I don't really like the canonical depiction of Asgardians. For the so-called alien race of gods, they look short and slender. In my opinion, Asgardians, as godlike creatures, are tall by an average of 200-220 centimeters (while the average height of (real) humans is 160-170 cm). And as a warrior race, they are muscular, and yes, women too. in this regard, you can see a couple of my redesigns for canonical characters.
(and you can also see my redesigns for other Marvel characters, by tag #heightheadcanons)
Playing through marvel rivals and I found this picture in the throne room opening area. It’s such a cute picture of the Odin family when Thor and Loki were younger. I love when games add small details like this
Summary: You died during the 2012 Battle of New York. Regaining consciousness as a wandering spirit, you track down the one you believe to be responsible for your death - Loki. But things change after you decide to follow him around with the intention of haunting him.
Pairing: Loki x Reader
Word Count: 9,372
Warnings/Disclaimers: Mild violence, some graphics depictions, minimal cursing, major character death
A/N: Following the “Enemies to Lovers” trope here. This one turned into a doozy. I legitimately thought I was going to break 10k words. There’s a little bit of everything. There is quite a bit of angst, but there is fluff as well. Hope you all like it! And shoutout to @funsized-mimi for beta-reading! I can’t thank you enough! 💕
Shrill cries, explosions, charred flesh, your friends’ lifeless eyes, a metal beam blotting out the sun, a flash of green - The last things you remember before waking up. But were you sleeping to begin with?
Those people still alive were stampeding to get out of the city. They ran and stumbled past you, through you. No one seemed to notice you running in the opposite direction. No one saw. No one felt you phase right through them as you sprinted into the fray.
It was a strange sensation being dead. That is to say it was strange feeling little to no sensations. You couldn’t feel the wind against your face, the pounding of your feet against the asphalt. There were no scents to take in which honestly might have been a blessing in disguise.
As for sight, you could see. Somehow at least. At first, it was like colored waves slowly oscillating as they tried take shape. They sped up, tightening themselves into vibrations until they linked together enough to show the physical forms around you.
Sounds… Well, you could hear them in a way. The vibrations still reacted with your incorporeal form, but interpreting them was difficult. Like with your visuals, maybe over time it would be easier to decipher.
The one thing you wanted to shut out was the voices, the echoing minds of the people fleeing. That you could hear and understand, but it was all too much. At least running towards ground zero lessened the chaotic bombardment of thoughts running through you.
The creatures attacking the city were of a hive mind, destruction and death being the only concepts portrayed. Then, the thoughts of an odd group came through.
That asshole threw me out a window!
The Chitauri trapped people in this building. Need to get to them now.
I was not trained to fight an army…
Smash!
Alien invasion, and I’m using a bow and arrows. What am I even doing?
Why are you doing this, brother?
You honed in on the last one. Halting in your tracks, you found the thought’s owner. A man with dirty blonde hair and red cape flew overhead. Lightning shot from his hammer as he tried to take down another hoard of aliens. Between his assaults on the creatures, he kept turning his sights in a specific direction.
Stark Tower
That was where you needed to go. That was where you would find the brother. That was where you would find the person who started all this. That was where you would find the person responsible for your death. And maybe, just maybe you’d be able to prevent others from suffering your fate.
You took off once again. At least one good thing about being deceased was everlasting stamina. Your legs carried you as if you were gliding across the road. The entrance of Stark Tower was before you quicker than you realized, so much so that you phased through the door when you tried to stop too late.
“Well, that was easier than expected,” you muttered to yourself. Or you tried to.
No sound left your throat, not even the tiniest squeak.
Great. One more thing to add to the ghostly cons list.
Shaking your head, you marched past the reception desk to the elevators and door for the stairs. Which one to use… The elevator would be faster, but… Could ghosts even use them?
Guess it won’t hurt to try.
Your lips pursed together as you reached out for the button. The only way you could tell you even touched it when when your hand stopped moving against the metal panel. The button lit up and was followed by the elevator ding and the doors sliding open. You hesitantly stepped into the large compartment and pressed the button for the top floor. It rose just as it normally would with no fuss about going to Stark’s suite.
The elevator chimed and opened, revealing a large, modern-looking living area with the biggest home bar you had ever seen across the way. The man you were looking for stood directly in the center, decked out in green and black armor with gold accents. For a moment, you thought he could see you. Then, those intense sapphire eyes turned to confusion.
Gingerly stepping around the furniture, he approached where you were standing. Out of pure habit of not wanting to be in the way, you stepped to the side. He hovered around the spot, unsure if he should step into the elevator for a better look. His confusion turned to a seething rage as he raised his hand, a green haze sprouting forth to slam the doors shut.
Childish distractions. How could they possibly believe to defeat me with those tactics?
His thoughts echoed through you. And then there was the tiniest, softest one you had heard yet. Stop this madness, and release me from his binds.
As if on cue, a green monstrosity crashed into the room. Before you could fully fathom what it even was, the man was yelling at it.
“I am a god, you dull creature! I will not be bullied-”
It cut him off by grabbing his feet, slamming him into the ground multiple times.
As it turned away, it spoke only two words, “Puny god.”
Well, at least you were getting accustomed to physical sounds now.
You strode over to where the man was embedded in the concrete. He was left in shock. A dull whine escaped his body. You couldn’t help but smirk.
The fight didn’t last long after that. The ragtag band of heroes you had heard the thoughts of earlier gathered in the room just as the man was trying to drag himself across the room. He was cuffed and muzzled quickly thereafter with his scepter being stowed in a case.
