Apologies for the late post; I fell right into bed after work.
Thanks to chibifukurou and slyprentice for letting me play in their usual fandom area

Title: Freefall & Landing
Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe: Thor & Avengers
Pairing: gen, with Thor/Jane
Categories: AU, Angst, Drama, Hurt/Comfort, Family
Length: Long (11,230 + 16,977 words)
Warnings: Depression and attempted suicide. Spoilers for Thor and completely AU for Avengers.

Author on LJ: galaxysoup
Author Website: galaxysoup

Summary:
Loki falls. Thor catches him. This does not solve as many problems as Thor was hoping it would.

In the sequel, Thor and Loki settle in to life at Avengers mansion. This process is about as complicated as one would expect.

Review:
Turning AU just at the end of Thor, Freefall takes the angst and drama of Loki's situation and turns it up to the nth degree, while also turning up Thor's concern for his shattered brother. Instead of lashing out, Loki collapses with depression, and Thor flees with Loki to Midgard to protect him. He meets Jane and her friends, and in time SHIELD and the Avengers, but his primary concern is his brothers total descent into silence and depression. Thor may not know how to do it, but he's devoted to helping Loki.

Thor and Loki end up joining the Avengers. I particularly liked that Tony was able to draw Loki out of his shell a bit with science. Eventually they have to deal with a re-connection to Asgard, where Thor is welcomed home but Loki is not, and politics complicate everything. The characterizations of Odin, Frigga (who is AWESOME), Sif and the Warriors Three are all interesting and nuanced; each doing what they see is best, while Thor struggles with how much he has changed and how differently the world sees Loki. While Asgard will never be a home for Loki again, they both find a place on Earth with the Avengers.

I loved how this fic dealt with the fall out of Thor's family drama, and depression and attempted suicide in a genuine and thoughtful manner. Thor is still Thor, well meaning but a bit blundering, and underneath the depression Loki is still a genius maverick. That said, if depression and attempted suicide are at all troubling or triggering for you, you may want to give this fic duo a pass, since both are a major focus of the story.

“Loki,” he says, as gently as he can manage. “You cannot make me hate you. You are my brother and I love you. Please stop this madness!”

Loki convulses, letting out one harsh sob before going limp in Thor’s grasp. He remains as a Jotun but does not attempt to free himself again. He simply lies there, shaking badly, his skin blue and alien.

Odin finally releases Thor’s cape and steps out into his line of sight. Thor looks at him pleadingly, but Odin’s eye is only on Jotun-Loki. His expression is sorrowful, guilty, and there is a faint undercurrent of disgust.

Oh, Thor thinks, oh, even as his hand rises instinctively to cover Loki’s eyes. Understanding sinks into his heart as so many events of the last few days - centuries - become clear: Loki’s isolation, his difference, his sudden fragility. The desperation and madness of his recent plotting. Thor’s heart swells with sympathy even as his body tries to recoil.

Freefall & Landing