A/N: At long last, here it is! This chapter was a beast but I'm finally happy with it. Again, its kinda dialogue heavy, and it changes POV, but this should be the last of the set-up chapters. I am sorry for the extended delay, but I have my laptop and things should hopefully get back to normal. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and sent messages of support, encouragement and patience as I worked through this last year. I can't tell you what they meant to me and I'm grateful to all of you! I hope this was worth the wait! Enjoy!

Vision blurred, Loki gasped each ragged breath, curling in on himself on a cold metal floor. Everything in his body burned and the shouts and jeers echoing around him did nothing to ease his pain. Having been engulfed in empty silence so long, the slightest stimulation was an assault on his senses and frayed nerves. It felt as though his ears were bleeding, the ringing and throbbing in his mind nearly drowned out the noise rising around him.

"Silence, all of you!" he screamed, his voice hoarse in a way he'd never heard. How long had it truly been since he used it? All at once there was deafening silence, the savages staring at him in open shock.

"Oh-wee boys, lookie here! We got a stray who thinks he's in charge here," the man mocking him was large and blue, with red eyes and vile teeth. If Loki didn't know better, he might believe him to be a Frost Giant.

"You human, boy? We like humans…they taste delicious…" asked one horrid creature, peeking out from behind another much larger – and much uglier – savage.

"Course he ain't human, otherwise he woulda been frozen the moment he hit that air without protection. Still looks mighty tasty, though…"

"How dare you! I am a God, the rightful King of Asgard and–" his voice was drowned out by uproarious and mocking laughter.

"Ass-what?"

"Asgard!"

"Never heard of it. Don't much matter cause you're obviously a long way from home. This here is my ship, no one gives orders but me, boy."

"I'm no boy!"

Loki tried to get up, to face them head on. But his knees quivered with the slight weight of his own body, as though his bones were made of little more than clay. He could barely see straight let alone stand and fight off a mob of savages. Each of his shoulders was grabbed and he was roughly set on his knees, held up and in place by two of his captors. As they argued amongst themselves what to do with him, a rather young looking human approached the leader.

"Yondu, if he is a king, I bet his kingdom would pay a lot of money to have him back."

"A king's ransom…" Yondu said, obviously considering what a hefty sum that must be. Loki could tell them that Asgard wouldn't pay a cent to have him returned – that they should be pondering instead the worth of a disgraced prince. He's not even sure he can still claim his royal status, anymore then he can still call the royal family his kin.

"I was thinking more a reward. They might react with hostility if we mention a ransom." Said the boy.

"Alright, take His Royal Highness to a cell," Yondu commanded, "Someone find out where this Assgard is…"

As he was led to his new prison, every cell in his body was on edge and ready to fight. Magic surged to the tips of his fingers that he might cast an illusion or create a distraction. They were simple-minded, he would only need a moment to disappear. Still, something in him told him to keep his power to himself. They were bound to stop at some point, a place Loki could escape and lose himself in. He just needed to bide his time, regain his strength, and await his opportunity.

The cell they tossed him into could've been worse, it seemed smaller at the entrance but Loki was pleased to find it opened into a larger space. There was no furniture, so he sat on the floor against a wall, out of sight from the savages guarding him. He closed his eyes, trying to find a center, to remember a spell that could ease his growing anxiety.

"Hey,"

Loki looked up to see the young man who had given 'Yondu' the idea of getting a reward for the king.

"What do you want?"

"Are you sure you're not from Earth? You sure look like a human – there aren't many of us out here."

"I'm sure." Loki replied, "You, too, are a long way from home. How did you end up way out here on this bucket of rust?"

"I was taken when I was kid. They threatened to eat me, too. Don't worry, messing with people is kinda their thing. I'm Peter. Peter Quill." Loki shook his hand, but didn't give his name.

The dreams he'd had the last few nights had been memories; Loki was sure of it. How had he forgotten the first group he encountered in that void? He needed to ask Xavier exactly what memories he should be remembering. But perhaps, it wasn't that he had forgotten at all. Thanos must have replaced, or twisted his memories in such a way that Loki was only aware of the tesseract and his mission for the Mad Titan.

