Chapter Text
They'd successfully arrived on Midgard - Earth - landing on the vast green grassfield that the Allfather had referred to as 'home'. The Asgardians and Sakaarian rebels stepped out of the Statesman in files with Thor at their lead, milling out onto the grassland and glancing around in nervous wonder. The place was deserted for the moment, but Loki had no doubt their arrival would be picked up soon by Earth's intelligence and end the momentary quietness.
Last time he was here on Earth (Technically, the time before last time, but last time wasn't much of a visit), he'd led an army through a wormhole in the city of New York, raining destruction upon its citizens and killing thousands of innocents. His mind in a spiteful, hateful haze, hell bent on enslaving the entire human race, seeing them as nothing but ants, just because Thor cared dearly for them, because he wanted to show the universe that he could do it. He hadn't enjoyed the killing or the destruction then, truely, merely saw it as necessity and worthy sacrifice for his conquest. His humiliating defeat at the hands of his brother and the Avengers was humbling. Thinking back, he was foolish for believing that the humans were defenseless worms that he could easily crush. As old Odin had berated him, they, the Asgardians, were not all-powerful gods.
He could no longer remember the blind hatred that had consumed him and caused him to go on the rampage that he did. He'd since then accepted his heritage, and while he still felt a sort of bitterness for being lied to by the people he loved, it wasn't as if he was the only one who were lied to about various things, and, looking back, again, his actions were quite overblown for something that he would have come to terms with eventually.
In the years following New York, following his imprisonment and following Mother's passing, he had slowly, very slowly, came to the realization that, it wasn't about the power, or the glory, or the throne, or praises or recognition from the people anymore. Well, it had never been about that, as much as he might claim it was to all those he scorn, and all those he didn't.
He'd had a taste of what it was like to rule, and while he certainly didn't dislike it, thoroughly enjoyed making the people of Asgard praise his "sacrifice" and his "heroic deeds", laughed at the ignorance of the people unable to tell that the King they served wasn't really their king,...it was only ever something to fill in the void of what he truely seeked.
Mother and Father were both gone, indirectly, by his own hands. Ragnorak happened, Asgard fell. They'd all lost their home, only the people remained, and too late did he realise that what he seeked was no longer obtainable, that it was all pointless now to attempt to querrel with the only member of his family left, his dear brother Thor.
At the end of the day, all of them, king or royals or guards or commoners, they were all the same. Refugees.
For some reason, that thought was somehow liberating.
As expected, a few minutes after they had landed and started spreading out onto the grassfield like lost souls unsure what they were doing or where they should be, fiery sparks opened itself a portal in front of them, and a few men walked out.
"Thor Odinson," said the man at the lead with dark hair and grey streaks at the sides of his head, wearing deep blue garb and a red cape, "What are you doing here? Why have you brought...these?" the man asked in an accusatory tone, eyeing the obviously non-midgardian refugees around.
Loki remembered this man. He was still a little miffed about the man making him fall through an endless portal for an entire 30 minutes. The Loki of old would have attacked him. At the moment, he had no interest in that at all and merely stood there, observing.
A hostile frown occured on the man's face as soon as he found Loki, and without warning, fiery sparks appeared around Loki's feet. Knowing what was happening this time, Loki lept out of the circle quickly, raising his hands in an attempt to appear non-threatening.
"Wait! I come in peace," Loki said.
"Oh yeah? I'm sure you do," the man said, showing no signs of relenting as he waved his hands and the portal expanded in Loki's direction.
Thor stepped in. "Hey, uh, Doctor Stephen Strange? I know he probably deserves whatever wizardry you're trying to do there, but, I believe he is telling the truth about coming in peace."
Doctor Stephen Strange squinted at Thor, the portal kept open but stopping its expansion for the time being. Loki inched away from the edge discreetly.
"Once again, the correct term is mystic arts," Strange said snappily, "Why have you brought him back? Last time, we agreed on you bringing him and Odin back to Asgard, not bringing more people here."
"Asgard has fallen. My people needed a new home."
Strange thought about it for a second, tilting his head, "That's understandable. Still doesn't explain why he's here?"
"Loki is of Asgard, too," Thor replied.
"Yes, he is of Asgard. He is also someone who once lead an invasion to enslave the human race leading to the death of hundreds," Strange said in exasperation, "Did you think about that?"
Loki took another discreet step away from the edge of the portal. Strange frowned, and the portal expanded so that Loki was once again right at the edge of it. He leaned slightly over the edge, looking down at the swirling, unending darkness that awaited him should he fall in.
"I did. Trust me I know what he's done here is unforgivable, but I believe that he is capable of change and capable of doing things that doesn't involve betraying and hurting others," said Thor, turning suddenly to look at Loki, "Right, Loki?"
Loki looked up, fighting the urge to say something smart or sarcastic. Even he knew that now was not the time. Instead, he opted for something meek and unaggravating, "Yes, brother."
"Right," Thor said, turning back to Strange, "See? He agrees, and he never agrees with me."
Strange merely raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Thor seemed to realize how unconvincing that was, "Alright, I know he is also known for his lies, but I can personally vouch for him, that at this very moment he means no harm. If he does in fact decide to do harm in the future, I will personally bring him to your doorsteps for you to do whatever wizardry to him. You have my word," said Thor.
Strange paused, then, glaring at Loki straight in the eyes, he waved his hands and closed the portal. "There's no need for that. We will be watching," he said without breaking eye contact.
He backed away from Thor, turning and opening another portal back to where he came from. Seeming to remember something, he turned back, did some manipulation of sorcery, and handed Thor a business card, "You might wanna talk to these people. Might be able to help your people settle down," he said. Before Thor could look at the card or reply, he entered the portal and they were gone as soon as they came.
Loki approached Thor, pretending to look at the card.
"You are taking a lot of responsibilities for my actions, brother. What if I betray you?" Loki said, unable to help himself.
Thor looked up, gave Loki a look, "Will you, really, Loki? After everything?"
Loki didn't reply, because he knew, deep down, the answer was a 'No'. It wasn't that he had suddenly become the dictionary example of loyalty. It was just...he didn't really find the prospect of betraying Thor, and by extension his people, too appealing, especially when he'd had a hand in their rescue and betraying them would be akin to undoing his own actions.
Thor gave him a humourless smile, waving the card in front of him, "I'm going to go deal with this."
He gave Loki a pat on the shoulder, then walked briskly back towards the ship.