They exit the golden portal onto the roof of a tall building overlooking the smoking city of New York, Stark's tower visible in the distance. This building somehow seem to have received minimal damage during the recent assault though there were dead Chitauri littering the roof around them. As Loki looks around Sigyn sees his shoulders slump; knowing something was one thing, seeing it with your own eyes was another. She knew he needed to see what he'd done but it hurt her to see him hurting.
"I did this." He whispers, walking to the edge of the roof.
"You were used to do this." She corrects, coming to stand beside him.
Sirens could be heard screaming through the air as countless fires burned around the city, the mortals working tirelessly to put them out and rescue any survivors; it was a sad scene.
"Odin wasn't wrong, not completely. I wanted to rule this world, it wasn't just Thanos. I could've simply stolen the Tesseract from them and returned it to Thanos; Earth was my ambition. If I'd have just taken it to Thanos..."
"If you'd have Thanos would collect the remaining stones that much easier and then kill half the Earth's population with a simple snap of his fingers. These deaths, though sad, are better than that fate. It also brought the Earth's heroes together, but I wouldn't expect a thank you from them any time soon."
She chuckles softly drawing his eyes. He couldn't understand how she could care for him after everything he'd done. She'd even defended him from Odin's rage, something no one had ever done for him before; not that he'd been caught for many of his tricks growing up.
"Back on Asguard, when you blocked Odin from reaching me, you seemed to...there was a smoke coming off of you. What was that? Why did you defend me at all?"
"I told you, you're my partner. It's my job to protect you. Some battles I cannot fight for you but even those you won't fight alone."
"Thank you, truly. I do not know how I can ever repay you."
"By being the man I know you can be. You are not a saint but you can fight for what's right."
"What if I fail?" He asks, turning to face her.
"You only ever truly fail when you stop trying." She whispers, cupping his face with her hands, "I believe in you Loki."
He smiles and turns back towards the city, her hands falling away. A large explosion rocks the buildings around them, and they both see a large plum of fire and smoke shoot skyward. Sigyn extends her hand towards the plum and the fire rockets towards her. Loki flinches beside her but the flames seem to seep into her skin without causing her any pain at all, though her skin glows and smokes for a few heartbeats. She smiles down at him and his eyes go wide, her eyes seemed to be on fire.
"You're hot." Loki teases, looking up at her smirking.
"You have no idea." She purrs back, blinking so her eyes go back to normal.
He watches her as she walks back towards the center of the roof, admiring the view and trying to decide if she was flirting with him or not. He wonders, not for the first time, what she'd seen about them but knew she wouldn't tell him even if he had the courage to ask her. She had seemed pretty familiar with him since the moment they'd met but for all he knew she was like that with everyone.
"Come away from the edge please. We're about to have company." She says looking up at the sky as a clap of thunder sounds.
He scrambles towards her, looking around knowing who was about to make an entrance and wasn't looking forward to it. Sure enough a moment later Thor lands in front of them, followed by Tony.
"You know it was incredibly stupid to come back here." Tony says, aiming his palms at Loki and Sigyn, "Not the best place for a date."
"Where's the Tesseract brother?"
The rest of the Avengers make it to the roof and form a circle around Loki and Sigyn.
They all start talking over each other and to each other. Sigyn looks around at all of them smiling before turning back to face Thor and Tony.
"We've returned the Tesseract to Asguard where it belongs." She says directing it at Thor.
Her voice was soft but seems to come from every side of the rooftop making them all stop talking to look at her.
"Who are you?" Thor demands, spinning his hammer, "And why are you harboring my brother?"
"I am Sigyn and though Loki is with me we are clearly not hiding so I cannot be harboring him."
"He's a fugitive." Steve says, "Do not interfere and you are free to go. You don't have to get hurt."
"I'm afraid I cannot do that Captain."
"Then we will go through you. He's not getting away again." Clint says.
"Why are you here?" Nat asks, lowing her pistol, "And what's he to you?"
"I believe Earth still has this thing called a trial yes? One is innocent until proven guilty."
"We all say him, his guilt is proven." Steve says.
"Then I assume you will also be arresting the archer?" Sigyn says turning her gaze to Clint, "He too has spilled Terran blood in this fight."
"Loki was controlling him, it wasn't his fault." Nat says, stepping between Clint and Sigyn.
"Yes and no. Yes Loki used the scepter on Mr. Barton but it was not Loki whom was pulling the strings."
"Why should we believe you? We don't even know you. For all we know you were the puppet master if there was one." Tony says.
"You are quiet brother. Does this female now speak for you?"
