Chapter 52 – Wonder Twins  

(Central Africa. former SHIELD base – Codenamed: Treehouse – July 20th 2014)

Kal was standing on a hill as he watched the very one-sided battle unfold below him. The fight was, much to his displeasure, going sloppily. The last six months had been very…. interesting was the word that he was using….yes, interesting. With the collapse of SHIELD, the Avengers had been forced to reform and take the fight to the remaining elements of HYDRA. This is what was occurring before Kal's watchful eyes. However, it was not Tony, Steve nor even the duo of Natasha and Barton that he was observing.

It was of his….children.

The Super Twins, a name which Kal hated and blamed Tony for after the man had used it during a press conference, were acting in near-perfect tandem as they moved to secure the former SHIELD base. The only issue was that they were exerting far too much effort for the task at hand, and in truth, they should have finished this fight over 10 minutes ago. Whereas Kal had done his part cutting off reinforcements and supplies, the twins were struggling.

"My niece fights well," Thor's voice boomed next to him as the god of thunder smiled at the battle below, where said niece had just sliced through an enemy tank.

Kal sighed, Thor had quickly taken to his newfound kin to the point that he was largely overlooking the fact that they were….reckless. Oh, they were powerful and could more than handle themselves, but it was clear that HYDRA had no idea how to actually train someone with their abilities. So, they were left with what Kal was observing below them, which was a great deal of potential and power applied through amateurish and careless techniques.

"She's…. enthusiastic I'll give her that." Carol's voice sounded out as she made a slightly more critical observation of her daughter.

After the incident with HYDRA and the start of their war against the rogue organisation, Kal had been quick to contact Carol about the twins, and their origin. That had led to a very awkward conversation, then a first meeting, and now the two of them trying to figure out what exactly the next step would be. Ideally, Clark would have taken the twins to Asgard but he knew his exile and his father's…...low opinion of Carol meant that was not possible. Carol was also not able to stay long on Earth either. She had a responsibility she couldn't ignore and was in fact close to forcing the Kree to sign a peace treaty with the Nova Empire. So her time planetside was limited and they were all trying to figure out what this new dynamic meant for everyone.

Currently, he himself was reeling between absolute terror at being a father, confusion on what he was supposed to do with two nearly fully-grown children, and joy at seeing something that he had long given up on. He suspected that Carol was doing worse than she was letting on, he caught a strained smile on her face when talking to their progeny and always shifted uncomfortably when their daughter asked her questions. However, she had also been unbelievably patient and kind to the children, and he suspected that her issue was more that she didn't know how to be a mother rather than the children themselves.

"Kal, we've wrapped up everything on our end," Tony's voice came over the secure channel as Clark watched the battle painfully drag out below him. "Can I send in the Iron Legion to sweep up? Really want to try out that Kryptonian tech we've put in."

"No, not yet." Kal huffed out through gritted teeth as he watched the twins fail to capitalise on the destruction of the tank.

The secure com line went dead, and the silence became palpable earning a grimace from Kal as he watched his daughter unleash

"…Ah!" Tony's voice fell silent again, trying to remember what Piper had told him about tact and not pissing off the god that was helping him with his world peacekeeping program. "…..Well, just let me know when the battle is….um, just let me know okay?"

"We shall," Kal sighed as he moved forward as his eyes briefly flashed red.

He had unleashed a contracted blast of heat that evaporated a man who was clearly an officer as well as the men around him. Carol also let out a sigh as she watched the intense battle that had been raging beneath suddenly die until it fully stopped. The HYDRA foot soldiers started to throw down their weapons or simply fled, earning confused looks from the two battling Kryptonians who turned their heads in every direction trying to determine what had changed.

"Tony…" Kal's voice sounded out clearly as he took to the skies and started to float down towards the battle he had swiftly ended. "….Send the Legion."

"You got it. And Kal…go easy on the kids," Kal could almost hear Tony's grimace as he signalled for the prototype robotic drones to arrive and began to clean up.

Clark made no move to reply to Stark's comment, his mind focusing solely on his children below him, both of whom exchanged a look as their faces fell slightly. The reaction caused Kal to pause in his descent, he had been very open in his suggestions and help towards developing their fighting styles but the look on their faces told him only one thing…...he was turning into his father.

