(WIP) "Our life decides the penalty"...second half.
this is part 2.
part 1a is here.
part 1b is here.
part two is here.
...
...
“No doubt your brother is pleased that he will become War when he is of age,” Sif said.
Loki’s smile this time was thoughtful with tinges of speculation as to what a thing could mean.
“Loki?” Sif asked, calling him on it.
“Oh you are correct, Sif. Thor would leap through time to that day if he knew how to. He does desire to be War. But he also wishes to lead a brave band of warriors on…what was that word the Midgardr humans used for their forays of exploration and raiding and trade?”
“To go a-viking,” she supplied, knowing perfectly well that Loki forgot nothing, ever.
“A-viking, yes, is what Thor would do with the remainder of his life, if he could.”
You, me, Thor, Fandral. “Is four people enough to go a-viking?”
“We could find out,” Loki offered.
...
~~~
...
~~~
“It is not that funny,” Sif grumbled.
“It is,” Hogun said, and Fandral nodded, barely repressing a grin himself.
“Remember that I know where you both sleep,” she warned them, not that it stopped them from finding humor in the situation. Just this once, I can understand the mortal desire for Wishful Thinking - that ‘if I do not look behind me, there will not be anyone following me.’
“We know,” Fandral said, “and soon they will as well. Or rather more specifically, they will know where you sleep.”
“I cannot find their parents,” Thor said, rejoining them at last. “Have you learned their names as yet?”
“Are they still behind me?” Sif asked.
“Of course. What troubles you, friend?”
“Being followed.” Or rather, being followed by something we’re not to defeat.
“They are only children,” Thor said, which just set Fandral and Hogun laughing.
“Children who have followed our friend Sif like hungry puppies,” Loki said, literally appearing from another direction.
Facing a wall of faces sympathetic to the mortals’ plight, Sif groaned and turned her head to look at the two children who had been following her for the past three days:
The sister was older by some small number of years, clutching her ratty-haired brother’s hand like a treasured prize one clung to for comfort when all else railed against you. The elder sibling was mousy-haired with threads of burnished copper and warm embers, while the younger sibling had only pale brown to his name, whatever it was.
“Why are all the hard decisions left to me?” Sif asked. “My being the only one sensible enough to know what we shouldn’t do, makes me the bad guy, the wicked giantess.”
“You are a good giantess,” Loki said.
“But still the giantess in this setting,” she grumbled. “While our good nobles exclaim how nice it would be to let this pair tag along for years. Though I notice none of you have suggested claiming them as your own.”
"I'd not be adverse to it," Fandral said, "even though I'm not the one they seem to like."
"Gudrun would be..." Volstagg started to say, and shook his head. "I cannot."
"Allergies," Hogun said.
"What of the Einherjar?" Loki asked. "They took you in."
Thor nodded. "And it is what they do, yes, taking the lost and cast-aside and broken of humans, and molding them into warriors. Though we are none of us Valkyries, we can still -"
“We can not take them to Asgard,” Sif said. “Not least of the reasons is that it is illegal. Even for a child of Odin."
Thor made a noise.
“She’s right, though, Thor,” Loki said. “Father’s first treaty with Laufey says that neither side can take hostages from Midgard - and not even the Jotunn War renders it moot. Simply unilateral.”
“They are not hostages, brother,” Thor said. “They are lost imps we can help.”
“Then help find them a family to take them in. Summon lightning and proclaim it a divine commandment, if it will help.”
Thor considered that.
“Or we could stay here,” Fandral suggested. “They aren’t hostages if they’re still on Midgard, am I right? What’s a decade or two between friends?”
“Let me make it clearer,” Sif told him, told all four of them; “I am not keeping them, be it on Asgard or on Midgard.”
“You fear becoming a housewife,” Hogun said, firing the arrow right in the proverbial hole.
“By showing up with two children in tow? Yes! It will be taken as a victory against me, that for all my skills, my place is at the hearth.”
“It is late,” Thor said, using a local idiom. “Let us find a place to rest. In the morning, we shall make one further attempt to find a place for the siblings, and if we cannot… we decide then and not before.”
The two children ran the short distance which had been between them and Sif, and wrapped their arms around her in a hug.
Sif looked down on them, wondering if they were enough like puppies to be bribed away to somewhere else…perhaps an earl’s residence, or at least the home of a carl; no reason to leave the pair with a poor couple or slaves. Then, out the corner of one eye, she noticed Loki was watching all of this. And the absence of commentary or remark on his part, it made her wary. “What?” she asked him.
“Nothing. I said nothing.”
“Precisely.”
Which just made Fandral laugh harder.
~
Sure enough, upon their return to Asgard, the lot of them were escorted straight to Odin’s throne room. Even the two human children.
“Who is responsible for this?” Odin asked. “Was it one of your number?”
Sif had barely opened her mouth to accept responsibility for it, when -
Loki stepped forward, arms outstretched as he said, “Father, while I can tell a lie, know that this is not one of them. I -“
“My good brother means well,” Thor said, stepping forward himself. “But it was I who thought to bring the siblings to Asgard with us.”
Hoenir save us all from the overchivalrous, Sif felt. “All-Seeing AllFather,” she said, “you know as well as I that it was me whom the children were following. Your sons refused to leave me behind on Midgard when it came time to decide.”
One corner of Odin’s mouth quirked up in a faint smile. “You each claim sole responsibility?” Odin asked them.
Nods from Sif, Loki, Thor, Fandral, and Hogun.
“Then there is only one solution.”
The five awaited what Odin would say.
“You must take them to Jotunheim.”
“What?” Loki asked.
“My King!” Fandral exclaimed.
“Father, why?” Thor asked.
Sif knelt.
“Because, my son,” Odin replied, standing at his throne, “when one says he will do something, it is incumbent upon him to keep his word.”
“They’re children,” was Loki’s objection, Thor echoing him.
Odin got a very sad look in his eye, and said, “A king’s role is not to make the easy choices.”
~~~
Another stellar birth, another evening party, Loki thought as he watched the feasting and dancing from the bench he had been quick to occupy when Thor’s friends left it. It might actually be notable if Yggdrasil weren’t festooned with the things already.
He had no idea that Sif had been wandering around to avoid being pulled into a dance, until she found herself standing behind Loki’s seat.
Given the festivities, the serving staff and drink-pourers had been dismissed to enjoy the evening with everyone else once the food and drink had been brought out.
Walking a straight line towards Loki was a younger boy called Hod, who was eating off one of the beast’s thighs as he walked.
Normally once Allmother and Allfather take whatever serving size they wish, nobody else can achieve such a well-sized piece, given appetites and cutting skills, Loki mused.
“One of the advantages of being me,” Hod said conversationally when he was near, though Loki couldn’t be sure Hod knew he was there, “is nobody tries to stop me at the serving tables,” and his lips were turned in what Loki knew from personal experience to be both amusement and disgust. “Might I sit here, my prince?”
“You do not fear being seen in my company?” Loki asked. Most are.
Hod snorted as he sat. “I could not be more invisible if I had a spell cloaking me, my prince. If I am spoken of at all, it is as Baldur’s brother, which invite comparisons which praise him.”
“Commiseration with me will earn you no favors with others,” Loki said, feeling that warning him was the right thing to do, even if Loki did appreciate the understanding.
Hod lifted the shank as if to prove his indifference.
“You may use knives and prefer them more than swords and spears, but at least you are trusted anywhere near a battlefield.” And, continuing, Hod told Loki “Believe me when I say that even without who your father is, you are a sight better marriage prospect than I am.”
“Only a sight better,” Loki replied in the same friendliness with which Hod had offered.
“And at the risk of ending this good mood and incurring your wrath, have you asked the Lady Sif to dance yet?”
’Lady’ is perhaps the one title she neither wants nor cares for. “She would not want to,” Loki said. “It would be an inconvenience for her to bother with me and my treading toes.”
Sif frowned. Let me decide that.
His voice surprised, Hod asked “You would refuse her?”
I have to hear this, Sif thought.
“I refuse nothing,” Loki said. “I simply am sure that she is finding her time this evening better spent in the company of those who are not me.”
“That was not what I asked,” Hod said.
“It was how I answered.”
Hod paused, then in a clear voice that only carried just far enough for this, “My Lady?”
Loki’s head jerked up, looking every which way…until he was looking right at Sif, which was a bit uncomfortable since she was standing a fair bit behind him.
Neither of them would ever agree on which of them had been first to bolt away like skittish colts.
~~~
~~~
Another stellar birth, another evening party, Loki thought as he watched the feasting and dancing from the bench he had been quick to occupy when Thor’s friends left it. It might actually be notable if Yggdrasil weren’t festooned with the things already.
He had no idea that Sif had been wandering around to avoid being pulled into a dance, until she found herself standing behind Loki’s seat.
Given the festivities, the serving staff and drink-pourers had been dismissed to enjoy the evening with everyone else once the food and drink had been brought out.
Walking a straight line towards Loki was a younger boy called Hod, who was eating off one of the beast’s thighs as he walked.
Normally once Allmother and Allfather take whatever serving size they wish, nobody else can achieve such a well-sized piece, given appetites and cutting skills, Loki mused.
“One of the advantages of being me,” Hod said conversationally when he was near, though Loki couldn’t be sure Hod knew he was there, “is nobody tries to stop me at the serving tables,” and his lips were turned in what Loki knew from personal experience to be both amusement and disgust. “Might I sit here, my prince?”
“You do not fear being seen in my company?” Loki asked. Most are.
Hod snorted as he sat. “I could not be more invisible if I had a spell cloaking me, my prince. If I am spoken of at all, it is as Baldur’s brother, which invite comparisons which praise him.”
“Commiseration with me will earn you no favors with others,” Loki said, feeling that warning him was the right thing to do, even if Loki did appreciate the understanding.
Hod lifted the shank as if to prove his indifference.
“You may use knives and prefer them more than swords and spears, but at least you are trusted anywhere near a battlefield.” And, continuing, Hod told Loki “Believe me when I say that even without who your father is, you are a sight better marriage prospect than I am.”
