Why hadn't he stopped when Bee had offered him mead? Why did he have to drink the strong stuff which angels drink? Because he was showing off and trying to act the tough man as he often did. He was no Thor and his constitution was drastically worse than his brother's. This much was clear as he offered the angel a groan.

"Alright. No need to rub it in. Last night was rather...eventful. Did you carry me back here?"

Because Loki certainly didn't get here under his own steam. Not in the state he was back at the table. Had he passed out? More than certainly. Oh Norns, the shame. Had anyone else seen this? Please say no one else knew about this.

"Did anyone see me collapse at the table?"

"Over my shoulder like a potato sack." Beelzebub grins at the god.

Beelzebub set the sword aside and shook his head. "You passed out at the table in a full bar. Lots of people saw you."

The angel didn't see it as a big deal. He'd passed out all over the place.

How undignified indeed. Loki had been slung like a sack of potatoes across the angel's back in full view of everyone who was in the tavern that night. Loki could do nothing but stare for a few moments in exasperation more than anything before clutching at his stomach. The waves of nasuea would be the death of him.

"How elegant. I do hope it was not such a scene as to create an avid audience."

Loki was rather refined and a prince of Asgard. How could it have come to this? Norns, this was not how the god of mischief should be seen amongst the Nexus residents. He would surely die of shame before the day was out.

"Well, thank you for rescuing me in my inebriated state. Do you perhaps have something that will cure an ailing stomach?"

"People did look but I have a reputation for my company having a hard time walking out of the bar." Beelzebub laughs for a moment. "Less bruising for your pride."

There was a question, of course he did but would he do anything about it. "It's tempting to let you suffer as a lesson."

Oh Norns, was he serious? Loki's pride had been bruised along with his head he believe, since it felt like there was a huge bruise appearing over his forehead. Yet, of course, there was nothing there. It was just the drink mulling around in his head causing his skull to throb.

"Wonderful. Look, I realised I should not drunk as much as I did. You've had your fun."

Would Beelzebub really leave Loki to suffer like this? What was the grace of angels?

Beelzebub frowned slightly and then laughed. "I'm not having fun and you've learned nothing yet."

At this point, yes, he might let him suffer a bit longer. There had to be a balance between grace and lessons, especially for the fallen. Grace had been not leaving him to be robbed or whatever might have befallen him passed out in a strange bar. After all, Beelzebub had brought him to his own home. That was enough care.

Loki knew he was being dramatic and over the top mostly due to the fact he felt awful and was in a sour mood. It had been centuries since he'd allowed himself to sink into this state and he was not enjoying it one moment. Why did he allow himself to get like this? A loud, exasperated sigh escaped his lips.

"I have learned never to drink too much of your angel liquor. Norns, it was strong."

Did he think he could drink and be alright? Of course he did. Loki was just a fool and knew he was right now. Never get into a drinking contest with an angel. Beelzebub had brought him back to his home which was something.

"I do thank you for not leaving me on the floor like a useless pile of leather and flesh."

Beelzebub laughs heartily at his understanding of the situation. "No, you haven't learned the right lesson yet."

There was a more important lesson than just don't drink a lot. The angel shrugs at the god. "How could I make sure you learned if I left you on the floor?"

The laugh just caused Loki to shoot a look at the angel. Was he really enjoying this so much? The god sighed and ran and hand through his unruly raven locks.

"Have I not? No doubt half of the Nexus would have poked fun at me for playing the fool."

Bitterness was tinged with his words but knew that the angel was right. This was his fault. Loki was the one who had drank the strong liquor and ended up blind drunk.

"I have not felt this way for over a thousand years."

"There is a difference between a fool and someone who finds themselves in a mess from hubris." Beelzebub corrects with humor but he's spent too much time among the Greeks to pass up punishing hubris.

"You did say you could out drink drunkenness. You're probably lucky to be awake already and not incapacitated for longer."

