Past Friends

Part 101: Guess Who's Back?

You landed a decent distance away from the actual Avenger's Compound, a bit nervous to see everyone again. It had only been just over a month for them but it had technically been years for you, and you were worried you would have a hard time adjusting back. You were a tech specialist but you hadn't seen a computer or cellphone in all the time you spent with Shou-Lao, they don't exactly have wifi in the Dragon Realm. You took a moment to take a deep breath before slowly walking down the dirt road, through the trees and over to the building. 

You were still worried, getting more anxious with every step, would they even recognize you? A ridiculous thought to be sure, you didn't look that different but you couldn't help but still worry. As you walked you ended up looking down and playing with your long dragon braid, as you let your feet lead the way. Even with your hair up in a braid it still went down past your knees, it was so thick and curly, but luckily it didn't weigh much, it was even lighter than your old hair. You were also dressed a lot different than the way you usually would, you were wearing sorcerer-monk-like garments, it looked like something Dr.Strange or Wong might wear, except yours was grey, green, and brown with a hint of yellow on the accents. 

You stopped as you drew close, you were a few steps away from coming into clear view of the Compound, anyone looking out in your direction would have no problem spotting you. Taking a deep breath you fixed your hair and outfit, making sure you looked alright before your final approach. You step out from the trees and walk over, you could see Peter from where you were and you couldn't help it as tears started to fill your eyes. You saw him glance over, looking confused for a moment before yelling "oh shit!" and you shouted back "language!" as you started rushing towards him. He screamed your name as he jumped off the deck and ran at you, tackling you in the process, and you couldn't stop laughing and crying, you were finally home.  

You came in quietly shouting "ah!" continuously as you ran around looking for someone to tackle, as it happens it was a two-for-one special as Steve and Bucky were standing next to each other and they were the first you spotted. You ran at them and yelled out "tackle" just before you hit them, grabbing their attention as you knocked both of them over. You had your arms wrapped around them, holding them both tight as you started to cry a little while saying how much you missed them. The sudden loud noise caught the attention of several of the other Avengers and they came to investigate.  

It was a wonderful and long time before you stopped crying and hugging everyone, well everyone but Thor and Loki, they weren't at the Compound. You were cuddled up with Wanda and Natasha on the couch when you asked them where the two Asgardians were. A hush fell over the room and you got really nervous, did something bad happen while you were gone? You ask again, looking like you were about to cry as they told you what happened; apparently, two days after Dr.Strange took you to K'un-Lun Loki left for Asgard and he hasn't returned since. Thor was there right now, he had been checking in on his brother every few days, seeing as Thor said he wasn't really eating, or sleeping. 

You immediately get up from off the couch and head to your room to shower and change into something else. You were so happy to see a modern shower and all your lovely hair products, after thirty years with a waterfall and hot springs you were glad for some indoor plumbing. While you were in your closet you were having a hard time picking out what to wear, getting more frustrated until you remembered the perfect outfit. You got Wanda and Natasha to help you with your hair, you were in a hurry and so worried that you had trouble steadying your hands. You headed downstairs past everyone and went straight outside to the Asgardian Portal Platform, seeing if you could get Heimdall to let you into Asgard. 

You turned back to Wanda and Natasha who had followed you to ask them if you looked alright as you stepped onto the platform. They said you looked great; they had put your hair back in a long fluffy fishtail braid, it suited your thick and curly hair. You had on a pair of pretty ballet flats with straps, your long dark brown cloak, you brought it back from the Dragon Realm and the Asgardian dress Thor and Loki got you. It had a long dark green flowing skirt that moved so elegantly, and the top was a fitted leather corset in black, it had short cap sleeves and a Queen Anne neckline. Under the leather capped sleeves it had long flowing split undersleeves, in the same green as the skirt. It had some thick gold detailing around the collar and along the sides of the leather corset, similar to some of the things Loki had worn in the past. You didn't really feel like putting on much jewelry but you did put on the gold gauntlet bracelets that came with your dress, there were ones for your wrists and upper arms. 

You stood in position and looked up into the sky, feeling a little weird about talking to someone you couldn't see but you focused and put on your best serious face and called to Heimdall. You asked him politely, but firmly to let you into Asgard so you could see Loki, you needed to see him right now. As you spoke you lit up, full-on glowing as your dress, cloak, and hair started to move and float. Within seconds an Asgardian Portal appeared, pulling you up into Asgard while you used your powers to fly through the portal as fast as you could. 

You arrived breathing heavily with a smile on your face, it was such a weird and amazing sensation, going through a portal like that, you really wanted to do it again but there would be time for that later. You greeted Heimdall, giving him a curtsy, as you thanked him for letting you into Asgard but he told you it was Queen Frigga who allowed you entry. You asked where Frigga was, as she wasn't there and Heimdall told you she was at the castle tending to her duties as Queen of Asgard. You nodded your head in understanding but thanked him again anyway, he was the one who opened the portal after all. You then said goodbye to Heimdall, wishing him a pleasant day as you rushed off to the castle.  

You had your hood up to hide your face and hair as well as did your best to cover up your dress, you didn't want to draw too much attention to yourself as you made your way into the city. You passed through street after street slowly making your way towards the palace, doing your best to not look suspicious. You saw the guards at the front gates and knew you'd have a tough time getting around them, so you hid off to the side thinking back, trying to remember the old passages Loki would use to sneak old you in and out of the palace when you were kids. You remembered the way and quickly headed off in the direction the secret entrance should be in, finding it quite easily.  

Luckily it was a bit bigger than you remembered, still a tight fit but you made it through in one piece, without messing up your hair or dress. You really hoped Loki had the same chambers as when he was younger, as it would be extremely awkward walking into someone else's bedroom. You managed to sneak past all the guards with relative ease, but of course, seeing as old you remembered the way, it was pretty easy to get around. You were one corridor away from reaching his room and as you turned the corner you noticed two guards at his door, and you realized you would have to cause some kind of distraction to get by them. You took a deep breath and looked around but couldn't see anything small enough to light on fire but would be big enough to grab their attention. You let out a frustrated groan underneath your breath as you try to think of something else you could do. 

When the opportunity you've been looking for happens to walk by, it was a Palace Maid, roaming down the hall carrying a tray of empty dishes and you formulate a plan. You felt really bad for what you were about to do but you needed to get to Loki, so once she was past the view of the guards you sent a small blast at her legs, that was just enough to trip her and make her drop the tray, not causing any burns or permanent damage. As predicted the guards went over to investigate and by luck, they seemed to know the woman and helped her pick up the tray and dishes while you snuck into Loki's room. You quickly ran in, seeing as you would only have a few minutes at most before the soldiers came back to guard the door.  

You looked around from your hiding spot, making sure this was the correct room and that there was no one else there, but you weren't alone. You saw Thor sitting there on a lounge with his Mother Frigga, he seemed sad but you didn't see Loki anywhere. He must be in his bed, in the private room in the back you thought as you pulled off your hood and slowly stepped into view. "Sup," is all that came out of your mouth, your dumb, stupid mouth and they both looked up shocked that there was someone standing there. Thor recognized you right away despite your physical changes, Dr.Strange did mention you looked a little different because of the transformation, and Thor didn't waste any time, coming over to immediately give you a hug. 

You start to cry again, saying how much you missed him, you were so happy to see him and you somehow manage to crush him a bit with your hug. He escorts you over to his mother so the two of you could officially meet, well, in this life anyway. You smiled up at her, giving the Queen of Asgard a proper curtsy before promptly wrapping her in a tight hug. It then occurred to Thor to ask how you got here when it clicks, that you were definitely not supposed to be here, how did you even get in? Frigga tells him not to worry about it, before leading you over to Loki's bed, you reach the curtain separating it from the rest of the room as she and Thor take their leave, although Frigga did have to practically drag Thor out of the room. You then take a deep breath, removing your cloak you walk through the curtain to see and hold the one you've longed for the most.