Following Our Own Script

Chapter Two

"I'm disappointed enough in you for myself and your father. The esteemed God of War not teaching his son to swim is also laughable. The two of you are perfect reflections of failure."

Loki let Heimdall go off. It was a weird thanks for at least trying to help. However, Heimdall would have liked this conversation more if Loki reacted.

"Truly nothing went on in that massive head. And you! You keep surprising me time and time again. What other traits does the demi-God not possess?"

"I'll be fine."

"I don't believe that, but more importantly, neither do you."

Loki spoke a spell. Glowing birds flew back into reality, taking hold of the ropes on the boat. He walked over to the mast and redid the sail.

Heimdall sat on the edge of the boat. Maybe five hours left before they saw a cloud. Seven before the wind would get them. Then it was just a matter of minutes before the storm was in full. The raven was starting to get jittery, sensing the severity of what was to come.

"Huginn, look for more fish."

The bird bobbed its head at Heimdall but didn't take off.

"He said he's tired," Loki called from behind the sail.

"He can rest when we can rest."

Huginn squawked. 'Something something fuck off' was the general vibe. Heimdall's nails curled into the boat. He glared at the damned beast.

Bringing Huginn along was Loki's idea. Heimdall noticed the tattoos on the brat's arm as they packed to leave. The raven making it out of Ragnarok was unexpected. He didn't realize it wasn't completely tethered to the All-Father.

As soon as they set sail, Loki released the bird. It only returned to him when it rained. What a life to live. He supposed Huginn did deserve a break. It served Odin no differently than he did. Had it ever known a life outside of its master, or was that just another similarity between the raven and himself?

"He wants to stay with you," Loki had told him. "He just didn't know how to ask."

Heimdall had dismissed this, saying he didn't care one way or the other what Huginn wanted. Still, having a piece of his father brought him comfort. A small piece of how things were.

Empathy was lost for now. "Huginn, you shit, we all need more food. Loki's busy. It's in your nature to hunt. Hunt."

Huginn cawed again but took off. Stubborn thing.

"Hunt," Loki repeated in a deep voice. "You sound like my father."

Heimdall groaned. "Can you go a day, no, and hour without talking about him? I won't be forgetting him anytime soon with the present he left me." Heimdall loosely flailed his stump.

"You mean mercy and a second chance? I remember that."

Heimdall thumped Loki over the back of the head with the remainder of his right arm. Loki glared back at him but wasn't upset.

"He feels bad."

"He doesn't, but whatever helps you sleep at night."

The two stood side by side, staring off into the early night. It was almost dark enough to see the stars.

Loki sat first, crossing his legs. Heimdall plopped down next to him. This sky belonged to neither of them.

- - - - - - -

Huginn managed to catch two fish. Nothing impressive, but a small dinner was better than no dinner. This would be the last time Heimdall ate this way, he promised himself. Either they'd make it to land or he'd purposely drown himself.