Illusions | Loki & Jane

24. I Hate You!

"Wait!"

The word echoed in her mind, reminding her of the day she feared she would lose John to those madmen in the streets forever. She had never imagined that a life as an attorney could be so perilous. The minutes she spent waiting at home, anxiously expecting a call from the police, felt like hours. How could he have been so reckless, putting her in a cab and facing those monsters alone? He wouldn't survive this, or at the very least, he'd be gravely injured. Tears streamed down her face, even though nothing had happened yet. The scientist paced back and forth in their apartment, sobbing in silence. How was she going to survive on her own without the man she loved so deeply?

It could have been minutes, or perhaps it had been hours, that she waited for him to return. Finally, the door to their apartment creaked open.

"JOHN!" she cried, rushing into his arms before he could even step inside. She buried her face in his chest, feeling his arms wrap around her tightly. She clutched the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer, absorbing his scent—an intoxicating blend of apples, a forest after a downpour, and the crispness of a cold winter day covered in snow. This familiar scent reached her mind, reassuring her that he was truly there, that he was real, and that he had survived.

But this time, it wasn't John she feared for; it was Thor, who was striding slowly toward the iron giant. "What is he doing?" she asked, shocked. Her friends and Thor's allies had just intended to retreat when Jane turned around, searching for Thor, only to find him alone with the monstrous creature.

The God of Thunder walked past the demolished buildings and abandoned cars in the eerie silence of the streets. The black iron behemoth approached him, and dread filled her. Was he going to get himself killed? The thought of losing him was unbearable. Although she didn't know him well yet, she felt an undeniable urge to understand him, to learn about his passions, interests, dislikes, and way of life. There was something deep within her that believed he held answers to the questions she had carried for months—questions about John and the mysteries of the universe. It was strange, but her instincts told her that Thor could provide clarity, even if she couldn't fully grasp the connection. He reminded her of John in many ways, yet they were so different; still, their experiences and the conversations they had shared felt oddly similar. She wanted to know him better, but if he were to fall, she would never learn who he truly was.

"Brother, whatever I have done to wrong you," she heard Thor say, "whatever I have done to lead you to this, I am truly sorry."

Jane felt her heart race. The blonde man was dangerously close to the giant now. If the stories Thor had shared were true—and she believed them now—it seemed he was confronting Loki, his brother. Why would anyone destroy an entire city to attack their own flesh and blood? The way Thor spoke of Loki made it clear he loved him. If she had a sibling, no matter what they had done, she would never dream of causing such devastation.

"But these people are innocent," Thor continued. "Taking their lives will gain you nothing."

The helmet of the iron creature opened, and flames flickered within. The metal giant was ready to strike. Jane tensed, watching as Thor stood confidently in front of the beast, determined. "So take mine and end this."

No! The word pounded in her mind like a heartbeat. Please don't!

Sif inhaled sharply, and Jane could hear her wince at Thor's words.

For what felt like an eternity, they all stood there, watching the scene unfold, praying it wouldn't end in tragedy. The tension from Thor's friends was palpable next to her, but her focus remained fixed on the blond, handsome man who was willing to sacrifice himself for the safety of the townsfolk, including her.

The helmet closed. Thank God, Jane thought, fighting the urge to rush to him, to embrace him. It seemed, for a moment, that Loki wouldn't take Thor's life—the beast took a step back, and Jane almost sighed in relief. But then the giant metal creature swung its arm, aiming directly at Thor. He hit him with tremendous force.

Jane's heartbeat and breath caught in her throat. She watched in horror as the metal hand collided with Thor's face, sending him flying through the air.

"NOOO!" she screamed, sprinting toward Thor.

The God of Thunder soared through the air from the impact and landed with a sickening thud on the stone floor. In mere seconds, Jane was by his side. "Thor," she breathed, cradling his head in her hands. "Stay with me." She fought against the urge to cry; she needed to be strong for him, who lay broken before her.

But it seemed she didn't need to be strong, for Thor smiled at her, sincere despite his pain. "You're safe now," he croaked. "It's over." The whisper escaped his lips with his last breath as his eyes closed.

"No, it's not over." This time, she couldn't hold back the tears. "No, Thor." She whispered, frantic. "It's NOT over." She spoke as if her words could somehow reach him, urging him to fight for life once more. The echo of her thoughts lingered—it's not over. Those were the same words she had said to John when he left her. Why did this keep happening to her? Just as she had begun to find someone she cared for since meeting John, now he was slipping away.

Her gaze shot up to the iron giant, which had turned away and begun to walk back into the desolation from which it had come.

"I hate you!" she cried at the top of her lungs. "HEAR ME?! I HATE YOU, LOKI!" The metal creature paused, seeming to consider her words, but ultimately continued its path back to the Bifrost, where S.H.I.E.L.D. workers had gathered, ready to confront the threat.

"I hate you," she whispered, more to herself as she silently wept, her gaze returning to the lifeless body of the God of Thunder. She shook her head, brushing the hair from Thor's face, sobbing, "I wanted to get to know you."

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A/n.: oooh it's sad! Poor Jane...

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