Chapter 2

There was a clank and a splash as some items were clumsily placed before the door of Loki's cell as it was shut again.

The guards had come to remove the muzzle for the time being, and left him to his food. Loki looked up at it. Bread, leftover meat and a bowl of water. He rolled his eyes.

"Eat up, Laufeyson. You'll need your strength for the trail." one of the guards ordered and Loki could hear the smirk in his voice.

Loki glared at the ground, considering playing stubborn. But he had not eaten in days. The days he had spent, after returning to Asgard, laying in wait for Odin to tell him his punishment, he had not cared to eat.

But in the end, he decided such stubbornness would end up being a foolish act when his hunger truly gripped him more than it did now. He had confidence in himself that he could handle his punishment, though…. Nothing could be much worse than those damned powerful illusions Thanos gave him…

He pulled the tray of food and the bowl of water in front of him. He picked at the bread, eating small bites. He sighed, this food was obviously a left over from a previous meal, its taste was lacking and he was sure the meat was the same. But he continued eating.

Loki took the bowl in his hands, tipping it to his lips to let the cool water rush down his dry throat. The only good portion of his meal was the drink, sadly. But Loki did not push the food away. He was nearly finished with the bread and meat, a few bites left as he took another sip of water. It became as gulp, his thirst present. Water seeped from the edge of his mouth from tipping the bowl so high.

Just then, the door opened again and the tray was kicked through the door and out of the room, the bowl taken from Loki's hands. He glared, wiping the water from his mouth. "I would object to such sudden removal of my food, but it's such a poor portion I dare not complain."

"A prisoner such as you is not worth the time to prepare a proper meal." the guard scoffed as another came in with the muzzle.

"Oooh, you showed me just how lowly I am, with such words." He said sarcastically, acting offended.

The guard came forth with the muzzle and when Loki turned his head reflexively, the other moved behind him to grip his head, keeping it in place. Loki glared, his jaw set. Instinct had him wanting to struggle, avoid the replacement of the muzzle on his mouth, but he kept himself in place.

Once the muzzle was on again, they let him be, shutting the cell door and leaving him alone again.

Loki moved to sit against the wall, arms folded across his knees and his head dropped back as he shut his eyes.

This is where his turn of fate had brought him. To a cell to rot alone, only the oaf Thor to give him company and bring him to some form of punishment each day. Could Thor's promises hold true? Or should Loki only keep faith in himself and play the trickster against his brother as always?

Why should he even have to ask himself? Back on Midgard, he would not have graced that choice with much thought and yet now, he did. Why? What was different from then and now?

He sighed, breathing through his nose and his eyes slowly opened. He would endure his fate, his punishment, with no other choice. He would not break, no matter what was to come to him. This family broke him once, he would not allow it to happen again.

When Loki's cell door opened again, it was Thor standing and waiting.

Loki only glanced at him, looking away again to the wall of the cell.

Thor walked in, kneeling beside his brother. "…It is nearly dusk, brother…nearly time."

Loki looked to him, raising a brow. **You think I'm going to go willingly? **

Thor sighed and lower his voice to a whisper. "You promised, brother…"

**I promised nothing.** Loki's eyes showed that he would be smirking. **I would have to speak to truly promise, and I am unable to speak…**

Thor dropped his head, wishing his brother wouldn't be so difficult. To his surprise, though, Loki began to stand then and he stood with him. The guards returned within the cell then, Loki resisting the urge to glare at them.

"…They are here to prepare you, brother." Thor explained, trying to keep his face blank. But the way he seemed to be avoiding Loki's eyes, he was sure the preparation or need for it was something Thor did not like.

The guards walked forth then, taking the chains and moving them to latch upon the wall. Loki struggled out of instinct, wondering why they were doing such. His chains were now attached to the walls, his arms out to his sides and his chest exposed. He glared that them.

They then took out separate knives, coming toward Loki's arms with them.

Loki's eyes widened and he struggled even more, though it did nothing, his chains were latched too securely. Loki looked to Thor as he struggled. **What the hell kind of preparation is this?!**

"Do not struggle, brother, it is not what you think." Thor said, hating the sight of what seemed to be distress or fear…or whatever weak form of it Loki possessed.

