I've been watching Thor and The Avengers too much it seems! As well as reading many fanfictions. A fair warning however, this is unbeta'ed and I am still not happy with how this had turned out, especially the ending, it's like it's missing something important. There is a good chance that I will revise or add to this one while I continue to write the other chapters, so keep checking back if you are interested. I'm a bit nervous that I may have not portrayed the characters well, so please give me some advice to make it better if you'd be so kind, as I'm not one to really like writing ooc. Mainly what I wanted to portray in this is an array of emotion and the slow descent into madness with Loki, although the brotherly bond is something that I am eager to explore. There will be implied Thorki in this, especially in later chapters, however it will not be solely on that. And although there shall be only a few chapters, depending on how more in depth I wish to go, I may expand it more than the plotted out seven. So please be a dear, my wonderful readers, and review so I can know I am doing at least an alright job. Thank you so much!
Even when he was young, the God could spy the slight differences with his sharp eyes. He wasn't aware at first, no one was, that the first seeds of doubt were beginning to take root in his heart, hidden as small bouts of envy and inferiority. He knew that he was different, but no one could predict what lay beneath the surface of the 'truths' around him. Sometimes the Norns had a strange way on deciding one's fate. Although many paths would branch out from where the start lay, they would always lead to the same result, the same ending. One could never outrun what the fates had in store for them, could not change what was written out for them. A cruel thing, destiny was, and the Norns were simply there to see it through to the end. What begins as a lie will only lead to more deceit falling into place. Like the when the sun rises, the shadow will creep across the ground, until finally it reaches its peak. From there it will consume all.
...
The tales of Asgard and its Gods were always dripping in adventure, in the tales of famous and mighty warriors past, of history and wars and victories that never bored the two young children. Like any child born in Asgard, these tales were how they learned of the other eight realms, how many of them would grow up to be soldiers, great warriors who would then go down in their own legacy of stories. Odin looked down at the two children that were slightly behind him, fondness shining just briefly in his one eye. They were enraptured with his tale as they approached the weapon's vault. Thor had a look of awe on his face, glancing slightly at Loki, who gave the blond an excited grin. The older brother waited with baited breath as their current story came to a close, leaving a moment of silence hanging, teasing them to see which son would jump at the bait of hearing one more story for the evening.
Immediately the bait was taken, bringing a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
"Come on father! One more story?" The blue-eyed son pleaded up at him, hearing his younger brother's more quiet voice echoing his request. When he thought back on it, it seemed that it was the start of the long casting shadow, of how he would forever be behind the golden child of Asgard, second best. The older man stood up straighter, acknowledging the guards as the vault doors slid open. One more tale couldn't hurt before dinner. His words became stronger, focusing on not only one of the most recent victories Asgard has had, but a reminder of a realm who believed them to be Gods and that they were not alone.
"Once mankind accepted a simple truth. That they were not alone in this universe. Some worlds man believed to be home to their gods. Others, they knew to fear. From a realm of cold and darkness came the frost giants, threatening to plunge the mortal world into a new ice age."
The two children froze behind their father, eyes wide and focused at the retreating figure. Needless, it was one of their favorite tales, although they both had barely been born when this war had ended. The simple mention of the frost giants from Jotunheim made a dark shiver slide down their spines. Images of towering giants with gleaming crimson eyes and blue skin that, with a single touch, could turn the warmest skin into a frostbitten state in merely a second assaulted their head. They were still feared and many would have thought them vanished if not for the fragile truth with the king of the frost giants - Laufey. As if thinking those monsters would be behind them, the two glanced at each other before they quickened their pace to be next to their father once more.
"But humanity would not face this new threat alone. Our armies drove the frost giants back into the heart of their own world. The cost was great; in the end, their king fell, and the source of their power was taken from them. The last Great War ended and we withdrew from the other worlds; returned home to the realm eternal – Asgard."
Joy leapt into their hearts at such words, already seeing the battle play before them in their minds, their powerful father slaying the giants left and right, ice and wind harsh on unprotected Aesir skin. Azure and crimson blood would have spilt, tainting the rocks and ice. The Asgardians would be winning of course, driving the giants through their realm until they were cornered, even while wielding their source of power. In their eyes, they believed their realm to be invincible to any threats, a child's easily influenced mindset that would be broken when they left childhood.
