I have so little people interested in this story but I'm still excited about that! Screw whoever says I shouldn't be!
Loki has a nightmare and Thor helps.
Chapter 2: Nightmares
Loki was scared, beyond scared, he was terrified. Every shadow felt like it was watching him, silent and lurking. Every little noise felt like thunder, every whistle of the wind a small whisper. His eyes filled with tears but he didn't dare try to close them. He felt as if he would see those horrible images if he did, those terrifying visions that plagued his dreams. Everything was in ruins, people were screaming and blood had tainted the ground. And there was a voice, so cruel and malevolent, it awakened unquenchable fear. He could feel it's cold and cruel eyes on me. Whatever that being was, it was something wicked and heartless. He whimpered when he heard another noise, his infant mind confusing it with something that wasn't there.
He began to whimper in fear and let his tears run freely, until he thought of something: his brother was across the hall. Yes, he could go to Thor; Thor who always said that he would slay every foul creature that crossed his path. He would go to Thor! There was only one problem. He felt something staring at him, or someone. He didn't know from where but there was no doubt about it. And the voice from his dream came back.
'Come here. Come to me little trickster.'
In the end it was fear that compelled him to leave his bed. His feet padded loudly on the marble floor, he hadn't bothered with slippers, and he rushed to the door. He retained the mentality to open it quietly despite his trembling hands, he didn't want a guard to see him. He quickly peaked outside and found that the guards were at the far end of the halls, close enough to come to their aid should it be required but far enough for him to sneak toward his brother's room. He took hesitant steps towards said room and just as quietly opened the door and snuck in.
As soon as he entered he shut the door behind him in a desperate attempt to keep the unknown entity out. He collapsed to the floor sobbing his eyes out and curling up into a little ball. He knew he could not wake Thor through noise alone, so he let himself make as much as he could. He had no further will to remain strong, he had been told countless times by his father that he should always show strength but he just couldn't. He couldn't pretend he wasn't frightened he couldn't pretend he could sleep alone.
His father had insisted that he do so and Loki, not wanting to disappoint him, had not argued. Unfortunately this is where it got him almost every night, scared and sobbing in Thor's room. His only safe haven during hours meant for sleep. The place where he knew he would be protected should the monsters come for him.
Loki sniffed while trying to dry his tears before cautiously getting up and heading toward his brother's bed. He stood by it and hesitantly reached his hand to shake his brother, hoping to rouse him from sleep with little effort seeing as his hand could barely reach him.
"Thor." he called out, continuing to shake him, "Thor."
He had tried to keep the tears at bay, but they came once more and he began choking while trying not to sob. He needed his brother awake, he needed to feel safe.
"Thor!" he called out loudly, and finally Thor stirred into consciousness.
"Hm? Loki?" Thor mumbled sleepily while rubbing his eyes.
Loki continued to weep. He was no longer scared of some nightmare, or at least it wasn't the only thing he was scared of now. Now, he was afraid he would be rejected the comfort and security by his guardian, much like he had been rejected by Odin when the child had gone looking for his aid once.
"Thor." he whimpered pleadingly.
"Loki!" Thor exclaimed, suddenly alert, "Did you have another nightmare?"
Loki only nodded desperately, not trusting his voice. His hands were still on Thor so the elder child did not hesitate to pull him up on the bed, he was aware of how Loki still had difficulty reaching the bed. Then little by little Loki's fears began to calm down as the familiar and secure routine took place. Thor would pull Loki up on his bed and wrap the covers around him, forming what he called a "protection cloak". Then he would assure Loki that he would be right back while stepping down from the bed. He would run as fast as he could to his toy chest, pull out the wooden sword his father had gifted him with and rush back to Loki.
"Don't worry I won't let the monsters get you." Thor would reassure before snuggling next to Loki, promising he would stay awake in case the monsters came back.
Loki was always aware that the last part was a false promise. Thor would always be the first one to fall asleep, but it never bothered him because he knew that if the monsters came back Thor would be awake in a heartbeat.
"Thor." he whispered, holding his brother closely, "Promise you'll always be there for me."
"I promise." Thor said without hesitation and cuddled closer to his little brother, ready to defend him at any moments notice.
Loki smiled in relief, finally the fear was gone. He knew one day he would have to stop asking Thor to protect him, his father would demand it once he found out he snuck into Thor's room whenever he had a nightmare, but for now he was content. Because, if only for one more night he would be guarded by his beloved guardian, his heart was filled with joy. Because he knew Thor would always care for him and it was foolish of him to think he would be pushed away from him like his father had done.
He giggled a little when he heard Thor snore, the older child was always so quick to fall asleep, and let the gentle snoring and the warmth of his arms lull him into dreams as well. This time they were not plagued by shadows or voices. Instead he slept peacefully.
Love your love!
