[video]; thunderer

[worldsaway]

[The video begins in the swampier edges of the jungle. Thanks to the flooding, the water is up to Thor's waist and he has mud up his arms and on his face. He holds the camera up at a selfie angle, smiling into it and waving with a muddy hand.]

If anybody happens to know where a big, fat crocodile went, let me know. He's got a scar over his eye and his legs are very stumpy. Embarrassingly stumpy.

[Thor looks about him, holding the camera out so the audience can really appreciate the view of the overflowing river and not the fact that he's wearing a wet singlet.]

And if you've lost anything in the floods, let me know and I'll keep my eye out for-

[He cuts himself off when he catches sight of something making ripples on the water. His arm whips out of camera, snatching the tail of a snake that he brings into view.]

Look at this! Did you know snakes could swim?



[The snake hisses, flicking its tongue at Thor even as it coils around Thor's arm in a lithe, slow crawl. When Thor's hold lessens though, the snake rears back slightly like a mirage before vanishing and revealing a grinning Loki who very casually slides a small dagger into Thor's side.]

Oh dear. Was that me?

[Thor grunts, mostly in surprise but there's pain in it. The little blades sting, and it's a miracle that he can hold onto his camera (lopsidedly) when he drops to his knees and grips his side.]

You've done it now, brother. [Thor growls, with a clenched jaw.] It's all going dark. Dark and cold. I see a light, it's calling me. I'll bleed out before they find me.

[And with his final breath, he musters the strength to try kick Loki into the mud along with him.]

Comments

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki taps his chin thoughtfully. ]

Probably not. I only stab those close to me.

[livingsymbol]

Oh. Then I'll have to keep my guard up when I'm standing next to you.

[ See? He can make jokes too. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ He smirks. ]

That's very wise of you, Steve.

[livingsymbol]

I guess I wouldn't mind it so much. Since it's you.

[dothelokimotion]

[ He chuckles. ]

Steve. That is a strange way to look at a stabbing.

[livingsymbol]

[ Steve's face shifts and flickers through emotions with his discomfort as he tries to control his response. ]

Well. I... would rather you didn't stab me.

[dothelokimotion]

[ He cocks his head at that, trying to make sense of it. ]

Do you think I would?

[livingsymbol]

No. I don't think you'd ever want to.

But if it meant you felt close enough to trust me, then I'd take it.

[Loki isn't the only one not sure what makes sense.]

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki opens and closes his mouth, not entirely sure how to parse this. ]

I — I mean, Thor is a big lug and a few stabbings deflates his ego . . .

[ He smiles faintly. ]

Perhaps in private, I can show how much I trust you.

[livingsymbol]

[It's not like he really wants to be stabbed. That would just be silly!]

All right. Did Thor find his crocodile?

[dothelokimotion]

[ uh-huh ]

I'm not sure. I do not even know if this crocodile exists.

[livingsymbol]

[ He's just trying to relate to him. As usual, all of these different habits confuse Steve. ]

Does he normally do that?

[ It's a very different situation than with the Thor he knows. Chasing fantasies isn't like the god he's called an Avenger. ]

[dothelokimotion]

[ His brow furrows briefly. ]

Search for crocodiles? No. I cannot say he does.

[livingsymbol]

So this one is a special crocodile?

They've been hunting in the area because of the floods. Shouldn't we try to relocate them?

[dothelokimotion]

[ Loki shakes his head. ]

I doubt it is anything like that. Just Thor with a fixation.

[livingsymbol]

If they keep causing trouble he might lose his new friend.

[ Even if it is a normal crocodile. ]

You make it sound like he has a lot of these fixations.

[dothelokimotion]

When Thor was younger, he did whatever he wanted. We were all subject to his whims. This is nothing new.

[livingsymbol]

[ This is a subject they don't talk a lot about: Thor. Steve pauses, thinking for a minute about how he hasn't really approached this topic and what it means to Loki. ]

Is that why you stabbed him?

[dothelokimotion]

[ His expression flickers. ]

Steve. I stabbed him because I'm a terrible person and an awful brother. Nothing more.

[livingsymbol]

I don't believe that.

[ He can't. Steve can't look at Loki as a bad person despite his history. ]

[dothelokimotion]

It is a little true, though.

[livingsymbol]

No one's perfect, Loki.

[dothelokimotion]

[ Okay, he huffs, bemused. ]

There isn't any real reason. It's just an old habit.

[livingsymbol]

[ That answer is much more relatable to Steve. He relaxes, reassured by Loki's huff of breath even if it is exasperated with him. ]

Well, we all have those too. I'm sure even Thor has his.

[dothelokimotion]

You should see him at the dining table.