Bruce had in fact spent most of his time in conversation with Tony and Steve, a discussion he wished they could have included Thor in, though they had deemed sleep a far better use of his time. The subject was simple, was Loki a threat? The obvious answer being yes, no one had forgotten the events of New York or the destruction he had bought about. They most likely would have left him in his cell to reap what hed sown, had it not been for those grainy images depicting another, more elusive narrative to his story. Loki was powerful, beyond human measure for sure. Perhaps the strongest weapon in his arsenal bring illusion and trickery, that was reason enough not to trust him. Why then was this not a simple open/shut conversation? Why had doubt slinked its way in, facts that fit and holes filled when you asked the simple question, was he in control? Could they really be discussing this right now? Was he really just someone else's pawn, a victim in a bigger game?

'I'm not saying I trust the guy, but don't you think if this was some kind of ruse, he would have grabbed the sceptre when it was still in the tower? I mean, he is literally the only reason its thousands of miles away from here right now'. Bruce was keeping his voice calm and level, trying to exaggerate his point without being overly pushy. He had found himself on the defensive without really knowing how he got there, the injured man occupying his makeshift hospital couldn't argue for himself right now and Thor wasn.t here to do it for him. Besides, somehow he just couldn't believe all the pain he had suffered and the healing he had gone through had been self inflicted just to better detail a ruse. Or perhaps it was simply that he understood the extent of it far better than those who had no medical experience.
'You know Fury's not gonna like it, if we do decide Reindeer Games is a friendly - kinda -, thats just going to be the first hurdle.' Stark had been surprising neutral during the discussion, his own experience in the capture and torture department weighing heavily on his judgement.
'So maybe not innocent until proven guilty, how about, benefit of the doubt?' Steve neatly rounded up to the answer their conversation had naturally come to. It was late and they'd been discussing The Loki situation for hours, a side effect of avoiding it for the last few weeks, they all needed sleep, or a stiff drink in Tony's case. When morning came they would tell Thor of the decision, until they could talk to Loki himself, he would be treated with a carful level of suspicion, however he was not a prisoner, they didnt really know what he was right now, but definitely not a prisoner.

-o0o-

Thor slept for nearly 18 hrs. An impressive feat on its own to say the least, especially when compared to the 60 minute cat naps he'd been surviving on of late. Aided by the knowledge that Loki had finally woken from his coma-all be it brief and far too eventful- he felt the first signs of peace settle deep within his soul, allowing him some sorely needed rest. Permanent lines of tension had been woven into his face for weeks, but in sleep they seemed to all but disappear. The pain lifted away revealing a much younger looking man, his shoulders unburdened during the small respite that sleep brought him.

When Bruce came to the medical bay the following morning to find Thor still curled up asleep in his bed, he felt terrible guilt at disturbing him. He would much rather leave the man another few hours, but he had promised to wake him when the time should come. He had given Loki something to help him sleep through the night but the sedatives had well and truly worn off by now, and he would surly be waking soon. Over the last day or so he had been far more absent from the small white washed room, checking in on the pair for good measure and changing a few bags of fluid, but the younger gods recovery very much rested on his own back now.

Putting down the bowl of porridge he had bought with him, the doctor lightly shook Thors shoulders, trying not to startle him as he woke. Stepping back when a small groan escaped Thors lips, sleepy eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the dimly lit room. Locking eyes with Bruce he felt the heaviness in his limbs, something he was accustomed to feeling the first sleep after a long battle. His eyes drifted to the clock on the wall as the fog started to clear from his head, he had been asleep for quite some time it would seem.
'Sorry to wake you, but I thought you'd probably want to be up when he woke.' Bruce gestured a thumb towards Loki, then reached for the porridge he had set down on the side. 'I bought you breakfast, you've been sleeping for a while, Steve thought you might be hungry.' Thor sat up taking the bowl gratefully, his appetite had very much returned and his stomache had already started making loud grumbling noises in apprehension of immanent sustenance. He spun his legs off the bed and looked over at his brothers still sleeping form, confidently reasuring himself as always that he was there. Through a mouthful of porridge he said,
'How does he fare?' His eyes never leaving Loki as he spoke.
'He's been sleeping just as you have, the stuff I gave him to sleep has worn off though so I expect he'll be back with us soon. As soon as he wakes we can take the ventilator out.' Bruces face was comforting as always, his doctors voice a friendly tone of optimism. He moved to the side allowing Thor to get past him and plonk himself into the chair at Lokis bedside. Moving the 3 steps with practised precision, the journey from his cot to Lokis was one he could do blindfolded. Reaching forward he clasped his brothers thin bony fingers in his own as he did every morning. His small way of letting his brother know he was there, absentmindedly rubbing his thumb across the back of his undamaged left hand. He wasn't sure if it was his own comfort or Lokis that he sought as he continued the soothing gesture, quietly reassured by the contact. As if sensing his presence, Lokis index finger gave a little twitch beneath Thors palm, it was a small, weak movement but undeniable. It attracted the attention of both men and they looked up at the pale face for signs of lucidity.

