Chapter Text
The five arrivals bent their knees, two oldest glancing at each other and nodding. Thor took the Tesseract, gesturing for Kia to come with him. The princess said goodbye to her cousins and uncle, falling into step with her father as he headed towards the weapons vault.
'Shall we go find the others?' Loki said, smiling at his children. His illusions were firmly back in place and no would know he had been in a battle just four months previously. It wasn't something his children were happy about but he was insisting on it.
'Jorm and Vali won't be around.' Hel pointed out. 'But Ma and Sleipnir will be.'
Loki smiled at his daughter when she referred to his second wife as her mother. Loki had only been married to Sigyn for about ten years and his older children had taken to her easily. After Angrboða died, not even a year after Fen was born, Loki had been free to court who he wanted, having already gotten several heirs. His relationship with Sigyn was somewhat dampened by the death of her previous husband- an event most of Asgard were certain he was involved in- but it had given them something to bond over and they were devoted to each other.
Fen grinned at his side, smiling up at them. 'I can smell them, lets go.'
The two humanoids grinned at each other, following the teenager through the corridors. Fen picked up speed, bounding towards the location of his half-brother and step-mother. The wolf skidded to a halt outside Loki's room, looking in at Sleipnir and Sigyn. He was in his human form, an arm around her as she cried. Sleipnir was whispering words of comfort, apparently explaining that something wasn't something else's fault.
'Hope you didn't miss me too much.' Fen smirked, nodding his head sideways at the two down the corridor. They stepped closer as Fen blocked the doorway, tail slowly beginning to drift from side to side. He may have had the mind of an Asgardian but that didn't mean his instincts weren't lupine.
Sleipnir looked up, glaring at his brother incredulously. He had seen the battle on Midgard, and had tried to shield his step-mother from it, and had seen Fenrir attacking their father's forces and showing no remorse when Loki himself was attacking. Fen shook his head and gave his version of a shrug, moving to the side as Loki appeared the doorway, a sheepish smile on the older god's face. Sigyn let out a little shriek, launching herself forward and into her husbands arm's. Loki's face lit up the second she moved and he held her close, the two of them sinking to the ground. Sigyn was crying into his shoulder and he was muttering excuses and platitudes, and saying 'I love you' over and over and again. Sleipnir, grinning, stepped around them to talk to his siblings.
'What happened?' He said, quickly hugging his sister. He kept his arm around her even as they parted, his free hand resting on Fen's back. The three stayed like that, preferring to stay close to each other. They had been raised by a father who was very affectionate, if only in private. 'Where did Ma go?'
'It's a long story.' Hel said, ignoring his particular word for her father. Loki was technically Sleipnir's mother after all, even if it did get confusing when he spoke about their parents. 'I'll tell you later.'
Loki stood, wrapping Sleipnir in a hug, even as his son kept one arm around Hel. The younger man gripped him tightly, his dark skin contrasting with Loki's pale. Loki's Vanir wife stepped forward, hugging Fen and Hel, smiling at both of them. The children had to disconnect now, though they stayed very close to each other and their parents.
'Thank you for bringing him back to me.' Sigyn said, her skin and the air literally glowing. She was a dawn goddess, among other things and the light around her often reflected her mood, in the most beautiful of ways.
'Anytime.' Fen said, turning at the noise down the corridor. Several guards were walking their way. The family shuffled closer to each other, Sleipnir stepping forward to meet them.
'Can I help you?'
'Move Lokison, we have business with your father.'
'It's Svadilfarison.' Sleipnir said, his skin rippling. Instantly, a nine foot, eight legged horse stood in front of them. 'And you didn't say what you want with my mother.'
To the guards' credit, they didn't instantly back down, staring up at Sleipnir and gripping their weapons tighter. One of them stepped forward slightly, the horse's green eyes staring down at him. His mane was the same black his hair had been as a human while the rest of his hair was the same brown tone as his skin.
'Loki Laufeyson is to be taken for trial. His action on earth must be punished.'
'Laufey...' Sleipnir said, looking back at Loki, eyes wide. Sigyn glanced between the guards and her husband, as Loki's jaw set and his eyes lost their cheer. The guards slipped past Sleipnir, only to be confronted with Fen, snarling and eyes flashing. Fen was half the size of his brother but wolves are more likely to eat people than horses. He snapped his teeth and licked his lips as Hel stepped behind him, her right side losing its illusion and becoming skeletal.
