Prince's Mate

by Nekoamamori

Summary:

Prince Loki of Asgard is expected to present as an Alpha. Things don't always end the way they're expected to, even before the Battle of New York makes things even more complicated.

Chapter 1: Prologue - 1

“A long, long time ago, before the nine realms were new, there was nothing but the chasm Ginnungagap,” Frigga read out of the book on her lap.  Loki sat on the couch cuddled up next to her, reading silently along with her and looking at the illustrations in the book.  He had barely started puberty, and while in public, he pretended to be too dark and broody, too big and strong, to cuddle his mama anymore, the truth was that he savored every moment he spent with her, studied magic with her.  She was the only one he knew truly loved him and appreciated him for who he was.

Loki was a thin, gangly youth.  He didn’t have a typical Asgardian’s strength or build.  He was better with magic than he was with a sword.  His black hair was kept cut short, his green eyes always alight with mischief and plotting, his skin pale from time spent inside with his books instead of outside romping around with the others his age, or whatever it was that ended up with Thor constantly covered in dirt and mud and injuries. 

“The chasm was bounded on one side by fire from the world of Muspelheim and ice from the world of Niflheim.  In the place where fire and ice met, a giant was formed by the name of Ymir.  Upon his death, Yggdrasil grew from his body, the nine realms created nestled in its branches,” Frigga continued to read.  Her voice held a perfect storyteller’s quality, honed by centuries of telling stories to her children, teaching them with her love and kindness.  Loki listened with rapt attention, he loved all stories, even ones like this that he had heard a million times.  Frigga was reading it again for a reason.  The meaning would become important to her baby very, very soon.

“As Yggdrasil grew, all that we know came into being, the universe organizing itself.  Asgardians, Elves, Dragons, Felis, Kitsune, Jotnar, even humans were all created in Yggdrasil’s growth.  As they did, they were all put into order as well: Alphas created to lead, to protect and defend their people, Betas to follow to live and thrive and grow, and Omegas to care for the hearts of the people, and so it remains, even today,” Frigga stopped reading then, which was the time for Loki to perk his interest and take in what the real lesson was. Her next words would be why she was bringing up this story now. “All roles are equally important.  Alphas and Omegas get all the attention, but Betas are important as well.  If you have too many leaders, nothing gets done, but too many followers and there is no one to take charge when it is necessary,” Frigga explained gently to her son.

Loki sat up and picked at his hands, nervous.  He knew he would be presenting soon. 

The nature of children was fluid, ever-changing.  Guesses could be made as to what caste a child would grow into, but there was no telling for sure until they presented.  The first presentation came during puberty, along with all of the other changes, a child’s psychic scent would also change, indicating their caste.  The final presentation came for Alphas and Omegas when they hit maturity and their first rut or heat, when they were able to choose a mate. 

“And Omegas?” Loki asked softly, glancing up at his mama, at the beautiful jeweled necklace she wore around her neck.  Despite its beauty, it was still an Omega’s collar and not the necklace it appeared. 

Loki couldn’t speak his fear, not even to his beloved mama.  His father’s expectations were clear, though: he expected both of his sons to present as Alphas, to be strong warriors and leaders for the realm. 

He would accept nothing less.

Frigga cuddled him close and kissed his hair.  “Omegas are loved and cherished.  They are a calming presence, caring for the feelings of those around them, especially the Alpha who they mate with. They balance an Alpha’s temper and protective nature,” Frigga said warmly, trying to soothe his worries.

She knew that every youth was nervous before they presented, wondering what the future held for them.  Baldur and Hodur had gone through it.  Thor had just recently gone through it. They had all presented as Alphas. 

Loki’s turn would be soon and the weight of the future rested heavily on his young shoulders.

Chapter 2: Prologue - 2

Loki kept his mama’s words and lessons in mind, filing the information away for when it would be needed again.  He learned so much from her and knew it would all come in useful in time.  He had learned from a young age to be patient, to wait and watch and learn before making decisions.  Unlike his rash idiot brother.  He loved Thor dearly, but Thor was such a moron that it was hard to believe they were related.

The fateful day that Frigga’s words came to be important was a blistering day in the middle of summer.  Loki loathed summer.  It was always so humid and gross.  Though he noticed that he seemed to be the only one who was affected so much by the heat.  It was just another thing that made him different. 

“Why do we have to train in this heat?” He grumbled at Thor as they headed out to the training yard with the others in their age group.  Most of the group had already presented, either Alphas or those who hadn’t presented officially, but who were clearly destined to be an Alpha because of whatever instincts they had shown in childhood.  Odin had insisted that Loki be in this group as he was expected to present as an Alpha.

“It’s a nice day,” Thor replied in his loud, jovial way. He was always a ball of sunshine, much like Baldur, and Odin’s favorite, also like Baldur.  “At least it’s not raining,” he added. 

Loki groaned.  That would make it even more miserable if it were raining.  “Don’t you get any ideas,” he added before Thor could decide it would be fun to make it rain.

Thor laughed, but at least he didn’t make it rain. 

Loki fought back another groan when he saw that the instructors had a rack of training swords for the day.  Swords were not his strong point.  He preferred daggers.  At least it wasn’t Thor’s specialty either.  Thor preferred Mjolnir, or he would one day.  He was still in training, so he had to use a non-magical practice hammer.

“Don’t let me hear any groans from you lot!” The instructor called as the students picked up practice swords.  “Asgardian warriors need to be skilled in all weapons, not just your favorites,”

The trainees took up their places and the drills began with the instructor going up and down the lines making corrections.  Loki felt like he was fighting against the training sword the entire time.  It was heavy and his arms felt like jelly as he tried to keep up with the speed of the drills while also lifting the stupid heavy sword as high as it needed to be, or swinging it with enough ‘snap’, as the instructors kept correcting them when they didn’t move with enough intention, speed, strength, whatever magical quality made up ‘snap’. 

The drills continued and Loki soon found himself drenched in sweat.  He didn’t know why it was so hard for him, why all the others seemed able to keep up.  The sun beat down on him and his breathing was ragged as he worked.

His mind was so focused on the drills, on the heat, on the work, that he didn’t notice the change until it was too late.  His psychic scent, physical scent, and aura all shifted.  All at once, that mark of puberty hit, taking him from child to teen.

And that scent was undeniably Omega.

Loki finally realized that something was wrong when the drills stopped. He paused as all eyes turned to him, as everyone turned to stare at him.  Their senses were all heightened with adrenaline from the exercise.  Loki saw their eyes widen, nostrils flared as gathered Alphas took in the scent of an unmated Omega, of the stronger scent of an Omega who was presenting.

They were staring at Loki like he was a piece of meat.  No one dared move, dared speak, dared break whatever held them all still.  Had Loki been older, he would have thought the looks in their eyes was lust.  But he wasn’t old enough for them to be lusting after him, he was barely a teen.  It was the scent of Omega they were being drawn to.

What truly spiked Loki’s fear and killed any hope he had of getting out of this situation unscathed was when he looked to his older brother for help.  Instead of Thor coming to help him, as any sibling would do (family being immune to the psychic scents of Alphas and Omegas among family members), Loki saw that Thor was frozen in place and staring at him with that same lust-like expression in his eyes.

Thor wasn’t immune.

Thor wouldn’t come help him.

Loki was on his own, an unmated Omega surrounded by overly excited Alphas.

Chapter 3: Prologue - 3

Loki fought back his fear.  Fear wouldn’t help him now, not when there was a group of young Alphas staring at him like a piece of meat.  Loki lifted his practice sword while his mind whirled, going through the catalog of spells he knew, trying to figure out which ones would be his best bet for survival.  He wished he could teleport, but that magic was dangerous and Mama wouldn’t teach it to him yet.  He couldn’t fly, shapeshifting might help, but only if he was fast enough.  He needed an instant plan.  The moment the Alphas unfroze from their shock, they would all be on him.

He began to gather magic.  He would need every ounce of it that he could muster.  He was still young; anything besides little magics would cost him precious time to cast.  He had to be strategic. 

The moment broke, Loki was out of time. The Alphas started approaching.  Loki couldn’t tell what they were planning.  He had no intention of finding out.  He knew that it wouldn’t be good, no matter what it was. 

He glanced one more time at Thor, desperately wishing that things were different.  His brother was an oaf.  But he was still his brother… except apparently he wasn’t, because Thor wasn’t immune. 

Loki didn’t have time to contemplate that at the moment.  He was in trouble.

Worse, he was alone.

Loki’s eyes glowed green as his magic rose in front of him in a green defensive shield.  It was a spell he had practiced enough times to be fast, but it wouldn’t last long without a lot of power drained into it.  Still, a shield would buy him time. 

He glanced around for a plan.  There was nowhere to run.  He wouldn’t be able to outrun all of those Alphas and he wouldn’t have time to shapeshift into a form that could.  He swore to himself that he would practice his shapeshifting after this until he could do it in an instant. 

He also couldn’t win a fair fight, not against so many.  He would have to cheat.  “It is not cheating in a fight for your life, darling.  In such a fight, you must do whatever is necessary to ensure that you live another day,” Frigga’s voice echoed in his mind and he knew what he had to do. 

He had to cheat.

He said a mental apology to Thor and released his stored magic in a couple very quick spells that he would very much regret later when the magic hangover headache hit.  In that moment, though, his shield exploded outward, throwing the Alphas backwards onto their asses. 

Beads of sweat appeared on Loki’s forehead and frost formed at his feet.  He overtaxed his abilities as dozens of illusion Lokis formed around him.  The illusions were well crafted. They had to be in order to fool the senses of the Alphas.  They had to smell and feel like Loki, like a new Omega. 

The explosion of power nearly knocked Loki out.  But he had to hold it together.  He wasn’t out of this yet.  The Alphas were already getting back to their feet.  They were confused, now, though, to find themselves surrounded by Lokis.  Doubt filled their glazed expressions, trying to figure out through the haze of pheromones which Loki was the real one. 

Loki started moving slowly, carefully, as the illusions circled the Alphas, drew their attention.  He had to slip away before he was spotted as the real Loki, before the Alphas figured it out.  The confusion started to fade as Alphas acted. 

