Author's Note:

I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm SORRY that I haven't updated in so long! I went on vacation for five days with friends and then I got my exam results (which I ACED, by the way. Got three B grades and got into my university! I'm moving into my accommodation on the 16th of September!). Anyhoo, there's not really THAT much of an excuse for me not posting but asldasdlj I really AM sorry. I hope this makes up for it.

Also side note: what Loki did in the Avengers is SORTA what happened in this story but also we forget SOME of the things that Loki said and did because otherwise they really don't fit in with my story line. Like the fact that he did it all for the safety of Asgard. We pretend that some things that he said and did in the Avengers didn't really happen in order for my story to make sense xD

Okay, well, here you go!


As the god of mischief tilted his head backwards, his gaze skimmed across the dank ceiling of his prison cell. Unlike the rest of Asgard, which shone in all of its clean-cut, beauteous glory, the prisons of the great civilisation were as though they were sculpted with visions of Niflheim in the designer's mind. Not only that, but they had been left to rot and so Loki's nose wrinkled each time he was forced to take a breath. His aching mouth remained covered by the gag, teeth biting into the indestructible metal, unable to clench together. His eyes fell from observing the ceiling and he sank back against the moss-covered wall, closing them. His execution was imminent – that he knew – and unless he could reason with the Allfather, his death was inevitable. With a strained sigh, he clasped his hands together and crossed his legs. His wrists were bound with enchanted rings which muted his magic and his ankles were shamefully shackled.

He had to make Odin listen. He had to.

There was a clank of metal on metal, making Loki open his eyes and stare through the bars at the door opening at the other end of the hallway. Two heavily-armed guards regarded him with distaste as they stomped to his cell, but rather than flash them a look of mischief which he usually would, Loki simply stared at the ground.

"You will kneel before the Allfather this evening in Gladsheim and he will decide your fate," one of the guards – they all looked the same – said in a gruff, harsh voice.

"I think we already know what that is," the other said with a tone of sick amusement, and Loki glared, standing. The guard stepped forwards and grinned cruelly. "There's nothing you can do to me, you power-hungry scum." He spat at Loki's feet and they both turned, cackling, and left Loki staring at the now-closed door at the end of the hallway, filled with more anger, more hatred and more horrible, painful dread.


"Upon the act of attempting to destroy the peace and the people of Earth, you are hereby sentenced to death by way of beheading. Your execution will take place at the toll of noon tomorrow."

Odin's voice rang out across the grand hall, echoing and devastating. The Aesir that sat either side of him nodded in agreement at the god who knelt before them on the cold floor, never feeling smaller than he did at that very moment. He had been disallowed to speak since all evidence pointed against him, and even Thor had shaken his head in sorrow when he had been unable to vouch for his brother.

"Does he not receive a final request?" Thor asked, finally speaking out. Odin looked up at his son and tilted his head to the side with contemplation.

"Of course." He turned back to Loki. "Remove the gag."

Loki did not open his eyes as the gag fell from his lips. The sheer relief which greeted him when he stretched his mouth wide and then closed it again was gratifying, but he did not have time to relish it.

"I ask for private discussion with the Allfather. That is my last request."

The Aesir gasped and began to whisper amongst themselves, but Odin silenced them. "Whatever you wish to say to me alone can be said before the court."

Loki's eyes narrowed. "Are you going to deny a dead man his last request?"

The Aesir continued to whisper. Odin frowned. "No. You are permitted to have your say in my presence and my presence alone. Come, Loki." Odin stood. "Guards, escort Loki to my chambers."


Loki's heart lurched as the person he once regarded as his father paced, hands clasped behind his back, his one good eye looking straight between his own. No matter how he felt about Odin after discovering his true parentage, the expression of disapproval reverted him back to his childhood. Suddenly he was a boy again, feet turned inwards towards each other and top teeth worrying his bottom lip. He hadn't mastered or even attempted the face that lied at that point. The face that shrouded all emotion and gave nothing away. The face that didn't require words to cover for him.

"Loki, how many times have I told you not to use your magic against your watcher?"

"But father - "

Odin had raised his hand to silence him. "No, Loki. I do not want to hear that he deserved it or some other excuse. You deliberately disobeyed my direct order not to harm anyone with magic."

Dropping his eyes the floor, Loki had pouted. He hated being looked at like that.

"I'm sorry," Loki said many years later, eyes fixed directly on the Allfather's good eye. His face was serene, but he knew that Odin caught the slight shudder of his lip. Odin raised his eyebrow and stopped pacing.

