Surprised?

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"Thor, did we have to come with you?" Clint complained.

They had just landed on Jotunheim and all of them were now shivering. "I did tell everyone to dress warmly!" Thor said, despite being extremely cold himself. They were on Jotunheim to tell his brother the good news that he could return home. Even though it was a happy occasion, Thor couldn't push the thought from the back of his mind that Loki may not be here anymore. Odin wouldn't be so cruel as to send his son to death...Would he? They were making their way to the palace, but they first saw a small village, bustling with energy and noise in the harsh winds of the realm. Thor looked shocked and confused. "That wasn't there last time..." he said to his comrades.

"Maybe we should check it out?" Bruce asked, eager to learn more about the planet's culture.

"Hm... yes that may be a good idea, they might know where my brother is," Thor said.

They walked down to the village and to say they were shocked would be an understatement. It was bustling with life, children running, craftsmen working. And right there, in the middle of the walkway, was Loki, in his Jotun form. He was wearing black and silver armor that looked similar to his other ones, but without any Asgardian markings on it. He had a cape that looked to be made of pure ice. His ebony hair was longer than when they had last seen him, and it was combed very neatly back. He was kneeling before a small jotun girl who had just put a crown of ice flowers on his head. He smiled...Loki actually smiled...at the girl as he thanked her and she ran off to play with the other children. There was another Jotun next to him that seemed to be watching their exchange. Loki watched her go as he stood up and started to talk to the other Jotun. They seemed to be very friendly with one another and were even laughing with each other. All the while the avengers watched, dumbfounded.

Tony whispered, "What...the...fu-"

"Language" Steve interrupted. Tony rolled his eyes.

"I can't believe what I'm seeing", Bruce said softly.

Loki stopped talking to his friend for a second and glanced over at the Avengers. He sighed and started to walk towards them, his cape dragging behind him. He stopped a couple of feet away from them. His face remained neutral. "The avengers...to what do I owe this pleasure?"

"Brother it is good to see you!" Thor bellowed, making more than a few heads turn in the town.

Loki narrowed his eyes a little. "You think after all that has happened that you have a right to call me your brother? No. No, you do not."

Thor looked more than a little hurt at his Loki's statement. "But Loki, I am your brother, do you not remember our childhood? How we played together, fought together? Do you remember none of this?"

Loki softened a little. "I do have a brother, who cares for me, understands me, consoles me..."

Thor's eyes lit up.

"...but it definitely is not you Odinson!"

Thor looked like his world had just shattered. Tony went up to him and said, "Hey big guy, how about you grab your brother and we can get outta here alright? I'm freezing! You can solve your family issues when we get back." The rest of the avengers glared at Tony before he backed off.

Loki got a questioning look on his face. "Why would I be going anywhere with you?" he spat.

Bruce was the one that answered this time."We got a little more information about New York that we didn't have before and Asgard is thinking of pardoning you."

Loki looked at them expectantly. "That still doesn't answer my question Midgardian."

Thor looked at Loki. "You could have your magic back..."Thor paused. "You could come home." If he knew anything of his brother, it is that his magic is most precious to him. He would do anything to get it back.

What he wasn't expecting was for Loki to laugh. He...was.....laughing.

"Why would I need that Odinson?" He asked between chuckles.

"But...but you...what?" Thor could not believe what he was hearing. "But you must at least miss Asgard right?! It is your home!"

Loki scoffed"Asgard was never my home. This...", he said sweeping his hand around him, "this is my home, my kingdom, my people. I am no longer alone. I'm content. So leave me in peace Asgardian." He turned around and started to walk away.

That was the final straw on Thor's part. He lifted Mjolnir unconsciously because of his anger and took a couple of steps towards Loki and he threw it at him, knocking Loki down to the ground. Suddenly, they were surrounded by 5 frost giants who encircled the small group. The girl that gave him the crown earlier helped Loki up. Loki nodded gratefully to her before turning around on a dime and making his way towards Thor.

"You DARE raise a weapon against me in my own land, near my people, endangering their lives!?"

"Your people?" Clint scoffed," Ohhh, so you got some new pets to kneel for you!" A frost giant walked up to him and put an ice dagger beneath his throat.

One of the other giants, the one Loki seemed to be talking to earlier got down on one knee in front of Loki. "My King, did these intruders threaten you?"

Loki smiled at him. "Rise Helblindi, I have told you before you have no need to kneel before me brother!"

The other Jotun smiled back," Sorry, it is hard to break old habits. Speaking of old things that should be forgotten..."He turned to Thor. "How's your father?" He laughed, as everyone knew Odin had yet again fallen into the Odinsleep. Thor was seething.

The other jotun, apparently Helblindi, turned back to Loki and said, "What do you want us to do with them?"He nodded towards the Avengers.

Loki sighed. "I do not know at the moment. My mind is clouded with anger and I fear I am not in the right condition to be making wise decisions right now. I'll leave it up to you. I trust your judgment."

Helblindi said, "Then they will be held in the prisons for right now until you are ready to make a decision." Loki nodded at him and then to the guards and they brought the intruders away.

Loki looked at his brother and they started to walk back in the direction of the palace. While they were walking, Helblindi asked, "How does your back fare? You took a pretty big hit back there."

"Nothing that I will not be able to heal once I am at the palace," Loki answered, not really paying attention.

Loki's brother looked at him, concerned. "Are you sure there isn't anything else wrong brother?"

Loki pressed his lips into a thin line and took a deep breath. "Them coming here, especially...him...was like any bad memory I had suppressed up until now resurfacing. It was mentally draining, to say the least." He started to fiddle with small crystals he had conjured to float around his hand. They had gotten rid of his Asgardian magic, but he was taught Jotun magic...because it's not like they could take away his physiology!

Helblindi looked sadly at his older brother. "I am sorry they caused you that much distress." He knew exactly how many bad memories Loki had and if what he had described actually happened, then Helblindi was prepared to kill the Asgardian and his comrades for what they had done to his kin.

They reached the palace and Loki went straight to his bedroom. Helblindi waited a bit before following him. The frost giant opened the door and saw Loki, cuddled in some blankets and sleeping deeply. It had been a long day for Loki, and he deserved the sleep. Helblindi smiled at the sight and closed the door to let his brother rest.

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