It was no wonder, that Tony could barely stand up when he was returned to the sleeping cell. In fact, the moment he was thrown inside he collapsed and he groaned.
Then he reached into his pocket and found the electronic bracelet… He couldn't believe it, it was still there.
Tony had to struggle, but finally managed to get up on his feet again and stagger towards where Nebula ought to be.
And yes, she was still there. And Loki was back. And you could tell this was the real one because he looked like absolute shit like usual.
Thin as a match stick with almost skeleton like hands, just as dirty as everybody else, wearing ragged clothes. Hair filthy and greased. There was even some left over food goop on his chin from the previously rushed meal.
Tony groaned as he dropped down with his little flock, laying on his back.
"You got it?" Loki asked in such a weak hoarse voice. It was way weaker than before.
"Yeah." Tony gasped, laying on his back. "I got it."
"Thank the norns." Loki whispered and had to gasp for breath again, he sounded like when he was still stuck in that heat cell.
"Lokes… tell me. Is there a reason why you couldn't have gotten it yourself?" Tony asked.
"Hard light, need to concentrate. Barely any magic… Takes a lot of concentration to move a projection around. And a lot of concentration to make hard light. Can't do both at the same time." Loki informed. "At least…. Not now. To tired, to little magic. That was the last of it." he gasped. "Need… food. Water.. rest."
"Feed the god. I know." Tony sighed deeply, he glanced up at the god and the bit of goop on his chin. There was no question in Tony's mind that if Loki knew it was there… well… Loki had made his own stupid projection look really spiffy. And finally Tony just took pity and sat up. "Got a bit of dirt on your face." he lied and used his sleeve to wipe the old goop off. Then sighed as he turned to Nebula. "How are you holding up Nebs."
"The company is trash, but otherwise I am fine." Nebula replied in her usual stone pan voice and Loki smirked.
"Nebula, are you developing a sense of humor?" Tony asked also a little amused.
Nebula didn't reply, her face stone cold as usual.
Tony shook his head then looked up. "Food's here, I'll be right back."
Soon Tony was back balancing three bowls, again he ate first himself. Then fed Loki, whom had apparently spend so much magic he could barely even move again. But still Tony was sometimes scared that Loki would just eat the spoon to.
And then Nebula, who ate with much more dignity when the spoons were offered to her. "No one seen Kila?" Tony asked feeding Nebula.
After Nebula had swallowed she looked at Tony. "No, but that's not unusual. His shifts are usually twice as long as yours. You have incredible short shifts, everyone elses are much longer."
"Right, I am part of the weakest species in the universe apparently." Tony rolled his eyes. "Thank god for my brain at least."
"Don't fret." Loki replied. "There are plenty of species in the known universe who's strength and stamina is about the same as humans. They are just not here." he pointed out.
"I suppose we make pretty bad slaves in comparison to everyone else." Tony muttered bitterly.
Soon Nebula was finished with her meal and Tony yawned as he connected his arch reactor to Nebula almost without thinking before laying down, groaning deeply. Dammit he was so tired, and soon. He drifted off to sleep.
A couple of days, or what Tony assumed were days went similarly. Tony didn't see more of Lokis projections at work, he assumed he only would if the demi god found some sort of opportunity for them to get some more loot. Then get back, eat, feed two of the most dangerous people in the universe.
Sometimes Kila would be there, sometimes he wouldn't. They didn't hear anything from Supergiant, according to Loki she was still having her break down somewhere inside of the moon. Which was why her big speeches were canceled for now it seemed.
Then one day, as Tony had finished feeding his little flock Loki was reaching up a shaking hand. "Tony." he breathed. "Help me stand."
Tony halted. "Are you sure?" he asked. "I mean erhm."
"My body is weak because it hasn't been used for a long time." Loki admitted. "I need help. Please." he reached his arm hand towards Tony.
Tony swallowed as he looked at the hand, then he took in a deep breath. Determined he grabbed the hand, holding it tight. Loki offered Tony his other hand and Tony took that too, now holding both of Lokis hands Tony pulled and the demi good did his best to help.
Loki hissed and then finally he was up on his legs, only to stagger and then he fell directly into Tony. "Woah!" Tony managed to grab Loki and held him tight. "Easy there bambi."
Loki silenced.
"Loki?" Tony asked.
A memory of so long ago, Loki had a hard time understanding how he could have forgotten until now. True, he had been nothing but a small boy. He had been hurt, fallen down a cliff, and he couldn't move.
There had been another boy, this one blond with shining blue eyes and he had cried his eyes out.
"Will he be okay?!" The blond boy had asked. "Loki! Please! Brother, you have to become better! You just have to!"
Loki had been confined to bed in what then had felt like an eternity, finally he had asked the blond boy… To help him stand. The blond boy had nodded and taken both of Lokis hands.
"You got this brother! You can do this!"
And then, Loki had been pulled up. But he had staggered and he had stumbled, only to fall directly into a pair of strong arms and the blond boy had held him tight.
"Easy there brother." The blond had smiled though, he was happy. "It's okay. I got you! I knew you could do it! We'll have you walking in no time by the norns I swear! It'll be all right, I'll help you! I promise I will!"
So many many years after, an eternity of time had gone between. A titan, grabbing a blond man, slamming him into the ground of the Statesman. There was blood everywhere, the man was to beaten, unable to fight back as the Titan lifted his hand for another hit and all Loki could do. Laying there on the ground, unable to move… All he could do was to watch.
"Errh… Loki?" Tony asked. He didn't know what it was, something was strange. Loki had fallen into him and Tony had grabbed him. He was still holding the demi god in a secure grip so he wouldn't fall. "Loki is everything all right?"
"I…" Lokis hoarse voice sounded. "Forgive me… Tony." he struggled for a bit, but finally managed to stand up again. Still though, he was clearly unsteady on his feet. His long limps somehow seemed like a hopeless mess right now. Finally Loki let go of one of Tony's hand, only to press his free hand up against the wall. And then the other, now leaning against the wall. But at least he was standing.
Loki didn't look good though, his skin was ash gray. His breathing ragged, it looked like he was having a cold sweat.
"I think that's enough for now." Tony stated. "You need to sit back down."
Loki nodded and then slid down until he was in sitting position again, breathing deeply as he closed his eyes. Leaning his head back.
"You need some water?" Tony offered.
Loki nodded his head. "Please."
And Tony grabbed one of their old rusty cups. Thankfully he no longer needed to put it to Lokis lips for him. Loki could lift his own arm and drink by himself. And he drank until the cup was empty, then slowly lowered his hands looking empty out into the air.
"Seriously, are you okay?" Tony asked.
Loki shrugged. "Just thinking about how absolutely ironic it is. When you have something, all you think about is all its flaws and how much you hate it. When you lost something, all you remember about it is the good things and you are willing to do anything to get it back… But then it'll be to late."
Tony quieted, then sighed deeply slipping a hand through his hair. "Yeah pretty much." he sighed then sat down, only to proceed to laying down on his side. "We're pretty messed up like that." he muttered.
Loki nodded thoughtfully. "Seems that way." he sighed deeply, his hand clinging in a fist and his eyes closed. He had no desire showcase anymore tears right now.