Asgardian Traditions
They imported a bed from France to occupy the master bedroom. When it arrived, Tony stood back and watched his Alphas all but tripping over themselves to get it set up. He considered teasing them for a few days, letting them stew. But one look at all the eager eyes and goofy grins weakened his resolve. They ended up christening their new bed that same day and ruining the brand-new sheets.
Afterwards, Tony lay in a blissed-out puddle of goo sandwiched somewhere between everyone. He wasn't even sure which end of the bed he was facing. He was on his back, so, breathing, that was the only important part for the moment.
"I can't feel my legs," Tony complained in a soft mumble. Deep chuckles and a throaty purr greeted the statement. If he'd had the ability, he would have rolled his eyes at their evident pride concerning their performance. "Yeah, yeah, I'm surrounded by super Alphas with the super stamina and the prowess and the…other stuff I'm too tired to name."
More chuckles.
"Good thing you're on birth control or we totally would have just knocked you up right now," Clint mumbled, sounding giddy and sleepy.
Tony jolted at the mention of pregnancy then remembered the shots he'd started taking after weaning the pups. He sighed with relief. He really did not want more pups just yet.
"Is that something you might want some day?" Steve asked, after a few long minutes of silence. He levered himself over Tony to stare into his face with an earnest expression, "Having more pups?"
Tony hummed, "Someday I think so. But we've got ten pups as it is so not any time soon." He paused then asked, "Is that something all of you want?"
A deeper thoughtful silence ensued. Tony regretted breaking that blissed out moment but now the question was out there, he found he wanted the answer quite badly. He'd never really thought of kids before the pups. They had always been an abstract, someday thought. Now, they had ten and though he didn't miss the constant feedings, changings, and other routine care, he found himself oddly curious to experience it all from the beginning. He'd never given birth, was he even capable?
"I would like more pups," Steve was the first to break the silence, "I've always wanted a bigger family. I wished for siblings while I was growing up and Bucky was the closest thing I had."
Tony twitched at the mention of Caleb's sire. He wondered how that situation was going. He'd had a talk with Fury the day before the Avengers showed up but hadn't heard anything since. He made a mental note to contact the pirate to find out what was going on.
"I adored having a younger sibling," T'Challa commented, "I alternatively wished I had a brother and was glad that I had no other siblings."
"How was that ever resolved?" Tony asked.
"We grew up, as all children do. Went our separate paths. We are not as close as I sometimes wish we were, but we are still family and I would not trade my sister for anything."
"My brother traded me to the guys he owed money too," Clint remarked, sounding bland and detached. His spy-voice. "I escaped and never looked back. I loved him until that moment."
A short silence.
"Well, that was depressing," Tony drawled quietly, "That doesn't answer the question to more kids though."
Clint hummed, "I think it would be nice to see you grow all big and round with pups. Feel them move and stuff. We missed that with our first litter. I want that."
Tony made a face thinking about being big and round but didn't comment on it. Clint sounded so wistful. He'd come from nothing and had little in his life as a pup or an Alpha that he could lay claim to. Tony supposed that might inspire a need to create a strong family unit. He waited to hear from the others.
"I would like more kids if you're willing, Tony, but I don't think I want to be the biological father," Bruce sounded tired, "With the Hulk…there's too many unknowns. What if the pup was more influenced by the Hulk than Dani and Kaela? It could hurt you or any other pups in utero."
Tony frowned, "There's no evidence they would do that."
"That's nothing saying they wouldn't either."
Tony sighed, "Fine, if you won't want pups of your own, that's fine. I'm not going to force you."
Bruce made a soft noise, somewhere between a sigh and a groan.
"I would greatly desire another child," Thor rumbled, "However I do despair of the problem concerning our differing age limitations. People on Asgard live for millennia, people on Earth live for a small fraction of that time."
Tony gulped. He hadn't thought about that. Judging by the tension in the silence following Thor's statement, no one else had either. Thor was much older than them and would be alive long after they were old bones in the ground. As far as Tony knew, all his pups save for Storm, were pure human, enhanced or not. Storm may favour Tony's genetics, or Thor's or a mixture of both. It was impossible to tell and Tony couldn't bring himself to ask if anything similar had happened before. He had a sinking feeling the story would not end well.
Storm would, in all likelihood, outlive them all. He would stay young and handsome while his littermates and any younger siblings aged and died. Would it be right to set another child up for that same fate?
"Let's save that conversation for another time," Tony rasped "We still haven't heard from Natasha."
A long moment of silence then Natasha finally spoke. "I believed I was infertile. The Red Room…sterilised everything else about me. I can't create milk the way Pepper will be able to for her and Cassandra's pup. I'm not even sure I would be fertile enough through natural means for you to carry our pup, Tony. For all we know, Ross tweaked the DNA or something to allow the egg to be fertilised."
"Well it resulted in twins so I'm guessing you're not shooting blanks, so to speak," Tony remarked, "We can run some tests if you want, see if it's possible."
"No," Natasha's voice hardened, "I don't want to give anyone else the opportunity to use me like that again."
"Which reminds me, we need to contact Fury and have our samples either destroyed or put under some serious lock and key," Clint drawled.
And I need to call him concerning a certain former assassin. Nick Fury would be getting a lot of calls over the next few days.
"So, we still have some kinks to work on but is everyone saying yes to more pups in the future?" Steve asked.
Murmurs of agreement rose from each of them, followed by a warm comfortable silence. Until the first cry from one of the pups reminded them that the day was not over, and the pups still required their dinner.
*** Page Break ***
Thunder rumbling across the sky could mean any number of things. To most it meant that a storm was coming. To Tony it often meant his Asgardian lover was feeling particularly amorous. He fondly remembered one time after a particularly rowdy session between the sheets, receiving a call from Pepper telling him to keep it down.
Flashback
'Sir, you have an incoming call'.
Tony groaned, "JARVIS, can't you see I'm busy." In fact, he was very busy – trying to get the circulation back to his limbs. Thor, the smug bastard, was reclining back against the bed's headboard, unashamed of his nudity and flaunting those damn biceps. Wearing that sexy smile. Moving the sheet down a little.
Wait, hadn't JARVIS said something?
"Repeat, JARVIS." Tony shuffled into a better position, grimacing at the sore muscles and other discomforts. It made Thor look even more smug.
'The call is from Miss Potts, Sir.'
Tony whined but reached for his phone. JARVIS connected the call and Tony braced himself. There was no good reason Pepper should be calling at this hour.
"You're worse than having a noisy neighbour," Pepper ranted as soon as Tony tentatively uttered a greeting, "A neighbour you can complain about. Who do I complain to about getting an alien God evicted from the planet, so I can get some sleep?"
"What are you talking about?" Tony asked, baffled. How could Pepper hear them from all the way across town?
"That freaking super storm you and lover boy created by having sex," Pepper fumed, "Good God, Tony, it's been going on for like three hours!"