"You're sorry?" The question was filled with doubt.

"You're listening?" Loki shot back. Usually, Odin would have just ignored Loki's every word but this time, this time he had actually stopped and responded. Odin's brow furrowed.

"Why are you sorry? You are never sorry for the problems you cause."

Loki began to hiss something but then he stopped himself. Odin was listening. It was now or never.


"I know why you didn't let me speak in Gladsheim," Loki growled, now free from death but with the burden of Earth's safety on his shoulders. Odin had believed him only after consulting with the head of Mimir which sat on a pedestal in the centre of Odin's chambers.

"The one who lies now speaks the truth," Mimir breathed, his aged voice barely a whisper but still filled with absolute and indefinite knowledge. Odin had turned back to Loki with a face of pure relief and twisted joy and strode towards him with open arms before realising that Loki was not going to return the oncoming embrace. Odin folded his arms away.

"I know why you didn't let me speak in Gladsheim."

Odin raised his eyebrow.

"You didn't want me to tell them all of who I really am. Of how I'm a Frost Giant and how you raised their very enemy right under their noses. I could have done. I could have told them everything and they would never have trusted you again."

Sighing, Odin sat on a chair and put his hands on his knees. "Why do you think I'm sending you to Earth?"

At that, Loki choked on his own retort.

"W-what?"

"Even if you did announce that to my people, they would be unlikely to believe such a consistent liar. Yet it may arouse suspicion and I do not want that."

Anger and sadness filled Loki once again. "You're a coward. You fear the uprise of your people against your ruling and you fear me. You fear me now because I could show them who you really are. I may be a liar but I clearly learnt from the very best liar of them all." He took a step towards Odin. The Allfather rose to his feet and walked towards Loki. Worried that he might have taken it a bit too far, and that Odin was now going to demolish him, Loki winced, but was surprised when Odin lay a gentle hand on his shoulder. He whispered a few words and suddenly the great mages of the nine realms appeared around the room. "What are you going to do to me?"

"Shield you from the creature that seeks you out. Then you will go, and I shall pretend to banish you to Earth."

"…Pretend?"

"You are always welcome to come home, my son."

Loki swallowed the slight happiness that swirled within him. "I would never wish to come back here." It was a lie but also the truth. This was his home, but people had never really liked him. Not like they had liked Thor. He was an outcast. He belonged nowhere.

"Exactly." That one shattering word of confirmation that he and Odin were through being father and son was enough. Loki's actions – though somewhat justified – since he had found out his heritage had been Odin's perfect excuse to finally show his true feelings for him.

He was a Frost Giant.

And he was not welcome here.

He never really had been.

He could never come home.


There is a special place in the Avengers tower where Thor can travel to and from Asgard by means of the Bifrost. It had been rebuilt faster than Thor had anticipated it would, and Heimdall had resumed his position as gatekeeper. The special place meant that nothing would get destroyed when Thor catapulted back down to Earth. The special place is the roof.

The Avengers assemble on top of the tower to bid farewell to the two gods. Loki stands with his hands clasped at the front, head hanging low and eyes fuelled by a worry that only Tony knows the truth behind. For a moment, Loki lifts his head and stares at Tony, a small smile silently promising a safe and soon return. Well, hoping to promise, Tony thinks obviously senses his doubt and shifts from foot to foot with discomfort.

Then it hits Loki hard. These people have accepted him. All of them. Even Clint looks slightly sad that they're parting. This is where he belongs. With the Avengers. With Tony. Here it doesn't matter if he's a Frost Giant or a Norse god. He looks at Thor, who smiles at him with apprehension. Thor's scared too. Of course, Thor doesn't know that Loki wasn't actually banished. He doesn't know what Loki did for Asgard – for him. Loki never told him or anyone until Tony because when people see good, they expect good. And he didn't want to live up to anyone's expectations. But now he is good. He doesn't think malicious thoughts anymore and he isn't fuelled by hatred. He wants them to expect good from him, because that's what he's going to give them and that's what he's going to be. Steve walks forwards and shakes his hand, and Natasha punches him on the shoulder which is apparently – when the person is smiling warmly – a show of good will. Loki nods at her and allows Tony to wrap his arms around his waist and place a kiss on his jaw line.

"Hurry back," he whispers.

"Heimdall!" Thor calls out. Loki turns away from the group and gazes up through squinted eyes at the darkening sky. Loki isn't going home.

He's leaving it.


As Loki walks towards the steps to Gladsheim, people all around stop to stare at him and whisper.

