I woke to a furious bellow. Shoving myself upright, I winced at the vague pounding in my head and made a quick mental note never to drink quite that much mead at one go ever again. Cracking my eyes open, I was met with the sight of a royally pissed off God of Thunder standing at the end of the bed, glaring daggers at Loki.

"What have you done," he demanded.

Loki slid from the bed, wrapping himself in the dark green comforter as he heatedly replied, "Nothing you need concern yourself with, brother."

"Nothing," Thor questioned, his gaze darting to me before swinging back to Loki. "This very much looks like something I should find concerning! The Hawk is under my protection during his time here, and if you have meddled with his mind again…"

"I have done nothing of the sort!"

"And how am I to be certain of that," Thor growled, his eyes narrowing. "You are well known for your deceitful ways."

"Those days are long past," Loki hissed. "And my magic has been bound! You know this! How dare you even suggest…"

"Um, guys," I broke in. "Hello? I'm right here, you know. You can quit talking about me like I can't hear you."

"I dare because I know you, Loki," Thor shouted. "I know to what lengths you will go to gain something you desire!"

Loki stiffened at his brother's accusation. "You know nothing of me," he snarled. "And your suspicions wound me, brother. I find it telling that Barton is more readily accepting of my redemption than you!"

Thor's face drew down into an impressive grimace, and he firmed his grip on Mjolnir. "The Hawk has not had to suffer a millennia of your lies. As such, he would accept your 'change' quicker than I, even though you wronged him most grievously of all."

"Guys," I barked. "C'mon. There's no need for all this. Settle down!"

Thor continued glaring at Loki, almost as if he hadn't heard me speak, and my patience, paper thin at best, shredded into nothing.

I reached over to the bedside table and snagged a tiny wooden carving of a deer and side armed it directly at Thor's forehead, while bellowing, "THAT'S ENOUGH!"

The figurine flew true, hitting the blonde god square between the eyes. I had a moment of abject terror as his leonine head swung my way, and I saw the crackle of electricity in his glare. He took a step toward the bed, and I raised my hands, saying, "Sorry! But you wouldn't fucking LISTEN to me! Jesus, Thor! If you want to know what's going on, why don't you just ask?!"

"It is apparent what has happened here," Thor replied stiffly. "And I am far more versed in Loki's tricks than you, Barton. I would hear the explanation from Loki first. Forgive me if I seem circumspect, but it was less than a day ago that you seemingly had nothing but venom and hatred concerning my brother."

Loki turned and levered a frustrated look at me. I sighed and waved my hand at him, saying, "Go ahead and tell him everything. Better he hears it now instead of springing it on him when I talk to the council."

With a wince, I flopped back into the pillows, covering my eyes with my forearm and soundly cursing all Asgardians and their inability to respect a closed door.

And so Loki began to speak in a low, halting voice. He started with the moment he arrived on Midgard and the unexpected attraction he'd felt for me. I listened intently as he confessed his role in the invasion of Earth, admitting that he hadn't held quite as much power as he'd pretended. Thor held his silence through it all until Loki began to tell of our night in Stuttgart.

"Is this true, Clint," he asked quietly. "The thrall was removed from you?"

"Mostly," I answered. "I was able to say and do whatever I wanted…as long as that didn't include trying to stop Loki from following through on his plans."

"And you chose to…be with him," Thor demanded. "Why?"

"Because I wanted to," I sighed, sitting up and spearing the Thunderer with a pointed stare. "Look. I really don't want to play a rousing game of 'List The Reasons Why I Want To Fuck Thor's Baby Brother', okay? Can we just agree that I'm a grown ass man, and that I did what I did in Germany because I wanted to? And that goes for last night as well."

Thor's expression wavered for a moment before taking on a chagrined cast.

"There are some things that you don't need to know everything about," I continued. "And last night? If Loki had done anything wrong, don't you think Heimdall would have sounded the alarm? He didn't force me. He didn't drug me, or use any magic. This was my decision, and I even went so far as to tell Heimdall that…just to avoid any confusion. If you're still worried, you can go ask him."

