Pairings: Sif & Jane (explicit), Wanda & Vision, Clint & Natasha, Steve & Loki
Explicit Content: Fingering, Oral Sex
Sometimes the air in Wakanda is too clean. Bucky takes a deep breath of it and ends up coughing. To be fair, the air in New York City now is actually better than he remembers from before. Not that it matters now.
He walks to the river near his little house to fetch some water. The river's water is cool and clear as it rushes past. He drops his bucket into it, wetting it and his hands. The thought of taking off his clothes and getting in is tempting. Maybe he'll do that later. For now he wants water for his coffee.
There is a well that the house can draw water from, but Bucky prefers to fetch it. It gives him an excuse to walk, get some sunshine and some too-fresh air.
He carries the bucket back to the house. If he can accomplish that without a quarter of the water sloshing out, he considers it an excellent run. Today, judging by how wet his pant leg is, it's just okay.
There is a car waiting for him. The doors open. Four women step out.
The Princess is all smiles as usual. "White Wolf!" She waves at him.
He raises his free hand, the human one. "Morning, Shuri. Good morning, Queen Ramonda." He gives her a little bow. To the two Dora Milaje, he gives another small bow of his head.
"Good morning, Mr. Barnes," Ramonda replies.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" His voice sounds so flat in his ears compared to the soft lilt of theirs.
"We wanted to see how you were getting along," she replies.
Shuri walks to meet him at his front door. "I wanted to check on your arm."
"It's good," he says then lifts the bucket to show her. "I was just gonna make some coffee."
"Yum. I'd like a latte."
"You might have to milk the goats for that." He turns to the Queen Mother. "She won't. It was a joke. I'll milk the goats if I don't have milk."
She gives him a compassionate smile. "That's very kind of you. I'm sure Shuri would be very impressed and humbled by that gesture."
Shuri rolls her eyes. "You two don't have to be so formal."
"Just showing the proper respect," Bucky says. "Come in, and I'll start the coffee." He holds the door open for them, letting them pass first. "How is the King?"
"He's doing well," the Queen Mother replies.
"Nakia is gone, so he's been moping around," Shuri complains.
Bucky can sympathize. "It's hard to be away from the person you love. What about you, Shuri? You got a boyfriend yet?"
She dips her head and looks up at him. "I'm flattered, but I think you're too old for me."
"Much too old," he agrees. "And I wasn't fishing." He heads to the tiny kitchen to boil the water.
"Good."
"Can't help but notice you didn't answer my question."
"No boyfriend," she tells him. "No time." She watches his arm as he moves. "Is it still comfortable?"
"Yeah. Feels great."
"And your head, any more headaches?"
"Just occasional ones."
"Memories?"
He turns to look at her. "So not a social call. You could've just asked me to go into the lab."
She smiles her mischievous smile. "Can't help but notice you didn't answer my question."
He goes back to adding coffee to the French press. "All I've got is memories. If you want to try the trigger words again, I'd rather be in your lab."
"Now I understand your empathy for my stepson," Ramonda says. "It must be hard to be here without the people you love."
"That's pretty much been my life since I headed to boot camp. At least now it's my choice." He nods at Shuri. "Thanks to that brilliant teenager. When I was her age, all I cared about was girls and baseball."
"Typical American," Shuri teases. "Was it like in those old movies?"
"I don't know. Probably depends on the movie."
"We should watch one together so you can tell me." She lifts up her phone. "When were you a teenager?"
"1930s."
She does a quick search. "Reefer Madness?" She looks up at him with an open-mouth that has just a hint of a smile. "Did you smoke weed? I didn't even know they had weed back then."
"Pretty sure they've always had weed. And I preferred alcohol." He adds the hot water to the coffee. "That movie was idiotic."
"You saw it?"
He gives a half shrug. "I was kissing a girl through most of it but yeah."
Ramonda smiles. "Sounds like you heard it more than saw it. It's happened to me once or twice."
"Just once or twice? Gotta be more than that," Bucky says with a little of his old swagger.
Her smile deepens. "Perhaps a little more."
This suddenly isn't as fun for Shuri. It's more shocking. "What is happening?"
"Life, baby girl," Bucky replies. "It goes fast. You should enjoy it. Don't spend all your time in the lab."
"I like the lab," she retorts. She turns to her stepmother. "Unless you'd rather I spend my time making-out at the movies."
Ramonda lifts her hands and sets them back down, silently saying she would not. "I think what Mr. Barnes is saying is that you should balance your time in the lab with time with your friends."
"Please call me Bucky," he says before pouring three coffees. "Did you still want milk, Princess?"
"Please." She gives him her best smile.
He checks the small fridge and pulls out a bottle half full of milk. He sniffs it and determines it's fine. "I don't have a fancy foam thing."
"It's alright."
"Your Highness?" he asks the Queen Mother.
"I'll take it as is. Thank you."
He hands over the cups of coffee then grabs his own.
"Have you heard from Loki or Captain Rogers?"
He nods. "Loki dropped off a pizza a couple of days ago. It was…home."
"There are efforts to ease the Sokovian Accords so you can return. Or at the very least get a trial."
"That'd be nice. I hate taking advantage of your hospitality.
Worry comes over Ramonda's face. "You helped us retake Wakanda. You are not taking advantage of anything."
Shuri makes a face. "They've been working on the changes to the Accords for over a month."
"Progress takes time," Bucky reminds her. "But it'll come."
"You've had so much time stolen from you already." She learned a lot about James Buchanan Barnes when she was actively working to deprogram him. She found his life tragic, the circumstances cruel.
"I've been given a lot, too. Including a teenager too smart for her own good that gave me hope and my autonomy back. Thank you."
"You can stop thanking me."
