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no bc why would a loki friends to lovers be so good?? đ âââ
can i request loki trope best friends to lovers with female avenger!reader from love is in the air? i have a whole plot and i am so sorry in advance so here we go:
reader is lokis best friend and they became friends bc she was the only avenger who was nice to him when he first came to the compound and they got really close. he still gets bad nightmares and when he does, he goes to readers room and she just accepts him and holds him while he cries until the nightmares are over!! (sheâs so book boyfriend coded i literally canât) and then this happens a lot but is only mentioned like a few times in the story (i really hope you understand this im so sorry my thoughts are literally all over the place) and then one night he goes to her room again bc of another nightmare and she comforts him and they fall asleep and he doesnât have any nightmares while sleeping and then in the morning when they wake up (tangled in each others limbs) he goes âi love youâ and she smiles and goes i know and then he goes like âno, i LOVE youâ and she smiles more and whispers âi knowâ and then kisses him!!!
thank you for making this new game and always specifying the as much detail as we want part i love u and ur writing soso much and you are so amazing and im so sorry for making you read this super long request
â anon đˇ
áŻâ Pairing: Loki Laufeyson x fem!reader
áŻâ Genre: romance, some angst and some fluff
áŻâ Story type: one shot
áŻâ Word count: 4.3k
áŻâ Summary: just what the ask said
áŻâ TW(s): nothing I think, just some angst
áŻâ Love is in the air - Valentine's Day special game
áŻâ My Masterlist
áŻâ MARVEL Holiday Special
áŻâ MARVEL Multiverse - choose an AU, pair it with your favorite character and make a request!
áŻâ Songs & Superheroes tales - The Game (to make a request, follow the rules on the link!)
áŻâ MARVEL Bingo
áŻâ English isnât my first language
Loki has no choice but to be here.
It is a punishment, though not the kind he expected. No dungeons, no chainsâjust the ever-present weight of Midgardian hospitality, which is its own sort of prison. After Asgardâs fall and the madness that followed, Thor petitioned to bring Loki to the Avengers Compound rather than leave him to whatever grim fate awaited him elsewhere. It was a mercy, Thor claimed. Loki knew better. It was just another way to keep him under watch, to keep him leashed. So he plays along, lets them believe he is something tame and manageable, even if the mere presence of this place makes his skin crawl.
The others do not trust him. That much is expected. Even if Loki had miraculously decided to change his ways, there is too much blood between them all. Stark especially watches him like a vulture, always ready with some barbed comment, some clever little jab to remind Loki that he is not welcome. Rogers is quieter about his disdain, ever the noble soldier, but he does not mask it well. Romanoff does not bother with pretenseâshe does not speak to him at all. Barton is much the same, still nursing whatever wounds Loki left behind in New York. Maximoff has her own reasons to hate him. Strange treats him as one might treat an unpredictable wild animal, barely interested beyond the occasional veiled threat.
Thor is the only one who does not look at Loki like an enemy, though his efforts to bridge the gap between them are clumsy at best. Loki does not want his brotherâs pity. He does not want to be here at all.
And yet, somehow, against all odds, you happen.
You are the only one who speaks to Loki without venom in your voice, the only one who does not look at him like a problem that needs solving. From the very beginning, you offer him kindness. Not the strained, obligatory sort Thor extends, nor the artificial niceties of someone waiting for him to slip up. You are simply⌠kind. It baffles him. It frustrates him. It keeps him awake at night, replaying your words and gestures in his mind, trying to decipher your angle.
He tests you at first. He is cruel, the way he has always been, sharp-tongued and dismissive. He tries to chase you away, because he cannot fathom why you would want to be close to him. But you stay. You take his barbs with an infuriating sort of patience, countering his wit with your own, refusing to let him push you into the shadows. And slowly, against his better judgment, he stops trying to push at all.
Loki does not know when exactly things change. One moment, you are just another foolish Midgardian trying to play nice with the villain, and the next, you are something else entirely. A constant. A presence that lingers in his mind even when you are not there. He finds himself seeking you out, watching for you when he enters a room. He makes excuses to be where you are, though he is certain you see through them all.
You are different from the others. Perhaps that is why he lets you in. Perhaps that is why, when you tease him, he does not feel the usual bite of mockery. When you speak to him, he listens. When you laugh, he does not wish for silence.
It is strange, this⌠whatever this is between you. He does not know what to call it.
There is a night, early on, when he realizes how much he enjoys your presence. The others are away on some mission, leaving the compound oddly silent. You do not know he is there when you slip into the common room, curled up in the corner with a book, lost in the pages. Loki watches you for longer than he should before making himself known. You do not startle when he speaks, do not tense like the others do when they notice him lurking. You simply glance up, meet his gaze, and smile.
It is a small thing. A meaningless thing. And yet, Loki feels it somewhere deep in his chest, in a place he thought long since turned to stone.
From then on, things are⌠different. You and Loki fall into an easy rhythm, one that does not require explanation. You are his friend, though he still struggles with the weight of that word. It is unfamiliar on his tongue, but there is no other way to describe what you are to him. You speak to him as though he is not a monster. You listen when he speaks, even when his words turn bitter. You do not pity him, nor do you fear him. It is a delicate balance, and yet, you hold it effortlessly.
The others notice, of course. Stark makes his comments, forever incredulous that you would willingly spend your time with Loki. The others exchange looks when they see you together, silently wondering what exactly has formed between you. Even Thor is perplexed by it, though he does not question it aloud.
Loki does not care what they think.
For the first time in what feels like centuries, he is not entirely alone.
---
The first time it happens, Loki does not intend for it to happen at all.
It is lateâlong past the hour when even the restless find sleep. The compound is silent, steeped in the kind of darkness that makes everything feel heavier, more oppressive. He should be resting. He knows this. And yet, as he lies in the too-soft Midgardian bed, the sheets tangled around his restless limbs, Loki cannot shake the remnants of his nightmare.
It is not the first time he has suffered such things. They have plagued him for years, twisting his thoughts into cruel shapes, dragging him into memories he cannot escape. Usually, he endures them alone, swallowing down the horror, letting it fester in silence. But tonight is different. Tonight, the weight of it is unbearable.
He sits up, dragging a hand down his face, breath still unsteady. The dream clings to him like a second skin. He can feel itâthick, choking, inescapable. His own screams still echo in his mind, a cruel reminder of how easily he unravels when left alone with his thoughts.
He needs to breathe.
Loki forces himself out of bed, out of his room, into the dimly lit hall. He does not know where he is going at first. He does not think at all. His body moves on instinct, his feet carrying him forward before his mind catches up.
And then he is standing in front of your door.
The realization strikes him like a blow. He should not be here. He has no reason to be here. And yet, something in him will not allow him to turn away.
He hesitates, jaw tight, fingers curling into fists. He should leave. The last thing he wants is for you to see him like thisâweak, vulnerable, broken. You have only ever known the pieces of him that he allows you to see, the sharp wit, the clever smirk, the mask that keeps the world at bay. This⌠this is something else entirely.
And yet, before he can stop himself, he lifts his hand and knocks.
It is soft, barely audible, but in the silence of the compound, it may as well be a thunderclap. His heart pounds against his ribs, and he almost turns to flee before the sound of movement reaches his ears.
A moment later, the door opens.
You stand before him, bleary-eyed and wrapped in a blanket, confusion written across your features.
"Loki?" Your voice is thick with sleep, but there is no irritation in it, no impatience. Just quiet concern.
He does not know what to say. He does not even know why he is here, why he has come to you instead of locking himself away like he always does. The words catch in his throat, his pride warring with his need for somethingâanythingâto ground him.
But you look at him, really look at him, and something in your expression shifts.
You step aside without a word, leaving the doorway open in silent invitation.
For a long moment, Loki simply stands there, waging a battle within himself. He should not do this. He should not need this.
But the alternative is far worse.
So, with slow, reluctant steps, he moves inside.
You close the door behind him, and the quiet settles between you, not awkward, but heavy with something unspoken. You do not ask why he is here. You do not press him for an explanation. Instead, you gesture toward your bed, a silent offer, as if you have already decided what he needs before he can admit it himself.
He swallows, shame burning in his chest, but he cannot bring himself to refuse.
Without a word, he lowers himself onto the edge of the bed. His hands tremble slightly as he presses them against his knees, his entire body taut with tension. He feels exposed, raw in a way that terrifies him.
