Oh my... I'm so sorry for the terribly late update! I'm so sorry! I did not have any motivation the last month and I had a rough few weeks, I guess that is what people call a writer's block... I hope I can make up for it. Also, I just want to thank everyone who is still reading this, faving this and reviewing this story, I really love you all! I'm sorry this chapter is terrible. I hope I can throw in some interesting things in soon, poor Loki... he's surely gonna have a hard time... Anyways, thank you all for reading! Please notice me about grammar/spelling/punctuation mistakes and enjoy this chapter!
PS: For those who know my Deviantart account (Sketchevrywir), I will draw a scene from this fiction. I only have no idea which one to do. Feel free to suggest!
Loki awoke trembling, hearing a scraping sound inside his room. And though he had slept, he did not gain any rest from it. His dreams were once again turned into nightmares by the strange creatures. They still craved for his blood and his pained screams. And now there was this sound he could not describe. The mischief god tried to shift under his blanket a little more, but the restraints Tony had put on him prevented it. He gasped. The scraping sound stopped.
"Wh- Who's there?" Before Loki knew it he had spoken the sentence. He gasped in surprise again. He couldn't talk before, his throat too sore to produce audible sentences.
A sigh. "Tony."
An uncomfortable silence followed after, Loki still trying to comprehend his own voice.
"Did you just talk?" Tony's voice resounded, a bit wonky.
"Y-Yes?" Loki stuttered out, but no further reply came. The god panicked a little bit at this, he still couldn't see. What was Tony doing? Something to hurt him? No... Tony wouldn't.
Loki was still puzzling when the scraping sound started again and he jumped. It seemed to get closer to him.
"Wh-what's that?" He curiously questioned. Loki squirmed a bit in his restraints when he received no direct response. He heard Tony's footsteps too, although they seemed slow.
"I'm gonna sleep next to you, Lokes. You seemed a bit lonely." He heard Tony say, and now he understood what the noise had been. Tony had been moving his bed, for him! Loki felt tears come to his eyes.
"Aww, don't start crying now, Lokes. Bruce's gonna be very happy with this, you talking and stuff. He's been worrying for you, you know? Also, I brought you another drink. I figured you could use another one. No wait, Bruce figured that out. " Loki heard Tony yawn loudly seconds after he finished talking.
"Who's Bruce?" Loki poked out his head a bit. He heard Tony come closer, and suddenly felt a hand coming down on his shoulder. He tried to hide himself under his blanket again, expecting to be hit the next second. When Loki discovered Tony did nothing yet after a while, he swallowed. The midgardian truly seemed to speak the truth when he said he did not want to bring pain upon him.
Loki felt the wetness now streaming down his face. Tony didn't want to hurt him... he had never felt so safe. Tony was here, with him and would protect him from Thor, yes, Tony would protect him from Thor. Loki was so deep in his own thoughts he didn't even feel the restraints clumsily being removed from his wrists.
"Okay Lokes, no scratching?" Tony suddenly said to him, and Loki felt a hand patting his head softly. "I brought you another bottle of water, here." And Loki felt something heavy pushed into his hands. Tony guided his hands afterwards upward and helped him drink.
The cold water pouring down his throat still felt like bliss. Sadly it only lasted short. Loki pouted at Tony when the bottle was lifted away from his hands. "Can I have more?"
"Not yet, if you drink too much you will probably vomit." Tony replied, and that was when Loki noticed it. A faint smell. He sniffed the air again for good measure, but then he knew for sure. The midgardian was blind drunk.
"You are drunk." He simply decided to comment. He felt the restraints being attached to his wrists again.
"You have a great sense, reindeer games." Tony replied back at Loki.
The mischief god heard the scraping sound again and heard Tony walk away.
"Wh-where are you going?" He asked, panicked and he tried to sit up. Would Tony leave him alone in the darkness again?
"Now where. I'm just gonna jump on my bed." Loki's eyes widened in confusion, and his brow furrowed. "Wh-what?"
"I like doing that, I do this every day!" Tony exclaimed loudly. A small click sounded, and the mischief god stared in even more confusion. What was that sound? Loki heard rapid footsteps soon after, and then suddenly a soft thumping sound.
