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Hello and welcome! This first chapter is here to merely to lay down the rules for vampires in this fic as different medias have different rules for them and I've combined a few to make this fic as nice as possible but this is a crossover between Thor 2011 and What We Do In The Shadows so the majority of rules will be from that show! I know I could just mention them in the fic but I do not want to make it boring by spending chapters explaining these little things. Of course they will still be mentioned in the fic but I just wanted to take the time to make a rulebook that readers can go back to if they forget a vampire rule in the fic. 

How does a vampire turn into a vampire? 

This transformation requires someone to drink the blood of a vampire. 

How do vampires die? 

Starvation, a wooden stake, silver weapons and the sun are what kills a vampire. 

What powers do vampires have? 

A vampires powers include their strength, Super speed, temporary boosts from killing other vampires, flying, hypnosis/mind control, putting people to sleep and waking them up, eyes glowing, turning into dust to fly away, turning into a bat. Each vampire has their own set of skills unique to them so the powers vary. 

How do Vampires age? 

Vampires simply do not. They stay the age they were bitten forever. 

What do vampires eat? 

For an Asgardian vampire (Loki is not adopted in this fic) food can be merely dull so they are able to eat normal foods but require blood as their main food source. This is obtainable through people and animals as long as they are living. 

What about?... (Insert question or possible plot hole) 

Anything else will be explained in the actual chapters as I do not wish to spoil it! 

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Being a young, handsome prince of Asgard was difficult for Loki. He had to keep up appearances, appear dignified and regal at all times and hide the fact that he was a vampire from everyone in all the nine realms.

Loki still remembered that fateful day where he was turned. He was a young, naive boy who adored testing his limits of seidr. Oh, how he thought himself invincible! Having discovered how to hide himself from Heimdall's sight, Loki immediately world-walked to Midgard to test it out. After all, it was Midgard. What could possibly go wrong on Midgard? 

Well, he could be relaxing after a fun day of playing tricks on primitive mortals, lying on the floor of a random cave only to feel a sharp pain on his neck. Loki had thrashed and immediately fought back against his attacker, wondering what kind of deranged animal violently hickeyed someone to death as the man covered his mouth to muffle his screams. In a panic Loki bit the freak's hand as hard as he could, blood trickling into his own mouth and then threw the man over his shoulder out of the cave. Loki had ran to attack only for the man to suddenly catch on fire, burning to a crisp before Loki's very eyes.

Safe to say, Loki returned home quickly that day. The youth had definitely experienced some oddities after that such as vomiting any food he ate, having to draw the curtains to protect his suddenly sensitive eyes and much much more. So it was safe to say that much could go wrong. 

Loki thanked the Norns often that he had been too afraid to confess that he had snuck off realm to visit the healers. At the time, the boy had told himself that perhaps the mortal's diseased blood had caused him to feel unwell. Surely it would pass given that Loki was Asgardian? Well, the vomiting certainly did.

But Loki was changed that day. He had grown into something monstrous, something dangerous, something-

“Loki, look! My bicep is as thick as this tree!” Thor called, flexing in front of a tree that most certainly did not consent to being body shamed by the elder prince.

Curse Thor for interrupting his monologue! No, it was not Thor's fault. Loki was burdened with this knowledge because of his actions. That monster may have been the one to bite him but it was Loki's fault.

And now he was a damn vampire.

A crafty one, for if he wasn't he'd be a pile of ashes on the floor currently. His seidr protected him from the rays of the sun, although Loki was still extremely fragile to the summers. Curse those shiny rays for trying to creep their way into his darkness. 

Loki sighed, deciding to continue his internal monologue later during nightfall. Prime time for Loki to do whatever he wished. Perhaps he could feign tiredness and take an early nap to skip towards it. He was rather peckish.

But now he had to play the part of someone normal. 

He quietly set up camp with Thor and the idiots four, as Loki had internally branded them quite accurately. 

“I don't suppose you'll be tucking into the game, Loki?” Volstagg hovered over his shoulder hopefully, batting his eyelashes to appear friendly but in Loki's opinion he could be mistaken for having some type of seizure.

“No, I will be resting early. You may have my share.” He said in a bored tone, ignoring Fandral's soft muttering to Sif.

He was all too aware of them snickering at whatever joke had been made at his expense but chose to rise above it. He was a fucking vampire. A vampire God. A superior being to them all. Fuck them all, anyways.

“Are you hale, brother?” Thor caught his arm as he attempted to walk away, unsatisfied with Loki's curt nod. “Tis not the heat, is it?”

“It is not unbearable Thor. I shall not be fainting any time soon unless you do not allow me to retreat into my tent. You have no need for me, go share tales with your friends.” He answered bitterly, not waiting for a reply before he shrugged Thor off and retreated.

Stupid, stupid, stupid warriors. They were incapable of understanding Loki, for they did neither possess his superior wit or vampiric energy. He sighed, removing the glamour once he was sure nobody would come in and pressing his finger gently to his left fang. One day the realms would recognize his greatness. He sighed, placing the glamour back on as he dozed off.

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Loki woke up when the moon was shining through the small gap he had left in the entrance in his tent, as if personally inviting him to feast on whatever creatures were unlucky to be found by the trickster. Loki quietly sighed, although it could not be heard over the somehow synchronized snoring of Volstagg, Thor and Sif. Really, how did they do that? Any why, excluding Sif who denied it, we're they proud of that? 

He rubbed his left eye, gathering himself and sneaking out of the tent. He cast a silencing spell over himself to ensure he did not wake Hogun, who was a light sleeper, up by stepping on a twig despite the low chance that would happen. He could never be too careful.

