WITCHCRAFT part I

Thor could have gladly smacked himself on the head with Mjöllnir, even if it meant self-mutilation or even death.

He deserved it. How could he have been so stupid ?

He didn't need to answer. He knew enough. Arrogance, pride, self-satisfaction and total disregard for the opinion of others.

As usual.

And now, that.

Stupid, stupid oaf…

The situation seemed desperate. Thor, his brother Loki, and their friends, were on a mission against a warlock. An unknown powerful one, half elf, half orc, seemingly, rather ugly and equally dangerous. The fact that he hadn't sworn any form of allegiance to Odin All-Father, who had the control and supervision of all magical communities and covens (though he didn't practice any spell on his own), already made him suspicious. But there had been precise complaints about abuses in some southern villages. So, Odin mandated his sons to fix all of this.

But then mistakes were made, or rather many warning signs were overlooked.

Loki, first. He had a bad feeling about this. He had no data about that warlock, only vague rumors. Though Loki was powerful, he knew the rules of magic. You can not confront another warlock if you are unsure of his abilities. An unbalanced duel can only lead to the weaker one's death. And this one looked like a bad one.

Furthermore, Loki had the impression the culprit was using similar curses and tricks as he did. If by any chance, they had the same masters or studied the same books of spells, this was going to be even more difficult because chances were, in that particular situation, that they might kill each other with identical magic.

And then, there was Thor, the biggest mistake of all.

Boasting that it would be alright. So sure that all of them against one little trickster (this particular remark made Loki grit his teeth, but Thor didn't see that, as usual…) would be easy.

He had never been so wrong in his whole life.

Thor was looking around him as if Yggdrasil had fell on his head, which was more or less the case.

Sif and the Warriors Three were staring into nothingness. Their faces, once lively, were now greyish and expressionless, their mouth paralyzed and mute, their arms frozen, their very life taken away from them. Their friends had been turned into stone, stiff in their last fighting movements. They looked like the horrible marble statues in the main hall of the royal palace.

Curiously (...or not), only Thor and Loki were spared by that curse. They were having each other's back, ready to face an invisible opponent. One minute they were fighting armed skeletons (magically animated apparently) and the next, they are both on their own, their friends transformed and powerless, in a seemingly empty and wrecked hall.

A perfect mess.

"And now, Mr. Muscles-for-Brains ?" growled Loki.

"Shut up." snarled Thor.

They were turning around, scanning the place, their nerves as tense as musical cords. The sudden silence was making it even worse.

"For your information, petrification is heavy-duty spell that I don't master yet. To save our friends, we'll have to kill the Warlock." said Loki, his voice falsely calm, his eyes everywhere blows could come out.

"Fine. He is dead." Thor retorted, his hand gripping Mjöllnir.

They kept turning around. It looked like a very stupid dance, a reversed duo were partners didn't know where to go or when to stop . Loki could have smirked if it wasn't so serious.

"Seems he doesn't want to chat..." said Loki.

Thor kept scanning the place but there was no trace nor sound of anything.

"He will show up or we'll tear his walls apart."

"And I am sure he is terrified of us." Loki snorted. "He had the other four out of chance and we are controlling the situation whatsoever."

"Brother, you are no help."

The roll of thunder prevented Loki to send another snide remark, a dark chuckle that came from none of them and seemed to be send from everywhere was heard. Thor and Loki were immediately back in fighting mode. The enemy has finally shown himself.

"Thor and Loki Odinson, princes of Asgard, be welcome in my little lair."

More rolling of thunder.

My, thought Loki, aren't we the dramatic one...

"Just step into the light and we'll show you how welcomed we feel." Growled Thor

Another dark chuckle answered him.

"Indeed you will..."

A brutal crack of lightning seemed to burst from the ceiling to hit the ground near Sif's feet. A few inches and her statue would have been destroyed.

"... But I humbly suggest that you think twice before doing anything stupid, anything that may endanger your friends."

And just to make his point clear he threw another blow out of nowhere that came close to Fandral's arm, barely touching it. One little inch and their dashing friend would have been smashed into pieces.

The Warlock meant business.

Thor and Loki froze. They might be impulsive but none of them were stupid. Right now, it was hard to act without putting the others in line. Loki could have screamed in frustration. Putting a little screen of fumes to hide them all would be totally useless. They was no way he could move them all out of here by sheer power.

"Thor...

Not now, brother. I will hold him back and you find a way to get us all out of here.