“Only a sight better,” Loki replied in the same friendliness with which Hod had offered.
“And at the risk of ending this good mood and incurring your wrath, have you asked the Lady Sif to dance yet?”
’Lady’ is perhaps the one title she neither wants nor cares for. “She would not want to,” Loki said. “It would be an inconvenience for her to bother with me and my treading toes.”
Sif frowned. Let me decide that.
His voice surprised, Hod asked “You would refuse her?”
I have to hear this, Sif thought.
“I refuse nothing,” Loki said. “I simply am sure that she is finding her time this evening better spent in the company of those who are not me.”
“That was not what I asked,” Hod said.
“It was how I answered.”
Hod paused, then in a clear voice that only carried just far enough for this, “My Lady?”
Loki’s head jerked up, looking every which way…until he was looking right at Sif, which was a bit uncomfortable since she was standing a fair bit behind him.
Neither of them would ever agree on which of them had been first to bolt away like skittish colts.
~~~
“No,” Sif said, looking down at him.
Loki looked up at her, confused. I have heard the word before, but never in this context. Allowing for the fact I have never been in this context.
“I will not marry you, Loki,” Sif said. “Not only because I am still ascending the ranks.”
He processed this with his typical swiftness. “You fear a rumor of favoritism if you accept my proposal,” Loki said. Before Sif could answer, he said to her “I could abdicate my position, step down from all rights and powers due me as a prince of the realm.”
Sif watched him, waiting for the rest of it - There is always a rest of it. “You would?”
Loki nodded. “Thor has always been the one our father favors, even if he thinks none have noticed. My candidacy is thus far a mere formality in case something befalls Thor, and I believe we both know nothing can topple him.”
She let herself consider his offer, what he was proposing to do for her, for me. She then deflated her hopes with one fact: “You told me to be aware of appearances. How much further would your name drop mudwards if you abandoned everything to be the husband of an officer in your father’s army?” And even with you divorced from your title, the ties would still be there - there would still be those whispering of favoritism. And she could see that the same thought was crossing Loki’s mind as he clearly was grappling with this.
“Do you think I care about my name?” he asked her when he could speak again.
“If not your own, then have a care about mine,” Sif rebutted, and saw Loki react like she’d slapped him.
All he said was “Always.”
Thank you, but felt that those words either would fall injuriously on both their ears, would clatter uselessly to the ground, or something worse than either.
After a time, Loki said, “Then what do we do? Pray tell, my lady, what shall you instruct?”
“Say nothing,” Sif said. “What just transpired, keeps a secret. This interval stays between you and me. Never mention it, never allude to it, never hint at it in any way - and that goes for the both of us. We go on with our lives.”
Loki looked at her a long while before, finally, he nodded.
~~~
...
~~~
"What? There's nothing that says we can't babysit every now and again," Bruce said. "Not even SHIELD has policies against it." And it isn't like we're doing this for a stranger...technically. For a good friend of Tony's...for all that Tony sometimes makes us want to accidentally throw him across the Brooklyn Bridge.
"Have you checked?" Natasha couldn't resist asking.
"Okay, no, I haven't."
"I have," she said.
"And?"
"We're not violating any rules or regs," was the admission.
"Can I braid your hair?" Happy's niece asked Sif for what felt like the ninth time.
"Yes," Sif said for the seventh time.
And it was true. Everything was fine.
...right up to when Ariel was singing "how many secrets can one cavern hold." Then Sif sighed wearily and did her impression of humanity by slumping back into the couch.
Happy's niece giggled gladly, pleased that now there was even more hair within reach, and I shall braid it all.
___
~~~
“No,” Sif said, looking down at him.
Loki looked up at her, confused. I have heard the word before, but never in this context. Allowing for the fact I have never been in this context.
“I will not marry you, Loki,” Sif said. “Not only because I am still ascending the ranks.”
He processed this with his typical swiftness. “You fear a rumor of favoritism if you accept my proposal,” Loki said. Before Sif could answer, he said to her “I could abdicate my position, step down from all rights and powers due me as a prince of the realm.”
Sif watched him, waiting for the rest of it - There is always a rest of it. “You would?”
Loki nodded. “Thor has always been the one our father favors, even if he thinks none have noticed. My candidacy is thus far a mere formality in case something befalls Thor, and I believe we both know nothing can topple him.”
She let herself consider his offer, what he was proposing to do for her, for me. She then deflated her hopes with one fact: “You told me to be aware of appearances. How much further would your name drop mudwards if you abandoned everything to be the husband of an officer in your father’s army?” And even with you divorced from your title, the ties would still be there - there would still be those whispering of favoritism. And she could see that the same thought was crossing Loki’s mind as he clearly was grappling with this.
“Do you think I care about my name?” he asked her when he could speak again.
“If not your own, then have a care about mine,” Sif rebutted, and saw Loki react like she’d slapped him.
All he said was “Always.”
Thank you, but felt that those words either would fall injuriously on both their ears, would clatter uselessly to the ground, or something worse than either.
After a time, Loki said, “Then what do we do? Pray tell, my lady, what shall you instruct?”
“Say nothing,” Sif said. “What just transpired, keeps a secret. This interval stays between you and me. Never mention it, never allude to it, never hint at it in any way - and that goes for the both of us. We go on with our lives.”
Loki looked at her a long while before, finally, he nodded.
Present Day
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Bruce looked at where Sif was thumping her forehead against a (wall/table), and was thankful Happy had picked up the niece an hour ago.
Against all better judgement, and while hoping Natasha came back soon, Bruce went over by Sif and was about to ask her - he wasn't sure what exactly, if she was okay or if she wanted to talk...he hadn't worked up to that point before her nearer eye caught sight of him, and Bruce recognized the look in it: One part desperation, one part pure anger. Seen it in the mirror enough.
THUNK as Sif slammed her forehead against Banner's, which sent him into a sprawl on the floor.
"You don't want to do this. At the least, I don't want to do this," Bruce said, trying to hold the Other Guy in as long as possible. Can't get to a safe room in time. Aw hell, as Sif began to stand over him, and as the Other Guy took his turn wearing the pants in this body.
("Go on," Sif said.)
...
...
...
~~~
"Exile," Loki repeats. "You would go into exile with me?" and while there's a light in his eyes, a bit of his spine that straightens at this news; he wouldn't be Loki if he didn't point out the fly in the ointment: "You are sworn to defend Asgard and to obey Odin. I am of neither. So why would you do this?"
"You," Sif answers him, and its not the whole entire reason, but she feels she knows how he would react to 'in part, for you.'
"And now a visitor I did not entertain on the SHIELD helicarrier," Loki says as Banner walks over to his enclosure.
"I was a little occupied (at the time)."
(...)
"She's willing to do this," Bruce said.
"But not for the right reason or reasons," was Loki's reply.
As Bruce considered what might be the right reason - at least in Loki's eyes - Loki continued, "Think of yourself, how you shucked the bonds of society and the fetters of friendships. You slipped beyond love and trust. But remained herd-able to duty and request."
Bruce cracked a smile. "You're saying you've got an Other Guy too?"
"I am he."
"I suppose -"
"Rather, I became mine," Loki said. "Ask anyone in Asgard. Ask Sif."
(...)
"Did she tell you, Banner, the rules of exile?" Loki inquired. "Those who elect to depart with he who is punished, join him not simply in leaving; they join him in unreturnabilty."
"And you know that if she decides to leave Asgard, she'll come to hate you," Bruce said.
"She already does. A large seed if it has not already grown by now, which will strangle her like a fig."
Huh. First time I've ever heard anyone use a strangler fig tree as a metaphor. "So you've decided that, if she's going to hate you anyway, better its because you won't let her go (off) with you."
...
…
“Jotunns at least are said to have a form of honor, a grasp upon that core of civilization,” Sif said. “Far better than Asgard’s thoughts of Dwarves - (the/those) weft-brained brutes who anger when tricked, and deceit is the only way to deal with them in the first place.”
…
…
“Yes, Loki, I did have a plan when I took you from that temple at the close of the last War,” Odin said. “At first, I had thought to hold you hostage, ensuring Laufey’s behavior. But then y- Frigga and myself,” correcting himself to avoid Loki interrupting him, “we grew fond of you. My plan changed to raise you and teach you our ways, so that no matter how independent you became when I returned you to the throne of Jotunheim, you would rule it as an Asgardian.”
“And then something changed yet again?” Loki asked, near-mocking.
“Yes. My right hand returned to Asgard after a long absence. In his remaining hand was a small child gripping tightly.”
“I,” said Sif.
“You,” said Odin. “And I thought of how ideal a solution that would be.”
Sif frowned. “You thought it ideal…to have a Jotunn and a Dwarf…ruling Asgard?”
“I did. You underestimate yourselves, both of you. Your minds, your respective talents. Asgard would be secure for a hundred thousand years at least.”
“Because Jotunheim and Svartalfarheim would be laughing themselves to sleep the entire time,” Loki snarked.
“Or because they would think us sympathetic to their plights, Allfather?” Sif asked, her question just as much of a jab as Loki’s remark had been.
...
...
"Tony?" Pepper's voice came through the phone where Tony's hand had dropped to against the door. "Tony?"
"I'm here," Tony said, raising the phone back to his ear. "Pepper, the squirrel is back. And he brought a friend."
~~~
...{Sif and Natasha in Asgard}
"You may speak," Odin said.
Natasha had a feeling that Asgardians put their thrones on elevated platforms for the same reason humans did - either to deny petitioners eye contact or looking upon the royal person, or to force any petitioner to bend their neck to a vulnerable degree. And then she beheld Odin.
This is the man who crucified himself, Natasha thought, knowing the signs to look for, and seeing them. Who tore out his own eye. Who slept with nine women to have one son, though part of Natasha still suspected Sif and Thor had been pulling her leg when they had told her that about Heimdall's parentage.
She knew Tony Stark had no compunctions against using his wealth and resources to get any answers he wanted, no matter what barriers were placed in his path. Even unarmored, the man could be a steamroller when the mood struck him. (...)
