The god of Mischief On Midgard

13. Leaving Asgard

No one says a word as they walk back through Asgard. Tony has Peter tucked into his side to comfort him. Wanda and MJ walk side by side.

Thor schools his face to not show his emotions. Most people would assume only Loki is good at lying or hiding his emotions. They often forget that Thor grew up with Loki. He was bound to pick stuff up. He is also a prince. The skill was needed.

Thor takes a different route when he gets closer to the house where Loki's family lives. "Thor, you're not really going to leave without telling them what happened, are you?" Bruce asks.

"It's better for them to think Loki left without telling them and is happy on Midgard rather I tell them that Odin imprisoned him in the dungeons for the rest of his life," Thor answers emotionlessly.

"You can't do that! That one kid himself said Odin scares him. What if he's hurting them? It's not right to leave them here. We have to at least go check on them. Ask them if they're okay." Bruce presses.

"Fine!" Thor says annoyed.

"If they're being hurt we bring them back with us." Steve orders. "No objections. If they want us to."

Thor doubles back and takes them to the house. "You go talk to her. The rest of us will wait out here. Don't take too long."

Steve nods and walks up the path. He knocks on the door and it's thrown open seconds later. He sees the red-haired boy.

"Who are you?" He asks distrustfully.

"My name is Steve. I'm a friend of your fathers. May I come in. I need to speak to your mother."

"Mommy!"

Valkyrie comes running to the door. "What, Ender?" Her eyes meet Steve's. She doesn't have to ask what happened. His grim expression says everything. "Ender, go take your brothers and play in the playroom."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"Where's Daddy? He said he'd come back." Ender asks.

Valkyrie runs her hand through his red hair. "He's busy. He'll come back. Go play."

Ender stares at Steve before walking back through the house. Valkyrie steps out onto the porch and shuts the door firmly behind her. She crosses her arm and looks at Steve with a hard face.

"What happened?"

Steve sighs. He doesn't enjoy having to tell his friend's wife that he got said friend imprisoned. "Odin imprisoned him."

In an instant, he jerks back. His hand covering his cheek where she slapped him. "How could you let that old goat do this? Aren't you supposed to look out for each other? Get out of my sight! There are four little boys in there who haven't seen their father in six years. I haven't seen my husband in six years. At least on Midgard, he wasn't being tortured. At least while he was gone he wasn't aware that his own father is abusing his wife and children! Now there's no way that Odin will refrain from telling Loki that! He'll probably use that as a way to break him!" 

Steve gasps and stares at her. She realizes her mistake a little too late. "He abuses you?" Steve asks voice shaking in anger.

"No, we're fine. It slipped out. I wasn't thinking." Valkyrie says and tries to open the door.

Steve's arm shoots out and he grabs her wrist. He gently pulls up the sleeve to reveal the hand shaped bruises on her wrist. "How long?"

"Since Loki disappeared. Odin never approved of our relationship. He was especially angry after we had the quadruplets. He never laid a hand on us while Thor and Loki were here. When Loki disappeared and Thor stayed on Midgard he found out that he enjoys smacking us around." Valkyrie pulls her sleeve back down.