Thor...

Try that disintegrating thing you do with your strange green lights. It would do to kill him. Now If I could only see the bastard... knock him down...

THOR !

Thor jumped to look at his brother, completely surprised. Loki rarely yelled at him.

- I can't, Thor. Not with the others in this state.

Thor looked at his younger brother as if he was insane.

- It is the truth. Unless we abandon them... I can't..."

Loki stopped. The look on Thor's face was eloquent. Instead of the usual sunny self-confidence, it was a mixture of realization, denial, rage, indignation and … fear.

Thor was afraid.

It was the scariest thing of all.

This time it was a very joyous laugh that reverberated through the icy walls. Loki could feel it in his bones. Thor looked like he was going to burst but managed to control himself.

A dark cloud appeared from the ground. It twirled and swirled until it took a precise shape.

The dark Warlock was indeed ugly. He was taller than the average Aesir, his skin was a dirty shade of gray and seemed to bear scales on some places, like a half-snake. He was bald headed and had the horns of an orc on his brow. He was wearing some sort of shabby cape made of crow's feathers. He had a smile full of yellowish and pointy teeth. He seemed like the mix of a bull, a reptile and a vulture. Horrid. He extended his hands in a sign of peace. They looked like sharp black claws.

"Dear princes, I think the situation is pretty clear. I have your lives and your friends' in my hands. So I strongly suggest that you cooperate and everything will be fine."

Loki couldn't help a shiver. 'Cooperate' could mean many things he was not sure to control. Each time a magician traded something or proposed you a deal, it often meant troubles for the rest of your life.

"We make no deal with the likes of you !" screamed Thor.

Loki pinched his nose. Stupid fool. He only made things worse. Maybe the Warlock was about to give them some stupid impossible task to do but now, as his honor was slighted by the Thunderer himself, he was about to make them pay dearly. The Warlock made a very still and cold grin that bore nothing good.

"Oh, but you will, your Royal Highness." His voice had shifted from feigned courtesy to cold determination. "You will. If you want to get out of here safe and sound with your friends, you will fuck your brother in front of me."

First, Thor and Loki stood stupid because none of them thought they heard right. It made them look childish.

"W-What ?" Blabbered Thor. His eyes were grotesquely wide. Loki felt sick in his stomach. His brain was trying to process what was going on. Contrary to Thor, he knew how people using magic thought and this was serious.

Thor and him... In front of that... that...

The bile was rising in his mouth but he managed to keep it under control. He tried to think but all he could see and hear were the ugly words 'fuck your brother in front of me.' They felt like putrid mud on his skin.

"You heard me." Growled the Warlock. "I want to see you stick your dick inside the sweet hole of that precious little brother of yours and make him scream and cry. I want you to tear him apart and destroy him. Am I clear for you now, dimwit ? If you don't rape that delicious little whore the way I want it..." He raised a hand and a third bolt almost decapitated Hogun. Not that he would have changed his expression, had he been able to.

Thor was open-mouthed, incapable of uttering one word. His eyes went to the Warlock, then to his stony friends, then to his brother... He didn't know what to do and Mjöllnir felt like a useless toy in his hand. Loki's face was downcast and unreadable.

"I think I made my point clear."

The dark creature chuckled and gestured again to the ground. It seemed to melt and rise like black lava to form a round-shaped bed with silky black beddings. Thor felt hot and red with shame. He had seen this same type of outrageous bed in the downtown brothels of Asgard. He even made a good use of it, to his greatest embarrassment. And now... To imagine his shy and reserved little brother in it...

He turned to Loki, only to be even more shocked. Loki had his back on Thor, and had started undressing. He had already removed his helmet and breastplates, Thor could see his bare shoulders. They looked faintly shivering.

"Brother !" Thor couldn't believe his eyes. Loki was resigned, accepting it without giving any fight.

"Let's get on to it, Thor. And then, let's get out of here."

There was a light tremor in his voice.

Thor turned to the monster. How easy it would be to smash him to the grounds. But the odds were too contrary. He had to protect the ones he had endangered with his own foolishness.

But what of Loki ?

He turned again to said Loki who was now entirely naked. He was crawling to take place on the black and ridiculously shining bed. Thor couldn't help but notice how white, even pallid, Loki's skin seemed against this dark shadow. Loki rested on his back on the center. His arms splayed on each side as if he was tied to some invisible post. A quiet and willing offering to some cruel god. His eyes were closed and he carefully hid any emotion. Thor couldn't help but notice the grayish tinge on Loki's cheeks.

