Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ok, so I don't know how much time I'll have to write, cuz basketball is getting started and my schedule will be packed. But I want to start this now to motivate myself to write on weekends or in free time. Obviously I won't prioritize this over homework, but it'll be good for me to have something to do when I need a break, if I don't just pass out from exhaustion. Also, I miss them already 😭 Like, I didn't know how much I loved writing all of them until it's done, and now I miss it a lot. So, yes in the future I hope to write other stories and expand my scopes a bit, but I know I don't have time during school for that kind of commitment. So for now, this little series that I can pop in on once in a while will be all I do on here.

I am taking suggestions for this! That does not mean that I will get to every request, nor am I obligated to write something that is a request. I don't mean that rudely, I just mean that I also have ideas (obviously) and sometimes I might just write what's in my head. I can't write something if I'm not feeling it. That is never to say that your suggestions aren't good, simply that I have to have the motivation to write a particular scene or scenario. So if your suggestion is never used, know that it is not an insult to you or your request. I also may tweek ideas or add my own flare, as is the point, but I'll be sure to give credit where credit is due for those behind the given request. Also know that how I envision a scene or request may be different than how you envision or describe it. Know that going into it that whatever direction I take something in is up in the air, but I'll always call out whoever had the original basis for what I wrote.

One more quick thing. This series will not be addressing anything in the timeline of what has already happened in Into the MCU. I know there are many other povs I could go back and write for different characters and moments (because all we had was Wren's) but I feel I've said all I'm inclined to say about how the others were feeling or thinking at any given moment. If I didn't have Loki express what he was thinking or feeling, and rather Wren just heard about how he behaved, for example, while she was kidnapped, that is for a reason. I want us to have to imagine and assume how he was feeling and thinking given the info Wren has. Also, his actions speak louder than words or thoughts. To me, most characters and scenes have been fleshed out to the level I felt was necessary, simply out of preference. I like show and don't tell a lot of the time. And, in the case of things that happened away from Wren so we only heard and didn't see what happened, I still like it that way. I want it to be up to the reader to insert how they think things went. But we know all the outcomes, and we know where everyone ends up and what events lead to, therefore I don't find it furthering the story to revisit any of that time. Sorry if this is something you wanted or were interested in, but my interest and mindset right now is all centered around the future for all of them. The things they can do, the family they are. Seeing the happy endings prosper, while, I'm sure, there are still hardships. But don't worry, this will be a fun series. It isn't a sequel where there's got to be a plot and twists and turns and death. Now and again I may cover a more serious scene, cuz I can't help myself, but we've waited long enough to see everyone win. Let's enjoy the rewards.

Ok, that's about it. Comment what you'd like to see and hopefully I can write something this coming weekend😊

As always, thank you all so much again for how the last story turned out. Love you all and hope you're doing well❤️ 

Chapter Text

You were sitting in the living room of the compound, like you did on most Friday nights. Though, to be fair, you'd only been back for just over a month. Still, you'd gotten into a routine. You trained with Loki, Lady Sif, Valkyrie, and the Warriors Three. Sometimes together, sometimes with one of the listed individuals. 

The Guardians made pitstops at Asgard when they were in the area, which was fun. If it weren't for Gamora, they'd miss every virtual check-in. Thankfully, she was there, so you got to see them every week with the rest of the team. You and Loki liked to visit earth every other week, if you couldn't get down once a week. What a thing to say to yourself...'visit earth.' Who'd have thought that would be part of one's weekly plans? To visit the planet you were supposed to live on? Loki was busier than you, who hadn't stepped into whatever duties revolved around being queen yet, so you made it a goal to get down every Friday. Sometimes you dropped in multiple times a week. It was, essentially, just a walk down the street...or bridge in this case.

Thor lived with Jane, though they'd spend weekends on Asgard on occasion. She'd never leave earth entirely, as long as there was research and work for her to do. It was a comfort, though, to know that they were all just a bifrost away. To hell with cars, you were spoiled by the magical cosmic travel at your disposal. Hence why you were chilling in the compound living room once again. Loki wasn't with you tonight, because he was busy with...other things.

"What're you doing here?" Bucky asked from the kitchen, holding a carton of juice in his hands.

"That's what I said!" Sam chimed from his seat next to you.

"And I'll tell you the same thing I told Sam: I always come here on Fridays," you answered.

"Yeah, but...it's October 10th," Bucky continued with his look.

"That's what I said!" Sam repeated with even more emphasis than last time.

"Guys, she's clearly nervous, which is both adorable and understandable," Yelena shrugged as she pulled her arm back for an attempted strike in Wii Bowling.

"I'm not! Seriously, I'm not."

"Right," Sam laughed at the same time Bucky hummed in understanding, like they'd given him the answer.

"Makes sense," Bucky nodded, drinking from the container.

"No it doesn't, and why are you drinking straight from the juice???" you challenged, "You think I want your spit in my mouth?"

"Well, if you didn't have Loki to swap spit with, we all know who your next target woulda been, so..."

"Sam!" you turned on him.

"Dude," Bucky gave him a disgusted look as he wiped the opening with his hand and screwed the top back into place.

"I don't know," Yelena shook her head in disagreement as she stepped aside for Korg's turn, "You think it would have been BuckyBoy or Stevie?"

"Steve???" you exclaimed.

"Didn't she really like that Zemmo guy?" Korg asked, "You know, the one she lived in an intimately close proximity with for weeks with very little complaint? A time-span over which she developed a close bond through events and interactions neither of us have ever heard about because she seems unwilling to speak of them in detail?"

Everyone turned silently to you, expressions like those of people who just had their eyes opened to something for the first time.

"GUYS!" you gasped, "Zemo??? Really?"

"What did you guys ever do during those weeks?" Bucky said in mixed teasing and actual disapproval. The topic of Zemo in general was just a sore one for him, so you were sure he wasn't thinking anything happened between the two of you...or at least you were hoping he didn't actually think that.

"And you had a lot of alone time with Loki back in the day, the two of you always hanging out together. He even kidnapped you too the first time you met! You had like two whole nights together before you finally came back down!" Sam piled on.

"So what?" you tossed your hands up, "What are you implying Sam, hmm? Do tell."

"That you sleep around a lot," Yelena answered bluntly, stepping back up to the game.

"Damn you must be good to get two villains to turn for you," Sam said, laughing pretty hard now.

"Oh my God," you stood up.

"We're just pointing out some suspicious trends here, Wren," Yelena called out as you walked away.

You passed Nat on the way to your room.

"Few times a week and it's already too much to handle," she smiled, guessing you were getting away from someone.

"Well, you know your sister...and Bucky...and Sam...and all of them."

"Surprised you still come down here so often. I use company work as an excuse to get away from Tony all the time. Being queen's an even better excuse."

"Don't call me queen," you fake shivered, "Reminds me of the absolute insanity of the last year, which then threatens to make my head explode. I mean...queen? Queen??? Like...what? What the actual fuck, it--it's completely and utterly ridiculous and absurd and impossible, don't forget impossible! That's the main one."

"You wait until months of being in the MCU before letting that fact hit you?" she said amusedly.

"Oh it hit me back then...but like, I guess I just went from one thing to another so I slowly came to terms with it when I had spots to just think about it. But somehow the fact that it was temporary didn't make it as scary. But now? I mean, I was a librarian. I was, and am, a knucklehead who'd quote Thor: Ragnarok while I curled up in my blankets, watching the movie and shoving popcorn down my face. Sometimes I'd just not eat cuz I was too lazy to make the meal, like that is the level of my productivity and responsibility!"

"Relax," Nat laughed, "No one's gonna expect you to rule a planet. Whatever you're supposed to learn, you'll learn it over time. This isn't the movies. The cliche 'they drop everything on the new unexpected queen or princess right away' isn't gonna happen. Loki wouldn't let it, both for Asgard's sake and yours."

"Ouch."

"Give it time."

"I know," you sighed, "Really, it's not the expectations that are hitting me, I'll probably just procrastinate those too. I guess it's just the thought of it, ya know? Reality that wasn't a reality and never should have been reality is, was, and now always will be my reality. That make sense?"

"Not at all."

"Exactly."

"So you're not down here running away from your problems?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Actually no, I don't think so."

"No freak-out stress attacks before the big day?"

"No!" you chuckled, saying it with more authority this time, "I'm serious. If anything I think...I think I'm oddly calm about this. Like, I'm a bumbling fangirl when it came to everything else, and it would totally be me to be freaking out about something like this that wasn't possible a year ago...how so much changed in my life in less than 365 days. But really those realizations aren't... aren't showing in feelings? I don't feel scared. Excited and anticipating and all that, hundred percent. But I'm not worried. Not stressed. I couldn't care less how the day goes, I just...I can't wait for it."

You shrugged with a small smile as you finished, and even Nat couldn't keep a teasing look. Her smile was as genuine as yours.

"Can't believe I'm letting this happen," she smirked.

"Tony is that you?"

"No, Tony doesn't mean his threats, I do. He breaks your heart, I break him."

"Understood, ma'am," you feigned fright, smiling as the two of you started off again, Nat evidently having decided to come with you to your room.

"So, I've been told nothing," she began, "What're we getting tomorrow? Asgard or Earth wedding?"

"Well, there's this whole vine wrapped around hands thing they do. Very fairytale-esque shit. Love it. Also, whatever rights or vows are typically said, Odin will also be saying. Whether they do maids of honor or best men or any of those things I don't know cuz I didn't ask," you giggled, "We're just having them. He's watched enough dramas with me to know how we do it, so he hasn't questioned. I don't know if that means they do it or not, but really all I've heard about sounds like a ceremony...oh, and um, also kinda joint coronation...like they have this marriage thing---"

"Coronation??"

"Well, not officially, but like, to symbolize me taking the task of ruling with Loki, there's this whole wedding tiara thing he's supposed to put on. Kinda like a wedding ring, but a wedding crown. They don't do wedding rings."

"What about if you were just marrying a prince, so becoming a princess?"

"Different crown."

"Ah. So they do some crowns, some vines. Anything else?"

"Well, there are Asgardian vows I'm supposed to say, but Loki's tweaked it for us. Odin will say the usual prompts, and we'll respond, but instead of the long citation I'd have to remember, we're essentially doing the version of our own vows...also because the Asgardian ones are partially in another language, and ain't nobody got time for that."

"You two really are just saying 'to hell with it' and doing what you want."

"Yup, mixing in all types of shit. Guess that's why I'm calm about this. Because it's just us doing it how we want, no specific way it has to come out perfectly. I don't care what the crowd thinks of me or any of that typical fear stuff. I'll be your queen, bitches, and you'll like it."

Nat laughed as she pushed open your door.

"I'm sure they'd love to hear that from you."

"Well, maybe not my first day. I'll save it for the first peasant that pulls a snarky look."

"So the venue?"

"Oh, the throne room, that's a given. But the 'reception' or their gathering after will be in this big old ballroom, larger than the open-ceiling one we've been in. It has this beautiful outdoor portion with a fountain and everything, but even that's all elevated to see over everything. I'd only toured that area once, but I guess I now know what kind of celebrations it's used for. I can't imagine how beautiful it's gonna be."

"Can't imagine? Haven't you been planning?"

"That's what servants are for."

"Tyrannical already."

"Not like that! I mean, I barely have to lift a finger right now, cuz they have planners for this kind of thing. I'm sure as queen I'll have to pick up some slack, but now? They come to me with suggestions, and half the time I tell them whatever they choose will be great. Some things I have opinions on, but really I wanna be as surprised as the rest. Asgardians have a better eye for this than I ever could."

"Green and gold gonna be a prominent color scheme?" she nudged you.

"Maaaybe..."

"Predictable," she shook her head.

"Hey, come on, it's a great color scheme! But no, there's a lot of white and gold mainly, but green accents? I just couldn't help myself."

"Was wondering why you weren't down here screaming to us about how to plan a wedding."

"You got to input on my wedding dress, remember? Couldn't very well pass up the fashion trio's opinion, or Brunnhilde's. Then there was Ceyla too, who just seems to know what looks good on me. You'd think it was her job to know how to dress people up or something."

"You're gonna look amazing."

"Thanks," you beamed, "Yeah, I just can't wait. That's about it. Everything will go how it goes, and we'll just enjoy it."

"Shocked but proud by this surprising attitude," she gave you an impressed look.

"Must be Loki. Man isn't fazed by anything...well, mostly. I can see through him more than he likes, but sometimes he's too good at what he's the god of. But if he can be so chill about it, I just feel like why do I have to be worried?"

***

"Loki, what are you worried about?" Thor asked from where he sat watching Loki pace back and forth.

"I'm not," he answered tersely, not breaking his stride or turning his eyes to his brother.

"Your brow might break if you keep it furrowed like that."

"I'm just thinking," Loki replied irritably, stopping to glare at Thor.

"What about? If it's a court matter, it can wait."

"It's not a court matter," Loki groaned, resuming his pacing.

"So the wedding then?"

Loki didn't answer, eyes glancing briefly to his brother.

"Ha! It is!" Thor stood up triumphantly.

"Shouldn't you be back on earth?" Loki whined hands now on his hips.

"Shouldn't you be happy, not sweating like a schoolboy before his first fight?"

"I am not!" Loki looked down at himself.

"What's worrying you about the wedding?" Thor chuckled, switching his teasing voice to one of kindness and walking to face Loki.

Loki sighed like he was irritated but also submitting, tossing a hand up as he shook his head and thought of a response.

"All of it? I'm getting married, Thor, married! Me! Do you know what that means? How much I can't screw up this time??"

"What could you screw up? You say a few words, place a crown, wrap a vine, kiss your girl. Simple."

"Not the ceremony! Though that has to be perfect too, and it's far from. You know that I had to change the entire arrangement in the ballroom today? Today! A day before! Who knows what else they screwed up!"

"The ceremony will be fine," Thor assured him, "You're just paranoid cuz you want it to be perfect for her."

"I don't care if---" Loki started his classic denial, but couldn't even maintain it for a second, "---fine, ok? I want it to be perfect."

"And?"

"What?"

"What else?"

Loki groaned, but once again in a way that showed he was going, and probably wanted, to answer.

"I can't screw any of it up after this. Her life. Tomorrow just...it seals it. She's either in it with me forever and we're happy, or I do something stupid, as is my nature, and ruin it completely for her."

"You won't screw this up!" Thor smiled, looking Loki firmly in the eyes.

"Name one thing I haven't screwed up?"

"You...well there's---there was the um--the...ok you can't put me on the spot! I'm only thinking of the times where you did now!"

Loki just rolled his eyes, walking to sit on the couch. 

"Tomorrow is the most important day...marking the years to come, the life to come, that will be the most important. Not that life isn't always important, but...well, it wasn't. Not to me, not the way I was living it. A whole life now, void of mistakes."

"Oh my gods, you know what that sounds like that you're fighting against?" Thor said in mocked realization, "Life. Life that was, is, and will be. It can't be void of mistakes. Never was, never will be."

"Thanks," he said dejectedly.

"Need I quote mother?" Thor threatened, but Loki just looked at him with anticipation, "You know what a life full of mistakes would make you?"

Loki chuckled lightly, smiling softly as he answered.

"Just like everyone else."

"And the measure of a hero?" Thor continued.

"How well we succeed at being who we are."

"So are you going to be paranoid about making mistakes when it's ok to do that?"

"You know, I don't like when you prove you can be moderately intelligent."

"Well, you're giving me lots of practice with your stupidity, so..." Thor shrugged, smirking at his brother.

"Thank you."

"It's what the best man is for."

"You're lucky we've made that a thing," Loki said like he regretted giving Thor bragging rights.

"Well you couldn't exactly tell Wren no, could you?"

"I most certainly could! I just...I didn't want to."

"Where is she?" Thor looked around like he'd find the answer from the room he'd been in alone with Loki the whole time. 

"Compound. You know she's so relaxed about all of this? She knows how she wants things, or doesn't care. I'm following her lead, or she's following mine. Don't know how she does it."