He followed his nose, allowing his senses to take him to the nearest blood source that wasn't Thor or his sycophantic friends. This was it. This is what kept him going. The moon above, the darkness around that comforted his sensitive eyes, the way the night practically called for him to join it. He walked slowly, savouring the moment. If anyone woke up and questioned his disappearance he'd merely claim he was relieving himself.

After all, Loki was a professional. And there were rules to hunting. Sure, self imposed but nobody said being such a young vampire was easy. It did not exactly come with a manual! No, apparently you had to search for those all over the galaxy! Although Loki still had not found one accurate and was led to believe that most were written as stories instead.

Anyways, back to Loki's very important rules. Have an excuse, be silent and do not under any circumstances pick an animal that could be easily found. Loki liked to bury his prey afterwards since he did not rip into their throats and drink but sucked them dry. After all, he was a classy man and a Prince.

Eventually he stumbled upon a lone injured deer. The poor thing was light snack for Loki but it would do for now at least. He would probably need something else if he wanted to avoid having to sneak out a few days later. Truthfully, Loki did not need to feed now as he had only recently fed quite well but his practices in seidr had drained him of much energy and it was always better to be a little too full than starving. 

Loki knelt by the terrified deer, noticing its leg was severely injured. Unlikely to heal properly but thankfully the blood was not tainted by infection. Loki cradled it close, comforting it as he sunk his teeth into its neck. The poor thing thrashed with all its might but Loki easily overpowered it, silently feeding as his glamour wore off, revealing his true age and appearance.

He heard a sudden flash, one that he had only heard from himself before, and suddenly was flung into a nearby log. He gasped as his back hit the wood, looking up to see exactly who had done that to see a tall, smug looking man with long dark locks dressed in fine clothing. Too fine to be hunting.

“I do not enjoy being stolen from, whether the thief is a fledgling or not.” The man stepped forward. “That was mine. I was looking for it.”

Loki stood up, assessing the situation. Another vampire. Clearly more powerful than him. Thankfully there was no trace of seidr in his blood at least. Loki had a chance! Or at least he felt he did until he heard the familiar whoosh of the extreme speed that came with being a vampire and saw two more adult male vampires stood beside the man. A faction of a coven, perhaps?

“I did not know there were others like me.” Loki answered, hoping they would underestimate him.

Other vampires on Asgard? That was extremely dangerous for him.

The men chuckled, a little too loudly for his liking, and gave him condescending looks. He had them now.

“Oh, did you think you were special, boy?” The one on the right looked to his friends as if there was nothing funnier before turning to Loki.

Boy. Not Prince. They did not recognize him. That was good.

“What are you doing on Asgard?” He asked, giving the impression of a frightened adolescent attempting to be brave. He forced his shoulders and legs to shake ever so slightly before tensing them, looking at the one in the middle for an explanation.

“Ah, I am hoping to open a coven on these grounds. All it took was a witch and well here we are. Tell me, boy, which covens run this land? I wish to challenge them.” He arrogantly lifted his chin up, hissing to show long fangs. Far longer than Loki's. Oh shit. 

“My sire.” He began, technically telling no lie. “And he shall not be challenged.”

The one in the middle had a glint in his eyes as he stepped forward, getting close enough to pat Loki on the chest condescendingly. “Then I shall send your heart as a present when I drive a stake through it.”

He lurched forward but Loki was prepared. And Loki had his seidr. He sent a blast at the three, unfortunately knocking him slightly into the log behind due to close proximity with the leader. He knew it would not kill them though and he had no time to waste.

Their enraged hisses echoed into the night and Loki knew it was in his best interest to remove the silencing spell for he would need all the energy he could get to kill them. This was uncharted territory unless he counted his little accident 400 years ago. He could always run off with the bodies later if Thor and the others woke up. One immediately pounced but Loki had a silver dagger ready, plummeting it into his neck and dragging the blade. The vampire screeched as Loki kicked him away, taking his blade with him just as another grabbed him by the shoulder. Loki jumped onto him, legs around his neck and shoved the bloody dagger into his skull, jumping off at the sound of the sickening crack. Loki felt relief at killing two until their little leader used his speed to ram Loki into the same log, his dagger flying from his hand.

“Stupid fledgling! I will make you pay-” The foul creature spat before being interrupted. 

“Loki!” A familiar voice called, distracting the elder vampire long enough for Loki. 

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The man turned his head and Loki sunk his teeth into his neck, ignoring the way the man gripped his raven locks in an effort to pull him off. Loki rolled so that he was now on top of the man, using his legs to keep him still as he sucked the blood right from him.

Once it was done, Loki panted, letting himself fall off the corpse onto his back. He blinked up at the night sky, energy coursing through his veins. He felt amazing. Did drinking vampires give him a special boost? He felt as though he could conquer the universe. Or at least the galaxy.

“Loki!” His brother’s face blocked his vision of the moon, causing him to wince.

Thor was totally ruining this moment. Oh shit, Thor! He gasped, sitting up only to headbutt the man. “Move!”

Thor shuffled, clutching mjolnir in confusion in hastily put on armour as he looked at the corpses in the darkness. “Loki, what is this?” He whispered, horror laced in his voice at the blood splattered over Loki.

Loki opened his mouth to lie but was interrupted by the footsteps reaching rapidly. Why was he so aware of everything? It had to be the vampire blood.

“Loki!” Thor urged, gripping his brother by the neck only to recoil at the sight of the elongated teeth and glowing eyes.