**Thor!** even with simply Loki's mind speaking to Thor, such a cry caused an ache in the Thunder-Gods chest.

The guards reached Loki then, but he wiggled his arms too much for them to do what they must. One of the guards sighed and punched him in the gut, Loki halfway keeling over, his struggle stopping. "Enough squirming…"

"Do not lay your hands upon him like that!" Thor pushed him that guards away. "That was not called for, nor was it needed!"

"He was struggling!"

"Because the both of you were coming towards him with weapons he registered as dangerous!" Thor growled. "Think better of your actions before you act upon them, fool!"

The guards glared and sighed, walking back over to Loki who slowly looked up to glare. The two guards then began cutting away Loki's clothing upon his torso then. They sliced up the sleeve, over the shoulders, removed the harder parts of it with more difficulty before tearing his torso bare of clothing. Loki's glare was full of annoyance at such actions.
**Why in Helheim are they removing my clothes!?**

Thor came forward, pushing them aside and removing Loki's chains from the wall. "…Your back must be bare and exposed for the punishment, brother…" he informed Loki and it registered in the raven-haired God's mind what his punishment would consist of. Lashings…

Thor draped his cape around Loki's shoulders once his brother was removed from the wall. Loki looked up at him questioningly, but when Thor did not answer, he did not argue. Thor looked to the guards. "I am escorting him, you may leave now."

With that, they did leave. Thor soon followed out through the doorway, an arm around Loki's shoulder as he pulled him along. Loki hunched over, not completely welcoming the touch. But he welcomed the clothe that made him less exposed, so he unwillingly leaned into Thor's form, seeming to almost hide in his side. Thor's arm around Loki's shoulder tightened.

The halls were barren on their way to the stadium. It sounded so quiet. Loki was sure most of the kingdom was sitting, waiting, impatient to see the traitor prince receive his just punishment…

**…Who knows; this might just be more enjoyable than your battles that you put on in the stadium for the kingdom, to show off. I might just out-do you yet, brother…** Loki thought with dark amusement to Thor.

"This is no joking matter, brother, nor will it be an enjoyable experience for any in the kingdom." Thor said.

**That is where you are still blind, brother, and still a fool.**

"I am no fool, brother, not any longer." Thor's voice leaked with hints of annoyance that he kept under control. That amused Loki.

**Oh, but you are. You said that you all mourned for my 'death'. And you believed that? **

"You doubt my despair, brother?!" Thor turned on Loki, letting him go and removing his cape as he stood before his brother in the old, black-stoned hallways. Were any actions from Thor truly so scarring to make Loki doubt how he cared for him?!

**You said you all mourned, brother… Tell me; did they all sit in despair and woe, knowing they had lost a prince? Did any weep, other than you or mother? ** Loki raised a brow.
Thor was quiet, for as he remembered, he had left a grand feast that was held in celebration for his return and for the war ended and threats gone. He had seen his mothers' sadness, his fathers' guilt and he had felt sorrow. But…the Aesir, during the feast…

**And you, they wept for, brother..**

Thor raised a brow at Loki's seemingly harsh words. Harsh with anger. "What do you mean?"

**They wept, worried and strived to return the Golden Son home, Thor. I was here, I saw how lost they were without you. ** Loki glared, remembering how it had been without Thor here. He had hated him for being gone, but hated him more at the thought of him returning too late, to possibly ruin his plans he had been left to make. **You were cast down, powerless. But alive, yet they ached for your return, to know you were safe! They were willing to commit treason to return you!** he thought of Sif and the Warriors Three…how he hated them. **I fall to what you all think to be my death, AND YOU DO NOTHING!**

"How could we know what had happened to you, brother?!"

**Odin could have and you know it, he has the power, as well as Heimdall at his disposal! But he was too happy to be free of my trouble! And what did the Aesir do brother?! Tell me how they mourned! What happened while I was gone?! Do not lie to me!** Loki could not believe the anger he let surge through him, but he took calming breaths through his nose as he glared at Thor. The anger and pain came to him so well in this moment.

"…There was a feast…but only in celebration of my return and the threat of war gone, brother." Thor explained weakly.

