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Chapter Text

Tapping your foot gently against the chair in front of you, another sigh escaped your mouth as you glanced around.

The girl in front of you was staring down at the book in her hands, eyebrows furrowed deeply in concentration. A small bead of sweat began to roll down her forehead and just ever so slightly, her hands began to shake.

“Alright Jas. Enough for today.” You slipped your hands beneath hers and eased the book away. 

“But I was close!” Her auburn ringlets shook out from the tight plait crowned around her hair as she glanced up at you, almost desperate. “I want to prove myself to Odin, at his event this weekend-“

“Jas, you’ve barely begun your training- and you’re still very young. You have all the time in the world to get up to Odin’s standards.” You reminded her, gently knocking her chin with your finger. “But you remember what I said, about Odin?”

“If he asks of my powers, I am to say I am bound by blood oath not to repeat them without my mistress present.” She repeated perfectly, then gave you a pout. “But why?”

“Because Frigga isn’t around anymore to protect us- and Odin is..”

“He is our king.” She said, as if this would mean anything to you. But it hadn’t- not for a long time now. 

“He is.” You nodded, unwilling to discuss your thoughts with her. “But he doesn’t understand us like our Queen did- and because I say so. Now run along and find Qorie, I’m sure she’s up to no good.”

The girl in front of you seemed a little confused, but nonetheless offered you a warm smile before darting out into the main hallway in search of her friend.

Jas was too young to understand many things- like why some of her powers hadn’t manifested by now. Why she wasn’t allowed to show her powers to outsiders. Why you wouldn’t allow her to speak to Odin without your presence.

You weren’t her mistress, nor would you ever be. But she had been under Frigga’s care at the time of her death and given her abilities, it wouldn’t be right to have sent her out of the castle. Some of the other, high ranking individuals were uncertain of the decision- citing that you, unlike Jas, had earned your keep here. Your powers were rarer. 

But as you reminded them, she was ten. It was hardly as if she had time to earn her keep, given she’d been here since she was just a babe. 

She was only one of four of you- the two others were your age, and had been here for a similar length of time though like Jas, their powers differed too. They too, were weaker. 

You tided the books away, giving a faint, fond smile down at them all. Frigga had used the same ones to teach you- had taken as much care and time as you tried to take with Jas.

Hands trembling, you watched as Frigga pushed open a small oak door and gestured for you to walk inside. She had collected you ten minutes prior and walked you down here from your chambers, asking a hundred questions about your clothes and your room. Your quietness was not from a place of ungratefulness, but rather fear. She had seemed to sense this, just gently guiding you down the halls. 

“This is your study room.” 

Your eyes grew wide. It wasn’t as you expected from a Queen- you had expected something sleek and immaculate. Instead, you found a sanctuary. 

Books were piled high at every corner and great, beaming streams of sunlight came from every towering window. Trinkets collected over the years decorated most of the desk space and papers, drawings, art covered the rest. 

The entire thing had such a sense of home about it, you found yourself instantly relaxing. As if the goddess beside you had put a spell over the place. Perhaps she had.

“Well- my study room.” She laughed. “But you will study here, with me, as much as we can. I will teach you as much as you wish to learn.” Frigga bent into a crouch just behind you, her soft hands settling on your shoulders. Shoulders that had been clothed by the gods themselves. 

“I love it.” 

Two knocks, loud and sharp, pulled you from your daydream. You glanced around the study, feeling a sudden pang of longing for the Queen, and swallowed it. Brushing your hair out of your eyes, you called for them to enter. 

A guard- Mikal- pushed through the oak doors and shot you a smile. Immediately, his nervousness hit you like a tidal wave and you swallowed past it, trying to ignore it’s prickling over your skin.

“Sorry, uh-“ He shuffled inside, stepping around the mess scattered all around. “I have an invitation here. From the King.”

“Oh?”

The cream envelope in his hands was tiny- and you opened it to find an invitation to another, grand party that was being thrown this weekend. Funny, given Odin never used to invite people and simply expected them to show up using mouth of word.

“It’s going to be rather exciting. Performers are coming to do a play.” The guard peered over you anxiously as you read over the invite again. Over that careful, swooping O signed by Odin himself that looked just slightly different than it used to. 

“Another? How wonderful.” You resisted rolling your eyes, though it was a challenge. “I don’t think I’ll be attending. Thank his Majesty however, for me.”

Mikal blushed as you slipped the envelope back into his hands with a smile. Another wave of anxiety, and a touch of desire, rushed over you as he bowed and turned on his heels to go.

You waited until he had closed the door behind him before slouching into the seat, sighing. If it wasn’t enough for poor Mikal that you were an empath- and so, knew exactly what he was feeling at all times- it was pretty obvious anyway he had taken a liking to you. He had delivered all of your messages now for two months.

Not that he knew you were an empath. Nobody did, except for a select few like Jas, your friends and of course, the royal family. 

Empaths weren’t exactly the rarest- you could find at least one on every planet. Jas, Kalie and Genevieve were all empaths. But unlike them, and others, your powers ran deeper. You could break through walls of minds and force people to feel things, or do anything you desired, if you so wished. With just a touch, you could heal any disease, any broken bone. 

So, unlike the others, your powers were kept a secret from the world. Frigga had been worried that if one of Odin’s enemies heard of you, they would take you and use you to their own advantage- force you to turn King’s heads cruel, to turn entire empires against Asgard. 

Even now, her speeches about your powers didn’t feel true. You didn’t feel as powerful as she claimed you were. 

Truthfully, you hadn’t since she died. 

Frigga had been like your mother, since yours had died when you were young. Odin had found you and recognised the power within you, taking you home to his wife. It was her who had taken care of you, taught you, held you when you cried. She was your family- and when the dark elf killed her, you felt as if you were staring into the abyss, drowning in sadness.

One morning, Kalie had knocked on the door and informed you about Jas. She had offered to teach her- but given you were the oldest, and most powerful, it made sense for it to be you. It gave you the strength to get up each morning- and sometimes you wondered if this is why Frigga had taken you on. For the sense of purpose. 

Clearing away the rest of the papers, you put them to the side and gathered your things. Locking the study shut, you took the passage down into a quieter part of the castle, coming out into an empty hallway.

The east wing, where you and the others resided as well as any visiting guests- not that there were many, if any at all. There hadn’t been since Frigga died. Any sign of life inside the castle had ceased the moment her heart did. 

Part of you was grateful for the quiet. The other part of you just tried to get through the day. To avoid the screaming panic inside of you, wondering what next?

Without Frigga, it was time to make your own path. Your own way. But you weren’t even sure where to begin- and how to leave the only place you’d ever known as home behind. 

Clipping the holster around your thigh, you frowned as knocking sounded at your door. It was late- and rare, to get visitors at this time.

Decent visitors anyway.

Clamping down on the slight blush wriggling to your cheeks at where your mind had gone, you swung it open- and were surprised to find Mikal standing there, once more today. 

“Oh, you’re-“ He ran his eyes over you- over the knives strapped to your legs, the tight armour strapped around your middle. “The uh, King requests you.”

“At this time of night?”

“I was just informed to fetch you, but I wasn’t told why. I apologise.” Mikal stood back, waiting, and you sighed. Slipping the heavy, grey cloak over your shoulders, you followed him out of the room and down towards the throne room.

Gen would be waiting outside in the gardens for you, ready to train. She had come to you some months ago and begged you to teach her the basics- after all that had happened with the Dark Elves and with all of the royals except Odin now gone she wished to know how to defend herself.

You had tried to invite her to your usual training, with Fandral and Hogun, but she had refused, turning a deep shade of red. 

Genevieve and Kalie had been raised together by a very rich, proper family. Taught to sit straight, to never speak out of place or say what they were thinking at any given moment. It meant that they weren’t exactly the most comfortable around your friends, or other men in the court, given they had been taught their entire lives that they were simply objects to them- not their friends, or allies. It had taken years to get that idea out of their minds, and it was a slow process. 

They were taken in by Frigga not because their parents had died, but because they had been thrown out due to their powers and what that might bring upon their families. Of course, their families couldn’t know the girls were the simplest forms of empaths, barely able to influence an emotion outwit their own- but the damage had been done, and they refused to return even after Frigga told them they’d put them in no danger.

If Sif were here, Gen would perhaps relent slightly train with her- and you wished she was. The maiden was one of the most feared fighters in the galaxy and one of your fiercest friends, who you missed now she was on Earth working with something called S.H.I.E.L.D. 

But you still had the others to keep you company, even if Thor was gone off world. You joined them on their battles and missions, as you had done for years, even when you were a teenager. 

They too knew of your powers- but they had never truly seen them in action except for when you had healed them back from injuries. You always used your weapons, instead of your mind, on the battlefield.

Malik pushed open the doors to the throne room and gestured for you to enter. You glanced around, noting the few guards around you, but nobody else.

Odin sat slightly slumped in his chair. His hair was ruffled, the top few buttons of his shirt undone and he barely made an attempt to straighten himself up as you approached.

One thing you had learned upon years and years of fighting along side Thor, and his inner circle, was that many people underestimated you. They didn’t expect you to be strong, or clever. For your abilities to be so powerful. They expected you to be another of Frigga’s ladies in wait- quiet. Composed. 

Of course over the years, you had learned to ignore those who underestimated you, after one too many fights and bloody noses. You had earned the respect of your friends, one of whom was a God- you didn’t need to listen to those who didn’t see your true potential. 

There had only ever been one person who had truly riled you. Had underestimated you at every step, every mission, bothering you enough to often chase you from sleep.

It was because he underestimated you so, that he didn’t think you were clever enough to suspect it was him, Loki god of mischief, sitting upon that throne, and not his father. 

You had suspected it for some time now, even if others hadn’t. Even when others had cited his odd behaviour to Frigga’s death and Thor’s refusal to immediately take up the throne. You had known something was off, and the few conversations he’d had with you these past few months only furthered your belief. 

“Good evening.” Odin called out. 

You walked to the bottom of the stairs beneath the throne and then bowed, knee dipping towards the marble, before straightening. “Good evening, your Majesty.”

He gave you a slight smirk, his eyes noting your armour and your cape. “Going somewhere this late?”

“Just training, sir.” 

He narrowed his eyes slightly. “I didn’t realise Hogun trained this late.” 

“He doesn’t.” You offered a bland smile- and pretended to brush over the fact he knew who you were training with. Odin didn’t notice that, ever. “I am training with another student- she is waiting for me in the gardens.”

“Well, I won’t keep you long.” He gestured to one of his guards. They disappeared through a back set of double doors, and a moment later returned, guiding a young girl out of the shadows. She was clinging to her evening robes, biting her lip nervously. 

You offered a comforting smile to Jas as she walked to your side. “This is about my student your highness?”

“I found her wandering the lower halls today. Asked how her training was going, how her powers were progressing- and twice, she repeated that she could not inform me. Not due to a..blood oath.” The King swallowed- hard. There was a faint gleam of horror in his eyes.

Blood oaths weren’t looked well upon. They meant ripping a deep cut into someones hand, and your own, and usually forcing them to vow something. If they broke the vow..it meant death, in most scenarios. 

“I would prefer to speak without the girl here.” You informed him, gently squeezing her shoulder. She trembled slightly- probably in fear, of the man sitting in front of you both as he examined the two of you. 

But you were not trembling, nor afraid. For he was only a boy, wearing a mask. 

Odin nodded- and Jas was escorted back out, towards her chambers. You waited until the doors had shut behind her before turning your gaze back to the god lounging upon the throne.

Anyone would rightly be horrified you had seemingly forced a child to do this terrible act- anyone but Odin. 

“Blood oaths have been banned for centuries. If you are caught given one, it can be punishable by death.” To your surprise, he didn’t look entirely giddy to tell you such news. 

But if he was truly Odin, he wouldn’t need to tell you this at all. You knew they had been banned for centuries and knew exactly how cruel they could be. 

The scar winding from your wrist to your finger was the result of one- and it had come from Odin himself.

Part of you was tempted to throw his entire circus act up into the air right now and remind the King of such act. Ask why he himself then, had decided to inflict it upon you when you were just a child? 

But you knew it had to be his son underneath his skin- and the last thing you wanted was for the god to know of your pain. You didn’t want him to feel any kind of pity for you nor give him any idea that you hated Odin as much as he had. God forbid he think the two of you have a thing in common.

Since you were children the two of you had never gotten along, not even slightly, despite your shared love for the Queen. You had been friends with Thor whilst he had lingered in the shadows with his cruel comments and hurtful words, picking on every weakness, every flaw. Often besting each other in combat, the two of you had never been able to go out onto missions alone, given you’d often end up fighting each other. 

There were a few, rare moments where Loki had perhaps seen a version of you that was weak or vulnerable in all the years you had lived on Asgard- but you pushed them out of your mind, pretended they didn’t exist. 

“She isn’t under blood oath.” You informed him and he relaxed ever so slightly. “She is told to say that, for her protection.”

“Is she..?” He tilted his head, gesturing as if to say like you?

“No, and I suspect she won’t be. But this was something Frigga requested of us, to keep us as safe as she could.” 

You stiffened as the faintest wave of pain shot through you, like bullets soaring through your skin. It stopped as quickly as it had begun, as if being stamped out, and the feeling was nursed into a prickling sense of pride and agony. 

If anyone had power like you had, they would know it was not Odin who sat before them. His pain for Frigga had been more ache like, in the background, amongst his other emotions.

The prince was in agony over her death and even if he wasn’t revealing himself to you with his foolish mistakes and lack of knowledge, you’d know it was him. 

You always knew his pain signature.

“I see.” He ran his eyes over you once more. 

Some, smaller part of you wished to expose him just to see him again. Just to see those stupid, cruel eyes crinkle as they say something particularly venomous. You had hated him your entire life, hated the way he stripped you bare with so little words- and yet, when you heard the elves had killed him, there was something hollow inside of you.

“May I go?” You turned slightly, remembering Gen. She would be furious. 

“You may.” He nodded, waving you off. He didn’t even bother to watch as you bowed again and darted out the throne room, jogging towards the gardens.

Maybe you had felt so hollow when he died because he was the only one who loved Frigga like you had. He was the only one who knew your pain. 

Or maybe it was the faint memories of him appearing at your door, released from prison, saying he was going to the Dark World in a few hours with Thor- and the fact he had spent those few hours in your bed, mouth exploring every inch of your body.

Whatever it was, the day you realised he was alive and pretending to be Odin, that hollowness had immediately brimmed over with icy rage- and it wasn’t going to return to anything warm and fuzzy anytime soon. 

Chapter Text

As you settled on the ledge of the balcony, you glanced down at the servants still setting out lamps across the garden. They were hurriedly setting them down, shouting instructions to each other, some just standing helplessly. To the west of them, outside the walls, you could see streams of people arriving, pushing their way into the castle and the fun that awaited them. Even from this far, you could feel the faint pulse of excitement and wonder shooting through them all. 

As you decided yesterday, you had no plans to attend. You’d put together an extra long training session this morning, by yourself since Gen apparently wanted to sleep in in preparation for the party this evening. Your bones were aching with each movement you made and once you made sure Jas was settled for the evening, as you often did, you had retired to your room and hid from the hordes of people. 

A soft chap sounded at the door as you stepped inside from the balcony- and you shouted them in, swinging the wooden doors shut, locking them in place.

“Oh, good. You’re here.” Kalie seemed relieved as she practically ran inside without so much a greeting. Her panic washed over you, hard and fast, sending you straight into alert mode. “I need your help.”

“What’s wrong?” 

“My hair. I can’t get it to sit right, and Gen is too busy and I-“

“Relax.” You laughed, gesturing to the desk at the right side of the room. “I’ll help you.”

Servants were around, and would do such things for you all, but you hadn’t requested help for years, nor allowed them to do any of their usual tasks like dressing you, or doing your hair. It almost felt too personal, given the only person that had ever done it was the queen. 

Why Kalie didn’t request their help, you weren’t sure. She could be awfully shy at times- even as she sat at your desk, head tilted downwards, she blushed lightly as her embarrassment floated across your skin.

All of you had been taught by Frigga how to suppress your emotions from other empaths, to hide them as much or as little as you wished. She had taught her children, and husband, how to do it too- which was why you never felt a thing from Loki and why the other two, when close to ‘Odin’ hadn’t suspected anything was wrong. 

But Kalie, unlike Gen, didn’t seem to enjoy surprising them much, instead leaving her emotions wide open for the two of you to read whenever you so liked. You appreciated that she was so open- but you certainly couldn’t be so bold. You would hate to know the two of them could gauge what you were feeling at all times, and so, only let your gates open when you were in a neutral situation. 

You took out a white, pearl decorated brush from underneath the desk and combed her hair back into your hands, taking care not to tug on it too hard. Her hair was beautiful- thick, long, falling in soft, curling waves. It was probably your most favourite feature of hers. 

You put a few clips into your mouth, pulling her hair downwards and twisting it around into a stylish knot. The door swung open and you both glanced towards it as Genevieve walked in, shooting your outfit a look. 

“What in the nine realms are you wearing?” 

You rolled your eyes as she took in your pale pink slip and plaited har. “I’m not coming to the party- I’m staying in tonight.”

“Well, thank the heavens.”

Sliding another golden pin into the tight loop of hair at the back of Kalie’s neck, you reached down and squeezed her shoulders. Given she’d be dancing all night, you kept it neat and tight, but simple enough to pull out if she was beginning to get a headache. 

“Can I look?” She asked, waiting for your nod, before turning to glance at herself in the mirror. Her hands carefully touched the pinned back style and she gave you a gracious smile. “I love it. Thank you.” 

Once she finally stood, and you backed away towards your bed once more, you could appreciate what she had thrown together. She was dressed in a puffy gown of shimmering blue and white, like the ocean after it had been tossed around a bit. Her arms were decorated with shimmering silver, so she glinted whenever she moved and the same colour was smeared across her eyelids.

“You look beautiful.” Genevieve complimented, then turned her blazing gaze towards you. “I can’t believe you’re skipping it to just sit here!”

Genevieve was similarly dressed to her sister, except in silky, thinner gown that was a deep shade of red, with golden jewels dangling around her neck and shoulders, some even woven through her hair. The diamonds sown into her dress also shone whenever she took a step. They looked like fire and water- similar to their personalities.
“I’m simply not in the mood.” You shrugged, pawing through the book you had put down at the side of the bed earlier. “Odin has thrown many parties of late, each as ridiculous and lavish as the last. I don’t see how this one will be any different.”

“It is an honour to be invited, is it not?”

You snorted. “Kalie, we live in the palace. Frigga was our teacher, saw us as her dear friends- if we weren’t invited, it would be strange.” 

“Well, you perhaps, but not us.” She awkwardly fiddled with her dress. “We don’t exactly have the same relationship with the gods as you do.” 

A slight tension settled between the three of you. Even you could admit Frigga had favoured you the most out of the three of you- you had been close to her son, friends with his friends, the most powerful of her students. 

But she had loved the twins too- just as she loved everyone. A painful chord struck itself deep into your heart as you thought of her, of her soothing words and gentle hands as she used to comb back your hair before a party.

“Come on- you’ll be late.” You brushed past it all, shooing them towards the door. “Go and have fun. We’ll go down to the market tomorrow and you can tell me all about it, I promise.” 

That seemed to settle them slightly and they bid you a goodnight, finally shuffling out the door and heading downstairs. 

You leaned against the door, letting out a long sigh, closing your eyes as the soft sounds of the party floors beneath drifted to your ears. All you wanted was to read before drifting into sleep- and for a few hours, just forget about the fact it was the god of mischief downstairs, and what the hell you were going to do about that.

It seemed, however, fate wasn’t going to abide by that plan.

A rattling came at the door a mere twenty minutes later, two male voices loudly shouting your name repeatedly as you groaned. 

And by fate, that meant your friends.

You wondered if you stayed silent, if they would simply go away- but no such luck, given the two of the warriors three barged in moments later. Volstagg gave you a grin, looking his usual ruffled self. 

“M’lady.” He mocked, sketching a bow. You were half tempted to throw the knife kept at your bedside towards his head as he did so. Fandral knew better, simply smiling at you in greeting. 

“You can’t just march into my bedroom. What if I was naked?” You demanded, lifting yourself from your bed, arms folding. The two of them snickered.

“Nothing we haven’t seen before.”

Your mouth opened. “That is not true!”

“What about when we fought that dragon, was it Fafnir?” Fandral reminded you. “You got burnt very badly and Sif and I saw a lot more than we bargained-“

“Alright, alright-“ You waved your hands, shushing him. “What are you two doing here?”

Volstagg wandered inside, settling himself into one of the plush chairs near your wardrobe. “We came to see what could possibly be keeping you from a party- saw your two little friends there, looking lost and asked them where you were. They seem positively terrified of us.”

“Oh, I’m sure that upsets you so, scaring the poor young girls.” You snapped, noting his widening grin. 

“Are you sick?” Fandral took a step back, as if you may infect him. “We have a mission tomorrow and I-“

Your ears perked up at that. “Mission?”

“I knew that would work.” He grinned, victoriously to your other friend. “I told you. No real negation required.”

“What are you talking about?” You frowned, glancing between them. Volstagg sighed, crossing his legs. 

“Well, you’ve been avoiding these parties- any kind of formalities, lately, and I wondered what it would take to get you to attend. I had a lot of plans waiting to be put into action- but Fandral just suggested we dangle the mission in front of you.”

“Prick.” You shot at him. “Why wasn’t I told about it sooner if it's tomorrow?” 

“We only found out this afternoon, truthfully. We hoped you be at the party to inform you about it, but we would’ve sought you out either way.” He explained.

“However-“ Fandral cut in. “We will only allow you to come if you get yourself downstairs this instant.”

“Blackmail? Really? You two have resorted to such cheap tricks since Thor left, y’know..”

He wriggled his eyebrows at you, that stupid grin barely leaving his face. “How bad do you want to get out of the palace?”

Badly. There had been no missions for nearly a month now, most of them reserved for higher ranking spies, with Thor being gone. 

“Fine.” You groaned. “Give me five minutes.” 

Taking another long sip from the glass in your hand, you tried to keep yourself positioned slightly behind Volstagg, out of view from the throne centred near the end of the room. 

Your bronze dress slid down your thighs as you shuffled, the tight, silky material soft against your legs. You hadn’t dressed up in a while- and it felt good to have a few pairs of eyes constantly wandering your way as you sat amongst your friends. 

The party was as grand and as extravagant as all the others had been. Lights were strung around each pillar, emitting a soft glow around the room. Crowds were crammed into every corner- dancing, laughing, drinking. A mile long banquet of food resided near the back of the room, food piled high on each plate. 

The parties were certainly a thing of magic. Nobody could deny there had been a certain flare about them for months, making people wonder why the King was throwing such grand balls now his wife had died. Of course, you knew it was his son that just had that flair around him- but he looked rather unsympathetic to others.

Glancing around again, you noticed Odin sitting upon his throne, as he always did, talking to a few of the ladies in wait lingering by his side. He seemed to be enjoying himself, that coy smile on his face as it always was.

“Good to see our King smile, hm?” Fandral nudged you, catching you watching him. 

“I suppose.” You tried to ignore the tightness in your stomach, just offering a polite smile, hands playing with the straps from your shoes which had been tied around your calves. 

You had to tell Thor when he returned about your suspicions. This charade of playing Odin couldn’t go on any longer and besides the fact it was the right thing to do, you were so angry with Loki and all these recent stunts he’d pulled you were going to enjoy tattling on him to his brother anyway.

But there was a lingering guilt inside of you for not mentioning it to any of your friends, not even Hogun, the most reasonable out of them all. You worried that their fierce tempers and loyalty to the crown would have them marching straight over there and getting themselves into trouble.

“When will Thor return?” You asked them. 

“He’s dealing with a threat right now- Ragnarok.” Hogun explained to you and you grimaced. You knew of that prophecy. “But we think he will return this week, if not sooner.”

“Excited?” Volstagg asked, grinning.  

The three of them had often wondered aloud to you about your relationship with the God of Thunder- but there was no relationship to speak of. Thor respected you on the battleground as he did off it, as your friend and ally. But there was nothing further going on.

It wasn’t exactly like you could inform them that there never could be, given you’d allowed his brother to take you to bed multiple times over the past year, before he’d ‘died’. 

A blush crept onto your cheeks as you thought of the memories- of the times you’d allowed it to happen before he’d gone to the Dark World. 

“For our friends return? Of course. Aren’t you?” You shot him a look and he snorted, taking a gulp of his beer. “Anyway- come on, I’m here, I’ve had two drinks and I haven’t yet run away from the party. Tell me about the damn mission.” 

“How about you tell us why you are avoiding these parties first?” 

You shrugged. “I’ve been training a lot, teaching Jas-“

“Oh come on.” Fandral rolled his eyes. He glanced over the crowd, to where many people had now gathered, a lively tune filling the air. His hand extended towards you immediately. “Fine, if you want to clamour up and lie to us then do that. But I will only tell you about the mission if you dance with me.” 

You sighed- but there was no arguing with any of them, their stubbornness almost outranking your own. You allowed him to drag you out onto the floor, crowds surrounding the two of you as his arms wound around yours. 

You had loved to dance at these parties- had done so, often with your friends, and Thor. The movements reminded you of battle, the way you danced beneath the hands of others, switching from partner to partner- and for those few hours that you’d all dance, you would find yourself more at peace than you ever had been before. 

“We’re going back to Vanaheim.” Fandral dragged you out of your daydream, waltzing towards you. “A few, scattered maunderers have decided to try and take it back, battling the citizens once more. We’re going to finish them off, for good.” 

“Sounds fun.” You smiled. 

“Sadist.” He teased, but he smirked in agreement. “We leave just after dawn. We’ll see you at our usual meeting point?”

“Of course.” 

With that, he drew you in close and quickly kissed your cheek- you barely had a moment to roll your eyes before he twirled you off in the direction of another partner. 

Someone else caught you, and you offered them a polite smile as they continued to twirl you through the crowds. The music flowed through you, becoming a part of you, and for the first time in perhaps a month you just allowed yourself to relax- you just allowed yourself to be. 

You watched as Volstagg dashed off into the gardens after the other two men, waving goodbye. They were slipping out a quieter, back entrance of the castle, heading home to rest before tomorrow's battle. You had come to see them off, wishing for some air before retiring to your room. 

The gardens were quiet, despite being specially lit up for any guests wishing to roam them. You suspected there were a few more people in here than it seemed, hiding in dark corners- a smile crept onto your mouth as a quiet shout came from inside. Your friends had likely gotten more of an eyeful than they wished this evening. 

You reached over, touching one of the lights that had been hung up to guide the way down the stone staircase. It was almost as if they had bottled the sun itself, a small glowing ball lighting up inside the glass. You wished you had one for yourself and half debated taking off round the grounds with it, using the secret entrance into your room. 

Nobody knew about that entrance, which was carved of stone and led out to the east castle grounds. Nobody except Loki, you found out one evening when he had turned up. You were both quite young and you’d almost screamed, to alert someone of the prince’s sudden presence- but he’d clamped his hand over your mouth, telling you to be quiet and said it was only an accident. 

Of course, you’d bitten him- but you hadn’t told anyone he’d been sneaking around late. 

“Here I was thinking you hadn’t attended the party, given you declined my invitation.” 

You stiffened, dropping the light in your hands, and slowly turned to find the king standing behind you, hands neatly crossed behind his back. 

“My plans changed, your majesty.” You bowed your head slightly, hands gripping the balcony behind you as he approached, each step as calculating as the last. “It was a lovely party, as always.”

“Hm. Certainly.” He turned his attention to behind you, to the entrance to the gardens. “I am surprised you aren’t leaving with Thor’s friends, to some afterparty.”

Always so keen to try and remind you they were his brothers friends first- that you didn’t fit in with them all, the same way he didn’t. But that wasn’t true.

“My friends and I have a battle to attend tomorrow.” You schooled your face into something neutral. 

“I didn’t know of any battles.”

“Orders from Thor. Mercenaries that need to be stopped in Vanaheim.” You lied- hell, you weren’t sure where the orders came from. But you weren’t having Loki step in and being disruptive just because he felt like it. You needed to get out there, to feel your sword in your hands. 

“I see.” His eyes flashed with something like Ire, and perhaps sadness- probably thinking of the last time you had all gone to Vanaheim, when those prisoners had been taken back and overwhelmed enough of the guards that his mother, and Jane Foster, had been sorely unprotected, leading to her death. 

“We should return by the evening.” You told him, though you weren’t sure why you felt the sudden need to do so. It wasn’t as if he cared.

“I’m sure you will all fight well. Just be careful in those science vessels-“ You noticed his hand, lifting those heavy robes, moving up towards you and before you could even blink, his fingers lightly grasped your arm, your eyes feeling heavy-

Lips covering yours, arms lifting you from the chair into the table, slamming you down. Fingers threading through his dark hair as his fingers moved quickly from underneath your shirt to the gap beneath your pants. Wriggling- desperate for him to touch you, fill you, distract you from todays battle-

You let out a quiet gasp, stepping out his touch. Odin’s eyes burned- and it was almost disturbing to see such a heavy look from him being directed towards you. Desire erupted from him in waves and he tried to clamp down on it- but it almost choked you, it’s smoke and spice resting on your tongue.

“Last time you went on one I heard it got..heavy. I’m not sure if the warrior three could quite handle you.” 

With that, the king turned on his heels and wandered back into the castle, calm as ever. Your mouth hung open, hand still clamped on the spot his fingers had touched you. You thought that all this time he had no idea that you knew he was hiding underneath his fathers skin- you thought he was too arrogant, too proud. 

It never occurred to you that perhaps, he knew all along. 

Chapter Text

Tightening the strap around your waist, you took another look down at the disappearing palace, it’s enormity shrinking as you flew up and away from it. 

The golden walls glinted in the morning sun, which was just beginning to shine over the horizon, and you kept your eyes on it until you were out of the atmosphere, on route to Vanaheim.

You had barely slept, tossing and turning the entire evening. Between the fact that Loki might have known for some time that you knew of him, or perhaps if he had just figured it out, and what he’d said about the ship.. your eyes would close, and you’d see him, his muscular body above yours, hips flexing into you. Sweat crept into every pore and eventually you had to get up and wash your face with cold water to cool the burning in your cheeks. 

There couldn’t be a possibility that he was simply testing you, seeing if you knew it was him underneath his fathers kin- the comment he’d made hadn’t been general enough. It was a blatant confession, mentioning something only the two of you knew about.

You hated he was using it, throwing it in your face- and you hated yourself more for ever allowing him to touch you all the times he had. 

Perhaps there had been a time, for a mere moment, when you might’ve thought he could be someone you could allow yourself to open up to, to love even. But the moment you realised he had faked his own death once more and didn’t even wish to hint to you he was alive, despite all that had happened between you, hate had grown in the hole he’d left in your soul- and you’d allowed it to fester. 

Thor had forgiven him, for the most part. There was no reason not to come home, nor to take his fathers place- no reason not to return to you, as he whispered underneath the rising sun, his arms still around you, that he would after besting the elves. 

Empty promises. It was all he was good for, it seemed. 

But he’d allowed you to go on this mission- hadn’t shown up this morning with a legion of guards to have you thrown into the prisons, nor to threaten you to keep quiet. So he trusted you’d keep your mouth shut- or did he expect you to, thinking you too weak to do anything else?

You sighed. Too many thoughts- and not enough hours in your day to work through them all. 

“You seem quiet today.” Volstagg commented, coming to stand by your side. He felt neutral, as he always did. His axe was clipped to his back, similar to your sword, and his heavy bronze armour moved effortlessly with his arms.

Your armour was much similar to Sif and the warrior three’s, in terms of colours and insignias- a long, grey bodice that ran to the tops of your thighs, metal of red and silver running around the rest, swirling around your chest. Sleeveless, with tight rings of silver wrapped around your arms in decoration. Your boots, which were lightweight to run in, but coated in the heaviest material so those you kicked would certainly feel your wrath, stopped at your knees. On the left of your chest, like Fandral often wore, was the Asgardian symbol and underneath that, the symbol of the warriors of Asgard. 

Clipped to your back was your silver broadsword, which had been a gift from Odin himself when you turned sixteen. 

“Tired.” You just shrugged, brushing him off. “I see Fandral found himself at an afterparty.” 

The two of you glanced to where he was slouched over, hands in his head. His green tinged face was enough of a que- but you could also feel his sickness, like poison in your mouth. You clamped down on your laughter as he noticed you watching, shooting you both the middle finger. 

“Fool.” Volstagg glanced back to you. “We need to talk. But later- once we deal with all these marauders.”

You frowned. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine.” He gave you a jolly grin, clapping your shoulder. “Now get ready- time to slash some guts open.” 

Fandral groaned, as if he might be sick, and you managed to return the smile.

“Where are we needed?” Fandral glanced around, looking mighty displeased with the scene unfolding in front of you all.

There were more marauders than you had expected- and far less citizens fighting back.

“They’ve managed to push them back into the trees, but it’s taken days, and they’re exhausted. We need to end this.” One of the citizens informed you all. Whoever he was, none of you were sure- he’d just run to your side the moment you arrived, bleeding and sweaty. 

“We’ll take care of it.” Volstagg clapped his shoulder, unclipping the axe from his back, before he took off to the north. 

Hogun said nothing- but gave you a weary smile before he took off after the other warrior, following him into the tree line.

“Too late to hide on the ship?” Fandral muttered to you-but there was no fear rippling off him. Just laziness and that same sickness. You laughed.

“Come on. I’ll buy you a beer if you make it back here before me.” 

He moaned, hand shielding his face from the sun that was now beating down onto all of you. “Do not talk of any ale, nor mead. I will vomit.” 

But, despite his words, it seemed to enthuse him slightly- he jogged off towards the eastern woodland, weapon at the ready, as you took off toward the west. 

Citizens were scattered on the outside of the forests, looking rather fearful as they clutched their weapons. You approached carefully, holding a hand up to show them you were friendly as you did so. Your Asgardian armour and leathers should’ve been enough of a clue, but sometimes they were terrified enough to attack first, ask questions later. 

“Are they in there?” You gestured.

“There’s a lot of them- and the forest, it's said to be cursed!” One shouted as you passed. “They have one of our leaders.” 

The first marauder, just a few feet into the forest, barely had a moment before your sword had been lifted- and his shout didn’t make it from his throat as you sliced straight through him, blood spraying out into your breastplate immediately.

You grimaced, and moved quickly, to where you could hear voices shouting from deeper in the forest. Footsteps light, avoiding the branches beneath, leafs lightly crunching. The sword was heavy in your hand as you turned- and inhaled sharply at the sight of a marauder barrelling down the hill towards you, a dagger in his hands. 

He knocked into you, the full force of his body taking down yours before you could move out the way, and knocked you both into the dusty, dry foliage. You slammed into one of the stumps nearby so hard the breath was knocked out of you- but there was no time to linger, as the marauder was there, dagger aiming for you.

You rolled left as he aimed for your head, then right as he moved to stab you. 

“Hold still you little bitch-!” He hissed, his anger shooting through your skin like an adrenaline rush. 

His dagger shot downwards for your heart, one of his boots stomping down on your torso. You stopped him, fingers grasping his wrist with no amount of small effort, grunting with the effort. He strained against your hold.

Slowly, the blade began to turn, as you clenched your teeth, pushing and pushing- and his face became horrified as it did, your other arm now clasping his shoulder to keep hm from moving away from you.

He struggled- and tried to quickly back off. But the release on you only made you shoot upwards faster than him, his own dagger plunging into his neck.

Choking, he tried to pull at it, at the blood that was now shooting all over his hands, and your feet. You picked up your sword from where it had fallen, steadily grasping it, watching as he fell to his knees before you.

As enjoyable as it would be to watch him bleed out, you had other marauders to catch- and given the laughing you could hear coming from the nearby quarry, it wasn’t a good idea to linger any longer.

You took a few, calming breaths before moving onwards, up the rising slope towards the edge of the quarry. There didn’t appear to be anybody waiting nearby, guarding the area- and when you reached the peak, crouching, you realised why.

There had to be at least thirty of them surrounding the poor man they’d kidnapped, who looked utterly terrified. His cheek was bleeding, scratched, and you were pretty sure that was urine, not blood, soaking his trousers. You didn’t blame him for being scared- the marauders weren’t exactly the prettiest lot. All different species of course, ranging from humans to dwarves to trolls, all with smeared dark makeup around their eyes and all sharing that same look that they hadn’t bathed in around three weeks.

A distraction would perhaps work- but there was so many of them, they wouldn’t all go looking for whatever it was. It would still leave enough of them you could run into trouble if they overwhelmed you.

You gripped the sword tighter and sheathed it behind your back. You knew to avoid an unnecessary death what you would have to do- and if you were going to do it, there could be no mercy, no prisoners of war. They would all have to perish, to ensure your secret be kept.

Your legs moved upwards as you prepared to jump down- and you let out a shout as they were immediately lifted, hauled off the ground at great speeds.

“Look what I found!” 

You were turned, finding a pair of dark, bleeding eyes and teeth so sharp they would slice you in two immediately. Hysterical excitement filtered off it, sending jitters down your bones. 

A troll. Fantastic. 

You grunted, trying to elbow and kick at it- but it was enormous, holding you far out from its body, it’s horrifying smile threatening to swallow you whole.

“Good job Yesif!” One shouted. “Give her here- and then head back to the north, where that big one waits.” 

He probably meant Volstagg. You wriggled in his grip again, clawing at his hand which was grasping your neck, and braced as he swung you towards him- and then sent you flying through the air, into the pit beneath you.

You tumbled down into the dirty, muddy pit, spluttering as you hit the ground at a grand force. You swore you heard something inside of you crack upon the impact and winced as hands immediately pulled you upwards, shoving you against the stone walls of the quarry. 

“Morning, boys.” You gave them a tired smile.

They didn’t seem so impressed and a moment later, a cracking sounded as one raised his hand and punched you across the face, blackness shooting across your vision for a moment. 

You clenched your jaw, looking back up to them.

“An Asgardian.” The other announced to the rest of the group. “Not a god however, it seems. Just a young girl-“

“Be respectful to your elders Braun.” A taller one, with skin like leather, interrupted in the back. “She is probably a few thousand years older than you, given she is Asgardian.” 

You glared at them. He wasn’t wrong- you were approaching your 1,500th birthday. You had probably outlived most of their parents and generations before them. 

“It’s a shame you’re here to stop us- we’d certainly have many uses for you if you weren’t so tainted.” The one to your left grimaced at the branding on your wrist- the symbol of an asgardian warrior, that you’d had put on you at the same time as the others had received theirs. “What do we do Walu?”

Walu, the leader of this particular pack you assumed, stepped forward and glanced over you. He lingered for a moment, as if you both didn’t know exactly what his decision would be, dragging it out before a venomous smile spread across his mouth.

“Kill her, of course.” He gave you another, searing look. “Get her on her knees. Asgardians deserve to know they are no better than any of us, and will die amongst the mud, the same as us.” 

Their hands grabbed at your armour, your shirt, forcing your down. You grunted, pushing back- but it was useless. You’d never outmatch thirty of these fighters, despite your strength and skill. You had to use the tools accessible to you- even if it made you uncomfortable to do so.

You let them push you down, closing your eyes. You could hear the zinging of metal as they drew their axe- but you blocked it out. Blocked all of the chattering and sneering out, focusing on you. On your tether to all of these men, to their minds.

You could see them all- the black threads connected to you, their minds just waiting to be played with. It was as if you could see their feelings- the excitement, the nerves, the worry. They filtered down the cords, floating across your skin. You smiled, hearing them quieten slightly- and struck, like a viper.

The cords began to glow, a startling shade of silver, your inner hands wrapping around them and tugging on them hard, as if forcing them all to their knees in front of you. 

Your mind emptied of all rational thought. All you could feel was their terror, their confusion- and it only made you stronger. Only made you grin, as they realised what was happening to them. 

Their minds were no longer their own. 

“Stop.” Your voice danced across the group, everybody doing so- but it was no longer your voice. It was full of seduction, of sorcery. You could feel a faint breeze, lifting your hair from your shoulders, letting it dance in the wind. 

Your eyes opened- and you knew from seeing it before in mirrors, that they were glowing silver, your pupils entirely encompassed. You knew your hair was likely emitting the same glow. The men were frozen in their places, faces turning utterly terrified as they beheld you.

“Let go of me.” You instructed- and their hands stiffly removed themselves. You stood, smirking at them, looking around the group. “Now, that’s no way to treat a lady.” 

Striding forward, you stopped behind the man they had taken, his body shaking. You hadn’t entrapped him in your mind- and for a moment, you wished you had as his terror slipped over your skin, like oil. It threatened to swallow you whole. 

He shook harder as your hand pressed to the back of his head- but you simply grabbed on the tether and with a steadying breath, commanded it. “Sleep.”

His head immediately lulled forward, knocked out. There was no need for him to see what happened next- and if you could avoid him seeing you entirely, that would be useful. 

The marauders mouths opened desperately, as if they were trying to speak- but they couldn’t. Not without your command. 

“Raise whatever weapon is in your hand.” You said sweetly. They did so, arms trembling. 

For a moment, mercy crossed your mind- but they weren’t willing to show any towards you, nor the citizens of this city. When you had come here to fight the first time, before everything had happened with Loki, with Frigga, the citizens had barely been able to speak of all the horror they had put them through. The pillaging, the assaults on woman, the murder of their children.

“Any last words?” You directed your question to Walu. 

You had seen his mind- had seen what he thought to do with you once your head had been sliced off, since he wondered if you’d be too difficult to keep still before then. Others had thought similar things. 

They did not deserve mercy.

“What are you?” He gasped, clutching his throat, as you freed him from his chains.

You smiled. “I guess you could call me your reckoning.” 

At that, you sent the silent command down the threads from your mind- and watched, as each of them, including him, brought their swords and axes to their throats and slit them. Bodies slumped around you in a crescendo and when the last one hit the mud, their blood pooling like a pond beneath your feet, you took a deep breath.

The power inside of you swelled, clawing at your mind, desperately asking you to fetch it more souls- but you kept breathing. Cut their tethers from you, one at a time. Pushed past the agonising cry of your mind- and with a final snap, you gasped, stepping backwards and out of your mind.

You clenched your fists, one rubbing your forehead. It was never painful to do what you did- but the amount of power you held, their feelings of anger and anguish shooting through you.. sometimes it was difficult to come back from the edge. To remember who you were. 

It was why you kept yourself hidden. A group of thirty was dangerous enough, but an army? Several armies? You may lose yourself entirely. You may forget your name, where you are from- and simply find yourself craving that power, day and night, unable to think of anything else. Unable to return to your old state.

Not that a ruler would care. They would only care about getting rid of the armies threatening them, of anything threatening them- in the wrong hands, you could kill anyone they so wished, and wouldn’t be able to stop yourself. 

Stepping through the blood, you gently lifted the man from his chair, hauling him over your shoulder with a grunt- thankfully, he was quite small, or you’d be in a lot more trouble.

You took one last glance over the group as you hiked your way out of the quarry, sweat beginning to drip from your forehead- and found yourself thanking the stars you had found your way back to yourself once more. 

“Thank you- again.” A woman, quite petite, with brown hair piled onto her head, clasped your shoulder once more as she bent to check on her husband- the man you rescued.

He had come to about five minutes ago, asking how you’d gotten him out of there, what you had done- but you’d pointed to the purple stains around his mouth, saying they’d fed him with them to make him hallucinate for their amusement. 

He seemed unsure- but his wife confirmed it, cleaning him up, saying he was muttering all kinds of things about seeing a silver light and thirty men- when you had only found ten there.

All lies, of course. You had smeared his mouth with the berries minutes before leaving the forest and knew by lowering the number of casualties, they’d believe you fought your way out of there.

His wife didn’t seem to want him questioning you any further, just shushing him. You bid them both a goodbye and strode back towards the ship.

Your friends were waiting there for you, all ready to leave. They had fought well, also clearing their own areas of marauders. Volstagg was grimacing- and you noticed the heavy bandage around his leg as you walked over.

“Want me to take a look?” You offered, despite the sagging inside of you. You were exhausted from your fight, but it looked bad.

“It’s fine-“

“Yes, he would.” Hogun interrupted him, rolling his eyes. “You did a good job, getting rid of all of those marauders.” 

“Yes.. interesting you tell them you only fought ten.” Fandral’s eyes glittered. “I mean, we must’ve piled and burned..what, Volstagg? Thirty, maybe thirty five bodies?”

“Don’t be jealous I’m a better fighter than you.” You shrugged, eliciting a laugh from him. But you knew they were only teasing. They knew of your powers, and had sworn themselves to secrecy, as had Thor. They had just never seen them in action- and you would try and keep it that way, for their own safety.

Once on the ship, the other two strode towards the cockpit, leaving you in the back with Volstagg. He didn’t say much as you ran your hands above his leg, eyes closed- but you could feel the nerves, zinging down your skin. 

“What is it?” You asked and he jolted slightly.

“I always forget you can feel us.” He muttered, sighing. “I want to ask you something. About.. you, about your future.”

You paused- but nodded and moved your hands down to the bleeding skin. He hissed slightly at your touch, trying not to look.

“What are you doing? I mean, really doing?” He asked you, but before you could answer, continued on. “I know you teach Jas, I know you’ve taken that over from Frigga, rest her soul, but is that really what you want? To teach?”

“I don’t know.” You answered as truthfully as you could, watching as his skin began to stitch itself together again.

“I know you don’t wish to use your powers often on the battlefield- I know you worry about who may get a hold of you.” He was quiet now. “But you are a warrior, like us. A fighter. You deserve to become one of us.”

“I’m not already?” You teased, though his words stung a little.

“Well, of course you are- but I mean, really one of us. Living outwit the palace, giving up the teaching. Being assigned missions, not just coming with us. Your own missions.” He explained- and some of the colour flooded into his face again as you sat back from him, his wound completely healed. 

“Who would teach Jas?”

“One of the other girls. You’ve said yourself she isn’t like you- she has basic powers, that can be taught by those with basic powers. Your powers, though you are hesitant to wield them, are a true gift from the gods. You deserve to do more with them- if that is what you wish.” He gave you a look, and he sat up, huffing. “Unless you wish to be a teacher, and follow more in Frigga’s footsteps- in which case, you may tell me to shut up any minute now.” 

You chuckled, and reached forward, squeezing his bulging arm, which was probably larger than your neck. “I don’t know what I wish to do yet- sometimes, I still feel like it was mere years ago I was just young, running around the castle with you all.” 

“Well asgardians do mature differently..”

You nodded. “I just.. I want to fight. I want to get out of the palace- but sometimes I am afraid of losing the only thing that keeps me connected to Frigga. She was like my mother.” 

“Frigga will always be with you- as will we.” He smiled. “Especially if you join us. Sif would be pleased, I think.”

“Oh absolutely. She hated it when I attended palace events, all dressed up, instead of in armour like her.” You snorted at the thought of her face. 

“Just think about it, okay?” He asked, and you nodded. “You’ve been quiet- distant. I just wondered if it was to do with this and I just want you to think of your options, because you have so many and you are not limited to that palace.”

“I know.” You squeezed his arm once more. “You’re a good friend.” 

He was right- you needed to take the next step, now Frigga was truly gone. You needed to figure out where to go next. 

But taking that step, away from her, away from what had been your entire life- you could only pray you would be brave enough. 

Chapter Text

Footsteps echoed around you as you followed the two guards down the staircase. They didn’t bother to look in your direction as they slipped around the corner- just continued to march towards the throne room, their steps in sync. 

To where Odin had summoned you, once again.

What the reason could be this time, you weren’t entirely sure. Mikal hadn’t been the one to collect you, for once, instead replaced by two of the kings usual guards. They’d only arrived at your door five minutes ago, with a summons from his majesty, requesting you come to the throne room immediately.

It was late- and you weren’t exactly dressed, only in your slip. But given how hurried they were, and the fact they wouldn’t back away from the door, you were only able to pull on the silk robe hanging off your divider and follow them. You’d stuffed your feet into some sandals- and good thing, as a cold bite had fallen over the palace despite the current season. 

A cold wind on a summers evening wasn’t exactly a good omen.

The throne room doors swung open, and the two guards stood to the side, allowing you to enter. You did so, throat tightening as you saw what beheld you. 

A man, older than you, likely a few thousand years given his appearance. He was hunched away from you, head craning to stare as you entered- and as he moved, you could see his arms and the child that was cradled within them.

“Your majesty.” You tried to keep the shake out of your voice- the concern, for why on earth you’d been brought here. 

“Apologies for the late intrusion, but I figured you were the best person to help us deal with this.” He gestured to the man. “This is Keve.” 

You gave a half hearted nod. As you got closer, you could see why they’d called you down- the child looked as if it had been snapped in two. Bones were digging out of the skin, blood seeping out of its shirt and onto the marble beneath their feet.

“Their child was attacked in the mountains. They travelled all day to get here, to find healers- and I thought to give them the best.” He stared at you. Waiting.

You paused- and your heart began to hammer in your chest. This was not something you did, not something you had ever been allowed to do. A normal healer would not be able to fix this girl and this man had to know that. Loki had to know that. 

It felt as if the walls were closing in- and all you could see was yourself, so small, knelt beneath the throne. Odin’s hand so scarred, so rough as it grabbed yours- and then your screams, bouncing off the walls as he made you complete the blood oath through your sobbing. 

“That is you. I brought you here, to heal the child.” Odin spoke, trying to bring your attention back to the room- but you were panicking. 

You’d healed your friends plenty, and those who were sworn to secrecy about you. You’d healed those on the battlefield if nobody was about, especially if they were out cold or delirious. 

Being a healer wasn’t the dangerous part of your powers- but once people realised you were a healer, they would realise that came with the empath ability. That power had been abused enough by Kings, Gods and other rulers as it was. 

But an empath with the power to control minds, to heal even the most broken of bones.. it was like you had said. 

Gods would kill to own you.

Loki wasn’t even trying to be cruel- that was the worst part. He didn’t even know the extent of Odin’s behaviour towards your powers, and why you were so hesitant to use them publicly. He had no idea. He knew you were sworn to secrecy but had he ever truly known why? You doubted it. Odin hardly trusted him with anything and it wasn’t Frigga’s secret to share, not even with him. 

You glared up at him, that panic turning to anger for how you had been treated, the position he had put you in. “Is this to be the beginning of publicising my powers?”

“I didn’t realise they weren’t already known.”

“That’s funny-“ You turned your back to the family completely- tried to block out the waves of terror and pain the father was feeling as he looked down at his child, moments from death. “Given it was you who wished me to keep them forever hidden, your Majesty.”

He frowned, settling back on his chair slightly as realisation washed over him. So, he hadn’t known you weren’t to show your powers publicly, even now. Probably didn't know the extent of them. You wondered if all this time he had simply thought you selfish, unwilling to show them to the world.

“There was a reason you kept them so quiet. From the outside- from your youngest son.” You snapped. “If he knew their extent, you said he’d kill us all. It was why I was only to trust Thor- the rightful leader. The only leader-“

“That’s enough.” He growled. 

“You know that showing my powers will put me at risk, put my life at risk for those who would wish to use me and yet you bring me here to this desperate man anyway, your Majesty? It’s as if you aren’t quite yourself.” Your voice began to raise, guards turning their attention towards you- and Odin shuffled uncomfortably in his chair, his face only growing more thunderous.

“I said enough.” His hand waved in the direction of the doors. “Go.”

“No.”

Ire flashed in his eyes. “No?”

“Get everyone out of here. Now.” 

“You do not give me orders-“

“You brought me here to heal this child and I’m going to do it- now get the guards out.” 

He was almost snarling- but he shouted a command a moment later, and the guards reluctantly piled out of the room and into the hallway outside. 

You ignored the barking protests inside of you to make a point and storm out of there and turned to the child behind you, who was breathing very shallowly. 

Kneeling down, you were surprised to find the father holding his hand out to help you down, his fingers clenching yours in a terrified grip. You offered what you hoped was a comforting smile, bringing your hands to the wound. 

Whatever had attacked, they were lucky the babe had even made it to the palace gates- and that any of the internal organs were even still held in his stomach. They looked as if they were only being held within there by sheer will and the way he was holding the child. 

You paused, glancing up at him. “I will heal your child- but you must never, ever speak of me or my powers. It doesn’t matter how dire the injury, you do not spread news of what I do- or I will reverse this immediately.”

Waves of fear burst through him once more but you pushed past the cloudiness it was causing in your mind, forcing yourself to keep a straight expression and stare at him. The father looked to the king behind you, just briefly, before nodding.

Another horrifying, unique set of your powers- heal any injury you wish, but if you desire, you could undo the action with a simple turn of your hand. A horrible threat and not one you’d ever usually make- but this child was on the brink of death. 

If people knew you’d brought back someone barely living, the flood gates would open- and everything that Odin had drilled into you for centuries about gods using you would swallow you whole.

You took a deep breath- and guided that power forwards into your hands, letting it flow onto the child beneath you. You tried to imagine good things, instead of focusing on the ebbing panic inside of you. 

Training with Sif. Genevieve landing her first blow the other evening, her face lit with excitement. Dancing with your friends, stupidly drunk, watching as the moon gave way to the sun. 

The wounds weren’t healing as they should, but you knew you just had to dig deeper. An irritated sigh came from behind you- but you pushed past, kept focusing. 

You couldn’t help it- your mind wandered to the man behind you. To those stupid, green eyes that reminded you of spring, and warmth and mischief. The black tumbling hair you’d thread your hands through and the warm shock that had spread through you when he’d smiled, really smiled, after he kissed you one night in your room. His body, asleep in the bed next to you, and the shiver he had given when you ran a careful finger down the back of his spine, afraid to close to your eyes for you knew when you awoke, he’d be gone.

You just hadn’t realised he’d be gone forever.

A gasp sounded in your ear, and your eyes opened. Pink flooded into the child’s cheeks, replacing the awful grey tint that had been there before and their stomach was now completely healed- not a scar or scratch in place. The blood beneath you all had disappeared too and only their clothes left any evidence at all they had been injured. 

They didn’t speak- but you could see their chest rising and falling, those little hands now grasping with strength to the fathers blouse.

“Thank you.” He breathed and without hesitation, he swooped you into his arms, still cradling the child. You patted his back, smiling- and felt the slight nerves piling off him as he pulled back and glanced at you. 

You were probably still glowing.

“I can’t repay you. Ever, I-” He sounded as if he was on the brink of sobbing.

You grasped his arm. “You can- do as I say. Never tell anybody what I did here.”

He nodded- and with a careful kneel, he lifted his child off the floor and into his arms. As much as he could manage, he knelt to the king, and you, before taking off in the direction of the hallway. 

You turned away from the doors as he flung them open, letting the ebb of power flow through you and calm down.

“Stay out in the hall.” Odin called out to them, and he stood from his throne. “Go to your nightly patrols. I’ll be retiring shortly.”

Your stomach tightened in worry- and it only made the glowing worse, your hair beginning to rise as your powers flared protectively as he approached.

But you weren’t scared of him. You never had been- and you certainly wouldn’t be now just because he was masking himself as king.

“That was impressive. Even for you.” He said, coming to stop a few feet away. As you turned to face him, even he couldn’t hide the surprise on his face- he hadn’t ever seen your eyes glow like this. “I only saw you do that once. I don’t remember it being..like that.” 

“That’s because I healed someone with a broken femur. I just brought that child back from death- there’s a difference.” You scoffed. 

“He never knew you did that in front of me, did he?” He asked, and you shook your head. “He really hid your powers?”

“It doesn’t matter.” You glared at him, and then strode forward, grasping his robe. He held steady, even as you pushed him back slightly. “You knew on some level my powers weren’t entirely out in the open. You had to know, on some level, the fact I can heal someone with that much of a wound isn’t exactly common- and if you ever, I mean ever, put me in that kind of position again where I have to threaten a child just to keep my own powers safe, I will kill you. Wearing a mask of Odin, or not.” 

He smirked, infuriating you further. “I think that’s called treason.”

“The moment a knife goes through your heart you’d revert to yourself anyway- and given you’re already supposed to be dead, nobody would miss you.” You smiled sweetly, and shoved him away from you.

But he moved quicker, hand grasping your arm- and you had to hold in your gasp of surprise as his green magic flashed before you, and he appeared.

It felt like centuries since you’d last seen him- but you knew it had only been months. His hair had grown slightly, his eyes a little more tired, as they always seemed to get whenever he had watched yet another tragedy. He looked even taller somehow, his shoulders wider- and his grip on you was tight as a viper.

“Here I was thinking you at least would have missed me.” He teased- and there was something light in his words. As if he didn’t know the pain he’d caused you, the pain he’d caused so many after his death. 

“Why would I miss you?” You laughed in his face- but it sounded all wrong. Bitter and cruel. “If you think I could ever miss you after what you did, you are delusional. Even more so than when you thought you could take Earth.” 

His grip tightened slightly at your sore reminder of his failure- of his impending doom, should Thanos catch up with him. 

“I never knew it would bother you so much.” 

You pulled your arm from his touch, hurt stinging across your chest as if he’d slashed you with a knife. You would’ve preferred if he had. To assume you wouldn’t care he was dead, or faking it, he would have to assume those few encounters the two of you had meant nothing to you. That they were simply sex.

Maybe it was. Maybe you had convinced yourself of something other, something deeper, your stupid, asgardian heart fumbling over the god in front of you like an idiot.

“Then you are as foolish as I always said you were- and I truly do hate you.” You sneered- and turned, storming away from him before your bleeding, traitorous heart could force you to your knees right there and make you cry in front of him.

You had wondered if despite all of that fighting, and cruelty between the two of you, if something real had bloomed before he disappeared in the Dark World. Something you could figure out, together.

But it seemed you were wrong- just as you always were, when it came to him. 

Chapter Text

The next morning, the sun streamed through your windows, bright and glorious. You stretched out, basking in it for a few, quiet moments.

Voices filtered in from outside- many of them, all jumbled together. You pulled yourself out of bed, walking onto the balcony outside to have a look.

As they always did on the last day of the month, crowds streamed inside the castle grounds, ready to be entertained. It wasn't to be the same kind of party Odin had typically thrown over the last month- there was food, and wine, and a play but nothing more exciting. 

You watched the crowds all filter in- and in the middle of them all, caught sight of Volstagg’s enormous stature, his ginger beard plaited and shining under the sun. You watched as he turned through the streaming crowd, aiming for something to the left, grinning-

Only then did you notice the golden crown of hair, the massive god waiting to be greeted by his friend. The two of them embraced, laughing and kidding. Fandral found his way over to them too, arms up in greeting. You smiled.

Thor was home.

A sour feeling immediately settled in your stomach. Despite your happiness for your friends return, it now meant it was time to tell the truth about Odin. You weren’t sure how well he’d take it.

But it was time. He couldn’t rule Asgard forever, not masquerading as his father.

You quickly dressed, pulling on something appropriate enough for the festival. As you stuffed your feet into the sandals, lacing them around your ankles you heard the faintest click by the door- and to your surprise, when you went to pull on the handle moments later, it wouldn’t open.

That bastard had locked you in here. 

To stop you from going to Thor.

You pulled one of the silver pins from your hair, kneeling in front of the lock. Your wrist flexed as you wriggled it inside- but whoever it was had jammed the key inside of it, leaving you unable to pick the lock open.

You could try and batter the door down- but these weren’t exactly small, weak oak doors. They were made of metal and probably weighed triple what you did. Besides, if Loki was trying to keep you in here, you imagined he’d stationed guards nearby to keep an eye and warm him if you were to escape. 

Sighing, you gathered your skirts, glancing over to the balcony. You could shimmy down the vines, as you’d often done when you were younger- but you weren’t sure how well they would now hold your adult body and hundreds of people were outside in the gardens beneath you. Word would reach Odin before you could. 

“Prick.” You muttered and with a quiet growl, kicked the sideboard in frustration. You yelped, your foot aching as something cracked. “Don’t let that be my foot.”

Stretching it out, you cringed- but your foot seemed fine. No broken toes. So what had cracked so loudly? Your hand felt along the plaster until you felt a small opening and you yanked on it, grinning.

How had you forgotten about this? It hadn’t been used for years. You hadn’t needed to sneak off onto missions since you were eighteen and Frigga had relaxed about your safety and the only other person to use this was Loki himself. The chances of him remembering it were slim, given he’d only used it once to your knowledge. 

Pulling the grey cloak off your chair, you threw it around your shoulders and hair, unwilling to get covered in dust and cobwebs. Underneath your skirt, you clipped your usual dagger to your thigh and with a final check around your room, climbed into the tunnel.

It was darker than you remembered, your hands clutching the stone blindly as you stumbled down the carved stairs. You tried not to think what kind of small creatures may be lingering on the walls, watching you. The light from your room quickly faded, plunging you into deeper darkness. 

Voices from the garden were still as loud as they had been, coming from your right- and you swore as you hit the end of the wall. 

Shit, had it been blocked off?

You searched, fingers digging into every little close and eventually wrapped around what felt like a metal handle. You yanked- and it budged slightly, creaking. Foot propped against what was probably the stone wall, you grabbed it with both hands and pulled as hard as you could. 

Your knees almost gave out as the door swung open, light pouring in from the outside. You climbed through, desperate to be out of the tunnel, and spluttered as you found yourself right into a hedge.

You were going to kill Loki.

Wrapping the cloak around you tighter, the grey now coated with dust and dirt, you shoved your way through the hedges, tearing through the prize flowers, branches scratching at your face, your ankles-

A few curious eyes glanced your way as you emerged from the side of the castle, gasping and coughing. You quickly threw off the cloak, throwing it towards the bushes to kill any suspicion and marched towards the castle.

You knew where they would be- in the upper section of the castle, a private area reserved for the king and some his closer followers. 

Thighs burning as you climbed the endless amounts of stairs to the tower, you pushed past the crowds slowly meandering their way around, some of them shooting you dirty looks as you did so- but you didn’t care. You slammed past them, the metal dagger on your thigh warm from your movement. 

At the top, you walked out into the courtyard, wincing at the golden statue stood before you. When the hell he’d put that in, you weren’t sure- but the enormous replica of Loki was enough to make your stomach turn as you continued up the staircases, towards the upper courtyard.

Near the back of the crowd, you spotted Kalie, who noticed you and waved. You walked over to her, eyes desperately searching- and landing on that golden hair once more. He was near the front now, watching the play in front of him.

“I’ve seen this one before and each time it gets more ridiculous.” Kalie muttered- and then looked immediately ashamed as she realised she was making fun of the dead god. You just snorted.

“It is ridiculous, as is that statue.”

“Mm.” She glanced over you. “You look rushed. Did you see Thor has returned?”

“That’s why I am rushed.” You replied. 

Music swelled in the foreground, the golden robes of the choir beautiful in the sunlight. The actor, playing Thor you presumed, let out a mighty roar of anguish as his brother died once more. 

Odin, of course, was sitting near the front flocked by ladies in wait. He was eating grapes, seeming more cheerful than ever- and you wondered if he actually knew his brother was coming, given his relaxed stature, or if he’d simply locked you in your room to be cruel.

You would hardly put it past him.

The crowd swelled with noise as the play ended, cheers and claps coming from all around. Kalie clapped, rolling her eyes at you, and you joined in- eyes still locked on the god of thunder, who was now moving past the retreating crowds.

