A Thing That Happend

True to his word, Thor had provided them with the necessary spells, needed to summon, or in some cases activate their gift.

“I thought you weren't into magic?” Steve questioned as he accepted the papers handed to him.

“I'm not,” Thor sheepishly admitted as he lifted his hair on his left side, revealing a writhing ball of constantly moving copper, silver, and poison green silk, “But you are not the only one to receive a gift from my Brother.”

“What is it?” Steve reached up to touch the piercing in Thor's ear but the God leaned away before he could get close enough.

“The Tag of Arvellon, it gives me access to Loki’s magic whenever I may need it.”

“That's great!” Steve was washed over with a sense of hope at the news, “Can we use it to get to Asgard?”

“Yes.” Thor turned the other man around and gave him a slight push to the adults congregating at the kitchen island, “But first you must become familiar with your own supernatural powers, and to do that will take a lot of his magic.”

“Will it hurt him?” Steve concern made Thor pause and scrutinize him.

“If we are not careful,” Thor allowed “But most likely he will be exhausted, and concerned for us getting along with his other children.” Whatever Steve was going to say in response was cut off as Toby yelled at them.

“It's about time!” Tony reprimanded as the two blondes strolled over to their seats,

“We decided to summon everyone then have a get-to-know-your-new-family party.” Phil filled in the two on the conversation they missed.

“We also really wasn't to play with any new powers we have received.” Clint added in a serious manner sitting next to Phil as he anticipated getting his wings.

Steve and Thor got themselves seated, and soon they went around the room performing spells. Phil went first, excitedly summoning Jörmungandr and Lady Luck. After a few seconds of nothing Phil started to feel like a grade-A loser, but, as he got up to escape the judgment of his peers, a hand grasped his shoulder. Phil guessed that by Clint and Tony’s slightly feminine gasps that the spell had in fact worked and that he wasn't a complete loser.

“Salutations, mortal” an Asian man smiled at Phil, his eyes taking in the whole room from the safety of his aviators, “I must apologize, but mi Madre appears to have used his magic to summon me, and I can't seem to find him.” The man put one hand into the pocket of the perfectly creased pants of his steel gray suit, adorned quite nicely with a black and grey striped tie and a royal violet handkerchief in the breast pocket.

“Certainly,” Phil used a polite tone hoping to make a good impression, “But could I possibly get your name first?

“Jörmungandr.” The shape shifting snake unbuttoned the one button holding his suit jacket together to reach into said jacket and pull out a business card, but as he did he also revealed the live silver snake, acting as both belt and highly fashionable- if not slightly angry- belt buckle. The card simply read ‘Realm protector’ in beautiful hand script, and Phil opened his mouth to question the man on why he had a business card when the man he was going to question spoke first.

“Hello, Uncle” The tone was dry and filled with the angst only people in fandoms seem to reach.

“Nephew.” Thors tone seemed on edge and nervous for some reason.

“Where is mi Madre?” Jörmungandr glared the Thunder god down hard, “Did you decide he was too much trouble again?”

“That will never happen again, Jörmungandr,” Thors tone was soothing as the bitterness slapped him in the face, “You have my word.” As the stare down between a sincere looking Thor and an enraged Jörmungandr continued, and before anyone could question either on whatever the two Norse entities were discussing, Bucky spoke up with a question of his own.

“Where's Lady Luck?” Bucky asked looking around to make sure he didn't miss her.

“Honey,” A gorgeous Greek woman wearing a stunning, dark green strapless, embroidered split, floor length dress came from around the corner of the hallway to the far right of the kitchen and living room, “We seem to have forgotten our-” Her face showed how pissed off she, but quickly morphed into a polite smile when she saw the roomful of people, “I'm sorry for my outburst, but i was in the middle of a game, with a GREAT hand, and-”

“I can tell.” Jörmungandr commented and both threw grins of understanding in each other's direction.

“Hello, Mortals I am Fortune, I do hope to get to know you all better.” After introducing herself, in a very regal manner if you asked her, Fortune silently glided over to where Jörmungandr and Phil were holding a conversation, “It's been too long...” she said as she threw her arms over the Snake guy. Jörmungandr rolled his eyes at her over dramatization, but Phil watched in awe as her diamond earrings and matching necklace reflected the light enhancing her ruby red lips, smoky green eyes, shining midnight hair and beautiful tan skin. Phil was so caught up in Lady Luck’s beauty that he almost missed the fact he was now drinking from a random golden chalice, he quickly placed the chalice down and turned to question Thor.

