Ynath Esrith: Well, I guess Bruce's behavior is rooted in something deeper than what's going on on the surface. The same can be said for Steve. Now I won't tell you that they are both right in letting their fear or other factors prevent them from protecting Loki, but I wouldn't go as far to say that they are selfish or cowardly. Things will begin to come to light very soon concern SHIELD, so just hang in there! I'm sure their behavior will make more sense soon!
sakiko of soleana: I promise you that they will very, very soon.
Guest: I'm not sure if all of those reviews are from the same person, but even if they aren't I'll address them all here! It took awhile for Steve to be introduced but he's here now! Loki's had a really rough time but I promise it'll get better for him! Keep reading!
Don't Be Such A Sour-Wolf: This is one of the nicest and most flattering reviews I have ever received. I am very proud of this story. I have poured my heart into it and I hope that it connects to people on an emotional level. I just sort of write and whatever comes out is what I post. I don't want to take away from the prose by censoring it when it gets violent or heart wrenching. Loki's journey is a hard one, but I promise he'll be okay. The whole appeal of Loki is his innocence and unconditional love. He just loves everyone and his positive outlook on life really makes him a lovable, sympathetic character. I am so glad that you've been enjoying the story and I hope you enjoy this chapter and the ones to come! Thanks for the wonderful review!
Thanks for all the reviews that I've received the last few days. You all are amazing! Now, onward!
ONE STEP FORWARD, FOUR STEPS BACK
A THOR/AVENGERS FANFICTION
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO: A Liability
WARNING! This chapter contains the torture of a minor. If you don't like, don't read. And please, no hate.
Thor hadn't slept well since Loki's kidnapping. He would sleep for around forty five minutes at a time, only to wake up in a cold sweat. Since Loki had been kidnapped by S.H.I.E.L.D., Thor had done nothing more than worry and stare blankly at the television. He hadn't truly eaten a decent meal and everyone was worried. Elder-Loki deduced that part of his new and out of character depression was due to the fact that since the kidnapping, Erik couldn't track S.H.I.E.L.D. like he had previously. Darcy thought that it might have all been a trap, and knowing Fury everyone knew that it was a very real possibility. Jane was sick with worry for both of Odin's sons, unable to reach Thor. The man was truly incapable of doing anything but sit in the main room and sulk. Not that one could really call it sulking, however. There were no real words to describe Thor's sorrows.
Elder-Loki sighed and glanced over at the clock. Time was ticking on so slowly for him now that he didn't have anyone to talk to. He would often speak to Thor, even though he would never get a response. Elder-Loki was desperately thinking of ways to communicate with Thor and not just for his own sanity. He knew the danger Loki was in and knew that Thor and Thor alone could save him. But Thor couldn't get out of his depression alone. He needed Loki; his brother to see him through and elder-Loki was the only Loki around. Elder-Loki wasn't sure how to get the man's attention, but knew he couldn't give up. He blamed himself for Loki's kidnapping and wanted so badly to fix this mistake. This mistake could actually be fixed, unlike all the other ones he had made. Elder-Loki was pouting that Thor couldn't see him when an idea fell into place. Was it possible to still use magic even if the boy wasn't around to channel it? He hadn't tried yet, but if he could, it might be possible to get a message across to Thor, regardless of how brief it was. But what spell to use? Elder-Loki thought on it and smirked. He took a deep breath and a blinding green light filled the room, causing Thor to jump.
"What in Odin's beard?" Thor cried, shielding his eyes. Elder-Loki swallowed his fear and cleared his throat.
"T-Thor?" he called. The light faded and Thor opened his eyes. Standing before him was a transparent elder-Loki, a worried sort of look on his face.
"What in the…" Thor trailed off.
"Did…did it work?" Elder-Loki wondered out loud. Thor stepped cautiously toward elder-Loki, his blue eyes watering.
"Brother?" he whispered. Elder-Loki nodded and Thor choked a little.
"How?" Thor managed to ask.
"Thor, I am Bjarte. Loki was the only one that could see me so to you, I was an imaginary friend to him. I don't know how or why I exist, but none of that matters now; Loki needs you. You need to snap out of it, brother!" Elder-Loki said, gripping Thor's arm. Thor timidly reached out to touch elder-Loki's face.