"He's back!"

"I thought he was banished?"

He blocks them out as best he can but they grow ever louder with each footfall. When they enter the hallowed hall Odin stands from his throne and casts an angry glare over them both.

"Thor!" he cries in rage, but Thor simply stops and stands his ground, Loki following suit.

"Father! Listen to me! I know Loki has wronged you but you must hear that my brother's magic has been destroyed and - "

Odin raises his hand for silence. "Destroyed, you say?"

Thor nods. "Yes. By Amora."

"Ah." Odin steps down and all he can do is stare at Loki's mouth – free to speak at any time and completely ruin Odin before the court.

"Loki." His eyes finally meet the trickster's own.

"Father."

Smirking, Odin turns on his heel to face the Aesir. "Loki was not banished to Earth. He came to my chambers and told me that he protected the people of Asgard by taking the army of the Chitauri to Earth and not our home here."

"I told you that in private conversation!" Loki shrieks, tearing away from Thor towards Odin. The guards grasp their weapons and advance but Odin shakes his head.

"Because you feared people may no longer fear you if they discovered what you had done for us?" Odin turns back to Loki I did you a favour keeping it a secret this long."

"No! Because you would never have listened if you were seated on your high throne surrounded by these imbeciles!" Loki motions at the council who stand and clench their fists, indignant. "They would shout that I was not to be trusted and not to be believed because I am the god of lies but the truth is that you can't survive on lies your entire life. You of all people should know that." Odin growls under his breath as whispers run along the line of Aesir behind him. "Amongst other reasons relating to that particular accusation. Would you like me to elaborate?"

For the first time in Loki's memory, Odin seems lost for words. Thor looks astounded which isn't entirely surprising since what Odin had said was certainly news to him.

"Why did you believe him, Allfather?" someone shouts, but Loki's vision is too shrouded by rage to see and his ears are pounding with the sound of his heartbeat so he doesn't recognise the voice.

"Because Mimir told me I could." Odin tilts his head to one side and considers Loki. "I suppose you came back so that I would grant you permission to consult with Eir?"

"She's the only one who can help him," Thor croaks, finally talking. There is silence as Odin climbs back to his throne and takes a seat.

"As punishment for previous crimes, I stationed Loki as protector of Earth. Without his magic, Earth's safety is at stake. I will grant your permission to seek out Eir, but that is all I can do. I cannot force her to help you."

Loki is buffeted with relief but also a weighted sorrow. Odin isn't granting this permission for him. He's doing it for Earth, and Earth alone. Odin had to tell the council the truth before Loki could, because he knew how Loki could twist words and make even the council distrust the almighty Allfather.

Odin could not take that chance.


"I'm sorry I did not tell you, brother," Loki says as they walk down the familiar halls of Asgard. Thor takes a deep breath in and lets out a heavy sigh.

"I understand. At least I know now. I am…proud of you. All of it on Earth, about ruling and freedom? It was all lies?"

"I am the best," Loki chuckles, making Thor grin. The thunder god claps him on the back.

"Let us find mother. She can tell us of Eir's whereabouts."

Loki's step falters and he freezes altogether. Thor doesn't realise that Loki isn't beside him until he passes the next archway, glances to the left, then back, and sees Loki motionless far behind. "Loki?"

"Mother…" is all that escapes his brother's lips.

"…has missed you terribly."

Loki looks up. "Please don't lie to me," he replies in a small voice. Thor smiles again.

"I wouldn't dare. Mother will be overwhelmed when she sees you."

"Really?"

"Indeed." Thor puts his arm around Loki's shoulders and urges Loki onwards.

They eventually find Frigga seated on the balcony just outside her bedchambers. She hears them approaching and when she turns and spots Loki, she lets out a sob and throws herself out of the chair and into Loki's arms, who holds her tightly.

"Loki, my darling boy. My darling boy!"

"Mother," Loki manages around the lump that's formed in his throat. "Mother."

She squeezes him tightly. "I just discovered what you did for Asgard. Your father was just here. Oh dear sweet Loki. I have missed you. I have missed you."

Loki beams into her thick blonde hair. Well, maybe he does belong somewhere in Asgard.


Author's Note:

Um so I don't know if any of you noticed but this line: "when people see good, they expect good. And he didn't want to live up to anyone's expectations" is actually from The Vampire Diaries so I cannot take credit for that xD

I can't tell you when the next chapter will be up because I don't actually know, but hopefully it won't be as long a wait as last time!