Chapter 8 – This Isn't Real
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Thor waited not-so-patiently for his brother to reawaken from his sudden slumber. After around half an hour of just watching Loki's chest rise and fall slowly and his face contort in discomfort occasionally, Thor ended up drifting off to sleep himself. The lounger Loki had been provided with was surprisingly soft and inviting.
When Thor awoke slowly, he was startled to say the least. It sounded like a wild dog had been thrown into the cell with the amount of growling and panting that echoed through the enclosed space. It was a desperate scream that had Thor bolting upright, now suddenly awake and alert.
Loki was panting wildly on the bed, his face contorted in pain as his hands clutched the sheets. His back arched again as bone-chilling scream of agony left his lips, sending tears rolling down his pale, sweaty face. Thor was by his side at an instant, worried he was going to hurt himself further. Thor soon realised Loki must have been having a nightmare or a flashback when desperate pleas left his mouth subconsciously. Thor reached out to hold Loki and comfort him but he soon realised that was a big mistake.
Loki became conscious in an instant, shoving Thor off of him without so much of a glance in his direction. Thor, not expecting the impact from the God, was sent tumbling backwards off the bed with a thud. He groaned as his head met the concrete abruptly.
Thor sat up, regaining his composure before lifting himself back onto his feet. He looked around for his brother finding him pressed tightly into the corner of the cell where the wall connected with the boundary. The boundary was glowing a golden yellow from where Loki was pressing himself into it so tightly. When Thor took a closer look, he appeared to be rocking himself gently while muttering something incoherently.
"Loki?" Thor gently asked while approaching him. Loki gave no answer as he continued to rock himself.
It was when Thor reached for his brother, that his hand was swiped away viciously. "Don't touch me." Loki's small voice whispered. Thor almost didn't hear it as Loki let go of his wrist. Thor, obviously not being too bright, didn't listen and he reached for his brother again.
"I said." Loki's head snapped up. His eyes filled with gold as he stared at his brother hard. "Don't. Touch. Me!"
Thor was sent flying back as Loki used his magic against his own kin. Thor crashed into the wall on the other side of the cell, landing on his knees before he looked at his brother again in disbelief.
Loki resumed his position except this time he had his head in his hands. His slender fingers dug into his scalp, gripping his ebony hair in a fiercely tight grip, threatening to pull it out there and then.
When Thor moved to get close to his brother again Loki's eyes shot up to his, turning gold threateningly but Thor just held his hands up defensively making Loki drop his head into his hands once again.
Thor watched him for a brief moment before he decided to creep closer quietly, opting to kneel in front of his brother to look him over better. Thor could barely make out what Loki was muttering under his breath as he shook his head repeatedly.
"It's not real. It's not real. It's not real."
Loki was shuddering as he spoke to himself quietly, trying to convince himself of his own words.
Without a word, Thor placed his hand on Loki's shoulder comfortingly. Loki was too caught up in his own thoughts to notice until Thor gave a gentle squeeze that pulled him from his loud thoughts.
This time Thor was expecting the attack as Loki launched himself unto Thor. Thor manoeuvred their body's, shifting both of their weight so he could catch Loki into a surprise bear hug, effortlessly pulling the frost giant into his chest. Loki fought against Thors tight hold for a while but Thor only held him there not knowing what else he could do.
Loki's growls and foul cries soon turned to whimpers and gasps of exhaustion before he fell half-limp in the blonde Gods arms. Even though Loki had gone limp, Thor still held his brother, trying to collect his own thoughts. Why did Loki think this wasn't real? Maybe, Thor thought, not all of his wounds are physical.
Thor had never even pondered the idea that they may have tortured Loki with mental abuse as well as physical ones. Then again, how did Loki know the septor he was gifted would allow him to control minds? The chitauri must have given Loki this knowledge and they must have used it against him.
"They have messed with your mind." Thor whispered to his brother, who had now gone back too gasping breathlessly the same mantra he was earlier. "This is real." Thor shook him gently, trying to emphasise the realness of their situation. Loki, shook his head in response but Thor repeated himself while rubbing his hand over his brother's hair and down onto his shoulder, not wanting to rub his back due to the damage that still lingered there.
Loki couldn't gather his thoughts as flashbacks from his time with the Chitauri racked his mind. Everything he had experienced darted together all at once causing him to clutch onto Thor. He had to believe this was real and the pain wasn't everything he would experience for the rest of his life.
Loki took in a deep exasperated breath before his body shook with the force of his sudden sobs. He desperately wanted this to be real but The Other had gotten what he wanted; Loki's mind was coming undone.
"T-Thor," Loki stuttered between sobs. "I-I-"
Thor shushed his brother, hugging him tighter while rocking him gently. "I promise this is real."
Loki allowed himself to relax in his brothers arms as his tears slowed and his sobs became occasional sniffles and gasps for breath. He couldn't bring himself to let go of his brother but that was ok with Thor.
"I promise this is real." Thor repeated, hoping it would ease his brothers troubled mind.
I hope so. Loki thought clinging to his brother tighter.
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