Archive of Our Own

"I do not think we should allow the money for the construction of this bridge," Odin declared, putting back his glass of wine.

"But it will be easier for merchants," Frigga countered. "Currently they all have to make a detour through the forest."

"Then let them take ships."

"But many lack of the money for it."

Loki listened to his parents' debate in silence. It was interesting, sure, but it was redundant. For twenty minutes now, they had been debating on whether or not to construct a bridge in a place situated above the mountains, lost in the countryside. And they didn't seem to listen to the other's point of view.

He cut a tiny peace of meat and ate it. He was bored.

He disliked family dinners. They were always long and the subject of conversation seldom deviated from politics. He preferred eating amongst the warriors, with their friends, where laughs and lewd jokes made the meal. His brother and he were sometimes authorised to join them for lunch, but not enough in his taste.

Thinking of him, he glanced at Thor over the table. He was facing him, eating his meat with bare hands, greedily as if he had not eaten for days. That was typical.

A movement on the table caught his eye, and Loki noticed a frog hiding behind the plate of lettuce.

How had the tiny creature came here?

He smirked. He got an idea.

He took a look at his parents, at the end of the table and concentrated on their conversation. They weren't looking in their direction. Good.
He was going to have a bit of fun to spice up this dinner.

He looked at Thor, and upon murmuring the first part of a spell under his breath, a green magic thread only visible to him appeared between his brother's heart and his own hand. Then he looked back at the frog, and began murmuring the rest of the spell, another thread forming–

"Do you want more wine, your Highness?" A maid asked Thor as she leaned to him.

And at the same moment, the frog jumped on her, making the lady cry of surprise and fall.
Loki got quite startled too, and the other thread aimed at the animal landed on the maiden, and he opened wide his eyes.

But the spectacle wasn't finished, for Thor suddenly became unconscious and his head felt right into his plate. Loki would have laughed if it was another situation.

Both their parents turned to them, alerted. "Thor? Are you all right?" Frigga enquired.

But he wasn't waking up, and Loki cursed himself.

"He must have drank too much," Odin sighed as he took a sip of wine.

Frigga was way more worried. "On a dinner? Thor...!" She called again while she stood up and walked fast by him.

She began shaking him gently, and still on the floor, the maid groaned and looked around.

"Kára, what have you done?!" an other servant, an older one, came to her with a angry look. "Look at all the wine you spilled!"

"W... What?..." She stammered.

"You're so clumsy! Stand up and go wash the dishes, I'll clean this."

The older helped her stand up, exasperated, all while Frigga shook Thor more strongly.

And Loki observed, mortified, the green thread that linked his unconscious brother and the maiden that now headed towards the kitchen, lost as ever.

He had projected Thor's soul in that woman instead of within the frog, and than woman's soul was now sealed in the depth of Thor's heart.

What had he done? What just happened?

What just happened?

Thor stood before the sink full of pile of dishes, incredulous. He looked at his hands, and his reflection on the plate for the umpteenth time in the minutes he had joined the kitchen under the grumbles of the chief cook.

He was eating, and then he had found himself on the floor, a meter away from his own body. He first thought it might have been a projection - Loki had talked to him about that - but the other servants had noticed him. And worse, he was now in the body of this maiden.

Strangely, he wasn't that afraid. Loki or his mother could surely fix this, when he will have the occasion to talk to them. Now they seemed busy with his unconscious body.

He did wonder what was the cause of it. Did someone curse him? The maiden who he had the body of perhaps? Did she wanted his own? But then why was he unconscious? Or was it Amora, that wicked enchantress who had pulled a trick in him?

Or was it Loki...? But he had been sitting in front of him this whole time, he would have noticed something... and why would his brother even do that? He loved him. Well, even if he had stabbed him once. And transformed into a frog. And poisoned him. But those where exceptions, see?

"Are the plates pretty? What are you waiting for to wash them?!" a cook snarled as he passed by him - her? - with a bowl of apples.

"Yes... sorry," he swallowed.
His voice was so sweet, so acute. It was so strange.

Anyway, what would Loki even gain in putting him in a servant's place? In a woman's one additionally?

If so it didn't displeased Thor that much.

