Author's Note: Well, this story is now officially AU (though I think it had been AU from the time I've decided I wanted Tony and Loki to have a baby, but, meh). While the concepts resemble the movie verse, there are references both to the comics and mythology that I've mixed up for my convenience.

Stuff I made up somewhat would be Jotun culture and history. Little is known about them outside of being Asgard's enemy but I wanted to give them something more.

You guys be the judge if I did a good job or not. This is the start of where I'm going to need your input most of all since we'll be exploring more of my made up Jotun world in the coming chapters.

DISCLAIMER: Seriously, if they were all mine, I'll be rich and I can have them be gay all over each other. Except Clint and Natasha 'cause I like them together.

Warning/s: Hmm... language, slash (duh!), no smut this chapter, sorry, it's just implied for now

Guest Review Replies:

BrokenToy: Hi there! Sorry for the lateness of this chapter… As for your questions, well, 1.) Fury will find out and his reaction will be implied here. He's not such a bad guy, I think. 2.) Frigga will be the more impatient one but it'll happen sometime later.

Hahahahahahahaah: Thanks very much!

Kuroari: Glad you liked it! I hope you continue to!

Guest1: (For Chapter 8) They have to slip up every once in a while, right?

Guest2: Not sure if you're the same person but anyway, thanks a lot! I hope you keep reading!

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Steve, Thor, Clint and Natasha sat on the living room floor, playing their fourth round of Go Fish, playing cards fanned out in their hands and littering the floor. Natasha had won the first three rounds and this fourth one was already in the bag though usually, she'd have more competition, particularly from Thor who was strangely lucky with the game.

"Clint, it's your turn," Steve said, nudging the archer with his elbow and she could see her boyfriend start before his eyes darted to his cards.

"Uh, sorry about that," he said. He hummed a little to himself before turning to Thor, then to his cards then back to Thor again. "Do you have any… three's?"

Thor looked down at his cards and started to shake his head. "I am afraid not. Go Fish."

Natasha shook her head as Clint drew a card from the pile halfheartedly, his gaze straying to the doorway, followed by two others. With effort, he turned his attention back to his cards and frowned before putting it on the far right side on his hand where Natasha knew he kept all the "useless" cards.

"Your turn, Thor," he said.

Thor nodded absently and turned to Steve, looking at the back of his cards as if he could see through them. "Do you have any… eight's?"

"No, sorry, Go Fish," Steve answered. Thor cursed under his breath, taking a card from the bottom of the pile. He smirked as he paired it with another card from his hand and placed it on the floor in front of him before looking at Steve's cards again.

"How about four's?" he asked, grinning wider when Steve sighed and handed him a pair of four's to go along with his only one.

Natasha waited patiently for her turn though she was getting pretty tired with this game and would prefer something more challenging. She'd have preferred poker but Thor didn't know the game and it wouldn't be half as fun with Clint and Steve being all distracted. It would most likely drag the game on more than it was now. It wasn't like she couldn't understand where they were coming from because she did, but she wasn't particularly worried. Pregnancy was a normal occurrence and Bruce was there, after all, and she knew he wouldn't let anything happen to Tony and the baby if he could help it.

The baby was the biggest surprise of all to her – and she'd seen a lot of strange things in her life. Well, following the fact that Tony was actually pregnant. At first, when she'd heard it, she had pictured the scene in that Aliens movie with the creepy bug things bursting out of someone's chest. After a moment of horrified hilarity, the symptoms then began to add up in her head (she had done her research on the subject – not because she wanted a kid someday, of course not, but for that covert mission she and Clint had, really). The more she thought about it, the more it had made sense and Clint did try to explain the biological side of things to her. While she was happy for Tony who looked genuinely happy and excited about his soon-to-be, little bundle of joy, she couldn't help but be suspicious and cautious with Loki being involved in some way to this.

After all, this was the guy who called her a 'cunt', albeit in a polite way, and did a lot of other things that weren't easy to forgive or forget. Still, he wasn't lying about his concern for Tony and the baby and she could see that – she knew liars and could smell a lie a mile away (just as she knew something was up the moment she saw Clint and Tony again after their week off in Malibu). He's mellowed out, she would give him that, but Natasha knew that it was enough reason to be more cautious. She didn't believe, for a second, that he was any less dangerous than before.

In fact, Loki would definitely become deadlier, especially now, when he had something to protect.

"This is getting a little dull, guys," Natasha began, pushing thoughts of Loki, Tony and the baby (Fury, SHIELD, the Council) from her mind. "Why don't we raise the stakes a little bit?"

Back in the medical bay, Tony watched the underlying current of emotion in Loki's expressive eyes with an unconscious smile. Most people wouldn't be able to read anything on his face (he could pass as a wall if he wanted to – literally) and those who tried would get nothing more than a sneer or a patented smirk that made anyone (even Tony) want to wipe it off his face with more than a little violence. He'd been subjected to those looks before but he'd learned to look him in the eyes (cheesy, he knew) which was a certain way to tell what his mood was. He prided himself in being able to read past all the bullshit.

"He's awesome, huh?" he said softly, pride in his voice. He smiled wider as long fingers slipped between his, cool, comforting and hidden from the others' sight as he felt them squeeze his hand. He turned to Bruce and Stephanie who were engaged in their own conversation and turned away in courtesy. "Do we have any other tests that we have to take?"

"None at the moment," Stephanie answered. "But as a reminder, just make sure you listen to Dr. Banner. He is aware of what you'll need to make sure the baby develops in perfect health."

"Don't worry, I'll have everyone's help to make sure Tony does what he's told," Bruce assured.

Stephanie nodded in approval. "Our next checkup would be at the end of this month. Dr. Banner is highly qualified to conduct the checkup with you but he will forward the results to me and contact me if he requires a second opinion. We've decided that I will be here in your last trimester or sooner, if needed, for the birth."

"The process still remains unclear to me," said Loki after being quiet for so long. Now that he'd seen his son, he'd be damned if anything were to happen to him and Tony due to some mishap in a dubious procedure he had never heard of before.

Damn, Tony thought he'd forgotten all about the whole C-section thing. So maybe it was his fault he thought it'd be fun to freak Loki out a bit but he didn't want the god to suddenly decide that a natural birth was gonna be better after all. No way was he going to agree to that.

"It's all pretty straightforward, actually," Bruce began, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. Tony mentally thanked him for cutting in. "To make it simple, Tony would be prepped for surgery and that includes giving him a regional anesthetic to numb his body and allow him to be conscious so he can interact with the baby. A longitudinal incision would be made, starting at the edge of his bladder. His organs will need to be shifted around a bit until we can make an incision in the uterus to get the baby, after which all we need to do is close the wound.

"During the procedure, the most he'll feel is the pressure while we're getting the baby. Most of the painful part is after the procedure when the anesthetic's gone and the healing process begins."

