Sorry for the lateness guys! I was supposed to work on it last Monday but my dad got covid and we all had to isolate and take care of him at the same time. So, I didn't have the time to work on it. He's fine now, so I got my hands on this.
I won't say much…enjoy!
6 months later
Loki found himself in a field meadow, tall grass dancing along with the wind, and the sun hung in the summer sky. No matter how far he looked, it'll be a far stretch of the field. This place felt nostalgic, a familiar feeling nagging him. But….how did he get here?
"Loki," a warm pleasant voice of a woman called behind him. When he turned around, he found himself face to face with a woman with golden hair and wearing an elegant white dress with gold and silver decorating the side of it.
"Mother?" he didn't have to think about it.
"My, my," she walked towards him, "How much you've grown, my son. It's good to see you again, my dear."
Loki let out a joyful laugh, "It's good to see you too, mother," he tightened his hold on her, "I missed you so much."
"There, there, my darling. It's going to be alright, you'll see," his mother strokes his back, "I missed you too, my child."
"But why are you here? Where are we?" he looked around. It looks so real to be a dream, yet strange since the last place he had been here was lost in time.
"I was about to ask you that question," she smiled at him, "Come walk with me, my darling." She turned to walk the other way, and Loki followed. "So, dear Loki. Where do you think are we?"
He looked around, "It looks like….the cell I created for Sylvie and the meadow back at home."
"The cell in Kamar-taj, you say?" Frigga looked around too while walking forward, it looks as if she's walking aimlessly, but Loki trusts her, "Quite a beautiful place to be a cell, don't you think?"
"Yes," he smiled, "I made sure Sylvie's comfortable while she's locked in that dreadful place."
Frigga chuckled, "Oh, my Loki. Always the charmer. Though, I'm glad you remembered this place fondly, for I love it too."
"We used to come to this meadow a lot back at home."
"That we did, my son. That we did," she chuckled, "You tried to turn into a snake one time. I didn't know if it's for entertainment or anything until your brother complained to me."
Loki chuckled, "Ahh, the good times."
Frigga playfully pinched his arm, "My naughty boy. Always mischievous anywhere we go, especially back home."
Loki snaked his arm around hers lovingly, "So, speaking of home. Why are we here?"
"Can't a mother visit her son?" She looked at him playfully.
"Just curious," he said.
She looked back at the meadow they are walking at, "I'm certain at this point, you know that a heart helps you guide a way no matter the darkness. It's how dear Sylvie found you there."
He squeezed her hand, "And I'm glad you helped her to find that out."
"The same as you, my dear son," she stopped walking, making him stop as well. His mother looked at him with so much pride, "When you transferred your soul to her body, you have given her access to your heart. And hers to you. What you may not realize is that when she travelled into her heart to find you and found your father instead, a path was opened at that moment. Something we call a connection to hearts, to all the people you cared very much. In a way, she unlocked the heart you hesitated to open. And the connections you had along the way became bonds."
"Is that why I had this new power in me?" he looked at his hands. He had to admit, his friendship with Thor, Wanda, Strange, Wong and Mobius improved a lot, especially Sylvie. Do the extra swords he had were representations of them?
She nodded, "You have grown far wiser than I ever thought you would. I am even more proud of you for that, and I am certain your father felt the same."
His heart soared at the mention of that. He had heard his mother say this to him many times, but to hear it again, perhaps one more time, was the greatest gift. The God of Mischief embraced his mother, "And I am proud to call you my mother," when he saw himself in the TVA film of himself, he wanted to go through a portal and tell her otherwise. But now, he's finally given that chance, "I love you, mother. Father too."
"I love you too, my sweet Loki," she kissed the side of his head.
He pulled back from her, "So, back to the question. You must be here for a reason, no?"
"My, still a perceptive one, are you?" she gave her son a playful smack on his arm, to which Loki laugh softly, "No matter, our time here is limited. And I must go now."
"Wait, you can't just up and leave me like this without any explanations."
"Must everything need explanations?" she looked up at him challengingly with a hint of mischief, to which is shuts him up, "At this point, with all the things you have been through, I'm certain there are many things even you too can't quantify."
