Chains

Fear of loss

Hospital in New york:

Molly walked into the hospital and was immediately greeted by Bucky's arms engulfing her.

"Is he okay?" She asked, her voice muffled from his chest.

"Are you?" Bucky asked

Molly sighed.

"Is he okay?" She repeated.

Tony was staring at the emergency room doors. He hadn't turned or acknowledged her in any way.

"They won't tell us." He said "or at least they haven't yet."

Molly rubbed her temples and walked up to the desk.

"Excuse me." She said politely "I was wondering if you could tell me how my boyfriend, Peter Parker is doing?"

The older woman at the counter smiled.

"I'm sorry baby but in less you're family, I can't." She said gently

Molly winced slightly, stepped away from the desk and slipped off Loki's green jacket that he'd given her to wear. She pointed to her stomach.

"They are his family and I'd like to know how their father is doing please." She said

Loki didn't miss the wincing but kept it to himself. If it was anything bad, she'd say so. He hoped.

The nurse nodded, noting the wincing herself as she pulled up his chart.

"He had a pretty hard blow to the head, has a concussion. Looks like he hasn't been eating right, judging by his vitals but according to the doctor's notes, he should be fine. However they did have to give him a shot of adrenaline when he arrived due to a weak pulse." She said before looking up "You understand all that?"

Molly nodded.

"Yeah. I did. May I we see him?"

"You may see him." The nurse corrected

"No. We. See that man right there? By the doors?" She asked, pointing to Tony "That's Tony Stark. He's known Peter since he was sixteen. Loves him like a son. The man back there with the metal arm? That's sergeant Barnes. He's like a big brother to us. The woman next to him is like a mother to him. Every person here waiting for him is family in one way or another. It's not biological But it's family. His family. The only one he's got left. So again. May we see him?"

She gave the nurse a stern, scornful look. Her eyes flashed slightly, giving off an air of mischief and danger. Loki smiled proudly at her.

The nurse nodded, a look of sympathy crossing her face.

"Only three at a time." She said, "the rest wait in the hall."

She nodded in thanks as the ER doors opened. She gestured for everyone to follow her as she walked down the hall. She slowed down, allowing everyone to pass her as she gripped the railing on the wall. She breathed in and out slowly, gripping her bump. She felt a cold hand on her arm. She turned to see Bucky standing By her side.

"Are you okay?" He asked quietly.

She nodded.

"I'll be fine." She said "Just stressed."

Bucky gave her a wary look and hooked his arm under hers, walking slowly with her. As they entered the hospital room, Molly saw Peter was opening his eyes.

" Hey baby." She whispered, moving closer to him.

"Hey.." He said quietly

"Are you in any pain?" She asked

"Just my head." He replied

"Shame."

She punched him square in the chest.

"Are you an idiot?" She screamed

Bucky stepped forward, placing a hand on her shoulder. She was about to stress herself out worse.

"Molly!" Nat said, concerned as Peter gasped

"He dropped a building on himself!" She said back, equally as loud "He's lucky he's alive to be punched."

"It was a brick." Tony said

"The whole building did fall." Bucky agreed.

Nat slapped him in the shoulder. Steve opened his mouth to say something but stopped out if fear of Nat yeeting him across the hospital.

"Babe I-" Peter started

"Don't you 'babe' me!" Molly started in "You could have died. Did you even think about me or your children? What about Tony? Did you think about him? Or anyone else? Any of the people that love you?"

"Molls-"

"No Peter! I don't understand what's going on with you. I don't understand what was going through your head. You're gonna be a dad and you go into a collapsing building?" She continued. "what the hell?"

He sat quietly in the bed. Worried he'd be interrupted if he tried to speak again. She sighed, throwing her arms up and stepped out of the room.

"I was just trying to help Mr. Stark." Peter said quietly

"And it nearly cost you your life." Tony said "And you haven't been eating either? Why?"

"I just...forget."

"You forget to eat?" Nat said slowly "Since when?"

"Since the only thought in my head has been keep everyone alive and safe."

"What?" Bucky asked

"I-" Peter stuttered "I can't lose anyone else. All I've been able to think about since Aunt May died is protecting everyone I love. I saw Mr. Stark flying into a burning building and it was the same as seeing uncle Ben lying in the street. I can't lose any of you. I can't do it."

Tears were forming in his eyes.

"I can't lose more family." He said weakly, tears forming in his eyes.

Loki sighed, walking through the crowd. There were way too many people on the room.

"Your family," he said, leaning down to Peter "The ones that should mean the most to you, is in the hall. When Sam called her, she nearly collapsed. Your death, would have killed her."

"I just-I can't lose them." He said, nodding to the Avengers behind Loki

Loki grabbed his shoulders gently.

"Then use your head." He said "You cant lose them. And we can't lose you."