Happy endings weren’t usually meant for Loki. He didn’t expect one and at a certain point, he managed to convince himself that he didn’t want one in the first place. The fact of the matter is, not even fate wanted him to find happiness. So he closed himself off from it, focused on putting one foot in front of the other, because if Loki was anything, he was a survivor, him more than most.
That was why he felt like he stumbled off the edge of a cliff when he stepped through the portal onto the wooden docks of New Asgard. The sea breeze gently caressed his face and whipped his cape around his ankles as the sunset cast long shadows onto the wharf. Following him came Kid Loki, his black locks waving in the wind, carrying the-alligator-who-might-be-a-Loki. Then came Boastful Loki, who was finally quiet for once in his life. Finally, the Loki who worked for the TVA and his pet agent Mobius peered through, standing in the doorway to keep it open.
“Well, this is where we leave you,” Mobius said, giving them a wave. “See you around.”
Kid Loki turned back to give them a wave before the doorway closed and they all turned to face New Asgard.
“Now what?” he asked, turning to the two older Lokis.
“I… I don’t know,” Loki admitted. “I never… I never thought I’d get this far.” He glanced around. They were standing on a dock, a short distance from New Asgard. Before he could actually make a choice, Alligator Loki wiggled out of Kid Loki’s arms and set off at a brisk crawl away from them and onto the beach.
“Hey! Wait!” Kid Loki jumps up and runs after him. Loki quickly changes his appearance to better match what people might wear on Midgard and runs after them both. Boastful Loki was left mostly to fend for himself, although he does follow eventually, realizing that there was probably more safety in numbers.
Quickly, Loki picked up his own pace to follow the kid and the alligator, concerned that they were up to trouble. It was not unfounded--Lokis are always looking for, running away from, or just plain in trouble.
However, the young one was too fast for his old bones. Each step felt like it was sinking deeper and deeper in the sand. Loki eventually stumbled to a halt, panting. A sudden glare from one side reminded him that the sun was setting. Standing, he looked out over the ocean… And saw a familiar hunched shape, darkened against the setting sun. Slowly, he walked closer.
The hunched figure slowly came into focus. His formerly blonde hair was now more silver than gold. It hung long and unruly, blowing lightly in the breeze. When Loki was close enough, he saw that the large, hunched man was holding something in his hands. Thor. When he set the object into the waves, Loki saw what it was--a tiny, ornate boat, decorated with snakes and a single green candle flickering in the middle.
As the boat left Thor’s fingers, Loki stepped forward and cleared his throat.
“What, you couldn’t find a larger boat to send me off with?” he asked, his voice coming out thicker than he would have liked.
Thor immediately stood, whipping around with a wild beard and an even wilder look in his eye.
“Loki?” he asked, his voice gravelly and ashen with age. “Brother--could it truly be--?”
Loki spread his arms and smiled, acting like he could care less, but his eyes were watering. He internally blamed the stiff ocean wind, even though it was a very calm day. “Yes. It is me, brother.”
Slowly, hesitantly, Thor reached out one hand. It hovered barely a centimeter above Loki’s shoulder before laying down, trembling like a leaf. A deep gust of breath whooshed from Thor’s nose before he grabbed Loki into a near bone-crushing hug.
“My brother!” Thor shouted right in Loki’s ear, but he couldn’t find enough spite in him to care. His brother. “My brother is home! You--you tricky--backstabbing--”
“Yes, yes, I know, this truly was my most spectacular trick,” Loki replied, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotion. He hugged Thor back with equal gusto, squeezing his brother tightly.
After several long minutes of standing in the hug, they drew apart. Thor kept both hands on Loki’s arms, scrutinizing him closely as if he still didn’t believe this to be true.
“I won’t apologize,” Loki said, before Thor could say anything. That broke the tension; Thor laughed heartily.
“No, and I don’t expect one,” he chortled. Then, his gaze slid over Loki’s shoulder and his eyebrows furrowed. “Did you have a child, Loki?”
Loki turned to follow his gaze, and saw the kid carrying the alligator in his arms, looking distinctly ill. “Ah… That. That’s a long story… But in short, he is me, but younger.” He turned back. “He killed his brother.”
“Ah.” Thor stepped away from Loki and approached the boy, who took a few steps back, away from the much taller god. “My newest younger brother,” he beamed, kneeling in front of the boy, who looked about two seconds away from throwing up--or throwing a knife. “It is good to meet you.” He looked at the kid, searching deep in his eyes. “I don’t think your brother would blame you,” he said, gently. Kid Loki flinched, pulling the alligator closer to himself. Alligator Loki hissed. “I truly believe so, because I am your brother. You may not know this, but after you transformed into a snake, then stabbed me, I decided that a good way to exact my revenge was to push you off of your horse when we went riding. But you fell straight into the den of a very angry bear. If Father had not come to save us, you would have been mauled to death… But if this multiverse theory is true, there is a universe where my prank would have gone horribly wrong as well. I know it was a game between us to try and murder each other. I do not blame you for accidentally succeeding. You truly did not mean it, brother. I can see it in your eyes. Be free of this guilt.”
The kid blinked back tears and loosened his grip on the alligator, who wiggled out of his arms again. This time, it stayed at their feet.
“You really think so?” he asked, his young voice standing in sharp contrast against the much older gods. “Truly?”
“Yes. Now come here,” Thor grinned, pulling Kid Loki into his arms for a big hug. “I know how much you hate hugs, brother, but I think this occasion merits one.” He glanced over at the adult Loki and inclined his head. “And you too! I have mourned the loss of my brother for so many years… And now, I have two of you!” The alligator hissed, and Boastful Loki peered out at them from behind a tree where he had hidden himself. Thor looked very bemused, but took it in stride. “Ah--four, my apologies. This calls for a celebration! A feast, in your honor, to celebrate the return of Loki, Prince of Asgard and our glorious savior!”