A/N: I was thinking about Loki, as per usual nowadays, and this popped into my head. It's way short, but I don't think this one needs to be long.
A massive fist slammed into him, sending Loki flying. His breath rushed out of him in a gasp, his ears picking up the sharp crack of ribs breaking. He crashed into the ground, skidding across mud and rocks. When he finally stopped, he just lay sprawled out, dazed and gasping.
Until that same fist scooped him up, pressing down on his throat. Loki choked desperately for air, feebly prying at the fingers in an attempt to break free.
Black Dwarf just chuckled, deep and evil. "You Asgardians. So confident in yourselves, and look at you now. The kingdom fallen, its prince in my clutches-"
Suddenly, with what little breath he had left, Loki laughed.
Black Dwarf faltered, his grip loosening slightly in confusion. "Why are you laughing?"
Loki pointed over his shoulder. "Because if you don't put me down," he rasped, "he'll incinerate you."
Thor stood behind the villain, lightning crackling throughout his body, focusing in his outstretched hand. His eye glowed menacingly, the threat clear even without words.
Black Dwarf's eyes widened in horror, and in a heartbeat, Loki fell to the ground. Before Thanos's son could even spin around, Thor unleashed his power, sending the massive alien flying in a powerful blast of lightning.
"No one," he snarled, "touches my brother."
"Thanks," Loki groaned, levering himself up onto his elbow. He wrapped his other arm around his torso, gritting his teeth as white-hot agony flared throughout him.
Thor hurried to crouch beside him, his eye fading back to its normal blue. "Can you still fight?"
Loki didn't let himself hesitate; he threw his arm around Thor's shoulders and staggered to his feet. "I have to."
Thor rose with him, supporting him. There was concern in his eye, but he grinned proudly. "Stubborn till the end."
"Learned it from the best," Loki replied, clapping Thor's shoulder.
Thor laughed at that, and Loki couldn't help but laugh with him. Physically, it hurt them both, but it lifted their battle-weary spirits. They were exhausted and injured, but as long as they had each other, their souls would shine on.
Suddenly, Thor's laughter turned into a choked gasp. Blood splattered from his mouth as he grabbed at his stomach in disbelief.
A spear protruded from it. Proxima's spear. The villainess was cackling, but Loki hardly heard.
He only heard his laughter morph into a scream.