And then you sit beside him, so close he can feel your warmth.
Still, you do not push. You wait.
It is thisâyour patience, your quiet understandingâthat breaks something in him.
He exhales sharply, his composure fracturing at the edges. His shoulders shake before he can stop them, and then, before he even knows what is happening, his hands are gripping the fabric of his own sleeves so tightly that his knuckles turn white.
You move before he can react, before he can even think to stop you. Your arms come around him, careful but certain, pulling him into your embrace.
Loki stiffens at first, instinct screaming at him to pull away. He is not used to thisâto being held. He does not know how to accept comfort, how to take something so freely given.
But you do not let go. You do not waver. You simply hold him, warm and steady, as if this is the most natural thing in the world.
And Loki breaks.
A shuddering breath escapes him, and then another. His body sags against yours before he can stop it, his forehead pressing into your shoulder, his fingers clutching at the fabric of your shirt like a lifeline. The dam bursts, and before he can stop it, he is trembling, shaking, silent sobs wracking his frame.
You say nothing. You do not tell him it is okay, do not offer empty reassurances. You simply hold him through it, your hands moving gently along his back, your touch grounding him in a way that nothing else ever has.
Time loses meaning. He does not know how long he stays like this, pressed against you, his breath uneven, his body betraying him. But you never pull away. You never make him feel as if he is too much.
When the storm finally begins to pass, when his breathing evens and the tremors fade, he feels exhaustion settle deep in his bones. He should move. He should leave before he humiliates himself further.
But then you shift, adjusting your grip so that you are holding him more fully, your chin resting gently atop his head.
"Stay," you murmur, the word barely above a whisper.
He does not fight it.
For the first time in his life, Loki allows himself to be held.
That night, he sleeps.
And then, somehow, it becomes normal.
It does not happen every night, but often enough that neither of you question it anymore. When the nightmares come, when the weight of his past becomes unbearable, Loki finds himself at your door.
And every time, without fail, you let him in.
The shame he once felt begins to fade, replaced by something he does not have the words for. You do not judge him for his weakness. You do not make him feel like a burden. You simply accept him, in all his fractured, broken pieces, without hesitation.
It is terrifying.
It is the most comfort he has ever known.
And Loki does not know what to do with that.
---
Loki does not know when it begins. Perhaps it has always been there, buried beneath layers of denial and self-preservation, something too delicate to acknowledge, too dangerous to name. But slowly, steadily, it grows.
He notices it in the quiet moments, in the spaces between words.
It is in the way he seeks you out without realizing it, the way his day does not feel quite right until he has spoken to you. It is in the way his chest tightens when you laugh, in the way his mind lingers on your voice long after you have left the room.
It is in the nights spent wrapped in your arms, when the nightmares become too much.
At first, those nights were a necessity, a last resort when his own mind betrayed him. But now, they are something else entirely. The shame that once clung to him has faded, replaced by something far more dangerous. He no longer fights the pull toward youâhe welcomes it. He does not know when it became so natural to find solace in your presence, to lean into your warmth without hesitation.
But it is not just about the nightmares anymore.
It is the way he lingers when he does not need to. The way his fingers brush against yours in passing, the way he memorizes every shift in your expression, the way your touch lingers on his skin long after you have pulled away. It is the way his heart pounds in his chest at the smallest of gestures, the way your absence leaves an ache that he cannot name.
And then, one night, it happens.
It is late, but Loki is not in his room. He is in yours, as he has been countless times before. The routine is familiarâhe wakes from a nightmare, the echoes of it still clinging to his skin, and without thinking, his feet carry him to you.
You let him in, as you always do.
Tonight, the weight of it is heavier than usual. The nightmare lingers in his mind, curling around his thoughts like smoke. He does not speak of it, and you do not ask. You simply pull him into your arms, letting him bury himself against you, his breath uneven against your collarbone.
For a long time, neither of you move. The silence is comforting, your fingers tracing gentle patterns along his back, grounding him.
And then, in the stillness, something shifts.
You sigh softly, a sleepy, content sound, your arms tightening around him just slightly before relaxing again. It is the simplest thingâan unconscious movement, a meaningless moment.
But it unravels him.
The realization hits Loki with the force of a thousand suns. It is sudden and absolute, as if it has been waiting for this exact moment to make itself known.
He loves you.
It is not friendship, not even close. It never has been.
His love for you is deep and consuming, something that lives in his very bones. It is in the way he looks at you when you are not watching, the way your presence soothes him in a way nothing else ever has. It is in the way he would burn the world to the ground if it meant keeping you safe.
The realization is terrifying.
Loki does not move. He does not breathe. He simply lies there, pressed against you, as the weight of it crushes him.
This should not have happened. He should not have allowed it.
Love is a weakness. It is a thing to be used, to be twisted and turned against him. He has seen it happen too many times before. He has felt the sting of rejection, the sharp bite of betrayal. He knows better than to hope.
And yet, it is too late.
Loki swallows hard, willing the ache in his chest to subside. He cannot tell you. He will not. You are his closest friend, the only person who has ever truly seen him, the only one who has never turned him away. If he speaks this truth aloud, he risks losing that.
And that is something he cannot bear.
So he does what he has always doneâhe buries it.
He forces himself to breathe, forces himself to relax against you, as if nothing has changed. Because for you, nothing has.
You do not know. You cannot know.
And Loki will make sure it stays that way.
From that night on, everything feels different.
He pretends it does not. He is careful, measured. He acts as he always has, keeps his words and actions the same. He does not allow himself to linger too long, does not let his touch betray him.
But inside, he is unraveling.
It is a constant war, a battle he fights every second he is near you. He is hyperaware of every glance, every touch, every breath. He cannot stop looking at your lips when you speak, cannot ignore the way his heart clenches when you smile.
And the worst part? You do not even notice.
You treat him the same as always, utterly unaware of the storm raging inside him. You laugh with him, tease him, pull him into your arms on those quiet nights, completely oblivious to the fact that every moment is torture.
Because he wants.
Gods, how he wants.
There are nights when he stands outside your door, debating whether or not he should knock. Not because of the nightmaresâthose still come, but they are no longer the only reason he seeks you out. He knocks because he aches for your presence, because the thought of being alone feels unbearable.
And every time, without fail, you let him in.
You do not question it. You do not ask why. You simply welcome him as if he belongs there, as if it is the most natural thing in the world.
And maybe, to you, it is.
But for Loki, it is agony.
Because he cannot have you.
Not the way he wants.
And so, he suffers in silence.
He lets himself be near you, lets himself feel your warmth, your touch, your kindness. But he never says a word. He keeps it locked inside, where it cannot hurt either of you.
Because if you do not know, then you cannot leave.
And for Loki, that is the only thing that matters.
---
It happens again.
Another nightmare. Another night where the ghosts of his past pull him under, drowning him in horrors he cannot escape.
Loki wakes with a sharp inhale, his breath coming too fast, his chest tight with panic. The darkness of his room feels suffocating, the walls too close, the air too thin. His hands tremble as he presses them against the mattress, trying to ground himself, trying to remind himself that he is here, not there.
Not falling. Not failing. Not alone.
The thought comes unbidden, as it always does.
Because he is not alone.
Without thinking, without hesitating, his body moves on instinct, slipping out of bed and into the hallway. His bare feet make no sound against the floor, the compound silent in the deep hours of the night. He does not question where he is going. He does not stop to consider if he should.
Because he already knows the answer.
Your door is slightly ajar, just as it always is. You never lock it. You never turn him away.
Loki hesitates for only a moment before pushing it open.
The room is bathed in darkness, the faint glow of the city outside casting soft shadows along the walls. You are curled beneath the blankets, your breathing slow and steady, lost in sleep.
He should leave. He should not do this.
But the remnants of his nightmare still cling to him, cold and suffocating, and he cannot bear the thought of returning to his room, to the silence, to the weight of his own thoughts.
So he steps inside.
The floor creaks beneath his weight, but you do not startle. You stir slightly, shifting against the pillows, but you do not wake.
And yet, as he stands there, lingering in the doorway, you sigh softly, murmuring his name in the dark. Not with fear, not with surpriseâjust quiet understanding, as if you expected him to be there all along.
Something in his chest tightens.
He does not speak, does not explain. He simply moves toward the bed, and when he hesitates, you lift the blanket in silent invitation.
He exhales, slow and shaky, before slipping beneath the covers beside you.