Thor was trying to provoke Loki and though anger flashed in Loki's eyes he kept the lid on it.
"We did not come here to fight brother. You know me better than to think I would do something like this." Loki says, pointing at the dead alien at his feet.
"You tried to destroy an inter planet the last time I saw you Loki! I do not know you at all."
"A world you were ready to kill every last creature on yourself!" Loki shouts back, "When I fell I was rescued, though now I wish I had not been."
"Why should I believe you? You've always had a way with words."
"Okay, I've had enough talking, just take him." Tony says getting impatient.
He flies forward, intent on grabbing Loki but Sigyn blocks him, grabbing his hand inches from Loki's throat and holding him there.
"You really are an arrogant jackass Anthony." She says shoving him backwards hard enough that he boot make sparks as they drag the roof. "I do not want to hurt any of you but you will hear what we have to say."
"Is she one of you then?" Tony asks, turning to Thor.
"Sigyn, it's okay. They have reason to not trust me." Loki says, placing a hand on her arm.
"See, even he admits it." Tony says throwing his hands up.
"We're listening." Steve says.
"Ms. Romanoff, how did you break Mr. Barton from the scepters control?" Sigyn asks, ignoring Tony.
"She hit me really hard in the head." Clint answers for her.
"So you are not to blame for your part in what happened, including the assault of a man in Germany for an eye? That was your idea after all correct?"
"Clint is not on trial here." Nat says defensively, "It wasn't his fault!"
"And if I can prove the same thing happened to Loki first?" Sigyn asks, turning to face the other woman.
"How?" Steve asks.
"I can show you with a simple touch."
"How do we know it isn't a trick?"
"You were there?" Thor asks
"No. I see things, all things actually. My brother sees and hears everything as it happens, I see the future. Ask my brother if we speak the truth about the Tesseract Odinson."
"Who's your brother?"
"Heimdall." Loki supplies
"Who the hell is Heimdall and why is he a reliable source?" Tony asks.
"He is the guardian of the Bifrost on Asguard. So you are of Asguard, how do I not know of you?"
"Ask him."
Thor closes his eyes for a moment and when they open again he looks at Sigyn with a new found respect.
"Show me." Thor demands, marching over to her and holds out his arm.
She rolls her eyes and steps in closer, reaching up to press two fingers to his forehead. His eyes turn golden like Sigyn's and widen as he watches the images fly past. He stumbles back, breaking contact and looks at his brother.
"So what did you see?" Tony demands.
"A large purple man used the scepter on Loki before sending him here to retrieve the Tesseract. They speak the truth, Loki was under the scepter's influence as well."
"So what do we do with him now? What about her?" Tony asks, eyeing Sigyn.
"Is that drink still on the table?" Loki jokes.
Clint, Natasha and Steve chuckle while Sigyn smiles and rolls her eyes. Loki takes her hands in his, smiling at her before kissing her knuckles lightly. Thor throws his arms around Loki as he releases Sigyn, hugging him tight before holding his shoulders looking at him.
"How did you convince our father to not throw you into the dungeons?"
"That was Sigyn. Apparently father owed her a favor."
"And she wasted it on you?" Clint asks, putting his bow away and crossing the roof to stand beside Thor.
Tony looks at Sigyn again, appraising her and Loki balls his fists. They'd interrupted their moment.
"So you and reindeer games?" Tony asks, pointing at their joined hands.
"No." Sigyn replies, mischief dancing in her eyes as she winks at Loki.
She turns to look at Tony and walks over to him quickly. As she reaches him he sways on his feet, dropping to a knee as she catches him from falling completely.
"You're hurt Mr. Stark."
"It's only a scratch." He winces trying to stand back up only to fall again.
"Take your helmet off. I can help."
When he doesn't she growls, "Good lord, it's not that big of a deal!"
"Maybe wait until he's back at his tower?" Loki asks, concern coloring his voice.
"I'll be okay, but if he moves too much more he's going to puncture a lung with his broken rib. Ms. Romanoff come here please."
Natasha walks over, kneeling beside them clearly confused as to what was going on.
"May I touch you?" Sigyn asks.
"Yes?" Natasha replies, still confused.
Sigyn places her hand gently on top of Natasha's, the large gash on the other woman's forehead closing up before it reappears on Sigyn. A moment later it's completely gone and Sigyn glares at a wide eyed Tony.
"Are you satisfied I'm not trying to hurt you?"
"Tony just let her help. You literally just fell from outer space. Stop being a baby."
"Fine!" Tony snaps removing his helmet.