orange-sunshiine: Loki really can be a little trouble maker but he sure is a cutie pie!
Chellybean17: Glad you liked it! Tarzan is such a precious movie.
Here's the next chapter! I hope to update again after work. Now, onward!
ONE STEP FORWARD, FOUR STEPS BACK
A THOR/AVENGERS FANFICTION
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Two Odinsons and a Train
The next morning came and Loki felt very uncomfortable. He yawned and stretched, feeling wet but not in the way he felt when he wet the bed. No, this was different somehow. Loki poked Thor's shoulder until his older brother rolled over and opened his sleepy blue eyes.
"What is it?" Thor yawned, sitting up. Loki blushed slightly.
"Um, I…what am I wearin'?" Loki asked, unsure of how to ask his awkward question.
"Clothes," Thor stated matter-of-factly. Loki scowled at him.
"I know that!" Loki cried indignantly. He really didn't understand grown-ups sometimes. Loki sniffed and the scent of urine came to his nostrils. He wrinkled his nose and his confusion grew. The bed wasn't wet, so where was that awful smell coming from?
"Thor, I smell like pee," Loki said abruptly.
"Oh," Thor replied, standing.
"I don' understand. I didn' wet the bed, did I?" Loki asked. Thor glanced back from rummaging through Loki's clothes.
"Actually, you did. Don't you remember what I put you in last night?" Thor asked, his brow furrowing in confusion. Loki cocked his head to the side.
"Wha' are you talkin' 'bout Thor?" he asked. Thor put the clothes down and gestured for Loki to come over. Loki obeyed, waddling slightly the whole way. Thor then told Loki to take off his pajamas, Loki blushing madly.
"That's why you smell like pee. I explained it last night." Thor began. Loki blushed even harder. The nerve of these adults! They put him in a diaper! Loki scowled at Thor, tears of shame and hurt filling his eyes.
"A diaper? 'm not a baby!" Loki cried. Thor put his hands on Loki's small shoulders.
"I know that, but it's a lot of work in the morning having to strip the bed. This is just so that you don't get the sheets wet. It's only at night, okay?" Thor explained softly. Loki crossed his arms and huffed, a few tears escaping his eyes.
"I don' wanna wear them at all, Thor. 'm not a baby." Loki retorted. Thor sighed a little; he really should have made sure Loki was listening to him when he explained this last night.
"Loki, we know you're not a baby. This isn't a punishment. Do you like having wet sheets?" Thor asked. Loki shook his head.
"No," Loki answered meekly. He hated to admit that he saw logic in what Thor was saying.
"This doesn't change how we treat you, little brother. It's only a precaution. Understand?" Thor said. Loki nodded.
"Uh-huh. But I don' like it." Loki told Thor. He wanted to make sure Thor knew his position on the matter. Thor chuckled lightly and ruffled Loki's hair.
"You don't have to. Get dressed, Loki. We have to leave today." Thor said, handing Loki his clothes.
"Where are we goin' Thor?" Loki asked as he dressed.
"To stay with my friend Jane for a little while." Thor explained.
"When can we go home?" Loki asked as he pulled his shirt over his head. Thor sighed sadly and began to dress.
"I'm not sure, Loki." Thor replied. He knew that Asgard didn't want him back and he also knew what would happen to Loki when they got back. If they went back now, Odin would throw the boy right back inside Fjørlag-Bryggja and this time Thor might join him. Thor shuddered at the thought and continued dressing, pushing his negative thoughts aside.
Beth had prepared breakfast and served Thor and Loki quickly. Thor poured himself coffee and he got Loki a glass of apple juice. Apple juice had sort of become an addiction for the little boy, Loki practically begging for all day every day. Why did Pepper give him some again? Loki eagerly took the glass and practically drank it in one swallow and excitedly asked for more.
"Eat some food first," Thor told him. Loki put his bottom lip out in a pout.
"Please? I'll eat food a'ter I get more." Loki begged. Thor sighed and nodded.
"Okay, I'll get you-" Thor stopped speaking when Loki shushed him.
"I wan' t' do it," Loki said, sliding off his chair and onto the cold tile floor. He was determined to prove how he wasn't a baby in any sense of the word. Thor sighed and put his hand to his face; were all children like this or was it just Loki?
"Fine. Just be careful and don't spill." Thor told him. Loki scoffed a little. He opened the refrigerator and stood on his tip-toes to reach the bottle of apple juice sitting on one of the shelves. Clutching it close, Loki brought it over to the table and sat it down, his little hand twisting the cap. Loki got the cap off and began to pour it in, proud of himself that he proved to Thor how old he really was. Smiling sheepishly, Loki filled it to the brim and set it back down. He then put it away and crawled back up in his chair, a smile still on his young face. Thor patted his head.
