Chapter 23
The Asgard Universe - The Twins of Fate Saga - Summary/Content Note
In the movie room that evening, the family walks in to see that Tony has indeed fulfilled the kids' wishes for snacks. It seems there is a little bit of everything for them to sample. Gwen picks out her favorite candy bar and then picks out ones she thinks Loki and Einarr will like.
"Tony, you are the absolute best. Thank you for this," Gwen smiles.
Tony Stark, lounging in one of the plush recliners with a bowl of popcorn already in hand, grins and gives Gwen a lazy salute.
"Eh, what’s royalty without a little spoiling? Figured I’d give ‘em the full Midgardian junk food experience." He smirks as he watches Liv immediately begin meticulously sniff-testing every candy variety like she’s conducting field research, while Varian just shoves an entire handful into his mouth at once. Loki sighs but looks secretly delighted.
Einarr chuckles as he settles into an armchair, examining the unfamiliar snacks with mild curiosity before popping one of Tony's recommended "best" chocolates into his mouth. His eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "...Okay. I see why they like it here."
Midgard and Asgard are quite different, and while there is luxury in the palace, sometimes it doesn't compare to everyday Midgardian things.
Gwen gets the kids settled with their snacks on a couple of beanbag chairs in the front. Everyone else takes their favorite seats.
"I hope no one objects to this, but I thought The Princess Bride would be a good one to try tonight. It's a few certain Asgardians' first movie and I don't want to overwhelm them."
Loki, sprawled on the couch with his arm casually draped over the back, near Gwen's shoulders, lets out an intrigued hum at her choice. "A princess story? Really?" He sounds skeptical, but there’s amusement in his eyes. Meanwhile, Varian immediately cheers for anything with "princess" in the title; he is obsessed, and Liv is too busy meticulously sorting her candy pile by color to protest.
Einarr just leans back in his chair. "If there’s sword fights, I’m in."
Tony mock-gasps from across the room. "Blasphemy! Everyone knows Princess Bride is a classic!" He tosses popcorn at Loki for doubting it. Loki flicks a piece of chocolate back at him without looking.
Gwen smiles to herself. It's an odd sight to see Loki sitting here enjoying a movie with Tony Stark and the other Avengers, but it makes her heart happy. Loki has changed. He is still full of mischief and sarcasm, but he is calmer and more protective with her and the twins. Maybe they really could make time on Midgard work if everyone is going to get along so well.
Gwen answers. "This movie has everything. I think you will all enjoy it."
The kids have never seen a movie or TV show before. Gwen tried to explain it all so hopefully they would understand. Einarr is still adjusting to the idea himself. Gwen relaxes against Loki. Einarr ends up sitting next to Natasha and Steve. Good. She is glad he feels a bit more comfortable with them.
As the movie rolls on, even Loki looks mildly entertained, though he tries to hide it with a look of nonchalance. He is secretly riveted by the swordplay and action sequences, and the witty banter has him letting out little snorts of amusement at certain points. The kids do occasionally ask some questions—Liv more than Varian—but both of them seem fairly captivated by the story. Einarr is also totally engrossed in the film. He might even be misty-eyed during the iconic "As you wish" scene.
The movie ends, and Liv immediately turns to Gwen with a look of intense focus, like she's about to analyze battle strategies.
"Why didn’t Inigo stab him through the heart right away? That was inefficient."
Loki snorts into his drink, while Einarr chokes on a laugh. Tony points at her as if she just proved his entire point. "See?! Even your kid gets it."
Meanwhile, Varian dramatically reenacts the sword fight against Loki’s leg.
Gwen shrugs. "Movies sometimes have things that might not make total sense just to keep the story interesting. The whole point is to enjoy it. Did you like it?"
Liv scowls slightly, as if not being ruthlessly efficient is a personal offense. But after a beat, she nods sharply.
"Yes. The sword fighting was excellent." She then points accusingly at Loki. "You never told me fencing could be like that!"
Loki holds up his hands in surrender. "I can teach you tomorrow with flourishes, if you insist." He smirks, but there’s genuine warmth in it, clearly proud of her critical eye.
Einarr leans toward Natasha and mutters. "...They are terrifying children."
