A/N: As you can see, I couldn't give Loki a break. Anyway, thank yous to CriesofCapricorn, Guest, My-chan, SkyressFantasys, oOo, EvilConcubine, ClintBarton-Loki'sButtWarmer, THORKISUPPORT, Guest and DreamerKate for your reviews, and to my Fav'ers and Followers.

Hours seemed to bleed into days filled with nothing but waiting and discomfort. Most of the time Loki slept while Thor kept watch, but other times they spoke, the God of Thunder reminiscing about some adolescent adventure of telling of some Midgardian phenomenon he found amusing or impressive. Other times they just sat in silence – either awkward or companionable. Sometimes Loki rose from the bed for a few trembling steps, supported by Thor, just to stretch his legs.

The other Avengers were reluctant to intrude; Banner would came daily to change Loki's bandages and bring Thor something to eat, and sometimes Stark would wander in and out to check up on them, but aside from that they were left alone together. Loki never ate – hunger was much easier to endure than pain.

'I feel better,' Loki finally said, breaking the silence, 'My throat feels less sore and my body doesn't burn as fiercely.'

Thor was indescribably glad.

'I will tell Banner when he comes. He will be pleased – '

'No!' For an irrational moment, Loki feared that if he admitted he was getting stronger, they would take this as a signal to begin torturing him afresh. 'I still won't have them shoving anything inside me.'

'Alright, brother,' Thor placated him. After a pause, he changed the subject, 'Loki, I've been thinking. You've not moved from these chambers since your arrival. Perhaps we could relocate you somewhere else.'

'Where?' So they've finally decided to put me in a cell.

'Another room. Stark has many, and perhaps a more comfortable environment will help your recovery.'

'One room is the same as another,' Loki said dismissively. He hoped Thor would stop talking now, but Odinson just kept rambling on in his stupid, insensitive way.

'Well, give it some thought, brother – '

'Your mouth was not made for words, Odinson. Is peace and quiet too much to ask for?' Loki snapped. He wasn't sure what made him lash out unprovoked. Perhaps it was old resentments resurfacing, or his frustration and disgust at his own weakness. 'Is this to be my punishment? To be paraded around in front of my enemies as a pathetic weakling who can't even wash himself? Was this your plan all along? I hadn't thought you such a proficient strategist.'

'I want nothing but your wellbeing,' said Thor stubbornly, not rising to the bait.

'My wellbeing,' Loki scoffed, 'You think you can fix me? Fix everything? You have no idea what it was like, you fool. What gives you the right to extend the hand of friendship to me? You think I've forgotten how I came to you humbled and hurting and you turned away? Was that the love and filial loyalty you so pride yourself on?'

'I thought you a traitor,' said Thor bluntly. And in rage born of pure hurt, he shocked himself by adding, 'Because that's what you are. You're a traitor to the family that raised you, and you're a traitor to your own kind.'

Loki gulped as if the torrent of vitriol had suddenly stuck in his throat.

'Get out,' he finally said in a cracked voice, 'I will never forgive you. Get out!'

'Loki, I'm sorry – '

'Get out!'

Thor flinched at the sheer viciousness in Loki's face, and walked out. He was still agitated and seething as he made his way downstairs, but as the realisation of what had happened sank in, he was beset by guilt. Had those words truly come from him? How could he have said or even thought such a terrible thing? Loki was his brother, his beloved and only brother, not some unwanted outcast.

Thor headed straight back for the medical bay, but paused outside the door. It seemed he could hear a soft, muffled noise from within. Was Loki crying? Thor stood hesitating. Loki has suffered enough humiliation and degradation – he would not wish to be seen crying, least of all by me. I will leave him in peace, and later apologise to him. Determined to be thoughtful from now on, Thor turned and walked away.

When Odinson first stormed out, Loki was left shaking. In olden days, he would have buried his pain and loneliness beneath smirks and passive-aggression, but doing that was so hard now. Only in his grimmest nightmares had he ever heard Thor speak to him so. Thanos was right all along.

What was that? His head rose from where it had been resting in misery on his arms, but the noise – the ghost of a footstep – was gone. Had Thor come back?

With great difficulty Loki sat up, wincing, shifted his legs over the side of the bed and rose. He had been given new clothes, since he lacked the strength to magick up his own. There was a long, loose blue shirt which came down to his thighs, and a pair of soft canvas slip-on shoes. The flimsy garment hung awkwardly on his thin frame, exposing a gaunt collarbone and shoulders. He limped to the door, opened it and leaned out into the hallway, peering left and right. There was nobody in sight. Just his imagination playing tricks on him.

Suddenly the door slammed into him, sending him stumbling backwards into the room. Before he could regain his balance, he was knocked to the floor and pinned down beneath his assault. He found himself staring down the shaft of an arrow. Clint Barton had his bow aimed point-blank.

'Take it easy,' the agent whispered, 'I'm not going to hurt you. You're coming with me. Let's see how well your bullshit works when the only thing you have to talk to is your own shadow in solitary confinement.'

Loki fought back, but Barton's full weight was directly on top of him. He tried with all his might to summon up a dagger, but the magic eluded him. As they struggled, he heard footsteps in the corridor. Thor's. He could recognise them anywhere. Barton heard them too – the arrow disappeared, and a gloved hand clamped itself over Loki's mouth and nose; he tried to bite it unsuccessfully.

'Shh, shh,' the archer's voice soothed him in his ear.

Loki's hand slapped frantically at the floor, trying to get his brother's attention by thumping. He couldn't breathe properly, that hand over his mouth. He saw Thor's shadow under the door stop, pause, then turn and walk away. Loki's whimper was stifled behind Barton's glove.

'You know, I was actually willing to leave you alone, since the others were so determined to treat you like a poor, kicked puppy. But I've got my orders straight from S.H.I.E.L.D. I'm to bring you into custody and make it look like you've run off. Can't afford to jeapordise team relations, you see. I'm sorry.' Perhaps a part of him really meant it.

They were interrupted by the calm voice of Jarvis, making Barton jump.

'Excuse me, Agent Barton, Mr Stark wishes me to inform you that dinner's ready and he's looking for you.'

'Damn…' Barton looked down at Loki. 'You did this to yourself, understand? You had a flashback and started beating your own head to get rid of the memories. They ask you, that's the story you give 'em. You lie. You're good at that. Understand? You did this shit to yourself.'

And all Loki could think of was being half-mad with agony as the Chitauri wrought their revenge upon his body; and he was nodding, nodding Yes, anything to just get this pain to stop. His lungs were bursting. Brother I can't breathe brother help me…Then his head was being beaten against the wall for good measure. Blackness was closing in on him…

help…

brother…

…and then nothing.