"My diary! And the star and the iPod! You kept it?!" Aurora's face lightens up at the appearance of her notebook, she really thought she had lost it in London. The God of Mischief half smiles at her happiness, even more than usual because he's the reason for it. It makes him feel less like a monster.
"The only things that kept me sane." He responds smoothly as the two of them walk through the empty landscape of Alabama in the cold night. Their destination is the location where Yondu and Rocket would pick them up. "I have something for you."
"What?" She lifts a brow in the air curiously as her eyes wander to the little object in his hands. It is a golden hourglass, looking rather antique and precious and the glass is filled with an emerald mysterious sand. The object is hardly bigger than Aurora's finger as it leaves a breath-taking impression on her. "It's beautiful... Why are you giving me this?"
"A sorcerous hourglass that I created." Loki places it in her hands, his own engulfing them. "When I am not to be close to you, it shall heat at my thoughts of you. And the sand'll not stop falling until I return. For a situation where we are separated once more."
Aurora's numb fingers run over the glass with a big smile, mesmerized by his gift like a little girl. Carefully stowing it in her bag, she glances at him before the auburn-haired gently caresses his cheek. "Thank you, I really love it. But don't worry, we will not separate again."
"If it guarantees your safety, then— " Her lips cut off his doubts and Loki doesn't hesitate to return her sweet and affectionate kiss. Although there's not much to be seen in the darkness and Aurora's skin is affected by the cold, it still feels like he's melting under her touch.
It's not the first time that he's been in love but this time is different. Human and passionate, yet safe at the same time. Loki could never get enough of her soft lips as he is consumed by her kiss. Already pulling back to his dismay, Aurora sends him a reassuring smile.
"I feel safe around you. And you can believe me, I'll never let you go."
Needless to say, Loki is uncontrollably in love with her. With each second, each kiss and each smile, it only gets worse because he grows aware of all his enemies who are capable of using her as his soft spot. He will protect her with everything he has- even his life if necessary. The couple continues the walk and Aurora's mood is still vibrant.
"It feels so good to be my old self again. I missed this." She grins at her green jacket and black fingerless gloves. The space outfit defines her much better than the Earth's clothing has done. "I'm so glad that we leave this dreadful planet. Sure, it's my home planet and they have the best music in the whole galaxy, but the people here judge different individuals so hard! How was your time in space, by the way?"
"A quite interesting experience, I must admit." Loki only states but Aurora can hear in his voice that he actually liked it. This gives her hopes, a future of them together in space.
"And what about Odin? Did he just let you free to help me because you turned into such an honorable man?" She nudges him playfully with a smirk which Loki doesn't return with a teasing comment. And in this moment, Aurora realizes that something must be wrong. "He didn't, did he? What have you done?"
"I might or might not have faked my death. The usual trick."
She groans, her hand running down her face. This obviously just deteriorates the relationship between Loki and Odin which is the opposite of her plan. "Okay, I'm not mad, you sort of did that for me. And what about Thor?"
"How do you think you received security?" He only answers slyly and Aurora rolls her eyes, slapping his arm playfully. She's fully aware though that this means Loki will not return to Asgard once all of this is over, Odin may execute him for betraying the kingdom.
"At least you have kind of improved the relationship with your brother. I would love to see Thor again, ask how he is. I heard that the catastrophe in London ended well." She puts her other belongings in her belt bag as both of them stop on a deserted place, no high way or plants in their sight.
"One catastrophe follows the other." Loki simply states, placing his arm around her. "We're here. Shall we?"
Aurora nods with a big smile, placing her hand on his chest as both of them look at the sky. In the next second, the alien ship appears out of nowhere and the cold wind causes the dust to twirl around the two Gods. This ship may be strange for others but not for her, this is her home. The ship of the Ravagers. A bright and colorful light surrounds them and Aurora's heart races. She's not only united with the man that she loves but she will also finally meet her half brother. A new adventure awaits her.
Loki and Aurora get transported into the ship within a wind blow. The air forcefully enters her ears, a short prickling settles in her stomach and dizziness overwhelms her for a second- something she's used to since she has been a child. They land on a rusty, metallic ground and Aurora needs a moment to adjust to her surrounding, yet her bright smile widens. Nothing has changed.
