There he was, a little way ahead on the clifftops of New Asgard, and suddenly every scenario Loki had planned in his mind of this day, this moment, this reunion, of what he'd say, what he'd do... He was frozen. As frozen as the Frost Giant blood which ran through his veins. And yet, warmth spread through him, mingling with that frozen fear. Hope. Relief. Love.
The other, the one he'd travelled through time, through space, being pulled apart and put back together through realities for, must have sensed his arrival. Slowly he turned, and Loki was taken aback by how much he had changed. He was older. Different.
"Loki?" The disbelieving utterance of his name, that was the same.
"Surprise." Loki replied, with a smile he couldn't shake, couldn't conceal if he tried. No matter how long it had been, he still got a thrill out of shocking his brother.
"What? No." Thor shook his head, frowning. "I watched you die. I watched you die, again!" His voice turned to tumultuous thunder in the distance and Loki raised his hands. "This is a trick."
"I'm no trick, I assure you." Loki stepped forward, wary yet yearning to be closer. Thor's two toned gaze narrowed. Hmm, that was new. What if Thor didn't believe him? Didn't accept him?
"Let's see then." Thor challenged and straightened to his full height, raising his arm, fingers outstretched, beckoning. Loki spun towards a tell-tale whirring sound which was almost musical and let out an exasperated groan.
"Are we really going to do this?" Loki rolled his eyes when Thor didn't reply, merely glowering at him and Loki braced himself, magic thrumming at his palms.
Mjölnir flew across the bright blue sky, tumbling in smooth arcs towards him; it's trajectory lining up both Loki and Thor who stood directly behind him. Loki threw his hand upward, magic flaring outward only to gasp, staggering sideways, the leather bound short handle of a weapon forged for the worthy alone, a weapon he had once yearned to lift and prove himself, slammed into his palm. Long fingers wrapped automatically around it, and still gasping, Loki faced Thor who bore utter shock upon his face.
"What are you?" He uttered, voice wavering, taking a step towards Loki, hope, desperate hope shining in his eyes. Loki stared up at the hammer raised high in his hand, stunned. And then he laughed a disbelieving yet joyful laugh amidst the utter chaos of the multiverse. Of all the irony in this world...
"Your equal apparently." He sobered, and shook his head, tears prickling at the corners of his eyes. "But, above all else, your brother." Arms crushed about him, and still with Mjölnir in hand, Loki embraced his older brother beneath the shining sun.
They were together again.