"Nat!" Laura throws her arms around her. "Oh, God, I'm so—when I heard that you were—all I could think of was the last things I said to you, how horrible they were—"
"It's okay," Natasha assures her, holding her friend. "You were upset. We all were." Tears sting her eyes.
Her friends had mourned. They cared. The shock and amazement on their faces—Wanda hugging her, T'Challa shaking his head with a smile, Clint, Steve, Sam, Rhodey, Thor, Tony—they're all relieved she's alive. I actually matter.
I'm their friend.
"Are you a ghost?" asks Lila. "Mom said you—"
"I'm not a ghost. Loki—someone saved my life," Natasha says. With illusions.
Lila tilts her head and swings back and forth. Clint shakes his head. He covers his mouth and blows out his breath as if he still can't believe it.
Natasha laughs. "Here. See?" She takes Lila's hand. "You're not going through me. I'm here and I'm real."
"I think being a ghost would be cool," Cooper declares.
"I don't," grumbles Clint.
Natasha snorts.
"I'll leave you two to talk," Laura says quickly, taking her son's hand as Clint grabs his daughter.
Natasha spins around to see Bruce standing there. She could punch him. Kick him. Embrace him. All of the ideas spin and spin and spin in her mind and she can only shake her head.
"Glad you're okay," Bruce says, offering her a smile.
"You—" Rage surges. "You left, and you didn't tell—and you were in space—"
"Not intentionally, but yeah. It was safer. Or so I figured." Bruce shrugs.
"Safer for others," Natasha snaps.
"Exactly."
"Not for me. Not for us," Natasha says, gesturing towards the empty room that, moments ago, was full of people who love her and whom she loves.
"I can only imagine what havoc I would have wreaked during that Nigeria operation. And fighting each other." Bruce shakes his head.
"You could have offered us logic. Kept us together," Natasha points out.
"Maybe, maybe not." Bruce shifts, clamping his hands over his wrists. "So, Loki saved you."
"And you," Natasha says. "Both of us."
"I'm so confused." Bruce groans.
Silence elapses. Natasha worries her lips between her teeth.
"So… you and Bucky, huh?" Bruce asks.
Natasha shrugs. "We knew each other for years. I didn't know if I'd ever see you again."
"You don't have to be defensive. I'm happy for you."
"And this is the point where you tell me that bullshit about you being a monster and not worth—"
"Nah, you chose an assassin, so." Bruce shrugs.
Natasha snorts. "You still think that, don't you?"
"Don't you?" he asks.
"Maybe." Natasha bites down on her lip. She thinks of Bucky, whom she knows isn't a monster, and Bruce isn't either. Maybe Loki isn't even, not really. "I'm trying not to."
"Good for you," Bruce tells her, and she wonders if he sees her the same way she sees him: not a monster. A person, worthy of respect. Someone he loves, whom he used to be in love with. Maybe. Maybe love's too strong a word for him, albeit not for Natasha.
"We should probably go see what's happening," Natasha says, pushing ahead and heading down the hallway.
Bruce nods. "If we wind up having to fight—"
"I'll still calm you down," Natasha tells him, stopping and turning.
He smiles.
"You don't have another option," Loki repeats to Wanda, to Bucky, to Tony. "You have to fight Thanos. And you won't win."
"I kinda remember you telling us something similar when the Chitauri invaded New York," Tony tells him, scowling down at him. "Also, he did steal that Guantlet."
"Stealing it is easier than taking Thanos down. He still has the Power, Time, and Soul Gems. Asgard has the Tessaract, and the Aether is—"
"Gamora's said she's able to get it," Wanda says. "And we know where the Mind gem is."
"None of them are powerful enough to fight the stones Thanos already has," Loki says. "Even with the Gauntlet. I wish that wasn't the case, but—"
"Considering how often you tried to kill your brother, not to mention the world, and oh yeah, supposedly you allied with this crazy space beast, we're a little skeptical. At least I am," Tony says.
"Tony," Wanda snaps. "I tried to kill you too, remember? Pietro and I both did. He died saving Clint."
"You're different than he is."
Bucky rolls his eyes.
"We know what you did to your father," Wanda says to Loki. "He's here. Not in his right mind, not most of the time."
Loki grimaces. He can imagine how enraged Thor is. Would this turn even Mother against me, if she was alive? "I didn't mess with his brain. That's—I don't know what caused that."
"Sure," snorts Tony.
"Tony," Wanda warns again.
Bucky regards Loki with a strange look. You know I'm telling the truth for once, don't you? Loki thinks.
