fossilised | I come from a land of ice and snow

The first thing that struck Loki was how much of a child Thor seemed, even more so than her though he boasted several centuries more age than her. It seemed as if he had been truly coddled in a way that the harsh environment of Jotunheim did not allow. He had never had to do things he had not wanted, beyond perhaps attend a boring state dinner or attend lessons when he wished to hunt. His friends all likely followed in his wake and none dared oppose him.

Such would definitely change when Loki took her place by his side. If nothing else, she understood the benefit of challenge. She loved her brothers dearly, but they argued and fought sometimes, and pushed one another, and she would do the same for Thor. No man could grow to wisdom if all those around him only ever said 'yes'.

"You have a rash tongue, Prince Thor," she chastised him, arms folded and not at all intimidated by his size or manner. "And you are already face to face with her, with me. As you can see, no changes to your palace to accommodate my size will be necessary, my deformity makes me a runt and not even more giant than my brethren."

Her tone was cool and her expression schooled, but Tony could probably tell that she was bracing herself for rejection.

"My friend, who also happens to be a smith of great capability, came to take the measure of you in more ways than just your height."

Tony had to laugh at the face Thor made. It was astonishingly funny, how it fell and then brightened and then fell again. He looked like he had been socked in the gut for a few moments before the corners of his lips darted up again. The blue of his eyes evening out and he squared his shoulders before offering his much larger hand to her. Palm up.

He had every intention of lightly kissing her knuckles if she took him up on the touch because while he would not say that she was beautiful, the way she talked him was charming in ways he hadn't expected to suddenly adore.

And her eyes...

"I can not say I mind your stature. Our bed will not need to be so large as I had imagined, Princess. You're paler than I was told you'd be."

That went better than to be expected. She watched the play of emotions on his face, oddly charmed by how open he was. This was a man who had never learned how to lie, and his innocence was quite endearing in its own way. That he did not reject her, but instead complimented her, was definitely a point in his favour.

"You do not listen, I see," she said, though she did allow him to kiss her hand as she said it. "Did I not just tell you that I am a shapeshifter in truth? This is not my natural skin, merely my form when I wish to appear as a race that bears this skin."

She took her hand back from him before she changed, though Aesir skin was hardier than mortal skin and he might be able to hold on for a second or two before damage occurred, to let him see the truth of who he would have to take as a bride.

"You, however, look exactly as I have been led to believe."

Keeping his very formal attitude as Loki shifted her skin, Thor made sure to look at her without stating. "And now you look more akin to what I was told to expect. You are very beautiful. No need to call the All-Mother a liar," he said. Charming. But not a practiced charm, Tony found. It just came easily to him, perhaps. Maybe he was being genuine. "Is it true that we may not touch without pain?"

He didn't believe it. And he offered his hand again, palm flat and inviting.

"My skin is like dwarven steel." And he had no interest at all in Tony from what the older man saw. Fine with him, but he didn't like this guy moving in so easily. And already. "I will not be hurt."

Tony would be a fool to be jealous, Thor obviously did not have the whip fast intelligence and wit that Loki enjoyed and so he would not usurp the position her friend had already come to fill. They both knew that she had come here to meet her future husband, was it not right that he should be charming to her?

She raised an eyebrow at his arrogant stupidity and shook her head, though in disbelief rather than refusal. "You shall bear a scar from this decision, but perhaps this mark will teach you to think before you make comment on Jotnar women staying in the furs and raising children."

One finger reached out to touch that outstretched palm. It would burn slower than most, for Thor truly was made of amazing genetic material, but burn it would. Naught could resist the touch of Jotun skin, their species was made from the ice formed where Yggdrasil's roots met the river of seidr.

Though Thor had thought himself the better for this, it was obvious in the first ten seconds that he was in pain. It did not stop him from suddenly gripping her hand and, half leaning in, half pulling Loki towards him, followed such foolishness with his lips to the curve of her ear.

