Loki grimaces but dares not distract Thor from what he is doing. It is a risk he is willing to take; letting his brother save his son that is. Loki would have done it himself yet in his weakened state it would prove unwise, so he is forced to stay here with his head in a trembling Darcy's lap. The woman is sniffling softly as she looks him over, fingers gliding over the major wounds, and waits impatiently for Thor to bring Derrick back.
"You said it would be fine." she says faintly, tiredness dampening her usually bright mood. "You said it would be fine. Now look what's happened!"
He can say nothing to comfort her so he lets her unburden herself. There is no novelty in the blame being placed on him. And Darcy's reaction is understandable. She is Derrick's mother and more than once she had put herself in harm's way to keep her son safe. Dimly he realises that her hands are balled into tiny fists, nails digging into her tender flesh. He takes one of her balled fists in his own hand; he still cannot tell her anything to ease her suffering. What could erase her anxiety in such moments? Nothing, of course, there is nothing.
"I swear to you, Loki Odinson, that if my son does not come back to me I-" she can't continue, tears are choking her. "God! Let my baby come back safe. Just keep him safe." She draws her hair back with shaking fingers and bites her tongue to keep from dissolving into tears.
There is something to be said about this woman of his, Loki thinks as he watches her through half-closed eyes, too tired to try convincing her to calm down. He can feel the fear rolling off of her in waves and yet she's throwing around threats, which no doubt she would see through if something did happen to their son. Derrick is just a child, helpless to defend himself in the face of danger and that made him the perfect target. Once his wounds are healed, Loki promises himself that those who dared tough his son will meet with endless suffering.
The moment Thor enters with a sleeping Derrick in his arms, Darcy dashes over to her son and Loki slowly rises, ignoring the strain he places on his body. His son looks unharmed, a little bit shaken with his hair flying everywhere and tear tracks on his face, but otherwise he seems alright. Darcy takes him to her chest with careful movements. Best let him sleep it off. Loki approaches the two and gently strokes the boy's forehead, going over what he knows. Darcy loses herself to the maternal instinct pulsing through her and avidly tries to detect anything wrong with her child. Now, her trembling is not fear, but excitement.
Thor pulls Loki aside, putting a hand on his shoulder. "This is not good news brother. One of them had managed to escape and you know how they are. No doubt he'll be back before we know it with even more power."
A curse leaves Loki's lips. "How is that possible? I thought I destroyed him all those years ago." This enemy proves to be a valiant one. A true challenge. "I cannot put Darcy and my son at risk again."
Blue eyes darkening dangerously, Thor nods. "Bring them home with you. They will be much safer there." the blond suggests.
"She is not yet ready." Loki replies, emerald orbs settling on a warming scene. Darcy sits down with Derrick in her hold and places her cheek on the top of his head. "She is not ready to leave this world behind."
"Time has a way of passing undetected," Thor warns, knowing all too well that Darcy's lifespan is behind his or Loki's. "You don't have the luxury of waiting for her forever. You don't have forever brother."
The words are heard but not accepted. "Her soul will survive. I will find her again."
No answer comes from Thor. The prince of Asgard shrugs. "You know best what it is." He turns around to leave, glancing once more to his younger brother's lover and offspring.
Mortal eyes offer him her gratitude when Darcy spots him. "You saved my son. Thank you." she voices sincerely, tears shining in her cobalt orbs.