Sort of sequel to Four weeks two days, through I guess you don't have to have read it, just know that Loki had been back to the tower since the attack he became somewhat friend with Pep and even saved her. Then this, and half of that is thrown out the window, haha.

Had no idea for a title for this story and only just came to realise this when I went to post the first chapter so I ended up going with the name of the song playing at the time, so I wouldn't read too much into it. I will try to update weekly though I might move a little slowly as I'm trying to lengthen chapters this time around.

Okay time to shut up and get on with the story.

Footsteps echoed off of thick stone walls as the god of thunder descended into the depths of Asgard's palace. He was determined to pay his brother a visit, even if his father had declared that none would see Loki. Thor was not about to let his little brother spend his day of naming alone in some cell below the palace. He had been planning to sneak down to see him for over a week now, though he wasn't sure he could pull it off, after all his brother had always been the master of planning and strategy.

Fortunately Odin and Frigga had left for urgent business in Vanaheim to help sort out the mess left in the aftermath of a conflict that had caused the realm's inhabitants to turn on each other. Leaving visiting Asgard's prison a much easier task.

Unfortunately, he had to skip breakfast in order to avoid running into his friends, instead heading for the prison whilst everyone else enjoyed their morning meal. They would simply assume he slept in as it was not uncommon for the Thunderer to sleep till noon on occasion.

Thor just hoped Loki would be somewhat pleased to see him rather than acting cold and distant as he usually did around his brother. The lady Pepper whom he had finally met in person on his last trip to Midgard had told him she believed that his little brother did not hate him as much as he led on. Yet that does not stop his brother's spiteful words from hurting

It was frustrating, he had no idea how to make things right between them again, and Loki was being too stubborn to even let him try to apologise. Then again Loki had not lashed out at Thor quite so much this time around when he brought his brother back to Asgard. So perhaps his brother would give him the chance to slowly worm his way back into Loki's heart.

Loki had after all willingly acted to save the lady Pepper before he was dragged back to Asgard. So perhaps he was finally beginning to find his way back out of whatever madness had taken hold. And whilst it had only been one life, and small compared to the many that had been lost due to his actions, Thor still felt that it had been a huge step forward on Loki's part.

Their father on the other hand hadn't seen it as such, as he deemed it only worthy of deterring further punishment for his attempted escape. At least that was Thor's thoughts on the matter, he had hoped the king would see such an act worthy of lessening Loki's punishment when he was to be sentenced, but it was not to be.

There were times when Thor started to worry that perhaps Loki was right in his belief that Odin was to leave him locked away without sentence, or worse yet, was planning to have his youngest executed. But he quickly dismissed such thoughts, his father would never do such things.

"Let me pass." Thor spoke with command as he reached the guards posted outside the hall that led to the private cells crafted for those of higher status. They had remained empty for centuries till his brother had been locked away. They had not been in use since one of the king's council had been caught planning to assassinate Odin's sons back when Loki was still too young to roam the palace unattended.

The guards hesitated before replying. "I'm sorry my lord, but the All-father has..."

"The king is away on business. Therefore, I am left in charge." Thor cut the man off. Both guards glanced a look of uncertainty to each other before stepping out of his path. Thor nodded to them as he continued down the hall to his brothers cell.

"Bro- Loki" He corrected himself not wanting to anger his brother before he had even started. "How are you? I have come to..." His words died in his throat as his heart dropped at the sight that awaited him.

"Loki!" He shouted, calling for the guards to open the cell door. His little brother's still form lay in the corner of the room in a puddle of blood. But, how? Surely no-one could manage to sneak into the cell unnoticed.

The guards both froze with shock upon laying eyes on the prisoner, the older of the two managing to fumble around with the key and open the cell when the prince once again demanded they open the door. Thor rushed to his brother's side, repeating his name as he slowly turned the shirtless prince over. Loki's dark hair was still damp, he must have just finished bathing when he was attacked.

His hands trembled as his right hand hovered over the dagger in his brother's chest. Cuts marred the skin of his chest and arms, that seemed to form some sort of symbols. In his panic Thor had wrapped his fingers around the hilt of the blade, quickly pulling away as he remembered that one should not remove the blade.

It wasn't till he lifted the trickster off the floor that he realised that his brother was a lot lighter than he had expected and a lot smaller. He looked down at his brother once more and realised why. His brother was smaller... And younger... The Loki, he held in his arms was smaller, like fourteen or fifteen year old smaller.

Thor shook his head. No, now wasn't the time to wonder over his brothers sudden change in age, he had to get him to the healers.

The blonde Asgardian carefully readjusted his hold on the dark haired prince before hastily leaving the cell, ignoring the guards attempts to convince the god to leave the young prince locked up and call healers to the cell. He strode up the stairs and into the palace halls careful not to jostle his injured brother too much.

He wound through the golden halls not giving a second thought to any that he passed on his way. He had to get to the healers. There were so many questions spinning through his head, How had someone managed to get past the guards and into the cells? Who was it that dare attack his brother? And how was he so much younger? What had happened to him?

