"Get on your feet." The request resonated, sounding almost as possible as phasing through his seat. Loki blinked heavily, never shifting his gaze from the ground. He slouched forward, planting his soles firmly against the metal floor before shifting his weight and hoisting himself up. He stood a bit wobbly but held firm. The exhausted look in his eye said everything, although no one would meet his tired eyes. They elect to ignore the fact that he looked worse than when they left him. The group waited patiently on the outside for their captive to emerge.

The sun was starting to come down, cooling off the heat of the day. The rustle of chains was a subtle contradiction to the calm evening air. Loki zoned out, shuffling at a steady enough pace just to keep them happy. He stepped off the ledge onto the concrete, shifting his sights forward when he noticed something strange. His surroundings were totally unfamiliar. At some point they must've transported him elsewhere, away from prying eyes. He was surprised that he never noticed. Figuring it had to have been when he was indisposed.

He's tired of losing chunks of time. Always sharp in the mind with the inability to recall things. It's so frustrating. Enough to drive him insane, if he wasn't already. Whether incentivised by means of meddling or out of something closer resembling the deterioration of the mind. It's terrifying, the past becomes a mystery while the present becomes something foreign and frightening. He didn't want to admit it; as if speaking it into existence. Hoping to chalk it up to the swelling in his head which undoubtedly had something to do with it. He didn't dwell on it, vaguely honing in on the idle conversation.

He was utterly uninterested in their words as they spoke, preoccupied with the heavy thud in his ear. Nothing seemed to particularly pertain to him anyway. Just idle commands amongst each other, probably drumming up some sort of counter measure should he try anything. Which was highly unlikely. There was nowhere for him to go, not that he had the ability or willpower to flee. Just the hope that this pounding in his head would silence. He shook his head in an attempt to clear it but was shoved forward. He darted a parting glance to the man in black behind him who didn't even look him in the eye. Loki felt like he was being led like some sort of mangy mutt to be put out of its misery. He pushed back the feeling, taking a hard swallow. He shifted his eyes forward, raising his head and remained quiet although it was not by choice. The muzzle daunting his face all the more fitting.

Thor escorted him with the same disappointed scowl on his face. He would not meet his eye. It seemed he was adamant about speeding things along. Loki maintained his appearance, pushing the fear to the back of his mind. He bit his tongue knowing what he must do. He needed to retain the illusion for now. Even though it felt like he was about to fall apart he stood tall. He remained idle, bound in chains, the muzzle strapped to his face. His tired eyes gazed at the fountain.

The others noticed something, perhaps it could be chalked up to fatigue but he seemed different from before, not as angry and unhinged if at all possible. They assumed it was their imagination playing tricks on them. They must remain vigilant just in case. He proved it time and time again if there was ever an opportunity he would take advantage. For he was a trickster, even in chains they could not claim victory. Not until he's locked away. Even though it looked as though all the fight was out of him, they refused to allow their guard down.

Loki's heart felt like it was being squeezed under the weight of all he'd learned in such a short time. His body was worn but he wore it well. His mind was so preoccupied he hadn't realized they'd stopped, tempted to keep on going. Not that he could go anywhere tethered to his restraints. He noticed they were standing next to a fountain, wondering why here of all of places. He was confused when they stopped out here in the open.

It made him anxious as if there was something else in mind, just like always. It was when his brother stood next to him and stopped, brandishing something he didn't think he'd ever see again. He glanced down, noticing Thor was holding the tesseract. He would use that cursed object. The sight of it gives him chills. Suddenly it made sense, he would be transported elsewhere to await punishment. He had a vague idea of where. His anxiety arose, peaking at the thought of returning home. It felt like he was hovering on the edge of oblivion, over again.

It was sealed in a pristine protective case with handles on each side. Suddenly it clicked. Deep down he knew where he was headed. He was going to transport him back. His heart dropped at the possibility of returning home. He shrouded his excitement and anxiety surrounding that place. In addition to dashing any hopes of reconciliation. He would never be ready to face them, especially now. His eyes grew dark as Thor lifted the case hinting for the other to take hold. Loki eyed it with anticipation, taking a moment for himself before commiting to the fact he would have to atone one way or another. He held his head high as they phased through. For some reason he closed his eyes as they entered the portal, almost as if he was attempting a childish reveal for himself.

