Chapter 4
~ IV ~
Thor The Dark World AU.
~o~0~o~
What if Loki was indeed suicidal and wanted, dreamed that after everything he had to go through, to suffer he would surrender himself to Asgard. Loki wanted his life to be over, for Thor to take him back to die at the only home he ever had, real or not.
But his plans failed and Odin didn't kill him.
Typical.
But the wish remained still.
The first thing Loki is faced with while entering the cell is emptiness. Nothing is there, just three white walls. He knows that it would hurt him soon enough - this harsh light. But comparing with never ending darkness, for a while it is a good change of scenery.
Realizing that no one would visit him (will they ever?) Loki finds himself very very tired. He hasn't slept for so long it was ridiculous. So maybe here, alone, away from everything, Loki could let himself go already and close his eyes to rest. There on the floor (not the worst place if to think about it) just lie down and sleep.
~o~0~o~
The guards came to the All Father when he was with Thor and told them both that the prisoner Loki lay down two days ago and has not stirred yet, motionless and still. Eat he didn't either.
Thor immediately suspected some trick, maybe even a prison break - Loki is waiting for them to come into a cell and then under his illusion - escape. Odin suspected as much and ordered Thor to find out, using any methods in restraining Loki if need be.
Thor ordered to instantly close the force field after him as soon as he will be inside with the prisoner, to which the Einherjar obeyed. Thor stomped to the huddled figure in the corner of the cell, harshly turning the body on its back.
The Thunderer was right - Loki was using an illusion. Only it was not that kind of illusion. And it made him reel inside.
Loki appeared to be indeed in a deep slumber (Loki knew he was safe here, it was enough) - a sleep so deep that Loki must have lost the connection to his consciousness entirely, making him lose the glamour he had on his body. His face gaunt and gray, yellowish purple bags under his eyes, dangerously malnourished frame and sickly looking body. Gasping involuntarily, Thor even noticed the discoloration of skin, where there were traces of burns on Loki's hairline and neck that... weren't there before. Looking more closely, Thor saw strange marks on Loki's temples as well, as if something was plugged to his brother's head.
Loki looked beaten but not by the Hulk. It was something else.
Something evil.
When Thor manhandled Loki into wakefulness, the Trickster did it sluggishly, with much difficulty as if to open one's eyes was the hardest thing in the world. Loki's body was heavy from sleep and slow to react to a rough treatment, but some kind of instinct pushed in and soon enough, Loki jerked himself awake and aware that someone was there with him in a cell. Thor let Loki scramble away more because of the shock of the sight he has seen than of slowness. Green eyes finally fully alert, Loki slowly covered his face with a hand still glaring at Thor and after a green spark, the illusion of healthy body was back in place. Even if Loki knew that Thor saw everything.
"What are you doing here?" Loki asked without any trace of emotion in his quiet voice.
Thor swallowed and realized that he had no idea how to answer the simple question. His mind was too confused to find something to say. Loki watched and then huffed. His anger was pointless.
"Get out."
Thor was taken aback by quiet words, but in his surprise and utter confusion, he did just that.
Turning on his way from the dungeons, Thor saw Loki lying back on the floor to resume his sleep.
~o~0~o~
"Did I ask for a bed?" Thor and Frigga were silent. "So I didn't. So take it from wherever you took it and leave me be. I don't require anything from you, the least of all your pity."
"Then you deny the things we give you?"
Loki rolled his eyes tired away.
"The only thing I asked for was denied to me. So why should I need anything else?"
"What did you ask for? Maybe something could be arranged, Loki." Frigga asked. More like pleaded.
"Oh. Then it would be agreeable. Maybe even you, Thor, could arrange it for me."
"What is it, Loki?"
"My death."