"So tell me again why we are in such a great hurry." Loki questioned as he was practically being dragged down the great halls to an obscure rarely used chamber in the palace.
Tony turned so he was facing Loki but continued walking backwards. "Dunno, babe. Your mom just said it was important." Turning to face forward again, he shrugged. "She seemed pretty excited about it."
Loki narrowed his piercing green eyes at him in a side long glance. "You're not telling me something."
Tony's wide brown orbs fell on him pointedly. "No I'm not, because it is not mine to tell. Just go with it Loki."
The god sighed as they continued on their trek. "I do not like surprises, Anthony." He muttered.
"Yes, yes. But you will like this one. Have you ever not liked a surprise I've been involved with?"
"So you had a hand in this as well?" Gotcha.
Tony rolled his eyes as they came to a stop in front of the large golden doors. He took Loki's hands in his own, his head bowed. Brushing his thumb over pale knuckles, worry over took him for a split second. It was enough for Loki to pick up on; the god's brows drew together with concern. He took a deep breath. "I want you to know I don't regret any part I took in this. Even if it costs me everything I hold dear. I love you and I want you to be happy, Loki." He planted a kiss to one of Loki's hands. "That being said, your gift awaits." He took a few steps back and let Loki's hands slip from his own.
"You are not coming in with me?"
He shook his head. "Go on…don't keep them waiting." He smiled lovingly. Shoving his hands in his pockets and leaned against the wall, "I'll be right here."
Loki opened the heavy chamber doors slowly. Stepping in cautiously, the door shut behind him. He could hear hushed tones and the loving voice of his mother.
"It is alright child. No one will harm you here."
"I want to go home." Came a small voice.
It can't be—Fenrir? Loki rounded the corner, his heart pounding so hard it threatened to crack his ribs in two. His lips parted on a gasp at the sight before him.
His mother knelt before three boys—no more than teens in appearance. One stood tall, maybe a few inches shorter than himself. His long platinum hair pulled back away from his face. Sharp scrutinizing eyes of the most brilliant green fell upon the Queen of Asgard. To his left and slightly behind, as if he were being protected by the other, stood another boy, also tall in stature with long ebony hair flowing wildly over his shoulders. His eyes were of the blackest onyx yet held underlying softness, his lips set in a hard line. The youngest of the three stood with his head buried in the tallest boy side—his arm wrapped protectively around the child's small frame. His hair was short and unruly, the color of coal. One icy blue eye peaked out at the queen's out stretched hand.
It can't—it can't! The scent that was uniquely theirs hit him head on: the ocean after a violent storm; wild wind blowing across the pastures; the smell of rain kissed pine.
Loki stared at his children panicked. These were his children—in mortal form!
"My goodness, you are the spitting image of your father at that age." Frigga smiled warmly.
His heart filled with fear and tears threatened to spill from his eyes. "M-mother?" His voice cracked.
All eyes snapped to him. He searched each face. "—what have—why are—where?"
"Fear not my son. No harm will come to them. They are safe, protected. No one will touch them." Frigga said in a strong even tone. Fear and anxiety rolled off of Loki in waves. "Loki." His wild eyes landing on Frigga. "No one will harm your children." A soft smile tugged at her lips as gentle tears fell from her eyes.
"Father." Jormungandr's voice brought his attention back to the boys. Tony slipped in through the door as Loki fell to his knees. "Father!" The three boys rushed him. Fenrir collided with him first throwing his arms around his neck as Loki wrapped his arms around him securely. The other two encircled him from the sides. Sobs echoed around the great hall as Loki crushed his youngest to his chest; touching and kissing the other two.
Tony lingered back in the corner of the room, not wanting to hinder the special moment. Tears pricked his eyes as he smiled widely. Frigga stood with her hand to her mouth as they watched the scene before them.
Fenrir reached up a small hand to Loki's cheek. "Don't cry, Father. We're ok." Getting a good look at his son, he looked to be about the age of twelve.
"Forgive me, my sons. I am simply over joyed and over whelmed." He glanced up at his mother. "How did you, do this? I mean, why?"
"I merely wish to set things right Loki. They should never have to been taken from you. It was wrong—so very wrong to view them as monsters. They should have been revered and lavished with love." Frigga's eyes filled with immense sadness. "Please forgive us all, Loki."
"And what of Odin? Surely he will not hesitate to come after them?" Loki stood and the boys crowded close to him, Fenrir never relinquishing his hold.
"He has no say in the matter. And if he thinks otherwise, he will have to go through me." She stood tall in her conviction.
"And me." Tony came to stand by his side. Fenrir immediately tackled him into a bear hug almost knocking him to the ground. Tony chuckled and ruffled his dark mane. "Hey squirt, looking good. I like the hair." His eyes locked with Loki's and gave him a halfcocked grin.
"Don't be upset babe. We just wanted to see you happy. And you know, your kids make you happy. I thought that maybe when we leave here they could stay with us at the mansion. I mean, there's plenty of room—"Tony trailed off in his rambling "—if that's what you want."
Loki stared at Tony for a long while, expression unreadable. Slepnir looked up at his father when he didn't respond. "Father, this was our decision. We chose to do this. Anthony simply provided us with the means. It is only temporary." At that Loki's gaze flitted to his mother.
"It is a trial period, if you will, to see if they will be able to adapt to this form. If they wish to make it permanent, then I will see that it is done." She tried to assure him.
"You risked my children's safety and well-being on a 'hunch' that they might wish to stay as mortals?" He directed his ire at Tony.
Fenrir's grip tightened. "Easy there tiger." Tony whispered. "I was assured that they would be safe, Lok's." Said god gave a slight quirk of his brow. "I got it in writing and bound with magic. If it doesn't work out, they can go back to the grove." Loki's other brow went up. "Your mother was blindfolded. I'm not that stupid, you know." Russet eyes begged his lover to see the reason behind his participation. Loki's expression once again became hard to read as silent tension filled the room. "Lok's—"
"Father. Is he not worthy of a god's affections?" Loki turned towards his eldest at the question Jormungandr posed to him once before.
Loki closed his eyes and bowed his head, shaking it slightly. Gazing up at his mortal. "Yes. Yes he is." Tony visibly relaxed. "But you and I will discuss this at length at a later time. I have no doubt that you were swayed in your participation in this little scheme." He slid his eyes towards his mother, who did not even try to hide her smile.
Loki stood back and took in the sight of his children. This would take some getting used to, but they were exactly how he envisioned them in god form. Holding his hands out, Fenrir latching on to the one nearest to him, he gestured them forward. "Come. You have not been properly introduced." Loki walked them to where his mother stood. "This is Lady Frigga, Queen of Asgard, my Mother and your Grandmother." The boys knelt before her. "Mother, these are your Grandsons: Jormungandr, Slepnir and Fenrir."
Frigga stood trembling as they knelt before her. "Please, rise. Do not bow, please stand." She pulled each one to his feet before embracing each of them, tears in her eyes.
Loki caught Tony's eye as the man quirked a crooked smile at the blissful scene before him. The god winked; love you. His mortal winked back; I know, before slipping quietly out the door.
AN: ok, yay! Happy family reunion! Thank you guys for all the overwhelming support with the last chapter, well, with the whole story actually! You all rock my socks! More to come.. let me know whatcha think. Besitos!