"And does she know how much you're working behind the scenes to make it all happen?"

Loki shook his head.

"So are you really following her lead? Clearly she's having no doubts about tomorrow, no fears. You shouldn't either. Or, and this is a wild idea, but tell her what you told me?"

Loki just scoffed.

"Or not," Thor clapped his hands behind his back, "Sure, when have I ever been right about you and her?"

"I'm not going to my fiance and telling her I'm afraid I'll ruin her life," Loki explained agitatedly.

"Or that you're a nervous wreck."

Loki glared back.

"It's alright to feel scared. Big day in your life."

"I told you the reason I'm worried, and it isn't the idea of marriage, just my tendency to---"

"Right."

"Do you have to be so...you all the time?"

"You're being your typical self-denying, annoying shit, so why should I change?"

"I'll see you in the morning," Loki walked to the door, holding it open for Thor to leave his room.

***

"I'm surprised to see you here this morning," Odin said to Loki as he entered for the informal breakfast.

"How's that?"

"Well, a day of such scale seldom leaves much appetite."

"I'm fine," Loki said casually, shrugging like nothing was wrong, though he only poured himself a drink.

"I wouldn't be."

Loki gave him a curious glance, deciding whether to pry.

"Is that so?" Loki tried remaining neutral.

"Oh yes," Odin chuckled, "The day your mother and I married was the most nervous I've ever been."

Loki thought about this for a few silent seconds while Odin continued his meal.

"Did...what were you nervous about?"

"It's marriage, Loki, what isn't there to be frightened of?"

Loki looked disappointedly back at his wine, as if hoping to have heard something more helpful.

"But you know what?" Odin carried on, "It turned into the happiest I've ever been. When such a turnout results, it makes all the worry seem unnecessary."

"Not unwarranted."

"Entirely unwarranted," Odin contradicted, "Natural? Based on merited worries? Possibly. Maybe even certainly. But there should have been no doubt in my mind that something involving your mother, no matter how serious a commitment, would end splendidly. I wish I could go back and tell myself to focus on the joy of who I was going to be spending my life with, rather than think about all that could go wrong. So let me impart my hard-discovered wisdom to you, who are not too late to benefit from such cautioning." Odin held contact with Loki's eyes as he spoke his next words. "The moment you take each other into your lives...one living for the other...the second it is sealed...you realize that your worry was for nothing. Because there was never any other path for you. You've already committed to it all in your heart, now it is simply said out loud. When the truth of how you feel is made official in actions? There is no greater feeling, my son."

Loki smiled gratefully, holding the eye contact a little longer before serving himself.

"And where is our bride this morning?" Odin asked after a few minutes of conversation.

"I suspect she stayed the night at the compound. Who knows if she's back," he grinned, "Getting up isn't her specialty."

"I'm sure she's up and bursting to get started."

"She's not a mess like me on this, so I wouldn't be surprised if she's ready already."

"She should certainly be preparing. As should you."

"That's probably where she is right now," Loki sighed, standing from the table, "Can't have myself beat by her. I'll um...I'll see you at the ceremony," Loki smiled, walking from the room.

***

"Wren!" 

"It's not Monday," you groaned, "No training."

"Wren, you fell asleep!" Wanda was shaking you.

You shot upright, looking around your room.

"Shit, what time is it??" you scrambled from the bed, turning to look at the clock.

"Two hours til your wedding!" Wanda answered.

"Oh what's the fuss then?" you fell back down on the bed.

"No, noooo," Yelena fought the blanket from you.

Gamora walked over and yanked it out of your grip with one tug, smiling triumphantly as she handed it to Yelena.

"What're you all doing here?" you noticed all the girls in the room, even Danvers and Hope.

"We're your bridesmaids?" Hope said like it was obvious, "Or...bridegroup?"

"Yeah we're not really putting titles, I just wanted all of you with me, so we're doing it."

"And we're doing it. As in, your wedding, now," Shuri pulled you from the bed.

"Two hours seems a bit excessive don't you think?" you continued whining as they dragged you out the door.

"Only you would fight your own wedding," Nat shook her head as she kept a hand on your back so you couldn't turn around.

"I'm not fighting it, I just think like thirty more minutes of sleep wouldn't have killed anyone."

"You need all the help you can get, two hours is cutting it close," Carol said.

"Carol, I'm rescinding your invitation."

They got you up to Asgard and in your old room, where all your wedding prep was taking place.

"Here are the heals," Nat dropped them in front for you to step in.

"Hey! Wait until I finish this pin," Ceyla tugged you back as you tried stepping into the shoes.

"Drape it a bit more ...ok good! Great, right there," Yelena was standing back and directing Gamora and Nebula, who were on either side of you, adjusting one of the sashes that clasped a certain way at golden seals on the shoulders.

"Close your eyes," Val said as she touched up your eyeshadow.

"These the right bracelets, right?" Hope asked, bringing over the gold bands.

"Yes," Ceyla said, peeking around from behind you to check.

"Hey, I said close them," Brunnhilde admonished as you opened them slightly to see the bracelets.

"Sorry!"

"And the earrings," Carol said, handing one to Shuri to put in on the other side.

"Jane, could you grab the veil?" Ceyla asked.

"Here," Pep handed it to Jane to hand to her.

Finally, they all backed off, taking in the finished product.

"Good?" you asked.

"Not quite," Wanda stepped behind you, "Almost forgot the most important part." She wrapped your crystal around your neck, letting it hang gracefully as she secured it in the back.

"There," she smiled, walking to the front to view the work with everyone else.

"You look beautiful," Hope grinned.

"We really did a good job," Yelena high-fived Shuri.

"It's a lot of dress," Nebula took it in, but she didn't look like she disapproved.

You frowned at her statement, glancing down at the relatively mild volume of skirt. 

"It's fine," Jane assured you, squeezing your hand, "You look amazing."

The gang all stood around smiling at your appearance, so you took a deep breath and prepared to turn towards the full-length mirror.

"Ready?" Wanda put a hand on your shoulder.

"Mhmm," you nodded excitedly.

She and Jane turned you around. You kept your eyes trained upwards until you were facing the mirror, finally bringing them down to see.

"Oh my God..." your mouth dropped, "...I'm getting married." You started smiling as you took in your reflection at different angles, twisting to see the light veil clipped into your low elaborate bun. The dress was more ballgown-esque than the others you'd worn, but also a more simple A-line fall. The material, thought fuller at the bottom, was light. It was corset style around the waste, which was further accentuated by a golden belt. The clasps at the shoulders, which held the sash that made the scoop-shaped neckline in place, were of the same color and pattern as the belt. The veil, which trailed down the back, was thin and light, with flecks of gold visible throughout it when the lights hit it just right. "I'm getting married!" you squealed, and the girls started celebrating with you, coming in as you hugged and thanked them all. "You guys made this a breeze! Thank you so much! I'd never have been able to pull this off so calmly without you all!"

"Let's hope that Loki has as good a power team," Yelena cautioned.

"For him?? Nah, he can just magic his stuff onto himself. He'll be ready in a pinch," you said, "Besides, he's not a mess like me."

***

I'm a mess, Loki looked around, unsure which things to snap onto himself with a bit of a magic. He materialized several different combinations, painfully agonizing over every little detail and changing a hundred different things.

Did I just forget that I had to wear something more than my usual to a wedding?

"Loki?"

Loki swung the door open with a flick of his hand, not turning from the mirror.

"Hey man," Clint stepped in, looking around the disheveled residence.

"What're you doing here, Clint?" Loki asked distractedly.

"Um, attending a wedding, remember?"

"Thor sent you in here, didn't he?" Loki turned to face him.

Clint smacked his lips together, nodding in submission. "Yup. Thought you could use some help from someone who's been through this all before."

"I somehow think preparing for one's wedding as a king and as a normal man are two very different things," Loki argued, switching his outfit again.

"True, we didn't exactly have a lot of people at our secret wedding. But I hate to have to tell you this, but those nerves and..." he looked around at the mess, "...all of this isn't because of who's gonna be there. It's who's gonna walk down the aisle that's got your mind in a jam."

Loki breathed deeply, letting the long sigh out.

"Fine, what do you suggest?"

"Well, what's your problem?"

"I don't know, none of this seems right. So... over the top," he said as he adjusted more parts of his regal wedding attire, "Not that I don't look outstanding in all of it," Loki shrugged, "But I don't know, it just doesn't feel like...."

"Like it fits what's happening?"

Loki turned to him questioningly.

"Listen," Clint walked over, "You and Wren are not your average couple. Just as Thor and Jane aren't. You come from two completely different worlds. And you're a completely different person since meeting her. So, maybe...you need a completely different get-up than all of this kingly stuff."

Loki thought for a second, before changing his clothes once again. In place of the leather and armor was a simpler, more Midgardian suit. The shirt seen underneath the black coat was his typical green, and with a few more tweaks he added some Asgardian flare. But no one could mistake the Earth culture behind the outfit.

"How ya feel?" Clint asked.

"Like I'm ready to marry her," Loki said quietly, still taking in the image in the mirror.

"There ya go," Clint smiled.

"Thank you, Clint," Loki smiled back, "I honestly don't know what I'd have done if Thor didn't grab you."

"Well...he didn't grab me in particular..."

"What?" Loki scrunched his face.

"Yeah, no, I just spared you countless opinions by demanding I come in first. Bring it in guys!" Clint called out to the door.

It shot open, Bucky and Sam tripping over each other as they stumbled in with the whole group.

"No," Loki held a hand up, "No no no, Clint take them all back."

"Oh come on," Bucky pulled a chair over, "We're here to help."

"Clint's taken care of that, but thanks," Loki tried shooting him down.

"Help emotionally," Tony clarified, "Mentally, morally, spiritually---"

"Yes, Tony, I get it."

"Thor just thought you could use a little help," Steve smirked over to the God of Thunder.

"Which you do, and not just with your outfit," Thor defended, "You're a wreck, and we're here to calm you down."

"So you thought bringing in the most chaotic bunch of individuals would make me less tense?" Loki asked slowly.

"Hey, we're a little energetic, I get it," Quill said, "And yes, we find it a little funny that you're so worked up over getting hitched---"

"Way to put it, Quill, great job," Bruce gave him sarcastic thumbs up.

"I think anyone here who's ever been in a serious relationship knows the nerves you've got," Steve said instead.

"I've frozen more times than I'd like to admit," T'Challa smirked, "I can't imagine how I would be if I were getting married. It's alright to be nervous."

"And we'll only ever mock you for the fact that this is something you'd love to say you're above," Rhodey added in the same helpful tone.

"And Hope and I have only broken up a couple of times, only once long enough to notice, so if you apply those stats to you guys, who haven't broken up yet, then there's only a small chance you'll fall apart," Scott rambled, "Though, you've only been technically dating for a month... though you can count the months you weren't 'dating' but were 'dating' ya know? Point is, only about fifty percent of marriages end in divorce, so you have an equal shot at happiness as you do heartache."

"Oh my God we suck at this," Bruce mumbled.

"I thought we're pretty good," Rocket shrugged back.

"Arguably it needs work," Vis sighed.

"Hey man, it's a happy time," Korg chimed in, "No need to be nervous. It's only the rest of your life that you're committing to. A lifetime of caring and providing for the girl you love, while making sure she stays happy and never has her heart broken."

"Yeah no, sh sh shush," Tony held his hand up to the rock, "Not you either!" Tony cut Drax off as he opened his mouth, "What we're saying, Antlers, is that this is clearly normal worries. You remember me the night before Pep and I married?"

"You'd have had a hangover going into your wedding if it wasn't for us," Loki grinned at the memory.

"Exaggeration, but sure, that. Who kept me sane til she walked down the aisle?"

"Ooo, I know this one!" Sam raised his hand.

"Yes, the annoying ass in the front left?" Bucky called on him.

"All of us, it's all of us," he held his hand up as if accepting praise.

Loki chuckled, their presence already relaxing the tightness in his chest.

"Tweedy's got it," Tony pointed to him, "It took all of you to keep me from going off the rails."

"As it usually does," Rhodey said disappointedly, "Glad I've got backup at least."

"Why does everything have to be about me?" Tony challenged.

"When you make it about you," Steve answered.

"I was using an examp--ya know, whatever, someone else go," he folded his arms.

"Stark," Loki said with a breathy laugh, "I get it. Thanks. To all of you. I'm a mess, have been for a while. And I know I've made it worse by pretending to be calm for Wren. I've wanted things to be perfect, but didn't want her to know that I wanted that so badly, and so forth...but I can do this."

"You got it man!" Korg cheered.

"Hey, I uh I know I'm like not an adult and all and don't know what you're going through," Peter interjected, "But all I know is when I finally told MJ I liked her, it was the best decision of my life. This is like that, right? Just like, um, on a bigger scale? It's just another step of that fear that you have to overcome."

"Why is the kid the best at this?" Loki looked accusingly to the others, making Peter beam from the praise.

"We know we're not telling you anything new," Steve said, "But it's our job to keep shoving you til you're through the finish line."

"I am Groot."

Loki smiled gratefully.

"We should probably begin heading over?" Thor suggested tentatively, as if testing how Loki's mood would change. 

Loki's eyes filled briefly with fear before he nodded and his face relaxed a little.

"There's one more person we're waiting on," Loki said, "He was actually supposed to meet me here."

"You don't want our help, we can leave," Tony retorted.

"Who is it?" Sam asked.

"Someone you'll all be unhappy to see," Zemo answered as he stepped in the room, the guard that led him here walking away.

The room grew more stiff, but that didn't stop Tony from talking.

"Kinda forgot you'd of course be here," he said, "Wren would have to invite you."

"Actually, I sent the invitation," Loki said, "Before Wren asked."

"Well, let's not make it awkward then," Tony turned, "How's it hanging Zelda?"

"I'm as joyful as ever to see you, Stark," Zemo replied blandly.

"Thank you for coming," Loki nodded, "It means a lot to her...to both of us," he added hesitantly.

"Wouldn't miss it," Zemo smirked.

"Alright, uh," Loki looked around, "I guess I'll see you all there," he grinned, "I'm gonna take Zemo to see Wren first, but then I'll join you there, Thor," Loki told him as everyone began filing out.

"See you there," Thor said with a big smile, slapping a hand on Loki's shoulder.

"Really, thank you," Loki started awkwardly as he and Zemo walked through the halls, "I know how difficult it can be to be around people you're... currently at odds with. I appreciate you coming."

"As I've said, I'm in no position to despise them. Especially after seeing what they try to accomplish...what we all accomplished. Never means I have to like them, and inside me I feel I'll never be at peace around them. But for Wren?" Zemo looked to Loki on his left, "I think I can tolerate a few hours."

"This day wouldn't feel right without you. It's like...a culmination of all she's achieved. Of everything gone right. Your story is now forever linked to ours. Your triumph as great as ours. To not recognize that would seem like an insult to you, her, and everything we're supposed to stand for."

"Two years of good behavior are showing in you," Zemo said as a compliment disguised as a tease.

"Still waiting to see it in you," Loki smirked, and Zemo gave a small chuckle.

"Here we are," Loki paused outside Wren's door.

"You're not going to see her, right?" Zemo hesitated before knocking.

"No, I've been made aware of your superstitions."

"It's not so much superstition as it is preserving the experience."

"I've waited two years, I can wait longer," Loki rolled his eyes, backing away with a nod before retreating around the corner.

***

The girls had left to get in position, with Ceyla prepared to escort you shortly. You were still staring at the mirror, eyes now zoned out as the realization of how close your wedding was finally started hitting you. All the fear that came with the excitement was starting to arrive as well. As if the universe knew you needed a distraction, there was a knock at the door.

"I got it," you stopped Ceyla moving from where she was tidying the make-up station.

"Loki it's not you, right?" you called through the door first, "Cuz I talked about that."

"Don't worry, so did I," Zemo's voice answered.

