All eyes shifted from Loki back to Thor, waiting to hear the response. They had all assumed that booting Loki from Asgard had been the extent of his punishment, maybe he wasn't getting off so lightly after all.

"In addition to the banishment you are to be flogged in two days time, once the location is agreed upon Heimdall will inform father so everything can be arranged." Thor spoke directly to Loki this time, seeing as he had inquired directly. "The Avenger, Shield and a few of the Asgard's councilmen shall lay witness and you are to receive five lashing for each realm you attacked."

"So, fifteen?" Loki asked, unsure just how many realms were counted as being involved.

"Nay," Thor shook his head, "Ten lashings, only Jotunheim and Midgard are included, Asgard was ruled out as the only real harm caused there was the attacks on both Heimdall and myself and the damages done to the Bifrost. Heimdall denied the attack on him be counted in the punishment as he had made an attempt on you as well, and the destruction of the Bifrost was just as much my doing as it was yours, so it was seen unfair for you to be punished for such as I was not." He explained.

It wasn't long until the argument over where Loki was to be held, was in full roar again, everyone was so focused on the argument at hand that they didn't notice Loki slip from the room.

He sighed as he lay back on the grass in the rooftop garden, watching the clouds slowly drift by. He was fully aware that Heimdall would have a clear view of him moping about, but then the gate keeper had the ability to see anyone even if indoors, though if he had managed to sneak frost giants into Asgard unseen, then he had obviously found a way to conceal himself from Heimdall's gaze, but he no longer held that knowledge.

He always had so little choice in his life and he hated it, he was always expected to act accordingly, as a prince of Asgard, when they were younger it was most always Thor, who decided where they should go, what they should do, apparently his own ideas of fun was boring to Thor and the rest of Asgard. Any decisions he did choose to follow himself, like learning the arts of magic and furthering his knowledge, only led to further disappointment in the eyes of those around him. And now the Midgardians got to decide where it is he will be staying until he is permitted back on Asgard, if he is permitted, not that he cared where he was to be stuck spending his banishment, okay, maybe he did care, but it hardly mattered it wasn't like he had a say in the matter anyway.

Part of Loki wished that the flogging was the extent of his punishment, even if it had meant he'd receive more lashings, it's not like he'd never been flogged before, sure it hurt like hell, but he would prefer it over banishment. Banishment brought with it a pain of its own, knowing he was no longer welcome in Asgard, in his own home, a pain unlike that of a wound or infection, one that could not be soothed with a simple balm or potion, he was horrible at dealing with this type of hurt.

No, Loki sighed, he would much prefer physical pain over this.

"There you are." A soft voice sounded as he heard footsteps approaching, though he didn't bother looking over at pepper, instead opting to continue watching the sky.

"I was a little surprised when I didn't find you in your room, I didn't even see you leave the living room. No one did, you should have seen the others faces when they realised you were no longer in the room." She joked, as she took a seat by the step that led to the raised garden, to try to lighten the mood a bit. Though she didn't manage to get even a hint of a smile from the teen.

Pepper took a moment to bask in the peace of the roof top, the only sounds that of muffled traffic from the streets below and the rustling of the hedge leaves and lavender that fenced the circular lawn, a vast improvement from the shouting and all around rowdiness of the tower's main floor.

When Loki still hadn't spoken, she decided to speak again. "You really don't have to worry about being handed over to SHIELD, Tony is determined to keep you away from them, and when Tony gets determined like this he always wins." She reassured, "and if you're worried about being flogged, I'm sure we could figure out some other punishment that Asgard would agree with. One that's a little less... Uh, physically harmful." Surely community service or a little hard labor would be just as effective as having him whipped. And a lot less brutal.

"I am not worried, it would not be the first time I've been flogged, I do not fear it." Loki huffed. He was not in the mood for company right now, he felt hurt, confused, angry and extremely frustrated. There were too many emotions clashing inside of him and he didn't know how to deal with them, he wanted to cry, scream, and hit something all at the same time. He didn't want to be in others company, as he feared he might lash out at them.

He had ended up crawling into his brother's room at some ungodly hour, the night before in hopes of finding enough comfort to quell the emotions battling inside of him long enough for him to find rest, unfortunately the morning had brought with it the tangled mess of feelings from the evening before, and he was becoming increasingly more frustrated as the day went on.

