oooooo

The goal is to keep everyone alive.

Ordinary circumstances would require kingly duties stretching Thor in ways he's not prepared for. But there's no such thing as ordinary anymore, now that Asgard is destroyed.

It's a people.

Thor clings to this thought as the last of his kind hurtle through space, scared and nearly helpless. The fragments of their home get further and further away everyday.

The immediate relief to find themselves alive that flooded everyone in the aftermath of the battle with Hela evaporated by the end of the first week. The children are restless, vexed with the confines of the ship's hallways and lack of proper playing space. Asgard's youth are crafty and clever, initially making the best of their surroundings and inventing games to utilize the lack of breathing room.

Their wonder and folly sours when there is no reprieve. They are used to sprawling fields, open training yards, wide rivers, and a sea that flows right off the edge of their world.

They are tormented by the vastness of space. Thick panes of glass separate them from infinite openness. It eludes them, mocks them, and makes them feel more fragile with every hour.

There is no such thing as night or day.

Asgardians were too distracted with locating loved ones and mourning those who were lost to worry about keeping time when they first departed and had a semblance of what was what.

The days blend together quickly.

Witches and mages call on the threads of seidr that weave through the universe and attempt to gain their footing. But time is relative, changing on every planet and every system. It becomes impossible to keep up with, and there are better uses of their skills.

Thor worries about feeding everyone.

The ship's navigation system functions properly, thank the Norns, and the course for Earth was set the moment he caught his breath after he boarded. It tells him they are far away from their new home.

There are provisions, basic food and medical supplies that such a ship comes stocked with, but they are not intended for such a large population. Korg aided Thor in taking inventory and coming up with the best way to ration what they have so no one will starve. Extra sustenance goes to those who are pregnant or ill. The growing children of Asgard must make due for a few weeks.

The people aren't used to this. Poverty was near to nonexistent in Asgard, and even the most humbly employed among the people were used to full bellies. Tensions arise quickly, and Thor pleads with his people to trust that this is temporary, that they are lucky to be alive, that they have already survived the worst.

Nothing but a tremendous love for their new king keeps them quiet.

The Statesman doesn't have enough rooms for everyone. There are ten private quarters and a large gymnasium type area where cargo would usually be held. Thor makes a list of everyone on board, counting families together, and says they will take turns using the rooms.

He includes himself on that list, believing his right to privacy to be no more important than anyone else's. Thor won't have a turn until just before they arrive on Earth.

Those who are still waiting for their go must huddle together in the cargo bay and use their capes as pillows and blankets. Thankfully the area is temperature controlled, as the chill from space would likely leave Asgard with an even further reduced population.

This becomes almost unbearable after a few days as something else everyone has grown accustomed to is lacking on the ship.

There are no baths.

Six small bathrooms and hand soap are the only luxuries they're afforded. The water in the sinks must be rationed for cooking and waste disposal, but Thor is sympathetic to their plight. People take hand towels and scrub themselves as they hunch over the sinks, moving as quickly as they can with the freezing water.

Thor echoes his promises about a better life and the impermanence of their environment.

The people have no choice but to listen.

They have just enough fuel to make it to Earth, and Thor has never been more grateful for anything in his life.

Except perhaps for the moment a vision of his father transformed into that of his brother.

Thor spends the bulk of his days making plans for their new life on Earth. People will need homes, food, jobs, clothing, education, and so much more. He knows exactly where they are headed: the place where he last saw his father. Thor prays that the government of the land will recognize him as an Avenger and not take the pleas of an 'Asgardian God' for the ravings of a madman.

He needs a council, to assist with the planning.

Two men and one woman he has known since childhood, who aided his father in similar matters, are on the Statesman. They lend their guidance and wisdom and their strength doubles Thor's resolve to do his job well.

Heimdall is an obvious choice, and the Valkyrie. Banner knows the most about Earth and is an invaluable voice.

He calls upon two more, who served in the palace guard, and then two healers. Thor wants well-rounded perspectives.

They meet daily, often for hours.

Thor welcomes the distraction. He knows there was no other way but to resurrect Surtur, that he and his team could not have defeated his sister.

