Chapter 3
After brief consideration, Bruce decided to start with Loki's treatment. The man was hurt more severely and, furthermore, Thor had fallen asleep again directly after their conversation which kept the danger of him panicking because of Loki's absence low.
"So - it's probably best if we get them both into the medbay. - You're gonna help me get them down?"
"Sure. - Let's just hope none of them wakes up while being alone."
It worked luckily. They took Thor at first, simply carrying him this time. When they'd fetched Loki as well, Bruce started working immediately, ignoring anything around him. Tony stayed next to Thor. The blonde was still unconscious, lying stretched-out beneath the soft covers. From time to time, Bruce told Tony to assist, which the scientist did eagerly, giving him anything he asked for. Half an hour later, the doctor straightened up.
" - He's stable. - At least I think so. I did everything I could do so far."
He rolled the gurney next to Thor's, hooking the frost giant up to IV and other medication. Even Tony had to admit, the man lying in front of him, his whole body covered in bandages and monitoring devices, had nothing to do with the person that had attacked New York not so long ago. The little parts of skin visible in between the fabric were pale like death, nearly a greyish hint.
"So - Thor now?"
The doctor nodded and Tony pushed the gurney to the middle of the room. Bruce started with running several x-rays, breathing a sigh of relief when checking the results.
"It's not as bad as it could have been. - There are no injuries at his lungs or heart. - Internal bleedings though, that's quite concerning. The bruising in the abdominal section merely was caused by the broken ribs. - His entire ribcage got smashed. Still - I'm better checking everything. And the concussion's undeniable."
The brunette nodded, a slightly concerned expression on his face. Like before, Tony assisted when needed, holding compresses in place or applying bandages. When they were done, he spread the blanket over him, dropping into a chair beside the bed.
"When do you think will he wake?"
" - About whom are we talking right now?"
"I mean, you can tell me about both, it's just — you know whom I'm genuinely more interested in."
"I'm not sure. - We have to give him his time. I hooked him up to tranquilizers, so he won't panic right away. And I ensured they'll stay hydrated as well. Anyways, as soon as he's awake, we should try to make him eat something. They're both incredibly malnourished."
The genius nodded, leaning back in his chair.
"So time for wait and see then."
----
When Thor awoke, it was around 3 am. The scientists were still both awake. Bruce kept checking his patients' vital signs, exchanging meds when they were used up and keeping himself busy with medical stuff. Tony had gotten himself a few cups of coffee. He was too tired for working, so he had little to do and kept his gaze focused on Thor. When the blonde slightly moved his fingers, he was alert at once, straightening up and motioning Bruce to come over.
" - Thor?"
The man tried to open his eyes but failed after only a few seconds. This seemed to upset him as his breaths quickened and his hands reached out for seemingly nothing. Tony firmly held them in place, rubbing soothing circles with his fingertips while Bruce came closer.
"Thor, everything's alright. - I treated your injuries. - You're gonna be fine."
The god's lips moved slightly, silently parting before producing sound. His voice sounded raspy and weak.
"L-Loki...?"
"He's lying right next to you. - He's gonna be alright as well, ok. - You're safe now. - How do you feel?"
The doc spoke slowly and pronounced, so the injured man had enough time to grasp every of his words. Still it needed half a minute until they received an answer.
"I'm - dizzy - head hurts - c-can't - can't see."
The hint of panic was written clearly in his voice.
"That's completely normal. I've put you on tranquilizers so you can calm down a little. - Just don't stress. You can try open your eyes again."
Thor did try again, managing to blink them open after a while. His gaze darted through the room, not focusing on anything for longer than a second. He saw Tony sitting next to him, still holding his hands firmly, Bruce standing in front of him with a sympathetic smile and - he needed a while to recognize him - Loki lying in the bed next to his. At that sight, he calmed down visibly, his eyes falling close half-ways. He spotted Tony smiling at him, much warmer and softer than he normally did, pushing a strand of blonde hair from his forehead.
"You can sleep, Sunshine. - No worries right now, ok? We're here. Nothing and no one will take you away again. - Got my word."
As if hypnotized, the blonde's eyes shut completely as he fell back into a sound slumber.
" - Shouldn't he have eaten somethin' actually?"
"Well yeah, but - you saw how he's doing; he can barely focus on talking right now. - I'll just provide him with liquid nutrition for now."
A small pause appeared when Tony's eyes grew thoughtful, still resting on Thor.
"Sweet dreams, then."