Enjoy!

Stephen walked towards Mordo, his friend was apprehended by the other sorcerers. They quickly grabbed him by the shoulder and encased the same manacles they used on Sylvie, limiting his movements.

He looked at his former friend sadly. The Sorcerer Supreme remembered the day when he accepted him into the Mystical Arts, he was desperate and was rejected several times until finally, he welcomed him with open arms. He wasn't the best, but Mordo didn't mind, and they trained and learned everything together. When the Ancient One is gone, they fought to protect the earth together.

How the night turned to morning in a blink of an eye. Stephen can't express how much he longed for that day to repeat again. To let things be as they were, and to be with his friend. If only they could reunite in a different circumstance.

"Mordo," Stephen murmured sadly. His friend looked up at him with anger, but that didn't faze him to look him in the eye, as a friend, "Let's meet again one day…as allies."

The sorcerers dragged him up on his feet, Mordo scoffed, "Still thinking that there will be no consequences, eh?"

He nodded determinedly, "I'll take my chances."

Mordo chuckled, there's a hint of guilt and sour in them, Stephen can't tell, "Stubborn as always…. Stephen." The Sorcerer Supreme took that as a hope that one day, that maybe things could go back to the way it was. But for now, he must live without that different reality first.

"Yea, I'll be waiting," he replied. Mordo didn't show any emotion, just giving him a blank expression. And at that, the sorcerers took him away. Probably to the same cell until they can figure out what to do with him. He might consult with the Avengers about this.

Speaking of the Avengers….

He turned back to see Wanda and Sylvie kneeling beside Loki, they both sound frantic. He jogged towards them, "What happened?"

"His breathing is shallow," Sylvie cried, "And he can't hear me."

"I tried to heal him, but my magic has already healed him. There are no more wounds on him, but he's still not waking up," Wanda added frantically as she did another scan with her magic.

The Sorcerer Supreme kneeled beside her, inspected the fainted Loki. He sensed another dark energy in him, as if keeping him from waking up, "It must be Nightmare's doing."

"What?" Sylvie looked at him.

"He was fighting Nightmare and Mordo, a part of that devil must've stuck himself in him," Stephen deduced, he should've known this would happen, "For a God, his injuries should be healing by now."

"Let's bring him back first," Wanda suggested, "We'll figure out what to do in his room." Sylvie nodded, she lets her magic flow right out of her and allow the green energy to flow from her and to Loki. The green mist gently lifted the fainted Loki up, as if it knows who it's carrying. Sylvie tugged on the magic mist like a leash and carefully, she walked down on Billy's blue solid mist, Stephen and Wanda followed suit. They walked ahead of her to assist her in her footings, just in case there is a loose mist.

When they arrived at the ground, the twins, Mobius and Miren sprinted towards them. The twins arrived first, "Mom!" they shouted.

Wanda saw her kids running up to her, her eyes soften and her heart melted at the sight of her children, "Kids!" she knelt down and opened her arms, welcoming their bone-crushing hug, "Are you guys okay?"

She felt the twins nod, "Mom, who's that?" Tommy asked. She pulled away from them and stood up, she didn't say anything and let them see for themselves. Sylvie slowly touched the ground while still looking at Loki, ensuring that he won't fall, "Is that Loki?" Tommy asked again.

She sadly nodded, not wanting to keep this a secret. After all, he trained them. They have the right to know what happened to their teacher, "Loki's…injured."

"Can you heal him?" Billy asked.

She shook her head, "I've tried, but something else is taking him."

"Is there something we can do?" he asked.

"We'll find out," and they followed Sylvie, who noticed their presence and gave them a forced smile.

"Sylvie," Mobius caught up to her, Miren followed shortly, "What happened?"

"Nightmare happened," She said, striding towards the temple, "He must be meddling with his mind."

"How is that possible?" Miren murmured, "Is this Nightmare taken care of?"

"Yea, Wanda destroyed him."

"And the variant?" she must've meant Mordo.

"Stephen's buddies are taking him into prison here," she said.

Mobius turned to Miren, "Perhaps we can speak with Stephen to ask if we can interrogate the variant."

Miren nodded, "I'll see you all later," Sylvie nodded and was about to enter the temple when she called again, "And Sylvie," she looked back, Miren and Mobius stood looking proudly at her, "It's great to see you again."

Sylvie nodded back, "For all time sake."