Not to mention the blood dripping down from his lips that Thor had likely seen him suck out of the corpse beside him.

“Thor, what happened?” Volstagg began, the others beside him.

He heard Sif gasp first at the three corpses before her eyes fell on the bloodied, glowing eyed boy next to her.

“By the Norns!” Fandral gasped. “Loki, are you injur-”

“Hogun, go away.” His voice shook.

He could smell the slight graze on the man's knuckles. He had no idea how it got there but he was far too aware of it to not be tempted to sink his teeth in.

“Loki what-”

“I'll explain in a second and you can tell him but he cannot be here!” The urgency in his voice caused Thor to send Hogun a look to confirm he should do as demanded by the second prince.

Hogun reluctantly walked off as Thor checked Loki, who pushed him off at such a force it sent him rolling back on his ass. Oh, he was stronger than Thor. Easily stronger. What the fuck, ok so this was happening.

“Loki! Brother, please!” Thor's voice cracked with emotion and Loki sighed deeply, knowing it was time.

“I am a vampire.” He spoke as though describing the weather, hoping he would wake up in his tent and this would be a dream.

“A-a what?” Thor chuckled weakly, confused.

“Nay, those are mere legends!” Fandral protested, baffled as Volstagg stared at the open throat of one of the other vampires.

“Do the fangs and glowing eyes you see not possibly suggest that they are not?” Loki hissed a little too vampirically by the way they recoiled.

“Loki, are you hurt?” Sif, trying to control the situation, asked.

He shook his head weakly, staring at the drained corpse next to him. “I have never spoken to another vampire before. I killed the one who turned me. I am unsure if it was a good idea to drain him.”

Why did he feel so…Aware?

“Loki, are you ill?” Thor hesitantly came closer, although he kept a closer distance.

Loki shook his head, not taking his eyes off the corpse until he realised everyone was waiting for him to talk. He turned to Thor, who was staring intently at the glowing eyes. “I am a vampire. I was turned around 400 years ago.”

Yes, this was a good start.

“Is that why you look 800?” Fandral interrupted, wanting to point out the elephant in the room.

Loki, who had grown rather sensitive about his lack of ageing, corrected him. “900. 937 to be specific. I never aged from then.”

“That is impossible, we would have noticed!” Sif protested, eyes wide as she stared at the corpses that did not resemble the usual Loki kills.

Not that there were many.

“Seidr, sif, seidr.” He reminded her, hoping that his casual tone would calm him a little.

“Who were they?” Volstagg pointed at the corpses, which was an oddly nice distraction.

He could pretend he was doing a simple report. That was nicer. Easier.

“A witch assisted them to travel here without the use of the bifrost. They were other vampires.” Loki waited for the gasps to die down but Fandral had his own question.

“Vampires in Asgard?” Fandral's voice shook with horror, most likely internally recalling stories.

“No, no.” Loki shook his head, having thought of that long ago. “To my knowledge I am the only one. These were attempting to start their own coven and chose Asgard.”

“Why Asgard, lad?” Volstagg asked, seeming to adapt to Loki being suddenly so much younger.

Twat, Loki thought. Of course Volstagg immediately took notice of the whole ‘Loki was suddenly a boy’ thing.

“I am unsure. I would say the lack of vampires but they appeared to have little to no knowledge about Asgard. It was as if they were sent at random.” Loki shrugged, wiping blood from his mouth as he stood up.

“We must report this to the All-Father!” Sif’s declaration got a few nods but Loki was quick to shut her down.

He could not have that happen. Would he be executed or exiled? Either way he'd lose everything.

“No, no. From my knowledge, vampires have only existed on Midgard. Meaning that although they are vampires they are still mortals. It would be best if I visited Midgard and discovered which witch had the ability to do such a thing. And to spread the word that Asgard is too powerful.” Loki explained as calmly as he could, allowing his seidr to clean his clothes and change him back to his Asgardian form.

“Why are their fangs longer?” Thor asked, prompting Loki to turn his head to see Thor fiddling with the drained corpse with morbid curiosity and fear.

“No idea. Admittedly I have little understanding of being a vampire but I could find out on Midgard.” Loki suggested, hoping to have them keep this all quiet.

“The All-Father can-” Fandral began, tearing his eyes from the corpses to look at Loki.

“You wish for me to tell the All-Father I am a monster from legend and that there are more of me that need to be exterminated?” Loki cut him off sharply, watching Thor's melt into worry and horror at Loki's self-deprecating words. “I can do this quietly. And I will. Nobody needs to know I am a monster.”

“I believe the correct term, as you said yourself, is vampire.” Volstagg delicately said, far too nice for Loki's liking.

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“Father will not see you as a monster. You are as Asgardian as the rest of us!” Thor proclaimed with naive certainty.

“Where are your fangs then?” Loki bit back, fear creeping up on him.

Father already was so distant with him. Asgard, too, was completely disconnected from him. If news got out from a gossiping servant or bitter noble that Loki was a vampire he'd be forced to flee.

“I can make a deal.” He said, a little too quickly to be casual. “I will go to Midgard and if I cannot solve this problem myself I will tell the All-Father.”

“That is madness, keeping such a vital secret from the King of Asgard!” Volstagg guffawed as he rubbed the back of his head to reduce tension.

“It is practical! We already have Frost giants to be concerned about and you wish to add vampires into the mix?” Loki hissed, hoping they would see sense for once. 

“Very well. We could dispose of the enemy quietly to protect Asgard.” Loki sighed in relief at Sif's words until she continued. “We will go to Midgard.”

