The End…
After Tony left, Natasha and Bruce continued chatting for a while. Eventually the Strongest Avenger yawned into the back of his palm.
“Don’t tell me you’re tired of my company already,” Natasha said in a soft playful voice.
“Oh never, Nat, I’m just—ahh—I think I’m still recovering from yesterday.”
“Of course Bruce, it’s a miracle you survived—you should really be getting some extra rest.”
“You’re probably right,” he said a little ruefully, “oh man I gotta say goodnight to everybody—” he looked at Natasha nervously, “I hate goodbyes.”
“You saved half the planet, big guy, don’t worry about making appearances. Go to bed, I’ll cover for you.”
“Thanks Nat,” Bruce smiled gratefully, “goodnight, I owe you.”
“Night, Bruce.”
Natasha leaned back in the swing bench and looked up at the stars.
“Sitting alone in the corner at a party? How very maudlin of you Tasha.”
Natasha chuckled softly under her breath as she felt her friend take a seat next to her on the bench.
“I’m Russian it comes naturally.”
Natasha looked over to Sylvie curiously, “I saw you talking with Steve, everything alright?”
“Yeah,” Sylvie was quiet for a moment, “he doesn’t belong in this time… not really.”
Natasha’s head moved in the barest hint of a nod as her eyes looked faraway.
“Steve has always been a bit of an anachronism, I know it’s hard for him sometimes.”
“Harder now.”
“Why is that?”
“He doesn’t have a war to fight. Anyone depending on him to protect. Most importantly, he now knows time travel exists…”
Realization dawned on Natasha’s face and she smiled a little sadly at her friend.
“He can’t make a life here, because he knows what’s waiting for him, back there…”
“He and I both felt a sense of responsibility to keep things going after the blip. Steve held support groups here on earth, and I kept the off world communication open. But now… it feels different, like maybe we can both finally move on.”
A smile tugged at Sylvie’s lips, “Change can be good… I hope you’ll let me know if there is anything I can do to help.”
Natasha took her hand and squeezed it lightly with a smile.
“You’ve already given me this second chance, I couldn’t ask for more. It’s time for you and Loki to let go of the past as well, you have each other now.”
“…And that’s more than enough.”
Natasha nodded and smiled warmly at that, “Now, let’s go find your lover boy, it’s getting past my bedtime and if I don’t say goodnight now I never will.”
The two women each stood up from the swing and wandered off together. As they walked they passed groups of people in various states of drunkenness enjoying the party.
Rhodey was telling jokes to a group of military groupies who hung on his every word. Women surrounded Thor as he told epic tales of faraway worlds he’d seen and waxed poetic on great beauties he had met.
Maria Hill had cornered her prey for the evening and winked at Natasha and Sylvie as they passed.
As they approached the bar Sylvie spotted Loki stood by Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes.
“Shit.” Natasha muttered under her breath.
Sylvie looked at her questioningly but Natasha waved off her concerns.
“It’s fine, probably nothing.”
Loki looked torn somewhere between bored, weary, and curiously amused.
“—man, I know you’re not used to meeting people older than you, Buck, but I can’t imagine how it feels to run into someone older who can also out drink you!” Sam laughed.
Bucky wavered as he appraised Loki, his arms crossed over his chest.
“Jury’s still out on the drinking… But you’re not a super soldier, and you’re supposed to be what? A couple hundred years old—like a vampire or something?”
“A bit older—decidedly not like a vampire.”
“He’s right, even as an alien shouldn’t you at least look… older?” Sam asked, unsure how to articulate his question.
“My people age differently, at a slower rate…”
“What like in dog years?”
Loki considered this for a moment, “I suppose if you consider humans to be the dogs who age much quicker, then yes, a bit like that—”
“—So how old are you in human years?”
“Well my place in the timeline is out of sync, though I would imagine regardless I am approximately… one thousand and change?”
Bucky and Sam stared at him.
“Bullshit.” Sam said, eyes narrowed in disbelief.
Loki furrowed his brow.
“Is this really a surprise to you? Your people have known of my father for centuries—”
“That is true,” Bucky raised his brow and looked at Sam.
“Yeah but, I mean…”
Loki exhaled heavily and took another sip of his drink as the two humans processed the information.
“So… if you were human? You’d be like—what?”
“Err, somewhere in my late twenties I believe?”
“Oh. Weird. Uh, well you don’t look twenty but you definitely don’t look a thousand.”
Loki rolled his eyes, “In neither case do I look that age for a human—which I am not.”
