Chapter Text
The sun shone brightly, and birds chirped merrily—a midgardian expression Loki had come to understand. Everything seemed so serene since the battle against Thanos and the recovery of the Infinity Stones. He still had trouble grasping that he was finally free.
Almost a year had passed since that fateful battle.
The repairs in the city attacked by Thanos—Philadelphia—were progressing well. Steve and Tony were currently on-site to supervise the restoration. Meanwhile, Loki had fully integrated himself into life at the compound. After spending a year living entirely with the Avengers and his brother on Earth, their bonds had grown stronger, even if not everything could be forgotten or forgiven.
He participated in most missions with the Avengers, though he rarely joined SHIELD’s missions, who were still uneasy with his presence and kept him under close surveillance, ready to act at the slightest misstep. Clint had retreated to his farm to reflect on everything that had happened and to rest, but he regularly returned to lend a hand when needed.
Natasha undertook solo missions and stayed at the compound, while Bruce, Tony, Steve, Rhodey, Happy, and Sam were now part of Loki's daily life. Those who had helped during the battle had long since returned to their own pursuits after a grand celebration organized by Tony. Loki, the god of mischief, had to stifle his laughter all evening, having never seen all the Avengers so thoroughly inebriated. His brother Thor had even been thrown into the pool by Tony, still in his armor, after losing a ridiculous bet.
Standing on the roof of the compound on this July night in Midgard, Loki took a deep breath, closing his eyes and letting the breeze make the trees sing around him. For once, he felt serene. Yet, not everything had been resolved since Thanos' defeat. Loki was suffering the aftershocks of all those events. His recurring nightmares were one reason he stood here in the dead of night, trying to meditate. He attempted to hide his struggles, but Thor and the others showed a support he still found difficult to accept.
Loki opened his eyes and gazed at the full moon, round in the sky, as a sudden, icy shiver ran through his body. He looked down at his hands to see the tips of his fingers turn a slight shade of blue before returning to their normal color. This was another problem he had to address...
As Loki gazed at his hands, a sudden voice behind him nearly made him jump. He quickly lowered his arms and hid his hands by reflex, turning to see Thor, who had just joined him on the rooftop. Thor’s face bore a smile, but the concern in his eyes was unmistakable.
“Can’t sleep again, brother ?” Thor asked, his tone gentle. “Is it the nightmares ?” FRIDAY alerted him every time Loki woke from a nightmare and that he always knew where to find him.
It was true that during his most violent nightmares, when he would wake up screaming and drenched in sweat, sometimes even accidentally using his powers and damaging the furniture, Loki would invariably come up to the rooftop of the compound to get some air, regardless of the weather.
Loki didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned back to look at the vast expanse of forest in front of them. The moonlight bathed the trees in a white glow, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a symphony of nature that brought peace to the god of mischief. It reminded him of his childhood, when he would retreat to the woods to practice his magic alone, away from the taunts of other children who didn’t accept him.
Thor stepped closer, standing beside his brother. Together, they stared at the horizon in silence, a rare moment that Thor cherished. Loki’s silence was a form of gratitude, and Thor’s presence was a silent show of support.
After a while, Thor broke the silence, asking calmly, “Do you want to talk about it ?”
Loki sighed softly. “It’s always the same nightmares, Thor. Thanos, the torture, the spear piercing through me.” His voice was steady, but the pain in his words was palpable.
Thor listened without interrupting, sensing that Loki needed to get this off his chest. Loki continued, “Sometimes, though, elements of the nightmares change.”
Thor glanced at him. “What changed this time ?”
Loki turned slightly, his piercing green eyes meeting Thor’s, a deep fear evident despite Loki’s attempt to hide it. “Lately, I hear Thanos’ voice in my nightmares. I see flashes of him. But the voice... it doesn’t feel like it’s part of the dream. It’s as if he’s speaking to me directly, and I can’t quite make out what he’s saying. It’s more than just nightmares, Thor. I can feel it.”
Thor placed a reassuring hand on Loki’s shoulder. “Thanos can’t reach us anymore, Loki. He’s gone.”
Loki looked at Thor, his expression challenging. “Are you truly certain of that, Thor ?”
For once, Thor hesitated. He wanted to provide unwavering reassurance, but he knew the universe held many uncertainties. “Let’s get some rest, brother. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.”
Loki gave a small, reluctant nod, but his mind was far from at ease. As they walked back towards the entrance, Thor tried to lighten the mood. “You know, maybe we should install a vending machine up here. It seems like you’re up here enough to need some snacks.”
