Pairings: Wade & Death, Natasha & Clint, Storm & Thor (explicit), Steve & Loki,

Explicit Content: Vaginal Sex

Wade has a job in San Francisco. Well, had. He's already completed it. The job isn't the exciting thing. The exciting thing is that Death has come to visit him. They stand hand-in-hand on the shore and look out at Alcatraz. "They say it's haunted," he tells her.

"Do you believe it?" she asks as her free hand plays with the Ankh pendant on her necklace.

"I believe there is probably some residual energy there that replays historical events, likely traumatic ones," he replies. "Not sure I believe in actual, like, sentient ghosts."

"At that point they're probably some sort of demon or astral projection."

"Totally. Can you astral project?"

She shakes her head. "Don't really have to."

"I wish I could astral project."

"Really? Why? Where would you go?" she wonders.

"I don't know. Probably just fly around, see what people were doing." He shrugs. "Maybe watch people shower."

"Please. You can be more creative than that."

That feels like a challenge to Wade. "Okay. Okay." He thinks. "I would go to one of those ghost hunting shows when they're filming, and scare the bajebus out of them."

Death smiles. "Better."

"And then I'd watch them shower."

She laughs. "Wade! You're so bad. I love it."

He turns to look at her. "Good."

She kisses him.

"That's good, too."

"I'm glad you think so." She rests her head against his shoulder.

"This is nice," Wade says.

"It is." But then she groans.

He squints. "Pretty sure we just agreed this was nice."

"We did," Death says with a frown. "Thanos is trying to get my attention again."

"Again? Can't he take a hint?" Wade asks.

"Apparently not."

"Have you told him you're with me?"

"He knows I'm taken," she replies. "But he refuses to give up. He thinks he can win me, wear me down, as if I don't know me own mind." She presses against Wade. "Why are some men such asses?"

"Dunno. Maybe they weren't loved enough as children," Wade replies.

"I don't buy that. I've met others who weren't loved enough as children, and they were caring and kind." She makes a face. "No, Thanos is just an asshole."

"Well I got nothin' then."

"You got me." She smiles up at him.

"I'm glad you came to visit me," Wade says.

"Me, too."

"Wanna try to break into Alcatraz?"

She laughs. "Maybe another time. Let's go try to break into Lucasfilm instead."

Excitement sparkles in his eyes. "That's the best idea ever."

xxx

Natasha does yoga almost every morning. It keeps her limber and helps her maintain her balance. It's also a way to connect with her breath and clear her mind. Wanda, Steve, and Sam usually join her. Pietro joins about half the time. Clint is there maybe once a week if that. Logan prefers Tai Chi. (At least he did when he was there.) Loki prefers drinking a nice cup of tea.

With Steve still on Asgard, this morning Natasha is joined by Wanda and Pietro.

"My heels are on the ground!" Wanda exclaims with excitement from her downward dog position. It's the first time since she started that this has happened despite the fact that they have done downward dog at least twice during every practice.

"Congrats," Natasha tells her. "I knew you'd get there. Now let's do our vinyasa." When she hears Pietro groan, she promises it's the last one. "Once you're in cobra, go into child's pose." She keeps them there for a long moment before taking them through the last of the exercises that end finally in corpse pose.

Someone is eating potato chips.

"Hello, Clint," Natasha says. "You just missed the entire practice."

"No, I saw," he says.

"Where did you get potato chips?" Pietro asks, excitement in his voice.

"Loki. He says hi." He holds the bag our for the younger man. "Didn't want to disturb you while you were doing your thing."

"How nice of him," Natasha says still on her back, muscles relaxed and eyes closed. "How are things on Asgard?"

"Okay I guess. They're still rebuilding. And there's some political stuff that I didn't pay attention to." He puts another chip in his mouth.

"Of course you didn't." She's not surprised, but she is a little disappointed.

Wanda sits up. "Did he say when they were returning?"

Clint shrugs. "Not that I remember."

