HI EVERYONE, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AS I GO THROUGH THIS STORY. I'M SORRY I'M NOT POSTING TWICE A WEEK ANYMORE, MY NOVEL IS DOING REALLY WELL AND WANTED TO PUT MORE TIME IN IT'S PROGRESS BUT I WILL STILL BE POSTING ONCE A WEEK ON SUNDAYS OR MONDAYS!

WHEN I STARTED THIS FANFIC, IT WAS REALLLY NOT MEANT TO TAKE OFF IN SUCH A WAY BUT I LOVE THAT YOU GUYS LOVE THIS STORY SO MUCH!

I HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOY THIS STORY AND PLEASE, REVIEW AND LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE AND DEFINITELY WHAT YOU'D LIKE TO SEE; I LIKE TO TRY AND IMPLEMENT THEM IF I CAN!

ENJOY!

"Mind explaining to us what's going on?" Sam questioned, not enjoying being left in the dark.

"My father has agreed to let Loki stay on Midgard under Ezri and I's surveillance during his brief time here. Since her season is once a year, it's only for that duration." Thor explained.

"Yes, it seems both of her eldest offsprings are having a Civil War right now. Not so tragic since her king just died," Loki pointed out, "but the threat was made, nonetheless. Thor and I will remain vigilant…and I will only be in Ezri's presence. For everyone's safety."

"Are you still the same narcissistic person or are you really trying to turn a new leaf?" Bruce asked, crossing his arms.

"It varies from time to time throughout the day." Loki said in a low voice, but Ezri elbowed him gently.

He looked down at her with a curious look and she pursed her lips to him.

"Surely, I was joking."

Ezri narrowed her eyes.

"Okay, fair enough, I wasn't. I'll try to behave better."

She flashed him a small smile but Tony knew they both had a past.

"Since we're expecting trouble, I'll begin preparations but I'll need Ezri's help. In the meantime, let's just be hypothetical: when are you expecting your…thing to start?" Tony asked.

"It's right after you have your big fire colors in the sky, I believe Peter called them fireworks?" Ezri signed.

"So, in a month or two…" Nat pointed out, looking over to Tony with a concerned look on her face.

"In the meantime, we'll have to remain vigilant on our surroundings. What should we be expecting?" Steve asked, her safety was now a priority.

"Men who come from water, their eyes as colored as mine. We…they'll probably be naked or maybe wearing something odd to cover themselves; depends on the person. Once they arrive, I'll fight them on the ocean; it's my problem." Ezri explained.

"No, it's ours now." Loki told her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"And we'll face them together." Thor assured her, clasping his hand on top of her head.

"Thank you."

"Is there any chance they'll come to land, or here even before or after?" Clint questioned.

"We don't know, that's why we will both remain for the time being." Thor answered but Bucky was looking at Ezri's stance; she was stiff but alert. She was waiting.

"I must ask, can I be removed from missions so I can prepare with you? Test anything you'll need of me?" Ezri asked, and Tony smirked in pure giddiness.

"Have fun during our experiments?"

"But, of course!" Ezri signed, a small giggle escaping her.

"Fine, you and Loki can stay back, I'll have Nat go with Steve." Tony stated, Steve exhaled loudly from his nose but didn't say anything when he saw Ezri's smile; as long as she was safe.

"Capsicle, why don't you lead the mission layout while I work on her layout?" Tony suggested and Steve nodded.

"Understood." Steve said, watching as Tony left with Ezri; Loki, and Thor following them out of the room. Ezri looked back at Bucky one last time and flashed him a small smile, and he couldn't help but crack a slight smirk, their kiss replaying in his head.

Over the next few hours, Tony and the others had finally agreed to a game plan. On the beach, Tony had agreed to make an underground tunnel and observation. It would allow the team to check on her and observe the situation, but more than that: it'd allow her a safe place to come back on.

He would place a shower, drying, and lockers for her and the team to change, but they'd be scrunched on time. Everyone had already gone back to their room, but Peter went to go check on Ezri when he noticed she was nowhere to be seen.

"Miss Ezri?" Peter called out, walking into her room, but no one responded. He was about to leave the room when he saw a leather book on the bed and curiously picked it up, going through the pages when he saw where the ribbon was placed.

"Clan Protection?"

Ezri went to the ocean where she saw Loki standing there.

Her stomach fluttered at seeing him, but when she approached him, she was actually becoming more irate. She sat on the long log, watching him as he sat beside her, casting a blanket over their shoulders to keep her warm.

"Thank you." She whispered and he flashed her a weak smile.

"Of course, darling." Loki said softly, not helping the flutter in her stomach when she heard the low pitch in his voice.