"I…I missed you, brother. And I'm sorry." Now it was elder-Loki's eyes that watered. Elder-Loki choked a little and placed a translucent hand on his brother's solid one. Tears began to flow and elder-Loki began to sob.
"I-I missed y-you too, brother, and I'm so s-sorry for w-what I d-did. I was j-just so hurt a-and confused…I should h-have let you in a l-long time a-ago, but I didn't t-think you'd listen to me! But seeing you w-with the boy p-proves that I c-could have. I am so sorry! Please forgive me, Thor!" Elder-Loki sobbed. Without a further word, Thor pulled his little brother into a hug.
"I already forgave you, Loki. I just wish I could have been more caring in my youth. I am so sorry I let you down." Thor said softly, running a hand through elder-Loki's hair the way he does when the boy Loki is upset.
"As am I. Thank you, Thor. There truly is no one I love more dearly than you." Elder-Loki said softly. Thor chuckled lightly.
"Except Loki perhaps," Thor teased lightly. Elder-Loki laughed.
"I suppose," Loki replied, "He does that to people."
"Loki, could you tell me something? No tricks, no lies?" Thor asked.
"Anything," Elder-Loki responded with a nod. Thor hesitated.
"Loki, did you really mean what you said on that cliff?" Thor asked. Elder-Loki sighed and broke his gaze.
"Thor…I…yes. You were-are still-so much greater than I, and father made sure that I knew. I suppose it wasn't entirely your fault, but you were incredibly selfish in your youth. But, none of that matters now, brother. What matters now is Loki. He's in grave danger and you must rescue him." Thor's brow knit together.
"Does some unknown peril loom?" Thor asked.
"Indeed. What, I do not know. All I know is that there are bigger things going on at S.H.I.E.L.D. than you and the boy." Elder-Loki explained.
"What do you mean?" Thor questioned.
"Let's just say Fury doesn't have the power he'd like you to think he has," Elder-Loki replied. Thor pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Are you suggesting some sort of conspiracy from within S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Thor asked. Elder-Loki shrugged.
"I honestly don't know. I am just letting you know that there are bigger forces are at work. It is a very real possibility that there is some sort of conspiracy inside S.H.I.E.L.D.. If I knew, I would tell you." Elder-Loki told him. Thor's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"How do I know you aren't lying to me?" Thor asked, "How do I know what your intent truly is? What have you and the boy planned?" Elder-Loki's face fell. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"The boy? Is that what he is to you now that you know of me? Loki doesn't have anything planned. The only thing he's ever planned is his own outfit for a particular day. You have all the reason not to trust me, but Loki is as innocent as ever. How dare you doubt the boy! What has he ever done to earn your distrust?" Elder-Loki growled.
"Well, his magic is far more advanced than it should be," Thor grumbled. Elder-Loki rolled his eyes.
"That's because of me. I didn't really know that I existed until midway through your stay at Stark Tower. I was just floating in and out of consciousness until I channeled magic through him. It was when you and that Banner fellow were playing with him and he used that light conjuring spell. That's when I realized that I wasn't in oblivion and that I wasn't dead after all. Loki didn't understand of course, and just thought he had taught himself a new spell. All of that accidental magic is partly due to me being around. It's almost like a defense mechanism. When he's in danger or frightened, his own magic seeks out a more powerful source to protect himself. Before I was capable of making contact with him, I was merely a source of power to him, though he didn't know it. Now he doesn't have that for whatever reason. It will be Fjørlag-Bryggja all over again." Elder-Loki explained. Thor sighed.
"Oh," he said, "Then I am sorry for accusing you. And I never truly felt Loki to be bad; I just…" Thor trailed off.
"I know, brother. You are worried as am I." Elder-Loki told him.
"So, what do we now do Loki? Erik cannot track S.H.I.E.L.D. and we have no way of finding him." Thor said. Elder-Loki smirked.
"Just because you see no possibilities, doesn't mean there are none," Elder-Loki said, earning a smile from Thor.
"So what do you suggest Bjarte?" Both men turned to find Erik in the doorway, Jane and Darcy behind him.
