Hey Guys, I hope you like this chapter.

The votes for heat cycles and Jotun/Fem Loki were relitively tied so I have found a way to include them both later on. Thank you for your answers.

Lyna x


A green duvet was pooled on the floor, along with a T-shirt. Loki lay on his mattress, sweat making his hair stick to his neck and his pillows damp. He groaned to himself. He felt nauseous. His thoughts were clouded and he couldn't focus. He was hot. Too hot.

He groaned again, rolling over. He'd always hated being sick. Well, who liked being sick? He was grumpy and snappy. It was only his Mother whom he could tolerate being near him when he was like this. She would make sure he had plenty of food, water and a moist towel on his forehead. But now she was gone, he'd have to do everything for himself.

He forced himself up out of bed and went to the bathroom. He reached out and turned on the shower using the cold tap. Loki took off his pyjama bottoms and stepped under the cool spray. As soon as the water touched his skin he breathed a sigh of relief.

It did nothing to clear his head or reduce his nausea but it did stop his skin feel like it was on fire. Loki closed his eyes and let the water run down his face and soak his hair. He ran his hands through it before reaching for the shampoo.

As he did a wave of dizziness hit him, forcing Loki to lean against the glass of the shower.

"Sir? Are you okay?" JARVIS asked from above

"Yeah, 'm fine" Loki replied, pushing himself back up. He managed to grab the shampoo and proceeded to wash his hair. Once he was done he stayed under the shower for several moments longer.

He'd suffered from this sickness before. Every Asgardian year in fact. Asgardian years were longer than years on Midgard. It could very well be a year since the last time. It was a strange thing. Ever since he turned 1000 it would happened. He'd always thought it was a seasonal thing. Like how people get sick around winter. But he wasn't in Asgard anymore. Why would it affect him now?

"Sir?" JARVIS called again "You've been in the shower for 45 minutes and 23 seconds. I would recommend you get out now Sir"

Loki looked at his hands, seeing that they were wrinkled like a prune. Sighing he turned the shower off and got out. He wrapped a towel around his waist and went back into his room. He waved his hand carelessly and his bed was remade with fresh linens.

He sat on the bed for a moment before lying on his side and pulling his legs up next to him. His skin began to warm again as he lay there as his headache grew. Closing his eyes he tried to sleep.


Bomb fragments were lain out on a metal table, equal space in between them. A tiny spec of a glowing yellow stone sat on a little glass container. Tala was stood over the table. She was wearing blue latex gloves and was holding some of the pieces in her hands.

"Any luck?" Makena asked, picking up the glass container.

"I've got some of it assembled, but it looks nothing like the actual device did, according to Mia"

"Well I'm sure you'll do it. You always do" Makena smiled, she went towards the microscope and used a pair of tweezers to remove the stone from it's container.

"Thanks. I'm not even sure if these are all the pieces." Tala sighed "Are you sure that's safe?"

"Scans say it's producing low levels of Alpha Radiation. We're fine" Makena said placing the stone on a screen and looking at it. "Strange." She murmured after a few moments.

"What?" Tala asked, picking up yet another piece of the bomb and trying to slot it in.

"Come look at this. I've never seen particles like this before." Tala rolled her eyes but put the pieces down and moved towards the microscope.

"Neither have I" She replied as she too looked at the stone. The particles all glowed yellow and moved about in an unpredictable way, crashing into one another, absorbing each other before splitting apart again.

"Well Loki said that its part of that Sceptre he used in the invasion. So it's alien, maybe it's some kind of element we haven't discovered yet?" Makena suggested

"Could be, maybe we should get Loki to have a look at it. Or see if he could get Dr Banner to have a look, he's the one who tracked the Tesseract, he's the one who worked on the sceptre before."

"I'll ask Bree if she has access to the reports he made. He must have outlined what he found in them"

"Maybe" Tala shrugged, going back to her own work

"Do you know how the bomb was detonated?"

"I think the stone was used as some kind of accelerant. Everything else looks like your run of the mill bomb; I think the stone just made the explosion bigger... somehow."

The two scientists fell silent as they worked, each engrossed in their own tasks. They didn't notice Bree, Mia and Asten walk in. Both jumped as Bree called their names. Tala dropped the bomb fragments in her hands, making the small amount of pieces she'd stuck together fall apart and scatter amongst the aligned pieces, knocking them out of order.

"Oh fuck it all" she snapped

"Busy at work I see" Bree smiled

"We're no closer to finding out what HYDRA's doing if that's what you want" Tala rolled her eyes, picking up the remaining pieces stuck together before trying to sort out the mess she'd made of her system.

