The next week was an exhausting one. The stress of Barnes's arrival took its tole on each individual distinctly. Conversations took place in hushed tones and often stopped abruptly, Clint was never seen without coffee, Steve would disappear for hours at a time, Tony hadn't talked to Loki since his outburst, and Loki spoke more now to Thor than he had in decades.

It was during one of those sessions that Loki received a sharp knock on the door. In shared surprise he and Thor hesitated, looking at each other. The knock sounded again and Thor shrugged. Curious and hopeful, Loki rose and opened the door.

Barnes stood on the threshold of Loki's room, looking vaguely uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and crossed his arms. "Uh… hi."

Pleased but sure not to show it, Loki purposefully hesitated in his response. "... Hello?"

From behind Loki, Thor raised his voice cheerfully. "Oh! It is good to see you out of your quarters!"

Nodding, Barnes looked back to Loki. "Can I… come in?"

"Yes, please do." Loki moved aside, gazing intently at the Midgardian. He closed the door behind them and motioned towards the kettle of tea that had been separating Thor and him. "Would you like some? I believe it is still warm."

As Loki spoke; Thor stood and offered his chair to Barnes, who looked baffled by their actions. "Umm- thank you." He accepted the tea Loki handed him but did not drink it, instead peering at its contents. "What is this? Where's it from?"

Loki grinned. "Vanaheim." He elaborated as expected confusion flickered across Barnes's face. "One of the nine realms. It is good and, I assure you, not poison; drink it."

Almost robotically, Barnes complied with Loki's order. Feeling a twinge of doubt, Loki sat so that he no longer dominated over the Midgardian. Taking Loki's lead, Thor pulled up another chair and sat between them.

For a moment they sat in silence, Loki watching Barnes. The Midgardian stared down at the waves in the table's wood grain, periodically sipping from his drink, holding the fragile cup with delicacy. The metal of his left hand glinted in the sun. Unbidden, Loki's mind leapt to the memory of that hand plunging towards his eye. Wincing, Loki shook the memory away.

It was Thor who broke the silence, clearly trying to prompt Barnes. His voice was warm. "I believe this may be our first formal introduction." Thor held out his hand but frowned as Barnes didn't look up or shake it. He continued, though, undeterred. "I have heard much of your feats of strength and I am very glad to have you joining us. Such formidable prowess is something to be appreciated."

This did prompt a response from Barnes, who grimaced and looked up. There was guilt in his eyes.

Loki cut in before he could speak. "Do not read too deeply into that. He means what he says in the most positive of ways. Asgard values strength in its warriors over anything else." Glancing at Thor, Loki smirked. "In the past I have literally and figuratively stabbed him in the back; yet he still accepts drinks from me as if there was no chance I would poison him. If you are looking for an optimist, my dearest brother is your finest shot."

Barnes looked at them quizzically. "How are you two so nonchalant about that?"

Exchanging a small smile with Thor; Loki leaned forward on the table, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the dark wood. "I am not sure how knowledgeable you may be on this topic but… Thor and I, unless felled by an outside force, shall live and have lived far longer than any of you." Laughing dryly, Loki focused on Barnes. "Even when I hated him with all my being and refused to be considered his brother, which I did, I was aware of our past. He may not have been the one to change my mind but I have to admit his presence is a boon." Loki saw Thor smiling on the edge of his vision and rolled his eyes. "That does not mean I will not change my mind in the future if I get bored of him or this toxic amalgamation of damaged fools that like to masquerade themselves as cohesive whole." His snappy remark did as he desired and he saw Thor grimace.

Barnes, too, seemed alarmed as he set down his cup and cocked his head. "I can't tell if you're joking or…"

With a quick grin, Loki leaned backwards. It was obvious to him Barnes was far more comfortable talking about them than himself. He stored the information away, quietly doubting how successful Steve had been in helping the man. "That remains to be seen, I suppose." Swirling the dregs of his tea around, Loki quickly changed the subject in an attempt to keep Barnes engaged. "Anyway, I must admit that you are far more entertaining to surprise than Wilson. Short of blowing myself up he seems determined not to indulge me. It is almost as if he's averse to inflating my ego."