But guilt gnaws at him.

Korg is not officially on the council, but he often offers words of comfort to Thor.

"You're doing the best you can, aren't you."

It's always a statement.

There is one voice Thor aches for, one that he cannot allow in the room, one that no one but him respects or considers.

But Loki is unusually tight-lipped.

Thor seeks him out after every meeting, intending to divulge everything he's spent the last several hours studying and worrying over, but when he spots his brother, always in the same place, staring out a window with sad eyes and a pull at the corners of his lips, Thor takes a seat next to him and says nothing.

He could pass just as many hours like this if he were permitted the time.

Ten days into their journey, at anyone's best guess for it could be nine or fifteen, Loki takes a deep breath and interrupts their silence.

"He will come for me."

"I will protect you," Thor answers instantly.

Loki turns his head to his brother and considers the statement. What was once a young fool's arrogance is now a king's pledge.

Thor expects to be mocked or for an argument to break out.

But Loki is quiet, and by the time Thor turns to look his brother is already staring out the window again.

They stay like that for a long time, though there's no measure for it.

Thor can see Loki's reflection in the glass, and he knows the image of tear streaks painting his brother's cheeks are not a distortion of light.

His stomach churns and his hand twitches for Mjolnir, wanting to destroy the things bringing his brother grief.

But Mjolnir is gone, and there is nothing for Thor to take his rage out on. So he takes a steadying breath and turns to his sibling.

"I will not lose you again."

Loki's eyes flick to him and it looks as though he might say something, but instead he presses his lips together and stares at Thor.

"Your majesty, forgive me for interrupting," comes a voice off to their left.

Thor reluctantly turns from his brother and nods to the woman seeking his attention.

Her question is simple, and she departs not even a minute later.

By the time he turns back around, Loki is gone.

oooooo

Thor isn't sure where Loki sleeps. He isn't sure Loki does sleep.

The part of him that wants to tail his brother and keep him within his sight at all times is drowned by his duties.

It comforts his people to see him, to be sleeping in the same place, to be eating the same food. Thor wants to provide all the comfort he can.

The people are grateful to Loki for their rescue, aware that without his arrival with the Statesman they would all have lost their lives.

But they are also angry.

They don't know that Odin's death meant Hela's release, but they know that the man they served for the last few years was not in fact their true king. Loki has never been terribly popular, and for some this is too great a lie to forgive.

Perhaps it's a kindness that Loki keeps himself scarce.

Thor knows his brother better than that, though.

After a particularly long meeting regarding their future relations with the other realms, Thor waits until all but one other person are left in the room and then puts his elbows on the table and rests his head in his hands.

"There is no crown to wear, but it carries a heavy weight," comes a low voice.

Thor huffs a laugh and keeps his head put.

Heimdall stays seated across the table.

"It's difficult to believe there was a time when I craved this," Thor mumbles, aiming his words at the metal surface below his face and hearing them bounce back at him.

"The realities of our duties are often different from what we imagine," Heimdall answers.

Thor thinks back to his failed coronation and wonders if he would have listened to Loki had his brother just come out and told Thor he wasn't ready to take the throne.

He knows the answer, but a small part of him wants to believe better of his younger self. It's the part of him that saw his brother let go and fall into a void. The heart-broken part that accepts his role in everything that's happened since even before his father banished him.

Humility and wisdom are accompanied by guilt and regret.

"Loki knew better," Thor says, rubbing his face and then looking up to meet his friend's gaze.

Heimdall smiles and says nothing.

A moment later the door opens again and the Valkyrie enters the room.

"Resting, are you?"

Thor smiles at her and leans back in his chair. "Join us, won't you?"

She cocks her head and considers the men. "Some of us have jobs."

It's said firmly, but she's smirking.

"Who says we aren't working?" Thor asks, turning to look at Heimdall hoping for a gesture of agreement.

The Valkyrie raises one of her eyebrows and walks toward the table. "Oh? Is there more to be said after that meeting? I wasn't sure any words were left in our language."

Thor smiles at her as she takes a seat to his left. "I thank you for your patience and contributions."

