Fandom: The Avengers/Thor

Rating:I would say an M for gore and violence, but not so sure on anything else.

Pairing: Thorki/Thunderfrost

Execution was the worst punishment you could face on Asgard. It took a lot for one to have to face this. It was a slow and cruel death. The more harm you caused, the more painful it was. The amount of damage that person had caused also determined how public it would be.

Upon arriving in Asgard with Loki in shackles, Thor wasn't sure what he had expected. Perhaps he thought his father would let Loki off with imprisonment for a certain amount of time or at least show mercy for Loki was his son, adopted or not. However this wasn't the case and no matter how much Thor had pleaded with the Allfather, Loki was sentenced to execution in a week's time in the cruelest way possible.

First he would have his tongue cut out so that he would speak no lies. After that he would be cut open across the stomach, contents pulled from within him and tossed onto the ground as though they were nothing vital. He would be beaten and whipped until he had been drained of every drop of blood. Once he was dead, he would be burnt. Even worse, this was in front of all of Asgard.

—

Thor was distressed to say so at the least. He and his mother spent hours trying to convince Odin otherwise, that there was in fact hope for Loki. However the Allfather was stubborn and refused to listen, doing what was best for Asgard. While Thor understood this, this did not mean he wanted it.

After Thor had spoken with the Allfather, he went to the specially built cell for Loki, getting a guard to unlock it before stepping inside.

"Loki." Thor murmured, his usually booming and jolly voice now soft and sad. Loki didn't move however, glaring at the floor as the Thunderer walked into his cell. Sighing, Thor glanced about the cell, noting how chilly it was. Though he knew Loki wouldn't mind so much, especially since he was…a Frost Giant. Swallowing a hard lump at the thought of it, he did his best not to remember how he had sworn to 'slay them all with his bare hands'. He was admittedly disgusted in himself for even thinking such a thing.

Sitting down on the edge of Loki's cot, Thor stared down at his hands which were clasped above his thigh. He thought on how to word what he wanted to say, however, anything he would say he knew would anger Loki.

"Brother, I am sorry for how I have treated you. I am sorry for leaving you in the dark and letting people, and myself, think you lesser. You are no lesser, Loki." Thor whispered.

A snort came from the shorter god, his emerald green eyes shifting to look at him, face tilting. "First off, I am not your brother. I never was. Second, I know I am no lesser than you. I proved that on Midgard. It took six people to take me down. Six people, Thor. The Mighty Thor couldn't take me down himself so he had to round up a gang of freaks. That shows how much better I am." He spat. Yeah, definitely angered him. Letting out a sigh, Thor shook his head.

"That is not what I mean-"

"Oh and what did you mean, Thor? Huh? Sentiment will get you nowhere, Thor. All it does is get in the way. You would do better without it." Loki advised, albeit bitterly.

"No, Loki. Sentiment is what everyone needs. Without sentiment, you'd be dead without even getting a chance to live. It's because of sentiment that father saved you. He could not of left you you to die, Loki." Thor reasoned.

"Oh and I suppose I should thank him? Had he not done that the Nine Realms would be a much better place, do you not agree?" Loki growled, glaring at him. Thor shook his head, his once desperate eyes now forming into something much more soft.

"No, it would not be. We would be deprived of you, Loki. I wouldn't be who I am today had it not been for you. You saved me on many occasions also. Loki, I don't think you realise exactly how much you mean to me." Thor whispered. For a few moments, Loki was stunned to silence, taking in Thor's words. While he desperately tried to keep up his bitter facade, Thor was slowly tearing it down. The god just had to look at him and he could feel himself slowly weakening. However as quickly as the bitterness had gone, it returned.

"Oh and I guess that is the reason you tossed me into an abyss. It is also the reason you allowed that…creature to toss me around as if I weighed nothing. You have a great way of showing how much I mean to you, Thor." Loki snipped. It was Thor's turn for silence now, staring at his hands above his lap, taking in his brother's words. He was right. He hadn't exactly been the best brother towards the Trickster. During his time after Loki's fall and Thor's time on Midgard with the Avengers, the Thunderer had experienced self-loathing for the first time in his life. While he never told anyone, Thor felt himself slowly being eaten alive by these feelings, something that if he revealed to anyone, it would surely seem that Ragnarok was looming ahead.

"Yes, I haven't been a very good brother. That I apologise for. You deserve much better, Loki. But I promise I will make it up to you. I will do all in my power to stop your execution. I will do everything I can even if it shall kill me." The god swore, promising Loki that he would continue to protect him even after all he had done. Blinking once or twice, Loki stared at him incredously.

"You are a fool, Thor. I embrace death. That way I will no longer have to put up with you near me any longer. Valhalla is lost to me now, so perhaps Helheim will be much more welcoming than you sniveling Æsir." He remarked, doing his best to hide both the worry and warmth spreading through him. Though he claimed to hate Thor, Loki could never handle losing the god. His words meant something to him and it sent a warm tingly feeling through his chest.

"I know I am a fool, Loki. I will continue to be a fool. However this time I am a fool with reason and that being your safety. I will save you, and that is a promise." With that, Thor stood, walking to the door of the cell and calling to the guard who opened the door, letting him out before locking it again.

Loki sat in silence, trying his best to blink back tears. All this time he had thought Thor was just saying these words, these sentimental phrases to try and stop the Trickster from causing mahem. However now it seemed as though he had been wrong. Thor was willing to give up his life for him, something he had never, ever expected.