Disclaimer: I own nothing. The characters should pray for their good fortune.
Title: A God's Proposal
Summary: Prequel to Where to Levy the Blame. Thor hears about a quest in the local tavern one day and thinks that the prize would be a fit proposal gift for Jane. However, he needs Loki's help to obtain this gift, and Loki is locked up in Asgard's dungeon suffering Odin's secret punishments. Warnings: Rape and Torture
Author's Comments: This story is the first prequel to Where to Levy the Blame and I may be writing another possible follow up story to bridge the two together. I am sorry that this story has taken so long to write but I have been considering how to write it and may be making a few changes to the overall story line.
~[~ (Thor's POV)
All seemed peaceful in Asgard. It had been a year since Loki was returned and tried for treason. Odin offered him a bargain so that he could achieve a light sentence, but it involved hacking his memories for information on the Chitauri. This proved to be distressing for Loki but he reluctantly agreed to it, and in return Odin promised him a year in the dungeons and the loss of his magic until he was deemed fit to posses it again. Overall it seemed like a pity sentence and so Thor believed that Odin felt sorry for Loki. The rest of Asgard was not pleased but they did not doubt the wisdom of their king. So Thor visited Loki on occasion and tried to restore the bond between them even if only a little bit. Loki seemed apathetic, like losing the battle had drained him of everything, and he longer seemed to posses any emotions. It was slightly creepy but Thor was happy that Loki was not rejecting him and that he did not oppose the visits.
Thor was headed that way at the moment thinking about what he wanted to say to his brother. Loki usually listened and made occasional comments while Thor babbled on, and never really offered up any information on his condition. Usually Loki lay on the bench in his cell and looked at Thor with his striking green eyes. Today didn't appear to be any different because as Thor walked through the dimly lit hallway he noticed that Loki was sleeping on his bench. Thor was not surprised because his brother had adopted some odd sleeping habits and usually slept during the afternoon. Loki had never been a morning person but it was around four o'clock in the afternoon and that struck Thor as odd. Loki awoke as he neared so he must have heard him approach. "Hello brother. It is a bit late to be sleeping don't you think?"
Loki's expression did not change and remained unreadable. He had stopped arguing with Thor about their relationship long ago as it seemed he no longer possessed the energy for it. However, Thor was concerned about Loki because he looked weak and fragile today, and he wished that he could only touch him once more. He was forbid from entering the cell though and so he was left only with his longing. Loki answered him tiredly. "Hello, I'm surprised to see you at this hour. Usually you come earlier." That was all he said and Thor's question remained unanswered.
Thor waited to see if Loki would elaborate further but he just sighed and turned to look at the ceiling. A tense silence fell over them as he waited and it was slowly gnawing at him. He began to fiddle and babble on as usual, but Loki's eyes remained fixed upon the ceiling. He eventually turned to look at Thor and sat up on his bench sighing tiredly. Thor decided that he would come back another time and leave Loki to rest. "I'll come back soon I promise." Thor looked at him sadly and felt slightly chilled by Loki's blank expression and slumped posture. He reached out and touched the bars before turning and leaving.
~[~ (Loki's POV)
Loki sighed again as Thor left, though he was glad to be alone, he also missed the comfort that Thor provided. Thor didn't realize it, but his appearances were protecting Loki in a way. Odin may have offered him a deal, but he disguised his real purpose by making it look so lenient. The Allfather ordered the guards to punish Loki and they took great pleasure in doing so. Usually they waited until nighttime when the prison was the quieted and Thor was surely not coming to visit, then they opened his cell to beat and rape him. He tried his best to be strong but ever since his defeat by the Avengers he just felt powerless and worthless. He didn't fight the guards because that would only aggravate them and make the punishment worse. They tried so hard to get a reaction from him, calling him a slut and a poor excuse for an Asgardian. He still had the whip marks on his back from yesterday and bad bruising around his hips from their hands. He could hear them celebrating nearby, and knew they were bidding to decide who would lead the punishment for tonight. The footsteps started to grow louder and there were many sets causing Loki's stomach to drop. He closed his eyes and lay back down as he prepared for the night's assault.
