WARNING: This story is unbeta'd. Sorry for mistakes.

Enjoy!

~o~O~o~

"Thor! Jesus Christ, why is it so cold?" Barton screamed in shock when they landed on Jotunheim.

"It is a Frozen Realm, my friends. I did warn you to dress warmer. Besides, I hope that we won't spend much time here".

"You bet", Natasha murmured, shuddering.

They moved to where Thor thought he will find his brother. He didn't see him for so long, almost for a year. His greatest fear about that he would not be able to find Loki here, Thor fiercely pushed away. He believed that his brother was alright, that he was safe. But… After all Loki wanted to destroy Jotunheim and its people could have do him harm or even kill… No. Father could not be so cruel to send Loki, his son, to his death. Because it would be execution instead of punishment. Horrible thought entered Thor's mind for a second that maybe… maybe his father had wanted just that. But Thunder God pushed it away with rage. Loki was safe and Thor would find him.

While they walked, the storm was raging somewhere in distance. Its force was tearing the world apart. Ground was shaking. For Avengers inside terror Thor was leading them right into the storm. Steve was the one to observe such an event.

"Um… Thor? Are you sure we are going the right way?"

"Yes, Captain".

"B-but…", Steve sputtered a little, "We are walking right into the hurricane. Why?"

Everyone looked at Thor, who was just determined to go ahead. His answer though overwhelmed them.

"Because my brother is in there."

They all reluctantly made their way there as much as they could so not to be affected by the storm. What humans saw next shocked them to the core. There was someone in there. A figure, that stood right inside! How was it even possible?

"I can't believe my eyes", Bruce said softly.

The sight was absolutely stunning, the truth been told. Loki or not – they couldn't be sure – stood silently in the eye of the storm, not moving. Alone. On the rough and scary landscape raging wind blew his hair and clothes without mercy, the snow around him flew in circles. It was chaos. But what was disbelieving at most was that the person inside looked like it found peace, calm and solace in it. Amazing indeed.

"BROTHER!" Thor boomed, mayhaps using his godly power to make his voice louder so that he would be able to outcry a storm.

At first nothing happened. But then… just like at someone's will the terrifying weather calmed down. A storm faded away. Only a silent figure remained. And it slowly as if not wanting turned their way. Now that the snow sagged they finally could see who it was. And what they saw shook them more than cold.

Something ethereal stood in front of them. Something absolutely impossible. Humans never saw anything like that. A being with deep blue-gray skin, that matched perfectly to its surrounding lands. Especial ornate lines like scars covered its skin in magnificent way. Grace with what this being stood and overlooked all of them. And eyes… God, did it have eyes. Red, even bloody crimson – on all surfaces. These eyes seemed to shine in darkness – like they were alive in this dead cold place… It was scary.

"Jesus…" Tony whispered.

And it was Loki. Even in this… form they could recognize him. The same man but still – so different. His stance was imposing; he looked surprisingly superior in front of them, what was strange. He was alone but… there was that feeling of a hidden menace, leaving Avengers feel uneasy. Thor told them that Odin took Loki's magic away. That should have calmed them but still – they were slightly afraid. Maybe it was because of a foreign scary Realm or because of cold. They were not at practical and comfortable territory too. But seeing how Loki perfectly belonged here, his calmness and confidence – all that made them feel small. Indeed – puny mortals in a world of gods.

"Come, friends. We should go".

"Um… Thor? Why is Loki… blue?" Bruce asked reluctantly not being sure how to react.

"Yeah, the last time we saw a guy he was kinda of normal colour. Did you do that to him? Because it's…it's…"

Tony didn't even know how to phrase all his questions because there were so many. And Thor didn't even stop to answer. Oh, great. Tony was cold, hungry, cold, unaware of what was going on and even more cold. Awesome.