"I am running out of patience, Prince Thor." Growled the Warlock.

Thor was about to snap some insult to the dark pig when a tiny voice, almost childish, seemed to raise from the bed, as if from far away.

"Thor, please... I just want to go home."

Thor averted his eyes from both the monster and the white figure on the huge bed and started undressing on his own.

He didn't feel the cold, neither the smoothness of the silk underneath his knees. He came close to his brother, who was as lifeless as the four stone figures in the hall that used to be four great warriors and friends. He tried to caress Loki's cheek to get him into focus, to make him acknowledge that it was his brother touching him, not some unknown individual. That Thor would do anything in his power to protect Loki, that he would never, ever, hurt him.

"Brother..."

But Loki wouldn't even move. His eyes were obstinately closed. Only his throat was moving slightly, revealing that Loki was fighting the need to cry.

Thor then lost no time.

He caressed his brother's skin, all over, exploring it. Since they were both men, he had had few occasions to see his brother's naked body, unless feel his skin. Why would he bother about such things ? It was inappropriate.

But now, all this delicately pink skin was offered to him. Loki had less volume of muscles than Thor but he was more sculpted. Softer with longer limbs. More like a dancer than a warrior, but Thor thought it suited him. Loki had always been the most graceful of all.

To his great surprise, Thor discovered that he could caress this skin for hours and never get enough of it.

That realization was scary. Scarier than everything else.

"Prince Thor, I am starting to turn into stone, like your dear friends, but out of boredom. Could we get to the main entertainment, please ?"

And as if was swatting a fly, he raised another bolt that almost hit Volstagg on the face.

Never in his whole life had Thor desired so much for the death of another living being.

It was Loki who set the pace. He put his arms around Thor's neck and opened his eyes. Thor 's heart felt as if it was breaking. He realized that Loki was mute because fear, shame, misery and confusion were holding his tongue. Or maybe because talking would have break the control he had over his tears. The green eyes had an horribly pleading expression and were twice more translucent because of those same tears. Thor couldn't remember the last time he saw so much grief and begging in them. Maybe when they were quite young and Loki lost his favorite mare. The poor beast had a weak stomach and Loki had cried for days. Imploring the Norns that he would do anything, ANYTHING to get back his precious horse. Of course, the Norns never answered.

Thor never saw him cry after that.

Thor answered by a passionate kiss on his brother's exposed neck and the most powerful embrace he could give. He didn't dare to take his mouth. He wanted Loki to keep some parts of him untouched. Furthermore kisses were for consenting lovers and Loki should only kiss the ones he would fall in love with. He was rewarded by a relieved sigh and a the feel of a slightly relaxed body.

Thor knew is was time but something was missing.

"I refuse to take him like that, unprepared." Thor yelled to the dark figure. "I know how that kind of sexual act is painful if it is done brutally. You'll have to help us here !"

The dark lord sighed in annoyance and made another gesture in the air.

A tiny glass flask appeared from thin air. Thor knew it was a cream to help the penetration. It made him want to vomit but he had to stay strong and determined, for his friends, for Loki.

As he took the flask and put some of the cream on his fingers, he bent to speak softly into his brother's ear. Anything was good if it helped Loki through this ordeal.

"Do not fear, little brother, I have you. I will always have you."

He gently probed into his brother's entrance with one finger. It made Loki cringe. Thor was trying to be as gentle as possible and so he kept talking while adding another finger.

"Do not be ashamed, my Loki, you are beautiful. Any man, any woman would be delighted to be in my place right here, right now. I will please you, little brother, because I want to please you, not because of..." Thor held back and covered his brother's eyes with his free hand. "Close your eyes, little Loki. In the dark, you are in your bedroom, alone with your lover. In the dark, I am anyone you want, anyone you choose..." He added a third finger and he felt less resistance. Loki was almost ready and seemed to breathe more easily. Thor lowered his voice so that no one could hear but his brother. "Do not fear, my sweet Loki, my gracious lord, I am so honored to be yours. The whole of Asgard desire you."

What Thor was saying was nonsense but the moment he feared was close. He was doing his best but he had now to take Loki. He retrieved his fingers, making Loki whine softly. He pulled Loki's legs apart, as gently as he could.

