I've had a few questions about Thanos. He probably isn't dead or anything, but he is out of the picture. His character was used a lot and he served his purpose. Things will wind down from here as the end nears. Anyway, remember how I mentioned I'm going on vacation soon? Yeah, I'm leaving on Sunday. So, don't expect daily updates, but check your computers anyway. I'll be updating whenever I can.

Irish-Brigid: Well, at this point, I figured there had to be a way to defeat Thanos. So he's technically out of the picture for this fic, yes. He may return someday to claim his revenge, but not in this fanfic.

AaylaKit: It said the review was on Chapter 19. You read Chapter 20, right? The epic one in which Thanos gets totally Loki'd?

The Rose Red Alchemist: I know right! That was definitely my favorite to write. Please do PM me when it's up. I'd read it.

Cassy27: I'm not sure if he's dead or not, but he's no longer in this fic. The way I pictured it was that the volcano was on Earth and I left the other part vague, in which Thor and Anakin just "show up to save the day." Since it was Loki's POV, he, along with the readers, do not know where they came from or how they got there. Thanks—I was very proud of that bit where Loki contemplated stuff. It felt like I was finally connecting to his character.

laureas: Thanks for the ideas. I'll be sure to use them. Cap would be a good person for the job. And Tony. Tony might be like "Give the guy a break. He helped Loki and Thor save the universe." Haha well, I hope you like this chapter!

Ptroxsora: No problem. I'll be going on vacation soon, too, so I won't be updating on a daily basis.

Raychaell Dionzeros: Most epic chapter yet, right? :D If only I could continue this story forever! But all things must come to an end eventually, as this will very soon.

Loki awoke on the couch in Stark Tower. His whole body ached, but the worst of the pain was gone. He tried to pull himself into a sitting position, but he was too sore. Instead, he resorted to leaning on his elbows. Looking around, he realized that all of the Avengers were in there, staring at him awkwardly. He started in surprise and glared around the room defensively. Why are they staring at me?

"Um…hi," Banner said.

"Morning, sunshine," Tony greeted cheekily.

"What happened?" Loki asked, rubbing his head. "How long was I out?"

"Just three days," Natasha informed him. "You—"

"Three days?" Loki's first thought was how humiliating it was that the Avengers had watched him sleep. Sleep means vulnerability. He had been fully defenseless for three whole days. Anyone could have done anything to him during that time. Knowing Tony, he might have a pencil mustache. He made a mental note to look into a mirror later. "Please do not tell me you were sitting there the whole time."

Tony laughed. "Of course we were."

Barton nudged him. "We weren't," he assured Loki.

"No, we weren't. That'd be rude and intruding," Tony said. "Agent Coulson would know all about that, wouldn't he, Cap?" Steve flushed and looked away. "Anyway, I made a phone call last night. We'll be having a visitor soon, so you might want to freshen up or something, princess."

Loki sighed. Of course Stark would invite someone over. "Where are the Jedi?" he asked tiredly. Though he had been out cold for three whole days, he still felt like he had been tossed around a few times. Oh, wait. He had.

"We're right here," Anakin said, walking over to the back of the couch and looking down at Loki. "We're more respectful when it comes to personal space. We decided to let you and the Avengers have some time." He was careful not to speak as if Loki himself was an Avenger, because that probably wasn't the case anymore.

Loki appreciated the Jedi Knight's tactfulness. "How do I look?" He wasn't fussy over outer appearance. He was mostly referring to his physical state. "Be honest."

Anakin smiled sympathetically. "Like you've been run over by a ship," he said. "I'd say I've seen worse, but I don't think that's the case. I mean, you look much better now, since the Asgardians healed you before…the incident on the volcano, followed by three days of rest."

Loki groaned, knowing that the Avengers would immediately launch into the "incident on the volcano" as Anakin had put it.

He was right. "I know you're going to belittle it as much as you possibly can, but you do realize the significance of what you've done, right?" Tony asked. "Dude, you saved the whole universe. You should be proud of yourself. Not even the team could do that. You did it yourself. Without any weapons or anything."