Illusions faded as they were touched.  Loki couldn’t spare the power to make them corporeal.  He risked moving faster as the illusions were being discovered one by one. 

“There!” A voice called, pointing directly at him.  Loki cursed softly.  The frost under his feet had given him away.  Of course it had. 

Loki lobbed a ball of magic toward the voice and moved to run.  It was his last option to get out of this.  Or so he thought.  There was a loud caw above him and a rustle of wings.  Loki sighed in relief and took a step back, putting more distance between himself and the alphas. 

A raven dove from the sky.  As she was about to land, her form shifted and she took the form of a young woman with braided black hair and black wings.  She spread her wings wide, hiding Loki from view.  Her back was to him, but he would recognize her anywhere.  “Aunt Munin~” he greeted her, relieved.  The Valkyrie had been looking after him his entire life and he knew she would and was perfectly capable of helping him now. 

She gestured with her sword toward a small structure in the training yard.  In its shadow was a portal open to the realm of Darkness, with Hodur standing half in, half out, reaching his hand out for his brother.  Hodur was a young man who wore thick spectacles.  His magic and godhood was steeped in darkness and it was taking his vision as a price.  He would go blind soon.  He and Baldur were twins, identical save that Hodur had dark hair, Baldur’s light.

Hodur couldn’t open a portal to the dark realm in the sunlight, his powers weren’t quite that advanced yet.  He’d opened it as close as he could.

“Go, princeling.  Hodur and Hugin will get you to your mother.  I will meet you there.  It is time you have some answers,” Munin told Loki firmly, but lovingly.  Loki thought of her as a beloved aunt and loved her nearly as much as his own mama. 

“Thank you, Aunt Munin,” Loki replied with as much gratitude in his voice as he could. 

Munin watched his back as he dropped his practice blade and his magic.  He ran for the shade, for Dur and the portal, as fast as his exhausted body could carry him. He didn’t doubt for an instant that Munin wouldn’t keep him safe, or be able to keep the Alphas away.  She was a Valkyrie after all.  Nothing could defeat a Valkyrie. 

He faltered slightly as he approached Dur.  Dur was an Alpha too.  Wouldn’t he be affected too?  Loki saw when Dur took in the change in his scent, but nothing about his brother seemed to change.  He also saw the raven perched on Dur’s shoulder.  Hugin.  Hugin was extra insurance, a chaperone of sorts, just to make sure nothing happened.  “You’re safe with me, little shadow.  You’re my brother.  That hasn’t changed,” Dur reassured him when he saw Loki’s hesitation.

“But Thor…” Loki said softly, even as he reached for Dur’s hand. 

“Is an idiot.  Come on, I’ll take you to mama,” Dur told him and led him into the realm of Darkness and to safety. 

Dur kept ahold of Loki’s hand as they stepped through the portal.  It closed behind them and they were swallowed by the dark.  There was no light to be seen in this realm between realms.  Only Dur could access it safely and only he could navigate it.  Loki couldn’t see a single thing in the darkness.  Yet he felt perfectly safe.  He always felt safe with his older brother, the darkness sang to them both.

Dur gestured and a little ball of witchlight appeared above them, casting just enough light for Loki to see a little bubble around them.  Loki squeezed Dur’s hand and breathed a sigh of relief.  “Thank you, Dur,” he said softly, his voice betraying his emotions.

“Always, little shadow.  You don’t have to thank me,” Dur replied warmly.  He loved Loki, ever since Loki was brought home from Jotunheim.  Dur remembered that day, even if Loki didn’t.  Loki had followed him around like a shadow, trailing after everything his older brother did.  The nickname had stuck his entire life. “Come, mama is waiting,” Dur told him and began to lead the way through the darkness.  Hugin remained perched on his shoulder and he kept a firm grip on Loki’s hand so neither got lost.  The little witchlight floated above them as they walked.

Loki hoped that mama would give him the answer he needed.  Munin was right. 

It was time.

Chapter 4: Prologue - 4

Hodur gestured and a portal opened in front of them, a doorway that opened directly into Frigga’s sitting room.  Loki sighed in relief when he saw and felt the familiar room. He’d spent so many of the hours of his youth with Mama Frigga in her suite, learning from her as much as he could.  It was one of the most comfortable places in the entire realm to him.

Hodur led Loki through the doorway and the portal closed behind them, sealing the world of darkness away again.  Hugin trilled and flew off of Dur’s shoulder to perch on a raven stand nearby.  There were perches for the ravens all over the palace.  One never knew if a raven was a raven or a valkyrie and it was safer to be polite to every raven just in case. 

Frigga was waiting for Hodur and Loki.  She gave the pair a soft, sad smile.  She was full of love and kindness as ever, her Omega presence soothing to all of the high-strung Alphas.  Hodur dropped Loki’s hand as Frigga opened her arms for her baby.  “Oh, darling~” she cooed to him as he rushed to her and threw himself in her arms.  He was terrified and shaking, which was no surprise to anyone.  Frigga pet his hair and purred soothingly for him until he calmed.  Hodur had moved to guard the door.  This conversation should be private. 

“Mama?  What’s going on?” Loki asked in a soft voice as Frigga led him to the couch and helped him curl up next to her on it.  “I was supposed to be an Alpha~!” He wailed with tears in his eyes.  He tried to keep his composure, he really did, but he was a child who had just been through a traumatic scare.  “And then all the Alphas at practice… they looked at me like a piece of meat… Even Thor!” Loki knew that Thor should have been immune.  They all did. 

Frigga cuddled him close and pet his hair.  “I know, darling.  I know,” she soothed.  “First, there is no ‘supposed to be’ when it comes to what a child will present as.  You were born an Omega and that is that,” Frigga told him firmly, but lovingly.  It was the no-nonsense speech of a mother. 

“Yes, mama,” Loki said softly.  There was no arguing with mama Frigga when she made a speech that intensely. 

Frigga kissed his hair “Good boy,” she told him warmly.  “Second, your father has kept a secret for far too long and it is time for you to know the truth,” the words were heavy on her tongue.  This secret had been kept for far too long.  Which meant that it must be important.  Especially for mama to have kept something from Loki.  He idolized her and couldn’t think of her willingly keeping secrets from him. 

Loki pulled back enough to look up into her eyes.  His gaze was so open and innocent.  He was still her baby.  And Frigga was about to break his heart and everything he knew.  “What secret?” He asked softly, though part of him already knew.  He’d known for sure since the moment that Thor had been affected by the scent of him as a new Omega.

“There’s no easy way to tell you,” Frigga started.  There were no kind words to ease this truth.  Loki nodded, so she continued after a deep breath.  “The truth is that you’re adopted, darling,” she told him as gently as he could.  His eyes went wide as the truth hit, the truth of why he always felt so different from the rest of his family.  He was different.  “At the end of the battle of Jotunheim, your father brought you home and we raised you as our own,” Frigga explained the story in a way that even a shocked child could understand.

Loki was beyond shocked.  He was a Jotun?? The Jotnar were monsters, or at least that’s what all the Asgardian stories said.  “From Jotunheim? Why? Why me?” He asked, trying to make some sense of the story.  Odin wouldn’t have taken a Jotun infant for no reason.  Odin always had a reason for everything he did. 

“Because your biological father is Laufey,” Frigga explained gently.  That truly did explain everything.  Or as much as Loki needed to hear to understand it.  He was brilliant, even at such a young age.  He understood the political reasons why an infant princeling would be raised by the conquering realm.  A pawn, held ransom against Jotunheim’s good behavior.  His life would be forfeit otherwise.

The ramifications and reality of Loki’s situation were still making his head spin.  Even as Frigga explained his new role and lessons he would need to attend.  Even as they went to the markets and he was fitted for his first collar. 

Reality didn’t set in fully until Odin made the announcement that evening at dinner, proclaiming Loki’s presentation.  Until he felt the utter humiliation of being seen by the entire court wearing an Omega’s collar.  He was supposed to be an Alpha.

He wasn’t even a real prince of Asgard.

He would never be king.

He had only ever, ever been a pawn to Odin’s schemes. 

And that only got worse, now that he was an Omega.

So much worse.

Chapter 5: Chapter 1 - Skye (2012)

Notes:

I don't usually do this, but I added a character inspo pic.

 

Skye had been on Midgard all of their life.  They still didn’t feel like they belonged.  And they didn’t belong, not really. Skye had already been alive for centuries.  They had seen the rise and fall of civilizations, watched as the Midgardians grew and advanced.  They had become more accepting in certain aspects over the years, at least in some places of the world, but Skye still had to be careful.

Not everywhere was accepting that they were genderfluid.  They also had to hide that they didn’t age like the Midgardians.  And their magic and abilities.  There was so much to hide.  Skye was used to it, but tired of it and they were so lonely. 

Alphas weren’t supposed to be alone for so long.  It could drive an Alpha crazy, especially with no Omega of their own to ease their emotions.

Skye had gone off on their own once they could pass for an adult.  They kept in touch with their parents and saw them as frequently as was safe.  The Midgardians would notice three people who didn’t age normally far easier than two, or Skye alone.   The age of technology was helping Skye keep in touch, but it wasn’t truly keeping the loneliness at bay.

The problem was that Skye still didn’t know what they wanted to do with their life.

Currently, Skye had taken male form.  He was taking classes at a university in New York, trying to find something that sparked his interest to do with his life.  There were only so many options for careers for an Alpha, especially an Alpha with as much power as he had.  Usually, Alphas of his caliber went into the military, law enforcement, law firms.  None of that appealed to Skye. 

He hefted his bag on his shoulder and started to leave his dorm to head to class.  He paused long enough to check his reflection in the mirror.  He had to be meticulous to make sure his illusions were properly in place. It wouldn’t do well to be discovered just because he wasn’t being careful.  He wore his white hair longer than was usual for a male, but with his black roots and brows, piercing ice-blue eyes, and his aura, there was absolutely no doubt that he was an Alpha.  His skin was pale, his body built and muscular, he looked the perfect specimen of an Alpha in his early twenties.  The look appeared more ‘bad boy’ than ‘effeminate’, which was what he was going for. 