Tony opened his mouth to respond but was at a complete loss about what to say. He glanced at Thor and covered the phone, "Do you know anything about this?"
Thor grinned wider, "Aye, when we share our passions, my powers temporarily leave my control. As I am the God of Thunder and Lightning, the most common reaction is that a storm is created above us in declaration of our lovemaking."
Tony wasn't normally one to blush but oh, boy, was he turning beet red now. "So, everyone knows we had sex?" He totally did not squeak.
Thor shrugged, "They know a storm suddenly surged above the Tower. They do not know the cause. Though I assume your media outlets will begin to speculate."
Tony groaned and uncovered the phone. "Sorry, Pep, I had no idea."
"How could you not know?" Pepper growled, "This happens every time! I didn't mention it the first few times, but this is getting ridiculous. Tell Thor to stop…doing…something! I don't know! I'm tired and frankly sick of waking up to all these thunder storms."
Thor, not in the least bit offended, in fact he puffed up proudly and stated loud enough for Pepper to hear over the phone, "I am expressing my love to my future mate, no one can fault me for that. I apologise for disturbing your slumber, Lady Pepper."
A long moment of silence followed where Tony thought Pepper had hung up in frustration. Then her voice came over the speaker once more, strangled and high, "Mate?"
Oh, Gods, Goddess and the Cosmos. He'd forgotten to tell Pepper he was formally courting the Avengers.
The following conversation – see ass chewing, and not in the fun way – took care of the sweet afterglow. Thor stuck around for the whole tirade which Tony commended him for. By the end of it, he'd somehow promised to buy Pepper a new pair of shoes, to show up at some fundraiser he'd been dreading, and owe Pepper something in the future, which she would collect in some painful way.
End of Flashback
So, thunder could be a good thing. Especially since they were far from Pepper and she wouldn't be calling to complain. But when Thor wasn't in bed, and there hadn't been any storms predicted on the weather channel, a thunder storm might have a completely different undertone.
Climbing from bed – somehow without disturbing the others – Tony wrapped a robe around his naked body and made his way downstairs.
He found Thor standing in the backyard, beneath the tree they'd had a picnic on just that day. The Asgardian wore only sleep pants and had his arms crossed across his chest, blonde hair whipping around wildly in the agitated breeze.
"Thor?" Tony called as he approached, "Is this your doing?"
There was just enough light from the porch to cast Thor's expression into detail as he turned. He looked a mixture of furious and helpless. Like he was angry about something but knew he couldn't prevent it.
"What's going on?" Tony asked as he reached the tall God.
For a long moment Tony thought the Asgardian would ignore him. Thor seemed to regard him with solemn eyes before he turned away to stare into the darkness. "I am sorry for waking you, my love."
"Don't worry about it," Tony quickly assured him, "At least we didn't wake up Pepper this time, right?"
Thor gave a short nod then lapsed into silence. The only sound, the thunder rumbling overhead and the wind whistling in the trees.
"Am I going to have to guess?" Tony prompted.
Thor sighed, "No. I apologise, my love." He turned to Tony, "My mother has called me back to Asgard. My father is demanding my return so we can settle the line of succession once and for all."
Tony swallowed thickly. The last few times Thor had returned "home", he'd come back more than a little worse for wear.
"When do you leave?" because the look on Thor's face said clearly that he was going.
"Soon, but that is not why I am upset," Thor made a low growling noise and rubbed his face, the movement jerky and tense, "Mother has requested that I bring you and Storm."
Tony's instinctual response was to scream, Hell no! and he barely held it in. He had no intention of letting his child go to a place that could be dangerous for him. Dangerous for all of them. Thor had been confined when he disobeyed Odin. On Earth, Thor couldn't be contained by much of anything. He could survive plummeting to the ground in a glass box, for God's sake.
"Why?" his voice was strangled, and he didn't bother to hide it.
"To meet you," Thor replied, "My father no doubt wishes to test you."
"That doesn't sound at all intimidating," Tony grumbled, "Not at all like he's setting me up to fail."
Thor said nothing which made Tony feel worse.
"If we don't come?" he asked, dreading the answer.
Thor met his eyes, "If you do not come willingly, Odin will send guards to retrieve you."
"That sounds dramatic," Tony quipped before he could stop himself. "Rhodey was wondering just the other day if all Asgardians have a flare for the dramatic. Guess I might finally have an answer."
"I will keep you safe," Thor vowed.
"But who will keep you safe?" Tony asked miserably. "Like it or not, I'm a liability to you in Asgard, and while you're vulnerable protecting me, there's no one there to have your back."
"There's us."
Tony jumped, turned and saw the rest of his Alphas all lined up a short distance away. How had he not heard the door?
"You wish to join us?" Thor asked. He sounded relieved but also wary.
"Of course, we're not letting Tony jet off to parts unknown again. Last time it took us months to get him back." Steve crossed him arms, the personification of stubborn defiance.
God, I love that man.
"What about the other pups?"
"We'll take them too, it'll be a family vacation," Clint sauntered forward, grinning wildly.
Thor nodded, suddenly looking more confident. He turned to Tony and raised an eyebrow in a silent question.
Tony looked to all his overbearing, protective, mushy Alphas and sighed, "Fine. But I call shotgun."
*** Page Break ***
Travelling by the Bifrost was not what Tony expected. He would never admit that he thought it would feel like it was described in the Harry Potter series. Was he disappointed? Not really. Having a hook shoved into his gut sounded disturbingly similar to his time in Afghanistan. Still, having the mythos of teleportation disproved by a comfortable journey more akin to riding an elevator, was a bit of a letdown.
Seeing the golden giant guarding the portal was certainly not.
"Holy crap, and I thought Thor was huge!" Clint yelped when he had to look up and up to peer into the amused face of the golden knight.
"Heimdall," Thor greeted the man in gold with a nod, which the other returned with an ancient grace that made Tony wonder how old the Asgardian was. "This is my mate, Anthony, my Pride mates, Steven, Clint, Bruce, Natasha and T'Challa. Our children, Storm, Caleb, Aaron, Daniella, Mikaela, Alexis, Vanessa, Matthew, Maria and Ryan."
Heimdall swept his gaze over them all and offered a small smile. Tony had the feeling the man didn't smile much. "Welcome to Asgard. I am to escort you all personally to your suite where you can rest and freshen up. I believe you have an audience with the King and Queen before dinner tonight."
"Thank you, Heimdall," Thor gestured for Tony to stick close to him, which he had no problem doing. The new guy was seriously huge.
A woman waited outside the dome that housed the Bifrost portal thing. Tony found himself struggling to withhold all the questions he had. He could see Bruce and even T'Challa doing the same.
The woman stood beside a floating crate that seemed to house several fur-lined bouncy chairs for babies. She smiled upon seeing them, "Prince Thor, honoured guests, for your convenience I have procured this stroller for your use during your stay. It will allow you to keep your children close while also occupying them with a variety of stimuli."
"That's a stroller?" Clint sputtered, "It looks like something from a sci fi movie."
The woman shot a confused look at Thor. Thor smiled reassuringly at the woman, "Never mind, Estelle. Thank you for your thoughtful gesture. I'm sure we will much appreciate it." Without hesitation, he placed Storm onto one of the little chair. The pup woke and started to fret but before Tony could calm him, a soft crooning noise emanated from the stroller. Storm settled and looked drowsy again.
"This isn't going to magically teleport our kids away at some point, is it?" Tony asked, half joking. Still, he placed Caleb into the chair next to Storm then stood back for the others to place their own offspring.
"It is an impressive litter," the woman stated, smiling at Tony, "Few Submissives have pups in such large quantities."
"Submissives?" Tony asked curiously as they began to move. The stroller started edging along beside them, hovering and humming quietly. He wondered if he could get the specs for it. He would make a killing back home with this kind of device.
The woman, Estelle, looked confused once more, "Is that not what you call yourself? Your secondary gender?"
"I'm called an Omega back home," Tony explained, "My Mates are called Alphas."
"Ah," Estelle looked around at the group, "Here they will be referred to as Dominants."
"Good to know."
They chatted amicably as they made their way across a long rainbow bridge that pulsed with light. It looked to be made of glass almost, thick glass but it still had that transparent quality.
Estelle proved to be a very intelligent and friendly companion as they wove their way from the bridge to the palace. Many people stopped and stared at them, Tony tried not to let it bother him. But he heard whispers and was sure at least some of them weren't the nice kind.
When they reached the palace, Heimdall bid them goodbye and started making his way back to the bridge.
"So, he just came with us only to go back again?" Bruce asked.
"You are important guests," Estelle replied, then whispered, "And I'm not much of a protector should the eager masses try to converge upon you."
"Eager masses?" Bruce asked.
Estelle gestured behind them and Tony noticed for the first time that they had picked up a trail of people. They all watched Tony and his Alphas, some with smiles, others with neutral faces. It was unsettling to have so many eyes on them. At least back home, the people only had metaphorical fangs and claws, who knew what this crowd could have.
The palace was huge, the hallways simply massive in height. It was a grand, ancient, place and Tony could practically feel the magic in the air.
Estelle led them to a room then wished them a friendly goodbye. She turned and disappeared around a corner.
"She seemed nice," Bruce remarked.
"Maybe too nice," Natasha retorted darkly.
"You didn't sleep with her, did you?" Tony asked Thor.
Thor shook his head, "No I did not. She is a Dominant and has been mated to her Pack for several decades now."
"Pack?"
"Like our Pride."
Tony made a contemplative noise. The culture seemed not too different from Earth, at least in terms of secondary genders. Everything just had a different name.
He turned and eyed the room. It had several large beds displayed amongst the other furniture. A large fire place, several book shelves and other decorations. The pelt of some giant creature stretched out across the otherwise marble floor. Glass doors led out to a balcony. The only other door in the room was open and Tony peered in to see the biggest bathtub he had ever seen. At least he assumed it was a tub, it looked more like a pool.
"Who wants to try out the tub with me?" Tony called, already stripping. The sound of clothes being thrown about indicated he wouldn't be bathing alone.
*** Page Break ***
"Why is everything in this place so massive?" Clint asked, darting between portraits and artefacts that lined the hallways, "I mean, the guy at the portal thing was pretty big but even he's not big enough to require the use of ceilings that tall."
"Some of our allies are quite tall," Thor remarked, "The Allfather designed these halls with just that in mind. Some halls are smaller, frequented by staff and, on occasion, lovers seeking a discrete exit from festivities."
"Familiar with those hallways, are you?" Tony asked tartly.
Thor merely grinned, "I was never one for discretion, my love."
"I don't know if that lets you off the hook or not."
Before Thor could respond, the woman sent to fetch them, an older but still beautiful looking maiden, announced they had arrived. The woman had never offered her name and when she regarded Tony and the Alphas from Earth, there was a slightly pinched look around her mouth and eyes. Upon landing on Thor, her eyes softened. It was obvious her disagreement was with the "aliens", not her prince.
She curtsied to Thor then swept away without acknowledging anyone else.
"Whew, bitter much?" Clint quipped, not so loud that the woman could hear as she left. He turned to Thor, "Did you sleep with her or is it one of those unrequited crushes?"
Thor blushed, which was saying something as the Asgardian typically had no shame, "I never slept with her."
"But she wanted you to."
"Perhaps."
Tony frowned around at the extravagant halls, "Just how many of your former conquests are we going to meet on this tour?"
Thor arched a brow, "I am hundreds of years old. I have not been a monk. That is in the past."
Tony wanted to argue. That mean little monster called jealously had latched its claws into him deep. Not that he really had any room to protest. He had his own string of former love interests. Which was the only reason he didn't press the issue further.
The doors they had been deposited in front of opened. Harp song floated to them as they were ushered into the room by a man who looked like a guard. All golden armour and chainmail.
The man held the door open then closed it before resuming his position beside another man in the same uniform. They remained still and on guard as Tony and his Alphas passed. He had the childish urge to poke one and see what happened.
"Let's not keep the in-laws waiting," Steve pasted on a smile and nudged Tony along, as if he had guessed Tony's thoughts. Natasha did the same to Clint who looked most disappointed.
Down another short corridor, Thor led them into an open room that looked similar to the suite they had just left. However, there was no bed in sight, merely a large table, covered in delicate cloth and decked with fine cutlery and candles.
At the head of the table sat three people. A man with a white beard and hair, wearing a golden patch over one eye and decked out in a brown tunic and golden robe. He did not smile nor rise from his seat as they entered, but his one pale eye fixed on Tony and his Alphas with a startling amount of intensity. This could only be Odin, Thor's father.
"I think we found Nick Fury's albino twin," Clint whispered, and Tony barely swallowed the startled laugh that burbled up his throat.
Thankfully, Clint's comment was drowned out by the woman next to Odin, rising to her feet with a heartfelt greeting to her son. The woman possessed long, blonde curls elegantly plaited and drawn up onto her head. Her eyes sparkled with mirth as she strode from her husband's side, wearing a gold and white dress that appeared to have actual gems sown into it. She embraced Thor who returned the hug with the ease of someone who loved the person they were holding.
"Who did you bring with you, Thor?" Odin called out, sounding cool and bland.
Thor's expression immediately became guarded, but a small smile touched his lips as he gestured to everyone in his Pride, "I present to you, my Omega mate, Anthony, and my Pridemates, Steven, Clint, Bruce, Natasha and T'Challa."
"I did not request that you bring them all," Odin remarked.
"We are a Pride, a Pack, would you expect nothing less from anyone else?" Thor challenged.