"You came!" you yelled, opening the door and hugging him.

"Did you doubt I would?"

"I've learned never to presume to know how anything is gonna go."

"Well, I wouldn't miss your wedding, you can count on that."

"Thank you," you said, "I know hanging around them isn't your ideal situation. I didn't wanna force you here if---"

"You didn't need to force. Unwanted interaction with acquaintances you don't get along with is part of weddings. And most of life. That doesn't take away from the joy of being there for someone you care about," he smiled.

"This is why you're the best."

"A few weeks where we spent some time together miiight disprove that theory."

"You kidding? Best villain kidnapping ever! Even the electrocution the first time was pretty cool to see, even if I was, ya know...ok, so I'm not making sense. Still, you get my point."

"Actually, you're proving mine," he said sadly.

"Hey, we put that first meeting behind us. Don't go thinking about it."

"Still pains me to remember it. You're never going to get me to not feel guilty at a memory like that."

"Then I shouldn't have mentioned it, I'm sorry. I'm still horribly unfiltered when it comes to movie things that aren't that cool in real life and I shouldn't talk about. Let's focus on today though, ok? You're here because all of that," you motioned to the past, "Turned out alright. You're here."

"Ok, but why am I here? At your room?"

"Don't you wanna see me?"

"Could easily have done so at the wedding. You, and Loki, don't do things without a reason."

"I don't? Really?"

"Alright, you do some dumb shit," he amended his statement, "But this is too coordinated. You weren't shocked to find me at your door, just happy I was here."

"Can you ever turn your deductive geniusness off?"

"If only I wasn't so gifted."

"Fine, he knows I wanted to talk to you," you said about Loki, "Because...ok, so, I know this is probably gonna sound weird, and if it does just like tell me to shut up or something. But, I was wondering...well, ok, so out of everyone here, they're all like my friends...or siblings. Not that you're not my friend, but it's different. Like, Tony? He might work, but like he's also Tony at the same time he's IronDad to everyone. So it's not exactly the same. What I mean is, or I'm getting to eventually, is...will you walk me down the aisle?"

Zemo's eyes widened in surprise.

"I know it's stupid and weird, but I just--you're the closest thing I have to a father, and I know that may not make sense cuz we haven't even spent a lot of physical time together, like we've texted longer than we lived together, but...I don't know, it's just like the relationship is different with you than it is with all the others. You're just, I feel like you're a friend and also the closest thing to a parental figure. Like, I don't know how to explain it. But you always act like a dad, in all the best ways, while also being like the annoying friend I wanna punch. You know what I mean? And it's like, my dad he's... I---I always uh..." your eyes started pricking and you knew you had to hold in your tears. If your makeup was going to get ruined, you had to save it for later when the tears would surely come, "...I always pictured him walking me down, you know? And th--that's not...it's not gonna happen, obviously. And there's no one else I could picture here to fill that spot then you. I can't explain it. You're just...only you could fill that role, because ever since we started getting along that's the role you've always kinda half-been in my mind, whether I admitted it or not. You're both a friend and someone I wouldn't wanna have to sneak out past and get my ass grounded by," you giggled, "So um...I know it's dumb ---"

"Wren," Zemo stopped you by placing his hands on your arms, "It's as dumb as me viewing you as both a friend...and the daughter I never had. I think you know how having you around in the house filled a void for me. The void a father feels after losing his child. You taught me to care again. To care for someone. To care about what and who I am. So there would be no greater honor in this world...then to walk you down that aisle today."

"Ok," you smiled, eyes glistening.

"You're going to ruin your makeup."

You laughed as you hugged him again 

"Thank you," you said softly.

"Thank you."

"Should we go soon?" he asked when you released him.

"Yeah, let me go get Ceyla," you said, walking back into the room.

"Pleasure to me you," Ceyla smiled to Zemo with a brief curtsey.

"Pleasure is all mine," he nodded back, "There was never a story of Asgard that didn't have you in it. You've meant a lot to Wren."

"Well, she's meant a lot to me," Ceyla smirked sideways at you.

"Let's get this show on the road," you walked between them and down the hall.

"You know where you're going?" Ceyla asked as she and Zemo fell in stride with you.

"Ceyla, I live here."

"And?" Zemo pressed.

You were about to make a comment about having practice up here from your stay hiding from Zemo, but reminded yourself you'd just said you wouldn't bring the past up.

"You're new, I'm not," was what you said instead, "And wait a sec, this is your first time up here! How are you so calm?"

His answer was only to raise his eyebrows a little more while his mouth searched for the words.

"You're totally freaking out in there!" you poked his chest.

"I've been through time and on an alien planet before, remember? But...it's as amazing as you say here. I'm not freaking out, just still taking it all in."

You smiled proudly, as if it was your triumph that Asgard could render Zemo semi-speechless.

"Focus on your own panic," Zemo said defensively, nudging you.

"We're here!" Ceyla shrilled excitedly as the entrance to the throne room was up ahead.

"Oh God," you started breathing heavier, pausing further from the door while Ceyla ran ahead to make sure everything was ready.

"Hey," Zemo stepped in front of you so you had to look at him, "You can do this."

"Yeah I know I just..." every and all past fears and doubts about you and Loki came flooding back. Loki, a god, content to marry you? Loki, the trickster. What was he up to? Could you be queen? Were you walking into this too quickly? How had you gotten here? Was this insane? 

"Wren," Zemo spoke kindly, taking your hand, "Who brought us all here?"

"What?"

"Who brought everyone here? Heroes and villains to the wedding of the God of Mischief?"

"Well I mean---"

"And I don't want to hear about the group effort or how things could have gone smoother or any of that. Who is responsible for this outcome?"

"Me," you whispered, voice cracking a bit.

"How many fears and doubts did you have along the way, even if you never admitted them to yourself or others?"

"A lot."

"And look how things turned out anyway. You had a dream. A vision. And you didn't let your worries stop you. This? This is just another beautiful outcome that you need to trust yourself with. Believe in what you're about to do. Who do you envision the rest of your life with?"

"Loki," you replied in the same soft voice as before, letting yourself smile a bit at the thought of him.

"So are you, the girl who didn't let separate realities keep you apart, going to let your thoughts and anxieties keep you from walking down that aisle to him?"

You just shook your head, face more at ease.

"That's our girl," he smiled, pulling you in for a hug.

"They're ready for us!" Ceyla rushed back over.

"Doesn't matter if they're ready," Zemo whispered as he took your arm in preparation, noting your intensified fear. "Are you?"

All of the "Loki from the movies" thoughts eased up as you took in the man before you. This certainly wasn't the man from the movies. He'd grown into something more. Everything you'd experienced, all the times with Loki, the team, and Zemo, calmed you. You knew them, more than movie characters. And you knew Loki. Not your favorite character, but the man you loved. 

You nodded, letting yourself smile.

"Then let's go," he gave you a reassuring grin.

Ceyla opened the door a crack to slip through, the large entrance sealing behind her. You and Zemo walked to the doors and you braved yourself for the moment to come. After a few seconds, the doors began swinging inward.

Thor's failed coronation popped into your head as you saw the vast hall filled with citizens. Panic seized your chest, and you took a deep shaky breath. 

You're just getting married. You're not on stage. You're not doing anything crazy. It's your day.

You began to breathe mildly more at ease, though there was no escaping the adrenaline rush, the buzz that had taken up residence in your body. This was your new life. Vast golden halls, citizens in ancient dress, and armies in shining armor. This was your new normal...and you were ready to take that next step.

"Excelsior," you muttered to yourself, taking the first step with Zemo

You didn't want to blank your mind out of fear, thus missing out on the memories, so you forced yourself to look around. You smiled at some of the populace, but mainly you focused on the scene. The room was as grand as ever, as beautiful as it was in Thor. The late morning sun pouring in shimmered splendidly off the gold. Displays of white flowers and glistening green vines were everywhere as well, a theme that would carry to the celebration afterwards.

As you approached the throne, you saw the team was standing together in the front left. Nat, Yelena, Wanda, and Brunnhilde were lined on steps, much how Lady Sif, Frigga, and Loki were during the coronation. Though all the girls were considered your bridesmaids to you, these four had been selected to be the multiple maids of honor out of the large group. You couldn't signal one as a higher rank than the others. Loki, however, certainly could. Thor was standing highest on the steps, closest to Loki. Clint, Sam, and Vision were his honorary additions to join Thor on the steps. 

You couldn't help but smile even bigger as you made eye contact with the team, giggling at the few snickering eye rolls you got for having Zemo with you. You got to the foot of the steps and felt eerily like Thor, seeing the smiles from the left and right and Odin waiting ahead of you. Granted, Odin was standing this time not sitting. Still, you had a brief thought of something going wrong. Of some Frost Giant attack.

There was no greater way to shut off your movie-centric brain than to see the glaring difference between this set-up and Thor's coronation. Back then, Loki stood bitterly where Wanda was now stationed. But today? He was looking more handsome than you'd ever seen him. And it had nothing to do with the way he was dressed or how he combed his hair. It was the smile. The look in his eyes. You'd never felt more comforted, more loved, than you did in this moment. You locked eyes with him and couldn't keep the adoration off your face as you smiled. All the nerves were gone, all the doubt free from your mind. At this time, everything felt perfect. Everything felt how it was meant to be.

Zemo stopped with you at the bottom of the steps, making you remember that there were other people here besides you and your fiancee. You hugged Zemo, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. He squeezed your hand before letting it go, backing away with a joyful peace on his face that you hadn't seen before.

Turning back to the steps, you began your ascent. Loki stepped one foot down as he held his hand out to you, leading you up to your place across from him. As the two of you held each other's hands, you couldn't help but happily giggle at the whole situation. Loki smirked, knowing exactly what you meant. The two of you were here. Somewhere you never thought, but deep down always knew, you'd be.

Odin had been talking, going through the ancient customary script, and you tuned back in to the ceremony, forcing yourself to pay attention.

"Let us recognize the shared rule, the unity by which a king and queen are forever bound," Odin said, holding his hand out for the crown to be carried out. Loki took the jeweled diadem, facing you as he cleared his throat.

"I swear unto the Allfathers and to the glorious halls of Valhalla to take you, Wren Arlington, as my queen and wife. May all present witness this, the start of blessed days to come," he recited, and you bowed your head as he placed it.

"As your love has bound you in heart, so has it tied your fates together," Odin continued, now wrapping the vine gently around your wrists and then Loki's, your hands now held in each other's again. "A vine, cut from its source, will wither. May this vine represent a fruitful marriage. For it's source is not one end, but two," he said as he noted the part tied to you and then Loki, "May the two of you nurture and grow your vine. One that, no matter how tested, can never truly decease. For it will remain a part of each of you, til the end of your days. You, it's source, and it, the product of your love. May it bring you everlasting happiness."

You knew that now was your time to speak.

"Loki," you said, lightly chuckling as you did, "For years I watched you on screen, never knowing that you were real or that one day I'd be standing here with you. Sometimes that realization makes me pause. Makes me fear that I'll wake up one day, or that this is too good to be true. But you've only ever assured me, time and time again, that not only is this real, but that you're the best thing to have happened to me. I never knew where my life was gonna go. All I knew was that I was never going to be the 'normal' kind of person, or what people deem normal. Being a fan of superheroes, to the extent I am, puts a target on your back sometimes. It isn't 'cool'. It isn't 'mature'. People will assume things about you because you prefer fantasy over what other people your age like. So I think part of me always thought I'd end up alone. Then you happened. I guess you could say my love for Marvel paid off," you laughed, "In amazing ways I never expected. You're first and foremost my best friend. What I love about you is that that's never changed. I always feared ruining what we had by telling you how I felt. But here we are, and you're still the annoying shit I can count on to have fun with. Everything I loved about you before I met you did not disappoint. But getting to know you has been the greatest honor of my existence. You're the sweetest man. You're compassionate. When your loyalty is given there's nothing that could ever break it. You never give up, even when you want to or pretend to. You've grown into the brave person I knew you could be. You fight for what you believe in, you protect your friends. You have a heart of gold. And I never could have imagined how fantastic you would be. You make me laugh more than I've laughed before. You've done things for me that no one's ever done. You're charming, kind...and I love you. You never think other-halves exist until you find yours. And Loki, I know with every fiber of my being that you're mine. Who knew I came to save my husband when I jumped through that portal? Because that's what you are and always will be to me. My best friend and husband. By the halls of Valhalla, heaven, whatever we call it...until the end of days... I take you, Loki Odinson, King of Asgard, as my husband."

You both chuckled as the Avengers gave a cheer. With Loki holding your gaze with all the sincerity he felt, he began his vows.

"Wren Arlington. I've spoken before about all you've done for me. How I never imagined having a friend so close, let alone a best friend or love. And I certainly never imagined that the girl I was hunting all those nights ago, the mystery woman who knew my secret, would turn out to be my purpose. Because that's what you are. Not only because I want to live for you, but because you taught me how to live. So that even when you were gone I was left with a life I always wanted and that you knew I could achieve. I was prepared to enjoy my life as you would have wanted me to. But I'd be lying if I said it would have been complete. You fulfill every dream. To tolerate me takes a lot, and you seem to do it with a willingness I feel undeserving of. You're the most adorably idiotic person I've ever met. You're fun and full of life, just not in the morning. The first day we spent at the compound when the others were away was the most fun I'd had in ages. All from the simplicity of puzzles and movies. Because you were there. Making every moment worth a lifetime. You're firm in your beliefs, you challenge me, yet you're never too arrogant to admit your own flaws. You strive to make the lives of those around you better, and you'd never give up on someone, no matter what they'd done to you. I never told you, but when I came back down for Halloween? And made it seem like father had suggested I continue aiding you? That wasn't true. I never spoke with him. Because I wanted to come back down. Back to you. It was so early in our friendship that I never understood that it was you I desired to be with. But I couldn't hide from the fact that thinking of seeing you again, and all of our banter and fun, wasn't something that pulled me back down to you. I love everything about you. And I know when I began the name Darling that it was to aggravate you. Yet I'm sure you know by now that it didn't take long for me to mean the name sincerely. I'm blessed to get to call you that until we're both sick of hearing it. Because not a day will go by that I don't remind you of what you are. My Darling. So, by the halls of Valhalla, until the end of days, I take you, Wren Arlington, Queen of Asgard, as my wife."

Odin continued with the finishing remarks, but your mind was still filled with everything he'd said and the happiness you felt. All you were listening for was the queue, which came right then. Loki must have been anticipating it as well, for he moved faster than you did, sliding his hands as far up your arms as the vine would allow as he pulled you to him. The kiss was only broken by the fact that you had to smile, because the applause of the crowd and hollering of the team flooded you with too much joy. Loki grinned too, and you giggled and kissed him again.

Loki unwrapped the vine, the two of you facing the crowd to wave. You laughed more as you saw the tears in Sam and Buck's eyes. You waved the whole team up, insisting when some were hesitant. Tony wasn't, obviously, and he ran right up for the hug. Everyone followed, and soon there was a massive group hug going on.

"Should we get this party started or what?" Tony asked amidst the sea of people.

"On this rare occasion you're right," Loki nodded, "Let's get out of here."

The two of you, arms wrapped around each other, led the procession to the reception. Obviously the entirety of Asgard couldn't come to the celebration, but there were to be festivities in the street in honor of your marriage.

You and Loki led every group dance, which went from one to the next for quite a while. No one cared. Especially you, who glided through, partnered with all your friends at one time or another, having the time of your life. The day was such a blur of enjoyment in the breathtakingly beautiful scenery that you hardly noticed the hours slip by. 

The meal was approaching when Loki split from T'Challa and Bucky to grab you. 

"Care to breath for a second?" he smirked.

"Not a lot of time for it, is there?" you said, taking his hand and walking outside with him. Most of the guests had retired indoors in preparation for the food soon to be served, so it was empty as Loki led you to the far side of the large fountain. From there you could see the city, hear the music and laughter from the celebrations still occuring.