He left for class, still pondering what he was going to do next.  He had to be so careful.  He knew he was being watched now, anyone with abilities were after Iron Man had revealed himself a few years ago, after Thor had come to Midgard. 

The government was watching.  Skye kept himself out of trouble, but he knew that trouble was just waiting around the corner from him.

Around the corner indeed. 

As he turned the corner outside his dorm to the classroom buildings, he caught sight of the conspicuous man in the suit.  The man was trying to be inconspicuous, but Skye noticed him immediately.  Skye paused in his tracks, evaluating the situation.  He scanned the crowd and spotted more men in suits pretending to not be watching him.

The government usually hid a little better when they were watching people, which meant something was truly wrong. 

He gathered himself and his wits as the first man approached.  He was an Alpha, he was older than anyone here and had more power than all of them combined.  He could destroy his cover and get out of this situation, but he wouldn’t do that until all other options were eliminated. 

“Mr. Erikson?” The man greeted Skye.  Well, fuck, he definitely knew who Skye was and was looking for him in particular.  “Or is it Miss today?” And he knew Skye’s genderfluidity.  Great.

Skye inclined his head, shifting his stance slightly to be ready to fight if necessary.  “Mr., today,” he replied amenably. The man was making it look like a casual conversation, the other students didn’t pay them any mind.  Skye would follow that lead until it became necessary to do otherwise.  He was trained not to draw attention. “Who’s asking?”

The man pulled out a badge.  “Agent Coulson of SHIELD.  We need you to come with us.  There’s a situation we need to discuss,”

Skye was wary, beyond wary. The badge was official.  He hadn’t heard of this government agency, but that didn’t really mean anything.  He noticed the other suit men had come closer.  “And if I refuse?” He asked, so carefully, so politely, so courteously.

Coulson gave him the same sort of polite look in return.  The one that spoke of danger and overt over politeness.  It was all a show, an act to keep looking innocent in front of the students, the people who weren’t a part of this. “Then we will have to assume you are part of the situation and not a part of the solution,”

Threat received.  They would attack him, arrest him, worse.  He could probably get away from it, but these men clearly knew who he was and at least some of his abilities.  It wasn’t time to play his cards yet. 

“Then let’s discuss your situation, Agent…” Skye wasn’t happy with being strong-armed into talking to the government, and he let it be known with his words and tone, but he would play along. 

For now…

Chapter 6: Chapter 2 - Skye

Skye took a careful seat on one side of the conference room table.  Coulson had chosen a seat on the other side.  The conference room had been empty.  Skye didn’t know the room’s real purpose, or how this Agent had acquired its use.  That wasn’t important at the moment.  There were guards in the room.  He wasn’t escaping without a fight, even with his abilities. 

Coulson looked him over, evaluating how to play this, then finally spoke.  “I won’t waste time beating around the bush.  We know who you are, Mr. Erikson, and we know your abilities and who your parents are.  We’ve been watching you for years,” he started.  Skye nodded along.  There was no reason to play dumb.  They both knew that the government had been watching Skye and his family.  “We’ve kept our distance, since there was no trouble…” Coulson trailed off.

“But now there’s trouble,” Skye supplied.  That was no secret either.  Coulson had said there was a situation.  The only question was what the situation was.  Skye didn’t keep up with news as well as he should.  He was a bit busy with classes.

Coulson nodded and pulled out a tablet and a hologram appeared, showing the attack on the SHIELD building.  “Long story short, Earth is being attacked by extraterrestrial forces, namely from an Asgardian named Loki,” Skye’s eyes went wide when he heard the name and the realm.  Asgard. “I see you’ve heard of it,” Coulson said dryly. 

Of course, Skye had heard of it.

Skye nodded again.  “I have,” he agreed, there was no use denying it.  No use whatsoever.  Coulson and SHIELD already knew who and what he was.  That was why he was being dragged into this.  “You’re leaving my parents out of this?” It was worded as a question, but Skye’s tone made it clear this was a statement, an order.  He wouldn’t be willing to help if they were involved.  “They aren’t fighters, as I’m sure you’re aware,”

It was a lame excuse and only part of the reason Skye needed them to stay out of this.  They weren’t Alphas, they weren’t true fighters, true warriors.  That was true.  The bigger problem was that they couldn’t draw Asgard’s attention to themselves.  They were in hiding on Midgard and needed to stay hidden.  Skye could get involved.  He’d been born on Midgard.  He hadn’t done anything to offend Asgard besides exist.

Coulson’s expression shifted for just an instant, just long enough for Skye to note that he wanted to argue, he wanted as many individuals as he could gather to fight this threat. He hid his expression again just as quickly, accepting Skye’s terms.  “They’ll be kept out of this,” he finally agreed.  Skye figured Coulson had read his parents’ files along with his own.  He would understand that they were in hiding and needed to stay off of Asgard’s radar. 

He should also know that Skye was an Alpha.  He loved his parents more than anyone in his life and would do anything to protect them.  Including kill every single Midgardian, if that’s what it took to keep those he loved safe. 

Skye inclined his head, polite and eloquent as he’d been trained to be.  His beloved mama had insisted on manners that would fit right in with a court of nobles.  She’d insisted that Skye would need the knowledge one day.   Skye knew better than to ever question his mama, so he’d taken the lessons to heart.  “Then I shall lend you my assistance, Agent Coulson,” Skye’s voice had changed, shifting to the accent he’d grown up with, from learning the language from his parents.  It was courteous, nearly Shakespearean, and very different from the generic American accent he usually spoke with.

He wouldn’t hide who he was while he was fighting for the realm he lived on.  These heroes would have to accept him for who and what he was if they were going to work with him.

Coulson stood and Skye followed suit.  “Then let’s go.  Time isn’t on our side.  I’ll fill you in on the details on the way,”

Skye walked with the Agent.  He didn’t know exactly where they were going, but he felt in his very being that he was finally on the path that he was meant to be on, that he had finally found his calling, wherever this path was leading, it was the right one for him.

Chapter 7: Chapter 3 - Skye

Skye spent the trip on the jet (well, after he was amazed by all the advanced technology in said jet) reading up on current events on the tablet Agent Coulson had given him.  He didn’t have security clearance for a lot of the details, and he didn’t feel like hacking in to get said details with Coulson watching him so closely.  He was able to catch up on the basics of what was going on. 

He read about the Tesseract, the Asgardian behind it all and the team being assembled to deal with the threat.  The jet was heading to Shield’s helicarrier, where Skye would be properly introduced to the rest of the team.

Skye reviewed the footage again and again.  Something seemed off.  He was having trouble placing exactly what it was.  So when Coulson got bored watching Skye watch the same clip over and over again and turned his attention away, Skye dug a little deeper.  A few taps, a bit of magic, and he found footage that gave him more information.

The clip he found was shortly after Loki arrived, when he used the scepter to mind control the bow and arrow guy… Skye should learn his name.  Eagleye? No, that wasn’t it.  Hawk something… Agent Barton, Hawkeye, whatever the fuck that name was supposed to mean.

As the scepter connected to Barton’s chest, magic spilled from it, electric blue, ice blue as it took over Barton’s eyes and mind.  That magic was powerful, more powerful than even a god of Asgard, even the Master Magician of Asgard, should be able to wield on his own. 

There was more to it, but Skye was out of time.  The jet was landing and Coulson was turning his attention back to Skye.  Skye quickly exited out of the clip he’d been watching.  He made no move to give back the tablet, though.  He figured the information in it would be helpful when he had time to dig into it further.

Coulson raised an eyebrow, but didn’t question Skye or demand the tablet back.  That earned him some points in Skye’s book.  It seemed the Agent didn’t care quite so much about the rules, as long as Midgard wasn’t taken over.  Skye could respect that.  “Are you ready?” Coulson asked when the jet landed and they both stood from their seats. Skye could tell that Coulson was falling into the same trap so many others did: treating Skye like a child (or at least like a college-aged teenager) due to his looks. Skye didn’t bother fighting him; it usually helped when he needed to show his power if he was underestimated first.

Skye inclined his head “I am,” he agreed easily. He would be meeting some of the most powerful people on the realm, but he wasn’t intimidated.  He was an Alpha and he had plenty of power on his own, even if he didn’t flaunt it. 

He held onto the tablet as he followed Coulson off of the jet.  There were all sorts of military men around.  Skye ignored them.  They weren’t important to this mission.  He could feel the power gathered inside the helicarrier.  That’s where his real work would take place.  He continued to follow Coulson until they were on the bridge.  It was clearly the base of operations.  Attention turned to Skye as the pair entered.

“You’re bringing kids in on this mission?” A voice asked disapprovingly.  Skye looked at the speaker and his mouth nearly dropped open.  Captain America.  The Captain America.  He was a living legend.  Skye knew his story well.

Skye nodded a polite greeting to the Captain.  “I’m older than I look, sir, and I have the qualifications to help with this threat,” his voice was polite, his usual generic Midwestern accent back in place.

He shook Cap’s hand and introduced himself.  Introductions went all around: Agent Romanoff (don’t mess with her, she can kick your ass without breaking a sweat or a nail), Bruce Banner (shy Omega doctor with an Alpha-anger-monster inside of him waiting for the opportunity to smash everything in sight), Coulson, Fury, Maria Hill.  All powerful players, all with the same goal of stopping Loki.

Before the work truly even got to begin, Loki was spotted in Germany.

Something seemed wrong about the whole situation, something was off, but there wasn’t time to consider that, as Skye was on the jet with Cap and Agent Romanoff to bring Loki in.

*

“Time to prove your words, Skye,” Nat said as Cap pulled his helmet on.

Skye smirked.  “That will not be an issue, Agent Romanoff,” Skye replied easily. Though it was hard for him to fight the urge to address her as ‘Lady’.  His mother had taught him court manners.  It was hard to hide them, when he was otherwise being so very much himself. 

His magic shimmered around him and it felt amazing to let it out properly for once.  His college clothes shimmered to his armor: lightweight leather armor with metal to protect his chest and metal gauntlets, along with sturdy boots.  His sheaths appeared on his belt and Skye drew the blades simultaneously, spinning them, testing their weight, before resheathing them.  The blades were identical short swords, the length between a dagger and a proper sword. They were beautiful, elegantly crafted, and completely identical, except for one thing: one was crafted of Asgardian steel, the other of Jotun ice-steel. 

