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Thor woke up to the loud pounding inside his head. He could still feel dull pain in all places where mortals hit him (which, to be honest, would make most of his body). At the beggining they wanted to beat him with their bare hands (Thor smiled at the memory of one of them breaking his own fingers because he hit Thor’s cheek too hard) How pathetic of them. His tormentors though seemed to learn quickly. In no time they’ve realised that their metod of torture wasn’t bringing desired effects and brought long metal bars. Now, being hit with those certainly did hurt, though, in nearly two thousands years of his lifetime, he had survived through far worse. Thor slowly opend his eyes as it quickly turned out, to no end. The room he was locked in proved to be completly dark. When he realised that he felt, certainly not scared, that would be beneath him, but unsettled. Yes that was the corect word. I need to get out of here. Get out and go back to Jane. In the end how hard could it be? His captors were mere mortals after all. They simply couldn’t be able to imprison the heir to the throne of Asgard for long. Former heir to the throne. Your Father is dead because of you, remember?How he could ever foget. He was sure that his last conversation with his baby brother, last before he was moved into this …place, was meant to stay with him forever.
He struggled against his chains. The fact that he was meant to be banished to Midgard for the rest of his days was one thing but he was quite sure that he didn’t want to spend them in this room. Mortals locked chains around his wrists and left him hanging in the air, his feet dangling above the ground. Obviously they didn’t leave him the comfort of clothes, he could tell by the feeling of chilly air on his bare skin. No he didn’t intend to stay in this room any longer. He struggled again. Again to no end. Next he grabbed the chains with his hands and pulled himself up, only result, however, was hitting his own head on the ceiling. He let go of the chains and let himself dangle again. There needed be a way out. He only needed to think. Only problem was that he never was very good with that one, was he? He had always had Loki for that sort of thing. His baby brother would already have numerous plans of getting out of this situation. Thor on the other hand, had none. A little more struggling wouldn’t hurt. Maybe chains will eventually give in.
‘’You wanted to talk to me’’ Loki said as he approached Heimdall. He put all the necessary effort to make his voice neither scared nor intrested.
He had no idea why why Heimdall would call him though. Did he find out about my plans with Frost Giants? Or maybe he just has some information to share with me? Loki hoped that it was the latter. He didn’t want to confront Heimdall just yet.
‘’Your brother found himself in trouble…” the man started.
Loki truly wanted to laugh. So this is only that.
‘’As always’’ he said ‘’Did you really made me come all this way only to state the obvious?’’
Heimdall’s face expression remained as unreadableas always. Loki sighed loudly.
‘’I’ll take that as a yes.’’ He said while turning towards the exit ‘’I’m king now, Heimdall…” Merely a regent ,,… Don’t occupy my precious time with so trivial matters.’’
‘’Your Highness…” Insistent on this one, aren’t you? Loki turned around with theatrical sigh.
‘’Yes?’’
‘’This isn’t one of your brother’s usuall nuisances. I believe that he is in danger”
What have you done this time Thor!? Why do you always have to ruin everything?
‘’What kind of danger?’’
However annoying Thor might have been all his life he was still Loki’s brother… No, not brother. I’m a monster. The only reason for what I was kept here is that one day Odin may see fit to use me as a bargaining chip in some kind of negotiations with Jotunheim. Nevertheless for some reason Loki still held some lingering affection for Thor, that he couldn’t quite get rid of. He didn’t want to see him hurt, well, in any case not to badly.
‘’He has been captured by mortals” Haimdall beggined his explenation ‘’Organisation responsible for this is called S.H.I.E.L.D but…”
Loki laughed aloud and for the moment he saw how Heimdall’s face expretion changed from indifferent to confused. Oh, thank Norns. For the moment I thought that something really happend. If thor found himself in REAL danger, Loki would have to save him, which obviously would interrupted him with plans that he had on his own. Of destroying Jotunheim, ending race of monsters and proving myself worthy of Asgard once and for all. That organisation however wasn’t a real danger. He had visited Thor while his brother… No, not brother!... was already their prisoner. Thor was all and well back then. Those funny mortals couldn’t be any danger.
‘’ I can assure you. He’ll manage’’ Loki said when he was finally done laughing.
