Summary: arguments are had and confessions are made.
A/N: I took out the second half of this fic from the original and expanded on Loki and Thor's conversations. I wanted to set up the next chapter better.
Chapter 11:
"Brother, you must eat something." Thor sighed, holding up a spoon to Loki's face. It had only been two days since Loki had been able to remain awake more than five minutes. He was deemed strong enough to sit up on his own, still attached to various tubes and I.V.'s. A blanket covered him to the waist, though he still wore a Midgardian hospital gown.
A look of disdain crossed the face of the Trickster. He balked at being fed like a newborn. " First of all, as you see, I do in fact have arms. And second of all, I am not hungry, Thor. I believe I've expressed that sentiment once already. As usual, you didn't listen."
Thor pursed his lips, annoyed, but not speaking those words. "You will not recover well if you do not eat, brother."
"Don't harp Thor, you are not Mother. I do not wish your pity or fake sentiment." Loki sneered.
Thor stood nonetheless, anger flushing his face, "That is unworthy of you, Loki. If you don't wish to eat, then I shall go downstairs to do so myself. Perhaps your mood will change when I return?" He pushed back the chair and stomped away.
As the Thunderer exited, Loki let his head fall to his chest. Instantly, his face went from anger to shame at the jibe and his heart pounded slightly.
The memory of their mother's death was still fresh in their minds, and it had been cruel to dishonor her by speaking to Thor about her in that manner. His eyes caught on the I.V. on his wrist and frowned. Thor had risked his own crown for his sake, something that he could not for the life of him, understand. Loki saved his brother and that woman partly for love, and partly for instinct. He saved them partly for love because, as he never would want Thor to die in such a miserable defeat. It was instinctive because, had he returned to Asgard with Thor dead, the death of the Thunder god would no doubt be put on his head. Loki did not want pity from any of the mortals, either. He was weak for now, but he would do anything to travel the nine worlds and regain his power once he was stronger.
And again, he didn't know why the mortals had not killed him when they had arrived at Stark's home.
A cough pierced through his thoughts, a wet hacking that would probably remain for some time yet, his head swimming again. Damn this illness, Loki thought, being a petty mortal is beneath me!
The door slid open and Doctor Banner entered, holding a glass with what Loki learned was a straw. "Good afternoon, Loki. How are you feeling?" He went about checking the vitals and various tubes, but not before placing the glass on the rolling tray. When the Trickster only nodded in response, he looked over to the untouched soup and continued. "Not hungry? It's okay, you're not gonna have an appetite right away."
Loki snorted, "I wish someone would convey that to Thor."
Banner passed the glass to Loki, who eyed him questioningly. "It's orange juice...eh...it's good for you." He added, hoping that the glass would not be thrown should it displease the god.
Loki nodded in thanks, and then sipped at the liquid that had a slightly tangy sweet flavor that he was unaccustomed to on Asgard. He wrinkled his nose at the taste and shot a disgusted look at the doctor.
"It's chock full of vitamins that'll help you get well. Better this than a handful of pills or whatever they have on Asgard, right?"
Loki eyed the glass, considering, then gingerly drank out of the cup, while taking large gulps.
"Slowly," the doctor cautioned with a smile, "you don't want to drink that too fast or you'll get a stomachache, trust me."
When he had finished the juice, Bruce took it and placed it back on a roll-away tray, before he spoke again. He placed the stethoscope into his ears and placed the bell onto Loki's chest.
"Thor told me that he went downstairs to eat. I guess you two were not speaking to one another? He seemed pretty….miffed when I ran into him."
Loki almost snapped that it was not any of the doctor's business what had been spoken between them, but thought better of it. Instead, he decided to change the subject, a useful tactic that he often employed to squirm out of uncomfortable conversations.
"I don't know why you are taking your anger out upon me. In fact, I wonder why any of you have proffered your space and have the urge to see me well."
Bruce only shrugged and took a seat in the abandoned chair. "You are Thor's brother, it's not like we can say 'no' to him. To do so would anger him and perhaps to lose a vital part of our team, not to mention our friend. I wouldn't go downstairs at the moment though, Clint and Natasha are back at the Tower. They-" his lips twitched, "They are still not happy about you being here."
"So, in not so few words, the others of this tower have chosen to heal me in order for your so-called team of super heroes to remain intact by not crossing Thor? I am sure he will appreciate that." Loki snarled.
"And because he doesn't want to see you die. You are his brother-"
"I am NOT his brother!" he muttered, but it only sounded half-hearted.