"For all time," and at that, she waved to the other Minute Men to follow her. Mobius saluted to Sylvie, mouthing good luck to Sylvie before following Miren.

Sylvie smiled at the gesture before she continued to sprint towards Loki's room with the others.

"What did you find?" Sylvie asked Stephen with so much concern as she gripped Loki's hand tightly. She had never been this frantic since…well…. forever. And to think that it's happening to the one person whom she cared for the most is killing her insides so badly, the feeling of losing Loki creeps in her every second.

Stephen finished running a diagnosis spell on the God of Mischief, "His body temperature is normal, though his heartbeat is slower than an average person..."

"But why is he so pale?" she cried, "He's not even waking up."

"He's in a coma," he said, "However, this coma is nothing I've seen before."

"What do you mean?" Wanda asked, who is sitting on the other side of the bed with her twins.

"Nightmare is occupying his mind," Stephen answered, "Loki is trapped as the result."

"Can we use the same enchantment spell that we used on Mom?" Billy chimed beside his mother.

"I'm afraid this situation may be more difficult than that," Stephen said, "Unlike what Nightmare did to your mother, he manipulated her mind. As for Loki," he looked at him with equal concern as well, "He is drifted to a comma, and that's where Nightmare seized his mind. It's not a manipulation of mind but he's trapped in the dream world."

"Then what can we do?" Sylvie asked desperately, "We can't just let him be like this." Loki had protected her from many things, it's her turn to save him. No matter the cost.

Stephen crossed his arms and hummed, "There is a way," he said, this got everyone's attention, "But only Sylvie can go save him."

"Huh? How come?" Billy asked, "We wanna help too!"

"Settle down, child," Stephen calmed him down, "This is because Sylvie and Loki were both connected. And I think they are still now, so she has a better chance to find him than all of us."

"What do you mean?" Wanda asked, "Can't we be by her side to help find him?"

"When Loki transferred his soul to Sylvie, two things happened," he lifted his hand, showing his index and middle finger," One, Sylvie was given access to Loki's power," he folded his middle finger, "Two, she also gained access to his memories." He then dropped his hand.

"But what does that have to do with anything?" Sylvie asked.

"At this point, Nightmare must've gained access to his memories and dreams. He'll do whatever it takes to consume his mind with the darkness and manipulate it to different memories, halting him to wake up. Anyone could fall for a false reality and manipulate it. However, as you are a master in enchantment, such power of mental manipulation has no effect on you. You have also successfully located Loki without going to the Dark Dimensions and guided Wanda's Power of Wakening to find and awaken him, which stands to reason that you have a better chance than the rest of us to survive in the dark abyss of the Dream World he's in," he looked at her seriously, "If Wanda and I were to dive in blindly, we too can be lost in the abyss as well. But you, I have faith that you may be more successful."

"And when she can find him, the dream can end…."

"And Loki can wake up," Wanda finished for her.

He nodded, "Precisely, the traces of Nightmare will eventually fade."

"Okay," Sylvie breathed out the tension in her body, determined to bring Loki back, "What must I do?"

"I must put you into your Astral state," he said, "Then, I'll open a portal to the Dream World for you."

"Hmmm, the last time I dove into his heart, I didn't know where to go," Sylvie informed them, "Frigga helped me with directions. Do you think you can help me navigate there?"

"Wanda can help with that," he turned to Wanda, the Scarlet Witch looked at him, "Her powers can detect any strong presence. However, that is the only it. Determining the difference between true and false memories will be a challenge, only you can do it."

"So, I'm a GPS," Wanda wrinkled her nose, to which the twins giggled, "Not that I'm complaining."

He nodded, then turned to Sylvie, "Now, are you ready for this?"

Sylvie turned to Loki, looking at his sleeping form. He looked so peaceful but who knows what's in his mind. She had been in his heart, it was peaceful and…..familiar. But to think that Nightmare completely changed that terrified her. She has to help him before it's too late. She owed so much to him. She turned back to Stephen with a look of determination, "Yes," she said, "I'm ready."

"Alright," the Sorcerer Supreme stands up straighter, "Do you need anything to prepare?"

She shook her head, "I'm ready."

"Okay, now will you stand up." She released her grip on Loki's hand and did as she was told, "Hold your tongue."