Loki shook his head. **My death was something to celebrate for them, they didn't have to worry for the traitor outcast any longer. So glad the possibility of me ruling was gone away. **

"Brother, that's not-"

**Your delaying my punishment, Thor. Bring me along, if you would so please, unless deep down you wish Odin to be angry with the delay just to double my punishment. ** Loki thought harshly.

Thor sighed. He tried to come forward, to offer the cover of exposure once more, but Loki walked on and he followed after.

Once arriving at the entrance to the stadium, and hearing the collection of chatter, Loki was sure nearly the whole kingdom was here. And whether Thor believed it or not, they were here in anticipation, ready to see Loki in pain.

Thor took a deep breath and turned to Loki. "…Are you ready?"

Loki was quiet and did not answer, standing there, and waiting.

Thor turned back and pushed the doors open. They swung open slowly and loudly, the light of the soon setting sun shining through. It shined upon the barren dirt of the center of the stadium. There was mostly dirt, rocks, and pebbles covering the ground as Thor lead Loki to the center, but Loki's eyes spotted the few stains of spilt bloods' past. He gave a short chuckle to himself. Now the ground would welcome blue stains.

Finally in the middle, Loki glanced up to see the stadium nearly full. Of course. In a boxed spot in the audience, he spotted a tired looking Odin. He still sat up straight, ready. Frigga sat downcast at his side.

Loki looked to Thor and raised a brow. **How much shall we bet that the Allfather will give a speech before calling forth his punisher? **

Thor rolled his eyes, only to find Loki was right as Odin stood then, slamming down his spear to stop the quiet chapter and gain attention.

"Loki Laufeyson, adopted son of mine, true son of Laufey; you have been brought forth to receive your punishment that you have condemned yourself to. You are to be lashed by the whip every passing minute until the sun has nearly set. Should you fight it; should you struggle, your punishment will last until the sun sets. When it is over, you shall be sent back to your cell to be healed and fed. This is the punishment for your actions against your people and risking the peace of the nine realms." His voice boomed and echoed throughout the stadium.

Loki didn't even look at him, he just kept his eyes down.

"…Father…shall I remove his muzzle, or must it stay?" Thor asked then. He wished for Loki not to have such a still-present discomfort, with what more he was to soon experience.

"He must wear is still, Thor."

Loki turned his gaze slightly up to Thor. **He dares not uncover my mouth and leave me free to cry out, Thor. He doesn't wish to feel the guilt. **

Thor cast his eyes downward. Because he wished Loki did not have to experience the pain that was to come, but also at the thought of Loki's cries… He could not…would not hear them, if he could help it. He would break at such sounds. He remembered their battles together against enemies, when Loki was wounded and the cry of surprise and pain. That had frozen the blood in his veins.

Thor took a few steps back as the punisher came forward to the center of the stadium. He held the whip in his hand, the leather wrapped around his forearm. The leather was covered lightly in what seemed like shimmering blue and red dust. Loki's eyes widened as he realize what that meant. It was coated by the essence of ice and fire.

He glared at the ground, his back tense now.

The punisher pushed him to the ground, giving Thor a glare when he stepped forward. The cell guards came to Loki then, placing a wooden log upon his shoulders, latching it chains on it to where Loki's arms resting upon the wood, adding extra weight to his shoulders. Loki was on his knees, sitting upon his feet and looking out to the crowd. His eyes were heated with pure hatred.

He took in a deep breath when he heard the drop of the leather whip, disturbing the dirt only a little. His breath came in slow, and released only a bit quicker. He heard the crunch of rocks under the punishers boots as he stood in place. His breathed in was quicker, and the breath out more so. He heard the whip moving again.

Loki's breath was become quickened as he waited for the pain to come. The waiting was the worst, his entire body tensed and distressed until finally-

CRACK!

His back arched back as he gasped through his nose, moaning into the muzzle. His breathing was quick and angry after that, at the sting the lash, the stab of the ice and the burn of the fire pulsed in a line down his back. And he would feel this again and again, every minute that passed until the sun had set enough for Odin's liking.

