Thor groaned as conscious slowly returned to him… His body, every single inch of it… Felt like it was on god damn fire.
Thor hissed then he let out a scream as a crushing pain tore through his arm and he sat up, only for the motion to bring even more pain to his arm and he cried as he grabbed it starting to remember, that arm was destroyed… Right.
For some time Thor sat there, holding his arm, taking deep breaths trying to calm himself down… Relax… Relax.
His body was sore but he could deal with it. Just… deep breaths.
The door opened and Thor looked up, only to sigh relieved by the sight of his brother. Better yet was Loki showing a slight smirk.
"Awake at least my king?" Loki asked, clearly trying not to look to relieved, but failed anyway.
Thor nodded. "Aye… Thank you for bringing me to safety."
Loki shrugged. "Asgard needs a king right?" he asked. "Beside it's not like I carried you myself, you can thank Sif and Volstag whom carried you together. Though… That was three days ago. You can take all the kings duties back thanks."
"Oh." Thor blinked. "I… I'm sorry."
Loki sighed. "Joking. You were in no condition to lead, I mean you weren't even conscious you oaf! And neither are you now, you need rest. I am currently the crown prince. It is my duty." he stated leaning his head in his hand.
Thor smiled a little apologetic then looked up. "How is everyone?"
"Good." Loki informed. "The warriors who fought all left with just some scrapes, they are all fine now. Back training and everything. The citizens bore witness to our fight against Hela, magicians allowed them a peak and while there has been discussions about the validity of our tactics no one can deny the results nor the fact that… They owe us their lives. Now twice over." he sighed leaning back. "That's good, it did help soften the blow a bit when I had to inform them… It is not yet safe to return to Asgard."
"Hela… her essence drenched the air." Thor breathed.
"You felt it to." Loki breathed. "Good."
"Will it go away?" Thor asked.
"With time." Loki stated. "I had some mages travel to dispose of her body, the only way to be sure was to burn it to ashes."
Thor nodded. "I am glad it has been dealt with."
"People seem to have settled in pretty well, we are self sufficient with the things we brought so there is no need for Midgardian money. Though many Midgardians has willingly offered incredible amounts of money in exchange for artifacts or knowledge." Loki informed. "I declined all of it, politely of course. We probably shouldn't give them more than we need to."
"That probably is for the wiser." Thor agreed.
"Food is arranged so everyone eat together, it's outside since we lack a big dining hall but.. That's actually quite nice." Loki informed. "The nice thing about having mages is that even when it's raining, we can make a magic force field to keep people dry while they eat."
"That does sound nice." Thor had to admit.
"Things are not as grand or impressive as Asgard, and of course all the royal cronies are complaining. But… I think most enjoys it." Loki smiled lightly.
There was something about Lokis soft smile, he was genuine and Thor couldn't help but smile back. "That's good"
"We... wanted to wait for Odins memorial until you woke." Loki quieted. "The mages whom disposed of Hela, I also had them fetch his body and... I have placed the magic upon him myself so he would stay the same. We build a ship for him, the ocean here does look grand. It feels right. Now that you are awake, can I announce that it will be tonight we send him off?" he asked.
Thor nodded. "I... I'd like that." he stated.
Loki smiled lightly. "Then rest until to tonight, after the sun has set we will set his ship sailing and light it on fire pr tradition. After that, we'll have a modest feast. It wont be as grand as what really befit a king but..."
"I actually think he would like it this way." Thor informed. "He... didn't even have a funeral the last time. There was no time."
Loki nodded, he was oddly quiet.
"Loki... are you hale?" Thor asked.
"I don't know." Loki admitted. "It's... weird you know?" he asked. "Father has... He was always there, even when I was mad at him. Now I can't talk to him, or even be mad at him. What am I supposed to do?" he asked.
"Move forward." Thor informed. "And, while he is not there. We are others who are." he pointed out. "Mother... Sif... Me..."
Loki smiled amused. "True." he commented then sighed. "I wish he hadn't gone so suddenly." he admitted. "It feels like... Things are still unresolved. I mean, they are better but... There's so much I want to ask." he reached up a hand, then wiped away a tear.
Thor looked at his brother, then reached out a hand grabbing Lokis cold blue hand and looked up at his face, meeting Lokis eyes.
"I miss him to." Thor informed. "I'm still mad at him... And I miss him. I am angry he used lies to try and shape us, but I am happy that he is proud of us... It really is very confusing."
Loki smiled weakly. "Aye." he admitted.
Then finally Thor removed his hands. "Forgive me... I am tired."
"Do you want me to fetch you some food?" Loki asked.
"No, I would like to join the others. They all eat outside yes?" Thor stated as he sit up only to hiss.
"Really?" Loki asked in a slightly teasing voice.
"I just… Everything hurts." Thor informed.
