Loki x Reader: Into the MCU

Chapter 48: Time Heist

"I'm not going to push Thor off," he said, meeting Thor's eyes. His brother had understood from the moment Loki mentioned Vormir. "I'm going to throw myself off."

"No," Thor said, shaking his head, "Loki, this is madness. I know dying is your favorite thing to do---"

"There's only one way to get the soul stone," Loki cut him off, "One of us is going to die for it."

"Or we'll think of something else," Steve said.

"Nat seemed quite content to kill herself last we spoke of it, why can't I?"

Clint looked at Nat. "What's he talking about?"

Nat's eyes turned guiltily to the floor.

"He's right. There's only one way we get the stone in the film. It's the deal that has to be made, and I was always supposed to make it."

"Not this time," Clint said firmly.

"What, so I sit out of this one and let someone else throw themselves off? Argue until we decide on someone we're the least concerned about losing?" she fought.

"There's no arguing needed," Loki said again, "Because I'll spare us all the trouble of picking the smallest concern."

"Loki---," Thor started again, but Loki interrupted once more.

"Thor, by some miracle you're one of the few that cares for me," he said matter-of-factly, no hint of drama in his voice, "It makes the most sense that I be the one to go."

"So you leave me again to mourn your loss?" Thor grumbled in accusatory irritation.

"Brother, I'm sorry...really, I--I'm sorry. For having put you through that in the past, but now it's time. Time for me to make a sacrifice that isn't fake, time for you to grieve...one last time."

The room was again silent, watching the interaction between the brothers.

"Wren didn't come all the way here brother, save your life, just for you to die like this."

"Yet she came here, changed everything, just to have Nat kill herself? For things to go the same?" he challenged.

"She tried, but things went the same either way," Nat said, "It's ok...I'll be fine."

"Romanoff, enough with the death talk," Tony ordered, "No one is climbing a frickin mountain just to fall off of it. Not for a rock."

"It's not just a rock, Tony. It's half of all life," Nat corrected.

"Nat, it doesn't matter," Bruce pleaded, "We can't sacrifice you for it."

"Which is why I'm going," Loki sat up straighter, starting to get annoyed.

"Or you," Bruce clarified.

"Why?" Loki said, putting his hands flat on the table and pushing himself up from his seat, "Give me a reason why I'm not the logical choice? The scale of those affected by the sacrifice is exponentially tipped towards Nat or any of you!" he looked around the room, waiting for someone to argue.

"I'd miss you, bro," Korg said casually, "And I'd gladly toss myself off of whatever mountain we're talking about." Miek raised his hand too, showing he was in the same mindset.

Loki smiled gratefully at the pair, but shook his head.

"That's...that's very kind," Loki said, not used to being so openly appreciative or emotional. In fact, he'd apologized to Thor in front of everyone. He realized that, for the first time, he truly didn't care about hiding. That, unlike the last two weeks or few months, he hadn't had to fight some internal struggle before getting himself to say or do something. He'd just let it out, here among the team. And it felt so refreshing, even if it was still a degree uncomfortable and unfamiliar. "But I'm afraid you'd be missed," he continued.