Once Again Chapter 31

Odin slipped into his chambers, breathing unusually heavy for a powerful God like him. He slammed the door, and pressed his back against it.

He couldn't take it anymore. He was going insane.

Loki was everywhere.

Odin had woken in the morning to find emerald eyes staring right into his, flickering like an old hologram, but still there.

Odin had just very nearly screamed, but he managed to compose himself and ignore the iridescent image that followed him everywhere. He was hallucinating, he told himself. It was the grief that caused him this.

Just hallucinating.

"It's not the first time you've lost a son," He said firmly to himself. "You got over Baldur's death just fine-"

By the Gods, he was a fool. Remembering Baldur was the very last thing he needed. Odin staggered away from the door, haunted by memories. He remembered how Loki had saved the kingdom by killing his little brother, who had been plotting against Thor. Had Loki not shot Baldur through the heart, Thor would not be alive now.

And what was Loki's reward? His son was decapitated before him, the boy's guts used to bind Loki to a rock, where snake venom was dripped upon him for more than two months. And it would have gone on longer too, had they not discovered the truth about Baldur.

Father. A cold breath on his shoulder whispered. Odin felt a chill run down his back, and he turned to see a faint shimmering silhouette. Features formed on the blank shadow, with a green tunic and golden armbands. Odin couldn't help it, he gave a startled shout.

The only thing possibly more excruciating to see Loki again, was to see a younger Loki. To think about all the times Odin had wronged his stepson – no, his SON - and think about what he could have changed, to avoid all this.

Loki's ghost looked painfully young, he couldn't have been more than six. But that knowing, cold, hard smile on his face was something a six year old couldn't have mustered. Only hundreds of years of pain, sorrow, and hatred merged that could form that expression.

"What's wrong, Father?" Loki walked slowly towards Odin, who backed away like a million Jotun and other monsters were descending upon him. "Ah, yes, the Baldur incident. I still have the scars. What did happen to that God-awful snake?"

"Loki, please."

"Oh, and speaking of snakes, do you know what happened to Jörmungandr after he was hurled down to Midgard from Asgard?" Loki strode closer, his form flickering, but becoming more and more solid. Odin's back hit the door. "Did you ever check?"

"No, no, Loki, please don't-"

"And let's not forget Fenris." Loki had materialized enough for Odin to see, and he was the exact image of Loki when he was younger. This was no illusion, no foolish prank, not even a hallucination. "Did you know, on Midgard, people go to jail for throwing rocks at cats and dogs."

There were no such things as ghosts. There was afterlife, yes, but no ghosts.

"What do you think would have happened if they found about you?"

No no no nonono.

"You, who chained Fenris to a rock, a dagger through his mouth, where he bled for eternity?"

"Loki, stop."

"Shall I go on?"

"Stop!"

"How's dear Sleipnir? Still rotting away in the stables, even as she begs her grandfather to be let out, to be free to run-"

"Loki, I'm sorry."

The young Loki's pale green eyes widened for just a split second before hardening again.

"Oh, you're sorry , are you?" Loki demanded, his pleasant voice growing harsh. "Sorry? That word didn't seem to help when you had me tied-"

Odin dropped to his knees, eye brimming. "Loki, I beg of you, please forgive me. Please, do not haunt these halls anymore. Everywhere I turn, I see you and I fear I am going mad and-" The great God stifled his tears, "I am truly, truly sorry, Loki."

Loki pursed his lips, as if considering a good offer.

"Oh, give him a break." A gold and red chunk of humanoid metal dropped from the roof right beside Odin. "I think you've taught him enough of a lesson."

Odin almost jumped out of his skin.

Little Loki started laughing, like a literal roll-on-the-floor laugh.

"Say cheese," the Iron Man said, and snapped a picture of Odin's absolutely befuddled expression.

"Wha-" Odin gaped. "What is this?"

"It was a jest, Father." Thor said as he pushed open the door, a small smile playing on his lips.

"Sorry, but Loki was quite adamant about teaching your, uh, your highness, a lesson." Clint said, coming through the door with the rest of the Avengers in tow. "I must say, the kid-form was a nice touch."

"The Greatest Norse God being scared shitless, and giving a massive derp face," Tony murmured, "is now live on YouTube."

"You…" Odin murmured, "Loki, you are alive?"

"Alive and kicking, father ." Loki remained in his child form as he slung one small arm over Odin's humongous one.

Odin swept his younger son into his arms, hugging him close, murmuring Loki's name.

"Hey, look." Tony, as usual, ruined the moment. The Iron Man suit projected a hologram onto the wall. "This has just been broadcasted all across Midgard. Not bad, right?"

It was a looping video, of Odin's shriek and his incredible derp face, that played over and over again.

Odin stared at the clip of him, then back at Loki.

"It was a good joke, no, Father?" Loki said, still smiling.

The smile faded when he looked at Odin's face.

"Dear GOD ," Loki squeaked, and ran the hell out of the room.

"HWRAGH!"

Tasha neatly sidestepped as Odin tore out of the room, screaming ancient Norse curses.

Loki spent the rest of the day running for his life.