Chapter Text
There's a moment where Loki is ready to just give up.
Thanos' grip tightens around his neck, a terrible reminder of the sheer strength of the titan.
Loki was never strong enough to fight back. Besides, Thanos' obsession with splitting everything in half means he would never let two brothers live.
Better him than Thor.
But despite Lokis logical conclusion and willingness to end things, his magic fights back.
As Lokis vision blurs and things start to slip away, he feels the seidr inside him flare to life.
The blackness of his consciousness is infected with a familiar green glow as Loki is thrown backwards. Away from the titan. Away from Thor and the remaining Asgardians.
Loki is thrown back into the void.
He's not sure how long he floats for, there's no measure of time in the etherial nothingness. All he knows is his seidr pulls him, like a rope tied to his chest, dragging him through the void.
When Loki finally finds solid ground, he crashes backwards hitting his head off something made from stone.
He groans as he brings his hand to the back of his head, thankful to find that there's no blood.
'Loki, are you alright?'
Gritting his teeth through the pain, Loki looks up to find Fandral looking down at him, a confused look on the warriors face.
Lokis head pounds as he tries to sort through his memories. He doesn't remember seeing Fandral on the ship. Even before Thanos' hijacking, it seemed like the only one who'd survived Helas assault was Sif. Loki mentally chides himself for not asking Thor about that, then again there were more pressing matters at hand.
'Fandral? Where are we?' He asks, assuming he's found himself on another wasteland like Saakar.
'You must have hit your head badly huh?' Fandral says gently as he helps Loki to his feet. 'You're in your mothers garden, I was just using it as a shortcut on my way back from patrol when I saw you fall from the wall.'
It takes Loki a second to digest the words. 'What...? I'm on Asgard?'
A worried expression flickers across the warriors face. 'Maybe I should get you to a healer?'
Loki shoos him off as Fandral tries to get a better look at his headwound. 'No, it's fine. It's not that. I just... Something odd is happening.' He pinches the bridge of his nose, willing his magic to deal with his headache so he can think straight. 'This is Asgard?'
'Yes, Loki.'
'And all is... All is well?'
'As well as it ever is?'
'I need to see mother...' Loki says quickly, heading out of the courtyard.
Fandral quickly follows. 'Loki, your parents are in Vanaheim for the solstice festival... Remember?'
Loki blinks, given how rare the solstice is on Vanaheim he can safely guess that it's about two years or so before Thors failed coronation. Meaning that Loki has most likely been flung back through time. He curses the poor timing, his mother's counsel would certainly be helpful. Then again, anything is better than being back with Thanos.
'Of course. Apologies. I should-' Loki bounces off a wall of muscle, so deep in his thoughts that he hadn't noticed Thors approach.
One glance tells Loki that this certainly isn't the Thor he left behind. The long hair and lack of an eyepatch makes that painfully clear.
'Loki?' Thor tilts his head. 'Everything alright?'
'He hit his head.' Fandral cuts in before Loki can respond. 'I think he should go to the healers, just in case.'
Thor reaches towards Loki. It's a harmless gesture, either meant for comfort or to check the damage to Lokis skull.
But Loki instinctively flinches away from the contact, the echos of being struck by Thors massive fist reverberating through his bones.
He takes a hasty step back, stumbling over his feet in his exhaustion. 'I have to go.' Loki wheezes out the words, it feels like the titan is still strangling the oxygen out of his lungs. He turns on his heels and runs, ignoring the worried calls of Thor and Fandral behind him.
Loki doesn't make it far before exhaustion hits him. He practically collapses against a golden pillar. Leaning against the pillar to hold himself up, Loki struggles to catch his breath as he looks around the hall.
Centuries of being a prince means that Loki is familiar with every inch of the palace. If this is some recreation or illusion meant to torture him, it's a good one. The halls look exactly like they did before he left.
'Loki!'
Loki groans as Fandral catches up to him. 'Leave me alone.'
'Not untill you tell me what's wrong.' Fandral says earnestly. 'This is clearly more than just a knock on the head.'
'You wouldn't believe me.'
'Try me.'
Loki narrows his eyes.
'Even if this is one of your tricks, I have nothing but time. Indulge me.'
Loki sighs. Even if he gets rid of Fandral, he doubts he'll make it back to his chambers alone. 'Help me to my room and we can talk.' He compromises.
'I don't think I've ever heard you admit to needing help before.' Fandral says as he loops his arm around Lokis waist, replacing the pillar as Lokis support.
'Keep it between us and I may not stab you.' Loki hisses.
'Thats more like the Loki I know.' Fandral laughs. 'Come on, let's get you to your rooms.'
***
If it wasn't for Fandral at his side, Loki would cry at the familiar sight of his bedroom.
Everything is exactly as he left it. So familiar that Loki feels a fraction of himself finally relax.
Noticing how much Loki is struggling to walk, Fandral takes him to the plush velvet couch in front of the fireplace, carefully helping him to sit.
Fandral lights the fire and finds the carafe of water, pouring Loki a glass and passing it over before dropping down into the armchair next to him. He looks oddly comfortable in Lokis quarters despite it being his first time in them.
'Come on then.' Fandral says, a friendly challenging tone. 'Tell me a tale.'
Loki drains the glass, wincing as the pain in his throat makes itself known. He considers Fandral for a moment and decides he doesn't really have anything to lose.
Talking it through will help Loki work out what the Hel is happening here. And most likely, Fandral will just think it's nothing more than a convoluted prank.
'Moments before you found me in the garden, I had just survived Ragnarok and was being killed by a Titan.' Loki says simply to gauge Fandrals reaction.
'... Ragnarok?'
'Mhm.'
'The destruction of Asgard?'
'Thats the one.'
'...That's why you kept asking where you were.'
Loki is stunned for a moment, Fandral seems to be taking him seriously. That's... Unexpected.
'How far ahead were you in time?'
'Its... Difficult to say. I've been in many realms where time is meaningless.... To be truthful I lost track a long time ago.'
'That explains your odd armour...' Fandral looks thoughtful. 'I've never seen you flinch away from Thor like that... Who hurt you Loki?'
Loki bites his tongue to stop himself from saying Thor. 'Another endless list.'
'And you're sure you won't see a healer?'
'I just need time to rest. My magic will deal with the wounds when it's replenished.'
'Not exactly comforting.'
Loki just shrugs. He kicks his legs up on the footstool, leaning back into the plush pillows, revelling in the comfort.
'Are you going to Vanaheim? To tell your parents?'
He rolls his eyes. 'Odin would probably just have me banished.'
'What? What for?'
'I know too many of his secrets.' Loki chuckles bitterly.
'So... What now?'
Loki raises an eyebrow.
'Loki. We've known each other for centuries. Been on countless quests with the warriors. I know you well enough to know you have a plan.'
'I have a rough goal.' He admits with a shaky confidence. 'I have to find a way into Hel to stop Ragnarok.'
'Sounds easy enough.' Fandral jokes and Loki can't help but smile. 'But first, it sounds like you need to rest. I can tell Thor you feel under the weather to give you some time to collect yourself.'
'... You believe me, don't you?'
'You're not that good of a liar.' Fandral laughs and he stands. 'Sleep well, your highness.'
'Thank you Fandral...'
The warrior gives him a small bow and a cheeky smile before leaving Loki to his thoughts.
Fandral was right, part of Lokis brain is desperate to come up with a plan to rewrite his past. But the resolute ache of his body wins out. He staggers to his bed, using the last of the magic in his reserves to switch his armour for sleep clothes.
He's asleep the second his head hits the pillow, decades of torture and running finally catching up to him with an overwhelming exhaustion.