Loki gazed out across the gleaming city known as Asgard as he sat atop Odin's Palace. His legs dangled freely over the edge as his chin rested in his hands. For all of the wondrous sights that he had seen during his journey, he was happy to be home. Asgard, for all of his history, both good and bad, and its people, whether they truly trusted him or not, was his home.
Loki was certain that there was no place in the nine realms quite like Asgard. The city that stretched out below him was a gem unlike any other that he had seen. The sheer walls, towering buildings, and shining spires filled his chest with a comfortable warmth that no other sight could give him. It was the ever-present reminder of how he had thrown away his previous life and the reminder that he could be better.
He would be better and the people would Asgard would eventually see that. He had become accustomed to their glares, but that still burned him inside. He couldn't blame them for their distrust – he had twice caused the downfall of Asgard. He had said he was sorry, but apparently that wasn't enough for most.
Thor assured him that actions always spoke louder than words. Loki wasn't entirely sure that was true – his words had always served him quite well. Still, he trusted his big brother. He could be a bit dull at times, but no one ever questioned Thor's actions or intentions.
Loki's attention was diverted by a small black shape that fluttered in the distance. He knew what it was long before it came into focus. The small black magpie that steadily flew towards him had becomes a constant companion and source of advice for the young Loki. The transformed essence of his former self was capricious and difficult at times, but he could not deny the help that he had given. Yet, he didn't fully trust him, no matter how useful the advice seemed.
Ikol alighted down beside Loki, perching gently on the ledge that ran the length of the rooftop. It focused its marble-like black eyes on him as Loki seemed uninterested in the intrusion.
"You've been away for quite some time," Ikol spoke in a dark, distorted voice.
"I got sidetracked," Loki said simply as he leaned back to stare at the slowly passing clouds. "You know, there are some really fun places out there."
Ikol cawed irritably as he danced about the ledge. "This is not the time to be gazing into the sky like a fool. You have been slacking off. You should be studying and planning."
Loki sighed as he sat up. He looked at Ikol, pouting slightly. "I just got back! I deserve a bit of a break."
"Do you think you got to where you are today by taking useless breaks?" Ikol asked pointedly.
Loki's brow furrowed as he struggled to make sense of the bird's words. According to his fellow Asgardians he had been responsible for the destruction of Asgard, the start of Ragnarok, and had been banished from his home more times than anyone could seem to remember. He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to follow the same path he had in the past.
"Don't worry," Loki answered casually as he laid back on the hard stone roof. "I'll work extra hard tomorrow. For now, I don't want to do anything."
Ikol let out an annoyed caw as he took to the air once more. "Don't forget that you have a duty to observe," he called out as he flew away.
The words fell on deaf ears as Loki stared at the puffy clouds that drifted lazily overhead. He had enjoyed his freedom during his travels. As expected, that same sense of freedom did not exist in Asgard. For all of the pleasure that being home brought him, it also reminded him of the structure and responsibility that he was forced to endure.
"Little brother!" a booming, amiable voice called out loudly behind Loki, distracting him from his mutterings.
Jumping nimbly to his feet, Loki watched as his brother, Thor, strode confidently towards him. He cut an imposing figure, towering over the much smaller boy. In spite of his size and strength, Loki had always seen a gentleness in his actions.
"Thor!" he called happily. He had actually missed his friends and family while he was gone – even Volstagg. He hadn't bothered to tell anyone that he had returned yet he was not surprised to see that Thor had found him anyway.
"Why did you not tell me you had returned from your journey? We will begin preparing a feast at once!"
Loki smiled and shook his head. "There's no need for that. I'm happy just sitting up here."
"Nonsense," Thor said with a broad grin. "You have successfully returned and I'm sure you have many stories to tell. Everyone will be delighted to hear of your travels and travails."
Loki simply shook his head and sat back down on the cold stone. "It's really not worth talking about. Besides, most people don't like my stories for some reason."
With an ease and lightness that seemed impossible for a man of his size, Thor silently sat down beside the boy. He leaned back and stared into the same featureless sky as his brother.
"Then tell me," he said with a small smile. "I would like to hear them."
Looking up at Thor in wonder, Loki couldn't help but smile. According to the stories everyone told, Thor had every reason to hate him. Yet, he didn't. He treated him with more love and care than he sometimes thought he deserved.
Smiling, Loki turned his emerald eyes back to the floating clouds. "See that big cloud over there," he said as he pointed to a rather tall, misshapen bank of clouds, "it reminds me of this weird old guy I met in the forests of Vanaheim."