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~♡♤~

"She's gone." Nat says as she takes a sharp inhale, looking towards Thor who gives a small, weary nod. 

She puts her phone away solemnly after the confirmation.

It felt like no one had slept in so long. Exhaustion and uncertainty were evident in everyone. Drained of the events that had happened and the fallout from it.

"Best tell Loki." Thor hums as he gets out of his chair and heads down the hospital corridor.

The two walk hand in hand, saying no words between them, but exchanging all the love and thoughts they needed to between their interconnected skin.

Loki, leaning back against a wall in the sterile corridor, looks up at the sound of the two approaching. His eyes are sunken, hollow, his skin even paler than normal if possible. His hair is unkempt, pushed behind his ears as he stares at the couple approaching. He looks defeated.

"Please don't give me bad news. I can't handle anything else right now." He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

His tattoos are disguised by the scrapes and injuries that litter his skin.

"Afraid not Loki." Natasha whispers as Thor kisses her forehead reassuringly.

Loki swallows hard.

"I see." He kicks off from the wall, opening the door beside him and giving a final nod at the couple who wait outside the room.

He takes a deep breath in, trying hard to bury all the emotions of the last few days behind him. Everything he knew was gone.

"I'm afraid, she didn't make it." Loki mutters lowly as he meets her eyes.

It broke his heart to be the one to deliver the news.

Lyla sits upright in the bed, her heart rate picking up at the bombshell, making the monitors beep.

"Peggy's gone?" She asks in disbelief.

Loki sits on the side of her bed, stroking her bruised and swollen cheek gently.

"Natasha just had confirmation. Melina was with her." Loki says soothingly.

Lyla knows if she had any tears left, they'd be pouring down her face at the loss of another maternal figure and constant in her life. But she has nothing left to give. She's all out.

"I'm sorry my love." Loki says resignedly, lifting her hand with the IV still in to kiss, being extra careful.

Seeing Lyla broken and beaten like this crushed him. He couldn't wait to bring her home.

Shortly after Lyla had passed out from blood loss that fateful night four days ago, with Loki hysterical, Steve had run in with the others.

Moments later and Lyla wouldn't have made it.

Clint had looked at the scene in utter shock, seeing all the gore and destruction, as well as Odin's lifeless body sprawled out before them. The once so powerful Mob Boss reduced to a carcass, just like the rest of them.

Steve had leapt into action, taking over from Loki as he sat in a fugue state, Lyla's blood covering his hands. Pietro had looked at Clint worriedly at the state of their boss and former boss. They couldn't believe he'd actually done it.

Whilst Steve had gotten Pietro to call an ambulance, he'd tried to pry Lyla out of Loki's death grip somewhat successfully to attempt to stem the bleeding. Loki had sat there like a statue, fear paralysing every beat his heart took at the thought of a world without his soulmate in it. And because of him.

Clint had begun clean up with Pietro. He knew round these parts most of the cops were in their pocket, but still a dead mob boss raised questions, and rumours spread quickly. They needed time to figure out the next move, for the sake of the organisation as well as Loki.

By the time the ambulance had arrived, the bodies had been moved and the crew were taking over, loading oxygen up to Lyla and hooking various wires and liquid into her. Loki had all but nearly choked one of the paramedics when he had attempted to lift Lyla, luckily Steve who was more lucid had pulled him away.

"You need to go with them." Steve had said as he shook Loki hard by the shoulders, trying to get him to snap out of it.

Steve knew if he didn't, he'd regret it for the rest of his life. He couldn't voice his own concerns and fear. Seeing Lyla, her hair slick with blood, her greying skin, the blood pooling around her limp body had been enough to scare even him too.

"Loki. Go!" Steve had shouted as Loki finally snapped out of his daze, looking down at his hands before clambering to his feet with a groan, sprinting after the crew loading her on a stretcher.

Clint had come and stood next to Steve as they watched the flashing blue lights fade into the distance, the siren chilling them to the core.

"If she doesn't make it, this is the end of him, you know that right?" Clint had asked solemnly.

Steve nodded, looking at Pietro who was now joining them, all three of them in their own state of shock.

"We need to begin to smooth things over. Rally the people on our side and make sure they outweigh Odin's allies in this. It's going to cause a divide and we need to ensure the transition of power is as seamless as possible." Steve ordered, taking control of the situation once more.

Pietro nodded in confirmation, but seemed unsure.

Clint sighed. "What about Thor?"

"What about him?" Steve asked as he began sending messages off his phone to their contacts.

"Won't he want to challenge Loki for the position? You know Odin wanted him to have it." Clint said wearily as he wiped blood off his own hands onto his jeans.

Pietro hummed. "More importantly how is Thor going to feel now this is actually done. None of us thought the crazy fucker would actually follow through with it."

Steve rubbed his face angrily. "If you had any doubt Loki would follow through, then you clearly don't know our boss at all." He retorted.

Clint tapped Pietro's shoulder. "It's going to be a long night. We have to prepare for a lot of eventualities and smooth all this out before we have a civil war on our hands. I'm sure Odin made enough enemies that we can rally enough support for his sons taking over. Even if we rely more on Thor for those relations than Loki. We need the bodies properly disposed of and we need a plan. Let's get to it whilst they're in the hospital."

