Pairings: Leo Fitz & Jemma Simmons, Reed & Sue, Steve & Loki, Logan & Bruce, Bucky & Carol

Explicit Content: n/a

Warning: Contains spoilers for Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: End Game.


The atmosphere in Shuri's lab is tense. Even baby Franklin can feel it. He's fussy in Sue's arms. "You're okay," she whispers to him. Her words are followed by a loud boom.

The scientists freeze.

"Ayo?" Shuri asks.

She listens for a moment then looks at the Princess. "They're already in the building."

"I never saw them outside," Wanda says. She l looks again to see if she missed anything, but the street below looks clear.

Jane sets down her instrument. "I'll try to keep them from getting here." Her hand reaches for Mjolnir. "I only have two connections left." As soon as her hand touches the handle, she's transformed into Thor.

"Neat trick," Shuri says. "I'll finish your two."

Hank McCoy also sets down his instrument. "I've just finished. I'll help you, Jane."

She gives a nod. "Let us go, Beast."

They rush out the door. As soon as they're gone and the door is closed, Vali throws up an illusion that makes it appear like a solid wall.

"How long can you hold it?" Sue asks.

"As long as I'm awake."

Sounds of fighting are soon heard. They get louder and louder. Ayo readies herself.

Jemma's hands stop moving. "Finished. Can I help anyone else?"

"I'm on my last one," Reed says.

"You can take one of mine," Leo tells her. "Unless Princess Shuri needs help."

"Almost done," Shuri replies. "Help your boyfriend."

The fighting can be heard right outside. There's a loud boom as the door and part of the wall gets blown in. Ayo immediately steps in front of the hole.

Sue reaches her hand out and creates a forcefield that divides the room, protecting everyone but the Wakandan warrior.

Shuri, Reed, Jemma, and Leo do their best to block out the distractions and finish freeing Vision of the stone.

Wanda moves around them, putting herself just behind the forcefield. Her fingers move, summoning magic to her.

A tall figure walks through the opening. Ayo gives a battle cry and charges.

xxx

In the woods, Bruce is slowly walking back to the battle. His mind is replaying his conversation with Logan over and over again. Seeing the pain he caused Logan was hard. He knew it would be. What he didn't expect was realizing how much he missed him and what they had. And it's not like he can go hide on Asgard again. If Hulk refuses to show up anymore, maybe he can live on Earth without worrying about the Sokovia Accords. Not that the government would believe Hulk won't come back.

"If you had just come out, Logan wouldn't have had to come save us," he tells Hulk.

Hulk does not answer, but Bruce can feel him sulking.

There is a sudden shift in the wind. The air crackles with power.

"Oh, shit." Bruce puts the helmet back on. "Uh, everyone? I think Thanos just arrived."

"Where?" several voices ask.

"The woods, I think."

"He'll be after the stones," Loki reminds them, hoping the fear in his stomach can't be heard in his voice.

Wong replies, "I'll inform Stephen. Maybe he can lure him away."

"Try to keep him in the woods," T'Challa says, "as far away from Vision as possible."

"Understood."

xxx

Franklin cries at the loud noises. Not even Vali's illusions can sooth him. Vali tries the Cheshire cat and then a sky of stars. Finally, he creates a replica of Sue Storm smiling down at him. None of it works.

Corvis Glave paces up and down the edge of the forcefield, striking at it every so often. The unconscious body of Ayo lies against some rubble. He ignores her even has he wipes away the blood she drew. His entire focus is on the stone that's just out of reach. He hits the forcefield again. "You can't keep it up forever."

"I can keep it up long enough," the Invisible Woman replies.

Scarlet Witch sees his eyes glance out the windows behind them. She turns around. There's nothing there yet.

"It's done." Shuri sounds amazed. "Dr. Richards?"

Reed extends his fingers to carefully pry the Mind Stone of Vision's forehead. "Got it."

Jemma asks, "Vision, how do you feel?"

"Odd," he replies. "My head is…quieter." He watches as the long fingers place the glowing stone in Wanda's hand.

"Give that to me!" Corvis demands.

Vision sits up and turns to face the alien. "Wanda, please take care of the stone while I deal with the trash."

"Gladly. Shuri, do these windows open?"

"I'm afraid not." She'll have to change that.

The Invisible Woman keeps her eyes on Corvis Glave. "Tell me when."

Mr. Fantastic moves to stand next to his wife. "Shuri. Dr. Fitz. Dr. Simmons. You should get behind everyone."

Shuri is grabbing her vibranium gauntlets, the ends of which are shaped like panther heads. "I can help."

"We'll be back here," Jemma says pulling Leo to the windows.