You followed them into the elevator, planting yourself behind the man, the man the heroes confirmed as Loki. And why not tag along? You were still learning about what you could and couldn’t do in your state. There was a chance you could get payback even if it was the tiniest bit. So to start, you glared daggers into his back.
Part of you wanted to feel proud. He seemed to be uncomfortable, but that could have been attributed to being surrounded by the people who just defeated him, not you. Every now and then, he would tilt his head to look behind him discreetly. None of the Avengers, as they called themselves, were even looking at him. Just you. And for all he knew, he was just being paranoid. When you weren’t directing all your energy on him, you listened to the thoughts around you, putting names to faces.
On the main level, the scepter was reluctantly passed along before Thor led Loki outside. They were preparing to use the Tesseract to leave Earth and return to Asgard. You stood close by with your hand over the container caging the blue cube.
Would this even work?
———
The first thing you were met with when you reached Asgard was a pair of golden eyes - curious and sympathetic.
Welcome to Asgard, spirit.
He can-
Yes, I can see you.
Wh-who are you?
I am Heimdall, Gate Keeper of the Bifrost.
You gave him your name in return.
Thor was already shoving Loki forward into a swarm of guards who placed him in even more chains. If you didn’t hurry, you’d be left behind.
Until next time, little one.
Heimdall gave you a minute nod, a hint of a smile ghosting his lips. It was nice you met one person so far who could see you and was kind. You might have to visit him later.
The walk to the palace was arduously long, mostly for your mind. While the Rainbow Bridge, as you heard Thor call it, was spectacular, you found yourself zoning out. Was this really the best idea? Now you were on a completely different world. Would you find your way back to Earth? Was there even a point to it all?
I failed the Titan. Now I can only hope for execution.
Just as you were reaching the palace, Loki’s thoughts pierced through the veil of your own. If you had your body, you would have felt an uneasiness in your stomach. Instead, the energy holding you together radiated uncomfortably.
The guards ushered the raven-haired god inside and down a multitude of hallways to what you assumed was the throne room. The overt amounts of gold here screamed royalty. The throne itself was the grandest thing in the room, if not the most obnoxious. An old man with one eye and wavy white hair sat there. How the throne did not make him look as tiny as a child you would never know.
That’s when you felt another pair of eyes land on you - blue and even kinder than Heimdall. The lady who they belonged to was absolutely beautiful despite the sad smile she gave you.
Welcome to Asgard, child. I am sorry this had to be the way you came to visit.
You didn’t have a chance to answer her. Loki called her attention with his snarky little quip about her being proud of him. The King then sent her away so he could announce his decision.
———
This God of Mischief was sentenced to eternal imprisonment, and you were stuck in the cell with him. Whatever the walls were made of, you were unable to phase through them like you had the glass doors at Stark Tower. Then, there was the matter of the force field barricading the only opening to the outside world. When you first followed Loki into the cell, you thought you’d try to bug him for a bit and go see Heimdall or find Loki’s mother when you grew bored.
You hadn’t bothered testing it with a light tap. No, you just tried to walk straight through. The field reacted violently, flinging you halfway across the room. Loki shot to his feet to examine the barrier. He prowled around it, body moving gracefully yet cautiously. Following the hit, he followed an invisible trail to where you sat.
Shit… Can he see me now?
He crouched next to you, waving hand through your shoulder. He rubbed his middle finger against the pad of his thumb as though he were feeling something. With an annoyed huff, he rose up and went to plop on his bed where he returned to the book he had been reading before you interrupted him.
———
There had been no success in escaping Loki’s cell, not even when his meals were brought. The hole that opened in the force field was just large enough to fit the tray and that was it. So, you had to find a way to entertain yourself.
One way, which you thoroughly enjoyed yet couldn’t indulge in too often, was messing with the barrier. Little taps weren’t enough to shove you back like before, but they did make a short circuiting sound and cause ripples to shudder through it. Every time you did it, Loki would look up, eyes filled with confusion and suspicion. Too many taps though… The guards would take notice, and your fun would end. You wanted to annoy the ever loving hell out of this god of mischief by playing his own game, not necessarily getting him into even more trouble.
Your other method to bug him was still a work in progress. Since you could hear and communicate with thoughts so clearly, maybe you could do that with him. Except, that didn’t seem to be working. Since the trial, you hadn’t heard a peep out of him. He only spoke when his mother would visit. Frigga was so sweet and talented. While she conversed with her son physically, she would speak with you, asking how you were faring and about your life before the battle. She even dropped a little hint when you casually mentioned you had been trying to talk to her son.
Sometimes projection works better when one is asleep.
So, you waited for that moment which honestly did not happen often. Guess gods don’t sleep as often as humans. Not that you could tell the time anyways with the lack of outside light.
You tried countless times, hoping that at least some subliminal messaging would be successful. Nothing. There was zero response from him. The last few times you wound up zoning out and just staring at him.
And now here you were again doing just that, hovering nearby under the pretense of listening in to his thoughts. He looked so peaceful. It almost made you feel bad for trying to haunt him. Almost.
Compared to when he tried to take New York, he looked like he was flourishing. His complexion had reached a healthy hue, and his hair relaxed into loose, fluffy curls instead of jutting out at sharp angles. Admittedly, he was attractive. It was hard not to watch him sleep.
Maybe it was a good thing you allowed yourself to act like a creeper. Just as you were about to wander off in an attempt to control yourself, Loki’s face contorted in pain, the faintest of whimpers falling from his lips. A malachite light emanated from the center of his forehead. Unable to stop yourself, you reached for it out of pure curiosity. And then blackness enveloped you.
