Hello again!
aww you're so amazing and I'm speechless 3
to Mo:
yaayy so you'll be my after beta , sounds great ^^ I'm happy there weren't too many errors in my last chapter, hope there won't be many even in this one ^^
eheh now you'll see if Loki will be accepeted ;)
Don't worry for the other, you're already soooo sweet with this one and I hope to see you in the sequel, too.
first warning: Fluffy fluff even this time.. but I guarantee that the sequel won't be so sappy, lol ^^
second warning: Probably it's not proper Asgardian stuff; but since I need it for my story (and I think that it's something very suitable to kids), can you please pretend this little exception? I mean... what if on Asgard people worshipped even the art of drawing and there were paper, cardboard, pencils, temperas and stuff like that? *crosses fingers*
have a nice reading ^^
/
IV II.
The day after, without even waiting for his mother to wake him up, as usual, Thor awoke at early morning and, after getting ready, he walked though the corridor that leaded to his brother's room.
He just had to knock a couple of times, before Loki ran to him.
"Come in, brother!" he exhorted him, and then he closed the door behind their shoulders. "I've already told mother that you would have spent the whole morning with me, so she won't be anxious, searching for you all around the palace!" he informed the other, taking him in the middle of the room, where there were some huge sheets of solid cardboard, unrolled, blocked on the floor by some heavy books on each corner.
"Where did you take them?" Thor questioned the brunet, stunned.
"Yesterday I talked with the servant who takes care of all the decorative things for every party and receptions. I told him that we wanted to set a huge surprise for father; that's why the servant managed to give me all the necessary stuff so fast and so secretly!" the younger kid explained.
"Loki! If you keep lying, when you grow up you'll become the god of Lies!" the elder kid chuckled.
"Why not? After all, it doesn't sound so bad." the brunet smiled to himself.
"And why are there all this blue temperas?" Thor wondered, more and more perplexed.
"Because blue is the key colour for what we're about to do!" Loki winked at him.
"By the way… what are we exactly going to do?"
The only answer Thor received was Loki putting a pencil in his hand and taking one for himself, sitting with him in front of the cardboards.
"Thor, are you good at drawing?"
/
About a couple of hours later, the two kids were finishing filling with tempera the last edges of the frost giants that they had approximately drawn, in different attacking poses.
"It's enough. Now we'll let the drawings dry and then we'll cut the silhouettes." Loki suggested, as he admired their work with satisfaction.
"They're not very convincing drawings… " Thor grumbled.
After all, they couldn't expect too much from their tender ages.
"I know, but it doesn't matter, it will work anyway. If things go as I want them to go, they won't even stare at the silhouettes!" the younger prince sneered. "You're going to meet them at the roayal gardens, before the training, aren't you?"
"Yep; do you want to come with me?" Thor invited him, although he wasn't sure that that would be a good idea.
"No way! I prefer staying here and studying magic, there are so many things I still have to learn! For example, if I had been already able to create illusions from nothing, we could have spared ourselves all those exhausting drawing!" he pointed out.
"Well, I had so much fun!" Thor giggled, half soiled with blue paint.
"Me, too; but as soon as they dry, I'll show you something even funnier!" Loki announced. "Coming back to what I was saying before, the fact that you today see your little friends is essential for the first phase of my plan. This is what you have to do... "
/
They waited for another hour, for good measures; and then they cut all the huge silhouettes, putting them in the proper pedestals to hold them still.
"Yeah, okay; they are even kind of scary … but they are only three, it doesn't seem an army!" Thor pointed out, sceptically.
"This is what you think. Just look!" Loki smirked and then he moved his hand slowly, staring at the silhouettes.
They immediately multiplied, until they become twentyfold.
Thor looked at them astonished, touching one of them and realising that it was only an illusion.
With a quick move of his hand, Loki made all the illusions disappear.
"They were so many.. it seemed a huge army for real!" Thor commented ecstatic, with wonder in his blue eyes.
