Author's Note: Appologies for not updating for so long. Been quite busy lately. Exams were all this week and I was studying last week too. Damn these regents! Lol. But I am back now. All I have to do is wait to see if I passed or failed. Hopefully passed. Not really good at math so I know I definitely failed that test, but should be ok with the other ones. But we'll see.
ENJOY!
Jane smiled, kissing Thor's nose affectionately.
"Are you sure you have to go?" she asked, stroking his bicep. Thor nodded, a sad smile playing at his lips.
"I fear I must Lady Jane. I was given only a week of absence by the Allfather. He expects me to return soon." He stood and gathered his armor, going into the bathroom to put it on. Jane sighed, getting up.
"I'm making some coffee. You want any?" she called to him. Thor opened the door.
"No thank you. I am not very fond of the drink and would hate for you to go through the trouble of making any for me." She nodded, going into the kitchen and making some for herself.
Almost an hour later, Thor emerged from the bathroom armor shining and cape tossed over one shoulder, looking like the god he was. Jane smiled at him, sipping her coffee, feeling a slight tinge of jealousy. Thor, noticing her change in mood, frowned.
"What is the matter Jane?" he asked her. She shook her head.
"It's just kind of annoying that all you have to do is put on some armor and look perfect while I have to put on ten pounds of makeup and not even manage to look a fourth as good." she complained. Thor smiled, laughing as he pulled her close.
"You will be the most beautiful maiden in all of the Nine Realms Lady Jane. My eyes are only for you." he promised. Jane smiled.
"They better be." she mock threatened. Thor bowed to her.
"Only for you." he promised.
Loki opened his eyes, shaking as the memory of his nightmare hung over his consciousness. He gasped for air, feeling as though he were going to suffocate from the weight of his fear. Once he was calm again, he realized how bright everything was, hissing as the light began to hurt his eyes.
His immediate reaction was to roll away from the source of his discomfort. He opened them again a few minutes later, to see Tony sprawled out in a chair by his bedside. He grimaced as he tried to swallow, feeling as if his throat was made of sandpaper.
He glanced at the pitcher of water on the table. It was too far away for him to reach and he didn't have the strength to get up and go to it.
"Anthony...wake up." he whispered as loudly as he could. When there was no change, he tried again.
"Anthony!" Loki practically screamed. The inventor finally jerked awake, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"What...what's happening?" Tony asked, fighting the urge to yawn. Loki licked his lips, his eyes glued to the water.
"Water..." he said quietly. Tony glanced to where Loki was looking, slowly realizing what he wanted.
"Oh...Oh right! Your mom said you'd be thirsty wen you woke up." he mumbled. He grabbed the pitcher and poured some water into a goblet for Loki. He helped the god sit up to drink.
"What did...she give me?" Loki demanded worriedly. His muscles were weak and he could hardly move. He was sure his mother would never intentionally poison him, but he no longer trusted anyone. Not after Thanos.
Tony shrugged.
"I think it was some popolictus...or maybe...I don't really remember. It was a weird name." Loki nodded.
"I think I know what is was. She probably didn't expect me to wake up so early." he said. Tony sat down, looking at him.
"Do you need anything?" he asked. When Loki shook his head, Tony frowned.
"Your mother said you have to eat something. It will help." he advised. Loki managed to curl onto his side with his numb limbs and stayed that way.
"I do not require anything Anthony." he said.
"Are you ok?" he asked. Loki sighed.
"I am fine." the god answered. The inventor nodded.
"I'll just go tell Frigga you're up." Loki sighed.
Tony was gone for at least twenty minutes, leaving Loki alone with his thoughts.
He reflected on his first fall from the Bifrost. The first time he had entered the Void. He shuddered at the very memory of it. Feeling helpless and confused. He had realized that right before he had fallen, he would never live up to Odin's expectations. He would forever be seen as the Jotun runt taken in out of greed and personal gain. To be used for advancements politics.
Loki closed his eyes, feeling himself begin to shake again. He took a deep breath, trying to force himself to still.
When Tony returned with Frigga, they found the god suffering from the effects of another seizure. Frigga made Tony wait outside of the bedchambers while she and two other healers tended to Loki.
Tony paced around the length of the sitting room, waiting to be allowed back in to see Loki. After an hour, the women finally emerged from the chambers, talking among themselves, worried looks on their faces. Tony waited patiently for them the speak with him.
Frigga sent the other women away, before turning to him.
"Anthony," she said quietly. He stepped forward, nodding for her to continue. She sighed, pulling her robes about her shoulders.
"This is not something a lady asks about her son, but I ask as a mother and a healer." she told him.
"What's going on? Loki is ok right?" he asked. Frigga nodded.
"He is fine. It's just that I discovered something..." she shook her head slowly, taking a breath.
"Have you and Loki...had sexual relations?" she asked. Tony's eyes widened and he began to sputter nervously.
"We...we haven't...I haven't even...why!" he cried out. Frigga smiled.
"I apologize for upsetting you Anthony. I was just wondering." she told him. Tony frowned.
"Wondering? What for?" he asked. She shook her head.
"It is nothing. Just a miscalculation is all." she told him. Tony nodded slowly.
"You sure there's nothing else wrong with Loki?" he pressed. Frigga nodded.
"Of course. If we continue what we have done, we should be able to help his with the seizures. We just need to keep him calm and help him to relax."
Thor nodded to Heimdal as he stepped out of the light of the Bifrost.