They felt the artifact, the source of Jotunheim's power, before they saw it.
The Casket of Eternal Winters, their powerful artifact that now lay gathering dust in the weapon vault before them. Their footsteps echoed down the hallway as the three approached it. It was said to be able to freeze all those in its way, that in its core lay the darkest, coldest winter storm that awaited its release into the world. Although dormant in its current state, the power it held still expelled a drop in temperature near itself. The chill swept towards the three, almost angry in nature for its removal from its home. Slight goosebumps ran underneath bronzed skin, causing Thor to visibly shiver and move to rub warmth back into his arms. The ravenette glanced briefly over at him with a calm expression, although the curiosity never left its emerald depths. Was the casket's temperature that unsettlingly cold? He only felt slightly cooler than outside the vault. Though then again, he never had too much trouble with the winter weather, it was rather the summers where he became uncomfortable in.
"Here we remain as a beacon of hope, shining out across the stars. And though we have fallen into man's myth and legends, it was Asgard - its warriors - that brought peace to the universe." The All-Father paused. The warrior could still remember the rage-filled cries of the Jotuns as their power was taken from them. The harsh environment was tied with their casket, and thus unbalance would soon come to the realm, but the Asgardians had not known, and the king was firm in his decision of taking it to prevent war from occurring once more. The removal of the relic had broken the Jotuns' spirit, or so the Asgardians thought.
Behind him, the two children, the two princes, were watching the casket with wide eyes. They may have had a glimpse of such a powerful object before in books, but today had been the day when they had finally been allowed into the vault. Their eyes of course did not miss the other relics that were in alcoves behind and around them, but the star of the vault was right before them. The brief silence allowed them to examine it hungrily with their eyes before they were to leave.
Within a square object with walls of a material harder than glass, black designs etched deeply in it, and dark metal handles pulsed a bluish white light that seemed to be both gas and liquid, swirling around like snow or hail, having only increased its glow and pace as they got closer. It gave Loki a strange feeling, causing him to want to step either forward or backwards, mind not settling on what to do. A lump formed in his throat and he gulped it down, refusing to show any weakness to it, raising his chin as if to tell the relic he wasn't afraid of the destruction it could bring if in the wrong hands.
His gaze was drawn further into the swirling mist-liquid, the sounds of their breathing fading away until he only heard the sound of the blood rushing through his veins, clouding his mind. It was a slow rush, like the waves crashing into the ocean, but soon transitioned into the roaring of a blizzard, the core becoming more frantic in its rotations. His fingertips twitched forwards, wanting to reach out and trace the carved designs; it intrigued the young prince, as fascinating as it was unnerving. The coolness of the air was almost refreshing, feeling as if it would start snowing right that second…
His father's sudden words pierced the cloudy veil that had captured his mind.
"But the day will come when one of you will have to defend that peace." Odin's words never faltered as he continued to stare down at the spoils of the past war, the casket knowing that its captor was back. The blue object grew in brightness, yet could do nothing except sit there, cut off from its realm. A ghost of a smile flickered across the All-Father's lips before it disappeared. Turning, his eye fell upon the two sons that gazed back with fascination, however, it was Loki who finally spoke up. The question that was brought forth was not one he had been expecting from two sons that could each sit on the throne. Instead of the question of who would be worthy of the title of king, it was about…
"Do the frost giants still live?" Although he sought to hide the slight glimmer of nervousness in his eyes, as Loki had nightmares when he was younger about them, it still shined through the nervous tremble of his fingertips. Not that anyone had noticed it, his brother being too surprised by the question to recognize it. Thor had turned his blue eyes to his brother, raising an eyebrow as if the question was ridiculous to even answer. He beat their father to the punch, slapping his hand to his now puffed out chest, confidence swirling in those eyes. Loki simply stared over at him, hearing that slight laugh that escaped his brother's lips.
"When I'm king, I'll hunt the monsters down and slay them all." Thor made a show of 'slaying' invisible frost giants like they were nothing, voice strong and proud. He panted slightly, looking back at his brother to seek his support. A witty comment darted to the tip of the younger brother's tongue, an eyebrow arching before Loki tamed his retort into silence. He had been known to have a quick tongue, and sharp mind. Words, even when he was this young, were his to play with, always able to charm the servants or chamber maidens with. Although he knew when to use them, he had yet to be able to master it on those much older and wiser.