She knew Nick Fury had the command of a vast, planetary network and did not, would not hesitate to use it when needed. He too was a steamroller - or an atom bomb - but he also knew how to be a broom or tweezers, when a more civil and careful approach was called for. (...)
Seeing Odin, she knew that he was at least the equal of those two men in sheer will and access. And while Thor had opened up about a number of things regarding Asgard, he was still tight-lipped about how few or how many of the old myths were true about Odin the Allfather.
Sif lowered herself onto one knee, while Natasha stayed standing.
"My lord, my king, the Most High, Allfather, Hanged One," Sif started, going down the list of his titles and names.
"No," Odin said.
Natasha thought, Then why allow her to speak? What's the point of letting her organize her thoughts if you're not going to -- unless that is the point. You read minds, do you? Though, she knew, there was another option: Prefer to save the multitude of names for more formal situations, do you?
"I had held a hope that you wished to speak of any other matter. But your answer is no, Sif. For I know you. And you could not stop in this task even if I ordered you to."
...
...
“No doubt your brother is pleased that he will become War when he is of age,” Sif said.
Loki’s smile this time was thoughtful with tinges of speculation as to what a thing could mean.
“Loki?” Sif asked, calling him on it.
“Oh you are correct, Sif. Thor would leap through time to that day if he knew how to. He does desire to be War. But he also wishes to lead a brave band of warriors on…what was that word the Midgardr humans used for their forays of exploration and raiding and trade?”
“To go a-viking,” she supplied, knowing perfectly well that Loki forgot nothing, ever.
“A-viking, yes, is what Thor would do with the remainder of his life, if he could.”
You, me, Thor, Fandral. “Is four people enough to go a-viking?”
“We could find out,” Loki offered.
...
~~~
...
~~~
“It is not that funny,” Sif grumbled.
“It is,” Hogun said, and Fandral nodded, barely repressing a grin himself.
“Remember that I know where you both sleep,” she warned them, not that it stopped them from finding humor in the situation. Just this once, I can understand the mortal desire for Wishful Thinking - that ‘if I do not look behind me, there will not be anyone following me.’
“We know,” Fandral said, “and soon they will as well. Or rather more specifically, they will know where you sleep.”
“I cannot find their parents,” Thor said, rejoining them at last. “Have you learned their names as yet?”
“Are they still behind me?” Sif asked.
“Of course. What troubles you, friend?”
“Being followed.” Or rather, being followed by something we’re not to defeat.
“They are only children,” Thor said, which just set Fandral and Hogun laughing.
“Children who have followed our friend Sif like hungry puppies,” Loki said, literally appearing from another direction.
Facing a wall of faces sympathetic to the mortals’ plight, Sif groaned and turned her head to look at the two children who had been following her for the past three days:
The sister was older by some small number of years, clutching her ratty-haired brother’s hand like a treasured prize one clung to for comfort when all else railed against you. The elder sibling was mousy-haired with threads of burnished copper and warm embers, while the younger sibling had only pale brown to his name, whatever it was.
“Why are all the hard decisions left to me?” Sif asked. “My being the only one sensible enough to know what we shouldn’t do, makes me the bad guy, the wicked giantess.”
“You are a good giantess,” Loki said.
“But still the giantess in this setting,” she grumbled. “While our good nobles exclaim how nice it would be to let this pair tag along for years. Though I notice none of you have suggested claiming them as your own.”
"I'd not be adverse to it," Fandral said, "even though I'm not the one they seem to like."
"Gudrun would be..." Volstagg started to say, and shook his head. "I cannot."
"Allergies," Hogun said.
"What of the Einherjar?" Loki asked. "They took you in."
Thor nodded. "And it is what they do, yes, taking the lost and cast-aside and broken of humans, and molding them into warriors. Though we are none of us Valkyries, we can still -"
“We can not take them to Asgard,” Sif said. “Not least of the reasons is that it is illegal. Even for a child of Odin."
Thor made a noise.
“She’s right, though, Thor,” Loki said. “Father’s first treaty with Laufey says that neither side can take hostages from Midgard - and not even the Jotunn War renders it moot. Simply unilateral.”
“They are not hostages, brother,” Thor said. “They are lost imps we can help.”
“Then help find them a family to take them in. Summon lightning and proclaim it a divine commandment, if it will help.”
Thor considered that.
“Or we could stay here,” Fandral suggested. “They aren’t hostages if they’re still on Midgard, am I right? What’s a decade or two between friends?”
“Let me make it clearer,” Sif told him, told all four of them; “I am not keeping them, be it on Asgard or on Midgard.”
“You fear becoming a housewife,” Hogun said, firing the arrow right in the proverbial hole.
“By showing up with two children in tow? Yes! It will be taken as a victory against me, that for all my skills, my place is at the hearth.”
“It is late,” Thor said, using a local idiom. “Let us find a place to rest. In the morning, we shall make one further attempt to find a place for the siblings, and if we cannot… we decide then and not before.”
The two children ran the short distance which had been between them and Sif, and wrapped their arms around her in a hug.
Sif looked down on them, wondering if they were enough like puppies to be bribed away to somewhere else…perhaps an earl’s residence, or at least the home of a carl; no reason to leave the pair with a poor couple or slaves. Then, out the corner of one eye, she noticed Loki was watching all of this. And the absence of commentary or remark on his part, it made her wary. “What?” she asked him.
“Nothing. I said nothing.”
“Precisely.”
Which just made Fandral laugh harder.
~
Sure enough, upon their return to Asgard, the lot of them were escorted straight to Odin’s throne room. Even the two human children.
“Who is responsible for this?” Odin asked. “Was it one of your number?”
Sif had barely opened her mouth to accept responsibility for it, when -
Loki stepped forward, arms outstretched as he said, “Father, while I can tell a lie, know that this is not one of them. I -“
“My good brother means well,” Thor said, stepping forward himself. “But it was I who thought to bring the siblings to Asgard with us.”
Hoenir save us all from the overchivalrous, Sif felt. “All-Seeing AllFather,” she said, “you know as well as I that it was me whom the children were following. Your sons refused to leave me behind on Midgard when it came time to decide.”
One corner of Odin’s mouth quirked up in a faint smile. “You each claim sole responsibility?” Odin asked them.
Nods from Sif, Loki, Thor, Fandral, and Hogun.
“Then there is only one solution.”
The five awaited what Odin would say.
“You must take them to Jotunheim.”
“What?” Loki asked.
“My King!” Fandral exclaimed.
“Father, why?” Thor asked.
Sif knelt.
“Because, my son,” Odin replied, standing at his throne, “when one says he will do something, it is incumbent upon him to keep his word.”
“They’re children,” was Loki’s objection, Thor echoing him.
Odin got a very sad look in his eye, and said, “A king’s role is not to make the easy choices.”
~~~
Another stellar birth, another evening party, Loki thought as he watched the feasting and dancing from the bench he had been quick to occupy when Thor’s friends left it. It might actually be notable if Yggdrasil weren’t festooned with the things already.
He had no idea that Sif had been wandering around to avoid being pulled into a dance, until she found herself standing behind Loki’s seat.
Given the festivities, the serving staff and drink-pourers had been dismissed to enjoy the evening with everyone else once the food and drink had been brought out.
Walking a straight line towards Loki was a younger boy called Hod, who was eating off one of the beast’s thighs as he walked.
Normally once Allmother and Allfather take whatever serving size they wish, nobody else can achieve such a well-sized piece, given appetites and cutting skills, Loki mused.
“One of the advantages of being me,” Hod said conversationally when he was near, though Loki couldn’t be sure Hod knew he was there, “is nobody tries to stop me at the serving tables,” and his lips were turned in what Loki knew from personal experience to be both amusement and disgust. “Might I sit here, my prince?”
“You do not fear being seen in my company?” Loki asked. Most are.
Hod snorted as he sat. “I could not be more invisible if I had a spell cloaking me, my prince. If I am spoken of at all, it is as Baldur’s brother, which invite comparisons which praise him.”
“Commiseration with me will earn you no favors with others,” Loki said, feeling that warning him was the right thing to do, even if Loki did appreciate the understanding.
Hod lifted the shank as if to prove his indifference.
“You may use knives and prefer them more than swords and spears, but at least you are trusted anywhere near a battlefield.” And, continuing, Hod told Loki “Believe me when I say that even without who your father is, you are a sight better marriage prospect than I am.”
“Only a sight better,” Loki replied in the same friendliness with which Hod had offered.
“And at the risk of ending this good mood and incurring your wrath, have you asked the Lady Sif to dance yet?”
’Lady’ is perhaps the one title she neither wants nor cares for. “She would not want to,” Loki said. “It would be an inconvenience for her to bother with me and my treading toes.”
Sif frowned. Let me decide that.
His voice surprised, Hod asked “You would refuse her?”
I have to hear this, Sif thought.
“I refuse nothing,” Loki said. “I simply am sure that she is finding her time this evening better spent in the company of those who are not me.”
“That was not what I asked,” Hod said.
“It was how I answered.”
Hod paused, then in a clear voice that only carried just far enough for this, “My Lady?”
Loki’s head jerked up, looking every which way…until he was looking right at Sif, which was a bit uncomfortable since she was standing a fair bit behind him.
Neither of them would ever agree on which of them had been first to bolt away like skittish colts.
~~~
~~~
Another stellar birth, another evening party, Loki thought as he watched the feasting and dancing from the bench he had been quick to occupy when Thor’s friends left it. It might actually be notable if Yggdrasil weren’t festooned with the things already.
He had no idea that Sif had been wandering around to avoid being pulled into a dance, until she found herself standing behind Loki’s seat.
Given the festivities, the serving staff and drink-pourers had been dismissed to enjoy the evening with everyone else once the food and drink had been brought out.
Walking a straight line towards Loki was a younger boy called Hod, who was eating off one of the beast’s thighs as he walked.
Normally once Allmother and Allfather take whatever serving size they wish, nobody else can achieve such a well-sized piece, given appetites and cutting skills, Loki mused.
