Saved (A Loki fanfiction)

Stay Awake

Loki woke to Astryd hovering over him, talking softly. "Wake up, Loki." She had said. Loki moaned and sat up slowly with a wince. "There you go." She assured sweetly. "I have some news. About... Why don't you come downstairs." Astryd suggested, helping Loki up. She was holding him upright shushing him as he moaned in pain. Loki closed his eyes. He wouldn't open them.

When they made it downstairs, she helped sit Loki down on the couch as comfortable as she could get him.

Loki couldn't seem to catch his breath. That was really tiring. He finally opened his eyes to see the Avengers surrounding him. "Where is... Where is Mother?" He whispered.

"She went to Asgard." Thor said. "She went to ask out fath-"

"Not... my... father..."

"Loki," Astryd said sadly. "Please, just listen." She said, sitting next to him, pushing a jet black strand of hair out of his sweaty face.

"Mother went to got talk to Father. She's going to try to get your magic back."

Loki's mouth twitched, almost wanting to smile in relief. But it faltered quickly. "Odin won't allow it..." He hissed.

"Doesn't mean she cannot try." Thor replied, more harsh then he meant to sound.

"What do I do... do until I get it back?" Loki asked.

Everyone exchanged nervous glances. How are they supposed to tell him he can't sleep? He's falling asleep NOW.

Steve was first to speak. "You have to stay awake. Bruce said..."

Bruce nodded and began speaking. "I believe Thanos is trying to... hmm... how do I put it? Drive you mad almost. Tell me, us, I mean. What do you dream?"

Loki frowned. "I do not understand."

"Just answer the question, brother." Thor said.

Loki closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened them, looking at Bruce. "At first, I began dreaming of my time... my time in the Chitauri prison. Of... of the tortures I endured. Then..." He stopped and looked at Astryd. She nodded in approval. "I began dreaming I was killing... everyone... and most... Most of all, Astryd." He paused, and regained his breath. "I would be standing over her, watching her die or scream... or, or..." Loki couldn't finish.

Bruce noticed Loki's eyes began to droop. He nudged Loki awake. "I know it's hard. Just don't sleep."

Loki nodded. He continued. "I'd kill all of you... and then... and then..."

"And then what, brother?"

Loki sighed. "I'd kill myself. And then I'd wake up."

"Loki," Natasha said. "Look, I'm sorry this is happening. But I want you to know that it's not real. It's not a vision, or pruminition, or anything. It's just a dream. If you do happen to accidently fall asleep, if you say that in your heard over and over, you win. Thanos gets nothing." She said passionately, stalking out of the room.

Loki looked at the door ashamed. He is so pathetic.

You're just getting that now, little runt?

Loki shook his head and growled. He closed his eyes shut in pain.

"Loki?" Bruce asked.

"I'm fine." Loki said, eyes open again. "I'll try as hard as I can not to sleep over night. Thor?"

Thor looked to his brother. "Yes?"

"Can you... Can you stay with me, tonight? To make sure I don't not fall into slumber?"