Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel. Obviously.

In this chapter, Loki is masculine and goes by "he/him/his" pronouns.

Odin remained kneeling on the floor with Loki, sitting in silence as Loki continued to drink his water in little sips. "Loki," he said, voice soft. "Please look at me."

Loki refused for a moment before lifting his eyes to Odin's. Odin cupped the back of Loki's head and searched his face for a moment. "I am sorry," he said at last, keeping the same tone. "I did not think before I spoke. I did not know how strongly this would affect you."

Loki nodded, eyes flicking down to avoid Odin's again. Odin hesitated, then leaned in and pressed a kiss to Loki's forehead. Loki looked back up at him, blinking at him in surprise.

"It was not my intention to keep the knowledge of Bestla away from you," Odin repeated. "As for Vé, the records of him were destroyed, as I said. After his death, Bestla and Bor's marriage all but broke apart; she became more of a ghost and after Bor's death, she stayed just long enough to see me on the throne before leaving. No one knows where she went off to. I know not if she still lives. I did not mention Vé because there are very few in the Nine who even remember he existed. I thought, should either you or Thor find a record of him, that we would discuss it then. As I say, I misjudged your reaction on hearing his fate."

Loki blinked and nodded, looking down again. "I understand," he whispered. Odin's hand moved to the back of Loki's neck, where he squeezed a moment for reassurance.

"You are very dear to me, Loki," Odin said at last. "More than you will ever be able to fathom. It is something I should have told you much, much sooner."

Loki said nothing and Odin reached up, stroking the boy's hair once. "Would you like to be alone?" He asked and Loki nodded, looking back at his hands. "Very well," Odin said and stood, using Gungnir for support. "Would you like me to send your mother?"

Loki hesitated a moment, then shook his head slowly. Odin quirked an eyebrow. "Loki, it is alright if you would like for her to come. You do not-" He paused, then huffed, looking for the right words. "You do not have to be alone."

"I'm okay," Loki whispered. "Thank you."

Odin nodded and walked to the door, but before he left, Loki whispered "I'm sorry, too. For what I said."

"What?" Odin turned, blinking at his youngest son in bewilderment.

"In the healing rooms," Loki clarified, his voice no more than a mumble. "I said that I- Anyway, I'm sorry. I shouldn't... I shouldn't have said it. It was cruel of me."

Odin stared at him a moment longer before his memory clicked. "I'd be better off dead than with you for a father."

Ah, Odin thought and walked back to Loki, kneeling again and placing a hand on his shoulder. "I forgive you," he said simply. Loki tensed and nodded. Odin stayed where he was for a moment and Loki lifted a hand to wipe his face again. He's crying, Odin realized. A moment later, he pulled Loki into his arms, ignoring that Loki had gone stiff. "I forgive you," he repeated quietly to his son.

"Why?" Loki asked, still tense. Odin pulled back and looked at Loki, really looked at him.

"Because you are my son," he said. "Because I love you, Loki, and that will never change, no matter what you say. You are my son, Loki," he repeated, wanting to shake Loki so the words would pierce his skull, to make him believe them. "You are my son and I will not give you up so easily."

Loki pressed his lips together, blinking rapidly now to try and keep his tears back. Odin pulled Loki into his arms again and whispered "It's okay, Loki. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

And Loki wrapped his arms around Odin, pressing his face into Odin's shoulder, not crying, just holding. Odin squeezed him back, stroking his hair and closing his eye. He was unsure just how long they sat there for, silent as Odin became lost in thought, stroking a hand over Loki's hair. It had been a long time since he had last held Loki like this and he felt a pang of regret.

Finally, Loki took a deep breath and sighed, sitting back on his heels. He pushed hair out of his face and rubbed at his eyes as Odin watched him, meeting his eyes when he looked up.

"Is there anything else I should know about?" Loki asked, a lip twitching. Odin considered.