‘’My prince, I’m afraid you don’t understand…”
,,I’m your KING now and you will refer to me as such’’ Loki said while striding towards the exit. He really had bigger concerns right now then worrying abou his former brother’s little mishaps ,,I don’t want to hear about this matter anymore’’
Chains didn’t give in. He should have forseen this earlier. Now his wrists were raw from rubbing against the metal, blood from them slowly trailiing down his forearms. He couldn’t exactly see it because of the darkness but he felt sticky liquid on his skin. All joints in his arms hurt from holding his weight for so long. ,,Come here cowards!’’ he started shouting at some point. Now his throat was painfully sore too. He didn’t know for how long he has been in this room but it must have been long. His joints wouldn’t hurt so badly if it wasn’t so. He wasn’t getting anything to eat or to drink. He couldn’t exactly sleep in that position either. And it was shame to admit it but at this point he felt very tired.
Someone opened the door. He closed his eyes in order to protect them from horrendous amounts of light that flooded the room so suddenly. He heard heavy footsteps approachin him. Thor opend eyes and quickly assased his surroundings. Thre room was small. The chain he was hanging on was attached directly to the handle in the ceiling… He felt as somebody grabbed his chin and turned his head. Thor saw three man that just entered the room.
‘’No metal sticks this time?’’ He asked immediatly. Not leaving himself time to Wonder whether such provocation was wise.
The man didn’t answer only took few steps back and took long, heavy whip from the bag that he earlier left by the door.
‘’Heil Hydra’’ he said before hitting.
It took everything from Thor not to make a sound, he managed though. He manegad through first fifty hits, maybe. Then he couldn’t stop yelps escaping his throat every time that whip made conection with his skin.
‘’Where did you come from’’ they kept asking while flogging him.
He didn’t answer. What was he even supposed to say? If he claimed that he was prince of Asgard they wouldn’t believe him. He has spent enough time on Midgard already to know that mortals treated old tales about his home only as myths and legends. Therefore he stayed silent. When mortals finally stopped with the whipping his back was in agonizing pain and he felt warm blood trailing down his thighs. It’s nothing. The wounds will heal in no time… Well, maybe there will be few scars left but it doesn’t matter. He couldn’t be afraid after all. His tormentors were just mortals. It would be dishonor to entire Asgard if he was scared of them. Which I’m not.
‘’Are you going to talk?’’ mortal asked.
Thor shot him a look that he hoped was intimidating. Mortal chuckled and took out of his pocket small rectangular object.
‘’This is going to be so much fun’’ he stated.
At the top of the object appeard flame. What kind of magic is this? Could Loki do something like this? Thor started to Wonder before fire touched his feet. He screamed.
Loki was sitting by Odin’s bedside. How long will he sleep? If he wanted to fulfil his plans he needed to hurry. Odin could wake any time and then Loki wouldn’t be king anymore. He was more then certain that Thor would be returning from his banishment soon. Asgard couldn’t have a monster as it’s heir to the throne after all. The fact that he got regency now was a pure stroke of luck, a miracle.
‘’You grace, I’m sorry to disturb you but I beg you to take action…’’
‘’Why aren’t you at the Bifrost?’’ Loki slowly turned around in order to face Heimdall.
‘’My king, your brother is…’’
‘’I already told you not to bring up this matter again’’ You would never ignore Odin’s order like that, would you? In fact he shouldn’t be suprised by this outright defiance. He was never part of royal family, only a stray brought to the palace as a spoil of war. And a monster. Did Heimdall know about this? Probably, the man saw everything after all.
‘’I beg your forgiveness…’’
‘’You’re forgiven. Now leave.’’
Heimdall didn’t leave, because again, why would he? Loki wasn’t important, not really. He was a fool to ever think about himself as such.
‘’Very well’’ he said standing up ‘’In that case I will leave instead. I don’t have anything to do here anyway’’
He walked towards the door but Heimdall grabbed his wrist stopping him in his tracks. Am I really that meaningless? No he wouldn’t have it. He wasn’t really a king but he was a regent, at least in a name if not in anything else.
‘’Let go of me or I will…’’
,,Your brother is tortured’’ Heimdall interrupted him.
They wouldn’t dare! On the other hand mortals were foolish and ruthless creatures. Maybe they really did something to Thor? If that was the case Loki needed to do something about it. But what if Thor wasn’t really tortured? What If he summoned the armies and invaded Midgard only to discover that Thor was safe and in the good shape? His plans would be ruined for no reason at all! No, he needed to avoid this at any cost. He would go to Midgard alone.
‘’I’ll check on him then and aid him if necessary’’ he stated.
‘’You grace it’s to dangerous. You should take someone with you, at least few warriors’’
How dare you to question my judgement and be so outright about it!? At least this time Heimdall wasn’t trying to physically stop him. Maybe he should be glad about that.
