"…and nearly 30,000 confirmed dead worldwide. This number is expected to climb exponentially as the wreckage continues to be excavated. Reports have come in stating that all alien threats have been removed, and any remaining aliens are allies of, ah, of Earth. Citizens are advised not to approach any of the aliens on the streets, and whenever possible, make your way to a, uh, human facility or shelter to seek help. This is... ah, ahem, Captain America spoke at a press conference earlier today. If we could play that clip…"

Loki hugged the pillow tighter against his chest and dropped his chin on top of it, chewing on his lip as he watched the footage from that morning.

"Most of the aliens in New York and Japan are Asgardians. They come from the same planet as Thor, and they are definitely allies of Earth. Most of the aliens in Brazil and Indonesia are Jotuns. They from the planet known as Jotunheim, and we have a treaty with them, so they are definitely allies of Earth. You will find some of both species in all four locations, but the important thing to remember is that they are all allies. They came to help, and they haven't left because they want to continue to help. Nobody has anything to be afraid of."

As soon as Steve took a breath, the journalists erupted into frenzied shouts, every one attempting to get his attention next.

"Captain America!"

"Captain Rogers!"

"Captain America, what about the—"

"Is it true Loki was in New York City during the attacks, Captain?"

Loki bit down harder, watching as Steve strengthened the amount of authority in his tone and body language, speaking in a manner he probably hoped would keep everyone calm.

"There are a few things I can tell you about that. New York City was the last location to have a portal open above it, and it certainly spread us thinner than we were prepared for. Loki was pulled into the fight to help us cover more territory more effectively."

"Did the Avengers consult anyone before making these decisions?"

"Is it true the Hulk and Loki were completely unsupervised?"

"Is this the same Loki that attacked Manhattan four years ago?"

Steve held up his hands in a request for silence and began speaking over them, loud and firm but entirely controlled, until the shouting faded. "It isn't possible that we left the Hulk unsupervised, because the Hulk was not called on for this fight, and Dr. Banner does not need supervision. Furthermore…" He once again raised his voice, not allowing the onslaught of frantic questions and arguments to interrupt him as he calmly continued. "Furthermore, it is difficult to say whether or not this is the same Loki who attacked us four years ago. He has undergone years of rehabilitation under constant watch and supervision, and we were given no reason to believe he was a threat to us. More importantly," and yet again, he had to shout to be heard, continuing as if he were the only person speaking, "he did exactly what we expected of him, and New York City is safe as a result. The Avengers see no fault in the decision to call on him for help during this crisis."

"Will there be any accountability for his past crimes?"

"Did the Avengers consult anyone on the actions they took?"

"Was anyone other than the Avengers involved in the decisions made?"

"Where is Loki now? Can we expect to see more of him in the future?"

"Why hasn't anyone seen the rest of the Avengers?"

"Do the Avengers expect any repercussions from their actions during these attacks?"

Steve leveled his eyes at the camera then, his lips turning downward in just enough of a frown to send a chill down the spine of anyone who knew what a displeased super soldier could do.

"I think the only question that needs to be answered right now is: What would have happened if the Avengers had done nothing?" He paused for a moment, casting his eyes across his audience. "If this planet doesn't want the Avengers to intervene—if the people don't want us to save them anymore—then we will have no choice but to withdraw. We love Earth. It's our home, but we won't stay where we aren't welcome. Especially not while there are two entire realms out there that would welcome us and our assistance with open arms." He took a deep breath and softened his tone, placing a hand on either side of the podium. "We understand people are angry and confused and afraid, and they have every right to be. We are not saying there will be no accountability or rebound for the decisions we have made. However, what is important right now is getting first aid, food, water, clothes, and shelter to the victims of these attacks, as well as hosting a proper memorial for those victims we couldn't save. We can discuss politics when we are well on the road to recovery, and in the meantime, this planet can start thinking about whether or not they want us to protect them during future catastrophes."

Steve stepped away from the podium and the clip ended, coverage returning to the news anchor as the thoughts of the majority were posted on the screen in the form of poll results. Loki let out a quiet groan, feeling a bit sick to his stomach, though he didn't know if that was from the stress or the aftermath of battle. Maybe it was both.

"You shouldn't watch that. You have enough on your mind so as it is."

Loki jumped slightly, turning around in his seat and giving Jakodi a weak smile. "It's good to see you out of bed. How are you feeling?"