"I…well…I'm still working on that. And Erik, please forgive me for what I did to you. It was wrong, and I'm sorry." Elder-Loki said. Erik walked over and clapped elder-Loki's shoulder.
"I do believe I already had. That little boy is hard to hate." Erik replied. Elder-Loki smiled, his appearance less and less translucent by the minute.
"Thank you. I do not deserve your forgiveness." Elder-Loki said.
"No, you don't. But Loki doesn't deserve to be treated poorly." Erik responded.
"Which is why we'll help you find him," Darcy said. Jane nodded.
"You two aren't in this alone," Jane said, grabbing Thor's arm, "Whatever you need us to do, just let us know. You too, Bjarte…or, should I call you Loki?" Elder-Loki smiled.
"Thank you, Jane. And Bjarte is fine. It reminds me of the little one." Elder-Loki replied.
"We shouldn't waste time," Thor said, snapping elder-Loki out of his sentimental mood.
"Yes, of course. Erik, could you keep trying to lock on to a S.H.I.E.L.D. radio transmission? That may our only hope in finding him. Jane, do you have a DNA sample of him? Like hair left on clothes, or spit on his disgusting blanket or something?" Elder-Loki asked. Jane shrugged.
"I can check," she replied.
"Good. That may be helpful. Is there a photograph of Loki anywhere?" Darcy nodded and pulled out her phone.
"Yeah," she said, walking over to him and scrolling through the pictures so elder-Loki could see, "Do any of these work?"
"This one," Elder-Loki said, pointing to a picture of Loki with a huge smile on his young face, "If worse comes to worse, we will take this up with the police and will need a picture and DNA from the boy. The police will have any easier time finding him if we give them the proper tools. I'll be using my magic to track him. Thor, just prepare for battle. You may need to fight off some of your comrades, such as Hawkeye and Captain America." Thor sighed.
"I hope it doesn't come to that," Thor said. Everyone went their separate ways, leaving elder-Loki alone. He sat down and took a deep breath, hoping and praying his magic could find Loki.
The bear that Bruce had made for Loki had never left the boy's side. He carried it around everywhere, even to his sessions with Natasha. Loki named the bear Agmund and refused to do anything without it. Bruce was glad that the little bear had brought Loki so much comfort in such a dreadful situation. It comforted both of them in ways that neither could put into words.
After the first day and initial torture session, Loki had noticed that Natasha was losing interest in what she was doing. Each one got less and less intense, Loki never being as shaken and injured as the first one. Natasha had never used the dog crate since the first session, and she wasn't really hurting him anymore. The day previous she had merely stared at Loki for almost two hours, even responding when the boy spoke to her. He didn't understand why she was going so easy on him, but he was grateful nonetheless.
On the fifth day, Loki woke up feeling groggy. He hadn't slept well at all the night previous, and had made a habit of sleeping with Bruce. Bruce had tried to keep Loki in his own bed, telling the boy it's important that he learn how to sleep on his own, seeing as he'd get too big to sleep with Thor eventually. Loki took Bruce's advice and did truly try his best to sleep by himself. However as the nightmares got worse, Loki found it harder and harder to sleep alone and always wound up curled up at Bruce's side. Bruce really didn't mind of course, he only wanted what was best for the boy. The only downside for Bruce was the constantly wet sheets in the morning, but otherwise Bruce actually enjoyed waking up to a little snoring boy in his side.
This morning, Bruce and Loki actually got fed, though it wasn't much. Perhaps Fury had finally given up on making Bruce transform due to hunger. Whatever the reason, both of them were grateful. Bruce sacrificed half of his own meal to Loki, who hadn't eaten in days and was weaker than Bruce since he was so much smaller and younger. He did it so that Loki wouldn't notice and protest against it, Loki knowing that Bruce had gone far longer without food than he had. They both ate and made small talk until Natasha came to collect Loki. However, today she was not alone; today she brought Fury with her. Loki panicked at the sight of the man, cowering behind Bruce the instant they arrived. Bruce glanced up and glowered at Fury even though nothing could or would intimidate Fury. Nonetheless, Bruce was going to do his best let Fury know that Loki wasn't going anywhere without a fight.
"It's time," Fury said. Loki whimpered and Bruce drew the boy in close.
"Why are you here? You've never come before." Bruce asked.
