Remember that DELETED scene with Frigga and Thor right after Frigga disappeared from Loki's cell, I thought I'd add it because it makes so much sense. But here's a thought. Thor was looking for Odin to bring him the good news of "creating peace with the nine realms," it means that this happened "before" Jane was brought to Asgard.

Am I right?

But now, I have a plot bunny hole, because I dunno where to put it. But gah, I'll just stash it where it left off in the movie and omit a few words, but hopefully this A/N makes sense.

PS: Not proofread/ And LONG chapter for you.

oOo

Chapter 20

Tony watched as Loki sat on the gurney in the same lab they were in earlier. Erik did not want to be in the same room as Loki and left for an early siesta. He figured that as long as Jane was safe, that would be okay with him. So he no longer bothered to check. Tony however, wanted to laugh at the fact that Thor was displeased with Erik's actions, but chose not to voice it out.

"Okay, hold still." Bruce told Loki. "You're going to be okay."

"Will he really?" Thor sighed.

"What do you see Loki?"

"I can see fine, Dr. Banner."

Loki was visibly shaking on the gurney while Thor hovered protectively by his side. Tony knew that as much as Loki hated Thor's over-protectiveness, he was actually grateful that Thor chose to stay by his side.

"Princess." Tony muttered softly.

He sat on one of the chairs as Bruce continued to look at Loki. He could see him patching Loki up and giving him ointment for the burns, but saw that he was healing fast and no longer needed it.

"What was it that hit him?" Thor wondered. "I've never seen such an effect before."

"There's a similar spell in Asgard," Loki whispered. "But it is barely used as a weapon."

"It's an M84 stun grenade." Tony twirled on his seat. "I analyzed it from the security feeds and had a scan check it. Apparently the effects were doubled. Had it been Romanov or Barton that got attacked by that thing, they might be knocked out for days. Or worse, they could permanently be blind."

Bruce continued to check Loki for more injuries while Tony explained the grenade. Bruce noticed that Loki was doing far better than he expected. Loki was an emotional wreck when he got to the lab, but when Loki's vision began to return, his whole demeanor changed again.

Bruce decided to listen intently to what Tony was saying, instead of dwelling on the past. He had questions to tell Tony and intervened in the conversation.

"Was it amplified?" Bruce wondered.

"It was." Tony replied. "It's a good thing the two assassins know how to close their eyes. Loki was just unlucky at the time."

"I question why you would go with them, brother." Thor pouted disappointingly. "I did not know you were friends now."

"Is this envy I hear?" Loki grinned.

"You could have told me where you had gone." Thor frowned.

"Would you have allowed me to go with them in your sleepy condition?" Loki gave him a look and saw Thor grimace even more. "That answers that question."

"Okay. Loki's just unlucky today." Bruce breathed. "Does anything else hurt?"

"Thor's heart does." Tony smirked and Loki chuckled at that.

Loki calmed himself. "There's a sting in my eyes." He said. "But other than that, I can see a little."

Tony was downright amazed how Loki could change characters so easily. When he saw him in the cafeteria, Loki was a fidgeting mess and now Loki was back to his snarky self. It's either that Loki's just a crazy psychopath or he's just a good actor. Or Tony could be wrong and Loki could be both.

"Alright, let me check again." Bruce sighed.

"Will he recover?" Thor asked worriedly.

"Stop worrying." Loki pinched him.

Thor yelped. "I am trying to help you, Loki." He glared at his brother before turning to Bruce. "Now will he be well, Banner?"

"From what I can tell, his eyes are slowly healing and are going back to normal." Bruce squinted. "It's not severely damaged, just irritated."

Tony frowned when he saw Loki clench his fists. It was probably because Loki hated being ignored when he was sitting right there. Tony really wanted Loki to try and voice out and scream, but Loki was just being too unpredictably quiet.

And Tony, boy was he off his game today.

He wasn't expecting Loki to kill anyone like that, he figured that Loki had enough mercy in his heart, but now that Tony knew, it shook him.

"You can't play with fire." Tony thought. "It'll bring the devil out."

Tony was questioning everything that was happening. Why did those Agents go rogue? Why did those people attack Thor and Loki? Why were they stopping them?

And most of all, why now?

"Do you see anything, Loki?" Bruce asked a rather stupid question. "Tell me, how many fingers am I holding up?"

"Four." Loki answered.

"Okay, does any other part of your body hurt? From what I checked, your ribs are healed and so are most of your injuries. But I'm worried about the scars you'll have."

"I am used to it." Loki shrugged.

"Loki." Thor frowned.

Loki knew where this was going. It was going to go back to Loki being the poor victim who got molested in his time with the Chitauri and Thor will be the mourning brother that feels pity for him. Loki hated when Thor was turning into such a sap, that Loki wanted to just knock him on the head.

Loki raised a finger. "Do not dare." He warned.

That got Thor to shut up, but it raised questions from Bruce and Tony's side. The two had ideas, but they weren't going to voice it out like it was someone's birthday.

Hell No.

That would be like having your picture taken while you have your hand near a snapping turtle. It just spells death.

"There you have it." Bruce turned to Thor with a smile.

"This means he is well?"

"Is your vision completely cleared, Loki?"

"No, Dr. Banner." Loki rubbed at his eyes, which Thor stopped, earning a glare. "It is a bit blurred, but I am slowly able to see things and tell the difference. In a few minutes, my eyes will be healed soon."

"That means we can watch the movie." Tony stretched.

