In truth, he was happy to see him. Even though half the city lay in ruins, it warmed his heart to see his brother alive.

Thor's first instinct has been to run and embrace him, lift him off his feet and clap him on the back as he used to when they were younger. Instead he stood frozen in surprise as the rest of the Avengers swooped in and captured the younger man.

Loki went down without a fight.

~oOo~

The next time Thor saw his long, lost sibling was on the helicarrier. For their journey back to headquarters, Loki had been placed under guard in the brig. After a fruitless interrogation by Fury, Thor was allowed to try his own hand. Against his better judgment, Fury dismissed the guards and left the god of thunder alone with his brother, hoping a change in tactics might squeeze some information out of the mischief-maker.

The brothers faced each other in silence: Thor hopeful, yet wary, while Loki seemed bored and listless.

Quite suddenly, Thor stepped forward and grasped his brother's hands. With a quick twist of a key, the shackles around Loki's wrists fell to the metal floor with a clatter. Loki pulled his hands out of Thor's grasp, and massaged the sore joints. Before he could look up again, Thor wrapped his arms around Loki's neck and pulled him close. Tears were in his eyes as Thor murmured into Loki's ear about how he missed him, how long he had searched, and how happy he was to find his brother alive and well – despite the circumstances.

At first Loki stood very still. Then as Thor continued to confide in him how much he had worried over his brother, Loki slowly began to wrap his arms around the other's broad chest. Loki made comforting noises as Thor continued, patting his back at the appropriate intervals.

Just as it seemed Thor had spent himself with apologies, Loki looked up directly at the security camera. A thin smile slowly stretched his lips. His eyes turned hard and dark.

Loki raised his fist as green mist swirled and coalesced into a sharp silver blade. With quick precision, he plunged it into his brother's back.

Thor grunted in surprise, and managed to take a step back, but was unable to reach the knife. His blue eyes stared at Loki and widened in disbelief. He tried to form a question but the blood in his mouth made it impossible. Loki pulled him close and stroked his blond hair.

"I accept your apology," Loki whispered, before he let his brother's limp body slide away and fall to the ground.

Staring straight ahead, Loki rolled his eyes up to take one last look at the security camera. With a wicked grin, Loki disappeared in a swirl of green and gold as the shrill sound of the klaxon echoed in the cell.