As your vision slowly faded back, you were surrounded by a vast cosmos, staring at the back of short, slicked back hair - inky black hair. The green, black and gold armor shimmered in the light of the Rainbow Bridge above.
Loki…
He clung to the scepter with Thor desperately latched onto the other end. Odin held his first born son as he looked his second in the eyes. Disappointment.
As Loki let go, the scene morphed to a dark asteroid. He was still in front, back facing you and partially blocking your view. Whenever you tried to walk around to see his face, everything moved with you. Then, he stepped into your line of sight.
The Titan towered over all, and despite this clearly being a memory playing out before you, it was terrifying. He shoved Loki to his knees. The rest was a blur of the senses.
Scalding heat, freezing cold. Or was it freezing heat and scalding cold? They began to feel the same. Glimpses of intricately mapped blue skin turn purple in pain. Cries of the damned. From the little of the torture Loki endured that you were able to see, it was like the Scarecrow from Batman mixing with the Saw franchise - physical and psychological.
Your very soul shuddered and convulsed. And for the very first time since your death, sound erupted from your lips. “Loki! Wake up!”
He turned, finally revealing his face to you. Tears long since dried tattooed his cheeks and were just visible amongst the filth caked on his skin.
“What are you doing here?” His voice was thick with emotion. Shock, perhaps? His eyes practically widened into glassy orbs.
A light suddenly beamed upwards between you, quickly expanding out to envelope your vision.
You were back in the cell. Loki catapulted off his bed. Instinctively, you fell back and shuffled away, quickly coming to rest against a wall. Covered in sweat, he urgently surveyed the room to find nothing but what was normally there.
———
The trickster relaxed against the wall next to the barrier, reading another book from his mother he claimed to be boring. You sat across the cell with your knees pulled up to your chest. Ever since you were pulled into that nightmare, you hadn’t bothered trying to annoy Loki. The scenes continuously plagued your mind.
Was that Titan the reason Loki came to Earth with such hostility? Having managed to break a god, did he force Loki into submitting to his will? You had heard mention of retrieving the Tesseract, but what even was that?
“One tap for yes. Two taps for no,” the god’s low voice stole your attention.
Huh? Is he-
“You are still here. Am I correct?”
He hadn’t looked up from the page he was reading. Was he actually talking to you?
You gingerly rose to your feet, slowly stepping towards the force field. Maybe he was just reading aloud. Maybe your mind was making things up and you were the one going insane instead of him.
“I might be immortal and have nothing but time on my hands, but I am impatient. Do answer my question, spirit.”
Well, that confirmed you weren’t entirely crazy. You tapped on the field once.
“And you are the same spirit who has been incessantly disturbing me since I was imprisoned, yes?” His eyes were still glued to the book.
One hesitant tap.
“The same one who invaded my dreams?”
More like nightmares, but sure. We’ll stick with dreams.
One tap.
His brow furrowed and lips pursed together.
“You are from Midgard, then… From New York…”
One tap.
He gently placed the book in his lap, staring straight ahead.
“I would like to speak with you more, but not with this tedious method. Should you find it acceptable, I would like to try an experiment later.”
Three taps.
Loki’s chuckle was oddly pleasant. Now that you thought about it, this was the first time you had seen him smile. It wasn’t a sneer or malicious grin, just a pure, soft smile. How could he make it so difficult to be angry with him?
“Making up rules, are we? Was that a ‘maybe’?”
One tap.
“Very well, then,” he dismissed you, picking up his book to further point out he was done with the conversation.
Eventually, Loki finished the text and closed it with a reverberating snap so loud your ears would have popped if it were possible. He placed it on the table before moving to his bed and stretching out over it.
Is he going to try to communicate through a dream? Hope it won’t be as traumatizing as last time…
His eyes shut as he began taking several deep, painstakingly slow breaths. Yet, it didn’t lead to him falling asleep. A transparent version of himself sat up from his body and checked the room. When he noticed you standing at the other end, he extracted himself the rest of the way and strode over quickly to you.
What are you doing here? He hissed, rage filling his eyes.
I followed you. You sent the thought to him matter-of-factly. You weren’t about to let him scare you now.
You need to return to Midgard. He growled as he snatched your wrist like he was going to toss you away. Return before it’s too- His speech halted and he raised your arm to look at it more closely, shock now overcoming his face. You are cold…
I’m dead. And how is it that you can feel things and I can’t?
I… You… His silver tongue turned to lead and stumbled. This… This cannot be possible. I saved you. You should be alive.
You barked out a laugh. Saved me?! You’re the reason I’m here right now!
I prevented that steel beam from crushing your fragile form! Do you remember nothing of that day?
Wait… The green flash…
Loki’s gaze softened as though anything else would scatter the memories again. He released your wrist to let it float back to your side.
I thought the beam… Then how did I die?
That I cannot answer… He breathed. In all the time you had spent around him, this was the first he had ever looked guilty.
And… Why?
Why what?
Why did you save me? Or… at least try to…
The god cast his eyes to the floor like the bland whiteness would reveal the answers he didn’t have. His fingers twitched, curling and uncurling nervously. I… It was pure instinct, really.
You folded your arms across your chest. I call bull. New York was a battleground. I was considered an enemy, wasn’t I? Why would you save someone who opposed you?
His jaw clenched as he grit his teeth. It wasn’t fair.
You tilted your head. What wasn’t fair?
That beam was not meant for you. Why should you have had to die when you prevented another’s death? When he looked up at you again, there was a strange swirl of emotions cascading about his aventurine irises. Unfortunately, that vulnerability wasn’t there for long. His eyes suddenly narrowed, growing frigid. Yet, it seems my intervention was for naught.
