*TW: Trauma Nightmare, Rape, Torture*
Loki and Eva on the floor next to Clint's bed. They didn't know what to do. Part of their mind was afraid to even touch the blankets to cover up as they shived together. They kept the balcony door open so that the breeze could come in.
Steve and Wanda came in after a while with clothes in their arms. Wanda covered her mouth at the state of the two people on the floor. She fought tears and gulped several times. Steve ran and knelt in front of Loki and Eva, dropping the clothes as he did.
"Baby, why is the door open?" he asked, yanking the blanket off the bed and putting it around her and Loki.
"We wanted fresh air," she whispered. "But then-"
Loki held her close. Steve saw how their eyes seemed to look far away. They were stuck in their minds and he had no way to get them out.
"Please," Loki said in a hushed tone, choking back tears. "We just wanted to feel the wind. We didn't-"
Bucky, who had been heading up to them, went to the pair slowly before kneeling in front of them and replying, "And that's okay. Loki, Eva, Steve and Wanda brought you some clothes to change into."
"That's right," Wanda said, mimicking Bucky. "If the outfit isn't too your liking, I have more. We can even get you both washed and hair brushed. Doesn't that sound nice?"
Loki liked his lips before asking, "What- what do we have to do to-"
"Nothing," Bucky answered. "Come on, Loki. There's a shower and a tub. You can go first and-"
"No!" Eva and Loki said at the same time, moving back and clinging to each other.
"Okay," Bucky said. "In the room together. That way, you know the other is safe, right?"
They nodded and stood. They both bathed quickly while Wanda got everything set up. She even made sure that Loki and Eva understood to come out with towels wrapped around them. The warm water and soft fibers helped bring Eva and Loki back to the present.
When they came out, Wanda had a couple of armless chairs waiting. They each took one and waited. Wanda showed them her hair brush and scissors. She placed towels on Loki's shoulders to catch any hair that fell. However, when she went to cut Eva's hair, she jumped out.
"No!" she yelled, Loki stopping her from hitting the dresser. "If you do that, she'll-"
"Breath," said Loki. "I know." He looked back at Wanda. "Let's wait before we try that again."
Wanda agreed, putting the scissors away and saying, "All I need to do now is brush your hair. No one is going to hurt you, Eva."
Eva slowly made her way back to the chair. She sat stiffly as Wanda worked the brush through the now clean strands and braided them. After she was done, she left the pair to get dressed.
Eva touched soft material of the sweater left for her and jeans before saying, "This is real, right?"
"Gods, I hope so," Loki said, running the crochet garment through his hands. "I don't think I'd survive if it isn't."
They got dressed and made their way downstairs. They paused on the landing between floors, listening to the muffled voices and trying to stop the tears. After five minutes, they peaked into the dinning room.
"Hey," said Bucky, getting up to go to them. "Let's get you two fed. Wanda made one of the best meals we've ever had."
"We have reason to celebrate," she said. "Eva is back and Loki is here. I think it's a good reason to have a big meal." She smiled at Loki and Eva as they sat between Steve and Thor. "I made sure it was nothing heavy, so you can eat until you get full."
For a moment, they didn't move. If this was a test, they didn't want to fail. However, no one else waited, so they each put out a hesitant hand to put small bits of food on their plates. Steve went to lean over to encourage Eva to get more but Bucky stopped him. Eva had to get used to eating full meals again after almost a year and a half on surviving with the bare minimum, if anything. Loki too.
While the others talked about random things, Loki and Eva sat in silence, looking at their food. But Eva couldn't wait a moment longer and took a bite. Loki held his breath when he heard her moan at how delicious the food was.
"I take it that you like it?" Wanda asked with a smile. "Have as much as you want."
Loki and Eva dove in, tears threatening to spill as they ate. They felt like it was a dream, the food was so good. Bucky got up and knelt between them.
"Slow down or you'll get sick," he reminded.
When they looked up again and saw the sad looks on everyone's faces, they jumped up. They couldn't do this. It was too much. They ran from the room.
"It's okay," said Bucky, rubbing his face and knowing what everyone was thinking. "They got overwhelmed. Give it time."
"Someone should check on them," Steve said, worried.
"Bucky told me to pick warm clothes," Wanda said. "Just in case this happened."
"Why?" asked Thor.
"They need air," Bucky said. "To feel the wind moving over them. To remind them they are free."