The warmth of you envelops him immediately, soft and steady, grounding him in a way that nothing else ever has.
He presses closer without thinking, without meaning to, his forehead brushing against your shoulder, his hands curled near his chest.
And then, as if sensing the last of his hesitation, you shift just enough to pull him fully against you, wrapping your arms around him in a way that makes everything inside him unravel.
Loki breathes.
The tension eases from his body, the nightmare fading into nothing, the ghosts retreating into the shadows where they belong.
You hold him, just as you always do, your fingers tracing lazy, soothing patterns along his back. He feels your breath against his temple, soft and even, and for the first time in a long time, he lets himself relax.
His eyes grow heavy, his body warm, and thenâ
Sleep finds him.
And for the first time in years, there are no nightmares.
The morning sun filters through the curtains, golden and soft, chasing away the last remnants of night.
Loki stirs slowly, caught in that hazy space between sleep and wakefulness, his mind still wrapped in warmth, in comfort, in you.
There is something different this time. Usually, when morning comes, he is awake before you, careful to slip away before you can stir, before you can see him in the vulnerable light of day.
But this morning, he does not move.
He is tangled in your limbs, his head resting against your chest, your arms still wrapped around him.
He does not want to move.
Your scent surrounds him, your warmth pressing against every inch of him, and for once, he allows himself to savor it.
His eyes flutter open just enough to catch the golden light spilling across the bed, the way your hair glows in the morning sun. You are still asleep, your breath slow and steady, your heartbeat a gentle rhythm beneath his ear.
And he is safe.
The thought settles in his chest, warm and unfamiliar, something he has never allowed himself to believe before.
And before he can stop himself, before his mind fully catches up with his body, the words slip out, slow and sleepy and utterly unguarded.
"I love you."
The words are barely above a whisper, a sigh against your skin, but you hear them.
Because you smile.
Loki does not see it at first, but he feels itâthe shift in your body, the way your arms tighten around him just slightly, the way your breath catches for half a second before settling again.
And then, still drowsy, still wrapped in the warmth of morning, you murmur, "I know."
Loki freezes.
His breath catches in his throat, his body going rigid against you as his mind finally catches up with his words.
What has he done?
Panic rises in his chest, sharp and sudden. He had not meant to say it, had not meant to ruin this. He was supposed to keep it buried, to let it fester in silence where it could not hurt either of you.
But it is too late.
You know.
And then, just as he is about to pull away, just as the weight of his own foolishness threatens to crush him, you shift beneath him, tilting your head just slightly, pressing your lips to the top of his head in a touch so soft it makes him ache.
And thenâ
"I know," you whisper again, and this time, your voice is different.
He swallows hard, eyes squeezing shut, his fingers curling into the fabric of your shirt.
"No," he breathes, barely audible, as if saying it again will somehow change the meaning, make you understand the weight of it.
But you do.
You have always understood him better than anyone.
"I love you," he says again, more certain this time, more him, his voice rough from sleep and tangled in something too big to contain.
He feels you smile against his hair.
And then, gently, finally, you whisper, "I know."
And then you kiss him.
Loki stills, every thought in his mind vanishing into nothing as your lips press against his.
It is soft and slow, something delicate, something precious.
It is not hurried or desperate. It is intentional. Certain.
Your fingers brush against his jaw, tilting his face up to yours, deepening the kiss just enough to steal the breath from his lungs.
And LokiâLoki, who has spent his entire life running from things he cannot bear to loseâlets himself fall.
When you finally pull away, your forehead resting against his, Loki does not move. He cannot. His heart is still catching up with what just happened, his mind still drowning in the warmth of you.
You smile, pressing one last kiss to the corner of his mouth before murmuring, "Took you long enough."
A breath of laughter escapes him, something he did not expect, something light and unguarded.
He presses his face back into the crook of your neck, exhaling slowly as the last of his fear dissolves into nothing.
"You are insufferable," he mumbles, but there is no heat behind the words, no bite.
Only love.
And this time, he does not try to hide it.
â¤ď¸
hi! iâd like to request a loki x fem!reader
can you base it on âwe canât be friendsâ by ariana grande. something related to the music video in the sense that reader tries to erase her memory in order to âhealâ after Loki turns into the god of stories and she is practically alone now. sorry its not angsty i canât help myself đŠ
hope this is okay! thanks queen
áŻâ Pairing: Loki Laufeyson x fem!reader
áŻâ Genre: romance, angst, like a lot of angst
áŻâ Requests status: open
áŻâ Story type: one shot
áŻâ Summary: You thought Loki was your forever, the man with who you'd spend the resto of your life with, but he becomes the God of Stories you are left with nothing but memories of him, maybe you should get rid of those too.
áŻâ Word count: 8k
áŻâ TW(s): hinted depression, sleeping a lot to stay in the dreams and not eating because of this so weight loss
áŻâ Okay so, I need to tell you all the truth...I haven't watched Loki...But!! I've started it and I'm currently on episode 2, truth is me and tv series don't really go hand in hand so I don't know if I'll actually finish it. But to write this fanfic I tried to get as much information as I could and I hope you like it!
áŻâ My Masterlist
áŻâ MARVEL Holiday Special
áŻâ MARVEL Multiverse - choose an AU, pair it with your favorite character and make a request!
áŻâ Songs & Superheroes tales - The Game (to make a request, follow the rules on the link!)
áŻâ MARVEL Bingo
áŻâ English isnât my first language
The air is cool, tinged with the earthy scent of rain that had fallen just hours before, leaving the world fresh, like a new beginning. You sit on the balcony of your apartment, your legs tucked under you as you sip your coffee. The city below hums with the soft buzz of life, but up here, it's quiet. Just you and him.
Lokiâs presence is a constant now. At first, it was a dangerous thrill â the God of Mischief, the trickster, the god of lies and chaos. But over time, you had come to know the man behind the myths, the one who spent far too many sleepless nights overthinking, doubting, and regretting. The one who, despite his flaws and his ever-conflicted nature, had let you in.
You can feel his gaze on you, even before you turn to face him. He's perched at the edge of the balcony, the golden light from the setting sun casting soft shadows on his face. His dark hair is tousled from the wind, and heâs watching you with that look â the one that makes you feel as though youâre the only thing in the universe that matters.
You smile, the warmth in your chest a stark contrast to the cool evening breeze. âWhat?â
He doesnât answer at first. Instead, Loki steps closer, the air shifting around him in subtle, magical currents. He always has this way of bending the world to his whims. But right now, heâs just⌠himself. Not a god. Not a villain. Just Loki.
âNothing,â he says, voice low, almost like a secret. âYou just look⌠peaceful.â
You blink, surprised. Peaceful isnât a word youâd ever associate with yourself, but you canât help the way it feels with him beside you. Itâs like the world is calm â for once, thereâs no grand scheme or looming threat. Just him. And you.
âYouâre the one who always looks so intense,â you tease, nudging him lightly with your elbow. âLike youâre plotting world domination.â
Lokiâs eyes flicker with mischief, but thereâs something softer in the way he regards you, something tender. âI donât plot world domination. Not all the time.â He shrugs, as if the matter is trivial.
You laugh, but thereâs a quiet moment between you, an unspoken understanding. You know what he means. Loki has always carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. The responsibility of his past, the expectations of his future. And yet, when itâs just the two of you, he lets it slip away.
You let your coffee rest on the railing and, without a word, turn to face him fully. Lokiâs smile, small but genuine, tugs at something in your chest. You take a step closer to him, the distance between you shrinking as you reach out, your hand brushing against his.
Itâs always like this, these quiet moments â when words are no longer necessary. His hand envelops yours effortlessly, and itâs like the universe settles into place. This is the calm you didnât know you needed, the simple comfort of being in each otherâs space.
âDo you ever think about the future?â you ask, your voice hesitant, unsure if youâre ready for the answer.
He watches you carefully, as if weighing your words. Thereâs a flicker of uncertainty in his gaze, a crack in the façade of the god youâre so used to. He tilts his head, his fingers gently tracing the back of your hand.
âOf course, I think about it,â he admits softly. âBut Iâve spent so many lifetimes running from it, from the choices that will define me. The future⌠Itâs complicated.â
You can hear the hesitation in his voice, the way he never fully commits to whatâs ahead. Loki is a god of chaos, after all. Heâs never been good with stability, with the idea of permanence. His eyes search yours, as though trying to read your mind.
