Disclaimer: I own nothing. The characters should pray for their good fortune.

Title: A God's Proposal

Summary: Prequel to Where to Levy the Blame. Thor hears about a quest in the local tavern one day and thinks that the prize would be a fit proposal gift for Jane. However, he needs Loki's help to obtain this gift, and Loki is locked up in Asgard's dungeon suffering Odin's secret punishments. Warnings: Rape and Torture

Author's Comments: Almost done, I am not sure how many chapters will be left but I am going to say after this one only one or two before the sequel. Also, I do apologize for my lack of updates, but now I have nothing else to work on but this story and the sequel for two weeks so I am hoping to finish them both before then. Well other than reading "The Hobbit" that is, but writing will remain my main priority.

~[~ (Loki's POV)

Loki felt warm and comfortable as he was waking up, and it was a feeling he had sorely missed. He sighed contently and leaned into the warmth, but the moment he felt the arm around his waist and the hand skim across his stomach he awoke with a start and tried to push himself away. However, his attempts were in vain because the hand holding him only tightened the grip and pulled him closer, while the hand owner grunted in response. Loki took a deep breath to calm himself when he realized it was Thor holding him so protectively, but he did continue to try to escape the grasp.

As he tried to untangle himself from Thor he noticed Volstagg looking at him comically and heading in his direction. He stopped struggling for a second and glared at the approaching warrior hoping to convey his annoyance at the current situation.

"It's good to see you are feeling better today, and I must admit that I missed your spiteful attitude a little." Volstagg laughed comically with the mirth showing in his eyes.

This only added to Loki's confusion though since everything from the night before after escaping was foggy. "What do you mean feeling better?" He sensed that something was very wrong, and he feared that he would pay for it dearly one way or another.

Volstagg looked generally confused and then regained his jolly composure. "Oh surely you jest, but it is nothing to be ashamed of I assure you. Everyone has a little breakdown every once in a while, and Thor was certainly more than happy to comfort you, though probably more shocked that you let him."

"What!" Loki screamed a little louder than he wanted for he feared he might wake up everyone around him before he knew the details. This was not good at all, for if he revealed anything about Odin's treatment of him he didn't think he would survive the consequences. He was no fool and knew that Odin was not careless, and that he believed no witnesses meant no crime.

Volstagg seemed to understand that he didn't remember because he was taken aback now and took a step back with wide eyes. "You really do not remember do you?" Loki shook his head still shocked at what he could've done. "You broke down right before we all turned in for the night, and you started to cry telling the rest of us not to touch you and to leave you alone. Thor was more upset than anyone at your apparent rejection and he tried to comfort you. It took him some time to get you settled. We all thought the stress had just pushed you over the edge." Volstagg was slowly backing away and his voice dropped a few tones by the last sentence.

Loki was processing it all trying to understand, with a little hope rising since they didn't seem to comprehend the real reason behind his breakdown. Now he had to just play his cards right and he could easily get out of this situation. He took a deep breath before he continued, his mind churning on how to fix this. "Anything else?" He asked the question with sincerity trying to make it seem like casual interest.

Volstagg's brow furrowed for a minute as he thought, but he beamed a smile. "No, though you best get some more rest since I do not think you will be getting up anytime soon." He gestured to Thor who was still peacefully sleeping and pulling him closer to nuzzle against him. He frowned lightly feeling like a helpless child. "He will be wanting to talk to you too, of that I am sure." Loki nodded to him before getting comfortable again and trying to rest a bit more.

~[~ (Thor's POV)

After getting Loki settled Thor had immediately fallen asleep since he himself was exhausted. However, Loki's behavior troubled him since never before had he seen his brother so distressed or upset, not even after finding out his true origins. He was relieved when Loki relaxed against him finally and allowed Thor to hold him while he slept. He had rubbed gentle circles on his back and stomach while he pondered what he could do to help him. He already had suspicions that Loki had been abused, but the question was of who the abuser was. Certainly Odin only held love for his children and would not allow Asgard to cause such harm to one of them. The only way to get the answers he would need was going to be through Loki, and Thor was not allowing him to get out of it this time for too much had happened.

He awoke the next day to find himself still holding tightly onto his brother. As he woke he loosened his grip and cuddled closer observing the gently sleeping figure for a moment. Loki was sleeping peacefully and it was such a change from what Thor was used to seeing from him. Now he looked comfortable and at peace instead of at war with himself. His breathing was gentle and Thor resumed tracing gentle patterns over his skin watching as his breathing would change on occasion. For the moment they were both content, but he felt the moment ending as Loki started to shift and awaken. He leaned down to whisper in his ear softly. "How art thou this morning?"

His brother yawned and stretched out a bit as he woke up slowly, while Thor regrettably loosened his grip. Loki turned and gave him a curious look before sitting up slightly. "Fine, why would I not be?" Loki then finished sitting up and looked around slowly.

Thor also began to get up looking around trying to think of a way to easily phrase what he was about to say. It seemed that everyone else was preoccupied and leaving them alone, probably trying to avoid the awkward situation that was certainly presenting itself this morning. "It's just…last night you… I just wanted to ensure that… I think we need to talk about it."

Despite his stuttering and attempts to try to find a way to approach the subject it seemed that he failed miserably. Loki was instantly defensive and on his feet ready to bolt if need be. "There is nothing to talk about." His tone was stern and Thor knew that he was going to have to be careful about his next move.

Thor got up carefully and took both of Loki's hands in his own while looking at the ground. He made sure that his grip was gentle so that Loki didn't feel trapped and his gesture was not misread. Finally he resumed eye contact and sensed some vulnerability in Loki's eyes. "I know that you don't want to accept what you mean to me, but I want you to know that I care about you, and that I want to protect you." At this point he released Loki's hands and moved one his own up to affectionately cradle Loki's neck as he stepped closer. "But I can not help you until I know where to start. Please don't shield everything from me."