"That is none of your concern. I need to consider drugging your food, Banner. This act is getting rather old." Fury growled.
"You didn't answer my question," Bruce retorted.
"I don't need to. Now hand over the boy quietly or I'll have to use force." Fury threatened. Bruce glanced back to meet Loki's frightened and pleading gaze.
"No. You aren't taking him. I won't let you hurt him anymore." Bruce said.
"Big mistake," Fury said, unlocking the cell door.
"M-Mr. B-Banner," Loki pleaded, his little fingers clutching on to Bruce's shirt.
"Back off," Bruce growled. Bruce's breathing became heavy and labored, a green tint forming in his skin.
"Back down Banner," Fury commanded, grabbing a gun and pointing it at Bruce and Loki. Loki's eyes widened.
"Mr. Banner! Do somethin'!" Loki cried fearfully. Before Bruce could act on Loki's request, a voice rang through the silent hallway.
"Fury! Wait! Don't shoot!" All eyes turned to face Natasha, confusion in each and every one of them.
"Agent Romanov?" Fury asked, his temper rising. Natasha didn't respond, instead she walked into the cell and knelt down to Loki's eye level.
"Hey buddy, you really should come with me. I won't let Fury hurt you." Natasha said softly. Loki peeked out from behind Bruce and wiped his runny nose on his hand.
"Really? You mean it?" Loki asked. Bruce growled lowly.
"Don't listen to her!" Bruce warned, his voice lowering in tone. His brown eyes were getting greener and greener by the second. Loki shook his head.
"Wh…wha' shoul' I do?" Loki asked, not asking anyone in particular.
"You need to come with me. If you don't, that big green monster will come and he might hurt everyone here. You don't want that do you?" Natasha asked. Loki shook his head.
"No…" Loki replied. Natasha smiled and held out her hand.
"Then let's go," Natasha said. Loki glanced up and saw that Bruce was pleading with him.
"Loki…don't go…" he pleaded, his breathing returning to normal. Loki shook his head.
"'M sorry, Mr. Banner. I don' wan' them t' hurt you." Loki said, taking Natasha's hand. Loki's free hand was wrapped around his little bear. Natasha led him out of the cell, leaving Bruce and Fury alone.
"You're a monster," Bruce whispered, not meeting Fury in the eyes.
"I believe that's you," Fury mocked, leaving and locking the door behind him.
Natasha took Loki to the normal room, Loki clinging to her. She was nervous, which was weird for her. Natasha was beginning to worry for the boy, something she hadn't anticipated. Loki was enticing, his gentle and kind spirit a fresh change for her. Now all she could do was worry that she wouldn't be able to protect him from Fury. She didn't really understand the bizarre protective instinct that she now had for the boy, but she just knew that she had to keep Loki safe. It was weird too. The first day, torturing Loki was like revenge for her. Natasha almost felt pride in intimidating the person who almost enslaved the human race. Then came day two and her heart was less in it. Day three was worse. On day three, Natasha couldn't bring herself to threaten the boy and found it hard to hit him. Day four came and she didn't even strike him once. Natasha found it hard to believe that she made small talk with Loki. It was incredible and she wasn't sure if it was in a good way or not. Her heart was beating rapidly, unsure of what Fury would order her to do. She really didn't have the heart to abuse the boy any longer. What was the point? He hadn't shown any signs of being dangerous so what was Fury's pitch? Why keep the boy locked up if he wasn't a threat? It just made no sense and Steve's constant worrying wasn't helping either. The man had a strange sense of foreboding that he himself couldn't explain and it was driving Natasha mad.
"Miss Natasha?" Loki asked timidly as they entered the room.
"Yes," she replied, sitting down at the table in the middle of the room. Loki hesitated, then sat while taking a deep, labored breath.
"Wha's Mr. Fury gonna do t' me?" Loki asked fearfully. Natasha sighed; she had hoped that the boy wouldn't ask. She didn't have a real answer to give to him.
"I don't know, Loki. Hopefully I'll be able to talk him out of anything too harsh." Natasha responded, the door opening behind her. Loki's eyes went wide and Natasha turned to find Fury in the doorway.
"Stand up agent Romanov," he began, Natasha complying instantly as she was trained to do, "We have work to do." Loki was shivering out of fear, his eyes pleading with Natasha as he stared.
