Chapter 2: Breaking Through

"Of what do you speak?" Thor demands sharply. Loki's words don't make any sense.

All Thor's felt since he fell from the Birforst well over a year ago now is a smothering emptiness. He was going to be king and then Loki betrayed him. His brother has always been known for tricks but he never once went that far and Thor never had reason to believe he ever would.

And all of that started what led to the point Thor is at now.

Stranded here on Midgard without his powers. He's never felt quite so empty before as the moment Odin ripped them out of him and then sent him here with nothing.

(Is that what Loki felt like when he got his magic bound? But at least that was only for a few days not weeks.)

"I may be able to break the spell cast on you," Loki replies.

Thor stares at him.

He didn't know it was possible to just break a spell Odin cast, a spell Thor doesn't even understand what he needs to make it break himself. Assuming it's ever going to. And he's still so angry and so lost.

But Loki has always been a master of magic, so maybe he shouldn't be quite so incredulous that it's possible. "And you mentioned nothing of it this all this time?"

"I had not thought of it," Loki defends, "And I do not know if it will work. If I fail, or even if I do not, Father will... not be pleased."

That –

Thor can't fault him for that even if he's still upset. Odin would be furious, and he knows it. If Loki is truly here not under orders, Thor is genuinely surprised that Odin has not sent someone to Midgard to fetch him yet. Loki trying and failing to break the spell could end up with both of them dead. And it might feel very unfairly like Loki's gotten away with what he did to Thor entirely, but that doesn't mean he wants him reduced to a mortal.

Thor knows himself how easily he could... die. It's a concept that was downright ridiculous to even think about before he was banished only weeks ago but he keeps trying to draw on his powers, only to be hit with an empty void. His skill in any fight might still be there, like when he fought his way all the way to Mjolnir, but he doesn't have the strength he used to. He's not – anything like what he used to.

And he wants that back more desperately than he even cares to rule anymore but that just makes him so angry because that's his right. That's what he was always meant to do and Odin and Loki took that away from him senselessly.

"He will not be," Thor admits grudgingly, "But... I believe you may be able to succeed. I learned much in my exile. Our abilities have been stunted." And despite what happened with Thanos, that was one worthwhile thing he is grateful that he now knows.

Loki frowns. "What do you mean?"

"Thanos has much knowledge of the cosmos," Thor says, "And he explained some of it to me. Without Mjolnir, I had to relearn how to use my abilities. I have always channeled them through it, but that limited the extent at which I could use them."

A realization settles over Loki's face. "I saw your powers, when you attacked. I did not understand where your strength had come from."

Reminders of their fight send another sharp of anger running through Thor even if he doesn't mention it. He gave Loki another chance to stand with him, to help him rule, and he'd stubbornly turned it down and for what?

(Loki also came to Midgard, defying Odin, to find him.)

"Your abilities have likely been stunted, the same as mine," Thor adds. He'll never understand Loki's desire for learning magic instead of just fighting but considering how much he's always been discouraged from wasting his time on it, it is possible that he never explored it as much as he may have otherwise. So... Thor doesn't doubt that he hasn't learned as much of it as he should have.

Loki looks contemplative. "We should go somewhere more... suitable for this."

He turns for the door and Thor follows him.

None of the mortals Loki has befriended are moving about in the halls as they walk. It's strange to see Loki interacting with them so much. And he doesn't much appreciate how much it feels like Loki's been avoiding him in favor of them, even if Thor doesn't really want to speak with him right now anyway. It's just... strange, though.

He has never actually seen Loki spending time with just anyone before.

There were Sif and the Warriors Three, of course, but Loki was always with him then. It wasn't like this. He can't remember the last time he saw Loki acting that free anywhere on Asgard.

"Thor is not authorized to leave the tower," the talking-ceiling objects when they reach a door to the outside.

"I will be with him. There is no cause for concern," Loki replies stiffly.

"What spells do the mortals know to have made the ceiling speak?" Thor grumbles. Nor does he appreciate the ceiling acting as though it has any right to keep watch on him. He's supposedly not allowed outside the building, as though he would actually let himself be a prisoner if he was trying to fight back.