Natasha shakes her head. "You just took the chips and forgot everything else, huh?" She gets up. "Next time, tell Loki to interrupt us."

"They're fine," he assures her.

"All the same, I'd like to hear that directly from him." She shakes out her yoga mat before rolling it up.

"Yes, dear."

She kind of really hates it when he says that to her. Very deliberately, she gives him a displeased look. "Enjoy your chips. I'm going to go change and see if we're needed anywhere."

"I'll go with you," Wanda says before following in her wake. "You are worried," she says when they get to the house.

"I'm concerned."

"Are you thinking we should join them?"

"No. But I'm wondering how long we'll be without them." She stops at the top of the stairs. "I want to see what you can do now that you've trained more with Loki. You seem more comfortable with your power."

"I am," Wanda assures her. "I am ready for more opportunity."

"Good. I'm just not sure about leaving Clint and Pietro by themselves," Natasha admits.

"So send Clint and Pietro on their own mission."

"Maybe. If something comes up, we may not have a choice in the matter."

Each woman goes to her room to change out of her exercise clothes and into something looser. Now in a tank top and shorts, Natasha heads to the jet to listen to scanners and skim the major newspapers. She also checks to see if she has any messages from former contacts and associates.

Clint follows her to into the jet. "You mad at me?"

"No," she replies as she pulls up the Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan's largest newspapers.

"You sure? You seem kinda mad."

She turns to look at him. "I promise I'm not mad. I just don't like it when you do the 'yes, dear' thing."

"Sorry." He knows that. Sometimes he does it just to… He's not sure why he does it. Maybe he just wants a reaction.

"It's fine. Did you need something?"

"Need any help?"

"Sure. Check the newspapers while I see if we have any messages."

"You got it." Clint takes a seat and starts looking through the English-translations of newspapers.

There are a few email accounts and social media hashtags Natasha checks regularly. Clint originally suggested they place classified ads in a bunch of newspapers like The A-Team, but when Pietro and Wanda asked him what classified ads were, he rescinded the idea.

Natasha is a little surprised to see an email in the account. "Bobbi sent us a tip."

"What kind of tip?"

"Something the U.N. is not moving on."

He turns his head. "Is she an Avenger now?"

"No. She's designing security for a private company - Humanitech Robotics."

"Humanitech?" Clint makes a face. "Gee, that doesn't sound ominous."

"Bobbi knows what she's doing."

"So how'd she find out about this U.N. thing?" he asks.

"One of the admins where she works has a friend who's involved," Natasha replies. "I'm going to check it out with Wanda."

"Itching to get out of here?"

"I promised her. I want see how she is in the field now that she's been training for a while," she explains.

"Not Pietro?"

"I want to see how they do individually."

"Makes sense." He continues looking through the newspapers. "I can always take him if there is anything else that needs our attention."

She smiles. "That's a great idea. I know he looks up to you."

He makes a face. "Me?"

"Have you forgotten Sokovia already?"

"They didn't know I was a walking disaster area until after that."

Natasha pulls him into a kiss. "You are not a walking disaster area. You've got heart and an addiction to caffeine."

"Not so much an addiction as a deep love and connection to."

"Uh-huh." She gives him a smile before returning to the tablet. Once she's checked everything, she finds Wanda to tell her about the mission. "Do the research. Then we'll decide on a goal and our objectives."

"I will." Wanda is excited and nervous and proud that Natasha would entrust her with the research.

Pietro looks up from his book. "Do you want help?"

"No. I will do this alone. Thank you." She gives her brother a pat on the head as she leaves the room.

xxx

Sam sits with the Asgardian children and asks them to tell them about their parents. The first kid started talking about a battle his father had been in. "Impressive," Sam tells him. "Really. But now I want to hear about the favorite memory you have of you and your father together."

The boy thinks for a moment. "The first time he took me to the training ground. He gave me a wooden sword and told me how to hold it." He sniffs. "We spent all afternoon together."

