Shackles and Chains

As the night chases away the light, where darkness touches the still water, it began to glow softly until it surrounds them. Thousands upon thousands of little cerulean glow seem to rise from far beneath the abyss like foams until it veils the entire stream. The leaves of willow trees framing the far banks too began to glow like gems, swaying, with the breeze. The winds sings their songs, the rustling leaves whistled their soft melody.

Loki leaned over the side of the boat and lowered his fingers into the soothing water, the touch of his flesh sends ripples spreading over the still surface. He scooped the water in his palm and let it trickled down between his slender fingers, and they fell like thousands of little diamonds from his hand.

They are beautiful yes, but that was not all Thor had to show him.

"Look deeper…really look…"Thor urged.

He did. Curious…

He stared at the glittering water for a moment before feeling half a fool. He wanted to look away but Thor bid him to keep looking. Look deeper, really look… and the little glowing lights that rise in the updraft from the bottomless deep seem to multiply and grow and suddenly they were rushing up to meet him, and all at once, they seem to be falling too…like snow upon Jotunheim. Then there was a face deep down…a woman's face.

His eyes widened, his heart skipped a beat but he could not look away. It was as if she had enthralled him, snared him in a trap like a siren's song.

The face was vague, flickering and shimmering, shifting and changing in the light. But Loki could make out the small oval face, narrow aristocratic nose and parted lips and he could make out her long flowing locks that curl and caresses her cheeks. And those eyes that looked at him were as translucent as the rest of her.

Suddenly those unseeing eyes blink shocking him and before he knew it, there was another face, and another and they were rushing up towards him.

He pulled back in terror, smacking straight into Thor, sending Thor stumbling back just as a great splash of water burst through the surface. Then everything was tilting to one side and his entire world started to turn at a horrifying axis. The solid ground beneath was swished from under him.

"Thor!" He cried in horror before the boat overturns, throwing them both into the cold water beneath.

Fear, horror, terror surged through him, and he fought to reach the surface with what minimal skill he had. But Thor swam to him, and curled his strong fingers over his wrist and pulled him down.

He was horrified.

Thor had gone mad! Thor had gone mad! He meant to drown them! No!

He fought and struggled, wrenching his arms and kicking, but Thor held on. A touch of those large hands on his face was meant to calm him, but he panicked even more; swiping his face from one side to another.

Thor meant to drown them! Thor had gone mad!

A hand latched onto the front of his cloak jerked him forth, the other shifted to weave beneath the flowing richness of those midnight locks and Thor smacked their lips together in a kiss. He screamed into the kiss. Thor blew into his lips, letting him breath, calming him before pulling back.

"Trust me…" Those cerulean eyes told him. "Trust me. I will not bring you harm"

Golden hair swirled and curled, caressing over Thor's face.

Thousands of little lights drifting upwards.

Thor smiled, motioning for Loki to look behind him. Loki did. There was nothing at first and all he could hear were laughter and giggling all around him. And then he saw them, swishing, circling them, playing, teasing.

Water spirits…

Their forms were not truly define, like smoke. Their appearances shimmer and flicker, blending into the water and sometimes not. The current they make made them more define and when they hold still, they were almost invisible. But if you truly look, you could see them…Their translucent body was shapely and curvy, and they shimmer like dew in the sun. Their long curly hair flowed and trickle, caressing over them gently.

They swam closer and one of them came to Thor. Loki watched in awe fascination as vaguely define slender fingers cup Thor's features almost intimately. The spirit smiled, lowering her head, sealing her shimmering translucent lips over Thor's. Thor parted his lips willingly and she blew gently into them. Bubbles rose and just as soon, she was gliding away again.

Another came towards Loki and he tensed. The spirit giggled, her tingling flingers brushed up the length of his arm, caressing over his face, and she brought her lips close.

In wild panic Loki looked at Thor who smiled at him. Loki flushed, wanting to kick himself. He didn't need Thor's approval! He knew what they were doing. He didn't need to see if Thor was alright with it.

