Note: I want to thank again those who have reviewed it filled me up with happiness to see the reviews after posting the last chapter
We are about to have a very personal look into the bag of cats that is Loki's mind, so bare with me in following. For questions on this chapter, they will be explained, next chapter. (:
He wasn't sure when he closed his eyes, but Loki knew he had not drifted into slumber, he was very well aware of himself, the blazing cuts of his lashes burning into the deepest depths like lava sinking slowly into him, the noises of the soft drip of his blood as it met metal, all was there. Especially the growing fatigue that was settling into his very bones as he lay, trying his best to revive his energy, yet sleep would not swallow him, only darkness settled as he tried to relax. He knew it was for the best to not sleep, no matter how much his body cried for such mercy, he could not allow it. His subconscious had enough of its time surfacing itself he didn't need it plaguing his mind with prominent force within his dreams that would become nightmares. When the door of his cell creaked for opening, he wondered how long had it been. It could not have been a day's worth already could it?
Suddenly seeming to remember that he mustn't show himself in his vulnerable state, Loki prompted his eyes open, only to be met with the view of the cold stone floor. He must have collapsed to his side and curled up to try and sleep, trying to get warmth by resting within the remains of his own shed blood. Slowly he worked his back up against the wall, blinking away the droplets of red that still clung to his lashes and slid at his cheek. The warmth trailing down and leaving him like a liquid blanket, he shivered softly, only to feel the pricks of higher heat sting through his veins with the wounds on his back. How could he feel so cold, yet be swallowed up in fire at the same time? Still aware of the other silently waiting for him as he restored his posture, Loki tilted his head up, staring up to meet the blue gaze of Thor.
The God of Thunder had tried his best to be utterly silent to check on his brother, knowing he would be asleep for everybody was at this time of hour. He was not here for whippings; he was here under the deepest of guilt that churned his stomach and the concern for his dearest younger brother. What he was gifted with was like seeing an angel and its wings being ripped till it crashed to the ground with merciless thud. He watched Loki, his face placid, discontent within the curves, strained under stress even under the reins of his slumber and curled up protectively in his own blood bath. He watched with greater sadness to see his brother awaken by his own movements and stirring up, no smirk to greet him, no gleaming eyes. Just a brother, painted in his own blood, bruised from his porcelain skin, and cut away from any glee or happiness he had ever shown Thor. He had sat within his chambers, not able to sleep with the abyss sitting, stirring in his being with cruel force of the thunderstorms he usually caused till it made him sick. The emptiness that this day had left with him just about tore at him. It had made him mindlessly come here, as if seeing his brother would help him any. He hadn't planned on waking him, and now that he has, he was unsure of what to do.
Loki knew by the blank look on Thor's face that he had come here without thinking, as he usually did with everything. Giving an inward sigh to himself, Loki shifted a bit against the wall, his rugged eyes straining as they grew laden, trying to shut Thor out. "Thor, come here and sit." He knew Thor needed comfort for the guilt was too easy to read amongst his face, frankly, Loki wanted to slap the emotion right out of the big idiot. Patient though Loki let his tone leak with its tired edge and familiarity to encourage the other, he had other plans to construct than to fume over the stupid blond.
Surprised with the personal invitation, especially with prior days whippings, Thor slowly approached Loki, finding himself seated easily at his side but with a fidget here and there as he felt the blood soak into his clothes. "Brother, I am sorry for what I have done, truly."
Loki's stomach knotted up at the words, a scowl quickly writing into his dry lips, but he restricted himself, schooling his features down and ceasing all thoughts of shouting at the oaf. "I know Thor.." looking at the blond he could see that his face was pale, as if sick. He had worked himself up on his guilt. Shaking his head Loki leaned back, trying to seek some comfort in any of this. "You shouldn't be."
"Yes I should" the words were strong, yet weak with defeated sense, "I have harmed you Loki, let your blood spill by my doings..I let you get hurt."
It took time to not yell that he could take care of himself, didn't need to protected, could hold his own, much time of sitting in silence he was sure was not helpful. "Thor." He started, trying to get through the grit of his teeth as his jaw clenched on its own accord. "It is my punishment, I have done things and those things had consequences. This is one of them." One of too many consequences. "Quit worrying about my physical well being." Quit worrying about me at all, was what Loki did his best to hold back, knowing that was demanding too much from Thor. "I can deal with this; I am not a helpless child."
Those words shut Thor up for a great deal of time, his brows twisting now and then in new expression as he was surely thinking over the words, trying to find a way in there to argue himself, Loki wasn't helpless, he just wanted to be there for his brother like he had always been there for him. Why didn't Loki know Thor saw him strong, independent, and brave? He always twisted his praise to contradict Thor. "Loki, I will always worry about you." He would, his brother was going through struggles, struggles that Thor now could see as days passed by, and he could see what they did to him, and to be truthful, it scared him. He lost his brother from the bridge; he didn't want to lose him again.
Closing his eyes, Loki took a shallow breath, he really could hurt Thor right now, just squash him and his love, extinguish the foolish emotion and easily go on with the rest of his life under the hate of others, not having to worry on the vulnerability love caused. Thor had been lucky to once have Loki's love, having gained it by the bond of family and early age, before Loki had time to grow a shell and cast others out. Both having once been strongly attached to one another but Loki finally cut free, only Thor wouldn't let that last strand rip for him. No matter how much space he may put between them or try and pull away. Putting hands up, he tried to touch Thor shoulder, and made it a well known struggle with the shackles on. "If you won't quit worrying over me, at least rid me of these." Hands put up in offer and open palmed to Thor he gave a deep smirk, brows raised to try for innocent gesture. The oaf would do it, but not without consequences of embrace of some sort, which Loki would have to allow.
