A/N: Late as always, I present the Christmas chapter! I know, I know, but I really struggled with this! It's a bit rushed, but there was a lot to cover in this chapter!

When Loki awoke the next morning, he felt refreshed. When he moved to see the finished portrait, his positive attitude vanished. Loki and Xavier would talk about that as soon as possible. He was terrified of the idea, but he could not remain idle or give an excuse not to attend.

Loki strode over to the wardrobe to dress. After he completed this task, Loki tried to think of what he was going to say. One small action would change his life, but whether it would be for the better or for worse was yet to be determined.

A knock at the bottom of the stairs roused him from his thoughts. Opening the door of his room slightly, he could see Professor Xavier enter the Sanctum and behind him stepped Thor. Damn. He hoped it was not going to be one of those sessions that would turn into a shouting match.

Loki turned to see snow starting to fall outside a newly frosted window. He was grateful for the fact that his brother had risked his own future and stayed by his side as he recovered. Already the strain of their relationship was beginning to thaw. Perhaps Thor was on his way to forgiving him? Picking up the portrait, he began to descend the steps. The most important people whose opinion of him truly mattered were downstairs.

Luckily, it did not turn into as much of a shouting match as Loki had feared. In fact, Thor apologized quite a bit when they discussed the words on his first self-portrait. Each was broken down and discussed. It was when they reached the word 'Ergi' that the dialog became stormy.

'Can you explain what this word means?" Charles inquired, pointing to it on the portrait.

Thor's lips pursed, and he chose at that moment not to look at his brother. "It means 'unmanliness.'

Xavier sat back and steepled his fingers. Loki glanced at his brother, anticipating what the next question would be.

"And did you ever call your brother that?"

"No, I didn't." Thor said firmly. He stood his ground, but he couldn't hide the discomfort in his body language.

"You may as well have done it, Thor." Loki snapped. "Don't you remember what you said to me before your crowning ceremony? 'Some do battle, others do tricks.' He pointed an accusing finger at Thor. "I shielded us in smoke to save us. When we returned you bragged about your victory and didn't even acknowledge me. You and your friends always do that! Do you know why I practice magic?"

Thor shook his head and Loki continued. "Because I knew that I'd never be as strong as you. I wanted to be helpful and powerful in my own right. Then you and your friends saw fit to make fun of me."

Thor looked crestfallen. "Brother, I know that your magic is what makes you powerful. It's a gift you shared with Mother." He frowned. "I am trying to say that…I was jealous. Everything seemed to come easily to you with your seidr and intelligence."

Loki snorted, "Except Fath-Odin's approval, you seem to have cornered that. And everyone else's for that matter."

"Mother loved you, loved us. And I, you. I apologize if I was cruel to you with my actions or inactions." Thor said, looking into Loki's eyes with sincerity. "I know how much I hurt you, and I regret it deeply."

Loki looked away for a moment. "I know. You can't afford to be soft nor care-free now, Brother. We're no longer children and you're soon to be King of Asgard. The responsibilities of ruling a kingdom are heavy, and you must be ready to bear them," Loki said solemnly.

"I only want to see you healed, and whole, Loki. I understand that our roles have changed," Thor said, his voice still gentle and comforting, "but I'll always care for you regardless."

Xavier cleared his throat. "Could you show us the second portrait you made while we're on the subject of wholeness, Loki?"

Loki nodded and began to remove the cloth covering the second portrait. "It's a reminder that we are more than our roles," he said, his voice strong and confident. On it were two sides showing both his Asgardian and Jotun forms. This time however the word "Jotunar" appeared on the paper rather than 'monster.' On the other side were the words 'brother', 'family', and 'redemption', all that they spoke about and talked about at length.

"Brother, I'm really proud of you." Thor comforted him by placing a hand on his shoulder. "You should be proud of yourself too," Thor said, squeezing his shoulder gently.

Loki allowed himself a small smile. "Thank you, Thor,"

"I think it's time to end our session. "Xavier said. "We'll pick it up after the holidays. Incidentally, would you two like to come to a Christmas party at the Institute?"

Loki paused. "I'm-not one for parties, to be honest."

This time, Thor actually laughed. "Oh really? Like that time that sorceress that you accidently insulted and who turned your hair blond in the middle of a dance? You were stuck with it for weeks!"

Now it was Loki's turn to chuckle. "Everyone said they couldn't distinguish us in a crowd. I told them I was the better looking one."

"Not to worry, it's more of a dinner party. I'd like you to meet some of my students." Xavier said lightly, "I've also invited the Avengers, though Ms. Romanov and Mr. Barton already have a prior engagement."

He breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his prayers had been answered. Silently, Loki thanked the Norns for small blessings. "We would be happy to attend."

