Chapter 35: I Am Coming Home
Disclaimer: read prologue
(Song for the beginning part of the episode - Paradise by Coldplay)
Kelsey couldn't believe what was happening. She no longer dreamed of the rerun of her parents and grandmother's death. Instead, she saw herself flying into a beautiful land. The most wonderful place. A place free to be a child forever. A Neverland. Her Neverland. It was paradise.
She began to think of happy thoughts - mermaids, flying, Indians, pirates, Captain Hook - her Captain Hook. Images of the two of them flying in a ship, fighting great enemies like Peter and the Lost Boys, and dancing under the midnight sky appeared in front of her eyes.
It was paradise...
Right now, she was standing before her captain all dressed in green robes, and his hair sleeked back, but his ends turned upwards. He was handsome. He pulled his sword out, tossed it in the air, quickly grabbed the pointy end, offering the handle to Kelsey.
She recalled a whisper from her dear captain.
"I found you... You found me... We found each other... My one true friend."
"Join me.."
Her captain offered her a chance to join his crew. She could hear Smee and the rest of the team cheering her name, urging her to stay in the squad, remain in her Neverland... forever.
She grinned, wanting nothing more than to be a part of piracy. She was earning riches beyond her imagination, sailing all over the seven seas, and involving an adventure every day.
"What say to you, love?" Captain Loki asked. "Would you come aboard to this never-ending journey?"
She wanted to scream yes, take the handle of the sword then tour inside the Jolly Roger. Though something was holding her back, a voice, another whisper was calling her name.
"Kelsey... Kelsey... Come home."
Home? Home?... Where was home precisely?
~000~000~000~
"Kelsey! Kelsey, get up!"
Kelsey jumped abruptly with a gasp and widened eyes, and a half-smile... which was unusual. It took a moment for her to process that she wasn't alone in the bedroom.
"Sif? Fandral? Volstagg? Hogun?!" she cried each name in shock, "What are you doing here?"
Sif tossed her folded clothes and black boots on Kelsey's bed, "Get dressed."
"What? Why?! What happened?" Kelsey demanded. She noticed Hogun giving her a wide-eyed surprise look. "What?"
"I like your hair," he complimented. "It looks nice on you."
She looked down at her hair to see that the brunette illusion was still there. "Thank you, Hogun."
There was a minute of awkward silence.
"We need Thor back!" Volstagg cried, returning the subject.
"Yes, it is high time everyone comes home," Fandral added.
Home? Where was that, exactly? Kelsey wondered. Her face faltered in confusion.
"Home?"
Sif and the Warrior's Three stared at her as if she was clueless.
"Yes, Kelsey, home," Hogun confirmed. "Have you forgotten your friends and family back in Midguard?"
"No!" Kelsey denied. She lifted her hand. "Hold on, give me a minute to process what's happening. I just woke up. Give me... a minute."
"There's no time, Kelsey," Sif picked up her clothes from the bed and shoved into Kelsey's arms. "The Warriors Three and I are returning to Midguard, and you are coming with us."
"What?!" Kelsey cried in shock, spilling out questions. "Didn't Loki say no? Does he know? Did my doctor say I can go to the Bi-frost?!"
"It's been two weeks - too long, Kelsey!" Volstagg said. "I am certain your head has healed up nicely."
"Does Loki know about this?" Kelsey asked as she was pulled out of bed and led to the bathroom.
"Technically, he will."
"What do you mean technically? If he finds out we're ignoring his orders, he'll kill y'all... and then me!"
"He would never kill you, Kelsey," Fandral said. "He likes you too much for that."
"But-"
"Get dressed, Kelsey. We'll meet you outside."
Kelsey didn't have time to protest; the door already slammed shut in her face. Her mouth became agape and stared at the clothes neatly folded in her hands. It took her minute to realize what's happening. The Warriors Three and Sif were going to get Thor back, and dragging her along as well.
Would Loki be upset? Of course, he will be! She would be pissed if her friends defied her orders. She didn't want to betray him; they have grown so close. He was the best friend; she could ever have. She couldn't wreck that. Although, there was a whisper inside her, telling her that needed to leave, to go back... home?
