"Alexei, wait up," Natasha called out, hiking her skirts up as she chased after the young child, laughing as she chased him through the high grasses at the very back of the palace. On her back she felt Thor and Loki's eyes, the pair of them standing on the edge of Frigga's courtyard, and she could hear their good natured laughter as Alexei zig-zagged through the grass.
Four years had passed since the fires had burned in the forests and mountains, since Thanos had sought to swallow the galaxy with his greed. Four years since his head had been placed on a pike to rot, since Natasha had watched burning boats glide with the bodies of her friends before their souls were taken up to Valhalla.
Four years since she'd asked the queen of Vanaheim about Alexei, and had adopted him as her, Loki, and Thor's. It'd never been done before, a joint king for two realms, but with the three of them behind the child she couldn't imagine they wouldn't be able to figure it out. Up ahead, on wobbly legs that grew stronger with every passing day, Alexei giggled and hurtled forward, looking over his shoulders at Natasha as she came closer. From further in the grass Fenrir's head swiveled to watch him, golden eyes bemused before he, too, joined in chasing after the small prince. Alexei's shouts for his puppy always made Natasha want to snort, having seen just what that "puppy" could do, but it was a relief to have him so close to her family. To know that they were protected, no matter what. Her nightmares might've ended two years ago, and it might've taken her an extra one to get used to that idea, but it would get there.
Somehow she had a feeling that everything was going to work out just fine.
A/N: Well, that's all there is folks. Thank you all a million and one times over for sticking with me through the bear of this fic. It's been a hell of a ride, filled with a ton of road blocks and excitement, frustration and confusion at just what the hell /I/ was even doing, but I have to say it's all completely worth it. Maybe one day I'll revisit what I've written, clean it up and make it a little more cohesive [I swear to goodness there are more loose ends on this than a fraying t-shirt] but I'm just gonna sit back and be proud of what I have done.
As ever, much of my thanks go to Jessy, wolves_and_girls/RomanovasLedger, for providing me with the prompt and the drive and the desire to write this monster of a trilogy. Girl, I dunno what I'd do without you, but I'm so glad I've met you.
Thanks again, guys! You're all so amazing.