A GODS WEAKNESS [l.laufeyson]

FIFTY TWO

     Thanos looked around the battlefield watching his army disappeared one by one. Instead of fighting it, he accepted his fate as he dusted away. Everyone who had been battling them looked around, not quite believing it was over. Thor was one of the first to notice Astrid. With little strength she had left she pulled herself up against a pile of rubble.

Thor was already making his way to her but Tony was close by and beat him to it, surrounded by Pepper, Peter, Steve and Bruce.

"Hey kid." Tony spoke but Astrid had no energy left to reply. He put a hand on her shoulder to try and comfort her the best he could as the rest of the Avengers and the Guardians came to their saviour. "You did great."

Mantis knelt besides them and placed a hand on Astrid's cheek. She was going to try and calm Astrid down in her final moment so it would be painless, but as she touched her, all she felt was happiness. She felt at ease. Mantis sniffled as she moved out of the way after saying goodbye to her friend for Thor to have his moment. Tony also stepped back towards an emotional Pepper who was comforting Peter who was also crying uncontrollably.

"Hey..." Thor knelt in front of her placing one hand on her shoulder and another on her cheek. Astrid attempted to speak again but couldn't. She could only weakly smile at Thor to let him know everything would be alright. Thor knew what she meant and smiled back at her with tears trailing down his face. "You can rest now."

Astrid felt relieved to hear those words. She was worried about leaving him but knew Thor would be okay without her. She blinked as she let out her final breath, the last of her tears trailing down her face. Astrid had made history. No one would forget her.

Her head fell heavy in Thor's hand indicating she had gone. Thor sobbed as he connected his forehead with hers after giving her a kiss on the cheek. Everyone who knew her began to cry, and those who didn't stayed silent to respect her heroic actions. One by one the all knelt on their knees.

This was the day, Astrid saved humanity.

~

As Astrid opened her eyes, she was introduced by the sun shining down on her in the blue sky. She slowly sat up in the long grass and stood up confused of her surroundings. She turned around and saw the palace in the distance. She was back home, in Asgard. By her side was a small waterfall that lead to a clear river below. This was hers and Loki's spot. She instantly felt a presence and turned around to see who she had been waiting for.

"Do you have any idea how proud I am of you?" Loki stood there with his hands behind his back. Astrid smiled as she ran to him and threw herself in his arms.

"I'm finally home." She cried softly. He gently put her down and cupped her face in his hands, taking in her features properly this time.

"I love you, so much." Loki whispered as he gently kissed her.

"And I love you."

The couple stayed in each other's arms for a few moments before Astrid heard someone shuffling behind a tree. She looked towards the noise trying to work out what it was. Loki chuckled at her, he knew exactly who it was.

"I guess it's time for you to meet someone." Loki released her hands and walked to the tree as Astrid stayed where she was. "Come on out."

A small figure emerged from the tree and shyly hid behind Loki as he walked back to his wife. Loki pulled the figure out from behind him and knelt down to reveal a young boy. Astrid gasped and place a hand over her mouth as she started to well up. She could tell just by the look of him who the boy was. He had a mix of Loki's and Astrid's features.

Loki kept a hold of the boys hand as the small boy stood there slightly confused. He could recognise the woman but couldn't quite work out who it was. "Astrid, meet Selig. Our son."

Astrid sniffled as she slowly fell to her knees meeting the boys height. This was the first time she had ever laid eyes on her son, she didn't think it was possible. Selig also picked up on who the woman was. His Father had told stories of his and Astrid's adventures together. There was also a few paintings of his mother that were hung up around the palace including one in his room.

"Momma!" The young boy excitedly ran into the arms of his mother knocking her back slightly. His father had always promised that she would return home one day. The young boy cried into Astrid's shoulder as she squeezed her eyes shut unable to stop the tears from falling.

"Selig. My sweet boy." Astrid kissed her sons cheek before looking at Loki who had already stood up. She looked into her husbands eyes and could see he was also tearing up. After five torturous years, the family had been reunited.

~

The three had spent a few hours sat under the tree. They had each shared stories of their time without each other. Selig was starting to get sleepy and Loki bobbed his head towards the palace indicating that they should probably head home. Astrid silently agreed with a smile still stuck on her face. Loki was the first to get up before brushing himself off and holding a hand out to help Astrid up.

"I guess we should head home." She took Loki's hand and got up of the floor with Selig following behind.

Selig held his fathers hand in one and his mother's hand in the other as they walked off towards the palace as the sun was setting.

"Momma? Papa? Do you think now that we are all together, we can start our own adventures?" Selig looked up at his parents with a hopeful glint in his eyes.

"That sounds like a great idea. What do you think Loki? Shall we?"

"We shall, my Princess."