"Yes sir," Natasha grumbled, unwilling to look either person in the eyes. Loki had begun to whimper, something in his gut telling him that this wasn't going to be like the past few days.
"Pull that out," Fury commanded. Natasha obeyed and she pulled out a blood stained chrome table with straps on it. That was all too familiar to Loki, his body seizing up at the sight of it.
"No…" Loki whimpered, staring at the very menacing chrome table.
"No?" Fury asked angrily, rounding on the shaking boy. Loki didn't look up as Fury circled him like a vulture, the man obviously searching for something.
"Are you going to fight me? Do think that's wise?" Fury asked. Loki didn't respond. Fury gripped the boy's arm and forced him on to the table. He strapped the boy in, and Loki had begun whimpering again.
"Agent Romanov," Fury said coolly, "Prepare the wires." Natasha sighed and hooked up the high voltage wires to the table. Loki noticed that none of them were touching him. His brow furrowed in confusion. Were they not going to shock him like the first day?
"I'm sorry," Natasha said. Loki glanced over and saw that Natasha was holding a hammer and two thick nails in her hands.
"Wha's tha' for?" Loki asked. Natasha sighed and gripped the hammer tighter.
"Just look away, okay?" she told him. Loki agreed and shut his eyes. He felt slight pressure on one of his palms and a sharp point accompanying it. Loki peeled an eye open and quickly realized why the table was blood stained. Natasha was about to hammer two electricity conducting nails into his hands so that the wires could send violent amounts of voltage through his small body. Loki instantly began to trash about in an attempt to get away.
"I'm sorry," Natasha began, "I have no choice." She raised the hammer and Loki's eyes widened in shock. She was really going to do it. He shut his eyes in anticipation, but the blow never came. Loki cautiously opened his eyes to find the hammer and nails on the ground, Natasha on her knees.
"I can't…I just can't…This is wrong…" she mumbled to herself, gripping clumps of red hair. Fury rounded on her.
"Agent Romanov, you have a job to do. This is for our world's security." Fury growled. Natasha stood up and faced him, fire in her eyes.
"I can't! I won't! I'm not going to strike him, you bastard! How dare you order me to hurt a child!" Natasha bellowed. Fury's face scrunched up in anger and before Natasha realized what was going on, Fury smacked her across the face. Loki stared at the scene, stunned at what had just happened. He couldn't believe how dead set Fury was on hurting him that he would hit Natasha for refusing to hurt him.
"Stupid bitch! How dare you not obey my direct orders! You're lucky you're a good spy, Romanov, or you'd be joining Stark!" Fury yelled. Natasha's eyes widened in horror, and Loki gasped a little.
"Wha' happened t' Mr. Stark anyways?" Loki timidly questioned. Fury turned to face him.
"You don't want to push me right now, boy." Fury hissed. Natasha stood stunned as Fury picked the hammer and nails up. He placed the nail on to Loki's delicate palm and Loki's eyes widened.
"You…you can'! Please don'!" Loki begged. Fury brought the hammer down and it made contact with the nail. Loki screamed as the nail embedded into his tender flesh, warm blood trickling from the wound.
"You fucking monster!" Natasha roared as he prepared the second nail. Fury glared at her.
"Quiet or you will join Stark," Fury threatened icily. As he swung the hammer, Natasha dashed over and tackled the unsuspecting Fury to the ground, Loki crying hysterically. The hammer and nail fell to the ground with a clatter, Loki realizing that the nail never entered his free hand.
"What is wrong with you Romanov?" Fury asked, kicking her in the stomach and rolling on top of her.
"You," she replied, spitting in his face. Fury then called for backup, Clint and a few other men entering the room.
"Is Loki giving you trouble sir?" Clint asked urgently, giving the boy a sharp glare. Fury stood and wiped spit off his face.
"No, it's agent Romanov. Take her to the isolation chamber. Now." Fury commanded, putting emphasis on the word now. Clint hesitated.
"But sir, she must have good reason to-" Fury glared at him and Clint trailed off.
"Now Barton," Fury said, gripping the hammer once more. Clint shook his head and gently took Natasha's arm.