"I really can't," he tells her. "But I promise to get you a better cup of coffee when I go in for my next check-up."
"I suppose that'll have to do." She gives him a smile and takes another sip of her coffee.
xxx
"Hello, Heimdall. How are you?" Storm asks when she arrives at the Rainbow Bridge.
"I'm well, thank you," he replies. "He's in a bit of a mood today. You'll find him on the training grounds." Then he adds, "Not training."
"Not training? Observing?"
The gold-eyed god nods slowly.
"No wonder he's moody. Maybe I can change that." She rises off the ground and flies to where the warriors train.
She can see the mass of warriors there looking like ants on a small clearing just before a familiar raven flies up to meet her.
"Any chance we can keep my arrival a secret?" She suspects not. Ignoring the bird, she waits until she is just over the training area before starting her descent.
Thor barely spares her a glance.
She lands to his left. "King Thor." She turns to her left. "Queen Mother Frigga." She sees someone she didn't expect. "Jane."
Jane gives a little wave. "Hi."
Frigga smiles from her seat. "Ororo, how lovely to see you. Please excuse my son. He's in a foul mood. He hates being up here inspecting rather be down there showing off."
Thor harrumphs.
Standing to Thor's right, Tyr promises, "You can go down and test some of them once you've assessed them as a whole."
"Is Thrud down there?" Storm asks.
Frigga smiles with pride. "Just there between Sif and Borghild."
"They look good. Perhaps I should join them." She checks for Thor's reaction out of the corner of her eyes.
He harrumphs again. "They aren't ready."
"No, they aren't. But it's only been three months," Tyr reminds him. "Two of those were spent rebuilding. They're progressing. For now, that's what matters."
Storm looks around. "Where's Bruce?"
Jane answers, "Training with the healers. I was tempted to join him, but then I saw Sif in her armor." She can't help the goofy grin that appears on her face. Her girlfriend is hot, especially in the armor.
She isn't surprised by the answer. If Hank McCoy ever came here, she's certain he'd spend all his time with the healers trying to learn as much as he could. "He still has no desire to return to Earth?"
"No," Thor answers. His shoulders relax ever so slightly. "How is Logan?"
"Pretending he's fine. Making poor choices." It's clear she doesn't approve. "When I told him I was returning, he told me to have fun."
"That…was a poor choice?"
"No. Kind of. He had no message for Bruce," she tries to explain.
"Should he have?"
She crosses her arms at her chest. "I'd rather he try to patch things up with Bruce than spend his time flirting with Jean Grey."
"You almost sound jealous."
"I'm worried. And I detest the drama it creates. At least I can get away from it." She decides that's enough talk about Logan. "Tell me about your troops. Where are they lacking?"
"Half don't know how to use their weapons."
Tyr corrects, "A fifth. And those are all the youngsters who have joined. They're progressing. The VTB and Warriors Three have been helping to train them as have some of the more senior leaders."
Frigga adds, "They're progressing. They look better today than they did last week."
Thor tenses again. "Not better enough. I won't have Asgard fall on my watch."
"We survived an invasion from our three greatest enemies," Tyr reminds him. "It will take more than that for Asgard to fall."
"More than that is coming. I have no doubt." He drops his arms, placing one hand on the hilt of Mjolnir. It's time for him to stop observing. One must lead by example. "I've seen enough." He heads down to the pitch.
Tyr follows as Frigga watches them with worried eyes.
xxx
Wanda smiles when she reads the message from Vision on her tablet. He longs to see her again. Longs. It sounds romantic. It's more than want. It's not as insistent as need. It is a yearning, one that she also feels despite her initial misgivings when they first started meeting.
She writes back to tell him she will do her best to meet him.
"You look happy." Pietro hands her a soda.
"I am…content. Perhaps this is now feeling like home."
He sits on the other end of the couch. "We have lived in worse."
"We've always had each other." She pokes him with her toe.
He nods. "Sometimes I miss Sokovia," he admits.
"You can always go visit." She takes a sip of her drink, enjoying the feel of the bubbles in her throat.
"It's not the same." He looks at her. "I am not the same."
"No. Neither of us are. Do you regret our decisions?"
He shakes his head. Then he reconsiders. "Well, I regret trusting Ultron. And sometimes I regret not killing Stark. That usually passes."
"Usually?"
"If we had killed him…"
"Ultron would not have existed." She nods. "Neither would Vision."
Pietro can see the tenderness in her eyes. "He would not have broken your heart."
"He would not have shown me love," she counters.
"Others would have shown you." He's sure of it.
"I'm not so sure." She looks at her soda and shrugs. "It does not matter now." She takes another drink.
He studies his sister for a long moment.
"What?"
"Did I make you sad?"
"I'm fine," she assures him. "I mean it doesn't help that you bring up how we were partly responsible for the destruction of our home. Would you also like to bring up my failure in Lagos?" Guilt hits her chest when she sees his face fall. Her toes poke him again. "I'm okay. Really." She pokes him again. "Really." There's another poke. "I'm going to keep doing this until you believe me."
It takes two more pokes before he says, "Okay. Okay. I believe you. Stop touching me with your dirty feet."
"My feet are cleaner than you face."
He laughs. "Stop it or I will pull your toes."
Wanda immediately draws her legs up. Her eyes narrow. "You can try." The corners of her mouth rise in amusement.
"I'm too fast for you to stop," he reminds her with a cocky rise of his eyebrow as Loki and Vali walk into the room.
"Then I will get my revenge," she warns, the smile still on her lips.
"Now now, children," Loki says. "No fighting in the house, particularly if you're planning on using powers."
At the same time, the twins reply, "You're not the boss of us."
"No, but I am married to him." He grabs the sunscreen he left on the table. "We'll be at the beach. Please don't destroy the house while we're gone."
