Thor bit back a cry as he saw his little brother being led through the crowd. Loki kept his head high as Thor broke inside for him. Everything in Thor's eyes seemed blurred, they couldn't be this cruel, these were the ones who he considered his friends.

He closed his eyes blocking out everything, Loki being kicked down, more taunts seemed to be seeping into his being. This couldn't be real. Was this really everything he knew? Everything he always believed in, what he was raised in, this was it.

Thor stood form his seat next to his father. Thor sent Odin a pleading look, but there was nothing to be done. As he walked toward his brother, bent over on the ground, Thor felt his world split in two. Was this really his choice?

Thor cupped Loki's smooth chin in his hand, treating him as if he was made of glass. Tilting his brother's face toward him, Thor wasn't even sure if he was still present. When the needle first pierced Loki's placid skin, and the crimson blood flowed onto his hand; Thor felt part of him die.

Stab, pull, stab, pull, stab.

The motions continued on. Thor felt numb, he sunk into himself and his heart bled for his brother.

Loki's blood flowed over him fingertips. Thor felt his brother try to pull away, only making the thread pull harder. In his mind, Thor saw himself be there to comfort him; tell him it would be okay. He was Loki's last hope. And he did nothing.

As he guided Loki's face back, he tried to convey his feeling to his brother.

"Please." His mind begged him.

But Loki's struggling had gone still, other than the steady drip of blood onto his hands.

Thor felt a small drop higher on his wrist. He risked a glance down at Loki's mangled face and saw tears flowing down from his perfect green eyes.

"No, no Loki!" his mind screamed in agony, as every particle of his being hurt for his brother.

Thor felt himself tie the knot, sealing Loki inside himself. He watched through a blurry haze as the court poured out of the throne room.

Thor looked down at Loki's broken form, blood and tears running down his face. He felt sick; his heart was being ripped from his chest. Did he really do that? Now, he would gladly take the treason sentence. Nothing could hurt this badly.

Thor waited in the shadows until they were alone. He walked slowly over toward his brother's form, slicing quickly through his bindings. Thor stepped back, afraid to touch him. Every movement seemed to hurt now.

Their eyes met for a moment.

"Loki-," Thor heard himself start to say.

He would do anything now, take it back, he saw his brother crumble. Loki turned and ran from the room. Thor tried to call after him, but the words got caught in his throat before they reached his mouth.

It was like his lips were sewn shut.