Whilst Kal would never call Odin a bad parent, for he dearly loved the man, however he would also never describe Odin as warm or affectionate. He remembered when he had been young and truly began to develop his powers, how much he had 'appreciated' his father's constant adviceand the similar looks both his brothers had after receiving their own pointers after training. In fact, there had been times when he had been growing up that Kal had come to nearly hate his father, since Odin was always one to remind his sons of their duty and was never shy with his opinions.

"Kal, just go easy….give them a little positive feedback," Carol whispered as she landed next to him prodding him to move forward and towards the two powerhouses that looked resigned to their fate.

Kal gave his love a small nod and a look that showed that he appreciated her support. As he moved forward he cleared his throat and looked at his twins, one that looked so much like Carol and one that looked like him. There was an awkward silence that fell over the crowd as the only Kryptonians in existence shifted uncomfortably as they looked to each other.

"Well, um…Kon-El, Kara-El that was…..." Kal was cursing himself in his head as his brain failed to conjure up anything in his head as he just stared at the twins using the names they had chosen. "….eh, you see, that was very enthusiastic and you showed….great um, potential…"

The two shifted slightly at the praise, their eyes widening slightly in surprise and shared a small smile with each other. However, he wasn't sure if that was because of the compliments or if he appeared amusing as he tried to manoeuvre over his stumbling words. His mouth opened to continue but he promptly closed it as his mind could conjure nothing more to say in support, something that he found worrying.

His eyes rested on their new uniforms. Gone was the clothing that HYDRA had provided them, and in truth, if one wasn't aware that Patriot and Binary were the same people as Kon-El and Kara-El, you'd think them two separate beings. Out of the two of them, it was surprisingly Kara that looked closer to him. Her old uniform was replaced by a feminine and less-militarised version of his armour: Instead of plates of blue-coloured fish scale armour and gold links with the crest of their house emblazoned in red on his chest, Kara's armour was made of tight-fitting Kryptonian synth-weave, and her cape was also blended into her clothing instead of being clasped like his was. Her costume also appeared to be a single continuous piece of material, and brighter in colour than his was, giving it a more hopeful air than his very heavy raiment gave off.

Kon-El's was very different, since the young man seemed to dislike the bright colours of blue, red and gold that his sister had taken to easily. No, the newest son of the house of El wore an onyx black uniform with the family crest starkly cast in silver across the chest, the only colour present. Kal had initially been reluctant to allow it. as it had reminded him of the armour that Zod had worn. However, he had not wanted to dissuade his son's first taste of freedom and so had allowed him to choose the very spartan style of clothing.

Looking at them Kal had also reflected on the interesting fact that he learned about his people's aesthetic tastes. Krypton was apparently a culture where either one wore an abundance of colours in magnificence blends of complementing hues or garbed themselves in black, simple black, with no furnishing other than a crest in dull silver. He made a note to ask the AI of his father whether the clothing choice had come before or after the implantation of population control, as he suspected that the simple colouring choice may have come about after his people had streamlined their culture for efficiency.

"What Kal- I mean your father is trying to say, is that you showed a lot of heart out there." Carol stepped forward as the twins brightened at her presence and voice, which felt much warmer and genuine next to Kal's awkwardness. "You do need to work on battle focus, but other than that you have made a lot of progress, definitely quicker than the last one."

"Agreed, the Halls of Valhalla will no doubt sing of this day as a glorious one in the grand Saga of the Children of Kal!" Thor boomed, as he strode forward taking Kon-El into a crushing half hug that even the young Kryptonian winced at. "Now! To teach you another part of your heritage! After a glorious fight, all warriors must do one thing! WE FEAST!"

"Um…..aren't we supposed to go and secure the dam, regrouping with the others while the Iron Legion cleans up the area?" Kara sounded out looking over at her uncle and then her parents, still getting used to the fact that she could question other people.

"Yes we are," Carol smiled at Kara earning a grin from her daughter before she looked over to Thor who looked sheepish at being called out for having forgotten the plan…again.