Jakodi shrugged his shoulders, unable to summon any smile at all. "I am only here because the Captain told me I could not stay in bed any longer."

Smile fading, Loki patted the sofa next to him. "Come. You look like you could use a shoulder."

Jakodi gave a feeble nod and shuffled over to the couch, dropping himself onto the seat next to Loki and promptly falling against him. Jakodi put his head on Loki's shoulder and heaved a sigh, slowly drawing his legs up to his chest.

"You were fantastic. Have I told you that?" Loki put an arm around Jakodi and squeezed his shoulder, summoning another smile. "I think your magic might be stronger than even mine."

Jakodi shook his head, a breathy chuckle rising in his throat. "Thank you, but you know that isn't true."

"Jakodi, my dear, no one is better than me when it comes to magic. Few people are better than me in any respect. It's called a white lie."

A tiny grin finally managed to pull at the corner of the chapped and scabbed lips, but it fell away almost instantly. "Loki… If I asked the Man of Iron to permit me to stay for a little while longer, do you think he would allow it?"

Loki nodded quickly. "I don't see why he wouldn't. But I must ask, aren't you anxious to go home?"

Jakodi only shook his head, eyes half-lidded, features mimicking those of a dead man.

"Jakodi..." For a moment, Loki considered a lecture, but he let the words die on his lips. "That's alright. You can go home when you're ready. Perhaps, now that I have been upgraded to a gold card, I can give you my silver one. You can be an official ally of the Avengers, with your own room here in the Tower."

Jakodi bobbed his head once, and Loki fell silent, realizing Jakodi was on the verge of sleep. Sleep was all Jakodi had done for the past three days, really, and Loki hoped his younger brother was just tired from the overexertion of battle.

He doubted, but he hoped.

Loki turned his head toward the entrance to the living room, his attention drawn by the sound of approaching footsteps, and he smiled when Steve stepped through the archway a moment later.

"How is he doing?" Steve asked, ambling across the room while rubbing his face and cracking the kinks from his neck.

"I believe he is sleeping again." Loki nodded toward the head on his shoulder. "He was awake for maybe five minutes, but he is exhausted."

Steve plopped down on the opposite end of the couch and let out a sigh. "Everyone is exhausted. I think you and I are the only two awake right now. Well, maybe Bruce, but if he is awake, I can't find him."

"He might be trying to relax," Loki suggested. "I was actually thinking about a trip to the hot tub, myself."

Steve lowered his head onto the back of the couch and moaned to the ceiling. "That sounds incredible. But at the same time, I would have to walk there, and I don't want to get up."

Loki nodded solemnly. "I am enduring the same struggle."

There was a moment of silence, and then Steve flicked his fingers in the direction of the TV. "What did you think of my speech?"

"It was very well done." Loki paused, watching the newscast for a few more seconds before speaking again. "Thank you. For what you said about me."

Steve laughed softly and gave a dismissive wave. "You're welcome, but I don't know what you expected. We weren't about to hang you out to dry." He glanced at the screen himself, a slight frown pulling on his lips. "I don't know if I would go outside the Tower for a while, though..."

Loki smiled. "No, I don't suppose that would be a good idea."

"Not if you want to keep all of your body parts as they currently are."

Loki actually laughed at that, smile lingering on his lips as he startled himself with a rather carefree reply. "You know, I've been thinking about that for a while now, and I have found that I very much don't care. If I'm allowed to stay, I'll be happy. I don't need much more than that."

Steve smiled twice as wide, leaning against the arm of the couch. "You have no idea how good it is to hear that."

"You have no idea how weird it is to say that."

They shared another laugh, and then a silence settled between them. It lingered for a moment, and then Loki opened his mouth, silver tongue slowly weaving the words he had been chewing on for the past several hours.

"Captain..." Loki met Steve's eyes and paused, starting over. "Steven, I wanted to tell you how thankful I am for your friendship these past two years. You are a very two-dimensional, simple individual, and I mean that in the best possible way." He took a breath. "From the very beginning—well, excluding the first half of the first day when you tried to pretend to be a professional—you have shown me nothing but kindness."

Steve let out a nervous chuckle and averted his eyes, opening his mouth but being immediately cut off.

