Curiosity Killed the Cat

Chapter 14: Family Therapy Part 2

"What would you have done?"

Loki glared at Odin. "I would have told them that they are loved, and not a meaningless waste of space."

Odin opened his mouth to retort, but found he had nothing to defend himself with.

"And I would have apologized."

Odin stared at him.

Tony rolled his eyes. "Dude, just say you're sorry."

Odin glared at the inventor before turning his gaze back to Loki. "I will not apologize for what I believe was the right thing to do. You couldn't convince me that the realms would be safe with you free. So I won't apologize for that. The only thing I'm sorry for is that you can't accept that as an answer."

Loki glared back. "Fine. If you won't apologize then at least make sure I never have to see you again. Because I can't live a lie anymore and you are a constant reminder of that lie. That and remove the scars that you caused."

"I will leave but I will not remove those scars. They should be a sufficient punishment if the midgardians won't met out any themselves. Goodbye."

And just like that, he was gone. Frigga sighed. "Loki..."

"It's fine."

It was not fine. Nothing was fine. Peter and Shuri tried to ask if he wanted to do something to get his mind off of it, but he barely heard them.

Odin's words, whether he wanted to acknowledge it or not, had left their mark. He excused himself from the room and made his way to the training area.

The avengers watched him leave.

Steve shook his head and grabbed a bit of whatever Tony was drinking. "Poor kid, no wonder he has issues." He looked at Frigga. "No offense."

"None taken. Rest assured that Odin will not go unseen for this. I just feel terrible for my son."

Thor walked over and rubbed her shoulder. Frigga glared a bit at him. "What?"

"Why did you lie about seeing your brother, Thor?"

Thor sighed. "I wanted to protect you."

"I do not need to be protected from my own son. Or at all for that matter. I am over 4000 years old Thor, I think I can handle myself."

Thor looked like a sad puppy. "I'm sorry."

Frigga's face softened. "I forgive you. But it will take a while for Loki to. He's hurt. I'm just glad he has others to help him through." She looked at the kids of the group, and then back to Thor.

"I understand."

"Good."

-------------------------------------------------------

"Hhhggghhh!!"

Loki punched the mannequin until his fists turned red. Beads of sweat formed on his pounding head. His hands were shaking at this point and a wave of heat washed over him.

Loki kicked the mannequin sending it crashing to the opposite wall in pieces that piled into more when the fell.

His breathing slowed and he suddenly felt exhausted.

"Loki?"

He turned around to see Bucky standing in the doorway.

Bucky looked at him and then the pile of rubble that was once training equipment. Loki realized that he had blown through over half of the punching bags and training mannequins and lowered his head a bit.

"sorry..."

Bucky looked at the god and placed his metal hand on his shoulder, smiling a bit.

"Don't worry kid, we all have bad days."