"Brother, may we go home now?"

I thought those were the most welcome words I'd heard in an age. I had grown weary of tarrying at Stark's home. To fight a battle, slay a monster, save a world, I would gladly give myself to this band of warriors. To sit and wait and try to conjure polite things to say was beyond my endurance.

Especially since this band of warriors each had a personal grievance with my brother.

Banner and Rogers at least took an interest in Loki's healing, and even seemed pleased by it for Loki's sake. Miss Romanov was pleased, though not for Loki's sake but rather for the sake of the realms he would no longer threaten. Miss Potts held her own counsel.

Barton however would see Loki dead, dead, and deader and I had no desire to remain long in his company. I have no doubt he felt the same way about me.

So when I went to see how Loki fared alone with Stark and he requested we return to Asgard, I was quite ready to do as he wished.

Perhaps too ready, as in retrospect, I don't recall bidding anyone farewell.

I marched down the hallway which led to the platform from which we would journey back to Asgard. I expected my brother to be right behind me but when I turned, he was several lengths behind me. In his hand, he carried a strange object. Miss Potts had informed me that it was a type of food, but it rather looked like something a bilgesnipe had snorted at me once.

"What is that?" I asked my brother as he caught up with me and we continued walking to the platform.

"This is a cheese bacon chili dog."

"And you actually put that into your mouth?"

"That is the only way to get food into one's stomach, is it not?"

I was about to mention the bilgesnipe to him when I realized – he was eating. I hadn't seen my brother eat anything since before he had been lost to Asgard. Since his return, since his healing had begun, Mother and I had plied him time after time with one delicacy after another, any and all of what had ever been his favorite food and beverages. But though he would take them into his chambers, they were most often returned untouched, and we never witnessed him eating anything.

Yet ~ he took another bite of the miscreation he held in his hand ~ he was eating now.

"What were you and Stark discussing?" I asked. Whatever it was, it seemed to have acted as a livener on Loki.

"Sundry things. Nothing of import. He said we should bring Mother and Father for a visit."

That made me laugh out loud.

"Yes, we should." I said, in the midst of my laughter. "I would love to see Father in the company of Stark, a man who has no reason to either fear him or venerate him. Can you imagine?"

Loki laughed as well, something else of which I had seen him too little do.

"We would do well to have the Odinsleep prepared, Father would need it after an evening in Mr. Stark's company." He said. It was good to see him joking again.

And then: "He said – Mr. Stark also said that I might visit him again, as well. On my own."

The very words caused my ire to rise. Stark had proven no adversary on this journey but there must be some mischief or malevolence afoot for him to invite Loki back unprotected.

"Alone?"

"Yes. Alone." Loki said it simply enough, but then he must've understood my reaction. "No, truly, I believe he meant it as a genuine invitation. He intends me no harm."

"And you would like to return here?" I asked. I was not convinced of Stark's good intentions. And although Loki had always been able to read other people's intent better than they themselves could, I feared that might not be the case in his present condition.

"Yes, I would. I think I would like to spend time with someone who doesn't act as though I'm about to break."

It wasn't said as a barb, and yet it pained me. We stopped walking; I would address this with my brother now.

"If I treat you as though you would break, it is because I fear breaking you."

"And yet, how does one grow strong if one is not tested?"

Loki's verbal parries were just as strong as ever, that was a certainty. But I knew he was asking it of me seriously.

"I would not have you tested beyond your endurance, Brother. I will not. If Stark would have you back, he will prove himself worthy of it first or you shall not return alone."

"Has he not proved it already? Don't his actions this day prove his 'worthiness'?"

"Perhaps…" I allowed. "He does show himself supportive and understanding of Banner whenever we are gathered. He does not act as though he fears Banner 'breaking' and turning into – "

I didn't catch the meaning behind my remarks until I had spoken too much.

"Forgive me, Brother. I did not mean to imply that there is any similarity between you and the creature that Banner becomes."

"No, it is a fair analogy." Loki said. There was a long hassock against the wall in the hallway we were traversing and he lowered himself to sit on it. "The beast and I are both monsters driven by rage, both – "

"You will not speak of yourself so." I told him. I told it to him gently for I did fear breaking him. "You know that I do not allow it."

Loki smiled at me. It was the smile of surprised delight as when he'd received a gift he hadn't been expecting but dearly wanted nonetheless.

"Yes, Brother. I do know that."

"Good."

I looked over the hassock to judge its strength and then seated myself next to Loki.

"Well, perhaps Stark has proven himself enough to allow you to return unaccompanied. But if, when, you return, you will bring sustenance from Asgard. I do not care for his choice of provender. I can't believe you're eating it."

Loki looked at the chili bacon cheese dog he held in his hand.

"He said he made them himself. He seemed rather proud of that fact. I thought that eating one would be fair recompense for his hospitality." He held it toward me. "Would you like half?"

I stared at him in shock.

"No stalwart prince of Asgard who values his health and stamina would e'er consider putting that vile substance into his person." I said, pretending to be mightily affronted.

"Yes, Thor. I am aware of that." Loki answered me testily. He paused a moment. "So, do you want half or not?"

I laughed. How could I not? I laughed loud and long. My brother was on his way back to me. I lifted the food from his hand and took a fair bite of it. While it was not as delicious as pheasant , it was not as vile as it first appeared.

"Come, Brother." I stood. "Let us to home again and find some good ale to accompany this foodstuff. I would not give Stark all glory this evening."

"Nor would I." Loki said. He stood and we continued to the platform.

I tore the remains of the chili cheese bacon dog in half and we consumed it all before we returned home.

The End