Author's Note: I don't even... This is my first shipping story! Also known as the fic where Loki and Thor want to jump each other for no reason apart from the fact that it's cute as hell.

The Alternation: In this universe the events of the movie never took place. Or most of them, anyway. Loki and Thor did go to Jotunheim and Loki discovered that Odin adopted him and wanted to use him. But Odin never fell into Odinsleep and Thor was never banished.

Warnings: There will be some hints and/or vague desciptions, but nothing overly graphic.

The Set-up

Thor was sure that Loki was somewhere in the library.

But the problem was that the place was huge and for some reason he never really understood, it was forbidden to yell in there. And then, even if he did call him, Loki most probably wouldn't bother to answer, thus ruining the whole point. Thor was left to wander aimlessly between the shelves until he comes across him on his own.

Naturally this annoyed him. Once, he tried to convince Loki to read anywhere but in the library, so he would be easier to encounter. It resulted in Loki hiding at the strangest places to read a book, until Thor begged him to return to the library.

As he walked down one of the many corridors his eyes fell on a parchment, lying unceremoniously halfway rolled up on the floor. It must have fallen from its place on the shelf and seeing that it was in his way, Thor bend down to pick it up.

At first glimpse he saw that it's a map and he was ready to just roll it up and put it on the nearest shelf when he noticed something.

It was a name, Swafd, done in an elegant clear-cut writing just over a small rough painting that may or may not have resembled some sort of building. For a short moment, Thor stood unsure why did the name catch his attention. In the next moment it hit him and he smiled broadly.

The map never reached the shelf. Instead it remained in his hand as he went on with his search...

Discovering Loki just around the next corner a moment later.

"What is it?" asked Loki when presented with the map.

"Do you remember yesterday evening? In the tavern? The story-teller?" demanded Thor, excitement making his eyes sparkle like stars.

Just the previous day they were sitting in one of the taverns that filled the streets of Asgard, drinking and listening to bards like they sometimes did. The night was long and there was nothing to do. It was a custom for travelers and singers to entertain the guests of such places despite the lack of payment offered to them. Some liked to sing old songs that everyone knew; others were making fun of everything and everyone around them and some...

Some told the truth about what they saw in the realms, the beasts they fought and maidens they claimed. Most important were the treasures and artifacts though. Many warriors liked the prospect enough to try and find some, only some of them eventually returning in the role of story-tellers themselves, desperately trying to discourage others from following in their footsteps, uselessly warning them to avoid the dangers. The circle continued, new adventurers were excited about the thrill of danger and the old ones kept telling their stories in hopes that they will lesser the numbers of dead bodies lying in the ancient tombs.

The name Swafd appeared in one such story, told by a seasoned fighter by the looks of him. He told them about a temple called Swafd and a powerful object lost within.

"Yes, I remember," said Loki. "What of it?"

"Guess," said Thor, his excitement slowly fading away at Loki's cold response.

Loki lifted his eyebrows and guessed: "You want to find the crown."

The warrior said that there is a crown made from glass and diamonds to be found that allows its bearer to see and control magical energy in such a manner that the person would be basically invincible. While wearing it, one could manipulate spells used against him even as they were being made, turning them against their creator in a split of a second without even moving a finger.

Of course that the prospect of having such power was tempting, but Loki considered himself smart enough to know that it's way beyond his reach. He definitely wasn't going to undertake all the obstacles the man warned them about to get it.

That was, unless Thor decided he wanted to go and find it. Not out of greed or lust for power but simply for the adventure itself. And also because he was taught by Odin that all powerful relics should be gathered and locked away in the vault, so they won't fall into the wrong hands.

Speaking of Odin, this artifact seemed like something he would like to have in his vault, save under his protection... and right in his hand if he ever should need it. This sounded like a thing he would wish to gain, not simply wait until he will be presented with it out of kindness of some brave traveler.

"I never knew you are capable of doing research, brother," said Loki offhandedly, asking 'where did you find it?' in the most subtle way possible.

Thor wasn't offended; he laughed: "I just stumbled across it on my way to find you. It was actually right here, behind the corner." He grinned innocently: "It almost seems like it was trying to reach you. I wanted to invite you to a hunt, but this seems like a much better idea. We are meant to go on this quest, brother."

I agree, Loki thought. But by whom?

"I think I should have a word with fa- Odin about this before we leave."

Thor threw him a pained look at the correction and Loki wasn't sure if he's expressing disappointment or compassion. But then, Loki told himself, he'd be insulted by both, so perhaps it didn't matter. Thor would always be his brother, despite the terrible truth that Loki discovered a few weeks past, but Odin no longer deserved the title of his father. It was just hard to stop addressing him that way out of habit.