"So, the truth. What did Odin say?" Ezri asked; she knew when he was hiding something.

"…I suppose there's no point in trying to hide anything from you." Loki stated, "Odin ordered my release during the Civil War. He's worried you'll be mated by someone…I'm to help Thor force the mark off should the moment arise."

"And for you?"

"If I can atone for my actions, he'll allow me to remain here with limited visits to Asgard." Loki confessed.

Ezri nodded, understanding but looked down when he took her hands in his. Looking back up at him, he searched her eyes when he saw her memories. Fighting alongside the Avengers, her closeness with Bucky developing, and her bond with Peter.

What hurt was to see the way they found her and hunted her, the way they treated her during the fall of SHIELD, but she took it in stride. Now, here she was but she found herself almost seeing a home here. The last thing he saw was her missing him and he felt guilty, but she was feeling the same way. Replaying what happened between him and Odin, she knew his true identity and her heart felt for him.

"Will you try to atone?" Ezri asked.

"For you, I will." Loki told her, and she suddenly felt nervous.

"I won't pretend that your budding romance with the mortal doesn't bother me, but I want you to know…I will not give up on us; whether I am your first or your second lover."

"Loki…"

"But I will be your last, you will have no other after me. I swear it, darling."

Ezri had made it back to her bedroom when Bucky was waiting for her on the bed.

"I saw you talking to Loki…" Bucky stated, "I wanted to give you space but then I saw this."

Ezri's heart dropped when he held up her grimoire to her, not realizing she left it out in the open.

"You made him part of your clan…is it just him?" Bucky asked and she shook her head.

"Thor too."

Bucky took a swallow, "Were you going to ask me?"

"Yes, after my season was over." Ezri told him.

"Why?"

"If my enemies knew of you, they'd hunt you down also. You'd live with another target on your back." She answered.

"But it's my choice, my choice." Bucky pointed out.

"I know it is, but I care for you Buck. This is me protecting you."

Bucky stood up, throwing the book on the bed as he clenched his jaw.

"You chose him over me." He said, an angry look on his as he left, making her heart drop.

Ezri refused to chase him, trying to control her emotions as she felt betrayal running from him. She slid into the bed but she knew she wasn't going to sleep tonight. Why would he think she chose Loki over him? She cared for them both, but she didn't choose anyone.

Was she the bad guy?

The next day, everyone had left and she didn't bother to say goodbye to anyone, instead focusing on her work with Tony. Loki and Thor weren't ignorant of her difference in behavior but would wait until she was ready to talk about it.

Bucky hadn't spoken to her when they returned, but she knew that eventually, they would have to talk; he just wasn't ready. Sam was watching him closely, his hard stares were more intense and were starting to freak people out.

"What's the matter with you, man? You've been broody."

"I'm not."

"But you are." Sam pointed out, Nat noticing the two staring at each other intensely.

"He's threatened by Loki." Nat stated and smirked when she saw the hateful glare he sent her.

"She chose him to be a part of her clan; she hadn't asked me but…she asked him." Bucky said.

"When did she ask him?" Nat asked.

"I don't know."

"So, how do you know she asked?"

"I don't. I just know that he's part of it- as is Thor."

Sam rolled his eyes, "You are accusing her of something she MIGHT not have done, you realize that, right?"

Bucky clenched his jaw in frustration, refusing to believe it.

"Myth says they have clans of those important to them for protection. If they're a part of the clan, and with the civil war happening in her home world, don't you think maybe it's more for protection than anything? Remember, Thor is a part of it." Nat hypothesized.

Bucky hadn't considered that, but Nat thought now was a good time to remind him of her race.

"Sirens have multiple partners though; you should be prepared if someone else tries to claim her. Would you be open to sharing?" Nat reminded him.

Bucky hadn't considered that Sam saw the conflict, "Eri isn't like the others, from what we heard. You should really talk to her."

"Maybe…what if she wants Loki?" Bucky said softly.

"What if she does? What if she wants you too?" Sam asked, "Would you share her with him?"

"She also said men lead the clans mostly, why not make sure it's just you two? Or you three?" Nat suggested.

Bucky ran his hand through his long hair, unsure what to do.

"Word of advice though," Nat said as she walked out of the room, "The longer you ignore her, the more Loki wins her over."

While the team was gone, Loki took this opportunity to read to her at night again in her room when there was a knock on her door.

"You may enter." Loki spoke for her, the opening to reveal Peter walking in cautiously.

"Hey, Miss Ezri. Can we talk for a second?" Peter asked, looking at Loki carefully.

