He clenched his jaw, his fingers white on the book in his hand as he started forwards again. Black stars popped in his vision, unexpected and unwelcome. He faltered to a stop, hoping that they would disappear. They didn't, and when he next stepped forth, his knees buckled beneath him. He keeled forwards, reaching for something to brace himself on. His long fingers caught in the white vase, and it shattered as it hit the floor, embedding shards in his arm. He pushed himself unsteadily to his knees, staring dumbfounded at the blood that trickled down his forearm in tiny streams. He heard Thor rise hesitantly from the couch.

"Brother?" his voice called uncertainly from the lounge room.

"I'm fine," he called over his shoulder. "Everything's fine."

He pushed himself to his feet, letting the wall guide him as he made his way to his room. It was sparsely furnished, and void of decoration. He lowered himself down beside his bed, leaning leisurely against its covers as he picked the shards from his arms. The cold darkness pierced his skin, and he shivered against it, his bones tingling. He shrugged on a jacket, covering his wounded arms.

Loki glanced up, startled at the sudden light, and met Odin's hard gaze. So weak had his magic become that he could not even feel when he was moved between realms. He pushed himself slowly to his feet, standing tall beneath Odin's detached scrutiny.

He had not seen the Allfather since he had been allowed to journey to Midguard with Thor. It had taken his brother days of pleading to convince Odin to allow him into the custody of the Avengers. His surrogate father's regret of his actions was still evident in his stance.

"It's been a month," Odin said, by way of an explanation.

Loki understood now. He had been summoned for assessment. They wanted to know what he had been doing in Midguard, whether he had been serving his purpose, and whether he had been using magic. "I've done everything you commanded, Allfather," Loki replied brusquely, his tone almost taking on a warning edge. He restrained himself, and the Allfather held back his judgment.

Frigga was at his side, and she stepped forwards now, her gentle hand stroking Loki's face. He held no resentment for this woman; she had denied him nothing in life. His anger was with Odin. She traced the faint ridges along his neck and cheek. "You're exhausted," she commented, the concern evident in her tone. Her gaze flickered up to him. "How much magic have you been using?"

"All that you allow me," he replied quietly, his tone even and measured. Worry showed in the depths of her gaze as her palms fell to his chest, then to his arms.

"Your magic - does it suffice for your tasks?" Odin asked.

Loki's hostile gaze rose to him. "It suffices, yes. Though barely."

"You're bleeding."

His gaze fell at his mother's words. She had pulled back his sleeves, exposing his tattered arms. He had removed the shards of the vase, but the wounds were still visible. He swiftly jerked the sleeves back down. "I ran into-"

"You're unwell," she cut across him, surveying his face as he avoided her probing eyes. "You're not taking care of yourself."

"I'm fine," he assured her, his tone honeyed and soothing. Odin did not buy his false reassurance, but Loki didn't care what Odin chose to believe or not. His green gaze rose swiftly to the Allfather. "Can I go back to Midguard now?" His tone was clipped and brisk.

Darkness enveloped him, like someone had flicked off the light, and it took a few moments for his eyes to adjust to the dimness of his bedroom. He exhaled, releasing the hostility that had built within him every minute he had had to spend in Odin's presence.

The door to his bedroom opened, and he braced himself for an attack, his body already tensed in response. Thor stood framed in the doorway, his hulking figure silhouetted against the light. "Brother?"

"I'm here," Loki said softly, obscured by the darkness.

Thor stepped over the threshold, flicking on the light switch. Loki closed his eyelids against the harsh glow, listening as the springs of his bed groaned under Thor's weight. He pried his eyes open, letting them adjust to the artificial light, and turned to survey his brother.