Frozen Hearts

Punishment

Loki looked at Thor's waving curls in disgust as he was walked toward the thrown room. Thor was utterly oblivious of Loki's contempt for him and that enraged him enough to make him want to tackle him where he stood. However due to these magic shackles encasing his wrists, and the gag over his mouth, he had no way to show Thor how he felt. So Loki just walked silently behind his oaf of a brother towards his father who would declare his punishment to all of Asgard that was gathered in the huge chamber behind the double doors at the end of the hall. As Loki noticed the guards outside the elaborate golden doors he let a haughty expression wash over his features (one he was long since use to wearing) and put a slight swagger in his elegant walk.

In truth, Loki was more scared than angry. While he hated his supposed family with all this might, all of Asgard for that matter, there was an increasing fear under his farce. Sure, he had played tricks and told lies all his life, (he was the god of mischief, it was to be expected) but he had never had to face the consequences of his more serious actions before. After attempting to destroy Jotunheim he had fallen into the abyss (and while that was quite a punishment the all father evidently didn't see it as enough).

The worst thing was, Loki hadn't even wanted to invade Midgard. All he remembers is the swirling darkness that seemed to invade his body, seeping into his mind, forcing its way through his skin, pushing and pushing until he left like nothing but darkness himself. Even when he has been hauled from the nothingness and given the chance, he hadn't wanted it. He wanted to die quietly in some corner of the universe.... That was when it got blurry and lines merged and his past seemed the belong to someone else, and Loki way just a bystander in his own mind, watching himself steal the tessaract, and control the Hawkman and the master of science watching the helicarrier fall and watching the chitauri pour through the portal like starving locus upon fine bread. Was he controlled like the two men had been? He didn't know. He could't even explain. This gag had been forced over his mouth the second he was found. Well, the second after he had asked for a drink. He had even less hope now. The first command of the all father had been to stitch his lips shut. Aside from bring excruciatingly painful, it took away all chance of being able to explain what he happened. As he thought about it he realised it didn't actually matter, he was the trickster, silver tongue, god of lies and mischief. No one spoke to him other than to insult him. No one other than Thor had believed a word he said in years, and now, even Thor was lost to him. Due the his fathers deceit and lies he hated Thor, despite what he wanted, he was tangled in the twisted lies surrounding him and cutting him like barbed wire.

Loki realised he was stood before the great golden doors and watched them ease open with panic rising in his gut. He swallowed it down and put on the best arrogant face he could muster before following Thor down the gap left the huge crowds left. He heard the mutterings from the crowds. "silver tongue" "trickster" and "liar" followed him through the hall, echoing through his head in a horribly familiar way. The people of Asgard had never believed him. To them he was a liar and nothing more. He was not a prince, he was a Jotun, a monster. Feelings overwhelmed him and threatened the break his mask, to show the pain he had hidden his whole, lonely life. Thor stopped walking and turned to face Loki. Loki knew what was coming, the humiliation was just as much part of the punishment as the pain. Thor had pain in his eyes as he reached for Loki, which only increased his hatred. He, Loki, did not need pity, not from anyone.

Thor reached forward and removed his gag, revealing the horrible scarred stitches beneath. He moved to turn Loki by the shoulder, but Loki flinched out of his grasp and turned himself. Some people gasped at his mutilated face, some cheered. It didn't matter to Loki. He let his mind drift off, to a place where people believed him and didn't assume there were lies embedded in his every word. He didn't return to the present until silence fell as Odin stood.