"Ah yes, of course, I meant we feast after the regrouping at the….the…..the….." Thor started off confidently releasing Kon-El from his grip and pointing his hammer off into the distance, but soon lost his composure as the plan slipped from his mind again.

"The dam," Kal finished while shaking his head.

"YES! TO THE DAM!" Thor smiled and roared in triumph, before swinging his hammer and rocketing away into the distance.

"Isn't the dam that way?" Kara asked as she watched the warrior becoming a spec in the sky, then pointed a thumb over her shoulder in the opposite direction.

"Yes, it is," Kal sighed as he shook his head, floating in the direction his sibling had gone. "You three, muster yourselves at the dam, I'll go get my brother."

The trio beneath quickly nodded and took to the air themselves heading away from him, and as they went Kal also saw Tony's Iron Legion arrive. He took a moment to observe the project that he, Tony and Bruce had been working on for the last year and noted with pride the speed with which they set about their tasks. Much of it was from the shared triumph of teamwork, since in truth, apart from a tiny addition of Kryptonian programming and nanite technology for self-repair, he had done little to bring about the marvel he was looking at.

As he returned to the task of retrieving his brother, his mind also briefly flitted to the conversation he recently had with Tony. The Midgardian craftsman was almost obsessed with his latest idea which had gripped him, spending day and night locked in his lab with Bruce to finish it. Although he had been sparse with details, Tony had claimed that once he got it off the ground that it could be his greatest creation and more importantly….end the mission.

He hadn't inquired further, deciding that Tony was entitled to some measure of suspense. There was something deeper, though, and though the idea of not having to focus on keeping Midgard safe and focusing on the family he now had was nice, his ally's obsession had him a little worried. Recalling his late brother, he knew that obsession even with noble intentions led to dangerous places. However, for the moment he had the more pressing issue of finding where his remaining family member had flown off to.

(Avenger's Tower, Dining Deck – New York City – July 21st, 2014)

Nat sat in the private dining area that Tony had set up for the team, which overlooked the New York skyline. Her focus was split between her Okroshka soup, the emails on her tablet, and the TV that hung on the wall. The soup had brought a smile to her face as she recalled that her adoptive mother Melina would secretly make it when she and Yelena were good. The emails however caused that smile to falter as she skimmed through them, as none were good news. Her leads in trying to find Von Strucker's secret base were coming up dry and several of her assets had been eliminated. Then there were emails from numerous government agencies calling her in for more interviews and committee meetings, and although she could and would ignore them, they were annoying as hell.

However, it was the TV that finally caused the smile to disappear from her face and a grimace to take its place, as there for the world to see was Lex Luthor basking in the glow of public adulation. There he was, standing before a large crowd on the New York waterfront which appeared almost fanatical as people pushed forward to reach him. Whilst he had also been under fire for his connections to HYDRA and was facing Senate inquiries like her, he was also benefiting from the press as well.

The ruthless business magnate had successfully spun the news coverage to present himself as a leading figure in the battle against HYDRA. He was also playing on his apparent connections with the Avengers, speaking at length on how he had helped save New York a few years ago, how he and Tony had a 'friendly' rivalry, and that he was helping fund the team. The last part irked her to no end as it was in fact true to a degree, whilst Tony had initially funded everything himself, with the fall of SHIELD even his vast resources weren't enough. So although it had pained Tony and only passed by the narrowest of votes from the team they had elected to utilise Luthor's offer of funding, equipment, and intel in what felt like a deal with the devil.

The scene on the television suddenly shifted from the cheering crowds and campaign trail to a quiet on-air interview. Lex was sitting comfortably reclining slightly in his signature tailored suit with a smile that was so genuine that Nat almost believed it….almost. Her eyes however lingered on Lex's, despite everything else Lex was able to do for those that really knew how to read someone Lex's eyes always told the same story. The man was devoid of emotions and underneath his charming exterior was a cold calculating machine that was dressed in the flesh of a man.

"So Mr. Luthor, you must be pleased with the recent polls that show that not only are you going to win the Governor's seat, but that your newly created Tomorrow Party is predicted to sweep through this year's elections." The female interview gave Lex a friendly smile which he returned with a boyish chuckle. "Your handpicked party candidates are predicted to win 31 out of the available 36 Senate seats, all 36 governor elections, and 132 seats in the House in an unprecedented third party surge."