“I have to go.” You muttered, and followed him. 

People seemed to ignore you as you pushed past them, too interested in the god now going to greet his father. Odin announced his arrival with a grand wave of his hands, crowds cheering again, and you watched as Thor handed off whatever had been strapped on his back to the nearby guard.

The guard passed you, eyes flying to yours as he noticed you standing there- and his face paled slightly, shocked. That left little to the mystery of who had probably locked you in your room then. 

You were close to where Odin had been sitting, lingering nearby, watching- he strode over to Thor, looking nervous, hands clasping and unclasping. 

He hadn’t expected him then. You smiled- you were going to enjoy this. 

“So it’s back to Migard for you, is it?” Odin asked.

“Nope.” Thor swung the hammer in his hand. “I’ve been having this recurring dream lately. Every night, I see Asgard fall into ruins.”

Odin awkwardly leaned against the pillar to his left. “That’s just a silly dream. Signs of an overactive imagination.”

“Possibly. But then I decide to go out there and investigate- and what do I find, but the nine realms completely in chaos?” He twirls the hammer around his hand once more. “Enemies of Asgard plotting our demise, all while you Odin, the protector of those nine realms, are sitting here in your bathrobe eating grapes.” 

You hadn’t realised it had gotten so bad. You’d been out a handful of times with the warrior three, but they’d received little world or orders from Thor, just going where they were asked to. But it seems perhaps Loki had let things descend into chaos far more than he should of.

Fighting your way here to tell Thor about him now seemed unnecessary- for the way the god was prowling towards his father, like a wolf, it seemed perhaps he already knew.

Your smile grew more. You were really going to enjoy this. 

“Yes, well, it is best to respect our neighbours freedom-“

“Yes, of course, the freedom to be massacred.” He threw the hammer towards the crowd, and it flew immediately back.

“Yes. Besides, I’ve been rather busy myself-“ Odin gestured, losing his footing slightly, hands waving in the air. 

“Watching theatre.”

“Well, board meetings and security council meetings-“ 

Thor said something, low and quiet, that you didn’t catch. Odin was looking at him now, confused, worried, asking.

Thor threw the hammer towards the mountains, sending it flying. The crowd gasped as it went, watching it cut through the air. You did to, and turned back to where he now walked behind his father.

You swallowed, hard, as his hand came to rest behind his head. 

“You’’ll be executed for this!” Was all that came from Odin as the hammer flew, faster than light, back towards his head. Thor whispered something else and right as you expected for his pride to win out, and Loki’s face to become mush, he shouted out. “All right, I yield!”

Thor threw him, as he transformed back into himself, catching the hammer just in time. The crowd let out a series of gasps and shouts as they realised their king for all these months had in fact been his son.

He was facing towards you now- and in those few seconds before he turned back, his eyes locked with yours, hands raised defensively. You smirked, and gestured for him to turn around- and from the gleam in his eye, you knew he was doing everything within himself not to launch himself at you and start a fight. 

“Where’s Odin?” Thor demanded. 

“You just couldn’t stay away could you? Everything was fine without you. Asgard was prospering. You’ve ruined everything! Ask them-“

“Where is father?” Thor grew mad, marching towards him, shoving him up the stairs. “Did you kill him?”

“You had what you wanted, you had the independence you asked for-“ Loki ran backwards, backing away, his knees hitting the sofa and falling backwards into it. Thor slammed his hammer into his chest, pressing down hard. “Ow, ow, ow-!”  

The crowd was muttering, shock rippling across your skin from every corner of the room. There was so much of it, it was overwhelming, and part of you simply wanted to laugh. What a fool, to think he could carry this out for so long. 

“Okay, I know exactly where he is!” 

The crowd muttered again and Thor gave a grand, sweeping look over all of them. “Everyone out. Now.” 

Disappointment was rife, as they wished to see the drama unfold, as the citizens started to file their way out of the room. You turned, following them all away from the stage and back towards the castle. 

“Not you, Valk.” 

You froze, surprise and delight rippling over your skin, and turned to face the son of Odin who despite all he had just learned, offered you a smile as you spotted him over the faces of the crowds. 

Valkyrie. What he’d called you as a kid, citing you were as good as the elite forces of woman that had fought for Asgard before many of them had died. You’d never really taken to it- only Thor had called you that. 

You pushed past the crowds, back towards the throne, joining the warriors three who had now gathered there. They looked mildly horrified with Loki sitting there below them- you were simply fighting to keep the smile off your face at his state, trapped beneath the hammer.

“Going so soon?” Thor seemed happy to see you all, his smile growing slightly as he beheld you all lined up in front of him.

“I figured out of everyone here, the person your brother would least like to see witness his humiliation be me.”

Thor snorted. “And you give him such a gift as to leave?”

“Not if you wish me to stay.” 

Loki’s eyes were nothing short of hateful as he glanced over at you- and it only made your skin tingle with more delight.

“I do.” He turned to his warriors. “You three can go, make sure the crowds are contained, that nobody is losing their minds completely over Loki- and then make sure my fathers advisors know they will be taking care of Asgard for a day or so.” 

They nodded, Volstagg squeezing your shoulder as they slipped off towards the palace. You folded your arms, your dress shimmering under the sunlight.

“You look remarkably clean for someone who would’ve had to wriggle out of that old tunnel.” Loki commented. 

You glared at him. “Well I had to get out of my room somehow, given someone locked me in.”

“You locked her in her room?” Thor grunted, seeming unsurprised. 

“Technically one of my guards did, upon spotting you.” He shrugged. “I instructed them to keep her contained should you return.”

Thor rolled his eyes, turning to you. “You knew then.”

“Only for a little while.”

“She knew for months.” Loki’s eyes glittered. “Don’t be so modest, Valk.” 

You were tempted to shove the dagger strapped to your thigh through his chest- and given the way his eyes slid down your dress, to the faint bump of where it was resting, you knew he was thinking the same thing. 

“I wasn’t sure until he forced me to heal a dying child- amongst a few other things, that Odin would’ve never asked me about.”

Loki frowned, as if trying to recall where exactly he slipped up. But there were many times, outwit the blood bond, that he’d given himself away- and like you said. You knew him, you knew his pain. 

“Besides, Odin didn’t know how to hide his emotions. Not from me, anyway. So, when I felt nothing, I knew something was up well before you screwed up his act completely.” You reminded him. 

Thor glanced over to his brother, still resting beneath his hammer. “But you do?”

“Mother..taught me.” He swallowed the word, as if too painful to say. “She’s..different. Not like hiding from a normal empath.”

“Well, you do need to hide, given what a lying, shitty, awful person you are-“ 

Loki’s eyes filled with ire, the colour within them blooming to life. “At least I do not make my living invading others minds, pretending I am anything but a dirty street rat who refuses to use her powers and-“

“Do not dare insult me, or finish that sentence-!“

“Then do not insult me first, princess-“ Loki hissed. “Or should we all have a reminder of what you truly think of me, of the things I had you saying in your bedro-“

“Alright, alright.” Thor raised his voice over yours, shutting the two of you up. Your cheeks bloomed in a harsh red, as you realised what Loki had said, what Thor may now be guessing in his mind. “This is just like old times, huh?”

“Mm.” You huffed, looking away from them both, heart hammering in your chest. 

“We have to go and find father. Now.” Thor demanded. 

“As you wish.” Loki wheezed as the hammer was lifted off his chest, one of his hands rubbing the spot. 

“Why don’t you come?” Thor looked down and over at you. There was nothing in his stare to suggest he was thinking about what Loki had said- no horrified ripple in his emotions. He seemed mostly calm, if not a little frustrated and sad with the brother beside him. 

You gaped at him. “What?”

“Come with us, to wherever he dumped our father.”

“No-“ Loki tried to stand straight up, but Thor shoved him back over with the hammer. 

“Volstagg quickly mentioned earlier he’d talked to you, tried to convince you to break away from.. my mothers path.” He said and you noticed Loki’s eyes fly towards you. “To become more like them, like Sif. So, come. It won’t be particularly exciting but it gets you off Asgard.” You paused, but he continued on. “Also, given we don’t know where Loki is going to take us and out of all the warriors, you are the most powerful.” 

“It’s only to Migard.” Loki muttered and Thor let out an annoyed sigh. 

“You left him on Migard?” 

The two dissolved into another argument. You were still glancing between the two brothers, between ones eager, kind stare, and the others hateful, reluctant stare.

Maybe it was a mistake to leave, to go on a mission with these two, especially one to find their father, which wasn’t the most comfortable topic for either of them, and on Migard, where Loki had done many a terrible thing.

But you wanted to see it for yourself- and you liked that Thor was asking you to go, that he thought your power was the best for backup.

“I’ll go.” You interrupted them. “I’ll go to Migard with you.” 

Loki quietly sighed, whilst Thor gave you a grin.

“Excellent."

Chapter Text

As you crossed the bridge to the bifrost slowly, glancing down to the sea rolling beneath you, you tried to ignore the twisting of your stomach. 

You felt as if something was coming- and it wasn’t anything good. But why you felt so, you weren’t entirely sure. Loki had promised he’d placed their father somewhere safe and it was only Migard, where both of them were quite infamous and powerful. From what you studied, humans weren’t particularly strong, nor fast unlike Asgardians, who even the most simple of, had enhanced strength, speed and lifespans lasting long beyond a typical human.

The brothers were waiting for you, standing stiffly near each other, arms folded. You wondered if they had spoken yet, without the audience witnessing the humiliation for both of them. Thor, who had mourned his brother publicly, and Loki who had been outed as a liar once more.

Did Thor feel as betrayed as you had upon realising? Or did he expect such antics?

“Ready?” Thor called out upon seeing you arrive inside the building, relief flooding his senses. Likely pleased he didn’t have to sit and brood by his brother any longer. Maybe that was why you had been brought along- to be the buffer. 

“I think so.” You nodded, glancing over them. They were both dressed in what you imagined to be human fashion- Thor, with his hair tied back, some kind of cotton material that draped over his neck and shoulders, and a dark blue material across his legs. Loki in an all black suit, hair slicked back as usual.

“Not quite.” Loki muttered, tilting his head in your direction. 

A second later, you were dressed similarly to the two of them, the sword on your back gone into thin air. Your legs, clad in the same material as Thor but as dark as night, with a soft shirt the same colour. A jacket that felt smooth, like margarine, across your shoulders and the colour of plum. Leather, you realised. On your feet, climbing up to your calves, were a pair of boots. Dark colours- just like him. 

You frowned down at yourself- strange, that humans dressed in such clothes with so little armour or class. But you supposed it wasn’t like they were heading off into battles, nor wandering around palaces with the gods.

“Now she’s ready.” He nodded, and with another glance over his work, he turned away from you both and faced the bifrost. 

You watched as the sword was placed into the hold and twisted- and took a deep breath as you felt yourself being sucked inside, ripped away from the fabric of Asgard. It was only a minute you were in there- and you smiled as you watched the particles around you, glaring and twinkling in a rainbow of colours. 

You braced yourself, as you all hit the ground with a slam, the bifrosts glare clearing away. You had landed in New York, on a quiet side street. Sirens blared all around, the sounds of the city filtering into your ears. Neither brother said anything as you composed yourselves- Thor just gestured down the street and waited for Loki to begin walking before he followed.

Your eyes grew wide as you followed after the two of them, taking everything in. You had read of earth hundreds of times- as much as you could, so if you ever went, you weren’t completely unprepared nor acting foolish. Your friends had taught you much from their own trips, but nothing could’ve taught you like this trip could’ve. 

Bright yellow cars whizzed by you all, just as they described. Crowds pushed and shoved their way around you, a few of them glancing, mouth open at the two brothers. Smells of meat, cheese filled your nose from various food-carts. You almost smiled at the sight of it all. 

Rounding another corner, you could see Loki paling slightly as you walked up to one area, the three of you stopping beside each other. Machines, with claw like things, were digging up bricks from the ground, dust flying around everywhere. You squinted at the gold plaque laying on the ground by your feet. 

Shady Acres care home. 

Your eyes widened. He had left the King of Asgard here?

“I swear I left him right here.” Loki stood, arms folded, glancing at it all- still utterly calm, despite the worry you could see in his eyes. 

“Right here on the sidewalk or right there where the building is being demolished? Great planning.” Thor deadpanned. Despite the seriousness of it all, you clamped down on your smile. 

“How was I supposed to know? Can’t see into the future. I’m not a witch.”

Thor glanced down and over at him. “No? Then why do you dress like one?” 

“Hey-“

“Guys-“ You rolled your eyes.

“I can’t believe you’re alive.” Thor burst out. You sighed- you supposed this was happening now, instead of in private. “I saw you die. I mourned you, I cried for you.”

“I’m honoured.“ Loki shuffled awkwardly, his eyes darting towards you- but you turned away, looking back down at your feet. You wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing you’d felt the same.

Two girls, giggling and nervous, approached the three of you, pushing each other around nervously. 

“Hi! Would you mind taking a picture with us?” They asked. 

Thor agreed, shuffling towards them, plastering a smile on his face. Loki moved away, his hand catching on your arm as he moved into you. You moved out of his grip, arms folding. 

Thor glanced towards the two of you. “Start figuring out where he is.”

They clicked the photo, all of them grinning and giggling. You watched them, bemused with it all, wondering if the other brother beside you ever felt jealously, or anger when this happened- but wasn’t it his own fault? He tried to ruin this planet, take it for Thanos who would’ve evaporated it. 

“Sorry to hear Jane dumped you!” One of the girls called, disappearing off into the crowds of people, gone within seconds as if they were never there.

Thor looked over to the two of you, “She didn’t dump me you know. I dumped her-“ He stumbled slightly, at your smirk. “It-It was a mutual dumping!” 

Loki clapped his shoulder, and you were surprised at the casual touch from him- as was Thor, from the raised eyebrows. 

A moment later, the two of you jumped back slightly as a flaming, orange circle began to spin and opened up beneath Loki’s feet. 

“Wha-what is this? What are you doing?” Thor accused, the umbrella in his hand suddenly appearing once more. So that was what he had disguised his hammer as. 

“This isn’t me.” Loki was far too calm, hands outstretched as if trying to feel the magic. 

You reached out for him, to hold onto him or do anything except just stare- but a moment later, the circle beneath him turned black and he yelled as he fell through. The circle disappeared immediately, leaving a small white card behind. 

“Loki?” Thor whispered, poking it with his umbrella.

“I don’t think he’s transformed into the card.” You muttered, rolling your eyes. Bending down, you picked it up and handed it to him.

“177A Bleecker Street.” He read aloud, glancing up at you. “We’ve bene here ten minutes, and someone has already taken him.”

You snorted. “Did you expect anything less?’ 

“No.” His gaze grew curious. “Did..you?”

You knew he didn’t mean the kidnaping. “I was..confused about how to feel. Then I just became furious with him, with his lies and hiding- and it’s kind of settled on that since. I just.. I always think he’s going to do better and then he just doesn’t.”

“I understand that all too well.” He nodded. “I didn’t realise you two were..close.”

He didn’t seem angry- his eyes glittered with amusement, the faintest smile dancing on his lips as he said it. You rolled your eyes.

“We aren’t.” You glared at him and looked back to the card in his hand. “I guess we better go find him.” 

You stepped, but Thor reached, gently grasping your wrist. 

“I missed him too- even though I am angry with him. It’s ok to miss him.”

You felt it rolling off him- the anger, and the hurt as well as the relief. You gave him a tight smile.

“I know.” 

A gold plaque outside the building read 177A Bleecker Street. Your hands gently touched the carvings as you watched Thor approach the grey, glass covered doors. 

He knocked twice, sharply- and you both stumbled as his hand seemed to go through the door and you both suddenly appeared inside.

The room was dark, lit well enough only to see the outline of each others faces. You glanced up at him, nerves starting to rise like hairs on your skin- but Thor remained calm, even as a low, mysterious voice called out from behind.

“Thor Odinson.”

You both turned, to the flying caped man appearing behind you. His shadow was menacing, the two of you bracing- but as he came into view, you saw he just looked..entirely human.

Brown hair, with a smart and modern beard to match. His glanced over the two of you, to the umbrella in Thor’s hand which he held out protectively.

“God of Thunder.” The man added, eyes sliding towards you. “And a friend it seems. You can put down the umbrella.” 

Thor did so, smiling, as if he were playing a game. He slid it into the umbrella rack beside him and as it slid into place, you gasped, once again moved to another room.

Frowning, you looked around- how the hell was he doing that?

Thor, trying to seem unbothered although you knew better from reading his emotions, sauntered forward, grabbing some collectible sitting upon one of the desks and playing with it in his hands.

“So, Earth has, uh, wizards now?” He chuckled, trying to slide the thing in his hands back into place- but he missed, the entire thing clattering all over the table. 

You bit down on your smile, noticing the mans utterly unimpressed face.

“The preferred term is Master of the Mystic Arts. You can leave that now.” 

“All right, wizard.” Thor turned, hand on hip. “Who are you? Why should I care?”

Given he’d moved the two of you room to room without so much of a blink, you wondered if Thor should take more care when speaking to him, especially given he was now without his hammer. The imprint of your sword stuck into your back, though it was invisible, which was a slight comfort at least. 

“My name is Doctor Steven Strange and I have some questions for you.” He introduced himself. “Take a seat.”

Before either of you could reply, you felt yourself being shoved backwards- and suddenly, once more, you were elsewhere, sitting in two maroon leather chairs across from Strange. 

“Tea?” He asked, a mug appearing in both of your hands. You nodded, still silent. 

“I don’t drink tea.” Thor mentioned.

“What do you drink?”

“Not tea.” 

You wished to stamp him on the foot- but a second later, an enormous mug of ale appeared in his hand, Thor’s face slack with surprise.

“So, I keep a watch list of individuals and beings from other realms that may be a threat to this world. Your adopted brother, Loki, is one of those beings.”

Thor stopped doing his drink for a moment to speak, watching as whatever magic in the place filled up his jug once more full of more ale. “He’s a worthy inclusion.”

“Then why bring him here?”

“We’re looking for my father.”

“So, if I were to tell you where Odin was-“ You sat up as Strange spoke, hopeful. “All parties concerned would promptly return to Asgard?”

“Promptly.” Thor promised, offering you a quick smile.

“Great! Then I’ll help you.” 

“If you knew where he was, then why didn’t you call me?” Thor asked.

Strange raised his eyebrows, almost seeming amused. “I have to tell you, he was adamant that he not be disturbed. Your father said he had chosen to remain in exile.” 

You were surprised, given he was..well.. Odin. A wicked thrum of justice went through you, pleased Odin had not returned, that he had chosen to stay here and away from you all. Not that you wished Loki to take his place- you wished neither were around, frankly.

“And you don’t have a phone.” Strange reminded him.

“No, I don’t have a phone but you could’ve sent an electronic letter. It’s called an email.”

“Yeah, do you have a computer?”

“No. What for?”

You snorted, unable to help yourself. 

“Anyway, my father is no longer in exile. So, if you could tell me where he is, I can take him home.”

“Gladly. He’s in Norway.”

You sat up slightly. Norway was known for it’s norse worshipping and heritage- it was where many of the gods had received their Migardian names. Many ceremonies had been thrown there, years before now. 

You moved again, stumbling as you grasped the shelf beside you. You were now in some dark, seedy library. 

“I’m just seeing if this incantation requires an Asgardian modifications.” Strange muttered, leafing through a book. He glanced up at you. “Presuming you too are an Asgardian and not some human friend they’ve dragged along?”

“She is Asgardian.” Thor confirmed, the ale in his hands splashed over the sleeve of his jacket. 

You moved again, knees almost giving out. More ale splashed onto the floor.

“Oh, we don’t need that.” Strange frowned. 

Books clattered onto the ground and almost hit your head as you moved once more, Strange now across the room. Thor huffed, almost throwing the beer down onto the table.

“Will you stop doing that?” 

“Can I- I need uh- I need just one strand of your hair.”

“Let me explain something, my hair is not to be meddled with-“ Thor began and winced as Strange yanked a piece from his head. 

You almost smiled- until you found your face pressed against the marble of the floor, wincing. He’d moved you once more, but you couldn’t quite find the strength to be mad- not as you watched his hands move with magic, a golden, sparking glow emitting from them. 

Thor propped himself up, dusting off. “We could’ve just walked.” 

The magic in his hands flew, becoming a golden circle in front of the two of you. It showed a green, barren land, with grey skies above. You swallowed nervously.

“Don’t forget your umbrella.” Strange reminded him.

“Oh yes.” Thor outheld his hand.

You all stood, waiting for it to appear, sounds of crashing and banging erupting from upstairs as it made its way back to its owner. You tried not to visibly wince as he quietly apologised, something else crashing. It appeared suddenly, flying into his hand. 

Thor stepped forward, as if to go and you pinched his arm. He frowned, one of his hands moving to your shoulder, as if to check if something was wrong- then he relaxed, remembering 

“I suppose I’ll need my brother back.”

“Oh, yeah. Right.” 

Another circle, like the one in front of you, appeared instantly and Loki’s scream erupted from within it. You watched as he fell, slamming into the marbled floor, and laughed, unable to help yourself from doing so. 

Thor let out a quiet chuckle, his hand still on your shoulder as his brother got to his feet. He was wild-eyed and furious- and given the way his eyes darted straight to his brothers hand touching you, he wasn’t happy.

“I have been falling for thirty minutes.” He snarled. 

“You can handle him from here.” Strange stepped forward, hand outstretched. 

“Yes. Thank you very much for your help.” Thor shook it, and watched as you stepped forward to do the same.

“Handle me? Who are you?” Loki snapped, and instantly, two long daggers appeared in his hands as he prepared to fight. 

“Loki-“ You stepped forward, sighing.

“You think you’re some kind of sorcerer? Don’t think for one minute you second-rate-“

“Alright, bye bye.” Strange threw the portal at you all- and your eyes closed, bracing, as you went though it.

Loki fell through it, once more on his knees as you all looked around. You were in Norway, the sounds of the sea and the the birds filling your ears, the grass beneath your feet brushing against your ankles. 

And right behind you sat Odin, King of Asgard, a welcoming smile upon his face. 

Chapter Text

Thor immediately strode forward, ready to greet him.

You lingered, noticing Loki do the same, the two of you hesitant. He glanced at you curiously, as if wondering why you weren’t rushing forward to greet your skin- and unwilling to let him know exactly how uncomfortable you felt, you followed Thor. 

He was right at the edge of the cliff, a beige patch around his eye, matching his jacket and shirt. He looked old- truly old.

“Father?” Thor asked, coming to stand beside him. You walked to his other side, staying a few steps back. 

Loki appeared beside you, taking his place next to his father. You saw the heavy swallow of his throat, the uncertainty in his eyes- and swore you could almost feel the fear coursing through the two of them.

“Father, it’s us.” 

“My sons. I’ve been waiting for you.” Odin have a faint smile and turned, just slightly. “Hello again, Valk.”

Like his son, Odin had taken to calling you that at some point in your life.

“We’ve come to take you home.”

“Home, yes.” He seemed out of it, as if he wasn’t truly present. “Your mother, she calls me. Do you hear it?”

A flash of pain, so hot and sharp rang through you- and it could’ve been from either brother. 

Thor’s eyes grew angry. “Loki, lift your magic.”

He gave a helpless shake of his head, glancing between his brother and you as if to say I didn’t do this. 

Odin chuckled. “Took me quite a while to break free from your spell. Frigga would’ve been proud.” 

You clutched your shirt, hand resting by your heart as pain echoed through them- all of them, their grief for Frigga almost bringing you to your knees.

“I apologise my dear.” Odin noticed you, noticing your tight expression. “I often forget to shut down when you are near.’

The brothers gave you a shared, curious look, as if forgetting your powers existed. 

“Come and sit with me. I don’t have much time.” Odin sighed and the three of them sat on the small rock behind him. You stepped away, to give them space, but he gestured to the small spot beside Loki.

With a sigh, you slid onto it, deliberately making sure you weren’t touching him.

“I know we failed you. But we can make this right.” Thor began.

“I failed you.” Odin interjected. He shook his head and gave you a sorrowful look. “All of you. It is upon us. Ragnarok.”

Thor frowned. “No, I’ve stopped Ragnarok. I put an end to Surtur.”

“No, it has already begun. She’s coming. My life was all that held her back- but my time has come.” 

Thor blinked, shocked- and Loki’s expression mirrored his. The two brothers hadn’t been prepared to say goodbye to their father today. Perhaps ever, given their expressions. 

“I cannot keep her away any longer.” 

“Father, who are you talking about?” Thor asked. A worried pulse pushed through him, exploding over your skin. You twitched, trying to keep a hold on yourself- the pain, the concern coursing through the two of them was enough to make you distracted and jumpy.

“Goddess of Death. Hela. My firstborn.” You all froze as he spoke. “Your sister.”

The brothers breathed heavily, their shock growing and growing. Odin’s shame rang true and clear through him- and you jerked slightly, trying to navigate through all of the emotions present. 

Loki’s hand gently landed on your thigh, his eyes quickly meeting yours- and you would’ve, should’ve, brushed him off if it wasn’t so overwhelming being so close to all three of them, having their emotions tangle with your own and stopping yourself from reaching into their minds to control the tethers. 

“Your what?” Thor breathed. 

“Her violent appetites grew beyond my control. I couldn’t stop her, so I imprisoned her. Locked her away.” Odin explained. “She draws her strength from Asgard and once she gets there her powers will be limitless.” 

“Whatever she is, we can stop her together, we can face her together.” 

“No, we won’t. I’m on a different path now. This you must face alone.” Odin turned, glancing over at you. “But I am sorry, for many things. For what I did to you, in your youth, the things I made you promise the throne.” 

You felt your face drain of colour as Loki’s hand left your leg, his body stiffening. Thor too, seemed shocked. There was nothing you could do, nor say except nod- just once. 

“I am sorry for so much. I love you, my sons.” Odin smiled. “Look at that. Remember this place, home.”

Your heart squeezed tightly with pain as you watched him begin to disappear, like gold dust into the air. The brothers scrambled to their feet, watching as their father died, and went to join his wife in Valhalla. 

Clouds began to erupt on the horizon- thunder crashing loudly, and you turned, noticing Thor’s heavy breathing, his tight expression.

“Thor-“ You were already reaching for your sword. 

“Brother.” Loki seemed uncertain too.

“This was your doing.” Thor’s hands crackled with power- and you stepped forward slightly, in front of Loki, sword now appearing in your head as you unseated it from it’s invisible lining. 

“This is not the time to fight one and other.” You held out the sword towards him. “We need to stay together.”

Green light streaked through the clouds on the horizon, appearing suddenly. Your stomach dropped. 

Hela.

The brothers glanced towards each other, and you, before beginning to move towards it. Thor slammed his hammer into the ground and you watched as a green flash erupted over your skin- and suddenly, you were into your normal armour, your sword still in hand.

You nodded to Loki, a silent thank you, and braced yourself.

The black cloud of green magic opened, like a portal, and from it’s horrifying depths a woman appeared, smirking.

She was beautiful- and ironically, despite him being the adopted one, she reminded you of Loki more than anyone else. Her black hair was messy and sharp as a knife, covering some of her face. Her black outfit, with accents of green, was tight against her body and matched the dark makeup smeared around her eyes. 

“So he’s gone.” Her voice, smooth like Frigga’s, ran over your skin. “That’s a shame. I would’ve like to have seen that.”

“You must be Hela.” Thor was the first to speak, his hair now falling around his face, free from it’s earlier tie. “I’m Thor. Son of Odin.”

“Really?” She deadpanned. “You don’t look like him.” 

“Perhaps we can come to an arrangement.” Loki spoke up. 

“You sound like him.” She shot back immediately, eyes narrowing towards you. You tried not to let your icy exterior break, to give her any hint of who you were, or what you could do. Goddesses like Hela were who you had been hidden from your entire life.

“You don’t belong to Odin, do you?” You raised her eyebrows at you. Both brothers shuffled slightly left, as if to cover you from her stare. 

“No.” You answered, unwilling to let her scare you.

“You don’t belong to anyone.” She narrowed her eyes. “That power within you..it’s..”

“Irrelevant. Nothing.” Loki interrupted- and you were grateful for him doing so. You felt as if you were a piece of meat, being seized up for dinner the way she was watching you.

She smirked. “Kneel.”

“Beg your pardon?”

“Kneel.” She instructed once more, and a fashionable sword appeared from thin air into her hands. “Before your queen.” 

“I don’t think so.” Thor stepped towards her, preparing to fight. He threw his hammer with a grunt, soaring through the air towards Hela-

And stopped.

You watched in horror as she caught it, fingers clasped around the front, a malicious grin growing on her face. The brothers stepped back slightly, shocked. 

“It’s not possible-“

“Darling, you have no idea what’s possible.” Her smile grew- and she tensed, the hammer in her hand breaking apart, her magic smashing through it. 

You could do nothing but watch as it exploded, it’s lighting shooting through the air, almost knocking you off your feet. 

Thor’s hammer, the weapon bestowed upon him by Odin, earned when he had to go to Migard to retrieve it, was gone. The symbol of Thor himself, of his power, of everything he had earned and lost over the years had been smashed by her bare hands. As if it had never existed. 

Hela changed- and her hair was now gone, swept back into a terrifying armoured helmet, with spikes across it, curling around her face like a venomous spider. Another sword, matching the left one, appeared in her right hand.

“Bring us back!” Loki shouted, panicked. 

You and Thor turned to him at the same time, shouting. “No!”

Thor tried to run for Hela- but the bifrost was already open, pulling you from Migard and into the air. You shot through, watching Thor above you. 

“Loki.” Thor shouted- and looking down, you noticed Hela right beneath you, smiling.

Loki yanked two daggers out of his robe, throwing them down at her, around you. She caught it with ease, the barely meeting her hand as she immediately threw it back up, it’s point shooting for you. You yelped as it implanted in your thigh, digging deep, reaching to yank it out as another flash zoomed past your eye.

You glanced up, only for a second, to notice the second knife disappear into Loki’s body, his wince visible- and screamed as it knocked him out of balance, hurtling for the edge of the bifrost. Time seemed to stop moving as he slipped out of the channel. You reached for him, hand clasping onto his jacket, body connecting with his.

Thor’s cries for the two of you were the last thing you heard before the two of you fell into space, through the clouds of space and dust. 

Chapter Text

“Hush.”

You snuggled your head into the silk dress beneath you deeper, pretending as if you could disappear within it if you tried hard enough. 

Frigga was holding you in her lap. A warm summers breeze brushed through the open balcony, across your skin. You had woken from another nightmare, the entirety of Asgard at your feet, blood dripping from your hands as you looked down upon them all. A pair of cold, clammy hands had gripped your shoulders- pleased with your work. 

“It’s going to be alright.” 

“What if it isn’t?”

“It will, child.” 

Soft hands brushed against the nape of your neck, gently pulling the hair from there.

“You will be many things. I can see it now. Perhaps gentle isn’t one.” Frigga sighed. “You will be feared by many. Loved by few.”

“But I-“ You tried to sit up, but her hands kept you placed on her lap, unmoving. That didn’t seem like Frigga to say, nor was it comforting. “I don’t-“

“You could kill us all if you wished. Hold us within your hands, bend our minds to your will.” Her voice was quiet- but there was something wrong. Something missing- perhaps the usual warmth carried within it. “Couldn’t you?” 

“I-“

The hand became aggressive, pulling at your hair, forcing you to look upwards. “Couldn’t you?”

You gasped as Hela appeared, grinning. “What the-“

“I know what you are.”

You jerked upwards, fighting away from her, from the burning knowledge of what she may know about you throwing you from your nightmare. 

Darkness still swallowed you, terrified you, so you stumbled out of whatever you’d been laying on towards the small sliver of light in the corner. Your hands pulled at the material there, rings of metal screaming as they slid across the pole. 

Light poured into the room, and a groan came from behind you as it did so. You turned, clasping the windowsill behind you, surprised to note another body slowly leaning up on the bed.

Bed. Singular.

You narrowed your eyes as the God of mischief sat up, blinking in the sun. “Up so early?”

“What the hell happened?”

He sighed, hauling himself off the bed. You couldn’t see any sign of injury on him- his fighting leathers disheveled, hair in a similar state. He looked exhausted. 

“We fell from the bifrost.” He explained, and you noticed his eyes travel down to your legs. You glanced down, cheeks reddening slightly. “You were hurt, I-“

“Undressed me.” Your voice went flat, unimpressed, staring down at the slip that had been underneath your clothes.

“Nothing I haven’t seen before.” He muttered, then pointed to the pile of clothing seated upon the chair in the corner. “I had to. It was covered in your blood.”

“It was that bad?”

“No. He just hit a full vein I guess- but I stopped it, and you’ve been out since we smacked into the earth.”

“We’re on Migard?”

“Unfortunately.” Loki seemed wholly unimpressed and you couldn’t quite blame him. He wasn’t exactly loved here. 

“I don’t, I-“ You felt an overwhelming sense of panic bubble in your stomach. “What about Hela, and Thor and our friends-?”

“Our?”

Half tempted to throw the book near your hands at his head, you resisted, fisting them instead. “What’s going to happen to them, I mean, we’re here and-“

“I imagine they got to Asgard, unless Thor also fell off the bifrost.” Loki shrugged. “Hemidall will be there, he will have seen this coming.”

“Hemidall can only do so much.” You said, your body now tingling anxiously. “You heard Odin, her power only grows unstoppable upon reaching Asgard. She will kill them, she will destroy our home-“

Loki leaned back against the edge of the bed, the oak backboard nearly as dark as his hair. He seemed to contemplate it for a moment, before interrupting. “It’s hardly a home anymore, is it?”

You paused. “What do you mean?”

“It’s barely been a home for years now. Not since..” He looked off, unwilling to say it. “Why bother saving it? Or trying to go back?”

Anger surged through you at his selfishness. “Since Frigga died, right?” He flinched, just the tiniest movement, and for a moment, you almost scolded yourself for being harsh. But you were mad- mad you were on this planet, mad you didn’t know if you were friends were even alive and mad you were stuck with him of all people.

It was your own fault- you had thought Hela’s knife had gone right through him and sent him through the walls of the bifrost. You couldn’t stand the thought of him dying out there alone and without thinking, grabbed him- if you hadn’t, perhaps you would’ve made it home with Thor instead.

Loki would’ve been stranded here alone then, but he’d be fine as he so clearly was. Able to act as selfishly as he wished. 

“So, what? You’re going to sit here and refuse to save Asgard- refuse to even try?” You snapped, folding your arms. He didn’t seem to argue with the idea, just shrugging. “Fine. I’m getting back there somehow.”

“We are on Migard, Valk.” He sneered. You hated it when he called you that- hated that it belonged to your friends, not him, and that he only said it to mock your power, to mock your friendships. “Hela, if Thor was out of her way, will have destroyed the Bifrost to ensure none of us can return easily. How do you intend to get home?” 

“I will find a way.”

You stormed over to the pile of clothing, cringing at the blood there. It didn’t cover your jacket, just the bottom half, which was all unfortunately asgardian leathers. Loki likely wasn’t going to make you any clothes anytime soon, given his relaxed state and refusal to help. You’d have to steal some, probably.

Not hard, given your powers. But where were you, exactly? A glance out the window revealed nothing. Cars sat outside, parked in rows, and a large stretch of road ran behind them. The entire area seemed flat, covered in dull looking grass and very few trees. 

“You have no idea where you even are, nor where to go.” Loki reminded you.

You shrugged, glaring at him. “Better to try than to sit here like a coward.”

“Is it cowardly to not wish to protect that dreadful place?”

“It wasn’t always so dreadful, and you know that.” You hissed. “You are just choosing to be a coward, as you always are. If you weren’t so proud, and Hela not so determined to make you kneel, you’d hide behind her in the hopes she’d protect you from Thanos.”

His face paled slightly at the eternals name. “That isn’t funny.” 

“I’m not kidding.” Shrugging on your jacket over your slip, a slightly ridiculous look but you were unsure how warm it was outside, you turned to face him. 

His face was tight, his eyes searching yours- but what he hoped to find there, you weren’t sure. He hated it when you mentioned the titan god, more than anything else. You often wondered if it was the one thing he truly feared- death, at the hands of Thanos.

He was clever, and slippery. But nobody could outrun death for too long- and Loki was no exception. The thought of it tightened your stomach, and you thought of when they returned home from Migard the first time.

Disappointment threatened to drown you.

Odin, sat upon his chair, looked down at his son as he was marched beneath him by Thor. Fandral shuffled at your side, seeming entirely unimpressed with the entire affair, Sif much the same. 

The three of you had come to the throne room, to see Loki and Thor finally return, both of alive to all of your surprise and delight. Loki had fallen from the Bifrost months ago, after turning on Thor and Odin, seemingly to his death or disappearance. Nobody was truly sure. 

The gods had mourned him. You all had- but then, in a sudden dream, Frigga had seen him. Spoken to him. He pushed her away but unfortunately for him, the encounter had only let her into his mind and taught her of some of his plans.

Thor had left to Migard to find him and had returned with both his brother, and the tesseract, which is what he had been after. 

A rolling wave of sadness piled off Frigga, as well as relief, as she watched her sons arrive before her. Her emotions were open today, plattered up for you to read at your choosing like a buffet- clearly, she was too emotional to keep a lid on them.

You didn’t mind. It allowed you to practice filtering them out, reading other members of the crowd. All as shocked and horrified as you, each one of them staring, eyes wide open as Thor began to speak of his journey to find Loki. 

Everyone listened, devouring his tales, leaning onto every word. You could only stare at his brother, a contrast to his golden, bright family in his robes of black and green. His face hard, and pale unlike the tan softness of theirs. He was different- he had always been so different. You wondered why you had never guessed about him being adopted before.

Perhaps it was because he shared that same charm as Odin, more refined than Thor’s. His passion and talents for sorcery, like Frigga’s. Truthfully, despite not sharing their looks, he was more like the two of them than Thor had ever been. 

But none of that was going to help him now. It didn’t matter how similar they acted, or sounded- Loki had felt like an outcast. Unwanted. Pushed aside for his brother. It had driven him into the elves hands, and Thanos’. It was what brought you all here. 

A slight break in his usual facade had you slipping inside his mind before you could help yourself- and fear almost swallowed you whole. Fear, anger and shame slammed around his mind, choking him. It was like a fifty foot tidal wave and you couldn’t see a single life vest around to save yourself, nothing except a far off distance light, it’s warmth barely reaching you. As if he wouldn’t quite allow himself to have whatever it was. 

You had to pull out of his mind, to readjust before you began to visibly react. Your hand lingered by your neck, as if it had truly choked you. As you looked back to the thrones, to the man beneath them, you noticed his eyes quickly flying to yours, as if he knew what you had done. Felt. 

He stared. You stared.

His father berated him. His mother wept tears of shame. His brother boasted of his foolishness, his ruined plans and how Thanos would have his head if he ever bothered to come after him. They made plans for his punishment. Guards shuffled forward, ready to take him to the prisons where he would spend his days rotting away.

You thought of the ship, just days before he betrayed everyone, of his hands on your body. You thought of the way he kissed you. He continued to stare, perhaps thinking of the same thing. 

In the blink of an eye, Loki was hauled away, head tilted down as the crowds around you almost booed at him, anger coursing through their bodies. He had tried to take a planet for a titan god in order to gain favour, had tried to banish Thor, to kill Odin- he had cast the entire family into shame. 

You should’ve felt fury. Perhaps disgust. 

And yet, all you felt for the god of mischief was pity. 

“What?” 

You were snapped from your memory, realising you were watching him still. He seemed curious now, and you were glad he was so far away he couldn’t reach out and see exactly what you had been thinking of. 

“Nothing. I’m leaving.” 

“You won’t get far-“ 

You turned, hand on the door. You swung it open, resisting the urge to swear at the blistering heat that filtered in. “I don't care. I’m going to protect our home- even if…it hasn’t felt like home. I’m going anyway- it’s what she would’ve wanted us to do.”  

Unwilling to see his reaction, or listen to him any longer, you stepped outside and slammed the door behind you. More doors, identical to yours, lined up on either side of you and there seemed to be more above too. 

Walking across the lot of cars, you headed over to the solid bit of path, across the grass. A few stares, from those hanging around the building, were thrown your way as they noted your muddy shoes and delicate slip but you continued on. 

Very little else seemed to be around the area- more buildings, like the one you were just in, were scattered down the strip of walkway. In the distance, you could see more buildings clumped together- if you were lucky, they’d have some kind of clothing. Then you’d need to figure out where to find Thor, if he too had fallen to earth, or at least where his earth friends were.

Given how famous he seemed to be, perhaps it wouldn’t be hard. You knew he had made many earth friends during his time here- and Sif was supposedly meant to be on Migard too, unless she was now off world elsewhere. 

A few more seconds of walking and you pulled the armoured jacket off, sweating. You didn’t care if it exposed your back- the sun was beating down heavily enough to melt the material to your skin and it was still a little bit to go.

Glancing behind you to the blue, stained door you’d walked out of, you let out a long sigh. Did it truly surprise you he wasn’t coming to help? No. You knew he’d hated Asgard in many ways, and had done since his mother had died. He’d felt alone there, and more so now than ever.

You weren’t much different. You had loved Frigga, and your friends- but there had always been something missing. You needed more than Asgard, and you had lost so much there. 

But it didn’t mean you wanted everyone else to lose their home and despite all of it, you couldn’t help but feel disappointed he didn’t wish to come anyway.  

You blinked- and stumbled back as you found yourself smacking into a wall.

“You seem to be constantly stuck in daydreams. I think we ought to get it checked out.” 

“Ouch.” You ribbed your forehead, glaring up at the god standing before you. He seemed rather annoyed. “What do you want now?” 

“You’ll get lost on this planet. I’ll get you back to the bifrost or my brother, whichever we find first.” He sighed. “I don’t want Thor coming for my head for yet another thing if I leave you here.” 

“You and I both know Thor will always let you off. Leaving me on Migard wouldn’t do anything except get you a slap on the wrist- it’s not like I can’t handle myself.” You narrowed your eyes at him. “Why are you really doing this?” 

He rolled his eyes. “I put you to Thor, or the Bifrost, you go home and save the day. I get to stay here, without knowing you’re out there roaming the planet somewhere, aimlessly, making me distracted.” 

“Distracted?”

He didn’t seem to give your comment even a moment, looking away. “Wondering if someone had managed to kill you yet.”

“Given you never have, I doubt some human could.” You scoffed. 

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re too cocky?”

“Anyone ever tell you that your left eye is crooked?” 

He glared. “Enough-“

“Who even said I wanted your help?” You pulled out of his hold.

“You need it.”

“Why?”

Another long sigh. “Because I know where to find Thor.” 

“You do?”

“If he fell to earth, he’ll be with the avengers. In New York.” 

Chapter Text

Hands braced over your chest, you glanced up at the sign, squinting in the sunlight. 

Wanda’s.

“Are you sure?”

Loki shuffled to your left, sighing. “Yes.” 

“We’ll get the clothes that we need to blend in here?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re sure-?”

“I’m sure I’m sick of your questions.” He snapped and with firm grip, pushed you forward in front of him into the store. You glared at him, and shouldered your way into the store. 

The bell on the door rang, twice, alerting the woman at the front of the store of your arrival. She glanced up, the magazine in her hand drooping slightly, bright red nails catching your attention. Almost immediately, she paled, turning away. 

“Are people always like this?” You asked, watching Loki’s face tighten, just slightly. “When they recognise you?”

“I don’t get recognised that often.” He muttered, turning to shut the door behind him. He winced as he leaned, teeth gritting.

You frowned. “What’s wrong with you?” 

“Nothing.”

“You just-“

“We’re here to change, aren’t we? Go on.” He prodded you, shoving you towards the piles of clothes.

“I don’t see why you couldn’t do it for us.”

“I’m feeling..lazy.” He grunted- but you noted his face tighten once more as he shuffled through the racks of clothing to his left. Something was wrong, and you’d find out eventually, once he stopped being such a stubborn ass.

You ran your hands over the racks of clothes in front of you, enjoying the plethora of colours and materials. It wasn’t that you didn’t have all these things on Asgard- it was just the style and shapes they had been designed in to were unusual. 

It was far more casual down here on earth- you often wore dresses around the palace, as did all the other woman. Your battle armour was exactly for that- training and battle. 

You grabbed some of the denim pants you had been put into the other day, throwing it over your arm, before picking up a few shirts. 

Loki was wandering down to the front of the store, the girl there looking completely uneasy with his presence. You walked down, throwing your clothes on top of the ones he’d laid down, shooting her a small smile. She looked over your outfits, wincing. 

“Costume party gone wrong.” You gestured, stomping on Loki’s foot to stop the hateful expression residing on his face. He yelped, glaring down at you. 

“I won.” He shrugged. 

That seemed to ease her ever so slightly, as she started to ring the clothes through the till. You frowned, looking down at yourself- who was going to pay for this? Certainly not you. A look up at Loki, and the stare he was giving you, suggested he was relying on you to fix it.

You sighed, closing your eyes. The till beeped loudly, ringing down your mind as you opened it towards them. Only one tether appeared before you- Loki’s was there, but it was dimly lit. He had a strong block against you. The woman’s was there, ready and bouncing, and your hands reached out, grasping it. 

It lit, like liquid moonlight, shooting up your arms, electrifying your mind. You let out a quiet gasp at the flow of power, at the feeling of it. Not nearly as much as holding twenty, thirty minds- but a buzz nonetheless. 

“This, and anything else we desire, is given to us for free.” You spoke- and from the shuffle beside you told you that Loki had probably noticed the glow around you, and the girl. 

“This, and anything else you desire, is given to you for free.” She repeated. 

You opened your eyes, looking at her- but she was completely entranced, her eyes blank as she stared at both of you. A look over to Loki, and he seemed..quiet. For once. He just watched you, the silver of your eyes bouncing off his blue ones. 

“Tell us where we are.”

“Colorado.” She replied.

“How far is that from..” You looked over at the God of mischief. 

“New York.” Loki added. 

“Uh…” She paused. “It’s about seven states over. Maybe thirty hours drive?” 

“Thank you.” 

Picking the clothes off the counter, you nodded and handed off the clothes to him, picking up the rest. The two of you silently walked into the back of the store, quickly changing. You pulled the shirt over your head, peeking out of the curtain. The girl didn’t seem to stir once as you both changed- she just stood, muted. Given you were still holding onto her mind, it was exactly as you expected.

You disposed of your old clothes, into one of the large bins at the back of the store for donations, watching as Loki appeared and did the same. He was dressed very casually- but there was limited selection in the store. Denim pants, like yours, and a simple soft shirt. 

He pushed his hair back, seeming rather stressed- and you smirked to yourself, realising it was probably the glowing skin and eyes currently emitting from you.

Once the two of you had made it out of the store, and made it round the corner from the store, you dove back into your mind- and let out a deep breath as those invisible hands let go of the threads in your mind, handing them back to the girl. She’d never remember you were even there- you’d already erased all evidence from her mind.

“You took care of it?” Loki asked as you opened your eyes again- and you didn’t miss the slight relief there in his eyes as he noticed they were normal again.

“I took care of it.” You confirmed.

“I forget. Every time, I forget..that you look like that.” He muttered, shaking his head. 

You smiled, mainly to yourself. “Scared?” 

“Hardly.”

Clamping down on your laughter, you turned, looking back out over the road. “So, where do we go now?”

“We need to get to New York. I suggest..a car, perhaps.” 

“A car?”

Loki gestured. “We’re hardly anywhere with a bustling transport centre. Even if there was one, the idea of sharing space with people for that many hours isn’t appealing- I don’t need a lot of people seeing me.”

“Given how much they seem to hate you, I think that may be wise.” You commented, looking around. Tied to one of the fence posts was a neon coloured sign, with prices on it, but you weren’t sure what it was for- a kind of food, perhaps, given the bright decorative drawings around the letters. 

Loki huffed, hands tightening at his sides. “You’re pretty rude for someone who needs my help.”

“You’re pretty unhelpful for someone whose powers would come in handy a lot more than mine right now.” You replied, shooting him another look before walking off towards the bustling streets in the distance.

“I’m making you earn my help.” He followed behind you, his long legs taking the half the strides yours were. 

You scoffed. “By hindering us reaching New York faster? The sooner we get there, the sooner you can run like the coward you are.”

His fingers gripped around the top of your arm, viper tight. “You know what-“

“Oh don’t act all offended and mighty.” You ripped your arm from his grip, rolling your eyes. “We know each other too well for that. You don’t think I know you’re going to run the moment we hit New York? That you’re helping me to ensure nothing happens and so Thor doesn’t end up up hunting you down for it so you can finally get away, find some ridiculous planet where you can somehow trick them into loving you in peace?”

“Who says I’d have to trick them?” His eyes flashed with something- ire, annoyance, awe. You weren’t sure. 

His body was almost pressed against yours, hand warm against your skin. Those terrible blue eyes met yours and held- and you hated how they made you feel. You hated the fact he could use them to look so deep inside you, it felt as if he was crawling inside your skin and settling himself there. Sometimes you wonder if he had in fact done that. If that was why you had never been able to rid yourself of him, despite his terrible crimes. 

“You’re right. Maybe you wouldn’t trick them. Maybe you’d just offer these tiny scraps of yourself every now and then, make them believe you’re worth it- and rip the rug from beneath them when they least deserve or expect it.” You snapped, unnerved slightly, and walked off in the direction of the street, ignoring the god behind you.

He didn’t bother to reply to your insult, instead just choosing to follow you. You were thankful he didn’t pursue the comment further- truthfully, you weren’t sure what you’d say next. 

Loki was one of the few people in your life that caused you true pain to think about. The less you allowed him to infiltrate your mind, the better. 

The town bustled around the two of you as you made your way through it, eyes searching for anything- but it was too open for you to steal something, and you couldn’t see a single store anywhere selling any kind of vehicles. 

Eventually, after a while of searching, you came to a stop. There was nobody around- just a quiet little off road, with a few parked cars. You looked towards them, considering how easy it would be to steal one. You had never driven one, and you weren’t entirely sure if Loki had but he was likely the better option than you. 

As you turned to ask him what he thought, a hand grasped your shoulder. You readied yourself, for whatever thing he was going to say now- and gasped in horror, when instead, something let out a hissing sound in your ear.

Your leg swung low, knocking the intruder off their feet, taking a few quick steps back from them. Horror seeped through you as the thing growled- and it’s green glowing eyes took you in, it’s bones rattling as it took steady steps upwards.

No sign of Loki anywhere and without him, your sword would stay in whatever reality he hid it in from human eyes. When you reached into your mind, you found no tether- the skeleton in front of you was long dead, and given the green glow in its eyes you suspect it belonged to the goddess of Death herself.

Which meant she had reached Asgard.

Your stomach twisted as you stumbled back slightly, trying to find your footing, the beast slowly approaching. No weapon, no real use of your powers- you were going to have to fight your way out of this, plain and simple. 

The skeleton lunged, it’s mouth open and aiming straight for your neck. It’s hand lunged- but yours was faster, catching it, twisting the arm around. Given they were dead, it wasn’t going to hurt much. You needed your sword to chop the damn things head off. 

The creature roared, trying to tear its way out of your grip as you kicked it’s knee, making it cripple to the ground. Your other hand, hard and fast, tore a hole in it’s skull as you punched it as hard as you could. A groan of pain almost escaped your mouth at the pain shooting through your hand- but you pushed down on it, watching as it recovered, lunging upwards. 

The two of you moved in quick succession- punching, blocking, dodging. The beast didn’t seem to tire, though you felt yourself beginning to run out of ideas on how to get it to disappear. 

It wrapped itself around your waist, panic seeping through you as it’s teeth scratched your skin- your knee came up, smashing into it, before it threw you to the curbside, roaring.

You uncoiled, ready, but not fast enough- this thing was as swift as death as it practically threw you across the block, dust scattering beneath you as you smacked onto the concrete. Everything was a blur of sunshine, terror and the sounds of the creature’s awful, chattering bones was beginning to fill your ears. 

You were winded- and as it hurtled for you, you reached inside of your magic once more, desperate for it, hand splayed.

“Your hand!”

A voice screamed at you, desperately- and you looked down to realise your precious sword had appeared within it, ready. As the creature descended, you stretched out, gritting in pain from your previous injury- and watched with relief as the sword cut it’s way right through the skeleton, stopping it from reaching you. 

It screeched, frustrated, clawing- but a moment later, the head disappeared, rolling onto the concrete beside you. 

Loki stood above you both, gasping for air, looking as unruffled as ever- he ran a hand through his hair as you threw the body off you, pulling yourself up from the concrete. 

“What the hell happened?”

“Hela’s dogs, I imagine.” He replied, kicking the body. “I stopped, intercepting one a few blocks back- but you kept walking. Desperate to ignore me, I imagine, so much so it may gave cost you our lives.”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re fine- as am I.”

“Thanks to me.”

“Thanks to my sword.”

Your eyes met, steel tempers clashing, and you looked away quickly, before you descended into another argument. There wasn’t time.

“Oh my god.”

You both turned, noticing the man there watching you- his brown eyes were wide with terror and as he glanced down, noting the skeleton, you could see him begin to break into a run to get away from you all. 

Loki grimaced, looking as if he’d move- but you were already reaching for him, yanking that tether into your hands. The man stopped as you soothed him, stroking it gently. 

“Do you have a vehicle?”

“Car.” He answered plainly. 

“Which one?” You asked, approaching him. He held out the key and hit the button, allowing the silver one across the street to click open. “We’re going to take the car. You’re going to report it stolen.” 

You couldn’t see any cameras in the area, so he’d likely get away with it. The man nodded, just once. “Okay.”

The car seemed empty inside, for the most part- but you gave a quick sweep anyway, checking for anything important. Loki seemed bored, almost pushing you aside to get in- but he hesitated, as your glowing eyes glared at him.

The keys rattled in your hands as you shoved them into his chest, clambering into the other seat. He took the drivers seat, glancing around the machine, eyebrows furrowing.

“I drove one of these once. A very, very long time ago.” He muttered.

“Come show us how to work this.” You called the man- and listened, as he instructed you on how to use the car as easily as he could. It seemed simple enough and even Loki listened intently for once, a bead of sweat dripping down his forehead.a

He started the car and you noticed yet another grimace. Something was definitely wrong- but there wasn’t time to ask, as you tried to focus on the mans mind, on keeping it safe. If you didn’t  pay enough attention, you could turn him into a lost soul.

Those were people who had been under mind control and forgotten about- they wandered for the rest of their days essentially brain dead. Zombies.

The car took off down the street and you waited until you were further away before realising your hold on the mans mind. Once you had, you settled back into the seat, huffing in exhaustion. Your sword rested by your feet, covered in some kind of dust.

Loki was entirely focused on the road but you watched as his mouth opened, then closed twice. Finally, he came out with it. “It’s a useful power, that you have.”

“I’m aware.”

“It’s a shame you don’t let people see it. You don’t use it, to its full extent.”

“It isn’t my choice.” You replied. “Even if it was- I know the extent of it, and what that could mean. I don’t wish anybody to try and use it.”

“What makes you think I won’t?” He asked and as you looked over, you knew he was being serious. 

You sighed, shrugging. “I don’t.” 

He left it at that, looking back to the streets ahead. You watched as the town passed you by, your eyes lulling closed from exhaustion. Your stab wound was throbbing, a few stitches probably torn- but at least you were finally on the way to New York, to the Avengers.

You could only hope you weren’t going to be too late. 

Chapter Text

Nothing but the black tar of the road ahead of you was visible as you drove. No sign of any signs, nor light. Your back had begun to get stiff about two hours ago- and with each passing minute, you found yourself growing more tired, and restless.

You couldn’t keep your mind off the warrior three, nor the rest of the Asgardians you were friends with- wether they were alive, or if Hela had laid the entire place to waste the moment she stepped foot onto the bridge. You couldn’t imagine that was quite her style, given she seemed to wish to have people worshipping at her feet- so you had to pray her arrogance was such she would leave them alone, and pray your friends weren’t so foolish to defend the palace to their last breath. 

You watched out the window, gazing into your reflection. Your eyes drifted, to the God in the drivers seat beside you, his own gaze fixated on the road ahead. Neither of you had spoken, bar a few passing words over directions, since you’d left the town.

You had drifted in and out of sleep a few times, desperately trying to catch some before it became your turn to drive the vehicle- something Loki had promised to do, in the morning when the sun rose again. You had a vague idea, given you’d read books and had been watching him for some few hours now, but you wished for him to show you properly. 

Your glance moved downwards, to your hands, as you flexed them. A slight tingle ran through to your fingertips, a signal of your power. Since the battle, it had grown more restless than usual- and it scared you. You had never held more than thirty minds, and the power that had surged through you, the way it had almost overtaken your mind..it was dangerous. Too dangerous.

You’d never wished for such terrible powers. You were grateful to have any at all- but the idea you could hurt so many, could become putty in the wrong gods hands had never sat well within you. It wasn’t exactly like you were an angel either- you weren’t entirely in control of said powers, nor who they hurt.

The hallways were silent that evening as you strolled back to your room, giggles erupting from your friend Delia as she clutched your arm. 

“I shouldn’t be in here!” She gasped, her eyes growing wide as she glanced around the palace walls, her walk stumbling ever so slightly.

The two of you had consumed more than enough ale than you needed to- you were in a slightly better shape, given you were used to the warrior three- but Fandral had egged her on, and now she was barely able to stay upright. 

She was right- she wasn’t exactly supposed to be in the palace, given she was a mere citizen. But you hadn’t wished her to walk home alone and given the warrior three had passed out in the bar they were in, they weren’t an option.

Luckily for you, hardly anyone was in the palace currently- Odin and Frigga had gone on some diplomatic visit and Thor had left hours ago, citing exhaustion. You knew he wouldn’t particularly care about your guest anyway. 

“No time for a night cap, ladies?” 

You stiffened. Turning on your heel, you glanced at the guard towering above the two of you, an easy smile etched onto his face.

“I think we’re done for this evening.” You gave him a polite smile, turning on your way.

He was quicker, walking around the two of you, his eyes glued to Delia’s slumped body. “Oh, but surely you have time- the night is still young.”

“No. We do not.” Your voice grew cold as he stood in your way. “I’m sure you are aware of your duties so I suggest you return to them-“

“My duties are to protect the castle and its occupants from intruders. It seems to me, you are holding an intruder.” His fingers were cold as they reached out and clasped your upper arm. He moved, quicker than light, to yank Delia from your hold. Her body toppled to the ground with a resounding thud. 

“Delia-“ You moved, hands gently lifting her head as she groaned in pain. Your eyes narrowed up ar him, temper flaring. “You are an imbecile. I command you to return to your duties at once, or I shall take this to Frigga-“

“As far as I am aware, she is gone, as is Odin. Thor is elsewhere.” He narrowed his eyes. “I suggest you leave your friend to me, and return to your quarters- or else.”

You stood, enraged at his arrogance, his threats. “Do you think me so-?”

The slap to your face let out a resounding smack across the hallway, the silence now filled with the sound of you slamming into the ground. You could hear his heavy footsteps move towards Delia, the quiet thrum of pride and excitement skimming over your skin. All thoughts of ration filtered out of your mind as he lugged Delia up, ignoring her pleas.

You let out a shout, as your power surged for him, yanking on the tendrils in his mind. The guard gasped, letting her go immediately, his knees wobbling.

“Now what, captain?” You snarled, crawling to your feet. He stood a few feet away, grasping his head with both hands as you tightened your hold on him, sending agonising pain down the bond now between you. “You wish to make any more threats?”

You could see the glow emitting from your skin- see it in the reflection of his terrified eyes as he took you in.

“I didn’t know, I-“

“And I suspect if you had, you might’ve left us alone.” You took another step towards him, forcing more pain into his body. He dropped to his knees, quaking. “Searched out someone more vulnerable.” 

“Please-“ He reached for you, flopping further to the ground, his fingers clenching in pain almost immediately. Delia was passed out, her head resting against the marble ground. 

He began to scream.

You could not stop. 

Nothing could stop the images in your mind, the emotions that had run from him just moments before- the lust, the evil, what he was going to do to your friend. 

You would not stop.

His mind was right in front of you. You could see yourself holding the threads connected to it, see yourself playing with them so carelessly, your rage turning to pain as it reached him. He was being torn apart, inside out.

“That’s enough.”

The voice was so distant- and not your own. You weren’t sure who it was. Ignoring it was an option- but then it sounded again, the tone like glazed butter over your senses, soothing the anger and the hate.

“Stop now.”

Slowly, you felt yourself step away from the labyrinth inside of his mind. Rid yourself off him, ripping the threads from your body.

You straightened as footsteps came from behind, your shine quickly diminishing as you forced it away. Looking up, you noticed the god of mischief walking around you from your right, staring. You waited for horror, or judgement. Perhaps anger. 

Your mouth opened to explain- but none of it came. He simply glanced between the three of you, eyebrows furrowing slightly. 

“Civilian?” He asked, nodding towards Delia.

You were shaking now- your hands almost uncontrollable as you met his stare. “She was too intoxicated to be alone.”

“Mm.” 

Disgust broiled in your blood as a few loose tears slipped onto your cheeks. Disgust that you looked so weak right now. Anger that if he so wished, Loki could get you into serious trouble for this with Odin. Anger you’d allowed yourself to be so out of control. 

“Mastery of emotions is not something one is good at after merely a hundred years or so.” Loki sighed. “It takes time and practice. Sometimes, they get the best of us and we slip. But, tonight, I think we’ll chalk this event up to karma.”

If you were less prideful woman, or even a more gracious one, you may have fallen to your knees and blessed him for not punishing you right there. But you simply nodded, grateful, wiping the tears from your cheeks. 

Still- despite what seemed like his acceptance not to tell, you panicked, thinking of Odin, of the fact that despite the oath being long over, what he may do if he found out you had used your powers so recklessly. 

“Loki, I-“

“I will tell no one. This will stay between us.” He nodded to your friend. “Take her and go, now. I will deal with him.” 

You couldn’t find the words to thank him, choosing instead just to go. Delia was heavy in your arms as you lifted her over your shoulders- and when you glanced back, Loki was already gone, guards body with him. 

Delia slept soundly that night and awoke not knowing a thing. You had tossed and turned- and wished, you had used your words to thank the god of mischief. 

For more than he knew. 

You blinked, head lifting from your hand as you fell out of your daydream and back into reality- where the car had jolted, after drifting into the gravel.

“Hey, are you-?” You turned, and gasped, as you noticed Loki.

“I’m-“ He tried to talk- tried, and failed. Sweat poured down his face, which now had a terrible grey tinge to it. 

“Oh fuck-“  

You reached for the steering wheel, just in time as he lulled into his seat. The car spluttered slightly, jolting. Your hands grasped it as steadily as you could as you climbed over the middle part, slotting yourself down onto his lap. There was barely enough room between your thighs and the steering wheel as you slid down, desperately slamming on the pedal you presumed to be the brake. 

The car halted, skidding slightly as you steered it off the side of the road. One of the buttons in the front began to bing as you swung the door open, unclipping loki. He was barely conscious, eyes rolled into the back of his head. 

“I don’t understand-“ You lifted him, and grimaced at the weight. This wasn’t going to be an easy job. “Ok, I have to lay you down in the back. Try walk with me here.”