"But you are not 'anyone else', you are my son. More than that I am your king, and I expect to be obeyed," Odin retorted. The woman, Frigga, glared at her husband and after meeting her eye, the old man sighed, "Never the less, they are here so we may as well make the best of it."
Thor growled, low and angry, at the dismissal. Tony squeezed his hand in what he hoped was a soothing gesture. The grateful smile he received was worth it.
"Come, dinner will be served momentarily, I imagine you are all hungry," Frigga swept a warm look over them all before landing on Tony. Her grin turned cheeky, "Come sit with me, Anthony, we have much to discuss."
Tony smiled and followed her. He wanted to ask her to call him Tony but wasn't sure it was allowed.
Can I even ask them to call me 'Tony' or is that against some royal regulation?
Before he could ponder any further, his attention was drawn by Clint's loud exclamation, "What the hell is this?"
Tony found Clint glaring, teeth bared and eyes afraid, at the third person who had been seated at the table.
It was a young boy, maybe five years old or so. Unlike the rest of the royals, he wore a black outfit with green accents. His hair was black and the eyes that stared back at him were bright green. He didn't recognise the boy until a familiar smirk touched those lips.
Loki.
Except, the mad God he had known had been so pale, so ill-looking. Crazed, blue eyes outlined by dark shadows in a too-thin face. An adult man, not a plump-cheeked child.
"Hello," the boy purred, "I don't remember you very well, but you seem to know me."
"Thor? What the hell is going on?" Natasha hissed. Tony knew that tone and knew she likely already had a knife or two in hand. If she'd been able to bring her guns she would have, but guns had been forbidden by Thor. Even the Iron Man armour couldn't come with them.
Thor sighed, "I am sorry for not telling you sooner," he gestured to the boy, "During his trial, it was discovered that Loki's mind had been so badly damaged during his…time away, that he was not mentally fit enough to receive punishment, let alone learn from it as is the purpose of punishment."
"You can say the word torture, Thor, I don't mind," Loki called out, looking smug and carefree, but Tony saw the way the boy held himself, how he shifted in his chair so that his back was rested against something solid, how one small hand was resting just inches from a sharp knife. The boy put on a brave front, but he was not unaffected by what had happened.
Tony had suspected that when Loki attacked he did so under another's volition. The Asgardian had been a mess of contradictions in both action and reaction. He'd talked to Thor about it once and the man had responded by saying it was likely after Loki fell from the Rainbow Bridge, he'd been captured by the Chitauri and tortured beyond reason. Thor didn't know the Chitauri and with their massive armada destroyed, there was no longer any threat, but also no answers.
Odin reached over and laid a hand on the boy's shoulder. The boy jumped but then smiled at his father, relaxing into the touch.
"So, he was never punished," Clint replied in a flat voice, those sharp eyes never leaving Loki.
"He was jailed in isolation for some years before the Healers were able to stabilise his mind. In doing so, they offered to return him to a younger state, where he could begin again," Thor responded. His eyes, apologetic and misty, swept his Pride looking for acceptance, "He is my brother."
Bruce looked a little green around the edges and Tony left Frigga's side to see to his mate, "Are you okay?"
"Um…" Bruce panted, eyes fixed on Loki. "I think I need some air."
"Right," he turned to Frigga, who was eyeing Bruce with a wary expression on her face, "Do you happen to have a place where my friend can let off some steam? Preferably a place where he can break things without hurting people?"
Frigga blinked twice, seeming surprised, then a smile graced her flawless mouth, "I know just the place."
*** Page Break ***
"I am quite taken with your friend's artistic capabilities," the odd woman stated as she watched the Hulk jumping around, throwing boulders, smashing craters into the ground, ripping up trees.
Artistic capabilities?
When Tony had asked for a place for Bruce to Hulk out, he'd expected some deep dark cavern, a massive arena, even an electric cage. He hadn't pictured Frigga delivering them to some sort of hippie mountain resort with a commune leader named Marielle.
"Are we watching the same thing?" Clint asked, "Because I'm watching the Hulk rearrange a whole freaking mountain."
"It needed a new arrangement," Marielle replied airily, waving a hand. The bangles on her wrists jingled as they shifted and caught the light with many tiny sparkles. Tony made a mental note to see if he could procure one for Pepper. Talk about a unique gift. He caught Natasha eyeing the bling as well and made a side note to get one for her as well.
"The mountain needed a new arrangement?" Steve asked slowly. Tony hadn't heard him sound so confused since they'd first met, and Steve had been introduced to current technologies.
"Of course, every few years I order a new arrangement for my students to observe," Mariella replied, offering them all a big smile, "This one will be quite unique, I'm sure."
Tony wanted to know just what kind of commune she was running on some lonely mountain, but before he could, the Hulk stumbled to a stop in one of his own craters and started to shrink. In moments, a naked and exhausted Bruce slumped awkwardly in the deep hole Hulk had punched.
Clothes in hand, Tony hurried forward. Bruce gave him a hesitant smile which Tony returned in full force. Bruce was always unsure after a Hulk episode, as if he was worried his alter ego would scare his teammates away. Now that they were Pride mates, the fear had not lessened.
"Hey, babe," Tony cooed, shuffling down into the hole beside his mate, "Feel better?"
"Calmer," Bruce rasped. The rest of the Pride gathered around and helped Bruce into his clothes and out of the hole.
Once he was on his feet, Bruce studied the area with a mournful eye. His gaze fell on Marielle and he winced, "I should say I'm sorry."
"No need," Clint remarked cheerfully, "She thinks you're a true artist."
Bruce didn't look convinced at all.
Marielle met them halfway back to their floating carriage thing – seriously did everything float on Asgard? – with the biggest smile on her face. Bruce looked hesitant but Marielle had no such qualms. She threw her arms around him with a loud, "Thank you!"
"You're welcome?" Bruce asked.
Mariella let him go and waved her hands around the destroyed mountain face, "This is a whole new terrain for my students to study and explore, this will fire their creative insights for years." She beamed at Bruce, "You are welcome back here anytime."
Bruce nodded, looking utterly confused. Marielle either didn't notice or didn't care. She escorted them to the floating carriage where Frigga still waited, along with a handful of guards, then wished them well and began making her way further up the mountain.
Frigga smirked at their confused expressions. "Marielle is an artist. She runs a school up there and uses this mountain for inspiration. She employs people every other year or so to come in and redesign the landscape. I think you just made her year with your performance."
Bruce blushed and rubbed his head, scattering dirt everywhere. He blushed harder when the dust landed on Frigga's dress.
She waved away his apology and instructed the guards to take them back to the palace.
"Meet the relatives, take two," Clint muttered into Tony's ear. Tony snickered but nodded his agreement. Hopefully this take would go over better than the first.
Back in the golden palace, they all once again traipsed down the massive hallways. Loki still sat beside his father and the two appeared to be in a hushed conversation when Frigga led the Avengers into the room.