“I’m ready,” he informed the others.  They had tried to hide their awe and surprise, but failed.  They clearly hadn’t known what to expect out of Skye, but clearly, he was exceeding their expectations.

“Let’s go,” Cap agreed and the pair moved into battle.  Nat would give them air support.

*

“There are no men like me-” Loki was finishing his speech as the pair approached.

Skye noted again that something was wrong, something off about the god who was drawing so much attention to himself. 

“There are always men like you,” Cap announced from the crowd. 

Skye watched, waiting for his moment.  It hadn’t come yet.  Not quite.  He studied the god and finally realized what it was.  This taking over the world, this posturing, this show, it was something an Alpha would do. 

But it was all posturing.  He could feel Loki’s power, could feel his psychic scent.  That was an Omega.  There was no way in all nine realms that an Omega would choose to act like this of his own free will. 

For a moment, just an instant before Loki began to fight with Cap, for just a single moment, Skye caught the truly damning thing: Loki’s eyes were that same ice-blue of the mind controlled.  It was only a moment before illusions were back in place, dimming the blue glow.  But it had been there and Skye had seen it.

He knew three things as he joined the battle:

1) Loki was being mind controlled

2) Loki was an Omega being forced to act like an Alpha

And most important and damning of all when Skye had caught Loki’s psychic scent:

3) Not only was Loki an Omega, but Loki was Skye’s Omega

Chapter 8: Chapter 4 - Loki

Loki was doing what he was ordered to, what he was forced to, what he had been tortured and mind controlled into doing.  He had fallen from the Bifrost, fallen into the depths of space, into the abyss and darkness that should have been his death.   Everything had become too much for him, Odin’s displeasure, constantly being in Thor’s shadow, being an Omega when he was supposed to be an Alpha, all of it.  He couldn’t do anything right and had made the only choice he felt he could when Odin had told him as much as he dangled from Gungnir, as he heard Thor’s desperate pleas.

It had been too little too late.

Loki had let go. 

He had let himself fall into the abyss, into what should have been his death. Instead, he had been swept up by Thanos and his ‘children’.  He had been brutalized, tortured, and finally when he was broken and desperate for a true end, a final death, only then did Thanos use the mind stone on him.

Thanos had thought Loki’s mind broken to the point that he could be controlled through the mind stone.  He had underestimated that Loki was a Master Magician and Loki’s mind was too strong to be fully controlled, even by an Infinity Stone. 

Loki had to follow Thanos’ orders, but while he did, he was also working to foil Thanos’ plans.  He had to be careful, oh so careful, not to be discovered.  Thanos and The Other had to believe he was incompetent when Thanos’ plan failed.  They couldn’t know that Loki was actively working against it, that Loki was actively bringing together a team capable of stopping him. 

His strategy was going exactly according to plan.  The players his Hawkeye had told him about were being collected by the government pawns.  One by one, they were assembling, now they were coming into the open to fight him, just as he had wanted.

He gave his speech in Germany, flaunted his powers, drew enough attention to himself that he was sure to be noticed.  And noticed he was.  It was the Soldier in the wrong time who approached first.  He was no match for a god, even with his enhanced skills. 

It was the next one who joined the fight that made Loki pause, even if it was only for an instant.  He swung his scepter at the white-haired person.  The Hawk hadn’t warned him about this one.  The stranger was wielding two blades, one held in reverse grip, as Loki preferred to wield his own blades.  They raised the blade to block Loki’s scepter, the blade braced along their arm.  As the scepter connected, it turned into an ice shield, hard as steel.  The impact reverberated up Loki’s arms, forced him to pause.

Loki noticed in that instant that the stranger’s hand turned blue where he was holding the ice shield.  A very familiar blue, the same sapphire as Loki’s own skin in his Jotun form. 

Loki’s eyes widened when he saw it, when he finally took in the stranger.  They appeared to have no gender or all the gender.  Lithe and muscular, attractive, if Loki was paying attention to such things, which he was totally not doing in the heat of battle.  One of their eyes was ice-blue, not the blue of the mind-controlled, but a natural blue as familiar as Thor’s.  The other was Jotun red. 

The shock of seeing that combination, then being hit with such a strong Alpha presence had Loki reeling, if only for a moment.  He blinked and knew that his eyes had returned to their normal emerald for that instant, the scepter’s control gone from shock and the Alpha presence that dominated all of his senses.

“Stand down, Omega.  You don’t want to do this,” the stranger growled.

Loki felt something then that he’d never felt, not once since he’d presented as an Omega.  He wanted to submit to that voice, that presence.  It felt right in a way that being around any other Alpha never had.  Not once in his thousand-plus years of life. 

The moment faded, the mind stone rushing back with its icy embrace, drowning Loki again in its control.  “I can’t,” he snarled quietly enough that only the stranger would be able to hear.  “Not until my mission is complete,”

Chapter 9: Chapter 5 - Skye

Skye had caught the swing of Loki’s scepter on his shield.  He absorbed the impact, holding firm.  He had tried to get the Omega to stand down and learned what he truly needed to.  This really wasn’t Loki’s idea, wasn’t his doing.  Loki was under the control of the mind stone. 

Skye’s first order of business would be fixing that little problem.

As the mind stone took full control of Loki again, Skye moved. He didn’t give the Omega time.  He shifted his weight, slanting his shield to send the scepter sliding off to the side.  He moved fast, raising the shield, aiming as if to hit Loki in the head.  Loki stepped back, as he did, Skye shifted his trajectory, hitting Loki’s hand where it held the scepter.

Skye threw his shield, sending it and the scepter flying away from the pair, limiting its connection to Loki.  Loki growled, shifting back in to attack, but before he could, Stark flew in in his Iron Man suit and knocked Loki on his ass. 

“Your move, Reindeer Games,” Stark told Loki, his repulsers aimed at the god.  Loki raised his hands, looking defeated as his magic shimmered and his horned helmet vanished.  “Good move,” Stark quipped. 

Skye reached a hand out, summoning his Jotun blade back to himself.  He vanished both blades as he approached Loki.  Cap went to retrieve the scepter.  Skye didn’t try to stop him, the soldier was unlikely to be corrupted by it, at least not so quickly.  Skye offered Loki a hand to help him up.  Stark still had his blasters pointed at the god.  Skye wasn’t afraid, even if those blasters weren’t guarding his back.  Loki looked up at Skye, surprised at the offer.  “Come, prince,” Skye bid him gently, his voice quiet, but with an Alpha’s presence and authority.  His voice held the promise of protection.  Loki’s eyes widened, not only at the words and the offer, but the fact that the words were spoken in perfect court Asgardian.  Loki reached up a hand automatically, the usually silver-tongued god quiet and calculating, silent while he evaluated the situation. 

Skye helped Loki to his feet, supportive and noting the prince’s injuries.  He was much more injured than he pretended to be.  Of course he was. Nothing about this situation was what it appeared.  Skye needed to learn more, but that could wait.  Now wasn’t the time.  Now, he needed to get the Omega to safety and figure out how to stop the upcoming battle.  Skye recognized that this was just the beginning. There was more to Loki’s plans than getting caught here. 

Skye steadied Loki, one hand holding the prince’s arm, the other at the small of his back.  “Good Omega,” he purred in the deep growl-purr that Alphas were known for. 

Loki melted, his eyes glazing at the praise, the approval from the Alpha who called to him so strongly, at that rumbling deep grow-purr.  He let Skye support him, let him escort him more like a court Lady (or an Omega), than a prince, much less than how an opponent would be treated. 

Skye paused after a couple of steps toward the jet, a decision made.  “This is for your protection, little Omega,” Skye growl-purred in Loki’s ear.  Before Loki could move or react, Skye reached a hand up and touched the side of Loki’s neck, where a mating mark would eventually go.  Under Skye’s fingertips a design bloomed, looking like it was tattooed onto Loki’s skin.  It was Skye’s sigil: a sun in golden magic on one side, a moon in silver-blue on the other.  It wasn’t a formal mating mark, not a true permanent cleaning.  It was a temporary mark instead, telling the world that Loki was under Skye’s protection. 

Loki gasped in shock and reached a hand up to that mark, that feel of magic, even as Skye continued escorting him to the jet.  “Why?” He asked, more than a little confused.

“Because,” Skye started, his voice a growl.  “I know as well as you do that none of this is your choice or fault.  Like it or not, Omega-princeling, you are under my protection, at least until this mess is sorted out,”

At least.

A promise of the ‘more’ that Skye felt toward this Omega.  Toward his prince.  Toward the prince of both sides of his heritage. 

Chapter 10: Chapter 6 - Skye

“What the hell were you thinking, claiming him?” Stark demanded as the group rode the jet back to the helicarrier.  Stark’s helmet was off, so the group could see his face, though he kept his suit on, ready to spring back into action. The mating mark on his neck told the world that he’d been claimed by Pepper Potts.  It had been such a shock that Howard Stark’s heir was an Omega.  It had been a bigger shock later when Tony took over the company, acting for all the world like the Alpha that he wasn’t. 

Agent Romanoff was flying the jet, leaving Cap and Stark to yell at Skye while Loki sat obediently where Skye had carefully strapped him in.  He was acting like the captive villain, or like a proper Omega. No one was buying it and was keeping a close eye on him. There was a plan going on in that strategist's mind of his and probably twelve different backup plans.

“I know that he is an Omega and under the control of that staff, the same as the others.  Someone is forcing him to do this and that is who we should be after!” Skye told them heatedly, his voice rising.  He felt more than saw Loki flinch at the flare of Alpha power and anger.  The kitten must’ve been through a lot to flinch at such a thing that wasn’t even directed at him.  Skye made a mental note about it to worry about later when things weren’t so dire. 

Cap shifted, drawing attention to himself.  It was an Omega gesture, a subtle way to get attention, without being as boisterous as the Alphas.  It was a strange gesture coming from an Alpha.  Skye saw the mating mark on Cap’s neck too.  It was faded, like it had tried to heal over.  Cap had been an Omega before he’d taken the serum.   He was an Alpha now, but clearly some habits died hard.

