This is it, the second to last chapter! (Although the next one is more of an epilogue) Huge, huge thanks to everyone who followed this, reviewed it, and loved it. This took a while partly because I was tempted to take out the last bit of dialogue because I thought it was too cheesy, but then I thought there would have to be some readers who would find it squee-worthy, so this is dedicated to all you romantic fangirls.

The Puente Antiguo hospital was unlike any house of healing Loki had ever seen. The lighting here was so different from the candles he was used to; even Jane's laboratory had a more natural feeling to it. The architecture was entirely too monotone; nothing but white walls and gray floors. But of course, he wasn't here to admire his new surroundings.

He insisted Thor take him here to see Darcy despite his pleas that he should rest a bit longer. Thor reluctantly took him, knowing it was safer this way than to have his brother come here on his own.

They were both sitting in the hallway near Darcy's room; Thor dressed once more in the clothing of Donald Blake and Loki wearing the same suit and overcoat he had worn on his first visit to Midgard. He couldn't help but notice several of the healing staff giving Thor annoyed looks as they passed by.

Jane was currently visiting Darcy, or at least trying her best to communicate as Darcy was still unconscious.

"I got you this at the gift shop," said Jane, putting a vase of pink daisies on the drawer next to Darcy's bed. "I'm so sorry this happened...I shouldn't have blown up at you like that back in the van. I've been so stubborn to get my way lately it's like I never listened to anyone except myself. You're valuable, Darcy...not just as an intern, but in these past few days...as a friend." Jane paused and wiped her eyes. "And I swear I'll repeat this all to you as soon as you can wake up and hear me!" she said, with a weak laugh. As the moments passed, she let out a breath. "I don't know if you could hear back in the desert, but Loki did something there-something that I'm still trying to figure out why he did what he did..."

Back in the hallway, Loki spoke the first words since he had fully healed.

"You had no reason to come back to me."

Thor turned to him. "You're my brother. I don't need a reason."

"You know that's not true."

"It is. There are ties stronger than blood."

"And what of my blood? There was a time when jotun lives meant nothing more to you than battle achievements. If you were to ever find out what I was-well, you know what you wanted to do to them."

A harsh clarity crept over Thor.

"I see. You thought that the truth would make me think less of you."

"The demon you'd only put up with for diplomacy's sake."

And for the first time since his return, Loki saw the faintest hint of anger in his eyes. Not anger born of malevolence, but of hurt.

"That's what you think of me? That I would forget all those years we had together and suddenly hate you just because of one secret?"

"Do you really think that everything would stay the same if you knew?"

It was such a simple question, yet one that deserved a well-thought out answer. Thor struggled to find the right words that wouldn't come off as condescending. Finally, he let out a deep breath.

"Even if I was forbidden from seeing you as my brother, I still would have seen you as my friend."

"Stop," snapped Loki, his voice close to shaking. "Isn't there any hatred you have for me? Any lingering resentment for what I've done? Jane was right, I don't deserve your trust or forgiveness. I don't deserve any kindness from anyone."

"You didn't deserve to have the truth kept from you."

"And the truth I kept from you the last time we were here?" he asked, reminding him of the time he lied about Odin's death.

He was practically begging him to tear him down. He was waiting to be hit, screamed at, told he was worthless, a lost cause, anything but what followed.

"Any bitterness I had towards you disappeared the moment I saw you lose all hope in your eyes."

So that was why it pained him so much to see him fall. Even then, even now, there was still affection, as absurd as it seemed.

Something inside him cracked, and for an instant his composure fell.

"I only wanted to prove I was worthy of the name Odinson. Everything I tried so hard to earn was always given to you."

"There were times I was envious of you, as well."

Loki could scarcely believe what he heard.

"What could you possibly be envious of me for?" his voice was barely above a whisper.

"You could get out of trouble just by saying a few words. I was so stubborn, unwilling to budge, like a tree firmly rooted in the earth. But you could always adapt to whatever challenge was given to you. You were like water-taking so many forms, yet still able to go in any direction."

Loki held his hands up to his face, wishing they could hide him completely. "There are so many things I should have never had done to you."

He must think me so pathetic. Having to be rescued and now on the verge of weeping in front of him like a child.

He felt Thor's hand touch his shoulder. He turned his head.

"And they are all in the past. You've already admitted your guilt. You no longer have to hold on to it, let it decay you."

Thor noticed Loki's eyes glance over at Darcy's room.