The spirit looked upon him in amusement, and pressed her lips against Loki's. He parted his lips and the spirit blew softly, sending air to his lungs and just as soon, she was gliding away again.

Laughter was all around them.

"Come little prince…come…you are not the first our King sought to impress…do not fear…" The spirits said to Loki.

They tugged them, guide them further down the stream, and deeper and deeper they went. Darkness befell them and more and more spirits came to them. Playing and teasing…

Unbidden a thought came to Loki's mind. Where are they really? The river cannot be this deep…

He turns to Thor. Thor smiled at him, taking Loki by the hand.

The spirits circled them, caressing over their bodies, teasing their hair and laughing; and he could hear them sing…their beautiful voice lulled all around them.

It was truly a different world down here. It was bright, and at once dark…illuminated by the thousands of little glowing lights. And this weightlessness, it was peaceful; the music of their heavenly voices caresses over him like silk. Soon all of Loki's worries fades away and he saw them.

Strange almost extraterrestrial creatures that rose in terrifying numbers from the endless deep, coming to them, and then they were surrounding them; shimmering in all their ethereal beauty. They were almost translucent; what membrane they had, glowed in a sort of silvery blue. Their long and numerous tendrils hung behind them as they bobbed languidly in all directions, all around him. And as far as his eyes could see, they were everywhere. Some were small while others were so large Loki thought it could engulf him.

He resisted the urge to touch these magnificent creatures least he frightened them away. He turns to see Thor by his side, in wonder.

"Do you like it?" Was the question in Thor's eyes as he brings his fingers to gently cup Loki's face and his thumb caresses Loki's cheek.

Ebony locks stirred trickling over the back of Thor's hand.

For a moment Loki thought Thor was going to kiss him, to hold him as if he were the most beautiful creature beneath all of Yggdrassil's many branches. Loki may have loved the passion, the aggression, the and utter surrender during their rut, but he yearned more than anything, for the sweet kisses Thor would give him after; that would make his chest tighten and ache.

Was that happiness? Or was that sadness to know that everything is a lie of his own creation? He did not know, but he wanted to believe that it is happiness.

The moment pass, Thor did not kiss him but in that spur of the moment, Loki did. His fingers lifted to touch Thor's cheek with the softest of caress, and he leans forth to seal their lips in a kiss.

Golden locks brushed his nose; Thor's massive hand slide down his back and tug him close.

The spirits giggled and sang.

Loki watched the golden castle grew in sight as they galloped under the cover of night, chasing reality. And before he knew it, he was once again back wandering the silent hall of Odin's golden palace.

Alone… Always alone.

"It is late and you are tired. Return to my chamber at once" Thor had told him when they dismount. "I have some minor business to take care of"

"At such an hour? And so urgent that you could not even escort me back?"

"I..."

"War council is it? I think I might just tag along. I find it most intere-"

"Loki please! Enough"

"…"

"There is no council…But I do have business that needs my attention, and it will not be wise to be seen together at such an hour, you know this"Thor took Loki's face between his large hands and presses his lips to Loki's forehead "Go rest. I will return" He promised.

Loki had not return to Thor's chamber. He did not wish to yet.

The torches flickered; his boots clicked the marble ground as he wandered. The halls were endless and by now Loki knew them all so well as if the back of his hand. He knew every room, every passage and every hall of Odin's great house by now. He knew the wards that guard the document room, those that guard the armory and Odin's very chamber itself. He knew the guards that patrol the corridor and he knew their routine. He knew too where he should go if he seeks solace, if he seeks silence, not wishing to be seen.

But it seems the notion of silence was dead in Asgard these days. Drunken warriors were feasting at the halls, performance lighting up the entire city and fireworks blasting through the night.

Loki steps out into the empty training ring to see Sif waiting for him.

"How was your get away?" Sif uncrosses her arms.

