Home Is Where The Heart Is

[Thor]

Thor paused.

"So you'd rather us hide your abuse as if it's our shame?" asked Thor, glaring at him.

He paused as the guard freaked out at the spider hiding behind him.

"Get what off you? Are you afraid of bugs? Or are ghosts attacking you?" asked Thor.

He kept the grin off his face but was inwardly grinning as he pretended he couldn't see the spiders.
He saw the "spider" leave and he smiled seeing Loki.

"I don't know brother." said Thor.

He turned back to the guard.

"First you hurt my brother then try to get me to hide it. Now you're worried of threats that aren't there. Maybe you need a vacation. Or retirement. Perhaps that would be best. You retire from the guards and no one has to know you hurt a member of the royal family. If not... well you'd be discharged, thrown in jail, and your family well I'm sure they'd recover eventually." said Thor.

He could be quite ruthless himself with enemies especially when protecting his friends and family. He paused turning to Loki.

"What do you think brother? Or do you think I'm being too generous?" asked Thor.

[Loki]

"No no sir. Please you misunderstand me!" The guard was freaking out. To be shamed like this would bring such dishonor and to be executed was even worse. The guard was worried his life and his family's life would be ruined all because he got too mouthy to one of the princes. He then turned to see Loki speak on his behalf and say retirement was best for him. The guard went to bow to loki, fearful of thor's wrath and hoping the other prince was kinder "Yes sire, please listen to your brother. He speaks well. I'll retire today! Perhaps you're right, I am seeing things. I promise to retire today. Please do not sentence me to jail. I beg!"

Loki meanwhile adored that this guard who made fun of him and cursed him was now on his knees begging for his life. It felt good, especially since thor was more than happy to back him up in this way. Sure, maybe it was a bit harsh to prank him with the spider considering how annoyed thor was before hand but loki was angry and spiteful. Loki turned with a arrogant grin and replied "Oh brother. I believe this is a good trade off you've made. I think it is very fair. Letting him retire seems like the best solution. He clearly is over stressed and seeing illusions that are not present" He then patted thor's shoulder and turned to the guard who was on the ground before them "You're lucky my brother and I are in a good mood. I believe we can let this go if you retire" Loki turned to thor to nod to him, winking a bit more. Loki wanted this man to retire and feel terrible about making fun of loki, and was glad thor was being so spiteful also. It felt nice to have thor have his back.

[Thor]

Thor nodded.

"Then retirement is the best option. But do not think this mercy is permanent. If you or your family, a friend, even an assassin you hired tries to hurt Loki or myself I will throw you in the dungeon and banish your family from Asgard if I have to. I'm sure another realm will accept them." said Thor.

He couldn't help being overprotective of his brother. He knew Loki could take care of himself especially with his magic. But no one hurt his brother and got away with it.

"You're lucky you're not crawling away after what you've put my brother through. And the queen is twice as protective as I am over my brother. You play along and I'll make sure she doesn't hear of this." said Thor.

He grinned as Loki was pleased he'd stood up for him.

"Get out of our sight guard before we change our minds." said Thor.

He paused turning to Loki once the guard was gone and burst into laughter.

"I've had that much fun in ages. I won't apologize if I went a little overboard brother. No one hurts you and gets away with it. If he'd tried anything else he would have known just how powerful Mjolnir can be." said Thor.

[Loki]

The guard took thor's threats immensely seriously. He ran off the minute he was dismissed to honorably retire, hoping that thor would keep his word and not jail him. Jail meant treason and his family would be ruined. He bowed to the two princes and ran off, without even looking back.

Loki beamed a bit, feeling relatively grateful for Thor's protectiveness. Sure, it was a bit cruel to the guard but loki wasn't so concerned. It wasn't his problem. Thor was genuinely a fantastic brother to him and times like this made him completely forget his envy. It made him genuinely appreciative of thor. There were many, many times loki adored thor and was joyful for his older brother's company. The sheer second the guard left Loki burst out laughing alongside his older brother. He laughed so hard tears came out of his eyes. "Ymir himself thor, that was brilliant! You're a amazing actor! I haven't seen a man's face be so pale!" He laughed some more, holding his chest in delight, feeling almost like a young boy again.

He then gave a immensely fond smile to his brother and gave him a quick but sincere hug "Thank you for that brother. That means a lot to me" He then sighed softly, smiling in delight "I cannot wait until you are king, asgard will prosper" He then replied "Now what do you say for some more fun hm? Perhaps we can prank someone else? Or perhaps a good old fashioned sparring match with your little brother?"

[Thor]

Thor chuckled.

"Well I've learned from the best." said Thor.

He chuckled at the mention of how pale he'd gotten.

"Aye. I was starting to think he might be sick. But it's not my concern." said Thor.

He grinned.

"Prank someone else? Who would you have in mind? Although we should make sure no one can pin it on you." said Thor.

He knew if he was caught Odin might just give him a slap on the wrist. But Loki would be punished more. He felt his father was harsher on his brother but every time he tried speaking it the father denied it. He looked forward to the day he became king more and more. Once he was king no one would hurt or punish Loki again. He'd be safe.

"Perhaps we could stop by the kitchens and grab something to eat and drink while we plan." said Thor.

[Loki]

Loki couldn't help but smile a bit as thor praised him some more. He shrugged in agreement as thor said he wasn't concerned about the guard. Neither was he to be quite honest. As long as the guard backed off of him now. He then listened as thor protectively replied he was all for a prank, so long as loki didn't get caught "Oh think nothing of that brother. I always find my way out of trouble" Loki was aware thor was merely looking out for him due to their father strictly correcting loki's desire for mischief. But loki had grown slightly used to it over the years. It did hurt that odin tended to punish him more than thor, but maybe it was simply because he just pranked and got into trouble quicker than his brother did. Or at least got caught more than his brother did. Odin tended to get on loki's resentful side more as the years went by. He just never understood why his father couldn't once act like he was proud of him as he did with thor. Well that didn't matter, loki just didn't want thor to worry about him so much. After all, thor helped him out so much already.

He then nodded "I concur. Let us go eat first and plan there. Besides, I'm famished" He then turned to walk to the kitchens, smirking to his brother challengingly to make his older brother go faster. There was always that inner child craving for his brother to compete with him in a good-spirited way.

[Thor]

Thor chuckled.

"I'm sure you do." said Thor.

Thor grinned.

"Plus with a full stomach planning will go better. Sometimes it's easier to focus on a full stomach than an empty one." said Thor.

He followed Loki to the kitchen trying to go faster but Loki beat him there.

[Loki]

(OCC: Loki referenced an actual legend btw fun fact)

Loki smiled as he agreed to go to the kitchen. He had a smile of amused victory as thor was beaten by him. He then went to get himself and thor some meat and potatoes to eat. As he magically set up their plates, Loki pondered on what exactly to do. Anything sounded fun in his mind. He then proceeded to eat a little and replied "Perhaps we can fool some more guards. Or maybe we can find Sif and fool her. I had a idea for her hair to make it blond and move on it's own perhaps?" He smiled, interested in exactly what to do with thor. Any idea was fun for him. He curiously asked "What do you have in mind brother?"