Caged Bird

10

Jane continues to visit every few weeks while she visits Asgard. Loki very slowly improves. He starts eating, a little more each meal. And he bathes, requesting clean clothes and sheets for the first time in a very very long time. He burns incense and lets her brush his hair once he has cleaned it.

She brings more movies, some made for children, some silly, and a few love stories. After each, he tries to create something of them in his illusions and they play for a little while before she leaves.

Just a few days after her 80th birthday, she returns from a visit to find Thor in his room, standing at the balcony, staring out over the city, very still, very quiet. He does not greet her or even turn to acknowledge that she has entered.

"Thor? What's up?"

"Father has died."

She sighs and joins him, "I'm sorry."

"There are still so many things I would like to do before being king."

"Then I guess you have to do them fast."

"I have only a few moments here. I must tell the realm. And then there are going to be years worth of work ahead of me as we change kings. I will have only a few days to mourn and I would like you here for those. But after, I ask you to return home until I send for you."

"OK...but you do realise that I'm 80 and we don't usually get many more years than that, right?"

"Yes, but I will likely not see you if you are here, either. Coronation may be quick, but what follows will be arduous."

"While you're gone this evening, can I tell Loki?"

"Is that wise? Will it be safe?"

"Yeah, I think it will be. He's my friend, remember?"

"I still cannot believe such a thing is possible."

"Spending time with someone will do that."

"Somehow I doubt it is only time. Were I to attempt the same thing, he would be furious."

"I don't know, Thor. If you were quiet and let him lead, you might get somewhere with him. But you've got to let him be what he is first. And that would probably be very, very angry."

"I will leave him to you, Jane. I do not think it would be wise to once again address the problem of Loki."

She sighs and stays beside him on the balcony until he kisses her and leaves for his duties. She changes from her layers of lavender into black, draping a long scarf around her neck. She has no idea how Asgard does mourning, but this seems right for her purposes. She returns to the dungeons.

Loki hears the barrier fall and sits up on the cot, confused when he sees Jane enter, "You have returned far sooner than I expected."

"Loki...may I sit?"

"Of course. What has happened?"

She takes his hands, "Odin died."

He is not sure what to feel, a part of him incredibly relieved, another part, the one that still hoped Odin thought of him, terribly sad.

"Loki?"

He clears his throat, "Thank you for delivering the news."

"What do you need?"

"Time."

"Well you have plenty of that- I meant from me."

"Will you stay with me for a little while?"