What were you even supposed to say to that?
I… I guess you’re right… Your thoughts projected barely above a whisper. With my luck, one of those Chitauri probably shot me right after you flew off…
Silence bled through the space between you, soaking up the air. It was suffocating. Loki’s face softened as he watched you.
Well, Midgardian. He awkwardly cleared his throat, a ghost of a smile on his face. Here we are arguing so familiarly, yet I do not know your name.
A peace offering. A peace offering you willingly took.
The corners of his mouth tugged upwards as he took your hand and brought it to his lips. It is a pleasure to properly make your acquaintance.
A tiny part of your mind that you later chastised wondered what that would feel like had you been alive.
———
It was as if the universe took a look at Loki serving an eternal sentence and laughed while saying, “And you thought this couldn’t get any worse. How about this?”
The news of Frigga’s death shattered his world, and he took it out on any object he could get his hands on. The bedding, chairs, tables… Even his books he not so secretly coveted were decimated. All you could do was stand by and watch as he came crumbling down. With nothing left to destroy, he backed up to the far wall, sliding down until he was seated on the ground.
A creeping empathy wiggled its way into your mind. The pain and guilt consumed the air. It wasn’t until you were standing next to him that you realized you had even moved at all. Loki, having learned to sense your presence, didn’t bother to tear his gaze from the floor, only motioned for you to sit.
You lowered yourself down and brought your knees to your chest. A part of you still wanted to be angry, though that had grown minuscule as you came to understand your companion better. After what the Titan… What did Loki call him, again? Thanos? Well, after what he did, you couldn’t place all the blame on Loki. As you observed him now, you ached to comfort him in some way. If you could just hug him, do something to ease his pain…
He slumped his head back as he closed his eyes. The only tears left on his face were the dried stains. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed thickly. His throat probably felt like desert after all that screaming. If only you could run your fingers across his brow and smooth out the frustrated wrinkles devastating his forehead.
A huff parted his lips, his head tilting in your direction. “Thank you,” the words barely escaped his throat, yet they managed to freeze you in place.
As much as you wanted to question him, you couldn’t. Within moments, an emerald glow spread across the room, transforming it back before the hurricane that had been Loki. But you knew better. It was another illusion. You could see the outlines of splintered wood and shattered glass across the floor. An unperturbed Loki stood with his hands behind his back in the center of it all.
What is this all about?
Footsteps echoed down the hall leading to Loki’s cell, ones that belonged to Thor. The thunder god took a place in front of the opening. As much as Loki tried to hide behind his taunts, Thor saw through it all. The illusions fell, allowing the older brother to see the truth he already knew.
Convincing the trickster to help Thor in all actuality took nothing, yet he just had to act otherwise. You noticed the flicker in his eyes. He was planning something. Was it his escape? Probably. But there had to be more to it. Escaping without knowing where it would lead? There was no way he wouldn’t think farther ahead.
Loki followed Thor and you followed Loki out of the cell, through the prison and eventually into the fray. People you could only assume as Thor’s friends showed up. Despite the constant promises of taking Loki’s life should he betray his brother, they all fought to ensure both brothers and this woman named Jane made it to this ship that would take them out of Asgard.
Just as he was about to board, Loki turned to you as discreetly as possible, looking in the general area you stood. The look in his eyes… Fear and pleading. He wanted you to stay behind.
———
You were there when the guard returned from Svartalfheim to a repaired and clean throne room as well as Odin. You were there when said guard spoke the news of Loki’s heroic death. You were there when he revealed himself to be Loki. You were there when Loki banished Odin to live out his days in some facility on Earth. And you were there when he took Odin’s form, taking the throne for himself.
Of course he had some trick up his sleeve. This was Loki. Why would you expect anything else? But how long would he last pretending to be the person he came to despise?
It won’t be long now, little one.
You sat beside Heimdall at the Bifrost. His golden gaze stayed to the stars as he conversed.
Are you really going to stand trial for treason? Why not reveal Loki? Wouldn’t his treason trump your own?
He let an actual chuckle loose though his deep voice. You are correct, child. However, my loyalty also lies with Asgard as a whole. Should I reveal a false king, the people would lose both kings.
Because Loki would never reveal where he sent Odin out of spite.
Correct, once again.
And you still can’t find him?
Loki is a powerful sorcerer and just as clever. He has learned ways around my own abilities.
Well, he does have an image to uphold.
Your little quip earned you another laugh.
I suppose he does.
The conversation fell into a comfortable lull. The colors of the galaxy slowly curled and shifted, stars shuttering with the various hues. It was all more beautiful than the photos of the aurora borealis back on Earth. Heimdall was lucky to have this as his view every day.
He will be a good king of Asgard.
How can you be so sure?
Deep down, Loki desires acceptance and love, not fear. He will see to it that the people are happy and well.
And what about taking care of his own ego? You playfully deadpanned.
Another smile played on Heimdall’s face. I did say a good king, not a great one. However, he will need help.
Are you asking me to keep an eye on him?
In a sense, yes. He will need someone to keep him grounded in reality, lest he lose himself entirely.
Well, it’s not like I have anything better to do.
Smirking, you turned to watch Heimdall soaking in the starlight like it was the last time he would ever see them from this very spot.
You have my thanks, little one.
He turned on his heel and headed towards the Rainbow Bridge.
But the guards aren’t here for you yet.
I never did say I was going to stand trial.
And they say Loki has the silver tongue.
You were gifted another laugh, and with that, Heimdall left. In his loyalty, you knew you would see him again. He would never truly abandon his post and leave Asgard defenseless.
