Tuesday.
It was the day everyone had been dreading for a while now.
Thor loaded his brother's tiny suitcase into Kieran's Dodge Cara, a pathetic little vehicle with a smashed tail light and questionable stains on the seats.
Loki shuffled down the tiny steps of the apartment, leaning heavily onto Heimdell. Kieran rushed around like a chicken without a head, throwing keys and paperwork and commands at the three older and much more powerful men. This dude seemed to have to no survival instinct... at all.
"Tough Guy, the comic store is my child. I do not need another one."
"Loki, honey, please stop pealing the paintwork from the boot."
"Is everything locked and loaded, Heimy? Have you got the papers?"
The drive was only a short one. They arrived at the children's hospital in less than thirty minutes. Kieran cut the ignition and they fell into an uneasy silence.
Heimdell stepped out of the car to get a ticket and Kieran scrambled after him. Probably to avoid another awkward kissing scenario.
"I don't want to go," Loki whispered. He gripped Thor's red sweater weakly. "Please don't make me go."
Thor's heart crumpled like paper.
"You know we have to. I'll be right beside you, okay? Whenever you feel scared, just squeeze my hand."
"I'm not scared." Loki scoffed indignantly. "No. I-I just, I don't want to. In case-."
"Don't you dare!" Thor scolded, quickly pressing a kiss to his lover's cold lips. The child was trembling.
"How can I not? Thor, if this war doesn't end soon I'll be dead by September."
"Stop," Thor pleaded, nuzzling his love once again.
"It's true! I'm just going to get sicker, weaker, and angrier. You're going to hate me."
"I could never."
"You should go back to Asgard and fight with father. I know you want to. You're an amazing soldier."
"No. Stop."
"I'll miss you because I love you. But I understand. Go find mother. Find a maiden and have sweet babies."
"Loki-,"
"Make me a proud uncle-,"
"ENOUGH!" Thor screamed and Loki flinched. Tears were poring down the God of Thunder's cheeks. His neck was splotchy and red from the stress and emotional trauma. "Don't speak like you're destined to die here, Loki. You will not. You won't. I won't allow it."
Sensing a potential hissy fit, Loki was quick to amend it. "Of course."
"Now, shall we take our leave?" Thor shook, huge shoulders shaking with anguish. The very thought of losing this boy was too much to bear.
Thor slammed open the door, almost taking it off its hinges.
He stormed across the Car Park, ignoring the startled curses from the people milled around the entrance.
Loki didn't move, instead just watching his sibling's retreating back with sadness.
"Need a hand, my boy?" Heimdell asked. Loki smiled politely and raised his arms as an invitation to be carried. "You may be ill but you have legs." The older man groused good-naturedly.
"Well," Loki chuckled, relaxing into the embrace and swinging his lanky legs. "I make the most of a situation. I believe I'm quite good at it, too!"
"Much like your mother," Heimdell returned with a sneaky smile, chortling at Loki's frantic EW!
Kieran shook his head, swinging their bags over his shoulder and almost having to run to keep up. "Stupid Gods." He grumbled, cringing when Heimdell flipped him off. "I mean, WONDERFUL GODS!"
