Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Marvel-characters!

AN: I finally did it! I managed to write the final chapter to this story. I don't know why it came so slowly. Maybe I didn't want to say goodbye to The Opposites because it has been such a thrill to write. I want to think GreenLoki for helping me with a few details and I also want to thank Lady Charity because she gave me a brilliant idea (Lady Charity, you'll know what I'm talking about as soon as you read the part).

I also want to thank everyone who stuck with this story until the very end. Thanks for the reviews and the support. You guys rock! Now on with the final chapter. I really hope you'll like it.

Cass

~ The Opposites ~

Chapter 21

As soon as Tony had heard the news, he had made his way towards Natasha's bedroom. He walked down a long hallway and when he passed Clint's room, he couldn't help but sigh heavily. He and Clint had never been best buds, but they had been good friends and they had enjoyed working together. It was still strange to think that he wouldn't be around anymore.

It was another reason why the news had shocked Tony. He wasn't sure why he was going to Natasha. It wasn't as if he would be able to change her mind. Natasha was a very headstrong woman and there was only one man that would be able to talk her out of it. Too bad that man was now the reason of her decision.

That man was now dead.

Again, Tony sighed. He realized nothing would ever be the same anymore.

After knocking on Natasha's door, he entered without really waiting for a response. He found Natasha placing a pile of clothes into a blue bag. She didn't turn around to look at him, but Tony could tell how tense she was. It was all in the shoulders.

"I just talked to Fury," Tony began, not bothering to greet her properly.

"If you're here to try and change my mind," Natasha cut him off, "then I don't want to hear it."

Tony shook his head even though Natasha wasn't looking at him. He crossed his arms before his chest and inhaled deeply. When Natasha did turn around to look at him, he found her eyes heavy with sadness.

"I don't want you to leave," Tony told her with a soft voice. He didn't often show this sensitive side of himself to his fellow Avengers. He didn't even show it to Pepper that often. Yet today felt different and today Tony decided that hiding his feelings would be pointless. "I don't want you to quit."

"I'm not quitting," Natasha replied. She sounded exhausted and sorrowful. "I just need some time, Tony, I need time to figure things out."

"And what if we need you?" Tony asked, raising one eyebrow. "What if the Avengers face some kind of danger and you're not around to save our asses?"

Natasha snorted, amused. It had been a while since she appeared more relaxed like that. "You and your team of superheroes don't need me for that, Stark. It was just with dumb luck that I ended up on your team. I'm not like you or the others, I'm still…little old mortal me."

"We're all mortal."

"You are Iron Man," Natasha countered with a smile, "the whole world watches you and as long as I am around you, the whole world will be watching me as well. I don't want that, not now. Up until a few months ago, I could face it all because I had my best and my oldest friend at my side. I lost him and I…I need to figure out where I want to go next."

"You can figure that out here," Tony argued, knowing that Natasha wasn't going to listen to him anyway. Yet he had to at least try. "We're prepared to give you all the space and time you need."

"No."

"So I can't talk you out of going to Hungary?"

Natasha shook her head, her red curls bouncing up and down. Tony had always seen her as a strong, foxy and willful woman. Lately, however, he had come to know a different side to her. She appeared smaller somehow, and almost fragile. Her eyes held a sort of glimmer that he could only describe as unending grief and sadness. He wished he could help her in some way.

"You're going to be fine," she told him sincerely, "you are all going to be fine."

Tony gazes at her. "I'm not so sure. It feels like our team is falling apart. Clint is…" Could he really say it out loud? "-dead, Thor has gone back to Asgard for who knows how long and now you are leaving."

"Thor will come back and you don't need me, not now anyway," Natasha said, smiling faintly, "you're all going to be fine, Tony. You are the Avengers after all."

~ o ~

Bored.

It was all Loki could think of for the moment. He was bored and he wished he had something to occupy his mind with. Before all this, he had been allowed to spend time in the library, but he knew his mother wouldn't be able to do the same for him now. He sighed and let his head drop against the wall behind him. He was starting to hate this cell. It was spacious and clean, but again, that made it only boring.

He thought he should find himself lucky that his hands were no longer tied together.

