Tony and Alfarin had set up four chairs. There was a small table in the middle on which a fist-sized lump of coal had been placed. Alfarin took a moment to say that Clint and Dr. Selvig needed to sit across from each other, with Loki between them. Neither man looked happy about that, but they went to take their seats.
From the other side of the room, Tony headed straight for Loki. Farbauti leaned down and asked,"Who's that?"
Loki smiled. "Allow me to introduce you."
Loki met Tony halfway, falling into a full-body hug that Tony gratefully returned. They swayed together, both in desperate need of a moment of reconnection. Then, Loki pulled back and said softly, "I want you to meet someone," and he led Tony to stand in front of Farbauti. "Tony, this is Her Majesty, Queen Farbauti of Jotunheim. Your Majesty, this is Tony Stark. He is my mate." Farbauti didn't miss the note of pride in his voice.
"Ah! Well, hello," she said cheerfully.
"Uh—yeah, hi there," Tony said, sticking out his hand. Farbauti pulled hers back.
"I'm so sorry, but you're mortal, yes? I'm afraid I can't touch you. Your flesh would freeze."
"You can warm yourself, though," Loki said to Farbauti. When she looked puzzled, he prompted her with quick instructions. She looked uncertain, but she took a moment to close her eyes and breathe deeply. She then opened them, looked down at her hands, and turned to proffer them to Loki.
"Did it work?"
Loki took her hands in his and nodded. "It did."
Farbauti shook her head. "How did you know to do that? I had no idea it was even possible."
"It... came up in conversation one night," Loki said with a wink at Tony. He choked back a grin at the thought of the first time he'd done that little trick in Tony's bed. "Anyway, it's fine—Tony, you may shake Her Majesty's hand."
Tony quickly offered his hand again. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs., uh, Queen, uh—"
"Call her Your Majesty," Loki supplied.
"Your Majesty." Tony's hand was enveloped by Farbauti's, but even so, he managed a hearty handshake.
"My, he's a little one," Farbauti murmured to Loki. She glanced at Steve, standing nearby. "Are most Midgardians like him, and this one's unusually small—or is it the other way 'round?"
"Midgardians come in all shapes and sizes," Loki said affectionately. He pulled Tony to him and kissed him on his head. "And this one's mine. I like him."
"I'm so fucking happy for you two," Clint Barton snarled from where he was sitting. "But, can we get on with this?"
"Clint," Natasha tsk'd. "Language."
"Oh... yeah. Sorry, ladies. Rogers. I'm a little on edge right now."
"You have a right to be," Farbauti said crisply. "But, all will be well quite soon. My grandfather is the most gifted mage I have ever known." She thought a moment and then glanced at Loki. "So far, at least."
Loki gave her a half-smile before turning to survey the room as he and Tony walked to the circle. "What's Banner doing here?" he hissed.
"Thought it might be good to have someone with medical knowledge on hand in case Selvig, you know, blew a gasket or something."
Loki gave him a sharp look and then went up to Alfarin. "Which reminds me—are you certain this procedure will in no way harm my baby?"
A fond smile crossed Alfarin's face. "Absolutely. You must trust me, young one—I have done this many times. No one will experience any ill effects, except possibly the lump of coal. Now, please—have a seat."
Alfarin then turned to stand before the group of bystanders, which now included Jane, looking on anxiously from Thor's side. The mage pulled himself up to his most regal, if slightly hunched over, pose and said, "Good people of Midgard, I am pleased to be able to offer you my services to end your comrades' affliction. I daresay you will find the procedure of some interest. However, I ask you to please stay back from the circle for your own safety."
He first went to Dr. Selvig, and with a hand on the seated man's shoulder, he leaned down and said something quietly in his ear. He did the same for Clint, and then Loki, before he picked up the coal and cradled it in his broad palm. The three seated men lay their hands in his, making sure there was skin contact with the coal. Alfarin sat down and placed his other hand on top of theirs. He closed his eyes and soon everyone noted that the room began to feel colder.
"Whoa, that HVAC guy's clearly been ripping me off," Tony said in a stage whisper to Bruce. "I'm going to cancel my contract."
"Shh!" Bruce admonished.
"But, it's freezing in here!"
