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Thor sighed, full of relief, as he was finally home. The Avengers Tower felt more like home now after he joined the team. Plus it was also nice that here there is no dealing with daunting royal matters, involving delegates, dignitaries, and boring officials. While Asgard was lovely and his place of birth, he felt he found where he was meant to reside here on Midgard. Still, Thor had gone to Asgard as asked of him to deal with things with his father about laws and treaties, etc. Thor now just wanted to see his friends again, and to spend time with Loki.
When Loki had turned himself around, no longer causing mischief in the name of evil but one of good, Thor had felt so happy. No longer had he and the Avengers would have to punish and cage Loki for his actions or behavior. When he took down Beyonder? Thor was so proud. He made sure Loki was staying on the right path now and spent much time sharing stories of what adventures he had with the team. Loki eventually started to share some of his own. Both gods bonding and little by little strengthening a once straining relationship between brothers.
Loki eventually began to let the little quirks he was taught to hide slip out occasionally, fidgeting in his seat, rambling about different magical spells, his rapid rambles he sometimes gets into. It was nice for Thor to see Loki be more open and less stressed trying to be perfect.
Midgard had been the best thing to happen to Loki.
Thor had made his way through the many halls before he found everyone in the common room. Tony and Steve were sitting together on the couch discussing some blueprints for something, Natasha was reading, lastly Clint and Hulk were arguing once again about food. Though without the destruction of the room or shouting this time, surprisingly. Thor loudly let himself in, greeting everyone excitedly. Cheers and ‘welcome back’ followed soon after. Settling down, Thor caught up on what his friends have been up to while he was away. Thor obviously just bemoaned his tale. It was in fact, very very boring. Clint just laughed at him, “what, things were as fun as you were hoping it to be?”
Thor gave an unamused Clint’s way. “While I love being at home in Asgard, being there to deal with legal matters such as treaties isn’t very entertaining mind you. Important yes, one day i’ll be king and have to do it as well, but as of right now? I’d rather fight a dragon for its treasure than spend another second there.” Tony had perked up at Thor’s mention of dragons, causing a discussion about many mythical creatures throughout the realm. Thor gladly told the tales of the beasts across the nine realms, but finally remembered the one person who seemed to be missing.
“My friends, where is my brother? Loki doesn’t like to admit it but he does usually appear sometime after I return from being away for so long, yet I haven’t spotted him anywhere.” Thor’s look held confusion as he glanced around. The room had been cheerful and relaxed. Now though, it was slightly tense and each Avenger seemed to be hesitant on speaking up. Thor felt a weight forming in his gut as he watched his friends glance at one another, a silent conversation happening without him being in on it. He could feel the uneasiness rising to the back of his throat. “What happened while I was gone? Where is Loki?!” Thor’s voice wavered with anxiety as it grew louder.
It was Tony who decided to answer Thor’s questions. “Thor, a few days back a call for the Avengers had rang. Loki had joined of course because he promised everyone, including you, that he’d be there to hold your spot in the fight till you were back. Doom had decided to pay a visit with his latest army of bots he made, but…” Tony paused. He seemed unsure how to continue. Thor pleaded with him to keep going, he had to know what happened to Loki. “Doom had been secretly planning to kidnap Loki, Thor. He nearly succeeded in his goal had it not been for Hulk here.”
Hulk puffed out his chest, still proud of his work smashing Doom’s bots to bits. Thor had been so tense but sagged in relief at the news. Loki wasn’t taken. But that just left more questions. Natasha spoke this time, seeming to already know the question forming on Thor’s lips.
“Loki had been injured in the fight, mostly bruising really. Doom got a lucky shot however, landing some kind of tranquilizer into his bloodstream. It wasn’t just to neutralize him though, it was also meant to slow Loki's healing factor.
Currently, Loki is resting in his room. He has awoken quite a few times. The drug he was shot with is taking awhile to leave his body, so each time he wakes up he is almost in a drunk-like state. But it does seem like he can process things around him if given the patience and care to do so.”
Thor could feel the anger boiling below the surface of his skin, begging to be let out and find the man who harmed his sibling. He forced it back for now, as Loki was alright for now and needed his attention more. Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself the best he could, Thor rose up from his seat and excused himself to go check on his brother. The others wished him well and offered to bring food later.
Walking to Loki’s room felt like hours to Thor despite the fast pace he was moving, yet the mir thought that Loki could be in need of help in his injured state stayed front and center of his mind. When he finally reached Loki’s room he couldn’t help but call for him without thinking it through first. Thor noticed how silent it was after a few moments. No groaning of pain or bemusement, no creaking of the bed, not even the sound of the soft snores Loki does. It was painfully silent.
Panic flooded the back of his mind and choked his throat as Thor realized with horror that Loki. Wasn’t. Here.
“JARVIS! Loki is missing!” Thor frantically searched the room for clues as to what could have happened. Had someone snuck in and somehow taken him? Has Doom come back? Thor could practically taste the bile that threatened to spew. Jarvis was quick to answer back, cutting off Thor’s frantic movements around Loki’s room. “Loki isn’t missing Sir Odinson, he simply relocated to your room. Currently taking up residence on your own bed it seems.”
Thor immediately sprinted to his room to check on his brother, unable to spend another second not being able to see him. Thor barged in his room looking around for a moment before heading to his bed, which resided in another room within his room. In front of the door was his pet companion, Bilgy. The bilgesnipe was standing guard. “Good Bilgy.” Thor gave a proud pat to his pet’s head, said pet preening with pride at the praise. Walking into the room and shutting the door, Thor instantly spotted Loki laying on his bed. He wasn’t under the covers of the blankets but one of Thor’s spare capes.