He looked at the reflection, at this round face with big blue eyes and his brown hair, almost bordeaux. At least he was cute. He didn't recall the name of this young woman, but he remembered seeing her.

He blushed a bit and looked down at his breasts. He wanted to touch them, see how it would felt, but he didn't want to draw attention to himself - for once. He had done enough.

Well, he might not be horrified to find himself with this body, but he surely won't reduce himself to do servant work.

He looked around ; there wasn't a lot of people, as dinner was finished and the dessert might be delayed. But there were still some cooks and servants, preparing pastries for tomorrow's breakfast, tidying up the place, gathering food for Volstagg's numerous night snacks.

He made sure that no one was looking at him and slipped as discreetly as he could out of the kitchens.

He had to talk to his brother and mother.
He glanced down.

But first, he had to experiment something.

Loki paced endlessly outside of the healing rooms.

He massaged his eyes. It was his fault. What had he done?

He knew he had to talk about it to his parents. But then they would ground him, and he hated that. Not only because it wasn't a good moment to endure, but also because it would reinforce everyone's view of how untrustworthy and annoying he was.

And they were so much worried now. If he told them it only would make things worse. Would their parents even know how to fix this?

Loki had casted the spell, but he had just learned it. And know he had to learned how to undo it, and find the spell in the pile of books of his rooms.

And find Thor too, because that surely won't be as easy as it seemed. He barely recalled the face of that woman and even less her name. He remembered her having brown hair and being short, which coincided with the good half of women who worked at the palace.

She was serving them at dinner, so she probably was a maid helping the cooks. But again, what says that Thor had obediently stayed in the kitchen and not wandered into the palace in the objective of doing something idiotic?

He realised only now how stupid it was to cast a spell he didn't know well. What if he had succeeded to put Thor's mind into that frog? Would his brother have stayed a frog all his life?
He groaned. He had to find a way to fix this, and quick.

He headed to his chambers with quick steps.

Thor was admiring his new body in the golden mirror of Loki's chambers.

He had figured it would be better to ask help from his brother first. He was sure Loki would believe him, wether his parents might only take him for a mad girl. And Loki loved him, so he will do anything to help and understand him of course.

He put his hair better, and tried taking poses a lady would do. Was it all a game for him? Maybe. Should he be more worried? Probably.

But he had sometimes wondered how it felt to be a woman, and never had he dared to ask his brother for a potion or a spell that would satisfy his curiosity. He would have laughed at him.
In truth it didn't really change anything, apart from the biological elements that were strange at first. He was also shorter and thiner, but it was only because he had this maiden's body ; some other Asgardian women were even taller than him. He also felt a lack of strength, but that was normal. Who in all the realms could compete with him in that matter?

"Oh, dear Lord, I am honoured by your invitation to dance," he mused as he bowed slightly in front of the mirror.

He remembered when Loki and he were children and they would dress up as warriors and princesses, valkyries and sorcerers. It was amusing to play a role. Why had they stopped?
He jumped as the door opened suddenly.

Loki stopped in front of him, and Thor stared at him back.

Loki gritted his teeth. "What are you doing here?"

"I can explain! Brother, it's me, I–"

Of course. "...Thor?"

He was so relieved. Of course it didn't take long for Loki to recognise him. He was so skilled.

"Yes, it's me, I don't know how it happened, but at dinner..."

"I saw it, yes."

It really was him. It was so strange. Seeing his brother in the body of that dark-haired girl... yet he recognised his facial expressions, his manners, his way of speaking. He knew him too well.

"I got into that woman's body, the one that was serving me wine. It was so strange! Do you think she put a curse on me?"

Of course, his oaf of a brother had seen nothing of him casting the spell on him. Loki bit his lip. Was it wise to tell him the truth? He could be the nice and sweet brother who tried to help him. And maybe he could asked a favorable in return.
Oh, but he wanted to make him suffer a bit first.

"I do not think so. Because it is I who did it."
Thor got taken aback. "...What?"

"Yes, you were being your usual stupid and unmannerly self. Quite annoying. I wanted something amusing."

Thor seemed genuinely confused of why he would do that. "But... I was only eating."

"And I was bored. So here we are."