Loki allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. “And who would be responsible for fixing it when you inevitably break it trying to get free snacks ?”
Thor laughed, clapping Loki on the back. “I suppose that would be your job, brother. You’re the one with the magic touch, after all.”
As they descended back into the compound, Loki couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that lingered. He knew he couldn’t ignore the signs, but for now, he would keep his fears to himself. He owed it to Thor and the others to maintain a semblance of normalcy, even if just for a little while longer.
These kinds of nights had become all too common for Loki. The frequency and intensity of his nightmares had increased drastically over the past few weeks, and everyone in the compound had noticed. It was as if, just when the god of mischief was on the verge of recovery after the harrowing events with the purple titan, he was now regressing. Thor often found himself in his brother’s room, calming him after another terror-filled night.
One particularly intense night, several weeks after their last rooftop discussion, The evening had begun uneventfully for Loki. He had managed to find some solace in reading, losing himself in the pages of an ancient Asgardian tome. As the words blurred together and his eyelids grew heavy, he felt a fleeting sense of peace. He placed the book aside and allowed sleep to take him, despite the gnawing anxiety that always accompanied the act of closing his eyes.
Barely two hours into his slumber, the nightmare began. Loki found himself back on Thanos ship, the air thick with the scent of metal and despair. The walls of his cell were cold and unyielding, the chains around his wrists biting into his skin. The Chitauri guards loomed over him, their grotesque forms casting long shadows in the dim light. Their hands were cruel, their touch sending jolts of pain through his body as they resumed their tortures. He felt every cut, every bruise, as if it were happening all over again. The sharp, jagged edges of their instruments dug into his flesh, and he couldn't suppress the screams that tore from his throat.
The torture was relentless. The Chitauri taunted him with their guttural voices, their words incomprehensible yet filled with malice. Loki's body convulsed with agony, each wave of pain more intense than the last. He could feel his spirit breaking, the sense of helplessness overwhelming. The cell's oppressive darkness seemed to close in on him, suffocating him with its weight.
Then, abruptly, the scene shifted. Loki was no longer on Thanos ship but in a place of absolute darkness. He stood alone in the void, the darkness swallowing everything around him. It was a realm devoid of light, hope, or escape.
A cold dread settled in Loki's chest as he realized he wasn't alone. Thanos voice boomed through the void, echoing like a sinister drumbeat. The sound was deafening, each word hammering into Loki's mind with brutal force. He clamped his hands over his ears, but it did nothing to muffle the titan's voice.
“Your freedom will be short-lived,” Thanos intoned, his voice dripping with malevolence. “I am coming for you, Loki. You cannot hide. You cannot escape.”
The words twisted around Loki's mind, their meaning clear despite the distorted delivery. Fear gripped his heart as he tried to wake himself, but the darkness held him captive. He was trapped in this nightmare, unable to break free.
The void around him began to shift again, morphing into a desolate, barren landscape. Loki recognized it immediately—the planet where the final battle had taken place. The ground was scorched, the air thick with the smell of ash and blood. In the distance, he saw Thor, his brother, standing defiantly against an unseen foe.
But then, to Loki's horror, he watched as a Chitauri spear flew through the air, striking Thor in the chest. The force of the blow sent Thor crashing to the ground, blood pouring from the wound. A scream of anguish tore from Loki's lips as he ran towards his fallen brother, his heart breaking with each step.
“Thor !” he cried, dropping to his knees beside him. He cradled Thor's head in his lap, desperately trying to stem the flow of blood with his hands. But it was futile. Thor's eyes were dimming, his breath coming in shallow gasps.
“Stay with me, brother,” Loki pleaded, his voice choked with sobs. “Please, don't leave me.”
But Thor's eyes closed, his body growing limp in Loki's arms. The weight of his brother's death crushed Loki, the grief overwhelming. He rocked back and forth, clutching Thor's lifeless form, tears streaming down his face.
Then, with a jolt, Loki woke up, his scream echoing through the room. He sat up abruptly, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. His heart pounded in his chest, the terror of the nightmare still gripping him. He thrashed against his sheets, his mind still trapped in the horrors of the dream.
“Thor !” he screamed, his voice hoarse. “Thor !”
Strong arms wrapped around him, holding him steady. He fought against the grip, still caught in the nightmare's thrall. “Loki, it’s me. I’m here…” Thor’s voice cut through the fog of fear, but it took a moment for Loki to register it.
