Storms of the Heart

Chapter Seventeen

"Steve, it is going to be ok, we will be here when she wakes up." 

"I can't leave her, Nolena. I will never leave her side."

"Steve, I understand, but you have not gotten your rest. She would want you to take care of yourself!"

"Thank you, for your concern, Nolena, but I am staying."

"Ok, well, I will be right back." 

You hear the door shut and silence fills the room. 

As you lay on the recovery bed, you feel Steve's fingers, trail your hair, down your arm, to your hand. 

"I'm not going anywhere, Y/N. I will be here when you wake up." Steve whispers, gently, as he holds your hand and provides a quick kiss to your palm. 

He places his hand in yours and holds your hand tenderly. 

You begin to mumble, as you begin to wake up, from your deep sleep. 

"Loki..Loki...where is Loki?" I mumble, as I begin to open my eyes.

"You're awake! Oh, thank God! You are awake!" Steve yells with joy, as he quickly rubs the tears rom his eyes. He jumps from his seat to hold you. 

You rest your body into his embrace and you both hold each other for a few moments.

As you release yourself from his embrace, you look down to see that Nolena had placed you the Avengers recovery gown and it is only you and Steve in the room. 

"What happened? Where is Loki?" I ask again, sitting myself up, moving the blanket to cover myself up. The Avengers gown has an opening in the back, like a normal hospital gown, but also an opening in the front, which as I look down, while moving the blanket, I realize my breast are exposed, from me sitting up. 

Steve sees your exposed breast, and helps you move the blanket to cover yourself. He doesn't look at you, to be respectful, and returns to his seat next to you. He looks down at the ground and begins to rub the back of his head nervously. He lets out a heavy sigh and clears his throat. 

"Loki didn't make it, Y/N. I am so sorry. We tried everything to help him." Steve states, as he lifts his head looking you in the eyes, as tears begin to return to his eyes. 

"What you do you mean, he didn't make it? He has to be alive! Give him to me now!" I scream, as I hold the blanket around me. 

As I scream, you begin to hear the thunderstorm begin outside of the tower. "No!" I continue to scream, as tears fall quickly down my cheek. Steve tries to hold you, but you push him off. 

"Don't touch me, Steve!" I spit angrily, as I continue to scream and yell. "He can't leave me again! No, this has to be a joke! I don't believe you!" I scream, as confusion, anger, and devastation continue to take over me. 

The storm continues to grow in power and you hear the door, to your room, open. "Y/N, sweetheart, oh, sweetheart." You hear Nolena yell, with understanding, as she runs to hold you and begins to rock you. 

You let yourself go, into her embrace, and cry, as the storm continues to grow in strength. "I know, sweetheart, I know. We got you. We are so sorry." She whispers, with deep compassion, as she continues to rock you. 

"He can't be dead. Please, this has to be a joke." I cry out. 

"We tried everything, Y/N." Nolena whispers, as her head is on your head, still rocking you. 

"Where is he? I have to see him, now!" I angerly yell, still hoping I am in a nightmare and will wake up. 

"Sweetheart, Thor took him back to Asgard, to do their burial. He tried to wait hoping you would wake up, but with Asgard's traditions, they must complete their funeral services within seven days of the god's passing. To hold him longer than that, would cause a dishonor. He died a hero and they completed the hero ceremony for him last week. I'm so sorry." Nolena states, as she continues holding you and rubbing your back.