Loki watched the king warily as he slowly turned and walked back to his throne.
"I want to know why you aimed the Bifrost at my people", he said while sitting down, making an effort to appear royally (which was kind of ruined by the fact he only wore a loincloth but Loki chose not to mention it).
"To cause chaos and destruction. To prove Asgards strength", he replied without missing a beat.
"Yes but why Jotunheim? Why not Muspelheim, home of the fire demons? Don't you have stories about them even worse then the ones about us? They attack the Vanir frequently and I think you have a treaty with those."
"I believe you know the answer to that", Loki replied coldly.
"Yes, I suppose I do... I just didn't want to believe it." There was a strange glint in the kings eyes. "Do you really hate my race and thus yourself so much that you'd rather wipe us all out then acknowledge us as a part of you?"
Loki stiffened. The conversation was not going the way he had expected.
"Where does all that hatred come from, brother?"
"I do not have to tell you that", Loki sneered. "Also, do not call me that. Your family gave up all right to claim me when they left me in the ice to die."
"An unfortunate mistake", Helblindi admitted. "Did you know that you can tell a Jotuns magical talent by his size? The taller the giant the less magic he has because he puts all of it in his growth. When you were born you were tiny but once tested you didn't show any magical talent whatsoever. As such you were cast out, being deemed unfit for the throne. Now it turns out that you have the rare gift of shapeshifting. It is that gift that was holding onto all of your magic so that our healers could not pick up on it. If my father had known what a powerful mage, what a devastating opponent you would be, he would've killed my older brother Byleistr with his own hands just so he could put you on the throne."
"What a charming character", Loki muttered.
"I hated him", Helblindi said suddenly. "Nobody really liked my father but I despised him for what he did to my people. We were at a constant war with Muspelheim, we lost a third of our land mass of ice to them... It's been nine hundred years since the last battle has been fought between Jotunheim and Asgard and yet he still hasn't managed to secure at least an official ceasefire."
"I see", Loki said. It was dawning upon him where this was heading. "I'm afraid I cannot dispel your worries. Jotunheim has indeed a very bad reputation amongst the Aesir. Without wanting to insult your culture, you are rumoured to be cannibals, to disregard nature and have killed all life on your realm to cover it with ice. Your intelligence compares to a wild animal, you are afraid to walk under the sun because you can't stand anything that's light and beautiful and you eat little children for breakfast."
Helblindi gave an odd little laugh at that that didn't hold any humour at all. "I see. In this case, it is indeed no wonder you wanted us gone this badly. My father has brought this realm to its knees."
It took Loki a lot of strength to say the following words but looking at his... brother like this, a young king who clearly cared for his people and yet couldn't find any allies for them, it touched something within him. Something deep and primal.
"Not all is lost yet. These stories were... not the reason I attacked."
"Then what was it?"
"A series of unfortunate incidents."
Loki sighed and conjured himself a chair to sit on next to the throne. This was a long story. It felt surreal that he shall tell it to the Jotun when he had never told anyone else but then again, maybe it was only natural.
"At first it was only a childs prank, I admit that. Thor was to become king and I seemed to be the only one who saw he wasn't ready. I told prince Byleistr where to find the casket but made no mention of the security measures."
Helblindi snorted. "Yes, a stupid older bother meant to be king, we seem to have that in common."
"My plan worked like a charm. Thor became angry and wanted to invade the very same day, causing Odin to rethink. But it was not enough. When I provoked Thor to go to Jotunheim I never meant for him, for us to arrive there. I had told a guard of our goal beforehand. The watcher should've never opened the Bifrost. I didn't mean to cause a war between our realms. I only meant to show Odin what a reckless idiot Thor is. I never wanted this war! And war there was, king Laufey himself declared it."
"Of course he did – he had to, the Aesir murdered his heir."
"Yes well, I didn't even know who he was at that time."
"I remember how Odin tried to appease my father by banishing his own heir to Midgard. Though it seemed he was dishonest in that one as well, for he came back only days afterwards."
Loki shook his head. "No it was me who brought Thor back. It was not easy either. When Frigga told me there might be a way back for him I panicked. I still needed time to come up with a plan to defend against Jotunheim. If my brother came back too early, his presence would further anger your kind and start the war before we were ready. That is why I told him Odin was dead and that it was his fault. I needed him to stop searching for a way back.
But then the Warrior Three betrayed me and I knew he would search all the more. Heimdall could've brought him back but even if he did he would've still been powerless. A powerless Thor in Asgard while the Jotun prepared to invade would be a dead Thor pretty soon. I only had one choice. Either I had to find a way to give Thor his powers back or I had to hurt him bad enough so he wouldn't survive travelling with the Bifrost so Heimdall wouldn't open it for him. I remembered centuries ago when Thor first picked up Mjölnir. The dwarfs said the hammer chose its wielder. Only a warrior worthy of its power could pick it up. Thor might have been worthy that day all these years ago but he wasn't anymore. It made sense for Odin, who was never much for magic, to reactivate that ancient charm to suit his own needs. And what better chance for Thor to prove his worth then in battle? That is the reason I sent the Destroyer, a powerful weapon. He would've either hurt Thor, preventing him from returning or help him to get his powers back."
"I suppose he didn't thank you", Helblindi said with a wry smile.
"Of course not. I didn't ever bother explain, he would've never believed me." Loki shook his head. "Even as they fought down on earth I still had to deal with the Jotun. I still had no plan and was awaiting their army. So I did the thing that made most sense, strategically speaking. I lured Laufey into the palace and killed him. I wanted to cut off the head of their leader, in hope without him his army would crumble."
"And it did", the king said with a raised eyebrow. "So why did go further?"
"I had no knowledge of Laufeys lacking popularity. For all I knew I could've created a martyr. It was Thors fault as much as it was mine that the war came. I did the only thing I could to prevent Aesir warriors from dying by ending said war, by ending all further wars. I only meant to save Asgard."
"What if we did not agree to a peace treaty today? What if upon returning you found Odin dead and had to take the throne again?"
"I believe I have learned enough about your world during the last two years to see that a preemptive attack of this magnitude would be uncalled for. Of course that does not mean I would hesitate to hold your realm and with it all your wives and children hostage should I see a blue army march up to my gates."
A thin, humourless smile curled around Helblindis lips. He knew not to mess with Loki and seeing the king like this, powerless, it made him feel so much taller. He decided he quite liked it.
"I understand the need to protect your realm. Even if it is not truly yours. Still I believe it would be of more benefit to me to see someone with more... restrain on that throne."
Lokis red eyes lit up warningly. "It would not do you any good to kill me. Thor would not hesitate to avenge me, even if it meant bringing bloodshed and destruction upon Jotunheim the old fashioned way. And if you killed both of us, you'd have the blood of not only the royal heir but also a hero known far beyond the borders of Asgard on your hands. This would set the entire people of the Aesir and a good part of the Vanir, Light Elves and as silly as it sounds, probably even a few Midgardians against you. Even if Odin died and his realm fell to civil war, whoever takes the throne next would declare war with you just to gain the favour of the people. You can touch neither me nor Thor and you know this, else we would not sit here."
"How awfully perceptive of you. However, this is only true if the thunderer really cares so much about you. How could you possibly be so sure of that when he is not even of your blood?"
Loki opened his mouth, even though he didn't know exactly what to say – but he was spared the decision because Thor chose that exact moment to smash through the door, Lokis name on his lips, ready to go rampage on the icy throne room.
"Loki, don't listen to him! It's a trap, you must not give in!"
Loki felt torn between burying his head in his hands, laughing and practising damage control. In the end he went for a pointed glare towards Helblindi and stood, facing the blonde.
"Thor, what is going on?"
But Thor had already crossed the hall, looming threateningly over the king. Though while the same was seated, they still were eye-to-eye.
"I swear, if you do anything to him I'll break your neck with my bare hands and – and I'll kill all of your guards, I'll fight against your whole army if I have to but you will not take him from me!"
Any other time Loki would be angry at a promising negotiation being ruined and at Thor being as possessive as a jealous lover. As it was he mainly felt amusement because the timing really was perfect and he was able to direct a distinct 'I-told-you-so'-look at the king.
Helblindi glared at him as if he believed this was somehow staged but there was no real malice in his eyes.
Loki turned to the blonde again.
"Thor, I thought we said no killing of foreign dignitaries." He knew better then to ask him to put the hammer away. When his sarcasm didn't seem to reach him, Loki gave a sigh and moved towards the god. He deliberately positioned himself between the king and Thor, which required for him to stand really close to the other prince. He laid his hands on Thors chest in a calming manner and looked up into his impossibly blue eyes serious but with authority.
"I am fine, Thor, and there is no reason why I wouldn't leave this world with you as soon as our work here is done. I do believe we managed to take the worst hurdle. Isn't that right, king Helblindi?"
The Jotun rolled his eyes again and nodded but it didn't seem to appease Thor much.
"We can continue to discuss the details of a treaty in a... more official surrounding. You will be there with me, won't you?", Loki all but purred.
"I..."
Thor looked over to the king and then back to his brother helplessly, licking his dry lips. It was hard to concentrate on anything else when hearing Lokis sweet voice, like honey running down his throat.
"I was worried for you... You were taking so long", he tried to explain. "And I was afraid..."
"You were afraid?" Loki laughed quietly and let go of him, moving closer to the throne. "Please no admitting weaknesses in front of foreign kings, Thor. You are lucky my brother and I understand each other."
Apparently though that was the wrong thing to say because Thor went rigid and threw a hateful glare at Helblindi. "He is not your brother!"
"Yes? Then who is? You certainly don't think of me as one." Loki couldn't resist that jab and it stuck Thor right to the core. He practically flinched at the words, avoiding both Lokis accusing and Helblindis curious eyes.
"As much as I enjoy a little family drama", the king finally said, "I think it is time we move on to the official discussions. I dearly hope there will be no further reason for weapons drawn." He gave a pointed glare at his men, that Thor only now realized had surrounded them with at least half a dozen ice blades pointed at his back.
"That would be most appreciated", Loki agreed.
Thor and the Jotun were very reluctant to lower their weapons but eventually they did and Helblindi sent for his advisers so they could open the negotiations. When everyone was moving Loki and Helblindi exchanged a secret look and found that they did indeed understand each other. It was quite unexpected for the god of mischief. He would've never thought he'd find a kindred spirit in a world as cold and unwelcoming as Jotunheim. But Helblindi with his quick wit and his sharp tongue, who could be as threatening as a viper hidden in the grass and as strangely innocent as a child really appealed to him. He actually thought it was a shame he didn't have more time to get to know him. Of course Loki would not want to exchange his life in Asgard for one in Jotunheim but he found he would not mind having Helblindi as a little brother.
XxX
It had been three days since Thor and Loki had arrived on Jotunheim. The negotiations were going more or less smoothly. Jotun and Aesir would never be allies and happily trade goods or fight side by side, but they could certainly agree on an official ceasefire. If any Jotun attacked Aesir, it would be the gods who would judge them and in turn, Jotun would punish any offending Aesir after their own laws. However if there were to be any executions, a representative from the other race had to be present at the trial and possessed the right to take the case in front of the Allfather or king Helblindi respectively.
Also, not unsurprisingly, Jotunheim demanded reparations for the damage done by the Bifrost. They were not interested in gold, instead they demanded payment in form of cattle and corn. Asgard however had to import these things itself from Alfheim, so things took a little longer to discuss.
Loki and Thor had been given guest rooms next to each other as well as two others for the Einharjar. Naturally they were freezing cold and if one of them ever saw a blue servant, which there seemed to be very few around, they were unwilling to do anything about it. They were also strictly forbidden from lighting a fire. It made sense, since most of the structure was made of ice but Thor was convinced they only said it to mock them. If he had his way they would've long since abandoned the negotiations and let the Jotuns rot in their ice but he couldn't for two reasons. One was that he had orders from the Allfather and the terms of the treaty were reasonable ones. The second reason was Loki.
