Hellfire

Lament and Relief

Notes:

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to let you guys know that this chapter has A LOT of references towards "Chapter 11: Home is..."
Remember the underground docking Loki used to offer Steve an escape?
Remember the old spaceship that could have brought Steve home, but Steve decided to stay??
Remember the Deity lurking in the waters only to crawl onto land and trying to attack Steve and Loki had to save him??
Remember all of that?? Awesome! Then you're good to go! If not... well, maybe it would be wise to just quickly scan through that chapter before reading this one... of course you don't have to! It's all up to you!

Anyway, I truly hope you will enjoy this chapter.
Lots of love~

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A body without movement was locked inside a golden birdcage. The floor and metal stained in red, blood dripping from hands and wrists. Lean fingers were still intertwined with golden bars, blue skin underneath bloodied fingernails. Pale and chapped lips slightly parted and an eye – one glazed, ruby red eye – staring without life.

'...No,' Steve whispered under his breath upon seeing the unresponsive body, slumped in its cage. He froze, blood running cold as it felt like his heart stopped beating. '...Loki.'

It took him mere seconds to dash into the room, his fingers instantly wrapped around the golden bars. He bared his teeth, shaking the birdcage with all his strength. 'Loki!' He let his fingers intertwine with those of the god, a violent shiver rampaging through his body.

The raven was cold as Death.

Steve panted heavily, barely able to keep himself calm. He yanked at the small door and tried to open it, anger embedded deep within every strained muscle. It was in vain, a lock glistening in dim light, its rattling echoing through the chamber.

He took a step back and took a firm hold on his shield, bashing the edge into the lock until it shattered. He threw the weapon down as Loki fell forward, straight into his arms.

'It's okay. It's okay now, Loki. I'm here. I've got you,' desperation shimmered through his words as he held the trickster close against his body, on hand pressed against the back of the raven's head as the other wrapped tightly around his waist. 'I-I'm sorry I took so long. Please, just... please,' he begged as he carefully placed the trickster on the cold floor. He let his fingers hover just above the raven's wrists, wanting to check his vitals, only to freeze at the amount of blood seeping from the wounds.

He started to panic, his fingers running through tousled raven-black hair. 'Loki, come on, look at me. Look at me.' He cautiously placed his hands on the god's cheeks as he barely dared to touch him, afraid to cause more harm. 'No,' he whispered softly as tears formed in his eyes. 'No, no, no. You can't do this to me, Loki. Come on!'

It was only now that the captain got a good look at the trickster. His skin was a pale shade of blue, dark and delicate lines adorning his face. His eye was red and dull, staring at the ceiling like a broken doll.

'Loki, please,' Steve whispered as he quickly placed his index and middle finger on the god's neck, searching for a pulse.

Nothing.

No, this could not be. Loki could not be dead. Steve refused to accept it. He held his ear just above the raven's parted lips, hoping to hear his breath as his eyes were completely focused on his chest, searching for any movement.