"G'Night, Lokes."
Loki didn't reply, still trying to comprehend what Tony just did. After a long silence snoring sounded from the place next to his bed.
Tony woke up with a sharp pain in his forehead and scrunched his eyes back together in a deep furrow. Damn, what had he done last night? Oh yeah, right. Alcohol. Tasha was right... drinking wasn't a good idea after all...He finally rolled over, and opened his eyes, only to see a very wide-awake Norse god laying before him.
"Lokes?" Tony questioned when he noticed Loki was shaking. The god gave no response to his worry.
"Lokes?" Tony sat up straight and groaned as soon the blood started rushing too quickly towards his brain. The god finally turned his face towards him. Tony couldn't not see the dark circles under Loki's eyes.
Had Loki even slept? Tony guessed the answer was no. Loki started to move. He tugged at his restraint softly.
"Could... You take these off?" His voice sounded pained and dry, as if he had been yelling.
"Sure... But... " Tony hesitated. "Why don't you have some water first?"
He stood up slowly from his bed, and Loki nodded. "I'll take that." Tony nodded before remembering himself of the fact that Loki wasn't able to see. He quickly walked towards the kitchen, quietly and returned fast with two glasses of water in his hands.
"Here." The billionaire placed the bottle against Loki's lips. It was empty in mere moments. After that he quickly loosened Loki's restraints, the god groaning as he tried to sit up. "Don't overexert yourself." Tony says as he quickly puts a hand behind the god's back for support.
Loki turned his face towards him, his white eyes surrounded by dark hollow eye sockets. "Jeez, did you sleep at all, Lokes?" Loki did not answer him directly, he only hung his head low as if the question hurt him. "No..." He whispered.
Tony scratched his head. He didn't know what to do. he looked down at the mischief god, noticing all the blood stains on the blanket cover from the bed. Then the billionaire got the idea. He decided to ask the god.
"Why don't you have a bath? You're still soaked wet with all that blood."
This seemed to interest Loki. He lift up his head. "C-can I?" Tony felt his heart ripping apart inside his chest when looked at Loki's face. His face a had lit up with hope and Tony swore in that moment he thought Loki was even smiling a little bit.
"Of course. Besides, with you like this, that bed of yours will look and smell like shit in no time." Tony shrugged, and even though the trickster couldn't see it, he was smiling.
Tony extended a hand to the blue coloured god. Shortly after Tony helped Loki stand up and the god leaned on him for support as they started walking towards one of the many bathrooms in Stark Tower. However, as they were halfway, Loki suddenly crumpled onto the ground, panting heavy.
"I-" Loki stuttered as he clung to Tony as if he was dying and only Tony could save him. His cheeks had reddened with shame.
"I can't do this..." The god whined softly and tugged on Tony. "I... can't walk...' He sobbed. "I cannot even walk on my own..." It was a sad sight to see, the sobbing trickster on the floor shaking and trembling as he tried to stand up. Tony decided it was enough.
He grabbed Loki's body and wrapped his arms under him, so he wouldn't fall and lifted Loki up. Loki said nothing as he was carried the other half of the way, and only stifled sniffles came out.
Tony placed Loki softly on the ground, and started running the tap as soon as he entered the bathroom together with the mischief god. Loki was still sniffling as the engineer knelt in front of Loki. "Lokes... Do I have to help you undress you?" He asked with an embarrassed face.
Loki shook his head only in the slightest as if he wanted to deny the offered help. "I... Can't deny I need help for it..." He softly whispered, his voice still a bit hoarse. Tiny helped him stand up after that.
As he helped Loki pull his hospital gown off, he stared at the marks trailing Loki's body, markings that were of his Jotun and markings that were of... Well, Tony didn't want to think about it. He could still see the wounds on his back were still bleeding. The bandages Bruce had so carefully wrapped around the god were stained with dark brown stains. Dried blood.
The bathtub was full now, and Tony closed the tap off. "Bath is ready, rock of ages." Loki looked slightly scared. "Shouldn't we remove the bandages first?" He asked, and Tony shook his head. "Naahhh, we can leave 'em on for once."
