Red eyes.

That was all I remember before my eyes fluttered open. Gasping for air, feeling a hand touch my arm. Letting my eyes adjust to the surrounding, smelling the familiar disinfectant and chemicals around. I was inside the infirmary. White walls surround the room, a machine monitoring my vitals at the side hearing its rhythmic beeping sound.

Groaning, feeling pain all over my body, an IV drip connected to my arm. "She's awake." slowly turning my head towards Bruce's voice, our eyes locked as he smiled at me and lightly squeezed my arm. Loki suddenly appeared beside him, looking at me worriedly and his eyes glistened with tears.

"Darling, you're awake." He softly muttered as Bruce patted his shoulder lightly. Loki gave him a smile and placed a quick kiss on his cheeks, "You did a very good job, Bruce." He praised, smiling seeing a faint blush on his cheeks.

Just wait a little longer, mi vida.

Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath as I heard his voice inside my head. My head starts to throb, whimpering, immediately gaining both their attention. "My head." I mumbled, painfully. "You have a minor concussion, Via. Don't move too much." Bruce said, voice gentle as he brushes my hair.

"It's okay, darling. You're okay." Loki whispered, feeling myself relaxed at his voice. His voice lulled my pain away. Hearing rushed footsteps. Thor, Steve, Nat, Clint, and Tony appeared at the door. "My lady." Thor said, his voice boomed inside the room.

Startled by his voice, Loki hissed and glared at him, "Will you lower your voice, oaf. She just woken from her slumber." He said, hearing Clint snicker. "Angel, I was so worried for you." Nat said, standing at the other side and softly grabbing my hand.

"Correction red. We were worried." Tony remarked as Steve shakes his head, seemingly so done with them but a small smile plastered on his face. "Thirsty." I whispered, voice raspy from the lack of liquid.

Bruce quickly took the bottle with straw and placed it in front of me, opening my mouth and sipping the liquid. A satisfied sigh escaped from me tasting the water inside my mouth – quenching my thirst. Groaning as I tried to sit, Loki helped me, placing a pillow on my back, "Careful. Slowly." He said, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.

"I thought you and Thor were still at Asgard." I said as he smiled at me, tucking a loose strand behind my ear, "We wanted to surprise you and the others upon our arrival. But instead, we were surprised." He replied. "Father, punished Loki by staying here in Midgard." Thor added, "I don't see why that's a punishment." I said, confusingly.

"My powers here in Midgard are limited. But that's the only flaw, since I can see you every day." Loki beamed, "Great another rival for her attention." Tony commented, chuckling at what he said.

"How long did I sleep?" I asked, "Almost two months." Clint answered as my eyes widened, "What?!" I asked in which I regretted immediately feeling a sharp pain on my abdomen, hissing at the pain, "Take it easy, princess." Steve said, looking at him standing at the end of the bed.

"You should rest some more." Bruce advised, "From now on, wherever you go. You must have at least one or two of us to accompany you." Tony strictly said, "No buts, angel." Nat said, looking at me with her eyebrows raised, challenging me to oppose them.

"Tin man is right, my lady." Thor seconded, earning a look from Tony. A smile erupted from Steve and Bruce, a grin from Loki, and a smirk from Nat and Clint. "Okay, fine." I answered, defeatedly sighed, earning approval nods from them.

Hours passed as Nat and Clint left, having their own missions. Tony went back to his lab with Bruce. Thor got hungry and went to the kitchen to find his beloved pop tarts, Steve also left saying he has something to do. Knowing exactly what his plans are as his mind was screaming it, on how to find Bucky.

Who is he? Why did he want me?

"Penny for your thoughts, darling?" Loki's voice interrupting my thoughts, staring at him, his eyes looking at me with so much love and concern. Smiling at him, "I'm okay, Loki." I replied, placing the book aside. Loki stood up and approached me.

Sitting on the bed, his smooth hands clasped with mine, holding it gently. "I can't read your mind, Rivia. I've tried it countless times but all I ever saw was silence and darkness." He confessed and intertwined our hands together.

"I know you're not okay. You can't lie to the God of Lies itself." He teased, earning a soft laugh from me, "Your eyes says it all." He added as our eyes locked. Lifting his other hand, resting it on my face, his thumb caressing my cheeks, "You can tell me everything. Tell me your burdens, I will help you carry it with no hesitation. You're not alone anymore. I won't ever, ever leave your side unless you say so." He continued.

Closing my eyes, leaning towards his touch, a sigh escaped my lips despite the coldness of his hands, warmth surrounds me. Feeling his lips touch my forehead, he gently pulls me closer to him, embracing me. "Don't be afraid to seek help, my love. Don't be afraid to say anything. We will always protect you with everything we can." He stated and brushed my hair.

"I will. Thank you, Loki." I replied, "Anytime, darling." He answered.

