Deity

My Mother Told Me

It was highly unusual for Thor to visit, the Asgardian knowing that the other Pantheons were not fond of him or his people. He wanted to invite them to Asgard though. The Greek Deity had been kind to him and his Brother and his Mother wanted to meet her. He landed outside on the driveway, staring at the impressive lodge.

"Can I help you?" The former Assassin had appeared from the Forest that surrounded the Lodge. He was clearly defensive and aggressive at the same time. Bucky didn't like unexpected visitors.

"Hello, James Barnes." Thor greeted. He wasn't trying to act too Familiar with them as that could seem offensive.

"Thor." Steve greeted, having emerged from the garage where he had been watching Tony tune up his motorcycle. He smiled at Thor, slinging an arm around Bucky's shoulders. "Long time, no see."

"I did not wish to intrude. And I was very busy with my Brother. He is quite the handful." Thor laughed, relieved by Steve's friendliness.

"What brings you our way?" Steve kept a warm tone, trying to counteract Bucky's hostility. He stepped on Bucky's foot warningly as the other man growled at Thor who had stepped closer.

"My Mother would like to meet you all." Thor knew it was really Katune that he needed to direct the request to. She was the Original of the Deities that resided there and the one with the most knowledge on the Pantheons' interactions.

"That sounds lovely." Katune herself had appeared from nowhere. Her hair was loose and wet from a shower, wearing a loose dress that erased any shape she may have had. "I think it would be an excellent idea to go to Asgard. Tony will have to clear his schedule for a while but it could be done."

"Thank you, Lady Katune." Thor bowed slightly. His Mother had reamed him up one side and down the other when she had heard that Thor had met an Olympian and had judged her. Frigga had reminded Thor of why it was wise to not reveal everything about One's self or what they can do.

"You may call me Kayla. That's what I prefer to go by currently." Kayla corrected pleasantly. She rarely used her Godly name except for while on Olympus. "Would you like to come in? I made Cookies earlier. Double chocolate chocolate chip."

"That would be nice." Thor nodded and followed the woman into the house. He shuddered at the feeling of eyes on his back, knowing that the other two men were watching.

"Oh no you don't." Steve prevented Bucky from following. "Tony has gone in through the other door. She's not alone with Thor and Tony will protect her if need be. Relax, Buck. Everything is fine. No one is going to harm our Family."

"I don't like it." Bucky grumbled but leaned into Steve. He enjoyed the way that Steve tucked him close to his chest.

"I know but Tony's in there. Plus she can more than handle herself too. We gotta stop forgetting that she is in fact an Ancient being who has been alive longer than any current civilization." Steve knew they were all guilty of it. It was easy to forget when she was usually just helping her lovers and caring for their garden. It was very domestic and definitely something Steve had wanted from Before. Bucky had wanted to go out in a blaze of glory and hadn't figured out what he wanted to do after the War but things had gone sideways. Tony hadn't thought he would ever actually be in a lasting and meaningful relationship.

"I know but it's hard. She's just... Kayla. I look at her and see our girl. I don't see Katune the Goddess." Bucky let himself be led onto their front porch and onto the porch swing. He tucked his legs up on the seat with him, boots left on the porch floor.

"I feel like that a lot too." Steve snagged the blanket off the back of the swing and tucked it around Bucky. He started rocking the swing with his foot then focused a little bit of his magic to keep it going. He had been training on how to control the power that ran through his veins and always felt proud that he could do it.

~~~~~~~~~

Tony had an arm around Kayla's waist, chatting with Thor. "And then Steve fell into the lake."

"It was hilarious." Kayla snickered, leaning into Tony with an adoring look in her eyes as she watched her Genius. "Things have been going well. Bruce comes to stay with us whenever he needs a break and Clint and Natasha occasionally check in."

"So your Mother wants to meet us?" Tony changed the subject. He was curious about why Frigga wanted to meet them.

"Yes. She wants to meet you all and thank you for helping Loki." Thor looked unusually serious at the moment. "My Brother has been much different since he was turned into a child. And she would like to discuss what we will do about Thanos."

"He needed the time to reset. And we know what is coming so we can be prepared." Kayla was pressing a soft kiss to Tony's cheek now, having liked his idea of a Global defense system.

"I think that if we worked together, we could prevent any loss of life." Tony wondered if they could combine resources and keep it from blowing up.

"I think it would be a grand idea. We would have to consult my Father but I believe it could work." Thor nodded, looking at the pair appraisingly.

"We all know your Mother is in charge." Kayla snickered quietly. She rubbed Tony's arm with her thumb and watched Thor closely. "We will call for you on the appointed day. Thank you."

Thor took it for the dismissal it was and left, summoning the Bifrost in the driveway again. It left a very large scorch mark that made Tony curse.