Bruce didn't mention anything more than the general stuff. Loki didn't have to know about the possible complications that could happen in a C-section right now. They'd do their best to prevent them, of course, but he was starting to think that maybe it would be best to keep him out of the Operating Room. He didn't want a panicking god in his hands when the time came.

"I am sure you have books on the subject," said Loki, momentarily appeased yet still unsatisfied. He knew, more than most, that there would always be something that could go wrong. Even the best healers in Asgard could not always predict a body's responses to treatment. "I will read on this procedure."

Well, that'd work fine for Bruce, saved him from the trouble of explaining and reassuring a god and let Tony worry about it.

"Hey, delivery's still about six months away. No need to get excited," Tony reminded as he took the towel Stephanie handed over to him to wipe over his stomach. "We have enough time to worry about that later."

Loki looked at Tony with fond exasperation. "I would rather not be caught by surprise," said the god as he returned his gaze mournfully at his son's dissipating image. He felt oddly empty now that it was gone.

"I'll give you some reference material later," said Tony as he sat up and fixed his shirt. "JARVIS, make sure you forward JB's shots to my personal server."

'Of course, Sir,' intoned the AI.

"Good and stop giving me a vocal eyeroll. It's irritating," Tony said, scowling.

'Wouldn't dream of it,' replied the AI dryly. 'Sir.'

Tony narrowed his eyes at one of the cameras before turning his attention back to the other people with him. "I'm going to print a picture of JB and show it off at work like my employees do."

"Tony, I should remind you that no one should know about the baby if you don't want the paparazzi swarming the mansion trying to get a shot and finding out you somehow got pregnant," Bruce reminded.

That was just asking for trouble.

"Well, yeah, I knew that," Tony replied. "I was just kidding anyway. I don't want the press to hound my baby." He brightened up a bit and turned to Loki. "We have to think of names. Jellybean is cute and all but I want a cool name –it doesn't have to be Norse, just something that has 'oomph' in it but not so hard to pronounce or spell. Don't wanna torture the poor thing in Kindergarten trying to spell or say something like Folkvarthr or going through his life with the name Tormod. That's just asking for a wedgie or toilet-dunking."

"Not to mention that if you named him Tormod, he'll be named after Thor," Loki pointed out. "One Thor is enough across the Nine Realms."

"That, too," Tony agreed. He slipped off the bed and fixed everyone with a smile. "Come on, let's tell the guys the news."

"You go ahead," said Bruce, shooing them away. "Have to clean up a bit before I go upstairs."

"I'd like to help," said Stephanie, chuckling, "but he wouldn't let me touch the equipment. I understand it, of course."

"See you in a bit then," said Tony while Loki squeezed his hand, nodded at them and walked ahead. He turned around but stopped halfway to look at Stephanie over his shoulder. "So, what are you doing the rest of the week?"

"I'll take Pepper's offer of a tour around New York, see the sights and probably eat unhealthy junk food," she answered with a bright, guilty smile. "I haven't done something like this since I've finished medschool. It's a little scary."

Tony beamed at her. "Well, good for you," he said with a thumbs-up. "You have to do it every once in a while. I recommend some shawarma somewhere around the corner, I keep forgetting the name. You can never go wrong with beef, onions, tomatoes, cheese and all the good stuff wrapped up in pita bread and drenched in spicy sauce." He paused dreamily, thinking about it with a goofy smile. "Do you think I can eat some?"

"Well, not right now," said Stephanie, giggling behind her hand. She rolled her eyes as Tony subjected her to the puppy eyes. "You can have a little as long as you make sure it's prepared correctly."

"Homemade shawarma will be just as good," Bruce interjected. "I'll note the ingredients and Steve will prepare it. He'll like the challenge."

"But it won't be the same," Tony whined. What use was eating fast food or junk food if you didn't get it from a fast food or junk food joint?

Bruce rolled his eyes. "Just go, Tony."

Tony stuck his tongue out playfully at Bruce and together with Stephanie, they left the medical bay. He escorted her out of the mansion, telling her to have some fun and giving her his recommendations on some of the restaurants and bars he frequented.

"Just give them my name and you'll be the first in," he had assured her before she climbed into her rental car and drove away. "They'll treat you like a queen – and if they don't, well, you know how to reach me."

Going back inside, he found Loki quietly looking into the living room, arms crossed with an eyebrow raised and a smirk on his face. There was a certain softness in his gaze that he'd only ever seen directed at him and sometimes at Thor when he thought no one was looking and genuine amusement that piqued Tony's curiosity. He moved to his side, looking over his shoulder curiously.

"Wha –"

"Sh," Loki shushed him with a sideways glance, tilting his head to the side.

He followed the gesture with his gaze and pursed his lips to keep from chuckling. There in the middle of his living room, looking for all the world like a group of teenagers and nothing like the world's team of elite superhumans were two assassins, a god and a super soldier, sitting and gathered around a pile of cards with their faces covered in doodles, well, except for Natasha's.

There was no question as to who was winning.

Clint had a black spider inside a heart on his forehead, a red, squiggly bow and arrow on his left cheek and a blue target on the right. Steve's nose was blotted with black ink and there were black whiskers on each cheekbone. There was a thick, red ring on his left eye and a purple star on his left cheek. Thor had a black lightning bolt on his forehead, curved, purple lashes on his eyes and a well-drawn doodle of a blue puppy on his right cheek.

This. This was priceless and absolutely perfect. The only other thing that could possibly make this better was if the markers were permanent.

"JARVIS, snap a picture and print it out," Tony announced with a wide smirk, drawing everyone's attention to him. "This goes to our Wall of Shame. Look at you, an assassin, a soldier and a god, beaten by a girl."

"A girl who's a former Russian spy and currently an assassin and covert operative," Clint supplied as Natasha preened.

Tony paused thoughtfully. "When you put it that way, it is hardly surprising."

'Already done printing, sir,' interjected the AI before any of the guys could protest. Natasha was all for physical evidence and it'd be nice to keep in one of her wallets. 'The copies are ready in the workshop.'

"Wall of shame?" Loki repeated questioningly.

'Sir,' JARVIS called but was mostly ignored.

"Quiet, JARVIS. Okay, it's actually the fridge but let's not sweat the details," Tony amended flippantly. "Wait till Phil sees it. This is gonna crack him up." He turned to Steve with a teasing grin. "Of course, Phil would probably get more than a few copies and have you sign one then he's gonna put it in his shrine, light up a few candles and worship the hell out of it with creepy chanting. Then, he'd use the other copies for some questionable activities."

Steve choked on a laugh, half horrified, half amused. "Tony!"

'Sir, you might want to know –'

"Not now, JARVIS," Tony chided. "What have I told you about interrupting grownups when they're talking?"

'But –'

Tony made a shushing noise. "I don't want to hear it now, JARVIS."

'I do not think it can wait, Sir,' the AI replied patiently.

"I shall have a copy as well," said Loki, smirking at Thor. "Mother did say that she found the painting of the Valkyries in the Main Hall boring and out of date. She will appreciate something a little more… entertaining."

