• •
  It had been a month since you were gone.

The common room in the Avengers Tower was unusually quiet as everyone sat together for movie night. Tony kept glancing toward the empty seat beside him, almost expecting you to walk in and complain about the movie.

Natasha sat quietly, Clint and his family close by. Bruce barely paid attention to the screen, while Yelena looked irritated at everyone for being so silent. Wanda stared at the television without really watching it.

Steve sighed.

“I still can’t believe she’s gone.”

Nobody answered.

Far away, Loki stood alone at your grave.

He looked down at your name, his expression unreadable.

“You were stubborn,” he whispered. “Annoyingly so.”

For a moment, everything was silent.

Then Loki raised his hand.

A strange glow surrounded the grave.

And suddenly—

You opened your eyes.

Loki froze.

You slowly sat up, confused and exhausted.

“Loki?”

His eyes widened.

“You’re alive.”

You looked around, completely bewildered.

“I think so?”

Loki stared at you for several seconds before finally helping you stand.

“You need to see your family.”

You eventually found a taxi and made your way back to the Avengers Tower.

Meanwhile, inside the common room, everyone was still watching the movie.

The elevator doors opened.

You stepped out.

Nobody noticed at first.

“Um…”

Everyone turned.

The room went completely silent.

Tony dropped the remote.

Natasha stood up so quickly she nearly knocked over her drink.

Bruce stared at you as if his mind couldn't process what he was seeing.

Yelena's mouth fell open.

Wanda covered her mouth.

Clint just whispered, “No way.”

Steve stood frozen.

Bucky looked completely stunned.

Thor stared at you in disbelief.

Loki walked in behind you with the smallest smile.

Tony suddenly rushed toward you.

“My kid?”

You burst into tears.

“Dad…”

Tony pulled you into the tightest hug.

Pepper ran toward you too, crying as she wrapped her arms around you.

“Mom…”

You cried even harder, holding onto both of your parents.

For the first time in a month, the Avengers weren't mourning you.

You were standing right there.

You were home.

And somehow, against everything they believed possible—

you were back.