'Fen stop.' Loki said, squeezing Sigyn's hand then walking past his son. His children looked at him, Hel and Sleipnir glancing once at each other. 'I'll go with you.'
'No excuses?' The lead guard said, pulling off his helm. Loki rolled his eyes at Fandral's dramatics. 'Silver-tongue turned to lead?
'You've used that one before.' Sigyn said, stepping forward. Loki glanced back at her, eyes widening slightly. She kissed his cheek, patting his chest, smiling at him. She turned her gaze back to Fandral, the light around them dimming as she glared. 'Get better jokes if you're going to mock my husband.'
She looked up, locking eyes with all three of her step children. 'Let's go. We will speak to Odin of this.'
With one last cold stare at the guards holding their father, the three children, a horse, a wolf and a half dead woman, walking after their stepmother, who moved like a queen. The general impression she gave was that everyone else was beneath her. Loki knew she was probably grinning like an idiot, knowing the guards couldn't see her. Even in terrible situations, she still managed to make herself happy.
Loki shook his head, smiling stupidly, and held his hands out to Fandral.
Howie turned his head away from the light, screwing up his eyes. He glanced at Lizzie, who was also looking away, as the light dimmed. He headed over to her, even as her grandfather went to get his bike working. He had already said goodbye to Sophie before the Asgardians left. The two had traded insults and refused to use each other's first names, pretending they hadn't actually become close over the last four months. Howie would miss her almost as much as he would Lizzie. Almost.
'So, I'll see you around right?' He said, hoping he didn't sound desperate.
'Sure.' She smiled, hugging him before he could react. He froze slightly, trying to think of what to say. The two had only been actually dating for a month and Howie still wasn't completely use to lots of affection. 'I'll Skype you.'
'Umm...yeah...well you better...'
She laughed, running off to see Steve. Howie shook his head, heading to his dad's car. He sat in the back seat as Tony stood waiting for Bruce and James to finish saying their goodbyes.
'So, all your friends are going off to who knows where.' Tony said, scratching his chin in what was supposed to be a casual way.
'Not all of them.' Howie said, knowing where the conversation was headed. 'James is staying in New York.'
'True.' Tony said, nodding. 'But you're not and maybe it would be nice for you to get some more friends at-'
'I'm not going to school, Tony.'
Tony sighed. 'You can call me dad you know.'
'I'll call you dad when you're not trying to force me to go to school.' Howie countered, glaring up at his father. 'I'm not going.'
'It would just be for you to get out.' Tony said, as the Banners collected their stuff from Natasha. Both Starks waved slightly, Natasha and Sophie raising a hand in response. 'Make friends.'
'I don't want to get out and I don't want to make friends.'
Tony finally nodded. 'Just a thought. So what do you want to do?'
Howie lifted his left leg onto his knee, beginning to fiddle with the wiring. He could always find something to change with his prosthetics, he had designed them that way. 'What do you mean?'
'Well, you don't have to hide anymore.' Tony pointed out, watching the Banners carefully. James was hugging Sophie, probably planning several times the two would meet over the next year or so. 'So what do you want to do with your time?'
'I didn't have to hide before.' Howie said. 'It was just wanted I want to do.'
'Seriously, How. What do you want to do?'
He shrugged, refusing to be serious. 'I hear Hammer Industries are hiring.'
Tony hit the back of Howie's head, grinning. 'You'd be the CEO in a year.'
'Then I could merge Hammer with Stark to make one giant super company.'
'Who said anything about Stark Industries?' Tony said, grinning. 'How are you getting your hands on that?'
'Well as sole heir to the company, I would inherit it when the current owner died.' Howie looked up under his brows, making his voice go deeper. 'Accidents happen Tony.'
The older Stark laughed, pushing the younger's forehead into the headrest in front of him. Howie stayed with his head resting on the seat, giggling to himself. Tony smiled down at him, rolling his eyes affectionately.
'Come on, we've got to go.' He pulled Howie backwards into his seat, the boy laughing up at him. Tony tapped on the arc reactor in Howie's chest, raising an eyebrow. 'Need an adjustment yet? You're growing too big for this one.'
