A storm brews outside.


"Father-"

"SILENCE!"

Thor hangs his head, and indeed - silence fills the wide hall. Loki stands beside him, chewing the inside of the muzzle, like he wants to bite through it. Refusing to meet the Allfether's half gaze, refusing even, to look at his brother.

"Loki's punishment is mine to decide, I only asked that you bring him here, Thor. You have done that."

"But father-"

"I said SILENCE!" his voice rings out around the wide hall, Loki's eyes dip closed.

"Three parts. His punishment will come in three parts." He holds up three fingers, his eye fixed on Loki, "We must end the lies. For good."

Another pause, Thor dares lift his head.

"Sew his lips shut."

"Father-!"

"SILENCE!"

"The second, torture. He must… learn the consequences for his actions, and finally - we will return him from where I found him. Strip him of his meddling powers, leave him to the Jotun's to do with what they will."

"I-"

"You, Thor." He points to him, "You will carry out his punishment."

Silence falls, and this time, without need for the Allfather to call for it. Thor kneels before him, aghast, stomach churning, he spares a sidelong glance at his brother, whose hands appear to be trembling in his shackles. What more did Thor expect? The Allfather demanded Thor bring him back for a punishment - but one so severe? No, he hadn't expected it. It's always been his job, always, to look after Loki. To protect him.

Even against their own father.

"No." he says, voice quiet.

"What?" the Allfather turns to him.

"I… cannot. Father, you cannot ask this of me."

"I can and I have." He rises, "You will proceed without further-"

"There must be something else." Thor stands, too.

"There is nothing-"

"I know his reason extends far, father, but this… this is too much. Even for Loki. Is he not your son?"

There's a pause. The Allfather looks at him, his single eye blazing - but the heat dies, slowly, slowly. His shoulders hang - and he looks to have aged ten years in that single moment alone.

"What would you have me do?" he asks.

"Something, anything else!" Thor takes a step forwards, "Strip him of his powers if you must, but… don't send him away for…"

"His memory."

"Father?"

"Wipe his memory, too. It is one way to ensure it wont happen again. None of it will." The Allfather descends the steps, eye on Loki. "I will cast him out. To Midgard." His lip twitches down, "A mortal he shall be."

"Father…"

"Does this please you?" He rounds on Thor.

Who can only nod.

Loki doesn't look up - his emerald eyes appearing to be unfocussed, staring at the bottommost step of the throne, something indescribable in his demeanor. His hands are curled into tight fists, the muscle in his jaw flexed tight, and the Allfather silently approaches him.

"It will be done." He says, voice rumbling through the hall. There's a murmur of agreement from somewhere behind them. Thor swallows, looking to his brother.

Pain - he will feel none of it. That is all that Thor can promise him.

But at the blinding light, the sight of his father tearing the muzzle from Loki's bloodied lips, he has to look away.


Loki lies still, staring at the blank ceiling, trailing a finger over the deep scar on his wrist, another over the scar on his lip. He understands now - or… he thinks he does. He understands as well as he should. He understands enough.

He draws to his feet, quickly. He kicks aside one of the several history books on the floor with a bare foot, and he hurries to the door, he tugs it open, and all but throws himself down the stairs in his haste to get to the bottom. He rips open the complex door, and turns his gaze heavenward.

Grey clouds gather above him, and he watches them, hate seething low in his stomach. Encasing the envy in a silver lining, protecting it, saving it for later. He watches the clouds rumble, merge silently together, flash and shimmer, and his hands remain curled into tight fists at his sides.

A thousand and one unasked questions burn on his tongue, why did you let me live? Why not kill me or would it not be too merciful? What is it that I have done to earn your gentle hand when all you owe me is cruelty?

But nothing leaves his lips, and silent tears burn the corners of his eyes, tickling back to his hairline, and a shout - a scream leaves him. A scream to the heavens, one he hopes his father, his brother - each and every Asgardian he once knew hears.

Why, he wants to scream, just tell me why

The clouds swirl and shudder, come back to me… he thinks, sharply, come on brother, come back to me

Lightning flashes.

Please…

His chest aches, his heart feels several sizes too large for his chest, and the wind whips at his hair, steals his tears from his cheeks, and tugs at his clothes. The sky surges, and yet - nothing comes.

His rage swells.

Is that all that I am to you?

He brings his hands to his hair, fingers twisting through sandy curls, pulling uselessly. Answer me! He screams internally, he's shaking on the outside. Just like that mortal, Jane Foster, that you left behind? Do you intend the same for me?

Another sharp rumble, another flash - and he knows his brother is listening to him.

"Just tell me WHY!"

His answer comes from the sky itself, the very ground seems to shake with it as the deep voice rumbles loud and clear for him to hear.

"You had to be safe..