"You love her," he said, the truth dawning on him.

Loki turned back to him, trying to hide his surprise. Was he really that obvious?

Thor smiled, relieved. "That is not something to be ashamed of, brother."

Loki's posture stiffened. "She doesn't know about my thoughts for her, and if she did it would terrify her."

"Why?"

"Because it terrifies me."

Jane walked out of Darcy's room and sat next to Thor, leaning by his side.

"In time you will learn that what you're feeling is strength, not weakness." said Thor gently, stretching his hand over Jane's.

Loki stood up, walking over to the room shaking his head.

"I didn't expect you to understand," he said behind them.

As he entered, the first thing he noticed was that Darcy was lying perfectly still.

Once again he was in a room with someone he cared about unconscious.

So many things had changed so quickly for him he could barely recognize the person he was just a few days ago.

"Why do all my plans get out of hand so quickly?" he asked with his head turned down. "I never meant for so many things to happen...when I fell, I had a lot of time to think about where I would be taken, what would happen to me. It was there I realized it wouldn't matter if everyone in Asgard thought me dead. I had nothing to go back to. Odin would have never even found me if it weren't for the fact my own kind left me to die. My mere existence was enough for them to shun me. And then I knew. Wherever I would go, I would always be a stranger, an outcast. I had no purpose. I felt like my only destiny was to wander aimlessly like a falling star." His hand moved across the bed and pushed away a stray lock of Darcy's hair from her forehead.

"But then just the other day when you told me that I had a choice...well, for the first time-I felt a validation. And when you saw my true form, you knew exactly what I was, and yet you didn't see me as a pawn to be used, or a monster to run away from...you only saw me. I thank you for that. No...I love you for that."

His hand stretched down to touch hers, but hesitated before retreating.

"I'm so cowardly...saying how I feel about you when you can't even hear me. But at least this way I won't suffer your rejection."

Just then Darcy's eyes fluttered open and she turned to him with surprise. "What rejection?"

The shock of seeing her awaken so suddenly caused Loki to nearly fall off his chair.

"What-how did you-"

"Get up so fast? I came to half an hour ago and pretended to still be out, just in case I'd be able to hear anything I wasn't supposed to. I was hoping to eavesdrop on some top secret stuff from SHIELD..." her cheeks turned a shade of pink. "But I never would have expected to hear that."

Loki's face grew hot.

"You mean you were listening this whole time?"

"Every word."

"And you just lay there as I confessed things I'd never tell another soul?"

What once was pink on her cheeks was now crimson. "Um...yeah."

Loki stared at the ceiling. The light from the glass above was nearly blinding, but it was still better to look at than the girl who no doubt must think him mad.

"The day a god makes a fool of himself in front of a mortal..."

"There wasn't anything foolish about what you did. You meant everything you said, didn't you?"

"Every word."

For a moment, everything went mute. Darcy could no longer hear the beeps of the machines next to her, or the claps of feet hitting the tiled floor outside her room. The only thing she could hear was the nervous breathing of the man in front of her.

She sat up in her bed and tilted his chin, forcing him to stare into her eyes. "Look at me." she said. "Why are you acting like this?"

He choked back a laugh. Just hours ago he had let himself be beaten almost to death by a jotun. Surely swallowing his pride would be less damaging?

"I love you, Darcy," his throat feeling like it was being twisted against its will. Lies were so comfortable, but the truth was excruciating. He looked down. "Yet I doubt you could ever return such feelings. There must be so many mortal men your age who aren't considered monsters who could you so much happier than I could-"

Then her lips pressed onto his. It was soft and short.

"You'd think I'd want to be with any of them? That they'd put their own lives down for mine? Jane told me what you did back there. Never do that again, ok? I couldn't take it if you died for me. These past few days with you made me realize you were the only one who spoke to me like I was an equal. And I know it doesn't make any sense considering who we are, but you're the closest thing I've had this whole time to an equal and-"

She never got to finish her sentence.

Loki bent his head down to hers and kissed her, all his yearning spilling out into one swift motion.

Darcy pulled away her mouth from his for an instant, then returned in full force.

With his free hand he grabbed her waist and pulled her closer to him, so that there was virtually no space between them.

As their lips separated, each could feel their heartbeats racing.

"I love you," said Darcy.

A realization struck Loki.

"This is just like one of your stories then, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"A sleeping maiden awakens to the love of a prince."

And then they kissed again.