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It was an entirely normal thing for the most part, soulmates. It was a normal part of life now and had been for centuries. People around the world met their soulmates every day. But when you really thought about it, it was such an odd thing, unexplained, with unknown origins. The idea of your one true love wasn’t a fairy tale. That one perfect person for everyone existed. But what also existed was the agonizing fear that you may never meet them. That you might never feel the burn, that you might never get close enough to meet them. It’s worse if you feel it and can’t track them down. You are always left with that horrible feeling of being so close, but not close enough.
The burning get’s worse and worse the closer you get, only stopping when you touch for the first time. Sometimes it’s constant, and you get used to it. Sometimes it fluctuates, but for the most part, it’s always present, but very subtle. But for many, the burn was never present. The world was big, sometimes you just weren’t close enough. Things changed when it was discovered that aliens were real. And that they too, felt the burn. Was it possible for an alien from another world, to have a soulmate galaxies away from them?
Those who had never felt their burn, feared that this was the case. And many began to feel hopeless. Thinking they might never feel the burn, and never meet their soulmates. For a long time, you felt the same. Having never felt the burn. Until one day. For the first time. You did.
**Flashback**
(Reader POV)
You were in the midst of the battle for New York, fighting side by side with Steve and Natasha. When it happened, you didn’t really pay attention to it, not until it got almost unbearable. You looked down at your hands, thinking maybe you had gotten hurt by one of the Chitauri’s weapons, or burnt by one of the explosions, but when you saw no wound, you figured it out.
It’s the burn.
But why now? In the midst of battle when the whole city population is running for their life. You also found it odd that you’ve been in New York for a while, and never felt the burn.
For a moment, you considered the Chitauri, but that thought left as soon as it showed up. And you forced the pain away, continuing to fight for the fate of Earth. The burning faded towards the end of the battle as you left New York with a SHIELD team, leaving the rest of the Avengers to arrest Loki.
As the pain faded, your hope of ever meeting your soulmate faded with it.
(Loki’s POV)
Flying over the city, Loki felt the burn. It was intense, but his anger was more-so, how could his soulmate possibly be a human, and from Earth. No. He refused to believe it. His soulmate couldn’t possibly be a one of these weak people.
He was on Earth once before, in New Mexico. Briefly, but he was there, but he didn’t feel the burn. So why now? Here? Were you too far away then?
Even though he felt this anger and refusal, he couldn’t entirely push away the feeling of guilt he felt deep in his chest. He was terrorizing and destroying the home of his one true love. He could be the main cause of their suffering, and maybe even their death. He tried to push the guilt away, but it lingered, even when the burning began to fade, and disappeared entirely when he left Earth with Thor. And much to his disdain, the guilt would continue to linger for a long time.
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For a long time, ever since Loki was young, he would stare up at the stars and wonder how long it would take for him to be united with his soulmate. His mother would often tell him stories of how wonderful it was when you first met them, and that it was a type of unconditional love you could never resist, a type of love that made you feel whole.
He would look up at the stars and wonder where in the galaxies his soulmate was. For he knew that it was possible they lived very very far away. Asgard was small, and if your soulmate was here, the burn would be ever-present. But he didn’t feel the burn. Thousands of years passed as he grew older and traveled to new planets, he never felt it. He feared that maybe he would never meet them. That he would never be able to feel that unconditional love.
And as time continued to move on, he changed, the events on Asgard that changing his life and future. He forced the idea of love back into his mind, never bothering to daydream about that love again.
And then New York happened, and he couldn’t help but remember, that no matter how he tried to forget, or push it away. His soulmate did exist, and they were on Earth. A place he could surely never be welcome to again. A place that hates him. Including you. You must hate him, truly you must. And he wouldn’t blame you for it. He deserved it.
He accepted this. But there was an ever creeping thought at the back of his mind always trying to convince him to sneak back onto Earth. To meet you, or at least see you. You were from Earth. A mortal. He might not have as much time as he wanted.