Thor yelped, his face going red then paling at the thought. Everyone in Asgard passed the Main Hall, either for an audience with Odin or the warriors' feast in the Dining Hall. "Brother, you cannot do that!"

"Oh, yes, I can," he replied in a singsong voice, swiftly dodging and striding out of sight around the corner of the hall with Thor in pursuit. "I'm sure Sif and the Warriors Three would find it hilarious."

They heard him say something more but it was mostly muffled and they laughed as Thor roared, "again with your books and the dragons! I told you it was either them or us and that was years ago!"

It got them quiet the longer they thought about Thor's words.

"They weren't kidding, were they?" Clint asked, breaking the silence.

"Dragons, huh?" Steve started, chuckling uneasily as he rubbed the back of his neck. "I'd like to see one of those."

"Speak for yourself," Natasha drawled, running a hand through her hair. She shuddered as she thought of cold scales, creepy stares and forked tongues. "I don't like lizards, much less big, fire-breathing lizards. With or without wings."

Tony blinked at the possibilities before smirking. "If there's a story behind that, I'll find out."

"Hey, what's going on?" Bruce asked as he finally got out from the med facility, only getting the tail end of the conversation.

Tony clicked his tongue at him. "Ah, Bruce, you're always missing when there's something interesting going on." He patted him on the shoulder. "You're lucky JARVIS records everything that goes on in this house. You'll get to watch it later."

"Can somebody please tell me why Thor is up on the roof, chasing Loki – who should be in Asgard right now – shouting about books and dragons?"

'Agent Coulson has arrived, Sir,' said JARVIS. 'I told you it was not something that could wait.'

Everyone froze while Tony cursed to himself. Why did he choose now not to listen to JARVIS? And why was the universe so hell-bent on revealing his fucking secret to everyone? This had better not include the press or the paparazzi would have a field day.

"Well, speak of the devil," he muttered to himself before turning to the speaker. "Hey, Phil, nice to see ya."

The SHIELD agent merely gave him a "look" and crossed his arms. "I can't say the same thing, really. Am I in some parallel universe? I knew there was something wrong when the cafeteria lady put sugar in my coffee and she knows I hate sugar in my coffee in the morning."

"I think that's because Beth isn't manning the cafeteria in the mornings now," Clint helpfully supplied.

Natasha nodded. "Yeah, I think she swapped schedules with Lisa and she's kinda new."

Phil stared at the two incredulously and Clint threw his hands up while Natasha shrugged. He shook his head exasperatedly. "Okay, forget the cafeteria ladies and explain why Loki's here."

"You're the one who brought it up," Clint muttered under his breath, turning away.

Phil sighed, ignoring the archer and the coming headache he was doomed to have for the rest of the day every time he visited to check on them. "Is this directly related to the incident in our mission last time? Please tell me and make it good before I announce a code red and have SHIELD agents here in ten minutes."

They all traded glances with each other and Tony pushed Steve forward.

"Stevie, you explain," he said, nudging the protesting soldier forward. "Phil likes you best."

"I'm not gonna like this, aren't I?" Phil groaned as he stared at the ceiling pleadingly for support. "You're taking advantage of the fact that I'm a fan, Tony Stark, and I don't appreciate that. When Director Fury finds out about whatever it is you're hiding, we'll all be in big trouble."

"Spoken like a real nanny," Tony mumbled only loud enough for Clint to hear, making the archer snort despite the situation they were in. He yelped when he felt Natasha's elbow dig into his side.

Steve took a deep breath as if bracing himself. "Well, it's really a long story and I think Bruce can explain the biological parts better than I can."

It was at that moment that the brothers got back inside the mansion, Loki beaming as he'd never done unless when in Tony's company and Thor slightly breathless from laughing too much. Phil instinctively reached for his gun, prompting everyone else to grab a hold of anything they could use as a weapon or taking a defensive stance.

Tony was immediately surrounded, much to his annoyance and he had half a mind to throw everyone out if they started destroying his property. He'd sue their asses, too.

Thor, immediately sensing the danger, shielded his brother, using his bulk to partially hide him from sight.

"Thor, this is hardly necessary," the dark-haired god drawled at the all too familiar, instinctive reaction of his brother. It was endearing yet irritating when the God of Thunder did this. "I can protect myself."

Thor started and sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck, grinning apologetically at his brother as he stepped aside. "Ah, my apologies, Brother. Old habits."

"I just stepped into the Twilight Zone," said Phil as he tried to keep his head together, barely noticing the confused looks he was getting from the two gods at the reference. He turned to Steve. "Just start from the beginning."

"I don't know how it began, either and I don't really think it's any of our business how it started," he said carefully, sharp eyes gauging Phil's reaction. "Well… it's…" he trailed off, uncertain how to break the news. The soldier knew he wasn't making sense and he really wasn't very good at this sort of thing outside an epic crisis.

He was saved from saying anything further when Loki stepped forward, apparently becoming impatient as he spoke, face blank and chin up proudly but his gaze dark and forbidding. "Tony and I are together and we are expecting a son."

Phil blinked. Then he blinked some more, running it through his head before he burst out laughing.

Thor laughed happily, clapping his hand on his brother's back with great force in his enthusiasm. "That is wonderful news! I have no doubts that my nephew will grow to be an excellent warrior! I shall teach him the art of combat myself!"

"Hey! Get your own kid," Tony protested.

Natasha glared at Loki as Clint tried to calm Phil down. "If you broke him, I'll cut your dick off and feed it to you."

"Hey, hands off the merchandise," Tony chided lightly, somewhat worried, while Loki answered the assassin's announcement with a skeptical eyebrow raised. "I have vested interest in his goods."

"Ugh, Tony," Clint groaned, turning away. "God!"

"Can't we just settle down for one second and talk about this calmly?" asked Bruce, above the laughter and the petty arguments but he was mostly ignored save for Steve who was looking at Phil worriedly. "Maybe sit down or have some drinks to go around?"

"I'll work on that," Steve volunteered, raising his hand before running off to the kitchen.

"Another one of you mortals' little fights," Thor said cheerfully, an innocent smile on his face. Bruce turned to him with an unimpressed frown that made the god clear his throat awkwardly and look at the direction Steve disappeared to. "I believe Steve would need some assistance in serving refreshment. I will help him." And with that, he sauntered over to follow.

Bruce gazed down the hall where the two disappeared, eyes wide in disbelief. He looked around the group that acted nothing like adults and caught Loki's gaze, startled. The god raised a brow at him and looked around, his head tipped down since most everyone was shorter than him then he stared back at the scientist and rolled his eyes.

Bruce blinked. Well, now, that was interesting and kinda friendly, almost. He would have thought on that a bit more if it weren't for the noise that was escalating around him the longer it continued and it was getting on his (and the big guy's) nerves. With mounting irritation, his eyes flashed and his skin tinged green as he balled one fist and slammed it into the wall with enough force to leave a three-inch dent on the wall with pieces of concrete and paint scattered all over the floor, and sound to shock them into silence.

