Summary: Loki finds happiness on Midgard in the form of the Avengers and a quirky mortal that Darcy Lewis may or may not have set him up to meet. Loki learns how to accept himself and that joy can be found anywhere.
Warnings: Loki's injuries are discussed in greater detail and so will removing the threads. Loki will also display signs of starvation and depression. Loki is blinded but it is only tempory.
######### Chapter 2: Unbound Silence #########
Bruce struggles to remain calm as he helps Loki walk to medical. It isn't Loki who makes him nervous or angry. It is Odin who sets the Hulk on a very dangerous edge but right now Loki needs the Doctor and not the Monster. "Loki, I need you to be very still okay?"
Bruce waits for a response and receives a small nod. He carefully takes Loki by the chin and examines the stitches. The wire looks sharp and the puncture wounds are swollen and infected. Biting his lip he looks at the filthy bandages covering Loki's eyes. "Loki, I need to examine your eyes as well. May I remove the bandages?"
The sound that escapes Loki is painful but the fallen god nods. Bruce carefully unties the bandages and he becomes ill. The skin around Loki's eyes are blistered and infected and there is exposed flesh and bone. Once vibrant emerald eyes are now milky and yellow with infection. It is obvious that Loki is blind. "Thor, what did this?"
Thor looks down and he clutches his hammer. "An ancient serpent lives deep within Asgard. His venom is said to burn dragon flesh. Fath- Odin had Loki chained beneath the serpent's fangs." A single tear slips from Thor's eyes.
Bruce was going to continue his questioning when Loki whimpers. Loki is moving his head around and clenching his fists. He's panicking. "Loki, you're safe here. Listen to us. We will help you."
Bruce sees blood and pus flowing from the wounds as Loki tries to scream. "Thor how do we remove the wire?"
Thor reaches behind his cape and pulls out a rusty old dagger. The handle was a black stone etched with fading runes. The blade looked dull and caked with rust. "This blade is ancient and is called the Dagger of Kindness. It can only be used to save those that others have cast aside."
Bruce feels something wet -besides Loki's blood- fall on his hand. Loki is crying. Bruce gingerly takes the ancient dagger and looks at Loki. "I'm not going to hurt you Loki, but I need you to be very still. Can you do that?"
Loki nods and flinches when the cold rusted metal is placed against his lips. He is shocked when the blade glides smoothly against his lips but the sound of the wires snapping is audible. He feels Dr. Banner's shock but doesn't move. The easy part is over. Loki knows that the wires will be as painful to remove as they were being stitched through his lips.
Bruce sighs in relief but knows that his relief is short lived. The next part will be very painful for Loki. The wires are sharp, thin, and strong. A punishment he would wish on no one. "Loki are you ready for me to remove the wires?"
Loki turns his head up. His dead eyes seeing nothing as he nods. He knows that the pain of removing them will be worse than the having the stitches placed in his lips. Odin is a cruel man and will guarantee pain; Loki learned his cruelty from the best.
Bruce carefully removes the wires two halves at a time. One half from Loki's top lip and one half from Loki's bottom lip. The wires are like razors and it is a miracle that Loki still has lips. He watches Loki for signs of shock. Loki doesn't scream, but he does whimper. Hulk is actually crying.
Loki doesn't know how long it takes but the wires are out. The pain is fading slowly but it is fading. He wants to shout praises to the Norms but he can't. Odin didn't believe him about Thanos or the Chitauri despite physical proof of the dark creatures existences, why would the Norns believe him to be truthful in praise.
Bruce looks at Loki and feels that there are more injuries. He looks at Loki and gently touches his shoulder. "I'm going to clean and dress your eyes. I would also like to examine you for further injuries. We need to remove your armor. Do you want me to check for more injuries?"
Loki keeps his head facing in the direction of Bruce's voice. He knows that what Odin has done to him has caused great damage to his body. Vanity is no longer a concern, but if Thor sees the damage then Valhalla help us all. It is a Norns sent miracle that Asgard isn't a pile of golden rubble. The only issue is that Thor is the only person he trusts to protect him. "Yes please, but may Thor stay?"
Bruce nods despite barely hearing Loki's consent. " I don't know how far the venom damage extends so we are going to the medical bath. It is also more private we can get you clean. Okay?"
Loki only nods and allows himself to be guided to the decontamination showers. He knows that Thor will weep and for a brief moment is thankful that he is blind. He cannot stand the idea of Thor's sapphire eyes sullied with tears but when the last light weight tunic and his trousers are removed he can hear rain falling. The rain is too painful to hear.
The Tower is silent. No one says anything as Thor goes to his room to change into his night clothes. No one mentions his wet cheeks or puffy eyes. No one says anything as he leaves in his night clothes to return to medical. The quiet and heavy rainfall speaks volumes.