“I will.” Loki corrected, annoyance replacing some of his fear.

Thor shook his head, patting Mjolnir as if thinking of the enemies he may get to crush under it. “We will.”

“I will.”

We will.”

“I will!”

“How did I not see you were still 900-” Thor could not finish his sentence for Loki used his vampire speed to have Thor shoved back to a tree hard enough to knock the air from his lungs.

The others startled, having never before seen someone move so fast that by the time they registered Loki was moving at all he had already done it.

“Thor!” Sif rushed over to help Thor up as Fandral awkwardly attempted to diffuse the tension.

“Steady on there, Loki. Say, why did you send Hogun away?” Fandral asked, clearly trying to steer the conversation away from asking how the hell Loki did that which may only anger him more.

“Aye, I also wondered.” Volstagg turned to him, unsure of how to act.

Loki sighed, speeding back to the log and sitting on it, resting his shoes on the corpse of the drained man. He didn't care it was as disrespectful as the time he sneakily stepped on a lady of the court's dress after she implied some rather nasty things about his small daggers being a sign for something else, causing the dress to tear and expose her as she walked off. In Loki's opinion she definitely deserved it.

“After I drained this vampire here my senses became heightened. More than usual, meaning I could smell the little graze on Hogun's hand. So I sent him away because it was far too much.” Loki simply explained as Thor rubbed his back.

“You were not tempted to… . Eat him, no?” Volstagg asked worriedly, the others donning similar facial expressions as Loki scowled.

“No! But I can smell the shit a fox just took about half a mile from here and there's far too much going on. Hopefully it is temporary.” Loki huffed, his worry returning.

What if it was not? Would he have to watch out for every time someone bled? Would he ever be able to get used to that? Sure, he had gotten used to the urges and sensitivity but it was with great struggle. If they increased to such a degree could he cope?

“If not?”

“Well I will then have to simply adapt to it.” Loki lamely answered Sif, noticing her unsatisfied expression at his words.

She was likely thinking the same thing as him. That was dangerous and a disaster waiting to happen.

“Do you…Uh… Often suck the blood out of people?” Volstagg asked meekly, his shoulders tensing as if prepared to undergo the same shove that Loki so ungraciously bestowed upon Thor.

“I earlier mentioned my lack of vampire encounters and there have been no reports of drained Asgardians laying around so what do you think?” Loki rolled his eyes, cursing the three laying corpses for putting him in this accursed situation.

How long until one of these morons slipped up or grew angry with him and told someone else? How long until his life fell apart?

“Well you could just be hiding them-” Fandral sulked, getting a swift punch to the stomach.

He groaned, glaring at Thor who ignored him.

“Loki is not killing people! Obviously animals, yes brother?”

Loki nodded, grateful to have someone on his side. He could get used to that. Unfortunately, Loki knew it would not last. Thor had gotten only a glimpse of the monster that lurked beneath his younger brother. “Of course. It is merely…Hunting with a different outcome and style.”

“Well on a more positive note then, since we all know… When you do so feel free to give me the drained corpses so there's no waste!” Volstagg smiled cheerfully at the trickster, hoping to keep the boy a little calm.

“Leftovers, volstagg, you are begging for leftovers.” It seemed to have worked judging by the humour in those faintly glowing eyes.

Sif stepped up. “We should discuss this with Hogun.”

“But…” Thor's eyes turned to Loki.

“I've been hiding from Heimdall since I was in my tent. He has not seen any of this. I will wait for the boost to wear off, if it does, and then return. You can retreat, anyways, I have no need for you here. But you cannot say anything that may alert Heimdall as I cannot be there to hide you from him.”

Loki rubbed his hands together. Now that the shock was wearing off he was struggling to keep his temper in check. They had no right knowing his secret. And now what? There was suddenly so much to worry about.

“Will Heimdall not be suspicious that you are hiding from him?” Sif questioned sharply, clearly underestimating him.

“No, I do it often to ensure it is not seen as out of the ordinary.” He shook his head, glaring at the corpse beneath him for the mess this had all made.

His nails dug into the palms of his hand, although to avoid drawing blood he instead focused his quiet rage onto the log.

“You all should go. I will stay with my brother.” Thor said, sitting beside Loki on the log.

“Thor-” Loki sighed, turning in exasperation.

“Loki, will you not need help disposing of the bodies? Allow me to stay for that at least.” Thor quietly spoke, clearly sensing Loki was not in the mood to be argued with and since he had little clue on how powerful Loki was in this form he figured it'd be best to be more… Soft.

“I plan to wait until morning so that they will burn to a crisp from the sunlight.” Was he shaking?

How long had he been shaking for? He really needed to get a hold on himself.

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“Wait what? How have you…” Fandral trailed off after Loki's annoyed look. “Seidr, understood. Sure is helpful.

“I still cannot believe you are still a boy. 900!” Fandral sighed in awe, baffled by the multitude of revelations brought to light that night.

“Physically.” Loki reminded him, anger growing visibly to the point where Thor knelt down and rubbed his wrist to calm him.

Fandral, who had yet to notice how Loki was struggling to control himself, debated with him. “But your brain still functions as 900-”

“Go!” Loki yelled, his eyes glowing harder as Fandral was knocked back with a burst of seidr, caught by Volstagg’s large hands.

“Do as he says. Tell Hogun nothing and wait for our return.” Thor gripped Loki's wrists, keeping the younger as grounded as he could.

The trio hesitantly looked between the two brothers before leaving silently, their footsteps far too loud for Loki's liking.