After giving Vision a soft kiss, Scarlet Witch moves to stand on the other side of the Invisible Woman. Mind Stone in her left hand, she conjures up her magic using her right hand. A red ball of magical energy floats just above her palm. "Now."

The forcefield drops. Vali covers Franklin. Scarlet Witch blasts an energy ball that strikes Corvis Glave in the chest, throwing him back. Mr. Fantastic's arm stretches out to hold the invader against the wall.

Scarlet Witch rushes out of the room before Corvis can react.

Still holding onto his spear, he jabs the end into the giant hand holding him. Jagged energy causes the hand to spasm open. Mr. Fantastic pulls it back with a painful yell.

Vision flies forward to prevent Corvis from leaving. Corvis immediately stabs him. As Vision falls to his knees in pain, he says, "I thought you were formidable, machine. But you're dying like any man."

"Hey!" Shuri shouts. She blasts him with her panther gauntlets sending him flying.

After staggering to his feet, Vision goes after Corvis.

The others can hear the sounds of their fight but cannot see them. Shuri rushes to Ayo's side to check on her. Alive but hurt. "Someone help me get her to the bed."

Mr. Fantastic picks up the unconscious warrior in two massive hands and gently places her there. "I'll go check on Vision." The last word is cut off by the sound of a loud cry followed by a deafening silence.

All heads turn to the hole where the wall once was. Vision steps through holding Corvis' spear. "He won't be bothering anyone anymore."

xxx

Doctor Strange and Thanos are engaged in a very different kind of battle, but just as dangerous. Trees are being transformed into thousands of shards before flying at Strange who changes them into butterflies that flutter away.

Thanos uses the Power Stone, but Strange deflects it with a mirror wall. He tries using the Space Stone to create a vacuum into space, but Strange uses his magical disc to break it apart.

The Sorcerer Supreme rises into the air. Duplicates start peeling off of him again and again. They surround Thanos before each brandishes a magical whip that wraps around the massive purple arms.

The Titan uses the Power and Reality Stones to push away the illusions, forcing them back into Strange's body. The Space Stone pulls the land and Strange closer. His left hand closes around the Sorcerer Supreme's neck.

Stephen's hands grasp the forearm, trying to keep himself up. He can feel the cold, hard metal against his skin.

Thanos reaches for the Eye of Agamotto and pulls it off. It doesn't even fill his palm. His hand closes around it. It breaks. "A fake." He tosses Stephen aside.

He pushes himself up. "Of course it's a fake. If it were real, I would've turned you into a baby then killed you. As a doctor, that's ethically problematic."

"Where…?" He stops. The Mind Stone is nearby. He can feel it.

"Where do I get my ethics?" Strange finishes the question for him. "There's this thing called the Hippocratic Oath. Aaaand he's gone." He takes a breath. "Thanos just left!"

xxx

Scarlet Witch sets the Mind Stone on the ground and takes seven steps back. Her hands summon the magic around and within her. She extends her right arm towards it, takes a breath, and releases her power onto it.

Heavy footsteps and a loud rustle of leaves almost breaks her concentration. She turns her head and sees Thanos barreling towards her.

"No!" She screams it as her left arm extends towards the Titan, a massive stream of magical energy hitting him.

Thanos staggers back. After regaining his footing, he starts to slowly advance.

Steve is the first to arrive. He runs then jumps, using the momentum of his body to strike Thanos with one of his gauntlets.

Iron Man flies in, hitting him with a repulsor blast.

Lightning strikes Thanos from above before Thor lands.

With the distraction, Scarlet Witch is able to concentrate her energy on destroying the stone. She can see it crack and splinter.

xxx

A massive blast of bright yellow energy lights up the forest and reaches the field.

Fighting stops as everyone registers what just happened.

Rocket looks around. "Did we win?"

xxx

The Scarlet Witch is the only one still standing in the newly created clearing.

Thanos sits up, disbelief on his face. There's only one thought in his mind. The Time Stone can fix this. He must get it.

Gamora and Nebula run in just as he stands. "Thanos!" Gamora yells. "I'm alive, and you've failed!"

His jaw clenches at the new distraction. "Not yet." He raises his left hand and concentrates on the Space Stone before making a fist to release its energy. Before making a fist to release its energy. He's supposed to be making a fist to release its energy, but his hand won't close. Why won't his hand close?

"Surprise," Loki says, his hands and magic keeping Thanos' hand open.

Before Thanos can grab him with is other hand, Nebula runs forward with her sword. It swings down onto his left arm. She feels the blade hit bone. It's not going to go through. But she can cut every muscle and tendon around it. The thought brings her pleasure as she ducks beneath his arm and continues slicing. His scream is like music to her hears.

