Characters: Thor & Loki
Summary: They are brothers still. If not by blood, then by bond.
Thank you for bearing with me so far in this marathon drabbling session I've embarked upon. =3 Many thanks to everyone who's read, favorited, followed, and reviewed. You guys are amazing! As a note, this scene was actually conceived before Thor 2.
Part V: Love
Thor stands in the shadows, face concealed by the cowl of his cloak as he watches. In silence he observes the way Loki slumps in his cell, his posture reminiscent of a pitiful, ragged creature as he awaits his trial and inescapable sentencing. Even if his actions had been only taken against Midgard, the crimes of his brother would taken an age to recount. Thor wonders what will happen when Loki is sentenced. Will he be moved to the cells below? Or will he stay in his gilded cage? As much as Thor cares for his brother, he can't help but wish for Odin to utilize the first option.
If Thor takes another step forward, he will be within the sphere of Frigga's spell. Their mother's binding is intricate, her magic woven into the very stones of the room to contain the sorcerer. The bright life-magic of Asgard itself twines with Frigga's enchantments, rendering it nigh on impossible to breach. Within the cell, Loki crouches within as an abused animal would – waiting for the next blow delivered by its masters, waiting for the mercy of death. Perhaps Loki's imprisonment and solitude will enlighten him to what he'd rejected when he'd let go on the bridge (and before that, when he tried to kill his own brother - if not by blood, then by bond).
Thor places his hand on the outer barrier, Frigga's magic humming in response to his touch. The ward ripples like water – barely resisting, waiting to allow him through. All he needs to do is ask and the magic shall consent.
A slow exhale.
Thor does not step through the barrier, does not let Loki sense his presence. He waits in the darkness, a simple observer filled with hope. Some days, he feels as though this fragile hope is all he has left. It doesn't matter how many battles Loki attempts to war against them, not as long as the fragile optimism grows within Thor.
One day, perhaps, Loki will return to them.
As long as Thor can keep telling himself one day, it is enough.
(It has to be enough).
Thanks for R&R! Care to share your thoughts?
-V