Three days passed. Loki regained a small amount of his magic and health. The first thing he woke up to was his mother beside his bed. "mother?". He said with wide eyes, unable to believe his surroundings, especially the presence of his mother. Frigga's eyes teared seeing her son awake. "I'm i dreaming?". He said uncertain.

"no". She shook her head sideways. "you are home darling". She held his hand tightly. "I'm so glad you're awake. I was worried sick". As her tears streamed down her cheek, a memory triggered in his mind. A very similar face that he left behind. She went to embrace her long lost son but he flinched and shifted away from her. "What's wrong? Are you alright?".

His expression looked pained. "I don't deserve your compassion". He felt disappointed in himself, he hated himself for being the one to survive. And mostly loathed to show his face in front of the woman who lost her true son in exchange of a false one. He evaded his head away, unable to lock eyes with her.

"What nonsense are you talking about?".

"Come on mother, you can not be that bold. I know you all wanted Thor to be back. Instead, your fake son had returned. I have no place here".

"Loki…".

He disrupted her before she said anything. "no mother. It's true, I left Thor to his demise. Your blood son……because of me…….he is……I'm sorry, i can not accept your compassion. Like I said, I don't deserve it". He giggled and continued. "The all father must be extremely disappointed in me…….I'm certain he is too, wish highly, if his real son was here…. Hell, I don't even know why I'm here. I'm the one who should be there".

"dear… ".

"I don't want to talk. Please leave".

"my son, please, do not do this to yourself".

"LEAVE". He shouted in rage. Not because of Frigga, but because of how hateful he felt toward himself. (I don't deserve to be here).

Frigga narrowed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "Alright, I'll leave you to rest. If you need anything please call". She didn't get an answer from him and he was still avoiding her glares. She sighed sadly. "I'll inform your father of your awakening. Rest well". She walked off and got out of the room. Standing in front of the door for a couple of seconds before she left.

Five days passed. Loki refused to talk to his mother whenever she came. He couldn't bring himself to look at her at all. The moment he sees a glimpse of her it immediately turns to Thor's face and it pained him more each time he sees her. He went only as far as to greet her and then shut her down. And so she ended up limiting her time with him and left him.

Loki was alone with his thoughts. He felt hate and self loathing toward himself. What was his purpose of being here? What help would he offer? What benefit does his existence do?. What of my actions? What justice shall I face? Jotuns are not granted that anyway. (I'm not welcomed here). These thoughts kept plaguing his mind. He saw it true in the eyes of the others. That's what he thought after he saw how healers, maids and servants treated him. They looked at him as if asking him why are you here instead of Thor?. He wished he could answer them. Except he didn't know the answer. Oh how he felt he wished to be thrown again in that cell back in the sanctuary, and that's exactly what made him feel more self loathing about himself. The fact that he did not wish to return to that place disgusted him. He was relieved that he is not put to torture again. He was on a god damn comfy warm bed……..while……while……..oh how he felt sick and disappointed in himself. (I haven't done one single thing right in my life. What are you expecting from me?). Just then, when he was deep in dark thoughts, a knock on the door snapped him out of it.

The visitor who entered was the all father. "good morning Loki". Loki scanned Odin and hell. Just when he thought that Thor looked like his mother, he forgot how he resampled Odin more in everything. The only thing that is different is Thor resampled Frigga in emotions while Odin much more in appearance with the glimpse of Frigga. "about time for you to come. What do I owe the personal visit of the king?". Loki asked, evading his eyes.

"Is it wrong to see my son's well-being?".

Loki snickered. "I doubt you consider me that".

"As I suspected, you haven't forgiven me for what I've done". He approached Loki and sat on the chair beside the bed. Odin then noticed how Loki was averting his eyes since he entered. "I'm i such a nuisance that you can't look at me?".

(i would've if you didn't resampled that oaf).

Odin sighed deeply when Loki didn't answer. "how do you fa…". He got interrupted and met with a dreadful sentence.

"what punishment shall befall on my treason?". Loki asked, believing strongly that he won't escape Asgard's punishment that easily. But that was not just all to it. He also craved truly for a punishment for allowing himself to leave the sanctuary ……alone.

"I'm not here to punish you". Odin replied.

Loki smirked. "What an awful lie you want me to believe. After all, I'm a mere disappointment. Not that it should be a surprise to you knowing my true origins".

