Category: Stucky (Page 2 of 2)

As soon as he arrived to Kutaisi Loki moved away from the vortex to the nearest plain field he could find. Once there he called the A.I. “Jarvis send my coordinates to Natasha and patch me to her.”

 

“I´m here.” Loki simply stated over the comlink.

 

“I´ll be there in a minute.” Natasha acknowledged dryly. “As soon as you are in I´m taking off I don´t want to waste any time.”

 

“Agreed.” Loki concurred in earnest; every moment mattered.

 

In less than a minute he could see the Quinjet lights approaching in the darkness of the night. As soon as Natasha lowered the ramp he walked right in. There were alone. Without wasting any time, he sat next to her in the cockpit.

 

As soon as Natasha acknowledged his presence she took off. Once in the air she noticed something; with a confused frown on her face she asked. “Isn´t that …?”

 

Loki knew exactly what she meant even before she ended her phrase. “Steve´s … yes. “ Loki sighed disgruntled. “Tony made me wear it he said it should help me blend in. I can take it off If you want … I really don´t need it.”

 

Natasha nodded her head negatively a deep frown still on her face. “No … leave it. I think it´s his favorite; if it went lost he …” She shut up suddenly; what if …?

 

“How is he?” Loki asked concerned by her gloominess.

 

“He was still on the operating table when I left. They keep giving him transfusions just to avoid him going into hypovolemic shock.” It wasn´t a hopeful scenario.

 

“What happened?” Loki inquired even more worried after hearing her.

 

“I wish I knew Loki.” Natasha volunteered with a sigh. “All I know is what Clint told me.” She frowned deeply as she remembered the earlier events. “We were near the Kremlin on a pursuit; the soldier tried to lose us descending to the sewer system through a manhole in Ekaterinisky Park. We had orders not to face him alone but … we got separated after a few minutes. “She made a pause angered at herself, if only they hadn´t. “Clint was the first to caught up with Steve … just in time to see him get stab …” She nodded her head in disbelief. “I don´t know Loki it doesn´t make any sense.”

 

“What doesn´t make sense Natasha?” Loki asked her intrigued.

 

“Clint said … that he didn’t even fought back.”

 

“He … what?” Loki frowned in disbelief. “That can´t be.” Why would he do something like that?

 

“I know. I can´t still believe it myself. But Clint swears it´s the truth.” She turned around and fix her eyes on him. “There´s something else at play Loki; I can feel it. “

 

“What makes you say that?” Loki inquired puzzled.

 

“Steve´s last orders.” Natasha volunteered dryly. “He made Clint swear we would capture the soldier alive and … unharmed.”

 

Loki remained silent reflecting on her words. Alive? Yes, it sounded like something Steve would say on everyday bases. But unharmed? After stabbing him? And knowing how dangerous the soldier really was? “Did he said why?” He asked her after a while.

 

“He didn´t had the chance.” Natasha answered disturbed. “I can´t shake the feeling that there´s something we don´t know. And I hate not knowing.” She paused as he maneuvered the jet between the city buildings. “I still have some contacts here after I drop you at the hospital I´ll see what I can find.”

 

“Hospital? Why didn´t you take him to the hellicarrier or a base? I´m sure SHIELD must have a base around here somewhere.”

 

“It wasn´t an option.” Natasha offered dryly. “We moved him to the nearest hospital. He had luck it was the European Medical Center and not some second hand clinic.”

 

“I understand.” Loki agreed pensively.

 

For a couple of minutes neither of them said a word lost on their own thoughts.

 

“We are almost there Loki. As soon as you get off I´m leaving.” Natasha informed him sternly.

 

“You are not staying?” Loki inquired surprised at her statement.

 

“There´s nothing I can do.” Natasha acknowledged heavily. “I´d rather find out more about this soldier … just in case.” She smirked unconvincingly; she was too worried. “Clint is waiting for you on the rooftop to take you to Steve.”

 

“All right.” Loki agreed while unbuckling his seat belt. “Don´t be long.” He stood up ready to leave when Natasha stopped him. “Loki …”

 

“Yes?” He stopped intrigued by her change of demeanor.

 

“Thanks for coming so fast.” She gave him a small sad smile.

 

“There´s nothing to thank.” Loki accepted her gratitude graciously. “He would´ve done the same for me.” As a matter of fact he had very recently ago, but that was a story he wasn´t willing to share.

 

“Yes, he would.” Natasha agreed whole heartedly.

