A New Avenger

Enemies.

It had been a week, then two, then the rest drifted together into a blur. I believe it had been a month or so. Search parties everywhere, Thor restless, spending both day and night hunting and me, helping all along. The rest of the Avengers had moved on. Most returned back to their lives a long while ago. Just thor, Steve and I remained. I think its mostly because us three truly have no where else to go. Thor could return back to asgard, and he asked me to go with him when the time is right. He wanted to be sure his brother would not hurt anyone else before he settled. Honestly, I just continually felt confused. Each day rolled into the next with no leads, no information and no hope. At this moment, I was taking a break. I had brewed some coffee in our kitchen as I knew this was going to be another long day. Thor had been offworld since this morning and he had said he was unsure when he will return. Steve walking in had startled me from my daze, "Hey Esme, how you holding up?" I sighed, "not bad, just hoping for a lead." He sighed, "yea i guess me too. But you cant lose hope you know? Every thing will work for the best." I choked back a scoff, captain america stays true to his character I guess, "yes thank you, I am hoping for the best." With that, he grabbed my arm, "seriously Esme, we can do this." I began to feel my eyes prickle but I quickly blinked it away. I smiled at him, grabbed my mug and walked out.

Later that evening I lay in bed staring through the skylight, alone. Oh how I miss Thor. My eyes began to get heavier as I further relaxed my body. Just as I began to dose into a much needed rest I hear a thumping of footsteps in my room. I instantly shot up, on guard. It was Loki. In my room!? I turned on my light. There he was, the god of mischief staring at me. He smiled his devilish smile as he inched closer. I stood up, "not a step more Loki!" I barked at him. He stopped and raised his arms. In this new lighting, I noticed his eyes looking sunken in, his face paler than usual, and his skin clinging to his bones in a new fashion. I cautiously approached as I said, "you don't look so good Loki. Have you not been able to betray anyone lately?" He scoffed, "you don't look so well yourself princess."  I just continued to stare so he spoke again, " I have come in peace Esme, honestly." I again, stayed motionless and said, "when do you ever do anything in peace?"  He smirks, "true, but this time I am." "What is it you want? I will kill you if you don't talk." He chuckles at my threat, "I came to tell you about your friend." I instantly get my muscles tighten as he continues, " she was in an accident. She didn't make it. I'll spare you the details but I just wanted to tell you. She spoke of you often you know?" I choke back my tears, "no, you're lying." He sighs, "why would I come here and risk myself just to lie to you?" I feel
My legs begin to go numb as a panic surged through my body. My voice cracks as I say, " you're not even here." I reach out to him, expecting my hand to go through him but it doesn't. Instead I touch his arm and he yanks me into a hard embrace. "I'm not lying, I miss her too." I wanted to fight back, to push him away, but between his grip and my legs feeling like gelatin, I can't. I just stood there while he holds me close. I hear him sniffle and squeeze me tighter. In this moment, I don't hate him. I feel his pain. We stay like this for awhile until he spoke again, "I couldn't find her family. I don't think she has any alive. I think shield was her only family." I stood strait up as he released me, "Loki, you're lying. You have to be."  I stared into his eyes, they don't look as cold as before. They looked softer, warmer even and a slight tinge of red around the edges. His forehead was creased, with his eyebrows knitted in obvious pain. He didn't look the same. "I'm not lying Esme, I just wanted you to know." For some reason, I believed him then. I fell into his arms again and let out a quiet sob. He stroked the back of my head and kissed my hair gently, "it's okay, Esme. I don't want to fight anymore. I want to give myself up to Thor."  I straightened, "you do?" He hugged me tighter as he said, "yes, I simply do not care anymore." I looked up at him and our eyes met and he gently brushed my hair behind my ear. I felt something there. An electricity maybe? By his reaction, he felt it too but I quickly turned away. I knew this was wrong. To be hugging my enemy but also, I knew our friend had died. We stayed a bit longer until my mind drifted to Thor, and everyone else looking for this man. I gently pulled away, "well if you want to turn yourself in then I can summon Thor. It's for emergencies only, but I guess this is one." His gave me a small smile, and there it was again, that electricity. It made my hairs stand on edge. But I straightened and searched for the note he left me, with a chant to summon him. I spoke it and before I could even finish I heard a loud crack outside. Not too long after, he walked in the door.