At the end of the day

I've come to redeem myself...

TONY'S P.O.V.

We were finally standing at the place where I haven't been in a while. Loki walked with me near the river. The portal faded away behind us. I sat on the log and tugged at Loki's black shiny cloak, inviting him to sit with me.

He took his seat beside me. We stared into nothingness. All that surrounded us was just the starry night sky, silver-looking river, and silence.

I looked at Loki, 'So...What brings you to Midgard?'

Loki stared at me with his blue-green eyes which shone in the moonlight. He put down his sceptre and his golden helmet, as if to relax himself, and turned towards me. He sighed,
'Well, this time I have no evil purpose to be here on Midgard. Asgard is safe in Odin's hands, so we brothers, Thor and I, have decided to come here in Midgard because I have got...um... nothing to do on Asgard.'

'You guys came here just because you were bored? Have you run out of mischiefs? Nah...I don't believe you.' I smiled.

Loki chuckled, 'No, dear. The reason serves a greater purpose. I actually have come to redeem myself. I want to be a greater being, as in serve good purpose towards the world, the whole universe. I want everyone to see me in a different light. I'm done being a protagonist. I'm done letting others use me against my loved ones. I used to misunderstand Odin, the all-father. I never felt his affection towards me until now. I agree he himself used to be evil long before, but seeing how he has gathered himself to bring about a change in him, that too a change of goodness, has made me realize that I am myself and I can never be someone else even though I can disguise myself as any being in the whole universe. I have been helpless but not now anymore and I won't ever be. I have spoken a lot I guess, but trust me. I want to improve myself. I want to start my new life as whole new being. And there is no better way than starting at the planet where I have caused havoc the most. I never thought that Thor and Odin would support me. But here I am, because of them. Believe it or not, but they are a huge part of my life now. Wherever Frigga, my mother is, I can assure that she is proud of me.'

Seeing Loki talk like this, made me feel quite emotional. I was happy for him but also felt sad at the same time because he has no mother and... I have no one. He is adopted for sure, but at least he has his brother and his father beside him. Loki stared at the water, trying to fight back the tears. He brought his thumb up to his eyes and wiped them away. Then he looked at me again.

I was struggling inside like I did 2 years back. I tried to fight back the tears, recalling the past, though my struggle is nothing like his. Loki took my hand and rubbed its back with his thumb. I bit my lip, trying hard to not let any tear fall from my eyes.

Loki assured, 'Everything will be fine.'

I looked at him, curiously, 'How do you know? I know you can read my mind, but my heart aches whenever I think about my family. My parents passed away 2 years ago in a car accident and there is no trace of my brother. I don't even know if he is freaking alive!'

I finally cried. I buried my face in my hands. Loki rubbed my back, trying to make me feel better.

'I know it all, love. I know all about you. Let me clarify myself.'

I stared at Loki as he started talking again.

'You are Tony Christiana Evans and your parents were doctors. I've been hanging around you quite a while. I know, I shouldn't have but, I needed to.'

It was as if he could see right through me. I was amazed.

'Why? If you don't mind me asking...' My voice cracked.

'Look... I won't go back to Asgard, at least not in a long time. I needed a place to stay. I can't go to a hotel, because... It's a place full of strangers. I needed to stay somewhere, where I am familiar with people I know.'

'But why me? How am I familiar to you?'

'Well, that's a long story. I'll tell you some other time.'

'Well, I have time.'

'Sorry, darling. This is not the right time to talk about this stuff. All I can say is that we are all familiar. It's not only me. There are others. But, don't worry they are good people too and most importantly, they are also heroes. We know you and you know us. That's all I can say. Pardon me.'

I was surprised actually to learn that from Loki.

'So... Even Thor knows about me?'

'Of course.'

Loki cleared his throat and looked at me with his bright blue-green eyes, 'Well... To talk about the main thing, I have come to stay. Can I live with you in your house, if you don't mind?'

I thought for a moment and smiled, 'I don't see why not. I also need company, I guess. To be honest, I need someone like you beside me. I have no one, as you know. But...'

'But...?' Loki asked curiously.

'But... Will you stay with me forever?'

'I will forever be with you.'

'And you will forever be my housemate? Please?'

Loki chuckled, 'I will be, if you want me to!'

'I want you to! And you don't even have to pay. I need a companion actually. Talking about staying, will Thor also stay with us?'

Loki laughed, 'No. He already got himself a luxurious place.'

'Where?'

'I can't tell you even if I wanted to. Sorry.' Loki smiled.

'Okay...But if it's all about secret, how will you live with me? I mean, at home you can be Loki, but when we go out, what will you do?'

'I'll disguise myself in my Midgardian form, Tom Hiddleston.'

I was shocked.

I finally asked, 'You are THE Tom Hiddleston who does movies? And you actually are an actor?'

'Yes, I am.' He smiled warmly.

'So, you don't actually play Loki, but you ARE Loki in real life? You both are one being?'

'Yes.'

'That's so cool!'

'I know. Now... It's quite late. Let's go home.'

'Let's go.'

We stood up, ready to go. Loki picked up his sceptre and helmet. He again used his sceptre to make a portal. Loki took my hand and we walked back to our living room through the portal.

Loki would stay in my brother's room from now and I would stay in mine as usual, but at least I won't be alone anymore. Loki went to his room and I went to mine, bidding each other good night. It was a good day, but tiring in some way. With good and happy thoughts about Loki as my guardian, made me feel home and safe. Being excited for tomorrow, put me in a good mood; I don't know why. I was actually happy after a long time and, thoughts about today and Loki, occupied my mind, and drifted me off to a good night's sleep.