Chapter Nine: Beginning Of The End

Thor entered his parent's chambers, wondering what his mother had summoned him for. Though fruitless, he hoped that she would have news of his brother. More so that she would inform him of Loki's return.

She was standing on the balcony, her curved frame edged in golden light. She looked so delicate, like a fine piece of art glass. But Thor knew the truth of it, one would never dare cross his mother, to do so could very well mean their death. He walked up beside her, gazing out over the kingdom he would one day rule.

"It is time for you to go to your brother. He will need you soon." Shocked, he turned to look at his mother. Her voice sounded weary, such a thing did not bode well for his brother.

"Where is he?" Thor feared where Loki may have been sent. He was on a world that he had tried to subjugate, Thor didn't want to think about what the people of Midgard might do to him.

"He is with your mortal friends on Midgard. But Thor, beware. Loki is not as he once was."

"What do you mean?" His mother finally turned to look at him, her face unsmiling.

"Loki is more damaged than you ever were. You were simply arrogant, a young man that believed himself infallible. Loki, he was hurt far deeper. Between your father's obvious favoring of you and finding out his true parentage pushed him over the edge.

"It is going to take something drastic to change him, something more than just the love of a woman. Loki needs to feel guilt and remorse for what he has done. I have merely led him down the path in which he will find both." She gave him a sad smile before turning back towards Asgard.

"You are to leave as soon as possible. You are not to return until you believe Loki to be ready."

Recognizing that as a dismissal, Thor turned to leave, stopping at the door to look back at his mother. She wasn't watching him, just looking out over Asgard. He wondered if things would ever go back to the way that they were. Maybe things had just changed so much that no matter what happened they could never go back. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad one.

The kiss between Darcy and Loki hadn't gone much further. Loki seemed intent on keeping his hands at shoulder level, much to Darcy's annoyance. Still when they pulled away from each other Darcy was satisfied and smiling.

Darcy had laughed at the smug smile he flashed her. Though she couldn't help but wonder if that was the first time someone had chosen him over another. It hurt too much to think about, so she leaned in and gave him a sweet little kiss.

It had been another ten minutes before Loki declared that he was hungry, and the two left his room and entered the kitchen. Darcy had proceeded then to make a fresh batch of pancakes along with eggs and bacon, which they completely finished before going to the living room to resume their normal every day routine. Only this time Loki sat on the couch beside Darcy, and the two would randomly touch and flash smiles at each other. Loki would even lean in for a kiss every few minutes, which made Darcy actually giggle like a school girl.

The entire day, Darcy was just waiting for either Clint to show up angry or Jane to come down and admonish her for her behavior. When by the time that her and Loki had retired to their rooms, and no one had even sent her a text, she figured either Fury had said something or no one had actually looked at the video feed. Whichever one it was, she was thankful for it, she wasn't yet ready to face the Avengers about her budding romance with one of their enemies.

It was about three in the morning when she heard him, it seemed his nightmares had finally started. She slid from her bed and padded her way to his room. Opening the door, she prepared to rest herself in the doorway as she normal. She was just leaning down when she realized that something was different. Normally he whimpered, tossed and turned a bit, even mumbled incoherently. This time she could actually make out his words.

She entered the room, and carefully sat down on the side of the bed. She didn't really know what to do, but she hated to see him in pain. When she leaned down, smoothing out the hair on his forehead, she began to understand his seemingly random choice of words and quickly shot back up.

Dread filled her as she realized he was dreaming of the battle. She heard him mumble commands, bits and pieces of the conversation he had had with Tony, even heard him talking to Thor. She knew it wouldn't be long before he remembered everything if his subconscious already did.

Loki gasped in his sleep, jolting to the side as though he had been hit, but didn't wake up. Making a decision, Darcy rested down beside Loki on the bed, grabbed the throw blanket at the foot and covered herself up with it. She turned on her side, wrapping her arm around Loki. He immediately calmed down as soon as she hugged him tight to her, even snuggling up close. She would deal with the fact that she could very easily loose Loki before she really had him in the morning. For now it was enough to offer him comfort and take some in return within his arms.

Author's Note: Another short chapter, sorry about that, but this is really just a transition chap. Now we are moving towards the end, only six more chapters to go.

Also, though I hadn't planned on writing another Loki/Darcy, I had an idea the other day and have been plotting it out, so once I either finish this or finish plotting I will start writing and posting. Though unlike this one it will be a romance/humor piece.

Finally, I also posted a new missing scene. It's a two in one actually. Where Loki saw Clint kiss Darcy, and what Loki had been thinking after he kissed her himself and ran off to his room.

Disclaimer:

All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.