Chapter 31
The three of them walked into a large room with a long backlit bar along one wall and a number of sitting areas in the middle. The far wall consisted entirely of floor to ceiling windows which looked out over the glittering lights of New York.
Natasha turned to Sylvie and indicated towards the bar, “let’s get something to drink, I want you to meet someone.”
Sylvie touched Loki’s arm gently earning a small nod from him for her to head off with her new friend. He watched them go and drifted to the far wall to look out over the city.
Sylvie followed Natasha to the bar where Bruce was mixing drinks, beaming as they approached.
“Hey Nat, what can I get ya?” He asked warmly.
“Hi Bruce, just a vodka soda for me, and something for my friend here,” she placed her hand on the back of Sylvie’s shoulder, “Bruce, this is Sylvie, she’s Widow approved, get her anything she wants and don’t be stingy.”
Bruce smiled wide, extending a large green hand to the woman, “it’s my pleasure, Sylvie, Dr Bruce Banner, but like she said you can call me Bruce, what can I get for you?”
Sylvie smiled softly, unused to so much attention and shook his large hand, “thank you, Bruce, that’s very kind. I’ll have a scotch, neat, and one for Loki as well please.”
Bruce nodded and carefully poured their drinks, handing Natasha hers first with an affectionate wink. She accepted it, smiling in spite of herself at the flirtation and taking a drink.
Bruce poured two heavy handed drinks for Sylvie and passed them to her just as Steve approached the bar.
“A beer please, my good man,” Steve said casually, leaning against the counter.
Bruce pulled a bottle from an ice bucket and popped the top with his bare hand before handing it to Steve.
“Hi Cap, I imagine you’re angling to meet our girl here,” Natasha said with a casual smirk over the brim of her glass.
“Well now, isn’t that the point?” Steve said with a friendly smile, extending his hand to Sylvie, “Steve Rogers, ma’am, nice to meet you.”
Sylvie set the two drinks down and turned to Steve, “Hi, Sylvie,” she said taking his hand firmly.
“Strong handshake,” Steve nodded with approval, “I always admire that,” he smiled proudly.
Natasha rolled her eyes and picked up one of the glasses of scotch, leaning in to whisper to Sylvie, “I’ll deliver this to your other half, try not to let his stuffy demeanor put you off,” she teased making Sylvie grin.
“Thanks Tasha,” she murmured softly earning a warm smile from the other woman as she walked off with the drinks.
Natasha walked over to where Loki was standing by the floor to ceiling, hands folded behind his back.
“Loki,” she said mildly as she approached catching his attention and handing him the drink, “from your better half,” she smiled.
Loki accepted it with a grateful nod, “Agent Romanov,” then sipped the drink.
“Natasha,” she said with a small smile. “I’m not an agent anymore… besides, you gave me a $2,000 handbag, you can call me by my first name…” she teased.
“Very well, Natasha,” he said respectfully.
They both looked out over the city in silence for a few moments.
“It’s a beautiful city,” Natasha said softly.
“Yes,” he murmured, “particularly by night…”
They avoided the obvious remarks about when he’d attacked it with an alien army, both choosing to leave that unsaid. Natasha took a large sip of her drink and broke the silence.
“What are you getting out of this?” She asked simply.
“Pardon?” Loki asked confused, turning to look at her as she continued to watch the distant lights flicker below them.
“The stones, bringing them here, now. You could have just taken them to Thor, why bring them to all of us?”
Loki considered how to explain.
“The TemPad—the device we used to get here, it’s not the type Sylvie and I are used to operating—it’s more intuitive,” he said.
“What does that mean?” Natasha asked patiently.
“I held the device and thought of when and where I wanted to go. I wanted to see my brother, but I also wanted to make amends…”
Natasha looked at him then, “Why…? You don’t know us, we were never friends, what do you care how we feel?” She studied him carefully.
Loki took a deep steadying breath, “I’m trying to become a better person… not the villain I was supposed to be. Those who orchestrated the flow of time would have me play the part I was cast in—because it was what you needed.” He shrugged a shoulder sadly, “Without me, there would have been nothing to avenge…” his voice tinged with regret.
Natasha considered this and nodded gently for him to continue.
“And I wanted to help, if not to correct my mistake then perhaps to prevent further harm,” he gave her a small smile.
“I’m afraid you’re a little late, we already came to great harm five years ago,” Natasha said quietly.