"You look absolutely stunning," Loki said, and you turned you eyes from the view to find him looking only at you.

Despite having known Loki for many months, and now living with him since your return, he still managed to bring butterflies to your stomach. Truth was, when you were "just friends" he complimented you in his sideways Loki kind of way, as you did him. And since confessing to one another, he'd made it clear he thought you attractive. But the great thing about your relationship is that it continued, for the most part, like you were the same old pair of best friends. You loved it that way, but the times where Loki was truly romantic? Or said things like that? Nothing compared. And you liked that he didn't overdo it. But it was still something you hadn't quite gotten used to, and probably never would. Because hearing words like that from the man you loved could never feel anything less than it did right now.

"Truly," he said, as if reading your mind, "I don't just mean tonight. You're beautiful."

"That's only because I'm so in love," you said in a cheesy voice.

"Don't bring that cringe dialogue into this! You know how I feel about Star Wars prequel writing."

"You set it up," you smiled with a shrug.

"And you can never take a moment seriously."

"That's why you love me remember? My adorable idioticness," you teased.

"And you think I'm charming," he replied, taking your hand and tugging you gently to him.

"You can be."

"Like this?" he snapped his fingers and a blanket, strawberries, and a pitcher of lemonade appeared.

"Awww," you said, a hand going over your mouth as you smiled, "Yup, ok, I might cry."

"Well, our first date marked your one month here. And today, October 11th, marks the anniversary of when I met you." 

Your mouth dropped as you took your eyes from the display to him.

"Oh my God you're right!" 

"Of course I am, why do you think I picked this date?"

"You didn't I d...wait did you manipulate me into picking this date???"

"Had to make you think it was your idea so you wouldn't suspect anything," he laughed at your shock.

"Always the trickster," you hit his arm.

"Always oblivious," he shot back.

"Do we have time for this?" you asked, looking back in the direction of the party.

"It's our wedding," he said as he led you over to the blanket.

"Doesn't mean they won't start without us."

"Let them."

You both had a few strawberries and drank a glass before lying on your backs. 

"Life's crazy," you whispered, staring at the fading light above you and thinking of the last time you did this with Loki.

"Good crazy or bad?" Loki asked, rubbing his thumb on the back of your hand as he held it between the two of you.

"Well, you're a little bit of both," you joked, "Which for some reason I dig, so..."

"Darling?"

"Yup," you turned your head.

"I was a wreck leading up to the wedding."

"Really?? You were so calm, which is why I told myself I could be calm!"

"That's the whole point of appearing calm, moron."

"What were you freaking out about?"

"Trapping you in a life I'd inevitably ruin," he said casually, like it was the same old thing.

"Ah, so nothing too bad."

Loki snickered, looking back up at the sky.

"Why are you telling me this now?"

"To let you know that I no longer fear what I might do. Because if my past wasn't enough to turn you away, what else could I do wrong? You trust in me...and I do too now. It was a moment's panic, but I know I'd never hurt you."

"I feel that. Just before Zemo and I entered, all of the 'It's Loki, this is insane, he's a movie character' stuff started running through my head. Like my brain was choosing to ignore the fact that you're a person, one I know well now. And I want to let you know that there's no doubt in my head that you love me. No matter what my brain likes to panic about. You're not a movie character to me anymore, Loki. When I was back, I tried watching Ragnarok. And it was like watching someone else. I know you. And I always will."

"In this together now, aren't we?" he rolled on his side, propping himself on his elbow.

"Yeah," you followed suit, "You're stuck with me."

He kissed you briefly, pulling away just enough so that his lips hovered in front of yours.

"I can deal with that," he whispered, kissing you longer, and then again and again. His hand moved behind your head, but the gong of the bell signaled that the dinner was starting.

"We should go," you broke the kiss, breathing heavier than before.

"Do we have to?" Loki groaned in frustration.

"We have all of our friends here. That doesn't happen too much."

"Fine," he kissed you once more, "We'll pick this up later."

You chuckled as you stood up, Loki doing the same. With a flick of his hand the objects were cleaned up.

"I think this was the smoothest this wedding could have gone. I mean, with our luck and the world we're in you'd have thought something would happen," you said on your way back inside.

"Darling...what have we talked about?"

"We're not in a movie, I know," you reiterated what was now your life-lesson, "...but we kinda are."

Loki sighed.

"Come on you know I'm right!"

Loki gave you a condescending look, but there was agreement in his eyes.

"Ha! I win."

"Can we just say, on a day like this, that we both win?"

"And yield?? Today ain't that special."

"I hate you."

"And I hate you."

He put his arm over your shoulders as the two of you entered the hall again, ready to finish the best day of your life.

Chapter Text

Stakeouts have to be the best job, you thought as you munched away on your Pringles.

You'd taken a car out "shopping", instead coming to this rendezvous. You'd had it planned for a while now, though you had backed out and recommitted a hundred times in the last twenty-four hours. It wasn't necessarily uncommon for you to do things without asking, especially as you grew increasingly more comfortable being your own person and having your own life in the MCU. In the past, you'd always still been a guest in ways. At least in your head. Now, you had to realize that you could come and go places as you pleased...not that this revelation thrilled some people...and clearly, if you felt the need to sneak around, then you didn't entirely believe that.

There was no need to tell them, you justified to yourself, And there's no need for any of them to panic and look for you, you're allowed out.

The tapping on the window made you nearly launch the Pringles in the air. Your face went from fear to happiness to "oh shit" and finally landed on reluctance, as you sighed and unlocked the car.

T'Challa opened the passenger side door, slipping in to the front seat and giving you an amused smile.

"How's your shopping coming along?"

"Great actually, I got some Pringles," you offered him the can, but he declined. "Shuri tell you I went shopping?"

"She did. She also told me the strangest thing," he said sarcastically, "She said you were in New Jersey, over an hour away."

"Good Pringles are hard to come by. How'd she know anyway? Not that I didn't think this car or anything is traceable if someone wanted to track me, but is there an alarm that goes off once I cross the stinkin state line?"

"She was checking to see how far it'd be for you to pick up those doughnuts she likes."

"You mean Okoye was checking."

"Breathe a word of what the general secretly likes to eat to any outsider and it might be the last thing she lets you do," he said jokingly, though the statement was entirely true.

"So how'd Shuri find me?"

"Be careful where you wear those kimoyo beads."

"I'm a sucker for fashion."

"Of course," he grinned.

"So why're you here?"

"The right question, but wrong person."

"I'm just eating Pringles," you said in exaggerated innocence.

"Yes. And eating and eating and eating..." he looked at the near empty container with mild concern.

"Hey, I offered."

"My body's under enough strife."

"Even the super kitty's juiced-up body's feeling a little sore?" you teased.

"Something like that," he smiled, "But what are you really doing here? It isn't like you to go off by yourself or lie about it."

"How'd you know? Maybe I'm so good at it that I do it all the time and you never realize?"

"A White Rhinoceros has better stealth."

"Ow. And just for that I'm taking the last Pringle," you said, sticking your hand down as far as it could and tipping the container slightly, "See, the key is to tip it enough to grab it without spilling the crumbs."

"Ah, an increasingly rare talent," he played along in a fascinated tone as he watched you victoriously grab the chip.

"You ate your last distraction," he pointed out as you closed the top.

"Oh I can think of more, my power of steering conversations off-topic is unmatched."

"I have experience with little sisters and their secrets," he gave you a look that showed he had enough patience to wait a lifetime if that's what it took to get to the answer.

"I just wanted to chill," you said, "Get out, you know? After all, I'm a Jersey girl."

"Even if I didn't already know where we were," he said kindly, "Your eyes have not left the house."

You sighed, dropping your head back against the seat before giving a defeated smile.

"Well, I'm already here," you tossed your hands.

"I'm not going to drag you away."

"Then why'd you come?"

"To help," he said after a moment's pause.

"I....there's uh--thanks, but uh, there's not really much to help with."

"We often tell ourselves that."

"I just wanna see them, that's all," you said, trying to let out your shaky breath as subtly as possible.

"Wren...you know this will only make things harder?"

"Yeah, yeah I know," you brushed him off.

"It will. Handling the alternate you has been tricky enough with your face starting to make its way on the news. They can't give you what you're looking for."

"I'm not gonna walk up to them and ask for a hug, ok? I'm just looking, there's nothing wrong with looking."

A silence fell as you continued staring at the house.

"It's just hard, you know?" you broke the quiet, "This time of year, the holidays. Tomorrow being Thanksgiving. I made it through the last one when I was first here, but now it...I don't know, it's different. Everything's different this time around because things are final. Decisions are final. There is no 'Oh I'll just see them next Thanksgiving' because there isn't one."

"Have you seen them yet?"

"Nope, but I know us. At least, I think I do. If things aren't different here, then we should be packing the car soon to go to my aunt's."

"And if they saw you?"

"Don't worry, this rhino knows how to turn her face the other way," you snickered, and he laughed lightly.

"I know it's hard," he began gently, "Wanting to be with your family. Leaving them is the hardest thing," he said with an aura of understanding. You assumed he was speaking from the experience of losing his father.

Damnit, Wren, perspective!

"It was. But I'd made---have made my peace with it...or at least, I thought I had or think I do and then I---it just...sometimes I fall back into this longing. And again, it's usually just me getting used to my decision, but lately? The holidays can be equally as sad as they are happy because the lack is more glaring. Someone's empty seat at the dinner table seems a little more empty on a day like tomorrow."

"Choices like yours are a constant battle. Choices to be happy. Choices to accept or grow. They are not a book you can close and never reopen. They require constant attention. Like pushing a boulder up a hill that does not end. Some days you'll have more strength to move it. Others, it will push you back. The best we do is to get it a little higher every day."

"And if it sends you tumbling backwards down the hill and crushes you for good measure?"

"We get back up."

"Sounds painful."

"It can be. But you are already well prepared to carry your rock farther than you think."

"How?"

"Because you have already greatly come to terms with your farewell. Does not mean it will hurt any less on certain days, but you were given the gift of being able to prepare yourself for the change. We all must be prepared to part ways, but we cannot always grasp how soon we need to ready ourselves. You've been given the fortune of knowing, and of saying goodbye on your terms."

You took in his words somberly, nodding softly.

"So being back here kinda erases that doesn't it? I settled things, and now I'm throwing myself back in," you groaned.

"It's understandable. Everyone who has ever left or had someone leave has experienced the desire to see them again. And everyone would find it hard to resist an encounter when they know when and where their loved one would be."

"But I have to let them go," you whispered to yourself, eyes zoned out the window.

"The boulder only gets heavier if you hold on."

"God, this sucks," you said in frustration, dropping your forehead a little too forcefully on the steering wheel.

"They're outside," he said quietly, and you had to stop yourself from launching up.

Seeing them will only make it harder.

Without lifting your head, you pressed the button to start the ignition. When you sat back up, you kept your head facing forward, eyes trained on the road. Putting the vehicle in drive, you pulled forward and onwards past the house. You clenched your teeth, taking all your strength not to look. When you were a few blocks down, you pulled the car over again and loosened your death grip on the wheel. Wiping a tear that had stubbornly made its way out, you released the breath you'd been holding.

"You did the right thing."

You nodded, giving him a quick appreciative smile.

"Thanks, T'Challa. You didn't have to come all the way out here."

"But I knew what you were going through. And...if there's anything I want people to learn, it's how to move on."

"I can barely handle this, imagine if someone died. I'd be a mess."

"When someone dies," he corrected.

"Ok, you downer, when someone dies."

"It is an inevitable part of all our journey. Death is not the end. We are simply parting ways for a while. When someone goes...you have to learn to carry on."

He said it with a calm strength, but there was a tinge of sadness in his eyes.

"I guess there is a benefit to not knowing how soon you need to be ready to let someone go. I wouldn't be able to function if I knew when someone was gonna die."

He started chuckling, shaking his head as he did.

"What?"

"Nothing, just...I would never tell you then," he smirked.

"Please, don't," you agreed, "Though I guess I'd want to know."

"You just said otherwise," he argued.

"Yeah I know, but I meant like it'd be horrible if we all knew when we were gonna die, like if I learned Tony's inevitably gonna die in a car crash next week or something. But if he knew? And didn't tell me?"

"Well, he'd just be sparing you. Why make you spend your last moments worrying?"

"Because you said it was good to be prepared!"

"Yes but..."

"What?"

"If nothing could be done, and he knew you'd spend your time thinking something could be done, then why would he waste that time?"

"And how would he know if something couldn't be done?"

"Because you said it was a hypothetical inevitable death we were considering."

"Well, in reality that doesn't really make sense does it?" you countered, "So in reality, I'd want to know. Cuz if someone knows they're gonna die, then they know how, and it can be fixed."

"Who would you tell?" he changed the topic.

"I guess...damn ok, I see what you're saying, cuz all of you would just freak out and I don't think I'd want that."

"See?" he pointed at you.

"I guess I'd tell those who I knew really needed to know. Those who needed to be prepared for it the most, who would be affected by it the most."

"I agree."

"Or tell someone who could possibly help with whatever I was about to die from."

He stared out the window for a bit before seeming to come back to himself.

"What if there was no guarantee that person could help? And they were one of the ones you didn't want to tell?" he asked, still phrasing it like a question in this game of theoreticals you were playing.

"You're getting invested in this scenario."

"You never know when you'll need the answers," he grinned.

"Ok, well, I'd say that if this person was someone you thought could possibly help, then chances are they'll think they could have helped too. So you'd be risking leaving them with tremendous guilt by not confiding in them."

"Just as much as if you did confide in them though, and there was nothing that could be done."

"Possibly. But if the outcome is the same, then I'd say why not go for it? At least then both of you would know you tried."

He hummed thoughtfully at that.

"But I guess the best thing to do is to cherish what we got now, huh?" you summed up, starting the car once again.

"Live every moment like it's your last," he agreed.

"Good. Good talk, we're both thoroughly prepared for the farfetched outcome," you said, pulling forward, "Where're you parked by the way?"

He led you back to his car, though he hesitated when reaching for the door.

"Whenever I die, Wren...don't spend your time grieving. I want you to live."

"You planning on hanging yourself tonight, cuz that sounded an awful lot like a 'goodbye before I kill myself' kinda thing?"

"Vibranium cannot protect me from everything."

"Eh, but it can from most things."

"I'm serious," he smirked.

"So am I, that stuff is magic."

"Just don't let the boulder hold you back if my death comes around, ok?" he smiled.

"No promises," you smiled back, "Now get out, I've got places to be."

"Alright, I'm going," he held his hands up in offense.

"T'Challa," you said before he could close the door, "Thanks again."

"Thank you," he said, closing the door before you could question what it was he was thanking you for.

More Notes: First, big thanks and love to Chadwick Boseman. The man was an absolute legend to handle his situation the way he did. Not that telling the world would have made him any less of a good guy, but I have such respect for how he never sought attention or sympathy for his position. How he carried on filming and being the awesome guy he was when he had every reason to bail out.

I also found it fitting that Wakanda Forever, which got me all mushy and sad about T'Challa and Chadwick, came out shortly before Thanksgiving. The holidays, as Wren said, can be as sad as they are happy. But we have to remember the good in our lives, be grateful for those we have, and remember and cherish the memory of those we don't. Shuri's story was the classic story of grief nearly driving someone too far. We saw it with Wanda, and we've seen it in storytelling many times. But it was done really well and in a way that accurately represents a common way we all deal, or don't deal, with grief. Especially when someone so young goes through something tragic. 

To me, they handled the Chadwick situation in the most beautiful sense. He was a legend for how he continued through with the filming and with life, despite his illness. It only seemed right to portray that heroic quality to his character, capturing the shock of his sudden loss and allowing the audience to have it's chance to say farewell to Chadwick through T'Challa. Now, when I watch Infinity War or Endgame, the "wow, Chadwick filmed all of this while sick" is carried over into "wow, T'Challa was sick when fighting these battles". It just beautifully pays respect to Chadwick's legacy, and forever, in my mind, binds him to the hero he brought to life.