"What about the others?" Thor released Loki's wrist and crossed his arms. "Are they not going to watch?"

"Right." Tony nodded. "Forgot about them."

Instead of getting off the gurney, Loki laid on his side, facing them. Thor allowed Loki to do what he pleased while Bruce just backed away and tucked the medical supplies back where they belong. Thor walked over to him, and hid him from Tony's and Bruce's view. Loki just wanted to curl up and die in the corner, but the gurney was soft and comfortable that he did not want to move.

"Loki?" Thor spoke in Asgardian. "Are you sure you are well?"

"Tired."

"Do you want to rest?"

"No." Loki closed his eyes when Thor caressed his cheek. So warm. "I am well enough here, brother. I do not wish to move."

"That is fine." Thor frowned. "I wish I could have been there earlier."

"Do not blame yourself, Thor." Loki mouthed. "None of us would have known they would do that."

"I was too slow."

"He wanted me." Loki answered weakly.

"What- who?"

"The first man I killed with the table." Loki looked up at him. "He told me I was pretty. I got angry at him, because it reminded me so much of before that I wanted no more of it."

He looked Thor deeply in the eye, looking for something.

"Do you hate me for killing them, brother?"

"No." Thor patted Loki's shoulders. "I would have done the same, had I been there earlier. So fret not, little brother. We will do what we must to prevent the Director from adding this to your list of crimes."

"How kind of you."

Thor gave Loki a kiss on the forehead and smiled walking away to get a chair. Bruce had on purposely bumped Tony's chair to catch the staring billionaire's attention. Bruce smiled at Tony, who turned to him with a look of confusion.

"What?" Tony grimaced.

"I have a vague idea of what you're thinking."

"Fine, you caught me staring. So what?"

"There's a meaning behind that stare of yours." Bruce whispered. "Are you looking at Thor or are you looking at Loki?"

Tony raised his eyebrows.

"Loki then." Bruce concluded.

"Get your mind out of the gutter, Bruce."

"This means I'm right. So what has you staring at Loki and being so nice to him. I don't think Tony Stark would just give anyone Hot Chocolate without a reason."

"Fine you caught my strategy." Tony dramatically spun on the chair. "I'm busted."

"Okay, stop." Bruce chuckled, making his chair stop. "We'd all like to know, Tony. Knowing your reputation, there's a meaning behind you being nice and giving Loki things, while at the same time, you're being pretty obvious on your intentions."

"How am I being obvious?"

"You stare at him a lot. You're nice to him a lot." Bruce pinched him, making Tony yelp. "Pay attention. You're giving him things you made from the kitchen. And now you're staring at him like he's a picture."

"You want the truth?" Tony sighed.

"If you would allow that."

"Fine." Tony shrugged and leaned back. "I don't know why I'm doing those things. I feel sorry for him, but at the same time, I don't want to feel sorry for him. I want to be nice, and then I'd hear something horrible was done to him and I want to help. But the next thing that happens, I want him to deserve the hurt and pain he caused everyone. But damn that's not him. If I know that he's just like me, then I would know that he wouldn't want to be babied like that."

"The point, Tony?"

"You don't honestly think that about me, do you, Bruce?"

"I don't know. Are you thinking that?"

"No!" Tony pouted. "You're so off my nice list."

"It's just a question, Tony."

"But that hurts my feelings. I'm not a bad guy, Bruce."

"I'm not saying you are."

"Okay." Tony palmed his face. "Something about Loki just makes me question everything. My own life, the decisions I made, Pepper, everything. It just makes me feel sorry for him that his life is too cracked up to fix with just glue. And I want to change that."

"That's Thor's job, not yours."

"I know, but I want to try."

"I doubt Loki would let you help him." Bruce eyed the two brothers, who were now locked in a delicate conversation. "He's not the type to be social."

"There's that and also because I like a good puzzle." Tony shrugged. "Don't question me as to why I said that, because I don't know. Loki's just the mysterious type of guy that it makes me feel all edgy, Like there's all adrenaline everywhere and I'm not comfortable with that. Do you understand me? No? God, Bruce. You're killing me over here."

"You ramble too much, do you know that?" Bruce laughed.

"Do you get me?"

"Yes." He nodded. "You want to be Loki's friend but at the same time, you don't want to be near him because of your anxiety attacks. Also, you like him because he's dangerous?"

"Where the hell did you get that idea?" Tony laughed at him, giving him a small punch on the shoulder. "Oh ha. ha. ha! Very funny Bruce. Never took you for a comedian."

"I try." He shrugged. "But you're right. I think Loki does need a friend."

"Hey. I have an idea." Tony smirked at him. "I'm looking for a way to translate what they're saying. They're talking Asgardian again."

"Thor will kill you for that." Bruce chuckled.

Tony smiled at Bruce before turning his attention back to the brothers. Thor had given up on talking to Loki and just sat there with his head on the gurney. Loki, who was still lying down, was stroking Thor's hair while he hummed a soft Asgardian tune.

Tony gave Loki a look questioning 'What the hell are you doing?' while Loki just gave him a blank stare saying 'Resting. Why does it matter?'

"My question," Tony sighed.

"Where are the others?" Bruce finished for him.

Tony was about to interrupt when...

The door suddenly slid open and Natasha was fuming, followed by a scowling Clint being man-handled by a ticked off Steve. Everyone in the room watched as the three gave off a similar tension from before.