"How'd you do it, anyway? I mean, we saw you, but I don't fully understand what happened there," Barton said.

Loki shrugged, then winced. Even shrugging hurt. Give me a break. "Sometimes, weapons are not everything. If you are quick on your feet, then even the most powerful being can be overthrown." He did not enjoy talking at the moment. He just wanted to curl in a ball and isolate himself from the world. The Avengers were making it very difficult for him to do so. "How did you see it, anyway?" he wondered aloud. "Only Thor and Anakin were there, and that wasn't until the end."

"It was all over the televisions, mate," Tony said. "Everyone in the world who had their TVs on saw it. Thanos was using the Tesseract to broadcast everything. He didn't know it would backfire."

Wait. He was broadcasting the whole time? He didn't stop after the announcement of his evil plans? Well, that was a bit of a surprise. "Lovely," was all Loki could say.

"All right, now that everybody's here, I think it's time to get down to business," Anakin said. Everybody instantly stared at the ground, unable to look at Anakin or Loki. "Do you see what you've produced here?" He gestured toward the cuts and bruises that covered Loki's body. "Did you even consider what he may be feeling right now? I'll be willing to bet my lightsaber that he doesn't want to see any of you right now. Am I right?"

Loki hated awkward conversations about his feelings. Sentiment. He preferred to think his own thoughts rather than voice them. "You're not wrong," he said quietly.

"Brother—" Thor began.

"How could you even dare call him that?" Anakin demanded. "You all witnessed him get the beating of a lifetime. You watched him unwillingly bring the Tesseract to his most hated enemy. You saw him save the universe, even after you betrayed him to a titan with enough cosmic power to break him. I don't think any of you have the right to speak to him on a casual level right now."

"Anakin," Obi-Wan said warningly.

"No, he's right," Banner said.

"Yeah, we're not worthy," Tony said, only half-joking.

Thor sighed. "He has more of a right to be bitter now than he ever has. Brother—Loki—I understand that we did some terrible things. If you choose to never forgive us, then I completely understand. At the time, we thought it was the best decision. Somehow, you took our mistake and turned it into a tool to save the universe, and we appreciate you for it. After you heal, if you decide you want to disown every single one of us, then that is your choice."

Loki narrowed his eyes. Was Thor trying to make him feel guilty? He let out a sigh and murmured, "I just need to be alone for a while. Is that all right?"

"Yeah, we understand," Tony said. "If you need anything, just call us. Our visitor will be here shortly, so be ready for that." He turned to his fellow Avengers. "I'll show you the Invention Room. It's pretty awesome."

Everyone followed him out, Anakin bringing up the rear. "Wait a minute," Loki said to the Jedi Knight. Anakin turned around. "Come over here."

Anakin smiled faintly and sat cross-legged on the floor, directly next to Loki, but not too close. "I would ask if everything's okay, but that would be counterproductive. What's on your mind?"

"You defended me, didn't you?" Loki asked upfront.

Anakin hesitated, then nodded. "I couldn't let them get away with simply dumping you like that. I…" His frown deepened. "I know that I'd want someone to defend me if the Council tossed me aside like the Avengers did to you."

Loki felt an unexpected stab of sympathy, which was unlike him. He hated sentiment. "You and Obi-Wan consider yourselves brothers, right?" Anakin nodded. "Imagine that Obi-Wan betrayed you to Dooku. Then picture the Council backing him up. That's pretty much how I feel right about now." He winced, realizing that he had just expressed his inner feelings to someone he hardly knew. Why was he being so open? What was it about Anakin that he trusted so much?

"It's okay," Anakin said, sensing that Loki was having doubts about his expression of churning emotions. "I'm glad you're confiding in me. I certainly won't tell anyone what you're struggling with. They should know it by now anyway. Especially Thor." He tilted his head to one side. "I really think that they feel bad for what they've done, but I'd understand if you didn't accept their apologies right away. I don't see how anyone could repair the severed ties at this point."

"Yes. That is why I wanted to talk to you. I'm…leaving. As soon as I am fit to walk, I intend to transport to Jotunheim."