"Alright," answered Thor, trying his best to put on an unconcerned tone, even though he couldn't push the image of Odin and Loki screaming at each other out of his mind. "I'll talk to the Warriors Three and ask them if they wish to come with us."

But Loki was no longer listening, his mind already far away.

He watched Odin from afar for about fifteen minutes, trying to decide if he should encounter him. The Allfather was talking with his court diplomats, too caught up in the whole matter to notice Loki. And that was probably a good thing.

Loki's first instinct was to go and tell him. To Hel with all the subtlety and tact. He would just walk right up to Odin and tell him what he thinks about his mind games. He would laugh and tell him that he doesn't need further proof to know that the beloved Allfather is a liar, deceiving his son and manipulating him his entire life, not stopping even after he's been called out on it.

But then as he watched on he realized that it wouldn't help him.

It didn't matter how much he wanted Odin to stop lying to him, it would never happen. It seemed Odin was born a manipulator. If Loki encountered him now, throwing his actions in his face, it wouldn't make him stop. It would make him cautious. It would make him more subtle and harder to call out. He would profit from it.

And Loki didn't like the prospect of being controlled without at least knowing about it. This way he was given the power of knowledge. And he would decide to follow though with Odin's wishes because it would be the only way to keep Odin calm and confident, allowing him to make more mistakes.

It wasn't as if this was the first time something like this happened either. Loki was very used to staying quiet and taking advantage of mistakes people around him made. The problem was that after discovering Odin's greatest lie of all he thought it might finally end. They might finally show their cards to each other, even if it meant admitting their hate. There hardly seemed a reason to hide. Loki was a tool to Odin.

And, to be fair, so was Thor.

Everyone was a tool to Odin. They were all just his chess pieces and for the longest time Odin believed he rules them alone. That was, until Loki grew old enough to start playing a similar game, without knowing that there already is one chess master, who doesn't feel like sharing his chessboard. And so it happened that Loki's life was the subtlest of tortures, everything crafted just so to crush his spirits, his pride, to make him no one and nothing, so he would never dare rise up against his ruler.

In theory, it was flawless. If it wasn't for the accident that made him find out the truth, Loki would still call Odin 'father' and respect him, or pretend to do so, naively believing that all the little hints that pointed to Odin controlling his life are wrong.

Finding out about his heritage simply put it all into perspective.

And yet Odin went on, as if nothing had happened, hoping that they will ensure his power like the good sons they were by finding a powerful relic for him, just like they did with all the other artifacts that filled his vault.

Loki used to believe that it happened at random which story they decided to follow and which treasure they brought back for safekeeping. They were doing it to gather experience or, in Thor's case, to simply have fun. His new perspective told him it was all too convenient.

One of the ambassadors spoke more loudly then the others, his voice reaching Loki though his thoughts: "But the guests will be here tomorrow! How can you be sure that your sons won't cause any trouble?"

Loki didn't need to hear more. Suddenly he felt tired. Tired of the endless game. Tired of the lies.

Odin wanted to get rid of them so they won't interfere in his political meeting, while using them at the same time to gather more power for him. And as the knowledge hit him, he made a decision. He decided he doesn't care what Odin wants anymore. He knew exactly what he, Loki wants and for once the two weren't mutually exclusive.

In the end, it was Thor who was right. Perhaps he had an excellent reason to be so cheerful about the adventure. Loki wanted nothing more than to leave the golden halls behind and sleep under the open sky.

He stepped out of his hiding place, approached Odin and waited until he was noticed.

"Loki." Odin's tone was reserved, cold. The argument they have had clearly left marks. Odin expected an attack; and just a few minutes ago he would be right. But instead, what he got was fulfillment of his plans, filling him with arrogant confidence.

"I came to tell you that we're leaving for Vanaheim. We will find the crown of Swafd," was what Loki said. I need some downtime from trying to unravel your secrets, Odin. Call it your victory if you will, but as long as we're both alive we are far from done, was what he meant.

Thor was relieved to see that Loki appears calm, almost relaxed when they met outside the palace gates. He immediately felt smile creeping across his face. All was right in the world after all.

"Everything went well?" he asked needlessly, when they evened out their strides, heading for the sables side by side.

"F- Odin was overjoyed to hear of our plans," answered Loki, once again slipping slightly. It used to make sense to call him 'father' in Thor's presence.

"That's good," replied Thor plainly. For a moment he wanted to express his gratitude that they didn't argue or downright fight each other but then he decided to would be better not to push it. It was a few weeks since already, but he still wasn't sure how to feel about the whole accident.

A few days ago, he asked Loki if he were happier if they never went to Jotunheim and everything stayed the same. Thor felt that it was him and his decision to go on adventure that created this rift between Loki and Odin. But his younger brother looked at him and told him that he's glad to know the truth.