Voices sounded in the distance and Loki instantly perked up. It had been days since he had seen anyone. Anyone important at least. He often saw the guards since they were the ones that brought him food and such, but they don't converse.

The voices grew closer and Loki smiled. He could recognize that voice anywhere. He stood from his bed and moved closer to the metal bars that kept him inside this cell. A few seconds later, Frigga appeared. She wore a warm, but faint smile. When Loki saw the package she was carrying, he smiled back at her.

"I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier," she said kindly, "but I managed to bring these books for you. Your father was against it, but we both know how stubborn I can be."

Loki curled his fingers around the metal bars and he felt glad when Frigga placed her left hand on his. He enjoyed her warm touch and he was relieved he found no anger or hatred in her eyes. He wouldn't blame her if that had been the case, not after everything he did on earth. He wondered what she was thinking right now, but Frigga has been a master at hiding her true emotions as well. Loki learned it from somewhere after all.

"Thank you for coming," he said, not bothering to put up a strong façade, "how are the others?"

He knew Frigga could look straight through him. By others he meant Thor. He hadn't seen or heard from him since Odin put him together again. He remembered seeing him speechless in the throne room and he wondered if Thor feels guilty somehow. It would only be fair in some extend. If it wasn't for Thor, Loki would never have caused so much chaos on earth.

"Your brother misses you," Frigga explained, her voice soft, "but he is doing well."

She pushed the books through the narrow metal bars and Loki gratefully accepted them. He put them on his bed, but ignored them for now. He was sure his mother brought him some interesting material.

"Do you know anything, mother?" He asked softly. "Has Odin decided anything? I hate to sit here and not know my fate."

Frigga inhaled deeply before replying, "For the moment you'll remain here. Don't expect any freedom soon, but know that I will always be on your side. I will always be your voice and I will not let anything happen to you. I won't stand for it."

"Thank you, mother," Loki sighed, "you are all that I've got left."

"Don't be so sure," Frigga said kindly, "Thor still has your back. Even with everything that has happened, he still loves you and he'll protect you." There was a short silence. "I'll try and bring you new books next week. Stay strong, Loki, and everything will be okay."

Loki could only watch his mother leave. He wished she could stay longer, but he was merely grateful that he saw her again. She would be back next week and he was already looking forward to that.

~ o ~

Another day tediously passed by in silence. Loki had already read a book today and now he was tired of reading. He wished he could practice his magic, but feared it would be at least another decade before Odin would give him his magic back. That though frightened him. He had always depended so on his powers. What was left of him now?

Just a war criminal, stuck in this cell for who knows how long.

Footsteps sounded in the distance and Loki narrowed his eyes. He couldn't recognize them and he wished he could hear voices. It wasn't his mother that much he knew. The footsteps were heavy and sounded almost hesitant. It was as if whoever was approaching was changing his mind. Loki suddenly understood who was coming. He quickly got up from his spot on his bed and moved towards the bars.

The footsteps grew closer still and finally Loki saw him.

Thor looked tired and weary. For a moment Loki thought something had happening, but then he knew Thor was merely torn about the situation. He was probably getting little sleep these past few days. Good, he thought, I shouldn't be the only one feeling so miserable.

"Hello, Loki," Thor said as he stood a few paces away from the cell.

Loki found it strange to hear his own name coming from Thor's mouth. He normally called him brother, but now his name sounded like a burden to him. Loki was starting to wish Thor would leave again. He wasn't in the mood for a deep and meaningful conversation.

"What do you want?" He asked. He didn't know why he sounded so curt each time he talked to Thor. Whenever Frigga came around, Loki didn't bother to pretend. But when Thor entered the picture, Loki could feel the rise of walls within him. He refused to show any weaknesses. It had become an automatic process.

"I want to know how you are," Thor said surprisingly compassionately.

"Don't pretend you don't know," Loki replied, "I'm sure mother has told you she has come to see me the other day."

Thor nodded and crossed his arms before his chest. He looked guarded and for a moment Loki thought it was something he learned from his little brother.

"This isn't easy for anyone," Thor said, "your actions have caused quite a stir."