She had not been fooled by the Queen's illusion. And for that the Queen had told her to keep an eye on Loki upon his return.

"Thor would not be able to keep an eye on him for a few days" Frigga had told her.

"Does Loki know?" She had asked.

"No"

"Is Thor going somewhere again?"

"No. He will be with me. But say nothing of it to Loki. He must not know; so keep an eye on where he wanders. I do not want him anywhere near my quarters"

"Is everything alright?"

"It will be" Frigga gave her an assuring smile.

"Oh how I have missed you my Queen" Loki smile.

Sif resisted the urge to roll her eyes, following him till he stood in the center of the ring.

Loki could smell the pines from the thick forest behind the palace, the damp earth beneath his feet, the cold in the air and the distinct smell of fire and smoke from the display above him. He slid his hood off, letting the gentle breeze caress his warm face.

Emerald lights flashes; he lifted his face upon the magnificent sky.

"Beautiful isn't it? Though a little loud I admit" Loki said. "A shame that Jotunheim possesses no such beauty to offer her Queen. But there are beauty of a different kind I assure you"

"Enough with your silver tongue"

"I speak the truth" Loki turns to regard her; his fingers caresses up her arm.

"Liar" She shivered; her fierce eyes upon him, as if daring him to push further.

He did dare. He took a step closer and curls an index finger beneath her chin.

"Truly I tell you Sif, there is no man in all the realms that will be more true to you than I"

"Is tha-" The words were still upon her lips when Loki slid a hand over her waist and press his lips down on hers. "Loki!" She raged; her hands made to shove Loki away but Loki caught her wrist and jerks her forth; kissing her again.

For a moment she resisted, albeit halfheartedly but she did, before she relented.

Loki releases her hands, caressing up her arms. She smelt of fern and blood and salt and leather and steel.

Hesitantly, her hand move up to hold Loki by the shoulder while the other slid up to cup his face and his mouth opens for her. Loki lets her dominate him.

"Her fingers are hard" He thought.

He knew they must have bled centuries ago when she had first shattered the chains of tradition – abandoning the knitting needle for swords of iron. He knew she must have wept in the night centuries ago when she first started and the men laughs and mocks her for every failure. Just like how his dam's entire court mocks and laughs at him when he was named heir.

His tongue caresses hers; his fingers reached up to grasp her hard hands; his thumb brushes over the hard calluses that had formed on her fingers to protect her from pain. No longer would they bleed, no longer would they hurt her.

Not much different from himself, Loki thought. After so long, no words could make him bleed anymore. No words could hurt him anymore.

Loki wondered what he was doing. He had wooed her before in hope of having her alliance, had wooed her in hope of using her anger to turn her into a traitor and he had done it to drive Thor to the verge of madness for she holds a special place in Thor's heart. But somewhere along the way, none of that had seemed to matter anymore. Somewhere along the way, he had continued wooing her because he knew it made her happy and that was enough for him.

Indeed he could not understand why he was doing this. Indeed, he did not know when he had started craving the smile on her face. Was it because he sees in her a mirror of himself and he wanted to give to her all that was denied of him?

It was a long kiss, though how long, Loki could not say. When it ended, Sif releases Loki, taking a hurried step back.

"I…" The next word was lost to her. She looked away in anger at herself, her jaws tight.

"There is no shame in what you desire my Queen"

"Sif!" She snaps.

She should not have let Loki kissed her. She should not want it...and yet she did. She had never gotten anything that she wanted…not Thor, not recognition, not respect. And Loki gives to her what she needed. Adoration…even if it were a lie.

Odin lay peacefully beneath a shimmering veil of gold. He looked so weak and frail; a shell of the mighty king he once was. Thor bends down on one knee and took his father by his hand. The coldness of his father's skin frightened him. It was as if his father was already lost to him.

These sleeps had always frightened him as a child, and it still frightens him even now. All that change was that he was now better at hiding his fears. No longer did he weep at his father's side, holding his hand and begging for his father to wake up. But at times, he felt a child again and he wanted to do just that.

