Twisted in Ties (Loki x OC)

Chapter 52

I was already suiting up. I had a feeling this would happen. I'd seen how many shows she'd been doing, but she never would tell me why. Whenever I talked to her she sounded fine, so I didn't worry at first. Now I knew she was hiding it.

"Spark, give me her location and hospital room number. Friday, cancel everything I had planned for today."

"Yes, Sir."

"Yes, Sir." It was weird to hear both of them right after each other sometimes, but I also found it kind of funny. But now wasn't the time for humor.

I headed out, calling Pepper as I got into the air. She answered, luckily. Sometimes I miss-timed when she was and wasn't busy when we weren't in the same places. I was relieved this wasn't one of those times. I always updated her on Izetta's status. She was just as worried about her as I was most of the time. Then again, she wasn't at the same time because, well, Pepper has a more level head than me sometimes. This time the roles were reversed though.

"Hey, Tony."

"Hey, Pep. I'm not gonna be around for a few days. Izz is in the hospital."

"What!? Is she okay!? I'll be there right away if-"

"No, no. It's okay. She's just been overworking herself. I think she passed out after one of her shows. I'm going to make sure she's alright and to try to talk some sense into her."

"Tony, this doesn't sound like Izetta we're talking about."

"I know. She hasn't been herself lately. I'm going to see if I can find out why. I'll call you as soon as I get some answers, alright?"

"Okay. Just don't forget to call me back!"

"I won't forget!"

"Talk to you soon, Tony."

"Yeah. Same to you, Pep."

I made it to the hospital and there were two nurses waiting for me. They showed me where I could leave my suit for now and then they took me to see Izetta. I saw her in the bed with an IV in her arm. The doctor filled me in as we walked over to her. 

"She's dehydrated and she hasn't been eating enough. She hasn't lost too much weight, but she'll start dropping if she doesn't go back on a healthy diet soon. She's been working too hard, spreading herself thin. Her body couldn't keep up any longer. She'll be alright, but it might take anywhere from a few hours up to a day or two for her to wake up. We don't expect it to take any longer, but if it does, we'll start running tests to make sure nothing else is wrong. We've already taken a few tests, but there's not much else we can do for now aside from giving her fluids." 

"Yeah, thanks. I'm sorry about this. I should've kept a closer eye on her."

"Just doing my job, Mr. Stark. I'll let you be alone with her." He left and I sighed heavily. I took her hand, wondering why she would do this. This wasn't like her at all. These past few weeks, it was like she'd been a completely different person. I'd noticed the changes, but I didn't think they were really bad changes. I didn't even think they'd be permanent. Now I was really hoping they weren't.

"...What aren't you telling me, Izz?"

Izetta's POV

When I woke up, I was blinded by lights. I groaned. I felt awful. I also felt like I was starving. Everything had finally caught up with me. I'd thought that if I just pushed through for a bit and then fixed it after I'd finished with my shows, I would've been fine. Clearly, I'd been wrong. I felt terrible both physically and emotionally. I was also just now beginning to understand why.

"Hey, kiddo." I stopped. I groaned again.

"...Damn it...you actually came to see me?"

"Oh no, I just had to deliver a package to the hospital," He said sarcastically. 

"Dad, you didn't have to come here."

"I heavily disagree with that statement." I looked over at him. "Izz, you look like you got hit by a truck."

"I've been through worse scenarios if that's what you're comparing this to."

"Izetta," Shit, he never uses my full name unless he's being serious. At least, not usually. "you need to step back. This isn't you. Talk to me. What's going on?" I frowned.

"...It's nothing. I just got carried away." It wasn't exactly a lie, but it wasn't the truth either.

"Don't you dare tip-toe around the question. You tell me the full truth, Izz. Don't make me call Pepper." I grumbled, knowing he wasn't bluffing and also knowing that Pepper would be much more persistent in this scenario.

"...That's a cheap move." 

"Hey, she knows you're here. I held her off for you. So, unless you want me to call and say this is worse than it actually is, which it already might be, I'd suggest you start talking." 

"...I didn't think I would still be feeling this way. After the mission ended, I thought that I would be able to go back to being normal. I wanted to be normal, but I just feel like I'm constantly missing something. So, I started doing show after show to fill it in, but now I'm not enjoying that either. I...I don't know what's missing, Dad." He frowned a little as he started to understand. I was glad that he wasn't upset with me. 

"...I think that necklace has something to do with that." I frowned, avoiding his gaze. He knew me a lot better than I was expecting at times. "Izz, you can't just try to fill in some things when that's not what works in that spot. You need to meet some people, make some friends. Take a break from shows, have some time for yourself." 

I sighed heavily. I thought about it for a bit before I nodded. I knew he was right. Maybe if I got some normal friends I'd actually start feeling better. But I wanted a little while to relax and get back into good healthy shape first. I was still in shape, but I needed to get some proper food into my system.

"Alright. I promise I'll take a break. Honestly? It sounds nice." Tony smiled.

"There ya go, kiddo. And hey, if you ever need anything, I'm always only a flight away." I chuckled at that notion. Always the same Tony.

"I know, Dad. Thanks for coming to check on me. I'm sorry I called you away."

"Don't be sorry. You know I don't roll that way. Come on, you feeling good enough to head out? Let's spend some time together. I know a really awesome joint around here to eat at. Dinner's on me, alright?" I smiled happily.

"Yeah, I think I'm up for that." 

"Alright, just need to get you out of here and we're off." 

Tony took care of everything as the doctors did a few final checks to make sure I was stable enough to leave. I followed my dad out as he suited up. I suited up too, glad that the emergency dispatchers had taken my suit with me. He took me out and we went to probably the freaking best steakhouse ever. I absolutely loved it and, being as hungry as I was, I finished everything and even got dessert. Usually, I was never hungry enough to want dessert too. I only ever got dessert if we did an appetizer dinner run. 

After that, we went home together. Well, what was currently my home, anyway. Tony told me he'd be staying closer for a little while anyway. There were a few things he had to do nearby or at least short flights away. I was glad he was sticking around. 

I headed up to my room and Tony told me to sleep in. I told him I would try and I slowly climbed up the stairs to crash for the night. I changed into my most comfortable pajamas and snuggled into my bed. It felt so nice. I was out like a light almost instantly. I had some soothing music playing in the background softly on my surrounding speakers. It was paradise. I had never been so happy to go to sleep. I wasn't usually much of a constant sleep person. I liked to be on the go, but this was probably the most relaxing and soothing moment I'd had for at least three weeks.

That night, my dreams were peaceful. I dreamed I was swimming along without a care. It was so nice. For those few hours, nothing was wrong in the universe. Everything was perfectly still, calm, and quiet. I would say I wish I would've enjoyed it more, but I don't know how I could've. Instead, I guess I'll say I wish it lasted longer.