Finding Freedom, Loki's Story.

Chapter 15

Loki's POV

I've always been the observer in a crowd, not really one to join in meaningless conversation or drown my cares in mead. Instead, I prefered to stand back and take note of anything I might find worthwhile. The action had become so habituous I didn't really think about it anymore.

Whenever I step back and watch the big picture I notice or notice something interesting, whether it be tentions rising, drama starting, body habbits of nervousness, you name it. This evening however, everyone was gathered in the living room, and I noticed something, rather sad, as crazy as it sounds coming from me.

Britney was sitting on one of the couches in the living room. The doctor sat on her right and Frigga on her left. Thor was sitting on the other couch in the seat closest to them and I sat on the opposite end, observing. After my talk with the doctor I viewed Britney in a different light. I have a newfound respect for her. She grew up without a mother, without friends, without any sense of constance or stability asside from her father. And instead of growing bitter and rebelling, she shouldered her circumstances and chose to look on the bright side of things, so to speak.

Unlike me.

But what saddened me, was watching her interact with my family and her father together, and realizing how much she deserved a family. They were taking turnes telling stories and cracking jokes at one another, all in good jest of course. She looked so happy and carefree. Really, truely carefree. She always seems happy sure. But until now, it seemed as though she was hiding some inner turmoil behind her deep brown eyes. I hadn't noticed until I saw her just then of course, but it may be something to keep note of.

After the laughter and merriment had died down, the Doctor leaned forward in his seat and clapped his hands. "Well gang," he turned to look his dauggter in the eyes. "The TARDIS is finished charging. So I think it best we leave before we draw any unwanted attention." Silence followed that was only broken by Thor.

"Yes of course." He glanced at me and gave a half smile. Then he got up and offered our mother a hand, which she took (she's not fiercely independent like Britney) and led her toward the front door.

"Wait, dad, couldn't you stay a little longer?" Britney's smile had dissapeared entirely but her pleas were only half hearted.

"Well, I probably could, but if I put you in danger, and something happened to you, I could never forgive myself."

She nodded in understanding, keeping her eyes closed. He took a step towards her, placed his hands on either side of her neck, and gently tipped her face to look at him. When she opened her eyes, she had to fight back tears. "Britney, my darling, I hate endings more than anyone. But without endings, we'd have no beginnings. And that would make for a pretty boring universe." Britney smiled, despite herself, and nodded. The Doctor leaned forward and kissed her forehead before pulling away and leading the way to the TARDIS.

Thor and Frigga were already outside waiting. They were gazing into the sunset. The dazzling pinks and reds of the sky faded into a dark blue in the opposite horizon. They turned to face me upon hearing my footsteps. It was Thor who spoke first. "Loki, we've been talking." They glanced at each other quickly before turning back to me. "And we have a proposition for you."

Frigga picked up where Thor left off. "Loki, would you like to come back to Asguard with us?"

I must've misheard her. Surely. Surely she didn't mean for me to come back to Asguard and end my sentence.

No. I definitely heard her right, and I'm sure I looked caught completely off guard. I was caught completely off guard. I held my breath as she continued. "Thor and I think it not right to force you into anything now that we know you've had a change of heart. I'm ending your banishment on my authority."