'Only if you grow taller. And your wooden sword would only give them splinters, 'mighty Thor'.'
It was a good thing he kept his mouth shut. He hadn't wanted to dash the pride or the confidence of his older brother, especially not in front of their father. He was not quite fond of getting a scold or lecture from him today. Unaware of the thoughts going through Loki's head, the blond simply took that as a 'yes, I will help you in this endeavor when it comes'.
"Just as you did father." Thor turned to see if their father agreed with his boasts, almost sure that his words held truth. However, within that powerful gaze of the man was disproval, something that deflated the older prince. The blond looked down slightly, as if slightly ashamed that he had said something that failed to impress his father, but the next words picked his spirits up again.
"A wise king never seeks out war. But…" Odin paused, his eyes flickering back and forth between the calm expression on Loki's face, and the determined eyes and contagious smile of Thor, drawing out a small bout of suspense. He began to walk forward, bypassing his two sons as he left them with his words.
"He must always be ready for it." Another smile begged to twist his lips, knowing what was running through his sons' minds. They both knew the throne was meant for only one, but perhaps… The two brothers looked after him before their gazes landed on each other, their eyes searching each other. The connection between the two could be seen, the excitement, the want not only to best each other, but to grow together. Thor was the first to smile in a playful challenge, Loki soon mirroring it mischievously. Rivals, brothers, friends. Seconds last between the look they gave each other before they darted towards their father, clasping one hand with Odin's. Each other both thinking they had won the small race, their grins only deepening.
"I'm ready father!"
"So am I!"
Their words traveled through the vault, both strong and confident, wanting to show their worth to the All-Father.
"Only one of you can ascend to the throne." There was hesitance again in both children's eyes, Thor wanting to say something against his father's words, while Loki looked down slightly, as if his mind wanted to join his brother in protesting. They were silenced by the next words, which lifted their spirits and filled their faces with pride and joy.
"But both of you were born to be kings."
Even with a hopeful smile on his lips at the proud words, the younger boy could not help but glance back at the casket as they ascended the stairs. A faint shudder echoed in his spine, but not from the cold, it was something he couldn't put a finger on, as if it was made from smoke. That same sensation when he was near it, before their father had broken his concentration… His eyes locked onto it, seeing the faint blue glow dim until it was nothing. Why was it that the cold temperature from that thing seemed to only affect his father, brother, and anyone else who came near it? Sure he knew he liked the cold but… Almost forgetting that one of his hands was gripping his father's, or that Thor seemed to be chatting away at their father about wanting to go on a hunt with him, he looked down at his free hand.
No one noticed how his eye color began to shift, muddying its beautiful tones with something darker, only to disappear with one blink. The moment they left the vault was when the cold disappeared, replaced with the warmth that filled the castle, sunlight filtering through enormous windows. Hearing the vault door close behind them, Odin breathed in the air, the scent of spices, wine, and meat filling the halls.
"Now, your mother and dinner are waiting. Keeping her waiting any longer would not be wise." One of the old king's eyes lifted, all three of them knowing that although Frigga was as graceful as the wind and a beautiful queen, there was reason why no one crossed such a powerful woman. The children giggled and ran ahead, the race from before being reinstated as they challenged each other on who could make it to the grand dining hall first.
...
Evening was falling, the sunlight starting to wane as night ushered the brilliant star away. Grunts and laughs flowed through a small outside garden where the two princes could spar by themselves. The blond god held his sword high, blocking the identical blade that was in his brother's hand before he caught the hilt with his own and used his weigh to knock the ravenette to the ground, the wooden blade now an inch away from his neck. Air rushed out of his lungs, body complaining heavily at the weight that pressed against his chest in the form of his older brother.
The young prince was not happy about his defeat, especially since he never had been able to outmatch the other's sword fighting. Grumbling and mumbling that he yielded, Loki pushed the other god off him. If he had been allowed a staff or dagger, then he would have had an easier time, preferring how easily moves flowed with those particular weapons. Grinning at his fifth win that evening, the blue-eyed god turned his eyes to the servant who appeared near their fighting ring.
"The Queen wishes that you return indoors for the night, my princes." The servant glanced up briefly to meet both gazes, although they quickly averted once meeting with Loki's. Thor dismissed her with a wave.
"Thor?" The younger prince watched the other male walk off to where there was a weapon rack, putting his beloved fighting sword where it belonged. The other acknowledged that he heard him, tilting his head, although he didn't interrupt the question that would flow after.
"Do you really think father is right about the frost giants being no threat?" Thor looked at his brother when he was putting away his wooden sword, trying to understand why Loki kept bringing up the frost giants. First in the vault, and now again? Sapphire eyes stared into emeralds, seeing the other look slightly unsettled, such a strange thing to see from the normally sharp tongued boy. The nervous twitch of his fingers was recognized, Loki's eyes glancing away in an effort to prevent the other from seeing how deep his nervousness truly lay. A large smile overtook his lips as he left the rack to stop in front of his brother, putting his hand to the nape of his neck and touching their foreheads together. Warm breath tickled Loki's face, unable to look away from his strong gaze, nor pull away. It was a comforting gesture that the older brother had displayed since they were very young, an act of brotherly affection and love.
It was that adoring look and bright smiling eyes that always made a warm yet strange feeling rise up in his heart. His chest tightened. That expression never failed to make him feel like his brother truly cared for him, no matter what would happen. His eyes briefly slid shut, sighing softly.
"When I'm king, I will protect Asgard from the frost giants, and anything else the other realms can throw at us! I'll protect both of us." Eyes snapping open, Loki parted his lips to speak, to deny that he didn't need protecting, and that he wasn't a maiden or damsel in distress that needing rescuing, but a prince who was perfectly able to take care of his own… However he held his tongue and simply settled to glare at him with as much ferocity as he could muster. Even if he lacked the more psychical prowess than his brother possessed, it had always been downright annoying whenever he was begged to play the part of a lady in their play fights with other children – it was one of the only things they let him participate in at that point. And besides, it wasn't as if he would be crawling back into his brother's bed because of the thunder – it seemed Thor couldn't control his power yet, and he hated to admit that he feared the loud crackling sounds – or because of the frost giants that seemed to invade his dreams every other night.
'If he dared to bring that one up in public again…'
"Brother, don't pull such looks of distaste! I jest. We'll protect each other. With you by my side, we'll be the great defenders of Asgard. All will tremble at the mere mention of our names!" Thor leaned back and clapped a hand on the back of Loki's shoulders, nearly making him trip and drop the sword he was carrying, becoming forgotten as his attention narrowed in on his brother. The young god scowled slightly up at his taller brother, when would he ever remember to pull back his strength? His oaf of a brother barely even noticed his struggle underneath the pat. However, the way he always promised to protect him no matter what was done or said, he never it even as they grew, and swore by their father that he wouldn't break it in the future… It was touching.
"You think I wouldn't have my brother share the glory with me? Where would I be without you at my side?" Thor laughed, his booming tone shattering the near-silence as he threw his arm around his shoulders, half-hugging him. The words eased Loki's mind but still there was that nagging feeling in the back of his mind, watching as their shadows grew the further the sun set beyond the mountains.
"Yes, I suppose someone has to keep you alive after you rush headfirst into battle." The retort easily fell from his lips, a look of challenge being passed between them. Once more, the god of thunder laughed, shaking his little brother by the shoulders as he began to weave a story of their would-be journeys together - taking down a dragon of another realm, saving villages from massive bilgesnipes. It was amusing to say the least, but it warmed his soul to know that his brother desired to have him at his side even through battle. A glance up at a balcony nearby reminded him of where they had to be.
"Thor… I hate to break your creation of our 'future' conquests, but it would not bode well to keep mother up worrying about us." Sheepishly, Thor paused, about to question that she wouldn't know before he followed the trail of his gaze up to the balcony, where a tall figure stood looking down at them. Finding an opportunity, the mischievous god pushed his brother aside and ran for the doors to the hallway, throwing green eyes to his trailing brother.
Another race, another day past. But a child's happiness could only last so long, their laughter slowly fading away into the growing night.