Loki's eyes were tightly squeezed shut as he fell into his bed sheets, tangled up. He opened his eyes slowly, and jumped out of bed. "Oh! OH! I'M ALIVE!" he shouted happily as he jumped on the bed, up and down. The maid, Maria Hill came in, and when she saw him bouncing like that, she just rushed out.

Loki giggled madly, and did a flip off the bed. He opened the window, and shouted out the window. "WHEEEW! HELLO LONDON!" People waved from down below. One person yelled "Merry Christmas!" Loki jumped in. Christmas! So he hadn't missed it! Loki laughed excitedly as he ran downstairs. I'll go and buy the biggest pudding I can find, and bring it over to Banner's house myself, he thought happily to himself.

He ran down the streets, tipping his hat to people as he went. Suddenly, he passed the two people who had come by his office the night before for a donation. When they saw him, they looked at each other, and quickened their pace, but Loki put out his walking stick, stopping them.

They looked at him nervously as he approached. When he smiled broadly, they looked puzzled. "I would like to extend my deepest apologies for my behaviour yesterday. I was not in my right mind! Here. I want you to have this for your charity." Loki gave them 5 sacks full of gold and jewels from the finest riches of Asgard.

They stood there speechless. Finally, Natasha spoke. "Oh my, thank you so much, Mr. Laufeyson!" Clint just nodded, smiling. "You're oh so welcome!" Loki chuckled giddily as he kept walking. He had no idea how good it felt to be nice to someone!

He bought the pudding from the store, and admired it. It smelled delicious, and was twice the size of young Harley!

He hid the bag behind his back as he approached Bruce's door. He put on his serious, cruel face, as he was planning to pretend he was still as mean as ever then surprise them.

He knocked once, and Betty answered. She frowned at him. "What do you want?" "I wish to speak with Bruce right away." She shook his head. "I'm afraid that won't be possible, he's busy. It's Christmas, after all, and while I know you don't care, we celebrate it very well in here, so good day to you!" She began to shut the door in his face, when Bruce came rushing down the stairs, carrying Harley on his shoulder. He saw Loki standing outside, and raised his eyebrows in surprise, setting Harley down and coming over.

"Uh, forgive Betty, I'm not busy at all, Mr. Laufeyson, sir," he said, shooting Betty a glance. She just rolled her eyes, and began to walk away. "Yes, well. Banner, you didn't show up at work this morning!" Bruce looked dumbfounded. "Um, sir, you gave me the day off?" Loki laughed coldly. "I don't think I-" "Oh no, but you did sir!"

Loki gave a fake sigh of exasperation. "Banner, you leave me no choice. I must tell you to-" Betty came rushing back to the door. "Leave right now, Mr. Laufeyson! Any bad news can wait 'til tomorrow!" She looked ready to sob.

"I'm afraid I must tell you," Loki raised his voice, "To partake in this wonderful pudding I got from town. Smells lovely, hm?" They just stared at him. He laughed. "Come, surely you'll have enough room for this in that wonderful dinner?" They just stood, open mouthed. Finally, they shook themselves back, and started to smile.

"Oh, Mr. Laufeyson, thank you so much! You must come in!" Loki stepped in for a moment. "I've also come to tell you that I know someone who you can present your Gamma studies idea to in the scientific business. Your family will be quite well off, as soon as your idea gets discovered! And Harley here will be able to receive the right medical care he needs to grow up big and strong!"

Bruce stuttered. "This is, this is beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you! Please come in and share Christmas dinner with us!" Loki smiled. "Thank you, but I have somewhere else to be." He nodded a farewell to the overjoyed family, and left.

Loki came up to the door, more nervous than he had ever been in his entire life. He was about to knock on the door, but then stopped himself. What if they still hated him? Or worse… what if she laughed in his face? He turned away, then turned back. No, I've got to try, he thought. He took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. He smoothed his hair, and walked in when the maid opened the door.

The maid gestured to which room they were in, the sound of lively music playing, and the sound of a game being played. "Could it be described as Hot or Cold?" "Cold, in more ways than one," Loki heard being spoken through the door, and knowing as if the lines had been scripted what was to follow. He bit his lip, thinking about turning back, but decided against it.

He pushed open the doors, and the room went silent. After a few seconds, Loki looked nervously to Thor. "Thor. I am so sorry for everything I've done. I know now that all of you were there for me, I just didn't see it before. Is the invitation to dinner still standing, Brother?" he asked nervously. At this Thor beamed, coming over and wrapping Loki in a tight bear hug. "Of course, brother! We would have missed your company!" Jane smiled a hello at him, Sif, Hogan, and Fandral all waved, and Volstagg winked.

Then Loki's gaze met Darcy's. She just seemed to sit there for a minute, wondering what she should do. Loki cleared his throat. "Darcy. There are no words to even begin to express how much I have missed you and yearned for you these seven years. I don't expect you to forgive me, but- " His speech was interrupted when she flew out of her seat and embraced him.

His eyes widened, not used to being hugged so much. After what seemed like a blissful eternity, she pulled away from the hug, and whispered in his ear, "I forgave you that day, seven years ago. All this time I've just been waiting for you to forgive yourself." He smiled, and they kissed, a kiss that had fulfilled years of waiting.

Thor summoned for the music to start again. "Come! Let us rejoice in the reunion of my brother and his love!" They all rose, and began to dance. Loki, being the best dancer, took the spotlight with Darcy, who was laughing her old, happy snort laugh.

That night had brought realization to Loki, but it wasn't that night that changed him. He always knew deep down that he wasn't alone, but the trauma of everything that was going on had clouded his perception of it all. Going through the events of his life had only brought him to think…

"I am good, Mother. You were right all along."