Loki had always been seen as “weird” and “different” by his brother's companions - the Warriors Three (Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun) and Lady Sif. Thor himself sometimes shared this view, but unlike his so-called friends, he never teased Loki about being different. Instead, Thor always defended his brother, reminding him that they were brothers who would always stand by each other.
Loki cherished the fact that Thor would always be by his side, and he vowed to do the same, even as they grew into adulthood and could protect themselves. However, they were still only children - just ten years old - so that dream would have to wait a while longer.
Shaking off the wistful daydream, Loki refocused on his current task: mastering the sorcery his mother was teaching him. Though the spells were meant to be fairly easy, Loki still struggled with them. Determined not to disappoint his mother, Loki often practiced alone, hoping to surprise her with his progress during their next session. Today, he was attempting a basic ice spell, but after half an hour of effort, the red apple in his palm remained stubbornly unfrozen.
Taking a deep breath to calm his frustration, Loki glared intently at the apple, willing it to freeze. To his surprise, a thin layer of ice began to form on the stem, causing it to glisten in the light. However, Loki's triumph was short-lived as a smug voice suddenly interrupted.
“Well, well, look who we have here,” the voice drawled.
Loki whirled around, startled to find Volstagg standing before him, flanked by Fandral, Hogun, and Lady Sif. “What are you doing here?” he growled, only to be cut off by another familiar voice. “Guys! Wait for me!”
A moment later, Thor came sprinting around the corner, skidding to a halt just in front of his friends to avoid crashing into them. “Hey, what's—!” Thor's question trailed off as his gaze landed on the partially frozen apple in Loki's palm. Guilt and shame immediately churned in his stomach as he realized what he had stumbled upon. “Sorry, Loki, I didn't know you were practicing sorcery here today. Volstagg asked me to help with his punching technique,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly while sending an apologetic look to his brother.
Volstagg sneered smugly. “Looks like you'll have to practice your weird sorcery somewhere else.”
“Hey! Sorcery isn't weird, it's amazing!” Loki retorted with a cold glare, bristling. “My mother says that I'll be the greatest sorcerer to ever live when I'm older.”
Volstagg scoffed and rolled his eyes dismissively. “I doubt that. I'll be the greatest warrior ever, and I'll be so strong, your measly spells won't even hurt me! Now, leave us alone!” he demanded, shoving Loki back a few steps.
“Hey, don't shove my brother!” Thor snapped defensively, rushing to stand protectively in front of Loki. He glared coldly at Volstagg, daring him to try that again. Even as friends, no one would harm Loki with Thor around.
Volstagg briefly held Thor's icy glare before glancing away with a slight scoff. “Relax, Thor. It was just a little push. I'm sure the little wimp could perform some healing spell to fix it. Unless, of course, it's too hard for him.” He chuckled smugly, with Fandral and Hogun joining in. Lady Sif, however, shot an apologetic look towards the brothers, wringing her hands together awkwardly.
“I'll show you the power of sorcery!” Loki retorted defiantly from behind Thor, glaring daggers at the laughing boys before taking off running down the hall.
Thor's eyes went wide as he spun around and watched Loki disappear, his heart sinking with dread. “Loki? Where are you going?!”
“Oh, you're not getting away that easily, you little runt!” Volstagg cried, sprinting after Loki with Fandral and Hogun close behind. “Get back here, coward!”
Thor's heart raced as he watched Volstagg, Hogun, and Fandral sprint down the corridor. “Leave my brother alone!” he shouted, chasing after them. To his surprise, Lady Sif fell into step beside him, a look of regret on her face. He didn't need to ask why - she was making amends for not defending him and Loki.
With a determined growl, Thor pushed forward. He had to reach his brother before Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun did. Don't worry, brother, he thought, his feet pounding the floor. I'm coming. I'll protect you. I won't fail you, not now, not ever.
Loki's heart raced with each pounding stride, but he couldn't stop – not when Volstagg and his two minions were hot on his heels, urging him to surrender. The thought of being caught filled him with dread. Yet, Loki had a plan. He would demonstrate the true power of sorcery, and they would never dare challenge him again. With a determined growl, he pushed his legs to move faster, blood roaring in his ears as he blocked out the increasingly frantic shouts of the Warriors Three, cursing him for his supposed cowardice.
