'No… No, no, no, no,' the god's lip quivered as blood began to drip onto his body. 'No! Oh Norns, I am so, so sorry!' tears rushed down Loki's face as he tried to wipe the ruby liquid from his skin, resulting in his body tainting completely with red smears. 'I- I did not mean to-!'

'Loki, it's okay, look at me.' Steve tried to remain calm, 'I'll be fine. It's nothing.'

'Please…' the raven sobbed helplessly. 'Please don't lock me up. Don't put me back in that cage, I beg of you!'

'Wha…? But I would never-'

'I am so sorry… Thor…'

Steve's heart shattered the moment he heard the Allfather's name falling from the raven's lips. He felt completely devastated, tears burning in his eyes as Loki cried beneath him. He did not know how to console him anymore, his mind blank as he let his head hang low.

It was then that he started to feel lightheaded, the pain in his side only getting worse. 'L-Loki… I need you to listen to me.'

The god tried to restrain his sobs, tears streaming down his face as he gazed up in fear. 'I- I will do anything for you, my dearest brother.' He forced on a smile, broken and quivering as he caressed the captain's cheeks with his bloody fingers. 'I- I will let you have me. In whatever way you hunger. I will be so good to you, I promise.'

Steve tried to move back as Loki pressed kisses against his lips, bile threatening to move up his throat as the raven begged him for mercy.

'I will do anything for you. Anything.' Tears started to roam freely again as the young god tried to mend his ways. 'Just- please don't lock me up. Please let me stay by your side.'

'Loki, please stop. Just stop!' The blond panted as he turned his head, breaking free from the raven's desperate touch. 'I need- I need you to get Bruce for me, okay?' his blood ran cold as Loki stared back at him in confusion, the name seemingly unfamiliar. 'Doctor Banner? His floor is right beneath Tony's, remember? Jarvis can help you find it, right J?'

'Certainly, sir,' the AI's soothing voice echoed through the captain's bedroom. 'Might I remind you that I could also call for Doctor Banner's assistance?'

Steve nodded slowly as his vision started to blur. 'Yeah… Yeah, I think that would be-'

'Selfone?' Loki glanced around. 'Jarvis…' He looked at the mortal hovering over him, his eyes growing wide as he finally came to sanity. 'Steven?' Reality came down on him with the ferocity of Jotunheim's first blizzard, freezing and unforgiving. 'Oh Norns, what have I done…?' he wanted to touch the blond. Wanted to wrap his arms around him yet did not dare to move.

'Loki, please,' Steve rasped, barely keeping his eyes open. 'Bruce-'

Loki nodded before dashing out of the bedroom, his trembling legs carrying him up the stairs towards the Scientist's floor. He entered his living, the door already unlocked by Jarvis. 'Doctor Banner?!' he shouted; voice filled with despair. 'Bruce?!'

The muffled sound of bare feet tapping against a wooden floor came from down the hallway. Bruce stood in a daze, hair ruffled and eyes squinted as he peered at the god, his nightclothes hanging loosely around his body. 'Loki? Wha- what's going on? Why are you-?' his eyes widened in horror as he noticed the god's naked and blood-stained body. He had to remind himself to take deep breaths. 'Okay, uhm- You can… here,' he quickly grabbed a blanket from his couch and wrapped it around the raven's slender physique.

'It's Steve!' Loki cried out, tears rushing down his face. 'Please! You have to help him!'

Bruce wanted to ask a thousand questions, but considered they were best saved for later. 'It's okay, I'll help you. We'll help you.' The scientist averted his gaze, 'Jarvis! Can you wake everyone up?! ASAP!'

Loki let his back rest against a wall and dropped to the floor, hands tangled in his hair. He did not hear Bruce asking for Jarvis to send Clint and Natasha to his floor, nor did he feel the scientist's comforting hands on his shoulders. Bruce was talking to him, most likely trying to explain something, but he didn't register a single word.

The doctor gave a reassuring smile before dashing towards the stairs to get to Steve, leaving a deafening silence.