She leans back in her chair and props her feet on the table. "You can make it up to me when we get to Midgard. I expect to be well-kept in drink."

Even Heimdall smiles at that.

"You have my word that we will celebrate gloriously," Thor assures her.

"My celebration is likely to continue long after yours, my king."

The three sit in companionable silence for several minutes, closing their eyes and ruminating over everything spoken in the meeting.

The Valkyrie breaks the silence by leaning further back in her chair so the metal creaks.

"I never thought I would return to Asgard," she says to the room, to no one in particular.

Heimdall and Thor say nothing, so she continues.

"There were times when I would dream about getting away from Sakaar and traveling to other planets. Maybe see if they could use a former warrior with a drinking problem."

Thor opens his eye and looks at her.

"And then I would get drunk and forget about it. Go hunt for the Grandmaster and resign myself to dying out in the middle of nowhere with nothing but the memory of my former life to comfort me."

Heimdall opens his eyes as well.

She's quiet for a moment. "That life is over," she says, opening her eyes and meeting Thor's.

It's not clear if she's referring to her life with the Valkyries or her life on Sakaar, but the message is the same.

"I'm glad for this one."

Thor is glad too.

oooooo

The Valkyrie's words stay with Thor through the rest of the night, or day, whichever it is, and he reminds himself that however great their present struggles are, he is grateful for this life.

When he was a young child, Thor imagined that he would rule exactly as his father had. He would be beloved by all and the bulk of his duties would include declaring war and sitting on the throne.

He would beg Loki to play 'king' with him and after promising favors to his brother to gain his agreement the boys would wait until Odin had left the throne room and then sneak in.

Thor would climb up onto Hlidskjalf and mime that he was holding Gungnir and stare imposingly at the empty room.

"What do you propose we do?" he would ask his brother, who stood dutifully off to his right side.

"I propose we-"

And Thor would interrupt him each time to cry, "We go to war!"

Loki would sigh and then echo his yell. "To war!"

Then they would run around the throne room, in the middle of an invisible battle, slaying unseen foes with imagined weapons and glorious battle cries.

"Loki, behind you!" Thor would yell out, pretending to throw something at a danger just over his brother's shoulder.

Loki would always turn and look, committed to the game, and then cheer for his brother.

It was only when Thor would say, "Loki, it got you!" that Loki would break the illusion.

"No, it didn't!" he would insist, stopping his play to glare at his brother.

"Yeah, it did," Thor would argue. "He hit you right here," he would say, pointing to Loki's tiny shoulder. "But don't worry, I killed him."

He always expected to be praised, never understanding why Loki would balk at the notion of being protected by his brother.

"Oh yeah?" Loki would goad. "Well you got hit too!" he would say, poking Thor in the stomach. "And now you can't fight anymore."

"No, I don't get hit," Thor would protest.

"Yes, you did!"

"No, Loki, that's not how we play!"

"That's not fair!"

"Yeah, it is!"

"I'm just as strong as you!"

"No, I have to protect you!"

It never occured to the boys that the reason their parents were always able to intervene so quickly was because they were always watching this game unfold. They would linger, in the corner of the room hidden by shadow and Frigga's magic so they didn't interrupt the boys' make-believe, and play referee to their children.

Loki always dissolved into tears, and Thor would frown and wonder what was possibly upsetting about being protected and cared for.

He only got as far as wondering if Loki objected to being hurt before he was protected, never digesting the bit about being 'just as strong' as Thor.

Frigga would scoop Loki up and dry his tears while she murmured words of comfort to her wounded child.

Odin would take Thor's hand and take him to his room, usually in silence.

Thor still shared a bedroom with Loki at that age.

Each time such an argument would break out, Thor would stay awake, sitting up in his bed and waiting for his brother to come in.

He had to make sure they were still friends.

Eventually, Frigga would enter, guiding Loki behind her. He would head straight for his bed and refuse to make eye contact with his brother.

"Loki, are you mad at me?"

"Yes."

It was always the same question and the same answer.

Frigga knew what to expect next.

Thor would jump out of his bed and ambush Loki in his.