"your origins have nothing to do with that. You're my son".

"aren't you mad? Aren't you frustrated? Your one and only flesh has gone to his demise by the hands of the monster you brought here. Certainly that needs a sentence of eternity or probably my head".

"Loki, no such…".

"The second choice would be pleasant. Would heal yours, mother and the citizens sublime. Don't you think?".

"you're wrong, it would put everyone to grief"

"barley". He found the courage to look Odin in the eye. "don't you see it? No one is delighted about my return. They all despise me. How could you be so selfish to send me back?". Odin knitted his eyebrows in confusion. "Are you satisfied to see them accuse me for turning my back on you and escaping alone?". Loki at this point wasn't talking to Odin. His vision shaped the figure in front of him to Thor. "how considerate of you". He hissed the last words in a hateful tone. Just then, he focused his eyes on the figure and it changed back to Odin. The realization hit him that he wasn't talking to Thor made him flinch and a shiver run down his spine. He turned his face away and hid it in both his hands. "leave. Please leave". He said desperately as if he had had enough.

"alright". He stood up and tried to pat Loki on the back. Loki shifted his body away immediately when he sensed the touch. Odin retreated in sadness. "heal well Loki". He took his leave, having one more glance on him. He saw him crawling on himself while tucking on his hair. He got out and closed the door in silence.

"How did it go? Did he talk to you". Frigga was waiting outside and she rushed to him asking.

"at the beginning……then it seemed he was talking to Thor…..he mistook me for him…..his mind isn't hale Frigga, give him sometime".

"He blames himself for leaving Thor isn't he?".

"...yes. That is what he showed through his words…….he seeks a punishment for it".

Frigga covered her mouth in shock and her eyes widened. "no…..Odin we can't leave him like this".

"There is nothing within my hands. Unless he tries to open up to us we can't help him".

"...alright, I'll try working on that".

On the next day in the early morning, Eir was changing Loki's bandages and Frigga was with her. "That's a lot of progress. Your magic returned doing its work nicely after it got free from restriction. It's running fluently and healing your wounds. Only one problem there, my prince". Loki didn't care for the news or for the bad ones that were coming either. On the other side, Frigga was worried sick. "You are very thin, my prince. I know you refuse to eat, and this is not good for your recovery. So please dear, try to eat more, elsewise i might go extremely strict on you".

"you have guts threatening your prince".

Eir giggled. "only when I care about his health". She finished bandaging his wounds and said. "I allowed visitors, some are worried about you, so don't be surprised when they come. Also I'll give you permission to go outside, it might help open your appetite for food".

"setting me free so easily? That's odd".

"Of course not alone, you will go with a company. Your mother could accompany you. if not, i already assigned a guard for you".

"typical".

Eir smiled. "welcome home young prince". She rubbed his hand gently and went off to attend to other patience.

An awkward silence ran between Frigga and Loki. Frigga cleared her throat and spoke. "I agree with Eir, you should have a walk outside, it will do you good. If you want to be away from people, you are always welcomed in my garden".

"I'm fine". He said coldly, still averting his eyes away.

She narrowed her eyes in sadness. "well…how about you go out with your friends?".

"never had one".

"Lady Sif and the warriors three. They are worried about you".

He giggled. "didn't know they are capable of sincerity. As I clearly remember, last time they disobeyed my orders as a king. don't you remember mother?".

She sighed deeply. "Just think about it. Do not bury yourself in here, alright?".

"...I'll think about it".

Frigga got up planting a kiss on his head and he tensed from it. "See you later". She left disappointed. not having any progression with him.

After his mother got out, the door opened again and this time a guard came and stood inside by the door. "I'm here on Lady Eir's orders. If you wish anything please tell me your highness".

"keep silent".

"as…as you wish". The guard gulped in nervousness. He was the same guard who knocked Loki out the other day. He thought he would be in trouble, but it seems like Loki didn't recognize him. (why did lady Eir assigned me for this). He sighed in worry. (I just hope he doesn't hold a grudge on me for doing that). He observed the exhausted prince who covered his eyes with his elbow, looking like he was almost not breathing if it wasn't for his chest rising up and down. (I have never seen prince Loki up close. I have seen Prince Thor from a distance a couple of times. He was cheerful and enthusiastic. Wonder how prince Loki is).

TBC*