Thor nearly collapsed seeing Loki safe in his room, the reassurance pooling into his bones making them heavy with exhaustion. Instead he made his way over to the bed and crawled behind his sleeping sibling. He cuddled up to him, holding him close as gently as possible. Thor could still see some of the painful looking bruises poking out of Loki’s shirt.
Quietly walking over, Thor took off his cape and draped it over the one Loki currently has. Peeling off his boots and most of his armor, Thor climbs in behind his brother as softly as possible. It was only when Thor fully settled in did Loki awake. He was very fatigued and seemed to be trying to figure out what or who was cuddling him. “Thor, is that you?” Loki’s voice was tired but very hopeful.
“It is me, sleep Loki. You need to rest some more.” Thor held him slightly tighter, trying to coax him into sleeping more. Loki refused and struggled to turn himself around to face Thor.
With some help from his brother, Loki was facing Thor and smiled. He buried himself into Thor, snuggling deep into his arms feeling so safe and warm there. “I missed you, Thor.” It was whispered and muffled, but thankfully Thor’s super hearing caught the noise. It made his heart swell up with love and happiness at the admittion. Loki’s hold tightened. “I missed you so much… I-I” Loki started to cry.
Thor flinched at the first hitching of breath, not in an eternity expecting his sibling to start crying. Was this due to the drug still in Loki’s system?
“Loki, Loki look at me! What is the matter, why are you crying these tears?” Thor had to peel Loki of slightly to look him in the eyes. Tears were falling down his pale face like a waterfall, green eyes becoming cloudy. “I-i…” The words seemed to be stuck in his throat, Loki trying his hardest to say what he wanted to.
“I’m so sorry.” Spoken quietly and full of sorrow. Thor felt his heart break at the look of regret and despair filling up his brother's face. “What are you apologizing for, Loki? I still don’t understand this.”
“I’m sorry for being a bad brother to you. I’m sorry for nearly taking the eye, for hurting you. I-I’m so sorry, Thor!” Loki broke down into a sobbing mess. Quickly sitting them both up, his older brother cupped his face to make him look at him once more. “Loki you need to breath. With me now brother, in and out,” Thor took his hand and placed it on his chest, “like this, you are doing well.”
Eventually Loki calmed down, no longer on the verge of hyperventalating. Thor asked Loki to explain himself, what he meant by his words and the reason for them. “I didn’t know if I’d ever wake up again. When I first felt weak in the middle of battle I thought I was severely poisoned.” Loki had to take time to think about his words, trying to make it coherent enough to be understood.
“I thought I was dying. I saw each moment between us, Thor. The good times. And the bad times…” Loki had to turn his gaze to his lap, unable to even glance his brother’s way. “I saw how much I hurt you over time. What I've done to those around me. It was the last thing I saw before I fell in battle that made me realize I’m evil.” Loki curled into himself, wanting to sink into the bed and disappear forever. Thor was appalled at these words.
“Loki, you have never been and never will be evil. You had lost your way, that is the truth. Evil however? No. You are my brother,Loki. You are not evil, monstrous, or bad, anything negative to describe yourself. You are flawed, Loki, like I, like the Avengers, like every creature in the nine realms. And I will always love you, Loki”
Loki didn’t know how to respond to that. What could he say? Loki pulled Thor in for the tightest hug he could manage. Thor hugged him back as hard as he could as well, without hurting him any further of course. For the first time in such a long time, both brothers could feel the bond they share grow stronger. It was beginning to reform, the strain it was under ever so slightly easing up.
One question still was left unanswered. “Loki, you didn’t explain what ‘nearly taking the eye’ had meant. Do you feel okay telling me?” Loki tensed a little, still feeling the potential rejection there. Real or not. “I…” Loki pulled back. He needed to get it out, he never would unless he did so.
“I wanted to take the Eye of Agamotto for myself, to use it to erase everything. When I was asked to return it I had the urge for a moment. Just wanted to take it and use it for myself, after everything. That’s why I hesitated for a moment when I gave it back.”
Thor waited for Loki to finish, as if he knew that Loki wouldn’t get what he wanted off his chest if he did interrupt. Loki was grateful for it. “The only reason I didn’t take it was because I realized I’d lose something more valuable. I would lose the only people who made me feel like I belonged. I felt more at home here with you and the Avengers than in Asgard, cause I was accepted for my magic, no one glared at me with disdain for not being strong and instead using magic, no one seemed bothered at the knowledge that I’m a frost giant here at all. I found a place where I feel like I am supposed to be, Thor. If I had taken the Eye of Agamotto for myself, I’d have lost the only place where it truly feels like home with you.
That’s why I felt the need to apologize, this was the last memory I saw. The thought that I could have chosen greed and spite over home…”
Loki could feel the tears ready to start waterfalling again. Thor was quiet for a few seconds, seeming to really take in the entirety of what Loki had said, before gently pulling Loki into his lap and petting his hair. “I think that you have been through much reflection, Loki. You’ve seen your actions and have worked to take responsibility for them, and I can see the sincerity in your eyes. I don’t think you are bad Loki, if anything what you just told me has convinced me you are good. You knew what the consequences could be if you took it, but you valued home more and chose to return what wasn’t yours. Loki, you gave power and chose love. You are not the villain anymore. You are on your way to be a hero, Loki.”
Loki sobbed right at those last words. Letting his head fall onto Thor’s shoulder, he let out everything he was holding inside. Thor held him close. “I love you, Thor.” With that, Loki, now exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster, fell back to slumber. Thor smiled and kept watch for anything, despite not needing to, replying back to a sleeping Loki,
“I love you too, brother. I will always love you, no matter what happens next.”