They moved through the halls of the ship together as seamlessly as they always had; perfectly in-step, taking every turn in sync, comfortable in silence. It was odd, how so much could change between the two of them, but this remained the same. Loki found it bizarrely touching.

The turmoil of the day had fried his emotions, that was all.

Scattered handfuls of their people milled about in the corridors and bowed as Thor approached. Loki scanned the group as Thor accepted the cries of adoration and inquired at their needs. That was one thing Thor always excelled at; making sure people felt individually cared for. And judging by the way the people flocked to him, it was just what they needed right now.

Loki's gaze landed on one of the few Einherjar who'd survived Hela's initial assault – the ones who had were mostly retired men or those who had been maimed in other battles and were thus far away from the conflict at the palace. This one was younger than most on the ship, whole of body at least, and very green around the edges if his overly stiff posture was anything to go by. Probably hadn't even finished basic training, which might have been what saved his life. He'd be useful, nonetheless.

Loki nudged his brother's arm and nodded toward the Einherjar. Thor looked puzzled for a moment, then nodded and called the guard over. The younger man jumped at his king's voice and scampered over like an eager puppy.

"Yes, my King?" he said breathlessly.

Loki stepped forward. "We need you to gather your fellow Einherjar. There are potentially dangerous substances in many of these rooms, and they need to be moved as soon as possible. Pay particular attention to the quarters with young children."

The guard hesitated. "My King?" He said, looking to Thor for confirmation.

Thor blinked a few times, then nodded. "Do that."

Loki sighed quietly, tried to ignore the sudden clench in his chest. So it begins.

He turned slightly to address Thor, keeping his voice high enough for the Einherjar to hear. "We'll also want a census of everyone on board, and a list of relevant skills. We can't go to Earth with nothing to offer; the Midgardians won't accept us if we can't contribute anything useful."

"Do that as well," Thor said, more decisive now.

"It's best if we take stock of our rations, as well. We don't know how long we'll be adrift, and it's best to start rationing now if we need to," Loki continued, brisk and business like despite his annoyance.

"Absolutely," Thor said.

"Here's a manifest of the supplies on-board and the location of our supplies." Loki summoned a roll of parchment and offered it to the bewildered guard. He looked between Thor and Loki, clearly lost, but accepted the paper at Thor's nod.

"Also, find Heimdall, or anyone else who knows how to navigate, so we know where we're headed," Thor said suddenly.

Loki nodded, pleased. "Very good."

Thor beamed, and Loki snorted. Oaf, he thought fondly.

"Put the majority of the Einherjar on the census and moving those substances." Thor said. "Let us know if you need more men." The young guard bowed and jogged off.

Thor glanced back at Loki, his face still lit up at the prospect of a job well done. Loki rolled his eyes and continued down the corridor.

"What next?" He asked when Thor caught up with him.

"I'd like to check in with Banner—Hulk." If he was discouraged that Loki had dismissed his enthusiasm, Thor didn't show it. "I haven't seen him since we left Asgard. A Hulk that is not in sight is a Hulk to be concerned about."

Loki snorted, but nodded in agreement. "I sequestered the beast to the lower level when we took off."

"This ship has another level?"

"The ship has three levels; the bottom is stocked with supplies I had you gladiator friends pick up. We can get to the second level this way," Loki took a sudden turn, forcing Thor to lengthen his strides in order to keep up. "I thought it best to give the raging monster as much room as possible during our journey. Our people may be crowded, but I thought it better than crowding him."

"Ah, I see. Good thinking. Quite wise."

"I do stumble across good, wise thinking on occasion." Loki turned again, bringing them to the narrow stairwell tucked away in the corner. They descended.

"But, I still worry," Thor said. "The last time I got the Hulk into a spaceship, the ship didn't fare very well. I'd hate to wake up one morning and find everyone choking on the emptiness of space."

"Don't fret, Thor. I have spells in place to reinforce the hull on the second level. Your beast won't be tearing through the ship any time soon."

They stepped into the ship's second level. It was identical to the corridors above, lined with luxurious rooms and bars, albeit much emptier than the halls above. Thor gave him a sideline glance as they strolled down the corridor. It was a look Loki was very familiar with: mostly incredulous with a hint of impressed admiration.

"You've been busy," Thor said.

"I've found that I'm much less likely to blow things up when I keep my mind occupied. Why do you think I became involved in theater?" Thor snorted, and Loki sent a glare his way. "Don't scuff. It took me two years to get that play as good as it was."

"'Good'. Right." Thor laughed, and Loki smacked his shoulder. The older man only laughed harder. "While we're talking about that, I've been wondering: if the play was a way for you to sort out your memories, what was the statue supposed to be?"

