Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Thor: "Heimdall, may you please tell me where my br - Loki is?"
It was the first of december in Asgard and according to Odin's commands, Thor was now standing in front of the gatekeeper of Asgard. Heimdall, who looked at him sceptically.
Heimdall: "For what reason?"
Thor: "The all-father wants him to come to Asgard so we can keep an eye on him and check whether he's about to trouble us again or not."
Heimdall looked concentrated for a moment, staring into nothing. Then he looked back at Thor and nodded slightly.
Heimdall: "He is alone. In a small cabin in Midgard. He's quite cold. It has been snowing on Earth for days now and apparently the shed has no heating."
Thor: "Alright, that's enough! Send me down!"
Heimdall did as ordered and only seconds later Thor was taken by the Bifrost and landed next to an old, small house, which looked as if it would collapse any moment. Thor considered knocking, but then decided differently and walked in without announcement. Heimdall had been right. The hut was utterly cold and dark, not a place Thor'd be wanting to live in. But Loki thought differently, as he knew. He looked around for a moment, then called out.
Thor: "Loki! As I'm not here for searching you, would you mind uncovering yourself?"
For a moment there came no response, but then a door to his left opened and the god of mischief walked out hesitantly. The liesmith wore his usual armour, added by a thin blanket, wrapped around his shoulders, which were shaking slightly.
Loki: "Thor? What reason are you then here for? Delivering christmas wishes from the all-father? Mocking me for the place I currently live in?"
Thor took a deep breath. That was typically the Loki he knew.
Thor: "Neither of these. Asgard has an offer for you."
Loki: "What could this place you call home offer me? A prison cell? Again?"
Thor: "A warm and save place for the winter. Odin invites you to stay with us for a while."
Loki(laughing): "I didn't know he wanted me to come back to the place I nearly destroyed."
Thor: "He'd prefer keeping you in observation."
Loki: "Mhm, that already makes more sense."
Thor stepped closer, looking his brother down interested. His hair was a mess of raven black curls, like always. His eyes were rimmed red. A sting of compassion went through Thor's heart. It was obvious Loki was feeling lonely, sitting here alone in this cabin, not having anyone to talk to, although he knew Loki would never admit it. Thor would have loved to simply pick him up and bring him into a warm bed in the palace, but he knew he had to discuss this through with Loki first. Otherwise the trickster would only lash out and deny any support.
Thor: "Now, do you have anything against it or can we go?"
Loki considered for a moment, looking at Thor as if he'd want to figure out, what game the god of thunder was playing.
Loki: "Shall this be a trick to get me imprisoned?"
Thor: "It's not a trick in any way. Everything I told you was nothing but the truth. I swear!"
Loki sighed, then stepped next to him hesitantly.
Loki: "Looks like I wouldn't get a choice anyway."
Thor grinned, leading Loki out of the house and looking up to the sky.
Thor: "Heimdall! You can get us up now!"
As soon as they were up and started walking towards the palace, Thor had to force himself not to laugh out loud. Loki was stunned silent by the glorious atmosphere. It was only beginning of december, but most Asgardians already had started decorating their homes. The closer they came to the palace, the more beautiul the houses got. With candles shining bright, music playing all over the streets and a christmas play that was being practised. Thor grinned looking at Loki, who kept his head down so no one could recognize him but couldn't stop admiring the scenary.
Thor: "Long time since you've been home, right? Just wait, until we're in the palace."
Loki quickly looked away, now staring at Thor. Thor led him into the palace, which outplayed everything Loki had seen so far. The handrails were littered with porcellain stars, in every fireplace they passed burned a glowing fire and all candles in the chandeliers above were spreading a comfortable atmsophere. Loki somewhen stopped next to a chimney and held his icy hands close to the fire to warm them up again. Thor stopped too and looked back. He waited for a while before he stepped next to him, wrapped an arm around his lean body and started speaking.
Thor: "You're cold, aren't you? - Come on, Loki - I'll show you your place to sleep."
