Your reviews have spoken, and it seems I owe you another chapter, don't I? Let's give this another shot then. Onward!

Thor allowed Loki outside when he knew it was safe. But he still kept a firm eye on him. If anything happened, he'd be ready. He'd fight. After a little while, this proved too nerve wracking. So he brought the little one inside. Loki wasn't happy with this, not one bit. The elf was still a wild creature. He still longed for his natural home, which Thor knew wasn't in his cottage. Loki belonged in the tall grasses and trees and forests. And every day Thor was reminded of that. He'd glance at his little elf, who'd look a little paler. A little sadder.

How could he ever do that to him? Thor didn't know what to do... he'd always been aware that Loki couldn't stay with him forever. Obviously. But was it really getting time to let him go? In his heart of hearts, Thor knew it was true. He couldn't keep Loki with him. Not like this. But with hunters receiving awards for bringing the king elves, what was he to do?

"Loki?" Thor cleared his throat, sitting across from his little friend. "Loki... I need to speak to you about something, and I need you to listen." Thor said quietly. Loki nodded, pale green eyes looked up at his best friend in the world. His big brother. Thor swallowed hard. "When you were a baby.. it wasn't so long ago as it may feel for you but.. You came into my life because you needed to. You were small, and alone, and in need. And in a way.. I was too." said Thor quietly.

Loki didn't seem to understand all of what Thor was saying, but he listened. Why was brother sad? Why did he look like he was going to cry? Loki held his arms up, but was disappointed to find it didn't work this time. Thor didn't lift him up.

Thor just continued on speaking. "Loki... I've always known you were going to grow up. I always knew that one day you were going to be free. I never imagined it would be so soon.. that you were so young." He brushed his hair out of his face. "Loki, seeing you here every day like this.. you're hurting. And that's hurting me. You're.. thinner than I've ever seen you, paler too. You don't have the same.. energy. You're more tired and.. you're worrying me." Thor breathed.

"It's time that I.. I'm going to find some place for you. Some place safe. Some place nice and.. and close by. And you'll stay there where you belong.. and I'll come see you, and it will be almost just the same, okay?" Thor asked.

Loki's eyes flew open wide. The thought of being outside always. In the sun and the trees and the grass, where he belonged.. it sounded amazing and the idea of it made him ache for it now. But.. wait. Thor was talking about.. leaving him. He wouldn't be with brother anymore! Loki's lower lip trembled, hands tightening into fists at his sides.

Thor sighed deeply. "Lo'... Loki don't cry. It's not as sad as it sounds, honest it's just.. it's the way things are and.." Oh dammit, Thor was not going to cry. He was too old to do that. To grown up and..

Loki burst into tears, running into Thor's lap and tugging on his shirt, pressing his face against the fabric. "No! No no no!" Loki cried, sniffling pitifully. His face blotchy as big tears dribbled down his face. "You... gotta.. come too!" Loki wailed, his tiny nails dug into Thor's skin, making him wince. But he wouldn't brush Loki off. Not ever. Thor sighed and held Loki close as the little one bawled, rubbing his back. "Hey.. I'll still see you. You're sad now but.. I know you'll be happy. I know it. It's where you were always meant to be, Lo'." Thor sighed.

Loki shook his head. It would not be the same. Living in a different place as brother was unimaginable. "B-but... who's gonna... wake me up an'.. get me food an'.. keep me warm an' play with me?" Loki bawled, holding on tightly to his big brother.

Thor bit his lip. "You won't need me to do those things for you anymore, Loki.. You're going to have people just like you.. And.. you won't need me to get you food because.. it's all out there. Your favorite wild strawberries and even those honeysuckle flowers you love so much.. I'll still come play with you, if you really want me to.." Thor let out a shaky breath. "It's.. not today, Loki. I'm not just going to leave you out in the woods to fend for yourself. I'm going to find you a good, safe, nice home. And I'll check up on you constantly." Thor promised.

A few days went by, and it was like Loki was attached to Thor physically. Like he wanted to prove how much he needed him. He'd sit on Thor's foot, and hug onto his leg as the human walked. He'd act helpless when it came to normal parts of their everyday life. Like when feeding himself, or trying to fly. He'd pretend he'd forgotten how and that he needed Thor's help.

Every time Loki did that, Thor started to feel a little worse. He knew what Loki was trying to do.. but it wouldn't change his mind. He had found a nice little place in the middle of the woods. Right by a little creek, it looked undisturbed. Undiscovered. No footsteps or anything left by man. There was even a honeysuckle bush growing nearby. Thor was going to set up a little place for Loki to sleep in, just so he could have a little shelter over his head, to ease him back into the wild.

It didn't even take more than a few hours to work on. Thor decided to give Loki a few days notice before he brought him out there. When Thor told Loki this.. the tiny elf looked deflated. As if all of his efforts were for naught. Brother was still going to make him leave. But then.. brother always knew what was best for him. "P-promise you're gonna.. come visit me an'.." Loki's eyes watered. "Stay with me at night 'cause I don't wanna get bad d-dreams." Loki sniffed.

Thor's heart all but broke. "The first few nights.. I'll stay with you. To make sure you get settled in. It's a really nice place, I promise... You'll be happy." The realization that Thor was going to be alone hit him. He was going to be alone again. Without his Loki. He'd only had him for.. almost a year now. And during that time, Loki had grown so quickly and now he could speak and understand most words.. could walk and fly and fend for himself. But Loki needed his real home now.

But while Loki would move on and probably forget Thor... Thor was going to be by himself again. Without the perky, happy little Loki by his side. He had almost forgot what loneliness felt like. But the thing was... Thor couldn't bring Loki with him on what he planned to do next. He definitely could not bring Loki to the kingdom, that would be a stupid risk. Thor planned on going to see his 'father' and plead for the lives of the elves.

"Loki... I'm going to miss you. So much." Thor tugged him close and hugged him, kissing him atop the head. "I promise I'll always come to see you. Just don't forget about me, okay little one?" Thor choked out. Loki looked horrified at the very idea of forgetting Thor. "Never ever." he whispered, kissing Thor's nose.

When Thor released Loki out into the small clearing with the creek, he'd never seen a look on the little one's face like that before. Loki was amazed and at a loss for words. His green eyes sparkled and he began running through the tall blades of grass, laughing and laughing.

"Don't stray too far from here! It may not be safe!" Thor called weakly, his voice cracking just a little. But he'd lost sight of his little brother. Loki flitted here and there, running about merrily, getting covered in dirt and mud. He ran into the little babbling creek and sat in the water. He eventually climbed out, letting the air dry him. This was... perfect.

Thor managed to catch sight of him and offered him a small smile. He could practically see the color returning to Loki's cheeks. He had the funniest feeling that Loki wouldn't be needing him to help with bad dreams tonight. He swallowed hard and turned and walked home, leaving Loki to play and be free. Loki climbed into the tiny shelter Thor had built for him. He curled up on the moss inside and fell asleep easily.

Thanks so much for all of your positive feedback I just... ARGH I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DID TO DESERVE THIS MY WORK IS POOP BUT OKAY. You are all lovely and I guess we're continuing on with the story then, huh? -Sadie