A/N: Sorry for taking so long with this chapter, guys! Been so busy these last few weeks, I'm surprised I can update anything, lol. Anyway, longer chapter than usual, hope you guys like it!

Chapter 6

When Loki realized they were headed back to Thor's room, he immediately began to relax. He had by now memorized the route there and back, at least to the kitchen, which was down two corridors with one turn, but still relatively close. He still held tightly to Thor, but walked beside him so that the older god could at least walk properly.

The smell of the familiar room greeted him and Loki directed Thor and himself toward the bed, and the small reluctance made him imagine Thor's surprised face at his little brother's slight show of independence. He would have smirked if he were not still sore from his stitches being pulled during the night. He sat on the bed and was glad when Thor sat as well. He laid his head on the thunderer's shoulder, suddenly feeling foolish for running away from Bruce Banner like that. Certainly he had cause to be afraid, but Thor wouldn't allow him into his presence if there was any danger. Right? Of course. Thor would never let any harm come to him.

Loki felt words being mumbled into the side of his head again, a sign of comfort he always appreciated, even if he couldn't understand the words. It meant Thor still spoke to him and didn't treat him like some dumb animal- even if that's what he basically was.

After something like fifteen minutes of sitting, Loki began to feel both hunger and thirst gnawing at him. Leaning away from his brother, he patted his stomach and made a motion of drinking out of cup to signal what he wanted. Thor ran a hand through Loki's hair, then led him back out of the room, heading toward the kitchen.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

"I told you about the face, didn't I? Such an awesome face. Would've put it on Facebook or something but he's too creepy looking. And... you know, the whole 'villain-who-tried-to-take-over-the-world' being back in town thing might freak some people out." Stark shrugged. "Bunch of prudes," he murmured.

The four were headed down to the medical wing of the building since Banner insisted on checking up on Loki's supposed injuries. Tony could see the obvious injuries, also known as his entire head, but he was also kind of curious to see what else might have happened to the trickster given that Thor seemed reluctant to talk about it in any detail. Either he didn't know, or he didn't want them to know. The former seemed more likely since the thunder god acquiesced pretty quickly when Bruce asked to check the younger god.

Honestly, Stark hadn't even considered that Loki might actually need medical attention, he just assumed he'd heal on his own. And although Thor had said he would, he also said that it would happen eventually. What if he had been in pain this whole time but couldn't tell them? Naw, that didn't seem likely. Thor was constantly glued to his side like a Siamese twin, there was no way he wouldn't be able to tell if his little brother was still in pain- or so Tony hoped.

The glass doors of the medical wing slid open and the four walked in, just as Bruce led them to a bed to their right. The room was blindingly white, something that Tony found annoying, and even the equipment was mostly white, humming quietly in each corner.

"Okay," said Bruce, as he indicated the bed to Thor. The thunderer nodded and led Loki to feel the bed, then helped him to sit on it without issue. Loki frowned and brushed his hands across the bed's fabric, then felt of the plastic and metal fixtures attached to it. Thor stood close to him, his side touching Loki's right knee.

"You know," Tony spoke up, "I don't know about you guys, but I'm guessing Bambi here has no idea where he is or what the hell you're about to do to him."

Bruce gave Tony a look, "I'm not going to do anything to him, it's just a check up."

"Sure," said Stark. "Whatever you say."

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Thor was trying to get him to sit down on a bed, so Loki sat. It was an odd bed, cool and strange against his skin, the sheets smooth but obviously new. Other strange and solid materials were attached to the sides of the bed, unfamiliar to his fingers.

Loki wondered how many of the Avengers had followed them here or if any.

When unfamiliar hands suddenly touched the sides of his face he jerked back, leaning toward where Thor stood beside him. Who was that? He gripped Thor's forearm tightly and relaxed a little when he felt the thunderer's other hand stroking his hair. Whatever was happening, Thor approved.