She furrowed her brows, but before she could comprehend what he's about to do, Stephen slammed her chest softly. It didn't hurt, rather it took her by surprise as she staggered back. But the surprise blew her away, literally. Seconds later, she found herself floating and looking at her physical body still with Strange, "Hey! What's happening?"

"That's your Astral body," Wanda answered, it sounded more like an echo. She walked to stand beside her motionless body. She let some of her magic flow to her body, "You are now disconnected from your physical body. We may be able to communicate this way."

"Wow," she looked at her transparent hands, "I'll be damned."

"Now," Stephen made a circular motion, and a transparent portal appeared before her, "I am leading you the Loki's Dreamworld. Make sure you keep an eye on your surroundings too and don't get too caught up there."

She nodded, "Got it."

"And Sylvie," Wanda added, making her turn her attention to her friend, "If you do encounter Nightmare, the strongest way to beat him is to think of any happy thoughts."

Sylvie furrowed her brows, "But why?"

"There's no time to explain, but Loki will understand. It'll work," she said, "Trust me."

Sylvie didn't really get what the point of all of those are for, but she nodded. And at that, she launched herself to the portal, Hold on, Loki.

Once she disappeared into the portal, Stephen took that chance to speak up, "So, that old man's teaching really did work?"

Wanda scoffed, "Shut up."

The sorcerer supreme chuckled.

When she got through that portal, it felt like she's flying in space. It was all dark save from some gleaming stars. But the closer she looked at these 'stars' as she passed by, she began to realize that they are not stars.

They are memories. His memories, all playing on particular scenes.

So, I am no more than another stolen relic, locked up here until you might have use of me.

Now If you'll excuse me, I have to destroy Jotunheim.

You were made to be ruled. In the end, you will always kneel.

You can trust one thing. I love to be right.

Love is a dagger.

I just want you to be okay.

All these memories playing… she felt like an intruder. But at the same time, she felt his hurt and his loneliness. And then, the further she glided pass his memories, the more she can feel the change of his heart. Where it used to be cold, it's becoming warmer.

"Sylvie!" A familiar voice of a female called her, "It's me, can you hear me?"

"Wanda!" she called back, "Yea, I can hear you!"

"I don't know where you are, but I can sense a location right ahead of you."

"Is Nightmare there?"

"I don't sense anyone there yet, but I have a feeling that you may want to explore that place. Just keep going straight."

"On it," with a kick of her feet, she boosts her speed, heading forward.

Moments later, she saw a bright gleaming light. "I see it!" she called out and flew ahead until the light engulfed her. She shielded her eyes from the beam of bright light with her arms and closed her eyes, preventing through her pupils.

"Sylvie!" she heard Wanda call her.

She took a small peek, seeing that the light had subsided, "Yea, I'm here." She opened her eyes and dropped her arms, looking at her surroundings.

She found herself surrounded by tall buildings under the night sky. The lights are up, except that there is no one here. It's as if the city has been abandoned. What is this place?

"Sylvie," this time, it's Stephen who echoed, "Are you in a certain place now?"

"Yea," she murmured, "I'm in a city, but it looks like the city is abandoned. There's no one here," She looked around carefully and up above as well, a huge screen hung at one of the buildings, though it's not running, "I think I am in New York."

"New York?" Wanda sounded confused, "Why would Nightmare create this world for him?"

"We're just going to have to find out ourselves," he hummed, "Sylvie, listen carefully. In the dream world, anything can happen. False memories can merge with real ones. So, I suggest you explore the place but don't raise attention."

"Okay."

"Wanda will provide backup. Try to see if you can find any clues about this place. Something tells me that New York may be a major place for him."

"Alright," she began to walk along the ghost streets of New York.

She had been through ends of the world, but nothing has ever compared to the creepy silence to this one. There's no one here, yet the lights of the buildings are still on. Cars waiting for nothing, shops opened for one and advertisement screens drawing blue blanks.

What is it that's so major this city of New York for him? She knows that Loki lost to the Avengers, but he didn't take it to heart. In fact, he had long forgiven himself for his past crimes and moved on, determining to be better and letting the past go. So, why is Nightmare trying to make this a horrible place for him? Has he really forgiven himself?

"Sylvie! I'm sensing something above you!" Wanda suddenly echoed to her.

She looked up, looking around the tall buildings and the skies. Trying to see what Wanda is indicating, "What are you picking up?"

"My senses are telling me it's coming from the building in front of you!"

She looked at a tall building in front of her, one that didn't look like the others. And when she scaled it up, she saw the name 'Stark.'