âAnd you?â he asks, his voice almost a whisper.
You swallow, a lump forming in your throat. âI think about it too, but⌠I donât know. The future feels like a blurry mess sometimes.â
He steps closer, his thumb brushing against your wrist in a soothing motion. âWhatever happens, weâll face it together.â
Thereâs a sincerity in his words that takes you by surprise. Loki, the god whoâd always kept everyone at armâs length, including his own family, is now standing before you, offering his loyalty in a way that feels⌠real. No tricks, no games, just the promise of something honest.
âTogether,â you repeat softly, the word tasting different on your lips when it comes from him.
His eyes flicker to the horizon, as though heâs considering something, before he looks back at you with a soft chuckle. âAnd if the future is full of chaos, weâll make it our own chaos.â
You laugh, but thereâs something in your chest that tightens at the thought of a future with Loki â with all that he represents, with all the uncertainty and danger that follow him like a dark cloud. But in this moment, you push it aside. Thereâs no room for fear when heâs beside you.
Loki takes your hand and leads you toward the edge of the balcony, his fingers never leaving yours. âCome,â he says, his voice low and gentle. âLetâs watch the sunset. Together.â
As you sit side by side, the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky in warm shades of pink and gold. The world around you may be shifting, always changing, but here, in this moment, everything feels still. The weight of time feels distant. The future feels like a far-off dream that you canât quite touch.
You rest your head against his shoulder, the soft sound of his breath steadying your own. Loki shifts slightly, his hand coming to rest on your back in an almost protective gesture. The quiet between you stretches, neither of you needing to speak.
For a moment, everything is perfect. The world, the chaos, the future â it all fades into the background, and all that remains is the calm. The love.
But deep down, you canât ignore the feeling that this peace is fragile. Like glass, itâs delicate, and even though youâre holding onto it, you wonder how long it can last.
That peace doesnât last forever.
The memory of that moment â the quiet between you, the warmth of his hand in yours â is the last thing you want to hold on to.
After everything has crumbled, after everything has changed, you find yourself sitting in a quiet, empty room, staring at the walls. The apartment feels hollow now, the silence too loud. The city outside moves on, unaware of the storm raging inside you.
It wasnât supposed to end like this.
But Loki had become the God of Stories, and with that title came unimaginable power. The ability to rewrite fate itself, to shape reality, to weave his own narrative â and in the process, heâd lost himself. Or maybe it was you who had lost him. Maybe you were the one who didnât fit into his new story.
You can still hear his voice in your mind, soft and warm, whispering that you would face the future together. But how could you face the future with him now? How could you stand by his side when he was no longer the Loki you knew?
Itâs a bitter thought. One that claws at your chest. And the worst part is â you still love him. Even after everything. Even after the gods, after the chaos, after the mistakes, you still want him.
But itâs too much. The memories are too vivid, too painful. You canât bear to remember him â not when every time you close your eyes, you see his face, and itâs like a stab to your heart.
Youâve made up your mind.
Youâll erase it all. Every memory of him.
The love. The pain. The warmth.
Youâre not sure how, but youâll do it. Because if you donât, youâll never move on. Youâll never be free.
The box feels heavier than it should as you lower it to the floor, your knees protesting the motion. A single lamp casts its warm glow across your apartment, but the light feels muted, swallowed by the shadows pressing in from every corner. Itâs late, and the city outside seems quieter than usual, as if the world knows the significance of what youâre about to do.
Lokiâs things are scattered around you in a mess of memories. A black scarf you once teased him about for being far too dramatic, a small leather-bound notebook filled with strange symbols and half-formed ideas, a gold trinket heâd magicked into existence one lazy afternoon to make you laugh. Each item holds a piece of him, of you, of you and him.
Your breath catches as you sit back on your heels, staring at the pile with a sinking feeling in your chest. Itâs almost funny. You thought gathering his belongings would make it easier, like pulling off a bandage quickly to avoid the sting. But itâs worse. So much worse.
Your fingers tremble as they brush over the scarf. You remember the first time he wore it â the way it swept dramatically over his shoulder as he smirked at your teasing.
âTrying to impress me, Mischief?â youâd asked, a playful lilt to your voice.
Loki had leaned closer, that familiar spark of mischief lighting his green eyes. âIs it working?â
Youâd laughed, shoving him lightly, but your heart had skipped a beat all the same. He had a way of doing that â making the smallest, most mundane moments feel like they belonged in an epic tale.
You shake your head, pulling yourself back to the present. The memory is too vivid, too sharp, and it slices through you like glass. That was before everything changed. Before he became something⌠unreachable.
Your fingers curl around the scarf, tightening as the memory threatens to drag you under. For a moment, you consider keeping it. Just this one thing. But no. You canât. If you start keeping pieces of him, youâll never let go.
You toss the scarf into the box, the action more forceful than you intended. It lands atop the notebook, the trinket, and the small collection of Lokiâs things that have woven themselves into your life.
The notebook catches your eye again, and before you can stop yourself, youâre flipping it open. The pages are filled with Lokiâs handwriting â sharp and elegant, like the man himself. Most of it is incomprehensible to you, written in Asgardian runes or some ancient language you donât recognize. But on one page, near the middle, you find something familiar.
Itâs your name.
Your breath hitches as you stare at the word, the letters carved into the page with a deliberate hand. Beneath it, a single line in English:
"You are my home."
The tears come then, hot and relentless, streaming down your cheeks before you can stop them. You clutch the notebook to your chest, your body shaking as the weight of it all crashes over you. He said those words to you once, late at night, when the world had felt quiet and safe.
You remember lying in bed together, his arm draped lazily over your waist, his voice a soft murmur against your ear. âYou are my home,â heâd said, the words carrying a vulnerability he rarely allowed himself to show. âIn all the realms, in all the chaos, I find my peace in you.â
And you had believed him. God, youâd believed him.
The notebook slips from your hands as you bury your face in your palms, sobs wracking your body. Youâd thought you were strong enough to do this, to let him go, but the memories wonât stop. They cling to you like shadows, refusing to release their grip.
Itâs not fair. He had no right to carve himself into your soul like this, to leave behind pieces of himself in every corner of your life. How are you supposed to erase someone whoâs become a part of you?
You sit there for what feels like hours, the box of Lokiâs things staring back at you like a silent witness to your unraveling. Eventually, the tears subside, leaving you hollow and exhausted. Your eyes sting, and your throat feels raw, but you force yourself to move.
Gathering the box, you rise to your feet, your legs unsteady. The plan is simple: take it to the small clearing behind the building, set it ablaze, and watch the memories burn. Maybe then the pain will ease. Maybe then youâll finally be free.
You step outside, the cool night air biting against your skin. The clearing is quiet, save for the distant hum of the city. You place the box in the center, your fingers brushing over the edges one last time.
You light the match.
The flame flickers to life, small and fragile in your hand. You hesitate, the weight of the moment pressing down on you. This is it. This is the final goodbye.
But as you stare at the flame, something inside you cracks. You think of the sunsets you watched together, the way heâd tuck your hair behind your ear when he thought you werenât paying attention, the soft, unguarded moments that made you fall in love with him in the first place.
Can you really do this?
Your hand shakes as you lower the match, the flame dancing dangerously close to the edge of the box. The scent of sulfur fills the air, and for a moment, you think youâll go through with it. Youâll let it all burn.
But then, the match falls from your fingers, the flame snuffing out as it hits the damp grass.
You drop to your knees, the box still untouched, your chest heaving with uneven breaths. You canât do it. You canât erase him, no matter how much it hurts to remember. Because the memories arenât just painful. Theyâre beautiful, too.
And maybe thatâs the cruelest part of all.
The bar is crowded, the kind of loud and bustling place you would never have chosen for yourself, but your friends insisted. âYou need to get out,â they had said. âMeet people. Forget about him.â
Forget about him.
As if it were that simple.
You sit at a small, high table near the back, a drink cradled in your hand. The music pulses through the air, the bass thrumming in your chest, but it does nothing to drown out the thoughts that swirl endlessly in your mind. Around you, your friends laugh and chatter, their voices a blur of encouragement and reassurances.
Itâs been months since Loki left â or, more accurately, since he became something else, someone you could no longer reach. Months since you tried to burn his things and failed, the box now tucked away in the corner of your closet like a secret you canât bear to part with.
And yet, even with all the time and distance, the memories still haunt you. Heâs still there, in the quiet moments, in the back of your mind, a shadow you canât escape.
