Chapter Text
Thor woke to a chill and shuddered as he clutched his blanket around him instinctively. He was unaccustomed to being cold, he had always been warm even for an Aesir. Thor felt weariness such as he could not recall feeling in ages, and sat up slowly before his gaze fell on a head of dark hair next to him.
Loki was sat in a chair at his bedside with his head resting on folded arms, elbows lightly resting against Thor’s side. Like that, Thor could see only his brother, all the nostalgic memories and such moments between them as the other sat vigil at their brother’s bedside after this battle or that. In that moment, his anger at his brother melted and Thor wished they could speak. Thor’s hand slipped to Loki’s head where he ruffled the hair gently and paused when Loki awoke and blinked tired, green eyes at him. “Brother?”
Thor gave a last ruffle as he lowered his hand, surprised when Loki caught it in one of his own as he sat up. The brothers stared at each other a moment and Thor offered his little brother a half-smile, more relieved than he might have expected when Loki returned it.
“Are you…feeling better?” Loki asked, seeing his brother looking worn, with bags under his eyes such as Thor should never have.
Thor considered the question with a sigh as he closed his fingers over Loki’s hand with a nod.
“You are only mortal now, Thor. I appreciate your…concern, but it was not worth this.” Loki saw Thor frown at that and he wondered if he’d already raised Thor’s ire, but instead Thor looked troubled.
Thor eyed Loki a moment as he thought of how to convey what he wished. You are worth this, brother. He mouthed slowly and deliberately, and an almost startled look crossed Loki’s face before he masked it. There are things Thor could and could not tolerate, and the insults levied against Loki…and so soon after Thor had nearly led them all to ruin on Jotunheim…
He had dreamed of death, and it had found Loki.
Loki’s lifeless, glassy eyes staring up at the black skies of Jotunheim because Thor goaded them into a fruitless battle and nearly started a war.
While Thor did not feel he was wrong to attack the frost giants after what they’d done, he did feel wrong in bringing his brother and companions into that danger. If anything had happened to Loki…if he had lost his brother…his grip tightened on Loki’s hand.
Loki saw a strange look cross Thor’s face after his surprising words about Loki being worth…what, a whipping? All this over the comments of a servant? But the look Thor was giving, the pinched, almost remorseful expression…that he could not fathom nor get Thor to elaborate on presently. “All the same, let it pass next time, mm?” he tried, taking a gentler approach given what Thor just went through. His mother’s words about Thor’s mortality had concerned him, as well as how unwell Thor had looked the night before and even now.
Thor huffed and then glanced around as he started to get out of bed.
“Whoa, where do you expect you’re going?” Thor mimed drinking and Loki pushed him back down. “I will fetch it, settle down. Norns, reckless oaf.”
Loki sounded himself again and the familiar insult-endearment brought a faint smile to Thor’s lips despite everything.
And then he thought again of his dream, of Loki’s unblinking eyes fixed on the sky and he shuddered.
Loki offered Thor the glass as he sat on the edge of the bed and watched Thor drink it down.
Thor wanted to try to keep up this apparent restored camaraderie between them and take his mind off of the image in his mind’s eye. How was dance? He mouthed.
Loki squinted a moment before he made a face. “It was cut a bit short given what happened. You gave them all quite a tale, given that there were any number of silly reasons made up for what occurred.”
Thor lifted a brow before he smirked faintly and made a swirling motion with his finger as he mouthed Sif.
So Thor had at least seen that Loki had danced with Sif. He wasn’t quite sure what the gesture was meant to convey but the smirk and the look Thor was giving him spoke volumes. Loki pressed a palm towards Thor’s face playfully. “Enough of that. You know perfectly well Sif and I are not like that.”
Thor shrugged with a half-grin, and Loki could see a bit of his older brother in the unfamiliar face. He tapped at his lips with a faint sort, the implication seeming a suggestion he should have kissed her.
Loki huffed as he swatted at his brother’s stomach. “Clearly you are feeling better, if you are in such a merry mood. I can see I worried for nothing.”
Thor’s grin widened a little before his expression softened and he put his hand over the back of Loki’s. Thank you for staying. He mouthed.
Loki felt a lance of guilt straight through him. Spending the night at his brother’s side after more or less causing all of this? And Thor was thanking him with that soft look on his face? Norns, that wasn’t what he’d wanted. Well, it was, but it also wasn’t. It was an issue, having a brother one couldn’t stand at times while also loving them dearly. “Yes, well, I was glad for an excuse to leave the ball anyway. It was a little boring without you.” he offered, pleased despite himself when Thor smirked a little in a fond way, knowing Loki was deflecting sentiment.
