Take Your Tiny Hands Into Mine

7

Steve hadn't expected to reunite with his dusted friends so quickly.

Rocket hadn't felt this happy in so long—actually, he'd never felt this type of joy inside her heart, ever.

And Thor... the god's expression only became more empty as he looked Loki over once.

His younger brother was favoring one side of his body, his neck was littered with colorful bruises in the shape of a handprint, his arm was supporting his ribs and his face was still a permanent sweaty ashen grey.

"Brother," Loki stepped forward.

But Thor turned around, dropping his axe to the ground, he couldn't face his brother after all the pain he'd caused him.

"Stop, dying."

Loki let out a dry chuckle, eyes suddenly filling with unexpected tears.

"I cannot, but I will try, for you."

"You are a liar."

Loki glanced at the ceiling, trying to blink away his pathetic tears.

"Oh, I missed you too."

And he started to make his way to sit down next to Stark, he desperately needed to sit and rest his legs. But he could survive without–

–And then Thor rushed over to Loki.

He embraced his younger brother tightly, desperately not wanting to let go, fearing he'd be gone forever once again.

"Ouch."

The Avengers had all been watching the entire dramatic showdown.

"You sure he's not insane or evil anymore, Bruce?"

The scientist nodded, "His brain isn't a bag full of cats anymore."

Steve lightly smiled, remembering when Bruce had said a similar line about Loki all those years ago.

When Thor let go of his brother, the smaller god crumpled to the ground.

"Loki–"

"I am not fully healed yet," Loki snarled, "I need a moment."

Quill pointed a finger, "Maybe do what I said, take my advice and take off the armor."

Loki sighed and the plated protection disappeared in a flurry of bright green sparkles.

What was left was a short light green tunic and a pair of simple leather pants paired along with some black boots.

The weight on his shoulders was lifted at last, and so Loki got to his feet and channeled his magic to his injuries.

"Would food help?" Thor whispered, but he had a rather loud voice so he stole the attention from everyone else again.

"Yes, but–"

Thor began to shout out but Loki shushed him.

"I'm alright," he assured his brother, even though his skeletal body frame was shaking with such intensity Thor could've believed he had hypothermia, if he hadn't known about his true heritage...

After hearing a few loud cracks coming from his body, Loki felt satisfied with his work and sat down next to Anthony Stark, butting into his conversation.

"Ah, this is no time for arguments. Just because the sorcerer has managed to transport us all back to Earth, does not mean the rest of the people of this universe have reappeared as well."

"Loki's right."

"So, we've got to figure out a way to get everyone back."

"The stones."