Cloud woke up staring at the now portal-less sky. His teammates were crowded around him, but they were paying attention to Loki, who pronounced gravely, "I think he's dead."

Cloud pushed himself up, unconsciously trying to wipe the blood and dust out of his matted hair. "No, I'm not." He declared halfheartedly.

Loki laughed while the team glared at him. "I am proven incorrect."

Tony extended a hand to him and pulled him to his feet. Cloud brushed the rest of the dirt off of his clothing and stretched to remove the tension from his muscles.

"Now that weatherboy here is awake, I have a suggestion." Tony announced.

"Oh yeah?" Steve asked.

"Yep. Listen, there is a great shawarma joint right down the street here…"

Thor tied Loki up in the corner and they ate the meal in comfortable silence.

Fury crossed his arms as he once again confronted the Council.

"Where is the Tesseract?" The Councilman questioned.

"Where it belongs," Fury answered, "Out of our reach."

"That's not your call."

"I didn't make it." Fury retorted, "I just didn't argue with the god that did."

It was decided that Cloud could accompany Thor and Loki on their return trip to Asgard. Thor would drop Loki off in a cell while Cloud would stay on Asgard until the Bifrost bridge was rebuilt, then return home.

Cloud crossed his arms as he regarded his friends sadly. He wouldn't miss this planet, but he admitted to himself that he would probably miss them. It was time to say his goodbyes.

Bruce was the first to step up. He smiled and Cloud and reached out a hand. Cloud shook it firmly. Bruce met his eyes, but looked away quickly, his smile turned rueful. "I'm sorry to say this, but I don't really want you to leave. It was nice knowing there was somebody who could stop me."

Cloud shrugged. "Well, he beat me last time. I think it depends on the situation."

Bruce laughed. "All the same… I'm gonna miss you."

Cloud nodded. "Same here."

Clint followed, also offering a handshake. Cloud took it. They didn't exchange any words, merely respectful nods for a job well done.

Natasha was next. She crossed her arms, a playful smile on her face. "I remember what you did for me. I'm not the type to easily forget debts." She punched him on the shoulder. "You ever come back to Earth, give me call. I'm sure I could set you up with something."

Cloud chuckled, quickly cover it up with a cough. "Duly noted."

Tony hadn't been present for most of the exchanges, and he arrived in that fashionably late way Cloud was coming to associate with him. Or, had been coming to associate with him. Dear Gaia, will I actually miss him?

Tony handed him a drink and a paper bag. Cloud didn't even have to look. He knew they were coffee and donuts, he could smell the pleasant aroma wafting off them in waves. At his confused expression Tony shrugged and quickly explained, "I wasn't sure what you have on your world or what S.H.I.E.L.D. let you eat while you were here. Figured I get you a nice goodbye present from a shop I like down on 39th street."

Cloud clenched his fingers more tightly around the gifts, but remained careful not to break them. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

Tony waved dismissively. "It's nothing. You did kind of bring me back from the dead."

Cloud furrowed his brow. "You weren't actually dead, the spell wouldn't have worked-"

Tony patted him on the shoulder. "It's the thought that counts."

Steve was the last one. Cloud would be traveling with Thor, so he would say his goodbyes to him on Asgard. I guess I really am leaving. It was strange to think about, after having been stranded here for over half a year.

Steve regarded him warmly. Cloud was the one who outstretched his hand this time. "It was nice to meet you."

Steve shook his hand firmly. "Same here."

There was a lot they shared. Both super soldiers, both lab experiments, both military men. Both away from where they belonged. Cloud found himself wishing he could have had that spar, but he didn't want to make Thor impatient. Then he might actually be stuck here for good.

"You… know about loss. I respect that." Cloud finally said, withdrawing his hand. Steve nodded, face serious yet still kind, in spite of the trials he'd weathered. Cloud hoped he looked like that too.

Cloud stepped back and regarded the group before nodding to Thor. "Alright then. I would say 'see you soon' but I'm actually hoping not to," Gaia please take pity on his social skills, "so... thank you."

—

The Avengers, now minus two teammates, stared at the place where Cloud had been.

"You know… he was kind of crazy, but I liked that guy." Tony finally admitted. Bruce rolled his eyes next to him.

Steve crossed his arms and said nothing.

Natasha glanced at Clint. "Does Fury know Cloud went with them?"

Clint shrugged. "If he doesn't, he will soon."

—

"THAT SON OF A BITCH!"

AN: And...Fin! I sincerely hoped you enjoyed. What was your favorite scene? I think mine was the scene after the Loki interrogation. Thoughts? Critiques? Advice? Stay sharp, and have a wonderful day :)

Edit 7/26/20: Rereading this, I can tell there are scenes missing, aka Natasha talking to Loki and the helicarrier taking flight. There a probably others, but, honestly, I don't have the energy to write them. If you stuck with me and this story so far, thank you so much. It seems like a lot of people want me to continue this series, so I'm happy to say that I may write the next part soon.