"One or two things," he said at last. "But I think, unless you want me to tell you this moment, that we will discuss it another day."

Loki tensed and chewed on his lip. "Is it serious news?" He asked. Again, Odin considered.

"One of them, perhaps, although it is no urgent matter. The other..." He grimaced. "Is not... serious, no. It more concerns me than you."

Loki frowned and narrowed his eyes. "Is it important?" He asked.

"It involves one who was important to me," Odin replied. "An old friend in times gone past. But as I say, it concerns me more."

Loki nodded slowly, the tension leaking from his posture. "Alright," he relented. "Another day."

Odin nodded once and decided to change the subject. "Are you hungry?" He asked. Loki shrugged, looking down t his hands.

"No," he said. "Not really. Just a little tired."

"Very well." Odin stood again. "I shall make sure something gets sent up to you later, in case Thor forgets."

Loki nodded. "Thank you. Father."

Odin nodded and turned. "Rest well, Loki," he said and slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him and making his way back to his study.

It was only later that he realized Loki had called him Father.

Thor arrived at the training grounds and looked around, slightly more relaxed now that he was in an environment where he could hit things. He left Mjolnir in his rooms, going through the armory instead, looking through the various swords and javelins and spears until he came upon a large axe sitting unused in a corner. He picked it up, weighing it in his hands and giving it an experimental swing.

"Looks good on you," a voice said and he turned to see a familiar figure standing in the doorway, a grin on his face, blond hair arranged to an almost stupid level of perfection. Thor blinked at him before a grin lit his face.

"Fandral!" He said, letting his arm drop to his side. "What are you doing here? You're not allowed in the palace!"

Fandral gave him a one-armed shrug. "Ah," he said, walking in, hands in his pockets. "But I'm not technically in the palace. After poking around a little, I discovered that these training grounds are fair game: they're open to the public and the practice weapons are open to anyone who's willing to be supervised. You cannot banish someone from a public area, can you?"

Thor let out a huff of laughter. "Well, when you put it like that," he said and clapped a hand to Fandral's shoulder. It had always irritated Loki to no end, but Fandral was almost as good as him in finding loopholes.

Fandral's logic was also rarely genuine logic; another thing that would always irritate Loki. Thor could remember the many times Loki would argue with Fandral, trying to make him see reason and actual logic, but Fandral—along with the rest of them—had always found it amusing to stubbornly insist his own brand of logic until Loki gave up. It was a good game, Thor thought. But perhaps Loki hadn't known it was meant to be a game.

"That reminds me of your old axe," Fandral said, nodding to the blunt one in Thor's hand. "What was it called? Jornbjorn? Ridiculous name, when you think about it."

"Jarnbjorn," Thor corrected. "And yes, this one does look like it, doesn't it?" He lifted the axe, inspecting it more before nodding. "I need to hit something."

"Ah! Are you willing to have a partner?" Fandral asked, wiggling his eyebrows. "It's been an age; I fear I'm out of practice."

"You? Never," Thor teased. "Pick your weapon of choice, my friend. We won't need a supervisor if you're with me."

Fandral, who was best with bladed weapons, chose a double-edged sword. Together, they walked onto the training grounds and into an empty facility. "Ready?" Fandral asked as he got into position. Thor grinned.

"Always," he replied, falling into stance. "Are you?"

Fandral replied by attacking. Thor blocked him and pushed him back. Fandral grinned. "My goodness, Thor," he said. "Is it possible you're out of practice?"

Thor laughed and they continued with the spar, ducking, blocking, attacking, until Thor was declared the winner by the cut on Fandral's forearm, slowly leaking blood. They sparred again, then continued until they were both drenched in sweat, several hours later.

"Thank you, Thor," Fandral said as they returned to the armory, replacing their weapons. "I've not sparred like that in quite a while."

Thor grinned and clapped a hand to Fandral's shoulder. "Nor have I," he replied as they walked off the grounds, towards the nearby tavern. "Have you seen anything of Sif and Hogun?"