A new drink appears in front of you, courtesy of one of your friends. âHeâs cute, isnât he?â she whispers, nudging you with her elbow. You glance toward the bar, where a man stands with a confident smile and sharp cheekbones. Heâs attractive, you suppose. Objectively. But as your gaze lingers, the comparisons begin, unbidden and unstoppable.
His hair isnât as dark as Lokiâs. His eyes arenât as piercing. And when he smiles, it doesnât make your chest tighten the way Lokiâs did when he let his walls down and gave you that rare, genuine look that was only for you.
âGo talk to him,â your friend urges, her tone light and encouraging. You hesitate, but the expectant looks from the rest of your group leave you feeling cornered. With a reluctant sigh, you slide off your stool and make your way toward the bar.
The man notices you immediately, his smile widening as you approach. He introduces himself â James, or Jake, or something that doesnât stick in your memory. You force a polite smile, nodding as he talks about his job, his hobbies, his plans for the weekend.
But youâre not really listening.
Instead, youâre thinking about how different he is. Lokiâs voice had a way of wrapping around you, rich and velvety, with an edge that hinted at mischief or danger. His words werenât just conversations; they were an invitation to step into his world, to see the universe through his eyes.
This man â James, Jake, whoever â is ordinary. Normal. And maybe thatâs what youâre supposed to want now, but it feels hollow.
He says something that makes you chuckle politely, and for a moment, you catch yourself wondering what Loki would think if he saw you now. Would he be amused, watching you try to piece yourself back together with someone so utterly unremarkable? Or would he feel that flicker of jealousy, the possessiveness he always tried to hide but never fully could?
The thought twists something in your chest, and you excuse yourself quickly, claiming you need to get back to your friends.
âNot your type?â one of them teases when you return, her grin playful.
âNo,â you say simply, sipping your drink. But the truth is more complicated than that. Itâs not that he wasnât your type. Itâs that he wasnât Loki.
The pattern repeats itself over the following weeks.
Your friends take you to new places, introduce you to new people, all with the hope that one of them will spark something in you. And each time, it ends the same way.
You meet someone kind, someone charming, someone your friends swear would be perfect for you. And each time, you find yourself comparing them to him.
No one holds a candle to Loki.
No one has that sharp wit, that clever tongue that made even the most mundane conversations feel electric. No one carries themselves with that effortless grace, the confidence of a god who knows heâs meant for greatness but still chooses to share himself with you. No one looks at you the way Loki did, like you were a puzzle he was desperate to solve, a mystery he could never quite unravel.
And the worst part is, you know itâs unfair. You know these men deserve more than your half-hearted attempts at connection. But no matter how hard you try, you canât stop measuring them against him.
One evening, your closest friend pulls you aside after another failed attempt at setting you up. âYouâre not giving them a chance,â she says gently, her concern evident.
âI am,â you argue, but even as the words leave your mouth, you know theyâre not entirely true.
She sighs, placing a comforting hand on your arm. âI know itâs hard. I know you miss him. But you deserve to be happy, too. Heâs not coming back, and holding onto him like this⌠itâs only hurting you.â
Her words cut deeper than you expect, and you find yourself blinking back tears. Sheâs right, of course. Loki isnât coming back. The man you loved is gone, and the person heâs become is far beyond your reach.
But how do you let go of someone whoâs etched into your soul? How do you move on when every part of you still aches for him?
âIâll try,â you whisper, though youâre not sure if itâs a promise you can keep.
Your friend nods, giving your arm a reassuring squeeze. âThatâs all anyone can ask.â
But as the night goes on, as the world moves around you, you find yourself retreating into your thoughts, into the memories of a man who can never truly be replaced.
And in the quiet corners of your heart, you know the truth: no one will ever compare.
The apartment feels colder than it should, the kind of chill that creeps into your bones and refuses to let go. You sit curled up on the couch, staring at the flickering glow of the television, though youâre not really watching it. The sound is just there to fill the silence, to keep the walls from closing in.
But it doesnât work. Not really.
Because even in the noise, you can hear his voice.
It starts small, the whispers of his tone weaving into the spaces between your thoughts. At first, you think itâs your imagination. Of course it is. Loki isnât here. Heâs not coming back. Youâve told yourself this a thousand times, clinging to the words like a mantra.
And yetâŚ
The scent of leather and the faint trace of cedar linger in the air. The couch dips slightly beside you, a barely-there weight, but enough to make you glance to your right.
Heâs there. Sitting casually with one arm draped over the back of the couch, his long legs crossed, and that infuriatingly familiar smirk playing at his lips.
âMiss me, darling?â he asks, his voice smooth and teasing, as if he hasnât been gone for months. As if you hadnât been tearing yourself apart trying to forget him.
Your heart lurches, and for a moment, you let yourself believe itâs real. You canât help it. The sight of him is so vivid, so perfect. The sharp angle of his jaw, the glint of mischief in his green eyes â itâs exactly how you remember.
âLokiâŚâ The name slips from your lips before you can stop it, a mixture of disbelief and yearning.
He tilts his head, his expression softening. âYes, my love?â
The words hit you like a wave, the tenderness in his tone unraveling you completely. Your vision blurs with tears, and you reach out, your hand trembling as it moves toward him. But the moment your fingers brush the air where his hand should be, the illusion shatters.
Heâs gone.
The couch is empty. The room is still. The silence is deafening.
You pull your hand back slowly, your chest heaving as you struggle to catch your breath. âNo,â you whisper to yourself, shaking your head. âNo, no, no.â
Your voice breaks, the sound foreign to your ears. You clutch at the blanket draped over your lap, holding it tightly as if it could anchor you to reality. But it doesnât. Nothing does.
âWhy are you doing this to me?â you murmur into the empty room, your voice raw with anger and grief. âWhy canât I let you go?â
Thereâs no answer, of course. Just the echo of your own voice bouncing off the walls. But that doesnât stop you from talking. Itâs becoming a habit now, these conversations with no one.
Some nights, you sit at the dining table, setting out two glasses of wine even though you know the second will remain untouched. Youâll tell stories about your day, laughing softly at jokes that only you can hear. Youâll look toward the chair opposite you, expecting to see him lounging there, his sharp wit ready to match yours.
And some nights, like tonight, youâll sit on the couch and swear you can feel him beside you.
âLoki,â you whisper again, the name tasting like salt on your tongue. âWhy did you leave me?â
The apartment remains silent, but in your mind, you can hear his response. You can hear him apologizing, explaining that it wasnât his choice, that becoming the God of Stories meant giving up everything he loved.
But itâs a lie. A lie you tell yourself to make the ache in your chest bearable. Because deep down, you know the truth: he could have stayed. He could have chosen you.
And yet, he didnât.
The illusions get worse as the weeks pass.
At first, theyâre fleeting â a glimpse of him out of the corner of your eye, a phantom touch brushing against your shoulder. But soon, theyâre more vivid. More real.
Youâll hear his voice calling your name, soft and intimate, like heâs standing right behind you. Youâll turn around, your heart leaping with hope, only to find nothing but empty air.
And then there are the nights when you swear you feel his arms around you, holding you close as you drift off to sleep. Those nights are the worst, because when you wake up, the loneliness is suffocating.
Your friends notice the change in you, though you try to hide it. They donât understand. How could they? They never knew him the way you did. They never loved him the way you do.
âYouâre spiraling,â one of them says gently, her voice laced with concern. âYou need help, Y/N. This⌠this isnât normal.â
You nod, pretending to agree, but you donât believe her. How could you need help when the only thing keeping you sane is the thought of him? When the illusions are the only moments you feel whole again?
One evening, you sit on the floor of your living room, surrounded by the box of Lokiâs things you couldnât bring yourself to burn. You pull out the scarf, holding it close to your chest as tears spill down your cheeks.
âI canât do this without you,â you whisper into the fabric, your voice shaking. âI donât know how.â
The room feels colder than ever, but as you close your eyes, you imagine his warmth enveloping you. You imagine him kneeling beside you, his hand brushing your hair back as he murmurs reassurances in that velvety voice.
But when you open your eyes, youâre still alone. And the scarf in your hands feels unbearably heavy.
You clutch it tighter, rocking slightly as the weight of your grief crashes over you. The world outside continues on, indifferent to your pain, but in this moment, all you can feel is the absence of him.
