The jet made its way to the compound. Clint watched over a sleeping Nat, who was placed in the onboard holding cell. SHIELD agents were waiting to take her to a secure facility with a twenty-four-hour watch. Clint had placed a blanket between the back of the jet and the front so that Loki and Eva didn't have to look at her.
Steve and Bucky sat in the front. Steve didn't know how to comfort Eva and he knew that if he tried, his own emotions would get the better of him. Bucky, however, wanted to give Loki and Eva space, knowing they hadn't had much of it before. Thor tried to be there for Loki by sitting next to him on the flight.
But Loki refused to leave Eva's side, both of them clinging to each other. Being in the jet reminded them too much of the "safe" house, so soon after being free of it. They fought curling up in a corner somewhere and holding each other. When Bucky looked back, motioned to Steve to fly faster. Steve looked back before nodding to his friend.
Upon landing, Bucky knelt in front of the two of them while the others handled the agents. He didn't try to touch them, just looked up at them for a moment before they looked at him.
"I know the ride wasn't pleasant," he said in a soft tone. "And I know there is nothing anyone can say or do to change what happened. You two aren't alone in this. The first time I had an apartment after my escape and after I got help in Wakanda, the open spaces, the bed, everything overwhelmed me. But being in small spaces was tougher. I know the jet was putting you back there, but you both were very brave for enduring."
"Don't talk to us like were children, Buck," Eva said. "It wasn't brave. It was the only way home."
"We just want out," Loki added. "We want open spaces."
"I get that," Bucky stated. "Come on. Let's get you two out of here and back outside. That will make it seem real again."
He walked with them. He noted that the illusion Eva had produced had receded. He didn't offer to hold them back to change or anything. Eva was tired. She needed rest. Holding the illusion for so long had to be exhausting in and of itself. He did take off his jacket and offered it to her.
"Thank you," she said.
Bucky nodded and reached back for into the jet for the blanket for Loki to wrap up in. Their outfits were thin and the air was crisp. They stood on the landing pad, taking in the night. Eva let some tears escape. Bucky knew the strength it took not to break down. Being given something after having everything taken from you was just as overwhelming as the sense of freedom.
After fifteen minutes, Clint came out and said, "Hey, let's get inside. Wanda made some food if you are hungry."
Eva discreetly wiped her tears before she and Loki followed. The food, if you could call it that, in the "safe" house had been dismal at best and nonexistent at worse. They were starved but held back.
"It isn't a trick," Bucky said. "And if you don't like something, we won't be upset. Tell us if you need or want anything. Just go slow so you don't make yourselves sick."
"It feels like years since we could-" Loki began.
"You can ask for things. The real Avengers don't make you degrade yourselves for a crust of bread. Come on."
They walked in. It was clear that Steve and Thor had hung back to wait. They weren't going to let Eva and Loki confront the others alone, but they didn't want to intrude on the time they needed to recenter themselves.
As they walked into the main room, everyone stood and Steve said, "We found Evelyn and arrested Nat." He looked back at the mischief maker. "Oh, and saved Loki, I guess."
Eva shot him a glare and he gave her a look that said he didn't mean how it came out. Loki gripped Eva to him, and she in return held his shirt in her fist. Tony came in, talking to an agent.
"Put Nat in a cell until we get this sorted," the billionaire said before he saw Loki, "Oh, and Rock of Ages too."
Loki looked at him, a mix of fear and disbelief in his eyes. His body stiffened. Bucky stood between him and the agents. Eva scoffed and moved up beside Bucky.
Thor moved to her other side, saying, "Yeah, I don't-"
Despite how tired she was, she showed off her powers by playing with them as she replied, "If you think I'm going to allow that, try again, Stark."
Seeing these powers that she didn't have before, Tony's face and voice grew cold as he responded, "You can Join him until-"
Eva couldn't take it. The exhaustion, the hunger, everything crashed. She couldn't hear anything else around her. Panic was setting in. Bucky moved closer to her as Loki rushed to Eva's side, both trying to calm her. She sunk to the floor in a broken heap.
"No!" she cried. "I can't go back! Don't put me back in there!"
Bucky was shocked at the level of pain she exhibited, showing how close Nat had been to fully breaking his friend. Just as he had with Loki before, he touched her hand with his metal one.
"It's okay," he soothed. "You don't have to go into a cell."
Loki wanted to play it off. He had been in several different prisons before, either to rescue someone or having been thrown into one.
"I'll be fine, Eva," he said, kneeling next to her. "You don't have to worry." His breath quickened. "It's just-" Then, he too collapsed. "Just another cell. I-I-I can't- can't breathe."
Thor was by Loki's side, talking to him. Steve moved to take over for Bucky, trying to get Eva to breathe evenly as well. Bruce had run from the room. Wanda went to the kitchen. Tony looked on in shock at what he was seeing. Bucky stood up and turned to Tony in anger.
"See what you started?" Bucky growled.
Tony looked at him and replied, "I'm just trying to keep everyone safe, Barnes."
Bucky scoffed. "Do they look dangerous in this state?"
Tony looked back as the last of the illusion fell away and he saw the full effect. Sunken skin, clothes several sizes too big on what were now tiny frames, hair that looked unkept and matted in places by unknown means, and scars that looked red and painful, with some that might be infected. The most painful part was watching the man that the world feared and the woman he felt fatherly love towards struggle to breathe just from his words alone. He wished he could take it back and spare them.
"I have things to do," Clint said, "so they can borrow my room until we get one for Loki."
The truth was, he felt it was partially his fault and needed to get away for a time. Seeing the shock on Loki and Eva's faces at the generous act made everyone angry with Nat all over again. It was like they had forgotten what kindness was.
"Come on," Steve said, standing up and offering to help Eva. "I'll show you where it is."
Eva and Loki didn't take the offer. When Steve tried to touch Eva, She flinched and leaned into Loki more. Deciding the trauma was still too close for her to accept his aid, he let it be and began leading the way. Clint joined the three of them and tried to make a joke about touching his stuff. It was met with a fearful glance, but he got a nod from Loki as reassurance that he would only use the bed.
The others watched until the small group was out of sight. Thor fought to keep his anger in check as clouds rolled in. Bucky turned back to Tony.
"What did she do to them?" Tony asked in a small tone.
Thor replied, "Whatever she did, it was enough to affect Gods, and that is disturbing alone."
Bucky went to the stairs but turned back to say with a glare, "You just sent two victims into an episode, sent them back into their personal hell. I hope you're happy, Stark."
He then followed after the group to make sure Eva and Loki were okay. Thor went outside to let off some steam. No one else was with him nor did they return to the main room. Tony sat down, covering his mouth, feeling sick to his stomach.