“One of the advantages of being me,” Hod said conversationally when he was near, though Loki couldn’t be sure Hod knew he was there, “is nobody tries to stop me at the serving tables,” and his lips were turned in what Loki knew from personal experience to be both amusement and disgust. “Might I sit here, my prince?”
“You do not fear being seen in my company?” Loki asked. Most are.
Hod snorted as he sat. “I could not be more invisible if I had a spell cloaking me, my prince. If I am spoken of at all, it is as Baldur’s brother, which invite comparisons which praise him.”
“Commiseration with me will earn you no favors with others,” Loki said, feeling that warning him was the right thing to do, even if Loki did appreciate the understanding.
Hod lifted the shank as if to prove his indifference.
“You may use knives and prefer them more than swords and spears, but at least you are trusted anywhere near a battlefield.” And, continuing, Hod told Loki “Believe me when I say that even without who your father is, you are a sight better marriage prospect than I am.”
“Only a sight better,” Loki replied in the same friendliness with which Hod had offered.
“And at the risk of ending this good mood and incurring your wrath, have you asked the Lady Sif to dance yet?”
’Lady’ is perhaps the one title she neither wants nor cares for. “She would not want to,” Loki said. “It would be an inconvenience for her to bother with me and my treading toes.”
Sif frowned. Let me decide that.
His voice surprised, Hod asked “You would refuse her?”
I have to hear this, Sif thought.
“I refuse nothing,” Loki said. “I simply am sure that she is finding her time this evening better spent in the company of those who are not me.”
“That was not what I asked,” Hod said.
“It was how I answered.”
Hod paused, then in a clear voice that only carried just far enough for this, “My Lady?”
Loki’s head jerked up, looking every which way…until he was looking right at Sif, which was a bit uncomfortable since she was standing a fair bit behind him.
Neither of them would ever agree on which of them had been first to bolt away like skittish colts.
~~~
“No,” Sif said, looking down at him.
Loki looked up at her, confused. I have heard the word before, but never in this context. Allowing for the fact I have never been in this context.
“I will not marry you, Loki,” Sif said. “Not only because I am still ascending the ranks.”
He processed this with his typical swiftness. “You fear a rumor of favoritism if you accept my proposal,” Loki said. Before Sif could answer, he said to her “I could abdicate my position, step down from all rights and powers due me as a prince of the realm.”
Sif watched him, waiting for the rest of it - There is always a rest of it. “You would?”
Loki nodded. “Thor has always been the one our father favors, even if he thinks none have noticed. My candidacy is thus far a mere formality in case something befalls Thor, and I believe we both know nothing can topple him.”
She let herself consider his offer, what he was proposing to do for her, for me. She then deflated her hopes with one fact: “You told me to be aware of appearances. How much further would your name drop mudwards if you abandoned everything to be the husband of an officer in your father’s army?” And even with you divorced from your title, the ties would still be there - there would still be those whispering of favoritism. And she could see that the same thought was crossing Loki’s mind as he clearly was grappling with this.
“Do you think I care about my name?” he asked her when he could speak again.
“If not your own, then have a care about mine,” Sif rebutted, and saw Loki react like she’d slapped him.
All he said was “Always.”
Thank you, but felt that those words either would fall injuriously on both their ears, would clatter uselessly to the ground, or something worse than either.
After a time, Loki said, “Then what do we do? Pray tell, my lady, what shall you instruct?”
“Say nothing,” Sif said. “What just transpired, keeps a secret. This interval stays between you and me. Never mention it, never allude to it, never hint at it in any way - and that goes for the both of us. We go on with our lives.”
Loki looked at her a long while before, finally, he nodded.
~~~
...
~~~
"What? There's nothing that says we can't babysit every now and again," Bruce said. "Not even SHIELD has policies against it." And it isn't like we're doing this for a stranger...technically. For a good friend of Tony's...for all that Tony sometimes makes us want to accidentally throw him across the Brooklyn Bridge.
"Have you checked?" Natasha couldn't resist asking.
"Okay, no, I haven't."
"I have," she said.
"And?"
"We're not violating any rules or regs," was the admission.
"Can I braid your hair?" Happy's niece asked Sif for what felt like the ninth time.
"Yes," Sif said for the seventh time.
And it was true. Everything was fine.
...right up to when Ariel was singing "how many secrets can one cavern hold." Then Sif sighed wearily and did her impression of humanity by slumping back into the couch.
Happy's niece giggled gladly, pleased that now there was even more hair within reach, and I shall braid it all.
___
~~~
“No,” Sif said, looking down at him.
Loki looked up at her, confused. I have heard the word before, but never in this context. Allowing for the fact I have never been in this context.
“I will not marry you, Loki,” Sif said. “Not only because I am still ascending the ranks.”
He processed this with his typical swiftness. “You fear a rumor of favoritism if you accept my proposal,” Loki said. Before Sif could answer, he said to her “I could abdicate my position, step down from all rights and powers due me as a prince of the realm.”
Sif watched him, waiting for the rest of it - There is always a rest of it. “You would?”
Loki nodded. “Thor has always been the one our father favors, even if he thinks none have noticed. My candidacy is thus far a mere formality in case something befalls Thor, and I believe we both know nothing can topple him.”
She let herself consider his offer, what he was proposing to do for her, for me. She then deflated her hopes with one fact: “You told me to be aware of appearances. How much further would your name drop mudwards if you abandoned everything to be the husband of an officer in your father’s army?” And even with you divorced from your title, the ties would still be there - there would still be those whispering of favoritism. And she could see that the same thought was crossing Loki’s mind as he clearly was grappling with this.
“Do you think I care about my name?” he asked her when he could speak again.
“If not your own, then have a care about mine,” Sif rebutted, and saw Loki react like she’d slapped him.
All he said was “Always.”
Thank you, but felt that those words either would fall injuriously on both their ears, would clatter uselessly to the ground, or something worse than either.
After a time, Loki said, “Then what do we do? Pray tell, my lady, what shall you instruct?”
“Say nothing,” Sif said. “What just transpired, keeps a secret. This interval stays between you and me. Never mention it, never allude to it, never hint at it in any way - and that goes for the both of us. We go on with our lives.”
Loki looked at her a long while before, finally, he nodded.
Present Day
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Bruce looked at where Sif was thumping her forehead against a (wall/table), and was thankful Happy had picked up the niece an hour ago.
Against all better judgement, and while hoping Natasha came back soon, Bruce went over by Sif and was about to ask her - he wasn't sure what exactly, if she was okay or if she wanted to talk...he hadn't worked up to that point before her nearer eye caught sight of him, and Bruce recognized the look in it: One part desperation, one part pure anger. Seen it in the mirror enough.
THUNK as Sif slammed her forehead against Banner's, which sent him into a sprawl on the floor.
"You don't want to do this. At the least, I don't want to do this," Bruce said, trying to hold the Other Guy in as long as possible. Can't get to a safe room in time. Aw hell, as Sif began to stand over him, and as the Other Guy took his turn wearing the pants in this body.
("Go on," Sif said.)
...
...
...
~~~
"Exile," Loki repeats. "You would go into exile with me?" and while there's a light in his eyes, a bit of his spine that straightens at this news; he wouldn't be Loki if he didn't point out the fly in the ointment: "You are sworn to defend Asgard and to obey Odin. I am of neither. So why would you do this?"
"You," Sif answers him, and its not the whole entire reason, but she feels she knows how he would react to 'in part, for you.'
"And now a visitor I did not entertain on the SHIELD helicarrier," Loki says as Banner walks over to his enclosure.
"I was a little occupied (at the time)."
(...)
"She's willing to do this," Bruce said.
"But not for the right reason or reasons," was Loki's reply.
As Bruce considered what might be the right reason - at least in Loki's eyes - Loki continued, "Think of yourself, how you shucked the bonds of society and the fetters of friendships. You slipped beyond love and trust. But remained herd-able to duty and request."
Bruce cracked a smile. "You're saying you've got an Other Guy too?"
"I am he."
"I suppose -"
"Rather, I became mine," Loki said. "Ask anyone in Asgard. Ask Sif."
(...)
"Did she tell you, Banner, the rules of exile?" Loki inquired. "Those who elect to depart with he who is punished, join him not simply in leaving; they join him in unreturnabilty."
"And you know that if she decides to leave Asgard, she'll come to hate you," Bruce said.
"She already does. A large seed if it has not already grown by now, which will strangle her like a fig."
Huh. First time I've ever heard anyone use a strangler fig tree as a metaphor. "So you've decided that, if she's going to hate you anyway, better its because you won't let her go (off) with you."
...
…
“Jotunns at least are said to have a form of honor, a grasp upon that core of civilization,” Sif said. “Far better than Asgard’s thoughts of Dwarves - (the/those) weft-brained brutes who anger when tricked, and deceit is the only way to deal with them in the first place.”
…
…
“Yes, Loki, I did have a plan when I took you from that temple at the close of the last War,” Odin said. “At first, I had thought to hold you hostage, ensuring Laufey’s behavior. But then y- Frigga and myself,” correcting himself to avoid Loki interrupting him, “we grew fond of you. My plan changed to raise you and teach you our ways, so that no matter how independent you became when I returned you to the throne of Jotunheim, you would rule it as an Asgardian.”
“And then something changed yet again?” Loki asked, near-mocking.
“Yes. My right hand returned to Asgard after a long absence. In his remaining hand was a small child gripping tightly.”
“I,” said Sif.
“You,” said Odin. “And I thought of how ideal a solution that would be.”
Sif frowned. “You thought it ideal…to have a Jotunn and a Dwarf…ruling Asgard?”
“I did. You underestimate yourselves, both of you. Your minds, your respective talents. Asgard would be secure for a hundred thousand years at least.”
“Because Jotunheim and Svartalfarheim would be laughing themselves to sleep the entire time,” Loki snarked.
“Or because they would think us sympathetic to their plights, Allfather?” Sif asked, her question just as much of a jab as Loki’s remark had been.
...
...
"Tony?" Pepper's voice came through the phone where Tony's hand had dropped to against the door. "Tony?"
