I Die Without You

Prompt 12: Death And The Maiden

As per usual, Loki's 'radar' detected Beverlee when she arrived at his room. She could see by his eyes he was happy to see her, but the expression on his face, especially the rueful smile, revealed even more. As she reached his bedside, they immediately embraced.

 "Doctor Reiss informed me of your condition," she whispered, "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be," Loki said sadly, stroking her back, "I'm accepting it as my punishment for killing Lowenstein."

"Don't say that," Beverlee scolded, "the doctors are working very hard to find a way to help you."

"Midgardians can be very diligent," Loki said softly, releasing the hug a little, looking into Beverlee's eyes, "but alas, they are not the least bit qualified, I think, to operate on me. Only one man possibly ever had that knowledge... and I killed him."

Beverlee released one of her arms, and reached out to touch Loki's cheek, "We're going to find a way to beat this, I promise."

"How can you promise that?"

"Loki, there has to be an answer out there, it's just a question of finding it."

"Beverlee, I'm not afraid to die."

"But I'm afraid to live without you."

"Sentiment," Loki said quietly, a small smile teasing his lips. He took Beverlee's hand from his cheek and kissed it, "do not mistake the context of my words, I do not wish to leave you. However, fate seems to have made other plans.  I am very sorry we will not be able to go out for Valentine's Day, as they feel it best to contain me here as a preventative measure for my health... and for others."

"If we have to spend the day here, so be it," Beverlee said, attempting to sound upbeat, "as long as we're together." She put her hand atop the one he continued to hold then looked at him with genuine concern, "how can you be so calm?"

"What else can I do, my clever girl? I'm stuck in what I believe you Midgardians call a 'catch-22.' What I have within me is dangerous, and I either have the choice of letting it kill me or have a team of incompetent medical experts to extract it the wrong way, which could lead to those involved getting injured or perish, along with the possibility that I could also perish with them. I believe... just letting things be... is the best way."

"No... I can't just stay here and  watch you die."

"Beverlee, please understand, this is the only choice for everyone's best interest."

"No..." Beverlee renewed the embrace, holding Loki very close, "no!" 

"I understand this is hard for you, it would be hard for anyone to deal with such a situation," he said, echoing her words from earlier, holding her as tight as he could without hurting her, "however, I'm still very much alive right now," he whispered, "...and hungry."

"I'll get us some lunch," Beverlee said, releasing the hug. 

"That's not what I meant."

He pulled her back into his arms and kissed her passionately.

Beverlee trembled with extreme bliss. Her arms quickly encircled him again. When their lips separated, "N-now?" she asked, stammering, "I-I thought this was something we agreed to do on our own terms... "

"Is this not a good time?"

"No, it isn't," Beverlee said quite reluctantly, "believe me, I want to, but I'd like to do this properly - and not in a hospital bed."

"Due to what the cyst is doing to me, I doubt they will release me to quarters."

"Let me see what I can do," she smiled at him, "after all, I am your clever girl."