Chapter 21
The Asgard Universe - The Twins of Fate Saga - Summary/Content Note
A couple of weeks later the plans have been made, and the family, along with Einarr, is ready to visit Midgard. Gwen contacted the Avengers in New York, and the team was more than happy to host the family for a visit.
They have no idea what to expect. Gwen hasn’t been there in over 5 years, Loki is a criminal on Earth, and the children and Einarr only know Earth through Gwen’s descriptions.
Heimdall opens the Bifrost to New York, and with a deep breath and some tight hand squeezes, the whole family ends up outside of the tower.
The moment they step out of the Bifrost, Loki tenses instinctively. His grip on Gwen’s hand tightens as his gaze darts toward the tower, memories flashing unbidden of his last disastrous invasion. The twins, meanwhile, cling to each other with wide-eyed awe at the busy streets around them. Einarr remains stoic beside them, though even he can't hide a hint of nervousness in how tightly he grips the hilt of his sword.
At that exact moment, the door to Avengers Tower slides open with an obnoxious whoosh. Tony Stark stands there in a tailored suit and sunglasses despite being indoors, sipping some kind of glowing green smoothie.
"Oh good. You brought an entire entourage." He points at Loki without looking away from Gwen. "You better not try anything this time."
Gwen’s eyes filled with tears at seeing her old friend. "Tony, I'm so happy to see you. Thank you for letting us stay and helping make our visit work."
Tony grins his characteristic sharp-toothed grin in return, pushing his sunglasses onto his head and letting them rest on his wild hair. He looks at her with a gleam in his eye before glancing to her side at the children. His expression softens just slightly as he takes them in.
"Goddamn they're adorable. You have been busy."
"Thank you. This is Varian and Liv and their bodyguard, Einarr."
Tony quirks an eyebrow, looking Einarr up and down before whistling low and talking to Loki. "Damn. You let that around your wife and kids? Bold move."
"Are you the metal man who flies?" Varian asks, tugging on Tony’s sleeve, eyes full of fascination.
Tony gives the boy a smirk before taking a pointed sip of his neon-green smoothie. "That would be me, kid. The one and only Iron Man."
"Can you thank Mr. Stark for letting us stay?" Gwen prods.
Varian looks like he's taking all of his self-control not to geek out. He's clearly star-struck. He glances at Loki and then at Tony. Loki nods.
"Thank you, Mr. Stark," he says politely. Tony almost smiles at the boy—he's obviously charmed despite himself—but he just nods and takes another sip of his smoothie.
Tony leads the family through the lobby to the elevator. Gwen explained it to the kids and Einarr so they wouldn't be as surprised. So many things here will be new to them and comfortably familiar to Gwen.
"I can't wait to see everyone. I've missed you all so much."
"You won't be disappointed,” Tony looks at her and grins at her excitement. “Rogers has been pacing all morning. The whole team will be excited to see you. I hope you're ready for every kind of reunion. I'm talking big bear hugs."
"I might just start crying." Gwen didn't realize exactly how much she needed this until this moment.
The doors open onto the floor with the Avengers' living quarters and right into the common room.
It's exactly as she remembers it, with the same comfortable furniture and open floor plan, the same large screen on one wall to look up info or watch movies, and the same cozy kitchen where someone always seems to be cooking. It's almost homey. Just like that, the team is there. Steve, with his classic American hero looks, is already crossing the room in just a few steps to grab her up in a hug.
"Gwen. God, it's good to see you."
Gwen chokes up as she hugs him back. "You have no idea how much I missed you. I think about you all often."
Steve pulls back just slightly, holding onto her shoulders, his smile softening into something warm and relieved. Behind him, Natasha gives Gwen a rare full grin from where she leans against the kitchen counter. Clint tosses popcorn at them both from his perch on the couch, while Bruce offers a shy wave from behind his ever-present mug of tea.
"We missed you too." His eyes flick past her to the twins, who watch curiously, then to Loki hovering protectively behind them all. "And it's good to meet your family."
Gwen greets everyone and then introduces the children and Einarr. She knows they are wary of Loki, and he is just as wary of all of them.
"Is Thor here? He hasn't been in Asgard for a while."
Just as she asks... "Fear not! I am here!" the God of Thunder booms. Everyone in the room turns as Thor strides into the room, a cheerful grin on his face as he spots Gwen. He crosses the room in a few long strides and pulls her into a bear hug.
"Sister! I've not seen you in far too long! You look radiant and happy."
"Thor!" the twins shout in unison. They love their Uncle Thor. He's been gone for a few months, but that isn't surprising. He likes Earth.
Thor immediately turns to the twins with a bright laugh, sweeping them both up in his arms like they weigh nothing.
"My little warriors! You've grown since I last saw you!" Liv giggles as he tosses her slightly into the air before catching her again, while Varian clings to Thor's leg like it’s a prized possession. Einarr watches with amusement, his tension from earlier finally loosening at the obvious familial affection here.
"I want to hear everything that's happened while I've been gone. I want to watch movies and eat pizza... I want everything I've missed."
