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Chapter 6 – Promises

Loki was utterly spent.

He leaned his forehead on the cold wall, closed his eyes and hummed a familiar tune. His fever wasn't as worse as before, but it still caused him the occasional hiccup of trouble. As he got lost in thought, he heard strange noises coming from the dim lit hallway.

Angry footsteps swept across the pavement and an angry gust of wind blew.

Loki snapped from his thoughts.

He leaned forward, eyeing the dim hallway. Did he truly hear correctly, he wondered. Was that thunder rumbling outside? More angry breathing was heard and Loki felt his heart sing. He laughed.

People were coming, he cheered.

He looked around.

Everything was fine in his cell. It was clean, despite the occasional puddle pooling around the room from the guards' antics. Maybe he should look presentable for these people, if it had any bearing.

It wouldn't hurt to do so.

He took the rag right next to him and wrapped it around himself and over his head. His damp matted hair fell to his eyes and he brushed it off. Loki waited for his mind to play games. It had been so long since he had decent company, the guards not included.

"Loki?!"

He stopped humming and grimaced at the familiar voice.

He let the rag fall to his shoulders as he eyed the shadows surrounding his cell. He laughed again. He wasn't afraid of them anymore. He was so used to his head playing tricks that he found it extremely funny. He giggled as he played with the rag and wrapped it around his eyes, pretending not to see.

"Loki?" The voice quivered. "Are you well?"

This time, the familiarity struck Loki.

He immediately dropped the rag when he realized and saw Thor, Odin, Frigga, Sif and the Warriors Three gathered around the cell. There were about four guards with them too and Loki found himself paralyzed at how to respond. The best solution he could think of was to ignore them. The four guards must certainly be real, but not the other seven. So he turned away and hummed the familiar song.

Frigga bit her lip as she turned to Odin.

Odin frowned, "We are too late." He mourned as she took Frigga's shaking hand.

Thor was in shock.

He couldn't believe his eyes.

His once beautiful and graceful brother, reduced to such a state of raggedness and confusion. It was unacceptable and unfair. It took every ounce of his strength to drop the golden barrier and enter the cell, mindful of Loki's fragile state. He didn't want to grieve Loki with more distress, so carefully stalked him.

"Loki?" He tried again.

He responded and Thor's heart leapt. Loki looked up at him with wide emerald eyes, almost like a child. He muttered something that Thor couldn't catch and turned away, tugging at the thread sticking out of his rag.

"What have they done to you?" Thor pleadingly looked at his parents for help. "Is there something you can do?"

Frigga moved away from Odin and stepped into the cell.

"Loki, my darling," She tried as she crept closer. "Look at how thin you've gotten. We will fix that soon enough, won't we, Loki?" She knelt down, but both she and Thor stayed a good distance away from him. "Do you know who I am, Loki? C-can you look at me, dear?"

He looked up, but stared at them absently.

"It is me, Loki." She smiled. "Your mother."

Loki shook his head and went back to what he was doing. He didn't want to waste his time talking to figurative people. The four guards watching him in the background would certainly laugh at him. He wasn't about to let that happen. Maybe if he turned sideways, they'll leave his vision.

So he turned and muttered stuff to himself.

Frigga shared a look of dread with Thor and turned to stare at Odin, who— not surprisingly— did not move from his spot out in the hallway. Frigga dared take a chance on her son and looked back at him with fallen eyes.

"I am here, Loki." She whispered lovingly. "I am your mother. I've come to see you. You're not alone. We've come to take you home."

"Home?" Loki sneered with chuckle. "Not true." His voice was broken and quiet, but still slightly threatening. "She left… long ago. Everyone left. I've grown past caring where they are now." He moved to his corner. "Leave me alone."

She stood up and moved past Thor.

"But I am here, child." She reached out. "Please—"

"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Loki lashed out and she quickly withdrew. Thor stood by her to protect her for whatever Loki was going to do. But he did nothing beyond that. "You're not her! Go away!"

Frigga felt her heart break at the agony of her son's voice. Frigga walked back, dragging Thor with her to the hall. They watched painfully as Loki played with the rag again and ignored their existence. Odin remained stoic and Frigga stood there, unwilling to come to his aid until he does something to make amends.

"He does not recognize any of you." Sif commented.

"What did they do to him?" Fandral muttered. "He had always been great at memory."

"Isolation," Odin whispered.

"It has brought him to insanity." Hogun finished.

"We must get through to him." Thor said with determination. "We cannot let him suffer this way. I… I will try and speak to him again."

"Maybe we can move a little away from his view?" Volstagg suggested. "It is just that… I've seen the way the boy looks at us. He doesn't seem to be… comfortable with the arrangement."

"That would be wise." Frigga nodded.

The four guards were dismissed while Sif and the Warriors Three hung back at the corner where they could still watch the scene, but will be away from Loki's view. Frigga and Odin remained at the other side of the hall nearer to Thor, but hidden enough not to startle Loki. They hoped that if only one of them went, it would change Loki's demeanor.

And Thor volunteered for it.

Easily, he walked inside the cell and activated the golden barriers once more to prevent Loki from running or causing permanent damage to anyone, including himself. It was painful to watch Loki act this way.