"Okay, you showed me," Thor told him, still wondering if all children were like this or if it was just his little brother. Loki smiled even broader.
"Yup," Loki replied, reaching across the table for his bacon. His little arm brushed the full cup and it fell over, Loki in shock. Apple juice spread across the table and Loki's face got very hot.
"I shoul' of moved the cup first."
After breakfast, Beth gave Thor an envelope. He opened it to find two one way trip train tickets to New Mexico and two one way bus tickets to the town Jane lived in. Thor couldn't express how grateful he was to Beth. She shrugged it off, saying it was the least she could do after all he and Loki had been through. Thor thanked her again and looked at the ticket. The train left at one thirty and the bus left shortly after the train's arrival. Thor knew that Loki would be absolutely ecstatic about the train and decided to go and tell him about it. Loki was in the back yard playing in the sand box. He was just digging in it, clearly looking for something with a determined look on his young face. Thor chuckled and walked over.
"What are you looking for?" Thor asked. Loki's head shot up and a huge smile broke out over his face.
"Mr. Foster tol' me this morning 'bout treasure in his yard. 'm gonna find it." Loki explained his little hand around a shovel. Thor sat down on the wooden edge of the box and Loki gaze shifted to all the papers in his hand.
"Wha's that?" Loki asked curiously, sitting down next to Thor.
"Well, as you know, we're leaving Mr. and Mrs. Fosters' house later today and going to see my friend Jane. Mrs. Foster bought us train tickets so we can get to Jane's house." Thor told him. Loki's body vibrated with excitement.
"Really? Oh, wow! A train? Mr. Banner tol' me 'bout them and Mr. Stark had little toy ones at his house! He never let me play with them, but I really wan'ed to!" Loki cried happily. Thor laughed.
"Yes I know. I'm sure we'll have a great time." Thor said. Loki nodded and attached himself to Thor's hip.
"Let's pack now! I wanna ride on the train, Thor!" Loki exclaimed. Thor nodded and stood, a little boy attached to his side the whole time.
One thirty came around and Loki was about to explode with excitement. Beth drove the two of them to the station and gave Thor a crash course in public transportation. Loki was bouncing up and down in the car and he bounced on the balls of his feet in the station. He was eager to see a real train and ride on it too. In his opinion, life couldn't get much better. Thor (on Beth's advice) had brought a carryon bag full of toys and games for Loki to do on the train. They both doubted that Loki would stay entertained with the fact he was on a train the whole ride. Thor had Loki hold the bag and the boy instantly opened it and looked for his goat. As much as he loved his stuffed wolf (whom he called Sindri) he loved his goat more. His goat was called "Da" for dad, Loki being too small to say "dad" or "father" when he received it from Odin. Da reminded Loki of Asgard, which he missed so terribly. It also reminded him of his parents, who he missed so bad it hurt. Loki eventually found his goat and closed the bag, clutching the ratty stuffed toy in his hands.
The time had come at last to board the train. Beth insisted on getting about a thousand hugs from Loki before the train left. He didn't mind, though; Loki loved hugs. Beth also handed Thor all the notes she had taken during their stay and told him to read through them if he ever felt lost or hopeless. She wished them luck and the two boarded the train, Loki chattering excitedly. Thor took Loki's free hand and led him to some seats near the dining car.
"Can I have the window seat Thor?" Loki asked. Thor nodded.
"But of course. But Loki," Thor said, Loki turning his gaze back on to Thor, "we shouldn't use our real names right now." Thor whispered. Loki's brow lowered in confusion.
"Why?" Loki asked.
"Remember when we went to that restaurant with Bruce?" Thor asked. Loki nodded. "Well, after you feel asleep, people recognized us and it was a real mess. I don't want that to happen on the train." Thor explained. Loki's eyes narrowed; that would be a mess indeed.
"'Kay, so what's your name?" Loki asked.
"Call me Donald," Thor told him.
"Wha's my name?" Loki asked. Thor thought for a moment, wondering what to call Loki that was similar to his own name. He wanted something that sounded similar so the boy would respond to it.
"You're Luka," Thor said. Loki's nose wrinkled in disgust.
"I don' like that name," Loki protested.
"Too bad, Luka, now sit down." Thor said. Loki stuck his tongue out and slid to the window seat. Thor cracked a smile and sat down next to Loki who was pouting about his name. The train began to rumble and all pouting was forgotten. Loki vibrated with excitement.
"The train's gonna start Th-Donald!" Loki cried happily, remembering Thor's cover name at the last minute. Thor chuckled lightly as the train whistle blew loudly.