☘

Weeks passed as I thankfully healed fast. With them still monitoring my every move. Getting up and trudging towards the kitchen. Running my hand through my hair, my stomach grumbled smelling the delicious aroma of food.

I was about to take a step, my eyes widened, screaming as someone easily lifted me up carrying me in their arms. Turning towards the culprit as our eyes locked, Clint gave me a mischievous smirk while wiggling his eyebrows.

"Good morning, hermosa." He greeted and placed a quick kiss on my lips. "What a good morning indeed." He mumbled as I shook my head and chuckled at his antics. Leaning my head to his chest as he continued heading towards the kitchen, "We should hurry before your stomach makes more noise." He teased, looking at him and raising my eyebrow.

"He's correct. I can hear it from miles away like a hungry animal at night." Tony seconded, Bruce shakes his head, a light chuckle escapes his lips as I roll my eyes at them while they continue to make fun of me. Arriving at the dining, Clint carefully placed me down, seconds later, Thor arrived with a poptart or two on both his hands.

"Good morning, my queen." He greeted with a bright smile on his face. Looking at him as he sits across happily eating his pop tarts. Steve then arrived dressed in a tight gray shirt, his bulging muscles popping out. "Your jaw is dropping, princess." Steve teased, a smirk on his face. "She even drooled." Nat continued, placing the food on the table.

"Is it that delicious Thor?" I asked as he happily nodded his head, "I can give you some, my queen. But we have to buy more, looks like the supply here isn't sufficient enough for me." He added as Loki magically appeared beside me.

Tony and Clint startled at his sudden appearance, Nat snickered while Steve and I chuckled. "Forgive my oaf of a brother, darling. That's the only snack he tasted ever since he came here in Midgard." He nonchalantly said, "His sweet tooth knows no bounds." He whispered in which I giggled.

"What did you say to her brother?" Thor asked, his voice booming inside the room, Loki glanced at him and gave him a mischievous smile, "Nothing." He replied and took a seat beside me.

Ah, there it goes the God of Mischief himself.

☘

Sighing as I massage my temple. Shaking my head as I turned around, looking at them, "I thought one or two would suffice. Why did everyone follow?" I asked, raising my eyebrow at my soulmates. Each of them averts their eyes away from me, squinting my eyes at them.

We originally planned that only Tony, Bruce, and I would visit the orphanage – imagine how shocked I was when everyone followed us, thankfully the SUV had enough space for everyone.

"Suit yourself." I mumbled, defeatedly, noticing everyone brightens up. Chuckling as I shake my head and head towards the new building of the orphanage. Sister EL greeted me and my companions, her shocked face was priceless seeing who they were.

"He's been waiting for y..." an excited voice and running steps interrupted her, "VIA!" Claude excitedly shouts, laughing at him as I open my arms, quickly catching him and embracing him. Hearing him giggle made my tense body relax.

His arms around my neck hugging me longingly and his face hiding in the crook of my neck. "I miss you so much, Via." He whispered, his voice shaking, "I miss you too, Claude." I replied, looking at me as our eyes locked, "Don't cry, buddy. I'm here." I added as he nodded his head.

Wiping a lone tear on his cheek, he leaned his face to mine and our foreheads touched. Our moment was interrupted by someone coughing. Claude looks at them, a faint blush on his cheeks and hides his face to my neck.

Look how cute he is.

Giggling at him as I patted his hair, smiling at Sister EL, she nodded her head as we followed her with Claude still clinging to me.

Hours passed, we were now outside with the children playing at the playground. Claude is still at my side, a sketchbook on his lap while a pink teddy bear on my lap, gifted by Claude. "Hey kiddo, you know she's my soulmate, right?" Tony commented, Claude looked at him, tilted his head a little bit to the side, "So?" He asked as I laughed.

"I know her first. Finders keepers, old man." Claude added and proceeded to bring his attention back to his sketchbook, Tony scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Ungrateful brat." He mumbled, a faint smirk itched on his face.

"She's still ours." Loki joined in, "She's not a property to be claimed." Claude nonchalantly replied, Clint, Nat, Steve, and Bruce chuckled at his reply. Loki grinned mischievously, "And who might you be?" Loki asked while I enjoyed looking at them, listening to their bicker.

"I'm Claude. She called my name earlier, are you deaf, mister?" He asked, placing my hand on my stomach and laughing. "Is he really six years old?" Tony whispered to me as I nodded my head, "He is." I replied, smiling.

Night was falling and it was time to go. Claude extended his arms as I smiled and picked him up. Resting his hand on my face, "Come back soon." He muttered as I smiled at him and nodded, "And be careful. He's coming for you." He added as my smile instantly disappeared at what he said, "Who?" I asked, intrigued.

"The guy with red eyes." He replied as my breath hitched. "I will protect you, don't worry." He promised and smiled at me. And just like that, the fear that has been long forgotten, resurfaced.