Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Marvel-characters!

AN: Thank you so much for all of your feedback! They keep me writing and posting so please don't stop You might not really be interested in the flash-backs, but they are important. Also, there are always little clues in the chapters that reveal what is important in the events that have happened. Does anyone know what I'm talking about?

Anyway, I feel like I'm rambling. I'll shut up now. Enjoy chapter six!

~ Shadows and Regrets ~

Chapter 6

~ o ~

A few months earlier on Asgard

~ o ~

Loki lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. Like the walls surrounding him, it was white and incredibly boring. There wasn't a crack or inconsistency to count. It had been almost twelve days since he had been locked in this cell and Loki was already beginning to lose his mind in here. The worst thing to realize was that as every second passed, he lost more and more of his magic. If he stayed inside this cell long enough, he would emerge completely magic-free.

If only he had books or something else to keep himself occupied with. Perhaps this was his torture… Loki honestly didn't know anymore.

The hatch opened and a gruff looking guard appeared. "Stand back," he ordered.

Loki – not even sure why he did it – jumped up from his bed and backed away. He had no idea what would happen. There was no clock in his cell, but it was definitely too early for dinner. The door opened and the guard entered his cell, two other guards staying outside while looking suspicious (they were rather good at that). They clearly meant to have the first guard's back.

That first guard – the one Loki knew to be Posco – held in his hands the same rope that had bound his hands days ago. "The Allfather says you can leave your cell for thirthy minutes a day," Posco said. He was not much older than Loki, but he was much broader and more muscled. He had ordinary brown hair and matching brown eyes. "I am going to bind you and if you try anything, anything at all, I will leave you bound and gagged in this cell for days."

If it was meant as a threat, then Loki missed the entire point. Gagging him wouldn't be much different than his current situation since he had no one to talk to and binding his hands would simply be a tad uncomfortable. But Loki had learned a long time ago to play a certain role. If he was obedient now, the guards might one day lower their shields. One day… Loki was looking forward to making them look like fools on the day he'd escape.

"I understand," he said. He lifted his hands and allowed Posco to bind his wrists together. The rough rope was uncomfortable to bear, but of course Odin would want him to wear it. As soon as he stepped out of this cell, that same rope would still suppress his magic.

As Posco made sure the knot was tide well, he began to smile arrogantly. "How low you've fallen," he said in a hard whisper.

Loki looked directly into his eyes. It was clear Posco hated him, but the feeling was mutual so Loki only smiled back at him.

"You were once a Prince," Posco continued and now Loki did want him to shut up, "and look at you now. You are a disgrace to Asgard."

There really was nothing Loki could do. He had no advantage and any move he made would cause the other two guards to attack him. Loki could only take the insults while he imagined ripping Posco's throat apart. It was a very vivid vision and Loki thoroughly enjoyed it. Apparently, Posco saw in his eyes that he was thinking something along those lines.

"Pathetic."

Loki had enough self-control to not react to Posco's insults. Thor would have already destroyed the entire cell, but Loki knew when to bide his time. One day, he would be strong again and Posco would be the first on his list to make suffer for everything that had happened.

"Weren't we going for a stroll?" Loki asked, tauntingly.

Posco narrowed his eyes and went to stand behind Loki. He shoved his shoulder hard, forcing Loki to walk forward. Difficult times lay ahead, Loki knew, and he needed to be patient.

~ o ~

Weeks passed and Loki dragged himself through his daily routine. He would get up, wash, eat and be bored. After a while, he began to look forward to his half hour of outside-time. Occasionally, he saw Frigga. She wasn't allowed to see or speak with him – not yet anyway due to Loki's so called solitude – but she still considered herself Loki's mother and there wasn't a force in the universe that could keep her away from him. Talking with her was always pleasant. It was so that Loki learned that Thor was still on Earth, that Jotunheim was a mess and that the people of Asgard were settling back into their lives with Odin as their King.

One day, however, something changed.

The guards loved to taunt and mock him – Loki knew well enough to ignore it (for now) – but it seemed that the more he resisted it all, the more they grew agitated. Posco of course was the worst. Loki had learned that the guard held a deep love for Odin (truly, the loyalty was almost admirable) and that he felt it was a disgrace that Loki acted as he did. If it were up to Posco, Loki would be licking Odin's boots for forgiveness.

Then one afternoon, Posco entered his cell with the magical rope in his hands. He bound Loki and – as usual – explained the rules. Loki was to listen to the guards at all times. He was not to make any contact with others and any attempt at an escape would end with him being locked away and the key to his cell tossed into the ocean.

"-but I am sure that you understand it all by now," Posco said dully, "since you've somehow become Odin's perfect little princess."

Loki rolled his eyes. He really wanted no trouble today. Loki felt tired, bored and longed for fresh air. "Oh, do shut up." He had said the words without realizing it.

Posco widened his eyes. "Excuse me?"

