Bend Around the Wind by Scyllaya

Chapter 24: Unconsciously

Chapter Twenty-Four

Unconsciously

Andromeda Galaxy

Filipima System

Open Space

The first thing Loki became aware of was the dull deep ache in his head. He recognized the pain, even if he did not feel it in centuries, this bone-deep exhaustion in every part of his body. He knew that he needed more rest even before he tried to figure out what happened. He became aware that he was lying on something soft, a bed, with his head resting on something firmer, warmer. It smelled familiar even if he could not put his finger on it, something that moved slowly... wait. He tired to move and open his eyes, but it took him a moment to gather his strength to do it. A small groan escaped his lips without his consent when he finally moved to get up, because the pain in his muscles was anything but pleasant.

'Hey! You okay?' he heard and felt an arm steady him by the shoulders. When his vision cleared out he saw Stark. Loki frowned and looked around, the blanket that just slid down from him, the bed, Stark... it did not make much sense.

'What are you doing in my bed?' he asked.

'Well, technically it's Juyu's bed,' Stark answered. Loki's mind was too foggy and slow to answer that so he just scowled some more. Stark looked at him for a moment, before he probably realized that Loki's question was indeed not rhetorical. 'You used magic, remember?'

'I know I used magic, I know what overstrain feels like,' Loki grumbled.

'Yeah well, then you passed out too,' Stark added helpfully. Loki groaned in annoyance. So he fainted like some wilting flower, excellent.

'I really hate you right now,' he said and let himself flop back to the bed. Stark's presence be damned, he was exhausted.

'I know you do, sorry,' Stark said. 'You want me to make you a horny helmet?'

Loki snorted, 'There's only so many times you can bribe me with gifts.'

'Don't underestimate my bribing abilities. I had a lot of practice.'

'Oh just shut up, your voice is making my headache worse,' Loki told him and buried his head further into the bed.

'I didn't think this could happen,' Stark said a bit more seriously. 'You always hid the Drake without problem.'

'It's harder to fool machines than sentient beings, and I told you using magic without an outside source would tire me out,' Loki grumbled, voice half muffled from the bed.

'Yeah, but you forgot to mention that it includes nosebleed and cold fever and whatever the hell.'

'You're not stupid, Stark. I was not wary of using magic because it would simply make me sleepy.'

'Yeah I... did not really think too much about it,' Stark admitted.

Loki did not feel like moving, he hated this, he never wanted to get himself in such a state. It was all Stark's fault. No, it was his own damn fault for going along with this madness. Time was essential at that moment and he knew Stark was too stubborn to listen, so he did what he had to do. By the Norns, he knew this would cause them trouble. He knew it! And he was right! He should've said no, but he also did not want more strangers on the ship. Who knew what they would have done to them just for finding the Skrulls here, or after they took a closer look at the cargo, or after they asked some more questions. He really did not have a choice, and it was Stark who made it so. He was too tired to be as angry as he should've been.

'You did not answer my question,' Loki told him.

'Which one?'

'What are you doing in the same bed as me?' Loki managed to sit up again to look at the human. Stark was looking back at him, his eyes confused and searching for a moment, then he smiled. It was a strange sort of smile that made Loki frown again.