Loki sat up straight to prevent him from looking so miserably weak while Thor turned his head to them, disappointed that Loki had stopped stroking his head. Tony also straightened up from where he sat and saw that the three would not appreciate a joke right now.

"Asshole!" Natasha cursed and gave a strong kick to one of the metal tables, giving it a huge dent. "Dr. I'll have that fixed."

"No, it's okay." Bruce said. "We all need to let our frustrations out and it's not my equipment."

"What happened?" Tony questioned.

"Fury lied to us about a handful of things." Clint answered as Steve sat him down on a nearby Chair while the archer pushed something into Steve's hands. "Here, just give it."

"Loki?" Steve mumbled. "Clint wanted to give you this."

"Oh?"

Loki eyed the object in Steve's hand. It was a strawberry smoothie, which Loki accepted with a thanks and began to sip it. Nobody questioned why Clint had even bothered to give it to Loki, let alone make it for him.

It was probably a sorry kind of gift for the incident earlier.

"Are you alright?" Bruce questioned Clint.

"It's just a small wound on the thigh." He brushed him off. "It's nothing compared to what we've been through before. I'm all patched up."

"Do you wish for me to heal it?" Loki offered.

"No." Clint grimaced. "Save your energy."

Thor was thankful that Clint had declined the offer, because Thor knew that although Loki was giving, it did not mean that Loki was fully recovered and capable of using his magic to do heavy spells.

Thor knew how exhausted Loki ends up when he overuses his magic.

"How are you holding up?" Clint asked politely. "Are you completely blind or what, because if you are, you'll be thankful that you won't see Stark's hideous goatee."

"I am well and adjusted." Loki shrugged, turning to Tony with concern.

Tony noticed Loki giving him a look of sympathy, knowing full well that Tony hated people joking about his goatee. It was his style! Loki caught Tony staring back at him and glared. Tony was taken back and rolled his eyes, Loki did the same.

Bruce on the other hand, was secretly laughing.

If this was Tony's idea of friendship, then it has to go a long way before they get to the actual friendship.

"Did they say anything about what I did?" Loki asked.

"No." Steve answered. "Fury's not happy, but- but we're working it out."

"Loki, do you know a spell so that nobody will be able to hear anything from this room?" Natasha crossed her arms and sat on the table. "It's urgent."

"I have a spell for it." Loki said dryly.

"Loki, you are tired enough." Thor scolded.

"Woah. Hold up." Tony raised both hands. "Why do we need that? I have firewalls up in every system."

"That is not only it." Thor debated. "Why ask this of my brother when he is barely able to keep himself from falling down?"

"If she is asking, then it is something important." Loki glared at the two. "I am fine, a mere trick won't harm me. And truly, I would have thought you'd learn your lessons by now."

"What do you mean?" Steve wondered.

"I told Agent Romanov specifically when I was still in my cell." Loki bit the straw. "You are all in the service of liars and killers."

"You knew?" Natasha gritted her teeth.

"No, I did not, but I presumed." Loki explained. "I could feel when someone is lying to me, although that ability has long since been rendered useless when I fell off the Bifrost. I could still faintly feel when someone is lying. It all depends on my gut instincts and knowledge to either perceive it as a truth or a lie."

"So you're 50/50 on your guesses." Clint scowled.

"Yes, but I can tell you that I do not trust your Shield."

"Well, neither do we." Steve sighed.

Loki lifted his hand and in one snap of his fingers, his magic did the work and shielded the room from eavesdroppers. Thor knew it had worked, but the others did not. They think that Loki did this just for fun, but then again, this could be anything.

Clint scowled and leaned back on his chair. "So, That's it?"

"It is done." Loki yawned, taking a sip of his smoothie. "You may speak freely as you wish."

Natasha gestured Steve to start talking while the others listened intently to what he was about to say. "Fury knows the movie after Thor's." Steve sighed. "Which is apparently, mine and Natasha's."

"Oh, where's Barton?" Tony smirked.

"Shut up." Clint pouted.

"Look." Natasha glared and crossed her legs threateningly. "Fury told us that he watched Iron Man and a part of Dark World with us. That's true. But he got bored of it when the Other came onto the Helicarrier. He said he needed to do more than just watch the movie. Hill said they noticed random Agents getting signals through your defense system, and thought it was a bug from our world to this world, but apparently it was Hydra all along. And your firewall isn't strong enough, Stark."

"Seriously?"

She nodded at him. "Fury wanted to be ahead of all of us so he took the summary of our stories and read it."

"That's no thrill at all." Tony shook his head.

"And guess what? They finally got their answer to the attempts on Loki's life."

"Which is?" Loki innocently asked.

"What did they get out of it?" Thor wondered.

"They didn't talk about your story." Clint shrugged. "They only talked about Cap's movie with Natasha, but not the details. We only know one thing. The people that tried to kill Loki are part of Hydra."

"The Nazi?" Tony's eyes widened.

"How is that connected?" Bruce questioned.

"That's just it." Steve sighed. "Shield's compromised and we don't know any of it. Fury only told us that Shield has Hydra Agents pretending to be Shield agents. He didn't tell us about anything else. He just told us to not trust anybody on board, just the avengers and him and Hill."

"And these life attempts?" Loki took a long sip of the smoothie, making an irresistible slurping noise that made all of them turn to him.

"Do go on and keep talking."

"We were told not to leave you just anywhere." Natasha cracked her knuckles. "Fury won't tell us anything else. He just said that Shield is compromised and if we want to know, we'll just have to watch the movie."

"Where is Clint in all of this?" Bruce asked.

