fossilised | A pointy turn of events (PSL)

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A pointy turn of events (PSL)

[Considering how incredibly dire the battle with Malekith became once they'd traveled to Midgard, it was baffling that it ended so quickly. With the Dark Elf dead and the Convergence passed harmlessly by, Thor might have enjoyed a moment to breathe easily.

Sadly, that was not to be.

While Darcy and Selvig carted Jane off to her apartment for some much needed rest, Thor darted back to the sad little University storeroom he'd hidden Loki away in during the fight. Injured as he was, there was no chance that his brother would be able to assist in any manner greater than he already had done... he could only hope that he'd stayed put and not taken the opportunity to run off under their noses or hidden away with illusions.

Luckily he did not draw nearly as much attention inside the mostly abandoned building as he did outside of it, even fully clad in his Asgardian garb, dirty and streaked with blood. His own injuries were primarily bruises and a few cuts, nothing that wouldn't heal soon enough. Loki's state was far more precarious that the thunderer was not willing to rest until he ensured he could bring his brother somewhere safe to heal.

After finding Loki passed out in the storeroom where he'd left him, Thor did his very best to be discreet by wrapping him in his red cape (great idea there) and carrying him outside. From there he was able to use Mjolnir to fly away from the now crowded scene and toward a place they might be able to stay for awhile.

The innkeeper was skeptical of his arrival, to say the least. Still, after a hurried explanation she agreed to give him a room, discreetly, where he was able to carry Loki and dump him on the bed.

And that was how they ended up where they were, two princes gone from living in a magnificent palace to hiding away in a two-star inn in London. If Odin wasn't already having a fit, he would be soon, of that Thor was certain.]

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['Foolish glory.' Indeed, they have both done awfully foolish things for their own pride or to prove themselves worthy, and it is a pleasure to hear Loki acknowledge that his own actions have not been exactly intelligent. Even if Thor does not truly expect a repaired and perhaps even improved relationship so quickly, he will take every little positive sign he can get.]

I might argue it is still serious, but no, your life should no longer be in danger.

[And yet, after losing Frigga to a stab wound, he cannot help but worry of the possibility that he might also lose Loki to the same. It may be a pointless worry, and yet... Thor still believes himself entitled to feel that way.]

Try not to worry me like that again.

[He almost thinks to order Loki not to do anything else foolish, but even he knows by now that would be an impossible order to follow for his mischievous brother. Most important right now? To make sure Loki trusts him and doesn't go running off once his wound is fully healed.]

[It is strange, still, to hear Thor's genuine concern over him. His brother has ever been able to let go of hate and bitterness faster than he, it is a trait he both admires and despises as weakness.

It would be a lie to say he does not consider if he is strong enough to make an escape. He knows Thor. He might be worried now, but the longer they spend together, he is sure the easier it will be for Thor to rationalise that Loki should be back on Asgard and returned to his cell. He does not want that. Not ever again.]

Believe me, Thor, I have no intention of repeating such an action. I lost my senses briefly, that is the only explanation I have for my lack of judgement in that moment.

[Or he wanted to save Thor's life and doesn't want to admit it. One of the two.]

[Lost his sense briefly? Thor seriously doubts that. He vividly remembers the way Loki had looked, the words he had spoken when he thought he was going to die. That had all felt like true honesty, and nothing his brother says now will convince him otherwise.]

I believe you explained yourself well enough at the time.

[With that, Thor rises from the bed and goes to unclasp his cape. He really is a mess, and now that he can rest easier about Loki's condition, his many aches and pains are clamoring for attention.

A shower, at the very least, is in order. Perhaps that will also be a test to see if Loki will remain if he leaves him alone to wash up. If not, it shouldn't be too difficult to track him down while he's still injured.]

I will make use of the shower now. I would very much appreciate if you could stay put for a little while.

[He could not help a small laugh at that seemingly innocuous request, though he could not blame Thor for making it.]

I am sure you would.

[He nods as though obligingly, though truly he had not agreed to any such conditions. He has no idea whether he will be there when Thor's back is turned, no idea whether he has the strength to face up to a possible reparation of their relationship.]

Go forth and shower, brother, lest your smell draw in the mortal guards seeking a corpse.

[Thor shakes his head with a laugh before walking off into the bathroom, the door left slightly ajar so that he might have a chance to hear if Loki were to attempt an escape without making any noise.

But then, it's only when he's stripped and standing beneath the hot stream of water, that the term 'escape' was the one that came to mind immediately. Is Loki his prisoner now? How can that be, when he's broken him out of prison and promised his protection? What a peculiar circumstance to find himself in, where he requires someone to remain within his control but cannot consider him bound with the threat of punishment to do so.

Thor ponders the dilemma while taking advantage of the motel's free soap and shampoo. Dirt and blood flow freely down the little drain in the center of the stall as he scrubs himself clean and examines any injuries still present. Some bruises are heavy from where he'd been beaten and banged around, while others are light, already on their way to healing. He can only hope that Loki's wound will mend speedily, though at the same time a guilty thought has him hoping it will wait at least long enough for the two of them to have a discussion or two.

They'd been sorely lacking in any real conversation for the past few years. If his brother is truly seeing sense now, he should take the opportunity before it slips away.]

