If the World Hated You
"Loki? Where are you?" Thor called out in his booming voice, which, being only twelve was an interesting quality.
It did not surprise him that Loki had not answered, so instead, Thor kicked open the library door only to find it empty.
"Loki?" Thor called out once again, looking around confused, "Come out at this instance!"
"Must you make so much racket, brother?" Loki's timid voice came from the corner.
Turning around, Thor grinned widely as he saw his younger ten-year-old brother curled up by with window with a book in his lap.
"If I did not, you would never speak; after all, the only time you do speak is to tell me off." He teased, which caused Loki to grin his well-known sly smile and turn his head back to his book. "Come brother!" Thor said once more, approaching Loki, "Let us go on an adventure."
"I am very fine here, thanks." Loki said shortly not even looking up.
"Nonsense! Come!" Thor said, yanking the book from Loki's lap, which caused him to shout out in annoyance.
"Give it back Thor!" Loki growled.
"Not until you play with me." Thor said with a laugh at Loki's facial expression.
Loki just shook his head and stood up to walk away.
"Where are you going?" Thor demanded angrily.
"To read my book." Loki said with his smirk, holding up the book Thor had just had in his hands a moment ago.
"Your tricks are not fair Loki!" Thor growled.
"Nor is it that you are a great deal stronger than me." Loki said with a shrug and then sat down once more but on the opposite side of the room.
"Why is it that you will not play with me, Loki?" Thor whined hurrying over to his younger brother.
Loki just gave a shrug and continued looking down at his book.
"Loki, you know I cannot tell what you are thinking. Tell me what is wrong, you have never denied me before."
"It does not matter." Loki said shortly, never looking up from the page.
"Of course it does! Whatever bothers you matters a great deal to me!" Thor said taking the book away from him once more.
"Must we really continue this pattern brother?" Loki said with a raised eyebrow.
"Than why do you not break it?"
"Because then I would lose."
"But I am far more stubborn then you shall ever be."
"Hmm, I am not so sure."
Letting out a laugh, Thor hopped up besides his brother and said, "Fine, I am giving your book back, so shall you now tell me what is bothering you, and do not dare to lie, Loki."
"Why does ever one assume that I lie?" Loki smirked, accepting the book back.
"Because you have not been the most honest in the past." Thor laughed, "In fact, I do believe that they call you the Prince of Lies outside the castle walls."
"Funny, I heard they call me the Prince of Mischief."
"Haha, the Prince of Lies and Mischief, not a bad title." Thor joked, giving his brother a playful push. "Now, tell me what is wrong."
After a moment of silence, Loki finally looked up from the cover of his book and said, "It is nothing, I have just thought you would enjoy yourself much more if I were not with you when you went on your adventures."
"Nonsense!" Thor roared, "Why would you ever think such a thing?"
Loki just shrugged.
"Is it because of Sif and Volstagg and such?" Thor demanded.
Loki shrugged once again.
"Loookiiii." Thor growled.
"I am not a fool." Loki said with a swift smile, "I know they do not like me much."
"Nonsense! Of course they like you!"
Loki gave him an incredulous look but Thor gave him a stubborn one which prompted Loki to said, "Fine, if they do not dislike, they then do not like me as much as you or Sif or the rest of them. Furthermore, they rather not have me there to slow things down."
"Even if that is true." Thor said, "It does not matter. I want you there."
"But they do not-"
"Loki, I do not care!" Thor cut him off, "You are my brother and my best friend. What they think of you makes no difference to me!"
"Now it may not." Loki said with a sad smile, "But in a few years, I have a feeling that you will find their opinion to weigh much more in your decisions."
"I am revolted that you would think such a thing!" Thor rumbled angrily causing Loki to look down timidly. Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, Thor slung his arm around Loki's shoulder and said, "Loki, no matter what they say, you are my equal in blood. Even if the whole world hated you, I would not love you any less. You are my brother now and will always be, no matter what happens. Now, will you please come play with me?"
After a moment of silence, Loki gave Thor a sly grin and said, "Well, if you insist."
Shouting in joy Thor raced out of the room and, as he turned around to see his brother following, he was surprised as the door swung shut in his face.
"LOKI!" Thor hollered.
"Really now? What did I just say about you causing a racket?" Loki said, appearing at his brother's right and smirking at Thor's angry expression before making a break for it as Thor chased after him.