“Yes, but you can correct it,” Loki said calmly, “I wish to prevent something you cannot.”
Natasha stared at him, finally satisfied with something in his answer and giving a small nod.
Loki studied her for a moment, eyes flicking over her face.
“You are quite a difficult read, Natasha,” Loki said honestly.
“You’re not,” she smiled softly earning a scoff from him. She smirked at him kindly, “you’re crazy about her,” her head nodded in Sylvie’s direction ever so slightly.
Loki’s eyes were downcast and he bit his lip, “Yes,” he said softly.
“She’s another variant,” Natasha said simply.
Loki nodded, still not meeting her gaze.
“Another Loki…” she murmured distractedly looking over at the other woman. “Is that what she is to you? An extension of yourself… some kind of ego trip?” Natasha asked soberly, eyes calculating.
Loki looked up at her, eyes flashing defensively for a brief moment, “No,” he said coldly, expression adamant, “she’s so much more than that…” he stared at Natasha boldly.
“I’ve met other Loki variants… and I’ve seen myself in all of them—even the bloody alligator…” he murmured the last part distractedly earning a frown of confusion from Natasha.
“But that’s not what I see when I look at her…” he looked over to where Sylvie was chatting mildly with Steve, “I don’t see something I’m attracted to about myself,” he said softly, “I see everything I want to be…”
He turned back to Natasha, “I see a better version of who I could be, more pure of purpose,” his eyes softened, “she’s everything that’s always been missing… and with her, I feel whole… she’s makes me a better version of myself.”
Natasha appraised him silently, then smiled faintly, “Good. I agree,” she exhaled with a smile and bumped him gently with her shoulder, “she was right you know, you are a big softy.”
Loki huffed but smiled all the same, glad to know there was someone else looking out for the woman he loved.
Thor arrived a short time later looking surprisingly put together, though still carrying himself as if he intended to drop into a bean bag chair at any moment. He spotted Sylvie and called her over to him.
She walked over to him with a smirk, drink in hand and looking effortlessly radiant.
“Lady Sylvie! I am most honored to make your acquaintance,” Thor gave a slight bow and kissed her hand gallantly when she approached.
Sylvie raised an imperious eyebrow, “uh, yes… hello Thor, really that isn’t necessary…”
“Nonsense! From what I hear,” he leaned in to whisper in a pitch just as loud as a normal speaking voice, “you are a lady of Asgard, royalty no less!”
Sylvie huffed and looked around to be sure no one had over heard that, “yes, I was once… now, I’m just Sylvie—no titles—just Sylvie,” she explained firmly.
Thor nodded his understanding though his face conveyed that he did not fully understand.
“Regardless, you arrived with my brother, and he claims you have no small part in his journey of atonement and recompense,” he said proudly, “you therefore hold the highest esteem within my eyes.”
Sylvie’s expression softened slightly at his earnestness, “my god, you really do speak like that all the time, don’t you?” she teased mildly.
Thor looked confused, “like what? I speak as you do, and Loki, and anyone else—”
She shook her head with a playful grin, “nevermind, bad joke,” she sipped her drink looking amused, “my brother was like you, loud and boastful—but he had a good heart…”
“Ah yes! Another Thor! I knew there had to be other versions of me!”
“Well, not technically… he didn’t create a nexus event so he was never pruned by the TVA, just reset and sent on his way. In a manner of speaking… you’re him,” she reasoned sadly.
Thor looked mildly confused again, but this time slightly sad as well, “so… you could have been my sister… and I wouldn’t remember it?”
Sylvie sighed, “afraid so… that’s just how they wor—oof” she practically spilled her drink as Thor wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug.
“I’m sorry Sylvie, I don’t know if I’m that same Thor, or another version, or even really how it all works, but you deserve to be remembered,” he sniffled into her hair as she patted his back, unsure what else to do.
“There, there,” she said tightly, “no harm done…” and pulled back hoping he would release her which he eventually did.
“I apologize, it is most undignified for a prince of Asgard to sniffle so,” he straightened up looking embarrassed.
“No more undignified than any other adult man…” she said under her breath distractedly looking around the room.
Thor took a deep steadying breath and regained his composure, “All the same, I must reassert my strength in your eyes—come, we shall drink what the humans call ‘shots’!”
Sylvie exhaled wearily but followed Thor anyway figuring she could use another drink, finishing off the last of what remained in her glass.