Chapter 21
Loki was curled up (as much as was comfortable) with a book when Odin arrived to check on his son. It was a heartwarmingly normal sight, even if the massive tome dwarfed him a little more than it had in years.
"Good evening, Father." He smiled, but his mind seemed still on his book.
"Good evening, my child. You're looking much improved. Did your session with the healer go well?"
He set aside the book. "I think so. He checked how my head is healing, said it looked much better than the report from when I first returned. Then we talked about the things I've been told since returning and the seizures and he taught me some things to try when I'm coming out of them to try and stay calm and to maybe remember the events I saw. I'm feeling a little more optimistic now about my recovery."
"That is wonderful news. Are your friends treating you well? Your mother tells me that you have been visiting with them."
Loki nodded. "It was a little awkward at first, but they've warmed up. I almost forget about the missing years at times."
"I am so glad you're happy." Odin looked at him with an uncharacteristically tender expression that brought a lump to Loki's throat. "I was worried. But maybe all that really is behind us and we can have a second chance and do things right."
"I…Err…Okay?" Loki hesitated. "What weighs on your mind, Father? I can tell there is still something troubling you."
Odin seemed to struggle for words. "There is something we kept from you for far too long, because your mother and I did not wish to acknowledge it. We would keep the secret for all eternity, but a couple of years ago you discovered it by accident in the worst way possible and we fear that if we do not tell you ourselves then history will repeat itself."
Loki took a deep breath, tension rising. "Tell me. What is it."
"You… are adopted."
Loki's heart skipped a beat. "Adopted." He whispered, "Who are my real parents?"
"Your biological parents." Odin corrected, coming to sit next to him and putting an arm around his stiff shoulders. "We are your real parents. You are just as much our son as Thor is. Your biological parents were enemies of the realm who abandoned you when they fled, and I found you and brought you home. No child deserves that and we had been trying for a second child anyway." Loki looked shell-shocked. "We kept it a secret because we didn't want anybody, least of all you, questioning your right to this family and possibly eventually the throne."
That got Loki's attention. "You would make an adopted child your heir?"
"Indeed. In fact, you have acted as king for a time when Thor was banished and I fell into the Odinsleep. You were not ready yet for it, but you showed great promise and proved that you thought more like a king than Thor did."
Loki's mind was reeling. "I was king? Thor was banished? You thought I did better than him?"