A drabble based on an image on tumblr. Separated from the rest because it is two complimentary parts.

First Image: teaat2am./ post/ 11131506204/ and-it-is-just-as-well (remove spaces)

They say they are different.

Not to his face, no, and never where Mother can hear, but Loki is a cunning child and a quiet one. He listens to the servants and the nobles who call the great halls their home and he knows what they see and what they speak.

Loki and Thor are different.

But this is nothing new.

Thor is the sun. He is bright and shining and so very full of life. His presence shines and dazzles every person he meets. He is instantly adored by all, despite his bungling of social graces and his penchant for recklessness. The citizens of Asgard love their prince, their heir, with all of themselves.

There is little left for him.

He does not mind.

Loki is the dark. He is quiet and shy and does not speak rashly, nor often raise his voice at all. He is the shadow to Thor's brightness, the voice of quiet reason in the face of Thor's brash and eager heart. He is the soft one, the cunning one, the one no one truly knows, or ever truly will.

But it is just as well.

Thor needs someone to protect him, though no one else can seem fathom such a need. Thor is a child, truly a reckless, young thing with no regard to the consequences his actions can and do bring. He is quick to the fight; quick to rush into danger and put himself in harm's way, sometimes for as little as an insult to his person. He is a silly creature, though brilliant, shining as brightly as the sun. He cannot fathom his faults, cannot see his actions for the hubris that they are.

And that is just as well

Loki will take on that burden. Loki, quick and quiet and cunning Loki, will traverse these dangers for him. He will tend to his brothers mistakes; will disperse the countless conflicts his brother's actions can and surely will bring. Loki will be the shadow, the quiet one no one thinks to suspect of such things. He will protect his brother more thoroughly than anyone could think and will do so without any knowing of it. It is his duty and his privilege to protect him.

He and Thor are brothers, and that is what brothers do.

They say they are different.

And that is just as well.

No one else need know.