"You are, otherwise you wouldn't have bothered to save his life, or Jane's. And he wouldn't have bothered with yours." Bruce replied pointedly.
"That is because-" The Trickster began, but soon he could not silence his own tongue. He looked away. "Thor has always been fool-hearty. He decided to trust me after all. When he went to the Dark World to confront Malekith, I knew it would not end well, especially using that mortal as bait." (Bruce's eyebrows rose at this) On Asgard, honor is everything. Thor saved me from a black hole bomb, and I, in turn, saved him from Kursed. Unfortunately, the plan to destroy the Aether backfired and Malekith managed to absorb its power-"
Bruce held up a hand to stop him, "Yes, Thor told us of all of that."
"Thor-he allowed me to come along to avenge his-our mother." Loki explained, then his head dropped. "Kursed killed her by Malekith's orders. And-" Loki shook his head, "I mentioned her in an unkind manner, and also insulted his masculinity." a wry smile appeared.
"He'll get over it. Might want to apologize to him." Bruce affirmed with a sigh, before standing again, "Have you been doing your breathing exercises?" A nod from Loki caused him to continue. "We need to keep ahead of the pain, or you risk relapse, so let us know if you're hurting."
There was a nod, but his strength for staying awake had begun to ebb. Loki settled back onto the overstuffed pillow. He did not hear the quiet tone of Thor, who had returned. But Loki felt his presence in the visitor's chair. He had felt Thor pull up the blanket to his shoulders.
Green eyes opened into slits and Loki turned his head slightly. The words, "S'rry Thor," came out as a slurred whisper.
" 'Tis alright, Loki." Thor replied gently, "Rest now. Perhaps we can try the warmed up soup again later."
Another two days passed, and Loki felt himself grow stronger little by little. His energy began to seep in, and both hunger and longer bouts of wakefulness followed. He even, much to his own chagrin, allowed himself to be doted upon by Thor, who brought his meals and kept him company for most of the day. His sleep was not easy, however. Many times he had awoken from dreams, or rather memories of his torment by the Other or the Black Order. Coupled with this were the many memories of the invasion of Midgard, and the prisoner escape on Asgard. All of it wove itself into a dark whirlpool that made sleep nearly impossible. Doctor Carter prescribed medication when she noticed Loki's sleep pattern being disturbed, and therefore making his recovery that much more difficult.
"Thor?" He rasped in the intermediate moments between the silence that both had fallen into during the evening. He had been given a book on Midgard's modern history and spent a good portion of it devouring the text. Thor had left him alone, as the Trickster had requested, only to return with dinner some time later. Now, Loki had set the book aside, much to Thor's surprise.
"Hmmm?" The God of Thunder said noncommittally. He was surprised to find Loki wringing his hands and not meeting his gaze. Concerned, he glanced over to him. "Brother, what's wrong?" His brows furrowed,
"Are you unwell?"
"I-I miss Mother." His eyes met blue ones that were now sad and hollow.
"As do I, Loki." Thor remarked softly. Her smile, her gentleness, her love; everything felt like a deep void in lieu of her absence.
"I wronged her." Loki continued, "I felt anger for her saying Odin was my father. I was furious….told her that she wasn't my mother." Tears began to well, his breath was shaky as he tried to speak without becoming overwrought.
The expression of the Thunderer was struck and hurt. In part, he wished to yell or be angry with Loki, but knew that his brother was already doing a good job of being angry at himself for his actions.
"I was so foolish, it was the last thing I said to her." Loki finished with a sob, putting his hands to his head and drawing his knees to the chest. In anguish, he continued. "I-I told them where to go. T-the day of the prison escape. I didn't know they'd-" He began to sob harder.
"Shh...you must not exert yourself in this manner." Thor allowed his younger brother to lay his head on his broad shoulder. "Mother-she died protecting someone else, as was her nature. She watches us from Vahalla and the stars, and always will until we reunite. Let us not talk of this any further. Malekith was the one who invaded Asgard for the Aether."
"I-I told them which set of stairs to take. I thought they would only go as far as the throne room..." Loki shouted abruptly, as he clutched his dark locks in a fit of panic, eyes widening to their full extent.
"Be at ease, brother." Thor replied softly. " Malekith is dead, and we have avenged her death. Let's speak of happier times. Do you remember, when we were adolescents and traveled to the Sacred Forest alone? We returned with our hair braided as maidens with flowers weaved between them."
As Thor retold the story of a time long ago, Loki's sadness slipped away into the warm embrace of both his brother and of slumber.
He awoke sometime later screaming.
TBC...