"Do you want to come?" Vali asks. He knows people like to be asked, and this isn't one of those times where his dad wants to talk alone. "We're helping Clint make arrows. But you don't have to help with that."
The twins look at each other, silently discussing how to answer. They nod. "Let us change," Wanda says. "We'll meet you there."
"Groovy." Clint taught him that word, and he likes saying it, likes how it feels it his mouth. Natasha has warned him that most kids don't say that, but he doesn't care. Not yet anyway. When he starts at the Xavier School, he'll probably stop using it. But for now, here with his new, bigger family, he's going to use it.
xxx
No one tells the new Avengers that Iron Man and War Machine would be joining them for their last day of training. Always one for dramatics, Tony insists on staying hidden until that morning after all six have assembled in their respective hero uniforms with Vision, Captain Marvel, and Director May.
"Welcome to your last day of training," Vision tells them. "At least here with us. As such, we have a bit of a surprise for you."
The reaction is mixed between eagerness and uncertainty.
"More dinosaurs?" Piotr asks as he makes a fist and places his other hand over it.
That makes Carol smile. She gives Melinda a look of satisfaction.
The Director's face remains blank.
"Oh, well, that depends on your perspective I suppose." He turns his head to look at the door.
Tony enters first wearing jeans and an old Judas Priest concert shirt. "Really, Vision? Is that any way to talk to your dad?"
Rhodey is right behind him, the tech helping him walk only slightly visible beneath his dark slacks. He's doing his best not to roll his eyes. "Hello, New Avengers. I'm Colonel Rhodes. You can call me Rhodey. And –"
"I need no introduction," Tony says. "You can call me Tony or Iron Man. Whichever you prefer."
Lei Ling has a hand over her mouth. This isn't as exciting as meeting her favorite K-Pop band, but it's close. She takes a breath and lowers her hand. She knows she has earned a place on this team. And though she could still use improvement in using her powers, she has learned so much being here.
Tony continues, "Rhodey and I wanted to see how you were doing ourselves before letting you back out into the wild." He looks at Captain Britain, easily recognizable by the British flag plastered over his chest. "Good thing we lost the other guy who likes to wear flags. Otherwise, one of you would have to get a new uniform."
"It wasn't a problem when we fought together in London," Brian replies. "I was there during the Convergence."
"Oh, right."
Rhodey recalls, "I somehow skipped that one."
"It was a doozy," Tony says. "There were aliens and science and mini black holes."
Carol remembers, too. It was a hard fight. "Maybe we should move on. Tony and Rhodey have read your files and have been advised of what you can do. Now everyone shake hands so we can get on with it."
"Dinosaurs?" Piotr asks again.
"You'll see."
Tony remains where he is as one-by-one the new Avengers come to officially meet him and Rhodey.
Lei Ling is first. "So nice to meet you."
"Look at you. You look like an anime character," Tony tells her.
Director May gives him a withering glare that makes him do a double-take when he notices.
Silver Sable walks up to Rhodey first. "Colonel." As someone who puts country above her own needs, she understands him. But Stark… It's men like him who have exploited her home country of Symkaria for decades. At least before he changed. Now she has a begrudging respect for him. "Stark."
"Ms. Sablinova. You do not disappoint."
"Only those who wish me to fail."
Captain Britain is next. "You all have some impressive toys," he tells them.
"Good luck trying to replicate them," Tony replies.
"Not really my area of expertise. But I have a feeling they'll try to buy them first. We are allies after all."
"Rhodey. Stark." Piotr greets them. "It's good to be back."
Rhodey's eyes narrow, studying him. "Why are you back?"
"Everyone keeps asking me this question. Almost as if you cannot believe someone would want to return. Do you truly think so little of the Avengers now? Is it truly less than it was?"
"Well, no. I mean, we aren't saying that."
Tony points out, "You were Steve's recruit. Guess we figured you'd be more loyal to him." The words are meant to get a rise out of the Russian, but they don't work.
"I did not join for Steve. I did not leave for Steve, either. Not all decisions are a contest," he points out. "Would it help if I said I was Team Iron Man now?"
"It might."
"Are we not supposed to be Team Avengers?" he asks.
Rhodey puts his hands on his hips. "He's got you there. I'm definitely more Team Avengers than Team Iron Man." He grins.
Tony is done with this. "Yeah. Okay. Where's the Guillotine?" It's hard to tell if he means the execution device or the Avenger.
Jeannine assumes it is about her. "I am Guillotine," she says as she approaches them.
"And that's your big sword," he says looking at the hilt the appears over her shoulder. "It's really cursed?"
"It is." It's telling her to feed it Tony's blood right now, but she won't be disclosing that bit of information. "I am ready to protect the world if needed," she tells them.
"Great." He looks over her costume. "Your look is very medieval. I like it."
"Thank you." She looks at Rhodey almost as if looking for help.
He gives her a sympathetic smile. "Welcome to the team."
"That leaves…" Tony points to Dinesh. "Grid, right?"
"Yes. Hello. I am Dinesh Deol. I'm a big fan of your work."
"Well who doesn't love Iron Man."
"I meant your work in renewable energy," the young man corrects. "What Stark Industries is doing is beyond all other companies except maybe The Life Foundation. But who knows if they will survive the quarter," he says, alluding to the recent loss of the company's CEO and the exposé alleging they used homeless people as unwilling research subjects.
A twinkle comes into Tony's eyes. "Oh, you're definitely a science bro. We've been lacking members since Bruce went AWOL and the others stopped hanging around."
Grid looks confused. "You have an entire tech department." Departments (plural) if they count Avengers and Stark Industries separately.
"Not the same."
"Okay." He's not sure what else to say to that.
