Rúna's POV

I squealed when he appeared before us, but wait, is he real?

"Yes, love, I'm real," he responded.

"Hey, get out of my head," I sassed, rolling my eyes.

"Never."

"But how, Thor said you died. You even came to us in dreams," I stuttered.

"Magic doesn't play by the rules, love," he said as he held his hand out to me. "Thanos, you need to come as well," he said, calling over my shoulder.

Everyone else stood in shock as the four of us gathered close to the roots of Yggdrasil. Karina jumped into her Faðir's arms. "Do we tell them now, Faðir?" she whispered.

I tickled her belly, "Are you two conspiring?"

She blinked her eyes innocently, "I don't know what conspirn is Moðir." Oh good grief, I'm in so much trouble with these two. And don't get me started on the one in my belly - he's already as rambunctious as his father. Oh, wait...I turned to see Thanos's expression matching my own.

"Get it out of your heads right now you two," Loki scolded us. "That's what Karina and I need to talk with you about. We just need some privacy." With a wave of his hand, we found ourselves within the tree's root system. "Now, we have decisions to make - as a family." He gave both of us a look that left no room to speak. "When Angrboða pulled her stunt, she really messed up the timelines - even more than you, love." I blushed.

"As you both know, our timeline wasn't real until Rúna arrived. Her very goddess nature and magic brought it to life. However, that's part of the problem. While I have a counterpart here, Thanos is pure fiction as you once said. His presence here is causing more disruption than magic can allow." Loki explained.

"Then send me back. Let my time end as it should have. That way all of you are safe," he squeezed my hand.

"Not a fecking chance," I growled. "Could all you men stop trying to die for me for just one minute?"

"Says the woman who died for me," Loki replied dryly. Karina tugged her father's ear and gave him a stern "Ahem." "Yes, dóttur," he chuckled. "Now, if you two would let me finish, there is a solution, but it has a price."

We listened as he explained and they were both patient as I pondered my decision. When we finally reappeared, it was nearly dark. Everyone gathered closer as Loki handed Karina back to Thanos with a smile.

"Hey Reindeer Games, glad you're back. Wait, you are back, right?" Tony said, reaching his hand out to shake Loki's.

"Yes, Stark, if she'll have me, I'm back," he grinned. "Now, if we could get everyone gathered, we have some matters to attend to."

Once everyone was gathered, Odin from this timeline demanded, "Who are you to speak for Yggdrasil? You aren't one of us!"

"No, I'm not, nor would I want to be. As for who I am, I am her Loki, son of Odin and Frigga, son of Nal, God of Mischief, Lies, and now Time and Creation as well, thanks to my lovely wife. When Angrboða threw her knives I sacrificed myself for my brother, just as I would have done in my timeline prior to Rúna's arrival. By completing my purpose, my spirit was released into the care of Yggdrasil. I stood by and watched as all of this played out, not knowing if I would be allowed to return or not, but finally, the magics spoke, and here I am on their behalf. Now, if you so choose to enter Yggdrasil and challenge the decision, I for one would really love to witness it. Otherwise, shut up," Loki said curtly. A loud, slow clap came from the group as the red-headed Loki gave a wicked grin. "Ahh, my counterpart, to you I offer thanks for defending her honor yet again."  The other Loki inclined his head in acknowledgment. 

He stepped forward, releasing my hand, "As for Yggdrasil's judgment - I have explained the consequences to both Thanos and Rúna. They will be given time to get their affairs in order before leaving this timeline forever. The effects of her creation have caused far too many tremors. Once all of those from my timeline leaves, this time will be forever sealed to us. No one from here can leave either." He turned to Angrboða, "That means you will suffer for your crimes. The tree of life demands yours in return for all the pain you have caused." She gasped and visibly paled. Loki scoffed, "Not how you saw that turning out was it?"