"That is true," Loki hummed.
"But no matter what is true or not, know that all the times we have been together and the love I gave you were real. The same goes for your father and brother. We all love you very much, I most of all. Nothing else matters than the fact that I want the best for you," she traces her fingers on his cheek, "The day when Sylvie arrived at me, I knew I was doing the right thing in trusting you. And here you are. A fine God, giving his life to protect his people and everyone."
So, Sylvie's visit was the reason why his mother was still giving him a chance. But he knew it right after she told him her visit, and deducing it was easier. But he rather not speak of that, "You're embarrassing me, mother," he scratched the back of his head, "But thank you. I learned from the best."
"You're my son to embarrass," She leaned up to kiss his cheek.
"Maybe I'm named god of mischief because of you."
"Perhaps," she giggled, "But no matter who you are, you will always be my son. You belong here, with your family. Nothing will ever change that. Remember."
As she said that, another figure appeared a little further behind her, fading in and revealing to be Odin! Loki caught glimpse of his father and gasped, he never thought he'd see him again. And this time, he looked at him with a warm and proud smile.
Remember.
Loki's eyes flew open. He found himself staring at the ceiling of the home Thor and the Valkryie got for him and Sylvie. He glanced at his side and found her sleeping peacefully beside him. They have been staying at New Asgard for a while now, and it's safe to say that it's close to home. Though he didn't really call it home since he had travelled more than staying.
He sat up quietly, not wanting to wake her up, and sighed. What was that dream all about? But he had this warm feeling in his heart that he can't shake away nor explain. And certainly, he can't go back to sleep now. He replayed his dream of what his mother told him and the last glimpse of his father, but all of them seems to be anything a mother would tell their children? Maybe? It's hard to explain, he has been travelling to different timelines he doesn't know what's the right time anymore.
He glanced down at Sylvie, her face looked so peaceful. When was the last time she had felt this way? Being on the run and all. But now, with them both sharing a bed and house, he had ensured that she sleeps better now, and never bothered by any nightmare or the urge to run. And it's because of that he didn't have the heart to bug her sleep. Perhaps there's a better place for him to reside and contemplate these nagging feelings.
It doesn't look like he can sleep anytime soon, he carefully climbed off the bed they shared and conjured rather casual clothing of black leather jacket, t-shirt, trousers and fancy boots. Giving the last glance at Sylvie, ensuring that he didn't wake her, he carefully heads towards the door and out the house, needing a suitable environment to ponder.
Sylvie woke up with a slight cold chill, when she snakes her arm to find the warmth of her lover, she found the space next to her is cold and empty.
She snapped her eyes open and found that the person she expected to be beside her is not there. She slowly sat up, wiping her eyes from her drowsiness before looking around, "Loki?" Silence. Their little house is easy to hear if anyone is upstairs or downstairs and to hear that only the sound of her echo bounces, it tells her that Loki may have been out of the house. And for quite some time.
She looked out the window, it was barely sunrise. What made him leave the house? She climbed out of the bed and grabbed her green shirt and hoodie, which was gifted by Wanda, and put on a pair of casual jeans. She then walked downstairs, and sure enough, Loki's favourite pair of boots are nowhere in sight.
Opening the door, she found the life in New Asgard barely waking at this hour, which she knew it's to his liking as he's still not comfortable being around people save the ones closest to him.
She wondered where he might go at this hour. Last night, they discussed already that they didn't have anything else on their agenda, Thor is off-world, and Mobius has other matters to his tasks, so they had all the time to themselves. It was also a silent approval for them to stay in bed until the sun is really up in the sky. But it seems that that's not the case today.
The Goddess of Mischief can only think of one place he'd be more comfortable to go aside the bar or any taverns. And with that guess, she walked down the hill and allowed her feet to take her to the temple of New Asgard.
Loki stared contently at the glass painting of Odin and Frigga in the temple, standing there in silence without even sitting in either of the benches provided there. He didn't know how long he has been standing there since he lit a candle and placed it at the table in front of the painting, all he did was study the faces of his parents.
