Loki was frozen solid, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. He didn’t want to keep watching. He didn’t want to see his friend taking the beating meant for him. But he couldn’t look away, no matter how badly he wanted to. Not with his father standing right by his side.

He felt the pressure of Odin’s hand fall on his shoulder, causing his body to flinch automatically. Odin didn’t notice, thankfully. He just continued to quietly watch the figure collapsed on the floor struggle to stand, the guards towering menacingly above them.

Gods, Loki wished he could do something. He felt like a flea in a jar, too conditioned to the lid to jump out.