Still, Thor didn't immediately agree. In fact, for a long time he didn't speak at all. Loki's smile faded and he covered his sudden discomfort by slipping his tunic back on–and by Yggdrasil's roots, that hurt–while he waited for his brother to extend the offer of his protection. Knowing Thor, he would also vow revenge for the wounds he'd suffered, and although Loki was usually happy to exact his own revenge, this once he'd let his big brother do the honors. He had a few other things on his mind right now.
Finally Thor took a deep breath and crossed his arms over his chest. Loki looked expectantly at him, relieved that this humiliating groveling was over and already preparing his thanks in his mind–not too grateful, mind, since he'd be gaining protection by being locked away, but just enough to let Thor know he appreciated it all the same. "No," Thor said, and Loki had already begun to form the words of his reply before it actually sank in.
"No?" Loki echoed the word, unable to believe he'd heard correctly.
"No," Thor repeated. He shook his head just in case saying it wasn't clear enough.
Of all the outcomes he'd imagined, this had never entered Loki's mind. It just wasn't possible. "You're not going to lock me away?" he asked, nearly dumbstruck by the improbability of it all. "I'm handing you your victory on a silver platter, brother, and you just say no?"
"That's right. Brother." Now Thor spat that word with all the bitterness Loki usually put into it. If it was possible for him to be even more stunned, that did it. "I don't believe you. I don't trust you. And I'm not going to install you in SHIELD headquarters so you can unleash whatever new scheme you have planned for us this time. No, Loki, I've finally learned the lesson you've been trying to teach me ever since we came to Midgard. You're not to be trusted."
Loki's fists tightened on his jacket. Of all the times for his loyal, trusting, too-loving brother to finally get a clue, it had to be now? Now, when Loki actually needed all those traits he'd railed against so many times? Truly the Norns were bitches who loved to fuck with him.
"Thor, this is no lie," Loki said, keeping his voice level with an effort that showed nowhere but in his eyes. Finally he made himself say what he was sure Thor already knew, but hearing it aloud might change his mind. "And you also know why I have no magic. You know exactly what causes this."
Another flicker in those blue eyes–the briefest hint of pain, of concern, before it was brutally choked off and shoved down. "Yes, I do know," he replied as levelly as Loki.
The leather creaked in Loki's hands from the force of his grip. "And you would still throw me to the wolves?" It was unbelievable. It was impossible.
It was happening. "I would," Thor said, and he turned his back on Loki and knocked on the door. "For you are the one who chose to lie down with them, brother." Then the door opened and he was gone.
Loki stared at the smooth white door for a long time, stunned. He'd really been turned away. He had presented himself helpless, had exposed his handicap, had admitted his great weakness, and Thor had denied him!
Loki's mind refused to let go of it and move on, to plan what he would do next. He couldn't believe he truly needed to plan what to do next. This was supposed to be the part where they took him down to the cells, to the nice, clean, and above all safe cells, so he could hide himself away until this was over and his magic returned.
This was not supposed to be the part where he was chucked out on his ear to fend for himself while the elite of Midgard's supervillains hunted him down. They would capture him and revel in the chance to take him apart piece by piece and see how he worked. Even if they didn't find him, Odin would. And what that bastard would take would hurt worse than anything the Masters of Evil could inflict upon him. Oh yes, Loki had been through that before, as Thor well knew, damn him.
And to think, of the two sons of Odin, he was the one they called Betrayer.
Too soon, the door opened again. Steve Rogers stood in the doorway, looking somehow enormous and awkward and adorable all at once in his civilian clothes. "I guess we're letting you go," he said, sounding as confused and wrong-footed as Loki felt. Clearly he didn't understand one tenth of what had gone on here, but what he did understand, he didn't like. "I, um, volunteered to see you out."
"Do you have to?" Loki quipped, and although he tried to give his usual smirk, it didn't feel right on his face.
It must not have looked right, either, because Steve frowned. "Is it true? Is your magic really–"
"I have some wounds you could rub salt in, mortal. Please feel free to do so while you gloat," Loki snapped. It was bad enough that he'd groveled, worse that it had been witnessed, and horrible that he'd been turned away. He was less than interested in having a recap of his humiliation with freaking Captain America of all people. "I'm sure it would increase your satisfaction."
Cap shifted uneasily before meeting Loki's eyes for the first time. "Look, before you go… about your back… if you want, I could…" He gestured vaguely.
Loki stared at him for a moment before he got it. Some of his anger drained away. "You would offer me aid, Steve Rogers?" he asked softly, and the super-soldier blushed and looked down at his feet. In spite of everything, in spite of being rejected and shamed and wanting to hide somewhere until the memory of Thor's cold dismissal faded, Loki wanted that aid–no, it was more than that. Right now he was practically mortal. Admitting that he actually needed Cap's help was just one more humiliation. Bereft of his healing magic, an infection could easily cripple or kill him. And it wasn't like Loki could bandage his own back. He was the God of Tricks, not contortionism. "I am grateful for your offer. Truly," he added when Steve looked up sharply as though certain he was being mocked.
"Yeah, well…" He looked back at his feet, kicked an invisible pebble, then ran a hand through his hair and met Loki's gaze again. "Your back is hamburger, man. I wouldn't send a dog out like that," he explained with a shrug.
"I, and the dogs of the world, thank you for your consideration." Loki gestured at the door. "Please, lead the way."