Why did it take Thor being whipped for this moment between them?
Well, and there had been the moment before the coronation when Loki had endeavored to ease Thor’s nerves. Thor had gripped his neck and given him a look that said more than words could in that moment. Loki had, for that brief instant, felt seen and appreciated…so much so that he’d almost regretted ruining Thor’s coronation.
Although Thor had shortly ruined that by being Thor anyway, and now here they were.
There was a strange, new quality to seeing softness in this other Thor. Loki supposed he was accustomed to the way it looked on Thor when he was himself, when Thor was his Mighty self. There was something different about seeing the softness when Thor was the opposite, when he was weak and had been under Loki’s care. It raised that protective feeling in him. Loki had felt protective of his brother before, of course, the reckless thunderer was always seemingly in a contest with himself to see how close he could come to death. But this was…more tender?
Which was a little disgusting to put a name to, if he was being honest, but so be it.
“Shall we break our fast?” Loki saw the humor slip from Thor’s face instantly and realized Thor was thinking of the previous day’s morning meal. He hastened to add. “I will have it sent here, you need not leave yet. You are still recovering.” Thor visibly relaxed and the uncomfortable feeling of guilt settled in his stomach.
When the meal arrived, he resumed his seat on the chair with a pair of food trays set between them. It felt a little reminiscent of sharing meals in bed in childhood.
“Do not take all the jelly, Thor!” Loki chided and Thor grinned with mischief that would do the younger proud as he dabbed a thumb of it on Loki’s nose. “Brother!” Loki protested.
“Brother!” Thor mocked playfully, and the younger smacked the elder’s arm while he laughed.
Loki gave Thor a grumpy pout and Thor pressed his lips together to fight a grin of amusement.
“Aww, Loki, here…the rest is yours.” Thor said as he pretended he would pour the jelly on Loki.
Loki waved his hand and the jelly appeared in his hand. “I should turn you into a frog.” he grumbled.
Thor held up his hands in surrender, not a fan of Loki’s newfound ability to shift the forms of others. “I was not truly going to do it!” he protested, and at Loki’s half-glare, he leaned his shoulder against Loki’s and made a pitiful face. “Do not be cross with me, little brother.” The young Thor wheedled playfully.
Loki tried to keep a straight, grumpy face, he really did. But then Thor made a funny face and Loki snorted as he burst into laughter. “Oaf!” he huffed and Thor grinned before he took a victory bite of his toast.
“Rt.” Thor called him a ‘brat’ fondly through a mouthful.
The pair ate in silence for a couple of minutes, Thor unable to speak and Loki not knowing what to say. But clearly Thor remembered their shared past too, as Thor suddenly stretched casually before making a confused face aimed behind Loki. Naturally, Loki turned and upon seeing nothing looked back at Thor only to find jelly smeared on his cheek. It was likely meant to be a dab but Loki’s sudden movement caused Thor’s thumb to drag. For a moment, an instinct to assume the worst rose in him, as if in some way Thor intended to mock Loki by the gesture. Loki stared at his brother for a split second, saw the look of amusement fade into something warier, and then he recovered as he lifted a brow like he’d never second-guessed Thor at all.
“Brother, you really wish to play such games when I have such advantage?” Loki taunted and Thor scrunched his nose even as Loki wiped the jelly from his face. He was not sure how Thor’s mood had gotten so playful, but he couldn’t say honestly that he didn’t find it…nice. Strangely enough, he felt better about this moment than he had even when he’d had Thor kneeling before him.
But then, it was what he’d wanted, wasn’t it? At least before, he had not set out with a desire to make Thor humbled. There was a time when he’d simply wanted Thor to be Thor again, his true brother again.
Perhaps the whipping had more effect than he might have guessed. The idea crossed his mind that Thor was trying to butter him up to avoid more situations like those of the previous days, but Thor lacked that kind of guile.
Thor had felt the silence like a weight upon them. When was the last time it had been just he and Loki, or that he’d been with Loki in silence? Loki had spent the night at his bedside, had been quick to get him a drink and food and ask after him. Perhaps what had passed between them so far really had been a misunderstanding… He saw the jelly and with it, perhaps an opportunity to keep things lighter between them, to make an effort to put something other than conflict between them at present.