"The Stark Tower?" She ran up ahead. As she sprinted, she realized the weight of her body seemed light, and before she knew it, she was flying up. "Whoa," it's like in space, with this new finding, she tested her ability to glide and slowly flew up the Stark Tower.

"Do you see anything?" this time, it was Stephen who echoed.

"I'm about to find out," she said. As she flew up high and arrived at the top of the building, she found herself looking at a dark figure. Complete black. "Someone's here," she whispered, hoping her friends on the other side can hear her. The figure is looking at the horizon, looking like he doesn't know that she's here.

But the figure looks entirely familiar. He wore a helm with large, long pair of horns, and had a cape handing on his back. It's as if it's….. "Loki?" she tried calling. She doesn't care if it could be a trap or anything like that.

The figure turned back slowly…..revealing it to be Loki!

Except it's not really him. All his body is entirely dark, and his pair of eyes are blood red, and glaring daggers at her. He doesn't look friendly at all. However, he stretched his arm and gave him his hand. As if indicating to accept his invitation. To what invitation, she's unsure. But she knows it can't be any good.

She summoned her two blades as his answer, "Think I might have company," she murmured.

"Careful, Sylvie," Stephen said, "This may be dangerous, you might get swallowed by the darkness of Nightmare."

"I won't," she said confidently, her swords clashed together as a battle cry, "I'm going to bring Loki back. And we're going home."

The dark figure moves maliciously, its black aura waved like smoke. He lifted his right arm, and from the palm of his hand, dark energy began to bubble. It began to grow and stretch in two directions. The dark bubble then transformed into a scepter with a curved blade at its tip.

"Loki's scepter," she murmured, Loki once told her the day when he was taken by the TVA and that his scepter was taken by the Avengers. This must be the scepter he was talking about. Could this place give him the nightmare of the day he was defeated or the guilt he held onto?

The figure twirled the scepter and slammed the blade to the ground as a sign of threat. Then, it charged at Sylvie.

The Goddess of Mischief leaped up to the air and landed on the spot where the figure stood before. She turned around to see the dark figure turning around as well, preparing another attack. She had her blades pointed at him, "Release Loki!"

But the figure didn't seem to hear her and continued to attack her. She dodged his scepter that's trying so hard to impale her chest or cut her limb, the attacks were furious and fast. She had seen the way Loki fight, but this is definitely not him.

Behind the figure, two small dark portals appeared from the floor. It then materialized into a long object, slithering around to materialize until it turned into a dark snake. "This is bad."

"What's going on, Sylvie?" Wanda asked.

"Looks like Nightmare just summoned its lackeys," she struggled being pushed down by Loki before she twirled and swung her sword, trying to knock his feet down. But the shadow Loki was faster, he dodged the attack and leapt back until the two snakes are beside him. "This may take longer than usual."

"Sylvie," Stephen echoed to her, "if whoever you're fighting is not Loki, get out of there! It's no point to drain your energy to fight a figment of imagination!"

"No! This is definitely him!" she cried back as she blocked the scepter trying to skewer her, "I have to beat this shadow, he's the reason for all of this." She can feel that Loki is that shadow, an essence of Nightmare that took over him. She has to defeat that nightmare, "I'll bring you home, Loki!" she said determinedly. She too has a debt to pay.

The snake shadows hissed, it then slithered towards her with incredible speed. Sylvie swung both her blades with her magic, and both the snakes were cut in half, it's body divided and then they dispersed. The shadow Loki followed suit, he swung his scepter, trying to cut her in half as well. But Sylvie is faster, she dodged the attack easily.

She ran up to the battlements of the tower and leapt up to the air. As she floated above, she waved her arm down and her blades came raining down at him. The shadow Loki looked up and saw the blades, but he was left holding onto to block the attack. He struggled to keep the blades from slicing him.

Here's my chance! Sylvie landed at the back of him, she conjured her shield and threw it at him. The shield knocked him square at his back and staggered him forward, making him lose his balance. Her blades swung at his scepter and the weapon was knocked out of his grip. She took that chance to kick the weapon away until it flew out of the tower, ensuring that it can never come back.

The Goddess of Mischief then turned to see the shadow trying to get up. As quick as a lynx, she sprinted to him and knocked him down on the floor. She kneed him down, ensuring that he can't get up again.

