Chapter 11 – To Pave a Path

DISCLAIMER: We do not own Marvel... unfortunately... xD

Author's Note: In which Loki and Thor talk about Thor returning to Asgard. :)

~ Amina Gila

Loki watches the seidr dance across his skin, green mingled with shades of blue. He doesn't think he'll ever get used to this. It's weird to see and feel the power of the Tesseract at all times, but over the past two months since the bond formed, he's been experimenting and pushing his limits. Honestly, he thinks he'll be virtually unstoppable now. Before, he was the strongest mage, except maybe for the All-Father, but even with his seidr damaged from his time with Thanos, he might be even stronger than before.

He's healed physically, at least from his injuries, but it will take far longer for the scars – mental and emotional – to fade. But, he's had Thor here as a constant, supportive presence, which has done wonders for his mental status. After his brother freed him from the mind control, he'd completely fallen apart, for the first time that he can even remember. Thor was there to help put him back together, and Loki finds that he's content to let the past remain in the past. He wants to look ahead to the future – however dismal it may be. That, he supposes, is the first step in healing. He might hate himself, and he does many times, but it's harder to remember that hate in the face of Thor's unwavering love.

And, of course, there are his new… acquaintances. He's become something almost like friends with Stark and Banner who enjoy learning about his seidr simply for the pleasure of having more knowledge. He might not speak as much with Rogers, but they, too, are something like friends. It's a strange, almost foreign, concept to Loki, seeing as he's rarely ever had people in whom he can confide. He's still wary, uncertain if they'll reject him, but he's also content to spent time with him, no longer so inclined to be on his own.

He's never actually enjoyed being alone, but it became easier after Thor found new companions who would hang on his every word. Being alone now can be comforting, at times, especially if he's being tormented by memories, though it's just as often a burden. He tries not to be alone too much, so he doesn't get lost in his own head.

While Romanoff isn't living at the Tower like the other, Loki has still encountered her more than few times since the Battle of New York. He knows he has to watch himself around her; she has quick wits, and an uncanny ability to see through his masks. He doesn't like it, but he rather enjoys playing mind games with her. It's nice to be able to do it with someone who doesn't intend to hurt him, and Thor simply isn't sharp enough to count. There's also Barton. Loki doubts they'll ever be friends, especially not with what Loki put the other man through, intentionally or not, but Barton doesn't loathe him, so that's a start.

Much as Loki appreciates their acceptance, he's not sure how much he actually deserves it. He's – he's still a monster, and even if he's learning to reorient himself to the world around him, chaos and mischief are in his nature. He craves them, and that's not something which will ever stop. He shakes his head slightly, pushing those thoughts aside. They're not terribly helpful at the moment, so he can ponder them later if he deems it necessary.

"Brother, you should return to Asgard," Loki comments as they sit together in the common room of the Tower. "You've been away long enough, and I shall be alright in your absence. You need to speak with the All-Father about – about Thanos and the threat he poses to the universe." He's proud of the fact that he says the name in a level tone.

Thor sighs, looking as unhappy as he does every time Loki has broached the subject over the past week or two. True to his word, Thor has scarcely left Loki's side except for one weekend when Loki had successfully convinced him to go visit Lady Jane. He'll never admit to feeling the familiar sense of being left behind when his brother had flown away, which is stupid, because Loki had been the one to force him to leave; he was unable to tolerate another moment of Thor fussing over him, and if his brother hadn't left, Loki fears he would have stabbed him.

"I know," Thor concedes, "I know, but if I leave, I don't know when I'll be able to return. It's not safe to use the Tesseract all the time."

And Thor has a good point, because with Thanos hunting for the Infinity Stones, it's dangerous to draw off their power at all, but Loki hopes that his bond to the Tesseract will fool whatever devices Thanos has to locate the Stones. He doesn't actually contain the power within him; it flows to him in a slow, steady stream when he uses his seidr. Of everything, that's not something he can give up. His seidr is his life. Even with the threat of Thanos looming, he doesn't think he could stop using it entirely.

"Asgard needs to be warned," Loki reminds his brother. "Without you speaking to the All-Father, I doubt anything will be done." He might be able to overlook past wrongs done to him by Thor, but the same doesn't hold true for Odin. The All-Father lied to him, deceived him about his heritage, took him to be used as a tool. Loki doesn't know how he can forgive that.

