fossilised | Jotunheimr

There was silence for a moment as the notion flashed through Thor’s head. His eyes went blank before they focused, icy blue and sharp, on Loki’s face once more. “You wish for me to make my intentions of courtship known,” he said, slowly, drawing the words out. They were strange in that they did not feel strange in his mouth, and his tongue had no trouble forming each word. It gave him more pause for that reason alone. “A courtship is not as formal as a betrothal,” he said, sounding out his own thoughts with more care than he might normally make them out to be. “And it may be dissolved more easily… My father may be inclined to accept it if it is presented that way.”

And he could see Loki more often than he did now. It need not even be a big deal, more like a step in the direction of mending bridges between their Realms.

Thor felt himself exhale before the air whooshed from his nose and his smile brightened.

“If you would have me, I would like to court you. Officially.”

Loki had not been expecting such a commitment, for even an official courting would be remarked upon in Asgard and the other realms that owed it fealty. Not so much Jotunheim, who had been gossiping over the betrothal for a long time now and would only think it fitting that Asgard finally made some sort of announcement even if it wasn't the one they were expecting.

"I will have you."

He could have said something cleverer there, teased in his usual way, but it felt wrong. Thor needed moments of truth and tenderness, and those would be reserved for times like these were big decisions were being made.

"Though I may yet decide to change my mind and devour you in your sleep, as you so feared I might when we met."

“I’ll need to cease bathing whenever we are to share a chamber,” Thor responded quickly, grinning, before he brought Loki’s hand to his mouth to kiss his knuckles. There would be some time for them in the solitude of this little childhood grove of Thor’s, but not to do much more than lightly tease one another in affectionate ways. Thor did not need to hear his Father’s call, for he felt it through the power that Heimdal was able to wield, and he paused in the middle of a sentence, face hardening again. “We are requested back at the court.”

This would be about the Space Gem, likely, but once that business was concluded, Thor intended to announce his current status.

Yes, it would be more prudent to speak of this in terms of permission, but some lessons Thor had not learned.

Loki had no idea that Thor planned to be so idiotic about how to announce his intention to court a Jotnar, otherwise he would have taken him well in hand. He thought that Thor would surely have the intelligence to know that this should be done with humility and care.

He would discover his mistakes soon enough.

For now he simply followed Thor back to the golden palace of the Aesir, smug in the knowledge that he was on the right path to make this all be his one day. His dam would surely be proud of what he had achieved here when he returned home to tell him.

"Do you believe that the All-Father thought us right to take the stone from Midgard as we did?" An idle question as they neared their destination, for the answer must surely be yes.

“I rarely know the mind of my Father. I once thought I did but it is better just to hear him out than speculate.”

Though there were guards still standing by, as always, only the All-Father and All-Mother were present with Loki and Thor as they entered the room. The Warriors Three idled. Sif was likely still working on getting something to eat, or perhaps lamenting openly to Volstagg. Either way, no one else had come to speak with the pair about their findings on Midgard, though this was hardly a closed session. Likely, Odin’s advisors and those Frigga had consulted would make their way to the Great Hall shortly.

The Space Gem was not in view, already brought to the Vault in it’s container. Odin, however, looked grave.

“We have more work to be completed. There are five more gems, five more Infinity Stones. All may be awakening to the call of the Destroyer. If that is the case, we must be the ones to discover and seal them first,” Odin said. “There are rumours of the locations of the other gems but their containers have names known only to the few. We believe that the Dark Elves have a gem. The Kree have another. Yet another lies on Nowhere, in space guarded beyond the Nova Corp. One more is on Midgard. We are having difficulty isolating the last but believe it to be in the possession of the people of Soverign.”

This time Loki was less the wide eyed and unsure visitor of last time, on the defensive and sharp about the mistreatment his realm had suffered, and far more the son of a King here on an official diplomatic mission. He nodded respectfully to the All-Father with his hand over his chest, but he did not bow beyond that.

"You speak of places far beyond Yggdrasil's branches where our writ of power holds little meaning. Asgard must have allies beyond our borders, surely they can be contacted to search for the ones beyond, while we seek out the Dark Elves and the other hiding on Midgard."

He had a feeling that Thor would want to secure the Midgardian stone in an effort to improve relations with them, and perhaps bring them into the fold proper.

"Do you think the Destroyer has felt them awaken?"