Everyone grins at her enthusiasm, and Natasha moves closer, slinging a teasing arm around Gwen's shoulders. "That can be arranged."
"Though I'll have to draw the line at your ridiculous preference for pineapple on pizza," Tony says.
"I still stand by my choice. It's delicious, especially with ham, bacon, and jalapenos."
Tony pretends to gag dramatically. "What is wrong with you?" he mutters while everyone else in the room shakes their heads. Thor, however, is now looking curious at the mention of the ingredients.
"That does not sound terrible…"
"Fine, I'll settle for pepperoni...and jalapenos. You wouldn't deny a girl who hasn't had pizza in at least five years, would you?" Gwen pouts playfully.
Tony groans but dramatically pulls out his phone, already typing an order into an app with exaggerated resignation. "Ugh. Fine. You get your spicy abomination of a pizza, but I'm also getting normal food for the rest of us." Then he glances at Einarr and adds with a smirk, "Unless your giant bodyguard prefers something specific?"
The twins look absolutely enthralled by this process, clearly fascinated by Tony's strange glowing rectangle.
Gwen finds their fascination adorable and funny.
"If you don't mind, maybe we can find some regular Earth clothes and then catch up? This is comfortable, but we look like we stepped out of a time machine."
Tony is a prepared and thoughtful host and already has an entire stack of packages on the table. He gives her an amused smirk at her question. "As if I would have you going around looking ridiculous? Psh. Of course I got you clothes. Go get comfy. I'll make sure the pizza gets here."
"You are the best. Thank you." She gives him an appreciative smile.
Gwen remembers her way around and finds an apartment set up for them. Her old one would’ve been too small, and it's being used now anyway.
She changes into jeans and a T-shirt. It feels strange after all this time, but wow, she missed the way it looks on her. After she dresses, she helps the children.
The twins are fascinated by their new Earth clothes, especially Varian, who keeps staring at his jeans and sneakers like they're some kind of bizarre armor. Liv twirls in a simple sundress, absolutely delighted by the way it spins around her.
Einarr, meanwhile, is... struggling. He holds up a pair of jeans like they're some baffling foreign artifact. "What is this? How do you fight in these?"
"There's less fighting here...well, unless it's your job. Oh! Maybe if a mission comes up, we can join them!"
Einarr looks down at his old leather armor, and then at the jeans he's holding. He looks like he's warring between tradition and practicality, but he finally sighs. "I will try them, but only in the name of blending in better. Its pockets are too small to hide weapons, though."
"No, you'll just have to use your strength and maybe a little knife. But this is a vacation. We are just regular people here and in less danger."
Einarr frowns, obviously disliking the thought of a defenseless vacation, but he sighs again, defeated, and reluctantly slips into the jeans and a black t-shirt, which strains against his powerful build. With an unconvinced grumble, "I feel naked…"
Gwen is a little surprised at how he looks in the clothes. "Damn, well I hope you like Midgardian women because they are going to be all over you."
Einarr pauses, looking like he hadn't thought of that before. Then, his expression turns thoughtful. A slow smirk crosses his lips as he looks himself over in the mirror.
"Maybe these clothes aren't so bad, after all…."
"They definitely aren't..." Gwen snaps back into her usual pragmatic self. "Enjoy yourself, but my same request applies here - no getting anyone pregnant. I'm not going to lose my favorite bodyguard and closest friend to Midgard."
Einarr rolls his eyes but laughs. "Oh relax. I won't let some mortal woman sweep me away so easily." He winks. "But I will enjoy my time here."
Loki emerges in nice slacks and a button-down shirt, because of course he will not wear jeans. It takes Gwen's breath away.
"Well, now that is a sight," Gwen says to herself, but it’s still loud enough that everyone hears.
Loki grins at her reaction and saunters to her, pulling her closer and leaning in to nuzzle her neck, his hands already sliding down her waist to pull her hips against his.
"What? You like what you see?" he murmurs with a wicked smirk, pressing a kiss to her throat in a way that makes her breath hitch. "Because I'm all yours."
"Good. Remember that. No seducing any other mortal women."
He chuckles against her skin, lips brushing the sensitive spot behind her ear.
"Oh, love... as if anyone in this entire realm could compare to you."
The twins groan loudly in unison and Gwen laughs at their reaction.
"Alright, well, let's have our pizza and then we can explore the tower. Once you all feel comfortable, we'll go out."
Everyone murmurs their agreement, the twins especially excited for another adventure. Gwen leads the way to the communal area, where Tony is setting up the table with the pizzas in hand. Soon, everyone is settled on the comfortable couches and chairs surrounding a low coffee table except for Loki, who has Gwen in his lap, of course. There's a good-natured chaos as the twins excitedly dig into their slices of pizza, their little faces lighting up at the taste. Einarr looks amused, and Tony is already on his third slice.
Gwen closes her eyes and breathes deeply, relishing the slice of perfection that is pepperoni and jalapeno pizza, and then turns to the Avengers. "So catch me up on everything I missed."
