The Scientist (Loki x OC)

Pt. 68: A Week To Go

A/N: yes, I know it's been a month, but I was doing a winter class that required nearly all of my useable time to do, so I slacked on this chapter. Also, I had to restart the beginning about 3 times because omg I had as many ideas about how to go about it. I ended up choosing the quickest one that would get us closer to the moment I wanted to get to without much more delay so here we go!

The Soundtrack So Far: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0XFn64nglHcWqg4R8809Gg?si=wq_JXcHbTUGneuV38NVDkw

You Look So Good In Blue: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3Q0fUqZM9G5XcefGCh30uo?si=KFOt-B1GT7SPCNEp6Zz9yQ

----------

Luna had taken to measuring her days from the moment she woke up in Wakanda.

On her first full day there, she learned a great many things had happened. For one, Wanda had successfully destroyed the Mind Stone. Again. It turns out it was easier the second time around, probably due to the fact it was no longer attached to her lover. Nonetheless, one rock was down while the other was being dealt with.

For two, Nebula's memory files on Loki were successfully copied and transferred to a mass file in Shuri's meticulously organized database. There, it would sit safe and sound until she and T'Challa were ready to go over their options regarding Loki's innocence project.

And lastly, for three, Thanos and his henchmen's bodies were burned and the ashes scattered to the far reaches of Wakanda's borders. It was difficult to grasp the thought of them being completely gone, but the number of witnesses left no doubt. Thanos and the Black Order were done for once and for all.

As to how the Reality Stone was being dealt with, Luna hardly had a clue. Outside of the small group actively trying to destroy it, the strategy was a mystery. She asked the other busying Avengers, but they didn't know either. All anyone knew was it needed an around-the-clock stream of destructive power via a circle of sonic cannons, or containment spells courtesy of Loki, Wanda, Thor, and – if the rumors were true – Doctor Strange.

But out of everyone working on it, Loki was always the most routinely spent from the day's work. For most of his waking hours, he was in the protective cove, hard at work finding the right combination of spells to split the Stone apart. For the rest of his time, he was either eating or sleeping restlessly. The work consumed him, but he had to resist the urge to stop. It was almost like he had a bone to pick with the Reality Stone. At the very least, he thought so. He'd seen what it did to someone it latched onto. If it got the Wakandans, any of his new friends, or Luna, he wouldn't rest until the wrong was righted again. So, on he worked to prevent the inevitable.

Since their last moment, Luna and Loki saw each other sparingly. Sure, Loki had kept his word and saw her at dinner later that day, but he was so tired Thor had to half-carry him from the hovercarrier to his seat. It was like this for every mealtime, morning and evening. Sometimes, he was too exhausted to keep his head up at the table. In those moments, Luna's giving heart coaxed her to prop his head on her shoulder and feed him by hand until he was strong enough to do it himself. If she was honest with herself, it didn't take much coaxing, but she needed it to muscle through the questionable looks she got. It was the only form of care and touch she could manage to have with him, so she savored what she could get.

From her second full day and onward, the daylight hours blurred more and more. Luna did much of the same during the day: wake up, freshen up, go to breakfast, take a long walk, talk to anyone who wanted to, wash up, go to dinner, talk a little more, and get ready for bed.

Each of Luna's walks was a little longer each day. She spent hours in the sun, soaking up the light rays and getting much-needed exercise and fresh air. She explored every little shop that caught her eye. Though she had no acceptable currency to give, sometimes a kind shop owner would offer her a cup of water if she seemed particularly parched. She always was and graciously accepted every time.