“We can not know for certain if the Mad Titan has even been searching,” Frigga said after confirming the Realm Eternal’s dealings with those beyond their celestial borders, “but to err on the side of caution in this case is the best way to approach it.” She turned her gaze to her grim husband, her reflection visible in his eyepatch.

“I know you will wish to head every investigation, Thor,” Odin continued, “but that will not be possible. You have begun a report with Midgard and to Midgard you shall go first. We will be sending Lady Sif and Volstagg to Xandar to begin inquiries. I would care not to disturb the Dark Elves as yet. There will come a time for parlay with them, but it is not now.”

Thor looked about to speak and yet he said nothing for the moment.

“Your journey to Midgard will be an easy one,” Frigga said, her hands forming a ball of light before her as she stepped from the Dias. An image of Strange and his medallion appeared within it. “You know already the one who holds the Time Gem, though it’s container masks it. I was only able to divine its presence because you were so near.”

She seemed pleased that Loki had almost innately sought out the bearer of the gem.

“You should go at once. Report back all you find,” Odin commanded.

Thor, pleased to be given the task, bowed respectfully. “And when I return victorious, I wish to consult with you about my courtship with Loki-fyri.” It was so off hand. So natural. And for Thor, it truly was.

Loki had been on the cusp of requesting to withdraw via the Bifrost to Jotunheim to speak with his dam. He would not go back to Midgard on the orders of the All-Father, or even just accompanying Thor, without permission from his King. He knew that he would get it, Laufey rarely declined him anything, but it was important to make sure that all saw that his authority was on Jotunheim and not here on Asgard.

But then--

He shut his eyes briefly and sent a silent prayer to the Norns that this would not go too poorly, and opened them in time to see the naked shock on Odin's face slowly fade into something very schooled.

"Loki-fyri, wait outside, I would speak with my son alone."

Odin waited only until Loki had left before facing his son with a very deliberately forced calm.

"Explain yourself."

Thor was the worst person in all the kingdoms to request this of. Explain himself? How was he meant to do that? His heart felt very strongly about this, but his mind didn’t quite know the way to put it into words. It was why he fell silent as Frigga watched, her face only partially impassive. She had thought Loki would be able to win over her son, but so soon? This had been the first time in two years that they had spent time together, and only for the span of two days. She had to admit that the young Jotun was clever indeed.

When Thor finally spoke, it was not as lovesick as she might have imagined either. He was not enchanted, and he felt very strongly for his convictions even if he could not quite put it into words.

“Loki is a good match for me. I find myself drawn to him beyond the calls of both duty and friendship. But that aside, Father, it would go a long way to mending our Realms and to show all Asgardians that Jotnar are not evil or blood thirsty or crazed in anyway. It is just a courtship. I will not wed until after I have become All-Father, as has always been done. And I do not know if I will take Loki to be All-Mother when I do. You have many good centuries left before we should even consider what will become of us when you are gone.”

Frigga stepped forward, hand to Odin’s arm before she took hold of Thor’s face in both palms. “You have truly come to care for him?”

That made Thor grin almost idiotically. “It is strange. I have never cared for another this way.”

Frigga had not expected this so soon, but she was pleased with what she saw. Thor had not been coerced into this by the look in his eyes, and his soul was free of any magical manipulations. She saw many paths to the future and she could not speak of them often, but this was one way in which she could try and guide. She knew that Thor and Loki were inextricably intertwined and that Loki would either prove to be Thor's greatest ally or his bitterest enemy.

Odin did not look pleased about this, he had imagined his son marrying one of their established allies, but he did not immediately explode.

"Even a courtship will be looked at with displeasure. You cannot dally with another royal in the same way as you could take another to your furs, and Jotnar are finicky with courtship."

He would not necessarily stand in the way of this, but he was not pleased either.

“I have heard, numerous times,” Thor said, for even with his mother there, he had no qualms about showing his minute displeasure of this fact. “They take only one mate and it is a discourtesy and even shame inducing to find another in their place. I do not often indulge as it is. There are far better things to do than spend the day in your furs,” Thor said, and Odin, for all of his kingly austerity, could not but laugh at his son.

“There will come a time in the future where you will disagree,” he promised before he set his hand on his son’s shoulder. “You must come at this openly. I do not want to induce another war because you have snubbed Laufey’s barn.”

