Viral Paradox

Monday

At the Earth hospital, Loki enchants the room to prevent anyone in contact with Thor from catching the virus. He assumes the forms of various medical staff, checking in on him for the next 24 hours until he’s certain Thor will survive. He scavenges for medical supplies to stitch up his larger wounds--the ones that will take longer to heal. He shouldn’t go timehopping while bleeding out, should he?
When it’s safe for him to go, Loki takes the portal to the past, vowing that if Thor dies at the hands of the humans, Loki will break every bone they have, as well as all of the rules in the damned time travel book to save him.
First, he must take care of several things. When the Avengers showed up to slay the Variant, Loki realized what has been happening over the past few days. And now it’s time to make them happen.
First, the antidote. If he had the pouch with him during the Variant battle, he would have surely lost or broken it. Luckily, he didn’t have it anymore. Because he’s about to go back and steal it from himself.

Sunday 12pm

Loki makes sure to “Hh-hxst!” stifle his sneeze has he wanders through the halls. He covered himself with a hooded sweatshirt--where are all the cloaks?? It says “I am Iron Man,” on the front and “Get me a cheeseburger” on the back. Loki has no idea why this outfit even exists. Well, now he’s less conspicuous. He saw Natasha roaming around stuffed in a similar outfit, hiding her red nose and snuffling into a sleeve. Perhaps they will mistake him for her.
No glamour, though. If he sneezes it off, that would be more noticeable. Which “hh-kkk…EXSHT!” he seems to be doing quite a lot.
He rubs his nose with the back of his clothed arm and whisks by his past self. He makes sure not to bump into him, only clamping a hand on his former self’s shoulder after a distracted sneeze.
“Bless you,” Loki says, quickly dipping his fingers into his past coat pocket and scooping out the vials.
He hurries away, winging past a flustered Pepper who is too focused on getting to Loki, she doesn’t notice him melding into the shadows.
A bit of weaving through the halls, Loki finally comes upon a swiftly-improving Tony, strolling through the tower, munching on a snack.
Loki slinks up next to him. “Stark.”
Tony bites a tiny slice of string cheese and pulls it with his teeth. “What’s up, dust bunny?”
“You seem to be recovering quickly.”
“Yep. Told ya. Same as Pep. It gets real bad and then,” he snaps his fingers, “Poof. Gone.”
Loki rubs his lips, “Indeed. Well, I must request a favor,” he halts them and pins his gaze on Tony’s cheese. “If you are not busy, that is.”
“Mmm…if it involves continuing this conversation, then I am very very busy.”
An eye roll. “It’s important, Stark.”
“Fine,” Tony shoves the rest of the cheese stick in his mouth, “Ooo hab my fool attnshn.”
Loki grumbles. Working with this man is such a chore.
“In a few hours, I will have to leave. I need you to send Thor after me.” Loki presets the correct tempad and gives it to Tony.
Tony takes it from him, turning it around to inspect it with a frown. “This looks like a garage remote from the 80s.”
“It is very advanced technology.”
“Whatever you say,” he tucks it away.
“The first setting is for Thor. Send him immediately after I depart.” Loki takes a breath, “HixSGGghh!…eh…*snf*” he brushes a tendril of hair out of his face. “The second setting is for the villain’s castle. Wait until you are all well before you use it. There will be a battle, you need to be on your game to win.”
“And, you know all of this how?”
“I don’t know why I continually must explain time travel to you.”
“So, you’re saying you’re from the future right now.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re telling us to come save you, because I’ve already done it.”
A nod.
“You realize how this sounds, right? Like are you actually listening to yourself?”
“I do realize, yes.”
Tony frowns. His gaze flickers up and down Loki’s body. “You look like shit.”
“I’m quite sure. Hek-ISZZHHhh!”
“What if I decide to just not do it.”
“It’s already done, Tony.”
Tony’s arrogance flickers, casting a shadow of concern over his eyes. He uses the tip of his finger to tug at the sleeves of his sweatshirt, taking in the poorly stitched wounds, the purpling skin of his face and neck.
“Dude, what happened?”
“A battle with far worse injuries than mine.”
“Thor?”
Loki nods.
“Is he…”
“Thor lives, thanks to you--” he points at the tempad, “coming to our rescue.”
Tony looks from the remote to Loki. “You care about him then? You admit it?”
Loki grunts, shunting his gaze dismissively. “Of course I do.”
“Great!” Tony pockets the tempad. “I’ll give him your love. Now, go to..I dunno, a time hospital or something. Yeah?”
Loki laughs as he walks away. Yes. A time hospital.

He pads around the kitchen, knowing it’s empty, and snags a few granola bars and a small box of milk. He would wonder at this, if he weren’t 10000% exhausted. Best to just not complain. Food is food.
Loki tugs his hood and sinks into the shadows, watching his past self and the Avengers peter about.
He’s picked a good location to wait for the group to kick him out. Here he can rest for a while, hidden within a nook, glazed with a perception filter. Simple magic, so simple some races have been able to mimic it with technology. But, it will work for the few hours Loki needs to wait.
He settles in against the wall, scrubbing his nose and muffling sneezes and coughs into the sleeves of his hoodie. He may be visually hidden but, hhhe needs to khh--ih! Keep quiet--MSH-ksz!”
Dammit, he’s doing himself no favors.
He stuffs one of the granola bars into his mouth and watches Banner drag himself to and fro. Dear Stars, why don’t they all just rest?? It’s not like they have to stop a Variant Hel-bent on stealing the mind stone to resurrect his dead brother, or stop a deadly virus from killing the most powerful superheroes on the planet.
Sigh.
Finally, the big argument happens and his past self is kicked out. Stars, watching himself is so detestable. Once the tempad portal closes, Tony grabs Thor’s arm and they hurry into another room. Hm. Good on Stark. Didn’t hesitate in keeping his word.
Loki stands and brushes crumbs off his pants. He feathers his fingers over his mouth as his breath snags, “Hhhih-iszzzhh-hhh…” Stars, even his sneezes sound exhausted. Fatigue is spreading like fog throughout his body. His eyelids just want to close, his muscles want to loosen, his bones want to crumple to dust so that someone can find his ashes and make all the decisions for him.
Snap out of it, you mewling quim!
He pushes the threads of his remaining energy into his legs and heads to Banner’s lab.

Loki steps into the laboratory, or more like sways through it. He thumps against a table and nearly loses the fight against gravity, stumbling on his feet.
He presses his fingers to his temple in a web, taking sips of air.
Get through it. You’ll be able to rest soon.
Indeed.
His eyes swing around the lab, seeking Banner. Around a corner, he finds the Doctor tinkering with the equipment. Well, between fits of the smallest, breeziest sneezes Loki’s ever heard.
“Ksch! I’Ktsh! TshH! ExsCH!”
This is how the mighty Hulk sneezes? Like a wet kitten?
“Banner,” Loki’s voice cracks on a small wheeze.
Bruce turns, face flushed pink, mouth curling into a glower. “Loki, what--” his neck cranes, shock pooling in his eyes. “What the hell happened to you? You just left.”
Loki waves a hand, forcing himself to walk without hissing. His ribs revolt and he swallows a pained moan. “Time travel. Bit finicky.”
Bruce glares, “Did we kick your ass?”
“Heh, you’d think, wouldn’t you? But no.” Loki lifts the thumb-sized vial, red liquid swirling within. “I have your cure.”
“There’s nothing I’ve found that will cure this.”
“On your world, correct. But I come from Asgard.”
“Right,” Bruce rubs the back of his neck with his palm. “Well, you’ll forgive me if I don’t snatch it right from you and guzzle it.”
“This will save your life, Banner.”
Bruce’s face pops to life. His eyes are steel, fingers squeezing tight. “This…this virus will…kill me?”
“Ahm, yes? You’ve seen what it’s done to Rogers--”
“I’m not the same as Steve. The…other guy…he’s never let me…Izsch! IXch! Hnn-SxCH!” he paws at his nose and gives his head a tiny shake.
“Have you even tried to transform?”
“Not something I make a habit of. Especially in the middle of a city.”
“Hm. Well, you might find the attempt futile very soon.” He holds out the vial to Bruce, who immediately recoils. Something circles in his eyes. Wonder.
Loki feels his spine turn to iron when he realizes what Banner is thinking. “You…you can’t be serious.”
Bruce rolls his lips, eyes locked onto the vial.
“You can’t honestly be considering--”
“Don’t.” Bruce growls, heat in his tone. “You have no idea…”
“I know that if you refuse this antidote, you will continue to spread the virus. It will not be contained without intervention. And it will kill others."
Bruce snaps his gaze to Loki’s. He looks like a promise has been ripped from him in the night.
Stars, do all of these Avengers have such a collective death wish? Rushing off to fight every battle, silently wishing for an ending that won’t come. It’s not glory that fills them, but duty.
Loki won’t have it, though. He pushes the vial into Bruce’s hands. “You will drink this, if I have to force it down your throat, as I did to Rogers.”
“I doubt that would go over well with the other guy.”
“I’d love a rematch.” Loki points to the vial, “Take it. I won’t leave until I see it pass your lips.”
Bruce chuffs, shaking his head as he uncorks the vial. “For the timeline, right?”
“Yes. Of course…” For the timeline.

Loki leaves the lab, staying hidden still, thumbing the tempad. He still hasn’t figured out where the virus originated from, but perhaps it matters not. All he has to do now is to go back to last week and tell Potts to convince…
Loki stiffens, staring straight ahead.
Fuck.
Oh fuck!
Loki snarls, stomping the ground with a boot, splashing the marble floor green with a starburst. He curses himself as the memories flood him.
Stars. He can’t believe he didn’t see it. Didn’t even think…
“I got this from Pepper…”
“Pep gets sick all the time.”
“She almost died....”
This is it. The virus came from the future--through Loki.
And he can’t change it. It would cause a paradox. He has to go back in time and speak to Pepper. And in doing so, he will give her the virus that eventually gets Loki sick as well.
It is absolutely absurd.
How did she survive without…
Another snap of realization. Loki’s hand dips into his pocket, palming the vials he made for himself and Thor.
“And then, poof! All better!”
Of course.

Last Tuesday

Loki hopes he doesn’t run into Stark. He’s not bad at glamouring as a mindless Starkbot, but he’d much prefer his true form. Once he catches Potts alone--sitting at her desk, working, of course--he drops his glamour. The weak tech is easy to disable, cameras, alarms, communications. Loki also can’t resist adding a dramatic flare by dimming the lights.
Pepper sits up, alert.
Loki shifts in the shadows, timing his reveal just right.
When she sees him, her eyes flame to life. She heaves herself from her seat. “What--” she marches toward him, “are you,” she winds her hand back, “doing here?!” and slaps him clean across his injured cheek.
“Stars, madam, do I look in any state to be assailed?”
Pepper folds her arms. “I think I would slap you even if you were dead.”
He touches the cheek she struck and comes away with a brush of blood. His eyes widen and he looks at her hand, flecks of it on the tip of her finger, under her nails. Barely noticeable. But, enough to transmit the virus when she touches anything.
That’s it then. There was truly no avoiding it.
“Hm. yes, well,” Loki opens his pouch and shows her the vial.
“What’s that?”
“An antidote for the illness you are about to catch.”
“What? How do you--”
“I come from the future.” Loki flicks his gaze to the steps. “The Avengers will return from their mission within two days. It will be successful. Stark will request to study the scepter.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“To prove that I am indeed from the future.”
A snort. “Yeah, okay.”
“One day from now, you will fall very ill. You will be dying.” Loki turns the vial in his hand, the liquid bubbling inside. “This will save your life.”
Pepper frowns. “Yeah, I’m not gonna drink that.”
Loki holds up a finger, “One day. Twenty-four hours. You will be ready to do anything to improve. Even drink this.” He grasps her hand and folds her fingers over it.
“Once you are well, you will know I speak the truth. And when I come again, you must convince Stark to believe me.”
She blinks and shakes her head. “You really expect me to trust you?”
Loki chuckles, “Not today. Only when you are desperate.” Loki checks his watch. “Thirteen hours from now.” He watches Pepper’s face pale. He points to the vial, “Also, do not tell Stark about this. He will surely destroy the antidote, and you will die.”
Her face blanches, white as a sheet, freckles popping out like seeds. She stares after Loki as he opens the tempad portal. She will believe him. She already has.
“Two days, Potts. I’ll see you then.”

The End of the Journey

The portal opens into the same hospital room, days after the battle. Thor brightens when he sees Loki.
“Oh, thank the Stars,” Thor sits up, dangling his feet over the edge of the bed. “Get me out of here, Loki.”
A laugh. “As you wish.”
Thor struggles to stand, prompting Loki to assist, draping an arm across his shoulders. With joint effort, Loki lifts his brother and they hobble into the tempad portal.
“Ngh…” Thor winces, leaning hard on Loki. Loki can’t help but chuckle.
“You’re loving this, aren’t you?” Thor smirks.
“It is quite the turn of events.”
They step through out to a cloudless sky, red clovers dusting the ground.
“You brought me back.”
“It’s as good a place as any. We are out of sight.”
They stagger toward a craggy ledge, Thor’s weight pressing down on Loki’s shoulders.
“Hnn--” Thor sweeps an inhale through his lips.
Loki stiffens, “Oh, no, don’t you dare. Not when I’m--”
“Hhh--Hit’SHH-euh!!”
Lightning envelops them both, grinding Loki’s teeth, setting his synapses on fire. His eyes squeeze shut and he shudders.
Once it fades, Thor paws at his nose, “Apologies, brother.”
“Not like I haven’t been struck by your lightning before.”
“*sndf* You don’t deserve it this time.”
“I always deserve it.”
Loki eases Thor down on the edge of the cliff, then takes a seat next to him, head sagging into his cupped hands.
Thor’s meaty hand warms Loki’s back. “Loki, what you have done…what you are doing, I never thought you capable of such kindness.”
“Be careful of getting wet, brother. Sugar melts.”
Thor chuckles. “You still do not believe yourself worthy.”
Loki pulls his arms back, bracing himself at an angle to stare into the dappled sky. “I will never be worthy. You know this.” Loki’s lips crack apart, a rustle of air whisking into his chest, “Hh-EIZZSHhhh-eh!”
“Do you have any more of the antidote?”
Loki holds up a finger, “One more.”
“Then take it.”
Loki manifests two goblets of wine and dumps the last antidote into one of them, making sure Thor doesn’t see which. He hands one cup to Thor and takes the other.
“You’re the one who almost died. And you've been ill for longer than me. You need it.”
Thor growls. “No. I am healing fine. Give me yours.” He reaches for Loki’s goblet, then pauses. His brow furrows and he retracts himself. “I know you. The cups are already swapped. You know I would exchange them.”
Loki gives him an indignant frown.
Thor smirks. “Your tricks grow tiresome.” He drains his goblet, smacking his lips and then wincing at the sour aftertaste. He blinks and then glowers at Loki, “Damn you. You knew I would assume deceit.”
Loki smiles into his cup, “The trick about being predictable is to know people will assume you are lying.”
Thor glowers. “That was your last one?”
“Truly. I had to give mine to Pepper Potts.” He wings his arm to his face, pressing his nose against his skin, “XxxssshhhG! ISZH-ghheh…” he sags against Thor, breath stuttering, waves of fatigue lapping at the cave of his consciousness.
“You had better get well,” Thor growls.
Loki’s voice is cadenced with exhaustion. “You will see me again, alive and well--though I won’t remember any of this.”
“Why?”
“Time travel. I am technically also a variant of this timeline.”
“Then why fight for it?”
“B…” Loki looks up at his brother. The brother who taught him how to block punches, how to always be vigilant, who bandaged his injuries when they had done something stupid and didn’t want Father to know. The brother Loki sang to when they were out on missions and Thor missed their mother.
Loki looks into his lap. “Would that I could stay. Help you with the grief that is to come. But, we’ll meet again.”
Thor covers Loki’s hand and squeezes it. “You are a good man, Loki. I see the change in you.”
“Change?” Loki chuffs. “If this has taught me anything, it is that I will never change. I am the same as the variant we just fought. Trying my best to revive what I’ve destroyed.”
Loki stands and offers his hand. “Come, let me take you back to the tower.”
Thor lets Loki help him stand, both heartsick, lashes dewy with tears.
There’s a finality to his voice that breaks him. It feels like he and Thor were crossing a bridge, lingering--tiptoeing--toward each other. And then the middle collapsed, stranding them both on opposite sides of the world.
Loki opens the portal, and they separate once again.