But the look he got from Loki, brief though it was, gave him pause and he felt a sensation crawl down his spine like he was facing a threat. Then it was gone, Loki was teasing, and things felt well between them again.
Thor took an ‘innocent’ bite of toast while he and Loki smirked at each other.
When they had finished, Loki rose after ensuring a refreshed glass of water was within Thor’s reach. “I have a few things to take care of, but then I will return…stay here and rest, alright, oaf?” he asked with narrowed eyes.
Thor’s expression was somewhere between amused and faintly indignant, but Thor nodded and Loki was satisfied he would likely listen. It wasn’t as if Thor had much to do or many options for going elsewhere. “Rest, brother.” he emphasized as he gave Thor’s shoulder a squeeze and then headed out.
Odin had given him a last warning, if Thor acted out again, Odin would give Thor’s service to another. Then how would he help him properly?
What have you done to help him so far? Loki’s mind countered and he brushed it aside. Thor had barely been a thrall for but a couple of days, what did it matter to let him linger a little longer? There was time enough, Thor was safe on Asgard.
By the time Loki made it back to Thor, he drew up short as he found Thor gone. He gritted his teeth faintly with the instant rise of his irritation. One simple task he had given Thor, one that should have been pleasant even. He was going to throttle his brother when he found him-
“-Prince Loki?” A healer addressed him and Loki turned. “The All-Mother said to inform you she has taken Magne to her rooms.”
Mother had moved him, Loki relaxed at that as he thanked her and made his way towards the queen’s quarters. When he was arrived and ushered inside, he found Thor frowning over a game board as Frigga instructed him.
“Good luck. I have tried explaining that game to Thor before, it did not take.” he said wryly as Frigga and Thor glanced up at him. Thor made a face and Frigga chuckled.
“He is doing well enough.” Frigga said as she motioned to their defeated pieces, Thor was only a little behind.
“My, how impressive, brother.” Loki drawled and Thor kicked at his foot, the interaction caused Frigga to pause with a smile, seemingly pleased by the exchange. The younger Odinson slipped up next to Thor, his side lightly against Thor’s arm. “Your move is it? Well, do not let me distract you, Thor. Take all the time you need. I am sure you will make the right-” Thor pinched him with an irritated look and Loki chuckled as he held up his hands in surrender.
Frigga had been worried, frightened by her weavings and by the mood between her sons. She had not seen unity between them, and she felt Loki was not as worried as he should have been. But she noted Loki had spent the night at Thor’s side, and here now they were engaging in what amounted to brotherly banter. Frigga was relieved, perhaps she had misjudged matters between them.
Thor started to move a piece and Loki clucked his tongue, so Thor frowned up at him before Loki looked back with an innocent expression.
“Loki.” Frigga warned with amusement.
“What did I do?” Loki asked, the picture of one not up to mischief [although he clearly was].
Thor made his move, Frigga made hers, then Thor, and then she’d won the game with a swift move. He sighed as he sat back in his chair and conceded victory to his mother.
“I’m sure you tried your best.” Loki said ‘solemnly’, while Thor narrowed his eyes on Loki who grinned unrepentantly.
Truth be told, there was also a certain relief in this whole bit of ceasefire. Loki had too many unsatisfying moments mixed with his satisfying ones, and he had seen a little more moroseness on Thor than he’d quite wanted. He couldn’t recall the last time the brothers had spent such a leisurely time with their mother.
The only time Thor can bother to be kind to you is when you have the upper-hand. Loki’s mind taunted. And he corrected himself that it was an exaggeration to say so. Thor wasn’t all bad…Loki knew that.
“Odin wishes us all at dinner tonight.” Frigga said as she looked between her sons, and she didn’t miss Thor’s sudden tension nor the furrow of Loki’s brow.
“Thor is still recovering.” Loki tried, and Thor looked surprised that he’d said so.
Frigga gave Loki a sympathetic look. “The Soul Forge did as intended, Odin knows Thor was healed.” she sighed before she looked to Thor. “I have given thought to how you might be proven worthy…perhaps you and Loki should undertake a quest?”
”Thor is in no fit state for a fight, Mother.” To which Thor frowned and Loki shrugged. “It’s true.”
“Valor isn’t found only in battle. Nor worthiness.”
“Father seemed to want Thor to find his worthiness in humility, is that not why he made Thor a thrall?”
