Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel characters, heroes, baddies, weapons, locations ETC. Any character, weapon or location not recognizable is mine. I also do not own the Eternal Prison.

Rating and Warning: T for Angst and violence in upcoming chapters. Mentioning of torture. Swearing. OOCness that is hopefully kept to a minimum and OCs that are kept to a minimum. Rating may go up and warning may expand. Currently no pairings.

A/N: Thanks everyone for their lovely reviews. OMG I love it they are like fuel to me. Or crack. Or coca cola. Hmmm.

…- Chapter Three -…

If he were very honest with himself, he thought he would never see this sight again.

Not that it bothers him in the slightest. In fact it brought a smile to his face when he walked into the room.

Thor is taking up the biggest part of the bed, draped over the covers with one leg hanging over the edge. There is a book covering his face, barely muffling his rather obnoxious snoring. Odin blinks once or twice before reaching over to grab the book. The moment it lifts off his son's face Thor grumbles in his sleep and rolls over onto his side. Now he is taking up more space then can be considered polite as this isn't his bed, but at least the snoring stopped. The All-Father places the book on the table and rounds the bed, lone eye falling on his other son.

Loki is dead asleep as well beneath the covers, body curled and only a mob of black hair visible from under the blanket. Odin slowly sits down on the edge, surprised that his youngest is still sleeping so fast. The small man only stirs when his father places a hand on his head. Two bleary eyes peek out from under the cover, falling… somewhere. They don't focus on anything in particular, and when Odin slowly begins stroking the younger God's hair the trickster's eyes close slowly once more. Barely half a minute passes and Loki is out cold again.

The All-Father takes a deep breath and closes his own eye, placing the thumb of the hand he has been stroking his sons head with on the younger one's forehead. He concentrates, and through the darkness behind his eye he sees…

…stars. They are not aligned in constellations but rather just tiny dots of light. They float in a sky that is mostly golden and red and yellow with bits and pieces of green. It is like he is looking at a solar system, but the All-Father knows better. This is the vast emptiness of a soul that should be filled with memories and movement. Now, there is nothing. The stars don't change, the colours don't mix (And a few are actually lacking) and there is no light of memory dancing through the air.

Odin knows why.

He moves his gaze downwards and his eye falls upon a floor. Or should he say wall? A cage, made of concrete and steel and enforced with magic and chains created to keep the true soul safe from anything from the outside. A wall that Loki made himself to have a place to withdraw in, and only Loki can come and go as he pleases. Odin feels proud of his youngest son, who has proven to be even stronger then he thought. He would not have let Loki go if he wasn't convinced of this.

Even if Loki is now trapped inside.

The elder God lowers himself to one of the chains and pulls at it loosely, but it causes the world around him to shudder with an earthquake that reaches the stars.

Too soon. That is what he can tell. Too soon to break the chains, to shatter the stone and to bend the metal. If he acts now, all will be for naught. A sigh escapes the God. All he can do is lay down a droplet of his own magic, the tiniest of hints of his presence. The dark liquid lies on the harsh stone and doesn't seem to be moving, but it has already begun the colossal task of breaking down the wall from this side. Loki needs all the help he can get if he wants to break out.

Time will tell.

The next evening, Thor is enters his brother's chambers with a book in one hand and his brother's wrist in the other. It was an idea from their mother that Loki gets some early rest. The wounds on his brother's body are healing slowly but surely, but that takes a lot of energy. Energy that the younger God gravely lacks.

Not much has changed since the day Loki returned home. His demeanour is still pretty much empty, his eyes are still vacant and his face is a blank mask, although the last part isn't that out of the ordinary. Loki always had been very unreadable. Unless he was planning some sort of mischief, then his eyes would shine with a naughty glimmer.

Thor hopes he will see that glint return one day.

The only thing that has noticeably changed is that it is easier to manoeuvre Loki around. Somehow the brothers have made a connexion in these past few days, liked a fire had been rekindled after softly smouldering for years. And that when Thor first believed there had been nothing left between them. That the bond they had shared as children had died with his brother when Loki fell into the abyss.

"I will read you this story. It was a gift from friend Stark. Do you remember him?" If Loki were listening to him, he didn't show it. Instead the God lies in his cosy haven between the sheets, eyes already half lidded. Thor takes a seat in a large armchair close to his brother's bed, intend to repeat something that they had done long ago. "A Devil on My Side, by Karen Ranny." He begins, secretly getting excited over such a thrilling sounding title.

