Safe in my Arms

The first thing Steve noticed before opening his eyes was the sterile and nauseating

hospital scent. His fingers twitched, digging into a soft and warm blanket. He squeezed his eyes shut, the lights already too bright even as he had not opened them yet. He tried to move his left leg, a static feeling prickled through the damaged muscles, but no matter how hard he tried he could not lift it.

He heard the sound of a ticking clock mixed with a constant beep. It was far away, yet so recognizable. The sounds seemed to get closer as he heard a voice.

'Bru-… How's th…e a-…. oing?'

That voice… it sounded so familiar.

Tony?

'Is he-… yet?'

Steve tried to speak. His voice so soft he could barely hear it himself. '…n-y…?'

'No, h-… unconsc-'

There was someone else. They were talking. '…To-ny…?'

'Cap?' He heard the shoving of a chair and instantly felt fingers wrapping around his hand. 'Steve, hey, it's okay. We've got you.'

There was both relief and concern shadowing these words. A warm feeling imbedded itself deep within Steve's chest as he realized it was definitely Tony. He slowly opened his eyes, fighting against his heavy eyelids. His lips were chapped, mouth dry as he looked at the playboy. 'Hey… T-ony.' He looked over the man's shoulder, a weak smile of relief on his face, 'Bruce.'

'Hey,' Bruce smiled and practically flew towards the captain's side, reading the information from all kinds of monitors. 'How are you feeling?'

'I…' Steve looked at the ceiling, his head spinning as memories slowly faded in and out of his mind. 'Whe-where's Loki…? And Thor?' He looked at the playboy sitting at his side. 'Did we lose him?'

Tony frowned for a moment and looked at Bruce with a questioning expression.

'Maybe Thor's that other guy we found?' Bruce suggested in a whisper as he kept a close eye on their captain.

'… It's okay, cap.' Tony smiled, trying to sound as reassuring as he could. 'Thor is in the room next to you. He's-'

'He's here?!' Steve nearly shouted if not for his hoarse voice. He threw his blanket to the ground and started to scratch at his IV, trying to tear it from his skin. 'He can't stay here! We have to-! God, get these things off me!'

'Woow, Steve! Easy!' Tony quickly held on to the soldier's wrists as Bruce tried to guide him back in his bed. 'It's okay, he's unconscious. He won't be doing anything.' The billionaire's heart nearly broke at the clear distress in the blond's bright blue eyes. Steve still looked so young, lying in this bed, hooked up to all sorts of monitors. 'It's okay, Rogers. You'll be okay.'

The blond slowly calmed, trusting his friend's words. 'Loki,' He whispered softly as his head touched his pillow, his eyes closing as his world started to spin. 'Where is… what happened to him, Tony?'

'We found your ship, crashed, in Central Park.' Bruce placed his notes and glasses on a nightstand before sitting next to the genius. 'You were unconscious, we took you to S.H.I.E.L.D. infirmary. There was someone with you. Someone with black hair and blue skin.'

'Loki…' Steve let out a soft whine, his entire body bruised and soar despite the constant flow of morphine. His fingers twitched as a question burned on his lips. A question he hardly dared to ask, 'Is he…' He gulped, trying to control his trembling voice, 'How is he?'

Bruce sighed and opened his mouth, only to be cut short by the playboy at his side. 'He's doing fine.' Bruce looked at him with a frown, wanting to argue but Tony continued. 'I mean, he will be. He's unconscious now, but… He'll get back on his feet soon enough. We only found the two of you, so, no Thor, apparently.' Tony hoped that was a good thing.

'So, Loki is alive?'

The two held their breath for a split second, a shiver running over their back at the captain's desperate and hopeful words. 'Yes, Steve,' Bruce spoke softly. 'He's alive.'

The blond's lips formed a weak smile, 'That's good. That's… so good.' He sighed, his tense body finally relaxing a little as his eyes closed. 'I'm so thirsty.'

