Judging by the mutterings in the great hall and the amount of dignitaries present, Loki is ready to bet on the latter type and he’s suspicion is confirmed shortly after when Heimdal follows the king onto the dais with the throne before leaving with a deep bow. The moment is brief, but Loki manages to catch the gaze of the Bridge Keeper and the eyes says it all: Thanos is moving.

“Silence.” A thumb of the but of a spear against the floor underlines the command. “It has come to this…the forces of Thanos are mobilizing and although it is not clear to whence, it is imperative that the Mad Titan is stopped before his destruction can reach the Nine Realms. Emissaries have been send to Nidavellir and Vanaheim. Soon, we will hear if and with how great numbers they will join to fight side by side with us. Meanwhile, the Asgardian forces will be mustered and commence training to optimize fighting alongside the Älfir.”

And so the day had finally come where Odin accepted at least part of the truth.

...   Reader   ...

And Loki can’t find the peace he had hoped for. Walking the halls with his head held high, finally allowed (if only tolerated) back to the place where he grew up, his eyes darts from shadowed corners to the faces that openly display distrust.

“Give them time,” you soothe him, stroking the skin that constantly has a frigid, blue shimmer to it, “it took time for me too and I got to see it all.”

He pulls you tighter, arm protectively around your shoulder even now on the balcony of your chambers (his old rooms), and kisses your forehead.

“And it is still a miracle to me that you did, my love,” he confesses.

However, to you the miracle is that you both have come this far; it’s that you stand in the midday’s sun with the person you love; it’s the marvel of Asgard laid out before you under the blazing sun. It’s beautiful. You’ve known that since you arrived, but with the recent events something seems to have underlined the wondrous qualities of the place to the point where it almost can rival that of Alfheim. Almost.

I wonder if I ever get to see that place again?

The High Priestess has made it clear that her realm always will consider you – and in extension Loki – to be a citizen, but as tempting as it seems to run away to the peaceful planet, there is one thing that you need to help take care of even if you don’t know how to.

Thanos.

For days now, while troops rally and space fleet assemble, you’ve been training with Frigga, the Priestess, and Loki in the hopes of gaining some semblance of control of your powers. This is not to say that you can’t do what you want with them...as long as what you want fits your wishes in the spur of the moment: acting against your own wishes smothers any attempt at coming up with a magical tune to exert your will through.

“Darling,” Loki’s voice calls you back from the gloomy thoughts, “whatever will happen...I know you will do amazing.”

Looking up at him, you see the kind smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “You’re just saying that to be nice.”

He laughs as if caught red-handed. “Maybe...but I do mean every word of it.” A new kiss to your forehead, soft and slow. “My worries do not lie with your prowess but with the fact that I don’t know how to keep you safe for certain.”

“Perhaps it’s my turn to keep you safe?” And it really feels like that is the truth. “But take care anyways, okay?”

“For you...always.”

...  Loki  ...

It took almost seven days since the day on the balcony. Seven days with increasing tension from all sides and squabbles along warriors who have been used to specific commanders but now find themselves taking orders from others.

Then the coalition set out and Loki used the Tessaract to open a portal bigger than he ever had before, allowing several ships at once to pass through.

Two days more of waiting, allowing Heimdal to get his bearings and find a point on which to focus. Thanos’ armada is oddly small but no less deadly. [Y/N] had called some of the ships “donuts” – apparently a name for a pastry that’s revered particular in the western hemisphere of Midgard – but the Accuser Warships get no nicknames to lighten their harrowing presence.

One by one, the enemy vessels come into view as all around Loki and [Y/N], who are standing on the bridge of the main Alfïr ship, commands are uttered and followed without hesitation.

“It is time,” the High Priestess hums, her usual ethereal garb covered with polished armour and translucent blades, “we await your final order, Saviour.”

Saviour. It is the title that has been given [Y/N] and one which she only has accepted because there was no other option. As always it makes her cringe for a second before she manages to shake the sense of misguided shyness away and look to the other main ships along the allied forced.

The song is soft-flowing, travelling through the hulls to reach everyone in the coalition fleet before building and reaching a powerful chant that bolsters the hearts of all that listen.

Prepare. Prepare to fight for glory and the safety of our homes. Fight for those we love. Fight for life as we know it. Fight. FIRE!

Unspoken commands are followed from each ship with long-ranged cannons and the gleaming lights streak across the vast darkness of space between the opposing forces.

Don’t hold back. Show them our might. Fight for the life of your loved ones. FIRE!

The first impact have barely lit up the shields of the enemy ships before a new volley is released.

Stand fast. Stay strong. Do not let evil take us over.

There’s a thrumming hum as every ship establishes their shields in a collective, shimmering barrier just in time for the answering volley to miss the allied vessels.