"I'm here," Tony said, raising the phone back to his ear. "Pepper, the squirrel is back. And he brought a friend."
part 1a is here.
part 1b is here.
part two is here.
...
...
“No doubt your brother is pleased that he will become War when he is of age,” Sif said.
Loki’s smile this time was thoughtful with tinges of speculation as to what a thing could mean.
“Loki?” Sif asked, calling him on it.
“Oh you are correct, Sif. Thor would leap through time to that day if he knew how to. He does desire to be War. But he also wishes to lead a brave band of warriors on…what was that word the Midgardr humans used for their forays of exploration and raiding and trade?”
“To go a-viking,” she supplied, knowing perfectly well that Loki forgot nothing, ever.
“A-viking, yes, is what Thor would do with the remainder of his life, if he could.”
You, me, Thor, Fandral. “Is four people enough to go a-viking?”
“We could find out,” Loki offered.
...
~~~
...
~~~
“It is not that funny,” Sif grumbled.
“It is,” Hogun said, and Fandral nodded, barely repressing a grin himself.
“Remember that I know where you both sleep,” she warned them, not that it stopped them from finding humor in the situation. Just this once, I can understand the mortal desire for Wishful Thinking - that ‘if I do not look behind me, there will not be anyone following me.’
“We know,” Fandral said, “and soon they will as well. Or rather more specifically, they will know where you sleep.”
“I cannot find their parents,” Thor said, rejoining them at last. “Have you learned their names as yet?”
“Are they still behind me?” Sif asked.
“Of course. What troubles you, friend?”
“Being followed.” Or rather, being followed by something we’re not to defeat.
“They are only children,” Thor said, which just set Fandral and Hogun laughing.
“Children who have followed our friend Sif like hungry puppies,” Loki said, literally appearing from another direction.
Facing a wall of faces sympathetic to the mortals’ plight, Sif groaned and turned her head to look at the two children who had been following her for the past three days:
The sister was older by some small number of years, clutching her ratty-haired brother’s hand like a treasured prize one clung to for comfort when all else railed against you. The elder sibling was mousy-haired with threads of burnished copper and warm embers, while the younger sibling had only pale brown to his name, whatever it was.
“Why are all the hard decisions left to me?” Sif asked. “My being the only one sensible enough to know what we shouldn’t do, makes me the bad guy, the wicked giantess.”
“You are a good giantess,” Loki said.
“But still the giantess in this setting,” she grumbled. “While our good nobles exclaim how nice it would be to let this pair tag along for years. Though I notice none of you have suggested claiming them as your own.”
"I'd not be adverse to it," Fandral said, "even though I'm not the one they seem to like."
"Gudrun would be..." Volstagg started to say, and shook his head. "I cannot."
"Allergies," Hogun said.
"What of the Einherjar?" Loki asked. "They took you in."
Thor nodded. "And it is what they do, yes, taking the lost and cast-aside and broken of humans, and molding them into warriors. Though we are none of us Valkyries, we can still -"
“We can not take them to Asgard,” Sif said. “Not least of the reasons is that it is illegal. Even for a child of Odin."
Thor made a noise.
“She’s right, though, Thor,” Loki said. “Father’s first treaty with Laufey says that neither side can take hostages from Midgard - and not even the Jotunn War renders it moot. Simply unilateral.”
“They are not hostages, brother,” Thor said. “They are lost imps we can help.”
“Then help find them a family to take them in. Summon lightning and proclaim it a divine commandment, if it will help.”
Thor considered that.
“Or we could stay here,” Fandral suggested. “They aren’t hostages if they’re still on Midgard, am I right? What’s a decade or two between friends?”
“Let me make it clearer,” Sif told him, told all four of them; “I am not keeping them, be it on Asgard or on Midgard.”
“You fear becoming a housewife,” Hogun said, firing the arrow right in the proverbial hole.
“By showing up with two children in tow? Yes! It will be taken as a victory against me, that for all my skills, my place is at the hearth.”
“It is late,” Thor said, using a local idiom. “Let us find a place to rest. In the morning, we shall make one further attempt to find a place for the siblings, and if we cannot… we decide then and not before.”
The two children ran the short distance which had been between them and Sif, and wrapped their arms around her in a hug.
Sif looked down on them, wondering if they were enough like puppies to be bribed away to somewhere else…perhaps an earl’s residence, or at least the home of a carl; no reason to leave the pair with a poor couple or slaves. Then, out the corner of one eye, she noticed Loki was watching all of this. And the absence of commentary or remark on his part, it made her wary. “What?” she asked him.
“Nothing. I said nothing.”
“Precisely.”
Which just made Fandral laugh harder.
~
Sure enough, upon their return to Asgard, the lot of them were escorted straight to Odin’s throne room. Even the two human children.
“Who is responsible for this?” Odin asked. “Was it one of your number?”
Sif had barely opened her mouth to accept responsibility for it, when -
Loki stepped forward, arms outstretched as he said, “Father, while I can tell a lie, know that this is not one of them. I -“
“My good brother means well,” Thor said, stepping forward himself. “But it was I who thought to bring the siblings to Asgard with us.”
Hoenir save us all from the overchivalrous, Sif felt. “All-Seeing AllFather,” she said, “you know as well as I that it was me whom the children were following. Your sons refused to leave me behind on Midgard when it came time to decide.”
One corner of Odin’s mouth quirked up in a faint smile. “You each claim sole responsibility?” Odin asked them.
Nods from Sif, Loki, Thor, Fandral, and Hogun.
“Then there is only one solution.”
The five awaited what Odin would say.
“You must take them to Jotunheim.”
“What?” Loki asked.
“My King!” Fandral exclaimed.
“Father, why?” Thor asked.
Sif knelt.
“Because, my son,” Odin replied, standing at his throne, “when one says he will do something, it is incumbent upon him to keep his word.”
“They’re children,” was Loki’s objection, Thor echoing him.
Odin got a very sad look in his eye, and said, “A king’s role is not to make the easy choices.”
~~~
Another stellar birth, another evening party, Loki thought as he watched the feasting and dancing from the bench he had been quick to occupy when Thor’s friends left it. It might actually be notable if Yggdrasil weren’t festooned with the things already.
He had no idea that Sif had been wandering around to avoid being pulled into a dance, until she found herself standing behind Loki’s seat.
Given the festivities, the serving staff and drink-pourers had been dismissed to enjoy the evening with everyone else once the food and drink had been brought out.
Walking a straight line towards Loki was a younger boy called Hod, who was eating off one of the beast’s thighs as he walked.
Normally once Allmother and Allfather take whatever serving size they wish, nobody else can achieve such a well-sized piece, given appetites and cutting skills, Loki mused.
“One of the advantages of being me,” Hod said conversationally when he was near, though Loki couldn’t be sure Hod knew he was there, “is nobody tries to stop me at the serving tables,” and his lips were turned in what Loki knew from personal experience to be both amusement and disgust. “Might I sit here, my prince?”
“You do not fear being seen in my company?” Loki asked. Most are.
Hod snorted as he sat. “I could not be more invisible if I had a spell cloaking me, my prince. If I am spoken of at all, it is as Baldur’s brother, which invite comparisons which praise him.”
“Commiseration with me will earn you no favors with others,” Loki said, feeling that warning him was the right thing to do, even if Loki did appreciate the understanding.
Hod lifted the shank as if to prove his indifference.
“You may use knives and prefer them more than swords and spears, but at least you are trusted anywhere near a battlefield.” And, continuing, Hod told Loki “Believe me when I say that even without who your father is, you are a sight better marriage prospect than I am.”
“Only a sight better,” Loki replied in the same friendliness with which Hod had offered.
“And at the risk of ending this good mood and incurring your wrath, have you asked the Lady Sif to dance yet?”
’Lady’ is perhaps the one title she neither wants nor cares for. “She would not want to,” Loki said. “It would be an inconvenience for her to bother with me and my treading toes.”
Sif frowned. Let me decide that.
His voice surprised, Hod asked “You would refuse her?”
I have to hear this, Sif thought.
“I refuse nothing,” Loki said. “I simply am sure that she is finding her time this evening better spent in the company of those who are not me.”
“That was not what I asked,” Hod said.
“It was how I answered.”
Hod paused, then in a clear voice that only carried just far enough for this, “My Lady?”
Loki’s head jerked up, looking every which way…until he was looking right at Sif, which was a bit uncomfortable since she was standing a fair bit behind him.
Neither of them would ever agree on which of them had been first to bolt away like skittish colts.
~~~
~~~
Another stellar birth, another evening party, Loki thought as he watched the feasting and dancing from the bench he had been quick to occupy when Thor’s friends left it. It might actually be notable if Yggdrasil weren’t festooned with the things already.
He had no idea that Sif had been wandering around to avoid being pulled into a dance, until she found herself standing behind Loki’s seat.
Given the festivities, the serving staff and drink-pourers had been dismissed to enjoy the evening with everyone else once the food and drink had been brought out.
Walking a straight line towards Loki was a younger boy called Hod, who was eating off one of the beast’s thighs as he walked.
Normally once Allmother and Allfather take whatever serving size they wish, nobody else can achieve such a well-sized piece, given appetites and cutting skills, Loki mused.
“One of the advantages of being me,” Hod said conversationally when he was near, though Loki couldn’t be sure Hod knew he was there, “is nobody tries to stop me at the serving tables,” and his lips were turned in what Loki knew from personal experience to be both amusement and disgust. “Might I sit here, my prince?”
“You do not fear being seen in my company?” Loki asked. Most are.
Hod snorted as he sat. “I could not be more invisible if I had a spell cloaking me, my prince. If I am spoken of at all, it is as Baldur’s brother, which invite comparisons which praise him.”
“Commiseration with me will earn you no favors with others,” Loki said, feeling that warning him was the right thing to do, even if Loki did appreciate the understanding.
Hod lifted the shank as if to prove his indifference.
“You may use knives and prefer them more than swords and spears, but at least you are trusted anywhere near a battlefield.” And, continuing, Hod told Loki “Believe me when I say that even without who your father is, you are a sight better marriage prospect than I am.”
“Only a sight better,” Loki replied in the same friendliness with which Hod had offered.