With all of that being said, enjoy the holidays with your friends and family everyone! Cherish your time with them, because we never know how much time we have on this earth. That's a scary but also beautiful thing, because it makes life all the more precious. Don't dwell on those who aren't here, but rather rejoice and take comfort and happiness in the memories you have and the loved ones still with you. Some days are easier than others for anyone who's experienced loss. But it doesn't drive away all of the good.

Merry Christmas and lots of love!

Chapter Text

"Care to fill me in yet?" Loki whispered through the com.

"I told you, we're supposed to track these guys back to their source, see if we can find where the Russians are working out of."

"Yes, but why do we care about a Russian mob? Isn't this the job of the local officials?"

"Granted, mob activity isn't usually an Avenger-worthy threat," you admitted.

"So why are we here?"

"If you were down here when you said you'd be, you'd have been at the briefing."

"I'm sorry being king puts a few wrenches in my desired schedule," he sassed back, "Besides, we were supposed to be coming down for a night in the city."

"It's night. We're in the city."

"Typical of them to ask us on our night off. We come down for five seconds and they're putting us to work."

You made a face you were glad he was not present to see, but your silence betrayed the truth.

"You didn't," he sighed in disappointment.

"Oh come on, I've never actually been on one by myself, and I was more joking when I volunteered, but then they didn't say no and I was like 'Oh my gosh, me being an Avenger is natural enough now that they don't even worry about sending me on a mission!' so then I had to go with it naturally before they changed their minds," you blathered out in defense of yourself, "You coming with me might have something to do with them not worrying about me going, but still, it was cool being able to."

"You had coffee before I got down here, didn't you," he deducted from your whispered speed-talking.

"Hey, ya need heightened senses on a stealth mission."

"And silence."

"I'm whispering."

"Lovely of you to offer up our services," he snarked, bringing the conversation back on track.

"You know you love fighting guys as much as I do. And isn't this cool? We're getting to do one by ourselves, this is fun! We're like Batman and Robin or Lilo and Stitch---"

"Lilo and Stitch?"

"You could see them doing something like this."

"Remind me to have Tony remove the coffee pot whenever you're coming down here."

"Point is, this is cool and fun."

"It's fine, I understand," he said kindly, "I do enjoy this. I guess I just thought you'd have loved to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway more, but this is definitely more---"

"WHAT?" you whispered loudly, nearly crossing into the realm of actually shouting.

"It was going to be a surprise, but then I came down to be rushed into a car so---"

"You coulda mentioned it!!!"

"Why would I when this is a great deal more fun? You're right, I'd hate to be cooped up in a beautiful theater," he taunted.

"You asshole."

"That'll teach you to break our date night."

"I thought I was passing up a dinner for a physical activity, and we could go eat after!"

"Relax, Darling," Loki chuckled, "We'll go see it another night, it's Stark's money anyway. You're right, this is our first mission together, just the two of us."

"See? I'm such a romantic."

There was a pause, and you were certain Loki was looking around his own grungy rooftop.

"Yes, a real charmer," he said, "You really know how to plan a venue."

"I do, don't I? I mean, would ya look at that view. Talk about sketchy."

"So why is this of importance?"

"Oh yeah. So, basically, remember that tracksuit gang y'all tackled after you chucked me mercilessly through a portal?"

"Yes," he sighed, used to your teasing about his dramatics, "But they were only of interest because they stepped on the wrong toes. Politics never ceases to play a role, and that asshole Ross could only say no to money for so long."

"God, I hate Ross," you grumbled, "Not Everett, he's an angel."

"Who?"

"Another day," you dismissed his query, "But, yes, the tracksuit guys were not that big a deal until they started becoming noticeable to some higher-ups. But Tony always thought there was something bigger going on. When he has a funny feeling, he can't shake it. Since then, he's tried finding the supposed individual, or individuals, who shuffled the money and tips over to Ross."

"To no avail?"

"You could put it that way. The man responsible knew Ross personally, though they weren't on great terms. Who is with Ross? Ross owed the man though. His name was Daniel Fisher. So, like it or not, Ross had us help him out and investigate Fisher's allegations that his company was affiliated with our not-so-friendly mafia. Still took money to convince Ross, as that man probably couldn't stand lowering himself to such a task, even when all that required was pushing it on us. Or you guys, I should say."

"So what's so strange? Did Tony find Fisher?"

"Yup. In the obituary column of the local news."

"I see," Loki said in a contemplative fashion, "And the company he worked for?"

"I'm told they were caught in the scandal after the Avengers exposed the tracksuits. People 'faced the consequences', or so the executives of the past company like to claim."

"Past company?"

"Union Allied Construction, which was making a pretty penny off the reconstruction efforts from...well, uh, since 2012...anyway, they uh, they were liquidated after the whole conspiracy. Though it's doubtful whoever took the fall is really to blame."

"So, our man is dead and the company no longer exists."

"Not as Union Allied at least. We have reason to believe that equipment and assets were being bought out by the same guys, or whoever is in charge. They shuffle some papers, and on the surface it looks like Union Allied and all the shady stuff they stood for is disassembled and justice is paid."

"Things are rarely so neat."

"Exactly. But it begs the question of who is actually running the joint?"

"I'll admit, it does seem rather elaborate for a few suits of a construction company. How do we know it isn't just that, though?"

"Well, mafia dealings and money laundering is a problem regardless of who it is."

"Yes, but, again, not necessarily an avengers-level threat. Why hasn't Stark put men onto it?"

"What do you think we're doing here?"

"You know what I mean."

"There's something bigger. Something worrying Tony. With his resources, it shouldn't be hard to find the answers he's looking for, but that's just it. It is. Whoever is behind this is clever and well-protected. Everyone is uncharacteristically tight-lipped. Trails are running cold everywhere, nothing but dead-ends. It's driving Tony crazy. If it were just money and suits, that would be one thing. But whoever these people are, we think they run deeper than what we're seeing. Tony hasn't been able to turn up much, but it could be that the Russians are running a human-trafficking center out of here," you gestured around you, not that Loki could see it.

"And the Russians and tracksuits are working for the same group? Same man?"

"I don't know. But ever since the Union Allied issue, the Russians have been getting sloppy. Flustered. Apparently, Daniel Fisher died soon after alerting Ross. Was presumably murdered by a colleague of his, Karen Paige."

"They were too late to silence him."

"Yup. But Ms. Paige was apparently aware of the dealings as well, or so her story goes. She was cleared of all charges in the end, the murder exposed as a setup. She had two assassination attempts on her."

"And the men responsible?"

"One was a guard in the prison Karen was being held in early on. Tried to strangle her in her cell. The other attacked her at her apartment. The guard, Farnum, was found by his daughter at home with a bullet in his head. Suicide they say. The second hitman, Rance, hung himself in his cell. Seeing the pattern?"

"This implies whoever is behind all of this can get to guards in the police force."

"Which, I mean, I'm not shocked officers or government officials are bought off by people. But the whole situation being so easily overlooked? Like no one in the NYPD cared to examine further? This could be a deeper level of corruption than we think."

"The tracksuits, possibly Russians, and now potentially the police department."

"Quite a list."

"The makings of a more severe problem than a few suits laundering money. Someone's personal little empire."

"Exactly. An empire growing rich off of assassinations, human-trafficking, and who knows what else."

"Situation is delicate as well," Loki noted.

"Unfortunately. It isn't something we can blast our way through. If Tony goes barreling in, whoever is behind this will clamp up. Another series of other people taking the fall and conveniently dying."

"Hence why Stark hasn't just sent the officials to this little rendezvous tonight."

"Yeah, we don't know for certain if the tip is accurate either. Again, no one seems willing to talk, and these guys are good at covering their tracks. Cops seem to be missing an entire trafficking gig in their district."

"Or deliberately turning a blind eye."

"I can't believe that all of them are in on it. That seems ridiculous," you mused.

"You don't need all of them. Just those who give the orders."

"Yeah, but even that couldn't last forever. One chief or commissioner couldn't keep all of his men across the city from staying out of the Russians way."

"Which leaves the conclusion that a significant number could be involved here."

"How? And why? Half a police force bought out by money? Cops aren't horrible people, I can't imagine so many are roped into submission simply with payment."

"There are other methods of persuasion."

"Blackmail? Who would have dirt on so many people?"

"Threats are a very real thing, Darling."

"Who is powerful enough or has enough resources to scare a police department?"

"That's what we're trying to find out, is it not?"

"True. Let's hope they actually show tonight. Tony wasn't too confident in his intel."

"Tony confessing to a lack of confidence?" Loki said in amusement.

"You can understand why this case is slowly starting to bug him. It started out as something small, and I think he's still trying to keep it that way. Or hold out hope that it isn't as bad as it looks."

"Well, I'll admit, you did sign us up for an interesting case at least. Even if it yields nothing."

"Yeah the others have lives too. Not a whole lot of people free to send on a possible wild-goose-chase right now."

"Oh, so we're the expendable ones who can afford to waste our time?" he scoffed, " Lovely."

"We're the newbies, it's our job."

"Speak for yourself, rookie."

"Oh, and why do you have two years more experience on these sorts of things??" you faked puzzlement in an accusatory tone, "Oh yeah! Because---"

"Alright alright, my bad!" he cut you off, "Damn, you never let anything go."

"You still glare at me when the Gummy Bear Song is ever brought up," you shot right back.

"Shhh---"

"See?! I just have to mention it---"

"No, shhh, someone's coming," Loki said in an even lower whisper.

Your heartbeat quickened, the familiar feeling of adrenaline beginning to course through your limbs.

"I don't have visual," you replied, craning your neck to peer down the street. 

You were careful to not lift your chest up too far from where you'd been laying on the roof. The new golden armor pieces on the chest and shoulders of your suit might glimmer in the faint street light. Not that there was much of said illumination to worry about, as they had chosen a rather dark and discreet location for their criminal affairs.

"You'll see them soon. A van, coming from the east side of the building."

"Do all of you guys carry a small compass with you or something?"

"We're not all navigationally inept."

"Oh oh oh!" you whispered in excitement, "There's a taxi coming ."

"A taxi?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"I know what a taxi looks like, Loki. I nearly get hit by them every time I'm in the city. Yellow ones don't stop."

"Where are they coming from?"

"Uh...sun rises in the east," you muttered to yourself, pointing with your right hand to what Loki had indicated as east, "Sets in the west," you pointed in the opposite direction with your left hand, "Which means this way is---"

"Seriously?" Loki sighed.

"South! South side of the building," you finally concluded with confidence.

"I see them," Loki answered, and you looked towards his roof, able now to barely see his head from where he'd repositioned himself.

"Aaaaand, another taxi," you said, as one came down the street from the north.

Loki said nothing as the van pulled around the corner, stopping along the side of the warehouse. A dark-skinned male stepped out of the driver's seat, waiting expectantly for the taxis to pull up to his position.

"Do you have what you promised?" a white male spoke as he stepped from the taxi, his voice possessing a heavy Russian accent. Between the two cars, there were eight men that joined the van driver.

"Man, when don't I deliver?" the driver responded smugly, though careful to cover it with a good-natured grin. The man said nothing, only stared back. The driver's smile faltered. "Right, yeah, I got everything you need," he said hastily, walking to the back of the van. 

What was inside the trunk was hidden by the doors he'd swung open. 

"You know the plan," Loki muttered in your ear, "Do you have the tracker?"

"Yeah, but getting it there won't be easy. Woulda been so much better if these guys had come on foot."

"We have Plan Bs for a reason, Darling. Leave the distraction to me, you---"

Before he could finish, a masked figure dropped down behind the men. Where he had come from was anyone's guess. One minute there was no one there, the next, a man in black was kicking the butts of the guys closest to him. The rest overcame their momentary shock, pulling guns on the vigilante.

Ah shit, there goes this guy, you thought bitterly, standing quickly with a desire to go help.

Much to your surprise, the bullets never found their target. The man in the mask was flipping and rolling out of the way. As if he knew the precise timing of the bullets and where they'd be.

"This boy's got Spidey senses," you commented, shooting your grappling cable into the roof, attaching it to your belt, and jumping swiftly off the edge.

You wondered if you'd ever get used to the falling feeling that came with the absurd things you would now experience many times in the rest of your life. Thankfully, you'd practiced this enough to not shriek as you dropped six stories to the ground. You released the clip on your belt, walking towards the violent scuffle that had ensued from the man in black's appearance. 

Miraculously, he had managed to stay alive. A betting man might even place the odds of victory on him, as he had just finished throwing a fifth man to the ground. Two of said five were crawling away, seemingly desperate to get to the cars. The van driver had departed with his vehicle at the first sign of trouble. You were analyzing who best to attack, when Loki stepped into stride with you.

"Who the hell is this guy?" he asked.

"Never seen him before. Which car do you want the tracker on?"

"If our masked friend doesn't ease up, there'll be no one left to track," Loki grumbled, the two of you starting to jog as you approached the fight.

You tapped your watch, and Another One Bites the Dust started playing. 

"Again with the music?"

"Can't beat Queen!"

At the sight of you and Loki charging into the fray, the remaining six individuals scattered. Those closest turned to defend themselves. 

"No killing!" you reminded Loki, as you grunted at the punch swung into your stomach. Time and training had taught you to better absorb a punch in a manner that decreased the intensity of the blow. Still, you saw it fitting to repay the man's kindness with a knee to his abdomen and elbow to the nose. 

"I know," Loki sighed in disappointment, effortlessly bringing a man to his knees.

The man you were fighting was the blonde one who'd spoken with the driver. You figured he was in charge of this particular exchange, if not in charge of the Russians in general. He had a scar running from above his right eye down his face. It's a shame he was actively trying to kill you, because he was fairly attractive. 

He pulled a knife, which you had to dodge several times before getting a hold of his wrist and finishing with a kicking move you'd practiced ad nauseam with Natasha. He fell back a few feet, landing roughly on the ground. You used this temporary respite to observe everything else.

Loki had just thrown his man into the side of the warehouse. He then whipped a knife past your ear without looking. Despite being used to his tactics by now, you still jumped. The knife had found it's target in the hand of the man you'd just beaten. He'd evidently inched his way towards the gun on the ground, though the last advancement of his outstretched hand had been abruptly halted by Loki's precision.

"Ewwww, Loki," you cringed, watching the man clutch his hand in screaming agony.

"He's alive," Loki said dismissively.

The individual Loki had thrown against the wall remained groggily on the ground, two were fighting your mysterious ally, and the other four had reached the taxis.

"Loki, if we're gonna do this at all, we gotta do it now," you pulled out the tracker, running towards the cabs.

Gunfire stopped you in your tracks, the bullets hitting the pavement in front of you. Scar, as you were now calling him until further notice, hadn't let a knife through his hand stop him. He was lifting himself to his feet, firing rounds at you with the automatic he held in his healthy hand.

Loki pulled you along with him, the two of you forced to flee in the other direction. You heard the bullets ricochet off of the ground, streets signs, and the walls of the building to your right as they narrowly missed behind you.

"How do bullets always miss just behind people when they run???" you yelled, "Like, can't they just aim a little ahead of us?"

"You're complaining???" Loki yelled back in exasperation, dragging you behind a large dumpster with him.

"No," you shouted over the sound of bullets pelting the front of the container, "I'm just saying."

Out of the doorway the bullets rip---

"You can pause that now!" Loki shouted.

"I know I know," you tapped your watch again.

The assault stopped, though the sound of the weapon continued. You and Loki peered from your hiding place to see Scar shooting at the man in black from the car window, as the taxis made their escape. One of the Russians who had been fighting the Walmart-brand Batman was left behind, and he'd used the barrage as a chance to run. Way down to your right, in the opposite direction, you saw another man running in the distance. 

"There goes the guy you threw against the wall," you pointed.

"We have to follow one of them," Loki stood up, "They have to meet back up with the others eventually."