"Wanda! Stephen! I don't know how to beat him without hurting Loki," she cried out to her friends, "How do I bring him back?"

"You have to enchant him!" Wanda replied back, "Turn his nightmare around by giving happy memories!"

"What?" the last time Sylvie tried to enchant him, he was strong to resist him. How will she be able to enchant him now? "I don't know how! I tried before, he was able to resist me!"

"You can do it, Sylvie," this time, the voice of the child echoed to her, "Have faith in yourself!"

"Billy?" she looked up as she continue to pin him down.

"Relax, Sylvie!" It took some time to realize that Billy was echoing what Loki must've told him. The child really took his teaching to heart, and apparently, hers too, "Trust your heart!"

Perhaps she should heed her own words. With a new determination, she let her magic overflow her body, "Alright," she then gripped his head with both her hands and let her magic flow into him.

At first, all she can hear are echoes of terrible insults thrown at him in the past. It was hard to grasp but she can feel and hear so many negative feelings channelling in her head. How long did he endure the pain and guilt in his heart for so long? Has he really moved on?

As she started to get a better grip on his emotions, she then switched her magic and let the happiest memories she ever felt flow into him. She remembered the time she had an actual conversation with Loki, a real conversation. Then, the time when he told how amazing she was for taking down the TVA on her own. And then the time when he offered him her blanket back in the void beyond, it was the first time anyone was generous to her, who actually cared for her well-being. And after that, his willingness to stay with her to fight Alioth, how they enchanted it together.

"I just want you to be okay."

And the moment where he confessed to her that he just wanted her to be okay. He dropped his guard for her, he didn't even care if she did end up killing him. All he ever cared about is her well-being, and at that time, he made it clearer. No one had ever done that to her, and that was the moment she probably opened her heart to him. Kissing him was probably one of the most delightful and honest things she had done in her life. Because of that, she regretted the day she pushed him away.

That moment led to another when they reunited. Even after the 'betrayed' her, he did everything he could to keep her safe. He didn't even blame her for pushing him away even though he was right. Instead, he ensured she was comfortable and safe. He visited her every day, ensuring that she wasn't lonely or, as she hate to admit, frightened. That moment was the moment she realized that the longing, loneliness and anxiety that she used to feel when she was on the run were long gone. He chased away her demons.

His confession sealed the deal for her. That day, it was like the door to her heart was wide open. As Wanda said, she wanted nothing more than to be by his side every day. She'd do anything to bring him back to her, not wanting to push him away from her. She wanted him to know that she wants to be with him all the time.

She gently caressed his forehead even though he was struggling, "Loki," she called him in a soft voice, "Come back to me, my love," she remembered the soothing voice of Frigga when she saw his memories, and pressed her forehead to his top, "I'm here."

The shadow screamed, but she knew that it wasn't Loki who was screaming. It was Nightmare. She pushed all those happy memories she had with him again, fighting the nightmare and whatever demons he had been fighting on his own, "I just want you to be okay."

That did it. The shadow began to disperse from his body, chips of black looking soot began dissolving from his body. She stood up, looking at the soot leaving his body. Slowly but surely, Loki's colours began to show. The darkness chips away and dissolves completely from Loki like an eggshell until the true Loki is right in front of her.

It worked; she laughed a bit in joy. Looking around, all the darkness is disappearing, "Everyone," she cried joyfully, "It's working!"

"SYLVIE! GET OUT OF THERE NOW!" Stephen cried out.

Sylvie didn't know what she meant until the ground started shaking, letting out a great magnitude. She strides to the edge of the tower, needing to see what's going on. She gasped at the sight that she's seeing. The whole building started collapsing, and slowly swallowed by some kind of black hole. The gravity seemed to come back and exert pressure everywhere, for she felt her body weight back to normal, "What's happening?" she cried out.

"The whole Dreamworld is about to reform! It's going back to its original memories and casting out the darkness!" The sorcerer supreme echoed, "You have to get out of there now! Or you'll be stuck in the darkness for good!"

She wanted to reply, but she couldn't as the Stark Tower began to collapse as well, it tilted backwards. Sylvie yelped as she lost balance and she hung helplessly on the edge, she tried desperately to find her footing but with the entire building shaking and gravity pulling her, she couldn't get any luck at all. She looked around to find Loki, the spot where she left him was missing. She quickly looked around to find him, but the building tilted more to a horizontal and before she knew it, she couldn't hang on much longer and fell to the black hole.

