A normal day in the Avenger's mansion isn't at all complex. Steve is usually working out, honing his skills responsibly so that he can be ready to assemble at a second's notice. Bruce is mostly gone, visiting different countries collecting reasearch, but when he is on the premises he's in his own lab, puttering with complicated equipment. Clint is either bothering Natasha or sparring with Steve. Natasha spends her days training, mostly, and sometimes out and about with Pepper when Pepper isn't busy running Tony's company. Tony's occupations vary, but for the most part he's either in his lab tinkering or in Bruce's discussing theories and future blueprints he needs his opinions on. Thor-until recently-had been in Asgard tending to his duties as an Asgardian prince.

The day Thor returned, however, was far from complex. The Avengers were in their usual stations when he arrived, and no one saw him burst in thru the window with Mjolnir and land gracefully on his feet. He looked around, a frantic expression on his strong features, and headed down to Tony's lab on the floor below.

Tony was in the process of explaining some atmospheric change to Bruce, and was getting exasperated by Bruce's lack of comprehension. "Come on Bruce keep up with me here! Aren't you supposed to be as smart as me? The gases massed together to create-"

"Tony." Bruce spoke his name, breaking him out of his explanation and nodded towards the glass wall behind Tony's back. "Visitor."

Tony turned around and raised an eyebrow. "Let him in JARVIS."

"Certainly sir."

The glass wall slid aside and Thor entered, his look of desperation only seen by Bruce.

"How ya been big guy? It's a while." Tony stood up, fully expecting a near life-ending hug from the large alien god.

"I need your help." Thor cut straight to the chase.

"It's good to see you too!" Tony jeered at him and turned back around to Bruce, ready to delve back into his spiel.

"It's urgent, Tony. I need you and all the other Avengers to assist me in a most important mission." Thor pressed on with his request, stepping in front of Tony's line of sight with a nod in the direction of the intently listening Bruce.

Tony sighed and rolled his eyes. "Then you're taking it up with the wrong person. Put it through Fury. He'll decide whether it's a priority, now if you'll excuse me." Tony tried to step around Thor but was once again blocked by the big man's stature.

"Tony hear him out." Bruce lamented, earning a grateful smile from Thor.

"Thank you, Bruce Banner." Bruce nodded.

"I cannot go to the Director Fury because he cannot know anything about this mission or what we retrieve. Other wards he will not allow it and I can assure you this is of utmost importance." Thor's brow was furrowed with worry and Tony noticed it, raising an eyebrow.

"What's the mission then? Don't tell me you want us to kill someone who stole your pop-tarts again." Tony's usual snark wasn't held back at the god's worried expression.

Thor hesitated, pursing his lips then dropping his gaze from Tony's. He sighed and with much reluctance he muttered, "We must save my brother from his unjust imprisonment."

Thor opened his mouth to explain but before he could he was cut off with a solid and firm, "No."

The answer didn't come from Tony, but from Steve. Who was in the doorway watching Thor with weary eyes as if to say, 'Are you out of your mind?'

Thor grunted irritatedly. "There is no time for your petty disagreeance here, Captain of America. My brother is severely hurt and we have to save him. His sentence has been served well enough." Thor's annoyance at the mortal's seeming lack of empathy was growing and Bruce quietly came to stand next to Tony, who was still dumbfounded behind Thor.

"Where is he? Why can't he save himself?" Bruce asked, ignoring Steve's scoff about even suggesting they go along.

Thor turned to Bruce and stepped closer, causing Bruce to have to relent back a few steps to maintain his empathy bubble. "He is in Asgard, being held prisoner in the dungeons. He has been there for nearly two years now."

"Why can't he take care of himself? Seemed to do fine with trying to destroy us." Tony asked, highlighting Bruce's second question.

Thor sighed exasperatedly. "I do not know the full extent of his wounds, but I assure you he cannot. He's had his magic taken away so he won't be a threat to you. I beg of you, Man of Iron. Please help me. If not for my brother, then to repay the many times I saved your life." Thor's pleading went sour when Tony was reminded of his need of saving on a few occasions. He grumbled but took Thor's reasoning into honest contemplation.

"You can't seriously be considering this, Tony." Steve was getting angry at Tony and Bruce's expressions, seeing they weren't agreeing with him.

"He tried to kill us!" Steve yelled over their thoughts, causing Thor to swing around and glare at him harshly.

"And he paid for it. Dearly." Thor's usual demeanor of an adorable puppy was taken over by a look of harsh finality. Steve sputtered but said nothing else, rolling his eyes and walking away with his hands in the air.

"Do you think he'll tell Fury?" Bruce asked Tony, who had his hand on his chin in thought.

Tony shook his head, a quick, jerky movement. "No. He may be a goody two-shoes but he's still a team player. He sure as hell won't help, but he'll keep it to himself."

"Does this mean I have your support?" Thor asked hopefully, his impatience showing thru his fidgety fingers tapping on his own armor.

Bruce nodded slowly. "You have mine."

Tony was still thinking. As much as he hated the guy, Thor had a point. He owed Thor. He grudgingly rolled his eyes. "Fine."

Thor smiled broadly and squeezed both Bruce and Tony into a bone crushing hug.

Tony slapped his back a few times, trying to get the message across that if Thor held on much longer he'd pass out, and Bruce would turn into a giant green monster. Thor let go and summoned Mjolnir from seemingly nowhere.

Tony held up a finger, delaying Thor. "But he gives me one smart comment and I'm gone. I deserve at least a little respect for saving his sorry ass."

Thor smiled sadly. "I do not think he'll give us much trouble."