I'll Be Back [A Stoki Fanfic]

"Don't worry Loki, I'll be back," Steve assured his husband, holding him close. "I always come back," he added with a chaste kiss to his forehead before leaving to join the half of the Avengers team that was to be carrying out the mission.

It wasn't an extraordinary assignment: simply take out a relatively small terrorist group. It would only require three of the team and take a week, two tops. Still, Loki worried about the captain when he went on any mission. With a sigh directed at the door Steve had just exited, Loki walked off towards the Stark Tower's library.

~*~

"They're back," Banner called as he passed through the living room to greet the returning agents. Loki followed him into the hallway just as the elevator opened. He prepared to receive his usual warm hug but was taken aback when he saw them. Steve was being heavily supported by Barton as Natasha helped to guide them into the hall with a concerned look.

Loki snapped out of his momentary surprise "What is the matter?"

"I think he has a concussion" the redhead replied, Bruce now helping to get Steve onto a nearby couch. "He got hit pretty badly during a fight but he seemed fine."

"Until he almost collapsed in the elevator" Clint finished, setting Steve down.

"Do you think he requires medical attention?" Loki moved to stroke his soldier's face worriedly.

" 'M fine... Just need some.. rest." He mumbled to the blur before being consumed by darkness.

~*~

Steve awoke in his bed late the next morning with a splitting headache. Vaguely he recollected only bits of the recent past. He'd been hit in a fight, he slept. And he thought he recalled being woken periodically throughout the night although he couldn't recall who had woken him. Or really, who he almost thought it had been was crazy. The confusion only served to worsen his headache so he decided to get some more rest.

This time he when he got up to a sun high in the sky outside his window, his head felt better if only marginally. So he ignored the throbbing of his brain and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Oh good, you're up." Loki called as he entered the room.

"Loki!?" Quickly Steve sprung to standing. Grabbing his shield he called for the other Avengers. Bad move, he grimaced as his brain pounded violently. The others had better come quickly, he might suffer damage trying to battle the villain when stars swam before his eyes.

"How did you get in here?" he demanded. When the other man looked stunned he launched his shield at him, Loki just barely dodging it.

At that moment, Tony and Natasha burst into the room. After giving it a quick scan and seeing no danger, they both looked to the defensive blonde and shocked raven-haired man with questioning looks.

"What are you doing?" Steve distressedly asked anyone everyone in the room. Why was Loki not attacking? Why weren't his fellow Avengers doing anything? He didn't know but compromised condition or not, Steve needed to stop Loki.

From what? Surely he was up to something, maybe he was controlling Stark and Romanoff not to attack? He was evil after all; he had just led an invasion and destroyed half of Manhattan a week ago.

Rogers charged at Loki, jumping up to kick him into the wall- rather impressive considering the black encroaching his vision from the pain in his skull.

Finally coming to some realization, Tony leapt and pushed Steve away centimeters before he connected with the seemingly paralyzed Loki.

"What is wrong with you Rogers?" Tony yells pinning him down.

"What's wrong with me? Does Loki have you under some trance?" Steve busts Tony's nose trying to get back up but Banner and Barton both have come and hold him down as well. "We need to get him detained before he can try to do anything!"

Loki uses this opportunity to vanish leaving Steve cursing under his breath that they'd lost their chance.

"And why would we need to do that? He hasn't done anything" Barton's words stun the captain, and he stops resisting, instead looking at him incredulously.

"He led an alien invasion into Manhattan. He tried to take over earth days ago. He must have escaped whatever prison he was in and is trying again." His voice was near delusional; everyone must have gone insane.

This time Banner looks at Steve, his gaze calculating. "How many days ago?"

"Eight."

The scientist shared a look with Stark, wondering if he was thinking the same thing. "What year is it?"