Forever Yours

Chapter 2

Snow covers the ground, a frost clinging to every surface it can find hidden away from the light, and the streets of Asgard have dulled to a minimal roar. Families sit inside their warm home, gathered around a fireplace and telling stories of old to eager ears and minds of children. Even those who have heard them a hundred times over, roll their eyes fondly at the obviously dramatized events, encouraging the tales where they could for their younger siblings.  Only a few souls brave the harsh winds, and one of them happens to be the oldest prince, Thor.

As it is, the boy is standing behind a pillar in the courtyard, breath fogging, and a grin tugging at his lips as he waits for his little brother to come close to where he is hiding. He is bundled from head to toe; his now much shorter hair tucked underneath the hood of the cloak wrapped around his shoulders, woolen boots tugged to his knees, and gloves his mother made slipped over his hands. For once, he didn’t complain about the layers, because only last winter he had fallen ill from trying to rid himself of the clothing that seemingly suffocated him. Of course, it still does so, but he doesn’t really care much anymore, because it makes his chest ache in this odd, foreign way when he sees Loki’s eyes fill with tears as they certainly had when he had presumed Thor to be dying. Bringing his gloved hand to rub some warmth into his bright red nose, his grin turns into a feral one as his younger brother abandons his attempts at a snow castle (“That’s for sand, Loki, you’re being ridiculous.”) and moves to a patch of green in the blinding white, gazing with a curiosity and understanding beyond his years at the small bit of life that manages to weather through the cold. Unfortunately for Loki, it happens to be close to where the blonde boy is currently staking out.

Being careful not to let the snow crunch obnoxiously under his boots, Thor creeps forward until he is crouching behind his brother who continues to watch a cockroach traveling around in the dirt and snow. Just as Loki begins to shift, recognizing that there is a presence behind him and not feeling comforted by the fact, Thor lets out a roar, hands darting down to grab at the smaller boy’s sides and tickle relentlessly. Loki shrieks, trying to wriggle away from the offending fingers, but to no avail.

Thor continues to make unintelligible growls and snarls, though the effect is ruined by the laughter that seems to be infectious.

“Come on, Loki! I’m a monster, you’re supposed to fight me!” his voice has dropped as much as it can before one truly becomes a man, the childish pitch still evident though he really is trying his best to sound like the warriors he overhears at feasts and celebrations.

“Oh yes, brother, you’re so terrifying!” Loki giggles out; humoring his older brother, knowing Thor would never honestly hurt him. Even if he was young, he knew enough to tell at least that much. His brother was someone that was to protect him, or so their mother had said. Still, he tries to free himself from his grasp, as tears start to form at the corners of his eyes from the laughter and the horrid sensation.

Finally, after Loki pleads a few more times, Thor releases him. The younger god slumps forward, laughter trailing off as he brings tiny fists to wipe at the wetness on his cheeks. Thor drops back, his hands holding him up while he rests in the snow, knowing he will be berated for it later but not caring at all in the moment. The grin is still clinging to his lips, even as Loki looks over his shoulder to scowl at him.

“You’re mean, Thor,” he states with the certainty of a child who still sees things in black and white, with no grays in between, and a pout.

“I did not hurt you, now did I?” Thor retorts with a raised brow, though a hint of genuine concern creeps into his words. Loki quickly shakes his head.

“No, but I still dislike it…” the small boy trails off, moving around to face his brother, a smirk of his own growing on his lips. Without much warning, he tackles Thor to the ground in retaliation.