The raven held his breath, his chest aching as he tried to stifle his sobs and cries. He untangled his fingers from his hair, the sight of Steve's blood on his hands sending his stomach into violent contractions.

'Loki?!'

The door swung open, revealing the team's two assassins. Natasha dashed forward, Clint covering her as he glanced around the room, bow ready to fire.

Concluding the entire floor was secure, the archer lowered his weapon, 'The hell happened to you?' he took in Loki's trembling form as Natasha sat next to him. 'Loki? You've got to tell us who did this to you! Are the culprits still here? Are they with Ste-?!'

'Stay back,' Natasha warned him as she raised a hand, the other resting between Loki's shoulder blades.

The archer stopped in his track, barely keeping his face from contorting as Loki threw up.

Nausea clawed at the god's throat as he tried to force down burning bile, but it was too late. His partly undigested drive-through meal rose from his stomach and violently forced its way up his esophagus. Every muscle in his body kept contracting till the last drop of bile parted from his lips. His face turned deathly pale, the pungent stench invading his nostrils as he gasped for air.

'It's okay, we've got you,' Natasha rubbed the god's back, her eyes turning fierce as she turned to her partner.

'I'll- uhm, go get you some clothes,' Clint covered his mouth, not really sure what else he could do. 'Bruce must have got a lot of spare pajamas, so…' he dashed towards the scientist's bedroom.

'Loki, you have to tell us who did this,' She looked at his chest and saw the blood drying, both relief and concern washing over her. 'This is not your blood… Loki,' she made the raven look at her, her eyes seeming to stare straight into his very soul. 'What happened?'

The god barely dared to look her in the eye, his lip trembling as he whispered; 'I stabbed him… I thought my brother- Thor…' He stared at his hands, 'I attacked Steve…'

Bruce dashed into Steve's floor, eyes wide as he searched for his fellow Avenger. 'Steve?! Cap, where are y-?!'

He was silenced by a loud explosion coming from the windows, glass shattering across the floor as Iron Man burst into the room.

The billionaire raised his repulsors, ready to blast whoever dared to cross his path. 'Banner?'

'Tony!' the scientist placed his hand on his chest, bidding his heart to calm down. 'I can't see any signs of forced entry except for… well, yours. Steve must still be here somewhere.'

Tony lowered his gauntlets with a hiss, his teeth gritted as he glanced around the common room. 'Jarvis, scan the floor.'

'I detect one life form in the master bedroom, sir.' Jarvis informed, causing both Tony and Bruce to sigh in relief. 'Though I would urge you to hurry. Vital signs show that the captain is in critical condition.'

The two scientists looked at each other before moving towards the bedroom, both coming to an abrupt halt as they saw the blond on his bed, unconscious and without clothes.

It didn't take long for them to wrap the man in bloodstained sheets and carry him to the infirmary.

Steve opened his eyes to the sound of a dripping IV. His vision was blurry, his mouth dry as he tried to recognize where he was. The smell of disinfectants was overwhelming and threw him into a coughing fit. He wanted to sit up to catch his breath but hissed as a stabbing pain in his side forced him to stay put.

'Easy tiger.'

The blond looked up, finding his best friend sitting next to him. Tony placed a gentle hand on his chest, guiding Steve back into the soft pillows of his bed. 'Here, have some water.'

He took the glass with greedy hands and gulped it down, nearly chocking on the cold liquid.

'Hey, relax. It's okay,' Tony cooed and placed the glass back on the side table. 'You're okay. You're gonna be fine, Rogers. Now, take a deep breath.' He chuckled at the blond's messy hair, 'Jarvis, please let everyone know cap's awake and looking sexy as ever.'

Steve did as the billionaire instructed, focusing on his breathing and the warmth of the man's hand on his shoulder. 'Where am I?' he finally asked. 'What happened?'

'You tell me.' Tony's smile faded, concern showing in his hazel eyes. 'Banner woke us all up and when we came to your floor we found you unconscious in bed.'