(Song: Coming Home - Skylar Grey)
Could Kelsey have the guts to leave her Neverland? She loved everything here. The food, the royalty, the library, the training, especially the beautiful Alfheim. She wanted Loki to take her back there again, and maybe go for another swim in the falls. That's when Kelsey realized what home meant. It's a sense of familiarity. New York was where she was born, she thought that was a real home, but it wasn't. Home's family. The people in the glasshouse - that's her family. The friends she made in Asgard - they're her family, too. Asgard and Midguard were the two only homes she had. She had stayed in Asgard no longer than two weeks, but she accepted it as her place, either way.
She didn't want to leave her best friend alone in his kingdom. They needed each other to get through the day. God sent Kelsey here for a reason; her reason was to heal a god's broken heart. He didn't have to feel lonely anymore because of her. Vice-versa. She could never have the courage to open up about her dark past with anybody, until now. Loki opened her eyes to different things. She was grateful.
She could stay and continue to be a friend to Loki. They could read, fight, dance, and cuddle.
Then, she heard that whisper deep in her subconscious, telling her that she was selfish. She had another family worrying about her back in Midguard. Jane would love to see her come back, Darcy, Garrett, AJ, and Erik.
"Kelsey... Kelsey!"
Kelsey pressed her hands on her head, feeling little pressure in her brain. Then, the pressure increased as voices entered her head. A flash appeared in front of her eyes. She tumbled onto the tiled floor, squeezed her eyes tight, and hanged on until the flashback was over.
"Listen to me, Kelsey, you need to keep your temper in check," Jane echoed in her mind.
"But Jane, you know what that twerp did! He started it!" Kelsey argued childishly.
"Just control yourself, please. You're older and bigger than he is. You're about to be an adult soon."
"I am an adult!" Kelsey corrected her.
"You're seventeen years old, Kelsey!"
"So?! I'm not a baby!"
"Okay, then stop acting like one... Acting like one... Acting like one..."
Kelsey gasped, feeling the pressure in her head increase once more. Another flashback appeared before her eyes.
"Erik, this is happening again!" Jane said happily, referring to the beeping device in her hand.
"You don't know that, Jane," Erik said, trying not to let Jane get her hopes up like last time.
"Erik's right," Kelsey agreed. Jane gave Kelsey a warning glare, silently telling her to keep her opinions to herself. Kelsey raised her hands defensively. "I'm just saying! The last time that thing was beeping..." she pointed at the device in Jane's hand. "You guys came home with nothing - nothing. There's nothing in the dark sky except big balls of hot gas and a moon! You might as well give up," she whispered the last part.
"Enough, Kelsey!" Jane snapped.
Kelsey reached back and grasped the sink tightly, grunting in pain.
Everyone rushed inside the van to chase after the subtle aurora. Kelsey's feet were hanging from the van, a seat nearby. Erik told her to climb back inside and shut the door, but she couldn't. She was afraid that if she moved, she'd fall out of the van. She watched outside as the vehicle came closer to the storm. They hit a bump, causing Kelsey to slip. She screamed and rolled unwillingly, dangerously close to the tornado
She screamed and cried, staring at the storm with widened eyes. She turned her head to see the van a few feet away from the twister. Suddenly, she felt a pull into a force - the storm. She grasped onto the dirt ground, clutching her nails uncomfortably deep. The tug was becoming painful for her body - mostly her clenched fingers. She had no choice, but to let go. She screamed as she flew inside the tornado.
She was thinking that she was going to die. Once the twister gets you, there's no coming back. What she witnessed was unexpected. Colors. Rainbow colors 360. Was heaven supposed to be colorful? There was no gravity around; she was flying uncontrollably. Where was she going? To heaven? Her death was surprisingly painless... But the pain came as she ran into something hard, something royal red and blonde. Was it her head? She couldn't be sure. She was dizzy, and about to faint, the pain in her head was overcoming her body. The colors turned black...
"My dear, if you can hear me open your eyes!"
Kelsey gasped and opened her eyes widely. She remembered. She finally remembered what happened to her. What happened before she came to Asgard. She was a stupid child with hormones. She had said things - horrible things to her aunt that she can't take back. She crushed Jane's dream of a significant discovery. What had she done?
She jumped when she heard a knock on the door.
"Kelsey, are you alright?!" Sif asked with a hint of concern but impatience in her tone.
"I-I'm fine... Give me a minute."
"Hurry up, Kelsey, we do not have much time!" Volstagg said through the door.