“And at the risk of ending this good mood and incurring your wrath, have you asked the Lady Sif to dance yet?”
’Lady’ is perhaps the one title she neither wants nor cares for. “She would not want to,” Loki said. “It would be an inconvenience for her to bother with me and my treading toes.”
Sif frowned. Let me decide that.
His voice surprised, Hod asked “You would refuse her?”
I have to hear this, Sif thought.
“I refuse nothing,” Loki said. “I simply am sure that she is finding her time this evening better spent in the company of those who are not me.”
“That was not what I asked,” Hod said.
“It was how I answered.”
Hod paused, then in a clear voice that only carried just far enough for this, “My Lady?”
Loki’s head jerked up, looking every which way…until he was looking right at Sif, which was a bit uncomfortable since she was standing a fair bit behind him.
Neither of them would ever agree on which of them had been first to bolt away like skittish colts.
~~~
“No,” Sif said, looking down at him.
Loki looked up at her, confused. I have heard the word before, but never in this context. Allowing for the fact I have never been in this context.
“I will not marry you, Loki,” Sif said. “Not only because I am still ascending the ranks.”
He processed this with his typical swiftness. “You fear a rumor of favoritism if you accept my proposal,” Loki said. Before Sif could answer, he said to her “I could abdicate my position, step down from all rights and powers due me as a prince of the realm.”
Sif watched him, waiting for the rest of it - There is always a rest of it. “You would?”
Loki nodded. “Thor has always been the one our father favors, even if he thinks none have noticed. My candidacy is thus far a mere formality in case something befalls Thor, and I believe we both know nothing can topple him.”
She let herself consider his offer, what he was proposing to do for her, for me. She then deflated her hopes with one fact: “You told me to be aware of appearances. How much further would your name drop mudwards if you abandoned everything to be the husband of an officer in your father’s army?” And even with you divorced from your title, the ties would still be there - there would still be those whispering of favoritism. And she could see that the same thought was crossing Loki’s mind as he clearly was grappling with this.
“Do you think I care about my name?” he asked her when he could speak again.
“If not your own, then have a care about mine,” Sif rebutted, and saw Loki react like she’d slapped him.
All he said was “Always.”
Thank you, but felt that those words either would fall injuriously on both their ears, would clatter uselessly to the ground, or something worse than either.
After a time, Loki said, “Then what do we do? Pray tell, my lady, what shall you instruct?”
“Say nothing,” Sif said. “What just transpired, keeps a secret. This interval stays between you and me. Never mention it, never allude to it, never hint at it in any way - and that goes for the both of us. We go on with our lives.”
Loki looked at her a long while before, finally, he nodded.
~~~
...
~~~
"What? There's nothing that says we can't babysit every now and again," Bruce said. "Not even SHIELD has policies against it." And it isn't like we're doing this for a stranger...technically. For a good friend of Tony's...for all that Tony sometimes makes us want to accidentally throw him across the Brooklyn Bridge.
"Have you checked?" Natasha couldn't resist asking.
"Okay, no, I haven't."
"I have," she said.
"And?"
"We're not violating any rules or regs," was the admission.
"Can I braid your hair?" Happy's niece asked Sif for what felt like the ninth time.
"Yes," Sif said for the seventh time.
And it was true. Everything was fine.
...right up to when Ariel was singing "how many secrets can one cavern hold." Then Sif sighed wearily and did her impression of humanity by slumping back into the couch.
Happy's niece giggled gladly, pleased that now there was even more hair within reach, and I shall braid it all.
___
~~~
“No,” Sif said, looking down at him.
Loki looked up at her, confused. I have heard the word before, but never in this context. Allowing for the fact I have never been in this context.
“I will not marry you, Loki,” Sif said. “Not only because I am still ascending the ranks.”
He processed this with his typical swiftness. “You fear a rumor of favoritism if you accept my proposal,” Loki said. Before Sif could answer, he said to her “I could abdicate my position, step down from all rights and powers due me as a prince of the realm.”
Sif watched him, waiting for the rest of it - There is always a rest of it. “You would?”
Loki nodded. “Thor has always been the one our father favors, even if he thinks none have noticed. My candidacy is thus far a mere formality in case something befalls Thor, and I believe we both know nothing can topple him.”
She let herself consider his offer, what he was proposing to do for her, for me. She then deflated her hopes with one fact: “You told me to be aware of appearances. How much further would your name drop mudwards if you abandoned everything to be the husband of an officer in your father’s army?” And even with you divorced from your title, the ties would still be there - there would still be those whispering of favoritism. And she could see that the same thought was crossing Loki’s mind as he clearly was grappling with this.
“Do you think I care about my name?” he asked her when he could speak again.
“If not your own, then have a care about mine,” Sif rebutted, and saw Loki react like she’d slapped him.
All he said was “Always.”
Thank you, but felt that those words either would fall injuriously on both their ears, would clatter uselessly to the ground, or something worse than either.
After a time, Loki said, “Then what do we do? Pray tell, my lady, what shall you instruct?”
“Say nothing,” Sif said. “What just transpired, keeps a secret. This interval stays between you and me. Never mention it, never allude to it, never hint at it in any way - and that goes for the both of us. We go on with our lives.”
Loki looked at her a long while before, finally, he nodded.
Present Day
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Bruce looked at where Sif was thumping her forehead against a (wall/table), and was thankful Happy had picked up the niece an hour ago.
Against all better judgement, and while hoping Natasha came back soon, Bruce went over by Sif and was about to ask her - he wasn't sure what exactly, if she was okay or if she wanted to talk...he hadn't worked up to that point before her nearer eye caught sight of him, and Bruce recognized the look in it: One part desperation, one part pure anger. Seen it in the mirror enough.
THUNK as Sif slammed her forehead against Banner's, which sent him into a sprawl on the floor.
"You don't want to do this. At the least, I don't want to do this," Bruce said, trying to hold the Other Guy in as long as possible. Can't get to a safe room in time. Aw hell, as Sif began to stand over him, and as the Other Guy took his turn wearing the pants in this body.
("Go on," Sif said.)
...
...
...
~~~
"Exile," Loki repeats. "You would go into exile with me?" and while there's a light in his eyes, a bit of his spine that straightens at this news; he wouldn't be Loki if he didn't point out the fly in the ointment: "You are sworn to defend Asgard and to obey Odin. I am of neither. So why would you do this?"
"You," Sif answers him, and its not the whole entire reason, but she feels she knows how he would react to 'in part, for you.'
"And now a visitor I did not entertain on the SHIELD helicarrier," Loki says as Banner walks over to his enclosure.
"I was a little occupied (at the time)."
(...)
"She's willing to do this," Bruce said.
"But not for the right reason or reasons," was Loki's reply.
As Bruce considered what might be the right reason - at least in Loki's eyes - Loki continued, "Think of yourself, how you shucked the bonds of society and the fetters of friendships. You slipped beyond love and trust. But remained herd-able to duty and request."
Bruce cracked a smile. "You're saying you've got an Other Guy too?"
"I am he."
"I suppose -"
"Rather, I became mine," Loki said. "Ask anyone in Asgard. Ask Sif."
(...)
"Did she tell you, Banner, the rules of exile?" Loki inquired. "Those who elect to depart with he who is punished, join him not simply in leaving; they join him in unreturnabilty."
"And you know that if she decides to leave Asgard, she'll come to hate you," Bruce said.
"She already does. A large seed if it has not already grown by now, which will strangle her like a fig."
Huh. First time I've ever heard anyone use a strangler fig tree as a metaphor. "So you've decided that, if she's going to hate you anyway, better its because you won't let her go (off) with you."
...
…
“Jotunns at least are said to have a form of honor, a grasp upon that core of civilization,” Sif said. “Far better than Asgard’s thoughts of Dwarves - (the/those) weft-brained brutes who anger when tricked, and deceit is the only way to deal with them in the first place.”
…
…
“Yes, Loki, I did have a plan when I took you from that temple at the close of the last War,” Odin said. “At first, I had thought to hold you hostage, ensuring Laufey’s behavior. But then y- Frigga and myself,” correcting himself to avoid Loki interrupting him, “we grew fond of you. My plan changed to raise you and teach you our ways, so that no matter how independent you became when I returned you to the throne of Jotunheim, you would rule it as an Asgardian.”
“And then something changed yet again?” Loki asked, near-mocking.
“Yes. My right hand returned to Asgard after a long absence. In his remaining hand was a small child gripping tightly.”
“I,” said Sif.
“You,” said Odin. “And I thought of how ideal a solution that would be.”
Sif frowned. “You thought it ideal…to have a Jotunn and a Dwarf…ruling Asgard?”
“I did. You underestimate yourselves, both of you. Your minds, your respective talents. Asgard would be secure for a hundred thousand years at least.”
“Because Jotunheim and Svartalfarheim would be laughing themselves to sleep the entire time,” Loki snarked.
“Or because they would think us sympathetic to their plights, Allfather?” Sif asked, her question just as much of a jab as Loki’s remark had been.
...
...
"Tony?" Pepper's voice came through the phone where Tony's hand had dropped to against the door. "Tony?"
"I'm here," Tony said, raising the phone back to his ear. "Pepper, the squirrel is back. And he brought a friend."
~~~
...{Sif and Natasha in Asgard}
"You may speak," Odin said.
Natasha had a feeling that Asgardians put their thrones on elevated platforms for the same reason humans did - either to deny petitioners eye contact or looking upon the royal person, or to force any petitioner to bend their neck to a vulnerable degree. And then she beheld Odin.
This is the man who crucified himself, Natasha thought, knowing the signs to look for, and seeing them. Who tore out his own eye. Who slept with nine women to have one son, though part of Natasha still suspected Sif and Thor had been pulling her leg when they had told her that about Heimdall's parentage.
She knew Tony Stark had no compunctions against using his wealth and resources to get any answers he wanted, no matter what barriers were placed in his path. Even unarmored, the man could be a steamroller when the mood struck him. (...)