The temple is not too big and not too small, something you often see in Greece, except smaller. The inside is empty, though they are decorated with alcoves consisting of a golden bowl of fire, some benches are placed with organized several rows in front of the painting, and a long steel table to place candelabras and a box filled with wax candles beside it. The design is something you'd often see in Italian Cathedrals, alongside the glass painting. It makes the temple look authentic and sacred at the same time, to which he appreciates it very much. Odin and Frigga deserved all the praises in the world.
Mother, he called her in his heart, you and father visited me in my dreams, was there anything, in particular, you wanted to tell me before I woke up?
"Loki?"
For a second, he thought his mother was whispering to him. But when he turned back to hear the source of the voice, it was Sylvie. She stood at the entrance, looking at him with concern.
At the sight of her, he smiled, "Shouldn't you still be in bed?"
His lover walked quietly towards him, "It's hard to sleep in an empty bed nowadays," she walked past him and towards the table, picking up a candle and using her magic to light it up. A soft small fire flickered gently at the tip of the candle, and she placed it at one of the steel candelabras before returning to Loki's side, snaking her arm to his. "Why are you here in this hour?"
Loki kissed the side of her head, "I was seeking council from my mother."
"What's the occasion?"
He turned back to look at the paintings, "I met her in my dreams, with my father too, though he appeared last," he told her, "When I woke up, I couldn't go back to sleep again, so here I am."
"Did she tell you anything?" she asked quietly.
"Just that she was there to visit me," Loki shrugged, "explaining to me the new powers I had, hearts, bonds and connections. Not to forget that she's family, I think that's it. That's as far as I recall I suppose."
"You missed her," she pointed out.
"I think we all do," he looked back at the paintings, "There were times I wonder if things would've been different if she's still alive, or if any of them are still alive."
He felt her squeeze his hand, "Oh my Loki," she murmured, "You want so much to walk the path your mother and father took. But it doesn't always mean that you have to."
"Wouldn't that mean I'll be forgetting her?"
"No," she said, "I think she too wants you to be okay." Loki turned back to her rather quickly at her remark, feeling a little surprised at what she just said. Sylvie only smiled warmly at him, "You worry so much whether you'll fall back to who you were and what you could become, perhaps you have forgotten what you are today."
He looked back at the painting, "It's not like I'm lost or anything…. I mean, I know who I am…"
"All the travels from different timelines may have made you forgotten which timeline is even right," she said.
He hummed, "I admit, all this time travelling has been very….questioning."
"Take it from one who had been too," she remarked, "I didn't even what day it is all the time."
Lok looked back at her and squeezed her hand, "I'm sorry, I forgot you too have been travelling here and there since you were a child," he pulled her to a hug, not wanting to kiss her yet since they are in a sacred temple, "How did you feel about it?"
"I accepted that fact a long time ago, it's hard to tell what day it is and what year it is anymore. Does life go on? It was a confusing time, I didn't have anyone to guide me or to find a good place to call home," He squeezed her tighter, wanting her to know those days of running away is over, "But now that I don't have to run anymore, and I've met so many people who became my friends, and you….I think I know where I belong now."
He placed his lips on her head, "Yea, we're here together now. No more running, no more tricks. What we have together now is real, this is where we belong now."
She nodded onto his chest, "Thank you for reminding me that."
Loki tucked her head under his chin, where she will always belong, "And I you." Perhaps she's right, for his heart feels more reassured. Perhaps his mother is right, there's no occasion for his mother to visit him. They all belong here now. No matter which timeline, they know who to come home to now.
"Shall we go back to bed?" Sylvie asked.
"Hmm, we're here now. Let's take a walk and enjoy the moment while we still can."
Sylvie scoffed, "You just don't want to meet anyone do you?"
"Yep," he pulled back and gave her a cheeky smile, "And neither do you."
"I'm afraid so," she giggled, "So…shall we."
"Yea," he turned back to the painting, looking at both his parents. He came here hoping for answers to the nagging feeling, perhaps they brought Sylvie here to answer that question. Thank you for watching over me.
"Would you like a minute with them?" Sylvie asked genuinely.