"Get out of my bed, Thor."

"Don't be mad at me, Loki."

Two commands, both ignored.

Frigga would sit down on Loki's bed and put a hand on each of her sons' knees. "Loki, do you remember what we talked about?"

Loki would pout and say nothing.

"Loki."

A tiny lower lip would wobble and Loki would shake his head.

"Remember I said that Thor loves you above all else."

Thor would nod, for this was plainly true, but Loki's eyes were usually shut and pushing out tears.

"Thor."

He would look at his mother with raised eyebrows.

"Is there anything you would like to say to Loki?"

Thor would turn back to his brother and grab his hand.

"I love you, Loki."

Loki usually glared at him for this and wrenched his hand away.

"Is there anything else you would like to say?"

It wasn't until years later that Thor realized his mother expected his father to have instructed him to apologize to Loki.

Odin never did.

Frigga got him there though, patiently and kindly. Thor would apologize to his brother and told Loki that he just wanted to protect him because he loved him.

Loki would fuss for a bit, and then relent. The evenings always ended with the boys sharing 'I love you's' and curling up on the same bed making plans for the next day.

The last time they played that game Loki hadn't cried when Thor said he was attacked. Loki had looked at him with an unreadable expression, and then walked out of the room.

Thor resumed playing and didn't chase his brother.

After Loki fell from the Bifrost Thor replayed that day in his head over and over. He would scream at himself for not chasing Loki, for not learning that this was a wound in the first place.

But the past could not be undone.

Thor wants to bring this up with Loki. To tell him that over a millennia later he still regretted not going after him that day. But a larger part of Thor hopes that Loki has forgotten about this and isn't carrying it around on the list he's made of reasons he wasn't loved.

There is so much he wants to say to Loki. So much he wants to ask Loki.

Mostly though, he just wants to be near him. He wants to feel Loki's warmth and hear his breathing and know that his brother is whole and alive. To see that there is no gaping wound in his stomach, no cold void of space wrapping him up, no invisible enemy lingering just behind him.

The first time he thought Loki dead, Thor wanted to jump after him.

He was brash, and impulsive, and only the sight of his mother's broken face was enough to remind him that he was needed on Asgard.

Frigga held him for hours while they wept together. Many nights passed with Thor falling asleep with his head cradled in her lap. Sometimes he would cry so hard he vomited, and Frigga would rub his back and try to soothe him as she shook with her own sobs.

Thor assumed that Odin didn't join them because he was needed on the throne.

Food lost its taste. Music was irritating. Even sunlight would make Thor rage, as though the sky was mocking him. He brought storms to Asgard, threatening to drown the fields and ruin the crops.

Nothing brought Thor joy.

His friends were loyal, as ever, and attempted to urge him out to train or hunt. Thor would thank them for their invitations and reject them just as kindly. Then he would wander from the palace in a daze with storm clouds chasing him all the while.

Thor thought to ask Heimdall if he could see his brother, but after hearing 'I cannot' enough times to set his stomach rolling, Thor stopped inquiring.

Odin watched after his son and stayed silent.

"Do you miss him?" Thor asked his father one morning, certain of the answer but needing to hear it.

"Who?"

The response knocked Thor on his ass. He excused himself and didn't make it out of the throne room before his tears fell.

Sif came to Thor one night after supper. He had been sitting on a window ledge and gazing out over the city.

"Are you well?" she had asked him, placing a loving hand on his shoulder.

"I may never be well again," was his reality.

"I fear this isn't normal, Thor. Your grief is destroying you."

It had already destroyed him.

Loki was everything to him, and Thor realized it too late.

He always knew that his brother was his favorite person, his best friend, his confidant, 'the one he loved above all else'.

Thor assumed everyone else knew this as well, but it seemed that such sentiments had missed Loki's ears.

Now he realized the depth of it. Knew how much more to it there was, and why this hole in his heart couldn't heal.

The great love of his life was gone.

The second time he believed Loki dead was even worse.

Thor couldn't linger on Asgard. Every bit of it reminded him of his brother, made him hope for another miracle.