The other two agreed.

~♡~

Every part of her hurt. That was an understatement.

Waking up in the hospital after surgery and seeing Loki's face staring down at her however had made it all better.

It'd taken a lot of convincing. A lot of tears and angry outbursts for Loki not to blame himself. She'd never seen him so torn up. Almost losing her, being forced to kill his own father, the organisation being thrown into disarray. He was barely holding on. Lyla felt like he was a thread about to fray and snap.

He didn't leave her side, other than the occasional phone call he took right outside her room. His injuries weren't the same extent as Lyla's and she could see the devastation every time he looked at her face.

She was terrified. That this was it. That he was going to pull away completely into the abyss.

She wouldn't let that happen.

"What's going on baby?" She asks softly as she sees him walk back into the room after another phone call.

Except this time, he actually seemed relieved.

"You don't need to worry about any of my business. You just need to focus on healing now Love." He says as he places a tentative kiss on her scalp.

Lyla hums in thought.

"Our business. I thought we were ruling together, after all this?" Lyla asks half teasing, half serious just to try and get something out of him.

She tries to sit up higher to reach out for him, but a sharp pain goes through her side, making her wince.

Loki rushes to her side, easing her back down and pouring her some water from the jug beside the bed. Lyla hates how much of a child she feels at the moment. Just when she'd felt so powerful and strong. She was back to being vulnerable again.

"Lyla. You nearly died. I...I nearly lost you. I was ready to end it." He chokes as she sees his own vulnerability leak out of him.

He looks broken.

"But you didn't. I'm here. We're here. It's ok." She tries to reassure through her croaky voice as she grabs his hand, kissing it gently.

He gives her a sad smile.

"I'm not sure we can carry on like this." Loki admits quietly.

Lylas heart begins to race, the machines beeping faster as she feels anger wash over her.

"Don't you dare think about leaving me Loki! Not after all we've been through. I can't survive it again. Please." Her voice breaks on the last word, a sob escaping her chest.

Loki shushes her, laying down next to her and holding her tightly without doing damage. She inhales his scent. His shirt sleeves rolled up, no tie, but still in his slacks and Dolce and Gabana shoes. He couldn't let his facade slip even a little. Even at a time like this.

"I'm sorry Pet. I'm sorry. I didn't mean that, I meant...maybe I should leave all this behind. With you." He sighs as if the world is weighing on his shoulders, and his alone.

Lyla pulls back to look at him, holding his face in her hands properly now, staring into his soul. Loki looks back at her with equal adoration.

"This is your dream. Ruling your organisation. Even if you do it with your brother, split the duties. I'll be by your side, as your Queen, as I promised. As you promised. You've worked so hard for this. And the organisation needs a leader, especially now.  It's me who will leave everything behind. I can't work at the library. Not without Peggy anyway. Whatever you need from me, I'll be there." Lyla whispers and Loki can tell she means every word of it.

"I can't ask that of you." He whispers back.

Lyla leans forward, placing a soft kiss on his lips.

"You're not asking. As your Queen I'm demanding. Besides, I think I have somewhat of a taste for this beating bad guys up malarkey now. It was kind of fun." She raises an eyebrow mischievously as Loki eventually smiles.

"Except the being stabbed part." He adds.

"Yeah except that. That bit kinda sucked." Lyla jokes. "I am sorry about your father, for what it's worth though Loki. I know you were enemies for most of your life but you were still family."

Loki shook his head, before burying it into Lyla's shoulder. She uses her free hand to stroke his hair, which is slightly matted as she let him nuzzle into her.

"It's done. I don't wish to talk about it anymore. He was a terrible person. You're safe. Thor and Natasha are safe. I have no regrets." Loki admits quietly.

"Ok. But if you ever do want to talk about it, I'm here. You know that right?" Lyla asks as she continues to stroke his scalp, Loki's own eyes closing with the pleasure of her touch.

"I know, my Queen." He responds sleepily.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry about Barnes too. I know you were at one point fond of him. Despite his...indiscretions, he was alright." Loki sighed slowly.

Lyla feels her heart break a little, remembering how Bucky had tried to save her.

"Yeah. Turns out he was a good man." She laments.

~♤~

Over the last week the transition to Loki and Thor taking over had been less bumpy than they first imagined.

There was some resistance, a lot of fear and questioning, but that had been dealt with accordingly, and with the examples made out of those that needed it, the others had followed.

It turned out that not many people were that shocked that Odin was killed by one of his sons. It seemed poetically inevitable from the very beginning.

Loki knew he couldn't rule alone. He was not the personable one, the one that people would willingly worship. No, that was his brother. The golden boy. And he was okay with that, they complimented each other. Like fire and ice. People adored his brother and feared and respected him. It worked better that way.

Thor was still mourning their father in his own way, but knowing Natasha was safe from the same fate Lyla had suffered was all he needed to move forward.