She knew Nick Fury had the command of a vast, planetary network and did not, would not hesitate to use it when needed. He too was a steamroller - or an atom bomb - but he also knew how to be a broom or tweezers, when a more civil and careful approach was called for. (...)
Seeing Odin, she knew that he was at least the equal of those two men in sheer will and access. And while Thor had opened up about a number of things regarding Asgard, he was still tight-lipped about how few or how many of the old myths were true about Odin the Allfather.
Sif lowered herself onto one knee, while Natasha stayed standing.
"My lord, my king, the Most High, Allfather, Hanged One," Sif started, going down the list of his titles and names.
"No," Odin said.
Natasha thought, Then why allow her to speak? What's the point of letting her organize her thoughts if you're not going to -- unless that is the point. You read minds, do you? Though, she knew, there was another option: Prefer to save the multitude of names for more formal situations, do you?
"I had held a hope that you wished to speak of any other matter. But your answer is no, Sif. For I know you. And you could not stop in this task even if I ordered you to."
...
...
“No doubt your brother is pleased that he will become War when he is of age,” Sif said.
Loki’s smile this time was thoughtful with tinges of speculation as to what a thing could mean.
“Loki?” Sif asked, calling him on it.
“Oh you are correct, Sif. Thor would leap through time to that day if he knew how to. He does desire to be War. But he also wishes to lead a brave band of warriors on…what was that word the Midgardr humans used for their forays of exploration and raiding and trade?”
“To go a-viking,” she supplied, knowing perfectly well that Loki forgot nothing, ever.
“A-viking, yes, is what Thor would do with the remainder of his life, if he could.”
You, me, Thor, Fandral. “Is four people enough to go a-viking?”
“We could find out,” Loki offered.
...
~~~
...
~~~
“It is not that funny,” Sif grumbled.
“It is,” Hogun said, and Fandral nodded, barely repressing a grin himself.
“Remember that I know where you both sleep,” she warned them, not that it stopped them from finding humor in the situation. Just this once, I can understand the mortal desire for Wishful Thinking - that ‘if I do not look behind me, there will not be anyone following me.’
“We know,” Fandral said, “and soon they will as well. Or rather more specifically, they will know where you sleep.”
“I cannot find their parents,” Thor said, rejoining them at last. “Have you learned their names as yet?”
“Are they still behind me?” Sif asked.
“Of course. What troubles you, friend?”
“Being followed.” Or rather, being followed by something we’re not to defeat.
“They are only children,” Thor said, which just set Fandral and Hogun laughing.
“Children who have followed our friend Sif like hungry puppies,” Loki said, literally appearing from another direction.
Facing a wall of faces sympathetic to the mortals’ plight, Sif groaned and turned her head to look at the two children who had been following her for the past three days:
The sister was older by some small number of years, clutching her ratty-haired brother’s hand like a treasured prize one clung to for comfort when all else railed against you. The elder sibling was mousy-haired with threads of burnished copper and warm embers, while the younger sibling had only pale brown to his name, whatever it was.
“Why are all the hard decisions left to me?” Sif asked. “My being the only one sensible enough to know what we shouldn’t do, makes me the bad guy, the wicked giantess.”
“You are a good giantess,” Loki said.
“But still the giantess in this setting,” she grumbled. “While our good nobles exclaim how nice it would be to let this pair tag along for years. Though I notice none of you have suggested claiming them as your own.”
"I'd not be adverse to it," Fandral said, "even though I'm not the one they seem to like."
"Gudrun would be..." Volstagg started to say, and shook his head. "I cannot."
"Allergies," Hogun said.
"What of the Einherjar?" Loki asked. "They took you in."
Thor nodded. "And it is what they do, yes, taking the lost and cast-aside and broken of humans, and molding them into warriors. Though we are none of us Valkyries, we can still -"
“We can not take them to Asgard,” Sif said. “Not least of the reasons is that it is illegal. Even for a child of Odin."
Thor made a noise.
“She’s right, though, Thor,” Loki said. “Father’s first treaty with Laufey says that neither side can take hostages from Midgard - and not even the Jotunn War renders it moot. Simply unilateral.”
“They are not hostages, brother,” Thor said. “They are lost imps we can help.”
“Then help find them a family to take them in. Summon lightning and proclaim it a divine commandment, if it will help.”
Thor considered that.
“Or we could stay here,” Fandral suggested. “They aren’t hostages if they’re still on Midgard, am I right? What’s a decade or two between friends?”
“Let me make it clearer,” Sif told him, told all four of them; “I am not keeping them, be it on Asgard or on Midgard.”
“You fear becoming a housewife,” Hogun said, firing the arrow right in the proverbial hole.
“By showing up with two children in tow? Yes! It will be taken as a victory against me, that for all my skills, my place is at the hearth.”
“It is late,” Thor said, using a local idiom. “Let us find a place to rest. In the morning, we shall make one further attempt to find a place for the siblings, and if we cannot… we decide then and not before.”
The two children ran the short distance which had been between them and Sif, and wrapped their arms around her in a hug.
Sif looked down on them, wondering if they were enough like puppies to be bribed away to somewhere else…perhaps an earl’s residence, or at least the home of a carl; no reason to leave the pair with a poor couple or slaves. Then, out the corner of one eye, she noticed Loki was watching all of this. And the absence of commentary or remark on his part, it made her wary. “What?” she asked him.
“Nothing. I said nothing.”
“Precisely.”
Which just made Fandral laugh harder.
~
Sure enough, upon their return to Asgard, the lot of them were escorted straight to Odin’s throne room. Even the two human children.
“Who is responsible for this?” Odin asked. “Was it one of your number?”
Sif had barely opened her mouth to accept responsibility for it, when -
Loki stepped forward, arms outstretched as he said, “Father, while I can tell a lie, know that this is not one of them. I -“
“My good brother means well,” Thor said, stepping forward himself. “But it was I who thought to bring the siblings to Asgard with us.”
Hoenir save us all from the overchivalrous, Sif felt. “All-Seeing AllFather,” she said, “you know as well as I that it was me whom the children were following. Your sons refused to leave me behind on Midgard when it came time to decide.”
One corner of Odin’s mouth quirked up in a faint smile. “You each claim sole responsibility?” Odin asked them.
Nods from Sif, Loki, Thor, Fandral, and Hogun.
“Then there is only one solution.”
The five awaited what Odin would say.
“You must take them to Jotunheim.”
“What?” Loki asked.
“My King!” Fandral exclaimed.
“Father, why?” Thor asked.
Sif knelt.
“Because, my son,” Odin replied, standing at his throne, “when one says he will do something, it is incumbent upon him to keep his word.”
“They’re children,” was Loki’s objection, Thor echoing him.
Odin got a very sad look in his eye, and said, “A king’s role is not to make the easy choices.”
~~~
Another stellar birth, another evening party, Loki thought as he watched the feasting and dancing from the bench he had been quick to occupy when Thor’s friends left it. It might actually be notable if Yggdrasil weren’t festooned with the things already.
He had no idea that Sif had been wandering around to avoid being pulled into a dance, until she found herself standing behind Loki’s seat.
Given the festivities, the serving staff and drink-pourers had been dismissed to enjoy the evening with everyone else once the food and drink had been brought out.
Walking a straight line towards Loki was a younger boy called Hod, who was eating off one of the beast’s thighs as he walked.
Normally once Allmother and Allfather take whatever serving size they wish, nobody else can achieve such a well-sized piece, given appetites and cutting skills, Loki mused.
“One of the advantages of being me,” Hod said conversationally when he was near, though Loki couldn’t be sure Hod knew he was there, “is nobody tries to stop me at the serving tables,” and his lips were turned in what Loki knew from personal experience to be both amusement and disgust. “Might I sit here, my prince?”
“You do not fear being seen in my company?” Loki asked. Most are.
Hod snorted as he sat. “I could not be more invisible if I had a spell cloaking me, my prince. If I am spoken of at all, it is as Baldur’s brother, which invite comparisons which praise him.”
“Commiseration with me will earn you no favors with others,” Loki said, feeling that warning him was the right thing to do, even if Loki did appreciate the understanding.
Hod lifted the shank as if to prove his indifference.
“You may use knives and prefer them more than swords and spears, but at least you are trusted anywhere near a battlefield.” And, continuing, Hod told Loki “Believe me when I say that even without who your father is, you are a sight better marriage prospect than I am.”
“Only a sight better,” Loki replied in the same friendliness with which Hod had offered.
“And at the risk of ending this good mood and incurring your wrath, have you asked the Lady Sif to dance yet?”
’Lady’ is perhaps the one title she neither wants nor cares for. “She would not want to,” Loki said. “It would be an inconvenience for her to bother with me and my treading toes.”
Sif frowned. Let me decide that.
His voice surprised, Hod asked “You would refuse her?”
I have to hear this, Sif thought.
“I refuse nothing,” Loki said. “I simply am sure that she is finding her time this evening better spent in the company of those who are not me.”
“That was not what I asked,” Hod said.
“It was how I answered.”
Hod paused, then in a clear voice that only carried just far enough for this, “My Lady?”
Loki’s head jerked up, looking every which way…until he was looking right at Sif, which was a bit uncomfortable since she was standing a fair bit behind him.
Neither of them would ever agree on which of them had been first to bolt away like skittish colts.
~~~
~~~
Another stellar birth, another evening party, Loki thought as he watched the feasting and dancing from the bench he had been quick to occupy when Thor’s friends left it. It might actually be notable if Yggdrasil weren’t festooned with the things already.
He had no idea that Sif had been wandering around to avoid being pulled into a dance, until she found herself standing behind Loki’s seat.
Given the festivities, the serving staff and drink-pourers had been dismissed to enjoy the evening with everyone else once the food and drink had been brought out.
Walking a straight line towards Loki was a younger boy called Hod, who was eating off one of the beast’s thighs as he walked.
Normally once Allmother and Allfather take whatever serving size they wish, nobody else can achieve such a well-sized piece, given appetites and cutting skills, Loki mused.