"Please, let me finish." Loki took another breath and subconsciously pulled Jakodi a little closer. "I have never been in the company of… mellow individuals. Conflict was very common in my home as well as amongst my peers and enemies. You... refused to entertain me with an argument on multiple accounts, and when I was—" he cleared his throat and tried to ignore the heat rising in his cheeks. "When I was… afraid… because I was being sent away to Jotunheim, you were collected and level-headed in my place. I appear to most to be a very calm individual, but inside my head, I am rarely calm. You became… a safe place for me, and I simply wanted you to know that… as much as Dr. Banner has helped me work through some of the things in my muddled brain, it would not have worked if your friendship hadn't been there to support it."

For several moments, Steve didn't say anything, simply staring with a smile on his face. He looked overwhelmed in the best of ways, like there was so much he wanted to say he didn't have the faintest idea where to start.

"I…" Steve laughed softly and dropped his gaze, almost looking embarrassed. "I didn't tell you this before because you had so much on your plate, and everyone was going through something, and my problems seemed so small by comparison—"

"Steven…?" Loki frowned slightly, concerned.

Steve halted, looked at Loki for a moment, and then slowly started speaking again. "I don't know if you remember, but… I was in the hospital when H.Y.D.R.A. revealed themselves. But before that, when I was fighting and then taking down the hellicarriers, and…" Steve ran his hands through his hair.

Loki waited in patient silence, utterly dumbfounded and wondering where Steve was going with his rambles.

"I had a friend I thought I lost before I was in the ice. I… I thought he was dead, so I… I never looked for him." Steve cleared his throat. "Well, I—I was wrong. H.Y.D.R.A. had him." He buried his face in his hands and rubbed furiously, resting his elbows on his knees. "They had him for seventy years. Seventy—" He stopped himself, shaking his head and taking a deep breath. "It wasn't too long after that you ran away and we all realized you unlocked your magic, and I thought…"

"You thought it was your fault?" Loki asked gently.

Steve offered a brief nod. "I thought I failed you. And then we went to Asgard, and I had to be so cold and calculating in front of King Odin, and I wasn't there when Queen Leiknyrr showed up, or when you fought with Thor, and—"

Loki shook his head. "Steven, you are entirely too hard on yourself. You were in a difficult position. You did what you could, when you could, and it was more than enough."

Steve smiled, but there was still sadness in his eyes. "I know that now. Thank you."

Brow still creased with concern, Loki nodded. "You are welcome." He paused. "So… your friend. Where is he now?"

Steve shook his head. "I don't know. I have a military pal looking into it, but so far, nothing. Now the media spotlight is on us, and I'm afraid to even contact the guy and find out what's new."

Loki gave a small but encouraging smile. "If there is anything you should want assistance with, I'll gladly help. Once my magic reserves have built back up, there are several scrying spells I can use to try and locate him."

Steve gave a smile of his own, equal parts dismal and hopeful. "Thanks." After a moment, he spoke again. "Don't let Tony find out, okay?"

Loki frowned and arched a brow.

"I just… there's some things I think he would be better off not knowing."

The brow went up a little higher, disbelief dominating Loki's features as he stared Steve down. "Did you just tell me, of all people, there are some things someone is better off not knowing?"

Steve opened his mouth as if to further defend his position, but he deflated instead, letting out a sigh of defeat and dropping his head. "No, I guess he's not better off…"

Loki shook his head. "Certainly not." Then he paused. "I won't say anything, though. That's a bridge you have to cross with Anthony. I won't intervene."

Steve smiled weakly, looking even more exhausted than he had before. "I… this is a mess, isn't it?"

Loki glanced down at the boy curled up against his side, a mild frown curling his lips. "Yes... it is very, very much a mess."

There was silence between them for a moment, and then Steve straightened up suddenly. He got to his feet and turned to face Loki fully, both hands on his hips with his back straight and shoulders squared, just like the cover of that stupid book Loki had read years earlier.

"Well, my Star-Spangled Man with a Plan. Have you something to say?"

Steve smiled—and it was a real smile, not a smile to cover how desolate he felt underneath—a sparkle going into his eyes for the first time in a while. "Things are a mess, but messes are our specialty. We're gonna get to the other side, and we're gonna look back on this as nothing but a bad memory. We can do this. We're Avengers."

Loki was surprised by the optimistic curveball, but after a moment spent digesting the words, he offered a genuine smile of his own. "Yes, we are."

Steve looked toward the exit, a smile still lingering on his lips. "I'm going to find Natasha and ask her to train with me. I bet it would help her unwind a bit."

Loki nodded. "Feel free to send Dr. Banner my way. I am hardly in a condition to fight, but I might be able to offer some help with my grander skills."

