Captive

Chapter Twenty Eight

It has been five days since you have started using melatonin, and it has done wonders. The nightmares haven't gone away, but instead of being impossibly alert after them, the drug is strong enough to keep you tired enough to sleep until morning. Now that you can get eight or more hours of sleep a night, your body is starting to function again. Things you didn't even notice were off about you are starting to go back to normal. Obviously, there will still be problems. Stress causes those, and this environment is the opposite of stress-free. But sleep will save you from so many problems you have had.

After some time of soaking in the comfort of the bed, you get up to shower. That's another benefit of sleep. It is much easier to keep a steady routine if you go to bed and wake up at the same time almost every day. After your shower, you get dressed in jeans, a band shirt, and an unbuttoned flannel. Then after a moment to gather your courage, you leave the bedroom to grab some breakfast. The homeostasis spell is still in effect, but you do try to at least have breakfast everyday. You don't want to get out of here and have to relearn how to eat regularly. If you can keep a habit here, and only need the spell in case you lose track of time, that will help you out in the long run.

You are nervous about actually cooking in Loki's kitchen, so all of your meals have had minimal effort. Loki apparently keeps track of what food you use, because it never runs out. There's always some of the foods you use the most. You spread cream cheese on a bagel while you wait for your water to heat up in the microwave for your hot chocolate. After mixing the powder into the water, you sit down in the breakfast nook and eat. Normally, you can get back to your room before Loki finds you. Sometimes, your nerves are worse than usual, and you can't stand the idea of seeing him, but you have always been able to go back to the pseudo-safety of the bedroom before anything happens. Luckily, you are feeling more relaxed today.

You stiffen when you hear the doorbell ring. On the other side of the door is someone that could help. If they see you, and more importantly recognize you, they could send your location to the other Avengers. But if they see you while Loki is there, heaven knows what he'll do. Before you can make any decision, Loki walks in. He goes straight to the door, a brief 'good morning' as he passes you. With a wave of his hand in front of the door, it becomes transparent. Well, you assume it only affects this side of the door. A man with a scarlet scarf is on the other side.

You're expecting Loki to ignore the man while ensuring you don't answer the door or to ask you to leave. When he does neither, it leaves you confused. He opens the door with a smile and greets the man.

"To what do I owe the pleasure, Stephen?" You watch from your seat as the man, Stephen apparently, walks inside, Loki closing the door behind him.

Stephen hands Loki a piece of paper. "Guess we'll find out." Loki examines the paper before making it disappear.

Both of them turn to you. You edge away under their gaze. "[Y/N], this is Stephen. We've been working together. He's also the doctor I told you about," Loki says. Stephen gives you a warm and apologetic smile. You nod warily from your seat. Loki turns back to Stephen. "I need to grab something. Would you wait here?" Loki leaves the room after Stephen nods.

The instant Loki is out, Stephen speed walks to you. You tense as he approaches. He must see this, because he slows down, and keeps some distance between you and him. "Sorry to scare you. Has he hurt you?" Stephen asks quietly, looking behind his shoulder. You shake your head.

He must not trust Loki if he's asking me that. Is he here to help me? Before you can whisper any questions, Stephen methodically moves his hands in front of his chest. An intricate necklace appears around his neck, and a few more gestures make the charm move to reveal a glowing green gem. He hovers his right hand over his wrist, slowly turning his hand around his wrist, creating a green band. Before you can ask what he is doing, Stephen moves his hands to face you, and you feel an odd vibrating sensation for a second.