Director May puts a finger to her earpiece. "Acknowledged. We'll be out shortly." She raises her voice to address everyone in the room. "They're ready for us."
The new Avengers exchange glances before all eyes turn to Aero. She shrugs. Whatever might be happening, the wind is not carrying it to where they are.
Tony turns to Rhodey. "Time to suit up." A moment later, it's as if their armor is forming around them.
"Piotr," Captain Marvel calls. "You should armor up."
He nods as his skin turns a shiny silver.
Vision looks at them all, feeling proud at how they've come together. "Iron Man will lead the way. We'll tell you where to stop. And don't worry, we won't ask you to say anything."
"Press," Colossus realizes. He's been through it before.
Captain Marvel confirms by saying, "We figured learning about it early would just cause anxiety. You'll do great. More importantly, you'll be official."
Grid and Aero beam at the thought even if both are a bit nervous. Guillotine feels uneasy about it, but maybe it will mean her fiancé will stop hunting her. The rest see it as one of their duties, unwelcome but necessary, lessons learned from their own experience with it.
"Any questions?"
Aero raises her hand. "Does this mean we'll get access to the Avengers socials?"
"We've got a whole team handling that," Tony tells her. "Don't worry, they'll make you look good. Oh, and your merch will be available right after the announcement."
"Merch?" Silver Sable does not like the sound of that.
"Sure. You'll love it. Now let's go introduce you to the world."
xxx
Storm is getting the impression that Bruce is avoiding her. She's barely seen him these past few days. She didn't expect to spend a lot of time with him, but she thought they'd have at least one conversation.
"He is," Thrud confirms. "He won't admit it, but he is."
They are sitting with Jane and Sif in the garden. The Asgardians are drinking ale, while the Midgardians are sharing a bottle of wine.
"Do you know why?"
"No."
Jane offers, "Maybe you remind him of Logan. Or he assumes you'll take Logan's side since you two are friends."
"He's also an ex," Storm tells them. "If anything, we could commiserate on Logan's failures."
Sif understands. "Jane and I commiserate over Thor's failures sometimes."
Thrud's eyes go wide. "Do you really? That's awful."
"We're just comparing stories," Jane tells her. "I'm sure you've got a few. Being his daughter can't be easy."
She is relieved when Borghild arrives. "You're late."
"Yeah." She plops into an open seat. "Did I miss anything?"
"Not really."
Storm says, "Thrud confirmed that Bruce is avoiding me."
"Is he?" She thinks back. "That explains some of his behavior." Then she shrugs and drinks from her tankard of ale.
"How different is it here?" Jane asks her.
"Compared to where?" Borghild asks thinking she meant the garden.
"Compared to where you're from, the other Asgard." She leans forward, eyes lighting up. "You're proof that there are multiple dimensions. And somehow your dimension crossed with our dimension on Sakaar. Does that mean it's outside dimensions? Like a," she searches her brain, "a nexus point? And if so, how many dimensions are there and what are the odds that Thor and Loki and Bruce were able to return to this exact dimension?"
"Jane," Sif says in a gentle but firm voice, "you are not going to search for Sakaar."
She looks at her girlfriend in surprise. "Huh? No," she says automatically. The she reassures, "No." Finally, she says, "No," with the knowledge of how difficult it would likely be.
Storm chuckles. "I've been around enough scientists to know that look. You were actually considering it weren't you."
"It would be an amazing discovery. Borghild, could I write a paper on you?"
"A paper?" she looks suspicious.
"Not really on you but on what you represent – proof that there are multiple dimensions."
"Are you certain it isn't time travel?" Storm asks. "Thor did say time worked differently there."
Thrud chimes in, "Vali is proof of that."
Jane says, "I doubt Loki will let me talk to Vali. I don't even know where he is."
"Vali will be attending the Xavier School," Storm tells them. "He's been admitted for the fall. But you're probably right about Loki giving you permission."
"You could ask Sigyn," Sif suggests. "Mothers still have some say over their children." She looks at Thrud as she says this.
"Yes, Mor," she replies, "when they're children."
"Which Vali still is."
Borghild tilts her head. "You sure you want to circumvent Loki like that? He doesn't seem like someone who'd just let that go."
"He's not," Sif agrees.
Jane doesn't care. "I don't need to talk to Vali. The multiple dimensions are the really interesting part. Borghild, could I set up some time to discuss your experiences?"
She shrugs. "Sure. Have some booze handy, and I'll be more likely to talk."
"I'll remember that."
That reminds Sif of something. "Have you heard from Darcy lately?"
"Yeah. She's finishing her doctoral thesis. I've looked over her outline. It's impressive stuff. I'm so proud." She presses her lips together like she's about to cry. "My intern is all grown up."
That makes Storm chuckle. "I know that feeling. With every graduating class."
Borghild looks over at her. "I forgot you taught. You must have a lot of patience."
"Most days."
"And on the days you don't?" Thrud asks.
"Meditation helps. Or the Danger Room. Nothing like unleashing your power to make you feel better."
Borghild and Sif agree with raised tankards.
"Speaking of power, how goes the VTB?"
Thrud beams, "We've had a few girls ask to be trained. I'm having to convince their parents, but it'll be worth it. I'm hoping to start training them the day after tomorrow."
"That's fantastic," Storm tells her.
"Mor has agreed to help us whenever she's here." She smiles at her mother. "She's really helped show everyone that women can be warriors, too."
Jane grins. "She's like the original Xena."
"Who?" Borghild asks.
"It's a character on a tv show."
"The box with the stories," she realizes. "Bruce told me about them. This character is a warrior?"
"A mighty warrior," Jane replies. "She has this hoop blade thing she calls a chakram that she throws."
Sif adds, "She also carries a sword. I think it's the better weapon, but I may be a bit biased."