"Well Linda, I am very pleased. I think the voters are seeing the same thing I saw in the candidates: true patriotic, hard-working and highly intelligent Americans who just want to serve." Lex replied with a careful grin as he spoke with humble modesty.

"Of course. Now many thought your Governorship run and new political party was a vanity exercise. I think we can safely say that those voices have for the most part been silenced." Linda took a brief look at her notes and then shifted slightly as she leaned forward to press the question she had been building towards. "However, many say your popularity has nothing to do with your political platform or policies, but that it's instead entirely based on your connection to the Avengers. You scored massive points with voters for your very public defence of Natasha Romanoff and full-throated support of Captain America's recent actions. How would you respond to critics claiming that you are coasting on their success?"

"I would say that in part they are correct, there's no denying that my public profile and appeal comes from my membership with the Avengers," Lex's response caught Linda completely off guard and had not expected the man to take her point and accept it, allowing him to seize control. "However, although that may have drawn people initially, it's not why they are staying with the Tomorrow Party. I'm just one man, my own sacrifices and exploits are not enough to explain our projected victory."

"Then what is?" Linda pressed.

"It's really just the fact that we are the party of the future, we are not interested in selling Americans an idealised version of the past like others have. A past that Captain America just showed the world was premised on HYDRA lies. NO, we are showing America that our best days are ahead of us, that we are a nation whose greatness lies not behind us but before us."

Lex leaned forward himself, his smile changing into an air of confidence and authority that swept Linda up so much that she didn't feel herself wanting to stop his speech, even though she was losing control of the interview.

"People are flocking to our party because they're becoming tired and angry with the increasingly polarised political groups and partisanship that are tearing this country in two. We represent the true America, one founded on sensible compromise, forward-thinking and above all an indomitable spirit. The Tomorrow Party is focused on creating the America of Tomorrow today, and not just for the rich elites or the select interest groups, but for everyone. And I promise that together we will create a nation that will be the envy of the world."

The screen suddenly went black as a large crack appeared from the spoon that Nat had just launched into it. Her face turned into a small grimace as she regretted letting her anger and frustration get the better of her. Usually, she was able to take a lot before it did and prided herself on her tight control of her emotions but Luthor was one of the few people that just pushed her buttons. She wasn't sure if it was just because she, more than most people, had the full picture of everything he had done and gotten away with or the fact that his eyes reminded him of her handlers from the Red Room, the kind that saw not people but figures, patterns, puppets to be used, pulled, abused and then discarded without a care.

"You know I'm pretty sure if we keep breaking things Tony is going to quit and sell this place." Carol's voice caused Nat to turn and see Earth's mightiest mortal walking up to her table. "Thor broke the buffet table just last week and Steve accidentally cut 17 of the training bots in half."

"Oh, whatever would we do without his constant commentary and puns?" Nat smiled back at the only other full-fledged female Avenger.

"Likely have to work out of Kal's place. I don't think the commute will work for everyone, not to mention the climate" Carol replied as she sat across from Nat, leaning back and placing her feet on the table. "Seriously though, are you doing okay? Apart from destroying TV screens obviously."

"Mostly just trying to focus on work and ignoring how that is now a thing," Nat gestured to the destroyed television referring to Lex's growing popularity. "In all, I'm good though, work's going great, Clint's family has been set up and I don't have to worry about being dragged off to prison."

"That's always nice." Carol smiled back at her friend, taking a moment to look out over the great view of the city that the small dining area offered.

"How are you doing? I know dealing with the…..twins can't be the easiest thing in the world." Nat finally asked the question that she had been putting off for a while now.

"Honestly…..it's going a lot better than I initially thought it would, I don't know, it's all sort of just come together. We've even been talking about the ….kids coming with me to Xandar for the peace talks to see what I do" Carol put her feet down and leaned forward in her chair a pensive look on her face before it morphed into a wide smile before that faltered. "...The only issue has been Kal."

"Is he finding it difficult to overcome where they came from?" Nat asked leaning forward as well and gave her friend a worried look, in the time she had known the man he never struck her as unreasonable but he was dealing with a lot.

