The world the rift had dropped him into was forsaken by the gods, cast in an unnatural chill. The sky was always dark, the far off outlook jagged and foreboding. The moment he'd landed, he had crawled into the nearest alcove and hidden himself there. He wasn't sure how long he'd been there, it could've' been a stretch of weeks or months...he'd never know. Without a sun to guide the days, the God of Mischief was lost in time as well as this world.
Loki could have teleported out of there his first day. That first moment when his magic was full and his heart ablaze with fire, he could have made his escape. But his fall had been harsh and it had taken all his physical strength to drag himself somewhere safe. He'd chosen to heal his broken leg, hips, and right arm. Given time to recharge, he could've easily phased off this horrid planet, but he hadn't expected to be so popular.
Outside his cave, dark creatures lurked. Hulking figures with talons and fangs that could slice through boulder like butter. If they had been dull things, Loki could've tricked them. But these bastards were intelligent. They slithered about by the dark entrance, constantly rapping and scraping at the small gods forcefield. Loki had kept it sealed day and night, a constant drain on his magic supply. They knew he was weakening, that without the proper time to recover he would soon be vulnerable.
Loki trembled, pulling his tattered robe more tightly around him. He cursed his garments, more suited for that of a mage then a warrior. Too thin, too tight, easily torn. Though his body was no longer in danger, his clothes were still tore and exposed to the unforgiving cave. His skin was raw from the rough surface, small cuts decorating the flesh in obscene patterns.
He watched his forcefield flicker, something heavy tugging at his heart.
They were hungry for his flesh, he could hear their stomachs from here. Bloodthirsty animals with no real idea of who they wanted to feast upon, his blue blood just as tasty as any other. Here he was not Loki Silvertongue...he was Prey, faceless and equally as vulnerable as any stag.
One creatured rammed the barrier, it rippled dangerously. He barely had the strength to repair it. The next beast came, throwing itself against it hard enough to burn its own skin. The stink of it made his stomach churn, bile and fear searing his own throat. The ripples turned into cracks, a permanent break in his shield. He tried to glue it back together, but his coffers of magic were hollow and cold. He couldn't restore it. The barrier was breaking, but he couldn't fix it.
The realization poured over him like icy river water...forcing tremors through his thin frame.
"This is my end..." Loki whispered, eyes falling shut "How fitting."
He blocked out the world. He blocked the roaring beasts outside, the final shatter of his barrier, the sound of claws on the stone walls...all of it. He covered his head with his arms and begged for a quick death.
What he couldn't hide from was the roar of thunder that shook the cave, nor the flashes of heat and light that washed over him. He startled, raising his head and bracing his palms against the wall. He shied away from the lingering light, his eyes used to only the dreary shadow of this world. He raised his arm to defend his sight, but it soon faded away. In its wake it left piles of ash and charred bits of arms and torsos. A clawed hand, burned from its host body, lay across his foot. He kicked it away with a strangled growl, disgusted and relieved at the display.
He pressed himself to the wall, ignoring the rough scrape across his lower back. What being could cause such destruction? This power...he knew this power...
Thunder rumbled outside, mimicking a lions content purr.
"Brother?"
"Thor?" Loki whispered, afraid to let himself believe his own words.
The god climbed inside the cave, blonde mane wild and eyes filled with satisfaction. Mjolnir at his side, silver helmet resting upon his noble brow. He was quite the intimidating figure, standing at the mouth of this rough cavern dressed in full armor and wearing that imposing look.
"Brother" the thunder god's voice was tender, full of his usual affection. Loki tried to stand but he found his knees useless. Seeing this weakness, Thor rushed to his side. He dropped to his knees beside the God of Mischief, tilting his helmet into his palm and setting it aside. He looked over his brother's, a scowl on his lips.
"I will remove you from this place at once" Thor moved to pick him up "I will get you to a healer, and I will find you as much food as you could ever want."
"Don't touch me!" Loki pushed him away, though he truly was weak "Why did you come here?"
"My bitter baby brother" Thor teased, his smile warm enough to cool the other god's icy tongue "I've come to take you home. I've searched all this time for you. I've raided three planets before this one. I've slayed beasts twice my size...all in your name."
"In the name of a traitorous Jotun prince" Loki spat "Your efforts are in vain, I have no plans to return to Asguard."
"Loki" Thor ran a hand over his face "I know our last encounter was...unsavory...but we cannot change it. I believe in your goodness, brother, as I always have. You were hurt, you felt betrayed and alone and you lashed out. If I had been there, you would've come to me."
"I got you banished to Midguard" the slighter god hissed, though his armor was cracking "I tricked you into going to Jötunheimr, I blatantly tried to get you disinherited. I lied to keep you on earth, I killed my own father, and I usurped the throne."
Thor raised his brows, "And why?"
"Because all Father cares about is you, and if you took the throne" Loki's voice broke "That's all you would care about. The people, the kingdom, a bride, an heir...there would be no room for me."
Loki's voice dropped to a breathy whispered, "And that frightened me."
Thor came closer, resting his hand upon the paler god's throat as he used to do. The touch was like a catalyst, forcing words to purr from Loki's lips. He he never wanted to say aloud, words that made his heart burn with shame.
"If you were to look away from me, brother, I would fade" Loki confessed in a rush "You are the only one who sees me, the only one who loves me completely, and if you stopped your attention – I would simply disappear."
