Chapter 10

The hall was dark, the gold and marble walls having no light to reflect. It was quiet, something Loki valued amongst all in the loud atmosphere of Asgard. With a friend, a human at that, at his side. It was quite an odd thing, Loki decided. The God of Mischief found delight and comfort in this new setting. It had been so long since he could freely walk these halls, call it home.

"Hey, uh, Loki?" The young human at his side called, though his voice was light, it echoed across the abandoned hall.

Loki looked over, "Yes."

Hiccup was silent for a moment, "This is your home, right?" Loki nodded, "You don't seem to like it too much."

"I do." He said slowly, "Asgard is my home, though I have not treated it as such. I was not all that favorited here, I was different from others. Though I still have countless unresolved problems, I learning to push past it."

The hall was silent yet again. Though Loki could tell the boy still had more to say, still wanted to say more. Hiccup had, he could tell, had many questions and would no doubt ask each one eventually.

Hiccup finally spoke, "Do you want to stay here?"

Did he? The mage really did not know. He loved this place as well as hated it. He would always be stuck in between the two. He knew his and his family's relationship would be strained for many years to come. Yes, they had welcomed him back with open arms, but would they really be as close as they were when the two brothers were younger. His brother maybe and his mother may follow. But his father? Would Odin, as emotionless and cold as the man was, forgive all of the atrocities Loki committed?

"I do not know." He said, though he was not sure if it was to the teen's question or his own inner thoughts, "Do you wish to return home?"

And he could see the boy's own inner conflict just as his own. He was different, just as Loki, from his village. They were pillagers and hunters. Hiccup was a thinker, an inventor. He studied while the other Vikings robbed. In the village, all of Hiccup's qualities were worth nothing.

"I think I would like to." It slipped from his lips as more of a question, "I will miss my dad and the others. I like living in the village now. It's become so much more…inhabitable. The dragon's help now and we don't have really any more fighting. The others are even starting to learn more about agriculture."

"True." Loki commented, "If you really wish to return then we can leave at the end of the week. You deserve to see all of Asgard's great sights and entertainment. There is a Witch's Carnival and a worrier's tournament. Most entertainment is held weekly. There is the grand library as well."

"Loki." Hiccup interrupted before the god could continue, catching said mischief maker's eye, "Why do they call you the God of Mischief?"

A strange twinkle lit in the older man's eyes, "That will be left to a later date. Perhaps tomorrow. For now, you need sleep."

Just as he said this, they stopped in front of the ornate door of the quest room. Loki opened the door for the teen.

"I will see you in the morning. There is sleep wear in the dresser and cloths for the rest of the week in the closet." Loki said with a smile, "The servant's will wake you up for a shower and afterwards we will have breakfast in the private dining room. Mother requested us dine as a family and you as an honored guest. I will be by to pick you up once you've completed your morning preparations."

Hiccup nodded mutely as he entered the room, dark with shadows and missing light. With a silent spell, Loki lighted three candles, one near the bed and two on the dresser. Hiccup turned towards the room at the sudden intrusion of light then back towards Loki. Said God gave a smile with a return wave from the human, then and slowly shut the door.

Loki walked to his own room just feet away from Hiccup's. It was always Hiccup who brought such thoughts to his mind. Did he really want to stay here? Did he want to leave? But it didn't really matter, Loki decided. He would go where ever Hiccup decided to go. It was really only Hiccup that hadn't already thought of where his future lies. It had been Hiccup that Loki stayed as a dragon for. The boy needed protection for the same lack that Loki liked the human. The boy was too weak, but he more than made up for it in intellect.

Loki stopped at the door of his room with a deep sigh. Hiccup needed more than protection, Loki inwardly groaned. He needed to be confined in a padded room with the way he attracted so much trouble. At least Loki, with all of his differences, knew how to be inconspicuous. If he did not want danger then danger would not find him. Of course, with Thor ever present, dragging him along and such, he sometimes had no choice but to search out such inconveniences.

"Brother." The inconvenience bringer himself. He must have been more distracted than he thought to not notice the monstrous footfalls of his brother's.

Loki turned towards the blonde, "Thor, did you need something?"

Thor smiled, the man's joy leaking off of him in waves, "Many of us were missing you and your friend after you departed."

The dark haired God hummed, "I was tired." And he thought for several seconds before adding, "Brother."

It was very rare that he had called Thor brother but it had been long enough that he forced himself into estrangement. He was tired of his blatant regard for his brother, whether adopted as he was, they were still raised as brothers. It was time he remembered that.

It showed, as his attention returned to Thor. He could not remember his brother smiling so wide since their first reunion after 20 years.

"I was merely concerned." He said and Loki could tell he was not lying.

"You do not have to be. You know, more than anyone, that I do not need protection." Loki replied with a downcast look.

Though he expected Thor to make a comment, his brother laughed. Not one of rue or sarcasm but of genuine happiness and pure naivety that Loki was tempted to join in. He, of course, did not.

"I completely understand." He said after his fit was over, "I do not offer my protection, only my thought of watchfulness. I have no wish for you to inadvertently find trouble, brother."

Loki resisted the urge halfway through rolling his eyes. Though that miniscule slip was all it took for Thor to notice and the man's smile grew, "Please, Thor, do not confuse the two of us. I would never, unwanted or not, search out trouble as you almost always do, dear Thor. I am not so thick skulled as you to welcome my own death."

Thor laughed as he placed an arm around Loki's thin shoulders, "Of course not, though you always seem to create such trouble all of your own accord."

"Not as you do." He said as the strong arms of his brother knocked his equilibrium off and quickly righted himself, "I am tired, Thor. I wish for some rest before you yet again cause me much stress tomorrow. And do not deny it. I have seen your glee at my return and the guest I have brought. I am most assured that you will no doubt find some all important thing to drag us to."

"You know me too well." Was what he said and regretfully let him go, "I will see you in the morning, brother."

"As will I. You have nothing to worry, brother. I will not disappear with you leave." Loki said, opening his door, "Goodnight, brother."

Thor nodded, "Goodnight, Loki. Sleep well."

END

There it is. Chapter 10. Hope you all liked it. Please review.