Late teens
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"That thief you brought in," Thor rested on his elbows with the goblet on the railing between his hands, "I find myself quite taken with him."
"Do you?" Loki laughed, it was warm and he was easy beside his brother. The arguments didn't matter so much, some days.
"He has a quick wit and a ready sword. I must confess," Thor lowered his cup, "I did not know what you were thinking bringing him here, but now I see what I think I did not then. Is he under your watch still? I don't see him here…"
"I think he found a…friend...and they slipped out…"
Thor laughed.
"But no, he's never really been under my watch in more than word. I only said that for Father and I would think it's been long enough by now."
Thor scoffed, "You know how Father is."
Uncertainty was cold in his chest, "Yes," he said cautiously, "But Thor…"
Thor wasn't listening. He cast his empty goblet to the floor, "ANOTHER!" he roared and the people about them laughed.
Thor glanced back, "It's no matter, Brother."
Then Volstagg was there. Far from the boy who used to look after them when their mother thought them too old for a nurse and too young to be let alone. He crashed against the wood beside Thor, "The sons of Odin call for drinks!" he crowed.
"ANOTHER!" Thor shouted again, all for show, and the people cheered. Volstagg was laughing, slamming his open hand on the bar, his drink sloshing out of his goblet onto the floor.
"Drink, Brother," Thor smiled a little grimly, then, wider, throwing out his arms to include the entirety of the people in the tavern, "Join the rest of us!"
The eyes of all the tavern were on Loki very briefly, before the tavern-keeper thrust a new goblet into Thor's hand.
Loki finished his drink and slipped out alone into the dark. Thor wouldn't miss him – not for a while yet. If at all. He was busy performing for the people.
The air was crisp and clear. The stars and far-off galaxies glowed miles and miles away.
Loki took a breath and held it in his lungs as long as he was able.
There was a muffled roar from the tavern behind him and he scowled at it. Then he sighed, shook his head, and went off farther into the dark where there was yet peace to be had.
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Thor doesn't want to be talked out of his frustration toward their father, and he doesn't want to fight with Loki about it anymore. Probably they've had this argument a thousand times. Unlike Loki, he's got nobody to go to with his frustrations, because he never thought to try their mother, and she wouldn't know how to handle him if he did. I think he – like Loki – assumed that when he was older things would be easier, and it's proved quite the opposite. Father still treats him like a child and I would guess he feels somewhat powerless about it, which is not a feeling anyone likes, but especially not a guy like Thor. And he's nothing like introspective. He's just going to drown his problems in one way or another.
Loki doesn't know what to do about it. Thor's shutting him out, and he hates it.
Thoughts? Comments? Opinions or Arguments! Let 'em fly.
And sorry about the wait. The last few days have been CRAZY. Happy be-lated Thanksgiving to anyone who cares and don't get trample in the Black-Friday madness!