The next boy talks about how he would help cook with his mother and father. A girl describes her father tucking her into bed every night and telling her a story. There are a few stories about going to the market and getting a special treat. Talking about their parents seems to help, proving they existed, they were good, they are loved.

Sam has them draw a picture of their stories. "You can talk to each other while you work," he tells them. Soon it starts to get loud. It makes him smile. They were so quiet when he first started with them. Now they are talking, connecting, sharing.

And now in the evenings he's working with some of the adults. No one calls it therapy, least of all him. He just goes around and talks to people, sees how they are doing. They know he is a friend of Prince Loki and Prince Steve. That made it a little tough at first to get more than assurances that they were alright. But eventually, after a few questions and assurances that he wouldn't tell the princes or the king about anything they talk about, they began to open up to him.

He's learned the people of Asgard are not as one-dimensional as they first seem. Then again, no people are. They're curious about him, too. He tells them about his own family and some of his experiences in Afghanistan. He only talks about losing Riley to those who lost someone. He tells it more than he wants to, but it gets fractionally easier each time he does. More importantly, it lets him talk about Riley when he was alive, and that is a blessing.

"Sam!"

He's walking back to the palace, just passing the stables when he hears his name. Turning, he sees the stable hand waving at him. "Goran." He smiles as he changes his path to meet the young man. "How are you doing this fine evening?"

"Well. And you?"

"Very well. How's your mother doing?"

"Better. I'm fairly certain she either wants to adopt you or wed you." Goran lost a brother to the fighting. His mother had of course been devastated. She is one of the people Sam goes to see regularly.

Sam chuckles. "I'm flattered either way. And I'd have to decline either way."

"I'm relieved. If you became my brother, I'm pretty sure you'd be her favorite."

"Nah. No way." He puts his hands on his hips. "I wish I had gotten to meet your brother. The stories your mother tells about him are pretty amazing."

"Yeah." Goran looks down. "He was…a true Asgardian."

"I haven't met anyone here who isn't." He looks at the stable hand. "I'm glad you're able to visit her more. I know she appreciates it."

He nods. "It's been nice being able go for supper every evening."

"No one has given you any flak about it, have they?"

"Flak?"

Sam apologizes. "I meant has anyone given you any trouble about it."

"No. No trouble. I'm not sure they've even noticed." Goran isn't sure if he's relieved or disappointed by that.

"They've noticed. At least some of them," Sam assures him.

"Your own family must be missing you."

He nods slowly. "I miss them, too. But they understand why I can't be with them. They raised me to do what's right even if it's not entirely legal."

"They sound like good people."

"They are."

There is a moment of silence. "Please don't let me keep you," Goran says. "I only wanted to say hello. I'm sure they are waiting for you at the palace."

"If they are, all they're getting is a quick hello. Then I'm off to bed."

"Good night to you, Sam."

"And to you, Goran." He gives a nod and continues to the palace. His legs feel heavy as he climbs up the steps.

When he opens the door, a large black bird flies in. "Which one are you?" There's no answer as it's already gone. He shrugs. "Say hey to Thor for me." He closes the door.

As he makes his way up to his room, he passes a few guards. He gives them a nod and a hello. When he finally gets to his room, he collapses onto the bed.

Sam misses home. Not just earth. He misses New Orleans and the Avengers facility. He misses fast food without having to rely on Loki for it. He misses movies and bars and even dating.

He rubs his eyes. He really should get up and brush his teeth. This thought persists for another 20 minutes before he finally forces himself to sit up. Slowly he makes his way to the sink and brushes his teeth. That done, he takes off everything but his boxers and returns to bed.

It's been a long day.

Sam stares up at the ceiling. He's too tired to sleep.

A thunderstorm rolls in. He listens to the rain, letting the sound slowly lull him into unconsciousness.

xxx

Storm is hovering in the sky, lightning flashing around her. She lands on the ground next to Thor. "It is a lovely storm."