"I know," Thor replied. Loki plastered his face to the train window and tried to see the wheels begin to turn. The train lurched forward and Loki squealed in delight.
"Wow, oh wow!" Loki exclaimed, watching as the wheels sprung into motion and the train slid from the station. Thor was impressed too and was disappointed that he couldn't see the wheels move as well. They didn't have trains in Asgard and Thor was fascinated by them.
"Th-Donald! You have t' come watch!" Loki squealed, scooting over to make room for Thor. Thor smiled and crawled over, his blue gaze locked on the rapidly spinning wheels. He watched in awe and soaked up Loki's little "ooos" and "ahhs" as the train picked up speed and sped past desert sands.
Thor became bored of it quickly and decided to take a nap while Loki remained occupied by the moving train. After an hour, Loki too was bored and sat back down. He glanced over to Thor and saw his brother asleep, snoring and drooling. Loki rolled his eyes and dug through his bag. He quickly found a coloring book and began to color, but quickly learned that it was very difficult to color on a train. Loki stopped doing that and searched some more. Nothing looked particularly interesting to him at the moment, so Loki tried to wake Thor up for someone to talk to. Unfortunately, Thor was sound asleep and didn't even stir when Loki poked him. Loki groaned loudly and shifted slightly. He sat there bored for a while until he realized that he had to use the bathroom.
"Donald," Loki said. Thor didn't stir. Loki got close to Thor's ear and whispered, "Thor! Wake up you sleepy old bear!" Once again, Thor didn't even stir. Loki moaned as the pressure grew. Not wanting to make a mess, Loki quietly slipped out of his seat and crawled to the isle of the train. He glanced around, not sure where to go. Shrugging, Loki began walking hoping he'd find it.
Loki wandered into the dining car and looked around. There were a lot of people at tables eating and food was being served everywhere. Loki moved through the mob and found a dessert table. He had to resist, telling himself he'd come back to it later. Loki was getting desperate, dancing a little on his feet. Eventually, a food service lady saw him standing there alone and confused and walked over to him.
"Hello, can I help you?" she asked. Loki sighed in relief; it's about time. He'd have to write a complaint about it. That is, he would if he could write. Loki nodded.
"Uh-huh. I have t' use the bathroom. Do you know where it is?" Loki asked her. She nodded. The lady gave Loki the directions and he headed in that direction.
Much to Loki's delight, there was no line so he was able to get in without any problems. He was used to little leaks at this point, so that didn't really bother him. Bruce did say it would go away soon and it had gotten better since the exam so Loki wasn't worried about it. Loki went to wash his hands and played with the sink for a while, amazed by the automatic faucets and soap dispensers. The other men gave him weird looks, but Loki didn't care; he'd do what he wanted to do. Thor wasn't around, so Loki decided to have a little fun. He left the bathroom and sunk over to the dessert table. Loki crawled under it and peeked out from the table cloth. When the cost was clear, Loki used magic to summon his favorite sweets from the table and then silently slipped back under the table. Loki grinned madly as the sweets appeared, ranging from cookies to slices of pie. He grabbed a chocolate chip cookie and nibbled on it, then picked up a piece of cake and bit into it, icing going everywhere. Loki conjured a glass of milk to wash it all down and disposed of what he didn't like or didn't want. When he was full, Loki wondered what he should do next. He peeked out from the table again and smiled sheepishly. So many pranks so little time! His eyes narrowed and he decided on what to do. Muttering under his breath, Loki conjured two snakes and a dozen mice which were all under his command. He was shocked that he made so many. He was still learning that particular spell and smiled gleefully when he did it so well.
"'Kay, go stir up some trouble," Loki told his minions. The creatures dispersed and Loki peeked out to watch. Within seconds, a woman screamed and the scream startled her waitress, the food on the tray collapsing to the floor and splattering everywhere. Loki laughed loudly as a man found a snake in his soup and his wife fainted at the sight. The mice were gnawing the wood, food, and table cloths. The whole dining car was in total disarray. Loki laughed the whole time, tears streaming down his face. This was too funny! Loki decided to head back after a while, not knowing how long he had been gone. He hoped Thor was still asleep, or he'd be in a lot of trouble. Loki crawled from the dessert table and darted out of the panic-stricken car. When he returned, he met Thor's angry blue gaze. Loki quickly wiped the icing off his face and gave Thor a big smile.
"Hi Tho-Donald!" Loki said cheerfully. Thor scowled at him.
"Where were you Luka?" Thor demanded. Loki smiled sheepishly and shrugged.
"Bathroom," Loki said. It wasn't really a lie after all; it was only half of the truth. Thor glared at him.
