The fire came and went
took everything away
The bruises never heal
I tried to take a breath
to say what wasn't said
but there is nothing left of me no, there is nothing left.
-What We Will Never Know by Innerpartysystem

"I really do not understand you Midgardians. It is not as if I wounded him in battle or drew my sword. I reiterated what we all already knew and it is as simple as that. You are all overestimating what I have done." Sif rolled her eyes and leaned back against the wall, crossing her arms. Ever since Loki had marched off, the Midgardians had all decided it was the proper time to gang up on her and make her feel as if she had done something wrong. Sif didn't understand it at all. She didn't cause Loki to kill his own father or to try and get rid of Thor. That was all his own doing, so why was Odin taking all the fall?

"Words are just as sharp as steel," said Steve. He was normally an advocate for solving things peacefully, diplomatically. But now, he felt himself aggravated at how Sif was rushing into things. Loki was sensitive, even Steve knew that. Telling him right up to his face that he was a liar was one of the stupidest things possible at the current time. Steve worried just thinking about how far this could have set Loki back. He hoped what Sif had done wasn't impossible to fix.

"But they do not cut anything," Sif replied smoothly. Fandral looked between the two with a hesitant look in his eyes. He had not expected it to turn out like this. He had rather thought that the two would be happy to be welcome back and then everything would return to some semblance of normality. However, it seemed that this would not be the case. Fandral sighed.

"The skin is not the only thing that can be cut. You hurt his feelings which is definitely enough. Be more careful with your words." Thor murmured from his spot at the table. He was rapping his fingers on the table impatiently. Tony had advised him not to go to Loki after Natasha had come back a few minutes earlier. It probably would have been unwise to engage him when he was already in such a foul mood. It was best to let the Asgardian cool off a bit.

Sif raised her eyebrow before shaking her head. It was of no use arguing with people who she would never understand. The bing of the elevator sounded, and she looked over to see Loki and Bruce walking out of the elevator. Finally, perhaps now something would happen. Loki walked over to the small group and said, "I will not be returning." His eyes were cast down and he avoided making eye contact with Sif, Fandral, and Thor. His voice was resolute, but it was always that way. He would never make himself appear weak if he could help it. "I will not delay you any longer."

Thor's heart clenched, and he sighed. "I will make a short journey back to Asgard, but I will return shortly." He acutely noticed Loki's small start and knew that he'd have to explain himself. "I want only to ask the allfather a few questions about what he has done, and no more."

Loki stared at the ground and almost laughed. Of course, he 'just wanted to ask the allfather a few questions'. It was layman's terms for wanting to go back to Odin's side. Thor was loyal, that Loki knew. But it just depended on who he was loyal to, and obviously, it was Odin. "Go back to your leader then, Odinsson. I would not want you back again. Take your time, for they obviously wish for you to return." Loki gestured over to Sif who had moved over to Thor's side.

"Brother, you know that is not what I meant!" Thor pleaded as he stood up from his chair. A part of him knew it would be fruitless. Loki had not called him Odinsson for the longest time now. He took a step towards Loki only to have the other man step away.

"And they call me the liar? I think they underestimate you, Odinsson. You're the greatest liar of all because you make everyone think that you care only for them to be mistaken." Loki bit out before turning away. He stormed away from the ground with his teeth tightly clenched. Bruce and Clint shared a look before turning to follow after the black-haired Asgardian.

Thor stared after his brother's back with sad eyes. He wanted to go after Loki and explain things, but he knew it would do no good. "Let us go to Asgard," he said softly. Fandral put a hand on his friend's shoulder before nodding to Sif. The headed outside the Avengers Mansion before communicating back up to Asgard.

-Words Like Thor's-

The hall doors swung open with a slam as Thor forced his way into the great hall. Odin sat in his chair, looking down at Thor. Thor couldn't help but feel that Odin looked down on the world as well. "Welcome back, my son. It is good to see you again." His voice was gentle, so gentle that Thor almost took it for kindness.

"You ask not for your other son. Why?" Thor demanded, stepping closer to the throne.

"I knew he would not come, no matter how much I wish him to." Odin looked away, a frown playing on his lips.

"Then why do you not go to him? You cannot truly desire his ill, do you? A part of me believes that to be the case, but the other cannot believe that you would truly be so cruel. Tell me now, do you care for him or not?" Thor bellowed, marching up the stairs to where Odin sat.

Odin stood up suddenly and turned to stare at Thor, "I have raised him for thousands of years! Do not think that I do not care for him, but my obligations lie everywhere! From the babe on Midgard who just lost his parents to the dwarf on Svartalfaheim. I have a duty to them all, not just those on Asgard. Over the past few weeks, I have stopped wars from being fought, droughts from occurring, and dictators from coming to rule. I do not have the time to save one when millions are calling my name!" Odin thundered.

It was only then that Thor saw the tire in his father's face. Odin was supposed to have rested during the Odinsleep, but now he still seemed tired. Thor took a deep breath in and sighed. "I cannot forgive you for what you have done, but I understand your obligations. But," Thor turned up to look at Odin with a resolute expression, "this is my final warning. Go to Midgard and talk to Loki. If not, you will never see us again."

Odin frowned at his son's ultimatum and sighed. "Frigga and Heimdallr can manage without me for a few days, I suppose... Will he be willing to see me though? When I look at him now, I see great hatred for me. His feelings are too tumultuous, for I cannot tell if he would receive me well or ill."

Thor gave a soft smile. "He'd appreciate the visit more than you'd know.

Author's Note: Drama! Woohoo! I hope you liked the chapter. (: I feel.. Kinda dead. I need mental re-energizing! In any case, thanks so much for continuing to read this story! I really appreciate it. Review and tell me any comments or questions? :D