"Yep, that's true!" Loki nodded. "Think about it, big bother; if I work really hard, one day I'll be able to perform this magic on myself!" he informed him, hyper-thrilled, daydreaming about that oh-so-appealing eventuality.
***************** (In the meantime)
"They're inside Loki's room? Both of them?" Odin wondered, sort of surprised.
"Yes, my king, they've been locked there for at least three hours!" Frigg reported.
"So, wasn't enough for them to spend a whole week confined in their rooms?" he wondered, puzzled, caressing his bearded chin
"My dear, the real punishment for them was not to spend time together. Now I'm sure that they are plotting their umpteenth mischief!" the wise woman asserted, with a knowing smile.
"First, let's see what they're going to do; and then we'll see if we need to take measures against them!" the king sentenced. After all, he was amused by their sons' pranks, within limits, of course!
/
As expected, Thor found his friends in the afternoon, at the royal gardens.
"Thor, how can it be that yesterday, when the king, your father, gave us that shocking news, you were so calm?" Fandral pointed out.
"It's simple. I already knew." Thor answered tranquilly.
"Really? So had king Odin already told you about that?" Volstagg questioned him.
"This is not exactly. Let's say that I've personally experienced who really my brother was!" the young prince announced.
"Do you mean that... you saw him changing his features?" Sif asked him, as curios as agitated.
Thor confined himself to nodding.
"How did it happen?" Hogun wondered.
"Last week, Loki and I were in the Weapons' room. We managed to go there, for a challenge. And we were quarrelling, as always; but I said something that really pissed him off, a lot... and Loki... well, he wasn't himself anymore!" Thor reported, following trustfully his little brother's clear instructions.
"What... what does it mean?" Fandral asked him, very disquiet.
"He turned into something else. He became huge, all blue with bloodshot eyes. He spitted icy blades and destroyed two guards who tried to stop him!" Thor kept his fake tale, deciding to exaggerate some details, compared to what Loki had said to him.
"And... what did you do?" Sif asked him, anguished.
"I've tried to talk to him, to calm him down; but he was about to attack me as well. But then father came, he touched him and Loki came back to his usual features; he was just terribly scared, just like all of us, after all. And then, father decided that it was time to tell us the truth." Thor concluded.
"And the king... took Loki back with him.. even after what he did to the guards?" Sif interrogated him, stunned.
"Sure!" Thor smiled and shrugged, as if it wasn't a big matter. "Father always gives a second chance, to everyone. However, the secret is not to make Loki angry, so you won't have anything to fear!"
"But... we always made Loki angry. Always!" Volstagg grumbled, in deep concern.
"Loki can be very, very patient. So far you've been lucky, but if I were you I wouldn't puch my luck any further!" Thor warned them, pretending to be extremely worried for them.
The other exchanged distressed looks and Thor was satisfied by that.
The first phase of the plan was done successfully and he couldn't wait to inform Loki.
/
The morning after, Loki allowed himself to have a pleasant walk around the park, taking with him one of his books, intentioned to read it in the open air.
From the opposite side, he saw four familiar figures heading towards him.
"Good morning, Loki, don't you think it's a marvellous day?" Volstagg commenced.
"It's the proper weather for a nice reading!" the little prince smiled.
"Do you want some of my snack?" Volstagg went on, handing his haunch.
Loki declined that disagreeable offer, as gently as he could.
"Why should you waste such a beautiful day with a dusty reading? The best thing would be to train a little. Maybe I could give you some fence lessons? You could become a very brilliant swordsman, like me!" Fandral suggested.
"Although your offer is very appealing, nope. I prefer my dusty reading. Thank you!" Loki showed a forced smile.
"Okay, but if you want to take a break, you'll find us here. If you want, I'll let you comb my hair, arranging them as you please!" Sif informed him.
She never let anyone touch her hair. Never.
It wasn't the only unique and rare thing that happened, because Hogun, without uttering a word, as usual, showed Loki a huge, bright grin.
Loki waved his hand at everyone and walked away, arriving on time to his date with Thor.
"So, how was that?" the elder brother asked him, eager to know.