He frowned. It was amusing being in this body, but if Loki wanted to mock him, then it wasn't anymore. "I've had enough. Change me back."

"Just when we are beginning to have fun. Surely not."

And he surely won't admit that he didn't know how to do it.

"Loki!" he growled.

He thought for a while. "Hm, let's see. You're a mere servant aimed at the kitchen. Or any task, really. If you succeed in your work, I will change you back."

Thor rolled his eyes. "What kind of game is this?"

When he thought about playing other roles, he didn't think of washing laundry or cleaning windows. And he didn't even know how to do that.

"A very amusing one," Loki grinned. "What even is your name?" he approached him, and looked at his badge. "Kára. 'The rough, stormy one'. It suits you well." What a interesting coincidence.

"I do not care for the name this body bears. I want you to stop wathever game you are playing and give me my own body back."

Loki shrugged. "I said I would do so when you've done your work, servant."

If Thor was busy doing whatever activity people expected from him, it would leave him time to look for the reverse spell in his books.

And it was pleasant to witness.

"Do not call me that!"

"Yet it is your position. And a maid ought to present herself well. What have you done with your dress? It's all crumpled. Your..." he cleared his throat. "Your breast is almost out." Why hadn't he noticed it before? "And what are those stains on your apron?"

Thor looked down, and dressed himself better as much as he could, and tried hiding the traces were he had wiped his fingers.

"Hm, yes, I... experimented something. With this body."

Loki feared the worst. "Brother... what do you mean?"

He laughed. "Come on, Loki, surely you're not that innocent."

He blinked, flabbergasted. "You find yourself in a female body and the first thing you do is give yourself pleasure?!"

"Well– you would have done the same!" he defended, not even ashamed.

"And this body doesn't even belong to you!"

"Well, this lady won't ever know. If so I even relaxed her."

Loki let out an exasperated sigh. "Anyway. You can't stay here. People will imagine things."

"Would it be that bad though?" Thor smirked.

"Yes. I have a reputation to uphold. I don't take countless men and women to bed like you, and surely not among such a low rank."

It had come out more angry than he wanted. A strange feeling of jealousy overflowed him, thinking about all these maidens and young men Thor had courted and probably taken things further with.

"What is that image you have of me?" He sounded genuinely offended. "I do not–"

And Thor wasn't even annoyed by the trick he - accidently - pulled on him, right? He must think that he will only have a fun time, that everything will settle back easily, because he was the golden prince and everything was always so easy for him. Loki frowned. It angered him. He will teach him a lesson.

"Quiet. You speak way too much. Know your place, servant."

Thor was speechless, but he didn't have time to answer nonetheless, because Loki took him by the arm and brought him out of his rooms.
He continued to hold him as they went through the corridors.

"Let go! And you're hurting me!"

Loki ignored him. "Where should we put that disobedient maid? They must not have a lot to do in the kitchens." he tried to think of the most hard and humiliating task. "Hm, if I recall they do need some help in removing the weeds in the gardens. And I need some fresh air. I could then keep an eye on you." And appreciate the view.

Removing the weeds wasn't the most hard task, but it was still an arduous and repetitive activity, which he knew Thor hated. This will be funny.

"What?! I won't do that!"

"Oh, come on, do it for mo– for your Queen. You know how she dislikes those ugly weeds among her flowers," he smirked, drawing him towards the marble steps that lead to the gardens.

Thor had no choice but to be led on the gardens paths. Loki stopped only when they reached various flowerbeds where a small number of gardeners where working.

"I'm bringing you more hands to help," Loki announced, letting go of his brother, or rather the maiden and pushing her forward.

Thor did his best not to fall, and gritted his teeth. He considered running away, but as much as he hated to admit it, his brother was stronger and faster than him now and he would catch him.

A gardener recognised the girl, and raised an eyebrow. "But isn't Kára needed in the kitchens?"

"They have enough people there. Do I need a reason for reorganising my servants' works?" he snapped.

The man shook his head. It was better not to answer.

"Great. I am glad to be understood." he turned to Thor. "What are you waiting for? Go to your work."

"I don't even know how to do it," he mumbled.

"You'll learn. It's easy. You're a brute, this work suits you well."

