So I can either make excuses for why this is late or give you the story but we all know half the people don't even read this tebit to tide you over till the next chapter is written and edited. Without further ado, chapter nine!
End of Chapter Eight:
This smell. . . Then he saw it. A red cape and Mjölnir held tightly in one hand.
Thor.
He had come. Help had come. . . or was he here to finish his father's job?
Thor stood there. He had one hand on Mjölnir and the other slamming the door open. Tony had to squint heavily to be able to see in the bright light despite the painful burn to his eyes. Flanking him were Clint and Hulk. Both threatening loudly what he assumed were guards on the other side of the stone cell wall. In shock, he didn't even realize that Natasha had come to his side and was helping him out of his defensive crouch he had fallen into by the grip on his arm. A movement that almost made him tip to the side due to his nonexistent balance before Steve marched in and carefully swung the pregnant man into his arms.
Well, isn't this a change. I'm the damsel in distress in this picture. Tony thought self pityingly as his lips curved downward.
Clint came closer and must have read the reason behind the frown and he turned the serious fighting one he had donned on his face, upside down. Tony scowled at the frown and crossed his arms in a pout at the stupid smirk. He closed his eyes when the light became too much. I'll never hear the end of this.
He glanced back to the cell that had been home for the past five months. Under the fringe of his eyelashes, he peeked quickly to see the four year old Loki looking back at him. The child waved with a bright smile and faded again. Instead of sleeping, it seemed his child was wide awaking and made himself known by kicking completely for the first time instead of moving slightly. Tony smiled and huddled into the chest beside him as he was carried out. He was going home after so long.
Getting home seemed relatively easily. At least for Tony. He wasn't the one fighting or blowing things up this time around. He was just curled up and defending his stomach to the best of his ability. That very belly was also hindering him from curling completely. He was also trying not to demand the plan or crack unwelcome jokes so that they could come out alive. Yet, every once in awhile the team would turn at certain events and times to see if he would crack the wise joke he usually would have given. There were times when Steve would crouch and he felt the shield come around him that caused him to whimper from all the noise and flashes of light, only to have him huff irritatedly when he would be picked up like a sack of potatoes. Took what may have been hours and even some voices that sounded like Thor's friends helping out.
"It's fine, we are almost to Heimdall's." Steve whispered in his ear when Tony groaned after being put down and forced to attempt to run with his half closed eyes up what he swore was a staircase that moved mockingly as he swayed side to side enough to touch the right wall then the left all the way up.
Tony nodded remembering the first time he came through here how the gate god had watched him with amused eyes as well as poorly hidden sad ones. He was able to read the expression that he had himself had used many times before. He was glad the dark skinned man with gold eyes was on their side. Heimdall was of course the one that oversaw everything. He knew the truth of everything but could do next to nothing to interfere as he resided under oath to serve the King.
"Why is helping us. Is the GateKeeper not Odin's man?" He asked over the loud grunts of fighting teams and Hulk's roar. He began to pity the Asgard men before ignoring it and gaining a sense of revenge. May their pride be fracture under the pure skill of female fighters. Gynophobic bastards.
"He is, but he may or may not have willing gotten drunk over a spiked drink with Thor." Steve replied.
Tony couldn't help but chuckle quietly at the fact the Heimdall is much smarter than he allows people to see thus letting things slide by allowing things happen under his knowing closed eyes, such as drinking spiked drinks for old buddies like Thor. It would allow him to keep his job as well as get off the hook. Tony had to respect the man how he was able to do what right, lawfully.
"My friends, the gate is open for us to use!" Thor thundered as Tony felt Steve run behind him and swing him up as he waddled. Tony had definitely pulled a muscle in his back with that one as he tried to feel bile go up his stomach.
It was now or never. He shut his eyes tightly and curled further than he thought he could and it happened. The feeling of a falling elevator and flashing lights.