The Light in the Dark

Chapter 1:

For Loki, it was hard to admit any feelings for anyone, about anything. Both Loki and Thor that they new they loved one another, but they just keep it a silent agreement for Loki's sake. However Loki felt a different kind of feeling for the Valkyrie.

Val. The elegant fighter and the one that Loki has always been amazed by. Every time she walked into a room, for some reason he can't keep his eyes off off her. With her long flowing dark hair and her elegant walk, he just thought she was so... so... beautiful. But the idea that he may be developing a stronger feeling for Val then he had for Thor really scared him. That is why when Val approached Loki on the ship, Loki could hardly speak.

"Your Highness... have you been feeling alright lately?" Val said with genuine concern.

"Y-yes...um y-you really don't have to call me that..." Loki said quietly, avoiding Val's eyes.

"It is part of my job, I don't really have a choice without permission." Val replied with an edge of sarcasm in her voice.

"Well then I give you permission to call me Loki." Loki answered barely above a whisper walking over to look at the stars of space out of the ship's window.

Val slowly came up next to Loki, staring at the stars as well. They stood there in silence for awhile, not knowing what to say because truth be told, Val also had feelings for Loki. But she feared that he would never return her feelings, knowing how cold the God of Mischief could be. But something about that night made Val feel very confident. Slowly she took a hold of one of Loki's hands, which made him look her in the eyes for the first time in weeks. As they gazed at each other, Val noticed that Loki had tears swimming in his eyes, he looked terrified. His look, it scared her, she had never seen the God look so helpless then in that moment, it made her heart throb.

"Loki..." She whispered.

Loki just simply dropped his head, trying to avoid showing the tears that were now trickling silently down his cheeks. But he felt her hand softly tip his head back up towards her. Looking into each others eyes again, Val reached up cupping Loki's face with her hands on both sides. She started swiping away the tears as he leaned into her touch.

"Please tell me what is going on." Val said, her voice barely above a whisper, feeling her own tears starting to pool in her eyes.

Loki shook his head, "I can't... It hurts too much and I can't let anything harm you... I don't want you to feel my pain." He replied in a slightly exhausted and ragged voice.

"Please, show me... I can handle it." She replied placing one of his hands on her forehead.

Loki hesitated for a moment. But realized that Val would not give up until she was shown what he was going through. "I-I I know Y-you can..." He said as he reluctantly transferred the energy of his pain into her head.

Val only saw flashes of things but it was enough to understand. Parts of the New York incident, The Infinity Stones, toture, pain, screaming, and a titan named Thanos beating Loki nearly to death for his failure. There were words from Thanos in a flash saying I am coming for you Loki. Then pain and throbbing overwhelmed her senses, it felt like she could not breathe. She let out a scream of pain and Loki quickly relieved her from is vision.

She collapsed in a pile on the floor sobbing her eyes out. Loki sunk down beside her collecting her in his arms and placing her head in the crook of his neck. He slowly rocked back and forth, saying words of comfort such as "shh, you're safe, you are okay." And he stroked her hair trying to calm her. Eventually her sobbes slowed to quiet cries.
Val suddenly became aware of the position she was in and she was about to move when she realized that the top of her head was soaked with Loki's tears.

" I am so sorry... I never should have showed you... please forgive me Val... I am such an idiot, I should not even be alive." He whimpered out, sobbing himself. "I am getting these memories back because I believe Thanos is on his way to come and kill me. Though I am b-better off dead for what I just put you t-through."

"No! Please don't say that you mean the world to me Loki and you just deserve better then you got that, is all! And I swear to Odin, if he tries to harm you I will protect you no matter what it takes!" Val almost yelled, her voice shaking as she pulled away a little from the embrace to stare at him straight in the eyes.Loki remained quiet but did not break eye contact.

"Why? Why not Val? No one in this world even needs me... no one." He whispered is eyes filling with tears again.

Val cupped his face, "I need you. Is that enough for now?"

Loki nodded kissing the palms of her hands. They remain tangled in embraces and tears for about an hour on the floor. But they both realized that they needed to sleep for energy, in fear that they would possibly have to fight off Thanos in the morning. They rose from the ground in cinc and intertwined hands as they made their way to their rooms. When they made it to Loki's room, they were still sniffling. Val dropped his hand reluctantly and began to walk towards her room. But before she could get 3 steps away, Loki grabbed a hold of her hand again turning her towards him. She spun slightly and landed with her face just inches from his.

"Please..." He whispered is voice quivering. "Please... stay with me."

She was surprised by his confidence at first but then realized that she really did not want to be alone either. So she just simply replied... "Always"

Taking her hand in his, he lead her into the room. Within a few minutes, Val was wearing one of Loki's oversized Shirts and he was wearing a shirt and sweatpants. Loki laid down on the bed and padded on the open space on the bed next to him. Val crawled in next to him pulling the blankets over them. She then snuggled as close as she could to him, tucking her head on to his chest and wrapping her arms around him, pulling him as close as possible.

As for Loki, he wrapped his arms around her back, placing is head on top of her and every once in awhile he pressed kisses into the top of her head. And before they knew it was even starting happening they both felt tears wet their faces.

They cried for the pain of the vision, for the joy of finally finding each other, and the sadness of how much time they had waited for this and how much time Loki probably had left to live. Then slowly and in the middle of sobs, they both drifted off into a deep sleep, comforted by one another's warmth despite all the darkness consuming them everywhere else they looked. They were each other's Light in the Dark.