After that Tony helped Loki stand up and gestured him towards the bath, steaming with hot water. As Loki sad on the edge of the tub and felt with his fingertips across the surface of the bath, Tony couldn't help but feel for the blind man. He must have been so scared in Asgard.
Suddenly Tony heard a loud splash, interrupting his thoughts. He looked up to only see Loki, who had lowered himself inside the water and was now breathing hard, gripping the edges of the tub.
"Are you alright Lokes?" Tony inquired, but Loki did not react. Instead he didn't move at all and had a strange blank expression on his face.
Hot. White hot water. Thrown on him, poured into his face, rolling down his body and torturing him mercilessly. Screaming, but not a sound coming out. This was his pain. This was his... fault.
He cried out again as he felt the whip strike him! No! Don't scream, it'll hurt you, he told himself again. Don't cry, salty tears do only hurt more. Yet he couldn't stop crying for mercy.
No! Thor! No, Thor will not come. Stop thinking he will! Loki Mentally slapped himself for making the same mistake over and over again, to think that Thor did care for him.
He was thrown back into his cell, his back full of red stripes and open wounds, the blood streaming out. He felt for his usual corner, but there was nothing this time. Where did it go? He felt again, hot water touching his fingertips and suddenly he was enveloped by it. He was drowning! He screamed out, breathed in through his nose and it burned his lungs. No! No! Please! Let me go please please Thor brother get me out of here I want it to stop it hurts so much-
He felt rough hands grab him by the shoulders, guards to torture him more! He nearly fainted at the thought of more pain, but the he heard a familiar voice shout. "Loki! Loki! Oh god, Bruce is gonna kill me for sure now!" Loki felt himself being dragged out of the water, and suddenly there was a floor beneath him. A cold floor, and he laid down on it instantly, the cold feeling spreading through him. He knew he shouldn't be so glad for the cold, but yet he was.
T-Thor? No... Not Thor... And he remembered. He was on Midgard now, and Tony gave him a bath... It was all just a panic attack. "T-Tony?" Loki asked, his body quivering still. He felt tears rolling down his cheek. When had he started crying?
"Yes? What was that? You seemed to have quite the panic attack right there. Should I call Bruce here? Jarv, inform Bruce about Reindeer games' panic attack please."
"Will do, Sir." The British voice resounded. Loki jumped at the sound.
"Shhh, it's okay. That's Jarvis, my AI. He's like some sort of house servant, except he doesn't have a body." Loki was confused now, still breathing hard. "Wh-what?"
"Doesn't matter for now." Tony reassured him, and patted his head softly. "If you ever need anything, just ask Jarvis and he'll help ya."
Loki relaxed more after that. He could trust this 'Jarvis' according to Tony, so it should be safe to assume that he had another person he could turn to. If Jarvis was a person at all, since Tony told him the 'AI' had no body.
"So Lokes, you're not going to bathe anytime soon then, since it appears you have developed a fear for baths." The dark haired god heard the engineer suddenly say. "It's not bad, but we'll have to watch for that." An uncomfortable silence followed, a silence that lasted too long according to Loki. He kept his breath, waiting for Tony to say something.
"Ehmmm... Lokes...? How 'bout getting you dressed? Bruce's gonna be here soon." Tony's voice sounded, and Loki released his breath.
"That sounds like a fine idea." Soon enough Loki felt the hospital gown being pushed into his hands, and he tried to find the short sleeves. Luckily Tony was there to help him.
"We should get you a different outfit too." He heard the billionaire comment later.
Loki nodded his head slightly. "Why would we?"
"'Cause this looks strange on you. You are a god, not a hospital patient." Tony replied quickly. Loki stood up.
"I am not a god..." Loki hung his head, and hoped Tony would understand, until a hand clasped down on his shoulder.
"Buddy, it's not bad that you are blue, I don't care. Nobody cares whether you are blue or not. Not me, not Bruce, not even Thor. Look, I know this may seem hard for you to understand, but we all want the best for you. And the fact that you are some sort of ice-controlling giant doesn't change that." Loki felt wetness come up in his eyes. The dark haired god did not understand, why would a mortal care for him so?