Kelsey knew what she needed to do. She sadly must leave her Neverland.
~000~000~000~
After Kelsey changed her clothes, she sneaked her way out of the bathroom, through the passageway to Loki's room. She knew that Sif and the Warrior's Three were standing outside of her door, waiting for her. If she went out there, they would never allow her to say goodbye to the king.
Kelsey finally found the way to the throne without help. Two guards opened the doors for her, knowing that she won the king's favor last time. She confidently approached the stairs and came to the top to see Loki in view. He was far away, but she can tell that he was smiling, happy to see her.
She ran down the stairs, careful not to trip, approached the throne where three guards were blocking her way.
"Leave us!" Loki commanded the guards firmly, they obliged. Kelsey didn't feel nervous or anxious, though she was sad about what she was going to say to her best friend.
Once the guards cleared outside, Loki didn't hesitate to leave his throne and hug her friend. Kelsey was surprised that Loki gave her the gesture right away, but didn't wait to complete the embrace.
"Good morning," he murmured pleasantly.
"Good morning," she replied quietly. They had been holding each other for a full minute.
"I was about to send the maid to provide you breakfast," Loki explained. "I assumed you were still asleep in bed when you did not show in the dining hall." He let out a laugh, and she laughed with him. "Not that I would blame you. We did so much last night."
"Yeah, we did," Kelsey agreed. She realized that it's best if she tells him, while he was in a good mood. "Loki, we need to talk."
He pulled away to face her. He was no longer smiling; he was anxious. Kelsey believed that she and Loki's parents were the only ones who saw this side of him.
"A-Alright," Loki said carefully.
"C-Can we sit down?" Kelsey suggested, gesturing the stairs.
Loki stared at her with a suspicious gaze before he hesitantly nodded. They walked towards the steps to the throne and sat down. They gave each other brief contact before Kelsey broke it.
"I-I..." She paused, not sure how to put it to words. She thought that he'd rushed her like their last meeting here, but her fingers jolted when his hand touched hers in a comforting way.
"Kelsey, what is wrong?" he asked nicely.
Kelsey staying silent, repeating her rehearsed words in her mind. Why was this so hard to tell him out loud, when she can easily speak in her own mind?
"Kelsey, we have told each other everything there is to know about each other. You can tell me anything."
She was relieved about this new-found encouragement from Loki, today. Still avoiding eye contact, she began her tale.
"Well... Okay. You see... W-When I woke up this morning..." she trailed off, recalling what happened this morning.
Sif and the Warriors Three wanted her to return to Midguard, mostly to get Thor back. Would she really rat her friends out to her best friend? Forcing them to face the consequences for treason? No. She could never betray her friends, but she couldn't lie to Loki. He can read her like a book.
She wanted to stay out of the Thor situation, refusing to get involved. If they get caught on their own, they get caught. Kelsey hoped that she wouldn't go down with them if Loki found out that she kept that piece of information from him. Here's the plan, if Loki asked her if Sif and Warriors Three were planning something behind his back to get his brother back; then she would say yes. She wouldn't be lying to him.
"Yes?" Loki urged her to continue.
"I... I had flashbacks - visions."
"About?" Loki questioned with furrowed brows.
"I..." she met Loki's gaze, "I remember, Loki. I remember what happened to me that night."
Loki raised his brows at her, "You... You remember?" He smiled as she confirmed him with a nod. "K-Kelsey, that's wonderful news! I do not see the reason to fret."
Kelsey shook her head, "No, that wasn't it." She lowered her head as she continued slowly and cautiously.
"Loki, I..." she sniffled as she recalled the argument she had with Jane that day, before her arrival in Asgard. "I made mistakes... I was a stupid kid before I came here. I-I have said some things, things I can't take back." She raised her eyes to meet Loki's, "I crushed Jane's spirit. I broke her heart before I left."
She felt intimidated by Loki's silence as he stared into her dark eyes. What felt like an eternity, she heard him say...
"You wish to leave."
Kelsey perked up with widened eyes. Was she that obvious?
"Loki, I-I know... We have grown so close - so close - closer than anybody I've hanged out with in my opinion. You must understand, I am not leaving to hurt you, I-" she cut off when Loki started laughing. Kelsey furrowed her brows in confusion. Did she amuse him?
"What's so funny?" she asked.