~[~ (Thor's POV)
Thor had gone to his favorite pub to drown his sorrows away and was currently on his third drink. He had gone alone since he was not in the mood for company tonight, not like his friends understood anyway. They all hated Loki and that made it harder on Thor, though he knew he had to appear strong and not show how bothered by it he was.
A traveler was visiting from another realm and he was attracting a lot of attention from the others. Thor decided that it wouldn't hurt to turn his attention away from his sorrows for now, and so he listened to the tale. "And after fighting the wretched creatures the hero made his way along the trail to his prize, the last of the three ingredients to make the Pickinese Flower. With this flower he knew he could win the heart of the finest maiden in the land, and so his heart's desire would be complete." Thor was instantly interested in what this mystery man had to say since he was thinking about proposing to Jane and this sounded perfect. With the end of the tale the traveler took a bow and walked up the bar to purchase another drink. Thor approached him quickly hoping to gain more information. "May I inquire as to the story you were telling?" His eyes were hopeful as he looked at the man.
The man turned toward him and said "Ah, you mean the quest of the Pickinese Flower. Many inquire as to this tale, but only a few succeed. In order to gather the three ingredients you must pass many tests, and you need to posses the perfect combination of magic and strength. However, even though all sorcerers know of the quest, they fear the destinations, and so it is hard to find someone to accompany you. I suggest that you leave this one alone boy, because the odds are not in your favor." With that the man turned and left leaving Thor with more questions than answers. He wanted one of these flowers, and a quest of this caliber would surely require the help of his friends, possibly his brother too. He smiled at that thought and decided that perhaps he should pay another visit to Loki.
He headed back to the dungeons quickly with one thought in mind, the flower. He was sure that Jane would love the gift and surely that would show his worth as a husband. Also, this quest could bring him closer to Loki once more, and that was something he would not pass up. When he reached the dungeons he was surprised to find the guards all playing cards in their break room, and that meant that no one was watching the prisoners. He loudly ordered them to get back to work and was satisfied when they paled upon noticing his appearance. He continued to his destination and was instantly alarmed to find Loki sitting bound to the bench he usually laid on. He was bound upright with his hands behind his back. For the first time Thor noticed the hook that was attached to the wall nearby and that somehow disturbed him more. Loki seemed shocked at his appearance and instantly tried to mask his emotions, the first ones Thor had seen in nearly a year. He wanted an explanation for this so he called over a guard. "Why is he bound in his cell at this hour?"
The guard gulped and stumbled over his words, but at least he managed a reply. "Well, you seeee um my lord, the prisoner was threatening the guards who were going to briiing him um food. So we decided that he was dangerous and so we bound him." Loki looked unimpressed with this reply and Thor felt suspicious since he had never heard a guard stutter so before.
"Get me the key so that I may go assess him myself then." Thor stated simply and was even more surprised when the guard paled. He glanced at Loki who also appeared uneasy at the request, and so that strengthened his resolve.
"I'm afraid that I can not do that, Odin would not be pleased. Only the guards have access to the prisoner." Thor did not miss the way Loki's eyes darkened or the way he stiffened when the guard said access.
Thor was a prince and therefore that gave him some authority, and he would not be refused. "Surely Loki is harmless without his magic and his hands bound, besides I have defeated him before and I am sure that I capable of doing it again. If you are so nervous then shut the door upon my entrance and I shall call for you when I am ready to depart." The guard sighed and left to get the key accepting his lost battle.
Thor watched Loki who kept his eyes downcast while the guard was gone. He was back quickly and unlocked the door tensely. Thor shoved past him striding quickly toward Loki who flinched and backed toward the wall more. He slowed down and finished his approach cautiously looking back to see if the guard was around. After noticing the absence he focused back on his brother. He had not been this close to him since his imprisonment, and could tell that the time had not been kind to him. His frame was smaller than it used to be, his eyes had dark bags under them, and his face was sunk in. Loki would still not look him in the eye so Thor gently reached out and carded a hand through his hair. Loki instantly flinched and looked away, which was not the reaction he was hoping for. He kept petting his hair softly hoping to calm him and after a moment Loki sighed and closed his eyes. "Thor you need to leave, now."