 

As Natasha had told him Clint was already waiting for him when he disembarked.

 

“Thank God you are here.” Clint spat relieved the moment their eyes meet.

 

“How is he?” Loki inquired anxiously.

 

“Collapsed lung, splintered ribs, pierced liver … stomach, ruptured diaphragm … I don´t even remember the rest.” Clint volunteered distraught as he pointed Loki to the stairs. “All I really know is that they´ve given him enough blood for a gore movie production and they are still losing him.”

 

Loki scowled at the news but not even Clint´s grim perspective had prepared him for the scene playing in front of him when they arrived to the operating room. There was probably half a dozen people between doctor and nurses all hurryingly working over Steve´s unconscious body.

 

The pristine white room contrasted with all the bloody cloths, dressing and gauzes. Steve was still wearing his uniform; or at least what was left of it. His arms and chest were bare; central line IV´s connected to his arm and neck. A breathing tube lodged in his mouth. Monitors endlessly reporting any minor change on his vitals. Midgardian medicine … it played a rather grim perspective on medical care for an Asgardian. Loki´s heart cringe in horror at the scene.

 

“All right people, are you done? Loki is here.” Clint suddenly asked out loud.

 

Everyone looked up for a second; quickly they interchanged some comments before one of the doctors left Steve’s side to talk to them.

 

“We´ve removed all of the bone splinters and set the broken ribs back in place using titanium plates.  They´re just finishing repairing the diaphragm wall.” The doctor informed them; suddenly he turned to Loki “If I understand correctly your spell will heal any wounds on the surrounding organs, am I right?”

 

“True, it will heal any rupture in organs in vessels although it doesn´t set them back in place” He acknowledged sternly. “Do you need more time?”

 

“No, we are ready for you.” Next he turned to Clint. “You realize we´ll still have to deal with the blood loss sequels and any possible infections.”

 

“You made it clear before Dr. Franklin.” Clint avowed heavily. “Now if you are ready …” He pointed at the doctor’s team; they seemed to have finished.

 

In less than a minute everyone was gone. Loki walked towards Steve body assessing as much as he could of the damage inflicted. As far as he could see there were too large entry wounds one on Steve´s left side just below his pectoral and the other one was placed on the center of his abdomen just below the ribs. This wound seemed to be the one bleeding the most; probably because of a punctured artery.

 

“Do you want me to leave?” Clint asked Loki while observing Steve with a concern look upon his face.

 

“No, you can stay. Just be quiet” Loki volunteered as he closed his eyes summoning all his energy for the spell.

 

As soon as he began muttering the incantation a green light lit his aura travelling from his hands towards Steve´s body closing and healing all his wounds.

 

It only took a couple of minutes but for Cli9nt it seemed like an eternity.

 

When he finished Loki leaned exhausted into the stretcher where Steve laid.

 

“Are you all right?” Did it work?” Clint filled him with questions anxiously.

 

“See it for yourself.” Loki volunteered with a smirk. “And … I just need to rest.”

 

Clint was almost afraid to believe his eyes, he tentatively touched Steve´s abdomen. There was no trace of his wounds. He swiftly turned back at Loki and without any warning hugged him tightly. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” He was beyond happiness.

Loki was too surprised at his gesture to react. “Umh … it´s … all right.” He answered doubtful. “Could you release me now?” He asked feeling awkward.

 

“Oh! Yes, sorry. I got carried away.” Clint apologized with a big grin on his face. “For a moment I actually thought we would lose him. I´m so happy I could just kiss you.”

 

“I´d rather you didn´t.” Loki asseverated firmly with a frown. “I think we can call your healers back. They still have work to do.”

 

“You are right.” Clint agreed walking out in a hurry.

 

Loki watched him leave then turned to Steve; he smiled satisfied. “I promised you would be all right.” He volunteered in a whisper as he gently gave Steve´s hand a small squeeze.

 

It didn´t took long for Clint to come back with all the doctors and nurses. If their masks hadn´t been on Loki would´ve been able to see them smiling relieved. Hurriedly they started reading the monitors, ordering new blood units, antibiotics and all sort of complicated studies neither Loki or Clint understood.

 

“Let´s let them work.” Clint suggested firmly.

 

Loki stood undecided for a moment. He didn´t wanted to leave.

 

Noticing Clint reassured him. “I asked them to call us one he´s in the recuperation room. Plus; you look like you could use something to eat.”