"Can everyone get their butts in the living room so we can talk about this, like adults?" he gritted out, reining some calm in to keep himself from turning into the Hulk outright.

Everyone blinked at him. Natasha and Clint took Phil into the living room just as Thor came back from the kitchen.

"Steve said he doesn't need assistance," he explained, a little disappointed. He stopped short to look at the dent in the wall. He looked at each of them, in turn, and beamed. "Such a great show of strength. Is it yours, brother? Or can it be Bruce's?"

Tony didn't bother protesting since everyone, including him, knew he didn't have that much physical strength and resigned to making himself feel better by thinking that he was a genius and that was loads better than being a mindless brute.

Bruce blushed with embarrassment. "Right. Sorry about the wall," he grumbled sheepishly.

Tony waved him off. "Nah, don't worry about it so much. I'll take the repairs out of your paycheck."

"I don't work for you," Bruce deadpanned.

"Well, you're in my payroll as my doctor," said Tony smugly.

"I'm not going to accept it," Bruce replied, shaking his head. "Just get in there."

Tony snorted. "It's either you're getting a harder spine or everyone's enjoying pushing me around."

"There is a certain enjoyment to be had in telling you what to do," Loki confirmed, earning a glare that made him grin toothily.

"Ah, are we to have another discussion now?" asked Thor. "Has the Son of Coul's madness passed?"

"Who knows?" Bruce answered, shrugging.

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"We are in deep shit." Phil looked at everybody then settled his heavy gaze on Tony. He sighed. "I can't say I'm surprised when you're always getting into all sorts of problems. Somehow."

Tony shrugged. "Guess I'm just lucky that way."

Clint rolled his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "Tell us something we don't know."

Phil sighed deeply, eyes closing in deep thought, opening them to give Tony a long-suffering look. "You make my job infinitely harder that it needs to be."

"Yeah, I'm the black sheep of the family," Tony said with a grin.

Natasha bumped shoulders with him and hissed, "not helping."

From his other side, Loki merely rolled his eyes.

The SHIELD agent rubbed his face, pointedly ignoring the side comments as he tried to focus. "How the hell are we going to explain this to Director Fury?"

Steve cleared his throat. "Actually, we were hoping you'd know how we can do that."

"Or better yet, you can be a hero again and take the blow for us," Tony suggested with a shrug. "Nick has a soft spot for you anyway."

They had just explained the situation to Phil. He'd remained quiet the whole time, asking a few questions that Bruce had to answer. He didn't ask about Tony's relationship with Loki, only the important facts about the pregnancy and the terms of Loki's punishment. It wouldn't matter to SHIELD what their circumstances were at the time this began, he had reasoned. The facts were Loki was a known criminal and Tony had been compromised enough to fraternize with him even if the god was still under Odin's punishment and watch.

In a covert, government agency handling sensitive information and operations, what mattered was what you did, not why you did it.

"Look, we have to tell the director about this," said Phil after a moment of silence. "Preferably somewhere open with no objects that can be used as weapons."

"We can meet with him here," Tony suggested with a shrug. "I'll feel a lot better if we're in my turf."

"I'm telling you right now that he's not going to be happy about this," Phil warned, "but I doubt that he's going to let anyone hurt an innocent, much less a baby. Besides, it's one of those things he can get away with from the Council and he likes pissing them off since that whole almost-nuking thing we had here."

"If he presents a threat to Tony and our son, I will take them to Asgard for protection," Loki announced, his resolute tone making Tony bristle.

"And when did you decide this?" Tony asked coolly, his eyes narrowed dangerously as he crossed his arms.

Loki looked down at him and seemed to weigh his words. There was no doubt that he was wading in dangerous territory. "I thought it was a logical choice of action."

"As a last resort," Tony added. "If we can fix things here, then I'd prefer to stay here."

Loki didn't say a word. He would have argued with him but decided that they could talk about it at length later when Tony was rested, comfortable and in a rational frame of mind to see that his option had merit. To argue with him now and with company was not going to make him understand and would only cause undue stress on him and their son.

"Okay," Phil breathed out, standing up. "I'll set a meeting with Director Fury and forward the details to you later." He straightened his suit jacket and fixed his tie, mumbling about the bugs, schedules and alibis. "Anyway," he started, turning to Tony, "congratulations."

"Thanks, Phil," said Tony with a grateful smile.

Phil nodded and turned to Loki. "I'd like to talk to you for a second. In private."

There were varying degrees of shock and protests in the living room but the god only looked at him curiously, noting the lack of fear in the human's eyes similar to that time when he'd stabbed him. Intrigued, he nodded and followed, making sure to pin a look at Tony to try discouraging him from eavesdropping, getting only a smirk in response.

They were outside, in front of Phil's car and Loki was eerily quiet.

"Look, let's make this quick, okay?" said Phil, sliding his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose before turning to face him. "Thanks."

Loki blinked, honestly surprised then suspicious. "For what?"

"For not killing me, even if you could have," the SHIELD agent answered easily.

"What makes you think that I had intended not to kill you?"

Phil kicked a pebble near his shoe and slipped his hands in his pockets. "Did you know that Thor's really attached to you? Tasha always said it's bordering on unhealthy."

He did. "It stems from love but is stained with his grief and guilt."

"Yeah, well, he always boasted about you. He said you're really smart, that you're doing better now."

"Is there a point to this?" he asked dryly.

Phil ignored him and continued. "He said that you had an Asgardian's physical strength but you rarely used it. You're a thinker, a strategist. He went as far as to imply that you're a perfectionist. You know how to deal maximum damage for little effort – and I appreciate that. We need agents like that in the field – not that I'm trying to recruit you.

"You also have extensive knowledge on anatomy for that purpose." He paused and there was silence. Loki waited for him to say more. "When I woke up, about a week after surgery, the doctor said I was lucky. The wound missed my heart by an inch even if it still hurt like a bitch and I have a new scar to show off. I don't think you're the type to miss something like that.

"You can brush it off as an accident or whatever but I'm still thankful." Phil moved forward and with a series of beeps, he opened the door to his car, getting ready to leave. "This doesn't mean that I wanna be bestfriends or anything. I just wanna give credit to where it's due and I still don't trust you.

"I don't know what Tony sees in you but I'd like to make it clear that if you're using him or planning to hurt him in any way, well, you're going to have a hard time." Phil grinned at him toothily before he started the engine and, not waiting for a reply, closed the door, speeding off through the gates and out of sight.

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The strong gales continued to bring heavy snow and ice, whipping through the old, empty roads that had once been bustling with life amidst the endless winter. It was already mid-afternoon and yet there was no sun to bring light to the ruined houses, the people hidden in their poverty and suffering.