Storm turns to Borghild. "Have you finished settling in?"
"I have."
"The Council seems much more comfortable with you than they were before."
Thrud says, "I think they're a little scared of her. It's almost as if she's the new Loki only without the tricks."
"Was the Council afraid of Loki?" Storm asks.
Sif answers, "No. They were afraid of Odin.
"That I believe. Were they equally afraid of Queen Frigga?"
"Not that I know of."
"I'm surprised. She is a powerful force." Storm would know being a powerful force herself. "I have a feeling they underestimate her."
"I think that's how she wanted it," Thrud says. "She once told me she likes being underestimated. Did you know that in Borghild's dimension, Far's older sister was named Hel? And she wasn't taken by the Angels. She tried to overthrow Asgard."
"Hel? As in Loki's daughter?"
"Imagine my surprise," Borghild says before taking another drink.
"Do they look alike?" Storm asks. "Or does she resemble Angela? It's my understanding she and Hel look as much alike as Thor and Loki."
"You haven't met her either?" Thrud asks.
"No, but I've heard about her."
Borghild burps before saying, "She looked more like Loki than Thor. But she didn't really look like his daughter. Might've killed her if she did."
"I'm glad she doesn't then." Thrud and Hel aren't particularly close, but they've been through some things. She still feels guilty about what happened in Valhalla after they told the deceased warriors that Ragnarok was a lie.
"I see her every so often, Loki's Hel," Storm clarifies. "She visits Rogue at the school. They've gotten close."
Borghild burps again. "I need another drink." She gets up. "Anyone else?"
Sif raises her tankard. "I'll go with you. We can carry twice as much back."
"You should just bring a whole keg," Jane says.
"That's not a bad idea."
Storm gets the feeling Jane wasn't actually serious. She waits for the two Asgardians to leave before asking, "How are things with you and Sif?" She realizes she may not get a completely truthful answer with Thrud here, but she might get an inkling.
"Good actually. I think this might be my longest relationship ever."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you." She looks at Thrud. "Are you…okay with us being together?"
"Yes. Though it does seem strange that both of you were with Far before being together."
"It is strange," she agrees. "But your mother is pretty incredible."
She nods. "I'm a warrior because of her. And now our ranks are growing. Soon we'll have our own fighting group." She is proud of the progress she's made. "I'm learning a lot from Borghild. She's a natural leader. I'm glad Far found her and brought her back."
"She and Bruce both," Storm says. "At least now we know where he is."
Jane gets a faraway look in her eyes as her mind once again considers the existence of other dimensions. "If other Bruces from other dimensions traveled to Sakaar, would his other selves coalesce into one, or would there be multiple Bruces? And if so, why was there only one there? Can only one appear there at a time?"
"We've lost her," Storm declares.
Thrud agrees, "We've definitely lost her. Should we try to bring her back?"
"Best to let it play out. Your mother can snap her out of it when she gets back."
xxx
Sif removes the final piece of her armor leaving her only in the crimson tunic she wears beneath. "You're doing it again," she tells Jane.
"Hm?" She looks over and realizes that she's been caught. "Sorry. It's just so fascinating. Multiple dimensions. There could be another you. Multiple yous."
"Perhaps. But I would hope I was the only one that matters at the moment."
"At the moment." It's a small tease. "Most moments," she promises.
Sif holds out her hand. When Jane takes it, she pulls her onto her lap. "Now I'll be sure to hold your attention," she says as her hand slowly strokes her lover's thigh over the thin pajama pants.
"You might have to do more than that."
"You still wear too many clothes to bed," she complains. "If you must cover your privates, your underwear alone would do."
"But I like it when you take them off me." The tips of Jane's fingers stroke Sif's collar bone. She kisses her chin. "It gets me all excited." She whispers, "And wet."
"Mm. And how do you plan on getting me wet?" Sif asks.
"Well, that may require some experimentation."
"You and your science."
"Well, I've found it's good to start with the basics." She kisses her, tongue seeking entrance that is quickly granted. She turns, moving her leg to straddle Sif as they continue kissing.
The warrior's hand slides up inside Jane's shirt to massage her breast. She pinches the nipple she finds, hardening it. Her other hand rests at her hip. She pulls back to say, "Pants to bed should be outlawed."
"You don't seem to have a problem with my shirt," she notes.
"Easier access."
Jane leans back and pulls off her shirt. She takes Sif's hand from her breast and slides it into the waistband of her pants.
"More clothes," Sif complains when she feels the underwear beneath.
"Fine." She gets off Sif's lap. With a yank, the pants fall to the floor revealing the cotton white underwear beneath. Another yank, and those join the pants on the ground. She steps out of them. "Better?"
"Much."
"Now you."
Sif rises. She tugs her tunic up over her head and lets it drop beside her. Sometimes it's difficult to see her muscles in her armor. But here, like this, it's easy to see the hard bulges on her arms and thighs. Her pubic hair is as dark as the hair on her head. She stands proud and unashamed.
It's sexy as hell.
"Well now. There you are."
"Here I am," Sif agrees. "Now come to bed."
"You first," Jane replies.
Her eyebrows rise. "You're feeling sassy."
"Must be the influence of the beautiful woman in the room. Or of being on Asgard." She shrugs. "Maybe." She takes a step closer. "Or maybe I know you like it when I'm sassy." She continues forward until she's standing directly in front of Sif. Getting up on her toes, she kisses her, tugging the bottom lip with her teeth.
Sif pulls her against her, devouring her mouth. Her hand slides down Jane's back to her ass, giving it a possessive squeeze.
Jane kisses down as her heels return to the ground. Her mouth finds a hard nipple and slathers it with her tongue. Then she gives it a soft bite, tugging it toward her. A pleasured moan meets her ears. She looks into Sif's blue eyes. "Lie down so I can taste you better."
"Haven't you tasted enough?"
"I haven't even gotten started."
"Alright then." She gets into bed, face up, the covers thrown to the side. "Don't leave me waiting."
Jane gets on top of her, kissing Sif's lips as her fingers trace the muscles of her abdomen. They slide down into the dark pubic hair then trace the slit between her legs. The pads of her fingers become moist, almost slick with her lover's desire. She suddenly feels a pressure against her clit that slides to her vagina. "I was going to give you oral."
"I want to look into your eyes. I want to see the pleasure in them. The lust."
She slides her middle finger into Sif's pussy then feels the same penetration in her own. "Together then? This'd be easier with a double-sided dildo."
"Perhaps. But then I couldn't feel you, couldn't do this." She presses her finger against Jane's vaginal wall before sliding slowly it out.
"True," she says with a tight voice. "Okay. Like this until one of use comes. Then that person has to eat out the other."
"What a filthy mouth you have." Sif doesn't look like she minds at all.
They shift, lying on their sides as they continue to touch and taste. Fingers are added. Palms rub as the digits slide in and out in an uneven rhythm that could never match each other. It doesn't have to. It's better that they don't. The unpredictability makes it that much better.
Sif grabs hold of the edge of the mattress as her muscles tense. "Jane," she whines between breaths and kisses. Her head is beginning to swim as need drives all thoughts out of her head.
Jane wants her to come first, needs her to. Her mouth moves to suck on the space just below Sif's earlobe and behind her jawbone. Then it moves down to her clavicle where she runs her teeth along the bone. Her tongue dips into the indentation at the base of the warrior's throat before sucking on the skin there.
As good a lover as Thor was, he never made Sif feel the way Jane does. Her head tilts back as her toes curl in ecstasy. "Jane," she chokes out just before her body spasms in pleasure. She stills Jane's hand, panting as she waits to regain the ability to think.
Watching Sif's face, Jane again marvels at its beauty. Then suddenly she's being pushed onto her back, her legs are forced apart. Her eyes flutter closed when Sif's tongue tastes her. "Oh shit." Her legs are over her lover's shoulders. Her fingers claw at the bed before grabbing the pillow beneath her head. Her body jerks slightly when that tongue twirls around her clit.
Sif holds Jane's hips down to keep her still. Her thumbs keep the labia open, giving her room to taste freely. She takes her time, the tip of her tongue digging in before slowly licking up the salty sweetness then doing it again but different, different placement, different pressure, eliciting a different wave of pleasure in her lover.
"Oh, fuck," Jane moans. "That's…That's…" She moans again. Her back arches. Her hand goes to her breast rubbing her sensitive nipple. Her heels dig into Sif's back. "More."
It doesn't take much more. Jane's moans grow louder as she gets closer and closer to her release. It breaks with an open-throated cry of pleasure as her body shudders in its climax.
Sif kisses up her body until their lips meet again. "My Jane," she says, love filling her voice.
"My Sif," she replies, still trying to catch her breath.
"Still thinking about multiple dimensions?"
"Huh?" She smiles. "I can barely think at all."
"Then I have succeeded in my quest." She kisses her again. "Now sleep. You can think again in the morning."
xxx
Sam weaves through the dancing crowd in the São Paolo nightclub. The bass of the EDM music pounds so loud he can feel it in his chest. The geometric pattern made by the long lights would make him feel like he's in the movie Tron if they weren't flowing from one color to the next – red, blue, green, purple.
The DJ is up on her dais like a goddess commanding her flock to worship to her beat. Her alter includes four turntables and a multitude of controls she can turn, push, or slide to change the effect the music has on her followers.
She's good. Damn good. But Sam isn't here for the music.
He scans the crowd, his feet automatically moving to the beat the entire room is synched to.
"Anything?" Steve asks in his ear.
"Negative."
"Widow?"
He hears her answer, "Ditto. But it's a lot of ground to cover."
"We sure this guy isn't in the VIP area?" Sam asks.
Steve answers, "Adriana was clear she and her friends were on the floor the entire time."
"Hold up," Sam says. "Bar near the bathroom. Curry basketball jersey hangin' with super-tight shirt guy. I think shirt guy shops where you do, Cap."
"Hey."
Natasha cuts in, "Heading your way."
Sam slowly makes his way to the bar. Keeping an eye on those two is a good reason to order a drink. The fact that he doesn't know Portuguese doesn't deter him. He points to a bottle on the wall. It's not like the bartender would be able to hear him anyway.
Someone in a neon green wig and silver overalls approaches the duo. They're dragging their friend who would rather dance and wave around the extra-long glow stick in her hand.
He raises his glass to his lips. "You might want to hurry it up," he says before taking a sip.
"Doing my best."
"What's happening?" Steve asks. They couldn't take the chance of anyone in the club recognizing Captain America even with the beard, so he stayed in the jet. They've tapped into the building's cameras, but neither the coverage (entrance, dj area, door to the back office) nor the resolution are great. He really hates being blind like this.
"Possible drug buy," Sam replies.
"Fits Adriana's story. I doubt they'll kidnap anyone else before they get paid though."
Sam knows he's right, but he does hate to see youngsters turn to drugs for fun. Did he really just think of them as youngsters? He's gettin' old. Before he goes too far down that rabbit-hole, he feels Natasha against his arm. "Took you long enough."
She takes the drink from his hand. "Had to teach a guy not to touch without permission." One gulp leaves the glass empty. She sets it down as her eyes focus on the two guys finishing their transaction with neon-green hair.
"Why didn't we bring Loki again?" Clint asks from his position on the roof.