Thor sighed. As stubborn as he was, he didn't see another issue than fighting Loki – physically and verbally, and he didn't want to.

Without conviction, he made a step towards the flowers, and kneeled with a pouty face.

He began pulling out the weeds with a though grip, barely glancing at his brother who was observing him.

"More gently, Kára," a gardener told him. "You're going to damage the soil."

"I don't care about the soil! I just want to be finished with those bloody weeds!"

"Watch your mouth, young lady," an old woman snapped at him. "And take care your work in silence."

He was so angry. How could that old servant dare to rise up her voice against her prince?! Nobody talked to him like this.

"And take care of yours, while you still have the use of your wrinkled hands!"

And Loki hit his head, not that hard, but it still made Thor jump. "Behave in my presence, servant. If working in the Queen's gardens in not enough honorific for you, I'll put you to the cleaning of the latrines."

Thor had no choice but to oblige, wincing and trying to ignore his staring brother. He resumed his weed-pulling, already having enough of it after a minute. He hated manual work and he hated repetitive tasks and he was sure Loki knew it.

He was suddenly taken by sadness. Why was his brother being so mean to him? He should be helping him. It was what he would have done for Loki. Had he done something to anger him?

He wanted to ask, but if he did others will probably laugh at him, a mere maid asking why his brother the prince was so mean. And Loki will shut him off.

So he did his work, his inner anger replaced by incomprehension and sadness.

Loki was still observing him, his arms crossed. He knew he had to go back to his chambers, to look for that spell reversal, but the view was way to pleasant to miss it.

Everything was always easy for his brother. The golden prince of Asgard, to whom everyone offered presents since his birth, to whom servants and courtiers bowed and covered of admiration, who every maiden and sometimes gentlemen of the court tried to woo. And he had grown arrogant from it. Of course he was, when everyone clapped at his fighting skills and covered him in compliments.

Maybe a bit of jealousy was there too. Not because Loki wanted the same treatment, but because why should those people take Thor's time and attention from him?

There was a time when Thor covered him in compliments and didn't care about others' ones.
He tried to put this feeling aside.

As much as he liked seeing his brother learning hard work for once, he couldn't stay here. He turned his heels without a word, and Thor hesitated to call for him.

He would leave him here? How long even had he to stay there? Until it was finished? It would take ages!

Loki didn't care for Thor's confused look and headed towards the palace. Once inside, he walked in its long corridors, only stopping when he noticed his mother on the balcony. She had her hands on her face, and for a second Loki suspected she was crying. But she wasn't ; she was stronger than that.

"Mother, are you all right?"

She turned to him, and sighed. "Yes... Yes, do not worry. And you?"

Oh, he couldn't be happier. He showed her a small smile. "I am." then he bit his lip. "What did the healers said of Thor's state?"

"They do not know. We thought his food or drink had been poisoned, but they found nothing such in his blood, nor in his plate and wine. The cooks are been questioned but I don't think it would lead somewhere."

Loki wanted to ask if they had scanned him in seeking of a spell, but he didn't in fear that it might give them the idea to do so if they hadn't.

"At least his state is stable," she continued. "He breathes correctly and his heart is well. It is just as if he was sleeping..."

Seeing his mother so worried, Loki began to feel some culpability. But he will fix everything, and she will be better. He was just teaching Thor a lesson, it won't last long.

He shrugged. "It must not be poison anyway. Who would want Thor ill?" he sneered. Apart from him, of course.

Frigga smiled sadly. "Oh, my son. You have no idea how many enemies your father has."

"Surely none would be so bold to directly harm the crown prince."

She only shrugged, and looked away. Hearing those words were hard.

Loki put a hand on her shoulder. "He'll be all right, do not fret as such. He is strong and tenacious and you know it." Was he really complimenting him? "I would stay with you, but I must go. I will conduct my own researchs for his healing." He wasn't even lying.

Then he left her, not waiting for her to respond.

He soon reached his chambers, and sighed upon seeing the piles of books settled on his desk. He remembered reading about this spell in one one them, but still, it will be tedious to retrieve it.
He took the first book, ready to go to work.
But well, he will take his time ; the longer Thor will stay in this form, the better he will learn his lesson of humility.

