"We need to head to Midgard for the night," Asta announced as she came into the throne room.
The last of those coming to make requests from the king had just left and Loki was slumped in his seat.
"My darling, why the hurry?" he asked.
"Morgan's first date is tonight."
Loki instantly sat up. "Then let's get going. Is Fredrik ready?" He began to head to their chambers.
Asta rolled her eyes as she followed as best as her pregnant belly would allow. "Yes, he is. Frigga has him at the moment."
When they arrived at their room, Asta put a hand on his chest. "Now, for Morgan's sake, the god of stories or even mischief does not need to make an appearance."
Loki scoffed. "Of course not." And before Asta could sigh in relief, he added, "The King of Asgard shall be there. Ruler of the nine realms! Perhaps I should have Kristoff fetch Gungnir for me. Is that too much?"
"Yes! All of that is too much! We are merely going as her favorite sister and brother-in-law. Asta and Loki. Not gods, not royalty. Just supportive family."
His face was blank. Then an eyebrow raised. "Is Thor allowed Mjolnir then?"
"Did you seriously just ask me that?"
"Yes! If that oaf is allowed a weapon, then I certainly shall have one as well. No matter, I'll wear the big horns."
He turned to leave and she grabbed his shirt. "Loki, you will do no such thing!"
Loki stopped suddenly, not used to her raised voice. "Darling?"
"I mean it. I will stop everyone from using any powers at this meeting. No super suits, no armors, no weapons, shields, or webs."
"And what do the others have to say about this?"
"I don't care. As far as I'm concerned, no one besides Mom and Dad and us should be there. Maybe Peter. Morgan doesn't need the Avengers there. She needs her family."
Loki sighed. He knew his wife was right, but definitely did not want to admit it. "Fine. No Asgardian leather either?"
"Nope. Jeans and a sweatshirt."
"Very well," he said with a grumble. "Let's fetch Fredrik and get going then. I'll need to form some sort of battle plan along the way."
Asta let out a deep breath as he walked away to find their son. This was going to be a long day.
When the family landed in the grassy area designated for Bifrost travel, Morgan instantly ran up to them, followed close by Tony.
"Asta! You're coming with me!" Morgan said quickly. "We'll bring Freddie!" she added as she scooped her nephew from Loki and pulled Asta along.
"And, Reindeer Games, you're with me!" Tony said, yanking Loki in a different direction.
When Asta and Morgan arrived at Morgan's room, she slammed the door shut. "FRIDAY, no one gets in here!"
"Yes, ma'am, Princess of the Castle."
Morgan sighed as she fell onto her bed.
Asta sat next to her and Fredrik crawled over. "Aunt Mo? You ok?"
She sat up and pulled the 3 year old onto her lap. "Yeah, Freddie. Aunt Mo is ok. Just frustrated. My Dad is going to chase away any chance I have at getting a boyfriend. My Mom isn't going to be here in time, unless Loki can teleport to her and get her out of downtown because the traffic is a nightmare right now. I'm desperately trying to keep the Avengers from having a meeting here in 15 minutes. And I don't even know what to wear on a first date!"
It was at that moment that both Morgan and Asta felt Fredrik's powers.
"You're very upset," the little one said confidently.
"Well, yeah," Morgan said a little more snappy than she meant to. "Wait, what did you say?"
"Too much," Fredrik said.
"Is this new?" Morgan asked Asta.
"A bit, yes. Fredrik, are you feeling Aunt Mo's fears?"
The tiny prince nodded his head.
Morgan hugged him close. "Oh, Freddie! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel it!"
"No, you feel it," Fredrik explained.
"Oh. Well, yeah. I'm really nervous! My dad is trying to figure out which suit to wear tonight and for anyone else that would mean a shirt and tie but in this stupid tower its which Iron Man armor to put on!"
Asta sighed. "To be fair, it's different with you and Dad. As much as he'll never love us more or less, he's going to love you in your own way. He's known you since the day you were born! Since the day Mom found out she was having you. That's way different than adopting Peter when he was in college. Or me when I was a thousand years old."
"I know, I know! Everyone wants to protect me, but I just want to do this on my own! Even Loki is probably threatening weapons against Joey!"
Asta was about to respond to that, but was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"May I enter, please?" Loki's voice called.
Morgan froze. "FRIDAY, I don't suppose you soundproofed the door?"