Thor had expected much yelling on Loki side, even some pushing, some punching if managed, kicking and forcing him out of the cell, but nothing was of it, only playful nudge at his shoulder and that magnificent grin cleaning up the bloodied face. Thor could only naturally reply happily by bringing the Mjolnir up to their view as if to say 'of course.' He was glad now that he had brought the Mjolnir though he had almost forgotten he even had it till now.
As Loki put his arms out in front of him and turned head away, Thor gave one swift move of bashing it down on the shackles; watching as they broke and Loki's wrist were free. Red rings cutting deep into his wrist where the cuffs had been. Doing his best to ignore it, Thor smiled up at Loki not waiting for a thank you, just bringing him in for a hug.
Back aching from the lean he was glad to sit back up and wrist now free with their own pain. Everything of his body seemed to have new levels of pain and personal ones at that. But he paid no mind to it easily because there was new pain searing through his body as Thor hugged him tightly in one of his many bear hugs that crushed Loki. Doing his best not to writhe under his brother as the strong arms dug into his back and pushed into the wounds with such force it made him want to yell in pain, Loki simply went tense under the hug, grinding his teeth together as his eyes squeezed shut to contain his pain. Thor seemed to notice his stubborn reply of pain and loosened his hold, pulling away thankfully, allowing Loki air he needed badly.
"Sorry" Thor breathed out through his smile, though it tilted a bit to see he had forgotten another thing, and worst of all it was the lashings. He would curse himself for such little observation but took no mind to it for Loki was smirking back at him, that little arch lighting up his face from its sickly glow enough to reassure him.
"Go to bed Thor." Excusing him now, Loki let his smirk settle in, seeing as it kept Thor's guilt away from him and that he now had free use of his hands. His pain long gone from his thoughts as his plan was now set to action. Relaxing into the wall while his hands went to the floor to support himself, they touched into the goo of his blood with no hesitance. Face insistent, he watched Thor till that sudden sadden caved in to obeying. Just like a dog not given his treat after doing as he was taught.
Demanded out of the cell with ease, Thor looked sadly after his brother for a moment, only to glimpse over the smirk to reassure himself as he stood up. "Goodnight brother." Turning around slowly, Thor was sure he could at least get some sleep now, Loki had accepted his apology..right? He had let him go from his binds, and he got a hug in there. As well as got Loki to smirk, that was good view from what he got out of his brother since the previous meetings held little such comfort. Walking out of the cell, the door followed after him silently.
Not registering to call after Thor in his goodnights, he had gotten into a crouch the moment the blond had turned his back on him, making it easy to move after his steps to the door in silence as he prowled forward, keeping back good pace as not to alert Thor in anyway. Catching the edge of the door before it could shut; a slender hand had slid between the frame and kept it wedged open. Now standing to exhausted legs, Loki pried the door open stepping out from his cell and alarming the guards. Glancing down the long hallway he could see Thor, his attention cast back as the guards shouted. Loki had little time for the betrayal that washed Thor's face for he was grabbing two ends of sharp staffs that had been directed to either of his sides to stop him. Halting them with his strength some forgot to realize he had, he arched back near the door of his cell, bringing the staffs together until they collided into the guards. The left guard's staff now wedged into the guard on the right as vise versa, both going limp and falling over by the puncture. Taking his time to leap over their fallen bodies, Loki now concentrated his magic, looking to see that blue gaze again and Thor desperately calling after him as he vanished.
Materializing into the weapons vault was heavy duty, the act making him restless and stumble on his feet before catching himself. His exhaust was no help as well as poor limbs that had been unmoving for nearly month's time and abused for some days now. Loki was lucky he didn't drop then and there from being overworked. Staring around the vault with green searching gaze, he did not have to search long for his gaze to stop and heart to drop. Odin was before him, staring at him with hard gaze and expression tilted only in semi filtered sadness at him. Some shock went into the fill but it quickly disappeared.
"Didn't think I could do it did you? Thought I would just stay in that cell and rot?" his words were loaded with malice, venom at his tongue and hissing off his lips like some snake.
Odin merely gave a shake of his head. "I knew you would do it Loki, I knew the moment I was told Thor was going to your cell tonight that you would manipulate him to free yourself" he observed Loki now, staring over his bloody contours and face with a frown etching into his expression. "What happened to you?"
For a moment Loki was silent to the naïve words, only to give up a very harsh demented grin to the Allfather. "Don't you like it?" he questioned arrogantly, his head tilting up and over to show off the scars. "You should be proud of your work Odin, don't be ashamed of such things, take your praise in how well you did." Voice a bleak taunt, he only grinned wider.
"Loki I have not been in your presence since the day you came back home and were put to your cell.." Odin's voice level, his eyes held certain concern, a worry of some sort as he watched Loki intensely.
In that moment, Loki held deathly silent, his lips falling from their sick glee while his eyes grew dark as he stared to Odin. He really wished he couldn't tell from truth of lies right now, because it would be more comforting to think Odin was lying, but Loki knew, deep in the pit of his mind that the words were sincere and true. As to how…he knew he hadn't just had the beatings in his head..right? His face was proof wasn't it? It was real.. It had to be. Before he could dwell more on his thoughts Odin was speaking again.
"Loki this is getting too close, and I can't let you be going loose and doing more damage, after this second breach into your cell I knew I had to worry. You did get out, and that only forces me to move up the date."
Second breach..? His mind went though tumbles and reeled around at the words. What second breach? Then another word caught into his mind, the underlining of it making him go very rigid, more tense than he already was if that was possible. "Date of what?"
"Your execution"