Summary: Thor finally is allowed to see Loki.
A/N: I've steadily been editing these chapters as they're posted. For this one, I've removed some clunky dialogue and description.
Chapter 6:
Thor passed a sleepless night in the new quarters that Stark had graciously assigned him after a dinner of what the billionaire called Chinese food. His thoughts were constantly returned to his injured brother who lay upstairs in the infirmary. The Thunderer shifted in his bed for the tenth time in several hours.
Bargaining for his brother's life was dangerous, as he did not know which way Loki's loyalty would fall now that Malekith had been defeated and his revenge for Mother had been exacted. He could not change Loki's nature; it was part of him. No doubt being banished as a petty mortal to the world would be a wake-up call.
When dawn finally broke through the blinds of his room, and unable to sleep any further, Thor dressed and went downstairs into the kitchen.
He was greeted by the sight of Doctor Banner, who, despite looking quite disheveled and no doubt had worn his clothes the entire night, greeted him with a smile.
"Good Morning, Thor." He said gently, pouring himself a cup of coffee and giving him a kind smile.
"Good morrow to you, Banner. May I inquire as to my brother's condition this morning?"
"He's doing well. Doctor Carter and Lei woke him enough to remove the breathing tube and put him on an oxygen mask." At the confused look, Bruce chuckled, "Don't worry, we'll explain it all when we get back upstairs."
Banner took a sip of coffee and continued. "We were a little shocked to hear that your father wants to speak to him. Doctor Carter is slowly weaning him off of sedation, so he'll be mostly awake by mid-day. Loki will still be groggy, but able to receive your father." The smile faded, "We're taking a big risk of setting back his recovery by allowing this. I think that Loki should decide if he wants to see Odin or not."
"My father is giving him a chance to abandon his dastardly nature in a trial as a human. Then perhaps, Odin will allow him back to Asgard. I don't believe Loki has a choice in the matter." Thor informed him while reaching for the Pop Tarts on the second shelf of a cabinet.
"If he's smart, he'll take the offer to live as a mortal for a while. Anything is preferable to death." Bruce commented with another sip of his coffee. "Whether or not he is reformable is another question completely."
Thor glanced down at the counter and put down his already bitten pastry. "You do not think he is capable of changing either, Doctor Banner."
Bruce shook his head, "No, I didn't say it was impossible, but you have to remember what he was like when he destroyed that town in New Mexico and invaded New York. One false word or action towards Loki could set him on the wrong path again, to put it mildly."
Thor nodded grimly, "Mother always said that Father and I have cast great shadows. Loki himself that he was always in the shadow of my greatness. Perhaps it is time for me to share some of the sunlight."
Their conversation was cut short by the entrance of the Warriors Three, who politely said their "good morning's" as they arrived.
"My friends, this is Bruce Banner. He is the one with the berserker called the Hulk." Thor called and thumped the scientist on the back, causing coffee to fling out of the cup onto the kitchen floor. Thor laughed but apologized to his friend.
"How about we all go up to see Loki when we have finished eating. I'm sure you're anxious to see him, Thor." Bruce suggested. "In the meantime, why don't I make you some breakfast?"
"You look quite worn, friend Bruce. Why do you not leave the cooking to us and relax? You've more than earned a rest."
Bruce's eyebrows rose, but he shrugged and padded out of the already crowded space.
"Uh...you know how to cook, right Thor? I mean with modern appliances. I don't think Tony would be happy if you blew up his toaster."
Thor chuckled, "Fear not, Bruce. Jane Foster taught me how to cook whilst I was banished on Midgard. Just direct me to the food and the pots and pans and we shall whip up a feast."
Nearly ten minutes later, with direction from Thor (Sif, place those pieces of bread in the rectangle machine on your right and push down. Fandral, you must flip the meat!) The four Asgardians had whipped up a meal that could feed a small army.
Bruce was surprised to find a variety of foods both familiar and new to him placed on his plate.
"Wow, I never pegged Asgardian warriors as cooks." The physicist commented, digging into his meal and delighting in the well made confections.
Perhaps enticed by a fresh pot of coffee, Tony soon appeared from his workshop, only to be astonished at the sight before him.
"Well, it must be too early in the morning, I must be imagining four alien Vikings in my kitchen." Tony said snarkily, but sat next to Bruce The billionaire was offered a plate of the delectable food, and was equally surprised by its delicious taste as they all now sat together (Steve having since joining them after his run). Bruce had excused himself to take some breakfast up to the doctors who were busy attending to Loki.
"Okay, tell me your secret, how do a bunch of space warriors end up making such a great meal?" Tony finally asked.
"Tis no secret, Man of Iron." Sif said between polite chews, "We are warriors, yes. But when we go to war, we're expected to be able to sustain ourselves between battles. Plus we also go out on hunts and also fish."
With their plates set aside for the robots to attend to, Jarvis announced that Loki was beginning to stir, and Doctor Carter would like for Thor and company to come upstairs to the infirmary.
Thor carefully dodged the feeling of dread at what he would find at Loki's bedside as he, Tony and Steven entered the elevator, while the others opted to take the stairs to the upper floors.