Iron Man steps forward, but Steve grabs his shoulder and pulls him back.

"This isn't your fight, Tony."

"The hell it isn't," he replies while knocking the hand away.

"Not everything is about you."

Iron Man turns to look at the former Captain America. "You know what the best thing about you not being an Avenger is? I don't have to listen to you." He turns to join the fight and sees Gamora leap onto Thanos' chest.

She swings herself around his large frame, her blade cutting a line around a third of his neck. Purple blood begins to pour from it. His screams turn to gurgles.

Loki pulls the gauntlet off along with some skin. He tosses the gauntlet with their stones to his brother.

Death emerges from the trees and slowly approaches the Titan.

Nebula slices the back of Thanos' calf, severing the Achilles tendon. "I think you could use some improvements, Father." She pulls him to the ground. Her hand wraps around a small dagger. "Like a heart." She stabs him in the place his heart should be then pulls out the blade.

"And a soul," Gamora adds before stabbing his neck.

Loki bends down at the waist next to his head. "I just want you dead." He raises Panteren up and swings it down onto Thanos' temple.

Thanos' labored breathing slows as his purple blood pools around him. It slows as his two daughters and the child that was never his back away. It stops.

"It's done," Death quietly says, and everyone lets out the breath they didn't know they had been holding.

"AAAAAAHHH!" Drax erupts from the trees, a long dagger in each hand. He jumps onto Thanos' lifeless body and plunges the weapons into the massive chest. "I told you! I told you I would kill you!" He stabs the body again. "For Ovette! For Kamaria!"

He pulls the blades out of the body. It's done. It's finally done, and the grief hits Drax like Thor's hammer. He falls onto his ass and weeps. "It's done," his voice trembles. Will he forget them now? He doesn't want to forget them.

"It's done," Gamora agrees. Her life is finally her own. Except there's so much she needs to make up for.

"It's done," Nebula says in amazement. She's free. Free from his judgement. Free from wanting so much to please him.

"It's done," Loki whispers in relief. He survived. It's what he does best. All it cost was Asgard. A smaller price than he thought it'd be. Unless… He speaks into the comms, "Helena? Wade? Vali?" He feels a hand on his shoulder. He turns and sees his daughter.

They immediately hug, holding each other tightly as Wade's voice says, "They're leaving. The aliens are leaving. Does this mean we won? It does, right? We kicked their asses. Run, Aliens! Run!"

"Thanos is down," Steve confirms. "We won." He approaches Loki and Helena and gets pulled into their hug with only a minor scrape from Hel's headdress.

Sue's voice comes over the comms. "I've got Vali. He's fine."

Thor walks over to Thanos' body. His hand squeezes Stormbreaker's handle. "Those you sent to Valhalla will celebrate your death as will those whose lives you ruined." He takes a breath and looks around. "Where's the mead?! We must celebrate our victory!" It does not feel glorious the way it did in his younger days, but traditions are important. To honor Asgard and all those they lost. Thumb and forefinger go to his eyes to wipe the wetness from them. Then he squares his shoulders and strides back to the original field of battle.

Death walks over to Drax and sits beside him. "Tell me about them, your wife and daughter."

He wipes his nose with the back of his hand. "They were beautiful. My favorite people," he begins.

Gamora takes her sister's hand and leads her away. No, leads her toward Quill and the other Guardians, to their new life.

As most begin to move out of the clearing, Tony asks, "What are we gonna do with Dead and Purple?"

"He's all yours," Steve says as he follows Loki and Helena back toward the city.

"Fuck you, Cap."

Steve stops. He turns to Tony. The last time they were face-to-face, they had physically fought. He's fairly certain the two of them spent at least half their time together fighting, usually with words. If he weren't so tired, he'd be tempted to argue now. "You're right, Tony. That was unfair of me. The decision is King T'Challa's." He speaks into the comms, "Black Panther, what should we do with Thanos' body?"

It takes a moment for T'Challa to respond. "Bring him to the field. We will let his daughters decide from there."

Tony, his eyes still on Steve, asks, "Do I have permission to take him, Cap? Or would you rather one of the sycophants do it."

Steve takes a slow breath. "I don't know what you've been through, Tony, but I know a lot of people were worried about you. Including me, believe it or not. So I'm asking you to please bring Thanos' body to the field or find someone else to do it." He returns to following Loki and their daughter.

Stephen Strange watches from the edge of the clearing. "Is there anyone you get along with?" he asks Tony.

"You know what? You can take the body."

"Okay." He creates a portal then uses magic to levitate Thanos' body and float it through. "Have you called Pepper yet?" he asks as he steps through.

