WARNING: LANGUAGE

[ This has not been edited yet. It will be by tomorrow.]

Disclaimer: I do not in anyway own these characters. All rights belong to Marvel etc.

NOTE: The words in Italics that are not contained in "" [and that stand alone, not in a sentence] are the characters thoughts and not intended for others to overhear. [ although it does sometimes happen.]

The words in "Italics" are a conversation intended to be heard between the 'mind link'.

Fools of Fortune

(Chpt 20)

Mrs. Pepper Smith switched a pile of paperwork to her other arm as she entered the lobby of the Avengers' tower. Humming tunelessly, she pushed the elevator button for the penthouse floor. It had been a few days since she had received the daily 'Loki sleeping' photo from Tony. The last one had included a small collection of pens sticking out of the god's ears and nose while he slept. Why Tony persisted in sending them when he knew the god would punish him later was beyond her. Pepper, herself, had had an interesting night when her husband happened to catch sight of one of the photos. There was a tense conversation in which she explained that, no, her ex was not sending her dirty pictures. Loki was not some creepy guy who was stalking her. No, she didn't think Tony had a kink for garden gnomes; he's just weird. She gave up at some point and handed over her phone to Jonas so he could look at the rest of the ridiculous photos. After several minutes of cautious scrolling he burst out laughing. She knew she had fallen in love with the man for a reason.

The elevator doors slid open with a ding and she walked out into the living room of the penthouse. It was oddly empty.
"Guys, it's two in the afternoon," she called out, glancing into the kitchen area. "There are no excuses for sleeping this late."

When she received no response she moved down the hall towards the bedroom. Stopping a few doors away, she nervously called out again, "Hello?"

Pepper was honest with herself. Loki scared her. She was certainly happy for Tony, and she knew the god was labeled 'good'. But things are never that simple. Pepper had long since known there weren't just 'naughty' and 'nice' lists. As Clint put it, 'If Loki hasn't killed Stark yet, it's only by a miracle.'

"Are you two even in there?" she asked halfheartedly. The last thing Pepper wanted to do was be on the god's bad side. Waking him up, no matter how late in the day, was probably something to avoid. After a few minutes she felt it was safe to say they weren't in the room. She returned to the elevator with her paper work to go down to the labs.

The doors opened earlier than she expected, making her jump. "Oh! Bruce. How are you?"

"Hello Mrs. Smith; and I could be better," he said, looking worried. She noted his partially dressed figure and unruly hair.

"Bruce, what is going on?" she asked carefully.

"Uh, well," he started, frowning when Clint shouted from the larger kitchen, "BRUCE did you turn on your damn magic tracker yet?! We need to find them."

Pepper felt her body go stiff.

This better not be about who I think it's about, she thought.

"Find whom?"

Bruce ran a hand through his hair and smiled weakly. "The two gods and, uh, Tony seem to be missing."

Several minutes later everyone everyone managed to gather in the common room. Pepper was still trying to keep herself from shrieking. "Missing!?" she managed, not quite screaming.

"As far as we know it, they've been gone for a few days," Natasha said, crossing her arms. "There's dust on their toothbrushes already."

Pepper ran her hands over her face and started to pace.
"Wait, okay, yes. So no one noticed they were gone?" she asked, turning to look at the group. Everyone shook their heads in response.

"The two little shits tend to go off for a few days all the time. What got us worried this time was that Thor is missing too," Clint said, leaning away from Pepper as though she might hurt him.

Steve leaned forward on the couch, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We called Jane, we called Fury-"

"Which, by the way, was the worst thing I've ever had to do in my life," Clint interrupted, looking slightly sick at the thought. "Coming from me, that's saying something."

Pepper gave him an unamused look. "Has anyone viewed the footage from Jarvis yet?"

"Ma'am, I thought no one would ever ask me." Jarvis said, sounding strangely smug.

"What do you mean?" Pepper began, glancing at the ceiling and then back at the Avengers. "Are you telling me none of you thought to ASK JARVIS!?"