“Along with the powers you seem to have gotten a small part of the curse as well,” Thor theorized scratching his beard, “Death will probably be able to answer any questions.”

“I would like to see my date before i meet anyone else.” Fortune quickly butted in as she made her request, glancing around to the young pawns in the room.

“That means I should go next.” Tony reasoned and, when nobody suggested otherwise, performed his spell work to summon Fate. It took a few moments for him to show up, but eventually the couple was back together, and could be seen mingling merrily. Tony, on the other hand, had four silver bells dangling from thin decorative chains on each wrist.

“This is bullshit...” Tony muttered as he attempted to remove them from his body, but the harder he tried the louder the bells would get. Tony didn't give up until their thunderous tolls were too much for him to bear and he was on the ground clutching his head in pain, confusing everyone else who only heard a small tinkling.

After Tony was dealt with, Jörmungandr decided he didn't want to be alone either and requested Bucky went next. The hero's agreed, considering they knew it had been awhile he had seen either of his brothers, they very much wanted to see the happy reunion. After three attempts- Bucky didn't take the first two seriously- and one pep talk from Tony, Fenrir was welcomed to the party by an ecstatic Jörmungandr.

“Hey, fam,” The almond colored man, who has just a wall of muscles, was completely shirtless, and had a tribal like tattoo slithering around his shoulder, spoke as he gave his brothers one of those handshake-hug maneuver, “Did Matka summon you too?”

“No,” Jörmungandr confessed as his brother eagerly looked around in hopes of catching a glimpse of their mother, “But it appears we will get to see Sleipnir later on.”

“How’s little bro doin’?” Fenrir asked as he takes a look around.

“I don't know.” Jörmungandr admits casually as Phil and Clint hand them drinks, joining the conversation.

“Sleipnir is the youngest, right?” Clint asked taking a sip of his own beverage.

“Technically,” Tony singsongs as he walks by, “You're the youngest.”

“Excuse me?” Fenrir exclaims overhearing what the glowing now-immortal mortal said.

“We are also Loki’s children.” Natasha said taking the all powerful ring off of her right pointer finger, and appearing to her other siblings.

“I don't think you-” Jörmungandr was interrupted by a nearby Thor shushing him.

“Bruce is going to summon Durgashibanapal.” Bucky offered for their offended and confused expressions. Bruce was in fact reading his slip of paper as he mumbled to himself, eventually he cleared his throat and, in an ominous voice, began to cast his spell.

“I invoke you, ye holy one! Regal and majestic! domine deus meus in te speravi conlitebor tibi domine in toto corde meo quem ad modum desiderat cervus ad fantes aquarum.Glorious splendour! Mighty arch-daimon! Denizen of chaos and Erebus, and of the unfathomable abyss! Haunter of sky-depths! Murk enwrapped, scanning mystery, and guardian of cults! Flame-fanning terror darter! Heart-crushing despot! Satanachia of daimons!Ouver! Chameron! Aliseon! Mandousin! Premy! Oriet! Mayorus! Esmony! Estiot! Dumosson! Danochar! Casmiel! Sadirno! Eparinesant! domine meus Loki!”

In a blindingly white light a curvy woman appeared in a stunning one shoulder goddess like dress, that draped over her generous curves in a loving and tantalizing way, with Gold and Crystal Beaded cuff for the wrist creates a gorgeous float of the gold embossed, White Satin Fabric, the dress had a side split clear up to her left hip- opposite of the golden cuff-and was completely backless. her head was decorated with moss, flowers, small berry sprigs, feathers, vines, crystallized dew drops, and Swarovski crystals, all wrapped around the two, gold flecked, horns delicately curling out of her out of control, black curly hair. She adorned no shoes, but did have a schalke matching bruises on her left ankle, and wore copious amounts of jewelry that appeared to be made out of old, yellowing bones, her eyes are surrounded by distracting scales that glittered from the the overhead lights and she sported the same kaleidoscope eyes as the one from Dr.Banner's new anklet, only the colors seemed to shift her her piercing eyes. She fiddled with one of the chains that connected her horns before she looked up scanning the room, eyes locking with Bruce’s, before her red lips revealed a gold sheen as she opened them to speak.

