Last time...

"She is very special, your sister, Tony-sama." The one cook in particular said to him, having made his way to him while the others continued their work. He'd been here enough times that they knew not to call him Stark. Tony-sama was the compromise. "You know this, I hope?"

She'd looked over once, worried that he'd be mad because she'd ended up derailing their plans, but his small smile seemed to put her at ease.

Tony nodded, still fondly watching Hera as she worked with the chefs. "Yeah. Sometimes, I'm still surprised by just how much."

Chapter 52

It takes Tony a little while before he can find an ice skating rink that will willingly shut down for an obscene amount of money no questions asked. Finding an instructor that had no problems with mutants – in case she turned blue – and who wouldn't sell the story as soon as they could was a little harder. In the end, he had Pepper draw up a few NDA's just in case. At least then, if a story was printed from this, he'd be able to sue whoever it was six ways to Sunday for ruining what should have been a perfect day for his little sister. It was Pepper who ended up finding someone for him, and though their name sounded a little familiar, he didn't think much about it till they got to the actual place…only to be faced with the Goblin King once more.

"Really, Ziggy?" He can't help but ask; and though Hera doesn't get the reference, Jareth grins slightly because he does. "Really?"

"I was contacted by your Pepper Potts. You can hardly fault me." Jareth explained, with a mischievous grin that betrayed his projected innocence.

"And who's fault is it that your profile just happened to be exactly what she was looking for?" Tony countered, arching an eyebrow at the Fae King. Really, what was his life now, that he was trading barbs with Fae royalty like this was any other Tuesday?

"Ah, now in that, the fault is mine." Jareth admitted, giving them a slight bow. "I do have more than one reason for being here. I did agree to aid Hera in this, but I also thought it fitting to give her a gift."

"You didn't have to get me anything!" Hera insisted, waving her hands in front of her like she was trying to stop the whole thing, suddenly alarmed. "You're here to help me try ice skating. That counts! Plus, I have Fenrir and that weapon. Do you want that back, by the way? I never even asked. It's still a sword right now though. It hasn't shifted to anything, but then again I've not tried to use it either, and-"

"There is no need. I believe it will serve you far better than it ever could me." Jareth stated, easing some of her worry. "Now, you will need the proper footwear. Yes?"

He snaps his fingers, and a slightly worn pair of ice skates her size appeared on the floor before her.

"Why not new ones?" Hera asked out of curiosity, already picking them up, inspecting them. "Are they like regular shoes in that they feel better once worn in?"

"Less pinching." Jareth nodded, looking happy about her inquiry. It occurred to Tony that Hera was perhaps the first child the Fae had spoken to in a long time that did not want him to be anything than what he was, that did not want something she had no right to have. "Will you be joining us as well, Tony?"

"I didn't bring any skates." Tony shook his head no. Another set appeared next to him, and chuckled in spite of himself, sitting down next to Hera to begin taking off his shoes. "It's been a while, but I think I can keep up."

"Why didn't you tell me you could ice skate?" Hera asked, pausing lacing hers up so she can lightly smack him.

"Because I wouldn't have been able to teach you anything." Tony shrugged. "I can kind of coast, follow along, but beyond that I'm hopeless. Now, when you want to learn how to drive, I'm all over that. Then we can play Mario Kart for real."

Hera giggled in spite of herself, bumping shoulders with him before going back to her own laces. As previously stated, all he was really able to do was follow along with them. He could navigate just fine, but the fancy moves that Jareth seamlessly guided Hera through were way out of his league. Hera was a natural on the ice, automatically trusting that Jareth wouldn't do something stupid and risk her safety, and by the end of the day Hera was radiating happiness. Only Tony seemed to catch the way Jareth looked at her thoughtfully, because she had indeed turned blue slowly over the course of the lesson.

"My friend, why did you not tell me?" Jareth finally asked, once they'd all returned from the ice, each choosing to unlace their skates rather than having them vanished away.

Hera froze momentarily in confusion. "I beg your pardon?"

"Lok-" Neither of them were prepared for Hera to quite literally launch herself, still wearing untied ice skates, off the bench in order to clamp her hand over Jareth's mouth.

"I am, but I am not, do you understand?" She demanded urgently. Jareth only furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Remember what I told you about the potion? Being both here and not here? I only exist because he died choosing to become me, but he isn't dead yet. Understand?"

Jareth slowly nodded, and she released her hold on him. "Why did you not tell me?"

"I didn't exactly remember that he knew you till just now. There's a lot going on up in there, you know." Hera huffed, half pointing/jabbing at her own skull. "I can't risk too many people calling me his name before things happen, because they might not happen at all, and then I won't exist. Paradoxes are a pain. How did you even guess who I had been?"

