Hello~
So when I said I'd update soon, I actually did mean soon...
Also, I was re-reading the last chapter on the website, and I realised that I'd forgotten to go back through and put the line breaks back in. My apologies. I haven't fixed it, though...

So we're both back at school now. Unexpectedly, we have one of our favourite teachers for both Chemistry and Physics, which was unexpected but amazing.

They faced their first almost-obstacle the next day when Clint and Natasha came by. It wasn't their presence, but the news they brought.

"Fury wants us on a mission. All of us."

They all froze for one terrible second, before Tony burst into motion.

"Can't. Got work; important meetings, can't miss, been putting them off too long," he burst out, before freezing once more, and then laughing. "And none of you have that excuse."

Natasha simply raised an eyebrow.

"He might actually believe that one. You usually throw all work aside to go on missions, and now it's the other way around. And if we throw in that Pepper won't let you go…"

Clint nodded.

"He might be miffed." He paused, and then grinned. "And might not. There'll be none of your annoying prying for him."

"Exactly!" Tony exclaimed.

"But," He continued, "None of the others have any excuse. Except Thor, because he's meant to be on another world. Despite him smashing through your window, the boss man still seems unaware of his presence here. Other than that, we need the other two now."

"What?" Asked Bruce. "Right now?"

Natasha and Clint nodded.

The scientists glanced over at each other, Bruce's calm gaze meeting Tony's horrified one.

"What if something happens? Where's your first aid kit? What if I do something wrong?"

Bruce shook his head.

"The first aid kit is in his room. Also, you've got Google, Tony. I'm sure you'll be fine."

Then they left.

The next was Pepper's phone call, only a few minutes later.

He could hear her smug grin.

"So I heard everyone was going on a mission but you. It was kind of Fury to let you stay behind to catch up on your work."

He was cursing Natasha with every fibre of his being by the time his CEO had hung up.

Thor agreed to take care of Loki, because Tony had to attend two meetings this afternoon, and the others wouldn't be back for at least 3 days.

Loki hadn't woken since that moment with Tony that they were aware of. He'd been checking on him obsessively, and he'd delivered things for Thor to do, none of which seemed to have been used.

Understandable, considering he'd given the big guy stuff like a Rubik's cube, but he hadn't really been thinking clearly when he'd taken the infuriating device into the room.

Thor was under strict instructions to call Tony if Loki woke, or his condition took a sudden downhill turn, and if Loki needed something before Tony had time to get there, JARVIS would instruct him on what to do.

Only after constant assurances from Thor that everything would be fine, and much more panicking and 'are you sure?'s did Tony finally put on his suit and leave.

The meetings were boring, as they always were, and for a change, Tony was mostly silent, thinking about what he was going to do when Loki woke. Without his constant butting in to the conversation, though, the meeting went smoother and faster with Pepper running it. She gave him a few looks of confusion and approval at comments that he didn't make but could have

And then the meetings were over, and she cornered him.

It was like a dance at the door. Every one else had left the meeting room, and Pepper was standing in wait. When he tried to go one way, she'd go the same. They did this a few times, before Tony caved.

"Alright. What do you want, Pep?"

"What's going on, Tony?"

"Well that was quick. No 'hi how are you Tony?', 'so nice to see you again Tony.' Straight to the chase."

"Tony…" Her tone was dangerous.

"I don't know what you mean."

"Oh come on. You said next to nothing in that meeting. I didn't have to elbow you once."

He winced as phantom pain shot through his ribs, and he rubbed them.

"Well maybe I've learned. I don't think my ribs have still fully healed from last time you did."

She smiled slightly, before continuing.

"Stop avoiding the question. I know you, Anthony Stark. You haven't asked for more soup before. What is going on?"

She ad her hands on her hips by this stage, eyebrows raised.

"I felt like soup."

She rolled her eyes.

"The only time you ever want soup is when you're sick. And you're not sick. I would be able to hear your whining from here if you were in bed if you were." She seemed to pause for a few seconds in thought. "So… is someone you care about sick?"

He froze. He knew it was telling, but her words…

"Care about? I don't…" He trailed off. He couldn't possibly… could he?

And yet he was so obviously protective of the broken god. Surely some part of him must care. Not that he'd admit it readily.