He finally stopped struggling, his wild eyes focusing on Thor's face. He could see the concern etched in his brother's features, the worry in his eyes. Thor's hands were firm on his shoulders, grounding him in reality.
“Loki, breathe. You’re safe,” Thor repeated, his voice steady and reassuring.
Loki's breaths were shallow and rapid, but he tried to match Thor's calm inhalations. Slowly, his heart rate began to slow, the terror of the nightmare giving way to the reality of the present. He looked around and saw Steve standing nearby, pushing away the remnants of broken lamps and scattered furniture.
“Captain,” Loki gasped, his voice barely above a whisper. “I… I thought…”
Steve nodded, his expression sympathetic. “I know, Loki. It’s okay.”
Loki's hands trembled as he clung to the edges of his blanket, trying to steady himself. The nightmare had felt so real, the pain and fear so vivid. He could still hear Thanos' voice in his mind, the promise of his return echoing like a dark prophecy.
Thor handed Loki a towel to wipe his face and hair, soaked with sweat. “Here, brother. Take a moment.”
Loki took the towel with shaking hands, wiping away the evidence of his fear. He felt a deep sense of shame for his weakness, for the way he had cried out in terror. But the memory of the nightmare lingered, a dark cloud over his thoughts.
Bruce entered the room, having been alerted by FRIDAY. He moved to Loki's side, his concern evident. “Loki, are you okay ?” he asked gently.
Loki nodded, though his hands still trembled. “I… I don’t know,” he admitted, his voice unsteady.
Thor explained the situation to Bruce, his worry clear. “He had another nightmare. A bad one.”
Bruce knelt beside Loki, his presence calming. “Loki, Can you tell us what happened ?”
Loki looked at Bruce, then at Thor and Steve. The words caught in his throat, the memory of the nightmare too fresh, too raw. “It was Thanos,” he finally managed to say. “He was… he was in my head. It felt so real.”
Bruce nodded, understanding. “Nightmares can feel very real, especially after everything you've been through.”
Loki shook his head, his eyes filled with fear. “But it wasn’t just a nightmare. It was like… like he was really there, in my mind. I could hear him.”
Thor and Bruce exchanged worried glances. They knew Loki had been deeply affected by Thanos torture and the Mind Stone's influence. The scars were not just physical but psychological, leaving Loki in a state of perpetual anxiety and fear.
The morning after the tumultuous night, the Avengers Compound was unusually tense. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken worries, everyone trying to go about their tasks while keeping an eye on Loki, who was visibly struggling. The agenda for the day was packed with an important meeting that required the presence of all the Avengers.
Natasha had just returned from a covert mission, and Clint had driven in from his farm. They arrived together in the common lounge, immediately sensing the tension. Clint, ever the joker, spotted Loki sitting alone on a couch, deeply engrossed in a book. Seeing an opportunity to lighten the mood, Clint approached Loki with his usual teasing demeanor.
"Hey, Loki, what are you reading ? 'How to Conquer Midgard for Dummies' ?" Clint quipped, a playful grin on his face.
Normally, Loki would have responded with a sharp-witted retort, but today was different. He looked up, his expression cold and unamused. "Not in the mood, Barton" he said curtly, before returning to his book.
Thor, noticing the interaction, quickly intervened. "Clint, give him some space. Loki's had a rough night" he explained, placing a hand on Clint’s shoulder.
Loki clicked his tongue in annoyance but didn't protest. He buried himself back in his book, the tension in his body palpable.
Natasha, sensing something amiss, pulled Thor and Clint aside. "Alright, spill. What's going on with him ?" she asked, her eyes narrowing in concern.
Thor sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's been rough for Loki lately. The nightmares have been getting worse. Last night was particularly bad. He was thrashing and using his powers in his sleep. It’s taking a toll on him, and he's not quite himself today."
Clint, frowned. "I'll back off then. Just didn't realize it was that bad."
Before they could delve deeper into the conversation, Tony and Steve entered the room, calling everyone to the conference room for the scheduled meeting.
Tony clapped his hands together, trying to inject some energy into the room. "Alright guys ! Time for the meeting. Everyone to the conference room. Let's go, chop chop !"
Steve added, "We’ve got a lot to cover today, so let’s get to it."
The group filed in, taking their seats around the large table. Loki positioned himself at the far end, his demeanor closed off and distant.
