For the first week, it was a bit like having a shadow. Loki sulked. He strayed to the edges of their attention. They almost forgot to worry. Except Clint, who despite giving Loki a chance, distrusted him.

It was time to see if Thor had been contacted. This was the part Tony was dreading, and it might have just somehow slipped his mind, if Loki would give them any answers. There wasn't any hints to why he was blue.

"So Fury, what's the news?" Tony rubs his temple as he talks to the director, waiting for the worst.

"To be honest with you Stark, we've got no idea where the hell this guy is. He just shows up whenever he feels like."

"...Fuck. You'd think that 'Hey, my brother's missing, maybe I should check Earth out to make sure he isn't attacking again,' would be just enough to bring him back."

"I'll call you if we get anything. And Stark?"

"Hm?"

"I know I was harsh, but this goes deeper than we know. I'm sorry about that."

"Yeah, yeah, don't get sappy with me." He hung up, sighing. This just made everything so much easier.

Natasha walks into the kitchen with him, leaning against the counter. "What weight of the world is on your shoulders today?"

"Moody god in my custody that won't explain anything."

"Don't worry, every parent deals with it."

Half heartedly laughing, he hops onto the counter. "Damn, I wish, maybe there'd be articles on it. 'Set up a time to talk with them, assure them it's normal to be blue and murderous.'

The agent chuckles. "Who's cooking today?"

"Thought it was you."

"Man, I was looking forward to some of Clint's breakfast."

Tony deadpans. "You're joking, right?"

"God, of course I am, I love Clint, but his cooking is terrible."

"What're you saying about my cooking?" Clint saunters in, a teasing smile on his face.

"That you're the best at making coffee." Planting a kiss on his cheek, Natasha reaches for the cabinet. "You two set the table while I figure out what the hell I should make. Scratch that, can make."

"Do we have stuff for blinis?" The mechanic asks her as she hands him a plate.

"Probably not. I need about three tries before I can get it right anyways."

"How can you get it wrong? It's like pancakes right?" Clinks of plates sliding into their spot in the dining room mix with the archers calling.

"Maybe the question we should be asking is how you messed up jam on toast."

"Come on, that was one time!"

Loki refused to leave his room. He ignored the captain's shouting, the knocks on his door. No, he doesn't care about breakfast, he doesn't care about the rest of them

"Suprisingly, I don't care to parade myself around you pathetic worms." He needs to rest, his whole body is almost drained of it's magic, and with that, his glamour. The god knows they wonder about his appearance, the short glances he is all too aware of. There's no point in leaving this prison. He'll be bored to death by their incessant droning, idle thoughts prettying the air. It makes him sick.

"Loki, please come out of there."

"Rather not. Why are you so insistent? You all obviously loathe my presence, there's no need for me to be out of here."

"We...need to keep an eye on you."

"Stare at the monster, of course."

"That's not...what do you mean?"

"Leave."

"Look, the others-"

"Don't care. Given it was their obligation today, they'd wander off after the first try. No one gives a damn about me, stop forcing yourself to."

"...Fine."

Loki edges a smile on his face, hearing the other leave. It doesn't leave him feeling more empty than before.

Why should it make his skin crawl?

Clint stares at the bowl Natasha set in front of him. "What?"

"It's cereal. You might be more used to it burnt to a crisp." Handing a bowl to Tony, she sits down.

"I thought you were cooking."

"Didn't really want to." She pulls him down by his sleeve as he stands up. "You're going to eat today, and you're definitely not going near the stove."

"I'm just-"

"Arguing with her is digging your own grave Barton. Just eat." Tony advises him. Glancing up, he notices Rogers coming in.

Steve rubs his eyes as he walks toward them. "It's more pointless than starting an argument with Loki."

"No luck?"

Yawning, he sits down in one of the empty spaces with a bowl. "I swear, I'm the only one he ever does this to."

"Eh, who knows. I like pissing you off, might be a common thing."

"Alright, before we get into that, any word on Thor?"

"Can't get a hold of him."

Natasha rolls her eyes, "Of course, the only person who can give us any insight on this isn't answering."

"Whatever. If he shows up, perfect, he can apologize later, if he doesn't within the next three days, I'm going to have to get something out of Loki. Especially why he looks like that."

"Like what, Stark?"

They sharply turn to the door, Loki standing with glowing red eyes piercing the conversation. "A monster?"

Tony clears his throat. "You keep saying that."

"It's true." He sighs at the team's raised eyebrows. "You can stop acting surprised when I speak anything but lies. You want the truth?"

Tensing at the proposition, the four look to each other. Steve begins to ask for answers when Loki laughs.

"Stay quiet, Captain. You are incessantly annoying. Almost as much as my bro- T-Thor."

Clint speaks instead. "Alright. Can you tell us Loki?"