Thor didn't know how to describe it but Loki seemed... different. More at ease. He was smiling more often, still sarcastic, still evil but smiling nonetheless. He appeared perfectly comfortable in the cold air and had no problems at all talking to the king, not just negotiating, discussing, arguing, but also just chatting, joking when they were taking a break from the official stuff.
Most noticeably though, Loki had taken to wander around blue-skinned.
Thor didn't have anything against a blue Loki. He found the strange markings on his skin fascinating and his blood red eyes, while not as beautiful as his green ones, still seemed to be able to penetrate his very soul when he looked at Thor. He had to be careful not to touch him yet he catch a frostbite but for some reason seeing his blue skin on an everyday basis didn't feel as unnatural as it should. It was probably the ice, the warrior decided. Everything in Jotunheim had a blue hue to it, as if your were seeing the world through blue glasses. Loki fit in perfectly in these surroundings. It was Thor and the Einherjar who stood out awkwardly.
And that right there was probably the problem; Loki was connecting to the very people he used to hate so much and Thor was being ignored. A few days ago when General Gymir hat told him the king meant to trap Loki, solely for the purpose of provoking Thor so he would act like a fool as he now knew, Loki had assured him that he would leave for the next world with him. At that time he had worried his brother would be forcefully restrained. Now he worried he might chose to stay by himself. The mere idea was ridiculous but the fact alone that it occurred to him, that it didn't seem impossible was driving him crazy. It wasn't just the thought of losing Loki either (thought that was bad enough in itself) it was the thought losing Loki to someone else.
Eventually there came a time when he couldn't keep his thoughts to himself any longer. He waited until he and Loki had a moment alone and then he asked as casually as he could:
"You know, you never told me what you talked to the king about to make him agree to the treaty."
Loki, who was busy rereading the half finished script for said treaty, made a noncommittal sound.
"Well, are you going to tell me?"
His brother looked up. "Let me think about it... no."
"Wha- But why not?"
"You should have figured by now that you don't always get what you want", came the scratching reply, "especially from me."
That did shut up Thor quite effectively. It was clear he was still curious but he didn't dare object.
Obviously, Loki had not expected it to be this easy. After a few moments of silence, he finally let out a sigh, put his notes away and faced Thor.
"I do not want to tell you because it is private. Believe me, if I had been recruiting the king in my scheming against Asgard, I would simply lie to you about it."
Thors mouth dropped open a little. "That was not what I had been thinking!"
Loki scoffed. "Really? How incredibly reckless of you."
Thor didn't know if he should feel guilty or insulted. Was it so wrong to... believe in Loki? "Whatever it is you said to him", he finally replied, "he seems to like you well enough."
"As much as one can like the murderer of ones family who threatened to destroy your world, yes, I suppose he does."
The god of thunder swallowed. "And you... you like him too."
The Jotun threw him an odd look. Then he chose his words carefully: "Helblindi knows he must not touch me – and not just literally either. He does not underestimate me and sees my talents for what they are. In short, he respects me and while you can still respect somebody who is your enemy, I find this to be a quality very rarely aimed at me these days. It is something I appreciate."
"I respect you too", Thor hurried to say.
Loki gave him a pointed glare. "You can never hope to respect somebody while simultaneously wanting to stick your hammer into them, brother."
The god of thunder blanched and started to splutter. "That's-That's not what I want."
"Oh?" The other prince raised an eyebrow. "So you prefer it the other way around? I shall take you up on that if I ever fall so low as to join you in your bottomless pit... Which is not likely to happen, just to be clear."
Thor quickly went from white as a sheet to red as a tomato. He had to admit he had never thought about Loki in... that position but strangely enough the idea did intrigue him. Involuntarily he thought back about the night Loki had chained him to his bed. He had been tense back then, of course, he had not struggled much but he had not been submissive either. What would it feel like to let go of all control and have Loki have his way with him? In all honesty, he did not think he could do that. He could not let himself fall into Lokis arms – he would always be afraid he'd hit hard ground. He hated it but fact was... He could not trust Loki. And Loki... Loki did not trust him either.