"Kelsey," he chuckled, patting her hand before grasping it. "Kelsey, I understand that I am a sentiment person from time to time, but I am a king - a man. I can handle the truth."
Kelsey's mouth became agape. She never expected this reaction.
"R-Really?"
"Yes!" Loki nodded. "I understand. You want to set things right with your aunt. Why must I stand in your way to make amends?"
"So... I can go back?"
Loki grasped her hand, "If that is what you wish, love."
They stared at one another once more in silence, before Kelsey let her emotions take over. She grasped his robes and pulled him close, began to cry.
"Kelsey... Kelsey, darling, do not shed a tear. You will be alright."
"I-I know, but I... I'm scared."
"What do you have to fear, Kelsey? I am sure your aunt will forgive and forget your childish behavior-"
"It's not that. I am scared that once we're apart... I can never see you again."
Loki let out a laugh, but it wasn't the kind that he used after playing a trick or two. No, it was a sad laugh. He didn't know if he could go on without a good friend like Kelsey.
"That's impossible, darling," Loki began, caressing her back. "Fate brought us together once. I am certain it can bring us together again."
"D-Do, you really think so?" she asked hoarsely.
Loki pulled back to face Kelsey's teary face. He cleaned the teardrops from her face with his thumbs, offering her a genuine smile. "I believe so... We may be apart for now, but we will always have the memories that we shared. I promise you this, my darling, in the mere future... I will come to Midguard for you. I will see your lovely face again."
"Promise?" she asked, offering him her pinky. Loki looked down at her tiny fingers before he hooked her small pinky with his large one.
"You have my word." His face showed seriousness. "Can you promise me something?"
Kelsey nodded, "Anything."
"Promise that you won't forget everything that you learned, our honest talk, everything we shared. Promise me that you would never forget our bond, our story."
She let out a laugh, "It's kinda hard to forget with this on my head." She pointed at her forehead, revealing the small scar on it. Her face faltered when she saw his face held seriousness. There was no teasing or mischief — no fun and games. Their games were over... for now. She squeezed his hooked pinky.
"I promise. We are going to be best friends for life. No matter what... my great king."
She could hear his change of breathing in those last words. It pleased him. No one other than Frigga had faith in him. If he had everything, it took to be a good king. Kelsey believed him to be great. Her only friend was supporting him and not Thor. That's all he ever needed. He shall miss her. He shall not let her down.
Loki pulled away, giving her a mischievous smile.
Kelsey scrunched her brows, giving him the same smirk in suspicion, "What?"
"I have something for you," Loki waved his hand in a circle.
Kelsey widened her eyes as a leather chain appeared, dangling in between Loki's fingers. The chain looked like snakeskin, the way it was woven.
"Oh my gosh," Kelsey whispered as she stared at the center of the chain - it was a snake fang
"I was strolling outside the kingdom, early this morning, and came across the marketplace. I found a woman selling these. You mentioned your love for shark tooth necklaces..."
He indicated the black leather chain around her neck with blue and silver beads and a small shark tooth in the center. Her parents gave that necklace to her from their trip to Puerto Rico. She never took it off ever since. It was a piece of them from her past.
"I knew I had to get it for you."
Kelsey ran her finger across the warm leather, slowly lowered to the fang. She debated whether to touch before looking up at Loki in question.
"Can I..."
Loki understood her question right away and replied with a laugh. "Fear not. The woman removed the venom from its fang."
Kelsey touched the pointy end of the snake fang. She never came across these before, only shark teeth from gift shops. She smiled at him. "I love it... Thank you. Thank you. Come here."
She pulled him into a hug, having a tight but sweet embrace. She pulled away to look at her gift once more, fiddling it between her thumb and forefinger.
"If we're going to give each other a kiss, I need to give you one too."
Loki questioned her words for a moment, immediately recalled the reference from her favorite story - Peter Pan. Chapter 3...
"...so you may give me a kiss."
For the moment, Wendy had forgotten Peter's ignorance about kisses. "I thought you would want it back," he said a little bitterly and offered to return her the thimble.
Kelsey looked down at her own necklace with a bit of hesitance. This was from her parents - a part of her. Loki gave her a part of him, and now it was her turn.
She pulled the necklace off, over her head, and offered it to Loki. He didn't say anything; he was surprised by the gesture. He let her talk.
"It was a gift, but I want you to have it."
