Thor puts his feet up as he lounges back on the couch. With a beer in hand and his fellow Avengers gathered round sharing stories of great battles. The Chitauri were defeated about six months ago, but Thor has remained on Midgard to ensure no lingering threats emerged from distance places. The Mad Titan was defeated easily and slain in battle. Since then Thor has been using the magic of Mjolnir to help the city rebuild its great many skyscrapers. Everything is about back to normal.

Natasha looks at Thor as she curls up next to Hawkeye. She and Hawkeye have known each other for years but only now have they had the opportunity to explore a relationship together. Tony chats on the phone with Pepper as Steve and Bruce talk about the different serums that changed them into what they are. Steve mentions Peggy's name a lot. Natasha looks at Thor again and wonders if there is a special lady in Thor's life. Surely there must be. He is a prince after all. Or perhaps dating is different and more stringent where Thor comes from. In all the time he's been here he has never mentioned his love life, and she can't help but wonder if he is hiding something. In any case, it would be nice to help the guy make a love connection. He's such a nice guy. Steve too but not yet. He still hasn't let go of Peggy, he's not ready.

Natasha is suddenly ripped from her musings by a very bright light that fills the whole balcony. It gets everyone's attention. It puts most of the team on edge but Thor recognizes it and smiles. Suddenly there is a blue man standing there.

"Loki." Thor says softly. He opens the sliding glass door and walks outside to greet him as the rest of the team follows suit. Everyone gawks when Thor pulls the man in for an intimate embrace and then kisses him on the lips. Thor's fingers immediately entangle in the blue man's long flowing raven hair.

"My friends, May I introduce Prince Loki of Jotunnheim, Prince Consort of Asgard, my husband." Thor says.

"You're married?!" Clint exclaims.

"Yes. Loki these are my mortal companions. They are the ones I aided during the Chitauri invasion. This is Anthony Stark, Dr. Bruce Banner, Captain Steve Rogers, Clint Barton, and Natasha Romanova. We call ourselves the Avengers, Earth's mightiest heroes and defenders. Everyone, this is Loki." Thor announces. Loki steps forward.

"It is a pleasure to meet all of you." Loki says formally. Everyone echoes back a greeting. Tony and Clint may not be telepaths but in this moment it is like they are of one mind. Holy shit! Thor is gay! I know right? I'm guessing the blue man group guy is the bottom? Yeah I thought so too! The glance they both share says so much.

"Loki, what brings you to Midgard?" Thor asks expectantly.

"Thor, I've come here on what is more or less official business. Your father has fallen into the Odinsleep. It was unexpected and it scarred many of the nobles at court. He is fine, however, his sudden collapsed has spurred discussions of succession and heirs. While I have no doubt your father will awaken, this time feels different. Thor, in all likelihood you are going to be crowned king soon. The people are nervous that I have yet to provide you with a child." Loki says.

"But your heat is not due for another 20 years. The council knows this. Complaining will not hasten your natural cycle." Thor says.

"Actually Thor the topic has been raised of inducing my mating cycle so that I may be bred." Loki says. Thor frowns deeply and thinks back to when he and Loki first met. The circumstances were very different then, but it is plain to Thor that the council still thinks of Loki as little more than a sex slave and not their future queen.

"Absolutely not! I forbid it! I would never make you suffer so." Thor yells.

"I knew you would react that way, which is why I have already drunk the potion." Loki says. Thor looks heartbroken at hearing the statement. He would never have agreed to this. He almost looks like he's going to cry. The others look on, confused and concerned by the exchange. Loki is a man but he can get pregnant? Heats? Potions?

"Ah Thor buddy, you mind explaining what is wrong? Maybe we can help somehow?" Tony asks.

"No my friend. Our conundrum is a personal one. Your concern is appreciated but you cannot assist us." Thor says.

"Well at least let us offer your spouse some basic hospitality. Come on in. Drinks are on me." Tony says. It looks like the couple could use a drink or two. Everyone returns inside. The group has many questions in mind and they are curious about the new arrival.

"Loki when did you drink the potion?" Thor asks.

"Not 10 minutes ago. It will take several hours before I begin to feel the effects. I know they won't be pleasant, but providing you an heir is my duty, and you know how eager your father's council is to find any excuse to bring in a substitute Aesir maiden to bear the future king." Loki says.

"I'd never betray you like that. I'd never allow it. I'll never keep a concubine again." Thor says. The statement gets the other's attention. Concubine? Just how old school is Asgard? Thor kisses Loki's forehead and pulls him in close, wrapping his great arms about Loki as if an evil force were about to snatch him away.

"So….how did you two meet?" Clint asks innocently, thinking that the story of how they met might be lighter more nostalgic fare. He miscalculates greatly, for Thor's features darken all the more. Theirs is clearly not a happy tale. Loki speaks for them.

"I was Thor's thrall." Loki says.

"Thrall? What do you mean?" Steve asks.

"Loki was my sex slave. When his people were defeated in the last war with Asgard Loki was taken as a war trophy and given to me as a gift. Though we are now married, Loki is still considered by most of my people to be my property." Thor says with a dark and sad voice.

"Whoa! Hey Thor do your people still practice slavery?" Steve asks.

"Yes. It is common practice for my people to enslave our vanquished foes." Thor says in a disapproving tone.

"It won't be that way for much longer. You'll be king soon. You'll be able to make the changes you always wanted." Loki says.

"A change that will come too late for some." Thor says softly to Loki.

"Oh my darling, you are not the man you were 10 years ago when we first met and if my temporary mistreatment is the price to bring an end to the suffering of so many others then so be it. You are not that cruel child that raped me nightly all those years ago. You have become a man of conscience. You never used to see the value in the life of anyone that was not Aesir. If not for me, would you have even seen the value in helping these people whom you now call friends?"

"That I should endeavor to spend the rest of my life to become worthy of you, that would be a noble quest." Thor says as the tears falls.

"Do not let your heart be troubled so. I have come here to find comfort in your arms. In a few hours my body will rebel against itself. The aches and pains will set in as my body boils inside my skin. I will be in pain and all I'll want for is your touch and company. As unpleasant as that will be, once it is over my body will be ready to conceive and you, my love, must then fulfill your duty to me." Loki says with joyful smile. They kiss then, sweetly and passionately as the Avengers look on. What they have heard in the last few minutes astounds them. Their story is one of rape and redemption, forgiveness and love. No wonder Thor never talked about Loki. He is the source of both Thor's greatest joy and sorrow.

"So, I'm going to be the one to address the elephant in the room. Loki are you a man or a woman?" Tony asks bluntly. Clint chokes on his beer and feels the fuzzy liquid drip out of his nose. Thor chuckles at the question.

"He is Jotunn." Thor says, as if it explains everything.

"What does that mean?" Bruce asks.

"My species is both male and female in one. My people are of a single gender." Loki explains. It doesn't really answer the question as to what exactly is in between his legs. Does he have both a cock and vagina or some other weird sex organ configuration? Now Tony is really curious.

"And interbreeding between your species is possible?" Bruce asks.

"Yes. For all our bigotry, my people are actually closely related to the Jotunn race." Thor explains. It goes quiet then, and no one knows what else to say, making the whole room feel awkward.

"So, how long do you plan on staying?" Tony asks.

"If it is no undue burden, I would be honored if you would allow me to stay for roughly 10 days. Once the pre-heat, and heat cycle are complete Thor and I will both need to return home. Thor's time here on Midgard is over. He has duties in Asgard that have been neglected in his absence. It is now time for him to resume them." Loki says.

"Of course, you are most welcome in my home." Tony says with dramatic flair.

"I thank you." Loki says.