Chapter 30: Spring and Winter
Loki had been using the camera he got for his birthday. He would take pictures of the kids, but also the scenery around the compound. While he was still earning stars, it was not as much as before. Instead of gaining a star for finishing his tasks, Loki would only get one star per day for good behaviour. Because of his daycare, Alex would not be able to help his father in his tasks, so he would also only get one star per day for good behaviour. Therefore, the gold star system had been a bit abandoned and Loki would save the stars for Alex. However, Loki would go outside for his job and he would sometimes take his camera with him.
So when Wanda came to him one Sunday morning, Loki was enchanted.
"Hey Loki, I need help in the garden. Would you like to help? I know it's the weekend and you probably want to spend it with the children," asked Wanda.
"I would love it, sure," said Loki happily before he turned sad. "I can't. Sorry. Mister Rogers is not there today and I need his permission to get out of the Avengers' quarter outside of my job."
Steve had decided that Loki did not need gold stars anymore in order to be allowed outside, he just needed to ask. But Steve had to authorise it to Friday so the tracking bracelet would let Loki out without frying him. Tony had set Friday so Loki would be able to go everywhere on the compound during his work hours as long as it was not a forbidden area. But on weekend days, Loki had to stay in the Avengers' area, which was not bothering him at all on a normal day, but spring was upon them now.
"I'm sure we can find a solution. Steve would allow it," said Wanda. "Vizh, do you think you could convince Friday to let Loki out?"
"I do indeed have that ability, Friday and I speak the same language. However, is it wise to left Loki outside today? I mean, I trust you, Loki, but Steve is not here."
"We should really wait for mister Rogers, or at least mister Stark," said Loki.
Wanda, Vision, Loki and the children were the only one at the compound that day. Loki would have loved to test the limits and go outside, but his need for confirmation was bigger. Surprisingly, he did not want to betray Steve by disobeying, so he would stay outside.
"Steve would say yes and Vizh can trick Friday into not electrocuting you," reassured Wanda.
"No, I'm still under house arrest and I don't want to make mister Rogers mad," said Loki.
"Loki is right, we should really get the official authorisation," said Vision.
"Maybe we can call him," suggested Loki.
"But then, he would have to call Tony for him to give permission to Friday," said Wanda.
"Not if we ask Friday to listen to the call," said Vision.
"Call him," requested Loki. "I don't want to get into trouble, not now. I've come too far. Call mister Rogers, please, Miss Maximoff."
Wanda wanted to push the limit and do something that was not allowed, but she didn't want to put Loki into a bad posture with Steve.
"I'll call him, if you call me Wanda. Not Miss Wanda, just Wanda."
"Okay, Wanda."
That was weird. It felt strange. Loki was supposed to respect the Avengers and served them. Well, he was serving them in other ways, and there were more to respect than just calling people by their title. Then, Loki smiled. He had called her like he would call a friend.
Wanda smiled too, took put her cellphone and dialed.
"Friday, can you put my phone through the speakers of this room, please?"
The speakers Tony had put everywhere in the compound were better than Wanda's phone's. They heard the ringtone from the ceiling. For Loki, to hear that sound coming from above was like waiting on a higher power for permission.
"Hello," said Steve's voice.
"Steve. We were wondering, giving that it is a beautiful day outside, can you allow Loki to help me in the garden?"
"How many of you are at the compound?"
"Just Vizh and I," said Wanda. "We were going to plant flowers and seeds today. Loki and his family could help and enjoy the sun."
"Is Loki there? Can I speak to him?"
"You are on speakers, Captain," informed Vision.
"I am here," said Loki.
"I'm going to trust you, Loki. You can go, but I want Vision and Wanda to be close to you. You obey them," said Steve.
"Can you tell Friday that he is allowed out," said Vision.
"Friday?"
"Yes boss!"
"Loki is allowed outside, in the garden and the park, if he wants to go after. And he has access to the shed. But once they all go back inside, that's it."
"Thank you Mister Rogers, I won't make you regret it," said Loki.
The shed was a section of the compound where they kept gardening stuffs, like seeds, but also earth and tools.
So Loki went to get the children from the playroom.
oOo
Outside, Wanda had gathered the tools and the seeds while Vision was installing an umbrella. Loki set Storm on the ground in the shade of the umbrella and set her toys beside her. They then started to work and Alex was happy to help.
Loki had once helped Frigga in her garden. Sometimes, that help was reduced to playing in a corner with Thor, but once he got older, he would carry the tools and plants, but his favorite part was when he could put his hands into the ground or when he would pick up the fruits and vegetables.
"Alex, the plants need water, can you take the water can and fill it, please," asked Loki.
The little boy took the watering can and ran toward the fountain. He filled the can and came back running, watering the ground on his way. So Loki went after him.
"Oh, Alex, you should not run with the water. You are putting water everywhere."
"Oh. I'll go to fill it again."
Alex ran back to the fountain and managed to splash water all around. Loki helped him carry the water back. He then helped Alex to pour water on the ground, beside the plants.
"And it will grow?"
"Yes. This one will give cucumbers, and that one will give strawberries."