…

Instantly the atmosphere changed, familiar scents graced his dulled senses however short lived. His heart thumped at the sound of weapons being drawn, knowing full well what it meant. Within moments they're swarmed by a fleet of armed guards, inching closer with sharp spears. Instinctively he lifted his head as steel met his neck. Even though this would be quite the predicament he couldn't help his subtle smile, knowing how pathetic the motion. There was no reason for this which could only mean one thing; that they were terrified of him. A polar opposite feel from the last time he was here. Leading them during troubled times now long forgotten.

Loki glared at the royal guards with half slitted eyes, daring one of them to make a move, knowing none of them were brave enough to meet his gaze. He held no fear for their presence. His heart rate remained stagnant. Had he been able to speak he'd remind them where to point that thing.

Thor instinctively stepped between them, holding his arms out, reaching out and taking the spear aimed for Loki's throat in hand. Thankful they were heavily calloused enough that the sharp blades were not able to slice into them.

"Stand down, he's already restrained, there's no need for this." He confessed, glaring daggers at them with the fury of thunder in his eyes.

They remained eager and willing to stick either one of them if need be. Even though they knew Thor was not their aim they did not falter until ordered. It seemed painstakingly long before there was a shift. Suddenly at the snap of fingers the men withdrew their weapons and fell into formation. They stepped to the side allowing the captain to slowly phase in line, making a path for him.

"My apologies sir, my men see they are eager to get a glimpse of the fallen prince. A bit too eager it seems." The captain pronounced, bowing to him. Thor's already bitter about the entire situation, going through the motion. He really didn't want to deal with their bravado. "I congratulate you on bringing in this dangerous fugitive. This is a great accomplishment." It struck a nerve. It didn't feel like something he should be proud of.

Loki eyed the captain only darts one long knowing look towards him. Shifting his attention away as if paying him no mind. He approached the blond, his face shifting into something serious. "Can't be too careful especially with this one. He's escaped once before." He uttered a matter of fact which exceedingly rubbed Thor the wrong way. It'd been a long day, the last thing he needed was every seasoned officer that's been double crossed barking at his heels for justice.

Still what he said struck a nerve. "I mind you to watch your tongue, less you'd like it removed." Bellowed Thor, an intense look in his eye. To them Loki was a war criminal, nothing more than a low life. Any respect for his upbringing was null. As far as they're concerned, his title as prince has been tarnished by the acts of a madman. He was a disgrace to the royal family name. Nothing would be able to change their view. Hell he hardly knew his own. His own feelings conflicted to the point of just where it was just easier to push the troublesome thoughts to the back of his mind.

The last thing he wanted to deal with were these meddlesome wanna be do gooders who haven't the slightest idea. The captain raised his hands up paired with a dirty smile, knowing better than to piss off a man of such stature. "My humblest apologies sir, it seems I've overstepped my bounds, I assume you still feel pity for this creature?"

Thor's blood started to boil. "This creature you're referring to is still my brother, and he is of Asgard regardless whether it serves your interest." Thor bit, damn near daring the other to test him further. Their look lingered longer than anticipated but obviously he knew when he'd been beaten, he could not defy the son of Odin even if his heart felt a certain way. In his eyes Loki was beneath them, merely a cancer brought back to this place. The same place, he'd left in utter chaos and disarray when under rule. He just didn't understand why Thor would willingly defend him, even after everything he's done. It's unforgivable. Although he challenged his authority he could do nothing. Evidently caving under the other's unwavering tenacity.