 

Clint was right; he felt spent. According to Dr. Banner his spells; especially the more complicated ones consumed enormous amounts of energy; which needed to be replenish as soon as possible. Resting was advisable but the fastest way to get his energies back was eating. Experience and his own particular predilections made Midgardian desserts his best choice.

“All right.” He finally agreed. There was nothing much they could do except watching the doctors work besides he wanted to speak to Clint alone.

A week had gone by inadvertently since they had been left alone in the mansion. Everyone else still out on missions.

 

They had talks about everything; between other things. It was almost as If they were on vacations. Oblivious to everything but each other until one afternoon as Loki walked idle through Tony´s lab while Tony worked on some modifications for a new suit.

 

“Do you think they are all right?” He suddenly asked while absentmindedly running his fingers over a night-vision prototype helmet for Steve.

 

Tony looked up puzzled at the unusual question catching a glimpse of Loki´s concerned features. “Of course they are. They would´ve called us if something had gone wrong.”

 

“I guess you are right.” Loki shrugged his shoulders, he was right but for some reason he couldn´t shake an uneasy sensation growing on his stomach.

 

Tony stopped working and walked towards him worried. “What´s wrong love?” He embraced Loki by his waist.

 

“I don´t know. It´s probably nothing.” Loki volunteered still troubled.

 

“Is this about Steve?” Tony inquired trying not to sound jealous. “Do you miss him?”

 

Loki snorted lightly. “Are you jealous?”

 

Tony turned him around. “You did kiss him.”

 

Loki rolled his eyes. “I wondered how long it would take for you to bring that up. It was nothing.”

 

“That´s not what I meant. I know you don´t love him.” Tony acknowledged dryly. “Not that way at least.”

 

“Of course not.” Loki agreed swiftly.

 

“But …” Tony continued. “He was there for you when I wasn´t … it must have meant something.”

 

“He´s just a friend.” Loki volunteered; suddenly realizing what he had just said. He stayed silent for a moment thinking; changing his tone he added. “He is a good friend; probably the best I have.”

 

“I know; better than most.” Tony agreed wholeheartedly; he had already forgiven Steve´s indiscretion.

 

Out of sudden Loki´s expression turned to a worried one again. “I never realized he was so …lonely.”

 

“Neither did I.” Tony confessed. “I guess we all assume he could handle it; he´s Captain America after all.”

 

“You should talk to him when he comes back, you know? He could use a friend and … I´m not sure he´ll want me around. Not after all that happened.” Loki added conflicted.

 

“Of course he will.” Tony asseverated trying to cheer Loki up. “He´s better than both of us put together; you´ll see.”

 

As Loki didn´t showed any sign of believing him he shamelessly added. “We could try setting him up.”

 

Loki raised his head alarmed. “Don´t you even dare!” Pensively looking down he added. “He´d probably hate that … although … you might be right about that … he needs someone.”

 

“To fill the void.” Tony suggested in deep thought.

 

“You noticed, didn´t you?” Loki inquired glad he wasn´t the only one to see it.

 

“Yes.” He nodded his head affirmatively. “If you pay attention … it´s not hard to see.”

 

Suddenly they were interrupted by Jarvis. “Emergency call from Mr. Barton Sir.”

 

Tony frowned upset. What could´ve happened? “Patch him through.” He ordered sternly.

 

“How fast can Loki get to Moscow? Without teleporting.” Clint inquired anxiously. He looked like he had just walked out of a war zone. Filth and mud everywhere.

 

“Five hours in a Quinjet, maybe four.” Tony volunteered while doing the math on his head.

 

“He doesn´t have that long …” He mumbled as he frowned distraught. “Isn´t there other way? A faster one?” Suddenly he lost his temper. “Why didn´t he waited for me?”

 

Loki frowned while watching Clint attentively. Why was he …? Suddenly he noticed; it wasn’t mud. “Who?” He asked loudly; fully aware of the gravity of the situation.

 

Clint huffed upset while scowling. “Steve.”

 

“How bad?” Loki asked dryly as his heart pounded on his chest. No teleportation, that alone should´ve alerted him.

 

“Bad.” Clint answered down casted. “The doctors don´t think he´ll make it. He´s losing blood faster than they can patch him up…” He suddenly looked up in despair. “You need to help him.”

 

To heal him, that´s why Clint had said without teleportation. He knew that without the Teseract or some other artifact a spell like that would use too much energy. Even if he arrived in seconds it wouldn´t help at all. Healing spells were complicated; he needed most of his energies to perform them.

