I stared tiredly up at the now shattered Stark tower, before taking a breath and heading inside. The fighting had literally just stopped, but something was pulling me in…something needed me. I’d learned to follow those pulls. They’d never steered me wrong. I walked up and up and up, all the way to the floor where Ironman had been thrown through the window. There…the reason for everything. I knew instantly upon seeing the green clad god that it was all his fault. “You absolute asshole.” I stormed over to where he was lying on the ground, clearly in pain. “What did you do to me?” Despite my tone, I was gentle as I started looking him over for more than bruising, carefully removing his armor and tunic. “Roll over, let me see your back.”
“Who are you?” He did, and there was something….right about the fact that this being who didn’t trust anyone was giving me his back.
I hissed in sympathy at the mottled bruising that was getting worse even as I watched. “What hit you?”
“I believe he is called the Hulk.” Green eyes looked over his shoulder at me with curiosity.
“Then I think you’re lucky. From what I know, he’s stupidly strong. I’m gonna go find you some ice for the swelling so you can at least move a bit more easily.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m the person who’s been dreaming about you for years. Didn’t know it was you til now though.”
Confusion then understanding dawned in his eyes. “I did a spell, a very long time ago. I always thought it failed.”
“What kind of spell?” I stood and headed toward the half ruined bar.
“Someone to be by my side as my brother should have been.” His voice was soft, vulnerable. I froze.
“Well then.” I gathered some ice and brought it back to him after a moment. “Guess I’ll do that then. Everyone deserves someone by their side.”
He struggled to sit up fully then smiled at me. It was a small, sad thing. “Are you sure about that?”
“Positive.” I nodded, smiling back. “I know a little of what you’ve been through. I have your back.”
He laughed and rested his forehead against mine….then all of the sudden…
I was so different from everyone around me. Bright gold hair and muscles were everywhere, even my brother, but I was long and lanky with dark hair. I didn’t have the muscles, but I so wanted to be like my amazing older brother. Mother did her best to teach me the best ways to fight while being small, and it worked! I could almost keep up on the training grounds, without my magic! Mother taught me magic too, helping me learn and grow and nurturing my interests in a way no one else did.
I learned and grew and idolized my brother. father told us we were both meant to rule as he told us stories of the glories of past wars. Brother and I
Brother gained new friends, the warriors three. They had another hanger on, a girl, Sif. I thought maybe we could be friends because we were both so different. It was not to be, as she took more after my golden brother. One would think she was his sibling rather than me. That was okay. I was just grateful he and his friends let me tag along. They liked it more when I could help them thanks to my magic.
Brother told me magic wasn’t a manly thing to do. It’s always amused him though. But…I suppose Asgardians are more about the muscle, aren’t they. I tried to build muscle like he did, but it didn't work. I got better with throwing knives, learning to strike before anyone realized I was even there. It was considered cowardly, but I didn't have the sheer strength of the other Aesir. Decades of adventures and danger and being treated worse and worse led me to spending more and more time in the library until I found an old spell. The concept intrigued me. Forgotten sedir that would allow him to find that bond, that connection with someone that he'd once had with his brother before they grew apart so harshly. That bond he so desperately desired and craved, as the outcast of the royal family. No one in his life gave me that bond, and as time passed and I still lacked such a close connection to anyone, I gave the idea up as a failed experiment. Life continued, Thor's adventures and having to talk them out of danger, a few memorable moments of mischief, Thor in a wedding gown, Odin manipulating me into seducing a stallion, my first child ripped away before I could even get to hold him, rumors circulating, my brother becoming more of a stranger, secluding myself in the library more and more. Then the day of Thor's attempted coronation, trying to talk to the man I still thought of as my father about my concerns and being brushed off. Having to trick a couple Jotun into appearing in the Vault. Everything going so terribly, horrifically wrong. Heimdall committing treason, turning blue, Thor's banishment, learning about being adopted, Father falling into the Odinsleep, being the temporary king, Thor still managing to cause trouble, Heimdall committing treason again, Laufey, the fight on the bifrost, falling....falling falling...pain, so much pain. a blue jeweled scepter, new thoughts and ideas, preparing to lead and army to Midgard, the defenders, the green beast, then a human, covered in dust and bruises, calling me an asshole with soft eyes and gentle hands as she helped and...oh. That bond was so much better than I ever thought it could be.
I opened my eyes again as myself and smiled at Loki. "You are so amazing."
"W-What?"
"You are amazing. You've experienced so much and done so much and are just amazing." I pulled him into a close hug, squeezing him tightly. "I'm so proud of you." For a moment, Loki was stiff in my hug before utterly melting, burying his face in my shoulder. It wasn't long before I felt my shoulder growing damp as he cried. I just held him tightly and hummed softly and off key to whatever showtunes were in my brain.
"Don't leave?" His voice was so much smaller than it should have been, thick with tears and the pain he'd been dealing with alone for far too long.
"Never Loki. You're mine." I assured, stroking his hair. "I'm not leaving your side, as long as I live."
"You'll live a very long time now." He muttered, starting to pull himself off of me.
"I know. And you'll live a much shorter time. I'm sorry about that."
"It's okay. I'd rather a short life with someone who truly cares than a long one without."
"I know." It was weird to know all these things I hadn't before. "I love you, big brother."
"And I love you too, Sister."
"You need rest. I'd say let's go somewhere but..."
"But I attacked the city and need to atone for the crimes I committed."
"And I think you're too worn out to actually do anything to protect us if we ran."
"Indeed." He sighed and laid back into the hole created by the Hulk. "At least this spot is exactly the right size."
I winced at the feeling of rubble pressing into bruises. "I'll grab the cushions from the couch. It'll be better for our back."
"Good thinking."
"I'm used to caring for bruises."
"I've noticed. I'm not exactly sure how you've managed to live this long."
"Oh, don't worry. You're not the only one wondering that." I laughed, pulling ruined cushions off a couch that probably cost more than I made in a year.
"You should sleep too." He snagged them easily as I tossed them over.
"I'll be fine. I want to make sure no one tries anything while you're out of it." I helped him tuck the cushions behind him so that he could rest more comfortably.
"We're tied closely enough that I don't know you'll have a choice."
I hummed my agreement, curling up next to him. "Either way, I'm staying here and doing my best to protect you."
"Puny mortal." He teased, gently stroking my hair.
I lightly slapped his chest before resting my head over his heart. "Silly god."
"Trix are for kids?" I could feel the sleep pulling at our consciousness.
"Mmhm. Sleep hun."
"K..."