Ultimately the captain caved, waving a subtle gesture that dismissed the soldiers. Uttering one last thing before turning to follow. "I'd keep an eye on him, if i were you." He warned, seemingly more ominous than before. Thor held his eye to his back as they distanced. His brow remained narrowed in obvious aggravation. Eventually he let out a heavy sigh, attempting to let a bit of tension roll off to no avail. Although Loki was the subject of such hostility he remained a fly on the wall during the interaction. He got a bit of giddy out of them being on edge, remembering how the last time he was here they had to obey his every command. The thought of it must sting, knowing they shared the guilt. It'd been so long ago he barely thought about it, fuzzy on the details. He seemed a bit lost in thought, diving back into the past.

Now that they had a moment alone to themselves Thor figured it would be as good a time as any to remove the muzzle. He calmly reached up and twisted the latch back much to Loki's surprise, the look in his eye reflected this as he withdrew the device and stashed it away. Loki was shocked he removed it at all, half expecting wear that confounded thing indefinitely. He shifted his eyes to the blond who would not meet his gaze. Understandably. He could see it in his face, the tiredness. He just motioned forward, idly tugging the chains along. Stiff and rigid, like a toy soldier with a wind up key, wearing a plain painted emotionless expression. He turned his back to Loki, determined to get this over and done with.

It took Loki a moment to realize they were moving once more. Shuffling forward, he wanted to say something knowing this may very well be one of the last chances he'd get to. But nothing came to mind. There were so many things he could say, like the truth, admit everything. Shine a light on those hiding in the shadows and spill his guts out. He thought about it long and hard, having ample opportunity. He'd done so much as it is. It wouldn't take much more to turn things from bad to worse. He held his tongue for now yet he could prevent his quivering jaw from itching to relinquish this burden. He knew it was for the best. The silence between them was deafening. He didn't understand why he'd removed the muzzle in the first place, assuming he got a kick out of shutting him up. He was too tired to make sense of it either way.

The silence was deafening. After a few moments he couldn't help but wonder. "Why?" The other kept moving as if he hadn't heard anything, ultimately speaking up. "Would you prefer to keep it on?" Loki remained silent.

"I figured not." Thor uttered a bit annoyed. After a few moments of contemplative thought Loki spoke up again. "Thank you, for that." It was subtle and under his breath, but loud enough. It was a bit surprising that he'd thank him for anything still Thor didn't acknowledge, turning back around. Some time passed and after while Loki chimed up again, a subtle curiosity in his question. "What's going to happen to me?"

Thor furrowed his brows, he hadn't thought about it but he could only assume. "I'm not sure, that's for Father to decide, considering the circumstances. Not to account for the incident that occurred a year prior. You're entitled to a trial, although your only audience will be Odin."

His heart dropped at the thought of facing him after all this time. At first he was unsure what he was referring to, then all of a sudden it hit him. That's right, how could he have forgotten? Referring to the influx of mischief that followed his temporary reign and how he'd wreaked havoc just before the fall. It'd been a long time since he thought about it, as if it were a lifetime ago. Everything happened so fast, spiraling out of control. He remembered what he did, clearly. Biting his tongue, debating whether he should speak. Knowing he'd only make things worse still he opened his mouth. "For what it's worth, on the day of the coronation." Thor stopped, the rustling of his chains echoed against the empty walls. "It's my fault everything fell apart. I let those frost giants in." Loki admitted.

Thor didn't move which terrified him. He wished he would say something, yell, hit him, anything was better than this boundless silence. After a while Thor turned his head to eye the other but his face didn't change. Unfazed by the sudden information. That look of defeat never subsided. "I know." Thor said suddenly. Loki was surprised and yet Thor didn't seem to care either way. "It wasn't hard to figure out. I'll admit it wasn't until everything transpired that I began to seriously think about everything. Although I always had a hunch." In his mind it was as much his fault for not seeing through. Thor's willing to accept he was a fool for giving the benefit of the doubt, coming back to stab him in the back numerous times over. Loki shifted his eyes away, "I didn't expect things to go the way they had." He admitted.