“One of the advantages of being me,” Hod said conversationally when he was near, though Loki couldn’t be sure Hod knew he was there, “is nobody tries to stop me at the serving tables,” and his lips were turned in what Loki knew from personal experience to be both amusement and disgust. “Might I sit here, my prince?”
“You do not fear being seen in my company?” Loki asked. Most are.
Hod snorted as he sat. “I could not be more invisible if I had a spell cloaking me, my prince. If I am spoken of at all, it is as Baldur’s brother, which invite comparisons which praise him.”
“Commiseration with me will earn you no favors with others,” Loki said, feeling that warning him was the right thing to do, even if Loki did appreciate the understanding.
Hod lifted the shank as if to prove his indifference.
“You may use knives and prefer them more than swords and spears, but at least you are trusted anywhere near a battlefield.” And, continuing, Hod told Loki “Believe me when I say that even without who your father is, you are a sight better marriage prospect than I am.”
“Only a sight better,” Loki replied in the same friendliness with which Hod had offered.
“And at the risk of ending this good mood and incurring your wrath, have you asked the Lady Sif to dance yet?”
’Lady’ is perhaps the one title she neither wants nor cares for. “She would not want to,” Loki said. “It would be an inconvenience for her to bother with me and my treading toes.”
Sif frowned. Let me decide that.
His voice surprised, Hod asked “You would refuse her?”
I have to hear this, Sif thought.
“I refuse nothing,” Loki said. “I simply am sure that she is finding her time this evening better spent in the company of those who are not me.”
“That was not what I asked,” Hod said.
“It was how I answered.”
Hod paused, then in a clear voice that only carried just far enough for this, “My Lady?”
Loki’s head jerked up, looking every which way…until he was looking right at Sif, which was a bit uncomfortable since she was standing a fair bit behind him.
Neither of them would ever agree on which of them had been first to bolt away like skittish colts.
~~~
“No,” Sif said, looking down at him.
Loki looked up at her, confused. I have heard the word before, but never in this context. Allowing for the fact I have never been in this context.
“I will not marry you, Loki,” Sif said. “Not only because I am still ascending the ranks.”
He processed this with his typical swiftness. “You fear a rumor of favoritism if you accept my proposal,” Loki said. Before Sif could answer, he said to her “I could abdicate my position, step down from all rights and powers due me as a prince of the realm.”
Sif watched him, waiting for the rest of it - There is always a rest of it. “You would?”
Loki nodded. “Thor has always been the one our father favors, even if he thinks none have noticed. My candidacy is thus far a mere formality in case something befalls Thor, and I believe we both know nothing can topple him.”
She let herself consider his offer, what he was proposing to do for her, for me. She then deflated her hopes with one fact: “You told me to be aware of appearances. How much further would your name drop mudwards if you abandoned everything to be the husband of an officer in your father’s army?” And even with you divorced from your title, the ties would still be there - there would still be those whispering of favoritism. And she could see that the same thought was crossing Loki’s mind as he clearly was grappling with this.
“Do you think I care about my name?” he asked her when he could speak again.
“If not your own, then have a care about mine,” Sif rebutted, and saw Loki react like she’d slapped him.
All he said was “Always.”
Thank you, but felt that those words either would fall injuriously on both their ears, would clatter uselessly to the ground, or something worse than either.
After a time, Loki said, “Then what do we do? Pray tell, my lady, what shall you instruct?”
“Say nothing,” Sif said. “What just transpired, keeps a secret. This interval stays between you and me. Never mention it, never allude to it, never hint at it in any way - and that goes for the both of us. We go on with our lives.”
Loki looked at her a long while before, finally, he nodded.
~~~
...
~~~
"What? There's nothing that says we can't babysit every now and again," Bruce said. "Not even SHIELD has policies against it." And it isn't like we're doing this for a stranger...technically. For a good friend of Tony's...for all that Tony sometimes makes us want to accidentally throw him across the Brooklyn Bridge.
"Have you checked?" Natasha couldn't resist asking.
"Okay, no, I haven't."
"I have," she said.
"And?"
"We're not violating any rules or regs," was the admission.
"Can I braid your hair?" Happy's niece asked Sif for what felt like the ninth time.
"Yes," Sif said for the seventh time.
And it was true. Everything was fine.
...right up to when Ariel was singing "how many secrets can one cavern hold." Then Sif sighed wearily and did her impression of humanity by slumping back into the couch.
Happy's niece giggled gladly, pleased that now there was even more hair within reach, and I shall braid it all.
___
~~~
“No,” Sif said, looking down at him.
Loki looked up at her, confused. I have heard the word before, but never in this context. Allowing for the fact I have never been in this context.
“I will not marry you, Loki,” Sif said. “Not only because I am still ascending the ranks.”
He processed this with his typical swiftness. “You fear a rumor of favoritism if you accept my proposal,” Loki said. Before Sif could answer, he said to her “I could abdicate my position, step down from all rights and powers due me as a prince of the realm.”
Sif watched him, waiting for the rest of it - There is always a rest of it. “You would?”
Loki nodded. “Thor has always been the one our father favors, even if he thinks none have noticed. My candidacy is thus far a mere formality in case something befalls Thor, and I believe we both know nothing can topple him.”
She let herself consider his offer, what he was proposing to do for her, for me. She then deflated her hopes with one fact: “You told me to be aware of appearances. How much further would your name drop mudwards if you abandoned everything to be the husband of an officer in your father’s army?” And even with you divorced from your title, the ties would still be there - there would still be those whispering of favoritism. And she could see that the same thought was crossing Loki’s mind as he clearly was grappling with this.
“Do you think I care about my name?” he asked her when he could speak again.
“If not your own, then have a care about mine,” Sif rebutted, and saw Loki react like she’d slapped him.
All he said was “Always.”
Thank you, but felt that those words either would fall injuriously on both their ears, would clatter uselessly to the ground, or something worse than either.
After a time, Loki said, “Then what do we do? Pray tell, my lady, what shall you instruct?”
“Say nothing,” Sif said. “What just transpired, keeps a secret. This interval stays between you and me. Never mention it, never allude to it, never hint at it in any way - and that goes for the both of us. We go on with our lives.”
Loki looked at her a long while before, finally, he nodded.
Present Day
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Bruce looked at where Sif was thumping her forehead against a (wall/table), and was thankful Happy had picked up the niece an hour ago.
Against all better judgement, and while hoping Natasha came back soon, Bruce went over by Sif and was about to ask her - he wasn't sure what exactly, if she was okay or if she wanted to talk...he hadn't worked up to that point before her nearer eye caught sight of him, and Bruce recognized the look in it: One part desperation, one part pure anger. Seen it in the mirror enough.
THUNK as Sif slammed her forehead against Banner's, which sent him into a sprawl on the floor.
"You don't want to do this. At the least, I don't want to do this," Bruce said, trying to hold the Other Guy in as long as possible. Can't get to a safe room in time. Aw hell, as Sif began to stand over him, and as the Other Guy took his turn wearing the pants in this body.
("Go on," Sif said.)
...
...
...
~~~
"Exile," Loki repeats. "You would go into exile with me?" and while there's a light in his eyes, a bit of his spine that straightens at this news; he wouldn't be Loki if he didn't point out the fly in the ointment: "You are sworn to defend Asgard and to obey Odin. I am of neither. So why would you do this?"
"You," Sif answers him, and its not the whole entire reason, but she feels she knows how he would react to 'in part, for you.'
"And now a visitor I did not entertain on the SHIELD helicarrier," Loki says as Banner walks over to his enclosure.
"I was a little occupied (at the time)."
(...)
"She's willing to do this," Bruce said.
"But not for the right reason or reasons," was Loki's reply.
As Bruce considered what might be the right reason - at least in Loki's eyes - Loki continued, "Think of yourself, how you shucked the bonds of society and the fetters of friendships. You slipped beyond love and trust. But remained herd-able to duty and request."
Bruce cracked a smile. "You're saying you've got an Other Guy too?"
"I am he."
"I suppose -"
"Rather, I became mine," Loki said. "Ask anyone in Asgard. Ask Sif."
(...)
"Did she tell you, Banner, the rules of exile?" Loki inquired. "Those who elect to depart with he who is punished, join him not simply in leaving; they join him in unreturnabilty."
"And you know that if she decides to leave Asgard, she'll come to hate you," Bruce said.
"She already does. A large seed if it has not already grown by now, which will strangle her like a fig."
Huh. First time I've ever heard anyone use a strangler fig tree as a metaphor. "So you've decided that, if she's going to hate you anyway, better its because you won't let her go (off) with you."
...
…
“Jotunns at least are said to have a form of honor, a grasp upon that core of civilization,” Sif said. “Far better than Asgard’s thoughts of Dwarves - (the/those) weft-brained brutes who anger when tricked, and deceit is the only way to deal with them in the first place.”
…
…
“Yes, Loki, I did have a plan when I took you from that temple at the close of the last War,” Odin said. “At first, I had thought to hold you hostage, ensuring Laufey’s behavior. But then y- Frigga and myself,” correcting himself to avoid Loki interrupting him, “we grew fond of you. My plan changed to raise you and teach you our ways, so that no matter how independent you became when I returned you to the throne of Jotunheim, you would rule it as an Asgardian.”
“And then something changed yet again?” Loki asked, near-mocking.
“Yes. My right hand returned to Asgard after a long absence. In his remaining hand was a small child gripping tightly.”
“I,” said Sif.
“You,” said Odin. “And I thought of how ideal a solution that would be.”
Sif frowned. “You thought it ideal…to have a Jotunn and a Dwarf…ruling Asgard?”
“I did. You underestimate yourselves, both of you. Your minds, your respective talents. Asgard would be secure for a hundred thousand years at least.”
“Because Jotunheim and Svartalfarheim would be laughing themselves to sleep the entire time,” Loki snarked.
“Or because they would think us sympathetic to their plights, Allfather?” Sif asked, her question just as much of a jab as Loki’s remark had been.
...
...
"Tony?" Pepper's voice came through the phone where Tony's hand had dropped to against the door. "Tony?"
"I'm here," Tony said, raising the phone back to his ear. "Pepper, the squirrel is back. And he brought a friend."