When he did go back to Earth, it was not to find you, no, that wasn’t it. But to place his father in that home, to hide him away to take his place on Asgard, the burn was present, and intense. But he fled quickly, too afraid to look for you. Then when he returned to Earth with Thor, the burn was present again. With the events that proceeded, he did not have time to really think about it, but even for a short time, when he was alone, he did think of you. Even though he didn’t really know who you were.
Long after the events of Hela and Thanos, when his people were returned to life and health. Thor reached out to Earth, and with help from others, a New Asgard was formed. Thor would go back and forth to Earth, Loki was warned to stay away, from SHIELD and Dr Strange. Loki insisted he was fine with this, even though Thor never new about the burn. Loki however, was afraid that he might not be able to resist the urge to find you. But what he really feared, was the hatred you must harbor for him, this, he decided he could not face. So he didn’t. He stayed far away, though you always lingered in the back of his mind.
**Now**
(((Your POV)))
“My people are settling well on New Asgard, though they are still aching from the loss of their homes.”
“As should be expected, they did lose everything they knew.” You walked with Thor down the halls of the SHIELD base “Are you sure they are in good hands with Loki while you are here?” you asked in curiosity.
Thor thought to himself for a moment “They are as long as Valkyrie and Heimdall are there to watch him.”
You chuckled at this “And do you think he’s really a good guy now?”
“That is a hard call to make, though I do think he will be no trouble to Earth or anyone else as he was in the past.”
“I hope your right, there are only so many chances you should give him.”
“Yes, I agree. Though this time, I do truly think he has changed.” he paused for a moment as he stopped walking “You have never met him have you?”
You turned towards him “No, I’ve only ever seen video.”
“Huh” Thor shrugged “Well, you will meet him soon enough” he began walking down the hall again.
You hesitated for a moment before you moved to follow after him “What do you mean? I thought Fury said you weren’t allowed to bring him here? Dr Strange certainly warned against it.”
“No, I mean when you come with me to New Asgard.”
“What?”
Thor stopped again and turned towards you, smile present on his face “Fury agreed to send a SHEILD Agent with me to finish with the communications technology that Doctor Selvig and Asgard scientists are working on.”
“And he picked me?” you were struggling to keep your excitement down.
“I insisted it be a friend” he smiled “Would you agree to coming?”
“Yeah, of course! I’ve always wanted to go off-world.”
“Good, it’ll be fun” he said as he patted you on the shoulder “We leave tomorrow morning, it’s an hour long journey on our ship.”
Having spent the rest of the night excitedly packing and unpacking, you had a restless nights sleep. You were excited to travel to a new world, as well as to meet the people of Asgard. You were even a bit excited to meet Loki for the first time. Though, you had no idea how you would get along. You hoped that Thor was right, and that Loki was ‘good’.
The next morning began with a long brief from Fury and some scientists, most of which you didn’t pay too much attention too. You knew your objective. Make sure the Asgardians are settling nicely, help them figure out what else they need that Earth can provide, see if there is anything Asgard can give in return, blah blah.
Finally getting settled on the ship with Thor you sat next to him in the cockpit, you looked over at him with a smile, which he returned, he could feel your excitement radiating off of you. The next hour went smoothly with idle conversation, halting when the ship came out of hyperdrive. You sat up excitedly in your seat as you began to approach the planet. It looked much like Earth, but smaller. The Asgardians would have plenty of room to flourish.
The planet was beautiful, and the Asgardians were quickly building a new civilization to live in, though it still appeared small and clumsy, it was growing quickly. As you walked through the streets, you smiled at everyone you passed, who all stared at you with a sort of curiosity. From your clothes they could tell you were from Earth.
“Your highness” a voice called as you exited a crowd.
A woman dressed in a sort of leather outfit approached, next to her a tall man with golden eyes. “Ah, Valkyrie, Heimdall” he greeted.