"Oh no! Kal doesn't care at all, don't get me wrong he doesn't like it but he doesn't hold it against the twins." Carol was quick to shoot down Nat's fear, but she still sighed. "I think the problem he has is that he doesn't know what to do, or it might be fairer to say he isn't sure of what to do. Being a father is new to him."

"You're in the same boat, being a mom must take some getting used to." Nat pointed out, which earned a chuckle from Carol who leaned back feeling more at ease again.

"Yeah, that might be the case." She conceded, "but Kal's got a whole level I'm not dealing with. The last few years have thrown him a few curve balls, to say the least. He went from being the highly respected prince, Son of Odin and one the greatest defenders of Asgard in its history, to the last member of a dead race, convicted of treason, then exiled." Carol replied in a tone that made it clear that this was not the first time she had thought about the subject. "And to top that off, he's no longer the last Kryptonian so he's got that to deal with. Plus neither of us exactly have great role moles for par…"

The room fell silent as Carol trailed off. Her eyes widened as she realised that she had said too much and was cursing herself. Whenever she spoke to Nat she seemed to become too comfortable, and found herself saying too much, she guessed that it was likely what made Nat such an effective spy, she could get anyone to relax around her. For Nat's part, she couldn't help her reaction as she froze in place with her eyes widening, just long enough that Carol noticed it.

"So…" Nat tried to think of something else to talk about but came up blank as the awkward silence hung in the air.

Nat's awkwardness caused Carol to sigh and address the topic she had unwittingly revealed to end the awkwardness. "Yeah, turns out crappy parents are something me and Kal have in common."

"That bad?" Nat asked, feeling a pang in her heart that she quickly dismissed, she had long ago come to terms with her own birth parents abandoning her and how poor her adoptive parents had turned out.

"Yeah, let's just say being a girl in the Danvers' household was not easy and my dad had certain opinions about a woman's place in the world….Along with a firm hand and a serious love of happy hour." Carol scoffed, feeling her fist tightening as she recalled her less-than-ideal childhood, before giving a rueful smirk.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Nat knew the words were inadequate but were all she had.

"No worries. Hey, I had my brothers, just like Kal had his, so it wasn't too bad." Carol shrugged in a way that told Nat the past affected her more than she wanted to admit but wasn't something that haunted her either. "Compared to Odin, I think I got it easy."

"Really? I mean, I've read up on the mythology so I know Odin isn't exactly all sunshine and rainbows." Nat's face became one of rare surprise as she recalled everything she knew about the Asgardian King she had never met. "But given how Thor and Kal talk about him I didn't think he was that bad of a father."

"Kal loves his adoptive father, but Odin isn't exactly an easy person to get along with. The Allfather casts a very long shadow and put down a mountain of pressure, not to mention…." Carol found herself trailing off again, not sure if she had the right to be talking about this subject.

"Not to mention what?" Nat couldn't help her curiosity as she was gaining insight into her teammate's formative years that she had actually never thought about before.

"...Not to mention, Asgardians aren't exactly easygoing in nature, and some of the other advanced civilizations would call them brutal. The men tend to be off, usually dying in wars or otherwise busy, so children are usually left with the mother." Carol recalled the Kree information pads she had read on Asgard when she was still with them, intel which, to her shock, Kal had helped her learn was more accurate than she would have liked. "And well, they also follow a sort of cultural trend that I can only describe as throwing kids in the deep end like ancient Spartans. It's probably why Thor is so keen on fighting and battle. Thank the largely absent father and no safety net"

"Kal's not like that though, I mean he does like a fight but not like Thor, and besides Thor's a lot more restrained than people think." Nat pointed out, remembering the vast difference between the myths she had read and her actual teammates.

"Thor's… mellowed a lot recently, and you can thank Jane's influence. He used to have a very well-earned reputation and Kal's never been one to shy from breaking expectations." Carol smiled recalling how inaccurate Kree reports on Kal were before she coughed and recalled that she had only come to check on Nat not having a heart-to-heart. "...Well this has been nice, but I need to go see Tony, he said something about wanting to pick my brains about his new project's flight capabilities."

