not the family reunion they were expecting

Chapter 5

Loki, Sylvie, and Thor all stop in front of the Citadel. Loki drops his friends' hands, and, for a long moment, they just stand there, taking it in.

This is it.

They finally get to meet the man behind the curtain.

After a very, very long pause, Thor asks, "Does someone want to open the door? Should I open it? I don't know...?"

Loki looks to Sylvie without saying a word. This was her mission; it's been her life's goal to reach this moment. He doesn't want to take it from her.

"Uh, yeah, just... give me a minute," she says.

"Right, of course." Thor clasps his hands behind his back politely.

Loki awkwardly looks around while they wait. He really does want her to do the honors of opening the door. She deserves it, after all this time trying to get here. But, at the same time, standing out here without knowing what awaits them in the building just a few feet away is really anxiety-inducing.

Loki glances at Thor, and his brother just happens to glance at him at the same time. They share an awkward smile. He can see it in his face: Thor is just as uncomfortable as he is about this whole "waiting" thing.

Eventually, Thor speaks again. "You can kick it in, if you'd like. I know my Loki liked kicking doors in. It was always very dramatic."

"That's why I like it," Loki tells him.

Thor nods thoughtfully. "Ah, yes, that would make sense."

Sylvie doesn't even acknowledge that.

Thor looks at Loki, clearly confused. Loki just shakes his head, silently signalling for him not to ask. She needs a minute. He'll let her have it. Hopefully Thor will do the same.

The door begins to open, and Loki looks at Thor accusatively. The look on his face says he didn't have any part in this, so Loki turns his gaze to Sylvie, who looks just as shocked. If none of them opened the door, then who...?

"Because that's not ominous," he mutters under his breath.

Sylvie takes the first step in and Thor and Loki follow close behind, one on each side of her. They walk slowly, taking in the sights. If the self-opening door wasn't ominous enough, the inside of the building is worse. The near-empty rooms with ceiling looming far over their heads are only made creepier by the statues staring down at them. He tries not to look at them.

Loki looks at Sylvie and Thor, and they all exchange wary expressions. He's glad he's not the only one that feels the need to be overly cautious right now. He's sure something could jump out at then at any mo—

"Hey, y'all!"

The three of them jump at the all-too-familiar (and all-too-obnoxious) sound of Miss Minutes's voice. Loki and Sylvie both pull out a blade, ready to defend themselves before they realize who it is they'd have to defend themselves from. Fortunately, this little orange clock isn't a threat; she's just a nuisance.

Thor, meanwhile, conjures his dagger into his hand, and he immediately starts swinging at her. Miss Minutes yelps and starts to fly away, but Thor chases after her, his dagger always just missing her.

"Thor, look out!" Loki says, a big grin on his face. Thor ducks out of the way, and Loki throws his blade straight ahead at her. It almost hits her until she disappears. Loki groans. Dammit, he was so close!

Thor bursts out laughing. "We almost had her, brother!"

"I really thought we were going to do it," Loki says, smiling way too much for someone who just failed spectacularly. He pulls his blade back into his hand with his telekinesis. "It would have been our greatest triumph yet!"