“I cannot speak to his reasoning, for I find little there.” Frigga said with a shake of her head, it was the most critiquing statement either Odinson thought they’d heard her make of Odin to them. “Have you had any ideas then?” she added, and Loki found two pairs of eyes fixed on him as he struggled not to look like someone who had put zero attention into restoring his brother.
“Afraid not.” Loki said with put-on disappointment. “But surely it cannot be so difficult. Father would not mean for Thor to suffer.”
Frigga and Thor exchanged a glance. “There is much Odin would do if he believed it right for the safety of the realms…” she said, thinking of a different banishment for a different child of Odin.
Thor’s face grew pained, the implication that his current state was integral to the safety of the Nine Realms was far from pleasing to hear, even though he knew his mother did not mean it as such.
Loki caught his brother’s expression and rested a hand on his upper back and Thor gave him a look that approached gratitude. “We will find the way of it.” he said with certainty he was not truly ready to provide to the situation yet. Loki still intended to make use out of the turn of fates. But then, of course he would help his one and only brother.
“My queen.” A lady approached. “Your presence is requested in the drawing room for a visit with the head of council.”
“Of course, Maron, thank you.” Frigga rose as she gave her sons warm if worried glances. “You may stay and play longer if you wish. I will see you both at dinner?”
“Yes, Mother.” Loki agreed with a side-eyed glance at Thor who nodded reluctantly. When she and her ladies had gone Loki considered it before he took Frigga’s seat opposite Thor as he began resetting the board. “I don’t suppose you feel like losing another match?” he offered.
Thor lifted a brow before he mirrored Loki in resetting his side. He was relieved that his mother was so much on his side, and that Loki at least seemed to share in her concerns…and he had tried to get Thor out of the dinner that evening.
“Shortest goes first?” Loki suggested, turning a line Thor had used on him before back onto Thor, not sure how it would land.
Thor’s hand stilled a fraction of a second as he was placing a piece before he gave Loki a dry look and then gestured towards Loki.
“Brother, have you stood next to me lately?”
Thor pointed at Loki, mimed the gesture for short, and then covered his fist with his hand.
Loki stared at Thor’s made-up attempt to convey a message with gestures. “I…lay down with a blanket over me?”
Thor gave him an incredulous look before mouthed slowly. Shorter on the inside.
“You?” Loki asked, getting the message now and playfully playing dumb.
Thor kicked him under the table again and Loki tsked.
“Always resorting to violence, brother.” he complained in a drawl and Thor rolled his eyes before he gestured again for Loki to begin.
“Well, if you insist.” he made his first move and the pair played on. Loki noted that the lack of ability to talk, as well as perhaps that Thor had no one else to go to presently, gave Thor an unusual amount of focus in the game. And when he was actually paying attention and trying…he wasn’t half-bad. Loki was actually mildly impressed. “Your skills have improved.” he noted with lifted brows.
Thor eyed him a moment, trying to decide if Loki was teasing him, but Loki seemed to have meant it in earnest. He felt a little smile tug at the corners of his lips, finding himself fairly…comfortable in the moment despite the overall situation. Thor took one of Loki’s better pieces with a triumphant look and Loki quickly put Thor into check.
Thor huffed, but didn’t seem truly mad, and he pondered the board as Loki watched his expression of concentration with a little fascination. His brother always had worked better under pressure, perhaps the stress of all the rest and the lack of other options made this easier. Thor moved out of check, Loki put him back in, Thor moved out and Loki had to bide his time for the moment. He saw Thor make a silly move with another look of too-blatant triumph that had Loki quickly snatch one of his better pieces in reply.
He was surprised when Thor’s triumphant look became a faint smirk and Thor put Loki in check, and shortly after, checkmate. Had Thor ever beaten him at this game before? He was sure not. Loki was a little dumbfounded as he stared at the board before finding Thor grinning at him with obvious pleasure.
A little, snide part of him wanted to lash out at Thor about yet another thing the Golden Prince was interfering with. But the rest was mostly made of pleasant feelings. “Best two out of three?” Loki offered and Thor gave him a seemingly suspicious look before he agreed with a nod.
Loki won the next two matches handily to Thor’s chagrin, but there was no major fall-out. Thor stared at the board after the last game, that one had been close. Loki considered it before he took it upon himself to begin an explanation of where it had gone wrong for Thor and how he might have one. To his pleased astonishment, Thor actually seemed to listen [little else he could do though], and Thor eyed the board after the explanation was done before he nodded.