The son of Odin and Frigga stayed silent for a while before he shook his head, "No, I think I have what I came for."
"You don't want to say a few things to them before we go?"
"I suppose," Sylvie pulled away from him and turned to the glass painting as well, he then closed his eyes, Hello, mother…and father, he has never done this before, but it felt right, Please watch over us wherever we are. I love you both very much. He then opened his eyes, and he felt well in his heart as he looked at the eyes of his mother in the painting.
I have never left you, my son.
"Loki," Sylvie whispered to him, "You okay?"
He nodded, "Yea," his heart felt an overwhelming sensation of love and warmth. This feeling…. It was a nostalgic feeling of his days of Asgard, a sense of family. A longing feeling hangs on a thread before it turned to satisfaction, his hand squeezed hers, "Did you say a few things to them too?"
"Yes," she hummed, "Well, I don't really know much about them. So, I can only say 'hi'," she sheepishly said, "And said thank you for guiding us to this day."
"That's lovely of you," he said.
"And you?" she asked.
"I didn't say much either," Loki said, looking back at the paintings, "But I think whatever we want to tell them, they know already. Besides, I did talk to mother hours ago."
"I thought so too," she smiled at him, "They live in us now."
Remembering the time, she told him how she met his father through the connection of his soul, he nodded with great certainty this time, "Yea."
The two Gods admired the glass painting for a while before Sylvie finally broke the silence, "Ready to go?"
He nodded, "Yea." And at that, he squeezed her hand and they both walked back towards the entrance. Before they reach outside, Loki turned his head back and gave one last look at Odin and Frigga, wanting to remember their faces again. Sylvie, silently understanding his intent, walked slower for him to take his time. After he felt satisfaction, he turned back towards the entrance and exited the temple together with Sylvie.
I shall be watching you always.
When Thor visited back to New Asgard, the person he was eager to meet the most is Loki. Dragging him to a party and just drinking their brains out is one of the best times of his life, though when he's drunk, it's not as terrible as him. However, he can tell this time, that his brother enjoyed his company more than he used to remember. And that was the moment he had hoped for.
He and Sylvie. He didn't really know entirely of her back story, but he knew that she had been through a lot, and seeing that she made him happy and perhaps wiser….. gods if only his mother could see him now.
The God of Thunder arrived at New Asgard with one of the devices that Mobius gave him, it really is convenient. Now he knows why Loki prefers them over flying or travelling.
He found himself at the town square of New Asgard, wanting to get himself something to eat at his favourite tavern. The town is still quiet as life is still not awake yet, not that he minded, but getting food would be so much easier without having to wait in line.
He walked to the tavern near the coastlines, already deciding what he wanted to eat. As he was about to enter, a familiar orange portal appeared, and out came Strange, Mobius, Wanda and her kids. Wanda is wearing her usual hoodie, alongside her twins. Dr Strange, on the other hand, wears a casual blue jacket, with a New York T-shirt and a pair of trousers. His lively cape sticks with him, so his casual clothing looked odd with a touch of sorcery costume. Mobius was dressed in a plain shirt and trousers. Nonetheless, they all don't look like they are dressed for fighting.
Thor lit up at the sight of them, "Ahh, my dear friends!"
The children of Wanda lit up, "Thor!"
The God of Thunder, delighted to see Wanda's children, raised his hand for a high five, "Ahh, the mighty children of Wanda Maximoff!" He had been off-world, and it seems that they are growing every second. Thor looked up and gave the other two adults a wave, Wanda smiled and Strange nodded in acknowledgement.
Each of the twins clapped his hand, "Where did you go this time?" Tommy asked.
"Did you bring us presents?" Billy asked.
Thor hauled with laughter, "Sorry kids, I only went off-world for a diplomatic meeting with someone. Didn't do any shopping," and he never will be.
The twins groaned.
"Boys, be nice," their mother scolded them, "Sorry, I think I spoiled them too much," she walked up to him and gave him a friendly hug.
Thor embraced her willingly, careful not to crush her, "Naw, they're good kids," he pulled the twins gently at each of his sides and gave their shoulders firm squeezes, "So, how are my two rascals doing? Have you been good? Or have you been up to no good?"
