Timeless

◈ 7 ◈

I gasped as my fall through the darkness ended abruptly, leaving me lying on my back on solid ground. I was afraid to open my eyes.

Did I make it?

Did I escape?

Am I alive?

I didn't realize that I'd been holding my breath, and I let it out with a shudder.

Something within me confirmed that I was definitely alive. I was buzzing with energy, and it felt so good. I used to take life for granted, even going as far as trying to end it on the rainbow bridge.

But now, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

Finally, I opened my eyes, blinking rapidly as my eyes adjusted the harsh white lights above me.

Harsh white lights against a pristine white ceiling.

No, please tell me this isn't happening. This can't be my Second Chance.

I sat up shakily, still not used to the feeling of living again. Looking around at my surroundings felt like a stab to the heart. I couldn't believe it, nor did I want to.

"No!" I shouted to nothing but the air around me as I scrambled to my feet.

Something must have gone horribly wrong. This wasn't possible.

But of course, no matter what I did to convince myself that there had been a mistake with my Second Chance, it didn't change the fact that I was on Asgard. Back in the dungeons. In a cell.

"No!" I yelled again, kicking an already overturned chair.

It took me a while to realize that the books and furniture lying broken across the floor were a clear sign that I had traveled back to mere hours after Mother's death.

That meant that Thor would find me soon.

Thor.

It had been so long since I'd been able to stand next to him, living, breathing, and laughing.

Would he recognize me in the armor I wore the day I died?

Would he understand if I tried to explain to him what had happened?

I wasn't even sure if I understood.

I nearly jumped ten feet in the air when I heard footsteps behind me.

"Thor, I-"

I didn't continue my sentence when I saw that it was just a serving girl. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"By the Norns."

The voice that had just spoken was certainly not the voice of the serving girl. I turned around to see Thor standing there with long blonde hair and two eyes. He took one look at me, and his jaw dropped.

"It's not....it's not possible." He whispered. "You died. What are you doing here? What am I doing here?"

I didn't know what to say.

"It's been a while, brother."

"It has. How are you back?"

He turned to the guard standing outside of the cell and ordered him to take down the energy barrier.

"My prince, the Allfather has forbidden visitation."

"Do you think I give a damn? He's my brother."

The guard sighed and mumbled something about not getting paid enough before taking the barrier down.

Thor rushed to my side, and I didn't fight him when he pulled me into a hug.

"How?" He asked me again.

"I don't know."

He grinned through the tears streaming down his face, and I felt some gathering in my own eyes. I hadn't realized just how much I'd missed him until this moment.

I hugged him back without a second thought. Last time we'd seen each other, I'd been no more than an illusion. But now, I could touch someone living, because I was alive too.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you. What I went through to get here."

He nodded.

"Well, why don't we catch up?"

He let me be the first to end the hug, but I did so with a bit of reluctance. I was in such a state of shock that I barely cared whether he saw my emotions for what they truly were.

"I came down here to ask you to help me save Jane and get revenge for Mother's death. Though I don't know why. I was in Wakanda a few minutes ago, and now I'm here. Do you know what happened?"

"I may have done something."

He sighed.

"What did you do?"

"Oh, thank you for your confidence in me, brother. I appreciate it."

"Loki, what did you do?"

I shrugged.

"I may have broken out of Valhalla."

He raised an eyebrow.

"You did what?"

"Well technically, it wasn't really considered 'breaking out' if you don't count the fact that I had to fight Hela to get here, which is actually the last place I want to be. Funny how Second Chance works."

"Second Chance?"

I nodded.

"Yes, Second Chance. It's...complicated."

"We clearly have more to catch up on than I thought. Come on, let's get out of here."