The thunderer pushed the large doors that lead to the healing rooms open with his shoulder as he called for the lead healer. A door to the left opened and one of the healer's assistant's walked out.

"I'm sorry my prince, but the Eir and Drifa have accompanied your parents to Vanaheim. How can I... By the Norns." The young auburn woman explained before noticing the bloodied body in those arms.

"Quick lay him down over there." She ordered, pointing to the table in the middle of the room, before proceeding to collect some of the items she would be needing. She called out through the door, she had entered from, for assistance before rushing back over to the patient.

"What happened?" She asked as she looked the now younger, youngest prince over.

"I'm not sure. When I went down to see him I found him like this." Thor replied worry clear on his face. "You must help him." He pleaded.

One of the other healers started to clear away some of the blood that covered Loki's upper torso as the first healer got ready to remove the blade from his chest. She suddenly let out a loud gasp as she took a step away from the injured boy.

"What? What is it?" Thor panicked moving closer to his brother. Surely they could heal him.

"I- I'm sorry my prince, but I can not help." She shook her head.

"What why not!" Thor demanded, turning his full attention to the woman. Just then the other healer drew in a sharp breath, eyes wide as she looked over the cuts on Loki's body.

"Why do you not help him." He boomed.

"We cannot. Not without the king's permission." The second healer spoke, "I'm sorry." She bowed before quickly leaving the room.

"What do you mean you need my father's permission. Odin is not here, help him! I demanded it." Thor threatened.\

"I am sorry my lord. But to heal him without the All-father's permission would be treason." The auburn haired woman apologised glancing one more time at the boy on the healing table before following after the other woman.

What was going on? Why would they refuse his brother and why would they need his father's permission to save him. Did Odin order the healers to not tend to his youngest? He would not do such a thing surely.

Thor let out a growl, he would make sure they were punished for this.

But first he needed to find someone to tend to his brother. Thor leant over Loki taking off his cape and gently wrapping it around his brothers shivering frame to help keep him warm and stem the blood that still flow from a few of the wounds. Carefully lifting him once again.

The blonde moved swiftly to the stables to find a steed, after the stable hand helped get his brother safely upon the mare he started for the newly repaired Bifrost. It turned out having the Tesseract had been a major help in rebuilding the bridge between worlds. Thor repositioned the younger god in his arms, he would have liked to arrive at the Bifrost as fast as possible, but he dare not go any faster than a slow canter so as not to further injure his hurt brother.

He planned to take Loki to Midgard as surely his mortal friends would help to save his brother.

After what felt like the longest trip to the Bifrost in history, he finally pulled his mount to a stop and dismounted. He checked that his brother's condition had not worsened, patches of the cape wrapped around Loki had darkened with blood and his skin was paler than the god of thunder had ever seen it before. His brothers breathing was laboured and shivers wracked through his body every so often, but his health had not seemed to deteriorate any further during the time it took the price to get to the Bifrost, and for that he was glad.

"Heimdall, I must journey to Midgard immediately." Thor announced upon entering the gate keepers station.

"Are you sure that is wise?" Heimdall asked. "I do not think your brother's presence is welcome there."

"Nonsense." Thor replied "The healers refuse to aid my brother. My mortal allies would not be so cruel as to turn us away. Not when we are in such dire need."

"You are so sure, even after all the young prince has done to them."

"They will help him." Thor insisted with determination.

"Very well, " Heimdall inclined his head. "Though as the All-father is away if you leave for Midgard, there will be none to rule over Asgard in your absence." He finished, amber eyes locked with blue.

"I've all faith that you would call on me should my presence be urgently required. I trust in you to keep watch over the kingdom till either I or father return." Thor smiled as he made his way to the Bifrost portal.

Heimdall stepped up to the daïs in the center of the room. "To the desert?"

"Nay." Thor shook his head "Jane often travels around more due to her work now so I can not be sure that she will be there. It is better some place closer to friend Stark's tower someone is bound to be there." He explained.

"The park in which you brought your brother back to Asgard from then." Heimdall confirmed before thrusting his sword into its place and opening the Bifrost.

It was already dark when Thor landed gently in central park, he had to admit the new Bifrost was a lot smoother than the first. Thor looked over the skyline searching for the brightly lit tower that stood over the rest belonging to his friend. He stepped forward spotting his destination, pausing briefly to check his brother, his small frame shuddering as he let out a cough.

Worry blossomed in the older god's chest and tears pricked his eyes as he noticed the small red flecks on his brother's lips. He was not going to lose his brother, not again. Thor's grip on the boy tightened as he picked up his pace heading for Stark tower. He was relieved that the streets were almost empty during this hour as at times during the day the streets would be so full it was hard to move through them.

He was glad to reach the tower so quickly, he stopped at the entrance, head tilted in confusion as the doors did not open. If he remembered correctly the doors usually open automatically when someone wished to enter, how they knew when to open he knew not, though it would seem they refused to open today. He let out a frustrated snort he would knock, but it proved difficult as he held his brother so he opted to use his foot giving the door a not so gentle kick. The whole door frame seemed to shudder yet they still refused to grant him entry. So he tried again.

