Loki spent the following week reading the novel Xavier had 'assigned' to him. To his surprise, he had put the novel down several times due to the rather lengthy descriptions that had little connection to the actual story. Still, Loki sensed that Xavier would have been disappointed if he didn't finish the book and struggled to the end. He also ended up reading "Oliver Twist" as recommended by Doctor Strange.

When they met in the library for their weekly 'session', Xavier steepled his hands together.

"So Loki, have you finished the novel?" When Loki nodded he continued, "And...how did you like it?"

Loki snorted, "It's perfectly ridiculous how much unnecessary drivel is in it." He snapped, drumming his fingers on the side table. "Why would the author put so much stock in background details?"

"That's not what I meant. How did you like the story itself?" Xavier cut off the rant with another question.

Loki looked nonchalant, "Valjean's redemption is not infeasible I suppose, given the time period in which the story took place. Are people so hypocritical and intolerant now as they were during that time?"

"Well, not really." Xavier answered cautiously, "Many people today have relationships that result in a child without being married. As to felons, well, it depends on what crime was committed and what job they seek. But there are more jobs than back in the 19th century, so it's not hard for them to have a second chance at life and set them self straight again. " A pause ensued and then, "And of course, adoptions are very common in literature as well as in the real world." Xavier nodded to the book in his hand, "There's Valjean; he took in Cosette and they taught one another to love again. In Anne of Green Gables, the title character Anne is reluctantly taken in by an older brother and sister who eventually learn to love her as their own. It's a story very much like your own, Loki."

Loki turned sharply, his eyes hardening as he began to speak. "Ah, but then there are tales such as with Oliver Twist. The criminal Fagin exploited the boys for his own means; teaching them to become thieves and hoarding their ill-gotten gains and calling them 'my dears' to instill a false sense that he actually cared about them."

Xavier nodded, "I've had a few students who have been...ill treated at the hands of their parents, adopted or not. Mostly because of the X-gene that gave them a mutation or power. It frightens them that their child is not normal, or will not be treated as such by society. That's why they come to the Institute. The children are taught not only how to control their powers, but to understand that it is not what defines them. "

Loki seemed to consider this before Xavier started another line of inquiry.

"You told me that he considered you both worthy of ruling Asgard. And that his punishments were befitting a king to a prince and son." Xavier said, changing the subject.

Loki nodded, "It was so for both Thor and myself." he admitted quietly.

"And your mother?" Xavier inquiered.

Loki's head rose at the mention of Frigga, "She tried to be firm but gentle with both of us and make us understand what we did was wrong." Loki put a hand to his forehead and gave a short laugh. "I seem to vaguely recall one night, I showed up to a feast and pretty much insulted everyone after having gotten drunk; with exception of Mother. I'm surprised Heimdall didn't punt me halfway across Asgard for I said. Norns, I'm surprised Thor didn't either, for that matter. Odin sentenced me to a flogging and I was not to have any alcohol for one Midgardian year." *

Xavier's eyebrows rose at this, "Didn't your mother object? Or Thor?"

Loki nodded, "Frigga did, all for naught. Odin's word is final, especially when it came to punishment. Mother-mother and Eir cared for my wounds afterwards, but Thor...Thor didn't speak to me for a fortnight after what I had done." Loki leaned back in the chair not looking at Xavier, but rather stared out the window.

"And how old were you then?" The professor asked.

"1006..about 17 of your Midgardian years. " Silence reigned for a moment before Loki spoke again. "I think that's when we started to drift apart." He muttered."Thor went off on hunts and expeditions with Sif and the Warriors Three until Mother found out and had me go along too. I was content to learn and be amongst my books but….there were no one but Thor and the Warriors Three that were of my age. And of course, I was constantly needled about using my magic in a fight rather than the physical skills. I do however, have the same sort of prowess with daggers as Thor has with Mjolnir. "

"So, you still consider Thor to be your brother, do you not? He saved your life after all, stopped Odin from ending your life, brought you to be treated, and pleaded on behalf of you. Maybe he saw some of the good in you that you don't see in yourself."

Loki felt the tears begin to prickle behind his eyes. "He knew how overwrought I was at my-our mother's death. He perhaps thought that once we avenged her, I would return to my evildoing...and no longer trusted the black hole bomb began to suck me in after I pushed his woman out of the way, and he saved me. Kursed was pummeling him so I stopped him. I didn't-I didn't expect to die, but I heard the anguish in his voice as I faded away. My magic saved me. I healed enough that when the Einherjar arrived to search for us, I merely disguised myself as one and returned to the palace. I foolishly thought that the All-Father would mourn my loss, his tone of voice….he almost sounded mournful. But when I revealed myself…." His breathing became quick, his heartbeat quickened in his chest. Suddenly the room was too warm, too hostile. Sweat beaded down his temples as the memories of blood and screams from both Odin and Thor as he lay there, wounded flashed in his mind. He could remember the shocked face of his brother, trying to beg for help…

"Loki….." The voice of the professor pierced through the memory. "Loki, you're alright, you're safe on Earth. We're in Doctor Strange's home. I need you to take some deep breaths...in...out…"

After a few long minutes, the air began to clear, he could see Xavier clearly, his breaths becoming deeper and more normal. Exhaustion induced him to sag back in the chair, willing his stomach to unknot itself and his heart to beat in a steady rhythm again. Next to him stood Wong, also looking concerned. Loki wondered when he had arrived, but set it down to not being aware of anything in his moment of panic. His head swam but soon this too, lightened a little.

A few tears of embarrassment at what had happened and the memory that triggered it, fell. Loki cleared his throat and uttered a hoarse, "I-I'm sorry."

Xavier looked serious, "No, I'm sorry that I caused you to recall that moment. That was not at all my intention. I think that we will not carry on any further today." He spoke to Wong, "Take him up to his room and let him get some rest. I don't think we should have any more sessions this week."

Loki could do nothing but sag against the servant who helped him up the stairs. He hazily understood that his shoes had been removed and he had been helped to lay down. The curtains were closed, allowing the darkness to engulf the room. Wong had wished him well before exiting the room. Loki recalled the warmth and safety he had felt in not only in his mother's arms but in Thor's as well. That comfort allowed him to close his eyes and sleep.

TBC...

A/N:

*There is a story in Norse Myths were Loki shows up and pretty much insults everyone. It's called Lokasenna. I embellished the story just a bit, of course.

Many thanks to my beta-reader MandalorianPirate for her suggestions and help for this chapter.

Thank you also to BenevolentCupboardhatch, Hiimgorgeous, Guest, and . .279 for the reviews. I appreciate it!