When they approached a 'meeting place' everything stilled. Whatever they wanted or not Avengers just couldn't tear their gazes from Loki's new appearance. Yes, Thor told them that Loki's adopted. But they couldn't possibly think of that. And no matter how determined Thor was he also wasn't prepared to how Loki looked. How he wanted to embrace his brother – he hasn't seen him for so long. But… One just can't erase thousand years of hatred and resentment to Jotuns. And now Loki was just one of them. Thor instantly closed his eyes in shame. It was Loki. His little mischievous brother. Loki, with who he was raised together, stood side by side together – it was his brother. If Thor couldn't stand this form, that how Loki must have felt when he found out? Raised in one culture - what horror it must have been… A million similar thoughts entered Thor's mind but he turned them away. There was not the time for this.

"Brother! It is so good to see you!"

Loki was not as enthusiastic as Thor. Right the opposite – he was blank.

"Thor Odinson. What a surprise." This exact greeting hurt Thor, and he couldn't mask it. "For what do I owe this pleasure?"

Loki's voice was cold – like everything in here. Impassive. Empty.

"Um… Loki. I… Brother, I came here for your help".

If Avengers waited for some angry or crazy reaction they didn't get it. Instead they got nothing at all. Loki did nothing but incline his head to one side, red eyes free of emotions. Maybe a punishment was effective, but they could not recognize this man with that who attacked them in New York. It was like all his snide malicious remarks, smirks got frozen in this place. Gone. This was also not what Thor had expected. He didn't expect… nothing.

"My… help?" Loki made a step to his right, lifting his hand – the icy crystals began to appear on black nails. Tony would deny it till his death, but he was fascinated.

"Yes. Brother, Midgard is in danger. The enemy is strong – even I confirm that. Father is in Odinsleep, and… I am a King now. But even now I leave aside my place on the throne because of the threat that could broke free and go to Asgard. We need your help. Please."

Everyone stood silent as Loki – boy, they will never get used to his new look – walked calmly around his previous spot. He didn't raise his head, just walked as if thinking. Avengers kept reminding themselves that Loki had no magic. But it didn't make the situation any easier. Loki just radiated fear in waves. He was truly scaring them.

At last Loki stopped and looked at them nonchalantly.

"Why should I care? Why should I trouble myself with your problems, asgardian?"

Thor's hurt look was been seen by everyone except maybe Loki.

"You should know, Odinson, by now, that Asgard could burn in deeps of hell for all I care."

"Brother… What are you saying? You-your home is in potential danger…" Thor pleaded.

"Asgard is not my home. It never was. This , - Loki showed around himself, - is my home now and I care for it, for Jotunheim. And not for Asgard."

Thor swallowed his inner shock. It was all so wrong. What happened? When did Asgard become such a hateful place for Loki, that he rather welcome Jotunheim instead? How could everything change so much?

Before Thor could speak, Loki interrupted him, even more keeping stupefy him.

"And stop calling me brother, forgetful fool. You have no right to do that, for you are not my brother. I already have a brother and it's definitely not you."

Blinking, Thor sputtered. "Loki… I-"

Suddenly Tony stepped forward putting his glowed hand on Thor's shoulder. He was never one for tact.

"O-okay. I've had enough. Thor? Buddy, could you hurry up? I'm freezing. Grab your brother and get us out of here, will ya?"

Everyone looked at Tony with mixed expressions. Loki looked at Avengers as if he only just noticed them.

"Which ape is talking?" he asked unfazed.

"Ah…" Tony gaped at the insult. Recovering, he kindly suggested. "Clint?"

"Fuck you, Stark", Barton shoot daggers at Stark.

"Man of Iron, please", Thor was clearly not in the mood to joke around. He has still not recovered from Loki's previous words. Turning to his br- Loki, Thor asked softly. "Why, Loki?"

Maybe Thor's soft voice, maybe his words, but something finally snapped in Loki to make him show some emotions.

"Why what? Why should I leave my home and go someplace with you after some enemy, who I don't know and who knows me not? And then what – fight? For you? For Asgard? Such a joker you are, Thor."

"I don't recognize you, br- Loki. You have never…"

"Hm. All right. All jests aside – what could I possibly gain from that?"

Before Thor could answer, Steve interrupted.

"Thor will return your magic for you."