Always and Forever | Loki Laufeyson

Kapittel (30) Tretti ~ The Prank of the Century

Since the battle was won and over, Thor, Loki, and I went back home to Asgard. As soon as we arrived and stepped out of the Bifrost, guards were waiting to escort us to Odin in the throne room.

"You disobeyed me."

The three of us glanced between each other at Odin's words, which were directed at Thor. We were kneeling in front of Odin's thrown, the man himself standing proudly in front of it.

"In all you're years, I do not think you have ever disobeyed me. You may have not followed my orders to the letter," Odin glanced at Loki and me. "But you still follow through. You completely disobeying me was a surprise. Be glad everything worked out, or else I would have half a mind to throw you down with Loki in the cells."

We all waited with bated breaths as Odin decided to take a dramatic pause, being the shithead he is.

"The Alignment has brought all the realms together. Every one of them saw you, Thor, offer your life to save them. And they saw you, Loki and Alex, fight alongside him, helping him win the battle. What can Asgard offer its new king in return?"

I could practically feel Loki flinch at those words, even though Thor was in between us.

"My life." My mouth opened in shock as Thor stood, Loki and I following suit. "Father, I cannot be king of Asgard. I will protect Asgard and all the realms with my last and every breath, but I cannot do so from that chair. Loki, for all his grave imbalance, understands rule as I know I never will. The brutality, the sacrifice... It changes you. I'd rather be a good man than a great king."

"Is this my son I hear, or the woman he loves?"

"When you speak, do we never hear Mother's voice?" Odin sighed at Thor's words, sitting down on his throne. "This is not for Jane, Father. She does not know what I came here to say. Now, forbid me to see her, or say she can rule at my side. It changes nothing."

"I am getting on in years, Thor. Who do you expect to rule if not you?"

"Loki will." Loki and I's heads both shot to him, not truly expecting that answer. "Father you must believe me when I say that Loki is a changed man. And with Alex by his side, I believe he can do great things for this Asgard in ways I know I never could."

"You expect me to believe that some time in Midgard changed him so much? He was hungry for the throne, so much so that he killed for it, and now you expect me to just give it to him?"

"Perhaps not but I implore you to at least give him a chance."

"Your majesty, if I may..." I hesitated, taking a deep breath when Odin nodded. "I have been forced to watch over Loki the whole time he has been on Midgard. He has not done anything warranting suspicion, and his latest actions helping Thor have shown that he does want to help the realms, not harm. I think his earlier actions were fueled by blind rage, which caused the destruction of New York. I believe he sees clearly now. He knows how a good and fair ruler should be. I ask you to at least consider the idea of him on the throne."

Odin paused again, seeming to think over my words.

"I cannot give you my blessing, nor can I wish you good fortune." He re-addressed his eldest son.

"I know." Thor nodded, starting to walk away.

"If I were proud of the men my son had become, even that, I could not say. It would speak only from my heart. Go, my son."

"Thank you, Father."

I watched as Thor walked out of the throne room, looking back at Loki who wore his usual mask of indifference.

"Do you have anything to say about Thor and Alex's words, Loki?"

"Only that they hold me in too high of a regard." He calmly stated, though you could see he was nervous by the way his hand was ever so slightly twitching.