Howie shook his head, tilting his head to look at James as the younger boy opened the boot and put his stuff in. 'I had it replaced during my last surgery. You need to pay attention more.'
Tony shook his head, jumping into the front seat and winking at Bruce. 'JFK airport?'
'Yes please.'
With that, the four of them drove off.
'I'm going to be a SHIELD agent.' Sophie said, as soon as the car was moving.
'No you're not.' Both her parents said instantly, neither looking back at her. Clint's hands did tense slightly around the steering wheel.
'Why not?' She said, keeping her voice neutral. She would not sound like a whining child. She had learnt to be stoic before she had learnt to talk, she could make it through one conversation without showing emotion. 'Give me one good reason.'
'You're too young.' Clint said, pulling down the next street. They were headed for Pennsylvania, where SHIELD's nearest headquarters were. 'You're not trained.'
'Plus your face has been on international news for the last four months.' Natasha said, pointing out the next turning. 'You wouldn't be able to go undercover.'
'I'm older than you were before you joined the KGB.' Sophie said, sitting back in her seat. She was sat in the middle, staring straight forward. 'And SHIELD would be able to train me. Plus, I know Lizzie's going to join and she's even more well known.'
'Lizzie chopped all her hair off so no one would recognise her. Besides, she has a healing factor, which you don't.'
'Neither do you.' Sophie said under her breath, glaring at her parents. The two of them glanced at each other, silently deciding who was going to speak. Even if they were married, or even like each other in a romantic sense, the two were able to put up a better united front than most long term couples.
Finally, Natasha turned around, looking her daughter in the eye. 'This isn't the life we chose, Soph. It's not one we want for you. Become an analyst or a programmer. I'm sure Stark will give you a job.'
'I don't want to work for Stark.' Sophie said, scowling. Definitely scowling, she was not pouting. 'I want to work for SHIELD.'
'Soph...'
'The media is already calling me a sniper, I could be one of them. I'll learn how to use every long range weapon on the planet.'
She was begging now and she hated it. But her parents always managed to do this, to break her resolve without even trying. She had an ace up her sleeve, she just needed to get the courage to use it. Clint sighed, pulling into a parking space. He turned around, his face right next to Nat's.
'Every long range weapon? So bows, longbows, crossbows? Shotguns, rifles, machine guns. What about cannons, grenades, throwing knives? It'll take you years to master all of those.'
'I'll do it in two.' Sophie said, voice hardening. She didn't like being spoken to like a child. She was ten years old now, she didn't need babying.
'Two?'
'Yeah, two. That's how long SHIELD physical training is. I'll go with Lizzie and while I'm out there I'll teach myself how to use all those things. I've already got the bow and the knives down.'
'When did you learn to throw knives?' Natasha said, eyes narrowing. 'Who taught you?'
'I taught myself.' She said glaring straight back. 'So, the way I see it, either you can take me to the SHIELD base and get a form for me to enter the training program or I can download the form online and fill it out myself.'
'You won't have our signatures.'
Sophie raised an eyebrow, laughing slightly. 'Really, Mama? Everyone who's ever signed anything has a signature online. I'll get the picture off some other document, tweak it so its not quite the same and voila, you've signed my form.'
The two looked at each other, clearly trying to think of another excuse.
'I'm doing this, whether you like it or not.' Sophie said, smirking. 'Me telling you was simply a courtesy.'
Clint and Natasha looked at each other, looking severely annoyed. Eventually, Clint turned back around, starting the car again. Natasha looked back at her daughter, who raised an eyebrow in competition. Natasha smiled, a tiny smile but to people who knew her it was huge grin, looking back at the road.
Lizzie kept her arms wrapped around Steve's waist as they sped through the city. Neither were wearing a helmet, the headgear sort of redundant for them, and the wind whipped past Lizzie's face, blowing her fringe out of her face. Steve pulled the bike sideways parking it easily. Lizzie hopped off, smoothing her clothes out as Steve headed to the nearby kiosk. He came back holding two bunches of flowers, handing one over to her.
'Shall we go?'
She nodded, leading the way towards the cemetery. They were both enlisting in SHIELD as soon as they got to the base in Pennsylvania so they were saying their goodbyes. They were going to Steve's apartment afterwards, to collect their stuff and hand over the key.
Lizzie took a deep breath as they walked into the graveyard, Steve placing a hand on her shoulder as she stopped.
