The Bifrost touched down on the balcony of Avengers Tower and Thor re-emerged after having been gone for three days. He's not exactly alone either. He is surrounded by stuff. There are chests and baskets filled with random objects and a very big, very conspicuous looking keg filled with some kind of alcohol. Jane runs up and gives him a big hug. His track record of returning to her when he visits Asgard is not a good one.
"I have missed you terribly Jane. I have brought you gifts and Loki as well." Thor says giving her a warm smile and quick peck on the lips. The others trickle outside and ogle the stash of goods. Some of the items visible are obviously for babies. There are baby blankets, swaddling clothes, and rattles.
"Damn Rolling Thunder, did you raid the only Baby Gap in Asgard?" Tony muses as he surveys the all the neat stuff. Loki spies a couple of items that look very familiar and her heart fills with sadness. Frigga made some of these items. Thor has brought her their family treasures.
"Jane, might I speak with Loki in private for a little while? There are some things from home I need to share with her." Thor asks.
"Of course." Jane says. Thor picks up a large basket and carries it inside as Loki follows behind him. Thor heads straight to Loki's room and places the basket on the bed. Loki pulls out the baby blanket and smells deeply of it. It even smells like Frigga, however faintly. It is green with gold swirls and gold trim. Every stitch was placed lovingly by their mother. Thor hasn't spoken a word and Loki is already on the verge of tears.
"Father has been watching since your return. He knows of everything that has transpired. He says you are welcome to come home when you are ready, but he also acknowledges that may be a long while yet."
"He's not wrong." Loki says sarcastically. She has no intensions of returning to Asgard ever again. She hates the People of Asgard. She hates Odin. She hates her past and doesn't want to look back anymore. It hits Loki in that moment, Midgard is her home. Her child will be bound to this land, and Loki is bound to a mortal, whom she loves far more than she cares to admit. Steve is mortal and will die one day, far too soon for Loki's tastes. Like Thor with Jane, Loki will never be ready when Steve passes on.
"Thor? What manner of ale is in that keg you brought with you?"
"Ah, you are so observant brother. That is the matter I wished to speak with you about in private. Where is Steven?"
"He's in the gym." Loki says slowly as a hard pit twists her stomach.
"Father saw fit to grant a boon to those that assisted you in the ceremony to save Midgard, as well to those that fought to retrieve the scepter."
"What kind of ale in in the keg Thor?" Loki says urgently.
"Idunn's Ale. The Ale of the Golden Apple." Thor says seriously.
"He wouldn't." Loki says quietly.
"He did. Now that Jane is pregnant father accepts her as my mate, my wife, and my future queen. Our child will be my heir, and will rule Asgard when I am gone. I don't have to tell you the effects the ale will have on human longevity."
"It will increase it tenfold. One swallow of that will extend their lives for a thousand years. Their unborn children would also benefit. My child would benefit."
"Aye. Being half-jotunn your child will already be longer lived than a mere mortal but still live a short life in comparison to our own. The ale will help her a great deal. You should drink it Loki, as should Steven. He is good for you. I've never seen you happier."
"I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of commitment Thor. It is one thing for me to marry someone I expect to die in a few decades, but I don't know if I love him so much as to be bound to him for the rest of my days."
"First you balk because he is mortal, then because he could be made immortal. What is your true complaint Loki?" Thor asks in all seriousness.
"I don't know." Loki says. She's afraid but of what she doesn't know.
"Then what are your fears?" Thor asks curious. Loki is an enigma even to himself.
"That he'll become immortal and then tire of me and leave me, or worse that he'll choose not to drink the ale and I'll resent him for it and then our budding little happiness will dissolve like so much sea foam. That he's too good for me, to be stuck with me for the rest of eternity as a punishment for being so damned good!"
"I see." Thor chuckles. Loki glares at him. How can he laugh at a time like this! "Where is Steven Loki?"
"I told you. In the gym I think. Why?"
"I think it's time to tell the others what's in the keg." Thor grins mischievously.
"Thor! Thor don't you dare! You can't just drop immortality on them like you are gifting them with a new dress!"
"Watch me. Jarvis, please summon Steven to the living room. Tell him it is urgent."
"No! Thor damn you, you stupid oaf! Stop meddling in my life!"
"You know what brother, you think too much." Thor pulls something out of his pocket that he kept hidden. It is a slumber locket, often gifted to new mothers to help them fall back to sleep quickly after waking to care for a newborn. He shoves it under Loki's nose and she is knocked out instantly. He lays her gently on the bed. He's got a good 10 minutes before it wears off and Loki arises pissed off beyond measure. Loki is going curse Thor a blue streak. Oh well.