Bruce flinched and pretended to be very interested in the leather of the couch. Clint made a face like he just had a brilliant idea while Steve looked downright ashamed.

"We forget he's not just another one of us humans," Natasha said, clearly unfazed by a now shrieking Pepper. "One tends to forget that he's an all-seeing AI and not some overly polite British guy living here."

Sighing, Pepper addressed the ceiling, "Jarvis, where are Tony and the two brothers?"

Jarvis sounded pleased. "I believe they have traveled to Asgard, ma'am."

There was a rush of exclamations from everyone.
"Why are they -"
"Why didn't you just tell us, you hunk of-"
"Seriously?"

Natasha looked like she stopped caring, "Well, that explains nothing."

"Can we assume that Thor is with the other two?" Pepper asked, running her hands over her face again. It was a bad habit she picked up from years of working with Tony. At least she didn't wear makeup that could smudge. "Why would they bring Tony to Asgard?"

"According to my recordings, Tony will be acting as a defendant for Mr. Odinson," responded the AI.

"For Thor? Why would he need a defendant?"

Jarvis sounded apologetic. "I meant Loki, ma'am. Thor expressed a desire for me to refer to Loki as an Odinson, instead of Laufeyson. I thought it best not to argue with one who can shoot electricity from his body. "

"Where as Loki is sure to give you a puppy," Clint said, raising an eyebrow. "How did that go over, when you used Odinson?"

"Not well. I no longer use it in front of Loki."

Pepper glared at Clint. "Can we stay on topic here? Missing people, a little more important."

Clint put his hands up in defeat and leaned back into the couch as Steve sat up straight to glance around at the group. Over all, everyone seemed less worried once they knew where the three of them had gone. The one exception was Pepper.
"Mrs. Smith..." Steve began.

"Please, call me Pepper," she said, polite even under pressure.

"Pepper. I am sure they are okay. If Thor is there, things will be fine," he said, smiling weakly.

Pepper looked at him, her stress deflating ever so slightly. "I hope you're right. I really hope you're right."

Meanwhile, things were not fine.

"He still won't see me?!" Tony shouted at Thor. They had been there for two days of nothing happening. Well, a lot happened in Loki's room, just nothing in terms of a court case.

"Tony, the Allfather is the King of the realm. He will see you when he wishes," Thor responded defensively from the doorway. With a huff of frustration, Tony threw himself on top of the lounging Loki.

The god let out a gasp as the man crushed all the air out of him. "Anthony," he wheezed, "Please desist in being so childish."

"Shut up and be my ice pack."

Thor spared the couple a tired smile. "If it eases your mind, I shall speak to my father again today." He left the room, the paused to peek back around the door frame. "Another matter," he said. "Mother wishes to be introduced to you, Anthony."

Tony twisted up from Loki's chest and gaped at the now empty doorway. "She does!? Wait, Thor," he shouted as he scrambled to remove himself from the mess of limbs around him. "Get back here, you enigmatic bastard!"

"Tony..."

Tony shuddered to a stop at the use of his nickname. Loki only used it in special cases and it always made him listen.

That and a few other things.

Tony turned and saw the god smiling up at him affectionately. He flopped back down, causing Loki to groan again. "Ugh, Anthony, you are no gentle weight."

"Are you calling me fat?" he asked into the god's chest. "Also, don't switch back to 'Anthony' so fast. Let me enjoy 'Tony' a little longer."

There was a long quiet moment before Loki spoke again. "I am eager to introduce you to my mother," he said, yet frowned as he thought,

Would Anthony behave well enough? I have no problem with his behavior most of the time, but what if he does something rude in front of her?
I do not want mother to dislike him.

"Lokes, I have an important question," Tony said, interrupting his thoughts.

"Hmm?"

Tony rose on his elbows to look Loki in the eye. His face serious, he asked, "What am I going to wear?"

Loki looked at him thoughtfully. "That is actually a good question. I assume she will be meeting you at Thor's 'Welcome Home' banquet tonight." He furrowed his brow. "You should be dressed in Asgardian clothing for such an event."