Thor mouthed good game, brother, and Loki had to wonder if Thor hadn’t suffered some kind of personality alteration from his injury. Thor had seemed half-ready to strangle him before and now he was behaving like this?
Thor tried not to feel annoyed when Loki began explaining what Thor ‘did wrong’, and as he kept quiet…he found Loki’s information valid. It made sense, and Loki hadn’t even made fun of Thor’s intelligence or called him something insulting. That was half of the reason he got so irked whenever Loki had tried such things in the past.
Loki had that tone, and then he might say something like ‘shall I tell you what fool thing you did wrong, you big oaf?’, or ‘I would explain, but we both know you can’t be bothered to pay attention’. Those sorts of things grated on Thor, got under his skin in a way that only Loki could. When Loki treated Thor like some kind of witless fool…well, he had more than once lost his temper in large ways. Or they’d gotten into arguments. Thor couldn’t do much right now, couldn’t think of things to say as he could not say them anyway. There was no expectation that he should, and he found himself listening more than he realized he would have before. As to why Loki was being…gentler in his delivery, Thor could not say, but he found it much more palatable. Thor didn’t have a problem taking advice in the matter if Loki was willing to give it like they were equals and not like Thor was Loki’s mental inferior.
There was time yet before the dinner and Thor was antsy from sitting so long and being cooped up inside. He hesitated and then pointed at Loki and himself. Walk?
“Walk where?” Loki asked.
Thor pointed towards the window to indicate outside and Loki considered it before he smiled lightly.
“Why not? It will let me keep you out of trouble.”
Thor gave a vague eye roll as he rose, and clapped his brother on the back.
“I did not give you permission to touch me, Magne.”
Loki’s words echoed suddenly in his hand as he gave into the habit of expressing physical affection to Loki.
But Loki seemed unbothered by it as the pair walked, and Thor wondered again if perhaps they had just…misunderstood each other since this all started.
“Must I make you kneel again to teach you that you are?"
Thor frowned at the memory of being forced to the ground, at Loki’s mocking, superior tone. That seemed a hard thing to dismiss as a misunderstanding and the thought of it caused his anger to flicker. But Loki seemed…at ease, and he far preferred what had passed between them this day than what had come previously.
Loki didn’t much care to walk just to wander about the palace grounds, but he knew Thor chafed under being kept inside or still. He was feeling generous, given the reasonable interactions he’d been having with Thor. Perhaps this was what Thor needed, to be away from his sycophants and in wiser, better company. Thor was one to feel the need to bluster and impress when in a crowd, so the forced isolation of sorts was perhaps good for him? And that it gave him unfettered access to his brother was…enjoyable for Loki one way or the other. Either because of Thor acting like a man and not an unruly beast, or because Loki had a chance to turn the tables if Thor lost his temper.
A dog ran up to them abruptly with a friendly approach and covered in med. Loki scrunched his nose and took a step back but Thor seemed actually delighted. Thor knelt and let the dog shower him in paws and kisses as he grinned at the dog and scratched behind his ears.
It was hard to reconcile the other sides of his brother sometimes. That the Thor almost gleefully letting a dog coat him in mud was the same Thor who had wanted to slaughter every frost giant on Jotunheim. Hands that were gentle some days and blood-covered on others.
Thor grinned up at Loki and inclined his head as if to invite Loki to join in and Loki gave a tight smile.
“I prefer not to look like I’ve just rolled in mud, thank you very kind-Thor!”
Thor clapped a muddy hand against Loki’s side and casually went back to petting the dog.
Loki was half-tempted to make a dog of Thor in revenge, but he settled for a sorcerous wave of his hand as a small ball of mud found Thor’s head.
Thor soundlessly spluttered and exclaimed a protest, and Loki actually laughed a bit as Thor gave him a nearly betrayed expression and all the while the dog was desperate for more cuddles.
“Jonar, Jonar-oh!” A boy ran up calling for the dog who immediately went to the boy with even more eagerness. “Prince Loki, sorry about that.”
Thor rose and brushed himself off, little good that it did, and got only a half-glance from the boy. Right. ‘Magne’.
“Think nothing of it. Magne here loves being covered in mud like a ragamuffin."
Thor’s look was dry again as Loki waved the boy off, and Loki considered it perhaps a good sign that being called ‘Magne’ hadn’t destroyed Thor’s mood or the atmosphere between them.