Thor hurried to assure him, "You are my mind, my rationality, my clarity-"
"And you are my very life!" Loki turned his gaze on his brother, looking so wounded and grief-stricken that it broke the thunder god's heart "You are my strength and my breath, and I could not have you leave me!"
"Are you sorry?"
The blunt question halted any further confession, the slighter gaped at his brother.
"What?"
"Are you sorry?" Thor insisted, heart now mended and beating out a warrior's rhythm in his chest from the sheer love he felt for this god "For what you've done?"
Loki inhaled, his lungs trembling in his chest, "I would take it all back in a second. I would keep my jealousy and hurt to myself...and suffer."
"You are...the most complex creature I've ever known" Thor chuckled "My sweet brother...you are the only being in the entirety of existence who has all the makings of a hero and a villain."
"I've had many cold nights here, the time to think has given me clarity" Loki's voice was tight, cheeks flushing "And I don't appreciate you mocking my desire for repentance."
"I do not, I would never" Thor promised "I knew I would find you in this state, though I had hope for your health to be better. I knew you would see your error and accept it, so I plead your case before the council and the Allfather."
Loki was honestly surprised, "Why?"
"Brother, must you ask?" the thunder god unclasped his cape, holding it out "Now come here, let me cover you just a bit more. Even you must feel this cold."
"Wait" Loki found himself moved, the cape wrapping around his shoulders and chest "I'm bleeding, your ridiculous cape-"
"I care not about that" Thor's smile was toothy and honest "I care more about your condition. As I always have. I do not know how you could think any differently. Have I not always made my intentions clear? Have I not always been honest with you?"
The other could not find a reason to say 'no'.
"What makes you think you are not my breath? My strength? My life?" Thor moved to pick his brother up, but the other tried to squirm away from him "Loki, please. I know you are not this thick. You must know that I love you. More than a brother, more than those women mother parades around me-"
"Be quiet!" Loki was full blushing now, mostly in shame. Yes, he knew how much his brother loved him, and he returned that love. They'd shared that love...quiet a few times over the last few centuries. One may even call them...lovers. He sighed and rubbed his palm against his eyes, trying not to let the memories overwhelm him. Thor's spacious chambers...the glow from the fireplace lighting up their slick skin...rough palms on his chest, across his thighs, lips seeking his...
Oh, it had been glorious. His sap rose at the mere memory, his breath stuttering as he recalled how many times his handsome brother had turned away a maid of court for his company. He could only sleep now amongst the furs of his brother's bed, his own had become much too cold without Thor's presence.
"I could not have you on the throne and so far away from me" Loki pursed his lips "With a wife and kingdom to hold your gaze...I was jealous of the affection you would give them. Affection that was rightfully mine."
"Your jealousy was unfounded brother, that is why your actions affected me so greatly" Thor explained, running his knuckles along the other's high cheekbones "I could not believe that you would rise against me for a throne you did not want. Maybe when we were young, but once we were older you were glad to have the time to yourself that kingly duties would not allow. Do you not remember all those boring political meetings you had the tongue for but not the patience? How droll you found the Elders, how lazy the royals? You said to me: 'I'd rather make magic than bridges.' Hm? Do you recall that, dear brother?"
"Yes" Loki couldn't stop his smile "Father was upset when I told him my thoughts on his war."
"Oh yes, he was most ruffled. You standing there, bold as brass, stating" Thor made a sneering face, pitching his voice a bit higher " 'Oh please, Father, don't be dull. What is war to a duel? I find the whole thing impersonal and brutish.' Am I right?"
"You remember every word?" Loki positively laughed, pressing his palm to his mouth in an effort to stifle it "After all this time..."
"I listen to every breath you take" the thunder god's eyes were alight "But nothing sounds sweeter than my name on your lips."
"Thor, stop this" Loki's very ears were aflame "You cannot speak to me like this, a blood traitor-"
"No longer" Thor cut him off "You are to come home with me, your position is to be restored, and your transgressions forgiven."
The slighter god's eyes fell to the stone floor, "I cannot possibly be forgiven."
"But you are" Thor raised his brother's chin, meeting their eyes once more "Father has passed the decree, and the Elders have agreed. You are to return home to take your place as prince. By my side, and in my bed."
Loki's heart was aching, "You would still have me...after all I've done?"
The other god grinned, "I would have you no matter what, brother."
'Brother' was the fondest endearment Loki had ever known. There was so much affection pressed into one word...it made him want and feel more than anything else.
"I can...go home?"
Loki's voice was small and frail.
"Yes!" Thor scooped the thinner man up into his arms, cradling him like a bride "Come. You need warmth and food. I will tend to you!"
Loki clung to his brother's neck. There was still a small part of him that didn't believe, a part that was still frightened and was waiting to be dropped and left.
"No fear, brother, I will not let you go" Thor soothed him, kicking up his helmet and catching it on his head "See? I am not so clumsy."
Loki wasn't sure if Thor was ignorant of his dark fears or was simply trying to reassure him. He didn't care either way. His golden brother was here, taking him from this forsaken rock and back to the golden hue of Asguard. Loki dropped a kiss on the tanned neck, inhaling the rich scent of the thunder god. He was tired and hurting, but for the first time since he learned of his Jotun heritage...he felt safe.
Thor tightened his hold, eager to be home.