What they didn't realize was that Loki wasn't fleeing – he was racing to retrieve something that would prove sorcery was no trivial matter. Seconds later, Loki made a sharp left turn, disappearing from view. He ended up in the corridor leading towards Odin's Vault, quickly checking to see if Volstagg and his two minions were still following.
“There he is! Looks like he's trapped!” Hogun shouted as he rounded the corner.
Loki simply smirked as he watched the trio approach, then opened the vault's door and slipped inside, relishing the surprised gasps from the boys.
“He’s getting away!” Volstagg hissed.
Fandral and Hogun exchanged a hesitant look. “Are we sure we can enter the King's private vault?” Hogun asked, while Fandral nodded apprehensively.
“It’s fine, now come on! He's trapped inside, now is our chance to get him!” Volstagg snapped as he too entered the vault, with Fandral and Hogun close behind.
Loki remained unfazed. While the three fools hesitated going into the vault, he had just enough time to find and retrieve what he was looking for: the Casket of Ancient Winters. He was ready for Volstagg and his minions, eager to show them the true power of sorcery.
Moments later, the trio rounded the corner, slightly surprised to find Loki looking so assured.
Volstagg quickly recovered his composure, his initial shock morphing into smug overconfidence. “We've got you now, you little runt. Thor isn't here to protect you. Did you really think running would save you?”
Loki glared at Volstagg coldly as he held up the Casket. “I wasn't trying to run, Volstagg, but as usual, you and your lackeys were too stupid to see that.”
“What did you say, wimp?! Get him!” Volstagg snarled. Fandral and Hogun lunged forward, but the young prince was faster. Raising the casket, he forced the two boys to halt in their tracks, fear flashing across their faces. Good, let them know what it feels like to be afraid.
“What are you two doing?! He’s not going to use it! He’s just bluffing!” Volstagg snarled angrily.
“Am I, Volstagg? Are you sure I won't use it?” Loki asked innocently. “I would be justified, since I'll only be using it in self-defense against you three. Besides, I'm simply showing you that sorcery shouldn't be laughed at.”
Fandral’s eyes went wide in terror. “You—you don't have to use it, Prince Loki!" He begged, his face blanched. "We believe your sorcery is powerful. Right, Hogun?”
“Uh-huh! R-Right!” Hogun stammered, voice shaking. “We're sorry, Prince Loki! We were just teasing, honest!”
Loki coolly replied with a smug smile, “Alright, I won't use it. One one condition.” He was loving the way Fandral and Hogun both groveled at his feet. A part of him knew this wasn't very princely behavior, but at that moment, he didn't care. After all, it's not like he was actually going to use the casket - he may enjoy pranks and tricks, but he wasn't that cruel.
However, they didn't need to know that.
“Please! We'll do anything, Prince Loki, just please don't use the casket!” Both Fandral and Hogun said simultaneously, eyes wide with terror and voices shaky.
“Unfortunately, it's not up to either of you,” Loki said simply, turning his head and training his eyes on Volstagg. “Volstagg, if you admit that I'm not a wimp and sorcery is powerful, I'll let you all go. If not, well...then I have no choice but to use this.” He smiled, eyes flickering down to the casket for emphasis.
Volstagg's murderous glare faltered as Loki turned the casket towards him. Swallowing his pride, Volstagg glanced up at Loki, fear shining in his eyes. “I'm sorry for calling you a wimp, Prince Loki. You're anything but, and sorcery is indeed extremely powerful.”
Neither Loki nor Volstagg stirred or spoke for a moment, their gazes locked in silent tension. Volstagg held his breath, bracing himself for the agonizing onslaught of Loki's magic. After a few more tense seconds, Loki let out a light chuckle. “I didn't think you had it in you. That wasn't so hard, was it?”
Volstagg shook his head. “N-no, Prince Loki.”
“Good, I hope you remember this from now on,” Loki said smugly, his lips curling into a smile as he eyed Volstagg. The large warrior heaved himself back to his feet and swiftly backed away, eyeing Loki warily.