You looked at the two, having heard of them plenty of times, and now glad to finally have faces to the names.
“This is Y/n, a friend of Earth and fellow Avenger”
“Welcome to New Asgard Y/n” Heimdall greeted, his voice deep, eyeing you with a sense of familiarity. Valkyrie nodded her head at you in greeting.
“Thank you”
“Where’s Loki?” Thor asked the two.
“Off world, apparently some…contacts he had, had valuable resources he thought we might need”
“Heimdall?” Thor asked looking to the man.
“From what I know and what I can see, it is the truth. Though, the air of suspicion still lingers when it comes to your brother.”
“Of course it does. And rightly so.” Thor said, with an air of amusement.
Turning to you he smiled “Come, lets go to where you will be staying”
(((Loki’s POV)))
Loki sighed to himself as he sat in the pilot’s chair of his ship, wondering if Thor had returned yet. Still playing with the thought of disappearing. But knowing he truly wouldn’t, he let his mind wander to various things.
After a long hour of silence, he began to approach New Asgard. It was not nearly as beautiful as Asgard had been, but it would do. He did wonder how long he would stay.
As he landed the ship near the new city, he was quite startled by the sudden feeling of a burn deep within his palm. As he looked down at his palm, he frowned, brows knitted together in a mixture of shock, fear and confusion. He thought himself crazy, his soulmate was on Earth, not New Asgard. Unless… one of the SHIELD agents that came to New Asgard?
(((Your POV)))
You had been on Asgard for a few days now, the people were nice, if not a bit…judgmental of your Earthly-knowledge, but nice over all. And very thankful for everything you and shield were doing to help.
Now, as you were walking back towards the newer kingdom of Asgard, you felt a sudden burning in your palm, causing you to halt in your steps.
Thor, who had been nearby, saw your sudden change in demeanor. Walking over to you, he placed his hand on your shoulder “Y/n, are you alright?”
“My hand….it’s…burning”
“Did you hurt yourself?”
“No, I mean…it’s like, the burn”
Thor glanced down at your hand, and then around the area his curiosity piqued “You mean your soulmate is here?”
“But that doesn’t make sense”
“Why not?”
You looked up at him “Because I would have felt it before right? I’ve been here for days..and besides, I’ve felt it before, but on Earth.”
Thor stared at you in confusion “When?”
“Only three times before, once in New York, once again months ago, and then not that long ago, uh, around the time you were dealing with Hela I think.”
Thor was quiet for a moment, but suddenly a look of realization crossed his face, turning into a look of perplexion “You mean during the time Loki was in New York, and then again around the time I arrived on Earth with Loki to find my father? Where he had placed him himself months prior?”
You stared at him for only a moment before you hinted on the same thing he was “No, it can’t be”
“Thor” you both heard Valkyries voice, catching your attention “Loki has returned” seeing the way your face dropped as Thor stared at you, she frowned “What?”
You and Thor looked at each other as you shook your head “No.”
Thor couldn’t help the small smirk that appeared on his face “Yes.”
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Loki paced his ship as some Asgardians took the resources he gathered off the ship and into the kingdom. He was squeezing his hands as the burn persisted. He was debating to leave or to stay, to face you or flee.
He did not see Thor walk onto the ship, or the way Thor grinned at his pacing, clearly panicking brother. Not until Loki turned, stopping, seeing Thor grinning at him. Loki quickly hid his hands behind his back as though you could see the burn itself.
“What’s wrong brother?” Thor asked.
“Nothing. Why are you grinning like a child?” he asked trying to distract himself.
Thor moved over to the consul of the ship flicking a couple of switches as his grin spread before looked at Loki “Oh no nothing, just surprised you came back at all. How are you feeling, alright?”
Loki cocked his head “What is this? Why are you acting like this?”
“Answer my question” Thor said.
“What? I’m fine.”
