Working Title : Loki & Annie

47 Never Gonna Leave Ya

Sitting in the dark of the cell it was the anticipation that brought the terror. The waiting. Not knowing which tormentor it would be to open the door and reach inside. Each hand brought a different pain but it was all still pain.

When the door opened it was feeding time and Loki shoved himself even farther against two walls that made up the corner he was hiding in. His hands twisted into his hair, tangling in the mats when his fingers clenched into tighter fists. He had no hope of escape. That feeling had never entered this cell and the looming figures made sure it never would.

One reached out like a dark shadow made solid with no features detectable in its face. It was the foul smell of the bowl's contents that told Loki what was going to happen next. He could never be prepared for the grasp of rough hands taking both his arms in one hand while yanking him up enough to hold against the cold, damp stone that made up the cell's walls.

The second shadow grabbed his chin and squeezed. A god's skin and bones were strong enough to withstand unbelievable pressure yet it didn't mean it hurt any less. When at last Loki had to cry out because of the pain, the rough edge of a crudely made metal bowl was shoved between his lips, splitting the bottom one. The cold fodder was poured into his mouth, forcing him to swallow or choke even more than he was.

In only a few agonizing moments the bowl was empty, most of its contents spilled down the front of the still convulsing form as he tried to regain his breath. All the while, the words hurled out mocked the boy who endured the torment with his hands still tangled in his hair, eyes squeezed shut and sounds of cries and retching coming out in heaving expulsions. The figure holding him opened its hand, allowing the body to fall to the stone floor in a painful heap. His head cracked against it, bouncing. The noise cut off sharply.

A boot kicked the body and a moan was heard. It was enough. They would be able to say the Prince had been alive when they left.

Annie's eyes opened all at once. She remained still on the bed, listening as she wondered what had woken her. She had laid down on the bed next to Loki after changing into sleep clothes and making sure the apartment was cleaned and locked up. Her intent had been to spend just a few moments to make sure Loki was sleeping peacefully. After watching him sleep while clutching Hulk and Thor she decided to lay down to be less of a creepy lurker standing over a kid watching him sleep. Laying beside him she wondered if this was any better but figured parents did it all the time and she was acting as his parent, right? So then she might as well plan to just sleep beside him. She grabbed a spare blanket and fell asleep in minutes.

Now she heard it again, a tiny sound that came from the sleeping body next to her. A whine that brought her swiftly sitting up. A side lamp had been left on, in the pale light, she could see Loki's face. It was twisted in what looked like pain and fear even as the only sound were those little whines.

She reached a hand towards him, setting it gently on his shoulder that was still covered by Thor's cloak. His whole body was pulled into a tight, little ball, it looked brittle and uncomfortable. "Loki." She set her hand on the side of his head, running it back to his neck. "Loki, hun, wake up."

The fingers gripped Hulk and Thor in a stranglehold. They were crushed in his grip, held against his chest with no space between. His lips were pressed tight against each other, keeping all noise behind them except for those little bits that came from farther back in his throat. Those he couldn't silence.

"Loki, baby, it's all right. You're all right." Annie didn't know what to do, she'd never woken anyone from a nightmare. Should she shake him? Speak louder? Making a decision and praying it was the least traumatic she reached out and pulled him into her lap. Holding on to him she rocked back and forth, lowering her head to croon to the top of his head. "It's okay, you're okay. I've got you, buddy. Wake up, hun."