IMAGINES: LOKI x READER

Song of Death

Being a hero has always meant putting yourself in death's path. Everyone knew it-an unspoken rule of life, the price for courage and kindness. The Avengers knew it, too. Every one of them understood, yet none thought that death would one day step into their lives and try to take their friend, their brother, their God...

Thor was dying. Magic couldn't help him, nor could advanced medicine, nor the prayers of humankind. A grievous wound condemned him to a slow and agonizing death. He spent days lost in fever, suspended in a nightmare between life and death. Nothing could save him; the Avengers could only watch helplessly as the mighty God of Thunder faded before their eyes, becoming a weak, shadowy version of himself. All they could do was wait... watch their friend and brother slip away.

Iron Man refused to believe it. Teaming up with Banner, he assembled a council of the finest doctors, not only from Earth but from Asgard as well. Day and night, they searched for a solution, desperate to save Thor, but every attempt ended in failure. In the end, Stark was left with nothing but whiskey and the heartbreaking sight of life slowly dimming from his friend's eyes.

Captain America knew death all too well. They all did. The Avengers knew the deep wound death leaves in the hearts of those left behind, those forced to watch. It hurt to realize it was over, to understand that this was a fight with death they couldn't win, that now they could only wait... and prepare to lose yet another friend, brother, and comrade.

Loki knew what it was to lose someone he loved. But he had never imagined life would be so cruel, that so soon after losing both his mother and father, he'd be forced to say goodbye to his brother, too. He refused to accept it, but neither his magic nor prayers nor Earth's medicine could save him. Loki shouted at his brother, cursed life and fate.

"You have to live, not die!" Loki tried to find even a flicker of will in his brother's eyes. "Gods don't die!"

As for Y/N... she had lost all her former joy and peace. Her friend was dying, and there was nothing she could do. Like everyone else, she could only watch and torment herself with guilt, wishing she were in Thor's place. After all, he had saved her-saved her life. That terrible wound had been meant for her, not for him... not for Loki's brother. Loki, whom she both feared and, in secret, loved.

***

And then, Thor awoke. They all knew this would be the last time, that the God of Thunder's great blue eyes would take in the world, its sun and moon, for the final time. Y/N was afraid to enter his room; she didn't want this to be their last conversation.

"We have to say goodbye," Natasha whispered softly, approaching from behind and giving Y/N's hand a gentle squeeze. "All of us."

Y/N nodded, casting Natasha a sorrowful look. She tried to hide the pain behind a fragile smile and then stepped into the dim room, where Thor lay on the large bed.

Daylight barely filtered through the heavy curtains, casting the room in shadow. The bed, once too small for the powerful Thor, now seemed too vast. Gaunt, pale, his forehead damp with sweat, he looked lost amid the white sheets and the maze of wires surrounding him.

Y/N hesitated, looking at Thor. His once-bright blue eyes now appeared faded and weary, gazing at her with a distant look but the same warm, disarming smile on his lips.

"Come in," he rasped. "Make yourself at home."

It hurt. It hurt so much she wanted to scream. But Y/N held it back, forcing herself to stay quiet. She clenched her fists behind her back, walked to the edge of the bed, and sat down.

The silence was filled with the ticking clock, the soft beeping of machines, and the heavy sound of Thor's breathing.

"You're sad," Thor said, watching her intently.