Long ago, Angrboda could still remember how the sun shone up in the sky, covered slightly in wispy clouds to lessen its glare and the children skipping through the banks of snow, laughter ringing and echoing in the once proud and plentiful lands of the Jotun.

The mages of Jotunheim once stood proudly with the mages of Asgard and the Elven realm. Now there were only remnants of the old ways, the mages and healers few and far in between, the knowledge lost inevitably in the passage of time. Their soldiers had not only trained in weapons but in changing their shape, a perfect edge in battle. But now, there was nothing to them but strength, gone were the expertise and honor they had once shown. Trading between the north and south had been mostly peaceful and the marketplace had always been filled with goods from neighboring realms. Now, they were empty, their alliances broken even with the villages in the south, the old trade routes riddled with beasts and monsters.

Of course, no kingdom was perfect but those times, their Golden Age, had been close enough to it.

Now, they were not even a shadow of the old kingdom.

She felt the rise of her anger but she tried to keep it at bay. The time would soon come when her people would rise against this mockery of a kingdom which only sought to ruin the lives of its subjects. For so long she had waited for the answer to her prayers, long after her true king's death and that thief, that usurper, Laufey, took the throne. It was closer now than she'd imagined and already the hope in her people had started to blaze anew. It made her wonder if King Odin of Asgard knew all along or had somehow predicted that this would happen.

She knew the story passed around. It had variations but she had the fortune to know someone who was there, hidden in the shadows, as the mighty Odin gently lifted a small, crying infant left to die in the unforgiving cold, saw the smile that brightened his tired face as the infant giggled tearfully and changed form on his own.

Taking the eldest child of Laufey and giving him the name of their once mighty king, he was promised to greatness. Rumors had spread throughout their kingdom even to the villages of the south where the lands were untouched by winter winds but covered in unending darkness. What little information they could get had been told over and over but in the shadows to spare them from his wrath. Even the firstborn prince's actions, their nature and the other realms' perception of them were no secret amongst his people but as Jotun, they understood his motivations.

By nature, they were ruthless and unforgiving, calculating and forever scheming though mostly against enemies and not amongst each other. Like him, they had also believed, once, that they were beyond hope and had also sought their own destruction.

Angrboda knew her people wanted him to take the throne and she would like nothing more than to meet him herself so she could pass her judgment but regardless whether he would decide to lead them or not, she would ensure that Jotunheim would once more stand proudly and free from this oppression.

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Later that night, Loki sat in bed, his father's book in his lap. It was open in a section about male pregnancies, specifically for other races. While he'd had his doubts about the truth of other races agreeing to mate or wed a Jotun of their own will (barring Tony since he'd always been a strange one, he thought fondly), he had to admit that the book was highly detailed and very informative. How they managed to gather the information was hard to imagine and he didn't want to think about it. When he tried, Tony's face kept popping up and it would alarm him unnecessarily until he'd remember that Tony was fine and was only in the adjoining bathing chamber.

It was almost unthinkable and frightening how he'd grown to love such an incorrigible human the way he did.

His heart, once he'd long thought to be dead, would beat hard at every teasing grin, would grow light at a single, reassuring gaze from his eyes. His lips burned and his body craved with want and desire with every sweet, demanding kiss and playful touch.

He felt so alive and it was all due to an equally broken man who, for some reason, loved him as well. To think, he had used to mock the poets for their laughable, whimsical works on love and all its joys and tragedies.

Tony had been very far from his ideal. He thought he'd wed a female, for one. Back then, he'd assumed that he was going to have to select one out of the many women his Mother would introduce to him every night at the banquet. Have children, be forever in Thor's shadow and be miserable for the rest of his immortal life.

Oh, he'd grown out of it, of course, replaced it with something else more destructive. The evidence of it would be right outside the mansion's grounds where humans tried to rebuild the devastation he'd caused. It wasn't the most glorified moments of his life but it was enlightening even until the end.

And Tony, for all his flaws, his coarseness and his insolence, had helped putting things in perspective again. He was so human, so real to Loki in a way that no one ever was. He would rarely speak seriously but when he did, it was certainly a crushing blow, meant to cripple and, for Loki, to mend. For the god, his words meant to wound so they could release the festering pain and finally heal. He would speak with a depth in his eyes that made Loki feel that he wasn't alone.

Now they were to have a son and he had fallen ridiculously in love with his child that he couldn't wait for him to be born, to hold his little one in his arms and teach him everything he knew.

His world had become brighter, the old anger, hatred and hurt were now no more than memories. He would never forget them, of course, but it didn't hurt him as much now. He would make his own decisions and let his actions define who he was and not his heritage. He would make sure that his son would be proud of him.

The sound of something falling on the floor jolted him out of his reverie. In a blink of an eye, he was already up from the bed, walking towards the bathroom.

"Tony?" he called anxiously.

"I'm okay," Tony answered back. "The shampoo bottle fell."

"Be careful," he reminded. He wanted to go inside but he knew Tony would only be irritated at him for worrying too much.

"The bottle wanted to fall on its own," he replied, his voice muffled.

It didn't make sense but Loki only sighed and went back to bed, returning to his perusal of the book.

The first thing he had read on was how the womb developed in Tony. According to the book, only a Jotun Healer (it was noted that altering the body was an inherent talent among the Frost Giants, being natural shapeshifters) should be doing the modification in the carrying male's body to ensure his safety, though there were rare times when the magic of the sire would "escape" him and influence the change on its own. It was generally still unknown what pushes the magic to alter the carrying male's body and Loki supposed that the subconscious mind might have a hand in it or it could be a natural, biological response.

As for their child's form (it had been worrying him should their son be at the same size of a Jotun infant), apparently, the child would take the form of the carrying male in the womb, to make sure there would be no stress to its birth father. That would explain why their son was shown completely human in those tests. After birth, the child would immediately and only begin to exhibit his Frost Giant heritage when in contact with his sire and due to uncontrolled magic, the sire would be responsible in keeping the child's form to the preferred appearance until the child could control it on its own.

As for the birth, it was noted that most of the carrying males delivered through an artificial birth canal that was made in a way similar to the womb. While it was guaranteed to be safe if done by a Jotun Healer (and again, in rare cases, the sire), he knew Tony would be vehemently against it and that he should take careful watch on his magic lest he be banished to that infernal couch.

In deep thought, he hadn't noticed that Tony was already out of the bathroom.

"Hey, what are you reading?" Tony asked as he pushed the thick sheets aside and climbed on the bed, wiggling to make himself comfortable on the pillows. He pulled the sheets up to his waist and turned to grab his pad lying beside the lamp, opening the program on the new design for a crib he was making for his baby.

"A book Father gave me with information regarding your pregnancy," Loki answered as he turned the page to recommended foods and herbal teas, taking note of which ones to get for Tony to try.

"That's pretty convenient," Tony remarked, leaning closer to him to take a look. He grimaced as he found it was written in a language he couldn't understand. "What else does it say?"