Tony tensed and tried to flash his usual grin. "Oh goody, I love dressing up for company."

Loki wasn't fooled. "Tony," he said, reaching up and running his hands up and down Tony's arms. "It will be similar to those horrid events you always host for your company."

"That's supposed to relax me?"

Loki tsked and fell back into the bed. "If you continue acting so pathetically, I am sure you will meet everyone's expectations flawlessly."

Tony glared halfheartedly at the god before sitting up and rolling off of him. "Thanks for the vote of confidence. You're just afraid I'll embarrass you in front of your mommy."

"Admittedly, a little."

Tony snapped back, "Not helping!" He continued to glare at the god for a few moments, before demanding, "Do something helpful and find me some Asgard furs to wear. I want to look dazzling in front of your mom."

Loki snorted at the thought and launched himself out of the bed. "Follow me."

It turned into a fierce battle between the two. Tony refuse to let the god simply magic the clothing on to him, opting for taking what Loki created and dressing himself. Loki wanted to dress Tony up in a much more glamorous outfit than Tony would ever allow. Though at first he simply refused to even put the clothing on, a single look from the god was all it took to have him dressing hastily. He paraded around the room in the outfit for a while, just to appease the pouty Loki.

"You can't tell me these aren't sequins," Tony said, running his fingers over the sparkly vest.

Loki came close and repeated the action, causing a shiver to run through Tony's body. "I can not say, as I do not know what a 'sequin' is," Loki murmured.

"Ugly."

"Then perhaps these are the same."

"I'm glad you agree." Tony said before lifting the hideous thing over his head. "Now, can I change into something less 'Musical Theater' and more 'Hamlet'?"

Loki circled Tony like a shark before conjuring a simple red and gold tunic. He handed it over and waited for the mortal to dress. A black vest was added and the pants changed from loose fitting black trousers to leather. Loki paused to admire Stark's leather clad bottom before turning the man around and attaching something across his chest.

"What is this?" asked Stark. "A necklace?"

Loki smiled slyly. "A collar, to let everyone know you belong to me."

"What?!" Tony gaped down at the gold crescent that fell across his chest. He had seen it before.

Oh. That gold thing that's always around Loki's neck.

Tony glanced back up at the god, his cheeks now flushed. "You adorable bastard."

"It is the best way to..." Loki started, choosing his words carefully. "Mmm. Ward off unwanted attention."

"So we are going to be wearing coordinated outfits?" Tony asked with a sneer. "Damn, Lokes, you're such a woman."

Loki growled and pulled Stark roughly against him. His lips hovered inches away from Tony's. "You should know by now, I am no woman." Pressing his lips closer, Loki whispered, "Or do I need to show you, again?"

Tony chuckled, his breath mingling with the god's. "It always helps to have visual aid."

"BROTHER!"

"Oh, come on!" shouted Tony, breaking away from Loki to glare at the finely dressed blond. Thor had somehow manage to pull off "musical theater" and still look masculine.

The sparkly god looked abashed and shuffled his feet nervously. "My apologies," Thor said, looking downwards. "But the banquet is starting soon."

"We will be along shortly," Loki said with a smirk. Not willing to argue with his brother, Thor mumbled something and left them to it. They turned to one another and kissed slowly, attempting to continue where they left off. Soon after, Tony broke the kiss and leaned back, making a face.

"Nope," he said sadly. "'Music Man' killed the mood. Let's go eat."

They entered the dinning hall as discreetly as possible, Loki making a point of scoping out the room first. When he noticed that Thor had invited all of his friends, they proceeded with caution to the far end of the table.

Unfortunately, Thor spotted them as they slinked past and waved them over. "BROTHER! TONY! Join us!"

Tony glanced at his lover and muttered out of the corner of his mouth, "What part of 'Your friends hate us and want to kill us' does Thor not understand?"

Loki chuckled bitterly and nudged him along the length of the table. The other group idly stood as they waited for dinner, drinks in hand. Fandal had a smug look on his face as he watched them approach.

"I see you dressed your pet monkey up for the party," he addressed Loki. "Does he do any tricks?"