“How are you?!” The Carolina accent threw everyone off, “Momma Loki’s told me so much ‘bout you, it is so GOOD to finally put a face to the description.”

“Hi?” Bruce sounded unsure as he scuffed his shoe along the floor, “I'm sorry you are tied down to me.”

“Sweetheart,” Durgashibanapal took his face in her hands as she continued, “I'm not tied down, I asked Loki to find someone i could be around, so i could finally have a friend.”

“Really?” Bruce was shocked someone he just met could be so willing to be around him, “You don't mind if i'm a monster?”

“Momma Loki’d be maddern a wet hen he heard you taklin’ ‘bout yerself like that.” Durgashibanapal reprimanded slapping Bruce's arm lightly,

“Do you know how many times we have had to deal with someone considering our family a bunch of monsters?” Jörmungandr added making his way through the group to stand by his adopted sister.

“Almost e’rybody” Fenrir answered.

“Includin’ Grand Daddy Odin” Durgashibanapal ended, looping her arm in her brothers as she turned away.

“Soooo,” Clint said as he saddled up to his older siblings, “Your name is Durgashibanapal… do you have a nickname?”

“Clint stop being rude.” Phil deadpanned as he also came up to continue the conversation from earlier.

“Or flirting” Natasha added from his left, “That's incest and i can't condone that.”

“You can call me Durgie,” The queen of dragons giggled as she answered, “What’s this i hear ‘bout incest?” her nose crinkled adorably in disgust at the thought.

“It appears we have some new siblings” Jörmungandr said looking down his nose to the three ‘heroes’, “Sleipnir will also be joining us.” the comment was obliviously used to dismiss the new members of the family.

“I wanna see him as soon as possible.” Durgie said as she stared the others in the room down patiently.

“Looks like Steve is up.” Tony jangled as he gestured over to the nervous looking Super Soldier.

“But Bruce has a red streak tattooed across his face and Bucky got wire rapped around his wrist and pinned in place with a silver needle,” Steve explained, “What do you think is going to happen to me?”

“You will most likely get shoes or something.” Phil said boredly.

“It can not be any worse than whatever Clint will get.” Thor reminded helpfully.

“Your right,” Steve agreed ,”I should just get it out of the way” he took a deep breath as he uncurled his paper.

“I conjure thee spirit to come and show thyself in fair and comely shape without guile or deformity by the name of Casmiel! Je renonce ? tous les biens tant spirituels que corporels qui me pourraient estre conferez de la part de Dieu! By the name of beloved Loki! By the dread day of final judgement! By the omen! By the changing sea of glass! By those beasts having eyes before and behind, and having one hundred hands! De la vierge Marie! Et de tous les, oui, les saincts du Paradis! Pareillement de mon patron saint Jean Baptiste! Saint Paul! Saint Pierre! Et Saint Fran?ois! Et de me donner de corps aaaaaaaaaaaa Lucifer!”

Two figures crashed through the ceiling, one was a skinny white punk who was shirtless with low rise, ripped up skinny jeans, a blue beanie that only had the word fuck in red and white letters decorating it, quarter sized gauges, tattoos covering one arm and coiling around his torso, and the other appeared to be a nineteen-forty housewife, complete with a vintage flower pattern sleeveless V-neck Cotton A-line dress- protected by a waist apron mind you-,blonde victory curls, and red lipstick.

“Jörmy~!” the male squealed in a girlish fashion while strangling Jörmungandr

in his powerful hug, “Is Mumsy around?” he asked as he gripped Fenrir in the same hold. Death meanwhile picked herself off the ground and wandered into the kitchen to begin dinner. Steve on the other hand now had navy blue scripture reading “At thine Beck and Call” in a cursive script. Odd.

“No, but I'd like you to meet our new siblings.” Jörmungandr gestured for Phil, Clint, and Natasha to step forward, smiling in a suspicious manner as Sleipnir’s head whipped around.

“They’re Midgardians?” white punk asked as he poked and prodded each one.