His words for her alone and not her companion nor anyone else.

His voice had an edge to it, the pain causing his lips to tremble against her ear. "Our parents chose well." Never mind that it was Jotunheim's turn to ascend the Asgardian throne and give Asgard nobility for future generations her blood. In theory at least. Odin had named him Prince, though his blood was not that of Vanaheim. "You are perfection. I hope you will one day love me as I have been struck by love for you."

It was sappy and sweet. But Thor was quite the romantic warrior at heart.

It was the most foolish of romantic gestures, but Loki found herself smiling all the same. She was not so rash with her heart as to declare love immediately in return but this gave her hope that she might find happiness here on Asgard. He was endearing and she rewarded his tenacity and words with a kiss to his cheek which wouldn't burn for how light it was. His hand, though, may need a healer's attention and would likely always bear some sort of scar. She drew back and contemplated him with eyes like fire.

"Perhaps you have a measure of worth after all, my future husband, and I no longer view our upcoming binding with trepidation. But we still have not accomplished what we came here for, Tony needs the measure of your limbs for the armour he is crafting. He is a great friend of mine, a mortal from a Midgard that no longer exists, his craft is exquisite."

The look she turned on Tony was obviously fond.

Though they had not known each other that long it seemed as if their souls were the oldest of companions, she could not know how tightly they were bound across time and reality.

"Now seat yourself and draw back before you damage yourself further, and be glad that I can change my form so that our furs may yet be shared."

Thor was absolutely going to have to see a healer for the wounds to his hand, the smaller outline of his betrothed’s fingers forever marked on his flesh. As any good Asgardian, scars that held meaning were worth their cost and he loved the beauty of it in the ugly way it marred his skin. Perhaps he would wait until later to see the Healers. He wanted to show off his mark to his friends for there had never been a truer symbol of a bond about to occur.

“Midgard still exists,” Thor said with an arched eyebrow, hand dropping to his side. “Our delegates returned less than two years ago from their centennial visit to the major cities of that Realm. What has occurred, Lord Tony, for the princess to claim your home no longer apart of the branches of the World Tree?”

Oh. Well this meant he was up and Tony had FRIDAY split the armor open so he could walk out of it. At least Thor looked impressed by that. “Start the scan,” he told the AI and Thor was enveloped in light he actually looked as though he might try to fight off. Until Tony started to speak. “We’re from another reality. Another Earth. Midgard. Whatever. Some other Asgard invaded and we’re the survivors. Loki’s helping us find a home.”

Thor blinked. “Is this true? Have you spoken to the All-Father on this matter? I’ve heard whisperings of the fabric of the Void breaking down but I thought it all a jest.”

"No one's laughing."

Loki was still impressed by the armour and its capabilities herself, but she had seen it enough now that she could hide just how brilliant it was behind sparkling eyes. But that enjoyment faded quickly as the subject of the ruined Midgard took hold and she shook her head soberly.

"It is no jest in truth. Our Midgard still stands, but this Midgard stood on an Yggdrasil across the Void. The Asgard there sees mortals as chattel and slaves, purging the world they lived upon and forcing those who lived upon it to do unspeakable acts. They do not use their might with worth to protect those weaker than themselves, but to create themselves as gods among ants."

She took a seat on the grass, legs folded beneath her gracefully. For strength was not her forte, but dexterity and grace were.

"These survivors, numbering a few thousand at the most once more have been rescued, are petitioning my father for assistance in finding a new home in the branches of our Tree."

“I would see their encampment,” Thor suddenly insisted, though Loki might have an inkling, as he sat, that her prince mostly just wanted to spend time with her. Tony didn’t seem so keen on the idea, though. The scan was finished. They should leave.

But Loki seemed pretty keen on having Thor around too. He was doing his best not to let it bother him. “I think for awhile none of us are going to want to deal with any more Thors,” Tony said, crossing his arms over his chest. “And we should go.”