"Fandral," warned Thor before smiling apologetically at Tony. Tony didn't smile back.

"Thor, was this not to be a royal family event?" Loki asked, looking around the group with a bored expression. "What are they doing here?"

Sif tensed up when Fandral laughed obnoxiously. Several servants and a few straggling extended family members glanced at the group.

"A royal family event?" Fandral's smirk widened. "Then should you not be excluded, Laufeyson?"

Loki visibly stiffened and a distinct chill filled the air. The hall grew painfully silent as more outsiders shifted closer in an attempt to hear better. Thor stared in horror at his friend, refusing to look at Loki.
Loki slowly turned his head towards his older brother and uttered a wordless growl.

The thunderer flinched and forced himself to glance at Loki's eyes before looking down. "Brother... I only told him out of need. After I thought you dead, I had to speak to someone about it," he said, lifting his head to look at his once close friend. Thor continued, his voice heavy with disappointment. "I trusted you, Fandral. Why would you do such a thing, to my own brother?"

Fandral was starting to become annoyed at the amount of hostility around him. He ignored Thor's question and turned once again to Loki. "So, Loki, why don't you show us your true form?" He snickered and raised a goblet in salute. "Show everyone how we have an enemy in our midst."

"He's not some cheap clown act, you limp dick." Tony said, stepping from Loki's side to move closer to the bearded god. "If you want to be entertained, why don't you go fuck yourself?"

"Oh ho!" Fandral chortled, taking a sip of his drink. "So your little monkey already knew of your secret. What does that make him? Only a monster can love a monster."

Tony clenched his teeth and stepped closer before Loki's hand touched his shoulder gently. He stopped moving at the god's touch but continued to threaten Fandral with his eyes. "As far as I can see it, the only monster in this room is you." Tony said with a growl. "Now back off."

"Or what?"

"Or I'll fucking burn you alive."

"Tony!" Thor shouted in surprise. Sif glanced between the arguing men and tried to pull Fandal back. The bearded god simply brushed her off and leaned down into Tony's face.

"Need I remind you, little mortal, that I am a god?" he whispered venomously. "You ought to know your place."

Tony flashed a nasty smile. "I know my place," he said, lifting his left hand a little. "It's right here in your fucking face."

With that he flicked something at Fandral's face and stepped backwards. The god screeched as the small object exploded on his cheek. Tony quickly flicked a few more, sending the startled god backwards into his group of friends. He kept doing it until the entire group, including Thor, were cowering behind a pillar.

Tony laughed loudly and placed his hands on his hips. "Go to hell! And tell them the monkey sent you!"

Loki bent down and whispered with a hint of amusement, "You were not supposed to use magic here. We may be in greater danger now thanks to that. Although," he said, squeezing Stark's shoulder gently, "I am sure we can take care of him with ease."

Tony simply smiled and pulled out a little box from his pocket. "Not magic, my dear, but science," he said in a cheerful tone. He flicked a few more tiny bits at the pillar and chuckled as they snapped and exploded. "Actually, they're just toys."

Thor peeked out, looking like one of those large dogs who hid from kittens. "Tony, please desist in throwing the magic snaps!" he begged, then ducked behind the pillar again. Tony was about to respond when a loud laugh burst through the room.

Wait, I know that laugh, he thought.

Tony turned to see his lover doubled over and shaking, his arms wrapped around his belly. Regardless of the audience, Loki continued to laugh uncontrollably, startling everyone in the room. No one had ever seen the god laugh like that, not even Tony. His usual response was refined and quiet. That, or the occasional, villainous and maniacal one he used when he won at the video games they played together. Tony had made Loki laugh pretty hard a few times, but never like this.

Now Tony simply beamed at his boyfriend. He couldn't help it. This was now at the top of his list of 'Cutest Loki Moments'. Right above the squirrel impersonation and that time he had made the god drink three espresso shots in a row. He shifted closer as Loki sat on one of the chairs to catch his breath. There was a moment of panting before the god began to giggle again, hiding his face behind his hands.

"Lokes?"

