Under sun and sky, Outlander

ambiguouslines:

i don’t write thorki much and of course when i do, it’s an au where they raise a baby together. alsdkfh and thanks to umakoo who gave me the courage to post this up :3

——————

Time passes differently between gods and men. While gods remain youthful, many mortals pass by from cradle to grave. And that is just the way it is. Immortality, the greatest gift and curse of gods. A life time of a man is only but a mere moment in the eternity of gods. May be that is why people say gods live many lives. All they have is time. They are fluid in their identities. More lives lived meant more tales to be told between gods. Like that one time, when Sif reigned as a queen in Midgard, or that one time when Volstagg led an army of ten thousand men while he was drunk. Gods always have plenty of tales to tell.

This tale, however, I must warn you, is not for boasting. No, it is rather an intimate, secretive memory shared between two gods, two brothers. No one speaks of it, because no one knows much of it. It is a story untold. It is a hidden tale buried under the countless stories and legends of gods. It is a quiet one. It is a heartbreaking one. Heartbreaking enough that Thor and Loki still find themselves mourning at times, or laughing reminiscing of their child. Yes, their child, I say.

It was an escape. They have angered their father once more. So they left for Midgard hoping that by the time they return, Odin’s heart would have softened. The first plan was to escape as quietly as possible. The second plan was to remain hidden, which isn’t as easy as it sounds with Thor as a companion. But escape they did and remained hidden they also did. They hid their metals and leathers and changed into simple attires that was perfect for blending in with the mortals. That wasn’t so bad. However, changing the perception, bending the memories of mortals around them to think that they were no different from them, that they’ve always been around, now that, was a bit tricky even for Loki. But after all, it was Loki and all was fine.

Two months, in Midgard time, passed in peace. Thor would often go out early in the morning for a run; he still had too much energy inside him with too little to do. Sometimes, he would drag his younger brother to join him. They would spend most of their time reading and exploring the different, but rather fascinating, cultures of Midgard. When Loki was in a good mood, he would even take Thor to different parts of the world, traveling through secret paths. When Thor was upset having to see his mjolnir unused and left to rust—“Thor, stop exaggerating. Mjolnir does not rust,” his brother would say—Loki would take him to a place where no humans have gone and allow him to release all his pent up energy.

——————

The sky is still gray when Thor prepares for his morning runs. Loki’s still deep asleep, tired from their travel back. Thor smiles and musses his dark hair before he heads downstairs. Cool air surrounds him as he opens the door. He rather enjoys this weather. It’s a good day for a run.

It’s only when Thor bends down to tie his shoelaces that he sees it; a small basket. With caution, he carefully uncovers the fabric hiding what is inside. When he sees a tiny hand wriggle out of it, Thor, the mighty god of thunder, loses his balance and falls to the ground with wide eyes.

“Loki!” Loki groans and pulls the blankets up to his face. The footsteps are loud and heavy enough to break the floor. “Loki, you must come see this!”

With a growl, Loki flips the warm sheets from his body and gets out of bed. “This better be important, Thor.”

Loki is lost with words for the first time in a long time when he sees what is inside the basket. “Why did you bring in a mortal baby into our house?” He asks slowly.

“I didn’t. He was placed outside the steps of our door. It’s cold outside, Loki. I couldn’t just leave him there.” Thor, still astounded, tries to explain.

“Of course not, I’m worried that he may be ill already.” Loki speaks with concern.

They stare at the mysterious baby for a few minutes in silence, observing the way the little one turns his head from left to right taking in his new surroundings. His blonde hair and fair skin reminds Loki of Thor while Thor can’t help but think the child’s green eyes are just like his brother’s.

When the baby suddenly begins to cry, they both jump and rush to reach for the baby. “I don’t know what to do,” Loki says perplexed.

For a moment, Thor is surprised to hear Loki say those words. It’s always been hard for Loki to admit his flaws. It’s Thor who finally takes the courage to hold the baby carefully.

“You have to cradle him inside your arms against your chest. You’re just holding him with his legs dangling.” Loki comments and Thor somehow manages to gently lay the baby inside his arm, his other hand holding his small back.

To their surprise, the baby stops crying and looks into Thor’s eyes with such an intense stare. “He’s studying you, Thor.” At the voice, the baby turns his eyes to Loki.

Loki goes rigid for a moment. Then sudden laughter fills the room as the baby smiles at Loki wriggling his fingers towards him. “I think he wants to go to you, brother.” Thor says with a gentle smile, his eyes not leaving the baby’s.

“But I don’t know how to hold him.” Despite his refusal, Thor goes ahead and hands the baby gently into Loki’s arms. Loki instinctively reaches out lest the baby falls.

For a moment, they stare at each other, both with curiosity. Loki carefully moves his hand so that his thumb brushes the soft hair of the child. The baby giggles and Loki smiles gently along him.

“Oh, what are we going to with you, little one?”