Loki Shorts

Reunited

It has been four years since Loki was sentenced to prison and you spent your last night together, never to see each other again. But you've accepted it. As much as you loved him, he destroyed a planet. He tried to take over Midgard. He deserves what he got. None of that changes the fact that you miss him so much you'd trade the mass of your possessions to have him back. The snarky trickster you knew and loved, not whatever took over his mind after he fell from the Bifröst. He told you about the turmoil he was in before he fell from the Bifröst and before the guards whisked him away, he told you about the evil that took over his mind. Regardless of reasons it happened, it's in the past. No amount of wishing will bring him back into your life. Or introduce him into the life of your daughter.

This is usually when thoughts of Loki slip back into your mind. After the rush of the day has passed and Brunhild is safe in her bed. When you have a moment to sit and let the stress of the day go. As the thoughts of him refuse to leave your mind, the sound of a galloping horse coming to a stop in front of your house is a welcome distraction. You part the curtains enough to see a figure climbing off a horse, but even as they draw closer, the night conceals their identity. When the knock sounds through the room, you wonder who it could be at this hour. You spare a thought for your sleeping daughter in the other room, but you realize one person and a horse is hardly any real threat. When you open the door, you're ready to greet a stranger.

The sight of your love you've been separated from for so long sends you into a rollercoaster of emotions in a matter of seconds. The one you settle on is disbelief. You feel like you stand there staring at each other for five minutes before he finally speaks up.

"I'm not going to lie, I thought you'd be happier to see me."

"I— I'm sorry, I'm in shock, I don't know how to process this. I am— I'm so happy you're here. Loki," you breathe, surging forward to wrap your arms around his waist.

"My love." He breathes, returning the hug as he buries his face in your neck.

"Hey, come on. There's no reason to be having our little reunion in the doorway." You sniff, wiping a stray tear from your eye.

Loki nods, wiping his own tears away.

Once you close the door behind him, you try to think of something— anything— to say to him but you just end up staring in shock.

"Sorry I didn't contact you sooner. I know four years have passed and you could have easily moved on, but I had to see you again." He starts scratching at the palm of his left hand, a nervous tick he picked up about a decade ago when he found out he was a Frost Giant. Norns you've missed him.

"I thought I'd never see you again." You say starting to tear up again. "First, I thought you were dead when you fell from the Bifröst. Then, I find out you're alive only to be kept from you and—"

He leans in and kisses you. "Norns, I missed you. I love you so much"

"Loki—" he interrupts you with another kiss.

"Mommy? Who are you kissing?"

You feel Loki freeze before slowly looking over to see a little green-eyed girl staring at the pair of you. You let go of Loki and walk over.

"We'll talk about it in the morning sweetie. Let's get you back to bed okay?"

She clutches her wolf stuffed animal and nods. You tuck her into bed. When you come out Loki is exactly where you left him; staring off into space.

"Loki, are you alright?"

He focuses on you. "Is she... mine?"

"Yes."

"Can I sit?"

"Of course." He takes a seat at your dining table, silent for long enough that you feel the need to prompt him. "Loki, you're starting to worry me."

He looks around the room at the various things that belong to her: art supplies, toys, drawings. He finally looks at you. "What's her name?"

"Brunhilde."

"Brunhilde." He says the name with a far off look. "That's beautiful. I know I made some decisions that produced results I'm not proud of, but would you allow me to be part of her life?"

You let out a relieved sigh. "Of course." You hear Burnheild call you from the other room. "I'll be right back." Loki nods. When you come back, Loki is sitting with his head in his hands. "What's wrong?" You ask him.

He lifts his head to look at you with watery eyes. "I missed everything."

"Loki—"

"No. Don't try to deny it. I did. I missed her first smile, her first laugh, her first word, her first steps, her birth, your pregnancy. I've never read to her or been there to comfort her after a nightmare. She has no idea who I am."

"I'm sorry." You murmur, wishing there was more you could say or do.

"Odin did this on purpose. You think he didn't see all of this coming? He held me just long enough to miss all those milestones, my own daughter."

"I'm so sorry. Come here." You open your arms.

"No!" He slams his fist on the table before he runs his hands through his hair. "I can't believe I was robbed of this."

"There will be more firsts." You try to comfort.

"Will you tell me about them?"

"Now?"

"It can be later."

"Okay, of course." You pause. "So how do you want to be introduced?"

"Hmmm?"

"To Brunhild. How do you want her to know you? She starts school next year, so she hasn't had anyone tell her that most families have two parents. I figured I'd tell her about you then."

He nods. "It's understandable. I want to be her father, of course."

"Alright, we'll talk in the morning. I'm going to bed if you'd like to come."

He kisses you. "I've missed this so much."

"I've missed you too. Every time I see her and her green eyes I think of you."

"Oh, my love. There was not a day that passed in that dungeon that I didn't think of you, longing to be at your side."

"Well, you are now."

He nods. "I'm sorry I got upset."

"Who are you and what have you done with Loki?" You joke.

He wraps his arms around you as you make your way to your room. "Really. I want to be better for you and Burnheild."

"Thank you. I'm glad you're home."

"Me too."