Steve started toward the exit, throwing a nod over his shoulder. "Will do!" He made it to the archway between the living room and the hall, stopping and turning around. "And Loki?"

Loki blinked, waiting patiently.

"Thanks."

Loki offered a small smile. "You're welcome, Steven."

"Would you like something to drink?"

"Yes. Whatever you make will be fine."

Loki opened and closed the small, teal Keurig machine and pressed the necessary button to send a stream of steaming water into the empty cup. "I… cannot begin to imagine… what these past few days have been like for you."

Leiknyrr said nothing for several moments, watching the water with somewhat vacant eyes. "Are you going somewhere with that?"

Loki wet his lips and opened his mouth to speak, stopping himself short and letting out a sigh before trying again. "No. I don't suppose I am."

"Then let's not discuss it." Leiknyrr met his eyes evenly, her own scarlet orbs glassy with tears, and she spoke tightly through a hard-set jaw. "I'm sure you have other subjects you would be interested in talking about."

Loki gave her a sideways sort of nod and paused for a moment before continuing. "How are Bjolan and Klaufi?"

"Very well. They love the little house Thor built for them." She smiled lightly, but it didn't reach her eyes. "They would like to know when you are going to visit."

Loki smile. "I hope to visit soon, but there are a few things I should handle here first."

Leiknyrr laughed softly, weakly. "I can agree with that."

Loki pulled the cup from the machine and dropped a green tea teabag in. "Let this sit for a minute or two and then take a sip."

Nodding, Leiknyrr pulled the beverage closer to herself and stared down at the rippling liquid. "Raghnall asked about you. What should I tell him?"

Loki chuckled and arched a brow. "Do you make a habit of talking to prison guards about their charges?"

Leiknyrr only waved it off. "Raghnall isn't a prison guard. He's the royal caretaker; he's in charge of all the young princes and princess. Well, mine, anyway. I'm a bit selfish with him."

Loki blinked. "Wait." He shook his head. "Raghnall wasn't a guard?"

"Well, he was, that's just not his usual occupation." Leiknyrr took a sip of her tea and hummed. "This is very good, thank you."

"You're welcome." Loki blinked a few more times and shook his head. "Can we—address this, for lack of a better word?"

"You were told the guard was of my own choosing, yes?" She sipped the drink again.

"Yes, but—"

"Then what is there to address? You were not lied to."

"Don't toy with me." Loki hissed out the words. "I have had just about enough of being a plaything for kings and queens. Do not tell me, the god of lies, that I wasn't lied to as if the factual loophole makes your actions any less deceitful."

Leiknyrr took another drink and shrugged, somehow maintaining her elegance despite the gesture. "Why does it matter?"

"You know exactly why it matters." There wasn't a single beat of hesitation. "My question, however, is why did it matter to you? Why not leave me to the regular guards?"

Leiknyrr shook her head. "I couldn't trust any of them not to kill you. If they had, it would have caused a falling out between Asgard and Jotunheim."

Loki almost retorted, but he stopped himself. He sighed, ran a hand through his hair, and pushed the frustration from his town. "Even after all this, I don't know what I am to you. A son, a playing piece, an ally… I just want to know." He paused, strengthening his resolve. "I deserve to know."

Leiknyrr stared for a moment and then slowly let the air from her lungs push between her lips. She tapped the porcelain rim of her mug, talon-like fingernails dragging across the smooth surface. Her jaw tightened, eyes teetering between cold and guilt.

"Laufey and I were not married when I conceived you," she finally said. "This would have caused a variety of problems if it had gotten out, so I stayed behind closed doors for the duration of the pregnancy. Of course, at the end of the year, there was still the problem of your existence."

Loki pursed his lips, unable to deny the sting left by her words. "Ah. I see. The problem of my existence."

Leiknyrr nodded. "That is why you were left on the battlefield. We intended for you to be a nameless casualty, and subsequently, no one would ever know my second-born was not my first."

Loki gave the woman a tight-lipped smile, eyes burning slightly as he regarded her finely chiseled features. "I know you discarded me. That has been made very clear to me on multiple accounts." He inhaled slowly, concealing it behind a gentle sip of his tea. "What I do not know is how that decision affects our relationship now. You insinuated before that you bore regret, but your actions often project something different. I don't have the time or tolerance to play these mind games, Leiknyrr, just… be honest with me."

