Loki stirred, his vision blurred by the glaring fluorescent lights of the hospital room. The unfamiliar sound of beeping machines and the sterile scent of antiseptic assaulted his senses. As he shifted, he felt the restraints on his wrists. His brow furrowed, and he tugged experimentally, trying to free himself.
"This is impossible," he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with frustration.
Flicking his hands with calculated precision, he worked to slip free from the bindings. After a few tense moments, one hand finally broke loose. His relief was short-lived as a commotion outside his door caught his attention.
XXX
Down the hall, Kurisuta stood at the admissions desk, her frustration barely concealed as she argued with the nurse.
"I'm sorry, but only relatives can visit patients," the nurse said firmly.
Kurisuta hesitated, glancing back at Selvig and Rei, before improvising. "But… I'm his wife."
Rei barely stifled a laugh, and the nurse arched an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "You said earlier you didn't know him."
Kurisuta scrambled for a response. "I meant I barely know him anymore. The man he's become… he's changed. I mean, what woman truly knows her husband, anyway?"
The nurse's expression softened, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "None of us, dear. He's in Room 102."
With a triumphant nod, Kurisuta motioned for Selvig and Rei to follow her. They hurried down the corridor to Loki's room.
XXX
Thor jolted awake in the next room, his body jerking against the unfamiliar restraints. His wild eyes darted around, panic setting in as the alien sounds and smells of the hospital overwhelmed him. The machines beeped in rhythm with his rising heartbeat.
"What is this place? Where am I?!" Thor roared, his voice booming through the walls.
A nurse peeked in, only to retreat in terror as Thor thrashed against the bed, breaking the buckle on one of his restraints. His strength sent the entire bed rattling.
Loki, having slipped entirely free, opened his door cautiously and peered out, catching the commotion. He sighed, muttering, "Thor."
He strode into Thor's room, his steps confident despite his mismatched hospital scrubs. Thor immediately turned to him, his panic momentarily easing at the sight of his brother.
"Loki? Is it truly you? Where are we? What is this madness?" Thor demanded, his voice still loud but less frantic.
"We're in Midgard," Loki said calmly, his tone sharp but steady. "A place you should know well, given how often you've meddled here."
Thor struggled against his remaining restraint, his strength nearly breaking the bedframe. "Release me at once! I cannot stay bound like a common criminal!"
Loki stepped closer, placing a firm hand on his brother's shoulder. "Thor, calm yourself. You'll frighten the mortals more than you already have."
Thor's breathing slowed, his stormy gaze fixed on Loki. "Why do you look so… mortal? Where is your magic?"
Loki's jaw tightened, the memory of his fall still raw. "Stripped from me, just as your powers were taken. We are no longer gods here."
Thor's panic subsided slightly, replaced by confusion and simmering anger. "And how are we to fix this?"
"First," Loki said, his voice dry, "we escape this absurd institution before we're poked and prodded any further."
XXX
Meanwhile, Kurisuta and her companions entered Loki's room, only to find the bed empty.
"Of course," Kurisuta muttered, exasperated. "He's gone."
Rei smirked. "Does this count as an escape artist act?"
"Not funny," Kurisuta shot back. "We need to find him."
Selvig frowned. "You're really determined to track him down, aren't you?"
Kurisuta grabbed her keys. "He knows something. And if we want answers about what's happening, we need him."
The three hurried back to the parking lot, climbing into Kurisuta's SUV. Just as she shifted into reverse, there was a loud BAM! The car jerked to a stop. They exchanged alarmed glances before stepping out to find Loki—once again—on the ground, this time in stolen scrubs.
"I'm beginning to think this is personal," Loki said dryly, brushing himself off as Kurisuta and Selvig helped him to his feet.
Rei crossed her arms, smirking. "That's twice now. Third time's the charm?"
Kurisuta flushed with embarrassment. "I swear, it's not intentional."
Loki looked skyward, his expression momentarily softening as he took in the blue expanse above. "A single sun. Clear skies. Yes… this is Midgard." His voice was quiet, almost contemplative, before he turned his piercing gaze back to Kurisuta.
She felt her heart skip as his green eyes lingered on her, a strange pull in the air between them. He studied her face, his expression flickering with recognition, though he said nothing.
"We should get you some real clothes," Kurisuta said, her voice softening.
Before Loki could reply, a loud crash came from the hospital behind them. Thor stumbled out the emergency room doors, looking wild and disoriented. His movements were frantic as he scanned the area, his breath heaving.
"Thor!" Loki called out, stepping toward him.
Reiko appeared from the side, having just arrived. Her bright green eyes fixed on Thor, her fiery red hair glinting in the sunlight. "Thor, stop!"
Thor's wild gaze snapped to her, his body freezing as if rooted to the ground. Her presence, calm and sure, seemed to still the storm raging within him. She stepped closer, her voice steady. "You're safe. It's okay."
Thor's breathing slowed as Reiko placed her hands gently on his shoulders. His massive frame seemed to relax under her touch, his wild energy dissipating. He stared at her, his expression softening, as if the chaos inside him had been silenced.
"Who… who are you?" Thor asked, his voice quieter now.
"Reiko," she said simply. "Let's get you somewhere safe."
Loki watched the exchange, his expression unreadable. He turned back to Kurisuta, who was already opening the SUV door.
"Are you coming?" she asked.
Loki hesitated, his gaze lingering on her. Something about her felt… familiar. Resonant. But he pushed the thought aside, stepping into the car as Reiko guided Thor into the backseat.
As the SUV pulled away, both brothers sat silently, their minds heavy with questions. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, they each found themselves drawn to the women beside them—Kurisuta and Reiko—each a flicker of light in their newly mortal world.