Suddenly something shifted within Thor. Perhaps the aggravation paired with the pounding in his head which gradually increased, something in him seemed to snap. Whether it was excuses or otherwise he refused to hear it. He turned quick to face his brother mid sentence before he could finish and cut him off. "That's because you don't think, you never do. You're so self centered, it's a wonder you can see through your ego. I don't even know why I bother. You know I've spent endless nights lying awake wondering what happened to you. If you were out there somewhere, or even alive. I was beginning to wonder if I was chasing a ghost."

"Perhaps you still are. The people we've become are not as we were." Loki cut him off, ominous but his counterpart wasn't buying it. His chest was tight, this wasn't the direction of conversation he wanted. Thor sighed before continuing.

"We never stopped looking." Thor's voice trembled a bit but it was uncertain whether it was from a place or anger or sorrow. Loki had bitten a hole in his cheek, wishing he hadn't spoken at all. Feeling this despair deep in the pit of his stomach. He grit his teeth thinking of what he could say when his words seemed to escape with little thought he relayed what he really thinks.

"The person you were hoping to find no longer exists and it didn't make the slightest difference." Loki uttered cold, never shifting his eyes away from his shoulder. In a way he was absolute. He couldn't even remember how it was before. His mind was desperate to block that stuff out.

Thor half smiled. From what he could tell all he wanted was to be combative so he was honored to oblige. "You're right, it doesn't make a difference." He wanted to leave it at that but whatever welt of emotion that was boiling up inside was creeping out. He'd had his doubts and yet he felt now was time to let him know. He'd held it in for so long, taking a subtle breath before Loki could even expect it. Thor's words were sharp and all he could do was hear him out. "You know I used to wonder what I could've done differently and I'll admit I was pigheaded, that perhaps I wasn't ready for the throne, but that doesn't give you the right to play the pretentious fool. Honestly there's no thought of repercussions when you act. I'm surprised you made it this far."

So was he. After all this time he never expected to make it back home, in chains or not he was glad to lay eyes on it again. Whether it be his last didn't matter. He wasn't prone to thinking that far ahead. Knowing his chances were slight given the circumstances. Loki was surprised. He knew he should've yelled back yet his mind drew a blank. He was too exhausted to fight, especially considering he was right. Back then all he did was act on impulse just to get a reaction, caring not how far he takes it.

Loki grinned that type of grin that let his brother know his words rolled off like water to a duck's back which seemed to infuriate him. Although he was shocked, taken by the sudden barrage of criticism. Although he understood how he felt. He must've been holding that in for a long time and honestly he was right. He remained silent, knowing he was far from finished. "You wonder why nothing good ever happens, you reap the seeds you sow. Nothing I could say would change anything but I won't claim to be perfect and I refuse to live in the past. You pride yourself as a brilliant tactician and yet you haven't the slightest clue. Everywhere you go leads to ruin. It's that same selfishness that's doomed you. Honestly if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have learned such a harsh lesson for that I'm grateful. May our father show you mercy but whatever comes I'm sure is well deserved."

Surly if he was wise he wouldn't, Loki thought to himself knowing he was about to face his greatest critic. There were times he'd beg for mercy and now it seemed as foreign as breathing underwater. He had no idea what he would say if anything at all. The ache he felt deep within couldn't compare. Evidently Thor wasn't finished either.

"I know you're just waiting for the next opportunity to throw it back in my face or stab me in the back and you know what's unfortunate is I'll probably fall for it again. I guess I'm always holding out hope that you could change." He just had to leave it like that.

Loki scoffed. All things considered he wasn't expecting to get reamed, although he should have expected it. His brother was always good at expressing his emotions, mainly anger. A long time coming he was sure. He was too tired to go back and forth, not that it would be worth his effort knowing full well he wouldn't be able to maintain this mental gymnastics for long. He was just as ready for this to be over. These chains were only growing heavier and soon he'd fall like a ton of bricks.

They hadn't realized how close they'd gotten to the Great Hall until he glanced up. Noticing the doors towering over them brought a spike of anxiety. The pair couldn't make out a figure in the distance. His heart leapt at the sight. He was unsure who it was but he should've known she'd be here.

"Loki"

"Hello Mother"