“Right.” Bucky nodded his head absently, his head swimming somewhat.
“Loki, it’s nearly pumpkin time.”
All three men turned at the sound of Natasha’s voice as she and Sylvie approached.
“Evenin’ Natasha,” Bucky smiled at Nat a little shyly and tried to appear more sober than he felt.
“Hi James,” Natasha smiled back, their eyes meeting briefly before she looked at Sam and they exchanged friendly nods in greeting.
“I don’t believe we’ve met,” Sam extended a hand to Sylvie confidently, “Sam Wilson.”
“Sylvie…” she shook his hand firmly earning a little wince from Sam at her strength which she secretly enjoyed.
“We were just talkin’ to your boy here, you’re aware how much older he is, right?”
Sylvie looked at him incredulously, “I promise you I’m much older than you think—but let’s leave it at that.”
“Like myself, Sylvie is not of Earth…” Loki said with a smirk, as he stepped toward her and slipped a hand subtly low around her back, “its part of her charm…”
Sylvie raised a brow at him with amusement. He seemed a bit tipsy and his eyes were heavy with a combination of drink and desire.
Natasha shook her head softly, “What have you boys been drinking?”
“Thor dared me to try that special Asgardy stuff, so Loki brought some,” Bucky tried to explain.
Loki looked at him skeptically, “I conjured Asgardian mead at my brother’s request, so that he might challenge the mettle of Mr Barnes here.”
“I see that went well,” Sylvie rolled her eyes but looked at Loki with a sultry smirk and murmured to him softly, “whatever will I do with you now?”
“Whatever you wish,” he whispered back heatedly.
“Alright, alright I’m getting these two out of here—I know those steamy looks.” Natasha shook her head and sighed wearily.
“Oh boy,” Sam chuckled at the implication and Bucky smacked his arm with a disapproving look.
“Goodnight gentlemen, this was… a unique experience,” Loki attempted to remain chivalrous despite his mild inebriation.
Sylvie pinched Loki and he amended slightly.
“It was a pleasure to meet you, and I hope you both enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“Thanks man, you too,” Sam clapped his hand into Loki’s in a loose handshake and gave him a knowing wink.
“Goodnight Natasha—and Loki and Sylvie, good to meet ya,” Bucky smiled warmly.
“Goodnight,” Sylvie said politely and took Loki’s hand in hers.
“Night boys, I’ll see you around,” Natasha smirked and headed off to the exit followed by the amorous couple.
Loki hesitated just before they reached the door to go inside and looked around.
“Where’s Thor?” Loki asked sounding a little anxious.
“BROTHER!”
As if on cue Thor boomed from a ways away as he jogged over, puffing and out of breath.
“Brother! I did not realize you were to depart so soon, embrace me,” he grabbed Loki and hugged him tightly.
“Thurgh—”
Loki felt the air knocked from his lungs and struggled not to be sick on him.
“Thor, not so hard—I’d prefer he remain uncrushed,” Sylvie put her hand on Thor’s arm and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Oh, yes, of course—apologies brother,” Thor released Loki and held him at arms length to regard him proudly.
“Little brother, my heart aches to see you go, yet still soars to see you so happy, and to know we shall see one another again.”
Loki gave him a lopsided grin, “Very soon, brother, lest you get yourself killed in my prolonged absence.”
Thor laughed and clapped him on the shoulder happily before turning to Sylvie with his arms outstretched.
“And Sylvie! My dear sis-Sylvie, I feel most honored to have made your acquaintance, and look forward to reuniting in the future again.”
Sylvie sighed but smiled regardless and stood on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his shoulders.
“Goodbye, brother,” Sylvie whispered in his ear and Thor gasped with delight and hugged her a little tighter.
“Careful—brother,” Loki reminded him sternly and Thor made a conscious effort not to squeeze her too hard.
When he stepped back Thor had tears brimming in his eyes which he brushed away hastily and sniffed.
“Goodnight Thor,” Natasha said with soft smile, “Bruce already headed back so make sure you stick with Steve for the rest of the night. I don’t want to hear about anyone finding a naked God of Thunder in their elevator tomorrow morning.”
“Pfft, that was only once Natasha and you know my honor does not abide the refusal of a dare.”
Natasha gave him her sternest look and he held up his hands in acquiescence.
“Good. I’ll see you for breakfast in the morning, or whenever you roll out of bed.”
“Good night Natasha, and fare thee well to you both, brother and Sylvie, my fondest wishes are with you!”
Loki and Sylvie both smiled and followed Natasha once again, this time uninterrupted as they departed the building.