It was over.
Thor watched as Chitauri disintegrated just like those people did all those years ago. Those who called themselves the Black Order watched in confusion as their bodies turned to ash.
And Thanos.
The one who'd haunted his nightmares for five years. The one who'd taken everything from him in the span of an hour.
The one who was slowly falling to pieces, his quiet sigh of defeat lost in the wind as his beloved Death swept him away.
It was over.
Thor fell to his knees, more tired than he'd ever been in his entire life. The shocked silence seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Then. . .
"We won Mister Stark."
Thor looked around to see a small boy in a red suit not unlike Stark's. His face was splattered with grim battle, dust and sweat and blood. But a smile slowly spread on his face, his eyes glittering with emotion. "We won!"
He hurtled himself into the arms of the Iron Man, laughing with pure, pure joy. The sound brought tears to Thor's good eye. Stark laughed too, squeezing the boy and nestling his face in his shoulder. Pepper made her way over to her husband, kissing him firmly, a smile on her face. The Good Captain was hugging the man he called "Buck," weeping silently while his friend murmured reassurances in his ear. The Guardians of the Galaxy were wrapped up in a group hug, welcoming back a newly-revived Gamora. Families everywhere were reuniting, talking, making up for the past five years of silence.
Whole again.
Content again.
And Thor envied them.
He envied their happiness. He hated how now they could go on, carefree, sorrow no longer clouding their lives, the misery of the past years balmed over by the returns of their loved ones.
He hated that he could not be the same way.
His heart throbbed and his eye prickled with tears. It was like losing Loki all over again, knowing that he had not returned and never would. He had known it would be a long shot for Loki to come back with the snap like everyone else, but he'd still nursed the smallest seed of hope that his little brother would come back to him. That he'd be able to feel his embrace once again, tell him how sorry he was for failing him . . .
That hope now died with Thanos and the rest of his army.
He stood up, wiping stray tears from his face. No one wanted him here. No one wanted his mourning spoiling their celebration. He should probably go now, he thought. Maybe a good beer back in New Asgard would dull the pain, make him forget his failures as an Avenger, king, and brother . . .
The whir of Stark's Nano Tech drew him back from his gloomy thoughts. Shouts of alarm sounded across the battlefield, Barton's colorful swearing rising above all. Thor tensed, readying himself for another threat. Could it be Thanos again? Some sort of trickery?
A tall figure stepped into his line of sight. A figure with dirt and blood streaking his green armor. A figure with tear-stained eyes and curly dark hair framing his pale, haunted face. He walked with a limp, bloody daggers held loosely at his sides. Everyone around him pointed weapons at his face, threatening and demanding answers, but he paid them no heed. His eyes were focused only on the man in front of him. He stopped a few feet where Thor stood in a daze. This could not be happening. His own grief was turning him mad, making him see things.
"Now I know what you are going to say," the man said. His voice was raspier than Thor remembered. Hearing it made his chest ache. "I'm a fool, I know I am. I know I shouldn't have brought the Tesseract from Asgard, and I know I shouldn't have given it to him."
Thor walked as if in a trance, studying the one who looked so much like his brother. He stared at him hungrily, taking in every inch of his face; the high cheekbones, the long, straight nose, and the chapped lips. This would be the last time he'd ever see him, he knew it. Any moment now he'd disappear, and then he would be truly gone.
But the seconds ticked by and he remained blessedly there.
"I'm sorry," he was babbling now. "It's all my fault. This-this is all my fault. I thought I had finally outrun him I thought we were safe, I didn't know-"
Thor said nothing, only stalking closer until they were so close their noses almost touched. The man breathed in a sharp inhale. His eyelashes fluttered close, and he bit his lip fretfully. When he opened his eyes again, they were wet. "Will you say nothing?" he whispered. His whole frame trembled. His voice trembled more. He looked scared, uncertain, everything he should not be. "Thor?"
Thor reached out a shaking hand, letting it hover slightly over his brother's cheek before allowing the lightest of touches. He half-thought it would past right through, and the wonderful illusion would fade completely. He held his breath, hardly daring to hope, to believe . . .
His knuckles brushed against warm, solid, real flesh. He relished in the contact, no matter how small it was. His brother sighed and leaned into his hand, his face the very picture of contentment. Suddenly, Thor couldn't breathe. A lump formed in his throat, allowing no air to come through. He cupped his palm more firmly against his brother's cheek, desperate to make sure, to be absolutely certain-
"Loki?" he choked out. Loki raised his shining eyes to Thor's. A radiant smile spread across his lips, and he grasped at his brother's wrist eagerly, tears streaming down his face openly now. "I'm here."
And that was all Thor needed.
He threw his arms around his brother's shoulders, planning to never let go again. He buried his face in Loki's hair, weeping and blubbering nonsense. He felt his brother's hands clutch at the back of his cape, and he squeezed tighter.
"I'm sorry," he sobbed, sniffing and fighting to get his breathing under control. "I am so sorry, brother."
"Whatever for?" Loki's voice was muffled from where his noise was pressed against the side of his neck. Thor drew back long enough to press a firm kiss against his temple. "I didn't do anything," he whimpered, brushing more kisses along his hairline. "I was there but I didn't do anything. I'm sorry-"
"You oaf," Loki murmured with a warm grin, nuzzling closer with a happy sigh. "You sentimental idiot."
"And then you were gone," Thor hiccupped breathlessly, "and there was nothing I could do. And Thanos wiped out half of the universe and it was all my fault, and I was so lonely and NORNS, Loki I missed you so much."
Loki squeezed his hand, pressing his lips against his cheek with a hum. "I missed you too." he said softly. Thor sniffed. He bent his head down so that his forehead leaned against his brother's. Later they would have to clean up the ruined mess that was the rest of this building. Later there would be politicians demanding to know how half of the universe was back. Later he would greet old friends who had been taken from him, apologize for letting them die. But for now . . . For now he clung to his brother, ignoring the rest of the world. For now, everything was okay.