More than that, he was certain now of what he felt. What he shouldn't feel.

It wasn't fair to Jane that she helped to distract him from his desires, but Thor felt helpless.

She was wise though, and knew his heart was off chasing something forever beyond his reach. They never discussed it explicitly, but she knew Thor mourned his brother and needed to let his heart focus.

When she ended things, Thor set about distracting himself. Running all the while from that which had already bloomed inside him.

There was no escaping this, and Thor feared there was no healing from it either.

He was haunted by his brother's ghost.

The mix of fury and betrayal he felt upon learning it was a lie was smothered in relief.

"I can't believe you're alive," he'd said. I told myself not to pray for it.

And Loki didn't seem apologetic, though Thor didn't really expect him to be.

Loki had seen Thor leave Asgard, so soon after his 'death'. Had seen him return to the woman Loki despised. It was unlikely that Loki would ever believe or appreciate the depth of Thor's suffering, no matter how Thor described it.

Now, here they were.

When Loki said 'I'm here', it had taken every ounce of self control Thor had not to fly across the room to his brother. He didn't want to risk scaring Loki away.

But he had laughed, had walked over, and had murmured, "Come here, cow," as he tugged Loki into his arms.

He expected it to feel new, as he hadn't hugged his brother in decades, possibly centuries. But there are some things the body doesn't forget, and holding Loki close felt as familiar as breathing.

Thor had buried his face into dark curls and wrapped his arms as tight as he could without breaking Loki's ribs.

Loki had hugged him back, had tucked his face into Thor's neck and relaxed against his brother.

They'd stayed like that through several deep breaths, listening to each other's heart beats and taking in familiar scents.

Then Loki had patted him on the back and stepped out of the embrace.

They had looked at each other for a few moments before Loki said, "You don't smell good."

Thor had laughed and shoved Loki's shoulder.

And the way his brother grinned at him was seared into Thor's mind.

He'd wanted to hug Loki every moment since then. Wanted to pull him close and feel his pulse, screaming that he was alive.

But in lieu of this, it was enough to hear him breathe.

This was why Thor was able to sit in silence with his brother.

It was enough.

oooooo

He's eating dinner with Heimdall when Loki appears at his side.

Everyone has lost weight in their time on the ship, but Loki has always worn weight loss differently.

It alarms Thor.

"Gatekeeper," Loki greets as he takes a seat beside his brother.

Heimdall nods at him and continues to eat.

Thor nudges him in greeting and swallows the food in his mouth. "Have you eaten?"

"Yes," Loki answers, and Thor suspects it's a lie based on the growl that follows from Loki's stomach.

He and Heimdall both raise their eyebrows at Loki, who merely stares back, challenging them to call him on it.

"You sound hungry," Thor says.

"We're all hungry."

Loki's not wrong, but Thor doesn't want to see his sibling going unfed. He wonders again if skipping his rations is some kind of restitution in Loki's mind - leaving the limited food for others. But it doesn't sound like Loki.

Thor takes in his brother's face and decides not to press the issue.

Instead he asks, "What have you gotten yourself up to today?"

"Reading."

Thor is surprised by that. "Reading what?" He wasn't aware there were any books on board.

"The stars," is Loki's simple reply.

Heimdall nods, knowingly.

Thor frowns.

There's something to Loki's voice that sets him ill at ease. There's no amusement, no mischief - he sounds sad.

Thor can't stand it.

He wants to lean in and lay his head over his brother's heart and ask Loki what's causing him pain, but there's an audience - and it likely wouldn't go over well.

"What do the stars say?" he asks.

Loki looks up to find Heimdall staring at him. Thor looks between them and wonders what unspoken agreement they just came to.

"How far are we from Midgard?" Loki deflects, breaking his eye contact with Heimdall and fixing his green eyes onto his brother's face.

"Bruce says we are many miles still, but we are on course to arrive in less time than we have spent on the ship," Thor supplies, regretting that he can't be more specific.

The council agreed that for safety reasons they wouldn't reveal precisely how far away they were from their destination, not wanting to incite a riot out of frustration.

Loki nods and then gets up and leaves without another word.