Before Cap could speak, there was a clap of thunder.  Lightning flashed as a storm brewed up around the jet.  Loki flinched again and looked toward the window, looking around expectantly.  Stark raised an eyebrow, but it was Cap who spoke, changing whatever he had been going to say from earlier.  “What’s the matter?  Scared of a little lightning?”

Skye caught the connection immediately, though wasn’t fast enough to speak before Loki did.  “I’m not overly fond of what follows,” Loki replied dryly his voice Shakespearean, dark, seductive, and hot as Hel.

Skye summoned his armor back into place as the storm’s fury increased.  There was a thunk of something heavy landing on top of the jet.  Stark put his helmet back on and went to open the hatch of the jet.  The second it was open, Thor landed there, hammer in hand.  Skye had known from the moment Loki spoke, but that still hadn’t prepared him to face the crown prince of Asgard, to feel the Alpha’s, the god’s, immense power. It was that power that had them all frozen in place.

Skye couldn’t move, couldn’t think, couldn’t act, as Thor grabbed Loki by the throat and dragged him out of the jet, flying away with him to gods only knew where.

Skye’s rage filled him.  How dare Thor steal his Omega??? How fucking dare?

“No!!” He roared and ran for the open jet hatch, throwing himself out into the storm after them.  Loki was his Omega, under his protection. 

And even Thor had no right to steal him away.   

Chapter 11: Chapter 7 - Skye

Skye let himself free fall from the jet.  He took a moment, letting the icy rain quell a touch of his rage, just enough so he could think.  He needed to plan beyond throwing himself out of the back of a jet after Thor and Loki.  That was only twelve percent of a plan.

One would think that jumping out the back of a moving jet without a parachute or an Iron Man suit was a terrible idea.  It was sound advice for most normal people. 

Luckily, Skye was anything but normal.

Skye closed his eyes and concentrated, letting magic and natural ability wrap around himself.  His form shifted as he fell, armor changing to accommodate Skye’s changing form. 

Sky shifted to female form, her body shorter, smaller, with curves as well defined as her muscles.  As she shifted, slits appeared in the back of her armor, specially designed for the black feathered wings that sprouted from her back.

She spread her wings carefully as she fell, catching the air in such a way that she would match velocity and not rip her back muscles to shreds.  She caught the feeling of power coming from Thor, felt her mark on her Omega and with a couple of powerful beats of her wings, she flew after them as fast as she could.

*

“I’m listening~” Loki was saying dryly to himself as Sky landed.  Stark had just tackled Thor off of the ledge the pair had been standing on, leaving Loki unattended and theoretically unable to easily escape the height and the forest. Loki seemed to be more interested in watching Thor and Stark fight than escaping, which was definitely to Sky’s benefit.

Sky landed lightly beside Loki, just far enough away not to spook him.  “I’d heard tell that your brother has the intelligence level of most of the Asgardian warriors,” she started in perfect court Asgardian “But dragging you out of a moving jet seems like a new low, even for him,”

Loki whirled to face Sky, reaching for a weapon that wasn’t there.  His scepter was still on the jet.  Sky held up her hands, showing she was unarmed.  They could both summon weapons at will, the gesture was just a formality, a reassurance to the Omega that Sky wouldn’t hurt him.  Sky noted how Loki moved, how injured he seemed.  Why did no one else seem to notice that he’d clearly been tortured?

Loki looked Sky over with an appraising eye.  His eyes went wide at the sight of her wings.  “You’re a Valkyrie ~” shock and surprise filled his eyes, dimming the ice blue more toward a blue-green.  His expression moved to respect.  The Valkyrie were famed warriors; anyone would be wise to be wary when facing one.

Sky gave him a smirk, showing a bit of fang as she did.  Let Loki be wary of her.  It was good for him and would keep him safer, at least for the moment.  Sky knew he was being controlled and forced to attack Midgard.  She had to keep him safe long enough to prove it to the others in charge.

“I am quite a lot of things, princeling,” she told him with that same tantalizing smirk, drawing in the prince’s curiosity.  “And you are only beginning to scratch the surface of figuring me out, Omega,” her voice was an Alpha’s growl-purr, enticing, seducing, sparking the prince’s curiosity and interest. 

It was as easy to do as enticing a kitten with a ball of yarn.

And Loki, like all Jotnar, and like most Omegas, was really just an overgrown cat at heart.

 

Chapter 12: Chapter 8 - Sky

“What were you thinking, marking him? He’s the evil mastermind in this situation!” Sky had been ignoring the team’s arguing.  They were in the lab on helicarrier.  Loki had been brought back and was now pacing the clear walled cell he was in.  Sky was watching him on the monitors.  She hadn’t much been paying attention to who was yelling at who. 

“He’s an Omega,” Sky repeated dryly, turning back to face the rest of the team.  She kept her wings tucked against her back.  She hadn’t bothered changing from her female form or hiding her wings again.  The team had accepted them as just one more weird part of this weird day.  Well, all of the team except Thor.  He had taken a look at her, her black wings, her Asgardian blade.  His eyes had gone wide, and he’d stared at her in awe and reverence, but he hadn’t said anything about her heritage, not yet.

Sky knew the conversation was coming.  With how both princes had reacted to her, it was only a matter of time.  Only a matter of things calming down long enough to have the conversation. It wasn’t a conversation that Sky was looking forward to.

“So am I.  So is Doctor Banner,” Tony replied just as dryly.  “And I run my own company and have been a superhero for awhile now.  Just because he’s an Omega doesn’t mean that he can’t be responsible for all of this!”

Sky inclined her head.  “True, but that is only one piece of the puzzle,” it wasn’t completely unheard of for Omegas to do such Alpha-like things.  “The other part is that someone else is controlling him through the scepter, just as he put Agent Barton and the others under control with it,” she explained to them overly patiently.  She hoped they would accept it this time.

Thor’s eyes went wide again and he looked so hopeful and heartbroken.  Sky never wanted to see the overgrown Labrador that was the god of thunder ever look that heartbroken ever again. “Truly?” He managed to get the word out.  He couldn’t quite believe it, but it was clear that he wanted to.  He didn’t want to believe that his brother had fallen so far that his mischief had changed to true villainy. 

Sky gave him a gentle look and nodded.  She had to be careful what she said to Thor.  He would believe her without question, thanks to her wings.  She wouldn’t break that trust, not until the question of her heritage was asked.  But she could reassure him here.  “I spoke to him during our fight.  He broke through the mind control long enough to actually speak to me.  He doesn’t want to be doing this.  Someone is forcing him,”

Hope bloomed in Thor’s eyes, then shifted to pure determination.  “Then we will stop this threat and help my brother,” he told the team firmly.  His tone left no room for arguments.  It would be stupid to try to argue with a god, especially for the Midgardians.  Thor turned his attention back to Sky after he’d set his gaze on the team, forcing them to agree with him.  He could order them around.  They were Midgardians.  He had to be more careful with her.  Just as she did with him.  “I can count on your assistance, Lady Valkyrie?” He asked formally.  It was an order, though worded as a question. 

Thankfully, his order aligned with Sky’s plans, but still, she had to tell Thor the truth.  “Prince, I’m not-”

Before Sky could finish her sentence, an explosion rumbled through the helicarrier.  “Jarvis?” Tony demanded as he got his balance.  Sky surveyed the team, making sure there were no injuries. 

“One of the engines has been destroyed,” Jarvis’ robotic voice explained while Nat and agents called for help over the comm system. 

“That’s our cue.  Suit up.  Thor, go to Loki, make sure he doesn’t escape.  Tony, Sky, get that engine back up and running,” Cap ordered, taking the lead easily, clearly used to it.  Sky didn’t protest.  Fury had already said over the comms that if another engine went down, they all would. 

“I’ll meet you at the engine,” Tony told Sky.  He still had to go get his suit from where it was locked up.  The precaution had been necessary, though Jarvis would only activate the suit for Tony.  Still, it was a weapon and had needed locked up.  They’d wanted to lock up Sky’s swords, but she’d just vanished them before they could insist. They were hers and she wasn’t giving them up.  They also couldn’t insist on taking Mjolnir, so they’d given up on that point. 

Sky took off, keeping her wings tucked against her back as she ran.  As soon as she found a way outside, she dove for it, spreading her wings and flying as hard as she could for the damaged engine.  She used magic to aid her flight, strengthening her wings and forcing the wind from the engines not to batter her as she flew.  She made it to the broken engine just before Tony.  He went straight to the control panel while she went to give the turbine a jumpstart from the inside.  He was supposed to pull the lever so she could get out safely before the engine got up to speed. 

But, of course, things never happened as they were supposed to.  The engine started while Sky was flying inside it.  And then she couldn’t keep up with the speed.  She shrieked as she was buffeted by the machine.  It clipped her wings, singeing her feathers as she tumbled from the sky. 

She flapped her wings frantically, trying to right herself, to regain her balance, to slow her fall.  Nothing helped.  And she could only do so much while falling.  She reached for her magic, but it was useless, the tumbling head over heels.

Just as suddenly, her fall stopped.  She found herself unable to move, caught by a force, by magic.  It wrapped around her, feeling as familiar as her own magic, as her own skin.  She shrieked again and struggled as the magic pulled her toward a helicopter where Loki was escaping with some of his minions, scepter in his hand.  His other hand was reached out to her, pulling her to the jet with his magic.  The magic compressed on her and she fought against it, but he was powered up by the scepter.

She fought and fought, but his magic crashed against her defenses.  When he had finally brought her to his hand, she had been forced into raven form, trapped in a green bubble of his magic. 

Sky was royally fucked, and not in the way she really would have enjoyed with her Omega.

Not in that way at all.

“Hello there, my little bird,” Loki purred, his eyes back to ice blue, his voice sexy, seductive, and possessive. 

Chapter 13

Sky hadn’t remembered passing out, but she must have, because the next thing she knew, she was waking up on a much softer object than she’d remembered last being on.  She was also back in relatively human form.  She had definitely been in raven form the last time she remembered anything.  Loki.  Loki had forced her into raven form when he’d saved her. 

Loki had saved her, even though he was mind-controlled and that was definitely not part of his mission.  Not that Sky would be complaining about that.