"SYLVIEE!" She heard Wanda cry out to her as she was swallowed into the abyss.

Is this it? Sylvie thought as she plunged further into the darkness and floated aimlessly, the atmosphere felt like the void beyond. She couldn't move her body, let alone to find any light. She wondered if Loki is safe, she couldn't find him just now.

This was the price she paid to save him. She had defeated the nightmare inside him, he had to be safe now. At least, if she were to be lost in the darkness, she did it with good intention. And that's the comfort she could get. She closed her eyes and was ready to accept her fate.

"SYLVIE!" She knew that voice.

She opened her eyes and saw a glimmer atop, bright light at the end of the tunnel. It's coming towards her like a shooting star. In that bright light diving to her, she saw the silhouette of a figure, reaching out his hand to her.

"SYLVIE!" Loki called.

The Goddess of Mischief didn't know what to do, but all she knew is that she needs to get out of here. She weakly lifted her hand, trying to reach out to him, "Loki," she croaked.

By the time the figure got nearer to her and grabbed her outstretched hand, she felt that he pulled her up to the skies with him. She still couldn't see his face because of the bright light, but all she knew is that she felt exhausted. She wondered where he's going to take her since she herself didn't know where to go.

The light in front of them then became brighter, and Sylvie closed her eyes.

"Sylvie?"

The Goddess of Mischief groaned, slowly opening her eyes groggily. She felt like she just woke up from a nightmare, her head felt a little dizzy. She also realized that she's lying on the bed, it felt warm and comforting.

As she blinked, trying to adjust her blurry vision, she was met with concerned faces. But her eyes still couldn't make up yet the faces in front of her. Is this still a dream?

"Is she okay, Mom?" the sound of a child asked.

"Let's give her a minute." Came the reply of a gentle voice.

"Sylvie," the loving familiar tone calling her name struck a string in her heart.

She blinked harder to adjust her vision, and when things became clearer, she was met with the concerned faces of her friends. And Loki!

"Where… What happened?" she shook her head, slowly sitting up. Loki helped pull her up so that she can sit comfortably, he stayed seated beside her, but not too close as if giving her some space.

"The Dream World that Nightmare manipulated in Loki's dreams are back to its original state," Stephen walked closer towards the bed, "Whatever essence is left of Nightmare is now gone completely."

"Then…. This is the real world?" She had to make sure, even the dream world looks so convincing.

Loki took her hand in his, and smiled, "Thank goodness you're back."

Sylvie couldn't help but smile, tears began welling up her eyes. The feeling of coming back to everyone was overwhelming, and she had never felt this way before. The person who was trying to tear them all apart is also gone. All this time, that haunting feeling that crept inside her since the day she saw the memories in Billy is finally lifted.

And now, she's home.

Loki's home too.

"You're home!" The twins shouted excitedly, they launched themselves to her and each gave her a fierce hug around her chest simultaneously, pushing her back to the headboard, but not too hard to slam her.

She couldn't help but laugh at their enthusiasm to have her back. It somehow reminded her of a forgotten memory when she was a child and it felt incredibly nostalgic to her. She stroked both of their heads, "Hello, boys." The boys giggled joyfully.

"We thought we would never get you back," Wanda sat beside her, the kids took that as an indication that their mother would also want to greet her too and they pulled away. Wanda initiated first, pulling her friend for a warm hug, "Thank goodness, you're back."

"I owe it all to you guys," she answered, "Even you, Stephen."

The Sorcerer Supreme coughed, seemingly not used to compliments, especially to the person whom he locked up himself, "Just doing my duty," there's a hint of embarrassment as he everted his eyes elsewhere, making her giggle in delight. Never had she seen the grumpy man turning away from a compliment.

As Wanda pulled back, Sylvie's eyes turned to the one person she longed to meet the most. Loki sat patiently at the back of Wanda, genuinely smiling at her as if happy to see that she's okay. She realized he had let the others greet her before him. Was he introducing to her what coming home to the people who cared for her feel like? Neither the less, there's so much she wanted to tell him, and all the feelings she had been holding back to him.

Wanda, sensing they need privacy, pulled her twins up, "Kids, let's give them some space. Okay?" The twins nodded and each jumped out of the bed. Loki mouthed a 'thanks' to her, and she smiled in return. She also gave a push to Stephen as she left for the door, "Let's go, Stephen," the Sorcerer Supreme chuckled and followed the Scarlet Witch out.