It was hard to believe him, seeing the pain in his eyes, but then who knew to right answer to the hurtful truth versus pleasant lie question? Thor wasn't a philosopher and he could definitely understand the need for truth. The problem was that the lies didn't seem so bad when they were only there to protect Loki from feeling different. Loki seemed to see something more meaningful in the fact that Odin lied to him, but Thor didn't know what it was.

"The warriors won't be coming with us," he said after a short while. "Sif said she's not interested and the Three weren't exactly feeling up for anything, because they seemed to have overdone it with drinking yesterday. Who knows what they were celebrating. Fandral told me to leave him alone, Hogun claimed he's going to die and I didn't manage to wake up Vostagg." He smiled sheepishly and Loki snorted.

"Wonderful," he said. This was either excellent or going to get them killed. Loki never enjoyed the company of the other warriors, so he was glad that they won't be coming, but in battle at least one more sword between him and the enemy was always welcome. Six people seemed the perfect number for a raiding party, two not so much.

The servants had their horses prepared for them. Loki told himself he's not interested in how could they possibly know about their plans so long beforehand. Though he supposed Odin just as well might have stood on his balcony and bid them a heartfelt goodbye with a handkerchief in hand.

He realized how bitter he is about all this only when he almost forgot to return Thor's smile, when his brother turned back in saddle to look at him. Then he reminded himself why he's doing this. For fun. Just for once in his life he wouldn't try to prove anything and he wouldn't plan anything. He would just have a good time.

"Am I the only one always wondering, why is Heimdal's observatory so out of hand?" called Thor to him, as they cantered though the golden city in the direction of the huge rainbow bridge.

Luckily, Thor never lacked the ability to lighten up his mood.

"Clearly, it's because Bifrost is a runway for spaceships and Heimdal is the conductor," he called back.

"Really? I never thought about it that way. Do you know what I think Bifrost is?" Thor was smiling so broadly, so mischievously, that Loki found it hard to resist. His own smile had long back stopped being a mask and turned genuine.

"What?" he asked, adjusting his movements as his mare took up speed, shoulder to shoulder with Thor's.

"A race track!" called Thor, laughing as his white stallion suddenly shot forward in a burst of speed, easily getting ahead of Loki's brown mare. Loki laughed too and immediately urged his own horse to go faster.

They flew over the ocean, colorful sparks igniting around the stomping hooves falling on the rainbow bridge, the ever-present stars shining in the infinite sky above them. The air was rushing past them, its howling mixing with the thunder of shattering waves and creating a symphony of freedom.

Loki managed to catch up to Thor and for a while they rode side by side, both trying their hardest to gain advantage over the other, neither succeeding. Their horses galloped at the top of their speed.

The observatory was closing up on them and as they passed the last pair of pillars they both realized they should slow down and stop. Reluctantly they did so, ending up next to each other just like they began. The adrenalin slowly faded away and their heart beats returned to normal.

"Well," said Loki as they dismounted. "That was uneventful." Thor grinned at him.

Heimdal was standing were he always stood, staring into the distance; completely oblivious to their shenanigans. They approached him, leaving their horses behind. The guardian didn't greet them and they didn't bother to explain to him where they were going. His eyes pierced them for a few seconds and then he turned and entered the golden observatory.

Of all the servants, only the one who actually could see us coming didn't prepare for us beforehand, thought Loki, as they followed him inside.

"It is a long way through Vanaheim, to find the treasure you seek," said Heimdal while they waited for the bridge to open, the chamber filling with sparkling light, as the mechanism woke up its power.

"Is it?" asked Thor without any genuine interest. "We'll manage." The details of the adventure always soared right over his head. Heimdal didn't care to respond and at that moment, the Bifrost opened and dragged them in, pulling them away from Asgard.

The sky opened and down came a stream of light, striking the ground like a lightning. In the next moment the light was gone and darkness closed upon them. Once their eyes adjusted to the change of scenery they realized they are standing in a forest. The dark trees around them didn't suggest any trace of civilization, much less the enormous Vanir city they only ever visited in the past.

Of course it was a long way through Vanaheim. Just about long enough to keep them away from Asgard for the whole duration of the important political meeting. The bridge could have taken them right up to the temple, but of course it didn't. Heimdal was very loyal to his king.

"Am I the only one always wondering if Bifrost just chooses the final destination at random?" said Loki off-handedly, turning the bitter thoughts into a joke and watching Thor smile.

Note: Let's just say that when it comes to Asgard, I'm a conspiracy theorist. (I didn't read the comics or anything, if you're wondering. The theory is mine. You can tell, because it's crazy.)