A/N: There wasn't enough stuff out there with kid!Loki for me, so I wrote this. Warnings for bullies, kidnappings, and Loki being kind of a cry baby. Although really, the guy has an excuse... I mean, he was physically weak and bullied all growing up, so it's not too surprisingly. Plus, Thor doesn't do him any favors by shielding him all the time. Truthfully, I think Loki mostly cries when he's younger or when he's with Thor. So it's not too bad...

Ages: Thor-12, Loki-9

Child's Play

-{[(•)]}-

As was common for the two, the brothers were dueling again. The nine year old held a wooden make-shift sword and shield, and the twelve year old was using his own make-shift hammer. The smaller of the two ducked under his brother's swings to attack his exposed weak points, such as the back of his knees and his sides. The taller boy used the hammer as a mere extension of his arm, swinging it with speed and precision.

The black haired child gasped and lifted his shield to cover his head as his blonde elder brought the hammer down over his head. Using the momentum, the shorter tucked into a barrel roll and struck his brother's back.

The two battled like this for a while, one utilizing his wits, the other his strength. Ultimately, the fight had to swing in one direction or the other eventually.

The older brother faked a move before curving his hammer and knocking the sword from the younger's hand. The child squeaked and tried to shake his hand of the sting, but his brother gave him no time and kept swinging with all his might. The dark haired boy cried out in surprise and used both of his hands to hold up his shield to defend himself.

His brother was getting too deep in the fight. Blue eyes glowed with a fierce passion for the battle, unaware of anything else. Green eyes widened as the shield was knocked from the boy's hands.

The smaller boy clutched his hand to his chest, worrying about how much his little fingers hurt. Without looking, he realized they could be broken. But he didn't have any time to consider this as his older brother brought his hammer down once more and knocked his legs out from under him.

The blonde sat on the black haired child's chest, the handle of his hammer slowly crushing his windpipe. The younger boy gasped for air and pushed against the elder.

"B-brother," he choked quietly. "Y-you're strength-!"

The blue eyed boy snapped out of his daze. He immediately scrambled backwards and tossed his hammer aside. The green eyed boy coughed weakly, rubbed his throat, and sat up carefully. He winced and cradled his hand against his chest.

"C-control, Thor. We were working on control," the child croaked. He weakly tried to stand. His older brother rushed forward to aide him.

"I know, Loki," he mumbled apologetically. "I cannot help it. And when will I ever need to control myself in battle? Everyone who attacks me is my enemy. It is them who I shall be fighting, not my allies." He gently lifted the smaller boy to a standing position.

"I cannot walk, Thor. You got my legs, remember?" Loki sighed quietly and winced when he sifted.

"Do you think your ankle is broken?" The blonde fretted and carefully knelt down to lift his brother's pant leg. The black haired child squeaked and placed his hands on his brother's shoulders to steady himself.

"Probably," he cringed. Thor glanced up anxiously.

"I am sorry, brother. I did not mean to harm you so," he repeated. "How is your hand?"

"Not much better," the green eyed child huffed. The blue eyed preteen grabbed the smaller appendage and examined it carefully.

"I definitely broke three of your fingers," the older frowned sadly. Loki hissed and brought his hand back to his chest. He sniffled softly and held back tears of pain.

"You must learn to control your strength. You always strike with all your power. You get tired far too easily, which will be your demise. That is why you duel with me. I am much weaker than everyone, and my pain is your punishment," the black haired child explained.

"I know. It does not make me any less sorry," Thor whispered. Both children knew and understood that for some reason, Loki was much physically weaker than the rest of their people. Luckily, his wit and strategy made up for it in battle. It was his only defense against the other children and adults.

The blonde gently lifted his brother and cradled him to his chest. Loki leaned tiredly against Thor's chest, swinging his legs quietly, resting his broken hand in his lap, and clutching his big brother's shirt with his other hand. Teasingly, the elder pressed a kiss to his smaller counterpart's forehead. Loki just rolled his eyes.

"Will you just take me to the infirmary already? If we don't take care of this, it could get infected. Or worse."

"Right," Thor nodded and set off in the direction of their family nurse. As they walked, the smaller child noticed a growing pain in his lungs and throat. Thor must have hit him too harshly. His throat was starting to bruise, and he found himself panting for breath. A quivering hand gripped Thor's shirt tightly.

Silently, Loki's chest trembled with the effort to keep breathing. He coughed weakly.

"B-brother," he whispered. His eyelids fluttered shut, concealing his bright green irises. "I-I can't..." He coughed roughly, a little blood coming out.

"L-Loki?!" The older brother gasped. He made a startled, frightened sound and sprinted the rest of the way. "He's badly injured!"

The nurse squeaked and turned around in surprise. "Prince Loki?!" She instantly took the gasping boy from his elder brother, but his grip never released Thor's shirt. The blonde cried quietly as he was forced to pry his brother's fingers off. He choked on a small sob.

"P-please do not die, Loki. I-I am sorry. Y-you are my little brother; you cannot l-leave me!" He whispered and swallowed quickly. The nurse was examining the black haired child with beautiful golden magic, but she couldn't seem to find the problem. "W-who will teach me how to c-control myself?"

"Prince Thor, I have to ask you to leave. Please, for your own wellbeing. Just wait right outside the door," the nurse ordered swiftly as she moved to gather her supplies. The blue eyed child nodded shakily and hurried out. He leaned against the wall just beyond the doorframe.

Inside, the nurse was casting spells, winding bandages, and doing everything she could to help the suffering boy.

All too soon, the sun had set over Asgard.

The nurse wiped sweat from her brow and smiled proudly at her work. She gently stroked some hair from Loki's face just as he began to stir. Dull green eyes opened slowly.

Moments later, the woman's face appeared outside the door. Thor was slumped against the wall, fast asleep. She smiled warmly and stepped out to shake him awake.

"He is asking for you."

Thor stood as quickly as he could and ran into the room. He grabbed Loki's hand with tears in his deep, blue eyes. The dark haired child tiredly turned to look at his brother; his eyes were dim with pain and tiredness.

"Thor," he breathed happily. He smiled softly and squeezed his hand. It felt so weak to his brother. The blonde just shook his head rapidly.

"I have not yet wrapped his ankle and hand. I am sorry," the nurse interrupted. "I was a bit more concerned about his chest..."

"I understand," Thor whispered. He turned to leave.

"N-no!" Loki choked and tried to sit up. He whimpered quietly and fell back against the table.

"Please, Prince Loki. Do not strain yourself. Prince Thor, you do not have to leave; I think it will be better if you stay," the nurse commented as she moved to work on the child's leg. Loki's grip tightened on his brother's hand.

"Shh," Thor comforted. "It is alright. I am here." He crawled on to the table with his brother and gently lifted him into his lap. Loki instantly turned and buried his face in Thor's shirt, not releasing his hand. Using his free hand, the blonde comfortingly stroked his little brother's dark hair.

The nurse silently grabbed Loki's damaged hand and began to take care of it.

The smaller boy moved his grip from his big brother's hand to his shirt. Tiny tears leaked from his eyes.

"I am sorry," Thor soothed as best he could. The nurse finished and let the older prince take his brother from the infirmary. The blue eyed preteen once again lifted his brother and carried him out. Loki had fallen asleep by the time they reached their dormitories.

-{[(•)]}-

A/N: Oh, and Loki's also kind of clingy... I think it's adorable. Your thoughts? :)