"I know that I'm a terrible brother", Thor finally let out. "You do not need to remind me of that. Though I suppose I deserve to have it rubbed in."
"Can't argue with you on that one", Loki muttered.
"It is just... I'm trying my best here. You certainly do not make it easy but I'm still here, still trying. I can't help but wonder if you... If you'd rather have Helblindi as a brother."
Loki looked at him again and for once his eyes did not seem quite as cold. He was silent for a couple of seconds. Finally he averted his eyes again.
"That... is not correct", he finally admitted. "I might occasionally enjoy his company but at the same time I am... repulsed by our similarities. I do not enjoy being constantly reminded of my heritage just by looking at him. You, on the other hand... Despite all your faults, of which there are many, you have always stood to me loyally. You only raised your weapon against me when you thought I was hurting myself. I recognize the effort you make and I am... glad to have you by my side. A Jotun, especially Helblindi, could never endure my presence that long."
With those last words Loki was looking into his eyes again. He sounded sincere, though reluctant and Thor felt a hundred butterflies dance in his stomach. But...
"I don't believe you", he whispered, unable to conceal the heartbroken tone.
Loki returned his gaze blankly.
"What gave me away?"
Thor smiled sadly. "It's too good to be true."
"Is that so." It was not a question. The cold returned into Lokis eyes. "And there I was thinking my acting skills were dropping."
"No. You were... very convincing."
Loki gave a short, humourless laugh. "I suppose you know me too well. Now if you start telling my clones from the real me, I might actually get concerned."
"I'm working on it."
Yes, Loki might have been lying about appreciating him but he had not been deliberately cruel by stating he preferred Helblindi either. For that at least, Thor was grateful.
The negotiations were soon finished and the brothers readied themselves to leave. One of the Einherjar had been sent ahead with the treaty. They said goodbye to the Jotuns, most of them still being cold though Thor experienced another stab of jealously when there seemed to pass an unspoken understanding between Loki and the king.
"As soon as the peace is officially accepted by the Allfather", Helblindi said formally, addressing the younger prince, "you might consider yourself welcome in my palace. I am looking forward to working with you in rebuilding our realm."
Our realm. That stung.
"Thank you for your generosity", Loki answered smoothly, "I do not know whenever I will be able to make use of your hospitality, considering the opinion your people have of me, but I will keep it in mind."
King Helblindi nodded, having expected nothing else and Thor felt himself seething inside. He just wanted to get out of here.
When they finally left the palace, making their way into the open so they could call for Heimdall, Thor noticed that Loki was still in his Jotun form.
"Say, Loki, you don't plan going to the next world all blue like that, do you? I know that most people are expecting it from me because of some bad drinking habits in the past, but they might be shocked seeing you like this."
"Of course not. I was keeping this form out of convenience", Loki replied stiffly. "Else I would be a trembling mess from the cold, similar to you."
"Oh. So it has nothing to do with the negotiations and stuff?"
"It is a nice side effect that I seem to earn less scornful looks that way", he admitted.
For some reason, this made Thor angry. "Well, from them, maybe, but our guard is certainly feeling uncomfortable. Maybe you could've borne that small inconvenience for us?"
Loki threw him a look of disdain. "You mean, for you? What is it, Thor, have I finally found a way to smother your perversion? Are you repulsed by me?"
"That's not what I meant!"
"Really? There is no need to lie to me. I know that when you look at me like this, you see a monster and all your instincts tell you to kill me." Lokis eyes were cold and hard, his voice cruelly taunting but Thor thought he also saw a tiny speck of hurt.
"I swear to you that I have never thought that way", he said with conviction.
The god of mischief smiled in a wicked way that immediately told Thor that he'd said the wrong thing.