“Relax, Volstagg, I was never going to use the casket,” Loki chuckled, turning to return the casket to its pedestal. However, as he did so, his right hand accidentally brushed the icy-blue surface of the artifact.
That's when everything went horribly wrong.
The casket emitted a pale, icy blue glow as ice exploded outward, latching onto the nearest object - Loki.
Loki wailed in agony as the ice encased his body, freezing his limbs on contact. His nerves screamed as the ice encapsulated him from the inside out, his vision blurring with flashes of blue. Desperate to call for help, he tried to scream, but his frozen vocal cords left him mouthing a silent, terrified plea. He watched helplessly as the ice slowly crept over his entire body, his young mind racing with questions - why was this happening? What was the cause of this icy torment? In his fear, faces of his loved ones flashed through his mind - his father, his mother, his brother Thor, anyone who could save him from this frozen nightmare.
Then, all those thoughts died as the darkness began to consume him, its touch bringing a stop to all the pain. “Don't cry, young Prince; just relax, and it'll be over soon,” a rough yet somehow gentle voice thundered in Loki's ears. “Don't fear me, little one. I can take all your pain away, just like that.”
Loki didn't want to be in pain anymore. He didn't want to be cold anymore. He didn't want to be filled with icy terror anymore. It all washed away, thanks to the darkness. Even the thought of wanting and needing his family washed away too, their faces disappearing from his mind.
Loki knew he should resist the darkness, but its warm and gentle feeling wormed its way into his mind, relieving him from all the pain. He couldn't help but feel relieved when the darkness consumed him.
Lady Sif hurried to keep pace with Thor as they rushed down the corridor, her chest heaving with each labored breath. "Where did they go?" she panted.
“They went this way!” Thor answered, glancing over his shoulder before taking a sharp turn to the right. Lady Sif followed suit, coming to a stop directly behind him, her eyes widening at the sight before them.
Odin's Vault.
"Odin's Vault? Why would they come here? Do you think they went in?" Lady Sif asked, her brow furrowed with a hint of trepidation.
"I believe so," Thor replied with a solemn nod. "Come on."
Thor quickly entered the vault, with Lady Sif close behind, their eyes peeled for any sign of either Loki or Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun. The sign they sought quite literally ran into them.
Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun came barreling around the corner at breakneck speed, slamming into both Thor and Lady Sif. The impact sent them all tumbling to the cool stone floor in a tangle of limbs.
Thor shot the warriors an angry glare, ready to demand an explanation, but the fury in his chest dissipated when he saw their pale, terror-stricken faces - a look he never thought they'd wear.
"Out of the way, Thor!" Volstagg snarled as he quickly recovered and scrambled to his feet in 0.2 seconds. "Run! He's going to kill us all!"
"Wha-who?" Thor asked, but Volstagg was already sprinting away before he could receive an answer.
"Volstagg, wait!" Fandral shouted.
"Don't leave us! Wait up!" Hogun added loudly as the pair untangled their limbs and picked themselves up off the floor, bolting after Volstagg with lightning speed, their shrieks of terror and desperation for their leader echoing after them.
Lady Sif's brow furrowed in confusion. "What was that about?"
"I don't know," Thor answered with a shrug. "But whatever they saw - whatever it was, it must have terrified them greatly. I've never seen such fear on their faces before, nor have I ever known them to be scared."
"Nor have I," Lady Sif replied, her voice trembling slightly. "Wait, they said 'he'll' kill us. What if whoever they saw was dangerous?"
Thor glanced toward the corridor where the Warriors Three had rushed out. "We'd best find out what has them so terrified before 'he' gets away. They came this way, so whoever they saw must be down this path. Come on!" He started walking, but Lady Sif grasped his hand, stopping him.
“Thor, are you sure about this? Let's go get your father, and let him deal with whoever 'he' is.” Her tone was cautious, eyes wide with uncertainty.
Thor shook his head. "There's no time for that. What if he escapes before Father arrives? We have to handle this ourselves." A smirk played at the corner of his lips. “Besides, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're scared.”
“I AM NOT SCARED, THOR!” Lady Sif shouted, her eyes blazing with offense and anger at his assumption. “Lead the way!”
