A/N: Hi! I'm back. Sorry for taking so long, but writer's block has struck me hard, and not just when it comes to this story. But last night I was complaining to my cousin about writer's block, and I suddenly thought of an idea for this fic. So, enjoy!

Loki had spent half the afternoon searching for Thor. No sign of the little brat. He sighed and leaned against the trunk of one of the towering pine trees. The air was chill with an autumn breeze, and it was coming from the east. From what little Loki could see of the sky, storm clouds were rolling in. Whether it was inspired by one of his brother's tantrums, or a natural occurrence, a thunderstorm was the least helpful thing in the realm at the moment. When it started pouring rain, Loki growled under his breath and stalked on.

Lightning rent the sky, followed by a crash of thunder. Loki glared at the clouds, wishing they'd go away.

"Thor?!" He shouted, hoping the boy was within hearing range. A low cry caught his attention. He glanced around, searching for the bright red cape that would stand out so well. He saw it, sure enough. There was Thor, huddled against the base of a tree, trying to stay warm. Loki picked up the drenched child, and cradled him against his chest.

"Thor, thank goodness…" He felt relief wash over him, and at the same time, he wished that he could pitch the little bastard off a cliff and save himself the trouble. Thor shivered pathetically in his brother's arms, wet through to the skin.

There goes that idea…No wonder Odin let him get away with everything.

"Why did you run off like that?" he demanded quietly. Thor tried to answer, but his teeth were chattering so badly, he could hardly speak.

"The…l-lady sc-c-c-cared-d-d m-me. P-p-please d-d-don't l-l-let her t-take m-me…" he managed to squeak. Loki wrapped his cloak more tightly around himself and the child, trying to keep the driving rain from getting to Thor.

"I'm not going to let anyone take you, not if I can help it. Now can you make the storm go away?" Thor stared up at him with wide eyes.

"It's not me." Loki stared at the boy in disbelief. There was no lie in those innocent blue eyes.

"We'll find that cave again. I'll build a fire, and we'll get you dried off. How does that sound?"

Oh, Norns, now he was offering to be nice to him? What was wrong with him?

Thor nodded, his trembling becoming more severe. He clung tightly to Loki's neck.

"I love you, brother." Thor whispered, closing his eyes for the duration of the walk. Instead of replying, Loki merely held him a little tighter and quickened his stride. They made it back to the cave. Thor didn't say a word as Loki removed the child-sized armor, leaving him in his undershirt and pants. He ushered the boy over to the small fire he had conjured. He laid his own cloak on the floor, and made Thor lie down, covering him carefully. Thor cuddled into the green fabric as he launched into an explosive sneezing fit. Loki pulled the boy onto his lap, hoping to help warm him up. Now that the sun was down, the temperature had plummeted.

"Are you all right?" Loki asked softly. Thor stared at the flames blearily and nodded.

" 'm still cold, Loki." He mumbled. Loki absently rubbed Thor's back, as he had seen several mothers do for their infants when they were restless. The motion seemed to comfort Thor, and the boy soon fell asleep. Loki watched him sleep, wondering how on earth he could ever have come to hate his brother. He fell asleep to the sound of the rain dripping from the trees, and the comfortable weight of Thor on his chest.


In the middle of the night, Loki awoke hearing footsteps not far from the mouth of the cave. He quickly extinguished the fire with a spell. He held his breath, waiting. Thor shivered in his arms. Loki drew the cloak tighter about them both, hoping that whoever it was would go away. Finally after what seemed like hours, the footsteps faded into the distance. Loki was horrified when he saw a giant walking away into the forest.

Giants! In Asgard? Impossible…Yes, I'm definitely taking Thor back tomorrow. I must warn Odin.


He woke up before Thor did, which was a small mercy. The boy lay sprawled across his chest, totally unconscious. Loki moved slightly, and felt his back pop. He gave a muffled moan when he sat up. Thor stirred slightly in his arms, before going back to sleep. Loki leaned against the cave wall, staring out at the dreary forest. He was not necessarily looking forward to what he had to do.

Slowly, the boy awoke. Loki jostled him slightly, trying to rouse him. Thor rubbed his eyes with his fist, and sat up, staring at Loki in confusion.

"Hmmn?"

"Wake up, Thor. We're going home today." Loki said quietly. Thor buried his face in his brother's chest again.

"Don' wanna…" he mumbled, breaking into a fit of coughing. Loki rubbed Thor's back, not able to do much more to help the boy. His eyes were watering by the time the coughing subsided.

"I'm tired, Loki…and I hurt…" he whimpered. It was pitiful really. The god of thunder reduced to this, and coming down with a cold to boot. Not how Loki had wanted to spend his day, but apparently he had no choice now.

"I know. I'll carry you if I have to." Loki whispered. Thor wrapped his arms around his brother's neck, and closed his eyes.

Why have you turned so soft?

He needs my help. He's a little boy who needs to be with his parents.

And what does that make you? Odin will just as likely kill you for this as thank you for bringing his son back.

I'm trying! I have to keep him safe.

Why?

I don't know.

You should have killed him when you had the chance!

No. He's only a child. Even if he is Thor, I could never harm a child.

Oh, so you could allow your own children to be taken from you and subjected to all manner of tortures, but you won't allow any harm to come to sweet, innocent, little Thor? The golden prince, Odin's favored son…your sworn enemy?

Don't ask me.

Think of Hela. Thrown into Niflheim when she had scarce drawn her first breath. What about Fenrir? Or Jormagund? Bound with chains, or thrown into the depths of the sea. You paid them no heed when they cried out for their father to help them. For their father to save them. Now your brother is helpless, and you show him kindness. Why do you CARE for the little nuisance?!

I don't know…

Loki glanced up at the sky and set out across the plains the surrounded the city. He could see the golden spires of the palace gleaming in the sunrise.

Home.

Well, not his home anymore. His prison, perhaps, and quite possibly the place he would die. Thor slept in his arms, unaware of the silent debate.

Loki stopped to rest around noon. Thor released his hold on him, and walked around a bit.

"Do you think you can walk for a bit?" Loki asked, hoping that he might get a break from carrying him. It's not that he was that heavy, but carrying him over a long distance took its toll. Thor nodded. He glanced around.

"Yes. Where are we?" Loki got down on Thor's level and pointed to the city walls in the distance.

"See that? We're almost home." Thor's eyes lit up when he recognized the palace.

"And we safe there?"

"Yes, you'll be safe there." Loki replied. Thor smiled as he stared at the castle in the distance. Then he became somber again.

"What 'bout you?" he asked. Oh, so he did catch that…

"Don't worry about me."

"You're my brudder! You should be safe too!" Loki closed his eyes.

"Thor, I've done some really bad things, and they will not be exactly happy to see me. You must realize that." Thor stared at him in confusion.

"But you help me. You're not bad." Loki chuckled softly as he swung his brother up in his arms.

"Whatever happens to me, remember that. Do you promise?" Thor nodded, locking his arms around Loki's neck.

"I promise…"

"Good."