“Nor do I, Father, but we have discussed this at length.” Frigga did not believe that, for they had not had much time together, but she kept her mouth shut even as her eyebrows lifted. “We wish to enjoy our time together and I want this excuse to see him more often. If others object... I will smite them.”

"You will not announce anything until I have spoken with Laufey on this, but if he does not object to this courtship then I will permit it to go ahead." Odin sat on the throne and, for a moment, he looked old. "I used to count Laufey as one of my friends before power and greed clouded my eyes, perhaps this is what's needed to bridge the rift between our two realms again."

Thor ought to be careful, or he would find himself married off under the banner of a political agreement before he had decided to do it himself.

"If Laufey agrees to this courtship, I would have Loki-fyri as our guest for a year and a day, and then you may go to Laufey's court for a year and a day, so that time may be spent together in one another's kingdom, surrounded by friends, family, and daily routine. Only then will you learn if you are right for one another."

“We have another of your infinity stones to collect, Father. Now is not the time for announcements.” Thor wasn’t even trying to be polite, he really did believe it wasn’t anyone’s business at the moment. He pressed his fist to his chest and then bowed. “With your permission?”

“Yes. Go, my son, and quickly. We can not guess the time of reckoning but I would have it come later rather than sooner.” Odin glanced at his wife as his son headed out to leave Asgard with Loki and sighed. “You know this would happen?”

“I did,” Frigga said, smiling softly.

Outside, where Loki no doubt waited and worried, Thor appeared with a grin upon his face. “My father wishes to consult your dam, cease looking put out.”

Loki definitely did not worry about the conversation with his dam, both of his parents knew about his designs on Thor and so would not stand in the way of this courtship, so his muscles relaxed at once and he offered a smile back to Thor.

"You are a fool," he muttered, though it was said with some small level of affection. "Like a bilgesnipe who doesn't think about the path ahead, only barrels through all obstruction to get to the object he desires. You ought to have raised that more delicately, but it is done now."

And he was definitely surprised that the All-Father was not outright banning any such fraternisation.

“I shall take that as a compliment,” Thor said, the corner of his mouth lifting. “For that bildgesnipe took the most direct route, knowing exactly that it was capable of defending against any obstacle that might bar its way. Thank you, Loki.” He couldn’t help but be pleased at this. He would never say he loved Loki, but he certainly felt affection for him. He was exotic, he was smart, and he had helped Thor in ways no one else had. For that, he was beyond grateful.

It helped that he stood up to Thor as well. So many just backed down, but Loki kept it interesting. And Thor found that intriguing.

“Let us head first to your dam to let him know the situation at hand and so I may assure him that his offspring will be thoroughly protected.” Okay. So Thor still thought more with his muscles. Was that a terrible thing?

"Perhaps we should spar sometime, and I will show you that it might be you who is in need of my protection."

Probably not. Especially not if it were a test of pure might, Thor would win in moments and Loki would never be able to stand up to him. But he had been training how to fight opponents much larger and stronger than him for his whole life, and he was an expert at swift manoeuvre and careful misdirection.

He would enjoy proving that Thor needed to think beyond his muscles and might on the battlefield as well as in the political arena.

"But I would enjoy seeing my dam's face when you seek to assure him of my protection, so let us go to Jotunheim before we travel to Midgard. Perhaps Tony Stark will offer his hospitality once more?"

“He is the one with the stone, is he not? We will visit him again, soon.” Obviously, Thor could not tell Stark and Strange apart. They did wear their facial hair in similar ways.

Loki would get time with both of his parents as Thor spent his time with Bylestir. He’d really taken to the younger Jotun during his time here before and they enjoyed games of throwing things and races while Loki took his leave.

Laufey was careful as he listened to his eldest son, nodding thoughtfully of talk of the Infinity Stones and their distribution. His mate, however, wanted to hear only of Thor and their progress with that aspect.

Loki was swift to assure his sire that things were progressing well with Thor and that Odin All-Father would contact them shortly to discuss an official courtship. Thor remained reluctant in some areas, but he believed it would only be a matter of time before he was thoroughly tied to Loki for good.

He also assured his dam that he would be careful regarding the Infinity Stones, and advised Jotunheim to train warriors and trade for as much food as possible from the newly reopened Ways to the Vanaheim Free Markets in case war came and they needed to shore up and protect their already damaged realm.

