Sacrifice - part III
The last couple of days, Thor couldn't sleep, he couldn't eat, he couldn't think. There was only one thing on his mind, and that was his brother's life. Despite healer's best efforts, despite all Odin's doing, he wasn't getting better. Quite the contrary. And there was literally nothing for Thor to do to help. Only wait. And hope. And be patient. Which were things Thor wasn't really good at. So easily, he could lose him forever. For one moment of his foolishness.
"Thor..."
The sound of his father's voice felt so awkward after so many hours of silence. Odin was standing in the door of Thor's room, looking at him.
"Father... I haven't noticed you..."
"That is not surprising," Odin said, stepping inside. "You barely notice anything these days."
"I'm sorry," Thor said. "Have you taken a look at -"
"Yes. He's not getting worse."
"So he's not getting better either," Thor replied.
"He will get better, don't worry."
"Oh," Thor said with a bitter smirk. "That's certainly something you are very skilled at."
"Do you think I don't care?"
Thor didn't say anything but looked away. Odin walked over the window, looking at the evening sky.
"I was poisoned with the very same poison once. It took me a month to wake up. During the month I was lingering on the edge of the world of living and the underworld, completely helpless. It most probably was the worst time in my entire life."
As Odin paused, Thor gave him a glare.
"Is that supposed to make me feel better? Because it's not working."
Odin smirked.
"I haven't told you the point yet."
"Good..." Thor noted. "I'm glad there is a point."
"I honestly believe there were two things that helped me to come back. The first one was your mother. The thought of her helped me to hold on. The other thing was you. You were only a little child at the time. But I wanted to see you grow up, I wanted to see you take over my place one day. Everytime I thought I would give up, I remembered you and Frigga and that gave me strength."
Odin turned away from the window, facing Thor, a small smile on his face.
"So, my son, don't you think Loki has something like that to think of? Doesn't he have a mother who loves him deeply? And father? And a brother who would
give his own life for him?"
Thor didn't have an answer but Odin didn't expect it.
"I'll take my leave now, son. But think of what I said. If you let it get you on your knees, you are doing your brother no service at all."
xxx
It was late at night and everything was silent. Thor was standing above his brother, who was struggling with fever, and apparently nightmares. They had him moved into his chambers, which felt more comfortable than the healing room. As the poison took a hold on Loki, his brother's skin turned bluish, there were black circles under his eyes and a bloody rivulet, coming from one of his nostrils. Thor sat down on the edge of the bed, touching his arm. It was burning with fever.
"It's me again," he said, not knowing exactly why, he just hoped Loki could hear him somehow.
"I know you will wake up. So you could keep teasing me, am I right?"
He laughed shortly.
"I know you, you like it too much. Remember when you made me believe there was an invisible monster in a cave and I tried to fight it? You had some really good laughs about it. I don't know how you do it but I always take your bait again and again. But I swear, my dear brother, if this is just another trick of yours, you better wake up, because I will truly have to kill you."
Thor sighed heavily. He wished it was only a trick. He kept watching his brother as the night went on, not leaving his side. The sleepless nights started to affect him, though, as he slowly drifted into half-sleep. He kept repeating the same thing in his head, over and over again. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up...
"Thor..."
Thor opened his eyes immediately, getting up. It was Loki, speaking from his nightmare.
"Watch out..." Loki uttered. "Don't..."
He breathed in shakily, his chest moving irregularly.
"Don't..."
He held his breath then, squeezing his eyes shut. His face was an expression of horror and Thor wished he could do something about it.
"No..."
Suddenly, Loki clutched Thor's hand.
"No!" he shouted, opening his eyes. He sat up quickly and Thor caught him.
"Where am I?" Loki demanded, in shock, trying to push Thor away. "What is this place?"
"It's me, Thor. You're safe and in your room."
Loki stopped fighting him, getting slack. He breathed out deeply and with great relief.
"Thor..." he said quietly. "Brother... How can I know this is not another dream..."
"Trust me," Thor said, incredibly happy to embrace him in his arms again. "Trust me, brother. I'm here. It's all real. And you are back."
Loki rested his head on Thor's shoulder, too weak to move.
"I trust you," he said. "I know you are just too honourable to lie."
Thor laughed and it was his first sincere laugh since Loki's wound.
"Well, thank you", he said, laying him back down. Loki looked at him with half-closed eyes, apparently totally exhausted.
"I must go tell mother and father," Thor said, intending to stand up but Loki grabbed his hand faintly.
"Don't go," he said. "Stay with me, please."
Thor didn't hesitate too long. Rarely he could hear such urgency in Loki's words. He nodded, squeezing his hand.
"You cannot imagine the place I have been to..." Loki said and there was dread in his voice. "The worst of nightmares couldn't compare to the darkness... and
the pain..."
He stopped for a second before adding: "I'm afraid if I fall asleep I'll be there again..."
"You won't," Thor said. "And even if that happened, I'll be there to bring you back."
Loki's bloodless lips curled into a small smile.
"Good..." he whispered. "Give me your word."
"You shall have it," Thor said firmly. "I won't let you go there again, brother, I swear."
Loki's face relaxed with relief.
"Thank you, brother."
"No," Thor said. "I thank you. I was... I was so afraid, Loki. I was so afraid you wouldn't wake up..."
He shook his head as Loki watched him, obviously both touched and a bit surprised.
"But that doesn't matter anymore," Thor said. "You are back. And that's important. Mother and father will be so happy to see you awake."
Loki sighed.
"I bet I look terrible. Just like you. A corpse that came back to life. Hopefully, I'll be better in the morning. You just stay with me..."
"Don't worry," Thor said. "I'll be there till you wake up again. I won't leave you."
Thor saw as his words reassured his younger brother and he allowed himself to close his eyes again, falling to normal slumber.
"I'm so sorry, Loki," Thor said.
"I know," Loki answered, already half-asleep. "Don't be. It's past now."
Thor smirked softly.
"So you won't be bringing this subject up when you feel like it?"
Loki raised an eyebrow, opening one eye and looking at him.
"I haven't said that," he said, closing his eyes and a typical smirk formed on his lips once again.
Finally finished this three-part one, hope you liked and let me know, please! Thank you :-)