Loki forced his steps to remain smooth and kept his face neutral despite the way his stomach flipped. What was he supposed to say to that? That the statue was an overblown attempt to convince himself that people cared that he was supposedly gone? A fantasy that his memory would actually be cherished, like anyone else who died in battle?

His mind flickered over every possible answer, every painful truth and flippant lie. He finally sent Thor a small grin. "Funny," he said lightly.

Thor snorted again. "That it was."

Loki forced a smile and lengthened his strides. It was a long while before they encountered a sign of life. The Valkyrie stumbled out of one of the taverns, bottle clutched in one hand as always. She blinked blearily at them, then rolled her eyes and took another swig from the bottle.

"Valkyrie," Thor greeted. "I was wondering where you went off to. Familiarizing yourself with the bars on the ship, I see."

"You know it." She let the bottle hang at her side. "My King," She said with an overdramatic bow. Her eyes barely flicked at Loki before she dismissed him. "Lackey," she said.

Loki pressed his lips into a thin smile. "Charming as ever, Lady Valkyrie, and your razor wit continues to impress."

Thor shot him a warning look. "We're looking for Hulk. Have you seen him around here?"

"The big guy was shacked up in one of the rooms on the end, last I saw." She waved toward the back of the main corridor and brought the bottle back up for another drink. Her eyes darted between Loki and Thor with suspicious curiosity. "You two seem chummy," she said after a minute.

"Loki's helping me see to the details on the ship. He's been invaluable during this shaky time." Thor looked to Loki beamed.

Loki shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose. Too much, Thor, he thought. Although, he had to admit, the overblown attempt to make sure Loki's accomplishments were acknowledged was a touching gesture.

The Valkyries face was pinched in discomfort as she watched the exchange. She tilted the bottle back to her lips and took a series of long drinks.

"Right. Okay, look. I've learned to look the other way on a lot of fuck up life choices from living on Sakaar. I can even except most of them; but there are some things that even time on Sakaar can't make acceptable."

"Valkyrie—" Thor started, looking deeply uncomfortable.

"Whatever you're thinking—" Loki tried to add.

"I saw how you worked on En Dwi," she said, finally addressing Loki. "Impressive work, and I get it. Once En Dwi shows interest, you've got to get ahead of it if you want any say in the matter. I get that," she repeated. "But I'm not down with incest. I don't care about the whole 'adopted' thing; I'm not down with it.

"How dare you!" Thor sputtered. A flush crawled up the back of his neck and his mouth gapped like a gutted fish.

And despite the mortification clenching his chest, that expression made a tiny tickle of laughter crawl up Loki's throat. Given the circumstances, he didn't bother trying to keep silent. He braced himself on the wall and laughed until his stomach hurt while Thor continued to sputter.

"…disgusting. He's my brother! Why would you even think – how could you possibly suggest…where do you get off saying something like that?! Dammit, Loki, stop laughing!"

Loki's legs gave out, leaving him heaving for breath and staring at the ceiling. "Can't. At this point today, it's either laugh or cry," he panted.

"Seems like you're doing both," the Valkyrie chimed.

Loki swallowed back another round of hysterical laughter and got to his feet. He kept his grin in place and slid over so that he was draped over his brother's side. He angled his head up and fluttered his eyelashes. Might as well have some fun with this.

"We had to know it was only a matter of time before someone found us out," he said with another flutter of his lashes. Thor's expression went through a quick procession from confused, to embarrassed, to horrified. Loki held him tighter to prevent him from bolting. "The fact that we've managed to keep it a secret for over a thousand years is a miracle; I suppose it takes an outsider's perspective to see the truth."

"Loki," Thor whined, blushing in full force.

"Thor, this is wonderful news," Loki continued, forcing his tone to sickening sweetness. "We don't have to hide anymore. Now give us a kiss." Loki arched to his tip-toes and pursed his lips.

"Stop it!" Thor shoved him back. Loki stumbled, laughing all the way. And despite the embarrassed blush, there was a small grin on Thor's face as well.

The Valkyrie watched their exchanged, and finally seemed to realize the folly of her assumption. "So I take it I don't have to worry about walking in on the two of you doing," she trailed off, making a series of vague gestures.

Loki rolled his eyes, then leaned against the wall and made a show of examining his nails. "I hardly need to resort to such overt manipulation. Thor's known me his entire life. I have his mind so totally warped that he doesn't even know that he's completely dependent on me."

"I am not!" Thor said. Then his eyebrows furrowed, and Loki could practically see the gears in his head turning as he really thought on that. "I'm not," he said again, quieter and much paler.