Luckily, Lyla had been discharged now and Loki wouldn't take no for an answer of her permanently moving into his house with him. He would keep the flat, as a space if she ever needed it, but with the help of the men, he'd successfully moved her in. It felt right. It wasn't home if they weren't together. He would never be without her again. Ever.

Nat had taken some time off work to stay with her when Loki and Thor had been in the offices overseeing the transition. Lyla had specifically told Natasha not to tell her adopted mother what had happened, not yet. She said she needed time to heal before unleashing Melina on the boys.

Loki and Thor had surprisingly gotten closer over the last couple of weeks since everything had happened. They both understood they had the same things to lose now. And they respected each other for that.

Thor walks into Loki's office just as an associate of Zemo's walks out. Loki was quickly learning loyalty went to the highest bidder, and his connections were remaining strong.

"What's so important brother that you have cancelled our next appointment?" Thor booms as he strides in, taking a seat on the luxurious armchair opposite Loki.

Loki clears his throat as he rounds the desk, perching on the other side tiredly.

"Brother, I know we have been through a rather tumultuous and torturous few months. And this may seem completely inappropriate as a result of it, but I need your advice. As my elder." Loki begins, shifting nervously on the spot. Thor frowns.

"What is it Loki?" He asks as he leans forward.

Loki cracks his inked knuckles against his jaw. Feeling nerves like this wasn't normal for him. Then again, nothing since meeting Lyla had been normal.

"I...I'm going to ask Lyla to marry me." He confesses as he rushes the words.

Thor breaks into a wide grin, leaping up and pulling him into a bone crushing hug.

"You baboon brother! I thought you were going to tell me something bad. This is most joyous!" He shouts as he pulls away.

Loki grimaces from the embrace, never one for affection.

"I guess I just never thought I'd be that person. Moving someone into my home, asking them to marry me. It's all so...domesticated." Loki wrinkles his nose, as if disgusted.

Thor laughs heartily.

"That's because she's the one Loki. It's different. You're different. This is wonderful!" Thor concludes.

Loki let's himself smile a little.

"Do you think it is too soon after everything? Firstly I need to pick a ring, but I can do that in no time. I'd like yours and Natasha's input on that. I'd also like to meet her mother...Melina...to ask for her blessing. Keep it traditional. I think that's what she'd want." Loki rambles and Thor can see the nerves dripping off him.

He laughs, shaking his head. "She truly loves you brother. She would say yes in a heartbeat. I have no doubt she'd actually probably be expecting it soon knowing you and your grand gestures. I think it's a great idea. We could use some positivity to look forward to."

Loki looks relieved again as he smiles a little wider.

"I'll give her time to heal, whilst I make arrangements. But I don't want to wait anymore. Life is too short. I want her, in every single way I can have her. This is another way. To declare her mine, and me hers." Loki admits.

Thor slaps him on the shoulder roughly.

"I concur. Although good luck with Melina. She is a rather formidable woman." Thor chuckles remembering turning up with Natasha last minute for somewhere safe to stay.

He'd been taken off guard when the smaller Russian woman had produced a safe full of weapons and showed them a hidden panic room. Even Natasha apparently hadn't seen it coming. Melina had explained to Thor that Alexei was still wanted by many organisations, some of whom might come after her or her girls.

"From what you've told me I think we'll get along just fine. She's important to Lyla. So she's important to me." Loki states.

"Oh, and before I forget. Nat says Peggy's funeral is tomorrow. Lyla wants to go, I expect you'll want to go with her?" Thor asks.

"Of course. I'll make arrangements with the boys to cover for me. Lyla needs the closure on this one. She's been handling it well but I know she's more emotionally numb after everything. I'm not sure it's hit her yet." Loki says sadly.

"Very well. Well I suggest you talk to Nat before she gets the secret out of me. She's pesky like that. I do love a wedding!" Thor cheers as he strides out of the room as loudly as he came in.

Loki looks down at his own fingers, the rings sitting across his thumbs and index finger, the family crests. He sighs, pulling them off. That was who he used to be. Now he wanted his fingers adorned with the symbol of Lyla's undying love for him. He wanted the world to see they belonged together in a more permanent way.

And the thought of her in a wedding dress, walking down the aisle to him...she'd look so beautiful. Like a true Queen. He would spoil her, make it lavish. He would let her want for nothing in this world. He couldn't wait to see her take his true last name: Laufeyson.

He'd done some digging into his biological parents after Odin had died. He no longer wanted to be reminded of his attachment to him. He may not owe his biological parents anything, but he decided a fresh start was needed for identity. And this was perfect.

Lyla Laufeyson.

It turned him on to no end. Being able to call her his wife. He had to stifle a moan at the thought.

But first, she had to say yes. He didn't doubt she would, not after their brief conversations about it. But her exclamation that she'd say yes hypothetically and her actually saying yes were two very different things.

Part of him thought she would still wake up one morning, realising the web of darkness she had become entangled in, like a fly in its trap, ready to be eaten by its prey, and flee. He knew deep down he would never deserve her. But he would try every day to prove it to her, and himself.

He picked up the phone to his favourite jewellers.

"It's Loki. I need an engagement ring. As soon as possible. And it needs to be perfect."