Loki chuckles before glancing at the kids again. He still looks rather proud of both of them.
"Varian is already quite fond of playacting, while Liv is apparently a budding military strategist. I don't know what I find more terrifying." Loki explains as the corner of his mouth turns up. "Honestly, I'm leaning toward our little girl with the sword."
Einarr grins and leans back in his chair. "Perhaps they can grow into an impressive warrior and a master of espionage." He raises his glass to Tony. "Thank you for the film selection, Stark."
If Gwen thought her heart was full before, now it would surely burst. Living part-time on Earth would be good for them. The children will learn and train in Asgard, but they could also live here, influenced by some of the best people on Earth, learning science and tech. Varian and Liv, as children of both worlds, would have unlimited potential.
Gwen echoes Einarr in thanking Tony and also the others for indulging them in a movie night.
Tony waves a dismissive hand as if to brush off the entire thing. His expression is almost smug. It's the look of a man who knows he's just won.
"Are you kidding? You're family. And I get to say I helped expose the god of mischief to the cinematic magic of The Dread Pirate Roberts, and that's worth a little movie night." He shoots Loki a sly grin. "Though maybe next time we can watch Star Wars…"
"They would probably all love Star Wars. I'm on board with that."
Varian, like the easily excitable child that he is, immediately lets out an excited cheer. Liv's face lights up as well, and even Loki looks intrigued. Einarr just grins and turns to Tony, his gaze sharp and curious.
"I am unfamiliar with the word… 'Star Wars'," he admits with an excited gleam. "Is it some sort of … space warrior film?"
Tony's smirk widens even farther as he leans back, already plotting his next move. "You're damn right it is."
Tony then begins an impassioned discussion about the film, complete with hand gestures and excited rambling. The kids are practically hanging on every word in their excitement. Loki can hardly keep his smirk contained, but even he is curious about this "Star Wars" story.
At some point, Einarr turns to Loki and mutters quietly, "Is he always this passionate about films, my lord?"
Loki glances over at Tony before shrugging nonchalantly in reply. "Only when he's trying to convince everyone that his opinions are the only right ones."
Gwen and the kids help clean up and take all the candy and snacks back to the kitchen.
"Well, Einarr, what did you think?" she asks.
Einarr, who had been stuffing a last handful of candy into his pocket (for "later," obviously), pauses at Gwen's question. He looks around at the messy living room, popcorn scattered everywhere, empty wrappers strewn about, and grins, licking chocolate off his fingers.
"I think Stark’s people are very … enthusiastic." He gestures to where Tony is still dramatically reenacting lightsaber moves for the twins. "And I think I want to watch every film you have in this realm."
Loki sighs from where he’s lounging on the couch. "Great. Now we have two of them obsessed with Midgardian nonsense." But there’s no real venom in it, just amusement.
"Yes! I love movies, and I've missed them,” Gwen grins. “Plays in Asgard are great and creative, but nothing compares to this."
"Of course you'd say that. You're Midgardian to your core." Loki says, rolling his eyes with that usual mix of sarcasm and fondness. He leans back on the couch, watching as the twins finally start yawning, sugar crash imminent. "But I suppose if they enjoy it... then I'll endure another one of Stark’s cinematic lectures."
Then, quieter—just for her, "...And if you miss it that much... we can come back more often."
She turns to Loki with an affectionate smile. "Thank you, my love."
Something Loki said struck her, but she couldn't put her finger on it immediately.
Later that night, when the two of them are ready for bed, she figures it out and brings it up.
"Loki, you said something earlier. It was nothing, but it made me think."
Loki is lying on his back, hands behind his head as he stares at the ceiling. Gwen is curled into his side, head on his bare chest. His hand lazily drifts up and down across her back, fingers tracing aimless shapes into her skin. The sound of her voice snaps him back to the moment, and he glances down at her.
"Hmm? What was that, love?" he murmurs, his eyes still half-lidded.
"You said something about me being ‘Midgardian to my core.’ Obviously, it’s true. I am Midgardian and... mortal. I've been reminded of it often in Asgard, but I guess tonight, sitting there, something hit hard." She props herself up on her elbow to look at him. "I am mortal. I’ll start aging more visibly, and you’ll stay the same. I’ll be a frail old woman, and you... will stay the same. I’ll die in a few short decades, and you’ll still be here. And who knows about the twins..."