'Come on Lizzie.' He said, voice soft. 'Can't stop now.'
She nodded, taking his hand and letting him pull her towards the graves. She stopped before they got to her parents' and Peggy's grave, putting some of her flowers down on another space.
'Who's that?' Steve said as she stood.
'Angie Martinelli. Nana Peg's friend, she lived with us when I was little.'
Steve nodded, placing a rose next down next to Lizzie's flowers. Taking his granddaughter's hand, he walked back through the cemetery, head down. He heard some people whispering his name but luckily no one stopped to ask him for a picture. They were all there for the same reason after all.
They came to the right plot, Lizzie sitting down in front of Steven and Melissa's graves, placing the flowers down and staring at the etchings. Steve put his own bunch down on Peggy's grave, sitting down next to her so their elbows brushed.
'This was the first place I came to when I made it to New York.' She said, pulling up the grass beneath her fingers. 'I wasn't expecting the gravestones to be so...small.'
Steve sighed, taking her hand once more. 'I wish I knew them. They seem like good people.'
'They were.' She said, shaking her head slightly. 'They wanted to meet you to. Mum always talked about teaching you to fly and introducing you to her cousin. He's working to become a lawyer, you'd like him. Dad would always tell these stories about the war, ones the commandos told him when he was a kid.'
She looked across at him, squeezing his hand.
'You were always there Gramps. Even if you didn't know it.'
Steve's lips twitched and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She scooted closer, resting her head on his shoulder. He glanced at the two graves on the end, bearing their names.
'We should speak to someone about getting those removed.'
Lizzie shrugged, closing her eyes as she leant on him. 'They know we're alive, we saved the city.'
'We saved the world.' He pointed out, a hint of pride in his voice.
'Exactly.' She said, in the same tone. 'They clearly know but don't want to take them down. People are still putting flowers there, anyway.'
Steve smiled, a proper smile this time. 'We should go. It won't be good for us to be late on our first day.'
'Eh, SHIELD can wait.' Lizzie said with her own weak grin. 'Let's stay here a bit longer.'
So they sat there, sharing stories quietly until the sun set.
James handed his dad the suitcase, looking up at the plane that would take Bruce away. Tony had managed to get a private jet to carry Bruce to Brazil, complete with food, drink and an in-flight movie.
'You know where you're going right?' James said, tilting his head. It wouldn't be good if his father got lost before he managed to stop the people copying his experiment.
'We lived there for two months, James, I think I remember it.' Bruce said, rolling his eyes.
James shrugged. 'We've lived in lots of places for two months, doesn't mean I remember all of them.'
Bruce snorted, stepping onto the ramp and raising an eyebrow. 'I'm guessing you want to look around.'
James looked back at the Starks, still in the car. Tony was holding a STARKpad in front of him, speaking to Pepper most likely. Howie was leant over the seat, the two men laughing at the screen.
'Yeah, I've got time.' James said, following Bruce onto the plane. The older Banner waved the pilot away went she went to stand, James instantly heading for the cockpit. 'This is awesome.'
'Don't touch anything.' Bruce said, placing his hands on James' shoulders. 'I don't want to end up in Hawaii.'
James scowled, but put his hands in his pockets anyway. 'I wouldn't fly us to Hawaii. Jamaica maybe...'
Bruce flicked the back of his head, pulling him out of the cockpit. The pilot rushed in as soon as they were gone, looking incredibly worried. Both Banners rolled their eyes. They weren't going to break things by being in the same room. Bruce lead James to a seat, sitting down and falling backwards into the cushions.
'Gonna miss me?' He said, looking out the window at the Starks. Tony was chasing Howie around the car, the boy holding the STARKpad in front of him.
'I always miss you when you go away.' James said, eyes downcast. He had never been away from his father longer than seven months, and he expected Bruce would be gone longer than that. 'Listen, Papa, about mum...'
'I don't want to talk about it.' Bruce said, eyes flashing slightly green. James slumped in his seat as Bruce calmed himself down. 'Don't okay. Just...don't. She died okay, James. Just leave it.'
James sighed but nodded. He had tried for four months to tell his papa that Betty was still alive. It seemed impossible as Bruce didn't even like mentioning her. James had managed to visit Betty, who lived in Bridgeport, a couple times, even taking Sophie to meet her but Bruce refused to think about his wife.
