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candy store. She had left Tony with a hug and a goodbye, promising to return.

"Thor, will you slow down? Also, where the hell have you been? We had a full on, Avenger on Avenger, war down there!" Alex huffed as he dragged her down the Bifrost.

"I was fighting battles. There are other realms to attend to besides Midgard, you know."

"Alright, fair enough. But, you still haven't explained where we're going."

"It's too disturbing to place into words." Thor shuddered.

Alex rolled her eyes. Thor was always one for dramatics, and it definitely ran in the family. He dragged her all the way into the castle, and she wasn't even able to stop to greet the servants that welcomed her back.

"Thor, will you please provide some sort of explanation?"

"You will see in just a moment."

They finally came upon the throne room, where Thor threw the doors open. There sat Loki, on the throne, completely unbothered. His lips turned up into a smirk when his eyes landed on Alex.

"There," Thor pointed an accusing finger. "He has been posing as Odin since we've been absent."

Alex looked at Thor, then back to Loki, who waggled his fingers.

"You got caught, idiot?" She spoke, walking over to the throne.

Ignoring Thor's mouth hanging open, she embraced Loki in a tight hug. He rubbed her back, and she buried her face in his firm shoulder.

"You've got to be kidding me. You knew?"

"Of course, Thor, we discussed this before I left."

"So you condone this?" Thor angrily asked.

"I don't condone anything Loki does, but he'll just do it anyway." She turned around to face Thor, Loki's arm draped around her shoulders.

"I know exactly where Odin is, stop your fretting. I do, though, appreciate you fetching this little firecracker for me," Loki spoke, giving Alex's backside a little slap.

She jumped a little, hitting him in the arm.

"Well, before we go, can Loki and I catch up? Or do I have to go from one panic attack to another?"

"Fine, fine, don't be long."

Alex grinned, taking Loki's hand and leading him through the corridors.

"So, how did he know it was you?"

"He's an oaf, but apparently not daft anymore. He said Surtur told him," Loki waved off.

"Surtur?"

"Long story. But, how was Midgard? Did they really need your help?"

"Yeah, the Avengers were split right in half. I won't get into it, but it seems to have been solved for now," She left out the part where Tony said something big was coming, partly because she didn't want to worry him, and partly because she wasn't sure how he'd react.

"Good. Your fighting was superb, from what I saw. I'm proud of you, my love."

She smiled, reaching up to softly kiss him on the lips. His hands reached up to her face, holding her in place. He deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue across her lower lip as to ask for entrance. She happily obliged, parting her lips slightly. Their tongues danced, and Alex grinned at his soft moan when she tugged on his hair.

"I've got something for you," Loki spoke when he pulled away.

"Oh, do you?" She slipped off her shoes when they reached their chamber.

"Why don't you go take a bath, relax, and I'll have it here when you come out."

She rolled her eyes and smiled, nodding. She walked into the bathroom, and shut the door. Before taking her suit off, she checked for any messages.

She had two.

Sorry for the abrupt leave, but I know I'll see you soon. Miss you already, kid.

She smiled at Steve's reluctance to drop that nickname. She sent back, Miss you too, grandpa. I think I'll be seeing you before you know it.

She clicked her wrist, scrolling to the next message.

Don't be a stranger to Earth.

Bucky. She chuckled at the message, wondering how his arm, or lack thereof, was holding up. Get that arm fixed so we can arm wrestle, was all she sent back.

She peeled off the suit, stepping into the warm bath. The water soothed her sore muscles, and she had to keep herself from falling asleep. The past couple days had consisted of anything but resting, and she knew she'd sleep well tonight.

She finished bathing quickly, eager to see what Loki had for her. She put some leather pants on, followed by a tight-fitting white top. He was sitting in the chaise, reading a book while he waited for her. He closed it immediately when she came out. Standing up, he walked over to her.

Loki reached into the pocket of his robes, and pulled out a small necklace. The chain was a thin silver, and at the end of it, a beautiful stone. It was a vibrant, sparkling blue, and shined like nothing Alex had ever seen.

"Oh my god, Loki, it's beautiful."

"Promise me you'll always wear it," He spoke.

"How could I not? Jesus," She grinned at him. He turned her around, and she moved out her hair out of the way for him to put it on.

Once she turned back around, she reached up to hug him. She was on her tippy-toes, and he snaked his arms around her waist.

"I love you," She spoke.

"I love you too, my little ball of energy."

She laughed before she kissed him, but he pulled away.

"We may have some time," He smirked at her.

"I'm sure we can make some--"

Then, a knock sounded.

"No, no, we do not have time. Unhand each other--we're leaving, now." Thor's booming voice was on the other side of the door.

Alex rolled her eyes, and gave Loki a shrug.

"Change me?" She asked.

He waved his hand, and she was in her suit. She thanked him, and they left the room to see Thor impatiently tapping his foot.

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Alex was confused as she, Thor, and Loki stood on a corner of Manhattan, looking at a pile of rubble.

"What am I looking at, here?" She spoke.

"I swear I left him right here," Loki said.

"You left your father in a pile of rubble."

"It was a building when I left him," Loki defended.

"Great planning," Thor retorted.

"How was I supposed to know? Can't see into the future, I'm not a witch."

