Pretty When You Cry

Chapter 10

Even though Tony had been taken away to SHIELD HQ, and was therefore far away from Stark Tower, Bruce still didn't want to keep Loki there. Staying in the same place where he was raped and tortured would not help the ex-god's psyche.

Still, most of society still hated Loki, and he did require a good deal of medical attention. The solution was for Steve and Bruce to wait until nightfall, before loading up one of Stark's delivery vans full of whatever supplies Bruce deemed necessary, and sneaking Loki out that way. They'd go to Steve's apartment since Bruce did not have a permanent residence in the city.

This had been more easily said than done, though. Loki was terrified of everything and everyone around him, clinging to Steve as if his life depended on it - and in Loki's mind, it probably did.

So, Steve had ended up guiding Loki out, armed wrapped around the smaller man's body, holding him up as he tried to walk. Loki's legs trembled and he almost fell a few times. After the third time, Steve decided that it was simply easier to carry Loki out. He scooped him up, and carried the trickster out to the van bridal-style. Steve then put Loki into the middle seat, and sat in the passenger seat next to him. Loki put his head on Steve's shoulder, and Steve didn't have the heart to shake him off.

Bruce was kind enough to drive the van to Brooklyn, though the ride itself was very quiet. Bruce kept his eyes on the road, and Loki simply stared up at Steve. Seeing the look of fear and hurt in Loki's eyes, Steve laid a hand on Loki's knee, trying to make him feel somewhat secure.

00

When the arrived at the apartment building, Steve once again carried Loki inside. He only lived on the first floor, so it wasn't too far a walk from the van.

Steve carried Loki into his bedroom, and laid him down on the bed.

"You can rest here, and you'll sleep here too," Steve explained. "I'll sleep on the couch."

Loki nodded in agreement, but said nothing. Steve noticed that he was shivering, though. He walked towards a small closet in the corner of the room, and pulled out two blankets, then brought them over to Loki.

"You cold?" he asked.

Loki didn't answer. He looked terrified, though. Really, all Loki could think was that he'd be punished if he admitted being cold. Maybe he'd be left outside... it was so cold that night, he'd surely freeze to death. Or maybe there'd be some other, worse torture. A tear fell down his cheek as he thought about this.

Steve sighed. "I'm not going to hurt you, if that's what you're thinking. I don't know what Stark did to you, but I'm trying to help. If you're cold, I'll give you a blanket. That's all."

Loki considered Steve's statement. The Captain had been honest with him thus far. Might as well give him a chance.

"I'm a little bit cold," Loki whispered, so softly that Steve could barely hear it.

Steve smiled at him. "There ya go. Good job."

The Captain took the first blanket, unfolded it, then covered Loki up in it, tucking it around him. He put the second blanket on top of that.

"Better?"

Loki nodded.

"Good. Get some rest. I'm going to help Bruce move everything in. I'll come check on you when we're done."

Feel warm and comfortable for the first time in weeks, it wasn't long before Loki fell asleep.

00

Around 3am, Loki started screaming.

It wasn't a normal scream. It was ear piercing and pitiful at the same time. He sounded almost like a wounded animal.

Steve and Bruce, who'd decided to crash at the apartment, woke up immediately. They both dashed into the bedroom, only to find Loki crouched in the corner of the room, looking terrified.