Chapter 6: Brothers (Thor’s POV)
We are sitting in the conference room. As Loki tells the horrors of the Mad Titan. I cannot believe that I have let these horrors unfold onto my little brother. I remember when we were young. The pranks we used to play. The mischief we would get into, once I started training with Sif and The Warriors Three, however, Loki had become distant. Focusing on his studies and magic. I look back at Loki stopping my reminiscing. He is looking more and more exhausted as his story continues. The story feels as if it will never end. When it finally does Loki leaves instantly, I try to follow but the man of iron stops me.
"He needs space, we'll just check up on him through the cameras," He says.
I know he is right. My need to comfort him is strong, however. Stark goes to the little black box Midgardians call a TV. He goes to Loki's camera view. He is resting, fitfully, but resting.
"I think after he wakes Thor should bring him some food, he looks like one gust of wind could break him," Steve says this looking at me.
I nod and continue watching the TV. Loki is tossing and turning, saying something unrecognizable. He is at peace for a moment. But that moment is brief and he goes back to yelling. I have to close my eyes, I can barely stand this. My brother, he used to be so healthy, so whole, and now, now he is nothing more than an empty shell. I open my eyes, he is awake now. Though he doesn't look at peace still. His chest is rising and falling rapidly and his eyes are wide. He squints his eyes and looks around the room as if the light is too bright to handle. I find myself wanting to close my eyes once again. But I know I will be no use to my brother if I am cowardly during this time. So I brace myself and continue looking at the screen. Loki now has his head in his knees. I hear a noise that I wish to never hear again. It is a scream of pain coming from my dear brother. It wrenches at my heart and makes my eyes sting, and my throat clenches tightly. His voice is giving out now, then disappears, he slumps backward. I am relieved he has stopped though it still leaves side effects.
"I am going to grab some food for Loki '' I say, needing an excuse to leave this room. The team nodded, their faces odd. I go to the kitchen and see if there are some of Loki's favorites from when we were younger. Luckily there is! I grab some and put it on a plate. I walk through the hallway carrying the plate. I finally reached Loki's room, I slowly open the door and tried to hand him the plate, he pushed it away. I sat it on a table as I know how stubborn Loki is. I walk to the foot of his bed and sit down. He glares at me. I ignore this.
"Brother, we need to talk," I say guilt, filling my chest as I look down into my hands.
Loki looks conflicted but a mere second later he looks at me with rage in his eyes.
"Do we brot… Thor, because I feel perfectly fine not talking" He says bitterness overtaking his voice leaving me feeling empty.
"Yes, we do! You are clearly not ok, no matter how much you say you are! I know Loki, we are brothers after all" I say pleading that he shares with me his thoughts and feelings so that I may help him. I search his face for a reaction, his face remains blank. He was always good at keeping a straight face no, after the feelings inside. He sits up.
"You know I am not your brother, I never was, YOU know of my true heritage do you not! I am the spawn of a monster! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M TELLING YOU, OR DO I HAVE TO REPEAT MYSELF!" My brother's voice went from calm and collective to angry and bitter in a matter of seconds.
My brother does not know how much I care for him. He believes I think that he's just another Jotun. I believe he thinks that about himself as well. I try to say something but Loki quickly cuts across me. I can feel my eyes sting as tears start to form. I hold myself together, making the tears stay in my eyes.
"You may leave," He says his words are angry and bitter.
I nod, leaving, knowing, staying would do no good. Once out the door, I allow a single tear to fall from my face before wiping it quickly. I walk away from the door. I would use every last fiber in my body to get back to the things used to be when we were children. I want my brother back more dearly than anything. I do not know if this is possible now. Loki has denied me, I know this is not the end, I would not allow this to be the end. I would just have to keep trying. Though I may not know how things will end I do know I won't give up. I go to a wall and lean against it feeling exhausted. I push myself away from the door and go to find Stark. I may not actually be able to see my brother but I would at least watch him from the TV. To make sure he is ok and to be able to help him in the future. So I walk towards the lab, slowly and not in my usual fast-paced walk. I reach the door, knock and come in, everyone is there, now watching Loki from the lab TV. Banner gives me a sad smile, I'm assuming they watched my argument with Loki. I sit down and watch quietly.