"Don't know." Steve said. "But we're looking into it. Fury ordered all of us to try and stick together in pairs, and to not trust anybody. We aren't sure what Hydra wants exactly, except our main guess is the tesseract, the Other and Loki."

"Me?" Loki looked up. "And the Other?"

"My brother?" Thor was taken back by surprise. "What would they need my brother for?"

"The Other is a given." Bruce said. "But Loki?"

"Fury said it was probably the energy radiating off him." Clint shrugged. "And probably because he's alien? They can't touch Thor, but with Loki being a war criminal and a little vulnerable, I think they might have an advantage in keeping you locked up."

"Great." Loki scowled. "Not only does Asgard want me caged, even Midgard's people want me experimented on."

Loki's words turned into sarcasm.

"I did not know I was this wanted."

"Let's just watch and finish Thor's movie." Clint scowled and winced at the pain from his thigh. "I want get this done and over with so we could find out what the hell is happening with Cap's story."

"I don't like it." Steve said. "But do we even have a choice?"

"No, we don't." Natasha said dryly. "Stark, can you find where we left off?"

"Sure thing, hun." Tony eyed Loki, who sat on the gurney facing the screen. "Hey, Lo'. You sure your eyes can handle the movie now?"

"I am well and capable."

Loki snapped his fingers again, dissolving his magic barrier.

He turned to Thor and nudged the smoothie towards him. Loki figured if now was the time to truly make truce with his brother before everything goes down hill with the movie, then he would do it in a heart beat.

"Taste it."

Tony watched as Thor disgustingly took the drink and drowned it in one go, earning a huge protest from Loki.

"I said taste it, not drink it like a wild boar!" Loki pouted. "That was mine!"

Tony just laughed.

oOo

"Odin continues to bring me new friends." Loki smiled venomously. "How thoughtful."

They were facing the window of the Helicarrier which was now made into a huge screen for them to watch on. Steve and Natasha was sitting on the table, while Natasha used Clint's shoulder as a footstool. Clint sat just in front of Natasha.

Loki sat on the gurney with Tony right next to him. The billionaire refused to be uncomfortable and wanted to give Bruce his seat. Tony hogged Loki's pillow, which Loki carelessly gave away, too annoyed to even argue with the pesky meddling man. Loki knew what he was trying to do, but he still had doubts about Tony's generosity. Loki did not want to put trust into someone he just met.

Bruce and Thor sat together just in front of the gurney. The two of them were scowling, mainly Thor took the brunt of it. He did not like being separated from Loki, but Loki thought it best to give each other space.

And who better to pair Thor up than with the Hulk.

For now...

They looked like one big unhappy family.

The screen turned from Loki to their mother, Frigga. She looked sad and worried about him, while Loki just looked pissed. He ignored what was happening outside and stared at her.

"The books I sent, do they not interest you?" She asked.

"Is that how I am to while away eternity?" Loki asked mockingly. "Reading?"

"I've done everything in my power to make you comfortable."

"Have you?" Loki gave her a look of disdain. "Does Odin share your concern?"

"You're still seeking approval from that asshole?" Clint scoffed and copied his voice. "I would have thought you'd learn your lesson by now."

Loki felt his childish urgency spike up and grudgingly snatched the pillow Tony was hugging and slammed it at Clint's head. Clint pretended to get hurt, because hell, it wasn't supposed to be funny, but it was.

A pillow doesn't hurt, stupid.

Natasha just glared at Loki for receiving a pillow hit on her legs resting on Clint's shoulders, but Loki was too proud to apologize. He refused to be unsatisfied with his attempt at harming an avenger.

Loki grudgingly hugged the pillow, hissing at Stark, who tried to take it back.

"Does Thor?" Loki almost smirked. "It must be so inconvenient, them asking after me day and night."

"Sarcasm." Tony frowned.

Thor was feeling terribly guilty, because he knew that in this world. His supposed future hated his brother for the betrayal he received. This Thor knew nothing of what Loki had experienced.

If he had, Loki would not be in that cell accused of criminal acts.

"You know full well that your actions brought you here."

"My actions?" Loki pointed at himself. "I was merely giving truth to the lie that I've been fed my entire life. That I was born to be a king."

"A king?" Frigga smirks sadly. "A true king admits his faults. What of the lives you took on Earth?"

"A mere handful compared to the number that Odin has taken himself."

"I don't like where this is going." Natasha crossed her arms.

"None of us do." Steve answered. "They don't know anything, do they?"

"I doubt it." Loki shrugged. "If they did, I might not be in that cell. And mother would do everything to change that, but she too doesn't know."

"Why not tell them?" Tony wondered.

"None of you were supposed to know." Loki just laughed at him. "What is the point of telling you if I know you'd all be upset and uncaring? When I know that all my words would be nothing but lies to you. You would have not believed me had there not been any evidence. What more is trying to convince my so called family if they would think the same?"

"He's right." Bruce admitted.

They all frowned, except for Loki, who just kept quiet and allowed himself the small silence. He had a feeling his encounter with his mother would not end well. He knew that something bad was going to happen.

"Your father-" Frigga started.

"He's not my father!" Loki lost his temper and shouted.

Tony swallowed and turned his attention to the younger god right next to him. Loki's eyes were focused on the screen, and Loki had long since raised his legs up to his chest on the gurney and hugged the pillow as if he was killing it with his grip.

Loki was shaking, eyes watering.

"Then am I not your mother?"