For a while, the conversation is full of gossip and fun stories of things she's missed. There are also serious topics like new threats and some of the world-level problems they've encountered. With everything that's happened in the five years she was gone, it's good to hear the familiar voices of her friends. It's a reminder of everything she missed. The twins are fascinated by it all, their eyes growing wide at the stories, while Einarr listens intently, clearly impressed by the things the Avengers accomplish.
It's almost as if she never left.
"I just wish I could have been there for some of those fights! Now that the twins are older, I'd like to come back more often, if you'll put up with us."
Steve's expression brightens, and he grins. "Of course. You know we'll be happy to have you anytime."
Tony grins as he leans forward, already looking mischievous. He glances down at the twins and then back to her, with a knowing look in his eyes. "Plus, I have an idea."
"Oh no. I know that look." Gwen raises an eyebrow at Tony's mischievous expression, already bracing for his usual brand of chaos.
Tony smirks and waves a hand dismissively. "Relax. Just thinking the kids might enjoy some training sessions—controlled ones, obviously. Get them used to teamwork early." He glances at Loki with a sly grin. "Unless you’re worried they'll outshine their old man?"
Gwen laughs a little. "They are half - Asgardian, if you don't think they haven't already begun training..."
Tony just grins wider in response, raising an eyebrow in mock skepticism. "Well then… what's the harm in letting some professionals show them a few new tricks?"
Steve chuckles while Thor grins. Loki has raised an eyebrow almost defiantly, amused by Tony's not-so-subtle challenge.
"They'd love it." Gwen has no problem letting the Avengers be role models and influences for Varian and Liv. They are practically family, and Gwen never has to worry about their motives or any kind of danger.
Tony grins, looking smug at getting his way, while Natasha gives Gwen a rare approving nod. Even Bruce offers a small smile from behind his slice of pizza.
"Perfect. We'll make proper little warriors out of them—with your approval, of course." Tony winks at Loki. "Though I’m sure their dad has plenty to say about it."
Loki smirks, his fingers lazily tracing circles on Gwen's waist as he responds in that silky, dangerous tone of his. "Oh, I absolutely have thoughts. Mostly about ensuring they don't pick up Stark’s terrible habits like arrogance and a penchant for unnecessarily flashy weaponry."
Tony gasps dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest. "Excuse you, Reindeer Games, my 'flashy weaponry' keeps the world safe."
Gwen gives Einarr a sly look that says, "See? They are too similar."
Gwen is also secretly pleased with how comfortable this is. Loki is not antagonizing anyone. He's relaxed a lot since the twins were born, and the team is treating him normally, not like a villain.
Einarr meets Gwen's gaze with a quiet smirk, as if to say, "I see it too," before glancing back at the bickering pair. It is oddly comfortable. The old tension between Loki and the team has softened into something resembling grudging mutual respect, though neither side would ever admit it out loud.
Thor watches them all with an amused glint in his eye before leaning toward Gwen and whispering, "I told you they’d warm up to him eventually."
Gwen whispers back. "I shouldn't have been so worried."
They finish lunch, and Gwen takes them all on a tour of the tower, answering questions, and telling stories from her time there.
Tony and Nat join them for a bit, regaling the twins and even Einarr with anecdotes of their own.
Einarr looks particularly impressed when Tony tells stories of the more dangerous villains he's fought, his respect for Midgardian warriors clearly growing. Even the twins, usually bored when adults talk about serious matters, are quiet and rapt, eyes wide like this story time is the best thing they've ever heard.
Loki keeps an arm around Gwen's waist the entire time, his eyes occasionally meeting hers in silent solidarity. He's enjoying this more than he'll ever admit.
The twins are fascinated by the high-tech systems of the tower. The holographic screens and advanced tech are all new to them. They follow Tony like adorable little ducklings, watching in wide-eyed curiosity and sometimes even asking questions. It's clear they're soaking everything in and having the time of their lives.
Thor, meanwhile, occasionally reaches out to ruffle the twins' hair or poke them in the stomach, loving and mischievous in the same breath. Gwen isn't sure her heart can take much more of the cuteness.
"Naptime, and I'll take you to the park before dinner. Then, we can watch a movie and have candy." She grins. She is absolutely going to spoil them during this trip. The closest they have to candy at home in Asgard is honey cakes and sugared fruit.
The twins both give her identical pleading looks, with those big eyes and pouts of theirs that have gotten them anything they want their whole lives so far. Tony laughs at the sight, shaking his head ruefully as he looks at the kids. "I hope you're prepared, Gwen. Those expressions are the most powerful weapon they have. I can't even say no."
Even Einarr is struggling to maintain a stoic expression at their cuteness. "Look away, Tony, or they will have you wrapped around their fingers too."
Tony holds both hands up with a feigned solemn expression, but his eyes keep darting to the kids, who are now giving him a pleading look, too. It's hilarious. Even Thor is struggling not to crack, clearly trying to hold back a smile as he watches the exchange.
Finally, Tony lets out a sigh. "Fine. They win. I'm powerless against the charm of those two. I'll make sure you have all the candy, ice cream, and popcorn you want."
The twins beam at him, and he grins. It's completely ridiculous how whipped they've all gotten already.
Gwen laughs. "Way to stay strong, Iron Man."