Protecting You

Chapter 7

* (awake)

My eyes flicker open, to the gold ceiling. There's a tube stuck up my nose and an IV drip in the back of my left hand, with a clip on my finger on my right. To the left of me is a dark screen, probably used to show x-rays. To the right, my father is sat in an armchair. He smiles at me with a look of concern in his eyes.

Carefully and slowly, I roll onto my right side and cause my father to suck air in quickly between his clenched teeth. Now, I am facing Loki and he watches my movement.

"I'm fine." I whisper.

"How are you feeling?" He asks.

"Numb. But it doesn't hurt anymore." I lie. It hurts every time I breath, like someone is holding my ribs in a tight grip.

I hear the familiar sound of boots and my Uncle smiles as he steps around my side.

"Hello Harriet." He says, in that deep bellowing voice.

"Take off his cuffs." I order.

My Uncle glances between Loki and me, his eyes full of worry.

"I do not think that is a good idea." Loki points out.

"Please." I mutter.

"As you wish child."

Uncle Thor pulls out a key from under his armour chest plate and pushes it into the handcuffs. They click undone and Thor places them on the edge of the bed. Leaning over, I wrap my hand around his right wrist and pull it towards me.

"What are you doing?" Loki questions, his voice laced with anger and guilt.

"I know." I whisper.

Pushing his dark sleeve down, there's a deep red scar in a straight line. I brush my hands along it and notice goosebumps on his arms. Meeting his eyes, I smile quickly and blink slowly.

"What's that, brother?" Thor asks.

"How did you know about that?" Loki quizzes.

"I saw you do it. In the bathroom. Same place as...mother."

Then my eyes slip closed and I can't hear anything else, but my gentle and irregular breathing.

**

Phil is sat at a desk in SHIELD, he types away but stops when he sees young me at the door. The girl smiles and Phil smiles back.

"Morning Phil." She says, in a high and excited voice.

"Hello Hattie. How are you?" He asks.

"I'm good. What about you?"

"I'm alright."

The girl tilts her head to the side, not believing his answer. She skips into his neat office and climbs onto his lap. She grins up at him happily.

"You look sad Phil, what's wrong?" She asks.

"I'm just tired, don't you worry." He replies.

"Can I beat you at chess again?" She smirks.

"Actually, I have a feeling I might win this one." Phil teases.

Typing on the computer, his arms around hers, he pulls up the chess game on the screen and the game begins. After a few minutes, the young me starts giggling and Phil sighs.

"I win! I win!" She chants, clapping her hands and smiling up at Phil.

Leaning on the glass wall outside, I smile as the younger me teases Phil about how he's a loser.