Save Tonight
The evening had worn on and though Thor and Loki had planned to play games, they had wound up watching the end of some show or another. Thor barely remembered much of it, watching Loki more than the screen, not quite sure why one of the characters had pushed another off of the cliff with himself.
“Is this really how the series ended?” Loki asked lazily, draped over Thor’s shoulder.
“I think so.” Thor said as the credits rolled, leading him to reluctantly turn off the television and give Loki had half-heated nudge.
“Noo…let’s watch something else, I don’t want to go up to the tower.” Loki whined and clung closer to Thor.
“Oh come on now Loki, the attic isn’t that bad.” Odin had renovated the attic several times since Loki had been moved there and now it was like an apartment with a bathroom and mini-kitchen. Thor stretched his legs and headed to the bathroom.
When Thor returned, Loki was pouting from under a throw blanket.
“It’s cold up there and there are strange noises.” Loki whined as Thor nudged him aside to reclaim his former perch.
“Mice or rats perhaps?” Thor asked, knowing that Odin would not be happy to hear this.
“No, thank god. The worst I’ve had was that one winter with the squirrel’s nest. But down in the yard, I’ve heard things moving in the woods. I’ve even come across some dead animals though I’ve tried my best to keep them hidden from Mother.” Thor slid his arm back around Loki and fought the amusement that threatened to cross his face. Odds were that Loki’s findings were Mother’s attempts to feed Thor on the nights of the full moon.
“Sounds like your imagination is getting the better of you.” Thor said with a laugh. Loki huffed but snuggled closer. “Perhaps you should watch less horror.” Thor chided lightly.
“Yes Mother.” Loki said as he grabbed at the remote and began scrolling through the services looking for a movie to watch. “Though it was the bad influence of your ex-girlfriend Sif that got me into this show.”
“Sif watched this?” Thor asked curious. It had been three months since they had broken up and Thor did not want to think about the reasons they had broken up nor the uneasy aftermath.
“A few times while waiting for you to get home.” Loki said offhand, “Though it wasn’t to her taste really.” Thor let out a laugh.
“Well, it is getting late Loki and Mother will not have any mercy when the time comes for us to wake tomorrow.” Loki groaned and Thor had to snatch the blanket from Loki to prevent his brother from hiding in it.
“Wish you weren’t going.” Loki said sadly. Thor regarded him fondly.
“Do not worry Loki, it will only be a year and then I will return.” Thor said leading him upstairs. Thor remembered all the times he watched Father and Mother carry him up those stairs. The only thing he hated worse than seeing his brother disappear into the darkness and the slam of the heavy doors was the outline of Loki in the window as they climbed into the car to drive to their land’s edge to change.
“Do you promise?” Loki asked with huge eyes.
“Of course brother, rest assured that I will return. Now the time has come to rest, little ghoul.” Thor answered with a chase kiss to Loki's forhead.