It was as if every sound was being drilled deep into his skull, filling it up to the point where he feared it just may burst open.

“Loki… What can I do to help you?” Thor hesitantly asked him.

“I… I just need time… To…” Loki trailed off, putting his head in his hands.

Cope? Think of a plan? Relax? He really did not know.

“Share with me brother. If I cannot help I can listen.” Thor urged softly, still rubbing Loki's wrists.

“Someone will tell. By accident or not someone will tell. And-and I shall have to live far away in hiding forever and-and-and I shall never see mother again because even if I do not do anything I still will be a threat!” Loki blurted out, feeling a lump in his throat as he thought of the idea of never seeing his mother again.

He wanted so badly to be next to her now, sat in her gardens perhaps as she asked how his day was. Loki may have been a monster but no matter what he was still his mother's child and he wanted his mother right now, damn how pathetic it was!

“No, no, no, Loki!” Thor attempted to reassure him, having not seen Loki so emotional since they were both young boys.

He put a hand on Loki's neck to soothe him only to receive a hiss. By the Norns, his brother looked so little. He settled for continuing putting pressure on his hands and wrists, noticing how Loki did not complain at that.

“I assure you I shall have them all take an oath to the norns that no such thing will occur. And if somehow it ever got out, I would shield you from everything.” Thor said confidently, gesturing to Mjolnir on his lap.

“From a servant poisoning me in my chambers? An assassin stabbing me with a wooden stake in an alley? Could you do that, Thor?” Loki spat out, kicking the corpse under his feet away in anger.

Thor didn't understand. He was too naive. Thor couldn't protect Loki now, how could he do it when Asgard has a genuine reason to despise him? Loki was no idiot, he knew what it meant to the others when Thor joined in the mocking of Loki. A pass. That was what it was. Thor did not believe him but Thor had practically labelled Loki as a target for everyone.

“Look, Loki. You are my brother. I may have little understanding of vampires but if you are one then they are surely nothing to hate or fear. I would sooner run away with you than allow someone to lay a hand on you.”

“Well we both know that is not true. You have no problem when people do it already.” Loki bitterly spoke, his emotions bubbling up higher.

“Loki-” Thor began but Loki swiftly put a silencing charm on them and began talking.

“Do you know what it is like, Thor? To be trapped in the body of an adolescent, never being able to grow up and having to fight off men with muscles the size of my head? To be surrounded by people laughing at you and not being able to defend yourself because they are all waiting for the opportunity to knock you down again? No, because you have always been on the other side laughing.” Loki gritted his teeth, his voice shaking with emotion as if this was somehow going to be the moment when Thor understood Loki. “I have nobody and it has never been any different. You prove that to me every single day.”

“That is untrue, the warriors three-”

“I hear what you all say. I know that you bribe them to put up with me because you know I have nobody else. I hear it all! But as I have told you time and time again I would rather be squirreled away in the library than be here! Because this is not fun for me, Thor, it is not!”

Thor said nothing, letting go of Loki's wrists and looking up at the lowering moon above them. What could he say in defense to that? Thor had usually brushed away Loki's words and so Loki had stopped sharing them with him. If Thor did not handle this properly Loki would shun him once again. Perhaps this was the time to repair their broken bond. The Norns knew how much Thor wished for that. It was always if Loki put more effort in, if Loki saw his perspective.

Well, as the much older brother he had to step back and think.

“May I share my perspective?” He turned to Loki before yawning loudly in his face.

Loki gagged at the lingering stench of Thor's breath before nodding. “Go ahead, when have you not been allowed everything you wish?”

“Before learning of your… Affliction… This is how we all perceived you. I wish for you to keep in mind that this is merely a perception caused by our lack of knowledge and understanding.” Thor spoke slowly.

He did not want to get caught up in one of Loki's word games and have them twisted. Slow and steady was the best way it seemed.

“…Fine. Share your perspective.” Loki mocked, throwing his hands up.

“We saw a man. A man, keep in mind. A man who was far too old to behave the way he acted. I will admit, I have always found you childish. With your…Tricks and other juvenile behaviour.” Thor delicately began.

“My age does not impact my behaviour.” Loki interrupted, wanting to destroy the notion that he was not a man.

But maybe he could play the ‘oh I'm only 900 card’ later? Volstagg in particular seemed vulnerable to it considering his eldest was physically older than Loki.

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“I will not claim to know anything about being a vampire. I am merely going to share my perspective.” Thor shrugged his shoulders defensively, not wanting to be thrown against a tree again.

His back ached... He couldn't believe Loki was capable of that the whole time. 

“You have said that word many times, did you just learn it or something?” Loki chuckled, some of his tension rolling off of him at the realisation that Thor was attempting to be wise.

“Do not perceive me as an imbecile.” Before Loki could mock him, Thor continued. “You stayed out of the sun because you did not like it and we're sensitive to heat. So you were moody and pessimistic and valued us low enough that you refused to put up with mild discomfort. You did not join us at feasts. So you thought you were above spending time with us. You did not bulk up from training. So you were not trying hard enough.”

“Well I only have the strength of a 900 year old so adding muscle would have done nothing. I mean I do have extra strength as a vampire, locked away when I am not in my natural form.” Loki interrupted to explain. 

By the Norns, why was everyone so obsessed with his lack of physical strength?!

“Right, right. I am merely sharing my perspective.” Thor reminded him patiently, surprised by how protective of his little brother he suddenly felt.

“I am growing sick of hearing that word, you know.” Loki scrunched up his face before letting out a chuckle.