"Loki?" Thor softly spoke. "Do you recognize me?"

He stopped what he was doing and looked up at Thor, who stood there still as ever. Loki's eyes widen with relief and trembled ever so unnoticed.

"Thor?"

"Yes, Loki." He answered. "It is me. I am here to take you home."

"I don't have a home." Loki bitterly said. "Enough lying to me. This is my home. It has always been my home."

"A prison is no home."

"Neither is the mind," He countered. "Why was I left here? Where were you?"

Thor's heart shattered even more as he watched those emerald eyes seeking answers. This was Loki. Thor had to realize this was what was left of him. He was unsure and afraid to approach this person, because it was so unlike his little brother. The confidence was gone and here sat a desperate delusional soul.

"Where were you?" Loki repeated.

"What do you mean?" Thor confusingly stared.

"Where did you go? Why did you leave me? You told me you would not return, but you did, then you didn't, and now you are here again. I cannot understand you. You make no sense."

"You make no sense, Loki." He chuckled nervously.

"I do not want you anymore."

"What?"

"Y-you heard me." Loki whispered. "I have… I have moved on. I do not need you anymore. Thor left me… and you are not him. Y-you thought I would not notice?" He chuckled as he stared at Thor. "You are not him."

"I am Thor."

"Thor hates me."

"I do not."

"He insults me, watches me get hurt, and laughs at my mistakes." Loki happily enumerated. "His voice is deeper, harsher and fluid. He is like a ghost, cold and barren. You are not like that. You are not him."

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"Why is he saying those things?" Fandral grimaced.

"He is just," Volstagg sighed. "Gone."

"Thor will break through." Sif declared. "He will do it."

She clenched her fists, unsure of what else to feel. A part of her felt like she wanted to haul Loki against the wall and threaten him for making the entire royal family feel this way, but another part of her felt pity.

She couldn't help but watch the scene in turmoil.

"Loki, please." Thor's broken voice echoed in the hall. "I tried to reach you and I am now here. I will not leave you again."

"Liar," Loki laughed. "Yes you will."

Sif clenched her fists and nearly broke her own skin. She didn't like where the conversation headed. Loki was— she didn't want to admit it, but— he was not himself. The Loki in that cell, looked like a lost child who lost his trust in people.

"So the liar calls another a deceiver," She thought.

"You left before," Loki continued. "You will leave again, just like every other night or day. But you are not Thor. The real one has gone, and you are not he."

"Loki, please stop."

Sif watched as Thor knelt far away from Loki. She watched as Loki paused in confusion. Was there any hope? She never liked Loki, but everyone knew that. So why was this painful to watch? She had regrets in her life, many of them, but why is the thought of not befriending or forgiving Loki surfacing.

"I will not hurt you." Thor whispered as he inched closer.

Loki let him.

Sif eyed Thor's parents in the corner watching with faint hope. They were cuddled together, giving each other strength and asking for a miracle. Sif closed her eyes. She was not cruel by any means, only when necessary, but she was definitely not heartless. She prayed things would get better.

And she truly hoped she could mend her own mistakes.

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Thor reached out ever so gently and guided his finger to Loki's face. Loki watched cautiously as he waited for the bad things to happen. It never came. Loki only felt Thor's warm fingers brush against his cheek as Thor guided a stray lock of hair away from his face.

Thor grimaced.

A fever, he suspected.

"You said I wasn't your brother," Loki opened, searching Thor's eyes. "You did not return. What changed your mind?"

"The thought of you did." Thor declared. "I will not leave you again."

As Thor was about to drop his hand, Loki took it in one sweet movement and pressed his cheek against it, like a cat purring, Loki stayed very still. Thor wasn't sure what to do and allowed it.

"You are so warm." Loki commented.

"So are you."

"Warm… not cold…"

"You are feverish, Loki." Thor mouthed. "We must take you to the healers. Would you not join me and leave this wretched place once and for all?"

But Loki didn't hear him.

Instead, Loki continued to poke at him to see if he were real. He had never been able to do this with the other Thor and that confused Loki a great deal. This Thor was warm, so unlike the other one. This Thor was… he was solid! He pulled at Thor's hair and jumped when Thor grunted in pain, but Thor didn't get angry, instead the man laughed it off with a familiar smile.

It brought Loki to tears.

Too much that it dug deep into Loki's heart and he couldn't help but sob in relief.

"I am sorry," Thor voiced. "I did not mean to leave you to this faith."

Uncaring, Loki clumsily embraced Thor and wrapped his arms around his neck. He felt a tingle of electricity surge into his body, giving him life and hope. He felt warm, like the sun had glazed its rays upon him.

He felt…

He felt alive!

Loki continued to sob in desperation, clinging to Thor in wild madness. Thor clung to him the same way, unable to release his distraught little brother. Tears were shed and both their breathing in panic.

"You left." Loki worded. "You're not real."

"I am real." Thor assured. "You can feel my touch, you can feel my warmth. Why do you think I am not here? I will never leave you— not again— not ever."

"Liar…"

"You are my brother, and I will always love you."