'You found me…?' The captain's eyes widened as he remembered what happened, a vivid blush coloring his cheeks. 'S-so, everyone saw me? While I was…?

'Naked?' Tony finished at which his friend timidly nodded. 'Nah, don't worry. Just me and Bruce. Gotta say though, if you want my undivided attention you could have just said so instead of displaying yourself on that bed like some Greek god.'

The blond stared at Tony's cocky grin for a second before smiling. He closed his eyes and let out a soft grunt before mumbling; 'Ugh, fuck me…'

'Noted.' Tony smirked, upper body leaned casually on the captain's bed. He held the blond's hand in his own, his head resting in the other. 'I'll put in on my to-do list, cap. Top priority.' His entire body warmed at the sight of Steve's perfect smile, his heart skipping a beat as the man looked at him with baby blue eyes. 'Listen Rogers, I can understand if you don't want to tell me what happened but-'

'Loki stabbed me,' not a hint of reproach was found in the captain's words as he spoke calmly.

Tony's eyes widened in disbelief, which slowly turned into vicious anger. 'He did what?! Fuck it! That guy's out a' here.' He stood up, wanting to storm out of the IC unit. 'Jarvis, tell Clint and Nat to-'

'Tony,' Steve's voice may not have been loud but was certainly strong, demanding the playboy's attention. He smiled and held the man's hand firmly in his own to keep him from walking away, knowing that Tony only wanted the best for him. He was happy and so very grateful to have someone who looked after him like that. 'Could you calm down for a minute? Please?'

Tony stood still for a second before sitting down on the edge his bed. 'Fine. But I need to know what happened.'

'Fair enough… When we- I mean, we tried to have…' Steve swallowed, too ashamed to look Tony in the eye. 'I really thought I would help him by having sex- by showing him I love him and that being intimate shouldn't be something to be afraid of… I don't know what went wrong, but he stabbed me. He was petrified and he… he called me…'

Tony leaned forward, trying to be patient as his friend struggled to find the words. 'What did he call you?'

'Thor. The moment we were naked, and I touched him he called me by his brother's name. He was so scared and completely lost in his trauma that I- I didn't know what to do or say. I just don't know how to help him anymore.' The words came out as one big ramble, so unlike the strong and confident Captain. So unlike the calm and collected Steve.

'Maybe you can't,' Tony said softly. 'You saved him from whatever psycho relationship he was in. Maybe someone else can save him from the trauma he's still living with?'

'I don't think he'll talk… I've tried to but-'

'There you go again. It's always you.' The billionaire interrupted. 'You who saved him. You who takes care of him. You who tries to build a normal relationship with him. I know this sounds controversial, but I'm asking you, please, be a little more selfish.' As the blond frowned Tony caringly explained. 'Take a step back. Take care of yourself for a moment and let others help Loki. Let professionals help him. I don't think there's any more you can do.'

'… I guess,' Steve muttered after letting his friend's words sink in. He let out a deep breath, a wave of tiredness washing over him as his muscles relaxed. He leaned against his friend, his head resting against the billionaire's chest. 'Thank you, Tony. For everything.'

Tony blinked in surprise for a second, but then smiled. He wrapped an arm around the blond's shoulder and held him close. 'Sure thing, Steve.' His voice was low, a calming sound for Steve's worried mind to bask in. 'I'm sure I'll think of something for you to return the favor. Maybe mow the lawn, do the dishes… Oh! You could do all our dirty, stinky laundry for an entire year. Have fun washing the Hulk's shorts.'

The two shared a laugh as Tony held him just a little closer.

'Are we interrupting something?'

The two men looked up, finding the rest of the team smiling at them as they stood in the doorway.

'No, not really.' Steve's smile widened as his friends walked in. 'We just-'

'Well actually, yes,' Tony exclaimed dramatically and let himself fall over Steve's lap, the back of his hand resting against his forehead as he closed his eyes. 'You interrupted a very heartwarming moment. The love and romance all shattered as you so brutally disrupted our precious time.'