Thor pulled out an umpteenth weed, growling. He had been doing so for half an hour now and he had enough.

He wondered if Loki would come back. He thought his brother would watch him all along but then he had gone away.

He probably didn't want to stay observing the servants' work... it would be strange for a prince. Thor stiffened at the thought that he didn't have that privilege anymore.

But he was still free, right? (at least in his point of view). He looked around. Everyone was concentrated on their work and there was no guards or courtiers wandering around here.
He cleaned his dirty hands on his white apron, and stood up.

"I am going to use the toilet, I'm coming back."

He didn't know if his colleagues had heard him, nor if this was an acceptable excuse for leaving work, but he climbed over the flowers and walked away on the path and nobody told him anything.
He went back into the palace, and once he was in the corridors, sighed of relief. He still feared of seeing Loki and being scolded by him but at least he was free from that boring task.

He looked at his hands, his delicate hands and small and thin fingers. They were still a bit dirty with earth, and his palm and fingers were red from his activity. It still hurt and burned. Not a lot but it was unpleasant. Never did his hands got damaged like this before, whatever activity he was doing.

Because he didn't know what to do next, he headed towards his chambers. And if someone will ask, he'll improvise. Maybe say that he was the Prince's mistress, although it would be ankward because whatever Loki seemed to be thinking, he had never bedded anyone even if he had sometimes flirted.

When he heard voices near, and particularly his friends' ones, he stopped. As they approached, he could have gone away, or hid, but he just stayed here.

"He was supposed to join us after lunch. I don't understand why he didn't come," he heard Fandral say.

Thor immediately noticed they were talking about him. Now he remembered he had promised to join them on the training field. But then... 'this' had happened.

"Maybe he had a setback. You know how he is. Or perhaps his brother has brought him into some mischievous games again," Sif grumbled.

"You're always so pessimistic. I'm sure he rather is courting some fair lady, loosing track of time," Fandral smiled.

Thor observed them walking. It was only the two of them. Volstagg and Hogun were probably still training.

"I would rather prefer it was not the case. We'll ask the Queen anyway, she might know."

But then they stopped and turned to Thor, who swallowed. He wanted to greet them, to tell them everything that happened, but they will probably laugh and think him crazy.

"Is something the matter, miss?" Sif ask, not with a mocking tone but with a genuine, curious tone.

Fandral crossed his arms, and sent him a charming smile. "The Lady probably is mesmerised by my charms." Sif rolled her eyes, and Fandral approached Thor, taking his hand and kissing it. "Have you worked here for long? I would not have forgotten such a pretty face."

Thor withdrew his hand quickly. Somewhat this situation was worse than the one Loki had put him in in the gardens.

"That's nice..." he tried an ankward smile.

"I need help polishing my sword after my tough fights. Surely you would join me."

Thor couldn't help but wince. Every time. Every time, Fandral would give a maiden this metaphor. Which wasn't always one, because sometimes he really needed to clean his sword, but that only made things worse : you never knew what Fandral really meant.

Thor debated whether to be nice or not. He had a urge to snap at him, maybe a kick in the tibia would do too. He really liked his friend but being considered like one of his numerous conquests was quite insulting to him.

But for once in his life, he restrained himself. If he made noise they will likely take him back to the gardens and the kitchens.

"I apologise, but I have work to do."

"Who is your superior? Surely I can talk to them."

"Quit it, Fandral. You can see the girl is not interested."

"She's only shy. That's what I like ; they usually are the wildest in bed."

Then Thor thought of something else. He could take advantage of the situation. Just to learn something.

He ignored Fandral's words, and said in an interested tone, "Say, would you know if Loki is courting someone these days?"

The thought of his brother with someone else somewhat made him feel sick. And angry. Loki had always focused his attention on him. It should always be so.

"Address your Prince properly," Sif snapped.

It surprised him to hear her defend him. He always had the impression they didn't quite liked each other. But it's true Sif always considered honour and respect to be important, even towards his enemies.

Thor didn't have time to apologise, because Fandral spoke just after. "Prince Loki? Why is that, are you interested in him?" he sneered.

He couldn't help but blush. "Of course not. I just want to know."