Tony closes his helmet and asks FRIDAY to call his wife.

xxx

Bruce walks to the nearest person he knows. "Hey, Natasha. Can you help get me out of this suit?"

Her eyes immediately go to the missing arm. "That's a lot of damage."

Mystique agrees. "Maybe we should ask Logan to come cut you out."

"Very funny," Bruce says without mirth. "He saved me. I was fighting that big guy." He turns his head to the woods. "He tore off my arm. Then Logan just appeared and started fighting him. If he hadn't…"

"How romantic."

Natasha is looking over the suit. "He still cares about you, Bruce. That's not something you can just turn off. Maybe you should get Tony to help. Wait. Maybe…" She presses something, but nothing happens. She takes a step back. "Here's a stupid question. Did you ask it to open?"

"Uh, no," he admits. "Uh, FRIDAY, could you please let me out of the suit? Please?"

A series of kssh sounds can be heard. Then the front torso of the suit opens. Natasha helps Bruce climb out of it while Mystique watches.

"I'd rather he were with you instead of pining after Jean Grey," Mystique says. She lightly taps the end of her short staff on the ground. She looks around and sees Mockingbird in the distance. She turns to Bruce. "There's no one more loyal than Logan. It's kind of pathetic. But also nice, I imagine, if you're one of the people he's loyal to. If he went out of his way to save your life, even after the way you hurt him, you're one of those people. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a weapon to return." She leaves them, walking to Mockingbird.

Bruce looks at the ground. "I can't ask him to forgive me."

"Why not?" Natasha asks.

"Because I…"

"Don't think you did anything wrong?" she supplies.

He isn't sure how to answer that. He tries a few times, though no words actually come out. When he does answer, the word is said carefully. "Yes?"

"Then just apologize," Natasha tells him. "And if you tell me you have nothing to apologize for, I will electrocute you."

"No you won't."

"Do you really want to test me?" Her face is a well-trained mask showing no emotion.

He shakes his head. "No. I don't."

"Good. Then go apologize."

"I gotta find him, first."

She looks around. "There he is, talking to Rogue."

Bruce takes a breath. "That was faster than I anticipated. Okay. Here I go." He feels Natasha give me a couple of supportive pats on his shoulder before he starts to walk over. He clears his throat when he gets there.

"Well as I live and breathe," Rogue says when she sees him. Contradictory feelings swirl in her chest. "Welcome back to Earth."

"How've you been, Rogue?"

"I've been better. Been worse, too. You?"

He's not sure how to answer.

Logan watches him flounder for a moment. "Did you need somethin'?"

"I just…I wanted to apologize. I didn't mean to hurt you. Either of you," he adds.

Rogue crosses her arms in front of her chest. "So were you being selfish or stupid?"

"Both?" He shifts his weight from one foot to the other.

"Rogue, why don't you check on that Cajun of yours," Logan suggests. "He's probably getting into trouble about now."

"You sure?"

"That he's getting into trouble? Yeah."

She knows he knows what she meant. "Fine." Her eyes go to Bruce. "Apology accepted, but you really should try harder than that."

"Sorry," he replies.

She shrugs and flies off to find Gambit.

Logan watches her leave. "She's right."

"She's dating a Cajun?"

"You missed a lot." He looks at Bruce. "Guess Loki didn't fill you in on everything."

"Guess not. But I was pretty busy."

"Uh-huh." It's hard to tell if that means Logan accepts Bruce's statement or finds it ridiculous.

"We were rebuilding Asgard." He bows his head. "Guess we don't have to worry about that now."

"My condolences on whatever friends you lost."

"Thanks."

There's a short pause before Logan says, "I should go check on the other X-Men."

"Wait. I really am sorry I hurt you," Bruce tells him. "I was an idiot. I just…I didn't want to hurt you. Or anyone."

"You didn't trust me."

"I did, but –"

"You didn't trust me," Logan says again. "You had one relapse because of some asshole, and everything we had just didn't matter anymore."

"It mattered," Bruce assures him.

"Not enough for you to stay."

"I didn't trust myself."

"You didn't trust us," Logan counters. "Neither of you did." He takes a step closer to his ex. "You hear that, Hulk? You didn't trust us, either. You're as much to blame as Bruce."

Hulk surges to the surface. "Not like Bruce."

Logan raises an eyebrow.

"Not like Bruce," Hulk insists.

"Sure seemed like it to me."

"Now he shows up?" Wade yells as he walks over. "Leave it to Logan to piss the scientist off enough to make Hulk finally appear." He leans on Logan's shoulder. "Hey ya, Wolverine-o."

