Thorki:Afraid

Part 16: The fall

•Bruce's P.O.V•
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" Yeah we've retrieved the metal yet no one can even decipher the thing! Not even Thor nor Loki!"

....

"It's fine it's fine, we'll work it out eventually. We'll just research more"

..
Research??

I slowly fluttered my eyes open only to be met with the blinding rays of the sun,
"Ah-Shit!" I cursed loudly and shielded my eyes from the unforgiving light.

"Oh I see you've finally decided to wake up Banner"

I slowly looked to my left and saw Tony and Steve,
"Y-yeah , what happened to me last night?" I asked as I got up and got myself a cup of coffee from the kitchen.

"You got knocked out from a tree and Steve kindly brought you here," Tony yelled through the corridors.
Knocked out from a tree? How does that even happen? I dont re-

Then it suddenly hit me (No pun intended).

I quickly walked down the corridor with my coffee in hand to the lounge area.
"T-THE WAVE! DID YOU GUYS FEEL THE WAVE?" I asked panicked. I remember it now! There was a force field wave that knocked me out and here I was now.

"Yeah, we were talking about it earlier with everyone while you slept." Steve informed me.
"Wait, then where's everyone at?"I asked confused - earlier when I made my way to the kitchen the rooms seemed empty.

"They've been trying to find any other metal parts they could find thats quite similar to this." Tony paused and threw me a big piece of metal.
I quickly caught it but fell down.
The sudden weight caused my shameful fall.
"Its quite heavy right? I found it blocking Clint's tree underground base where Clint and Loki were located."Tony finished and offered me a hand back up.

"But wait, isn't  that too much of a coincidence? Out of all the places a weird heavy metal thing can end up on it somehow places itself  where Clint and Loki were?"
I asked and inspected the metal closer.
There were weird encryptions carved into the metal.

"Thats what we were saying as well," Steve ran his fingers through his hair.
"Which leaves the question, what are we dealing with now?" He sighed.

"To make matters worse there was a pile of heavy logs that was coincidentally stacked on top of the metal piece. Making our case of someone purposely trapping Clint and Loki very likely." Tony finished and leaned against the sofa.
He looked as if he stayed up quite late last night.

"Tony have you rested yet? Your eyes are bloodshot. I didnt wanna mention it earlier but Im getting worried." Steve furrowed his brows.

"I'm fine jeez! I just stayed up late last night trying to figure out the encryptions I-"

Tony was quickly cut off by Steve, "That was not the question! What time did you sleep Tony?" Steve growled.
Who knew Steve could get so angry - well, he does sort of act like a mother.
Makes perfect sense to be honest.

"Fine fine! I haven't really slept yet.." Tony mumbled under his breath and turned away from Steve.
Steve softly lifted Tony's chin and turned his head his way,  and he slowly leaned in.

"You really need to sleep Tony. I'll take care of things here." Steve said in the most gentle of tones.

I gagged. I couldn't help it. What was this? A romantic movie?

I slowly fidgeted and hoped that someone else would come in and save me from this awkward situation.

"Ugh,how unpleasant"

I quickly spun my head around to thank my saviour when I realised it was Loki.
Oh why must you play with my feelings God?

"Ah Dr Banner, I see you've finally awakened from your deep slumber." Loki looked at me and..smiled?
Was it my imagination or did Loki genuinely smile?

"Loki have you found any more of the metal pieces?" Tony asked as he awkwardly backed away from the romantic tension that had previously taken place.
Loki frowned and folded his arms.
"If I had would you actually think I would just stand here empty handed looking like an absolute fool?"He asked bitterly and looked at them with a clear expression of disgust.

"Also if I may add, public affection for one another is quite repulsing. If you both could refrain from doing such displeasing acts then you might gain my gratitude and from the looks of it, others too." Loki smiled sarcastically and proceeded to walk away.

I slowly glanced back at the two who gained an expression that wasnt to be expected from being just scolded. They were bright red from ear to ear.
"We-we were showing public affection?"Tony repeated with a defeated look on his face.

And so the romantic tension rises yet again.

"So I'm just gonna go and-er.. Hang out with Loki. You guys uh, take your time." I quickly stuttered and followed Loki into the kitchen.

~.~.~

As I approached the kitchen, a soothing yet haunting lullaby was to be heard in the hallway.

To my surprise it was Loki, he was making himself coffee.
"Hey there. Perfect time for coffee right? The wind outside seems chilly heh"

Loki slowly gazed at me with a neutral expression and quickly got back to making his hot drink.

Guess I wasn't as good at making small talk as I thought.

"Anyway, Why were you outside?" I asked, already knowing fully well why he was ordered outside. A part of me hoped that the question would serve as a conversation starter.

Loki sighed and leaned back on the marbled counter, holding his mug of instant coffee;
"Im surprised the man of iron has not filled you in yet, but if I must I'll fill in the blanks." He paused and sipped from his mug.

"I was out looking for any more traces of odd looking metals with detailed encryptions carefully carved into its silver flesh. We currently have one of those unique metals; Arrowman and I were so lucky enough to be entrapped by one you see." He paused and shifted his gaze to the ground. The atmosphere suddenly became serious.

"What haunts me Banner, is that there was someone who knew where we were located. Someone of power similar to mine- no, someone stronger. The metal has encrypted foreign language carved into it almost like a spell to limit my ability to use magic. It also possesses the ability to bounce my magic back to me." Loki looked up to me with a worried expression.
"Banner, we are facing an enemy who is not from your world. I have a terrible feeling about this, both the metal and the wave."

I swallowed heavily. "W-Well don't look so worried. You know we're ready for it! We always fight and win against bad guys all the time, and this'll be no different."

Loki gripped his mug tightly, "For our sake, I hope you're right." He mumbled and exited the room.

Well that went well. Between the sexual tension in the other room and the conversation of everyone dying in this room, I'm glad I chose right.

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Holy shit it's been a minute! Crazy how people are still reading this. I'll try and update but I completely forgot about this story not gonna lie. Also realising how cringey I was when I wrote this. Now that Im a bit older I hope I can give out better chapters!

Anyways I'm so sorry for not updating, but (whenever this may be), I'll catch you guys on the next chapter!
Bye!