Thor responded to his brothers movement by tightening his grip on Lokis hand a touch. 'Brother? Do you wake?' He spoke low, using his words to draw his sibling out of the black. There was a silence that filled the room with tense anticipation, it seemed to last forever before Loki gave a small almost inaudible groan. Upon remembering the events of last time, Thor quickly amended his statement before the situation played out as it had before. 'Loki, you need not worry, you have been gravely ill but you are mending now, you are still on Midguard, they have used there medical devices to aid your recovery but you are safe.' He piled as much information as he dared into the sentence, which had sprung from his mouth at record speed. Thankfully working as intended, Thors voice seemed to distil a sense of calm over the younger man, there was no sign of panic as he lifted his finger once more in search of his brothers touch. With another small groan he attempted to open his eyes, scrunching them tightly to begin with as if this would allow him the energy he needed to part the lids and let in the light. The faint touches of a grimace formed on his face as Lokis eyes cracked open blearily. The lamp had not yet been turned back on in the room so after a few slow blinks he managed to settle his glassy gaze upon Thor who had leant over him to be in easy view. 'You have been asleep for quite a while brother, I was worried' Thor gave his brother a wide puppy like grin as he placed his hand on Lokis cheek and continued, 'Banner says we can take that contraption off now that you have woken' looking at the tube still protruding from Lokis mouth. At his words, Loki's unfocused gaze swivelled slowly over to the man standing towards the foot of the bed and hung there for several seconds. An acceptance of his presence, his eyes shut into a slow blink of acknowledgment.

His head was foggy and sounds distorted. Everything seemed out of focus, and no matter how hard he tried he couldnt fight the feeling of being uncontrollable exhausted. Contending with all this he could just about string Bruces words together slowly if he concentrated and right now the man was looking down at him putting on his best doctors voice. 'Its not going to feel great I'm afraid, but it'll be quick. I need you to cough as hard as you can'. Another slow blink from Loki told him the god understood what was being asked of him, and in quick succession he was letting out a feeble cough as Bruce pulled the tube from his throat. The procedure made Thor go green at the gills, and he found himself holding lokis fragile hand far tighter than he had intended. Instant guilt rushed through him, this was a far more unpleasant experience for his brother than it was him, he would stand and watch and comfort and most importantly, he would not throw up his porridge. As soon as the ventilator was out Lokis body erupted into a series of hacking coughs and violent retches. His lungs took in the first natural breaths they'd had in over a week and needless to say they weren't happy about it.
'Just try to breath, it'll feel rough but the worst is over' Bruce had discarded the ventilator and grabbed a smaller oxygen mask. Pulling back the elastic to stretch it over the back of Lokis head, he began to wrestle the plastic cup onto his face in amongst the fit of coughing. Finally getting it in place he settle Lokis head back down onto its pillow watching intently to make sure he was able to breath consistently. He had calmed down and now breathed harsh and fast but more importantly, independently. Seeing the shade Thors face had turned he rather thought the man might topple at any minute, he really didnt need two incapacitated men in his infirmary. Thankfully he seemed to collect himself pretty quickly, smoothing out his features as Lokis breaths became more even placing a light hand to his brothers cheek. Finding comfort in the touch Loki once again opened his glassy eyes, wet from the tears that had collected during the coughing, he rolled them over to rest upon his older brothers face.
'I have missed you Loki' Thors hand still rested on his cheek, the weight of it heavy and reasuring.

The world seemed distorted and messy, but if he focused hard he could keep himself centred on Thors scruffy blonde hair and sombre eyes. His throat felt raw, lips parched, and as he moved his tongue to remedy the situation, it felt heavy as led. 'You need water brother?' Thors hand appeared at his face holding a small cup, whilst his other lifted the mask down to his chin. His distress was clearly written on his face and he was too tired to cover up any weakness right now, he did desperatly want a drink. With a guiding hand grasping the base of his neck Thor lifted up Lokis head from the pillows as a dribble of the delightfully cool liquid trickled down his throat. It was taken away after just a few small sips, not wanting him to take too much too soon, he was lowered back down onto the soft inviting pillows. The fit of coughing had thoroughly taken it out of Loki, leaving a raw, angry feeling in his throat. He tried to concentrate on what was happening around him with little effect. Like trying to catch smoke, every time he thought he could untangle the mess of words Thor spoke, he would loose them again to the muddle inside his head. He tried hard to place himself in the here and now, straining what little resources he had into deciphering the buzz of noise and muffled words. Breaking through the fog he heard the words 'keep you safe...no...fear...brother...' but the moment of lucidity was brief. He sunk back into unconsciousness like a piece of cloth in water, Thors blurry face the last thing he saw before the darkness took him once more.

Thor watched as his brothers eyes began to droop, each blink looking heavier and lasting longer until eventually his eyes closed and stayed that way. Disappointed by the little time he had been gifted, he tried hard to remind himself of the good that had come from it. The reassurance he had bestowed upon his brother fragile soul, Loki was fractured, wrapped in mystery and unanswered questions. Thor would pick up the pieces and make him whole again, he had sworn to himself silently every night since this nightmare started, and now he swore directly to his brother - whether he heard it not - he would keep him safe, he would no longer need fear a thing, he would protect his brother.

Thor sat back in his chair, taking in Lokis exhausted appearance. Black bags stark against his sunken eyes, skin a dusty white ash and his body lying heavily amongst the folds of sheets. He had seemed to almost float below the surface, not quite breaking through to full consciousness a permanent glaze over his eyes. Yes he was thankful his brother had awoken, but he was far from recovered.