Loki looked up and bit his lip, looking every bit like a young child who was meeting strangers and wasn't sure they liked him. Tony could empathise. He just hoped it wasn't an act.
"Father, brother," Thor strode forward and enveloped Loki into a hug. Loki clung tightly to his brother, swallowed up in the blonde's big arms.
"I hope you are hungry," Frigga led them back to their seats as Thor let go of his brother and sat beside him, keeping Loki between himself and Odin. Tony sat beside Frigga and across from Loki, whose gaze seemed fixed on his empty plate.
The first course was served and general chatter filled the room. Tony talked to Frigga about Thor's childhood, trying to get some interesting stories.
"He was always a rambunctious child," Frigga laughed, "Stubborn and full of pride. Ego should have been his name, or his power."
Thor looked pained as his childhood was laid out for all. He took the good-natured ribbing with a put-upon sigh but allowed his mother to continue regaling them with embarrassing stories.
"He once decided he wanted the sun to rise an hour later than it did," Frigga informed them, "So he packed himself a bag of food and set off on a journey to go and talk to the sun."
Tony cackled with laughter, "Oh, my God, how far did he get?"
"He barely got past the garden wall before he decided he was hungry and stopped to eat. The guards found him and brought him back, much to his very vocal protests," Frigga informed them, winking at Thor's growl.
Loki had started relaxing as everyone laughed more. He straightened in his chair and looked around at everyone with clear merriment. Tony still wasn't sure if he could take the kid at face value, but forgiveness had to start somewhere. And it sounded like Loki might have been more messed up in the head than any of them.
The only one not laughing so much was Clint. He was as far from Loki as he could be and smiled occasionally, but Tony had caught him frowning down at his food more than not, pushing it around his plate instead of eating it.
Tony didn't draw attention to it but resolved that he would bring it up later.
"Where was I?" Loki asked, "Was I with Thor?"
"No, my little trickster," Frigga cooed fondly, "You were distracting the nanny with your illusions, making her think Thor was there and learning alongside you."
Loki seemed pleased, "I was a good brother back then."
"You still are," Thor responded, ruffling his brother's hair. Loki squawked in protest and frowned darkly at Thor for messing with the dark locks.
Bruce chuckled, "Reminds me of you, Tony."
Tony poked his tongue out at the scientist, "Don't you get any ideas. My hair is sacred, and you will not touch it."
"Really?" Steve raised a brow with a clear look on his face that said he knew one instance where Tony didn't mind people touching his hair or pulling it.
Tony blushed and glared at the soldier, willing him to be quiet. Steve winked and sipped some Asgardian wine. It was strong stuff. Tony had sipped a little and decided that was enough. He could easily fall over drunk on that brew and he didn't want to be that out of it.
After the meal was finished – all seven courses of exquisite dining – Loki excused himself and left the room.
Tony was suddenly aware that without a child in the room, conversation would likely go to much less pleasant topics.
Odin met his eye and held it, Tony felt like a rabbit caught in headlights. The Allfather stood and a hush fell over the conversing Avengers. "I would like to speak to my son and Anthony Stark in private." He nodded to his wife then swept out of the room without a backward glance. While he had phrased it as a request, it was clearly an order.
Tony swallowed and met Thor's eye. The prince nodded and stood, looking to the others, "We will see you back at our rooms." He nodded to his mother then held a hand out to Tony. Tony trotted around the table and took it.
They strode, hand in hand, through the door Odin had just exited.
"Time to face the music, huh?" Tony tried to joke but it fell flat with nerves.
Thor nodded gravely, "Aye, beloved. Time to face the music."
*** Page Break ***
The first room had been warm and comforting compared to the new room Thor led them to. The windows were covered with thick, red drapes, the light from the candles upon the desk and side tables seemed ominous, and to complete the picture, the pelt of some large predator lay stretched out upon the floor.
Tony never really liked the whole skinned animals acting as carpet thing, but he tried to mask his discomfort by keeping his eyes fixed on the other man in the room. Odin sat behind a large desk, seeming to loom. He was not an overly large man. Tony had expected a hulking mountain of muscle like Thor, however Odin, while tall enough and broad in the shoulders like his son, seemed to be more imposing just by his mere presence.
Now that was power.
"Sit." It was not a request. Odin had not looked up since they entered, instead he was writing something – was that a quill? – onto a role of parchment.
Thor led Tony to a trio of chairs arranged in front of the fire. They were arranged so two of them faced the other. Thor took the one closest to the roaring fire and urged Tony into the one beside him, still holding tightly onto his hand.
Tony swallowed nervously. Odin's desk was behind them and Tony knew enough about power plays to recognise one.
They listened as Odin scratched away behind them for what seemed like an hour. The waiting was excruciating. Tony arched a brow at Thor who shrugged minutely. Tony recognised that look in his lover's eyes, Thor was nervous, but determined to appear strong and confident.
Finally, the sound of Odin standing reached his ears. Suddenly, he wished the man would go back to writing. Anything to put off this encounter.
A rustle of paper sounded by Tony's head and a piece of parchment was thrust into his hands. He grasped the scroll and wondered if he was meant to read it. He looked to Thor and the prince nodded so Tony tentatively unrolled the paper. It would probably be incredibly insulting if he tore some royal decree in his haste to read it.
He heard Odin take a seat, but he was too engrossed in the words on the page.
I, Anthony Edward Stark, of the Realm known as Midgard, colloquially known as Earth, do hereby relinquish my rights to the firstborn child of Prince Thor of the Realm known as Asgard, and do hereby accept in exchange, a monetary amount to be agreed upon at a later date. In signing this document I also agree to never contact either Prince Thor or the child.
Furthermore, I agree to allow into my home, certain security measures to attain me common comfort and safety in the event of unfriendly forces not of the Realm of Earth or Asgard. In signing this treaty, I forge an alliance between the House of Stark and the Royal House of the Allfather, in sound mind and body.
There was even a place already laid out for Tony to place his signature. Odin had already signed his and there was a place for Thor and the Queen to sign their monikers as well.
Tony would never say it out loud, but he was…disappointed seemed like too weak a word. He had known it was likely that Odin would demand some sort of separation. His first thought had been he would force Thor to remain on Asgard and have no contact with him or Storm. But that hadn't worked out well the first time so apparently Odin was trying a new tactic.
Without looking up, he passed the document to Thor. He kept his eyes on his hands, clenched so tight they were white and almost drawing blood.
Thor hissed in an angry breath and Tony reached over, grabbing the paper from his mate. He read it once more to firm his resolve, then he stood and in the first act of possibly stupid defiance he'd had in months, he threw the pretty paper into the fire and watched it burn.
He heard nothing from the Asgardians behind him and part of him was scared to turn around. But a bigger part of him was pissed.
"You know, Thor is the only one of us who still has both of his parents," Tony said without looking away from the flames still destroying the paper. "Clint's aren't worth mentioning, Bruce's were never in the picture to begin with, Natasha was possibly grown in a test tube and Steve's mother passed away a long time ago. T'Challa only has his mother left. Mine were murdered but even before that they weren't there much, especially my father. You know, you remind me of him."