"Aye." He smiles at her. "We make a good team."

"It doesn't require both of us."

"No, but I enjoy doing this with you." He takes her hand.

"And I with you. But I said I would help based on the assumption that you would be too busy to do this sort of thing."

Thor frowns. "So if I'm not too busy, you'd leave?"

"I didn't say that, but I would prefer not to be manipulated into staying," she challenges.

He bows his head. "Fair enough. I did not know whether I would have time to ensure the crops had enough rain. I don't know if this is a one-time thing or if I will be able to continue this." His head rises to look at her. "I enjoy your company. You make me feel less alone. I would like you to stay. Please."

"We should get out of the rain."

"Maybe I like you in the rain."

Storm smiles and slowly shakes her head. "You are a man of simple pleasures."

"I know what I like," he replies.

"And that's what I like about you." She kisses him as a jagged bolt of lightning streaks across the sky. "We should go in. I'd hate to track mud all over the palace floors."

A grin appears on Thor's lips. He starts to twirl Mjolnir. "I'll race you back."

"You're on." Storm immediately flies up.

Thor flings Mjolnir up, taking off after her.

Both are flying near their top speed as they race to the palace. Lightning connects the clouds around them. Their bodies vibrate with the booming thunder that follows. Ultimately, it's Storm slowing down to land that costs her. Thor is happy to slam into the ground.

"Ha! I won!"

She pats his shoulder. "Yes you did."

His eyes narrow. "Did you let me win?" he asks as she walks into the building. He follows her inside. "Storm? Storm."

Looking over her shoulder, she smiles at him. "I need to dry off."

"Did you let me win?"

"I'm dripping all over the floor."

"The servants will get that. Storm, answer me."

She stops and turns to face him. "Thor, you won. Accept it."

He opens his mouth but isn't sure what to say. His mouth closes then opens again. "I need to know that I earned it."

"You earned it," she assures him. "You earned the win and the kingdom and the hammer." She smiles. "You haven't earned me yet though."

"No?"

"Not tonight anyway." She lifts her arms. A warm wind blows around them. She closes her eyes and revels in the air as it dries her.

Thor smiles as he watches her white hair whip around. She looks every inch a goddess. "I will earn you," he promises.

Her eyes open. "Did you say something?"

"I said I will earn you," he repeats in a louder voice.

She smiles. "That's what I thought you said. Here's hoping you do." The wind slows then stills. She turns and heads up the stairs.

Thor follows at her heels. No matter how difficult the day has been, ending it with Storm always makes it bearable.

When they get to his room, she grabs a nightgown and heads for the bathroom. She takes two steps before a hand stops her. "Yes?"

"You don't need that," he says as he takes hold of the nightgown.

"Maybe not immediately, but I will."

"That is acceptable."

"It will have to be," she informs him. The nightgown is placed on top of her bag. "I have to use the bathroom," she tells him so he won't stop her again.

"It's all yours," he says with a gesture of his arm. "Would you like company?"

"Not unless you're turned on by watching me urinate."

He considers it then follows her in. "You did offer."

"I didn't think you'd take me up on it," she admits as she lowers her trousers.

"It's good that I can still surprise you." He grins at her in that boyish way of his. His arms are folded at his chest.

Storm rolls her eyes. "You're lucky you're so attractive, King Thor." She gets some toilet paper as she finishes.

"You are beautiful."

"Just what a woman wants to hear as she's urinating," she deadpans.

"You're welcome."

She finds herself chuckling as she pulls up her trousers.

"Leave them off," Thor instructs.

"Too late." She washes her hands.

He gets behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Would you like a bath?"

"I feel like I just had a shower." Her head turns toward him. "I'd rather go straight to bed."

"You are an intelligent and beautiful woman."

"Thank you."

Storm dries her hands before she removes his from her waist. She keeps hold of one of them as she walks to the bed. When they arrive, she begins to undress him, taking her time with the ties and buckles. Finally, she pulls his shirt off and runs her hands over his chest. "You're so…"

"Muscular? Handsome?"