———
Admittedly, there was a twinge of surprise as you spent each day wandering the halls, keeping close to Loki as he paraded about as Odin tending to his royal duties. He took his role as king seriously. He accepted audiences with nearly anyone who requested one, listening to their issues and doing what he could to help. Money was allocated to cleaning up the unkempt areas of the city, supporting the villages on the outskirts, creating new jobs, etc. He had even just added a new arts and performance program.
Asgard was flourishing.
And yet, that was the problem. Only Asgard was flourishing.
Being dead had its advantages. With few people being able to sense you and even fewer to see, you could listen in on conversations that Loki would never get to hear. His advisors questioned Odin’s strength and his current fixation on Asgard. There was turmoil in the other realms, turmoil that threatened to reach the kingdom if nothing was done.
Loki would speak with you while out and about. Now that he had access to more literature on the subject, he had learned and practiced what Heimdall and Frigga mastered long ago. That alone made your time around him so much easier. You could relay the information you had learned in real time. And yet, when you were in the privacy of his chambers in the evenings, he continued to astral project for your conversations.
Usually settled on the couch meant for two, a hand would be on your arm or wrapped around the top of the couch with his fingers grazing your shoulder while you tried to convince him to expand his sights to the other realms Odin took responsibility for. He did agree but also felt Asgard was not quite ready to send an army to quell the civil wars of the other realms. The kingdom was not finished rebuilding.
It was one of these evenings as his fingers drew delicate designs onto your shoulder when you decided to change the subject. There were only so many times you could repeat the same argument.
You know… You never did tell me why you can feel and I can’t.
Loki was taken aback by the topic veering so suddenly. His hands returned back to his lap as his brow knit together.
Well, while we are on a similar plane of existence, there is one difference, darling.
And there was something else new. The pet names had started up shortly after he started touching you.
That difference being that I have a living, physical body I am still attached to.
So… What? Does your body get the sensations when you touch something?
In a way, yes. My mind receives the information and translates it into something the astral form can understand. There are rules that complicate what will and will not work, but that is the basic idea.
I guess that makes sense…
Loki’s lips pressed into a thin line when he saw your face fall. What is it like not being able to feel?
You fiddled with your fingers, unsure how to answer. Mmm… I’m not sure… Unsatisfying? Like I know what should be coming, yet it never happens. I’ve gotten used to it for the most part. But… In the back of my mind, that expectation is still there.
In the quiet that followed, the god took one of your hands in his, halting your mindless habit. His fingers weaved between yours and gave your hand a squeeze you automatically returned before lifting it to his lips.
I will find a way to fix that, I promise.
You couldn’t help the tug that pulled on the corners of your mouth. His words were dipped in honey and had to be one of the sweetest things he’d ever said.
Don’t make promises you can’t keep. You have more important things to worry about right now.
He almost looked offended. Are you saying you are not important?
Exactly. I’m dead. I’m about the least important thing in the universe.
Not to me.
His intense gaze bore through you. Knowing his nature, you searched his eyes only to find an immense lack of mischief and falsehoods.
Loki, how can you expect me to believe that? You have nine realms to look after, one being this kingdom.
Though you could feel nothing, you saw how he squeezed your hand and the serious nature of his face.
You think so little of yourself.
The saccharine nature of his speech had the energy holding you together shudder. And of course nothing went by Loki unnoticed. He pulled you forward, wrapping his arms around you and trapping you against him in a silent promise of the future.
———
Thor returning to Asgard had to have been one of the most hysterical moments in your life. How many mortals would have the chance to see Odin the Allfather so blatantly fumble and curse under his breath? Odin panicking when his life was under threat before he finally revealed himself as Loki to the kingdom was too good an opportunity to pass up.
After being shot a half-assed glare, Loki’s attention stayed fixated on his brother. You trailed behind as he was practically dragged to the Bifrost to find the real Odin. You didn’t expect to be pulled through with them, but apparently the high-powered, rainbow gateway had other ideas. It plopped the three of you in some alley out of sight of most onlookers.
How long had it been since you left Earth? You didn’t fully recognize where you were until you followed the brothers out into the street.
New York…
It looked… Good. Almost like battle had never happened. Multiple years had to have passed for the city to feel so whole, so lively again.
Loki brought you all to the elderly home where he had left Odin, or, that is to say, what was left of it. The inevitable bickering between the gods that ensued was interrupted by a group of girls wanting a selfie with Thor, completely ignoring the exasperated trickster.
What are you so upset for? You teased. Would you even take a photo with someone if they asked you?
He used his eye roll partially as an excuse to look away from his sibling and at you. Only if you are the one asking.
You felt the playful lilt of his thoughts run through you. How was it that his projected thoughts could do that?
You snarky remark died when you noticed the orange sparks at his feet. They danced as they circled him before creating a short-lived portal that gravity pushed him into, leaving behind a single business card on the concrete. Thor cautiously picked it up to reveal a single line of an address.
177A Bleecker Street
For someone who didn’t take residency in any part of the city, or even any part of this planet, Thor managed to find his way there in record time. You were impressed.
Upon stepping inside the building, you were greeted by a man in strange, ornate clothing that included a red cloak. He introduced himself as Stephen Strange.
“How interesting. You’ve brought a friend with you.” He stared down the God of Thunder.
Thor, obviously confused, spun around looking for the other body Strange gestured to. “I’m sorry? The only person who was with me was Loki who you seem to have commandeered.”
“Ah, yes. Your brother. We have some things to talk about before I release him. Now, tell me. You really don’t see the spirit following you about?”
“I’ve no idea what you speak of. There is no one here but the two of us.”