He turned and glared at Odin with all the hate and hurt he hadn't been able to express to his own father in person. "I would have expected something like this from him. He would have demanded the union be terminated so that he could achieve a better political one. I don't know if you're thinking the same thing and I don't really care."
He took a deep breath and watched Odin for any sign of wavering. The Allfather met his gaze evenly, no remorse or apology. "I suppose it was too much to hope for, that one of us could have kept their parents. That my children could know a grandmother and a grandfather that loved them."
He tore his gaze from the old man and met Thor's weary face. Thor's eyes were bright and wet. Tony held out a hand and Thor didn't hesitate to stand and grasp it. Without looking at Odin, Tony said, "We won't be back."
They made it halfway to the door before Odin spoke. "You'll only get so far without my saying so."
"Then say so," Tony shot back.
Odin made an amused noise and stood from his chair. Tony was stunned to see a glimmer of humour in his one blue eye. "You remind me very much of my wife. She never lets me get away with anything either. She's a strong and passionate Sub, as are you."
Tony wrinkled his nose, "Is that some weird hint that Thor basically married his mother?"
Odin actually chuckled, and Tony felt like he was going to get whiplash from the riot of emotions he was feeling.
So, is Odin a good guy or a bad guy?
"Forgive me, for testing you. I'm sure you understand better than most, how many people would love to hold a claim on someone in power. My people have been after my sons since their birth. Thankfully I have been an observant king if not an observant father, and they have not succeeded. I never anticipated Thor finding his mate on Midgard. It was the one thing I could not protect him from." Odin stood calmly, relaxed, his face almost smiling.
"So, you were just testing me with that offensive paper?" Tony asked. He was surprised only that it had been a test. He had expected it to be a real edict, like Howard would have approved.
Odin inclined his head regally, "I had to test your resolve. Not many would reject an order from a king, let alone an alien one who holds your very lives in his hands."
The reminder of how vulnerable they were almost had Tony regretting his brash actions in burning the parchment. Almost.
"Now, I do believe there's been quite enough excitement for one day," Odin gestured to the door, "I suggest you retire to your rooms to rest. There is a feast this evening in your honour and many will be there to meet you. Our staff will watch over your offspring if you don't wish to bring them with you. No harm will come to them under my roof, this I swear as the Allfather."
Thor trembled beside him and Tony felt like something profound had happened.
"Father…thank you," Thor stepped forward hesitantly.
There was no hesitation on the older man's behalf. He opened his arms and warmly welcome his son into a strong embrace. Tony heard bones creak and wasn't sure who they belong to. As tempting as it might be, he wasn't up for a bone-breaking hug from an Asgardian.
"I am glad to see you, my son," Odin murmured, and Tony thought he saw a glimmer in the old blue eye before the Allfather straightened and returned to his desk, effectively dismissing them.
Thor once more led the way. He took Tony's hand and left the office behind as they traipsed through the palace.
"What just happened?" Tony blurted out.
Thor grinned, "My father has given us his blessing to be bound as Mates, my love."
"Just like that?"
"More or less."
"But…I thought he wanted you here."
Thor sighed. "There will have to be some negotiations for the future. My father will not be king forever and Loki will likely be too young to rule. For now, we can celebrate."
Tony gave a helpless laugh, happy beyond measure. But inside, he still felt a niggle of worry. Some base instinct was telling him there was something coming. It was that same feeling he had when Maximoff appeared in their lives. And that certainly hadn't ended well.
*** Page Break ***
Tony had heard about Asgardian parties. He'd also heard about Thor's behaviour when he'd been banished to Earth a few years back. Rambunctious and boisterous might be polite terms. Yet somehow, Tony was still surprised.
The feast to celebrate Thor's mating started off very dignified.
Several large tables, laden with food and drink were arranged in the middle of a large room. Dances took place between fire pits and music echoed from the large dais in the corner.
Odin and his family, plus the Avengers, took up a small part of one table set aside from the rest. He stood and praised Tony's arrival on Asgard, the birth of Storm, and the successful future mating of the Avengers Pride.
"We wish them all a happy and fruitful future," Odin ended his speech with a big grin then waved his arms like a showman, "Now, we feast!"
Suddenly the respectable atmosphere dissolved into loud laughter, crude jokes and the eager consumption of food and drink.
"This stuff is great," Clint exclaimed, helping himself to a second – or possibly third – serving of some kind of meat and potatoes dish.
"I like the alcohol," Natasha reported, "Not as much as Vodka but it's passable." She tossed back another shot then twisted around to the couples descending to the dance floor. "I'm going to dance. Who wants to join me?"
"I will," T'Challa stood gracefully and led her to the gyrating couples on the dance floor.
Tony licked his lips. "What is this drink?"
"Mead," Thor replied "A very strong alcoholic beverage."
Tony finished off his first goblet – because a place made up of royalty and actual knights in shining armour used goblets – and regretfully didn't fill it up. He wanted to have fun, he didn't want to follow that old road down temptation lane.
"So, this is the Midgardian," a cool voice remarked and Tony looked up to see a dark haired woman dressed in finery and armour standing over him. She regarded him with dark eyes and no smile.
"Lady Sif, my friend," Thor thumped her on the back and Tony gave her credit for not flinching, "These are my Pride mates."
"I see that," she looked them over, "Quite an interesting assortment of Pack members you have, Thor."
"Aye, my loves are varied and beautiful," Thor boasted.
Sif's lips quirked a little, "That they are." Suddenly the appraisal looked predatory.
"Not interested," Clint growled, tugging Tony into his side with a possessive glare at the tall beautiful woman. Steve shuffled closer on Tony's other side.
Sif cracked a smile and it lit up her face with true majesty, "I understand. I'll leave you to enjoy your celebration." With a swirl of her cloak, she vanished into the crowd.
"A former flame?" Tony snarked at Thor.
Thor looked surprised, "Nay, Sif has always been a good friend. She views me as a brother. She has always struggled to retain her warrior status because she is a female Sub. Like Midgard, Asgard has its own stereotypes for its people and Sif has never fit into her mould."
"I can sympathise," Tony silently toasted the woman who had just left. He knew how hard it was to be judged by something you couldn't control. To want to be something more than what society dictated.
"Can we dance now?" Clint wined, "I can see Natasha making out with T'Challa and it's making me hot."
Tony laughed at his incorrigible lover and allowed himself to be pulled out onto the dance floor."
*** Page Break ***
"Is everything around here gold?" Clint demanded as he swung between tree branches, "These apples are actually gold! Are they solid gold or did someone paint them like in Alice in Wonderland with the roses?"
The morning after the feast, they were all taking a leisurely stroll through the gardens. Frigga accompanied them, and Tony caught sight of a maid or two following discreetly. The guards stationed around every corner were far less inconspicuous, but they seemed to ignore the loud group, so Tony could pretend they weren't there.