“I did perceive you to be annoyed when I said it. But anyways. I am not blaming you for not sharing your secrets although I am feeling a little upset you did not come to me. Listening to you instead of just hearing you has shown me why you did not though. Perhaps it is seeing you in your natural form. Have your eyes always been so sparkly?” Thor mused, noticing his brother's eyes were still glowing albeit less than before.

“It lingers from using seidr in my natural form.” Loki muttered his response, rolling his eyes.

“Adorable.” He shifted away just in case Loki decided to do anything and continued. “Now, the… mocking. Men mock each other. Men do not mock boys. It is… Rude. Rude men mock boys. And you are physically a boy. I know, I know! But I used the word physically, alright? And I just do not think we would have had it in us to look at your sparkly big eyes and joke around. I am not excusing hurting your feelings. It was wrong. I indeed should have put a stop to it. But I wish for you to understand that we genuinely thought we were including you this way at the beginning. I knew you were falling out of favour with my friends and so I attempted to get you to spend more time with them. I thought if they could see what I see…”

“You all mock me a lot more than you do with each other.” Loki pointed out with a scowl.

Thor straightened up, defending his actions. “Because you are the youngest!”

“That contradicts what you just said three seconds ago!” Loki snapped.

“Oh, I do not know how to talk to you. I am trying to say that we have spoken about this before. We thought you odd. We tried to bond with you by doing to you what we do to each other at a higher frequency to ensure you felt included. It did not work. The others assumed you hated them.”

“I do.”

“But the reasons are all… different! You think they have always been cruel. They think you believe you are better than everyone. But nobody knew anything and so here we are.” Thor sighed, frustrated with everything and everyone.

Why did so much have to be so complicated?

A pregnant silence filled the air as the two brothers sat there in silence under the faint glow of the moonlight. Loki rested his chin on his knees, balancing himself on the log.

“I am no child.” Loki suddenly spoke, looking down at his smaller hands with self consciousness.

“But your body…” Thor awkwardly trailed off, hoping to not offend.

Loki was thankful the moonlight did not illuminate him fully. What would Thor say if he saw him clearer?

“I can merely not…Grow. Mentally I am over 1300 but my brain and body are still 900.” Loki awkwardly explained, hoping Thor could understand that he did not wish to be subjected to patronisation.

He'd honestly take the mockery over that. At least one would recognize him as an adult.

“That is… Quite a difference. What is it like?” Thor asked carefully.

“Hmpf. Why? Do you plan to tell your sycophants to laugh about it?” Loki snipped defensively.

“I want to understand you. My mistakes come from my unwillingness to do so. It must have been…Frightening to turn into a vampire all alone. If I was a better brother perhaps you would have come to me.” Thor admitted softly, looking down in shame.

Loki let the validating words wash over him, stirring odd feelings in his stomach. He had waited for a long time to hear Thor admit his fault without turning it back on Loki. He liked it. It was quite sweet to have Thor take a genuine interest in Loki and oddly relieving to be able to speak of his affliction for once.

To reward Thor, and hopefully prompt him to do it more often, he answered. “Caged. My brain has its limits but my mind does not. There is only so much I can do with my current brain and body. And so I don my glamour like an ill-fitting costume. I feel 1300 and 900, always bouncing between them depending on the situation. I cannot say it is an enjoyable experience.”

Loki ensured he did not go into any specifics. It was embarrassing for the trickster to be literally stuck in puberty whilst masquerading as an adult. Too many times he had experienced mood swings that caused him to scurry to his bedchambers, put on a silencing spell and have a meltdown away from gossiping eyes or ears.

“I am sorry you have to experience that.” Thor quietly said, eyes downcast as he took in that information. 

“Eh, I have had 400 or more years to adjust. Anyways, the boost was definitely temporary. My senses have dulled back, we should go. It is early morning and we need to be up soon.” Loki stood up, anxious to go back in case the others had already gathered villagers to form an angry mob or something. “The bodies will burn as the sun comes up, we can leave them here.”

We're the others talking about him? Plotting behind his back about putting down the beast whilst he was asleep? Sharpening their swords in case he went berserk on them? He would soon find out.

“Oh good, my arse was going all stiff and numb.” Thor chuckled, standing up.

He noticed Thor staring at the top of his head and flushed. “I am not that much shorter.”

Thor flinched, looking away. “Right, right.”

Chapter Text

Loki huffed, using his seidr to age himself up to look his usual 1349, feeling more confident now. He rarely went without it despite how wrong it made him feel. It was a complicated mess, really. A cloak of safety but one that did not fit a man-boy like him.

“I'll hide the camp from Heimdall's sight just in case once we're close enough.” Loki earned him, receiving a soft nod.

The two walked back in silence, greeted by Volstagg who cheerfully waved as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred. “The others have gone to bed. Is everything alright?”

“All completely fine here, we can talk in the morning.” Thor smiled as Loki ignored them, going into his tent with a feeling of numbness now that he had gone through that whirlwind of emotions.

He had mentally prepared to shroud them all from Heimdall's sight and get into a screaming match about how they were not allowed to tell anyone but nope. Apparently everyone needed a nap instead.

Loki sighed, listening in to Thor and Volstagg with his advanced hearing.

“How does Loki fare?” Volstagg questioned in the quiet night.

“Better, I believe. I warn you not to patronize him. He has expressed that he will not stand for it.” Loki felt gratitude swell in him at that.

He was glad that Thor had truly listened to him. Although a part of him wandered if it was all temporary. He would have to distance himself from them all perhaps.