It was pointless- the moment you attempted to lift him from the seat, he almost toppled you both over, his body dropping in your arms like a dead stone. You swore, letting him slide to the dirt covered ground.

With the back door open, you turned and hauled him by the shoulders towards it. He groaned- and only then, with his body laid flat, did you notice his jacket fall to the side to reveal a bloody patch of skin.

“You fucking idiot.” You muttered, sitting him against the door. He moaned something you couldn’t make out. Your hands scrambled for his shirt, yanking it up- and you almost fell backwards at the wound on his stomach.

Scarred and cracked, a black puncture wound lay on his stomach, with veins escaping from every corner. Blood and pus seeped from the centre.

He’d been poisoned- likely by Hela’s knife. And the idiot hadn’t thought to tell you. 

“You are a prideful, stupid bastard-“ You pulled his shirt back down and with any strength you could find, you pulled him upwards and into he car. He flopped onto the seat and with a final grunt and push, you pushed him into the back, completely flat. Given his heat, you had to scrunch him in a bit- but it was better than before.

You grimaced, climbing in after him, completely straddling his lap. 

“If Thor could see us now.” You were trying to calm yourself- to make a joke, so not to think about the severity of the wound now splayed out beneath your hands. 

You knew you could heal it- you’d brought a child back from near death. But the greying of his skin, and the depth of the wound was worrying you. You needed to do this as quickly as possible.

Difficult when your healing tended to work when you thought of happy memories, and places- but right now, it felt impossible with all that was going on. You were trapped in Migard, with no clear way home. Hela had probably taken Asgard and until you reached New York, Thor was technically lost. 

Your hands lay upon the wound, stomach churning at the feel of the squishy skin there. You closed your eyes, trying to force that power into your hands.

Even your friends weren’t working- all you could wonder is if they were dead. If they had fallen to Hela’s sword. If Jas, just the girl she was, had died trying to protect the throne.

You fought back the tears straining in your eyes, looking down at the god beneath you. At those pained, green eyes and slicked raven hair. You thought of that hair in your hands all those times he’d kissed you. You thought of the odd kindness he’d show every few hundred years- like one summer festival, when you’d given the last of the rare golden flowers that grew inside the palace once every ten thousand years to your friends, despite them being such a rarity. When you’d returned to your room, you’d found a bundle, wrapped in black ribbon- and you knew, he’d left them there for you. 

Silver light flooded the car as your powers came to life forcefully, the tendrils of power climbing down his wound and into his body. His own skin even seemed to glow.

You kept going- you thought of that stupid, menacing grin when he’d pulled some prank on Thor and his eyes had only ever gone to you, to see if you had laughed. Often, you had. You thought of his hands, the way they encompassed yours. You thought of the lessons Frigga would often force you to take together, to try and make you get along and despite the fact you didn’t, you both realised then how much you loved her- and that was enough for a treaty between you.

He gasped- and you opened your eyes, relieved to see colour returning to his cheeks as he awoke, your hands still pressed against his stomach. The wound had almost disappeared, just a scar remaining. 

Loki’s eyes were glazed over and you stiffened as his hand moved for you, cupping your cheek. Suddenly, a blazing wave of desire, confusion and fear swept through you- and you realised that his walls, the ones he’d built for years, had crumbled ever so slightly in his vulnerable state. 

He dragged his thumb across your cheek, the movement so tender. The last time he’d done it, he’d kissed you after and promised to return that evening- and hours later, Thor had returned with the news of his sacrifice and death. 

You’d lost him then. You almost lost him again now.

That pain was replaced by frustration. All the time you’d lost, all of this had been caused by his selfishness. His drive for the throne. 

He’d left you behind for it- and you didn’t know if you’d ever forgive him.

But something softened, some weak, awful part of you as he swallowed, more lust and nerves blasting through his emotions.

“Beautiful.” He muttered, staring right into the glowing silver of your eyes- then, a thud, as his head hit the seats.

He’d passed out.

You sighed, allowing his hand to drop to his side, tucking it into his body. His knees slid up as you slammed the car door shut, and climbed back into the driver seat, adjusting it. On the horizon, you could see the faint outline of hills and the stars above them were beginning to wean. There was still a long way to go- and you couldn’t wait all night for Loki to wake up. 

A few false starts of the car later, and you’d figured it out well enough to drive. It wasn’t too different to the ships you’d flown over the years- perhaps even less complicated.

Jacket thrown to the seat, you took a deep breath- and once more, set off for New York, the god of mischief sound asleep in the back of your car.

Chapter Text

The sun was splitting across the horizon as you pulled into the parking lot, grimacing at the dinging light on your dashboard which had been showing up for some time now. The symbol seemed to have lots of bars, with a flashing red E- and from what you knew, and the sounds of the car, you suspected it was a fuel issue.

Loki was still passed out in the back seat. He seemed fine, given the brightness of his cheeks, and the steady rise and fall of his chest but he hadn’t woken up the entire evening nor most of the day.

A heavy bang on your car window had you flinching, squinting up at the shadow standing there. 

“Everything alright m’am?” A man by the sounds of it, but you couldn’t make him out in the sunlight.

You climbed out the car, the door swung open for you by the mysterious figure. Wherever you were now felt cooler, thankfully- the air wasn’t so stifling the breathe in, nor did your skin feel as if it was burning off.

A man stood, hands tucked into his denim pants, checkered shirt buttoned to his chin. He gave you a smile. “I couldn’t help but overhear your uh..car, as it approached.” 

You glanced behind you, to where a bunch of machines sat, a few cars parked beside them. Nobody else seemed to be around. “Uh..yeah, I don’t really know-“

“Sounds like an empty tank, probably nothing too worrying.” He leant down, looking at the dial on the dashboard. “Oh yeah. You just need to pop the cap and fuel it up, like normal.”

You swallowed, nodding. “Right, yep, of course.” 

His eyes narrowed, before drifting towards the back of the car. “You uh..know what you’re doing, don’t you?” 

It would’ve been easier to enter his mind and simply ask him to fix it. But you were exhausted from driving all night, and most of the day and there was still miles to go. Loki clearly wasn’t going to wake up any time soon, so it would be down to you to keep going- and you needed to conserve your energy. 

“I’ve never used this car before it’s my uh..” You winced. “Boyfriends. He’s asleep.”

“Oh. Well, i’d suggest you just wake him up and uh-“ He started to move away, but you grasped his arm. 

“Well see, he’s just so exhausted and I feel bad asking for help- you couldn’t be a doll and just give me a hand here could you? I have no idea what I’m doing and you seem like a smart guy. I’d be so grateful.” You grinned, piling on the charm. 

“Oh uh, well sure I can.” He fixed the hat on his head, blushing slightly. “I’ll just fill up container over there and bring it over. You can pay for it, and keep the rest in your boot.”

You sighed, quickly reaching out, grasping a tendril. The man froze. “You’ll give us the fuel for free. Out of the kindness of your heart.”

Quickly retreating from his mind, desperate to save your energy, you let him go. He rubbed his forehead, glancing around.

“Uh here, we’ll pop the fuel cap quickly.” He walked behind you, opening the car door. You winced as Loki’s head fell off of the seat, dangling- but he still didn’t wake up. The mans eyes travelled to yours nervously.

You chuckled nervously. “He’s a really deep sleeper. He’s fine.”

He manured around Loki’s head, popping the button beneath the seat, and climbed back out. You stood in front of his dangling head, smiling. 

“I’ll uh, go grab the fuel.” He walked off towards the pumps, shooting around glance towards you as he went. 

You turned, once he was far enough. You shoved Loki’s head back inside the car, grunting with the effort of it. 

“Stupid, fat head god-“

Once he’d crumpled enough, you slammed the car door, peering inside. There was a good chance you’d probably just smacked his head- but he still didn’t stir, his eyes still wound tightly shut. 

The poison had really done a number on him- it wasn’t as if Loki enjoyed being vulnerable and asleep around people. He rarely did the latter. You imagined the moment he woke up, he’d resist going back down again long as he could. 

“Here we go.” The man reappeared, a bright green fuel container in his hands which he immediately started pouring into the hole. You watched curiously, trying to memorise everything he just did- but you knew you weren’t far from New York. The GPS attracted to the car told you so. This would tide you over until you reached the Avengers.

“Can I ask you something?” The words were out of your mouth before you had time to really think about it.

“Sure.” 

“The Avengers..are they..? I mean, do you like them?” 

The man snorted. “I ain’t seem much of them lately. There was some fight in Europe and barely any of them been seen since- two years, or so.”

“Oh, I see.” You swallowed nervously. “Are they quite powerful?”

“I mean, that Stark guy is awfully rich. His suits are certainly impressive.” He shrugged, seeming unbothered. “I don’t pay much attention to them. I suppose we should grateful they’re here to look after us especially after New York.” 

His eyes drifted towards the back seat, to the man laying there. You subtly slipped in front of his view, nervous he may recognise him. 

“Yeah, thats was uh…bad.” 

“You from there? You certainly don’t sound like it.” He frowned, pulling the green container of the car. He screwed the lid on carefully. 

“No I’m..west coast.” You took it from his hands, lugging it into the boot of the car. “We’re just…on a romantic break.” 

“Well, you kids enjoy yourself.” He smiled, palm outstretched. “Be sure to get some sleep yourself- don’t let that lazy son of gun sleep much longer.”

Smiling, you shook his hand. “I’ll certainly try. Thanks for all your help, sir.” 

He tipped his cap to you, waiting until you had gotten back into the car before he backed off back towards the building behind you. You waited until he was out of sight before taking another look back to Loki.

A slight bruise had bloomed on his forehead from where you slammed the door shut on it. You snorted, amused, and started the car. It was hardly as if he didn’t deserve it. 

Music from the radio softly filtering out the stereo, you pulled out of the station and continued your journey to find the Avengers.

Beautiful streaks of purple and blue had begun to fill the sky, drowning out the glow of day. You were admiring it, trying to focus on keeping your eyes open, when a stirring from the back had you almost swerving in surprise.

Loki awoke, swinging upwards from his seat, hand braced against his forehead. He winced, before grasping his stomach.

“Evening, sleeping beauty.” You caught his attention, your eyes meeting in the rear view mirror. “Have a nice sleep?” 

“I don’t remember going to sleep.” Loki muttered, seeming mildly horrified. His eyes traveled back to his blood soaked shirt, which was clean in a flash of his powers. “What happened?”

“You, being the arrogant asshole you are, didn’t think to tell me about the wound on your stomach, instead deciding to.. I’m unsure. Brave it out? Pray it cleared up?”

“I’m a god, her puny knife-“

“Was laced with a decent amount of poison. Enough you just slept for sixteen hours.” You snapped, fingers tightening on the wheel. “Next time, you let me look at it.”

“Were you worried?” He crooned, eyes glistening. 

You resisted the urge to swerve the car and smack his head into the car window. “Concerned we might take even longer to get to New York? Yes. Concerned you’d fall into some kind of coma? Oh I could only hope for such luck, your highness.” 

He huffed, which may have even been a laugh, pulling himself upright. “Pull over.”

“Why?” 

“Just pull over- you’ve been driving for sixteen hours-“

“And you look like shit.” You interrupted, continuing on. “I don’t exactly feel like putting my life into your hands.”

“Just-“

“Are you seriously going to argue with me when I literally saved your life? I don’t remember a thank you, you know.” 

“Pull over. Thanks to the saving of my life, and the subsequent rest, my powers are back in full force- so do it, before I make you.” He snapped.

A slight chill licked your spine, and given you were fighting the sleep away from your eyes, you decided to do as he said. You hardly felt like getting thrown from the car- and you wouldn’t put it past him to do such a thing to get his way. 

You switched over to the passenger side, clambering over the middle, watching as he got in from the back, readjusting the seat for his height. You were lying before- he didn’t look like shit at all. Thankfully, he looked entirely normal. All colour was restored to his cheeks, his eyes as sharp as ever. 

“See how well we get on when you behave?”

And his mouth too, clearly.

You curled your fist, slamming it into his arm with a reckoning force. 

“Hey-!”
“Just shut up. That was actually the first enjoyable moment on earth, having you passed out and quiet for so long.” You rolled your eyes at him, and snuggled down into the car door, hand resting underneath your head. 

The use of your powers to heal him, along with driving so long, had taken almost everything out of you. A few minutes of silence passed between you as he began to drive, setting off into the evening. 

“You know what my most enjoyable moment has been?”

You yawned. “What?”

“Having you straddle me in the back seat.”

You did’t even have the strength to punch his arm again, sleep already clawing at your body, desperately calling for you. “You’re a prick.”

He snorted and you swore he might’ve even been smiling over at you as you drifted off into sleep, curled against the car door.

Soft, smoked pine was pressed against your nose, soft linen scratching your cheek. You were moving- but you couldn’t see a thing. Half awake, you peered upwards, your hands curling around the cotton shirt you were held against. 

It took a moment for you to realise, after being jostled upwards, Loki had you in his arms. You were too exhausted to immediately jump out of them and start fighting him, your body feeling like a lead weight. Despite this, he held you steady and tight to his chest. 

A moment later, a quiet squeaking sounded and you were being laid down onto something much softer and wider. You clung to the sheets underneath you, letting out a long, tired sigh.

Gentle fingers brushed by your ear, tucking your hair- then, so soft you barely heard it. 

“Thank you.”

Sleep claimed you once more before you could answer. 

Chapter Text

Your sword plunged through yet another chest, screams of pain surrounding you as they echoed down the hallway. To your right, you could see Thor throw another several elves off him, lightning crackling in every direction.

Just down the hall, the doors to one of the outer offices was wide open and through it, you could see Malekith. 

Another elf clawed you, it’s gnarly hands viper tight. You elbowed it’s stomach, striking your sword straight into it’s legs before turning, and slamming it through it’s heart. The thing only let out a small grunt of pain before collapsing to the palace floor in front of you.

A shout of anguish came from your left- and you turned, heart plummeting in your stomach as you saw Thor tear through the air into the office, towards Malekith, lightning shooting him in the face. 

You ran- and everything seemed to move so slowly. So, painfully slowly.

Thor’s hammer flew after the elves as they jumped from the balcony, knocking the concrete from it’s place. But he was too late- their ship was already tearing away as you entered the room, noting your surroundings. 

To your left, you noticed Jane, cowering in the corner. She seemed unharmed, thankfully, just frightened and wide eyed. Her emotions seemed to portray just that. 

Just as you began to feel relieved, that perhaps you’d gotten away scot free once more, your eyes travelled downwards. To where a small stream of blood had covered the floor and a pair of 

Frigga lay, eyes closed, hands clasped to her chest. Her chest, rife with blood and it was now beginning to coat her hair. Her lovely, shining hair.

You couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. The sword in your hand clattered as it hit the ground beneath you.

More shouts of anguish came from Thor as he attacked the retreating ship- but there was nothing he could do. They were gone. 

Odin appeared- and you had never seen him look so weary, nor sad, as he bent down to cradle his wife. His hands wrapped around her, pulling her cheek to his chest. 

Hate, and fury poured from Odin as he held her and it’s bitter taste began to coat your senses as you watched him. But still, you stood- and you didn’t move. Even as Thor bowed his head in sorrow. Even as Odin began to cry.

You did not cry. You did not shake.

You stood. Completely and utterly still. 

Shooting upwards, you reached, grasping the hand you knew would lay above your head. Loki wasn’t fast enough to escape, grimacing as you yanked on it.

“Get out of there.” You hissed, throwing his arm back to him. 

He only gave you an indifferent look, too comfortable with such an intrusion. “I got bored waiting for you to wake up.”

You pulled yourself up from your position, noting your shoes on the floor and your jacket to the left. “Liar. You wished to see what happened that day, since you were stuck in your cell.” 

“And if I did?” He asked. 

“You could’ve asked. Like a normal person.” You huffed, rolling your eyes and began to stuff your feet into your shoes. “I’m surprised you didn’t just peer into your brothers mind already.”

“Your thoughts and memories are much more amusing to rifle through.” 

You shot him a glare and glanced around. You vaguely remembered him carrying you in here the night before- but why you were here, when you hadn’t been far from New York, you weren’t sure. 

“How far away are we from the base?”

“Twenty minutes, since it is located outside of New York. Upstate.” He explained- and you noticed his skin looked paler than usual. There weren’t any signs his wound had reopened or worsened, so was he.. nervous?

“So we’re..?”

“I’m warning you. Now, before we get there.” He sighed, looking pained. “The Avengers- they are truly not my biggest fans-“

“Is anybody?”

“I’m serious.” He snapped. You held your hands up, backing off. He did seem rather on edge. “I attacked their city. I almost killed them, several times. Nobody will be even remotely happy to see me never mind work with me if it ends up that we need their help. They could kill me on sight.”

“Good thing I’m here.” You muttered. 

You realised then, he’d stopped here because he was scared. Wether he’d ever admit it or not, you doubted it- but you knew him better than hem often realised. But you weren’t surprised he was scared. They had well and truly beaten him, and he certainly wasn’t welcome here. 

Despite yourself, you couldn’t help but let your mind wander to his family- if things had been different, would this have happened at all? Would any of it? 

If Odin hadn’t been, at times, such a terrible father then Hela may have not even been an issue at all, never mind the things he put Loki through. Living in Thor’s shadow had made him cruel and bitter, and his father never helped that nor did his brother. They were quite happy to leave him in the dark so long as he didn’t outshine the god of thunder.

That bitterness festered for so long that not even you, nor his mother, could’ve pulled him back from it. It was no surprise he turned to Thanos and his minions. No surprise he got it in his head to take the earth, to show off to his father for rejecting him so brutally. It didn’t mean you agreed with any of it, and knew he was a grown man who had made such decisions- but you could understand why he was scared to be here and why he didn’t want to save Asgard for the same reasons you did, if at all.

You could see the urge to run in his eyes. The fact he stopped here before arriving proved he was still thinking about it- or hoping you’d suggest another plan, one that avoided the avengers. 

“What do you want me to say here, Loki? That we shouldn’t go? We have to find Thor, we have to return to Asgard-“

“We will likely die, if we face my sister, you realise? Your friends are dead already, or they soon will be.” 

You pushed past the painful thought. “Hela may not get a chance to hurt you if you stay here and hide in whatever crevice you deign good enough. But she will destroy everything we had as children, Asgard, the throne-“

“Maybe we should let her. Maybe this is a terrible idea. It could’ve been a gift, or fate that we got dropped to Migard-“ His eyes seemed wild as he stood up, towering above you. 

“No. This is not fate. This is Hela, throwing you out of the bifrost and me, stupidly trying to save you from falling.” You sighed. “I needed your help to get here, and I got it. If you wish to abandon this now, you may go without anger from me. But I will only say this once- despite everything, despite all we have seen and been through there, Asgard is still our home. It is still thousands of peoples homes. Hela will kill Thor, and the rest of them, without our help. I cannot allow that to live on my conscience.”

Loki looked defeated, his shoulders deflating silently as he took in your words. You stood, your bodies close together as you met his stare.

“You have a chance to be better here. Don’t you want to take it?”

“Not particularly.” His eyes gleamed, and before you could reply, he swiped a careful hand over your mouth. “But I will help you. I won’t leave yet.”

You shoved his hand off, ignoring the spreading crimson on your cheeks at his proximity. “Why?”

“Because you saved my life- and I owe you.”

“You don’t owe me-“

“I do. I don’t like debts, so consider my help paying it off.” He held out his hand, which could barely fit in the tiny space between you. 

You reached, clutching it, and gave a firm shake. Your hold lingered for a moment, something sparking in your eyes as you held each others stares- but you backed off, knees hitting the back of the bed, before it could continue. 

“We better get going.”

Loki grimaced. “Yes. I suppose we should.” 

The avengers compound was certainly something to be marvelled at. As you drove up to the gates, you were wowed by the large grey building, with the enormous, shining A on the side. It was certainly fit for earths mightiest heroes, as Thor had described them.

But that man, the day before, had said he hadn’t seen any of them really for two years. Would anyone even be here when you rang the door? What if nobody answered?

Loki rolled the window down, pressing the button long and hard, and the two of you waited. For a long moment, nobody answered and it seemed as if your worst fears were about to be confirmed. 

“Hello?” A voice crackled through the intercom.

You let out a huff of air, relieved, leaning over an unimpressed Loki. “Uh, hi, we’re looking for the…avengers?”

The man sighed. “They don’t really exist anymore. Look, if you’re tourists, there’s stuff you can go see in New York but you really shouldn’t be here-“

“No, no we’re not tourists. We’re uh, friends of Thor- there’s been an issue, and we’re trapped here and we came to see if you could help us find him.”

Dead silence. You waited with bated breath, your eyes drifting between the panel and Loki. 

“Thor?”

“Yes, Thor.” 

The camera on the top of the gate moved slightly, trying to get a better angle of the car. You hoped they couldn’t see Loki quite yet, for fear they may just flat out refuse you.

“Alright, come in.” 

The gate buzzed loudly, sliding open. Loki gripped the shift tightly, his knuckles turning white, as he began to drive into the compound. 

“They don’t exist anymore?” He muttered, glancing around at the enormous grounds. 

“Apparently not. Was this your fault?”

“No.” He rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t think so.”

The two of you drove the rest of the way to the compound in deathly silence. When you reached the front, you could see a man waiting for you, arms crossed. He was dressed in plain clothing, with a huge silver brace running up his legs- likely to help him walk, you realised.

His face seemed to drop in shock as he noted Loki beside you and you practically scrambled out the car the moment it stopped, hoping he wouldn’t throw you both out immediately.

“Uh, I’m Rhodes-“ He stepped forward, arms still folded. “Is that-“

“Yes, but he comes in peace. I swear.”

“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t think I can take a promise from-“ He glanced at you, up and down once, before looking back to Loki who was very slowly getting out from the car. “Whoever you are, about him. You do know what he did to the earth, right?” 

“Yes, I’m well aware as are all asgardians. But he’s not here for that- just let us explain, and if you still can’t bear the thought of working with us, then we’ll get out your way. immediately.” You promised, giving him a nervous smile.

He still seemed very unsure, rocking on his heel slightly, before nodding. “Alright, come on in. We can talk in here.”

Inside was much like the outside- cool, clean. It was very administrative, and it kind of looked more like a beautiful set of offices than a home, which was what Thor had described it as. But perhaps the home element was further into the building. 

You walked past a few rooms as you got deeper into the building, Loki right beside you- a recreation room, lounge, library. They had truly thought to put everything in here. 

Yet the place was a ghost town. Thor had bragged of his friends, of their bonds when he last came back to Asgard. He hadn’t recovered the sceptre, instead explaining about Vision. Yet, even the robotic man was not to be seen around the place.

A shame, really. You had wanted to meet him since Thor had described him, and his visions he had of him after Wanda Maximoff had entered his mind. She was another you wished to meet, to see her power for yourself.

Once the three of you had gathered in an office near the end of the building, and Rhodes had leant against the wooden desk behind him, he gestured for you to begin.

So, you tried to explain the past few days events as quickly, and clearly as you could. He listened, his eyes occasionally fleeting towards Loki and the suspicion, and worry was rolling off him in heavy waves. Underneath it all, there was a lingering sadness that didn’t seem to move no matter what else filtered through. You suspected it was probably to do with the braces around his legs.

You squeezed your hands tightly, then released them, as you explained. His emotions were completely open to you, and after days of being around nobody except Loki who had them completely shut, it was taking you a moment to get used to. 

“Are you in pain?” Rhodes asked, after you finished explaining, gesturing to your hands.

“I’m an empath, with..other abilities.” It seemed the easiest explanation. “Your emotions are very unfiltered, and open to me- and after days of not being around any, it just takes me a moment to adjust. I apologise if it’s distracting.” 

“No, it’s-“ He shook his head. “It’s fine. So, you’re..a god too?”

“No.” Loki shook his head. “Not quite.”

“Well, I hate to be the barer of bad news but Thor isn’t here- and I haven’t heard any reports of him being on earth.” Rhodes sighed, clicking on the TV to your left. “However, that hole that opened up in the middle of the field near Colorado was you two?”

A local news station popped onto the screen, the picture showing a group of individuals gathered around a large hole in the middle of a crop field, the ground around it completely destroyed. 

You glanced up at Loki. “That was us?”

“That was us.”

He was being unusually quiet, and calm- you had expected him to butt into your story much more than he did. You narrowed your eyes at him, but he made no expression back.

Son of a bitch.

You looked to Rhodes. “We need to figure out how to get back to Asgard. The bifrost is broken, and we don’t know if Thor is even alive. Any help you could offer would be welcomed.” 

“I need to call uh..Tony. First, I need to call him if that’s okay?”

“Absolutely.” 

You watched as he left the room, pulling his mobile out his pocket. As soon as the door shut behind him, you jumped to your feet, pushing Loki.

“Get back here now.” You hissed.

“Relax-“ He appeared through one of the side doors, strolling through it. The illusion of himself beside you disappeared. “I just wanted to check there was really nobody here.” 

“We are asking for his help. Sneaking around is no way to gain their trust and actually get them to do so.” You yanked on his jacket, pulling him towards you. Your fingers gripped, pinching him and he swore at you. “Don’t be an ass.”

“You’re so uptight.”

“Oh I’m sorry. I’ll relax when, oh, I don’t know, we can actually get back to our home planet and stop a maniac from killing everyone?” You snapped. 

“I was going to suggest a method to make you a little more relaxed, but I don’t think I will. You might tear me apart.”

“You’re horrible.”

"I’m talking about training. I don’t know where your mind went.” He smiled and bent slightly, his voice lowering. “Or maybe I do. I only wonder to which time your mind went. I can take a guess which of the few times was your favourite- probably the one where your voice went hoarse from the amount of times you-“

You stomped on his foot as Rhodes came back in, his emotions clouded with agitation, eyes immediately springing to your proximity. You took a healthy step away from Loki, glaring at him. 

“You can stay here- it probably works out better, in terms of safety as we’ll be keeping strict surveillance on him. You have access to our files on Asgard and anything else you might need to look at. A few vehicles, weapons, can all be given if necessary.” Rhodes paused. “Mainly to you. Not so much to him.”

Loki frowned, but you started talking before he could. “That’s wonderful. We can’t thank you enough for your help.”

“I know I probably don’t have to say this- but I severely suggest you don’t use this as some weird, revenge plan starter. The avengers may not be about in the same capacity as before, but they won’t hesitate to come together again against you. Tony will personally kill you, if you step out of line.” Rhodes’ eyes focused solely on Loki, sizing him up. To his credit, despite Loki’s harsh green stare and infuriating smirk, he didn’t back down a bit.

“No intentions to step out of line, colonel.” 

Rhodes didn’t seem too satisfied, but turned, heading in the direction of the door. “Come on. There’s a few bedrooms down this end we’ll be putting you into.” He swivelled around, eyeing you both. “Presuming you want separate rooms?”

“Well-“ Loki started, Rhodes looking mildly horrified. 

“Yes.” You shut him down immediately, ignoring his smile. “As far apart as you can give us.”

“Unfortunately he’ll be right next door.” He stopped, pointing across the railing to two doors just down the hall. “But you have your own bathrooms. The place is stocked to the brim- and if you need anything, your rooms also have an intercom and you can buzz for someone to help, or me if you need me.”

“So we just..?” You gestured, and he nodded.

“Do what you need to do. Tony will want to meet you, so I’m sure he’ll be out when he’s back from his trip. But I’m serious- you will be constantly watched by the security here, even when you think nobody is around. Don’t act up.”

You had to wonder if he was being truthful, given you hadn’t seen anyone else around and the knowledge that Loki had already snuck off. Wouldn’t that have been reported to him if someone was really watching?

Pushing the thoughts aside, you reached, and shook his hand again. “Thank you, again. This means a great deal.”

“Good luck.” He gave you another look, still wary, and backed off towards the offices again. You were left alone, with Loki, glancing out over the rest of the compound, its enormity finally threatening to swallow you whole.

The two of you walked in silence to your rooms and upon reaching the door, you turned, as if to say something to him. He waited too, eyes lingering on yours- but you decided against it, just stepping inside and closing the door behind you.

The bed was soft and bounced as you sat on it. You sighed, eyes closing. Was this to be when he’d run now you were safe and he was out of sight? Would he go in the dead of night? Or make you trust him again, like he did before, ply you with gentle words and gestures and then disappear.

You had no idea. You just hoped coming here wasn’t a mistake- and wondered if you’d ever be able to rest without wondering if the god of mischief was going to leave you behind again.

Chapter Text

The next morning, a quiet buzzing sounded in your ears as you turned over, noticing the blinds rolling themselves up, letting in the morning sun. Another beautiful day- but you would be spending it inside likely, pouring over all the lore contained within the books here on Asgard.

You dressed quickly- training gear that was packed into the drawers near your bed. Dark, and slick, perfect for quick movements. Rhodes had sent you a long message this morning on the data pad clipped to the side of your bed, with all the areas you had access to, where to find anything you needed and any more information he’d left out yesterday. 

After you had read it all over, and studied the floor plan he’d sent, you decided to head out and try find some breakfast. Nobody was around as you crept around the silent hallways, eventually slipping into the correct room.

The kitchen was much like the rest of the building. It only made you miss the traditional style of Asgard more- everything was so much more beautiful there, and detailed. Nothing was ever too over the top, or outrageous. On earth, things seemed simplified to the point of blandness.

To your surprise, hunched over the kitchen counter, was Loki. You raised your eyebrows at him as you entered, heading straight for the cupboards to your right. It was jarring, to see him dressed in the training gear provided for you both instead of his usual neat suits and armour and it was even more surprising he’d chosen to wear it.

“What?” He said, watching as you moved around the kitchen. You weren’t entirely sure what devices in here did what- but you’d figure it out pretty quickly. 

“Surprised you’re still here.” You replied, pushing some of the buttons of the machine in front of you. 

A quiet snort came from behind you. “Struggling?”

“No.” You lied and continued to push the buttons, trying to figure out what the device in front of you did. “I just-“

Suddenly, two hands came around yours, slipping the bread from your hands and into it before pushing on of the buttons. You turned, cheeks already burning at the proximity, his body almost pressed against yours. He was staring at you, eyes burning.

“Why would I leave?”

“It’s what you tend to do best.” 

His face betrayed nothing. “I said I’d stay to help. I’m staying.”

“Fine.” You swallowed, desperately trying to keep your eyes on his, trying not to be the first to back down.

“Fine.” But your opponent was no coward- not when it came to you. He stared straight back, something fresh in those eyes of his, something new and shining. 

His body tilted further towards yours, hips pressing gently against you and his mouth was so close if you reached up just slightly you’d touch it with your own. It was tempting- and you thanked the gods right there he wasn’t the empath and could tell just how much he was pulling you apart, like a loose thread. 

A faint click sounded from behind you as he touched something and then immediately retreated, the warm contact leaving a cool breeze behind. 

“That makes the coffee.” His voice was rough as he backed away from you completely, walking back to where he had been sitting before.

You took a moment to gather yourself and turned back to the food behind you, letting out the quietest of sighs.

“What do you suggest we do first?” You asked, trying to diverge from what just passed between you. 

“Rhodes said he’ll get someone to gather all the books they have on Asgard, norse lore..anything really. It saves us searching for hours amongst their mass collections.” Loki didn’t quite meet your eyes as you turned to face him.  “In the meantime, I suggest you keep up the training. For when you see Hela again.”

“I keep up the training?” You eyed him. “I would suggest you join me. Given she destroyed Mjölnir without a second thought, I doubt your second rate magician tricks will work on her.” 

He reeled backwards, incredulous. “I don’t just have tricks-“

“I’m just saying. You need to fight hand to hand too, and we all know how much better I was-“

“Now, that’s just bullsh-“

“I think we should go back to see Strange.” You interrupted him before the two of you could dissolve into a fight, something you found startlingly easy. 

Perhaps easier than it had ever been to be honest with each other. 

“As in the man who let me fall for thirty minutes?” Loki snorted, unimpressed. “No.”

“He seemed to know an awful lot about, well everything. And given you’re back on earth he may appear any moment to try collect you again anyway- shouldn’t we get ahead of the curve?”

“He can’t take me.”

You shrugged and poured the hot water into the cup that had suddenly appeared by your side with coffee granules. Loki’s work, likely. “He certainly managed last time with ease.” 

“I was unprepared-“

“And what if he simply takes you whilst you sleep?” You rolled your eyes at him. “Don’t be so arrogant. I will go myself if I must, but I think its a good idea to contact him and at least ask. Maybe he’ll wish to help, to rid us off this planet.”

“Maybe.” Was all he muttered, watching as you sipped from your coffee. It wasn’t as good as home, but it had a strong kick to it, enough to almost make you wince. Humans certainly liked to be punished in the mornings, if this was what they enjoyed drinking.

You strolled over to the doors, where one of the data pads was clipped to the wall. A few clicks later and you found Rhode’s personal inbox. Quickly, you recorded a message asking if he was able to collect the details of Doctor Strange for you and rattled off the address you and Thor had last visited. 

When you finished, you drained your cup, turning to the God behind you. 

“What now?” He asked, shoulders hunched.

“We wait, I guess.”

You didn’t know much about the avengers, nor whoever built this compound- but they certainly knew how to design a training room. It was larger, and far more complex, than anything you had seen on Asgard. Like the rest of the place, it also seemed highly technological. 

Given you had a lot of time on your hands, you decided to try your hand at everything you could until you got bored- and there was plenty to choose from. 

Archery, combat, knife throwing. The technology was beyond anything you’d seen. Where Asgard was lightyears ahead in terms of ships, medicine and other sciences, you had to admit that whoever had built this had you beat. 

Bow in your hand, you lined it up, eyeing up the target. You tried to pretend it was Loki’s face, almost smiling to yourself. With a woosh, the arrow left your hold and flew through the air, striking the bullies perfectly.

“Oh good. You intend to shoot Hela with an arrow. Mjölnir couldn’t stop her, but your arrow will.”

You almost audibly groaned before turning. Loki stood behind you, arms folded, looking as unbothered as he always was. 

“So, you decided to join then?”

“I came to watch.” He shrugged, noncommittal. 

But you were too bored to let him stand there. “Too scared?”

His eyes darkened. “I don’t suggest you pick a fight with me today. I’m in no mood.” 

“Alright.” You turned back to your target, lining it up. “I understand. When you’re having a bad day, the last thing you want is your shitty combat skills to be shown up.” 

Before you could even turn to hit another shot, the arrow and bow disappeared from your hands and back, vanishing. You turned, raising an eyebrow at him. 

He threw the baton that he’d pulled from thin air at you, and you caught it, luckily. Another appeared within his own and he gestated for you to step forward.

But you waited, circling him, footsteps light and gracious. He was tall and lean, but he was also powerful in unexpected ways- and you knew that like you, he had a vipers bite about his movements. 

As expected, a moment later, he darted forward, baton aiming straight for your stomach. You ducked, whirling out of his way, and brought your own up to smack him in the side of the arm. He caught it, throwing you off, and struck once more.

The two of you danced around each other, fast as lightning, light as air. Loki’s towering stature didn’t give you any advantage, especially as he rained shots down upon you, but it certainly didn’t give him one either- as he missed a step, just slightly, you bent and smacked his knee as hard as you could manage.

He yelped, frustrated, and lunged for your legs. You outstepped him, desperately trying to avoid his hold, but he was faster than you and had yanked you off your feet moments later.

His baton smacked straight into your stomach, winding you. Without thinking, you wrapped your hands around it and spun, bringing your legs up to kick his stomach.

Loki shot backwards into the hard ground, vicious snarls now erupting from him as he whipped his face up. 

“Not so clever without your tricks.” You mocked.

A mistake, you could admit. One second he was there- next, he disappeared. A pair of hands grasped at your shoulders and you turned, to smack him away, but he faded into thin air and suddenly you were falling, smacking into the hard tile beneath you.

You tried to breathe, a heavy weight on your chest- his knee. He was leaning on you, looking too smug for your liking.

“But they do help.” He said, tilting his head. “I remember this well.”

His hand shot for your head before you could stop him. Immense pressure filled your brain before pictures exploded beneath your eyes, blacking you out from reality.

Loki, when he was younger, his wild eyes locked onto yours as he held a knife straight over your heart. In the same position the two of you were in now, claiming his victory.

You gasped, yanking yourself out of the memory. Your features twisted downward, hand clamping onto his wrist. 

“Not this time.”

Before he could push you off, you shot a command down the line between you, as violently and powerfully as you could. He had a good defence against you, a steady wall. But even he related, his body going limp for a moment, as you commanded it to.

You twisted, pushing up and over, shoving your knee into his chest as you switched your positions, his body now pressed into the ground.

He regained control of himself, looking mildly horrified. “How did you do that?”

“You know how.” You narrowed your eyes. “That’s what happens when you keep training for years, instead of lazing around in a prison cell, or pretending to be someone you’re not- like a King.”

His own eyes grew dark, lit with ire- but he didn’t move to throw you off, even as he felt you relax slightly. “You are incessant on my mistakes, you know that?”

You kept your body in place, your hands now resting by your side. “Someone has to be.”

“You don’t think I do it enough?” 

Your eyes locked. You knew it was there- that tidal wave of pain and rejection he kept locked so deeply within himself, you weren’t sure if you would ever even scratch the surface of it. But other feelings, ones he couldn’t seem to control better, slipped out- desire, panic. 

“Why do you care so much?” He snapped. “You always preferred Thor anyway.”

Jealousy.

You could only chuckle at his foolishness. “Thor is my friend. A good leader in a battle and someone I would follow to the end of the nine realms. Not necessarily a king, but a good man. But the preference you speak of..you know that was never true. It wasn’t like that.”

“Why?” His voice seemed to border on desperate, though he hid it behind boredom. It was perhaps the most honest question he’d asked you in a while. 

“I don’t know.” You tried to answer truthfully, for once.

“That isn’t an answer.”

“It’s the best I can give you. I wish I did.” 

He sighed, relaxing into the ground. His eyes wandered from yours. “Why isn’t he necessarily a king, then?” 

“You could be so cruel. You cut Sif’s hair off when she was sleeping. Gave the girls night terrors when you felt particularly bored. Treated me for over a thousand years as if I was nothing, except garbage that lay beneath your feet and then picked me up when you feel like it, or couldn’t help yourself, but I..” You looked down to your hands. “I knew things weren’t easy. I saw how Odin treated you, and your brother. I had hope that despite it all, you would pull it together enough to be King and even supersede your father- because despite being Laufeyson, you are more like Odin and Frigga than Thor ever was.” 

Loki didn’t say anything, just continued to watch you. You felt his hands curl tightly around your ankles- but whether he was grabbing you for support, or out of anger, you weren’t sure. Given the fallen look on his face, you hoped the former.

“Frigga hoped for so much more for you than what you did to Migard, and the events after. I suppose I remind you so often of your failures because I loved her as much as you did- and when you let her down, I guess you let me down too.”

There was the truth- or at least some of it- laid out, on a silver dish in front of him. He said nothing, his eyes finally pulling away from yours and towards the panels to your left. 

With a sigh, you climbed off him and threw the baton to his side. Striding off towards your rooms, you tried to push the image of his face out of your mind, focusing on the hot shower ahead.  

There wasn’t much more to say to him. If you had sat there any longer, your heart would’ve started to pour out how he continued to let you down, far beyond what he did Frigga. How he broke something that night he promised to return, and kissed you as if it meant something more than the desperate, broken joining’s you’d had before. For all those months he took the throne, and hid from you, how you thought of him relentlessly and even now, you couldn’t quite help but take a double look at him every time he walked through the door, as if checking as if he was real. 

You supposed the curse of being the one left behind, the one abandoned, was that you clung to any kind of memory of him, any fleeting feeling that lingered within in your skin. It exhausted you- but you couldn’t help yourself.

Nobody ever made you feel like he did- and nobody had ever let you down, like he did. 

Chapter Text

177a Bleecker Street was the same as it had been last time, just as mysterious and old, it’s oak doors looming above you. You glanced over the building, letting out a quiet sigh as you did so, eyes catching on the green slated roof. 

It had been an uneventful morning, much to your displeasure You had woken early, trained by yourself in the hall, and grabbed something to eat. When the datapad in the kitchen beeped with a message from Strange, confirming you could indeed visit the Sanctum today, you had finally sought out Loki to inform him of the visit into New York.

It wasn’t that you wished for problems- but he’d been quiet since since yesterday at your training session, when the two of you had exchanged angry words with each other. You had done your best to avoid him until you rode into New York silently, in your beaten up stolen car. Rhodes hadn’t offered a newer one and you hadn’t wanted to ask, already worried you’d been given too much. At some point, their generosity would run out. 

It was difficult to resist chuckling to yourself as you realised Loki hadn’t been inside here yet, not really, given he’d been trapped in a time loop of sorts last time, before being shoved through a portal to Norway. But given the stormy look on his face, and the fact you knew Strange wouldn’t be pleased to see him, you decided against it. 

“Don’t pick a fight.” You warned him as you chapped on the door, two sharp knocks that rang out into the silent hallway. 

“When do I-“ Loki balked, as the two of you suddenly stood inside, in the main hall. You steadied yourself, still unused to Strange’s magic. He glanced around. “I have to learn how to do that.”

“Asgardians, back once more. Great.” Strange appeared, causing the two of you to jump. He was dressed in his usual outfit- and you could’ve sworn the cloak attached to his back almost seemed alive. Last time you’d visited, you had sworn it waved to you upon your exit. “I distinctly remember your brother promising if I were to help him find Odin, that would rid you off my planet.”

“You own earth now, do you?” Loki sneered. You were tempted to stomp on his foot.

“You certainly don’t. The Avengers made sure of that.” He gave him a smug smile, turning his stare to you. He felt completely neutral- but you could feel a sliver of worry waning off him, probably due to the god to your lefts presence. “I remember you from last time. What are you doing back here?”

“There was a..situation.” You swallowed, trying not to look as nervous as you felt. As best you could, you explained to Strange the events that had transpired, as well as why you had come to him for help. He listened, his eyes occasionally wandering over to Loki as if expecting him to disappear at any moment.

“So, Hela..she doesn’t want earth?” He asked, and turned for the stairs. 

You stepped to follow him, glancing to Loki to make sure he followed. “Not yet.” 

“Not yet- unless you stop her, I presume?” 

As you went to answer, you found your foot missing the step, stumbling slightly. A warm hand clasped your arm, fingers digging into the skin. Loki, who somehow didn’t seem fazed by the sudden movement to the library, pulled you upright. 

“Yes.” You cleared your throat, lifting yourself away from his hand. “But we need to get to Asgard to do that- and we can’t, without the bifrost.”

“Can’t he just portal us there?” Loki pointed in Strange’s direction. He was reading something, you couldn’t quite make out the title- but the cover suggested it was something to do with the bifrost, or similar things. 

“No can do. Odin put an enchantment around the entire area, making it impossible for me to get there without some serious work.” 

“Then how the hell-“ 

“Relax.” He cut him off with an eyeroll and you moved again, into a different section. “I’ll find a way for you to get there- I just don’t have an interest in helping. I have plenty of other things to deal with outwit your family drama.”

“If Hela takes Asgard, she’ll take earth. This isn’t some simple family drama.” 

“I’m aware- but you two seem desperate enough to work this out for yourself. I have no interest in tracking down what you need to make a portal, but I’ll certainly give you the instructions.” He tossed the book in your direction and you caught it, huffing. “That one, tells you everything you need.”

“It was this simple?”

Strange laughed. “Simple, it is not.” 

Loki took the book out of your hands and began to leaf through it. “It’s a healthy mixture of light and dark magic that makes the bifrost work.” He read, finger following the words. 

“So, we need a mixture of magic?”

“And this symbol, apparently.” Loki showed it to you. It seemed rather complicated and intricate, almost like the mark left behind by the bifrost.  

“Well…” You shrugged. “We’re magic.”

“It’s not just magic- it’s blood.” Strange explained. “The blood of a god, and the demigod. Mixed together, light and dark.”

“Demigod blood is dark?” You frowned. You would’ve thought, if anything, it could’ve been the other way around. 

“Demigods, typically, were half human and half god.” Loki sighed. “There are very few of them around, given the god parents typically killed them before they even got a chance to mature. They could be very powerful, given their god parents power seems to be most powerful with the first generation- sometimes more powerful than the gods themselves. We don’t know how it happens.”

“Can’t imagine they would take to that well.” Strange muttered, casting an eye over the two of you.

“No, they don’t.” He seemed worried. “The darkness comes from their human side- demigods typically have less control over their emotions and logic than the gods. Their human hearts make them vulnerable. So they say, anyway.”

You were tempted to smile. “I’d argue against that.”

“I’d be inclined to as well.” Strange opened his hand, taking the book back. It disappeared from his hands within seconds, a tint of green surrounding his hands. Your eyes wandered to the pendant on his chest, wondering what it was. The power was practically pouring from it. 

“It’s an infinity stone.” Loki noted your stare. 

“How do you know that?”

He shrugged. “Experience.”

“Wow.” Your eyes returned to the golden pendant, noticing Strange’s furrowed brow. He clearly wasn’t happy at your attention on it. “Relax, doc. We just want to get home- not try and steal the pretty necklace.”

“We could try-“
You nudged Loki in the ribs. “So, you’re saying to return to Asgard, we’d need the blood of a demi-god and drop it into..that etching?” 

“Exactly.” Strange snapped his fingers and a paper appeared in his hand. He handed it to you- a copy, of the symbol you’d need to draw. 

“But this is..this is it? The only way?” You swallowed, hard. Nerves flooded your chest, as the realisation of exactly what you would have to do slapped you in the face. 

“That I know of it. I’ll send word if I find an easier way- but this is all I can see, if the bifrost is broken.” Strange’s face softened at your pained expression. “I will look, but I can’t make any promises.” 

“Thank you.” Barely able to look either of them in the eye, you reached and shook his hand. “We’re grateful to have any lead- so really, thank you.” 

“You're welcome.” He didn’t bother to shake Loki’s head, instead just straightening. “Good luck. I think you’ll need it.” 

You sat, head in your hands, feet curled underneath you on the sidewalk. A few cars whizzed by, the noise swallowing you whole before disappearing. 

Something nudged you. Loki’s shoe. 

“Why are you sitting here?” He looked disgusted at the state of the pavement, with varying things of varying colours imprinted into the concrete. 

You had made it two, maybe three blocks, storming ahead of him before you had given up, the defeat spiralling in your chest. You’d practically thrown yourself down onto the concrete and tried to focus on anything except screaming. Or crying. 

“Don’t you get it? We’re screwed.” You glanced up at him, squinting in the blistering sunshine. 

“What?” 

“We’re screwed. Done. Stuck. A demi-god? A fucking demi-god?” You sighed. “Where the hell do we find one of those?”

“They aren’t completely non existent.” He muttered, idling awkwardly. 

“They are rare, Loki. But on Earth? We will die here. Hela will take Asgard, kill Thor and anything we ever cared about.” You shook your head, looking back to the streets ahead of you. Earth was an ugly mess compared to Asgard- but there was beauty within the small things. The way the trees lined the streets, and the glorious green of their leaves that would eventually turn red and yellow and fall to the street below. The perfect symmetry of the roads, and the bright coloured cars travelling along them. The people- how different each one looked, how their styles, their hair, their smiles differed. 

You looked away. It was beautiful, in certain ways- but it wasn’t your home, nor your world. It wasn’t where you wished to live out your days.

Granted, you certainly hadn’t planned anything beyond Asgard. You’d still been considering Volstagg’s offer when you’d left with the two gods to find Odin- but now, perhaps that would be unavailable. No need to protect the nine realms if Hela was to destroy them all, or take them under her wing. 

“You know, with friendship, you can fix anything.”

You turned, startled, as Volstagg’s enormous self shuffled closer to you, body pressed against yours. 

“Friendship can end wars. As can a good ale.” 

“Stop it.” You rolled your eyes at him. “He doesn’t sound like that.”

“Who would you prefer advice from?” He asked, and with a shift of green, Hogan appeared beside you, his finger poking you in the temple. “Knowledge is the best power you have. Use your mind to build the portal.” 

“Loki-” You sniffed, swatting him.

“Okay, hold on.” One more shift. Thor grinned at you. “Smash, smash. Hammer. Hammer will fix it.” 

You snorted, breaking. He sounded so stupid you were unable to help yourself, slapping his thigh as you tried to resist encouraging him any further. Loki was himself once more a second later, his body still pressed against yours. Green eyes met yours, softer than usual.

“We haven’t even tried yet. And until we do, we are not..screwed.” 

Your eyebrows raised. “I’m surprised you’re not choosing this moment to try and talk me into running somewhere. Use our combined powers to take it over. Not that I would, before you even consider doing so.”

“I told you I’d help you, so I’m helping you. I won’t go back on the bargain we made.”

“Can you blame me for thinking you will?”

“No.” The seriousness of his tone caught you off guard. “But not this time. I won’t do..what I did last time, or any other time I let you down. You are not someone I particularly enjoy betraying.” 

You blinked and slowly, began to nod. “Ok. So we try.”

“We try.” For what felt like the first time in maybe years, he gave you a smile- and it didn’t feel snarky, or as if there was a dagger behind it. “Then I begin my master plan of convincing you to try take earth with me once more.”

You laughed, despite yourself, and watched as he rose from the pavement and extended his hand down towards yours. You took it, almost flinching at the warmth, at the scars. Mostly, at the way it felt so familiar and safe.

It was funny, given he was never someone that you thought anybody could feel safe around, not truly with his tricks and betrayal. But you always had.

Despite everything. 

Chapter Text

Rain hammered against the windows and roof above you the next afternoon- but you were glad for it, as you were stuck inside, researching Asgardian demigods and their histories. Asgardian mythology was not easily found or transcribed, you realised as you leafed your way through the hundreds of books provided to you by Rhodes. 

Most of it you had stumbled through, struggling to read some of the ancient tongue it had been written in, and the rest had been written by humans- and it had been so entirely wrong, you hadn’t bothered to continue. It seems they actually knew very little of your history, just taking guesses and sometimes making things up entirely. 

Your hands flipped open another book, a quiet sigh escaping your lips, as you began to read more pages. It must’ve been the twentieth book you’d searched for answers, and still, not even a clue of where to begin looking had come up. It dawned on you quickly how rich the Avengers, or at least their leaders, must’ve been to have access to all of these books, and to have had them shipped in so quickly for your use. 

Loki hadn’t seemed to have find much more than you had- a few whispers of gods who may have produced offspring, but those gods and their children would’ve passed thousands of years ago. Or, they moved far beyond the reach of the nine realms, and Migard. 

He was struggling to remember many of the other gods. He and Thor had been two of the youngest- any cousins, or others, had disappeared before any of you had really matured. It made searching even more difficult, as you weren’t quite sure where to start or search. 

“Gods typically mated with other powerful individuals to create children, as they would often become gods themselves.” Loki muttered, more to himself than you it seemed, his eyes skimming another page. “It was very rare for them to wish to create children with humans.” 

You nodded. “Because they’d be more powerful, right?”

“In some ways, and weaker in others. They weren’t a good mix, per say, compared to having more pureblooded children.” 

The two of you were silent for a few more moments, peering at the pages in front of you. It had been a long morning and you were beginning to bore slightly. A glance outside revealed the rain hadn’t eased at all, so any hopes of an evening walk had been dashed. 

“Do you think Odin ever…?”

“I mean, did he produce other children than us? Clearly.” He huffed, and a lick of annoyance dashed across your skin. You glanced in surprise- his shield seemed to be weaker than usual. You typically felt nothing. 

It was a nice break, truthfully. To not have to feel everyone all the time, to not have to filter and block them out. You constantly worried about prying, about the fact they couldn’t quite trust you because you’d never be able to let them have a secret.

He sounded unconvinced. “But not demigods?”

“I doubt it. He loved..Frigga, very much. I do not think he would’ve been swayed easily by someone of average descent.” 

You rolled your eyes. “Average descent?”

“Human.” He shrugged. “Asgardians are just slightly above average, given their long life spans and bodily systems but I cannot see father chasing after a human.”

“Who says he chased? It could’ve been a quick hump and-“ You tried not to smile. 

“Alright.” He held up his hand, uncomfortable, glaring at you. “I just don’t think it’s likely, but we can’t rule it out entirely I suppose.”

“Can we rule anything out? We’ve barely found anything and it’s been hours- there has to be a better way of doing this.” You said, rubbing your eyes with a tired sigh. 

“We just have to keep looking.” 

“For how long? We spend weeks trying to find one stupid demigod and by then, Hela will have probably eaten Asgard herself.”

Loki’s mouth quirked up. “Eaten it?”

“You know what I mean.”

“No, really, enlighten me. You think she can eat a planet?” 

The pillow beside you was flying for his face instantly, and he caught it, his face almost breaking into a smile. You huffed, slouching back into your seat. A moment later, the oak doors swung open. 

“The book search going well I take it?”

You turned to find Rhodes strolling into the office you’d claimed, his eyes widening as he noticed the sheer amount of books piled around the two of you. You probably looked far too casual for two beings seemingly desperate to return to your planet- Loki was currently spread over one green sofa, arm behind his head, and you were curled up on another.

“Not quite.”

“I figured when I saw you put down your thirtieth book.” He said. “Look, I contacted Tony, I let him know your situation. He’ll ask about, maybe even find someone in S.H.I.E.L.D who knows something- but until I hear from him, I don’t have much else to offer.” 

“You have given us more than enough.”

“Strange wasn’t much more help?” He asked, and his eyes widened slightly as Loki hauled himself off the sofa. “Where are you going?”

“To get a drink. Stand down, colonel.” He mock saluted him, brushing past. You waited until he’d disappeared. 

“No, not quite. Strange answered our questions about the portal, but he has his own tasks to worry about apparently. We aren’t enough of a risk to deem worthy of helping.” 

“You will be if Hela comes for this planet next.” Rhodes swallowed, worry spreading over his skin like butter. “Do me a favour. She comes here, for whatever reason- you lead her away, okay? Don’t let her take Earth. If she’s as big and bad as you described, well…it’s not like we have the Avengers anymore.”

“I thought you said to Loki they’d assemble anytime to take him down.”

“I lied- it’s called threatening someone. I’m sure you’ll know a thing or two about it, given you’ve somehow pinned down the god of mischief into helping you.”

You shook your head. “He owes me. No threats needed.”

“Well, good thing. We have no idea where Bruce is. Tony is trying to focus on some kid, with these weird web powers and the others are on the run, and have been for a couple years now.”

“On the run? From you?”

“Not quite. There was a fight and we split in half, unable to agree with each other. We later learned this guy called Zemo had been framing some other guy we were trying to arrest, and the others were trying to protect..it was a huge mess.” His eyes wandered down to the metal braces around his legs. Sadness erupted, like an avalanche, and you had to try and swallow it down. “It’s how this happened.”

“I’m sorry to hear it. Thor described them very kindly- said they were a great team. I think he’d be sad to know they’ve gone separate ways.” 

“Maybe it’s a good thing he missed it- Zemo did a hell of a better job than Loki did destroying the Avengers.” He sighed. “I suppose Zemo had nothing left to lose. Loki knew when to give in, given he’d lost his entire life, for what? Nothing, in the end.”

Pain, splitting and shocking, cut you half from across the room. You frowned, and glanced to the door- where you knew Loki had to be standing, now listening to your conversation.

“Well anyway, thank you, for your help. I look forward to hopefully hearing something new and helpful from your friend.” You nodded, shooting him a grateful smile. As expected, Loki slinked through the door a moment later, eyes narrowing at both of you.

Rhodes nodded and disappeared, shutting the door behind him. The god to your right said nothing as he sat back on the sofa, his eyes not even bothering to meet yours. He returned to his book immediately- but the tether, the sting of pain, still lingered beneath your skin just slightly. In your mind, you could see the faint glow surrounding it.

He was an extremely powerful being. Whenever you had been around him, Thor, Odin- any god, really- it had been difficult to reign yourself in and not grab the cords to their minds. Your mind cried out for a taste of such power. 

It was difficult now, to resist. It almost felt like a trap. The hands in your mind hovered over it, undecided. You didn’t want to control him, but you were curious to see how open he really was. If something had accidentally wedged itself under the door, allowing you to enter.

You kept your eyes on the book in your hands as you tested the waters, gently slinking along the thread, his pain suddenly immersing you. It was anguish. Never ending. Shape shifting- not one thing was causing it, but a multitude. 

He was in agony. All the time. 

You slipped past it with sudden release and a rush of emotions smacked you at once. Your hands gripped the book tightly, your body stiffening- a wave of anger, desire, fear threatened to drown you. His power rode on the back of it, the sheer enormity of it causing your body to shake- and without much effort, the book in your hands snapped in two. 

Loki’s eyes suddenly snapped to yours. The book in his hands slammed closed immediately with a hard slam. He knew. “Didn’t Frigga teach you any manners? Don’t stalk where you’re not welcome.”

“Not my fault you left it wide open.” You snapped, massaging your forehead. But you knew he was right- it was a violation, and a stupid thing to do. It wasn’t anything you couldn’t handle, but you’d a have a roaring headache for hours now, your mind desperate to taste his power once more. It was like a drug, and the greatest pleasure on earth, wrapped into one. 

You had often learned in history of greedy men, of their thirst for power. Never had you expected to be one of them nor feel physical thirst for such a thing.

“And you wonder why people will never be comfortable around you, or trust you. One slip and you delve right into their minds.” The tether to him went completely dark as he hauled his shields back up.

His comment stung. “Well, it’s a good thing I can ask you for advice on how to deal with it, given nobody has ever or will ever trust you either.”

“At least my lying and deceit is a choice. You’ll never be able to switch it off, always prying into the minds of those you care about wether they wish you to or not.” He hissed. “You are always destined to be nothing more than a weapon.” 

You were both just throwing insults at each other, frustrated and angry. You might’ve even apologised for your intrusion, had he not been such a prick. 

After the other day, outside Strange’s, you wondered if you might even be friends, for the first time. If he was showing genuine care and interest in something other than just himself- but it seems you were wrong. The moment he doesn’t like something, he attacks like a viper and hits your weakest spot- pushing you further away from him than before in the process. 

“You’re an asshole.”

“And you’re far more conniving than you think. We aren’t so different, though you might pretend so.”

You put the book in your hand down, getting up. His eyes followed you, burning with anger. “I get it, alright? You’re annoyed that despite the ridiculous years of shields, you slipped there and I got in. You’re annoyed I’m powerful enough to do that. I’m guessing you’re also annoyed at Rhode’s comment given you stood there long enough to listen to us.” His nostrils flared as you continued. “I shouldn’t have done it- but don’t let your temper get ahead of you and start insulting me because you’re a scared little boy who doesn’t want anyone to see the wreck inside of him.”

You stormed off, unwilling to listen to him trading insults with you anymore. 

Thankfully, he didn’t follow you. 

On one of the upper floors of the Avengers compound, there was a clear glass floor dangling over some of the main living spaces. It ran almost the entire length of the floor and was built like a walkway. 

After dinner, which you had eaten alone, you had found your way up there and walked the length of it twice, unable to stop pacing.

Eventually, as the moon rose higher in the sky, you wandered back down and found yourself a corner by a window, sitting atop the wooden counter.

Your argument had been short, and full of temper this afternoon- but it had stung. 

You’d known, for most of your life, your abilities meant trusting you wouldn’t come easy to those around you. The fear that you could take control of them completely any time you wished wasn’t an easy thing to swallow nor was it something you could keep secret forever.

Your friends, for the most part, had been unbothered. All such powerful Asgardians, they had learned long ago how to shield their minds- in doing so, it meant they weren’t too worried about you. But it had taken years to build that friendship with them on top of their own protections. 

It was a fear, rooted deep inside of you, that nobody would ever truly trust you- and you certainly didn’t wish to know how Loki had guessed it. 

Maybe he was self projecting, which was worse, because it did mean the two of you were more alike than you’d ever wished. 

You glanced over the damp fields, watching as the rain finally began to let up. Your eyes followed the lights strung out along the pathway, up and up to the brightly lit bungalow outside-

They snagged on the reflection, of the shadow now behind you.

You turned, half expecting Rhodes, although it was unusual for him to be around the compound in the evenings- but it was Loki, his face rather solemn as he took you in.

“Here for round two?” You muttered. He seemed to be more relaxed than earlier, his hair tied back out of his face. 

“Not quite.” He handed you the book in his hand. “I thought you’d want to see this. Two records of gods who had children with humans- and rumours, they may have settled them somewhere like earth to avoid other gods killing them.”

You sat straight up, grasping it tightly as if it may disappear. Right there, after hours of searching, and fighting, was finally a sign of hope. 

Eir and Freyr had both been rumoured to have children with humans from Migard. It was wondered if the babes had been left on Migard, given they’d never seemed to have returned to Asgard, or they had been heavily hidden away if so no doubt due to their powers that would eventually occur.
Freyr died later in a short war in an outside colony, just two years after the rumoured births. Eir disappeared, and was never seen again.

“It’s just rumours-“ Loki started.  

“But it’s something.” You nodded encouragingly. “It’s something.”

“That it is.” He shuffled awkwardly as you read over it once more. The tension in the air could’ve been cut with a knife, lingering in the air. Your eyes met his as you put the book down, mouths opening at the same time. 

“I-“
“Listen I-“

You both stopped, sharing an awkward smile. 

Loki decided to go first, hands tucked into his pockets. “I reacted quickly today. I said things that were unfair.”

“But true.” You shrugged, but you couldn’t quite meet his eyes. 

“No. Not true.” His voice softened. “My mother gave me many things during her time. I lost many of the material things, my room sacked when I went to prison by angry guards, or Asgardians I presume.” He sighed. You hadn’t known that or heard about it- in fact, you hadn’t really ever been to his side of the palace. “But she gave me other things, that weren’t physical. Tricks, magic. Things I could use forever.” 

You watched him speak, thinking of all the times you would catch him training with Frigga. How you’d hide, and watch. Jealous of the fact he could be so open about his abilities, and endlessly amused by his tricks. 

He continued. “I never wanted to be vulnerable to anyones mind tricks. Anyone- not you, or your friends, or any other being in the nine realms. So, she taught me how to block them out. How to make my mind so unavailable, you couldn’t even read it never mind try to control it.” His foot dug into the wooden floor slightly, his eyes glued to it. He paused for a moment, seeming hesitant. “Since she died, it slips. Every now and then it just..slips. I can’t get it back. So, when you broke in further than you have before I didn’t like it. I didn’t like it because my mother is dead, and everything she has ever given me, or taught me, seems to be slowly disappearing. And I can’t fix it.” 

You swallowed the knot in your throat. How to tell him you’d often felt the same? That you were forgetting things she’d taught you, words she’d spoken and soon you feared you’d forget the way her voice sounded and the way her eyes would light up watching you all. That the one person in that castle who had treated you with kindness was disappearing from your mind and not even a thousand years together could engrain her there. 

You couldn’t. You could hardly bear to speak of her aloud- and in some way, he did know. He knew how you felt about her, and it was part of the reason the two of you had gravitated so often towards each other. 

“I just wanted to show you that, anyway. And say I shouldn’t have said those things.” He gave you a tight, pained smile and turned on his heel. 