‘’I will hear no more’’ Loki said ‘’Argue with me longer and my father will hear about this when he wakes up’’
Heimdall stepped aside. Good, If his own name didn’t carry any authority with it at least the one of his captor did.
Everything hurt at this point. Everything BURNED. His feet the most, of course, but when mortals were done with them they took care of his other body parts. They burned his calves and thighs, then they moved onto his stomach and chest and… The door opened again and he shuddered. He was, in fact, scared and there was no point in denying it any longer. He had hoped that they will leave him alone for a longer time, because hunger, thirst and darkness were still much better than torture. Foolish hope. Mortals or not they knew how to do their job.
One of his previous tormentors entered the room. Soft gasp escaped mortal’s lips. Thor eyed him warily. What kind of game is this? Mortal rushed towards him and stood on his tiptoes in the futile attempt to reach the chains.
‘’I’m so sorry’’ he whispered.
Thor was utterly confused. Why did one of his tormentors apologize to him? Why did he come alone? Previously there was always three or four of them.
‘’Who are you?’’ Thor asked.
‘’Your brother’’ the mortal said and stepped back, his figure turning into much more familiar.
,,Loki!’’ Thor exclaimed as his chains suddenly broke and he fell on the ground, his face hitting hard concrete.
‘’I had no other way of freeing you’’ Loki crouched beside him.
Thor suddenly felt soft fabric covering his body. Loki must have conjured some clothes for him. He felt Loki’s slender fingers delicately brushing his arm.
‘’Can you stand up?’’ his little brother asked.
Thor shook his head. Loki’s fingers suddenly stopped their motion.
‘’How many men have you brought with you?’’ Thor asked.
There was a moment of unsetteling silence before his little brother answered.
‘’None’’ he said and added quickly ‘’But that’s quite alright. I will carry you’’
Thor didn’t find this idea very good, in fact he didn’t find it good at all while he eyed his brother’s thin frame. If their roles were reversed Thor would easily carry Loki, killing everyone who dared to harm his baby brother on the way. Loki however…
‘’I’m quite heavy’’ Thor pointed out the obvious.
Loki shrugged.
‘’Well, then perhaps I should leave you If you’re so eager to assume that I won’t manage’’
But before Thor was given a chance to answer Loki interrupted him.
‘’Throw your hands around my neck and climb on my back’’
Thor did as he was told and then Loki grabbed his legs and slowly stood up. They started slowly walking through the corridor, people passing them as if they were invisible. Maybe we are invisible to them? Thor thought, while looking down on his little brother. They moved rather sluggish since Loki had to stop every few minutes and rest. When they were going up stairs Thor thought that Loki is going to drop him. He didn’t, though in the end his breathing was rapid and heavy.
‘’Why didn’t you take any men with you?’’ Thor asked during one of their breaks.
‘’Stop talking. You will give us out’’ Loki panted.
Thor knew that it wasn’t true, his baby brother could hide them both from eyes and ears of the mortals but he decided to drop the matter if Loki didn’t wish to talk about this. He was to much in pain to argue.
‘’We are close’’ Loki said while picking him up again ‘’The exit is in the corridor on the left…’’
He was interrupted by the loud alarm filling the air around them. People, who up to this moement were just slowly walking by them started running around and pulling out their weapons. They noticed that I’m not in that room any more.
‘’Loki, we need to hurry’’ Thor said, rather pointlessly because he well knew that Loki already was walking as fast as he could.
Suddenly someone bumped into them. Thor couldn’t stop the hiss from escaping his lips as his still wounded back hit the ground. Everyone around was staring at him. He realised what that meant only few seconds later. Loki’s illusion must have dissapeard when they felt. His baby brother was already standing up though, green sparkles dancing around his fingers.
‘’Don’t you dare to come any closer you pathetic mortals or I’ll kill you all’’ he hissed.
Loud bang filled the air. Loki wobbled and took few steps back as if he was hit, his eyes wide and filled with shock. Instinctively Thor streched out his hand in order to summon Mjolnir only to realise few moments later that it was no longer an option. Loki however regained his composure quickly and attacked the mortal that was standing near him. Thor tried to stand up. He knew one thing, he couldn’t stay in this wretched place any longer. He yelled in pain when he tried to put some weight on his foot. Something hit his head causing searing pain, he hit the ground again. On the brink of conciousness not being able to asses his surroundings properly. It was loud, so very, very loud. Somebody grabbed his arm.
Thor was brought to the healers immidiatly after Loki stepped out of the Bifrost, dragging him by the arm. I probably caused him even more pain moving him like that.
