Loki

Things were not as they should be. On my hands and knees before these self-titled heroes, I stitch a remorseful expression somewhere into my usual grin. No, if things had gone entirely to plan, I would be looking down into their pitiful eyes as they begged for mercy. All good things in their time, I suppose. For now, they had won. I had been sufficiently avenged.

I can't say I really blame Thor. Yes, we have known each other for an eternity but he is rather slow, you see. And he could be forgiven for not knowing his own brother enough to suspect that my guilty gestures of supplication were not entirely from the heart. I have always prided myself on my deceptions and this, my friend, had been my most deceitful yet.

"If it's all the same to you, I'll have that drink now." Come now, just because I'm beaten doesn't mean I'm broken. I admit, I did wince at the tight grip Thor took of my arm as I was unceremoniously raised from the floor. Ironically, they seemed to think I was joking about the drink. Some strong mead would have made this humiliation more bearable. Or at least, more palatable.

"Brother, I know you're angry with me now but you'll-"

"Silence Loki," Odin said. No, Thor said. I must be whoozy. I reminded him that it was he who started all of this.

"Ow," I pulled away as his grip tightened to a vice-hold. "I'm sorry," I mumbled when he looked at me with hatred. I took to walking beside him as an obedient hound then, pliant and subdued. I know what he is doing. This is a walk of shame. I can't help but look at the corpses we pass on our way to wherever we are going. Thor seemed to approve of my silence, perhaps he mistakes it for horror. I could use that. Oh yes, now that it occurs to me, that might be clever. Chaotic even.

One after another, some glassy eyed, some in separate pieces. Thor had always had a taste for this bloodshed and now I'm considered the crazy one. Typical. I glance back at a man who's face has been smashed in on one side, the other with not even a scratch. Natasha looks at him too. Our eyes meet and she seems to be questioning me. 'Well I definitely didn't do that one,' the words barely stay in my mouth but the suppressed laugh comes in the form of a chocked sigh. From the right angle it could even be a sob. By her expression the angle was just right. This will be easy.

"Where are we going?"

"Shut it Reindeer Games."

I take a moment to picture the expression I need and then match it. Sufficiently panicked.

"Thor. Please, where are you taking me?"

He's being stoic again. This will take something more so I thrash and I scream and I pull away. It's exhilarating to feel his raw strength as he wrestles me to the ground.

"Don't send me back there," I sob as I clutch at him, my pride non-existent. "Have mercy, brother." I feel their contempt for me oozing from them but I know Thor. His features soften. I am winning.

"You will return to Asgard to be punished for your crimes."

"Asgard," I whisper with mock relief. "Yes. Asgard." He doesn't have to haul me up this time. I'm almost ready to race him there. But I must keep them guessing. They must believe they have discovered a secret. "We'll go to Asgard and mother and father will be there. You would never send me to...to," I tail off with a look of wild horror that, strangely enough, isn't hard to conjure up.

"What's he on about," I hear the weak one ask. They do not know. Thor knows. I see it in the way his eyebrows knit together. Yes, when you let go of me. You remember. How could you forget?

We continue our funeral march through the streets and I am jolted from my planning when Thor takes hold of me. Facing me, he binds my wrists and I almost roll my eyes. I imagine it looks like I am averting his gaze through shame. Good.

"That stops his magic," the virtuous one asks. Oh dear. I want to curse him as Thor sighs. It is hard to be still when my brother instructs one of his party to hold my jaw while he works.

"Woah there buddy, I'm not putting a finger near that thing!"

I rather think I wouldn't desire to be anywhere near any one of their fingers. Yet I stand, solemn and repenting as gentle hands cup my face. It is strange. Her soft touch is not as firm as my mother's. It is comforting and I blink in surprise. I mean, I pretend to blink in surprise. Mock surprise. I can't help but look at her and imagine what the Lady Sif would make of a warrior like this.

She keeps her eyes on me as Thor locks the contraption onto my mouth. It is uncomfortable and effective. I doubt I could talk my way out of this one though I'm not against trying. As she stares at me I think of the body again.I feel bad but I can't place why. Looking at her becomes unbearable so I opt to stare at the ground that opens onto the soft grass. There is much to consider before being pulled through the Bifrost. There are people here and the Avengers are in their element. Now I have no desire for anything other than sleep so my thoughts of fratricide will have to be delayed.

Thor holds the device in his hands and offers me the other side. It hums under my fingertips but Thor could not know that. I take it and we rip through matter to the Bifrost bridge. I doubt he realises it will not work without me. It is me. And this is home. Ah, sweet home. I was beginning to miss Heimdall.