Chapter 13

Jorgumand woke to the strange sensation of half his body feeling uncomfortably warm, while the other half was cold. It took his sleep-muddled brain a moment to figure out why. Somehow during the night he had slid out from the many blankets that made up their bed, and his right arm and leg were hanging off the mattress in the air. He also noticed during this self-evaluation that he definitely needed to go to the toilet. Urgently.

Suddenly completely awake, Jorgumand slid bodily from the bed and made his way through the apartment to the bathroom. Once he had relieved himself he walked out into the main room and climbed up onto the sofa to look out the window. The view of the city was still very new but he knew enough that the long shadows made by the buildings meant that it was still quite early. Hopping off the sofa, Jorgumand quietly went back into the bedroom hoping that at least Sleipnir would wake soon.

He sighed when he climbed back into bed to see that his brother was still quite asleep. He considered poking at him until he woke but then he ran a chance that Sleipnir would be cross with him enough to refuse to play. Feeling bored, Jorgumand sighed, looked over to his mother and blinked in surprise. There was a boy sleeping on top of Mama. It was a small boy, maybe half his size, curled up on Mama's chest with a thumb stuck in his mouth with dark curly hair.

Surely Sleipnir would want to be woken up for this? He shook his brother's shoulder, and poked at his sides when the shaking got no reaction. He then dodged the kick that Sleipnir aimed at him, grinning sheepishly when his brother glared at him from over his shoulder.

"Hey! Wake up!" Jorgumand whispered urgently when Sleipnir turned back to press his face into their mothers side. His brother groaned in response but made no move to get up so Jorgumand started to poke at him again.

"Stop it!" Sleipnir bit out, turning around and trying to grab at his hands, but Jorgumand sat back out of reach.

"Look!" he said, pointing at the new boy and Sleipnir looked over as directed. His reaction was less than spectacular. Jorgumand watched as his older brother took in the sight beside him, yawn widely, and then settle back under the covers.

"It's our younger brother." he explained tiredly.

"But where did he come from?" Jorgumand whispered.

Sleipnir sighed and rolled over to face him. "Mama went and got him last night."

"Oh." was Jorgumand's only response and he looked back over to the little boy.

Sleipnir didn't close his eyes again; apparently content just to lay there. Jorgumand shook his head at him and without warning he rolled back out of the bed and walked out of the bedroom. The corner of the room that had been claimed by their toys was as it was last night, and Jorgumand sat down in the middle of the pile and started sorting through Sleipnir's lego. It wasn't long before his older brother wandered in, rubbing his eyes but no longer grumpy with him.

"What are you making?" Sleipnir asked after he had sat down and watched him for a while.

"A tower," he answered and continued to add on pieces.

Sleipnir eyed his creation critically. "The bottom needs to be bigger." he said finally.

"No it doesn't."

"Yes it does, it's too thin. It's going to fall over."

Jorgumand responded by sticking his tongue out and continued to add more height to his creation. A few minutes later he was not able to avoid the wobbling of the tower and watched with disappointed eyes as it toppled over. Sleipnir looked up from the fort he was making and Jorgumand glowered at him as if the whole thing was his fault. His brother didn't say a word though; he simply moved over to the ruins of Jorgumand's tower and began making the base wider.

Soon enough, between the two of them a new tower was created that was taller than Jorgumand himself.

"I'm hungry." Jorgumand said suddenly as Sleipnir continued to add Lego to the top as he was the only one of the two of them that could reach that high anymore. Seeing his brother was completely engrossed in construction and was no longer listening to him, Jorgumand walked carefully around the piles of plastic blocks and marched back into the bedroom. His mother was still sleeping, as was their new little brother so Jorgumand climbed up onto the bed and scooted closer to the two of them. Unfortunately he wasn't as quiet as he thought and he found that the little boy was awake and looking at him.

Jorgumand blinked, and smiled when his brother copied the gesture. "Hello." Jorgumand whispered in greeting. The little boy gave no response, he just stared at Jorgumand for what felt like hour before suddenly his face scrunched up from behind his hand and he looked for all the world that he was about to cry. "Oh no! I'm sorry! Please don't..." but it was too late and before Jorgumand could do anything his brother yanked his thumb out of his mouth to let out an angry cry.

His mother was jerking awake instantly, his arm curling around the little boy automatically and Jorgumand sheepishly met his eyes when they turned to him.

"I'm sorry!" he repeated desperately. "I didn't mean to!"

His mother stared at him for a moment, as if he didn't understand what he was seeing, but then he slumped a little back into the pillows and released a sigh that didn't sound upset.