'Okay.' He said, standing up. 'But when you get back, we are talking about it.'
Bruce stood as well, wrapping hos arms around his son. He planted a kiss on the boys head, holding him close.
'No we're not.'
James smiled as Bruce gave him a little push, sending him back to the steps. He walked down, smiling at the Starks as they tried to pretend they weren't messing around.
'Ready to go?'
James looked back at the plane, waving to his dad as the stairs flipped up. He got into the car, smiling.
'Yeah, lets go.'
Kia and Thor walked through the palace, having placed the Tesseract in the weapons vault. As they moved towards the throne room, they stopped several times to talk to nobles and peasants alike. Kia forced Thor to wait for her while she went into the library.
Njal, over six foot tall and dark skinned, looked up as soon as she walked in, smiling widely.
'Thought you'd be in the throne room.'
'Just headed there.' She said, wrapping him in a hug. He rested his head on top of hers, not as a sign of affection but to remind her how much taller than her he was. 'Why would you think that?'
'Well, your uncle just got locked up.' He said, rolling his eyes and going back behind his desk. When she didn't immediately respond, he looked up, seeing het face dangerously close to his own. He gulped, wincing slightly. 'You didn't know about that did you.'
'Nope.' She said, turning back towards the door. Her cape whipped around her, Njal biting his lip as she walked out. Being friends with royalty was very strange.
Kia stepped out into the courtyard, absolutely furious. Thor raised an eyebrow and she came to a stop, holding Ikkesette with a vice like grip.
'What's wrong?'
'Loki's been imprisoned.' She said, watching his face storm over. 'Let's go.'
He nodded and they set out, walking through the courtyard without a thought of stopping. A couple citizens tried to get their attention but Thor's constant turning of Mjolnir in his hand made them stay silent.
They burst into the throne room, seeing Sigyn already lecturing Odin on her husbands capture. Kia stepped forward, Fen, Sleipnir and Hel rushing towards her. She held up a hand, coming to stand beside Sigyn.
'Lady Sigyn.' She said, cutting her off. Odin, who had been looking off to the side and completely ignoring his daughter in law. 'Please take your children back to your chambers. We'll deal with this.'
Sigyn opened her mouth slightly, but then closed it, nodding at her niece. She turned around, gesturing for the other three to follow her out. After glaring at their grandfather, the three stalked after their mother, the two non-humanoids flanking the women. Kia turned her gaze to the king, eyes flashing.
'How dare you?!' She almost shouted, making sure all the guards heard. Her voice was not angry nor unbalanced, just loud. 'You imprison my uncle, without even a trial.'
'Loki will receive trial.' Odin spoke and Kia was pleased when he matched her volume. Rising to the challenge made him vulnerable. He would not look at her though. 'Until then he will stay in the cells, so he isn't a danger to anyone.'
'He isn't a danger anyway.' Thor said, stepping forward. His knuckles were going white from the force he was holding Mjolnir. 'The events on Earth were not his fault.'
'You really claim that?' Someone said, stepping forward. Kia's eyes narrowed at Sif, who didn't even spare the princess a glance. 'We saw the Chitauri army advance on Earth, saw him leading them.'
Thor floundered then, trying to explain the possession and the injuries all at once. Sif and the Warriors Three, appearing behind her, calmly refuted Thor at every turn, as if their friend was merely confused. Kia rolled her eyes and hit her spear on the ground.
'If you want to imprison Loki.' She said, glancing around the room. 'You will have to give him a trial. A fair trial with witnesses.'
Odin scowled, gesturing for everyone to leave the room. When it was empty besides the three royals, he finally looked at his granddaughter.
'Loki will get a trial, yes, but the witnesses will be of my choosing.' He regarded her with disdain, raising a hand when they went to speak. 'You will obey the orders of your king. Now, leave. Before I decide to punish you for such disrespect.'
Thor stepped forward, tugging on Kia's shoulder. She went slowly, keeping her eyes on Odin for as long as she could. Any thoughts she had of him being a great powerful ruler had been destroyed. As she reached the door, he called out again.
'Oh, and Kia.'
She twisted, eyebrows raised.
'You will need to marry soon. That is an order.'
Odin turned away, ignoring the look of hatred on his granddaughter's face.