Anakin's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "What? Why would you go there? It's not like you to brood." He mulled this over a moment. "I guess I understand why you want to get away from everything. You feel like everyone and everything around you is against you, right?" Loki did not reply, but the affirmation was apparent on his face. "That's what I thought. Would it comfort you to know that there are at least two people who would object to that idea?"

Loki frowned. "Who would that be?"

"Your mother and me. I know that she would be heartbroken if you left. Loki, you must know that you're not worthless. You actually mean something to some people. In fact, you mean a lot to all of the realms now. They're probably grateful that you saved them from destruction. Just saying. You should stick around."

Loki took a moment to absorb this. "I may consider it," he said. "But what purpose would I serve at this point?"

"You don't get it. You don't have to serve a purpose. All that's asked of you is existence. Whether you realize it or not, a lot of people love you. Your mother, your father, Thor…yes, even Thor. He had a funny way of showing it, but he was distraught—and still is—that he abandoned you when you needed him the most. I don't expect you to refer to him as your brother, but you could at least refrain from leaving us the same way we left you. Believe it or not, your leaving would actually hurt a lot of people."

"I don't see why," Loki scoffed.

"Trust me. I sense everyone in that Invention Room right now. They're making small talk, but their minds are on you."

"Hello?" Tony stepped in cautiously. "JARVIS informed me that our visitor is here. Is it okay if we all come back in?"

Anakin looked at Loki, who nodded distantly. "Sure," the Jedi said.

Everyone filed back in at the same moment that Jane Foster walked in with Shawarma. "Hi," she said.

Tony laughed. "I told you guys that stuff was good."

Anakin was stunned. "Padmé?" As Jane put the Shawarma down on a table, Anakin rushed up to her and twirled her around once. "Look at you! You cut your hair! And—you're dressed like someone from Earth! I like it!" Without thinking, he kissed her.

Thor was stunned. Loki put a hand over his mouth to hide the smirk at his not-brother's expression. The Asgardian looked like he wanted to punch Anakin in the face. Jane didn't look too happy either. "Thor…what's going on?" she asked uncertainly, pulling away from the kiss. "What's this?" She put a hand over her mouth when Anakin tried to kiss her again.

"Get your hands off of my woman, Jedi!" Thor boomed.

Anakin whipped around to face him. "Back off, Romeo, she's mine!"

Obi-Wan, naturally, jumped in as the negotiator—and the shocked former mentor—to rectify the situation. "Anakin! Senator Amidala, what is going on here?" he demanded.

Jane was still stunned. "Who?"

Anakin looked hurt. "Don't you remember our marriage? Did someone wipe your mind, Padmé?"

Mace's eyes widened. "Marriage? You've got a lot of explaining to do, Skywalker."

Anakin suddenly looked sheepish. "Um…well…you see…"

"Don't worry, I'll wipe their minds later," Loki reassured him.

Anakin let out a breath of relief. "Thanks."

"Who's this Padmé person? My name is Jane Foster and I've never met you before in my life."

"This Padmé person is me," a new voice said. The beautiful figure stepped in to join the group. "Hi, Anakin. It'd be nice if you let go of her now."

Anakin jumped away as if Jane was on fire. "Padmé! I—um—wow. This is awkward."

"It's only awkward if you make it, mate," Tony said, grinning.

"Um…yeah. Loki, I think that mind-wiping would be needed right about now," Anakin said uncomfortably.

"Got you covered," the god of mischief said, grinning. He waved his hand and said, "You and Padmé might want to make yourselves scarce."

"Right. Padmé…why don't you go out and then come back in so that it'll look like you just arrived?"

Padmé laughed. "Very well." She kissed him. "I've always wanted to do this in front of the Jedi. See you soon!" She walked out.

Loki focused on the baffled Council members, emptying their minds of anything related to Anakin and Padmé being married. He erased their memories of Anakin mistakenly calling Jane "Padmé" and kissing her. He made sure that they were not aware of the Senator's presence outside the door. "That should be good enough," he said. The hilarity of the situation had briefly distracted him from his current state of physical and emotional pain. It felt nice to smile. He hadn't done so in a long time.

