Round 8
ROUND 8 IS CLOSED.
Welcome to norsekink!
Keep up the awesome, folks.
Attention:
M ind the new rules that have gone up over the course of the last round.
NOTE: We've noticed that some of the prompts being posted have Thor characters only making cameos or not featured at all. We realize that Thor is closely involved in the Avengers, but we're requesting that ( Read more... )
Welcome to norsekink!
Keep up the awesome, folks.
Attention:
M ind the new rules that have gone up over the course of the last round.
NOTE: We've noticed that some of the prompts being posted have Thor characters only making cameos or not featured at all. We realize that Thor is closely involved in the Avengers, but we're requesting that ( Read more... )
Heimdall sees all things, in all places, at all times.
He witnesses a summer storm gathering over Asgard farms; the roaring snowbirds migrating through Jotunheim; events, both small and significant, unfolding four realms to the north and four realms to the south, and in Midgard, which lies in the center. He is gifted, too, with future-sight, and must turn away fortune-seekers (mothers and children, servants and kings) who wish to exploit his ability for their own benefit. Your road lies before you, and it twists and splits in many directions, he tells them. I cannot be a compass to guide the way. You must choose for yourself.
Loki’s road is more tangled than most. It crests over mountains and droops into valleys; it ends at some points and circles in others, leaving him lost and frustrated. (Heimdall, who does not often spare sentiment, admits that Loki's circumstances were not fair; Odin should never have taken what was not his, but those roads are now closed to them. They can only press forward.) As an adult, Loki’s heavyheartedness led him down villainous, wicked paths, and Heimdall desired to caution the young prince against such behavior-but it was not his place, as he did not command enough of Loki’s respect to make a difference. The task of setting Loki aright, if it could be accomplished at all, would fall on another’s shoulders.
In the end, Steve Rogers carried the burden.
History suggested the Captain would be nothing more than Loki’s adversary, until Surtur and his forces struck Asgard. The Avengers loyally arrived to Thor’s aid, as he had done for Earth numerous times before, and amidst the unexpected, chaotic siege, Loki’s map diverged into three directions: he could join his brother and protect the fatherland; he could assist Surtur and betray his brethren; or he could take neither side, refusing to invest in a battle he did not consider worthwhile. Heimdall predicted Loki would favor the third path-but as Loki made to flee the assault, Heimdall saw him turn to where the palace burned in the distance; where women and children rushed away in terror; where Frigga desperately fought for her life, and Loki did something few ever can: he retraced his steps and chose another road. He hurried to ally with Thor and the others, arriving in time to retrieve the Captain’s shield, which Steve had lost in the discord, fling it back to him, and boldly plunge into the fight like a true prince defending his country.
Between Loki, the Midgardians, and Odin's army, they managed to drive Surtur out.
Three of Thor’s teammates returned to their realm, intent on protecting their own homeland from whomever would take advantage; Steve Rogers and Bruce Banner remained in Asgard, assisting in the palace’s reconstruction. Loki, too, lingered so that he could contribute to the engineering efforts, a muted, humble gesture that Heimdall did not expect. Outwardly, in view of guards and the King, Loki held himself pridefully-but the hours spent in Steve’s solitary presence, carting away stones and resetting statues, brought him a rare peace. They coexisted calmly, communicating with body language and, later, verbal expression.
In the following months, the palace became whole once more. Heimdall watched from his post, noting the way Loki and Steve, both of whom could never call Asgard their true home, did not wander far from each other. Loki made a point of leading Steve to quiet places: the forest, where a clean river runs through, or high towers, the height of which afforded them a grand view. Loki’s strange kindness unsettled Thor, but Heimdall assured his future king that Loki did not intend Steve Rogers harm. Rather, Loki realized his actions during Odin’s sleep would not, and should not, be forgotten-and that Steve was one of the few who would allow Loki the chance to reforge his image.
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Heimdall stood alone once more.
He watched Loki exist in the fringes of Asgard; he watched the Avengers shoulder their duties in Manhattan; he watched Muspelheim, Svartalfheim, Jotunheim, all simultaneously, his mind easily accepting the overwhelming influx of information. He watched, too, Steve Rogers, who regularly inquired about Loki when Thor came to Earth, expressing a sincere urge to see him. Thor acknowledged Steve’s sentiments, only to gently suggest it was best that Loki keep away from their fragile planet. The counsel, while wise, convinced Steve of Loki’s indifference, and Loki of his own repugnancy.
April, May and June passed in America when, finally, Loki walked the long route to the Bifrost. Heimdall spied him before he ever arrived.
“Your road lies before you, and it twists and splits in many directions. I cannot be a compass to guide the way. You must choose for yourself,” Heimdall said, when at last Loki solemnly appeared. “But I will tell you this: Steve Rogers wishes your presence on Earth.”
There, on the bridge, Loki’s road split again. He could choose a single direction.
Gods and mortals do not easily love together: choosing Steve would oblige Loki to protect Midgard at the Avengers’ side; to accept Steve’s susceptibility to hunger, thirst, illness and sleep; to keep company with his friends, regardless of whether they accept Loki; and to understand that he would, inevitably, outlive them all.
But the second road was not without its merits. A life in Midgard would be filled with much joy. Steve was a faithful man, and would be a faithful spouse. He was patient, forgiving, selfless, and charitable, and, like Loki, did not feel fully integrated in everyday life. Their displacement would give Steve and Loki the opportunity to learn together, combining their maps and choosing roads as partners.
As a kindness, Heimdall added, “Neither direction will spare you pain. You can suffer his absence now, or suffer it later.”
In the end, Loki had gone to Midgard. Heimdall watched his journey to Earth, and to Steve, who, moments before, had been arguing against Tony’s custom-and quite dangerous-July 4th fireworks, only to lose his words when he noticed Loki’s quiet entrance. In the time it took a raindrop to hit the planted fields, or a snowbird to flap its enormous wings, Loki had implored Steve’s forgiveness with the mere act of being there; Steve granted it, under the condition Loki would not run away again.
His life with Steve Rogers had been, as Heimdall predicted, filled with much joy.
And now, here, again, years since Steve’s graceful descent into old age and death: Loki standing with Heimdall at Asgard’s gates.
“I know why you are here,” Heimdall says.
“And I know what you will say,” Loki parries. “'My road lies before me, and it twists and splits in many directions. You cannot be a compass to guide the way. I must choose for myself.'”
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“You are so quick to refuse sharing your future-sight,” he goes on. “I wonder if you might share other truths.”
“You wish to know if you should have chosen differently.”
“Yes.”
“I did caution that you would suffer his absence regardless.”
“Yes, you did.”
“You mourn him.”
“Yes,” Loki echoes. “Often.”
“And would you take it all back, if such an option were available to you?”
On the opposite side of the bridge: the sound of a young girl laughing, followed by Thor’s booming voice playfully calling after her. Loki looks to where she is practicing swords with her uncle. Her black hair and green eyes are Loki’s, but Steve is apparent in the way she strives, at all times, to be truthful and fair. She is their daughter in every respect, and will one day rule Asgard with Steve’s clemency and Loki’s wit.
Loki shakes his head.
He would not take it back.
Heimdall says nothing, but he sees Valhalla, where Steve is waiting patiently for his husband to arrive. To get there, Loki's road will split in many directions, cresting mountains and sinking into valleys, ending at some points and circling in others, but his map is much clearer now, and he will follow the highest paths until the journey finally, finally ends.
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I have no words for this
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