"I'm sure they did," Loki said disinterested, "but then again, I am the God of Mischief. I had to live up to my name, didn't I?"

Thor stepped closer and Loki gazed at him intently. He wanted to see every feeling flicker across his face. He wanted to read his eyes and know what he was thinking. Thor might make an attempt at hiding his emotions, but Loki will always be able to figure him out in the end.

Suddenly Thor narrowed his eyes. It only lasted for a second and Thor quickly composed himself again, but Loki noticed. He stared into Thor's bright blue eyes and he instantly knew what thought had passed through his brother.

"You are wondering," Loki began, knowing he was unnerving Thor at the moment, "if I regret anything. You are wondering which Loki is currently standing before you." A moment of silence passed and Thor looked absolutely edgy. "I'm afraid you won't like the answer. I'm just me, Thor, little old Loki and I regret nothing."

"You don't mean that," Thor countered quickly, "tell me you don't mean that."

"I could lie for you," Loki said, cocking his head slightly, "I could tell you I regret murdering your archer friend. Do you want that?"

Thor pressed his lips together. His careful and collected composure transformed into an angry one. He also looked slightly anxious. "No," he answered, "if you are going to lie, then I rather you stay silent."

Loki repeated his first question. "Then why are you here? Surely you didn't expect a warm and touchy conversation? I'm not the brother you love after all." He watched Thor's eyes widen. "Oh, I remember what you told me. You rooted for good old Loki and you said you wished my darker version would just die."

"I never said that."

"Perhaps not with so many words," Loki said angrily, "but it comes down to it, doesn't it? There is a part of me you despise, Thor, a part you wished dead!"

"I'm sorry," Thor whispered. It was so genuine and full of guilt that Loki was momentarily taken off guard by it. He didn't know he could still have such an effect on his brother. "No apology can rectify this, but let me tell you this. I was wrong and I should never have said that. I meant it when I told you I loved you. I love you still because you are my brother."

"Do you know how little that means to me?" Loki asked softly, knowing that he was letting down his guard. He actually sounded distraught. "No matter what I do, no matter what you tell me, I will always think that you hate a part of me."

Thor suddenly stepped even closer. He was inches away from Loki now and if he extended his hand, he could touch his brother. Loki felt intimated and he couldn't help but step back. It has become such an automatic gesture that he doesn't even think about it. Thor looked momentarily disappointed.

"I'll do anything to prove you wrong," Thor said, not looking away from Loki's green, cautionate gaze, "I'll show you that I am still your big brother and that I still have not given up on you."

"I don't understand you, Thor," Loki replied, "I killed two of your friends, I tried to kill the woman you love. Why are you being so…forgiving?"

"Because we're family," Thor said as if it was the most obvious answer in the world, "you are my family, my brother. Yes, there is a side to you that I'll never understand, but it is who you are and if I give up on you then I will never forgive myself for abandoning you, brother."

Loki sighed heavily. He had sworn not to participate in a sentimental conversation, but he hadn't been able to stop himself. There was always something about his brother that brought down his shield.

"You are the biggest idiot in Asgard," he said, "and the most stubborn."

"That I am," Thor said. Surprisingly, there lay amusement in his eyes. "Do you believe me, brother?"

It was strange to hear him say 'brother' again and Loki was astonished to find that he enjoyed it. He still remembered his time on Midgard. He remembered the hatred and the anger and he remembered trying to kill everyone the Avengers held dear. Yet he also remembered trying to help Thor. He could recall every conversation they've had on that damned planet. He had enjoyed every moment he got to spend with his brother. It had been just like the old days.

Loki longed for the old days again.

"I do believe that you are so unyielding that you would never give up on me," he said after a short silence, "I'm just warning you, brother, not to be disappointed if I ever do screw up again."

Thor inclined his head. "We will see," he said, "but in the end, I'll be there to help you pick up the pieces. In the end, you will always have your brother to fall back on."

And that right there might just be the kindest thing Thor had ever said to Loki.

"I might just keep you up on that promise."

Thor smiled at Loki who couldn't help but smile back.

~ o ~

The End.

~ o ~