Eris's POV

~Two years since last incident~

After a year of training and supervision from S.H.I.E.L.D, I was finally released under watch of my aunt Jane and her assistant Darcy. For a while I missed the avengers and the other S.H.I.E.L.D agents I had gotten to know, but eventually, I grew accustomed to my new living space and made friends with Darcy. She was responsible for teaching me since I wasn't ready for public school yet, and since I was so advanced, I was already learning at the fifth grade level. Jane told me if I went to public school, I'd be stuck with students much older than me. That didn't discourage me though, I still wanted that freedom I could never achieve stuck in this flat.

I trotted down the stairs of our flat and walked into the kitchenette. Darcy, Jane's assistant, sat hunched over a bowl of corn-flakes at the table.

"Morning, 'maniac."

She mumbled, looking up at me with a smirk. I smiled as I walked past her and scaled the kitchen counter to reach a cabinet.

"Good morning, Darcy."

I said, taking out another box of cereal along with a bowl and hopped down.

"Hey, what'd Jane and I tell you 'bout climbing in the counters?"

The dark brunette scolded gently. I shrugged and glanced around for the mentioned woman. Not finding her, I turned to the silverware drawer and fished out a spoon before setting my supplies down on the counter.

"Are she and Thor still on Asgard?"

I asked, opening the fridge. The milk was not in it's usual place and I looked over to Darcy, who pointed at the half empty carton of milk in front of her. I rolled my eyes and grabbed it, setting it next to my bowl. I poured in some cereal and wet it with a little milk. I tossed the carton back in the fridge and sat with my breakfast at the table.

"Eris...I need you to listen to me, alright? This is very important..."

I heard Loki's silky voice penetrate my thoughts. I struggled to keep from choking on my food and act like I had heard nothing.

"What is it?"

I thought to him, taking another spoonful of cereal into my mouth. There was a hesitant pause.

"A long time ago you asked me if I loved you. At that time, I thought I had never experienced love before. Not until Frigga died did I realize I loved her. The ache I felt once I knew I could never see her again, I had felt it before...when I had to leave you. What I'm saying is...I do love you, dear. I'm sorry it took so long to-"

My eyes widened when he suddenly stopped speaking.

"Loki?"

I called, worried about him. I still got no response. I waited another few seconds before trying again.

"Are you there?"

My voice more anxious as I again was greeted with silence. My throat grew tight with fear but I did my best to conceal it and kept eating like everything was okay.

"Loki please! Answer me!"

I screamed one more time, desperate for reassurance that he was alright. What was happening back on Asgard?

Thanks to these startling developments, the day just seemed to drag on relentlessly. Erik came over and was speaking with Darcy but I had shut myself in my room, stewing in my worry and fear for Loki. From outside my door I heard a commotion in the living room.

"Jane, where have you been?"

I heard Darcy practically yell. Everything else that was said I couldn't make out and I crept out of my room to greet Thor and Jane back home.

"Oh, thank god!"

Erik beamed, earning a glare from Thor. My brow raised questioningly as I pushed passed him to stand in front of Jane and her large blond friend.

"What's going on?"

I inquired, looking between Thor and my aunt. They both looked down at me with mixed expressions that I couldn't decipher.

"Bunny,"

Jane began cautiously. Her tone put me on guard and my brow furrowed in confusion as I prepared for whatever they had to say.

"It is about my brother, Loki."

Thor spoke next, taking a knee before me so he could look into my eyes. I could feel my heart begin to sink, I already knew what was about to be said.

"Loki has...perished in battle..."

Thor said softly, I could hear the hurt in his own voice as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. I felt everything around me come crashing down. That's why his words were so out of place earlier, his last breath was wasted to tell me he loved me. I bowed my head, scorching tears trailing down my face. My body was getting unbearably hot and I turned on my heel, running straight for the special tank S.H.I.E.L.D had given us for these moments. I heard Thor and Jane calling after me but I refused to yield, I had to make it inside where everyone would be safe from me. I sealed the glass door shut and stumbled into the center of the tank as sobs shook my body. The heat was more intense in that moment than I'd ever felt it before-for a moment, I thought I might not make it out alive this time. Thor and Jane ran into the room and watched as flames engulfed the tank and bounced off the walls.

"Eris, calm down, please! You're close to reaching 100 billion kelvin, that's as hot as a supernova! You'll kill yourself and everyone here!"

Jane shouted to me in desperation. I shut out her words and presence.

"I don't care! I've finally lost everything, my only friend..."

Loki's voice echoed in my head.

"I do love you, dear."

I curled into myself.

"I love you too."

I whispered.

"Do not do this to yourself, little one."

He said softly. I shook my head defiantly.

"Why? You're dead, my parents are dead, everyone I love has come to meet their end...what else do I have to live for now that everything is gone?"

I retorted, tears blazing down my cheeks.

"Live for us. Carry on because we could not, do with yourself what we weren't brave enough to...live."

He was pleading with me. Loki would never beg, not even to save his life. But despite the unbelievable tone of his voice, he had a point. I was the only one left that could carry on for them, the only one they wanted to do so. I couldn't let them down, I had to stop. My mind flashed to a time with Loki.

~Flashback-Two years ago~

"Loki, you're...blue!"

I marveled, squeezing his blue cheeks into a guppy fish face. His blood red eyes widened.

"Am I now?"

He mused, curiously observing me. My eyes followed the white designs in his skin with amazement.

"Yeah, it's really pretty!"

I bubbled, smiling at him. He grabbed my arms gently and pulled my hands away from his cheeks.

"And you're not afraid of me?"

He inquired, raising a single brow. I shook my head.

"Of course not! Why would I be? You're still my Loki."

I explained, cupping his face again in my small hands. Slowly, his lips stretched into a smile and he placed his own hand over mine, nuzzling into it.

"I am, and you are my little subject."

He jested, grinning now. I giggled and pulled away. I knelt down on my left knee and put a fist over my heart.

"Always, my king."

I said, bowing my head.

~End Flashback~

My breathing became less labored and the fire slowly began to die down. Even though the flames were getting smaller, the emotional stress obliterated what energy I had left and I blacked out.

Third Person POV

Once the flames had dissipated, Thor and Jane scrambled to Eris's side. Jane worriedly took her niece's vitals and sighed.

"She's stable."

She murmured, relieved. Thor scooped the child up into his strong arms and carried Eris back to her room. Darcy followed, seeing the blond god enter the living room with the girl in his hold.

"Is she gonna be okay?"

Darcy asked, concerned for her little pyromaniac(as she liked to call her). Thor simply nodded as he opened the bedroom door, Darcy and Jane in tow. The god set Eris down gently on her bed.

"We must be off, Jane."

Thor told his companion as he clapped a hand on her shoulder. Jane lingered in her nieces doorway for just a moment longer before following after him.