Tony, Bruce and Thor left without filling in the other Avengers, fearing their reactions would be the same as Steve's. All of them had their own reasons for hating Loki, and were far too rash to be trusted to think clearly in the face of battle. Thor called to Heimdall who opened the rebuilt Bifrost instantly, and soon they were in Asgard, faced with the golden armored Heimdall.
This was both Tony and Bruce's first time in Asgard and through the portal, so they were taken aback by how bright and shiny everything was. Thor had to thump them on the backs to get them back on the right train of thought.
"You took longer than expected." Heimdall's deep voice echoed throughout the dome and Tony and Bruce's attention snapped to him.
Thor nodded. "It took more persuasion than previously thought." Thor began to walk around the center of the dome and gestured for his friends to follow.
Heimdall took his sword from the stand and walked down the steps. "Your father still sleeps. Go quickly so that your mother is not alarmed."
With a final nod, Thor exited the building with his companions trailing behind him. Tony is shocked at how little resistance they received, as they freely walk down the long road towards the palace. He was suited up and Bruce had brought extra pants in preparation. It seemed he wouldn't need them though.
Thor didn't speak as he walked down a series of winding staircases. Torches lit the walls and it felt like they were walking down forever. Finally, they stepped onto flat ground and Thor stopped. He turned to Tony and pointed to a guard about one hundred feet away. Tony nodded back and advanced on the guard, knocking him flat in one swipe of his iron hand. Bruce smiled a bit at his quiet work. It was a silent agreement that Bruce would only Hulk up if absolutely necessary.
Tony came back and raised a skeptical eyebrow. "That's it? Only one? You'd think the God of Mischief would warrant a whole army to guard him. Ha! He's not going to hear the end of this."
Thor walked past Tony and down the long, dim hallway. They reached a cell door, and Thor smashed it open with Mjolnir and held it open for the two scientists to enter before him.
With great caution and speculation, Bruce and Tony entered the cell and blinked. It was pitch black, and Bruce's skin tingled at the sense of not knowing what he was facing. He curled his fingers and fought back his rising heart rate. Thor grabbed a torch from the hall and reentered. He walked forwards, light now illuminating his path, and stopped just before a lump in the ground.
Bruce raised an eyebrow and followed. Tony's mouth popped open when he realized it was a person, not uneven flooring, and he followed Bruce over to where he and Thor crouched over the figure.
For once, Tony was speechless. The cold planes and skin covering the face was clearly Loki's, but everything else about the figure, the sunken in eyes, the cuts and scars covering his face and chest, the ragged breathing a slight whimpering sound made when Thor touched him, was not Loki. No, Loki wasn't this hopeless.
"Can you help him, doctor?" Thor looked up at Bruce pleadingly, his eyes slightly hazed over with unshed tears for his brother's condition.
Bruce grappled with words. "I, um, I'm not that kind of doctor, but, uh, I'll see what I can do."
Thor nodded, satisfied with Bruce's promise to try and carefully—more careful than Tony thought he was capable of—slid his arms underneath his brother's shaking body. He hauled him up effortlessly, but Loki flinched and shook with fear, tears seeping down his face but his eyes never opening.
The whole way home Loki did not show any sense of awareness, only murmuring 'please no' and 'I'm sorry'. The reason for Loki's apologies went past Thor's head and he quietly reassured his brother that he had no fault. Tony chose not to comment on the fact that he knew what Loki was apologizing for. Loki knew exactly who was taking him away, and he was almost positive it was for retribution. The past two years he was constantly reminded of his crimes on Midgard, and effectively flinched whenever Tony or Bruce moved a half a step towards him.
When they reached the Avenger's tower, they were met with a less than receptive group. Natasha was standing with her arms crossed, guns attached to her sides like she was ready for battle, Clint was standing one inch in front of Natasha and Tasha doubtfully even noticed. Steve was sitting on the couch, sulking child-style.
"My brother needs refuge." Thor spoke, oblivious to the tension in the room. He stepped around Tony's warning hand and approached Clint. Clint took a silent step back, taking Natasha with him. Thor stopped and wondered on his silent refusal. Then, he stopped in front of Steve's seat with a questioning look. Steve looked into Thor's eyes only for a moment, ignoring the pathetic lump in his arms, then looked down into his lap, silently voicing his decision.
Thor's anger was dangerous, Bruce could see it. So he dutifully guided him backwards and thru the kitchen. "Why don't we find a place to put him down, okay?" Bruce's voice of reason broke through and the three men trailed down the hallways and to one of the guests rooms. Once Loki was laid on the mattress—with much protest, for he whimpered and refused to let go of his brother—Thor, Bruce and Tony went to the corner of the room to debate what to do.
"I do not understand!" Thor's voice was a hushed yell that Tony nor Bruce thought he was capable. "They are supposed to help people that are helpless and yet they turn away—"
"Big guy, have you ever thought that maybe they're still bitter about Loki trying to take over the world and mind fucking them and such? It's understandable that they don't want to rehabilitate him so easily." Tony cut Thor off and put a hand on his shoulder that Thor shoved off.
"He cannot harm them anymore! He has no magic, he is completely defenseless!" Thor's voice was rising, earning a light squeak and flinch from the bed where Loki was listening to the inflection of the voices but not the words. Thor looked over with an apologetic look but said nothing to his weak frame of a brother.
"That's exactly why I think this isn't the best place for him." Bruce spoke reason that had both Thor and Tony reeling.
"I thought you were on our side!" Tony asked.
"I'm not saying we should turn him out," he looked over to the cowering figure on the bed with pity "I'm just saying we should find a safer place for him. Somewhere with specific security access." Bruce's eyes turned to Tony.
Tony groaned and rolled his eyes. "Fury will burn down my house if he finds out. Pepper just refurbished the living room from the last unwanted visitor."
Their attention was averted by a small 'thud'. They looked over to the bed and saw it was empty. Bruce rushed over and found Loki curled up on the hardwood floor, apparently asleep. His hipbones shown through his ripped and torn pants, his ribs were prominent and his cheekbones were sharp. His lips were pursed; eyes screwed shut, waiting for something.
"Loki?" Bruce asked gently. Loki jumped, startled by his sudden closeness but gritted his teeth and bit back the quiver of his chin. Tony came up behind Bruce and took in the scene. He recognized it immediately. Loki was waiting to be beaten.
Tony sighed and walked over to the door, where Thor stood stoic. "Bring him to my place. We'll take a car and meet you there."
Thor's face brightened only a bit, and he nodded in gratitude.
Tony sighed and walked past him out the door. He had to call Pepper and explain the situation to her. He was unsure of how she'd react, but it was ultimately his decision anyways. He'd have to have JARVIS arrange a room and up the security measures so that not only could no one get in, but no one outside would know where he was staying. He exited the tower, passing the rest of the Avengers who were in the kitchen, still silent. He was about to walk past then stopped abruptly.
"Ya know, I thought you all at least had some compassion. I was wrong. You're all just as heartless as the next person." And with that, he exited the building, leaving the Avengers feeling guilty and contemplative.