Thor watches him walk away and wants to follow. When he turns back to face the table, after Loki's out of sight, he finds Heimdall staring at him.

"What?"

"Do you know who he's watching for?" Heimdall asks.

Truthfully, no.

Thor shakes his head.

Heimdall sighs and shakes his head. "The sooner we're out of open space, the better."

oooooo

Several days later, Thor finds Loki in his usual spot.

"Reading again?" he asks as he takes a seat beside his brother.

Loki smiles at the glass. "Have you come to join me, brother?"

Thor isn't sure how to read the stars, and he suspects that Loki won't have the patience to teach him, but he is here to join Loki all the same.

"You've made yourself so scarce, I've hardly seen you."

Loki turns to look at his brother and raises one eyebrow. "You see me everyday."

Thor wonders if Loki actually can tell time with his magic and is certain that their visits are daily.

"It feels infrequent," Thor answers.

It's as honest as he knows.

"Ah, Thor, don't tell me you miss me."

Thor looks at Loki, pleased to see mischief behind his eyes and an amused smirk. It's the most life like he's seen his brother in weeks.

"Every day, Loki."

And they both know he's talking about more than just their time on the ship, and Loki's expression falters for all of a second before he fixes it once more and lifts both eyebrows as he turns to face the glass again.

"We would certainly spend more time together if you allowed me into your council meetings."

Thor has to suppress a grin.

It's the first time Loki has brought it up, to which Thor is surprised. He expected Loki to demand to be included on the council. To find that his brother instead disappeared for hours on end and allowed major decisions to be made without his input nearly alarmed Thor.

"After all," Loki continued. "I am the only one on this ship who has experience acting as king."

Thor lets his grin loose. "Yes, and I don't think our people have quite forgiven you for it."

Loki scoffs. "Was saving their lives not enough?"

"For some, probably," Thor concedes.

"And for you?" Loki asks.

Thor looks at his brother, meeting his gaze and wishing he had said this long ago. "Having you beside me is enough."

Loki seems pleased with this answer and fixes his stare back on the stars before them.

They sit in easy silence before Thor asks,

"When was the last time you slept?"

Loki frowns at him. "What?"

"Did you sleep last night?" Thor amends.

Loki continues to frown.

"Why?"

Thor wants to smack him. Because you're my brother and I'm worried about you.

"You have bags under your eyes."

"So do you," Loki fires back, defensively.

Thor holds up his hands. "I don't mean to insult you, brother - I am only looking after your health."

Loki rolls his eyes.

"You have other things to look after."

"I will always look after you first."

Loki considers this for a moment, simply staring at Thor. Then his eyes grow more and more narrow and Thor knows this face and can hear the word before it leaves Loki's mouth.

"Really."

It isn't a question.

Thor feels like a child again, confused over Loki getting upset at being told that Thor needed to protect him.

"Yes, Loki," is all he can say.

Loki is quiet, and Thor imagines that his brother is deciding which verbal barb to pierce him with. But instead he says, "Good."

Thor considers this a victory.

"It's our turn to get a private room tonight. I think the bed will do you good," Thor says, hoping that he sounds casual.

"Our turn?" Loki repeats.

"Families take turns together."

"You would share your bed with me?"

It's possible that this is a test, but Thor doesn't want to risk anything.

"I'm quite used to sharing a bed with you, Loki."

Loki snorts. "As children, perhaps."

"I'm certain you still drool."

"And I am certain you still snore. I'll get no rest beside you," Loki fires back, still with that glint of amusement in his eyes.

It comforts Thor, almost lets him forget the reality of their situation in its familiarity.

"All the same, you'll be more comfortable."

"Have the sheets been washed at all?" Loki asks.

Thor gives him an apologetic look and Loki makes a face.

Loki has always been finicky about such things. He doesn't like to interact with other people's grime.

"We wash the pillowcases," Thor offers.

Loki purses his lips and continues to look displeased.

"Couldn't you use your magic?"

"I'm saving it."

Just as Thor is about to ask 'For what?' they are interrupted by children running by, in the middle of a game. They pause to greet their king and their prince, and then continue on their way.

