Summary: Wherein a breaking point is reached
Chapter 12:
Chapter Text
"You're doing well, Loki." Thor affirmed, with a watchful eye towards his brother. The Trickster was walking, albeit slowly, down the hallway with the I.V. pole in tow. He wore a baggy pair of sweats and a t-shirt borrowed from Bruce.
"When am I allowed out of my accursed infirmary chambers?" Loki complained for the umpteenth time in several days. The majority of the tubes and wires had been pulled, leaving only the I.V. in the former demi-god's arm.
"We'll begin physical therapy as soon as possible, and that will require you to be out of bed." Bruce said next to Thor, who kept glancing at the medical device that was still taking his patient's vitals. "As to your other question," He rubbed the back of his neck hesitantly, "I could speak with Tony about getting you a room upstairs."
Excuse me Doctor Banner, I will speak to Mr. Stark about the subject if you so wish. The voice of JARVIS spoke up suddenly, and all three men started.
"Umm...no, I think we should broach the idea to Tony...gently. Thank you anyway, JARVIS." His eyes swung apologetically more to Thor than to Loki. At the blond god's confused glance, Bruce elaborated, though with some dismay, "Didn't Tony tell you?" He nodded to the darker haired god, "Loki threw Tony out of the Tower during the invasion. It was the suit that saved him."
At this Loki snorted devilishly and then with the angry demanding glance from Thor, only shrugged. "I knew that Stark would have a backup of sorts. He would not be so stupid to not be prepared for such an occasion."
"Do us a favor and don't do that again. The Other Guy will not take it very well." Bruce said half-jokingly. He noted his patient staggered slightly, then leaned bonelessly against a wall to catch his breath. They'd weaned Loki off the nightly sedatives, allowing him to sleep on his own power. Though without the sleeping aid, Loki's nightmares returned with vengeance.
"I think we need to get you back to your room, you don't look like you've been resting-"
The sharp glare filled with fire from Loki stopped him mid-sentence.
"I am not weak!" He rasped, then with less vitriol, "I don't sleep. My mind has the scary capability of being dark and demented. "
"You're afraid of your dreams?" Thor asked, his eyebrows furrowed together.
"Yes." He said quietly after a long pause.
"We could put you back on medication. You need to sleep if you're to recover." Bruce responded carefully.
"No!" Loki spat, "I don't want that foul liquid coursing through my veins."
"Brother, you must get some rest. Friend Banner is right, you look exhausted." Thor moved to put a hand on his shoulder, but Loki lurched away awkwardly.
He replied bitterly, "It's not as though you gave any care towards me when Mother died."
At this, the Thunderer paled slightly.
Bruce even stopped in his tracks, looking from one brother to another. "Wha-what does he mean by that, Thor?"
Loki laughed, but it was one filled with acidity. "You've only heard his side of the story, you don't know the truth."
"Brother I-"
"The kind Asgardians; none of them informed me of Queen Frigga's death until after her funeral, in the dungeons." An angry glare returned to the former god's eyes.
Thor's head sunk to his chest, and Bruce didn't have to ask if what Loki was saying was true. Finally, Thor had enough courage to speak, "Father decreed that Loki was no longer a Prince, nor a citizen of Asgard, only a prisoner. Therefore, it was not for him to know. I didn't...I did not agree with it, but Odin's word is final. He- he was not my brother any longer from the betrayal he had incurred upon the house of Odin, on our kingdom and that of Midgard. My mother, Queen Frigga, was the one that convinced Odin to spare his life."
Bruce's face crossed many emotions in a matter of seconds; shock, disbelief and sadness. "But Frigga was his adoptive mother , Thor. Don't you think it's incredibly cruel not to tell him, let alone allow him to come to the funeral of the woman that had raised him? Who raised both of you?"
Thor's shoulder sank, not looking at either of them, he answered, "Yes, because I knew a strong bond existed between my mother and Loki. I knew it was heartless to not tell my brother of her passing or internment. I was torn, and almost went down to the dungeons myself to speak with him about it."
"And only came down to ask for my help; to use me, as so many have." Loki snapped.
"As I told you Loki, I thought you should have a share of revenge for the one who wrought Mother's death." Thor growled back, nearly pushing him into an adjacent wall.
"And as a reward, I would be returned to my cell!" Loki shouted, pushing away from the wall now. He pulled viciously at the tube connected to his hand and when free of it and the monitor on his finger, shot a blazing look toward both of them. "I am leaving. I shall not be leveraged, especially to keep the Avengers in Thor's good graces by allowing me to recover here. "
Bruce visibly winced, and Thor looked shocked.
"Do not try to follow me Thor, or you will sorely regret it." He bowed his head towards the physicist. "Doctor Banner, I thank you for helping save my life, for whatever it was worth. Thank Stark for allowing me to stay here." He paused, "And to the Captain."
Shuffling to the elevators, both Avengers waited until they were closed. Then the Thunderer spoke, "What should we do, Doctor Banner?" Thor's voice intoned emotion.
"We can't do anything until he trusts us, Thor." Bruce returned with a shake of his head.
"I cannot allow him to wonder about this vast city, not in his present condition." Thor stammered.
"I know that, Thor. With Tony at his meetings in Hong Kong, and Clint, Nat, and Steve all on separate missions for S.H.I.E.L.D. we're on our own, so to speak. We were scheduled to meet with Charles Xavier and Hank McCoy this week now that Doctors Carter and Lei returned to their practices."
If I may, Doctor Banner. I believe that there is someone we can contact to aid in the search , JARVIS said smoothly.
"I'm all ears, JARVIS." Bruce returned patiently.
"I could contact Doctor Xavier and ask for him to help locate Mr. Laufeyson.
"That sounds like a great idea, Jarvis. Please do so."
Loki ran down the streets, ignoring the astonished looks from passersby. He winced as the pain and burning in his chest as he jostled by them, ducking into an alleyway. Crouching, Loki took shallow breaths and sighed with exhaustion. Clutching his chest, Loki winced and grimaced as rain began to fall. He would need to find better shelter soon. Loki felt the world tilt sideways as nausea and shakiness threatened to overwhelm him.
Slicking back his dark locks. He glanced down the street, hoping that Thor would appear, but only saw strangers.
Loki shook his head. No, he didn't want them, didn't need them. For the first time, he was free. He was also alone, he was always alone.
A painful lurch wracked his body as he slumped sideways into the uncomfortable edges of brick. Loki's torso throbbed with the sudden exertion and his body still healing.
His vision tunneled and soon, the demi-god slumped down into unconsciousness.