Loki made a show of waving the mud off of himself with sorcery, and as Thor gave him an expectant look, Loki lifted a brow. “Brother, I thought you enjoyed-” he waved his hand quickly as Thor gave him no chance to finish his mockery, about to take the pile of mud from his head to Loki’s face. Thor was devoid of all mud after that and Loki huffed. “Cleaning your messes as usual.” he grumbled, and Thor’s expression was cheeky as he patted his brother’s shoulder.
Loki felt a warmth in his chest at that and the mood between them. This he liked, this he wanted, he would have far less complaint of Thor if his brother behaved this way more often. What was it exactly that led to this? The change had come since the morning, so was it his punishment, Odin’s threat to separate them, that Loki had stayed by his side, something else? Well, Loki would see how long it lasted or what broke the ‘spell’ so to speak, because Loki had no faith this shift in his brother’s patience would last long. Thor was changeable and temperamental, and that cannot have changed over night. But for now, as the pair headed back towards the palace, Loki let himself rest a hand on the back of Thor’s neck as Thor was wont to do to Loki and found the little smile Thor gave him in return a pleasant trade.
--xx--
“Remember, walk out after I do and keep my drink full. I will ask nothing else of you.” Loki assured his brother, who had indeed grown more tense as the dinner approached though he was at least not acting hostile.
Thor tugged at his clothes as though they felt uncomfortable on him, and Loki brushed the back of his hand over Thor’s arm. While he appreciated his little brother’s attempt, a faint bit of physical contact would not quell the unease and the return of his ire. The moment of peace with Loki had been a distraction, he could almost pretend the situation was a little different, almost pretend he was under some momentary curse instead of the truth. But this was the reality, Thor was to act as Loki’s thrall and not a member of his own family.
The thought of his father having ordered him whipped the night before gave him pause and he repressed a shudder. His father’s words as he’d stripped Thor of his powers and name… On some instinct, to reassure himself, his hand snaked out to grab Loki’s arm as they approached the entrance and he quickly jerked it back. He didn’t want to risk Loki turning on him again, he still did not understand what that was about unless it was some defensive gesture of Loki trying to keep up appearances. But also he knew it would not do to let anyone see and report to Odin that Thor was taking liberties with his ‘master’. The thought sickened Thor.
But again, rather than scold him, Loki gave him a look that seemed sympathetic. “This will not be forever, brother.” he reassured Thor in a murmur.
Thor approached behind Loki and stood at attention as he did his best to resist the temptation to look at his father. Again, Odin gave warm greetings to Frigga and Loki and spoke nothing of or to Thor. Given all Odin had said of late, that was likely a good thing. When Loki’s drink emptied, Thor carefully refilled it and he felt Loki’s foot bump against his own in what he supposed was a covert gesture of reassurance.
He felt Odin’s eyes on him as he finished and returned to his spot. The thought that Loki was actually, properly on his side offered some relief to the situation. And he knew Frigga supported him.
When the meal had finished, Thor was careful this time to open the door for Loki and let him pass through first before he followed behind as appropriate. He followed a couple of paces behind Loki until they rounded the corner, at which point he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.
Loki’s expression seemed a little more shuttered, but Thor supposed being faced with Odin would do that. He’d felt anxious under Odin’s scrutiny, the worry that somehow he had done something ‘wrong’ that would invoke a worse punishment or separation from his brother.
Thor had made no mistakes, to Loki’s relief, both for his sake and Thor’s. He heard Thor’s exhalation but they were still in a public hall, he waited until they’d returned to his room to address his brother. “That went…well. I don’t see how it proves you worthy but at least Father made no threats to give you to someone else.”
Thor frowned at ‘give’, as though Thor were a possession to be passed around but let it pass.
Loki slipped off his coat and glanced to the lounger Thor had slept on the first night. Thor had been unnervingly cold and disoriented, but he had not seemed ill [beyond the obvious] this morning so perhaps it was an after-effect of the initial change. Thor did still look tired, a weariness about his person he never would have associated with Thor before except perhaps after a truly fierce battle. “Shall we retire early tonight?”
The words seemed framed an actual question and Thor looked surprised before he inclined his head and made his way for the lounger but Loki caught him by the sleeve.
“If you don’t spurn me this time, you are welcome to share my bed, brother. But if you snore, I will kick you off.”