But she had to find out what was going on.  And that meant she had to open her eyes and deal with whatever situation she now found herself in.  All part of an Alpha’s job: doing the difficult things that needed doing, no matter how much she didn’t want to do them.

Sky forced her eyes open and bit back a groan.  Even that seemed like too much effort. That wasn’t a good sign.  She was lying on her stomach and realized there was a couch under her that she was lying on.  That definitely wasn’t there when she passed out.  She started to force herself into a sitting position, then felt a cold hand plant itself on her back between her shoulder blades, holding her down. 

“Easy, Lady Valkyrie,” Loki’s distinctive cultured voice was sexy as Hel, and way sexier than it should have been in the situation. It wasn’t an order, not really.  Even under mind control, an Omega could only stand so far against an Alpha.  “Your wings are still healing and it would be a shame if you were to reinjure them,” he explained his words. 

Now that Sky was a bit more awake, she could feel the foreign magic around her wings.  Loki’s magic.  It was healing her, just as he’d said.  She shifted and Loki let her, loosening his hand on her back, now that he was sure she was being careful.  It was only when she tried to move that she noticed the rune covered manacles around her wrists.  No wonder she was so groggy and out of it.  Those runes were severely inhibiting her magic.  She glared at the manacles and Loki chuckled, drawing her attention back to him, to the smirk on his face.  “I can’t have you interfering with my plans, little Alpha, even if you did save my life,” Loki wasn’t going to hurt her.  He would have done so already if he were going to.  He’d saved her life.  They were technically equal on the saving each other front.  She finally sat all the way up, careful of her wings.  It wasn’t as easy with the manacles on her wrists and her wings being injured. 

Sky gave him a wary look.  Loki was standing in front of the couch she was sitting on, towering over her, his scepter in hand and armor in place.  He was clearly expecting the battle to arrive there shortly.  The building they were in looked modern, state of the art.  Especially with all the tech around. She glanced out the giant windows around the room.  They were in a city, clearly.  It didn’t take her long to put together where they were from the view and the technology around.  Stark Tower.  There was only one place that could be as ostentatious about being rich and full of tech.  Too bad Jarvis didn’t know her or like her well enough to help her.  She knew about Jarvis, of course.  It was important to keep up with any technology that could out her or her family.  Keeping an eye on Stark and what he was doing was just common sense. 

“So what happens now?” Sky asked.  Get the villain monologuing, that was always the best course of action in these kinds of situations.  Sky couldn’t come up with a plan of her own until she knew what Loki was up to. 

“Now, I will bring my armies to Midgard, and you will stay here safely out of the way,” Loki informed her, his smirk remaining in place.  He reached up, seemingly absently, and touched the mark Sky had left on his neck, the one that put him under her protection.  They were bound to each other now.  No wonder he wasn’t risking her in his plans. 

“You know I can’t just let that happen,” Sky replied, steeling herself to fight him, to stop him, much as she hated it; hated the thought of having to hurt someone who was under her protection. 

Loki’s smirk grew more predatory, his eyes shining a brighter unnatural blue.  His look was dark, unnatural for an Omega.  It was a look that should have been at such odds with his nature, but the dark prince of Asgard wore it so well. “You do not have a choice in the matter, little bird,” he purred.  He moved quickly, taking the last stride toward Sky. 

Sky jumped to her feet, shifting her stance to prepare to fight.  Before she could so much as move, Loki grabbed the links of chain between the manacles on her wrists and dragged her to the side of the room, out of the way.  She struggled, but couldn’t break free from his grip, not without her magic or weapons.  Even with all her training, she was weakened from her injuries and from her magic being bound. 

Loki’s magic wrapped around her. A comfortable chair appeared out of nowhere.  The chair was in the style the valkyrie preferred with only a short back for support that would accommodate their wings easily.  She was shoved onto the chair and magic chains bound her to it.  A green bubble shield appeared around her as Loki stepped back.  She wasn’t getting off of the chair or getting out of Loki’s shield.  “You’ll be perfectly safe,” Loki purred possessively “And once this battle is over, we can rule Midgard together,”

Rule Midgard together??

Where in the Norns had that come from?

Chapter 14: Chapter 10 - Sky

Sky fought against her bonds, but it was no use, no matter what she tried.  She couldn’t summon her magic, not with Loki blocking it.  His magic was boosted by the scepter he carried.  As Sky watched him pacing and plotting, she noted the power that was hiding within.  It was stronger than anything she’d ever felt before.  She knew it was the mind stone, knew it was an infinity stone.  Knowing it intellectually and feeling the power in it were two different things.  Cursing said power when it was keeping her bound to a stupid chair where she couldn’t help was another thing entirely.

Cursing the infinity stone’s magic did absolutely no good, but it made her feel better. 

She tried everything she could think of to get free. She even tried to shift back to male form to try to break the bonds with her larger form.  She couldn’t complete the change, snapping back to her female form partway through. 

Loki looked over at her as she caught her breath from the backlash of magic and tutted. “Enough of that, little bird.  Your wings are still healing,” he scolded, towering over Sky, looking down at her with a dark expression more fitting of an Alpha.  It was the look of someone who expected to be obeyed.  Sky wondered to herself how much of it was growing up a prince and how much of it was being controlled by the mind stone. 

She wanted very much to know what the real prince was like.

That stray thought was very unlike her, when she was so used to keeping her head down to not be noticed by the mortals, to try to figure out her place on this realm where she didn’t belong. 

Sky glared up at Loki, matching Alpha glare for Alpha glare.  “Let me go,” she ordered, putting as much of her Alpha authority into the command as she could muster.  She felt the command just slide right off of him.  It was something she’d never felt when she’d used her power against an Omega before.  Damn infinity stone making him into what he wasn’t. 

Loki chuckled and turned his back on her.  “Nice try,” he informed her before he returned to whatever he was doing. 

Sky watched helplessly as the battle unfolded, as Tony taunted Loki, as Tony was defenestrated, as the battle raged on.  She couldn’t move, couldn’t get free, not until something gave in Loki’s spells. 

They finally gave when Hulk grabbed Loki by the ankle and swung him around like a rag doll.  He finally left him laying in a Loki-shaped crater in the floor and stalked off scoffing “Puny god,”

At that moment, Loki’s spells on Sky snapped and she was finally free.  She ran over to him, kneeling at his side in a moment, her wings spread protectively.  He was making a dying whale noise, which was how Sky could be sure he was still alive after that beating. 

He blinked his eyes open and looked up at her.  She caught his scent, his true scent, as her eyes met his forest green ones. 

Omega.

Pure Omega.

Hers.

Chapter 15: Chapter 11 - Loki

Loki watched the horrible things his body was doing without truly wanting to do them.  He fought for the tiny ounce of control that he had over his actions.  He remembered everything: his fall from the Bifrost, getting picked up in the middle of the abyss of space by Thanos and his minions, being tortured, and finally when his mind was weakened, his defenses shattered, only then did Thanos turn the mind stone on him.

Loki’s mind was strong enough, even after the torture to be able to work subtly, so subtly, so carefully, to influence the events around him.  He formulated a plan.  He was ordered to get the space stone from where it was hiding on Midgard and was given the mind stone in the scepter to aid him in accomplishing his goals. 

So he worked within those orders.  He couldn’t override them, not without help breaking the compulsions on his mind, but he could and did subvert his own plans.  It was elaborate and meticulously planned out.  He had to get the Midgardian forces to stop him, had to get his brother to stop him, but he had to do it in a way that made Thanos believe he was really trying to succeed.  It was a delicate act, but he finally managed.

He drew attention to himself, to his plans, to his minions.  He stole one of the Midgardians who were a part of Thor’s group of misfits.  It was all according to plan, until the Alpha appeared.  The Valkyrie.  The one who was everything and more, he drew his thoughts and attention.  He had been around Alphas his entire life and never felt the pull like he did to this one.  He had scoffed for centuries at the idea of Mates, despite his Mother promising they existed and he had one out in the universe somewhere.  He saw other pairs getting mated.  He had thought… they were just settling, that it wasn’t real. 

Then he felt the jolt for himself, the spark that told him that this was the Alpha he was fated to be with. 

He did what he could.  He saved her, kept her safe through the battle.  He couldn’t let his heart die, no matter Thanos’ plans.  He couldn’t, not after centuries of thinking he’d always be alone, not after all the pain he’d been through.  He couldn’t lose her too.  Lose them too.  Like him, his Heart was genderfluid.

The battle raged, then all Loki knew was pain, agony as he was thrown around like a rag-doll.  His head hit the ground again and again.  All the sense was knocked out of him as he wheezed in a crater in the tower.

He blinked and fought to breathe.  It took him longer than he wanted to admit to realize that his mind was his own again.  The presence of the mind stone was gone.  The hits to his head had broken the control the stone had on him.  He was injured, healing slowly, much slower than his godly abilities usually would heal him.  He groaned again, needing to stay still while he healed and knowing this was only the beginning of the trouble he was in. 

A shape rushed over to him, knelt at his side, heedless of the dirt and blood and debris.  Loki blinked bleary eyes up into the piercing ice-blue ones of the Alpha.  Of his Alpha.  He fought to catch his breath, to not appear weak in front of her.

Her black Valkyrie wings shifted slightly for balance and she moved to cup his cheek.  Her hand was the same temperature as his skin, something he’d never truly experienced before.  Everyone was usually so warm to him.  “Easy, Omega,” she said gently, and even without calling on her authority as an Alpha or a Valkyrie, Loki could feel himself relax into her touch, to breathe easier.  “You’re under my protection.  It will be alright, I swear it,” she soothed.

There was no doubt, no lie, and for the first time, Loki knew with absolute certainty that he could trust the Alpha in front of him.

His Alpha.

Chapter 16: Chapter 12 - Sky

Loki’s chains clinked softly with every step as he was escorted out of the Avenger’s Tower. His posture was upright, his expression cool and detached, hiding his injuries behind the mask of indifference, but Sky could feel the tension radiating from him. Stark walked ahead, making a show of keeping his distance from the prisoner. Behind Loki, Thor maintained a tight grip on his brother’s arm, his face a mixture of irritation and determination. Steve and Natasha flanked them, keeping watchful eyes on the disgraced god.

