A/N: Hello, pplz! I am back—finally. This is one of two stories I wrote for Camp NaNoWriMo, which was really fun! There were several amazing people on Tumblr with whom I shared a cabin (Norationalthoughtrequired, Lizardbeths, and Jordanwyn), and I want to thank them for all the encouragement they gave me in finishing this! Originally, the idea was going in the trash pile, but then I realized my first story wouldn't have enough words for me to reach my goal. Sooo, it actually happened. (I also want to thank Zoroasterperetola on Tumblr for inspiring me.) I intended it to be about 3000 words. It turned out to be 13k, whoops. XD Also turned out to be more angsty than fluffy, but whatever. That's normal. And it's still more fluffy than the other story... Norns help me. XD Hope you all enjoy!

Warning: If you're not into incest or Thorki, then this is probably not for you. There's another story that I'm close to posting in which Thorki will be minimal (and skip-able), and I have plans for a gen fic in the future. This, however, is blatantly sexual. Turn back nowww. XD

Summary: A week before Loki leaves for college, Thor asks him to stay.


Day One

Loki finally surrenders and turns from his computer to face his brother full on. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Not only does the game give Thor an excuse to join his brother's company, but it also lends him a chance to keep hold of that company forever. Despite Loki's clear irritation, Thor won't back down. "Of course," he says.

"You know the rules? No dictionaries, thesauruses, or help of any kind when I give you a word. If you can't answer, then you have one chance to stump me, and that's it. If you manage it, you win. If you don't, you lose. You understand this?"

Of course, Loki remains stubborn. Thor doesn't let himself falter. "Yep."

"And should I catch you cheating, I will never return any of your phone calls, messages, or letters, and I will absolutely refuse to see you any more than I have to."

The thought of a world without his brother sends a jolt of fear down his spine, but he quells his rising heartbeat and simply shrugs. It's an empty threat meant to dissuade him. Nothing more. "You know I don't cheat, Loki."

Loki stares at him with raised eyebrows to challenge Thor's sincerity, and Thor stays still. He has spent months studying roots, memorizing definitions, and heightening his vocabulary, and there is nothing in the world that will stop him from proving to Loki just how much he cares.

Eventually, Loki's shoulders deflate. "Fine. If you're serious, give me your hand. We'll shake on it."

Grinning, Thor hops off his position on the bed and easily strides to Loki's desk chair. Their hands touch for the first time in what feels like forever. "If I win, you stay."

Testing green eyes settle on Thor's face. "Right. And if I win, you don't stop me."

"Deal," Thor agrees.

They shake, and Loki's eyes fill with determined secrecy, the kind he often shows when he's about to unleash some clever play that will leave all of his opponents breathless and stunned.

With no intention of letting him, Thor says the first word that comes to his mind. "'Hopeful.'"

"'Naive,'" Loki says without thought, but his eyes lose that terrifying gleam. "'Pompous.'"

The word is meant to insult him. He pushes away any emotion and focuses on the definitions and synonyms he has learned. He must think to win this. Thor takes a step back to sit down on the bed while he ponders for a moment. "'Arrogant.'"

"Very good, Brother." Loki's eyes twinkle in the light. "Very unexpected. There is hope for you yet if this challenge has interested you in studying, and Father will be so pleased to learn you have a brain."

Knowing his brother's scheme, Thor chooses to ignore the barb to his intelligence. "'Stay,'" he says instead.

"Seriously? You are so dull. 'Remain.' Try 'brutish.'"

Thor glares.

"Oh, don't act all offended." A mischievous smile spreads across Loki's face, regardless that his target remains unamused. "Every word you've chosen so far has reeked of sentiment. Why can I not share my true feelings towards you?"

Thor knows what Loki's trying to do. He wants Thor to lose himself to his rage and slip into an error that will lose him the game—or worse, Loki's good will. Thor has to stay on high alert if he wants to keep Loki's company. "'Beastly,'" he says calmly.

"Mmm." Loki's lips twist into a snarl at the correct answer. "Again, surprising. At any rate, I have work to do, and as much as I would just love to play this game all night, it is rather late. Go to bed."

Thor glances reluctantly towards the door with no intent to move. He wants Loki to speak, to take it back, to let him stay for a while longer.

Just as Loki expects, judging from the way his lips reform silently into satisfaction.

It hurts to see his brother reject him so. He wants (needs) to spend time with his brother. There is only a week left now before Loki might leave, a week in which Thor wants to savor every last shred of affection between them—before Loki's life takes him in a direction far away. He has never done so before, it has always been Loki who came to Thor's room during their childhood, but he's about to ask Loki if he can sleep in here for the night.

Loki's dry chuckle cuts into his thoughts. "Don't mope, Thor, it doesn't suit you," Loki says. "As long as you don't cheat, you can still call me, after all."

It's an empty promise. "If you answer you phone," Thor mutters.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Standing, Thor paces to the door, flips the light for his brother, and then pauses in the door frame to look back.

Through the blinds of the window, moonlight illuminates the dexterity of his brother's fingers as they pound incessantly on the keyboard. His flawless skin glows white in the dark, but he doesn't look up, no matter how resolutely Thor waits.

The inattention of his brother increases Thor's discomfort, but he strives to keep his feet planted—just in case Loki changes his mind. He wants to see those bright, clever eyes of emeralds once more before he sleeps.

After several delayed moments, Loki's fingers pause. "Go to bed, Thor. I'm tired, and I need to finish this."

Thor's hand wraps around the door knob. "'Forever,'" he tries softly.

Loki brows draw into a frown. "'Eternity.'" He still doesn't look up.

Throat tight, Thor closes the door and goes to bed. Once he hears the whiz of a computer shutting down in the adjacent room and the creaking of a bed, he finally manages to catch some sleep.


A/N: Since this is really short, I posted the second chapter along with it. Every chapter actually is already written and just in need of editing, so you can count on this story being finished. I shall try to post Day 3 as soon as possible. If you want to find me on Tumblr to talk more, my username is sigyndenning, but otherwise, see you guys soon! :)