Inspired by this tragically beautiful picture: #/d59zz8d

In the final moments of the great battle, when the other Avengers lie battered and bruised and could no longer will themselves to fight, two brothers stood face to face. Staring intently, silently daring the other to make the first move.
Startling green eyes softened, "Brother," It was a broken and choked whisper, not at all the man he had been moments ago. Thor didn't respond, he only looked upon him as if he knew what his brother was going to say.

Loki took a step closer to his brother. Then another. And another until they were standing toe to toe. He wrapped his arms around the taller man and laid his head upon his shoulder, helmet long since discarded. Thor could feel the wetness of his brother's tears and for a moment he stroked his dark, dark hair gently.

"Brother you know what I must do." Thor strained to hear him but he knew the words before they were spoken, he didn't respond but pressed a gentle, loving kiss to Loki's forehead as a sign of his understanding. Loki could feel Thor gasp against his forehead as his sceptre pierced him through the heart; the only sound was the little pleads of 'forgive me brother' that Loki managed to choke out through his sobs. He removed his weapon and placed Thor on the ground, Loki wished he hadn't seen the last light fade from his brother's eyes because if nothing else would; that image would torment him forever.

Loki removed the look of utter despair from his features only to be replaced with a mask of wicked indifference. A little ways away from that place sat his helmet on the ground. He placed it on his head feeling entirely numb, he could no longer remember what he gained from this but it didn't matter because whatever the reason; it wasn't worth it.

He turned and left that place, left the corpse of his brother for the Avengers to find, not once did he look back for fear of what he'd do. He tried to lie to himself, tell him that he gained much more than he lost, but he couldn't. Liesmith. Silver tongue. He could lie to anyone but himself and he certainly couldn't keep those four accursed words from plaguing his thoughts.

It wasn't worth it.