"Edinburgh, Scotland, 1870. The weather was beautiful on the day of the wedding. Above Edinburgh hung a gorgeous blue Scottish sky. The wind was warm and carried the scent of the spring. It was quiet on the plaza, not one sound disturbed the serenity of the morning. Even the sun seemed to bless the marriage between the Count of Lorne and lady Davina McLaren. The bride stood at the window and…"

Long before all of this happened, long before Loki had begun to distance himself from his family and had become a true God of Mischief, they had sat like this several times. Thor, brash, young, stupid Thor, would get hurt plenty of times. Sometimes to the point where he was bedridden for a few days. And the thunderer is a lively creature, always running and fighting and being a loud ball of energy. So being stuck in bed for even just one day could drive him crazy. One evening, when he lied awake in his bed, bored out of his mind but unable to leave his blanket haven Loki had sneaked into his room with a book in hand, had taken a seat on the edge of his bed and had read a story to him that kept him entertained throughout the evening and the day after that.

So now Thor returns the favour so to speak. He actually got the idea when he had fallen asleep next to his brother yesterday while he had been reading a book. He has never read for Loki before, though he can't recall why exactly. Then again, his brother always had been a perceptive man, and went out of danger's way whenever he could. So there never was a situation like this before.

An hour passes and Thor finishes the forth chapter, completely intrigued by the story. He isn't sure if Loki has been listening, as he fell asleep somewhere during the forth chapter. The larger man gets up from his comfortable seat, reaching for the sheets to tuck his brother in properly.

The Golden man stops when he is about to leave. He looks back at his brother's sleeping form one more time, doubt bubbling inside of his chest like boiling water. But he chooses to ignore it in favour of the other man. He had fallen asleep yesterday next to his brother, when it hadn't been the plan. His plan had been to lull his brother to sleep and then he would leave, but somewhere in that time he had passed out himself. They spend so much time together already, and a little time alone, even if it is in sleep, might do Loki some good.

Besides. Thor will wake up ridiculously early tomorrow and he will find himself at Loki's side once more.

Another day passes.

The fire is crackling softly.

Sitting on his knees a few feet away of it Loki is staring at the dancing flames. His eyes trace the lines of light and heat, silently watching the spectacle that plays out before him. The fallen God watches as the hungry flames try and reach for a piece of wood that has yet been untouched. The tentacles reach for the wood like a drowning man, like a hungry child. And when they reach they tear into the firewood and lick along the edges until that too is slowly consumed by the heat.

Besides the silenced God lies his brother, occupying the same large animal skin as the slighter man. The fur of the bear is thick and comfortable, so much in fact that Thor had fallen asleep hours ago. Loki doesn't know how long the man has been asleep. To him, time doesn't matter anymore. He sits and stares at the flames, watching and waiting for the larger man to wake and take his hand, drag him along or tell him what to do. Things are so much easier that way.

Not to forget that there is a certain sense of safety when the large man is besides him.

One of the pieces of wood cracks under the weight of the flames and falls, collapsing into hundreds of dusty little pieces. The fire jerks sharply in victory before the broken pieces of wood are attacked without mercy. Loki stares and stares and continues to stare at the flames.

He doesn't see much.

Yes, he sees fire burning, consuming the wood and crackling happily. He sees it…

Sees it, not much else. His thoughts are scattered. He no longer thinks in actual words and vivid images but merely in colour and incoherent sounds. He watches the fire with intensity and sees the gold and yellow and orange bleed with sparkles of blue and white. His imagination has run astray and all he sees is fire and burning and crackling and…

…screaming. "Do you think this madness will end with your reign?" Loki turns his head to the side, eyes scanning over his brother. Because he did not have his attention focussed on Thor, he missed what the larger man said. He waits for his brother to repeat whatever it was that he just said.

Thor remains blissfully asleep.

After a few moments Loki loses whatever concentration he had. Though the question 'what was I just doing?' doesn't filter through his mind, he is left with a small sense of confusion. Until his green eyes land on the fire again. Then all is well and forgotten again.

Besides him the large Demigod stirs awake.

Mumbling softly to himself about a dream he quickly forgets Thor brushes a hand over his face, brushing the sleep away. He feels quite rested to be fair, his nap has done wonders.

How long had he been out?

The question dies on his lips the moment his blue eyes fall on the God seated next to him. For a few silent moments Thor stares at his brother as Loki stares at the flames, light dancing over his marble skin, looking awfully at peace. Blinking the rest of the sleep away Thor pushes himself up. A pang of happiness twists in his chest when he sees Loki react, his head turning ever so slightly at the sounds and movement. That, more than anything, brings a smile to the thunderer's lips.

But to put that aside, he is thirsty. And a little hungry too. He will fetch them some food and drinks. Surely his brother must be hungry too?