"I will have you now, my prince. It will burn a bit at first and then it will be better, I promise. You are perfection, my beautiful lord. I am honored..." Thor's tongue was starting to babble as he could feel his heart beat faster. It was hard to pretend being some unknown Aesir while grabbing himself and softly grazing his brother's intimacy... Particularly when it felt so hot.

He slowly entered.

It was ghastly tight.

And burning as Hel.

Loki made a terrible sob and opened his eyes wide to the ceiling. His mouth was opened but no scream came out.

Instead he made another choking sound and gritted his teeth. His eyes focused on Thor's and he said very softly but distinctly, as Thor was going on penetrating him, "You. I choose you."

Thor was so shocked he went too fast and Loki barely repressed a cry. Yet his head was thrown back, his eyes rolling up, then left, then right and he had a ragged breath.

Thor had impaled him fully in almost one movement. "Sorry, my Loki, so sorry..." It was so lame. He could see that Loki was in agony but bravely tried not to complain. Thor decided this outrage had to end and moved carefully at first then increasing his pace...

"Oh, my Loki, my brave little brother, your body is so delicious. I feel like I am swimming in milk and honey, my love. Let me have you, my Loki. Let me own you."

Thor was spurting nonsense again (or was he ?). But was there another option ? He had to make Loki feel like Thor was making love to him not raping him under threat. Thor's absurd words seemed to touch a cord inside Loki for he seemed to relax again and moaned at the rhythm of Thor's thrust. Yet, he was still uncomfortable and, whether it was because of the horror of the whole situation, Thor's sensual words, or the flood of contradictory sensations his body was enduring, his tears ran free, drawing silvery lines on his cheeks. Thor gasped as if he felt Loki's pain, which in a way, he did. He tried to brush off the silver with his thumb.

"Do not cry, darling." Thor was speaking faster, as his hips were thrusting with a terrible vigor. This time because he was determined to give his brother pleasure. "Surrender, my brother. Give up all resistance. Be mine and submit to me. Be mine and FEEL me."

And with that, he lost all control. So did Loki. Thor slammed deliberately, grabbing his brother by the waist and holding him to his chest. Loki was like a string-less puppet, his head bobbing in every way with each powerful thrust. Grabbing Thor's shoulders till the point of bruises. Thor was not sweet-talking any more, he was growling like a beast, a sweating boar. He wanted completion, he wanted to take everything from this body. Loki's face was red from crying and biting his lips, his eyes were up to the sky as if imploring it. Tiny powerless moans were escaping him.

Then Thor literally exploded inside Loki with a terrible roar. Because of this, or something else, Loki screamed and came painfully...

They crumbled on the sheets and Loki almost immediately curled into a tight, closed, sobbing ball. No sound came from him. Only his trembling shoulders were the sign he was crying. Thor was shaking his head, trying to get his mind back. Both of them were in a terrible state.

When he heard a clapping of hands, Thor felt a terrible rage surge inside of him.

He was going to kill the bastard, but said bastard was nowhere in sight, either gone or turned invisible.

"Brava, my dear prince ! You've kept your part of the bargain. And I shall keep mine."

Thor heard a snap of fingers and a bright light seemed to cover his lifeless friends.

"I guess you want to keep this little encounter secret so I can assure you those four were totally unconscious during your little show. The curse will be lifted in about an half hour. Which is enough for both of you to get decent again."

Thor wanted to crash the whole palace to the ground to seek for this disgusting swine and kill him with a slow and painful death.

"Ta-Ta, dear princes and thank you for this delightful little show. I had enjoyed myself greatly thanks to you both."

And with a puff of black smoke, as if he was taunting Thor a last time, he disappeared.

Later, the stones had turned into flesh and four confused warriors fell on the ground. They were even more surprised by Thor and Loki's dreadful state.

Their outfits were obviously stained and badly set, as if they had undressed then dressed back in a hurry. Their hair were a terrible mess. Thor had a grim expression and his eyes were dangerously sparkling while Loki's face was blotchy and red. As if he had cried a good deal.

Loki never cried. Never.

Sif remarked that he carefully avoided everyone's eyes but said nothing.

The Warriors Three, although they could be careless about what was going on around them, were not stupid and did have the dreadful feeling that something horrible had occurred while they were under the spell. But none of them dared to say anything.

Thor declared that they fought the Dark Warlock and forced him to break the curse. But he managed to escape, hurting Loki badly. The mission had failed and they had to return to take care of Loki.

No one protested.

No one asked any question.

They never talked of this failure, ever again.