"Right and that explains the screaming from the dining car." Thor said. Loki dropped his gaze. Thor automatically assumed it was him. Sure, it was him this time, but what if it wasn't? That hurt a little. Loki's face got hot and tears of hurt swam in his eyes.
"'Kay, so I had a little fun, but I don' think it's very nice to think it was me 'fore you knew if it was or not." Loki told him, keeping his gaze on the floor. He didn't want Thor to see him cry. He had cried too much and didn't want Thor to see him do it again.
"Sit down, Luka. I'm very disappointed in you. I thought I could trust you not to cause trouble while I was asleep. I guess I can't." Thor scolded. Loki crawled back into his seat and didn't meet Thor's eyes. Did this mean that Thor didn't trust him at all? Loki shook his head; that was the last thing he wanted!
"'m sorry! I was just bored." Loki said softly.
"Luka, it was wrong of you to do that," Thor replied.
"Do you trust me? 'm not bad, I promise! I won' do anything else. Please, j'st trust me; you can, I promise!" Loki said in a rush. Thor blinked then inwardly yelled at himself. He need to be careful about how he scolded Loki. He couldn't just throw around certain phrases like he had. Thor pulled Loki into himself.
"Of course I trust you, Luka. I know you're not bad and I'm glad you're sorry. I guess it is pretty boring just sitting here, isn't it?" Thor said. Loki nodded.
"An' lonely when you're asleep," Loki added. Thor held Loki a little closer.
"No need to be lonely, little brother, I am here." Loki sighed contently and snuggled into Thor.
"I'll be good now," Loki told him. Thor smiled.
"But of course you will. I already knew you would be." Thor said. Loki giggled and crawled up into Thor's lap, remembering why sometimes being good was a lot better than trickery.
The rest of the ride was uneventful. Thor played quietly with Loki for a while then the two of them ate a snack from the now clean dining car. It was evening when the train stopped in the station and it was running late. With no time for dinner, Thor and Loki had to quickly grab all their bags and hurry to catch their bus on time. They managed to make it with seconds to spare and the bus roared to life. It wasn't as interesting as the train had been and Loki dozed off within ten minutes of the bus pulling away. Thor stayed awake listening to Loki's constant heartbeat.
"I thought you dead."
"Did you morn?"
"We all did. Our father…"
"Your father! He did tell you my true parentage, did he not?"
"We were raised together. We played together. We fought together. Do you remember none of that?"
"I remember a shadow, living in the shade of your greatness. I remember you tossing me into an abyss, I who should have been king!" Thor shifted uncomfortably in his seat, Loki's heartbeat pounding in his ears. Why? Every time he got close to Loki, horrible memories flooded his mind. Childhood hurts to more recent pain; everything flowed back when Loki was close enough that his beating heart could be heard. Why? Why did that happen? Did Loki experience it too? Thor shook his head; Loki would have mentioned seeing events that had happened but couldn't remember. Then why? Thor pinched the bridge of his nose. He held no answers. No one did.
"I remember a shadow…" Did Loki truly feel that way? Thor hopped not. He was sure that Loki didn't feel that way now, but did he at some point? Was he speaking the truth up on that cliff almost two months ago or was it all lies? Thor wasn't sure which he preferred. Loki stirred a little, but didn't wake, his heart still pounding in Thor's ears. Thor put a massive arm around the boy and hugged him closer. The memories were gone, but their pain still remained. He hoped that Loki didn't see them. Loki shouldn't see them. But as they sat there, Loki shivered in his sleep, an argument he didn't remember having playing rapidly in his head.
After an hour of driving, the bus screeched to a halt at Thor and Loki's stop. Loki was still asleep and Thor scooped him up and carried him off of the bus. Thor realized that he couldn't carry Loki and their bags, so he reluctantly woke Loki up. Loki whined of course, very unwilling to walk. Thor explained why and Loki crankily agreed. From the stop, Thor took Loki's hand and walked to Jane's laboratory, hoping that she was still there. To his relief, a light was still on and he rushed to the door, Loki dragging sleepily behind.
"Thor!" Loki whined as Thor knocked on the door.
"Shush, Loki," Thor told him. Loki rubbed his eyes and moaned. The door opened and Thor's face fell; it wasn't Jane but Darcy. She looked surprised to see Thor, and even more so when she glanced down at Loki.
"Hi," she said eventually. Thor grinned brightly.
"Where is Jane? Her mother said that she telephoned Jane and told her I was coming." Thor explained. Darcy shrugged.
"She's someplace in here. Come on in." Darcy said. Thor eagerly followed, Loki tailing sleepily behind.