Itâs a pain that no one else can understand, a loss that no one else can ease. And as the illusions pull you deeper into their grasp, you canât help but wonder if letting go of him is even possible â or if youâre destined to carry this ache forever.
The dream begins the same way every time.
Youâre standing in a golden field, the tall grass swaying gently in a breeze that carries the faintest scent of lavender. The sky above is painted in soft hues of orange and pink, a perpetual sunset that feels both warm and surreal. And there he is, waiting for you.
Loki.
Heâs standing a few paces away, his silhouette sharp against the dreamy backdrop. His dark hair is tousled just so, and when he sees you, that familiar, crooked smile lights up his face. He opens his arms, and you run to him, your heart soaring in a way it hasnât in what feels like forever.
In your dreams, there are no goodbyes, no insurmountable barriers. Here, you are just two people who love each other, untouched by the weight of reality.
âMissed me, darling?â he asks, his voice teasing yet warm as he pulls you into his arms.
âAlways,â you murmur, burying your face in his chest. His scent surrounds you â leather and cedar, with a hint of something uniquely him. Itâs intoxicating, grounding, and you never want to let go.
The dreams are your sanctuary, the only place where the ache in your chest quiets, where you feel whole again. You wake up every morning wishing you could stay there forever. And slowly, without realizing it, you begin to chase that feeling.
At first, itâs subtle. You let yourself sleep a little longer each morning, lingering in bed even as the sunlight streams through your window. Then you start skipping plans with your friends, feigning exhaustion or sickness so you can curl back under the covers.
The more time you spend in your dreams, the less you care about the waking world. Food becomes an afterthought, meals skipped in favor of lying in bed, hoping to drift off again. Even your appearance begins to change â your cheeks hollowing, your skin growing pale. But you hardly notice. All that matters is Loki.
Your friends notice the change in you long before you do.
âYouâve barely eaten,â one of them points out during a rare outing, her eyes scanning your face with obvious concern. âYouâre so thin, Y/N. Are you okay?â
âIâm fine,â you reply automatically, forcing a smile. But your voice lacks conviction, and you can tell she doesnât believe you.
âYou donât look fine.â Her tone softens, but thereâs a firmness beneath it. âWeâre worried about you. Youâve been isolating yourself, skipping meals, avoiding everyoneâŚâ
âIâm just tired,â you say, cutting her off. âThatâs all.â
The words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken truths. You can see the worry etched into her features, but youâre too far gone to care. Youâre tired of the concern, the pity, the endless attempts to pull you out of the darkness when all you want is to stay there, wrapped in the illusion of Lokiâs presence.
One night, your friend shows up at your apartment unannounced. The moment she steps inside, she freezes, her eyes widening as she takes in the state of the place.
Itâs a mess. Dishes piled in the sink, unopened mail scattered across the counter, curtains drawn tightly to keep out the daylight. And there you are, curled up on the couch in a hoodie that hangs off your frame, your eyes hollow and distant.
âY/N,â she breathes, her voice breaking.
You barely look at her, your gaze fixed on the floor.
She sits down beside you, reaching for your hand. âYouâre not okay,â she says, her voice trembling. âPlease, let us help you.â
âI donât need help,â you whisper, but even as you say it, tears spill down your cheeks.
âYes, you do,â she insists, squeezing your hand. âYouâve been shutting us out, and itâs killing you. Youâre wasting away, Y/N. I donât know whatâs going on, but you donât have to face it alone.â
Her words pierce through the fog in your mind, and for a moment, you consider telling her the truth. Telling her about the dreams, about Loki, about the impossible grief that has consumed you. But the thought of saying it out loud feels like admitting heâs truly gone.
âI just need to sleep,â you say instead, pulling your hand away.
Her eyes fill with tears, but she doesnât press you further. She stands, her shoulders slumping in defeat. âI canât force you to let us in,â she says softly. âBut Iâm not giving up on you.â
After she leaves, you crawl back into bed, pulling the covers over your head. The dreams are waiting for you, and thatâs all that matters.
But even the dreams begin to shift.
The golden fields grow dimmer, the sunsets less vibrant. Lokiâs voice, once so warm and reassuring, takes on a melancholy edge. He holds you close, but thereâs a sadness in his eyes that wasnât there before.
âWhy are you doing this to yourself?â he asks one night, his voice soft but filled with anguish.
âWhat do you mean?â you reply, confused.
âYouâre losing yourself,â he says, his hands cradling your face. âThis isnât what I wanted for you.â
Tears stream down your cheeks as you shake your head. âI donât care,â you whisper. âI just want to be with you.â
Lokiâs expression breaks, his own tears shimmering in his eyes. âBut at what cost, my love? Youâre fading away.â
The dream dissolves into darkness, leaving you gasping as you wake up. For the first time, the comfort of sleep feels like a betrayal, a reminder of how deeply youâve sunk into the illusion.
And yet, the waking world offers no solace. You lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, your heart aching with the weight of it all.
Because no matter where you are â asleep or awake â the pain remains. And you donât know how to escape it.
Itâs late afternoon when your friend arrives at your apartment, a determined look on her face as she steps inside. She doesnât bother to hide her shock at the state of you. Youâre sitting on the couch, knees pulled to your chest, staring blankly at the television. Your hoodie hangs loosely on your frail frame, and your skin is pale, almost translucent under the dim lighting.
âY/N,â she begins, closing the door behind her and walking toward you. Thereâs no judgment in her tone, only a desperate kind of concern. âIâve been doing some research⌠and I think I found something that could help.â
You glance at her, your expression unreadable. âHelp?â
âYes.â She sits down beside you, her movements careful, as though sheâs afraid you might shatter. âItâs⌠unconventional, but itâs worth considering.â
From her bag, she pulls out a pamphlet and places it on the coffee table. The bold lettering on the front reads: The Haven Institute: A New Beginning.
You eye it warily, your stomach twisting with unease. âWhat is this?â
She hesitates, then takes a deep breath. âItâs a clinic. They specialize in memory modification. They⌠they can help you forget him.â
The words hit you like a punch to the gut, and for a moment, you canât breathe. Forget him? The idea is so foreign, so unimaginable, that it feels like an affront to everything youâve been holding onto.
âNo,â you say quickly, your voice trembling. âAbsolutely not.â
âY/N, please just listenââ
âNo!â You push yourself up from the couch, pacing the room with frantic energy. âI canât. I wonât. Heâs all I have left. If I forget him, then what? Whatâs left of me?â
Tears fill your friendâs eyes, but she doesnât back down. âWhatâs left of you now?â she asks softly, her voice breaking. âLook at yourself, Y/N. Youâre not living. Youâre barely surviving. This⌠this isnât what he would want for you.â
Her words strike a chord, but you shake your head, unwilling to let them sink in.
âI canât,â you whisper, your voice cracking. âI canât lose him again.â
That night, you dream of Loki again. But this time, the dream isnât a golden field or a serene sunset. Itâs your apartment, dimly lit and suffocatingly quiet.
Heâs sitting across from you, his posture relaxed but his expression serious. Thereâs a weight to his gaze, a sadness that mirrors your own.
âYou know sheâs right,â he says, his voice gentle but firm.
You shake your head, tears streaming down your face. âNo. Donât say that. Donât you dare say that.â
Loki leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he studies you. âDo you think this is what I want for you? To see you like this, wasting away, consumed by grief?â
âIâm not wasting away,â you argue, but your voice lacks conviction.
He tilts his head, his expression softening. âArenât you? Look at yourself, darling. Youâre a shadow of the person I fell in love with. And itâs my fault. I see that now.â
âNo,â you choke out, clutching at the fabric of your hoodie. âItâs not your fault. Itâs mine. Iâm the one who canât let go.â
âAnd thatâs why you need to let me go,â he says, his voice breaking. âNot because you donât love me, but because you do. Because holding onto me is killing you.â
You collapse onto the floor, sobbing into your hands as the weight of his words crashes over you. âI donât know how,â you whisper. âI donât know how to let you go.â
Loki kneels beside you, his hands cupping your face as he looks into your eyes. âYou can,â he says firmly. âYouâre stronger than you think. And if erasing me is the only way to save you⌠then so be it.â
The dream begins to fade, his voice lingering in your mind even as the golden light dissolves into darkness.
You wake up gasping, tears soaking your pillow. The words from your dream replay over and over in your head, like a mantra you canât escape: You need to let me go.
