Weeks passed by and the Chemotherapy started.
Loki was grouchy, tired and in immeasurable amounts of pain but he was a sure fighter.
Thor hovered like a worried mother bird, bending over backwards to attend to Loki's every wish. Kieran stopped by often to drop off some entertainment magazines and necessities. The two still bickered like children but the youngest didn't have the energy to shout at them anymore.
Heimdell left at the beginning of September, after claiming their father needed his assistance.
The boy's were scared, naturally.
So many things could have gone wrong.
Were they close to finishing the war?
"Guys, Nurse Banner is at the door!" Kieran called from the hallway.
Thor cast a confused glance at his unconscious little brother and joined his 'friend' at the front entrance of the apartment.
Sure enough, Bruce was standing awkwardly outside with his nurse bag and a fancy black box. He wasn't wearing his usual uniform either, just a pair of beige sweatpants and a purple shirt.
"Bruce! It's nice to see you buddy,"
"Yeah, you too Theo." Bruce smiled as he stepped into the apartment.
It was larger than he imagined it would be; well groomed and tidy.
Kieran led them into sitting room, where Loki was awakening from his slumber.
He was attached to an IV drip which loomed over the sofa and a nasal cannula was hooked under his nose.
"Hello, Lucas." Bruce greeted warmly, plonking down on the armchair next to him with a bright smile. "How was your weekend?"
"Pitiful," Loki responded, heavy eyes fluttering in exhaustion.
He was sickly pale and his cheekbones jutted unhealthily from his pale skin.
Bruce frowned sympathetically and placed the black box on the youth's lap.
"I know it's not much, and it's almost a month late, but here is a birthday present from me."
"Birthday?" Loki croaked, a huge lump catching in his throat. "For me?"
"Yeah,"
"Bruce-,"
"Open it before you decide you don't like it!" The older man joked, heart swelling with love for the child he had grown fond of over the course of the month.
Loki opened the package painstakingly slowly, delicate fingers trembling from the stress. "I didn't bother trying to get you a cake. I have no idea what you like and you struggle keeping stuff down so-,"
"Oh Bruce," Loki gasped, eyes wide.
Thor strained his neck to see the gift. "It's so beautiful."
The adolescent lifted the necklace from its box.
The golden chain was wrapped around his dainty fingers, the expensive colors shimmering against his white skin. A green amethyst rested on the end, surrounded by short black tendrils of blazed copper.
It was a sight to behold, indeed.
"I thought you'd like it," Bruce replied, grinning at Thor and Kieran. Thor was beaming right back at him, extremely proud and grateful. Kieran looked a little bit misty eyed himself... "It's a healing stone. Keep it close to your heart and it will protect you forever."