Loki tenses beneath her. His fingers still against her back as he processes what she’s saying. For a moment, the only sound is their breathing in the quiet of the room.
"I did give you that golden apple," he finally murmurs, voice softer than usual. There’s an undercurrent of something taut beneath it — not irritation, but something closer to fear. "You could be as I am, if you wished. Yet you didn’t take it."
She blinks, stunned. "The apple... I haven’t thought about that in a long time. I know I didn’t eat it before, but that was so long ago—before we even knew I was pregnant."
Loki exhales, not quite a laugh but not a scoff either. His fingers flex against her skin, hesitant. "I left it for you because... I already knew I didn’t want to lose you. Even then, before everything, I wanted you to have the choice to stay."
He doesn’t say it outright, but she knows what he means. Even before the twins, before any promises, he had already wanted her forever.
"The offer still stands," he adds after a pause, a ghost of a smile in his tone. "...If you want it." His voice is light, but his grip tightens slightly, betraying how much the answer matters to him.
"To be immortal and have the chance to be with you forever...? Of course I want it. You are my only love."
His breath leaves him in a whoosh of surprise, almost sounding like a half-laugh, as his fingers slide up from her back to tangle into her hair. His eyes meet hers, intense and vulnerable all at once. His entire body tenses beneath hers, and the usual smirk is replaced by an almost boyish smile of relief.
"Then why didn’t you eat it?" he asks quietly, his voice almost a whisper. "I gave you the choice. I trusted you to…"
"You gave me the choice after one night together. We didn't know I was pregnant; we didn't know anything..." Her expression turns sheepish. "....and I also thought it was just your way of blowing me off with a pretty gift. I didn't know what it meant until after."
His breath hitches, then he barks out a laugh, half-exasperated and half-adoring.
"Gwen. Love. You—" He cuts himself off, shaking his head in disbelief before tugging her closer to kiss her soundly. "I gave you the golden apple because I already couldn't bear the thought of losing you. And instead of eating it like any sane person would, you assumed it was just … what? A flippant parting gift?" He kisses her again for good measure. "We are having this conversation much sooner next time I try to make you immortal."
Gwen laughs and buries her face in his chest. "You wanted me that much, and I thought you were being a jerk. Not to completely rehash it but you didn't contact me for months after. I had to come to you and tell you I was pregnant with the twins, something I did not want to do since I thought you didn't care about me."
He lets out a small huff, shaking his head in exasperated disbelief. His hands slide down from her hair to trail over the small of her back. "I was trying to give you space."
Then, just because he wants to, he pulls her on top of him so she's straddling his waist. His hands rest on her thighs, his gaze meeting hers with an intensity that borders on dangerous.
"A mistake, apparently."
"We're both idiots." She leans down to kiss him. "But we've learned. We don't keep secrets and we talk to each other."
He hums against her lips, wrapping one arm around her waist to pull her flush against him while his free hand tangles into the back of her hair. "Mm. Mostly."
Then, because he's still Loki, "...But you are eating that apple tomorrow."
"I will. I promise."
He exhales, long and slow, as if the very idea had been coiled tight inside his ribs for years. His fingers press into her skin just a little harder, possessive in a way that isn’t cruel but relieved. Like he’d spent lifetimes waiting to hear those words.
"Good." His voice is rough when he finally speaks again, thumb brushing over the line of her jaw. "Because I refuse to spend eternity without you."
Part of her wishes that everyone could see this side of Loki, but ultimately she likes that she has this to herself. Let him keep his dangerous and fearsome reputation; she'll get the strong and devoted side privately.
"You are too good to me."
He actually rolls his eyes at that, lips curling up in a smirk that is almost too arrogant to seem genuine. "Good? Love, I have been called many things by most of the realms, but good isn't one of them."
That said, he then rolls her onto her back and presses her into the mattress, his weight coming to rest against her. He buries his face in the crook of her neck, nipping gently at her skin.
"And yet … you married me anyway."
"And I'd do it again and again."
They are quieter than usual tonight, mindful of Einarr and the children sleeping nearby.