"Wade." There's a warning in his voice.

"Are you two hashing out your whole ship? Are you gonna kiss and make up? You know your fans want it."

Hulk shrinks back into Bruce. "Fans?"

"OMG, do you really not know?" He tilts his head. "Well, you were on Sakaar all that time. Then on Asgard. Maybe you really don't know." He pokes Bruce's chest. "You two have shippers, and they want you back together."

Logan tells him, "We're not gonna get back together just because strangers we've never met want it."

"Are you saying you'll get back together for other reasons?" He grins behind his mask.

There's a sadness in Bruce's brown eyes when he says, "I don't think there's any chance of us getting back together. I messed up too bad."

"But you'd want to if you could?" Wade presses.

"Well, I, um, I mean, yeah." Whatever fog was in his brain suddenly clears as he realizes with absolute certainty that he wants Logan back. "Is there any chance? I know I don't deserve it, but is there?"

Wade can only wait five seconds before he nudges Logan. "Is there? Is there? Please say there is."

Logan looks at Bruce. "How could I ever trust that you wouldn't leave again?"

"I'll earn it. I'll earn it back," he promises. "Just give me a chance."

He raises an eyebrow. "This mean you're stayin' on Earth?"

"Yes. Even if it means signing the Accords."

There's a slow nod. "Then I guess we'll see."

Wade pumps his fist. "Yes!" He points at Bruce. "Don't fuck this up."

He raises his hands. "I won't. I'll do my best not to."

"Good. Now kiss."

Logan turns to Wade. "Fuck off."

"I'm just trying to give the people what they want."

xxx

Thor finds a spot halfway between the tree line and the transports where he can sit. The easy part is done. The battle has been won. There is no one left to punish. Though perhaps he could chase after those aliens.

"You look lost."

His eyes search for the source and find Sif. "Perhaps because all my closest advisors are dead."

"Not all of them." She gestures over to Borghild. "And Kelda is on Vanaheim." She sits next to him. "But only you can lead."

"Why only me?" he asks. "Perhaps we should try this voting thing that some places here do."

"We could. But they would likely vote for you to lead them," she points out.

A figure lands in front of them with a thud. There are two things Thor immediately notices – it's a woman, and she's holding his hammer.

"Mjolnir?" He looks more closely at the woman.

She's wearing Asgardian armor. Her helmet is similar to the one he used to wear, only hers covers the top half of her face. "Hello, Thor."

"Who are you? What are you doing with Mjolnir?" he demands.

"I am Thor," she announces. "And Mjolnir sought me. I cannot say why. Perhaps they thought two Thors were needed."

"Two Thors?" He plants the hilt of Stormbreaker on the ground and uses it to help him stand. "There is only one Thor."

"There is one Thor Odinson," she corrects him. "I am a Thor of a different breed."

He takes a step toward her. "And what breed is that?"

Rising to her full height, she responds, "One chosen by Mjolnir themself. If you have a problem, take it up with the hammer. Though I see you've already replaced them."

"Because Mjolnir was lost."

She hears a voice in her mind, one that speaks the truth. She tells Odinson, "Mjolnir left only after your heart had decided a new, more powerful hammer was needed."

Thor opens his mouth to deny it but realizes she's right. "Thanos destroyed Asgard. I could not stop him with Mjolnir."

"And so Mjolnir found me." She sets the hammer on the ground. Her heart pounds in her chest as she waits to be transformed back into her other self. She feels it happen, feels the strength seeping away, feels her clothes soften, feels the helmet lighten until it no longer exists. "Mjolnir found me," Jane says to the gaping faces of Thor and Sif.

Sif scrambles to her feet. "Jane? How?"

"You saw how. Or the reverse of it anyway." She looks at Thor. "Mjolnir really did come to me. It landed in the desert where I was working. And I picked it up."

A windy storm of emotion swirls and rumbles in Thor Odinson's chest. "Mjolnir did choose you?" He feels betrayed and wonders if that's how Mjolnir felt when it left. "Well, I have Stormbreaker now, so I suppose it's fine." He wraps his massive arms around the metal of the axe head. He's finding it hard to look at her face. "Congratulations on being worthy."

"Thank you."

Sif carefully wraps her in a hug. "Why do I always fall for Thors?"

A relieved and welcome smile appears on Jane's lips. "Maybe I'm a Thor because you fell for me."

"If so, Odin had a very strange sense of humor." She pulls away to look at her girlfriend. "You are indeed special, Jane Foster." She smiles. "My Thor. My mighty Thor."

