After Thor and Loki's return, the festivities lasted a week. The return of Odin's staff and the pairs return marked both their comings of age, and as all warriors, this was to be marked as tradition stated by the consummation of ale. Lots of it.
Not, however, Asgard had settled back to it's peace, and the pair ha been summoned before Odin himself.
"Father. You wished to see us" Thor spoke for himself and Loki as they knelt before the Allfather on this throne, their mother seated beside him. Both brothers wore full ceremonial dress for the occasion, they had know this day was to come for a long time now. Neither had the nerve to speak of it to the other.
"My sons, as you know you are both reaching the age where it would be appropriate for you to take wives, and you will also know my desires for who these women shall be." their hearts sunk at the confirmation of their fears, they had managed to keep their relationship secret for hundreds of years now, but to continue it in silence when they were both married? To lie to their would-be wives? It was something neither could do, to each other or to their honour. There was only one option, and it went against all of their father's plans for them. It would cause great disturbance within the royal household, even if outside of these very walls, Asgard would rejoice. The princes would have to be truthful at last.
Thor looked up at his father,
"Yes father we have, but I have something to say before we go any further" His voice was stronger than he felt. Secretly, and known probably only by Loki, Thor was terrified.
Odin looked almost shocked,
"Then speak up Thor" the moment had come, and Loki held his breath.
"I cannot take a wife father" the pair watched their parent's startled looks "For I already love another." he looked at Loki and wanted to hold him close, he knew Loki was scared of Odin's judgement as it was and he also knew he was scared of his rejection. Thor gave him a weak smile to try and comfort him, before looking back at his parents.
Odin looked troubled, confused at his son's unexpected words, but his mother? Frigga looked almost pleased, Thor was sure he misread her expression, but there it was again, her knowing smile as she observed her two sons. Unbeknownst to them, she had known all these years and wished her sons well, she also know however that they had to do this alone. She could not influence the Allfather on this matter.
"What?" Odin finally spoke "Who Thor?" Thor turned to his brother slowly, raising from his knees to extend a hand to the younger.
"I love Loki father. In a way I could never love another" Loki's returning smile was radiant as he held Thor's hand, the pair a strong front against the words of their father.
"Loki?" Odin spat "what is this?" his eyes darting from Loki to Thor and back again.
"As Thor said father. We- we love each other" Loki spoke for the first time, his hand tightened on Thor's.
Laughter rang through the hall, the brothers shared confused looks,
"Of course you are joking" Odin smiled warmly, extending his arms out at the two men from where he sat.
"No father, we are not" Loki's voice was firm, and Odin's smile wavered.
"I love Loki father, and I refuse to marry some maiden of your approval. Who would be better for this kingdom than it's two princes, raised from birth to rule?" Thor gave his argument convincingly.
"Who would be better?" Odin bellowed "Princesses from other lands, realms, women whose union's with you both would create peace and happiness between worlds. Do you not understand?"
"What I understand father, is love. Perhaps you do not realise the greatest peace and happiness comes from a strong rule? A strong rule that would come from Loki and myself?" Thor's heart pummelled his chest, and he clung tighter still to the hand connecting him with Loki in this fight.
"There are plans in place, beyond your control. Unions between yourselves and daughters of kings that would prove most beneficial to the whole kingdom" Odin refused to waver.
"So we are to be tools then? Puppets to the king?" Loki's words stung "For I refuse to be used father."
"Silence!" The Allfather bellowed, his voice bouncing off the walls and the high ceiling, Loki visibly shrank. Frigga bit back the urge to step in and defend her sons.
"You speak of love, yet disregard any traditions and practicalities? Do you not understand the love you must put before all personal feelings? You both have a duty to this Kingdom to which you are both princes, and I think you should both remember that. You may feel this love you speak of, and it may be true. However, it is high time you both stop behaving like children, and learn to put duties first. It would be fine, should you be the sons of lords, or commoners even, fine and I would wish you both luck. I have no doubt, Asgardians would rejoice in your happiness, but I however, do not. You are not sons of lords, and you do not have such a luxury. You must both make marriages that are beneficial for Asgard, and to the growth of this kingdom. It pains me to say it, but love does not, and will not come into it. You have duties, and I will hear no more on the matter" Odin finished is speech, red faced and standing, he turned to Frigga "Come, we will continue this discussion when our sons feel they are ready to accept their roles as they should." He walked out.
