Edit 18th June 2017: Alright, I was right. This was awkward. I would ask you to not judge me by this piece, it gets better as does the story. In case you got interested by the Infinity Wars thingy in the description/summary and you don't really care about the (pre-)Avengers story, feel free to skip up to Chapter 40 Developments (If you want to include the Avengers story, it would be advisable to start with Chapter 25/26). For more information check my profile. Enjoy and thanks for reading!

At The End Of The Day

I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.
Epitaph of Nikos Kazantzakis

The warm sheets are tangled around him and the bright golden light of a new day stings in his eyes. Slowly his consciousness drips back and he runs one hand down his face, trying to rid it of the last traces of sleep. He arches his back to wake his muscles up completely before opening his eyes. The red curtains in front of the windows are half-drawn, so the sun of Asgard can flood the chambers of the crown-prince with its first beams. As usual Thor wakes up alone, glancing with a smug smile to the neatly made bed-half to his left side, before standing up to go to his private washing room.

The cold water on his body refreshes him as he stares out of the window to the already busy city outside the palace. The clear blue cloudless sky promises a warm pleasant day. Quickly Thor combs his hair and gets dressed to join his friends who'll probably await him in the dining hall for breakfast. He leaves his bed-half unmade for one of the servants, not really caring about it. Neatness never had been too strong a virtue for him.

Upon entering the dining hall his eyes dart to the place his friends and he usually occupy and make out the red wild hair of Volstagg, the blond short of Fandral and the black sleek of Sif and Hogun, the last two sitting with their backs towards the door. Thor makes his way through the rows of tables until he approaches the one the warrior three and Lady Sif had taken place at. So close her raven hair shines in the light coming in from the windows at one side of the hall. The sight of it drives a shiver down Thor's spine and he imagines to feel the touch of gentle hands trailing over his broad shoulders. He shortly shakes his head to drive away the sudden rush of memories surfacing, then sits down next to Sif.

'Good Morning, my friends.', his booming voice carries clear through the hall.

'We thought, you wouldn't come anymore.', Volstagg says between two bites of his breakfast. Thor helps himself to bread and some cold meat before his rotund friend could have the chance of filling his plate again. Sif's plate as well as Hogun's are almost empty and neat compared to Volstagg's or his. Thor is just waiting for the day one of them would pull out a ruler to arrange their food. They are always so in control, or rather they'd like to be.

'You must have truly been tired out by our training last night. Vanishing so early from our little feast and still sleeping in.', Fandral raises an eyebrow questioning.

'I could not sleep, my friend.'

He winks. 'Sure there is no other reason?', the blond asks with an impish grin, then sighs dramatically. 'Friends, can you not enjoy a good fight anymore? Sif also left rather early.'

'The feast was simply no fun, and watching you boost about your glorious heroic deeds to some unfortunate naive women offered no entertainment either.', she counters.

'You are just jealous.'

'Of what?', she scoffs.

As their bickering continues Thor searches the hall for another black long shock of hair but not spotting the one he is looking for. Turning back to his friends his gaze once again falls on Sif, involuntarily reminding him of soft lips kissing his neck while small moans escape them. Rather pale skin against his tanned one. Get a grip on yourself, he demands silently.

'Have you seen my brother?', Thor quickly inquires, trying to distract himself, looking around once more.

'Not today.', Fandral answers.

'He'll probably be in the library again.', Sif dismisses. 'What is he doing there the whole day anyway? Shouldn't a prince of Asgard spend his time with more pressing matters?'

Thor ignores her complaints. It is no secret the two of them never had gotten along well, and Thor had always despised the part of being caught up in the middle of their little fights. While Loki usually managed to stay calm, Sif would rage and he usually ended up needing to part those two.

'It is a wonderful day outside. We could go to the training field.', Fandral suggests.

Sif agrees and Hogun just nods silently, but Volstagg complains loudly: 'Not so short after such a delicious breakfast. There will be enough time later.'

'We could go outside to the grounds. There you can spar and Volstagg may rest.', Thor says with a smile.

xXxXx

Meanwhile Loki is sitting in the library pouring over thick old dusty volumes, reading and soaking up eagerly the knowledge generations before him had found and that was forgotten for almost the same amount of time. As usual he is alone in the big room with its thousands of book-shelves that climb up till they reach the high ceiling. The early daylight brightens the room but not the corner in which Loki is hiding from the prying looks should anyone enter this for him sacred room.

After rising early and making his bed, he had had a quick light meal and had gone straight to the library. There is so much to read, so much to know, and right now Loki has a goal, a lead to something worth finding out. Of course, he appreciates it to simply read a good book on the opposite to his thick-headed brother and thinks that brains are better than brawn, but the thrill of chasing a truth through the ancient tomes surrounding him is one of the best feelings he knows. And he is so close, he can feel it! Not long and this secret would lie uncovered in front of him.

