"Ready for this, Steve?" Loki asked, coming to stand next to the man as he watched the horizon.

"It's a far cry from Nazis," was the supersoldier's only response.

There was silence for a bit as they both considered what was about to happen.

"This is what men like us do," Loki said softly at long last. "Our dominating thought is to fight, to protect the people we love and the people we have a duty to look after. Our overriding, prevailing duty is to others."

Steve merely looked at him.

"You would be a brilliant king, you know that," he replied simply.

Loki bowed his head with a small, grateful smile.

"I will not be a king of Asgard. Odin has seen to that."

"But you were born to be a king."

Loki shivered slightly.

"I have heard those words before," he admitted.

"Perhaps because they are true," Steve pointed out.

"Thor is to be king next," Loki answered. "And why should I want to rule the realm which wishes me ill? If there was any realm I would like to govern, it would be earth. Here I am respected but there is no need for planetary rule here. I do not wish to dominate a realm which is in no real need of a leader."

"It was just a thought," Steve said with a gentle smile. 

He extended a hand.

"See you on the other side."

When Steve left to assemble his gear, Natasha approached him.

"I assume this is normal for you," she said simply.

"Yes," Loki replied because she already knew the answer. "I have been trained to fight since my childhood and the passion for war flows through the blood of Asgardians."

Now was not the time to bring up his total lack of Asgardian blood.

"We are similar, Natasha," Loki mused. "Trained to fight against our will and put to task like dogs on a leash. I only wonder how we have come so far."

"I sometimes think that too," Natasha said softly, "But I don't think it really matters. It means, amazingly, that we've done something with our lives, that it hasn't all been for nothing."

She put a hand on his arm.

"This might go badly, it might not. But I want you to know, Loki, that I would die for you."

Loki smiled.

"And I, Natasha, for you."

He looked at the rising sun.

"But no-one is dying today."

"That's impossible," Tony stated, walking over to the two of them with Rhodey in tow. "I hate to be that person but there's no way there won't be any casualties."

"Remind me never to ask you to reassure me," Rhodey said, shaking his head.

"Don't worry, Stark," Natasha replied, smirking evilly. "The sole casualty shall be you: killed by a comrade before the battle has even commenced."

"Very funny," said Tony with a mock grin.

"You're welcome," Natasha smiled. "See you on the battlefield, boys."

Tony watched her depart and then turned to Loki.

"How can you be so sure that no-one will die?" He asked and there was a mixture of wonder and desperation in his voice.

Loki gave him a kind smile.

"Because I am there, of course."

"Conceited much?" Wondered Rhodey aloud.

"I am not conceited," Loki replied with a laugh. "But I do not like having the burden of civilian, let alone military, casualties on my shoulders, and this is not the endgame. This will not be our only battle, nor the hardest."

"We're not soldiers!" Tony exclaimed and, to Loki, he sounded angry.

"No, of course not," Loki replied, "But we are the defending party, the people being relied on in a time of crisis. We cannot let our people down."

"True," said Tony, sounding rueful, anger forgotten in an instant. "Well I'd better get into my suit. Rhodey?"

"I'm just going to have a word with Loki for a second," Rhodey replied neutrally.

With a sloppy salute, Tony left them to it.

"What did you want?" Loki questioned, curious.

Rhodey sighed.

"I want you to know that I'm by your side. Through thick and thin. I may not have seemed so accepting of your real identity at first but I am and I want you to know it."

"There's no need to tell me, my friend," Loki replied with a smile. "I am proficient at reading people."

"Of course you are," Rhodey said with a relieved laugh. "See you around, Loki."

As though all the Avengers had been asked to speak to Loki, Bruce then turned up, visibly apprehensive.

"I hate this," the scientist muttered. "All this uncertainty. Why can't evil people hide from the rest of the world?"

Seemingly understanding what could be taken from his statement, Bruce reddened.

"But people think I, too, should be hidden away," he admitted with a sigh.

"You're a good person, Bruce," Loki pointed out.

The man sighed again.

"Prove it," he replied, and walked away.

Tony reappeared.

"What's Brucie worried about?" He questioned, coming to stand beside his friend.

"The usual," Loki replied sadly. "It's understandable but he still thinks he's a monster. There are far worse people and yet Bruce thinks he's a monster."

He fell silent, contemplative. Tony correctly interpreted his silence.

"Loki, you're not a monster either."

"How am I not?" He fired back, aggrieved. 

Tony shook his head.

"I can't make a judgement until you fully confide in me but, from what I've seen, you are the furthest thing from a monster.

"Loki, you became a doctor to give back to a derelict hospital in the middle of nowhere. You've spent years helping me invent technology to aid people you don't know suffering all over the world. If that isn't selflessness and the trademark of a hero I don't know what is."

Loki shook his head, doubtful.

"Don't start calling me a hero. I'm not one."

Tony rolled his eyes.

"Whatever you say, pal. Let's see how this skirmish goes and then maybe I can get you to change your mind."

"I'd like to see you try."

"You're on."

*****

A.N. This is the end... I've drowned and dreamt this moment_ Wrong film.

I hope you are enjoying the book and thank you so much for reading!