Push her away. Push her away and she would not get hurt. That is what's going through Loki's mind as he watched the scene unfold. This would have been his future had they not traveled into this world. So accept it. ACCEPT THE TRUTH!

Accept it.

Loki hesitated for a moment.

"You're not." He breathed.

Loki buried his face on the pillow, and stopped himself from trying to tear it apart. He wanted to scream and thrash around but decided against it. Loki swallowed and kept his composure, looking back at the screen to face a very delicate situation.

Loki just wished no one was looking at him to notice.

Frigga forced a smile on her face, but there were tears in her eyes. She took a step closer to Loki.

"Hmm. Always so perceptive... about everyone but yourself."

Loki regretted his actions and shook his head, taking a step towards Frigga and placed his hand on top of her upturned palm, only for her to dissolve at his touch.

An illusion, a projection.

Loki looked down and forced his tears back, clearly affected.

"Damn." Clint cursed.

"Loki." Thor turned to his brother, who sat there motionless.

"Don't." Bruce patted Thor's shoulder. "You should leave him alone to think about it."

Thor was hesitant but allowed it to slide. He could see that Loki was clearly angry at himself for saying such a thing to Frigga, but Thor knew there must have been a reason for him to have done that. Perhaps to protect her? Or perhaps so that she wouldn't have any regrets in her heart?

Thor wouldn't know.

"Still see you indulging him."

"Welcome home, son!" Frigga turned happily as Loki's illusion disappeared.

"Why are you indulging him with gifts, the visits?"

"I think if you asked the guards," She grabbed Thor's arms. "They would tell you I was never there."

"Mother, Loki is not the boy you once knew." Thor explained.

Loki laughed bitterly at this.

The others ignored Loki's obvious disdain for the scene, knowing full well that reacting would only cause more grief and torture.

"Nor are you." Frigga replied as they went to the balcony. "And I loved you no less when your father banished you to Earth."

"How ironic."

Thor turned his attention to Loki, unable to say anything to his bitter brother. Loki was on the verge of tears, but was trying so hard to keep his composure and that strong behavior.

Thor almost forgot that Loki was just a boy in Asgard's standard.

That Loki was just his lost little brother.

"Do you ever regret sharing your magic with him?"

"No." She sighed. "You and your father cast large shadows. I'd hope that by sharing my gifts with Loki that he could find some sun for himself."

Loki was moved by these words, he hadn't give his mother's words much thought before, but now he did. And Frigga was the only one in his future that would love him.

"I admire your optimism." Thor said. "Your compassion. I wish I could still share it."

Thor wanted to punch himself. How could he have been so stupid as to forget his brother, to forget what they shared so easily? Why had he been so careless not to notice it? But Thor barely minded it, this event that took place was something Thor should be grateful for.

It was a second chance at saving his brother.

To save Loki.

"Hey Loki?" Tony whispered. "You okay?"

"Shut up for once, won't you?" Loki tiredly turned to him, whispering softly. "You are annoying."

"Just wanted to know if you can still keep up."

"Continue the story if you must, I care not."

Tony was lost for words and looked at Natasha and Clint for back up, but when the two noticed his distress, they immediately turned their attention back to the screen, wanting nothing to do with them.

"Traitors." Tony thought.

Loki drowned the next few scenes wherein Thor and Jane strolled around the waterfront at the edge of the palace with Jane in her Asgardian attire. They were being so loving and sweet, that Loki just wanted to vomit. He did not like her at all. And Loki thought that Thor could do better than that.

"My father doesn't know everything." Thor said.

"Don't let him hear you say that." Frigga walked forward.

"Jane Foster, please meet Frigga, Queen of Asgard, my Mother."

Jane dropped Thor's hand and distanced herself.

"Hi."

"How utterly impolite." Loki glowered.

Thor was about to protest when Natasha grimaced at the two. Loki did not pay attention to the glare she was giving him, but Thor noticed it immediately. Natasha was pissed, and wanted no more than to finish the story. She did not want any unnecessary arguments.

"She is a good woman, Loki." Thor ignored Natasha.

"Oh, truly? You would know given the three days you spent with her." Loki scowled.

Clint wanted to comment but deemed against it.

Loki laid on his bed, bored, throwing an cup or what looked like an hour glass, catching it and throwing it back up. In the other cell, Algrim removed the gem from his stomach and crushed it, turning into Kurse. The cell mates began to panic and begin shouting for help.

"Damn, your prison cells are high tech." Clint said, hoping to distract the angry Loki and pitiful Thor. "What are those things on the- the glass thing."

"Those are runes to prevent escape or any magical affinity."

Loki heard the screaming as two Einherjar approached Kurse's cell as Kurse escaped. He killed the two and started freeing them. He approached Loki, giving him a look and turned away.

"Shit! Rejection." Tony laughed, earning a glare from Loki.

"Why'd he move away?" Steve wondered. "If he was bent on freeing everyone, then why not free Loki too?"

"It's his cell." Natasha answered. "He's too comfortable."

"They probably think that he's not best suited to fight." Bruce intervened. "Giving all the things he has in his cell compared to everyone else, Loki had the luxury."

"I do not think that is the only reason." Thor grimaced.

Loki ignored them all.

"You might want to take the stairs to the left." And Kurse followed.

"Why did you do that?" Thor questioned. "You knew where that would lead, you knew that would lead him to our defenses. Why would you tell him that?"

"Oh, I don't know, Thor." Loki turned to him. "Why don't you ask my future self why I did it!"