Thor looked up at Loki for a few seconds with a neutral expression before he pointed at Loki. You snore. He mouthed and Loki gave a put-on indignant gasp.
“I have never snored in my life, how dare you.”
Thor snorted and Loki used sorcery to conjure them sleeping clothes. His brother had never been fond of having his clothes changed in that manner and saw Thor frown, but naturally he gave no comment. Honestly, perhaps being mute was what was best for Thor. Loki felt the oaf had better focus and thought when he wasn’t blurting out nonsense all the time.
And yet, if not Thor and their parents, Loki talked to few others. Their verbal banter, rarer these days though it was, and their conversations were some of the better he had. When Thor wasn’t busy yelling, raging, ranting, or otherwise making a nuisance of himself…or barking orders.
That thought put a vindictive little feeling in Loki, one that tempted him to start issuing orders of his own that very moment just because he could. But he was unwilling to break the little peace between them. There was always tomorrow.
The pair slipped into Loki’s bed [Norns, how long had it been since they’d done so?] and Thor turned to face Loki so the younger did likewise to Thor.
“Well, this is familiar.” Loki said wryly and Thor gave him a crooked smile in reply.
“It will be a quick trip, brother!” Loki pleaded with Thor as they lay facing each other in bed. “Heimdall will be busy watching the petitioners tomorrow.”
Thor gave his little brother a dubious look. “You want us to sneak off to the forest...to look for some smelly mushrooms?”
“I need them for a spell. It will be quick, brother, please!” Young Loki gave Thor his best puppy-dog eyes, knowing Thor was weak to Loki’s pleading.
Sure enough, Thor groaned and buried his face in his pillow and Loki knew the battle was won.
“You’re the best, Thor!” Loki chimed, happy in his victory.
“You’re the worst.” Thor gave a muffled grumble into his pillow, and he huffed with a narrow-eyed side glance as Loki ruffled Thor’s hair. The idea of risking their parents ire just to get gross mushrooms for Loki’s experiments was…not fun. But he couldn’t let Loki go alone, and how was he supposed to say ‘no’ when Loki pulled the pleading little brother card?
He slipped an arm around Loki as he pulled the younger close. Loki’s natural coldness was pleasant in contrast to Thor’s high heat, as well as that the brothers had always enjoyed each other’s proximity even when sleeping. The younger Odinson burrowed against Thor a bit, adjusting Thor -just so- and Thor watched his brother with amusement. “Finished moving me about, Loki?”
“I suppose.” Loki replied, every bit a little prince and Thor squeezed the back of his neck in part play and part affection.
“Good night, little brat."
“Good night, big oaf.” Loki chimed in reply with a grin while Thor smiled wryly into his pillow while the pair went to sleep.
Familiar for Thor maybe, but Loki was looking at the face of a stranger in looking at Thor now. The thought, along with why this was even happening, put a bitter taste in Thor’s mouth. But it would be over soon, right? With Frigga and Loki helping him, how hard could it be?
Loki waved the lights off with a flick of his hand, and Thor’s eyes adjusted to the dim light from the balcony windows. The younger Odinson gave Thor’s shoulder a squeeze and Thor moved his hand to rest it on the bed against Loki’s chest. “We’ll get through this, brother. You have my word.”
Loki could practically hear Thor’s likely reply. The word of the God of Mischief? And it would be somewhere between playful and skeptical. Thor’s thumb brushed against his chest, he took that as a wordless thanks of sorts and was content with it. As long as Thor was willing to keep up this behavior, perhaps he needn’t be so forceful with Thor. As sweet as turnabout was…Thor treating Loki as an equal companion was sweeter.
His mind, at that thought, turned over the fact that they were not supposed to be equals at present. Thor was meant to be a thrall, the lowest of the low, Loki’s thrall.
But he thought of Thor’s intent look as he listened to Loki’s advice on the game, his expression as he mouthed a thanks, the uplifted mood when Thor had played with the dog and teased Loki, and even the little brush of Thor seeking reassurance from Loki right before the dinner. That was not Thor’s usual entitlement or demanding behavior, it wasn’t ignoring Loki or mocking him, it was Thor focused on Loki alone. Finally listening to him, looking at him, acknowledging him.
Something about that was just a touch headier than the satisfaction of being able to put Thor ‘in his place’.
Sometime during the night the brothers had drawn closer, their faces inches apart, arms resting over the other’s, and Loki’s knee curled up on Thor’s.
Just like old times, right?