I Will Follow You Into The Dark~ On Hold

Chapter 19

With Thor having returned from Asgard, the time to move was of the essence. The Avengers agreed that two members should accompany Loki, Thor, Freyja and Lilja. Lilja knew who desperately wanted to join them, Tony. She was his godmother after all, and she had always been there for him, and he now wished to return the favour. As a team, it was agreed that Tony and Natasha would be the ones to join the party to the golden city. The names that Midgardians had come up with for Asgard were quite amusing.

Freyja glared at Steve while he in return couldn't meet Lilja's eyes. Sighing she shook her head and pulled him to the side; where they wouldn't be overheard by the others. She stared at him, almost growling in anger as he still refused to look at her.

"Did you truly believe even the slightest of what you said?"

Steve was quick to answer, almost too quick, "No of course not. Sure, I did not know you could read minds back then, but I never thought you were a mole. I was however frustrated that you never came out with the others; you always preferred to stay in the shadows, rather than hang out with the rest of the Howling Commandos."

Lilja nodded, "It's because on Asgard, Magic and Science are the same in many ways. You say I didn't really help out with SSR and your merry band of fighters; but I did. I was the one who helped Erskine recorrect the formula, the very substance that runs through your veins." Steve's mouth fell open, his eyes wide; but Lilja either didn't notice or simply ignored him. "I helped Howard create your uniforms, the bombs and bullets. I didn't want to be seen as I used magic to make all of your weapons and uniforms basically bullet-proof, except for your shield."

Steve was shocked. "Wait so you were the reason that Dum Dum's hat was resistance to everything," he grinned, and she nodded laughing softly. "You were why Bucky's suit never caught on fire no matter how many he ran through?"

Lilja nodded, "While Howard did have vibranium, he didn't have nearly enough to create your shield, so I used magic to extend the metal. So yes, I may have kept to the shadows, but I helped as much as I could. I just didn't wish to meet and befriend soldiers whom I had seen visions of dying."

Steve groaned, finally looking up at her, biting her lip as she waited for a response. "Did you know Bucky was going to fall from the train?"

Lilja shook her head, "Yes, and no. I saw that someone would, but not who or when." She looked down, fiddling with the hem of her shirt; one of Loki's tunics. "I wish I could have seen it; I would have tried to prevent it. I am sorry."

Having nothing else to say, she walked away leaving him to sulk in the corner. With a false smile plastered on, she joined the others as they left the tower and made their way to the backyard where there was a permanent burn mark of the runes connected to the Bifröst.

Tony was bouncing off one foot to another, his jaw clenched, betraying his attempt at hiding just how nervous he was. Pietro and Wanda stood off to the side, the latter still glaring at Freyja who simply sneered at her causing the woman to scoff and turn away. Sadly, the witch was now facing Lilja and Loki who stood in an embrace, with Lilja resting her head against his chest. The Witch growled in anger as Lilja tilted her head, watching as the other woman stomped her foot much like a child in a tantrum would.

"I truly do not know what your issue with me is, little one." Lilja thought at her, lips twitching when Wanda froze, her eyes wide with shock.

"You took something that didn't belong to you. I have been with Loki since I joined, he was mine." Wanda's thoughts hissed back, gnarly with maliciousness.

Lilja shook her head in exasperation. "Do you know what the mark on Loki's wrist means little one?"

She watched as Wanda looked to where Loki's arms were wrapped around Lilja and frowned. "No, some tattoo I believe; why?"