[The mask of nonchalance that Loki wore through the discussions with Thor disappeared the moment he was out of sight, fading rapidly until the mask was all but gone and the truth of his conflicted thoughts writ plain across his face.

He was frightened. He had not expected to survive that wound, he had not expected to have to face the consequences of the truthful words he spoke right before the blackness closed in on him. Not just to Thor, but to himself. He has spent so many years now denying that he still feels a familial connection with Thor, denying any other emotion but hatred and a desire to see him dead. He can no longer claim that without knowing it a lie on his own tongue.

Yet to stay here was to court disaster. He could not submit himself to someone else's authority again, he could not apologise truly for his actions, his pride would not allow it. The desire to flee, to run from his own truths and from this possible prison, though it not have bars and keys, is strong enough to nearly overwhelm him.

He swings his legs over the side of the bed and is unable to suppress a faint gasp of pain. The wound in his gut is still severe, still extremely limiting, and he is less capable of moving than he thought. He sits there, half poised to run, frozen in indecision.]

[Just as Loki's feet touch the ground, Thor turns off the water, ending the shower a bit earlier than he would have liked. Worries about Loki pervade his thoughts, spurring him toward a speedy drying off before he grabs the single robe provided by the motel and slips it on.

Thor is still trailing some water in his wake as he nudges the door open with his shoulder, then freezes at the sight of Loki no longer lying on his back. His heart sinks as he first considers the worst possible implications of what he sees. How is he to protect someone who appears unwilling to trust him?

And that is the problem, isn't it? Neither of them can fully trust the other. If they are to make any progress here at all, that has to change.]

Lie down, brother. You are not yet ready to walk.

[Too late.

He curses himself his indecision, and he curses the weaknesses of his body in this state, but no amount of cursing can change that he is now too late to run. He would never outpace Thor in this condition, and is scarcely a match for him in physical combat even when he is at the peak of his health.]

You call me that so easily, Thor.

[He makes no move to get back on the bed, eyes fixed on the floor and voice quiet between them. There's no accusation or anger in his voice, he just sounds curious.]

Have you forgotten all that lies between us?

[Ah.

Despite Thor's own increased determination to discuss the more sensitive topics plaguing Loki, his mind feels suddenly numb and empty when confronted with the start of a possibly very significant conversation. His brother has ever been one to scrutinize words. Now is not the time to say the wrong thing, accidentally or otherwise.]

I have forgotten nothing.

[How could he? The betrayals, attempted murders, lies and tricks. Such events invade his dreams and waking thoughts all too often, and yet there has ever remained a spark of hope that Loki may still come to his senses.

After he nearly died saving Thor's life, he failed to subsequently consider that their relationship could still be plagued by troubles of the past. Yes, they would have to confront those demons, but they should no longer hamper their ability to be family once again.

Perhaps he has been far too optimistic.] That includes many centuries of us living as brothers. I cannot forget that either.

[He is wary of this conversation also. He knows so much rides on the outcome of it, he can feel the crossroads beneath both of their feet. His own words said on the brink of death hang between them, an apology and admission of affection that he cannot take back.

But it would still be so easy to run from this. It would be the simplest thing to fall back once more upon his hatred and the bitter anger for the wrongs done to him in the past. Perhaps Thor hopes that they can move past those actions, but the wounds within him lie too deep for that and he cannot simply let it lie.]

All of those centuries were founded upon a lie, you have never truly had a brother. Nor have I. We are not just of different blood, Thor, we are of different races.

[He tastes that admission like ashes on his own tongue, still loathe to accept his heritage even to himself. He is Loki of Asgard, not Jotunheim, and such is who he wants to be.]

It is folly to cling to what is past and cannot ever be recovered.

[Thor cannot be sure if Loki says these things because he truly believes them, or because he desperately needs assurances that they aren't true. Perhaps at a different time, before his banishment to Midgard, the fact that Loki was biologically Jotun would have bothered him in some way. Now, however? The separation of the Realms' races feels nothing if not arbitrary, and he has learned a great deal about friendship and family beyond the traditional model.]

I know it is difficult for you to believe when I say so, but the circumstances of your birth do not trouble me beyond Laufey's cruel actions.

[And while it may be true that the past cannot be as it once was, if Thor even wished it so, he firmly believes the future can be better. Why continue fighting otherwise?]

The bonds we have forged over the centuries are not based on lies, but on our lived experiences. Even you must understand this.

[Based on Loki's actions this day, it seems obvious that he does understand, even if he still has trouble reconciling such thoughts in his own mind.]

[It is hard for him to let go of these old grudges. The wounds that sparked them are still raw and bleed at the slightest provocation, and his own nature skews towards bitterness and jealousy far more than forgiveness.

Only the words he cannot take back from before, and the wound in his gut, keep him from falling fully back onto the comfort of his rage. Instead, he only looks wary, eyes hooded as they watch Thor closely.]

Even if that were so, to what good would it do? It is too late for recompense and reconciliation, Thor, our paths have diverged too greatly to ever come together again.

[He is not welcome in Asgard, nor Midgard, nor many of the other realms. It is too late to return to what once was.]

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A pointy turn of events (PSL)

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