I need to stop writing this before I go to bed, it makes me feel rather melancholy, anyways enjoy!
Steve cast a cursory glance over the injured god. Loki looked horrible to say the least. He had looked healthier passed out. Steve remembered Loki being pale before but now he looked like a ghost. The unfortunate combination of blood loss, harsh light, starch white sheets and the comparison of Thor's golden skin left Loki looking deathly. The bags under his eyes became more apparent as Loki pulled his hand from Thor's and pushed himself into a sitting position and even that small movement seemed to tire him. The bandage on his shoulder restricted Loki's movement and though Steve was sure it must hurt, the trickster's hands still returned to curl around his abdomen. He frowned, Loki sure was paranoid about this.
The protectiveness didn't get past Thor either. The blonde looked at Loki sadly.
"Are you?" he asked.
"Am I what, you oaf?" the insult seemed more kneejerk than anything else and lacked any real bite. Thor was unfazed.
"With child?"
Loki turned his eyes to his stomach. "I," he swallowed. "I don't know yet. But I won't risk anything," he said, the last part quietening to a murmur. Loki's eyelids drooped again and the trickster seemed to be having trouble keeping awake. There was silence for a moment before Steve opened his mouth to question only to be cut off by Thor.
"You've cast spells, protection?" he asked quickly. Jane glanced at him trying to catch his eye but Thor locked gaze with his brother. Loki didn't hold the look for long. There was a pause.
"Yes,"
"And that's why you're not healing,"
Pause.
"Yes,"
"Brother, you are taxing yourself too much, you must revoke some of the spells," Thor implored Loki, the begging tone in Thor's voice made Steve frown. He'd thought this was just tiredness but perhaps Loki was more at risk than he'd thought.
Loki just shook his head. "No Thor, I'm not risking anything,"
Thor's jaw clenched and his next words had a lot more force in them. "By over-stretching yourself you are taking a risk,"
"I'm managing it,"
"Clearly not,"
"Thor I think I know my limits a little better than you,"
"Really? Is that so? Have you forgotten about that time in Nidavellir?"
As the brothers argued, Steve managed to catch Jane's eye, he gestured towards the door and she nodded. Whatever argument this was it was best left to the two gods. The two walked until they were out of earshot. Steve ran a hand through his hair. "Christ, I wasn't expecting that,"
"No," Jane agreed. "It certainly complicates matters. And to think it's even possible. I mean I knew Loki was talented at magic but that's...actually impressive,"
Steve grudgingly nodded. "Impressive it might be but you're right in saying that it complicates things," he sighed. "The plan we had for a captured Loki was slap one of Stark's inhibitor collars on him and throw him in a cell. But I don't think I could do that to him now," he sighed again.
"And we don't even really know what those collars stop," Jane added. "I mean, if they mess with his shapeshifting and something happens, I don't think Thor would be too happy either,"
Steve slumped against the wall, cutting a dejected figure. "I still can't believe he's pregnant. Granted, he's an alien god but I can't say I ever picked Loki for the mothering type,"
Jane couldn't think of what to say so she just shrugged. Steve was about to speak again when a shocked yelp cuts through the silence.
"Loki is what!"