"That's more like it," Thor chuckled as he strode down the corridor, Lady Sif close behind.
"You know I hate it when you do that," Lady Sif grumbled through clenched teeth, her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Oh, come on, Lady Sif; you know you love it. Works every time," Thor chuckled, trying not to laugh as Lady Sif bristled and rolled her eyes.
Soon, they reached the end of the corridor, hiding at the end and poking their heads out to catch a better view of whoever was lurking in the other room. What they saw took both their breath away. They wanted to look away, but it was like their eyes were being forced to stay open as fear, confusion, and dread bubbled in their stomachs.
In the middle of the large room stood a figure with blue-grey skin and blood red eyes. It - no, he - was standing slightly hunched over, ice-covered hands constantly twitching and his jaw clenched so tightly Thor thought it might break. The figure was wearing some green and grey clothes that looked oddly familiar and appeared to be close around their age, but stood one or two heads higher than Thor. The most striking thing about his appearance - beside the blood red eyes - was his black hair that scarily reminded Thor of Loki's own black hair.
Terror and dread gripped Thor's heart at the prospect of Loki encountering this creature. He couldn't shake the feeling that he should recognize what it was.
“Is that a Frost Giant?!” Lady Sif whispered, her voice laced with fear.
Thor's mind raced, recalling his father's countless tales of facing the feared Frost Giant leader, Laufey. He remembered how they could control ice at will and were vicious monsters. Yet, in this moment, those warnings had slipped his mind.
"What should we do with him?" Lady Sif asked, her eyes fixed on the Frost Giant, as if he might vanish at any moment.
"We confront him, that's what!" Thor replied confidently. Without waiting for Lady Sif's response, he leaped out from his hiding spot, blue eyes narrowed. "Who are you? What are you doing here in the King's Vault?"
The Frost Giant child's gaze shifted to Thor. The young prince thought he detected a glimmer of what appeared to be happiness or recognition in the child's eyes.
”Thor!” The Frost Giant child screamed as if his life depended on it.
”How do you know my name?” Thor demanded, his tone hardening. “Who are you?! What are you doing here?!”
”Thor, it's me!” the Frost Giant child cried, thrusting his ice-covered hands towards his chest. His voice trembled with desperation. "Loki!"
Thor's world ground to a halt the moment the Frost Giant uttered his beloved brother's name. But that couldn't be possible - Loki was no Frost Giant. Yet the child before him shared Loki's raven hair, his nervous mannerisms, even his voice. Try as he might, Thor could not deny the truth. This Frost Giant was his cherished brother.
"L-Loki. Is that you?" Thor whispered, his face etched with bewilderment.
”Yes, brother! It’s me!” Loki cried out, his voice sounding desperate and broken.
“Wha-what happened to you?! How did this happen?” Thor asked in utter disbelief.
Loki's voice trembled as he recounted the harrowing incident. "The casket...I touched it, and then it exploded, encasing me in ice. The pain was excruciating, Thor, but I couldn't even cry out for you or Mother or Father. I begged Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun for help, but they panicked and fled, calling me a monster!" Loki paused, his gaze fixed on his ice-encased hands, now more akin to claws. "What am I?" he asked, his voice small and rife with fear.
Thor approached his brother cautiously. "Loki, I think the casket may have turned you into a Frost Giant." Loki shrank back, his voice trembling. "Stay back, Thor! I don't want to hurt you. Father says Frost Giants are evil and dangerous. I feel strange, like I have all this power under my fingertips, just begging to be released," he whispered, his voice quivering.
"I know you would never harm me, Loki," Thor said gently as he moved closer to his visibly terrified brother. "Shh, it's alright." He extended his hand, intending to take Loki's, but Loki jerked his hand away. "No! I told you not to touch me, Thor!" he shouted, his fingers beginning to twitch uncontrollably. Before anyone knew what was happening, ice came shooting out straight towards Thor, who stood there, wide-eyed at the oncoming blast. Then, before anyone could blink, Thor was tackled to the ground by Lady Sif, both of them barely avoiding the beam of ice which froze the wall behind them.
