Chapter 72 Two Graves

It doesn't take long for us to reach the Bifrost and Loki gets off before helping me down. He smiles at me and puts his arm as we go inside. Heimdell smiles at us as we go over to where the portal opens as he activates the Bifrost and in moments we are traveling through space. Holding onto Loki tightly and in moments we land outside a graveyard. It's close to a forest and I can spot New York in the far distance. My old home and yet I find myself looking towards the gates to the graveyard, knowing Tony is there. Tony is there and he isn't alive anymore.

Loki sees I'm tense and puts his arm around me, "It's going to be ok Katrina. We can take it slow and there is no rush. I'm here for you. You will be ok."

I smile as I rest against him, "I know it's just… I kind of hoped this day would never come."

"He's at peace now and remember, he never wanted you to see him die. So you followed his wishes and maybe you couldn't go to the funeral. But you're here now and you can say goodbye." He kisses me on the head, "You ready to go inside?"

I nod and Loki keeps his arms around me as we go over to the graveyard and through the gate. It's a strange feeling as we go down the path, past the stones and I try to relax. I try not to think about the dead people around me or the fact I'm about to see Tony. To see Tony's grave and instead, I think about him and all the good times. The last time I saw him just before my honeymoon, where I promised to go on a honeymoon, to have a family and not to see him until the funeral. He was so happy for me, even though we said goodbye for the last time… last time… but Loki saw him again.

Now I remember. Loki said he saw Tony shortly after I died and figured out with him I was alive with his and Hela's help. It's how he got the disk for me. He got it from Tony which means he saw him, he saw Tony one more time and I have to know. Was he ok? Was he happy then?

I look at Loki, "How was Tony? The last time you saw him? When you thought I was dead."

"He was quite well actually." Loki begins, remembering his close friend and my brother, "He was in his room, a drip in his arm and a bit pale but he was happy. Smiling brightly and making something for his daughter Morgan. He was happy to see me and we had a drink together as I told him what I thought happened to you and he got me back on the right path. Made me realise what happened to you." He looks at me, "I promised him I would find and save you, no matter what."

I smile at him, relaxing against him, "And you did. You did save me and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. You saved me and you gave me the message from Tony. You kept your promise."

He smiles, "I know and he knew I would. He didn't doubt me for a second. He knew I would save you and give you the message. He even knew he would be dead long before… I just hoped I would have found you before he did."

"It's ok Loki. I'm sure Tony is watching over us and is just grateful that you saved me. Even though I wish I had gone to the funeral, I'm here now and that's all that matters." I kiss him on the lips, "I love you Loki."

"I love you Katrina, always and forever." He then spots something and smiles, "And as for Tony, he's over there."

Taking a breath, I pull away from Loki and follow his gaze to a gravestone not far from us. It actually makes me smile at the sight of it as I go over to it and it's brilliant. I guess I expected a blank gravestone with his name and death and date of birth. Like the other gravestones around us. But instead, he has a stone plaque on a statue of Iron Man, surrounded by slowly decaying flowers from all of his fans.

It amazing and it actually makes me smile as I approach it. It's exactly what Tony would have wanted and it's perfect. It's all about him, showing him off in his prime and I love it. Even though it's sad, it makes me happy that even in death, he showed off his suit. I find myself smiling as I kneel in front of his grave, my hands tracing over his plaque with his name on. But I notice underneath his plaque, there is another one and it has my name on it. With my date of birth and with a fake death date.

"He pronounced you dead to the world." I look up at Loki, who is admiring the statue, "He knew the threat to your life so he got Pepper to add that, so everyone thinks you are dead. Except for your friends and family of course."

I smile, "Still protecting me, even from beyond the grave… I should have brought flowers or something."

Loki smiles and produces flowers in his hands before handing them to me, "Here, they are special flowers from Asgard. They will stay fresh and glow here, never wilt or die. Perfect flowers to give."

I feel a tear roll down my cheek at the gesture as I take the flowers and lay them down with the others. But I soon realise that there is more Asgard flowers by his legs, two bunches of them and it makes me think. Thor has been here and… did Loki go to the funeral? And then it clicks, he knew about the plaque and he would have only known if he had been here before. Loki went to his funeral.

I look at him, "You came here before? You went to his funeral?"

He nods as he kneels beside me, "He was my best friend and was like a brother to me. An annoying brother but a brother none the less. And I know you would have wanted me to be there so I went to his funeral and you would have loved it Katrina. There were music and dancing. Loads of whisky and cheeseburgers." This makes me smile and more tears fall, "And even though I was in turmoil, wishing you were there with me, it made me smile. As there were so many people, saying goodbye, paying their respects. And it was perfect, all of it." He smiles, "I can show you if you want? The memory? So you can see how amazing it was."