'Here,' Tony grabbed a glass of water that was already on his nightstand. He made sure to place the white straw against the blond's lips so his friend could take a few careful sips.

'There… there was an army,' Steve stammered, his fingers digging into the sheets as he started to get lightheaded, feeling like he could fall out of bed at any moment. 'and those deities… Zombies… and Thor- he- he- the lightning-'

'You should get some sleep, Steve.' Bruce's voice was so gentle and kind. He grabbed his glasses and quickly scribbled something to Steve's medical record. 'We can talk when you feel better, but you really should rest for now. I'll go and check on...'

'-Loki.'

He looked up and nodded. 'Yes, I'll be back soon to check on you.'

'I'll stay with you for a little longer, you know, for good company reasons.' Tony quickly offered at which Steve smiled.

'I'm just going to sleep, Stark, I think I can handle that on my own.' He managed to open his sky-blue eyes once more and chuckled softly. 'Don't worry, I'm not intending to sleep for seventy years again.'

'Oh, I'd kick your ass awake before I'd let that happen,' Tony crossed his arms in an attempt to look offended, causing them both to smile. 'Fine, refuse my most generous offer. But don't come crying to me when you wake up without seeing the most handsome face ever.' He quipped and gestured towards himself. His smile faded, however, as Steve hardly responded anymore. 'I'll let you sleep, cap.' He stood up and placed a hand on the man's shoulder. 'Just call Jarvis if you need anything.'

He walked away, Bruce at his side as a weak voice called out; 'Will do.'

Tony smiled and closed the door behind him.


'And?' Clint nearly jumped up the couch as Tony and Bruce made their way into the common floor. 'How is he? Is he awake?'

'Yeah, he's awake,' Bruce nodded. 'Or at least, he was. He's sleeping again.'

'How's he doing?' Natasha looked up from her StarkPad and clasped her hands around her cup of tea to keep them from shaking. 'Did he say anything?'

'Only some weird shit about zombies and lightning or whatever,' Tony snatched the coffee cup from Clint's hands and took a big, frustrated sip. He only sniffed as the piping hot liquid burned his tongue and throat. 'He's probably hallucinating.'

'Or in shock,' Bruce added at which the team looked up at him. 'I've done a forensic medical examination and inspected any physical injuries. His body is covered in bruises and cuts, he's a little malnourished and there's some head trauma most likely caused by the crash. What's more concerning is the gaping wound on his leg and how it got there. There could be a very realistic chance that Steve is suffering from some form of PTSD.'

'But with the serum-'

'The serum deals with physical injuries,' Bruce interrupted Clint. 'There's no telling what's going on inside his head. Not for now, at least.'

'… Any information on this guy?' Natasha asked as she stared at her tablet again, monitoring the blue creature from her screen.

'Only that his name is Loki,' Tony stepped behind her, his eyes fixated on the raven. 'And that he's important to cap. Probably helped him to escape.'

'How's this guy even alive?' Clint grabbed a new cup of coffee. 'He's… almost like a breathing corpse. And even that he can't do on his own.'

'Jarvis told us that he detected two forms of life energy,' Bruce explained as he watched Loki who was still in a coma. The tube that was place in the raven's mouth and down his windpipe made sure he was provided with the proper amount of oxygen. The tube through his nose moved all the way to his stomach, making sure his fragile body was continuously fed. He was hooked to all kinds of wires, from the monitors for his heartrate and brain activity, to the needle of his IV in his right arm. 'One life energy seems to be just like ours and one we still haven't deciphered yet. Both levels are in extreme danger, yet they seem to keep each other active, somehow. It's like… magic, or something.'

Natasha sighed and turned off the live-feed. 'Magic, science, it doesn't matter. All that matters is that we find out what happened and make whoever did this will pay.' She stood up, her calm demeanor slowly slipping. 'I'm heading to S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ. See if they have any more information on that spaceship.'

'I'm coming with you.' Clint followed her, only to turn around and look at the two remaining Avengers. 'You guys staying here?'

'Yeah, I want to keep a close eye on Steve and Loki.' Bruce looked at his science partner, who held Natasha's StarkPad in hand, fixated on the screen. 'Tony?'

'Hm? Oh, yeah, no, I'm staying here. Fury wants a report, better get working on that.'

'You writing reports?' Clint teased as he walked away with the Widow, 'Guess magic does exist.'

'Yeah,' Tony turned his full attention back to the tablet, the live-feed switch from the stranger to the sleeping captain. 'Guess it does.'


'Loki'

'Loki!'

'Brother, wake up. wake up!'

Loki opened his eyes, squinting against the bright light of day. He laid on his back underneath an old tree, his fingers intertwined with soft grass. He tried holding up his hand to block the sunrays, only to frown at how small his fingers were. Much like a child.

'Loki! Come on,' a young boy called his name, casting a shadow as he stood over him. The trickster could hardly make out who was reaching for his hand, the only characteristics recognizable were the bright and carefree smile, and golden hair. 'Come on!'

'… Thor…?' Loki asked in a voice so fragile and small it was hardly audible. He was pulled on his feet and only now fully realized the size of his young body. He was a child of five, maybe six years old. He looked at the boy in front of him with wide eyes, wondrous emeralds sparkling in warm sunlight.

The boy, who could only be a few years older, had a tooth missing in his beaming smile, his energy matching his sonorous laughter as he excitedly jumped back a little. 'Brother, come on!' Thor grabbed Loki's wrist and guided him through the flower-covered meadow, the Asgardian Palace dawning on the horizon.

Loki simply followed, his mind racing as he tried to understand what was happening. Had it all been a dream? The discovery of his adoption, the death of his parents, the nights of crying and wishing for Death's merciful embrace.

His older brother's greedy hands and lascivious words as he violated his mature form.

Steve…

He rubbed at his eyes. Both eyes.

Was it all nothing more but a horrid nightmare?

The raven followed the young prince of thunder, running as fast as his small feet could carry him. '…Thor,' he repeated in disbelieve, staring at his older brother's back, a sight that he had grown so familiar with. The blond would always walk in front of him, always guide and protect him.

A warm summer breeze caressed Loki's skin as tears of pure happiness started to blur his vision. 'Thor!' he called out his name in relief, warmth and love, his smile growing wider with every step he took. He let his small fingers intertwine with those of his older brother, who he so admired, letting him guide him to wherever Thor saw fit.

Thor would always be Loki's sun.

Loki would always be Thor's shadow.

Wherever Thor would guide, Loki would follow.

Butterflies of all colors soared into the sky as the two brother's ran through the pasture, the divine Palace nearing. The raven wondered where the blond would take him, if they would go on a new adventure, cause mischief, or simply had to get inside for lunch.

Tears streamed down his face at the sight of a familiar smile, his feet coming to a complete stop. There was a woman sitting on a stone bench at the Palace gate, an old book resting in her hands. Her hair, blond and beautiful, was tied in a satin bow and flowed over her left shoulder, her smile welcoming as her husband's hand rested on her back.

Loki simply cried, meeting their gazes. The man was tall and muscular with eyes that held both strength and wisdom. Loki recognized the fine wrinkles that formed around the man's eyes and nose as he laughed, the large hands that would hold him so carefully as if the raven would bruise with the slightest touch.

'Mother,' the child whispered under his breath. 'Father…' He stared as Thor had already joined his parents, looking back with wide blue eyes.

'Loki,' the young blond came running back again and grabbed his hands. 'Come on, Loki! Mother was just about to read us a story, won't you join us?'

Loki nodded, tears streaming down his cheeks and body trembling.

'Loki?' Thor sounded so innocent as he tilted his head in wonder. 'What is the matter? Are you not feeling well?'

'Thor…' The raven threw his arms around the blond's waist, crying his heart out as he buried his face in his brother's chest. 'Thor! Thor! Thor!'