"Merely a temporary redirection of energy, young man," Alfarin said in a dreamy voice without opening his eyes. "No cause for alarm."
By now, everyone's attention was focused on the four in the circle. Bruce kept an eye on Selvig, looking for any sign of distress, but the man appeared perfectly calm as he peered curiously at Alfarin.
Loki had a mild sneer on his face, but Tony felt certain that was a result of having to be in close physical proximity to Barton. Clint himself just looked baffled, his eyes never leaving the point of contact between their hands.
And, so it went for several long... quiet... uneventful minutes.
To the point that Tony was getting seriously bored. He idly wondered if it was bad form to pour a shot of whiskey while an outer-space healing ritual was going on; he figured that it was, but he was just about to risk it when he heard Pepper gasp. He quickly looked to the circle and saw a soft golden light emanating from between Alfarin's fingers. The old man made a sharp grunt as if he'd been hit in the stomach, and he began rocking back and forth.
As everyone watched, the shimmering light grew stronger and brighter, and tiny yellow sparks flicked higher and higher into the air. The glow slowly shifted from gold to red to green. Suddenly, all the oxygen in the room seemed to evaporate for an instant, leaving everyone startled, but with no ill effects. Loki dropped his head, seeming to lose consciousness, but before Tony could react, he straightened and blinked at the light.
Now, Clint and Dr. Selvig wore expressions of utter fascination as the light gradually turned icy blue. The air was warming around them, and the whole room returned to a normal temperature within seconds. At last, Alfarin opened his eyes and regarded the light under his palm. He smiled, pleased, and lifted his hand. He nodded at the other three and they slowly pulled back their hands. Alfarin's remained outstretched, and a collective "oh!" went through the room as everyone saw that, in place of the grimy black lump of coal, a glimmering blue diamond lay nestled in his palm. His hand began to tremble and he looked as if he might drop it.
Loki stared. In what appeared to be an instant reflex, he reached out to snatch the gem, but Frigga appeared beside him and then, somehow, the gem was in her hand. She looked down at her son, and Loki met her eyes. He dropped his hand and slumped back, gazing dully at the floor. Frigga bent down and planted a kiss on his cheek before stepping away from the circle.
Alfarin watched regretfully as she dropped the diamond into her bosom.
It took everyone a minute to grasp what had just happened.
Bruce check a blood pressure monitor he'd strapped onto Dr. Selvig's arm and then took his pulse. When he finished, he smiled. "Perfectly normal vital signs. How do you feel, sir?"
"Good," the older man said nodding. "Better than I have in... a long time." He still had a prickly look about him when he glanced at Loki, but he sounded untroubled.
"Wow." Clint was regarding his hand in amazement. "I feel great. I didn't realize there was such a weight hanging over me, but it's gone, completely gone."
Tony made his way to Loki and hugged him from behind. "How about you, slugger? You and Junior doing okay?"
Loki gripped Tony's arm and nodded. "Yes, we're fine." He looked up and smiled a little. "We're fine," he repeated firmly.
"Well, whew," Natasha said. "So, that's it? What do we do now?" she asked Alfarin.
"The cleansing was successful. You may all do as you wish."
A party atmosphere settled in as everyone began moving about, chatting. Tony went around offering drinks, joking and making needed introductions, although he left Thor to handle having his mother meet his mortal girlfriend. At one point, he noticed Loki off in a corner speaking earnestly with Thor and Frigga, and he would have given a lot to know what that conversation was all about, but Clint was asking if he had any limes, and Tony had to go on safari into his kitchen to find some.
Clint and Natasha were the first to leave, followed by Jane and Dr. Selvig. Bruce and Pepper went with them to share a cab.
Eventually, Frigga gently reminded the visitors from Jotunheim that she needed to return home and she was sure they did, too. Farbauti smiled sadly as she agreed. "Yes, of course. It is time. But, this trip to Midgard was an amazing journey. I know it's foolish, but I hope someday to return. I very much would like to ride a 'roller coaster.' Perhaps the good Captain could see after me in that regard?" She gave Steve a sly grin, and he looked a little startled, but he nodded with some enthusiasm. "I'd be honored to take you to Coney Island, ma'am. I bet Tony could arrange some sort of... private party?"
