help

The hallway was long, stretching for what felt like miles to Thor. He would have loved to fly past everything, but that would just lead to a lot of frightened agents and a mad Director Fury. He was starting to be bothered by how long it was, wanting to get to Loki's cell as fast as possible to speak with Loki. Yet instead of taking the elevators or the faster ways to reach the cell, he instead took the stairs and a longer way. Maybe he actually was kind of glad it would take some time to get to the cell, it gave him time to think about what exactly he was going to say to his brother.

Because even after all of this, Loki is still his brother, even if the god won't believe it.

The past few days have all seemed to blur together into a mix of memories that he'd yet to reflect on. His own brother attempting to take over Earth, for reasons that are so not like himself. This entire event doesn't seem like Loki, even though he had tried to take over Jotunheim he had a reason. Father had informed him after Lokis' "death" about how Loki was a Frost Giant and what had happened, and Thor had understood what brought his brother to wanting to destroy the Frost Giants. Loki was ashamed of himself, as Thor had been when he remembered who he was before he was on Midgard, and was ashamed of his heritage. Loki wanted to forget about Frost Giants and that he was one, so wiping them out seemed like the only option to him.

But why Earth? Why would he try and conquer a realm for no reason except "power" as he says? Loki has never wanted power, he just wanted to be equal and seen.

But maybe he did always want power, maybe the Loki he thought he knew wasn't the real him. Thor didn't like to think that about his brother, but deep down he was starting to believe maybe that it was true.

It had been a shock learning Loki was alive, even more when learning he was on Earth trying to conquer the realm. He had been excited to be back on Earth, hoping maybe he could see Jane again. But he had abandoned her here for a while now, she was probably angry at him and had moved on. Maybe that's for the best.

Right now he also has Loki to deal with, and his brother hasn't been the most cooperative. Every time he'd try to talk to his brother, it ended in more fighting or Loki leaving. Now Loki was captured, which meant he couldn't run away or fight him, he was forced to listen. This made Thor feel better and worse at the same time. He wanted to hear what Loki had to say, but was scared about what it would be. It had hurt watching his brother disregard all of his words and fight him. He hated having to fight and hurt him.

But he didn't have to fight him anymore, all he had to do was speak to him. Though he knew from experience that speaking with Loki can be even worse than fighting him, his way with words can hurt more than any sword.

"This room is restricted to only the Director and agents approved by the Director. If you don't leave then I will have to alert the Director to your presence."

Thor looked up and realized he'd been so lost in thought he hadn't noticed he now stood in front of the door leading to Loki's cell. The agent who had been speaking stared at him, hand moving towards a weapon.

"I wish to speak to my brother."

The agent looked confused, looking over him, and then realization entered his face.

"Y-Your Thor?"

"I am indeed Thor, Son of Odin and the God of Thunder, and I wish to speak to my brother."

"I'm sorry but I can't let you pass unless the Director clears it. I will contact him now."

The agent reached towards its ear to activate his comm, while Thor waited.

"Director this is Agent Hymond, we have Thor wanting to speak to Loki."

The agent paused, listening to whatever the Director had to say.

"Yes sir, I will alert him," the agent said, turning off his comm. He then turned back towards Thor.

"You have been allowed to speak with him. Just be aware that there are many precautions put in place to keep Loki in the cell, and some of them would end in harming you too if you were to be in there when they are activated."

The agent turned around and inputted numbers and other things needed to enter, and the door opened. Thor slowly walked through the door, hearing it shut behind him. He took a deep breath and prepared himself. The next door that would lead to the room opened.

He had tried to be ready for whatever state he would see his brother in, but it still hurt to see him look so joyful after everything. Loki's stance seemed calm, and his face had the same look he'd get when he was trying to mess with someone.

Thor stood there, unmoving, not knowing what to do. He stared blankly at the man that seemed nothing like the brother he had known, but at the same time exactly like. Finally, he couldn't take the tension-filled silence, and the competition to see who would dare speak first.

"Hello brother," he said, breaking the silence.

"I am not your brother you oaf," Loki spit out.

Those words hurt him, even after the countless times Loki had said them they always seemed to hurt. Nevertheless, he persevered.

"You are to me Loki, always will be. Even after everything you've done."

He walked closer towards the cell and stopped trying to hide his emotions, letting the anger he felt towards what Loki had done escape.

"Why did you do this Loki? What have the mortals ever done to you?"

"Survived. Such a weak species, who lies and cheats to get by in their short lifespans. They are pathetic."

