Nothing crossed his mind; every fiber of his being reminded him how illogical the act was: he was not like this. But seeing him—seeing him lose himself, destroying things without a second thought—he saw himself in his mind. He remembered the days spent in the palace, hearing the one he had believed for so many years to be his father praise his “brother” so many times that, despite the years, the words still echoed in his ears.
How many times had he felt alone for not being a better warrior like his brother? How many times had he seen himself as a monster, knowing his origin? All he had wanted was a little more attention. It’s true his mother had done an amazing job raising him, but despite everything, she was often busy most of the time—except during meals, when she would teach him magic, or at night, when she would approach the room he had shared with Thor in his childhood.
It wasn’t a big request, just to be reflected in his father’s eyes with the same pride they showed when hearing of one of his golden brother's feats. But the years passed, and he was never deemed worthy enough.
And this was how he ended up there, after being brutally beaten by the green monster, just before the Avengers made their appearance. He wrapped both arms around the giant’s neck.
He hadn’t even realized what he was doing. It seemed as though his body was guiding him to something natural, something he needed. Hulk, on the other hand, stood still, unsure of how to react. In his moments of clarity, as Doctor Banner, he thought this was yet another trick from Loki, but he didn’t pull away. It was so warm; he wasn’t afraid of him. And just like the god, soon he was submerged in the embrace, wrapping his strong arms around the slender waist of the prince of mischief.
“It’s okay…” the young Jötunn whispered almost into his ear, burying his face into the other’s neck. “…I’m here.”
And, as strange as it sounded, somehow, Bruce managed to regain his consciousness, even with the body of “the other guy,” as he used to call Hulk.
“I’m here, Loki… I’m here.” He murmured softly, just loud enough for the small body in his arms to hear, causing it to shiver slightly.
In that embrace, they both realized that everything they had been searching for all this time, they had found in the one they held in their arms.