The Light in the Dark

Chapter 6:

5 years later

Val was sobbing again.

Thor told her he was dead, and he told her how he died too. She did not like to think about it but she always did. She was lying on her bed, without Loki to brush her hair and wipe away her tears. The thought only made her cry harder. She had survived Thanos's snap 5 years ago and just 2 weeks ago, Tony Stark passed away during battle, along with Thanos. Apart of her wished she had not survived either of these events so that she could be with Loki. But she had to admit that it was oddly satisfying to see Thanos finally get what he deserved. She was so glad that he was gone. He did kill her love after all. She always replayed those last moments that she had with Loki in her mind, wishing that he would just walk through her bedroom door and cradle her in his arms and kiss her head lovingly.

But he was gone... Forever...

Val tried to dry her tears as she crawled out of bed to straighten her hair and clothes. She needed to look somewhat presentable. She was Asgards new Queen after all. Thor had put on some weight after the snap and was in no way King worthy, so last week he ran off with The Guardians of the Galaxy to become what he really was.And he had made Valkyrie the new leader, the Queen of Asgard. So Val straightened her armour and headed for the docks. She had some new supplies for the city coming in. Her assistant, Ira, came running towards her.

"Queen Val, it seems as though our supplies shipment has run short." Ira said with a worried expression.

"How can that be?" Val asked

"I don't know... It says here on the form that if you need assistants..." Ira started but when Ira looked back at her Val, her Queen was looking intensely over her Ira's shoulder.

There, flying towards the landing point at the end of the dock was The Guardians of the Galaxy spaceship with Thor smiling and waving in the window. Val waved back but she was confused, Thor said he would be gone for awhile.

The ship landed on the landing point and Val started walking towards it. The door opened and the ramp unfolded. But who walked down that ramp made Val stop dead in her tracks, her breath caught in her chest, and tears sprang to her eyes.

Loki... he was standing there, bloody, and bruised, but very much... alive...

Loki eyes locked with Valkyrie from the end of the dock. He stopped breathing for a moment, it had been 5 years since he had seen her but she was still as beautiful as ever. Val already had tears streaming down her face and Loki could feel his own growing in his eyes. Val started walking again, then running towards Loki who was at the end of the dock. Loki started running too, towards Val who was towards the start of the dock.

When they were finally close enough, they were in the middle of the dock, and they did not even slow down. Val jumped into Loki's arms, wrapping her arms around his neck, lifting her legs off the ground a bit, and nestling her face in the crook of his neck. Loki wrapped his arms around her waist, snuggling his face in her hair, and lifting Val off the ground a bit. Then the tears started pouring out. Loki's neck and Val's hair were soaked in a matter of seconds. Loki slowly twirled her around still lifting her up.

Val sobbed into his neck "Loki...oh thank the gods! ... Please tell me I am not dreaming, please!..."

"Shh... love... I am here... I'm here." Loki repeated to Val over and over again, though he was crying just as hard.

Loki finally set her down, but not releasing her from his grip. He gazed into her eyes, wiping her tears away. Then Val gently cupped his face, shaking a little.

"You're here! You're really here! Loki, I-I how are y-you even here?!" Val stuttered out.

"I promise I will explain everything later love." Loki whispered.

"But-" Val started.

"Shh... Val... j-just let me look at y-you for a moment." Loki hashed Val, by putting a finger over her mouth. Loki then stood back a bit to get a good look at Val and smiled through watery eyes. Then slowly he cupped her face with on of his hands and placed the other on her waist. Then he leaned his lips to hers.

Loki kissed her for the first time.

It was soft at first, but when Val leaned into the kiss, it deepened. They pulled each other closer, their tears of joy and relief mixing together. Loki tucked some of Val's dark soft hair behind her ear as they kissed. Val was sad when the kiss ended but they kept holding each other's hands, as the rest their foreheads against each other's.

"Never leave me again." Val whispered, still letting tears fall.

"Never. I will always come back for you." Loki whispered.

Val stepped back a bit, looking at Loki's scars and bruises, "Oh god, who did this to you."

Loki opened his mouth to answer, but a rather large Thor slapped him on the back, making him wobble a bit on his feet.

"I love reunions!" Thor boomed , as he squished Valkyrie into a hug.

Val smiled at Thor as she pulled away from the hug. But her smile quickly faded as she saw Loki fall to his knees behind Thor.

"Loki!" Val cried, pushing past Thor, to run to Loki's side.

Loki just groaned in pain, placing a hand on the ground trying to steady himself, but almost falling on his face in the process.

"Loki, you have to tell me what is wrong? What hurts?" Val said urgently tilting Loki's head so that his eyes would meet hers.

"I...I love you, Valkyrie." Loki managed to whimper before he blacked out.