Loki was about to decline, but Kelsey cut him off.
"I trust you with it... You are the only person who understands me, Loki... The only person I can be totally honest with. I want you to take it, a piece to remember me by. Please..." She refused to tell him that her parents gave it to her. Otherwise, he would refuse. She wanted him to have it, trusting him to take care of it.
He stared at the shark tooth necklace for a brief moment before he took it from her hand and examined it carefully. Nobody had ever given him something special, because they wanted to. Sure, he had received gifts, but they were for his birthday, and most of them were from his adopted parents. He gave her a genuine, sincere look in his eyes.
"T-Thank you..." He looped it over his head and around his neck. He observed the new accessory with a beating heart. "I shall treasure it."
Kelsey grinned with relief, hoping that her gift was enough for the kiss. She let him hook his arm around her, leaning her head on his shoulder.
She sighed softly and whispered, "I will miss you, Loki."
Loki sighed, running his hand up and down her arm, "I as well, Kelsey... I as well..."
~000~000~000~
She exited the throne, after saying her final goodbyes to Loki, only to come across a few outraged people.
"H-Hi, guys," Kelsey began sheepishly.
"Follow us, please?" Fandral commanded firmly but nicely. Her friends couldn't express their disappointment in front of the guards. Kelsey followed, knowing where the conversation was headed.
"What did you tell Loki?" Sif demanded as they strolled down the halls towards outside.
"Just to be clear, I did not say anything about your master plan," Kelsey said.
"You didn't?" Hogun asked.
"No, and to be also clear, I want no part of this. I just want to go home to my family if you want to bring Thor back and stab Loki in the back, by all means! Go for it!"
"It's not like that, Kelsey," Fandral said. "We're not trying to upset him."
"We're trying to help him understand that Thor is needed here," Volstagg added. "He needs to come home... For the good of Asgard."
Kelsey sighed tiredly, "I know. I know why! Just leave me out of this! Please!"
"Very well, Kelsey," Sif nodded in understanding. "At least let us join you on your trip to Midguard."
Kelsey shrugged, "I don't care. I need someone with me just in case I don't make it... alive."
"Fine."
The group stopped in their tracks when a guard approached with a slam of his staff.
"Heimdall requests your presence," he said, before walking off.
The group froze in their tracks, couldn't believe what they just heard.
"Heimdall?" Kelsey's eyes brightened, recalling the name before. "Oh! He's the guy who sees and hears everything!" Her face instantly fell, realizing that he must've known about Sif and the Warrior's Three's plan to get Thor back. "Oh..."
"We're doomed," Volstagg muttered.
Kelsey patted his muscular arm and whispered, "I have you all in my prayers."
~000~000~000~
Back in Midguard, the family gathered in the dining area and kitchen. Garrett barged inside the house again as if this was his home. Darcy graced her presence with her messed up hair and bad breath. AJ sat down next to Erik, can't wait for the pancakes.
Jane was standing by the stove, showing Thor how to make breakfast. He was currently stirring scrambled eggs and frying bacon, while Jane focused on the pancakes. Once the food appropriately cooked, Thor took out a couple of plates from the cabinet and carried two plates in his hands. Jane placed a small number of eggs, a piece of bacon, and a pancake on each plate. Thor delivered each plate to each person on the table.
"Thank you," Erik expressed his gratitude with a small smile.
Thor grinned and nodded. "You're very welcome."
"Finally!" AJ cried, taking his fork, not hesitating to stuff big pieces of pancakes in his mouth. He smacked and moaned in pleasure.
"Smaller bites, AJ!" Erik scolded. "Yikes!"
Eventually, everyone was sitting at the table, holding hands, having a word of prayer, before they could eat. AJ already ate half of his pancake but stopped for the prayer. They haven't done this since Granny died. They needed to start their routine again and thank God for everything.
Thor heard a summary of the Christian religion here in Midguard. He had no idea about Jesus dying on the cross for their sins, or that God created the universe and the heavens, but it was interesting to him. He decided to be a part of it and learn more. He stayed silent and listened to Jane's prayer.
"Our Father, we thank you for this wonderful food you provided us. Father, we thank you for the blessing of the sunny skies outside. We pray, Lord, to bless us with a wonderful day. Send angels around us and keep us safe, and..."
Everyone opened their eyes slightly to see why Jane had stopped but closed when she continued.
"And I pray that Kelsey is doing great in Asgard... please let her come home to me as soon as possible... Thank you, Lord, Amen."
"Amen," they rest murmured as they resumed eating their meal.
"Wonderful prayer, Jane," Garrett complimented. "Mom would be proud."
"Yes, lovely, Jane," Erik agreed.
Jane offered a small smile as she played her eggs with her fork.
Thor raised his brow as he pigged out the pancakes first. "Something wrong with the food, Jane?" he asked with his mouth full.
"Huh?" she laughed, shaking her head, returning her gaze on the food. "Oh! No! No! The food is wonderful. You did very well."
Thor scoffed, "You did most of the cooking. I only stirred the eggs and delivered the food on the table."
"You were awesome at the kitchen, Mew Mew," Darcy complimented, eating her bacon with her bare hands. "If you wore a Kiss the Cook apron-"
"Darcy!" everyone groaned, except AJ and Thor, who laughed at Darcy's attempt to flirt. He would be lying if he said that he wasn't flattered.
Darcy raised her hands, "Just being an American with an opinion."
Garrett rolled his eyes, "Please! You are an American who can't control lust for men."
Darcy scoffed, "Me?! What about you? Stalking Jane with your-"
"Okay! That's enough!" Erik cried, sad that the quiet breakfast didn't last long. "We're a team, remember?"
Garrett and Darcy silently looked at each other before pigging out their food.
Jane sighed, "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a worrywart, I just... I just couldn't help but wonder what Kelsey is doing right at this second..."
BANG! BANG!
Everyone jumped in shock from their seats. They didn't have a clue that there was a surprise waiting for them outside. Once they turned to face the glass windows, their mouths dropped; their eyes widened; their bodies went into shock. All of them dropped either their forks or their coffee mugs.
Five characters were outside dressed in Renaissance attire. Thor's friends grinned widely, pressing themselves against the glass. The Midguardian girl in the middle smiled and waved eagerly at the people inside.
"Found you!" Volstagg cried happily.
~000~000~000~
Loki was standing in his balcony in sadness, watching his best friend leave Asgard through the Bi-Frost. He held the shark tooth necklace close to his chest as he watched the rainbow colors shoot through the sky. She was gone. She left him... for now.
At the throne room, when he looked at her face, he knew. He knew what she wanted. She was like a book he could read off easily.
He understood her reasons for leaving, but a selfish part of him - the considerable part of him begged her to stay. What can he do without her present? Who could he confide with other than his mother?
He remembered what he said to Jane while she was reaching out to her niece in her sleep.
"We can't both have her, love."
He was right; they couldn't. They lived in two different worlds. It would've been complicated. Long-distance relationships never worked out - at least that's what he heard. All he had left from Kelsey was the shark tooth necklace. They'll be together again soon. For now... he will use his own magic to listen. There's no way he wanted to pay another visit to Heimdall for he was suspicious about Loki's previous activity in Jotunheim. No matter. Loki was king; he can do as he pleased, whether Heimdall liked it or not.
~000~000~000~
"Found you!" Volstagg cried through the glass doors. He and his Asgardian friends managed to win Heimdall's favor, and he let them pass. Kelsey was with them when they were called to the dome.
Kelsey wanted no part in Operation: Return Thor. She was allowed to leave Asgard anyway. Although she was a tad upset when Heimdall betrayed his king and let the warriors pass. She now understood why Loki had trust issues. These people have no respect for him, except for the real king, queen, Thor. It was heartbreaking to witness.
Before she left the beautiful land and Rainbow Bridge, Heimdall gave her a parting gift - her cracked glasses. He explained he found them while she was taken to the healing room. She appreciated his gift but didn't need them now that the glasses were cracked. She threw the pair out, letting the waves take them away.
After a minute of overcoming their shock, the team in the glasshouse cried and screamed happily at this unexpected reunion. The Asgardians and Kelsey pushed the doors opened, rushing to their comrades.
"My friends!" Thor welcomed them with opened arms, hugging Volstagg first.
"Jane!" Kelsey cried.
"Oh my gosh! Kelsey!" Jane knocked over her seat to give her niece the tightest hug she could manage. Erik, AJ, Darcy, and Garrett followed right behind to join in the group hug. Tears were falling down people's faces, hugs and greetings were made.