So the trickster leaned away somewhat, although he was still wary of whoever else was in the room. A moment passed and the same hands were touching his face again, although very lightly. Then there was only one hand, and then a slight warmth on his face, near his eyes. The hand gently tilted his face this way and that, and the realization dawned on him: they're checking my eyes. So, Loki wondered, does Thor truly believe that these Midgardians could possibly help me? Has he lost his mind? The humans' so-called 'medicine' was pathetically lacking compared to Asgard's healing spells, but he supposed it couldn't hurt- or would it? The last time Loki had been to Earth- before this most recent time -hundreds of years ago, the mortals' idea of healing was what many would call terrifying, barbaric. He had been more than glad that he would never have to endure their 'treatments', if they could even be called that. Even so, the humans were resourceful and advanced quickly, if nothing else, so hopefully their methods had matured somewhat.

Loki swallowed nervously.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

"Doesn't look too happy, boys," said Stark, looking to Loki. Thor was beginning to wonder why Tony needed to be in here, anyway. Curiosity, perhaps? The mortal's curiosity almost matched Loki's at times. But still, this wasn't a show; if Loki had any injuries, Stark should respect that all the realms didn't need to see them. Although he has been kind enough to allow us to stay here... Did they owe him something? Thor sighed internally. Perhaps they did. And anyway, Stark might be a bad liar, but he never gave sensitive information freely, he could not work for an organization like SHIELD if he couldn't sometimes hold his tongue. And he felt sorry for Loki, Thor knew. He also knew that his little brother would smack the pity out of each one of them if he only knew, but, alas, as the humans say, what he doesn't know cannot hurt him.

Banner was now speaking, instructing Thor to help his brother lay on a small surface that would retract into a large strange contraption. Thor eyed the device warily, as if his very gaze could keep his brother from harm. Stark was right, Loki didn't look very happy at Banner's prodding. Still, Loki would have struggled more if he thought he were in any danger, so no doubt he at least understood some of what was happening.

"He'll be fine," said the doctor. "It won't hurt him."

Thor stroked the side of his brother's face and backed away as the device came to life and Loki disappeared into it, the bottoms of his bare feet visible. A moment later a small whimper could be heard from inside, and Thor had to literally restrain himself from taking action, from tearing the noisy device to pieces to get to his brother. But one look at Bruce, at the look of reassurance that said, 'He'll be okay, don't worry,' and the thunder god relaxed.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

When Loki felt the movement of whatever he was laying on, and the vibrations reverberating through his body, he began to worry. He had been strapped down- presumably for his protection or some such nonsense -and he was beginning to feel trapped. Don't move, Thor is here, he's- But where was he? Loki couldn't reach for him, couldn't move. Don't worry, he's nearby, he'll never leave you, don't worry, don't move. But he felt vulnerable, exposed. His clothes- Thor's clothes -had been removed and he felt naked in the small strange-feeling slip of cloth that Thor had put on him.

He felt a whimper escape. Shut up, you fool! He knew at least Banner was with them, since, at least from what he could remember, he was the only Avenger who had any medical knowledge- or perhaps they had asked another to perform these tests? No, it didn't seem likely. The Avengers Thor trusted, but no doubt his big brother wouldn't trust other mortals with the knowledge that Loki was back on Midgard. That Fury man would most likely jump at the chance of imprisoning him- but why hadn't he? Why had the Avengers kept quiet, or were they still planning on giving him to SHIELD? And where were Barton and Romanoff? So far, Thor had, apparently, asked the others to allow Loki to know of their presence, or did the two assassins prefer to remain in the shadows? To not allow their enemy knowledge that they were even in his presence?

The next thing Loki felt was Thor's hand on his head, carding through his hair. He flinched at the sudden touch, but breathed out a sigh when he realized whatever had been happening was now over. At least his thoughts had distracted him long enough to endure the test- whatever it was. He was free to move again, the oddly gentle restraints removed. He grabbed onto his brother, hoping it was over.

But, of course not. At least an hour, if not longer, past while Loki endured several odd tests, most of which he didn't understand, and some that frightened him.