Doctor Carter and Lei were introduced to Thor's fellow companions in the corridor after their arrival. The two physicians pulled thin papery masks from their faces as the group appeared.
This done, the physician's face turned stony, "Thor, he's still confused and disoriented by his ordeal. I don't think he really know he's in Stark Tower even though we spoke to him and told him that when he first woke up. He fell asleep, but you'll need to keep him calm, and re-assure him that he's safe if he should wake again. I can allow in two at a time, so if one of you wishes to go in, please abide by this rule. Doctor Lei and I will wait out here to allow you some privacy. I must insist that you wear these." He pointed to a dispenser of rubber gloves. "You'll also need to wear a mask. I'd like to keep the chance of infection down as much as possible."
Doctor Lei helped him into the paper mask; Thor muttered a word of thanks as the automated sliding doors opened in front of him. The Thunderer stepped cautiously across its threshold with a pang of sorrow. The room itself was small but well balanced with the equipment keeping his brother alive at the moment. The room was sparse save for all that, the walls painted a dull blue color. Next to the bed was an oversized leather arm-chair next to the bed. The window blinds were a quarter open, allowing Thor a view of New York City laden in overcast clouds. Thor heard rumbles of thunder followed by the pitter-patter of rain splattering against the windows.
The Thunderer inhaled the sharp smell of cleanser that permeated the room as he finally set eyes on his brother. Loki lay looking even paler than his usual countenance allowed thanks to the dim lighting that illuminated him. Tubes and wires were scattered every which way, some of which were connected with round pads on his chest. Several liquids from a drip were slowly pushing liquid into the Trickster's vein from his right hand, one which was blood that was being pushed through a machine. Loki was wearing one of the Midgardian hospital smocks turned backwards so that it clothed him, but left the torso visible and within easy reach. Above and below this were white dressing where the Trickster would have a scar. Quiet beeps indicated Loki's heart was beating steadily as Thor looked up to a monitor which the Thunderer did not understand.
Thor himself remembered when he had woken to find himself in a hospital room much like this, though for only a minor injury (Jane had later explained that being tased meant being electrocuted, ironically). He could only imagine how Loki would react to his more grievous wound. Questions swept through his mind as to his brother's own well-being and mental state once he began to recover.
At last, Thor cleared his throat and placed his hand on Loki's own. "Good morrow, Loki. 'Tis raining and thundering outside and I did not cause it." He laughed a little at his own joke, hoping that Loki would open his eyes and call him an oaf. His brother didn't make any movement as though he understood what was happening around him. Thor continued to speak. "You're safe brother, safe and well cared for. Not only by myself, but with the Avengers. You will perhaps laugh at this when you wake up." He paused before he spoke again. "I am glad you are alive, Loki. You may sneer at sentiment, but never forget that I love you."
He paused, and gently pushed some of the dark locks of hair from his brother's brow. "Lady Sif, and the Warriors Three are here as well. They came looking for me, but now are defending us both. Needless to say that the mortals' technology has baffled them." Another chuckle soon died in his throat. He wished his brother would" return to consciousness, there was so much that they needed to speak about, never-mind Odin's impending judgment.
Thor knew that his brother would live, it was the stubbornness of their kind. It was odd to see his brother look so vulnerable. Loki had not been this sickly or injured since his 755th year when a fever overtook him. His brother had taken ill quite a lot in their youth, and Thor never understood why, until after Loki's fall from the Bi-Frost. It was the perpetual summers on Asgard; the warmer weather was too much for a Jotun who was used to the freezing temperatures of his own realm.
Part of Thor still hated his father for not telling him the truth let alone Loki himself about his brother's origins. To only adopt Loki only for political gain had been the cruelest act he had ever heard the All-Father perform. Everything that had happened since then had been Loki trying to compensate for his ego and pride, to be sure, but also to prove his worth as the king he was raised to become someday. It didn't forgive him for the invasion of Midgard, though he now knew that his brother had been under the Chitauri's control via torture. Part of him still wondered if their sibling relationship could be mended after all that had happened now that Loki was a mortal.
Norns, Thor thought to himself, Please let Loki heal both physically and emotionally from all that has happened.
Thor sat with Loki for the allotted time, holding his brother's untethered hand, and placing the other behind Loki's ear, as they did as a sign of affection towards loved ones. Hours passed thus, and in time, the sun was at it's zenith when at last, he heard the voice of Doctor Carter over an intercom, "Thor, it's time to leave."
Thor visibly slumped, and eyed his sleeping brother one final time before returning to the adjoining hallway.
"He didn't move or speak at all while you were in there?" Was Doctor Carter's first inquiry after Thor had pulled off the mask. The thunder god only shook his head.
"That could be a problem," Doctor Lei inserted, " We've taken him off the sedatives, so he shouldn't be insensate."
"Thor, I think you need to get out of the Tower for a while. I'll call you if he shows any signs of waking. It's been a tense few days, and I know you need a break." Bruce smiled when Thor opened his mouth to protest, he continued, " Doctor's orders."
When Doctor Carter and Lei nodded in agreement, Thor could not help but concede to them.
TBC...