Loki woke to the mid-day sun on his face, wrapped up in the largest blanket in the apartment.
His greying curtains were wide open, exposing the head of the church tower directly north of his bedroom.
It was a lovely sight to wake up to and the delicious aroma of coffee beans heightened his contentment.
Last night there had been no settling in or exploring the neighbourhood, because Loki had demanded rest and Thor refused to leave him on his own.
Loki had simply stumbled into the decent sized apartment, cast an overnight healing spell and passed out in the closest room before his older sibling had even shrugged off his coat.
Folding back the bed covers, Loki was pleased to discover his scars were nicely healed.
The thick, white criss-crosses that littered his back like worm fossils would remain for a short while, but hopefully would have vanished before they got back home.
Asgard...
Where should he begin?
After the cruel and unfeeling way his father had punished him, the huge war, secrets and just the plain sense of not belonging, Loki wasn't sure he ever wanted to go back to the place he used to call home.
There was nothing for him there anyway.
He had no friends, not much family, no specific talents or uniqueness. He was just... Loki. Odin's youngest son, the mischievous one, the-one-who-isn't-Thor.
Perhaps he would miss Frigga, his mother.
Oh, who was he trying to fool? Of course he would.
She had known nothing of his public punishment or their untimely (not to mention confusing) exclusion. She would most likely reach out to them soon and hopefully provide some answers.
The apartment. Who in Odin's name organised this?
There were drabbles of something that felt familiar in the hallways and rooms; something subtle that proved a friend or close servant had prepared this for them.
But who? Who possibly could have known that they would be exiled?
"Brother," a soft voice interrupted the young boy's brooding.
Loki whipped his head to the right, to see his brother wrapped around the doorframe in a yellow kimono and grey sweat pants. His legendary blonde locks were pinned into a messy bun and his white shirt read SAVE THE DOLPHINS in turquoise fine print.
The sight was so alien that Loki couldn't stop the surprised chuckle from leaving his lips.
"You look... stupid." He grinned, despite not meaning a word he said.
The young man before him looked nothing like his brother.
The outfit and shy expression he wore on his handsome features caused the paler boy's stomach to erupt with tiny butterflies.
Oh yes, he could get used to this too.
"Don't you dare, little reptile," Thor shot back, his face colouring with embarrassment. "Our drawers were conveniently stocked and I assume looking like a Disir rag doll is much more appropriate here than looking like a handsome God."
Okay... arrogant? Nope, just Thor.
He turned and stormed into the kitchen, forcing the floorboards and ceiling to shake with strain.
Loki was extremely thankful there were no residents below or above them.
"Dolphins," Loki smiled randomly, tiptoeing out of the hallway wearing only his silver under-trousers and a black tank top.