Thor felt his heart clench at that statement. For the first time in nearly a year he could finally touch his brother, and the first thing Loki asked was for him to leave. "I have to make sure that everything is alright here first, and I am not entirely sure that you are." Thor began to inspect Loki further, and received no reaction, or form of protest. Loki's hands were bleeding from the tight bindings and it was clear that he had been struggling. Thor could smell the blood and could also see more it lingering in areas around the cell. The guard had said there was a complication, and Thor wondered if Loki had injured anyone, thus leading to his restraints. "Why is there blood everywhere Loki? Did you do this? Who have you injured brother?" Thor was angry and felt a bit ashamed of Loki's actions.
He only received a small laugh and a sad reply. "You always were quick to blame me first weren't you?" Loki then closed his eyes and leaned back before sitting up straighter and narrowing his eyes at Thor. "What is your reason for this late visit Thor?" The venom coming off Loki could be easily felt and Thor was beginning to feel guilty for blaming Loki so quickly.
"I came to seek information. I wish to know more about the quest for the Pickinese Flower so that I may obtain one." Thor realized that this battle was over, and that he needed to move on so that he could get the flower.
Loki's eyes widened and he backed away from Thor horrified. "Why would you be interested in that wretched quest. The flower is made of ingredients that are nearly impossible to acquire, and the danger presented will surely result in your death. Be smart for once and consider where your actions will lead you."
"So you know the details of this quest, and can guide me on this journey?" Thor felt relieved that Loki knew so much about this, for it would surely be to his benefit.
Loki recoiled and gave Thor an annoyed look. "Yes I could, but that does not mean I will. That quest is a suicide trip for any magical being. I would not be caught anywhere near that area."
"We will speak of this again, and behave so that next time we do not have such poisonous confrontations." Thor gave Loki a look before calling for the guard and departing.
On his way out Thor asked the guard what happened and he told of how Loki attacked several of the guards with clear murderous intent. He was not sure that he believed the story, but it was not his place to pass judgment anyway so he decided to allow them to handle it.
~[~ (Loki's POV)
Loki felt a bit hurt that Thor was so quick to accuse him of such violence, especially when he knew of his powerless state and had seen the shape he was in even if only briefly. Thor was usually quick to judge and slow to think so he should be use to this, but it hurt none the less. Usually he felt nothing, but today for some reason he felt weak and emotional, probably from the vicious treatment he had suffered earlier. The blood around his cell was certainly his, and after whipping him they all pulled out knives and cut through his flesh. His hands had been bound and he had been naked at the time so it was all too easy for them. Then they had slammed him around his cell splashing his blood everywhere, before finally pinning him to the wall and taking him repeatedly and painfully. He was still very sore, and his visit with Thor had further soured his mood, so he lay back against the wall and tried to relax while the guards plotted what to do with him. Loki supposed that they were lucky that Thor visited while they were taking a break to decide their next move but he knew they would be back soon.
Just when he had managed to calm down he heard the footsteps coming followed by their voices which were lined with malice. The meanest guard stepped forward and commanded "Strip him down, and retie him with his hands bound and suspended with the rope." He glared at the man but did not resist. When that was done the guard pulled Loki's legs around his waist and thrust deep inside. The pain was horrid even though he was still stretched from the earlier rape, and he felt his muscles tearing as the man's dick moved in and out. He felt weaker than he had ever felt in this cell and he was slowly losing consciousness. He passed out by the time the third guard had raped him. He has assumed it was due to blood loss due to the rough treatment he had been suffering each day, and the old wounds had opened bleeding freely with the new ones the men were inflicting as they scratched and bite him. His final thought before succumbing was of Thor and the gentle caress he used when he touched him earlier.
~[~ (Thor's POV)
Thor strode into his father's room and looked Odin straight in the eye. "Father I have a request. I wish to go on a perilous journey to obtain a proposal gift for Jane Foster, and I need to take Loki with me."
~[~
I hope you all liked this installment and that you continue reading. Don't forget to review. Also, should I continue with suspicious Thor, or should Thor remain a neutral party. I want the main conflict to be between Odin and Loki, with Thor dragged into the middle somewhere along the line. However, I am curious to know if Thor should provide more comfort to Loki or not. Reviews of any kind will be appreciated so I hope to hear from you.