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Redemption was a double edged sword, and one that Loki frequently wondered if he truly wished to wield.
His actions in saving Thor's life at great risk to his own had allowed him a tentative reprieve from the throne of Asgard, a way to repair the damage that had been done. Yet it was damage that may never truly be healed. The anger, the bitterness, the betrayal, the jealousy-- none of it had ever truly faded away, it still burned beneath Loki's breast and threatened to pull him into dark waters once more. He still could not reconcile with Odin, though the two had reached a tenuous cordiality when forced to be in one another's company.
If it hadn't been for Thor and his unwavering dedication, and the memory of Frigga's ever loving wishes, Loki would not have even tried, for the road required of him was long and arduous. His pride detested each concession he had to make in the name of redemption, in the name of forgiveness. His magic remained mostly blocked, he had to assist in the restitution of destroyed buildings and livelihoods in Asgard, and he spent years confined to the palace grounds.
Thor told him often of his exploits on Midgard with the Avengers. How SHIELD had reformed and gained a new director, the man he had almost killed during his escape so many years before, and (of course) all about his love affair with Jane Foster. And somehow years came and went, and Loki settled back into his old life, if never truly comfortably.
Until three days previously.
He had been called to the throne room and Odin had decreed that he had served his punishment here on Asgard, but he would now be required to give restitution to Midgard. He would be sent there and placed under the supervision of SHIELD, to work with them and the Avengers where needed in order to repay his debts to the mortals. If helping the common Asgardians had rankled at his pride, this near shattered it. They were human, beneath him, he should not be forced to debase himself this way.
But he would. He would because he did not want to lose this second chance now that he had become accustomed to it. He would do it, but he did not have to like it.
Which is why it is a sullen looking Loki whose feet land in the dusty terrain of New Mexico after the Bifrost transports him between the realms. He brushed sand from his clothing and looked around for Agent-- Director Coulson.
His actions in saving Thor's life at great risk to his own had allowed him a tentative reprieve from the throne of Asgard, a way to repair the damage that had been done. Yet it was damage that may never truly be healed. The anger, the bitterness, the betrayal, the jealousy-- none of it had ever truly faded away, it still burned beneath Loki's breast and threatened to pull him into dark waters once more. He still could not reconcile with Odin, though the two had reached a tenuous cordiality when forced to be in one another's company.
If it hadn't been for Thor and his unwavering dedication, and the memory of Frigga's ever loving wishes, Loki would not have even tried, for the road required of him was long and arduous. His pride detested each concession he had to make in the name of redemption, in the name of forgiveness. His magic remained mostly blocked, he had to assist in the restitution of destroyed buildings and livelihoods in Asgard, and he spent years confined to the palace grounds.
Thor told him often of his exploits on Midgard with the Avengers. How SHIELD had reformed and gained a new director, the man he had almost killed during his escape so many years before, and (of course) all about his love affair with Jane Foster. And somehow years came and went, and Loki settled back into his old life, if never truly comfortably.
Until three days previously.
He had been called to the throne room and Odin had decreed that he had served his punishment here on Asgard, but he would now be required to give restitution to Midgard. He would be sent there and placed under the supervision of SHIELD, to work with them and the Avengers where needed in order to repay his debts to the mortals. If helping the common Asgardians had rankled at his pride, this near shattered it. They were human, beneath him, he should not be forced to debase himself this way.
But he would. He would because he did not want to lose this second chance now that he had become accustomed to it. He would do it, but he did not have to like it.
Which is why it is a sullen looking Loki whose feet land in the dusty terrain of New Mexico after the Bifrost transports him between the realms. He brushed sand from his clothing and looked around for Agent-- Director Coulson.
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