The twins giggled, "We've been training." Billy said, "With Sam!"
"And Mom!" Tommy exclaimed, "Then Mom said today we should just come here because the others are on a mission."
"A holiday!" Billy said.
"Don't you both have school?"
They nodded their heads, "Not today! The teachers in the Avengers compound didn't give us homework yesterday," Billy looked up at the god who towers over him, "Mom said if we come here earlier, we can have more time to play here!"
"We're free!" Tommy grinned excitedly, "Can we go flying again?"
Wanda frowned at Tommy's request, "Thor, I hope you know my rules with them."
The twins, hearing their mom already giving them restrictions, looked at her with a pouting face, "Aww Mom…"
"Boys," she crossed her arms, "You know the rules here."
"Don't go outside using any powers," they repeated with disdain. Thor swore he thought he could see him and his brother in them.
"Good, I'm glad you remembered."
"But Mom…." The twins tried to convince their mother otherwise, but the Scarlet Witch is still firm with her answer.
Thor chuckled, finding the sight before he reminded him of his youth. All the banters, the mischief adventures he had, and the playful rivalry he had with this brother and sometimes getting them both into trouble. Those were the days.
Dr Strange, who has been silent together with Mobius all this time, cleared his throat that only Thor could hear. The God of Thunder looked in his direction, the man's eyes looked at him amusingly. Thor mouthed, 'what'. But Dr Strange only looked elsewhere, towards the direction of the shores of New Asgard and walked towards it. Curious, Thor walked slowly towards him, following his line of direction.
The God of Thunder scanned the shores and across the ocean, wanting to find what Strange is trying to tell him. But apparently, he need not look further.
His blue eyes caught sight of two people sitting at the coast as the sea waves gently flows, a man and a woman. But as he squinted his eyes, he realized that it was Loki and Sylvie, facing the horizon where the sun usually rises. He saw that their hands are linked together as well.
Thor felt a surge of excitement, he hasn't seen him for a while, and he wanted to fly to him.
But Mobius must've felt his joy and intention that he lifted his arm up to halt him. Thor quirked his brow up and mouthed, 'what?'
The Supreme Sorcerer took a step forward, looking at the couples having a moment at the coast, "Let them have their moment."
"But it's not like they…."
Mobius shook his head, he had seen the way they both interacted for some time and knew this felt different. He knew that his friend has been through a lot of things and they have changed a lot, "We'll meet them when they're ready," and at that, he and Strange turned and walked towards the tavern, "My dear friends, shall we eat?"
Thor turned to see Strange and Mobius leading Wanda and the kids into the tavern before turning back to see his brother. He's not sure what's really happening, but the more he observed the two of them, the more he began to realize that this is probably their first time….looking somewhat….more relaxed, more peaceful, and more…..accepting. It's difficult to describe, but as Strange said, perhaps it's best they are left on their own first. After all, he guessed it was their day off. It's rare he'd see them up before sunrise.
"They're adorable together, aren't they?" Wanda's sudden voice made him turn around. She has her hands in the pockets of her hoodie, why did she come back out? "One day they are all over the place, and the next," she stood beside him, "They found themselves a place to finally call home and be at peace."
"New Asgard will always welcome them," Thor said, "No matter what timeline he's from, he's still my brother. And he'll always have a home here."
She nodded, "They just need some time to call it home, after all the time travelling and all," she adjusted her hoodie, "But right now, I think they are slowly taking it all in. To finally stay put."
"I see," Thor hummed, "I hope he'll….well, they'll…. realize that they will always have a home here with us all."
"They will," she said, "They all will. And I think with you being here lets them know too."
Thor smiled at her and nodded, finally understanding their need for a moment of peace, "Alright, we'll bug them in a minute. For now, let's have a bite. Drinks on me." He placed his hand on her shoulder and led her inside the tavern.
"It's too early in the morning, Thor," she complained.
"Not for me!" The God of Thunder cheerfully boomed, leading her inside the tavern.
