high hopes [baby avengers and reader]

chapter thirty three

As the Shield agents pushed buttons and typed away on their keyboards, you awaited... something. You weren't quite sure what you were supposed to be seeing, until a hologram of Thor came up and he seemed a little disoriented. (Apparently Thor hadn't had a chance to use this new form of communication much yet.)

As Thor messed with the tech on his end of it, unaware of your presence, Phil stood infront of the holo-translator. (Or camera.)

"Hello, brethren of Shield. How do you fare?" Thor finally asked, now able to see Phil's blue colored hologram on his screen.

"Well. Thank you. But there is a friend of your's and Loki's who requests to be transported to Asgard to see both of you." Phil responded.

"A friend? Who is this friend of ours?" Thor asked with a happy spirit, always one to have company.

Phil looked at you then at the camera and held a playful expression. "I have a feeling she'll want it to be a surprise."

"A maiden then? Hmm... And she is harmless, is she not?" Thor questioned.

"As harmless as it gets. Unless you threaten her kids anyway. She adopted seven children and took care of them as if they were her own until they grew up." Phil said to prove his case to the honorable man.

Thor rubbed his stubbly beard and said, "That is quite noble indeed... Yes, she may come. But no one else. My father does not like people of Midgard entering the Asgardian gates."

"Understood." Phil nodded, while you felt unsure about going to an entirely different realm alone.

"Have her step outside and call for Hiemdall and I will be sure that he brings her here." Thor instructed clearly.

Phil nodded and the hologram went dark.

"Ready for your first travel through space?" Phil asked you and shook your head.

"Is one ever really ready...?" You replied with a nervous sigh, as you grabbed your bag. "But if it is for my two little guys, I'll travel anywhere." You stated determinedly and Coulson smiled as he lead you outside.

"You know, I've never met anyone like you before. You're so devoted. It's admirable what you've done for these kids. You may have saved Earth's mightest heroes with your kindness." Phil praised, though you didn't seem as receptive to his compliments somehow, seeing as Thor didn't mention Loki at all.

What if Loki had crossed the line too many times with this mess, and Odin had sentenced him to death?! You couldn't bare the thought..

"Don't worry." Phil assured, seeing your pained expression. "If anything happens, you have me and the others to comfort you. ...Okay?"

You took a deep breath in.... then out to steady your nerves, then nodded. "Thank you Phil. For everything." You said earnestly and he smiled, then took a few steps back.

Thinking about your little Asgardians you exclaimed boldly, "Hiemdall!"

A few seconds later, there were sparks infusing the clouds in a colorful lightning, and you awaited the feeling of flight.

Without another thought, the bright beam encompassed you pulled you up through the atmosphere, as the tunnel of colors surrounded you.

The feeling was invigorating and frightening all at once. And as quickly as it began, it ended. You landed safely on the floor of a golden dome and a booming voice greeting you.

"___!!!" Thor exclaimed loudly and hurried over to you to give you a bear hug, lifting you into the air just slightly as he did so.

You laughed happily, amazed both by his miraculous memory and how odd your situation was. You had just traveled from Earth to a different realm and now you were being greeted by Thor. (Who you took care of as a child.)

"How do you fare maiden? T'was your first time traveling via the bifrost." Thor said without letting go of his hold on you.

You chuckled. "It was a bit scary but thrilling none the less."

"That is good!" Thor said happily.

"Thor, sweetheart?" You said gently as he continued to hug you tightly.

"Yes ___?" Thor asked with a joyful smile.

"I appreciate the hug, but can you let go now? I'm having trouble... breathing." You explained, trying to get air.

"Oh! I am so sorry maiden!" Thor said and slowly put you down. "I forget my own strength sometimes." He chuckled and you smiled, until a question that had plagued you mind became prominent once again.

"Where is Loki? Is he okay?" You asked as you looked into Thor's honest blue eyes.

"Loki is in a prision cell. He is awaiting his trial." Thor told you somberly, his golden hair a bit messy from constant training and his expression mournful.

"What are they going to do to him if he is found guilty?" You asked as you subconciously gripped Thor's armor clad forearm.

"If Odin does not rule in his favor, he will be executed by the guillotine with all of Asgard watching." Thor said quietly, knowing that this news would hurt you.

"No..." You whimpered. "But everyone was okay! His plan did not work, can't he claim it was just a trick?" You asked, frantically hoping to find a way out for him.