“Are you? No, injuries, pains, burning-”
Loki’s eyes widened in surprise “What do you know?!” Loki quickly moved to Thor, standing directly in front of him as Thor laughed, grabbing Loki’s shoulders.
“It is true then! Your hands burning isn’t it? Just like theirs?”
Loki stared at his brother in silence unsure of what to say, only one question burning in his mind “Who are they?” he asked, his voice surprisingly quiet.
Thor’s grin faded into a small smile as he patted Loki’s arm. Thor knew of Loki’s secret yearning for a soulmate. A yearning he’s had ever since they were children.
“Y/n” he said your name. A sense of familiarity fell over Loki, he knew that name.
“Y/n” he repeated “You mean the Avenger?”
Thor nodded. Loki thought for a moment before a sense of disdain fell over his features “Oh great” he sighed as he stepped away “One of the people that must clearly hate me. They were in New York, they know what I did. They-”
“Loki” Thor said, stopping his brother “They also know that you have changed”
Loki scoffed “Oh yes I’m sure they must think I’m a saint now.” he rolled his eyes.
“Not a saint.”
Your voice made Loki and Thor freeze as Loki slowly turned, looking at you as you stood at the entrance of the ship. Through Loki’s panic he had not even noticed the growing intensity of the burn.
You took a step closer, before finishing your sentence “But not evil.”
Loki straightened up, wincing slightly at the pulsing burn, he could tell you were were feeling it as well. Your hand clenched tightly. Loki looked over you, you were alluring. He never knew what, or who to picture when thinking of his soulmate. But as he saw you now, he felt nothing but relief and surprise.
You, upon seeing Loki for the first time were surprised. You had seen photos and videos, but seeing him in person was different. He was much more attractive in person.
Thor looked between the two of you, a sort of giddiness to his demeanor before he cleared his throat “Y/n, Loki. Loki, Y/n” he introduced you as he looked down at your hands. He looked between you as you and Loki looked at him. He gestured at you “Aren’t you going to shake hands?”
“You’re enjoying this too much” you commented, trying to push down the burning pain. Loki smiled slightly at your response to his brother.
You met Loki’s eyes, before looking down at your hands. The only time the burning stops is when you touch your soulmate for the first time. The burning was growing still, now as you stood so close.
Looking back up you see Loki looking at his own hands, the same amount of hesitation in his face. He cleared his throat “Well, there is nothing we can do about this you know” he met your eyes as he reached out his hand for you to take, wincing as the pain grew.
You grimaced slightly at the burn before hesitantly reaching out. Your hands hovered next to each other as the burn seemed to sear into an electrical pulse. After another brief moment of hesitation you and Loki linked hands, the burning pain immediately fading into a cooling sensation.
You and Loki both let out a breath of relief as the pain finally stopped.
Thor grinned as he clapped his hands together, making you and Loki look at him. Loki spoke “Y/n is right, you are enjoying this too much.”
Thor shrugged his shoulders “An Avenger, and their first ever evil nemesis are soulmates, how can I not be enjoying it?”
You and Loki met eyes before looking down at your still linked hands, as you both pulled away, clearing your throats.
“This is gonna be fun” Thor laughed out as he smacked both of you on the backs.
“I hate you” Loki said with disdain, making you smile, which he did not fail to notice.
After a silent walk back to the main palace you retreated to the rooms where the SHIELD agents were working, Loki watching after you as you did so.
“They hate me” he said, as Thor stood next to him.
“Well what do you expect?” Valkyrie said as she approached, having heard what he said “You did help to destroy their home didn’t you?”
Loki glared at her “Thank you for your in put but it would do much better if it remained unsaid.”
She opened her mouth but Thor interrupted “Alright, here is what we are going to do. Tonight we will have a banquet, to celebrate and thank the SHIELD agents for coming and helping. Then, you can woo Y/n.”
Loki stared at Thor for a moment before rolling his eyes and turning to leave, Thor calling after him.
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Loki stared out at the crowd of people dancing and eating. Thor had the banquet held anyway. Loki looked around the groups of people, searching for you. His memory replaying Thor telling him to woo you. Loki rolled his eyes again at the thought. His heart seemed to skip a beat when his gaze landed on you.
You were wearing Asgardian clothes for the banquet, and he could not help but think the golden colors suited you very well. He watched as you looked around, smiling at some Asgardians. He could tell you felt out of place, especially when you exited and made your way into the nearby gardens.
Loki hesitated for a moment before he moved to follow you. He could not avoid you forever. He did not want to.
You looked around at the newly grown and planted flowers, alien to Earth, but had a similar scent to a rose. You ran your fingers over the delicate petals before moving to sit on the edge of a large fountain.
Looking up at the sky, you admired the bundles of shining stars, your mind playing over the events of the day. You squeezed your hand, as if trying to recall the feeling of the burn, now gone forever.
As if summoned by the memory, you heard Loki’s voice, bringing you from your thoughts “Are you alright?”
He stood in front of you, straight, arms behind his back as he gazed at you “What?” you asked.
“It’s just that I saw you left the banquet quite early” he took a few steps closer, as he ran his fingers over one of the flowers, peaking at you as he did so.
You found yourself smiling lightly at his apparent concern “I’m alright, it is just, I’m not used to dining with people from another world who clearly do not know how to act around me.”
He smiled, knowing that many Asgardians thought of humans as inferior, though now it was the humans coming to their aid. He looked around the area “I wish you would have been able to see Old Asgard, it was quite magnificent.”
“I’ve heard stories. I wish I had been able to see it too. But maybe you’ll be able to make this new planet look similar.”
“Perhaps” he looked at you.
You met his eyes for a moment, seeing that there was something else he wanted to say but was hesitant “You want to ask me something” you stated, seemingly catching him off-guard.
He smiled slightly before turning away “Uh, you said before, that you do not see me as a saint, but also not evil” he hesitated before turning back to you “Why?”
You stared at him for a moment “Why?” you repeated.
“Yes” he took a step closer to you now “I…after what I did to New York”
“New York was years ago. And it was put into much worst shape after Thanos. Besides…Thor has told me what you’ve done since. You helped him with the Dark Elves, and then with Hela. If you did that, then surely you aren’t evil. And I know New York was not your idea. So. I know you are not evil, maybe not entirely good. But also, not bad.”
Loki remained silent for a moment before speaking quietly “Ever since I first felt the burn in New York, I’d convinced myself that you hated me. Though I am sure, back then, you did.”
“Yes. I did, but I got over it. Besides…I’m a sucker for a redemption story.” You smiled at him. Not a smile of pity, but a friendly, genuine smile. Loki felt his heart in his throat, and for the first time, he genuinely felt the desire for redemption.
Loki sat down beside you, glancing up at the starry sky “For…as long as I remember, I wondered where my soulmate was, for thousands of years I waited for the burn, eventually I was convinced I did not have one. My mother, Frigga, used to tell me to be patient, that, no matter how long I had to wait. It would be worth it.” He looked over at you, meeting your curious eyes “I…am not sure, if I can fully redeem what I have done, but…I could try.”
A smile spread across your face “I can help, if you want.”
“It would take a long time.”
“I have all the time in the galaxy.” you said, making him quirk his brow. “You aren’t the only immortal here you know.”
His face showed his surprise “But, you’re from Earth?”
“Yes, but I’m what is considered an enhanced, I have a mutation, that makes me immortal. I’m older than I look.” you smiled.
He was speechless for a moment before letting out a chuckle “Well then” Meeting your eyes again, he looked down at your hand, before reaching his out, palm up. You placed your hand softly in his as he lifted it too his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to your knuckles. “I suppose we really do have all the time we need.”
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