“Slep!” the almond brother reprimanded “Don't go touchin’ all up on eve’ybody”

“Fen!” Sleipnir mocked “They don't seem to mind.” and whipped back over to the three, “Do you know who your father is?” Fenrir’s second reprimand was drowned out by his older brother.

“They said earlier that it was the blond fellow over yonder.” A finger was pointed toward Steve and everyone in the room went silent.

Meanwhile in Asgard.

“I do know why you are here,” Loki let his voice sound bored, words slipping lazily, as if this conversation was about something unimportant, because if he didn't make it sound as if the subject matter was not worth the effort of speaking they would know how anxious it made him “But what are you exactly going to do, remains unknown to me. I could hazard a few guesses, though, and if you’d care to listen, suggest an option of my own.”

“Balder is here because he is my most trusted adviser,” Odin's voice was sharp as he addressed his adopted son, “He is also the one who suggested I go to war with the worthless realm.”

“My son will never allow you to pass.” Loki argued, “And you will never be able to kill him.”

“Kill him? No,” Odin laughed as if he made a wonderful joke, “We have understanding, however, that a strong enough blow to the head will leave him unconscious long enough to get my fleet into the realm.”

Loki insisted the mortals had the right to exist and so he , verbally, protected the little fledgling realm from destruction for three days before they seemed to finally negotiate some sort of an ideal situation for both parties. Odin was to come up with a way for Loki to, personally, reimburse him, and Loki was promised that Midgard would be safe for the next five thousand years.

Two days later the Allfather, along with Frigga and Balder, requested Loki’s presence to announce what he would be implementing for the safety of his happiness.

“In exchange for peace I have decided that Velkomin shall be performed between you and Balder in a fortnight.”

“That form of marriage has been forbidden in the nine realms since you were a babe!” Frigga was concerned for her son but stayed silent, “You are going to go against the ruling of past kings for this bespawlering, cumberground, flesh-mongering fool?!”

“Loki, that is enough.” Odin slammed his fist down onto the armrest of his throne, he had had enough of the the tricksters reluctance, “Have you not brought enough shame to this family? Your Mother will oversee the ceremony, and I’ll let you decide where you want to have the bedding portion of the ritual. That is final, and this conversation is over.”

“I will not watch as my son melds souls with someone else's when he is unwilling.” Frigga decreed as she glared down at her husband.

“Surely there is something else you would rather have me do.” Loki gestured as he spoke, “You can not just-”

“STOP BEING A PETULANT CHILD!” Odin roared suddenly, though Frigga and Loki were so used to these temper flares that neither of them flinched. Loki slammed a mask of stone over his face as he nodded and swiftly turned to leave.

“Loki,” Balder spoke up before Loki could reach for the handle on the oversized doors, “We will be in my mother's realm for the ceremony, do try not to be too much of a abydocomist.” his tone was infuriatingly smug, his grin reminded Loki of the green hairy man from one of the movies Tony forced him to watch during the winter.

“Oh I will need all my lies, least I be rude and offend everyone and be sent to the gallows.” Loki shot back watching as the grin turned to a scowl.

“Again.” Frigga added shooting Loki a grin that changed to stone as Balder turned to her.

“You might want to start gathering your things, we leave at the first sign of light.” Balder informed turning back to his future prize.

“I will inform Sif and The Warriors Three.” Loki informed making it clear he had no intention of traveling with Balder alone.

“Good idea, Loki,” Odin’s voice killed what was about to fly from Baldur's lips, “You will need them as witnesses.”

After a long day of traveling, the party had finally made it close enough to the realm of Khoshekh, where Baldur's mother and her people lived, to stop for the night. Ancient traditions and magic both held more interest to the minds of these people, but even that alone did not account for the inherent strangeness of mind and body, he would name it something almost primordial, he hated it, if something wasn't trying to steal his magic it was trying to destroy it, and unfortunately the family he left behind needed his magic so he couldn't temporarily encase it.

A moment later a warning, unspoken, prickled upon his skin like the pressure of unseen rain. His magic was being used, again. The Midgardians had finally figured out their trinkets, Loki hoped he did right and everyone was getting along. Caught up in his homesick thoughts he did not notice he was separating from the party. The Warriors Three watched as he went farther ahead, making way to the nearest inn and stumbling into it as if already drunk, yet no one made a move to stop him since Balder had gone ahead to visit with his mother, understanding that after spending the whole day together it was nice to have a moment to oneself. Sif and her companions, after locating Loki, grabbed a table near the fireplace, ordered food and ale, and watched Loki exhaustedly eat a bowl of stew.