They have been sitting at the coast for a while, just watching the wave of the ocean flow and hearing them rolling while the wind kissed their cheeks. It was very peaceful, something he very much needed after he met his mother in his dreams and the conversation he had with Sylvie in the temple. They stayed quiet, just enjoying the moment and letting time pass by before the sun rises.
"You know," Sylvie sighed in content, breaking the silence, "When you said that we're going to figure out what we're going to do after all this together….."
"Yes?" Loki turned to face her, a soft ray of the sun slowly began to shine on her.
"You weren't joking," her face turned to him, "I think we did find out."
"New Asgard isn't like Asgard, but it's the homie," he said before turning to her with a quirk of his eyebrow, "Now, why would I be joking about that?"
"It's not something you and I both know very much," she said.
"Well," he squeezed her hand, "But we know how to plan things out well, don't we?"
"Even if it's a shit plan?"
"Okay, my plans aren't always shitty," he groaned, earning a giggle from Sylvie, "But I do know I want the best for all of us. That's why you are here to help me figure it out. Together."
"Mhmm," she hummed.
"So, this New Asgard," Loki stated, "We have been living here for almost 6 months more."
"Time flies, huh," she looked back at the horizon, the sun is slowly peeking up already, "I never really had the privilege of 'letting time pass by' or even call one place a home."
He remembered the story she told him about her escape from the TVA as a child, Loki never knew what it's like to run away from everything, but he knew what it's like to feel alone. He squeezed her hand tighter, "Now you do," he lifted her hand to his lips, "You don't have to run anymore, and you have a home to return to."
She nodded, and leaned onto him, "Thank you, love."
He kissed her head, hoping that he knew that her days of running away, and revenge are gone. A new thought formed in his head, "Sylvie."
"Hmm?"
"Now that the timeline is more manageable," he started, "Have you ever thought of….going back?"
She pulled away from him, her green eyes looking up at him, "Back where?"
"To your true home," he answered, he didn't really want to bring this up, but now that everything is back to the way it is, does she perhaps…. "You know before the TVA took you away." He hated to bring it up to her, but after she had met his mother, wouldn't she think of her own?
She shook her head, "It's kind of useless don't you think?" she faced the horizon again, "I don't even remember what my family looks like anymore. And even if I do, all my days when I was in Asgard is long gone. The TVA erased my reality for good, I doubt I can feel home as I am now. And my family wouldn't remember me. I have no one to come home to if I go back there."
"I'm sorry," he pulled her to him, hoping that his presence can scare away the nightmares of her past, "If only things would've been different…"
"I'm okay now," she murmured, she played the fingers of his hands with hers, "Have I ever told you how lovely your mother was?"
He chuckled, "You may have mentioned a thing or two about her."
"I always believed my real mother was like yours," she said, "Yeah sure, my adopted mother is Frigga and all. But there was a time that I dreamed about her too."
His eyes searched hers, "You did?"
"Yea," she whispered, "Before I parted ways with her, I asked if we would meet again. And she said, 'one day'," she then turned towards him, "And I think when I did saw her in my dreams, that's what she meant."
The fact that his mother not only visits him, but Sylvie too warmed his heart. Even if Sylvie isn't her daughter, she was willing to keep her word. She truly is someone whom people want you to believe, "Did she say anything to you?"
"It was brief I think," her green eyes looked up for a moment, "I remember her saying how proud she was for finding you and that she will always be with us no matter what, and that was it. It wasn't much, or maybe because I can't remember much of that dream, but it was a pleasant one. She replaces any nightmares now and sleep has been better."
"You seem to take it better than me."
"Well, it's not like I was wondering about it before I went back to sleep. She just paid a visit, it's a nice feeling," she giggled before kissing his cheek, "Besides, mine happened in the middle of the night and right after one of our tough missions. So, it was easier for me to go back to sleep after thinking about it because I was tired, and your hands were around me."
Loki laughed at her remark, "But if you wanted to talk about it, you could've woken me up," Loki tucked his chin on her head, feeling her hair tickling his neck.
"You were sound asleep, I'd hate to wake you up."