Loki's eyes had been shut tight, but they opened wide then as he took deep breaths through his nose, gripping the wood, trying to dispel the pain upon his back. He had experienced similar and worse from Thanos, and it was easier to blur his mind of the pain now, so just do it! All it is, is physical and you know well enough, the physical pain isn't any close to-

CRACK!

A muffled cry was almost heard through the muzzle from Loki's surprise and then anger. He hunched over, taking deep breaths, his chest rising rapidly, shoulders hunched and rising up and down with the breathing and the weight of the log. You are the prince of chaos, Loki, you will not be defeated by this!

He could feel the cold, wet liquid of his Jotun blood, seeping slightly from his wounds, for the second whip had overlapped the first. The cold blood seemed to strengthen the pain of the ice. Yes, he was Jotun, a Frost-Giant, but in this form, his was still vulnerable to being pained by ice.

A few more deep breaths through his nose before he held it in and-

CRACK!

It was easier to deal with this third time, but still, it pained Loki. He gripped the wood tightly again, his nails digging and causing a bit of blood on his fingertips.

And the Thunder-God could do nothing as he watched his brothers pain…watched the look on his face…seeing the dull, blue blood running down his back. He had to look away every now and then and was angered when he saw most in the crowd were watching intently…as if, like Loki said, they were enjoying it.

This was Hell and Thor just wished to dispel it all.

But he could not. He could only stand there, witnessing the Mischievous Gods' pain from the lashing, for each minute that passed of dusk. Every agonizing minute…

**Don't you touch me! ** Loki barked, stumbling to the cell floor as he hurried to get away from Thor, whom had brought him back. Thor knelt by his side, worried.

"Loki, careful, you still bleed from your wounds!" He tried to get a hold of his brother, to make him sit straight but Loki smacked his hand away with both of his chained hands.

**The wounds you watched and let happen! **

"I could do no more!" Thor told him, but there was obvious pain in his voice. "Had I stopped it, father would double your punishment and I would not be allowed at your side any longer! And you know those guards shall be harsh upon you, I will not let that happen!"
L
oki cast his eyes down, pained and angry and full of hate. Yet the pain stood out when Thor saw it, because he saw it was not simply physical pain, but emotional. Loki hid it far too much, but sometimes, it shown through.

Thor reached within a pouch he had tied to his side and from within, he removed a healing stone. Loki looked to it, and then at Thor. Suddenly, Thor lay it on the ground and reached for Loki.

Loki flinched back, his pained glaring eyes on his brother. But Thor still reached his hands and the gripped Loki's face.

"Let me remove this, brother…stay quiet, and none shall know of its removal…" Thor said softly as he unlatched the muzzle, dropped it to the side.

Loki took shaky breaths through his mouth now, his mouth red from it stretching in yells against the muzzle. There were even small scraps from where his skin had gotten so rough, it broke.

"Brother…" Thor sighed at the sight.

Loki said nothing at first, before carefully opening his mouth. "…Did I not tell you…they would enjoy my pain?"

"I do not care for them, Loki, only you. Now keep your mouth closed." Thor instructed. Loki's brow furrowed in confusion, looking to Thor to see him pinch the edge of the healing stone.

Thor placed the glittering dust from the crushed part of the stone upon Loki's lips carefully, Loki flinching and almost backing away. Thor traced his thumb and forefinger across the top and bottom of his mouth. The raven-haired God's lips shimmered with light before it was healed; only leaving the faintest pink color.

Once the pain from his mouth was gone, he felt just a bit more relaxed….the pain from the muzzle against his screaming mouth had been hard, but he could not help it with how much worse the pain of the whip became.

Thor broke the stone in half then. "Turn around, brother."

The way Loki looked at Thor…hesitant, but trust growing in his eyes…it reminded him that this was his younger brother. The one he had defended in their younger years and did his best to keep from harm. His throat dry, he swallowed as Loki turned.

And the sight of his back made Thor flinch. It almost seemed in shreds, dull blue staining the skin.

"…I must wash the blood first, Loki…" Thor said regretfully.

"…Then do it quickly…" Loki's voice was thick and worn.

Thor left for a moment, shutting the cell door on his leave, but returned quickly after with a large bowl of warm water and a rag. "…This shall sting."

