Twisted in Ties (Loki x OC)

Chapter 105

"Well, I think Morgan should be special in her own extra-special ways." Pepper nodded in agreement.

"Yes, I guarantee she will be. After all, this one is actually Tony's flesh and blood." 

"...Izetta was too. She was every bit a Stark as you," I told Tony. "and she had the heart and strength you have too, Mrs.Stark."

"Please, call me Pepper."

"As you wish." 

"It's still weird not seeing her around. You just...always expect her to be here." Clint stated.

"Yeah," Bruce agreed. I had noticed that my brother was gone. He'd slipped away and I assumed he had probably found a place to be alone. I would find him later. I knew that this place wasn't somewhere he preferred to be, but I was glad he'd come along regardless.

"Thor?" Natasha spoke up after a second. "What's up with your brother these days? He's been really different." I sighed heavily.

"Izetta became...a dear friend to him. She always was good at bringing out the best in people. He misses her, just like all of us." 

"Never thought Loki could be on our side," Clint stated.

"I wasn't sure for a long time too, but Izetta didn't doubt him. The two learned much about each other. I suppose our adventures changed all of us quite a lot. Besides, it's good to have my brother again. I'll miss him once I'm off, but he wants to stay here on Earth. I think it's because he doesn't think himself fit to come with me. That and...I don't know if there's anywhere else he would want to go." Pepper frowned a little.

"Well, I'm glad that he's here. I'll be right back, though. I have to go check on something." 

"What's that, hon?" Tony asked.

"Nothing big. I'll be right back." The two shared a quick kiss before Pepper was gone. I wondered where she was going too, but I had a feeling that, if anyone would know other than me, it would be her. 

Loki's POV

I had slipped away from the group. I wanted to be alone again. I needed to breathe. Being here was hard enough already. Thinking about Izetta was making it harder, but I still couldn't help it. I began to wander, looking around. It was odd to think about this having been my brother's life while he was away. I still wasn't exactly one to understand what it was like to be an Avenger. That was nothing like me, after all. Sure, I had fought alongside them, but I wasn't exactly one of them.

I soon accidentally wandered toward where the rooms were. I stopped when I walked past her rebuilt room. It had been turned into a memorial of her. I saw her old gear and pictures of her all over the walls. I walked inside, looking around. 

Just seeing her old belongings was enough to make me emotional. The pictures were hitting my heart even harder. I saw all kinds of pictures of her being with friends and family. There was a picture of her with Morgan and Tony. She was smiling as they all seemed to be laughing while playing together. There was another picture, clearly what I had learned was called a 'selfie', with her other adoptive sibling, Parker. Then there were pictures of when she was young, learning her gear and going on missions with her father. There were article clippings and such on the walls as well.

All of it brought back so much. I walked over and picked up the visor on her desk. It was old and clearly one of her first models, but I remembered it. I smiled, laughing sadly to myself. I wished I could've seen more. 

"Tony spends a lot of time in here too." I turned as I saw Pepper there. I set down the visor, clearing my throat.

"Uh, my apologies, Mrs. Stark, I was just-"