"They are the apples of Idunn," Frigga explained. At least she sounded more amused than impatient with all the questions being thrown at her.
"Isn't she the Goddess of Youth?" Bruce asked, "Or did our mythologies get that wrong?"
"Idunn is the Goddess of Youth yes," Frigga explained, "These apples are her gift to us. Once, when we were a young people, like those on Midgard, Idunn resided here. She would pick an apple and hand it to one person. That person would eat the apple and receive the gift of good health and long life."
"Is that why you look like you could be Thor's sister instead of his mother?" Tony asked before he could stop himself. Natasha hissed at him, shooting a subtle death glare over the head of their twins.
Instead of being offended Frigga threw her head back and laughed. "Aye, it is true that I have been gifted the apples more than once. Idunn works in mysterious ways," she smiled at Tony, "I like your spark. Never lose that."
Tony blushed at being complimented by a queen.
"Have you ever met Idunn?" T'Challa asked. "My people worship the Goddess Bastet and my mother has claimed that she received visions from our deity."
"I have never met her personally, she is far too occupied with the universe now that it has grown," Frigga tilted her head to the side and regarded T'Challa, "I too have received visions from Idunn. She foretold your arrival here and I believe she was eager to meet you, which is why I brought you here. This is akin to her temple, one of her Holy places on Asgard. Many people come to the apple trees to pray."
T'Challa and Frigga started discussing the facets of their different deities and Tony wandered off to see if the apples really were as golden as Clint claimed.
The pups were sprawled out on the lush lawn, playing with toys under the watchful eye of their sires. Tony parked himself in the shade of the apple tree to get a good look at the supposedly golden apples. Clint hung upside from one of the branches and grinned at Tony.
"Hey," Clint cooed, "You wanna hang out with me?"
Tony groaned, "That has got to be the lamest…was that even a pun? Either way it's the lamest one I've ever heard."
"Well, prepare to hear so many more because you're stuck with me now," Clint retorted, still grinning, "I'm never letting you go."
"I feel like a toy," Tony remarked dryly. "Now, where are these apples?"
Before Clint could point one out, something landed with a solid thunk on Tony's head.
"Ow!" he muttered, rubbing his abused scalp. He looked around for the toy that had gotten away from someone and found only an innocent looking apple rolling to a stop by his feet.
"Huh, it really is golden," Tony muttered and crouched to get a closer look. An ordinary size, looking like any other apple in shape, only the colour was a deep solid gold. He looked up at Clint, "Did you chuck this at me?"
Clint showed his empty hands and gave an innocent look, "Would I do that?"
"Yes."
"Well, I didn't. I figured defacing a sacred tree would probably earn me eternal damnation or something."
Tony regarded the apple warily. "Do you think I'll get in trouble for this?"
"How could you? It fell on your head. If we were on Earth, we could sue them."
Tony nudged the apple with his foot and found an object that didn't seem to weigh any more than a regular apple. "Certainly not solid gold."
He picked it up and straightened, bringing it closer to his face. As soon as he touched it he was struck with the sudden urge to eat it. His stomach rumbled with hunger and his mouth filled with eager saliva. He brought it up and sniffed it. It smelt sweet, but not apple sweet, more like a rose. How odd.
"Very interesting." The voice came from behind him and he almost dropped the apple when he startled. He turned and came face to face with Frigga. The queen smiled at him and nodded to the apple.
Tony's eyes widened, and he rushed to explain, "I didn't take it! It fell on my head, I swear." He looked from the apple to Frigga, "Is this Idunn's way of saying get lost?"
"No, quite the contrary, this is her way of welcoming you," Frigga nodded to the apple again, "The apples cannot be picked, they can only be given. Once Idunn handed them out herself, now she allows the tree to drop fruit to a visitor she deems worthy."
Tony gaped at the queen then stared at the apple. "What do I do with it?"
"Eat it, of course."
Tony gulped. "Are you sure?"
Frigga smiled reassuringly, "I am sure."
Slowly, Tony brought he apple to his mouth. The skin was smooth and almost warm. He gently bit into it and the flesh gave way with a crisp crunch. Juice exploded in his mouth and before he knew it he was devouring the apple like it was the first meal he'd had in weeks. He lost himself to the taste and texture of the golden apple.
And I thought coffee was the only nirvana.
When he came back to himself he was licking the juice off his fingers and holding only a small stem. Had he eaten the seeds? Was he meant to eat the stem too?
"Place the stem at the base of the tree," Frigga encouraged and Tony did as she said without hesitation. He buried the stem gently around the roots and stood.
Around him, his mates were staring at him,
"What?" he touched his face, "Did I make a mess?"
"Tony," Steve spoke cautiously, "You're glowing."
Tony looked down at his hands and saw his skin was emitting a soft golden glow. He squeaked and shook his hands, like that would make it go away. Had the apple made him stupid?
"The glow will fade as the apple works its magic," Frigga explained, "Idunn's apple is granting you long life and good health."
"So, I will no longer outlive him?" Thor asked, sounding stunned and eager.
"No, you will both have a similar lifespan, as is the way of a union blessed by Idunn."
Thor swooped in and brought Tony into a bone-crushing hug. Tony laughed and held on just as tight.
Then a thought occurred to him and he looked at his other mates. "What about you guys?"
"Don't worry Tony," Steve smiled, "We'll- ow!"
An apple had landed squarely on top of Captain America's head.
Tony snorted a startled laugh. "I think the Goddess has spoken."
One by one, the rest of the Pride received an apple. Clint and Natasha caught theirs, Bruce's rolled gently to his feet and T'Challa's bopped him on the nose when he looked up into the branches.
T'Challa laughed as he rubbed his abused nose. "I believe that may have been a pointed reprimand for not praying to Bastet as I should."
"Now you hear the voices of Goddess?" Clint asked. He grinned and showed off his glowing teeth.
T'Challa shrugged, "The deities work in mysterious ways."
*** Page Break ***
"Are we immortal now?" Tony asked later that night as they were snuggling into the lavish furs atop the gigantic bed. The pups were asleep in the next room and Tony was very content lazing amidst his Alphas. The pleased pheromones being pumped into the air indicated they were just as happy with the arrangement.
"Not strictly immortal, so much as long-lived," Thor explained, "Idunn has granted us an extended period of time to live and love each other."
"We'll be young and pretty while everyone else around us grows old," Natasha commented in a neutral voice, staring up at the ceiling.
Tony's blood ran cold as he imagined it. He already looked younger than he had when he arrived, mid thirties instead of late forties. His other mates had also achieved a new state of youth. Except for Steve – who was already the personification of youthful perfection anyway – and Thor who was a very young looking one-hundred plus.
