After leaving the dungeons, Loki went to the garden for a little while, needing some time to think. When he reached them, he found a tree, climbing it and sitting on one of its larger branches, giving him a clear view of the Bifrost which was currently in the process of being rebuilt.

Thor and him used to sit here when they were younger, eating the ripe apples that grew here. He remembered how the juice would drip down their chins and they would laugh until their ribs hurt. Remembered the mischievous gleam in his eyes as he would steal Thor's apple and run off with it, the older of the two chasing the younger around the trees and bushes until they couldn't run anymore.

They visited these gardens all the time together, playing many games and sharing stories, and on the odd occasion would they share their secrets with one another. They trusted each other more than they trusted anyone else and they were closer than anyone else.

It was here that Thor made his promise to Loki, his oath.

"Thor." Loki murmured, staring down at the ground from his place on the branch, legs swinging slightly. Thor looked over at Loki when his name was said, noting the serious look in his eyes, almost scared. "What if we drift apart? You shall be king one day. What if one day, we aren't as close as we are now? What if...what if one day I hate you?"

"Loki, do not think like that. You mean more to me than life itself. None can come between the relationship we share. We are brothers, friends. You will always be by my side and I, yours." Thor reassured, placing his hand over Loki's. While Thor's words were comforting, Loki couldn't shake the terrible feeling that was weighing on his shoulders.

"Yes, I know. But Thor, what if-"

"Loki" Thor cut off, watching him with a stern gaze. "I promise you that no matter what, nothing will change between us. You are my brother and I love you. There is nothing I wouldn't do for you, Loki. We will be together until Ragnarok, and even then." Thor said. A small smile graced Loki's lips, the younger god resting his head on Thor's shoulder. "I promise."

"Thank you."

Loki scoffed at the memory, shaking his head. Thor sure did a great job of keeping that promise considering how Loki was left in the shadows and practically forgotten by him. He wondered if Thor remembered this memory, remembered the promise he had broken. However, parts of what Thor had said stuck out to him, reminding him of the situation.

"There is nothing I wouldn't do for you, Loki." Thor had a life one could only dream of. He got nearly everything he wanted, was the Golden Prince of Asgard, heir to the throne. All the women swooned over him and it wasn't hard for him to make friends. He was attractive and strong, yet he was willing to trade all of this to save Loki; a monster, the fallen prince of Asgard, a traitor and a murderer.

"You mean more to me than life itself." After all Loki had done to Thor, after all he had said, Thor was willing to trade their places. He was willing to be executed instead of Loki, take the punishment for the other's actions without thinking otherwise. To give Loki the life he had never had while he in turn would die. It seemed like a rather large trade, and even after hours of thinking on what Thor had said, he could not fathom it. Loki had hurt Thor. He had tried to kill him! And yet none of this mattered. Thor's loyalty to Loki would never change, it seemed. He always had been a sentimental fool.

After he left the gardens later that day, the Warriors Three and Sif decided to make conversation with him, chatting about different things. The conversation was dry and Loki wanted nothing more than to escape it. He did find out, however, that there was a feast being held that night in honour of his success over Thor on Midgard. Great, just what he needed. Technically it would be a feast for Thor's success over him, Loki irritated slightly. However, he did not let this show on his face, instead smiling and nodding before thanking them for notifying him.

Afterwards, he disappeared to the library, sitting in his favourite spot in the back by the window, picking up a few books and spending the afternoon reading. He loved this library and no matter how much he claimed to hate Asgard, this place would always hold a high rank with Loki. The dust over the books proved that none had visited the library since his fall, not that many wood. The Aesir valued brawn over brains.

Dinnertime soon came close, the Trickster reluctantly leaving the library to prepare himself for the feast that evening. His chambers were as though nothing had changed, which now thanks to Thor, hadn't. He looked through his finest tunics and armour, deciding on what to wear before having a quick bath and dressing himself. He groomed his hair back into his usual hairstyle before pulling on his boots and leaving for the dining hall.

Along the way, many citizens and councilmen greeted him, smiling kindly, congratulating him softly as he passed by. The guards opened the doors for him when he arrived, the entire hall standing and applauding him as he entered. Loki had never experienced anything quite like this and he wasn't sure whether he liked it or not.

The feast started well with excellent food and drink. He sat on the seat closest to Odin, one that had been reserved for Thor. Words of thanks and congratulations were said, Loki thanking them softly. Throughout the evening, men came and spoke to him, the god prodding slightly for information. He found out the entire story that the Aesir believed had happened.

Thor had always been jealous of Loki. He trained and lived in the shadows, just like Loki had originally. However, Loki found out about his true heritage and ran away, horrified. Thor too found out about it, shocked that Asgard would still choose a Jotun to be king over him. Angry, he started a war with Jotunheim when the Allfather fell into the Odinsleep. Loki, catching word of this, returned and defeated his brother. They had fought on the Bifrost, Thor battling with Loki, the Thunderer accidentally loosing his footing, falling into the void.

When the feast finally finished, Loki returned to his chambers, a little tipsy. The night had gone much better than he had thought it would. He felt welcome, loved and accepted. It was all he had ever really wanted and now he had it.

So why did he feel as though something was missing?