"Light." She grins at him.

His eyebrows rise. "Are you saying I need more sun?"

"No. Simply making an observation." She kisses him before he can reply. Small strands of lightning pass between them making their skin tingle.

"Your turn?"

"Not yet," she informs him. She unfastens his pants before pulling them down. Then she pushes him onto the bed so she can take his shoes off and get him completely naked.

Thor rises onto his elbows so he can watch her. "Now you." It's not a question this time.

"Now me," she agrees. Her boots come off easily. Then she slowly strips off her clothes as his eyes remain on her.

"Have I thanked you?"

"For removing my clothes? No."

He chuckles. "No, for being here. Though I do thank you for removing your clothes as well."

"You're welcome." She steps out of her underwear before getting the condoms.

"And what do you plan to do with those?"

"You mean you don't know?" she teases. "I was going to make balloon animals."

"Oh, that should be entertaining." He grins. "Though I was hoping they would be used in the manner originally intended."

"The manner originally intended?" She looks at the box as he takes in every curve of her body, her dark nipples, the white of her hair. "Hmm, says here they are meant to go on your penis."

"Indeed." He licks his lips.

Storm takes one and holds it up. Her hand lowers down as she pretends to visually compare the size of the condom and of his cock. "Well, it does seem to be the right size."

"That's a relief. Shall I put it on? Or would you prefer to do the honors."

Her lips curl up. "I like a king who listens to his people."

"Aye. It's important. Must keep citizens happy. Wouldn't want a revolt."

"Indeed not." She sits on the edge of the bed. Her free hand strokes up his thigh. "I think I would like to watch you do it," she says as she hands it to him.

"Very well." He sits up before taking the condom from her. It only takes a moment for him to roll it over his cock. "There. Now I'm dressed for… pleasuring you."

"Mmm." She straddles him, kissing him fiercely.

He holds onto her hip with one hand while the other cups her breast, massaging it, stroking the nipple until it hardens. He gasps when she bites his lip. But then their tongues meet, and only the shadow of pain reminds him it happened at all.

She takes his cock and moves it along her slit, up and back, up and back, helped by the movement of her hips.

A bright flash of lightning is followed immediately by the KATHOOM of thunder.

His cock is slowly enveloped by her heat.

Once she's flush on his lap, Storm pulls away just enough to look into his face. She sees the burning passion in his eyes. "My God of Thunder."

"My Goddess of Storms," he replies, nostrils flaring.

Her body begins to move, working him in and out of her. She lifts her head as his lips taste her chest, her neck. "Yes," she sighs. Her movements become more insistent. "Thor."

Thor stands and stumbles forward until he can go no more. Then he thrusts into her as she steadies herself against the door.

"More."

He gives her more. More force. More speed. More focus.

Electricity buzzes around them, tickling their skin. Storm's white hair begins to rise with it.

"Yes." She shifts the slant of her hips and bites her lip from the resulting pleasure that rises and rises.

"Almost," Thor grunts in warning. Almost turns into now, and he roars with the first pulse of his ejaculation.

"A little more," she tells him. "Just. A little. More."

He's trying to hold on, but it's already too late. He's slowing down.

But that seems to be exactly what she needs to reach her own orgasm. Her nails dig into his back, and her body spasms in pleasure.

They remain there panting between kisses. Slowly, Storm lowers one leg then the other. She rests her head against his chest. "Guess I can put on my nightgown now."

Thor chuckles. "If you insist. But next time get one out for me." He wiggles his eyebrows.

She runs a finger down his chest and promises, "Next time I'm on Earth, I'll pick one up for you. Something in silver."

xxx

"The glass slipper slid over Cinderella's foot. It was a perfect match, which really confused and angered the stepmother," Steve tells Vali.

"What did she do?" the boy asks, the covers pulled up to his chin.