Loki can see the moment that Thor caves in. "Fine," he grudgingly agrees. "I will inform the others that I will be returning to Asgard. Stay safe and be careful, brother."

"I'm always careful," Loki informs him flatly.

Thor reaches over to clasp his neck before he can say anything else, concern shining in his eyes. "Don't do anything stupid," he finally settles for.

Loki smiles faintly. "You're the stupid one," he sniffs, though his words don't hide the underlying fondness in his tone. He wants to die sometimes; when he can't sleep from the nightmares of his torture, he thinks it would be easier to die, but – but he knows how much that would hurt Thor. His brother was many things, but a liar is not one of them. He told Loki how he'd mourned after Loki fell into the Void. It wasn't worth it – Loki is a Jotun, a monster – but the extent to which his brother cares isn't something he'll choose to callously disregard.

At that moment, Rogers steps into the room. "I'm not interrupting something, am I?"

Loki shakes his head. "I was just telling Thor that he needs to be returning to Asgard, preferably sooner rather than later."

The other man seats himself in an armchair across the room. He knows – actually, everyone probably does – that Thor is very reluctant to leave for Asgard with Loki remaining here on Midgard. "I assume you'll need to get the Tesseract then," the captain states. "I don't know if we have to clear it with Director Fury first; I don't think SHIELD wants to give it up, but if it's gone from here, it'll be safer for all of us."

Loki gives him a genuine, almost mischievous grin. "We'll simply take it," he answers. "They can complain to us afterwards, but there's little they can do if Thor is already gone."

Rogers' lips quirk into something that's almost a smirk but not quite. Loki can't help but notice that the man acts differently around them. He often seems more open and relaxed than when he's with the others. While Loki isn't certain, he suspects it's because the others tend to idolize Rogers, viewing him as "Captain America" first and foremost. Thor and Loki, on the other hand, see a person, not a title.

"And speaking of Director Fury…" Rogers comments thoughtfully, "I heard that he has finally managed to approve the Avengers Initiative. He'd wanted to have it authorized before the Battle of New York, but that didn't exactly work out, though he used it as proof that the world needs such a group. All three of us, Romanoff, Barton, Stark, and Banner are on it, that is, if you want to be."

When Loki decided to stay here on Midgard, he never planned on joining a team of people whose sole purpose is to defend the realm. Well, why not put his skills to use? If nothing else, he'll be able to ensure that Thanos doesn't send anymore of his minions here to find the Tesseract or scepter.

"I will join," declares Thor firmly. "If danger comes to this realm, I am sworn to protect it."

Loki gives his brother a sidelong look. "As am I," he says firmly. Even if he wouldn't have worded it quite the same way, the meaning is the same.

Rogers taps his fingers on the arm of the chair. "I – I don't know what I would do if I didn't," he admits at last. Loki is well aware of the unusual circumstances surrounding his presence and age. He's done a bid of research on all his new companions, if only to gauge them better. It wasn't out of any idle curiosity he might have had; well, okay, maybe a little.

Loki tilts his head slightly. "With Thanos coming, I think we need all the warriors can get," he remarks quietly. He doesn't know what will happen or when the mad Titan will send someone else to Midgard – he knows most of the Chitauri army is still intact – but whenever someone comes, they'll be waiting.

Thor looks to be about two seconds from declaring that he's staying here, so Loki sighs, turning to face him. "Brother, I'll be fine. If it bothers you so much, then I can show you the passageway between Asgard and Midgard."

His brother seems ecstatic, so Loki flicks his fingers to pull one of his old notebooks from his pocket dimension, opening it to the page detailing the passageways between the realms. Loki's ability to world walk hadn't begun with long-distance teleportation. He'd first visited many of the realms through the secret portals. It wasn't until later, when his seidr became more controlled, that he'd been able to actually world walk.

Thor is doing his best, but he clearly can't absorb all the intricacies, so Loki gives up and writes the information down on a separate piece of paper before handing it to his brother with strict instructions to keep it safe at all costs. Thor obediently tucks it away.

Rogers looks intrigued despite himself. "How is that different from using the Tesseract?" he queries finally.

"The Tesseract essentially opens a doorway from here directly to the destination, while following the path between worlds is more of a journey," Loki explains, just as the door opens and Stark swaggers in.