Volstagg frowned, even as he took hearty swallow of his beer. “I hope the lad is not too exhausted,” he said, beard and moustache lightly foamed. “I know nothing of magic, certainly, but this does not seem a common reaction.”

“This is a place of wild magic.” Hogan's dark eyes held his, their emotion as inscrutable as his dealings about a dueling ground. The clever hands sat motionless about his tankard. “We should be gone from this place before it can do anymore to weaken him.”

“Loki cannot travel tonight.” Sif added to the conversation, “But we will be up before dawn, and we will strike out at first light.”

“I shall tell the prince the plan.” Fandral jokingly bowed to his friends as he went to order the rooms and talk to Loki. As soon as Loki was informed that they were staying, and that the the rooms were ready, he walked over to the rest of his party and thanked them before moving to go to his room. He felt the warning again, Ignoring it now, as he stripped and let his clothes fall like a trail of wilted night blooms. He filled the bath and scooped Epsom salts into both hands, letting them sprinkle like glitter into the water.

He sank into it with a groan, long-fingered hands supporting his weight as steam wafted over his face, his skin, as pale as the bleached spines of dead sea animals stranded in brown sand, reddened almost instantly. He didn’t know what it was about hot water and its dizzyingly relaxing effect on him that was so different from normal summer sunshine, which always made him ache with irritability and rivers of sweat, but hot bath water rolled over him like a balm, a perfect snug blanket. Lying back, he curled up on his side and let the heat and salt soak into his very marrow, muscles lengthening and loosening, rubber bands gone soft. Sadly, Loki only got a few minutes of calm before a group of angry people suddenly appeared.

“MADRE!” Jörmungandr spat angrily as Fenrir and Sleipnir held Steve in a very aggressive hold, “Is this man our new Father?”

“Isn't your Uncle Thor supposed to be watching you?” Loki groaned, knowing they weren't going to go away anytime soon, “Ask him.”

“Slep, summon the old man would you?” Jörmungandr requested in forced politeness.

“Jörmy,” Loki voiced testily, “You know he can't transport anyone beyond himself with the help of others.”

“Why you always gotta be hurtin’ e’rybody's feelin’s?” Fenrir spoke up admonishing Jörmungandr for his insensitivity, “You know how-”

“I'm going to try.” was the only thing spoken by Sleipnir before an inky gray light enveloped around the room, blinding Steve and Fenrir before it died down revealing a charred punk with a scrap of burnt material from whatever Thor was wearing at the moment.

“I cant do it on my own...” Sleipnir confessed as he looked down in shame.

“Hand me a towel.” The demand stung, for all the words were softly spoken. After turning to collect one, Sleipnir handed it back without looking. Loki seemed infuriated and certain on his feet as he crossed the room. He was not mad at Sleipnir, no, he was mad at Odin who had taken him before they could learn to use their magic properly.

“He is not your new Father, he does not see me in that light,” Loki clarified in a somewhat bitter tone.

“I-” Steve began to protest but was stopped by Fenrir’s hand covering his mouth.

“Don't interrupt my Matka.”

“Besides, ”Loki continued ignoring the silencing of Captain America, “If anything Balder will be considered your new father.”

“Didn't I bite his hand off?” Fenrir questioned confused, “Why would he be our new Father?”

“Why would he WANT to be our father? Mumsy?” Sleipnir added

“I will explain once the whole family is present.” Loki’s tone was firm as he went behind a makeshift changing curtain and slipped on a black tunic with deep green breeches.

“We should go somewhere where we have room for everyone.” Sleipnir said as his Mother finished getting dressed, silently they all went outside and began looking for a place where everyone could be, comfortably, transported without any witnesses. After wandering around the woods a while they came upon a clearing big enough to do so.

“BROTHER!” Thor boomed and swallowed Loki into a giant bear hug when he got his bearings. Everyone else did the same, and once everybody got situated, Loki made his announcement.

“I'm marrying Balder.”