"Common ailments and medicine for treatment," Loki answered as he let Tony turn the pages back until he could see the well-drawn images of males of other races (elves, dwarves, humans and even Asgardians) in varying stages of their pregnancy.

"Whoa, how does this even work?" the billionaire asked, shocked, as he tapped at the image of the dwarf with a finger. "I mean, the height difference is just one of their problems."

"I do not know nor do I care to," Loki replied, wrinkling his nose and making Tony laugh.

"Oh, come on. You have to admit that it makes you curious," said Tony teasingly, poking him on his side. "You know what this means?"

"Hm?"

"This means that Frost Giants weren't half bad if there were other guys willing to sleep with them and have their babies once upon a time," Tony pointed out. "See, there are notes here for gods, too, which means that Asgard and Jotunheim weren't on each other's throats back then."

"I've realized this," said Loki with a nod. "This book may have been written a long time ago, presumably before the war."

"Guess so," Tony quipped before he went back to his pad. "Still makes you think though, right?"

"Perhaps there are still records of it hidden in the library," said Loki. "Just to prove that there was peace between the two realms."

"That's always a good place to start. A little time-consuming, though," said Tony as he brushed his fingers over an image, sweeping it across the surface. "When'll you start?"

"Preferably in the morning," Loki answered. "I meant to go back to Asgard."

Tony, who was fiddling with his pad resting against his thighs, turned to him with an eyebrow raised. "Sure, that's fine. Are you going to check on your bi-whatsit project?"

"You mean the Bifrost?"

"Yeah, that."

"Among other things," Loki answered. "You can always call it the rainbow bridge. That is its other name and it's somewhat easier to remember."

Tony's nose wrinkled as he frowned. "Whatever. I'm not calling it that. Sounds too... gay."

There was silence.

"You mean... too happy?" The god started carefully, looking confused. "I assure you, at its current state, it is anything but happy."

Tony shook his head, chuckling. "No, I meant it sounds too flaming gay."

"I don't understand."

They stared at each other for almost a minute until Tony nearly slapped himself as he remembered that this was a Norse god he was talking to and therefore, knew nothing about the gay rights thing (which he was supporting – free love and all that). He thought best how to explain but then he really didn't have too much experience in the gay scene, either. He had always been more inclined to women anyway with just a few men on the side when it got... tedious and even then, it was only for one night stand's and hardly noteworthy. The few men he'd been with were high profile and discreet, too, so no chance of them being seen in gay bars and squealing to the press if they didn't want their reputations dragged through the mud.

Hm. Better not think about that right now, Stark. Focus.

He thought maybe a demo would be better but he didn't want Loki to be traumatized. Gay pride parades were cool and all but he'd see a lot of crazy shit Tony was sure he wasn't ready for.

"Don't worry about it," said Tony dismissively as he looked back to his pad. "It's an earth thing."

"If you are sure," Loki answered slowly, still looking a bit curious. "In any case, it would be best for me to leave in the morning and be back here in the evening or at the latest, the next morning after I finish my tasks."

"Which would be…?" Tony prodded expectantly.

"Besides checking the Bifrost, I intend to show Mother and Father our son," he said. "They, particularly Mother, had been adamant in wanting to know more about our child so I'd like to give them one of the pictures."

Tony's eyes widened in alarm but he managed to calm himself. "So Thor spilled to your parents, huh?"

"Not exactly," Loki replied uncomfortably, a blush staining his cheeks. He explained how Frigga found out about the pregnancy, not mentioning anything about Sif and the Warriors Three and their reaction to the news.

It reminded him that he still had a score to settle with the four of them and teach them a physically harmless lesson they would not soon forget.

"You're scheming something, aren't you?" Tony asked, snorting and grinning at the sudden look of embarrassment on Loki's face. It still baffled Loki how Tony could read him so easily. "I can't believe that happened to you, of all people. It's not like you to be caught off-guard. Well, there's a first time for everything." He turned away from him, quiet and thoughtful as he focused on his pad. He tried to go back to work on his new project: a sleek, one of a kind, JARVIS-controlled crib with a defense mechanism, hover function, soundproof cover, internal sound system and loads of other fun stuff but kept on getting distracted. He cleared his throat and forced himself to sound casual. "So, were they happy with the news? What did they say exactly?"

He felt Loki tense beside him, mistakenly thinking that his parents might not like the idea of their son getting another man pregnant despite welcoming a future grandchild and took a sideways glance at Loki, saw his mouth pressed in a grim line that made his stomach drop and made him want to throw up. He had no way of knowing that Loki was thinking of something else altogether, namely, his mother's insistence for a wedding that he just knew Tony was not ready for.

"They cannot wait to meet you," he said, honestly. And it was true, too. They had wanted to meet Tony long before he'd gotten pregnant, had been intrigued by him since Thor's stories.

Tony released a deep breath, relieved. "Well, that's a load off my chest," he joked. "They didn't freak out or anything, right? That I'm a guy, I mean."

"Asgard does not discriminate against genders," Loki pointed out, shifting a little so he could see Tony fully. "Eternity is too long to bother with such trivialities." From the heavy look in those green eyes, Tony just knew there was something he was missing, he just didn't know what. He turned away, his eyes going to his book. "The pregnancy is certainly a surprise but it is a welcome one."

"That's good to know," said Tony. He shifted a little. "By the way, I thought about the whole, whisking-us-away-to-Asgard thing. I thought about it and I get it."

"But you don't want to do it," Loki finished for him, sighing. "Personally, I'd feel safer with you there during the pregnancy. Especially if someone is out to harm or take you. If I had my way, I'd take you there tomorrow when I leave for Asgard. Father has already given his approval that you can come anytime and I had thought you'd want to see my home."

Tony pursed his lips, a frown marring his face. "I do. It's just that… well, won't it be weird if they find a pregnant man walking around? I mean, won't that give it away? Not to mention that you're still technically under probation or something. What if they lynch me?"

"Some of them may be mindless brutes but they know well enough not to harm anyone from the Royal Family," Loki stated. "As for my being a Jotun and them finding out… it pales in comparison to keeping you and our son safe."

The fact that he didn't care whether he'd be found out made Tony's heart flutter in his chest. Considering how much he hated being a Frost Giant and was not willing to expose himself just yet, it only meant that he and JB were that important to him.

"Well, we'll only use it as a last resort, okay? I'll be fine. I'll have everyone here with me and I doubt they'll let me out of their sight," Tony frowned but was resigned to his fate. "I already survived the first three months. I'll just have to find a way to amuse myself for the next six more."

"I'm sure we can both find ways," said Loki innocently, avoiding his gaze.

The air became heavy and as if a switch had been flipped, gone were the worries that Tony seemed to have. He stared at him through half-lidded eyes, a small, suggestive smile on his lips. "What do you have in mind?"

"Let me show you…"

And show him, Loki did.

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The team was gathered for a late breakfast and Tony sulked fiercely as he saw and compared his food with the rest of the team's. Loki had already left and he wasn't awake enough to see him off. He only remembered mumbling something at him before going back to sleep, felt a cool hand press gently over his stomach and lips press on the hickey he left on his shoulder, nipping at it a little before Tony swatted at him with a grunt. He could almost hear the echo of Loki's laughter long after he'd disappeared.

He wanted the bacon, ham and sausages to go with his broccoli and cheese omelet instead of the muffin and he wanted coffee instead of the fruit shake but everyone glared at him every time his hands started to stray a little too close to the other plates of food. He tried to do it every few minutes or so, not because he was hungry for it anymore but because it was entertaining to watch them glare or shake their heads at him simultaneously.

"Tony, quit it," Clint snapped at him when he tried to sneak off with a strip of bacon, taking it from him. "You're not getting anything else but what's on your plate."

The billionaire frowned at him, narrowing his eyes. "You always spoil my fun."

Natasha shook her head at him before her phone rang. "Romanov," she said into the phone.

The team looked at her expectantly as she listened to whoever was on the line and when that was done, she snapped her phone shut.

"It was Phil," she said. "Director Fury will meet us tomorrow at our shawarma joint at twelve PM sharp."

"Did he say anything else?" Steve asked.

"No."

Tony wasn't the superstitious type but even he had to admit that it sounded kinda ominous.

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"The Bifrost is progressing faster than I anticipated," Loki said to his silent and watchful companion as he lifted his hands from the flow of magic that was steadily pouring into the mechanism from the runes written along its walls.

It was still early, his time had not been spent in his examination as long as he had expected. He might be home (and wasn't that a lovely word?) later tonight, probably earlier once he finished speaking with his parents and getting the special teas listed in the book.

"It won't take long before we'll be able to send people on it. Perhaps another week or so and we can send someone through but it cannot handle anything more than one person." He paused, considering a thought for a moment. "And Volstagg."

"I will keep it in mind," said the Guardian, eyes blank and face empty of expression. "No one shall pass until then."

"I will return next week for the trial. It would be best that I attempt it first as I can return should the Bifrost be unable to send me back," Loki advised as he straightened up, noting that Heimdall had yet to remove his eyes from him. "Do you have any questions?"

"No," answered Heimdall. For the first time in Loki's life, he saw the Guardian hesitate before he seemed to make up his mind. "I meant to offer my congratulations and my hope that your son be born in the best of health."

Loki blinked but then he remembered that this was Heimdall. Of course, he knew. Aside from Odin, he was the only other who watched over him to make sure he did not break the terms of his punishment. Loki was also under the suspicion that he was the only one other than Odin who knew exactly what those terms were and kept quiet about them. Hardly surprising, really.

"Thank you," he said, thinking about what else to say. "That is our hope as well."

Heimdall nodded and he turned away, a clear sign that their conversation was at a close, and Loki strode out of the golden dome in the palace's direction.

He walked through the streets, followed discreetly by guards and not so discreetly by judging eyes. He held his head high, ignoring their heavy gazes on him as he made his way to the palace.

Once there, he saw Sif and the Warriors Three just as they were passing through the gates. His eyes narrowed coldly as he and Sif's gazes met in undisguised hostility. The Warriors, hardly stronger than Sif and acting like her little lapdogs, avoided being in their line of sight. He walked, his pace almost mockingly leisurely not moving away as Sif stopped by him, their arms nearly brushing and her low, venomous whisper echoing loudly in his ears.

"You have some nerve showing your face again," she hissed at him. "You should have stayed with your little whore. You may have fooled everyone else with that false innocence and meekness but not me. A traitor will always be a traitor. If anyone should be banished, it should have been you."

He said nothing, not even to point out that he had been banished (well, thrown into the abyss, really) as she continued her brisk stride, the warriors following closely at her heels. He knew that he had to try to understand. He knew her words should mean nothing, that it was irrelevant compared to those he considered important to him but it made him so angry. The fury in him was growing too great for him that he had to close his eyes and think of something to bring calm, breathing deeply as he reminded himself of the reason he returned to Asgard aside from the Bifrost and that was to introduce his son to his grandparents.

He wouldn't forget this too soon. He'd have to gather more information and he'd have to stay the night to see the fruits of his labors but he knew Tony would understand and would probably encourage it if it meant that he could get even. Tony was all for getting even and he looked forward to the time he could tell him all about it and make him laugh. He didn't care that he was acting quite immature. He already had something special in mind for her and when he's done, she'd wish he had just shaved her hair.

In Tony's words: "Oh, it's on now."

With measured steps, a toothy grin on his face and his mind working on his little pranks, he went in search of his parents who would still be in their quarters this early in the morning.

Surely enough, he found that his parents were still in their chambers, both in Odin's study. The guards had left him at the door as he let himself in and he watched fondly as his mother brushed her long, golden hair over her shoulder while his father sat at his desk, reading documents and affixing his signature on them before he'd receive his subjects' requests and petitions.

Odin was the first to notice him, looking up from the roll of parchment he had just spread over his table. He smiled, small and unerringly genuine as he nodded and greeted his younger son.

Frigga rose from her seat to meet him and he leaned down slightly as she wrapped her seemingly frail arms around his shoulders. "Good morning, dear," she greeted, squeezing him for good measure. "How is your Man of Iron? Is he and our grandchild well?"

"Yes, he is doing wonderfully according to his healers," Loki answered as he pulled back.

"Come and sit," she said, taking hold of his wrist and pulling him to the settee. She sounded calm but her eyes showed how excited she was. "Tell me all about it."

"We have just learned that we are to have a son," he said, his pride obvious in his voice and stance. "I have come to introduce him to you."

He took the small picture he kept hidden in his robe and handed it to his mother.

Frigga gasped and took the picture gently in her hands, holding it as if it would disappear from her grasp. She looked at her grandson intently, tracing every curve and line in the detailed image that showed the tiny creature still developing, his little hands curled near his head and his eyes shut in sleep.

"Oh, Odin, he is magnificent," she breathed out in awe and love, walking to her husband to present the piece of smooth parchment. "Look at him."

Odin took the picture carefully, a proud smile on his face as he straightened on his chair. With a finger, he traced the curve of his grandson's brow, his love growing every second. This little image would go among the framed pictures his wife placed on her dressing table and he would ask for another copy for his study.

He chuckled, the sound deep and comforting. "He has your brow. He might grow to be a mischievous one."

"I would be surprised if he didn't," Loki admitted. Between him and Tony... well, their son would be a prankster at the very least.

"You must get married," Frigga insisted, drawing Odin's attention from his baby grandson. He watched over them, his face unreadable and wisely keeping silent. His wife could be stubborn when she wanted to be. "Our grandchild will not be born out of wedlock."

"I have already told you that I will discuss this with Tony, Mother," Loki started patiently. "I just need time."

Frigga let out an inelegant snort, turning away from him childishly. "At this rate, I will probably have my second grandchild first before we can have a wedding."

Loki choked and coughed. "Mother!"

He looked imploringly at his father for help and noted with slight irritation as he saw amusement in the wizened face. Honestly, why did they pick now to tease him? He was always reduced to a child whenever he was in their presence. It was both startling and nostalgic how they talked in this way when before they could barely utter a word to each other when he had returned.

They've certainly come a long way.

The older god took pity on him and cleared his throat to get his wife's attention.

"Let our son proceed as he thinks it best, my wife," he began soothingly, ignoring the way she glowered at him. "This is his courtship and his future spouse. He is in a better position to decide what needs to be done to gain his favor."

"Well, he does not appear to be doing a good job of it," Frigga replied, making Loki groan quietly as he hid his face in his hands.

Odin resisted grinning, successfully keeping the façade of a wise, old man even though he wanted to laugh so badly like he'd never done in a long time. He hid a chuckle in a well-placed cough. "Regardless, it is not our place."

"Why don't you teach him how to go about courting, Odin?" the goddess suggested brightly. "Give him a few suggestions that could push this along." She turned to Loki with a fond, little smile. "Your father was a wily man when he was younger. Hardly anyone could resist his attention." Loki groaned again, shaking his head in embarrassment but his mother ignored him and continued. "I could give you advice but I doubt it would work as well for a man as it would a woman," Frigga added, her smile still in place.

How he wished he brought Thor to share his agony – nevermind, his brother would only find amusement in this torture.

"That is a wonderful idea, wife," Odin agreed and Loki turned to him in wide-eyed horror, his jaw dropping. "Now, what do you say we put this lovely image on your dressing table? If the mages can copy the picture, I'd like to have one in my study as well. Perhaps, you can have it framed while Loki and I discuss how he could woo his future spouse."

Frigga looked slightly suspicious but the thought of designing a delicate, intricately designed frame for the picture was winning in her mind.

"Oh, very well," she announced, vaguely miffed. "I shall leave you both to your discussion but I shall be expecting progress." She turned and walked to the door but stopped and turned with an earnest look in her face. "Oh, before I forget, I've made some herbal teas. Do you think he'd like some?"

"Ah, I have a list of ones that would be healthy for him," said Loki, procuring a list out of thin air.

She took the list and read through it, nodding to herself. "I have most of these so I shall gather them for you. When I return, we shall break our fast."

With that, she turned on her heel and left.

Loki released a breath, turning to his father. He raised a brow at him as the older god merely returned to his documents. "That was smoothly done."

"Not as smoothly as I had planned," Odin corrected with a private smile.

"I suppose you'd like to speak to me about something else other than courtship techniques," Loki wondered aloud, tilting his head to the side.

"Correct," Odin agreed with a hard nod, his expression becoming solemn. "I don't want your mother to hear for now. I know she has heard of it but I will wait for her to ask. I'd rather tell you first."

Loki didn't bother telling him this could end badly. "It concerns me then?"

Odin nodded. "I felt Gungnir's disappearance from the treasury."

Loki flinched a little. "It was not intentional. I suppose I've called on Gungnir by instinct."

"I am not reprimanding you," the Allfather stated, shaking his head. "In truth, I felt that it was best that it was Gungnir you called and not the Casket of Ancient Winters. Had you done that, you would have exposed yourself and I don't want you and your family to get hurt."

Odin took a deep breath. "Heimdall told me that Frost Giants appeared in Midgard. It is still unclear how. Your sudden appearance there had caused quite an uproar and I have informed the other realms that you were there to assist Thor and not your Man of Iron to alleviate the rumors that I set you loose to cause havoc. The Frost Giants took your appearance differently.

"I am only here to warn you that things are not what they seem, my son," he said, looking suddenly old and tired. "There are whispers from the other realms about the unrest in Jotunheim since Laufey's death. I fear that you may find yourself at the center of this situation. Your family will always be here to lend you aid should you need our support."

Loki cleared his throat. Odin was not making sense. At all. "Father, if I may speak freely?"

"You need not ask in these chambers, Loki. Here," Odin gestured to the entirety of the Royal Chambers, "we are family, first and foremost."

Loki took him at his word, smiling. "You are being deliberately cryptic again."

"Consider it a well-intentioned message," said Odin with a small grin. "I do not want to influence your decisions."

"Does it have anything to do with why people are avoiding me and looking spitefully at me more than usual?"

"Yes," he answered simply though Odin wished it could be different. There was no helping it though with the rumors going around and Loki's past actions. "They are uncertain about the rumors though most are inclined to believe it."

Believe what, Loki didn't know and he should know to understand what it was they were actually talking about.

"Why not tell me of these rumors, Father?" he implored. "If I know, then I'd be in a better position to protect my family and myself as needed."

Odin looked away, taking a deep breath and his face worried and old. "It concerns you as Laufey's firstborn and that the Frost Giants are rumored to want you to rule as their king as is your birthright."

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Author's Note: We are delving deeper into a lot of serious things... I guess some parts are a little unclear. Hopefully I can explain it better in the next chapter. Some Byleistr, Fury and the SHIELD Council in the next chapter (wanted to write them here but it's getting too long).

Leave me a comment or two! Your input would be greatly appreciated!

THANKS TO: cara-tanaka, Chibi Tsuki Hikari, Yana5, Nikkki23, Crystal Amaris, Trekkergurl, Shiro Demon, creaturecomfort, The Sacred Heart 2, ShayChis, Bella216, FireChildSlytherin5, LaviniaBlackthorn, Kichi Hisaki, kitkatthevampirelover92, Mikami92, fan girl 666, DraculAlucard, BrokenToy, ShinobiTwin05, Achlys, random-is-awsome, Hahahahahahahaah, Yusuke-love, Psyche102, Luna's moon1100, IanPeriwinkle99, MyHornyMan, IONCTM, NobodiesChain, Untold Story, OrlandosLover2009, kuroari, Slyther88, witlee, boogergirl2008, Steph5756lovestwilight, AliceTheHunted, .Angel, kogouma, JullianaWinter, MarineLvr84, naruke3176, OneTooManyHeadAches, izzabella11, Cael and Taiyo, xSerenityIsn'tAlwaystheAnswerx, Oceane Meldagon, Lugga, BunBunBabe, Addicted-to-the-Madness, Zetsuki, BoBinthemakings, Guest1 and Guest 2 for their lovely comments and encouragement.

Thanks for all who put this story in their FAVES and ALERTS lists!

Most of all, thanks to all the readers!

PREVIEW:

"Loki caused a lot of deaths, even he admits it," he said coldly, his eyes blazing in anger at all this bullshit. "But I stopped you from killing millions more when you decided to nuke New York. You. Owe. Me. For stopping your shit before it hit the fan."

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"Betrothed? Seriously?"

"You do not want to?"

"Um, I-uh, can I get back to you on that? This is all really sudden."