Turning back to the others, he continued, "Balor is sentenced to eternity in Helheim, his life and actions were as dishonorable as his death. He will grovel at Hel's feet until the Ragnorak wipes all of you from memory. As for the rest of you, once we leave, no one here will remember any of this - no one will remember Rúna." His eyes softened as he turned toward my mothers who were silently crying. "I am truly sorry, but this is the only way to keep both our worlds and her safe. You will be given time to say your goodbyes." He turned back to the crowd, his voice booming across the grove, "This is the word and decree of Yggdrasil, and it is final." He clapped his hands together and a brilliant flash of blueish-green magic fell over everything sealing the judgment.

Everyone walked away in silence. The Aesir to their own homes, and us to the home we would soon be leaving. Loki carried Karina in his arm, and both he and Thanos held my hand. When we reached the cottage, Tony finally asked, "So what now? What about, well, this?" he motioned to the four of us.

"Now, we make a new family, Stark," Loki said. "I would no sooner ask her to walk away from Thanos or his child than he would ask her to give up Karina or me. It will take work, but we will figure it out."

"I know our time is short, but would you allow us to bind you all before you have to leave? We would also ask to place our blessing on the child," Skuld asked. We all exchanged glances and silently agreed, then we nodded. "Good," she grinned and a cord appeared in her hands.

Surrounded by our friends and family, I pledged myself to both Loki and Thanos. Then my mothers placed their blessing on the child in my womb. "You know already, don't you daughter?" Verðandi asked. I grinned.

"Know what?" Thanos asked. Verðandi glanced at me, asking permission and I giggled with a nod.

"She knows she carries your son, Thanos. Congratulations," she pressed a kiss to his cheek as he choked, his eyes filling with tears.

He knelt before me, "A son," he whispered and placed a kiss on my belly. I giggled as I felt the babe shift and his eyes lit up.

"Were you and Móður, silly like that when I was in her tummy?" Karina laughed as she tugged on her father's hair. For only being just over a year in time, it always amazed me how Aesir children aged more rapidly. She already acted like a grown-up, but with Loki as her father, I shouldn't be surprised.

Loki chuckled, "Yes our little love, just as silly. I even talked to you when you were in Móður's stomach."

I laughed, "He did. He even promised you a pony." That made Karina squeal with delight as Loki scowled playfully at me.

The time passed far too quickly. Even though it was filled with laughter as well as tears, it was so difficult knowing that soon they would forget I had ever existed. I, however, would know the truth. That was part of Yggdrasil's judgment. Both Thanos and I had to retain all our memories of what had happened and the problems we had both caused - intended or not. Those from Loki's timeline would also remember, but none of us could come here again - ever.

With a swirl of lights, I watched as the faces of the women who raised me for the first fifteen years of my life faded from view. I fell to my knees on the rainbow bridge and retched. "Oh little goddess," Thanos said softly as he handed me the washcloth and water Loki had conjured. He pressed a kiss to my forehead and lifted me in his arms.

"Come, little one, let's go home," Loki said as he motioned to a waiting carriage.

I looked at him questioningly. "Consider it our wedding gift," Odin said with a smile. "Children and new couples need their privacy and lots of space. Frigga and I arranged for a place to be built along the coast for you all."

Leaning into Thanos's chest, I smiled, "Thank you both." He nodded and mounted his horse, pulling Frigga in front of him. She blushed and gave a girlish squeal.

I must have fallen asleep in the carriage. Thanos and Loki's whispers woke me as it stopped. I rubbed my eyes and looked out the window. This place was huge. I swear it was a miniature version of the palace, complete with servants and all. "The man doesn't know the meaning of simple," Loki muttered.

"Must be where you learned it from," I snorted. He gave me a quick slap on my ass and I yelped.

"Watch it, little one. I think you're forgetting this is our wedding night." His eyes gleamed with mischief as he spoke. My eyes went wide when the two men exchanged knowing glances. Oh, feck, they've been plotting - I'm in so much trouble.

"Wait, where's Karina?" I sputtered, just now realizing she was gone.

"Spending the night with Onkle Thor and Tante Jane so her mommy and daddies can enjoy their first night as wife and husbands," Loki winked. Yep, I'm in trouble.

Author's Notes: Nope I did not envision a reverse-harem in this story, but then again, I had no idea the entire Angrboða thing was going to happen either.  Gotta love it when the characters take over.

Please vote, comment, follow, and share, my lovelies!