He rushed from his room and through empty corridors, knowing he was likely the last one to make it to the dining hall. Picking up his tray, Loki stepped into the dining room, freezing as all eyes settled on him. He looked around, briefly studying each face, feeling smaller than ever as he searched for an empty seat. The only truly judgmental and unwelcome faces came from the table of teachers, all the students appeared indifferent or mildly curious. But still, everyone dropped their gaze as soon as he set his eyes on them, and the urge to just disappear was stronger than ever. He really shouldn't be here.

"Loki!" called her familiar voice, "Come sit with us!" Rogue was waving him over and he never thought he could be so grateful to a mortal in all his life. The boy sitting next to her seemed to disagree with her offer, but she silenced him easy enough. Everyone else at the table seemed more curious than bothered at his presence.

"Thank you," he mumbled softly.

"Don't mention it," her bright smile eased his anxiety, "Everyone, this is Loki; Loki this is my boyfriend Bobby, his best friend John, and my roommates Kitty, and Jubilee."

"Hello," he nodded and quickly dropped his gaze, just hoping to not frighten them.

"Hey man, I go by Pyro, not John." The young boy held out his hand with a spiteful glare toward Rogue.

Loki shook his hand, "Nice to meet you, Pyro."

"You don't seem as crazy as you were when you were trying to take over the city."

"Jubilee…" Rogue chided gently.

"What? I meant it as a compliment."

Loki couldn't help but laugh, "Thank you. I assure you I am in much better mental health now than I was then."

"Why are you here than?" she asked innocently.

"There were some issues, there are some issues and the Professor thought I could benefit from his help."

"Family issues?" Pyro asked, with enough bitterness dripping from his words to tell Loki that this boy harbored a similar anger and resentment that he had.

"Among other things."

"So how long are you here for?" Bobby asked.

"Until the Professor deems me fit to be released, I suppose. I'd say I'll be here for the foreseeable future." There was a moment of silence, and Loki took the opportunity to take several bites of his eggs, washing it down with orange juice. Perhaps its just that human food isn't as nutritious or if it the stress of the dungeon made him eat less, but he's felt consistently ravenous since arriving here.

"What's outer space really like? Is it like Star Wars and full of political unrest, or is it just empty?" Kitty asked. Loki cleared his throat, making a mental note to ask Logan what star wars was.

"I'm not sure about Star Wars, but there can be plenty of political unrest and even war between realms or planets. And I guarantee you, there is no part of space that is empty, even if it appears that way." The young girl smiled, seeming pleased with his answer.

"We should get to class, Rogue," Bobby said quietly. Rogue sighed, finishing the last few bites of her breakfast. Kitty and Jubilee also stood to go as Rogue did, each of them making it a point to smile in his direction, however shyly. He returned in kind.

"Didja like the clothes we bought you?" Rogue asked before she left.

"Yes, thank you again."

"See ya around…" she smiled, walking backwards as Bobby pulled her arm. He waved, returning his focus to his own meal so he could get out of here as soon as possible.

"So, the God of Mischief…" came a mocking voice. Loki looked up to see Pyro still sitting across from him. "Weren't you like a prince or a God or something – all powerful, wielder of magic?"

"I am a Prince, and a God…and an all-powerful wielder of magic."

"You could level this place, turn us all into your own little zombies and use our powers to help take over the world."

His eyes narrowed, suspicious this boy was just joking, or trying to make him admit he still had hostile intentions. But he had the unsettling feeling that it was neither of those things.

"Is that something you would want?"

"No, not at all. I just think it's kinda pathetic for some high and mighty God to be sitting in a cafeteria with a bunch of kids. If I had that kind of power, I sure as hell wouldn't be here."

"Young man, what I've done is nothing less than insane. And being a god, being a Prince, being the most powerful sorcerer in the realms didn't prevent me from being tossed into an underground dungeon to rot. Do not desire it."

"Hey, don't you have class?" Logan said, approaching the table. Pyro rolled his eyes, not even attempting to disguise his disdain as he gathered his tray and left.

"That boy has too much anger for his own good…" Logan said, taking his seat.

"Don't we all?"

Logan smiled with a nod, "So what do you have planned for the day?"

Loki swallowed hard the food he'd been chewing, his fingers suddenly twitching as he replied, "After breakfast I am to meet with the Professor to start our…discussions."