"Why did you come back?" Bucky asks. "If there's no hope?"
"Natasha didn't want you to suffer," Loki tells him.
"And that's all?" Bucky raises his eyebrows.
"Yes." Loki thinks. Maybe. There might be a slight glimmer of something, a hope, but it's not worth stoking.
"We have a problem." T'Challa strides into the room. Here's a king that Loki actually respects.
"What now?" Tony demands.
"Sharon Carter called us. Officials from six nations are demanding a meeting."
"And that's all they're demanding?" Loki mocks.
Bucky swallows. He knows perfectly well what they'll want.
"We can negotiate," Tony says. "Buy time."
"They want Vision and Bucky, don't they?" Wanda asks.
"And I'm your bargaining chip, aren't I?" Loki asks. He knows Thor's listening, can hear. He knows they all can. Are you happy now, Sif? "You know I could kill them all if you try to hand me over to them."
"Actually, I don't know that. Not if a certain Hulk's involved," Tony quips.
"What will they do to me?" Loki asks, ignoring the Iron Man's words. "If I agree to let myself be handed over."
Bucky studies the floor. We both know, don't we?
"They might put you in that prison they put us in," Wanda says. "Strap a collar to your neck to shock you if you move."
Go ahead and scream. No one will hear you. And Loki bit his tongue because he wouldn't give them that satisfaction. Never.
During the early days when he fell into Thanos's realm, he held out hope. Maybe Father was looking for him. But he remembered No, Loki, and knew he wasn't, he was as good as dead to them. They probably wiped every shred of his existence away. The royal Frost Giant pet.
You knew I'd fail, didn't you? Loki thinks. Thanos didn't care if he succeeded in taking over earth or lost. As long as death collected enough souls in her arms.
Loki closes his eyes, presses his head into the corner.
"Hey, we aren't done!" Tony snaps.
"It might be best if we tried to come up with a plan," T'Challa says. "To teach them that Wakanda will never answer demands again."
"Loki," Bucky tries.
"Seems like you and Captain Righteousness made up," Loki says, keeping his eyes shut. Darkness is a welcome friend. "Good for you." People can see the person through the monster, but I was born like this. His skin fades to blue, and then he stops it. A threat? Maybe.
He feels like he's waking up to realize that he's buried himself under legions of ocean.
"I've never seen him like that before," Thor stammers, watching on a security camera as Loki's skin fades to blue. Wanda, Bucky, and Tony all back up. And then it goes back to normal.
What is normal, for Loki?
"I saw it once," Gamora comments. "When Thanos wanted to humiliate him. He stripped all the illusions Loki didn't even know he was casting away."
Wanted to humiliate? Thor remembers when Volstagg and Fandral mocked Loki when he and Thor were only children. Thor laughed.
"Should we tell your father?" Sif questions.
"No," Thor says. His chest feels as if there's a knife inside it. "I can't hurt him any more."
"You do realize he might be the best bargaining chip we have, don't you?" Sam asks.
"I don't like bargaining with lives," mutters Steve. "Even a terrible one like Loki's."
"They're not going to kill him. Just imprison him," Fury says.
"That worked so well for Asgard," retorts Steve.
"In Asgard's defense, it was Thor and I who broke him out," mumbles Sif.
"They know your father's here, too, Thor," T'Challa says.
"What?" Thor clutches Mjolnir.
"They did not threaten him," T'Challa clarifies, hands held in the air.
"I'm going to see my father," Thor says, spinning on his heel and stalking towards Father's room. He half-expects Sif or Jane to follow. Neither of them do, and he's grateful.
Thor pushes open the door to find Odin sitting in his bed, staring vacantly out the window. "Father?"
Father doesn't flinch. Or blink. Sucking in his breath, Thor strides over. His father's chest rises and falls.
"Father, Loki's here," Thor tries. Odin still stares. "He might be handed over to Midgard. For justice." And to save my friends.
Even if he's better able to help us protect against Thanos, Thor thinks. Maybe they can break him out. Is that dishonest? Does it matter?
"Father, please," Thor tries, taking his father's hand. It's cold, and limp. And then Father's head turns, and he faces Thor, and Thor's heart swells. "Father—"
But his eyes look past Thor. Vision.
"What are you doing here?" Thor demands.
"I was wondering," Vision begins carefully, stepping closer. "If this thing in my head—the Mind Stone—can help him."
"I don't know," Thor says. "And I'd be remiss to try. It's doubtful we'd be able to use it without hurting you."
"Dying to save someone else, give them another chance, is an acceptable way to go," Vision says.
"Not for Wanda, I don't think," Thor remarks.
