Thorki

Accepting Help

Thor holds Loki tightly as he jolts. Loki whimpers from the pain coursing through his body. As Loki's body settles, Thor curses himself.

He had let himself believe that Loki was okay. That only a couple of Loki's memories were changed in order to make Loki hate him and want to destroy Earth. As usual, Thor found himself to be selfish in thinking that Loki's actions were all about him. But in truth, it was the other way around.

"Thor?" Loki says in a gravelly voice. "Where is Mother?"

Thor peers down at Loki and says; "She has gone to the Healing Tower to find a way to help you."

"I don't-"

"You will accept help, Loki," Thor says sternly. "Your mind is in disarray and you're in pain."

"I'm fine, Thor," Loki sits up from where Thor was holding him, "I can figure this out on my own." Loki starts to stand up from Thor's bed

"I know you're not fine," Thor grabs Loki's hand, "and I won't just stand by and let you suffer when I know Mother and I can help you."

Loki can see the sincerity in Thor's eyes, he finds it comforting. But he quickly becomes uncomfortable when Thor's eyes grow wide because he knows Thor can see the blush on his cheeks. Loki gently pulls his hand out of Thor's as he nods then looks away from him.

All Thor can do is smile as he stands up from his bed and walks through his room. "Alright, let's go then." But he stops when he notices Loki staring at him from his spot on the bed. "What?"

"Aren't you going to change before you walk around the palace in sweatpants?"

He sheepishly looks down then awkwardly smiles, "Right." Then Thor drops his pants and grabs presentable but comfortable clothes.

Loki only watches Thor for a moment before looking away. He knows his cheeks are a brighter red now and he feels his ears grow warm as well. But he knows something more will happen if he continues to watch.

"Am I presentable now?" Thor chuckles, but it ceases as he notices Loki isn't paying any attention to him. Loki has his back to him. But after Thor takes a couple of steps he can see Loki's ears are the color crimson as they peak through his raven black hair.

'Is he embarrassed?' Thor wonders. He looks down at his clothes, pulling at his shirt as he does so. 'He's seen me change many times before. Surely that's not it.'

Loki breaths deeply then stands up from the bed and quickly walks across the room. "Let's go." He snaps his fingers as he opens the door and his clothing changes.

Thor hurriedly follows after him, but Loki seems to quicken his pace the closer Thor gets to him.

It's not until they are at the stairs of the Healing Tower that Loki stops and waits on Thor.

"What the Niflheim, Loki?" Thor asks in annoyance.

Loki gives him a forced confused look as he asks; "What?"

"First you turn all different shades of red in my room, then you basically run out and all the way here. What's up with you?"

Loki avoids eye contact with Thor, "It's nothing-"

"Just like your false memories and the pain that comes with them are nothing?" The slight anger in Thor's voice makes Loki coware with what Thanos said playing through his mind. Thor notices the look that Loki is making and tries to ease his anger. "I just want you to be honest with me."

"Thor, I-" Thanos' words play louder in his head, 'Your fantasies will never amount to anything.' "-I can't." He starts walking up the stairs.

"For the sake of the Gods, Loki, just talk to me!"

Lightning strikes outside and thunder roars, this makes Loki halt on the stairs. He turns back towards Thor with teary eyes, knowing that if he indeed says these next words his relationship with Thor will be altered forever. But as soon as one of the tears falls from Loki's eyes he doesn't worry about that anymore.

"What is going on down here?" Frigga walks down the stairs and the skies clear outside just as quickly as the storm appeared.

"Mother-"

"Don't Thor," she puts her hand up to him, "I saw your lightning outside. What was the reasoning of it?" She crosses her arms.

Loki wipes his tear and quickly turns towards his mother. "He was just rigorously explaining how I need to accept your help."

"And that calls for a storm?" She raises an eyebrow in suspicion.

"Because I was arguing with him about it." Loki calmly explains while telling himself it's not a full lie.

Frigga looks between the two of them and decides to just let it go. "Alright, let's get started then Loki." She starts walking back up the stairs.

Loki looks behind him at Thor, locking eyes with him for a moment, then turns and follows after Frigga.

Though Thor's heart is telling him to climb the stairs and be by Loki's side, he just sits on the steps. He runs his hands through his hair as he realizes something. 'Loki has never lied to Mother, not even when we were children. So why would he lie about this?' His mind wanders more in-depth. 'What is he so scared to tell me, that he doesn't even want Mother to know?' Thor sits on the steps puzzled. 'Surely it's not-' He shakes his head. 'Nah, that's just me being selfish again.' He shrugs that idea off.