"I remember quite clearly one day in Vanaheim roughly two hundred years ago, when we were sparring together in preparation for the battle the next day. I was experimenting with my shifting magic, trying to increase my strength, stamina and damage resistance by combining the characteristics of several different races. When you got the better of me for a moment my concentration slipped and I turned into this form. At that time I did not know that it was my natural one, I simply thought I'd made a mistake. When my magic is upset, changing the colour of furniture or other peoples hair, skin or clothing is one of the most harmless and most common symptoms."
Thor slowly dawned what day Loki was speaking of and he felt his hands become sweaty.
"But you, when you looked at me I could see the shock, the disgust, the hatred. You stormed at me with your hammer and attacked, certainly not in a friendly, sparring sort of way. You aimed to kill me and if I hadn't dodged in time, who knows, you might have spared Asgard a lot of trouble. You were in a rage that day, until I managed to transform back and explain the mistake. I could see your hatred clearly, oh mighty Thor."
Thor closed his eyes in pain at the memory. If this was truly what Loki thought... It was no wonder he had never told him about his heritage when he found out, had never tried to make him understand.
"Loki, that day I... I thought you were a Jotun – I mean, a foreign one. I thought one of them had killed my brother and taken his place. Of course I was shocked, of course I was filled with hatred. I thought you had been murdered!"
Loki was looking at him strangely, as if he wasn't sure whenever to believe him or not.
"Trust me, I was beyond terrified at the thought that I could've seriously hurt you that day myself. Don't you remember how you spelled my mouth shut after two weeks because I wouldn't stop annoying you with my apologies? Don't you remember how I didn't dare raise my weapon against you again, even in a friendly spare, for five month?"
Loki did remember. He could see it working behind his forehead. In the end though he just gave a snort and turned away.
"It does not matter much now anyway."
They were silent for a moment, just walking quietly side by side.
"You... You didn't do it for me though, did you?", Thor asked nervously. He hated to interrupt the silence, that had felt relatively pleasant but he had to get this out of his system.
"What do you mean?", Loki asked with a sideways glance.
"The being blue thing. You didn't do it just so that I... wouldn't feel as attracted anymore, did you?"
His brother gave a sigh and turned away from him.
"Because if it's that then you don't have to! I mean... It's not really working and... You can just stay in the form you're most comfortable with."
"Contrary to what you believe, not the whole world is about you", Loki replied sharply. "I do think it would be justified to at least try this approach if there was a chance it would keep your hands off me."
That stung. Badly.
Anger was fighting hurt within Thor as he said: "You know I have never... Ever touched you in any way that is not becoming... unless you asked me to."
And that was the truth. He could not deny that his thoughts had been on the unholy side several times but he had never acted on them.
They had reached the open skies and stopped. Loki turned back into his Aesir form and avoided Thors look. For a moment he was lost in thought. He really was glad he had remembered to cover his brother and himself in a magical bubble that hid their conversation from the guards following them.
Loki saw the truth in Thors words, even though he denied it. It was a very valid argument and this irked the god of mischief. If he wanted Thor to beg to be allowed to please him, he had to build on his shame and guilt. For some reason Thor was not as ashamed for his desires as he should be, unless Loki could make him lose control. But whatever guilt he was bearing was not connected to these desires at all, for he had done no wrong in that regard. He was feeling guilty for leaving Loki to fend for his own ever since they had stopped being children and Loki enjoyed toying with that guilt but... it was not enough.
Thor still found a certain amount of pride in his self-control. To take that away from him would be the sweetest humiliation. Yes, he decided, it was time for another game.
"Heimdall, open the Bifrost!", Thor shouted to the skies and soon the multicoloured light came down for them. Since they hadn't stayed that long on Jotunheim, they had decided against going back to Asgard. Instead the Einherjar they had sent before had relied their wish to travel right to the next world – Nidavellir, the home of the dwarfs.
XxX
AN: A monster chap - because I love you and I had a good day. I knew nobody would fall for the Loki-has-been-trapped but it was such a good point to end the chappie.
Does anyone have any ideas for the next world? I really don't know anything about norse mythology, I'm making this all up.