How long Thor knelt there holding his father's hand, he could not say. He did not move until the curtains behind him parted and Frigga glided towards them.

"Thor…" Frigga placed a gentle hand over Thor's shoulder.

"Mother"

"Have faith my son. Your father will return to us"

Thor knew that her words were her prayer. She was as frightened as he, or perhaps more so. These sleeps have always been difficult on her and it was worst with every recurrence. His father's sleep would stretch longer…until eventually he would not wake anymore.

Thor stood to his feet. He is her pillar of strength and her tower of refuge. She depended on him, she needed him to be strong or she would crumble. He understands that.

Thor turns to give her an assuring smile. "He will return to us"

"Yes…and you too my love" She reached into her pocket to retrieve a small vial of scarlet liquid and placed it in Thor's hand. "It is done"

Thor felt his heart skip a beat as he felt the weight to the warm bottle in his palm.

The end of Loki's curse.

He should be ecstatic, he should be happy, but all he felt is fear. Loki's soul has been a part of him for so long he had learned to love it; just as slaves soon learn to love their chains. But he will have it destroyed still, for with it, there can be no truth between them. What he did or did not feel, so long as Loki chains him with that curse and the crippling fear of madness, he will believe nothing.

"Are you afraid?" Frigga asked.

"…"

"There is no shame in fear" Frigga said. "Freedom, is more terrifying than the chains would ever be. The chain that binds gives you constrain, it gives you an excuse for what you cannot control, for things you are ashamed of. While freedom dares you with a question…what will you do now, when you stand before each other as two beings with no curse to blame for your actions and all that you feel or not feel for him"

A sad smile touch Thor's lips. Frigga was wrong...

What freedom? What of the shackles of duty?

There is no true freedom even after this. He has been in shackles since the day he was named heir. And perhaps that was why he had not fought harder for Loki's chains to be removed. He had not demand more vigorously, he had not been as angry as he should be…

Loki's curse was just another chain among the many chains that bind him. Albeit heavier and he had grumbled and tugged at it, and by no means would he forget it once it was gone…but it was just another chain. Removing one would not free him. It simply makes the weight of those irons more bearable.

The sound of battle rung beyond the icy wall. Farbauti knew that he simply have to look out a window so see a thousand little camp fire burning across the court yard. Malekiths's armies were training and so were theirs. The time is near, he could feel it in his bones and he knows he is right.

Truth, he dreaded the war, he dreaded the day Loki would return. Loki is chaos; Loki is death… that is the fate of those who dabble in black magic. But Farbauti still loves him despite all.

Farbauti enters the council chamber to find Laufey where he knew he would be.

Laufey glances up to him from where he sat, but he remained silent. There was nothing to say.

"Come to bed" Farbauti said.

The council had long ended several hours ago, but still Laufey did not leave. Sometimes Laufey did not even return to their chamber.

"I am not tired" Laufey said.

"Then I will accompany you"

Farbauti moves along the length of the table covered in maps, documents and reports until he was by his King and mate. He pulls the chair closes to Laufey and took his seat.

"Let's start with the position of our armies" Farbauti said, glancing over the map before Laufey.

Laufey smiled. The truth is that neither of them could sleep and so they don't. It is foolish to lie next to each other feinting sleep when both knew full well that neither of them was, and Laufey had given up on that.

"I love you Farbauti" Laufey whispered.

Farbauti lifted his gaze upon his mate. A gentle smile on his lips. "And I you, my king, my mate, and my friend"

For three days, the purging made Thor terribly sick. Cold sweat broke from his skin and he shivered terribly even under layers of wool and silk. His guts heaved, acid rushed up his throat and he threw his body over the side of the bed, throwing up into the bucket Frigga had left him. But whatever he threw up were not the content of his guts. In the dim light of the candle he could see…they were inky black and it tasted of salt and blood and smelt of death.