"Of course," Ezri signed as she sat up, Ariel translating for her, "everything okay?"

"I, uh, wanted to ask you something completely random. It's okay if you say no, but I thought I should ask since I respect you, and I look up to you-"

"Parker." Loki said sternly, bringing him back to his original reason for being there.

"Can I join your clan?"

Ezri's eyes widened at his question, even Loki looked at the teenager suspiciously.

"I'm sorry, it's just, the other day I came to my room to check on you about our movie night and I found your book. I read where your bookmark was and…I know I can't do much against your enemies but I still want to help." Peter told him.

"Peter…" Ezri whispered, unsure how to really how she should feel.

"I just…you've been welcoming, and kind, and you don't find my antics annoying. You've looked out for me, and I'd like to be a part of it. I would've asked earlier but Bucky came in and…"

"You'd have a target on your back. I wouldn't want you to be in harm's way because of me; your aunt and Tony wouldn't appreciate it." Ezri pointed out.

"It's my decision though, and I want to be part of it." Peter said with determination.

Ezri looked over to Loki and he smiled to reassure her, "You know he can change his mind at any time. It's not for life." Loki reminded her.

"Okay, I just need ocean water-"

"I've already got it," Peter said, handing her a small vial from his pocket, "I, uh, wanted to be sure just in case."

"Thank you, Parker. Please, sit." Loki encouraged him.

Peter sat down, still nervous around him but to see Ezri comfortable with him, he eased himself. Ezri opened the vial and poured it over her wrist, Peter watching in awe as her gills shined a beautiful variety of colors that really did remind him of the Northern Lights.

Ezri pulled on one of her gills, Loki helping her take one off since it was painful for her to do it alone, and handed her the gill. She smiled at him gratefully before she took Peter's wrist softly. He licked his lips nervously, watching her as she smiled, placing the gill on his wrist before her hand glowed, rubbing her thumb over it.

The gill slowly dimmed to a black mark, resembling a beauty mark, and the two looked at each other with smiles on their faces.

"Thank you for joining our family, Peter. Please, call me Ezri, okay? If you ever want to leave, I won't be mad. Just scratch it off, and it'll be all gone; it's harmless." Ezri assured him.

"Thanks…Ezri, for accepting me. Is there anything I should know? Can we talk now like this from now on? Is there anything I can do?" Peter asked, making Ezri giggle, even Loki let out a small laugh at his excitement.

"I'll know if you're ever in danger or hurt, all of you. Just whisper my name and I'll come running," Ezri answered, "and yes, we can talk openly now in private."

"Will you offer this to Sam? Or what about Bucky? Oh, what about Tony?" Peter asked.

"She wishes to keep them safe, and wants to ask after her season is over." Loki answered for her.

"Buc-Barnes and I are not speaking terms anymore…" Ezri confessed, looking down with a frown when she saw their shocked expressions, "he…didn't like that I didn't ask him, but it seems that he thinks I picked only Loki…no one else."

"I-I'm sorry to hear that. He really liked you, you know?"

"I know, I did too. But he chose, and I am not going to force anyone to be with me or be friends with me. I…I can't afford to lower my guard now." Ezri said, but that didn't stop her eyes from watering.

Loki was enraged, wanting nothing more than to beat Bucky to a pulp but he knew he'd have to tell Thor. Neither wanted her the moment to be vulnerable for when they come for her, but she was hurting. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her head to rest on his shoulder.

"What would you like to do, darling?" Loki asked her softly.

"Can we read something?" Ezri asked and he nodded, formulating a book in his hand as Peter was blown away by his ability.

"Allow me," he offered, "You don't have to stay Parker, but you're welcome to, if you'd like."

"Oh no, I'll let you two have fun, I have to head home to my aunt," Peter said as he stood up, excusing himself, "but thanks Ezri. Nice to hear your voice, thank you for trusting me."

"Thank you also, Peter. Movie night tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow it is!" Peter exclaimed before leaving them alone.

Ezri had fallen asleep to Loki's voice as soon as he started reading, but he didn't stop until the chapter was over. Looking down at Ezri, he curled her back away from her face as he took in her features with appreciation.

Bucky was a fool for letting her go, but he would take this opportunity to get her back in her good graces, though he could see that she had already forgiven him. He wouldn't let this second chance go to waste.

Bucky had finally calmed himself down and he realized he made an error, Nat and Sam's advice really sticking to him. Ezri was cautious of everyone, and she had begun to trust him- and he squandered it. Ignoring her was probably the worse thing he could've done and now he faced a new problem.

