A/N: One more chapter after this one, that may or may not be able to lead into a third story. :) I don't think I'm done with these guys just yet. :)
The Avengers, Loki, Iron Man, or anything of the like. Just the thoughts inside my head, and Kaia, Gabby, and Nathan. And taking some personal freedoms with mythology and lore.
Tony was pushing Kaia's hair back into place, and tucking it and retucking it behind her ears constantly as Loki just held onto her. "Look at you, you look like you took three rounds with one of my inventions. Your clothes are filthy, and you look like you could use a hair cut, and-"
"Dad." She took his hands and smiled at him. "You don't need to fuss so much."
"Of course I do." Tony squeezed her hands and pulled them closer to his chest. "Gods, you're so much older, you're taller, and you have more facial features but you inherited your amazing skin from me of course. You have your jaw line from your father, though, I'm sorry to say." Loki let Tony continue on his nervous ramble as he gently ran his hands through her hair, taking comfort int he fact that she was there, that he could feel her in his arms.
Tony didn't need to hear the little shoe scuffle behind him before he offered his arm up When Nathan took it he pulled him down quickly, hugging him tightly. "You're both here, you're both safe That's all that matters right now." Nathan smiled and let out a breath, hugging Tony back.
"You're not curious about-"
"I said, right now. Listen up boy, I thought people got smarter with age." Tony smiled at him and pat his cheek twice. "Christ, are you taller than me now?! What is with this family? I don't Want to be the shortest one."
"Call it the Stark curse," Loki said quietly, letting green tendrils of his magic wind around Kaia and Nathan, tending to some of their more superficial wounds. "Thankfully you didn't pass that on to our daughter." Tony rolled his eyes, but smiled.
Loki had managed to talk Tony into waiting until Nathan and Kaia had been able to shower and change before asking what had happened. Tony didn't think he'd be able to get used to the fact that instead of barely new teenager walking towards him, there was a young woman.
"How long were we gone for?" Kaia sat down on the couch, Nathan right next to her. neither Tony nor Loki missed just how close he was sitting to her.
"Six months," Tony answered as Loki handed them each a glass of water. Pepper and Steve were sitting on the couch with Tony and Loki while Thor stood behind the couch. Balder was still with a sleeping Gabby.
Nathan hummed a little and nodded. "It was six years for us," Kaia answered for them. "When Hela came I tampered with her spell and we ended up somewhere else, instead of Helheim I can only imagine."
"That was a risky move," Loki said as he nodded. "A calculated risk though."
"She was pretty shocked, and trying to figure out where we were, that we were able to slip away," Nathan continued. "We got lucky because we ended up on Vanaheim, and managed to make our way to a city. Hela didn't stick around for long after that."
"The Vanir hold no love for her," Loki nodded a little. "There is still an alliance with them so they would help both of you."
"We tried not to use our names or anything at first," Kaia picked up the story. "But I still didn't know much about my powers and it was clear that that was the sure fire way to getting away from Hela for good." Kaia put her hand on top of Nathan's when he rested it on top of her knee. "We found a mage who was friendly enough."
"I offered to work as his assistant if he would help Kaia with her powers and some spells." Nathan shrugged a little. "I mean, menial labor was the only thing I had to offer as a mortal."
"That's how we spent the last few years, just hopping from region to region, trying to find out way back here." Kaia could see a few frowns forming. "We later found out that since I messed with the spell it put us in a state of accelerated time, making it so that you couldn't track us. I still don't understand it completely, but it seemed to make sense at the time."
"We were on Alfheim when Hela found us again," Nathan finished up. "A hasty spell and you guys saw me crash into the table. Which really hurt by the way."
"Turns out you two weren't the only ones being hunted by Hela," Tony said when they finished their story.
"I must admit that you managed to do some good, brother." Loki groaned as balder walked int he room while Nathan and Kaia looked at the newcomer with raised eyebrows. "You have a very lovely daughter. Amazing, actually."
