"This one, this is perfect son."

I smiled at my mother, glad of her help in this endeavor. It had come to my attention that there was a wager going on among my friends, about Anna and upon making sure it wasn't a slight to her I found that I wanted to take part.

It was odd to me, seeing who could get her to wear more of their colors without her noticing, but it was all in good fun and we got to have a friendly competition as well as gift Lady Anna, so in my eyes it was strange but good fun.

But alas I hadn't a clue what to get, so I had asked the one woman that had never led me wrong. Frigga, Queen of Asgard, my kindhearted mother.

Looking at the dress she had selected, I glanced back at her.

"I know very little of women's fashion but I trust your judgement.

The dress wasn't really my gift, it was the silver coronet that resembled my battle helmet in a very feminine way, as well as the earrings made of a stone that had lightning of Mjolnir in them.

That was my true entry into this contest of Stark's.

"You did say there was an occasion for her to wear something such as this upcoming did you not," She asked, a knowing smile on her face.

I nodded, taking the deep blue gown from her.

"Yes, Stark is having some kind of charitable ball. All of us are to attend if possible, it's to benefit orphan children."

A soft sad smile crossed her aged face, both of our thoughts going to my brother.

"Then he is more than the blowhard he appears to be, it is a good cause," pausing she looked out the window and sighed. "It might do you well to at least go see him before you leave."

I knew of course who she meant, but it was hard to go and visit him when he acted so coldly when I did.

Nodding I said, "If you wish it, perhaps it will be better this time."

Neither of us said anything more about it, so I leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Thank you mother, until I return."

Carrying the dress and box containing the jewelry for my small friend I made my way down to the dungeon to visit my brother. Standing next to his cell I sighed as he looked away like the petulant child he often behaved like, I didn't have time for him to ignore me so I said, "If you're going to be a child then I'm just going to leave Loki."

Sneering he finally glanced at me.

"I don't think I'm the child, since when did you take to carrying around a blanket?"

So we were back to petty insults, at least it was familiar territory.

"It's a gift, not a blanket," I said, rolling my eyes.

Coming a bit closer to look he narrowed his eyes. "For who," he asked, his natural curiosity getting the better of him.

Smiling I answered, "For Anna, Stark has a contest going on to see who can get her to wear their colors without her realizing it. This is my contribution."

At the mention of her name, something softer entered his eyes before he hid it.

"That's idiotic, of course, Stark would come up with something so stupid," he said with a disinterested look.

Smirking at him I realized he was jealous he wasn't a part of our game.

"You're mad you don't get to play. You always loved to see her wear green, shame you had to be an ass and try to destroy the earth or you could be a part of it," I said, seeing instantly that I was right by the flare in his eyes.

"I just don't see the purpose of going behind her back."

I raised a brow, neither of us really believed what he just said.

"Right, well I've got to go. Party tonight and I want to be sure Anna gets her gift in time, be seeing you brother."

He said nothing but I felt his eyes on me until I left the dungeon.

Jealous, he was totally jealous.

The gala tonight was another opportunity to shove it in the bird brains face that I was going to win, I'd gotten my sister a gold couture dress that would be yet another win for team Iron Man.

She was coming with Tasha and Pepper, all of us guys were already here mingling but I was keeping a close eye on the door for them to get here so I could laugh at Clint's look of defeat.

Our little contest had really just been between the two of us, no one else had really tried so I figure after tonight it would be easy enough to call it a win for me.

Standing there next to Clint and Thor I said, "I always forget how long it takes women to get ready for anything, I'd have thought they'd be here by now."

Glancing at me Thor smiled slightly.

"You seem very anxious for them to get here, are you worried about something?"

Snorting I looked over at Clint and smirked, "Anxious to see Susan lose our little bet, I've got it in the bag tonight you'll see."

Clint glared at me while Thor just looked oddly amused, but before I could say anything more the ballroom doors opened, and the girls walked in.

Pepper as always was a knockout, Tasha looking like she could kill a man, and then there was my golden girl…wait something was not right.

She wasn't wearing the dress I gave her, but something that looked…something that looked like it was from Asgard!

It was a dark blue number that looked amazing on her, my sister always looked amazing for the record, she could wear anything and it would look good because she was the one wearing it.

Glaring up at Thor, I saw his big stupid face smirking, Clint's mirroring his out of the corner of my eye.

"What is that?"

He raised a brow and said dryly, "You sister I believe. You did say anyone could participate in your little game did you not?"

Lost for words for a moment I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Game on Point Break, you're going down," I said as Lisey came over to us. And of course, she gave the big lug that beaming smile as she approached us, completely ignoring me!

Well okay she smiled at all of us but she was looking at the smug blonde and I don't like it.

"I feel like I'm back on Asgard Thor, this is lovely," she said happily, looking up at him.

It was then I noticed the delicate silver circlet that looked suspiciously similar to Thor's battle helmet and the earrings that seemed to crackle with electricity like the stones were live wires.

How did he do that?

But more to the point, how dare he?! I would have had this in the bag tonight, but he had to go and ruin things.

Smiling widely, he took Lisey's hand and kissed it. "My mother helped me pick it out, she said it would suit you beautifully and so it does. Just a token of my appreciation of having you as my dear friend. I'm glad you like it, and the jewelry as well, Heimdall must have to look away for how bright you shine."

He cheeks turned the adorable color of pink they always did when she was flattered or embarrassed. Damm that charming blonde idiot, and for once I didn't mean Spangles, this was really throwing a kink in things. And who the hell was Heimdall?

I didn't even bother looking at Katniss, he would only be too happy about this.

"Would you dance with me then, it's been some time since we have."

Shocked, I watched as Lord of the Drapes led my sister out on to the dance floor, shooting me a sly smirk as he did.

"Looks like the game isn't over yet now is it?"

Glaring at Clint out I said, "Oh shut up, you're still going to lose. This is just an added variable, I'm still going to come out on top here."

With that I left to go find Pepper and even if I wasn't the one that did it, I did love to see her smile.

So Thor could have this one, I'll be ready next time.

Surprise, I had this almost finished so I figured why not?

Next little bit of the Great Merchandising Wars: Thor Edition! I've got ideas for all of them but let me know if you're particualrly interesting in someone sooner than another. Hope you like it!

Hope y'all are all having a great week, until next time!