"If there's something bothering you, you can always tell me, "He said, "I won't be angry."
"I thought it was just a dream…."
"Well, apparently, I had that similar dream as you today. So I don't think it's just a dream, don't you think?" he leaned down and gave a quick kiss on her lips, "I suppose, she wants us both to be okay."
"Mhmm," Sylvie hummed in delight, "Then, it's no use for us to brood around and overthink now, do we?"
"We are not brooding," he laughed, "We are appreciating the moment," It's something he had not done, perhaps had never done before. Being raised to royalty, it's hard not to appreciate the things you have until they're gone, or you were taught the hard way. Now that he's older, and he liked to think wiser, he would like to take that moment to do just that.
"Yea," Sylvie looked back at the horizon, "Appreciating the moment. It's beautiful here."
Loki turned to the horizon where the sun is beginning to peek out from the oceans. The wave has begun to roll, and seagulls are crying out for food. This place somewhat reminded him of the Asgard he grew up in. Look, my sons. Everything the light touches is our kingdom, his father used to say to them both in their morning lessons. Even though this New Asgard doesn't have those sorts of Kingdom, it's his home now. Their home.
"I think at this point, people are going to wake up."
"Hooray," Loki groaned, "I'd rather visit a library or something."
"Why don't we get something to eat in town?" She suggested, Loki was about to protest until she crossed her arms, "We have been out all night yesterday, so we didn't really have the time to get anything."
He thought about it for a while. Yesterday they went on an important investigation with Mobius that ended up having them bone-tired, and this week they didn't even get to come back home because of those universe investigations. He had a special time where it tracks down the current time of New Asgard so he knows what time to come home, but this week and the week before, he wasn't able to come home. "Alright," he sighed, "you win."
"Same tavern then?" Sylvie asked, "The one you and Thor like to hang around in."
"Works for me," he stood up and pulled her up too. Once they are up on their feet, Loki wrapped her in his arms and took the time to look at her. Really look at her. She has been shining brighter now, having a reason to fight for other than revenge, having people to connect with and…loving him when he thought that he couldn't see that part of him. But most of all, she accepted him wholly.
"What are you staring at?" He must've stared at her for too long, but Sylvie, being a Goddess of Mischief would tease him even though he knows that she knows.
"What else," he strokes her cheek before leaning down to kiss her, feeling her lips against his, "I love you, Syl."
He felt her lips quirk up, "I love you too, Loki."
When the air became a problem, they pulled apart and looked at each other, "Shall we?" she asked she asked playfully.
"LOKI! SYLVIEEE!"
The couples turned back when they heard their names and found four people on the other side of the coast near the port. Two little kids and three adults are waving at them while the other is just watching with his hands in his pockets, he's guessing it'd be Strange. When the sun rose higher and shed its rays, he can now clearly see the faces of their friends and his brother.
"And here I thought we could have some time to ourselves," Loki sighed, but he was still delighted to see that friends are coming to visit him. It has been a while he hasn't seen his friends and Thor, so it shouldn't hurt to meet them. It's just that it's unexpected.
"Oh, come on, stop brooding you," she teased, "They are our friends, I'm sure this exception is okay for you."
"I suppose," he slid his hands into his pockets. Just then, he caught a glimpse of blue smoke coming from the group of people, coming towards him and Sylvie with a blinding speed. Now, he knows what to expect from his mischievous student, and honestly, this is getting a habit. With a flick of his fingers, he summoned his magic in his palms. Green energy balls began to form, and when he felt the boy is nearly touching him, he swiftly grabbed both the boy's arms, and swung him up on his shoulders where he can sit instead of tackling him down to the ground, "Hello, Tommy." The magic he conjured helped slowed his momentum down so that his speed force won't slam into him.
The boy giggled, "Hi, Loki," he placed his hands on Loki's head, to which it bugs the God of Mischief, "Miss me?"
"No," he bluntly said as he walked back towards the port and firmly held on his legs to keep the boy falling from his shoulders, "And I would appreciate it if you would stop trying to pin me down. You know that is not going to work a second time."
"But I want to show you how fast I could run!" the child said enthusiastically.