"A word of advice – just be honest as ya can. Not only will he be able to tell if you're lying – without reading your mind – but it doesn't do any good. The help he provides is only as good as the information he receives."

"Thank you. I'll do my best." Loki took a sip of his orange juice and suddenly remembered to ask, "By the way, do you know what Star Wars is?"

Logan laughed out loud, "I'll show you later."

Thor paced the carpet in Jane's living room, somehow surprised that his life had also been irrevocably altered by all this. Like Loki, he grew up believing his father to be a good, honorable King that loved he and his brother equally. It was the most basic truth of his existence. But now, Thor isn't sure what was true anymore, or who the All-Father has become.

After dropping Loki off at the mansion last night, Thor had the nagging feeling to return home. He'd heard his parents arguing earlier, while he and Xavier waited for Odin's decision. But by the end, Odin still asked the Professor to take care of his son. It reinforced Thor's belief that Odin still loved Loki, despite his actions and wanted him to get better and return home. There was a lightness as Thor left, a hope that life was about to go back to normal.

However, when he reached the palace, it was obvious all was not well. He made his way passed the guards and their carefully blank expressions as the voices of his parents echoed through the long corridors. Thor had never heard such hateful speech from his father, especially not directed at his wife about their sons. His mother sounded exhausted as she argued back.

"You're acting like a foolish, simpering woman instead of a queen of the nine realms!" shouted his father.

"I am acting like a mother who has lost both her sons!"

"You haven't lost Thor! If anything, you have made him as soft and sentimental as you are!"

"You sound just like Loki!"

"He may be called the God of lies but he is not always wrong."

"Odin!" gasped his mother, "How can you speak of our sons so cruelly?"

"Thor needs to learn…and Loki is not my son! He is murderous and cruel."

"If you are so certain that Loki will harm people why did you let him leave?"

"Because sometimes the only way to teach someone a lesson is to let them experience the consequences of their actions, no matter how painful it will be! You are my queen and must obey my commands!"

At that, Thor entered unannounced, brimming with rage and ready to fight. All-Father or not, no one spoke to his mother that way.

"What are you doing here, boy?" Odin asked, though he hardly seemed interested in the answer.

"You called Loki your son and my brother for over a thousand years, you can't just erase that, or expect us to just pretend he wasn't a part our lives!"

"There is nothing to erase."

"You might be able to erase him, but I can't!" cried his mother, "He may not be your son, but he is mine!" Odin dismissed them with a wave of his hand.

"Go back to your mortal and I will rule the nine realms! Whatever Loki may do, I wash my hands of it. Any blood he spills will be on the both of you." The All-Father turned his back to them and walked away.

"Forgive me, mother."

"There is nothing to forgive, Thor."

"If Loki-"

"We'll deal with that if and when it's needed." She hugged him, silencing him before he could voice both their fears. She pulled away, but squeezed both his hands, "How was he when you left him?"

"Quiet. Anxious."

"Go back to earth in case he needs you. Stay with Jane. I'll deal with your father." She paused, "He's grieving, too, you know? He just doesn't know how to show it."

Thor nodded, not sure he believed her, "I'll come visit you soon, Mother,"

He didn't know how long he'd been pacing, or at what point the sun had risen. Because what did he have to do now but wait? Wait for the inevitable call that Loki vanished and the realms were in chaos, or that he was attacking Midgard all over again? Once he has retrieved his scepter, perhaps it will be the Avengers he attacks, or Jane, making good on a threat he'd made on the rainbow bridge. What could he even say to them? How would he ever be able to apologize if this doesn't work?

Just as Odin said, no matter the scenario, the consequences of Loki's actions were his responsibility alone.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts and Thor opened it to find Captain Rogers on the other side. He opened it wider and stepped aside.

"Captain, please come in."

"I got your message." Replied the Captain, entering as if there was some kind of trouble, "It sounded urgent."

"Yes, thank you for getting here so promptly." Thor picked up the paper from the small table he had written the coordinates on, he didn't want to waste any time, "As thanks for giving me the information of Charles Xavier, I asked Heimdall to find your Sgt. Barnes."

"You did what?" he asked, and for a moment Thor feared he'd made a mistake.

"I'm only sorry I didn't think of it sooner," He held out the paper for Steve to take, but the man seemed shocked still, "He is in Bucharest, Romania. Although, Heimdall tells me that he moves around too much to give a more exact location."

