It was raining heavily and loud lightning bolts roared in the sky, hitting trees nearest to them, burning them down by their misunderstood and strong power. It was dark, very, very dark. And silent.

Loki walked around. Wet as a sewer rat, cold and alone. Was Thor angry he asked from himself. He didn't know, not even where he was or why. All the god of mischief could see was rain, lightning, fire and darkness. And in the darkness only more darkness. Besides the sound of rain and lightning and the sound of scorching wet wood there came no sound from the young god's surroundings. Loki walked around the place not known for him for a time that felt like hours. He didn't seem to get anywhere, but he was too stubborn to stop. After walking for another while, which again felt like hours, Loki found himself being surrounded by burning trees. And not only that. He also heard distant wailing. When the god listened carefully enough, he could almost swear it was a voice of a crying child. Loki took a spurt between two trees, evading one of those trees that came crashing down from hitting him. Then he made his way towards the voice. Suddenly Loki's eyes were blinded by a powerful burst of light and his ears deafened by a crash of thunder.

...

The god of mischief woke up with a horrible headache. He had jumped to sitting position and was now holding his head with both hands, telling the pain to go away. It must have been the result from the dream he had. I'm sure I was struck by a bolt of lightning he thought. Loki couldn't care less about his weird dream, not now when his head felt like exploding. With a determined move Loki made his way up from his comfy bed and to the door of his bedroom. It would take him to the chambers from where he'd make his way to the healers' chambers if the pain didn't soon stop for good.

He already saw things as two, no, three when he made it to the door. The god stopped for a few seconds, forehead resting on his left hand as he tried to reach the doorhandle with his right hand. As he finally could catch the handle, the door of his room was pulled open. Loki raised his head to see Thor in front him before he fell to the thunder god's feet.

"Loki!"

Thor kneeled down to lift his younger brother on his strong arms. Loki had fainted and the hit he received when he fell only made things worse. The older god brushed the younger one's raven hair gently. Loki was always rather pale, but now he was almost white. Thor panicked. He wasn't used to seeing his brother in such a condition and now that he did, he felt helpless. Thor knew deep in his heart how much this frail figure on his arms meant to him. The blonde tried shaking his brother awake.

"Loki, brother, wake up."

No effect. Thor was getting more and more nervous. Should he inform Odin? No, he should take Loki to the healers as soon as possible. Thor lifted the unconscious man on his arms and rushed to the healers' chambers. On his way Thor passed his most closest friends, all of them giving a strange look, but not being able to ask what was going on for Thor had already passed them once they got their mouths open.

Thor was pacing through a long corridor which would soon take them to the chambers. Before they could get to the end of the corridor, Loki gained consciousness. He was moving. It took him a while to see he was actually being carried. By Thor. Suddenly, without being sure if he wanted or not, Loki had kicked Thor to his waist. Probably by reflex, but it came suddenly enough to get Thor startled and he nearly dropped his younger brother because of that.

"Loki...?" was all Thor managed to get out of his mouth. He had stopped running and was now staring at his brother, overwhelmed. Loki was clearly uncomfortable, but he also felt awful. The worst of the headache was gone, but he was still dizzy and pale.

"Let me go..."

Thor wasn't sure how to act. He feared if he let his brother down, Loki would only collapse again.

"I should take you to the healers first, Loki. You look pale, like a ghost."

Tch was all what Loki came up with as an answer. He knew, now that he was trapped on Thor's arms which were stronger than every muscle in Loki's body, there was nothing he could do to make Thor let him go. Loki knew Thor meant only good, but for some strange reason Loki felt he had to get down, he was too close. Too close to Thor.

"Thor, take me outside."

The young thunder god gave the other god a questioning look. "Why?"

"I need fresh air, not a healer. Please brother, do me this one favour."

Loki was known for his silver tongue. He said that with such a tone that Thor couldn't stay tough and take him to the healers anyway. They both knew how irritating those 'goddesses' were, especially Thor who used to hurt or cut himself as a younger boy more often than one would think.

So it happened. Loki was able to talk Thor to turn around and bring him outside to the great garden instead.

It was a pretty day outside. Loki was able to get some comfort from the fresh air and the warm sun. He inhaled the air once Thor had stepped out from the huge castle doors. For a moment the god of mischief was able to forget he was lying on Thor's arms and enjoyed the day.

"You can let me down already", said Loki as he remembered where he was again. For some reason his chest had been pounding faster than normal all this time and he did not know why. Whatever it was he could find out later, right now he wanted to walk on his own. "Yes, I am sure I can walk all by myself", murmured Loki as he saw Thor's worrying look.

Thor had no intention to irritate the younger god, of course, but he did feel a bit sad about having to let him down. It had given Thor a nice feeling. A feeling he could protect the younger god with his strong arms. Hold him tight when he was feeling down. Comfort him... The thunder god slapped himself. What am I thinking? No one would like that done to him by his own brother, especially not Loki.

The young raven haired god took a few careful steps, still a bit afraid about falling down again, towards a beautiful pool of pure water in the middle of the garden, half covered and protected by huge and strong trees. It was Loki's favourite spot to sit under those trees and read or study his magic tricks or simply take a peaceful nap. Loki kneeled down by the pond and threw some of its cold water on his pale face. It made him feel better.

Thor stayed quiet for the time being. He took the chance to just stand there and admire the younger god's frail yet agile body. Thor had seen and been with many beautiful asgardian women, but somehow, for some reason they had never woken this kind of feelings inside the thunder god. He dug a memory from deep within his mind. A memory from the time when he and Loki were little boys. Loki had hurt himself by falling off a cliff they were climbing, even if Odin had told them not to, and he was crying. Thor had embraced his brother with his, at that time, still little arms and told him I love you brother. I'll never let anything bad happen to you. Never. Thor could only chuckle at the thought how serious he was being back then. He had always thought Loki was beautiful. Not beautiful like the women, but beautiful in his own, special and unique way. In a way what only Loki could be. That is why he must protect his younger brother. Even if Loki was sharp and clever, Thor feared his body could break like a frail flower if he was hurt. Thor's own flower.

"Loki. I'm going to the dining hall. I wish to see you there soon. I believe I have some explaining to do for Sif and the others", said Thor, forming his usual happy grin on his face.

Loki gave him a look over his shoulder. That look made Thor's heart pound to his throat. Those emerald eyes of Loki were beautiful and making him altogether perfect in the thunder god's eyes.

"I'll be there soon. Worry not, my brother." Loki managed to give a slight smile back to Thor as if he was saying I'm alright and thank you. It made Thor happy. Smile fit his brother, it was just sad he didn't smile much. But as far as Thor knew, it was always meant for him, or so he believed.

"See you soon then, brother." Thor left the way they had come, heading for the dining hall where everyone else was already enjoying their food, no doubt. It made Thor a bit bothered, because he was very hungry. Worrying about Loki that much always made him hungry.

Loki let out a laugh of his usual teasy tone. He was sure he heard a growl from Thor's stomach when the thunder god was pacing towards the castle. Once Thor was gone Loki's mind flipped. He remembered the dream he had had last night and what it had done to him, caused a severe headache, collapsing to Thor's feet, which he now thought must have looked very bad for him, and dizziness. Though, right now Loki didn't wonder the awful feelings the last night had caused him, but the dream...

Where was he in that dream?

What was he looking for?

And why?