Leiknyrr looked at him for a few moments, and then she let out a soft sigh. She withered, though she never once dropped her head, and finally relented.

"When I put you on that rock and walked away, I thought I felt… something. I told myself I didn't, and I suppressed any thoughts or feelings I had regarding your life. It only took a few weeks for me to realize I was… very, very wrong." She scratched the mug in her hands, and it might have been the lighting, but it looked like some emotion was going into her eyes. "I had nightmares… usually with babies or small children crying for their mothers… I stopped speaking to my parents and siblings…" She sighed softly. "I never really loved Laufey, but there had been a physical attraction… and an affection… and that was gone. I, of course, denied it had anything to do with you."

Slowly lowering himself back into his seat, Loki set his cup aside and rested his arms on the table, his temper placated by the slowly dissolving mask on her face.

"It wasn't until I had Rán that I finally had to admit to myself what I had done." She paused, blinked slowly, and carefully continued. "I couldn't hold him. From the day he was born, Laufey was the one to care for him. I couldn't look at him. I couldn't stand the sound of his laugh. There were times when I wanted to kill him. Mostly, I wanted to kill myself."

Loki creased his brow, a confused and slightly pained expression shading his features. Why? But he didn't ask. He simply waited for her to get to the answer in her own time.

"I didn't know when I left you there… I didn't understand what it feels like to…" She wet her lips, struggling with her words for a moment before changing the sentence all-together. "I looked at him, and I saw everything I had taken away from you." She ground her teeth, swallowing thickly and glaring angrily at the single tear that had fallen from her eye. "I didn't eliminate a bundle of flesh and blood and inconvenience. I killed a child, I killed my child, and a part of myself died with it."

Loki listened in silence, keeping his mindset as open and understanding as he could. Of course you killed a child. Did you think my lack of lifespan and relevance made me less than that? That was what he felt inside, but what he displayed outward he hoped was more compassionate. He didn't want her to stop talking.

"Eventually, I was able to hold Rán, and it got a little easier with each child I had." Her cadence was quicker, the conversation coming to a sudden close as her composure was strained beyond what it could handle. "When I learned Odin had taken you, I got some relief from knowing you weren't dead, though I never thought our paths would cross. But here we are and that's that."

Loki nodded his head slightly, leaning back in his chair and letting out a slow stream of air. He tapped his thigh and pursed his lips, trying to assimilate the new information and respond without saying or doing something he would regret.

"I really want to hate you." Scoffing, Loki shook his head. "I really do."

"You have the right," was all she said.

"I know I do." His retort was sharp, but the follow-up was soft. "However… a very wise mortal once told me there was enough suffering in the world without him tacking on his two cents. You have punished yourself enough, and you will live with the consequences of your actions for the rest of your life. Odin is guilty of his deceit, and while I doubt he is punishing himself, his family will never be whole again. I think I'm done adding pennies to the piles of those who have wronged me." Smiling slightly, Loki reached out a hand and placed it over hers, gently pulling it away from the cup it was holding. "Mother."

Leiknyrr watched his hand in silence, slowly lifting her gaze to meet his own, dark rubies peering at him through a stubborn veil of tears.

"I do not know how things are conducted on Jotunheim, but on Asgard, it is customary for sons to comfort their mothers, especially when children are lost on the battlefield."

She said nothing, but her upper lip quivered ever-so-slightly.

Rising from his chair, Loki moved to stand beside her. "I think it would be easier for me to forgive you if you would give me that which you have denied me for over a thousand years."

Leiknyrr swallowed, staring dead ahead and gripping his hand like a lifeline.

"Mother," he pressed softly, waiting until she reluctantly turned her head to continue. "Don't you think that's fair?"

Leiknyrr took several measured breaths, speaking stiffly in a voice that bordered on a sob. "You certainly are my son. You and your silver tongue. You know—how to get what you want, don't you?" She inhaled shakily.

Loki considered the woman before him for a moment. He considered her face, and he considered how long she had held her composure. He thought about his own experiences with fear and shame and guilt, and how quickly he had dissolved under the pressure. His silver tongue was limited to situations where he was in control, and control was something he had always struggled to maintain in order to protect himself. She was far more successful than he was in keeping her stone face, but at their core, they were the same.

"Mother," he whispered. "You are safe with me."

Her grip on his hand tightened, but it took a few more seconds for the tears to finally come. She was quiet, never looking at him or acknowledging his presence or speaking. Her shoulders shook but remained squared, labored breaths punctuating the silence.