"I can't…" Steve finally accepted the gift and looked at it, holding it as though he held the rarest of jewels, "Thank you, Thor. I can't thank you enough for this."

"Just as I cannot thank you enough for your help with Loki." At that the Captain perked up, looking genuinely surprised and excited to hear the news.

"Did it work? Did he accept?"

"Yes. The Professor put safeguards in Loki's mind before we left Asgard, but yes, he is back in New York as we speak."

"That's –"

"Did you just say that Loki is back in New York?" Jane demanded, entering the apartment. Thor froze just as the Captain did at the interruption of Jane's enraged voice.

"Jane, I thought you went to work…" Thor stammered.

"I did but I forgot something. Don't change the subject! What did you just say about Loki?!"

"I'm uh…Thor, it was good to see you. Dr. Foster, always a pleasure." Before either of them could properly respond the Captain had escaped the apartment, leaving Thor wishing he could join him. Jane's arms were crossed over her chest, her foot tapping impatiently with a glare that reminded him too much of his mother.

"Is that what all the Bifrost travel was really for? To bring Loki back? Did you even help Steve, or was it all a lie?!"

"Yes Jane, I didn't lie. I was giving Steve the information he requested just before you arrived. And I didn't lie, I just didn't tell you about Loki…"

"Here on Earth that is the same thing!" Thor couldn't tell if she was angry or sad, but she fell to her couch and buried her face in her hands. Without a word, he made his way beside her and sat down, "Were you ever going to tell me?"

"I was. I needed to be sure it was working before I told anyone. He just arrived last night, I won't know anything for a while yet." Her face was nearly as red as his cape, until she finally released a deep, heavy breath.

"So where is he? You said something about a professor…?" she asked, though she refused to look at him.

"Yes, a very powerful…well, he's a little more than human. Hopefully he'll help Loki, but he could also subdue him if needed."

"Hopefully…" she mocked. A silence extended between them, and he could feel her anger and hurt growing with each passing second. He needed her to have compassion, she just…he needed her to understand what was at stake, what Thor stood to lose.

"That night I left you to go fight him, I watched him die. He was just beyond my reach and with all my power I had to watch him fall into a gaping vortex in space. I grieved his loss as my brother, and the loss of all his knowledge, but also the loss of all the knowledge he didn't have the chance to uncover. I hate to admit it, but I was jealous of his mind. I surpassed him in almost every area but one, I could never acknowledge what a gift it was because it made me look dull in comparison." Thor swallowed hard around the knot clogging his throat, shaking his head as he attempted to explain further.

"Asgard was cut off, I had nothing but time to think about what I would do differently if the Norns would just return my brother to me. And they did, Jane, they actually granted my request, but he was not my brother any longer – just a shell that bore his face and had his voice. And after being granted such a gift, more than once, I wished that he had actually died in that fall. That he had never been restored to me. I'm guilty of so much Jane, and I fear I've barely scratched the surface in learning all the ways I pushed him to this."

"Don't blame yourself. He made his choices." She replied coldly. In that moment, Thor wanted nothing more than his brother's talent for words.

"I wish you could have known him, Jane. Before all this…this madness. I think he actually would have liked you, and I'm certain you would've liked him."

"Oh, and what makes you think I would've liked your murderous brother?"

"He was not always murderous…" Thor almost admitted that of the two of them, he was the hot-headed warrior always ready and willing to kill when needed, and even not when needed. He hung his head in shame, but he allowed a small smile as he closed his eyes and let himself remember.

"In our younger years, he was given the name Sky-treader. He has seen worlds I've only heard of, and found worlds I never knew existed. When I explained the Bifrost and the World's Tree to you, you thought me advanced. But Loki has travelled that tree on pathways known to almost none. His intellect surpasses most on Asgard and a more diligent scholar I have never met. Until you, of course. You love the stars, Jane, and Loki has been to far more than anyone else I have known or will ever know. He could tell you of things no other living being could."

"Hmm," came a strangled sound beside him, "That makes me sad."

Me too… Thor almost added, but he bit his tongue. It felt good to remember such a time, because it reminded him that he didn't just imagine their childhood together. Loki was present. He was good. And Norns did Thor miss that…

"So when did he change?"