He pictured standing next to Pepper and Rhodey in ten years, twenty. He envisioned remaining young and healthy while Rhodey's hair became grey and then white, or perhaps fell out. He pictured wrinkles marring Pepper's beautiful face when she smiled.
He imagined Pepper's child growing up, growing older and dying before Tony. Pepper and Rhodey and Happy and Cassandra, all dying before Tony even looked old. He swallowed the bile in his throat and tried to shake away the image of welcoming Pepper's great grandchildren into the world, of watching them grow. Maybe seeing Pepper in the way they talked or smiled or looked.
He whined, a thick uneasy noise and he was at once surrounded by his mates trying to comfort him. He turned to Thor, "What about Pepper and Rhodey? Can't we give them apples too?"
Thor looked sad as he reached over and stroked a hand down Tony's face. "I'm sorry, love, Idunn works in mysterious ways. Certainly, we can bring them here and they can visit the tree, but there is no guarantee that an apple will fall."
Tony whimpered and hid his face in the closest chest available. Judging by the gunpowder scent he assumed it was Clint. He was proven correct when he felt calloused fingers rubbing his back.
"And where would it end?" Natasha, ever the practical one, pointed out. "If we got Pepper and Rhodey their own apples, what about their mates, their families, their friends, children. Do we offer apples to them all? And then what if only some are gifted and not others?"
"Don't logic me," Tony hissed without any real heat.
Natasha murmured an apology and kissed his cheek. He squeezed her hand in his own silent apology. She squeezed back in acceptance.
"What about our pups?" Bruce asked.
"If they were still breastfeeding, they would gain the gift through the nutrients of their mother," Thor explained, "However as that is no longer the case, we will have to wait until they are older for them to visit the tree."
"How much older?"
Thor hummed, "Perhaps five of your Earth years. That is around the age when most people not of Asgard request an audience with Idunn's tree. I shall consult my mother on the matter in the morning."
"Has it really only been two days since we got here?" Tony asked.
"Aye."
"Huh."
Tony had prepared for battle when he travelled to Asgard. He was expecting a week or two of stress and confrontations. Perhaps some time spent in whatever passed for an Asgardian prison. But their stay had been overall pleasant, and Tony was still waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"I noticed you and Odin had a little private chat tonight," Tony murmured, "Was that about your role here?"
"Yes, it was," Thor replied slowly, "My father is working with his council of advisors and lords to draw up contracts regarding my claim to the throne and the line of succession."
Everyone remained quiet, waiting for Thor to continue.
"People on Asgard visit Idunn's tree every five thousand years or so, in order to receive another apple. When the tree does not give an apple, it is understood that their lifetime is coming to an end. My father visited the tree in previous months and Idunn was silent. He did not receive an apple," Thor took a deep breath. "That is why he was so insistent on me staying here. He knows his time draws near and he must have an heir if Asgard is to continue."
"What about Frigga?" Steve asked.
"She received an apple. She has many more years left until she will require another. It is understood that my father will pass into the halls of Valhalla, while my mother remains here one more lifecycle. She will train Loki in all the ways he needs to be a great king. When he comes of age he will become the Allfather and assume the mantel of ruler. I will be the secondary heir, stepping forward should something happen to him, unless Loki has sired or birthed a child before his passing."
Tony scrunched his nose. He wasn't sure what to make of the de-aged prince. He'd met the boy a few times and saw a bit of his own younger self in the child. It was hard to reconcile the innocent trickster with the malevolent beast that had raged his way across Earth.
"Are you sure this is not one of his tricks?" Clint asked. He sounded edgy and bitter. "He's really good at illusions."
Tony kissed the archer's chest and slid his arm across the well muscles torso. Clint's arms flexed on his back and held him tighter.
"It is not a trick," Thor assured them, "I understand your reservations, but Loki has been seen to by multiple healers of the mind. He was physically de-aged because the damage done to his mind made him much younger emotionally than physically. It was deemed an easier course of treatment to make his inner self reflect his outer self."
"Who damaged him?" Clint asked, a little testy but at least not overwhelmingly bitter.
"A being named Thanos, the Mad Titan," Thor's voice had hardened. Suddenly it was the being that had endured decades longer than the rest of them, that was speaking. All the harshness of experience in his tone.
"Where's he? Do we have to worry about him coming back?"
"No. He was destroyed when Tony flew that missile through the portal. Hence why the Chitauri fell and why my brother surrendered when we confronted him."
Tony made a face, "Am I going to get in trouble for that? No one's gonna come seeking revenge or something, are they?"
"No, my love," Thor kissed his head, "And should they try, they will face my wrath."
How can he sound so sweet and so bloodthirsty at the same time?
Tony groaned, "You gotta stop talking like that."
"Why?" Thor's voice was a purr that made Tony shiver. Large hands snaked over Tony's hips and around to his belly, lower. "Ah, I see."
They didn't sleep much their second night on Asgard.
The next week was spent exploring the glory of Asgard while Frigga and Odin doted on the pups. The little rascals lapped up the attention and no one was truly happy to be going back.
"We'll have to come visit again," Tony promised Frigga, "Or maybe you can come to us, we'll show you all the great places on Midgard."
"Hmm, I admit I have not visited the realm for many years," Frigga considered, "Perhaps I will be able to drag my husband and son along for a, what do you call it, a holiday?"
"That's the one," Tony giggled, "A holiday."
Loki waved them goodbye between his parents. Tony watched for any signs of subterfuge but found none. Would he even know if he saw something? He didn't have that bad feeling around the boy that he had experience around Maximoff, so maybe it was okay?
Uneasy with his train of thought, Tony focused back on the present as Heimdall activated the Bifrost and sent them all home.
Not for the first time, Tony was glad he didn't have neighbours. They landed in the yard with a bright light and loud thud. Not to mention the pups shrieking.
"Let's get them settled then let the others know we're back," Steve suggested, taking the lead.
"I wonder how much time has passed," Bruce mused as they entered the house.
The fussing pups were settled into their playpen with toys while their parents set about notifying others they were back.
"Hey, we've been gone about a month," Clint called as he checked his phone, "Does that mean we aged a month but only lived a week?"
"That is not how it works, my friend," Thor set about trying to explain dimensional travel to Clint.
Natasha checked in with their handlers at SHIELD. Even though she and Clint were official Avengers, they still worked for the agency on occasion. Steve did a ring around to some of his spy buddies. Bruce set about preparing lunch. T'Challa contacted his family to catch up on things in Wakanda. Yet another place for them to visit in the future.
"Hey, J, what's been happening while I was gone?" Tony asked his AI.
'Sir, Miss Potts asked you to contact her when you arrived home.'
"Sure thing, J," Tony made his way to his phone. He listened to it ring and then engage with a click, "Hey, Pep, did you miss me?"
"Tony…"
That one word sent a shiver down his pine and suddenly he remembered that feeling he'd had about something awful coming his way. The feeling was back full force and, in a dazed moment of agony, he wondered what he would lose this time.