"Mighty Thor. I like that." She ignores the sound Thor Odinson makes at the name. "But of course," she moves to address him, "if Mjolnir decides to return to you, there's nothing I can do about that."

He hadn't considered that. "Return to me? Well, I mean, that could be possible. Thor and his two hammers."

Mjolnir rises off the ground, flipping over so the hand points douwn, but remains by Jane's side.

"It's okay," Jane tells the hammer even though she hopes with all her being that it will choose to stay with her. She forces herself to focus on Sif. "I should see if I can help with…stuff."

"Of course." She turns to her ex-husband. "You could always bring Asgard to Earth you know. Maybe somewhere not as hot." Before he can respond, she leads Jane away.

Mjolnir follows the women leaving Thor behind.

He hugs Stormbreaker tighter. "I like you better anyway."

xxx

As they get near the edge of the woods, Loki asks his husband, "Are you disappointed?"

"Disappointed? You're going to have to be more vague."

"I killed Thanos," he clarifies casually.

"You weren't the only one," Steve reminds him. "It was basically a group effort."

"True but…"

"But?"

He considers his answer. "It seems like something you wouldn't have done."

Steve can't help but smile. "Kitten, I was a soldier. I've killed before - other soldiers, aliens. Today a lot of aliens." He steps over a fallen branch. "Thanos was going to kill half the universe. You did what had to be done. You and the others. If anything, I'm proud of you for facing him. I know that couldn't have been easy."

"It wasn't. But it helped knowing I wasn't alone. Still, I thought perhaps you might need to punish me." He turns his head back to give Steve a look as well as a soft smile.

Steve blushes. "Oh. Right." He glances at Helena. "Maybe we should discuss this when we're alone?"

"Oh, Step Da, you're such a prude."

"I know. Most kids don't want to thik about their parents having sex."

"How do they think they came to be?" Helena asks.

"Sometimes we tell a story about a stork. It's kind of weird actually."

Loki clears his throat. "About that punishment?"

"Right. Sorry. I probably should do that. Maybe tomorrow?"

Loki hears the fatigue in Steve's voice and nods. Once they step into the warm afternoon sunlight, he asks, "So what happens now? If we were on Asgard, there would be a massive celebration."

"We count our dead and honor them as best we can. We take care of the wounded." That part he's very familiar with. What comes next is new. "Then we rest and figure out what this means – for Wakanda, for us, for those who fought with us. I'm hoping Sam and Rhodey can handle that last part."

"Sam and Rhodey?"

"Rhodey as the leader of the Avengers. Sam as someone who has less baggage than me and Natasha," Steve reasons. "Maybe this will convince the U.N. to amend the Sokovia Accords."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then maybe we should look into colonizing the moon." He's only half-joking.

Helena offers, "You could come live with me. I have a large castle and not many people in it. Might be nice."

"Yes," Loki says. "You can watch Angroboda and I verbally tear each other to shreds."

"It'd be entertaining."

"We'll figure it out," Steve says. "There's a lot of smart people here. It'd be nice if we could all stop hiding though."

xxx

Vali is leaning against the forcefield bubble Sue Storm created to transport them to the battlefield. Hands cupped around his eyes, he's scanning the ground for his father. "There he is!"

"Where?" Sue asks.

He points.

Sue sighs. She's at a completely different angle, and his pointing doesn't help. "Reed?"

Reed, holding Franklin in his arms, elongates his neck until his head is next to Vali's. His eyes follow the line of the point. "I see them." He keeps his eyes on them as his head moves to be next to his wife's. "Two o-clock about half a kilometer from the trees. Look for three figures, one with an impressive headdress."

"I see them. Thank you."

Johnny flies up to them then matches their speed. "Hey, sis! Everything good?"

"Yes. We're just taking Vali to Loki."

"Oh, hey, little guy."

"You're on fire," Vali tells him.

"Yeah. It's the only way I can fly."

Sue introduces them, "That's my brother Johnny. Johnny, this is Loki's son Vali."

"Woah. Vali as in the missing Vali?"

"I'm not missing anymore," the boy notes.

"Heh. Guess not." He takes a longer look at the boy and can see the resemblance to Loki, though it's not as pronounced as it is with Helena. He turns to his sister. "I'm gonna go check on Ben. See you on the ground." He flies away.

Sue lands them in front of Loki, Steve, and Helena before removing the forcefield. "Special delivery."

Loki kneels down to hug Vali who runs into his arms. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. I did just what you said."

"Good." He looks up at Sue for confirmation and gets a nod. "It's been a long day, hasn't it."

"Yes," Vali answers.

"Are you hungry?"

"Yes."

"Let's see if we can find something to eat." He stands and takes Vali's hand. He places his other hand on Steve's shoulder to get his attention.