All you could think about was the agony pulsing through him, the pain there, bestowed to him by so many people within his life. All he’d ever really had was Frigga and she was taken from him- and now, he was trying to help you return to a home that had given him nothing. That all he wanted was to escape from. 

“Loki.”

Pausing, he glancing over at you as you rose and walked towards him. Fingers trembling, just slightly, you reached down and unclipped the golden bracelet from your wrist. 

He recoiled, surprised, as you reached for his hand and placed the bracelet in it, closing his palm tightly over it. Your hands stayed there, lingering. 

“Every now and then, since Frigga died, I’ve felt you despite your shields. Thor too, actually. It’s part of the reason I knew you were Odin.” You admitted. “This was hers and sometimes I wondered if because I carried this piece of her around, and she loved you both so much, it meant I could tap into you and your brother more than I should’ve been able to.”

He opened his palm- and you didn’t need to feel him to see the shock slapping him in the face. His skin paled as he took it in. “She gave you this?”

“Two days before she died. But you should have it- she was your mother and I-“

To your surprise, he shook his head- and turned fully towards you, his hands reaching for yours. “She was your friend- and she gave this to you for a reason.” 

He quickly clasped the bracelet back around your wrist, his thumb gently dragging down your wrist to your palm. You shivered at the gentle touch, eyes flying to his.

Your mouth opened- to ask why she’d given you it, why he’d looked so startled when you’d handed it to him. But you never got the chance.

His hands had already moved from yours to your face as he pulled you up and into him, his lips meeting yours. He’d had to bent down slightly to reach you, his hands pulling you upwards, holding you there. Surprise erupted beneath your skin, your body stiffening for a moment, unsure- and then, you grabbed his shirt, kissing him back.

He moved then, the two of you colliding with such intensity it sent your body soaring, his mouth moving, restless, unable to stop and you were much the same- months of desire, and anger and wanting built up and being released. You were clawing at each other, desperate to hold on, to feel as much as you could. 

His hands slipped up your shirt, warm on your skin, goosebumps instantly scattering over your stomach. Your name was a whisper on his lips, somewhat of a prayer and an ask, and you moved, the air knocking out of you as he swept you against the wall. You were kissing each other as if it was the only way to get oxygen, the only way to survive. 

His tongue skimmed against yours, teeth pulling your lip back towards him. Your hips ground against his as he pinned you to the wall, eliciting a groan from the back of his throat. 

Every nerve, every muscle in your body responded to him. A symphony only he could conduct. 

Loki’s touch was undoing you, threatening to tear you in half- and you knew you were tumbling too deep, too far, into a place you promised yourself never to go again after he left you, after you realised he’d lied.

Maybe he had the same thought- the two of you broke apart from each other, his body practically flinging itself away from you as he stepped back. You stood, panting, burning, pining- and your eyes could hardly meet his as you caught your breath.

Words weren’t forming, no matter how hard you tried- and it seemed as if he was the same. The golden bracelet slipped down your wrist as you brushed back your hair- and his eyes returned to it, that look of shock returning. 

Neither of you said anything- and before you could, he slipped off, disappearing into the shadows of the compound.

You sighed. Didn’t you know better? Hadn’t you learned anything in all of the times he’d disappeared?

Apparently not. It seems when it came to him, you were as weak as you’d always been, unable to help yourself from falling into him.

You could only hope this time you could stop yourself from falling too far. 

Chapter Text

Finally, after a long night of tossing and turning, the rain had finally stopped. The sky opened up, the sun coming to rest in it’s usual position and summer felt as if it had finally resumed on Migard. 

It had been a quiet morning- no sign of Rhodes, nor Loki. The latter you didn’t expect to crawl out of whatever hole he was hiding in for a while yet.

Grass tickled your ankles as you stepped off the steps of the compound and wandered into the field ahead. Clearly maintenance of the garden hadn’t been high on their priorities after the group had fallen apart. There wasn’t very much out here- just a small building to your left, which caught your attention. 

You aimlessly drifted towards it, noticing the metal fence surrounding the area. To keep tourists out, you presumed, given it wouldn’t do much to anyone with a decent jump, or punch. Unless it was electric, that is.

The building wasn’t particularly tall, it’s doorframe towering just above you. The golden handle turned immediately under your grasp and the door swung open, dust filtering out. You swatted it away from your face, quickly glancing around, before stepping inside. 

Someone had lived here, at some point. Neat, pretty pictures of art dotted the walls. Quilted blankets in shades of green were sprawled over the couch, which was all pointed towards a TV hung on the wall. To your left, a small kitchen, and a fir table with matching chairs.

Upstairs, if you could really consider it an upstairs, was just one floor with what appeared to be a double bed, it’s ash posts catching your eyes, material draping off them. 

A simple home, but for who you weren’t sure. It didn’t seem to fit in with the rest of the Avengers base, or design. It had more of a home feel to it. Perhaps it was where they intended to store guests to put them at ease, or one of the older Avengers had asked for it specially. 

You brushed your hands against the quartz countertops, sighing. Despite being vacant, the entire building radiated something joyful. Perhaps it was why you’d been drawn to it, to discovering what was inside.

It felt as if you were intruding on something personal. A tightness began to clasp at your throat and you stepped away from it all, pushing your way out the door, huffing as you walked straight into something solid.

Rhodes stood there, with a concerned look on his face.  

“I thought I’d find a burglar or something.” He held up a small screen towards your face. “Alarms went off.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t even think-“ Your cheeks reddened slightly, embarrassed he knew you’d been snooping.

“Don’t worry about it.” 

The two of you walked out of the building, Rhodes firmly shutting the front door behind him. You took a few steps away, turning to glance over it once more.

“I passed on the information you sent me on the demigods to Tony, to see if that would help his search. He’s searching high and low.” 

“Thank you. I do really appreciate it- as does Loki, even if he can’t show it well.” You both huffed a laugh. 

“What enticed you to go in there?” He asked, seeming more curious than annoyed. 

“It kind of sicks out.” You gestured to the rest of the place. “And my powers, they sensed strong memories connected to this place. Well, the feelings in those memories- they seemed…nice.” 

He raised his eyebrows, kicking the dirt with his shoe. “I bet they were. Wanda moved in here, a little bit before everyone fell out and stayed a little while after before they ran away. I think she and Vision were together? I don’t really know. Reports say they’ve been seen together a lot.”

“Vision..he’s the robot, isn’t he? Thor spoke of him. Of the vision he had of him, hence the name I suppose.”

“I wouldn’t quite say robot, he’s hard to describe.” He scratched his head. “So you sense..memories?”

“Emotions.” You corrected. “I can sense others emotions, and emotions tied to places if they were particularly strong.”

“Wow.” He seemed a little uneasy, but tried to smile at you anyway. It still pained you slightly to see those defences go up. “Anything else?”

You just shrugged, looking down at the tiles beneath your shoe as you approached the base. “Nothing too important.”

“Ahh playing it coy, I see how it is.” He held up his hands. “But remember I know a super soldier and a woman who can change realities with her pinkie finger. I’m hard to impress.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” 

Rhodes smiled, clearing his throat. “In all seriousness if you’re a good fighter and fit the profile you might fit right in here-“

“I highly doubt she would.”

You both came to an immediate stop as you walked through the compound doors, Loki suddenly appearing by your side. 

You glared at him. “Oh?” 

Loki’s eyes gazed over you both, barely resting on yours before going to Rhodes. “You can take off the recruitment cap. She’s not interested.” 

“It was just an offer.” 

“One you have no right to decline.” You snapped.

“A useless offer. You’d never settle on Migard.” He said it with such confidence you felt like throwing your fist into his chin. “We’re supposed to be training. I’ll meet you there.”

He stalked off towards the training hall. You huffed, nostrils flaring. He was certainly going to feel every ounce of your anger once you got in there after him. 

“Sorry. If it was a bad offer or-“

“No, it was kind. But he isn’t wrong- Migard is never somewhere I intended to settle. Not when there’s still a chance for Asgard.” You explained.

“I’ll leave you to it.” Rhodes seemed awkward, shuffling off. You watched him go, sighing. 

Migard was never something you’d considered- but you had no idea what state Asgard was in, nor where your friends were.

It may end up being your only option. You could only pray not. 

Ten minutes later, you’d changed and found your way to the hall. Loki was leaning against the wall on the other side of the gym, watching as you entered.

“I-“

“No.” You held a hand up, grabbing the baton from the wall and throwing it at him. He caught it, just, frowning. “No more idiotic banter, or jabs. I just want to train.”

He prowled towards you like a cat, footsteps delicate on the map. You’d always appreciated the way he moved, so sleek, so delicate compared to Thor. 

“Fine.”

“Fine.” You snarled and struck first, darting forward to jab him in the stomach. 

He stepped out of your way with ease, curving his back, feet landing and twisting immediately. The two of you began to dash back and fourth, your baton swinging down with a heavy hold, grunting with the effort. 

Loki caught it, his own going to hit your thigh, which you ducked away from and rolled. He stumbled with the movement and you took immediate advantage, knocking him off his ankle. He glared at you, rolling as your baton followed, smacking into the floor, each shot aiming for his head. 

“I heard you lie to him.” He circled you. “About your powers.” 

You watched his every movement. “What the hell is your issue?” 

“Why don’t you just read me and find out?” He held out the baton towards you. 

“No thanks.” 

You shouted, whirling towards him, distracting him with your baton. He went to defend himself, missing the fact you’d brought your leg up to kick him in the stomach. Your blow sent him falling back, hitting the ground with a terrible smack.

He wasn’t finished quite yet. “All these powers at your disposal and yet you avoid them, or lie about how powerful you are.”

“I was taught to, my entire life. I can’t just forget things that are important to me.” You glared at him. “I’m not you.” 

He gave you a taunting smile, but you could see the sting in his eyes. “You forget I was taught to hide who I was. Or in fact, I was never told.” 

“Oh, hardly.”

“Is that so?” He snapped, unimpressed, and ran for you.

The two of you danced around each other, surprised at how he was keeping up with you. The two of you continued to dance and spin, the lights around you a blur as you spun in delicate circles, jumping and catching each of his hits.

You loved this part of combat, always had. The adrenaline, the feeling of your feet gliding over the floor, the satisfaction as you dodged your opponents hits. Loki's face revealed much of the same, concentration etched on his face.

You struggled with each other before Loki brought his foot forward, hooking it behind your ankle and yanking.

You fell straight back, hitting the ground with a thump but kept your baton pointed straight at him, your hand even and steady. 

“I didn’t even know who I was-“

“Yes, and it’s not fair. And sometimes your father favoured Thor, we all knew it. But you are still a God. You still grew up with a mother that loved you and thousands of citizens who would fall at your feet. I felt pity for you, especially about your biological father but sometimes you truly are foolish Loki.”

You swung for him, smacking the side of his body. He yelled something, a long swear, and yanked you straight upwards with your baton. 

You stopped, breathing heavily. You could feel his hot breath on your skin, your bodies pressed together. That powerful body held strong against your own. Goosebumps littered your skin as the two of you watched each other, eyes unable to leave his. 

You couldn’t help but continue. “You act as if nobody in the world struggles the same as you do, or feels the same pain. As if you are alone in so much of what you dealt with-“

“Odin treated me worse than anyone in there, you will never understand how it felt to live in the castle, to be me.” He rolled his eyes. “But what? Because your parents are dead, you think you understand?” 

You tried to control your flaring temper- and failed. You lifted your knee, stomping on his foot as hard as you could manage. He howled, a number of swears tumbling out of his lips as he stumbled away from you. 

“No, you asshole. You think Odin treated only you badly? That the way Hela is isn’t because of him? That Thor’s banishment wasn’t a poor decision influenced by you, which wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for him and his decisions anyway?” You yanked your sleeve down, shoving your palm in his face. “You think he was my best friend? This, and plenty more, are from him.”

His eyes were glued to the scar running from the gaps between your fingers to your wrist. It was the biggest one you had, and not one you preferred people asking about. You said you’d had your hand cut through with an axe during battle- and they’d often seemed dubious, given the clean cut and the fact you’d kept your hand.

“I was eight, the night he summoned me to the throne room. He kept two guards outside the door to ward off anyone who might hear me scream- and he made sure the knife ran deep enough to scar when he made me complete a blood vow to never reveal my powers physically, or through words until I was of age.” 

His eyes filled with something like horror. He took a few moments, his mouth opening twice, but no words coming out.

“I knew you weren’t Odin when you began to question me about blood vows, citing death and treason. I knew because he’d watched me bleed for an hour before he bothered to call for a healer and Frigga said nothing about it either.” 

You pulled your hand away, hiding it beside you. The scar suddenly felt as if it was protruding, as if it was the most visible thing on your body. Your cheeks reddened with anger, and embarrassment. 

“That night. In Sin Sao.” He met your stare, shaking his head. “That’s why you looked so horrified.”

Sin Sao. A terrible battle had ravaged the entire city and you’d snuck off with Thor and his friends, as you often had, to do what you could. You told them you’d be fighting- of course, you knew you’d be healing. 

So long as nobody saw, you’d be safe.

It was the night before you were to come of age and you’d arrived in some of the camps, offering to stay behind. When your friends had disappeared, and the crowds that welcomed them dispersed, you got to work and began to stitch together the broken soldiers. It had been going so well, and relief had crept through your chest all evening that from tomorrow you wouldn’t have to hide anymore.

It almost came crashing down. It had all happened so slowly- you’d turned, for gauze or something else to aid your healing, your eyes glowing, your body shining when you’d spotted the pair of feet near you. Soldiers would be off fighting. Nurses had abandoned these men to die, citing them too wounded. Nobody came here.

Yet somebody had- and to your sheer horror as you glanced up, you realised it was Loki, who was staring, wide eyed, mouth open.

He’d come looking for you. 

You’d sat there, staring at him for so long, just waiting for your heart to stop beating that eventually he’d come to your side, desperately shaking you. You’d asked him the time, too terrified to say anything else. 

It had been two minutes past midnight- and if he’d found you any sooner, you would’ve dropped dead in front of him. 

“I wouldn’t have told him.” His voice pulled you from the memory. 

Your eyes met his, your body almost sagging to the floor as the pain of it all came flooding back. The sheer terror, the way he’d kept an arm on yours the entire way home although he’d known nothing. 

“It wouldn’t have mattered.”

“I know.” His breath shuddered.

He took a calm step towards you, then another. You watched as his hand reached for yours, and turned it over, thumb running along the scar.

“I’d kill him for this. If I could.” 

“No you wouldn’t. Neither would I.” You sighed. “Because despite all of it, he did some good things too. That’s what made him so unbearable. It’s what made us care for him. He reeled us in, and spat us right out.” 

He didn’t let go of your hand. You didn’t want him to- in that moment, with his eyes soft on yours, you never wanted him to let go of you again. His lips opened slightly, leaning closer to you, his chest just inches from yours. 

An overwhelming part of you longed so desperately for him, for him to kiss you again. He tasted like every damnable thought you’d ever had, every evil move you’d ever made. He tasted like that dark place inside of you, the one you fought every instinct to peer inside of. 

A more overwhelming part of you was clawing to get away. To hide yourself from him, to stop letting him look into that vulnerable side. He’d done it before, and he’d left.

“I can’t.” You muttered, though you still lingered, desperately trying to convince yourself to leave. 

“It can be just us, right now. It doesn’t have to go further than that.” As he spoke, his lips brushed against yours, sending a shiver down your spine. 

“It never is just that. Not with us.” You stepped back, breaking the spell between you. 

He looked disappointed, looking away from you. How to tell him the truth? How to tell him that it could never be just that, because you couldn’t go back just for one hit. He was a drug, and you kept taking him over and over no matter how bad it was for you. No matter how much it hurt. If you didn’t get out now, you never would.

“I’m sorry.” 

You couldn’t say much else, stalking out of the room before he could say anymore or worse, look at you once more with those stupid eyes. Those stupid, green eyes that could probably convince you of anything if you looked into them for too long. 

He’d never know, how you really felt. How you cared more than maybe you could ever manage to put into words.

Maybe it was for the best.

Another night of restless sleep ahead, you huffed, staring out the window. You’d left the blinds open, hoping the stars might lull you into some sleep. 

So far, it wasn’t working. 

You couldn’t switch your mind off. Couldn’t switch off the feeling of Loki’s lips on yours, nor the thoughts of his hands when he’d held yours. Your scar twitched, remembering his grasp- and then your mind wandered elsewhere, to the last time he’d looked at you as he had today, to the way it had ended with his glorious body slamming against yours, his breath fanning your neck. 

You groaned. It was unbearable- and almost enough to send you out of the bed searching for him.

Suddenly, a tingling sensation crawled over your body, down your neck, and you felt a pair of invisible hands grab at your neck. Turning over, you frowned, hand going to clasp it in worry. Something was wrong, really wrong and Loki-

You almost stumbled off your bed in fright, a scared gasp escaping you. 

Hela stood there, towering high above you, smiling. 

“I realised.” She drawled, hand on her hip. “I didn’t quite get your name. And I have a feeling it might be quite important.” 

Chapter Text

Fear slapped you, hard and fast, and you tried to move away from her as quickly as possible, towards the window- but she was there first, her fingers squeezing your neck tightly as she shoved you back down into the bed with a shove. 

Your fingers clawed at her hand- but it was futile. Physically, she was stronger and to add to her advantage, she’d caught you off guard. A scream tried to climb out of your throat for help, but her grasp strangled it.

“Now, don’t wake my brother. He certainly needs his beauty sleep.” You felt her nails dig into your skin, and you were sure she’d drawn blood there. Wriggling in anguish, legs trying to kick at the goddess above, you wished now more than ever you could feel Loki, feel if he was awake or aware. 

Hela’s chords, of course, were completely dark and unavailable to you. Interestingly, you felt a black smokey taste beginning to creep down your throat, coating your nose. It was evil- that was the only way to describe the feeling emitting from her. Beyond that evil, you felt the all too familiar sharp slice of anger. She didn’t want her mind controlled, but she let her emotions fly free- if you could call it emotions. There was nothing there that felt remotely normal. 

“How did you- get here?” You choked out. She was too tall to grab, towering high above you just like her siblings. Where their height came from, you weren’t sure- you were sure even you rose above Odin.

“My own magic is far more powerful since going back to Asgard. I’m sure Odin told you I draw my power from there, given I’m the first born.” 

“We had no idea you existed.”

“Typical Odin. Bury the past to make way for the new, shiny family.” She glared at you. “I wonder if he was a better family to them than he was to me. Given neither of them are tucked in a prison, I presume so.”

“Well, it wasn’t as if he was going to get father of the year anytime soon.” You replied, your nerves tingling as more anger erupted from her, a sliver of insecurity laced within it. It felt like ice, sliding down your skin.

“I rather enjoy it there, in the palace.” She surveyed you, warm liquid spilling onto your throat. Your blood, you presumed. “Now I’ve redecorated of course. Less depictions of my brothers, more of me- I think you’d rather like it.” Her eyes darted to the wall behind you both, where one of said brothers lay. “Or maybe not. You seem close to them- tell me, are they as terrible as Odin?”

“Nobody is as terrible as Odin.” 

A chuckle escaped her, surprise lighting up those terrible, dark eyes. “You and I might like each other far more than you think.”

You gasped for air as she eased her hold, just for a moment. “Sure. I always make friends with people who try to kill me.” 

“Hm.” She glanced to the wall behind her. “My brother is in there, isn’t he?”

“Where is Thor?” Refusing to answer, you tried to pull her attention from him. She clearly hadn’t come for him- if she had, she would’ve gone next door. 

“Gone, fell out of the bifrost as you and the other one did.” A delicate nail dragged along your throat. “I’m sure he’s missing you dearly whilst you two take respite here.”

Out the corner of your eye, you could spot a glass of water, sitting on the bed side table. If you could throw it, the sound could wake Loki, or alert him something was up. It may not be enough- but it had to be better than dying, or being taken, by his sister without putting up some kind of fight. 

“I sent some of my army for you, but they never returned. I’m to assume you killed them?” She asked. Her dark armour glittered with green and the midnight hair falling around her shoulders reminded you so much of the god of mischief. “I thought you might. I sensed something from you- and your little friends at home confirmed my suspicions.”

Your stomach threatened to turn itself inside out. You didn’t want to think about what she may have done to them, about the states they could be in. Your friends you had known for a thousand years, who sometimes knew you better than you knew yourself. Tortured. Dead. 

You didn’t know who to blame- Hela? Odin, for clearly driving her insane? Loki, for opening the bifrost? Yourself, for not getting back faster?

“What you can do that they can’t.” She drawled, continuing. “I always wanted to meet one of your kind. See what you can do when you’re put into the hands of a real leader. Someone willing to push the boundaries of your power.”

You feigned confusion. “I’m just a healer.”

Your hand inched closer to the glass beside you. Your fingers brushed against it and a desperate sliver of adrenaline rushed through you as Hela shook her head.

Her hand on your throat eased- and a scream, loud and shattering enough to break the windows around you, left your lips as a knife appeared in her hands and went straight through your arm. 

“I don’t think so.” She hissed, and yanked it straight back out, blood dripping onto the bed below. “You’re lucky I need-“

The door swung open with a bang, Loki’s eyes wide with panic, two daggers appearing in his hands as he noticed who was hovering over your bed. He was still in sleeping clothes, a t-shirt strewn messily over his shoulders. Your bare legs were scattered with goosebumps, arm beginning to tremble in pain. 

“Let her go.” He bit out, and you could see his arms flex as he twisted the knives in his hands skilfully. A striking pang of fear erupted from him- and he met your eyes as it reached you, as if he knew you’d felt it, unable to stop himself. 

“Or what? You’ll kill me?” She grinned and traced the knife over your arm, taunting him. 

“I will cut you up into a hundred pieces if you lay another hand on her.” There was nothing merciful in his voice. It was pure venom. 

“You can’t kill me. You’re hardly strong enough.” She dug the edge of the knife in. Your teeth gritted together. “Maybe she could.”

Loki didn’t hesitate to try, throwing the knife lightning quick in her direction. She ducked away from it, only giving him what you supposed was a condescending look. 

Her hand left your throat, finally allowing you to breathe, and the two of them clashed. He was strong- but she was stronger, and prepared. She threw him against the wall as if he weighed nothing, her teeth baring. 

He rebounded quickly, darting away from her heavy punches, aiming for her stomach. But Hela had grown up in the same palace. Had been taught how to fight just like him, and you, and Thor. She knew every move he made before he made it, and caught his arm, her other fist striking him hard across the face. 

“I’d hoped for a family reunion.” Hela straightened. She turned, striding for you, and her hand clamped down on your wounded arm.“But I find Migard rather dull. Maybe next time we can chat for longer.” 

You’d barely blinked- and suddenly, you were flying, your arm being dragged as Hela shot through the window. Glass rained down, scattering around you as you slammed into the hard mud outside, winded.

Given the crack that sounded as you landed, you were going to guess something had broken internally. Likely a rib, or a collarbone from the shooting pains up your chest. The noise escaping your throat barely sounded human as you tried to move. 

Your arm throbbed as you hauled yourself up, feet desperately moving from her- but she was storming for you, getting ready to take you back to Asgard. You weren’t sure how exactly she was travelling around, but all it could take would be a grasp on your arm and you could disappear. 

Despite the throbbing pain in your arm, you lunged upwards, leg kicking away her hand. Hela grimaced, but continued her advance. 

Over to your left, you noticed a construction area, fences and wires hung all over the place with a few STAY OUT signs scattered around lazily, as if they didn’t expect anyone to pay attention. You ran, hauling one of the metal poles that lay just in front of the fences, likely to be used to build something, and swung as hard as you could right as she approached. 

Keeping her hands off you was the main aim- but you were swiping for her head, her legs, her torso. Anywhere that could do serious damage- there was no room for mercy here. 

Hela didn’t even seem phased, blocking each one of your hits with careful swipes, her eyebrows furrowing more by the moment in frustration.

Loki hadn’t appeared yet, and you were beginning to tire. Blood was still pouring from your wound, dripping onto your clothes. Hela snatched the pole as it aimed for her torso and yanked it from your hands, throwing it far into the field behind you. 

A green flash almost blinded you- and suddenly you were in armour, your sword strapped to your back. Loki was running for you both, huffing, in full armour himself. But it was too late- Hela’s hands were already reaching for you, so close she just skimmed your leathered armour as your leg shot out in defence.

But this time, you didn’t get to kick her- she let out a shout of anger and you yelled as she stabbed a knife deep into your thigh.

The mud was cold and wet as you hit it, coating your body. You couldn’t remember the last time you’d had a wound so agonising- and from the looks of the blood rushing out like a river, she’d hit an artery. 

She looked pleased- and all you could do was send a silent apology to the god running towards you both as there was no more fight left within you. Nothing to give. 

“It was a nice try- but it’s time to go.” She bent down. “Before the poison gets to your heart.”

She’d poisoned the knife- of course she had. You felt as if you could feel it creeping up your legs, your chest- and you weren’t sure how long you would have until it made your heart stop beating.

Her fingers grasped your leg, and your eyes closed, preparing. 

“Now, it’s time to-”

A shout tore open your eyes as Loki appeared out of thin air, slicing into his sister. She roared, surprised, rolling off you.

Her fists swiped for him, but he disappeared like smoke. Another version of him appeared, smiling at her. Hela shouted in anger as hundreds of Loki’s appeared, surrounding you both. Each of them with the same, swaggering walk and the daggers swirling in his hands. She glared, trying to figure out which one was him- and truthfully, even you were struggling.

The longer she was here, you realised, the more she’d slowed down- being away from Asgard seemed to be stifling her power more and more. It was why she was struggling so much. 

You tried to focus on staying still, your leg practically erupting with blood. It needed to get seen to, and soon- and you needed to stop this fight with Hela before it could start. She was stronger than both of you and with her mind-

You paused.

As you reached out with yourself, trying to search for the real version of the God of mischief, who was certainly living up to his name, you saw the faintest silver tether appear from Hela. Her anger as she swiped at fake Loki after fake Loki had loosened her shields, her frustration gaining the best of her. 

It was her downfall- and it was how you were going to finish this.

Hela screamed, sending a wave of green power shooting out from her, all of Loki’s visions disappearing. He appeared to her right, a sword in his hands as he dove for her.

You hauled yourself up, barely able to walk. Leg dragging behind you, the sword on your back felt as if it weighed sixty pounds, weighing you down.

The siblings in front of you struggled, Loki’s eyes darting to you as you approached, frowning as if to say are you crazy? likely thinking you were coming back for round two, but you only held your arm out, praying he’d understand. 

His arms wound around her, foot kicking her straight in the back of the knee. Hela grunted, falling momentarily, Loki twisting her to face you- and you dove, hand landing on her arm as you yanked on the faint chord in her mind, taking control of it. 

She froze in shock- and immediately you felt that enormous pull of her power as she fought you, trying to desperately grab it back. It infected your blood, your soul, rushing through you like a heroin hit. Your eyes rolled back, body threatening to go limp.

“Hurry up!” Loki warned as she struggled. 

You had so little time and yet, you struggled to let go of her. This was the smallest taste of her power, and you were begging for more, those invisible hands begging her chords to open for you, to let you taste. You’d do anything, commit any acts of depravity to get one more hit. 

Hela paused, her stature relaxing for just a moment, almost smiling. She knew. She knew if she gave you them all, you’d go mad with power and then you’d truly be lost. 

But only if you allowed yourself to grasp the chords. It was still your choice- but one you were afraid you’d be unable to walk away from.

Each mind you held was a temporary cure on your bloodlust for power, and you long awaited the day you wouldn’t thirst for it so much, nor desperately seek comfort away. 

Loki shouted your name- and all you could see was a vision of yourself. In Asgard, with Hela lingering upon the golden throne. There was no Thor, no Loki, none of your friends. Just you, her and some guy with an axe you didn’t recognise. You were almost skeletal, dressed in midnight black, jewels decorating your neck, your eyes devoid of anything- just shimmering an immortal silver, terrifying those who looked upon you. Drunk on power. Drunk on the crown. 

We don’t have the avengers anymore.

Rhodes’ voice rang in your mind, yanking you back from the dream, reminding you of your promise. They needed Migard to be safe-and you’d brought her here, where she could potentially wipe most of the planet out. She took out Thor with barely a punch. You couldn’t protect them from her, nor could Loki.

Time was running out. Your leg was threatening to give out and god knows how long your heart had left. You didn’t have enough power to kill her, nor enough of her mind to command such an action. 

But you had enough left within you to get rid of her.

“Leave.” Your voice erupted with power and you knew from the glow in their eyes, you were shining bright. You pushed past every craving instinct, clinging to her tether tightly. “Return to where you came from and do not come back to Migard. Ever.”

Then, you let go, throwing yourself off her as fast as you could. She grit her teeth, throwing Loki off her back. He hit the ground with a slam, scrambling back to his feet in panic that she was about to attack once more. 

Hela took a slow step towards you, as if time itself had slowed down. Her hand reached and reached, desperately trying to grab- and then rescinded, as her body refused to cooperate, the instructions buried in her mind sending her elsewhere. 

Her scream of exasperation resounded across the field, probably waking everyone in the area, as she tilted her head back to the sky and allowed herself to be taken back to Asgard, disappearing like dust.

You waited until you were sure she was gone before collapsing, tears flooding your cheeks. Loki ran, skidding into the dirt and just beyond him you could see the floodlights begin to turn on, lighting up the field, someone shouting to you both. 

“Don’t you dare pass out.” He growled, ripping something and pressing it against your leg. He was panting, eyes wild and he swallowed, hard, before speaking again. “I’m sorry.”

“Poison.” You gestured, unable to manage anything else. The wound on your leg had started to grow spider veins, spreading out across your skin. 

“Shit.” Loki began shouting something, his eyes flying desperately to yours, his other hand now cradling your neck. “It’s fine. It’s going to be fine.”

“I know.” You didn’t. You were lying- you were both lying, to comfort the other.

“I was up. I was standing at my door, waiting for a reason to come to your room- and maybe if I hadn’t been such a coward-“ The words fell out of his mouth as if he couldn’t stop them, his hands now pulling you closer onto his lap. The one on your leg pressed tighter against the wound, but there was a horrible waterfall of blood gushing out. Thankful you weren’t a human, for you would already be dead, you tried to take calming breaths. 

He was so panicked, your chest tightened. Your hand weakly raised, patting his arm. “At least we can say for sure you aren’t Odin’s worst child anymore.” 

“You’re joking right now?” He glared- but you felt him ease slightly. 

Rhodes appeared at his right, his mouth slack as he took the two of you in- it looked like a hell of a mess you imagined, with all the mud, sweat and blood pooled around. 

“Medics on the way, I called as soon as I saw you go flying out your window.” He bent down, the metal braces on his legs whirring. “Can I do anything?”

“Get them here faster.” Loki snapped, clutching you. Rhodes eyes looked between the two of you,  narrowing slightly. As if seeing something he hadn’t before.

“They’re coming.” He pointed down the field to something you couldn’t see. You tilted your head back, trying to focus on your breathing.

Loki wanted you to stay awake, repeat something- but your eyes felt like concrete, your mind begging you to close them, just for a minute. He said your name, like a prayer, over and over, followed by please. 

But you were so tired.

So damn tired. 

Chapter Text

Silence. 

All that surrounded you was silence, you realised, as you glanced around the empty palace. The realisation you were home felt like an arrow to the heart- pain, striking and hot, ran through your body as you looked at the lifeless hallways. 

It had always felt so empty after Frigga had died and now, every inch of life and colour had been sucked out of the place. War spoils, art, statues- they’d all been dragged out, replaced by hideous sculptures and other items you assumed belonged to Hela.

You walked along the hallway, conscious of your footsteps, and glanced to the painting now hung in the hallway to the outside courtyard. 

Hela, with Odin’s arm around her shoulder- looking so proud. As if they were the best of friends.

“They were. Once.”

You turned, hand out defensively- but you had no weapon. And to your sheer embarrassment, you realised you were only dressed in a thin night slip which skimmed the middle of your thighs. 

Hemidall stood, eyebrows raised. “She was his firstborn, remember. The pride and joy.”

“Until?” You asked, quickly realising he had brought you here himself. Or you’d called out to him, and he’d heard.

“Until her blood thirst became greater than his. Until he wished for peace, and she wasn’t born for that.” He turned, glancing at something, before taking your wrist in his. He yanked you around the corner, the cold of the air skimming underneath your slip. You shivered. 

The two of you hid as guards marched along, patrolling the hallways.

“What are you doing here?” You whispered. “I thought you might be dead.”

“I managed to get many out- hide them in the mountains. But Hela will find us, eventually. We need help- we need you.” 

You looked over your shoulder, back to the vast hallways. They felt so terribly lonely, more than they ever had before. “What of Volstagg? Or any of the warrior three?” 

His face turned grave and instantly, you knew. You felt as if you would be sick, hand clutching your mouth. “I’m sorry, Valk.”

“I don’t-“ Your feet stumbled back and Hemidall reached, catching you. The sound of your nickname from them threatened to tear you, tear your heart completely into two. She'd killed your friends- the only friends you'd ever known, the ones you'd trusted with everything. He pulled you back into place, looking around.

“She killed them the moment she arrived. She killed the entire army.” He shook his head. “She arrived back yesterday, angry and ripped half the palace apart. Her dead army now searches Asgard for those I have hidden away and me, since I have the sword to the bifrost she destroyed should she wish to repair it.” 

You shivered, horrified.“We’re trying to get back to help you all, Loki and I. I promise we're trying."

“I know.” Of course he did.

“Is Thor-“ You swallowed. You weren’t entirely sure If you wanted to know the answer, given his previous revelations were tearing your heart in two.

“He’s okay. He’s trying to get back too.”

Relief flooded your entire body. You felt as if you could breathe. 

“I’m glad you’re safe.” You said, clutching his arm. Your eyes widened as two guards came to a stop in the courtyard, shouting as they noticed you both standing there. 

“I’ll see you soon, my friend.” Hemidall gave you a nod. 

You awoke, stirring from your sleep. Your hands were wrapped around the pillow beneath you tightly, clinging to it, and you realised with a frown that this wasn’t your room. 

It was exactly like it- just back to the front, the bed on the left wall instead of the right. The window was larger, with a bench attached to it and a mirror across from the bed. 

It was Loki’s, you’d realised. He’d probably put you in here because of the blood that had drenched your own bed. 

Turning over, you looked around, blinking into the darkness. It was night, the moon risen outside- so it seemed you’d likely slept an entire day. The duvet felt heavy as you lifted it off and glanced down, expecting to see some horrific wound.

But thanks to your own powers, there was very little there. A scar, pink and healing, ran down and around your thigh and would add to the collection you already had- but it wasn’t as bad as you had expected, thankfully. And for the most part, you felt fine. The wound on your arm wasn’t even existent either, as if you’d never been stabbed.

Again, you were thankful for not being human or you may have died the instant she’d hit the artery. You were honestly surprised you stayed conscious as long as you did. 

Voices flooded the hallway outside and cautiously, you got out of bed to investigate. A white shirt lay at the end of the bed and you slipped it on to cover yourself, brushing out your hair and wiping the sleep from your eyes before opening the door. 

At first, there appeared to be nobody outside- and then, around the corner, Rhodes popped out, a phone held to his ear as a relieved smile spread across his face at the sight of you.

“Ten is fine. We can talk in the morning when you drive up. Alright, bye.” He hung up, snapping the old fashioned looking phone shut and turning his attention fully to you. He took two steps forward, his hands clasping nervously. “Well, I’m feeling a hell of a lot better knowing you’re alive.”

“Have I been out all day?”

He nodded. “Clean out. I was going to move you elsewhere, a newer room or something, but Loki refused to put you anywhere but in there. Said it wasn’t safe for you to be apart, not even with a wall between you- and given the state he was in, I didn’t feel as if I could say no.” 

You swallowed. It was hard to imagine him in any kind of state, especially over you. There was no sign of him anywhere, not a trace.

“Bad?” You asked- but you weren’t sure you wanted to know the answer. 

“He’s been here all night and day. Refused to move, wrapped your arm and legs up twice before they healed themselves. He looked exhausted so I sent him to get something to eat, said I’d wait out here.” 

“Thank you. For helping us, for even giving him a break, you really don’t-“

“If you’re going to say I don’t have to, you can stop there. You had a chance last night to keep the goddess of death here, imprison her or anything, really- and you sent her away. We can’t thank you enough for that, for keeping your word.”

You nodded, a tight smile pulling at your lips. Your stomach twisted in worry, thinking about her back on Asgard. Imprisoning her hadn’t even been a question- she was much too powerful and you’d barely held a fragment of it never mind enough to command more than one action. “You’re welcome.” 

“I also offered because truthfully I’d hoped you’d wake up to see this.” Rhodes walked over to one of the tables off to the left, a decorative flower piece sat atop it. “This was delivered to us an hour ago."

You opened it, glancing over the typed up pages. Inside was information on every Asgardian residing on Migard, or those who had simply visited, even just for a day. Thor, Loki, Sif.. hundreds of pages of notes, pictures, even DNA traces left behind. 

“Tony had it mailed. He’ll be by tomorrow morning, to explain further- but there might be something of use in there.” Rhodes glanced around, shuffling. “I think you should get some more rest before then and you know where I am if you need anything.”

“Rhodes-“ You held the folder up, shaking it gently. “Thank you.”

“Like I said, I’m the one who should be thanking you.” He gave you a gentle smile and wandered off, down the hallways. You watched until he was gone, and shuffled back to the room behind you. 

It felt odd to be inside Loki’s room, especially alone. It wasn’t like his room in Asgard- that was far more grand and the personal touches of him were dotted everywhere, in small fragments. To look at the room with a pair of eyes that didn’t know him, the room may have felt cold. But you’d been in, a few times, and noticed plenty of things you knew meant a lot to him. A ring Thor had found during one war and given to him. A small, hand sized painting of Frigga that he kept in the far corner.

Leafing through the document, you were perched on the side of the bed, legs tucked beneath you. You knew that you should’ve probably headed off to your own room, or found some clothes at least, but you were too occupied with the information Tony had handed you. 

Truthfully, you didn’t want to be alone nor in the room you’d been attacked. Hela was one of the few beings you were truly scared of and although you knew she wouldn’t be able to go against your power, given you’d commanded her own mind and not put a spell on her, something about going back to your room and being by yourself still set you on edge. 

Something sour settled in the back of your throat, your hand resting gently on your neck as it spread- and a moment later, the door swung open, Loki there, eyes wide. 

Worry, was what you’d felt. His worry.

You breathed it in, and let out a long sigh as the tidal wave of smooth relief washed over the jagged edges traced into your skin like a balm.

You went to greet him but he was already moving for you. The tray was discarded on one of the dressers by the door and your mouth opened in surprise as he came to his knees before you, the rug beneath him sliding slightly as he landed. He was so tall, you were still almost speaking face to face, even as he knelt. 

There was a sliver of hunger in his eyes, as he took you in, his own mouth opening slightly as if he too were surprised at the way he’d moved for you, like a man possessed. His hands lingered just above your legs- afraid to touch you, almost. Afraid to find you weren’t real. 

“I’m fine.” You said, surprised to find your voice only coming out so quiet. 

“You shouldn’t be.” He muttered. A soft gasp escaped you as those warm hands finally landed on your bare skin and a dizzying shot of warmth spun your head. He pawed the bare skin, his thumb dragging along the pink scar line. “You commended the Goddess of death. You had her mind.”

“I had the smallest portion of it-“

“You had her mind.” He looked up at you- and for the first time in a long time, it felt like he was really looking at you. As if now, he could truly see you for all you were. “I thought you were gone, for a moment. A long moment.”

“Really?”

“You didn’t see it. You didn’t see yourself.” He swallowed, his throat bobbing and one of his hands left your thigh to reach up. You bent into his touch, allowing him to touch your mind and a vision flashed beneath your eyelids.

You were in front of him, your hand grasping Hela’s arm. He couldn’t see his sisters face, but he could feel her smiling- and you looked…ethereal. Like nothing he’d ever seen before, or would again. Your eyes, your hair- everything was silver and shining, brighter than the moon. You felt Loki’s chest tighten as he took you in, and your eyes moved to his slowly. It didn’t even look like you.

You came back to reality, shivering. “I looked..terrifying.” 

“Trust me, what came after was worse.” His eyes moved from yours back to the scar. His sigh became shuddering as he ran his hand further up your thigh, never quite crossing the line, before returning, tracing the mark.

You sat, completely entranced by him, by his hands. A part of you knew you had to stop him, to stick to the things you had told him just a day before about not working and not being able to walk away.

But his touch felt good, and safe.

“I realised something yesterday.” Loki muttered and moved his hands upwards again, gently massaging the skin there. “I realised that I hadn’t felt angry for a while now- not for a year, or so, in fact. Not the kind of anger I felt before, where I needed to hurt everyone all the time, or say things to try and get them to lash out so I wouldn’t feel so alone in my misery. Naively, I actually thought I was..I don’t know. I can’t say better, but I wasn’t the same.” 

Your muscles sung with pleasure as he worked the knots out, your chest still aching as you breathed in sharply. Something had definitely broken there, but you weren’t currently interested in figuring it out. 

“But when I figured out she’d poisoned you, and I thought you were going to die, I felt every inch of that hatred come back. I felt as if I could rip Hela in half with my bare hands and it wouldn’t be justice enough.” He took a shuddering breath again. “I wanted to burn the entire nine realms down and might have, had you not started breathing again.”

You didn’t feel as if you were currently breathing now. 

He shook his head. “You do that to me. You make me into someone I don’t know, someone who would do that for someone other than myself- and I think a part of me really hates you for it.” 

Never had he spoken to you like this. Never had you been so close, so open with each other and though it may have been foolish, you did believe him. You believed every word.

Silence ensued as his words sunk in. He didn’t pull away, like you expected- he just sat beneath you, and waited. Waited for whatever you were going to say.

“I know what you said.” His tongue darted out, licking his lips, his expression utterly serious. All you could do was stare at them, at him, his words rattling around your mind. “About not being able to walk away. About us, about-“

It felt as if there was complete radio silence in your mind, barely able to comprehend anything he was saying beyond what he had. There was nothing you could say, nothing except-

“Damn what I said.” Your hands wound around his shirt and pulled him from his knees, his lips crashing against yours. 

He was bad for you. He had admitted to hating you, just moments before. But you couldn’t, wouldn’t, care- not now. Not when he’d waited all night by your bed and had held you as he thought you were dying. Not when he always seemed to know the exact path to your heart, no matter how many guards and traps you’d set around it.

But maybe you were bad for him too. Maybe your carelessness and crass were nothing suitable for a God and your power would only cause issues between the two of you, and anyone you dared to care for. 

A deep, throaty moan erupted from his throat as his tongue slid inside of your mouth and you opened your legs, letting his body slip between them. His pelvis dug into yours and warm, calloused hands glided against your bare legs inching higher and higher. The shirt you’d slipped on had disappeared by his magic almost instantly, leaving nothing but a slip between your bare body and him. 

Despite your injuries, there was nothing caring or gentle in your touch, nor Loki’s. The two of you clawed at each other desperately, every inch of you pressed against him yet still not feeling close enough. Every kiss was wet, and hot and fast, unable to taste enough, feel enough.  

You weren’t sure you were breathing- but you didn’t care. You didn’t stop, just went in for more and more. Your hands moved to tug at his shirt and he obeyed, barely breaking the kiss as it disappeared from his torso, only leaving pale, hard skin behind.

The two of you had touched each other plenty of times, but not like this. It had always been hateful, quick and never spoken of again unless you were in a nasty verbal match. But the passion erupting from both of you was overwhelming and every velvety, sweet rush of desire coming from the god on top of you threatened to drown you. His touch, whilst desperate, was savouring. As if he couldn’t get enough. 

“Say you hate me.” He muttered, his teeth scraping along your jaw as he whispered it. You knew what he really meant. What was hidden beneath his words, what neither of you would ever say. “Say you can’t stand to fucking look at me. Please.”

“I hate you.” You arched your body against his, breasts pushing against his chest, hands tugging his hair. He let out a low, rumbling groan as he nipped the skin around your neck. A moan escaped from you as his tongue ran along your pulse line, which you were sure was throbbing. “I hate you. I hate you. I hate-“

His lips were back on yours, the two of you intertwined once more. Heat gathered low in your stomach and you were becoming needy, his groin shifting further into you, pressing against that bundle of heat between your legs, your body shifting upwards-

You hissed, as you moved, and he paused. The two of you unravelled and he lifted himself up, his fingers brushing your neck. 

“I’m going to presume this is broken. And despite your abilities, it’ll still take a day or two to heal.” He tapped it twice, his touch featherlight, and to your great disappointment he sat up and off you. The spell between you broken.

You tidied yourself up, feeling the cool AC brush over your bare shoulders. The past few minutes felt surreal, as if you hadn’t just done that, as if you weren’t yourself. 

“I never knew you were such a gentleman.” You muttered and winced as your shoulders rolled back. The break hurt a lot more than you realised- and rolling around his bed certainly hadn’t done it much good. 

His eyes darkened slightly as he took you in, still shirtless. You almost jumped back as his face suddenly appeared before yours, so close you were practically touching noses.

“I won’t be such a gentlemen next time I get you alone.” His eyes lingered on your lips, leaving you wanting, before pulling back sharply. 

Pink colouring your cheeks, you scooted away from him and further up the bed. You hid under the duvet almost immediately, wondering if it could protect you from him, from what his words were doing to you.

God, you did hate him. Hated how quickly he could unravel every defence you had put up around yourself against him.

For the first time since he’d arrived, Loki finally noticed the blue folder that had been scattered on the floor by the bed. He reached, gathering it all together with a curious look. 

“Tony Stark is coming tomorrow.”

He froze, turning. “Now you tell me?”

“When exactly did you want me to slip that in? When your tongue was down my throat?” You asked. He glared at you and began to leaf through some of the papers. “Apparently he might of found something, I don’t know what but-“

“It’s something.” Loki finished, nodding. “Fine. I can deal with Stark.”

“You don’t have to.”

“And leave you with him? You’ll end up becoming an Avenger in five minutes.”

He put the folder down by the tray of food which he then pointed to, looking back to you. You shook your head, not hungry in the slightest- you still felt too dizzy, and the soft, orange light by the bed was beginning to give you a headache. 

The fact he’d even brought it up for you made your heart stumble, shamefully.

You watched as he yanked some pillows off the bed and began to throw them down on the loveseat at the end of the bed. You frowned. 

“Seriously?”

“What?” 

“We just..” You gestured with your eyes to the bed, cheeks reddening slightly now the tension had begun to settle in between you, your body still glazed with his warm handprints and grasping fingers. “And you’re going to sleep on that thing?”

“I figured you’d want space. It’s not like you’re getting a choice to sleep elsewhere.” He said. You rolled your eyes.

“Is that so?”

“It’s not a discussion. You were attacked, in your room.”

“I could be attacked any time I’m alone. You won’t always be there.” You pointed out. 

“Well, it’s one less time Hela or any of her army could attack, isn’t it? Just do this one thing and don’t fight it for once.” He threw one of the small decorative pillows on the seat at your head. You caught it before it could smack you, huffing at him. 

“You realise you’ve seen me naked several times? I don’t care if we share a bed, it’s hardly a sin.”

Loki stiffened slightly and continued to lay the pillows down. “Maybe that’s exactly why I’m sleeping over here.”

His stare was intense enough to make you look away and you grabbed one of the pillows, laying it down to your left.

“Look, I’ll even make a wall. But it’s ridiculous for you to sleep on that thing- it’s half your size, for starters and there’s no way in hell I’m sleeping on it, before you dare suggest that.”

“You’re lucky you’re injured.” He muttered and with a sort of defeated look, he slunk back towards the bed, throwing some pillows down. To your amusement, he added to the pillow blockade between you, so much that you couldn’t even see him. The bed creaked as the two of you settled in, getting comfortable, the room utterly silent. 

It was an odd thing to get used to, the lack of noise. In your room on Asgard, there had always been something- birds. Fountains in the garden. Raging garden parties going on until dawn. 

“Can I ask you something?”

He sighed. “Are you going to do this all night?”

You smiled into the darkness, quickly recomposing yourself. “Is it so bad? If they want me to be an Avenger?”

He was quiet for a few moments, contemplating. “Do you want to be one?”

“Thor seems to like them an awful lot.”

“So you’re going off Thor’s impression.” 

“Well, yours is a little skewed I imagine given you tried to kill them and vice versa.” You could see him rolling his eyes, even in the dark. “Why are you so worried I’ll accept their offer?”

“Who said I was worried?”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re insufferable sometimes.” 

“So I’ve heard.”

You both laid in silence for a few moments, your back to him. Moonlight filtered in behind the curtains, your eyes glued to it.

He was worried. You’d felt it yourself, many times and you both knew he wouldn’t have snapped at Rhodes if he truly didn’t care- but he’d never bring himself to say that he did. It was why he begged you to say you hated him, unable to hear anything else, unable to accept you could feel any other way- if you did, he’d disappear into dust. Just like he had before. 

“Would you accept if they asked you, after all of this?”

You blinked, considering it. “I don’t know. I don’t know what Hela has done to Asgard- and maybe when I return, there will be nothing left for me. Maybe I should move on.”

“You don’t know that for definite.”

“It’s hardly as if I had much there in the first place. I don’t have anybody.” The words left your lips, leaving behind a hollow space in your chest. You felt it ache quietly, your words reverberating around the darkness of the room. "They are dead. The warrior three."

Utter silence. For a few moments, you’d wondered if he was even still awake, or if he’d grown tired of what you were saying. Or maybe he hadn’t wanted to be questioned further- you were pushing for answers you knew he couldn’t really give you, because he was..well, him. 

The fort of pillows by your head disappeared, whipped into the air, and a warm, splayed hand tucked itself around your stomach. Your mouth opened in surprised as you were pulled close into his body, his head just above yours. 

"I'm sorry. I-" You could feel his frown. "How do you know?"

"I spoke with Hemidall. In a dream."

He sighed again. "Another thing you failed to mention."

"I woke up less than an hour ago, and like I said you literally had your tongue-"

"Enough." He warned, pinching your hip. You wriggled, but he pulled you back, close to him. "I am sorry. Truly. I know they meant much to you, and Thor- and I know you will avenge them with justice."

"Will I?"

His hold tightened. "You will. I have faith." 

The words brought you a small amount of comfort. Loki's breath tickled your hair and the two of you curled up to sleep, your eyelids drooping, instantly comforted by his arms, body feeling heavy as you sunk into the mattress. 

"You will find a place, somewhere in this galaxy- but the avengers are not worthy of your power. Of you.” He whispered as you tumbled into sleep. You felt his hand curl around your arm, resting on your heart. “I don’t know if anyone is.” 

He was asleep before your reply came. 

Chapter Text

The next morning, to no real surprise, you woke up alone in the bed. Tangling yourself under the duvet, you let out a long sigh as the little clock placed on the top dresser chimed quietly twice. 

Loki not being here in the morning wasn’t anything new, and if he had been here, the shock may have killed you.

You looked at the threads on the duvet above your eyes, counting each one. The bones in your chest ached, still healing, and the rest of your body let out a groan in response. Maybe you could just stay here for the rest of the day, and hide from the looming responsibilities outside the door. 

The toll of being on Midgard was beginning to get to you. The death of your friends, tied with the fact your home could be in pieces by now was weighing on your heart and mind. 

All you could think about was them. Training together, battles where you’d fought side by side, parties at which you’d drank and dance until dawn. You thought about the last time you had seen them, and their grins when they’d hugged Thor. Fandral’s laughter when you’d danced just nights before.

Gone. Thousands of years of friendships, gone. 

A green flash spread across your eyes and you grunted, letting out an annoyed sigh. Your slip had disappeared, replace by clothes, a garter around your leg now digging in, the small knife inside of it pinching your thigh. 

“It’s ten to ten.” 

“And?”

“Stark will be here, and I’m not going out there alone.” You watched as the duvet disappeared, yanked back by the god of mischief, his face appearing above you, totally unimpressed. “Did we body switch in the night or something? You’re hiding in bed?”

“I’m tired.” You glared at him. “And injured.” 

“From what I remember you can’t be that injured.” His raised eyebrows sent a scalding blush down your cheeks. You turned from his stare. “Time to get up.”

“Fine.” You muttered, climbing up and out of the bed. It felt as if concrete weighed itself on your shoulders, everything feeling so painfully. Loki frowned, as if he could see it too. Before he could open his mouth to even ask, you shouldered past him, to the door.

Downstairs, chatter arose from the kitchen, two male voices catching your attention as you walked towards it. Someone laughed- and the other scoffed, scolding them for whatever had been said. 

One more glance back at Loki revealed nothing- his expression was entirely neutral as you walked inside, giving away nothing. But you knew he had to be feeling something along the lines of nervousness or worry.

The two men stopped their chatter, turning to look at you- one was Rhodes, who gave you a nod, his eyes turning hard as he noticed Loki behind you. The man next to him was not what you had expected from Loki and Thor’s tales. 

Tony Stark, you presumed. He adjusted himself, a casual suit draped across his body and a pair of brown eyes beneath some oddly tinted glasses inspected you both. His brown hair, spiked upwards, was very human. Curiosity flooded his senses, with a range of emotions spiking as his eyes slid to Loki- fear, anger, surprise. None of it reflected on his face, but you felt it. Could see it in his eyes. 

“Tony, this is the gods I was telling you about.” Rhodes introduced you, making the first step forward. You followed, giving them both a slightly nervous smile.

“I’m not a god, just him.” You outstretched your palm. 

“But she’s..enhanced, like him.” Rhodes explained. You nodded, and watched as Tony gently shook your hand.

“I hear you freaked my medics out.” Tony raised his eyebrows. “It’s a good thing they’ve tended to people like you before and it helps I paid them a good sum of cash not to speak of it again.” He took a step back, his tone laced with confidence- and a little arrogance. “Tony Stark. I hear you glow silver.”

You tried not to laugh. “Occasionally. It’s nice to finally put a name to the face- and thank you, for letting us stay here.”

“Well, I hear this is all for Thor. How could I say no to his..friends?” 

“Easily.” Your eyes wandered back, to where Loki still towered above you all, hanging by the door of the kitchen. He ignored your glance, looking elsewhere.

“So, goddess of death huh? Not something I’d like to deal with right now.” Tony winced, and you watched as he walked back over to some of the cabinets, yanking something out of them. “And I don’t have to. Thanks to you, I hear.”

“I promised.” You scratched your neck, feeling a little awkward. “But I’m assuming you didn’t just come all the way over here to thank me?”

He huffed a laugh, seeming amused. “Well, I think it good manners to pay a visit when I hear a goddess throws one of the guests out of a window. But no, I didn’t just come for that- I found something, eventually, after some bribery.” 

Another folder was handed to you and you looked inside. Less pages than before- in fact, just two, stapled together neatly in the left corner. It seemed to be on one man. 

“Yesterday I sent over everything SHIELD has on your kind of people and the Gods. This was the classified bit at the back someone tried to hide before I managed to get it back, last night.” Tony explained. “Someone I’ve never heard of, a man. Not a threat, but on their watchlist- suspected to be asgardian, but they had a note at the bottom saying-“

“Unknown origin. Possible god, but unlikely.” You finished, reading it yourself. No picture, or any real information but an address and a transcript of his last movements and routines. 

Possibly a demigod.

“So, he could be what you’re looking for. It says there someone witnessed him using his powers once, back in the 60’s but given he was never really seen again then I don’t know.”

“He could be a demigod.” You started, as Loki appeared beside you, slipping the folder from your hands. His shoulder brushed against yours, standing so close to you it was noticeable. The two men exchanged a minuscule look.

“So, are you all reformed now or something?” Stark asked, his glare hardening as he stared at the god. 

Loki barely bothered to meet his look, still reading the folder. “I guess so.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t help the goddess of death. You could’ve had the planet in seconds.” Stark pointed out. You could feel that fear inside of him twist into frustration- he hated him, and he wanted him to bite. You wondered if he couldn’t stand the fact Loki may not be the villain anymore. That the menacing god he’d conjured in his head didn’t stand before him, and all the pain he’d experienced from him meant so little. 

Loki’s eye twitched, just slightly. “I made a promise. To a friend.”

You dared a glance at him. He was already looking at you, a warmth deep in his eyes.

Stark scoffed. “A friend? You have friends now?”

“From what I hear, you have very few these days.” Loki’s voice, whilst calm, had a biting tone. “I wouldn’t be so quick to mock, Stark.”

“Alright, alright.” Rhodes interrupted, pulling at Stark’s shoulder. 

Tony rolled his eyes, huffing. Ever cool, ever collected- but you knew the sting the words had left, could feel it. He was sad, over his team breaking up. Sad his friends didn’t exist anymore.

You outstretched your palm again, trying to reel in some of the tension. “I really can’t thank you enough. This could get us back- and maybe we can start to fix some of this mess.”

“You’re welcome.” He straightened himself out, glancing at his watch. “I gotta go. Pep’s got some conference on and promised I’d attend. I’m already late.” He grimaced, pointing to you as he walked backwards. “Feel free to drop in when your whole Asgard thing is sorted out- we could use someone like you.” He glared once more at Loki. “Not you.”

You bit down on your laughter and bid them a goodbye. Rhodes clapped your shoulder on the way out, following his friend. The two spoke about some game they were watching, and you waited until their voices had quietened before turning to Loki.

“I behaved.” He muttered, before you even had a chance to speak. You rolled your eyes, pulling the folder from him. 

“We should go. Today- before anyone else can die.” Your voice tightened slightly, and he caught your arm as you turned. 

“You seem off.”

“I’m fine. I just want to get the job done, okay?” 

He nodded, seeming unconvinced, and let you go.

You were grateful- if he’d asked once more, you may have begun to scream and perhaps never stopped.

At the back of the folder, in small print, was a list of addresses the man had been spotted entering. Since 2008, he hadn’t seemed to have move from the one in Maine- so you decided to go there first, and hope for the best.

Loki drove, still in your old beat up car from previous journeys. There had been no sign of Rhodes when you left, so you’d left him a quick note on the pad by the door to let him know you were heading to find the man and you’d hoped to be back by nightfall.

After a quick fuel stop, where Loki had conjured fake dollars to give to the cashier, you settled into your seat. Your chest still ached, healing slowly, and you’d been up and down through the night, unable to sleep thanks to Loki’s sleep fuelled wandering hands.

Nothing too inappropriate- but he’d had a bad habit whilst asleep of slipping his hands a little high beneath your slip as he pulled you closer, or running them in circles just beneath soft spots. You half wondered if he’d in fact been awake, and doing it just to torture you.

Your eyes lulled as you leaned against the car door- and soon, you found yourself falling into sleep.

The red dress you wore wasn’t one of beauty. It was simple and plain, its skirts dragging along the floor beneath you and its sleeves plummeting as they drowned your arms. 

Some of the clothes worn today had been beautiful, and draped in finery. The night chill had meant they’d wrapped themselves in shawls and scarfs, wooly and thick to wipe away their tears as they mourned their prince.

Loki’s death had rocked the entire palace. Unlike his first death, Thor had witnessed him die, as had his friend Jane. Held him until he was nothing but a cold body, limp in his arms. He swore to the all father he was truly dead- and that his actions had saved them all.

You hadn’t spoken. Hadn’t found the words to say anything, for two days. One of the girls wondered if someone had cast a spell on you, to turn you mute, or if Odin himself had done it as a kind of punishment for whatever you had done now. 

But there was no spell. No punishment. 

Your hair was beginning to spill out of its hold and you unclipped it, placing the hair piece down on the desk. Frigga’s room still smelled like her, just weeks after her death, and it was the only comfort stopping you from running to the far corner of the nine realms and never returning. 

Frigga had meant so much to you- but the light amongst the darkness had ended up somehow being her son, who had come to your door just three nights ago and proclaimed how much he needed you. How much he wanted you. Promises of what you would do together when he returned had been like a plaster over all the pain, reminding you that there was still a future out there. There was still joy to be found on Asgard.

But now he was gone. Dead. His body burned on a ship and sent over the edge of the planet. 

Unfolding yourself, your hands shook as you pulled forward the book that had been sat on your lap. It was one you had fought over as kids, both of you claiming to love it far more than the other. It was filled with tales of the gods and goddesses, stories and songs, poems, drawings. Rather boring perhaps, but one you’d both cherished. It was still wrapped in the black ribbon you’d tied it with earlier, you’d meant to place it on the boat with Loki. To allow it to burn with him, so he may have it in Valhalla.

You snorted. If he was going there, that is.

But you hadn’t been able to. No matter how hard you tried, your feet had not allowed you to step forward and place it onto the boat- and eventually, you had slunk back, hiding with your friends like a coward as you watched him fade off into the distance, the fire of the boat roaring miles overhead.

A few tears slipped, dripping onto the book and you caught them, scolding yourself. You had been so foolish to get your hopes up, to naively think they could survive such a battle. You hadn’t tried harder to go with them.

A gentle chap came at the door- Fandral, reminding you dinner was going to begin. You shouted back, saying you were coming and carefully slipped the book into the top drawer, locking it, and placing the key underneath the lamp. Just in case. 

It was all you had left of your god of mischief. You weren't sure you could bare anymore right now, and burning it would topple all of the bricks you were carefully readjusting around your heart to avoid falling apart.

As you moved for the door, you swore a pair of eyes landed on you, sending a chill down your spine. But a quick glance around revealed there was nobody here- you were alone. Again. 

A few days later, someone had stolen the book and the clip you’d left on top of it-

You woke, turning your head immediately left- and noticed Loki sharply pull his hand away, his eyes glued to the road.

“Bastard.“ You muttered, yawning.

“What did I do? I was reaching for something behind you.” He lied so smoothly perhaps anyone else may not have realised. But you knew him. You knew the twitch in his eye, and the slight change of tone.

“Liar.” You glared. “You stole that book back, didn’t you? I cannot believe it, you are really an insufferable little shit-“

The car halted to a stop. Loki gave you a condescending smile. “We’re here, if you’d like to stop bitching on about something that didn’t even happen.” 

You were tempted to slap it off his face and he realised, shifting away from you. Looking around, you were surprised to see so many trees surrounding you, covering every inch of land. Only a road ran behind you, where Loki had parked in some gravelly cut out and in front of you, a small white bungalow, a laddered staircase leading to the door.

The two of you climbed out of the car, standing in front of the house. Nobody seemed to be around- even the house nearby looked silent, not a person to be seen.

“Where are we again?” You frowned, kicking at the bleached grass beneath your feet.

“Winter Harbour.” He replied. 

“I guess we better go in.” You stepped forward and paused, turning to bash your fist into his arm. Loki yelped, grasping it. “Don’t look in my mind without my permission again. It goes both ways with us you asshole.”

He rolled his eyes and followed you up the path to the door, both of you quiet. This was a big deal- and if it turned out to be wrong, you could be back at square one all over again.

Knocking twice, you stepped back. The curtain by the door lifted and closed again swiftly, a long pause and several unlocking bolts before the door swung open. 

A man stood before you both, slightly different to the pictures in SHIELD’s file. His hair had grown out, it’s strawberry blonde roots peaking out beneath the brown it had clearly been dyed. His face was more rounded too and a whaft of fish came towards you as he stepped forward. 

