A GODS WEAKNESS [l.laufeyson]

FIVE

    
     Loki lays in bed looking up at the ceiling in his chambers. He was rethinking the events from today and had never felt so good about himself. He looked over to his right so see Astrid sleeping. He had never seen her look so peaceful. She probably hasn't slept like this in a while either. She told him she struggled to sleep from nightmares of her father to the point she would wake up crying and be too scared to fall asleep again.

Loki turned to face Astrid and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Even though he didn't want his brother back here, he decided to go pay him a visit. Loki carefully got out of bed making sure he didn't wake Astrid. He snuck out of the room ensuring the guards didn't let anyone else into his chambers. Astrid however, noticed Loki had disappeared, she looked up and saw the door close gently. She wondered where he would be heading to at this hour but shrugged it off. As she tried falling asleep again, she couldn't help but replay in her mind the way Loki spoke to her father. She loved Loki. She was ever so grateful for what he had done for her, however there was something off with him. The way he spoke to Frey and the way he looked at him. She had never seen Loki like it before and in those moments she couldn't help but feel slightly scared, not of him, but for him.

~

"I thought he'd never leave." Thor looks up to see Loki standing there, dressed in 21st century attire.

"Loki? What are you doing here?" Thor was relieved to see his brother.

"I had to see you."

"What's happened? Tell me! Is it Jotunheim? Let me explain to-"

"Father is dead." Thor stares at Loki, stunned.

"What?" Thor didn't want to believe it.

"Your banishment, the threat of a new war, it was too much for him to bear." The implications of Loki's words dawn on Thor. He's responsible for his father's fate. Loki draws close to him, looks in his eyes, consolingly. "You mustn't blame yourself. I know that you loved him. I tried to tell him so, but he wouldn't listen." Loki pauses for a while, letting that sink in.

"It was cruel to put the hammer within your reach, knowing you could never lift it." Thor stares ahead, falling deeper into the abyss. "The burden on the throne has fallen to me now."

"Can I come home?" Thor looks into Loki's eyes, hopeful.

"The truce of Jotunheim is conditional upon your exile." There's no wonder why Loki is the God of Mischief.

"But couldn't we find a way to-"

"Mother has forbidden your return." Thor nods and lowers his head in defeat.

"And what of Astrid?" Loki stares at his brother, amazed he even cared to ask about her. "Don't look at me like that Loki, I knew exactly what was going on with you two. I always have. Besides, she was my friend too." Loki looked down almost feeling slightly guilty.

"She and I are to rule Asgard together." Loki smiled at the thought of Astrid.

"I couldn't wish for a better pair to rule." Thor looks up trying his best to smile.

"This is goodbye, brother. I'm so sorry."

"No, I'm sorry. Loki... thank you for coming here."

"Nothing could have stopped me." At that point, Coulson enters the room but seems to take no notice of Loki. "Farewell, brother."

"Goodbye." Thor remains staring at his feet.

"Goodbye? I just got back." Coulson answers and Thor looks up to see that Loki had disappeared.

~

Morning came and Astrid had woken up but there was still no sign of Loki. She had changed into her dress for the day and decided to spend some time by heading to the library. She was escorted there by two guards as Loki had ordered. The guards were to make sure they went everywhere with her to keep her safe. She hadn't been in the library that long before Loki entered.

"My King." Astrid got up and curtsied jokingly.

"My Queen." Loki bowed to return the jest.

"May I ask where you disappeared to last night?" She continued flicking through the books to find one that she found interest in. He paused for a few seconds before finally answering her.

"I... went to check on Thor." Astrid stopped what she was doing and turned to Loki, she furrowed her eyebrows at him. She thought it must've been hard for him to talk about.

"Is he okay?" She was concerned for Thor. He had been stripped of his powers, and dumped in a strange realm he had no knowledge of.

"He absolutely fine my love, there is no need to worry. He's happy and he's found new friends there." He didn't want to admit that he looks miserable and was being held by S.H.I.E.L.D. Astrid only smiled at him and brushed the topic to the side to avoid upsetting Loki anymore.

"I was thinking, we haven't gone for a ride in a while. Would you like to accompany me to the waterfall later today." She was hopeful he would agree but she wasn't holding her breath. For being the new King of Asgard had its downfall. She just wanted him to take a break and be Loki just for 5 minutes.

"I'm sorry my dear but there is still something I must do."

"Oh... that's okay, we can go some other time." Astrid tried to stay positive but he could see she was clearly upset that he hadn't spent any time with his soon to be Queen. He walks towards her and tilts her head up by her chin.

"I promise you, Astrid. I just need a few days and then, I'm all yours." Astrid felt butterflies in her stomach at his gesture. Even though he was different, her love for him never changed.

~

Darkness shrouds the ruined temples. As Loki enters, frost giants surround him on all sides. Laufey then approaches and towers over him menacingly.

"Kill him..."

"After all I've done for you." Loki couldn't help but scoff and Laufeys order.

"So you're the one who let us into Asgard." Laufey suddenly realised. "My men are dead, and I have no Casket. You are a deceiver." Laufey lashes out and grabs Loki around the throat. But Loki calmly stands his ground.

"You have no idea what I am." The blueness spreads across his face, as Laufey and the other frost giants stare in shock. Loki grins.

"Hello, Father." Laufey releases him. Laufey is intrigued as Loki's body returns back to normal.

"Ah, the bastard son. I thought Odin had killed you. That's what I would have done. He's as weak as you are." This makes Loki's blood boil. How dare Laufey compare him to Odin.

"No longer weak. I now rule Asgard, until Odin awakens. Perhaps you should not have carelessly abandoned me." This makes Laufey pause.

"Or perhaps it was the wisest choice I've ever made. I will hear you out." Loki smirks. He finally has Laufeys attention.

"I will conceal you and a handful of your soldiers, lead you into his chambers, and let you slay him where he lies. I'll keep the throne, and you will have the Casket." Laufey studies Loki's face.

"Why would you do this?" Laufey questions Loki not quite trusting him.

"When all is done, we will have a permanent peace between our two worlds. Then I, the bastard son, will have accomplished what Odin and Thor never could."

"This is a great day for Jotunheim. Asgard is finally ours."

"No. Asgard is mine. The rest of the nine realms will be yours if you do as you are told." Laufey considers this proposition.

"I accept." Loki turns to leave. As he goes, the slightest trace of a smile crosses his face.

~

"Father, welcome to Asgard."  He pulls gungnir out of the observatory's control panel and the giant apparatus comes to a stop.

"Loki?" He turns, shocked to hear a familiar voice.

"What have you done?" Loki turns to see Astrid staring back at him in disbelief.