Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Later on, the avengers tried to convince their asgardian prince to come with them or at least eat something, but the thunderer only shook his head, refusing to go anywhere or talk more than necessary. He only kept gazing at the closed door, not willing to speak, eat or even sleep. Bruce kept exchanging Loki's infusions, doing anything he could to keep the trickster alive, but nevertheless, his chances weren't rather high. He already thought about how to tell Thor his beloved wouldn't survive, when suddenly Loki's eyes flashed open and he glanced around the room in what looked like panic or fear. Banner slowly approached his bed, trying to calm him down.
Banner: "Hey Loki, - good you're awake. Stay calm, everything's-"
That's when Loki recognized him and everything happened to fast to even notice. Loki, pushed by the adrenaline, sat up, recognizing Bruce and throwing a flash of magic at him, which threw him across the lab and onto the floor. Loki was now panting heavily, throwing his magic practically everywhere and screaming. As soon as Bruce was on his feet again, he rushed towards the door, flinging it open.
Bruce: "Thor! THOR, COME IN! QUICK! HE'S AWAKE!"
Thor leaped up at once, rushing past him and into the room where Loki was struggling to get off the bed. The god of thunder rushed to his side, cautious not to get hit by the spells swirling around him, and put his hands around his slim figure, trying to hold him back from hurting himself.
Thor: "Loki! Loki, it's fine! Calm down!"
As soon as the trickster recognized the touch, he stopped screaming but kept breathing fast and pulling at his curls.
Bruce: "He's in a full blown out panic attack. He must lie down again. Try your best to keep him down. But not too hard."
Thor obeyed, slowly lowering Loki's torso back onto the bed, taking his hands into his own soothingly.
Thor: "Loki, everything's fine! No one here intends to harm you!"
By the voice of the thunderer, Loki's breathing calmed down slowly, easing out at some point. Bruce had stepped back a little to allow them privacy, but now he walked next to Thor, eyeing Loki carefully.
Bruce: "Hello Loki! Do you remember me? I'm Bruce Banner and I'm currently taking care of your injuries. How do you feel?"
Loki didn't even look at him, only looking at Thor with a silent plea in his eyes.
Loki(whispering): "Get me - out of here!"
Thor glanced towards Banner before turning his attention back to his lover.
Thor: "Loki, Banner's trying to help you. Who did this to you, love? What happened while I was away?"
Loki didn't answer, gripping Thor's cape and pulling him closer, beginning to shake slightly.
Banner: "I guess it's to early for such questions. I'll give him something so he calms down a little."
Banner cautiously approached the trickster.
Banner: "Loki, I'm only going to take a little blood and give you something so you can sl-"
By the doctor's words, Loki's eyes began glowing furiously. He pushed Thor away suddenly, glaring at Banner in sheer anger.
Loki: "DON'T TOUCH ME!"
Banner backed away slightly, shaking his head in frustration. Thor tried to get a hold of Loki but he was now fighting his lover's grip, trying to push him off with strength and magic as well.
Thor: "How's it possible he's still fighting like this? Isn't he in pain?"
Banner: "Oh don't worry, it'll come soon. I guess he's still in a kind of shock state. He'll soon notice he shouldn't fight you if he wants to stay alive. However, try to be soft. I'll give him tranquilizers that should work soon."
Thor watched as Bruce walked over to the infusion and added another bag of fluids. The doctor was right. Only a few minutes later, Loki's resistance relented and he collapsed back into Thor's arms, who put him down gently.
Banner: "Good, Thor. I guess he should be sleeping now for a while. You can-"
Thor: "I'll stay! Banner, I won't agree to leaving, if that means he'll wake alone and panic again. He'd only hurt himself. I'll remain right here, at his side to stop others as well as himself from harming him any further."
Banner sighed. He knew, everything he'd argue now would be thrown aside.
Banner: "Fine. But let him sleep and call me if anything about his condition changes or worries you."
Thor nodded eagerly, sitting down at Loki's side and taking one of his hands into his.
Banner: "And - be gentle, okay? No hammer or thunder!"
Banner wanted to continue but when he noticed Thor was looking at him as if he was made of stone, he quickly turned around, leaving the couple alone.
Thor looked at Loki, who was sleeping peacefully now. He put a strand of black hair out of his pale, beautiful face. He bowed down, putting a soft kiss to Loki's lips and holding back tears. The way Loki laid there, spread out on the bed, his limbs stretched out in unusual angles … he looked so helpless. So alone. So in need of protection it nearly made Thor's heart want to shatter. The reason why his love was in this state was obvious. If he had stayed with him, whatever had attacked him wouldn't have gotten through to him in any case. He'd have deffended him in any possible situation. But he hadn't been there and Loki, in his weakened state, had been exposed to something Thor couldn't quite make out. The reason why this relationship even worked was, that Thor had accepted long ago that he had failed Loki in their times as brothers and wanted to make it right again. In earlier times, he had pushed the urge to protect him away, finding it unnerving and rather concerning, as he knew his feelings went deeper than brotherhood. Only when Loki had started his madness run, things had become more obvious for Thor and he'd begun to change.
Thor: "Loki? - I'm sorry. - I'm sorry for our argument yesterday. I'm sorry I simply went away without knowing you're fine. I promise you, it will never happen again. I will never again put anything else above you and what you want. Just - come back. Please."