"Deceiver…"

Loki weakly pushed Thor away, giving him only a few inches of space. Loki rubbed at his eyes to stop the tears from falling and Thor watched him intensely. It brought more guilt to Loki and he couldn't stop. He thought his tears had long since dried up, that he vowed never to shed another tear for anyone again, so how come he so easily fell for this one?

What was this feeling?

This warm strange sense of safety…

"T-the t-tears," Loki wept. "W-why won't they stop?"

"Because you held them for so long," Thor guessed. His voice was equal and measured, but no less gentle. "It is alright to cry."

"It's not!" He weakly hit Thor's chest. "It… th-they won't s-stop." He sobbed and started to panic. "W-why… what are you doing to me?! How… how are you doing this? M-make it stop… it hurts."

Frigga had enough.

She pushed away from Odin's embrace, brought the barrier down and stride over to her son. Thor gave her enough space, and Loki had no time to react. Frigga took Loki's angry hands, preventing him from scratching his eyes out. Loki eyed her with fear, but her gentle hands stopped him.

"My dear sweet Loki," She whispered.

"Y-you again…"

"Say it, Loki." She urged. "Say what you want…"

"M-mo…" But he stayed himself. "Y-you're not…"

"I am your mother."

"No…"

He pulled his hands away and wept harder, but Frigga crept closer and embraced him. He didn't struggle, but sagged into her embrace. She stroked his matted hair as he continued to break.

This time, Odin carefully walked forward.

Loki opened his eyes in fear.

He pulled away from Frigga and inched to the corner. Frigga and Thor eyed Odin, who stopped moving. Loki trembled and cowered. In his eyes, three shadows blocked his escape and swallowed him whole. He was surrounded and the air was thin, but someone spoke… he didn't know who.

"Loki…"

"Stay away from me…" He broke. "Leave me alone."

"You are safe here," Frigga assured. "We're here to take you away."

"I don't want to go." He sobbed. "I do not want to die yet. I have to atone… I have to see Thor again! I have to… I need to…"

Thor bit his lips and grabbed Loki's hand. Loki pulled away but couldn't get free of Thor's grip. He panicked, scratched at Thor's wrist but he wouldn't let go. Thor pulled him closer, wrapping his arms around him. Loki sobbed, cried and pushed away but he was too weak.

"Stop it," Loki desperately choked. "No more."

"Do you know where you are, Loki?" Thor asked. "Do you remember us?"

"EVERY ONE OF YOU LEFT ME!" He shouted at the top of his lungs and found his voice hoarse and hurting. "You left me all in here! You used me, you didn't care. I'm worthless! Worthless you hear me?! What more do you want from me?!"

He broke down on Thor's chest.

"You don't need me! You don't care… You don't…"

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Odin had enough.

He dropped to his knees and bowed his head. Sif and the Warriors Three gasped in shock, for never before had they seen the All-Father drop to his knees in front of anyone, and certainly not for his sons.

Thor gaped and Frigga closed her eyes.

Loki…

He was stunned at the display.

Odin reached out to Loki and pulled him into his arms. Thor gave way to his father and sat beside his mother in anticipation. Loki was stiff, wrapped around Odin's arms. He felt so warm, Loki thought. If this was a dream, he never wanted to wake up from it. His heroes, his family, his saviors, his hope… all wrapped in a dream... it was blissful!

Loki cried intensely.

The mere shower of affection from all three was overwhelming.

Frigga was so gentle.

Thor was his sense of safety.

And Odin...

Odin loved him.

It was minutes before Loki finally stopped and sniffled, sagged into Odin's chest in weariness, all while he listened to the soft voice of his beautiful mother and the deep haunting voice of Thor.

They told him many things.

Good things.

And Loki felt Odin stroke his hair with love that he couldn't help but fall asleep in his arms. Like a young lost child, he was finally lost no more. They all took a deep breath and allowed the silence to take them.

It was beautiful.

It would take time for Loki to get used to them and his surroundings, but they would take care of him until he was better. They would love him for who he was and not for what they expected. That was all Loki ever asked for and they would give it to him in a heartbeat.

"May I carry him?" Thor whispered.

"Of course," Odin nodded.

Gently, Thor took Loki into his arms and lifted him up. Odin placed a palm to Loki's forehead and whispered something under his breath. A spell, Thor believed. One he hoped would put Loki into deeper healing sleep to give him… them… more time. Thor smiled at the figure in his arms. They were finally together, but it would take more to mend things between them.

You don't know what you have until you lose it all.

"I will never leave you again," Thor whispered. "You have my word."

"Promise?" Loki absently murmured.

Even deep in sleep, Loki had heard his words. But Thor knew that it might be a result of him dreaming. A good dream it seemed, translating into reality. Thor smiled as he walked away from the cell with his parents' right behind him and Sif and the Warriors Three looking respectful.

He smiled, he couldn't help it.

"I promise."

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Sequel: What the Heart Sees

Summary: A sequel to "A Perfect Victim" wherein Loki copes with the result of his imprisonment. Will he be able to adjust into normality or will he fall deeper into madness? What if his nightmares come back to haunt him, what then? Loki-whump.

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