Tony didn't always appreciate the small things in fact many would say he had taken advantage of the small things for bigger flashier things. Milking them until they were dry and brittle and bitter, but time in a stone cell for actions not his own had affected him more than others believe.
He was somber, serious, and quiet. Speaking only when spoken to and happy to be in his lab's couch and working on holograms. He embraced the clear and bulletproof glass that he had constantly destroyed in the past to keep him from feeling trapped.. He even went as far as to leave the door open to any of his teammates so they can come by and remind him that he could interact and not have to remain in one place.
It wasn't easy being home due to this. Nightmares did visit quite often. Especially, after the first time he spotted a mirror. His pale skin caused his scars to stand out. The one on his face a focal point to it all. It wasn't deforming the nerves or cause him to have a permanent risen lip or anything, but it was not a beautiful scar or pleasant. It puckered and dove and left discolored skin in it's wake as it carved across his cheek. It was a lighting strike across his skin beginning from where his ear began to the edge of top lip. It even fractured and touch a bit of his nose. A reminder of the emotional and physical turmoil he had suffered much like the blue nightlight that decorated his chest and paid testament to his rollercoaster life.. It took a few hours after a trembling sob to even touch it and another two more to accept it as part of his image. It was better than coming to realize how a magnet is keeping you alive.
Thor being a constant regular in his forced bed rest. The god tended to stay and read or even learn of what he was working on. The man seemed to desire to be around around the inventor. Going as far as to be engaged in various topics with him about things missed. Tony embraced this time with Thor in return. Even allowed the man to rub his stomach and listen to his son kick as he sat on the couch with Thor on the floor. The little bundle of cells seem to take wicked revenge in kicking Thor in the eye in more than one occasion.
Lucien seemed active and alive yet quiet. His physical apparition was not seen again, but every once in awhile, as he hummed or talked, a childish giggle would be heard or an "I love you, Mothir." Which he later learned was confirmed to be the norse way to say Mother. It never ceased to make Tony smile. It left the team dumbfounded and Thor a little awestruck when they happened to around during the words or laugh. The man seemed not have found no way to hide his feelings for the child or even Tony himself. This left Tony a little flattered.
The team was loving, strangely. They were never close before Loki's death. In fact. They seemed to be at odds and ends before the imprisonment. Tony was even a little taken advantage of and unappreciated by his teammates. Pepper on more than one occasion stated that it took his disappearance to make them realise their faults in how they had dealt with him in the past. Especially since he was not there to fix or upgrade weapons without asking them or accommodate their living to suit them better through Jarvis' observations. Steve was without someone to introduce things to him patiently, and with small remarks of course. Clint without someone to trade barbs with or eat junk food. Natasha without someone to take a drink with at three in the morning after they both had nightmares. Peter without someone to attend his science fairs, on the exception of quiet Bruce being social. Bruce without his science buddy.
Bruce never noticed how much the man when out of his way for him. Even Fury was a little more solemn apparently. The man had apparently realized how much technology did come from Stark as well as entertainment, who knew a small virus that popped up with random screaming could cause such entertainment in the stale life of SHIELD. Pepper of course reminded them of this even after Tony came home a few pounds heavier and very much rounder.
Odin on the other hand, the man was silent. No static to be heard. Rumor has it that Jotunheim has gained a government after the disaster with their old ruler. A council for their realm as they search for a leader. This was a result of the People's Rebellion of the realm. The government, or the Palace Council, has reformed and made treaties of peace with many other realms other than Asgard.
They say Odin is under pressure after word of Loki's past comes into question when they reviewed what had caused such hate. As a new powerhouse, Jotunheimn is wanting answers for the attack on them, after all the child that instigated it is suppose to be heir to the throne above the council and also the new ruler by right of conquest. That may be a consolation to a new parent, buit unfortunately causes more anxiety as Tony thinks on how Odin may no longer be after them but what about the Palace Council?
"What occupies your mind so much, Tony?" Thor asks as he sits on the couch beside Tony and rests a large hand on the stomach causing the child within to protest the disturbance in what was a calm setting.
Tony smiled shyly as he rested a hand on top of the other. In the past month that he had been home, he had noticed Thor's closeness to him. Not platonically either. But every time Thor seemed to talk about it, he would change subjects quickly. Not that Tony minded, it was rather endearing, but enough is enough.
"Just the fact that you seem to avoid telling me about why you are so attached to me lately." Tony said snidely. Not trying to be mean but as a teasing to get answers. He had no reason to be angry. He knew Thor probably had feelings to care for him beyond Lucien's health. It began to show since Loki's death had cause them to have something to relate over and understand each other.
"Ah." Thor stated with a gulp of his adam's apple as he attempted to pull away only to have Tony grip tighter. "I have seemed to lose my wits and courage when I come to bring it up."
"Don't be. I may not show it but I on the way to falling for you too. You already know, I will be putting Lucien's needs before mines." Tony simply said as he shifted over carefully. His belly round and firm was the problem of many restraint movements and so he was only able to sway side to side enough to move an inch. Clint always made fun of his waddle.
With hips not used to being pulled certain ways and the ever recurring pain in his pelvis, the best way to relieve it was to shift side to side on occasion.
