Chapter Text
A week later, everything was settled enough for them to send the Tesseract back to Asgard. They decided on a quiet Tuesday, timing it so that Fury would distract the Council while they left the base with the would-be weapon.
They chose Central Park for their goodbyes. It was one of the few places the Chitauri hadn't damaged or destroyed. It was also still relatively deserted, as most of New York were still rebuilding the city. No one would have blinked twice at the motley group of people clustered around a tall blond in a cape.
“I still believe you are making a grand mistake.” Thor said gravely, eyes hard.
“You want us to ask him again?” Bruce asked, gesturing towards Steve and Loki. “Because I'm fairly sure the answer is going to be the same.”
“Loki, this is very important. Please concentrate.” Coulson said gently, voice calm and soothing. “Do you want to go back to Asgard with Thor?”
“No, Loki, and I fell.” Loki whispered, his gaze jumping all over the room.
“Loki, concentrate. Think. Do you want to go back to Asgard with Thor?”
Loki grew only more agitated at the question, but he did manage to shake his head rapidly, fingers clawing at his throat.
Phil was quick to shush him and change the topic. The answer, though not voiced, was more than clear.
“My brother is disturbed. Any decision he makes in his state is not made reasonably.” Thor argued, clutching the Tesseract to his chest.
“Okay, how about the fact he tries to put you through a wall each time you touch him?” Natasha pointed out. “Or stab you if he has something pointy near him.”
“It was merely twice, Lady Widow.” Thor said, though he sounded regretful and no longer so insistent. “But I see your point.” He looked at his brother, standing docilely next to Steve. Loki's rapid mood swings were a worry for him. “But what of accommodations? Surely he will not stay with your SHIELD?”
“Cap and Screw-Loose are welcome to stay at the Tower with me and Bruce.” Tony said, grinning cheekily.
Steve looked startled by the proposition. “I'm not sure we could impose-”
“Unless you have a better place for a severely disturbed magic-user who is prone to fits of physical violence when unsettled?” Coulson asked pointedly. Steve couldn't argue with that, so he nodded his agreement.
“There, problem solved.” Tony grinned, and turned back to the thunderer.
Thor still looked undecided, so he once again turned to the subject of their discussion.
“Brother... Please reconsider your decision to stay here. Both Mother and Eir are in Asgard. They will surely help ease your pain.”
Loki stayed silent for a few moments, watching the sky with wide-open eyes. Then he looked sharply to Thor, eyes hot with anger.
“Burn you.” He hissed, face twisting into an expression of rage. He extended one arm, fingers curling into claws. As they watched, blue seemed to spill out from underneath the nails and spread across the skin of the entire arm. “Blue blue black.”
Thor visibly flinched, taking a startled step back.
“I think that's a no.” Clint said, rocking slightly on the balls of his feet dismissively.
Tony blinked at the blue limb, then drew a hand over it. “Shit, this is cold. The air temperature dropped by like ten points. This is amazing. I bet you could freeze the water particles in the air. Insta-ice, it might be the next fab.”
Loki slowly turned to look at the billionaire, blinking at him.
Tony grinned. “How are you doing that? Magic or something?”
“Hiding under beds to eat your toes.”
“That's way creepy. Just so you know, I've got my toes counted, so I'll know if one of them goes missing.”
Loki frowned at him in confusion for a few moments, then went back to staring at the sky.
Thor swallowed heavily and straightened his back. “I will return soon, Loki. If not with Eir then with another healer for you. We will not abandon you to your madness.”
Loki ignored him, turning his head to look over Steve's shoulder at the trees in the distance.
Thor sighed, then said his goodbyes to his Midgardian friends, shaking hands or giving hugs. Loki flinched away from he tried with him, growling like a rabid beast.
With one last sad look at his brother, Thor twisted the valve on the container, activating the Tesseract. He disappeared in a burst of light, leaving only a small wind behind him.
Loki blinked as he stared at the spot the thunderer had stood. “Thor?” he called softly, frowning in confusion.
“He went back to Asgard.” Steve reminded him gently. Loki still looked disconcerted, wringing his hands against his shirt. “He promised he'd be back soon. Thor doesn't seem the kind to break his word, right?”
Loki slowly shook his head. “A word is honor and honor is a sword.”
Steve blinked in confusion, but nonetheless gently patted Loki's back (he still had a tendency to lash out when startled). “See? No need to worry.”
Loki made a soft sound, then looked back to the sky. “Warning, closed bridge.”
“Maybe there's construction on the stellar highway.” Tony grinned teasingly, then turned on his heel. “Come on, Crazy Smurf. Another bed awaits. Plus science, but that's for me and Bruce.” He turned to the other scientist. “Seriously buddy, candyland. You'll drool when you see the labs.”
THE END