Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot and my OCs

As the summary says, the main themes are Relationships (not only romantic ones, all kinds), loneliness caused by isolation and inability to connect to others, and the difficulty in communication a lot of people face.

If a person suffered from loneliness due to an inability to understand and connect with others, what effects would it have long-term?

Can people overcome the greatest obstacle there is: themselves?

-Begin-

It was the day of Thor's coronation.

Sif was standing in the front of the crowd, cheering Thor on as he walked past, brandishing Mjolnir.

She caught Thor's eye and smiled proudly at him as he winked at her.

The crowd was loud, yet not exceptionally so.

Well, it was expected, given most of them had not anticipated this turn of events, she noted as her eyes caught sight of another.

He was standing straight, brilliant green eyes framed by coal-black hair, with an exceedingly handsome face. His muscular frame and tall height, combined with the faint aura of authority he exuded, gave him a powerful presence.

Sif had to admit that even she was blindsided when the Allfather had announced his choice of Thor, not Loki, as heir.

She was pleased, of course, for she had always been one of Thor's biggest supporters in his bid for the throne.

But, at the same time, she could not deceive herself. Loki's faction was large and influential. It consisted of a wide variety of people; many in powerful positions, yet a sizable amount was normal, everyday people.

Thor's faction was moderate in size, and most of them were also in powerful positions, but…

If you were to compare the two factions in term of influence and power, Loki's would win by a clear mile. The number of his followers and the strength of their positions far exceeded Thor's.

He was extraordinarily competent, and she admitted he would make a very good king.

To this day, she did not think she had seen him fail in anything he tried his hand at, or even perform anything less than perfectly.

He had intelligence, courage, wisdom, strength, all qualities essential in a king, and some that she reluctantly admitted were not abundant in Thor.

She had never been close to him, really, she was more of a distant acquaintance. It had always felt like he was difficult to approach

Perhaps that was why she thought Thor would make a better king.

Because if she was completely honest with herself, she was in love with Thor, and that might be making her partial to him.

Yet she could not allow herself to completely attribute this to her dubious impartiality.

Sometimes, when she spoke to Loki, she got a strange, uncomfortable feeling.

He did not say anything or do anything specific, nevertheless, she gets the feeling he didn't like talking to her.

They were small things, like greeting her back without giving her a chance to continue a conversation, or how he subtly starts a conversation with someone else when she tries to speak to him.

Although it seemed no one noticed but her, she had a suspicion he differentiated whom he associated with.

Sometimes, she wondered if it was just her imagination.

All these thoughts pass her mind almost subconsciously, and suddenly all is forgotten as the Allfather says something that sends ice through her veins.

"Jotnar."

The Allfather stands tall as he looks down at the charred remains of the Jotnar.

They were standing in the weapons vault, Thor shaking with anger, Loki calm as always.

"They did not stand a chance." Loki commented as he studied their corpses, a hint of relief in his voice.

"The Jotnar must pay for what they've done." Thor growled, eyes ablaze with fire.

He frowned at Thor's quick temper, and was quick to silence him.

"They have paid, with their lives." Odin said calmly, his statement an answer and reprimand at once. "The destroyer did its work, the casket is safe, and all is well."

"All is well?" Thor said scornfully. "They broke into the weapons vault. If the Jotnar had stolen even one of these relics-"

"Thor." Loki cut him off with a firm tone and a commanding stare. "Control yourself."

"How can you be so calm, brother?" Thor snarled, turning on him.

"You are being irrational." Loki gazed at him intensely. "Would you kill a whole race because of a select few?"

Odin lost patience with Thor's obstinacy and slammed down his spear.

"Enough." Odin stared at Thor with warning. "Your brother is correct."

"Look how far they got!" Thor said, trying to control his anger.

"And they were killed. Would going to war bring us less or more losses?" Loki countered reasonably.

His raven haired son had always been the dominant one, a natural leader. Normally, Thor would have been silent from the first rebuke Loki sent his way, but today, he was apparently too blinded by anger to listen.

Odin felt disappointment as he realized that he had been too hasty to think Thor was ready for kingship.

"As king―" Thor began.

He could vaguely see his raven haired son stare in surprise at Thor's insolent words, and a rush of anger flooded his mind.

"―But you are not king!" Odin's words rang out in the chamber ominously. "…not yet."

Thor's mouth snapped shut, though anger still blazed in his eyes, and his mouth was set in a stubborn line.

Odin sighed audibly.

"Enough, Thor." Loki waved his hands commandingly and Thor finally fell silent, stewing in anger.

Odin turned to Loki and exhaled lowly.

"I trust you will take care of this? I must tell the council."

"Yes, father." The raven haired man nodded in understanding.

Odin turned around slowly and walked out of the room, his mind busy with thoughts.

Sif and the Warriors Three were walking through the hallways, trying to find a certain blond prince. The king had left in a rush with his two sons for the weapons vault.

As they walked in the direction they went off in, they glimpsed a black-haired man deep in thought.

"My prince!" Fandral called out.

Loki raised his head at hearing his name, and smiled questioningly at them as he stopped briefly.

"Have you seen Prince Thor?"

Loki stared at them inscrutably before sighing audibly.

They were confused. What had happened?

"Father is angry with him. Thor believes the Allfather is wrong in his inaction." Loki said as he brushed his bangs out of his eyes absent-mindedly.

They heard a loud CRASH and they all recoiled except for Loki, who seemed to be even deeper in thought.

"That would be him. It's not like I don't understand his feelings, but this time I am firmly with the Allfather."

He walked around them and allowed his voice to carry back his words as he left.

"I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now. Do tell him there's nothing he can do without defying father."

His darkly satisfied smile was hidden to them as they stared at his receding back.

This chapter was mainly told through other people's point of view to show what Loki appeared to be like to other people, or simply, Loki from an outsider's perspective.

I'd just like to say, in case someone hasn't noticed, that Loki is extraordinarily adept at manipulation, especially when it's to get back at someone.

Another thing I want to add is that the beginning is a bit slow, as I plan for all the real action to start in the aftermath of the invasion and Thanos's next plan.

In the meanwhile, this is kind of an introduction to show the difference between this universe and the canon one.

Note that here, unlike in canon, Loki is actually the popular candidate for the throne in the people's eyes, yet Thor gets chosen instead. Obviously because Loki's a Jotunn and duh.

I'd also like to explore the way Loki thinks, which is notably different and strange.

Enjoy.