"Nothing. There was nothing she could do. The King's men were there. Had she tried anything, they would have stopped her," he explains. "The King's men took Cinderella back to the castle."

"She married the Prince?"

"That's right. They got married, had a family, and grew old together." He feels Loki's hand take his. "The end. Now close your eyes and get some sleep."

"One more story?" Vali asks, eyes big. His mouth opens in a wide yawn.

It's hard to say no to that face. "One more. But this time you have to close your eyes."

Loki leans in and whispers in Steve's ear, "Softie."

Steve ignores him. Once Vali closes his eyes, he begins the story of the Children of Lir, a tale his mother used to tell him. "Once upon a time, on the coast of Ireland there lived a king named Lir. Lir was the ruler of the sea and married to a beautiful and kind woman named Eva. One day, Eva's belly began to grow. She was with child. A few months later, she bore him a son, a handsome son who looked like his mother. They named him Aodh, and they were happy and loved. Soon Eva's belly began to grow again. It was another child. This time she bore a daughter, a beautiful daughter with eyes like her father. They named her Fionnula. With the new child, their love grew." He stops to listen.

Vali's breathing is steady but not deep.

Loki motions for him to continue. He's never heard this story before.

"It wasn't long before Eva's belly began to grow again. But this time it grew even bigger than before. She was having twins. It was a blessing she hadn't expected. As her belly grew, she grew more tired, but she was happy and excited to meet her new children." He squeezes Loki's hand. He never liked the next part. "It was a short meeting. There was a problem when Fiachra and Conn were born. Eva lost a lot of blood. She was too weak."

"No," Loki whispers.

Steve nods sadly. "The twins were fine, but they didn't have a mother. Not wanting his children to be without a mother, Lir married Eva's sister Aoife."

He frowns before whispering, "If I die, you are not marrying Thor."

With a look, he assures his husband he would never consider that. "Aoife was a great help, but as she saw how close her husband was to her sister's children, she began to grow jealous. She thought if she could bare him a child, then things would be different. But despite her efforts, she was never able to get pregnant." He smiles at the sound of Vali's breathing. The boy is asleep.

"What happened next?" Loki asks.

"I'll tell you in the bath." He gets up and heads to the bathroom. It isn't until they are sitting in the bath surrounded by warm water and bubbles that he continues the story. "The kids and Lir only grow closer, and that made Aoife even more jealous. She decided she wanted Lir all to herself. But she couldn't kill them, because they'd come back as ghosts to haunt her. Instead she took them to the lake and cursed them."

"What sort of curse?"

"She changed them into swans and bound them to spend 300 years living on Lake Derravaragh, another 300 years at the Straits of Moyle, and a final 300 years on the Isle of Inish Gloria. Only when they heard the bell toll for a new god would the curse be broken."

"Bitch."

"Well it certainly wasn't the great decision."

"What happened after?" Loki asks as he plays with Steve's fingers.

"Aoife went back to Lir and told him the children had drowned in the lake."

"How horrible. I hope he was suspicious."

Steve shakes his head. "No. He was heartbroken and went to the lake to see them one last time. That's when Fionnula went up to him in her swan form and told him what had really happened. He was flooded with emotion. Relieved that his children were alive. Appalled and horrified that his wife could do such a thing. Heartbroken that his children were now swans and that he'd never see them as human again."

"What did he do to the wife?"

"He banished her. He banished her and spent his life with his children at Lake Derravaragh. King Lir grew old and passed away before those first 300 years had ended. When it did, they flew to the Straits of Moyle. This was not a pleasant 300 years. It was usually stormy and windy. But they endured it. By the time they started their last 300 years on the Isle of Inish Gloria, their story had spread throughout Ireland. People came from all over to see the swan children."

"At least they were no longer alone."