The prince listened to his brother repeating his name, over and over, as if it was all a dream. The raven's fingers were twisted into his tunic, scared that the blond would fade away the moment he let go. Thor smiled and simply wrapped his arms around his baby brother.

'I missed you so!' Loki managed to cry out between his sobs, tears staining his brother's tunic. 'I was so lonely! I was so scared! I missed mother- and father! I missed you!'

'I know, dear brother,' Thor pressed a chaste kiss against Loki's temple and held him closer against his body. 'But it will all be alright soon.'

Loki's breath came in ragged sobs and hiccups. He tried to collect himself, to get his breathing under control, only to hold his breath all together as the arms around him started to tighten. 'Thor…?'

A fiendish grin formed on the blond's face, followed by a soft and dark chuckle. 'My dearest, dearest baby brother,' the voice had changed, mature and dripping with greed. 'Why would you run away from me?'

The raven jumped at the sudden change, his body now pressed against firm muscles. He tried to push the other away, but Thor held on to him like grim death. 'No...' He looked at his own body, frail, lean and full-grown. 'No, I- I don't… Thor, what is happening?' He tried to look around, his vision blurry and depth perception slightly off. He tried to rub his eyes, his heart beating loudly in his chest as one of his hands got covered in blood. 'T-Thor? What is this?! W-where are mother and father?'

'They are dead, Loki,' Thor shushed him, moving his hand through raven hair in an attempt to calm him. 'They were taken from us.'

'Bu- but… I-'

'They were taken from us,' Thor repeated solemnly, blame heavy in his voice. 'And now, they are trying to take you as well.'

'No… No, no,' All hope and happiness slipped through the raven's hands like lose sand. His body became unbearably heavy, his stomach churning painfully as he began to shiver. 'I- I…'

'It is alright, Loki,' Thor placed his hand on the raven's pale cheek and whipped his tears away. 'I will find you. I will bring you home.'

Loki could do nothing more but cry, the sound of his sobs leaving him almost deaf to his brother's words. He could not support the weight of his body any longer, his legs giving in causing him to cry in his brother's arm like a ragdoll.

'I will never let you go, my brother, my beloved,' a voice whispered in the raven's ear. 'You will be mine forever.'

The raven felt nothing but emptiness as his tears kept falling.

Loki…

He wanted nothing more but for his mind fall into oblivion, taking his body into a deep sleep.

Loki…

He wanted his blood drawn from his body. His lungs twisted and mangled. He wanted his heart to stop.

Loki…!

He prayed for Death.

Loki!

The raven shot awake and stared at a perfectly white ceiling. His bandaged hands were clammy and tearing at the blankets. His pale skin was covered in a thin layer of sweat, every muscle, every bone, screaming in agony. His eye was wide open, pupil constricted, showing nothing but complete terror and disorientation.

'Hey,' A voice sounded, small and hoarse, yet overflowing with relief.

The trickster, petrified to make even the slightest movement, slowly turned his head towards the sound, eye still wide.

Sitting next to him on a simple white chair was the mortal he had grown so attached to. Steve smiled at him, tears forming in his eyes. 'God, I'm so happy to that you're awake.' The blond moved closer, voice wavering as he stared at the distant god. 'You've been in a coma for months. I thought you'd never wake up… Do- do you remember who I am…?'

'…You freed me- from my cage,' Loki stated after some time had passed, his voice barely a whisper and raw. His throat clenched, vocal cords burning with every syllable falling from his lips. 'You did not abandon me. You did not let me die.'

'I could never. You're safe now, Loki.' Steve called full-heartedly, tears threatening to trail down his cheeks. He gently placed his hand on Loki's, careful not to hurt him any further as he smiled in relief. 'I won't let you die.'

The raven averted his eye for a moment as he let his reality slowly sink in. He eventually stared at the ceiling again, eye nearly closing as pain and weariness consumed his body. 'How could you be so cruel…'


Notes:

Okay guys, from the next chapters on it will be Loki and the Avengers :)
Oh, and Thor, of course. He will never let Loki go ^^