Strange’s eyes flitted over to you. He has some magic. How can he not see you?
All you could do was shrug. Hardly anyone on Asgard could even sense me.
“Alright then,” the sorcerer turned his attention back to Thor.
In a single blip, the scene changed and you all were sitting in some chairs, a refreshment waiting in front of Thor.
“So why are you here on Earth- On Midgard, rather?” Strange’s gaze flickered between you.
“Loki and I are here to find my father,” Thor answered.
The Bifrost pulled me through with them.
“And if I help you find him, both you and Loki will leave this planet?”
Why were you on Asgard?
“With my father, yes. Promptly,” the god confirmed.
I followed Loki there after he was captured.
“Perfect. I can find him easily and reunite you.”
So then… You…
Yeah. I died when he tried to take over Earth.
That certainly explains a lot.
The environment suddenly changed again and you all were back out in front of the stairs. All this teleporting had Thor stumbling. How was it he could handle the Bifrost and not this?
“Don’t forget your umbrella,” Strange reminded.
You could stay here. I could help you crossover.
“Oh, yes. Of course.” Thor’s hand shot out, waiting for the object to come to him. “It takes a minute.”
I appreciate it, but I’ll take my chances with them.
The sounds of glass and porcelain shattering in another room echoed through the building, and Thor’s “umbrella” lodged itself in his grip.
“And my brother.”
Are you sure? Vengeance and hatred will alter your soul. You would lose yourself.
“Right,” the sorcerer’s lips pursed into a frown.
With a wave of his hand, a new orange ring appeared in the air with Loki slamming into the floor.
I don’t think it’s about that… At least, not anymore.
The God of Mischief laid on the floor as he regained his composure. “I have been falling for thirty minutes!”
Alright, then…
Jumping to his feet, Loki’s attention flickered between you and Strange. His brow furrowed and jaw clenched as he attempted to hide a snarl, but his eyes…They were glassy, filled with uncertainty.
He can see you.
“I’m sure you can manage your brother long enough to find Odin and return to Asgard,” Strange turned to Thor, completely ignoring the new mental conversation starting.
Yeah…
Thor nodded resolutely. “Yes, and you won’t be bothered by us again.”
I see…
“Manage?” Loki spat and whipped out his daggers.
You say that like I’ve decided to abandon you for him.
The smirk you gave Loki reached your eyes, causing the trickster to falter in the threat he was growling at the sorcerer. Before he could recollect his thoughts, Strange sent a portal large enough to encompass the three of you in your direction.
Now standing on a grassy plain ending in a cliff that overlooked perpetually crashing waves. Grey clouds surveyed the landscape, keeping watch as Odin met with his sons. He gave you a small nod before leading Loki and Thor to the cliff side to converse. You kept back to give them their privacy. Just when it looked like the sons were about to wrap things up, Odin disintegrated into gold sparkles, sweeping off into the wind over the ocean.
The oddly beautiful transition between life and death was rudely interrupted with a black smoke forming behind you. As the transparent tendrils coagulated to form a rough portal, your energy shuddered violently.
Dove, don’t go near there!
Loki’s voice rippled through you, halting you in place. You hadn’t even realized you were moving. You whipped back only to see just how far you had moved away from them and how close the portal was now. Your energy was being pulled to it, called like a mother trying to beckon her child to the safety of their home. Yet, at the same time, dread swept over you. This was not where you should be.
It took everything you had, but you managed to escape the vicinity of the portal, making a mad dash to Loki who met you halfway. Thor was quick to catch up. Whether the confusion painted on his face was due his brother running to the obvious danger or there being danger at all was something you wouldn’t be able or have a chance to decipher.
The portal widened to present a new figure. A feminine form with inky, mussed hair and dressed in black and green clothing stepped through.
“Kneel.”
———
Time blended together between Hela’s release and your arrival on Sakaar. More than anything, you remembered that feeling of being drawn to her. It all made sense when she revealed herself as the Goddess of Death. Then, there were the bright, screaming lights of the Bifrost. Loki was cast out. The pull to the goddess was even stronger. Just as you were losing consciousness in your struggle, she had had enough and sent you flying after Loki.
The God of Mischief had already been on Sakaar three days by the time you had arrived. He had found you almost immediately. Your energy was fluttering about like a hummingbird’s wings. You were almost harder to miss. He brought you back to see the Grandmaster who ruled Sakaar. Well, maybe not “ruled” per se. More like ordered people around and acted like the man-child he was.
Weeks passed by, and you barely had any time for yourselves. Loki spent more time sucking up to this psychopath than eating or sleeping. His excuse about not needing as much of either be damned.
So what’s your plan here?
You finally had a night in his apartment away from the Grandmaster. Absolutely exhausted, Loki laid on the bed while his astral form was stretched out like a cat on the sofa. You were perched on the sofa arm near his feet.
What do you mean, darling?
You always have a plan. What’s the endgame?
His jaw set into a grimace.
To survive.
Hopping off the sofa, you strolled over and loomed over the god.
Seriously? What about your brother? Asgard? Your deranged sister?
What about them? For all we know, Hela killed Thor and has taken Asgard. There’s nothing left to do.
You sat on the couch, forcing Loki to begrudgingly make room for you. His lips were turned down in annoyance. You definitely had his attention.
You don’t know that. Not for sure. With all of your brown nosing, you might be able to get information from that maniac about how to get out of here. And if… You paused, turning away to look at the floor. And if it is as you think…Then at least you’d be free to find somewhere better to live.
Loki sat up fast, almost knocking you over. He latched onto your arm so suddenly that you met his gaze. His eyes… They had an almost panicked gaze about them. Was he scared?