"Zorro's going after the dude on the left. Here, take this," you handed Loki the tracker, "You're faster then me, the other dude has a bigger head start. Do your thing."

"What're you doing?!"

"I wanna meet the ninja!" you called out, already in pursuit of the two figures retreating down the road.

Karate Kid was fast, but you didn't train with Steve or run miles on Asgard for nothing. Still, every time you turned a corner, you were relieved to see them still ahead of you. The man you were after ran like he had a fire under his ass, and you didn't blame him. NinjaMan had an intensity about him. He had moved with such speed back at the fight, it was almost unhuman. Anyone would run like hell from him.

"Keep breathing, that's the key," you muttered to yourself, hoping this guy would call it quits soon.

Your wish was half-granted. One of the cabs from before pulled in front of the exit to the alley you were currently occupying. The door opened for your guy to jump in the back, while the driver provided cover from the open window. You huddled down by the wall while the man in black dropped behind a series of trashcans. The bombardment was seconds at best, and the car was screeching out of there the moment they had their man.

"Well, shit," you slapped your hand in frustration on the brick wall as you stood back up.

Ninja wasted no time, sprinting across the street.

"Hey!" you shouted, mostly in confusion. "Why we still running??!" you called as you bolted after him.

He entered another alley, and you could only assume he was simply trying to get away from you.

"Bro there's no need to run! Come on, all I want is to meet a ninja!"

He didn't stop, though you wondered how he was going to make it over the seven-foot-wired fence halfway down the alley. You chided yourself on such a thought, forgetting you were in a superhero world. Proving your point, he didn't break stride as he leapt halfway up the fence, grabbing the top and pushing off the fence with his foot. He neatly twirled over the barricade. As if he'd never stopped, his running continued the minute his feet hit the ground.

Ah shit, you can do this.

You would never, in a million years, consider hurtling a fence back home without stopping to climb it slowly. And even then you probably would have failed. But you were far better trained, and had climbed, jumped, rolled, and been physically launched several times in your training since returning to the MCU. You could do it.

Knowing you still needed more assistance in the leap up to the top than America Ninja Warrior had, you angled your approach. Just before the fence, you jumped at the wall to your right, planting your foot against it as aid to push you up towards the top. You had practiced enough to know momentum was key in many physical tasks. Therefore, the minute you felt your hands grab the top of the fence, you pulled yourself upwards, using your available left foot as leverage against the fence. You let your feet go over your head as you swung over, essentially finishing like a front flip.

"Parkour!" you yelled, starting off again after the new super.

He was climbing the fire escape now...though climbing was perhaps not the most accurate of terms for the situation. The man was scaling the flights of steps without actually having to use the steps.

"Nah, nope, not today," you mumbled to yourself, not bothering to climb like he was. Instead, you shot your grappling wire up to the top of the roof. The mechanism aided in lifting you, but it was not attached to a ceiling directly above you, so you could not just sit and let it carry you. Instead you climbed your way up the side of that wall, impressed by how decently you were doing it. "Oh my God, I'm literally Batman."

You stepped onto the roof in time to see your guy running to the next rooftop. These particular buildings were closely situated, so any gaps were mild. It was still thrilling to leap over the first one, while mentally telling yourself not to look down.

"Parkour...parkour parkour....Parkour," you said it every time you jumped, whether that jump was between buildings or simply over a small water pipe across the roof.

"You're just being extra!" you called ahead of you after the man did an excessive flip over some ventilation unit.

It wasn't until you hurtled the same unit that you realized why he'd leapt so far. Directly on the other side, unknown to you, was a small gap. Only three or four feet at best, but enough for you to fall through if you didn't know to jump...which you hadn't. Thankfully, you managed to kick off the box just enough to propel yourself partially to the other side. Your chest slammed into the wall, you arms latching on to the edge. Your head had been above the height of the roof when you made contact, but you were now holding on for dear life. 

Thankfully, the edge was a step higher than the rest of the roof, so you were able to reach your arms over the edge for a better grasp. Had it been a flat surface, you weren't so sure you'd have been able to hold on. You started slowly pulling yourself up, grunting from the task, when two hands grabbed your arms and helped you the rest of the way.

The man in black wasted no time in continuing his pursuit, starting off again before you could even catch your breath for a thank you. He stopped abruptly at the other end of the roof, his head tilting slightly. Besides the rise and fall of his shoulders from his heavy breathing, the man had gone as still as a statue.

"Hey!" you jogged over, slowing a few steps behind him.

He ignored you, but at least he moved. He let out a frustrated groan, hands going on his hips as he paced a few feet to the left before turning around. Even with the mask covering from the nose up, you could tell he was angry. You were well-versed in that body language. Afterall, you lived with Loki.

"You good?" you asked tentatively.

He let out a bitter chuckle, shaking his head at the sky again before answering.

"No, I'd say you letting my one lead get away is far from good," he said through slight pants, his breathing slowly coming back under control like yours. Though a bit harsh from the anger and exertion, his voice was oddly soft, something you hadn't anticipated. Though you figured not every masked vigilante had to speak like Christian Bale.

"You're telling me you're still chasing him?!"

"Was ," he said pointedly with some sass, using his hands to motion to the conversation he was now having instead.

"How? How did you know where the taxi was going? Did you manage to get a tracker on it, cuz dude that was our plan before someone busted in and started going all Jackie Chan on their asses."

"That's why I jumped in when I did," he said with a hint of condescension, "You don't know what you're dealing with."

He tried to walk past you then, presumably to leave, but you reached out to grab his arm. Instead, though not looking, he grabbed yours with his other hand just before you made contact.

"Damn, you really are a ninja! What's your secret? Meditation? Yoga? Master Shifu?"

From what you could see, he looked at you with a tightlipped, unamused expression. Somehow this man made his facial expressions and feelings clear without the use of his eyes.

"Look, Dark Knight, you can't say some ominous shit like that and then just disappear off the roof," you continued, seeing as, whether you'd grabbed his arm or not, you'd gotten him to stop.

"Apologies for not doing what you want, Your Majesty," he gave an insincere smile, "Unfortunately I think Hell's Kitchen is a little outside your jurisdiction. I'll handle it," he dropped the smile and started walking again.

"If I don't understand what I'm dealing with, then just tell me!" you pleaded, walking quickly to get in stride with him.

"Wouldn't do any good, trust me," he said, again with that hint of a bitter chuckle.

"Why not?"

"In the interest of time, I'll be straightforward, Miss," he stopped walking, turning to face you. "There's nothing you can do. The Avengers seem to be a group of decent people. That's more than I can say for other organizations." He seemed to be referring to something specific rather than a general observation, but you let him continue. "Bring your friends into this, and the stability of your situation plummets. I can't afford to worry about another side."

"Worry how? That we'll make things worse? Dude, have you met the Avengers?"

His silence and slight dropping of the shoulders was all you needed.

"Ok, fine, so sometimes they make things worse, but I don't get what you mean about your decency or stability thing. What situation will plummet? Any time you wanna stop talking in riddles would be great."

"If I tell you everything, that defeats the purpose of me warning you about knowing everything."

"You may not know much about the Avengers, but once they start something, they don't let up. And this little chat we're having and your sketchy words are only gonna make them invest harder."

"I'm asking you not to tell them," he said more quietly and earnestly than he had anything else.

"I lie about meeting a ninja? That won't stop them from continuing this Russian case."

He let out another frustrated sigh.

"You're right," he muttered, more to himself than you.

"Sooooo....that mean you'll let me in on whatever it is you know?"

"With this thing it's...it's better the fewer people know about it. I don't even know everything. But what I do...it's..." he seemed to think of the word he wanted to use, "...worrisome."

"Honestly, with that pause you did, that was kind of anticlimactic. Something like 'terrifying' or 'frightening' would have packed more of a punch."

He actually laughed at that. A small laugh, but a genuine one.

"So what's your deal," you asked, feeling like you'd finally broken the ice.

"Better you---"

"Didn't know?" you finished for him.

He shrugged with an actually pleasant smile.

"Will you help us out though? Is it really better that we have two separate parties going after the same guy? Getting in each other's way? Sounds like a recipe for classic movie mishaps."

He smiled again before staring at you, or past you, in what you assumed was contemplation.

"Ok," he finally answered, "But under my terms, and only mine. You do what I say."

"Try getting that past the others."

"You're not allowed to tell them, that's one of the terms."

"There is no way I can work with information that I seemingly pull from my ass. They'll ask where it's coming from. But...I can do my best to keep you from anyone that doesn't need to know. With Loki's help, we may be able to keep this just between the three of us. But if he and I are working this mission together, he needs to know. Oh, Loki is my husband by the way."

"I know."

"Right, you called me Your Majesty earlier. How'd you know? I mean, I guess my getup gives me away and I've been in the news occasionally. Hard to keep an Avenger under the radar these days."

"Mmhmm," he hummed back, "Plus you whisper really loudly."

With that he started off again towards the fire escape.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Your husband is coming. I've had all the royalty I can handle," he teased with a quick grin, "Meet me back here tomorrow night, 11."

"Ok Dread Pirate Roberts, as you wish."

His head just tilted again.

"Princess Bride?" you asked, looking for any sign of recognition.

"Haven't seen many movies," he replied with an amused smirk tugging at his mouth, as if he found something secretly funny in his own words. 

With that he swung his legs over the edge, dropping down onto the fire escape.

Chapter Text

It was only after he dropped out of view that you wondered how he'd known Loki was on his way, or if he simply was guessing that were the case? In answer to your query, Loki hopped over the ledge from the roof to your right.

"Hey," you greeted him, giving him a kiss on the cheek before his light embrace.

"Everything ok?" he asked as he looked around the roof.

"Yeah, fine. You get your guy?"

"No, he was picked up by his men before I could. You?"

"Same."

"And your ninja?"

"He was so cool!"

"You found him?" Loki asked in slight shock, glancing again around the rooftop.

"Well, no thanks to the son of a bitch, he kept on running. Though I can't say that exactly, cuz it literally was thanks to that son of a bitch that I eventually did talk with him. He stopped to help me out."

"With what?"

"Nearly falling to my death."

Loki gave a look that was mixed with "stop the exaggerations", "why am I not surprised", and "what do you mean death".

"I'm joking! I miss-timed that jump over there, didn't see it over that stupid box. But I was fine and was about to keep going when Mr. Heroic came back to help."

"Great, another hero."

"Said as if you're not one," you scoffed.

"Reputation, Darling, reputation. Can't have the whole world knowing I care."

"Gross, you right."

"So what did our man in black say?"

"A bunch of nothing, honestly. He's working this case too, but seems to have a bit more experience. I was gonna call him 'rookie' at one point when he was acting like the Avengers can't handle whatever this is, but figured if he's this serious about something he might have a bit of merit. He didn't really seem arrogant, despite his arrogance if that makes any sense."

"So you got nothing?" he summarized condescendingly.

"No, I found a guy who clearly knows more about the situation than we do."

"Who you then let get away."

"He's meeting me here tomorrow night, moron."

"You could have led with that."

"You could have waited five seconds."

Loki grumbled at that, making his way over to the fire escape. You followed, filling him in on what had happened.

"Do you know who he is? Any memory from your world?"

"I mean, it could be a hero yet to make an appearance in the films? But there was something familiar."

"In what way?"

"Well, you know when you're getting little flashes of memory but you can't pinpoint it? Like it's at the tip of your mind, and when you don't focus on it you get hit with it, but then you focus and it slips away? That's what I'm getting. I have this little flash of memory like I've seen that man before." You thought some more, the memory once again floating in and out, leaving only a vague feeling behind. "Ooo, wait wait wait...I'm getting like high school vibes."

"High school?" he questioned like you'd lost your marbles.

"I'm serious, high school. Like that's where I was." 

You tried honing in on the memory, but the more you did, the more it faded.

"Ugh, I'll figure it out. It'll come to me."

"Well," Loki sighed as he pulled open the passenger side door of the car you'd brought, "I have a security council meeting tomorrow to address a potential raid on Muspelheim. I can be back tomorrow night though for our rendezvous with your high school friend."

You gave him a look for his tease, sliding behind the wheel.

"Do you mind if I stay down here for the night? Makes it easier, I have to fill Tony and Cap in and keep them from wanting to meet the ninja."

"Of course," he smiled, "Though I guess that means you really are missing out on every plan I had for date night."

You let out a groan as you pulled away from the curb, "You don't have to rub it in. We're rescheduling everything," you pointed to him.

Loki simply let out a triumphant chuckle.

"You might want to get in the left lane, Darling."

"No, it becomes a left-turn only," you pointed out with added attitude, "No back-seat drivers. Only back-seat DJs," you handed him your phone.

"I thought you always say 'House rules, Sammy. Driver gets to pick the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole'?"

"Depends on the day," you shrugged, tapping a button on the steering wheel, "Call Stank."

The ringing was played through the speakers, Tony's contact appearing on the screen.

"Hey kid, who's dying, lost, or needs money?" Tony answered in his usual fashion.

"Never gets old, Tony," Loki mocked, an amused grin on his face.

"Loki, I will find a new poker partner," Tony threatened.

"Please, and partner with Rhodey again?"

"Is Rhodey bad?" you asked.

"Horrible," Tony and Loki replied synchronously.

"Huh, wouldn't have figured that."

"I'll take him for his silence," Tony proclaimed with sass.

"We all know I'm the best liar. I was born with a poker face," Loki bragged.

"P-p-p-poker face---" you started mumble-singing to yourself.

"Oh God, she's starting to sing," Tony said in a panic, "What did you call for? I was about to head to bed, Pep just got Morgan back to sleep."

"Just letting you know that we're on our way back. Unfortunately, some shit happened and things didn't go exactly as planned."

"Do they ever?" Tony snickered.

"I'm going to fill Cap in on all of it in the morning if you wanna pop over for it."

"Yeah, I'll be there."

"Ok, night Tony."

"Wait," Tony stopped you before you hung up, "Antlers, you gotta tell me...Was her reaction as pissed as we thought it was gonna be?"

"She nearly screamed," Loki laughed.

"God, I wish I was there for that."

"Is this about Phantom???" you questioned, looking at Tony's contact in betrayal, as if he could see your face.

"Yeah," Tony laughed with Loki, "Texted him that I hadn't told you about his plans tonight and that he should drop it on you."

"I hate you both," you said in response to their laughter, hanging up on Tony without a second goodbye.

Half an hour later, you and Loki made it back to the compound.

"You heading up right away? It may not be Broadway and a restaurant, but they have some pizza rolls in the freezer and the premiere of Yellowstone season 2 was yesterday?"

"Why didn't you tell me this last week?" he joked, "That takes priority."

"I honestly forgot it was dropping," you defended, as he took your arm and walked you inside.

The compound was quiet, everyone already asleep or upstairs at the late hour of your return. The pizza rolls were quickly devoured, all evidence of your midnight snack wiped clean. Sam's wrath at his snacks being eaten without him never ceased, no matter how long you and Loki had been doing it now. You and Loki chose the comfort of your bed over the couch, heading upstairs to watch the show.

"Ok, so I know he's a bit of a whiner, but I still have a soft spot for Jamie," you said after the episode's conclusion.

"You know he's the least like any of the characteristics you like in people, right?"

"Doesn't mean he isn't compelling. Dude's head is more messed up than some people admit. And as I always say, it doesn't justify what said characters do, but it explains. And I find those kinds of characters fascinating."

"You find me fascinating then?" he smirked down at you from where he laid propped up with you, his arm around your shoulder.

"I didn't mean you were one of those messed up characters!"

"Oh please," he practically snorted, "We know I was. And come on, Darling, Jamie having clear father issues?"

"Ok, now that I think about it, he has some similarities to you...especially with some things later on in the show," you said thoughtfully, staring off past Loki as you thought back to what happens in the show.

"Great, you spoiled it for me."

"Spoiled what?" you asked, pulled from your thoughts.

"He's adopted."

"What? No---"

"You're a terrible liar."

