A/N: Soooo sorry guys for not updating in so long! Apparently, it's becoming a trend, lol. Unfortunately, it was a combination of writer's block and real life that got in the way, not to mention there's something in this chapter that I had a hard time writing out. I know I tend to ramble, so I'll shut up now and let you get to the story!

Chapter 7

Today was the day Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton would return.

The morning seemed less bright than usual to Thor, but he suspected his own mood was coloring his opinion of it. It had been five days since coming to Midgard, and Thor was certain Loki barely slept, if at all, each night. And when he did, his little brother awoke screaming- as best he could scream -blood trickling down his chin. Thor had changed the sheets twice already.

Loki's blank eyes, however, gave no overt sign of weariness, they appeared much the same as when they first arrived- was that because he had always been suffering, and there had been no change? Or perhaps he truly had been sleeping, at least enough for him. He hoped for the second.

Breakfast had been quiet. Thor couldn't determine if the quietness was because Loki's lips were still a little bloody and the others had noticed, because they were as nervous as he about the two agents' return, or if something else had come over his friends. Loki was the same, as obviously he had no way of knowing what was to come. Thor both pitied and envied his ignorance, then felt ashamed of both the next moment.

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

After breakfast Loki was led back to Thor's room. He certainly liked being in Thor's room, but he was hoping to explore the tower a little today, if he could somehow convey that wish to his brother. He knew the tower was quite tall, and that exploring it would take some time. There was very little that could entertain him, after all.

But here they were and Thor was pacing. It was odd, Thor pacing- he almost never paced. Even when they were younger Thor always met things that would make most youths nervous with eager, but decidedly not nervous, actions. The young Thor once broke mother's favorite vase with a simple flick of his arm during one of his enthusiastic waits, but he had not been pacing. Thor doesn't pace, why is he pacing?

Loki sat on the foot of the bed beside where the thunderer paced, his own nervousness growing as he felt Thor pass by him again and again, his knees grazing the passing figure. A sudden impulse came over him that he simply could not control. He subtly flicked out a single foot, which caught on his older brother's leg, and Loki felt Thor's legs flail as the floor shook a little with a no doubt ungraceful thud.

A small smirk crossed his lips, even at the expense of feeling the pain in them, but it quickly disappeared when he felt a gush of wind near him. His instincts flared up immediately and he shrunk back against the bed, but his own legs were still somewhat tangled and he ended up falling to the floor on his backside. His body stiffened and he raised his arms protectively, although he wasn't certain why he was doing it.

Then there was a strong hand on his shoulder, squeezing tightly, but not hurting. It patted him there and squeezed again and he felt another small gust of wind as Thor sat next to him on the carpet, and Loki confirmed it when he reached out and felt for his brother's arm.

The next thing that came over Loki he tried his best not to do, but it was filling up his chest and he knew not trying to do it would make it rise even more. Don't! he ordered himself, but it was too late.

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

Thor absolutely could not believe that he was this nervous. Why am I nervous? Both Barton and Natasha were his friends, he had fought many battles with them, seen both of them drunk, saved both of their lives, even been angry with them- and they angry with him -and if all of that didn't make them friends, what did?

Even so, this wasn't about him, was it? It was about his brother, about Loki, who sat next to him quietly- of course quietly, you idiot, which was no doubt Loki's voice manifesting in his head. He passed by the trickster again, knees nearly touching.

Barton, more than any of them, had been wronged by Loki; and Romanoff was more his friend than any of the others- what hurt him hurt her as well. If the archer had issue with Loki, then so did she, there was no question about it. They were loyal to the Avengers but their bond with each other was stronger. Like Loki and I, Thor thought absently as he passed by Loki again.

Could his brother somehow apologize to them? But the real question: would he want to? Did he feel remorse for all he had done? Loki had made his feelings on mortals clear the last time he was here, comparing them to ants and forcing them to kneel before him. Thor hardened his gaze as he continued pacing, like a villain wearing my brother's skin, how can-

Thor's legs suddenly tripped on something and he barely caught himself on one arm before his face felt the carpet. On instinct Thor growled and jerked to his feet, rushing to the source of his distress- but there was only Loki, who cowered back and suddenly fell off the bed in a heap.

The look on the younger's face erased his thoughts in less than a second. Thor huffed and smiled and crouched down next to him, then leaned passed Loki's raised arms to clutch his shoulder good-naturedly.