Pepper was looking at him intently.

"You don't…?"

"I don't… care about him. It's more that I have to keep him safe."

Her eyes were wide.

"Him?!" Her voice was an octave higher than usual. "Protect? I can't tell if you're talking about your latest conquest or a small child."

He hesitated for half a second, before grabbing on to her shoulders.

"Pepper. Once everything's calmed down and I figure out what to do, I'll explain it all to you. I promise."

And then he gently moved her to the side and walked out, leaving her staring at him, blank-faced.

Had he even thought about what he'd just said, he would know that she would most definitely be thinking about how to get into the mansion and figure out just what was going on.

He was in the car on the way home when Thor called. His automatic thought was that Loki had woken, and he couldn't decide whether to panic or be happy.

Thor's news was, however, worse.

He knew he'd broken every speed limit ever in his haste to get home, but by that stage he didn't care.

He threw open the door as he strode into the room, focusing on Thor, rather than on the motionless figure on the bed.

"Explain to me what happened again."

"I do not know. He simply began choking. Your JARVIS explained to me what to do, however. I asked him to contact you afterwards, as there was no time during what was happening. I rolled Loki onto his side, and he began coughing up blood. There was a bowl nearby that I placed beneath his mouth. Most of the blood ended up in there. I worry that he will begin coughing again."

Tony nodded brusquely, refusing to look at the bowl sitting innocently on the sideboard.

"JARVIS. Did you run scans?"

"Yes sir. The blood appeared to have been coming from his lungs, however it seemed to have appeared suddenly. I could not run proper scans in this environment, but his lungs seem to be undamaged."

The billionaire paused for a few seconds, taking in what this could mean, before turning to Thor.

"I have a theory, but I need your opinion."

Thor frowned, but nodded.

"I will provide what information I can"

"Do you guys, or does Loki at least, heal faster than us mortals?"

The thunder god shook his head.

"I would not know. I mean no offence by this, but I know that we are more durable than most Midgardians. Loki's magic has always seemed to take care of his worst injuries, but without his magic, I could not say."

"that's what I thought might be the case." Tony began pacing slightly. "Loki's magic was sealed inside him, and not drained from him. It couldn't be, because it is rooted so deep within him that removing all of his magic would most likely kill him. Odin cut off as much of Loki's magic as he could from the source, but there's still some left; enough to keep him alive. He can survive easily, as if a normal Asgardian, but can't use magic. What's left of it, though, is doing what it can from within it's restraints to heal him."

Thor nodded.

"This could be likely."

"So what just happened was that his lung had some small injury. It was healing, but bleeding as it did. If I had had that kind of injury, for example, I would have bled into my lung, drowned on my own blood, and died. But healed slightly faster. That was his body purging all the blood from his lungs!"

Tony was really quite excited at this theory, probably because it had something to do with aspects and things that he didn't understand. He was bouncing on the balls of his feet, and grinning like a maniac.

This was interrupted by a hoarse voice; barely a whisper, but echoing through the silence.

"You are more correct than you know, Stark."

Thor and Tony turned slowly to wards the bed to see two sleepy, pained green orbs regarding them warily.

Loki was finally awake.

On another world, two golden eyes blinked slowly, before their bearer walked easily to the throne room.

At his formidable presence, everyone bowed aside. As he arrived in the throne room, the monarchs dismissed everyone before looking to their guest eagerly.

"I still cannot see him properly. What remains of his magic, though not under his control, is doing all that it can to protect him. I cannot hear him, though I know when he speaks. He is simply a shadow," he began, and the queen's face fell, though the king's remained impassive, but as he continued, her eyes lit up once more. "However, it seems that he has woken."

Frigga smiled beautifully, and Odin simply nodded.

"Thank you, Heimdall. Please continue to watch for him."

The large gatekeeper nodded, and began to walk away. At the door, however, he topped and turned.

"Much will become of those two. There is chance of them causing harm together, but more chance while separate. Already, their lives are connected. It will likely take more than death to separate them."

The bang of the closing door was ominous in the silence he left behind.

Frigga turned to her husband.

"Do you think-?"

Odin cut her off softly.

"Though Heimdall's words are only possibilities, I think that Loki might find happiness there."

She smiled.

"Do you think we might get our son back?"

The Allfather shook his head.

"Though he is the Liesmith, I think he spoke true that day." Frigga did not need to ask of which day he spoke. "He feels truly betrayed. It will take a long time for those scars to heal."

A sad nod came from his wife.

"Maybe one day…"

The smiled gently at each other as the door to the throne room was opened again, and Odin's face fell into an impassive mask once more.

Tony had to restrain Thor so that the large god didn't jump on Loki and crush him with hugs. It didn't take much: just a pat on his arm to remind him of the state that his adoptive brother was in.

"Loki," Thor breathed. "How are you feeling?"

It looked like it took all of the green-eyed god's effort to not roll his eyes.

"Wonderful, Thor. Just perfect." His voice was hoarse and broken, but that didn't stop sarcasm ringing through it.

Thor's face fell slightly at the sardonic words, but he was smiling a second later.

"I am glad you feel well enough to speak."

Loki made no move to acknowledge the comment.

Tony moved carefully to beside the bed, making sure not to make any sudden movements, and Loki warily tracked the motion.

"I have water here, if you would like some," He said softly.

Loki's face became instantly more guarded, but he nodded slowly.

Tony made sure his movements were well broadcasted as he gripped the full glass.

"Can you sit up?"

He of all people knew that Loki wouldn't want help with moving, even if he really needed it.

With much grimacing, hidden as much as the Trickster possibly could, and a few breaks, he pushed himself up the headrest as Tony piled pillows behind his back. He made sure to wave Thor off as subtly as possible whenever he tried to move forward to help, but he was certain that Loki saw the movements. His eyes were darting around the room, probably locating exits and weapons, assessing everything, but Tony simply settled the covers around his waist.

He moved the glass forward slowly, towards Loki's face, but held it still when he reached his chin.

Sure enough, the god sluggishly began moving his hand towards the glass, and his lips quirked up slightly, gratefully, Tony hoped.

Only when those long, slender fingers were gripping the glass tightly did Tony let go.

The arm holding it dipped suddenly, but Tony's arm was already there, gently supporting the bottom of the glass, his face blank.

He knew he couldn't show sympathy or it would be mistaken for pity, so really, he could simply show nothing.

A frustrated sigh escaped Loki's lips as his brow furrowed, and he stared determinedly at the glass.

"Thor," said Tony softly, feeling the glass jerk slightly on top of his fingers, Loki's eyes snapping up to meet his, "Could you please go into the kitchen and blend up some of the fruit that Bruce bought. JARVIS will instruct you."

He felt Thor jerk from where he had been hovering behind him, and begin to argue, but Loki's eyes moved quickly to his blue ones.

"Yes, please, Thor. I do not think that I could stomach solid food at this stage," He said softly. Tony knew that Thor would not be able to resist his brother's weakened voice.

Sure enough, a second later he heard the door open and close behind him.

"Well played," smirked Tony.

A hoarse sound that could possibly have been a chuckle emanated from Loki's throat.

"You started it. I would thank you for knowing that I did not want him here if it were a principle of mine."

Tony simply tapped the bottom of the glass held in their hands.

"I wouldn't have expected it. I only hope he isn't wrecking my kitchen," he smiled softly.

Loki's response was to shakily begin lifting the glass to his own lips again. Tony couldn't help noticing that they weren't quite in the tatters that they were before. They were held together better. Loki truly was healing faster. Tony slowly pulled his hand away, but made sure it would be easy to reach the glass without jerking too much.

The glass reached the god's parched lips, and he slowly tipped it up without taking his eyes off Tony. The moment the water entered his mouth, any intentions he probably had of drinking slowly flew out the window. His eyes slid shut, and he began gulping down the water as if he were dying.

Or he attempted to.

He got one big gulp down before Tony reached up and gently pulled the glass down.

The moment Loki felt the glass being moved, his eyes snapped open, boring into Tony's, and the Iron Man couldn't help but recall the incident when he was cleaning up Loki's lips.

The god's hand snapped down, and he gripped Tony's wrist in an attempt to tip the glass back up, but Tony was stronger.

As Tony pulled the drink further away from the Loki's mouth, coherent thought seemed to return, and the billionaire watched as the mania faded from his eyes, and a frown began to develop.

Loki let go of the glass and let his hand fall to the bed, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips, and Tony laughed softly.

"I did the same thing. I knew what was going to happen, and I lost control and did it anyway. It happens to the best of us."

He was smirking, and he knew that Loki understood that it was meant to be humorous.

"Don't be so self-centered, Stark," He huffed out, his voice still hoarse.

Tony lifted the glass once more, and Loki lifted his hand to meet it. This time, he didn't remove his hand from it.

He gently tipped a small mouthful of water into Loki's mouth, the god's hand wrapped around his wrist in a vain attempt to tip it further. Only once Loki had swallowed did Tony raise the glass again.

Every movement caused Loki pain. Being this close to him, Tony could see it. He knew that Loki didn't trust him just from the way that he never let his eyes stray from Tony's. He could see how much effort it took for the god to swallow.

Barely a quarter of the water was gone when Tony pulled the glass away completely. Loki made futile grabbing motions for it, before obviously berating himself at his lack of control.

Tony made sure the glass was far out of his reach. Loki's eyes finally left his to track the motion, but snapped back instantly at the dull thud it made on the wooden dresser.

"C'mon. Let's get you to the bathroom," Tony grinned. "My sheets have been soiled badly enough already thanks. I don't know if I'll ever get those bloodstains out."

Loki's face coloured, but he slowly swung his legs out from under the bedclothes without saying anything.

He was perched on the edge of the bed, hands gripping the sides tightly, when Tony decided that he should probably distract him from what he knew from personal experience would be a daunting and humiliating trip.

"What did you mean when you said I was more correct than I knew?"

He didn't miss the faint flash of gratitude across Loki's face.

As he began to speak, Loki began attempting to stand up, too, using the dresser as support and clutching at his skeletal frame.

"I should probably have said that you were mostly correct. If my magic were removed from me, which would be an extraordinarily lengthy and laborious process, I would not die. As you theorized, my magic has not been fully removed from me. I cannot access it consciously, or do anything with it. It is like a defensive survival instinct." By this stage, Loki was upright, swaying, and gripping onto the dresser with white knuckles, his voice tight. "It will heal me as best it can, given my access to it. This means healing at a slightly faster rate to normal, but expending more energy. As you said, it is the reason I am still alive."

He paused, staring past Tony to the bathroom door determinedly, let go of the dresser and took a step forwards.

His legs gave way, and he began to collapse.

Tony darted forwards, and wrapped his arms gently around Loki's waist; enough to support him, but not yank him up. He did his best not to aggravate any of the injuries, but with the amount that they were, he knew he was causing damage. He also knew that Loki was causing damage simply by being out of bed, but he could remember his time being down. There was no way that the god would stay immobile for long.

Loki got his feet under him, and Tony helped lift him up. Once he was upright, Tony moved to let go, but the god clamped his hand on Tony's arm. When the billionaire glanced up, Loki's face was blank, staring straight ahead.

Tony smiled slightly to himself, and withdrew one of his arms, leaving the other around Loki's waist as support. Slowly the Trickster let go of his arm, and took a step forwards.

Together they walked slowly across the room, Loki's legs almost giving way on most of the steps, but Tony was there to support him. They didn't speak.

Tony went into the bathroom with him, before stepping away and leaving Loki supporting himself on the toilet. There was a faint glimmer of gratitude in his eyes, which vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

"I'll wait by the door," he said softly. "I'd really rather you didn't fall over and die now that we've finally got you healing."

Loki smirked as Tony turned away.

"I suppose you won't permit me a bath," he heard, over the running water. He took this as his cue to turn around.

Loki was propped up against the sink, sweat on his brow, and tension that he'd been hiding earlier in every line of his body.

He was exhausted and in pain, but somehow still smirking at Tony. He couldn't help admiring the god for that.

But still, he had to shake his head.

"Nope. Doctor's orders. Well, not really." Loki started towards Tony, slowly and laboriously, but not falling over. "I'd just rather not do anything that he hasn't authorized."

The god reached him at the doorway, and Tony got himself into the same position as earlier, with his arm around Loki's waist, and the taller man's arm over his shoulders. Loki didn't say anything, but Tony hadn't expected him to.

Together, they began walking silently back to the bed. They were halfway there when the door began opening. Loki let go of Tony and stepped away from him as if the billionaire had suddenly become a red-hot coal.

Tony simply nodded at him. He understood.

By the time the door had opened completely, the two were a step away from each other, and Loki had begun taking another step forwards, Tony ready to catch him.

Thor stood beaming in the doorway, a tray in his hands with about seven glasses on it, each with a straw.

Tony glanced at him and raised his eyebrows. He had smoothie in his hair and on his face.

"You look like you've been having fun. And I was left trying to deal with this!" He gestured wildly at Loki, ignoring the raised eyebrow and slightly confused look he got for it. "Do you have any idea how stubborn he is? He just had to do everything by himself. He almost got in the bath!"

Thor laughed, and Loki's expression had turned dark, though Tony knew it was only an act.

"I did not 'almost get in the bath', Stark. I do understand that my injuries prevent that at this stage. However, I am well enough to at least walk by myself."

Tony made a face at him, though he was grinning on the inside. Thor, however, laughed once more, strode into the room and placed the tray on the bedside table.

"You are lucky my brother has no weapons, Anthony. He would have cut off any hand that you laid on him in an attempt to help."

Loki's face darkened for real as Thor called him 'brother', but he said nothing, and began the slow walk to the bed once more.

Thor simply stood and watched, though Tony could see him itching to help.

"So what happened to your face?"

Thor glanced over at Tony, surprised, but realization soon dawned.

"Your butler neglected to mention that I was to put the lid on the top. I learned better for the second time."

Loki scoffed, but otherwise stayed silent. Tony flashed a quick grin.

"And that was why you made seven smoothies?" He asked.

Thor shook his head.

"I made five, simply because I did not know which my brother would like better."

Tony nodded understandingly, before widening his eyes.

"Do I have any fruit left?"

Thor looked sheepish.

"I made sure that I did not use all of your fruit. The spiny fruit, pineapple?" Tony nodded. "I did not know how to cut it up, and so I left it."

Loki was almost at the bed.

"So what flavors are they? Strawberry and passionfruit, or something equally ridiculous?"

Thor shook his head, but JARVIS answered for him.

"Watermelon, honeydew and rockmelon. Strawberry, blueberry, raspberry. Passionfruit, mango and orange. Peach and orange. Banana. He was rather adamant on putting similar types of fruit together."

Again, Thor looked slightly abashed, but moved to defend himself.

"The three melons, and three berries all belonged together. JARVIS assured me that the others were quite popular."

Tony, however, was marveling at the quantity and variety.

"Where did we get all that fruit? They don't even all bloom in the same season!"

"Your companions ordered them, sir. They seem to have a better health regime than you do. The fruit was ordered from around the world."

Tony didn't even bother contemplating how much that would have cost as Loki climbed into the bed.

Thor looked at him eagerly.

"Will you try them?"

Loki gave him a withering look, but nodded.

"All but banana."

Tony grinned.

"A man after my own heart," he simpered, batting his eyelashes.

Loki simply glared.

In the end, Loki ended up drinking half of the melon smoothie, Tony not letting him drink any more. Thor went to protest, but abruptly fell silent as Loki and Tony shot him matching glares.

The billionaire could see Loki getting more and more exhausted as each motion expended more energy and caused more pain. The moment he pulled the straw from Loki's lips, he announced that the god should sleep.

Loki looked grateful, but still huffed. He couldn't let the mortal boss him around now, could he?

"Your word is not my command, Stark."

Tony grinned and placed the glass back on the tray.

"You're going to go to sleep now, and Thor is going to stay here with you. Silently." He shot a warning glance at the Thunderer.

"I have been awake for little under an hour. I am a god!"

Tony interrupted whatever he was going to say next.

"And you are injured and need sleep to heal."

Loki fell silent, a dark look on his face as he lay down on the pillows. Tony shot him a brilliant grin, and got JARVIS to shut the curtains.

"Thor," he said. "Call me if something happens. If you need to get out, I'll come babysit the god."

He winked mischievously at the two, grabbed the tray of smoothies and waltzed out the door.

There you go~
I do so hope you liked it. I rather enjoyed writing this chapter, with Loki finally being awake and everything. It took me a little longer than I expected to get to this stage, though...

Until next time~~