Clint snorted loudly while Bruce looked a little less amused. He hurried to their side as he saw Steve wince while Tony kept complaining. 'Move it, Tony,' he warned him. 'How you feeling, cap?'

'I'm fine, thanks to you guys.' Steve couldn't help the bright smile on his face as he was surrounded by his friends, Tony resting his arms behind his head as he was getting comfortable in his lap.

'Just don't get to relaxed in that bed,' Clint said while trying to peak over Bruce's shoulder to see what he was scribbling in Steve's file. The scientist quickly covered it by pressing the papers against his chest, a warning glare on his face. Clint just casually continued. 'Fury said he's gonna need all of us in a couple of weeks for a big mission.'

'Mission?' Steve blinked sheepishly.

'Yeah, nothing special. Certainty of death. Small chance of success. You know, the usual.' Clint grinned and wrapped his arm around Bruce's shoulder, who's face was slowly losing color.'

'Not to worry though, we will have a trump card.' Natasha reminded her friend, causing the others to look up at her. 'Don't forget we still have a god on our side.' She crossed her arms and turned around, signaling Loki to step into the room with a nod of her head.

The raven was standing in the shadows wearing Bruce's clothes, hesitant to walk in. He took a deep breath and held his head high as he approached the bed. 'It is good to see you awake,' he smiled meekly.

Loki's eyes fell on the billionaire sprawled out over the captain's lap. He didn't seem on planning to move, not until Clint tapped him against his leg.

'Been through worse,' Steve shrugged as Tony crawled out of his bed.

The god clenched his jaw, eyeing the playboy who got back on his own feet. He met the raven's gaze, either completely oblivious to the god's scorning glare, or too indifferent to really care.

Loki just hoped it was the first.

A silence followed in which everyone seemed to be getting a little uncomfortable. Bruce was the first to clear his throat, 'We'll give you guys a little privacy.'

'No,' Loki quickly stepped forward. 'Stay. Please.'

All eyes were focused on him, making it very hard for the god not to falter. 'Steven, I- I cannot find the words to describe how sorry I am for all I have put you through. I have lied to you, deceived you, and now even hurt you.'

'Loki-'

'Please allow me to finish,' he interrupted the blond, who was clearly taken aback by his determination. 'I wish to better myself, to be of assistance rather than being a nuisance.' The raven couldn't keep himself from fumbling with the hem of his shirt any longer, a nervous twitch which he just couldn't seem to lose. 'So, in order to accomplish that-' He looked at Natasha and Clint from the corner of his eye. The two assassins smiled at him, a reassuring sign which helped him continue. '- I have decided to seek help, and thus… talk. I might not be able to change my ways overnight, but I do hope that you- that all of you, will grant me the time I need to heal, and will allow me to reside here during this period.'

Everyone remained silent, staring at the god in absolute bewilderment. Loki swallowed nervously and added softly; 'Please.'

'You want to talk?' Steve asked. 'What made you change your mind?'

'The fact that I nearly killed you. Plus,' He looked at the two assassins, a timid smile forming on his face before turning back to Steve. 'I had a very good talk already with some of your teammates. They are very… persuasive.'

Steve looked at Tony, who let out a deep sigh. 'It's up to you, Rogers. I trust your judgement.'

The blond squinted his eyes as he looked Loki over, 'Come here.' He waited for the raven to stand next to his bed and pulled him into a tight hug the moment he could reach for him. 'You're such an idiot,' he mumbled lovingly and pressed kisses against Loki's cheek. 'Thank you, for finally getting help.'

Tears welled in the raven's eyes, his body completely frozen before he closed his eyes and carefully wrapped his arms around the blond. He knew he didn't deserve Steve, didn't deserve his kindness and patience.

Yet he was so very grateful to have him in his arms.

Everyone stared at the two till Clint coughed in his hand while mumbling; 'Now kiss.'

Steve and Loki looked up at him as everyone started to chuckle. They held each other's hand and smiled as their lips met. It was a kiss of promise; not only love but hope as well.

Hope for staying together. Hope for a better future.

Hope for a God of Thunder to leave them at peace.