"Oh. Well then-" Pepper was about to suggest they find something for lunch, or do something to help distract Loki even if only for awhile, but he interrupted before she had the chance.

"I am not much in the mood for company right now, lady Pepper, so I would be grateful if you might leave me be." He informed.

Pepper sighed as she got to her feet, he did sound tired and a little annoyed, perhaps giving him some space would do him some good, but surely having friends around would help too, let him know he is still cared for, still loved, reassure him that all of this hasn't changed everything, after all she had befriended Loki after he had attacked. Probably best to have lunch first, give him a bit of peace and quiet for an hour or so then talk to Thor, see what he thinks.

Thor exited the lift entering the open kitchen and living space of the floor tony had allocated to him, in the hopes of speaking to Loki. After finally sorting everything out with Fury, who looked rather unpleased with the outcome, Tony had won as he stated he would and Loki was to stay in the tower, while the other half of the punishment was to be dished out at SHIELD's New York headquarters. Thor wasn't too pleased with that part of his brother's punishment, not so much the flogging itself, Norns knew they had both received lashing on several occasions in their youth, it was more the fact that he knew at least half the men of Asgard's council would show up to watch, they need only one to lay witness, but those not fond of Loki would attend as we'll just satisfy themselves in seeing Loki lashed.

After a quick lunch Pepper had had a word with him expressing her concern, and as horrible as it seems, he couldn't help but feel a little relief knowing it wasn't just him Loki was turning away.

He found his brother rather easily, it would seem Loki was looking to find himself something to eat, though he was apparently having less luck, as he shut the fridge door with a huff before heading back to his room, not having noticed Thor enter the room. Thor followed opening Loki's door and entering the room without knocking, out of habit, faltering momentarily as he remembered how much it had annoyed his brother when he just barged into his room. Too late now, though, he was already in and as expected Loki didn't look pleased.

"Doors are put in place for a reason, Thor, generally when ones door is shut, it is common courtesy to knock." The younger god bit. "I do not wish for company."

"I just wanted to know how you are fairing after everything this morning? It could not have been easy for you." Thor asked, ignoring the retort about doors.

"I'd be fairing much better if people would just leave me be." Loki shot back.

"They bother you because they care, they worry for you." Thor argued back exasperated, Loki could be so frustratingly stubborn at times.

"Perhaps I do not want their worrying for me, I most certainly do not want yours. Now leave already, before I decide to fling a dagger at you." Loki threatened, pointing to the door.

"I shall leave when I am done." The thunder god demanded, "I have done nothing but be honest with you, Loki, why are you angry with me."

"I'm not."

"No? You have been keeping distance from me since this morning, you fell silent last night and have been snippy all today, you snap at me anytime I try to get near you, what else am I to think." Thor replied, a little frustrated by the fact Loki seemed to complicate things so easily. He couldn't figure if his brother was angry, upset or just being antisocial.

"I don't know!" Loki cried, his brows twisting in hurt, confusion, hands balling as his breathing picked up. "I don't... I'm not... Not you, them, I'm angry at them, at mother and father, for not telling me, for not being honest from the started, I'm angry with myself, for not realising myself, for not figuring it out. I want to shout, to demand answers to know why they kept it from me, but they're not here! They're not here..." His whole body trembled as he trailed off.

He wanted to yell at them, to scream at them, let them know how angry he was with them, tell them he hates them, even if deep down, he knew it wasn't true, he just wanted them to hurt like he was. He wasn't mad at Thor, he couldn't be mad at him for being honest with him, telling him the truth, even if part of him wished he had never found out, but it would only hurt more if he hadn't, if Loki had found out by himself knowing Thor had kept it secret as well.

"But I am." Thor whispered. It made sense in a way, Loki had all this pent-up pain and frustration and didn't know where to direct it. Though he still wasn't sure how to help his brother, being near Loki just seemed to frustrate him more, and he wasn't certain leaving his brother to himself was doing him much good either.

Loki took a deep breath, laying further back into the pillows of his bed. "Now, please, leave me be."

Not wanting to further upset his brother Thor gave in closing the door behind him as he left.