Loki only nodded slightly, following Thor through the corridors. The room the thunderer brought him in wasn't his own. It was smaller and even darker than his original one, but it at least had a comfortable bed, which Loki fell on immediately after entering. Thor kept standing in the middle of the room, smiling while looking at his brother, who was cuddling into the warming blankets.
Thor: "I didn't even know, frost giants could get cold too."
Loki(muffled): "Shut up!"
Thor grinned.
Thor: "Well, so I guess you're gonna sleep now anyway. I'll tell the servants to build a fire in your fireplace so it's getting warm in here. If you need any food or anything else, just let me know. You know where my room is."
Loki didn't respond, so Thor turned around and left him alone, informing the servants before returning to his father, who was sitting on his throne, expecting him to tell him about his visit.
Thor: "I got Loki here now. He didn't protest in any way."
Odin: "Why isn't he here himself? Didn't he feel like talking on his own?"
Thor: "I already brought him into his room. He's quite - exhausted."
Odin only nodded, staring at some papers on his lap.
Thor: "Father, - what's about the people? You know how most think about him and I don't want him to have to face such statements again."
Odin: "If he behaves, he will not have to face them either. I already told them, he'd come. Of course they won't trust him with their lives immediately, but his reputation as a traitor is removed as long as he stays here and behaves well."
Thor looked surprised.
Thor: "So he's not going to face his crimes of the past?"
Odin: "As long as he doesn't intend to hurt anyone or harm Asgard in other ways."
Thor smiled relieved, that were at least good news.
Odin: "Nevertheless, we won't treat him well either. You have to know that you're not allowed to call him your brother in public or any other similar moves. The population still isn't trusting him and I am not either."
Thor nodded. Well - this part of the plan wasn't completely going well with him, but fine - if it was to keep Loki's reputation up, he wouldn't mind. At least that's what he thought at the time.
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When Loki awoke again he was greeted with a crackling fire burning in the fireplace and as he looked to his side, he saw a plate with delicious-looking biscuits with a hot cup of tea set next to it. At first he thought Frigga had come and brought him the food, but when he looked to his right, he saw the reality.
Thor: "Good morning, dear! And? How did you sleep?"
Loki took some time to answer, taking the plate off the bedside table and beginning to eat with joy. Then he looked at Thor suspiciously.
Loki: "Have you been watching me?"
Thor: "I only thought you'd like to have some company while eating breakfast. If you bother, I can also leave."
Loki shook his head, while finishing his bite. Then he gently lifted the fragile porcelain tea mug and took a sip, warming his hands at the hot surface.
Loki: "Now, - as long as it's only you, it is alright."
The brothers stayed silent while Loki finished his meal. Then Thor sat down next to him and began to speak again.
Thor: "Loki, I talked to father yesterday. There's nothing for you to fear from him or the population. As long as you stay here and don't break shit again, we won't blame you for what you did in the past, neither will you be punished. Of course, most aren't trusting you either, but they won't try to punish or hurt you."
Loki looked sceptically, examining Thor for signs that he was lying.
Loki: "It doesn't sound like Odin, forgiving everything I've done so far."
Thor: "Loki, listen up! It's december, close to christmas, and neither Odin nor I want you to sit in a cabin alone and freeze. Plus, it offers you a fair chance to put things right. Please, take it. We can stay here together and probably celebrate christmas together. You wouldn't have to stay alone. You could have a family again. Asgard's still your home, isn't it?"
Loki's gaze softened as he looked into Thor's pleading eyes. How could he possibly say no?
Loki: "Well, - I guess I wouldn't have another option to choose."
Loki let himself fall back onto his bed, when Thor caught him in a hug neither Loki nor Thor had expected. At first Loki tried to resist the embrace, but when Thor didn't let go and only pulled him closer, he eventually eased the tension and let himself be held by the man, he had once called brother.
Thor: "You know how I've missed this!"
Loki didn't reply, only smiling mysteriously, but inside of him - he knew he thought the same. He just didn't yet want to let anyone know. Not yet.