I do not own any characters.

Quick warning; there is a bit more cursing because Clint isn't necessarily happy that Loki is back.

Frigga stood on the balcony, overlooking the golden realm of Asgard. She had always loved the view and would often sit on the balcony for long periods of time.

Today was no different in that context but it was in another.

As she was surveying the realm, the sudden whirring of the Bifrost brought her eyes to it. She furrowed her brow in confusion for a moment.

Nobody was to be leaving the realm anytime soon unless... Frigga gasped as she realized what was happening. She walked out of her chambers and entered the throne room where her husband was sitting. The queen quickly put on a calm face, hoping not to alert him of what she knew.

Odin smiled as he saw her approach. "Does something trouble you my queen?"

Frigga smiled. "No. I was simply wondering who had used the Bifrost. I didn't know anyone was planning on leaving the realm anytime soon."

"Oh, it was simply Thor going to visit his Midgardian friends," he replied.

Frigga nodded. "Of course." She turned and walked back down the hallway, toward one of the corridors that led outside. But Frigga had heard the slightest bit of tension in his voice and she knew why he had really gone to Midgard. She let out an irritated breath at how easily her husband had lied to her.

Frigga quickly entered the stables, saddling her horse before riding to the Bifrost. She bowed her head in respect when she reached Heimdall. "Good Heimdall, I wish to travel to Midgard to prevent Thor from doing anything rash."

Heimdall nodded and walked into the Bifrost before plunging his sword into it, causing it to whir to life again. "Be safe my queen."

Frigga smiled at him before the Bifrost pulled her through.

Loki was still frozen, his mouth open as he tried to form some kind of explanation. Natasha didn't wait though. She jumped forward, nearly driving the knife into his shoulder.

He jumped back only to have Clint punch him in his chest. The nearly broke his ribs again and knocked the breath out of him.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Tony yelled. He pushed Clint back and jumped between Loki and Natasha. She lowered the knife slightly but otherwise kept her defensive stance. Bruce and Steve walked in, standing beside Tony.

"Are you in-fucking-sane?! What the hell is he doing here?!"

"if you'll stop yelling maybe I'll tell you!" Tony shouted back.

"Hell no! I'm calling Fury." Clint pulled out his cell phone and pushed the speed dial button before anyone could stop him. Tony jumped towards him, hoping to grab the phone before Fury answered.

"What Barton?" Loki heard the deep voice and fear overtook him, his shaking much more prominent.

"Loki's...here!" Barton shouted, loud enough for the director to hear even though Tony was still trying to grab the phone from him.

Before Loki knew what he was doing, he had shot out of the room, forgetting about his magic, and locked himself in his bedroom. He knew Fury would take him back, there was no denying it. Loki slid down the back of the door, tears welling up and spilling over his eyes as sobs racked through him. He tried pushing the memories back but knew it was of no help. He'd kept them down too long and they came back forcibly.

Every broken bone, every lash, every scream of agony came ripping through his head. Every lie, every promise broken, every betrayal washing over him. It seemed like hours later when the sound of a knock on his door finally reached him.

...

Tony didn't know how he was chosen to comfort Loki. The rest of the team should know that he wasn't good at this kind of stuff but they did realize he was about to attack Clint for telling Fury. It had taken nearly 15 minutes to discourage Fury from taking Loki away. He had finally agreed for Loki to stay as long as he remained in Stark Tower and was monitored anytime he left. Oh, and he wanted to question him, which would be fun for everyone.

Tony sighed and knocked lightly on the door. It opened to show Loki sitting on the floor beside the door.

"Hey Loki," Tony said, shutting the door and sitting beside him. They sat in an awkward silence for a moment, the only noise being Loki's shuddering breaths. "Look, I'm not good at all this emotional stuff. But I just-we just wanted you to know that even if Fury was coming for you that we would fight for you."

Loki looked up at him, his eyes tear-stained red.

"Yeah, he isn't coming to get you. He said you could stay but that he only wanted to question you a bit," Tony said.

Loki leaned into Tony's shoulder. The tears dripping off his chin and dampening Tony's shirt. Tony awkwardly wrapped his arm around Loki's shoulder and pulled him closer and laid his cheek on his head. They sat like that for a long while as Loki's tears dried before Loki pulled away.

"Come on, let's go back in there," Tony said, standing up and holding his hand out to Loki. He eyed it for a moment before taking it and allowing himself to be pulled up. They then walked into the living room where everyone was watching television. Clint and Natasha eyed him warily for a second then turned their attention back to the TV.

Loki was happy for this and he curled up on the recliner, pulling a small brown blanket over him. Pepper then walked in holding a bowl full of a thick looking white cream. She looked from Loki to Clint to Natasha before shrugging and walking back into the kitchen. She reappeared with another bowl in her hand as she perched on the arm of the recliner and held the bowl out Loki.

He furrowed his brow before taking it. "What is it?"

"It's ice-cream," she said. At the look of confusion on his face, she looked shocked. "Have you seriously never had ice-cream?"

Loki shook his head, stirring the spoon around.

"Well, try it. It's really good," she said leaning against the back of the recliner, causing it to tilt a bit.

Loki cautiously ate a bit before smiling. "It is good," he said. It was really sweet. Tony and Bruce laughed slightly.

"This is just vanilla but there are hundreds of different flavors."

Loki leaned back in his chair, eating the ice-cream. "Thanks," he mumbled.

Pepper smiled. "You're welcome."

Everyone just sat watching television, flipping from movies to documentaries, to comedies. For some reason, Loki had really enjoyed watching a show on cats and Tony stored the thought away in his brain as a future reference just incase the god may end up staying with them.

It was around three o'clock when Jarvis' slightly accented voice broke all of the peace and silence that had lasted since this morning.

"Sir, Mr. Odinson will be arriving here within three minutes."

Everyone froze, turning to look at Loki as they realized that this wasn't going to go well.

Sorry for the cliffie again you guys. :P

But next chapter shall be good.

Reviews? Comments? Suggestions? Feel free! 8D