“Can I help?” He asked. As he spoke, you felt a pinging down your arms- sharp 

“We’re looking for uh…Andrew?” The file stated he’d appeared to change names several times, so you tried the most recent. 

“Sorry. I think you have the wrong house.” He shrugged and began to shut the door. Before he could get the chance, Loki jammed his foot in it, giving him a chilling smirk.

“Not Andrew anymore?” He asked. “How about Ryan? Eion? Either of those ring a bell or have you moved on to something new?”

The mans face grew stormy. He had a block on him, you realised then- you couldn’t feel what he was feeling. “What the hell do you want?”

“We just want to talk.” Loki removed his foot. “Nothing more.”

The man continued to eye you both suspiciously. Your eyes slid to the right, to the engraving on the door. The Yggdrasil symbol was carved there, and next to it the Mother marking. 

You touched it gently, your heart swelling slightly. “Frigga.”

Both of the men froze, looking to your hands. Loki reached over you to touch the F, his face tightening. She had marked it over several of her possessions and jewellery, as well as her office doors- you would recognise it anywhere. 

“You know Frigga.”

The man swallowed hard, and nodded. “Do you?”

“This is her son.” You explained. “We just need to talk to you, very quickly. We come in peace, I swear it.”

He seemed hesitant still, and you didn’t blame him. Given how much he’d clearly moved around and hidden himself, he didn’t want to be found by anyone, never mind a God. 

He took a step back, and another, pushing the door open slightly. You slipped inside, Loki following, noting the four locks on the door as you went. They were all bolted up as you walked inside.

The house was nice and simple. There didn’t seem to be a lot of ornaments or trinkets about, nothing to really personalise the place. A photo hung above fireplace, a cavern carved into the side of a rock face. The ocean roared around it. You frowned- you could’ve sworn you’d seen that place before. Not in person, but in a dream.

“Did she send you?” The man asked, bringing your attention back to him. Loki was looking down at some papers on the table.

“No. I-“ You shuffled. “When was the last time you saw her?”
“Five, maybe six years ago. I was living near New York when that crazy alien stuff happened and I decided to move further up the coast. Take up fishing.”

“Fishing?” Loki didn’t seem impressed. You nudged him in the ribs, glaring.

“I wanted some quiet. I almost died when a skyscraper came down from one of those things- and I’d fought to stay alive this long. I wasn’t interested staying somewhere the Avengers are.” He rubbed his hands together, seeming uncomfortable. “Can I get you something to drink or-?”

“No, thank you.” You turned, glancing at the picture again, curious. “What is your real name, if you don’t mind me asking?”
A pause and then- “Rune.”

“Interesting.” Loki mused. “Rune means secret, in norse.” 

“Well that’s what I am, I suppose.”

“So, did Frigga help you get to Midgard or did she find you?” 

“She helped me. I grew up elsewhere on the nine realms, but I’ve been here since 1954. I move around a lot. Get a new job, change my name, my hair.” He rubbed his neck. “Try to avoid Gods.”

“We mean no harm, truly.” You tore your eyes from the picture. “I have some news, I’m afraid. About Frigga.”

His face crumpled as you told him of her death, two years prior. His knees seemed to shake slightly as he sunk into the green sofa beside him, hands cradling his head. 

“I’m sorry. She must’ve meant much to you.” 

Frigga had never mentioned him, nor that she had even stepped foot on Midgard. You wondered if Odin knew of him, or if Thor did. You also wondered who his parent was, and if either of them even knew. 

“She saved my life.” He sniffed. “Word got out I existed- and she hid me here using her own magic and wards. Nobody has ever found me, until now. I suppose if she is dead, her wards have disappeared.”

You didn’t quite have the heart to tell him it was through SHIELD you had found him, not magic, and he had been on their radar for years. 

“We just got lucky in searching for you- and nobody else will be coming. You don’t need to worry.” You took a seat beside Rune gingerly. “So, are we to assume you are a demigod?”

“I am.” He sighed. “But if you are actually here to kill me, there is no need. I am powerless.”

Loki frowned. “Powerless?”

“I have nothing, except an extended lifespan. Similar of that to a Gods, rather than an Asgardian’s.” Rune explained. “So I would probably live as long as Odin, if I so wished to.”

“Why hide you, if you are powerless?”

“God’s don’t tend to listen. They cut first, ask questions later.” He said, and you snorted quietly. He wasn’t wrong there. “Better to be safe than sorry. I have also grown quite attached to Midgard, to moving about and becoming a new person.”

“I see.” 

“So, is that why you came? To deliver the news about Frigga?” He seemed hopeful- and beneath it, you could see the sliver of fear.

Loki looked disinterested, but you knew the conversation about his mother was paining him. He was shuffling through some of the papers on the desk beside him, sighing. 

You shook your head. “We needed to find a demigod. That is why we are here- not to kill you.”

He eyed you, suspicious again. “Why?”

You briefly explained all that had transpired with Hela, and the bifrost, leaving out unimportant details. His eyes widened as you talked, the sight of it almost amusing- the more you spoke, the more you realised how insane the past two weeks had been.

“It is a small cut on the palm, your blood and his.” You nodded to Loki. “And then that is it- you do not have to ever see us again, I swear it. You would be helping us save our home.”

He considered it for a moment, the frown on his face growing more by the minute.

“I mean, if you need help, I will help you. For Frigga.” He said. Relief shot through your veins. “But I do not understand why you need me.”

“What do you mean?”

His eyebrows furrowed, confused. “I allowed you into my home partly because I figured Frigga had sent you- because you were another.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Don’t you feel it? The zing when you came in?” Rune scanned you. “Like calls to like.” 

“I’m a-“

“Demigod.” Loki finished. His face looked as if someone had lit a lightbulb inside of his brain. His eyes, wide, stared right at you- as if seeing you for the first time. “You’re a demigod.” 

Chapter Text

“No.” You shook your head, a foot moving backwards. “I can’t be, I-”

Something shook as you banged into it and Loki was already there, his hand clasped underneath your arm as he caught you. You gave the demigod an apologetic look, picking up the trinket you’d knocked over. 

“But it makes sense. It adds up now.“ Loki turned to Rune. “You feel the charge between you, don’t you? I read there is one all demigods share?”

You knew exactly what he meant before Rune even confirmed it. It was like a quiet, static charge running between the two of you and it had zapped into place the moment he’d opened his front door. You assumed it to be nothing- an Asgardian thing, or something to do with your power. 

“I do.” Rune nodded.

“It’s why your power..” He trailed off as he met your stare, unwilling to say anymore in front of unknown company. Why it was so much. Why Odin and Frigga had fought so hard to keep you hidden. 

You’d always assumed your powers would be used against the royals and it was why you needed to hide yourself- but perhaps it was more. Perhaps they thought your god parent would come knocking and take you back for their own gain, or worse- kill you.

It meant one of your parents was a god. And one, perhaps an Asgardian, or a Midgardian. You weren’t sure- Frigga had never said much about them. She’d told you that you had been found by her and brought to the castle to live a safer life, and truthfully you hadn’t really questioned it.

Of course, you’d been teased, by various members of the court. Told you were unwanted, thrown to the street. But you hadn’t cared- what could you have searched for you didn’t have in the palace? And the fear of Odin looming behind you, and your every move, made you unwilling to search for answers perhaps you wouldn’t want to know.

“Do you know who your parent is?” The question rolled off your tongue before you had considered it. Rune blinked.

“No. But there was only two rumoured to have had offspring- Eir and Freyr. That is what Frigga told me, anyway.” He replied.

Loki considered it, a thoughtful look patched on his face. “I have a suspicion. But I couldn’t be sure without research.” He glanced to the other demigod. “Would you wish to know? If I found out which was which?”

“Both are said to be long dead. It would make no difference to my life.” He shrugged.

“You don’t care?”

“Not particularly. I consider myself more human than god.” Rune gestured around the room. Loki looked disgusted by the thought. “I have no real connection to Asgard, or the rest of the nine realms. I was left behind, hidden to protect myself. This is my home now. Knowing who my parent is would change nothing and so, I believe it wouldn’t matter.” 

You nodded. It was much the same for you- your parent had never mattered much to you before, and certainly didn’t now. It would change nothing in your life. 

“So, like I said- I’m more than happy to help you both but..you don’t even need me. You have yourself.” Rune scratched back of his neck. “I’m sorry you came all this way when you had the answers all along.”

“But how do we know I’m a demigod for sure?” You asked then, digging your boot into the carpeted floor. The loose threads rolled back and forth beneath your shoe. “I know we can..feel something but what if it’s another connection? What if its not a demigod thing?”

“What else could it be?” He asked you. 

You sighed. “I don’t know. But we can’t get this wrong, we don’t have anymore time- and Strange gave us a powerful spell. To get it wrong might cause causalities we can’t afford.”

Your eyes drifted back to the painting, the cave in the ocean as Loki turned to face you. “We may not have another choice.”

Rune followed your gaze to the painting. “When would you plan to do the spell?”

“Strange mentioned something about first light, he wrote it all down-“ Loki reached for the bag at your hip, going to shuffle through it for the paper he’d given you a week or so ago. “But there’s things at the compound we have left and we hoped you’d come to New York.”

“I can.” The demigod seemed anxious. “But if you have a night to spare I suggest you go to Hodd Cave. It’s in that picture you keep looking to.”

“I feel as if I have seen it before.” You muttered. “As if in a dream.”

“Perhaps you have. Demigods used to be taken there, as a sort of welcome into the world ceremony. Before they were hated, hunted and killed.” Rune shook his head. “Frigga took me there, to check my heritage rang true.”

Loki looked to the picture too, squinting. “What is contained within the cave? Trials? Some kind of performance or-“ 

“No, no.” He chuckled. “Nothing so complicated. There is a pool of water contained inside, deep in the caves. You get in, swim in it- and if you are half god, half..whatever, it will glow.”

It didn’t sound overly difficult. “Glow?”

“Golden. That’s what it did for me, when I was just a kid.” Rune walked to the desk by the window and grabbed the notepad off it, beginning to scribble something down. You watched as he finished, and gave it to you.

Directions, it seemed, to the cave he was telling you about. It was down in Rhode Island on the coast. 

“Go now and you will make it before the sun falls. My home line is at the bottom- if you do not glow, you can call me and come back. I have room here and I will help you complete the spell in the morning.” 

You reached, clasping his hand. “Thank you. So much.”

“It’s nice to meet you both. I haven’t spoken to anyone from Asgard for a long time.” His face turned solemn as he turned to the God by your side. “I am sorry. About your mother.” 

Loki swallowed. “It is-“

Rune grasped Loki’s arm. “She saved my life by taking me away and hiding me here, despite the consequences she could’ve faced from Odin for doing so. She meant a lot to me and I truly am sorry- I will miss her, more than I can possibly say.”

He seemed uncomfortable- but to his credit, he didn’t immediately pull away. “I appreciate that.”

The two of them coughed, moving away from each other and you forced down your smile at their awkwardness. 

Moving for the door, you bid goodbye to the demigod, butterflies filling your stomach as you walked out. If you were a demigod, you had the answer under your noses for weeks- and if not, thankfully you weren’t back to square one anymore.

Rune called your name. “Be careful. Demigods are not so favoured amongst the Gods- and even those you may consider friends may grow wary of your power.”

Though you may have imagined it, you thought you felt Loki gently squeeze your fingers with his as you walked out the door.

Five hours of nervous leg shaking later, you arrived to where Rune had directed you. Parking near Sakonnet Point, you trekked down the beaches and the rocks dotted along the coastline. A white lighthouse stood out in the distance, shining its light as the sun began to go down behind it. You had made it just as the sun was about to be eaten by the moon. 

The entire sky was lit up with glorious streaks orange, the colour scalding the rocks as you scaled down them, towards the cave. The warmth of the stone shot through your skin and you appreciated it. The entire place reminded you of home, and a longing for Asgard pierced your heart. 

You understood why Frigga had hidden Rune here, and why he had grown to love it. Perhaps you would too, if you had been left here- but truthfully, you were grateful you had been the one to end up on Asgard with the friends you had. Although you knew little about him, it seemed as if Rune lived a lonely life, one he constantly had to change, unable to love anyone, to attach himself to them. It was not one you would wish upon yourself, and you wouldn’t have given up a minute you had with any of your friends.

Surveying the horizon, you could see a dip ahead. You knew the cave would be just along there, as Rune had said it would. Loki was ahead, his hand out towards you and you took it, jumping across one of the cracks. The sun had light up his pale skin, giving it a golden tint and his green eyes looked like fresh spring. You tried not to stare too long- but it was difficult. So often he skulked beneath the shadows, in the darkness, using it to his advantage. Only able to love you within them. Only able to be what you knew to be his true self with nobody else was watching.

Loki was watching you, curiously, as you crossed. But he said nothing, checking you were on stable ground, before letting go and continuing down the rock face.

Birds sung overhead, as a pink hue began to tinge the clouds. It was a beautiful sight- and one you wanted to enjoy for a moment, mindlessly walking, before a large hand yanked down on your elbow, bringing you to your knees on the rocks. 

“Hey-!”

“Shut up.” Loki hissed. You followed his glare, to the dip ahead and just inside, you could see the outline of two guards, waiting stone still by the entrance. 

They were dressed the same as the ones that attacked you in Colorado. Hela’s army- she must’ve realised what you were, who you were, and sent them here to prevent you from getting the confirmation you needed to return to Asgard.

Although, she perhaps didn’t count on you finding another demigod. Perhaps Frigga had ensured any knowledge of him died with her.

Loki moved stealthily and you followed, the two of you crouching on the cliff right above the guards. They bounced on their heels, completely unaware. A quick look passed between you two, before you jumped off and landed straight on their backs.

They screeched, surprised, clawing at you. But your sword had appeared, courtesy of Loki, and you slashed it straight through it’s neck, it’s bony head clunking as it smacked off the ground. The other guard fell quickly, 

“That was easy.” You dusted yourself off. 

“Don’t speak so soon.” Loki gestured to the cavern with a flourish. Ignoring his annoying smile, you pushed past towards the entrance.“No turning back now.”

“No turning back.” You repeated quietly. 

Swallowing nervously, you steeled yourself, and stepped into the darkness inside. 

Chapter Text

The cavern was darker than you’d expected and thankfully for you, Loki produced a flashlight, handing it forward to you.

You took careful footsteps downwards, noting the downward spiral of the rocks. The walls were obsidian black, a faint pink glow emitting from them. You were almost tempted to reach out and touch it- but if you knew anything from all your years of travelling, it probably wasn’t a good idea to touch the magic glowing walls.

There were no sounds ahead, just the sounds of your breathing, which signalled there was probably no further guards. It was strange there had only been two- had Hela underestimated you? Or had she not expected you to figure it out at all?

Something worrisome was growing in your gut but you pushed past it, continuing down the winding path.

“Do we fully trust Rune?” Loki muttered.

“I don’t know if we have a choice.” You felt some of the slippy rocks slip out from beneath your foot, your ankle wobbling. Loki’s hand wrapped around your arm and yanked you back up. “What’s the worst that can happen?”

“We find an even bigger army down here waiting for us, and they kill us? The water is actually poison and you die?” He said it so casually you wondered how long he’d been thinking about it.

“Aw, are you worried about me?” You smiled to yourself in the darkness, imaging his eye-roll. It was easier to tease him than to think about the worrying possibilities ahead.

The damp air below filled your lungs and you breathed it in. Light filtered in from the end of the path and eventually the walls around you, which were beginning to feel a little claustrophobic, opened out.

There was a steep jump down into the space, which was smaller than you’d expected. In the centre of the room was a pool and surrounded by it, piles of rocks. 

Loki slipped past you and jumped down first. To your surprise, he turned and held out his hands. You clasped them, your fingers intertwining and jumped down, stumbling slightly as your body pressed against his. Your eyes met, an immediate tension building, and you both stood still, heart hammering. 

He let out a throaty cough and moved, towards the pool. You followed, knees trembling slightly. 

The cavern at first look wasn’t beautiful- but as you glanced up, your eyes snagged on the roof. Algae coated the roof, glowing various hues of blue and green, and it lit up the entire room. You smiled- it had been a while since you had seen something so pretty. It had been a while since you’d been able to marvel in it. 

Glancing back down you realised the god was watching you, an odd look on his face. 

“So, I just..get in?” You looked around, expecting something more dramatic. But this was it- a beautiful glowing roof, and a simple, plain pool.

“I guess so.” He too seemed unimpressed. 

You shrugged, and reached for the hem of your shirt, pulling it over your head. Your boots followed. 

Loki frowned. “What are you doing?”

“You want me to get in fully clothed?” You rolled your eyes and flicked your hand at him. He turned, facing the cavern walls.

The sweet smell of the water caught you off guard as you sighed and continued to undress. You certainly weren’t going in naked, but your underwear would have to do.

The water was warmer than you’d expected and it felt as if it soothed your bones the moment you stepped in. You paused- but no glow came. It seemed you would have to go all the way in. Stopping towards the end of the pool, dipped your shoulders underneath and waited. Loki turned back, watching- but still, nothing happened. 

“So maybe he was wrong.” His arms were folded and you noticed the creases in his jacket from how rigid he was holding himself together. Those green eyes met yours and you wondered if he was worried, or if it was something else.

“Maybe I need to go under.” You took a deep breath and dived in, before he could protest. It was completely murky underneath, no sign of any danger or life. The pool wasn’t too deep either- your feet could touch the bottom, if you pushed yourself underwater.

Even if the water didn’t glow, it definitely had some kind of magical properties to it- you could feel every bruise and aching joint ease as you swam. You finally submerged, nearer the entrance and smiled as Loki appeared right by the side.

“Relax.” You splashed water at him, chuckling. He scoffed, glaring at you. “I’m not dead yet, am I?” 

“Perhaps we were wrong, about you.” He seemed disappointed at the fact. “Come on. You’re going to freeze to death.”

“It’s warm night and a warm pool. You’re like a mother hen.” You tutted and pushed back into the water again, away from him. He called your name, right as you dipped beneath the surface again. 

Something warm swarmed your body, the feeling totally encasing you. You kept your eyes closed, pushing through the water, waiting until your chest was almost bursting for air before you returned once more to the surface.

As you came up, ready to admit defeat and go home, you were almost blinded, your hand coming up to cover your eyes as you winced. 

A startling gold glow was erupting all around you, lighting up the entire room. The entire pool had turned to liquid gold, your arms shimmering with it. You grinned, unable to help yourself, and looked over to the God. His jaw was clamped, his eyes locked on you, on your smile.

“You’re a demigod.” His voice was rough enough it dragged over your skin. 

“I’m a demigod.” A laugh escaped you. “We can go home.”

Turning, you swam to the other end of the pool, your hair streaming in the water behind you. All of your fears about being a demigod, Asgard, Hela- they all washed away, just for a moment, as sheer relief poured down your skin.

As you turned back, your mouth dropped in surprise. Loki was there, moving for you, and before you could even ask what he was doing, he’d wrapped you in his arms.

He was beautiful. So stupidly beautiful it knocked you stupid as you appreciated his muscles and his midnight hair, slicked back. He was a god. Your god. The only one you’d ever found yourself praying to- praying he’d touch you, praying he’d kiss you one more time. 

“You are-“ He let out a shuddering breath, his hands grasping you tighter. “Something else.”

It was wrong to give in and you knew it was wrong. His mouth passed over yours, briefly touching, and moved downwards to your jaw. You let out a shuddering breath- you had loved him, and lost him too many times and although you didn’t want to lose control, or lose yourself, it was becoming unbearable to be so close to him without giving in.

“I-“ You tried to gain back some sense. But all sensible thoughts drifted from your mind as his teeth grazed the skin beneath your ear, a breathy moan escaping you. 

Loki wound his body around yours tighter and you felt the imprint of him against your thigh. Your hands travelled down without much thought, as if they belonged to someone else, caressing his length.

Any self control either of you had snapped and he pounced, his mouth crashing against yours. Your arms wound around him, clinging to him, as he carried you both across the pool and back against the walls. The rock was cool against your burning skin and you leant into it, gasping as he kissed you wildly. There was such hunger there, between the two of you, it was futile to try and fight against your feelings. 

His hands were wicked. They roamed everywhere, over every inch of bare skin that was there, before practically tearing off your underwear and throwing it back onto the shore behind him. He lifted you out of the water, his mouth clamping down on your nipple. He sucked, your head falling back, eyes closing. 

His hand massaged your other breast, your crotch grinding against his thigh. The friction warmed your stomach, a coil of tension building between your legs. You reached down and ran your hand down the length of him, your hand trembling just slightly. His quiet groan was music to your ears as you stroked, his body pushing closer against you. 

“I told you next time I’d get you alone I wouldn’t be such a gentleman.” He lifted his face from your chest, his eyes darkening. “As much as I’d like to pin your ass against this rock and devour you until you can’t walk-“

“We don’t have a lot of time.” Your voice barely made it out your throat. 

“And god knows what’s in this water.” He seemed so calm about all of this it only made you more nervous. But his hands wound around your ass and turned you towards him, his touch gentle. He kissed you, just a peck, and turned his attention downwards.

You watched the streams of water dripping down his body, the solid ridges of his stomach flexing as he inhaled sharply, his hand rubbing his length as he moved for you.

Your nails dug into his shoulders as he slid inside, slowly, allowing you to adjust to the size of him. You hissed quietly, focusing on the feeling of his body pressing against yours, on his lips meeting yours once more. 

He slid out- and back in, more rough this time, your body shuddering with the pleasure. You clung to him, like the last lifeboat on a sinking ship, desperate, hungry, wild. It felt like you’d been paralysed, you could barely think, or feel. 

“Open your eyes.” He muttered against your mouth and slammed into you, the water rushing between you. You gasped, opening them, noticing those beautiful green eyes intensely staring into yours. A rush of euphoria went between the two of you, his pace picking up, your legs wrapping around his waist. 

Your head tilted up as he thrusted deep and fast, unrelenting now. His name was a moan on your lips, over and over, as if you couldn’t form any other words. Every inch of him was exquisite. 

You were close, and you suspected he was too from his groans. One of his hands left your hip and moved upward, tugging your hair down.

“Look at me.” 

Your eyes locked once more- and then you felt it. The immense rush of pressure slamming through your skin, like a lightning bolt. Tears sprung to your eyes from the sheer amount of emotions suddenly striking you- and you realised Loki had opened his mind, allowing you to read him however much you liked. 

But you couldn’t bare to peer inside. It felt too private, too terrifying a concept after all the years of being shoved into the shadows. So, instead, you leaned in and kissed him, the two of you so close you felt as if you may crawl inside each others skin. 

You felt your orgasm tumble down your spine, erupting, and Loki’s lips swallowed your cries as you came. Your palms clasped his back, shooting your emotions into him- and he groaned as you let that euphoria spread into his skin, his mind, and slammed into you, finishing. 

The two of you were breathless, foreheads pressed together as he just held you for a few moments in the water. All you could hear was his breathing and the quiet drops of water dripping from the two of you. 

You knew you had to go, but you clung to him for a few moments more. Before you would have to go back to the real world outside, the one where the two of you would likely pretend this hadn’t happened. The world with the very real possibility of Hela killing you all and you losing him forever, again. It had happened twice before, and despite all your fighting against it, you knew you were in too deep and a third loss may break you for good. 

Loki moved first, as he always did, and gently put you down from the rock. Your cheeks grew a little red as his eyes racked over you.

“We need to go.” He muttered, holding a hand out to you. You clasped it, and let him drag you through the water and out. A green flash, and then he was wrapping a towel around your chest, handing it to you. You dried off, watching as he also made some fresh underwear appear for you, and a warmer sweater.

A warmth spread through your chest. You tried to stab it down, but it refused to go, staying there despite your protests. 

“It’ll take us a few hours to get back to the compound. Then we need a plan for dealing with Hela.” Loki’s eyes still clung to you as you both dressed, as if he couldn’t quite tear them away. 

“Okay.” You felt a ball of emotions stick in your throat. The fear of Hela, coupled with what you’d just done, it all felt too much suddenly. Your clothes felt too hot, too sticky and you wanted to get out of the cave, into fresh, free air-

“We’re fine.” You were hauled back into reality by Loki’s hand on your jacket, adjusting the collar. He’d noticed your internal panic. “Take a deep breath.”

You did so, your eyes widening as he tugged your collar, bringing you closer to him. His lips gently  brushed against your cheek, then he stepped back, the guard back up in his mind, his face devoid of anything that could tell you how he was feeling.

But you didn’t want to ask what he was thinking. You didn’t want to think anymore, not in the last few fleeting hours before you’d have to go home and face war. 

So you just slipped your hand into his, grateful for his squeeze in response, and followed him out of the cave. 

Chapter Text

Pulling a sweater over your head, you checked the data pad again, sighing. You’d sent a message to Rhodes an hour ago, explaining your plans and he had yet to reply. You didn't want to just disappear into thin air and leave everything behind, and you wished to say thank you, but there were mere hours before you had to wake and go back to Asgard.

The ride home had been quiet. Not awkward, or strange- just quiet. Contemplative. You’d enjoyed not having to talk about what you’d just done, or what lay ahead and by the time you’d reached the compound, the tightness in your chest had eased off a little. 

But sitting here, your sword laid out in front of you, armour beside it, you felt it tighten again. You almost wished you were in alone, in this. So you didn’t have to worry about Loki, or Thor or anyone you may find alive in Asgard.

Not that there would likely be many.

A painful thrum ran through you, memories of your friends flashing by. It didn’t feel real. It didn’t seem possible that they could be dead, left to rot on the palace steps. They’d always felt so invincible to you, even when you had been stitching them back together. Older and wiser, never to fade away. 

The sword felt heavier in your hands than usual. The gemstone embedded within the hilt glinted at you, deepening under the shadows of the room. A soft chap came from the door as you turned it over in your hands, thumb running over the blade. 

“Mhm?” 

Loki slipped in, still in his clothes from earlier. He ran a steady eye over you, and the weapon in your hands.

“Thinking about tomorrow?” He asked.

“Sort of.” You sighed, and placed it back down on top of all the other gear. There was a heaviness in your shoulders, like a block of concrete, and you couldn’t pick them back up. “We’re returning to a completely different place. Our friends..”

The rest of the sentence refused to leave your mouth. Loki’s footsteps were soft as they crossed the small distance between you and he bent at your side, knee resting by your arm.

“Close your eyes.” His hand lingered between you. You did as he side, jumping a little as his fingers pressed against your skull.

You waited- and then, before your eyes, a memory bloomed to life, spreading out in front of you. 

You looked down, realising you were in Loki’s body, standing amongst the others. In the distance, on one of the grassier, bright fields stood you, sword pointed at Sif.

Volstagg stood to the right, the other warriors beside him. The three of them were grinning amongst themselves as they watched the two of you fight, your shouts of effort audible even from this distance.

“This is the day.” Volstagg swung on his heels, arms folded. 

“Sif had a pretty rough weekend. She’s got anger to release.” Fandral pointed out, right as she swung her sword down on you so hard you stumbled back. The three of them winced as you rolled on the grass.

But you were not defeated- and whilst Sif was too busy focusing on defending your sword swinging towards her, she missed you spinning your leg across, throwing her off her balance. Your armoured leg flashed underneath the sunlight, barrelling towards her. 

“It’s the day.” Hogun even smiled now.

Leg connected to torso, Sif flew through the air, slamming into the ground. You moved like lightning, slashing her weapon from her hands before she could use it- and she lay completely defeated beneath you, spread out. But the longer you stood, realising your victory, even she was begrudgingly smiling. 

The warrior three erupted into cheers, hollering your name, clapping. You looked at them from the field and grinned. 

A flurry of other images erupted before your eyes, all from Loki’s view. Your beautiful bronze dress shimmering as you danced with them. Laughing with them all after a battle, glad to be alive. Fighting side by side. 

Your eyes opened, and you turned to look at Loki. He was right beside you, your faces so close just a nudge forward and you may have touched your nose to his.

“That was first time I ever beat Sif.” You said. He nodded.

“You want to know one of the reasons I envied you so much? Why I could be so cruel? Those memories. The love the four of them had for you. The way they celebrated each and every single one of your victories- they’d never been my friends like that nor loved me like that.” He sighed. “Nobody had.” 

“They were your friends too.”

“Begrudgingly so. They hated me, but dealt with me. I often wonder if it was because of Thor- or you.” His eyes caught yours for a brief moment before flashing away. 

They knew something was going on between the two of you, but they were never quite sure what. And you’d never told them, truthfully. A part of you had been ashamed. Ashamed to choose someone they’d witnessed be so cruel to you, to them. Mostly you were ashamed of yourself for even feeling that way. 

“They didn’t hate-“

He shook his head. “You do not have to defend them. I was not nice to them for thousands of years, and treated them below me- I did not expect their friendship. But it was envious of you because of it.”

You swallowed, the air around the two of you tightening. You looked back down to your hands, that sadness from before rushing in, like a tidal wave. “I’ve known them my whole life. Now they’re gone.” 

“Death doesn’t get easier.” Loki sighed- and you realised then, he’d likely had people outwit his family that he had perhaps cared for die over the years. Had to watch them age, whilst he hadn’t. “But the sadness we feel for death is proof that love had existed there. They died protecting Asgard, which was their solemn purpose- and they would never blame you for not being there and I am well aware that is likely what is upsetting you most.”

He was right. You hated you hadn’t fought by their side when Hela had arrived, nor had given them any warning of her arrival. 

Loki gently rested a hand on your arm, squeezing comfortingly. Tears burned your eyes. You didn’t have much to say, nothing to express how grateful you were for his kindness, for the unusual amounts of it he was showing. So, to both of your surprises, you just moved forward and wrapped your arms around him, burying your face into his shoulder.

He froze, for a moment, before his arms wrapped around you and pulled you closer into him. Time felt as if it stopped as he held you, his body warm and hard. His clothes still smelled like Asgard, like home, and you breathed it in. 

You pulled back slightly, his hands still lingering on your waist. “How long do we have?”

“About five hours.” 

The two of you shared a long look. You could see a wariness in his eyes and you knew, though he didn’t say, he was thinking about tomorrow. About the fact the two of you were once again on the cusp of something huge and had fallen into each others arms, like all the times before. 

It felt like history repeating itself and this time, you couldn’t be sure you’d make it out alive either.

“Don’t go.” You said it before you could think any further. “We don’t have to talk about it, we don’t have to deal with..us but just don’t go.”

He hesitated for a moment and there was a look written across his face you couldn’t read. But then he softened slightly, his shoulders relaxing. “Okay.” 

You let go of the long breath trapped in your chest. “Okay.”

Both of you moved out of each others embrace. The bathroom light hummed quietly as you turned it on, quickly splashing your face with water to cool down, letting out a heavy sigh as you dried off.

In your room, the lights were dimmed, and Loki sat on the edge of the bed. He watched you cross the room, to come to a stop between his legs. 

His hand gently grasped your wrist, turning it over so he could look at the shimmering golden bracelet there. His finger traced a line and you watched as something green glowed against your wrist, shining, before sinking into your skin and disappearing entirely.

“Algiz.” You realised. A protection rune. 

“Just in case.” He muttered. Then he drew another one. Defence.

You frowned, gently grasping his wrist. “What about you?”

“I don’t need them so much.” He nodded to the new pile of armour you noticed in the corner of the room. His own, ready for morning. “Most of my stuff is already protected. As are your own clothes- but these are my protections. My own magic.” 

Now imprinting onto you. You swallowed as you watched the final flash of green disappear and shimmer underneath your skin, a warmth spreading. As if to say hello. 

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you watched as he moved back and made room for you, allowing you to slide in beside him. The two of you eased into a comfortable hold, his legs dragging yours under his. 

Those green eyes met yours in the darkness, the two of you content to just sit, and watch each other for a while. You tried to memorise every freckle, and line. Every contour. After watching him out the corner of your eye, catching glances whenever you felt he wouldn’t look, you doubted even a million years would be enough for you to forget his face. 

The two of you lumbered into sleep, his hand gently spread over yours between you, fingers interlocked. As you tumbled into dreams, you only thought of your god of mischief and you prayed to all the gods you could name for his safety.

A few hours later, you awoke. The sun had not yet begun to rise, nor was it close- but the hairs on the end of your neck had stuck straight up. 

You felt as if you were being watched.

Loki was still asleep, breathing heavily beside you. Your back was now to him, his hand gently residing over your ribcage.

Gently pushing past him, and out of the bed, you glanced around the darkened room. But there was no signs of anyone- not even a shadow. You pushed your mind out with your magic, scanning for cords, or a suggestion of a spy- still, nothing. 

But something still felt wrong. 

Grasping your sword, you grabbed it, and the hilt laid beside it and quickly snuck out of the bedroom, managing not to wake the God in the process thankfully. 

You thanked the stars above you’d went to bed dressed, strapping the hilt to your waist. The sword was a welcome, familiar weight as you dashed through the hallways, eyes slithering down each crack and shadow.

A creak sounded. Your body whipped around, to the source- it had come from downstairs.

Rhodes wouldn’t hide in the darkness, and he certainly wouldn’t be here at this time. So whoever was moving down there, couldn’t be a friend.

Peering over the ledge, you could see a shimmering blue coming from underneath one of the doorways. It moved, as if whoever was projecting it was moving. 

Your hands clasped the railing and taking a deep breath, you jumped, landing nimbly onto the floor below, your sword already coming from its hold as you braced yourself. The blue light froze- they’d perhaps heard your soft footsteps. 

But you carried on anyway and with a grunt, you booted the door to one of the offices opening, sword swung back in defence. 

Shrouded in darkness, shimmering blue, Hela grinned at you.

Every inch of your body screamed to get away from her, to run in the opposite direction. But a moment after the initial fear passed, you realised she wasn’t here at all, nor could she be. You’d commanded her own brain to follow an instruction. It was simply a projection of her.

Two, heavy sighs came from behind you, and you spun, noticing two of her army of dead standing there, awaiting orders.

“Don’t mind them. They won’t bite.” She called. “Unless I tell them to.”

“What are they doing here? What are you doing here?”

“I couldn’t come. So, I figured they could be put to use.” She sighed, walking closer to you. Her hologram hand passed through your shoulder, sending a chill through you. “Quite a spell you put on a me.”

“Not really a spell.”

“I was right then. About how powerful you are- you commanded a goddess of death with one strand of her mind. Imagine if you had access to the entire thing.” She smirked.

Your power strained in response, already clawing at your skin, begging for a taste. It was like offering crack to an addict. 

“I’ll ask again. What are you doing here?” 

“I have four of them, surrounding your bedroom. Ready to slit the princes throat, should he merely breathe too loudly for my liking.” She flicked her black talons at you. 

“He’s too powerful for your army to beat him.“

“But dead asleep, thanks to a little something we poured on him whilst you lay intertwined.” She dangled a small white bag in front of you before throwing it away. Oxi. A powerful powder used to make people sleep, sometimes for twelve to fifteen hours at a time, if not an entire day. 

Your chest twisted in agony. You’d been fools to curl up together, to not expect another attack. To not be more prepared.

“It’s funny. I don’t know them, but you’d figure the son of Odin, with his lightning and his hammer, would be your choice. Not an ice monster whose powers only exist to make those around him unable to trust him.”

“He’s not a monster.”

She seemed unfazed. “All of us are. Even you.”

A noise scuffled in the background. Her eyes caught on something to her right and she reached for it, dragging it into view.

You let out a noise of surprise as Jas appeared, tearful. She could barely look straight ahead at you, her shoulders slumped, arms bruised.

“I want you. I want your power. I know exactly who you are, and who your parent is- and together, we could be unstoppable. We could take all nine realms and whatever lays after that without even lifting a finger- you are destined to be more powerful than even I.”

It was hard to focus on a thing Hela was saying, your eyes only focusing on her clasp around Jas’ neck, the girls trembling hands. 

“She is innocent.” Your own voice wavered. 

“Indeed. Hence, she is perfect.” A careful, long press of her finger went under the girls chin. “You want to help her? You go with my men. You come home, to Asgard.”

“How do I know she is real?” You asked- and instantly regretted it. 

Hela smacked her, hard enough to draw blood, and the girl began to instantly cry now off hologram projection. You raised your sword- but it would do nothing. She wasn’t even here.

“There is why I am here. There is my offer.” She nodded. “Come home, join me. Or kill her, and the man you love.”

A dull ache spread through you. You fumbled for answers, for a way to fight back, but you knew it was pointless. She had you, every which way, and she knew it. Don’t return, and kill those you only wished to protect anyway.

But return, and she might force you to do so anyway.

“I will return, on one condition.”

She raised her eyebrow at you. “Are you in the place to make those?”

“Perhaps not. But I could not return at all- and then you will never have the power you desire. Eventually, Thor will come and you will have no aid. All your dreams of easy conquering will vanish. I only ask for one thing- is it not worth granting?” 

Not that you’d fight him anyway. But she didn’t know that, for now.

She considered it for a long moment. Jas cries continued in the background, ringing out across the throne room. Your fingers tightened on the hilt of your sword, imagining putting it through Hela’s neck.

“Only one.” She decided.

“Blood oath.” You replied. Her face slackened. “Blood oath to me you will not kill Jas or Loki- nor will you command anyone to, including me.”

Adding in yourself seemed like a good precaution. Just in case she tried to find a cruel loophole of some kind.

“I will blood oath I shall not kill them or command it- unless they attack me first.”

“Fine.” Better than nothing, you supposed.

“Fine.” She waved a hand to her men. “Gather her and return-“

“No.” You pointed your sword at them, warding them off. “Swear the oath now. We can shake the moment I arrive- but say the binding spell now. That way I know you cannot fool me once I arrive.”

She grunted, clearly annoyed, and turned back to you. Her eyes, so soulless, met yours. “You’re no fool, I’ll say that.”

“I was raised well.”

Hela raised her palm so it was clearly in view. You did the same and at the same time, the two of you split your palms open. You gasped as blood poured out, dribbling down your wrist, onto the floor below.

The words passed between you both, a horrible, familiar feeling creeping up your stomach as you repeated them. 

“Á þessi dagr, vowr er gerumk

Blooð til binð oss forever, þar til dagrinn vér líðtilr valhall

R ek promise til accept ok obey minn oath forever meiri.”

You pressed your bloodied hand to your shirt, grimacing at the dirty floor as Hela sighed, yanking down her sleeve.

“I’ll see you soon.” She cocked her head, amused, and the hologram disappeared. The sight of her smirk only made you more anxious. Heavy, shuffling boots made their way towards you and you tried not to panic as they grasped at your arms, dragging you behind them. 

Your eyes floated upwards, to where Loki would be sound asleep, unaware you were even gone. To where he’d wake, and panic, finding you gone. He’d likely see the blood downstairs and assume the worst.

But you knew he could fine Rune, and make the portal if he needed. A part of you wished he’d come, to fight- but a more selfish part wished he’d stay away. Stay safe. 

The man you love. Hela’s voice rang out in your mind. You hadn’t bothered to even deny it- because wasn’t it true? Hadn’t it been, for a long time? At some point that intense hatred and anger against him had changed. it was different than before- stronger. More terrifying. 

You’d always thought you couldn’t love him- but now, you’d all but handed your power to a psychopath with a taste for killing and conquering. 

If that wasn’t love, you weren’t sure what qualified anymore. 

Chapter Text

Her hand was more soft than you’d expected.

Hela shook your hand, her fingernails digging into your skin, sealing the blood bond between you. The blood dropping to the floor sizzled with magic, disappearing almost instantly. As she lifted her hand away, you focused your powers downwards, healing the scar until it was nothing but a short, lifted white line.

“How does it feel to be home?” She asked.

You’d only arrived a few minutes ago, and escorted straight here. Before she’d been allowed to say anything, or move you elsewhere, you demanded she complete the bond in its entirety. 

You had completed it before- but blood oaths without the seal can be broken far more easily, their rules more lax. You weren’t taking that chance with her. 

To your surprise, she’d seemed eager and agreed, slipping your hand into hers almost immediately as you shook. You took the few moments of peace to study her- really study her, from up close.

Now you were inches from her, you did see the resemblance to her parents, and to Thor. The same rounded blue eyes, and strong, long nose with its bulbous tip. Though her darker hair and figure were a striking resemblance to Loki. 

“Different.” You looked away from her, to the doors behind you. You’d been in here so many times, had passed through them for so many different reasons. But you’d never been as fearful as you were today. 

“Yes, I did a little refurbishment.” She gestured around. Golden statues of her and other soldiers you didn’t recognise decorated the room, the walls now adorned with their old tiles and paintings, the mosaic of the royal family gone, replaced with her and Odin, riding into battle on her Fenris wolf.

It was horrifying. Bloody. You weren’t surprised Odin replaced it with something reflecting peace and prosperity and his shiny new family. 

“Don’t like it?” She asked, her long black hair swinging over her shoulders.

“It’s as I said. Different.” It had seemed to be the word you’d settled on. 

Ignoring your discomfort, she moved to your left, her hand laying on the shoulder of the man who had stuck by her side since you arrived. “A lot of things will be from now on. This is my Executioner.” 

You recognised him, but where from, you weren’t sure. As he turned to look at you, his bald head shining with tattoos, you realised- “You took Heimdall’s job. Skurge” 

“I was appointed by Odin. Or, Loki, I suppose.” He didn’t bother to offer his hand, only tilted his axe slightly in acknowledgement. But his eyes could barely meet yours- he looked ashamed. The emotions radiating from his body suggested much of the same. Fear. Shame. Pride. A terrible mix under the wrong hands. 

“Skurge mentioned you were one of the few in the inner circle people liked. That bodes well for us, with our plans.”

“Plans?” You were surprised he remembered you. Surprised he thought so highly of you, too. 

“I’ll inform you more of those tomorrow. I suggest for now you are taken to your quarters and change out of those Midgardian clothes. Perhaps visit your friend.”

Your chest tightened. “Where is Jas?”

“In her own quarters. She’s had a hard week.” Hela sucked her lip though her teeth, trying to look sympathetic in the most condescending way. She gave you an evil smile, before waving her hand off. 

Skurge coughed, gesturing with his hand to the door. Reluctantly, you went- you wished to know of these plans she spoke of, and what she had in store for you. But you were tired, and you did wish to know how Jas was.

He led you away from your usual bedroom. Clearly that had been given to someone else, given all the guards loitering around the outside of the stairs. You crossed the courtyards, to the other side of the palace, your eyes blurring as you went.

Everywhere was deathly silent. The palace was never bustling, except for parties- but there was always some kind of noise. Chatter of maids. Music. Training of the warriors. Now it felt endlessly empty. Alone. All of the art, and love Frigga had poured into it had been torn down and trashed- you dreaded to think what their quarters looked like. What your own looked like.

Bodies were still piled there, slowly being cleaned up by Hela’s mindless minions. They were beginning to rot out in the sun, the smell unpleasant. All soldiers- none of them civilians. You could tell by the armour.

“Where are the civilians who were captured?” You asked, your eyes still milling over the bodies. You couldn’t look away, searching each of their faces, recognising each and every one.

Skurge cleared his throat, his voice quiet. “Dungeons. Some work in the palace still.”

You felt like booting him over the head with your foot. What was he doing? Why was he working for such a woman? You’d never known him, not really, but you knew he used be a Einherjar warrior. They were held in high regard in Asgard, their entire duty to be to protect the palace, the people- and he’d failed. He’d done the opposite, clearly. 

Skurge said something else, his voice ringing across the empty space, but you didn’t hear a word of it. Your feet had planted to the concrete, your entire body frozen. 

Hogun. 

Hogun was planted atop a blade, lifeless. His eyes still open, dried blood crusted around his mouth. His arms flung out to the side, his entire body just limp. Helpless.

Tears blurred your vision, spilling out onto your cheeks. You took a step towards him and stopped, unsure if you could manage it. 

He’d clearly been left for last, as a message, to this daring to defy the firstborn of Odin.

Taking careful steps around the remaining bodies piled closest to him, you reached him in seconds, your hands trembling uncontrollably. His skin was beginning to crack from being left in the sun so long, his eyes unbearably white.

Despite the smell, and the blood, you reached down, wrapping your hands around his body. Skurge shouted something else, but you ignored him, and lifted Hogun off the blade. He was heavier than expected, your body almost collapsing under his weight.

The executioner appeared by your side, looking uneasy. You met his stare, glaring intimidatingly, despite the tears rolling down your face.

“Help me with him.”

“I-” He shook his head. 

“I assure you, death at my blade will be far more painful than hers if you do not help me. He is my friend-“ Your voice cracked. “I will not leave him here, to be made a mockery of.” 

Volstagg and Fandral were likely long gone, killed elsewhere. But you had found Hogun- and you were not allowing him to lay here like a puppet, only to be thrown in a mountain of bodies and burned. He deserved more. Much more.

Skurge, after several seconds of contemplation, swung his axe over his back and attached it there before taking Hogun from your arms. You breathed a sigh of relief and followed, as he led you out of the courtyard quickly, towards the end of the palace.

Loki’s quarters, you realised. You were relieved- at least you were going somewhere you knew.

“Go to his gardens.” You instructed. Skurge seemed confused until you revealed the door to them, underneath the staircase to Loki’s quarters. He bent down, crouching through the door, and you followed.

Loki’s gardens were miniature, barely a scratch of the palace grounds. But they were surrounded completely by hedges, kept away from prying eyes, only for him. The door to them only opened for certain people- and you were one of them, you’d found out one summer. 

He laid Hoguns body down in the corner of the patch of grass, shuffling awkwardly as you joined him. 

“I need a shovel. Or something.” 

“I can’t-“

“You can watch me, if that is what you need, to prove I have not kept the shovel as a weapon. But I am burying him with my hands if I must. Isn’t it quicker to just get me the damn shovel?”

He sighed, and disappeared back through the doors.

Taking a private moment before he returned, you turned to your friend, your chest heaving with pain as you reached for him. Your hand splayed on his chest, wishing to feel a heartbeat- you would’ve given anything in that moment to feel it. To have one last conversation with them all. To tell them how much you loved them.

You reached, closing his eyes, a cry erupting from your chest as you did so, unable to stay contained any longer.

“I’m sorry.” Tears rolled down your neck, soaking your jumper. “I’m so sorry.”

Sobs rang out into the garden as you leaned over his body, curling yourself around him. You knew he’d done everything he was supposed to, had fulfilled his duty in trying to protect Asgard- but it still didn’t stop the burning streak of agony pouring over your skin. 

It wasn’t fair. None of this was fair. 

You tried to gather yourself as you went back to the doors to let Skurge back in the gardens, the tiniest shovel you’d seen in his hands. It looked like a kids toy- but it would get the job done. 

You began to dig, forcing all of your anger, and sadness into your hands as you tore the soil from the ground. Tears continued to drip down your face, your nose filled, but you pushed past it, digging and digging. 

By the time you finished, the sun was already lowering, saying goodbye to the planet for another day. Skurge sat nearby, his face twisted in anguish. 

Without asking, he helped you lift Hogun’s body into the grave you’d dug. You quietly began to recite a prayer, your hand spread over your heart.

“Lo, þar gerekr sjá minn faðir

lo, þar gerekr sjá minn móðir ok

minn bróðirokr minn systir

r lo, þar gerekr sjá linerinn ór minn fólk aptr til begininginn

lo, þeir gerkallar til mik

þeir bið mik takminnr staðr among þau inn hallanórr valhall

r hvere thine enemr hafmuniðr vanquisheð

hvere braveinn munu live forever

né munu vér mourn en rejoice fyrir þau at hafdejumkr gloriouanandlátr.”

Skurge stood silently, his hand pressed to his chest as you filled the hole back up, looking as if he was giving a salute. His emotions radiated across to you, sadness piling up on top of everything else, a heavy lick of shame barrelling down your spine. 

But you didn’t want his pity, or his sadness. He’d betrayed the warriors. He was no better than Hela herself- and you’d gladly kill him, the moment you got a weapon in your hands again.

Something he perhaps knew, given he slinked out of your way the moment you shoved the shovel against his chest with a glare. He departed out the garden door, only calling behind him that your quarters were in the rooms above. 

You sat for a while in front of the grave, your eyes clinging to the dirt. Wishing it would move. That Hogun would jump out and tell you that you made a terrible mistake.

But it didn’t.

When eventually, your ass began to hurt from sitting for too long, you decided to move, brushing yourself off. You climbed back out of the garden and headed up the stairs. In Loki’s quarters, he had his own room, and a guest room. You supposed the guest room was for you, given it was all made up when you peered inside, and so you took it. 

It felt wrong to be in his room without him. Wrong, and terribly lonely- and if you fell down the pit of despair and loneliness currently threatening to eat you up, you may never get back up.

The room was stocked with everything you may have needed. Traditional clothing, armour, soaps, towels.

You ran the bath, your fingers mindlessly playing with the tap. You wondered where your other friends were. If they had been burned, or buried. If they had been simply tossed in the chasm of the sea, left to fall into space and time forever. 

As you climbed into the bath, you tried to breathe, to focus on anything else. Anything except for Hogun’s limp body, his wild, terrified eyes still open in shock. You wondered if Loki had awoken yet, and discovered you were missing, or if he was still passed out from whatever Hela had given him.

You should’ve checked on him. You were an idiot for not checking, for not fighting harder to go back for another look. But you were too afraid he’d awake, and figure out what was happening- and for once, you had wanted him to be safe. 

Despite that, you couldn’t help but wonder if you’d left him in more danger than before.

Later that evening, although tired and numb, you dressed and left your room to seek out your young apprentice. Nobody stopped you on your way- but you felt watched. Like a pair of eyes were around each corner, tracking your movements.

Jas was being kept in her old suite, you discovered from some of the jitterish maids. They seemed happy to see you, although they tried to keep a lid on their emotions, afraid of looking too happy in front of the wandering guards. You thanked them, making a mental note to visit the kitchens at some point and check in, before carrying on your way.

Chapping on the familiar oak door twice, you waited, as quiet footsteps thudded towards the door. It swung open hesitantly, those amber eyes scanning upwards, mouth downturned-

Jas gasped, flying into you, her arms thrown around your skirts immediately. You crouched, allowing her to wrap herself around you as you hugged her back, your eyes threatening to tear up once more.

She cried quietly into your hair, her body racked with sobs. You gently lifted her inside her room to avoid catching the attention of any guards, allowing her to cling to you as you went. The sheer relief coursing through her body was even beginning to affect you, the softness of it running down your throat, like a sweet candy.

“It’s alright.” You looked around her room, looking for any signs of disturbance, but it seemed normal and neat. “Are you alright?”

“I thought you dead.” She sobbed, her small hands winding into the material of your dress. You gently pushed her back from you, your fingers gentle as they wiped her wet cheeks.

“You think that witch could kill me?” Grabbing a few tissues from the top of her vanity, you handed them to her.

Jas dabbed her cheeks. “I wasn’t sure. Hemidall got so many out, but I was trapped and I thought perhaps if I waited you’d be back-“

Your heart tore in half, imagining her here the past few weeks, awaiting your arrival. You’d felt your time on earth went by in barely a blink, but time worked differently here on Asgard. What had been a mere few weeks to you had been a few months for Jas. 

You could see it. Her hair had grown longer, plaited over her shoulder, and her shoulders were a little wider. 

“I’m sorry I made you wait.” You grasped her chin, tutting quietly. There was a faint yellow bruise crossing her cheek, and your blood began to boil as you noticed it. “Did she do this?”

“She punishes those that stay in the castle. Some of the other girls are still here. Gen. But not..” She swallowed, hard. Kalie had not survived whatever punishments Hela had inflicted then. 

“They were trapped too?” You asked, blinking back the tears threatening to erupt again. You had cried enough today- and you were not going to look anything but strong in front of Jas.

“We hid, not realising Hemidall was coming to help. We thought Thor would come back to say us, but Hela killed you all. That is what she is claiming anyway.”

“I know nothing of Thor.” You sighed. “He did not fall to Midgard with us.”

“Us?” She piped up and looked over your shoulder, as if expecting to find someone there. Your heart gave a painful pang. 

You nodded. “Prince Loki. But he is..he is still on Midgard.”

“He did not return?” To your surprise, she looked disappointed. “He was..kind to me. Not to many others.”

“No. Not to many others.” You tried not to smile. “And no. He didn’t. Hela came for me first and I wished to keep him safe- we have no idea what the state of the royal family may be now.”

Her amber eyes met yours, a sheepish looks spreading across her face. “Perhaps you could be queen.”

You laughed then, and it felt genuine. You were grateful for the girl in front of you. “I doubt it, but I appreciate you saying so.”

“What will you do now that you are here?” She asked. You considered it for a moment, watching as she shuffled closer, her legs now atop yours. 

“I am unsure. Figure out Hela’s plan. pray for Thor’s return. Think how to rid Asgard of her myself.” 

Jas nodded. “She is trying to find those who left with Hemidall, but she has no idea where they may be.” 

You considered it. But truthfully, not even you could consider where he may have hidden them- and it was likely for the best. Holding onto information like that would only bring trouble into your life.

“It’s getting late.” You noticed the clock by her bed. Hela would likely be requesting your presence bright and early tomorrow and you needed to get a game head on and focus how to

“Will you stay for a bit?” She asked, blinking up at you nervously. 

You nodded, watching as she scrambled up, and into her pink lined bed. Its posters were decorated with fine silk, the material smooth like butter beneath your fingers. You were always a little jealous, deep down, of Jas’ room. She had been truly spoiled by Frigga before her death.

She snuggled down beneath the sheets, her eyes anxiously following you as you sat down by her side, as if afraid you’d disappear if she closed them. You gently tucked the sheets around her side, your hand laying on her shoulder.

“You can sleep.” You gave her a comforting smile. “I’ll be here tomorrow.”

“And the day after?”

“And every day after.”

A promise you hoped to keep. For her sake. 

Her little shoulders unwound, relaxing into the pillows. She chatted quietly for five or so minutes, but sleep dragged her into its clutches quickly, her eyes flopping closed. You gently stroked a hand over her hair, a rattling sigh escaping out of your chest. 

You had to get your shit together tomorrow- and you had to figure out how the hell to get rid of Odin’s firstborn, a woman you’d watched tear apart mjölnir with her bare hands, or you could kiss Asgard, and any chance of life, a goodbye. 

Chapter Text

The next morning, you had paced the entire length of your bedroom twenty times before you’d decided to get dressed and leave your room. Nobody had come calling for you yet- but you knew it was only a matter of time.

You’d spent the night tossing and turning, but still no plan came to mind. You had to figure out Hela’s plans first, what she had in store for you- then perhaps you could better equip yourself for fighting her.

The silk material of your dress swirled around your ankles as you made your way down the stone staircase the next afternoon. The material was a gentle blend of sunset colours, the golden bands around your arms holding the sleeves in place and felt entirely too wrong after the clothes you’d worn on earth for the past few weeks- you were finding yourself longing for a pair of pants that didn’t belong to your training gear.

Your footsteps were silent as you snuck past another row of guards, heading down the long, winding staircase at the end of the palace. Chatter filtered upwards, getting louder as you got near the bottom, the heat of the kitchens hitting you immediately.

As you peered through the wooden door, your eyes widened as you realised just how many maidens and other staff Hela had shoved down here. They were all completely cramped together, their shoulders wrung tight, arms stiff by their sides. 

“Delia?” You called to one you recognised, waving her over to the door. She practically clambered over a group of boys, her auburn hair swinging in its plait, perspiration dribbling down her forehead. 

She grabbed your hand, a sharp wave of relief crashing through her. “Oh m’am, it’s good to see you.”

“None of this m’am stuff.” You rolled your eyes. “Why are you all crammed down here?”

“Well, Hela took away our living areas, and we’re banned from leaving the castle so…” She shrugged, gesturing to the people behind her. Now you noticed in the far corner a few of them curled together, their eyes shut- they were sleeping in here. 

She’d forced them all to move in here, and there had to be at least a hundred of them. The entire place was disgustingly hot, with barely an inch to move between them all.

“She killed many. It is unfortunate, but it is better than being dead. Or so some of them say- the heat in here at night is enough to convince me otherwise.” She was trying to joke, but you could see the sadness in her eyes. Feel the wave of guilt pulsating through her. 

“I’m sorry.” You offered. There wasn’t much else to do, or say. 

Delia shook her head. “I am just glad you’ve returned- we all are. Maybe things can return to normal? Or more normal, I suppose.” 

She seemed so hopeful it lit a match in your cold heart. It was a nice change of pace from your own thoughts.

“Maybe.” You gave her a small smile, watching as her eyes grew wide, her mouth opening slightly. As you turned, you already knew one of the guards would be stood there, waiting. They had an eery vibe around them that you could sense- it tasted like liquorice on your tongue. Like death, personified. Hela had the same taste.

“Don’t worry.” You gently squeezed her hand. “He’s here for me. I’ll see you another time- and don’t be afraid to find me if you need anything, alright?”

“Yes m’am.” She scattered immediately, her fear tangent on your tongue. Clearly these guards weren’t popular amongst the staff- it made you wonder what they had seen to make them so afraid. Was it simply that the beasts were so ugly? You wouldn’t be surprised. Their bony faces were not ones of beauty. 

Wordlessly, you followed the beast upstairs, sighing. Once upon a time you had felt Odin’s rule could be worrisome, and at times unfair. Now it seemed like a dream world, one you craved to return to- and you imagined they felt the same. 

It led you to the throne room, the grand doors swinging open, revealing Hela standing near the front of the room, awaiting your arrival. Just behind her, Skurge, his eyes still unable to meet yours.

“Afternoon.” She greeted, her black talons placed on her hips. Her catsuit glowed green, her pale skin poking out from various places underneath. 

“Is there a reason the staff are being kept all in one room, like rodents?”

Her eyebrows raised. She hadn’t expected that. “Tell me, did you ever speak to my father with such carelessness?”

“Is that relevant?” Your fingers clenched and unclenched. 

“I am leader of Asgard now. The firstborn, the rightful ruler.” Her eyes zoned in on you, and you suddenly felt like a very small deer, hunted by a panther. “Most people that are allowed within these castle walls treat me with such respect.”

“I’m not most people.” 

“No. You certainly aren’t.” Her face betrayed no emotions as she took you in, a grand, sweeping look before she turned on her heel, gesturing with her fingers to follow.

You did so after a moment of hesitation, your eyes peeled as you mapped out every inch of the room, every guard that stood watching you. She seemed to have an abundance of them, and there would certainly be no easy escape from the palace if that became your plan.

Even if you didn’t escape, if you only tried to get Jas out of harms way, that may prove rather difficult too. But if it was necessary, you’d find a way.

Outside the throne room, a glinting golden balcony overlooks the city below, showcasing some of Asgard’s finest areas. But what once have been a thriving, beautiful metropolis now lay deadly silent. Like a plague had swept through the city.

You glanced over at Hela, her black hair swept over her shoulder. Plague was perhaps the correct word.

“I thought you’d put up more of a fight, on Midgard when I came.” Her hands gripped the stone balcony. 

It almost sounded as if she was disappointed. You huffed. “What was I to do? Refuse, and let you kill two innocent people?”

She laughed. “My brother is certainly no innocent.”

“He is when it comes to you.” Your footsteps shuffled quietly as you leaned against the marble pillar beside you, body already aching and tired. Such a massive change in realms had left you a little unsteady.

“I thought demigods were supposed to be..” Hela tilted her head. “Volatile. Impulsive. Your human hearts, mixed with the blood of gods, is not supposed to do you any favours. Its why they tried to wipe your kind out.” 

“Did you have a hand in that?” You asked.

“Of course I did. I was Odin’s right hand. His goddess of death, and war, called upon for any and everything he needed.” Her eyes continued to lock on the horizon. As if she could see something there you couldn’t. “It’s why I was caught off guard when we met, especially the second time. I could smell you from a mile away- I’m surprised someone hasn’t come for you by now.”

Perhaps they had, and you had just never known. Or perhaps the way you shunned your powers for so long, only allowing pieces of it to arise here and there, meant it had been undiscoverable until now.

“I suppose.” Hela continued. “Odin locked up all those who he considered ‘bad’ long ago. So they haven’t had a chance to get their hands on you.”

“Am I to presume that means you aren’t the only family member he locked away?”

She nodded. “There was so few of us, hence why we were never discussed again- but they are free now, as am I. I expect them to make a visit very soon.”

Your stomach tightened immeasurably tight. If Hela had been locked away, what else had Odin hidden from you all? Or more importantly, who?

“Why did you ask to see me?” You changed the subject, unwilling to think about it any further at the moment. You would have to visit the library and do some research, to try to prepare for whoever may arrive through the palace doors.

“As I said, I expected more of a fight from you on Midgard. Since you came willingly, and we’re going to be working together-“ As she said it, a shiver creeped down your spine. “I feel I should give you some information in return.”

You waited, silent. she rolled her eyes.

“About your lineage.” She carried on. “Your father was Asgardian. The human half of you, the part that makes you dangerous. And your mother, was Eir.” 

Eir. You’d learned about her, with Frigga. Had she known she was teaching you about your own mother? If so, why had she never mentioned it before?

“What happened to her?”

“She died, giving birth. When it was discovered the child was a demigod, it was sentenced to death and the father was banished. I presume he is likely long dead too.” 

Your frowned, a headache beginning to spread round your lobe. “How do you know this?”

“I am older than you think. You are merely a girl to me and my brothers, just boys. I knew who you were the moment I laid eyes on you, despite their protests- I know Eir’s eyes when I see them.” Hela looked bored, picking at her nail. “She was my mothers handmaiden. I imagine the bond between them is what convinced her to keep you safe- and why Odin tore you limb from limb, ensuring your silence, terrified someone would realise what you are and accuse him of treason.”

Meeting her eyes, she drifted her gaze down to your hand. To the scar running the length of your hand, bright and gory for all to see. Though you hated to admit it, it was impressive she'd picked it out right away. 

You felt as if you may be sick- all those years you’d thought you’d been unwanted. Dumped. That Frigga had taken you out of pity, found you on the street.

But she’d known who you were, all along. She’d known your parents. Her husband had likely killed your father.

“I didn’t know producing demigods was considered treason.” Despite your thousand years or so on Asgard, you’d never heard of such rules- although, you’d never seen one born either. You’d thought them a myth until Rune. 

“He changed the laws for a reason.” She gave you a smile- but it was vicious. Cruel. “Now, don’t you wish you came with me sooner to learn the truth?”

“For what?” You kept your voice cold, even though your insides were burning with hurt and confusion. “For you to give me useless information about my family? I appreciate the sentiment, but it means nothing to me. They are dead, and have been for a long time. I don’t care.” 

She was quiet for a few moments, that smile still dangling on her lips. “I guess Odin forgot how to teach you how to lie in between his other lessons.” 

She hopped away from the balcony, strutting towards the doors to head inside. Those green eyes latched onto yours as she went.

“Dinner is at eight pm. You are expected- I wouldn’t advise missing it.”

She disappeared inside into the shadows, your body loosening the moment she did. You let out a long sigh of relief, perspiration beginning to form on your forehead.

Thoughts rattled around your brain at a million miles an hour. You weren’t abandoned but loved. Torn from your mother without a second chance. Your father, murdered by Odin, to cover up their mistakes. 

Your life could’ve been so different- and you couldn’t decide whether it was a good, or bad thing.

“We’re awaiting one more.”