Steve is getting a summary of events from Sue and Reed. He turns to Loki at the touch.

"We're going to find something to eat."

Helena adds, "I'm going to look for Pietro."

"Okay. I'll catch up with you later." He kisses Loki's cheek and waves at the children. His eyes watch them walk off as he listens to Sue and Reed tell him what happened in the lab. When he hears about Ayo, his focus moves entirely to Sue. "Is she going to be alright?"

"Shuri was seeing to her. She should be fine," Sue assures him.

"Good. Good. Was anyone else hurt?"

"Not in the lab. My forcefield held until Vision had me drop it."

He looks at her in awe. "Sue, I think you may have the best powers of anyone."

A blush comes to her cheek. "Aww, thanks. But Vision is the one that stopped that acolyte."

"I don't know. Sounds to me like you stopped him from hurting anyone else," Steve notes. "And I can't thank you enough for taking care of Vali."

"It was a pleasure. And he really helped with Franklin."

Steve smiles at the bundle in Reed's arms. "Is that him?"

Reed smiles down at his son. "This is Franklin Benjamin Richards."

"Hi, Franklin. I'm your Uncle Steve." He asks the parents, "Are we doing a nickname?"

"We're trying not to, but Johnny and Ben have other ideas."

That makes Steve chuckle. "There are some things you can't control, Reed. Nicknames, especially once he starts school, will be among them."

"Oh don't send him off to school yet," Sue says. "We've only just started him on solid foods."

"Sorry." He takes off a gauntlet and a glove then offers the baby his finger. The tiny hand wraps around it. "He's beautiful. Congratulations."

"Thank you. I wish you could have met him sooner."

"Me, too." It's just another thing the Sokovia Accords have taken from them. Maybe that will change. Maybe there can be a compromise.

xxx

Carol lands next to Bucky just as Okoye is telling him about Ayo's condition. She hears the concern in his voice as he asks if she's going to be okay. An ember of jealousy burns in her stomach, one she knows she has no right to feel. "She's a Dora Milaje?"

"My second in command," Okoye tells her. She informs Bucky, "Aneka has gone to be with her."

"Does that mean you're okay with their relationship?"

Carol's head whips over to look at Bucky. She's sure he said relationship. But that could mean anything.

"I'm not sure 'okay' is the right word," Okoye replies. "But I do not object to it. I'm hoping Ayo will be a calming influence on Aneka."

"I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you." He takes Carol's hand. It feels right. "I'll go check in on her when we're done here."

"I'm sure she'll appreciate it." She looks at Carol. "So you are the woman he's been pining after."

"Pining?" She looks at Bucky with a smile.

"Maybe a little pining," he admits.

"So much pining," Okoye says. "Now that you know where he is, I must warn you, you cannot come see him whenever you wish."

"What if I get King T'Challa to say I can?"

"Then I will have Shuri examine his head."

"She's kidding," Bucky tells Carol. He looks at Okoye. "You are kidding, right? Right?"

Okoye's face is as hard to read as Natasha's.

xxx

Rocket and Groot make their way to the other Guardians of the Galaxy. "Quill! Gamora! Glad to see you're still alive."

"Rocket," Peter replies, his voice showing the uncertainty he's feeling. "How was the weapons planet?"

"Amazing. They've got the best stuff. We gotta go back there to get the pod. I'm thinking we can pick up some bombs and a flame thrower while we're there." His eyes take in Gamora and Nebula. "Everything okay? Where's Drax?"

Gamora answers, "Still in the woods I think."

"Oh. Okay. Someone said Thanos is dead."

"He's dead," Nebula confirms.

"Great."

"I am Groot," he says to Gamora.

She smiles up at him. "I'm okay. It's a lot to process." The smile turns into a grimace. "I can't believe he's gone. I'm relieved but also…"

"He deserved worse," Nebula says in a cold voice. "So much worse."

"There's not much worse than death," Rocket mutters.

Her brow furrows. "Yes, there is. You know it as well as I." She pops out the eye implant then pokes it back in.

"Oh. Yeah. Right." He waits for two seconds. It's hard enough to wait that long. "So when do we go to Nidavellir?"

"We're staying here a while," Peter announces. "I've got a lot of Earth stuff to catch up on. Stuff I want to show Gamora. And we have to wait for Drax."

"That's fine." He starts looking around. "There are two arms I need to steel anyway." He notices a figure dressed in black walking towards them. "Who's this?"

The man walks with quiet authority. "Former daughters of Thanos, I am King T'Challa. This is my country."

Every head gives a little bow before they introduce themselves.