"That's not a promising sound." Steven Rogers pointed out as he walked into the living room, finding the god of thunder sitting back on one of the couches with his face in his hands, as he let out a long exhausted sigh.

"Want to talk?" Steve asked as he took a seat by the thunderer.

"It is Loki," Thor confessed, "I know not how to aid him. I try to speak with him and he orders me away, he will not even speak with the lady Pepper, and he had seemed to have grown rather fond of her." He explained.

"I see, maybe he just needs a little space." Steve suggested.

"Aye, though I worry, the first time he found out he was adopted father fell into the Odinsleep, and mother was too worried for her husband to leave his side, and I was stuck here on Midgard. Loki had to deal with it all himself, and well, we both know how that turned out." The blonde Asgardian sighed.

"Ah, yes, I see your dilemma." Steve hummed.

"He is upset, and frustrated, and being banished cannot be helping. I remember how angry and confused, I had felt when I had been banished, it is not a good feeling knowing you cannot go home. I just want to let him know that he does not have to be alone during his banishment, I will be right here with him, and if I am needed in Asgard I shall return once I am done, but he won't give me the chance." Thor said giving his friend a desperate look.

"Perhaps we could come up with a way to help him release some of his built up stress and emotions." Steve suggested, before asking. "What would you do if you were in his situation?"

"I had yelled and thrown a tantrum, I'd have hit something, most likely many things if Jane had not hit me with her, what did she call it... Car, that was it. But Loki is much unlike me, while I let out my frustration through shouting, and physical exercise, usually in the training ring or just plain out throwing my fists around, Loki tends to retreat from the situation or person causing the problem, I suppose he goes to his books or something. I am not actually sure, he usually hides out somewhere quiet like the library or his room." Thor answered.

"So I guess hitting something is out of the question, but I can think of nothing else."

"Not necessarily," Steve piped up enthusiastically, "Maybe hitting something is just the thing, a good workout is always a great way to release stress, just because it is not his usual method doesn't mean it won't work, who knows it might be just what he needs." Steve stood up encouraging Thor to get up as well. "We can take him down to the gym and let him go wild, now, is there anything else you can think of that used to lighten or calm his mood?"

Thor thought for a moment before answering, "Well, there was one thing mother used to do for us when we were young."

Loki was not at all impressed when his brother barged into his room once again, this time grabbing his wrist and blabbering on about something to do with Steve, workouts and improving moods, he hadn't really paid much attention to what was coming out of his brother's mouth, far too occupied with trying to pry his arm from his brother's grip as Thor discourteously dragged him to the lift.

When Thor finally released him the two of them were standing in what was obviously the training room, a large sparring ring towards the back, training dummies lined in a semi circle in the far corner and several large bags hanging from the ceiling, one of which had a rather crude drawing of what looked to be Stark's face, judging by the facial hair.

"Clint created that one after Tony's Robin hood prank." Steve informed as he stepped into the room, waving it off with a "never mind" as the two Asgardian's both gave him the same odd like, which clearly stated they had no idea who Robin Hood was.

"You brought back up I see." Loki groaned.

"Come on, you never know a few rounds with a punching bag might do you some good." Steve smiled, giving the teen a friendly slap on the shoulder. "It always works for me, no harm in giving it a try."

"I think you'll find it is my brother who likes to solve problems with his fist." Loki shot back dryly.

"Just give it a go." Thor insisted, pushing his brother over to one of the punching bags.

Rolling his eyes Loki gave the bag a half assed punch, his face scrunching in annoyance as his brother snorted through his nose, sending Thor a short glare he hit the bag again this time harder. "Shut up." He hissed, noticing Thor's raised brow as the blonde god gave one of the other bags a strong punch sending it swinging almost to the ceiling.

"Don't worry about being too rough, I usually go through three or four of these in a good workout." Steve pointed out as he chose one himself, he may as well, he was here anyway.

Loki didn't really see how getting hot and smelly would do anything but make his mood worse, but he doubted they would leave him alone until he gave it a shot. So reluctantly he began hitting the bag harder, this time imagining the faces of the councilmen he knew would show up to watch him being lashed, just for their own amusement. And he knew exactly which members would.