Loki sighed, adjusting the collar of his shirt for the umpteenth time in an hour as the car pulled into the driveway. He still wondered how he was roped into coming to this party. Meeting people was not difficult for him. He had been a prince after all. What he was afraid of was how many people would know about what he did a year ago. With the Avengers here, it was unlikely that anything would be said, even behind his back. Still, he didn't want to hide behind their skirts, so to speak. Surely the Professor's student had been old enough to watch news of the invasion. Would he get the baleful looks as he did when he was returned to Asgard as a prisoner?

"Loki?" Thor's hand on his shoulder made him start. "We're here." He chuckled. "Nervous, Brother?"

"Why would I be nervous?" Loki sniffed. Thor shrugged, knowing that it was the end of that conversation.

After getting out of the car, they were met with Tony and whom Loki assumed was his girlfriend. "Nice to see ya, Point Break, Rock of Ages." He gestured to the woman next to him. "This is Pepper Potts."

"Nice to meet you both." She said pleasantly, shaking their hands. "Shall we?"

They entered a large foyer with an equally grand staircase that led up to the second floor. Off to the left was a fir tree that was at least 15 feet high decorated with white lights and matching red and white baubles.

Steve and Bruce turned and greeted them with a nod. "Nice to see you Thor, Loki."

"Nice to see you as well." Loki nodded. He sensed someone in a corner and turned his head to investigate. A burly man with a scowling face was staring at them, or rather, at him. Stay away from that one. He winced and turned his attention back to the less hostile group in front of him.

"Ah, Loki, Thor." Charles wheeled next to them. A woman with light brown skin and contrasting white hair and blue eyes in a black asymmetrical dress stood behind him. "This is Ororo Munroe, one of my colleagues and professors here at the Institute." They shook hands, then gestured to a room to the right. "Would you like to meet my students now?"

They walked to what could be described as a sitting room. Among the many couches and armchairs were several teenagers talking and laughing around a large hearth. There was yet another tree standing in a nook, this time with blue and white decorations. Loki's smile faltered. This reminded him so much of Asgard-of home during Yule. The room became quiet as they entered. The students gasped and whispered in excitement.

"Everyone, I'd like you to meet Thor and Loki." Xavier announced. In a matter of moments there was a crowd of what looked like normal looking teens around them. Loki was taken slightly aback, but Thor seemed at ease.

"Thor? Like the god of thunder?" A young man looked up eagerly at his brother.

"Aye, indeed!" Thor laughed.

"You have that hammer called….meowliner, right?" Another teenage boy asks.

Thor laughed, "Mjolnir."

"I'm Kurt Wanger," said a boy with oddly blue hair and he noted a German accent. "Are you really ze 'God of Mischief? I've read the stories written about you!"

Loki blinked, slightly surprised. His reputation seemed to precede him, at least in the tales that the humans wrote down.

"Back up guys, give them space!" An older teenage boy wearing odd glasses commanded. Next to him was a young lady that was about the same age. She had fiery red hair and green eyes that he found painfully reminiscent of his mother. The kids groaned before returning to their seats, still chattering happily about meeting the gods.

The young man with the goggles smiled, "Sorry about that. They're young and very excited about meeting you guys. I'm Scott Summers and this is Jean Grey."

They chatted for a short time, talking of the story where Thor was dressed as a bride. At one point, Kurt appeared again and said, "Oh yeah, zhat's my favorite story! It's hilarious! I bet he looked so veird in a veil with a beard!"

Loki laughed too, but soon the sense of someone watching him returned. He moved his head to find the imposing muscle man speaking with Xavier, while staring intently at him.

'He knows.' Loki reeled. It suddenly felt too warm, too crowded in this room. He cleared his throat. "Can you please excuse me for a moment?"

"Brother, is there something wrong?" Thor's face became concerned. Without waiting for an answer, Loki pushed past Thor, desperate for some fresh air to clear his head.

"No. Forgive me, I just need some air." He nodded his head, a gesture he had learned on Asgard, and started walking away.

He weaved his way through rooms until he reached a breezeway that led to a terrace. The night air was cold, but being Jotun, it didn't bother him. Loki leaned against a snow-covered railing. Most of them knew who he was. Were they just humoring him by being polite? The only thing they seemed to know was that the invasion occurred in New York City, not who was behind it. Wasn't his identity meant to be a secret? Then why did that burly fellow look as if he would tear him limb from limb if he just looked at him wrong?

"Mister Loki?" the voice of Kurt called out to him from the French doors. Loki didn't jump, but it was close. Loki's green eyes widened in surprise as he spun around to meet Kurt's gaze.

"Mister...Wanger, wasn't it?" Loki replied, trying to sound serene.

The boy wrinkled his nose as he walked over. "Zat's vay too formal. Only my teachers call me zat. You can call me Kurt."