Tony plopped down into a chair next to him. Loki glanced through his fingers with watery eyes. Tony grinned at him, only to send the god into another fit of laughter.

"Loki?" a gentle voice inquired from across the hall. Loki immediately snapped his mouth shut and looked up, his eyes still brimming with tears. A woman dressed in white and gold stood by the doorway, looking unsure of who it was she was speaking to. Tony knew who she was before anyone spoke a word.

"Mother..." Loki said, in a sad yet affectionate voice.

Frigga smiled warmly at her dark-haired son and came forward, he arms outstretched. Loki immediately jumped from his chair and hugged her tightly, clinging to her as if she would disappear. Tony didn't usually get emotional over things that weren't about himself. He had to admit, his eyes were slightly more wet than they had been a moment ago.
It was just so obvious how much Loki loved his mother. The god had gone from a towering ice prince, to a giggling mess, to a loving child in a matter of moments.

"Loki," Frigga said, her voice weak with overflowing emotion. "My son. Oh, how I have missed you!"

Loki seemed unable to speak, burying his face further into his mother's shoulder. Tony chuckled at the "mamma's boy".

My Lokes, so cute, he thought.

At the sound of his laugh, Frigga looked up and locked eyes with Tony. He nearly flinched, in the fear of offending her by simply existing. The she smiled and it was most loving, warm smile Tony had seen in a long time.

She was so... motherly.

Tony's eyes snapped away from her, attempting to hide the sickening waves of sadness that suddenly washed over him. He hadn't felt this badly about his own mother in a very long time. Not since high school, when the girl he was dating asked to meet his mom like it was the next inevitable step. When he explained that his mother was dead, the girl gave him a pitying look. It disgusted him and hurt him at the same time. Of course he missed his mom, he had loved her more than anyone; but no one pitied Tony Stark. They didn't last long after that, especially when the girl kept trying to 'adopt' him into her family. It was creepy.

A hand touched his own and he jerked back instinctively. Loki was looking down at Tony, shocked at his lover's reaction.

"Anthony?" the god asked, hesitantly reaching out again. "What is wrong?"

"Nothing, Lokes," Tony replied hastily. "Just a little worried about the third musketeer over there."

Frigga entered Tony's line of sight and frowned. "If you are referring to Fandral," she said with obvious distaste, "He will be dealt with. Neither of you shall have any further trouble from him."

"O-oh, um." Tony forced himself to look her in the eye. "Thank you."

Frigga smiled again, a hint of confusion on her face. "I have yet to introduce myself, my apologies." She held out a hand to Tony. "I am Lady Frigga, Loki and Thor's mother; Odin's wife."

Tony stumbled from his seat and took her hand. Loki was pleasantly surprised when Stark managed to gracefully bow and kiss Frigga's hand gently.

"It is an honor to meet you," Tony said with sincerity. "My name is Tony Stark."

She chuckled faintly and turned her gaze once more to her son. "Loki, was that your laughter I heard as I came in? It seems to have been caused by Sir Stark."

Loki looked mortified. It was the most open expression Tony had seen on him since they got here. Well, with a few ntable exceptions during their more active nights.

"I, mother, I am sorry," Loki began before Frigga held a hand up to stop him.

She looked slightly peeved at her son's foolish apology. "My dear, never apologize for laugher."

"Even if it's maniacal laughter?" Tony asked.

Loki's half-dazed look disappeared with a snap. "Stark!"

Tony flinched at the use of his last name and began to mutter an apology before Frigga burst out laughing. It was pleasant and gentle, but it caused an ache in Tony's heart. When she managed to control herself, she looked at Tony, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Especially for maniacal laughter," she said before chuckling again.

Tony stared at her in awe and thought,
Oh, I like her.

"MOTHER!" came the tell-a-tale shout from across the hall. Thor greeted her exuberantly, but gave her a surprisingly gentle hug. He then began to explain to her what had happened between his friends and Loki, pulling her away from the table to speak more privately. While Frigga's attention was captured elsewhere, Loki sat in the vacant chair next to Stark and slid his hand into Tony's.