"Good day to you Gatekeeper." he said in greeting. The Watcher smiled tightly.
"I do hope you enjoyed your time on Midgard." he said. Thor nodded.
"My time with Lady Jane was most pleasant." he answered. Heimdal nodded.
"Good because as of right now, I fear relaxation will not come easily to you in the future." he cautioned. Thor frowned.
"Has something happened?" the god asked. The Watcher sighed.
"It has been discovered that two of the stolen children have been discovered during additional searches in Aflheim. A boy and a girl." Thor's mood brightened.
"Really? Has anyone told Loki yet? I am sure he will be overjoyed to-" Heimdal held up a hand.
"Your brother's health has taken a slight decline in your absence. It has been decided that once the children have recovered from their injuries and are not in danger of regression, then your brother will be made known of their presence. The healers are not even certain if the boy will survive. It is for the best Thor. We are still not sure of Loki's stability. Physically or mentally." he said. Thor grimaced, but didn't argue.
"Is he alright?" he asked quietly. Heimdal nodded.
"For now. But I recommend that you get him out of Asgard. Quickly. In my watch, I have listened to many who despise Loki. I fear the first assassination attempt will inspire others to follow." he said. Thor swallowed thickly.
"Thank you for this Heimdal. I will continue my plans to have him leave within the week. Do you think that is sufficient enough time?" he asked. Heimdal sighed.
"I certinly hope so. Otherwise if another attempt is made, there is no telling where it will come from." Heimdal answered.
Loki stared down at the glass of water he had been given, turning it slowly in between his palms.
"What happened to..." Loki paused, placing the water back onto the table, fearing the unsteadiness in his hands would cause him to drop it.
"The girl...what happened to her?" he asked. Tony straightened, clearing his throat.
"She's fine Loki. Just relax." the inventor urged. Loki sighed, resting against the pillows.
"There's something wrong with me Anthony? And don't tell me there isn't." he said. Tony shrugged.
"I don't know Loki. Frigga says you could still just be going through some trauma. Frome the Other. Those kids...but everything's ok now." he insisted. Loki cradled his face in his hands.
"There's something more. More than me just needing to relax." Loki shook his head.
"I can't place it, but it's not normal. Not for me. I can't use my magic, and when I try there is pain. And I keep vomitting." the god groaned. Tony frowned.
"The no magic thing has never happened to you before?" he asked. Loki shook his head again.
"No. Well, not since I..." the god trailed off, his palor becoming even whiter.
"Loki...what's wrong?" Tony asked worriedly, reaching out to comfort the god.
"Don't touch me!" Loki snarled. Tony jerked his hand away, moving away from the god as fast as possible.
"Loki?" Tony asked slowly. Loki curled onto his side, his back facing Tony. The inventor looked on worriedly as the god began talking to himself quietly, apparently trying to solve some internal crisis. Before he could ask, Thor burst into the room.
"Brother! I have returned, bearing good news." Thor called out as he entered the room. Loki rolled out of the bed and went into the bathroom, closing the door firmly behind him.
"Is something wrong?" Thor asked. Tony shrugged.
"I don't know. He just...we were talking and...I don't know. I really don't think I said anything wrong..." Thor patted his shoulder.
"Fear not Anthony. Loki has always been difficult to understand. Give him time." The inventor sighed.
"How much time?" he questioned. Thor smiled.
"It has not yet been determined, but I think it will be soon." Tony sighed.
"You said something about good news?" he asked. Thor nodded.
"I do have good news." he said quietly. Tony perked up.
"Well? What's happening Hammer Time?" he asked.
"I have spoken to Heimdal and my father. It has been decided that Loki's health is becoming increasingly at risk the longer he remains. There have been suspicions that there may be another assassination attempt, so we must leave for Midgard." Tony nodded.
"You're coming" he asked. The god nodded.
"Of course. He is my brother. I have already informed Banner and Captain Rogers. I have yet to inform Director Fury of this, so we will leave in two days." he said. Tony frowned.
"What if Fury says no?" he asked. Thor stood, slowly pacing around the room.
"At the moment Stark, my brother's health is of the highest priority. I will simply inform Fury of my brother's future arrival and if he should refuse, then I will have to persuade him to see reason." Tony watched him, glancing back at the bathroom door every few minutes.
"Fury isn't a man who is easily persuaded Thor." he told the god. Thor nodded.
"Perhaps." he said. He turned to the inventor suddenly.
"Will you allow him to stay with you?" he asked. Tony shrugged.
"Of course." he said. Thor smiled.
"Even if it goes against the wishes of S.H.I.E.L.D.?" he questioned. Tony grinned, leaning back in his chair.
"When have I ever not followed S.H.I.E.L.D.'s rules to the letter?" he asked, rolling his eyes. Thor smiled.
"I am glad my brother has you Stark. I would want no one else to care for him in my absence." he said truthfully.
Author's Note: So a bit of fluff- if that's what you call it. I usually just pick up fanfiction slang as I go along. Anyway, in the next few chapters things will be heating up.
Also sorry to any of my readers who have been keeping up with my other fics, such as Memory Fade, The Tale of the Pirate and the Blacksmith and The Fears of a Broken Mind, which haven't been updated in a really long time.
Just want you to know that they are not abandoned works. I promise. I'm just taking a break. I know, I know. A really long freaking break right? Sorry. But hang in there! WIll try to update on all of them within two weeks, and update at least once a week for each until finished.
:)