"You unleashed all your raw power with no restraint of course it does." Loki rolled his eyes. "When you are able to walk on your own, come talk to me, immediately."
Thor blinked. "Can't it be now?" he asked.
"No." Loki stated. "You need to regain a little strength first, but then… You got some serious work to do." Loki stood up. "I am going to fetch food, then you rest until I fetch you and we'll send our father to Valhalla. Together.
That night, Thor stood by Lokis side, held up by Loki as he watched the proud ship, sailing on the waves of the ocean, a glorious blaze of fire reaching up towards the skies... And on Thors other side was Frigga. It felt kind of odd... It wasn't her on the ship.
Thor was not sure what to feel about that? Relief? Guilt over the relief, this was his father they were sending to Valhalla... It was as Loki said, it was so confusing. Thor did not stay around for the mead afterwards but was helped by Loki back to bed where he soon drifted to sleep.
It took another day, but finally Thor was outside and was happy to sit down among the Asgardians, he wasn't allowed to sit for long though before Loki sat down in front of him with a stern look on his face.
"You're walking on your own." Loki observed.
"Aye." Thor sighed in a tired smile.
"Good, then I have a task for you." Loki stated.
Thor looked at Loki. "You got a task for me?" he asked.
Loki nodded.
"Ooo… kay." Thor blinked a bit confused. "What?"
Loki held up a hand and suddenly he was holding a kind of weird looking object, it looked like sort of a glass sphere but pear shaped, the bottom that Loki was holding metal and there were odd small wires inside. "This, is a neat little thing the Midgardians use. It is called a light bulb."
Thor blinked.
"By feeding it a small steady flow of electricity, that little metal threat inside of the light bulb is going to light up and it will create a source of light." Loki stated. "You are going to light this thing up for me."
Thor looked at Loki ten at the light bulb in his hand. "Why?" he asked.
"Just do it." Loki asked.
"Okay then." Thor sighed as he took the light bulb from Lokis hand, he looked down at it, released electricity though the second he did it the light bulb burst and Thor jumped in shock.
"Hmm, thought so." Loki stated waving his hand and a second light bulb appeared. "Try again." he offered it to Thor.
Now more startled Thor took the light bulb, he looked more hesitant at it, he barely even dared, finally he tried again though and again, it burst.
"I said low and steady." Loki stated.
"I don't understand, what is this even for?" Thor asked.
"You learning to control your raw power!" Loki stated. "This is the perfect first challenge, you will gain the ability to make a light bulb glow without breaking it! Only then can we move on to more complicated things."
"Oh." Thor swallowed. "I… see."
"I know it's not as showy or impressive as the things you prefer. But it is absolutely necessary to get these basics right first!" Loki stated.
"No I get it! Honestly!" Thor stated.
"Good." Loki offered Thor a pleasant smile. "I'll have the box's of light bulbs transported to you room then."
Thor blinked. "How many did you buy?" he asked confused.
"Eight hundred, at least that should do for today." Loki stated and Thor spewed out his water.
"What, you expect me to?!" Thor asked.
"Yes, I do." Loki stated. "It is not enough to just make it shortly light up for a second, I am going to need to you to be able to keep that thing shining light and bright for as long as you hold it!"
"Loki, I got duties." Thor stated. "I am king."
"I know, why do you think I kept it at eight hundred for today?" Loki asked.
Thor was quiet.
"If you hadn't neglected your magic lessons when we were kids, we wouldn't be here." Loki pointed out. "What was it you used to say back then."
"Loki… There's no need to remind me." Thor tried.
"Oh now I remember!" Loki snapped a finger. "Why should I waste my time with magic? There is no need for me to learn magic as I am going to be the greatest Warrior Asgard has ever seen!"
Thor closed his eyes, the embarrassment was just to great.
"Light bulb." Loki made a third one appear in his hand. "You are going to attempt at least eight hundred a day until you get it right. Good news is, you can do this even laying down! I am sure any of your friends would be eager to help you, handing you light bulbs." he stated putting the light bulb on the table and Thor looked at it.
Thor groaned then he looked up. "Could you give me a tip at least?" he asked.
"Control yourself." Loki instructed. "Your raw power is great enough to destroy a moon! What you need is to allow only a fraction to be released, steady and easily. No big burst, no big explosion. Small, controlled, elegant." he waved his hands. "All the things which you are not."
"Geeh thank you Loki." Thor replied.
"You're welcome." Loki smirked. "Now if you'll excuse me." he stood up. "I have duties to attend, i'll see you tonight and if all those light bulbs aren't smashed on the floor I expect it is because you can show me how to make a light bulb light up without smashing it."
Thor groaned.
"Taah Thor." Loki grinned, looking way to happy as he finally left and Thor sighed… These were going to be some long days ahead..
