Bend Around the Wind by Scyllaya

Chapter 89: Aurelion

Chapter Eighty-Nine

Aurelion

Milky Way Galaxy

Sol System

Nine Realms / Planet Earth

It was the Wasp who warned them all, the one who found Stark and Thor down on the coast. Drongo watched wordlessly as the Iron Mage fell, as the burning body of the ship hit the water and started sinking. He felt like something came to an end. Like a chapter of their story was irrevocably over. He was used to stepping on a new path, he's done it many times before, but he was not sure he wanted to leave this one behind just yet. So he hoped the foreboding feeling in his gut meant something different.

Juyu was firing questions his way through their comm-link, but Drongo had no answers for her. They knew at least that Stark was alive, only a hundred other questions remained to be answered.

'How is he?' Steve asked.

'He's really not looking so hot,' Janet replied and those words alone were enough to urge Drongo into action.

'We're all on our way,' Drongo said immediately. 'Juyu, Bee, come as quickly as you can and bring Hatchet if you know where he is.'

'He's here,' Bee answered. 'I'll get him.'

'Good. Juyu?'

'On my way,' she answered.

Despite the girls being able to use their wings to move faster Drongo was the first to arrive. Stark was on the ground, still in his armour, his face pale and sweaty. The stench of vomit assaulted Drongo's nose as he walked closer.

Janet was kneeling next to Stark, with a hand on his shoulder. After a moment Drongo realized that she was steadying him, because Stark couldn't even sit upright.

Thor was only a few steps away from them, but his face was turned towards the ocean. Drongo only saw his profile, but it was enough to notice the tense anger on it. The way he was clutching his hammer was also quite a significant tell.

It was not too complicated to draw conclusions from that, because there were only a few things that would affect both Stark and Thor this strongly. And on the top of that list was Loki. Drongo was not too keen to think about that, so for the moment he focused on Stark instead.

Janet stood up and backed away when Drongo crouched down next to the man.

'Stark, you need to tell me what is wrong with you,' he said. Being straight-forward was always the best option with him.

'DNI,' Stark said faintly, squeezing his eyes shut as if in pain.

'You were connected at the time of the collision?' Drongo guessed. Stark was quite a master at flying with the Iron Mage, not much could've caused him damage or injury while navigating the ship.

Stark nodded and it made Drongo sigh. 'You need to be examined,' he said, but Stark was already shaking his head. Drongo put his hand on his shoulder more firmly. 'This is not up for debate,' he told him seriously. 'It would not take much for me to overpower you and believe me; I will not hesitate to do so if you insist on being stubborn.'

'I'm not- fuck, Drongo. He's gone.'

'Loki,' Drongo said. Stark nodded again, the motion making him squeeze his eyes shut again.

'What do you mean "gone"?'

They all turned around to see Hatchet, Juyu and Bee standing not that far away from them. They must've just landed on the beach. Hatchet's face already spoke louder than a thousand words. Burning eyes and a careful blankness, it was not a good combination when it came to Hatchet.