For the first time, you take a long, hard look at yourself. You walk to the bathroom and flick on the light, wincing at the reflection staring back at you. Your cheeks are hollow, your eyes dull, your once-vibrant presence reduced to a frail shadow.
Your hand trembles as you press it against the mirror, your breath fogging the glass. This isnât you. This isnât the person you used to be.
And Loki â whether heâs a dream, an illusion, or a memory too stubborn to fade â is right. Youâve let your grief consume you, and if you donât do something soon, there wonât be anything left to save.
The next morning, you call your friend.
âIâll do it,â you say quietly, your voice barely above a whisper. âIâll go to the clinic.â
Thereâs a pause on the other end of the line, and when she speaks, her voice is thick with emotion. âAre you sure?â
âNo,â you admit. âBut I canât keep living like this.â
Your friend comes over that afternoon, and for the first time in what feels like forever, you let her hold you as you cry. Itâs a small step, but itâs a step nonetheless.
The pamphlet sits on the coffee table, a reminder of whatâs to come. And as you stare at it, a part of you wonders if this is the right choice â if erasing Loki from your mind will truly set you free, or if it will only leave another kind of emptiness in its place.
But for now, you cling to the hope that it might bring you peace. That maybe you can find a way to start over.
The clinic is sterile, unnervingly clean, and entirely too quiet. The hum of the fluorescent lights overhead sets your teeth on edge as you sit in the waiting area, clutching the scarf in your lap like a lifeline. It still smells faintly of him, though the scent is fading. You know itâs your imagination more than anything else, but you donât care. Itâs all you have left.
The receptionist calls your name, and you stand, legs trembling as you follow her down a long corridor. Your friend is waiting outside in the car, insisting she couldnât bear to come in. You told her youâd be fine, but now, as the door to the consultation room closes behind you, youâre not so sure.
The doctor is kind, their voice calm and reassuring as they explain the procedure once again. You listen, nodding at the appropriate times, but your mind is elsewhere â lost in the memories youâre about to give up.
âDo you have the belongings?â the doctor asks gently, gesturing to the small box youâve brought with you.
You nod, setting it on the table with shaking hands. Inside are the remnants of your life with Loki: a book he loved to read aloud from, a pair of cufflinks heâd left on your dresser, and the scarf youâve been holding onto for dear life.
The doctor notices your grip on the scarf and tilts their head. âYou donât have to let go of everything,â they say, their tone encouraging. âWe can modify the memory tied to an object if youâd prefer to keep it.â
You glance down at the soft fabric, your fingers tracing the intricate weave. The thought of losing this piece of him entirely feels unbearable, but the idea of it being tied to him â tied to your grief â is equally suffocating.
âCan you⌠can you change the memory?â you ask hesitantly. âMake it something else?â
The doctor nods. âOf course. What would you like it to mean?â
You think for a moment, your mind swirling with possibilities. Finally, you settle on something simple, something that feels safe. âA lucky charm,â you say quietly. âItâs a scarf Iâve had for years, and I keep it for good luck.â
The doctor smiles gently. âWe can do that.â
Before the procedure, they give you a moment alone to say goodbye â not to the belongings, but to the memories themselves.
You sit on the chair in the dimly lit room, the scarf draped across your lap. The illusion of Loki appears before you, as vivid as ever, his expression unreadable.
âSo, this is it,â he says softly, his voice tinged with sadness.
You nod, tears welling in your eyes. âI guess it is.â
Loki steps closer, his gaze searching yours. âAre you sure this is what you want, my love?â
âI donât want it,â you admit, your voice trembling. âBut I need it. I need to move on. And I canât⌠not like this.â
He reaches out, his fingers ghosting over your cheek, though you canât feel his touch. âYouâve always been stronger than you know,â he murmurs. âStronger than me, even.â
You let out a shaky laugh, fresh tears spilling over. âThatâs not true.â
âIt is,â he insists, his eyes glinting with that familiar intensity. âAnd now, youâll prove it.â
For a moment, neither of you speaks. You simply look at him, memorizing every detail of his face, every nuance of his expression.
âGoodbye, Loki,â you whisper, your voice breaking.
His smile is soft, bittersweet. âGoodbye, my love.â
He fades slowly, the edges of his figure dissolving into the air until thereâs nothing left but an empty room.
The doctor guides you into the operating chair, the soft hum of machinery filling the space. They place a device over your temples, adjusting the settings as they explain what to expect. You barely hear them, your mind still caught in the aftershocks of saying goodbye.
âThis will be painless,â the doctor says gently. âYou may experience flashes of the memories as theyâre removed, but it will be quick.â
You nod, gripping the scarf tightly.
The machine begins to whir, and the first memory surfaces.
Itâs the night you met him, his sharp wit and charming smile disarming you instantly. You remember the way he looked at you, like you were the only person in the room.
The memory dissolves, and another takes its place.
Loki teaching you magic, his laughter filling the room when you accidentally summon a puff of smoke instead of a flame. âWeâll make a sorceress of you yet,â he had said, pride gleaming in his eyes.
That memory fades, too, replaced by the time he held you under a canopy of stars, his voice a soft murmur as he told you stories of Asgard.
One by one, the memories play out, each one tugging at your heart until it feels like it might break entirely. But you let them go, because you have to.
The last memory is the hardest. Itâs the day he left, his hand brushing against yours for the final time. You see the pain in his eyes, the love he couldnât put into words, and it nearly undoes you.
âBe happy,â he had whispered, his voice cracking. âFor both of us.â
As the memory fades, you feel a strange sense of peace. The pain is still there, but itâs muted now, distant.
When the procedure is over, the doctor removes the device and places the scarf in your hands. âItâs done,â they say gently.
You hold the scarf close, feeling its softness against your skin. Itâs just a scarf now â a lucky charm, nothing more.
And as you leave the clinic, the weight on your chest feels a little lighter, the world a little brighter.
Itâs not a perfect ending, but itâs a new beginning. And for now, thatâs enough.
Life after the clinic is quieter, simpler.
You wake up each morning to sunlight streaming through your window, the warmth of it brushing your face. Your days are filled with routines now â a job youâve rediscovered a passion for, weekend brunches with friends who are no longer burdened with worry over you, and quiet evenings spent reading or listening to music.
On the surface, everything seems fine. You smile more, laugh more. Your friends notice the change and comment on how much better you look. âItâs so good to have you back,â one of them says during a coffee date, her eyes brimming with relief.
You nod, sipping your latte, and try to believe her.
But thereâs an ache in your chest that you canât quite place. A dull, persistent tug that makes itself known when the world grows quiet â when youâre walking home alone in the evening or lying in bed just before sleep takes you. Itâs not sharp or overwhelming, just⌠there. A void you canât fill, no matter how hard you try.
Your apartment is different now. Cleaner, brighter. The curtains are drawn back to let in the sunlight, and the once-cluttered surfaces are neatly organized. Youâve even picked up a few plants, their green leaves adding life to the space.
And yet, sometimes, when you walk into the living room, you pause, your eyes lingering on the empty chair by the window. For a moment, you feel like something â or someone â should be there. But the thought slips away as quickly as it comes, leaving you puzzled but not overly concerned.
The scarf has become a part of your everyday life. You wear it on days when you need a little extra confidence, its soft fabric a comforting weight around your neck. Itâs your lucky charm, though you canât quite remember where you got it or why it feels so important.
One afternoon, as youâre folding laundry, you find yourself holding the scarf a little longer than necessary. A strange, bittersweet feeling washes over you, like youâre on the verge of remembering something â or someone â just out of reach.
You shake it off, folding the scarf neatly and tucking it away in your drawer.
Dreams come to you occasionally, hazy and fragmented. Theyâre filled with flashes of green and gold, the sound of laughter you canât place, and the sensation of strong arms wrapping around you.
You wake from these dreams with a strange mixture of comfort and longing, your heart aching for something â or someone â you canât name. But the feeling fades as the day goes on, replaced by the mundanity of everyday life.
One evening, as youâre walking home from work, a sudden gust of wind whips through the street, tugging at your scarf. You clutch it tightly, a shiver running down your spine despite the warmth of your coat.
For a brief moment, you feel as though youâre being watched, as though someone is standing just behind you, their presence familiar and reassuring. You turn quickly, your eyes scanning the empty street, but thereâs no one there.
You laugh at yourself, shaking your head as you continue walking. But the feeling lingers, a warmth in your chest that stays with you for the rest of the night.