Right now he was sitting on something, legs dangling, cool air on his back. He didn't like it, wanted to get up, for it to be done. Thor stayed by his side for almost all of it, and he was grateful, his presence the only thing anchoring him. But what was the purpose of all of this? Were they checking to make certain he was not a threat? Surely they could see that he was incapacitated, that he was without sight, hearing, or his words? Did they still fear him so? Did they think he might recover and decide to attack them? No, won't hurt them. Did they think, even now, he might be capable of- Won't happen- Can't won't no hurting others, don't fight back, no hurting others no hurting Thor- no no hurt- Thor- No!

Loki jerked up suddenly, away from the unfamiliar table beneath him. He felt around for Thor frantically and when he felt the strong arms wrap around him he clung to the other with everything he had, a hand on the back of his head reassuring him more.

I won't do anything anymore! Loki faced where he knew Thor's face would be. I can't- won't- it's not me not me. I won't hurt them can't hurt them- don't leave me...

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

"Wow," said Banner for the hundredth time, it seemed. Thor watched Loki carefully as he sat still on the bed, back open to the air, mind obviously wandering as he was examined by the doctor. Banner had said clearly that he was not a medical doctor- or at least not technically -but that he did have quite a bit of experience with healing others, even if not formally... or legally, Stark had added. The thunderer couldn't help but back away as the current examination had begun, and Loki didn't seem to notice.

"What's it now?" asked Stark lazily from where he sat some ways away, legs propped up on some equipment that Banner had scolded him for placing his feet on. 'I'll buy another one' the man of iron had said.

"Nothing," said Banner, "just... he's really scarred up."

"Okay," said Stark flatly, looking to Loki and Bruce.

"Don't tell me you didn't notice, Tony, there's a few on his legs."

Stark dropped his feet off the instruments unceremoniously but remained seated, looking in their direction. "Yeah, well. I mean, they're like a million years old or something," he waved a hand at the two brothers. "Battle scars, you know?"

Thor shook his head, "I have very few scars, Stark. It is very difficult to wound our kind severely enough to..." he couldn't say it. To scar Loki so much... What would it take? Most of the few scars that Thor had he had gained from his brief visit to Earth as a mortal when he was banished- and even those were small and barely above notice.

He sighed and covered his mouth with a hand. Thor had been trying his best to ignore Loki's scars- when he helped him bathe and change clothes, but now... With it out in the open, in the bright lights, with his friends bearing witness, it was difficult to insist that they didn't exist. He didn't wish to acknowledge them because then he might see, might see what Loki had been through, might have to live it with him, one scar at a time.

The three stared at the trickster god's back, strips of white scars crisscrossing in lines like webs. Although not as severely, the rest of him hadn't fared much better.

Thor stared. He wanted to tear his gaze away, look away. Who has done this?! Look away, look away. They'll pay! But hadn't they already? Or had he left before he had gotten them all...

Stark strode closer.

"Holy mother of-"

"Tony. Just..." but Bruce trailed off with a faint sigh.

Thor's eyes then fell on several oddly gathered scars at the small of Loki's back; they seemed to form some sort of pattern. The other two followed his eyes.

"What's that?" asked Stark, pointing but not touching.

Thor felt his blood filling his head, his anger rising quickly. He looked away for a moment, then turned back, gritted his teeth and said, "A name."

"What?" said Banner, but Thor didn't answer.

A name? A name?! Someone had... had carved his name into Loki's back. And given its position and clumsy script it had no ceremonial purpose or... any purpose at all. The two humans watched him, Banner even took a step back, crossing his arms over his chest protectively.

"Uh, look, buddy," said Stark warily. "I, uh..." He looked to Banner, then back at Thor, hands rising as if to stave off the god's rising anger with just his two limbs.

Thor felt the air crackling. Control yourself. But he couldn't. How can I? Someone had carved his name into Loki's back for fun. And with an instrument powerful enough to scar him.

Thunder shook the building, and when Loki suddenly jerked and nearly flew off the table, Thor was immediately by his side, anger forgotten at the trickster's fearful face.