But he doesn't know where his allies are and he doesn't have his powers. He knows he can't rule until that changes. And... at least here he has food. He didn't expect the mortals to feed him after he attacked their world, but they have. It may not be like it is on Asgard, but it's...

He was lost when he was wondering around on his own. He had nothing and everyone he interacted with either ignored him or called the Midgardian guards on him – as if they would ever be strong enough to win a fight with him. But still, there is no sense in fighting back against the mortals here until he has reason to do so.

He misses Asgard. He misses the days before Loki lost his mind and betrayed him.

"They say it is a machine, not magic," Loki offers, flashing him a fake smile, "It's best not to question it."

Loki takes him to what he says is a nearby park, whatever exactly a 'park' is. Evidently, it's something mortals have an affinity for.

Loki's palms glow green with his magic and Thor just waits. He could feel a little bit of it before when Loki used his magic, but now, there's nothing.

The green glow spreads, touching and surrounding him.

Thor is well aware that this could go terribly but – he will grudgingly admit he's grateful that Loki's willing to risk this, anyway. Heimdall could well be watching them right now, assuming Loki's not hiding from them, since he apparently is able to do that.

Thor has no idea what Loki's doing. He just feels it when it feels like something in the air itself shatters, and a rush of energy comes flooding back to him. A blinding flash of light whites out everything around him, and Thor can feel lightning crackling easily within reach again.

He feels like himself.

He has his powers back.

It worked.

The blinding light around him and Loki fades. Lightning's crackling in the sky over Thor's head, responding to his call. He lifts a hand, reaching out for Mjolnir. And for the first time in so long, he's certain the weapon is responding to his call.

Loki's watching him, expression unreadable.

Mjolnir streaks through the air over the tops of the buildings, finally landing in his hand.

"Please don't try to murder anyone," Loki requests, smiling, though Thor thinks it's strained.

He feels ready to, now that he's able again – he's ready to fight or whatever it is coming. Not that even he has the power to stand against Thanos. Loki gave him his life back, and Thor is grateful, but that mixes in with the so many feelings he has towards his little brother now. "Thank you," he says instead, heartfelt.

Loki nods, stepping forward, and his arms lift to hug him. Thor genuinely expects to get stabbed or something, but there's nothing but Loki buried in his arms, his face against his neck, and he tentatively touches his back. "I'm sorry," Loki whispers.

"Are you?" Thor asks.

"Do you think me not conscious enough to be aware of how every time I try to make something right, I ruin it further?"

"There was a time that was not always true." Thor gently pushes Loki back from him. He doesn't know what to say – it had been so obvious at the bifrost, when he was trying to destroy Jotunheim and prove himself fit to be king, and Loki had stopped him. When they had been fighting, but he heard his brother yelling his name over the roar of the wind rushing past him.

His brother's eyes are wet. "I've made a lot of mistakes, Thor, and you've always been the one who took the fall for it. I'm sorry."

And that's when Thor finally realizes what he's been ignoring this entire time – that it's not the throne he cares about. It never was. It's Loki, and it always has been. "I know I hurt you, too," Thor admits, a little begrudgingly, but still a fact. "I don't know what made you do this, but I am truly sorry."

Loki nods, accepting, or at least Thor hopes he's accepting it. He doesn't know. He wants to believe him, but he's wary to believe anything of Loki now.

That doesn't stop him from embracing his little brother tightly when he leans in anyway, wrapping him tightly in his arms. Loki clings to him, and for once Thor thinks he'll just let him have it if it's what he wants.

He's missed his little brother so much, it feels as though he can hardly breathe. It's good to have him back again.

"How could you do this?" Thor inquires finally.

"I... believed I was protecting Asgard. I'm sorry, Thor, I..."

"From me? I am not the one who betrayed our kingdom."

"I do not wish to discuss this," Loki argues, "We will only argue, and I don't want to argue, Thor. We mourned you. What will you do now?"

Their discussion is sharply cut short when the bifrost touches down, and Thor tightens his grip on Mjolnir, instinctively pushing Loki a little behind him.

When it lifts, one of Asgard's guards stands in its place. He bows briefly. "My prince," he says, "The king has summoned you back to Asgard. We are at the brink of war with an unknown enemy."

Loki looks up at him, worried, and Thor just feels cold.

He knows what this means, who it is.

Thanos.

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