The Light in the Dark

Chapter 9:

Val spun around quickly to see Loki standing there with a sad, small smile on his face. He had is regularly armor on, although some good had been added to it.

"Why are you here?" Val asked in a harsher tone then she would have liked.

Loki flinched and responded, "I know that party's are not really your forte. That is another thing we have in common."

Val stared down at the ground, trying her hardest not to cry.

"Though... I also thought that you deserve an explanation for what happened." Loki said softly while leaning on the banister.

Loki looked over at Val who still refused to look him in the eyes. Loki let out a sigh, looking out at New Asgard.

"Well it all started when I was recruited by Thanos, to take over Earth. When I failed, he tortured me in my cell on Asgard. I had to hide from him, so I faked my own death. I then posed as my own father while Thor was gone looking for infinity stones. When he returned, we went looking for father, only to find out about Hela, who got me to Sakaar in the first place. Then... I met you. And everything was different, I felt a love towards you that I never thought was possible. So, I coped with it, by acting as if I hated you. It was dumb, and I never should have done that. Once we escaped Hela, I started getting the feeling that Thanos would be coming for me, to do more then just torture. I also felt the memories, so much that they physically hurt my head. So days before Thanos took over our ship, I practiced my cloning tricks to perfection. They worked so well that Thanos killed my clone, and not me. Yes, I faked my death... again. I was then on the run, no one could know I was alive. I stayed in various places, most were sketchy but with a little money to bargain, none of them spoke a word. One day I was out, trying to find another place to sleep, when I spotted Thor coming out of an unusually shaped ship. We were reunited and he brought me here." Loki finished.

Val was now looking directly at Loki, whose eyes had not shifted from the view off the balcony.

"But if you ever loved me, then why did you leave me?" Val asked choking up.

Loki looked over at Val, making direct eye contact, "I did it to keep you safe. If I had come with you to safety, everyone here tonight would be dead. Even you. And could not live with the thought of you gone. I know that I hurt you Valkyrie. And I cannot even begin to express how sorry I am that I had to put you through this hell for 5 years. But... if you will let me... I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you." Loki whispered, taking Val's hands in his. Tears started to roll down both of their faces as they gazed at one another for a moment.

"But how can I ever even trust you again if I am not even sure that you love me." Val whispered, with a soft sob.

Loki reached up and swiped away her tears with his thumb.

"Because," he said " if I did not love you, would I do this?"

Loki then stepped away from Val and pulled out a box from his pocket. He got down on one knee and Val's hands flew to her face to stop a sob from rolling out of her body.

"Val, I love you more then anything in this life. You are the most beautiful being to walk the face of the universe. In no way do I deserve you, but I do know that you deserve all the happiness in the world. And I will spend every day for the rest of my life trying to give you just that. Happiness. If you will have me that is. So Valkyrie, will you please marry me?" Loki asked trying to hold back tears. While opening the box to reveal a beautiful emerald hen in the middle of a shining gold band ring.

Val collapsed on the ground falling into Loki's arms nearly knocking him over. Tears poured out of her eyes and Loki had his own falling like waterfalls.

"Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!!" Val cried pulling them up off the ground. Loki kissed Val passionately while slipping the ring onto her finger. When they pulled apart, they leaned against one another's forehead still wrapped in a tight embrace.

"I love you Loki." Val whispered

"I love you too, Val." Loki whispered back.