"Geez! I'm almost tempted not to perform the final phase of our plan. I like their new way to treat me!" the younger brother confessed, reaching him on the grass.
Thor patted him affectionately.
"I know, and I'm happy for you, little brother; but this is happening only because they fear you, I want it to happen because they respect you!" Thor replied.
"So do you think I should go on with the plan?" Loki asked for confirmation.
"I absolutely do. We established everything for this afternoon. Did you feel the little plastic bag?" Thor asked, glad for seeing him nod.
"Did you mistake me for an inexperienced kid? I've thought at every slightest detail. About you, remember to bring the silhouettes close enough, so I can invoke them easily." the brunet reminded to him.
"Count on me!" the blond guaranteed.
/
The afternoon came and this time it was Loki to head towards the royal gardens.
Sif and the little warriors were bewildered when they saw him there.
"H-hi L-Loki. Where is Thor?" Fandral hazarded.
"He will arrive later. May is this fact annoying you?" Loki asked them peacefully.
"N-no- way!" Sif assured.
"It's useless that you go on with this pathetic scene. I know what Thor told you." Loki informed them, with a colder tone.
"N-no, Loki, wh-what are you talking about? We've just realized on our own that we misbehaved with you way too much and we have to treat you better!" Fandral clutched at straws.
"It's all a bunch of lies!" Loki snapped, nervously.
"Do-don't get angry, please!" Volstagg begged him, as he started to fear the worse.
Loki sneered, totally amused.
"Oh, you don't want that, do you? Do you fear the consequences? Do you fear what could happen... to me?" he said, squeezing the little plastic bag he hid in his fist and its dense liquid started to stain his palm.
"Lo-look at his hand!" Sif screamed.
"It became blue!" Volstagg agitated.
"He started his transformation!" Fandral figured out, deeply worried.
"It's not anything good." Hogun stated, agitated.
Loki burst out laughing.
"Oh, so is that what you fear? So Thor didn't tell you, did he?"
"Te-tell us what?" Sif stuttered.
"That I also have the power to invoke my own kind here, so they will be able to destroy you once for all!" Loki warned them, snapping his fingers and few seconds later; the four kidsfound themselves surrounded by big blue dudes, with scary red eyes.
The four children hugged themselves and huddled up, while they screamed terrified.
"Thor! Thoooooooooooooooor! Help us!" Fandal called him out.
As if by charm, Thor ran towards them.
"Loki, noooo! What did you do?" he turned to his brother, with the best angry tone he could assume.
"It's too late by then!" Loki stated acidly, as the four kids' scary screams were their background.
"Oh, no! Be careful, my friends! The frost giants are creating ice weapons to attack you. Run away!" Thor informed them, pretending to be very concerned.
The only answer the two princes received from Sif and the little warriors was the increased volume of their screams, as they hugged each other even tighter.
"Thor! Help us!" Sif yelped.
"Why should I? I guess you can deal on your own! Just try to look at them better!" the elder prince replied, cockily.
"What?" Hogun wondered, following his advice, just like the others did.
"But... they're only sketches!" Fandral figured out, smashing down a silhouette with a punch.
"Some of them are not even real!" Sif corrected him, kicking nothing but air.
Volstagg and Hogun got rid of the remaining two sketches.
"So do you dare to call yourself worthy warriors?" Loki made fun of them, laughing with Thor.
"But... your hand!" Volstagg protested.
Thor took a wet cloth and cleaned Loki's blue hand that turned pale pink once again.
"See? You, morons, it was only blue paint. Washable blue paint!" the brunet prince explained.
Once the four kids calmed down, Thor came closer to them.
"My friends, today Loki and I taught you an important lesson: you should never judge by appearances!" Thor proclaimed, and then he started to explain to them, supported also by Loki's interventions, how things had really gone.
"So, Loki, did you plot all this on your own?" Volstagg questioned him when they finished their confessions.
"Yep, but without my brother's help I wouldn't be able to do it!" Loki admitted, smiling at Thor.
"Well, it's just... brilliant! The sketches, the painted hand, the fake information about you. This is a real good joke, I have to admit it!" Fandral asserted.