Oh my brother, Thor smiled wider, oh my dear, trickster brother! Loki's hand landed on Thor's arm. He couldn't help it, everything in him felt about to burst, and before he knew it Thor felt his laugh escape in a loud cough, then continue in a full-blown laugh. And to his great surprise, Loki's eyes crinkled with laughter as the mischief god's face scrunched up in his obvious effort to contain his laugh. Even so, Loki's chest moved up and down in laughter, and short breaths moved in and out of his nose. Thor laughed even louder, watching his brother- he laughed for both of them, needed to laugh for them. He soon felt tears falling down his cheeks as he continued laughing, as Loki bent over and cringed when he pulled his stitches, although he still didn't stop chuckling through the tight strings.

Thor's stomach hurt, and by the way Loki's hand was on his own, he too felt the pain of laughter there. The two brothers continued until they were both crying- or at least Thor imagined Loki would be if he could, until there was a knock on the door.

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

The two brothers entered the living room quicker than Natasha was expecting. Steve and, unfortunately, Tony had explained what had happened to the god, as Bruce was busy today with something in the lab. Truthfully, she couldn't care less about any of it, all she cared about right now was Clint. She had no doubt that Loki was in bad shape, but that didn't excuse what he had done, nor did it mean they had to treat him like he was suddenly one of them.

Still, at the sight of the trickster god, clinging to his brother, mouth stitched and eyes milky-white, she couldn't help the pang of compassion that stirred in her. No, she thought, he's the enemy, and Clint... She internally sighed. Whatever Clint needed, she would provide. Whatever he said, however he felt, she would stand by him. Loki had hurt Clint the most, out of all of them, he had a right to retribution, no matter what the rest of them said.

"Lady Natasha," Thor greeted, almost meekly- well that was... wrong. Meek was not a word that should be anywhere near the thunder god. Then, "Barton," he said next, nodding once, as if in respect.

Natasha nodded back to him, feeling awkward greeting their friend in so formal a manner, but it was as if it wasn't Thor greeting them, as if it was on someone else's behalf; one guess as to who that was.

Clint scoffed and Natasha looked to him. The archer's eyes looked everywhere but at the two brothers, hands clenching at his sides, then his arms crossed over his chest, then they were at his side again. He said nothing.

Suddenly she was glad that Steve had asked Tony to leave the room. Well, kicked out was more like it, even if the billionaire had declared he had better things to do than 'watch the drama', which of course was ridiculous; he loves drama.

"Thor," said Steve, stepping forward, nervousness clear on his handsome face. "We, uh... Natasha?" he turned to her next, almost as if he were asking what should be done. That wasn't surprising; when it came to Clint and Loki, not a single one of the Avengers could deal with him- no one except her.

Fine, she stepped up, figuratively, at least. "Well," she said, "this is an unexpected surprise." It wasn't a surprise, they already knew most of what there was to know.

The blonde head of an oddly nervous god nodded once. "Yes. It fills me with joy to see the two of you returned safely," he said, and the words didn't sound right in his mouth, like he was trying to force them out.

Just get it over with, Natasha, just say it. She nodded. Clint did nothing, stared at nothing, still averting his gaze from everything important. She thought he had moved a little closer to her, but surely it was just her imagination.

"Thank you," she said cordially, a quirk of her lips the only evidence of possible honesty. "Do you really think he's changed, even after all that?" she said suddenly, and it was- so suddenly, because she couldn't believe that she had just said that to a friend. But right now, only he mattered, the man standing next to her, and she couldn't help the bite that was sneaking into her thoughts and out her lips.

Thor frowned but kept his composure. "He is not a threat, Natasha; I would not allow him here were he still-"

"That's not what I asked," she interrupted. Her eyes were cold; she couldn't help it. Clint's form straightened up at her side but was still, so still.

Two heads lowered, both blonde, a god and a soldier. "I..." began Thor. Natasha could almost see how he gathered his thoughts- always such an open book. "I cannot..." He stopped, thoughts moving on his face, saying everything before his voice even rang out. "I cannot... know..." And the sheepish look the thunder god gave, head tilted down, was so uncharacteristic she had to actively try to keep the gentle smile from crossing her face.

"I see," was all she said. She wanted nothing more than for Clint to jump in, to say something, but she would never want him to force anything out, to bring out those memories. She would be his shield, if he wanted, just as he would be to her when she needed.

A chill ran through her when, abruptly, Loki turned in the general direction of Thor and made a small muffled sound, as if in question. The chill wasn't because of him, but because Clint flinched, literally flinched, next to her. The movement was small, and perhaps not noticeable to the others, but it was like a loud bell going off in Natasha's ear and she wanted nothing more than to silence it.