No… This planet… It’s safer.
Safer? Safer from wha- No. Safer from who. Safer from him.
You placed a hand on his cheek. Your thumb ran across the apple of it, all the while wishing you could feel it. His hand encased your own, preventing you from pulling away as he nuzzled into it.
What could you say to that? That if Thanos were really that powerful, he would catch up to Loki wherever he was. But that wouldn’t go over so well.
You know… His voice was soft as a breeze. The cold used to be vexing, and now… Now it is a comfort.
———
Everything changed when Thor crash landed into a pile of scrap. You had wandered off, following your new friend Scrapper 142 who, despite her lack of magic, could see and speak with you. Although the Grandmaster had no clue of your presence, he still made you uncomfortable. You had made it a habit to let Loki alone to do his own thing when he was around.
Scrapper 142 successfully captured Thor in her drunken stupor, and you stuck by her long enough to drop him off, wherein you spouted a quick goodbye before seeking Loki out. Of course, he was in the Grandmaster’s main room, enthralling the other guests with his embellished tales. You had to admit, he did make an excellent storyteller.
You weaved your way through and kept yourself right in his peripherals. An unnoticed glance came your way.
Loki! Thor is here! Your brother is alive!
He kept up with his story. Not once did he falter.
Impossible. How?
I don’t know, but I saw him. Scrapper 142 picked him up.
Before you could finish, you heard Thor’s voice across the room. He was strapped to chair, doing everything he could to beckon Loki to him. The raven-haired god growled subtly as he stood to greet his brother.
In no time at all, the Grandmaster had paid for Thor, casting him as a gladiator with the title Lord of Thunder, and Loki did nothing to help his sibling. When Thor was taken away, the trickster thought it best to return to his apartment. It would be a while before the next set of fights, the set that Thor would premiere in. He probably wanted a moment of respite. You, on the other hand, planned to let him have it the moment the door closed.
Seriously? You couldn’t vouch for him? You couldn’t have done anything that would let him walk free?
Dove, please. Not now. He pinched the bridge of his nose like he was relieving headache pain. I’m trying to think.
You crossed your arms in irritation, glaring at him in hopes to push him to continue.
Sighing exasperatedly, he glowered back. Yes, of a plan.
Well… You softened, coming around to stand in front of him. Let’s hear what you got. Maybe we can work something out.
Loki’s hand raised to your face like he was going to cup your cheek, but he went right through you. The smile that found its way to his lips was one of the saddest you had ever seen.
I suppose there is no harm in trying.
———
You kneeled over Loki convulsing and sputtering from the taser stuck to him.
Dummy… Your mouth pursed in a frown. Why couldn’t you just stick with the plan?
He still had enough sense about him to lock eyes with you, his aventurine irises filled with unspoken apologies.
That was when a group of gladiators, presumably the ones who started the revolution, showed up. The tall, rocky one found the remote to the taser nearby and shut it off.
“Hey, man. We're just about to jump on that ginormous spaceship. Wanna come?” the rock giant spoke.
Loki jumped to his feet with a huff. “You do seem like you're in desperate need of leadership.”
“Why, thank you!”
You stuck to Loki’s heels as he ascended the ship with his new companions.
So what are you thinking?
He made his way to the bridge and started flipping various switches for take off.
Well, with this many of the Grandmaster’s contenders and a ship like this, we can escape this planet quite easily.
Yeah? You leaned on a nearby console and crossed your arms expectantly. And then what?
You almost didn’t notice how he hesitated on the last button.
And then we meet Thor on Asgard, assuming he makes it.
Of course he will. How many times have the both of you nearly died and lived against all odds?
He bit back a laugh. Too many.
The rock giant, who you learned to be Korg in passing, entered the bridge. “So, what’s the plan, Boss?”
The thrusters on the ship vibrated with a start before kicking in all the way, launching the ship out of the bay and to the Devil’s Anus.
“How would you like to assist the Lord of Thunder and myself in reclaiming our home planet?” Loki turned to look over his shoulder as he addressed Korg.
“Very much, actually. If it weren’t for Thor, the revolution wouldn’t have been a success. Another round of fliers wouldn’t have worked.”
“Excellent,” the God of Mischief grinned as he pushed a lever up, igniting the thrusters to full capacity as the ship entered the wormhole.
And then your world went black.
It felt like mere moments when you could feel your consciousness being called. Your name echoed through the darkness.
Where are you? Can you hear me?
The familiar voice was dripping in desperation. Colors and forms returned to your vision in waves, each more defined than the last. The feeling of being scattered slowly dissipated the more you were able to recognize.
Darling, don’t leave… please…
Loki?
In one intense oscillation, everything flooded back. You were back on the bridge. Half the people onboard were sprawled on the floor, including Loki. Yet, his astral form was about and searching. When he caught sight of you, he sprinted to you, eyes drowning in fear that was giving way to relief, and encased you in his arms. For a moment, you thought you felt just how tightly he was holding you.
You disappeared so suddenly! When you didn’t return, I thought you had crossed over. What happened?
I… I don’t know… You shook your head like that would fix anything. How long was I gone for?
I’m not sure… Quite some time…
The others began to stir.
You had better go back to your body.
But are you-
I’m fine. Now, go. They’re going to need you.
Hesitation. Reluctance. Your energy flickered as he finally nodded before returning to his physical form to hash out orders and return the ship on course for Asgard.
———
Refugee Asgardians filled the ship in order to escape from the coming destruction. Loki had left to summon Surtur but not without one more projected thought to you.
I suppose if Thor’s theory doesn’t pan out, I’ll still see you again.
