Chapter 3
"Loki" , Thor tried to rouse him but failed.He scooped him up with one hand behind his knees and one taking his back going ,with shoulder pushed under his arm.Then called out, " People of Asgard, my beloved is not feeling well.We have to conclude here.But you are all invited for feast tonight. And my beloved is to be addressed as Prince Loki henceforth". With that said, he left towards healer's ward in palace.
He didn't hear murmured jokes of , 'afraid of taking Thor's hammer' 'Swooned like a maiden' and laughter thereafter.
As soon as he laid his burden down on bed on Eirs command, He saw how ill Loki looked. He was pasty pale, with cold beads of sweat on his brow and upperlip. Strands of hair sticking on his face. Thor moved them away with gentle hand.
" Your magesty ,you need to step out.Let me attend to the patient" Eir requested. He went out.He needed to clear his head. His friends had followed him there, he refused to acknowledge them.They also kept silent.
Eir came out after a while.
" Lady Eir, how fares my brother.Is he hale? What has happened to him?"
"My lord king, he will be better after some rest.He has a fever, while the increase in temperature may not harm any aesir but it was too much for his jotun body.He felt it dearly,with his seidr blocked and sudden loss of coldness of dungeon.He will need to be kept cold. He has not been eating well past months, that may also be the cause of the collapse,along with the obvious stress on his mind"
" He was not eating well?"
" Aye.my king.Since your mother's demice Loki has been skipping meals,as its common after loss of dear one.I came to know after similar incident like this lin his cell few days ago"
"Why was I not informed?" Thor was angry, very very angry at everyone.
" Its not needed to inform the prince about illness of prisoners."
" What about family,are they not informed" He asked
" Not if its not life threatening." Eir touched his arm,she was dear friend to Frigga, like an aunt to them." He is not a prince anymore, as early as you accept this it will be easy for you my king.What you did Today for him, we understand why you did it.But you need to see the truth.He sees it, he is too clever not to." She said.
" I know.I only want to make it right. I want to make him happy Eir" He said
" Its going to be difficult. You should start with making him healthy, make him eat" She smiled.
Thor didn't leave Loki's side until he woke up. His cuffs were removed by healers, to Thor's relief. He was slumbering in same cloths, he had worn to court.Thor had to control the urge to touch him. Instead he kept busy with swiping Loki's brow with cool wet cloth.Loki shivered beautifully when the cold water touched him. After an hour Loki's fever started breaking. He was sweating while moaning now and then. Thor would keep a hand on his cheek, feeling giddy when the unconscious man leaned into his touch.
" Mother" Loki whimpered after some time
"Sshh.Its ok Loki you are fine,We are safe,rest now" Thor tried to consol him.That caused him to open his eyes.
"Thor ? What are you doing here,?,What happened? Am I injured?", He asked groggily as he tried to sit up looking around.
" You need to rest Loki.Your fever is not broken yet." He gently pushed the leanerman back in the bed.
" Uh.What is..." Loki stopped to stare at his clothes.As the memories came flooding back to him he layed back and closed his eyes.A lone tear slid down and lost in his hair
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Thor spent all his time with Loki for next four days.He even camped in the infirmary on spare bed. Only going back to his chambers to take
bath and change his clothes.He held up the paperwork unless it was urgent.Attended feast only to eat and entertain the dignitaries who came to congratulate him. Then he would leave as soon as he could. He asked servants to bring broths,light foods or even some sweets he knew to be Loki's favourite. He endured Loki's glares to hold the bowl so that Loki could eat his little fill, and didn't feed him when his hands trembled . He knew that would not end well. He helped Loki to bathroom as he stood up on woobly legs and stumbled like a newborn colt.He kept silent after Loki's snide remarks and angered insults as he grudgingly accepted the needed help.
All father had asked about Loki's health next day over breakfast. Then He had warned Thor,
"I hope you understand what you are doing,Thor. Loki is lost cause.He will stab your back and sneak out of Asgard on first opportunity.He is too bitter to accept your love now"
Thor wanted to argue, but he knew both Loki and their father too well. So he just said," I will be careful,father"
He didn't mention his father to Loki ,he could visit himself if he wished.Loki didn't ask about him either. Their mother was also too painful to be mentioned. Loki slept a lot, Eir had explained it was effect of the potions and magic of healing stones.Thor didn't mind, as it gave him time to finish his work, while gazing on the sleeping form of his brother. Every time he saw Lokis pale face relaxed in sleep with lashes touching his pale skin, His usually pink lips chafed and gnawed to redness,it caused a protective flutter in his stomach.And he had to ignore the urge to lean in and kiss his beautiful brother. He could just hope that one day Loki would feel the same for him.One day Loki would accept the love he wished to shower upon him.
His friends had found him after two days as he was returning to Loki from the feast.
" Thor," Volstag called." How fares Loki?"
" He is better. His fever is down today."
" He was always too proud,Thor. He is not going to accept this easily" Hogun surprised him by talking.
" You have signed yourself for trouble, my friend" Volstag said.
" Not that you would mind, Loki is gorgeous.You need to be blind to ignore his beauty." He never had thought Fandral could anger him.But he could apparently, by comments on his Loki!
"Shut up Fandral" Sif scolded," You know Thor doesn't feel that way."
" Aye, he is just being noble fool,as Loki would call him" Volstag said.
' If only you knew!' Thor thought to himself and said his farewells to return to Loki. They didn't offer to come and meet him.He did not ask them to. He had tried to band them together, It didn't work then,It was not going to work now. If they wanted to spend time with Thor they needed to befriend Loki, by themselves. Thor will not allow their mocking and insults, nor he will drag his brother to spend time with them.It was Loki he choose now, others would have to adjust.
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Loki was moved to their chambers after 5 days. Before that Thor had brought his clothes and books in their chambers.Added some healing and calming charms and runes on Eir's advice.Loki noticed it of cource, but he commented on totally different things.
" Do I have to live in this", he gestured disdainfully around the mess in the chambers.Thor was never immaculate like him.
" Its not that bad!" he tried.
" Thor, your cloths are thrown around the floor,some of which are under your dirty shoes.One of your capes is gathering dust on that filthy chair.Your bed smells. I cant live in this! " It was truth.but Thor smiled as this reminded him of their old banter.
" You can clear it with a wave of your hand,brother.Stop complaining." He gave his old answer, carefully avoiding derogatory comments about tricks he would have used in old days.
"Yes.I suppose" Loki said.There was a small smile on his lips.Thor was proud of this small achievement.More so than his past conquests in adventures.
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