"Because he's spending time with his son," Steve reminds him. He is wondering if they should have brought Pietro though. "Are you two in agreement it's him?" He created a sketch based on Adriana's descriptions of the man last seen with her friend Nikki, the American she had met online that had come down to visit her. Assuming all Americans were rich, Nikki was kidnapped and being held until the $50,000 ransom could be paid. Unfortunately, her family isn't one of the rich ones.
"Looks like him to me," Natasha replies.
Sam frowns. "If he's here, who's with Nikki?"
Steve points out, "We'll find out when we find her. First we gotta find her."
Natasha leans against the bar and asks, "Are we going Plan A or Plan B?" She keeps an eye on Curry jersey guy from her peripheral vision.
"Plan A. Unless we know Nikki's in imminent danger, there's no need to tip our hand. You ready?"
"Yep. He's got one of those phone holster things. Should be a piece of cake."
"Bathroom?" Sam asks.
"Bathroom," Natasha agrees.
He nods then heads to the bathroom. He takes a piss because why not. Gotta make the timing feel real. He washes his hand. "Heading out," he says. As he steps out, he spots Natasha dancing a bit as she heads toward him. He slows down to give her time to get in the right spot. He bumps her so she falls against basketball jersey. "Are you alright?" he asks as he tries to help her stand back up.
Lucky for them the mark doesn't seem to mind being Natasha's landing.
She looks at him, blinking and keeping her eyes a little unfocused. "Desculpa." She works quick, pressing her phone against his to get a clear connection. She gets upright again and heads to the bathroom.
The mark checks his pockets to make sure she didn't take anything. Everything is where it's supposed to be, and he forgets about it.
"Got it?" Natasha asks.
Steve watches the contact, call logs, and texts appear on his screen. "Got it. You good?"
"Eu sou de ouro."
All Sam got out of that was 'gold'. "Is that a saying?"
"It's my saying."
In the jet, Steve goes to the messages and calls from the night of the kidnapping as the computer traces the phone's locations during that same timeframe.
"Come on, Sam. Dance with me." She grabs his hand and pulls him to the dance floor.
It's been a while since Sam has cut loose like this. He enjoys dancing with Natasha even if both are still keeping an eye on the guys at the bar.
The music has transitioned to a couple of songs before Steve says, "Got it. Sending the location now. I'll meet you there."
xxx
Steve rides in on his motorcycle pulling up next to the car the others arrived in. He pulls off his helmet. "How's it looking?"
Natasha shows him her screen with the building's blueprints. "Thermo has her on the third floor. She's in a cage."
"A cage?"
She nods. "Shouldn't be a problem getting it open."
"Don't just open it. I don't want them using it ever again." He looks at the blueprints. "Do we already have a plan?"
"Waiting for you."
After learning there are only two people guarding her, he decides, "Falcon will come in through the window. Widow, you and I will come in the front. You free her while we take care of the guards. I'll take her down while you take care of the cage. Hawkeye, keep watch. Warn us if we have company."
Clint asks, "We're taking her straight to Adriana?"
"Unless she needs immediate medical attention. Questions?" He gives space for anyone to ask. When no one does, he nods. "Let's move out."
Steve and Natasha enter the building, taking the stairs to the third floor. "We're in position."
Sam takes to the sky. "Coming in in three…two…one." He crashes through the window feet first as his teammates break in the door. Seeing a gun, he pulls his wings in front of him to block the bullets as he stomps forward. When he's close enough, he pushes the gun down and punches.
Natasha is picking the lock on the cage. One of the guards is sure to have the key, but this is actually faster. "We'll have you out of there soon, Nikki."
The twenty-something is against the bars, ready to get out. There's sweat on her dark skin and fear in her light brown eyes. "How did you find me?"
"Adriana told us what happened. Do me a favor." She pulls out a small charge. "Put one of these on the back corner. I'll have this open when you're done."
She grabs the device and rushes to place it on the bars in the back.
True to her word, Natasha has the cage open by the time the young woman returns.
Nikki steps out and freezes. Her eyes widen. "That's Falcon!" She turns to Natasha. "You're Black Widow."
Steve turns to Sam. "Maybe you should take her."
"Captain America?!"
He drops his guy as far from the cage as possible. "I don't really go by that name anymore. You can just call me Steve." His eyes take in her injuries, luckily none of them look life-threatening. But those are just the ones he can see.
She meets his eyes and thinks this must be a dream or she's in shock or something. "Aren't you, like, war criminals or something?"
"Or something."
Sam grabs a blanket off the couch and wraps it around her. "Steve's gonna take you back to Adriana's. You can call your parents from there."
"My phone." She steps over one of the men on the ground and grabs it off the coffee table.
Natasha tells them, "We should go." She waits until they are outside with Clint before blowing the cage apart. They can see the flash in the window and hear the boom.
Steve turns to the young woman they just freed. "How are you doing, Nikki?" he asks. "We can take you to a hospital if you prefer."
She clasps the blanket at her chest. "I'm okay. Just wanna go home."
"I bet. You're doing great. First we're going to get you to Adriana's. Are you okay riding on the motorcycle with me?" Steve asks her.
"I mean…sure?" It's all so surreal. No one is going to believe her. "Where are we going?"
He gives her a kind smile. "I'm taking you to Adriana. She's been worried sick." He hands her a helmet. "Say goodbye to the others, and we'll head out." He pulls his helmet on and gets on the bike.
Nikki looks around. "Thank you." She hugs each of them, leaving Sam for last and giving him an extra squeeze. Then she pulls on the helmet before climbing on the bike behind Steve. Her arms go around him, and all she can think about is how she's just been rescued by her favorite Avengers.