Thor smiles at their bright, tiny faces and envisions a younger version of himself and his brother running through the halls.

"When will you turn in?" Loki asks after the children are out of sight.

"After supper."

Loki nods.

He looks like he's about to walk away, so Thor reaches out and grabs his wrist.

They both jump at the contact.

"Join me for the meal, won't you?" Thor asks.

Loki considers him for a moment. "You just want to make sure I eat."

"Perhaps."

Loki, never one to be told what to do, says, "I will see you after, brother," as he pulls his wrist out of Thor's grasp, and then turns to walk away.

oooooo

Thor is distracted throughout his meal.

He, much like everyone else aboard the ship, has slept terribly since the start of their voyage.

Some of it is the physical discomfort of trying to make a bed out of a hard floor. There is constant noise, from the sound of throats clearing to people getting up and moving around, and he long ago volunteered his cape to a mother who had nothing to cover herself with.

It's mostly the nightmares though. He closes his eyes and sees Asgard blowing apart, or Loki letting go, or Loki being stabbed, and he jerks awake and hopes that he wasn't making sound in his sleep and disturbing others.

Then he rolls over, unable to fall back asleep, and wonders where Loki is and what he's doing.

Tonight he will be able to listen to Loki breathe, to watch a steady rise and fall of his tummy, to see his chest bounce above his heart - it feels like a gift.

Bruce is talking to him, but Thor couldn't wager a guess about what. He's keeping an eye out for his brother, hoping that he will pop up beside him once more.

Thankfully the Valkyrie is there to keep the conversation going.

Just as Thor is about to dismiss himself to go seek his sibling, a welcome voice appears by his side.

"Brother."

Loki slips on to the bench beside Thor, sitting so close their thighs are nearly touching.

"Loki, hello," Bruce says, somewhat timidly.

Loki smiles in response, and Thor can feel how much it unsettles his friend.

"Are you ready?" Thor asks his brother.

"As I'll ever be."

"Please excuse us, tonight is our turn to have a room," Thor explains as he rises from the table.

The Valkyrie and Bruce look surprised at this.

"You're going to share a room?" Bruce asks.

"You're going to share a bed?" the Valkyrie clarifies.

Loki makes a face Thor knows well and before his brother can say anything Thor cuts him off.

"There is no one else on this ship I would rather share a bed with."

Even Loki looks surprised at that, but he fixes his face to look pleased and haughty.

After everything, he is still Thor's favorite.

The Valkyrie and Bruce have mixed expressions. Her eyebrows are up near her hairline and his mouth is open, but they say nothing as the brothers walk away.

"Are they-"

"Don't," Bruce interrupts, shaking his head. "Don't just. Oh boy," he mumbles as he covers his face with his hands.

oooooo

They've been in this room once before, right after take off. It was where they hugged.

It's small, but they don't need a lot of space to sleep.

The alcohol has long since been drained, and Thor briefly mourns the loss.

Loki goes to stand by the window and stares out at the stars, his new pastime.

Thor moves to stand beside his brother and wonders what Loki is searching for.

He's exhausted, and eager to climb into bed beside his brother, but he'll wait until Loki is ready.

Thor wonders if it will be like this when they get to Earth; if he will wake up to find Loki staring up at space and looking close to tears.

Heimdall had said it would be good to get out of open space, so perhaps the threat only remained as long as they were on the ship.

There would be new threats on Earth, though, and bringing Loki back wasn't likely to earn Thor a lot of good will.

As if reading his mind, Loki breaks the silence.

"Do you really think it's a good idea to go back to Earth?"

"Yes, of course. The people of Earth love me. I'm very popular."

Loki sucks in a breath.

"Let me rephrase that: do you really think it's a good idea to bring me back to Earth?"

"Probably not, to be honest. But I wouldn't worry, brother. I feel like everything is gonna work out fine."

Their smiles fade away as the room is cast in a massive shadow.

Beside him, Thor hears his brother whisper,

"He's here."

oooooo

A/N: I will add tags as they appear in the story. Thank you for reading!

You can find me over on:

/rockleepotato