Vision shrugs. "No. Not for Wanda. She still grieves her brother. He did save Clint, though."
"You're safeguarding that gem anyways," Thor says. "And you're best suited for the job."
"Am I?" Vision asks. "I feel myself becoming more and more human each day. I hurt Rhodey. I'm afraid of dying, and I'm afraid of hurting more people. I love Wanda."
"I don't think those are bad things," Thor observes. Father rocks back and forth, muttering. "Father?"
The door bangs open. Father yells. Thor prepares to swing his hammer.
"Sorry," gasps out Peter Quill. "But I just wanted to tell you that they're here. Some hot blonde is with them too and Steve says she'll help us. Maybe."
"No!" Father rages, grabbing Thor's arm and practically ripping it out of its socket. "No!"
"Father, I'll be back," Thor promises. "But I can't miss this—they'll—they'll decide Loki's fate—"
"Need help?" Peter Quill asks, watching the frail man, the god, moan and beat his own head. Peter swallows, and a strange look crosses his face like a shadow.
"No, he'll be fine," Thor insists as he tries to get up again. Father shouts. "Father!"
"Can he not come with us?" Vision inquires.
"As you can see," Thor grunts. "I can hardly control him."
"Let us help," Vision says, floating closer. Thor hesitates, and then helps Father to his feet. Father leans against him, stumbling along.
They're outside then, on the balcony that Natasha and Bucky vanished from. Sunlight pours over the Avengers and the Guardians, Sif, and Jane, blinding them. "Why are you here?" Thor hisses to Jane.
"Why wouldn't I be?" she retorts.
"Laura Barton's not."
"Laura has children." Jane tries to smile. Her lips tremble. "This is hardly more dangerous that that time on Svartalfheim with Malekith."
"She has a point, Thor," Sif agrees.
"Bucky's inside?" T'Challa whispers to Steve, who nods.
"Guarding Loki with Fury and Peter Parker," Steve adds.
"Are you going to invite us in?" hollers Thaddeus Ross.
"In my country, people don't demand hospitality," T'Challa replies. "Especially after threatening to nuke us before your codes got jumbled. I hope Russia doesn't find out."
Natasha smirks.
How did they do that exactly? Thor wonders. Wouldn't be risky?
Loki, Thor realizes. He spots a blond woman standing near Ross, one hand clutching her arm, a gun pointed at the ground. Steve winces. Sharon?
"We have two requests," Ross announces. "And then we'll get our of your way."
"I am Groot!" roars the tree.
Rocket spits. "You're right, Groot. That is what they always say when they never plan to leave you alone."
"First, we want the Winter Soldier handed over to face justice for his crimes. Second, we want that creature you created, Tony Stark, to be handed over to save us all." The sun dims as a cloud rolls overhead. Thor can see Ross squint. "I'm surprised to see you with them, Stark, Rhodes. After all they've done."
"My accident was just that: an accident," Rhodey says darkly. "Not worth wasting any energy that could go into healing with hating."
"Didn't Barnes kill your parents, Stark?"
Thor watches as Tony's jaw sets. "And I'll never forgive him. But I don't know that what you want is the best way to handle this either, Ross."
"Locking us up worked so well for you last time," taunts Scott.
"Really, dude?" Clint hisses.
"You have a little girl, don't you?" asks Ross.
"Are you threatening children now, Mr. Secretary?" Natasha demands, taking a step closer. Scott blanches. Clint grips Scott's arm and mumbles something into his ear.
"That's despicable," Sif declares.
"I see the Hulk has decided to reemerge," Ross says, scowling. "And you, Thor."
"You aren't getting Bruce," declares T'Challa. "And you are not getting Barnes or Vision, either. You do not get to make the demands here."
"You know, you guys are supposed to save the world," Ross says, face flushing. "And you're recklessly endangering it."
"Bullshit," says Clint. "Total bullshit. You're the one threatening children."
"Besides, we have a plan," interrupts Gamora.
"Who are you, the Wicked Witch of the West?"
"Do not insult her," warns Drax. "She is my friend."
"We will go to Thanos," Gamora declares. "I'm his daughter. We can figure this out. We can take him down. But we need Vision, and Bucky Barnes, to do this. If you let them—us—go, we'll take care of those problems for you."
Ross cackles. "And how about the problem of justice? For all the people Barnes murdered? How about ensuring safety when you have a time-bomb like Banner running with you?"
Bruce flinches. Thor wants to throw Mjolnir at this arrogant bastard's skull. Odin moans.