"You know, Loki knows hundred jokes, even more elaborated than this one!" Thor informed them.
"And could you teach them to us, too?" Volstagg asked him hesitantly.
Loki smirked.
"Why not? The more we are, more pranks we can invent!" he approved.
"And this is also useful for the training. I mean, this kind of tricks, like the frost giants one. Do you think you can do many others?" Sif interrogated him.
"Sure, all the ones you wish!" Loki declared with a sincere smile.
Hogun walked closer to him.
"You're not so bad, shorty!" he stated with half smile.
Loki was truly happy. That wasn't a scene motivated by fear. No. Now they were accepting him for real.
/
As soon as the king knew what their sons had done, he not only approved the teamwork that could do nothing but increase their brotherly bound; but also was enormously satisfied, because they hadn't resort to any kind of violence.
"You taught a righteous lesson in a very reasonable way. And you, Loki, you proved once more how many progresses you're doing with your magic... although I have to ask you not to neglect the warrior activities." the king sentenced.
"I'll try to do all I can, father." Loki assured. "So there won't be a punishment... right?" he asked for confirmations, as optimistic as ever.
"That's right, no punishment. Quite the contrary, you deserve a prize!" the king smiled benevolently at them.
"Really?" Loki asked thrilled.
"Ask me whatever you want and I'll grant your wish." Odin gave his word.
Thor already knew what to ask.
"Father, can Loki and I come back to the Weapons'room, all alone?" the blond prince wondered.
The king jolted hearing that unexpected request.
Also Loki turned towards his brother, sort of puzzled.
"Why?" Odin asked his elder son.
"I just want to assure myself about something. I promise to you that we won't make any trouble. Do you think that we're worthy of your trust?" Thor insisted.
"So be it!" the king agreed.
/
"What?" Loki asked him, shocked.
"You heard me. I asked you to touch it!" Thor repeated.
They were in the Weapons' room, on their own, in front of the casket of the Ancient Winters.
"Are you nuts? You remember what happened the last time I did, don't you?"
"Of course I do. And I want it to happen again." the blond declared firmly.
"Are you sure? Swear to me that you won't get scared and you won't call me 'monster' again!" Loki pouted, not very convinced of what he was about to do.
Thor nodded, exhorting him to do as he had asked.
Loki touched the casket with one hand and he immediately changed his features, utterly.
Thor did nothing bur stare at him with big curiosity, walking closer and closer to the brunet.
"See? I'm not scared anymore." he smiled at him.
"No, Thor, don't get so close. Don't you remember? Father always say not to touch the frost giants, it's painful!" Loki said, very concerned.
Without minding at his warnings, Thor came even closer, placing a soft kiss on the point of his nose that turned immediately pink.
************** (In the meantime)
Despite his trust, Odin and Frigg were with Heimdall, so they could monitor the whole situation.
"What do you see now, Heimdall?" the king asked him.
The guardian smiled.
"I see two brothers."
******************** (In the meantime)
From grieved and darkened, Loki resumed smiling brightly, staring at his brother with his red eyes, filled with affection; despite their gloomy aspect.
"You can touch me! I didn't hurt you!" he figured out, happy. "How can it be?" he wondered.
The only answer he received was Thor kissing him again, this time on his cheek that turned pink as well; and then he brought his mouth to his ear.
"Because you're special, my little giant!"
THE END
You know, I'm sort of fond of those two lovely little devils, lol, I'll miss them :')
I hope you'll like them as well ^^
The end was inspired by this wonderful sketch of a very dear girl, Eternal, aka Silvia U. :
pics .livejournal hyper_bliss/ pic/00011qx 7/s640x 480
isn't it adorable? 3
Let's read their next adventure in the sequel 'Tricked Thunder' with our favourite god all grown up, don't miss it.. Although it will take me a week or two to start it ;)
give me one or two days and, for the ones who follows that one, I'll update 'Expecting' too ^^
In the meantime, please, feel free to tell me whatever you think about the end of this one , even a word can make my day! ^^