Suddenly the doors slid open and the AI's voice broke through the silence. "Master Stark would much appreciate it if you could refrain from breaking his tower."

Thor gave a sheepish look as he stepped into the building. "Master Stark will be down shortly." Jarvis informed. And just as the AI had stated half a minute later the elevator let out a ping as its doors opened and Tony walked out followed closely by Bruce.

"I finally start leaving the balcony doors unlocked just for you and now you decide to use the front door like a normal person." Tony whined throwing up his arms in defeat as he walked over to the god.

"I am in dire need of assistance, Friend Stark." Thor spoke with haste.

"What happened?" Bruce asked as he and Tony noticed the distress in Thor's face, as he held someone in his arms wrapped in his blood stained cape.

"Oh, no." Tony spoke spotting the black tuft of hair poking out of the red cloth. "No, no no no he is not coming inside my tower again." The billionaire insisted. "Every time he comes here he ends up breaking my tower. I swear he causes more property damage than even you do."

"Tony!" Bruce chided as the thunder god's face fell at his friend's refusal to help his brother, a few tears trailed down face. "Please, he is in dire need of aid. I cannot lose him."

"Of course we will help." He shot a stern look at Tony, who opened his mouth to say something. "Right this way."

Thor followed Bruce into the lift, Tony reluctantly following behind. "Not fair, its my tower, but does anyone care, nooo." The genius engineer muttered to himself.

"Would you rather explain to Pepper why you turned down helping the man who saved her life a few months ago?" Bruce asked.

"I still don't want him here." Tony mumbled back.

Bruce let out a sigh shaking his head. "What happened?" He asked, watching as Thor watched his brother with concern, as Loki let out another weak cough.

"I do not know." Thor shook his head "I went to visit him in his cell and f-found him like this. The guards seemed just as shocked as I when they saw him." He admitted.

"They can't have been doing a very good job then." Tony stated as he tried to better see the god hidden in Thor's cape. Just then the doors pinged open and Thor stepped out waiting for Bruce to lead the way before trailing him to one of the towers medic bays.

Put him down over there Bruce ordered, pointing to the bed as he gathered a few things onto a tray and wheeled them over to the cot. Thor gently places Loki on the bed carefully removing his cape as he did so, the younger god letting out a small moan as Thor lowered his head onto the pillow. "Loki?" Thor spoke softly, teary gaze focused on his little brother but Loki did not stir.

"Okay, Thor, I need to..." Bruce words died on his tongue as he looked over the younger god's form. His arms and chest were littered with oddly shaped cuts, and a dagger had been plunged into the god's chest, but that wasn't the what had caused the man's silence. Loki was younger than he should be, instead of looking at the man who attacked New York almost two years ago, then deciding to pop back for a surprise visit a few months ago, he was looking at a young teen that couldn't have been any older than fifteen.

"Wasn't he an adult last time." Tony stated dumbly from Bruce's side. "What- How is that even possible... Oh great, as if he wasn't bad enough already. Not only do I have to have Loki in my tower again, this time its a kid Loki. I hate kids! Especially teens. Oh god imagine the mood swings." Tony's arms flung wildly as he dramatically paced the room.

"Tony, not helping." Bruce stated as he tried to shoo the bulky, blonde from the room so he could get to work, eventually relenting and ordering the worried god to seat himself in the chair in the corner and out of the way, as he refused to leave his brother.

"Gees" Tony winced. "They really did a number on him, huh." The genius stated finally deciding to get serious. "Need a hand?"

"You can start on the wounds on his arm." Bruce spoke, passing Tony a tray with some warm water, a cloth, a bottle of antiseptic and several rolls of bandage. "And I'll make a start on his chest wounds." He informed as he prepared to remove the blade from Loki's chest.

Tony and Bruce spent the next two hours tending to the young god's wounds and Thor was more than happy to help by tipping out and refreshing the water for the two whenever it became too dirty. Bruce finished stitching the deep wound in the boy's chest asking Jarvis to do one last scan of the god to make doubly sure there was no further internal damage as he wrapped the last bandage around Loki's chest.

The moment Bruce started packing everything away Thor was back at his brother's side having taken the chair with him this time. "Is he well?" The thunderer asked, not taking his eyes from his brother.

"There are no internal injuries, however he has lost a fair amount of blood, this is an IV." Bruce explained pointing out the tubes attached to Loki's arm. "It will help to keep his fluids up and he does have a slight fever, though now that his injuries are cleaned up and taken care of, with a bit of bed rest, he should be fine." He replied with a smile as relief washed over the god's face.

"Good." Thor spoke quietly "I knew not what else to do when our healers refused him aid. I am sorry to push him onto you once again." Thor sighed, turning sad blue eyes to his fellow Avenger.

"It's fine Thor, we are more than happy to help. You are our friend after all." Bruce replied, looking to Tony to further reassure the god only to find that the billionaire must have managed to slip out of the room without notice. Bruce shook his head "Anyway, I would like to stay and keep an eye on Loki just in case, though I doubt there will be any complications."

"Very well." Thor nodded as Bruce retrieved a second chair from the next room and placed it by the tired thunder god.