Chapter 12
I catch the bundle of Asgardian robes running for me and spin them slightly, smiling as I hold them out by their shoulders. "Hey, LJ."
"Did you bring me something today?"
"Not this time. I brought some people with me, though. Wanna talk to them?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright. They're the ones in Ravager Leathers. I've gotta go talk to your Grandfather."
"He's not happy with you..."
"When is he ever?"
"That's fair."
"Have you been keeping out of trouble?"
"I'm the son of the God of Mischief and Trickery! Of course not!"
"Good!" I smile and glance at Loki, who was staring at LJ.
"This...?"
"Yeah..."
"Moddy? Who's this?"
"This, LJ is the God of Mischief and Trickery."
"But... I thought Loki died when I was still a baby?"
"They did... But, magic happened."
"OK. Can I talk to them too?"
"If they want to, yeah." They look at each other and Loki nods.
"I would enjoy that..."
"Great! Oh! I bet you're all hungry! Grandfather has a feast prepared! Would you care to join me?"
"LJ," Odin thunders as he comes in and LJ settles slightly.
"My apologies, Grandfather."
"Odin, we've been over this. He can't help how excitable he gets," I say simply and he waves his hand.
"Yes, yes. Midgardian culture and eighty h-dees."
"ADHD, Odin. LJ, would you take them to the dining hall and get them acquainted with the food?"
"Of course, Grandmother. This way!"
"LJ."
"Sorry, Grandmother." He smiles slightly and she returns it gently. He leads the way to the dining hall and Dad, Gamora, Thor, and Loki hang back.
"Rogue, it has been too long since we last saw you," Frigga says with a smile as she comes over and I return it.
"I've been busy, Mother. You look as wonderful as ever."
"Thank you, dear. As do you."
"Thank you."
"Rogue."
"Father."
"I believe that I asked Heimdall to inform you about your hair."
"Y'know, I think he did say something but I didn't care."
"You dare to disobey me, child?" He slams his staff on the floor and I look at him calmly.
"And you dare to believe that you can intimidate me?"
"Odin, Rogue. We are so rarely together like this. Can you both get along?"
"Frigga-"
"That is enough, Odin. Rogue, may I see your eyes?"
"Of course. Asking nicely always works." I smile as I brush my hair out of my face and she comes closer, looking at my eye. "I've tried healing it and I've tried using magic to restore it. Neither have worked and have just made it worse."
"Well, please allow me to try after we eat."
"Alright."
"Would you be so kind as to introduce us first?"
"Right. Dad, 'Mora, these are Odin and Frigga, the King and Queen of Asgard. This is my Dad, Peter Quill, and my adopted Mom, Gamora Quill. Oh, and Loki's back from the dead."
"I can see that. Loki."
"Mother." They smile gently at her and she returns it.
"It is a pleasure to meet you both. Now, this way to the dining hall so that we may eat." Frigga leads the way next to Odin and I walk next to Loki, rolling my eyes at them. They smile and I return it, looping my arm around their shoulders. "Oh, Rogue. Congratulations on your accomplishments. It had slipped my mind to congratulate you sooner."
"Thank you." I brush my hair out of my face again and Odin glances back at me. "If you have something you wish to say, Father, don't hesitate. That has been your downfall many times."
"Is that a threat?" He thunders as he pauses, turning to look at me completely, and I look at him calmly, slightly taller.
"Merely a reminder of who Heimdall calls 'your Highness', my King," I smirk slightly and he clenches his fist around his staff. "If you wouldn't mind, Father, I'd like to eat a meal with my son and family. And if you wish to still be angry... Simply remember this... Just because it was behind closed doors then, does not mean it will be again down the line. And more people will know what Heimdall does," I state simply as I walk past him and he seethes.
"What was that?" Loki asks and I smirk slightly.
"I got tired of his shit one day so I kicked his ass. He seems to forget who gave him the power to live as long as I do and how easily I can take it away."
"You're terrifying, you know that?"
"I blame the trauma, Dad. Besides... He's the asshat who blasted a hole in my stomach the first time I met him. I hold a grudge. And reminding him of who could truly be in charge of this place keeps him off my back. Do you think I want to be in charge of this planet? Hell no. I only visit to see LJ and Frigga." We enter the dining hall and the entire place goes silent, staring at Loki since they were leading.
"Loki returns," One of them says snidely and I calmly fold my duster back, revealing an array of blasters and knives along my leg as I walk in. "Rogue! I didn't see you there!"
"Oh, you didn't?"
"No! How lovely it is to see you again!" They smile nervously and I look at them, smiling sweetly. "Did... Did you do something new with your, um, your hair?"
"I did. How kind of you to notice? But... Notice this, too."
