A/N I know the gods probably don't celebrate Christmas, but I just had to write this. And I also know that it is nowhere near Christmas. Comments/criticism is very welcome.
Disclaimer: I own no one.
Seven-year-old Loki sat on his bed, reading. It was long past his bedtime, but he didn't care. It seemed the only time he could get away from Thor and read in peace was late at night. Sometimes, Loki thought that he was the older brother and Thor was the tagalong younger brother. He knew that wasn't true, but it sure felt that way.
Lost so deep in his book that he didn't notice when his father opened the door, Loki started guiltily as Odin said, "Loki, you should be asleep."
"Sorry Father," he said, grinning.
"Good night, Loki. Sleep well," Odin said, smiling and shaking his head.
Loki set the book on his nightstand and snuffed the candle with a flick of his fingers. He curled on his side and pulled the blankets up to his shoulders. Sleep came quickly, which was odd for the young god.
"Loki, Loki, Loki! Wake up!" Thor shouted, bouncing on Loki's bed. "Wake up! It's Christmas!"
"Thor," Loki grumbled, "go back to bed. Mum and Dad don't want to be woken up this early. And stop bouncing."
"But…" Thor started. He stopped himself when he saw Loki's shoulders tense. "Okay," he whispered. "I'll go back to bed."
"Loki, Mum and Dad are awake!" Thor shouted, again bouncing on Loki's bed. "Come on!" He decided that Loki was taking far too long to get up and gracelessly dragged him out of bed.
"Alright, alright," Loki said. "I'm coming." He picked himself up off the floor and followed Thor, who was skipping down the stairs.
"Good morning, boys," Frigga said.
"When can we open presents?" Thor asked at the same time Loki said, "Good morning."
"Go ahead, Thor," Frigga laughed. Thor immediately dove into the pile of presents that were his. Loki had noticeably fewer gifts, but he was more easily contented than Thor. The only thing Loki had asked for was more paper and pencils.
Odin smiled. Thor was tearing the wrapping paper to pieces, and Loki was neatly undoing the tape and folding the paper in a pile, ever fastidious. Distracted by Thor for a few moments, Odin looked back at Loki. He wasn't surprised at all to see his younger son already writing in the small, beautifully leather-bound journal he had been given.
Thor on the other hand was happily sitting in a pile of toys, a ridiculously happy smile plastered on his face. "Why did Loki not get so much?" he asked, smile fading.
"I got what I wanted," Loki said distractedly. Satisfied, the smile returned to Thor's face, and he hopped up and hugged his parents.
Once again, the contrast between Loki and Thor was very clear. Thor was touchy-feely and rather emotional. Loki didn't like being touched, nor was he very emotive. Odin and Frigga knew Loki was thankful even if he didn't show it. Thor made sure everyone knew what he was feeling. Secretly, Frigga hoped Thor would grow out of it, at least a little.
Sitting next to Odin's bed, keeping watch over her comatose husband, Frigga found her thoughts wandering back to that day. Thor had grown and changed so much. Loki had just become more and more distant. And now, it seemed that Loki was lost to them forever. What she wouldn't give to go back and tell Loki the truth.