The meeting commenced with Tony and Steve providing updates on the reconstruction efforts in Philadelphia, which were finally nearing completion. Natasha debriefed her recent mission, while Sam and Rhodey reported on their respective activities and ongoing operations. Bruce discussed his latest research and the missions he had undertaken with Thor and Loki.
Throughout the meeting, Loki remained silent, his attention seemingly elsewhere. He could feel the concerned glances from his teammates but chose to ignore them. He was finding it increasingly difficult to contain his seidr, the icy energy swirling just beneath his skin. His hands were freezing, a clear sign of his inner turmoil. He kept them hidden under the table, rubbing them together in a futile attempt to warm them. The sense of danger he felt was growing stronger with each passing moment.
Just as Tony was about to conclude the meeting, the door burst open, revealing Nick Fury with Happy trailing behind, looking flustered.
"Sorry, boss, he got past me," Happy panted, trying to catch his breath.
Tony raised an eyebrow. "Fury, what’s the emergency ?"
Fury's expression was grave as he addressed the room. "We've got a situation. Several cities across the United States have been attacked simultaneously by alien ships. Chitauri ships, to be precise."
A holographic display flickered to life, showing real-time footage of the attacks. The scenes of destruction and chaos sent a shiver down Loki's spine. He recognized the ships and the Chitauri soldiers all too well.
"These attacks were targeted and brief," Fury continued. "The ships disappeared as quickly as they arrived, leaving behind significant damage and one clear message."
As Fury's grim news hung in the air, He activated a video clip, showing a Chitauri leader delivering a message in their guttural, alien tongue. The room fell silent as everyone strained to understand the foreign language.
Loki’s blood ran cold as he listened. The words were unmistakable, and he translated them in his mind, each syllable striking fear into his heart. “The message is from Thanos,” he said quietly, his voice trembling. “He says my freedom will be short-lived. He’s coming back for me.”
The room erupted in a mix of shock and anger. Tony was the first to react. “What do you mean Thanos is coming back ? We saw him get sucked into that portal. He’s supposed to be gone !”
Loki’s eyes darted around the room, panic evident. “I don’t know how, but he’s alive. The dreams, the voices… they weren’t just nightmares. They were warnings.”
Steve stepped forward, trying to keep everyone calm. “Alright, everyone. Let’s stay focused. We need to prepare for the possibility that Thanos is indeed back.”
Tony added, his voice laced with frustration and determination. "Alright, we need a plan. If Thanos is truly back, we can't be caught off guard. We need to figure out where these attacks originated and fast."
Natasha nodded, his expression resolute. "Agreed. We need to stay focused and united. Fury, can you coordinate with SHIELD and get us any intel on the origin of these attacks ?"
Fury nodded. "Consider it done. I'll have my best agents on it immediately."
Natasha's mind was already in overdrive, formulating strategies. "We need to bolster our defenses and prepare for any possible scenarios. If Thanos is targeting Loki specifically, we need to make sure he's protected at all costs."
Clint, still trying to wrap his head around the situation, looked at Loki with concern. "Loki, what else did the message say ? Is there anything we're missing ?"
Loki remained silent, his eyes still fixed on the spot where the hologram had been. He was visibly shaken, on the brink of panic. Thor, sensing his brother's distress, placed a firm hand on Loki's shoulder, trying to ground him.
"It's alright, Loki." Thor said softly, his voice filled with brotherly concern.
Loki took a shaky breath, finally managing to speak. "He won't stop until he has what he wants…"
Thor clenched his fists, a determined look on his face. "Then we'll be ready. We won't let him take you or destroy our home."
Fury, seeing the resolve in the room, nodded in approval. "We'll mobilize all available resources. This time, we'll be ready for him."
The room quickly transitioned into a war room, each Avenger springing into action with a renewed sense of purpose. Tactical plans were laid out, resources were allocated, and everyone knew their roles. Despite the urgency and the looming threat, there was a sense of unity and determination among the team.
As the meeting drew to a close, the team dispersed to begin their preparations. Loki, still sitting at the table, seemed lost in thought, the weight of the impending threat pressing down on him. Thor stayed behind, his protective nature kicking in.
"We'll get through this, brother" Thor reassured, his voice steady.
Loki nodded slowly, though the fear in his eyes was still evident. "I hope you're right, Thor. Because if Thanos is truly coming, we will need every ounce of strength we have."
With a final squeeze of his brother's shoulder, Thor helped Loki to his feet. The brothers left the room together, each lost in their own thoughts about the battles yet to come. They knew the fight against Thanos was far from over, and the road ahead would test their resolve and unity like never before.