I'm in front of them and gather their shirt in my left hand, pulling them close in the deadly silent dining hall. "Say something else snide about Loki and I'll cut your tongue out with a butter knife. Clear?"
"Crystal..."
"Good." I let them go and look toward the door, seeing Odin and Frigg arrive.
"Is everything alright?"
"Perfectly fine, Mother. Just having a friendly discussion with Sadar here. Isn't that right, Sadar?"
"Uh, yes... Lovely weather, isn't it?"
"Lovely weather, indeed." I smile sweetly at them while warning flashes in my eyes and they smile back. I calmly walk over to LJ and sit next to him, smiling gently. "Today's your birthday, right?"
"Yeah!"
"Eighteen, yeah?"
"Yep!"
"Well... I did promise you whatever you wanted when you turned eighteen. What you got?"
"I want to come with you when you leave." I nod and Odin growls.
"No."
"Grandfather-"
"I said no. That is final."
"But-"
"LJ!" He shrinks slightly and I stand calmly, looking at Odin.
"LJ is eighteen today, Odin. Meaning, in the eyes of every planet, every law on said planets, he is an adult. He can choose what he wishes to do. If he wishes to come back with me to become a Ravager, then he can. You are not able to control him!"
"I am looking out for his wellbeing! Something you have never done!" I look at him, hair starting to float without me noticing, and Frigga looks at us.
"Rogue, if LJ wishes to go back with you, so be it. He is your son and you are his parent. Thank you for allowing us to watch over him for all these years," She says calmly and I look at her, calming down. "It has been our honor and a joy to have him around. I will miss him."
"Thank you, Grandmother!" He hugs her and she returns it, smiling.
"You are welcome. I wish you nothing but the best. And that you come to visit?"
"I will," He agrees as he lets her go and smiles at me. "So I can come with you?"
"Yeah, if you want to."
"I do!"
"Then yeah, sure." He smiles brightly and I gently ruffle his hair as we sit back down. "I can teach you all the important stuff."
"Like dancing?"
"Dan- Yeah, sure, like dancing. Jesus... You are related Quill..." I rub my head slightly and he smiles, making me quirk the corner of my mouth slightly. "Happy birthday, LJ." I gently wrap my arm around his shoulders and he hugs me around my waist, squeezing lightly.
"Thanks, Moddy. What all are you gonna show me how to do?" He asks as he starts eating his meal and I smirk slightly.
"Well... First thing's first... You gotta learn the laws."
"What?"
"Yep."
"But... Don't Ravagers... Break the laws?"
"Yep."
"Then why do I have to learn the laws if I'm going to break them?"
"Gotta know the law to break the law."
"OK, that makes sense." I laugh and he smiles. "You don't laugh very often... You should more. And smile. They're nice."
"OK, hotshot. Calm down. Use those on women. Or men. Or whoever you're interested in. But, uh... Stay away from Aaskerverians, OK?"
"OK. Why-?"
"Don't ask. Just, stay far away. OK?"
"OK..."
"If you want to hear a story, ask my Dad about how he got a scar on his... Ribs, I think."
"What now?" Dad looks at me and I smirk slightly.
"The fork incident?"
"Oh... That... Yeah... Uh, stay away from Aaskerverians. They're insane. One stabbed me with a fork."
"OK. That seems like a good reason to stay away." I feel eyes on me and glance over to see Odin glaring at me. "Can we get going now? I want to see what your ship looks like!"
"Sure. C'mon." I stand and wrap my arm around his shoulders again, leading the way out of the dining hall as the others follow gratefully.
"I thought we were never gonna get out of there," Rocket groans and I chuckle.
"They're suffocating, aren't they?"
"You don't like the Asgardians, Moddy?"
"Gods! No! I like Frigga and Thor. Heimdall most of the time. I barely tolerate Odin and Sif. As for every other Asgardian, I can't stand them."
"Well, you do not have to worry about Lady Sif any longer, Rogue."
"Oh? Trouble in paradise, Thor?"
"Must you always use that phrase?"
"It annoys you. So yes."
"I'm not sure who has been a more annoying sibling. You or Loki."
"Well, I can't turn myself into a snake and stab you. Sadly. I wish I could."
"You are terrified of snakes."
"I am not scared of snakes. I just don't like them. I also don't like spiders. They're creepy."
"You're scared of them," Martinex says simply and I flip him off.
"Leaving so soon?"
"Yep. Later, creepy stalker man."
"I will be seeing you."
"This is why you're a stalker."
"My apologies, Admiral Emyrada."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever. See you later, Heimdall."
"Yes, you will be seeing me later. Because you still have sight in one eye."
"Hilarious. Wanna send us back now?"
"Of course. Happy birthday, Loki Jr."
"Thank you, Heimdall!" He smiles brightly and he returns it slightly, sending us back.
"Ugh. I hate Asgard."
