Unstable - Loki, Thor & Hela fanfiction

your skin makes me cry

"So... he's dead," she smiled viciously. Judging by her tone, it wasn't a question but a statement - taunting and mocking - Thor only had no clue who she was talking about, Odin or Loki. But he wasn't going to ask.

He straightened his back, rose on his feet and took protectively steps forward to stand in front of his brother's unconscious (unconscious. Not dead) body as if doing so could shelter him. "You are not welcome here, Hela." Thor roared, extending his arm out to the side. Less than five seconds later, Mjolnir flew through the air into his hold. He gripped its handle tight.

Hela chuckled at that, like she was in no way frightened by the powerful weapon in her brother's hand the way thousands of her brother's enemies shuddered just by the sight of it.

"Begone. I will not ask you again," if you couldn't overpower her, what would you do? And with Loki... Thor shoved the thoughts - the fear - out of his head. He must defeat her. There was no other way.

"Odin ever told you how weak and pathetic you are? Thinking you can defeat me, little brother."

Norns, it was like she could read his mind. The possibility of it sent shivers down Thor's spine. He growled and swung the hammer, aiming at her head then he was taking his best shot. Mjolnir pierced through the air fiercely.

It did collide with Hela, but not how Thor had expected. She didn't stumble, didn't lose her balance and fall. Hela caught the hammer with only the palm of her hand reaching out, stopping it.

The corners of her lips curved up farther. She was enjoying this. Thor saw it; Mjolnir shaking visibly in her grip, as though it was struggling to escape death herself.

Then it shattered. Just like that. The most powerful weapon in the universe shattered into hundreds of pieces within her hold. Thor could feel its strong impact, bright flashing light and burning heat coming out of the center and Thor had to crouch down with his back facing the direction to protect both himself and Loki from its wake.

Then it was over. Silence devoured everything. When Thor cautiously lowered his arm, turned around and stood back up, there she was; still standing in all her glory. Mjolnir long gone.

"No," the word reflectively left Thor's throat just barely above a whisper. He felt numb. Like someone struck him across the face. "This is not possible,"

"Darling," Hela flashed him that sinister smile, "you have no idea what's possible."

Thor only have half a second to prepare himself when Hela conjured her sword and attacked.

In the blink of an eye, she was on top of him, already straddling his waist. Thor told himself it was only because she caught him off guard, not because she was that strong, that her charging at him resulted in him falling flat on his back a couple feet away from where Loki laid unnervingly unmoving.

He had even lesser a time dodging the hit when she, as fast as a thunder, drove the sharp edge of her sword down, it hit the ground, buried in it. Would have pierced through his skull, if he were to be a second too late.

Hela pulled the sword back up and tried the second attempt. Thor managed to struggle out from beneath her just in time, in the process he kicked her to the side as he jumped backward, creating as much space as he could between himself and her (and if Thor sensed a glimpse of embarrassment raising its ugly head somewhere inside him for backing away from an enemy, he tried not to care about that right now.)

It hit him hard like a hit from Mjolnir that he was on his own, utterly and completely. Loki was down (thanks to him) and Mjolnir was no more.

Hela rose on her feet, still flashing Thor her sinister smile. "You can't defeat me," she said. And it was in this very moment that Thor made a big mistake; it was unintentional, out of worry, but his eyes shifted to Loki. Just a mere second. Hela caught it and followed his gaze.

Then, when they looked back, their eyes locked again, and Thor knew he fucked by the way something in her murderous eyes twisted.

"No!" Thor shouted, terrified. He tried lunging forward but she was faster. In a flash, Hela had her sword pressed against Loki's throat.

Thor stopped dead in his tracks. Too scared to move or to even breathe. Color drained out of his face as he watched; death herself held his brother's head with one hand, the sword in the other; its sharp blade on Loki's neck threatening to break skin.

"Please," Thor's voice broke. Norns, if she. If she - one quick movement and it would all be over. Thor wouldn't be able to do anything. "Please, he's the only thing I have left,"

"Is that so?" She raised her brow tauntingly, pressing the bland just a bit tighter, and Thor almost dropped on his knees.

"What do you want? I'll - I'll do anything. Just don't hurt him. Don't hurt him," he sounded defeated and he knew he was defeated. Hela got Loki. Thor failed again.

"Actually," she trailed off and kissed the top of Loki's head. Thor's hands reflectively held into tight fists, he could barely contain himself from charging at her. He knew how badly things would turn, if he were to do anything stupid. Hela glanced up and her eyes met him again, "there's one thing I could use your help, little brother."

Thor gulped. Whatever it was, he knew he wasn't going to like it. But what choice did he have.

"Tell Asgard's Gate Keeper to bring you back."

"No." His voice rose, certainly in it. Of course, Thor should have seen this coming; Hela had to get to Asgard first, that's where she would become invincible. The only way to do that was if Thor, the rightful king, demanded the Gate Keeper to bring him back, then she could tag along.

"Last chance, Odinson." Hela snarled, pressing the sword tighter into Loki's skin, and if it hadn't broken skin just yet Thor could see Loki, still in his sleep, scrunch up his face and whine softly, uncomfortably, as though he was aware of the danger he was in.

"No, don't do this," something that sounded awfully lot like a sob broke out of Thor's throat as he held both hands up.

"Take me to Asgard or I'll slit the rat's throat," oh she wasn't messing around. Thor knew she could decapitate him clear with one hand.

If Thor could trade places with Loki, he would without hesitation. He looked at his brother in Hela's hands. With Odin dead, Thor was the rightful king and that made his people his priority. And if he were to bring Hela there, there would be blood. Thousands if not millions of his people would die.

Was Loki's life truly worth it?