Bittersweet *Currently On Temporary Hold*

Chapter 18: Broken Feathers and Painful Waiting

Hey y'all! I have a few things to say:
1. I'm SOOOOOO sorry for the wait! I was at a camp in Arkansas for a week and I had no free time to write, and now I have what we call Band Camp where I learn my choreography and dancing and all that jazz for this years marching show. I'm surprised I had the time to write this.
2. I'm sorry it's so short. Like I've said before: I have had such little time to write. I promise, I'll be better at updating with these next few chapters!
3. I have another book that's been going for a while. It's my Avengers Oneshots and Imagines book. I am completely bone dry on ideas and I would love requests!
I love y'all! -Red
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Loki was the last one to enter the jet, you having passed out on the way from that awful place. Your wings were bundled into his arms to keep them from dragging on the ground; injuring them worse.

"What the hell?" Buddy asked, driven speechless at the sight of your unconscious form in Loki's arms. Shock was apparent in everyone's eyes as they saw just how bad it had been. There was even a little blood staining Loki's cape by now.

"There isn't time to explain. She needs medical attention now." Loki demanded as he sat with you in his lap, in the corner of the jet.

Anger and fear swam through him. He knew that these wounds could very well be fatal if left unattended and it enraged him.

He used a bit of magic to relieve the pain. It wasn't much; he couldn't heal you, but he did what he could to make you more comfortable. You shifted a bit into Loki's lap, your wings had fallen to the ground and covered Loki's feet. Despite their huge size, they looked so small. Gently, he felt your feathers, his fingers ghosting over them. He let his fingers rest on your wings as a new wave of tears filled his eyes. They were rough and cut. Blood was staining multiple feathers, and in a few places, it looked like the feathers had been plucked, or even cut off. That didnt even begin on your bodily wounds.

No one in the jet talked to Loki during the flight home. There were occasional glances shared between agents and the team, but overall the tension in the jet was too thick to be cut with words. They all knew how much you meant to Loki now. Before, they were suspicious. You were the only one he was particularly kind to, he only listened to you, he didn't throw sass your way when you were being serious. But now, they knew that he cared for you deeply. And they weren't going to judge him.

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The second the jet touched down Loki had carefully, but quickly picked you up, bundled up your wings, and carried you off to the med bay.

"I need a place for her now!" Loki yelled as he rushed into the med bay.

In the blink of an eye there were nurses surrounding Loki and taking you from his arms. He let you go reluctantly, but he knew that they were going to take care of you.

Loki stayed with you as long as he could. He followed the nurses until they shut the door in his face, handed him his cape, and sent you in for stitches and a possible surgery.

While you were being taken care of, all Loki could do was sit and wait; impatiently worrying about you. He sat for what felt like days, but it had only been mere hours.

"How is she?" Came the voice of one Steve Rogers. He seemed concerned as he walked over to Loki and took a seat next to him.

"I don't know." Loki sighed. The exhaustion from the mission and all the worry was getting to him, "I haven't heard a word from them since they took her in."

"She'll be okay Loki. I've seen her pull through some terrible things. Maybe not quite as bad as this, but she's strong. She'll be okay." Steve reassured, giving Loki a look of concern.

"I know. I just can't help but worry about her."

"You love her don't you?" Steve asked as he looked from his hands, which he had previously been quite enticed by, to Loki.

"Yes, I do." Loki answered, not meeting Steve's eyes, but rather looking to the door adjacent to the chairs they were sat in. Your room.

Steve was surprised by the blatant confession. It took him a second to recognize what Loki had said.

"You may be a little taken aback by the sudden confession, but with what's taken place, I can't deny that I love her. I need to tell her, and if I don't get the chance, I need someone to know." Loki continued with a slightly morose tone.

"Trust me, you'll be able to tell her."

"How do you know?"

"It's (Y/N)! She's not gonna let herself go until she's done all she plans to do. She's too stubborn." Steve chuckled at the thought, which in turn, lifted Loki's spirits a little.

Soon after that, the doors to your room opened, and a nurse stepped out and called for Loki.

"Loki? (Y/N) is open for visitors now. She said you would want to see her."