"It's dying…and slowly…" He knew. And there was something deeply sad about it.

In darkness he writhed, in darkness he felt the anguish of a dying soul. And in darkness he saw her…a little girl, watching him. There was something terrible about her. Something foul and she terrifies him beyond anything had ever.

Worst, no one could see her but him.

"Who are you…?" Thor croaked weakly from where he lay.

She did not answer him; simply remain in the shadow, watching him suffer. And Thor did suffer.

His skin burn with fever, his body ached and his head pounded in agony; and when he sleeps, nightmares would plague him so terribly that he would scream himself awake and sometimes he would be so disoriented that he could scarcely tell if he was awake or not or if anything were simply the concoction of his fevered mind.

"Who are you?! Answer me!" He had demanded more than once.

She did not reply. She did not once move from the shadows until the moment Loki's soul has withered, releasing its last hold. And then she came like a raging storm; rattling the tables, cracking mirrors and snuffing every candle.

He howled, stumbling in his tangled sheets and fell hard on the cold floor. He opens his mouth to shout for Frigga! For the guards! Anyone! But his voice was caught in his throat.

Her chilling laughter echoed loudly through the chamber making the hair on the back of Thor's neck rise. His heart hammered wildly, his eyes were wide as he backed up to his bed along the floor in fear. A fear so deep… a fear born from within.

He could see nothing, but he knew she was coming towards him.

Icy coldness crawled towards him, biting into his skin, and he could smell the raw stench of rotting flesh and hear wet crackling as if putrid tissues were slowly being peeled apart.

"Who are you?! What do you want from me?!" Thor demanded, looking at last upon her shadow.

He could not see her face, but he could see the silhouette of her little form and there was something moving beneath her feet. Jerking and crackling.

"You do not belong to me Odinson…but he does…" She said and at once he was plunged into icy coldness.

He collapsed, his entire body convulsed and jerked as he felt to his horror, something crawling up his throat like spider. He coughed and heaved and he saw it. Inky tendrils were being drawn out of him.

"Oh! How I have waited!" Her maddening laughter shook the walls and split the curtains.

There was nothing Thor could do as he lay there paralyzed; watching in horror as she swallowed the tendrils that was Loki's soul. And once she was done, she vanished without a trace.

How long Thor lay there paralyzed, he could not say. But the strength in his limbs returned slowly as the bone deep coldness fades.

The celebration had gone on as planned even with the absent of the King. Meads were being poured in abundance at the feasting hall through the day. But when the night comes, a more refine sort of feasting would be held. There would be harps playing, violins and humming as the High Lords and Ladies and their favored knights and families dances and their Lord father dine on fine wine and food. Their warriors would be given another hall to celebrate in their drunken madness or if they prefer, the tavern and brothels in the city were not short of entertainments.

Fireworks would blast and lit up the entire sky the moment darkness envelopes the light.

Asgard was celebrating; counting down to the day Asgard would have a new Queen.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Thor stood at the threshold of his darkened room, looking upon Loki who sat on the bed amid chaos about him.

The curtains that framed his massive four poster bed were torn, shreds of fabric hanging off its hinges. The full length mirror was smashed, a thousand shards of silvery glass scattered upon his carpet like little diamonds. And the paperwork he had left on his now overturned desk was sprawled all over the floor. Ink bottles were smashed, feathered quills snapped and the trophies he collected from his many adventures were scattered all over, ripped from their place of fame upon his wall.

Thor guessed he did deserve the state of his room after abandoning Loki without a word for a good four days.

Frigga had told him that when Loki had walked up to her at the feast on the second day of their return and demanded of her to see Thor, he was beside himself. He was deadly pale and his eyes were wild.

Their guest had laughed. Bjorn the loudest of all. "The King comes and goes as he pleases, but I am sure Asgard do not lack cocks to satisfy your need. Shall I have my warriors help you out little Jotun?"