A few evening dresses had been laid out on your bed that afternoon when you returned, but by whom you weren’t sure. You picked one, checking it for any hidden traps, and bathed and changed, quickly freshening yourself up. The makeup left within your desk did little to hide the dark circles underneath your eyes, but you tried anyway, twisting your hair away from your face with a few silver pins. 

On route to dinner, you made a quick stop to the library- but it hadn’t helped much with your questions. It seems Odin wished to rid any evidence of any family outwit the four of them, and he’d certainly done a good job of it. Hela had obviously also gotten rid of all the scholars inside, so nobody was around to answer any of your questions. 

Defeated, you’d trailed to dinner, where Hela now sat at the head of the table, her fingers laced together and placed upon the table. It felt so strange, and formal to sit here with her as she ordered the servants around. It felt as if you’d fallen into that vision she’d shown you just a week before, where you’d been at her side, on the throne.

Perhaps you had.

“The servants have prepared a nice dinner.” Hela spoke again, drawing your attention back to her. “As part of our celebrations of course.”

“Celebrations?” The frown pulled at your mouth before you could help it. 

“Gaining my throne, our partnership.“

You glared. “I haven’t agreed to any partnership-“

“I think you’ll find, you will.” She cut you off, a devilish look in her eyes, before they refocused on the doors, now swinging open, a booming voice erupting from them. Heavy, metal footsteps dragged along the ground. You dared a peek upwards, frowning. 

A man, taller than any other you’d seen entered. His black hair fell down to his neck and his beard, braided into two pieces, swung as he walked. His armour was dark, heavy and bulking, a bright green belt attached to his hips. On his back, an axe even bigger than Volstagg’s had been, hung. It shone like glorious midnight moonlight, the silver shine making you squint. 

He grinned, hands stretching out in a surprised gesture. “Don’t tell me I missed all the celebrations? Where is everybody?”

“They’re only just beginning.” Hela raised her glass. “And our allies will arrive, in time. Welcome home, uncle.”

Uncle. A pit of fear lodged itself in your stomach. Another older, bigger god now in Asgard- this only spelled trouble for the days ahead, and made your life so much harder.

“I took the long way round the palace to this room and I must say, I rather enjoy the palace, now you’ve remodelled. Less of Frigga’s terrible art and Odin’s decorations of self obsession.” He took a seat across from you, the chair creaking beneath his weight. His hands dwarfed the glass he picked up. “To you and your reign, niece.” 

They both drank, but your hands stayed by your side, eyes switching between them. Odin's brother- and yet, he'd refused to claim the throne. Although you couldn't be sure, he seemed keen to celebrate his niece becoming Queen. Did he not wish to be a ruler? Or was he terrified of her, just as everyone else was?

Eventually, he noticed you staring, and smiled. 

“Delicious pit of fear coming from this one.” He glanced to Hela. “Not a friend then, I take it?”

“Not yet.” Her hand lazily swung between you both. “This is Eir’s daughter.”

“Eir’s daughter..” He seemed surprised, though it was immediately swallowed by a terrible hunger in his eyes. You made a note to push down your fear immediately, stamping it out like a match. “A demigod then, I presume. Betrothed?” 

Your eyes rolled. Men. Asking the important questions, as always. Though, Cul likely wouldn't be an idiot, being Bor Burison’s son- he was likely presuming you were powerful, and looking to see if there was an advantage there to use. 

Or he was trying to scare you. You didn’t want to admit it was working. 

“Well.” Hela lifted a shoulder. The servants arrived back with plates upon plates of food, piling it all in front of you. “Not quite. But she seems to have taken quite a liking to my brothers.”

“Boys.” He scoffed, beginning to load some onto his plate. His eyes never left yours. “You can’t be much younger than them, can you? So I am to suppose you have never heard of me.” You minutely nodded, confirming. “I’m Odin’s brother, Cul. God of Fear.”

That was how he’d sensed you earlier, then- and you were right to stamp it out. Being the god of something usually means that particular something empowers you. Death and war empowers Hela. Lighting and Thor. Fear likely drove Cul, fed him. 

“Eir’s daughter.. and I thought they rid themselves of all the demigods.” He shook his head, still seeming surprised. 

“Only she is left.” Hela barely touched her food as she spoke, taking the tiniest forkfuls every so often. Cul on the other hand was throwing it down his throat as if he hadn’t eaten in a thousand years. Maybe he hadn't- you were unsure what kind of prisons Hela kept them in. 

A silent sigh left your body. You were glad she had no knowledge of Rune. He would be useless to her- but she’d likely kill him. Simply because she could, because of his heritage. Of what he represented.

“Speaking of my brothers children, have either stopped by to claim the throne?” He asked. “Or I suppose, has the firstborn? I heard rumours the second isn’t his.” 

She rolled her eyes, looking displeased. You tried not to think of said second child, of where he could be, what he’d be doing. “No. I doubt they will.”

Your throat tightened, fork shuffling food around the plate that you couldn’t bare to eat. Cul wiped his greasy, disgusting mouth, throwing the napkin onto the plate. 

“How can you be so sure?” He asked. 

A movement so swift, you blinked and she was in front of you, Hela grinned as her palm connected with your forehead. You felt the swell of her magic dive into your mind, it’s tidal power a force to be reckoned with.

A slithering hiss came from her throat as she spoke, the whispers echoing around the great hall, magic rolling off her tongue. 

“Munu still ungr einn, fyrir nú þú eru minn,

fyrir vér erum nú sem einn. 

 drink inn þessi glorious wine,

solemnly vow never til flý. 

Vér erum einn.”

You blinked as she removed her palm, grinning. A mind control spell- that was what she’d just recited to you. You didn’t even wish to know which God had taught her that, and why they’d done so. Odin would’ve had their head for it if he’d known. 

It could only work against those with asgardian or human blood within them- so she couldn’t use it against the Gods. But she could use it against you, being a demigod. 

Your tongue felt like sandpaper, unable to move, as Hela took her seat again. She looked entirely smug with herself, her hand clasping the golden wine glass in front of her and raising it to Cul. 

“Now we’re holding all the cards. Their friends and family all dead. Asgard within our hold. Something they both care about deeply at my mercy.” She took a long sip. “They wouldn’t dare attack her.”

Cul grinned, two of his teeth missing from the right hand side. They looked as if they were turning black. Another at the front shone a bright gold. “How obedient is she, exactly?”

Hela’s eyes narrowed on him. “I need her. Once I’m done, you can have your shot- but this magic doesn’t last forever, and she’s more powerful than she looks. I suggest you don’t do anything she may kill you for later.”

“Hm.” He eyed you up from across the table, as if you were another plate of food being placed in front of him. “I might like to see her fight.” 

You wanted to scream at him that he would, if he dare lay a finger on you and a horrible urge to scream shot into your throat, but you strangled it, your eyes just focused on the table below, unable to even look up in his direction. 

The goddess of death tilted her glass to one of the servants. “Fill this up- and escort her to bed. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

Gentle hands scooped underneath your arm, tugging, leading you out of the dining hall. You shuffled along, keeping your eyes down, your hands glued to your side. The servant threw a few nervous glances your way- but you didn’t dare move an inch.

Not until you were in the wash room of your bedroom, completely alone. You quickly stripped off your dress, feeling queasy enough to spew, thanking every god you could think of for the long sleeves you’d randomly worn tonight.

For on your wrist, shining a glorious green, were Loki’s protection runes.

The only things that had saved you from being completely at Hela’s mercy and control. 

Chapter Text

The moon rose gently over the clouds, red still streaking the sky above. As far as you knew on Midgard that was a good thing- and you only hoped it was a tell for the evening ahead. 

No guards wandered around these parts of the gardens, and for that you were glad. You sat atop the balcony, occasionally glancing over to the one on your right. Loki’s. 

It had been two days since the dinner during which Hela had attempted to put you under her control. Two days that you had to pretend to be completely under her control, following her every instruction with complete neutrality.

It seemed to be working fine. Cul kept to the shadows for the most part, sorting out his own business and collecting some of his things that had been in whatever prison Odin had sent them too. Hela had asked you questions about Loki, and Thor and you’d answered as monotony as you could. 

You had taken to wearing longer sleeves, grateful for the cold chill in the air, as your marks flared up every time you took a step near her, like a warning of danger. 

The concrete poked your back as you leaned further into it, sighing. In the past few days, you hadn’t taken much time to digest all the information Hela had given you about your own family, instead focusing on just staying alive.

None of what she has said felt real. In the thousand or so years you’d been alive, you thought you’d known the truth- and it felt like the rug had been yanked from your feet and you were free falling into all these thoughts about what you could’ve had. 

Part of you was grateful Frigga had saved you, the love for her handmaiden and moral compass stronger than Odin’s law. The other part was furious with both of them, for the all-father was dead and there would be no repercussions for what he’d done to your father.

Two, sharp knocks came at the door and the shuffle of boots outside told you guards were waiting. Your dress sagged around your hips, brushing past your knees as you slipped off the ledge and the long, loose sleeves, tied around your arms with silver bands brushed against your sides.

She’d dressed you more like them now, you noticed. Whilst your clothes were more traditionally Asgardian in style than theirs, they were as dark as dusk, the material glittering like starlight. You hated to admit you liked them- the soft pastels and creamy palette of your old wardrobe hadn’t felt like they suited you for some time. 

The guards led you down to the throne room, the palace as silent as always. You hadn’t seen Jas the past few days- and you hadn’t wished to, not in front of Hela or anyone else. Her small heart would break in two if she thought you gone again, and you didn’t wish to do that to her. The longer she could stay out of your way, the better.

The time to form an escape plan was coming. You still weren’t sure the length, nor complexity, of Hela’s plans but it was clear she planned to use you to make others bend to her will- and you had no idea who that would next mean. It could be anyone, from any realm, and you had no interest in being a pawn in her war.

Jas would have to come with you and you’d need to find Hemidall, wherever he’d managed to hide. But given Hela and her dogs hadn’t seen a whiff of him, you weren’t sure how much more luck you’d have with the task. You certainly didn’t want to lead them to him. 

But you had to try. There was no use in staying here and the days were ticking on. It was obvious Thor wasn’t coming anytime soon, and you needed time to figure out how to use your powers on Hela, outwit her glaring eye of security.

She sat, as she always did, upon the golden throne. Skurge beside her as he always was, that mighty weapon on his back- although it looked small now, in comparison to Cul’s. The princes’ uncle was not here, thankfully, although given the audience gathered on the floor in front of Odin’s oldest child, you suspected he might be along shortly.

Keeping your eyes trained ahead, staring blankly at the wall, you gathered your skirts and climbed the steps to the throne. Your knee gently touched the steps as you curtsied, before taking your place to her left.

A reversed routine you’d fallen easily into. You had to- your mind was supposed to be robotic. To fail, would be to be human. Hela realising she couldn’t use you could spell a premature death.

Skurge stepped forward, pointing to the first man lined up in front of you. There was three of them, their glares hateful. You tried not to wince underneath them. 

“Jari Pihl, you stand accused of treason. Of murder. Of conspiring to overthrow the monarchy.” He announced, his voice echoing all around you. “How do you plead to the charges?”

“Fuck you.” Was all he replied, his chin jutting out. Hela said nothing, those cat like eyes only narrowing in on him, her head carefully placed in her palm, dark fingernail brushing against her cheek. 

“Hafdan Carlson, you stand accused of treason. Of murder. Of conspiring to overthrow the monarchy and theft. How do you plead to the charges?”

Silence. As Skurge turned to the final prisoner, his glare as sharp as the others, his dark beard crawling down his neck, you had a feeling it would be much the same.

And that meant you had a job to do.

“Sten Jakubson, you stand accused of all the repeated charges the other men share. How do you plead?” 

Hela’s eyes found their way to yours, gently tilting her head downwards. No instruction needed- you knew what she wanted you to do. What she expected. 

Taking a long breath, you reached your power out, seeing your hands reach for those bright, burning threads. They all gathered in your palms, gently wrapping around your wrists, shining enough to blind you, as if to say welcome home. 

Like a drug hit, it soared through your veins as you tightened your grip and slipped into their minds, the three of them grunting as they hit the ground. Their minds immediately displayed themselves to you, a flurry of thoughts, pictures, emotions rushing out like a tsunami. You took a moment to relax before shuffling through them.

Their anger tasted like spices on your tongue, making you swallow uncomfortably. You hadn’t felt anger like this in a long time- nothing so harsh and burning. It was closer to hate. 

Hela crossed her leg delicately over the other, giving a wretched smile. “Anyone wish to speak now? Before you are forced?”

None of them spoke. Their eyes just turned to you, minds screaming.

Traitor. Traitor. Traitor.

It was a painful sound, the word splashing over your skin, marking you. You felt like a traitor. 

“First one.” She instructed. 

You flew into his mind, searching for the truth. You saw the three of them, fighting her army, escaping the streets with their families and other civilians. They hiked into the mountains, where Hemidall welcomed them-

The story revealed too much. All of their minds contained too much of the truth. You grasped the threads to the mountain, to Hemidall, and crushed them all in in your hand. The men gasped, doubling over, the chains clamped to their wrists clinking. 

Hela’s eyebrow raised, but you only looked to her, completely calm. “They will talk. If you wish it.” 

They would’t be making it out of here alive, you knew that. She’d done the same yesterday to another man they had found trying to escape the city, from wherever he’d hidden all this time. There was nothing you could do for them without blowing your own cover and selfishly, awfully, you had to put yourself first. 

But you could make it painless for them, and that you vowed to do.

Hela waved her hand, and they spoke, one by one, feeding the stories you allowed them to. Of escaping. Of killing her guards with no mercy. Stealing goods from the palace. You had one of them spit at her angrily, for good measure. 

Despite your hands in their mind, they never wavered in their hatred. They never bent to your will without a tremendous amount of fight- but unfortunately, they were just men, their minds weak, and to them, you were a God.

You felt like a God, the power rushing through you, every dark and evil crevice in your mind screaming in joy. In victory.

It was wrong, and sick, but as you’d said before- you were an addict. And this was your drug.

Hela knew it too. She was smirking as you forced them to speak, forced them to move their legs and stand before her. They were out of useful information- and Hela was done with them. She prowled around them, your body tense as you awaited the final blow. But despite her walking circles around them, and your hands on their mind ready to erase any pain she was to cause, she never drew her knife.

Her eyes flew to yours and instantly, you felt you may be sick before she’d even opened her mouth to speak. 

“Today the honour can be yours.”

You’d killed hundreds. This was not new. But men that were your own, that had families in that mountain waiting..families you would have to apologise to. Explain why you had done what you had. Try and make amends, although your apologies would mean nothing to them.

The deed would shatter you in two. But you had no choice- she would kill them, either way, and to expose yourself would kill far more.  

“Rip their minds apart. I would like to watch.” She instructed, her hand grazing your shoulder as she sat back down in her throne. “One at a time. I enjoy a show.”

You didn't have much time to hesitate before she would know something was wrong. Your eyes desperately met the third mans, your inner eyes looking down at the threads around your wrists, your skin glowing with energy. 

Suddenly that power didn’t feel so glorious. It felt as if it was strangling you, as if you truly were under her control. A prisoner in your own body. 

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

You echoed it into his mind as quickly as you could, slicing off any pain receptors in his brain before you took his mind and ripped it in half. His eyes rolled back, body slumping immediately to the floor. He only shivered once, as blood began to dribble from his ears, his eyes. It pooled beneath his head, giving you all view to a gruesome sight.

“Hm.” Hela sighed, content. She looked over to the other two. “Still don’t have anything useful for me? One last chance to save yourselves.”

A lie. Yesterday she’d said that and one woman had cracked, telling her she’d seen Hemidall on the outskirts yesterday.  A lie, which you’d pretended was true for her sake- but it hadn’t mattered. Hela had slit her throat anyway, and sent her army out to search.

She had no intention of keeping anyone alive that entered these castle walls. 

The three men still chose not to speak, despite the fear now surging through them. It tasted sour in your mouth, coating your throat with its unforgettable taste. You’d always hated it, unless you were in battle, pumping with adrenaline. 

They couldn’t even offer her answers if they now wished. You’d erased anything useful from their minds, thus ensuring the protection of their families and friends. You just hoped on some level, they knew that.

“Next.” Hela commanded. 

I am sorry. You repeated. I am so sorry. It will be painless. 

His mind was softer than the last, easier to break. Tears threatened to roll down your eyes as a bright image hurtled towards you, like a plead, of a child laughing. His son, you presumed. You ripped the cords apart with your bare hands anyway, feeling something inside of you tear as you did it. 

He slipped to the floor too, head smacking the ground with a final thud.

The last, the most fiery one, stood tall despite his friends now dead at his feet. His body did not shake with fear. His eyes did not leave yours.

I do not have a choice. You spoke calmly to him, ignoring Hela’s dreadful voice as she spoke, monologging about betraying the crown. It will be painless. I am sorry.

“Nothing else to say? No more swears?” She asked. 

The man, Jari, kept staring ahead. His mind strained, pushing against your holds, fighting you with every inch of his life. 

“Make it entertaining.” She decided. “I hate rebels.” 

You knew what she meant. The sword at his side winked at you as it hung there. 

Easing your hold on him just slightly, his voice broke through, loud and huffing. As if he’d been climbing stairs.

For Asgard. He whispered. 

More tears spring to your eyes as you gave the most miniature of nods, before instructing his mind to pick up his sword. Not a sound came from around you, except the ring of his sword as it was unsheathed and his own breathing, which was now picking up, fear coating every sense.  

For Asgard. You whispered back, before slicing his pain receptors. 

His sword raised to his chest, trembling in his hand. Before those fearful eyes could raise to meet yours once more, you crushed that fear in your hand, letting it crumble to the abyss below.

Steel pressed to skin and you held yourself utterly still as you watched it slice across, his neck opening onto the ground below and erupting. He choked, but his body didn’t move, his natural receptors now turned off. 

As he slumped to the ground, Hela stood, dusting her hands off. Just another day of work for her- and yet, you felt as if she’d broken you into two. As if you’d never sleep again without seeing their faces, and shattering realisation that you’d be the one killing them. One of their own. A traitor. 

This was worse than death, you realised. And maybe you’d made a mistake in playing her puppet.

All you wanted was to get to your room and shower, to scrub the horror of this evening off you and wash it down the drain. Pretend it never existed. Maybe if you tried hard enough, you could repress the memory somewhere deep and dark, and open it another time. When you were more able to.

“Interesting show.” A voice came from the back of the room, a slow clap erupting. 

Cul appeared, as always dressed in his armour, ginormous axe on his back. His beard had been plaited together today, looking longer than usual and those sharp green eyes fixated on you.

“I said it would be.” Hela took a few steps down, her hair resting on her shoulders. You followed, standing back on the ground. The guards had already appeared to drag away the bodies beneath the throne, the blood staining the ground below. Your slipper caught the edge of it, staining you too. 

“Didn’t I say she was a good addition?” She added, looking smug. 

The glow of your skin was reflected in Cul’s eyes as he got closer. It was interesting to see a god of fear slightly apprehensive as he approached- you could feel it crawling from his skin, before he shoved it down, his usual swagger back in place.

You imagined you were pretty terrifying the first time anyone saw you. Thor had once said it was like looking in the face of death, like a goddess waiting for you at the gates- and you were never sure whether or not to take it as a compliment. 

“It’s funny. I came to feel some fear, get a good taste.” He dragged the word out, sending a chill running down your spine. “But I got nothing, at the end. None of that beautiful, moments from death, stomach diving fear. Something to share, princess?”

Hela’s stare slowly turned on you. You forced yourself to keep breathing steadily, to meet his eyes with practiced disdain. 

“My power allows me to hold anyone's minds. They are completely bent to my will. They are mine- and the beauty, the danger, of it is that they feel no fear under my command. They are happy to be held by me.” You replied, tilting your head threateningly. “You would enjoy being held by me- so I suggest you stop trying to accuse me of something untrue, before I take your mind and crush it with my bare hands.”

It wouldn’t be so hard. His mind was right there, a few loose chords open and free- likely due to his own arrogance that you would’t dare do it. Your body ached to touch them, to snap him and Hela like twigs for what they had done. For what you had done for them, all to protect the others of Asgard. To protect your friends.

“I bet I would.” His pace was quick and his hand gently brushed against your cheek. You flinched from his touch, your hand already gripping his wrist, twisting it painfully. 

Although he was triple your size, you caught the slight wince. He frowned, annoyed. “I thought she was under control?”

“Let go.” Hela commanded, and you did, reluctantly. “I commanded her to work. Not to stop despising you, which she clearly does, even subconsciously. I suggest you back off until I’m done with her.”

He sighed deeply before stepping close again. His hand came up, fisting in your hair and yanking down hard. You kept your balance, but let out a grunt of pain, much to his delight. 

His voice was low, and breathless. “I can’t wait until she’s bored of you and throws you to the side. I’ll make her wed us- and then I’ll command you to lay in my bed every night and just lie there as I fuck you, over and over, until you cry. Until you beg for mercy.”

“I would kill you before you ever got the chance.” You swung your first into his knee- but he had a decent hold of you this time and yanked your head back to look at him.

“No, you wouldn’t. I’d cut your fucking tongue out too, so I don’t have to hear that bitchy little voice anymore either.” 

His wide stance towered above you, grinning, an evil laugh escaping his mouth as he held you there beneath him. You felt as if you may vomit all over him, the vision he painted for you smeared across your mind-

“I suggest you get your fucking hands off her. Before I cut them off.”

Everyone froze. Everything seemed to slow at once, time stopping right in front of your eyes. Black boots sauntered across the foyer, stopping just a few feet before you all. A chill swept through you, down your spine.

You knew it was him. You knew without looking and would’ve known if you’d been deaf, or blind. You’d know him in any universe, that familiar power beckoning to you. 

His dark hair shone with damp, as if he’d just trekked through the rain and as you met those green eyes, you might’ve slumped to your knees if Cul hadn’t held you steady by your hair. Relief rushed through you, enough for more ridiculous tears to battle their way to your eyes.

Loki looked furious as he took in the scene before him, the guards clearing away the dead bodies of the men now pausing, unsure of what to do. He gave you all a sweeping gaze, his hands holding no weapons- but you knew they’d be there the moment he so wished them to. be. 

“Welcome home, nephew.” Cul greeted him- but kept his grip. A battle of dominance, and you’d fallen in the middle.

“Hard to wed someone who is already betrothed, Cul.” Loki snapped. “Let her go, now. Or I’ll torch your eyes when I drag them out of your skull with my bare hands.”

Your heart pounded in your chest. He was here. He was in front of you, glorious and beautiful and safe, and you had to keep completely calm. Had to stay under Hela’s control, for breaking now could ruin everything. It would mean you had hurt those men for nothing. 

“Betrothed?” His eyes flew to you, and back. “She didn’t say.”

“It happened a while ago, before we went to Midgard.” Loki lied so smoothly even you blinked, surprised. “We were to tell Odin upon finding him there, but..well you know what happened after.” 

“No ring.” Cul nodded to your bare hand.

“My wife has a tendency to engage in battle. She didn’t wish for one, incase it was lost.” He shot back. You wanted to run forward and hug him, and perhaps never let go.

“It’s not surprising she didn’t mention it. Likely thought it would keep him safe- and it doesn't exactly put her in line for a throne.” Hela butted in her arms folded over her chest. She didn’t seem too bothered to see the God of Mischief here- only amused. “Welcome home. I wondered if you’d find a way here- you were always good with tricks, I heard.”

“Cul.” Loki’s voice continued to harden, unrelenting in his quest to have you released.

Finally, his uncle let go of your hair, pushing you to the side. You recovered, brushing yourself down, trying to keep your face neutral. You could see him frown out of the corner of your eye as you refused to meet his stare.

By his side, you noticed his fingers gripped round a sword. Your sword. Your heart swelled as he continued to speak. “I only came for her. Nothing else- not Asgard, its people, or the throne.”

“That figures. I also heard you were selfish.” Hela gave you both a grand, sweeping look. “She’s working for me right now, wife or not.”

His face betrayed nothing- but you saw the glint of horror in his eyes as he realised something was wrong. You kept your eyes trained on the floor. The material of his clothes strained against his broad shoulders as he straightened, almost as tall as Cul. 

“Then I’ll wait until her work is done. I won’t be leaving without her- and I’ll..” He swallowed. “I’ll vow to be peaceful. To stay out of the way. If it ensures her safety.”

Hela grinned, looking between the two of you. “It’s a shame she isn’t really here with us to witness this. It’s a sweet moment really- given she already blood oathed with me for your safety.”

He paled slightly, but carried on. “You will be done with her soon, and when you are, you release her, and hand her to me.” 

You could see the cogs of his mind turning already, figuring out how to release you long before then. But you couldn’t tell him that you were already free of her grasp yet. 

“Fine.” Hela reached her palm out. She had no intention of releasing you anytime soon, you knew that. The creases of her cheeks almost looked too fake, like she had plastic skin. 

“But if he lays one hand on her, I’ll cut his organs out without hesitation.” Loki added, without even bothering to look at his uncle. Despite the casual threat, Hela shook his hand, much to Cul’s horror. 

“Nice to have you onboard brother. Even if it is for a wife.” She turned to her left, to Skurge who was watching the entire scene, his eyes wide. “Take them to their rooms. And stand guard- I don’t want my brother wandering.”

She strolled off, Cul shuffling behind her, moodily glancing around. 

The three of you were left alone, your heart straining to go to the Prince in front of you. But it wasn’t time.

Just a few hours, and he’d be all yours.

Chapter Text

The silent shuffle of feet outside your door was the only indication someone was still out there, guarding the three feet now between you and the god of mischief.

Although they believed you to be wiped, it seemed they didn’t trust either of you not to speak to each other without their glaring eyes watching. Two maids had already dropped by, offering tea, among other things- probably to check you were still here.

You’d politely declined, keeping your eyes lowered as you always had. Your face barely moved with a hint of emotion.

It had clearly freaked Loki out. It seemed he really believed the charade from the way he kept glancing over at you, longingly, painfully, the entire walk to your rooms. You knew he had a hundred things he wanted to say, but not in front of Skurge. And not if you weren’t even present to hear them.

Another knock came from the door. The slip you’d thrown on, in an effort to convince your visitors you were truly retiring for bed, skimmed your thighs as you swung the door open. Yet another, nervous looking maid stood there. Skurge was still there behind her, looking tired. 

“Can I get you anything else before bed, m’am?”

You tilted your head down at her. “If I may ask, why are you all being so attentive tonight?” 

“I-uh-“ She stumbled, glancing behind her at the executor. “The new guest nearby can be.. disruptive. We were told to make sure you were comfortable.” 

“I see. I’m going to bed- if I get another interruption tonight, I won’t be pleased. Understand?” You raised an eyebrow at her. She nodded. Handing her the mug in your hand they’d brought earlier, you closed the door with a gentle sigh.

Skurge would likely be outside all night, or another guard. It wasn’t worth fighting them, or commanding his mind given anyone could come by at any point and see he was under your control. 

Also using your power on him would mean you were wired all night- and that wasn’t exactly what you wanted.

There weren’t many options, unless you took another route to his room. Glancing over at the balcony, you realised that may one- and it may be a lot of climbing, but it would be worth it if it meant time alone with Loki. Explaining everything, so he could wipe that sad look off his face.

You dimmed the lights until they barely lit up the room, shadows devouring every corner. Pulling back the bed, you stuffed a pillow underneath and hoped that would do until you returned- it had worked with maids before, silly as they could be. 

Walking over to the doors, you threw them open, the inky night sky spread out in front of you before a flash of green and black appeared-

You gasped as a hand curved over your mouth, a body shoving yours back inside your room. It was freezing, a cold wind trapped to its jacket, the hand also cold.

“Quiet.” The voice hissed, your body stiffening.

In the low light of the room, you could barely make Loki out as he pushed himself away from you, your body still close enough to touch his. If you inhaled, your chests would touch and if you just inched yourself forward you’d be in his arms-

“Do not scream.” Those green eyes locked onto yours, deadly. “I will throw you out the window, I mean it.”

You gave the smallest of nods, his hand finally leaving your mouth suspiciously, lingering in the air between you. 

“I-“

“No.” He cut you off. “I’m sure you want to ask a hundred questions as you always do, but I have to speak first alright?”

Again, you just nodded.

“I don’t know how much she wiped, or took. I don’t know if there’s anything of you left in there and if its just crammed beneath the surface.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. It looked longer somehow, and it had just been under a week since your separation. For you, anyway- time on Asgard moved different. Slower.

“I thought I was going to be sick when you couldn’t even look at me today. As if you don’t me, as if I mean nothing-“ He sounded so pained, his voice raw. You opened your mouth to interrupt but he charged on. “You have to remember me. Just tell me you remember me, or at least something about us, and I can live with it, I can find a way to fix this.” 

A part of you wanted to tease him, like you would’ve before. Kept it lighter, and easier. But the pain in his eyes was neither light nor easy. It hadn’t been like that between you for some time, and maybe it never would be again.

Maybe it was time to emerge from his shadows in which you always hid. 

“I remember you.” You reached up, your hands curving around his face. He blinked, surprised. “I’d always remember you. Even if Hela were to take every part of my mind.”

Shock engrained every inch of his face. “You’re not-?”

“No.” You smiled, keeping your voice low. “I had to keep being wiped in front of them- but you, you were the one who stopped them-“

“Me?”

You let go of him to show him your wrists, which were still glowing green with his symbols. As if he known to give them to you. 

“But they’re just basic spells.” He frowned, his hands reaching down to grab you. “The fact they worked against Hela, against her powers.”

“What does it mean?” You asked.

His eyes met yours. You watched as his throat bobbed- he seemed nervous. His hands gently slid down to your wrist, landing on the bracelet there.

“I don’t know. But I’m just glad they worked.” All at once, that softness was gone, replaced by something harder.

You knew what was coming. “Don’t start scolding me-“

“I have every right to.” That famous temper flared to life. “You drugged me? Are you completely insane? I thought we had a plan!”

“That wasn’t me, I wouldn’t do that-“

“But you left me anyway. Do you know how long its been on Midgard?” Loki glared. “It’s been the best part of a month. Rhodes freaked out when I wouldn’t wake, and put me in a hospital- and when I eventually got out, I tried to track down Rune. He was gone.”

You frowned. “What?”

“We must’ve spooked him, cause he went right into the wind. It took me three weeks of searching all day and night to find him and even then, he was reluctant to help.” His eyes looked so dark, they almost turned black right before your eyes. That explained the exhausted lines on his skin. 

“You didn’t force him to-?” You could understand why he had run. Two Asgardians on his door would’ve probably made him paranoid. But he’d offered help, if you’d needed it and you couldn’t imagine him refusing so suddenly.

“And what if I did? Would you hate me for it?” There was something that scratched your brain laced in his voice. Something wicked. “I’d cut his hand off and let him bleed there if it meant I could get back to you. I’d do it ten times over and I wouldn't care.” 

Your chest tightened, a lump forming in your throat. “I know.” 

Of course you knew. Truthfully you would’ve done the same for him- you would’ve done it a hundred times over.

Maybe he knew that too, from the way he was looking at you. As if you were the first glimpse of sun on an Asgardian morning, lighting the dawn.

“I’m sorry.” You said.

It didn’t seem enough, as Loki shook his head. “Why? What could she had offered that could convince you to do this? To make a blood oath, I mean-” 

“It wasn’t an offer of what she could give, but what she was going to take away. Jas, you-“ You sighed, stepping away slightly, nervous. “I wanted you to be safe.” 

“No.” He reached back in, tugging you by your slip. There was nothing but that sheer material between your body and his hands.“My safety should never come at your expense. You never put your life above mine or act as if your life means any less.”

“Why?” 

His eyes flew to yours. Locked there. “Don’t act dumb. You know exactly why- and it’s got nothing to do with my chivalrous nature.” 

You’d known since the night he left for Svartalfheim. Maybe you’d known before then, when he’d kept your secret, or glanced at you across the palace with longing eyes. It was why you’d wept for months after he died. Why you’d sat at his grave and felt a long, stretching emptiness as if nothing in the nine realms had meaning anymore.

There was still too much here at peril- you were balancing a dangerous act with Hela and now the God of fear being under the same roof, it was only more complicated. You had to be careful, not only with that, but with yourself. To tell him how you felt, to recognise he felt the same- it would tear you apart should what could be the inevitable happen. 

So, you didn’t. You let him fist that silk slip in his hands and pull you close, and you had no complaints when he kissed you, a breathless, broken moan in the back of his throat.

Maybe it was you who moaned. You weren’t sure as the two of you collided like a storm, any attempts at holding back from him completely futile. 

His touch scalded you, marked you, as he found his way into your hair, yanking it back so to kiss you better. You melted into him, tongue skimming over his, a gentle bite of his lips following.

Your hands made quick work of tearing off his shirt, and his own magic took care of his pants, your fingers brushing against the plains of his stomach, gently running lower and lower.

“I would’ve burned Asgard down if she’d done anything to you-“ His mouth moved over your jaw, tongue following his mouth. It skimmed down your neck, your back arching as his hand slipped around it, bringing you even closer. You felt every inch of him pressed into you. “I would’ve burned myself with it. Don’t you see what you do? Don’t you see what you’ve always done to me?” 

Your eyes met again. You reached up, gently guiding a thumb over his cheek, unsure what to say. Nobody had ever bared their heart to you in such a way before, and you had never allowed them to.

Reaching down, you grasped the hem of your slip and carefully pulled it over your head, leaving you completely bare in front of him. With as much courage as you could master, you reached for his hand, placing it atop your chest.

Loki said nothing, simply watching you do so. You took a deep breath, allowing him to feel that rattling underneath your skin. Your heart was banging so hard you felt it may leap out your throat.

You tilted your head up to look at him. “There’s no room for anyone in there except you. There never has been.” 

He moved for you immediately, closing the distance once more, his skin hot against yours. His tongue caressed yours, hands reaching down to clasp your thighs as he yanked you up and into him. 

There had always been an edge of desperation each time the two of you kissed. As if you had no time left, as if you were afraid to be caught or spend too much time in each others arms- but this was different. This was something more primal. A recognition of how much you needed each other. 

The bed sheets felt smooth as the two of you fell down onto them, his hips between your legs. He pushed against you, a moan escaping your throat as you felt him, all of him.

Your back arched as his hands found their way to your nipples, as he teased and played, tugging enough to make you mutter in protest. It was as if he’d never touched you before and was discovering all of your skin, every inch of it. 

“Our guests outside can’t hear us.” He informed you as he sat back slightly. There was a breathless to his voice as he took you in and those rough hands moved down your body, running over your stomach, lower and lower- “So I want to hear you scream my name very fucking loudly when you come. Understand?”

You nodded, watching as he knelt, leaning down towards your cunt. The shadows of the room plunged him into darkness, that midnight hair shining under the candle light. He looked a little like  a demon from this angle- and you knew, many thought of him so. For a few hundred years, you’d thought the same, his tongue only speaking their cruel language, his grin like the darkest pit of hell.

But he was no demon. There was something inherently human in his eyes- and he was just a man.

His eyes never left yours, as if worried you’d disappear like smoke into the air, your thighs falling to the side as he dipped between them. 

There were no games to be played, as he dove straight in. His mouth covered your pussy, tongue circling your clit, licking it as if it were his last meal. You were already soaking for him and he noticed, lapping it up with a smirk. 

You tried to keep eye contact, and failed, as your body shivered and convulsed, head hitting the pillow. Your hands found the long threads of his hair and pulled, desperate to have him closer, to feel more of him if possible.

Loki obliged willingly, diving in deeper, his finger running gently over your entrance before sliding inside you with a steady stroke. The moan that left your throat was nothing quiet, or subtle, as he began to move. His mouth circled your clit, and sucked.

Automatically, your hips moved in time with him, the two of you in perfect sync. He muttered something you took to be praise, another finger slipping inside you, the curve of his hand hitting your g spot.

So close, you felt it in your stomach but-

As if sensing your reluctancy to finish without him, Loki only worked harder and glanced up at you with wide eyes.

You knew what he wanted and given the way he’d already slowed his fingers slightly, as if demanding, you weren’t going to say no.

“Shit- Loki!” 

Your thighs clenched as a rattling orgasm spun down your stomach, erupting- and you called out his name until you felt drowsy, his fingers sliding in and out of you until it had subsided. 

He came up to join you- and you may have eaten him alive right there for the way he slipped one of his fingers into his mouth and cleaned it, tasting you. The other, he slipped forward and into your mouth, watching as you ran your tongue over it. 

He prowled, like a predator, pushing you back onto the bed. His hand slipped down to his cock, and the other palm was laid out flat to you. You spat in it, watching as he used it to rub himself down, staring at you.

You reached- but he gently pushed your hand back. “Next time. I need you, now.”

His face said enough. You nodded and held your breath as with a grunt, he slipped forward and into you. 

“Fuck-“ It slipped out your throat immediately, the size of him still a surprise each time although you knew it was coming. It took you a moment to adjust to him, to push the dizziness, and he moved slowly, his hips gently connecting with yours. 

The moment your eyes opened, and you finally breathed, he left any gentleness behind. His hips ground into yours, thrusting, pleasure shooting up every vein of your body like morphine.

Truthfully, you’d always compared your power, to the feeling of that control, to a high. But this feeling of him, of giving all of your control to him, was better than any high you ever got from holding someones mind. Beyond highs, beyond words.

“You’re so beautiful.” He muttered into your mouth. His cock slid inside you, your hips moving towards him, the two of you breathless and moaning as his lips met yours once more. His hands dwarfed yours as he moved to hold them, pushing his weight down on them. 

The way he was looking at you was going to be your undoing. You wanted to ask him to say he hated you, like he had before. You wanted to think about anything except the way your heart was unravelling. But you couldn’t- because you couldn’t bare to hear him say such a thing anymore, no matter what he really meant.

Your release barrelled hard and fast down your spine once more, your entire body tensing around him. His name on your lips were his undoing, as well as your own. He slammed inside of you with enough force to banish any other thought from your mind that was’t him, or this moment.

Your hands wound around him, his chest pressed against yours, as you felt his bulging head ramming against your lips, scratching that one sweet spot inside of you. You clenched around him tighter, watching as his mouth fell into an o and leaned up, kissing him.

“Fuck.” You cried out. “Loki.”

You came on his cock, shuddering on top of him as he kissed you, swallowing your moans and his own as he climaxed too, spilling into you, your own name like a prayer on his lips. You leant into his chest, your hands stroking his back as he filled you. 

His heart hammered above your ear, a steady thrum ricocheting through you. It was comforting and you closed your eyes, pressing your cheek against it harder. A sound you never wanted to stop.

Neither of you moved for a long while, his body atop yours. When he did eventually get up, he barely let you move an inch, his arm wrapping around you and tucking you beneath the sheets, next to him.

Moonlight drifted into the room as the candle finally burned out, leaving you in the darkness once more. Once your eyes had adjusted, you tilted your head up, to find him already watching.

“I’m sorry.” You repeated.

“I know.” He ran his hand down your arm comfortingly, the other one wrapped around you, keeping you close to him. 

“I’d do anything for you too.” Some part of you wanted to make sure he heard you say it. 

“I know that too.”

He smiled at you then. And it was perhaps the nicest thing you’d seen in decades, your heart immediately straining with everything you felt, all of it bubbling to the surface.

The two of you fell into a comfortable sleep, safe in each others arms at last. You stayed like that until sunrise, and he gently kissed you before sneaking back out to the balcony, climbing across the stone wall with ease.

You watched him go from the bed then, a slight dread filling your stomach at the path ahead, at what you’d need to do next.

Whatever happened, you had to keep him safe. All of this had been for him- and to lose him now would damage you for good, and make it entirely useless.

You could only hope for once, that the universe was on your side. 

Chapter Text

The next morning, gentle sunlight streamed through the curtains. For a few moments, everything felt normal again- as if this was another morning on Asgard. You walk down, and find all your friends there. You’d find Odin in his throne, and Thor by his side.

The only thing that would be different would be his other son. Who’d spent the night by your side, in a way that felt different to all the times he had before. Even as he’d snuck out this morning, you’d noticed the extra glances he’d thrown back, the hesitancy to go.

Still, despite last night, there was still a pit of worry buried deep in your stomach. Loki’s mind, and feelings, were never truly open to you and whilst you didn’t blame him for being so guarded, it only watered that seed of doubt in your mind.

All those times before you thought he cared, or he was going to get it together, and he’d disappeared. Or worse, you’d think him dead for months before he ultimately turned up. 

Despite all the pain, and anguish, he’d caused you’d let him back in anyway, unable to resist. But now, laying here alone, you still worried it may be a mistake and that you’d have your heart crushed, worse than before.

You thought by not telling him you loved him, you might spare some of your feelings. But his words ran round your mind like a coin in a bowl, unable to stop spinning.

You know why.

It was hard to trust him. And you wanted to, especially given he’d fought his way back here for you, but something in your gut still wobbled on that edge, prepared to dive away at any moment and retreat to safety. 

Soft chaps came at the door. An early warning, from the maids, someone would be along to collect you soon. Despite the fact they seemed to think you were ‘mindless’, they still did these things for you. It warmed your heart- and you could only hope that once you’d dealt with Hela, you could repay them somehow.

Gathering your things together, and splashing your face with some cold water, a much harder knock came ten minutes later. A voice, shouting that you’d be going out today and to dress for the hills.

You dressed in your old training armour, a tightness pulling at your throat as you slipped the gear over your head. You hadn’t worn this since before you’d left and most of it had been gifted, through different battles, blacksmiths and your friends over the years. 

No weapons to put in your holsters, but you hoped Loki would somehow manage to give you back your sword.

Skurge, as always, was waiting for you outside your door. As you slipped out into the hallway, you kept your eyes low, face neutral. It was hard to do, especially as Loki came outside, offering you both a quiet greeting.

“You’ve certainly moved up in the world Skurge.” He commented as the two of you walked behind the executioner.

Skurge’s shoulders rolled back. “There was a job. A chance for freedom- and I took it.”

“No matter the cost to Asgard?”

“It gave me what I wanted. To be known. To be seen.” A short glance was shot Loki’s way, and you realised those eyes were far wiser than it seemed. “I’m sure you understand.”

A silence fell over you all. Loki was likely considering his words, thinking of the fact he was right- he too, had run to Thanos, desperate for power. To prove himself to someone, to be seen by anyone other than Odin.

How was Skurge any worse?

Checking nobody was around, you took a minuscule step to his side, and brushed your hand against his in comfort before stepping back, the three of you continuing your walk to the throne room.

Hela, as always, sat poised and ready for your arrival. She gave you a once over, suspicion lurking deep in her eyes. You didn’t blame her- the appearance of her brother could be a potential threat to her spell over you and she wasn’t someone who liked the rug to be swept from under her feet.

“I want to find Hemidall and those who have chosen to follow him.” She informed you both. “I have plans for a coronation soon and knowing they are out there, and loose, is not part of my plan.”

“You want us to find them?”

“I do.” You kept your eyes low as she focused hers on you, a cruel smile tugging at her lips. “Think of it as your first test of loyalty brother.”

“I never said I was loyal to you.” There was a dangerous bite in his voice. “Only her.”

“Then to her.” She looked so relaxed in her throne, leg dangling over the side, the picture of calm. But you knew a storm was brewing inside- there always was. “If you come home with nothing, I will presume you a traitor, and I’ll slit your throat on this podium in front of a live audience in two days time, then I will slit hers. Understand?” 

“You expect us to find people you haven’t found in weeks?” Loki snapped.

She shrugged. “You two know this place better than I. They trust you, so they’re more likely to approach you if you’re spotted. Besides, it’s a good way for me to test you, don’t you think?”

A long, quiet sigh came from Loki before he eventually decided to nod, just once, in agreement. You would do it- but how, you weren’t sure. You sure as hell weren’t leading her to anyone, and you hoped Loki wasn’t expecting you to.

“Shouldn’t someone accompany them?” A voice piped up. Cul appeared to your right, leaning against the pillars. His eyes, as always, went right to you. Suspicious. He didn’t trust you in the slightest.

“You don't trust us, uncle?” Loki quipped.

The resemblance between the two of them was slightly startling, given Loki was meant to be adopted. It still struck you silly seeing all of Odin’s extended family that Thor wasn’t the adopted one- he was the sore, golden thumb in this group of dark haired cunning murderers. 

It wasn’t just the resemblance in their appearances that set you on edge. Cul thrived on fear. On creating it. He’d always felt second best to his brother. Had only received vindication from his sister. 

What if Loki wasn’t so different? What if they offered him something he couldn’t refuse?

He’d thrown everything away, including you, for a title. For a chance to be Odin. Why wouldn’t he do something similar again?

“Nervous?” Cul piped up. He could sense your rising panic. 

Clamping down on it, you turned your dull eyes to him. “Bored.”

“Leave them to go alone. If they truly wish to keep their heads, they’ll do as they’re told.” Hela instructed, and with a wave of her hand, her guards stood down, allowing you both to leave the hall at your leisure.

Their eyes stayed on you until you were out of the throne room. But neither of you stepped away from your rigid performances until you were long out of the castle walls, deep into the heart of the town where the path began to turn to dust and the buildings gave way to grassy mountain sides. As you got out of sight of the castle, a weight settled onto your hip and you noticed Loki had returned your sword to its rightful place. 

“Are you alright?” Loki asked quietly. You nodded. “If we head west here, we’ll disappear completely from their sights. I’ll cast a projection to come back east, and throw them off our real direction of travel.”

“In case we actually find anyone?” You asked. He nodded, and immediately you were relieved, and the guilt of doubting him struck you like a knife in the gut.

“Did you think I’d hand them in?”

“I wasn’t sure. We have to bring something back for her or we die- and all of this has been for nothing.” You stared at your feet climbing over the rocky terrain. The higher you climbed, the more rocks began to appear, the grass thinning out.

A cool wind from the approaching rain clouds rushed over you as the sun beat down on your backs, a bead of sweat dropping down your forehead. You were thinking of those three soldiers. Of their faces. Of the families they’d never return to.

“The things we do to ensure survival will never feel easy, or good. But you didn’t do anything wrong with those men. They would never have told the location of their families, and Hela would’ve killed them anyway.” Glancing around, Loki waited until you had dipped over the horizon, fully out of view of the town, before he reached over and gently clasped your hand. “Do not punish yourself for it anymore. It had to be done.”

You blinked the lingering tears out of your eyes. “I murdered three innocent men, for the sake of keeping myself safe, I-“

He stopped, and that hand in yours tugged until you had circled to face him. His finger caught on your tear-line, catching them before they could fall. “If you hadn’t, she would’ve done so much worse. If you had been caught lying, she would’ve realised her spell hadn’t worked and tried again- and then Heimdall, and anyone with him, would be laying dead in that hall right now.”

Despite his words, it felt like something had torn inside you when you’d sliced the thirds mind open with your hands. Like something that would never return. “I feel like a monster. I don’t know how you can even-“

“Don’t finish that sentence. You are not a monster- and if you can stand here, and let me hold you despite all that i've done to you, and to our friends, then I can sure as hell do the same when you have done far less.” 

Your eyes met. Those dangerous, painful words lingered on the tip of your tongue again. But you couldn’t say them. Not when a terrible patch of distrust still lingered inside of you. Not if you weren’t even sure if he felt the same, not truly. 

His hands pulled up the soft cloak around your shoulders, bringing the hood over your head as a few drops began to rain down. He gently adjusted it, before leaning down, and kissing your cheek. 

It burned through your skin, and you wanted nothing more in this moment than to tear off your armour for him again, and tangle up in each other until the moonlight arrived. 

“Come on. We have much more to hike- and you have much more to tell me.” He said, though you now noticed a lingering hunger in his own eyes. 

As if he was having much of the same thoughts.

As you hiked, the two of you discussed every detail of what had happened since you separated since you hadn’t had the chance last night, or this morning. 

Loki told you of waking up in the hospital, with Rhodes visiting every few days, concerned. He spoke of the cars and gear they’d given him to track down Rune, Rhodes anxiously putting trackers on every item, scared he was about to run off with it all. Rune’s hiding place, over the border in Canada, some place called Nova Scotia. It was cold, apparently, and wet and he’d hated every moment. He never spoke of anything except the story, but you heard the desperation in his voice. The way he’d fought everyone to get back to you. 

You described Hela’s arrival at the base, her behaviour after. Meeting Cul and his suspicions of you. Burying Hogan in the garden. Hela’s revelations about your parents. It was nice to get it all out, as if it had been bottled deep in your chest for days and finally, had found its release. A weight lifted off your shoulders.

Eventually, after a few hours of talking, and hiking over the mountains, you found a resting spot somewhere near the top. Taking in the views of nearly all of Asgard, the mountains stretched for miles around you, the glittering golden palace shining in the distance.

It all looked so quiet, and empty.

“It doesn’t surprise me. The story of your parents.” Loki confessed as he stretched out over the rocks. “Eir being your mother makes perfect sense. My mother adored her, and although she’d committed a crime, I can’t imagine they would’ve hurt her. Dying in childbirth is probably the truth.”

“But you think they killed my father?”

“I imagine father likely had to, to save face. Even if he had let him go, he’d be long dead by now, and say he was alive, they would’ve found some way to reset his memory. Delete any trace of you, so he wouldn’t go looking.”

You tucked your knees underneath you. “I always thought they abandoned me.”

“I guess not.” He turned his eyes in your direction. “Does it change much?”

“I said it didn’t to Hela, but.. a little. I think it only makes me angrier at Odin- and that’s just pointless. He’s in Valhalla.”

“Anger about it is justifiable.” 

“But useless.”

He nodded. “But useless. I suppose it may help you understand your own powers better- maybe that is what you take from this. Understanding your legacy as a demigod.”

“I looked for books, or anything on demigods but they’re all gone. There are two left, in the entire universe, and given Rune is much older, I’m technically the last.” You glanced over the hills. “When I die, that’s it. The history dies with me.” 

“Not necessarily. If you make it out of here alive and have children, they would be legacies. The first generation would get some form of powers, even if you were to have them with a human.” 

You raised your eyebrow at him. “With a human?”

“Or an Asgardian male.” He shrugged. “You won’t necessarily be the last. But maybe you should write something down, if we make it out alive. Start the history anew.”

You had thought about doing that. But you weren’t focusing on that currently- only his comments about you having children with humans. 

It wasn’t that you wanted children, but the fact he was still suggesting your future lay elsewhere, with other people, crushed you in a way you didn’t want it to. It felt embarrassing how hurt you were.

You turned from him, tucking your chin onto your forearms, ignoring him. He said something, but you’d already tuned him out, annoyed by his ever persisting lack of tact. He noticed and sat up, but before could ask you why you’d turned away, a woman’s scream came from over the hill.

Both of you stiffened, your eyes slowly drifting over to his, before you carefully got up and crept over to the cliff side.

Beneath you, stumbling along the rocks, was a man. He was well built, with a gut as large as his head and beneath him, being dragged along the rocks, was a woman. She seemed young, for the most part, her black hair tied back in a delicate braid that was beginning to unravel the more she fought his grip.

Her pale fists slammed into his, desperately trying to free herself, another cry of help. Nobody else seemed to be around- not a soul. 

Without much hesitation, Loki grabbed you, and within seconds he’d transported the two of you down there, his hands wrapped around your body. You pushed away from him, starting after the pair, noticing his frown.

The cliffside split into two columns and you snuck around the left. As he neared the top, Loki whistled, catching the mans attention. He turned, back to you, searching., 

“Shut up-“ He hissed to the girl, looking around, paranoid. You wondered where Heimdall was, if he knew this was going on.

“Quiet walk along the cliffside?” You asked, sword already in hand. The man jumped in surprise, stumbling close to the cliff edge. “Not the nicest day for it.”

“Who are-“ The man stopped. Stiffened. “You’re from the palace.”

“That I am.” You motioned to the woman, who was still within his grip. Relief shot though her at the sight of you. “A friend of yours?”

“I’m just..returning her. To the mountain.” He swallowed, hard.

“Is that where you’re all hiding?” Loki asked, appearing from his other side. He paled considerably as he recognised the crown prince.

“She was going to the palace to sell us out, I was only doing as I was told by Heimdall, I was threatened, I-“ He panicked, rambling. The girl on the ground also began to cry, calling him a liar, her legs now trying to kick his.

You knew he was lying. The copious amounts of guilt, and fear, rolling off him told you enough and the girl was terrified too- but not of you. 

You tilted your head, his eyes meeting yours. Neither of you spoke for a moment as he trailed off, too terrified to speak any longer. You reached, taking his tethers with ease, breathing them in as your hands clasped him.

His memories played out for you. An ex soldier for the palace, kicked out months before for his behaviour. He’d kidnapped her, early this morning, and dragged her along the mountainside to have his way with her. You suspected he would’ve done much worse to prevent her from telling anyone about it.

“I remember you.” Loki gave him a distasteful look. “Ares. I thought I banished you. Clearly I didn’t do a good enough job.”

The knives in his hands appeared instantly, but you reached, and stopped him, your hand pressed against his chest. He frowned, confused, before you turned your glowing eyes back on the pair.

“Let her go.” You commanded, and he did. The girl scrambled back, her dress now coated in dust and mud, her skin bruised around the wrists. 

Slipping the velvet cloak off your back, you tied it around her bare shoulders, trying to ignore her terrified face. 

“Go back to Heimdall. Tell him we’re trying our best to keep Hela off his scent- and tell nobody else we helped you. It could get us killed. Understand?” You instructed, and even grabbed a few tethers of her own mind, sending that instruction deep into her subconscious, making sure she’d stick to it.

“Yes.” She was shaking so much, she could barely stand still. “Yes. Thank you. Thank you both.”

With a spin, she was off, scaling back up the mountainside, her legs moving as fast as she could manage. Perhaps you should’ve gone with her, to find their hiding place, to ensure she’d make it- but knowing where Heimdall was wouldn’t be safe for either of you to know and you were running out of time.

Loki had Ares by the throat, the man gurgling as he gasped for breath. You returned to them both, focusing solely on his mind now, releasing the woman’s tethers from your hold.

“Heimdall would’ve known he wanted to do this. He would’ve stopped him.” Your eyes met the Gods. “Unless he knew we needed a piece of evidence.”

Cruel. Cruel to take this man and turn him into a puppet to save you both- but you had seen what he’d planned to do to that girl. You’d seen what he’d done in the palace that led to his dismissal. Not a lot of sympathy was left inside of you for him.

Loki seemed to be in agreement, relaxing his hold slightly as you tightened your own. A panicked look entered Ares’ eyes, his mouth open as if to shout for help- then, all at once, his shoulders slumped, his body relaxing. 

“I ran from the mountain group. I tried to kill one of the other men, so Heimdall banished me. They are in the east side of the mountain, in an old stone cavern, where the rock pools begin.” The lie ran so smoothly off his tongue you barely felt as if you were feeding it to him. Loki’s knives slowly disappeared.

“So we deliver him to Hela. To save ourselves.” Loki said.

“To save everyone.” You sighed. You glanced back out over the mountainside once more, back to the palace of gold. 

“It’s an awful lot to save somewhere we want to leave.” He said. You were inclined to agree for a moment, your body slumping with exhaustion at the thought of another interrogation, another killing of a man. 

The two of you shared a glance. Despite his hurtful words, you let him reach out and squeeze your shoulder in comfort, before he hauled the man to his feet and you began your march back to the palace.

You wanted to tell him that maybe it wasn’t Asgard you wanted to protect, but the memories within it. The ones of your family. Of each other. That despite all of it, it was a place worth fighting for. It was home. 

But for now, you had no more fight left. All you wanted was for this day to end- and for it to bring you one day closer to Hela’s demise. 

Chapter Text

The corners of the golden envelope dug into your palms as you gripped it, reading it over and over again.

A celebration, for the new Queen of Asgard. The Allmother. 

Hela Odinsdottior. 

Join us for an evening of festivities, where we will also be celebrating the marriage of Prince Loki of Asgard.

You swallowed, hard.

It had been slid under your door early this morning and you still had it on you now as you stood in the grand hall, watching her pick out some arrangement, just a few hours away from the party.

Hela was really going ahead with this- and you were still sat here, doing nothing. You had to figure out a plan, and soon. Although Heimdall had sworn Thor was alive, and well, he still hadn’t made his return and you had no idea how long that would be.

To take back Asgard would require you beating both Hela and Cul. You could admit to yourself Thor was more powerful than you and Loki combined- you needed him, and without him it didn’t seem to be a reality.

However, if you were to escape, you could get the civilians out and try and find Thor. Maybe then you could take Asgard back.

But to leave would mean losing your access to Hela’s side, to her plans. What if she had a weapon you were unaware of? Or a plan, that you could stop?

There was so much to consider, and so little time to do so. 

“Not the silver. The gold.” She instructed to another maid, who rushed off with another batch of napkins. The table was set for many guests and you wondered who could’ve possibly accepted her invitation.

To do so, was an act against Odin himself. Were so many realms so easy to turn?

Although, you supposed with Loki pretending to be Odin for so many months and allowing the realms to descend into chaos perhaps they were happy to cast off the Allfather and welcome in a new leader.

“What do you think?” She gestured to you, then rolled her eyes. “I suppose you can’t give much of an opinion given you’re bent to follow my will anyway.”

You said nothing, tucking the invite back beneath the pocket of your dress. The hall was decorated in every corner, every inch. But unlike the usual decorations, there was a darkness to it. A sort of evil, plaguing over the shadows of the room. Even the dainty golden lights strung along the pillars couldn’t lift the mood. 

“I have a dress prepared for you tonight. And a gift, for your fiancé.” She gave you a knowing look, hand resting on her hip. Her catsuit glared its usual green, looking more bright than usual- the amount of time she was spending on Asgard was only increasing her power day by day. Soon, even Thor would be unable to defeat her.

“Gifts?”

You both turned as Cul strode into the hall. Behind him was Loki, looking red cheeked, his hair tucked back. Like it had been pushed back a lot with his hands- often something he did when stressed.

A thick lump stuck itself in your throat at the sight of them. You wanted to trust him- but it was hard and seeing them hang out together, outwit your sight, made you nervous.

Besides that, you’d ignored him most of the evening before, shrugging him off as just tired. He’d slept by your side anyway, both of you deep in thought, and snuck off early in the morning, but he knew something was wrong. He kept throwing looks your way, even now, as if trying to read your mind.

How to tell him he’d hurt you by insinuating once more your future wasn’t with him? That you were struggling to trust him despite all he’d done and did it mean you never could?

“For my brother, not you. Given they proved themselves well yesterday, bringing me one of the soldiers who revealed everything Tomorrow, when celebrations are over, we will climb the mountain ourselves and capture the traitors.” Hela said. 

The man had recited everything you fed him, complete lies and bullshit. Hela had watched on with a smile, pleased, and unlike the others, you let him feel every inch of pain she delivered upon him, aware of Cul’s eyes on you.

He too seemed satisfied when the mans fear rose like a tidal wave, threatening to drown you. He sniffed the air, grinning.

“I look forward to it.” Cul nodded to the tables. “Are many expected?”

“More than I thought. Ravagers, Ymir, friends of theirs, their children, Gullveig-“

At that, the god of fear froze. “Gullveig is dead.” 

“She was reborn. Trice.” Loki interjected. You had heard of her- one of the many goddesses of the Vanir killed by the royals before the truce was enacted. The first, in fact.

“Is she coming as friend or foe?” Cul didn’t look too enthused with the idea. You bit down on your smile- you could only hope she was a vengeful person.

“Friend, I presume. No promises.” Hela’s eyes glittered. She’d always enjoyed chaos and it seemed even Cul wasn’t free from her mischief. After a moment, she turned back to you, her hand upon your head. Loki stepped forward slightly but she glared at him. 

“Relax. It’s your gift.”

A cooling sensation spread across your mind. You weren’t sure what she was doing- you didn’t feel any difference.

“Freedom. Six hours of it.” She stepped back. 

You blinked. She was freeing you from her spell, allowing you to be free for a night- and if you didn’t look convincing enough, she’d know.

“What's going on?” You looked around the three faces, your stare hardening as it reached Cul. Letting him know exactly how you felt, the last thing you’d ‘remembered’ him saying.

“I’m letting you out for the night. To celebrate your marriage.” Hela seemed unbothered by the whole thing, checking her nails. “Here. For later.” 

A small black bag was handed to Loki and he pocketed it, too focused on you, on your expressions. As your gaze reached him, you forced your face to twist in shock, and horror.

“What is he-?”

“He’s unharmed. Came of his own accord- for you.” Hela’s hand pushed your back towards him, and you went into his arms. The two of you hugged gently, painfully aware of the performance now needed for tonight.

“I don’t think this is a good idea.” Cul snapped.

“We’ll keep an eye on them at the party. Its their wedding celebrations- and given the busy day of work I have ahead of both of them, I thought I’d be kind.” Hela gave you both a careful look. “Try to leave, I’ll kill you both.”

Loki nodded. You kept your head buried still on his shoulder, unwilling to turn around and look back at either of them. 

“Good. Now go and get ready- tonight is going to be the biggest night of our lives.”

It was a wedding dress. 

The dress she’d prepared for you this evening was a wedding dress. It was traditional, and a startling shade of white, although you were thankful for its slender shape. If she’d put you in layer upon layer of tulle you may have been embarrassed enough to have hidden in the corner all evening.

Maids had arrived to help you into it, lacing the back up carefully, the top of your back exposed save for a drooping slash of silk which connected to your shoulders. A belt hung on your hips, delicate and silver. The dress shone underneath the golden lights of your bedroom and despite hating anything given to you by the goddess of death, it was a beautiful material.

Your hair had been pinned back from your face, braids laced down the side of your head and a few silver pins had been used to keep it back, decorated with pearls, matching the small ones placed in your ears, but that was the extent of your jewellery.

To finish it off, they’d placed a delicate set of flowers in your hair, in the shape of a crown. A traditional wear of the brides marrying into royal families before it would be later placed by an actual diadem. 

Once they’d left, and you’d smoothed yourself down, a steady knock came at the door and a few seconds later, Loki strode inside. 

He’d also been dressed by Hela it seemed, given his outfit. A less startling shade of white, more cream, decorated with different colourful threads of green and gold. A matching belt sat at his hips and loose pants were tucked into dark boots. Laced up gauntlets sat on his arms, the same shade as his belt.

“You’d think she’d realise we’d done the wedding part. Or we told her we had.” He looked over both of you with a shake of his head, but stepped forward, feeling a part of your dress. His eyes burned with desire. “You make a very beautiful bride and will do, someday. To whatever man you choose.”

“To someone else. Of course.” You muttered. He frowned.

“What?”

“Forget it. What did she give you earlier?” You motioned to the bag. He opened it and poured two, matching rings out into your hands. Wedding bands. “She’s really going all out.”

“She seems like the type of person who truly cares, when she cares. Maybe she really sees us on her side.” Loki slipped on his ring, holding it up under the light. You watched him do so, feeling that slice of irritation grow underneath your skin.

“Well we’re not.” You snapped and took the other one, turning it over in your hand. 

“Of course we’re not.” He sighed, taking the ring from your palm and slipping it on your finger. The whole thing felt so intimate, in such a wrong setting, that your throat tightened. “What is wrong with you?” 

“What were doing with Cul today?” 

“He was discussing Odin and other tales of their youth. I was merely listening.” He shrugged, but your eyes narrowed.