"Hey, I have successfully lied to you many times!"

"Not this time."

"I didn't say anything about adoption, literally he could do or say many things that make him similar to you, that's all I could be referring to."

His look only intensified, and you couldn't hold against it.

"Fine," you finally cracked, a smile breaking on your face as he wore an adorably victorious grin, "Stop acting like you're so clever," you hit his chest.

"No, you're just stupid."

"Ouch, fine I'll just leave---" you started messing around, moving to scooch yourself away, when he cut you off by pulling you in for a kiss.

"You have a type," he whispered when he pulled back.

"Ew, Jamie is not my type. You're ten times cooler than Jamie, and, though he has his reasons, Jamie is not a man, he's a baby. Compelling baby, but baby nonetheless. Baby I want to see succeed or do the right thing, but baby nonetheless. Honestly, I don't hold any blame really on any of the characters, because they all have their reasons for their screwups, but Jamie's dad is harder to defend than Odin ever was. Even though I still adore John."

"Oh, so he's not your type because I'm the bigger idiot that actually didn't have issues, just created them for myself?" he snarked, his face still an inch from yours.

"You love twisting words."

"You love when I do it."

You kissed him again, adjusting your position.

"Do you have to go tonight?" you asked when the two of you pulled apart.

His eyes looked fondly over your face, which he was now stroking gently with his thumb.

"What difference does waiting til the morning make?" he smiled.

***

Loki slipped out earlier than you intended to wake up, with you comically trying to gather some semblance of awareness to say bye.

"Don't bother," he pushed you back down, with you grumbling some incoherent response as you pulled the blanket up under your chin. The next thing you knew, he was already dressed and leaving, planting a soft kiss on your head before he did. You smiled and whispered a "see you later", your eyes never opening from their sleepy state. 

When you fully awakened, nearly two hours later, the first thing on your mind was unintentionally the ninja. In the grogginess of a freshly-wakened mind, the memory you'd been grasping for hit you with renewed ferocity. 

"Andrew!" you gasped to yourself, "Fuck yeah, that's it!" you muttered, quickly stumbling from your bed and grabbing your clothes off the floor.

The memory of one of your high school friends dressed in the same black outfit as your recent vigilante pal was vividly in your mind's eye.

He was dressed as Daredevil, duh! See, never getting around to that show came back to bite ya. I always said it pays to be cultured.

Suddenly, everything made sense. You knew the barebones about Daredevil from your friend. You knew he was blind, thus was led by enhanced hearing. 

That's how he heard conversations he shouldn't have, how he knew where the car was going even when he couldn't see it, how he knew Loki was coming. Even the comment about not watching a lot of movies! Ha, that's funny now that I know. Dude's comical, I like it.

Most importantly, you remembered he was a lawyer. A lawyer named Murdock.

What was his first name? I remember there was alliteration.

A quick Google search provided you with your answer. Matt Murdock, partner in Nelson & Murdock law firm.

"Oh you sly bastard," you chuckled upon reading what news there was on their past clientele. There were their names in an article about one Karen Page. "You've got this case covered on both ends."

You clicked on a photo of the lawyer and his friend, Franklin Nelson. 

"Yup, that could definitely be you," you muttered, taking in the height and body size as best you could through the photo, "Only one way to find out."

You dressed quickly, rushing downstairs. Cap and Tony were in the kitchen and, in an attempt to remain as non-suspicious as possible, you spent the morning debriefing them on last night's events.

"So we're supposed to trust this guy without meeting him or knowing who it is?" Tony asked.

"He says the fewer people in this, the better. I trust him. He was fighting the right guys and helped me out when he didn't have to. And whatever this problem is, it seemed to worry him. I think he honestly doesn't want to see it screwed up. If he's refusing the help of the frickin Avengers, I think it's for a reason."

"This problem certainly got more complicated," Cap sighed.

"I hate these corrupt cases, so much simpler when we can blast a bad guy shooting at us," Tony grumbled.

"Yeah, that's why I think we listen to this guy and at least try to do it his way for now. If he wants to remain anonymous from the team, I'm gonna keep him that way. If he wants only a few people visibly involved, I say we stick to that."

"I agree," Cap nodded, "But you and Loki keep us updated as this case progresses. If we need to step in, we will."

"Sir yes sir," you saluted at attention, making him chuckle with an eye roll.

"Dearly beloved not stick around with you today?" Tony changed the topic.

"Nah, he has some stuff. He'll be back tonight though. I was gonna pop out for a bit, seeing as I didn't actually get to enjoy the city yesterday."

"I'd tag along, but Peggy and I have that charity event today," Cap apologized.

"It's fine, I don't mind the quiet time," you smiled, keeping it a secret that you were counting on him being unable to go, "I'll pop out now though before Korg and Miek get a hold of me."

"See you for dinner tonight with me and Pep still, right?" Tony called out as you walked towards the hall.

"Don't worry, I'll be there. My favorite niece needs me after all."

You felt momentarily guilty that you were keeping Daredevil's identity a secret, but then again you had just gotten them to agree on giving him the privacy and demands he had requested. Just because you might know who he is, didn't mean the others had to know. In fact, you had no right to spill his secret.

It wasn't long before you were standing outside a building, a small plaque on the wall the only indication that you were in the right place.

Nelson & Murdock. Hope I'm right about this.

During your research, you'd realized that the name Hell's Kitchen, the local name for the area of New York you were now in, had stuck out to you. You hadn't bothered to notice you were technically in it last night, but now you realized you had been there before as well. Zemo had said it. It's where you'd resided during your stay with him. He'd said the locals say the area was haunted or protected, depending on who you asked. You now understood who it was doing the protecting.

You followed the small signs, which led you up a flight or two until you'd reached the proper hall. A typical opaque glass door marked the entrance to their business.

If you're wrong about this, you're about to look really stupid.

You were pretty certain you were right.

Opening the door, you walked in with a comfortable smile on, trying not to give yourself away quite yet. The space consisted of three rooms. The one you'd walked into, one through a doorway to your left, and another through a similar doorway on your right. The front room was not large, though not crammed. It was cozy. At the back of the room, directly ahead of you in front of a series of windows, was a secretary's desk. The secretary in question you recognized as Karen Page. The blonde woman, who looked to be around thirty, wore a fitted blue skirt and white blouse. She looked up from her work with a welcoming smile and friendly, stunning blue eyes.

"Hi!" she hastily placed the papers she'd been going through back into their folder, closing them as she stood. She walked around the desk to shake your hand.

"Hi, how are you?" you returned the greeting.

"Could do with a few less papers to shuffle through," she chuckled, glancing over her shoulder at the pile on her desk, "How about you?"

"Pretty good. Though I feel you," you said, giving the papers a look, "I can't deal with paperwork. I'd screw up or get bored."

"The work has it's rewards, but I can't say it's my favorite part of the job," she nodded.

"Well, I'm glad I could give you a break," you chuckled, trying to casually glance at the other office doors for a sign of life, "I won't be long."

"No, no take your time," Karen said politely, offering you a chair as she returned to hers, "What can Nelson and Murdock do for you?"

"Well, this is going to sound strange, as I don't particularly have any need for a lawyer. Not yet at least."

"Anticipating a fight?" she questioned with a knowing look.

"Probably quite a few, yes," you sighed.

"May I ask what kind?"

"It's a long story, but basically it's this company I might have to go up against. I'd rather not reveal all the details just yet, because...well, truthfully, sometimes these companies get away with a lot. And sometimes they hear more and do more than you think they can. So I'm taking it one step at a time."

You saw the momentary sadness mix with the understanding that filled her face.

"I know exactly what you mean. And if there is anything we can do for you, I know Nelson and Murdock would be willing to help. They helped me out before."

"And gave you a job too?" you asked lightly, "Damn, that's a sweet deal."

"Yeeeah," she chuckled with you, "They were pretty amazing. That's how I know they'll help you out if you end up needing them."

"I was wondering if I could speak with Mr. Murdock? If I'm being honest, he's the reason I'm here. I ran into him the other day, briefly, but I liked him. He seemed like a good guy. You just get that sense about people sometimes. Anyway, when he mentioned what he does for a living, I saw the opportunity."

"Leave it to Matt to get into a conversation with anyone," she smirked.

"I'm telling you," a voice spoke from behind, "He's always had a sense for...women of high quality." The man said the last part with some slow emphasis, clearly wanting to stay as professional as possible, while goofiness was written all over his expression. You liked him already.

"Foggy," Karen gave him a look.

"What? He does. Man has a radar for that sort of thing, and manages to catch them too."

"Maybe not the best pitch to a client," Karen teased.

"I heard you guys talking," he gestured back to the office on the right, "Ms...?"

"Arlington."

"Ms. Arlington has already dealt with Matt, and she's chill. You can tell, look at her," he gestured

"Well thanks, Mr. Nelson," you chuckled, holding out your hand, "It's nice to meet the tweedle-dee to his tweedle-dum."

Karen let out a chortle at that, while Nelson's smile grew even wider.

"See?" he raised his eyebrows to Karen, "Chill."

Franklin Nelson was maybe an inch or so taller than Tony, with combed blonde hair that hung to the base of his neck and an infectious smile.

"Well, if you heard, then you know Ms. Arlington would like to talk to Matt first before anything. Do you know when he'll be in?" she said, a hint of irritation in her voice.

"Yeah, I called him. Says he overslept."

Karen looked like she had a response, but she held it in as her eyes glanced to you.

"So he's on his way?" she asked instead, her pleasant face assuming control once again.

"Should be here any minute. Please, make yourself comfortable, Ms. Arlington," he gestured to the chair again, "Coffee?" he offered from the little station on a fold-up table.

"Oh, yes please, thanks!"

Foggy filled you a mug, asking how you took it and doctoring accordingly before delivering it. No sooner had you taken your first sip than the front door opened. Despite the blind glasses and stick, you knew this man had the build to be the Devil in question.

"Ah, Matt," Karen stood up.

"Sorry I'm late," he smiled, "Long night, didn't get much sleep."

"Everything ok?" Karen asked.

"Nah, it's fine. Just been feeling a little under the weather lately. Feel better this morning though."

"Good, cuz we have a client!" Foggy clapped his hands together.

"Potential client," Karen clarified.

At the mention of a client, Matt's demeanor straightened up slightly.

"I'm sorry," Matt stuck out a hand in a direction slightly to your right, head always staring somewhere just off from where the people were. But that pose. That tilt of the head, so slight now you could barely notice if you didn't know to look for it. It matched. What you'd taken as constant irritation the night before was really just his stance. His ears his weapon, his eyes never fully trained on you. "You'd think I'd have learned by now to check who's in the room when I enter," he laughed lightly.

His voice matched too. Soft, pleasant. He'd made it maybe a hair deeper the night before, or perhaps that was the panting from the exertion. Either way, you found it amusing how well he kept up the charade. Pretending to not know how many people were in the room. Not knowing where to offer his hand. It was actually quite hilarious when one thought of how much he was playing everyone around him.

"No, it's ok," you answered, taking his hand, "Like Mr. Nelson says, I'm chill."

"I see my partner's had time to make himself known," Matt smiled knowingly.

"I'm a friendly guy," Foggy shrugged, "And you're one to talk. Using your usual psychic powers of seeking the beautiful to start another conversation with yet another girl."

Matt's brow furrowed briefly, and he made to question what Foggy meant when you cut in.

"Yes, sorry, almost forgot. I'm Ms. Arlington. We met yesterday, Mr. Murdock. Briefly. I was the one talking about Princess Bride and Another One Bites the Dust?"

"Both great choices," Foggy pointed to you.

To anyone else, Matt's hesitation was simply a thoughtful pause. But you saw the surprise. As good as a lifetime liar and lawyer should be, Matt adjusted nearly instantaneously.

"Of course," he offered a tight smile, "My apologies, Ms. Arlington."

"No need to apologize. You can't be expected to remember every person's voice. Though I imagine your hearing is better than most."

The corner of his lips tugged up briefly.

"I assume you're here to go over what we quickly discussed yesterday?"

"If you have the time."

"Of course, it's just that I wasn't expecting you until later."

"I know, that's my bad," you forced as much genuine tone into your voice as possible. If you were being honest, the secret conversation you were having within a conversation was making you want to smile, but you'd be damned if you let this man beat you at this. "I just got a little impatient I guess. Eager to get some things sorted."

His smile this time seemed much more forced, though Karen and Foggy didn't appear to notice.

"I understand completely. I have some questions too. It's a little stuffy in this office, I'm afraid, and I feel our talk might continue for some time. As I'm sure you're still sensitive about the topic, would you prefer to go somewhere to discuss this?"

You finally let a small smile escape, quickly turning it into a smile of gratitude.

"That'd be perfect, yes."

"If you decide on anything, here's our card," Karen handed you one from a stack on her desk.

"We have cards?" Foggy walked over, examining one himself, "Fancy," he mused, sliding the card in his pocket.

"After you, Ms. Arlington," Matt held his hand out to the door, which Karen grabbed for you.

"Thanks, and have a good day! It was nice meeting you," you waved to both her and Foggy.

"Be back by 10:30 the latest, young man," Foggy called out to Matt. He smirked back at that with a lighthearted laugh, both of which dropped the second the door was closed.

Immediately his stick lifted from the floor and he strode towards the stairs with evidently angered steps.

"Bold of you to stop the act, huh?" you question, quickening your pace to keep with him.

"I can handle myself," he replied gruffly, "Please hold your apparent inability to do something stupid until we get outdoors."

"Yes sir," you mumbled, staying in silence until you were on the bustling street, where he once again resumed his blind man walking.

"How did you know?" he cut right to the chase, keeping his voice controlled and inconspicuous as you walked.

"Long story."

"I know where you come from you may not be used to answering the common folk, but I'm asking kindly. That'll change if you decide not to reveal how you know about me, and if that puts me or any of my friends in danger."

"Joke's on you asshole, I'm human, not Asgardian. I grew up in New Jersey."

He didn't say anything to that, but you could tell he felt slightly remorseful for either being so stupid or rude.

"I didn't know," he finally answered.

"Yeah, no one does. I try to stay out of the spotlight for a reason. Some people in this world that also need protecting."

"So you can understand how you showing up to my work in front of my friends causes just a bit of concern."

"You don't think I'm a threat."

"Right now I don't know what to think. Because you've just played a rather strong hand, Ms. Arlington, coming in like that. So either it's a show of strength or genuine innocence. Regardless of your intention, you have shown your strength. And how am I supposed to act when you've proven you can find me in one night?"

"It was innocence, dude, I swear. I'm not trying to flex my muscle here. It's intrigue, that's all. I didn't think there was any harm in getting past the whole pretend of me not knowing who you are. I won't tell anyone."

"And how," he said, grabbing your arm as you stopped at a crosswalk, "do you know?"

"My story is really complicated, ok? It was easier, for the time or two I've been in the public, to say I'm simply Queen of Asgard. But the truth is another beast entirely."

"Well, you just booked my entire morning, so..." he shrugged, again with that hint of irritation still present.

"You telling me if you discovered who someone was, you wouldn't go see them? How boring are you?"

"Caution isn't boring," he chastised.

You just continued looking at him, knowing he would pick up on the silence.

"But fine," he sighed, "I guess I'd have at least checked it out. A little more subtlety, Your Majesty, if you don't mind the suggestion."

"I was subtle! Karen and Foggy both believe I'm here on completely normal business. You wanting to nearly blow it with that hidden back and forth is hardly my fault. Lucky for you I'm great at this game."

He smirked at that, finally seeming more at ease.

"I have a feeling whatever story you're about to tell, Your Highness, we might need a coffee."

"Stop calling me by titles, shithead, you know damn well what you're doing."

His stupid smile grew at that, but he relinquished.

"Fine, Ms. Arlington, would you care for a cup of coffee?"

"Thank you, Mr. Murdock, I would," you smirked.