"Your lines. They are the same as his, and no two Jötunn have lines exactly the same as any other." Jareth replied, pointing to the ones on her hands. "I had always been able to see his. It's why Oðin forced me to agree to never see him again, because he feared I might tell his son what he was. Before...I had always assumed my friend knew, but an offhand comment revealed to me that he did not, and I foolishly challenged the All-Father for an answer in his defense without his knowledge. I have not seen my friend since that day, not truly, and you…He still lives, but he will die to become you?"

"It's complicated, and it isn't pretty…" Hera warned, but Jareth still looked pleadingly to her for answers, and she caves. "You can't try to change it…You have to promise."

"I pleaded with the Norns to find a way to help him." Jareth relented. "I know not if 'twas my plea that swayed them among the many that did so, but if this is how they chose to answer it, who am I to interfere? You have my word. I will not try to change what happens to him, nor will I have others attempt such in my stead. It's strange that I could not see your lines till now."

The version of the story Hera gives him is abridged, and Tony can see that Jareth knows it, but he can also see that Jareth understands in a way he doesn't yet. Jareth knows the people she softly speaks of, has met and judged them; has found them wanting, if the Fae's curled lips in disgust are anything to go by. She explains the bridge, lightly glosses over the year or so of torture, gives a quick explanation of the invasion, before rounding things off with Loki's trial. Odin hadn't even allowed Loki to speak in his own defense, had kept him muzzled. Only the Norns had allowed him to speak to them, and an unknown entity Hera couldn't quite describe, with an offered chance; a choice.

"Would you allow me to call you my friend?" Jareth asked, after the explanation is over.

"You already said I was Goblin Friend." Hera pointed out in confusion. "Isn't that the same thing?"

"No. There is a very real difference in being called Goblin Friend by those not of the Kingdom, and being called my friend by me and mine." Jareth explained, and Hera stills. "You are you, and he is…was he. None more so than I understand that what's done is done, and what's said is said, though I do wish I had not given my word to you now…to know that he will be tortured so…Still, he made and will make the choice to become you. I would like to honour that with an offer of friendship for you, if you will allow it."

"You won't mistake me for him?" Hera asks, hesitant, hopeful. Tony realizes that as much as she claims not to be Loki any longer, there are parts of that life that she longs to have returned to her; a cherished friend among them.

"You are similar enough that I can think of him fondly without pain, but different enough that I can look forward to whatever new experiences we will share." Jareth nodded, and so she nodded her agreement. "I would like to give you your gift now, if you like, Hera."

It was him saying her name, not Loki's, that finally eased her hesitation. She shyly nods, looking to Tony for reassurances, before Jareth kneels before her. Tony is instantly on alert, because if the movie is to be believed, Jareth has a reputation. Hera fits the type too; dark haired, magic all her own, imagination abound. She doesn't seem to know what to do with a Fae King kneeling before her, and looks to Tony again.

"Give me your right hand." Jareth nudges, to which Hera hesitantly does. The Fae king gently places a small ring on her index finger, and Tony notes it has the same symbol as the necklace Jareth wears. "This will tell all others that you are Goblin Friend. It will also tell all those of my Kingdom your place within it. It is the only appropriate gift I could think of for one who has managed to outsmart me while keeping to the agreement of my words. Happy Birthday, Hera."

Tony waits until Hera finishes removing her ice skates and leaves for the restrooms before cornering the Fae with his questions.

"Tell me you didn't just give that girl a fucking promise ring." He demands. "Do you know how old she is?"

"Old enough that it would not matter in the laws of the Fae." Jareth teases, having sat back down on one of the benches, though he relents when he sees how serious Tony is. "Relax, Tony, brother of my friend. It is as I have explained to her, a physical sign of what she already is within my kingdom. The Above will see her as Goblin Friend. The Underground will see her as Princess. Besides, my mother would slaughter me in the most horrifying manner possible after what happened with Sarah."

"Just how much of that movie is true?" Tony inquired, teasing now that he knows his sister is not promised as an underage bride.

"An uncomfortable amount of it, I'm afraid." Jareth admitted with a grimace. "The dates are wrong, so the culture it's set in is out of sync, but little else is; a warning from my mother to be more careful, or else."

"At least you learned your lesson, I guess?" Tony relented. "Care to join us for dinner? I'm sure Hera'd appreciate that."

"As much as I would like to, I think I should refrain. I would like to let the knowledge of what I have learned settle a bit first. I do not want to make the mistake of calling her a name that is not her own, and she would rightfully take it personally should I get lost in a memory and call her his name." Jareth insisted. "Tell her I will visit the two of you soon enough, and wish her a Happy birthday again from me."

He was gone in a shower of glitter in the blink of an eye.

…

No one notices someone on the far side of the building slipping away, shifting into another person as they go.

"Charles, it's good to see you." Magneto nodded to his old friend as he saw him arrive.

"Eric." Xavier returned the greeting cordially.