"Loki," Thor said, hand moving to cup his brother's cheek. "It will not be much longer." The normally boisterous thunder god's soft voice grated on Natasha's nerves and she wanted to tell him to yell, scream, be loud as he always had. This gentleness wasn't unwelcome, but it just wasn't him, it wasn't Thor, and the added knowledge that this new element, this new situation, would interrupt and throw their lives into chaos... She gritted her teeth behind her lips and watched the brothers, uncertain of what to even say or do, which was rarer than she realized.

Barton scoffed again, half-turning away, as if he didn't want to be so exposed to whatever was taking place in front of him, this strangeness clearly getting to him as well. It was a comfort, to know he was there, just like her, confused and incredulous and even angry that this was thrust upon them. Because how could they say no?

"Clint," she heard Steve say, although for once she couldn't imagine what he might possibly say next.

"What?" said Clint, although his words were directed at the brothers. "Isn't there something else you guys should be doing now?" he asked bitterly, eyes suddenly so hard and staring. "Or is 'greet the Avenger of the day' a new game with you, hm, Loki?"

Natasha gritted her teeth harder, finding her words- her precious words, that usually got her out of things -abandoning her. She wasn't even sure what Clint was saying, but it dawned on her that he just wanted to say something, maybe anything.

"Barton-" began Thor, but Clint cut him off.

"No, Thor, I was talking to your brother-"

"Clint." Steve now. Voice hard.

"What?!" the archer nearly screamed.

Silence. The air was too heavy and yet too thin. Natasha saw Thor's Adam's apple bob as he stared at nothing.

Steve finally broke the silence. "Clint," he said quietly, "Loki can't hear you."

And it was obvious, so obvious that Clint hadn't known, that he hadn't been listening when Tony and Steve had explained the situation. Clint had been standoff-ish, fidgeting- or at least to Natasha's trained eye -and he hadn't truly been listening. She suspected he probably stopped hearing them after 'Loki is here...'

Natasha's eyes flicked to her partner's, who looked about to say the word 'What' but couldn't get it out. And now he was staring, eyes wide. She knew why, what that meant to him- why it would mean anything to him. And when he bolted for the door Natasha didn't stop him, didn't call out to him. She only followed him.

.

When Clint entered his room Natasha was barely a step behind. "Clint," she said carefully, waiting for him to respond, if he wanted to. She was here, and she knew that might not be enough for him, but she was here.

"Tasha," he said, pacing, hands running through his hair. He smiled suddenly, mirthless, dark. A chuckle escaped to match as his eyes met hers. "This is... this is crazy, I don't-" He shut his eyes tight and looked down.

He didn't need to say it, never needed to. She knew him too well. She knew that he had always struggled with his hearing, always trying to hide it, make up for it, make it go away, but he couldn't. If Loki was blind and mute, so be it, it didn't matter because he was the enemy and how could he even think about identifying with that? But this... She knew it wasn't that Loki was deaf, it was just the last straw, the final brick that weighed everything down too heavily, it's precarious balance on top of the already crumbling building that made everything break, so suddenly and without warning.

She wanted to say his name, make him hear her, but it was pointless. Words weren't going to work here- at least not from her. She remained an arms-length away, ready for him, if he needed. Only if he needs.

"I can't... I can't handle this, I don't think I can take this," he said quickly, but his voice was low, strained. He turned to the wide window, hands on his hips, head hanging. A sigh left his lips.

She nodded, even though he couldn't see her. She walked up behind him, then, against her wish to hold her friend, she only stood there, beside him, arms hanging at her sides.

She didn't smile at him, she only looked- at those glassy eyes and slightly furrowed brow.

Yes, she thought, he needs me, and I'll be there for him...

A/N: As you may have guessed, the thing that I had a difficult time with was Clint and Natasha's reactions. I'm still not satisfied with it, but I hope you guys enjoyed! ^^ I don't know if I'll be able to get back to this story more regularly, but I'll try my best.
Oh, and for those of you who were confused about Clint's reaction there at the end, in the comic books Clint is deaf and uses hearing aids. Not sure if this is true of MCU Hawkeye, but it was interesting to me so I added it. ;)

Also, keep up with the ideas! I've already put in one idea from you guys in the next chapter, which I've already started. I'm not saying it's a guarantee, but you guys' ideas may inspire me to write more of this fic. May. ;D Until next time!