Every time he would try to catch her, Loki or Thor would be with her, even Peter was being caught hanging out with them. Bucky lingered in the kitchen area when Sam and Peter walked into the living room area with loads of junk food and drinks, and couldn't help but be curious.

"What's going on?"

"Movie Night, Ezri and I are going to watch the Star Wars Episodes Four, Five, and Six. She's been dying to see it." Peter stated.

"I was invited to watch it, so I'm more than happy to be included." Sam pointed out as he looked past Bucky.

He followed his gaze and saw Ezri walking in with Thor, who was smiling brightly at Sam.

"Hello everyone." Ezri signed, but dropped her smile when she saw Bucky; nodding to him out of courtesy as she came to sit on the sofa.

Bucky saw an opportunity to finally speak with her but it was quickly shot down when Loki came in, sitting beside her.

"Hello, darling."

Ezri rolled her eyes as Peter handed her a bowl of popcorn, Sam gazing over at Buck, who was giving his signature intense stare at them. Bucky lost the chance to speak with her but he'd try again. He wasn't going to lose her like this.

He was more surprised that Peter didn't invite him like he usually did but when he saw Peter plop himself beside Ezri, he remembered him being in Ezri's room...

Did he know?

The Avengers had received word that there was a Hydra ship sighting, and Tony quickly called for available team members to the Quinjet, they had to go now. Ezri wasted no time climbing onto the ship, wearing the polyester dress that went to her mid-thigh with a sleeveless top design, and simple short combat boots for her.

Loki and Thor had joined on the ship, with Sam, Steve, and Bucky joining, They were quickly flown towards their location when Bucky saw the nervousness on Loki's face.

"What's the matter with you?" Bucky asked.

"I'm not particularly fond of thunder." Loki said, listening to the rain and the thunder around them,

"Well, that's just great." Bucky muttered, glancing over the Ezri. She braided her hair over her shoulder, and Loki was quick to see that.

"You miss her." Loki stated and received a cold glare from Bucky.

"It's none of your business." Bucky stated coldly, but Loki smirked mischievously.

"Ezri has struggled to find people to trust, it surprised me how quickly she trusted you," Loki stated, "she was forced here, did you know that? Her family forced her here for her picking Asgard, for picking Thor and me," Loki explained,

"Strange how history repeated itself with you."

"I didn't ban her."

"You might as well have, she sees you every day and has to pretend it doesn't hurt her." Loki stated.

Bucky took a hard swallow, his jaw clenched as he struggled to find the right words to say.

"A word of advice? Before you talk to her, you should figure out what you want. Do you want to stay or to go?"

"What?" Bucky questioned.

"Sirens are known to have multiple partners, and I'm not intending to go anywhere. Unless you're willing to share her with me, I won't allow you to speak with her." Loki told him.

"You'd share her?" Bucky repeated.

"I accepted that the moment I fell for her. I refuse for her to have more than two partners, and I'm already the one. The choice is yours, Barnes." Loki said before he walked over to Ezri, leaving Bucky to his thoughts.

Arriving at the ship, Bucky, Sam, and Steve quickly entered the ship and cleared the ship from the inside as Loki, Thor, and Ezri took the top deck but they were able to quickly control the ship. They rendezvoused on the top deck, calling for an extraction when thunder rumbled throughout the night sky, lightning shooting all around them uncontrollably and Thor looked over to Ezri.

She gave him a hard stare and that's when she knew; trouble was coming. They noticed their behavior, and Loki came to stand beside her closely, ready to help defend.

"What is it?" Sam questioned.

"Trouble is coming. When the jet comes, you must go. Loki and I will hold them off." Thor advised them but the noise of the thunder only got louder.

"We should stick together- "

Ezri ignored them as she stepped closer to the railing when she saw multiple objects drop into the ocean, and her stomach fluttered, her face hardened with what was coming. Bucky noticed her face change, everyone noticing when Ezri began to take off her shoes.

"What-"

"Multiple objects in the water…I'm going in." Ezri spoke, not caring to sign at this point.

"Here, take this." Ezri looked back at Loki, who handed her one of his daggers.

"Thank you." Ezri said softly, caught by surprise when she felt his fear for her.

He searched her eyes before he gave a kiss on her forehead tenderly, smiling down at her, Thor clearing his throat in hopes his brother would remember to behave.

"I'll be careful." Ezri assured him.

"I know…Just call my name…I'm yours to tame."

"Yours to tame." Ezri repeated, smirking as she remembered him joking like that every time they were about to create chaos.

She withdrew from his hold, looking up at Thor.

"Watch him for me, friend." Ezri said, climbing over the railing.

Thor helped her over, but he chuckled, "I can only try."