Not overthinking things the blond man climbs to his feet, weary about accidentally kicking his brother. His bare feet tap lively on the marble of the floor as he crosses the room in purposeful strides. As he reaches for the handle a little sound, a murmur makes him halt in his tracks. Turning around slowly, his azure eyes fall on the younger God. Breath hitches in his throat and the blood drains from his face in horror. Please… Thor is frozen, stupefied into silence.

Please… Loki is still on the floor, poised on the edge of the large fur. His eyes are wide and panicked, filled to the brim with terror. His hand is outstretched at his big brother, floating in the air and shaking lightly. He murmurs again, a muffled sound, the strain on his lips is becoming too much. A single droplet of blood makes its way down the trickster's chin. Please don't leave me… Thor doesn't register moving until he catches the droplet of blood before it falls on the white fur.

"Brother." The blond man pulls the smaller man against himself, nearly crushing his now trembling brother against himself. "I'm here." He whispers into black hair, rubbing his hand over the smaller man's back in comforting circles. What is wrong with him? "I'm sorry. I won't leave you." He promises, wiping the spilled blood from his brother's chin. The larger man buries his face in the hair of the other, arms tight and secure on the smaller man's body. Another sound escapes Loki's throat, pathetic and lost. The larger man places a kiss on the other's forehead and just holds him. Thor doesn't know how long they remain seated like this, but at one point Loki stops murmuring and shaking and finally falls asleep.

Thor did not stray from his brother's side again after that.

At one point it crossed the older sibling's mind that they haven't gone outside yet.

The sun is warm and pleasant, just the way Thor loves it. He inhales deeply; sniffing out the scents of the garden he and his brother have taken residence. He can smell flowers and freshly cut grass. Absolutely wonderful. While Thor lies there with his arms behind his head and gazes at the beautiful skies of Asgard Loki sits next to him in the grass, enjoying the rays of the sun as they touch his skin.

Time passes very slowly but that is quite alright. Although Thor would rather much enjoy spending his free time with his friends as well, sparring or eating or maybe even both, he knows that Loki needs this tranquillity. His brother is still not well because of his injuries and it won't do any good to rush him into anything.

"I thought I'd find you here." The Golden man jolts into a sitting position, broad smile on his face at the greeting. "Sif." He smiles a bit dumbly, watching her as she sits down on the grass as well. Her hazel eyes glide over to Loki, whom she hadn't seen in months. She keeps strong, not staring at him but simply looking, studying his sealed lips with a feigned calm interest before letting them glide to his eerie eyes. "Welcome back." She softly offers the fallen Demigod, a smile tugging at her lips which falls when he doesn't respond to her. He doesn't look up at all. "Loki?" Ever the brave one Sif leans forward and waves a hand in front of his face. The glazed green eyes don't even turn to her. A little shocked the warrior woman sits back and turns her eyes to the thunder God.

"He has been getting better since his return." Thor offers with pride, patting his brother on the shoulder. He then pulls it back as if burned, knowing of the injuries on the other's body. He immediately begins fussing over the younger man, mumbling apologies even though Loki didn't seem to feel any discomfort to begin with. As the young woman stares at them she can't help but be put off by Loki's behaviour.

Or lack thereof.

"So is he always like this?" She begins when Thor finally settles down again. He turns big blue eyes to her, a downhearted expression gracing his features. "He is." The large man hesitates for a moment. It is his turn to ask questions. "You are no longer cross with him? After what he has done?" Thor himself has forgiven the fallen God, but he can't picture others doing that as easily as he has. "No. He has paid enough." She offers and the thunderer gives her a smile in return.

Because she is right.

He gives his fellow Avengers one final nod goodbye before locking eyes with his mute brother once more. The Tesseract begins to glow even brighter then before, enveloping both brothers in a blinding light. When the light becomes too much Thor closes his eyes for a moment. When he opens them again he is met with his brother's glare and the remnants of the rainbow bridge, and Asgard beyond it. Heimdall stands as still as a statue, golden eyes fixed on the two Demigods. "Welcome home." Thor smiles at the guardian in return, one hand firmly on the cage of the Tesseract, and the other on his wayward brother.

The walk over the bridge is a lengthy and a silent one. So much has happened in only a few short days but it feels as if Thor has been away to war and the battles have lasted years. It doesn't help that Loki is dragging behind him, and when the larger man looks back he sees the fatigue that plagues his brother. The raven haired man doesn't meet the other's gaze, instead his eyes are unfocussed and his body tense with the amazingly harsh task of keeping upright.

As they pass the first of the gates to Asgard Thor is empowered with new vigour. And in the same time, it drains that of his brother. Loki stumbles and falls to his knees with a muffled grunt, only held upright by his brother's hold on his arm. "On your feet brother." The Golden man speaks with tenderness lacing his voice and he pulls him to a standing position again, noticing the winch his brother gave. The younger God is worse off then he is letting on.