"No, I have not," Fandral said, the regret clear in his tone. "Well, not recently. I run into Sif on occasion, but it is... hard to make plans with her." he leaned in and said "Her father does not approve of my 'hanging around' her. Perhaps he thinks I will defile her."

Thor snorted and rolled his eyes. "I wonder why he would possibly think that."

Fandral grinned and pushed at Thor's shoulder. "Hey, now, I'm being serious! We meet in the cover of night, drinking and complaining to each other about our everyday lives." They sat at a table and got their drinks, Thor still grinning.

"But what of Hogun?" Thor asked. "You say you have not seen him recently either?"

"Aye, that's right," Fandral said, his smile fading. "Every now and then, but he is so... sullen."

"When is he not?" Thor asked, raising his eyes. Fandral shook his head.

"This is different," Fandral replied, eyes downcast. "He is... Well, he was the one who convinced us to retrieve you. I... think that things will not be easy for him when he returns to Vanaheim." Fandral took a long draft of his drink, then wiped his mouth. "But I've seen nothing of Volstagg. How is he? Do you know?"

Thor smiled. "I see him on occasion," he replied. "He is well, I think. Bored, but he says he is pleased to have more time for his family."

Fandral snorted. "He's the only one." He shook his head and brought his drink halfway to his lips before asking "How is Loki?"

Thor sipped his drink. "He is..." He sighed. "I am unsure," he admitted. "But I think he is getting better. He is hurt, Fandral. Not in that sense," he added as Fandral looked up, eyes wide. "Not physically. No, he is... not well, Fandral. Not yet."

"Do you know what happened that he went so...?" Fandral trailed off and made a motion with his hand. Thor sighed and leaned his head into his hand.

"Some," he said. "It was... the stress of many things, I think. My banishment, the oncoming war, Father falling into the Odinsleep..." Thor paused and shifted in his chair. "...among other things."

Fandral raised his eyebrows. "Oh? What 'other things' would that be?"

"Fandral," Thor said, looking up at him. "You are my friend, one of the greatest I've ever had. However, what happened is not my story to tell. Just know that Loki found out something that greatly disturbed him, and it caused much stress on his mind."

Fandral gave Thor a long look, as if assessing him. Then, he nodded, going back to his drink. "Of course, Thor," he said. "I understand. Give Loki my greetings, won't you? I wish him a speedy recovery of... whatever ails him."

Thor smiled up at Fandral gratefully. "Thank you, my friend," he said. "I greatly appreciate it. I'll tell him."

Fandral smiled and lifted his tankard. "To Loki?"

Thor huffed a laugh and raised his own tankard, tapping it to Fandral's. "To Loki," he said and drank the last of his ale. He put the tankard down and tossed some coins on the table. "I must return," he said. "It was good to see you, Fandral. Tell Sif and Hogun I say hello, the next time you see them."

"So long as you'll do the same for Volstagg," Fandral replied. "Take care of yourself, Thor."

"As you, my friend," Thor said, and made his way back to his chambers.

When he collapsed on his bed, Thor realized there was something on his pillow. Frowning, he sat up, looking at the thing. It was a book, worn at the edges from age and use. He picked it up and opened it, glancing at the title.

The Beginners' Guide to Basic Spellwork, read the title. On the corner of the page, in neat handwriting, was written Property of Loki Odinson.

Thor closed the book and looked at it, licking his lips as his eyes stung. He raised his head and smiled, looking over at the door. "Thank you, brother," he whispered, and placed the book on his bedside, standing and walking to the bathroom to bathe.

Notes:

And we FINALLY have some Odin & Loki reconciliation. And hey hey! Fandral makes an appearance! I do love writing Fandral, he's a great character. It's always been my headcanon that out of the Warriors Three, Loki got along with him the best.

Any feedback would be great!