 

“Jarvis, display my research on lay lines on the screen.” Loki ordered sternly. “Close in the Eastern Europe region.” He swiftly screened the map. “There …” He pointed to a spot where the lines crossed. “Where is that?”

 

“Kutaisi, Georgia.” Was Jarvis swift reply.

 

“How fast can you pick me up there?” Loki asked Clint with decision.

 

“Fifteen minutes …” Clint answered astonished, there might be hope after all.

 

“Make it ten.” Loki demanded resolute.

 

“I´ll send Natasha.” Was Clint swift reply. “Don´t be late.” He pleaded grimly before cutting the communication.

 

“Tony take me to Bimini now!” Loki snap at Tony who was still too shocked at the news to react.

 

“But … what?” Tony frowned confused while pointing to the map that still was on the screen.

 

“I´ll explain you in the Jet.” Loki volunteered swiftly grabbing Tony´s hand and hurriedly pulling him to the lab´s exit.

 

“Loki what are we doing?” Tony asked while boarding the jet.

 

“I can´t teleport so I´m going to use your planets energy paths to travel as near as I can to Moscow.” Loki volunteered nonchalant.

 

“Have you ever done this before? Is it safe?” Tony inquired worryingly as he buckled his seatbelt and lighted the aircraft.

 

“I don´t know.” Loki replied doubtful. “It should be.”

 

“You can´t do that! You are barely getting your strength back … there´s got to be another way …” Tony spat taking his eyes of the control panel.

 

“I´m not losing him!” Loki yelled furiously. “I´m not … I´m just … not.” He frowned angered with his arms crossed while looking away.

 

Tony glanced at Loki surprised, next he looked ahead in contemplation. After a few moments he agreed. “You are right. We can´t lose him … not without a fight at least. Explain me again, what´s the plan?”

 

Loki sighed relieved. “Thanks” He volunteered softly before explaining Tony the fundaments of the spell he was going to use. If everything worked as plan he should be transported from one energy vortex to the other, the spell was fairly simple and shouldn´t use too much of his energy. “I can´t take you with me.” He heavily informed him.

 

“It would take too much energy.” Tony realized grimly.

 

“Yes.” Loki agreed disgruntled.

 

“I´ll take the long route then.” Tony offered calmly. “It will take me a couple of hours but I´ll join you there. Just … don´t overdo it.”

 

“Are you worried about me?” Loki asked playfully. It was a nice change … to know he cared.

 

“Always love.” Tony answered winking an eye at him. “Get ready, we are almost there. I know cold doesn´t affect you but see if you can find a jacket back there. It´s winter over there; it should help you blend in.”

 

Loki unbuckled his seat as he searched the supplies. Luckily he found a jacket that looked about his size, he wondered who did it belonged to for a moment before putting it on; it almost fitted perfectly. Suddenly he realized; it had to be Steve´s. He closed his eyes pained for a moment as the familiar scent enveloped him. “I won´t be long.” He mentally promised. “I won´t let you die.” With a sigh he returned to the cockpit.

 

Tony looked up at him when he returned, he recognized the jacket immediately. “Isn´t that …?”

 

“It was the only one I could find …” Loki answered with discomfort. “I can leave it if you want. I really don´t need it.”

 

“No … it´s all right. You are about the same height; it fits you well.” Tony acknowledged conflicted. “It´s only a jacket” He reminded himself mentally. Loki had picked him and not Steve, he shouldn´t forget that.  He turned to watch Loki, he looked worried. “He´ll be all right. You´ll see. Clint is probably just overreacting.”

 

“I don’t think he is.” Loki volunteered dryly.

 

“I know.” Tony agreed, he wouldn´t overreact about something like that. For a moment the aircraft was completely silent.

 

“We ow him.” Loki acknowledge suddenly. He had help them be together again, they couldn´t just … walk away. They had to do something.

 

“I know.” Tony admitted as he landed in the coordinates Loki had given him. The energy vortex was nearby.

 

“Keep me posted.” Tony asked Loki as he zipped the jacket up before kissing him softly. “And take care.” He hated letting him go; but he knew it was necessary.

 

“I will.” Loki asserted before kissing him back. “Everything will be all right.” With that he disappears into a flash of light.

 

“I surely hope so.” Tony asseverated out loud. Next he hurriedly went back to the Quinjet, he had to get back to the mansion. On his way back he instructed Jarvis with the last details of one of the new suits, one specially designed to withstand beyond cero degrees’ temperatures. “Russian winters.” He mumbled upset before suiting up and flying away.