After driving across town, he stops in front of Adriana's apartment. He walks with her to the door. "People are going to have questions," he tells her gently. "And you have a lot to process. When you do decide to tell your story, remember what you choose to say or not say is up to you. It's your story," he emphasizes.
She nods. In a weird way, knowing it's her story gives her some strength.
He continues, "But I want to warn you, mentioning that Falcon and the rest of us were involved will have the government knocking on your door. I know you can handle that, but you don't have to. If you do decide to take that on, I have one favor to ask you. We'd appreciate it if you could wait at least 12 hours before you do. That'll give us enough time to disappear. That's all we ask."
"Yeah. Yes. Of course." It's the least she can do. "Thank you. My mom…My parents could've never…" Her eyes tear up.
He gives her arm a gentle squeeze. "I'm glad we could help. You're very brave, Nikki. Your parents are going to be so happy and so proud of you." There is another smile. He gives her a nod then knocks on the door.
When it opens, Adriana squeals and pulls her friend into a hug. "I was so worried. Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" They're crying and holding each other. It's only when they hear the motorcycle that they realize Steve Rogers has gone.
xxx
It's early evening when the team lands back in the Philippines. There's nothing on public media about the Secret Avengers, which is a good thing. The full 12 hours hasn't passed yet, but they're safe. As safe as they can be.
"How did it go?" Pietro asks from the porch.
"Success," Sam replies. "We found the girl. Got her back safely. Steve drove her to her friend's house like a gentleman."
"No goodbye kiss I hope," Loki teases.
"Saved 'em all for you," his husband replies with a smile. "Sam should have been the one to drive her. She's a big fan of his. Pretty sure she's gonna start a Falcon Fan Club." He taps Sam's shoulder with the back of his hand.
"Some people have good taste," Sam responds.
"Food?" Natasha asks.
Pietro tells her he cleaned some fish. "We were just waiting for you to arrive before cooking them."
"Go clean up," Wanda says after hugging Clint. "It will be ready when you return."
Steve squats down so Vali can get on his back. "Where's your brother?" he asks as he stands.
"Probably lying in the sun in your room. He loves it there in the afternoon."
"Probably. Have you been practicing your writing?"
"Yes. English letters are so much easier than Runes and Sakaarian," Vali tells him.
"Oh yeah? Maybe we need to make it harder. Watch your head," he says before going through the door. "Maybe you should learn calligraphy."
"What's that?"
"Fancy writing."
Loki reminds him, "That's not something he'll need for school. We'll concentrate more on geography and history."
"And archery," Clint adds.
Natasha follows with, "And spy craft."
"And pop culture," Wanda reminds them. "So he fits in more."
Pietro pitches in with, "And sport."
"Me next?" Sam asks. "Um, Colonialism and civil rights? And American holidays."
Loki grins. "The Fourth of July will be here before we know it."
Vali is confused. "If you can teach me all these things, why do I have to go to school?"
Steve is the one that answers. "Well, lots of reasons. Mainly so you can make friends. It's good to have friends your…size." He was going to say age, but the kid is older than everyone except Loki.
"Then they'll get bigger, and I'll have to make new friends." It sounds exhausting to him.
Loki gently points out, "If you went to school on Asgard, that wouldn't be an issue."
"I thought you wanted me to go to school here?"
"I'm going to go cook the fish," Pietro says. It starts a mass exodus by the others who make their excuses. Wanda follows her brother. Clint, Natasha, and Sam move quicker to their rooms.
"I want what is best for you," Loki tries to explain. "You said you did not wish to stay on Asgard. Has that changed?"
"Would you be there?"
"No. My life right now is here on Earth with my husband. But," he proposes, "we could travel Yggdrasil every day you have class if you did not wish to stay there with either your mother or grandmother. The time difference would be a challenge, but we would find a way to make it work. If that's what you want."
"We could do that?"
"Of course."
Steve squeezes his little hands. "We want what's best for you. Like your dad said, we'd find a way to make it work."
"You will be Loki's child whichever school you choose. That can't be helped."
The words make Steve worry. "But you shouldn't let anyone's preconceptions determine how you act."
Vali isn't sure that's entirely true but decides it's better not to say it. "Can I think about it some more?"
"Of course," his father says. "But keep in mind that the Xavier school has experience with children who have powers. They could help you with your magic during school."
"Which is something to consider," Steve says. "But that doesn't have to determine what you decide."
They get to Steve and Loki's bedroom. Ollie is indeed basking in a patch of sun in his cat tower. Steve backs against the bed so Vali can get off. "I'm going to go shower and change. Why don't you and your dad make sure Pietro isn't burning anything."
"Okay." He jumps off the bed.
"Go on," Loki says. "I'll be down in a minute."
"Groovy." He gives Ollie a pet before racing out of the room.
Steve pulls Loki into a kiss. "You're worried."
"I thought we had it all settled."
"Are you sure you want to make this his choice? You're allowed to tell him he's going to the Xavier school. If he hates it, we can always pull him out."
"He was a slave for thousands of years. He needs to know he's free to make the decision."
"You'll just nudge him to the one you want," he teases with a small smile.
"Well, I have my freedoms, too," Loki points out. "Am I being a bad parent?"
"No. But there is one thing." He caresses Loki's cheek. "Being your son isn't something to be ashamed of. Wade is certainly proud of it. So is Helena."
"They're older."
"Actually, they're younger, but I take your point. Still, if the kids around him judge him because of you, well, that's a problem with them not you."
"Easily said. Not so easily lived through."
"Few things are." He takes Loki's hands. "I just want you to know that I think you are amazing. You must be for me to love you so damn much."
Those words never get old nor lose any of their wonder in Loki's ears. "We're having sex tonight," he declares.
There's only one thing Steve can say to that. "Groovy."
A/N: Hello, all. I've missed you. Until next time…