Loki nodded, "Very well then, Kurt. Aren't you cold?"

The boy just grinned, "I have my fur to keep me warm."

Loki just looked at him, perplexed. "Fur?" He corrected himself and said, "Professor Xavier told me that his students were gifted with powers."

Kurt shrugged, then disappeared into a puff of smoke, reappearing next to him within seconds, catching him off guard.

The teen chuckled, "Sorry about zat, it always surprises people vhen I do it." The teen seemed uncertain for a moment. Lifting his arm, he showed Loki the watch on his wrist. "Zis? Professor X made it for me. It creates a projection to hide my true form." He pressed it, and his 'human form' disappeared. Instead, he had royal blue fur, yellow eyes, and a tail with a spade at the end. Now it was his turn to be surprised. "Y-you're not afraid of me?"

Now it was Loki who shrugged. "I've seen stranger beings in the Nine Realms. In comparison to those strange creatures, you look quite harmless," Loki remarked with a smirk.

"Oh." Then Kurt looked down. "I always vorry zhat whven I'm at school, someovne will bump into me and feel ze fur." Kurt pressed a button on his watch and his human persona re-appeared. "Professor X said zat I am human, just different. I vear a disguise to hide what people don't understand about me, about us." His voice faltering, Kurt added, "But I never want to forget who I really am."

"Do all of you have these powers? Loki inquired curiously.

"No. Vell, we have powers. Jean has telekinesis, Scott has lasers in his eyes, Kitty can phase through anything, and Bobby can create ice. "

Loki pretended to think for a moment. "What about that burly fellow that I saw next to Professor Xavier?"

"Oh, Mr. Logan? He's mostly harmless, unless you make him mad. Or get into trouble. Then he grounds you. He may be tough, but he cares about the students," Kurt continued.

Still better to stay away from that one. Loki thought.

Then Kurt tilted his head. "Do you have any powers?" I remember zat that you can change forms in zi tales."

"I am more of a trickster than anything else," Loki replied with a smirk. Then he drew his mouth and didn't speak for a moment. "I did. As of right now, though, due to some misdeeds, my powers were taken away from me. I have to prove to those in charge that I can be responsible and trustworthy again." It was as if he had been stripped of his armor and suddenly found himself exposed, vulnerable and at the mercy of those who held power.

Kurt looked crestfallen. Was the child actually feeling sorry for him He wasn't sure how to respond.

When I do, I'll show you my powers, alright?"

Kurt suddenly perked up and exclaimed, "Alright! I'll be your sidekick!"

Oh Norns, what had he gotten himself into?

Luckily, Scott appeared at the door. "It's almost time for dinner."

Kurt teleported to the door with excitement. "Alright! I've been looking forward to zis all day!"

Thor appeared as they walked from the breezeway back into the house. "I was looking all over for you. I thought you'd gotten into mischief."

"Me? Never!" Loki quipped. Xavier knew that Kurt would connect with him, hence why they were invited for dinner. Still, he had not shown his hand by revealing his Jotunar form. Maybe he was still ashamed of his Ice Giant persona? The child was not afraid of his true self. Why was he? He was more than just an Ice Giant, and yet the shame of it somehow lingered.

The answer was simple; he had grown up believing that the Jotun were monsters to be conquered. When he discovered that he was one of them, his true origins, he felt ashamed. Here, the students of Xavier could thrive and be their true selves and train their powers without shame, without fear. Then he realized that these children were much like him; afraid of what they were until taught otherwise. In that moment, he understood that Xavier Institute was not only a school; it was a place of acceptance, understanding and belonging.

The smell of food wafted from the sitting room to the dining room where everyone was taking their seats. The kids next to each of them seemed starstruck, almost afraid to look at the Avengers teammates sitting next to them. The table was set with vegetables, rolls, and several side dishes Loki didn't know, with a large cooked bird at each end of it. Loki's eyebrows rose. This spread would rival even Asgard on a feast night. As Loki looked around the room, he saw a palpable sense of awe and excitement that filled the air. It was clear that this meal was a grand affair, one that was sure to be remembered by all.

When everyone was seated, Loki noted an odd blue furred creature that looked very much like Hulk but with glasses laughing at one of the students' conversations. Professor Xavier clinked his glass and the table became quiet. Professor Xavier said, his voice commanding the attention of the entire room.
"I'd like to thank our guests, The Avengers and Mr. Loki for attending our dinner tonight. Merry Christmas and best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year to everyone and those not present. " May this special evening be the beginning of a long and happy alliance between us! "

Everyone raised a glass. "Cheers!"

In his thoughts, Loki admitted to himself that he was more pleased to be welcomed here than to be served any feast on Asgard.

TBC...