"Sounds like fun," Nat smirked, recalling how the inventor's version of a friendly chat could be infuriating. "Have fun."

"I'll try, but if you hear something like the sound of an arrogant asshole in a metal suit being punched through a wall, well…just call Kal." Carol smiled as she stood up and headed for the door, leaving the other woman alone again.

The super-assassin and spy looked at Carol go, then to the destroyed TV, and then to the lunch in front of her. A dry smirk appeared on her face as she wasn't sure what the biggest challenge facing her these days was. Her sordid and troubled past, her frustrating yet engaging presence, or her increasingly complicated future. All she knew was that she was glad she wasn't dealing with kids on top of it.

(Avenger's Tower - Training Rooms - Same Time)

Kal was looking on as Kon-El and Kara-El started their evening training session. Although they had only just gotten back from their last mission, Steve had made it part of the Avenger's schedule that everyone train at least 3 times a week. Today the twins had drawn the short straw of JARVIS' random selection program along with Thor and Clint. Kal watched as the small group started their training exercise starting with a simple combat practice against waves of increasingly stronger robots.

"Checking in on the youngins?" Kal turned to Steve approaching still in his own uniform just without the helmet on and his shield placed on his back.

"In truth, I am more here to watch Thor. Tony requested I do so since my brother tends to get….enthusiastic with training." Kal sighed and smiled, recalling Tony's cursing at the damage Thor's last session had caused.

"Yeah, the guy is eager," Steve chuckled as he moved to stand next to Kal, his body recalling the sparring matches he had with the god of thunder, as he then looked at the training session below. "The twins are settling in well,"

"Hmph" Kal shifted slightly as his eyes followed Kon-El's failed attempt to dodge Mjölnir before it hit him square in the chest.

"You know you could lighten up on them," Steve turned his attention from the training room fully onto Kal, turning around so that he was leaning against the observation window so he could look at Kal directly. "Despite their gifts and their….unique origins, they are still just young folks, trying to fit in. Trust me that is hard enough, and I can't imagine that superpowers help."

Kal didn't respond to Steve, instead, his friend's words landed as if they struck an open wound that he was not aware of.

"What is it?" Steve shifted closer to Kal seeing his friend's pain.

"...I don't know what to do." Kal finally sighed after a few moments of collecting his thoughts. "Carol and I have discussed taking the children off-planet and travelling together, but is it right to make them leave the world of their birth? Then there is the issue of what I should be teaching them. Shall I raise them to be Asgardian? A world their father is exiled from, one they've never been to and I can't show them? Kryptonian, a people whose time has long passed and whose planet is nought but ash? Or do I leave them to discover the paths of Midgard and call this realm home?"

Steve was silent for a little while as Kal vented the issues that were facing him, the super soldier's face became one of thought before he looked at Kal with a critical eye. "Do you want my honest opinion?"

"Yes," Kal replied instantly, out of all the friends he had made in his very long life, Steve had proven one of the few whose honour and wisdom were beyond question.

"I'm not a father, but in my experience in helping people find their own way, it's less about instructing them and more….guiding them along their own path," Steve explained, his face going pensive as he tried to think of the best phrasing. "Kara is a wonderful young woman, maybe a little uncertain about herself, and Kon has more determination than most people I've met, even if he is overly serious. Just trust them, let them figure themselves out and they'll show you the way as much as you show them."

Kal looked at Steve for a moment and his thoughts turned to his mother who would have likely said the same exact thing, causing him to chuckle. "Thank you, my friend, your words are as wise as they are kind."

"Don't mention it, buddy" Steve smiled at Kal glad to see that he had helped even if it was just for a moment, however, Steve's smile faltered as he remembered why he had been seeking Kal. "...How's Bucky doing?"

"He is recovering well, my father's engram has slowly been removing the corruption from your friend's hugr." Kal looked at Steve who had been anxious for news of his friend, who had been living in the Fortress since the fall of SHIELD. "The process is still slow and….."

"And?" Steve asked with some concern.

"He is still reluctant to see you, his spirit is still very unbalanced and I am not sure what your presence would do. Matron of Asgard's healing halls I may not be, but as someone responsible for his recovery I must also respect his wishes." Kal gave a reluctant sigh as he delivered the less-than-ideal news.