The two arriving at the same place like they'd done when they began building their dream was almost nostalgic. Only Mystique and Wolverine being there ruined the full effect, but the similarities were keenly felt all the same. At least no one was fighting this time…for now. He imagined Storm was around somewhere with the cloaked jet. It wasn't like he didn't have his own backup should they be needed.

A small explosion inside the house put them all on alert, but the peel of laughter confused them.

"I told you not to add that!" A young girl cackled. "Snape is so going to say I told you so later."

"How was I supposed to know that's what it would do?" That had to be Stark.

"It says right here in the margins." The young girl insisted.

"In that chicken scratch? You can actually read that?"

"You mean that elegant spidery writing? Yes, I can read that."

"Someone has a cruh-ush. Someone has a cruh-ush." Singsong teasing ensues. "I'm a gonna te-ell. I'm a gonna te-ell."

"I do not!" The young girl huffs. "Don't make me stick your tongue to the roof of your mouth again."

"Hera and Severus sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S Igh Ning Gee Hegh!"

Her laughter filtered out towards them once more.

"That's what you get!" The young girl managed to say through her giggles.

"Perhaps we should announce ourselves?" Magneto suggested, gesturing towards the front door.

…

"Wow, that's some helmet. Must be hell on the hair." Tony blurts out upon seeing the eclectic group of people that are standing at his door. "Is there a convention in town, or do you all just wear tight leather for reasons? My sister's here, and none of you are my type."

"Mr. Stark, I am Professor Xavier." The bald guy in the wheelchair stated as if to remind him, and now Tony feels like an ass.

"Okay, still doesn't explain why there are two leather clad people, one naked chick, and a professor with fancy wheels crowding in front of my door. I mean, I know I have a reputation, but…uh…" Tony trailed off. The naked blue woman shifted into a vaguely familiar person, an ice skating rink worker's uniform, and he tilts his head in confusion. "You were there, and you didn't try anything?"

"It was an information gathering mission only." The blue woman, now having shifted back into being herself again, nodded.

"I appreciate that." Tony thanked her. "It was her birthday. She didn't want what she does to be made a spectacle of on her birthday."

"May we come in?" Asked the guy with cape and helmet. "So that we may not, as you say, crowd your door?"

"We weren't exactly expecting company." Tony admitted, scratching at the back of his neck in nervous habit. "I mean, I don't see why not, but I'll have to talk to Hera before I talk with any of you, and I'd rather talk to you all before I let you talk to her, if that's alright."

"We're not trying to kidnap her, you know." The rather wolfish man behind the professor grumbled.

"Just…Let me talk to her first. She's my sister." Tony insisted, stubbornly.

"That is more than fair." Professor Xavier agreed.

"Awesome." Tony went from stubbornly protective brother to enthusiastic host with a clap of his hands. "Parlor is this way. Anybody want a drink?"

…

"We were seen." Hera stated, before Tony had even made it fully into the kitchen, where they'd been before. She'd vanished the mess already, and had been thinking about dinner.

"Yeah, but I have a feeling they've been doing reconnaissance for a while. I can send them away if you don't want to talk to them now. I'm pretty sure the wards would kick them out for us." Tony confirmed. "You okay with this?"

"Yeah. We knew this was going to happen at some point. Might as well get it over with now." Hera nodded solemnly.

…

"No drinks? You sure?" Tony announced, strolling into the room. No one seemed to want one, besides the wolfish looking man, and the professor glared at him sternly before turning back to Tony. "Alright then. Introductions? You all know who I am, but the only one I've been introduced to is the Professor."

"I am Mystique." The blue woman replied. Gesturing to the guy in the cape and helmet. "This is Magneto."

"Ohhkay." Tony shrugged, turning to the wolfish looking guy.

"Wolverine to you."

Tony took a second to process the fact that today was just going to be one of those days.

"Okay. First up, you all should know she isn't a mutant." Tony began.

"I know what I saw." Mystique insisted with a frown.

"You really don't." Tony countered. "Look, I've been given sanction to tell you all this stuff by a secret society I didn't even know existed before I met her. So when I say I know what I'm talking about, I mean it. She isn't a mutant, but that's how we'll have to portray her; given how public a figure I am, and how exposed to that public she'll be. That society I spoke of isn't ready for all the people they protect to be outed. She's their slow way into public awareness."

"Why slowly?" Magneto inquired.

"Has the fast and loose approach been working for you?" Tony reposed, noting that no one looked happy about that. "Look. Your approaches aren't working, either of them. You (he points to Magneto) want instant acceptance, and possibly to lord over how much better than the mundanes you are, and you (he points to the Professor) want to hide mutants in plain sight until acceptance has been reached. No one is going to accept what they can't see, not like this, and no one is going to instantly accept entire populations that can do things we can't. It's basic humanity 101. What we don't understand, we study, weaponize, or eliminate. I want to change that. She wants to change that, and maybe through your people, hers can find that acceptance too."