As much as you wanted to protest, he had taken off before you had a chance to. It was only when Heimdall was pulled onboard that you tore yourself away from the ramp. Maybe he could give you some insight.
Never thought I’d see you this beat up. You crouched beside him with an attempted light smile.
A chuckle reverberated through the air. Yes, little one. It has been a while, but this is not the first time I have been injured.
And here I thought you could see everything.
I see enough to know you are worrying without you speaking a word of it.
Your lips pursed together. Of course he knew.
You have seen yourself how crafty he can be. He will return.
Nodding, you turned your attention back to the ramp to see Thor, Banner and Valkyrie dashing up with an erupting volcanic backdrop. You rushed forward just before the doors closed to see the infamous Surtur rising above the crumbling, burning city of Asgard as Hela fruitlessly attempted to fight him.
Loki… You better have escaped all that.
Once the ship was away from danger in the darkness of space, Heimdall was moved to a makeshift infirmary with the rest of the injured. He verbally nudged you along, telling you to seek out Thor. With a huff, you followed his instructions.
Meandering through the halls, you played back the events. The explosions… Would Loki’s tiny craft have had enough velocity to fly free from Asgard’s Apocalypse - Ragnarok?
One more corner turned and you froze. There he was. That mischievous little trickster was standing outside the door to Thor’s quarters, a hesitant hand raised to knock on the metal.
You made it…
His hand fell as he spun to face you with a smile that could rival any sunrise on Asgard. And you ran to him, ran to him like he would be the last thing you’d ever see. At the last possible moment, you came to a halt before him, having momentarily forgotten you’d run through him if you kept going.
That I did, darling. How many times have I nearly died and lived against all odds?
You just shook your head and grinned at his parroted words. Too many.
He looked to the door and back at you. I need to speak with Thor. I will be back shortly. Will you-
Of course. I’ll be waiting right here.
And wait you did. Who were you to stand between two brothers about to reconcile?
———
No, no, no…
Everything had devolved so quickly just when it looked like the future was becoming a little brighter. You nearly screamed when Loki’s blade was halted just before piercing Thanos’ throat. The Titan gripped the god’s neck with such strength that it tore Loki’s feet away from the safety of the ground. Thor squirmed with muffled shouts as he watched his brother’s eyes bulge and redden from suffocation.
There was nothing you could do. You wanted him to stop, but no amount of trying to tackle or pummel your fists on him worked. You just phased right through.
“You will never… be… a god…” Loki forced out the words as if they could grant him an extra life.
With a sickening, echoing crack, the Titan dropped Loki’s lifeless form to the ground with a thud.
In your utter shock, you froze. Your energy surged, and you were suddenly on your knees at Loki’s side. Not bothering to figure out how you crossed the distance so quickly, you reached out to cradle his face. Except this time, your hands didn’t fall through him.
The touch was solid. The touch was… Cold.
You looked around hoping to see his spirit somewhere. Nothing. How long had it taken for you to return? Surely with him being a god, it wouldn’t take him long. Right?
His form along with the bent, ripped metal around you increasingly blurred. The sound of Thor’s sobbing voice and the ship’s creaking were drifting away. All the while, the colors swirled until they were undefinable and faded into an abyss.
———
A warmth kissed your skin and seeped through your eyelids. Tall grass tickled your arms as a light breeze graced your ears. You breathed in as much serenity as your lungs could take.
Wait…
This wasn’t right. As much as you enjoyed the peacefulness that flowed through you, how was this-
“Dove? Are you with me?”
A cool hand draped across your cheek.
Sucking in a breath, your eyes shot open to reveal worried, bluish green eyes peering down at you.
“There you are. I was beginning to think you would never wake.” His voice was softer than any cloud.
“What happened?” You reached up to cup Loki’s face with both hands.
“It appears I have met my end.” His thumb stroked your cheek. “And you crossed over with me.”
“So… We’re in the-”
“An afterlife, yes,” he confirmed.
Without wasting another second, he swaddled you in an embrace as warm as the air. You wrapped your arms around his neck to keep him close. Sensations you had lost all those years ago were flooding back. The scent of sweet grass, cedar and rosemary all hit home as you buried your face in Loki’s shoulder, not wanting to let go for even a moment lest none of this was real and it would fade away the moment you did.
To your dismay, Loki did pull away but only enough for him to lay his forehead on yours. The silence that held the distance between you was not an uncomfortable one. Far from it. Everything that you had ever needed to say swam freely in that quiet moment.
He angled his head, permission being asked in his hesitance. Your smile granted it. When his lips connected with yours, it was like two puzzle pieces locking into place. Your wandering soul found what it had been missing even in life.
“You two certainly took your time,” a playfully kind voice broke you apart.
Loki kept you in his grasp as he quickly sat up. “M-mother?”
Looking past his shoulder, it was indeed the late Queen Frigga. She stood a short ways off in the golden grass with another figure who could only be described as a goddess next to her. The woman’s braided and bound, strawberry blonde hair swayed gently in the breeze as she surveyed you and Loki. Her smile was just as warm and soft as Frigga’s when she finally spoke.
Summary: One second, Loki is fading out of consciousness, and the next he’s staring at the ceiling of Asgard’s great hall with air in his lungs. --- Loki wakes up in the past with all the knowledge he needs to stop Thanos ever coming to power in the first place. This somehow doesn't stop him from getting into trouble. A Post-Infinity War Time Travel Fix-it Fic. Russian, Japanese & Chinese translation available.
My thoughts: Loki truly is going through it but he’s trying so hard. Also Hela is so funny lmao.