Thor huffed out a deep breath before returning Mjolnir to his belt. "Forgive me, Clint," he mumbled. "It would seem that once again I acted without thinking."

"A particularly annoying habit of yours," Loki snapped, turning his back to the blonde god.

I studied the set of Loki's jaw and the way he seemed to curl in on himself, studiously ignoring Thor's very presence. Seemed the nickname Liesmith only applied to his words, because the god's body language made it very clear exactly how deeply Thor's suspicions had affected him.

"Don't think I'm the one you should be apologizing to, big guy," I said softly, giving a slight nod in Loki's direction. "You didn't falsely accuse me of any wrong doings."

Thor's eyes clenched shut and he huffed out a deep sigh before reaching out to place a large hand on Loki's shoulder. The dark god shrugged him off, giving voice to a low growl before sinking to the edge of the bed, his gaze firmly fixed on the floor.

"Loki," Thor murmured. "Please. I am sorry for my mistrust…but you must understand…"

"I understand perfectly," Loki snapped. "You will never believe me redeemed. I will always be a monster…nothing more."

"That is not true!"

"No? Yet another lie falls from my lips! And with what ease," he paused there, uttering a strangled laugh that held an edge of hysteria. "How right you are to mistrust me!"

"Brother," Thor whispered, a pleading tone creeping into his voice. "I-I just need time. Too much has passed between us…too much betrayal. That cannot be wiped away overnight!"

Loki snorted and shook his head. "Why bother? There will always be a seed of suspicion deep in your heart. Planted by my choices and actions. Time will not heal that particular wound."

"Okay, stop," I ground out. "Now is not the time or place for this. Thor's right, Loki. He's gonna need time…and you're gonna need to stop lashing out every time you get your feelings hurt."

The dark god's eyes snapped up to meet mine, and he gave me a sour look.

"What," I asked. "I've seen how touchy you get. Don't try and pretend that you don't. Look. You guys are brothers. Maybe not by blood, but family isn't always defined by DNA, dammit. No matter how fucked up your history is, you're brothers and you'll find a way to work this out. If not…well, you'll regret it. Trust me."

"And how can you be so very certain of that," Loki asked stiffly.

"Because I used to have a brother," I fired back. "And things happened that drove a wedge between us. We never worked it out…just…washed our hands of each other and went our separate ways." I paused there, firming my jaw and giving my head a slight shake before continuing. "I regret that almost every goddamn day. So that's why I'm certain. I'm sort of an expert on losing family."

Loki's expression softened and Thor murmured quietly, "I am sorry, Clint. I did not know."

"Why would you? It's not something I advertise, really. In fact, I try not to think about it, because it fucking hurts." I gave each of the gods a pointed look, holding their gazes in turn. "Don't let that happen here, okay? You guys have a lot longer to stew in regrets than I do. Don't give up on each other."

Thor stepped closer, hesitating for a moment before laying his hand once again on Loki's shoulder. The dark god briefly clenched his eyes shut and then raised his own hand to cover Thor's.

"Forgive me," Loki breathed. "It seems that despite the many changes I have undergone, I still struggle with my venomous words."

"It is forgiven, brother," Thor rumbled. "I act without thought, and you speak in the same manner. Quite a pair we make."

The corner of Loki's mouth quirked up into a rueful smile and he squeezed Thor's hand. "As always, one compliments the other; offering that which the other lacks. You have strength while I have knowledge. You are a man of action, while I rely on words. You are the bright, golden sun, and I am the pale moon, reflecting back your light."

"Nay," Thor soothed. "You shine with your own light, Loki. And we simply provide…balance. Neither of us is the more important; neither can exist without the other. I am sorry that you ever believed differently."