Honestly, Loki had enough of Posco's behavior. "When all is said and done," Loki said, half smiling, "I am still a prince and you are but a lowly guard. A servant. I honestly cannot believe you think you are the boss of me."

Posco's hands became two fists, his knuckles white. Clearly the man had a temper. "I despise you."

"The feeling is mutual," Loki spat.

Posco's right fist hit him right in the face. Loki staggered back, his bound hands instantly covering his hurt nose. Even Posco was shocked by what had just happened. Not only was beating a prisoner not done, neither was beating a prince of Asgard. Posco turned slightly pale and Loki looked directly into his filthy brown eyes. The situation had changed now and Loki moved the man to the top of his list of people who would one day pay.

Loki removed his hands and found them wet and warm with blood.

Another guard rushed inside and pressed his fingers on Loki's nose in order to stop the bleeding. It seemed he understood what danger they were in. If Odin were to find out what happened here, they could all lose their job and fall into disgrace with the King. And Loki knew how loyal these guards were. Falling into disgrace was almost as bad as death.

"Let go of me!" Loki snarled. The guard stepped back, his eyes revealing fear. "I am fine. Now can we go? I have the right to leave this cell for thirty minutes."

Posco and the second guard exchanged quick glances, but they nodded and guided Loki outside.

~ o ~

Present time

~ o ~

Loki couldn't believe he was back here again; the little white cell that he had grown to hate over the last months. Somehow it appeared smaller, but Loki knew that was his own mind playing tricks on him. There was one advantage to the entire situation. For the first time, Loki felt he could rest properly. He closed his eye – his right one, which was still covered by a bandage and hurt like hell - and he inhaled deeply. He wished he could fall asleep, but he had too many thoughts.

He wished he could shut out the entire world. He wished he could become young and carefree again. He tried to remember a time where he and Thor were still children. They used to chase each other through the halls of this palace. At times Thor would win using his strength and Loki would win using his magic. Each time, Thor had accused him cheating, but they always ended up laughing about it. Those times were long gone.

There was nothing he could do to turn back time. At times he wanted to forget everything that had happened, but what was to point to it all then? He was the man he was today because of all the lies and deceit and in the end, Loki liked who he was. Anything beat being just Thor's little brother.

Loki turned onto his back and stared at the ceiling. He wondered what was happening above him. Would Thor be screaming at Odin? Would he be defending him? It somehow seemed unlikely. In the end, Loki was right back where he belonged. Only… Thor still seemed to care for him. Might it be that the golden boy of Asgard had a weak spot for him?

Sighing heavily, Loki closed his eye and began to drift off into a shallow sleep. He dreamed of Asgard, golden underneath the sun until it was consumed by flames. His dream shifted and he saw the face of Thor floating before him. He looked angry, more than angry and Loki was begging him. He was begging him to believe him.

Tears ran down his cheeks, but Thor looked so incredibly furious. His blue eyes were cold, his lips pale.

"Loki?"

Loki awoke suddenly. He couldn't remember where he was, but Thor was with him – sitting on the edge of his bed - and he wasn't sure what was happening. He quickly sat up only to remember where he was and what his situation was exactly. He groaned painfully and bit down on his lip. He forced himself to take in deep breaths.

"Are you all right?" Thor asked.

Loki knew he wasn't referring to his wounds.

"You were muttering in your sleep," Thor explained, his hands resting uncomfortably in his lap, "you were begging me. What were you dreaming?"

There was a long pause and Loki contemplated his options. In the end, there was very little he could answer. He simply knew he couldn't tell his brother the truth. "I don't know. It was a very strange dream. It made no sense."

Thor only nodded.

"Why are you here?" Loki couldn't believe Thor actually had permission to be here. In all the months he had been locked in this cell, he had only ever seen the guards. Odin had been very adamant about that. Solitude had been part of his punishment after all. Then again, Thor had not been in Asgard during that time.

"I have spoken with our father," Thor said and Loki almost corrected him. But what did it matter at this point? "Your punishment continues for now. I do not know how long you will be locked in here, but I must ask of you, Loki, to not escape again. You know what happened last time."

Loki frowned. This was not something he had expected Thor to tell him. "Last time?"

"You escaped and you fell into the enemy's hands." Thor looked into his one green eye. "The Chitauri want you, but I will not allow them to lay another hand on you."

Loki stared right back at Thor. Was this what he believed? Was this what Odin had told him? It appeared the old King was more cunning than Loki gave him credit for. "You're mistaken, Thor," he said in a cold voice, "I will never be safe here."

"Perhaps not," Thor admitted, "but for now, it is the best option. I will deal with the Chitauri. In the meantime, you can rest here and heal." With those words, Thor stood up and left the cell.

Loki was too shocked to say anything. Was he really supposed to lay down his head again? Did everyone expect him to obey Odin even after the dreadful events of last time? Only then did Loki remember: no one knew about those dreadful events. He was alone and Loki suddenly felt very tired. He was right back where he started.

AN: I do so love writing Posco. Do you guys hate him? I kinda hate him and I created him.

Thought?