Sometime during the conversation passing between the two immortals a young man in an olive-colored tunic bound at the waist with a belt and simple brown pants comes out the front door. He's clutching a bag of chicken feed, and on his left shoulder and partially nestled in his curls rests a small, furry, and excitable-looking creature. The fizzgig growls softly when he scents Loki, an automatic response for the pair of creatures that had been trained to be territorial in their masters' home.

Galahad spares Beelzebub a warm smile, and then turns to the Asgardian laid out on their front porch.

"Oh, good day. I didn't know there was company." The knight is about to introduce himself when he notices the slightly queasy-looking expression on Loki's face. It seems like there's more going on here than a simple visit. "Is everything all right?"

Was everything alright? No, it was not alright since the god had a hell of a hangover. Was he in Hel right now? It felt like it. Loki's stomach was currently doing somersaults and his head felt like Thor had smacked him over the head with his hammer. The man with the strange creature attached to his shoulder caused the sick god to raise his head a little.

"No, everything isn't. At least on my end. Oh, Norns--I feel sick."

Loki could not be sick in front of these men. No matter what. His pride was at stake here and not only that, it was disgusting. He clutched his stomach and tried to exhale slowly.

Beelzebub calls to the Fizzgigs to come to him while squatting down. "He's not company."

There's a proud and mischievous smile plastered in the angel's face. "I carried him from the bar after he was fool enough to claim he could out drink me at my usual spirits."

Yes, the God was fool enough and he was set on letting him suffer the hangover for such a challenge.

Cerberus hops off Galahad's shoulder when Beelzebub calls to him and the furry creature immediately barrels over to leap onto the thigh of the angel's bent leg. It barks loudly and with much excitement, much to Loki's misfortune.

"Beelzebub." The knight frowns softly at the angel as he watches Loki clutch at his stomach. "We have some remedies for stomach pains and headaches," Galahad starts to offer, his brow knitting slightly with concern as he watches the dark-haired man. It doesn't sit well with him to let a guest (or someone who was now effectively a guest in his mind, anyway) be left in a state of discomfort when there's something he could do to help. "But they are meant for humans-- are... you?" There's really no comfortable way to ask what species or kind of creature someone might be, even in the Nexus.

Oh that sound. Could things get any worse right now with that thing making such awful noises? The god tried not to wince as a spasm of pain irked at his temple. Gods, he just needed to get control of himself, which was very hard right now being in the company of Beelzebub and his friend it seemed.

"Remedies? I'll take anything right now if it will soothe my aching stomach and head."

The man seemed annoyed at Beelzebub's behaviour and Loki wondered who he actually was. But he was offering to help so that was something. Another spasm but this time Loki just closed his eyes for a moment or two.

"I'm not human. I'm Asgardian--"

Once the Fizzgigs start, the warthogs came trotting out too.

"Humility is what you need." Beelzebub smiles at Loki. He's not trying to wind the animals up but he's taught them to stay out of the forge. They're excited to see him.

"He's a god." Beelzebub tells Galahad. If anyone were going to convince the angel to ease the hellish hangover, it would be the knight and no other.

"I'll make some up and bring them," Galahad tells Loki, as he shifts a bit to place the bag of chicken feed in his hands down on a nearby table where the warthogs won't be able to reach it. Morning chores have been temporarily put off in favor of tending to their company.

At the news that Loki's a god, the knight's eyes widen slightly. "Aye? And the angel wine was able to do this?" That's genuinely surprising, and a real testament to the strength of Beelzebub and Lucifer's brewing in the knight's mind. It's a hangover he understands well, though, having had his own mishaps with angelic alcohol. "Och. I'll be back soon, then."

And with that, Galahad heads back into the house to go prepare a bit of tea and a stomach remedy for Loki.

The angel wine was able to do this because Loki was fool enough to delve head first into a drinking game or two with Beelzebub. Trying to outdrink and angel was a fool's errand indeed. Even a god could not withstand the angel's poison.

The man was very caring and Loki wondered if he was indeed like this with all the house guests Beelzebub brought home. Or rather in Loki's case, picked up and lifted home.