"Oh, Loki," said Thor, as he hugged him tight with both arms, then put a hand on the back of his head. Did he hear the thunder? Thor wondered. No, not possible. But maybe he felt the vibrations.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

"This is seriously effed up," said Stark as he and Banner entered the living room without the two brothers. Thor had taken Loki back to their room and Stark was glad of it. They sat on couches opposite and they both stared at nothing for a while.

"Yeah," sighed Bruce finally, rubbing a hand across his face. "Actually, ah..."

Tony eyed him. "'Ah' what? Spit it out, green bean."

Bruce narrowed his eyes at the nickname as if to say, 'Really?' But he shook it away and stared out the window. "I, um, didn't really tell Thor everything."

"Hm? Why not?"

He looked back to Tony. "Are you serious? Did you see how he reacted to that... uh, to that name?"

Tony shrugged, "Can't say I blame him. And hey, is it just me or are gods messed up people?" Bruce nodded with a perked eyebrow. "So watcha got, Bruce?"

Just then, Rogers walked in with a tablet in his hand. "Hey guys, how did it go?"

What the hell, Tony thought. "Is that seriously a piece of modern technology in your hands, Capsicle?"

"Not good, huh?" said the soldier, mostly to Bruce.

"What makes you say that?" asked Bruce.

The captain shrugged with one shoulder and a glance upward. "Thunder."

Banner pursed his lips and nodded once. "Right."

Tony shook his head and watched in amazement as Steve shut off his tablet and sat down next to him. "Did you really learn how to use that all by your little self?"

Steve rolled his eyes. "So what happened?" he asked Bruce. "Is Loki okay?"

"Actually," Tony leaned forward, "apparently some seriously messed up guy decided to autograph our resident trickster god with a permanent marker on his back."

The captain furrowed his brow.

"Scars," answered Bruce with a sigh. "He means somebody, uh, sort of... carved his name on him... his..."

Steve's eyebrows hit his hairline. "Tony!" he exclaimed and looked to the inventor.

"What're you yelling at me for? I didn't do it!" Tony yelled back.

"That wasn't necessary. Do you really think Loki would be okay with everyone knowing that? I asked if he was okay, I don't need gossip."

"It's not gossip, it's facts!"

"It's private, Tony."

Bruce said nothing, eyes drifting between the two. Stark sat back, sighing through his nose. "Fine. Whatever. Not like he even knew it or anything, but anyway, Brucie, what were you saying? Full report?"

The good doctor raised a brow and gave him a look that said, 'Do you want the other guy to come out?'

"Ugh," groaned Tony. "Fine. Again. Far be it for me to show some concern for my guests."

"You're just curious, Tony," said Steve, not completely angrily. Then the captain lowered his head. "And so am I." Stark perked up and lifted a finger. "But not," Steve cut him off, "enough to pry into his private business. Unless it's life-threatening, I don't think we need to know." Tony slouched back.

"Fine," Tony said again, stretching out his arms. It was becoming his new favorite word, apparently.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

To Thor's relief Bruce had confirmed what he had been hoping: that Loki was more or less returning to health. It was strange to think so, given his appearance, but his body was slowly returning to normal. Banner, who knew little about Aesir or Jotun physiology, couldn't quite comprehend how Loki could possibly heal from seemingly permanent blindness or deafness, but he trusted Thor's word that both would eventually heal on their own- even if it would take some time.

As soon as they were back in Thor's room Loki seemed to calm down considerably. On the one hand, Thor was happy that there was some place that his brother could feel safe, on the other, it also meant that anytime he was afraid they would have to retreat here, and stay until he was comfortable. And even then Loki appeared content to remain here for hours on end. Oh my dear brother, thought Thor, what has been done to you?

Loki had never been fond of staying in one place. He could often be found sitting in the library or his room, reading and studying his spells, but he rarely remained there for very long. Even though Loki was not fond of physically sparring or training, he clearly enjoyed going on quests with Thor and their friends whenever the opportunity presented itself. Loki would also disappear for weeks, traveling to various realms and bringing back wonderful gifts for everyone. He traveled enough that many in the realms began to call him the Sky-walker, one of the few names that Loki himself approved.

