2 | 𝐁𝐔𝐑𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐃 ▹ LOKI LAUFEYSON

xl. the rage

T H O R

Thor sighed as he looked at his brother, a sad laugh still bubbling in his voice. "I wish I could trust you."

He turned his back and moved to sit next to Jane as the ruins of Svartalfheim passed. She shifted slightly where she lay, but did not open her eyes.

No matter how much Thor wanted to deny it, Loki was right. She was weak, for no other reason except that she was mortal. How could the Fates have destined him to fall for a mortal? How could they be so cruel?

"Trust my rage."

Rage, Thor mused, running a hand over Jane's sleeping form.

Of course that would be the only thing fueling Loki. They were on a mission to save Asgard and he only cared about vengeance. There was no noble intentions, nothing pure.

Thor stopped. Malekith had taken Frigga from Loki, and the Dark Elves were only one door away from Amora.

"What if it was Amora?" Thor had not intended to say the words, but they slipped out quietly.

Loki turned to him. "What?"

Thor motioned to Jane. "What if it was Amora that had the Aether? Would you not move mountains for her?"

"Of course I would," Loki snapped. He paused, regaining his composure. "But that is where we are different, brother. You risk your mortal for the good of the realm. And me? I would let it all burn for her."

Thor scoffed. "But you would've already let that happen, wouldn't you? You hate Asgard. Would you save it all for her?"

"Is that not what I'm doing now?" Loki quipped.

A small smile flashed across Thor's face before he had another thought.

"What do you hope to gain from this, Loki?" he asked.

"Did you not offer me vengeance?" Loki countered simply.

"Yes, but what of when we return?"

Loki shifted before masking on a look of confidence. "The last time I helped with a clandestine mission, Odin offered to lighten my sentence."

"But that was under Odin's orders. This is treason. I'll be fortunate if I don't go back to the dungeons with you."

This made Loki look away, his brow creased slightly as he pressed his lips together in a firm line.

"I can always improvise."

* * *

H E I M D A L L

"I actually quite enjoy it here!"

Heimdall chuckled and shook his head as Fandral's loud voice echoed down the halls of the dungeons.

The guards had placed each of the companions in separate cells to ensure that they could not attempt an escape. Although, the Einherjar had looked quite uncomfortable locking away some of Asgard's greatest warriors.

Now, Heimdall sat in silence, the look of disappointment in his king's eyes when they were first brought into the throne room flashing through his mind.

"My noblest warriors," Odin spoke, shaking his head, "the most trusted of my guard betray me in Asgard's greatest hour of need."

No one could fully meet his gaze. Heimdall did not even look up at the king as he kneeled before the throne alongside the other members of Thor's treason, only keeping his head lowered.