"...'Rora." Yondu's voice catches her attention and she turns around, pure happiness overwhelming her when she spots the blue alien who took care of her. The Ravager smirks at her, more than glad that she's safe. It's been almost two years since they have seen each other.
"Yondu!" Aurora squeals excited and runs into his awaiting arms. "God, how much I've missed you!"
"Glad to see ya, too." His gruff laugh echoes through the ship as he remains in the embrace for another moment, savoring the hug with the girl he raised. "'M sorry that I didn't make it sooner. Gotta save the galaxy. And for hiding the truth."
"It's fine, I understand it. I'm just so happy to see you again!" The auburn-haired girl laughs brightly in his shoulder. Oh, how Yondu has missed this innocent and sincere laughter, filled with light and joy. Loki only observes what's happening from a close distance, yet he is more than glad about their reunion. The Ravager really acts like her father.
"Oh, boo-hoo! We are all so overly stirred by this cuddle-muddle shit, can we please focus on the mission now?!" Rocket interrupts them with an annoyed voice, Groot sitting on his shoulder, and the raccoon's voice makes Loki roll his eyes. The two of them already got into a lot of arguments in the short time they have known each other.
Aurora pulls back with a chuckle and her glance lands on the talking raccoon and the little, adorable tree. "Oh, my God, how awesome! Who are you two??"
"Rocket." The raccoon grunts.
"I am Groot." The tiny tree waves at her and her smile widens.
"I'm Aurora Reyes. Nice to meet you. Sorry to procrastinate the mission, now let's go to kick Ego's ass and save my half-brother who I've never met!" She shouts enthusiastically and runs to the pilot seat, Groot already jumping off Rocket's shoulder to follow the energetic girl. "I've also got some awesome music!"
"I think I like her better than Quill." Rocket shrugs before he leaves Loki and Yondu alone. "She didn't call me a raccoon."
The three of them already cause an incredible noise with their yelling and shouting, Loki almost cannot believe how well Aurora fits to these space dorks. The blue Ravager glances at the silent Frost Giant's chin with a lifted brow. "Where did you get the bruise from, boy?"
"I'm certain it'll not surprise you that Aurora punched me in her state of confusion." Loki responds almost with a smirk and Yondu chuckles lowly.
"Sounds like my little girl."
The two men settle into a comfortable silence. Although the Ravager is quite the opposite of Loki, they have developed a mutual respect towards each other, something the God of Mischief rarely does. Yondu helped him to understand better that blood doesn't define your family and he can see it by looking at Aurora and Yondu. Maybe he's not as lost as he thought.
"Kraglin! Oh, my God, hey! It's been a while." Aurora greets the Ravager in the cockpit and the Xandarian stares with widen eyes at the long lost member of the Ravager clan.
"Aurora, you here?!"
"Yep, I'm fully back with memories and my still existent pilot skills, so you know what that means- move your ass, I'm flying." She expels him from the pilot seat and he does as she says, still astonished by her presence.
"Wait a moment, why is she allowed to fly? I'm the great pilot!" Rocket protests with dissatisfaction as everyone sits down, Loki close to Aurora.
"Because", Yondu laughs with amusement and lets the raccoon sit next to the auburn-haired pilot, so he can at least be the copilot, "she is the greatest pilot I've ever met. C'mon, girl, impress them with your skills."
Aurora smirks at her father before her eyes land on Loki. She cannot believe that he'll help her and forgoes Asgard and its throne for her, being actually selfless and the man he could have always been. God, how much she loves him for that. The pilot lever beneath her hand feels familiar and excitement overwhelms her chest as she starts the ship— she's finally home.
"Next stop: Ego's planet."
A/N- Anyone still alive after Infinity War? Because I am not.
I won't say a lot about the movie because I don't want to spoil and please don't comment any spoilers, there are people who still haven't seen it (you know, people who are still happy and innocent). I will only say that this movie completely ruined me and was a truly heart-breaking masterpiece.
Anything that happens in this fanfic was already planned before Infinity War, the movie will not influence the plot or what will follow in this fan fiction since I already wrote in advance. My upcoming IW fanfic on the other hand... Yelp, prepare your tissues.