"Future Loki must be pissed." Tony said, trying to calm them down. "Come on you two, stop arguing."

"I would if Thor would stop harassing me!" Loki bit his lips.

"I am doing no such thing." Thor crossed his arms and grunted.

"We're surrounded by children." Natasha muttered to Clint and Steve.

"I don't know who's more childish." Steve mumbled. "Tony, or those two."

"My bet's still on Stark." Clint shrugged.

Thor, Jane and Frigga heard the alarm and instantly, Thor was eying the palace. Frigga saw the distress on his face.

"The prison." Frigga whispered.

"Loki." Thor said.

"Oh, you think that was my fault?" Loki said in Asgardian so only Thor would hear. He hugged the pillow even more. "It is good to know you've completely lost faith in me."

"I did not. Not now." Thor answered back in their language. "This would not be our future, Loki."

"Do you think you'd change from simply knowing?"

Thor gave Loki's words some thought.

Fandral and Volstagg joined the Einherjar warriors to battle the escaping Marauders. While Thor appeared with his cape and hammer, dropping down to the cell with a smirk on his face.

"Return to your cells and no further harm will come to you." Thor said. "You have my word."

He turned his head to the right and a Marauder punched him.

"Very well, you do not have my word."

"Never knew you to be sarcastic, Thor." Tony smirked at him.

Thor grimaced at his direction. "I learned from the best." Trying to urge Loki to say something, but Loki only stayed silent.

"Thor would be great as a jail guard." Clint laughed, earning a nudge from Natasha, gesturing to Loki on the gurney.

Clint turned his head to see Tony looking at them, giving them a questioning look, telling them that 'I don't know what to do, do something!' Tony frowned, looking at Loki looking so depressed.

Loki was still sitting with his knees to his chest and the pillow was still crushed in the middle. Loki was barely paying attention to any of them, but was focused more on what was happening on the screen.

"It's a skirmish." Odin said. "Nothing to fear."

"You've never been a very good liar."

Thor and Loki both flinched at this, knowing full well the soft spot it hit in their hearts. Loki turned to Thor, who gave him a sorry look, but Loki stubbornly dismissed him.

"Despite all I have survived, my Queen still worries for me."

"It's only because I worry for you that you have survived."

Loki smiled at this.

His mother was a trickster herself, it was only because she was Queen that she held her posture and attitude, but secretly, she was just as mischievous as he was. And Loki did learn his tricks from her in the first place and Loki was grateful for that.

"If it were me..." Tony nudged Loki. "I would think Thor's the adopted one."

Everyone turned to him and Loki chuckled at that. It surprised everyone, including Loki himself.

"It's true." Tony continued. "It's like you and your mother were made for each other. Son and Mother, you know?"

"Thank you." Loki muttered, turning back to the screen.

Tony turned to Thor with a look of apology, but Thor understood it immediately and gave him a curt nod. Bruce gave Tony a thumbs up and Steve smiled at him. Tony felt an accomplishment happen at making the tension die a little.

At least, for a moment.

oOo

Odin entered the throne room and surveyed the damage. Malekith was on the move and the floor was scattered with the remains of Asgardians and Dark elves alike.

He attacked one that was left standing and immediately had a thought go through his mind.

"Frigga." Odin breathed.

Loki felt fear spike in him and frantically turned to Thor for confirmation, but Thor stared back at him with the same confused look and worry on his features.

"Shit, what's going to happen?" Clint braced himself for the worst.

"You don't think she'll..." Steve turned to Natasha.

"Shh.." Natasha whispered. "Look."

She pointed at Loki, who was shaking from where he sat. Tony was eying the screen intently and Thor was just plain nervous. Bruce gave them a look, sharing the same question in his head. They did not know what was about to happen, but they had a vague idea of what could happen. And they were not happy about it.

"Please tell me this would not go where I think it will go." Loki's voice was pleading.

"We don't know." Steve admitted.

Malekith found his way into Frigga's chambers and approached the door. Jane stood fearful by Frigga's side. She placed herself before Jane and faced Malekith while Jane fled to the other side.

"Stand down, creature." She threatened. "And you may still survive this."

"I like your mom." Tony admitted. "She's understanding, tough and strong."

"Aye." Thor mouthed, breaking his silence.

"She is." Loki agreed, anxious to know what comes next.

Malekith approached, and Frigga glanced at Jane. Jane scuttled backwards as Malekith drew closer. Frigga struck him across the face with her sword, sending him backwards in shock.

"OH!" Clint jumped.

"OH MAN!" Tony jumped along with Clint. "I did not expect that."

"Hmm..." Natasha nodded in approval.

"She got him." Bruce breathed.

"Thank the Norns." Thor breathed peacefully, turning to Loki, who had a death grip on his pillow and a look of worry in his eyes. Thor wished he was seated next to Loki instead, so that he would comfort his brother.

Loki sighed in relief, but this was not over.

Frigga proved to be a strong warrior as she fought Malekith, swinging her sword gracefully while sending him backwards. She disarmed Malekith and pinned him with a sword to his throat.

While everyone else was excited and glad that Frigga had disarmed Malekith. Loki and Thor were not. They knew the stories, and they knew what might happen and they really wished that their thoughts were just a figment of their imagination.

Please do not be real.

"Mother." Loki worriedly waited.

Kurse came up from behind her and disarmed her, lifting her in the air and pressing her sword against her back as a warning.

"No." Loki bit his lips and turned to Thor. "Where were you in all of this!? Were you still in the prison!? Where were you!?"

