A Need For Control

Asgard was gone. As sad as it was to watch the Realm Eternal turn into nothing but dust, it was necessary. Ragnarok had to be fulfilled and Hela stopped, and for Thor, this was a better alternative to having her take over the remaining eight realms. With the events of the past few days weighing on him heavily, Thor retired to his room leaving Heimdall and Korg to watch over the open universe.

He entered his room and decided to pour up a drink. He filled his glass before looking up and seeing his new look in the mirror. His hand trailed lightly over the edges of the new, golden eye patch he had found. As he reached for his glass, he spotted a familiar face in the mirror behind him. He smiled and turned around.

Loki was the first to speak. "It suits you." He took a small step forward.

"You know, maybe you're not so bad after all, brother." Thor replied with a small chuckle.

"Maybe not." Loki smiled sadly.

"Thank you. If you were here, I might even give you a hug." Thor lightly threw a bottle cap towards Loki, expecting it to pass through the illusion.

"I'm here." Loki caught the cap in his hand and walked towards Thor. He dropped the cap to the floor as Thor wrapped his arms around him and held him close.

Releasing Loki from his hug, Thor took a step back and looked at Loki. "We have a lot to catch up on, brother."

Loki let out a small laugh. "indeed we do. I managed to get hold of your old armour if you want it that is. At least then you would have a cape that looks presentable." He motioned his hand towards Thor.

"I thank you, brother. I would much like to change into something a little more familiar. Speaking of which, what has happened to your armour?"

Loki looked down at himself. "Ah. I need something a little different and besides, my old armour got ruined on the journey to Sakaar. I also have spares of my own, which I may change into."

"Good. I much prefer your other armour. Why did you start to cover your hands up anyway, brother? I thought they were important for your magic." Thor noticed how Loki's mood suddenly changed, seeming slightly more sullen. Loki looked at Thor for a few seconds before replying to him.

"I landed on Sakaar long before you did, brother and I wasn't doing too well." He paused for a brief second before continuing. "Look, if I tell you, please don't be mad." Loki started to feel anxious about the questions to follow. Thor places his hand on Loki's shoulder and guides him to the bed and sat down next to him.

"Are you okay, Loki?" Thor asked, concerned. Loki never normally offered straight answers like this. Loki glanced at Thor before he unstrapped his hand guards and removed his fingerless gloves and showed his knuckles to Thor. They were red and slightly swollen with a few small scrapes on the joints. "Have you been fighting, brother? These look rather painful." Thor asked, but Loki just shook his head.

"The grandmaster was adamant that I ate and drank all of his best foods and drinks but he was putting me under so much stress. He did things to me as well. He made me feel like I had to do them or I would end up in the cell with you, or be killed. I only gave consent once but it didn't stop him." Loki had tears streaming down his face and he looked up at Thor.

"Have you been fighting?" Loki shook his head and took a deep breath.

"I made myself sick, brother." Loki spoke quietly but Thor just looked at him confused.

"I'm afraid I don't quite understand. Why were you unwell? What does this have to do with your hands." Loki avoided Thor's gaze and tugged on his sleeves before answering.

"I mean I forced myself to throw up. That's why my hands look like that. It's from them scraping against my teeth. I just needed to feel like I had some control." Loki was still quiet, fearing Thor's reaction. Before he could say anything else he felt Thor grasp him in a tight hug.

"Brother, I am sorry. I should never have left you on that planet for any longer. I do think you should consider seeing Bruce though." Thor said. He wouldn't normally press Loki into doing things, but he was worried it would become more serious.

"Okay, but please don't tell anyone " Loki looked up at Thor and Thor nodded back.

"I promise."