"It was subtle. I didn't see it until it was too late." He gripped her hand then, and coaxed her to look at him, "I was going to tell you, Jane. I know you don't approve and you have no reason to protect or help someone you despise, but please give me time – give him time. It might all be for naught in the end, but if it's possible to have even a semblance of my brother restored to me…"

"You're putting me – putting both of us – in a very difficult and frankly dangerous place. If he reverts back – if he hurts anyone in anyway – and we knew he was here and did nothing to warn people…"

"I know. My father has already laid any blood he may spill on my hands. I accept that. But you don't need to. Say the word and I will keep you out of this and you will be free of fault or consequence."

"But I won't be. I know now, whether I wanted to or not." She rubbed her hands over her face, releasing a heavy sigh. "I guess I could give this Professor some time."

"Do you mean it, Jane? Truly?"

"Truly," she repeated, though she sounded as sarcastic as Loki ever did.

"Thank you."

"But if he even hints that things aren't going well, I'm calling SHIELD."

"Understood." He squeezed her hand just a little tighter and she finally smiled with a slight nod. Thor stood up, needing to get out and get some fresh air. Too much had happened and he needed time alone.

"And I want to meet him." She demanded before he got too far.

"The Professor?"

"Loki. If I'm going to cover for him, I should at least be able to see him for my own peace of mind."

"I'll try to arrange a meeting, but it may have to wait. Loki is still getting settled."

Charles wasn't sure what to expect when Loki sat in his office. Even now, he knew there were topics that were sensitive and likely to strike an emotional cord in him that Charles wanted to avoid. So he told Loki of Thor's visit, and the story he heard of Loki's attack on both Thor and another planet called Jotunheim. For the most part, Loki was forthcoming and clarified a few fine points that Thor had missed, but ultimately admitted that it was true. But then he fell silent, scratching at the palm of his hand, a habit he seemed to inherit from his mother.

Loki sat in the chair facing him, his knee bouncing with the anxiety coursing through him. It was difficult for Charles to pick a place to start, given how much there was to be discussed. But Loki's eyes were glued to book shelves behind him, and Charles wondered if Loki could see their titles from where he sat.

"You seem to have quite an avid appetite for reading." Charles said to end the silence.

"Learning more than reading for its own sake. 'Knowledge is power' I believe is the Midgardian saying."

"Indeed. So you learn to gain power?"

"I learn to understand. I am fascinated by the world around me, whichever world I may find myself on. I seek to understand how it works; the balance in nature, the structure of the stars, its quality and intelligence of life – if there is life to be found. Must I have an ulterior motive for everything I do?"

"Forgive me, Loki. I was simply trying to clarify what you had said. When I saw you in the cell on Asgard, I saw several stacks of books as well. It's the reason why I showed you our library first."

Loki seemed to deflate somewhat at the mention of his cell, "My mother had them sent to me, to keep me occupied for the next four thousand years or so."

"I fear there aren't enough books in the universe to fill that span of time. It's one of the reasons I pleaded your release."

"She would have tried, anyway, much to the displeasure of my – of the All-Father." Loki replied with a sad, crooked smile. Charles couldn't help but smile; the queen he'd met had seemed formidable in her own way. But then Loki's smile faded, and a guarded mask seemed to take over his features as he straightened in his seat, "So when do we begin?"

"We…we have begun."

"I thought you were going to interrogate me, or ask about my attack on your world, or my…my family."

"As I've stated previously, you aren't a prisoner here, Loki. While, at times, I'm certain therapy can feel like an interrogation, it won't be. At least not the kind you're imagining. And I'm sure your family will come up in discussion for many different reasons, but right now, I'm just trying to get to know you."

A bitter huff of laughter escaped him, "Get to know me…" he mumbled more to himself, "I imagine I was more interesting with my memories intact."

"Your memories are still intact. It's your dangerous impulses, your sometimes violent reactions to emotional situations that I have blocked off."

"I'm dreaming…" Loki began, but then immediately cut himself off. At first, Charles thought he believed this moment – this whole experience – to be a dream. But at the confused look in his eyes, the way they searched frantically while staring intently at nothing made Charles realize he was searching his own mind. And tempted as he was to look in, to see what Loki was sifting through, he kept his promise.