"Yes. I was a fool and thought the angel liquor would not effect me. It seems I was terribly wrong. I am Loki, god of mischief, prince of Asgard and feeling awfully sick. Thank you for your assistance."

The introduction was belated but none the less Loki felt like he should at least introduce himself to the man who was helping him. He shot a look to his angel host and knew he was trying to teach him humility because it was obvious the god had to learn. All the animals though? This was different.

Beelzebub laughs at the bent truth. "He wanted a drinking game." The angel shrugs. "Loki lost."

He's roughing up the warthogs like someone would play with dogs. "You made it in quite a few glasses before you started sounding like you were talking another language. That's not what they mean by speaking in tongues around the fallen."

After about five minutes, the knight returns with a small wooden tray with a single-serve teapot on it and a teacup with a small bundle of herbs placed in the center of the cup. Galahad weaves carefully around the veritable petting zoo of animals that are starting to assemble on the porch, and places the collection of remedies down on a small table near the Asgardian.

"Here. Those should help-- they did me when I've had my own mishaps with angelic wine." Before Beelzebub healed him on those occasions, anyway. The knight chuckles, and then settles himself down into one of the various chairs around them all. "By the way, I am Galahad du Lac, son of Lancelet. It's a pleasure to meet you, your highness."

Loki took one of the tea cups and drank deeply from it. Was he thirsty? Norns, was he. He could feel the hot liquid gently slide down his dry gullet, soothing his empty belly somewhat. The nausea was still present but the tea seemed to be helping.

"Thank you. This is good tea. The angel wine has affected you so also? It is not to be messed with and now I realise that more than any man."

As for the "your highness" part, Loki cocked an amused eyebrow and felt his ego get a well-earned stroke. Ah, how long had it been since he'd heard that title referred to him? A long time. The man obviously had manners and seemed a different sort to Beelzebub. A kinder, caring sort and Loki appreciated the help.

Beelzebub stands and gives Galahad a displeased glance. "You don't deserve relief." The angel is rarely aggressive but in this moment he is carrying out a duty, not attempting to make friends. The fallen are usually pleasant though the Nexus has rarely seen reason for most of them to carry out the darker sides of themselves.

The calling of Loki your highness visibly raises the angel's wing feathers and they rustle with his unhappiness. "You should keep your pride in check before I turn the tea to more wine in your belly."

Though he would not cause injury, Beelzebub is not above letting others suffer for foolishness or when his boundaries are in threat of being crossed.

Galahad is about to answer Loki's question and start chatting merrily away with him, when he's distracted by Beelzebub's aggressive response. He's seen the angel act this way during some of their arguments, but this is the first time where he's seen it around someone else.

The knight stands and crosses the porch to stand before the angel. He reaches for one of Beelzebub's hands to take it securely in both of his own.

"Beelzebub... He's learned his lesson. I don't think his pride will inspire him in matters of drink for some time." He gives the angel's hand a gentle, entreating squeeze. "Would it be all right if we showed some mercy now?"

The tone in the angel's voice threw Loki off suddenly as he wasn't expecting such an aggressive response. But he had only brought all of this on himself, so had to suffer. What else could he do? Beelzebub had scorned him and shown him the true effects of trying to be a cocky fool in front of a powerful angel.

Loki felt anger rise within his stomach as he attempted to get up but failed. His legs still felt weak and his head began to spin. Sitting back down, he groaned slightly. His pride was at stake but it all seemed too little too late. Beelzebub had his fun and there was no reason to punish the god any further. Was there?

"This--was not intentional. Believe me. If I only knew your liquor was going to do this to me then I would never have allowed it to touch my lips."

His voice was curt and short. Anger seeping through due to his irritability and injured pride.

Galahad's pleading eyes and soft contact make it incredibly difficult to remain stern. However, he still has enough to throw Loki a look. "You were warned."

However, he softened a little, a fraction, under Galahad's presence. "I'm not relieving the hangover." He's firm on that but then sighs. "I will make him something to eat. It will help."

