The Terrible Tail
"I'm home."
Everyone stared in various degrees of shock, anger on Loki's behalf, or mixed emotions to the point that they didn't even know what they were feeling. Because everyone was to busy staring, they didn't realize that they had done it for awhile.
Loki rolled his eyes and went to go remove his staff that was currently embedded in the wall. He had to step over quite a few dead Chitauri soldiers because they littered the floor. They were everywhere. His steps left bloody footsteps everywhere. Curiously enough, they made no sound though. Not even the squeaky sound when your boots get all wet from rain.
After retrieving his staff, he wipe the blood off and then vanished to who-knows-where. Then he turned back to the large group, raising his eyebrows. It gave them a good perspective off all the injuries he had gotten in the short and incredible fight they had just witnessed. Instead of doing a quick sweep of Loki, they actually looked at him this time. Actually looked.
His face was paler than what it usually looked like. He was always pale, granted, but he normally had that little glow of life that always batted away peoples concerns. Now though, it looked as if he had just risen from the dead. His hair was greasy and bloody and unkempt. His hair was never ever not taken care of. Now it was casually just pinned back in a low ponytail and a few loose strands where in his face. His eyes had the look of deep pain but still a resilient soul. Dark circles surrounded them from lack of sleep. His temple and one of his eyebrows were bleeding from a previous injury or one that had been reopened.
His arms were covered in their usual armor and such, but you could still see the muscle that was underneath. He had gotten sturdier since the last time anyone had seen him. Although sturdier, skinnier as well. The body will do that when you lack food. His hands were one of the only parts they could see. They were covered in old and new blood.
His body was the same as his arms, though it had more injuries. The Aesir only knew that he had been stabbed, twice, but they knew that there were more. The armor did a good job of hiding all the things that Loki didn't want them to see. Same thing could be said for his legs.
Subconsciously they knew they were staring, but they really couldn't help it.
Loki was the one to break the silence this time, his calm voice snapping everyone out of the trance he had them in. "I know it may come as a shock to you, but I do not actually like people staring at me for long periods of time." Everyone looked a bit ashamed. Loki grinned.
Thor was the first to step forward, "Brother? Is it really you?" Loki gave him a blank look with the 'Really, Thor? Really?' eyebrow. "Yes Thor. It is really me. Back from supposed death that no one really knew about."
Ignoring the last comment, Thor smiled a smile that the Aesir claimed could light up a room. "It is good to have you back, brother!!! I would hug you but I know it would cause more harm than good! For you are injured and need attention!" Loki looked surprised for a good second while looking at Thor. Then he did what no one expected him to do. With him expressing so much emotion already they were already pleasantly surprised by Loki. He smiled at Thor and every Aesir knew that Loki never smiled.
Frigga ran up to Loki and gingerly hugged him. Odin cautiously approached Loki like a wild beast ready to attack. Loki rolled his eyes, an act that the people who actually knew him knew he did a lot of. "Oh come, Father. I don't bite. I don't like what you did, but I understand it." Odin sagged in relief and his one remaining eye looked suspiciously teary. Not that anyone would comment on that one fact, like ever. He hugged Loki the same way as Frigga.
Loki although happy with being united with his family, was running out of energy and fast. He gave Thor a look and Thor immediately knew something was wrong. He managed to grab Loki just before his knees gave out and he collapsed. Slowly lowering him to the floor, Thor asked Loki frantically what was wrong with him. Loki simply chuckled and replied, "Nothing Thor. I'm simply tired, hungry, and parched. I haven't eaten in two weeks or had a drink in a week. I also haven't slept in a week. Nothing life threatening."
"Brother, that is not healthy."
"I know that Thor. But thank you for telling me."
"You are most welcome. I do recommend you eat and drink soon."
The brothers looked at each other.Thor had his innocent smile on and Loki had his eyebrows raised. They looked at each other for a good second before bursting out laughing.
The spectators were complete caught off guard by the complete 180 degree turn that the type of conversation had become. They knew somehow they were gonna be okay, even with the threat of war. They had Loki.