He was his brother. It wasn't possible. Yet, the idea of having Loki all to himself, of sharing intimate moments with him only made his heart beat faster.

What was wrong with him? No, it might be the reaction of that maiden's body. Surely she had a crush on one of the princes and it showed itself this way.

At least that was what Thor tried to convince himself.

"Don't answer, Fandral," Sif rolled her eyes. "All the servants crave those gossips."

"I don't recall Prince Loki having any lover anyway," he sighed. "A shame really. He is yet very good-looking. It is perhaps his cold gaze that make potential suitors flee."

Strangely, Thor didn't mind everyone not approaching Loki. He could then have his brother all to himself. And a 'cold gaze', really? It rather was serious and wise manners, and Thor loved and admired them.

"We don't have time for this," Sif growled, and she took her friend's wrist. "We have to find the Queen."

Thor ignored the kiss Fandral sent him as he was carried away. When they were gone, he walked again in the opposite direction, still aiming to join his chambers.

After an hour and a half, Loki has retrieved the spell and its formula. Putting all the books aside, he kept the right one in his arms and went to fetch Thor.

And (not) surprisingly, his brother wasn't in the gardens anymore. Where he had ask the gardeners where the girl had gone, none of them could answer.

He already felt anger growing. Of course Thor had fled as soon as he had left him! He had been so stupid, what was he expecting?!

With rapid steps, he went back into the palace. He looked in the main hall, the dining hall, the training fields, the kitchens, all the places he might find Thor, but found nothing.

He gritted his teeth. Think simply... if he was Thor, where would he go?

Think simply. Of course. His dumb oaf of a brother did not think about hiding. A contrary even.

Without thinking more, he headed towards Thor's chambers.

And there he found him, swinging Mjölnir around happily like there was no worry in his world.

It irritated Loki even more.

"Brother!" Thor exclaimed upon seeing him. "Look, I can wield Mjölnir even with this body! It must sense my soul. After all it is it which is worthy."

He had a dumb smile, as if playing with his little toy had made him forget the sadness and anger he had felt after Loki's actions.

"What are you doing here? I yet recall leaving you to work in the gardens."

Thor shrugged. "It got me bored. Say, what do you think would be people's reactions when they'll saw me with Mjölnir? Would they be freaked out? I want to see their faces," he laughed.

Loki frowned. In another moment he would have found his brother's idea amusing but right now it only frustrated him.

Thor seemed as much oblivious as before, and Loki wondered if his lesson had really worked. As seeing Thor's red hands, he at least worked a little.

But still, his brother was still considering his situation will all be easily fixed.

Loki gritted his teeth. "You seem very at ease within this new body. Then I do not see why I would bother fixing you."

He put his book aside, and Thor looked surprised.

"But you have to!"

"And why is that? Because it's my role? You think I'm at your service, always helping you when you do not even thank me? Taking my help for granted."

Thor was taken aback, and frowned. "No, it's because it is your fault. You casted this spell on me."

Loki laughed wryly. "Oh, but this attitude of yours is not only showing now. Every time, Thor, every time you have those assumptions. When you prepare for a fight, it is I who engrave protection runes on your weapons. When you get hurt, it is I who ease your pain while you're being healed. When you have worries, it is I who listen to you and give you advice. And all of that without ever asking anything in return. And is this how you treat me? Not even acknowledging how much my help is important to you?!"

Thor blinked. Was he really like this? He remembered thanking Loki and offering his help in return yet! "Then why do you do that, if it irritates you so?!" Thor splurted, looking away. His cheeks were red, but he heart hurt still.

Loki flinched. Yes, why did he do it?

He cleared his throat. "Because I still care about you, you oaf. I only wish you would be more grateful."

"But I am! What image have you of me?"

"The one of an arrogant and reckless boy, who takes everything for granted. I pulled a prank on you and you're not even worried! You're amused like nothing happened, because deep down you know I'll be here to fix it for you!"

It was Thor's time to laugh. "So that's the real reason why you're so angry? You're not liking the way I take your trick, and you would rather have me afraid and confused?"

"I would have you learning humility and responsibility."

"You're thinking too much," he shrugged.