Ezri looked over everyone one last time, her eyes lingered on Bucky a bit longer before she flashed him one last smile before she dropped herself. The team was alarmed, looking over the railing to see her body disappear into the ocean.

The Quinjet had arrived, and they all began to load up but soon the sky had cleared but there was still nothing happening in the ocean. There were spots of white glow every now and then, which meant Ezri was healing herself.

Loki and Thor waited patiently until the male sirens appeared on the ship and they began to fight them relentlessly as the sky rumbled thunder once more. Bucky, Sam, and Steve watched carefully as a form came down with large wings.

"What is that?" Steve asked out loud.

"Looks like a…bird man?" Sam guessed.

"Who are they here for then?" Bucky wandered, worried about Ezri. A bird against a fish never ended with a sea creature winning.

A shot of water tunneled up towards the man-creature and he shrieked, but The waters continued to shoot up when the team realized that Ezri's head stuck out from the ocean. Bucky took out his gun, but Steve held him back.

"They said not to get involved."

Bucky clenched his jaw, Steve was right but that didn't stop him from being worried. More male sirens were appearing on the boat, and Ezri knew that her clan was in trouble when he made his way to the ship. Ezri lifted herself with the water beneath her, revealing herself in her siren form.

The male bird creature turned to her and she narrowed her eyes as they began to glow white before she began to water bend water towards him. He shrieked at her before he charged at her, dodging her water, using her dagger to deflect his talons as she fended him off.

The bird blasted wind at her and she fell back from her water, grabbing her with his talons as she let out a loud shriek of her own. Loki and Thor could hear her, but Sam and Bucky couldn't stand to watch.

"She's dangling like a fish in a barrel, we have to do something." Bucky stated, but Sam wasn't going to wait around. He flapped open his wings, alarming Steve.

"Sam-"

"I'm not abandoning a friend." Sam said and flew out.

Ezri heard Sam's wings around her and although she was glad to have helped, the damage was done; they'd know now she had a clan here. The male bird shrieked, fighting against Sam and Ezri helped him as she best she could but he had his sight now on Sam.

Sam closed his wings and dived towards him, and the enemy released Ezri instinctively. She whacked him with her fin, throwing him off as she managed to latch onto his wing, bringing him down as she then moved over to his neck area.

Sam helped distract the enemy, but he managed to get Ezri off, but she was relentless. Sam caught her, but she knew it wasn't enough.

"Drop me on him."

"Are you insane?"

"Do it!"

He followed her order and reluctantly released her, alarming the male creature as she whacked him with her fin again, using Loki's dagger to pierce his back. He shrieked as she cut through his wings, and they both began to fall toward the ocean.

The male creature was just as relentlessly, clawing at her but she was fought on, deflecting as best she could before they landed back first into the ocean.

"Call Heimdall to collect the bodies." Loki told Thor, watching for the ocean until Ezri finally surfaced.

A tunnel of water came from the ocean, onto the ship, where multiple bodies were piled on top one another, including the male creature but Ezri was spent. Still she made her way to the ship when Sam helped lift her up.

Landing on the ship, he saw how serious her injuries were but she merely grunted, holding back her pain.

"Are you alright?"

"I will be…thank you, Sam." Ezri said with a grateful smile.

"Anytime, gorgeous."

A bright light shot from the sky beside them momentarily before it disappeared, all of the dead bodies disappeared as the Quinjet lowered itself for them.

Ezri slowly shifted her fin into legs before she stood, but Sam helped her as Loki came to her side, taking the dagger from her. She refused to ask for help as she limped into the jet, ignoring the stares she was getting from the supersoldiers, hissing as she sat down.

"You're hurt." Bucky pointed out.

"I've dealt with worse." She said as she put her hand up to her chest, healing herself. Ever so slowly, she began to heal, letting out a sigh of relief before she yawned. She hadn't fought like that in over a year; she would have to restart training in the ocean if she'd make it through her season.

"Rest, darling." Loki spoke as he sat beside her.

She was too tired to argue and nodded, resting her head on his lap as she closed her eyes. Thor took off his cape and draped it over her when Steve needed to ask.

"The bird creature, what was that?" Steve asked.

"That was a bird siren; the original sirens They came first before the water sirens like Ezri; call her people the next evolution." Loki explained.

"They tend to stick to themselves; we weren't expecting them at all to be a part of the Civil War." Thor said.

"Maybe they're not here for that, brother." Loki said vaguely and Thor's face became stoic.

"Possibly."

The mortals weren't understanding, knowing there was more that they weren't willing to share but one thing was for sure-

Ezri was facing a tough battle.