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“Sylvie, please, just listen to me.” Loki begged.
“Why should I?” She scoffed at him, bringing her sword higher as he tried to approach.
“What about all of the time we spent together? The moment on Lamentis, unveiling the fake timekeepers, enchanting Alioth, did that mean nothing?”
“You really thought that I cared about you? That we could break reality through a single touch?” She smirked, “You’re a fool, Loki.”
“But… in the citadel, when we faced He Who Remains, I thought we shared a connection.” He grasped for straws, tears welling in his eyes as he spoke.
“The kiss?” Sylvie looked amused, “That was to make you let your guard down so I could easily teleport you out of my sight.”
Loki felt like he was suffocating. Why did he even bother anymore? Even when he tried to change and love, it seemed his original fate would always find its way back to him. It was just as his other variant said.
Forever destined to be the god of outcasts.
“You’re standing in my way.” Sylvie brought him back to reality as she raised her sword menacingly.
A memory stung him at the sound of her words, “You are my way.”
“Not anymore. You said it yourself, love is a dagger.” With that, she stepped forwards and stabbed her sword into his chest.
She held his gaze, “It will always make you bleed.”
Loki crumpled to the floor as she drew her weapon back and left him.
“Sylvie.” He choked out, clutching his side. “Don’t do this.”
“You can’t stop me.”
Loki awakened full of terror. It felt so real. He could still hear the echoes of her voice in his head.
“You’re a fool, Loki.”
His movement was harsh enough to stir Sylvie from her light slumber. She instantly turned to him, alarm written on her features.
“What is it?” She moved her hand to reach out to her weapon lying nearby.
“Everything is fine.” Loki let out a sigh, his voice unsteady, “Just a vivid dream.”
Sylvie pulled her hand back and adjusted the blanket draped over her. She watched as he remained in an upright posture, breathing shakily.
“Was it a nightmare?” She made an effort to make her tone softer this time.
Loki shook his head almost too quickly, “It’s nothing. I’m sorry I woke you.”
Sylvie shifted in her position and moved closer to him. Fingers locked with his, she looked over him. “I know you’re lying. You don’t have to hide these things from me, Loki. We’re a team now.”
Loki glanced away as she spoke, closing his eyes. “I just… I can’t describe this. It’s too difficult.”
“Do you want to show me?” Sylvie rubbed his wrist with her thumb absentmindedly.
He looked down, his gaze lingering on their intertwined hands as he nodded. He needed to confront this.
Sylvie slowly reached up and brushed her hand across his jaw, green light sparking as he allowed her to see his memories. It didn’t take long for her to find the memory in question since it was still fresh. Within seconds she drew her hand back to cup his cheek. To see herself betray him so harshly in his nightmare shook her to her core. No wonder he’d been so tired since their reunion, he was being haunted by a terrible nightmare.
“Loki,” Sylvie's voice sounded as if it might break, “I’d never do that to you.”
“I know.” He reassured her, before pausing to collect his thoughts, ”But the time we were apart that I spent searching, hoping that you were alive and still cared for me, I ran through this scenario multiple times. It was always in the back of my head, replaying over and over again. That everything we had wasn’t real.”
She took his hand in hers once more, “This is real, Loki. The most real thing I’ve ever experienced.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, “I shouldn’t have pushed you away. I was afraid I would hurt you but in the end, I still did.”
Sylvie knew as soon as she plunged her sword into He Who Remains she had made the worst mistake of her life. Her glorious purpose had been fulfilled, or so she had thought. But it didn’t bring the satisfaction she imagined it would. It only left her feeling empty. It had taken a few moments before realization hit her.
Loki was her true glorious purpose.
And she’d cast him aside in favor of finishing her mission. She could’ve talked it out with him and then figured out a solution together. That was what she was missing, having him by her side.
Loki brushed a strand of her hair back, “I don’t want your actions to haunt you, Sylvie. I understand you pushed me through the portal for my own sake. I know how much you've been through.”
“That doesn't justify what I did." She murmured, "Or the nightmares I've inspired."
“I think with time they’ll subside.” Loki pressed a kiss to her forehead, “Maybe we can... figure this out."
Sylvie was instantly reminded of their moment in the void before facing Alioth. He'd said the same thing, only this time she knew what to respond with. There were no doubts clouding her mind now.
“Together.” She finished for him as she leaned into his embrace.