Thor and Loki What: Thor and Loki talk after the ultimatum of three days.
Thor waited, as promised, in his room for his brother to return. His father might now trust him, but Thor did and he knew that Loki wouldn't go back on his promise. So he sat on his bed, elbows resting on his knees, and stared at the floor.
Loki took his time getting there, slipping in and out of shadows so that he remained hidden. Eventually he opened Thor's door and, rather than speak to his brother, he went to the windows to pull the curtains. It wouldn't do to have the Allfather's ravens watching.
Thor looked up as he heard the curtains. He watched Loki for a while before sighing. "I am glad you came."
"Quiet."
Thor frowned and stood. "I do not believe you can tell me to be quiet at this moment."
He shot him a look. "I came here so that the Allfather would not have me dragged to kneel at his feet. There is no other reason."
"You make it sound as if he enjoys this, brother."
"You think he does not?"
"Of course he does not like it."
"You're a fool."
"You have always said that."
"It is always true." Loki crossed his arms, facing Thor. "I will speak to you. Not to him. Pass my words on, if you will. Maybe he will show more mercy if he hears them from his favored son."
"I wish you would stop thinking me of the favored one." The words were barely out of his mouth when Loki slapped him across the face. Thor frowned, but kept his face turned to the side. He closed his eyes. "Father is harsh to me as well, or did you forget that I was recently banished?"
"T'was not so recently as all that."
"It is recent enough."
"No matter."
Thor looked back to him. "Fine, only I will speak to father."
"Good."
"What will you have me say?"
"Tell him I was not myself."
"Is that it?" Thor asked. Loki shrugged, so Thor continued. "He will want more than that."
"What do you think he'll want?"
"He wants to know why. Not our assumptions, but the truth."
"What assumptions have you, Thor?"
Thor hesitated before stepping closer. "I assumed you were angry with us. With me. You didn't want me to have a place that I loved where you didn't live." He shrugged. "Midgard became a second home and I thought you did not like that." Loki frowned and Thor asked, "Am I wrong?"
"It must be fascinating in your head. You live in a world where everyone's motivations revolve around you."
Thor stopped moving and clenched his fists. "Then tell me what moved you to do such a thing."
He considered Thor, silent.
"Prove me wrong, brother," Thor insisted, trying to push him.
"Midgard is nothing to me."
"Was Jotunheim nothing to you as well?"
"Of course not."
"Then why destroy it as you wanted to destroy Midgard?"
"That is not the crime for which I am at trial."
"It might help them understand why you would go after two realms." He paused. "And father might bring it up if he's angry."
"He knows why Jotunheim."
"To prove yourself?"
"That is not the crime we are here to discuss."
Thor turned away from him. "Perhaps I want to know."
"Then ask him. We are here to discuss Midgard.'
"I want to heart it from you."
"I will not give you the satisfaction."
Thor knew that, and it hurt more than any stab wound Loki could have given him. "Of course," he said, but Loki said nothing, watching him still. Thor took a breath to calm himself. "Why destroy Midgard?"
"Because it was there. Because it was convenient. Because it was yours. Take your pick."
"I do not see you trying to destroy my friends here."
"Mm."
Thor motioned to his bed. "Sit?"
"I am quite comfortable as I am."
Thor watched him a moment before he sat, hoping that would make Loki more comfortable. "I assume you do not wish to return to the cell?"
"I do not."
"Will you promise to stay in this room, then? Under my guard?"
He arched an eyebrow. "I unleashed an army against a world you put under your protection, and you would act as my private nursemaid?"
"Would you feel comfortable with anyone else?"
"I would feel more comfortable somewhere far away from here."
"You know I cannot do that."
"I know."
"Will you stay in here?"
"I suppose." He draped himself over a chair near the window. "This seems the least objectionable option."
Thor smiled softly, glad that Loki had agreed to something. "Thank you."
"Hm. Do not thank me yet."
"Why not?"
He snapped his fingers and killed the fire in the hearth. "I will not make it easy on you."
Thor ignored the sudden chill of the room. "When have you ever done so?"
"A valid point."
"Will you steal my blankets as well?"
"I haven't decided."
Thor smiled. "It will be like old times."
"I rather doubt that."
"Let me believe it for a moment, then."
"Hm"
"Will you tell me why you did this?" Thor asked after a while.
Loki shut his eyes. He hadn't slept since before arriving back in Asgard; the days awake were beginning to catch up to him. "I spent years in the worlds between worlds. Perhaps I just wanted a bit of fun."
"You could have come home. There were a few loose creatures we could have hunted."
"That was not an option."
"Of course it was."
"You wouldn't know. You were not there."
"I was here waiting for you."
"One month passes like a year there."
He sighed. "I wish you still trusted me."
"I'm sure you do."
"Why don't you?"
Loki opened his eyes to look at him and frowned.
Thor just watched him, waiting.
"I grow weary of this." He tilted his head back so that it fell over the arm of the chair, his legs dangling over the opposite arm. "Guards are supposed to be silent, aren't they?"
"So are their prisoners." Thor held out his hands. "It is a good thing we are not normal in that aspect." Loki just rolled his eyes, so Thor asked, "Do you not agree?"
"I will be silent if you will."
Thor tried to smile and joke, though it was strained. "We both know from experience that my being silent does not happen often. Do you remember when we first began training and I was told to be quiet or leave in shame?"
Loki shot him a look. "I am resting, Thor."
"It is just talk, brother."
"Hm."
"I enjoy talking with you."
"You should find someone more interested in listening to you."
"Perhaps I don't wish to." Thor shrugged. "I enjoy your company."
"Enjoy it in silence."
"You would rather I do nothing but stare at you?"
"Staring is quiet, and therefore acceptable."
"You will not like it after a while, I'm sure."
Loki sighed and lifted his head to look at Thor. "I have not slept in what seems like months. Allow me this respite, will you?"
Thor motioned to his bed. "Then sleep, brother. I will keep watch."
Loki just huffed and shut his eyes again.
Thor walked over to Loki and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Sleep."
He swatted off Thor's hand. "Touching is also not acceptable."
"I remember fond times when you cared not for what was acceptable or not."
"Times have changed."
"I do not like the change," Thor muttered.
"You will not have to deal with it long." Loki shifted in the chair. "Likely the Allfather will burn my tongue out of my head, and I will have no words with which to protest. Or sentence me to a lifetime with a naga. Or banish me."
"He will not burn your tongue. I will not allow that."
"You will get little say in the matter."
"I will make that say heard."
"We'll see."
Thor nodded. "Will you please take the bed and rest?"
"I have a chair. I am quite content."
"The chair is not as comfortable," Thor insisted. When Loki ignored him, he sighed. "Loki, please..."
Loki waved a hand at him, shooing Thor away.
"One last chance, Loki."
"Or what?"
Thor watched him a moment before simply reaching down and hauling him off the chair. "I did not wish to do this," he said, pushing Loki toward the bed.
Loki shoved at him "Unhand me, you brute!"
Thor pushed him gently on the bed. "Rest, Loki."
Thor had him beat in brute strength, that was for certain, and when it came right down to it, Loki was too exhausted to argue. He sighed. "Fine."
Thor nodded and pulled Loki's abandoned chair over so he could sit in it. "Good."
"Are you going to stare at me still?" He pulled off his gauntlets. If he was going to sleep in a bed, he might as well do it properly.
"For a little while, I suppose."
"You are truly pathetic."
"Possibly," he agreed.
Loki lay back and Thor smiled at him softly and said nothing more. He simply got comfortable in his chair. Loki fell asleep