The next morning, just as expected, Hurricane Avengers blew in just as Loki and Asta were finishing breakfast.

After a fierce battle of rock, paper, scissors, Wanda was declared the first to hold Fredrik. Natasha accused her of cheating, which Wanda totally denied (even though she totally did).

Once the ladies had their snuggles, Asta was amused at how differently everyone else reacted. From the terror on the faces of Bruce and Bucky (and the determination of Bucky not letting his metal arm touch the infant), to the fascination of Vision, to the caution of Steve, to the nonchalant of Clint, who had obviously done this a few times. Thor and Jane each took a quick turn as well.

All of this made Asta smile, but it was the almost reverent way that Peter was holding the infant that caught her attention.

"What's wrong, Pete?" she asked.

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong. I just can't believe how little he is," Peter replied in a hushed tone. "I'm so scared to break him."

"You won't break him, I promise. I doubt your powers would even let you. Besides, look how he's looking at you. He likes you!"

Peter got even more still as he gazed at the baby.

Loki noticed. "Peter? Is everything all right?"

"Yeah… yeah, I think… I think he's reading me."

"Reading you?" Steve asked.

Peter cocked his head, but kept his eyes on Fredrik. "Yeah, it's hard to explain. I think he's just figuring me out. Like he can literally read me."

Asta smiled. "He's very, very intuitive. If I had to make a guess, his powers might be similar to your spidey-sense. No wonder he's fond of you. He thinks you're like him!"

Peter beamed. "Well, that's great, buddy! I can help you with that if you need it. I mean, I know your mom and dad will do a great job with it, but we can train together too! Does that sound good?"

Fredrik gave a gurgle and Peter laughed, looking at the group with glee. "I just found my new mini-bestie!"

Loki smiled and patted Peter on the shoulder. "I think Fredrik could greatly benefit from your tutelage, Peter. I'm certain you'll have fun with that."

Peter stared at the baby again. "Yeah, we definitely will."

Asta considered for a moment. "You know, I keep saying how intuitive Fredrik is. Perhaps that is his power. I think intuition is the base of his abilities."

Thor peered over Peter's shoulder at the baby. "That is an excellent power for a future king to have. He will be wise regardless, but the power of intuition can only serve him well."

"Yes, it will," Loki agreed. "Perhaps young Peter's assistance will be even more useful with that than we originally thought."

Peter beamed. "I'll be happy to help with whatever he needs. Uncle Pete is on the case!"

Steve stood up then. "Well, we need to let these guys get ready for the big day. We'll be leaving after lunch. I really don't like leaving Earth with just Batman and his cohorts protecting it."

There was a knock at the door before everyone could agree with that statement.

"Who goes there?" Thor bellowed.

Loki rolled his eyes as he headed to the door.

"It's Amelia, sir! I bring the attire for their majesties," a voice called back.

Loki opened the door and took the garments. "Thank you, Amelia. I'm sure these will look perfect." He turned back to the Avengers. "Apparently it is time for us to get ready."

Asta took her gown from him. "I thought these were already in our closet?"

"Well, I had the seamstresses add something." Asta raised an eyebrow and Loki continued. "I had them include a few blue highlights in honor of Fredrik."

Asta put the dress on the bed. It was a stunning and shimmering gold color with swirls of deep green. But there were also ribbons of baby blue.

"Loki! That's beautiful!" she said with a sob.

He put his arms around her from behind. "I'm glad you like it."

Peter looked at Loki's garments that he had just hung up. "But why didn't you just fix it yourself with your magic?" he asked.

"Well, Peter, I could. And frankly, I have in the past." He grinned at his wife. "But there are many people hired at the palace and if I did everything myself with magic, they would not be able to work at their trade. They would either be very bored or unemployed. So, I defer tasks to them."

The youngest Avenger nodded. "That makes sense."

Thor thumped his brother on the shoulder. "My brother is a fine king! Sensible, sagacious, and kind to the people!"

Loki tried to hide his embarrassment. "Thank you, brother. That means a great deal to me."

Natasha smiled and changed the subject, noting Loki's blush. "I can't believe the outfits we got. It was one thing when we were bridesmaids, but I didn't expect such a gorgeous dress just to be a guest."

