An Asgardian Promise

       Fear. Heart pounding, adrenaline rushing, pulse thrumming, limbs quivering fear.
       Loki didn't know what he was running from, he didn't know why he was running, all he knew was that he was running, and he was afraid. Something was after him, something dangerous, something that was going to kill him. And he didn't know what it was.
       He was alone, terrified, and helpless. He was so helpless.
       
       "Loki!"
       Loki sat up, his shrill scream splitting the silence as Thor's arms enveloped him.
       "Loki, calm yourself!" Thor's arms tightened around his brother as Loki emitted another scream, this one muffled by Thor's muscular shoulder. Thor could feel his brother's tears against his bare skin, not comprehending Loki's choked words. "Brother," he spoke softly, rubbing circles in Loki's back. "Brother, whatever it is, whatever you dreamt of, it cannot hurt you now."
       Loki couldn't speak, the icy vein of terror that shot through his heart only just beginning to loosen its grip. He couldn't begin to convey the terror that his dream had filled him with, the complete horror that had wrapped around his dream self.
       But Thor didn't expect him to. His arms were wrapped tightly around his brother, his hands still rubbing circles into Loki's back. "I'm here, brother. I won't let it hurt you." His voice was soft, but what it lacked in volume it made up for in conviction.
       Loki wrapped his arms around Thor, tightening them as he started to speak. "You cannot protect me forever, Thor."
       Thor pushed Loki back, cradling his brother's chin in his huge hand. "I know," his voice was soft, his blue eyes staring unwaveringly into Loki's green ones. "But I can protect you for now. Is that not enough?"
       Loki looked up at him. "No." He looked down, pressing himself against Thor's chest. Thor looked down, surprised, but Loki continued. "I need you to promise me that you will always protect me." Thor was silent, but his arms tightened around his little brother. "Please, Thor. Please. Promise me."
       Thor pulled Loki's face up to his, his piercing blue eyes softening as they gazed upon his brother's tear-stained face. "I promise you, Loki." His thumb slid over Loki's cheek, wiping away the remainder of the tears. "As long as I am with you, I will protect you." Loki accepted this, hiccupping as his tears slowed.
       He leaned forward again, resting his head against Thor's shoulder. "Good." Thor's steady heartbeat was pounding in Loki's ears, lulling him back into the realm of sleep. If he hadn't been almost asleep, or if sentiment had not reared its soft, caring head, he never would have continued with what he did, and Thor would have returned to his own room. But he was half asleep, sentiment was in the air, and he did say "I love you, brother," into Thor's muscular chest, and Thor did stay with Loki, sleeping with his younger brother in his arms.
       
       "Loki, I'm begging you!" Thor fell to his knees, Loki's slender hand in his huge ones, not caring that the other Avengers were watching with looks of horror and confusion. "Please, brother, return home!"
       "I'm not your brother!" Loki spat, trying to jerk his hand away from Thor and failing. "I never was, and I never will be!"
       "You always were!" Thor yelled, tears shining in his eyes. Loki jerked against Thor, but he couldn't break the blonde's tight grip on him.
       "Let me go, Thor!"
       "I cannot keep my promise if you do not return to Asgard with me!" The tears began to fall from Thor's eyes.
       Loki stopped, his turbulent green eyes softening as he spoke. "Promise? What promise?"
       Thor looked up at him, not saying anything as Loki's free hand moved to wipe away Thor's tears. "You know what promise I speak of, brother." Loki knelt in front of Thor, his hand moving from Thor's cheek to behind his neck, his other hand twisting so that his fingers were intertwined with his brother's. "I promised to protect you."
       "You made that promise years ago, when we were but small children," Loki's voice grew soft, and he leaned forward, letting his head rest against Thor's shoulder. "I thought you had forgotten."
       Thor released Loki's hand so that he could cup his cheeks. "Never," Thor shook his head vehemently. "I love you, brother, I would never forget our promise."
       Loki looked up at Thor, indecision in his eyes. He started to say something, but stopped, biting down on his bottom lip. Thor raised a questioning eyebrow at him, but Loki said nothing, leaning up and pulling Thor down to him. "Loki?" Thor was going to say something, but Loki cut him off, gently pressing their lips together.
       
       "You guys see that too, right?" Tony turned to look at the Avengers, pointing at the Asgardians' embrace. "I mean, I'm not the only one seeing this…right?"
       "I never thought I would say this, but…I want to go back into the ice."
       "Don't tempt me."