Thor shook his head. "There have been too many marks on his record. Odin is wise to Loki's tricks. Those men who captured us, were part of Loki's scheme. However, Loki being a youngling as well was not apart of their plan, clearly."

It was too much to take in and you instantly wrapped your arms around Thor's torso. "You have to help him, please Thor. There is good in him, I've seen it myself."

Thor sighed softly and gently stroked your hair to comfort you. "As have I. But Odin has little patience in these matters, when lives are at risk. I've tried to convince him to let him remain in prision, but without my mother..." You could feel Thor holding onto you tighter at the thought of Frigga. "I fear that no one can persuade him about anything anymore. Least of all, Loki's sentence."

He felt you weaken significantly and he held you up as you held onto him.

"But, he has not been prohibited visitors. You may see him, if you wish." Thor said, wanting to give you at least a glimmer of good news.

You gently pulled away and nodded fervently. "Yes, I'd like to see him, if you'd take me please." You said, and wiped away a few tears that had brimmed your eyes.

He smiled gently and kissed your forehead. "I will take you to see him after you rest. You must be very tired."

"No, I'd like to see him now. I wouldn't be able to rest anyway with my worrying." You replied.

Thor nodded and put a protective arm around you. "As you wish."

Thor lead you out of the bifrost and to the rainbow bridge, where you would have admired the beauty of the vibrant structure more, had you been walking across it under happier circumstances.

Thor walked you two large golden doors that lead to the palace and opened them for you, knowing that they would be too heavy for a person of Midgard.

"He's in here?" You asked, a little confused.

"Not exactly..." Thor said ominously.

You continued to walk down the halls of the palace, with sunlight pouring in and glistening against the elegant vases, and golden accents on the walls and luxurious furniture. The whole room was vast and beautiful, giving a feeling of endlessness despite it being enclosed completely.

As you walked, the halls and rooms became plainer and plainer, white walls and pastel paintings, then dull stone walls with a small window here and there, until you reached a black, darkened hallway, lit by tourches.

Upon arriving a seemingly bottomless staircase at the very very back wall, Thor instructed you to walk carefully down the steps; as they weren't often given much attention.

The narrow spiral staircase was very dark despite the torches that were lit. And as you took step after step you gradually felt the knot in your stomach get tighter and tighter.

You didn't want to, but you couldn't help but imagine the child version of Loki being scared of the darkness and wanting to hold onto you, not wanting to be left alone down there.

It broke your heart to think of him being isolated and afraid....

"We're almost there." Thor commented. "And this is where I end my journey with you. Loki does not wish to see me..." Thor said sadly. "I wish you well, Maiden ___." He added, then headed back up the stairs, as if he'd walked back up those stairs a thousand times before.

It was a little bit of a shock to hear that Loki did not want to see him. After all, from your end of it, Loki loved playing with his older brother! (Even if he didn't want to admit it often times.)
But perhaps, that was just his childish innocence showing through.

You sighed, fearing that your sweet Loki was gone already...

As the stairs ended, you entered a large rectangular room with thick stone walls and only a glimmer of torches for light. (As well as the enchanted prision cells.)

You heard a few catcalls from the other prisioners as you searched but paid them no mind, anger was not your primary emotion right now.

You looked into each cell as you began to feel uncomfortable in the darkness and silence. That is, until you looked into one cell in particular, and finally found him.

He was sitting on a single chair, with his long black hair fallen down around his head and his hands covering his face, his back bent forward in agony.

"Loki?" You called tenderly, hoping with all of your heart that he would remember everything.

He jerked up sharply, since he did not expected anyone to be here to see him like that.

His sudden movement startled you a bit and you stood still, waiting for him to make the next move.

He slicked his hair back with his fingers and slowly stood up from his chair. His tall stature was intimidating, despite the fact that he was imprisoned.

He took each step with precision until he stopped just before the clear wall facing you. "Who are you maiden?"

All at once you felt a flood of emotions enter your heart, as your worst nightmare came true. "Loki, it's me, ___." You said as evenly as possible, while you enternally wanted to break through that wall and hold him in your arms.

He looked so different now, his eyes cold and calculating, his stance a bit agressive, and his face, though handsome, was tainted with a menacing expression.

"I've never known you maiden, now leave my sight." Loki ordered you, glaring you down harshly.

"No." You said, just as stern.

He looked taken aback by your boldness and yet also a bit curious.

