Torchlight danced upon Loki's golden armor as he walked through the dim halls of Asgard. It was deserted except for the few guards wandering through the corridors, looking wistfully through the windows at the city below, wishing they could join their comrades. Many of the residents had abandoned the stuffy castle to enjoy the cool summer night.

"My king," a guard straightened and saluted as he caught sight of Loki.

Loki bit back a smirk. Oh, if only Odin could see him now.

"Continue your good work, soldier," Loki said gravely in Odin's voice, giving him a curt nod. The guard's eyes lit at his compliments.

Loki swept through the corridors, humming under his breath. His hand stroked the smooth surface of Gungnir. Even though a year had passed, he still barely believed that Gungnir was in his hands. How long had he dreamed? And how many times had his dream slipped through his grasp? It had taken too long, but this time he had outdone himself.

Loki paused under a stone arch to admire the flurry of activity below. Children frolicked in the streets and crowds gathered around merchant carts. He could hear the roar of laughter from the people in the theater, the sweet melodies from a performer's instrument, and the murmuring of conversation. They were celebrating Malekith's fall and Loki celebrated his first year of ruling. A slow smile spread across his face.

"Father!" a deep voice called out from behind him, souring his good mood. Loki stiffened. He willed himself to turn. Thor walked toward him, a blue cloak wrapped around his shoulders, Mjolner on his belt, and a smile upon his face.

"Ah, my son," Loki said, forcing delight into his voice.

"May I join you, father?" Thor asked. Loki looked into Thor's piercing blue eyes, his hands unconsciously reaching for the knife hidden within his armor. Those eyes would see through his deceit any moment now. Thor had seen through his lies once; when Loki grieved over Frigga's death.

The innocence in Thor's eyes did not change.

"Of course," Loki replied. They looked into the city for a while in silence.

"Why do you not celebrate with your men, Thor?" Loki finally asked, "they honor your bravery and strength."

Thor shook his head.

"I do not deserve such honor," Thor said, looking into the night.

Loki looked at Thor in astonishment. It was such a un-Thor like response. Loki had never known Thor to be humble. He could still clearly recall their adventures as children. Loki trying to warn Thor about Thor's foolish plans, Thor's stubbornness leading them into trouble anyways, and finally, Loki's quick wit saving them from some terrible demise. Always, Thor would take the glory— attributing their success to his bravery and strength. Even if Loki objected, who would believe that Thor's lanky and weak raven-haired brother was capable of such a feat? Loki was merely a shadow next to his brother.

Loki clenched his teeth. There was a time when he would have done anything for Odin's family, but no more. He would never be so foolish again.

Thor's eyes were distant, not noticing Loki's sudden silence.

"You defeated Malekith and saved the nine realms from falling into darkness," Loki finally reminded him.

"It was not only my bravery, father. If not for Jane Foster and the mortals with her, Erik, Darcy, and that…." Thor frowned. Loki raised his eyebrows as Thor made hand motions toward his face in a hopeless attempt to describe the last mortal. "...Man with short hair and no moustache. I would not have been able to bring us victory," Thor finished.

If he had been in his original form, Loki would have rolled his eyes and sprouted a witty remark, but pretending to be Odin, he only said, "You have learned to be humble like a true king."

Thor looked at Loki, his eyes weary. Loki felt unsettled by this Thor, so different from the one that he had grown up with; no longer as boisterous or as rash. When had this Thor come to be?

"Loki could have been a better king," Thor told him. Loki's eyes narrowed. Was this Thor's attempt to guilt-trip him to reveal his true form? For he, Loki, would not fall for such a trick.

"Father, Loki saved Jane Foster and I!" Thor defended his statement, his eyes searching Loki's face. Thor had taken Loki's expression to be one of disagreement, Loki realized. Loki was rendered speechless. The oaf truly believed what he was saying, Loki thought with disbelief. Thor was a bigger fool that he had given him credit for. Loki wanted to shake Thor and scream at him, to tell him to wake up and that he, Loki, was not Thor's brother. Didn't that oaf get the message when Loki tried to kill him? Loki drew a deep breath and unclenched his fists, trying to contain his fury at Thor's stupidity.

"I—I have done him much wrong…" Thor continued to talk, but Loki was no longer listening.

Thor is only a warrior, all brawn and no brains. He knows nothing about me; only the lies that I have fed him, growled Loki to himself. Sacrifice himself for Thor? The idea was hilarious. He only wanted to shake Thanos from his trail and to take the throne, no more. Thor means nothing to me, Loki thought coldly. In fact, he would look forward to killing Thor when the time comes.

"I've looked forward to this day as long as you have. You're my brother and my friend. Sometimes I'm envious, but never doubt that I love you," Loki flinched as his own words before his brother's coronation wafted back into his mind. They lied to me, I was only Odin's hostage used to keep the peace, Loki countered silently. He summoned the memory of when his world shattered; when he stood upon the brink of the void and stared down into its limitless depths. He had felt bitterness, desperation, hopelessness, and finally…hatred. Loki allowed those feelings to fill him, crushing the weak self that threatened to surface. Loki realized that Thor was still speaking.

"…Loki, my brother and your son, died heroically—"

"ODIN IS NOT MY FATHER," Loki exploded, his voice shaking. Thor jerked backwards, confusion in his eyes.

"That is what Loki told me," Loki quickly added, his heart thumping furiously in his chest. He held his breath as Thor nodded slowly, concern spreading across his face. What had possessed him? Loki did not know.

"I...I am sorry—" Thor began.

"I am weary Thor, I need rest," Loki cut Thor off, waving his apology away. Before Thor could say anything more, Loki turned and walked away, the Odin staff clenched tightly in his hands.

Loki didn't know where he was going. He just needed to get away from Thor; from those concerned eyes that trailed his departing form.

Thunder rumbled, stirring the excitement in Thanos's chest. He looked over the parapet, the black spires of his tower thrusting into the troubled skies, the only structure to break the wasteland covered by fat flakes of ash.

He frowned at the figures below, their heads bowed as they shuffled along on their way. A pathetic crowd, but they would not fail him again.

"Lord Thanos, they are ready."

Thanos grunted without turning around, satisfied at the slight tremor in the soldier's voice.

Fear was a beautiful thing. He remembered the fear of the raven haired Asgardian. It had been curtained behind feigned arrogance. But under Thanos' lessons, arrogance shredded like cobwebs and he was able to behold its full glory.

Thoughts of the Asgardian, of Loki, also brought anger. Loki had failed to acquire for him what was rightly his and managed to evade a long overdue punishment. To make it worse, his informants had notified him that Loki sat on Asgard's throne. Thanos gritted his teeth.

He wanted to see that fear again and he hungered to hear those screams.

"Give me my gauntlets, " Thanos finally growled.

He was going hunting.