The large, Midguardian group eventually released their hug to get a good look at Kelsey.
"Holy crap!" Jane got a good look at Kelsey, still in shock at this sight.
Kelsey smiled and nodded, "Yeah!"
"You're here!"
"I know."
"You're in the glasshouse!"
"I know."
"And... And... Your hair!" Jane pointed at Kelsey's new colored hair.
"I know."
"You're a brunette!" Darcy cried, gesturing her own hair. "We're twins now."
Kelsey nodded. "I know. Come here, Darcy!" She gave one of her friends a hug, then at Garrett, and Erik. They were all glad to see her. It was her brother's turn. They stared at each other as Kelsey kneeled at his level.
"Did you mess my room up, while I was away?" Kelsey asked her brother curiously with a smile.
AJ didn't reply, his eyes watered, "I had someone keep it warm for you."
"Did you miss me, AJ?"
"Did you?"
Kelsey opened her arms out, letting AJ rush in for the embrace, "I miss you, kiddo."
AJ never thought that he would cry for Kelsey's return, but he did; and surprisingly, so did Kelsey. She kissed the top of his head before she hesitantly pulled away. She straightened to face her aunt. The tears were still there in both of their eyes.
"J-Jane, I am so sorry," Kelsey blurted out with her voice cracked.
Jane let out a laugh, "Sorry? What is there to be sorry about?"
"I remember everything, Jane. What I said to you that day, I-I didn't mean it-" Kelsey was cut off when Jane hugged her once more. Kelsey broke down again, hugging her aunt tightly, and never letting go. Tears fell on Jane's plaid shirt.
"Kelsey, it's okay. It's okay," Jane hushed. "Although there is one thing you need to be sorry about."
Kelsey lifted her head to face her aunt with teary eyes, "What?"
"You didn't let me have the chance to say I love you on the phone."
Kelsey let out a laugh and smiled sheepishly, "I am sorry. I love you, Jane."
Jane wiped Kelsey's tears off her cheek with her thumbs, "And I love you, too." She planted a kiss on her niece's forehead, before pulling her into a hug.
"Of all my life in science, I never thought this would happen," Erik gestured Kelsey and the Asgardians.
"What the hell are you wearing, Kelsey?" Garret demanded, taking in Kelsey's outfit.
"You like?" Kelsey asked. "The pants are silk. What are you wearing? You look like you're going to a gym!" She gestured his tank top and shorts.
"Oh, I am kicking his ass for basketball tryouts Monday," Darcy placed an arm around his shoulder.
Kelsey widened her eyes in shock. "You... coach him..." she pointed at Garrett. "...for basketball?" Kelsey didn't believe that Darcy and Garrett could contact one another peacefully, both physically and verbally. "What happened while I was away?!"
"Long story!" AJ stated. He rushed past the group to focus on Thor's friends, specially Hogun, "Whoa! Cool! You're friends with Jackie Chan?!" He asked Thor.
Hogun recalled having the resemblance of Jackie Chan. Kelsey, too, called him that.
"Can I have your autograph?!" AJ asked, eagerly.
Hogun blinked at AJ with confusion. "What is an autograph?"
"Forgive us," Volstagg began, realizing that they hadn't introduced themselves to the Midguardians. "Lady Sif and the Warrior's Three."
Kelsey's friends and family waved hello to the Asgardians in silence, still in awe of what was happening.
Kelsey took steps closer to Thor. "So you're Thor?"
Thor bowed his head to her. "Yes, and you must be Lady Kelsey."
"I am. I'm glad we got to meet in person."
"I as well. We both stumbled in a weird situation like this."
"Kinda like Wife Swap on TV," Darcy spoke up.
"Yes, exactly like that," Thor said, before addressing Kelsey. "So how was life in Asgard?"
Kelsey shrugged, "Different. You here?"
"Different," he grabbed her hand to kiss it. "I must say, Kelsey, you look lovely in person. I heard great things from your wonderful aunt."
"You told Thor about me?" Kelsey cast Jane a look, who laughed sheepishly.
Kelsey turned back to Thor. Before his lips met her hand, she yanked it back, and his lips met his own hand. He looked up at her questionably.
"One thing you should know about me, I don't like getting my hand kissed."
Thor was shocked for one minute. What woman didn't want her hand kissed? Jane didn't seem to mind. When he did it, her face flushed.