"Are you really sharing magical secrets without me, Lokester? I'm hurt." He gives them his best hurt expression, which only makes Loki raise an eyebrow.

"I was, in fact, discussing Thor's options of returning here without using the Tesseract," Loki answers honestly.

"He's leaving?" asks the billionaire.

"He will be," Loki corrects, "When we get the Tesseract. I can summon it, but you'll still want to tell your Director." He'd considered the possibility before, but he's never wanted to try it. In theory, he should be able to summon the Tesseract to his hand at will because of the shared bond, but it might not work like that, and honestly, Loki is a tad wary of using too much power from the Space Stone. Who knows what kind of harm it could cause his body? He hasn't noticed anything yet, but he's been extremely careful.

"I say you just summon it," decides Stark, sounding far more confident than he probably feels. "We can talk to him afterwards. Besides, SHIELD doesn't seem terribly willing to go along with the plan of sending the Tesseract back to Asgard. They want it here."

Loki shares a look with his brother. He obviously doesn't want to leave, but he recognizes the necessity. "Alright. It belongs to Asgard anyways." Thor sounds completely resigned, and Loki restrains himself from showing any affection in front of the others.

Instead, he focuses inwards, reaching for the thread of seidr which connect him to the Tesseract. They thrum beneath his touch, radiating far more power than Loki has ever felt in his life. He holds back a shiver, tugging the object in question towards him. Theoretically, it shouldn't matter where it is. Pinpointing its location, he twists his hand, opening a small portal. On the other side, the Tesseract glows blue. He lifts it up, closing the portal with but a thought as he cradles the object in his palm.

Loki somberly extends it to Thor, and with obvious reluctance, his brother takes it. "Come," urges Loki, rising. "We should go up to the roof. We don't know enough about how the Tesseract works to guarantee it won't damage the interior."

Muttering something inaudible under his breath, Thor stands as well. "This way." Stark waves them towards the elevator, and they follow him. Rogers comes too, though he doesn't say anything immediately. "How long are you going to be gone?" questions Stark.

"I do not know," Thor answers, staring straight ahead, fingers absently running over the surface of the Tesseract. "I hope it will not be for long, and I may be able to sneak away in a few months if I am not given permission."

Loki smirks. "You're beginning to sound like me," he teases, and the jibe brings a smile to Thor's face.

"We can handle everything while you're gone," Rogers promises. "With Loki here to help us, we'll be fine. And I'll watch over him," he adds a little more quietly, throwing Loki a quick look.

Loki glares at him. "I can take care of myself, thank you very much," he retorts.

"Thank you," Thor tells Rogers sincerely, and Loki can't help but notice that he seems less tense. He's tempted to give his brother a piece of his mind – he's been taking care of himself for centuries, and he doesn't need a mortal to help him – but he decides not to bother. If they argue, Thor is probably more likely to stay than he is to leave. As it is, it's a true miracle that Loki was able to convince him to go. Perhaps it's because Loki deliberately used Thanos' name.

Minutes later, they're standing on the roof of Stark Tower, in the same place where, only weeks ago, Loki closed the portal. "Visit us again soon sometime!" calls Stark, waving dramatically as he stands near the doorway.

Thor's gaze sweeps over Stark and Rogers. "Farewell, friends," he says, before his eyes meet Loki's. Loki has less than a second to brace himself before Thor yanks him into a crushing embrace. "I shall miss you, brother," he whispers.

Loki lets himself wrap his arms around his older brother. Thor is a sentimental fool more often than not, but still… Loki is going to miss his constant presence, even though he'll never admit it. He doesn't say any of that, of course; he's never been terribly prone to voicing his emotions. But there's still something he can say, and so, he does.

"Never doubt." His voice isn't loud enough for anyone but Thor to hear, and the words carry both a reminder and an oath. From the look of mingled relief and happiness on Thor's face, Loki knows he understands. And it's enough for now. He gently pulls away from his brother, watching as Thor activates the Tesseract and vanishes. He definitely, absolutely does not feel the desire to follow, even if he stands there for at least a minute, staring at the place where Thor was.

"Come on." Rogers is standing next to him now, a look of understanding – but not sympathy – on his face. "We need to contact SHIELD."