A/N: Hey, guys! *wave* So this chapter should clarify a little what's going on, and then problems are getting addressed. Sort of. *chuckle*
Thank you to Katherine Sanderson, GoldenLombaxGirl, jy24, karina001, neah20, and InsanityOwl for reviewing!
Title: Fear of Infinity
Author: liketolaugh
Rating: T
Pairings: None
Genre: Drama/Adventure
Warnings: None
Summary: When Loki mentions two more Infinity Stones, aside from the Tesseract, that fell to Earth thousands of years before, the Avengers are thrown into a centuries-old war between Dark Matter and Innocence - also known as the stones of Mind and Soul.
Disclaimer: I only wish I owned D. Gray-man, and the Avengers are but a dream that is not my own.
"He'll be fine."
Thor visibly slumped with relief, still staring worriedly at Loki, who hadn't woken up since their ordeal and whatever had occurred with Wisely. "You are quite certain?"
"Positive," Head Nurse said, and then, in a slightly drier tone, "I haven't any experience with Asgardians, but I'd expect a typical exorcist to wake up from this in a week or so. However…" Her face softened slightly. "I don't know for sure."
Thor closed his eyes. "I understand. Thank you, Healer. I am in your debt."
"I'm just doing my job," Head Nurse reminded him, but she did pat him on the shoulder before she moved to the back, overseeing some of her other patients.
Clint patted Thor awkwardly on the back, sitting beside him. "I'm sure he'll be fine. He always is, right?" He glanced at Loki, and despite their past experiences, his brow creased. Loki really did look vulnerable, unconscious on the bed.
"...Yes." Thor didn't look comforted. Dammit, Clint wasn't good at this. "Clinton, are things well here? Have you discovered anything of note?"
Clint's mouth tightened slightly. "A little. I'll tell you about it later."
"I understand," Thor nodded, straightening slightly. "Should I expect good news or bad?"
Clint made a face at him. What did he think? Thor smiled ruefully.
"You staying here?" Clint asked instead, getting up and stretching slightly. Thor nodded.
"I should like to watch over my brother."
"Right. See you around, then, Thor." Clint waved, and then turned to head out the infirmary, giving Coulson a brief nod and a flicker of a tight smile as he passed the man, who was just entering.
"Thor," Coulson greeted, nodding to Clint in return. "Any news?"
Thor smiled wearily. "Loki will be well again within the week, or so the Healer asserts."
"I'd trust her judgement," Coulson recommended, sitting beside him. "So did the mission go straight to hell, or did it start out okay? What happened?"
Thor grimaced slightly. "It started out quite well, aside from the subject matter; Edo is quite damaged, and much disease infects its land. There was little trouble, however, until we were found."
Coulson winced; yes, he'd heard a little about what had happened. "And what happened when you were found?" he still asked, because he wanted a little more detail, and Tiedoll was in no shape to give it to him.
"One of the Noah," Thor started, voice uncharacteristically soft, "has an ability which allows him to force our bodies into submission; I could not move by my own will, only his. Loki took some time to free us from his spell, and in the meantime, the two Noah spoke for some time, and then sealed our fate." He bowed his head. "Tell me, Son of Coul, when is the funeral for young Chaoji Han?"
Coulson winced, and placed a hand on Thor's back, the only comfort he was readily able to give. "Tonight," he said quietly. "After dinner. They'd prefer to give people time to mourn first, but unfortunately there's no time to be had."
"I see." Thor was silent for a moment. "I would like to attend, but I am unsure if I would be welcome."
"I'm sure you would be," Coulson assured him. "You staying here for the night?"
Thor inclined his head slightly. "If I am able. I am… reluctant to leave Loki's side." His expression faltered slightly, and then settled again, solemn. "I did not expect this to be such a great challenge. These Midgardians are brave, to take on such foes."
Coulson smiled slightly, tight and reluctant. "No kidding," he murmured. For a few minutes, both of them were silent, but finally, Coulson rose as well. "I'll leave you to your vigil. Want me to bring you anything?"
Thor shook his head.
"Then I'll see you at the funeral." With that, Coulson turned and left, considering briefly where to go next.
He actually had a list of people, by now, that he wanted to talk to. Trying to find out what was really going on here was not an easy task, and it only seemed to get more challenging with time. And then there was the ever-growing list of problems to be addressed.
He decided to go for Komui's office first, brisk and purposeful. Lenalee was Komui's sister; any concerns that had been brought up in the last week, Komui had probably thought of a thousand times before. If Coulson wanted to start figuring out how to handle 'after' (and he did, strangely enough, though he hardly knew these kids at all) he'd bet there were worse places to start than Komui Lee.
As expected, Komui was locked up in his office. For once, he wasn't asleep, though he didn't appear to be working, either; Coulson caught a glimpse of a rabbit sketch as he approached Komui.
Komui tilted his head, and probably would've looked comically confused if he hadn't looked so, well, stressed.
How strange, Coulson mused, that a 30-year-old man is in charge of such a vitally important organization.
Of course, he wasn't really in charge, was he?
"Mr. Lee," he said politely, taking a seat in front of Komui's desk. "I was hoping to speak to you about something."
"Yes?" Komui questioned, setting his pen down to give Coulson his full attention. And then he winced. "Is this about Chaoji?"
Coulson shook his head, briefly regretful, and Komui sighed. "No, not really." Chaoji, after all, no longer had this problem. "It's about the younger exorcists, actually."
Komui tensed again, and Coulson could understand why; if Coulson had understood any less of what was going on, he would have been livid. After all, the use of child soldiers was an… inconceivably horrible thing.
"It's come to my attention-" Via Natasha, who'd seemed a little disturbed herself. "-that most of the younger exorcists don't have the sort of education you'd expect in a ten-year-old, let alone children their age."
Komui relaxed slightly, but in exchange, a weary grimace crossed his face. "Yes, that is true. Nyne and Emilia are working to keep Timothy educated, but unfortunately…" A dark shadow crossed his face for the briefest of moments. "The previous Chief didn't see much point in educating children who... were expected to die before it could come to use." There was more, Coulson observed, that Komui wasn't saying; he could see it in the lines of his face and the pinch at his eyes. "And most of them come from difficult circumstances as it is." He grimaced slightly. "I understand Allen is in the latter situation."
Coulson nodded. This, he'd deduced. "And your sister is in this boat, isn't she?" This was why he was so sure that Komui would have worked to solve the problem.
"...Yes." Komui looked suddenly suspicious.
"I was wondering if you had anything in mind for them, or if I have to have a very uncomfortable conversation with my superior." Fury wouldn't be pleased, but he probably wouldn't turn them away, either. The man had a very twisted set of morals, at times, full of secrets and manipulation, but he did do his best for the world, and he didn't let debts go by unpaid.
Komui sighed, heavy and painful. Coulson waited patiently.
"I have been thinking about it," Komui admitted reluctantly. "But I haven't gotten very far. And understand, Agent Coulson, perhaps half of the exorcists who are here now were also here when I joined; twice that many have disappeared since I became chief." Chaoji's name hung unsaid. Komui grimaced. "And the accommodators only seem to be getting younger." He shook his head. "If I'm honest, I'm mostly banking on the Vatican shelling out some money so I can find some tutors for them. Failing that…" He shrugged. "There are many in the science department who'd be willing. But we can only do so much; I think it still hasn't occurred to most of them that they'll need jobs, after."
"Understood," Coulson said, thoughtful. And then, with more sympathy than he would have expected from himself, "Would you like some help?"
Komui started, and he looked so startled that Coulson nearly grimaced again. Privately, he thought that it wasn't just the exorcists who needed help around here. Then Komui smiled gratefully.
"That would be very much appreciated."
I'm pretty sure Coulson isn't actually this much of a busybody, but then, these are the exorcists he's dealing with. Their problems sort of become everybody else's problems after a while. *rueful* And yes, Loki's going to be okay. Don't worry, I'm pretty sure I'm not allowed to kill the Avengers if I want things to go smoothly in the future. *laugh* Thanks for reading, and please review!