Loki pondered on this thought. He could no longer afford to be on their bad side as much as it pained him to admit it. But they would never trust him if he suddenly became very kind and it would only make them more suspicious of him. The best thing he could do was craft a role. The young, fearful prince who hid his monster nature from the big scary warriors. Thor would likely do everything to prove to Loki that he was to be trusted and that Thor loved him anyway.

Loki would have to push away, allowing occasional vulnerabilities to show so that Thor would try harder. And on top of all that, it was an insult to their honour for Loki to consider them unsafe. He knew that despite their feelings for him they would not want to be seen in such a negative light. It was fine for Loki to dislike them but it was not fine for Loki to think that he could not trust them. They were warriors. Their lives depended not only on their skill but their ability to trust each other in times of need. Furthermore, Loki was legitimately terrified. His life was in the hands of those morons! Maybe he could use the visit to Midgard to ee if it was a nice place to settle down after he was inevitably chased out of Asgard.

“I…Truthfully I do not know what to do.” Thor sighed, his voice sounding distressed.

Loki listened to what he presumed was Volstagg patting Thor's arm or shoulder in comfort, rolling his eyes in annoyance. As if Thor was suffering more than him. Loki was a damn vampire! His problems were the worst!

“Well I would refrain from attempting to soften the mood with humour. Also, the boost was truly temporary. He seems fine now, if not a little worn.”

“And those bodies?...”

“I shall take Loki's word for it. I am sure he would not mind going back to collect his dagger and we can all double check.”

Ah shit. His dagger.

“... So will he never reach Valhalla?”

“Norns, Volstagg! Do not fill me with such fear! He will, he will!” Thor yelled, a little too loudly as there were two soft groans from neighbouring tents.

“Shut up! I am so tired!” Sif groaned out.

Loki listened in for the two quietly whispering their goodbyes and climbing into their respective tents.

He sighed, trying to close his eyes. He was safe. He had no need to worry over one of Thor's friends storming in with a sword ready to slay the trickster monster of Asgard. His senses were too strong.

Yet even Loki slept, he could not shake the uneasiness in him. Would it be better if he just ran off? He attempted to picture spending his life on the run, never staying in one place for too long for fear of discovery. For a moment he thought of the idea of joining a group of outlaws, cruising through space! By the Norns, that sounded fun! He put a hand over his mouth to silence his giggles until he remembered that those outlaws would eventually die. He could really just turn them into vampires but it would risk the dynamic changing and someone thinking they were the better vampire. People were so unpredictable, after all. His hand slipped down as he frowned, no longer excited at the prospect of becoming a space criminal. Oh well. Still, perhaps Midgard would not be so awful.

He had scarcely been back since his transformation, holding the entire realm accountable for his misfortune. 200ish years ago he had actually gone looking for any information on vampires, finding a few myths here and there and a very popular book called The Vampyre. Loki loved the book so much that he had set to question the man himself to see if he also was a vampire only to find out he had passed a year ago. Talk about bad timing.

It was also the time that Loki discovered what he truly was. An actual, undead vampire. He had sobbed, screamed and demanded for the Norns to fix his new nature. He had isolated himself, snapping at the few who attempted to cure the suddenly cold yet hot tempered Prince. Eventually he had driven away the few who had the endurance to stick by him for longer than once conversation.

Once Loki had dragged himself out of his self pity he had discovered that whilst he gained immortality he had certainly lost his people. And due to his inability to try in case he failed, he accepted this.

______________

Loki blinked slowly, yawning as he sat up. He looked around his tent, wondering why he felt a slight hunger in his stomach. Did he not?....

Oh.

That.

He grimaced as he got himself dressed, wondering if it was acceptable for him to speed home to avoid seeing Thor or the others. He had no desire to be pestered with their idiotic and possibly suspecting questions. Dread creeped up on him as he scrunched his face in displeasure. There was so much to worry about.

Loki dressed himself before sneaking out, this time finally draining a rabbit and then using his vampiric speed to go back to the tents.

When he returned in a flash, standing suddenly right beside a yawning Fandral, the man shrieked and went to deliver a swift punch in fright. Loki merely side stepped, watching Fandral realize his embarrassment as the others rushed out, weapons ready, at the noise.

“What is it?” Sif called out, looking around frantically.

Her eyes landed on Loki and a wave of something unreadable crossed her expression before she firmly banished it, replacing it with confusion as she looked around for a foe.

“Thor, your brother just appeared!” Fandral caught his breath, looking sheepish he had alerted them all for nothing.

“I did not. Vampire speed.” Loki clarified as they all put their weapons away.

“Oh, that was real? I thought it was merely an odd dream.” Volstagg nervously chuckled. “Vampires… And Loki, pft, you are one! Just… So interesting.”

Loki rolled his eyes as they awkwardly stared at him as if expecting him to do…Well something. Who knew what they were thinking? It wasn't as if much ever went on in their brains.

Chapter Text

“Why don't you all break your fast and we can hopefully ignore everything that happened last night?”

“I cannot say I have it in me to ignore that you are a vampire.” Fandral sucked his teeth, nodding.

“Or a child.” Volstagg reminded their group, causing them to all look at the very adult looking Loki.

“Only physically and not even in this form.” Loki reminded them, annoyance creeping up until he remembered the plan from last night.

Ugh. He had to make them feel endeared towards him. As if he were a scared little boy!

“Right, right.” Volstagg sat down.

“An explanation?” Hogun frowned, having no clue about what was being said.

