Scene 65

"So do you or don't you need help with this one?" Loki asks and breaks their embrace, nodding towards Breka's horse. Breka sighs.

"I do. A few people have tried but he keeps getting injured."

"Still the hind leg?"

"Yes."

Loki takes a step towards the horse.

"What's his name?"

"Venn."

Loki closes his eyes and starts talking to Venn in a low voice, rooted to the spot. After a few minutes Venn lowers his head and takes a step towards Loki. And then another one, and another one. His nose is now only a few inches away from Loki's chest. And then Venn lets out a quiet snort and starts nuzzling Loki's neck. Breka lets out a breath.

"That's—impressive."

"I like him," Loki says with a smile.

"Well obviously that's mutual!"

Loki slowly lifts his hand and places it on Venn's forehead. Eyes closed he starts talking again.

"I know you're in pain, Venn. I think I can help you. Will you let me?"

For a moment there's absolute silence in the stable, and then Venn stomps his hoof and nods.

"Alright. I'll have to look at your legs. I promise I'll be careful."

Venn's back tenses.

"Are you afraid?"

Venn snorts and throws his head up.

"Alright, it's fine, we'll try something else. I swear it won't hurt. May I?"

Another nod, very small and a little hesitant. Loki puts one hand on Venn's chest and the other one on his withers. Golden light starts to shimmer where their bodies connect. It spreads over Venn's back and legs down to his hooves. He relaxes and rests his head on Loki's shoulder. Loki closes his eyes and starts searching for the source of Venn's pain. The longer the contact lasts the sadder Loki looks. Breka's chest tightens, but he doesn't dare interrupt Loki's focus. Eventually Loki opens his eyes. Venn lifts his head and looks at him.

"I can help you, Venn. And it won't hurt. Shall we?"

Venn says yes, so Loki kneels down and slowly moves his hands over Venn's legs and fetlocks, lingering on a specific spot every now and then, never really touching though. He does it for each leg, and before he comes to Venn's left hind leg he stands and puts his hand on the horse's chest again. Murmuring softly he evokes a reddish shimmer. It turns to orange, then back to red, flickering, changing colour until it's almost the same golden shade as earlier. Loki breaks the contact and looks at Venn for confirmation. When he gets it he kneels back down and focuses on the weakest leg, the one that keeps getting injured. He takes a long time, but finally he straightens, rolling his shoulders and popping his neck.

"I think that should do it. I'll check in with you, Venn, all right?"

Venn looks sleepy but gives a little snort. Loki grins.

"He'll probably drop like a stone in about half an hour. It's normal, his body is adjusting."

Breka looks at him and shakes his head with a little smile.

"What just happened?"

Loki takes a breath. He looks paler than usual.

"I'll explain it to you some other time. Let's see if it works first. For now, I have to get going. The queen is expecting me."

"Oh, I see. Well don't make her wait," Breka says and gives Loki a kiss. "Thank you. From both of us."

"You're welcome. Both of you."

He turns to leave the stable.

"Can I see you later?" Breka asks.

Loki stops in the stable door. Grabbing the wood of the door he says:

"I'll be dining with the queen, so I'm not sure—"

And then Loki's knees buckle and he falls. Breka is with him in a second.

"Whoa, what's wrong?"

"It's—nothing. I'm just a little tired," Loki says and tries to get up. Breka holds him down.

"You're so pale your lips are about to turn blue. And you're sweating. What's going on?"

Loki stops struggling against Breka's grip and lets his head fall back.

"I might need a moment."

Breka raises his eyebrows.

"And—water would be great."

"I'll get you water. Don't you dare move."

When Breka returns with a mug of water Loki hasn't moved a muscle, and that scares Breka more than anything. He kneels down and takes Loki's head in his lap. He tries to hold the mug to Loki's lips but Loki insists on taking it himself. His hands are shaking and he spills some of the water but Breka lets him have his way. When Loki is finished, he sinks back and rests against Breka's body.

"Now would you please explain to me what's going on?" Breka asks softly.

"Magic is energy. Helping Venn took more than I anticipated and I hadn't eaten in a while."

"You wore yourself out!"

Loki shrugs.

"Looks like it."

"Oh Loki. What do I do?"

"Just let me rest for a few minutes."

"I should probably notify the queen."

"That's not necessary. It'll pass."

"I meant because she's expecting you."

Loki takes a breath.

"No, she isn't. I made that up to get away."

"What? Why?"

"Because I wanted to spare you this. Spare myself the humiliation. I didn't want you to see me like this."

Breka closes his eyes for a moment.

"I get that. Save face. But what did I tell you about lying to me?"

Loki stares up at him with an expression of sheer terror, wide eyed, barely breathing. And then he draws a painful breath and sits up, turning to face Breka, swaying, pale to the point of greenish, but willing himself to stay upright.

"Breka please! I'm sorry! I know you expect me to be honest with you. That was your only condition. I accepted it, and a mere hour later I'm already breaking the promise I gave you. But please! I'm sorry. It won't happen again I swear. I'll try harder. Please don't—"

"It's alright. People make mistakes."

"I'm sorry. Please—"

"Did you hear me? Apology accepted."

"Just like that?" Loki whispers in disbelief.

"Not just like that. You asked for forgiveness, and you meant it."

Loki lies back down, on the ground this time, and averts his eyes.

"Which is what you do when you have angered someone who holds power over you. It doesn't mean you get out of being punished."

Breka can't believe his ears.

"That's not—that is exactly what forgiveness means! People apologise and are forgiven."

Now Loki is looking at Breka, and his expression breaks Breka's heart.

"You are so broken," Breka whispers, for the first time really understanding how much pain Loki carries with him.

"I'm sorry," Loki says once more, voice breaking.

"Loki, what in the nine realms are you even apologising for?"

"For being—deficient. Weak. I'm—"

"It's not your fault! You're broken because you've been broken, and you're far from weak. And even if you were, even when you are, that just means you need help. Let me help you."

Breka leans down and kisses him, eyes closed, pouring his soul into the contact.

"Let me help you heal, Loki."

After a while Breka sits up.

"Let's get you more comfortable. May I escort you to your chambers, my prince?"

"Technically, I'm not—"

"Shush."

Scene 66, Loki's quarters

Breka makes sure Loki lies down and then goes to get some food. In the doorway he turns around again.

"Just so we're clear, I still want you to be honest with me. But I realise it's a process. You'll have to learn to trust me, and that's fine. Just try, all right? All I want is for you to feel, really feel in your heart that I'm worthy of your trust. I won't betray you, I promise."

Loki nods and smiles at him. It's a little weak, but it's a smile.

Scene 67, Loki's quarters

"So you're a—you're Jotun."

"Yes."

"How is that even possible? I mean, how do you look like an Asgardian? And how is it possible you never knew?"

Loki takes a deep breath.

"I had a long conversation with the queen before I agreed on staying, and she told me everything. It was her magic that turned me into an Asgardian. It's not just shape shifting, it goes a lot deeper. She showed me what she did. She also told me she still considers me her son—always has—and therefore a prince of Asgard. The throne could still be mine some day. If I want it."

"Do you?"

"No. Not now at least. Who knows what time will bring, but for now I think Asgard has the best monarch we have had in a long time. Maybe the best we have ever had. Magic will have a better standing, and so will science. And diplomacy."

Breka can't help but think that even though things went a lot different than his mother had planned her hopes are about the be fulfilled.

Roll end credits.

Beta read by Fari and Taru. All remaining mistakes are my own. No gods or animals were hurt in the process of making this story. BUt wait! I'm a Marvel girl! Which means...