"Sure." Tony nodded thoughtfully. "That'd be great, I haven't been in years. I bet Loki would love it, too. Maybe we could do it sometime after the baby comes—they don't let pregnant people on any of the good rides."
Farbauti's sad smiled returned. "Ah, the baby. I wish I could be here for that event as well."
Loki shrugged. "Perhaps something can be arranged."
The Jotunn queen turned to him and placed a warmed hand on his cheek. "Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Loki. I realize now it was a very selfish request, and I regret that. But, it meant more to me than you can imagine."
Loki gave her a rueful smile. "I have no regrets, Your Majesty. Someday, I would like to... sit with you and Alfarin, and learn of my ancestry." Alfarin came up to join them and he nodded happily.
"Oh, our people have a proud heritage, young one. A great tale to tell!"
"Well. I will look forward to that, then."
Frigga took Farbauti aside and spoke quietly to her. After a moment, Farbauti gave out a whoop of excitement, and then she turned back to Loki. "Is this true? You have convinced your mother and Thor to take our petition to Odin?"
"Of course. I consider anything that serves to irritate the Allfather a worthy cause."
"What's that all about?" Tony whispered to Thor.
Thor rolled his eyes but smiled. "Loki has persuaded us to seek Father's permission to help the Jotunn re-open their mines. I will go myself, and with the use of Mjolnir, we should give them a good start. After that, it will just require funding, which of course he can easily afford."
"You think the old guy'll go for that?"
"He will, with some persuading. Once Jotunheim is again recognized as a viable trade partner, there will be far less tension among the realms. He wants that, although of course it will behoove us to convince him that it was his idea all along."
Tony gave a shrewd nod. "Your mom's good at that kind of thing."
"Indeed. Well, I must get everyone back to their homes. Thank you for everything, Man of Iron. Jane was most concerned about Selvig, and I could see the Archer was suffering greatly. Perhaps now everyone can be at peace with one another."
"Yup. Well, be careful, big guy. Don't drop anybody."
"I shall endeavor not to," Thor said gravely, but there was a twinkle in his eye.
It took some doing, but Thor finally managed to gather his little group of travelers together for departure. Loki followed them up to the roof to say his goodbyes.
Once they were gone, Steve and Tony stood together at the picture window, watching the burst of thunder and lightening left in their wake.
"That... this whole thing... It was incredible," Steve said softly.
"Yeah. Boy, having interstellar in-laws makes for fun family get-togethers, doesn't it? I can hardly wait for Thanksgiving."
Steve gave him a friendly shot in the arm. "In-laws. You and Loki. Geeze, Tony, I still can't believe it. How'd you two get together, anyway?"
Tony shrugged, a faraway look crossing his face. "He showed up in my kitchen one morning and said he was sorry. After that? I didn't ask too many questions. It all just kind of... happened."
"But, you're happy."
Tony grinned. "Yeah, I am. I'm his mate, apparently."
"I kind of envy you." Steve now had a faraway look of his own, but it disappeared and his eyes widened as he realized what he'd just said. "Having someone, I mean. Not being with Loki."
Tony's grin deepened. "Oh, I don't know—that icy Jotunn blood... Queen Farbauti seemed like she was a little bit sweet on you."
"Uh... yeah, well, she lives on a different planet, so..."
"Long distance relationships can work if you try hard enough."
"Ha-ha, yeah... Listen, Tony—I need to go. Like I told you, I've been up for days and I could really use some sleep."
"I hear you. And, I was just kidding about Farbauti, although, you could do worse, you know? Did you see how she was built?" Tony gave a low wolf-whistle.
Steve gave a stoic nod, and added, "She really is good-looking."
"Yeah! And, don't worry, you'd get used to that little something extra." He winked lasciviously, leaving Steve with a puzzled look.
"Huh?"
Tony leaned in and explained how, exactly, it was that Loki could be male and still carry a baby. Steve blinked repeatedly and stared straight ahead.
"I gotta go." He strode to leave, pausing to raise a hand in farewell. "Say bye to Loki for me. I, uh... Well, just say bye."
Tony saluted. "Will do, Captain." He then turned to look for his boyfriend, but realized he hadn't come back to the living room yet.
Tony headed to the elevator and strode out onto the roof.