After a few minutes, the Council members blinked and continued talking as if nothing had happened. Loki grinned, proud of his work, and then cast the Avengers a warning glance. If you reveal anything that I had just wiped from their minds, consider yourself dead, he thought, hoping they would catch on. He then winked at Anakin, who winked back.

"So, I say we have a party," Tony suggested. "Hmm? Anyone? Aren't any of you up for a party? I'd say we deserve one."

Loki looked down at his bruised form, then up at Tony sarcastically. "Do I look like I would enjoy any kind of loud, obnoxious social event at the moment? Honestly, I just want to sleep."

"You slept for three days," Tony whined. "Don't you ever have fun?"

"I am the god of mischief," he said. "Fun is part of who I am. But you try getting beaten around by a titan with cosmic powers, preceded by three battles against massive armies. Not to mention the permanent marks left by our good friend the Hulk. I do not mean to complain in any way. I am merely stating why a party would be a terrible idea." Tony pouted. Loki sighed. "That face will not change my mind, you know."

"You don't have to be here while we party," Tony pointed out. "In fact, I'm sure a bed would be more comfortable than this couch."

Loki considered this. "Very well." Really, the idea was almost pleasing to him. The concept of being alone in a room without the Avengers bothering him sounded good right about now.

"Let me help you up," Thor offered.

Loki shook his head. "I can do it myself," he said sharply. "I don't need your help." You weren't there for me when I actually did need your help, so why should I trust you to assist me now? The truth hurt. He was tempted to point this out to Thor, but he didn't have it in him to fight anymore. Instead, he focused on heaving himself up. His muscles screamed in pain. "Damn," he whispered, turning an irritated gaze on Anakin, silently asking him to bail him out of the situation.

Anakin used the Force to lighten Loki's weight a little bit so that it was possible for him to walk. It appeared as if he was carrying himself just fine, though he relied heavily on Anakin's aid. Tony directed him to a room where he could pass out for a few hours.

It was not long before the room was transformed into a casual party area. Tony decided not to invite anyone from his large friend list. This would be a private party in which only those who fought together would take part in. "Where's Fury?" he asked. "He's missing the fun! The real fun, not the battle fun."

"He's in another room, questioning Boba," Natasha responded.

"More Shawarma for me, then," Tony said, turning up the music and eating without holding back. "Ah, there you are, Nick."

Fury walked out, securing Boba by the arm. The young bounty hunter looked around, impressed. "You gotta have a lot of money to throw a party of this scale with such little preparation. Are there drinks?"

"Dude, you're underage," Tony said.

"So?"

"In this country, ten-year-olds can't drink alcoholic beverages," Barton said patiently.

"Good, cuz I'm eleven," Boba said evenly, "and I've seen way more than all of you combined!"

"Somehow I doubt that," Steve said.

"Yeah, do I have to do a headcount again?" Tony asked.

"NO!" everyone shouted instantly.

Tony put his hands up. "Okay, okay. Either way, kid, we've been through plenty individually that you wouldn't dream of. Have you ever been encased in ice? Cap here has. Have you ever been controlled by a lunatic? Say hello to the Hawk. Budapest? Talk to these two agents here. World War II? Cap's been there, too. If you want to learn about the physics of smashing cars, then Banner over here is your man. Then there's yours truly, the weapons designer, famous inventor, super genius, billionaire…must I continue?"

Boba's face twisted into a sneer. "Those are all Earth things," he said. "Have you ever been beyond your own planet? I think not. Anyway, you can't be that rich. I've seen richer."

"Dude, my assistants have assistants," Tony said. "This tower? A lot of blood, sweat, tears, and moolah. Anyway, why am I arguing with a little kid? It's time to get the party started!"

"I'm not a kid; I'm an assassin. There's a difference where I come from."

Tony turned up the music. "I can't hear you! The music's too loud!" he said, pointing obnoxiously to his ear.