He knew that what he said was affecting Loki, and he could see the unease flash across his brother's face. Loki stepped away from him and looked in the other direction, but his stance appeared to be more defeated than normal. "There is nothing to discuss so let us move on."

Thor felt his anger rising at the way Loki was dismissing his help. He always complained that Thor was never there for him, yet when he tried to be he was pushed away. "Loki I only wish to help. I…"

"Let it go Thor." Loki cut him off and walked away leaving Thor to stew in his own annoyance.

He only wanted to help yet he was rebuffed again, and Loki's constant rejection weighed heavily on him. It was clear to everyone that he was upset because they all did not try to stop him as he strode away to cool off. He strode a little ways off into the forest and sat on a log to reflect on his anger. Loki was rebuffing and rejecting him yet again and he couldn't stand that his brother was so casually brushing him off. He wondered if that was how Loki had felt for years, doing everything to gain his attention and acceptance only to be brushed off or ignored. He absently wondered if he had it coming all along, or if this was fates way of getting back at him for his misdeeds. As he continued to ponder he wondered if he was angry with Loki for hiding things from him, or is he was angry with himself for not being there for him. He knew that he always felt bad about how Loki had found out he was adopted and that he wasn't there because it could have made a difference. Finally, he got up still not knowing who he was angry with or what he wanted to do.

When he got back to camp everyone was completely packed up, and though there was obvious tension in the air everyone was ready to move on so that they could go home. "What is our final task?" Thor asked hoping to diffuse some of the tension even though he felt like he was causing it.

Loki looked a bit more jumpy than usual and was keeping mostly to himself by not making eye contact with the group. He finally looked up to explain to them what they needed to know. "Well if we can avoid causing a problem this part should be easy. This forest is filled with animals, but not just any kind, pack animals. Not only are the animals of decent size but their packs are enormous, and when one finds prey they call out to the rest and soon hundreds of animals will appear to make the kill. They require many kills to keep the pack going so they are constantly hunting. They are especially fond of magical beings, so if we could creep along quietly we might avoid a mess. We just need a stalactite from the cave up on the hill as the final ingredient for the flower." When he was finished explaining everyone nodded and they all headed out.

Thor could hear howling in the distance as they progressed toward the cave and felt a bit uneasy hearing the creatures so close. This was nothing new though since they had all hunted since they were children and had all made kills larger than themselves. This seemed different though, the area felt odd, and he was uneasy being there even with his anger still not completely repressed. A part of him wanted to meet these creatures though so that he could smite them and release his built up tension, while another part of him wished to hurry so they could leave.

The group all stayed silent for fear that the creatures could hear them, and they all looked around fearfully at every sound. They were climbing a small hill in the woods when they heard a chilling noise. They all stopped to check their surroundings before sighing in relief and continuing. Finally when they reached the top of the hill Loki, who was leading, stopped dead in his tracks and backed up slowly getting down on the ground. As Thor neared the top of the hill and looked over he himself felt a chill at what he saw. On the other side of the hill at least fifty wolves were sleeping spread out making crossing impossible. There were a few cubs which was a sign that they had found a nest, and that they had picked the wrong path to take.

They all remained in a crouched position arguing over what to do. "We have to go around! We can not risk waking them, for it would be our end." Loki argued trying to locate another path they could take in the book.

Thor however knew that it would take too long to try to traverse the land and they would risk getting detected if they did. "No we should be able to sneak right past them without issue." It seemed that Sif was on his side, but Volstagg and Hogun were clearly on Loki's side. Fandral remained silent like he had no idea what to do, and so they all continued to argue about time and pathways until in anger Thor pounded on the hill surface sending a rock rolling down toward the sleeping beasts.

They all turned and watched in what seemed like slow motion as the rock rolled down the hill awakening the creatures nesting at the bottom. Thor could only watch in shock as they all awoke looking directly at them snarling and howling for the others to come.

~[~ (Loki's POV)

Loki knew they were hopelessly outnumbered and outmatched. They all fought to the best of their ability, but it wasn't long until they were all sporting injuries. He quickly killed a large wolf that had nearly snapped off Sif's head. The beasts were relentless with more on the way. He could see them mounting around the hill waiting for the kill. They were easily their size with Jaws as large as Thor's head, and teeth that could crush through bone and organs without a problem. They were all being herded closer together and soon there would be no room left to fight or defend. He made a decision and knew it was the only way. He had thought of a spell that could save them, but at a great cost to himself. He was unsure if he would survive if he used it, and if he did he may be in a coma for a long time after. However, he resolved that at least he could die of his will, and that meant the freedom that came with death, freedom from Odin finally.

He prepared to cast the spell and shouted "Get inside the green circle now." As he formed the circle the others immediately jumped inside, and all but Thor remained safe now. "Thor now!"

"No, we can beat them together." Thor was still smashing away hopelessly and Loki was losing what little patience he had left.

The circle began to grow darker and the spell was nearly ready. "Thor, I will not let everyone else die from your stupidity. Get in here now or die with them." He began to chant and registered Thor entering the circle. Finally he released all the pent up magic and instantly felt much weaker. The spell was draining and he barely registered the explosion that wracked the area around him as he plummeted to the ground. As he passed out he felt the blood trickle down his face and Thor catch him as he fell. Breathing was becoming difficult and his vision darkened as Thor screamed.

~[~

Hope you all liked this, and I think this is the closest I have ever come to killing a main character in any of my stories, hint closest. Please review and don't despair, I will update soon.