I do believe tears are about as honest as she gets.

And he was quite alright with that.

It had been three weeks since the invading Chitauri were defeated for a second time, and Loki still jumped at any unusual or sudden sounds. Logically, he knew none of the protesters in the streets below could get to him—if he couldn't get past three hundred and twenty-five layers of security, there was no way humans could—but it was difficult to relax when so many voices were calling for his execution.

So, of course, when Tony threw the bedroom door open without knocking or announcing his presence, Loki jumped. When Loki jumped, he spilled tea from the cup that was in his hand onto his lap. When his pants got wet, his mood immediately soured, which caused him to send a scathing glare across the room in the direction of his intruder.

"Excuse you, Anthony, but—"

"I am really sorry." Tony held up his hands in a show of innocence. "I was just trying to help. I just wanted to make sure she was okay, and after I saved Agent Byer's little brother, she said I could ask her if I ever needed anything. So I did—I asked her for a favor, I mean—but I wasn't really thinking, and I made a big mistake."

Loki blinked slowly, shaking his head while utter confusion twisted his features. "What?"

"Brianna. I was worried because, you know, everything got destroyed again but we're all laying low. I asked Agent Byer to find her, make sure she wasn't hurt, but I didn't think she would tell her it was me who sent her." Tony's hands flailed as he spoke, the lilt in his voice revealing panic. "Which, by her, I mean Brianna, except for that last time, and by she, I mean Agent Byer."

Loki squinted and blinked, having no idea what Tony was saying. "Focus, please."

"I really didn't intend for anything to happen," Tony rushed on. "I didn't think an eleven year old could even get inside Avengers Tower, especially not with all the security measures—"

"Wait, are you saying Brianna was here?" Loki stood up but didn't go anywhere, not entirely sure where it was he wanted to go. "What was she like?"

Tony opened his mouth to reply, but Loki had barely finished his sentence when they both heard the tiny, outraged cry of, "Leviiii!"

Loki braced himself and watched the little bundle of blonde-haired fury come barreling through his door, both hands slightly extended in an attempt to catch her before she could beat his nose in with her tiny fists.

"Brianna—" he grunted, grabbing her wrists before she could make contact, "—please, calm down. I—" she kicked him in the shin with a surprising amount of strength for her little size, and he struggled to turn her around and pin her arms to her sides, "—I know you're upset but—" he succeeded in pulling her back against his chest, both arms wrapping tightly around her in a firm hug, "—but you've got to listen for a second. Just let me—"

"You lied!" Brianna kicked her legs wildly, narrowly missing his groin more than once.

Loki took a few quick steps to the right and dropped down onto the bed, still holding her tightly but allowing her to kick and scream to her heart's content.

I owe her that much.

"You lied to me, Levi—Loki—you lied to me a lot!" She threw her head back, kicking her legs wildly. "You dirty, rotten liar! You said you were my friend, but you—you destroyed everything! You're the reason Mommy's got hurt, and now she's gone, and it's all your fault!"

Loki wet his lips, opening his mouth to speak but finding himself at a loss for words. He had been actively avoiding the question of how Brianna would react to the news reports, but now he wished he hadn't. At least then he might have some clue of how to respond.

"Brianna," he started softly. "I know I hurt you, and I'm sorry."

She stopped squirming for a full three seconds before the struggles started up again. "Yeah, well, sorry don't fix it!"

"Doesn't," he corrected automatically. "And I know it doesn't fix anything, but I want you to know I didn't…" He didn't mean to? Clearly, he did. He didn't want to? She would ask why he did, then. He didn't have a choice? That wasn't really true; even if he had to keep his identity a secret, he chose to befriend her and gain her trust.

"You didn't what?" Brianna glared up at him, tears welling in her eyes, cheeks puffed and lips pursed in a pout.

"I didn't…" Loki struggled for words, Tony's presence doing nothing to aid his concentration, and finally settled on the truth. "I didn't want you to be angry with me."

"Well, it didn't work, 'cause I'm really mad at you!"

Loki nodded slightly, putting her feet back on the ground and slowly turning her around to face him. She didn't try to punch or bite or otherwise harm him, so he dropped his hands to his lap and tried to explain himself.

"Brianna… do you remember when we met?"

Brianna sniffed and nodded her head, rubbing her eye.