Asta's eyes widened. "Did you not know? You're not 'just guests!'" she added with finger quotes. "You are members of the nobility now and you're wardrobe shows as such!"

Bucky's eyebrows furrowed. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I suppose we forgot to tell them," Loki said. "As Midgard's mightiest heroes, you are in Asgard's debt. You are Earth's best protectors and to those of this realm as well. Because of this, you are always welcome in Asgard and serve as nobility as well. You are all Lords and Ladies here."

Peter laughed. "Lord Peter Parker of Queens. I kinda like the sound of that."

The others laughed as well and Steve reminded everyone again that they needed to get changed. Peter passed Fredrik back to Asta and the rest of the Avengers filed out.

Asta placed Fredrik in his bassinette and turned to Loki, who was already undressing to get changed.

"I will miss the simple dresses or just wearing your tunics," she sighed as she also undressed.

"Yes, I haven't missed all the buckles and leather these past few days," Loki agreed.

Asta turned to look at him and sighed. His bare upper half made her bite her lip. The next 6 weeks were going to be long ones.

"Does my queen see something she likes?" he asked with a smirk.

"Mmm, she does, my king. Unfortunately, she can't do much about it."

Loki was next to her in just a few strides. He lovingly took her hands into his own. "My darling, it's going to be a long wait, but just think about how… delicious our reunion will be."

She shivered at his words.

Another knock at the door interrupted his plan to kiss her forehead.

He growled. "Yes?" he called to the door.

"My liege, do you need anything?" Kristoff, Loki's valet replied timidly.

"No, we are fine. We shall be out soon. Thank you."

"Yes, your majesty."

Loki sighed. "May I help you dress, my love?"

"I would appreciate it, yes."

Carefully, Loki assisted her into her crinoline and her gown. He gently pulled the zipper in the back and then turned her to admire her.

"My bride, you look like perfection."

Asta blushed. "It is a beautiful gown. I appreciate that it's so stretchy in the bodice so I'll be able to feed Fredrik easily."

Loki walked over to his own garments. "Yes, that was a wonderful feature for Amelia to include."

He changed into the dark green leather trousers and then began to fuss with all the straps, buckles, and additional pieces to his top half.

Asta bit her lip again. "I'll dress Fredrik, and then help you with your cape."

"You and the pageantry," he teased.

"Again, not the pageantry, just how it looks on you." She picked up the infant and cooed. "Well, little prince, let's get you into your first formal wear."

Luckily, the clothing for royal babies didn't involve nearly as much as it did for adults. There were tiny gold pants and a white tunic with gold and green embroidery. Loki made him a tiny golden circlet for his head as well.

She placed him into the swing gifted to them from Pepper and Tony, and turned to Loki. She straightened the pendant around his neck and began fastening the cape to his shoulders. "Now then, mischief, very regal looking. Not quite finished, though."

"My crown is right there, beloved," he said, pointing to the bed.

She raised an eyebrow, not seeing it, but then rolled her eyes when he snapped his fingers and it appeared. Asta picked it up and carried to him. He bowed down a bit and allowed her to place it on his head.

"There's my king," she sighed.

"And where is my queen's crown?"

"On my vanity."

Loki walked to the starburst crown and carefully placed it on her head.

"Breathtaking," he whispered.

"I considered doing more with my hair, but then decided I just gave birth and would leave it simple and down."

"That is perfectly fine. You look ethereal like this. Like the goddess you are."

"You're biased."

"But honest." He turned to get Fredrik from his seat. "Now young man, you need to be on your best behavior. I need you to make your back straight and no noises from you." Then he laughed. "Oh, I couldn't even finish that with a straight face! My son, you have one job, and that is to keep clean. No unexpected messes from either end, please."

Fredrik gurgled.

Loki sighed. "Please, don't make a mess during your presentation. Or anytime, really. But especially now."

The baby smiled and Loki decided to take what he could get.

"Well, my love, I think we're ready. Let's get this over with so our family can finally eat."

Asta checked her crown one last time. "Ok, get out there and announce everyone. I'll bring this handsome guy out and then finally food."

They left and found their families at the main doors to the Great Hall.