Re: Asgard: Loki/Thor
The grin was sharp, too sharp, like the smile of a beast that rent flesh with their teeth. It wasn't a comparison that Thor liked to make of his brother - Loki was more than some thing though few were likely to agree with him. For a man that frequently liked to be in the front but not apart, it was one of the few things that separated him from those he called friend. But it was not something he was willing to change - not yet - for if he did not believe in Loki, who would? He could not let his brother alone.
And when Loki slowed, he did as well, unease growing. If this was a trap -
But there was something in his brother's words. Not a promise, but the tone wasn't right for a trap, this was something else entirely, and a bare whisper of suspicion grew in the back of his mind.
He dismounted, rubbing one hand down his horse's neck and likewise tying the reins to the same stump Loki had used. There was no question about what Loki traded - even if he had asked, Thor doubted he would receive an answer, but he did nod in wary thanks for whatever had been done to arrange this.
A wariness that did not end with that grin. Too sharp, too pleased, and there they were. "The Norns," he whispered, eyes going wide, then darting to Loki. Urðr, Verðandi, and Skuld. Whatever he had traded, it had to be great indeed to know where they were, if they were no longer at Urðarbrunnr.
If the flux of their voices disturbed him, it did not show. Years ago, he would have gone in first, leaving Loki to follow in his footsteps as he always expected him to, sat by the fire instead of approaching respectfully. Thor no longer held that expectation; too often he had turned to his right only to find Loki not there. If Loki was ever to believe that Thor saw him as more than a shadow, a shade, a twist of vapor only to make Thor greater, proof would have to be offered.
"Aye, Princes. As Loki gave the most, let him go first."
The Thunderer gives? A chortle roused all three voices again. Gives up eldest-right. And then Let him come, while the other two whispered Sit, sit like dried leaves over rocks.