"You told me when people do bad things, bad things happen to them, and everyone is hurt. You also told me when people do good things, good things happen to them, and everyone feels better." He took a deep breath, trying to simplify thoughts and concepts he himself barely understood. "I know I did some bad things last time I was here. But I was working with the Avengers because I was trying to do good things. I…" He couldn't say he didn't want to hurt people, because at the time, he had. "I was trying to fix some of the problems I made, and along the way, I met you."

Brianna dragged her arms over her eyes and fidgeted where she stood, still sniffling, seeming more upset and sad than angry. "You met me, and you lied."

"I know," he said softly. "I know. I lied to you, and that was wrong of me."

She looked at him imploringly, her eyes saying she wanted something while her lips remained stuck together in an unhappy pout.

"I didn't know when we met that we would be such good friends, and by the time we were friends, I was…" It looked like Tony had left the room sometime during the conversation, and it got a little easier to be honest. "...I was afraid of what would happen if I told you the truth. I didn't want you to stop being my friend."

Brianna folded her arms in front of herself, tears falling to the carpet as her shoulders began to jump and shake. "You're a liar. Y-you didn't care at all," she mumbled, staring at the floor and blinking hard.

Loki sat in silence for a moment, unable to form a response, and then he got to his feet. He crossed the room to his bookshelf and started looking for a tome he wouldn't mind damaging a bit. "Brianna…" He found one and turned around to face her. "Are you still wearing the bracelet I gave you?"

Brianna sniffed and nodded, facing him with her arms still folded protectively around her middle.

"Now, don't be scared." Loki flashed a quick but kind smile. "I promise, this won't hurt a bit." He gave her no chance to respond, chucking the book at her head with as much force as he could muster.

Brianna reacted on instinct, reaching up to cover her head, but the move was entirely unnecessary; when the novel was within two feet of her, it struck a transparent, green barrier and dropped harmlessly to the floor.

Brianna watched the force field fade back into its usual, inactive state, her face bearing nothing but confusion and slight fear.

"Brianna." Loki took a few steps toward her and knelt down, showing a bit of magic on his fingertips. "I made that bracelet to protect you. I know I lied about some things, but I never lied when I said I cared. I…" He sighed. "I know this whole thing is a mess, and I know it's my fault. But please, don't ever doubt that I love you."

Brianna stared at him with glassy, sapphire eyes, hiccupping softly as she processed what he had said. Loki cautiously reached out to cup her cheek, thumbing away the overflow of tears.

"Brianna—"

She ran at him, and he tensed up on instinct, reacting much like she had when the book was still flying at her head. But, like with her, there was no need.

Loki wrapped his arms around her as she wept, carding a hand through her hair and murmuring softly into her ear. "Shh, it's alright. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I lied, Brianna. It's alright now, my dear. I've got you, it's alright."

"M'sorry I bit you…" She sobbed into his chest, clinging to him for dear life.

"I forgive you." Loki chuckled softly. "I think I earned it. Don't you?"

Brianna didn't respond, grabbing his shirt in her little fists and burrowing herself into his arms as much as she could. Loki let her, willing to put up with any amount of physical contact and snotty t-shirts to ensure she would someday smile at him again.

She didn't say she forgave me.

That was okay, though. Loki knew all too well what it felt like to be betrayed, and if Brianna spent the next several weeks and months unable to decide how she wanted to treat him, her emotions making the decision for her when they unexpectedly hit over the smallest things, he was fine with that. He would wait. He would be happy to.

Loki closed his eyes and held her tight, ignoring the ache in his knees and back at their uncomfortable position. "I love you, Brianna."

Sniff. "Love you, too."

Yes, he would be happy to wait.

She was worth waiting for.

"Sorry I'm late."

Bruce turned his eyes away from the damaged skyline and smiled at the trickster striding toward him from the door. "This isn't a session, Loki."

Loki only smirked. "One can still be late to meet a friend, you buffoon."

Bruce chuckled softly and shook his head, leaning against the railing and taking in the blue skies and downtrodden city below. "Yes, I suppose one can." He paused, watching a duo of birds fly across the sky. "So, the Jotuns are gone."

Loki nodded in Bruce's peripherals. "Yes. Jakodi would like to return once the services for Saari and the fallen soldiers have been held."

"He wants to be an Avenger?" Bruce arched a brow, somewhat surprised.

Pursing his lips, Loki contemplated the question before replying. "I honestly don't know. Midgardian culture seems to fascinate him, and I think he would like to initiate some sort of trade between here and Jotunheim."

