Fix You (Loki Romance)

Chapter 39

Loki woke up to the gentle prodding of a cool hand. Opening his eyes slowly, he groaned. He was back in the chains. The metal bit into his skin again. He looked down and found the red eyes of the Other looking back at him. He was dressed in plain clothing and the golden brace was gone again.

"Hello." He croaked.

The eyes sharpened and the Other nodded to him. He began to pull the chains from their holdings. He started to lower Loki to the ground. "How is your leg?"

"Much better. Eir tells me had you not helped me, I would certainly have been crippled."

"Good. I cannot help you for long. Thanos is aware I have begun to betray him. He will dispose of me soon. I will help you as I can in the time I have."

He helped Loki to stand and lean against the wall. Loki watched as he pulled out a flask. Taking it, he spun the cap off and savored the cold water, aware that this might be his only drink for days. Bread was handed over. Loki croaked a thanks and ate it slowly. When he finished, he turned back to his helper.

"Why are you helping me if it means your life?"

"I have served him long enough. I am as much a prisoner as you, bound by honor to serve him."

"There is no honor in what he does."

"It isn't as simple as you say. Thanos will return and do to you as he did before. I cannot tell you what to believe and what to doubt. I know not what he plans for you but he wishes to wait for the Cell to open. He plans to destroy Asgard. I only hope I am alive long enough to release you so you may warn them." He paused.

Loki frowned. "He really believes in the legend?" He lowered his voice, feeling that perhaps Thanos was listening.

"He believes the cell holds something of use to him. A gem he is missing from his collection that will increase his power tenfold."

"But not a warrior."

"He's not that foolish." The Other huffed. "He is aware it is a trap."

"But?"

"Asgard is not as strong as it once was. He has the means to overpower them. And he has you."

Lowering his head, Loki let that sweep over him. He was right. Asgard was strong but Thanos has invaded and taken him with barely a struggle. If he put in the effort, Loki couldn't imagine the damage. And there was no guarantee that Loki could keep Thanos out of his head. What then?

He was strung up again and left alone. The scent of the iron and the rusted feeling of it clamped around his wrists and ankles gave him nightmares he had hoped were gone. Thankfully, the beast that shared this room with him was gone and the smell of decay, like a body left in the corner, was gone as well. He waited for what seemed like days and probably was. No one came. At some point, he half expected Sigyn to make a reappearance as Thanos' companion again.

But he was truly alone this time. He could not reach Kenna from such a distance and while so weak. Heimdall no doubt knew where he was this time - if he was alive - but they wouldn't risk the plan. The Cell would not open for another month. Thanos had come earlier than expected, before the exhibition. Loki could do nothing but wait.

Thanos had made the mistake of foregoing the whip. Loki's power was weak from exhaustion but if he had a month to escape, then what strength he had was more than enough. Studying the shackles, he let his Aesir illusion fall away. Focusing his energy on one wrist, he watched frost form over the metal. It creaked and groaned and when it was frozen solid, hours later, he smacked it firmly against the stone.

Swinging his weight, he hit it again, smiling at the satisfying crack. Wriggling his wrist, he slipped free and found a handhold in the stone wall. He worked on his foot next, freeing one side of his body at a time. No one came even at the sounds of the shackles being broken. He wondered what Thanos was doing. Slipping free on one side, Loki swung his weight until he was facing the wall. The shackles bit into his skin. Distantly, he heard blood drip onto the stones below.

He cracked the remaining two chains and pulled himself up the wall. One foot at a time in whatever notch or crack he could find, pushing himself up to the next handhold, he inched slowly up the tower wall.

He kicked and dug a dent in a crumbling stone with his toe. Wriggling his toe in the notch, he put his weight on it and pushed again. His chest burned and his labored breathing filled the cavernous room. But at least he was alone, without the beast to mock him. At the thought, a shiver ran up his back. Loki turned slowly, making the mistake of looking down. The room was thankfully empty but the ground seemed to rush up towards him. Tightening his hands, he took a slow, steadying breath and returned his gaze to the sky.

He reached for another stone and dug another dent into the wall. Reach, dig, pull, it seemed to go on for hours. He looked up at the sky and reached again for the next stone. He was digging his toe in again, hearing his harsh breathing and the grit tumbling down from his foot. Gravity clutched at him and he scrambled, slipping. His scream ripped through the darkness. And then there was nothing.

Loki opened his eyes to find the Other leaning over him. The creature's sad, ancient gaze was filled with laughter.

"Where were you going?" He asked. His lips tilted into the barest hint of a smile.

"Do you find my survival attempts amusing?" Loki ground out, glowering at his ally.

The Other nodded. "Would you have climbed down the other side? Only to be spotted, shot down and beaten for it?"

"Better to try than to wait for him."

"Perhaps. You are lucky. Nothing is broken but I fear you have a concussion."

"I am fine." Loki sat up slowly, groaning at the pain coursing through his muscles. He looked up to see the chains were, unbelievably, repaired and waiting for him. "Oh."

"Mmm." The Other helped him to his feet. He was clamped and strung in new manacles before his friend and ally left him to rest and devise a new plan.