Chapter XXIV

"Home, sweet home…"

When Tony woke up, he was extremely cold. The light jacket he had on was providing him too little of a warmth to survive. He tried to rub his arms to provide some heat but to no avail. His hands were numb, slowly turning into popsicles. His eyes were too heavy to keep them open all the time, despite what his friend was telling him to do.

It's been so long since they were on solid ground. The ship they took, once belonging to the Guardians of the Galaxy had only little of food. Nebula, refused to eat, telling him that she will survive without food longer than him in his fragile human body. Tony couldn't argue with her. He felt truly weak.

Stark took his helmet, the one thing that wasn't too damaged in the fight with Thanos, and manually turned the microphone on.

'Hey, Lokes…' he started, placing the helmet in front of himself, so the visor in the eyes could grasp his frame. "I miss you so much, babe. I'm sorry, I fucked up our plans. I'm not sure I'll make it home to you, so just in case, know that I love you so much. Bond or not, you are the love of my life, Reindeer Games. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to save myself and keep the stone with me. Some people disappeared, so I guess, Thanos did his thing. I don't blame you, baby. He probably fucked up with you using me. He messed with your head once and he did so again. Maybe if I were with you… I guess Freya chose the wrong mortal to bond with you for this task. I'm sorry I wasn't enough. I'm sorry I failed you, Loki. Don't mourn me, sweetheart. Remember the good times, ok? I love you, Snow Queen. I just… I love you, Loki… It's cold now… I think I'll fall asleep. Nebula is here with me… she's cool… Goodbye, Loki. Goodbye, my love."

The last portion of power died in the helmet, but Tony knew that his message will be saved on his database, once the suit will be powered again. He was sure that Loki will hear his words, sooner or later.

Tony closed his eyes again, as Nebula sat on the chair next to him and grabbed his hand into his, giving a gentle squeeze. She was a good friend to him. Truly a good friend. With his eyes closed, Tony conjured the image of his beloved and let Loki's soft, beautiful voice lull him to sleep once more.

A burning light woke him sometime later, forcing his poor eyes to squint. He tried to open his mouth, but days of dehydration weakened his body even more than the fight they had. How many days it's been? Tony lost the count. Nebula quickly raised to her feet. Tony tried to do the same but found himself unable to. He only reached for her hand to grab on. Anthony was sure that if it was some threat, Nebula will fight for them both. Or at least she will try before Tony will tell her to save herself and leave him here. He was in no good shape to run or fight, whatsoever. He wouldn't hold it against her if she'd want to abandon him for good.

Suddenly, Nebula turned to him with a grin on her blue face and said words that Tony dreamt of never hearing again.

"We're saved, Tony."

Tony didn't remember much after that since he passed out once more. He woke from time to time to see Nebula next to him, still gripping his thin hand. She shook him awake sometime later, telling him that soon they'll be landing on Earth. They'll be home.

Tony's mind registered it slower, but once it did, his eyes shot open. Earth. Home. Loki. He will soon see his love. He will be home. There was a new surge of power in Tony's body. He woke properly and let Nebula told him a brief of what had happened when he was asleep. Apparently, some lady named Captain Marvel came to their rescue. Nebula told her Tony was from Earth that he was an Avenger, about SHIELD, even though she hardly understood the concept of it. Captain Marvel then confirmed she knows the SHIELD and that she will take them home immediately. Tony was never more grateful that he encountered aliens in his life. Aliens, with a few exceptions, were truly magnificent beings.

The closer they were to Earth, the more excited Tony was. How could he not? He was coming home to Loki! He couldn't wait to kiss his boyfriend senseless. Was that even a proper word for Loki? The mage was something more to him than a boyfriend. He was his bond, and as far as Tony knew, it was practically a marriage anyway. Tony loved him like he never did someone before. Loki was his heart and soul, even though it sounded so cliche. Fuck it. Tony was in love. He could be as much cliche as it was possible. End of story.

Finally, Captain Marvel, Carol as they learned, landed the ship on the ground in front of the old Avengers' Compound, now the Aesirs' house. Tony was shaking with anticipation as Nebula opened the entrance and grabbed his hand in hers to help him. Secured by her tight grip, Tony took a slow step out. Then another and another and some more, until he was going down the deck. His eyes took in the surrounding. The place was intact. Aesirs he came to know were standing nearby with worry written all over their faces. Before them stood the ex-Avengers; Steve and Natasha. Next to them were Rhodey, Bruce, Pepper, and Thor with a strange raccoon by his feet. As Tony looked around he didn't see the one person he longed to see. Nebula was walking him further until they stopped in front of Thor.

"Where is he?" Tony asked, looking up to the blonde god. "Where's Loki?"

"I'm sorry my friend," the Thunderer placed his big hand on Tony's shoulder. "My brother is dead. This time, for real."

An inhuman scream was ringing in his ears before everything around him turned black.

Sometime later Tony woke to hushed voices above him. He struggled to open his eyes, as more words started to form into his mind.

"He will be devastated again," Banner spoke to someone. "I suggest we wait until Tony is in better shape to share the news with him. His state is terrible. He's dehydrated and malnourished. He had a few internal bleedings. It's a miracle he's still alive. If we tell him now about Loki… I fear what he can do. He can shut down. Depression. Maybe even a case of self-harm."

"Surely you don't think that Tony…" Steve tried to say something, but Bruce cut him off.

"You haven't seen how devoted they've been to each other, Steve. The news of Loki will be hard on Tony… we must wait. I'm a doctor here, Steve."

"Alright," Captain agreed with him. "But he will be mad that we've lied to him."

"You have experience in this, don't you Steve?" Rhodes interjected and Tony felt the bed dip next to him. Soon, he felt a warm touch on his palm. "He's my brother and I'll do everything to protect him. If Bruce says we withhold this information for a while, I say we do this. We need Tony to get better. Besides, as the closest family to him I get to decide about Tony's health, and Thor, since he's Loki's brother and Loki was Tony's spouse. So, Bruce, we do as you say and we will not speak about Loki until Tony's better, ok?"

"You won't say about Loki what?" Tony broke the small silence that occurred in the room. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around the people in here. Bruce was standing next to Rhodey in his white lab-coat, while James was sitting on Tony's hospital bed. Thor was standing next to Nebula in the corner of the room, while Steve and Natasha were on the opposite side of the bed. A nicely-looking brown-haired woman in Aesir's clothing was standing in front of the bed with a hand hovering over Tony's feet. "Where's Loki?"

"Tony…"

"Where is he?" he lowered his voice and glared at Rhodey. "Tell me."

"Friend Stark," Thor came closer to him and sat on the chair next to the bed. "You must know that… what Loki did… he was the real hero of the battle. He killed many of our enemies. He fought with all his might, even more, and brought many to Nilfheim gates. It will never be forgotten. Stories about his heroism will be told for centuries."

"Stop with the bullshit, Thor, and tell me… what happened to Loki."

"He was to stay with Wanda, Vision, and Princess Shuri to help retract the mind stone from Vision," Thor explained, as he placed his hand upon Tony's cool hand. He squeezed it lightly. Too lightly like for him. Since when did he learn how to wedge his strength towards mortals? "However, something happened. Suddenly Loki left them and skywalked to Thanos. From the last memories Loki showed me, I know that he's thought… Thanos used the reality stone on Loki. He showed him a scene where he kept you, kneeling by his feet and dying. Thanos pushed his hand into your chest to rip your heart out. He wanted the Tesseract from Loki. Naturally, Loki was overwhelmed by this view and fell into the trap. He gave the Tesseract to him for your freedom. Alas, it was nothing but an illusion. When Thanos ended the illusion, Loki was furious. He called on Yggdrasil's magic and let it flow through his body. I've been around magic users for my entire life, but I have never seen such power… my brother… he combined his seidr with the power of the Yggdrasil… he burnt alive most of Thanos's army… but…"

"No…" Tony whispered, tears pooling into his brown eyes. "No…"

"I am so sorry, brother Tony. The power of Yggdrasil was too much for Loki. It consumed him wholly and my brother… he burnt with it until there was no more but a single flicker of the green left of him. Then it died too and so did my brother."

"Lo…" Tony didn't give a flying fuck that people see him cry. Tears were falling down his cheeks like a fucking waterfall. A fricking Niagara. A moment later he felt arms around his bent frame. Soft skin covered with lavender scent. Pepper. Where did she come from? Hell, he didn't care. She was familiar and her touch was so tender. Something Tony needed right now. His heart was broken… no… his heart, the real one that Loki awoke with his soft kisses and unconditional love died at that very moment. He felt dead.

"Leave me alone…" he finally muttered after what it seemed forever. "Everybody out!"

"Tony…" Pepper tried to cajole him but he sent her the most murderous glare he could muster now.

"Get the fuck out of here! OUT!"

"It's best we leave him in his grief," Thor suggested and urged the rest of their friends out of Tony's room. However, the girl in Aesir's clothing stayed behind. "Eir?"

"I shall stay with Consort Stark. I will aid him with his wounds, my king."

Thor nodded to that and turned on his heel to follow the rest of the team. Eir closed the door of the room and turned to Tony with a sad smile.

"I said I want to be left alone," Tony regarded her, wiping the tears off his cheeks.

"I understand your grief, Consort Stark," she walked cautiously to him. He was a mortal, but a grieving man can be dangerous. Eir was no fair lady, she studied along with prince Loki and king Thor in her youth. She was a good warrior as well. Perhaps not as good as Lady Sif, but she knew how to survive, just like Prince Loki taught her. "Prince Loki was kind to me through our entire youth. I've studied with him the depths of magic. He was my friend."

"Great," Tony uttered. "But get out, I want to…"

"Perhaps there is a way to end your grief, Consort Stark." Tony gave her a curious look and urged to speak further. "There is a way to bring Prince Loki back to the living."

"How?"

"It won't be simple, but we can do it," she informed him, as she sat on the bed next to him. "All we need is a bit of magic that you possess, Consort Stark. We can bring Prince Loki back to you. Are you willing to do it?"

"Whatever it takes," Tony answered without hesitation.

If he could bring Loki back to him, he was willing to even sell his soul to the devil. He could… he will do everything to get Loki back into his arms. A small smile crept onto his face. Soon, he will have Loki by his side once more and he will never let him go again.