Sky followed silently, her gaze fixed on Loki. The temporary mark she’d placed on him hummed faintly with her power, a reminder of the bond she had claimed. Loki’s head tilted slightly as if he could sense her presence, but he did not look back.

“You don’t have to look so smug, Point Break,” Stark quipped over his shoulder at Thor. “We’re not exactly rolling out the red carpet here.”

Thor scowled but said nothing, his focus firmly on the task of delivering Loki to Asgardian justice. It wasn’t a duty he was looking forward to, but it was his duty to bring his brother home all the same.

As they reached the open air where the Bifrost would collect them, Sky stepped forward, her wings shifting slightly, drawing attention to them yet again. “Thor,” Sky called sharply, striding after the group as the portal began to materialize in the sky. Her voice, carrying an Alpha’s authority, made the prince halt and glance back. “I’m going with you.”

Thor’s brow furrowed in confusion, his blue eyes narrowing in scrutiny. “This is not your concern, Lady Valkyrie,” he said, his tone curt but not unkind. He knew to be polite to the valkyrie. “Loki’s crimes are a matter for Asgard.”

Sky stepped closer, standing her ground despite the intimidating figure of the god of thunder. Her wings, black as a starless night, flared slightly behind her. She had chosen to remain in her female form after the battle, the presence of her wings lending her an air of undeniable authority, especially to the Asgardians who mistook her for a valkyrie. She had yet to correct them.

“Loki is under my protection,” she reminde him, her voice low but firm. “The mark I placed on him isn’t just for show. You know what it means.”

Thor’s eyes flicked to the faint sigil still visible on Loki’s neck. His jaw tightened, and he let out a frustrated sigh. “You claim him as though you have the right,” he said, his voice tinged with irritation. How could this stranger be just as irritating as his brother? His brother at least had the excuse of being the god of mischief. She had no excuse. “Yet you know not the depths of his treachery.”

Sky stepped even closer, her eyes locking with Thor’s. “I know enough. He’s been used as a pawn, controlled by forces beyond even Asgard’s understanding. I will not stand by and let him face this alone.”

Loki’s head turned slightly at her words, his green eyes flickering with a mix of disbelief and something she couldn’t quite place. Hope? Gratitude? It vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by his usual mask of indifference.

Thor’s gaze softened slightly as he studied Sky. “You speak as though you’re bound to him, as though you understand his nature.”

“I do.” Sky’s voice was unwavering. She understood Loki’s nature far better than Thor could ever hope to guess. “And if you think I’m going to let you take him back to Asgard without me, you’re mistaken.”

Thor’s hesitation was palpable. He looked at Loki, then back at Sky, weighing his options. She could see the calculation in his eyes. He was a prince, a warrior, and a strategist. Her wings, her strength, and her presence marked her as something more than just a meddling stranger.

“Very well,” Thor said at last, though his tone carried a hint of reluctance. “If you insist on accompanying us, you will abide by Asgard’s laws and customs. Do not interfere with our justice.” It wasn’t his place to order a valkyrie, of course a valkyrie would follow Asgard’s laws. She wouldn’t be able to interfere with Odin’s judgement. That was the true warning he gave.

Sky inclined her head. “Agreed. But I will ensure that Loki is treated fairly.”

Thor let out a heavy sigh and turned back toward the Bifrost. Without another word, he resumed his grip on Loki and began leading him forward. Sky fell into step beside them, her presence a silent declaration that she would not be left behind.

The journey through the portal was as disorienting as ever. The shimmering rainbow light of the Bifrost engulfed them, pulling them through the fabric of space and depositing them in the golden halls of Asgard. The majesty of the realm never failed to strike awe into those who saw it, and even Sky, who had seen countless wonders in her long life, felt a moment of reverence.

As they stepped into the throne room, the atmosphere grew heavy with tension. Odin sat upon his golden throne, Frigga standing beside him with a look of sorrow etched across her face. The Allfather’s single eye burned with judgment as it fell upon Loki.

“Loki Odinson,” Odin’s voice boomed, filling the vast chamber. “You have brought shame upon this realm and upon yourself. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”

Loki’s lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. “Nothing you would believe, Father.”

Sky took a step forward, drawing all eyes to her. Her wings folded neatly behind her, but her presence was no less commanding. She had no idea if Odin would assume her a valkyrie as the others had. She would use that plow to her advantage as long as it lasted. “Allfather, if I may?”

Odin’s gaze shifted to her, his expression unreadable. “You presume much, Lady.” His voice was polite to her, but gave nothing away and he didn’t include the customary title as his sons had when addressing her. She couldn’t tell if he believed her ruse.

“It is my right to speak on the Prince’s behalf as he is under my protection,” she recited, keeping her tone polite, but meeting Odin’s gaze without flinching. She knew her rights under the laws. Her parents had taught her well, just in case. “And I claim knowledge that Prince Loki’s actions were not entirely his own,” she added. “The mind stone twisted his will and forced his hand. I offer myself as witness to his suffering and as his protector.”

The room fell silent. Thor’s eyes widened slightly, and Frigga’s expression softened with a glimmer of hope. Loki’s mask cracked for just a moment, his eyes darting to Sky with an unspoken question.

Odin’s gaze lingered on Sky, as if searching for the truth in her words. Finally, he leaned back on his throne. “Very well,” he said, his voice heavy with resignation. “We shall see if your claims hold merit. But know this: if Loki is to remain in Asgard, he will answer for his actions.”

Sky inclined her head. “As will I, should I fail in my duty.”

Odin nodded, and with that, the proceedings began. Sky stayed close to Loki’s side, her presence a silent promise that she would not abandon him—no matter what the future held.

Chapter 17: Chapter 13 - Sky

“Before we proceed,” Odin’s voice boomed from his throne as he glared down at Sky and Loki. He had seemingly backtracked in the last thirty seconds - his prerogative, certainly, but not a good sign. His gaze settled on Sky in particular. She may have been a Valkyrie, due all the honor and respect of that station, but Odin was king. He controlled the Valkyrie on Asgard. Respect was not hers by default, not merely because of her wings.

 

Sky stood her ground, refusing to be cowed. She was an Alpha, and Loki was rightfully under her protection for as long as they both chose. He wasn’t foolish enough to reject a gift ally. He wouldn’t be denying her protection anytime soon.

 

“Before we proceed,” Odin repeated, ensuring he had their undivided attention, “what right have you to place the Omega-Prince under your protection? What gives you the right to speak on his behalf?”

 

Sky was an unknown to him. Of course, Odin would demand an answer.

 

She had known this was coming. That didn’t mean she wanted to do this. She didn’t want to give him her story. He didn’t deserve it.

 

She glanced at Loki and saw the hint of worry in his eyes. He didn’t know her either. He trusted her because of her wings.

 

Odin might not deserve the truth, but Loki did.

 

Sky closed her eyes and took a steadying breath before stepping forward. As they moved, their form shifted. Their new shape was neither male nor female, but somewhere in between. Their black wings remained. Their skin paled to a light blue hue, Jotun markings appearing across it. Their hair lost its dye, reverting to its natural black. One eye gleamed Jotun red, the other a brilliant green.

 

“I am Alpha Skylinar,” they announced to the room at large, standing tall beneath Odin’s scrutiny. They felt the ripple of shock around them but refused to let it faze them. “Child of the Valkyrie Helina, who sacrificed her wings and titles to save Queen Frigga’s life.”

 

It had happened before Frigga and Odin had married, centuries ago. Sky’s mother had severed her own wings, the sacrifice granting her the power to heal Frigga from the lethal overdose of poison her kidnappers had used. Then, still bleeding, she had slain every one of them. She had been honored for her sacrifice—but she had lost her place among the Valkyrie and had gone to live on Midgard after, though only few knew that part of the story.

 

“Child also of Astilar, Under-King of Southern Jotunheim, as it was known before the Great War.”

 

Gasps and murmurs of confusion rippled through the hall. Sky continued, mostly for the princes, who would have learned only the redacted history—not the truth.

 

“High-King Laufey ordered his Under-Kings of the North, South, East, and West to take groups of Jotun refugees to other realms, to establish colonies. He wished for at least some of his people to survive the war, even if it had to be elsewhere. The Jotuns spread among the stars. But enough remained behind to make it believable that their defeat had been absolute.”

 

Loki’s eyes widened, his mind already piecing together the implications. Sky could see the gears turning.

 

Thor, by contrast, was stunned. Poor princeling. He had never learned that history was written by the victors. He would learn soon enough.

 

“I am a Prince by blood and right and a Valkyrie by birth and training.” Sky met Odin’s gaze unflinchingly. “Those, Allfather, are my credentials for protecting Prince Loki.”

 

Sky believed in Omega rights. Loki could make his own choices in courtship, and Sky would respect that. So they added,

 

“They are also the same credentials that grant me the right to court him—if he allows it.”

Chapter 18: Chapter 14 - Loki

Loki’s mind reeled with all the new information.  He had seen so many futures while he was being tortured, the mind stone had shown him so many possibilities, but none of those possibilities had included Sky.  He had had no idea that they existed, so he couldn’t even fathom this series of events.  He had known Skye was genderfluid.  He had seen their blades, seen their wings.  Even he hadn’t put all of the pieces together, not really.  There had been too much else on his mind. 

He’d been too busy getting Thor to get his ass in gear and get his stupid friends together to stop the Chitauri attack.  He’d banked on his brother stopping him.  He’d had to work carefully while under the influence of the mind stone.  He’d had to hide what he was doing from Thanos and those who wanted to use him. 

Now?

Now he was supposed to be focusing on how to get through this trial with his head still attached to the rest of his body.  He quite liked his head exactly where it was.  He’d succumbed to call of death once and was tortured for it.  He really didn’t want to repeat that experience. 

Loki had known he was an Omega, known he was adopted, known he was Jotun since the day he presented, since the day the collar had been locked around his neck. He’d understood on a logical level what that meant.  He’d never accepted it, not really.  He’d been humiliated that day.  His entire life he’d been led to believe that he was supposed to be an Alpha.  He’d never learned or accepted that he wasn’t. He’d never felt the draw to an Alpha. 