Over the next few weeks, Barnes's presence in their chats became more and more the norm. He seemed enthralled by their stories and, Loki guessed, he appreciated how little they asked of him in return. In their conversations Loki was sure never to stray too dark and he was always aware of what he said as to not frighten Barnes off.

They were in the middle of a tale about one of their more perilous hunts. Thor had leapt up and was miming his attacks. "The beast had clasp me in its jaws, my weapon was shattered, as this was before I had Mjolnir, and my companions were gravely injured! I struggled fruitlessly against its maw. Its ragged teeth tore at my hands and legs. Its breath was a nightmarish thing, even as I fought it gagged me and burned at my eyes. My chances looked dire! And then-" Thor glanced gleefully at Loki, who smiled and nodded. "And then the beast froze. I saw its terrible maw glittering with light. At first I thought my vision was failing me. Then a deafening whine rose from its throat with another blast of noxious breath. Moments later I was blinded by a flash of light and I felt myself falling. When I got my bearings I saw that the beast's head had been torn asunder. And standing amidst the gore was Loki." Thor finished with a flourish.

Rolling his eyes, Loki grinned. "The smell was horrendous; it clung to me for weeks afterwards. But you forget the part where I promptly passed out immediately afterwards; not due to the smell, but the spell."

Waving a dismissive hand, Thor shushed him. "No matter, you still felled the beast. And that was the first time I realized just how powerful your magic could really be."

Loki scoffed and shook his head. He looked to Barnes, who had a small smile on his face. "Do not be fooled, Barnes; I received none of this enthusiasm at the time. Either I was being scolded for foolishly working magic I had yet to perfect or I had the Warriors Three denying the legitimacy of my kill."

Shaking his head, Barnes cleared his throat. "Sounds pretty damn legitimate to me." His eyes grew distant and when he next spoke he sounded wistful. "That reminds me of this time in France… I think it was Dugan who-"

An alarm interrupted Barnes and Loki scarcely contained his frustration. They were so close to getting real progress.

Steve's voice spoke on the overhead. "There's been an… incident. Apparently some government agents tried to take down a Hydra defense stronghold in Oregon and got themselves captured. We've been requested to be brought in to clean up the situation. Everyone meet in the Quinjet bay."

The call went dead and Loki sighed. "Because what I want to do with my evening is rescue a bunch of incompetent fools." He stood and flicked his wrist, his armor shimmered into place around him. Realizing Barnes had yet to be with them when they had been called to a mission, Loki glanced at him. "Perhaps… it may be best for you to stay here in the tower."

Barnes seemed unsure as he stood. "I feel like I should help-"

"I would strongly advise against that. At least at the present moment." Loki cut him off; Tony's harsh condemnation ringing clear in his head.

Looking startled by Loki's quick denial, Barnes recoiled slightly. He hesitated in speaking. "It's not- I have gear that I brought with me." Something hardened in his eyes. "It's Hydra, I have a personal responsibility to-"

Thoroughly irritated, Loki lowered his voice. "Not this mission. For one reason, we have not told your government that we have found you. But, even without that, it would be a very bad idea." Loki could see Thor inching closer to him out of the corner of his eye.

His rebuke seemed to shake Barnes slightly but the hardness in his gaze stayed. "I have every right to help take down what's left of Hydra. Hell, I have an obligation to. Wasn't it you that said doing something good will help people forget the bad?"

Loki scowled, everything Tony had said to him repeated in his mind. He felt Thor's hand press against his back, urging him to move. "Right now there is too much bad for you to erase it that simply. Know who's tower you stand in."

The hardness in Barnes's eyes shattered and he looked down. He grimaced, seeming to collapse in on himself momentarily. "I-right." Turning away from them, Barnes moved quickly to the door. He spoke in barely a mumble as he exited. "... Good luck."

Thor sighed, crossing his arms. "That may not have been the best way to go about that, brother."

Glaring at the ground, Loki snapped at him. "Thank you for your stunning insight, I could never have told otherwise." Still fuming, Loki felt Thor pat him on the shoulder.