Summary: Loki has two conversations; one with a stubborn brother, and another with a man from the 1940's.

Chapter 16:

Thor padded up a staircase, already preparing what he would say to his brother. As he raised his hand to knock, he hesitated outside the door. Maybe it would be best to leave him alone. 'No' his mind whirled, 'I have to see if he's safe; if he's okay.' Thor banged at the door, steeling himself. He didn't get an answer the first time, but the second time he did, he heard a man that wasn't his brother.

"Come in!" The higher pitched voice called out.

He entered, regarding Wong, who was next to the bed with a bowl in his hands. Thor blinked, slightly confused. Hadn't the man been downstairs a moment ago?

Then his attention went to his brother. Loki sat slightly upright in the bed, wearing an oversized shirt and looking even more pale, which instantly alarmed Thor. He looked asleep, by all accounts.

"Doctor Strange informed me that I may talk with my brother, so please excuse me. Could I have a few minutes with him alone?" Thor talked with the authority of a king, yet with the warmth of a mortal.

"Oh, of course. I must advise that you do not upset him since he's still severely ill." The stranger exited with a bent head, leaving them alone.

For a few moments, the Thunderer stayed still, hesitant about whether or not to approach. He pressed on, taking the seat that Strange's assistant left empty. He gently placed his palm under his brother's chin, startling Loki awake.

"Loki. How are you doing?" Thor stuttered awkwardly. Loki started to pull away from him, taken aback by this movement.

"You don't have to be frightened, brother." Thor dropped his hand slightly, a sense of dismay on his face, as his brother was not intimidated by him. He continued to speak while facing away from Loki to a location on the floor. "When you left the tower, brother, I became worried." Thor spoke in a gentle voice that no one could have expected from him, "even more so when it began to rain. You are still healing from your surgery and illness. I was concerned when Doctor Strange informed us that you had been bedridden."

Loki finally raised his head and said hoarsely, "We?"

Bruce and Steven, two of my friends who accompanied me. Steven..."

"He came to ensure that the negotiations for my being here were successful." Loki's eyes narrowed, "Or to force Doctor Strange to allow you to see me?"

Thor's voice became irritated. "Whether you want it or not, Loki, we care for you and your well-being, as do I. You didn't have to leave us... How can you ensure Doctor Strange's intent is good? "

"I'm not certain." Loki ultimately replied, after a brief pause. "Though I am certain it is preferable to living with a brother and two mortals who have no intention of trusting me and would gladly kill me in an instant."

"Do you honestly think I'd let anything happen to you after all that has occured?" Thor swept his hand around. Clint apparently began searching for you, Loki."

Loki's brows lifted, but his expression returned to impassiveness. "Do you truly have so much belief in me?" "Perhaps your judgment is incorrect, Thor," Loki sneered. "You shouldn't have bet the Asgardian Crown on me." He dimly remembered the moment Thor proclaimed this, the night when Odin passed judgement, before a fever overtook him.

"And what makes you think Strange is going to trust you, Loki?" Thor snapped. Reigning in his anger, he continued, "I suppose this will affect you, just as it did me when I was banished to Earth as a mortal," Thunder stated, nodding his head. "Doctor Banner has arranged for you to meet a head healer..." He paused, trying to think of the word, but failing. "Doctor Charles Xavier. He is going to consult both of us."

"You don't seem to need counseling, Thor." Loki huffed.

He was already up and moving towards the exit. "For the honor of one whom I consider my brother and fellow prince, I will not allow harm to befall you, Loki." He seemed to hesitate. "I think-you will be safe here in the meantime. I believe Strange is a honorable man."

He nodded and then said, "Take care, brother. I'll stay in contact with Strange to keep informed on your progress. " He stepped out and into the hall and shut the door behind him.

"You know, Loki, Thor obviously cares about you." Steve stated, hands clamped together at the knees.

Loki exhaled deeply. "I'm aware of it. I honestly cannot return. "

"Why?" Steve said as he fished through his pockets for something.

"I see," Steve murmured. "Perhaps you'll see mankind in a better perspective as a result of it. I'm not sure what Doctor Strange has in mind; we've tried almost everything to get him to talk. No luck. Strange is a master at keeping his goals to himself." He took a step back and peered towards the door. "If something were to happen to you, your brother would be devastated."

"Captain, I'm mindful of this as well. I don't want to risk my life at any cost. I am no longer the shadowed second prince and pawn of Asgard, nor the Chituari's slave. I'm my own person, free of all of the trappings. I don't want to get caught on that path again. " Loki lowered his head.

"It took years, but I eventually realized Thor has always cared for me." But we're on different courses that will never intersect again. I am the Trickster, an outsider of Asgard; there is no place for me there anymore. I don't think I can stay on Mid-on Earth without retaliation from the mortals. Perhaps I could reside in a realm like Vanaheim, or some other realm. " In a quieter tone, he said. "It's for the better."

Steve remembered a conversation he had with Thor nearly two weeks earlier. Thor talked of taking Loki to a realm Steve had never heard of when the Trickster was cured. He realized why now. Loki's future would be serene, if not dull. One that would give him his own life while shielding him from Odin's fury. No doubt Loki wouldn't stay there, that would not be in Loki's nature. Thor, Steve reasoned, could visit him through the Bi-Frost. Then it struck him, could Thor want to take Loki somewhere where his magic could be restored? He would have to have a word with the Thunder God later.

"Perhaps they'll meet again, and you'll be able to combine forces to fight," Steve added, nodding. "Thor, I believe you are his brother. I don't think he wants the throne." Loki looked surprised, then snorted at this. "It's not as though he has a choice, he's the crown prince."

"You'll have plenty of time to consider your options." Steve said, ignoring the last part of Loki's sentence. "Human lives are very brief, so treasure every moment, Loki. "

Loki shot him a puzzled glance, "Is that all?" You wish me good luck and leave me at the hands of a stranger? Do you have that little concern for me? "

"No," Steve stepped next to him and handed the Trickster a small round silver device with two black straps on either side of it. "If ever you need us, or need Thor, you can communicate with that." He patted Loki's arm, "You seem to be in good hands here." Goodbye, Loki."

With that, he swept out of the room, leaving the former god to ponder his situation and the future that lay ahead.

TBC...