Beelzebub brushes Galahad's curls back and kisses his temple before moving to slip away into the house.

This compromise is eminently acceptable to the knight. Galahad smiles after Beelzebub as the angel leaves to go cook, and then shifts to settle himself into one of the chairs near Loki. With the angel back in the house, Cerberus is sniffing around Galahad's feet looking for contact. The knight bends, scooping the little creature up and placing it in his lap to stroke his fur.

"I'm sorry he wouldn't take the hangover away," he tells Loki. "He is very generous and kind usually. I think this is some sort of angelic mandate for him." Which doesn't help Loki much, but as he's a god Galahad hopes the Asgardian might understand at least somewhat. "Is the tea helping?"

Things weren't progressing as fast as Loki would have liked since even with such a strong constitution as his he still felt awful. The strong angel liquor had really done a number on him and he would bare more caution in the future when faced with such strong poison.

"Do not worry yourself. I will be fine soon. This--it's just temporary as we Asgardian's have strong--ah- constitutions."

Loki was not going to make a bigger fool of himself than he already had. Galahad could probably see through the obvious bravado but what could the god do? Bend over in agony and be seen by both men weak and suffering? No. He could not let that happen. Another gulp of tea and it slightly eased the dry throat and irritable stomach pains.

"The tea is helping, thank you."

Beelzebub shakes his head at Loki. "The hubris continues."

It was a matter of his own down to Earth style, and a part of his duties. He would let Galahad help and still might be convinced to help the god but the behavior wasn't influencing his previous ideas.

Beelzebub turns away from Loki and Galahad to play with the Fizzgigs, but he is listening.

It's good to hear that the tea is helping a little, at least. There isn't much else to do now, it seems, besides let Loki wait out his hangover.

"I haven't heard anyone in the Nexus mention Asgard before," Galahad starts conversationally. "Is that somewhere on your Earth?"

"It is not on Earth but one of the Nine Realms. Asgard is a mighty kingdom with gold adorning even the pillars. Midgard, or Earth, pales in comparison."

Of course this was not Loki's true home but one he had been brought up into and had come to love since his mother had nursed him. Being left to die in Jotunnheim had caused the god to shun it's very existence and Asgard was where his heart truly lay.

"You have not heard Thor mention it?"

Beelzebub has been half listening and half ignoring the conversation as more of the animals come to greet thier angelic master. "In my creation God burned down the Norse realms. Lucifer and I know a different Loki than this one. There are a number of Thors and Lokis in this place. I'm not sure all of them have the same world structure."

At least the annoyance has left the angel's voice.

"Aye," Galahad agrees with Beelzebub's comment. "I've only met your brother briefly, but there's no telling if he's the brother you have from your creation." He offers Loki an apologetic smile. "The other 'you' I met had blue skin, so even some of the men with your shared likeness are different to you.

It sounds like you have a great love of Asgard," the knight observes. "What made you decide to leave your home to spend time in the Nexus?"

At the mention of the blue skinned version of himself Loki slightly winced at the visual image. Another version of himself existed within the Nexus that was Jotun? Surely, this version would choose to hide the monster side of himself? A large sigh erupted from Loki's lips as his head hurt far too much to think about alternate versions of himself right now.

"I do since it is the only place I can call home. Or used to. Now, the Nexus is my home."

He pressed a finger to his temple and took another gulp of soothing tea before continuing.

"I suppose I was fed up of being shunned and condemned for my actions. The real truth of the matter being that I escaped an eternal prison sentence back home on Asgard. After my failed invasion attempt on Midgard."

A throb to his temple and the god groaned softly. Galahad might as well know the truth.

Beelzebub's attention comes back to the conversation when it turns to condemned actions and prisons.

"Despite your arrogance you have something in common with us and the version of you that lives among us. Though we never tried an invasion we are shunned, condemned, and let ourselves free of our prisons."

No, of course I'm not drunk. (For Loki/tr1ckortreat)

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