Asgard itself is bustling with life at the return of their future king. Hundreds have gathered to see the fallen God be brought to justice. Thor feels the gazes of adoration and blessing coming from every direction, all directed at him for completing such a tremendous task. Many throw well wishes and compliments his way, and many more welcome him back. He knows though, that none look at his brother that way. Through the approval he can hear people whisper ill things about his brother. Monster is whispered. And freak, and liesmith, and Jotun bastard. And with every jab at him, with every new name they hear Thor can see something change inside of his brother. There is something mad and dangerous boiling in his eyes. Bit by bit, as they near the castle Loki glares at whomever he can, his emerald eyes spitting poison and his gaze becoming a little more deranged with every name he is called. The thunderer can tell that his brother is becoming wild with fury and only restrains himself because he doesn't have the strength to break free from Thor and the energy to do so.

The throne room is deathly quiet. It is a relief to the screams from outside. Here, Thor can hear himself think clearly. Yet thoughts elude him as he stands with a hand still around his brother's upper arm, no ideas or images cross his mind as he stands next to the fallen Jotun bastard. The blond man lowers his eyes to his brother and feels the rage coming from the smaller man in waves. The younger man's energy has changed dramatically even since they entered Asgard. Loki is furious. So, so furious.

A guard closes the distance between himself and the two brothers. Thor can see the hesitance in the large man, his brown eyes glide over to the liesmith, and they are lined with fear. He rids Thor of the Tesseract, one burden less to carry now. It will be stored away at the Vault most likely.

"Thor…" Said God lifts his gaze to the All-Father. "You have done well my son. You have protected another world, without hesitation, like a true king." Odin stops there, the love and pride in his single eye dying out as it falls on his fallen son. Loki glares that much harder, and Thor's hold on his brother becomes stronger. The Golden son tenses visibly, ready to restrain the smaller man who seems out for blood. Loki shakes with barely controlled rage. So furious.

"Loki…" It is as if time literally halts at the heavy exclamation of their father. Odin's eye is levelling the stare of his youngest, he remains brave. "You have fallen from grace. You are not the child I found in the empty temple of Jotunheim nor are you the son I raised as my own." There is a short pause in the All-Father's words which may as well have lasted a century. "Such actions as yours must be punished. Unfortunately, you have proven to be cunning and merciless throughout the centuries and you have never sat out your punishment. Always breaking out of your chains, always fooling your guards, always escaping."

More silence as Odin straightens himself once more. From the side of the room, five strange creatures appear before the Gods. The creatures wear long cloaks and heavy looking armour. Their entire frames are hidden beneath cloth or metal, save for their eyes. Hollow pits bellowing smoke and light. Thor had never seen creatures as such. They circle the two brothers, one of them grabbing Loki's free arm while another tries to coax a confused Thor away.

But Thor couldn't bring himself to leave his brother's side then.

"There is only one place from which you may never escape. One place that will hold you and where you will complete your sentence. The Eternal Prison will hold you." Thor feels his brother change again as Odin speaks. Loki has a crazed look in his eyes, one that screams madness.

Beneath the gag Loki is smiling. Smiling. Smiling.

Smiling.

Smiling and furious.

Smiling and furious and murderous and mad and a thousand other emotions that suffocate Thor. He gasps for breath, trying to release his hold on his brother. Trying to turn away from the anger. Trying to roll over just to get some air into his lungs. As the world fades to black before really coming into focus Thor rolls over with a sharp jerk of his body, rolling over and pulling his face out of the pillow.

His azure gaze travels the dark room, glide over the bed, towards the wall behind it. As Thor rolls over his eyes land on the smaller peeking up form underneath the sheets. Green eyes watch as the thunderer brushes a hand over his face, ridding himself from the feelings of that terrible dream.

Those images were too fierce to be a mere nightmare.

He looks at his brother again, who hasn't moved from his spot, clearly content between the warmth of the sheets.

Thor wonders if Loki remembers that day...

-Word Vervolgd

Raise your hands if you had quite a bit of fun with this one! (Raises two hands herself) Oh I super enjoyed coming up with fluffy bro stuffies. I do think this chapter feels a bit like a filler, but I had so many ideas I will wanted to put in. Aniway... in the next chapter we will have some Avenger action. Whoo! I want!

A Devil On My Side, by Karen Ranny, is a Historic Romance novel from the Candlelight series. Can we just imagine Thor getting into a story such as that? Well… I didn't think I would enjoy it either, but this book is actually quite fun to read. That's right, I took a little longer to post this chapter because I was reading a Romance novel. OMG…