Das Gespräch
Thor eyed the door before him, beyond which his estranged brother was said to be living. He had been transported here rather suddenly by the friendly Kurt Wagner, who had just as suddenly transported himself away. Thor shifted his weight a bit, taking a deep breath into his lungs. If he were to be honest with himself, he would have much rather continued a conversation with the furry mutant than begin this conversation with Loki. Kurt, at least, had little to hide from the god of thunder, and his voice was kind. The same could not be said of Loki.
He stalled a moment more, raking a hand through his hair and trying to prepare himself for the talk ahead, thoughts straying to the events that had happened in the last year. The whole of his childhood and adolescence had been spent with a solid foundation, his family at the core of his security and talents, his understanding of the world true and unshakable. Then the day had come for him to ascend the throne-- and piece by piece, slowly at first and then all at once, his world had become unhinged. First, being outcast-- then, as soon as he had begun to think he could adapt to that, he learned he had been deceived and was almost killed by his brother-- his brother whose pain he had not fully understood until later, until after he fell before Thor's eyes from the bifrost he'd destroyed.
And then, not so long after the mourning for Loki had become something that didn't sting like a fresh wound, came the knowledge he was alive and wreaking havoc on Midgard. Wounds were opened anew-- on both sides. And new wounds were created. Thor shoved his hand through his hair again, not caring how much he mussed it. He'd finally learned he couldn't trust Loki, only to have that knowledge, too, shift and break below him. He'd watched Asgard, his golden home, torn to shreds, had watched the boat carrying his mother set aflame and drop off the edge of the world, and then, he had watched his once-brother die in his arms for a second time.
And for a second time had discovered Loki was alive. It was enough to drive one mad-- and he wondered if Loki wasn't truly mad for that very reason, if his constant juggling of lies and truth hadn't warped his mind beyond recognition. Thor wondered how much of Loki's mind he had ever truly known, and if he would recognize it now, given the opportunity.
He blew out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. He still wasn't at all certain of what he was supposed to say, but there was little point in wasting more time standing in the hallway. He stepped forward, knocking on the door with a heavier hand than he'd intended to use, and silently prayed for enough luck to make this conversation worthwhile.