But now... what had happened to him that would change him so much? Thor was no fool, the place Loki had been sent to was meant for more than just punishment, otherwise why not keep him in Asgard? The dungeons were sufficiently equipped for any number of punishments, why had the All-father sent him there? Such a cruel place...

Thor shook his head, not wanting to remember, especially with Loki by his side, leaning against him contentedly. He knew his brother couldn't read his mind, but the thoughts felt too poignant, too distressing, and the superstitious part of his mind didn't want to ruin their peace with a few stray dark thoughts.

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

The wood splinters from the old table dug into his chest, which was wet and sticky from the blood trickling down from his back. His arms were pulled toward the floor perpendicular to his body, fastened there to the bottom of the table's front legs with chains digging into his wrists. His ankles, too, were chained, but to the table, instead- mercifully.

The next cut from the knife was slow, beginning from his right shoulder blade. Loki gasped and tried to remain quiet, but he couldn't. His breath shook and he whimpered as the blade cut down his back with a deliberately slow motion, ending at his lower back.

Tears mingled with the sweat that poured down his face. This room was always so hot, too hot. What he would give for a breath of fresh air, for a single gust of wind? It was always so stifling in here, smelling of sweat and old blood and death and everything that Loki hated, feared. Hot coals burned nearby; a reminder of what might come next- or perhaps not. They never told him what was to come, always kept in the dark, no knowledge to aid him. His torturers kept no schedules, no obvious patterns to show him the way.

Loki cried out when another cut began near the previous one, and when it passed over the wound, Loki jerked and screamed, which only made it worse. He knew not to move, but the pain was too much, he couldn't not move, to try and get away, his instincts driving him.

"Please!" he felt the word burst out. He had managed to remain silent until now, but what was the purpose of his silence? He couldn't even remember now. The heat poured down his face and his back, burning him inside, outside, everywhere and everything and where am I, what is this? Why wouldn't they say anything? Ever? Even one word? "Please," he said again, "what do you want?!" The words were gasped out, desperate and useless. This was his punishment, he knew, but why couldn't they even acknowledge him with a single word? Always so silent, as Loki was always so loud.

His two tormentors said nothing, continued saying nothing. Were they even the same two from before? Loki couldn't see them, and even if he could, they all always wore hoods- black hoods without holes to see through. All of them of the same body-type.

The stinging pain of the knife dug into his lower back now, small cuts, but still deep. He heard the man chuckle. He didn't know why. Tears fell down his face, or was it sweat?

Loki had been here for only a few months, he guessed, but already he was breaking down. He didn't want to stay here, didn't want to endure his punishment... and for how long? Why did they have to be so creative? Why would his fath- would Odin choose so many different punishments? He never had in the past; always one type of punishment per offense. Or had Loki's numerous crimes called for numerous punishments?

He felt more tears falling. This would go on forever then... Did Odin truly have an army of torturers, could this go on for eternity? Would Loki die in this horrible place? Never seeing his mother again, his broth- No. No, they weren't his family, not anymore- not ever. They were nothing to him, nothing, noth-

Loki screamed when the knife was suddenly stabbed into his left thigh. It was then dragged downward, cutting a long line of red as Loki screamed and screamed into the wood.

Please, stop...

But they didn't stop until Loki could barely remember his own name.

A/N: So I've been thinking it would be an interesting test to try adding ideas from readers' suggestions. If you guys have something you'd like to see happen in this story then feel free to pitch the idea in a review or you can PM me if you want. Anything from the entire plot to small things, ie like when Loki was just exploring Thor's room- it was small but people seemed to like it. I'll give credit, of course, but I might tweak the idea to fit the story, etc. I may use lots of you guys' ideas or I may use none, lol. It just depends.

(Also, do any The Sanguine Wood readers notice a similarity with a certain element in this chapter and something in that story? Lol. I didn't even notice until now. ;D The two stories aren't connected, but still...)