Loki's origins
The castle was eerily quiet as you made your ways through the halls. Everyone you passed had a solemn look on their face, which was understandable. Although Odinsleep was normal for Allfather, this one was unplanned, if they didn’t get to him in time he may never awaken. You and Odin may have your differences, but he was a good king to his people, you couldn’t help but feel sorry for each resident you passed. But you didn’t have time to help them mourn, you needed to find Loki. You paused in front of the library doors. Taking a breath you reached up to the doors but froze when you heard a familiar voice behind you.
“Not here.”
You turned quickly coming face to face with Loki. You caught his gaze but something felt off. Not Loki. One of his doubles stood in front of you.
“Come to the vault.”
You simply nodded your head and the double disappeared. You turned on your heels, once again your body led the way as your mind began to envision every scenario as to why he wanted to meet down there. Before you knew it your feet stopped, causing you to snap out of your thoughts and gaze up. The doors to the vault stood before you, there were no guards in sight. A chill went down your spine, but you raised your hand and pushed open the doors. The vault was darker than you imagined and far larger. Seeing as you were, in Odin’s eyes, an outsider you had never actually entered the vault before. It reminded you of the dungeon, which froze you in your spot. You scanned the area for Loki but with only a few lamp posts lighting the room you could not distinguish him from the other shadows.
“Come in.”
Loki’s voice echoed through the vault, it sounded strained, as if he had been yelling. You took a deep breath, clenching your fists to stop them from shaking, and headed down the stairs of the vault. As you walked you noticed countless artifacts lining the edges of the hallway, each more exquisite looking than the last. You had to force your eyes away from one artifact with a large flame, focusing back on the task at hand. You turned your gaze forward, beginning to make out a silhouette in the shadows. As you inched closer you noticed Loki standing in front of a glowing blue cube. You paused about 2 meters away from him. You both remained silent for a few moments before you finally thought of something to say.
“Why here?”
Loki did not turn around but answered.
“Heimdall cannot see or hear us here.”
You moved to take a step back but stopped yourself. It’s just Loki, he won’t hurt you. Again you remained in silence. There were so many things you wanted to say but nothing would come out. Eventually, the tension got the better of you.
“I’m sorry.”
Your voice was a lot quieter than you had anticipated, you were afraid he didn’t hear you, but you notice his back tense.
“Why?”
His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. He still remained turned away from you making it impossible to read his emotions. Instead, you decided to spill all of yours.
“For leaving. I should have stayed to talk things out, so we could understand each other.”
You paused. This all sounded better in my head. Your gaze dropped to the floor and you bit your lip, trying to think of a better way to express yourself.
“You shouldn’t be the one to apologize, I was the monster.”
You snapped your gaze back up meeting his. Has he been crying? Your heart nearly broke in two as you processed Loki’s expression. He always excelled at concealing his emotions, but right now they were written on his face plain as day. You took a few steps closer to him.
“Loki, what’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
Your eyes scanned his body, looking for whatever could be causing him pain.
“No.”
He sounded tired. You brought your eyes back up to meet his. He looked as if he was about to cry.
“Loki, what happened?”
He pulled his eye’s away turning back towards the blue cube.
“I did not intend for Thor to be banished. I just wanted to prove that I was a better successor than him.”
He paused. He tried to calm his voice but it strained from holding back his emotions.
“But now I know, no matter what I did, no matter how good I was, he would have never made me king.”
You could sense the anger and pain in his voice. You wanted to comfort him but something kept you rooted in your place. You both stood in silence, you were unsure what response he was expecting. You decided to question him but before you could speak he continued.
“I’m just a monster. A relic. I belong here with all the others.”
He sounded defeated as he leaned against the pedestal that held the blue cube. You had pieced it together and knew where this was going. Anger built up inside you. How dare Odin let him feel like a monster. You wanted to console him but decided it was best if he told you himself. He remained silent and you couldn’t take it anymore. You closed the distance between you two, coming within arm’s reach.
“Loki, what are you talking about? You are not a monster.”
His hand merely reached up, fingers brushed against the blue cube. You felt the temperature drop and goosebumps began to cover your skin. You kept your eyes on his hand, half expecting what would happen. But you still had to hold back a gasp as his skin began to turn blue.
“I’m one of them.”
His voice cracked.
“A monster.”
He turned red eyes meeting yours. You froze, fighting back all instincts your body threw at you. You steadied your breathing keeping eye contact with him.
“You are not a monster.”
Loki tensed.
“Don't you understand! I am a Frost Giant! Laufey's son! I am the monster parents tell their children about! I don’t belong here!”
Loki’s screams echoed through the vault, tears threatening to spill down his cheeks. You felt your heart begin to race but kept your composure.
“You may be a Frost Giant, but that doesn’t make you a monster.”
Loki froze, his eye’s not leaving yours.
“What?”
His voice came out more confused than angry.
“What you are doesn’t make you a monster, it’s what you do that decides that. You were the one who taught me that. Or was all that a lie?”
Loki was taken aback by your words. His expression began to soften and his eyes dropped to the floor.
“That was different.”
“No, it isn’t. You are a good person Loki, whether you are a Frost Giant or not.”
You reached out, grabbing his hand and softly removing it from the blue cube. Your fingers tingled at the touch, the intense cold attempting to burn through your skin, but your powers kept them at bay. He flinched at the contact, attempting to pull away, but you kept hold. Your eyes were on his which remained locked on your hands.
“How..?”
His skin began to return to its normal hue followed by his eyes. His gaze returned to meet yours.
“See, not a monster. No matter what anyone says or thinks, you are Loki, prince of Asgard. My friend.”
Loki held your gaze for a moment but then turned away, releasing his hand from your grasp. For some reason, your hand felt colder without his.
“But it’s my fault, all of it, Thor, father.”
You felt a pang of guilt.
“You cannot be blamed for everything Loki. Even you couldn't have foreseen all of this.”
Loki turned back to you and you gave him a soft smile.
“All you can do now is be there for Odin and Lady Frigga. I am sure he will awaken in no time. And Thor is strong, he will find a way home.”
Loki’s expression hardened and something flickered in Loki’s eyes that you couldn’t distinguish.
“You are right. For now, I will stay by my father’s side.”
He turned to leave but paused turning back to you.
“Thank you, (Y/N), for everything.”
His genuine smile brought a blush to your cheeks. You dropped your gaze.
"I simply wanted to make sure you were okay."
You heard him smirk before turning and walking away. You heard the vault doors open and close and felt relief washed over you, a smile appearing on your face. You had your Loki back.