"And you should think more!"

"Anyway. Change me back. Please."

"Why should I, if you're having so much fun?"

"It won't be practical in the long term."

"Fine ; but you'll have to beg me," he smirked.

Thor rolled his eyes. "Please. Brother. Change me back. You are very skilled."

"Not very convincing. And that's not how you should address your Prince, servant."

"What then? Should I kneel and kiss your boots?" He said ironically.

He grinned. "That could do."

Thor gave him a look, so he gripped his shoulder and pushed him downward.

"Kneel," he said in a deep, icy breath.

Thor sighed but did so, trying to forget how humiliating it was. After all there was no one else seeing him and he'll soon forget about it, right?

Thor didn't look up. "I am sorry if I offended you in some ways. I swear I am very grateful for all the times your helped me. Please, br–... my Prince. I need you again. You and your powerful sorcery. Please."

Loki enjoyed this far more than he should. His arrogant brother, here kneeled before him, begging for his 'tricks'. He should do that again.
He thought Thor to have finished, but then he took his hand and brought it to his lips, giving it a soft kiss.

"I beg for your help, my beautiful Prince. Please."

Where did that come from? Loki blushed in spite of himself. He hoped Thor didn't noticed. He could not imagine his reaction if he understood.
Even in that maiden's body, Thor eyes were sparkling.

He put his hand away.

"All right. It will do. Come now."

He didn't say anything else and headed for the door, and Thor stood up and followed. He put his dress better and joined Loki in the corridor, confused.

"Where are you going?"

"To the healing quarters. We must be near your body to reverse the spell. It would be way more difficult and dangerous at distance."

Thor only nodded. Loki knew way more than him.

When they arrived at the healing rooms, their parents were fortunately gone. There were, though, two healers around the body, one changing his pillow.

"Prince Loki," the lady exclaimed as she saw him enter. She didn't care for the maid. "His Highness has still not woke up," she said sadly, looking at the peacefully sleeping body.

"Do we have hints on his condition?"

"I am afraid we do not. His state is stable but he cannot be waked." she sighed. "We have looked for every poison we knew of but found none."

"Could it be a curse? Have you search for magical causes?"

He hoped not.

"Not yet. The royal sorcerers have been appointed but I guess they are busy. We are waiting for them."

Loki found it strange that their mother had not scanned him. Maybe she had a good reason. Or perhaps she had done so, and saw nothing. The spell might be only visible to the one who had casted it. Still she would have sensed the servant's soul locked in his brother's heart... strange.

He didn't wait more and approached the body. He tried not to stare too much, which was quite difficult given Thor's... obvious charms.

"Leave us. I wish to speak to my brother alone."

The other healer, a man, smiled to him. "You are very generous. I am certain he can hear you. Please tell us when you are done."

He bowed quickly and left with his colleague, not daring to ask why that servant could stay.

When the door shut behind them, Loki positionned himself at Thor's side.

"So what now?"

"I am going to put that girl's soul out from where she is locked, then grab yours and exchange them."

"That seems tedious."

"Less than it sounds."

He put his hand in Thor's chest – and he was disappointed it was not bare – and read aloud the formula on the book he had opened in front of him. Green magic glowed around his heart, and when he retrieved his hand, the green thread reappeared. He turned the page with his free hand, then pointed it in Thor's direction.

"What are you going to do next?"

"Please be quiet."

"But tell me if you need help. If I have to take some particular position or something."

"You know what happens when a spell is interrupted? Bad things. So please stop speaking."

With an exasperated sigh, he touched the second thread linking to his other hand, and continued mumbling the formula.

Thor waited, and then he blinked and opened his eyes to the orange ceiling.

"What... What happened?"

It was not one of them who had spoken, but the girl, who now looking around, confused.

"Why am I in the healing rooms?" She said again.

"You fainted," Loki declared. "But now you are better, so return to your work."

She still not understood, but obeyed anyway, leaving them in turn.

Loki turned back to Thor, who was now readjusting to his own body.

"Everything is fixed now," Loki said, and with that he turned around.

Thor grabbed his arms. "Brother, wait!" he got out of the bed. "Thank you. Thank you very much. You are the best."