Loki rolled his eyes, not wanting to have this conversation again so he tended to setting up their morning meal as the others awkwardly explained last night.

Hogun nodded skeptically as they all dug in, Thor swirling to Loki who sat silently. “So we all have questions.”

“I do not believe any of you have the brain cells to form one.”

“It was too dark for me to see last night.” Hogun spoke, interrupting whatever Thor was about to say. “I wish to see your…True form for proof.”

Loki grimaced as he saw them lean in with interest. He normally would have told Hogun to go to Hel for telling him to do something but Loki begrudgingly stuck to his plan of making himself someone to be protected and not suspicious of. He removed the enchantment, discomfort creeping in when he noticed he now had to slightly look up to see them. Technically he was 5’11 but he chose to appear 6’3 to keep up with faking his age. Also to be tall but who cared?

“See?” He showed off his fangs and red eyes. “Vampire.”

“So you are eternally young?” Sif questioned, staring at the boy.

“And eternally squishy.” Thor mused, pinching Loki's soft cheeks until he was slapped in the face for it.

“Stop that.” Loki slapped him a few times with little force.

“Tiny hands.” Thor mused, using his hand to show off the new big difference in height between Thor and Loki by putting his hand by his forehead and extending out, showing the huge gap between the top of Loki's head and Thor's.

“I suddenly feel very uncomfortable recalling the language I have used around you.” Volstagg paled, thinking about how he would never say such things to his own young sons.

“I am only physically 937.” Loki gritted his teeth before shifting back. “Ask your questions quickly.”

“Not even old enough for a flagon of mead! What have I done?” Volstagg gasped, flinching back in horror.

“How did you turn into a vampire?” Sif questioned, taking a spoonful of porridge.

“I was practicing world walking and went to Midgard, where a vampire attacked me and I was turned into a vampire.” He answered, ignoring Thor staring at his mouth to find fangs that did not exist in this form.

“What happened to the vampire?” Fandral swallowed his own porridge before asking.

“How did you actually become one?” Thor interrupted, desperate to know more.

“I threw him out of his cave into the sun where he burnt to death. And the process was done by me biting him, which accidentally turned me into one. Next question.” Loki spoke, wanting to speak quickly so that the conversation could continue with little detail being provided for his answers.

He was Loki, of course he wanted to keep his secrets. The less they knew the less they could accidentally spill.

“What do you eat?” Hogun gestured to his empty hands.

“I can eat any food you can. They merely taste bland and blood is a necessity for me so animal blood is what I have.”

“Ohhhhh, Loki developed a garlic allergy a few centuries ago! Remember that?” Volstagg gasped, looking around to see if anyone else recalled.

Loki grimaced. Everyone remembered that. His first appearance in the great Hall after his transformation had ended shortly after a single bite of garlic bread had Loki vomiting onto Thor's shoulder before promptly passing out.

“How could we not?” Thor grimaced.

“What can kill a vampire?” Sif asked, slight tension forming in the air.

Loki sent a suspicious look before answering snippily, lying right through his teeth. “The sun and starvation. If there is anything else that can then I do not know of it. I have only met four other vampires and they have all tried to kill me so I cannot exactly ask.”

Take that, Sif. As if Loki was going to list his weaknesses.

“Why not go back to find other vampires?” Volstagg asked as he ate the leftovers of yesterday's hunt.

“Firstly, I do not exactly like Midgard since it is where all this happened. Secondly, I would risk stumbling upon other vampires who would possibly be part of a coven or at least be far more skilled than I. Whilst I have travelled to Midgard once or twice for information I do not wish to go there unless absolutely necessary.” Loki firmly stated, bitterness creeping up on him as he thought of how this had all started.

Sif’s brows furrowed as she pointed out the obvious. “You killed those vampires easily though.”

Loki turned to her, shrugging casually. “Well they are still Midgardian despite the extra strength.”

“So you could defend yourself against a vampire…Coven was it?” Thor looked relieved at that, thankful his brother wouldn't be in too much danger when they travelled to Midgard.

“Yes but I have only just learnt that. Again, I did not wish to risk it.”

“Why not change back into your true form?” Volstagg asked, unsure of the feelings in his stomach.

Was Volstagg feeling endeared by the trickster? That was new. Loki was regarded as nothing but a pest to most. Or, according to Thor’s conversation from last night, a stuck up bitch.

“Why would I?” Loki asked, annoyed they had circled back to the age thing.

“Well does it not require energy to shift your appearance?” Questioned the large ginger man.

“Of course it does, it is seidr.” Loki said in a tone that made sure they all remembered that he was so much smarter than all of them.

Thor ignored the hidden mockery and followed on. “So that must be tiring! Or at least weary. Constantly using energy. It would be like… like…”

“Constantly walking, perhaps? Eventually your muscles would tire no matter your pace.” Fandral suggested thoughtfully.

“We already know what you look like.” Hogun argued simply as if what he said had no argument against it.

“So? I have been perfectly fine for 400 years wearing a glamour and I am sure I can survive a few more days.” Loki defensively spoke, internally embarrassed he was playing the role of a boy who had walls high up that were in need of tearing down by kind, loving adults.

Alas but Loki needed their friendship lest they tattle on him.

“Aha! But we are sneaking off to Midgard, are we not? And you will need your energy to world-walk as you have not done it in some time.” Volstagg excitedly smiled, clearly very eager to see Loki young again.

If Loki was not aware of Volstagg’s heart softening at the sight of anyone young enough to be his child this would be creepy. But no, it was just annoying. He already had a damn father! Sure, not a present one but one on parchment!