"No...! No, no, no!" Loki cried, staring at his trembling hands, his eyes wide with fear. He quickly retreated from Thor and Lady Sif, who looked up at him with a mix of confusion and terror. They were afraid of him! He really was a monster! He continued to back away until he hit the wall, sliding down to the floor, hugging his knees to his chest as hot tears streamed down his face, his claw-like fingers digging into his arms.
Thor quickly got to his feet, disregarding Lady Sif’s surprised gasp as he freed himself from her hold, his heart aching at the sight of his brother, curled up and trembling, tears streaming down his face. He knelt in front of him, careful to maintain some distance, not wanting to add to Loki's distress. “Loki, it’s me, Thor. Can you look at me? Please?”
Despite his trembling form, Loki managed to lift his gaze, meeting Thor's concerned blue gaze with his own haunted green ones. He flinched at the shocked intake of breath from Thor, fully aware of how awful he must appear. The last thing he wanted was for anyone to witness him in such a state.
Loki's self-assessment was accurate; he looked dreadful. His pupils were pinprick-sized and glistening with unshed tears, his hair was a tangled and disheveled mess clinging to his damp skin, and he struggled to breathe, as if his throat were constricting.
Thor swallowed hard, keeping his attention on Loki. “That’s it, Loki, just like that. Can you try to take deep, calming breaths through your nose?”
Loki nodded slowly, attempting to inhale through his nose as Thor mirrored his actions, his gaze never leaving Loki’s.
Gradually, Thor’s guidance seemed to work; Loki's heart rate began to decrease, and his breathing became more even and less erratic.
“That’s good, Loki. That’s good,” Thor said gently and slowly. “Now, I’m going to give you a hug, is that okay? You can still say no if you’re not comfortable.”
Loki wanted to refuse, fearing he might hurt his brother, but he longed for someone to hold him, to soothe him, to assure him that everything would be alright. So instead of saying no, he simply nodded. Moments later, he was enveloped in warmth as Thor wrapped his arms around his trembling form, and Loki could no longer hold back the tears as he buried his face in his brother’s chest, tears streaming down his face and soaking Thor’s shirt.
Thor’s heart twisted at the sight and sounds of Loki’s broken cries, and he gently ran his fingers through Loki’s hair, whispering soothing and calming reassurances that everything will be fine. “I’ve got you, brother. I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.” As Loki continued to weep, Thor shifted his hands from his hair to gently rub soothing circles on his back. “That’s it, just let it all out, brother.”
“Boys…” Lady Sif interjected, her voice a blend of concern and authority. “I hate to interrupt this heartfelt moment, but we have visitors.”
Thor shifted his gaze toward the source of Lady Sif's focus, his expression tightening as he recognized the unmistakable sound of heavy footsteps approaching. “Get behind us, brother,” he urged quickly, trying to keep his own anxiety from seeping into his tone, knowing it would only increase Loki's fear.
Loki felt the urge to protest as Thor's comforting hold on him loosened. Instead, he stayed silent, watching as Thor positioned himself protectively in front of him, with Lady Sif standing closely to his left, both ready for a fight. Reluctantly, he obeyed, crouching low behind them, his green eyes filled with dread. Who was coming? Were they here to kill himtake him away? He sank lower, wishing he could disappear.
A moment later, their visitors burst into the corridor. Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun rushed in, their expressions wide with alarm. Volstagg nearly jumped out of his skin upon seeing Thor and Lady Sif. “Thor? Lady Sif? What are you still doing here?”
Neither Thor nor Lady Sif responded; in fact, they didn’t even register his question, as their focus remained fixed on the corridor, their muscles tense as they continued to hear the thunderous footsteps approaching. Who else had Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun brought with them? Had they summoned the entire Army of Asgard?
“This is where we found it, your majesty,” Fandral said slowly over his shoulder, his voice trembling slightly. “The vile beast must still be here.”
Thor could hardly believe what he was hearing. Did Fandral really just say—?
His thoughts were interrupted as a mysterious figure stormed through the corridor, revealing none other than the King of Asgard himself, Odin Borson.
Odin's eyebrows lifted in surprise upon seeing his son. “Thor? What brings you here?”