Only then did he go in search of Thor, who he would find being introduced to one of the Great Ice Serpents that Jotunheim held, a pet of Bylestir, a snake almost fifty feet long with a body as wide as Thor's shoulders in some places.

This might have been the best day or Thor’s life. He had an important duty, he was nearly officially courting someone who could go with him toe to toe on missions like these, and now he was best friends with the biggest, most beautiful snake in all the Realms. Thor was rolling around with the serpent as Bylestir watched, and upon seeing his eldersibb, the younger Jotun tutted his way over to sit by his smaller kin. “I wish you both would stay for longer periods of time. I am very found of Thor Odinson.”

No need to sugar coat it.

Bylestir ignore the way Thor made impact into the ice as the serpent tunneled through it with him. Neither were in danger. And Thor was laughing uproariously.

“He is very simple. But resilient.”

"He is, and I too am very fond of him. We will return when we are able, but Jotunheim is taking its place back in the wider realms and we must be prepared to travel beyond our borders. If you wish to put in a claim to be King one day, youngsibb, then you must venture out yourself sometime."

He laid a hand on Bylestir's forearm, the highest part of his brother that he could reach, and then stood to make his way over to where Thor was tussling and playing with the great serpent.

"Leave Bylestir's pet alone, Thor, we must be about our business. Perhaps if you are so fond then we might seek one out for you one day, though such a mission is treacherous."

Thor was by far the happiest that he’d ever been when they arrived once more on Midgard. Tony Stark had not been asleep for long when JARVIS informed him that the portal had opened again, similar to when Loki and the rest had come through last time. He wrinkled his nose a little and rolled out of bed, even as Pepper reached to grab him by the collar and haul him back towards her. “Aliens,” Tony muttered as he rubbed at his eyes and had JARVIS patch him into Steve’s number.

It rang a few times while he relieved himself and only connected as he was washing his hands.

“What are you doing? Nothing? Good. Come to the Tower. Quickly. Our favorite smurf is back.”

Steve had spent a few days in Tony's company discussing their potential superhero partnership, and had found the other man both infuriating and refreshingly kind at times, a real enigma. The furrow of his brow and palpable confusion were probably audible even down the other end of the phone.

"Uh-- what exactly is a smurf?"

Just asking, because then he'd know whether Tony was calling him for an emergency or because some of his favourite food had just arrived and he wanted to try it. He wouldn't forget the time Tony called him at 4am to make him try churros in a hurry.

Listen, Rogers. Tony needed a friend sometimes. Rhodey didn’t always answer. Pepper was busy. And you exist. That meant that, to Tony, Steve was his the default bestie. And that meant doing things that besties do.

Including trying churros at all hours of the day or night. Tony barely slept anymore so it all was the same to him. Sunset and sundown? Exactly the same. In reverse.

“Loki. Blue guy? Have we not watched smurfs yet? Okay, J. Set a time for next week to watch cartoons.” Tony had gone from dead asleep to motormouth in the span of three minutes. It was amazing. “Just come over. I’ll make eggs. I make a mean egg.”

Steve actually quite liked the bits of Tony that he saw underneath the endless babble and the ego that he was nearly sure was projected to help with his public image, he had moments of kindness and he was the first person in this bizarre future who actually treated him like a person instead of an icon that was something elevated from human.

"...okay, sure. Loki. You should have said that to start with, I'm on my way over."

He hung up and went to go and grab his motorcycle out from the garage of his building, he liked the drive over when it was late and there was barely any other traffic on the roads.

"Sir," JARVIS said once the call was ended. "Perhaps in the time it takes for Captain Rogers and the delegation from Asgard to arrive, we might go over some of the pending business that Ms. Potts has sent over and labelled 'urgent'?"

“I don’t think so, JARVIS. Leave Ms. Potts in bed, will you? She works hard. She should get a chance to sleep.” He knew that wasn’t what the AI meant but Tony wasn’t about to do any more work today. He’d woken up. He washed his hands after he pissed. That was good enough. Those papers would be there later. Or tomorrow.

Or three days from next week. He’d get to them when the strawberry blond forced it on him. He always was a sucker for blondes.

He dressed instead, jeans and a t-shirt, and made some coffee before he have JARVIS show footage of the traffic lights that Steve was passing and the path from Central Park that, thank Jesus, only two aliens were striding down.

“Make sure we keep SHIELD in the dark. They’re still made that I stole their boy wonder.”

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