Tony's peppy attitude lifted everyone's spirits except Thor's. He was still uncertain about Loki and had half a mind to go talk to him.

"Go to him," Anakin said, putting a hand on Thor's shoulder. "I think it's time for you two to talk it out. If he throws anything at you, tell him I sent you."

Thor nodded appreciatively. "Thank you, Skywalker." He crossed the main area and made his way to the room where his brother was resting. He cautiously opened the door and peered in. "Loki?" he whispered.

Loki was already awake. He was lying very still, staring at the wall contemplatively. He pretended to be asleep, hoping that Thor would leave. He did not.

"Loki, I know you're awake. I grew up with you, remember? I've seen that trick before." When his brother did not reply, he walked in and sat on a chair next to the bed. "I know you don't want to talk to me right now," he said, "but I miss my brother." There was a pause. Thor smiled slightly. "I wish this was like those other times, when I would offend you and you would stop talking to me for a few days, and then make up." It was not long before Thor was reminiscing in old memories. "Remember all the trouble we used to get into?" he asked. "You would always talk your way out of it when the guards or Mother were concerned, but Father…"

"Father would always blame me," Loki said to the wall. "You are correct in saying that we got into a lot of trouble, but you neglect to recall that I always took the heat. Even when the scheme was your idea." He chuckled softly. "All of your plots usually went haywire."

Thor did not deny it. "You took the punishments without complaint," he mused. "You were always a great brother to me."

Loki wasn't sure how to respond to that, so he turned around to face Thor and said, "You stood up for me against your friends numerous times. You always saw the good in me, even when I offended you with my tricks." A smile threatened to pull at his mouth.

Thor nodded. "We were a tight family, weren't we? What went wrong?"

Loki's smile faded. "You know what went wrong, Thor. You went on to become the greatest warrior Asgard has ever seen, yet you weren't fit to be a ruler. I stepped in for the good of Asgard. I always cleaned up after you when we were growing up. I was the one that prevented catastrophes that you would have caused with your arrogance. But it wasn't enough to gain Father's approval. The day I fell into the abyss, I knew not whether I would ever be seen again. I did know one thing; a Jotun can never be accepted on Asgard. A Jotun could never be your equal."

Thor was surprised that Loki had opened up to him, and he was equally surprised that he had, knowingly or not, referred to Odin as Father. He decided not to point it out, as Loki would most likely correct it as a mistake or slip of the tongue. "In my eyes, Loki, you are my equal. In fact, your action on the volcano has raised you above me in many ways. I know that when our parents discover what you have done, they will realize what they have missed their entire lives. They will, as I do, hope that it is not too late for you to come back to us."

Loki searched Thor's gaze uncertainly. There was nothing but pure sincerity in it. He had honestly said that he considered Loki above him. "How can I go back, after all that has happened?" Loki asked.

"You will find our parents more welcoming than you realize. I think it's just about time that we go home."

Loki wondered how Thor would react to his idea about going to Jotunheim. He decided to test it out. "Asgard is your home, Thor. There is only one place for me."

Thor gasped. "You don't mean—No, Loki. No." He leaned forward unexpectedly and wrapped his arms around his brother. "I can't let you leave me. Not again."

Loki wanted to point out that he did not belong here, but Thor would not believe that for one moment. So instead, he let Thor hug him a moment longer before lightly pulling away. Thor grinned widely and started talking about what would happen when they got back to Asgard. Loki listened quietly, adding a word or two here and there. Soon, they went beyond what could happen and instead talked about other things, like they had back when everything was simper. Loki found himself somewhat enjoying the conversation, as if they were brothers again and neither knew of Laufey's influence on the younger of the two.

For the next several hours, Loki Laufeyson and Thor Odinson discussed matters of everyday conversation.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers or Star Wars.

AN: The little conversation between Loki and Anakin was all for you, laureas! I hope you liked it! Anyway, I think the next chapter will be it. Unless you guys have even more great ideas up your sleeves! I'd be glad to hear them, but I think we're drawing to a close here. If there was a way to continue this fic, I'd do it in a heartbeat, so give me something to consider if you can.