((Yesterday I watched Crimson Peak without checking who directed the thing or anything really. Took me about half an hour to recognise Guillermo del Toro's handwriting. And since this movie is a total mess, this happened. While it has nothing to do with the film directly, it certainly inspired me. Which should tell you enough about the mood of this. I have no idea how it's going to end. To keep in the spirit of Crimson Peak, it depends entirely on the characters' choices.

Also, I adopt someone from Norse mythology. A little more than their name but not their story. Still, if you are very familiar with the mythology you can guess what's going on

Both title and chapter heading are lines from the Lacuna Coil song Unspoken.))

1. Interruption of Hypocrisy

Thor watched the stopper soar through the air in a graceful arc. He expected it to continue its journey through the illusion and to the floor. But then, there was a soft sound as a very solid, very real hand closed around it. A small shift in Loki's expression. 'I'm here.'

For a couple of seconds all Thor could do was stare. 'Brother,' he choked out at last, and as if driven by an outward force he had no control over, he walked towards the other man. He took his face into both hands, feeling the warmth of his skin (how did Loki get to be warm anyway?), its softness … The hint of a smile Loki gave him turned into a grin and before he could crack some joke, Thor let go of his face and hugged him instead, fiercely, with more strength than was necessary. Loki didn't just suffer it silently. Instead he held on to him with the same vehemence. 'Brother,' Thor said again, the word muffled against Loki's shoulder. 'I've never been happier to see someone in my life.'

Now Loki let go and pulled away. Thor let him. 'Really, Thor? I wondered.'

'You saved us all.' He swallowed hard. 'And I missed you. Every moment you weren't there.'

'Well, then you'll be glad to hear that … my plan was to stay, if I am welcome. It turns out, I don't care to have everyone's approval. Yours will do fine.'

Thor ruffled his hair, as if Loki hadn't feigned his death twice, as if he hadn't broken Thor's heart in more ways than he could list. 'You are more than welcome. I'm going to need you.' He took hold of Loki's hands. 'So, you're not just taking a ride to wherever?'

'I think we all are doing that. But I'm not abandoning you.' He frowned slightly. 'I'm going to prove to you that I have the potential you believed I had. Every ounce of it and more.'

'Loki …'

'I need to say this. No backstabbing, no betrayal. I can't promise no lies. There is such a thing as too much truth.'

'No trying to kill me?'

'Promise.'

Thor thought he saw sincerity in the green eyes. Gentleness. He nodded. 'You know what? I actually think you mean that.'

Loki beamed at him, but there was a shadow of something darker about his expression. He struggled for a moment, then he sighed. 'Thor, there is something else.'

'You can tell me anything, brother.'

Loki bit his lower lip. 'I'm afraid you might hit me.'

'I promise I won't.'

'Electrocute me?'

Thor snorted. 'Nope. None of that. But I am getting worried. What did you do?'

'Nothing yet.' Loki's tongue flitted out over his lips for a moment. Then he yanked on Thor's hands, hard, making their chests collide. Thor was going to ask him what on earth he meant by that, when he felt Loki's lips on his.

It was … it was bliss. Long ago, when they were half children, they had done this, this and so much more. They felt guilty but couldn't stop for the life of them until they almost got caught. Loki had decided to end their incestuous – as they had believed – behaviour, had been adamant, and after that there had been a yawning abyss between them. It had never been bridged, not even when they had found back to their banter. At the edge of Thor's thoughts, the past had been lurking, the ghost off a love they'd had to murder. After the revelation that Loki was not his brother, Thor had sometimes thought back to it, but never in his wildest dreams had he dared to hope …

The thoughts were chased away by the tip of Loki's tongue teasing his lips open, and he sighed, opening himself up. Loki was still pressed against him and he could feel his hardness against his thigh, felt how incredibly tight his clothing suddenly was. He pulled away with an incredible effort of will. Gasping for breath, he stretched one arm in front of him to keep them apart. 'Loki, what is this?'

His brother spluttered, his face red with shame. 'I am sorry, brother, I thought … hoped … it will not happen again.'

'Don't you dare …'

Loki looked at him again, his eyes wide. 'Thor. I swear to you, I will never …'

'No! Don't finish that sentence.' Thor took a few steadying breaths. 'What were you thinking? What did you hope for?'

Loki shrugged, eyes at a spot behind Thor. 'I … didn't think that far. A chance we never had. To have you … to be with you.'

'Until your whim carries you into another one's bed.'

'No.' Loki's voice was very quiet. 'My whims usually end with disappointment that whoever it is isn't you. I stopped doing whims eventually. It only brought me pain. I want no other.'

Thor's heart was beating wildly. 'If that is true … Loki, look at me. If that is true, I'll end the sentence I didn't before. Don't you dare stay away.' He opened his arms wide. 'Come here?'

Smiling minutely, Loki stepped into his embrace. 'And your whims, brother mine?'

'Weren't you either.' He kissed Loki's forehead. 'Can we agree to … not announce this ship wide just yet?'

Loki chuckled. It sounded sad. 'I have no illusions that we can leave the past behind us instantly. Let alone your people. They don't need to know as long as they hate and fear me.'

'No-one hates you.'

Loki clicked his tongue. 'You think, Thor? Just … be wary. My presence here may be to your detriment. Heed me in this.'

Thor was stunned by the urgency in Loki's tone. 'I'll heed you. In this and other matters. Believe me, brother. I will heed you.'

((If you got the yawning abyss reference, you might figure the rest of the plot out when I get to it.))