"Dreaming?" Charles prompted.

"Remembering, I suppose."

"Remembering what?"

"The void – after I fell from…where I ended up – I didn't remember them. I see them now, so clearly."

His words were fast as he rambled, like if he didn't speak them all at once the memory of it would be gone and he'd forget once again.

"Them?"

"The savages. I thought you removed my memories of that time before Thanos."

Charles shook his head, "I only blocked the more traumatic memories."

"Why can't you just let me remember everything and deal with it? This will take forever if we put it together piece by piece."

"It would be completely irresponsible of me to do that given your fragile state of mind."

"Irresponsible in what way? They're my memories, I had them already. I lived them!"

"Yes, but Loki, do you see how you're reacting to just the little pieces I left? It was something you experienced, it is your memory, and yet until you arrived here you had no conscious knowledge of it. If I were to release all of it, as you say, you would either break entirely from the weight of so much trauma, or you would react exactly as you did before and go on a violent rampage. I'm not trying to break you or bend you, I'm just trying to help you…"

Loki shook his head, "Forgive me. I tend to run low on patience."

"There's nothing to forgive. And Loki, this will take as long as it takes." Charles said as gently as possible. He knew all too well the frustration Loki was feeling, but he wasn't about to make false promises of a quick healing.

"The students have so far seemed accepting of me, and I know they know who I am…." Loki said, changing the subject, "Did you take over their minds and make them more accepting? Did you do that with Odin to make him release me?"

"No, I never tampered with anyone's minds, though in your father's case I was more than tempted to." Charles said, and he was getting the feeling he would have to correct Loki on this point several times before he believed it, "If I may ask a question, and I mean no disrespect when I say this, I'm just trying to get to know you and your patterns of thinking. But were you always this suspicious when people accepted you or helped you?"

"Not always."

"Did it begin before the attack on New York, or after?"

"It truly began years before Thor's coronation, when I started to accept that I would never be given the throne. Thor was favored, and I was all but ignored. I never wanted the throne to be honest, I just wanted an equal chance to prove my worth."

"Really? Is that all you wanted?" Charles replied, genuinely surprised to hear Loki say that.

Loki was about to reply but paused, and Xavier wondered when was the last time Loki had been asked what he wants? When was the last time he even asked himself that question? And only after an intense deliberation, Loki replied,

"To be free to pursue my seiðr, to have it be recognized and accepted as a valid lifestyle. I wanted to travel, see as many new worlds as I could and discover secrets of stars no one had ever reached before. To have the All-Father really look at me…to have him call me his son with pride – the way he does with Thor." He paused for the length of a breath, "But that can never happen now."

"Why not?"

"Because of what I am."

"And what are you?"

"A Jotun! A frost giant…" Loki scoffed bitterly, shaking his head, "Monster." The word was just above a whisper. Charles waited for a moment, watching the emotions play across Loki's features from rage to a deep sadness and resignation.

"I heard Odin and Frigga argue about your 'Jotun heritage'. Would you tell me more about that?"

"I don't know, to be honest. I know they live on a planet of ice and snow; to touch their skin burns Aesir and anyone who isn't Jotun – which as it happens is exactly how I found out I wasn't Aesir. They make weapons out of ice and are generally violent savages. They are the race of monsters that Odin conquered in war and left in utter ruin and desolation. I was born to King Laufey but abandoned in a temple. Odin found me and took pity, or so he claimed."

"Who told you this?"

"Everyone."

Xavier nodded and paused, studying Loki in a way that seemed to make him restless. He wanted to ask Loki about Frigga. If he harbored such animosity toward Odin, should his resentment not also extend to his mother as she likely knew all along? He sensed and witnessed a bond between them that made Charles think twice about asking. Or at the very least, being extremely careful with his wording when he did ask.

"How are you feeling?" Charles asked, just to check in.

"Numb. Uncomfortable. Although, feeling uncomfortable in my own skin is perhaps the most familiar feeling of them all." Loki said, remembering Logan's advice to just be honest. It was deeply uncomfortable to be so transparent with someone he barely trusts yet.

"How long have you felt that way?" Loki just raised an eyebrow and Charles amended his question, "When did you start feeling that way?"