"Tony," Loki said with concern. "You are not alright. Was it what Fandral said?"

"No...well, yes. But that's not what's bugging me right now." Tony groaned and looked away from his lover. "It's your mom."

Loki tensed, his hand squeezing Tony's. "You dislike my mother?"

"NO!" Tony's head snapped around, waving a hand desperately. "No, no,no! I adore your mom. It's just that... she reminds me of some things I don't like to think about."

"What do you mean?"

Tony glanced around at the slowly filling banquet hall. Now was really not the time to talk about this, but Loki was so hard to say no to.

"My mom," he said. "She reminds me a lot of my mom. Same warmth, same smell, same weird sense of humor."

Loki frowned and squeezed Tony's hand once more, his thumb running in small circles across the back. "You feel a sadness, then, when you see my mother?" he asked, looking crestfallen at the thought.

"A little," Tony responded honestly. "But it's more like an ache for something I don't have anymore. A mix up of happy because I just met your favorite person, and sad because she stirs up painful memories."

"One of my favorite people."

Tony blinked. "Hmm?"

"She is one of my favorite people," Loki said, giving Stark a pointed look. "There are more than one."

"Wait," Tony started to grin. "Am I on that list somewhere?"

"But of course."

"How high up? Am I number two?"

"Try eight."

"Eight!?" shouted Tony, putting his free hand over his mouth. "And here I thought I meant something to you."

With that, Loki leaned forward and muttered into his ear. "I jest. You are fighting for the number one spot."

"I can't fight your mother." Tony mumbled back. "That's not even fair. She would kick my ass."

Loki chuckled and leaned back into the chair, ignoring the eavesdropping servants that appeared around them to place platters of food on the table.

"Then we shall move her to a different list entirely," Loki said, snagging a grape from one of the passing plates. Tony smiled and scooted his chair closer to the table, glad for the distraction of food. After several minutes of snagging fruit from one another, Frigga arrived to shoo Loki out of the seat next to Tony. She sat between them and spent the rest of the banquet talking about Loki. Frigga told her best and most embarrassing stories of Loki as a kid. Tony listened eagerly, saving information away for later use. He then did his fair share of story telling as well, explaining some of his and Loki's more elaborate pranks. She looked thoroughly pleased that her son was keeping himself entertained on Midgard. The food was excellent and the mood had grown cheerful after the removal of Fandral. Thor kept the rest of his friends on his far side, away from Loki and Stark.

As the meal drew to a close, the doors opened and Odin walked in. He could be no one else. His presence alone was enough to tell you what he was. King Odin had come, and a respectful silence followed.

Tony took an immediate disliking to the man. Something about his posture, something about that attitude.

Maybe I just have a thing against fathers, he thought.
Or is it eyepatches?

"Greetings, my family," Odin spoke, addressing the room. "We welcome home my son, Thor after a year away from home." He turned to Loki. "We also welcome home my son, Loki. It has been a long time and we thought you dead. I am glad that it is not so."

Loki looked as if someone had pissed in his Cheerios. Tony snuck his hand under the table and gave his lover's hand a quick squeeze before thinking to him,

"Calm down, Lokes. Just pretend he's a garden gnome. A pirate garden gnome."

Loki did his best, but failed to stifle a small snort. Frigga glanced at him, eyebrow raised, before she noted Stark's hand under the table. She suddenly beamed at Tony before turning back to her husband.

Not noticing Loki's reaction, Odin continued, "We also welcome the first mortal to our realm in many years." He gestured to Tony, causing every eye to turn to him. Tony flashed a grin and imagined them all naked. There was a dramatic pause before the Allfather spoke again, his tone somber. "Today is a day of festivities, but tomorrow we must convene over an important matter."

Tony felt his mood drop six hundred feet into hell.

"Tomorrow, we hold the trial for Loki Odinson."

EDITED.

NEW chapter on it's way. It's very very long.

Sorry it's so short as well. I wanted to work the trial into this one, but It just didn't feel right being all together.

Sequins and trials do not mix well.

Please review!