Um... hi guys *awkward wave* ... Misha Schmidt here *peace sign* I'm just posting this up for Wynter, so I hope you enjoy it :)

In this chapter, I tried to capture the whole nature of getting mad at your sibling. Which is not as simple as it seems. Because, and I talked to my younger sister about this, when we get 'mad' at each other, it's not like becoming upset with our friends. We expect the other to understand our point of view, and most times they don't. So, there's always this tug-of-war-like battle between wanting to prove your point, and remembering that hey, this is my sis I'm talking to. Do not resort to excessive violence.

And, excuse me for the long author's note for this one, Into the Light sets the entire story into perspective I think. Loki… as a younger brother, Thor… as the older brother, the nature of the former's mistakes and… whether or not the latter would forgive him.

Currently in Ecuador. Much thanks to Misha for publishing this for me.

-Wynter

CHAPTER FIVE:

INTO THE LIGHT

"In each of us lie good and bad, light and dark, art and pain, choice and regret, cruelty and sacrifice. We're each of us our own chiaroscuro, our own bit of illusion fighting to emerge into something solid, something real. We've got to forgive ourselves that. I must remember to forgive myself. Because there is a lot of grey to work with. No one can live in the light all the time."

― Libba Bray

MIDGARD

7:00 p.m.

"I cannot fathom the way you think brother," Thor mulled out loud, sitting cross-legged on Loki's bed. "After four days, there has been no indication that anything Midgardian has touched your being."

"Were you expecting it?" Loki drawled, turning the page so as to continue answering Thor's algebra homework. It had been their cycle for the week. Thor came in, sat on the bed, and simply waited, while Loki completed it in silence. It was probably because of his 'insolence' that day during their orientation, but things has somewhat abated, it seemed. For now, Thor actually made conversation.

"I was HOPING, at least. Maybe you'd make friends... maybe you'd come to realise that this world is worth something..."

"Make friends... as you have done?" Loki asked pointedly, "When we leave here... and yes, I used 'when', not 'if'... when we return to Asgard, there can be no linkages to Earth. At least, I recognise this."

Thor shook his head. "I have pardonned your insolence three days ago, Loki. I may not be so forgiving this time. Lady Sif was my friend, you know this."

"Is... your friend," Loki corrected, turning his body around to face his brother. "How easily you forget... in search of this new life. What makes this better? HOW is this better? We've lost everything."

"Why can't you understand? We have to make this work."

"This isn't Asgard, Thor! And you'd be foolish to pretend that it'd ever amount to it. You... I... We were promised the throne!"

Loki was standing now, chest heaving slightly. His blue eyes were alight with the cold passion within. And Thor noticed.

"The kingdom was never an issue, brother. Why is it...?" He broke off, realisation dawning. "You... You're the reason for this. You somehow manipulated the Allfather and your plan backfired, didn't it?" he asked in a soft voice. Deathly calm, Loki knew, and he stayed silent.

"ANSWER ME!"

The sound resounded with in the room, and the dark-haired boy took a unsteady step back.

"I WISH I HAD MJOLLNIR AT THIS MOMENT, YOU MISERABLE QUIM! All this time, I thought this was my punishment... MINE. And you were but a bystander in Father's fury. And to believe I, AND TASH, WERE WRONG?!

"Brother..." Loki began, his voice betraying his emotions, "It was just a bit of fun. My choice to lead the Frost Giants into the..."

"YOU LED THEM THERE!?"

"I admit my wrong, brother, and I apologize." He bent his head, unable to meet Thor furious gaze.

"All for what, Loki?"

"Thor..."

"ALL... for what? And speak with alacrity, for my patience is wearing thin."

"I wanted the throne."

The statement hung between them, hovering in the air like tentative butterfly looking for a safe place to land. Thor regarded his brother thoughtfully, and Loki tried his best to avoid his speculative glare. With a sigh, Thor took a seat on the bed, and patted the space beside him, indicating that he wanted Loki to sit juxtapose to him.

"All these years..." he began, once his younger brother had complied, "All these years, we played together. Hunted together. Fought together. All these years. Was the promise of the throne such a great future for thee, Brother, that you were willing to risk our brotherly love to get it?"

"I..." Loki said, his normal demeanour broken, "It was a joke brother. I never meant for father to banish you..."

"And neither yourself," Thor pointed out.

"No, and neither myself," he conceded in a small voice, "I thought... I was more worthy to rule Asgard. You were impulsive, inconsiderate, war-hungry… I would be a poor successor if I sought concurrence."

"Is that all brother?"

"About ninety-five percent."

Thor's hand moved fast, worthy of a warrior, and it struck Loki across his cheek. He made no sound, but the tears welled in the younger's eyes. This mortal body was not able to handle pure rage.

"That was for the five percent," Thor said, though it was unneeded. But the slap had the desired effect- The anger had dissipated, as quickly as water on a hot skillet.

They sat in silence, the tense calm after the storm, before Thor cleared his voice to ask something. "I have a proposition for you, Brother."

Loki inclined his head, to show he was listening. Thor's propositions were generally imbecilic... but occasionally ingenious. He hoped it was the latter.

"If you give this life a chance... IF you allow yourself to embrace all that is Midgardian... ," He paused for a dramatic climax, "I swear to relinquish my entitlement to the Throne of Asgard."

Loki attempted to hide his surprise. Thor had just said that... had he not? Then why did it seem so unreal?

"Brother..."

"Life on Asgard is utopian compared to here," Thor said with a wistful sigh, "But Midgard is full of sheer wonder, and surprises. Love and friendship. School..."He looked up at Loki. "Life is beautiful here, Loke. And you should seek to enjoy it. If it means that I must sacrifice something... I have no qualms. I ask not for a response."

"I think I have made a friend," Loki said, wondering if it was the best thing to say in those circumstances, "Bruce... Bruce Banner."

"Is he in our class?"

"Yes...?"

"Never heard of him," Thor said dismissively, "But no matter. It seems you have been misleading me brother."

"What?"

"You are trying to deny that you can feel something that is endemic to this planet... Typical, but you should've mentioned to me."

"I haven't even thought of it, until I told you just recently!"

Thor raised an eyebrow, and shrugged. "Whatever powers your Brifrost," he said, and laughed.

"We'd always be of Asgard, wouldn't we brother?" he asked.

Loki smiled, "I guess so... Is all well then brother? Are you no longer angry with me?"

"You tell me. We can settle it with a kiss if you prefer."

"Brother!" Loki exclaimed, aghast, but goodheartedly shoving him to the side.

"We all have our preferences, don't we Loke?" Thor said, a mischievous grin, uncharacteristic of him, plastered in his face.

Loki met it head-on. "I guess so... And please do me the courtesy and stop calling me 'Loke'."

"Will do... Loke."

"You're ARE infuriating," Loki said, smacking him with a pillow.

"Oh... it's on now, brother," Thor replied with a smug grin, tackling him to the floor.