"True. Some visitors were nice. Others came to gawk. Eventually, missionaries and priests came to the land and began spreading the word of Jesus Christ. A church was built on the isle complete with a bell tower. When the children heard it ring for the first time, they knew their curse was complete. They made their way to shore and found a priest there to bless them. Finally, they transformed back. They hugged each other. But as they hugged, they began to age rapidly. The 900 years were catching up to them. The priest saw this and quickly baptized them. Finally, bodies frail, they looked out at the world once more with human eyes and died."

Loki is quiet for a while. "I don't think I like your story."

"Yeah, it's not exactly a feel-good tale, but my mom used to tell it to me. It was a reminder that life isn't fair and happy endings aren't guaranteed."

"No. No they aren't. But happy middles are worth fighting for."

"They really are." He kisses Loki's head. "Is this a happy middle?"

"It's a complicated one. But, yes, there are moments of happiness."

"Only moments?" Steve asks.

"Long moments. Hours of moments," Loki replies. "But we both know things could be better."

"Things can always be better. It's up to us to make sure they get that way."

He nods. "This is a happy moment. Even with your tragic story of swans and betrayal."

"Sorry."

"As long as I'm with you, you can tell all the tragic stories you wish."

Steve notes, "It wasn't completely tragic. The children had each other. And they had their dad for a while. In the end, the curse was lifted."

"It ended, it wasn't lifted," Loki reminds him. "Though perhaps they were happier living the simple life of swans than they would have been as royalty."

"Should have been their choice, though."

"Yes." He hesitates. "Speaking of choices…"

Steve isn't sure what's coming, but he's pretty sure it won't be pleasant. "Yes?"

"You really don't have to stay here. We don't have to stay here."

"Here in this tub? I figured we'd wait for our fingers and toes to get all wrinkly before we left it."

Loki rolls his eyes, but there's a smile on his face. Too bad Steve can't see either. "I meant here on Asgard."

"I don't want to leave Sam behind. But yeah, I think it's getting close to time we went home."

Turning to look at Steve, Loki asks, "Should we reconsider making this our home in the future?"

Steve thinks for a moment. "I think that future is too far away to make any decisions about it right now. I say we wait, at least until…" A sadness comes into his eyes.

"Regretting agreeing to live so long?"

"No. Just not looking forward to losing everyone we love on Earth. But that's also way in the future. The only reason to think about it is to remind ourselves to appreciate what we have today."

Loki kisses him. "If I ever stop appreciating you..."

"Don't worry, Kitten. I know that'll mean we need alone time in Brooklyn. I'll be sure to give it to you."

He smiles. "I actually wouldn't mind a bit of that sooner."

"Just gotta get Vali to sleep in his own room."

"I know. We're getting there."

"Maybe a stuffed animal," Steve suggests. "You could put magic in it so he can call you with it if he needs you. Like a baby monitor, but something he can hold and love."

"Steve Rogers, you are a brilliant man. I remember Helena absolutely loving the teddy bear Wade won her."

"Peeta Bear," he remembers with a smile. "That was nice. Too bad we can't take Vali to Coney Island. Or Disney World. I bet he'd love Disney World."

"There are lots of Disney parks. We can find a way to take him to one." Loki is liking this idea more and more. He's certain there would be lots of stuffed animals there of all the various characters. Vali could pick one. Yes, this is a good idea.

"Then we should do that. It'll be fun."

"We will. I'll find a way. But let's not tell him until we're certain we're going."

"Of course," Steve says. "He probably wouldn't understand what we're talking about anyway. Better to just take him and see his eyes light up."

Loki kisses him again. Just when he thinks he can't love Steve any more, somehow he does. This is definitely one of the good moments.

A/N: How are you? Are you okay? I know it's been a rough year. But we'll get through this. We won't be the same, but we'll get through this. Hopefully we'll be wiser and more appreciative at the end of it.

Steve told Vali two stories. The first was the end of Cinderella. The second was an Irish folktale called the Children of Lir. There are various versions on the internet. I don't recall hearing it before finding it, so I apologize for any mistakes.

Stay as safe as you can. Until next time…