The Night Mare

IX

Gradually the bright white light faded, leaving Loki in darkness. His didn't feel as tense as he did a moment ago, but he didn't allow himself to relax quite yet. He could feel Peter's hand being held in his, but that didn't necessarily meant they were out of the woods yet; they still could be trapped.

"Tony, quit pacing. That's not going to make them wake up any faster." Loki could hear Bruce say. Loki let out a small relieved breath, the corner of his lip turning up slightly.

"On the contrary, Doctor." Loki says, his voice barely raising above a whisper.

"Brother? Are you alright? Were you successful?" Thor rapidly asks, Loki slowly peeling his eyes open to give a small, annoyed glare.

"Thor, quite doting on me. It's all taken care of." Loki grumbles, Tony not being able to keep as calm as the mischievous God.

"He's still not waking up; Peter isn't waking up. Why is he still not waking up.?" Tony asks, rubbing Peter's chest only to get nothing in return.

"Because I have yet to take care of the Mare completely. He is back in his body, I assure you, but I must be quick to trap the Mare while she is weak and no longer has a hold on his soul." Loki says, slowly sitting up.

He was already exhausted, and knew that he was on the brink of magic exhaustion. He just hoped the Mare wouldn't fight him, and if she did, hopefully the rest of the people in the room would be able to take care of it.

Loki waved his hand over Peter, washing the teen in a shower of green. Once that disappeared, the horrifying, rangy woman appeared to everyone's eye on the boy's chest.

"What the hell?" Tony blurts, scooting over a bit to put some distance between them. Loki was quick to grab the handcuffs he was once held in and put them on the demon before she realized what was going on.

"He should be able to wake up in a minute." Loki says, handing the Mare over to Thor before wiping the small bit of blood that was dripping out of his nose.

"Loki-" Thor began.

"I'm fine." Loki brushes off, leaning back onto the couch, too exhausted to hold his body up. "But the Child might not be."

"What is that supposed to mean, exactly?" Tony asks defensively.

"I mean that I have seen his entire life be played out in front of me. I have seen every single torturous thing that he has been put through since he was three-years old. Things that could bring grown men to their knees. The Child had to experience years and years of trauma all over again." Loki sternly says, no one really knowing what to say.

"There was one constant, throughout all of it though. In almost all of his good memories, you were involved, Stark. This boy adores you, and if I find out one of these days that you've become the reason for more trauma, I will personally see to it that you will regret it for the rest of your life." Loki threatens, Tony trying to hide the shock he felt towards the idea of Loki caring for Peter.

Then again, it was very easy to become attached to and protective of Peter.

"I wouldn't even stop you, reindeer games." Tony murmurs, pulling the teen close to his chest. The movement made Peter grumble a bit, Tony quickly pulling Peter into a somewhat upright position to try and wake him up.

"Pete? Are you awake? Open your eyes, Buddy." Tony says, rubbing the boy's chest. The boy just grumbled more, seemingly annoyed that he was being woken up, until he remember what was happening to make him be asleep.

Peter slowly opened his eyes, fighting the drowsiness that was trying to pull him back into unconsciousness. Looking around he saw Steve and Bruce giving him wary looks, while Thor held onto the creature still and Loki looked as exhausted as the teen felt.