Loki shouted at Thor, who was taken back by his words.

"I- I am not sure." Thor swallowed.

Thor was torn between the two women he loved. His mother and Jane, and he would grieve for both of them. Thor couldn't speak out, he was questioning everything. He was just rendered speechless at the scene before him.

"Damn it." Loki clenched his fists. "Norns forbid, Thor, if she... if she-"

Dies?

What would he do?

Frigga was his lifeline.

His Mother.

What would happen to him after?

"Norns forbid, Thor." Loki gritted his teeth.

Everyone else noticed the distress in Loki's features. The younger brother was trying to stop himself from panicking and hyperventilating but it was a fruitless effort. Loki found himself stilled at the emotions running inside of him.

Guilt was first.

Despair was second.

And Regret was last.

"You have something child." Malekith glared. "Give it back." He reached out to Jane, only for her to dissolve in green light. She was an illusion.

Thor's worry lessened at the thought that Jane was safe, but his heart was still aching that his mother was in danger.

"WITCH!" Malekith shouted. "Where is the Aether?"

"I'll never tell."

"I believe you."

Kurse slid the sword into her back and everything seemed to slow down.

Loki brought his hands to his lips to prevent himself from screaming.

Nonononono! THIS was NOT happening! This was not true! Loki couldn't breathe. He couldn't breathe, why couldn't he breathe?!

"Oh no." Clint and Natasha cursed.

Thor's eyes widened, while Bruce closed his eyes, stopping himself from hulking out.

Tony felt tears sting his eyes while Steve clenched his fists.

For a moment, they forgot about catering to Loki's emotions while they were engulfed with their own. They found themselves stuck, grieving at the future of the two brothers. They didn't know Frigga, but they could feel her love radiating off her words. They knew she was kind, and they knew she was loving. And to see her fall to her death was something they did not wish to happen.

Thor's anguished cry sounded as he arrived, grief stricken as the world slowed down, the music taking effect. Malekith was struck with lightning, instantly blackening the side of his face. Algrim ran to the balcony with Malekith's body in tow. Thor threw his hammer, knocking them over the edge, as he ran forward Malekith's ship was at a distance, carrying them away. Mjolnir was out of range, and they escaped. Odin arrived, staring in shock as he cradled Frigga's body.

Tears swell up in his eyes as Frigga drew her last breaths.

The Avengers were quiet, allowing the knowledge to sink in.

But Loki wasn't.

He did not care anymore.

The Avengers' opinion no longer matter to him.

Loki was openly crying his grief away and they barely noticed that Thor had stood up, and Tony had scooted away from the gurney, allowing Thor to sit by his brother's side and cradle his grieving brother to his chest. The pillow forgotten by his side, while Loki slumped towards his brother.

"Go away." Loki pushed.

"Hush." Thor mouthed in Asgardian. "This can change. This is the future, this will not happen. So stop."

Thor had to be strong for the both of them.

"Too late." Loki replied the same way. "Too late. You were too late. Go away and leave me be. Please..."

Nobody silenced them.

They too were in shock.

They thought that Thor and Loki's life was that simple, because they lived in a beautiful world, but apparently they were young. It was a world hiding in beauty, only to live up to its destruction. Loki peeked through Thor's shoulder and turned his attention back to the screen, as Thor and the others did the same.

On the waterfront, Odin, Thor and all of Asgard gathered for the funeral rites. Frigga floated out on a boat, beautiful and perfected with flowers. A perfect funeral for the Queen. On Odin's signal, the funeral pyre was lit.

"You do not look like you are grieving." Loki mouthed tiredly, soft sobs escaping his lips. "Why is that? Is it because Jane is still with you that you'd dismissed mother's death so easily?"

"Stop saying those things and twist everything." Thor argued. "I grieve too, you may not see it but I grieve."

The archer sent it aflame with an arrow, as others were dealt the same way. Sif, Fandral and Volstagg were there while Thor stood beside Jane.

Loki saw everyone that was there.

But where was he?

Hundreds of boats burned like candles, and when Frigga's vessel approached the edge of the sea, Odin slammed Gungnir to the ground and the vessel floated, turning into beautiful lights, while the vessel remained the same, dropping over the edge as Frigga's body was carried away to the stars. Everyone cradled orbs of light, and lifted it towards the sky. They floated up, brightening the dark skies, letting it know that they grieve for their loved ones.

And they grieve for their Queen.

Thor could feel everyone's lingering eyes on them, because they did not bother to hide their words in their language anymore. Loki pushed him away and wiped his tears furiously, staring intently at the screen saw himself alone in the cell, reading.

"You did not tell me."

Loki's eyes widened at the realization.

"Y-you? How-" Loki breathed. Why!?"

The guards passed him the news of Frigga's death.

Everyone else realized and were shocked at the revelation.

Loki turned to Thor in haste. "You didn't-" Thor looked guilty. "Why!? Why did you not say anything- were you that dense- cruel? Why?"

Loki inclined his head, showed no emotion and merely nodded at the guard, dismissing him. Loki calmly placed his book at the round table and stood at the center of the room. He clenched his fists at his side and released a burst of energy, sending furniture flying.

And the screen changed back to Earth with Erik talking.

But Loki didn't care about that.

He was angry at Thor, no, furious! He was downright furious. Loki angrily stood at the center of the room, glaring at Thor with tears forcing their way out of his eyes. The movie was abandoned once more. Thor stood up to stop him from doing something reckless, but Loki warned him with a sneer and backed away.