They mocked and teased Loki. They did not know that Thor was back; thinking Loki an overly needy pet that misses his master.

But Loki had not cared; his murderous eyes were upon Frigga only when she told Loki that she had not a clue where Thor is.

"I've increased the number of guards at my quarters, but still you need to be careful. He is desperate Thor. And desperation is dangerous" Frigga had told him that night.

"He feels it..?" Thor had asked from where the lay, shivering.

"I do not know the extent that he feels the withering of his soul…but he feels it…yes"

Thor shuts the door behind him and move towards the unmoving prince. Emerald eyes stared at him with a sort of predatory violence.

"So you've returned at last to me" Loki's lips curled as he stood to his feet.

"I said I would"

"Liar!"

"Am I not here now?"

Loki hissed, baring his teeth.

"Enough Loki" Thor reached forth. The moment his fingers ought to brush Loki's arm, it passes through nothingness and the figure dematerialized.

An illusion!

Too late was Thor to react; there was a stirring behind him and at once, an ice dagger was pressed to his throat.

"The mighty Thor…" Loki chuckled, pressing the dagger harder against Thor's vulnerable throat, but not enough to draw blood. "The Allmother has broken the curse has she?"

"Aye"

"That witch" Loki sneered; shifting to stand before him, the blade still upon Thor's throat.

Outside, a loud bang exploded. A flare of jade light streaked through the sky, filling the darkened room with a flash of green light. For a moment Thor saw Loki as he truly is, strip of all illusion. Thor stilled. Then the lights faded and Loki was just another shadow in the darkness.

But Thor had seen him.

And so different was he from the Loki that is the picture of control, the picture of power and authority he had conjured up a moment ago.

Loki was a right mess. Dark shadows powdered his blood shot eyes; his skin was pale and sickly; and his ebony hair was in disarray. His clothes were crumbled and he looked maddening.

"So…are you here to kill me now? Torture me?" Loki taunted. "Or perhaps you are here to imprison me so that you could fuck me when your Queen sleeps"

"Is that what you think of me?" Loki's abusive words anger him. Coward!

"I could only think of that if you are not here to kill me. After all, only I know you. Only I can satisfy your perversion"

"A perversion of your making!" Thor spat.

"Is it?" Loki laughed.

"Enough!" Thor bellowed, taking a step forth.

"Stop!" Loki snarled, pressing the dagger hard, drawing blood. "Do not think I would not slit your throat Aesir!"

This time it was Thor who let out a humorless laugh. He was so sick of Loki and of his cowardice and his pretense.

"Are you incapable of truth?" Thor asked.

"Do not think I will not do it!"

"I believe you"

"…"

"I believe you will kill me without a thought if need be. Of that I have no doubt"

"…"

"Put the dagger down Loki" Thor rasped. "Enough of your charade, enough of your lies"

"You know nothing" Loki gritted.

"I know you are frightened of me" Thor lifted his fingers slowly, caressing down Loki's forearm.

"Thor…Don't!"

"I will not hurt you. I give you my word" He curled his broad fingers tight about Loki's wrist.

"Thor…!"

"Give me the dagger"

"No"

"Loki…let go" Thor reached his other hand up to pries the blade from Loki's hard fingers and he threw it aside.

Cerulean eyes staring into Loki's emerald ones. Then without a word, without hesitation Thor took a step to cover the space between them and pulls Loki into his powerful arms. His broad fingers combs over the wealth of Loki's messy greasy hair and he placed a kiss over Loki's temple.

"Don't fear me Loki. I will not hurt you…I swear it…" Thor whispered.

Hesitantly, Loki lifted his arm to wrap about Thor's back, his face hidden against the crook of Thor's neck.

What now Thor could not say. All he knows is that he could not say that everything would be alright or that everything has been forgotten.

Thor will never forget what Loki had done to him. But he chooses to forgive Loki for the one thing Loki did not do.

