In the following days Bruce and Steve both tried talking to Loki, but didn't get too far. The alien spent most of his time in his room, avoiding people, having very long showers and spending too much time on the bed (but not sleeping). People were starting to get worried not only at that, but at the fact that he barely ate anything and threw up a lot a lot of what he did ate. The guy needed sustenance, and wasn't getting any. It was a problem and no one knew what to do about it.

Thor came occasionally, but spent a lot of time out. He didn't like his brother's looks of betrayal. Loki still felt that he'd been betrayed and didn't forget that it was him who spoilt his plan in the first place, put him there. In that trap, where he was being watched, controlled.

Sometimes Loki went out and watched TV. Sometimes he drank until he fell asleep. Sometimes he just read in his room for hours, but found no comfort or joy in reading. He simply didn't for those stories. He didn't enjoy anything anymore.

One time he played chess with Tony because he had been asking for a game for a while. After winning for the fifth time in a row, he got up and glared at him.

"You didn't have to make it easier for me, Stark. I am not an idiot."

Tony's eyes widened to incredible lengths. Loki was out of the room before Tony finally took aside his disbelief, reacted and answered.

"I didn't do that! I was trying to win!"

It was two weeks later when the Avengers were called to help with a bank robbery. Apparently, the robbers had very good technology and over fifty hostages - making it a very delicate situation for regular police forces. They decided to give the idea of having Loki with them a go, but Tony reminded him that he still had those darts and that if he saw half a self harming movement he would make his threats true and send him chained to an asylum. So Loki decided not to risk it, and let those criminals do their job.

He magically entered the bank and, to put it simply, was everywhere. In the entrance, in the windows, in the vault. Every time one of the criminals shot, he was there to take the bullets, every time they wanted to move something or transport the money. He distracted and confused all seven robbers, made them go completely crazy. So when finally Steve and Tony got in as well, the only thing they had to do was disarm them, and stop them. Some even surrendered, not liking the feeling of going insane Loki had created with his illusions. Wanting to get out.

Before it was over, Loki was shot at twelve times and five of them reached the holes on his armour, the ones made last time. He was bleeding out in front of an audience. Some people were scared, others were happy and looked at him with admiration. He felt the adrenaline from the fight wear out and all his wounds start to hurt. And there were many.

One of the bullets pierced one of his lungs. He collapsed in the middle of the bank, just as the hostages started applauding them.

None of the wounds were fatal.

When he woke up again, he was extremely disoriented. He didn't know who he was, or where he was or what were those machines surrounding him. There was some plastic device below his nose, a sort of plastic tube that crossed his face. He looked around with tired, out of focus eyes. There was someone watching. Not Thor or anyone of his family, the eyes were dark. Dr. Banner. He'd been there since they brought him the previous day, with five bullets in his body. It was incredible how much abuse his body could take. There was also an enormous scar on his chest, on both sides - on the front and on the back. Something had gone through him and still he lived. It was uncanny.

So he patched him up as best as he could, but the lung injury was bad and he had to put him a nasal cannula. He didn't wake up at all. Tony called an extra medical team, but still Bruce remained there. He was getting attached - part of him could see himself in the god's green eyes, and remembered the hell he'd lived. And Loki was so intelligent... it was such a pity. All of it. All the situation.

Loki realised what had happened when he saw the Doctor why he was there. He'd gone out to the battlefield and failed, again. And now he hurt and he hurt badly. His chest hurt every time he breathed.

Banner kept looking at him.

"Hey." The Doctor said. "Good to have you back."

Loki didn't answer. He didn't know what to say, what to do, Banner looked so sorrowful. And he hurt. So much. His chest seemed to be on fire. His stomach churned and his head hurt. He felt terrible.

"You probably don't care, but that was one of the most succesful operations of the Avengers. Ever. No casualties and almost no material damage. And all thanks to you, suicidal idiot."

But Loki didn't think he deserved any credit, or praise. He'd just done some lazy tricks. Nothing praiseworthy.

"It was an easy operation. Anyone ould have done what I did." His voice sounded weak and raspy.

"No. If I had been there everything would be smashed and people would be hurt. Even with the police, the robbers would have probably been shot down. But you save them all. You're incredibly smart, on the battlefield and off." Bruce said and Loki let out a small bitter laugh.

"My intelligence has never brought me much joy."

"Maybe you were in the wrong place. You were raised in a world that worshipped war heroes, stone-cold warriors. But you're not there anymore, and Earth admires your intelligence. I do, and Tony and the rest will too if you give them a chance. You could have a great life here, be appreciated."

"Stop it."

Loki was crying because Banner seemed so sincere... but he couldn't believe it. Hope was the enemy, it always turned against you and made everything hurt so much more. He couldn't handle it. Couldn't handle the acceptance, no.

They were probably just lies, anyways.

"No, I won't stop, Loki. Part of our deal was that you were on suicide watch and I have been watching you, seen it so clearly. The only thing standing between you and greatness is this damn illness."

Now, Loki was confused.

"I am not ill. I merely wish to die."

"Ailments of the mind are as real as those of the body, friend. What you have is major depressive disorder. And it's consuming you. Everything you are, everything you could be. It's heartbreaking."

Loki looked away, to the ceiling, and then closed his eyes. He didn't want this, he hated this, hated the hurt and the feelings and... why couldn't they leave him alone in his cave of darkness and loneliness? He just wanted to be disappear.

"But like most illnesses it can be cured. And I want to help you. But I'm going to need your help, too. I'm going you to want to get better. I know it's hard, trust me, I know. But you're getting weaker, Loki and we have to do something about it."

Loki looked at the Doctor with his shining bright green eyes, still unable to speak.

"Just think about it, will you?" Banner drew a little smile as he got up from his chair and started to leave. "Get well soon."

Loki couldn't think too much, he was so tired. When he woke up again the Captain of America was there and gave him one of his sunny smiles. He talked about the incident in the bank, and told him that Thor had been there while he was out. Brought him lunch to the bed in the sickbay. Especially made for our convalescing hero, he had said. Such a kind man. Always worrying about his health and whether he ate, like a mother hen. He cooked for him and gave him jumpers when it was cold.

They were nice efforts. But they didn't change anything.

He hurt. He hated. There was no part of his life he enjoyed. He just wished it was all over.

And so he screamed into the night.

A/N: Another not-so-good chapter. But well, what can you do. Hope you liked anyways. Reviews are always lovely!Thanks for the support so far - you're da best!