As much as you tried to make it look like you were the one leading the blind, he led the charge to a local coffee shop. He insisted on paying for your coffee, a notion that you couldn't help but smile at.

"Thanks again for the coffee," you said, as the two of you sat on an isolated bench by the water.

"My pleasure," he smiled.

"You're a nice dude, you know that? And kind of remarkable. Super power aside, it's got to be difficult without sight. You're insane for what you do. Both heroically and academically. I know I could never pump up the strength and courage to pursuit an education in your condition, let alone become a frickin lawyer."

He smiled sadly, though he looked like he appreciated it.

"Thanks. To me I'm doing what I have to, what anyone would. Wouldn't say it's any sort of virtue."

"You know, I said the same thing once about my choice to come here, do everything. Something you'll understand in a minute. I said I was just doing something anyone would, even doing it for myself. Yet a friend told me you should never sell yourself as anything less than you are."

"Sounds like a good friend."

"One of the best."

"So will I? Understand anytime soon? Or are you going to keep referencing without ever explaining," he teased.

"Buckle up buddy, it's batshit crazy."

It didn't take long for his look of skepticism to surface, though that quickly was replaced with confusion as his head tilted a little more.

"What?" you paused your story.

"You're not lying," he answered, seeming shocked by his own words.

"Nooo, I'm not...that's the whole point of me telling you this," you scrunched your face in confusion, "Though I guess it's good you believe me but I kinda thought it'd take more. I haven't even tried proving anything yet."

"I can tell. Call it a gift."

"Lie detector is in your super powers?"

"More or less."

"Bro how does that work?" you leaned closer, waiting for the secret reveal.

"How does a lie detector work?"

"Well, things like heart rate right?"

He just raised his eyebrows at that, the smug little curl forming on his lips again.

"You can hear heart rate???"

He held his hands out in an accepting way.

"Guilty, Your Honor."

"That's so creepy it's awesome!"

"Yeah, not a lot of people would find it awesome," he laughed.

"It at least makes my job easier! You can tell I'm telling the truth. Believe me, I'm not just delusional. There's a reason I'm with the Avengers. A reason an average person like me came to know them anyway."

You proceeded to tell him the rest of the story, ending with how you'd pieced together who he was.

"And you really couldn't find the time to watch any of my show?"

"I'm sorry! I was getting around to it."

"No, it's just, it figures. My job was never exactly easy, I'd be worried if something helpful occurred for once."

"You have the Avengers on your side, Murdock. I'd say that's a big help."

"Not until we find how deep this goes. If he can get to half the cops in the NYPD, I don't know who else he can get to."

"The Avengers are safe. They can't be corrupted."

"But it only takes a few people of power to start challenging them, dragging their names through the dirt. If they get involved and who we're after gets defensive?"

"Ruin their reputation, their merit, start a government battle, etcetera," you nodded, the true severity of the situation hitting you.

"Exactly," Matt sighed.

"Who is 'he'? The guy you said can get to the cops? Who is this guy?"

Matt hesitated for a moment, looking out, or at least turning his head, to the water.

"It took me a lot to get this name. Since then I've slowly realized that the help I thought I had, the justice I thought the law could bring...it may not exist. Not with him. He has too many people under his control. Gangs, officials, mafias."

"The Russians?"

He nodded.

"The human trafficking true or not?" you asked again. His look said it all. "Oh God," you groaned, "Special place in hell for those kinds of people, I'm telling you."

"We're in hell, Ms. Arlington. I'm beginning to think there's no coincidence in our name."

"I mean, Hell's Kitchen has a fire ring to it."

He tried a smile, but his face was weighed down by the burden he felt.

"So who is he? What's the name?"

He waited a few seconds more before evidently deciding to confide in you.

"Wilson Fisk."

"Wait wait wait...I remember talk of him going to be in the upcoming Hawkeye show, he's Kingpin! Also he was in Into the Spiderverse!"

"What can you tell me about him?" Matt asked, sitting up straighter.

"Nothing really. I thought he was a Spiderman villain cuz of his Spiderverse role. But I don't know, he was a gangster kind of guy in that too. Hawkeye hadn't come out yet when I left. Kinda a shame I won't get to see any of those new projects, though I guess I'm living them."

"Be careful who you go around dropping that name to. It can get you killed if the wrong people hear you."

"The Avengers are the only ones I talk to. And we're so separate from Hell's Kitchen that Kingpin won't even know we're investigating."

"Like how the Russians totally won't spill to their boss that the God of Mischief and his wife are suddenly attacking their weapons deal?"

"Ah, so that's what was in the van. And yeah I didn't think about that. To be honest, subtlety was going to be our play if possible. A distraction and then tracker. They may have put together who we were either way, but you dropping in on them like that didn't help."

"I couldn't let a couple of rookies scare away my leads, could I?" he tapped your leg with his stick.

"You forgetting all those parts where I fought aliens, went to space, got kidnapped, changed the kidnapper? Speaking of, where the hell were you when I was being held in Hell's Kitchen??? Fat lot of good you were."

"I can't hear distressed white board writings."

"Well you should. Start working on that."

"Right away, ma'am. Nelson and Murdock aims to please."

"I'd ask you for the rundown of everything and exactly what you have so far on Fisk, but I've held you here for a while already. And between you and me, I don't think your 'sleeping in late' excuses are working on Karen."

His resting smile faded and he looked torn as he answered.

"I can't tell them. It only makes the job more difficult."

"How so?"

"Because...they wouldn't approve."

"Of you fighting bad guys??? Who wouldn't approve?"

"The entire point of opening this firm was to fight the right fight legally. To prove the system can work. If they knew I was playing vigilante... especially after keeping it from Foggy for so long. I still hold out hope that the system will work. I'm trying to prove it with Fisk. I may have alternative methods for finding my information, but I fully intend to see him thrown in prison."

"A guy that dangerous might lead to a less-favorable outcome," you suggested slowly.

"I know," he replied grimly, "But I can't kill him. That's why I can't tell them. They're my one foot I still have in my old life, they're holding me to my mission. If I confessed to them, it'd be like nothing is holding me back anymore. I wouldn't trust myself not to become the vigilante more than the lawyer...to make calls I shouldn't have a right to make."

"See, I've never personally fought people. Not in that way. It's always been aliens, monsters trying to tear my face off. Death seems easier that way, when you know it's a creature not a man. The moral dilemma is gone. But I understand. Even the most evil of men...I think I might pause. To take a life... there's no going back. You'll always know you did it. Now, I'm not saying that it should or would kill me for the rest of my life. If he was truly an awful guy causing pain and death to others, I don't think I'd lose sleep for long. But then again, would it matter? Would justification work once I've seen the light leave someone's eyes? Especially if there was a legal alternative, a prison, a punishment deemed fitting by more than just me."

"You play God when you choose who deserves life or death," he whispered more to himself than you.

"Amen to that," you sighed.

"I'm sorry," Matt seemed to snap from the melancholy mood that had set in, "My moral dilemmas are hardly your concern," he continued to apologize, standing as he did.

"No, I wanted to hear. Hero shit is a burden. It's hard by yourself."

"You're lucky you have a team."

"You know you don't have to be a loner, right?" you said playfully.

"Eh, I'm not sure superhero teammates is in the cards for me."

"You never know, Mr. Murdock," you countered, beginning the walk back with him.

"Please, call me Matt."

"Then call me Wren."

The two of you continued to talk until you were back outside his apartment.

"Well then, Wren," Matt stuck out his hand, "I'll see you at our next meeting."

"Careful with another late night. Wouldn't want to oversleep again," you joked, taking his hand.

"Will your humor always be this full throttle?" he smirked.

"Hey, you have your hearing, I have my superpower."

"Let's hope it helps us," he shook his head.

"Have a good day, Matt."

"You too."

With that he tapped his little way inside with his stick, making you snicker again at his "helpless state".

***

You stayed at the Starks for as long as you could after dinner, heading back to the compound with enough time to meet Loki and head to your rendezvous.

"How was the council meeting?" you asked as you stepped into the car once again.

"Boring as Danver's personality."

You cracked up at that.

"That was great," you held your hand out for the high-five, "I feel bad that it's still fun to mock her even though I really do like her."

"She's used to it. And she's getting more sociable the longer she knows us. It's good for her."

"King of the Social Butterfly Club. Has a nice ring to it. Maybe you could hold a few seminars? Give a TedTalk or two?"

"Fuck off."

"So how was it really?"

"Good," he answered helpfully this time, "We've strategized a potential covert operation to strike Surtur with minimum damage to Muspelheim. Though all of this has been up to him and his unwillingness to not give up his Ragnarok wet dreams."

"Can I go on said covert mission?"

He simply answered with a look.

"I'm kidding, I know. Death by fire demon isn't my ideal way out."

"With only your current skills you'd be vulnerable. Though once the ceremony has occurred you'd be better prepared to join the ranks of our warriors."

Your stomach dropped at his words, so you quickly changed the topic.

"Is Thor joining?"

"One can hardly keep him away," Loki smiled.

"Good. If Ragnarok has told us anything it's that Thor handles Surtur. I'd feel comfortable not jinxing our luck by keeping him off the mission."

"Yes, well, we'll see if any of this happens or if Surtur surrenders before such action is necessary."

It wasn't long before the pair of you were back on the roof from the previous night.

"Well, he's not punctual," Loki complained as he looked around the empty roof.

"Shhhh, he can probably hear that," you whispered, though you smiled at that notion, "That motherfucking cunt," you finished quietly, making Loki whip around with an adorable look of shock.

"What was that??"

"A test."

"You know I'm starting to think this cunt shouldn't have bought you a coffee," a voice called from somewhere to your left.

You turned to see Matt, in his black clothes and mask, jump is way over the gap from the neighboring roof, walking over with a smirk on his face.

"Hey, when you use super-sonic hearing to eavesdrop, you might hear a few things," you chuckled.

"If I could turn it off I would."

"We both know you can at least tune some of it out, otherwise you'd be going crazy."

"Who says I'm not?" he scoffed as he turned to Loki, "You must be Loki?" he held out his hand, which Loki took with only a brief look of arrogance. His defensive nature of sizing people up and playing strong never went away. He was, however, too nice nowadays to hold a charade of hostility, as shown by his acceptance of the hand offered to him.

"You must be the lawyer."

"We get that bad a rap even on Asgard?" Matt questioned, noting the tone Loki had used.

"I've spent long enough down here."

"Try working in their field. But I swear we're not all that bad. Not all 7 days a week at least."

Loki smiled lightly.

"So, should we get started?" you asked, looking from one man to the next.

"Right, well, you know a large chunk of it already just by knowing about Fisk. Took me a long time to even get a name. People are tight-lipped when it comes to him. Slipping his name got a man killed...in the interrogation room."

"By the cops??" you asked.

Matt nodded, "Broad daylight. Full building. I was down the hall in the lobby when it happened."

"Shit, you weren't kidding about this stuff."

"Do you have any evidence against these people?" Loki asked.

Matt's lips tightened in frustration as he shook his head, "I only know the little I do after great effort. Getting anything legal to go on is nearly impossible. But I'm working on it."

"You're also working as one man in a small firm and as a solo street vigilante," Loki noted, "With Stark's resources and influence I can't imagine these people could hide."

"I've told Wren the problems with bringing in the Avengers. If they try handling this in a legitimate way within the law, that means they have to deal with law enforcement, judges, so forth. Never knowing who else is on Fisk's payroll. Those who have done that have ended up dead or incriminated."

"In a perfect world, yes, they'd have to deal with local law enforcement," you chimed in, "But this is the Avengers we're talking about. As non-villain-like as I can say this, I legitimately think we could take down a government and they'd never know it. We have people who know people. Give Tony a list to work with, a place to start. Anything you have on the whereabouts of the Russians or anyone else working for him. You get the dirt, he cleans it up."

Murdock paced a little as he contemplated what you said.

"She's right," Loki backed you, "You're correct that us getting in the field on this one would be fruitless. With how high up this could go, they can't know the Avengers are sniffing around. We stay quiet, we stay out of it. Let them think our only interest was the Russians, that we know nothing of Fisk. But you? Either they don't know you're onto them or they haven't been able to stop you."

"Oh they know alright," Matt scoffed.

"Then you're currently a problem they already know about. One they think is isolated. Yet look what you've uncovered despite that. You continue doing what you're doing, in your way, both legally and otherwise. Meanwhile we'll take the info you gather and take care of the problem a piece at a time."

"I know I basically advocated for this same thing a second ago, but now that I think about it aren't we basically telling him to continue risking his life being the lone vigilante going up against gangs, officers, and who knows what? Not to mention risking his life a second way and that of his friends by pursuing this legally, cuz imagine what they could do to a small team of lawyers no one knows about. The legal system isn't safe for them, and neither is the street for his Devil fighting at night. He does that while we comfortably wait around for the results?"

"There's no other way," Matt answered for Loki, "A one man job has been the only way to get anything. The problem is a one man job has been an impossible way to act on any of what I get. Like you said, a small legal team going up against a system with evidence only I know about with zero proof. But if Stark can use leads to either get the evidence we need or take the players off the board quietly? Then I have to keep doing this. For the first time I have somewhere to go with the things I find."

"You know that Tony's influence may act on your information and get these people removed without like legally obtained evidence? Like hopefully he can obtain some, but I doubt it'd be legal by definition. And if he can't get proof, I wouldn't put it past him to still have these people removed from their position. We have Shield for goodness sake, when haven't they been able to just do whatever the hell they want?"

"What's your point?" Loki asked.

"My point is that he's a lawyer, Loki," you answered, turning to Matt. "Are you cool with not knowing how Tony does his shit? Of there not being some big fancy trials and show of legal strength? Hopefully, once this is all done and safe, it can be covered publicly. But you gotta be prepared for a big game of working in the shadows. Especially when shit hits the fan and Fisk starts seeing his empire mysteriously fall. We can't guarantee it'll be a nice sophisticated legal fight."

"My only problem has been with the struggle that I might have to kill to win this. Kill people I don't know if I have the right to kill...kill people who may be as helpless in the situation as we are. That Fisk could only be stopped if he was eliminated," Matt paused, head looking off to the right before he turned back to you and nodded, "So yes, I'm with you. I wanted the system to work. But I've accepted that that may not be possible. This is the next best option."

"And who knows, in the end this could all be very public, very legal, and a good win for the system," you tried giving him hope, "It's just that the moves to get there are gonna need to be covert for a while."

He smiled in a way that showed he had very little belief in such an outcome.

"I guess we'll see."

And with that, he began diving into who he knew was involved, all he had seen and learned. You and Loki parted ways with him that night with a new understanding of just how much of an angel this devil was for Hell's Kitchen.

Chapter Text

Ok, so I have decided I want to do an official sequel. As briefly as I can summarize what it will deal with, in and effort to not keep people waiting who have no desire for what I am to write, it will deal with the multiverse, Kang, the Loki show, etc. I post this to let you know why I may go silent for even longer than I usually do lol. I know I rarely post the spinoff series as is, cuz I've been focused on school after my gap year (the time when I wrote Into the MCU), so know that I may go silent even longer. I want to write a few chapters, get my feet under me and know the story is actually going somewhere, before I post anything. Additionally, I may not even be able to write until next year. Seeing as I'm graduating next spring, now is as good a time as ever to try to commit to writing after next spring. Please know that I will try my hardest to hold myself to writing this sequel, hence this post. I'm using it as a commitment or promise to write, thus forcing myself to do it. With that being said, if I do not think the product of high enough quality or life takes a turn, I will withdraw from my undertaking. I'd of course let you guys know if I back out of the sequel. But until that time, which hopefully does not come, this is my official announcement that I seek to start writing an official sequel next year the latest. Here's to hoping I can accomplish this and that the ideas I have are able to come together in a satisfying story. I will not publish if it doesn't reach the standard I hold myself to. Thank you to all who have read Into the MCU and who have given me the desire to share my ideas with others. I hope I have the time and creativity to deliver something new. Love you all 3000.