Bruce hummed, nodding his head and finding himself stunned by how utterly blue the sky was. "Interesting. It'll be nice to see more of him." He paused. "Steve said something about giving one of the segments of the Berserker Staff to Jotunheim as a show of trust and thanks. Obviously, we owe them much more, but… it's a start."

Loki smiled. "Indeed."

A comfortable silence reigned between them for a while, each man looking in a slightly different direction and waiting for the wind to bring another topic of conversation their way.

"I heard Brianna is moving in with Agent Byer and Charlie," Bruce started.

Loki put his attention back on Bruce. "Oh, yes. She seems to be quite happy there, and it's certainly better than the orphanage."

Bruce grinned to himself.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing."

Loki looked at him suspiciously, but Bruce didn't say a word. After all, making Loki the official godfather of one Brianna Leitholf was Tony's Christmas present to Loki. Far be it from Bruce to ruin the surprise.

"How are you and Thor?" Bruce asked, deciding it was best to change the subject before Loki could probe for more answers. "He came home late last night, didn't he?"

Loki nodded his head, drumming his fingers on the railing and staring down at the ever-shrinking group of protestors. "He did. Odin is awake and back on the throne, so Thor has returned here until further notice." Pausing, Loki seemed to argue with himself for a moment before relenting. "I agreed to go hunting with him when the appropriate time of year comes. He is rather excited, leading me to believe I have made a grave error."

Bruce only laughed. "Don't love it 'til you try it."

"Mm, so I have been told." Loki joined in Bruce's laughter. "I have also been told something about the… Sokovia Accords?"

Bruce blew his bangs out of his eyes, turning around and leaning back against the railing. "Yeah. I don't know exactly what's going on there. I know it's something Steve and Tony have spent an awful lot of time discussing."

Loki listened intently, brow creasing with concern. "Are we in danger?"

"I don't think so." Bruce started to speak, stopped, and then continued again. "All I know is Tony said not to worry about it yet. He and Steve are trying to work out some details, but they both said the Avengers will remain a team no matter what happens."

"Good." Loki paused for a moment, and Bruce imagined he was thinking of what he would do without his support system. "That's very good."

"It is good," Bruce agreed.

Loki idly cracked his knuckles one by one. "How is Steve?"

Bruce shrugged his shoulders. "As good as he can be, I guess. I think a lot of stress is building up right now, and he got word yesterday that Peggy is going downhill fast. He's… overwhelmed, but he'll be alright."

Loki nodded absently, clucking his tongue and squinting at the city. "Perhaps we could do something to lift his spirits."

Bruce smiled. "I think that's a great idea. Clint and Natasha already said something about sparring with him until he's too tired to think, but I have a feeling he could use some of your… creative touch right now."

Loki laughed aloud, turning around to face the building and leaning back against the railing. "Poetry is significantly more enjoyable than training, in my personal opinion, and I think in this particular case, the good Captain might have to agree with me."

Bruce chuckled, looking up at the top of the damaged but still standing skyscraper. Loki looked up, too, and they spent several moments staring at the large A with a crack up the lefthand side.

"You were right, Dr. Banner."

Bruce let his gaze linger on the letter for a moment more and then he turned his head, looking at the young—and yet so incredibly old—man standing next to him; the man with a clean face and a contended smile donning his pale lips; the man who had walked into Bruce's office three years earlier with a glare and the kind of darkness that choked out any semblance of life from his eyes; the man who had been so hateful, so bitter, so lonely, so jealous, so angry, so hurt, so afraid that everything Bruce did to help him was met with a concrete wall and venomous rejection. Bruce looked at the man who had fought tooth and nail to keep himself vengeful, who had failed, and who had struggled and suffered under the alternatives that were put in his path; the man who had been so utterly broken but who built himself back up again and finally—finally, thank God, finally—allowed those around him to pick up some of the pieces and help him put himself back together.

Bruce looked at Loki, at all he had been, at all he had become, and every excruciating, deranged, beautiful step between the two.

"What was I right about?" Bruce asked curiously.

Pale lips tugged up at the corner, emerald eyes never once leaving the top of the Tower. "It is a wonderful thing to belong."

Bruce watched Loki for a second and then looked at the Tower himself, smiling softly. "Yeah," he breathed, knowing with every fiber of his being that Loki had fully accepted the Avengers as his family and his home. "It really is."

And wasn't that just something?