Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, or any companies affiliated with the before mentioned companies. All characters -except Crystal- are owned by Marvel and it's affiliate companies. This is a work of pure entertainment and no copyright infringement is intended.

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 is recovering from starvation and is given a special diet to aid in his recovery. Thor learns that Loki is strong despite his weakened state.

######### Chapter 3: Strength Is Not Always Physical #########

Loki knows he fell asleep but he doesn't remember when he fell asleep. Everything is always dark and it is maddening. The only sounds he has to ground himself are the sounds of beeping machines and Thor's thunderous snores. He turns his head and feels around for Thor. "Thor?"

He gently pats around on the small bed until he feels a soft tangled mass of hair. Thor's hair is soft like silk. Loki never realized how soft Thor's hair was until now. He breaths in deeply and smells earth and ozone. The hair is definitely Thor's. "Thor I'm awake."

Thor gives off a particularly loud snort and turns his head away from the sound. He is a very heavy sleeper despite his warrior training. Loki feels around and notices that Thor's upper half is resting on the bed. An old and harmless trick comes to Loki's mind.

Loki takes a strand of Thor's hair and tickles Thor's nose with it. Thor waves it off and grumbles. Loki repeats the action and Thor waves it off again. Loki tickles Thor's nose again and the results of his labors are rewarded with a growl and the sound of Thor hitting himself in the face.

Loki silently laughs but there is a small smile playing on his lips. "Good to hear you're awake Thor."

Thor is ready to scold Loki when he realizes that Loki is awake and speaking. "Brother, you're speaking!"

Loki nods and hears Thor stand up. The chair Thor was sitting gives an almost relieved groan. He feels Thor's hands as they smooth out his unruly hair. The gesture is annoying and comforting. Loki awkwardly reaches up and stills Thor's hands. "If petting my hair could tame it I wouldn't need spells and oils."

Thor stops for a moment before pulling Loki into a gentle hug. "I'm sorry I didn't stop them. I thought you dead."

Loki feels stunned for a moment but he quickly recovers. "Remember our promise as children?"

Thor chuckles. "No one but I am allowed to kill you."

Loki nods and hears footsteps. "Now be a good oaf and allow the doctor to examine me."

Loki smiles as he senses Thor's confusion. Suddenly there is a knock on the door. "I am awake. Thor is as well. You may enter."

Bruce walks in and sees Loki's wild hair. The man on the bed is a far cry from the crazed god who tried to take New York. He feels his heart clench at the sight. "I'm actually here to change your bandages and go over your dietary plan."

Loki nods and motions for Bruce to sit. "In my current state I prefer more direct contact."

Bruce nods and begins removing the bandages. The wounds are clean but the infection is still evident. "Loki, I thought gods healed quickly."

Loki nods and tilts his head. "My power would usually heal me but it was drained significantly so that I may live."

Thor stares at Loki stunned into silence because Loki has admitted that he's defenseless. The punishment -no torture- must have truly broken Loki's mind.

Loki smirks. "Close your mouth brother. Your breath reeks of bad eating habits and deplorable hygiene."

Thor closes his mouth quickly and looks at Bruce. "You said he would require a special diet. What should he eat?"

Bruce nods as he changes Loki's bandages. "Right now he will drink glucose filled drinks such as fruit juices until he can handle soft foods and if all goes well he can eat solid foods soon. I can't give you a solid time-line because I'm not familiar with alien biology."

Thor nods and looks at Loki. "Would you like some juice brother?"

Loki nods and lays back. "Perhaps Dr. Banner should help you with the selection. You have always had a terrible memory."

Thor looks at Loki and nods. "Brother is right friend Bruce. My memory is lacking."

Bruce looks at Thor and sees a tear slip down the god's cheek. "He is recovering Thor. He's talking. I thought you would be happy."

Thor looks at Bruce and sighs. "He has admitted weakness. The Loki I knew would never do that! I fear my brother to be broken."

Bruce looks at Thor and sighs. "Sometimes being strong means fighting your pride and admitting you need help. Loki has to be strong or else he would be dead. Strength isn't always in the size of your muscles sometimes being strong means picking yourself up after being beaten and continuing with your life."

Thor opens his mouth to reply but doesn't say anything. Bruce is right. Loki has always been strong. He continued to study magic despite the ridicule from Thor and his peers. Loki suffered numerous humiliations in the sparring ring but got up and learned to fight in a way that made him comfortable. Lesser men would have given in to the pressure but Loki continued to follow his own path. "Thank you friend. I think I understand now."

Bruce smiles as he shows Thor the juices that Loki can have but there is one thing he wants Thor to understand. "Thor, if you ever need someone to talk to I'm always here, but please understand; I'm not that kind of a doctor."

Loki lays on his bed listening to the world around him and smirks. Thor is unimaginably dense sometimes. He is always confused by the obvious. Banner is not a doctor of psychiatric medicine, but he does provide great wisdom.