Pining
Thor knew he was being childish, that staying in his car would mean that tomorrow wouldn’t come and he would not have to leave home. But Thor knew better, and with a reluctant sigh opened the door and carried out the tote bag filled with drop-cloths, tape and odds and ends. Thor braced himself for the unnatural silence that would greet him and entered his home.
While Asgard, as the estate was called, was isolated, that did not mean that it was ever silent, there always seemed to be friends, relatives and Father’s business associates vising. Right now, however things were silent. Mother, Father and Loki were all out on their own respective errands while Thor’s own to-do list was far to private to even have his friends about.
Thor looked around his room which was had a few mostly full boxes sitting around the empty furniture. Thor quickly shoved the last of his keepsakes into a box and took the calendar off the wall to deposit in the trashcan by his desk. Thor then quickly taped one of the boxes shut and began carrying it towards the basement, casting a longing glance to the narrow set of steps that lead to the attic.
The attic suite had been built by his grandfather for his wife Belesta, for her safety as she never carried the curse, same as Loki. But unlike his grandmother, Loki only viewed his rooms as a prison that he was locked into on the nights of the full moon to keep him safe. Mother and Father had never figured out how to tell Loki, either he had been too young to understand or too reckless to be trusted with the secret. Thor had asked once if they could turn Loki, it seemed the easiest path but Odin had given Thor a look that had gone between them and declared that if Thor did such a thing it would be the last thing he’d ever do on this earth.
But even as Thor had backed down from his father, his mind had held onto the idea. From his parent’s reactions it WAS possible to turn a person not born with this curse. Every month Thor was tormented with a feeling of loneliness as he transformed and longed to have Loki besides him to soothe it. Unfortunately, Thor thought as he placed the box on a shelf in the basement, he still did not know how the curse was transferred. Frigga had only told Thor that she had been turned shortly after their marriage to prevent the decline in health should they have children.
Up above, Thor could hear the door open and several footfalls, far too heavy for Mother and far too light for Father. Thor had to prevent himself from running up the stairs as he heard Loki walk casually towards the stairs.
“Where have you been Loki?” Thor asked once he had caught up with his brother.
“Out, I dropped my phone yesterday and wanted it repaired.” Loki said looking up from his phone with a scowl.
“Oh come on Loki surely your phone could wait one day, after all it’ll be so long until we see each other next.” Thor said, face twisting into a pout. Loki rolled his eyes and tucked his phone into his pants pocket.
“I didn’t expect to see you tonight, thought that you’d spend you last night here out drinking with your friends.” Thor could not help but notice the bitter twinge in Loki’s voice on the last word bu decided to ignore it.
“I have said my goodbyes to them already and wish to spend my last night under this roof-””-for a year.” Loki interjected, Thor unsure if he was just being his usual snarky self or fishing for information. Loki had no idea of what was going to happen tomorrow, but Thor knew all to well as it was his coming of age.
Tonight after dinner, Frigga would give Thor a potion that would lock him in his other form for an entire year. The next year would be about Thor learning to make peace with his other side, and to decide which world he would rather be in, the world of men or the world of wolves.
“Perhaps, though we both know that Uncle Fenrir never returned from his coming of age.” Thor replied soberly.
“Still, I do not understand why I will not be able to call or write you.” Loki said with a shake of his head.
“This will prepare me for my place in the world, and such distractions are not allowed. I hope that someday,” Thor hesitated looking for the right words. This was not just his secret to tell. “Someday, that you will be able to understand. Now come, Mother should be back soon and you know how she hates us not being ready to go.” Loki let out a disappointed sigh.
“Is Father meeting us at the restaurant then?” Loki asked as he turned to head towards his own room. “I had some things I wished to talk with him about before dinner.”
“Father is busy with things, but I am sure he will wish to speak with you, and not at you for once, once things settle down and they should soon.” Thor replied, watching Loki reluctantly climb the stairs to his rooms and thinking how much he is going to miss his home while he was gone.