"It's hard to say exactly, it was more a gradual progression. I used to think I was just a sick child, but in hindsight it all made perfect sense. Even though Odin suppressed my natural form, he couldn't suppress my nature. I couldn't handle extreme heat, I wasn't allowed to visit certain realms as a result of how weak I'd become. My natural inclination toward and mastery of magic and illusion…" Loki trailed off, shaking his head, "I was born in the wrong form…"

"Loki, you were born in the correct form of your genetic makeup, someone else gave you a mask and raised you in a way contrary to your very nature – that is what is wrong. It only feels wrong to you because Odin effectively brainwashed you to be Aesir."

"It matters not, the damage is obviously already done. It is all I've ever known,"

"And that in and of itself is a crime against you. To have your very identity stripped away and kept from you…" Charles sighed, trying to keep his anger on Loki's behalf in check, "Have you ever learned about the Jotun's? Their behaviors, genders, orientations…?"

"It's not like there were books on the habits and lives of Jotun's just lying around. The only time Jotun's are mentioned in Asgardian books are to describe how vicious and vile they are and exactly how they were subdued and defeated in battle."

Charles gaped at him, "Odin allowed you to read these stories?"

"I didn't have to read them, we were raised on them. They were told over and over, hence my brother's desire to slay them all, just as Odin did."

"Well no wonder you tried to kill them all." Charles shook his head, and held Loki's gaze for several beats before he continued, "You have so much internalized self-hatred Loki, do you see that?"

"I was still born wrong, too small and weak to live among the Jotun's, nor strong enough to be respected among Asgardians. Perhaps they should have let me die – all the pain and suffering that could have been avoided."

"Do you truly wish that you had died?"

"I did…on the rainbow bridge, when I knew my father would never accept me. I couldn't take back what I had done – to Laufey and Jotunheim, on Earth…to Thor – I couldn't bear the thought of the consequences. I let go, exactly the way Thor said I did. I only wish I had succeeded. I never imagined it was about to get worse…so much worse."

"And do you still wish for it? Death?"

"No, not really. I just wish to be free of this…this!" he couldn't form the word, perhaps not sure what it was he wished to be free of. The pain of his true identity, the crushing guilt of killing his birth father to please his adoptive father, the loss of his brother, attacking an innocent realm that had nothing to do with his family's history or drama and killing countless innocent people all for nothing. He exhaled a trembling breath, letting the tension in his muscles seep from him as he slumped forward with nothing more to offer.

"In therapy, the patient is often given work to do outside of the appointment, applying the plans to their everyday life," Charles began, filling the extending silence, "My assignment for you, is that I want you to spend some time in your Jotun form. Not publicly," Charles amended at the terror on Loki's face, "Just in the privacy of your own room. If you can only do a few moments at a time, that would be a start."

"Is this really necessary? I mean, can't we just talk about me trying to take over the world and kill my brother?"

Charles smirked, but ultimately ignored Loki's attempt at comedic deflection.

"Loki, when I look at you, I see a highly intelligent, clever, curious, self-reliant man more than capable of taking care of himself. However, you also have a lot of trauma to work through. It would be counterproductive of me to replace your memories while you still have so much self-hatred that you internalize instead of deal with. Once you reach a place of self-acceptance, then we can move forward."

Loki sighed in defeat, "If you insist."

With that he stood, and Charles watched as he walked to his door. A bit dramatic perhaps, but Charles knew this was the crux of Loki's problem. The betrayal of being lied to his whole life, of being denied access to his species of origin, left a deeper wound in Loki's psyche than Loki – or even Odin – were aware of. If he could get Loki to that place where he no longer believed himself a monster unworthy of love or forgiveness, then Charles was certain they could slowly begin to unravel the layers upon layers of Loki's trauma.

With that in mind, Charles picked up his phone and called one his oldest and dearest friends.

"Ah, yes, Hank McCoy, please," he waited while the operator connected his call, "Hank, Charles Xavier here. Could I trouble you to return to the mansion for a short while? I've acquired a new student that I think you'll be able to help."

A/N: Again, I hope you enjoyed it! Beast will be in the next chapter, and we'll start to spend more time in Loki's POV, only occasionally slipping to Logan or Xavier when needed. (and on occasion, Rogue, Thor, etc.) As always, please feel free to review!