Time passes, and the ache in your heart becomes easier to ignore. You focus on the present, on the life youâve rebuilt. Youâre content, if not entirely happy.
But every now and then, when the world grows quiet, you find yourself staring into the distance, your fingers brushing absentmindedly over the scarf around your neck.
You donât know what it is youâre searching for.
And maybe you never will.
ah yes, the angst! I love it, I've been crying for the last 2k words lol
This fic is part of the In sickness and in health series! Where a lot of different favorite characters take turns to take care of you. đ§ťđĄď¸đŠš
masterlist faq
A/N; He's so fucking dramatic AAAAAAAAAA he's acting like you got the damn plague or something awful of the sort.
minors dni. i am not responsible for what you consume.
do not copy, translate or claim any of my stories as your own.
The rain starts suddenly, tapping gently on the floor-to-ceiling windows of the lounge. You glance up from your coffee. Thor notices the gleam in your eyes before Loki even lifts his head.
âNo,â Loki says immediately.
âYes,â you say, already standing.
Thor beams. âA storm! I shall join you!â
Loki groans, setting down his book. âYouâre not children.â
You spin toward him at the door, dripping anticipation and glee. âSays you, the literal God of Mischief.â
Thor lets out a booming laugh. âShe has you there, brother!â
Lokiâs eye twitches.
âI wreak controlled mischief,â he mutters, folding his arms tighter. âNot puddle-soaked madness.â
You donât even replyâyou just sprint into the rooftop garden barefoot, arms open, hoodie bouncing, socks already soggy, Thor thundering after you.
The sleek stone paths are quickly covered in puddles, the air smells like ozone, and your laughter echoes through the Tower.
Thor crashes out behind you, shouting war cries as you chase him in circles through the wet grass and stone. You slip onceâcatch yourself and cackle like an absolute menace.
From the doors, Loki watches.
Arms crossed. Jaw tight. His silhouette sharp in the dim interior light.
âAbsolutely unhinged,â he mutters. âSomeone electrocuted her brain as a child.â
Eventually, soaked to the bone and breathless from laughter, you came stumbling back inside, trailing muddy footprints and giggling like youâd just outrun death.
Loki was waiting.
He didnât say anything. Just walked forward, placed a towel on your head like a parent too tired to scold, and started patting your arms dry with another one.
âHappy?â he asked flatly.
âEcstatic,â you beamed.
âMoron,â he replied gently.
Thor just let out a deep, satisfied sigh and said, âThat was magnificent.â
âI swear to the Nine, if you fall illââ
âI wonât,â you say, too fast.
He narrows his eyes. âYou will.â
Later...
The room is dark and quiet. The rain still whispers against the windows.
Youâre curled up in bed, shivering under layers of blankets, a tissue clutched in one hand and a cup of barely-sipped tea on the nightstand.
âI told you not to go out in the rain,â Loki says, arms folded, his voice sharpâdefensive. But underneath it: worry.
âI was out there for five minutes,â you rasp.
You try to laugh. It comes out as a cough. Lokiâs eyes flash with alarm.
Without another word, he kneels by the bed, his tone shifting from annoyed to concerned beyond comprehension.
âYou mortals are so⌠fragile.â He brushes a strand of damp hair from your forehead, frowning. âIs this⌠normal? To look like youâve been cursed by a frost giant and then claim youâre âfineâ?â
You manage a weak smirk. âItâs just the flu, Your Highness.â
He glares at you, then stands and swishes his handâsuddenly the tea is steaming hot again, the pillows fluffier, the blanket heavier.
âBetter,â he declares, smoothing the blanket over your chest. âYou will rest. You will drink. You will not die of this absurd condition, or I swear I will enchant your immune system myself.â
âIs that a thing?â
âFor you? Iâll make it a thing.â
Later, when you drift into a fitful sleep, Loki doesnât leave.
He sits beside you, conjuring small spells of cooling mist for your forehead, whispering in Old Norse to soothe your dreams. When you stir, eyes hazy, he leans down and murmurs, barely audible:
âYou must recover. I am not yet done loving you.â
The hallway is quiet.
Dimly lit by warm sconces and the faintest shimmer of magic, it feels like a dream as you step out, the blanket draped around your shoulders trailing behind you like a cape. Youâre barefoot. Sniffling. Half-asleep. But your body noticed his absence, and that was enough to rouse you.
âLoki?â your voice is hoarseâbarely above a whisper, soft like cracked porcelain. You sound like a Victorian ghost haunting the corridors of her loverâs estate.
You catch him off guard.
Heâs seated on the floor, leaning against the wall, knees drawn up, a hand over his mouth. But not fast enough.
You see it. The shine in his eyes. The way he quickly wipes his cheeks with the heel of his palm, trying to make it look effortless. Like he wasnât crying in the hallway over you.
âWhat are you doing out of bed?â he asks, standing swiftly, voice low and tight. âYou shouldnât be up.â
You shuffle toward him, blanket still wrapped around your shoulders. âWhat are you doing crying in the hallway?â
He falters.
âIâm justâŚâ he swallows, hands twitching at his sides. âWorried. Thatâs all, my love.â
You blink at him, voice raspy as you deadpan, âDude. Itâs the flu. Iâm not dying.â
He exhales a breathy, incredulous laughâbut thereâs no mockery in it. Just relief. Just you. Standing there like a sleepy little gremlin, dragging your blanket like a train.
âI know that,â he says softly. âBut itâs never... just the flu when itâs you.â
You step into him. He immediately wraps his arms around your shoulders, blanket and all. You melt into his chest like heâs gravity.
âIâve seen gods fall,â he murmurs, lips brushing the top of your head. âBut nothing ever felt as terrifying as watching you burn up and not being able to stop it.â
You tilt your head up, brow bumping his chin.
âYou big softie.â
âDonât tell anyone,â he mumbles into your hair. âItâll ruin my brand.â
You smile.
âIâll take it to the grave,â you whisper, before pulling him back toward the room. âNow come on, I need you to warm my feet before I freeze to death.â
You shuffle back to bed wrapped in your blanket like a burrito, sniffling but victorious for having made it down the hall and emotionally checked on your God of Meltdowns.
Loki helps you ease under the covers without a word, conjures a mug of tea with a flick of his fingers, and gently places it in your hands.
âSmall sips,â he murmurs, crouching at the edge of the bed like a healer at your feet.
You raise a brow at him over the rim of your cup. âWhat, no lecture this time?â
His eyes flick to yours. âI think youâve suffered enough.â
He says it lightly, but thereâs something heavy in his voice.
You just drink your teaâwarm, minty, a little sweet. He vanishes beneath the blankets to press his fingers around your feet. With a quiet spell, heat radiates gently through them.
You hum in response.
He gives a quiet snort, and then heâs moving againâslipping into bed on the other side of you, pulling you back against his chest in one slow, protective motion. His arms curl around your middle, locking you in like youâre the last thing holding him together. You donât resist.
His forehead presses into the curve of your shoulder.
You breathe. He breathes with you.
His magic flickers againâfaint, warm, steady. A soft buzz at your sternum, like heâs trying to anchor himself to the rhythm of your heartbeat.
You wake up in the middle of the night, groggy and flushed. Youâre not burning up, but youâre hot enough to feel gross, and the congestion has hit full force.
You let out a few rough coughsânot violent, but deep enough that your chest aches a little.
Loki stirs immediately beside you. He sits up halfway, one hand braced on the bed, the other gently touching your back.
âYouâre alright?â he murmurs, sleep-rough and tense.
You nod weakly, coughing into the crook of your arm. âJust⌠stuffy. Gross.â
He watches you like heâs trying to read your pulse with his eyes alone. Then he exhales, brushing your hair from your forehead.
âPlease donât do that again,â he whispers. âDonât go out in the rain like that. Donâtâdonât scare me like this.â
You blink at him. âLoki, Iâm okay. Itâs just a cold.â
âI know,â he says. But he doesnât sound convinced. âI know.â
And then he lies back down and pulls you to him anyway, like he still needs proof that youâre alive and warm and real.
He presses his forehead to yours, eyes closed, like heâs trying to draw breath from you. As if your existence is whatâs holding him together.
You fall asleep like that, wrapped in his arms, his magic pulsing faintly against your back.
I hope you enjoyed this as much as I've enjoyed writing it! If you need more comfort fics, check out the series linked at the top!
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