"LJ!" Morgan hugs him and he laughs, returning it. "Happy birthday! So Rogue said you could become a Ravager?" He nods and I watch them, smiling a bit.
"Sam. I'm in a good mood. If you're going to attempt an apology, now would be the time."
"I'm sorry... The reasons that would be an awful idea just... Weren't there."
"Yeah, I can tell."
"Think you can forgive me?" I look at him and he had his hands in his pockets.
"Before you transfer to the Avengers crew, I want the entire hangar that's open to the crew cleaned. And I mean spotless. Tools and ships too. Got it?"
"Got it."
"Better get to work then. Zemo can help you." They board the ship to go to the hangar and I watch after them for a moment.
"You're going to make them clean even though you've already forgiven him?" Steve quirks an eyebrow and I look at him.
"Yeah. Needs cleaned."
"Where do I sleep?"
"Mor, can you show him?"
"Sure. C'mon, LJ."
"Speaking of sleep... I'm exhausted... I'll work on getting you guys your ships back... No need to worry about that. I'm going to get some sleep. Feel free to use blankets, cots, and such in my Quarters... See you all in... Six hours?"
"A'ight, Kid. See ya then."
"Alright." I head to my Quarters and take off my weapons before I collapse in my bunk, groaning softly. The bunk bounces slightly and I turn my head, smiling. "Hey, Loki."
"I thought I could join you... If you don't mind?"
"I don't mind at all." I slide under my covers with them and rest my arm across their waist. "Sleep well, my Stars," I murmur as I drift to sleep and they wrap their good arm around me, holding me close.
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I bolt awake and pant, trying to clear the muddiness of sleep from my mind so I can get a handle on where I am. I hear movement downstairs and silently climb out of my bunk, grabbing my knife before making my way downstairs.
A mass passes in front of me and I stick in the shadows, watching for a moment as they get some rhone. "Ya gonna come out 'ere or do Ah gotta drag ya out?" Yondu drawls and I sheath my knife as I go toward him. "Ain't able ta sleep?" I look at my wrist com and brush my hair out of my face.
"Got a few hours... That'll be good enough..." I rub my face as I sit on a stool and glance over at the others in my family. "You?"
"Ain't neva been able ta sleep right."
"Fair enough." I notice someone else bolt awake and turn to look at Kraglin. "Oh, look. We have another party member. Fun."
"'Ow do ya sleep like tha'?"
"On the floor? Good for your back and making you remember you're getting old. I see that the Guardians, Doc, Segs, Senso, and Lumes are the only ones that stayed in here. Where are the others?"
"They went to the hangar to sleep on M-ships. Wanna shut up now?" Rocket groans as he drops a pillow over his head and I roll my eyes.
"Not like more sleep will help you get prettier, Rat."
"Screw you, Kid."
"I'm too old for this," Dad groans as he sits up and I look at him, watching him rub his neck. "Couldn't give us something more comfortable?" Rocket hits him in the face with a pillow and I snort. He stands and comes over, dropping the pillow back on Rocket's head. "Shouldn't you be sleeping?"
"See, my brain doesn't agree with that statement. So... No." I stretch and notice that the rest of them were sleeping with no issues. "Lucky assholes," I mutter under my breath and rub my neck with my right hand.
"So you have two murderous mindsets now?"
"Yeah. Fun, huh?"
"Seems like it. Is that why you aren't asleep?" He quirks an eyebrow at me and I pause in rubbing my neck, looking at the wall. "I'm gonna take that as a yes. Tormented by memories?"
"Hm... Doesn't matter if I am or not."
"What does then?"
"That I don't snap, lose control, and kill a mass amount of people again. Under anyone's control. That's why I tend to avoid going planetside as often as I have since you guys have been back. Too many opportunities to get jumped."
"So you just got more paranoid?"
"I guess I did. But it works." I shrug and run my hand through my hair.
"At least you're relaxing now because you don't need to worry about that while you have a Crew around." I look at my wrist com and stand. "Where are you going?"
"I have to get my old ship out of storage for the Avengers to use. And I may love you guys, but I want you off of my ship and back on yours. ASAP."
"Awe, you love us," Dad smirks and I roll my eyes, going to get my weapons. "Are the others even going to be awake?"
"Pep just sent me a message saying Sam and Zemo are with her since they finished the hangar. Might as well get this done now." I attach my weapons and leave a note for Loki, heading to the hangar to get the Milano. "Gods... I'm gonna miss this old thing..." I sigh softly and board it, sending a message to Pepper. "Meet you at Xandar... Don't get caught... Take your M-ships... Leave the main ones in the docks... Tullk, Oblo, and Gef will take care of them..." I start the ship up and smile a bit at the memories that come up as I feel it roar to life under me. "Alright... Time to go to one of the places where I'm wanted. Let's do this."