"It's alright Jorgumand, it is not your fault." Mama assured him before sitting up in bed and wincing. "Although I don't think I will be sleeping on my back for much longer." he gave Jorgumand a tired smile and patted the little boys back. "Hush Fenris, it's alright."

Thankful that it seemed that he wouldn't be in trouble, Jorgumand inched forward, frowning a little when his little brother continued to cry. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong; he just doesn't know you yet. Come here, and you as well Sleipnir."

Jorgumand looked to see his older brother peeking from around to doorway, and Sleipnir walked in as directed. The little boy in Mama's lap continued to make small crying noises so both of the older boys were reluctant to get too close.

"Boys, this is your youngest brother. His name is Fenris." Mama said, and both Jorgumand and Sleipnir offered their new brother smiles. Fenris did not respond in kind, instead he turned his head to hide his face in their mother's shirt. "He is very shy; you both will have to be very patient with him, alright?" Mama explained and they nodded.

"May we have breakfast?" Jorgumand asked and was happy to see Mama smile at him gratefully.

"Yes of course. How do eggs and toast sound?"

"With jam?" Sleipnir asked.

Mama smiled wider and agreed. Sleipnir and Jorgumand ended up helping make breakfast that day. Sleipnir carefully set plates and cups on the table and Jorgumand pushed a chair up to the counter and manned the toaster. Fenris remained in Mama's arms while he prepared the eggs, and when they sat down he remained in Mama's lap and ate chopped up egg whites off Mama's plate. He had stopped crying for the most part, for which Jorgumand was thankful, but he was still unhappy looking.

After breakfast the two older boys returned to their tower while their mother took away the dishes to clean. After, Mama walked over to where they were and sat Fenris on the floor near them. Fenris was not happy with this, and began crying immediately. Surprisingly Mama did not pick him back up, instead he sat down on the floor with his legs crossed and rubbed Fenris' back. "It's alright my son, you are still safe." he looked up to see the two older boys watching curiously. "Keep playing boys; just let him get used to you."

They did as they were told but kept looking back every few minutes to check the situation. When Fenris had stopped crying again Jorgumand had an idea. Picking up one of Sleipnir's earlier creations, some kind of boat made out of Lego, he brought it to Fenris who watched his approach warily.

"Here!" he held the boat out as an offering.

Fenris leaned away and began to sniffle so Jorgumand stepped back and fiddled with the boat in his hands. "I thought he'd like to play with our toys." he explained.

His mother smiled at him. "That's very thoughtful Jorgumand, but perhaps he is a little young for Lego."

"What about our other toys?" Sleipnir asked from where he was standing by the forgotten tower.

Jorgumand didn't even bother waiting to hear his mother's response. Instead he dropped the rejected boat to the floor and bounded over to the chest that contained all the toys they had collected. Sleipnir was at his side seconds later and the two of them began presenting each item from the chest to their brother one by one. When Fenris didn't seem interested in taking any of them, they would just lay them on the ground near enough that he could reach them should he change his mind.

Soon enough a pile had grown around Fenris, toy soldiers, balls, action figures - all were passed over. Sleipnir showed off their slinkie, demonstrating how it worked while Jorgumand pulled one of the last items out. Steve had given them it, but neither Jorgumand nor Sleipnir found it very interesting, at least not when compared to all their other toys. Still, it was worth a try.

Sleipnir had just added the slinkee to the pile of discarded toys when Jorgumand walked up and presented the last toy. "This is a Teddy bear." he explained, holding up the soft stuffed bear. "You're supposed to hug it." he did so with enthusiasm and when he let go he was ready to drop it in the pile with the rest of the toys but Fenris suddenly held his arms out. Jorgumand blinked in surprise before a grin spread across his face. "Do you want it? Here!" He pressed the bear into Fenris' reaching hands and he stood close by as his little brother curled his fingers into the soft brown fur.

Fenris held the toy at arm's length for a long moment, studying it with sharp eyes and Jorgumand held his breath. Finally, he apparently decided that the tribute was satisfactory because Fenris slowly pulled the bear closer to his body and his lips twitched up into the smallest of smiles.

It was nothing compared to the huge smile that appeared on their mother's face, a mix of relief and pride. "Well done," He commended softly.

The rest of the morning, Jorgumand and Sleipnir spent playing with their new brother. It became almost a game to see who could get Fenris to do something, to play with one of their favorite toys, or get him to smile again. Sleipnir managed to get him to laugh by making silly faces. By lunchtime Fenris was half curled up in Jorgumand's lap while Sleipnir showed off some of their books. When their mother got up off the floor and went into the kitchen to prepare their lunch, the little boy barely noticed. Fenris fell asleep halfway through the meal, but Mama said that it was expected. Instead of putting the boy to bed though, their mother brought blankets out and let Fenris sleep on the sofa while Jorgumand and Sleipnir watched television. The only disturbance in the afternoon they had was the arrival of Fenris' clothes. Mama pulled out the garments from the bags and set them all in their drawers while Jorgumand and Sleipnir discovered the toys that had been packed in as well. They were much different from their toys, Jorgumand thought as he set aside a box full of wooden blocks with Midgardian letters on them.

