Chapter 7
Chapter 7
On the next morning Thor got woken up by Loki who gently shook his shoulder. When Thor sleepily opened his eyes and looked at the clock, he noticed it was a half hour earlier than the time he got up usually. Annoyed he turned to Loki already planning to complain. But when his glance met Loki he immediately trailed off.
Thor: "Loki? What is it?"
The younger one was shivering heavily, his skin had an unusual pink flush to it and his shirt was drowned in sweat.
Loki: "Thor I'm - I'm not feeling well."
Loki's voice sounded hoarse and after finishing the sentence, Loki started coughing violently.
Thor: "What's wrong?"
Loki: "I'm feeling dizzy, my - head hurts, I can't stop coughing and - I'm cold."
Thor's concern deepened as he straightened up, freed Loki from underneath the blanket and gently put a hand to Loki's cheek. As he felt the burning heat beneath his fingers, he quickly drew his hand back, the worry in his eyes deepening.
Thor: "Dear, you've got a fever!"
Loki only nodded, pulling the blanket back up and sneezing quietly. Afterwards he cuddled closer to Thor, searching his warmth. The thunderer cuddled his lover gently, stroking his sweat-soaked curls out of his face. Loki's shivers slowly faded and Thor got up, stretching his muscles. Loki looked up sleepily, nearly hiding beneath the blanket.
Thor: "I'll be right back, love. I'm only getting stuff that might help you."
Thor bowed down, putting a kiss to Loki's forehead. Then he walked out, drawing his phone and slowly dialing a number he had written down long ago. It didn't last long until the call was received.
Bruce: "Here Dr. Banner, what's the matter?"
Thor: "Ay Banner, problem's following: I'm down on Midgard together with Loki. It seems he's got a fever, he's coughing, sneezing, freezing and according to him, his whole body's aching. I don't know what to do!"
Banner: "Good to hear you too, thunderboy! Ok Thor, relax! It's most important that you don't panic. Do you know about Loki's temperature?"
Thor: "He's hot - but I don't know the exact temperature."
Banner: "Alright. Thor, listen! I assume Loki has quite a bad cold. You'll have to go to a pharmacy and buy a few things. Can you follow me?"
Thor: "Yes I can. What should I get?"
Banner: "At first, we have to know his exact condition so you're gonna buy a clinical thermometer to measure his temperature. You only have to switch it on and he has to keep it in his mouth til it starts beeping. Alright til here?"
Thor nodded before recalling himself that Banner couldn't see it.
Thor: "Yes, I got it."
Banner: "Fine. Also, you're gonna get some Aspirin. It'll help easing the pain, especially the headaches. These are pills. You have to see how urgently he needs it. He can take three pills per day at most. Not more. Understood?"
Thor: "Yeah, everything. What's more?"
Banner: "Some normal pain killers won't be wrong as well. I can't tell how his condition will develop. Apart from this, he'll need handkerchiefs, nasal spray and something against the coughing. Just ask the workers what they have in store."
Thor: "Fine. Can I do anything else to help him get better?"
Banner: "Well, the main thing is he stays in bed. He mustn't exhaust or stress himself. Furthermore, you can adjust cold cloths around his legs and cook tea. It will soothe his sore throat and the towels will help to cool him down. Additionally, just keep him warm in bed. If anything worsens or you're not sure what to do, just call me. I'm not sure I could get by, but maybe I can help anyway."
Thor: "Alright Banner, thank you. - You think I can go to work today?"
Banner: "Well - I guess it shouldn't be a problem. If you provide everything he needs and don't need to long you can of course work. Just - make sure he's ok if you leave."
Thor: "Alright. Thank you very much for your help."
Banner: "No problem, big guy. Just tell me if you need anything."
Thor: "Goodbye, Banner."
Thor hang off nervously, looking at the paper he had written down onto everything Banner had said. The list was long but Thor was determined to do everything Banner had told him to. He returned to Loki just in time to see him struggling to get out of bed.
Thor: "Hey Loki, what are you doing? stay in bed!"
Loki: "Where were you for so long?"
Thor: "Loki, I talked to Bruce Banner. He told me how to help you best. I'll go and get the stuff you need. As long as I'm not here you stay in bed, alright?"
Loki only nodded slightly, falling back onto the pillows exhausted. Thor stepped next to him and took his trembling fingers into both of his hands.
Thor: "Alright. I'm gonna be right back. Promise. Do you need anything else?"
Loki freed his hand, putting it to his head.
Loki: "Dr - drink…"
Loki had to stop to cough, but Thor had understood already.
Thor: "Oh sure."
Thor went out of the room, only to return a few seconds later with a glass in his hands. He sat down next to Loki, lifting him up cautiously. Loki flinched at sitting up and leaned onto Thor because he obviously felt lightheaded. Thor offered him the glass, but when Loki only extended a shaking hand, Thor decided differently and onlyy brought the glass to Loki's lips. The frost giant took a few careful sips, before pulling away. Thor put the glass down on the bedside table and got up, kissing Loki softly.
Loki: "H-How long will you need?"
Thor: "I'll be back in a few minutes, love. Everything alright?"
Loki: "Y-yes just - don't take to long…"
Thor smiled at Loki's response, stroking his hair once again before leaving finally.
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When Thor returned with all the stuff Banner had wanted him to buy, he rushed back to Loki's side immediately. Loki luckily still lay in bed but was buried beneath the blanket completely. Thor gently sat down on the edge and pulled the blanket back a little. The black-haired boy was sleeping. He decided not to wake him immediately and unpacked the medicine at first. He'd brought pain killers, coughing medicine, aspirin, nasal spray, tea, handkerchiefs and a clinical termometer just as Banner had ordered. The only thing that worried the blonde was, that with his urgent trip to the pharmacy, he had used up any money they'd had in store and now there wasn't any left. As Thor touched Loki's hand his concern deepened as he noticed that the heat that clung to Loki's body had still grown. Thor rose again, heading towards the bathroom. Remembering what Banner had said, he took two towels, drenged them in cold water and additionally took two dry ones. Then he returned to Loki's side. He slightly shook his shoulder.
Thor: "Loki? Love, wake up."
Loki opened his eyes sleepily, looking at his lover in confusion.
Loki(moaning): "What-?"
Thor: "I'm back, dear. I've got the things that can help you."
Loki only moaned quietly, trying to turn to the other side but only entangling himself into the blanket. Thor gently freed him from the sheets, sat down next to him and lifted him up slightly, leaning him against his shoulder.
Thor: "Banner told me everything we have to do."
The thunderer took one of the cold towels he'd brought and getnly pulled up Loki's pant legs.
Thor: "I know, this is gonna be cold at first but it'll help lowering your temperature."
Loki didn't even manage to protest, only hissing slightly when Thor started applying the towels. After the first two were done he wrapped the warm ones around them and covered Loki with the blanket once again. Thor shortly eyed the termometer but then decided against using it for he knew neither of them could make use of the information. Instead he took the bottle of pills.
Thor: "According to Banner, this is stuff that'll help to decrease your temperature. It'll help against the headaches as well. You can take three a day at most, but you should eat something before doing so. You're hungry?"
Loki: "N-no. I - only wanna sleep."
Thor noticed Loki's head had fallen onto his shoulder and Loki was looking at him with exhausted and pleading eyes. The thunderer kissed him gently, stroking one hand over his hair.
Thor: "You can sleep soon, love. Just eat something and take your medicine. Then I won't annoy you any longer, I swear."
Loki only nodded slightly, moving closer to Thor to catch his warmth. Thor reached over towards the bedside table and took the plate he'd put down earlier. Then he slowly lifted the pillows into an upright position and leaned Loki back against them, handing him the meal.
Thor: "Here you are. I'll be right back. I'll cook some tea for you. It'll soothe your throat, is that alright with you?"
Loki nodded slightly, looking at the food cautiously. Thor got up, heading towards the kitchen and following Banner's instructions how to cook tea and a soup. He wasn't used to any of these activities, but still he was determined to do everything exactly like Banner had told him to help Loki through the illness as quickly as possible. With a glance towards the clock he noticed he should have already been gone 20 minutes ago. When he returned with a hot cup of tea he was satisfied, seeing Loki holding the empty plate. He sat down next to him, taking the plate and exchanging it with the mug. Loki held it a few seconds, as if he wasn't sure what to do with it.
Thor: "You can drink it. It's good. And hot. You won't feel that cold after you drank."
The prince took the pill bottle at first and then the aspirin pack, got out one pill of each one and gave them to his lover.
Thor: "I think you'd have needed this earlier, hah?"
Loki didn't answer glancing at the pills sceptically before putting them into his mouth and taking a careful sip of the hot drink. When he'd swallowed his hands began shaking. In worry he'd drop the tea and burn himself, Thor took it back, setting it down onto the bedside table.
Thor: "That's fine. For now you have to do nothing more."
He cautiously lifted Loki up, lying him down properly again and putting a kiss to his forehead.
Thor: "Loki, I gotta go. You've got the pills here. You're allowed to take one in 5 to 6 hours, alright? If anything else starts hurting, you can also take one of these painkillers(motioning at the other pill bottle). And if your nose feels clogged, you can try the spray I brought you. I guess that's it. I'll also bring you the rest of the tea I prepared for you so you'll have enough to drink."
Thor picked up the empty glass of water, the plate and the tea cup and carried them out, returning a few moments later with a full pot of hot tea, a bottle of water, added by a glass and a jar of soup, balancing the many things with only slight difficulty. He put everything down next to Loki before turning to him once again.
Thor: "If you get hungry while I'm away, you can eat the soup. It should still be warm then. Everything alright, dear?"
Loki nodded slightly, trying to hug Thor but only sinking back exhausted.
Loki: "You won't stay to long, will you?"
Thor: "Of course not."
Thor pulled Loki close, kissing him tenderly and holding him tight. Then he laid him down again and finally turned to leave.
Thor: "Goodbye, Love. See you soon. Take care of yourself and - please - don't leave bed if not necessary. Call me if anything happens."
Loki(quiet): "Goodbye. Thank you."
Thor smiled at his sick lover before walking out. Before leaving he made sure the heating was running on full gear so there was no way for Loki to get cold. The last thing he heard before leaving the house was Loki's coughing.