"Now, what did we agree on running near the coast?" he moved his head up a bit to see the child's face.
"Don't run near the ocean," he can hear him pouting.
"Good," Loki hummed.
"But it's not like I can't run on the ocean," the child protested.
"You can, but I don't. Did you even think of my own safety when you were trying to plummet me to the ocean?"
"What's plummet?"
He sighed, he felt his vein is popping on his forehead, "Never mind what I said," the last thing he wanted to do is making a stretched conversation with a child, especially when they are approaching the others. "You know, if there's a party, I wasn't alert about it." He snapped his fingers and the boy on his shoulder began to levitate off him and down to the ground on his feet.
"Hello to you too, Loki," Wanda sarcastically greeted him with a playful manner before her eyes lit up as she turned to Sylvie, "And you!" she approached Sylvie and gave her a hug.
"Hi, Wanda!" Sylvie exclaimed joyfully as she hugged her best friend, "It's so good to see you! What brings you here?"
"The kids need some breathing room," She pulled away, and led her kids to greet Sylvie, to which they gladly hugged her waist joyfully, "And I thought spending the time here wouldn't hurt to let off some steam for them." Her last statement made Loki feel a little nostalgic when they were first in Kamar-taj.
"Brother!" Thor came up to him with wide-open arms, his muscles stretched and ready to give him a bone-crushing hug. However, Loki has gotten used to the fact that now, his brother would be hugging him more often. At first, he was reluctant. But over time, understanding what Thor had been through too, he tolerant of it. And so, Loki opened his arms as well, but not as wide as his brother, and before he knew it and expected it, Thor hugged him just like the day when they first met again, "Welcome home!"
Bone crushing hug, Loki thought disdainfully as he was being crushed, "Urghh…..hello to you too, brother," he grunted as the air in his lungs were squeezed out, "Now if you will…."
"Ahh yea, yea," he placed him down and pats his shoulder, "I see you're not dressed to go to work."
"I don't intend to," he slipped his hands in his pockets before he noticed Mobius and Strange, "Is there a particular occasion as to why you all are gathering here?"
"Ahh, come one, lighten up will ya?" Mobius got to his side and shoved his arms around Loki's shoulder in a brotherly manner, now he can see why Thor and he can get along well, "Is it wrong to visit a friend in their free time?"
That question made him blink, can't a mother visit her son? He recalled the conversation he had with his mother. Is this a sign from her?
"Heyyy," this time Strange is right in front of him, waving his hand on his face, "Earth to Loki. Are you there?"
Loki frowned, "Very funny, Strange," he slapped his hand away, "But good to see you too."
"As usual," he huffed, "So, I hope you are hungry because we have ordered something to eat. But we got out here as we wait and found you two lovebirds there."
"Hmm, charming," Loki looked at him unsurprisingly nor with any interest while still holding onto Mobius's arm. No matter what, Strange will always find a way to strike a chord of irritation in his nerve. Perhaps it's also how they get along as well, "So, what's in the house?"
"Thor ordered drinks," Wanda chimed.
"What?" Loki looked at his brother in disbelief, "At this hour?"
"Oh come on….we're all here now. We should celebrate!"
"There are children here!"
The group walked inside the tavern, chattering and bantering enthusiastically for meeting each other again. And at that moment, the sun has risen and shines upon the new members of the Avengers.
And to New Asgard.
Aaand that's a wrap! It's finally over. I didn't really know how else to close it but to show that the Lokis and everyone is a huge family together now! I considered having Sylvie meeting Frigga but I thought it's better off-screen cuz...well...it's Loki :p and he's our main guy.
I'm going to miss the time of writing this. It has been a blast! Thanks to everyone who has been giving me feedback and encouraging words :D It was so great to read every one of your comments. I love the story even more after knowing how much you guys love it.
Once again, thank you to everyone who has followed me to this day, commenting, and reviewing 😊 it had motivated me to write, and who knows…..if I see there are more reviews, I might consider a spin-off of fluffs or something :D Let me know in the comments!
It's been a ride, fellas! Take care and stay safe!
Sincerely,
Claire.