“Nothing, Father,” Thor replied quickly, cringing at the slight tremor in his voice. “What are you doing here?”
“Volstagg mentioned he spotted a frost giant child in this area, so I came to investigate,” Odin explained, his gaze drifting above Thor and Lady Sif, as if he…!
A chill ran through Thor.
His father had clearly noticed Loki hiding behind them.
“It seems Volstagg was indeed correct. Son, stop concealing the frost giant child; I noticed it the moment I entered the corridor,” Odin said firmly, his eyes lingering on where Loki lay motionless, his heart racing in his chest.
Neither Lady Sif nor Thor made a move. "No, Father, I cannot do that," Thor replied, his eyes narrowing. "This frost giant is just a child, an innocent child who does not deserve to be imprisoned or punished. I will not allow you to harm him."
Odin looked down at his son, and for a brief moment, Thor thought he detected a flicker of emotion in his father's eyes, but it vanished before he could identify it, replaced by a familiar feeling: anger. "Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun, leave us. Now."
"But—!" Volstagg started to protest, but a low growl emanated from Odin's throat, silencing him. "I SAID NOW!"
Without needing further instruction, Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun hurried down the hall, leaving a small cloud of dust in their wake.
“That applies to you as well, Lady Sif. I need to speak with my son,” Odin stated firmly, his blue eyes fixed on Thor.
Lady Sif cast a hesitant glance at Thor, reluctant to leave him or Loki. Thor nodded slightly, offering her a small smirk, silently conveying the message: go, we’ll be alright.
Lady Sif nodded back, eyes flicking towards Loki quickly before she also headed towards the hall, glancing over her shoulder one last time before she walked out of the room, leaving Thor and Loki alone with their father.
“Son, I’m aware of what’s happening,” Odin stated, his voice no longer filled with anger and authority but softened in an unexpectedly gentle manner.
Thor shook his head. No, his father didn’t understand what was going on, he couldn’t understand. “No, you don’t, Father.”
“Oh? Is that so?” Odin responded, raising his eyebrows slightly. “I know who the Frost Giant child is, Thor.”
“No, you don’t,” Thor insisted, a wave of dread washing over him.
“Yes, I do. The child is Loki,” Odin affirmed.
“WHAT?!” Thor and Loki exclaimed in unison, their eyes widening in shock. “HOW?!”
“Come, we have a lot to talk about,” Odin said, turning his gaze toward the end of the corridor. He glanced back when he noticed that neither Thor nor Loki had moved. “Do you want your answers or not?”
Thor and Loki exchanged a quick look before following their father, who paused just before the heavy metal door of the vault. “Before we proceed, there’s something I need to do.” Before either of them could inquire further, Odin snapped his fingers, and Loki’s ice giant form instantly disappeared.
“How did you do that?” Loki asked, his eyes filled with confusion.
“Your mother taught me,” Odin replied, avoiding Loki's gaze as he hurried down the corridor, with both Loki and Thor racing to keep up. They soon arrived at a golden door adorned with green gems—this was the room of their Mother and Father, accessible only to those they specifically invited, ensuring their privacy. “Come. Your mother is waiting for us inside.”
Odin took hold of the green doorknob and opened the door, allowing Thor and Loki to step inside. They quickly spotted their mother sitting at the edge of her bed, a smile on her face. Both brothers understood that she shared their worries, yet she was putting on a brave front for their sake.
This was one of the many reasons they cherished her so deeply.
A moment later, Odin shut the door and joined their mother on the bed, gently holding her hand. “I realize you both might have questions, especially you, Loki.”
“Your father and I want you to know that we will do our utmost to answer any questions you have. Remember, we love you both,” Frigga added, her voice soft and sweet like honey. “Who would like to ask the first question?”
“I have a question,” Loki said, looking up at his parents, his heart racing. “Am I… am I cursed? Did the casket curse me?”
“No, you are were not cursed by the casket,” Odin responded quickly, while Frigga squeezed his hand reassuringly.
“Then… what am I?” Loki asked, his voice trembling. “If I’m not cursed, then…!” He looked at his father and then at his mother, his eyes wide with fear. “No… that can’t be true!”