"We were wondering if you could get us Dr Banner's reports on the sceptre. We think he may be able to help us with some things"

"I'll see what I can do" Bree nodded, making a little note on the paper attached to the clip board in her hands.

"Did you get the energy signatures I sent you?" Asten asked, Makena and Tala nodded

"Yeah thank you, they too are very interesting. It's strange how they were dormant for so long before suddenly picking up" Makena stated

"And as of yet I've found nothing to indicate either preset detonation or remote" Tala sighed

"Well do you need any help? I'm not very good at science but I can follow instructions" Mia asked, clapping her hands together, making Tala jump again and almost drop her pieces.

"You could always make some tea" Makena teased

"What happened to no food or drink in the lab?" Mia asked, sticking her tongue.

"Well for your tea I'd make an exception"

"Nope sorry no can do. Rules exist for a reason"

"Yeah to be broken" Makena put her hand on her heart like she'd been hurt.

"Trying to work here, guys" Tala reminded the girls impatiently

"Well," Bree started "I'll get those reports sent down as soon as I can. Let me know when you find anything.


The sound of someone knocking on his bedroom door was what woke Loki. He blinked his red rimmed, weary eyes awake and tried to sit up. His fresh clothes now damp and his hair stuck out in all directions.

"Come in" he called, wincing at the sound of his hoarse voice and the pain at using it. After a moment Bucky's head popped through the door. He smiled sympathetically as he saw Loki.

"Hey Kotyenok, JARVIS told me you were sick" Bucky said quietly as he came in, holding a glass of water, Stasia trotting dutifully behind him.

"I told 'im 'm fine" Loki mumbled

"Master Loki you are not fine, you've been drifting in and out of consciousness for days" JARVIS replied

"Traitor"

"I thought you might want some water" Bucky said, holding out the glass as he sat on the bed. Loki forced himself to sit up and take the glass. Gulping it down as soon as the liquid touched his lips. "Be careful, I don't want you to be sick" Bucky warned but Loki had already drained the glass.

Loki sighed, a deep drawn out one before handing the glass back to Bucky. His hands shaking slightly as they did.

"Are you okay?" Bucky asked, Loki remained silent for a moment, looking past Bucky, to the floor.

"R dg" he mumbled eventually

"What?"

"Your dog" Loki said "It wants to get up" Bucky turned around to see Stasia jumping up behind him, trying to climb onto the bed. He bent down and picked her up, placing her onto the spongy surface. The little dog immediately went to Loki, climbing onto his lap.

"Puppy" Loki slurred, smiling as he pet Stasia's head, probably a little too hard but she didn't seem to mind.

"Kotyenok?"

"'m fine, just tired. And warm." As he spoke Bucky brought a hand to Loki's forehead, testing the God's temperature.

"Loki, you're burning up" Bucky frowned "You're resting temperature is usually a lot lower than ours. You shouldn't be this warm"

"James it's fine. I just wanna sleep"

Bucky frowned to himself and he smoothed Loki's hair back, wondering if there was anything he could do to help the young God. He supposed he could always try and contact Thor and see if he knew what was wrong with his brother. But then again Thor was probably too busy.

Bucky's phone began to ring in his pocket, starling the pair

"Loud noises hurt" Loki scowled at the device as Bucky took it out.

"I know Buddy, I know"

At first he planned on ignoring it but when he saw it was Bree he reluctantly answered.

"Agent Barnes"

"Good, we need you and Loki in. Fury wants us to plan a mission. Infiltrating an active HYDRA base this time" Bree stated, sounding surprisingly optimistic for once.

"I'll be right their but I don't think Loki can make it"

"What? Why not?"

"He's not very well, and by that I mean he's got a fever and he's bloody delirious with it. I'm rather concerned"

"Oh, well. If he needs you, you can stay behind as well. I'm sure the others and I could sort something out." Bree replied

"I'll let you know." Bucky said, hanging up

"Can I have some more water please" Loki asked, sounding small and child like.

"Sure Bud," Bucky took the glass into the bathroom and filled it up quickly before returning to his sick friend. Loki was absently petting Stasia as he unsteadily swayed from side to side. Bucky returned to the bed and gave Loki the glass.

"Was that work?" Loki asked before taking a large gulp

"Yeah, they want me to go in. But I can stay if you need me" Bucky answered but Loki shook his head, making the little droplets of water drip down on to Stasia's head, the puppy shook her own head in response.

"You go save the word Jamie" Loki replied "Jus' save some of it for me. Redem'tion 'member?"

"Yeah I remember." Bucky nodded, "come on, lie down. You'll be more comfortable then" Bucky took the glass away and put it on the bedside table before he guided Loki to lie backwards. Stasia jumped off of Loki's lap and lay down by the God's arms when he was down.

"Can I go sleep now?"

"Yeah Bud, I'm gonna get Bruce to come have a look at you okay. You like Bruce yeah?"

"Not when he's Hulked out, only when he Hulked in" Bucky bit back a smile as he kissed Loki's forehead.

"Goodnight Kotyenok"

"Good night"

Bucky looked at the little puppy lying next to Loki's arm and stoked her ears softly.

"Are you gonna stay with him? Keep him company?" Stasia barked quietly in agreement "Okay, good girl" Bucky smiled, petting her again before leaving, without making a sound.

As soon as he was outside however he called up to JARVIS, asking to be connected to Bruce. Luckily the scientist wasn't doing anything too important and answered almost immediately.

"Hey Bucky, what can I do for you?" Bruce asked, his voice coming out of the speakers above.

"Hi Bruce. Look I know you're not a medical Doctor, but I was wondering if you could have a look at Loki. He's not very well."

"Oh, what are his symptoms?"

"From what I can gather, headache, dizziness, he seems really thirsty and he has a fever. He seems confused and out of it. Like he's on some kind of drugs." Bucky replied "Normally I'd stay with him but work called and he's insisted I go."

"I'll come check him out. A fever can't be good. I'll be right there"

"Stasia is with him, but he was asleep when I left"

"To be honest with Loki that might make him easier to examine" Bruce replied, Bucky could hear him packing things up over the speakers.

"Oh, one more thing. He had a specific request"

"Go on"

"That you be Hulked in" Bucky smiled this time as Bruce burst out laughing

"That's a new one" he said chuckling, "I'll make sure the other guy gets the message"

"Thanks Bruce"

"No problem Bucky"


It was late by the time Bucky got back to the Tower, they'd made a start on planning an offensive on the latest HYDRA base that had been discovered, but without Loki things had been difficult. That and Fury had wanted them to work with another team that had unfortunately been called away on an important mission.

When he got back the Avengers were all in the common room eating pizza and watching some cheesy film that Stark had undoubtedly chosen. Everyone looked up when he stepped out of the elevator. Steve smiled at Bucky, as did Bruce.

"Hey Buck, you wanna join us?" Steve asked

"Maybe in a bit." Bucky shrugged "Bruce how was Loki?"

"He'll be okay I think. I've been checking on him throughout the day and he doesn't seem to be getting any worse. His fever broke at around 5. I think he just needs to sleep it off, whatever it is. As long as he remains hydrated." Bruce explained

"Thank you Bruce" Bucky smiled

"I've given him some pain killers to help with the headache but I don't know how quick his body burns them off, I've never given them to another species before, but he hasn't had any negative reactions to them"

"I'll go up and check on him now then. Has he eaten?"

"No not yet." Steve responded "I made him some soup if you wanna take it up to him. It's on the hob but should be done about now. I used that recipe your Mom used to make. You remember"

"Yeah," Bucky lied "Thank you"

"No problem" Steve smiled

"He still wasn't making that much sense when I last went down."

"It's okay, I'm fluent in Loki"

Bucky waved goodbye to the others and made his way into the kitchen. As soon as he entered he was greeted by the warm smell of chicken and pasta soup coming from the stove. He felt a wave of déjà vu as he stirred the pot but he couldn't place it. The memory just out of reach.

He spooned the soup into two bowls, one for himself and one for his ill friend. He didn't fancy joining in on pizza night tonight; he'd just stay with Loki. Keep the God company for a little while. He didn't think he could handle the Avengers after they day he'd had. He'd missed his best friend.

He made his way up to Loki's room without spilling too much off the soup, JARVIS promised to send DUM-E up to clean up the little splotches. JARVIS opened Loki's door for him as he approached, hands full.

Loki was pretty much in the same position Bucky had left him in; however at some point he'd gotten dressed. Bruce probably helped him. Bucky shrugged. Stasia lifted her head at the sound of the door opening and barked, wagging her tail.

Bucky smiled at the puppy. Someone, probably Bruce, had brought Stasia's bowls into the room and filled them. They had also built a little set of steps up the side of Loki's bed out of books so the dog could get off the bed and get back up again.

Loki looked up as well, slow and lethargic. He blinked tiredly before flopping back down on the pillow. Bucky walked closer to the bed, placing both bowls of soup on the bedside table. He sat on the bed and pushed a lock of Loki's hair behind his ear.

"How are you doing?"

"I wish people would stop asking me that" Loki sighed, eyes closed

"You sound better."

"It comes in waves, sometimes I'm like this. Sometimes I don't know what's going on" Loki replied "The worst of it is over now."

"I brought some soup. Steve made it. Do you feel like eating?" Loki opened his eyes and smiled softly at Bucky. He nodded and tried to force himself up. Bucky immediately reached out to help him and moved Loki into a more comfortable position.

"Do you need me to help you eat?"Bucky asked, picking up the bowl

"I'm sick, not dying" Loki smiled, scooping up a spoonful and blowing it softly before putting it in his mouth.

"You had this sickness before?"

"This is the fifty-seventh time" Loki sighed

"Fun"

"Tell me about it. It's like bloody clockwork. Always coming at the same time each year, for three or four days and then disappearing as quickly as it comes..." Loki trailed off, realisation dawning on his face.

"Loki?" Bucky asked, Loki shook his head.

"I'm such an idiot"

"What do you mean? You're one of the smartest people I know" Loki shook his head again, placing his bowl on the bedside table behind him and getting up out of the bed. Stasia growled at the movement but Bucky ran a hand over her ears, soothing her.

Loki wobbled his way over to one of his bookcases and pulled out a small leather bound book. He opened it to a seemingly random page and groaned.

"What?" Bucky asked confused.

"It's not a sickness" Loki scowled, walking back over to the bed. "Every year on Jotunheim "sexually matures" Jotuns go through a heat for a couple of days. It's supposed to drive them to find a mate and start a family. That's what it is" Loki sighed, burying his face in his hands

"I'm fucking in heat"

"What?" Bucky repeated "But you've been sick. You had a fever."

"From what I can gather," Loki started, eyes scanning the pages of his book "My Aesir form is affecting it. Presenting itself as an illness. Because I'm in a male form I don't have the-"Loki cut himself off.

"Don't have what?"

"Nope, not going there" Loki stated, slamming the book shut with more force than was technically necessary.

"Let me look" Bucky reached out for the book

"It's written in Jotun you won't be able to read it."

"Tell me" Bucky demanded, before pulling his best puppy dog eyes and adding "Please"

"Oh the Norns," Loki sighed "I don't have the uncontrollable desire to conceive" Bucky pulled a face. "You asked"

"So you want a baby" Bucky laughed

"My body does apparently" Loki rolled his eyes "It's not getting one"

"Aww what a shame. I can just imagine the Tower full of little Loki's causing trouble"

"Pfff. One Loki is enough thank you." Loki scoffed "I remember how much hassle I put my mother through, I guarantee any children I have would treat me the same."

"Do you ever want kids?" Bucky asked

"Maybe, I'm not sure. When I was younger it was all I dreamed about. Retiring from my royal duties. Finding a wife, or a husband, and having a family. But as you know that didn't really go to plan." Loki sighed, picking up his soup "What about you?"

"I don't know. In an ideal world I'd love children, but I'm not exactly father material" Bucky replied

"You've still got time. You're what, 30?"

"Technically I think I'm nearly 100"

"You know what I mean" Loki laughed. "Biologically, you're around 30. From what I understand of the human race, males are able to sire offspring well after 30"

"True. But I don't even know if I can physically have children. I don't know the full extent of what Hydra did to me"

"I'm sure there are ways to check. If not there is a spell I can learn for checking fertility"

"To be honest Kotyenok I don't think that's a question I really want answering"

Loki nodded and the pair continued to eat in silence for several moments before Loki spoke up again.

"How was work?"

"It was okay; we all just sat at the conference table all day really. Makena showed us some pictures if the stone, all zoomed in like, said some stuff I didn't really understand. She wants to talk to Bruce about what he found with the Sceptre."

"Fury wants us to work with another team on an offensive. Some guy called Coulson I think. I don't know. Bree was alright with me. And by that I mean she didn't address me directly, just grouped Mia and I together. But I prefer that over her being confrontational"

"I can have another word with her if you want. Makena, Tala and Asten said that she'll ease up as she gets to know us."

"Leave it for now. I don't wanna cause anymore tension within the group. Everything will be alright" Bucky smiled

"As long as you're sure, it's honestly no trouble"

"Yeah, I can handle her" Bucky stated, putting his empty bowl on the side.

"Where is the new base?" Loki asked

"I don't know. I wasn't listening in all honesty. I was worrying about you." Bucky replied, blushing slightly, avoiding making eye contact with Loki when the God looked up at him.

"James..."

"I know it's silly. I just worry. I'm a worrier. Blame it on Stevie. The years I spent sticking up for that trouble seeking Punk, it changes you" Loki smiled as Bucky dramatically shivered, as if he were reliving his past.

"It means a lot, people outside of my family few people worry about me"

"Well, you're stuck with me now."


Thanks for reading, tell me what you think or if you have anything you want me to include in this story.

Thanks again,

Lyna x