Ok, who was upset that "X-Men: First Class"came out on DVD before "Thor"? *raises hand* And who squealed when they found out "Thor"'s release date? *raises hand higher* Yeah, that would be me...Anyways, yay! Another "Thor" story from me! If you remember me from Don't Tell Me That, then you are the coolest person in the world. (By the way, that story is on the last page! Can you believe it? I'm so happy people write/update "Thor" stories!) Anyways...

Disclaimer: I don't own "Thor". If I did, it definitely would've come out on DVD sooner. Now onto the story!

A tribute to Loki Odinson.

Those few words were all the gods could stand after what Loki had done.

Nothing about the good in him. Nothing about his intentions. Nothing about the reason behind it all. Nothing.

Thor's hand clenched into a fist and the knowledge. Months later, and Loki's words still echoed in his mind, haunting him.

"I never wanted the throne! All I ever wanted was to be your equal!"

How could he have not seen? After so many centuries together, claiming to be the closest to Loki of any of the gods? Everything the two had been through together, and still he'd never seen? Thor hated himself for being so ignorant. All Loki had wanted...and Thor had only thought about himself, even when Loki was obviously pleading for acknowledgement.

"Thor?"

The older god looked over his shoulder, trying to hide his annoyance. "Yes?" he said, sighing. It had to be the five hundredth time that day Loki had come to him with some silly reason, like "just checking in". Now was the worst timing of all five hundred, though; Thor was about to meet with Sif, Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun for a quest, and after spending months trying to talk them into going, the teenage-equivalent god just wanted to start.

Loki looked down, biting the inside of his lip. "Can I come?"

"What? No!" Thor said instantly. "Loki, this isn't for kids."

"I'm not a kid!" Loki cried indignantly. "You're not that much older!"

"Go back to the palace, brother." Thor twirled his sword in his hand. Normally he would have more patience for his little brother, but after five hundred pointless times speaking for a couple seconds, he was starting to grow weary of Loki. "Father gave me permission for this. You're still too young."

"Am not!" Loki shouted, balling his hands into fists. "You're only three years older!"

Thor blew it off with a dismissive wave. "You're too young. Just go back." Loki glared at him and ran off.

He'd thought at the time Loki was just being whiny. But now, far too late, he understood the real reason Loki had wanted to come along. He'd wanted to be praised for the success of the quest with them. He'd wanted Odin's praise. And every time, Thor had denied him that without realizing. He'd never realized that he was slowly tearing his brother apart... If only you knew, brother...if only you knew the regret I feel for that... Thor wasn't surprised by the tears that threatened to slide free from his eyes. It certainly wouldn't be the first time in the months since Loki had fallen from the rainbow bridge.

He didn't understand.

He was supposed to hate Thor. He'd convinced himself of that much.

But he...couldn't.

Invisible, he watched Thor standing by the stone, tears streaking down his face. This is all wrong. He shouldn't be upset like this. He never cared enough to be this upset.

His eyes narrowed like a snake's. He'd made it back to Asgard in the months since the whole...incident. And every day, it was the same. Thor visited Heimdall to check if there were any updates on the woman, and then came here, to this small memorial stone Odin had created for him. Even when he was believed dead, he still came second. That stung more than he would ever be able to admit aloud. And Odin...he hadn't seen Odin here once. He tried not to acknowledge the pain from the silent knowledge that Odin had never been here since creating it. It seemed nothing, not even supposedly dying, would make him important enough to them.

I don't need to be important to them. They're liars! I don't want to be important to them! I don't care if they think nothing of me!

A humorless smile tugged at his lips. How amusing that he almost believed 'dying' would make them care any more. Like they cared at all.

He tried to convince himself that the knowledge caused him no sorrow.

Odin, Thor...no one cared...no one cares now enough for it.

Or maybe they do, a quiet voice insisted in the back of his mind. After all, Odin still created this memorial. Thor still visits every day.

He sighed, tracing a small stone in his hand. He may be the god of trickery, but when it came to this, Loki couldn't trick himself, no matter how much he wanted to.

And again, I feel even worse for Loki now that I wrote this. But I feel bad for Thor now, too. *sighs* Time to face it: I'm hopelessly in love with these two. *smiles* I've got another story started with these two, but I need a title for it before I can upload it (summary is on my profile - let me know if you've got any title ideas *hint hint* *laughs*). Anyways, review? I'd appreciate it! Let me know if I should leave this as a one-shot or if I should continue with it. And thanks a ton for all the reviews and favorites for Don't Tell Me That, too.