"It's been stinging, burning and freezing for half an hour, brother. No different…" Loki sighed.

Thor dipped the rag into the bowl then and rung it a bit before raising it slowly to Loki's back. Carefully and gently, he dabbed Loki's right shoulder. Loki flinched, hissing but he stayed where he was, his back tensing as he allowed Thor to continue.

The Thunder-God continued, trying to keep it as gentle as he could but still cleaning the cold blood away and he did it as quickly as he could.

Loki flinched every now and then, but biting his lip, he stayed quiet and as still as possible as his brother cleaned him. When he was finally done, he placed the blue rag in the slightly blue water and pushed the bowl aside. He took half of the stone in his hand once more.

"Lean forward, brother." He instructed and Loki did so, hunching over and resting on his arms. Thor crushing the stone over Loki's back, showering his skin with the dust. Loki's back shimmered from the wounds, continuing to do so until he was healed and the light died down.

The scars were now simply pink lines upon his back and Loki sighed in relief, still hunched over.

"Better?" Thor asked softly.

Loki just nodded. He sighed and sat up, turning to where his side faced Thor. It was then Thor noticed there was something upon Loki's chest. He focused on it…it seemed like some strange, dark infected spot or burn on his chest.

"Loki…what is that from?" he questioned.

Loki glanced down at his chest and caressed the skin there. "…I do not know. I've had this for a short while, never knew where it came from…"

Just then, there was the clank of the guards' armor as they were coming. Quickly, Thor grabbed the muzzle and replaced it upon Loki's mouth with an apologetic look. He grabbed his stone and put it in his pouch. Loki crawled to the wall, not wishing to be near those guards.

They brought the tray and bowl to Thor and handed it them. Loki chuckled, knowing they would have simply dropped it, had he been alone.

Thor took it and with that, they left them be. He turned to Loki with the tray and placed it between them with the bowl, leaning forward to remove the muzzle again. "I would bring you more appealing food if I could…" he sighed.

Loki chuckled. "A prisoner deserves no better than scraps, apparently." He moved to take the bread, but Thor grabbed it before him. Loki looked at him in confusion. Thor tore the bread apart and moved the smaller piece to Loki's mouth, offering it…feeding him. Loki did not open his mouth at first.

"Come, brother, it is not so strange for me to assist your eating. You remember that time you had been stricken with such illness you could barely sit up? I had fed you, happily, glad I could be of assistance during your worst days…" Thor said, remembering the days, and feeling his own words and how they could apply to the present.

Loki was still quiet, but he took a breath and slightly opened his mouth, allowing Thor to slid the bread within his mouth before beginning to chew. Thor smiled that warm smile he had and Loki's gaze dropped away. He soon swallowed and his gaze moved to the bowl of water. Before he even lifted his hand, Thor had noticed his gaze and grabbed the bowl for him.

"I'm no child, Thor…" Loki said quietly, watching him.

"…You are my brother, Loki. Let me care for you, for I have failed in doing so." Thor said gently.

Loki watched him, brows almost furrowing as he fought those previous feelings of feeling abandoned by Thor in his time of need. Thor moved the bowl to touch his bottom lip and waited for his brothers' lips to part. When they did, he carefully tipped the bowl to his mouth, the cool water rushing down Loki's sore throat and soothing it.

Thor continued to assist Loki with his meal, not allowing his brother to lift a finger and despite himself, Loki allowed it.

Loki thought to himself though, as he finished up eating and his brother was gathering the dishes that lie in the cave to place them outside. Thor seemed to be holding true to his promise so far…more than he thought Thor would. He felt he could easily question his brother, even ridicule him for his assistance. But it seemed too much of his being was welcoming it, welcoming the assistance. Part of that younger brother he had been and was, the one who had been so lost without his brother at his side…it welcomed his brother.

…Loki could make it through this punishment, he knew. And held trust that Thor would hold true to his promise. Whether Loki would hold true to his own, he had yet decided. But for now, he did not think on it.

"Farewell for the night, brother. I pray sleep takes you and comforts you. I shall return." Thor told him, bowing his head after he had replaced the muzzle back upon Loki's mouth. Loki nodded to him and with that, Thor left.

No, not decided just yet…not completely.