"Loki." Thor tried to reconcile with him. "Please."

"HOW COULD YOU!?" Loki shouted.

His last words to her, her last words to him, what were they?

Am I not your mother?

You're not.

That was his last conversation to her. That she was not his mother. That was Loki's supposed last words to her, all because Thor had interrupted their conversation. All because Thor was too late in saving her. All because it was his fault for allowing the defenses to be brought down, leading Malekith right towards them, even if it was unintentional.

Regret.

Loki had so many regrets.

"YOU DIDN'T EVEN LET ME SEE TO HER FUNERAL!"

Loki cried, sending Thor toppling to the gurney with a ball of fire, sending the table nearby aflame. Natasha and Steve dragged Clint and his chair away from the fight and into the corner, while Tony pulled Bruce to the opposite side of the corner.

"You okay?" Tony asked.

"Yeah, but you have to calm them down." Bruce said.

"Natasha." Clint winced.

"Loki, that's enough." Natasha said. "That's the future, you could prevent it."

"Prevent it!?" Loki laughed bitterly. "But don't you see? Thor's has a notion in his head that I mean nothing to him, that his precious mortal was more worthy enough to see to my mother's death than her son would."

"We know you're in pain Loki, but this isn't right." Steve stood up for Thor. "Thor doesn't know this would happen."

"Doesn't is an understatement."

Thor grunted in pain and stood up from the where he and the gurney had toppled over.

Loki was grief stricken and hurt, and Thor could see it clearly.

"He is right, Rogers." Thor wiped his lips.

Loki glared at him.

"Don't encourage him, Thor." Tony warned.

"No, he is right." Thor admitted. "I had given up on him. When I put him in that muzzle, when we defeated him at your tower and when I had put him in chains and in your cell. I had already given up on him." Loki clenched his fists, feeling his heart break in half. "But I am sorry."

Loki was taken back by surprise.

"I had given it a thought." Thor breathed. "A way to see you suffer the same griefs I'd suffered, but I did not know it would come to that. And I neglected to see it." Loki's breathing became more labored as he listened, hearing some of his own pleading thoughts.

No more.

"I am sorry, but I am glad to know this truth." Thor breathed.

Please, no more.

"Loki, I share your grief for mother, but this could be prevented. Coming to this world had changed my views of you and made me rethink everything."

Stop talking, Thor.

"Because of your earlier betrayal, I hardened my heart for you and I could not forgive you for it. So I know you would not forgive me for that but I am truly sorry, Loki. I am truly sorry and I cannot say that I truly understand how much it hurts you, but I beg for your forgiveness."

It hurts.

It hurts so much, brother.

"How could you?" Loki breathed.

"I am sorry for what the future would have brought."

"She was my mother!"

"As she is mine!" Thor fought.

"She was the only person who saw worth in me more than any of you did, and without a doubt, accepted who I am! She wanted nothing from me in return for her love! She gave everything to me, so why did you not tell me yourself?!"

"Loki, calm down!" Steve walked forward.

Loki threw a flame at his feet, warning him.

"Stay out of this!" Loki sneered, turning back to Thor. "Why!? Is it because you cannot face me alone!? Great. Mother is dead and you've completely disowned me. You truly have given up on me."

Loki sent more flames to Thor, who allowed his brother to have at him as Thor covered his face, not completely affected by the brunt of Loki's attacks.

Thor had NO injuries.

The others noticed that Loki wasn't even trying to hurt him.

It seemed so fake, but the anger was there.

"Is my suffering not enough?" Loki recalled. "Does my time with the Chitauri mean nothing when they held me down to rape me? Was my torture not enough that you'd want to see me burn on the inside as well?!"

Everyone was shocked to hear him say those things, to admit what had happened with him and the Chitauri. Natasha and Clint felt their blood pressure spike at the thought of Loki going through that process of torture. Steve just couldn't believe the words pouring out of Loki's mouth. Bruce, he was trying his hardest not to add more to the destruction while Tony just froze, unable to think of anything else but the words Loki were saying.

The anger was real.

"Are you happy now, Thor?" Loki laughed painfully

Loki couldn't bring himself to harm him.

"I thought I was broken enough, and could no longer be broken anymore." Loki bit his lips, quivering. "But you proved me wrong, brother. You broke me in a hundred pieces. You finally broke me and left me empty. Completely."

Everyone stood, unmoving.

Silent.

"And to think I loved you." Loki mouthed. "I cared, I cared- and I loved you."

Loki felt his knees give out and his heart torn in two. He dropped to his knees and sobbed, feeling so broken and so empty. Thor took this chance and took Loki into an embrace, letting his brother know that he was there for him. Loki just sobbed himself continuously, his cries and sobs were heartbreaking, enough to sway everyone in the room. Loki had looped his arms around Thor's neck, and buried himself on his brother's chest.

Weeping and letting his heart out.

Tony recovered first, getting the fire extinguisher and stopped the flames from spreading on the desk. Loki just continued to sob, he continued to break their heart. In the room wasn't a warm criminal... no... in the room was no more than Loki, stuck in a painful cycle of hurt and grief.

Broken like a shard of glass.

Empty like a blank piece of paper.

Loki felt nothing.

In his pain and in his grief, he could no longer feel anything.

He was just empty.

oOo

Damn it, it wasn't supposed to be this emotional. *hands you a tissue*

Please review and tell me what you think.

REVIEWS Lets you mend Loki's heart, and get the next chapter.