"They can be unwise, but that does not mean they deserve to be killed. There is good in this world."

"I don't see anything even resembling good."

"That's because you aren't looking hard enough. Sometimes the good is right there, but you're just too blind to see."

He placed his hand on the glass and that's when it hit him that his own brother was a prisoner and would always be seen as a villain. He knew that he'd never have his old brother back, and the realization made him want to scream in anger and cry forever.

"I miss the good times that seem so distant now. I miss my brother, I miss you Loki."

"I am not you brother."

"But you were Loki! I'm sorry for wronging you, for never realizing what I was doing. I was selfish and blind."

Loki started to walk closer to him, standing a few feet away.

"Your stupid if you think that you apologizing will change anything."

"It doesn't matter what this apology will result in Loki, you still deserve it even after the battle you just caused. The mortals won't forgive you, and even I am having a hard time thinking about what you did, but this new you will not tarnish the good memories I have with you. The good memories I have of my brother."

For a second he believed he'd gotten through to Loki, that maybe he would forgive him. That he'd get his old brother back and though things would be different, they'd have each other to get through everything. But deep down Thor knew, he knew that the next words that Loki would say would not be accepting his apology, they would be stabbing a sword into his chest.

"It would be best if you forgot those times existed. I never saw you as my brother, only a person I had to conquer. Those memories you hold close to your heart, none of them were real. And if you think they were then you are even more stupid than I thought. Someday soon you better get it through your thick head to understand that I am not your brother, I never was and I never will be. So have fun with your mortal friends, and just know that as soon as I'm out of here I will tear them limb from limb, and I will make you watch. You will watch them suffer, watch them scream in pain and agony, and then I will destroy this pathetic species. You will watch Midgard fall to its knees, watch the people beg to be saved, and will see they will do anything to survive. You'll see that this species is not worth being saved, that they are pathetic excuses of life who need to be kill-"

All of a sudden Loki stopped speaking. His brother collapsed to the floor, breathing hard and looking more frantic than Thor had ever seen him. Loki looked to be in pain, so much pain he wasn't even trying to hide it, and he looked up towards Thor. The one word his brother said was enough to shock him to his core.

"Help."

Thor didn't even have time to process before Loki stopped looking so messy, and stood up with his old grin on his face.

"I can see my speech resonated in you. It's wonderful seeing you so distraught."

He couldn't take it anymore, he turned around and walked towards the door as fast as he could. He could feel his brothers' smirk as Loki uttered his next words.

"I hope you enjoy your time with those mortals, before long they'll all be dead."

The door shut behind him, and he immediately felt more relaxed. When the other door opened, he ran out without saying a word and continued to run down the hallway until he reached the room SHIELD had assigned him. Once inside, he collapsed onto the floor, unable to hold back his sobs and screams.

Loki had done it yet again, torn every part of him into pieces that he'd have to pick up and fix alone. Every time Thor gained hope that his brother was good, he just proved the opposite. His brother threatened his new friends and the mortals, leaving him to worry about their safety. The rest of the Avengers are strong, but none are a match for Loki if they were to fight him alone. And that is exactly what he'd do because a few days from now everyone will go their separate ways. But the threats weren't bothering him as much as the one word Loki had muttered.

Help.

His brother was a strong person, and if there was one word he never dared to say it would be help. Even when Loki was in dire situations he would rather be hurt or killed than ask anyone for help, especially Thor. He had heard his brother say the word a few times, but only as a trick or illusion. Loki would never utter the word with meaning, but just a few minutes ago he had.

Which had shocked and confused him.

Loki's sudden collapse was also suspicious, as not even a second before he was talking of slaughtering mortals and his friends, and the next he was a frantic mess on the floor. His expressions were ones not familiar to Thor, they were of terror and pain. His brother was also not one to be open about his feelings of being afraid, rather liking to hide or keep them inside and private. He had learned that about Loki at a young age when his brother would never cry in front of him. There had been a few times though when he'd pass Loki's room and hear silent sobs from inside, and instead of going in to comfort him, he walked away to leave him be.

Thor always felt guilty for that, even though he knew all Loki would have done was yell at him to leave and be angrier at him.

These sudden changes in behavior didn't seem planned or fake, they seemed more real than any of his brothers' behaviors lately. And if this reaction was real, and he really needed help, then by the gods he was going to do whatever it takes to help him.

Because even after everything, after the events on Asgard, after the battle of New York, after hearing him constantly spit in his face, and even after hearing him threaten his friends and the mortals, he will help Loki.

Because he is his brother.