“What can’t be true, Loki?” Thor asked, concern etched on his face as he looked at his brother.
“The casket wasn’t the only thing you took from Jotunheim that day, was it?” Loki asked in horror, his legs feeling weak. Fortunately, Thor placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, helping him stay grounded.
“No,” Odin replied sadly, lowering his gaze before meeting Loki’s eyes. “After the battle, I entered the temple and discovered a baby. Small for a giant’s child. Abandoned, suffering, left to perish. Laufey’s son.”
Loki felt as though the breath had been knocked from his lungs. “Laufey’s son?” he inquired, tears beginning to form in his eyes.
“Yes.” Odin replied, his voice quivering as he struggled to hold back his own tears.
Loki's legs buckled beneath him, causing him to fall towards the ground. However, before he could descend more than an inch, Thor quickly caught him, cradling him tightly and helping him regain his balance.
“Why?” Loki gasped, struggling to breathe as he fought to take in air, feeling as though he might suffocate. It dawned on him that he was experiencing a panic attack, something he hadn't faced in years. “You were knee-deep in Jotun blood, why would you take me?”
“You were an innocent child, Loki,” Odin answered gently.
“You didn’t deserve to die.” Frigga added, her voice heavy with emotion.
“You could have told me what I was from the beginning, why didn't you?” Loki choked out, tears streaming down his cheeks. “Are you ashamed of me?”
“Absolutely not! We love you and your brother more than anything!” Frigga responded without hesitation, her voice trembling as well.
“You are our son, Loki. We only wanted to shield you from the truth.” Odin explained.
“The truth? Because I’m the monster that parents warn their children about at night?!” Loki’s voice shook with anguish.
“No, my dear, no. You are not a monster, Loki. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.” Frigga added firmly, though Loki understood that her firmness stemmed from her deep love for both him and Thor.
Thor. Loki pondered what his brother might think about this revelation, as he appeared nearly as stunned as Loki felt. Another question surfaced in his mind, and despite his fear of the answer, he needed to ask. “Do…do you love Thor more than me because he’s your real son? Is that why he will become King of Asgard? Because…” because you could never allow a Frost Giant to sit on the throne of Asgard remained unspoken, but everyone knew it lingered in the air.
”You are our real son, Loki. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise,” Frigga responded, tears welling in her eyes. She turned her attention to her other son. “Thor? What do you think about this? You’ve been silent.”
Loki faced his brother, their eyes meeting—his green ones locking onto Thor's blue. What if he hates me? What if he sees me as a monster? We promised to always protect one another; could he really break that vow?
After what felt like an eternity of silence, Thor shifted his gaze to Loki, their eyes connecting. “If Loki is indeed a Frost Giant, it doesn’t matter to me. This changes nothing. He will always be my brother, just as I am his. We will always support each other, no matter the circumstances. When I ascend to the throne, Loki will be my most trusted advisor, ensuring we remain together, side by side. I will make certain he never feels like a monster or a beast, unlike those other wicked Frost Giants. Unlike them, Loki is gentle, kind, and the best brother I could ever wish for. As we grow older, we will strive to foster peace between Asgard and the Frost Giants. Plus, he has incredible ice powers—how is that not the coolest thing ever?” He paused, glancing at their parents. “That’s my stance on this.”
Tears streamed down Loki's face as he enveloped his brother in a tight embrace, burying his face in Thor's chest. “Thank you, brother! You have no idea how much that means to me. You’re the greatest brother, and I can’t wait to rule Asgard alongside you.”
“Always, brother, always, you have my promise,” Thor replied joyfully, returning the fierce hug. Loki didn’t mind at all. Soon after, their parents joined in, wrapping both sons in a warm embrace. While Thor complained about being squished, Loki felt a sense of comfort, even as he began to feel a bit claustrophobic. It simply meant his family loved him deeply, and although he wasn’t thrilled about how his secret had been revealed, he ultimately felt grateful, as it brought their family closer than ever before.
Sure, some might label Loki as odd, a freak, or even a monster, but that didn’t matter to him. He knew that his family—especially his brother—would always stand by him, no matter the circumstances.
Loki wouldn’t have it any other way.