Loki's eyes grew wide at Thor's reassurances, and he swallowed thickly before nodding. "Thank you," he whispered. "For a time I lost my way. I listened too closely to the destructive little voice in my head that insisted I'd been slighted. That I would never be your equal. But I have changed, brother. And someday, I will not only convince you of such, but also regain your trust."

"I welcome that," the blonde god said with a smile. "It will be wonderful to have you restored, Loki. I have missed the way things once were between us. I have missed my brother."

Loki offered a tentative smile and dropped his gaze before answering sheepishly, "I have missed my brother as well. But my stubborn pride would not allow me to admit such."

Thor gave a pleased hum, affectionately ruffling Loki's already sleep mussed hair. "I had hoped some small part of you still wished for my companionship. That a spark of your former self remained hidden deep inside."

I allowed myself a small grin as I watched two of the most powerful beings I'd ever encountered give in to their sentimental side. Even after all that Loki had wrought, it was easy to see how much Thor loved him. And for as hard as Loki played at being, something told me he'd always carry a soft spot for his brother. I gave them a few more minutes to get out all their mushiness before I interrupted.

"Ok, Jesus…you two are gonna give me cavities if you keep this up. Thor? I assume you had a reason for stopping by?"

"I did, indeed," the blonde god said quickly. "Odin has informed me that the council will meet this evening in order to hear the Hawk's testimony." Thor speared Loki with a hopefully look. "I came to talk to you, Loki. To ask if this time you will speak in your own defense. Will you?"

Loki's expression grew troubled, and he cast a quick glance my way before turning back to Thor. "Do you truly think that will make any difference, brother?"

"I do," Thor answered eagerly. "I think that holding your silence will only make it appear that you have something to hide."

"He's right," I added. "Nothing makes a man look more guilty than when he won't answer questions."

"And if they do not believe," Loki asked. "If they think I am lying simply to save my own skin?"

"Then I'll set 'em straight," I growled. "I was there and I know what I saw. I got your back on this one, Princess."

"As do I," Thor intoned. "I will do all I can to ensure your punishment does not outweigh your crimes. This I swear to you, Loki."

The small, pleased smile that plucked at the dark god's mouth didn't quite mesh with the faint look of trepidation in his eyes.

I knew what he was thinking; that expecting mercy from the council was a fool's hope. That he deserved nothing less than what he'd already been handed, and that I was no more likely to be believed than he was himself. I saw all of this in the minute crease between his eyebrows, and the tension around his mouth; I read all this in the fleeting expressions that darkened his gaze.

So I clenched my jaw and narrowed my eyes, giving him a look that said I would brook no arguments when it came to this subject. I would tell my tale; demanding to be heard…and to be believed. And god help the council member that decided to call me a liar…

Hell, I'd already punched two Asgardians in less than a 24 hour period. Might as well go for broke, right?

That long suffering sigh came again, and Loki gave a slight nod. "Then yes," he murmured. "I will speak in my defense."

Thor's face split into a wide grin and he yanked Loki into a tight hug, pulling him up from the bed so suddenly that he nearly lost his grip on the blanket draped around his middle. I burst out laughing at the undignified squawk of surprise Loki let out before demanding to be turned loose.

Thor chuckled and released him, saying, "I will return for you later this evening, near to sunset. Be ready. Both of you." And with that, he took his leave.

Loki stood quietly at the side of the bed, staring after Thor for a long minute. I could see the wheels turning in his head; dread threatening to rise up and consume him.

"Hey," I murmured. "Snap out of it. Come back to bed, and we'll worry about the council later. Okay?"

"That sounds like a fine plan," he replied, and slipped in to curl against my side.

I wrapped my arms around his lean frame, molding him to me, and buried my face in his hair, breathing deeply of his unique scent. "One way or another, it's gonna be okay. I'll make sure of it."

"I have faith that you will," Loki answered softly.

"Good," I murmured as I stroked my hand lightly down his spine. And as Loki's breathing deepened, I lay there wide awake and hoping I hadn't just lied to my god.