Thor frowned up at him. “You speak far too familiarly, mortal,” he said, making Tony roll his eyes.

“Seriously? I’m over alien royalty.” That made Thor look even more angry. Oh well. He didn’t care at all.

"Why should it matter if he speaks familiarly? Those of royal birth should be secure in their position whether it is acknowledged or not, that is what my father always taught me. I am Loki first and Princess second, he used your name, is that not respect enough?"

Loki might already be quite fond of Thor, but she was clearly not about to take any nonsense from him. He had been spoiled and was not the better for it, she would make sure that he knew a King should be humble as well as confident, a lesson that both Odin and Frigga had been trying to teach him for decades.

"This encampment is not Asgardian soil, nor yet Jotunheim soil, we have no right to visit unless invited. Should you wish to go, I will put your request to their council and they will receive you in state as you should be received."

It was amazing to see Thor so easily back down. Loki already had him wrapped around her pinkie in just a few short minutes. Tony understood that, though. He too had been whisked off of his feet by her. "Aye. That would be... Acceptable," Thor responded, curling his fingers around the near constant ache in his palm. "Will you send for me as soon as you hear? It would gladden me to know my wife before she becomes such."

Tony rolled his eyes. And then marched back to his armor. "Yeah don't call us. We'll call you. I got what I needed," he announced like a petulant brat.

Thor scrambled to his feet to offer Loki a hand. His uninjured one. "I already long for your return."

From inside the armor, Tony scoffed. Loudly.

Loki could not help but be charmed by Thor, he was so genuine and warm enough that the over the top compliments seemed to make sense for him. She squeezed his hand briefly, her own flesh toned in order to not harm him more, and then stepped back to be with Tony. It was good to see what he was willing to learn, that boded well for his time as a king.

She waited until she and Tony were out of earshot, before she turned to him with a smile that was almost pure relief.

"He was not disgusted."

It was a rare moment of truth that she would reveal how nervous she had been about that, for she was still basically a child about to be wed to someone she had never met before. This had greatly eased her heart.

Oh great. Well how could Tony say bad things when Loki was so happy with the encounter? He couldn't. "He was much less than disgusted," he pointed out, using the HUD to pan towards Loki do he could see her. "He was taken with you. That's a pretty good sign."

He didn't have to be so greedy. He could be much happier for Loki if he just let his own hang ups go. And maybe he could have a place with her. The people on New Earth (or whatever they would call it) just weren't a good fit for him.

And he didn't want to be tied down. Not to a single planet any more.

"He's immature but I think you'll make a good man out of him."

"That is what I think also, though he lacks the sharp intelligence I might have hoped for, he is sincere and could possibly develop a wisdom of her own in time."

Loki smiled suddenly and brightly, it felt as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. She didn't love him instantly, as he proclaimed to with her, but she no longer feared a life being bound to someone cruel or terminally dull. She could be happy by his side.

"I fear his conversation may become dull in time, however, you will have to allow me to employ you so that I have your company when I need it."

Which would be often.

"You're a shapeshifting, teleporting sorceress.. Pretty sure I don't have to let you do anything." But he was grinning inside as he said it, jovial. He didn't have a lot of friends. Keeping any that could keep up with him was incredibly important.

By the time they got back to the other place, beyond the gateway created in Jotunheim, Tony was tired but not as annoyed as he had been. Helblindi would be pleased that his sister was happy and now Tony could get back to finishing up the armor while the rest had their discussions.

Tony was all for the move. He was all for the help Jotunheim offered to rescue people from the training moon. He was about ready to just get on with life.

"Are you staying or going back to the ice palace, Elsa?"

Loki also did not have many true friends. She had companions who's presence she tolerated and visa versa, but it was just as important to her to keep around those who stimulated her mind and made her feel secure. She would have Tony permanently moved to Asgard when she married there if he was not careful.

"I am still a delegate for your negotiations, which you have yet to attend properly I might add, and so I will be remaining here."

Her voice was amused and teasing.