"What can he do for you?" Natasha demands. "To prove he helps humanity? Taking down Loki isn't enough. Ultron isn't enough. When will it—"
"We haven't forgotten his rampages, either," Ross retorts.
"He has saved more lives than—" Sharon starts.
"Than he's taken?" Ross shakes his head. Bruce's face looks distinctly green.
"It's okay," Jane murmurs to Bruce. "You won't hulk out here. Look at me."
"I took thousands and thousands of lives with my weapons," Tony offers.
"That's not murder."
"What, because the state approves of it?"
Thor doesn't want to think of Jotunheim, of all the beings he's killed. He keeps his hand on his father's back. He can't speak. Not now.
Wanda shrinks behind Vision.
"We can offer your justice," T'Challa says. "But not for Barnes."
"Brainwashing's kind of a bitch," Clint adds. "And being blamed for something you were brainwashed into's not really cool." He bites his lip as if he's feeling guilty about something.
"We have Loki," Steve says. "A prisoner."
"What?" demands Ross. "If you—you—you told us he died!" he accuses Thor.
"I thought so too, at the time," Thor responds. Father whimpers. Stay clam. Stay calm.
"Let's see," Ross says, contemplating them.
"I need assurance that you will leave the moment you have Loki in your custody," T'Challa says. "And not interfere with Wakanda while we're taking down Thanos."
You're planning on coming? Thor wonders. He hadn't been sure.
"What kind of assurance would you want?" Ross asks.
"Well, actually, we've recorded all of this," Tony announces. "So I'd say that's assurance enough."
"If you agree," T'Challa finishes.
"I'd need to consult with—"
"There's no time!" Tony shouts.
Sharon steps closer, whispering to him. Steve's lips move.
"Fine," acquiesces Ross. He glances behind him, towards the helicopter, and nods.
"Loki's so going to escape in like two seconds," mumbles Rocket. "I would."
The thwacking of the helicopter blades drown out the words. T'Challa motions for them all to head back inside. "Wanda?"
"Ready." She has Loki, looking half-drugged even though he hasn't been given anything but water, wrapped in her magic binds as well as a collar and chains. Bucky stands nearby, eyes skittering about as if he thinks it should be him.
Father stares at Loki, but there's no reaction. Do you even know him?
My brother made his choices, Thor thinks. You didn't, Bucky. And yet he still feels as if he's being ripped apart. My brother.
"Where's Parker?" Tony groans.
"He's insurance," Wanda answers. "So that they won't take me." Sif pulls out her sword, ready to go with Wanda.
Loki's head slumps. He doesn't seem to care what's happening. Neither do I, Thor tries to tell himself, but he does care. He does.
Take care of your brother, Thor, Mother would remind him when they left the palace as children.
I don't know what to do! Everything within him screams. That's his little brother, blood be damned. The one he used to tease, the one who always outsmarted him and mocked him for it, the one who laughed at him when he got drunk on too much mead the first time, but cleaned him up anyways.
When did you stop being that little brother?
Or was this always you and I never noticed?
If this was always who Loki was, it'd be easier. But Thor can't. Even if it was—he's still Loki. Those memories are real, and they pound at the inside of his skull, behind his eyes. They're real.
Loki!
Wanda's already leading him outside, her eyes on the ground. Sif guards her. Them.
Thor strides after them, into the sunlight, but for the first time, Wakanda feels cold.
Ross nods at the sight and mumbles something into his radio. Sharon turns her head.
A shot rings out, and Sif grabs Wanda and throws her to the ground.
"Loki!" Thor screams, charging out as Steve shouts and Tony calls for his suit. Peter Quill and Rocket produce some sort of space gun, but Thor can only see his brother. He tries to swing Mjonir, but it's not there—another shot—where—
Father rushes ahead of him, swinging Mjolnir and throwing it towards the trees, towards the shots, and a shot hits Loki in the arm, and there's blood and why aren't you creating more illusions, defend yourself, you stupid—
Another shot, and Father falls, pushing Loki down.
"No!" Thor bellows, and there's commotion in the background. No more shots. Nothing to hear but his own screams, Father's gasps. Nothing to feel but the Allfather's blood leaking into the Midgardian dirt, soiling Thor's hands as he tries to hold his father up.
It's so, so reminiscent if another time, another realm, when Thor made a promise to a liar, to an act. But Loki gapes beside him, still breathing, still alive, eyes glued to their father's face and the blood flecks on his beard.
You saved Loki.
This is real.
Chaos surges around him. Thor clings to his father, tears streaking down his face as he tries and tries to comprehend what's just happened, who's dead, who's alive, and why?
