The Bargain

Chapter 30: Thirthieth Installment

Thirtieth Installment: Descent and Ascension

Captain America, as it turned out, had gained more than an impressive physique during the experiments. He'd gained a regenerative capability. It wasn't nearly as fast-working as Loki's own, but when Loki left Stark long enough to heal a punctured lung he was surprised to find Rogers' body was already attempting to heal itself.

The damage was too extensive for a successful attempt, but it gave Loki a much-needed respite. All he had to do was repair the hole in the human's lung and set his broken ribs in their correct places. Then he opened his Astral pocket and withdrew clean white bandages and a waterskin. He beckoned to Thor.

"It's safe to move him, now," he said. "Can you get him down to the camp you set up without jostling him too much? Dr. Banner will just need to bind his ribs and they'll finish healing on their own in a day or two."

Thor nodded, gesturing to the shield. "Let me take that, too."

Loki had forgotten about it. When he handed it over, the lack of weight was nice. He was already wearied by his healing so far, and he had a lot of work before him yet. Thor lifted Rogers as if he were a featherweight, taking the water and bandages. When he was gone, Loki shifted the two remaining humans to more comfortable positions.

Now, he had a choice to make. Stark still needed more attention than Natasha. But if he finished healing Stark, he may not have the energy to heal Natasha until he'd had at least one night of sleep. As they were, neither of them could afford to wait an entire night for him. His net of healing seiðr was not a solution. It was a Band-Aid, nothing more. And when his seiðr ran out, the net would fail.

For a second, he closed his eyes. The more pressing concern was something else entirely. He'd touched the magic of Yggdrasil again. Right now, his own magic had been amplified, like a human whose bloodstream had been flooded with adrenaline. It wouldn't last, and he was . . . not at all sure what would happen when he came down.

He couldn't think about that right now. Now, he needed to work.

oOo

Steve opened his eyes and was pleasantly surprised to find the pain that had been dogging him greatly diminished. Breathing was no longer such a task. His ribs warned him he couldn't move around too much, but he was able to sit up and look around. He was in a forest clearing on a passably comfortable mattress of what looked like pine boughs and furs, and it looked to be almost dusk. A warm fire crackled nearby, and he felt a pulse of relief to see Dr. Banner and Hawkeye both there and seemingly unharmed.

"Hey, welcome back," Bruce said with a small smile.

Steve glanced at his body and saw the binding around his chest. He frowned a little. "What happened? Where are Stark and Natasha?"

Clint pointed west. "They're still on that ledge with Loki. Thor brought you down about two hours ago, said your worst injuries were healed and your own regenerative abilities would do the rest."

Frowning, Steve looked through the trees, trying to spot the cliffs and ledge. No luck. "I told Loki not to worry about me."

Bruce shifted. "You weren't much better off than them," he said quietly. "Loki is racing time up there, and he's probably gonna be pretty drained when he's done."

The words weren't spoken, but Steve felt them heavy in the air nonetheless. If he can save them. He felt a tightness in his chest. Natasha's up there, fighting a battle I can't help with. He couldn't help Loki, either. It was so far outside his capabilities . . .

"They'll be okay," Clint said abruptly. "It's Loki."

The confidence in his voice made Steve smile a little. "How are you two doing with all this? I mean, I'm pretty sure this is the strangest thing I've ever done. You?"