“That was it? You discussed nothing else?” 

His frown grew, his dimples deepening. “No. Why are you asking?”

“Because. I know what Cul is like, I know what he could be saying or offering and-“

“And what?” His eyes grew fiery. “You think I’d listen to his offers? You think I’d have my head turned by him?”

You said nothing, confirming his suspicions. He scoffed.

“I went along with his ridicules and arrogant stories today to keep him out your way. To stop him from being near you. Every time he even looks in your direction I have to resist shoving my dagger in his heart. I wasn't there to let him convince me to change sides.”

You crackled yourself in your arms, taking a step back from him. “It’s not that you’d plan it, but you may-“ 

“Oh, I get it. You think me so weak but to fall into his games, or his ploys. Do you really think I would ever work with Cul? Or Hela?”

“I don’t know!” All of the irritation and fear erupted from earlier. “I don’t know what you think, ever! Every time I have thought you worthy of something, wether it be of the throne or of me, you have let me down worse each time and I am terrified you will do it again! And it is not aided by you discussing me having children with humans or marrying some man, as if there is nothing further than this with us. As if you don’t see any future here. It makes me think you’re disappearing.”

He didn’t seem to have much to say, his mouth open in surprise. After a few moments, the tension between to two of you grew sharp enough to prickle your skin.

Before you could reach out to him, to explain further, or to apologise, he stormed out the room, the door slamming behind him. You sighed, rubbing your forehead. Clearly a nerve had been hit.

Maybe you were more right than you’d realised.

On the way down to the party, the music rose, a prickling sensation going down your spine as you approached the hall. Party goers waltzed around, on every wall, every inch of this place. You watched them, curiously scanning their faces for someone you recognised- but nobody looked even vaguely familiar.

These weren’t people you’d know. They were your enemies, the ones you’d fight on the battlefield. Except now they were in your home, drinking the wine Odin had created, enjoying the music as if they belonged. As if this wasn’t wrong.

Something stopped you from taking the last step down, a force pulling you back to your room, telling you not to go any further. 

To keep going was to step into the hornets nest and without Loki by your side, and angry at you, it felt more dangerous than usual. 

You felt so apprehensive you may have vomited, if you hadn’t spotted the woman lingering by the far corner, her silver dress a bright contrast to all the darkness around her. She was drinking wine, taking long sips, and looking utterly bored.

Her eyes darted to you, aware of your attention and she straightened. Nodded in greeting. There was something so familiar about her, you found yourself walking over without much thought.

Her red hair draped down her shoulders, tied with black bands and toggles, and those blue eyes followed each step you took.

“Gullveig.” You said. 

She smiled, a little taken aback it seemed. “It seems you know me. I’m afraid I can’t return the sentiment.” 

You introduced yourself, shaking her hand. “I remember hearing about you, as a child. Sorry if I came off strong.”

“I appreciate you knowing my name. Not many here would- given they would typically be the ones I’d fight. Including, Hela.” She said. 

“So why come?” You frowned.

“I got curious.” Her eyes had a golden tinge to them, something you’d only seen on one other person- “I practice seiðr. And I stopped fighting- it happens, when you get murdered three times.”

“By Odin?”

“Once. His other family another time. Others a third.” Her eyes grew a little dull, as if she was remembering them.

You’d always remembered the drawing of her someone had depicted in a book. Hair wild and frizzy, material draped over her body, as they hoisted her above a fire, spears stabbing her stomach. It had horrified you- they had horrified you.

So, you didn’t blame her for leaving them behind, and for refusing to fight. Really, you weren’t sure you could blame here for being here.

“They definitely have a history of ruining things.” You muttered, pulling at your dress. Gullveig eyed it, looking curious.

“They do. Yet you married one.”

You shifted uncomfortably. “This one is different.”

“And yet not here.” She looked off into the distance, a light smile dancing on her lips. “I admire you though. It takes a certain amount of courage to marry any royal- to look past the things they do. The things they will do.”

You weren’t sure how to reply, a tight knot tying itself in your stomach. You decided to change the subject. “Cul seemed rather afraid to hear you were here.” 

“I bet he did.” She grinned. “He tried to kill me, the second time I was reborn- and he failed.”

“He failed?”

“That’s the thing with Cul. Fear feeds him, but his own fear drowns him- he gets too cocky and when you spook him, he falls under the pressure.” Gullveig explained. “Just a tip, if you ever find yourself against him. It may be sooner than you think.”

“Is that so?”

She gave a careful, sweeping eye over your dress. “Given the beautiful, but ridiculous, dress you’re in, and the fact I sense something..strange..about you then I’m going to presume you’re just about ready to snap.”

“And if I am?”

“Then I hope you beat him- and her. I’m sick of tyrants.” She pushed herself off the wall, ditching the wine on a nearby statue. It hung comically from the marbled hands. “I didn’t want to stay long- I just wanted to see if there was any hope left in Asgard.”

“You aren’t staying?” You asked as she dusted her dress off. “Or fighting?”

“I’m done fighting- and I have no love for Asgard.”

“You don’t have to. But leaving, letting Hela rule-“

She rolled her eyes. “I’ll keep moving. Keep out her way- she’s certainly never tried to kill me unlike the others.”

Her footsteps echoed down the hallways as you called after her. “Gullveig.” She turned, eyebrows raised. “Odin was never particularly kind to me. Or many others. But this is home- this is history and one day she’ll catch up. And I think then you’ll wish you did something instead of cowering in the corner of the realms.”

She levelled her stare with you, no betrayal of emotion on her face. Instead, she looked to your hip, as if she could see the knife you kept there and gave you a smile.

“Remember. Arrogance is Cul's downfall. Surprise is the best element of play.”

Then she was gone, disappearing into the crowds as if she’d never been there at all. One of Hela’s guards appeared, his hand raised as he signalled you.

Time to join her majesty. 

Chapter Text

The party was indeed far more full than you’d expected it to be. You’d taken your place, as expected, by Hela’s side as the throngs of people scurried around you.

The room had been transformed. What had once been a place of light, gold, starlight had become nothing but a pit of terror. No pillar, no wall had been left uncovered, now decorated with spoils of war, paintings of Hela, of her even more morally grey friends.

The lights had been dimmed to the point of squinting into the crowd. Even then, it was hard to make anyone out in the swarm of bodies- but given who’d they’d chosen to associate with, you thought it best not to look too closely.

It was an effort to keep the dread off your face. You tried not to look like someone had shoved a hot poker down your throat, on what was to be a momentous night, and instead schooled yourself into a more neutral position.

Banquets lined the back of the hall, meats the size of your head piled high atop the plates, piles of bread, succulent desserts and fruit piled beside those. Who had made all this? 

Everyone was dressed in finery, music rising above the crowd as it played on and on. You had been down for an hour now, your feet beginning to ache. Not once had Hela dismissed you nor had she asked where the prince was.

It wasn’t exactly a question you could answer. You had only caught glimpses of him moving around the crowd, his angry eyes glancing towards yours, continually checking you were where he’d left you. Once you’d seen him talking to a woman in the corner, her golden hair reminding you of Frigga’s. The wedding ring on your finger felt as if it was burning.

It was the fact he’d chosen to say nothing that hurt the most. No explanation. No asking for time to mull over it. Nothing. He’d run, as he always had when you confronted him with your feelings.

Maybe he’d never change.

As the music quietened slowly, a crowd began to gather at the bottom of the podium. The entire palace seemed to shift as Hela stood, her eyes scanning the crowd.

She was dressed in black, as always, but it was the first time you’d seen her in more traditional asgardian clothing. The black dress she wore looked like starlight and you admired the way it shimmered as she straightened.

Cul appeared from the crowds, making his way up the steps to the podium. When he neared you, you bared your teeth slightly, just for him to see. A warning. He only smiled in reply- as if it were a game the two of you liked to play.

“Today is a new dawn on Asgard.” Hela’s voice rolled over the crowds. “A dawn of prosperity, once more. We will take back all that was taken from us, all that was returned, and become the true rulers of the galaxy.”

The crowd roared. Did they realise she meant she’d rule them too?

For a moment, your knees gently shook as an older gentleman approached the podium, a glorious crown placed atop the pillow in his hands. It was clearly a new design- nothing like the horned helmet Odin had worn before nor the golden crown Frigga had chosen. This, like everything else Hela wore, was of the darkest material. Diamonds were embedded all around it, making it shimmer and she took it in her hands, holding it up to the crowd.

“Asgarð forever! Asgarð minn beloved, true ok free!” 

The crowd chanted back, the people within it moving like a wave of excitement. You focused ahead, to the shadows in the corners, trying not to let yourself break. Trying not to show every inch of horror you felt inside.

Hela was going to be coronated Queen of Asgard. She was going to rule this land with an iron fist and you had no idea when help was coming. 

Tomorrow. You had to leave tomorrow, no matter what. Tonight you’d need to get Jas, get her prepared to go- 

She raised her hand again to quieten the crowd, her black nails sharper than usual and once they’d steadied, she smiled.

“My brother.”

It took a few moments, but he eventually approached the front of the crowd. Loki’s eyes hardened as she held the crown out, the delicate metal dangling by her talons. One swipe and it would fall down those steps. It would break. 

“I want you to crown me. I want one of Odin’s own, as we move into the future- without him to withhold us anymore.” 

He paused. You held your breath, watching as his eyes turned hateful, his fists balling. He certainly didn’t seem to like that idea. 

“Crown your sister. Let us start anew.” She tilted her head down to look at him, noticing his pause, and you felt the anger rolling off of both of them. It burned your throat, a spicy taste coating your mouth.

“No.” The word rang round the room. Everyone went completely silent. You felt as if you may be sick, watching him stand down there, defiant against her. 

“No?”

“No. I can’t.” He looked as if he may fall to his knees right there, the quiver of his lip only visible to you. “You are not the Queen.”

“What? You think you should be King?”

“You should not be Queen.” He avoided her question. But you knew what he thought. What he’d always thought.

“Do you appreciate your wife, Loki, son of Laufey?” She inquired. His eyes slowly went to you and back before he gave a small nod. “Then crown me. Or I’ll kill her.”

You knew what this meant to him but this wasn’t the time to play martyr. Not with your lives at stake. Not over a throne that meant nothing, in the end. 

“I can’t.” His footsteps faltered on the stairs. Your heart dropped. Hela glanced over to Cul who moved like lightning, his fist gripping your hair. You huffed, trying to push him off, but he forced you to your knees, his sword against your neck.

You hissed as he cut you, a trickle of blood running down your neck. Still, Loki stood, paused at the bottom of the staircase. He looked like a statue. Hela grinned, her eyes going to you. 

You realised then, that this had never been a gift. She’d never wanted you awake to enjoy your marriage celebration, or her coronation. Had never intended to trust either of you.

She was showing you not to trust him. She was showing you that no matter what, he would choose the crown over you. Honour over you. That he’d trade you in with the right offer and this entire thing had been a ruse to turn you against each other.

Cul’s knife dug in deeper and you avoided crying out, closing your eyes as tears slipped down your cheeks. The silk of your dress began to stain red, the skirt dotted with drops.

You waited for the sting. For the final slashing sound of his knife. The proof that the God of Mischief could never be trusted. 

The crowd swayed in anticipation, their cries of excitement growing, the crescendo rising in your ears one final time-

And stopped. A quiet thrum entered the room and as you opened your eyes, Loki was in front of Hela, his hands gripping the diadem so tightly they looked white. 

Every inch of him was restrained. Held together by sheer will, as he placed the crown atop her head, unable to look anywhere- except for you.

You stared back, brimming with fury. He’d allowed you to bleed, had made you think you’d been about to meet your maker over a crown-

“Thank you.” She smiled. “Now kneel.”

Again, a hesitation, until Cul tightened his hold. More blood ran. Loki knelt to the ground in front of her with a heavy sigh, the sound clear to all those around you.

After a moment, she relented, Cul’s sword falling from your neck as the crowd erupted to life, cheering and whooping, the music beginning to fill the air again.

And this was how Asgard was to fall. To roaring applause. 

You pushed past them all on the podium, uncaring of your position or what you needed to do. Running past the crowds, you could hear Loki call for you, but you kept going, fully aware of the blood across your neck, your dress.

The terrifying symphony of violins followed you as you burst out into the gardens, the darkness and bright lights strung across the balcony a relief to your eyes. The party inside was too crammed for anyone to care what you were doing as you ran down the steps, across the gravel, and into the gardens.

You just wanted to get far away from there. From her. From that damn throne.

Your name rose above the noise, a desperate voice calling for you, but you kept going. Unable to listen without fury threatening to eat you alive.

The hedges swallowed you entirely, the palace almost entirely disappearing from view as you disappeared further into the maze, desperate to escape the music. 

Unsure if you were going in a circle, you tried to turn left, heading down one of the tighter paths before it opened into a private, small alcove a stone bench to your left. You stopped, letting air fill your chest again, trying to regain your footing-

Almost immediately, you were dragged to the right, almost taken to the ground as a strong hand gripped your arm. You clawed at it, already aware of its owner, glaring as the god of mischief stood above you, sneering.

“Stop-“ He tried.

“Let go!” 

“I know you’re mad-“

“Mad?” You seethed and finally ripped your arm from his hold. The two of you stumbled apart and you were so aware of the blood coating every inch of you- but you didn’t hide it. You straightened, determined for him to see what he’d done. “I will kill you if you touch me again.”

“We both know that isn’t true.” He’d torn his ridiculous collar off, his bare chest peeking through. He reached for you again, but you let that fury rise up like a tidal wave, enraged- and he peddled back as your fist connected with his nose.

He groaned, holding it as it went red. “Alright, I deserved that.”

“More than deserved."

After a few moments, he let go, sniffing and looked back over at you. “Look, I thought about what you said, earlier, I-“

“That doesn’t even matter now.” You let out an exasperated groan, your hands throwing out angrily. “You hesitated. You stood there, with my life in your hands, and you hesitated-“

He tried to step towards you. “I didn’t think she’d actually hurt you.”

“Oh bullshit. She had the knife to my throat and blood down my neck before you even moved an inch.” You shoved his chest back. “This is what I meant when I said I couldn’t trust you. That you always hurt me, right at the finish line.”

“That is not what’s going on here-“

“You hesitated! That’s enough for me!” You turned to storm off, but he jumped forward into action, gripping your arm again,

“I still did it.” He snapped and before you could argue, he continued. “Do you understand what that throne is? What it has meant my entire life? I clawed for an inch of respect from that palace for centuries, never to gain it. Not from my father, my brother, my friends- not even from you. I did horrible, terrible things to get to it. I allowed myself to lose you, twice, in order to take it.” 

“You chose that-“

“And I regret it everyday!” His voice began to raise, desperation clawing at its edges. “Nothing has ever meant more to me than the crown, than Asgard. Nothing but you.”

You swallowed, watching as his grip on you loosened. 

He sighed. “Do you know what it took of me to do that? To crown the woman responsible for the deaths of everyone we cared for, to save you?” 

It was hard, and you knew that but- “It hurt. That hesitation hurt, especially after you stormed off earlier-“

“I stormed off because I was angry. I thought, what else can I do? It didn’t seem to matter what I’d sacrificed, you still didn’t quite trust me. Then I realised maybe no matter what I do, maybe you’ll never trust me- and it would be my own fault. That’s the worst part.” He ran a hand through his hair.  

Loki looked down to your blood covered dress and guilt flooded his eyes, his hands twitching as if he wanted to reach out for you. But he stayed put as he continued.

“The last time I left..I got to that battle, and I lay there winded and I thought about how much easier it would be if I was to disappear. I knew Odin was nearing his end, he’d barely survived Frigga’s death, and he..he hated me. There would be nothing I could do anyway. To make myself feel better- because I’m a selfish, awful coward- I got rid of him. I took the throne in his place so not to disturb Thor because despite what you think of me, I genuinely wanted him to have the freedom he desired and I left it at that.”

You shook your head. “But you left me, after you promised-”

“I don’t know how to be cared for. Or loved. I don’t understand it and I don’t feel as if I’ve ever truly had it- or if I did, it was too fleeting for me to grasp or I was too awful to deserve it. I realised that day I left with Thor, how much I cared for you- and it threatened to drown me. I am not someone who is easy to love, nor someone I ever believed you could love. I convinced myself the flings we had were just that and if I left, you’d have a chance. A chance for more. For better.” He looked ashamed as he spoke, staring down at his feet. “Even now, I convince myself perhaps you’ll still find better. I take myself out of the equation of your future because I can’t believe I could be a part of it.”

“That isn’t your choice. And it wasn't your decision to make.” You felt as if he’d cracked your heart in two. Any crack he’d left before could barely compare.

“I know. I’m sorry.” He sniffed. Straightened. “And if you hate me for hesitating in there, then I am sorry for that too.”

Your voice barely felt like a whisper. “I just don’t understand why you waited.”

“Yes you do.” He looked at you with something like pity. “You know what it would mean admitting. What I did just admit, in front of every enemy we have.”

“I-“

He strode forward. “That any throne cannot compare to you. That no crown is going to matter more than your life. That you, are my greatest weakness- and maybe the only thing I have ever really loved, and will ever really love.” 

It felt like all of the air had been stolen from your chest. You couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think beyond one thing-

“You love me?”

It didn’t feel possible. Neither of you had even whispered such words. You had never even spoken them aloud, not even when you thought he’d died and he’d never hear them- 

“My heart is rotten and terrible- but it is yours. It has been for centuries.” He let out a steady breath but how he was so calm, you weren’t sure. You felt as if you may fall to pieces right in front of him. “It will always be yours. No matter what happens- and I am sorry that I made you doubt me tonight. I will never do it again.”

Then you felt it. The rush of adrenaline through your skin, the screaming of your nerves as it detected fresh, bold power rushing out from the man in front of you- and despite the danger of doing so, you felt tears spring to your eyes as you realised he’d opened his mind for you completely, each chord, thought, and memory laid out.

You could have his mind in seconds. You could look through everything he’d ever thought. 

There were no more words left to say as you rushed forward into his arms. He caught you with ease, your lips crashing against each other, hands clawing at the layers of clothing you’d been smothered in.

Your bodies were so close you could feel every inch of him, every outline of his body, but it wasn't enough-

Loki reached up and ripped your white dress to pieces, as if it was nothing but paper, letting it fall to the grass beneath your feet. You wore nothing beneath it and before he could even appreciate the sight of it, of you naked before him in the moonlight, you were already reaching for his garments, throwing them to the side.

His lips met yours again, wild and desperate, his hands winding themselves in your hair and tugging it completely loose. You were like putty in his hands, barely able to do anything but let him kiss you, feel his body pressed against yours.

Music swelled in the background. Laughter, and chatter drifted in from the top of the garden, remaining you of the company there, of who would be looking for you-

“Someone could come in-“

“Let them.” He snarled. He buried his mouth into your neck, tongue following lips, your head falling back to the starlit sky as he touched your naked skin. Every taunt muscle in his back felt exquisite, your hands running over each one.

You wanted to touch him. To let him know exactly how much you returned his feelings. Your hands pushed him back gently before you slid downwards, your eyes locked on his. Hands braced on his hips, you waited as he lifted his cock, pumping it a few times.

Your gaze travelled up his entire body, marvelling at the sheer size of him. He was truly something of beauty, and you still felt like this was all a strange dream. It felt pathetic, but your mind just turned to mush around him and idea that this was yours felt unfathomable. 

His smile was nothing short of wicked as he lifted his length, and placed it into your open, waiting mouth. You swirled your tongue over the tip, appreciating his stifled moan as you began to move back and forth.

“Shit-“

Only halfway and he almost filled your mouth completely, touching the back of your throat- but you pushed on, eyes closed, your hands coming up to assist you.

His groans were only fire to your blood, fuelling your confidence. His hips moved in time with your mouth, heavy thrusts jolting forward as he barely continued himself. 

God he felt so fucking good, and you were aching for him, your body tensing beneath him as you took him in your mouth. As if sensing this, he pulled out of your mouth and bent, his lips clashing against yours.

Your body fell to the grass beneath you and he followed, his body completely covering yours. His kisses were erratic, dotted all over your jaw, your neck as his fingers worked across your clit, sending shivers of pleasure across your body.

His fingers were replaced by his throbbing length which pushed against you a few times, rubbing its wetness there and you moaned, your nails digging into his skin.

He snickered. “Patience.”

“Screw patience.” Your fingers threaded into his hair, gripping it. “Please-“ 

He didn’t have to be asked twice. His body turned fully onto yours, thrusting deep and hard inside of you, loud moans escaping both of your throats. You could feel yourself stretch as he buried himself to the hilt, staying there for a moment to let you adjust before sliding back out, your stomach beginning to quiver with pleasure.

He was breathing hard, your breasts pressed against his chest as he swore once, twice and finally managed to lift himself up. 

“Fuck-“ You manage as your legs lift and curl around him, giving him better access. Music still swelled, guests still shouted and danced but all you could look at was him- his green eyes and raven locks and bulging, muscled arms that lay either side of your body.

A whimper escaped you as he began to move faster, harder, his hips slamming into yours in steady, long strokes. There was nothing careful, or charming about this. It was a claiming. You were his and he was yours, and it had always been that way and it always would be.

Pleasure racked every inch of your body, rendering you almost useless as he fucked you, the feeling of him filling you almost too much to bare. He could barely contain his own moans, your name a call into the night as he repeated it, like a prayer.

His hand nestled under your ass and you felt yourself teeter dangerously towards the edge of your orgasms, your lips gently biting his neck, nails digging into his shoulders as you held on.

“I-“ You could barely manage the words. “Fuck-“

That only fuelled him further. He groaned, listening to your whimpers in his ear, thrusting deeper inside of you and with every stroke you felt him banish all the darkness of the past away, each movement bringing you further into the light. All of your time in the shadows was coming to an end- and you would no longer hide beneath them.

Your hands cradled his face as he came down to kiss you again and into his mouth, you confessed to him your greatest weakness.

“I love you too.”

A rattling moan broke from your chest as you came, your cunt clenching around him. Without much warning, he picked your body up, dragging you onto his lap as he knelt upwards, his thumb moving down and rubbing your clit, his cock still moving inside of you. 

You shuddered against him, crying his name, as one orgasm faded into another, your body limp atop his lap as he slammed inside of you with a final groan, the two of you wrapped up in each other, breathless.

Neither of you bothered to move for some time, just holding each other as you sat in the deep grass, the stars still twinkling above you brightly. The inky sky looked more beautiful than it ever had- and despite everything, it still gave you hope.

“You mean it?” Loki muttered, as he pulled his head off your shoulder. He pressed a gentle kiss there as he went and then reached, pushing your hair from your face. “You don’t have to say it because I did. I understand if you couldn’t-“

“I love you. It’s like I told you- there has never been anyone else. There hasn’t been room.”

“I will try and be worthy of that space.” He bowed his head.

Your finger hooked underneath his chin and lifted it up, both of you grinning, like a pair of giddy younglings. "You already are.”

He kissed you again, sweet and gentle. You hoped for so many more kisses like this. So many more moments to hold each other.

“We have to move tomorrow.” You whispered.

He nodded. “I don’t know where Thor is. We don’t have time anymore.”

“We’ll hope she has a task for us, away from the castle- and if she doesn’t, we’ll figure it out. But the first opportunity, we go.” You said. He nodded in agreement.

His hand slipped into yours as the two of you snuck out of the gardens. His shirt covered you for the most part, although you kept adjusting it, annoyed by the scratching wool and aware your ass may have been slightly out.

It seemed to amuse him at least, given the way he kept smirking at you. At the exit of the garden, he took pity and remade your dress good as new, blood and all, and put on his old clothes again. He left first, with a defeated look on his face, and headed for the hall. To inform Hela he couldn’t find you, and he was off to bed.

You snuck the other way, avoiding the guards now positioned on the balcony, climbing up the vines and posts to your room, wincing each time they creaked and threatened to snap.

Eventually, after much waiting, Loki reappeared, saying Hela had quizzed him forever on your disappearance. He hid in the washroom as a maid eventually appeared, relieved to see you in your room, your monotone act back in place as it should’ve been.

No trouble came the rest of the night, no more unexpected guests. Just the two of you, wrapped up within each other, in a peaceful darkness. 

Chapter Text

Something in the air had felt different that morning, like a warning sign. The air was a little chiller than usual, goosebumps scattering over your skin, and it felt as if a pair of eyes were following you around the castle as you strolled.

There was nobody around, only adding to the eerie feeling of the palace. Not a single guard even lingered in your wing, as if they simply didn’t care anymore what you did.

But that wasn’t true, and you knew it was only a matter of time before Hela would call you down to work and start truly trying to conquer the realms.

With what little time you’d been left, you had been trying to get ready to escape, and find Hemidall. Getting everyone off Asgard was the most important task- defeating Hela would come later.

Jas had been in her room, as she usually was, when you arrived to pack up some stuff for her. Her little bag was tucked deep underneath her bed, her eyes wide as you’d explained what was going to happen. She was to await you, or Loki, in the far part of the gardens the moment the sun disappeared from the sky and until then, try to remain hidden from everyone so not to be late. Her hands had trembled as you’d handed her a tiny dagger, one you’d been given at her age, and pressed a quick kiss to her head before you left again.

Whilst you and Loki needed to escape separately, for safety and to avoid both of you being caught if the worse were to happen, one of you would have to take Jas- whoever did, was going to be slowed down.

As much as you wanted to take her, he’d decided to. Out of the two of you, you both knew that Hela would want you back before her brother- it came down to power, after all. Not family.

A terrible knot had formed in your stomach thinking about it all, one you couldn’t shake. Maybe this wasn’t the day to go, maybe-

Your back pressed against the marble as you were dragged around the corner, a careful hand by your cheek.

“Stop worrying.” Loki towered above you, eyebrows raised. “I can see the little lines in your eyebrows. We’re leaving and you won’t have to pretend anymore.”

“Something feels wrong.” You leant into his palm, letting his thumb curve over your cheek. 

“What is it?” He looked around, as if to see it- but the hallways were quiet, and the corner you were tucked into hid you both beneath the afternoon shadows. 

“I don’t know.”

“Well, Jas is prepared. We are prepared- and the workers know the plan, if they wish to partake.” That was his part of the plan- you would sort Jas, he would let the staff know of your departure, so they too would take the opportunity to run once the search for the two of you got underway.

“Still-“

“Stop worrying for two minutes, and just try to think of something good.” He leant down, his forehead pressed to yours. “Think of where we’ll go once this is over.”

“You have somewhere in mind?” You asked, looking up at those beautiful eyes. They truly had ruined you.

He smiled, pressing a quick kiss to your lips. “Anywhere you are.”

“You’ve gone soft Laufeyson.”

“On the contrary, any time I’m around you I find myself to be quite ha-“

“Alright-” You pushed him back from you slightly, scrunching your nose up. “Good to know some things never change with you.”

“And they never will.” He pressed a quick kiss to your cheek before stepping back, and with a flash of green power, he’d transformed himself into one of the palace guards. “I’m going to try and figure out Cul’s schedule for this evening. See you tonight?”

“See you tonight.” You replied, watching as he strolled off. 

Had it always been able to be this easy? Loving each other? Trusting each other? There’d been a time you couldn’t imagine you’d want anything more than to be given the opportunity to throw him off Asgard, and yet now, you felt that painful knot in your stomach only worsen as you watched him go. You were scared for him.

You’d wasted so much time being angry, and he’d wasted so much being selfish that you worried that maybe you’d run the clock out. Time could be up for you.

But the things you’d both seen, that you’d dealt with..without them, you weren’t sure you could love him as he was. And you weren’t sure he could love you.

Your wrist began to pulse, that steady beat of green from Loki’s protection spells flashing through your skin. That usually meant Hela was calling for you- and if her spell had actually worked, you would be making your way to her side currently.

Taking a moment to neaten yourself in a nearby reflection, you headed in the direction of the tug, still on edge from the lack of people in the palace. 

Hela was on the balcony outside the grand hall, looking out over the gardens, which were still strewn with mess and clutter from the party the evening before. Before, this would have all been cleaned up by midday by the staff- but she didn’t seem to care much, her eyes glazed over as she looked over it all.

“Your majesty?” The words felt like spikes in your throat.

“Ah. There you are.” She was back in her usual clothes, that catsuit greener than ever before. Her powers would soon be unmatched. Even her brothers wouldn’t be able to beat her and although Heimdall said Thor was alive, you were becoming less convinced. 

“How can I be of service?”

“I sent men off this morning on the next step of our conquest. To find Heimdall and his band of traitors he’s hiding- there’s only so much time left for them. I intend to find them, today.” 

You swallowed. “So we are to follow your men?”

“Shortly. Cul has something we must both attend to in the throne room apparently.” She seemed unimpressed with her uncles demands. “You weren’t to miss it, or we would’ve left by now.”

That didn’t sound good. “I see, your majesty.” 

Her boots clicked against the ground as she strode off, back through the grand hall, and towards the palace room. A tidal wave of worry was hitting you, every instinct fighting against going towards that throne room. Everything told you to run- but something in the back of your mind told you to go.

As you neared, Loki’s runes pulsed beneath your skin painfully- and with a horrifying realisation, before Hela had even swung the doors open, you realised what would be behind them.

Loki was on his knees in front of Cul, bloody nosed, hair tugged back between his uncles fingers as he held him there, snarling.

Hela paused as she walked through the doors- and although it took every inch of your effort, your face stayed completely blank.

“Is there a problem with my brother, Cul?”

“No. Not personally- bar the fact he’s planning to overthrow you and has definitely broken your little doll there.” He pointed his sword at you. How he’d figured it out, you weren't entirely sure, but he was suspicious enough of you that perhaps you should’ve been more aware of his wandering gaze.

Hela’s gaze whipped round to your glazed stare. “What are you talking about?” 

“She’s awake. I know it- given he’s been speaking to staff, saying he was planning to run away with her-“ Cul rolled his eyes at the idea. Someone had ratted you out. “And I saw him follow her into the gardens last night. You really think she just went straight to her room? That he spent all that time in there searching for her?”

There was no hesitation in Hela’s knife as it found your throat. She snarled, pressing in. “Is this true? Speak wisely, and truthfully, or I will let you bleed out right here.”

“No.” Loki’s voice was hoarse as it echoed across the room. All of you looked to him. “She isn’t awake. I tried my best- but your magic has too tight a grip.”

It wasn’t enough. Hela kept her hold on you, her knife only digging in more. “Unfortunately brother, you love her- I saw it the moment you got here and so, you’d say anything to keep her safe.”

“I also know you’d kill her for lying to you, and I. This is the truth- I tired, and failed. My last resort was to take her tonight, drag her if I had to.” The lies slipped from his mouth so effortlessly it was an effort not to believe the words yourself.

“I don’t believe you.” She nodded to Cul. “Kill him.”

You went to reach for him, to move, but his green eyes pinned you in your place. A silent discussion between the two of you, a slight shake of his head.

Cul’s knife dug in to his skin- but he didn’t slit his throat. He paused. Everyone paused- waiting for you to crack.

Another test.

Keeping your eyes trained ahead, you tried to look unbothered. Would they really kill him? Would they do it wether you cracked or not? Even if you moved, you’d never make it to him before Cul got to him, but if you stood here, if you let him die you’d never forgive yourself.

You had to clamp down on your fear, had to stamp it out before Cul could smell it and expose you both. But it was hard, with the knife on his neck, and those terrible pleading eyes looking into yours. 

You wondered if this was this the same debate he’d had the other night? Not truly believing she’d kill you, not wishing to bow to her crown. 

“Perhaps not.” She looked over you once more, seeming more at ease. “But kill him anyway- he’ll never stop disrespecting-“

Hela hissed suddenly, dropping the knife in her hand. She stumbled back from you, her palm bloody and red, the sudden wound opening like a trench. The blood oath, she’d potentially broken  the oath-

“Your majesty-“ Cul let go of Loki, reaching for her, but she threw her palm out, rejecting his attention. 

“Don’t kill him.” She gasped out. “Imprison.”

“What?”

“The blood oath.” You kept your voice even. Uncaring. “He can’t be killed.”

“By me.” She corrected, though you wished she hadn’t given the harsh light that entered Cul’s eyes. A soft flickering glow of joy. 

The first chance you were given, a sword would go deep through that mans heart and steak him to the ground beneath.

The doors to the throne room banged open, all of you tensing as a few guards rushed in, hissing something in the ancient language they often talked to their queen in. You caught a few words, but nothing that made sense- you weren’t exactly fluent.

Hela’s eyes lit up as the bleeding from her palm began to cease, and the wound slowly closed. She could’ve died- if Cul had truly slit Loki’s throat, on her orders, she would’ve bled out until her demise no matter how much magic she used to try and resist it.

“They’ve scented Heimdall.” She muttered. Your stomach dropped. “Take him to the prison, I’ll deal with him when I return. We have some traitors to hunt- and a bifrost sword to return.”

Hela whipped out of the room, faster than light, and you were forced to follow, your eyes desperately clinging to Loki’s as long as they could. He nodded, just once, in goodbye- but there was something hollow deep in in his stare. Something sad- and it terrified you.

Mist began to climb the mountain walls as you approached the narrow passage. It was so high up here, you could see even more than you had the other day- every inch of Asgard laid out beneath your eyes, the palace a golden beacon in the distance.

Skurge walked just ahead of you, following his queen. Your footsteps were light as you approached the enormous stone gates.

Of course he’d hidden them here- the Hidden Stronghold was built to hide the Asgardians from a troll invasion, with enough room for them all inside. It was a brilliant idea- and one that was sadly coming to an end.

You’d called out many times during your journey up here to Heimdall, willing him to see you, to see your path. You could only hope he had.

The doors were carved with beautiful drawings of mountains, and the Yggdrasil. It towered so high above you, stoic, and you wondered how Hela planned to cross the trench in front of you all as you lined up.

“Feel anyone?” She looked to you expectantly. 

You kept your back slightly angled away from her, swallowing. As you’d left, Loki had given your sword back, putting it in the carrier on your back. It only made you more nervous for his fate.

Reaching out with your mind, you pushed past the barriers of the mountain, inhaling as you expected to find hundreds of unguarded minds, so many threads to tug on, to play with and it had been so long, your blood screaming-

You paused.

“Well?”

“I can’t see..anyone.” You replied. 

Hela frowned, and within seconds, enormous spikes flew from her hands as she shot them towards the mountain entrance. They buried themselves into the rock, and with a solid tug, pulled down the entire mountainside.

The goddess of death marched inside, fists curling and uncurling. Skurge followed, throwing a nervous glance at you as the two of you followed.

Inside, although the lights were lit, and the place was still warm with the amount of bodies that had clearly inhibited it, there was nobody there- not even a cave mouse. It was so silent, you could hear a pin drop. It meant they’d escaped, and you were so relieved you felt as if your knees may have given way had Hela not been right next to you, her chest rising and falling with rage.

A banging begun. Rhythmic, loud banging, coming from the- 

The palace?

Frowning, you all turned to glance back at the mountains behind you, where the palace peeked through the cracks of the fold. Someone was in the palace, calling out to you. Demanding your attention. The only thing that could be so loud would be Odin’s staff and the only person to know where it was kept-

You swallowed the gasp in your throat.

“No.” Hela whispered it. As if she couldn’t believe it either. Her eyes flew to yours, to your wide stare. “Fine. If this is what they choose.” 

Her hand wrapped around your shirt, talons digging into your skin and within seconds, the world around you was warping- time and space moved before your eyes, the sky stretching and spinning, day turning to night. 

Suddenly, you were both outside the throne room, the doors flung wide open. She’d teleported you both here, her hand throwing you to the side as she marched inside. 

At the end of the hall, to your great delight, was the true leader of Asgard. Thor. Hair cut, face a little bruised- but he was alive. Breathing. Well.

You felt such relief you had to fight every ounce of it from your face as you followed Hela into the hall. Thor’s eyebrows raised as he watched you both, worry laced into his stare.

“Sister.” He smiled, looking behind her. To you. “Valk.”

“You’re still alive.” She crooned. For the first time, you heard a hint of surprise in her voice- and maybe a tinge of fear.

“I love what you’ve done with the place. Redecorating, I see.” He kept his easy smile, his fingers wrapped around Odin’s staff. He looked every bit like his father.

“It seems our fathers solution to every problem was to cover it up.”

“Or to cast it out.” He offered. The two shared a quiet nod- likely the only thing they’d agree on.

You fidgeted as you watched them talk, eyes scanning the room for Loki, or Cul. But neither had appeared nor was there any sign of them. He could be in the prisons, he could be dead-

“He told you you were worthy. He said the same thing to me.” Something like pain had laced into Thor’s tone.

“You see? You never knew him. Not at his best.” She sounded so condescending you were surprised he didn’t jump at her. “Odin and I drowned entire civilisations in blood and tears. Where do you think all this gold came from?” She gestured around you. “And then, one day he decided to become a benevolent king. To foster peace, to protect life. To have you..”

“I understand you are angry and you are my sister and technically have a claim to the throne, and believe me I would love for someone else to rule-“ He sighed. “But it can’t be you. You’re just..you’re the worst.”

She brushed her hands over her head, her crown of spikes reappearing. “Okay, get up. You’re in my seat.

He did so, but stood atop the mantle, unmoving. “You know, father once told me that a wise king never seeks out war.”

“But must always be ready for it.” She glared over at you, her hands twitching. “I want him. Now.” 

Thor paused, eyes widening as he realised what she meant- and panic lit up his features, as he knew as well as you did that his mind could be yours if you so wished. Your hand lifted, your mind still on Loki as you allowed your power to flow through your veins, lighting you up silver.

Hela began to smile, victorious. And right as she relaxed, smug, your hand moved and pulled the sword from it’s hold before it flew for her neck.

“You little bitch.” She hissed, catching it with one of her own. “I should’ve killed you an hour ago.”

Her foot connected with your chest, sending you flying backwards into the ground as you hit it with a painful skid. The two began to duel, her spike smashing against the golden staff. 

Clashing noises filled your ears as you hauled yourself up from the ground, wincing at your arm and watched as Thor managed to land a heavy blow, sending her reeling. He quickly looked to you, mouth open, hand stretched-

“Loki?” You both asked at the same time. He shook his head, looking worried- and that was all the confirmation you needed something was wrong. Before she could stop you, you took off for the prisons, leaving the siblings to battle it out.

The palace was empty as you sprinted, the staircases cold and slippery with the damp of the cool afternoon, your feet slapping against the stone.

The prisons were in the deepest parts of the palace, kept far away from anyone. Fear spiked your heart as you kept running, worried you’d be too, that something will have happened-

You reached out, looking for someone, anyone. But nobody came up in your senses, not even Cul, and a heavy lump formed in your throat.

Finally, at the bottom, that faint yellow glow felt all too familiar as you ran through the open double doors, glancing around wildly. There was nobody there- not in the cells, or the compartments, the entire place-

Your heart stopped beating.

A body. 

There was a body-

“A little late.” Cul called from your left. You couldn’t look at him- you couldn’t bare to even tear your eyes from the limp hand in the corner, the mess of black hair laid against the ground, blood pooling beneath it.

“I barely had to hit him. He was much weaker than I expected for a prince- maybe you chose the wrong one, princess.” 

Your hands shook.

He was dead. He was there, his hands paling already and he- he was dead.

He’d been alive an hour ago.

“I hope this means now we get to dance.” 

Finally, you turned. Cul towered above you, lingering near the back of the hall, his smile serpentine. It faltered slightly as you lifted your head, your eyes blazing silver, the veins in your arm beginning to glow so brightly it was blinding.

“You want to dance? Let’s dance.” Your voice was barely your own as you raised your fist.

And unleashed.

Chapter Text

The sword felt familiar as it came out of the hold on you back, your fingers gripping the hilt with ease. 

Everything felt as if it was moving in slow motion. Cul’s steps were heavy, prolonged, as they made for you- and he grinned in a way that suggested he was enjoying this. His axe swung around in his hands, the blade larger than your head. 

Footsteps light, you circled him, tears slipping down your cheeks, unable to stop- and you weren’t sure if they ever would. He took more amusement in this, in your pain and you watched as it powered him up.

There was something horrifically beautiful in Cul’s powers. The way his eyes and hands began to glow an unusual shade of green, the colour acidic and evil. His silver armour clinked as he walked, your reflection clear as day within it. 

Those eyes fixed on you, his axe raising in challenge.

“Let me see those claws, princess.” He grinned. “Do your dead husband proud.”

The words shot you like an arrow, and you lunged for him, unable to contain yourself any more. He grunted as your sword aimed straight for the gap in his armour, right for his ribs, the hilt of his axe blocking it before he threw you off. The two of you danced beneath one and other, a dance of death, his blows far stronger and more powerful than yours.

But where he was heavy, you were light. Each of those vicious overhead swings of his axe were dodged, throwing yourself to the side, rolling on the cobblestone.

Cul laughed. As if this was amusing. Killing time. With a roar, you launched yourself forward with a biting swipe and the clash of your sword against him made him stumble slightly, surprised. You followed him, the entire world feeling as if it was spinning, your sword whistling as it came down over and over, relentless.

His leg came up, his thigh the size of a tree trunk, and launched you across the room with a swift kick. You hit the ground with a resounding smack, wheezing.

“Hela told me to be careful around you. That if you really wanted, you could kill me- seems she was wrong about something.” He twisted his axe in his hands. “It’s a shame her spell couldn't work on you. I’d still like to take you to bed. Cut that tongue out your mouth. Maybe display you naked at my next gala, splayed across my lap.”

“Over my dead body.” You hissed, pushing yourself up and onto your feet. 

“Unfortunately, it will be.” He sighed and glanced over to the right side of the room, where you knew the prince lay. You couldn’t bare to look. “He could’ve been so good, as you could’ve. The two of you could’ve had an entire realm together if you hadn’t been so hell bent on removing Hela off the throne.”

“We’d never take it.”

“Oh I know. It’s why you both have to die- but it’s a shame. Now I’ll just have to chop your heads off and hang them in my gallery, for all to see. Cul, the man who killed the last demigod.” He smirked. “I might just slit something. Let you die slowly, so we can have some time together first- time for you to enjoy what a real man feels like.” Fury ebbed through you, clamping your mouth shut. “What? Cat got your tongue?”

The scream out of your mouth felt feral as you went for him once more, swords clashing, the two of you panting as you duelled. His axe barely missed your neck as you ducked beneath him, a hiss erupting from his throat as your sword sliced at his knee.

Your sword was like pure energy as it soared through the air. There was barely a moment to breathe, or think, as you struck him over and over. Grief powered you, like a live wire, shooting electricity through your skin. Blood dripped from your nose, into your mouth, but you barely focused on the coopery taste. Steel hammered against steel, Cul’s knees bending slightly- you wondered if this was it. His slip up. Your chance. 

But he pushed himself back up. He shoved you off him, before storming back, axe coming down hard enough to make your knees bend. And you knew then, that it didn’t matter how angry, or good you were- Cul was better. He wouldn’t lose against you in combat. 

Time began to move slowly again- and you saw the quick dart of his hand as it moved for his knee. The flash of steel that slipped into his palm from his armoured boot.

Gullvieg’s words rung into your mind. Arrogance is his downfall.

The chords in his mind still lay dull, except for a few, vacant ones you knew would make no difference.

So, you took a deep breathe- and you let him bring that steel up from underneath you both, and stab you in the rib. 

You gasped with the force of it as you stumbled back, your hand gripping the hilt of the dagger immediately. Cul looked so happy with himself as your hand began to turn scarlet, blood dripping onto the ground beneath you both. It pooled neatly into the gaps of the stone.

“You tried.” Axe swung over his shoulders, Cul sauntered towards you. “For that, I respect you.”

Your knees gave out, shaking with panic as you pulled the knife from your body, your jacket completely ruined by the blood. Cul stood right above you, like the devil, a shadow looming above. Trying to roll away from him, you felt your body tremble with the effort, but the hilt of his axe came down, delivering a crushing blow to your temple.

The pain was blinding, white spots appearing in your vision as you tried to crawl- tried, and failed as Cul’s fingers grasped your jacket, lifting you up from the ground himself. You dangled in front of him, body aching and tired. 

You were looking in the face of death- and it was laughing at you.

“I’m going to enjoy this.” He looked into your bruised face, leering. His breath was hot on your cheek, brushing against the tears running down your cheeks. Heavy drops of blood wriggled down your fingers, dripping as you let that fear erupt in your brain, feeding the man in front of you.

He ate it up immediately with a whimpering sigh, relieved you’d finally let go of it, his body only relaxing further. 

Right as he moved closer, and he brought another small dagger up to slit your throat, you stilled- and a cruel smile erupted on your lips.

“So am I.”

Cul shrieked as he felt you lunge for his mind, his fingers flexing, dropping you to the ground. You still stumbled as you smacked into the stone, but the wound on your side was already stitching itself up, and you straightened, watching yourself turn silver in his breastplate.

Your hands immediately clamped around most of the chords now available to you, some of them already darkening, panicking. 

His power shot up your bloodstream, euphoric screaming erupting from your brain. All of your pain was gone instantly, swept away in a tidal wave of brilliant glowing light, the source taking over your heart, your mind. You’d never felt so free, or alive as you held the god of fear’s mind in your hands.

There was a cliff in front of you, a swelling sea deep beneath. It beckoned you with sweet, calming words, begging you to give in. To try one taste.

Before, you may have been able to push it away- but your glowing eyes wandered over for the first time to the limp body in the corner. To the future you’d lost, in just minutes. To the life you’d never have.

It was pointless anyway- and the sea loved you. The sea would heal you. With power, you’d have a future. One without grief, or pain, or love. One without a god who had broken your heart over and over with his death.

Cul was muttering, his mind savagely trying to fight against your hold as his own hands appeared, yanking at the chords. Something like a prayer spilt from his mouth, pleading, begging- and you only laughed as you dove off the cliff, emerging yourself in the water.

All of the hits you’d had before, they couldn’t compare to this. To this high, this power. You felt your body erupt with it, shining as if you were a star, too bright for this realm. It burned through all of your memories, each one disappearing right before your eyes, the rush blasting your soul, until you were only left with the power and nothing else.

The man in front of you was no longer recognisable- he was simply a man and his mind was yours now.

Something shuffled to your left. As you both turned to glance at it, the man began to laugh, joyous. A woman had appeared, her eyes as dark as her hair. She looked at you curiously, although, you had no idea who she was. 

“You’re done.” The man muttered. But you felt his anger, and panic, as you stroked the chords in his mind gently. Playing with your food.

You didn’t know who she was, and you didn’t care.

“Am I?”

You snapped one of the chords with a careful swipe of your hand. The man screamed in agony, dropping to his knees. His enormous hands clutched his head, his eyes desperately travelling to the woman in the corner- but she only stood still, watching you both. 

Something else lay in her stare. Something anxious. 

But you continued, snapping another chord. The man shrieked, before his voice died, nothing but air coming out. 

You had no idea who this man was, nor who you were- but you remembered the words he’d spoken to you. You remembered your vow to kill him.

Kneeling to his height, your fingers threaded in his hair, tugging his head up so his eyes locked with yours. You grinned as you felt that deathly power flow through you, his own fear powering you on.

He tried to speak- and failed, choking on his words, blood beginning to drip from his eyelids as you forced it to. 

“Cat got your tongue?” You smiled sweetly. 

Another desperate glance was thrown the woman’s way. But you were bored- and there was more power beckoning from her that you’d rather have instead. 

A handful of chords were ripped from his mind, dangling in your palm. You forced them down tightly, turning them into a small orb of power- and then you swallowed it, feeling it slide down your throat with a heavy burn.

The rest of them you snapped in half with your hands, watching as his body went loose and all light died from his eyes. It gave you a feeling of justice, although you didn’t know why. 

The woman cleared her throat, taking two, careful strides in your direction. You rose from your knelt position, staring at her.

The power in her mind was also closed off to you- and it was much less than the man now dead at your feet. Although you felt full, and perfectly on top of the high, you still sought more- and you knew you could get better than her.

You went to push past her, to the stairs, but she gripped your arm in a tight hold.

She said something. A name, you didn’t know. Her brows furrowed as you stayed silent, the glow of your body reflected in her dark eyes. She said it again- but nothing stirred.

“I didn’t think you’d be here. It was meant to be a quick distraction, a-“ Words tumbled from her mouth as a look of horror grew in her eyes. “I’ve done this. I’ve done this to you.”

A flash. Suddenly she became a man- a man whose face tugged at something in the back of your mind, clawing to be released from it’s cage.

He towered above you, his hands coming up to grip your face- and although you found him annoying, and briefly considered shoving the dagger in your hip into his stomach, something in you allowed it.

“Don’t do this to me again. Don’t disappear.” His voice was desperate. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know-“

“I have to go.” You tried to pull away, but he held you steady. “I do not know you-“ 

“No, no, you have to remember-“ His fingers reached for your temple but you pushed him away, glaring. After a brief pause, his chest shuddering, he put his palms out defensively. “Please.”

Something about him forced you to step closer. Something primal, deep within your skin and it felt futile to resist the tug. 

“I do not know you.”

“I know.” He looked as if he may scream, his mouth twisted. “But I know you.” 

You were curious as you felt the power within him surge to his palms- curious enough to reach out, and touch one of them, his skin smooth beneath your fingers.

Without warning, the room in front of you disappeared- and suddenly, clips were being played in front of your eyes. A girl, a young girl, sitting in an old office, looking triumphant as she leafed through some old journal.

Not just a girl, but you. And these were not clips, but memories, you realised. His memories.

Thousands of them. The young girl laughing, playing, fighting. His fingers tugging her hair until she cried. Her foot kicking his underneath the table.

Emotions poured out from the memories- agony. Joy. Confusion.

They moved on. She was older now. The curve of her back as she leant over an hardwood table, her skin bare, draped with gold. Desire smacked you in the face like a brick. Her hair, swept from her neck, a few loose pieces hanging down. Her glare as he threw something in her direction. Tearful eyes as they watched him get marched away from the throne. 

More agony. Love. Hurt. Fear.

Her body wrapped in his bed sheets, her laughter in a pool of liquid gold. Tears down her cheeks as she weeped, alone in an office, her hair pulled back from her face. His own longing to go to her, to hold her. Misery watching her kiss others. Awe watching her strike her sword through a solider. 

Thousands of years worth of love, and longing flashed by your eyes- and when you opened them again, you knew exactly who the man in front of you was.

“You really loved me for that long?” You breathed- and slowly, you felt a gentle hand scoop you from the sea, pulling you out of the waves and placing you back onto the cliff.

The relief in his eyes was imminent, mouth quivering. Loki could barely hold himself together as he slowly nodded. “Longer.”

“I’m sorry-“ You rushed into him, his arms around you bone crushing as he took you within them, his other hand coming up to hold your neck. He held you as if he'd never hold you again, your body crushed against his, his hands forcing down a tremble. You were trembling too, feeling as if you were gasping for air, coming off your high. 

You had been gone. Lost in the sea of power- and somehow, he'd brought you back. By showing you a thousand years of yourself. You knew nobody else would ever have been able to have done that. 

“No, I’m sorry-“ He spoke into your hair. “I did this. I thought you’d be out there, on the bridge and in planned to attack Cul but I didn’t know you’d see me or come back-“

“I’d always come back for you.” You pushed away from him, looking up. “Always.”

“I should’ve known.” Loki pushed the hair back from your face. “You tore the god of fear to pieces as if he was no more than a common man. I wish you could’ve seen it.”

"You can show me later.” You gently tapped his temple. 

“We need to go. To help Thor and the others.“ He paused, and bent, sweeping you into a kiss. You gripped him, his fighting leathers pressed against yours, smiling. “I love you. Do not ever scare me like that again.”

“Yes sir.”

“I prefer your highness.” He smirked. 

You rolled your eyes fondly, your hand slipping into his as the two of you ran from the room, towards the real battle.

One mythical, death bringing, fear striking god down. One to go. 

Chapter Text

The bridge was pure chaos.

Clusters of people were gathered around the middle, clambering on top of each other to get on the enormous ship that had now appeared and parked itself to the right. Where it had come from, you weren’t sure- but you suspected it was Thor’s idea.

He wasn’t sure of the fate of Asgard then. Or that he could beat Hela- if he was, he wouldn’t be evacuating.

There was no sign of the god of thunder, or his sister, as you ran towards the ship. Ahead of you, a chunk of Hela’s army kept advancing onwards towards the civilians, their spears raised and ready to kill. Screams swept through the air as they started to push against whoever was resisting them.

Your sword hung heavy in your hand as you swung it overhead, and slammed it through the first bare skull nearest to you. Loki’s daggers swung through the torso of another, the two of you surprising them from behind, forcing them to divert their attention. 

Loki threw you a half grin as he sliced through another solider. His thorned head piece was back in place, shining and golden, and for once you were glad to see it- usually its appearance only filled you with dread of what he intended to do next.

A wave of soldiers dove towards you both, hissing and clawing blindly. They were desperate creatures- no battle strategy or ideas in those empty skulls. Just death. 

The ribs of one solider popped out onto the bridge and your sword latched there, stuck underneath one of the remaining bones, refusing to move. Swinging it overhead, you used it as a shield as you battered your way through the rest of the army in your way, throwing it over the bridge with a huff.

It plummeted into the waters below, screeching, and you watched it go, flinching as something grabbed your sleeve-

Heimdall stood there, a little bloodied, but alive and gave you a solemn nod, his golden eyes wandering to Loki who had now appeared, stepping over the scattered bones. More of the army was approaching you all from behind- they seemed endless. 

“I saw you coming.” He said.

“Of course you did.” Loki quipped. “Thor?”

The watchman shook his head. “He has not appeared down here yet. And something.. something has gone wrong. I feel it.”

You watched as Loki flinched, his eyes tearing towards the golden palace. Every inch of him was fighting not to run back, to find his brother. Despite all that had happened over the years, you knew as his soft spot would always be Thor. Brothers to the very broken end. 

“More incoming!” A creature yelled as it trundled past the three of you, its body made entirely of rocks. You blinked, watching the way its limbs moved for a moment before you turned yourself back into position, readying for more. 

“He’ll make it.” You said, loud enough for the god at your side to hear. “He has to.”

Loki looked to you, his eyes devastatingly green and heavy and nodded, just once, before running into the next wave of soldiers, slashing them down with a heavy blow.

There was no time to breathe or think as your sword plunged through them- this wasn’t like Cul, where there was time to strategise or work out a plan. This was just blind killing and hoping someone didn’t catch you off guard, or get a dagger through the open part of your armour.

One knocked you off your feet, your body already rolling as it slammed its spike into the rainbow bridge where you’d laid. It followed, that metal only inches from your eyes before you managed to flip yourself back, your sword cutting it in half as you dove through the air.

The sky suddenly darkened miserably, as if someone had plucked the sun out of the sky, everyone pausing slightly- and then, the largest thunderbolt you’d ever seen in your life zipped down from the heavens, striking the palace with a force so heavy it smashed into pieces.

That was the outside of the throne room. Where you’d last left Thor.

Everyone stopped, for a brief moment, watching as the clouds disappeared and the rubble and smoke began to waft into the air. That had to be Thor- but was it a last dash attempt or just the beginning?

Loki, unlike you, only watched on with a half smile on his face. 

Blue light travelled across the air, like another bolt, flying across the sky. You squinted, realising it was no bolt- but Thor, lighting erupting from his body, propelling him onto the bridge. All of the arm turned their attention to him, sprinting as he came into landing.

His power knocked them all flat within seconds- not one stood a chance as he brutalised them, fighting like an entirely new man. You’d never seen him so powerful, or skilful, as he battled his way through most of the army.

Behind you, fireworks began to erupt in the distance from some ship that has crashed further down the bridge, drawing some of the army away from you. A woman strode out from in- not just any woman but-

“A valkyrie.” You breathed. A legend, gone years ago, written into the past. But now she was here, in full armour and fighting. 

Under the bridge, in the waves, two roars caught your attention. A green monster you’d never seen before, but recognised from Thor’s description as the Hulk- the one Loki was terrified of- fought off Fenris, and was beating it somehow.

A valkyrie. A variety of monsters. An enormous, blue, odd ship.

“We need to talk to your brother about where he’s been.” Heimdall muttered.

You laughed, Heimdall joining in. It was ridiculous. It was so very Asgard. And for just a moment, you wondered if you might win.

Many of Hela’s army lay dead at your feet and you took pleasure in getting rid of the rest of them, taking the extra effort to kick them off the steep bridge, watching them fall into the tides below and get swept away to their deaths. They screamed and clawed- but all of you had become a force that was unstoppable, unavoidable.

Loki stabbed through one of the guards with his helmet, spinning, before landing on his knees, flipping the helmet in his hands. He glanced over at you with a smirk and you rolled your eyes. Shameless. Even in battle.

People were still cramming onto the ship, barely half of them on yet. You kept guard over the queues, fighting off any stray guards who came their way- but most had focused their attention on Thor, desperate to stop him and barely any were left with the way he was wiping them out with a simple punch of his fist, lightning lighting up the entire bridge. 

Heimdall appeared at your side, taking your position as you noticed Thor approaching. You left, joining him and Loki. 

“You were a little late to the party.” Thor muttered. His face was so bloodied it took you a moment to notice the gaping hole in his face-

“You’re missing an eye.” Loki replied. That must’ve been what Heimdall felt was wrong. 

God, if he wasn’t Odin’s son before..

The valkyrie strode past you all, giving you a brief look as she went. “This isn’t over.”

You all turned to where she was striding to. To where Hela was approaching, slowly. As if she had all the time in the world.

A lump found its way to your throat and wordlessly, the three of you followed. Breathless, and tired, you stood in a line and waited as she came forward. 

“I think we should disband the revengers.” Thor said to the woman. She only shook her head, rolling her eyes. 

“Hit her with a lightning blast.” Loki pointed.

“A big one.” You agreed. 

“I just hit her with the biggest lightning blast in the history of lightning it did nothing.” Thor gestured wildly, looking annoyed. 

“We just need to hold her off until everyone’s on board.”

“It won’t end there. The longer Hela’s on Asgard, the more powerful she grows. She’ll hunt us down- we need to stop her, here and now.” He said. 

“So what do we do?” 

You all looked to Thor, waiting. But he seemed as troubled as the rest of you, his brow furrowing. Hela continued to stride, her arms raising as she soaked in the power of the land around her, her crowned piece back in place, looking more spiked than ever. 

The crowds behind you were almost finished boarding. The four of you would need to stay, to ensure their getaway. 

“I’m not doing ‘Get Help!’” Loki glared at Thor. You almost cracked a smile at the thought of their routine, although it had been years since you’d witnessed it. 

Thor looked to the crowds. “Asgard’s not a place, it’s a people.” His eyes widened, realising something. “Loki, this was never about stopping Ragnarok- this was about causing Ragnarok. Surtur’s crown, the vaults!”

Your stomach dropped. To cause Ragnarok, it would be the end of Asgard, the entire realm swallowed into the fiery pits of Surtur’s stomach..

“It’s the only way.” He looked so solemn, even with the missing eye, that your heart caught slightly. No longer that ridiculous boy who Odin banished to Midgard, but a king. Your king. 

“Bold move, brother. Even for me.” Loki nodded in agreement. He turned to you, a careful caress of his palm across your cheek, before he was running, disappearing deep into the crowds-

“He’ll come back.” Thor was looking at you. At the tightness in your mouth and the glaze of your eyes. “He always does.”

“He has to.” You said, repeating what you’d said to Loki earlier. Both brothers always did- but this one had a particular taste for death and you felt this didn’t bode well.  

“Shall we?”

“After you.” Valkyrie motioned. 

The three of you ran into motion, leaving no time to waste. Hela’s spikes came thrusting out of her hands, but Thor’s lighting blasted through them, crumbling them into pieces. She tipped him over her head, throwing him to the side and Valkyrie rushed forward next, her sword aiming straight for the heart. Hela threw her to the side after him, unbothered.

Her eyes focused in on you. 

“Did you like playing my pet?” She cooed.

“Not quite.”

Your sword tore viciously overhead, which she dodged, her palm catching the back of your arm and twisting, hard. You grunted, kicking her ankle, forcing her to drop you before Thor came back with his own sword, lightning powering through it and threw his sister to the ground, her body smacking against the bridge.

The ship from earlier, the one blasting fireworks, shot overhead towards the palace. Loki would be in that, then. You watched him go, before your attention turned back to the goddess of death, her spike ramming through Thor’s shoulder.

Valkyrie roared, anguished, and charged for her once more. The two engaged, but it was only seconds before Hela had thrown her to the ground again.

You searched inside her mind- but not a single tether were open to you, all dull and-

Pausing, you dodged the spike she threw your way, smashing it to pieces with the blades equipped to your arms. 

They were not black. But grey. As if-

The spike in your boot came out, kicked into place as you swung your leg towards her head, so fast she barely missed it- a line of blood dribbled out across her cheek as it caught her. But her wicked agility helped her turn quickly, and grab your leg, throwing you across the bridge. 

“Go, go now!” Thor screamed to a waiting Heimdall. The watchman hesitated, briefly, before following his kings orders. The ship powered up, preparing to leave Asgard.

You were to stay, to watch Asgard burn and to burn with it and it was all you could do. There wouldn’t be a future, or a new Asgard. Thor wouldn’t get the crown- but neither would Hela. The thought knocked the wind out of you. 

But the goddess of death wasn’t finished yet. Her spikes, gigantic and punishing, rose from the sea and stabbed themselves into ship, forcing it to stay put. The ships engines flared against the resistance, trying to get away, but it struggled.

The three of you pushed yourselves up from the ground, grimacing at the sight of it. She was too strong to beat during combat and if Loki didn’t hurry up, you’d be dead in moments, exhaustion beginning to seep into all of your skins. You could feel it, rushing out like a tidal wave from the other two. 

Hela turned, grinning, ready to inflict more punishment when-

“Hela!”

Skurge. Skurge had appeared, guns in hand, at the end of the bridge from somewhere. He was stood next to the broken spikes, which had been destoryed, the ship free to move again, dead guards all around him. There was an uneven smile on his face- and although you knew he’d done wrong, at that moment, you were to glad to see him. 

He fought valiantly, taking down each guard that crossed him as he made his way towards you all- and he’d bought you a moment to breathe, to think, but that was all he’d done. You knew it the moment she gave a pitying look and outstretched her arm.

His eyes flew to you as blood dribbled from his mouth. You watched his hands fumble around the spike she'd torn through his heart, but he didn’t try to remove it. His eyes turned glassy, his knees slumping as he fell forward- and as he went, you swore you could feel the final pool guilt seeping out of him, replaced by peace as he made his way onto the next life.

Valkyrie was gasping for breathe next to you, crawling for her sword. You searched Hela’s mind again as you pushed it towards her, offering her a hand up. Her fingers grasped yours, her teeth grinding together as she raised herself off the ground, a small patch of blood blooming through her sleeve.

Rummaging through Hela’s chords, you paused as you noted their colour. Not white. But not dark, not entirely. Tenderly, you touched one. It did not lock you out, or tighten as it once would have- but bounced back. Wiggled.

Her mind wasn’t open to you. But you could take it anyway.

“Hela! Enough!” Thor stumbled to his feet as the realisation clanged through you. “You want Asgard, it’s yours.”

