In the warm sun, on her day off, Ava Carson laughed with her friends. They were seated outside at a cafe, just talking. They were completely unaware of the god and time lord standing a dozen feet away from them, wearing perception filters around their necks.

"She looks so happy." Loki noted.

"She is." The Doctor said.

Loki stared at his wife, so young even though she was only 18 now. She looked innocent and naive. She had yet to go on adventures in space and time with the Doctor and be married to a tyrannical god. Experience and war had yet to harden her eyes and create lines on her face.

Loki wanted to approach her and tell her all the things he never got the chance to say. He loved her. He regretted ever treating her like she was nothing. He wanted her to live the rest of her life with him. He wanted her to be able to eat the golden apples of immortality and stay with him forever. He wanted more time than he got with her. He wanted her.

Loki and the Doctor stared in silence as Ava talked and giggled. Loki felt comfort wash over him. She was so happy now, and she'd only get happier. The Doctor had told Loki all of the adventures they had and how a smile always found a way to grace her face during those times. It helped his heart heal, knowing she had a good life before it was tragically ended. Before he caused it to end.

He stared at her face, the way her eyes twinkling and her mouth split in two, curving up at the edges. He realized he'd never really appreciated the woman that he had. He wished he could change that now.

He turned to the Doctor.

"We can go now." He spoke softly.

The Doctor, who seemed to have been in his own memories, nodded his head. "Right."

As they both turned to leave, Loki glanced back at Ava once more. She didn't know the things she would do, the life she would live. She was completely clueless. He smiled to himself as he saw her smile and knew her life would only get better from here.