"Tiring already, brother?" Thor jested, a while later as he paused to watch his brother, who was slowing his hits a little, most likely sinking deep in thought again. Thor honestly thought Loki often thought too much.

"Hardly, I was just imagining the big bruise I just gave you." Loki huffed back hitting the bag full force right in the centre, with a crooked grin. "Right in the nose."

He didn't know why his brother's jest was getting under his skin, Thor had meant no harm, but for whatever reason it had rubbed him the wrong way, and only annoyed him further as Thor went on. This was exactly why he wanted to be left alone, his built up frustration over the mess of emotions swarming his heart, eagerly waiting to lash out at someone.

"You'd have to hit me harder than that if you are aiming to bruise." Thor scoffed back.

"Like this?" Loki snorted as he swung a punch at his brother, striking him dead in the chest. Thor grunted stumbling back a step as he was caught off guard by the blow, narrowing his eyes a little as Loki hit him again. "Or maybe like this?"

"If you wish to bruise a mortal, perhaps." Thor grinned, quickly turning his attention over his shoulder to Steve, having just remembered the man was still in the room. "No offense, Capta... aah." He gasped as he was suddenly sent to the ground, his brother on top of him, as Loki had tackled him whilst he was distracted.

"What was that? Get off." Thor frowned as he shoved Loki in the chest. Though all he achieved was a retaliatory knee in the gut, causing him to growl as he struck back with a smack to the younger god's side.

"Whoa, hey, calm down guys." Steve rushed over to the brawling gods, this was not what he had meant when he suggested hitting something being worth a try, they were supposed to be hitting bags not each other.

"Get off me, runt!" Thor growled attempting to toss his brother off of him, Loki, however, let out and angered hiss at this and opted to use his head, literally, sending it forwards and into the bottom of Thor's jaw.

"What is wrong with you?" Thor snapped as he kicked Loki off of him, wiping the blood from his chin, as the headbutt had caused him to bite his tongue.

"What's wrong with me! It was your stupid idea to hit things to fix everything, and then you mock me." Loki growled back, rubbing his aching middle were Thor had kicked him.

"Well, it is a great deal better than hiding away in your room and moping like a maiden who has lost her hairbrush." Thor shouted back, dodging backwards as Loki came at him again with a furious shout.

Steve tried desperately to prevent the two getting back into it, to no prevail, he had attempted to break it up by pulling away the smaller of the two, but all that archived was a stray elbow to his face. After that he had decided it best to let them tire each other out, though admittedly the thought of tossing a bucket of water on them had crossed his mind. Tony had burst into the room at one point demanding to know why he had live Asgardian wrestling in his tower's gym the only response he received was Steve's exhausted "Stress relief."

The fight finally ended twenty minutes later when Loki dropped on his butt completely exhausted, panting and dripping sweat, the older gold was breathing heavily as well, though not quite the exhausted mess his brother was, mostly just dishevelled and out of breath. Though both Asgardians were sporting cuts and bruises.

"Done." Steve huffed pointedly, crossing his arms, Tony just whistled next to him, impressed with the show of brotherly love, this was one of the reasons Tony was glad he was an only child.

"So, you feeling any better yet?" Thor spoke between breaths, holding out his hand to help his brother off the floor.

"Of course not." Loki huffed back in agitation, "I feel exhausted, and sore, and I stink of sweat." He accepted the offered hand, but only because he didn't quite trust his aching legs at the moment. His brother had effectively managed to exhaust him fully both mentally and physically.

"Then perhaps you'll feel better after a bath." Thor suggested.

"I highly doubt that." Loki huffed as he left the gym, intending to do just that, while a bath may not make him feel any better he sure would smell a lot better.

Grabbing a change of clothes from his room, he headed back into the hall and swung the bathroom door open, gaping in shock as the aroma of Ylang Ylang, Lavender and Vetiver hit him. Just like his mother had always added to their baths as children whenever they were mad or upset, he closed the door, placing the clothes in his hand on the counter as he swirled his fingers through the scented water, the bath filled exactly to the level he liked. Undressing and sliding into the relaxing warm water, Loki couldn't help the smile that graced his face, he honestly did feel a lot better, while the pain of both finding out he was adopted and being banished still lingered, the stress and frustration was gone.

Perhaps Thor was smarter than he looked after all.