"Let's go," he said, leading her way. Fury was about to reset the nail when he saw Loki's tiny fist wrapped around the arm of his bear.
"What is that?" he asked.
"M-my bear, Agmund. Mr. Banner m-made it f-for me." Loki replied timidly. Fury smirked, a triumphant glint in his eye.
"Oh, he did?" Fury questioned. The boy nodded.
"Y-yeah. I can' sleep without my Da, so Mr. Banner made me Agmund so I coul' sleep." Loki told him.
"Well," Fury began, his hand setting the hammer down and reaching for the bear, "we wouldn't want it to get dirty, would we?" Loki glanced over at the bear and then to his hand which currently housed a nail.
"You coul' let me go," Loki said pitifully, his lip trembling. Fury clicked his tongue.
"Now, you know why I can't do that, don't you?" Fury mocked, his hand grabbing the bear.
"Stop it!" Loki called, too weak to really pull on his end of the bear. Fury easily took it away and placed it on the metal table nearby. He then picked the hammer back up, Loki in a panic.
"No! I need Agmund! Give him back!" Loki cried.
"If you ever want to hold that ratty thing again, you will be quiet!" Fury threatened, Loki's cries instantly quieting into small whimpers. Loki shut his eyes and waited for the blow of the hammer. Fury swung hard and Loki screamed, the nail piercing his hand. Loki's fingers twitched rapidly, blood flowing now from both hands. His little chest was heaving, his brain spinning. His thoughts were cloudy and all he could think of was pain. Nothing else, just pain.
"Loki," Fury called. Loki's glazed eyes slowly opened and met with Fury's.
"P-please…j-j'st l-let me g-go. 'M g-good…honest…I j'st w-wan' t' s-see Thor." Loki whimpered softly. Fury gave Loki a look of mock consideration and sympathy.
"If you want to see Thor again, you'll take it. You'll survive. Pain is only temporary." Fury replied, hooking up the rest of the wires to the nails in Loki's hands. Loki whimpered again.
"Not again…I don' like the s-shockies. They m-made my n-nose bleed. Please don'." Loki begged weakly, unable to shout any longer. Fury glared at him.
"I don't care," Fury told him, Loki's lip trembling. He would never do this to someone else. Why would someone do it to him? Why was the whole world against him? It was elder-Loki who did bad things, and not even he was truly evil. So why? Loki didn't really understand at all. Fury stepped away and picked up an all too familiar silver box. Loki's eyes widened and he weakly and pointless tried to get away, only to cause his skin to tear where the nails were. He quickly stopped when he realized what struggling did and began to wail.
"Thor! Please! Thor! Help! Mr. Banner! Mr. Steve! Somebody!" Loki yelled as tears flowed down his face. Fury ignored him and pushed the button. Loki let out a blood curdling scream as the high voltage flowed through his tiny body. He involuntarily struggled, causing more ripping and injury to his hands. It finally stopped, Loki's heart beating rapidly. He had to escape. He had to get away from Fury. Loki knew there would be no questions to answer, so he realized that the voltage would get worse without the aid of answering the questions wrong. Loki attempted to call on to his magic, but to his ultimate dismay found it too weak to preform even the simplest of spells. Fury appeared to catch on and he smacked the boy across the face.
"Trying to escape? Then what? Where would you go? We would catch you, and you know we would. And when we did, you'd regret even thinking of running away. You are a criminal. What part of that don't you understand? You did monstrous things and now you're paying for them. What isn't clear to you, stupid brat?" Fury bellowed angrily. Loki whimpered and dropped his gaze.
"I didn' do anythin'. Older me did. What part of that d' you not understan'? 'M not stupid, Mr. Fury. 'M smart. Thor tells me so. I would go t' Mr. Banner an' he'd save me like he did at Mr. Stark's house. Then I'd go t' Thor who'd protect me from you. You're a monster, not me!" Loki cried weakly, unable to get the emotion in his voice that he wanted. Time seemed to stand still as Fury stared at Loki, his one good eye wild and blazing. Loki's heart slowed in anticipation, wondering what his punishment for lashing out would be.
"Is that so," Fury murmured after the long silence. He walked over to where Loki's bear was sitting and picked it up. He turned to Loki with an unreadable face then continued, "Too bad. I guess Agmund has to go now." Loki's brow furrowed in confusion.
