[ there are no moves to stop her. she takes his hands, and he allows it. smaller fingers weave through his, resting between the crevices just above his palm. there's a squeeze of her hand that comes with a realization: it's not just him that he has to worry for anymore. everyone around him will be dragged into ruin if he steps into King Loki's intricate traps. there is certainty in his future, and that's what he wishes to snuff out.

again he wonders if this one. and again, he finds that he's to terrified to find the answer. more terrified than he cares to admit. ]

We fought so long and hard for a future free from destiny. [ sick of failure. sick of being the bad son. sick of being the villain for everyone to fight. ] I won't allow someone to take that from me, the Avengers and my other selves be damned.

[ I am the crime ]

I'm sick of losing. Ah, besides ... god of defiance has a good ring to it. If I'm a story, I just have to be the best story that I can be.