I'd like to say thank you to my beautiful Beta, Maddie. You're perf honey. On another note, this story is set after The Avengers but before Thor: The Dark World.
Thor sighs as he paces through the halls, thinking. He doesn't have to approach Odin about his decision. Well, technically speaking, he should. He isn't king yet and it's a fairly heavy idea. But Odin wouldn't agree; he'd dash it to bits and refuse to hear of it anymore. Thor believed that perhaps going through mother would soften father about the idea. He soon realized he would feel as though he'd played an underhanded trick and chose not to do that.
Thor had told himself that, as soon to be king, he could go and set the idea in motion without permission. That would enrage father and surely make mother disappointed for not asking permission. So, without any good way to approach the situation, Thor had begun pacing the halls and trying to think of a new way to assure that his decision would be met with agreement. It seemed practically impossible.
"I'm beginning to understand why Loki never bothered with permission," Thor mumbles irritably. He sighs and stops his pacing, starting to move with a purpose. It would be better to ask forgiveness than beg for permission, wouldn't it? Thor nods and hurries towards the cells, striding with confidence and a smirk on his lips. He nods to passerby and gives them a joyful greeting as he makes his way. When he turns towards the cells, the only people he sees now are guards and a few soldiers.
Thor grins as he nears Loki's cell and picks up his pace. He looks in and opens his mouth to speak before clamping it shut when he sees their mother with Loki. They're both sitting at a table happily chatting. Thor can't help but feel a little hurt that Loki wasn't half so open whenever he was able to visit. Then again, their relationship had diminished. Thor stares at them a moment longer before turning to leave.
"Thor," Frigga calls out before he can leave. He turns and smiles at her, "Hello mother." Frigga gives him a warm smile and motions for him to come in with a soft laugh. Thor hesitates, though he knows it's pointless and makes him look as though he doubts Loki. Loki eyes him disdainfully and frowns when he enters the cell.
"Thor," He sniffs and makes it sound as though it's an insult. Thor makes a face and goes to resond until his mother cuts him off. "What are you doing here Thor? I thought you were busy." Frigga hums as she takes a sip from her glass of wine. "I had to come to discuss a matter with Loki. You're both busy though, I was going to leave," Thor says carefully as he casts a glance at Loki. Loki hums and nods as he takes a bite out of a pear,
"As you should." Frigga makes a noise and gives Loki a frown before turning to Thor, "I'll go. You boys talk about whatever is so important Thor," Frigga hums. She stands and Loki follows suit, letting Frigga pull him into a hug. He lets his hand rest gently on her lower back and watches her when she pulls away and leaves. Then he turns his attention to Thor and raises an eyebrow, "Matter?"
Thor nods and grins at his brother, "How would you feel if I told you I could grant you freedom from this cell? That you could live in the palace again?" Loki gives him a suspicious look before scowling "Do not lie to me." Thor laughs and shakes his head, "This is no jest brother. I could give you room in the palace again!" This doesn't stop Loki from looking suspicious but Thor keeps his proud grin.
"Did you ask Odin," Loki questions as he crosses his arms. Thor stays quiet and ducks his head, "I had not." The god of mischief barks a laugh and smirks at the other. He gives a few chuckles before speaking, "Is the marvelous Thor breaking the rules to give me this offer? How touching." Thor snorts and looks up at his brother, "I thought you would appreciate this offer. If you truly enjoy your quarters here then I shouldn't wish to take you away from it."
Loki bristles and takes a breath, turning away from the man. He stands facing away, staring and thinking. He does want to go back to the palace, more than anything. But, he has no intention of appearing eager and certainly doesn't want to deal with Odin. When Thor makes a grunt of impatience Loki waves him off and turns back to give him an icy stare.
"Odin won't be pleased to see me in the palace," he says carefully, giving himself a calculated coolness. Thor gives a hearty laugh and surges forward to give his brother a clap on the back. Loki frowns and takes a step away after but Thor doesn't notice, grinning, "I will explain all to him brother." Loki nods and follows after Thor as he moves to leave. But Thor suddenly stops, "There is a requirement."
He moves a bit and then turns around to hold a familiar pair of shackles. Loki scowls at the shackles before composing himself and holding out his wrists. The god of thunder perks up when he sees the display and smiles at him. He puts the shackles on him and then turns around and leaves the cell with Loki. Loki follows after him in silence, catching all the uneasy looks sent their way by guards. None of them make any statements but Loki hadn't expected them to because it would be foolish to question the prince of Asgard.
When they get to public ground, Loki has to work not to sneer or glare. Passerby either send him a scathing look or they scurry to move far away from him. The only looks Loki can genuinely say he enjoys are the awed looks from children. They look as if they've seen someone from a fairy tale. Even if I am the villain in those stories, Loki thinks to himself.
When they enter the palace and grow closer to the throne, Loki becomes anxious. He'll no doubt be blamed for this decision no matter what Thor says. Loki honestly believes that by the time this is done Thor will be marching him right back to his cell. Thor isn't having anything close to these thoughts. He's confident and sure that if he can't convince their father that this is a good choice, he'll at least be able to convince him to give it a chance.
When Odin sees them, he is equally shocked and enraged. He lets it be known. Thor gives a hint of a wince at the howl but Loki takes it in stride. "If I may," he hums with no intentions of waiting for permission to continue, "Thor was very set on this and I didn't find it my place to be denying a soon to be king." Odin frowns at the acid tone to Loki's voice and turns to Thor, as though asking for the truth.
"I had thought this would be better father. If Loki were able to be with beloved family," Thor ignores Loki's scoff at this, "perhaps he could change." Odin eyes Thor and Loki rolls his eyes, not at all surprised by the sentimental notions. "Of course," Thor adds quickly, "Loki ought to be supervised. Being his brother, I think I should." "You don't trust me," Loki teases with a smirk. Odin silences him with a scowl before turning to Thor,
"Being his brother, you will not supervise him. He should not even be out of his cell." Thor remembered the reason he hadn't asked for permission in the first place and fumbles for something. He finally comes up with it, "Mother would love the idea." Even Loki gives Thor a surprised look, having expected this to maybe escalate to yelling and not low blows. The room is silent for a long moment until Odin speaks,
"You dare speak to me like that?" His voice is booming and Thor senses the oncoming storm and remains silent. Odin doesn't hold back; he just yells and neither of the brothers is actually listening to a word he has to say. Thor casts a glance at Loki and sees a role of bright, green eyes. He wants to laugh until it reminds him of how close they had once been and then he gives a small frown. Loki takes that as him scolding Loki for his eye roll and turns away.
"If you are so set on seeing your attempts to reform Loki fail, then fine. I will grant you your wish. But I will have a guard supervise Loki, not you." Both turn to Odin in shock and Thor realizes what has been said first, nodding his head eagerly. Just to have a chance to restore his brother's relationships would be perfect, "Thank you father." Loki hums, "Which guard? I prefer the younger one with brown hair. I believe he's new."
Thor can't help his chuckle at the comment whereas Odin glares, "Do not test me." Loki scowls and Thor quickly pulls him out of the throne room with a grin. "I told you I would give you room in the palace again, did I not," Thor boasts happily. Loki rolls his eyes, "That was purely luck Thor."