Loki huffed, but the laughter was gone, and in its place, that raw, hollow feeling swelled. Thinking too much, time for work!

"Well then, you said the beast was down this way, yes? Onward, Thor." He marched forward, snagging the bottle as he passed. "I need this significantly more than you," he called over his shoulder. The bottle was half empty, but in addition to what was already in his system, it would be enough to get his buzz back. He'd need that if he was going to get through the coming conversation.

The Hulk was indeed in the room at the end of hall. Sometime before Loki set up the reinforcement spells, the green beast had smashed through the walls of the adjoining two rooms. It wasn't pretty, but it successfully made the room larger. The Hulk was sitting in the center of the room, one massive elbow propped on his knee, resting his cheek on the palm of one hand, and looking like he was honest-to-god pouting.

"Hey, big guy. Good to see you settling in," Thor called. The Hulk's big green face lit up and he lumbered to his feet.

"Friend!" He clapped a hand on Thor's shoulder. Thor's knees trembled, but he managed to stay upright.

"Happy to see you to," he gasped.

Hulk grinned, then turned to look at Loki. Suddenly rushing over here to avoid his problems didn't seem like the smartest idea. Hulk was still smiling, but there was a sinister twist to it. Loki gulped and shuffled back.

"Puny God." Hulk lumbered forward.

"Hulk, wait—" Thor moved to leap between them as the Hulk reached for Loki. The only thing he accomplished was bouncing off the massive green forearm, the motion sweeping him off his feet.

Undeterred, the Hulk reached forward…and tapped the center of Loki's chest with one finger. It was little more than a tap but given how Loki's legs were turned to jelly in terror, and that it was the Hulk, Loki went down, nonetheless. Hard.

The breath exploded out of his lungs and didn't have the chance to return when his back hit the floor. The bottle went flying and shattered. So much for drinking the day away.

The room was quiet, then Hulk's gruff chuckles filled the space.

"Yeah, just as funny as the last time you did it," Loki wheezed when he finally managed to get some air. He levered himself up and took stock. Nothing felt broken, but there was bound to be a nasty bruise. And the Hulk managed to jab him right in his old stab wound. Wonderful.

He only got halfway to his feet before Hulk batted him back down. Loki's head cracked against the floor. He saw stars, felt bile crawl up the back of his throat. The Hulk rocked back on his heels, bellowing laughter.

"That's enough, Hulk," Thor said, standing between them and pulling Loki back to his feet. Hulk kept laughing but didn't move to knock Loki down again. "He seems to have warmed up to you a bit. After the whole…" He mimed the motion of a body being slammed into the floor.

"Yes, thank you for the reminder." Loki winced and rubbed his chest. At least the wound hadn't reopened. "The more time we spend together, the more I'm convinced it was a declaration of affection."

"Puny God smashed," Hulk laughed. Thor shuffled Loki behind him as the Hulk took a step forward.

"Hold on there, big guy. No more smashing Loki." Hulk huffed in disappointment, but backed away. Thor grinned. "How've you been down here?"

"Hulk bored."

"I know, big guy. We won't be here much longer; you'll have all the space you need, very soon. Anything I can do so you're not as bored?" The Hulk's eyes lit up and looked excitedly over at Loki. "Anything besides letting you knock Loki to the ground over and over?"

The big green face screwed into an exaggerated pout. Thor studied that face, then stepped to the side. "All right, one more time."

"Thor!" Loki's protest cut short when Hulk planted an entire hand on Loki's chest and pushed, hard. Loki flew half-way across the room and slid along the floor across the other half.

The Hulk laughed hard enough to bring tears to his eyes, slapping his knee in mirth. Thor, the traitorous bastard, joined him in the revelry. Loki glared at them both and flashed a crude Midgardian gesture he'd seen Clint Barton make a number of times.

"Again!" Hulk howled.

"No, that was the last time," Thor said, wiping a tear away. "But I'll ask Valkyrie to keep you company."

"Angry Girl," Hulk said agreeably.

"You bet, big guy. Come on, Loki, I think we can call it for the day." Thor grabbed Loki's arm and tried to pull him up. For a minute, Loki dangled in Thor's grip, and the bigger man just dragged him out of the room.

"I hate you," Loki grumbled when he got his feet under him.

"Stop whining, it wasn't that bad."

"Yeah, just like Get Help isn't humiliating."

"Not for me, it's not."

"Hate you," Loki repeated. "And now I'm going to abandon you down here. Have fun finding your way back."

Loki stalked forward and cloaked himself from sight.

"Loki, come on now," Thor laughed, jogging to catch up. Loki didn't slow his pace, and took no small amount of pleasure in hearing Thor's call grow more and more concerned. Ha, that would show him.