A/N: Okay. it's been awhile since I've worked on Balance, mainly because I stole the plot and put part of it in Bleeding Out. So if they are similar, I apologize in advance. However, someone wants me to continue, so I must improvise! So thank you, kind guest, for your review!

Loki was not overly pleased to see the Avengers again. Perhaps Clint would defend him. Hopefully. He knew that Bruce, Thor and Nebula would, but out of those people, the only one the other's may listen to was Bruce.

He didn't want to share the truth, how his will had been stripped from him. How he had been tortured in every possible way imaginable, but, if it meant defying Thanos, undoing the titan's work, then it was worth it.

Loki mused that he could have teleported, yet the long elevator ride seemed much more appealing. Better to prolong the inevitable confrontation as much as possible.

DING.

Nobody was there.

They didn't have to wait long, though, in hindsight, Loki really should have let Bruce or Thor explain first instead of just sitting on the couch.

The Captain arrived first, some stranger accompanying him. The Captain had no shield. That was odd. He stared at him for awhile, before looking at the others. When he saw that they were fine with his presence, he sighed, sitting across from Loki silently. The newbie did the complete, utter opposite.

"Oh my gosh! You're- you're Loki! You attacked New York! What are you - I thought you died? But why are you here?! Shouldn't you be, I don't know, locked up or something?!" The Captain sighed wearily.

"Scott, just sit down. I'm sure things will be explained when the others get here."

"Yes sir- Cap- Captain- Captain America." Loki groaned. This Scott was insufferable. Thor moved a tad closer. As if he could fight in the state he was in. Bruce was on his other side and Nebula was standing behind him. Honestly, he wasn't fragile, they didn't need to protect him. The raccoon was scavenging somewhere around the kitchen.

Clint and Natasha arrived next, two guns immediately pointed at his head.

"Give me one reason I shouldn't pull the trigger." She threatened calmly. Loki pretended to think before counting off his fingers.

"I doubt Tony Stark would appreciate blood on his couch. Thor and Nebula would likely avenge me. I am unarmed. It is unnecessary, given I mean no harm. It would be counterproductive, Bruce did come to me for help. I intend to do just that. Oh, my mistake, that was more than one. Besides, perhaps you should ask your partner why he hasn't attacked me yet. It was his mind that I invaded." Her gaze didn't waver, though she did lower the guns.

"I still don't trust you."

"I'd be concerned if you did." She and Clint both sat next to Steve and Scott, joining in the stare down. This was going to be a long day.

Another man arrived. Someone in an Ironman suit, though bigger and darker. Black and silver. This one, unlike the others, didn't hesitate to attack. Loki, along with everyone around the couch he was sitting on, were blasted back several feet.

"Ow."

The lights flickered.

"Do not touch my brother again." Thunder rumbled outside.

"He attacked New York, killed Phil and tossed Tony out a window!" Loki rolled his eyes.

"Please, I knew he would be fine. Besides, if you were concerned for your friend, blame your government. They sent the Nuclear missile."

"Technically, that was SHIELD."

"Which was technically HYDRA."

"Which technically wouldn't have even thought of sending the nuke had you not attacked Earth!" It didn't matter who it was, the blame would always be pinned on him, one way or another.

"Where is Tony Stark?" Loki asked impatiently.

"Tony won't come." The Captain sounded tired. Weary.

"He better." Tony Stark was essential to the team.

"He won't."

"He will. He is much to curious for his own good. Until he arrives, feel free to lock me in a cell. I have no desire to explain myself twice." He summoned a pair of handcuffs, the very ones Thor had placed on him before Svartalfheim and put them on.

"Just sit down. I want you where I can see you." The Captain snapped.

"Would you be ever so kind as to pick up the couch?" The Captain glared at him.

"Very well. Thor, if you still have any muscle under all of that filth, would you please pick up the couch that you're friend ever so gently blasted across the room?" His brother struggled slightly, but he managed to place the couch where it belonged.

"Thank you." With that he sat down, once more facing the stares and glares of his company.


8:00 AM the next morning

Nobody slept. Except for Scott. Loki didn't really expect anyone to. He, Thor and the Captain had heightened metabolisms, Clint was a sniper, Natasha was a spy, so they were used to staying up all night. Nebula hardly slept in general, Bruce was a scientist who was used to staying up for days at a time. Plus, he had some experience as a doctor, who also stay awake and working for days on end. He didn't really know how the other Ironman stayed up.

Thor would reach for beer, Loki would slap his hand, the others would be alarmed and repeat. Scott went to get food sometime in the evening. A couple people excused themselves throughout the night, only to return a few minutes later. Besides that, they stared at each other in silence all afternoon and night.

Three heads whipped towards the window, followed by the other four as a car sped down the driveway. Scott woke, yelling incoherently.

"What is that- are the police coming? House arrest. Cassie. Peanut!" Loki sighed, picking his palms nervously.

"Would you stop that incessant noise before I cast a sleeping spell on you?" Scott's head whipped towards him in surprise as recollection of the past day reestablished itself in his brain.

"What? Oh, it's you."

DING

Tony Stark stepped out of the elevator, swearing and cursing as he saw Loki.

"Hello. I believe you owe me a drink."