“Whatever game you’re playing, it won’t work. You can’t defeat me.” She smiled, smug.

The bridge began to shake quietly beneath your feet. It was time. e

“No I know.” Her brother smiled right back. You looked to the sky behind him, to where fire had begun to erupt from every corner of the palace, golden metal turning orange and black, melting right before your eyes. “But he can.” 

The explosion shook the entire realm. You covered your head as debris flew miles from the castle as Surtur erupted through the palace, as if rising from the centre of the earth itself, fire flowing from every inch of his skin. 

“No.” Hela looked horrified. 

Thor slammed his fist into the bridge, bringing it down, forcing her into the water below. It swallowed her immediately as the three of you watched her disappear, before turning back to the demon behind you.

Surtur was exactly how you’d imagined. Like molten lava, barely holding its form as it dripped from every inch of him, his horns sharp enough to cut the realm in half. 

“Tremble before me Asgard!” Surtur roared. “I am your reckoning!”

His sword of flame tore through the town. Fire spread for miles, the ground itself opening up and beginning to fall into itself. The realm would be gone within minutes.

As would you.

Thor looked to you, something apologetic in his eyes. His brother still hadn’t returned, and maybe wouldn’t in time. Not before you were all swallowed.

“The people are safe. That’s all that matters.” Valkyrie couldn’t tear her eyes away from it either. And even as she said it, you could feel the sadness emitting from her- but there was justice there too. Justice that you’d defeated Hela.

“We’re fulfilling the prophecy.” Thor sighed. 

“I hate this prophecy.” She shot back. 

“Me too.” You muttered, slinging your sword back onto your back. It would disappear with you, turning into ashes as your own body did.

You wanted to be sad. Or angry. Or anything- but nothing came forth as you watched Surtur tear down Asgard. All you wanted was for Loki to be here. 

Thor nodded in agreement. “Surtur destroys Asgard, he destroys Hela and our people will be safe. But we need to let him finish the job otherwise-“

“Ahhhhh!” 

The three of you froze, watching the green monster launch itself miles high in the air with an ear wrenching roar, straight for Surtur.

The giant fire breathing demon was struck, hard, across the face. If it hadn’t been the exact thing you hadn’t wanted to happen, you might’ve laughed at the sight of such a thing. 

“Hulk, stop, you moron!” Thor shouted as the beast continued to punch him, almost knocking him off his balance.

Surtur picked him up as if he were no more than a fly upon his food and threw him, his body smashing into the bridge in front of you so hard it almost snapped in two. 

“Hulk for once in your life, don’t smash!” Thor continued as the beast struggled to its feet, looking frustrated. 

“Big monster!” He argued. 

“Let’s go!” Valkyrie gestured to the ship. The realisation smacked into you as she did so. You could live, you could make it there, you weren’t going to die-

“No!” A voice screamed from the edge of the hole. Hela’s hands pulled her up onto the bridge, those black talons digging into the shredded glass. The three of you groaned in unanimous succession, exhausted, as she appeared, breathless and raging.

“How dare you-“ She screamed, her hand lunging out as if to grab you all and crush you between her very fingers.

Thor powered up, ready to go once more, but you tugged on his arm, shaking your head. To fight her would be to kill yourselves, and miss your shot at living. There was no more time. 

She only smirked as you walked out in front of them, towards her. “He has more of a chance than beating me than you. Even then, it’s slim.” 

“Is that so?” You offered your own, cruel smile back and loudly plucked one of the chords in her mind, letting her know she had a visitor. Hela visibly flinched. 

“My mind is shut off-“

“And yet I can take it.” You grabbed another, tightening your hold. “I have the power of a god in me now. Cul did try his hardest, I’ll give him that.”

She shook her head. “No-”

“Walk, Hela.” You instructed and you felt her power rip your own to shreds as you grasped her mind. That sea of power drew you in, called out to you in the way it had before, singing its delicious song. Like before, you dove in, feeling yourself go beneath the surface, every bone in your body electrifying- except now, you felt a tether to the land behind you, where you usually stood. A small rope around your waist, reminding you were to return to when the job is done. 

You breathed in her power, feeling it ripple between the two of you. It wasn’t warm, like most people- the power felt ice cold, striking you deep in your gut, turning your blood blue.

“Walk.” You said it again. The instruction in your voice was convincing enough even you almost started to do so. “Walk into Surtur’s hands- and when you get there, give in to him.”

“No!” She screamed, but her body was already turning, forcing her to walk away from you all. She screamed the entire way, fighting it. But her legs kept walking, no matter what pleas spilled from her mouth and they would not stop until she reached the fire. 

Thor’s hand clamped over your shoulder, tugging you back gently. “You couldn’t have done that twenty minutes ago?” 

You huffed a laugh. “Watch it, or I’ll do you next.”

There was barely time to enjoy it, or realise what you’d done- the next moment, you were swept into the green monsters arms and shooting up and up through the air, away from Asgard, away from everything within it.

Away from home. From the only place you’d ever known. In a mere matter of two years, you’d lost everything you knew- Frigga, Odin, Loki, the warrior three.. any future you’d ever planned had disintegrated in your hands like ashes. 

Despite watching it burn to pieces beneath you, for the first time you felt at peace. As Thor said- Asgard was not a place, but a people. There would be a new home to return to eventually, and you’d find a new future for yourself. 

For the first time in weeks, you felt like things may turn out just fine. 

Chapter Text

Agony.

You were in agony. 

Everything was burning hot to touch, your hands grasping the wet, threaded floor beneath you as you tried to force yourself to move, to wake up.

Someone was coughing next to you. No, several people were- coughing, and hacking. Shouting began to erupt, names desperately called out, names you recognised but couldn’t quite place in your mind. 

It smelled of smoke and fire and for a moment, you felt as if maybe you were dead- maybe your foot was in the exit door on the way to Valhalla and these final moments were your mind, grasping at life, at oxygen-

“Wake up. Don’t be dead, don’t be-“ 

Someone was grabbing you, shaking your jacket- and with the force of it, your eyes flew open, confused. There was nothing but smoke piling above you, covering the blue sky above. 

Valkyrie. It was the valkyrie, shaking you, her eyes wide with terror.

“Oh thank god.” She huffed, her hand still pressed against your chest- checking you were breathing. She scanned your body, wincing at something in your thigh, her hand bushing against it- that was when the blinding pain began

She grabbed your shoulders as you groaned, trying to turn away from her touch. She sounded terrified, her voice shaking as she shushed you. 

“I know. I know.” Her voice got quieter, even as the ones around you rose. “Ok, I’m going to try and cauterise this with the weapon on my hip, it’s going to really hurt but the bleeding needs to stop alright, I have to-“

You nodded, unable to comprehend anything except that agony, and the warm spill of blood running down your legs. She shoved something in your mouth to stop your jaw from breaking, a faint buzzing in your ears as your eyes tried to focus on something, anything else-

There was dew on the grass beneath. It was beginning to soak into your clothes. 

Grass. You were on grass?

A tidal wave of pain crashed down as that buzzing became louder, something hot and charred zipping across your skin. It felt like a thousand needles prickling you all at once, but diving deep beneath your skin, to the muscle-

Your teeth crushed whatever materials she’d shoved in there, a scream erupting from your throat as the pain continued. 

“I’m sorry.” She muttered, shutting the weapon off. Her cool hands touched your leg. “I’m sorry-“

It was all you caught before you passed out, your head smacking against the cool grass once more. 

There was enough people in here to fill a stadium.

You pushed through the crowds, searching each face that passed you, trying to locate those familiar green eyes or black hair. But you’d searched what felt like every room in the entire ship- and he still wasn’t visible anywhere.

Your heart sunk lower and lower as the minutes passed. You could barely begin to consider the possibility he hadn’t made it off Asgard- it couldn’t be possible. He’d had the other ship, and time to get off if he’d been careful enough.

And he had to come back here. He wouldn’t believe you behind- not this time. He’d promised. 

You walked over to one of the quieter corners of the room, climbing onto the small podium there. Your neck craned as you looked once more, trying to find that blue suit, but still no dice. 

Maybe Thor would know, or Valkyrie-

You moved to jump off the podium, a hand slipping into yours to help you down. You went to push through the crowds, to find the king, when the hand tugged you back.

“Not even a thank you?”

You whirled, almost throwing your arm out in surprise. 

“Looking for me?” Loki. Smiling. Alive. Here, in front of you, and not an illusion. 

His arms were around you before you had even let out your sigh of relief, head buried right into your neck. You wrapped yourself around him, eyes closed. He was here. He hadn’t left.

“I wouldn’t leave you.” He muttered. Perhaps you’d said that last part out loud. “And I never will again.”

Tears sprang to your eyes. The two of you pulled back from each other, smiling, hands lingering, his fingers brushing against your fighting leathers. 

“I wondered if you’d died.” You muttered, your voice thick with emotion. 

“Nothing can kill me.” He said it so matter of factly you almost punched his shoulder. But you were so relieved to see him, you kissed him instead, his body instantly sinking into yours. It didn’t matter there were a hundred Asgardians around you- you didn’t care who saw.

Neither did he, from the way he was grasping you, his tongue gently sliding into your mouth with a subtle caress.

“Ahem.”

Thor stood, looking mildly horrified, to your right.

“Nice to see you two sorted things out.” He walked up, hands on his hip. He’d put an eye patch on and you had to resist making an Odin joke. “I was fighting for my life on a deadly planet, trying to make allies, forced into fighting rings- but I am glad you two had the romantic holiday of dreams.”

“My threat about your mind is very real.” You warned. “And I’m sure your brother will have no trouble supplying me with ideas of how to humiliate you.” 

“How exciting.” Loki smiled.

“I am the king now you know.” He glared.

“Are you?” You looked up to the god of mischief, whose arm had wrapped around your waist. “I don’t remember that being declared.”

“Well it’s about to, if you two would join me instead of showing your tongue down each others throats.” Thor quipped, smiling as you punched his arm. His face was softer than it ever had been as he took the two of you in- the last remaining three. “I am glad we all survived- and I am glad you two are here, by my side. I need you.”

Your eyes threatened to spill over with tears relieved you had survived, happy to see the brothers together once more, sadness over your friends- and without much thought, the three of you fell into a hug, holding each other, a private moment amongst a crowded hall.

The sky had turned a darker colour now. A soft purple, with greyer clouds erupting over the horizon. 

You blinked thickly, trying to push past the throbbing pain in your head as you pushed yourself up from the ground, looking around.

Someone had moved you onto an old piece of scrap metal and thrown a jacket over the top of you, allowing you to sleep. Your fingers brushed against the number painted beneath you.

Not scrap metal. But an escape pod.

“Oh, you’re awake.”

The valkyrie had appeared back in front of you, a few medical supplies in her arms. Her eyes drifted to your leg, which looked good as new, if not a little aching.

“I’m jealous of that.” She raised her eyebrows and began to dabble something onto her own cut up arms. 

“I don’t understand.” You rubbed your temple. It was throbbing, demanding to be felt. “What happened?”

“I don’t know.” She looked just as troubled as you felt. “We were relaxing in the hall, Thor was king- I don’t know.”

“Someone was shooting at the ship.” You remembered bits and pieces- but you’d been so terrified, and confused, it felt as if you’d blacked out. “Who?”

“I have no idea. They shoved as many of us into pods as possible, said we had to go too, to protect the people-“

You twisted, looking to the sky, your stomach dropping. “Why wouldn’t they come too?”

“There wasn’t enough time to hold them off.” Valkyrie looked off into the distance. You followed her gaze, noticing a few stragglers, their sheer clothes of Asgard doing little to protect them against the harsh fall wind. 

But there wasn’t as many as you remembered leaving the ship. There had to be more and they’d likely landed elsewhere, scattered over what you presumed to be Midgard since it had been your last point of destination entered into the ship. 

At least you knew people here, you could contact Stark, see if they could help somehow, if they’d heard anything from Thor.

“It isn’t good.” Valkyrie looked at her hands, her body trembling in the cold. “When we left I saw them, face down, bleeding-“ 

You flinched.

“I do not know if they will return here for a while yet. We should move, find shelter and the others that were launched.” She continued, but your mind had frozen, stuck on an overplaying loop.

“I shouldn’t have gone.” You muttered. 

She glanced at you. “What?”

“I shouldn’t have gone, I should’ve stayed with them and fought-“ You wanted to tear the leathers from your back, suddenly feeling too hot, too overwhelmed. Something was wrong. The fact they’d thrown you off the shop the way they had, that Loki, nor Thor, would listen to a single one of your pleas-

“I wish I had too- but at least you had no choice, unlike me. You are next in line.” She sighed.

You stopped cradling yourself, straightening. “What?”

Valkyrie frowned. “You are married to a prince of Asgard-“

“Loki just made that up.” You presumed she’d overheard the story you’d told Thor as you’d all caught up, telling your tales of what you’d done since you’d disappeared from Midgard.

She grabbed your hand and yanked it to your eye level, gesturing. “Then what is this?”

The bracelet Frigga had given you dangled from your wrist, slipping down your skin. You’d forgotten it was there.

“A gift, from a friend.”

“This was Odin’s marriage bracelet, to Frigga. It’s legendary, the carving here-“ She pointed to one of the small letters carved into the pearl. “Is to signify the strength of their marriage. I.. who gave it to you if not her son? And why?”

“Frigga.” You breathed. She’d known. In some way, she’d known something was coming for her- and she’d given you it, despite the fact her son was locked downstairs at that moment for the heinous crimes he’d committed. Despite the fact she knew how angry you were with him.

She’d given it to you anyway, believing something you obviously hadn’t been ready to accept. 

“Well, even if it wasn’t a proposal, it was certainly the suggestion of one.” Valkyrie’s face morphed into a tight frown, and her eyes looked sad suddenly. “I’m sorry.”

Sorry for what? The fact that you’d left behind the man you loved, the one who’d inadvertently allowed you to keep a marriage bracelet, knowing what it meant, wanting you to have it-

“Can we go back for them?” You asked, but you already knew the answer. “If I spoke to Thor’s friends, if they could grant us a ship-“ 

“They are light years away. It would be impossible with the technology here.” She sighed. Clearly she had a good knowledge of Midgard too.

The two of you glanced over the hillside. It didn’t look too far from the town on the horizon, the sea crashing in the far left. It was cold, so you presumed you weren’t far from where you’d been before, with Loki. Maybe you could find Rune, or Strange, see if there was a way to locate them-

“We need to move.” Valkryie stood, and offered you her hand. You took it, allowing her to pull you up before the two of you took another look around. 

“Gather everyone and we’ll lead them to the town.” You said. “Get some shelter, and food. Then tomorrow we’ll figure out what to do about the others. I have some contacts I could use to track them down.”

The warrior nodded, raising her eyebrows at you. “For someone who looked horrified at the suggestion of leadership, you take to it well.”

You huffed a laugh and walked off, gathering the survivors together and leading them down the hill towards the town. They all hung around you, eyes wide with terror and worry, one of the children clinging to your jacket.

You could feel their anticipation of your next move, of your every instruction- and you hated it. Being in charge was never something you’d enjoyed. Not the pressure, or the politics. Every move you made here on out determined their survival and it was a lot to have on your shoulders.

The sooner the brothers returned, the better. 

The next morning, sunlight streamed through the grotty curtain, highlighting the green strip of carpet between the two beds. 

You watched as it grew, the sun climbing higher in the sky, your fingers curling around the thin, terrible duvet. The room stank of beer, and something else equally unpleasant, forcing you to breathe in through your mouth.

It was the only place you could find last night, and you’d used your powers to make the owner give everyone with you their own rooms and beds. Thankfully it seemed pretty empty and you’d gotten away with it, for now.

But you’d need to find a way to contact Rhodes, or someone over there, and get some real help. This wasn’t something you’d be able to do alone and besides, they owed you for the whole, sending the goddess of death away thing, didn’t they?

Valkyrie was already awake, staring at the roof, her hands restless. Like you, she’d had fitful dreams all evening, calling out a few times for someone you didn’t recognise. Maybe someone she’d left behind on the ship.

There had barely been any with you.. it made you wonder how many were really out there. The ship wasn’t exactly stocked to the brim with escape pods and the amount of Asgardians that had been on there-

You shook your head, trying to clear the thought away. It was something to consider later. For now, you needed a plan. And you needed to get up, and hustle the others into place.

“Come on.” You muttered quietly to the other woman, throwing your jacket over your arms as you climbed out of the bed. You hadn’t learned her name yet- although you felt as if you should. 

She followed you outside, into yet another chill, windy day. There was nobody around, the entire lot empty.

“They might still be sleeping.” Valkyrie noted, yawning. She’d braided her hair back and out of her face, looking strangely younger now she’d done so although you knew she had to be older than you. Older than Thor, even. 

“You wake them up. I’ll try find the manager and see if he has a way for me to track down my contacts.”

She sauntered off to the rooms, gently knocking on each of the doors you’d placed people in, asking to come in. Down the lot, and around the corner, was the glass office you’d piled into last night to ask for the rooms.

The fan was still on, spinning around the room, and the dusty red counter looked the same as it had last night as you strode up to it. You hit the bell with your palm, leafing through some of the outdated leaflets on the counter. 

You were right about being on the east coast, from what the terrible brightly coloured maps printed on most of these said. At least you were close to New York. 

“Hello?” You peered over the desk. The chair looked vacant, with some weird grey ash within it, but there was a cup of fresh coffee on the table, steaming and hot. “Hello? Mr Grundle?”

Still, no reply.

In the back office, where he’d been holed up last evening, the door was open. Slipping past the counter, you carefully edged your head around the door, a sheepish smile on your mouth. 

But still, nobody.

Maybe he’d gone out to check on something.

With a sigh, you turned to leave and head back to find Valkyrie and the others, when the woman on the TV caught your eye.

She was standing somewhere- somewhere metropolis, surrounded by cars and buildings, people all around her. It looked like New York. 

But something was wrong. Everyone was running, screaming. There was fire rising up from some of the cars and buildings, someone in the background sinking to their knees as they screamed. 

You looked around franticly, grabbing the remote on the desk and turning the volume up, loud. 

“This is a national state of emergency, nobody knows what is happening, people are-“

She froze, clutching the microphone to her chest. You could hear your name being called from outside the office, but your eyes were glued to the woman, to her terrified, open mouth as she shook. 

As if she’d seen death itself.

Then suddenly, she withered away, into dust. As if she’d never been there at all.

“Where are you?” 

It was Valkyrie calling. She rushed into the office, her eyes dashing between you and the TV screen, looking panicked. 

“Nearly all of them are gone, there’s only two people left, and I don’t know where they went.” She rambled. “It doesn’t make sense- and this place is empty, something is wrong!” 

But you weren’t even paying attention to her panic. You were looking at your hands. Your hands that were slowly crumpling to ash, like the woman on TV.

“Oh my god.” Valkyrie took a step towards you, and stopped, as if afraid you might pass whatever it was onto her too. 

“Rhodes.” You said, snapping into action. She whipped her head up. “Rhodes. The Avengers compound in New York, that’s where you’ll get help, that’s where-“

“No, no-“ She reached for you. “You can’t-!”   

Everything went black. 

Chapter Text

The sea lapped up against the dock, waves crashing into the stone, forcing its way through the cracks. Barnacles clung to every bare inch of the rock, fighting the ocean and its entire might- although, they didn’t have much luck against the pen knife currently scraping against them, forcing them off the rock.

The man stood on the boat, his body rocking slightly as he chipped them off, trying to make the area look a little more respectable for the boat he’d be docking in just a few hours. He looked up, offered a wave, and disappeared around the other corner to tackle the other spots. 

Unlike the other days this week, finally the sun decided to make a reappearance. The ground was still a little damp and the grass covered in morning dew, but it was warm, and it was finally beginning to feel as if summer was arriving.

The radio droned on quietly, the reporters voice the same as it always was.

“Today of course marks one month since the end of the blip. Preparations are in place for a post blip party today all over the world, to celebrate the end of misery, the beginning, loved ones returning-“

You clicked the off button and returned your stare to the water. 

This was the only place that you got some peace, this patch of the pier. It was cornered off by a stone wall, so you weren’t in sight of anyone working along the docks, and given there was nothing down here but a few boats that were hardly used, nobody came along to bother you.

And you had been bothered a lot since your return. 

It started off quietly. A few visits to the cabin you’d been allocated, tears of joy you’d made it home safely, well wishes and apologies about your loss. Then more came. More visitors. More well wishes. More apologies.

It was so overwhelming you barely found yourself in that cabin anymore, except to sleep, even though Valkyrie had told them to give you some space. You couldn’t answer any more questions, or keep that horrible smile plastered on your face- and you didn’t want to. 

The fjords in the distance began to become swallowed by the shadows. That was your queue to go, or else you would sit here all evening. Gathering the things around you, you strung the bag over your shoulder and made the quick walk down the pier. 

Everyone nodded to you as you went, some saying hello. It was so odd to see them like this, out of Asgard. Maids that had worked in the palace for centuries now slinging fishing crates over their shoulders, and back onto the boats. Warriors that had fought for Odin, stringing up new rods for their next day of work.

You often wondered if they missed it. Not just Asgard, but their lives, the purpose they had found there. Asgard was so beyond any other realm, coming here sometimes felt.. not quite a let down, but childish. As if you were all in a play, doing your parts and acting them out well, waiting to go back home. 

There was no purpose here for you. Not yet, anyway. Truthfully, in the month since you’d returned, you’d just used the time to try and readjust to losing five years of your life. Nothing, really, to an Asgardian- but the entire planet had changed. There’d been a war. People had died. 

“Heading up the hill?” Valkyrie, or Brunn as you now called her, had appeared in front of you at the end of the docks. She was dressed in her usual sweater and jeans, although she’d dropped the puffer now the weather was warming up.

It was Brunn’s arms you’d fell into once you’d finally found this place after a week of desperate searching and finally, some help from Rhodes. She’d spotted you walking into the village and immediately put her arms around you, although she was no hugger. She’d gotten you cleaned up, given you new clothes and tried to piece together what had happened over the past five years. 

At first, it felt like she was speaking gibberish- Thanos, and time travel and all sorts of crap that didn’t even sound remotely real. She’d hauled out papers, showed you programmes on the cable and only then did it slowly begin to make sense. The infinity stones. The snap.

Thor had apparently survived, somehow. He barely looked like himself when you saw him a week ago, standing atop the hill over the village. He informed you he wanted Brunn to be queen- and you wholeheartedly agreed.

He’d held you a little tighter than normal, for a little longer, as he said good-bye. Apparently it was time for him to follow his own path. A new one, outwit Asgard and its people despite swearing to be their King what felt like just weeks ago to you.

When you watched him go, it felt like another piece of you went with him. You were beginning to feel dangerously empty. 

But Brunn was a good replacement. The best he could’ve picked. 

“Thinking about it.” You replied to her, your fingers tightening on the bag over your shoulder. It wouldn’t be long before she’d be asking you to work. Or do something vaguely useful. 

“Jas will be out of school soon, if you want to take her up.” 

You’d kept an eye on the girl, from a distance- but she’d been given a new family to live with five years ago. She’d built a life here, with friends and school and hobbies- a life you weren’t part of anymore. She seemed so happy that you didn’t want to interfere.

More so, rather selfishly, she was so happy it hurt to be around her. 

“I don’t think she’d enjoy it much.” You shook your head. “It isn't exactly fun visiting graveyards.”

“She wears a lot of black these days, with the weird eye makeup and everything- maybe she’ll find it fun.” Brunn gave you a small smirk. You huffed a laugh, glancing up to the spot on the hill where they’d marked several gravestones, for those they’d lost. “I think it’s good. That you’re going up there.”

You glanced over at her. Her hands rested on her hips, a belt around her waist, the hilt empty. Did she miss the weight of a weapon? Did she feel as restless as you did without it all, as if you were about to take off any moment?

Maye not. She’d hidden on that planet for years and drank herself into a stupor. Maybe she was okay with sitting still, at peace, for a while. 

Your foot dug into the stone beneath it. “I sit up there for hours- and it doesn’t get any easier. It feels like..” 

Sighing, you stopped. To tell her you felt like he wasn’t really dead was to only worry her more- she’d think you were losing your mind. 

“I wish I could tell you it’s a quick process. But it was hell for months, years- and then one day, it was just there. I woke up, and I felt it, and I kept going. It wasn’t like a stick in the side anymore but just a feeling, in the back of my mind. Present, but not painful.” 

You nodded. The bustle of the village behind you reminded you to be grateful that you were here, and alive. That you had the chance to live, when so many didn’t. 

Truthfully, you almost didn’t want it.

“You know. It might get a little easier if you let some stuff go.” She gently reached out, poking the tip of the hilt peaking out from underneath your jacket. Your sword. “Our lives are on Midgard now. I don’t think humans will be getting us to fight their wars anytime soon.” 

“I better get going.” You swallowed hard and gestured to the sun, unwilling to talk about it. “I don’t want to walk down the banking in the dark.”

“Be careful.” Brunn gave you a nod, letting it go thankfully, before turning and heading off into the crowds. Back to her usual duties, outwit checking on you.

You knew Thor had asked her to do so. It wasn’t hard to tell given how often it was and the fact she was being far nicer to you than anyone else, although the two of you hardly knew each other. But you didn’t mind. Much. 

The climb up the hill was a little more steep than you would’ve preferred, the grass slippery beneath your feet, threatening to sending you skidding down the hill. But once you got to the top, you understood why Thor chose it. 

The village dipped beneath one of the lower hills, so all you could see was turquoise ocean, stretching out for miles ahead, surrounded by the cascading fjords. The sun lit up the entire valley, turning it into a kaleidoscope of colour and beauty. 

You bent down, your hand shaking as it brushed the raindrops away from the plaque on the ground. 

Loki Odinson 

Brother. Husband. Son. 

965 A.D. - 2018.

Your fingers traced over the Odinson. Thor deliberately hadn’t put Laufeyson- but you knew it wasn’t out of shame, or refusal to acknowledge his heritage. It was that he never thought of his brother as anything but. He had told you it had nothing to do with their family and entirely to do with him. When one day he too was buried, he wanted to share a name with his brother. 

He’d shown you it, five days after you arrived. It was the first day you’d been able to do anything except lay in your bed, unmoving, since you’d found out the news. 

They'd dropped off food, and water, and papers for you to read and catch up on. But none of it interested you- all you could do was stare and stare at the window outside, wishing this wasn’t true. That he was playing one last trick on you all.

It still didn’t feel real now. You felt as if it was still unfinished- the two of you had so much to do, too much, that it was impossible he was dead.

But Thor had seen his neck snap. He’d seen the life drain out of him, and was able to do nothing as Thanos blasted their ship into a million pieces, sending his brothers body spinning out into space, alone.

Your hand rested on the grass beneath, a shuddering breathe making its way out of your chest. That was the worst part. That he was out there, alone. Dead. That you couldn’t even get him home, safe and warm, to the goodbye he deserved.

When Thor managed to get you up here, you’d fallen to your knees and sobbed for an hour. You’d come back the next day and done the same- and then, for three weeks, you hadn’t been able to come here at all. 

It was that thought that spurred you back. His loneliness. It didn't feel right to leave him, when you were just down the hill.

So every afternoon, as the sun began to set in the sky, you climbed up here and sat with him until it was just threatening to dip beneath the surface. Then you’d leave, and do it all again. 

As the weeks passed, and turned into just over a month, you knew he wasn’t coming back. There was no final trick this time, no divine intervention.

Being alone was something you’d have to get used to. 

You glanced down the hillside, to where smoke was beginning to rise over the dips of grass, fires being lit for the evening ahead. If you were going to start again, and find something new for yourself, it couldn’t be here.

You didn’t belong. There was nothing inside you that yearned to live this life. You’d been born for something else- and maybe your birthright had been to stop Hela, or to help Thor, but it still felt like there was more to do.

If you never left here, you’d never figure it out.

Thor had given you the option to go with him, but you knew that was something he needed to do alone; you could see it in his eyes. Besides, something inside of you had tugged to stay here a little longer, to get back on your feet properly. 

The sun dangled precariously over the crest of the mountain, about to dip out. You brushed your hand over the plaque again, quietly muttering a prayer of peace, before making your way back down the gravel path.

A few folks waved goodnight to you as they walked past, scuttling along to their houses. You looked over to the yellow doored cottage, just a few meters down from yours- and shook your head. You’d talk to Brunn in the morning about leaving. Tonight wasn’t the time, given you’d barely thought about it yourself.

It only took the room ten minutes to warm up once you got the fire going. Your hands shook as you held them over the flames, red from the cold, and pinging started against the windows. The weather had turned poorly again- just your luck.

In the kitchen, the kettle was letting out little wisps of screams, almost ready. You closed your eyes, savouring the warmth, the peace-

Two bangs came at the door.

Sitting quietly, your eyes opened, slowly shifting towards it. If you stayed quiet, and it just was some asgardian asking for something or a favour, maybe they’d get bored and leave if you just stayed completely-

Two louder bangs.

Sighing, you picked yourself up off the floor, glad the kettle was beginning to whistle softly. It was a good excuse to shut the door in their face.

It creaked as it swung, your excuses already pouring out. “I'm sure you're here with good reason, but it's late and I'm very tired-"

You froze. 

Your eyes refused to move from the ground. From the pair of black, smart shoes that stood there.

“Valk? It’s me.” A hand reached out, then retracted, as if unsure.

The kettle began to scream, ringing in your ears, demanding your attention. But you couldn’t move, or breathe, as you brought your eyes up and up, meeting the green ones above. 

To where the god of mischief stood, staring right back. 

Chapter Text

The kettle whistled on.

Still, you stood, eyes still locked on to the ones above you as you both stood completely still. Anyone looking at the two of you may have thought you to be statues.

His hair was curled around his head, looking longer than last you’d seen it, the tie looped around his shirt loose, looking as if someone had tried to tug it off, the shirt itself covered in what seemed like dirt-

“That’s going to overspill.” His voice broke through your thoughts. He gestured to the kettle which was vibrating on the stove, ready to fall over at any moment. 

You finally managed to tear yourself away from him, shuffling over to the stove and hauling off the kettle, the whistling finally dying down into a quiet whistle. The entire cabin seemed to quieten, the only sound the howling wind outside- and your heart, which was beating so hard you felt as if you might faint.

“Can I come in?” Loki, or whoever this was called out. You nodded, still looking down at the kitchen counter, hands braced against the wood. You listened to his footsteps head towards you, your hand already moving for underneath the counter-

That stupid smirk was already lighting up his mouth as you shoved the knife stored underneath against his throat.

“I missed you.”

“You’re not you.” The blade dug into the soft plane of his skin. “Or you are, but you’ve spent time..somewhere. But I suggest you lie, and quickly, if you’ve spent time on some holiday or another fake death tirade because I will kill you-“ 

“No faking it. Just.. a long story.” His smile faltered slightly and you noticed how exhausted he looked, his eyes heavy. His hands lingered by his side, still twitching, as if desperate to reach out and touch you. “Last time I saw you, you looked less tired.”

“I could say the same to you.” You tried to search his face for any evidence of a lie- but nothing came forward. His mind was shut off to you, entirely dark- since losing him, you’d lost your tether and so, couldn’t control minds without them being open anymore. 

“You can take the knife down.” 

“Can I?” You asked. His eyes flashed with ire. “Tell me something. Prove you’re..you.”

“The last time I saw you, you were on the bifrost. You had your sword in your hand, and a ponytail down your back with that gold headband through it- and as I fell, I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t have to look at you. At the disappointment in your eyes.” He said. His throat bobbed as he did, the shame in his eyes evident. 

You tried not to flinch. “That’s a lie. The last time we saw each other was as we left Asgard on the ship-“

“I am me. But I am also not.” His hand came up, gently gripping yours. Prying the knife away from his throat. “Like I said. A long story.”

There were a few moments of lingering before you sighed, dropping the knife from his throat. You glanced to the kettle behind you. 

“Maybe we should have some tea.” 

His hair still shone with dew as the two of you sunk onto the floor in front of the fire. You gripped the cup in your hands, trying to stop shaking, trying to listen to him speak- but everything inside of you felt as if it was tearing apart whilst simultaneously sowing back together.

He’d been dead. Hours ago’d he’d been dead and now-

"Do you know what happened, after the attack on New York?” He asked, taking a sip from his own cup. His hands practically dwarfed it as he held it. 

“You were brought home. Imprisoned.” 

“Not in another timeline. There was.. an accident. A divergence in the timeline. Stark dropped the tesseract and I used it to escape.”

You shook your head, frowning. “But I.. I remember you being imprisoned, I-“

“And I was. In this timeline- but I come from another.” He explained. “So, I never existed in this timeline. That was a different version of me, who is still dead. So, after 2012-“

“Everything I remember, you don’t.” You finished. Immediately, your heart sunk, disappointment welling like a cresting wave. Was this better? Or worse? He was alive, but he knew nothing of that the two of you had been through, he couldn’t remember a thing-

“The TVA found me.” He sighed. “And there is where it gets.. crazy.”

You sighed. “I can handle some crazy.”

So, he explained. About the TVA, about Mobius and the agency and Miss Minutes. He talked about the Loki variants, about the set paths you’ve all been given by the TVA. About Sylvie. He looked sad when he spoke of her, his hands gripping the cup a little tighter.

It hardly sounded real, like a tale a madman would make up- but you listened anyway. Listened to his descriptions of the other Loki’s nexus events. Sylvie’s. Finding He Who Remains.

“Mobius had this device, he used when I first arrived. He showed me my entire life. Every moment of it, until the day I died.” 

“When Thanos killed you.” You said. He nodded.

“I watched it. Over and over. I watched how I killed my mother. Odin’s death. Thor and I creating ragnarok.” He sighed. “And then he showed me you. You were everywhere. In my dreams, in my mind, always in the corner of my eye. Our fighting and our making up. Our time on earth. I saw everything.” 

Both of you sat, silent, for a few moments. The fire crackled on loudly, the twigs snapping in half with the heat and pressure. You almost wanted to throw yourself in it- to burn and burn and forget all of this. Forget him. Forget the cruel, shiny gift the universe had just presented you with. 

He’d seen it all. But he would never remember it. He’d never remember how much he’d loved you, or Thor. He’d never remember any of that time on Midgard. 

“I still don’t understand how you’re here.” You muttered, trying to avoid looking at him too closely. You feared if you did, you may begin to cry. Fresh devastation was wrecking havoc over your heart- for you had lost him, all over again. This time was somehow more painful.

“He Who Remains gave us a choice. Destroy the multiverse, tear down the TVA’s work.. or return. To any moment we so choose. Any life we choose.” Loki looked over at you. “Any multiverse.”

“And?”

“Sylvie wanted to tear them down. I wanted a fresh life. A fresh start, away from all I’d done.” You frowned, as he continued. “He granted me it and I was going, I was ready- but then I asked him what it would be like for you, here. What would happen. And to Thor, as well.” 

“Was it that bad?” You raised your brow, gesturing to his arrival. 

He only looked a little sad, his stare growing heavy. “No, not at all. In fact, you were just fine. Eventually. You looked like you were running about New York in some small apartment and you’d even moved on, with someone. He looked Midgardian.” Loki looked away, placing the cup in his hand onto the floor. “Thor went back to Jane. Settled away from New Asgard. Both of you were going to be absolutely fine.” 

You shuffled, uncomfortable. It didn’t feel possible to love anybody the way you’d loved him and yet apparently, you would. You would move on, and find a new life and Thor would too despite all that had happened.

It should’ve made you relieved- but it only made you sad.

You gathered your cups up and strode over to the sink, placing them inside. Shoulders hunched, you tried not to look as broken as you felt. 

Would it still be the case? That you’d move on, and find someone new now you knew he was alive and out there in the realms, somewhere without you. With no real memories of you, or the things he’d done since the war?

It was so perfect for him, the perfect erase of his past and yet-

“Then why would you come here? You had a way out. A fresh start with Frigga, and Odin and everyone. You could have what you always wanted.” You turned to look at him but he’d already moved behind you, slipping the tie off and around his head and onto the chair beside him. 

“Because I’m selfish.” He sighed. 

You frowned. “What?”

“I saw a wonderful life that you would build for yourself despite all the losses you’d faced, despite what we’d finally found together, and instead of being happy for you, I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t stand the idea you’d love someone else, that you’d be here without me, that we wouldn’t have that life-“

“I-“ You pressed yourself right up against the sink but he was already there, moving like a viper,  his chest so close to yours if you breathed deeply enough you’d touch him.

“You’re the love of my life. And as much as I wanted to be the man who could walk away and let you heal, who could give you a fresh start away from all we’ve been through, I can’t. I simply can’t.” He looked at you so intensely your cheeks began to burn. “But even if you don’t want me anymore, even if this version of me isn’t something you’d want- I want you to give me my memories back, if you can. I still want them. I still want to remember you.” 

You were biting down on your lip so hard you were worried soon you may draw blood. Your body stayed rigid, fingertips pressed against the counter in a desperate hold, pushing right into the sharp edges of the wood so if this were to be a dream, you’d wake up sooner.

You loved him. God you loved him so much you felt as if you were going to throw up on him right there and then- and he wasn’t even sure if you’d want him. That was how little he remembered of you.

You closed your eyes briefly, and sighed. Even if this was eventually a dream, and you woke up in the bed to your right alone once more, your brain clawed at you to give in anyway. To allow yourself to feel him once more, to hear him say how much he loved you, even if it meant it would only hurt more when you woke up.

Your fingertips shook as they reached up to cradle his face. Loki instantly relaxed as his cheek slipped into your hand, his eyes closing, those chords becoming a soft, glowing white.

The power inside of you had sat still for a month. Untouched. Unbearably quiet. But now it rushed forward, eager to meet him, to devour his open power.

Your sigh of relief was as sweet and soft as spring as they grasped him and you tried to focus on pushing your memories of him forward, ignoring the blood rush going through your head.

It was over a thousand years of knowing him. Of loving him. So, you took your time, and started from the beginning. As children in Frigga’s office. Fighting, playing, shouting. As teenagers, stealing books from each others quarters. Pulling faces during the banquets. Stealing books from the others room. Then the rest of the past thousand years. Late nights in the study before his mother died, long banquets, the first time he’d kissed you after one particularly boring one, shoving you against the pillars away from the crowd and kissing you so hard you couldn’t think straight the rest of the evening. His hands lingering near yours at every event. Your eyes searching for him in every crowd. His stupid, arrogant laugh. His real laugh, where his eyes crinkled. Being your tether. Holding you. Seeing you. Loving you.

You felt as if you were coming up for air as you pushed yourself away from his mind, a gasp escaping your mouth. The two of you were breathless as you regained your minds, Loki’s hand coming up to massage his temple. 

“That was..a lot.” He muttered.

“It’s been a thousand years.” You said. 

He nodded, huffing a laugh out, before he finally straightened himself up. A look passed between you and the floorboards creaked as he broke the stare first, turning towards the hall. He managed a few, long strides before you followed. 

“Where are you going?”

“I’m-“ He didn’t turn even as he stopped. His eyes stayed focused on the door. “I’m leaving.”

“Where?” 

“Well I just- I presumed that was it that you-“

“What?” You reached, grasping his shirt. He turned slowly, eyes pained- as if he could no longer to bear to look at you. “That I’d just let you walk out?” 

“I am not..him.” He let out a shuddering breath, looking to where your hand lingered on his arm. “I know that might be too hard for you. To accept…that I remember you, I remember those things but it wasn’t me, I wasn’t that man-”

“But you can be.” Both hands surged for his face, forcing him to look down at you. “I.. I want you to stay.” 

His breath hitched in his throat. His own hands came up to rest on yours, his eyes closing. 

“Don’t leave.” You blinked away the stinging in your eyes. Let me wake up now if this is it. Don’t let me believe. Please don’t let me believe.

His hands moved down your arms, spreading goosebumps down them, and curved around your shoulders. 

“I’m not going anywhere. Never again- if you’ll have me.” 

His shirt was soft as he hauled you against it, your head immediately buried beneath his own as he wound his arms around you, holding you there. The two of you just stood there, the elements roaring around the cabin, holding each other. Breathing each other in. 

The two of you pulled back, staring at each other, sharing breath. His fingertips gently danced across your face, feeling each curve of your cheeks, and the outline of your mouth. Loki paused as his thumb caught on your lip, the two of you sharply inhaling.

“What are you waiting for?” You whispered.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited.” He murmured and kissed you.

 He was so soft, and warm and familiar. The two of you kissed as if no time had passed at all. Your entire world stilled as time felt as if it began to flow again, the sadness and pain of the past month swept away, replaced by crushing, agonising joy that was beating through you. 

Gentle kisses too- as if there was still uncertainty there, still time to pull back and realise what you’d done. But neither of you moved and instead, you arched your body into his, demanding to be held.

He obeyed immediately, pulling you close, his tongue brushing against yours. Your body sang with delight at the touch, at his hands pulling on your hair. He groaned as you opened your mouth for him, his hips shifting into yours. The leash you’d both held on yourselves seemed to slowly unravel as your arms went around his shoulders and he lifted you up, and over to the bed. 

Burning hot heat scorched your skin as he pulled your clothes off, taking no care or time with it. But you didn’t want care, or politeness- you wanted him, now. 

His kiss went deeper, his body settling between your legs as he pulled his own shirt off, before his hands came back to slide along your thighs. Your skin broke out in goosebumps, shivers racking your body.

“I never want to be apart from you again. Do you understand?” He breathed, kissing your jaw, his lips moving down your neck. You were both panting, your nod barely there as you focused on every inch of him touching you.

Loki was breathing your name over and over. Like a prayer. Like he’d never say it again. 

His hips drove harder into yours, a quiet mutter escaping you as he kissed you again. His tongue slid across yours, and his hand, wet and warm, pressed against your cunt and gently rubbed, sending shivers down your body as you wriggled him.

“Later.” You moaned. Later would be the time to play, to enjoy. You wanted him, now.

“As demanding as I remembered.” He chuckled quietly- but any humour quickly died as he slid inside of you, the two of you letting out quiet groans. Your fingers dug into his shoulders, his body lingering above yours, giving you a moment. His muscles were wound so tight as he held himself, you thought they may snap- but he relaxed as soon as his mouth met yours once more, your legs lifting themselves to allow him in further.

You forgot everything. Every moment of pain and waiting and longing. You barely belonged to yourself anymore as he slid gently in and out of you, his hips melting into yours, the two of you falling into each other as he began to move.

His muscles flexed underneath your hands, the skin so smooth and taunt and you took a second to look at him above you, to look those green eyes, and twisting black hair. He was the most beautiful thing you’d seen and he was yours-

Your name on his lips drew your attention back to him, to the twisting release now coiling in your stomach. You held on to him, your mind shattering as release shattered you over and over, Loki’s hips dragging out your pleasure as he continued to move inside of you. 

You called his name, breathless, your hands gripping his skin, and that was his own undoing as he eventually stilled, his skin slick against yours. You tried to gulp some air down, as did he, as he pressed a kiss to your temple, before sliding out of you carefully.

The two of you lay side by side, Loki tucking the sheets around you as the cold air already began to swirl in. Once you’d both regained some composure, and oxygen, you turned onto your stomach, half leaning on his chest. His eyes softened as he took you in, a heavy hand pushing hair out of your face.

“I can’t believe you chose this.” You shook your head. “Over everything. Over that once in a lifetime offer-“

“It doesn’t mean anything if you aren’t there.” He looked down at you. “I love you. And I’d love you in any reality, any mutilverse- but I wanted it to be this one. I wanted it to be one where I felt like I’d done something to earn you.”

You leant up on his chest, kissing him again. The sheets slipped from beneath you, your bare chest pressed against his and already, you could feel the energy shift between the two of you as you were ready to go again.

He grinned, shifting to move on top of you, when his eyes widened-

Lifting your hand, he examined your wrist. “My mothers..”

“She gave it to me. Before she..died.” You swallowed, feeling your cheeks heat. “Then you asked me to keep it. On Midgard.”

Your hand lifted to his mind, carefully. Showing him your conversation with her, and then the conversation the two of you had in your room, in the Avengers compound.

He considered it for a moment. You couldn’t read him. “You know this means you’ll be queen if I overthrow New Asgard?” 

“Very funny.” You rolled your eyes. “What exactly is there to overthrow?”

“I’m humble now. I’d take being King over six cabins and two boats.” He grinned as you elbowed him in the ribs. “I might be kidding about the overthrowing part, but not the queen part.”

“You’d have to be King for me to be a Queen.”

“Well I don’t have to be anything for you to just be my wife.”

Both of you paused, your eyes locking. Your mouth opened once, twice, as you tried and fumbled with words.

“I-“ You stopped again, your heart thundering in your throat. “Is this your way of asking me to marry you?”

“Did the bracelet not imply that?” He wriggled your wrist but you tugged it out his grip.

“I’m serious, Loki, this isn’t funny.”

“As am I. Why would I be kidding?”

“You just got back, you, I mean-“ You were struggling for words. “I’m-! I’m me. And you’re- you’re just back, and alive and-” 

“And I don’t want to waste any more time.” His eyes grew serious, his face turning solemn. “I spent over a thousand years hating myself for loving you. Thinking I could never have you. You were no saint but each time I touched you, I felt like I was leaving these greased, horrible handprints behind, marking you for death-“

“Loki-“

“I know. I know you didn’t feel the same but..I lost years with you, punishing myself, punishing you. Now I have lost everyone I’ve ever loved and I chose a reality without them it in to be with you- so I’m not wasting anymore time and I’m certainly not kidding.”

“Really?” You tried to clamp down on your tears, but your voice broke as the word came out.

“Really.” His fingers brushed over the metal on your wrist. “So?”

“Yes. God, of course it’s a yes.” You pulled him down onto you, your lips crashing against each other, his body settling onto yours. You could feel his smile, even as he kissed you- and you hoped that forevermore, it would stay there. That you could spent the next thousand years making each other happy instead of miserable.

“In all seriousness-“ He muttered against your mouth. “Any areas on Midgard need a royal family or do we need to outsource?”

“You’re an ass.”

“But you love me.”

You smiled. “But I love you.”

And you would, until the day you were both nothing but dust in the ground. Your love would now live out in the glorious, basking sunshine, for all to see no matter what they thought. No matter what came your way. 

No longer hidden beneath the shadows. 

Chapter Text

Tonight was to be the night your life changed.

That was what Frigga had said, anyway, as she clasped your shoulder in her study that afternoon, circling you in the chair in front of her desk. 

Her face had been as illuminated as the stars in the evening sky as she described to you the variety of guests that were to attend this evening’s ball, including many handsome men that belonged to other kingdoms, far beyond the reach of Asgard. These men were your age, some a little older, and all of them had heard of Frigga’s girls and their beauty she informed you. Apparently they were very excited to meet you, and the others. 

It sounded like hell, truthfully. 

Since coming of age, and developing into the age at which you would stop ageing for a long while, there had been no end to the quiet, polite suggestions about auctioning your hand off to many a suitor. Frigga never pushed, or forced, but you could tell she was anxious about it. She simply said she didn’t wish for you to be lonely- and it didn’t matter how many times you informed her you weren’t, and you were happy as you were for now, it didn’t stop her from trying.

There had been a warrior from San Sao she’d brought over, to dinner, and had sat the two of you together in the hopes you might bond. The night had ended with you deliberately tripping him on his way out the grand hall after his comments on women in the battlefield, and that had been that.

Another time she’d invited an extremely gorgeous man from somewhere in the outer territories that hadn’t a single brain cell in his mind, but you’d enjoyed your time with him nonetheless once the others had left, and you’d taken him upstairs after a few glasses of wine. He knew little of academics, but his hands.. they were impressive.

Granted, all of these little nags and set ups had been exactly that- little. Quiet pushes. But tonight, it was as if you were to be cattle, sold off to the highest bidder. She was determined, it seemed, to finally find someone to tame you.

That was the way Sif put it anyway. She’d experienced much of the same from Frigga in her youth until she made it extremely clear to stop doing so. You’d tried to do the same but the Queen had simply ignored you.

Thor had only laughed when he heard of it. “Shall we take bets on who she kicks first?”

“I do not kick anyone. Not at banquets, anyway.” You shot him a glare, and ran your hand over your blade, sighing at your reflection in the metal. You’d trained for over two hours, and still the uncomfortable chill about the evening ahead hadn’t gotten out of your sister.

“Yes, yes, we know. You wait until Odin’s back is turned.” Fandril smiled. “I’ll place fifty solars on her shoving a fork into someones hand before dessert is out.”

Hogun waved his hand about. “No, she’s too classy for that at a banquet. I bet fifty five she dances with them, and ‘accidentally’ trips them in the middle of the floor.”

“I bet seventy she’ll throw her fists with one the moment the King retries to bed.” Thor’s smile was all teeth, pearly white and slightly terrifying. 

“I’m right here you know.” You huffed. They all grinned. “But I bet eighty it’ll be before then.” 

They laughed, their arms winding around your neck, and even your own smile split open then. 

The maids had arrived early to dress you. It seemed Frigga wanted to ensure you were dressed appropriately enough for the event, from the amount of items they carried in with them. It was as if you were being dressed for the wedding itself.

It wouldn’t shock you, if that was what this was. An auction for you, where they’d simply get to marry you on the same night.

Since coming of age, you’d slowly warmed up to your powers again. The scar from the blood oath throbbed every time you merely thought of using your mind for anything else than healing, or feeling, and you’d been unable to touch that side of your brain for years. Too terrified of Odin.

It was why you suspected they wanted you married off. No longer their burden to bear. No longer their secret to hide.

Although, they’d never told you the full extent of your power, you knew it to be great. Great enough that Odin himself was concerned about it- and that well inside of you beckoned with every passing day, begging to be used. To be wielded.

You shook your head. You would deal with that issue another time- the clock on the desk chimed as it struck a late hour, and if you were any later it would stop being fashionable and start being downright rude.

Taking another peer over yourself in the mirror, you were pleased to find that although you disliked all the preening and pushing from the maids, they’d done a very good job. You looked beautiful. 

Your hair was half swept up, delicate pearls weaved into your hair as if by magic, the pins hidden in your locks. Your dress was a dazzling colour of muted silver, like a dying star, it’s chest and back on display whilst tight, sheer sleeves clung to your arms. The gown brushed the ground, hiding the boring slippers you’d planted on your feet, unwilling to wear towering heels for hours on end. As always, they’d kept your makeup clean, gentle, and glowing.

You certainly had no want, or need, for a husband- but you certainly wouldn’t blame them this evening for trying to covet the spot.

A chap came at the door, one of the handmaidens sticking her head just through the door. She smiled as she took you in, sitting at the vanity desk.

“Are you ready my lady?” She asked.

You sighed. “As I’ll ever be.”

Vehicles, were to the chat of the evening it seemed.

You had the same, long, boring conversation with many of the men that had approached you. They seemed strangely fascinated with describing the vehicles they’d arrived in, including all their latest gadgets and tech. It happened for the fifth time that evening, as you’d stood with a large glass of wine in hand, and you’d actually began to wonder if it was a practical joke, organised by your friends.

But they seemed to innocently be wandering around the party, paying no heed to whatever male had locked you into conversation. All of them were also dressed in their finery, not a weapon in sight, even Volstagg’s hair brushed and braided out of the way. 

You couldn’t remember the last time you’d seen so many people here, especially in the great hall. Music swelled all around you, a gentle, beautiful symphony that swept many couples onto the dancefloor, a space in the middle cleared for them. Golden lights were strung in the air, lighting the room in beautiful, shimmering colours, and food lined the back of the hall, piled high on the tables, a variety of dishes that kept refilling themselves.

At the head of the room, Odin and Frigga sat, keeping a watchful eye over you all, quietly chatting. Both too wrapped up in the others company to even notice the rest of the party currently. 

“My lady?”

“Hm?” Your attention was dragged back to the man in front of you. Vaguely handsome, with a nice scattering of freckles across his cheeks. His blonde hair was like the flowers you grew on your windowsill and the whites of this teeth reminded you so much of Thor you almost shivered at the sight of them.

“I was asking about your plans for the rest of the summer quarter. Studying, or perhaps a tour with your ladies-?” He asked, reminding you that you were supposed to be having a conversation with him and not staring at the party around you.

“I apologise.” Your nail hit the glass in your hand with a delicate tap. “I’m a little tired. But I have no plans currently, outwit training with the warrior three and continuing my studies.” 

“The.. warrior three?” He glanced to where they had gathered, in the far corner of the room, getting far more boozy than appropriate. You wished to join, and avoid the eyes of the men roaming all over you, but until Frigga retired it was improper to do so. Especially when she’d tried so hard to put one suitable man in here for you to like. 

They were all fine, you supposed, but they were exactly that- fine. Boring, run of the mill Asgardians and others who seemed to wish you had hobbies like poetry and sowing and found your warrior ways disheartening.

It seemed this one, whose name you hadn’t caught, was to be no different. “Ah. So you.. fight.”

He said it like the word was poisonous.

“At times.” You shrugged, and took another heavy gulp of wine, letting the sweet taste rush down your throat.

“With Thor Odinson too?” He asked. You nodded. At least that seemed to impress him slightly. His eyes went to the God who wasn’t far from his friends, his arm wrapped around some pretty brunette on his lap. “I didn’t realise he had females in his company.”

“I’m surprised you haven’t heard of Lady Sif.”

“I’m not too caught up on the Gods inner circles.” The mans eyes seemed to flash towards the throne, and back. “I didn’t realise you were one of them. I thought you to be one of Frigga’s girls, a healer-“

A healer. Nothing of the power that truly lay beneath your skin, the one that would have this man, all of these men, on their knees in a moment if you so wished. Dead, if you so wished.

What would they do, if they knew the truth? If once you were shackled to them through marriage, they found out what you really were? Try to return you to the King, or slaughter you, ensuring their safety from your power, from what you could take from them?

Everyone ran from your power. Everyone but-

“I am a healer.” You shrugged. “I also like to train with my friends.”

“So it’s just training.”

“Well, no.. I sometimes go into battle.”

He frowned. “Then you are a warrior, not a healer.”

“Cant I be both?” You were moments from walking away, and chugging another glass of wine, Frigga be damned. Tonight had been too long, and a waste of time, and you wanted nothing more than to sneak out with your friends to Goldstaff’s and dance until your body ached. 

The man seemed displeased. “You shouldn’t really be either. As a woman, and as a member of Frigga’s inner court, its inappropriate.” He shook his head. “I mean, does your Queen know of your hobbies? The way she spoke of you was as if you were so docile, nothing of a rugged warrior, and really this is almost debasing yourself-“

Your hands shook, ready to earn each coin that had been betted on you that afternoon as the man continued to rant about woman and their improperness by wielding a sword, and when he got into how if you married him he’d ensure your behaviour, and alluded to smacking his future wife, your hand itched so much to hit him you were a second away from doing so when you were interrupted.

“I completely agree with you Morgan.”

Your spine locked, at the voice that came from right behind you. The words felt so close they brushed against your ear, and down your back, your skin threatening to break into goosebumps.

The man, Morgan, stopped mid rant. He took in the man now standing at your back, his eyes going above your head to meet that towering stance.

Your eyes snaked around to the black coat that brushed against your arm, and then up to the green pair of eyes waiting to meet yours. Staring right back, unabashed, a sly smile already worked onto his mouth.

Loki had picked a perfect moment to interrupt. But given he wasn’t exactly the usual hero of the hour, you weren’t sure what was to come out of his mouth next- and that concerned you. 

“Woman on the battlefield is highly inappropriate.” He agreed, and placed a hand on your shoulder. You resisted the urge to shove him off. “I don’t know why my mother sent you over here. This woman in particular has such a fondness for it, she’s been known for killing anything that glances at her, simply for kicks.”

“Jackass.” You muttered quietly.

His pinch on your shoulder tightened, hurting. “I suggest you run along, and find someone more to your liking. Cherry, over there in the green dress, would be suitable if you wish to meet someone this evening.”

Morgan didn’t need much convincing. He nodded, bowed to the prince, and stumbled off in the direction of the dark haired woman by the pillar.

“You’re welcome.” Loki whispered in your ear. You tried to fight the shiver that often crawled down your body when he spoke to you.

In your hundreds of years of existence, nobody had annoyed you such as he had. The two of you had hated each other as children and as you grew into adults, it was a struggle to be close to the prince the way you were close with his brother. He could be cruel, and calculating, and often spoke of you like you were the bane of his existence- which was fine by you, given he was the bane of yours.

But underneath it all, buried deep inside of you, what you hated most as you’d developed into adults was the way you found yourself unable to stop looking over to him, at every banquet, and every event. Even tonight when you’d arrived, your eyes had scanned the crowd and your stomach had the audacity to drop slightly when you thought him to be missing.

You noticed every curl of his black hair, and each tense of his muscles underneath the various leathers he wore. The careful way he strode everywhere, as if in no hurry, and the curve of his mouth as he whispered words into maids ears.

His breath was warm near your neck and you pushed out of your thoughts, desperate not to let him see just how much standing so close was affecting you, whirling around to him as your cheeks warmed at the sight of him fully. 

“He practically admitted he likes to smack woman to get them to behave, you cannot send him off to some unsuspecting woman-!”

“Cherry is hardly unsuspecting. I assure you, he’ll get what is coming his way.” He reached out, and grasped your chin with his fingers, pushing your eyes in their direction.

She was whispering something, looking every bit the picture of beauty and innocence. Morgan seemed relieved to be by her side, smiling, and replying to whatever she said. She giggled, leaning in to say something else and you noticed the careful hand she swiped inside his pocket almost immediately, stealing a bundle of coins.

“Remind me not to wear my good jewellery around her.” You muttered, and turned back to the god in front of you. The two of you were hidden behind one of the decorated pillars, vines wrapped around the white marble, the rest of the crowd now gathering to watch another dance that was beginning in the centre of the room.

“Enjoying the cattle market?” He asked. 

“Not at all.” You surveyed him, and then the crowd. “This isn’t just for us, you realise. There are plenty of woman here Frigga has selected for you and Thor to talk to.”

“A wife chosen by my mother. Delightful.” He scoffed, and downed the rest of his drink. “These things are ridiculous. The whole premise is ridiculous- I’m surprise you’re even taking part of it.”

“Not willingly.” You rubbed your temple, feeling it throb. “But it makes your mother happy.”

“Plenty of things make her happy. They shouldn’t come at the cost of your own unhappiness.”

You frowned. “Who says this will make me unhappy?”

“You want to tell me you’re happy to be auctioned off to a man, with my parents hoping they might control you?” He gave you a knowing look at you tensed as he stood even closer, his chest almost touching yours. “You’d be happy with a low grade prince from another planet, that will make you attend these parties, and sit quietly, and give up your sword?” 

“I never said that. I would never choose that.” 

He smiled- but it was cruel. Mocking. “You did the moment you conceded to my mothers wishes to attend this thing. I didn’t realise you’d become so weak.”

Loki took a step around the corner of the piller, deeper into the dark shadows of the corner, out of sight of the party. Your temper flared, as you followed him round. “Why do you care?”

“I don’t.” A flash of white teeth.

“It seems that way to me.”

“Well, as usual, you’re wrong.” His eyes went to your dress, to the low dipping neckline, and nostrils flared. “That dress is ridiculous.”

“You’re a hateful asshole.” You snapped.

“And you’re a coward.” He tilted his head down to look at you.

Your eyes clashed. He was watching you intensely enough it almost made you back down, and cower from his watch, but you refused to back down.

“Why do you care?” You repeated.

His stance held steady, his mouth in a tight scowl. You felt your own blood run hot as those eyes once more roamed over the expanse of your dress, lingering on your neck, your hips which were inches from his. If you said anything else, any teasing thing about it, he’d stop- and you didn’t want him to. You didn’t want anything about this to stop.

It was wrong. He was a prince of Asgard, he was not an option, and yet you couldn’t bring yourself to leave. To stop him looking at you- and if you were being honest with yourself, he did it far more often than you wanted to notice.

But it had never gone this far. You’d never tread such a dangerous line with him before. There had been lingering looks, and fights, and so many moments but.. never this. 

He leant in. Just slightly, as if gauging what you might do next and despite his words, despite the fact you were supposed to hate each other, you let him lean into your hair. You let him get closer to you than he ever had before and he weighted that, which wasn’t wise, but you didn’t quite care.

A ghost of his mouth ran underneath your ear and you shivered. The movement had him tensing even further and as if unconsciously, his hips came forward and pressed into yours. 

“They do not deserve you.” He said, voice thick- and then his mouth covered yours, and his hands came down onto your hips, pinning you against the pillar.

The kiss was rough, and wild, the shape of your back moulding into the stone, Loki’s hands finding their way into your hair and tugging it, so your mouth was tilted up to his. His tongue skimmed over your own, caressing, and a quiet moan came out of your chest as your own hands fumbled with his jacket, gripping it to balance yourself.

It was punishing. Like he hated you, like he hated himself for doing this. But neither of you could find it within yourself to stop, despite the crowds just inches away.

You wished you weren’t here, but someone quieter, darker, so you could rip the jacket from his shoulders and feel his skin against yours. He seemed keen to do the same, from the way one of his hands moved down and cupped your breast, squeezing you through the material, his hips following suit and letting you feel every inch of his hardness, pressed against you. 

He groaned, or you did, as the two of you sparred with your mouths, biting, and teasing, the entire thing tearing you apart. Your back arched as he tugged your hair once more and he took full advantage of your neck, biting down on skin hidden by your hair.

You gasped, but the noise only fuelled him further, tongue following teeth, the way he kissed your neck leaving a mark behind.

“Ridiculous dress.” He muttered again as his mouth moved further down, against the sensitive skin of your chest, and you bit down on your bottom lip as his teeth scraped along the curve of your breast. Anyone could round the corner and see, anyone could find out-

“Ridiculous jacket.” You muttered back. He seemed amused, the curve of his smile scraping along your neck as he raised his face to yours. He leant in to kiss you again, but that smile, this stance- you’d seen it so many times before, on so many other woman. 

You were no more than them, a woman he’d forget in minutes and move to the next one- and you felt humiliation burning on your cheeks as you realised you’d been so foolish, so stupid, to allow him to touch you. To give him the one thing he had never been able to hold over you.

“We have to stop.” You said, trying to pull some air back into your lungs. 

He paused, noting the look in your eyes, the sudden wariness etched there. “Fine.”

Both of you pushed away from each other, putting a healthy distance between, as if worried what might happen if you inch any closer. His face had returned to its usual mask of stone, and cold, and you watched as he scanned over the party- probably looking for the next woman he’d move to, and use to keep his bed warm tonight.

You felt flushed, and embarrassed, your cheeks warm as he once again turned to look at you. “I suggest you retire for the night.”

“Why?” 

“I don’t want to see you talking to any more of these men tonight.” He levelled you with a dangerous stare. One you often saw wielded against many a man who got in his way. “For their safety.”

You temper flared once more, your hands balling into fists. “You can’t tell me what to-“

Your words were cut off by his mouth once more, clamping down on yours. A brief, hot kiss that had you almost stumbling back again and one he took away way too quickly, staring down at you with a harsh stare.

“Go to bed.” He said, and then slinked off, disappearing back into the light of the room and into the crowds. Within seconds, he was gone, and you still felt your lips burning from his touch, your skin tingling.

Loki didn’t kiss you again for six more years.