Calitoral Damage

Crippled

Tony's POV: 

I almost laughed as I saw the Loki- shaped hole in my floor. Almost. I turned to the Other Guy, smiling up at him. "Nice job, Big Guy." I praised and he gave me a green, toothy smile. I turned back to the hole, walking slightly closer and wondering why Loki hasn't taken this chance to get away. 

Said Trickster god was lying in the crater, staring up at the ceiling, a shocked, almost pained look on his face. His eyes flickered over to where I was standing with the rest of the Avengers, and he pushed himself up into a sitting position, wincing and wrapping an arm loosely around his midsection. 

"I think," He paused, face scrunching up in pain. "I think I'd like that drink now." He said, sincerity written all over his face. I let a small smirk grace my features, thinking that if he wasn't some crazy inter- stellar, mass- murderer, guy who tried to blow up New York we might actually be friends. The guy was obviously a genius, and from what I had heard from Thor- which was not a lot, mind you- he was quite the trickster. Well, he was known as the Trickster God, but that's besides the point. 

Loki struggled to stand, managing to get his feet under himself, only to fall back on his ass a second later. A growl of frustration escaped him as he tried to rise again, a slight embarrassed tinge entering his checks. 

Legolas finally huffed impatiently and hauled the Trickster up and out of the hole, placing him on his own two feet. Loki seemed to debate holding onto Barton for support until Barton shoved him off. Panic and terror entered the god's face as he fell, crying out in pain. Thor stepped forward, only stopping when the Cap placed a hand in front of him. "It could be a trick." He whispered over our communication line. 

I ignored the Captain and approached the god, crouching beside him. His breathing was a bit eratic and he wouldn't meet my eyes. "Rock of Ages? You okay there?" I asked, reaching out a gently tipping his chin up to meet my eyes. He took in another shuddering breath and turned to Thor, tears of pain lining his eyes.

When he whispered to the Thunderer his voice was broken, small, and only made me want to kill someone for putting in in the mouth of the once- strong man that had been facing off with me only and hour before.

"Thor, I can't move my legs."  

Loki's POV:

Thor's eyes widened in horror at my words and I cursed the stupid, weak voice that I had let slip past. The Avengers all froze in shock, Stark stiffening beside me. The Captain's face was as horrified as my once- brother's, the green beast seemed to be calming enough to be slightly smaller than he was earlier, Barton seemed to be eyeing me with suspicion - he must think I am lying - and the Widow was as unemotional as ever, although she seemed to be a bit doubtful. 

Stark quickly stood, stepping out of his now - useless suit, and crouched beside me once more. "Does it hurt?" Was his first, soft -spoken question. I shake my head. "Only when I try to stand." I lied, not wanting to reveal how much my ribs ached and my head felt like it was going to split in two in front of my enemies. I managed to school my features and keep my voice level, screaming inside from the fear that I fought to keep from my eyes. 

Thor dropped Mjolnir beside me, crouching down and laying his hand on my shoulder, offering his unspoken comfort. In this second- despite everything in our past - I can't bring myself to push him away. If anything, I lean slightly towards him, his comfort being something I sorely needed right now. Not that you would ever hear me admitting that.

"Loki, can you wiggle your toes for me? Even just a little?" Stark asks, swiftly and deftly pulling my boot from my left foot. I look away, not wanting to be faced with the failure that I knew was coming. I concentrated on moving my toes, pouring every ounce of power I had into that one small movement. Thor's hand tightened and I flinched. Terror filled me again as I didn't feel anything, not even the smallest of twitches.