Loki laughed wryly. "Even though I am the one who put you in such a situation in the first place?"

Thor shrugged, a smile on his lips. "Well it's not worse than that time you stabbed me. Or that time you tested a new poison on me and I had a fever for two weeks."

He shook his head. "Yes, not need to expand. Anyway. Not even caring for everything I put you through and even thanking me to have you wait for it... You should learn your priorities."

Thor let go of his grip. "I guess I cannot resent you. I love you way too much for that. And some says love makes you blind."

Loki's heart missed a beat. What did he meant by that? No, of course he meant no more than brotherly love. It wasn't possible otherwise. Yet the phrasing was curious.

He tried not to show his inward feelings.

"And stupid. Since when are you so sentimental?"

"I have always been so, and you should know it."

There was a silence, and then Loki sighed. "Let's not stay here."

Before Thor could say anything, Loki teleported them to his own room.

"Why did you– What if father and mother are looking for me? And the healers?"

"It did not seem to bother you half an hour ago. Anyway, you'll tell them you're fine soon enough. Maybe that you fainted out of tiredness. I'm sure they'll believe you. With the number of people you bring to your bed..." he added while he layed the book back on the pile.

Thor made an outraged face. "Why are you bringing this up again? And I never do that!"
He shrugged. "That's what the palace rumors told me."

"And since when do you listen to such low gossips?"

"Since they informed me how easily my brother is to be bedded."

"Listen, I sometimes flirt, all right. I shared a kiss or two with some guards or maids during drunken nights. But never I have done what you attribute me. And why does it interests you anyway?!"

Loki caught his breath. He knew why. And he hated himself for it. "You do not want to know why."

"No, I do want to know! You're always hiding things from me. I seem to irritate you, but never do you directly address the matter. And now you're angry because you heard some false affairs on my count, and force me to do servant work because I'm, what, arrogant? You never explain anything! You always taunt me so, brother. Why is that?"

Loki bit his lip. He went to sit on his bed, still not looking at Thor.

"You may not understand me, or laugh, but I guess... I like when your attention is on me only." He looked away. "When we were children, there was only me that you covered of embraces and compliments. I was your world and you were mine. But then you spent more and more time with your friends and those stupid maidens and you forgot me."

He sounded so childish. He hated it.

Thor said nothing at first, and went to settle beside him, seemingly thinking of what to say.

"I feel the same sometimes," he only said, looking down. "You're always hiding yourself in your books and studies. You don't want to spend time with me anymore. Every time I ask you to join our sparring or one of our adventures, you decline."

Loki looked down too. It seemed they were both idiots now.

Then he smirked, hiding his uneasiness.

"If I said I loved you more than anything, more than I should, that I want you all to myself... would you believe me?"

A smile formed on the corner of his lips. "Maybe."

"Do not mock me. I am serious."

"And I am too."

"You mean..."

Thor finally turned to him. "Yes, I am in love with you too, Loki. Despite everything you've done to me. Maybe I'm the most twisted one between us after all."

Then Loki lifted his chin, and went to press a soft kiss against his lips. It was the sweetest thing he had ever tasted.

But it did not last long, and he pulled away quickly, looking at him in the eyes. "See, I just kissed my own brother. Who's the most twisted between us now?"

Thor's eyes were still sparkling. "Do that again."

And he brought him into another kiss, which grew way deeper and fiercer then the first.

Then they parted, and they were both breathless, and Thor looked at him in the eyes again, his hand on his cheek.

"You cannot measure how much you are important to me. I do not take your help for granted. I assure you."

But Loki didn't want to think about any of that anymore. He locked the door in a distant gesture, not caring about their parents that must be wondering where Thor had gone.

With an hungry gaze, he licked his lips, pushing his brother on the bed.

Thor looked away, his cheeks flushing, and gods how he was irresistible. "Would you... give me some female attributes to use one day?"

He couldn't help but laugh. "Of course. I would play with you in any form. Even if you were stuck in that maiden, I would still have loved you as much."

"Really?" he smirked.

"Indeed. Oh, don't be wrong, you have a very pleasant body. But I guess your annoying personality pleases me more, you oaf," he sneered.

"You talk way too much."

And he kissed him again.