"A pleasure," he says. "I am sorry to ask this now, but have you given any thought to what you would like to do with the body?"

"Burn it," Nebula says.

Gamora nods. "We'll take the ashes with us when we leave."

"Then we will be sure they are saved for you. Do you care what happens to the others? Your…siblings?"

"No. Do whatever you want."

He gives them a single nod. "Families can be…complicated. My condolences for all you've lost."

xxx

Wanda's finger traces the edge of the indentation left in Vision's forehead. "How does it feel?"

"It doesn't," he replies. "Or rather, what I'm feeling isn't physical. There is an absence, a quiet."

"Is that alright?"

He gives her a warm smile. "It is." His hand goes to his forehead. "How does it look?"

"Strange. Only because I'm not used to it yet." She takes his hands. "You truly feel fine?"

"I do," he promises. "And you? It took a lot of power to destroy the stone."

"A little tired. But that may be from all the traveling."

"Everyone knows about us now," he points out. "Perhaps we no longer have to choose between us and our teams."

Wanda takes a slow breath as sadness comes into her eyes. "I am still a fugitive. And now that they know about us, it will be harder to meet."

"You just saved half the universe. Surely they'll expunge your record."

"You assume they will believe I did. But you've always thought better of people than me." She touches his cheek. "It's one of the things I love about you." She gives him a soft kiss.

He returns it gently. "We'll find a way to be together," he promises.

She gives him a smile while trying to hide the doubt in her eyes. "At the very least we need to find a new stone to adorn your head."

"So long as it isn't sentient."

"Agreed."

They kiss again, choosing to enjoy this moment together. The future will come soon enough. They will deal with it then.

xxx

The King of Wakanda asks all those who are not of Wakanda to join him at the transports. "Is this everyone?"

Okoye verifies with a Kimoyo bead. "That is everyone."

He looks out over the large number of people in front of him. "Those of you not from Earth, I thank you for your help today. It is good to know not all who come from outside our solar system wish us harm."

Storm gives Thor a small shake of her head before he can protest.

T'Challa continues. "Those of you who are from Earth, you are not in violation of the Sokovia Accords. I invited you here to use your gifts and abilities to defend this world, to give us time to safely remove the stone from Vision's head and destroy it." He sees faces change with realization or relief or both. He also sees some apprehension. "Those of you who were already deemed in violation of the Accords, I give you sanctuary within the borders of Wakanda. If you wish to stay, we will find a place for you. You will no longer have to hide."

It's a tempting offer. The Secret Avengers would be fools not to consider it. But it would likely mean not being able to leave, not being able to help people the way they have been.

"Can you do that?" Tony Stark asks.

"I am king," T'Challa reminds him.

"I think," Steve begins, "he just wants to be sure before deciding whether to take you up on that offer."

"Me?" Tony is offended. "I'm not in violation."

"Sorry. I didn't realize you had gotten permission to fight in New York. Carol said she had to jump through a few hoops."

"I did," she confirms. "Had to contact a lawyer I know to put me in touch with the local politicians."

Daredevil smiles and is given a kiss by Spider-Woman.

Rhodey asks Tony, "Did you get permission for just you or for the entire Avengers team? Because that would have been good to know."

Tony feels suddenly ganged up on. "I was right there. I wasn't going to let them destroy the city and take Strange's stone."

"So you were in violation," Steve notes.

"I was defending myself," he shoots back.

Natasha crosses her arms at her chest. "Think the U.N. Security Council and Secretary Ross will see it that way? You might want to double-check that."

Rhodey frowns. "Ross knows I harbored fugitives. I can't not go back to my wife and kid."

"Then tell them I put you under a spell," Loki tells him. He wiggles his fingers at Rhodey. "I put you under a spell to help us and now I'm releasing you. And now you have all these witnesses." He seems very pleased with himself.

Vali looks up at him. "Can you really do that?"

He puts a finger to his lips and winks.

"The point is," King T'Challa continues in a loud voice, "that anyone seeking asylum is welcome to stay. Let one of the King's Guard know, and they will help you through the process. Also, food is being prepared. It will be brought here shortly. Water and other drinks are just there," he points to his left. "Until the food arrives, I invite you to rest. If you must leave now, I thank you again. The world, the universe is in your debt."


A/N: Whew! There you have it, folks, my take on Infinity War and Endgame. No 5-year blip for me. Nope. As beautifully heartbreaking as the blip was, I wanted a less-complicated finale.

Thanks to Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely the writers of Avengers: Infinity War & Avengers: End Game for creating the initial inspiration.

There will be 1 more chapter to wrap this all up. I'll hold my heart-felt 'thank you's…

Until next time…