The thing was that Loki knew that he was a monster, but all this days since he learned about who, no, what,… since he learned what he was he deemed himself a clever monster at least. Who knows, maybe if he managed to erase all other monsters then maybe, just maybe he wouldn’t even be beyond redemption. But now he knew that he was stupid, unworthy monster which could redeam itself only by dying. He had watched with horror as healers where tending to his bro…, Thor’s, to Thor’s horrible wounds and he could only imagine how they were inflicted. Because he knew that it all was his fault. That if their roles would be reversed then Thor wouldn’t let anyone lay a single hand on him. But it was as it was. The would be king of Asgard lying unconcious on the bed, wounded and in pain and pathetic, monstrous creature he was fooled to call brother standing by his bed. Why didn’t I listen to Heimdall? Loki didn’t know what to do anymore. Since he proved himself irredeemable there was no point in destroying Jotunheim anymore. Obviously he couldn’t stay in Asgard anymore… Maybe I should return to my own kind then? Thath thought, on the other hand terrified him. He couldn’t, he wouldn’t spend the rest of his life with those beasts! As if I wasn’t one of them.
He looked at Thor again. Most of his bruises were already heald but burns all over his body still were there. Those on Thor’s legs looked especially horrible. They were white, skin around them red and swallen. Loki wasn’t a healer but he knew that those would leave scars.
‘’I’m so sorry’’ he repeated.
He looked around to make sure if no one else was in the room and he lied down next to Thor. Odin will be furious when he wakes up and learns what happened. Loki knew that he should leave, that he should leave now in order to avoid further trouble. And when Thor wakes up? He is going to hate me too, I lied to him about his father’s death. I didn’t allow him to go back home, didn’t listen to Heimdall… and this are the repercussions. He didn’t even realize that he was crying until he felt large, warm hand slowly brushing his hair. He opend his eyes and looked at Thor’s face. He still has some bruising around his eyes. Loki noticed involuntarily.
‘’No reason for you to cry, baby brother’’ Thor said.
Loki laughed bitterly. There was every reason for him to cry.
‘’I’m sorry that I disturbed your healing process’’ Loki said ‘’I will go now’’ And you’ll never see me again.
But before Loki managed to sit up, Thor threw one arm around his shoulders and pulled him into a hug. Loki felt sudden surge of warm feeling flowing through his body. And it was so good and so pleasant… He didn’t let it linger for too long. He loves me only because he lives in a lie. When he finds out what I really am he will hate me at least half as much as I hate myself. He didn’t find in himself strenght to try and break the embrace.
‘’You disturb nothing, little brother. Your presence here is most welcome.’’
‘’Thor you don’t understand. I… I lied to you about Odin and I didn’t rescue you immidietaly, I didn’t believe Heimdall when he first time told me about your situation.’’
Loki raised his head and looked at Thor nearly challengin. It’s better to get over with this quickly if it needs to be done. Thor blinked slowly and looked at him with pure shock in his eyes.
‘’I didn’t want for you to return from the exile too quickly because while you were absent I wanted to destroy Jotunheim myself and take all the glory!’’
Loki saw new emotion on Thor’s face, Norns, he’s so easy to read, anger was much better then shock but not quite what he was aiming for. No, he needed hatered in order to finish this once and for all and be able to leave.
‘’I am a monster Thor! Wretched creature which should be slained for the good of everyone! I’m…’’
Suddenly he felt Thor’s hand covering his mouth. In few seconds Thor raised his hand again and Loki realised that he was going to hit him. Why am I suprised? Hatred is what I was going for after all. He closed his eyes and braced for the pain. With Thor in this shape he could easily escape, he didn’t though. He deserved that pain, he deserved all the pain good world could offer.
‘’Don’t you dare to say such things about my sweet baby brother’’ Thor said and pulled him into even tighter hug then before.
Loki was stunned. At this point he expected to be hit or at least yelled at or asked to leave… most certainly not hugged. But maybe, it was a spark of hope that he didn’t want to let in, but maybe if Thor forgave him all his other, trully horrendous crimes, then maybe, only maybe, he would forgive him being a Frost Giant to. Thor placed gentle kiss on his forhead.
‘’I love you’’ he said.
Only after that Loki finally pulled out of the embrace.
,,Be mindfull of your injuries’’ he said ‘’I can’t even Begin to imagine how many stitches you must have ruined while trying to choke me’’
Thor smiled to him.
‘’You insulted my brother. I would say that choking is according punishment’’ Thor said and then he asked ‘’Will you stay a little longer?’’
‘’If you wish it, I will”