Raccommodage

Thor sighed. It was the day that he had planned to negotiate with his father. The tips from his younger brother flooding his mind.

'Don't show weakness.'

'Never falter.'

'Make it seem it's for his benefit.'

'Be sweet but demanding....nevermind just be determined. Sweet doesn't work for you.'

'Listen and use your brain. Muscle doesn't work on that old man.'

'Be...respectful...and keep your emotions in check.'

He changed out of his mortal clothing and into his armor, picking Mjolnir up and exiting his chamber. He marched down the stairs, expression hard and feet heavy.

It was early in the morning, so not many were awake. Although Thor knew that some child and Stark were awake, having seen them on his way to the stairs.

They were....embracing and Thor was about to lecture the man about honour and staying true to those he loved, but he was the wrong man for that and he had no idea of the situation. Plus, he was in a hurry and he wasn't there to judge. In fact, Thor wasn't there at all.
He was in the Bifrost, being called back to Asgard.

He greeted Heimdall with a small smile and wary eyes, making his way to the throne room. He spun Mjolnir and flew inside the throne room, kneeling down before his father.
His father was the first to break the tense silence.

"Why have you, my own son, gone against me? What lies has that silver tongue spouted that you would choose him above me?"

"My Father-"

"Do you not understand the weight of your crimes? The weight of his? You have set a criminal free!"

"Loki is not a criminal!" Thor stood, challenging his father's authority. Shit, that was the wrong thing to do. Oh well, not like he could back down. "Sure his actions are...questionable..but all he needs is some guidance."

"I was giving him guidance-"

"No! You were-"

"Listen!" Odin yelled, tapping his staff against the floor. The throne room was dead silent as the Allfather regained his composure.

"I was giving him some time to dwell on his actions. You, of all people, should know actions have consequences."
Thor thought that life in a cell was more than 'some time' but he didn't voice his opinions. Less he mess up the whole meeting.

"Yes father, I do understand, but perhaps that wasn't the best way to go about it. Perhaps there is another, better way....?"

"Another way," The Allfather soffed, entertaining the bizarre idea, "you think you can better educate that boy?"

"Yes. Yes I do." Thor said strongly, glancing at his nervous and quiet mother reassuringly. He'd never seen her so quiet during a trial about Loki (And there were alot of those). She always stood up for Loki, finding a less physical punishment for his trickeries. No one was there for Loki, so she always had to be. It was odd and unsettling not hearing any input from his mother.

"And what do you suggest?" Thor felt relief fill him. He thanked his ancestors for his Father's patience. Briefly he wondered if he would have the same patience with Loki should their roles be switched.

"Well..." Thor sighed, squaring his shoulders and gathering his courage, "I want to make a deal."

Thor came back with a defeated expression plastered on his face. He forced himself to enter the compound and ignored all the questions the others had for him. It was evening and the sky was losing its light. Quickly.

He knocked on his brother's door softly and put on his best smile. He had to be positive, for he knew that his brother would not take lightly to the news. He heard a muffled 'come in' and entered, head high and smile fake wide.
He watched as his brother slowly raised his head from his book, closing it and resting it to the side and turning on his side. He regarded him for a silent moment, that made Thor more anxious despite its briefness.

"What's wrong?" Loki asked, hiding all emotion from his face and tone. Thor felt his stomach do flips and his heart clench. He chuckled sadly, going to sit at the end of the bed.

"I really can't hide anything from the Prince of lies." Thor muttered, closing his eyes and missing the grimace from his brother.

"My title has nothing to with the fact that you're an open book." The silence stretched on before Thor took a deep breath, readying himself to relay the results of the meeting.

"I-" Thor paused, taking another deep inhale before continuing, "I think it's best to have this conversation in...private..." He glanced at the children who were either glaring (Jormungand) at him, ignoring (Hela) him or too busy playing to acknowledge the real world (Fenrir and Sleipnir). Loki hesitated, deflating slightly before nodding. He asked his children for some 'alone time' the both of them watching as the children walked out the room begrudgingly.

He was about to start, having prepared himself, but his brother beat him to it.

"What did he say?" He asked softly, voice gentle but filled with hate. Thor wondered when his innocent brother, the light of his life, became so dark.

"He agreed to let you stay under certain..conditions.."

"Well?" Thor sighed and showed Loki the bracelets his father had given him. He grimaced when his brother gasped and stared at him, eyes wide and cloudy in disbelief.

"You aren't actually going to use those...a-are you?" Loki's voice cracked and Thor's heart broke. That was the Loki he remembered. Cautious and afraid of everything, crying when teased and hoping his brother would somehow save him. Thor wondered why Loki still kept up the bad-guy facade with him. Why didn't he just fall into Thor's open arms and let it all out?

"Brother...I have no choice in this..It was the deal..."

"B-but you can't! Don't you have any idea what those are? What they do? What they will do? To me?" Thor sighed and shook his head. He hated the situation he found himself in. Hated himself for allowing everything that happened to happen.

"Please, cooperate. I don't want to use force on you..not again." He pleaded, throwing the cuffs on the bed. Loki gulped audibly. He stared at the cuffs in horror, thinking of his next action.

"No. I can't. I won't."

"Loki-"

"You can your father can go Fuck yourselves. I am not putting that on!" Thor shook his head in disappointment and climbed onto the bed, towering over Loki. Truthfully, it wasn't his first time imagining being in that position with his brother, but it was usually a different situation.

"Give me your hands." Thor demanded.

"No." Loki refused, trying to hide his hands. However, Thor was faster. He grabbed Loki's wrists and slapped the cuffs on. He jumped off when Loki screamed out and curled in on himself.

"Get out." He whispered, his voice wet.

"Loki-"

"GET OUT!"