"Where?" Loki asked.
"To Hell, Loki. If you won't take the punishment, the Agmund will have to burn in your place." Fury said. Loki's eyes widened and he shook his head.
"No! No! Not Agmund! Don' hurt my bear!" Loki cried frantically.
"Then shut your mouth and let me do what needs to be done! Damn you, Loki! You have brought more trouble with you than you're worth!" Fury snapped, the boy flinching at his words.
"'M s'rry," Loki grumbled, hoping that he wouldn't upset Fury any further. Fury set the bear down once more and picked up the sliver box. Loki whimpered but didn't protest. He didn't want anything bad to happen to his bear. Bruce had made it for him and he wasn't going to let Fury destroy it. Fury stared at the boy for a while, his finger on the button. Loki's little whimpers had gotten louder, the anticipation of the pain becoming too much to bear.
"Let's continue," Fury said. His finger pressed down on the button and Loki screamed. The pain was intense, more intense than anything he had ever felt. Loki could feel the little fine hairs on his arm get singed off due to the current, his whole body convulsing and constricting at the same time. At the three minute mark, Loki could no longer scream. His jaw locked and his nose began to bleed like the last time. He could barely feel urine escaping from between his legs, his whole body in shock. Loki's head was swimming and he was incapable of begging for mercy. Blood dribbled down his face and stained his shirt collar, the voltage still running through him. Finally, when Loki was about to pass out, it ended. His jaw unlocked and he gasped for air. He didn't understand why it had stopped until he heard mumbled voices, most of what they were saying not making sense to his shocked brain.
"Wha...doing?!" Loki heard one angry voice cry out. It was a man's voice and he felt suddenly at peace. The man's voice reminded him of his not-Thor.
"Doing…job….Leave…." That one was Fury's voice, all though Loki could barely make out what he was saying. A silence fell and Loki wondered what would happen next. The next word spoken Loki understood perfectly.
"No." Loki heard footsteps and glanced over to find Steve standing there, his eyes filled with tears. Loki tried to speak so he could thank him, but only rasping came out of his mouth.
"Don't…speak…Loki…" Everything spoken was at half speed, but Loki understood what Steve had said.
"I…have…to…take…the…nails…out…now….It…will…hurt….J ust…trust…me…." Steve said. Loki nodded his head and braced himself. The pain snapped him out of his stupor and he gave a sharp cry. He glanced over and saw one hand was now free of a nail.
"Do you want to hold Agmund?" Steve asked, Loki finally hearing clearly. Loki nodded mutely. Steve placed the bear in Loki's free hand and stepped over to the other.
"Captain Rogers, I am ordering you to back off! That's an order!" Fury roared. Steve looked up at him.
"Well, that's a stupid-ass order and I'm choosing to ignore it," Steve said bitterly. Fury stood shocked for a moment and Steve pulled out the final nail. Loki screamed and Steve detached all the wires, quickly picking the boy up and holding him close.
"You're okay now. You're okay." Steve cooed into Loki's ear. Loki nodded, but stayed quiet.
"What the hell is wrong with all of you people?! Don't you get it! That's Loki! He's a threat to all mankind and you're defending him!" Fury roared.
"He's not dangerous! He's just a little boy! What the hell is wrong with you?" Steve retorted, beginning to walk out of the room.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" Fury questioned angrily.
"I'm taking Loki to Bruce. I'm not going to risk getting both of us shot by escaping now." Steve said.
"You may as well risk it, Rogers. You just blew it. You're nothing but a liability now." Fury threatened. Steve merely shrugged and walked out of the room, Loki clinging to him.
"Wha's gonna happen now?" Loki managed to ask in a horse whisper.
"I'm not sure, but it won't be pretty. But don't worry; Fury will never hurt you again. I swear." Steve said. And even though he had heard it before and he still got hurt, Loki found himself believing it. He knew that though they couldn't always protect him, Bruce and Steve were doing all they could to protect him and that was enough. Loki had a feeling that this time, they meant it. He knew that Fury would never lay a finger on him again.
"Go to sleep," Steve said softly, "You must be tired." Loki nodded and shut his eyes, surrendering to the void.