"I do not know how you have come to be on the council when you are so lax with your duty."

"I fix stuff when it breaks and I make stuff when we need it," Tony pointed out. He was on the Council because they needed him to be. Maybe Cap felt some obligation too, but mostly it was because the eccentric inventor belonged there more than anyone else.

And Tony was sort of adept at shirking duty anyway. He was well known for it.

"Aren't you going to run back to your brother and let him know about Thor?"

"I will let him know in due course, be careful lest I think you are trying to be rid of me when I recall your offer for a roll in the furs this evening."

She was fired up from the relief of knowing she would not be wed to some brute or fool, and she had enjoyed what they had done together before. Yet she was sure she had not been particularly good, a novice at any activity had much to learn, and she wished for Tony to be her tutor in this.

"Or perhaps you have another to share your furs tonight?"

Though he had been testing to see what she might do, what he really wanted to know was her continued interest in him. He had plenty to do otherwise. There was armor to work on, after all, and probably maintenance to that skiff too. But why work when there was an alien princess wanting to polish your knob for you?

He leaned against the counter and crossed his arms, inspecting the girl critically.

"I do actually have a full harem that I need to keep satisfied. They're going to be jealous if I keep picking you," he teased, since it was obvious he had no one else. Whatever tugging he felt towards Banner was pale compared to this.

"Then they would be fools to be jealous, the only way to oust someone from favour is to better yourself so that you become their superior."

She knew he did not have a harem, but it amused her to think of a large cabal of women all working on their bedsport skills in order to be desirable to Tony. He was a fine man, but he was no Adonis, and she would honestly be surprised if she ever learned that he had been quite the ladykiller back on his Midgard.

"Must I change myself again for you?"

She was beginning to understand why he had asked her to appear older before, though it still seemed almost nonsensical as she would always be the same age no matter what she appeared to be.

"Having sex with a little girl is still a little weird," Tony said bluntly. There was only so much he could use to get over the visual of a twelve year old girl in bed with him. Being built like a boy wasn't a problem for him. Being hairless was normal anyway since women tended to like to look Infantile. Loki would be married in a year, was smarter and more mature than most, and had quickly become his partner in crime and sidekick.

However. She still looked like a kid. Not just jailbait the way almost 18 year olds looked, either. And Tony wasn't into that.

"Don't think of it as changing so much as putting on a costume. With big tits."

Loki shook her head, sometimes men were very confusing with the things they wanted, but she had heard that those of the other sex had very specific tastes in bed partner more often than not. Only a certain hair colour, or an exact height, that sort of thing. So she obligingly created her adult persona again, this time with larger breasts as Tony seemed to want that.

"Careful, Tony, do not call me a little girl again or we may have our second row. I am near a woman grown and about to be wed, not some child barely out of swaddling."

Not that they would know it, but they may not get a chance to enjoy one another that evening. Something terrible approached in the form of a long-dormant trap laid out on this world for many years, about to be triggered by Bruce.

"But if we fight again, does that make the make up sex twice as good?" Tony grinned, beckoning the now-fully grown woman into his lap. His hands wandered, rubbing against her ample hips as he tilted back his head for a kiss.

Tony was nothing if not sensual. He might be known for wild sex parties but the truth was far more tame. He liked things slow. And he preferred one partner to anything else. His attention span happened to be low and if split too many times, he could lose interest all together.

His hands moved up Loki's back to her hair and he lifted his hips invitingly before FRIDAY snapped his focus from the princess to tell him that there was a code green.

Loki did not know what a code green was and she was already enjoying the friction between them, so she merely mumbled against the soft skin of his throat that he should ignore his mechanical companion for now. Whatever had happened could surely wait just a short while as they had their fun...

"Sir, Dr. Banner is holding off the code green as best he can, but I predict his chances of success are at only eleven percent and dropping rapidly. He is two miles out from the main camp, but his closest source of human life would be the children's building."

Not exactly ideal...

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