Thor strides quickly back out to the common area. He hoists up the large keg over his shoulder and places it on the bar in living room.
"My friends gather round. I have a treat to share with all of you." Thor says with a very large smile. Everyone is present. Nick, Bruce, Steve, Maria, Natasha, Clint, Jane, Tony, and Pepper.
"Where's Loki? I'll go get her." Steve asks.
"No Steven. Let her be for a little bit. She is tired and wants a few minutes alone." Thor says to gently to his friend. In light of all the things Thor has brought from home, Steve can understand if Loki is feeling emotional and doesn't want him to see her cry. He'll give her a few minutes and then peek on her to make sure she is okay.
"So what is this stuff?" Natasha asks.
"It is apple ale from Asgard." Thor says as he passes around shot glasses of the liquid to everyone.
"We shouldn't drink alcohol Thor. It's not good for the babies." Pepper says.
"I assure you a quantity this small will do your unborn babes no harm, in fact Asgard's apple ale is hailed for its restorative powers. It is a blessing I assure you." Thor says as he hands a shot glass to Jane. Well if he feels comfortable enough to give it to his own girl and their baby then it should be fine. "To the babies." Thor toasts as he knocks back a shot. Everyone lifts their shot glass to their lips and drinks.
"Wow! That is really really good!" Jane exclaims as she licks her lips. Thor looks around at everyone to ensure that they have all imbibed of the liquid.
"That was like the world's best hard apple cider on steroids." Tony adds. Steve is licking his lips. It is really good. He doesn't normally bother drinking alcohol anymore, but he really likes the taste of this stuff. He wouldn't mind having another.
"STOOOOPPPPPP!" Loki screams as she runs down the hall. She is too late. Thor takes his shot glass and turns it upside down on the bar with a loud thud. Everyone looks at the horror on her face and then turns back to Thor with fear. Thor beams a sunny smile at all of them.
"Congratulations my friends. You're all immortal now."
XxXxXxXxXx
"You inconsiderate selfish fool! Did you even ask them if they wanted it?" Loki screams at his brother.
"No and with good reason. I took the decision from them to make it easier. It is done. They may hate me and be angry for a while but in time they will come to appreciate the gift they have been given."
"As they watch everyone they love around them grow old and die!"
"Then they can come to Asgard and be amongst others that are long lived like them. Like us!"
"Again you assume that is something they would want!"
"It is something they want. Mortals long for immortality all the time, and they won't be alone. They will have each other, their children, and us. They will not suffer loneliness or sadness as much as you fear."
"And what of my own child Thor! She is bound to earth and can never visit Asgard. Extending her life would be a cruelty."
"No Loki! Don't you see? One of the other children, a male child, she can be paired off with him and be happy."
"There are five children Thor, and for all we know all five of them may turn out to be female."
"Yours may be guaranteed to be female, but the others could all be male. She could have as many as four suitors to choose from."
"One of which would be her cousin and the future King of Asgard, who by that virtue alone would exclude him from consideration. She would have three at most to choose from, and odds are it won't even be that. It is a stupid reason to do this Thor."
"It wasn't my only reason as you well know. Jane and my child will be by my side as will our friends. We will all have each other."
"I hope they kick your ass." Loki says as she walks back into the living room. She and Thor have been shouting at each other out there for well over an hour. Everyone else stayed inside looking shell shocked. Tony has a sappy dreamy smile on his face. He's fucking ecstatic about all this. Pepper looks stunned, but not necessarily upset. Nick looks grim as always. He is definitely pissed. Steve, Maria, and Bruce all looked worried. Clint and Natasha are hard to read, as usual. Jane is beaming from ear to ear.
Loki turns to address them all as they no doubt have questions as to what Thor meant by "immortal."
"Please forgive my stupid brother. He never thinks things through." Loki starts.
"No fucking shit!" Nick replies. He was actually looking forward to retirement. Loki clears her throat.
"The ale you drank came from Indunn's apples. In Asgard we eat and drink food and beverages made from them daily to keep us young, though we do not need to consume them so often. An apple a year keeps the wrinkles at bay or so the old saying goes. Anyway, for mortals the effects are bit more powerful. All of you have had your lives extended by a thousand years, to include your unborn children. You will not age as other humans do now, though you are still just as vulnerable to injury and death as before. To Thor and I, a thousand years is hardly immortal but for your kind…. a thousand years is a very long time. Do any of you have any questions?"
"Yeah, so uh…are we still doing the City Hall thing? I know that pledging our love to each other forever and all of that…forever just got whole lot longer so…..I figured now would be the best time to go…before we over think it too much." Steve says looking at Loki. He wants to marry her and if there is one thing Loki is good at, it's overthinking things into ruin.