Frigga looked from her sons, to where her husband had just disappeared.
"Thor" she looked into the eyes of her eldest. "Loki" her gaze travelled down to her youngest, and down to their hands interlinked strongly. "Your father only wants what is best for Asgard, he sees only his plans, and cannot see what I do. I've know your love for as long as you have, and you will be fine rulers together one day, but I cannot help you in this. You must work together, to show your father the truth. Your marriage would be good for this realm, whispers are already amongst many that it would be a good course for you both to take. I believe in you" she kissed both their cheeks "and know this, peace is found in ways other than unions by marriage. Friendship, I have found, is a much stronger bond than an arranged relationship." she smiled with belief at her sons, and Thor thought if just for a second that he could see some of the mischief he often saw in Loki. Perhaps the god of mischief had learned it from somewhere, and perhaps the Allfather wasn't the outfight ruler of Asgard after all.
They had both underestimated the power of their mother.
They both reached out to take Frigga's hands "thank you" they said in unison, and then she was gone.
When they were alone, Thor drew Loki close to him, burying his head into the younger's hair,
"what a mess" he sighed, holding Loki's face between his hands.
"Don't you see? It's not over! Mother believes in us!" The hopeful spark in his eyes reached the smile on his lips, and it broke Thor's heart.
"No Loki" he sighed, and his words made Loki physically shrink.
"What?" his voice was weak, confused, his eyes showed hurt.
"Father's right. We both have a duty." he let go of Loki's hand, and felt his heart break. He hated his, wanted to cry and throw things, and run away, but he couldn't escape the truth of their fathers words.
"No" Loki recoiled "No you're not doing this Thor! Not to me. I thought you loved me?" tears began to well in his eyes, his bottom lip trembled.
No Loki, no don't cry. Thor longed to cry, to wrap Loki in his arms, to apologise, to say everything would be okay. To kiss him again, to spend the res of his life with the one he loved.
Fairytales were for children.
"I did love you Loki, but we aren't children anymore, we need to behave as such" his voice was dead, he resigned himself to a future of unhappiness.
He couldn't disappoint and disobey their father. He would be king someday, and as much as his heart broke, as much as tears threatened he tore his eyes away from the man he loved, and spoke his first lie he ever told Loki.
"This is for the best brother. We are better apart." Thor couldn't breathe, couldn't look at Loki as a broken sob left the younger's lips.
"That's a lie Thor. You love me, as I love you. Stop this foolishness now. Even mother sees we are meant to be" Loki tried desperately to meet Thor's eye, pawing at his chest with his hands. "please." he croaked through tears "don't do this".
It took everything in Thor to meet his brothers eye, knowing he was breaking both of their hearts
"Mother is not king Loki. It is unwise to push father further on the matter. We both know what needs to be done." he held Loki's wrists to stop him grabbing at the front of his tunic, and looked away from the watery green eyes he loved dearly.
"So this is it?" Loki croaked. Thor nodded as an unhelpful tear slipped down his cheek.
Loki's shoulders sank as he exhaled raggedly.
"I thought you loved me Thor, for I will always love you." He tugged his hands from Thor's own, and instantly, Thor felt empty.
When he met Loki's eyes again they were dead, cold. Hurt.
"I'm leaving. So I won't be an inconvenience to your glorious future reign anymore." Loki sobbed, and Thor took a step forward to stop him, to apologise, to take it all back, but it was too late.
Loki had disappeared.
He was gone.
Thor fell to the floor, head in hands, and wept. Alone in the room he sobbed for hours, ignoring knocks on the door, refusing to attend dinner. The only words that passed his lips, "sorry."
Thor was a fool, and at last, late at night and exhausted, he dragged himself to his feet and fled to his room where he lay awake all night, self loathing before collapsing into sleep through exhaustion in the early hours of the morning.
No one saw the Prince of Mischief departing, or heard the words that passed between the once-lovers that day, but a storm descended on Asgard, and the God of Thunder's lightning shrouded the sun for days. Heartbreak filled the air and Frigga looked out of her window at the rain, at a loss of what to do, and how to reunite her family once more.
Cries... Like? No like? Reviews are much loved! I hope you enjoyed it... Update coming soon :) Alexinie xx