"When?"
"Well, the plants need time. Now, it's spring and the plants need the sun and the warmth to grow. Like you. You need time to grow as tall as me," said Loki.
"Okay, time for the enchantment," said Wanda.
Of course, she could have sped up the growth of the garden with her magic, but she decided to use it only to protect the garden. Vision had put up the scarecrow, but already, it was clearly not working.
"Maybe it's supposed to only scare to crows and this is a raven," said Vision.
"No. I know ravens because of my father's. That's a crow," explained Loki.
"Well, both are unafraid of the scarecrow, so it's time for some magic," said Wanda. "Step back."
Loki picked up Storm in his arm and took Alex's hand, then all of them got at the limit of the garden, behind Wanda. She proceeded to use her magic to create a force shield that drapped itself on the garden.
"Now, we only need a bit more rain from time to time," said Wanda, "and the garden will grow."
"Can't you make rain," asked Alex.
But before Wanda could answer, Storm smiled and giggled. Then, clouds formed in the sky just above the garden and poured rain. Storm continued to giggle in her father's arms.
"Did she do that, " asked Alex.
Everyone observed the rain and Storm alternatively. The rain was falling only on the garden, nowhere else. As for Storm, she was just happy with herself.
"Did you do that, Storm?"
Loki looked at his daughter and could decipher some mischief in her. He was certain she was behind the rain. Then, the rain stopped and the clouds disappeared as fast as they had appeared. The sun came back on the garden.
"Well, look like I already have a few assistants to take care of the garden," said Wanda.
"Daddy, can Storm do other stuff? Like, how does it work?"
Good question, but Loki would have to test that another time.
oOo
Later that week, the Avengers were on a mission somewhere in the world. They had not told Loki where they were going and Loki did not care — well, he did, just a bit, but he knew Avengers' missions were sometimes secrets. Anyway, he'll probably hear it on the news if it was important. At the moment, Loki was working, cleaning the compound somewhere.
"Mister Loki, mister Banner had asked for your presence at the infirmary. I've also noticed Camila that you will be gone from your work," said Friday from the ceiling.
Loki left the room he was in and start running toward the infirmary.
"Friday, is someone hurt?"
That would be the only logical explanation why he was needed in the infirmary.
"Yes. Mister Rogers is badly hurt, as well as mister Rhodes and Miss Maximoff. Others have superficial wounds."
Oh no!
Loki ran faster and arrived in the infirmary. There, the Avengers were tending to their wounds, but Bruce was taking care of Steve who was unconscious. Tony was beside Rhodey, listening to Friday's instructions. And Vision was over Wanda, but she was also unconscious.
"What can I do?"
Sam approached Loki.
"We don't know what to do. Bruce is going is best. There are other doctors on their way, but this is different. We don't know if they are going to make it," said Sam.
"What happen?"
But a ring rang and Bruce was over Steve in an instant.
"His heart is stopping. Stand back," ordered Bruce.
He took an instrument Loki did not know of, but that was actually meant to restarted Steve's heart.
"Clear!"
And bang. The beeping stabilised and Bruce looked relieved.
A small army of certified doctor entered the infirmary and everyone not absolutely needed there was send to the waiting room.
"What happen? Will they be okay?"
The Avengers, Tony and Loki were stressing in the waiting room. Only Bruce stayed with the doctors. Sam approached Loki and told him.
"We had a delicate mission and they got injured. Steve really wanted to catch this guy — I'll tell you about him — but things went south and we got attacked. Rhodey got pushed hard. We thought he was dead, but he was still breathing."
"Will he be okay," asked Loki.
Vision approached them.
"Friday thinks he might have broken his spine," said Vision. "Of course, it will have to be confirmed by the doctor. Let's just hope Friday was wrong on that one."
But they all knew Friday was so rarely wrong.
"What happens to Wanda and mister Rogers," asked Loki.
Natasha was then the one to approach.
"The guy was brainwashed. We could not calm him down. So Wanda used her magic on him to break the mind control he was under."
It did not work…
"She then tried something more powerful, I guess. She did not tell us. She just realised a massive ball of magic, but the guy was holding Steve and used him as a shield."
Under different circumstances, that last sentence would have been funny, but no one could make a joke.
"Wanda hurt Steve full force," finished Natasha.
"So what does Wanda have," asked Tony.
"She just collapsed. We think it's only exhaustion," said Scott. "It better be that. Nothing else happens to her. It got to be exhaustion."
"It might very well be," said Vision.
More noises were heard from the infirmary and things did not sound good at all. Loki hate to admit, but he was scared. What would happen if Steve was to pass away? Of course, with the bond, Loki would know as soon as it would be the case, and he would have a new owner, but he would prefer not to know who is Steve's heir just yet.
"Who was the guy," asked Tony.
"I think it's best Steve told you himself," said Sam.
"We have to do something for them," insisted Loki. "Magic illnesses are different and your doctors don't have the knowledge to treat those."
"Loki might very well be right," said Vision.
"We should let the doctors do their work," said Natasha.
"Please, if Steve can order my magic, I could heal them, all three of them," said Loki.