"It didn't help in the room," Steve said. "They were back to-"
He couldn't say it. Tony put if utensils down and got up. Bucky stopped him.
"I know you want to make up for what happened, but wait," the dark-haired super soldier said.
Tony looked out on the terrace and stated, "If I had kept my mouth shut-"
"Wait," Bucky reiterated.
After ten minutes, Loki and Eva returned, sitting back down. They began to slowly eat. Bucky smiled.
"Feel better?" he asked.
"Y-yeah," Loki said.
"I'm glad you both came back. Take things slow. You'll find some normality again."
Eva looked at him and said, "Thank you, Bucky."
"You don't need to thank me. You have all of us as a support system, plus others. We want to help. If things get too much, we understand."
Tony looked like he wanted to add more, but Bucky shook his head. There would be time to apologize. It just wasn't right then. The rest of the meal went smoothly and Eva and Loki began to feel as if the torment was finally over.
That night, Eva went to a separate room from the others. After everything that had happened, she couldn't bring herself to share a bed with anyone. Loki felt the same. Though it hurt, Steve understood the need to have space. Clint had left after dinner was done, not telling anyone where he went, so Loki had a room to himself. He and Eva both had windows open, despite the cold. Wanda provided extra blankets to allow it.
Loki and Eva had set up a sleep schedule of sorts. It was her turn to sleep first. In Clint's room, Loki tossed and turned. It was strange not having Eva at his back, but he could still listen for footsteps. Bucky was tossing in his sleep in his own room. Steve was stiff and uneasy, but he was the only one that would get any decent sleep between the four.
Just as she passed out, nightmares hit Eva hard. Sweat covered her instantly.
Ropes secured her to a chair. SHE stood over her, exasperated. Brass knuckles adorned her hands before she punched Eva in the gut.
Eva begged, pleaded for it to stop. Nat watched as the blond was forced to climax over and over from the machine pumping in and out of her.
The red head watched, her face hard as stone, as Eva screamed in pain. The last injection had a side effect neither expected, but this was what Eva got for trying to escape again.
How long had it been? Hours? Days? How long was she going to be bound and gagged on the mat until she could move again? Get the blood flowing through her legs again? Nat smiled as she watched the light in Eva die.
"Why are you doing this?" Eva cried, struggling in her chair.
Her powers were going to explode. If that happened, SHE would find out.
Tied to the bed, Nat's fingers playing along her naked body. Someone was yelling her name, but she could place who.
The needle with super soldier serum and Loki's blood pierced her skin and flooded her veins. Pain and fire was living inside of her.
"No!" Eva yelled, bolting upright.
Loki opened his eyes. He was disoriented for a moment, not recognizing the room around him. Then, he remembered and he recognized the person that screamed out. Bucky jolted awake. He recognized the yell and why. Steve snapped awake. He knew Eva was in trouble.
All three men ran to the room at the end of the hall and opened the door. There, they saw Eva curled up on the bed, back to the head board. Steve wanted to break down, seeing her try to make herself small and rocking to comfort herself.
"Eva?" they said at the same time, worry coloring their voices.
She looked up at them, bawling. She scratched every part of her arms, drawing blood. Steve ran to the bathroom to get the first aid kit.
"She won't stop!" Eva cried. "She's still- the needles-"
Loki pulled Eva into a hug. Bucky, however, took her hands to get her to stop hurting herself. She flinched at his flesh hand, but didn't let go.
"Look at me," he said in a soft tone.
"B-Bucky?" Eva asked, like she was trying to come back to reality and didn't understand what was happening.
"This is just day one. It's still fresh. Your mind is trying to accept that it's over while healing from all the trauma."
"When will it stop?" All Eva wanted was normal back, for it to be over forever.
"I don't have an answer for that, Eva. I still get HYDRA nightmares. But it does get better. I promise."
Eva simply sat in Loki's arms and cried silent tears. She didn't make a sound as her new wounds were disinfected and bandaged. Steve hid the hurt he felt when she flinched from him, but he was gentle as he rapped the gause around her arms.
After an hour, the three men left the room. Eva had laid down, but she couldn't sleep after that nightmare. Bucky stopped Loki before he reentered Clint's room.
"What I said applies to you too, Loki," Bucky said. "It's just the first day. Don't expect to be healed just because you got out. It takes time."
Loki gave a grateful nod and returned to bed.