"That's not what you asked," the AI replied.
The youngest Stark rolled her eyes. "Let him in."
Loki entered and shut the door behind him. "First of all, your mother is safely in the tower. Likely keeping your father under control."
"Oh my God, thank you, Loki!"
"It was nothing. Second, I feel as though I owe you an apology."
He dragged her desk chair to the bed and sat before her. (He still only knelt for his bride after all.)
"I have never had a little sister before. I have never known anyone from childhood aside from those who grew with me. I don't have a firm grasp on how to be protective and yet not overbearing. And while I certainly didn't mean to eavesdrop, I did hear your concern before I knocked. Morgan, please know, I would never intentionally cause you grief – the occasional mischief aside," he added with a wink. "But I will be on my best behavior tonight and not scare your suitor off." He then raised his hand to stop Morgan or Asta from speaking just yet. "However, this… young Midgardian… must know at some point in the future that he is courting Lady Morgan Stark, Lady of the Royal Court of Asgard, and she has much favor with the throne."
Morgan rolled her eyes again. She still knew that Loki meant business when he used that kind of language. "Yes, yes. But not tonight?"
"No, not tonight. Tonight I shall just be a very intimidatingly tall brother-in-law. It's all I have left now that I have nothing from Asgard with me."
"No Gungnir? No horns?"
"None of these. Not even a scrap of leather." He paused. "And can you please give lessons to Lang on how to speak Asgardian? He still refers to Mjolnir as Jonathan, and here you are who can pronounce Gungnir even better than some in the palace."
Morgan giggled and leaned forward to hug him. "Thank you, Loki. Really, I mean it. I know how hard it is for you to not go all kingly-godly on people you don't trust."
"Pappa loves big!" Fredrik announced.
"Yes, min lille prins. I very much do. Now, why don't we leave Mamma and Auntie Mo to get ready and see if we can't straighten Uncle Peter out with all of this?" (my iittle prince)
"Ok!" the toddler said while lifting his arms.
Loki picked up his son, kissed Asta's forehead, and ruffled Morgan's hair before leaving.
"Now," Asta began. "What shall you wear?"
Loki made his way downstairs where he found Peter hurrying through.
"Loki! Hey! Oh, and hi Freddie!" Peter said quickly. "Have you seen my web fluid cartridges?"
"No, Peter, I haven't. But I must ask, are you considering using them when Morgan's paramour comes to visit?"
"Well, I… was thinking…"
"Allow me stop you there, Spiderling. You are likely the only Avenger left with an actual secret identity. Please don't risk that."
"I was going to figure something out and—"
"And nothing. Besides, I was trying to find you anyway. We all need to be on our best behavior tonight. Lady Morgan is upstairs absolutely in hysterics because she's afraid we'll embarrass her in front of this young Midgardian."
"She… she is?"
"Yes. I'm ashamed to say that I was probably only second to Tony on her list, but you are on it as well. And… wait a moment. Why are you here anyway? Shouldn't you be at home with your wife?"
"Um, MJ probably doesn't know why I'm here."
"I'd venture to say she actually does know. She's just giving you enough rope to hang yourself. I know you are Morgan's brother, but trust me when I say that she has this under control. The young couple is actually having their date in the tower. Movie in the theater room and dinner in the café. All away from paparazzi. Asta and I will use every ounce of magic we have to keep the rest of the denizens of the tower away. You should be with your pregnant wife."
"I know. Ok, ok. But I'll need you or Asta to give me a full report!"
"Yes of course. Now go and if anyone asks, I never saw you."
"Thanks, Loki!" Peter said as he started to rush off. Suddenly he stopped and turned back. "Wait, come here, Freddie!" He grabbed the toddler from his father's arms. "How are you, buddy?"
"Good, Uncle Pete! Miss you!"
"Aww, I miss you too! I can't wait til you have a little cousin to play with. That'll be fun, huh?"
"Yep!"
"Ok, well, your Dad is right. I need to get back to Aunt MJ. Love you, bud!"
"Love you!" Fredrik replied with a big hug around Peter's neck. Then he jumped back to his father's arms.
Loki shook his head as Peter darted off. Now to round up the others and keep them at bay.
The others weren't as easy to convince, but Loki assured them, "any tries to get near Morgan and Joseph will result in a shock from a powerful force field."
Bucky was the only one to test that threat.