"I am not leaving you Loki." You continued. "I love you too much to give up on you now." You said, thinking about Loki's predicament.

"You love me?" Loki said with a laugh. "You love me. Honestly, I'm glad you came or else I might have been bored to tears in this wretched cell." He said with a cruel smirk.

You felt your heart sting with immense pain but you weren't going to quit so easily. "Yes, I love you. Perhaps you don't remember me, but I remember everything about you."

"Is that right...?" He muttered, slowly as if he were getting annoyed already.

"Guards! I wish to enter Loki's cell!" You called to the guards from afar, and an average sized one promptly headed for you.

"Maiden, no one is allowed inside hi-"

"I want to enter his cell. Now, you are either going to comply or I will report to Thor that you struck me."

"But Maiden!" The gaurd tried.

"And believe me, there are quite a few of my friends who you wouldn't want to anger." You threatened and he sighed.

"Open cell number 528465!" The man yelled to an unseen figure.

You were amazed by how large the number was. How big was this prision anyway?!

Slowly, the walls began to disintegrate, while the guard eyed the enchanted ankle bracelet that was securely placed on Loki's leg so he could not escape.

With the way Loki stared at you so furiously, could feel yourself waver, wondering if this was such a good idea. He was not a child now but a full grown man, bitter from years of emotional turmoil and powerful (and intelligent) enough to hold his own against Thor himself.

And you, some might say, were just a young woman of Midgard, with no particular abilities or strength; surely not enough to defend yourself against Loki anyway.

But still you entered the cell -to Loki's surprise- and told the guard to leave.

"You fancy yourself brave, girl?" Loki mocked.

"I am not here to play games Loki, I am very much afraid, but not of the physical harm you can bring me... I'm worried about you. And I wish you could remember me." You said, letting yourself be vulnerable with him.

"I'm sure I could remember you, if I wanted to. But..." He said in a chillingly nonchalant tone as he moved closer to you. "I don't."

You caught the whimper forming within your chest and asked, "But why? What have you to lose by remembering me? At least you know there is something to remember!"

"Yes I do know that you are not mad, nor are you a liar. I have met you before, I know not where, nor why I don't remember. But, something within me cries out for me to forget about you or whatever you've told me because I will be different. Soft, and weak. Just like you, mortal scum." He said, with words practically dripping with venom.

This time you couldn't hold it in; his words stung more than his hands ever could with a strike. You loved him more than anything and yet he wanted nothing to do with you now...

Tears began to form in your eyes and you felt as though someone were sitting on your chest, keeping you from breathing properly. Though, you were quiet in your breathlessness.

"Now be gone woman. I have had enough of your foolish attempts."

"Loki," You said, somehow managing to find your voice after the flood of pain that overwhelmed you. "Your life may depend on you changing. Thor said that the trial-"

"The trial is this evening, and unless you have the ability to transform a snake into a swan, I suggest you go back to your home on Midgard." Loki replied, and turned his back toward you, crossing his arms defiantly.

"I don't need to." You said, finding fault in his metaphore. "I just need to convince a swan that he is not a snake..."

Loki remained quiet, taking in your words with interest but certainly not showing it.

You sighed softly. "I have George if you'd-"

He swiftly turned around, his eyes lighting up before you could even get George out of the bag.

He suddenly realized his mistake and flinched when you took the bear out completely with a soft smile.

The poor stuffed teddy bear was very worn out from lots of play time and weary nights.

"G-Get that thing away from me." Loki insisted, as if it would kill him.

"Loki, it's okay! I-"

"Stop it, get it out of my sight." Loki growled angrily then turned away from it, concentrating on forgetting the emotions and memories attached to the fluffy bear.

"I can't sleep George." Loki sighed then hugged his bear. "I mean, what if I get a nightmare again...?"

The stubborn prince shook his head anxiously, desperately trying to keep the memories from entering his mind.

"Leave! Now!" He yelled, and you finally relented, stepping out of the cell walls with a heavy heart.

This would have to be his decision. If you forced it, he might forget everything and be left hollow for all you knew. And you certainly did not want to find out.

A few moments later, the guard caused the walls to return again and you sighed mournfully as Loki rubbed his head and paced back and forth horizontally across the cell.

You knew he that would want nothing more to do with you today, and decided to save your energy for the trial, where you would attempt and convince Odin to allow Loki to live; as well as try to bring back the sweet Loki you knew he was within the depths of his heart...