Finally, Loki and Sylvie are left alone.

They both looked at each other. Really looked at each other. For the first time in forever, they are finally together. No more interruption. No more threats, and most of all, no more running.

"Loki," Sylvie's voice cracked.

The God of Mischief could not deny her call, he quickly got up to her side and embraced her. It has been so long, so long to finally have her in his arms, to finally feel her warmth again, her scent is also like home. All those agonizing days to watch her suffer in an unconscious state was killing him. He could feel her sobbing onto his chest, "I'm here. I'm here," he soothingly said.

"Is it finally over?" she meekly asked.

She felt him nod, "It's over," he reassured her, "We're together now."

Sylvie nodded understandingly and hugged his chest tightly, "Gods, why did you have to throw yourself to the Dark Dimensions?"

He didn't respond for a while, he simply continued to hug her, "I didn't know any other way to stop him," he confessed, "All I know, is that I want everyone to be safe. Especially you."

"You don't even know how to get yourself back," she pulled up to meet his green eyes, demanding answers. She didn't like the cliché answer that he gave her, "What if we could never get you back? And you're stuck there in the Dark Dimensions forever?"

"I know, I know," he admits, "I know what I did was reckless, and my answer to you was vague on how to find me. Hell, I didn't even know how to get myself back," he scratched the back of his head, feeling as if he's caught red-handed, "But when I read about the soul theory, I knew I had to give it a try. Time was running out that time, and if I didn't do something, we'd all die, and all of what he had prepared and fight for would be for nothing. And I didn't want that."

"But to put your life on the line?"

"It's what I signed up for, Sylvie," he told her gently, holding her arm, "I chose to help stop this war, and if that means that I have to give my life for you to be safe, then so be it."

As much as she's touched by his answer, she hated the idea of him leaving her, "What did you hope to achieve by doing so if you died? A gold medal?"

"I did it to protect you! Your life was in danger, and they were about to take you away from me!"

"And what's the difference when in the end, they took you away from me? Then leave us all behind?" she exclaimed. Days felt like forever since the day she lost him, and she felt as if life is tormenting her as if it's her karma for pushing him away. She regretted forever wishing him away ever since, but she knew nothing would change that. But the pain of losing him was far greater than accepting the fact that she had to live without him now. Now that he's here and alive, she didn't want him to put his life on the line again. And doing it on his own. "You think I didn't care if you die? You think we all didn't?"

Loki opened his mouth, but nothing came out of it. That last sentence…he never really thought about it. No one seemed to care much about him so why should he care? All he knows is that he cares for her more than he could ever care for, perhaps he's selfless that he forgets to watch out for himself. Since when has he come to this? He felt emotional learning that there are people missing him if he's gone, "I…." he hesitated, "I wasn't…. it wasn't my intention to worry you all…. I'm sorry."

Sylvie released a breath she didn't know she was holding, the tears started falling. Without thinking, she hugged his chest again, clenching on the leather of his coat, "God, you have no idea how much we missed you. How I missed you," she sobbed. Long lonely nights, sleeping in his room and waking up alone was torturous. In the past, perhaps she would've been able to live with that. But ever since meeting Loki and spending time with him, she had got used to the fact that she may not be entirely alone. And to go back to those lonely times killed her.

"I'm so sorry," he pulled her closer to him, kissing the top of her head, "I'm sorry I was reckless, that I didn't think about how you would feel after," that day, all he ever wanted was the strength to protect her. She had been on the run all the time, constantly looking over her shoulder every night, and unable to know what it's like to live without running away. "All I wanted was for you to be okay. I want you to be safe, Sylvie. I promised that I would protect you, but I didn't fully want to die back then. I want to come back home to you, and with no other options left, I did what I had to do," he then pulled away from her to look into her eyes, "But I knew that you'd find me, one way or another. Just like when we finally found each other after what happened in the void beyond."

But as much as she wanted to get mad at her, she couldn't. They cared so much for each other, and Loki didn't really intend to die. She exhaled exasperatedly, leaning her forehead to his shoulder, "Gods, I want you to be okay too," she sobbed again, "Why did you leave me all alone? I missed you….I hate being alone…"

"I hate it too," he embraced her again, not willing to let her go ever again. Days without seeing her was also torture, his heart yearned to see her again. Even though he did feel that he was with her, it was an entirely different feeling. But now, he can touch her, feel her and hear her again, "I'm sorry, Sylvie. I didn't mean to make you feel this way. I promise it won't ever happen again. Ever."