He realized after meeting Skye that none of the Alphas he’d met had been the one for him.  He couldn’t say with certainty that Skye was his fated Alpha, but he could say that he knew and felt the draw now.

He’d also never fully accepted his Jotun birth.  He was Asgardian by nurture, a prince by both nature and nurture.  He avoided learning about his Jotun heritage his whole life. 

If he survived this trial, he would have to learn.  There was no getting around it when the Alpha who called to him was half-Jotun.  When they knew his history and his people’s history better than he did. 

Loki was the rightful heir to the Jotun throne.  Or at least he would be if he weren’t an Omega.  Everything wrong in his life started with that stupid fact. 

“There is no shame in being an Omega,” the memory of his mother’s voice echoed in his thoughts unbidden.  One didn’t just argue with mama Frigga, especially when she took that tone.  He risked a glance to her, glad that this was one of the futures where Odin hadn’t kicked Frigga out of the trial. 

The trial always went better for him when Mother was allowed to remain. 

At least in all the versions of the future he had seen. 

Loki tried to force himself to concentrate. His mind kept wandering to unhelpful things.  Part of him knew and understood that his mind had been shattered so many times when he’d been tortured, that it had been affected by the mind stone. He wasn’t at his best, despite how he tried to hide it. 

His shattered mind was having trouble focusing. 

He needed to focus.  He would die if he didn’t.

And now that he found something, someone, interesting enough to want to get to know, someone intriguing, who seemed to care about him, just for being… him.  It was enough to want to live for.  Skye hadn’t cared that he was a prince, or a pawn to use.  They… had just wanted to help him, or so it had seemed. 

It was intriguing enough to get his attention.  To make him want to live for something, now that his mission to save his idiot brother for a little while longer was complete. 

He loved Thor deeply.  That didn’t mean he would ever think his brother wasn’t an oaf. 

Skye showed their true form, explained their true heritage, giving the explanation more to Loki than to Odin.  The crowd watching was shocked, especially the aforementioned idiot Thor.  Loki was in awe. 

They were beautiful. 

Their hybrid form, their natural form, was balanced, exquisite.  It was like nothing Loki had ever seen.  They were perfect and Loki found himself drawn to them. 

Thankfully, he didn’t move closer to them and embarrass himself.  He retained his composure.  This was still a trial.  He needed to make his stupid broken mind stop thinking about the hot Alpha and focus on making sure he didn’t die in the next ten minutes.

Odin glared at Skye, his eye narrowing as his expression hardened.  That wasn’t a good sign.  But even Odin couldn’t deny Skye’s credentials.  Their Asgardian credentials were strong enough, but given they were also a prince of Jotunheim.  Yes, they definitely had justification to take Loki under their protection. 

And courtship? Courtship? Where had that come from??

“Very well,” Odin finally relented reluctantly.  “What proof have you that the Omega’s actions were not his own?” Odin didn’t acknowledge Loki’s rank or that he had raised Loki as his own child.  That wasn’t a good sign for Loki’s case.  Everyone knew it.  Frigga moved closer to her husband, Thor shifted his position to better protect his brother.  Loki didn’t see Hodur, but had no doubt his other brother was in the shadows, watching, waiting to see if he was needed to step in at the last moment to save Loki’s life.  Loki hoped he didn’t need to. 

It really looked like Odin was looking for an excuse to take Loki’s head. 

The futures he had seen always showed Odin wanting to take his head. 

Loki would have to use his Silvertongue very, very carefully to keep his head attached and his lips from being sewn together.  It would be a delicate balance indeed. 

And one he would have to execute with all of his skill if he wanted to get to know the Alpha who wanted to court him better.

Chapter 19: Chapter 15 - Sky

Proof, the Allfather wanted proof.  Of fucking course he wanted proof.  How the fuck was Sky supposed to give him proof that Loki had been mind controlled?  There was no proof?  That was the point. 

Sky had to be careful with their words.  The wrong words and this would go poorly for Loki.  Everyone in the room knew it and Odin seemed to be waiting for it.  “There’s no physical proof I can offer, that much is true,” Sky admitted.  There was no use lying to Odin, to any of these people.  Odin opened his mouth to speak, probably to scoff something about Sky wasting his time, but Sky cut him off.  “What I can offer is what I saw and experienced with my own eyes.  The word of an Alpha should hold weight, even here,”

“An Alpha’s word does hold weight,” Frigga confirmed, her gentle Omega’s voice commanding for all its usual kindness.

“Thank you, Allmother,” Sky replied with a polite bow to her. It was best to be extra polite to the Allmother.  She could sway Odin on some things anyway.  Hopefully she could sway Odin when it came to her son. 

“What I can tell you is what I saw,” Sky repeated, getting everyone’s attention back on them.  “The scepter Loki used as a weapon also allowed him to control the minds of those he used it on,” Sky explained.  They had to start at the beginning, which felt painstakingly slow, but if they left anything out, then Odin wouldn’t understand and would take it out on Loki, which Sky couldn’t allow to happen.  So Sky had to go the slow route.  Sky hated every moment of it. 

What Sky hated more was being interrupted, which was what Odin did next.

“So you admit that the Omega was mind controlling others,” Odin sneered like he had caught Sky in a lie.

Sky had to fight the urge to roll their eyes.  That wouldn’t help against Odin.  That would only get Loki killed.  “Yes.  However, I was not finished.  When a victim was mind-controlled, the scepter turned their eyes ice blue.  Prince Loki’s eyes were that same blue throughout the course of his actions on Midgard,” Sky explained. “Whoever gave him that scepter was also influencing his actions,”

“In other words, his actions were not his own?” Frigga asked hopefully.  If Loki’s actions weren’t his own, then he would get off with a much lighter sentence or no punishment at all.

Sky inclined their head.  “Exactly.  Prince Loki fought against the mind control in order to draw together the team of people strong enough to stop him, myself included,”

Odin didn’t look pleased, but couldn’t accuse Sky of lying.  There was no indication from Loki the human-shaped lie detector that Sky hadn’t spoken the absolute truth.  Even with Loki’s mind broken and repaired and not at 100%, he was still a walking lie detector and the entire court looked to him to be so. 

Odin, therefore, turned to a different tactic.  “Why did you put the Omega under your protection?” He demanded of Sky.

“Because I knew that his actions were not his own.  He deserves to be protected,” Sky replied firmly, with all of the Alpha authority they could muster into their voice.  They were getting tired of this farce of a trial and had to keep themself from just grabbing their Loki and storming out of their.  That wouldn’t help anything.

“Then that is my verdict,” Odin replied with a sneer.  “The Omega Prince shall return to Midgard to work with the team he helped create, to make retributions for his actions.  He will remain under the protection of Alpha Skylinar,”

“F-for how long?” Loki couldn’t help asking, pale and not quite believing that he was getting to keep his head.

“Until such a time as you become worthy of returning to Asgard!” Odin growled, making Loki flinch.  Sky shifted to partially block Loki from view.  Loki was under Sky’s protection.  That meant even from Odin.  Odin didn’t have to like it.  There was nothing he could do about it.  He was the one who had just put Loki under Sky’s protection officially.  It was his own damn fault if he didn’t like it. 

“I accept your judgment, Allfather,” Sky replied formally.  They turned to the guards and growled.  “Now get these chains off my Omega,” Loki was under Sky’s protection.

Loki was theirs.

Officially.

Chapter 20: Chapter 16

The guards tried to insist that Loki was dangerous.  “I said to remove his chains,” Sky repeated, inserting their Alpha authority into their voice as they stared down the guards.  None of the guards were Alphas and backed down quickly. 

Loki held up his chained hands with a smirk and all but stuck his tongue out at the guards.  He was a little shit and going to be the bane of Sky’s existence.  Sky just knew it already.  Sky gave him a look.  “Behave,” they scolded lightly, but with no real malice or force in the command.  They knew Loki was just having a little fun and wasn’t hurting anyone or anything. 

The guards removed Loki’s chains and Loki grinned a Cheshire Cat grin. “Behave? Whyever for?  Behaving sounds so dreadfully dull-”

“Loki-” Thor said warningly, reaching for mjolnir to probably beat Loki to a pulp with it, which seemed like his usual solution to Loki being a little shit.

Sky held up a hand to stop him.  Sky saw what was going on here.  They shifted back to male form, knowing that the royal family was still watching the interaction to see how he would deal with the troublesome Omega.  He was bulkier than Loki in this form, enough for at least some intimidation.  “You’ve been through a lot, and I understand that.  It doesn’t give you the right to act out,” Sky told the Omega gently.  “Now, if you’d like to stop being a little shit and act like the prince we all know you are, I’ll give you a nice long time to pack for Midgard and say a proper goodbye to your Mother before we leave.  If you insist on being a pain in everyone’s ass, I’m sure these nice guards will be all to glad to help me take you back to the Bifrost right now.  Which option will it be, prince?” Sky demanded, pinning Loki with his gaze, not letting the Omega squirm out of answering.

Loki clearly hadn’t been expecting to be pinned by this Alpha who was his. It was an experience that he’d never felt before and he felt himself wanting to submit.  Submitting wouldn’t be bad, not to this man who would actually care, who was proving in front of the entire court that he would actually care about Loki. He knew exactly what Loki needed and was offering it to him in the form of a compromise. 

Loki inclined his head, maintaining as much dignity as he could muster.  “I wish time to pack and say my goodbyes,” he replied, his gaze meeting Sky’s.

Sky nodded.  “I thought that would be the case.  I’ll see to it that it’s allowed,” he promised. 

Sky worked it out with Odin that Loki be allowed to spend the afternoon packing what he would need for his stay on Midgard and that he be allowed to see Frigga and say a proper goodbye to her.  Sky stayed nearby during both of these activities.  He didn’t interfere, but kept watch, a protective presence and a reminder that Loki was indeed under his protection.  Sky also took in the sights of the palace that he could, even as he stayed near Loki.  This might very well be the only time he saw it for a long, long time. 

It was late that evening before their group headed back to the Bifrost to return to Midgard.  Now they had to explain things to Thor’s new friends and get the humans to agree. 

Sky had a feeling that was going to be the harder task.