Tony must have noticed the tears welling up, for he started to talk again. "Aww, come one, not now. Loki, I care for you."
Loki lifted his head up, and felt for Tony's hand. The tears were streaming down his face now. Surely Tony did not mean all of this? He was doubting it, until Tony grabbed Loki's hand.
"Lok-
Tony was interrupted and Loki heard the door open,. He went into a hiding position immediately, not knowing who was coming in and he hid himself behind Tony. He could hear the engineer breathe heavily. Who had come in?
"T-Tony...?"
"W-who came in?" He inquired, his voice shaking. He felt the engineer move slightly, and he clamped his hands to Tony's shoulders.
"You... Get out..." He heard Tony suddenly growl. Loki must have had a panicked look on his face. Tony stated softly. "Not you Lokes, but Mr Goldie locks right over there. I did not know you were an early bird. I'd think that'd be more something for Clint."
In the meanwhile, Loki's facial expression had gone even more panicked. Thor was here? Thor?! No, not Thor! He would harm Loki! No, no, no no! Please don't leave me Tony!
Loki silently begged in his head. Tony couldn't let Thor come close, Loki would scream. Or... Tony could just leave him alone... And never look back to Loki at all... Loki paled at the thought. "Loki..." Thor's voice sounded desperate.
"Please don't hurt me!" Loki suddenly cried out.
Loki started sobbing right after. "Thor... Ple-please don't hurt me..." He wailed, trying to hold on to Tony as tight as possible. The blind god heard heavy footsteps nearing him now, and Tony shifted his stance again. This... This meant Thor was coming for him! He let out a small shriek of fear. Thor would hurt him again, and deliver him back to torture! He would be locked up again and he would be alone without hope. No! He couldn't let Thor come close to him! Thor tried to make an attempt to speak to Loki again, and the dark haired man cringed as soon as he heard Thor's pleading voice attempting to talk to him. "Loki... Please, I do not mean you any harm... Please, tru-"
Thor stopped talking as Loki stumbled backwards, letting go off Tony and screaming. "No! Don't come closer to me! Don't hurt me! Please make it stop..." The last words came out as a plea.
Loki didn't stop his panicked shouting at Thor until he suddenly tripped over his own foot, falling backwards with high speed. He felt the air rush for a moment, he heard Tony shout something and then his head hit something hard, and darkness enveloped him fast.
Don't hurt me, Thor...
Tony stared shocked at Loki's now limp body, and the blood streaming from the newly-made wound on his head.
"What have you done?!" He shouted at Thor, who jumped at the harsh tone of his voice. "Just a minute ago Loki had been fine! He had been fine, if it weren't for you, you who decided to just come in and expect your brother to love after all the hate he experienced!" Tony panted, glaring outraged at the blonde thunder god, who wore nothing more than a simple blue bathrobe. "I... I did not mean Loki any-"
"Of course you didn't! But look at him now!" He gestured angry towards the blue body laying on the floor.
Thor looked at Loki with guilt in his eyes. "I... Never would have wished this upon my brother..." He softly whispered, his voice cracking slightly.
"Great, as if wishing helps us! Jarvis, where is Bruce right now?" Tony stroked through his hair with his right hand.
"Mr banner appears to be on his way, Sir. He is currently five floors beneath you." The AI sounded.
"Great... Now what do we do?" Tony opened the tap above the washbasin and drunk some water, trying to relieve his stress. Thor still stood staring at his brother's unconscious body. Probably trying to comprehend what happened. Stupid Thor. Tony thought to himself.
Suddenly the door opened, and Bruce peeked around the corner, only to see Thor and Tony standing with Loki rendered unconscious on the floor.
"I thought you could handle this better, Tony." The doctor simply stated.
"I could handle it, until he came in!" Tony snapped back, gesturing wildly at Thor, who shrugged his shoulders.
"It doesn't matter whose fault it is, but Loki is going to need some help right now. Get him to infirmary." Bruce looked at both of the men standing.
Tony looked annoyed but conceded, nodding at Thor, who lifted Loki as carefully as possible up and they walked out of the bathroom. The only thing that remained of the accident was the blood on the edge of the bathtub, and the water, that had long gone cold by now.