Loki did not abandon him to madness when he could, even if the entire fiasco was Loki's by design. Loki was not cruel to him. He had not stood back and watched him suffer, he had not withheld his touch and he did not hurt Thor when he could. And for that, Thor chooses to forgive Loki.

Another burst of scarlet light through the sky illuminated the entire room and then it faded again.

"You must rest" Thor took Loki to the messy bed.

"So the King returns tomorrow" Loki said.

"Aye"

"You are bleeding" Loki touches the cut on Thor's neck.

"It's just a scratch" Thor pushes Loki to sit at the side of the bed and he tugs Loki's crumbled tunic off.

Loki watches Thor silently as Thor knelt between his legs, undressing him for bed. Large hands worked on him, easing him of his boots and then his pants.

He is so tired…so so tired, he could barely keep his eyes open.

"Loki" Thor looked up upon him. "You are shaking"

Loki looked down at his hands to find that that was true. He was shaking…he did not even notice it.

"Ah…will you look at that" Loki let out a laugh. "I'm shaking. That's the first"

Thor reached to cover Loki's hands in his grasp.

Loki let's his lids drift shut, a laugh bubbled up his throat and he started laughing and laughing maddeningly even as Thor pulls him into his embrace. Loki laughed and then he screamed; his fingers curled, tearing at the front of Thor's armor.

"It's going to be okay. I've got you" Thor soothed.

Rain poured the morning after, beating hard against the window and the winds howled like wolves in the night. Lightning flashed, streaked across the sky. Loki was leaning against the glassy window staring out when Thor came to him with a nest for golden hair.

Thor let his gaze drift over the Jotun. So different was Loki from the night before.

This Loki stood tall and proud, arms folded as if he hadn't a fear in the world and that last night had never happened. He was draped in silken bath robe of black and gold. His damp tresses were combed back neatly to reveal his fair features, clean and void of filth. Dark shadows still powdered his eyes, and he looked slightly pale but he did not look broken or mad anymore. He was once again the image of control, of power and authority.

A mask… Thor knew.

Without speaking, Thor brushes his hand over the back of Loki's neck. He noted that Loki's skin was cold; colder than was usual.

"Was it the shower?" He wondered. But it didn't feel like it. His thumb caresses the side of Loki's neck.

Loki turns to regard him with mocking amusement.

"And you still want this even now?" He mocked. "Animal" He licked his lips seductively.

Thor snorted. "Indeed I have a hunger this morning"

"Oh?" Loki's eyes sweeps down to the sleeping organ between Thor's legs.

"For fruit, bread and dry cheese" Thor said. "Should I call us breakfast?"

"Ah…Should you not dine with your guest?"

"I wish to dine with you"

"Why? Do you pity the monster?"

"You are not a monster"

Loki let out a cold chuckle; turning he took a step towards the mighty King. His slender fingers caresses up the hard muscles of Thor's arm. His eyes, the color of the greenest blade of grass were glint with mischief.

"You still trust me even now…"

"I don't"

"Hmm…a pity…" He caresses Thor's cheeks with the back of his fingers. "But if you did…you'd be the fool I always took you for"

"I see" Thor brushes Loki's fingers away. "I will have my breakfast now. Any preference?"

"Fruits"

"Aye"

With that Thor moves towards the door.

"What will you do now, when you stand before each other as two beings with no curse to blame for your actions and all that you feel or not feel for him" Frigga's words whispered at the back of his mind.

What will he do? He doesn't know… But he cannot deny that he found himself unwittingly drawn to Loki.

But it matters not. Whatever it is that he felt for Loki, he highly doubts Loki felt the same.

He wondered sometimes if perhaps not everything was a lie. But such thoughts are foolish. With nothing to cloud his mind, he sees it clearly now…he is simply a means to an end to Loki.

He will not forget his duty to Asgard. He will not forget who Loki is. Thor opens the door and commanded the servants to bring them breakfast. They bowed and hurried away.

Unbidden a thought whispered. "Then what are you doing?"