My eyes widen and I agree and we open our minds as he puts my hands on his head. Instantly I'm sucked into the memory and I see it all. All of my friends and family, saying goodbye to Tony in the church. Thousands of people outside, laying flowers and crying. Playing ac/dc and even though they didn't know him, they were all there. The tears are rolling down my cheek as I watch him be buried, my friends saying goodbye and Loki doing the same. Promising he will find me, look after me and that we will see him again in Valhalla.

After the funeral, there is the wake and after Loki puts flowers on the grave, he goes to the massive tents where there is music and cheeseburgers. All of my friends gathered around, drinking and telling stories and talking about old times. They even dance and celebrate. And Loki even looks outside and I can see the people doing the same but are now putting flowers at his grave. It's beautiful and I just wished I were there.

The memory fades and I open my eyes, back beside Tony's grave and the tears are rolling silently down my cheek.

"Katrina?" Loki moves closer, putting his arms around me, "Are you ok?"

I nod, the tears falling more, "Yeah… it was just… so sweet and perfect… just like I wanted… I should have been there. I should have been there." I look at him, trying to calm down, "Thank you so much for going for me."

He smiles at me sadly, "Oh come here my angel, come here." He pulls me into his arms, "It's ok, just let it out." And I do.

The dam breaks and I cry into his arms, the memory of Tony's funeral rippling in my mind and it's so sad. And yet it's so perfect and exactly what I wanted for him. It makes me so happy and so sad at the same time. Wishing I was there but knowing I couldn't have been and it was amazing anyway. It was perfect and I'm so happy he got the perfect send-off and Loki went. So at least I was there in spirit and I could still see it. I can see it and I will treasure that memory forever. And at least I can grieve for Tony properly, in the arms of the man I love.

It takes me a while before I calm down, the pain melting away as the memory is sealed in the back of my mind. Loki comforting me, whispering soothing words like he is ok and he is at peace. And that I'm safe and I'm ok. It's so reassuring and it makes me feel better. Not to mention he is rubbing my back and giving me such comfort. I love being in his arms and his love helps soothe the pain.

Once I have calmed down, I look at his gravestone again and I rub away my tears.

"Are you ok?" He asks me, kissing me on the head.

I nod as I pull away from him a little, to look into his green eyes, "Yeah I'm ok. The memory just brought the pain back again. But it was perfect and I will always treasure it. Thank you so much for going for me."

He smiles, caressing cheeks, "It was my pleasure and I am glad I could give you that. I'm sorry you weren't there."

"It's ok, I was there in spirit, through you." I kiss him on the cheek, "Do you mind if have some time alone with him? To say goodbye?"

"Of course, take all the time you need."

He kisses me on the head before we pull apart and he gets to his feet before wandering off into the graveyard. Giving me enough space so I can be alone but keeping me in eye distance. My dashing prince, my future king guarding me, protecting me, and being there as I say goodbye to my fallen brother. God, I love him so much and I am thankful he saw my brother before the end and came to say goodbye for him and me. It makes me feel like… I was there, maybe not properly but I was there.

I look back at Tony's plague, "Hi Tony, it's been a long time. I hope you are at peace now, watching us from Valhalla with whisky in your hand and designing suits. Eating cheeseburgers or shawarma. God, I've missed you and I'm sorry I missed your funeral. But I'm here now. Finally, I'm here and I'm sure you know Loki saved me. He kept his promise and saved me from Kai, brought me home. I even have my wings and we are about to be King and Queen. But I got your message and I love you 3000 too." I trace my fingers over his name, "I have a daughter Tony. I named her Hope and she's 6 years old, nearly 7. You would have loved to meet her. She is so bright, full of light, magical, mischievous, and is just like me and Loki. But even though you will never meet, I have the family you knew I would have. I have Loki, Hela, and Hope. My own family and it's all thanks to you. Thank you Tony, for being the best brother I could have asked for. Thank you for guiding me, being there for me, and for giving me a life on Earth. As if it weren't for you, I would have never got my happy ever after so thank you." I take a breath as I stand up, "Goodbye Tony, and I will see you in Valhalla."

A tear rolls down my cheek but I rub it away as I look at his statue, memorizing it in my mind. There will be no more tears today. I'm free, I have my family, and Tony is at peace. And I will see you again when my long life is over and it's my time. But in the meantime, I will rule by Loki's side and have the family he wanted me to have.

I'm about to turn to Loki when I hear movement from behind me and I'm about to turn to see who it is when I hear a voice. Several voices saying my name and it makes me freeze on the spot.

"Auntie Katrina?"