He nodded with respect, "I shall keep that in mind."
Garrett approached Sif with his jaw wide open, "Why, hello, Lady Sif."
"Sif, this is one of my Midguardian friends," Thor introduced. "Sir Garrett Bradley."
Sif gave Garrett a firm nod. "Hello, Sir Garrett. You must be one of Kelsey's friends." She gave Garrett a bow. "It is a pleasure to be making your acquaintance at last."
Garrett shook his head, "No... The pleasure is all mine."
The Midguardians rolled their eyes whileThor held back a laugh at Garrett's attempt to win Sif's favor. One good thing came from this, Garrett got over Jane fast. He grabbed her hand and kissed it.
Sif held back a groan in disgust. She understood why Kelsey hated receiving hand kisses. Garrett's mouth was wet, and she could've sworn she felt his tongue, tasting her skin.
She yanked her hand back and politely bowed her head towards Garrett. "Excuse me, Sir Garrett." She hurried her way to Thor, keeping a safe distance.
Garrett furrowed his brows before turning to Darcy over his shoulder and whispered, "Was it something, I said?"
Darcy shrugged, "Maybe, or maybe it's your bacon breath."
Garrett immediately breathed against his hand to check if her theory was correct. Darcy smirked and rolled her eyes.
"My friends," Thor addressed Sif and the Warriors Three. "I appreciate you coming to visit me and bringing Kelsey home as well."
"Thor, they didn't come here to drop me off," Kelsey said with a groan.
Thor's smiling face faltered, turned to his friends with narrowed eyes in confusion. "What?"
"Thor, we're here to take you home," Fandral stated.
"We missed you," Volstagg added.
"You are needed in Asgard," Sif added.
"Our world will be in ice if you do not come," Hogun added.
Thor shook his head, "No, I can't. No. Y-You should not have come. You all know why I can't return home. My father... He's dead because of me. I shall remain in exile."
Jane and the rest of her team looked up at Thor in sadness.
"King Odin died?!" AJ cried in shock.
Kelsey, Sif, and the Warrior Three's face showed a complete opposite. They were confused, questioning Thor's words.
"Thor, who the hell told you that?!" Kelsey demanded.
Thor's expression equaled his friends. "My..." He didn't finish that statement.
"Thor," Sif explained, "your father still lives."
That's when the inside of Thor snapped. He knew the truth now. For the past week, he had been grieving and eating up with guilt all because of a lie. His lie. His brother's lie. Loki.
~000~000~000~
Thor wasn't the only one in a fury. Loki watched and listened to the echoed conversation in the throne room. This wasn't how he planned it. Thor wasn't supposed to know the truth. Kelsey was supposed to fly to Midguard, alone.
Kelsey...
That name froze his recent thawed heart with betrayal and hurt. Why didn't she tell him that Sif and the Warrior's Three were coming with her to retrieve Thor? Why didn't she warn him? If she kept this from him, what else was she hiding? Was everything she said to him all an act?
His shook his head, his eyes brimmed with tears. He refused for this to be true. Kelsey wouldn't dare hurt him like this.
'She played you like a fool...'
His eyebrows furrowed at the voice inside his head - an unrecognizable one. This voice was deep, dark - nothing like his own.
'She betrayed you... She never cared about you... She lied to you... She was probably laughing with your enemies by the time she left the throne room, tossing your gift away like filth...'
"No, she wouldn't," he whispered.
'She would rather be friends with your brother more than she would ever want to be friends with you... Who would want to be with a monster like you... A monster... A monster...'
"Enough!"
His boomed against the walls, startling the guards.
A twig inside him snapped. The demons inside consumed him. He tried to be merciful. He thought Thor would remain in exile, but Thor will find a way to return. Ambition ran in the family. He needed to make sure Thor stays in Midguard, the hard way. The way he tried to avoid. He warned them - he warned his so-called friends what would happen if they crossed him. They deliberately disobeyed. It was time for Loki to teach them a permanent lesson of manners. Sif, the Warriors Three, and Thor.
He paced out the throne and into the Weapon's vault. He wished to grab a few things, sending his brother and friends a special treat.
He slammed his spear against the tiled ground.
The iron gates dissolved into nothing as the Destroyer stomped slowly out of its cage.
"Make sure, my brother and his friends do not return," Loki commanded.
"Destroy everything."