A/N

Whaaaaaat? FishGills isn't dead? Has she risen from the dead in time for spooky season?

I know, I've been absent for a few months lol. Listen, the Loki series took a lot out of me. I wrote that AU on a week to week basis and the entire premise and "resolution" (if you even wanna call the finale that) gave me a lot of existential feelings and a lot of moments making me see my little multiverse system in a new light. Anyways, I'm back until I decide to skip town again lol.

Anyways, I'm basing this on the 7th episode of "What If" that came out today as of writing this A/N. So spoilers for that even if most of it had very little major moments aside from the very very end.

(Also, Halloween special is kind of in the works but also being slightly re-evaluated, so hopefully we can expect that on time)

FishGills out!

***

More than battles won or lost, it's relationships that truly define a hero. The people who shape them, their stories. Thor and Loki, a brotherhood so strong and pivotal, it would change the fate of a universe. Their childhood taught Thor many lessons.

But in another universe, instead of raising the Jotunheim prince Loki as his own son, Odin returned him to his people. Without his trickster brother to keep things, let's say... lively, Thor grew into a very different prince.

"Alright. Here we go, everyone nestle on it and say 'waffles!'" Thor said, collecting a group of Sovereign in front of a phone camera. The party atmosphere had spread all over Earth by now, Thor having only arrived the night before. What started in Vegas had moved from place to place, now settling in Paris. "I love that word. Waffles with maple syrup and whipped cream on top!"

"Thor!" Sif cried, running over with Fandral in tow.

"Thor! They're here!" Fandral elaborated. Whether Thor knew who the pair had meant, he didn't have time to ask. A familiar voice called over to him, the thunderous noise of footsteps coming along.

"Oi! Where's that son of a witch Thor Odinson?" Loki said, all of his twelve foot high blue glory approaching with a few of his Frost Giant brethren. The crowd parted as the pair stared each other down.

"What did you say? Fandral, tell me, is that butt-ugly popsicle stick... talking to me?" Thor asked lowly. One second of tense silence... two... three.

"Ahhhh, bring it on in here!" Loki said excitedly, kneeling down to get to Thor's level, holding out a single finger for Thor to grab hold of as a sort of greeting.

"I can't believe you came! Loki, you are the absolute best!" Thor replied with equal enthusiasm.

"You're my brother from another mother, man, I mean that. I mean that."

"Brothers forever!"

"Brother's foreverrrr!"

"Forever! Oh, hey, wait. Loki, where is she?"

"Hey, Thor!" Another familiar voice greeted. From behind Loki's long hair, the figure of a woman emerged to sit on Loki's shoulder.

"Ah, Olivia! My sister from another mister! I haven't seen you since the Winter Solstice! How's it been going?"

"Ah, you know. Cold." Olivia replied with a shrug.

"I've made sure to keep her as warm as possible. Her mother would have a fit if I didn't." Loki said as Olivia slid down his arm to stand in front of Thor.

"Loki, please, don't be rude." She replied, waving her hands gently. Green light flashed from her palms and Loki suddenly shrank down to about Thor's height.

"Darling..." Loki whined as the other Jotuns laughed at his new stature.

"Just for a bit." Olivia replied with a smile. Thor pulled the pair in for a bear hug, all of their faces squishing together.

Ah, yes. Olivia. The war orphan taken in by the Royal Family only to fall in love with Loki years later. While their love isn't an Absolute Point in time across all universes, it is in most, and this one is no exception.

However, in this universe, her parents survived the war that had stolen them from their daughter. While still close with the Royal Family, Olivia and Thor were never truly raised as siblings. Still, feelings never bloomed between the two, Olivia only ever having eyes for the Jotun prince.

"Are you sure you still want to go through with this marriage, dear? It's a big decision." Iri said in a concerned tone, draping the silvery-purple cloak over her daughter's shoulders.

"For the hundredth time, Mother, yes. It will bring our people closer through the union--" Olivia said with a gentle chuckle. It never ceased to amaze her how much her mother could hide her firey spirit while so concerned.

"You're not just doing it for political reasons, right?" Iri interjected.

"Mother, is it so hard to imagine that I do truly love Loki?"

"He's got at least seven feet on you, love."

"Which is why I'm thankful Frigga taught me the sizing spell during our lessons."

"I'm glad, too... I don't know how in the Nine you would have even be able to... have fun otherwise."

"Mother!" Olivia cried, turning beet red. Iri just laughed.

"I jest, love. I don't care about whether or not you would have children."

"But would Father?"

"He wagered Odin a hundred gold you would marry Karnilla's apprentice after you turned Odin down to marry Thor. Your children are the last thing on your father's mind. He just wants to see you happy."

"Father lost a hundred gold because my eyes happened to wander to a pretty blonde woman? Mother, you know as well as I do that that happened several times with different women." Olivia said, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.

"Love, everyone knows you spent more than a few nights with her." Iri replied in a serious tone despite the smile lines in the corners of her eyes crinkling.

"In another universe I might have married her..."

She's not wrong about that.

"...But I chose Loki as much as he chose me. I know it's a bit of an odd circumstance, but we're happy together."

"But my son in law will be seven feet taller than I am!" Iri protested. Olivia laughed and embraced her mother.

"It's going to be fine, Mother. We'll still see each other as often as possible, I swear to you." Olivia said.

"Alright, alright. I know you two will be perfect for each other and make each other very happy." Iri replied.

"That's all I ask for you to know."

"But if you freeze, I swear to the Norns, I'll break his neck."

***

"...six whole goat's worth of meat! Father nearly shot ale out of his nose, he was laughing so hard." Loki said.

"You would get along swimmingly with Uncle Farbauti, Thor. If you'd place a trough of food in front of him, I swear he would eat the meat, the bones, and the trough." Olivia added.

"Perhaps I should pay you a visit and meet him." Thor said with a laugh.

A distinct boom sounded from a distance. The party went nearly completely quiet as everyone tried to figure out what the source of the noise was.

"Was that a boom?" Thor asked.

"Did you boom? You always boom." Loki asked.

"No, I only boom in private."

A bright light flashed across the sky at an extreme speed, catching Thor's eye.

"Loki, Olivia, look! A shooting star! Make a wish!" Thor said excitedly. Loki turned absolutely giddy as he shut his eyes for his wish. Olivia rolled her eyes with a smile and shut hers as well.

"Let's see... I wish... I wish... I wish... I wish... Aha! Got it!" Loki said.

"What? What is it?" Thor asked.

"I couldn't possibly tell you. It would ruin the magic." Loki said impishly. The comet suddenly crashed right in front of them with such a force that Thor spilled his ale on himself. The comet turned into a glowing woman, staring directly at Thor.

"Hey, Whitesnake. We need to talk." The woman said to him. Olivia bit her lip as Loki grew back to full size, setting her on his shoulder to keep her away from the potential threat.

"Oh, Thor's done it now." She mused.