"No? Then why are you dressed like one?"

"Hey,"

Alex leaned over to Loki. "I just have to say, I'm loving you in a suit."

Loki rolled his eyes.

"What?"

Just then, two girls came up, squealing. They asked Thor for a picture, who happily obliged. Loki rolled his eyes at the insolent girls.

"Sorry to hear Jane dumped you--hey, you're an Avenger too!" One of them said.

"--Yeah, what's your name?"

Alex's face dropped, and Thor laughed.

Loki ushered the girls away, annoyed.

"I will name myself eventually." Alex muttered.

"She didn't dump me, you know. It was a mutual dumping." Thor spoke, as Loki gave him an awkward pat on the back.

"I didn't really like her for you, anyway." Alex admitted.

Thor was the first to notice an orange ring around Loki's feet.

"What's this? What are you doing?"

Loki held his hands out, looking down. "This isn't me--"

Then, he descended into the Earth.

"What the fuck?" Alex looked at Thor.

All that was left was a small business card, with an address on it.

177A, Bleecker Street.

"I know where that is, come on." Alex tugged on Thor.

They took a train to get there, and came across a nice building with a large door. Once the knocked, they were suddenly whooshed inside.

"Thor Odinson, and Alexandra Clark." A voice sounded.

They looked over, and a shadow of a figure was levitating toward them.

"I'll say it again, what the fuck," Alex whispered.

Thor held out the umbrella he was holding, trying to seem menacing. It didn't work.

"God of Thunder. You can put down the umbrella," The figure came into light, revealing a man's face no older than Tony.

Again, they were suddenly whooshed to another area of the building. The man simply stared at them, arms crossed. Thor played with a trinket, not seeming to be alarmed at all.

"So, Earth has wizards now?"

"Second time something from Harry Potter is casually mentioned--Thor, if you're hiding something from me--"

"The preferred term is Master of the Mystic Arts," The man spoke before turning to Alex. "I've seen your work too, and it's quite impressive."

"Thank you, Dumbledore."

"You're a lot like Stark, I can already tell." He chuckled.

"You know Tony?"

"I know a lot of things."

Thor cut in. "Alright, wizard, who are you? Why should I care?"

"My name is Dr. Stephen Strange, and I have some questions for you."

Alex was beginning to grow tired of the constant teleporting to different rooms. She found it quite rude. Now, Thor and Alex were sitting in chairs across from Strange.

"So, I keep a watch list of individuals and beings from other realms that may be a threat to this world. Your adopted brother Loki, and apparently your boyfriend is one of these beings."

"Definitely deserves to be on the list." Alex chimed in.

"Then why bring him here?"

"We're looking for my father." Thor sipped on the beer that was provided by Strange.

"So, if I were to tell you where Odin was, all parties concerned would promptly return to Asgard."

"Promptly." Alex assured.

"Great, then I'll help you." Strange had a condescending tone.

"If you knew where he was, why didn't you call me?" Thor asked.

"I have to tell you, he was adamant that he not be disturbed. Your father said he had chosen to remain in exile." Strange spoke. "And you don't have a phone."

Thor chuckled. "No, I don't have a 'phone', but you could have sent an electronic letter. Clark, what's it called?"

She felt embarrassed to be apart of this conversation. "An email."

"Do you have a computer?" Strange rose an eyebrow.

Alex just shook her head, as to tell Strange to drop the subject.

"Anyway, my father is no longer in exile. So, if you could tell me where he is, I can take him home."

"Gladly. He's in Norway."

Strange once again teleported all three of them to another room, this one filled with shelves upon shelves of books. Thor nearly face-planted with his beer still in hand.

"I'm just seeing whether this incantation requires any Asgardian modifications--nope." He closed the book, transporting them again.

"Will you stop doing that?" Alex snapped.

"I just need one strand of your hair," Strange looked to Thor.

"You had to bring up the hair." Alex sighed.

"Let me explain something, my hair is not to be meddled--ow!" Thor spoke but was cut off by Strange yanking a piece of hair off his head.

Strange began to twist around the hair, the same orange light that took Loki swirled from his fingers. They were now at the bottom of a grand staircase, and Thor tumbled to the ground.

Strange's orange light created a circle, and through the circle, another land could be seen.

"He's waiting for you. Don't forget your umbrella," Strange gave Thor a sarcastic smile.

Thor held out his hand for his hidden hammer, and it came flying to him. It may have hit many, many things on the way, but it did get to his hand.

"I'll need my boyfriend back, Dumbledore," Alex spoke up.

"Right."

Distant screaming was heard, and a circle opened up, dumping Loki onto the floor. He picked his head up angrily, his hair swinging back.

"I have been falling, for thirty minutes!"

"You're fine, get up." Alex rolled her eyes.

Loki then provoked Strange, but got no where before Alex and Thor dragged him away and through the circle. They stumbled onto the vast grassland, and all heads turned to the lone figure that stood far away from them.

Odin.

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𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗𝚎! 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚘𝚘𝚘𝚘 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚛𝚊𝚐𝚗𝚊𝚛𝚘𝚔 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚖𝚢 𝚍𝚞𝚍𝚎𝚜 ;)

𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚐𝚒𝚏 𝚑𝚊𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚕'𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊 𝚋𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚍