Hellfire

Home is...

'I have some news which I believe you will find most interesting.'

Steve frowned at his phone, wondering what Jarvis could possibly have to tell him. 'Uhm, okay,' he looked at Loki, a smile instantly forming on his face as he saw the trickster's eye grow wide with curiosity. 'Tell us.'

'I received a message for you,' J.A.R.V.I.S. informed him. 'It is from mister Stark.'

'From Tony?' Steve's voice was instantly louder in both surprise and excitement. 'Did he manage to contact me? Where is he now? Is he okay?'

Loki watched from the sideline as Steve paced back and forth over the balcony, almost reminding him of a puppy who was about to be given his first toy. He wanted to smile at Steve's excitement but a heavy feeling imbedded deep within his stomach caused his expression to remain stoic.

'Tony?' Steve called out as he put his phone on speakers. 'Tony, can you hear me?'

"Hey Capsicle."

'Tony!'

Loki's eye twitched at the overflowing joy and relief that was ringing in the captain's voice. Steve looked so happy, holding the device like it was his savior, his last hope.

The trickster remained at the sideline, eyeing the blond from the shadow in which he stood.

'Tony,' Steve continued with a bright smile. 'I'm so happy to hear y-'

"So, it's now 01.33 here in New York City and it has officially been 27 days since you have disappeared,"

Steve's bright smile slowly turned into a frown as the billionaire interrupted him and continued talking. It soon dawned on him that the voice was a recording, a message which the playboy had successfully been able to send him. He let his back rest against a wall, listening closely to Tony's voice.

"Uhm... I really hope you will receive this message. I mean, I don't even know if you're... God, you better be okay."

The captain gulped at the deep, almost desperate sigh that followed. Tony sounded exhausted, like he hasn't had any sleep for nights and, judged upon the short time Steve had spent with the man, that was probably the case.

"So, listen, Bruce and I have been working none-stop on trying to contact you. I haven't seen Nat and Clint as they are constantly at S.H.I.E.L.D. doing everything they can to track you down. They're a bit weird, but they're good guys, I guess... So, anyway, there is just so much that we- that I can do from this end of the line. Well, I just want you to know that we are doing everything we can to find you. So, keep your head up, soldier. Help is on its way. We're not gonna forget you, cap. I'm not gonna give up. Just know that, okay? We'll see each other soon, Steve. Promise."

Death.

That was all Loki wished for the man on the other side of the line as he watched Steve's fingers curl around the cellphone.

A slow and painful ending of life to all those who would try to take Steve away from him.

Loki shook his head viciously at the sound of the captain's voice, his heart beating heavy in his chest as his own thoughts dazed him.

'Twenty-seven days...' Steve muttered, though knowing perfectly well that he has only spend a week here, the concept of time working differently in this Realm not surprising him. 'Jarvis, does this mean I can call Tony? Or send a message back?'

'I am afraid not, sir,' J.A.R.V.I.S. sounded remorseful. 'Mister Stark modified his technology in order to reach out to your cellphone, yet, as he said, he is not able to adjust this device from where he is right now.'