"Unfortunately, we weren't able to be rid of him for long enough," Loki mumbled. "This is Balder, Thor and mine's brother, you Uncle, Kaia, Pepper's brother, and Gabby's father."
"I was still really young when young when you died," Kaia frowned a little as she watched him.
"Yes, the car accident that I was in was set up by Hela. I didn't know why, but I knew that if she knew about me then she would try to get to me through my kids." Balder explained.
"So you left, to keep them safe?" Balder nodded to Nathan's question.
"I am just unfortunately linked to both of these troublemakers," Pepper spoke up from the couch. "But I knew things wouldn't be easy when I saw this one," she hit the back of Tony's head and he glared, "put on a metal suit that life wouldn't be easy."
"This makes me upset that we are not related by blood, Ginger," Balder grinned and Pepper made a face at the nickname.
"That would also explain why her and Loki were able to both hold the illusions down there," Nathan leaned back against the loveseat a little.
"She's still learning, but she shows potential," Loki nodded a little. "It is just a pity that her father didn't have the forethought to-"
"Yeah yeah, it's all my fault, I've heard it before," Balder interrupted. "I think that we should celebrate tomorrow. Nathan and Kaia are back and Hela is currently up in Asgard with the guards."
"Best means for celebration if I ever heard one," Tony agreed. "And Gabby will be up then too, so she won't want to kill us for starting without her."
"I am going to get some sleep then, because I have a feeling that I'll be making some calls tomorrow." Pepper stood up first, giving a hug to Kaia and Nathan before heading upstairs tot he guest rooms.
"I shall go to Asgard and will be back on the morrow. I shall fill you all in on what actions are being taken." Loki nodded to Thor, a silent thank you.
Steve had quietly excused himself and left the room the same time Balder did. When he was sure they were far enough away, and out of earshot of both Loki and Tony, Steve took a breath and walked next to Balder. "Excuse me sir?" Balder glanced over, eyebrow raised. "I'd actually like to ask you a question."
"You're nervous." Balder stopped them at the top of the steps, watching as Steve brought himself to his full height, back straight, very serious. "Is it perhaps about my daughter?" Steve coughed a little, clearing his throat, nodding once.
"I'm not actually sure what is done on Asgard. Out of the two people that I could ask one can't keep a secret to save his life, and the other would surely tell Tony." Steve fidgeted with his hands a little before clasping them behind his back. "Sir, I love your daughter, of this I have no doubt. I would like to ask your permission to have her hand in marriage."
Balder kept his eyebrow raised. "She's still fairly young, especially for Asgardian."
Steve nodded. "Yes, I know. I plan on waiting until she's done with school, but I know that I want to be with her."
"And you've been trying to work up the courage since the day I came back, right?" Balder smirked.
"Well, maybe not the same day,..." Steve mumbled a little. The smirk never left Balder's face.
"You are actually going to come and get some sleep, right?" Tony walked up behind Loki, rubbing his shoulders, as he stood out in the hall, watching Kaia sleep. He had seen Nathan make his way into the bedroom, and as soon as he had laid down next to Kaia both had went to sleep easily. Whatever they had been through traveling, they had each to lean on and make it through.
"Soon enough." Loki relaxed slightly under Tony's hands. After a few more minutes he let the shorter man guide him back to their own bedroom, and into their bed. Tony put a hand on his chest laying on his side, pressing his face into Loki's neck.
"She's safe now," Tony whispered against his skin. "They both are. She's home, in her own bed. She's not going anywhere anymore, we don't have to search for her." He let Loki turn to face him, hand taking his and entwining their fingers. Loki rested his head on top of Tony, his cheek pressed against his hair. Tony blinked a little when he suddenly felt a warm, wet spot on his head. he rubbed Loki's hand with his thumb, pulling them closer together.
"I know baby," Tony whispered, pressing light kisses to Loki's chest. "I know."
Neither of them got any sleep that night, but they were able to relax for the first time in months.