None of Thor's friends can understand how Loki can bury his nose in ancient knowledge for hours without realizing it but then again, they do not possess the same powers he does. They train their skills on the training field while he steels himself in a quieter place. Magic does come naturally to him but it still demands practice. Mother seems to be the only one encouraging him to not train just his body but rather his mind to outsmart his opponents. They might disagree but in a real battle a single sword can often do very little while a well placed spell has the power to distract the enemy enough so he starts making mistakes.

Again Loki rereads the notes he had made, the translation of the runes he had written down but still they make no sense. One crucial element at least still must be missing. He redirects his attention to the book written in old Elvish. Not many in Asgard bother to learn those other languages, let alone learn to read them, but Loki had spend a lot of time memorizing the different runes and their meanings, to use spells invented by the other realms, to gain knowledge, to be a good King should the time ever come. He is not kidding himself though, Thor is still crown-prince and the chances of that changing are tiny.

Slightly frustrated Loki shuts the book and wanders through the library looking for another one, a hopefully more helpful one. Nowhere seems to be the answer, but Loki is not one to give up so lightly when he has set himself a goal, and this one is special, he just needs to find the truth buried beneath this collection of already owned facts. If there is indeed a possibility to travel between the realms without using the Bifrost he just has to know it. Loki is determined to find a way, weeks he has been now following the leads that never seem to lead anywhere. Norns, he had held almost every book in his hands and still this secret refuses to be uncovered, always when he thinks he is close, it leaps away like a deer, hiding again behind another wall of secrets. But all this just makes it more worthy of being found out, it just let himself be more fixed on finding a solution.

One day he would travel through the branches of Yggdrasil without help of anything than his magic, he swore himself. He hates not knowing, it drives him mad, so he spends almost every free minute between the beloved books who had too often paid him company when no one else would.

Loki has the feeling bare moments pass as he is absorbed into a new book when he hears Thor's deep voice along with his thundering footsteps.

'Brother, I have been looking for you.'

'Apparently you found me.' Loki resists the urge to roll his eyes. 'What do you want, brother?'

'You have missed lunch. I worried.'

Keeping his expression clear of emotions Loki risks a short glance to the window on the other wall. The sun really already has passed its zenith. Well, his mind is occupied with far more pressing matters than food.

'What do you want?', he repeats his question calmly.

'Would you like to join us for sparring?'

'Actually, brother, I am rather occupied right now.'

'What are you doing?'

'Reading.', Loki says with the faintest smirk.

'You can do that later.'

'I would like to finish this today. This is important research.'

'Oh, come, brother, live a little, you can do your research later.'

'But I wish to finish it now.' Why can that thick-headed oaf of a brother not simply leave him to his study?

'What is it about?'

Loki almost looses his patience. 'I do not believe it would capture your interest. I do not want to bore you.' As if he'd ever understand what Loki would talk about. Moreover he is not willing to share this with Thor, not now at least.

Thor steps a few paces to him and looks over his shoulder. Loki can almost feel him draw back when his eyes look upon the unfamiliar runes.

'So, will you join us?'

'What good would it do?' I am sure your friends would appreciate my absence.

'You should train more often, brother.'

'I am.'

'I bet, you're just afraid to lose against me.'

Loki snickers. 'You wish. It has been years since you beat me.'

'Because you use your little tricks.'

'No tricks, brother of mine, magic. There is a big difference, you should know that by now, given all the times you fell for it.'

'Fine, than magic. Still, if you would not use it I would beat you.'

'Why should I not use my advantage when you are using yours?'

'Please, come with us.', Thor says, ignoring Loki's question.

Looking down at his book again he decides he could do well with a little entertaining of wreaking some havoc among Thor and his friends. 'Fine, if you wish, brother.' Slightly Loki inclines his head to him as Fandral enters the library as well, looking for Thor. Of all of Thor's friends he is the most agreeable one. Not as silent as Hogun or as tiring as Volstagg or as aggressive as Sif, he made quite a good companion.

Loki quickly magics the book he just started to his rooms to finish it later, then follows the two blond men on their way to the now almost empty training field.

They take their turns in sparring, just two at a time fighting while the others would make bets who'd win. Loki wins his first two rounds, enraging Sif during her turn so she almost has a go after him for real which is stopped only by Thor stepping in, and the second with Hogun which is far more satisfying as it is a real challenge even for Loki. Hogun is never to be underestimated, Loki decides for himself. Not even for my illusions he falls for real, always stays wary. It is really true, still waters run deep.

It is Thor and Fandral's time and Loki watches already bored again, thinking how to entertain himself best. Casually he is flipping his dagger, his favorite weapon, in the air, catching it. His mind runs through all the possibilities but is not long occupied by this. His thoughts dart back to the passage he had been reading before his brother had so rudely interrupted.

'Loki, stop scheming!', Fandral shouts over, trying to dodge a blow from Thor.

Loki looks up surprised. 'I am not scheming.'

'Yes, you are. I know this expression of yours, it never means something good.'

A smirk plays around the lines of his lips. 'I am merely planning.'

'I highly doubt that.', Fandral seems rather amused by this. He is quite clever, he keeps on forgetting that. Indeed Loki had been planning to end their little friendly spar by making their swords disappear or exchange them with something, he just hadn't decided yet with what. Nothing harmful, he is not in the mood for that.

Fandral swiftly dodges another blow from Thor. Loki is fascinated how quickly he can move, with his hair still in perfect order. The dashing Fandral. How very fitting. He can understand why Thor keeps him around. A small snicker almost escapes his mouth.

'Doubt the truth as much as you want.', Loki teases.

That makes Thor turn around to him for ever so short a moment, enough time for Fandral's strike to throw the god of thunder to the ground.

'That was unfair!', Thor protests.

'It was not.'

'I was distracted.'

'If you would have been distracted in battle, brother, you'd be dead now.', Loki helps Fandral lightly.

'And that would amuse you?', Sif spits out.

'Yes, Lady Sif, I take an immense amount of joy from the thought of my older brother dying in battle. You know, I do not have many enjoyments in life.' His voice was dripping with bitter sarcasm. 'It so happens I care about him.' Maybe just not the way I should.

She merely glares at him, probably thinking of sinking her sword in his flesh.

'Then do not jest about his death.', she hisses.

'Stop it, both of you.', Thor intervenes. 'He is right, Sif. In battle I must not get distracted so easily.'

Thor, the savior of the day, Loki thinks bitterly. As if he would need his help! Loki knows, he is right. He does not need Thor to tell this miserable blind woman.

Sif swallows her next reply. Loki is about to stand up and leave the training fields to go back to his rooms to find some peace in his books when Thor calls over: 'Where are you going? You still owe me a spar. You may even use your little tricks.'

This time Loki rolls his eyes but does not correct him. Reluctantly he steps in front of the warrior three and Sif to face Thor who is still brushing of dust from his robes.

A small dagger appears out of nowhere in his hand while Thor unsheathes his sword. Thor is the stronger one but Loki moves faster. They pace around each other, waiting for the other to make the first move, to attack first. As expected by Loki, Thor makes the first move, growing impatient. That has always been one of his greatest weaknesses. The blonde man rushes right through the illusion of Loki, who is making it vanish and himself visible once again. He can win this fight without such tricks though. Thor catches himself before he falls and eyes Loki warily. Again they circle and attack each other, Loki using his magic to enhance his own speed or to ruin Thor's timing in his motions, making him stumble and letting him look clumsy.

After a while this also lost its appeal to him and Loki concentrates on winning just by his wits rather than his magic. Thor never broke his pattern too much, attack being preferred to defense. Thus makes it almost too easy to break through his already weak defense and knocking him with his own strength and weight to the ground on his back. Smirking he watches Thor looking at him disbelievingly, finally offering him hesitantly a hand which his brother accepts.

His black hair is sticking on his face and he leaves the group to themselves after they were all tired out in the evening and they went to sit by one of the night fires being ignited soon. He has better plans for tonight.

xXxXx

Late in the night Thor bids his friends good bye, Sif had already left for her quarters but the warrior three still drink their ale as if tomorrow could wait.

He enters his chamber quietly, stripping out of his armor quickly and splashing some water into his face before returning to his bedroom. A dark-haired pale figure sits cross-legged on his red covers.

'Loki.'

He does not even look up from the book he is reading. It is the thick black volume he had had read in the library this afternoon, Thor notes.

'Thor?'

'You fought well today.'

'Do I not always?', laughter creeps into the soft voice of his. He is already in his night clothes, dark green wide trousers but no shirt. Eventually the green eyes lock with the blue ones, amusement sparkling in both pairs.

'Yes, you do.', Thor replies distracted.

Loki sends the book back to his room and leans back on his elbows. Thor's eyes travel from his face to the lean body of his brother, pale against the dark bedspread.

'You are rather early at home tonight.'

'Am I?'

'Has our training tired you?', Loki teases.

'Not that much.', his voice grows dark and husky.

'Good. Ready for another spar?', Loki smirks.

'Always, my love.'

With quick paces he crosses the room, flings himself onto the red covers of his bed, his lips searching almost desperately for Loki's. Finally they find their aim, gentle hands welcome him already. Loki moans deeply when he bites his lip gently. A grin flashes over his face as he deepens the kiss. One thing Thor knows for sure: He would not be the one landing on his back this time.

xXxXxXx

A/N: Hello, this is my first (published) fanfiction. This is just an introduction for a longer story, so it's maybe kinda awkward, but nevertheless, it will get better (I hope^^). Reviews and constructive criticism are welcome. Also feel free to point out any spelling or grammar mistakes you spot. Thank you for reading. :)