The Avengers were a bit divided. They did trust Loki and they want what's best for Steve, Wanda and Rhodey, but they did not know if Loki could really do something.
"Let me try, please. I know I could heal them," pleaded Loki.
Was he pleading? A god does not plead. But he wanted to save his master. NO! He did not want to save his master, he wanted to save his friends.
"Friday, can you ask Bruce to come here for a minute," asked Tony.
Loki was torn inside. He actually wanted to help them, he wanted them to be okay. Had he developed feelings for the Avengers? For his enemies? So maybe they were not his enemy anymore, they were his friends, nearly a part of his family. When did that happen? But he had to admit, at least to himself, that he wanted them to be okay. He had spent so much time stressing over Alex going to the daycare, but the Avengers were in much more danger during their missions. He should stress more over those.
oOo
Bruce came out as Tony had asked. During the wait, one of them went to retrieve Storm and she was now in her stroller, looking around, sensing the panic.
"It does not look good. Wanda is still out, but she is not our biggest concerned," said Bruce. "I think she just passed out. Rhodey is out of danger, but his spine is broken. For Steve, he is convulsing and we might lose him."
"Anything we can do," asked Sam.
"If we knew more about his injuries, we might be able to treat him, but Wanda is still out," said Bruce.
Giving the fact that she was the one who caused those injuries, she was the most likely to heal them or at least gave them details.
Loki then stood up.
"Allow me to try," said Loki. "My magic is bound, but I could help your doctors."
"Okay," said Bruce. "What do we have to lose?"
Natasha's watch beeped.
"I have to go to the daycare pick up Alex," she said. "Or maybe we should wait a bit."
"No. Alex has magic too," said Loki. "If there is something that can be done, Alex might be the key."
So Natasha left. Bruce nodded to Loki to follow him and they went into the infirmary. Rhodey was awake, but also out of himself. He was very high on morphine and not in contact with reality. Wanda seemed to be sleeping. And Steve was there, unconscious. A few doctors were close by, ready to act should Steve convulsed again.
"He got seizure without warning. It's nothing medically known," said Bruce.
Loki could sense the magic. He felt it and it was strong. But there was a simple spell to wake Steve up. If Loki should only get the order to use his magic to help him…
Suddenly, Steve convulsed again, the monitors started beeping loudly and the doctors lost no time in aiding the captain. Once again, his heart stopped. And once again, the doctors were able to revive him.
But Loki panicked and tried to help in his own way. He was thinking about his magic and what he should do. So he let his magic act. But the bond prevented him from using his magic, so it hurt him and he collapsed on the floor.
A doctor was on Loki who tried to stand up.
"I'm okay. I'm fine. I just made a mistake."
The doctor stood back and Bruce helped Loki up.
"What was that?"
"The spell Wanda used on Steve is meant to get rid of what should not be there. The serum is interacting with the spell. On a brainwashed enemy, it would have worked, but Steve is not brainwashed. So the spell is still active and fighting him. We need someone who can do magic to stop the spell. Then, he should be okay," said Loki. "It's so simple."
"But what happens to you?"
"I tried to stop the spell. The bond stopped me. Can you call Natasha so she would take Alex back faster?"
"Friday, tell Natasha to hurry. We need Alex."
Once again, Steve coded.
"It's closer each time. I fear we might lose him," said a doctor.
"How you sure Alex can help Steve," asked Bruce.
"I can guide him, help him. I know how to help, I just cannot do it because of the magic bond. And Alex has magic, he can do it. He has control now."
"I hope you are right," said Bruce.
So did Loki. The magic bond did not work the same on him and on Alex. He just hoped Alex could succeed.
oOo
"To hell with this, I'm going," said Tony.
He summoned his suit and flew out.
"Friday, tell me where is Natasha."
oOo
On the road, Natasha was going as fast as she could. She was aware she was going against every driving code, but if Alex could save Steve, she should try. She had asked Friday to keep her up to date with what was happening and she was aware that Alex was their only way to maybe save Steve.
On the back seat, Alex was strapped safely. Natasha had taken the safest car for high speed. To not scared Alex, Natasha had asked him if he wanted to go fast, just for this once. Therefore, Alex was smiling on the back seat, looking out.
Natasha had just passed the front gate of the Avengers complex, having asked Friday to let her in without presenting her ID, when she saw Iron Man from afar. He was flying toward her.
"I should inform you that mister Stark is coming to you," said Friday.
"Thanks."
Natasha stopped the car and Alex watched Iron Man landed beside them. He opened the back door and his helmet so Alex could see him.
"Hey Alex. Would you like to fly for a change?"
"Yeah!"
So Iron Man scooped Alex and took off toward the infirmary. Well, he could go back faster than Natasha with the car, and it was not a long rid. Iron Man did not fly high, but he had no time to lose.
He landed right at the back door and got in while he was removing his suit.
"That was fun," said Alex smiling. "Can we do that again?"
"Alex, Steve is badly injured. Do you think you could help him with your magic?"
"Maybe. Daddy said I have to be with Steve and dad or with Wanda to do magic."
Let's just hope this went well.
