Topsy-Turvy (sequel to Hidden Beauty)

Hope It's A Goodbye

"Sir, the man claims to be Miss Lucy's father."

They all stared at each other, mouths dry and scared deep inside.

The Avengers had numerous ways to cope with villains, terrorists and so so on but dealing with a father whose brutally murdered daughter was their responsibility, they had no idea what to do.

Rose blinked open her eyes and sat up, mouth bitter and cracked. She avoided everyone's eyes and brought her knees to her chest, wrapping her slender arms around herself, making herself look smaller than she already was.

"You stay with her. We will talk with him." Tony suggested, patting Loki's shoulder. Loki was secretly relieved. He didn't want to face Lucy's father. The last time they met, it didn't end well.

"I'm sorry but he, especially wants to meet Sir Laufeyson and Rose." Jarvis announced again and Loki's heart skipped a few painful beats.

"Please don't take me back! I-I won't go back!" Rose suddenly spoke up, frantically with a begging tone. Nat hushed her. "No one's taking you anywhere. Hydra isn't here."

Rose flinched at the mention of the name. "Then who's here?" Loki cleared his throat and replied to her. "Lucy's father." Rose fell silent.

"She isn't going with us." Loki said. "She's not well-."

"She's alive but the man who is waiting for us, his daughter is not." Bruce cut him off with a strict tone. "You can't deny, we all can't deny that the fault is not hers."

"Bruce-"

"She needs to mature up! She needs to take the blame for her wrong doings! And this isn't just some mistake! She got two people killed! A young girl was killed in the most cruel manner. What about that?"

"Bruce-"

"She must face the consequences now. She's a part of the Avengers for God's sake! You all can't always shield her!"

"Bruce stop!" Nat snapped as a choked sob escaped Belle's lips. Bruce had the grace to look ashamed but he stood to his ground. "I'll be waiting for you all downstairs." And with that, he left.

"I'm sorry kid but... You have to come with us." Tony sighed deeply. "You two go ahead. I'll bring her with me." Loki said. Nat and Tony agreed at once and left.

Loki took her hand and pulled her down from the bed. Wiping a tear that has rolled down her eye, he kissed her forehead tenderly and gave her a hug that she needed urgently.

"Whatever happens, I'm with you." He whispered, cupping her cheeks. She shook her head and placed her hands over his hands and looked up at him with teary eyes. "You shouldn't be... The fault is mine..." She mumbled.

"I'm not denying that." Loki brushed his thumb on her cheeks. "But you aren't the only one to blame. And it's not that you're not suffering." He said softly as another tear trickled down. "I know you're hurting. I'm too." He sighed. "Cracker was like my sister, only one. She annoyed me a lot but I loved her...and I'll miss those teases."

"And Aunt?" Rose asked softly and placed her head on his chest when his eyes brimmed with tears. He forced a chuckle. "I don't know why everyone we love gets snatched away from us..." He exhaled heavily. "She was a mother to us."

Rose stifled a sob. "The first mother I had. First bestie sister I had. I lost them... I lost them."

"Hush." Loki whispered, fighting back his own tears. "Nothing we can do to reverse the damage. Their funeral services will be held tomorrow."

"I won't go... I can't go..." She choked out. I don't deserve to say my goodbyes.

"I won't force you darling... But right now," he cleared his throat. "Lucy's father is waiting for us." Rose's grip tightened around his hands. "Don't take the words to heart. We will try to manage him." Loki assured her. She wasn't comforted but still nodded.