"Promise?" she repeated like a child. How long has it been since she asked that question? "Please, Loki. I can't have you doing that on me again…. I don't know if I can even bring you back the second time…."

"From now on, we do everything together," he pulled away to meet her eyes and cupped her puffy cheeks. The sight of her crying made his heart sink, he never wanted to see her sad. His thumb wiped her tears leaking from her eyes, "Then I'll know that you'll have my back, and I have yours. And whatever happened with Mordo will never happen again. You have my word."

She sniffed and finally nodded, "Okay."

Loki trailed his hands down to her arms and pulled her to him again, tightly embracing her to know that he's here and very real. "Okay," he repeated, "I'm here now. I'm here." He felt her nod and continued to hold the leather of his coat, letting her continue to let out all her emotions as she softly cried. "I'm so sorry," he murmured as he placed his mouth at the top of her head.

For a moment, they stayed like that in silence while Sylvie continued to cry, and he continued to hold her. When her cries began to slowly subsidised, she slowly looked up at him, "That day," she swallowed the lump in her throat, "Before you disappeared with Mordo…. that last thing you told me there," he looked down at her, their nose nearly touching, "Did you mean it?"

He stiffened a bit from what she was asking. He knew what she meant, she was asking about his confession to her. He never really had to luxury to confess his feelings to anyone before her, so this felt a little odd to him. But this is Sylvie, and he felt that he needs to be honest with his feelings too. This thing they had together is real, very real, "Yes," he finally said, "I did….and still do."

She smiled at him weakly, surprisingly, crying was a lot more exhausting than fighting the Nightmare in him, "You're not taking my word back in Lamentus-1 that 'love is hate' right?"

Loki chuckled at her attempt to lighten the mood, "I assure you, I don't copy your ridiculous metaphors."

Sylvie scoffed, pulling away from him, and Loki reluctantly allowed her, "Speak for yourself," she rubbed her face, wiping away the straining tears on her cheeks.

As she was finishing, the God of Mischief leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers, to which the Goddess of Mischief didn't expect that yet. Nevertheless, she responded by kissing him back, wrapping her arms around his neck. When he was unconscious, far away from his body, he missed this so much. To feel her lips in his, and to kiss her until they lose track of time.

When the air became a problem, they reluctantly pulled away, catching their breath. Their forehead still touching, he looked at him with half-opened eyes, "Just so you know, I meant it too." His eyes looked back at her, "I care for you more than I thought I should," she placed her palm on his neck, "I love you too, Loki."

He smiled widely at her, "And I you, Sylvie," and he kissed her again. He crawled to her side so that she can lean on his chest and continue their ministration. Sylvie tucked her head under his chin and sighed in content, Loki wrapped his arms around her, savouring her presence here. Now, Strange has no reason to throw her in prison again. He'll answer to him if he even plans to do just that. Sylvie will stay with him from now on.

His eyes then caught something on the table, and he wrinkled his nose at the sight of something that shouldn't even be in his room, "Why are there pizzas here?"

Sylvie giggled at his remark.

I wanted to write more of the Sylki centric just as I promised, but it didn't seem appropriate in this chapter yet and I fear that it's becoming too long and stretched. So, I decided to add one more chapter to discuss further our lovebirds' emotions and love for each other.

The next chapter will be another Sylki centric but with a small mix with the other friends. So this story will round up to 20 pages.

I also made Mordo and Stephen's friendship more revealing so that it showed the other side of Stephen. I always thought that they were good friends.

The small battle in the dream world was in New York when Loki wasn't himself. Someone said that Loki was manipulated because of the scepter, and that part of manipulation was what Nightmare was able to pull from him, making him the part of Loki that he regretted and engulfing him with regret and negative feelings of himself. And that's where Sylvie came in to save him from his own negative thoughts of himself.

The last part was a bit difficult to come up with and make it an appropriate emotion of someone surviving a war or something like that. The love quarrel is bound to happen anyways, and while discussing that, I didn't want it to taint with other events that they would want to discuss later on. Lots of emotion involved, hopefully, I nailed it.

One more chapter to go until the epilogue. Let me know what you think! Comment, reviews and I'll update it faster! Until then! Take care!

- Claire