oragne-sunshiine: Loki is really, really cute, isn't he? I'm sure he'll feel better very soon!

Here's the next chapter! Enjoy guys!

ONE STEP FORWARD, FOUR STEPS BACK

A THOR/AVENGERS FANFICTION

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Camp Out

After two days of an itching and very cranky Loki, all of the red patches had faded and Loki wasn't miserable. By Friday evening, Loki was feeling pretty much normal and his fever was gone. The boy was watching television with Thor and Jane. He honestly wasn't too interested in the program until the characters went to the woods and went camping. Loki wiggled a little; that looked like fun! Loki glanced over to the adults and back to the television. How badly he wanted to go camping! As the characters on the program began to roast marshmallows, Loki finally decided to ask.

"Can we go campin' Thor?" Loki asked. Thor looked down at him.

"Camping? You want to go camping?" Thor asked. Loki nodded.

"Uh-huh," Loki replied. He pointed to the television and continued, "look at all the fun they're havin'!" Thor and Jane exchanged glances.

"Well, I don't see the harm in it, do you Jane?" Thor said. Jane shrugged.

"No, but it would be just the two of you. I hate camping." Jane said with a wink. The reality was she loved camping, but thought that Loki would benefit from one-on-one time with Thor. Loki squirmed a little in excitement.

"You mean we can?" Loki asked. Thor nodded.

"But of course. It isn't all desert here, is it Jane?" Thor asked. Jane shook her head.

"Of course not. Just about five miles behind the lab there's a really nice little wooded area that would be perfect. People have little camp outs there all the time." Jane told him. Loki squealed in happiness and sprung up to hug Thor.

"Thank you! Thank you! I wan' t' go now, Thor!" Loki cried happily. Thor smiled and shook his head.

"Not today, Loki. It's too late. We'll go tomorrow morning and sleep in the woods tomorrow night." Thor said. Loki's face was just one big smile. He got to go camping with Thor! How much better could it get?

"Thanks Thor! You're the best brother e'er," Loki told him. Thor smiled and cuddled him close.

"I'm glad you think so."

The following morning, Loki was so excited that he woke up at six in the morning, squirming with excitement. Thor told him to go back to sleep, but Loki couldn't manage to; he was too excited. He had never been camping before and couldn't wait to go. Thor however wanted another hour of sleep so he wasn't as excited and told Loki yet again to go back to sleep. Loki, who seriously couldn't sleep even if he wanted to, stayed awake and cuddled into Thor, soaking up his warmth like the sun. He knew that even when the nightmares haunted him, Thor was there. Even when he had a bad day or misbehaved, Thor was there. Whenever he felt sad about his punishment or abandoned by Odin, Thor was there; even if Thor didn't know. Because Loki had never talked about it or told anyone. He was clingy because of that fact, that when Thor was there he felt better, safer. Thor was his security blanket, that one thing that brought him comfort when the bad thoughts and memories crept in. Loki didn't want to talk about it, not yet. But the boy did know that when he was ready, Thor would listen. He always did.

When Thor was finally ready to get up, Loki was still cuddled into him. Thor smiled and looked his little brother in the face, his own blue eyes meeting Loki's excited green ones. Loki smiled brightly at him and cuddled in closer, not wishing to stop. Thor patted the boy's back and sat up, taking Loki with him. He gave Loki a bath (Loki actually wanted to play with Thor today) and dressed him. After, Thor and Loki ate breakfast with Jane. She offered to drive them to the woods, but Thor declined. He thought that it would be fun to walk. Thor finished getting everything together, remembering at the last second to grab Loki's goat. Once everything was packed, Thor gave Loki the light backpack to carry and he carried the heavy one. They both said good-bye to Jane and left, Loki chattering the whole way.

It was just past noon when Thor and Loki arrived at the woods. Loki's eyes widened at the sight and he was having a hard time standing still. Thor led him into the woods, looking for the best spot to pitch the tent. Loki was chatting with him, pointing out all the plants ("Look! A tree, Thor!") and animals ("Look at tha' bunny Thor…aw, it ran away.") that he saw. Thor smiled brightly at his brother's enthusiasm and continued to guide him through the forest. There was a small flowing creek nearby and Thor decided to camp around there so Loki could play in the water if he wanted to. Thor began to unpack and Loki helped as best as he could. Loki put all the stakes in the ground for the tent and watched as Thor finished putting it up.

"Tha's a good tent, Thor," Loki commented.

"How would you know dear brother? You've never seen one before." Thor said. Loki huffed and crossed his arms.

"It's good 'cause you made it," Loki told him. Thor smiled and kissed his head.

"Alright," Thor said, grabbing Loki's tiny hand, "what do you want to do first?" Loki thought about what he saw the people on the television program doing and smiled.

"Can we go walk around and take a…a…I can' remember the word, Thor, but it starts with a 'H'." Loki said.

"You mean a hike?" Thor asked. Loki nodded.

"Yeah, a hike! Can we?" Loki begged.

"Why not? This is our day. We can do whatever you want to do." Thor said. Loki smiled brightly.

"Then let's go!"

The two ate lunch first and then began to hike. Loki was ecstatic, having never been hiking before and he loved trying new things. They walked along the creek for a while but Loki wanted to go deeper into the forest. Thor agreed and they crossed over the creek and went farther into the forest. As the two of them walked, Loki wanted to climb every tree they walked by. Thor told him that he couldn't climb every tree, but he could climb one. Thor picked one out and watched as Loki struggled up it.

"Want me to lift you into it?" Thor asked as Loki painfully slid down the tree again.

"Nope, I can do it," Loki replied, determined to climb it himself.

"May I give some friendly advice?" Thor questioned as Loki fell and landed on his bottom. Loki glanced back and nodded.

"Uh-huh," Loki said, standing. Thor walked over to the tree.

"You're trying to reach too high up. Don't go for this branch, but go for this one that is lower on the trunk. It'll be easier." Thor told him. Loki nodded in understanding and began to climb again, his little hand wrapping around the branch that Thor told him to grab. The boy hoisted himself onto it and beamed proudly.

"Look Thor," Loki called, "I climbed up!" Loki then began to climb higher.

"Wait, Loki," Thor called. Loki glanced back.

"What?" Loki asked. Thor's eyes glinted with mischief.

"Let's make it a race, brother," Thor challenged, happy childhood memories flowing through him. Loki's green eyes narrowed and a wide mischievous smirk spread across his young face.

"You're on," Loki said. Loki waited for Thor to climb to the same spot on the tree before climbing any higher. He wasn't in the mood to cheat today.

"Alright, on your mark," Thor began.

"Get set," Loki continued, his muscles tensing.

"Go!" They both sprung up and climbed as fast as they could. They both had agreed that the top (the tree was rather short compared to others) was the finish line. Loki was determined to win, as was Thor. Thor was a very competitive person and didn't care that Loki was a five-year-old. He was going to try his very best to win. Loki wasn't holding back either. Though he was smaller, he was quick and flexible. He could easily maneuver the tree's many branches without slowing down or his clothes getting caught anywhere. Loki smirked; he was so going to win.

The little race ended up in a draw. The brothers arrived at the top at nearly the same time and without any other people, it was impossible to say who actually won. Loki pouted that there wasn't a winner, and Thor chuckled at him. Loki stuck his tongue out at Thor and the two began to climb down the tree. Once on the ground, Thor asked Loki what he wanted to do now. Loki decided that he wanted to play in the creek. That looked like so much fun! The two walked back to the creek and Thor informed Loki that he had a bathing suit he could wear so his clothes didn't get wet. Loki went to the tent, stripped his clothing and put the swim trunks on. Thor and Loki then left the tent and Loki sprinted to the edge of the creek so that the water just touched his bare little toes.

"Is it cold?" Thor asked. Loki shook his head.

"Not really. Can I get in now?" Loki asked.

"Of course. I'm right here. Just don't wander off too far; it might get deeper farther down." Thor warned. Loki gave him a thumb's up and ran into the creek with a splash. The boy giggled innocently and Thor watched over him, the sun high in the sky.

Loki begged Thor to enter the creek to help him find fish and frogs. Thor said no, that he didn't want to get wet. After some pouting and puppy-dog eyes, Thor found himself shoeless in the creek. Loki smiled happily and took Thor by the hand to the place where he thought that he saw frogs and fish.

"Help me find all the frogs an' fishies, Thor," Loki said.

"What would you do with them when you found them?" Thor asked. Loki shrugged.

"I s'pose I'd put all the fishies in the water but I wan' t' keep the frogs," Loki told him.

"Loki, I don't think Jane would like it if we brought back frogs to the laboratory," Thor said. Loki didn't respond right away, his eyes darting over to movement nearby.

"Shh…I think I see a frog," Loki whispered. Thor rolled his eyes and watched Loki creep over to the spot where he saw the frog. Loki waited and when the frog peeked out from the water, Loki hurried toward it, the frog bounding away.

"Wait! Come back!" Loki called after the frog, kicking up water behind him as he quickly changed direction. The frog hopped quickly away and Loki chased after it, water flying everywhere. Thor had been splashed multiple times and scowled.

"Loki! I told you I didn't want to get wet!" Thor complained. Thor couldn't see the boy's facial expression but knew from experience that it was a look of irritation.

"An' I tol' you I w'nted a frog," Loki retorted, so frustrated that he used magic to immobilize the frog. Thor scowled harder at this.
"Loki, we should never use magic on other living things that cannot defend themselves." Thor scolded, Loki glancing guiltily down at the little frog in his grasp.

"'M sorry. I j'st really wan' a frog, Thor." Loki said. He looked at the captured frog then back at Thor and added, "Do I have t' put him back?" Thor sighed.

"Just this one. If you want a frog, don't use magic to catch one." Thor told him. Loki smiled.

"An' if I do catch one without magic, can I keep it?" Loki asked.

"Loki…" Thor began. Loki stuck his bottom lip out and began to pout.

"Please? I'd take real good care of him," Loki pouted.

"I…uh…fine, Loki, fine. If you can catch a frog without magic, I shall let you keep it." Thor finally said. Loki smiled brightly and released the frog he was holding.

"Thanks Thor!" Loki said happily, already walking away to find a new frog. Thor was really hoping that Loki wouldn't catch one.

By sundown, Loki had in fact managed to catch a frog. Thor was both impressed and annoyed with it. He was impressed that Loki was able to catch one and annoyed that he'd have to explain to Jane why they now had a frog. Thor didn't know where to put it and when he explained that to Loki, the boy merely grabbed a bucket, placed the little frog inside, and sealed the top of the bucket with magic. Thor was impressed with that as well. Loki appeared to know more magic than he should. That was both impressive and worrisome. How did that advanced talent affect Loki? So far, Thor hadn't noticed anything off about his brother, the boy as sweet and innocent as he was the day they arrived in Asgard. Would it stay that way? Thor hoped so. Loki was admiring his frog proudly when Thor came over with a s'more for him.

"What are you going to call it?" Thor asked, handing the s'more to Loki. Loki eagerly took it and shrugged.

"Dunno. Have you e'er had these 'fore, Thor?" Loki asked. Thor shook his head.

"I haven't, but Jane suggested them. I hear they're very good." Loki smiled brightly.

"Tha's good. There's chocolate, Thor, so they hafta be good." Loki told him.

"Oh yeah?" Thor asked, prompting Loki to continue talking. Thor loved it when Loki spoke. It was so pure and innocent, such a refresher in a world where no one is ever truly honest.

"Yeah," Loki said excitedly, "chocolate is the best e'er! One time, mother thought that I ate too much chocolate and made me not eat it for a long, long time. I wen' t' the kitchens at night and would eat it, but father caught me. A'ter tha', mother made me eat nasty stuff. It was all green an' didn' taste good. D' you remember? You got t' eat good stuffs, but mother wouldn' let me eat good stuffs for a week. She feed all my candy t' the goats, remember?" Thor titled his head back and let out a mighty laugh. He did indeed remember when Frigga forced Loki to eat healthy food for a week and feed all his stored candy and sweets to the goats.

"Yes I do! Oh, it made me laugh so!" Thor said happily. Loki huffed.

"It was funny for you, but not for me," Loki said, a smile playing on his lips.

"Come now, Loki. You know it was funny." Thor teased lightly. Loki giggled lightly and bit into his s'more.

"This is good, Thor! You made it really good." Loki praised, chocolate spreading all over his face. Thor laughed.

"I'm glad that I was able to make them properly," Thor told him. Loki glanced over to his frog.

"I think his name shoul' be Slime," Loki commented lightly. Thor leaned over to look at it as well.

"Or Gross," Thor said. Loki giggled.

"He can have a fi'st and last name," Loki began with a laugh, "Gross Slime can be his name, but we j'st call him Gross." Thor laughed.

"Alright. Then your frog is now and forevermore known as Gross Slime." Thor declared, making Loki laugh.

"'Kay. I knew that a frog was a good idea, Thor. He looks like a lot of fun." Loki paused and his eyes narrowed. He smirked, looked over at Thor and then continued, "But d' you know wha's better than a frog?" Thor shook his head.

"No, what?" Thor asked.

"A turtle! I bet I coul' find one, Thor," Loki said.

"Now Loki, I'm already letting you keep a frog. We really shouldn't go and find a turtle." Thor told him.

"I'll let Gross Slime go if I find a turtle," Loki said, shoving his s'more in his mouth and standing.

"Loki…" Thor began, trailing off as Loki tip-toed back to the creek.

"Are all children like this?" Thor wondered out loud as he followed the little boy back to the creek.

Much to Thor's surprise (with the sun setting and all) Loki managed to catch a turtle to replace his little frog. Loki was ecstatic, and unwilling to dress for bed. He really just wanted to play with his turtle, but Thor knew the boy should sleep. Loki reluctantly agreed, Thor reminding him that the turtle will still be there in the morning. Once Loki was dressed, Thor got into his sleeping bag and Loki crawled in with him.

"Loki, you have your own sleeping bag, remember?" Thor asked gently.

"Yeah, but it's scary. I don' wan' t' sleep alone." Loki told him.

"What's scary?" Thor questioned. Loki shrugged.

"I dunno. I get scared when 'm by myself." Loki answered. Thor sighed sadly and made room for Loki who instantly cuddled into Thor.

"Thank you Thor," Loki muttered into Thor's chest.

"You're welcome Loki. Would you like a story?" Thor asked. Loki nodded and giggled quietly.

"You sound like not-Thor," Loki said.

"I suppose that I do," Thor replied, thinking of a story to tell.

"How about I tell you about why bears have stumpy tails?" Thor said. Loki nodded.

"I like that one," Loki replied sleepily.

"One day, the Bear met the Fox, who came slinking along with a string of fish he had stolen," Thor began, Loki squirming a little.

"Can I tell the next part?" Loki asked. Thor nodded.

"Of course," Thor said. Loki yawned and sat up.

"'Kay. So, um the Bear asked the Fox, 'Where did you get the fishes from' an' the Fox lied an' said, 'I caught them myself, Bear'. The Bear w'nted t' learn 'ow t' fish too an' asked the Fox t' teach him 'ow." Loki said.

"So the Fox replied, 'Oh! it's an easy craft for you and soon learnt. You've only got to go upon the ice, and cut a hole and stick your tail down into it; and so you must go on holding it there as long as you can. You're not to mind if your tail twitches a little; that's when the fish bite. The longer you hold it there the more fish you'll get; and then all at once out with it, with a cross pull sideways, and with a strong pull too'." Thor said. Loki yawned but was still awake. He loved this story. Thor cleared his throat and continued, "Yes; the Bear did as the Fox had said, and held his tail a long, long time down in the hole, till it was fast frozen in. Then he pulled it out with a cross pull, and it snapped short off. That's why Bear goes about with a stumpy tail this very day." Loki giggled tiredly and snuggled into Thor.

"I like tha' story, Thor," Loki told him. Thor shushed him softly.

"Yes I know, but now it is time for sleeping." Thor said.

"'Kay. G'night Thor. I love you." Loki said contently. Thor kissed the boy's head.

"And I love you too."