Loki had just finished fusing the last of the broken bones when Bjorn suddenly let out a deep sigh and became ominously still. Loki's hand, still on Bjorn's ribcage, felt the steady heartbeat beneath it suddenly falter before ceasing. Loki felt his blood turn to ice. "Loki?" Thor asked hesitantly. "What's the matter? What's wrong?" Loki sat back on his heels and looked gravely up at his brother. Thor saw the look in his eye and his face went white. "No. No, please." Loki dropped his gaze.

"I'm sorry, Thor. I did all I could, but he must have lost too much blood or was too exhausted." Thor fell to his knees beside Loki.

"No—no, it can't be too late! Surely there's something else you can do—your magic—something…?" Loki gripped Thor's shoulder.

"Thor—his heart stopped. There's nothing I can do." Thor turned wide eyes to meet Loki's, and Loki was horrified to find tears burning in their blue depths. He dropped his own gaze back to Bjorn's silent form and let his hand fall back into his lap. Thor always seemed so strong and stoic…but his elder brother had a very hard time letting go. Thor suddenly grabbed Loki's arm, so tightly it hurt.

"But Loki…it's Bjorn! Bjorn's my dog! He…he can't be dead." Loki shot him a sideways glance.

"Thor…whether he's yours or not is of no consequence now. He's Hel's, now. You have to accept it. You have to let him go."

"NO!" Thor shouted. Loki winced. "No, not until there is not a spark of hope left within me! Bjorn—wake up, Bjorn! Don't leave me! Valhalla is not ready for you yet!" He took the dog's shaggy head in his hands, surprisingly gentle despite the vehemence in his voice. Loki looked from the dog to his brother and back, hating to see Thor like this. An idea was forming in the back of his mind, but he kept trying to ignore it. He suddenly hissed a curse under his breath, balling his hands into fists.

"You stupid son of an ice troll. I was all set to give up, too. Very well. There may be one thing we can try." Thor looked up at him, his eyes dancing with hope. Loki half-snarled. "Don't look at me like that. It's a long shot with a very slim margin of success. Quick, pick him up. We need to get him outside." Thor complied without hesitation, and followed after Loki as he led the way outside into the courtyard. Loki pointed to an open area of stone. "Put him there. Hurry, before his body gets too cold." Loki rubbed his forehead, silently cursing himself and Thor. This was not going to be fun. In fact, this was going to be miserable. But if anyone was going to be miserable, he would rather it be he then Thor. Loki dropped his hand and glared piercingly at his brother, who was on one knee beside his dog. "Thor…I'm going to need you to summon lightning." Thor's gaze jumped from Bjorn up to Loki as his eyes widened in horror.

"Brother—you can't be serious! Striking Bjorn with lightning—that would destroy him!" Loki clenched his eyes shut and warred with himself for a moment.

"I know," he ground out tightly. "That's why…I want you to direct the lightning to me." Thor's eyes widened a little more.

"Strike…you?" His voice was unusually quiet for Thor.

"Yes! Strike me!" Loki said sharply. He could feel anxiety building in his chest but decided to ignore it. Now you see why I was so hesitant to try this method, don't you, brother? "Using my magic, I can dilute it enough so that it's nonlethal." But it's amazing what one can live through. "I can administer just enough shock to Bjorn to try and restart his heart. But enough talking. Hurry up and do it!" Before I change my mind! Thor, his eyes still as large and round as saucers, staggered to his feet, whipped Mjolnir out of his belt and raised it above his head. The sky above them, already dark and cloudy, became darker and more turbulent. Loki dropped to his knees beside the wolfhound and tried not to think about what was happening above him. He directed all his concentration into preparing the spells he was going to need—both of protection and of healing.

Thor suddenly shouted aloud, and a bright, jagged arc sliced down from the sky to meet the lofted hammer. Loki closed his eyes and tried not to cringe. Thor hesitated for a heartbeat. "I'm sorry, Loki!" he cried before dropping his arm, pointing the now crackling head at Loki's back, and shouting again. Loki had braced himself, but it didn't really help. It still felt like a charging bull had plowed into him from behind—a charging, white-hot, burning bull. A scream rent the air, and Loki realized it was his own. Despite the sudden, all-consuming pain crashing through his body, he retained the presence of mind to direct part of the charge into his hands, which he slammed into either side of Bjorn's ribcage. The dog's body spasmed violently beneath his touch. He pulled back, collected more charge, and repeated. He repeated until he had discharged all the energy from the strike. Silence descended. Time seemed to stand still for a moment, and then Loki slowly sagged forward, trembling. He would have ended up collapsing facedown on the ground if Thor hadn't instantly grabbed him and supported him in the moment he pitched forward.

Thor gently laid Loki on his side before stumbling over to the dog. Loki watched with dazed, glassy eyes that refused to focus properly as his brother cautiously reached out to touch the dog's side. There was a moment of tense silence, and then Thor suddenly let out a wordless cry of pure joy. "Loki! Loki, you've done it! He's breathing! He's moving! Bjorn's alive!" Loki was too drained and exhausted to reply, but he did manage a slight smile of satisfaction before finally dropping into unconsciousness. Bjorn struggled weakly to his feet and attempted to lick Thor's face. "Loki, you're a genius! I knew you could—Loki?" Thor suddenly looked back at his brother's sleeping form. He smiled to himself. "Thank you, brother."

When Loki awoke, he found that he was back in his room, on his bed. Thor was snoring loudly on one side of him, while Bjorn was curled up on the other, one paw lying on Loki's chest. Loki stared up at the ceiling in bewilderment for a moment before suddenly smiling. Thor must have carried him back here, despite being pretty exhausted himself, not to mention still being in some shock from earlier. His brother was such a stupid, ox-brained lummox. He shifted slightly and winced as his bruised muscles protested. He wouldn't be trying a stunt like that again anytime soon. In fact, it would be a while before he attempted anything remotely strenuous, physical or magical.

"Why did I do this to myself, again?" he grumbled. Bjorn raised his head and met Loki's gaze with his deep, intelligent brown eyes. The dog suddenly moved his head closer and gave Loki's cheek a sloppy kiss with his long pink tongue. Loki sputtered a little and reached up to wipe his face with the back of his wrist. "You're welcome," he muttered. Bjorn gave him a dog grin before curling up again, pressing his muzzle into Loki's side and letting out a contented sigh. Loki scratched him absently behind the ears and looked back over at his brother, who was smiling even in his sleep. Yes, Thor was atrociously bad at letting go. But then again, perhaps that wasn't always such a bad thing.

~Fin~