"He is my friend." Steve stated, slightly more forcibly than he intended as he stood up and looked Kal in the eye.

"He is," Kal replied calmly knowing that Steve's anger was justified "But he is also a man whose will and freedom to choose has been crushed by others for many years. Would you have me deny him the chance to choose when he is ready to face the past?"

Part of Steve was ready to say something and demand to be taken to see his old friend so he could look after him. He knew however that part of him was being selfish and forcing Bucky to meet him before he was ready would help no one.

"No I wouldn't," He finally admitted, nodding at Kal before turning to look at his friend again. "I don't envy you at times, with the choices you have to make,"

"The choice that we must make," Kal corrected Steve, with his own smile.

"Oh boy, you're making me miss the simpler days," Steve chuckled as his mind slid back into the past and the adventures he had once lived through. "Maybe not simpler, but it was easier back when my biggest worry was a lunatic juiced up on a super soldier serum like mine. Now it's a bigger world, new threats, new game-changers that affect the whole universe."

"You handle them well Steve," Kal gave Steve a reassuring look before deciding to let him in on a little secret. "And in truth, even I feel the same way."

"You do?" Steve asked, his eyes going a little wide with shock.

"Indeed, I think every hero of any age or people feels it." Kal reflected knowing that Thor also felt the present and future looming over him, though he would never admit it and recalled a few heroes he had met that revealed similar thoughts. "For me, there are times I wish I could go back and just be the young naive prince of Asgard again. Go adventuring with the Warriors Three, compete with Lady Sif in the games, wrestle with Thor, get in trouble with….Loki. There was a certainty then and with it a source of comfort."

"The training is finished, looks like it did some good." The words broke Kal from his musings as he looked down to see the four heroes gathering themselves and starting to head out, with Thor grinning and patting Kon-El on the back. "Come on, Tony said he's ordered shawarma for tonight. We'd better hurry before there's nothing left."

"Indeed," Kal smiled and made to move but stopped himself as he cast another glance down at the twins, as his mind again conjured up something he had been thinking about for a while. "Steve, may I ask you something of both a personal and private nature?"

"Sure, what's got you in a twist?" Steve looked at Kal and suddenly found the God of Justice shifting uncomfortably.

"Well, as you know Carol and I have been together for quite some time, and now that we have gained children…"

"Yeah?" Steve prodded, suspecting that he knew what this was about, as Kal trailed off still looking uneasy, as he tried to keep a grin from his face.

"Well, there is something I wish to ask Carol but I have at times discovered that my knowledge of Midgardian culture and knowledge is either lacking or out of date." Kal tensed as he shifted uncomfortably where he stood. "The matter is delicate and she must soon leave, so time is a factor, and I don't wish to insult anyone."

"You can ask me anything. I swear I won't tell anyone." Steve smiled at Kal, wanting to put his friend's mind at ease at being embarrassed

"Ah good. So is the custom still similar to Asgard where I must ask her father's permission and then pay him the mundr?" Kal asked, feeling more at ease, which lasted only a moment as Steve just looked at him in confusion.

"Mundr?"

"The bride's price to be paid to her family, equal to her value. I fear that since my exile, I have lost much of my wealth so I could not even afford a fraction of Carol's true worth. And must I still complete the trials of merit?" Kal asked. Questions came tumbling out as his mind raced to recall all the traditions that Asgardian custom demanded of him. "Also must I still steal a weapon from a tomb of an ancestor, to prove myself a man? Is the wedding day still Frigga's day? And how should I pay her family? Gold, jewels, or that green paper Tony has?"

"Whoooooaah, nelly. You know what, you should talk to Nat." Steve nodded as he suddenly regretted trying to help and decided what his friend needed, "Or just any human woman, in general."

"Truly?" Kal asked surprised Steve never struck him as someone who would back down from trying to help an ally.

"Oh yeah, talk to Nat," Steve replied, patting Kal on the shoulder before turning to leave, deciding he did not want to risk giving bad relationship advice in case it went horribly wrong and Carol decided to charbroil him. "Really make sure you ask her about all the traditions you have, bit by bit."