THORKI Fan Fictions

Title: Nightmares (Part 1)

In the very beginning, it is Loki who has the nightmares.

As a foolish child, Thor often didn't understand when his younger brother woke up in the middle of the night, crying. He didn't know what to do, or why a mere flight of the imagination during their sleep would drive Loki to tears, so most of the time, he'd pretend to still be asleep and let Loki softly cry himself back to sleep.

Sometimes, Thor would hear their mother would come into the room that the two brothers shared and comfort Loki, whispering affectionate words to him and stroking his raven-black hair to soothe him. She'd assure him that he was safe and that everything would be fine if he'd go back to sleep. Thor came to realise that these visits from their mother were effective, but only as a temporary fix, and the nightmares did not cease to plague and poison his dear little brother's mind.

Thor wondered if these constant nightmares of Loki's were the reason why he never wanted to play outside with him and his friends, and would instead choose to stay confined strictly to his bedchambers with the company of his books. He wondered if it was why his brother would remain taciturn and reserved in the presence of others, and he wondered if it was why, as the years passed, his emerald eyes became colder and colder.

At the age of eleven, although he was still a child, Odin said that Loki was much too old to be having nightmares. The Allfather said that it was immature and disgraceful, and ordered his wife to stop going to comfort Loki at night, for the younger prince should learn how to face and fight the demons that visited him at night by himself. Thor was a strong boy and never cried, he'd said, so neither should Loki.

Loki was affected by Odin's words and took their father's harsh treatment of him as an insult. Nevertheless, he acted very much like he always had as they prepared to retire for the night, bidding Thor a good night as they climbed into their beds.

The first few nights, Loki would wake up, as usual, in tears, wrenched from slumber by terror, and also as usual, Thor would ignore these occurrences and pretend to still be asleep. But no matter what, Loki was his little brother, and very precious to him. Thor longed to fight off whatever evil attacked Loki at night, very much like how he had chased away the other impudent children who had teased Loki when they were younger. Finally, he couldn't bear to hear Loki cry anymore.

One night, Loki woke up with a terrified cry. Thor listened to his quick, scared breathing and muffled sobs. He knew his brother was trying to keep quiet. Slowly, Thor slipped out of bed and padded across the room, kneeling at Loki's bedside.

"Brother," he whispered, "It's alright, it was only a dream. Don't cry."

"It's you," Loki said, voice nearly hysterical, "It's you, it's always you!"

"What are you talking about?"

Loki gripped Thor's arm so tightly that he thought his circulation might get cut off. "I always see you and me, and white, everything is white, and it's so cold, Thor. It's so cold and it feels so real, and I am freezing and dying, and then there is a monster, a Frost Giant – enormous, with blood-red eyes and a face like cracked ice. I can only watch as he kills you, brother. I can't move, and he's tearing you into pieces and suddenly everything is no longer white, but red, and you are gone, and he's coming for me next. I can feel his hands around my throat, and I can't breathe, and I'm so cold, and...and...I scream and scream, but no one hears me, and...and...Brother, I...I couldn't help you..."

Thor embraced his precious little brother tightly, and let him sob into his shoulder.

"It was a dream, and nothing more," he assured Loki, "It doesn't mean anything. Don't worry, Loki, you're safe with me. When I'm King, no monster will dare to come near either of us. Even the stupidest beast would know to think twice before touching the King's brother. I'll protect you and slay any monster that so much as looks at you."