The Scientist (Loki x OC)

Pt. 31: The Visitor

"That I'm sure of, but after this," Luna gestures to the jar of hot chocolate powder, "I'd like to make sure you didn't seriously injure yourself."

"Sure. That's fine."

As the milk boiled and Peter's drink mixed, the trio kept a tense silence. Luna contemplated what to ask him once they were alone, Peter silently wallowed in shame, and Loki observed the scene in front of him. He had much to think about before the morning came and more to talk about with Luna than he previously believed.

Peter drank his beverage, doing his best not to guzzle it down. The early hours of January took more from him than he planned, but the chocolate gave some of it back to him. He was grateful, and he made sure to voice it.

"Thanks. That was really good."

Luna smiled, happy he liked it. "Come on. The bathroom is the best place."

"Ok." Peter complied and followed. Luna had him enter first as Loki had followed them and leaned against the wall beside the door. Confusion apparent on his face, it was clear he demanded an explanation. If Luna weren't so upset with him, she would have laughed.

"Give us a minute, and I will give you all the context you need," she answered his wordless question and disappeared into the bathroom.

Peter stood under the single ceiling light, looking drained and defeated. Luna felt for him. He needed someone, and she be damned if she left him to fend for himself.

"Hey," she greeted as she imagined a mother would. He looked at her and gave her a weak grin. "Before we start talking, I really do want to make sure you're physically ok." He nodded. "Ok, breathe deeply and tell me if your ribs hurt and where."

Peter did as she asked, grimacing a bit as his lungs filled with air. He exhaled and brought his hand to one side of him.

"Hurts a little here," he touched a spot on the back of his ribcage, "but it's not bad. It'll be fine by morning."

"I'm sure it will. Do you have any numbness or soreness that's not from the cold?"

"I don't think so, and I'm feeling warmer now." Peter rubbed his arms.

Luna nodded, but she wasn't done with him. "Now, will you tell me what really happened?" Peter nodded. "Did you have another bad dream?" he nodded again. "Same one?"

He nodded again but caught himself. "A bit different this time, though."

"What was different about it?"

"I was trapped, and I couldn't move, like usual," Peter spoke quietly, "but Ben was there too."

"No," Luna breathed out.

"And I still couldn't escape, and he got, you know, he, you know." A tear fell from his eye as the other one brimmed. "I couldn't do anything, just like the first time."

"I know, Peter, I know, but that wasn't your fault. None of it is."

"And when I woke up," his voice cracked, "I went to be with May, and I found her looking at his picture, and she was crying." Tears streamed down his pink cheeks and dripped on the front of his sweater, darkening the red. "I just couldn't burden her, so I left and just kept swinging till I got here." He fought it well, but a few sobs made their way out from him.

Luna gave in and held his tense body against hers. "It's ok," she affirmed to him. "None of it's real, you're safe, and no one blames you." She rubbed his back. "You're ok."

Peter hugged her back. "I don't feel like it sometimes," He said, voice muffled against Luna's shoulder.

"And that's ok, too." She stroked his head, soothing him. "You're still young. There's enough time for you to be ok and for you to know it."