"Of course. I would ask for nothing better. But tell me Tony. Would you allow me to be heavily involved in Lucien's life beyond what we are used to?" Thor seemed even more nervous.
Tony felt a familiar tug in his stomach as he smiled and sniffed Thor's scent.
"You are an important part even now."
"Anthony Edward Stark, son of Howard, father of Lucien, would you allow me the privilege to court you with intentions for marriage?" Thor said with the same face he used in battle.
Tony smiled and nodded. His eyes narrowed in humor when he noticed the ease seep into Thor as we as well the hesitation before placing his arm behind Tony who silently snuggled in his side. Tony sighed as he soaked in the physical touch that he craved from people. The one thing he refused to acknowledge as well as request was the need for contact. His belly rested against Thor's thigh and Lucien excitedly kicked and rolled in the restricted womb space. Tony rubbed it as Thor chuckled.
"Will everything be okay? I am afraid Jotuns will take him from me. Like Odin wants." Tony whispered. His voice frustrated from the constant targeting of his innocent son. "They need a proper ruler. They have had Kings since as long as their known history."
"I believe that will not happen, Anthony."
Tony looked at Thor when his full name was spoken.
"What do you mean?"
"While, Odin may not want to anger Jotunn people who have gained power among the realms. He may pursue us. Jotunn people want to hail Loki's rebirth as a season of change and renewing. Loki did in fact bring the very rebirth of their realm from their downturn into play and the downfall of Asgard's power and the current rise of theirs."
"So you're saying that Loki caused the end of an era not the realm?" Tony laughed.
Odin had caused the end of his people's reign himself. Even now, without Odin's knowledge, Heimdall has been turning a blind eye to citizens fleeing to other Realms as the state of the gold city has deteriorated rapidly. Jotunheim has actually taken some of the children in when their parents could not follow. Old Royals have taken to sending one child in line for the family name and fortune to any of the Realms, just in case, under the pretense of studying or learning.
"I would believe the Jotunn people will want to thank him. None of Lafuey's old reign remain." Thor calmly explain. "All of the new Council and temporary King are of the youngest of his sons. The wisest and kindest as well."
"How would you know?" Tony smiled as he snuggled once again into his courter's side. Boyfriend seemed just too midgardian for his taste, ironically.
"Heimgall has noticed a change of power among the realms. Yggdrasil's leaves and branches have begun to bear more fruit than ever in places outside of the Allfather's kingdom. As Odin falls into insanity further, the throne begins it shift as the future changes. Heimgall knows this and has made his allegiance to me. I will be waiting for the hammer to fall, as you say, to take my rightful place. The other realms have seen this and have contacted me during your. . .absence in response when I had made my decision a few weeks ago. It had taken a while for a plan to form of rescue after that. Unfortunately, old ways hold most of Asgard's people. As long as the throne is sat by Odin, the soldiers and people answer to him as tradition holds them to their oath. Those who haven't taken the oath are fleeing. Mostly children." Thor sighed.
"What does this mean?"
"A certain war unless Odin acknowledges the power shift. Odin will want Lucien as well as this realm. This realm is the gateway to the others. An easy shortcut. It doesn't help that Lucien and his bearer reside here as well." Thor calmly explain without hiding facts. "I just fear he will fall into madness enough to declare a drafting of children barely above oath age to join in the battles to come."
Tony exhaled angrily.
"Does Fury and his people know this?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"We will need to have a big meeting if this gets bad."
"What will a gathering do against Asgard and Odin? They are mighty and in huge numbers Anthony. We must plan a retreat of this Realms vulnerable. Fury has been speaking with me on this."
"Not if we have all the Realm leaders come together. Not if we meet and make plans. Plans to defend Midgard as well as a backup plan in case this fails and a plan to backup that one. United we might stand a chance. Odin is not almighty. He is just a god." Tony explained. He struggled to get off the sunken couch until Thor placed a hand on his lower back and pushed him forward. Luckily, it was not around the area that had become a constant throb. He ignored the sharp pain that had come at the bottom of his stomach. Fake contractions had become common as his body prepped. Bruce had said that it meant birth was probably a week or two away.
"I believe so. I shall notify Heimdall." Thor made his way out after reassuring Tony had been able wobble and not lose his balance as he usually did after a gravitational shift in his center.
"And I shall talk to Fury. Jarvis, make a call to the eye-patch. Straight through no waiting and put me on speaker phone till he decides to talk. This is im-por-tan-te."
Well, nothing like a long chapter. Sorry, summer does not exactly mean free time for me. Once September rolls around, I will be golden. Till then. Not so much. I'll be gone for a month. I am working at a camp for 22 days away from society and yes, technology. I won't even have my phone! It's Oakbridge, in California, if you're wondering. Summerstaff with YoungLife. (Yes, I am Christian and yes I do love Yaoi. I have faults and loves like everyone else.) So please enjoy and if you have questions or if I made a plot hole, please leave a message or review. Till later. Ta-ta!~ -'Tastic
A/N 2: That was such a busy time in my life when I went. I encourage you volunteering a summer. Whether it is Summerstaff (college up to 25 years old) or Workcrew (high school) and work the camps around the nation. I was an archery range master. Fell in love with Archery since that time. Anyways, Edited. Enjoy -Halo.