"What are those?" he heard Sleipnir ask and looked up to see their mother setting aside a brightly coloured package.

"They are diapers and thankfully they are not necessary." Mama answered before a hand went to his belly. He smiled suddenly. "Not yet anyways."

Fenris woke not long after that, and after ama changed him into his own clothes, Jorgumand and Sleipnir showed the boy his new toys. For dinner, their mother made something called pasta, which Jorgumand quickly decided was his favorite dish yet. Fenris sat on their mothers lap again and ate plain noodles from a small bowl set in front of him, but laughed when Jorgumand made faces at him. The little boy even threw a small handful of his noodles at him.

"Don't even think about it." Mama said before he could reach for his own plate to deliver retaliation.

"But he-"

"You are older and know better Jorgumand." Mama intoned, deftly catching Fenris' fist that was about to lob another handful before gently scolding the younger boy.

Jorgumand stuck his tongue out at his little brother, but Fenris just replied with a bubble of laughter which made it difficult to remain angry with him.

After dinner they shared a bath together, and then dressed in their night-clothes. Sleipnir sat in the middle of his Lego pile playing while Mama bushed their damp hair, and Jorgumand went to join him when it was Fenris' turn.

It was quiet in the room, and Jorgumand yawned a bit as their mother quietly spoke to Fenris as he pulled the comb through the boy's wet curls. Standing on sluggish feet, Jorgumand walked over to the bookshelf, and looked for one that their mother would read to them before bed.

Jorgumand it took a moment before he realized that his mother had stopped talking abruptly. He looked over to see their mother still sitting on the sofa, comb in one hand, and the other braced against his stomach. The expression on his face was strange. One moment he looked confused about something, and then a smile spread across his face.

"Come here," he said with a gesture, and he shifted Fenris so that the boy was seated on his leg sideways. Jorgumand climbed up onto the side opposite of Fenris, and Sleipnir stood by their mother's knee. "Place one of your hands here," he gestured to a section of his stomach, and gently took one of Fenris' hands and placed it flat against the spot. Jorgumand and Sleipnir followed suit, pressing their palms as close to the area as three little hands could fit. Then they waited.

Jorgumand waited for Mama to tell them what to do next, but then he felt something move against his hand. He knew it wasn't just him who felt it either because Sleipnir jumped a little and Mama's smile grew larger.

"What's happening?" Jorgumand asked when he realized he was feeling something moveinside his mother.

"That is the baby, it is saying hello." Mama explained.

A rush of excitement filled him at the idea and he fought hard to stay seated. "Is it coming out now?" he asked excitedly.

Mama laughed and leaned over to kiss his head. "No, there are a few months left before that happens."

"Oh." was all he said, and he tried to hide his disappointment. Instead, he focused again on the fluttering movement that beat lightly against his hand. He waited for it to stop and when it did he drummed his fingers against the spot. The movement started up again in response and Jorgumand let out a laugh and looked up to his mothers face. His laughter died at what he saw. His mother looked as though he were about to cry.

"What's wrong?" he asked, feeling alarmed.

"Nothing," Mama said quietly, and wound an arm around him so that he could be pulled close. "I am simply very happy."

Jorgumand shared a bewildered look with Sleipnir who shrugged, equally confused.

That night they all climbed into the same bed, and suddenly Jorgumand was thankful the baby would take longer to arrive, as there was no room for it in the bed now. Mama laid on his side, as close to one edge as he could get and Fenris curled into the space between his chin and stomach. Jorgumand lay next to them, boxed in with Sleipnir on the other side, and found he rather liked it, despite the crowding. It made it very easy to close his eyes and let sleep take him with the sounds of his family so close, with one of Mama's hands stroking over his hair and Sleipnir's arm thrown over his side. And in the middle of the night, if he woke with a scream on his lips, that was ok too, because his mother was there to pull him back into the safe huddle of bodies.

Yay! Fluff!

Happy long weekend everyone!

So for this chapter I decided move away from Loki and the assorted avengers and tell it all from Jorgumand's perspective. Please tell me what you think!

I also HAD to throw in the line of "you are older and know better", because as the oldest of three, that is ALL I ever heard growing up!

In the next chapter Thor comes back and we find out whats up with Hela. I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday!