Chapter Text
The shackles clinked as he sauntered closer to the Allfather, purposefully taking his time. The old god’s face was grim, staff clutched tensely in his hand. There was no sign of Frigga but Thor stood at Odin’s shoulder, an almost wistful expression on his face. Loki snorted internally. When would his brother realise any love between them was long gone?
Then why didn’t you kill him when you had the chance, hey? A little voice said.
Silence, he bit his cheek, making sure to keep up a cocky smile.
“Odin,” he bowed as gracefully as he was able in the cuffs and chains, “You’re looking dreadful.”
“You should not sound so surprised – or so proud. Your punishment has been decided.”
“Oh? Do go on. Am I to be tied to a rock with my own entrails or dropped back into the abyss? Perhaps you’d rather personally take my head in front of the palace gates.”
“You were born an unwanted prince of Jotunheim; you were raised in Asgard as my son. You have known the responsibilities of leadership since you were able to speak and yet you let yourself become power-hungry and wild, with great loss of life and destruction as a result.”
“I only thought to follow in your footsteps, Allfather. Did you not yourself decimate the Jotnar?”
“You have become lost in your grief and confusion, and perhaps that is my fault. I should have been honest with you from the start. I am as much to blame for your actions as you, and as such I am bound to give you a second chance.”
“A second chance?” his eyes narrowed.
“You will be returned to the state of a child, so that you may grow into a better man.”
“A child!” Loki snarled, “Are you truly so frightened of me, Odin, that I must be made weak and easily controlled?”
“Until you can control yourself better, yes.”
“It is an insult.” He hissed, green eyes flashing.
“It is a punishment, and a minor one at that.”
“Removing my memories and abilities and centuries is minor!”
“You may reside here, or if you desire we will return you to Jotunheim. I understand you may find a second life with us unpalatable, and so you have the option to try and live as you would have if I had never interfered. King Helblindi will look after you.”
“The option! Casting me out among the Jotunns – my, you really wish to wash your hands of your mistake, don’t you?”
“It is your choice. I shall not force you out, Loki.”
Loki’s cheeks burned as his gaze fell. To be reduced to a child on Asgard would be humiliating and dangerous; on Jotunheim even more so.
“If the sentence is to be death, proclaim it so instead of bandying about these pretty words.”
“It is not a death sentence, Loki. It is mercy, more than you deserve. Which shall it be?”
“I choose neither. Death is preferable to what you suggest.”
“I say you shall not have it,” Odin frowned, “Choose.”
“No.” He said tersely.
“Choose or I shall choose for you!”
There was a fiery glint in the Allfather’s eye that suggested he’d more than likely pick Jotunheim and Loki felt his heart creep into his throat. He would not survive one day in that frozen wasteland with the vengeful Jotnar.
“Father,” Thor stepped forward, “May I offer a suggestion?”
“Speak. What is your opinion?”
“Neither Asgard nor Jotunheim will serve to teach Loki the lessons you wish him to learn. He will suffer under the burden of past expectations and misdeeds.”
“You have an alternative?” Odin huffed.
“Why not entrust him to our allies of Midgard? There he is practically unknown, and may in time make amends for the wrongs he has done them.”
“The Midgardian heroes will be as quick to judge me as anyone on Jotunheim or Asgard. They would take pleasure in imprisoning a helpless child – if they do not instead dissect my bones to see how I am made.” The trickster spat.
“I will not allow them to harm you. The Midgardian leaders want peace with Asgard and they will not risk incurring my anger.”
“You truly think Loki will benefit most from Midgardian teachings?” Odin mused, “They are less advanced in many ways.”
“I know them to be good and honest people, Allfather. They would be excellent role models for my brother, I am certain. And I would keep an eye on things.”
“Kill me, Odin. If you have any pride as a king or love as a father, kill me rather than hand me over to enemies, whichever realm it may be.”
“Loki,” his voice softened, “Whatever your crimes or your blood you are my son. I do not wish death upon your head, only to correct my own errors in your upbringing. I agree with Thor that you will be safest on Midgard.”
The lean god turned paler than usual as the Allfather stood and approached him, shaking his head as if he could similarly shake Odin’s resolve.
“No. Don’t do this – you cannot do this! You will erase my entire life!”
“That’s the idea.”
The Allfather stretched out a hand and Loki flinched back, but the guards were at his elbows in an instant holding him still. The king placed his palm against Loki’s forehead, a tear on his cheek.
“Goodbye Loki. I hope you will one day return to us.”
“Nooo! Thor, stop this!”
The thunderer looked away, jaw tight as the Allfather’s magic flowed through his brother. Loki convulsed but the guards held him up, his eyes rolling back until he was out cold. Odin maintained his grip and as Thor watched Loki shrank until he hung between the two men in oversized robes. He looked about six, which meant he was perhaps two hundred years old, and his face was less troubled than Thor could remember seeing in a long time.
“Thor.” Odin beckoned him forward.
“Yes Father?”
“Take him to Midgard. You will need to explain much to both him and your warrior friends, and ensure everyone understands the arrangement before returning.”
“Father, it might be best I stay for a time – at least until he’s settled.”
“I need you here. The Odinsleep comes quicker and quicker these days, and you will soon have to take the throne. There is much to teach you before then.”
“Father...” he looked down at the limp prince, “He is only a child. He will be confused, hurt.”
Odin was silent for a long moment. “A month. You may stay one Midgardian month, to make certain no harm will befall him and to help him adjust.”
“My thanks.”
Thor swung his now much smaller brother into his arms and bowed his head, heading for the door.
*****
Clint walked into the kitchen to find Tony reading his Starkpad at the table. Steve was flipping through a newspaper as he crammed enormous stacks of waffle into his mouth. Bruce and Natasha shared a pot of tea in silence, both with that serene morning look he envied. He grabbed his Captain Crunch and started looking for a clean bowl.
“Jarvis, when did Pep say she was getting back?” Tony asked without looking up.
“Miss Potts lands in two days.”
“How’s her conference thing going?” Clint asked as he sat, pouring out his cereal.
“Don’t know, don’t care. This is why she gets paid to go to these things and I get strongly asked not to.”
There was a rumble outside and Natasha looked up with a frown. “It’s not supposed to rain.”
Clint followed her gaze. True, the sky was completely clear with the exception of a growing dark storm cloud right over the Tower.
“Probably not good, huh?” he went to the window for a closer look.
“I’ll call Fury.” Steve folded his paper.
The whistle of the wind was audible through the glass now as the storm battered the sides of the Tower. A flash of light made Clint close his eyes and then the cloud was gone, the sky looking undisturbed.
“Jarvis, what the hell?” Bruce muttered.
“Mr Odinson is on the roof.”
“Thor?” Tony jumped up, “Awesome! Send him down here. Barton, break out the Poptarts. Jarv, we might need to order more.”
“He should have said he was coming instead of freaking us out.” Natasha threw a pointed look at Bruce behind his back.
“They do things differently, these royal types.” Tony shrugged.
The elevator doors opened and Thor walked in, followed by a guard with a weird horned helmet. The big Aesir was more casual than usual, a blue shawl over his armour. The guard carried something swaddled in a cloak.
“Thor, buddy! Good to see ya again. How’s Fairyland?” Stark winked.
“Asgard is well. How fares your city? I trust the damage is on its way to repair.”
“Yeah, gettin’ there. Is this a social call or do you bring more impending doom?” Clint crunched loudly.
“Yeah, what’s with the rhino dude?” Tony added.
Thor’s face was worn and tired. He waved the guard to stay where he was and took a seat at the table.
“My shield-brothers, I bring news that you may not appreciate.”
“What is it? A new threat? Is it the Chitauri again?” Steve scowled worriedly.
“It is Loki. The Allfather has decided his punishment.”
“Good! Let’s hear it – prison, lynching, daggers in his hands?” Clint leaned forward, ignoring the warning look both Bruce and Natasha gave him.
“He has been rendered a child again, his previous magical abilities and memories gone.”
There was a weird pause as everyone processed the information, and then Steve cleared his throat.
“Uh, can Odin really do that?”
“It is done.”
“Why is it done?” Bruce frowned, “What’s he hoping to achieve?”
“The Allfather feels he is partly to blame for Loki’s crimes. It was his concealment of Loki’s true nature that drove him to madness and rage, and brought him here. The Allfather thinks that in giving Loki a second childhood he may grow into a better prince, one who knows himself from the start.”
“So basically he trashes an island and kills a bunch of people and Daddy Odin just says whoops, do-over?” Tony snarked.
“We have been family for a thousand years, Man of Iron. Could you give up on a son of yours so lightly after such a time, regardless of what he has done?”
Tony looked away uncomfortably. “Maybe.”
“Odin did not want to slay my brother and this was the only way to ensure that was not necessary, for no prison could have held him.”
“I guess you’ve got a point there. I feel a little more secure knowing Loki’s a kid than I did when I figured he was just locked up. At least he’s got no magic now, right?” Bruce looked at the thunder god.
“It is very minimal – at his current age he can create light or fire, but that should be all.”
“Should be?” Nat raised a brow.
“Odin was careful to check.”
“His current age,” Steve said, “Which is?”
“Two hundred – his form is that of one of your children of six.”
“And it’s gonna take a really long time for him to be big again, yeah?” Tony pursed his lips.
“Indeed. The Allfather’s spell is unbreakable. It cannot be reversed – Loki shall have to grow up as slowly as he did the first time. It will be many centuries before he is the age you remember him as.”
“Then this is great! Powerless, non-crazy Loki who can’t possibly bother us for a couple hundred years. I say we break out the champagne and toast the Allfather!” Tony jumped up, heading for the kitchen cupboards.
“I’d have preferred dead Loki better.” Clint grumbled.
“Give Odin a break. He had a hard choice to make, one we would have struggled with in the same position.” Steve said reasonably.
Clint just huffed and looked away, but he had to admit it was a good plan. It neutralised the threat – it just wasn’t as satisfying as he’d hoped, especially since any chance of personal vengeance was off the table. He couldn’t exactly take out his anger on some kid who had no memory of what he’d done, even if that kid was Loki.
Tony skipped over with glasses and a bottle of something, sticking them on the table as he peeled back the foil seal. Thor reached up and stayed his hand.
“I have not yet told you all.” he said guiltily.
“What is it? Come on, I’m itching to pop this cork.”
“There is a second part to Loki’s transformation.”
“Okayyy...” Tony raised his brows, waving for Thor to continue.
“He is to be raised on Midgard.”
“What?” Bruce gaped, “Is Odin really that scared he’s gonna screw up a second time?”
“The Allfather gave Loki a choice – he could live on Asgard and stay with our family, or go to Jotunheim and dwell with those who would have been his kin if he had not come to us. Neither of those were...safe options.”
“So you thought Earth was better? Thor, it’s not like he’s got relatives here.” Steve shook his head.
“Yeah, we kinda hate him just as much as everyone else.” Clint nodded.
“It is my hope that by being raised on Midgard he will learn to love it as I do, and one day protect it just as valiantly. It may in some ways make up for the damage he has caused.”
“And who’s gonna look after him?”
“You, of course. You are the only Midgardians I trust.”
“No,” Tony shook his head, “No, no, no. Not happening Blondie – you go back to the Allfather and tell him to pick someone else.”
“It is done,” Thor jerked his head at the guard behind him, “I come to deliver him.”
The Aesir unfolded the cloak to reveal an unconscious child with long dark hair and very pale skin, his tunic emerald green.
Bruce sucked in a breath, hands clenching on the table as his chest went rigid.
Clint whispered. “Oh shit.”
*****
An hour later when Hulk had finished rampaging through the common floor and calmed down enough to turn back into Bruce, the Avengers sat on what remained of the couches and stared at Thor, the guard, and Loki.
“This is a terrible idea, pal.” Tony leaned forward, armoured elbows resting on the knees of the suit, face streaked with sweat.
“We are not the guys you want looking after him.” Clint ground his teeth.
“You are strong, wise – champions of Midgard. You have many good qualities you can encourage in him.”
“We’re not in a position to raise a child, Thor,” Steve grimaced, “Our lives are chaotic and dangerous. I’m not sure any of us know the first thing about children – and he’s not exactly an ordinary child.”
“I will stay with you for one month to smooth the transition, and I will visit when I can. Friend Stark has the resources to educate him and the Allfather will make a contribution of gold if you require it.”
“Wait, you’re not even staying to help?” Natasha spat.
“I am needed on Asgard – without Loki the throne will fall to me, and soon.”
“Dude, you can’t just come down here and dump your psycho brother on us!” Clint raged.
“He is changed. He will not be a danger.”
“This is insane.” Tony laughed.
Thor suddenly lifted himself proudly, chest thrust out. He’d lost his shawl protecting Loki from the Hulk but the effect was still regal.
“The Allfather, Defender of the Nine Realms, has decreed that you shall receive Loki and tend to him as if he were your own. He is your charge. You must accept him.”
“We don’t have to do shit,” Tony shook his head, “Odin’s not our king.”
“Your reluctance changes nothing. Loki is staying here, and you cannot return him. You lack the capacity.”
“Then give him to Fury or somebody! Someone way better equipped to look after him than us.” Clint ran a hand through his hair.
“I do not trust the Man of Fury. I trust you.”
Thor’s commanding look faded and he sank to his knees, the weary lines returning to his face.
“Please, shield-brothers. I love Loki. If I must leave him here, frightened and alone, I would give him to you to watch in my absence. Will you reconsider?”
The sight of the god on the floor was just impressive enough that they wavered. Clint found himself looking at the others, chewing his lip. He hated Loki – adult Loki, the Loki that was apparently gone. And now maybe looking after him might be the only thing that’ll stop the guy growing up into that again. But he was a spy. Nat was an assassin, Tony was a child himself, Bruce was...complicated. How the hell could they raise anyone when they might be called away to an emergency at any moment? When living with them would only place him in more danger?
But he felt bad for the desperate-looking thunder god. He could see how much leaving Loki here hurt him. Clint glanced at the sleeping prince and sighed internally, looking up to discover the others had been having their own silent conversation and were now staring at him expectantly.
“Fine. I guess he’d be better off with us. It’s probably too hard to try and explain this to anyone else anyway, and I guess it’s a good idea to keep an eye on him in case Odin’s spell isn’t as thorough as he thinks.”
Thor’s smile was dazzling. “Thanks to you, Hawkeye. I shall sleep sound knowing Loki is in the bosom of my brothers.”
“Uh, right. I suppose we should find him a room then. Stuff to wear too.” Steve frowned thoughtfully.
“I think we should talk to him first, go over some house rules. Like no experimenting with magic. And Jarv, order some clothes and stuff.” Tony flapped a hand.
As they began discussing how the hell this was going to work, Clint slipped away unnoticed. Or at least unnoticed by most of them, he thought as he walked into his room and found Natasha already waiting.
“Are you really okay with this?”
He shrugged. “What choice do we have? Odin’s not gonna take him back. Should we fob him off to Fury instead? That guy’s not exactly paternal. If Loki is as brand-new and non-evil as Thor claims, he needs people around him that aren’t gonna treat him like a freak. That’s how we got in this mess in the first place.”
She gave him a disbelieving look and Clint sighed, sitting on the bed beside her.
“I feel like I’ve lost this huge chunk of me. I can’t hate him, not when he’s so different. It feels wrong.”
“I know what you mean. This Loki has no idea what he’s done but it doesn’t stop me feeling cagey about him.”
“I think...I think my own childhood was crappy enough. If I got a second try, I’d want someone to look after me. We can do that for him – and maybe Thor’s right. Maybe being around us will end up turning him into an asset.”
“Well regardless, if you ever need to talk...”
“I know. I’ll come find you.”
Tony, having had perhaps the least to do with children out of all of them, was not anxious to take on too much responsibility. He decided the best place to put Loki was Steve’s floor – it was far away from Nat, Clint and Bruce, the Captain was a nice guy with some fatherly instincts (if his leadership qualities were anything to go by) and he was strong enough that he could both protect Loki and restrain him if need be. He also had what Tony considered a trustworthy face, which was going to be important when Thor told his brother he intended to fuck off and abandon him with a bunch of strangers.
He led them to the guest room of Steve’s floor. The Aesir guard carried Loki in and laid him on the bed, the others hovering by the door.
“Do you want us in there with you?” Steve asked.
“I think it best I explain a little first.”
“What are you gonna tell him about New York and everything?” Tony pursed his lips.
“I had not thought of it.” Thor frowned.
“He’s gonna find out eventually. We can’t keep it from him forever, even if we don’t tell anyone who he is.”
“I will break it gently.”
The blond waved out the guard and entered, closing the door as softly as he could. He sat on the bed beside Loki and opened the vial the Allfather had given him, waving it under the boy’s nose. He only had a moment to compose himself before Loki coughed and tried to sit up. As he opened his eyes and took in the strange surroundings and the unknown man, he wriggled backwards against the headboard.
“Who are you? You shall face the Allfather’s wrath if you harm me!”
“Loki, please. What I have to tell you is difficult and strange but you must listen.”
“Who are you!”
“Thor, your brother.”
He stuck out his lip scornfully. “You are not Thor. Thor is a boy still.”
“Things are not as you think them. It is a long time since either of us were boys, many centuries more than you remember.”
Loki spotted the hammer hanging from his brother’s belt and his eyes went wide.
“What are you doing with Mjölnir? That is in the vault, waiting for...”
Thor was silent as Loki frowned. He studied the older god’s face carefully, taking in the blue eyes and gold hair. He inched a little closer, reaching up a hand to touch his face.
“Brother, I promise it is I. I shall explain everything but you must know that I am Thor, and I love you.”
“What happened the night of the storm on my last name day?” Loki scowled at him cautiously, hand still against Thor’s cheek.
He searched his memory. It was a very long time but he remembered that storm. It had been wild, the winds making the palace banners flap, and he’d...
“I wanted to stand on the balcony and soak in the rain. I climbed up on the rails to get to the roof but I slipped, and would have plunged to my death if you had not caught me. I made you swear not to tell a soul.”
Loki’s mouth twitched but his voice stayed cold. “Heimdall or Odin could have known that. You might have scrying magic.”
“I also made you swear not to tell how I cried afterwards, and you climbed into my bed and held me close until I stopped.”
Loki gasped. “Thor?”
“Brother.”
“How did this come to be? Where are we?”
“Midgard, though not the Midgard of our youth. As I said it has been many years since then.”
“Then how am I...why are we here?”
Thor cleared his throat and looked away for a moment before patting his lap.
“Will you sit with me?”
Loki made a face that implied he thought it very childish but obeyed, his confusion betraying his pride. He clutched at Thor’s tunic and looked up expectantly.
“There are things the Allfather has not told you. In recent times you discovered a truth that you were not prepared for, and the shock made you do things that could not be overlooked.”
“What kind of things?”
“People were slain, Loki. People suffered because you were hurting inside.”
Loki blinked, hands clenched tight. “I could never do such a thing.”
“You were not yourself. We had to stop you before you injured anyone else. I took you back to Asgard to face Odin’s judgement.”
“What happened?” he asked, voice shaky.
“The Allfather saw that he had created the turmoil that overran your mind. You had become too broken for him to fix, your heart jagged and hollow. He decided the only way to make you whole again was to send you back to how you were and give you a second chance.”
Loki looked down at his small hands, cheeks pale. “You mean... I was a grown-up like you?”
“Yes, until today.”
“I don’t remember any of it.”
“That may be for the best.” Thor said sadly.
Loki’s lip trembled and a moment later he started to cry, face screwed up as he turned into Thor’s chest. “I did not mean to be bad.”
“I know, I know,” Thor stroked his back, “You are not to blame for anything your former self may have done. I know you are good at heart, Loki.”
“But Father...Father sees fit to punish me!”
“Father is freeing you from that life. He wants you to be happy. Such a thing was impossible yesterday, but today you are changed and everything is different.”
Loki cried, unable to speak. Thor held him until he’d calmed somewhat, humming soothingly. Eventually his brother dried his eyes on his sleeve and sat back.
“Why are we on Midgard?”
“The Allfather knows you love us Loki, but your actions...Asgard was no longer as welcoming to you as it was in our childhood.”
“Because of what I did?”
“Yes. I have brought you to Midgard to live with a group of warriors that are both mighty and noble, shield-brothers of mine. They will give you a warm home amongst them.”
“I am exiled?” Loki whispered, tears trailing down both cheeks.
“Not exiled,” Thor brushed them away gently with his thumb, “I am sure you will be able to visit Asgard from time to time. Perhaps in a few centuries the people will forget and you can come home again.”
“So I am to stay in a realm I know not for transgressions I do not remember, because Asgard has become too dangerous for me? I must have truly been a monster.”
“No, no Loki. You lashed out in anger. I have been guilty of the same in my time. As harsh as this may seem, it is truly what Odin and I consider best for you.”
Loki cried a little more, but he didn’t let go of Thor and the god took that as a good sign. He sighed and sat back to better see the boy’s face.
“There is more I must tell you but I would prefer to give you time to get used to this strangeness. How do you feel?”
“Lost.”
“I cannot say it will get easier, but I am certain you will be happy here. Would you like to meet some of my warrior friends?”
Loki sniffed and hid his face. “Give me a moment, Thor.”
“As many as you wish.”
It was a couple of hours before Thor and Loki emerged. The Aesir guard had vanished and Tony and Steve were waiting in his living room, the billionaire trying to think of how he was going to explain this to Pepper while Steve wondered the same about SHIELD. He figured they’d need papers and some kind of cover – if anyone found out Loki was the new Avengers ward, he’d be in lots of danger. If there was any chance of the kid not getting screwed up this time he needed to stay under the radar.
The two gods entered hand in hand, and Steve was shocked again by the sight of the tiny mischief-maker. He looked so similar and yet different at the same time; there was none of the same pain or fury in his gaze. Instead he held himself proudly despite the evidence that he’d been crying, pretending he wasn’t using Thor’s body as a barrier between them.
“Brother, this is Steve Rogers, Captain of America. He is a great soldier and commander. These are his chambers.”
“Hi.” He waved, feeling like an idiot as cold green eyes appraised him.
“And this is Anthony Stark, called Man of Iron for his skills as a weapons smith. This Tower belongs to him.”
“It’s nice to meet you – or re-meet you, anyway.”
“You do not look like a warrior. Are you a mage?”
“Uh, kinda. I use science, which Thor here keeps trying to tell me is our Midgardian version of magic.”
“Tony is very skilled at this science. He builds machines with minds of their own.”
“Like automatons?”
“Yeah, pretty much. I could show you some time.”
The boy nodded gravely. “I would like that.”
“So...I know this is all really confronting for you. Is there anything you wanna ask us, anything you’d like to know?” Steve clapped his hands against his knees distractedly.
“I am sure we will have plenty of time to get acquainted.” Loki said quietly.
“Okay. I suppose it’s a bit much to process at once.”
Tony stood. “Hey, it’s past time for lunch – and breakfast was kinda interrupted anyway. You hungry?”
Loki looked up at Thor, waiting for some sign it was alright before nodding.
“Come on, let’s see what we’ve got for peckish Norse gods.”
Tony headed for Steve’s kitchen rather than the communal one. He didn’t want to run into Clint or Bruce before they were ready. He started going through the cupboards and frowned at the various boxes and cans.
“Geez Capsicle, has your pantry been frozen since the ‘40s too?”
The blond tucked his hands in his pockets sheepishly. “I like to have stuff that’s familiar.”
“Even when it’s Spam?” Tony shuddered, “Alright forget this, we’re eating upstairs.”
Loki looked at Thor for reassurance and he squeezed the child’s hand. “You will like Midgardian food. It comes in many new and delicious forms.”
They climbed into the elevator, Loki looking around in wonder as the doors closed and they started to move.
“Is this one of your automatons?”
“No, elevators were invented long before my time. It’s not so much a robot as a fancy pulley system anyway.”
They stopped at the communal floor and got out, Tony pointing the group towards the kitchen.
“You and Thor take a seat and I’ll whip something up. Do you like sandwiches?”
Loki’s brow furrowed. “I do not know what they are.”
“Perfect! You’ll get to try something new.”
Tony started rifling through the fridge and Thor led Loki to a seat by the window so he could see the city below. Steve sat within earshot, but not too close. He knew how overwhelming his presence could be.
Loki tore his eyes away from the other skyscrapers to mutter to his brother. “Is it safe to eat from the Midgardian mage’s hand?”
“Friend Tony’s skills in the kitchen are best left to basic meals. I cannot guarantee it is always edible, but I promise you it will not be poisoned.”
Loki nodded and pressed his hands to the glass. “It is very unlike Asgard.”
“This is just part of Midgard, an island called Manhattan that forms part of a city named New York. It is in the country America. There are hundreds of other countries, many with climes like Asgard.”
“It sounds very big.”
“It is. Even I have not seen it all.”
Loki gave him an incredulous look and turned back to the window. “It is not what I remember of Midgard.”
“It’s kinda unfamiliar for me too.” Steve said.
Loki looked over his shoulder at the captain. “How can this be? Thor said you were Captain of this land America.”
“It’s a long story,” he leaned forward, “But I’m actually older than I look – kinda like you. I was born about ninety years ago. It’s hard to explain but I ended up frozen in some ice until just last year. So none of this looks like I’m used to either.”
“So this Midgard is as new for you as for me, even though it has only been seven decades since you have seen it?”
“Yeah. A lot changed in that seven decades.”
Loki looked outside again, his expression thoughtful, and Steve congratulated himself on making the first hint of a connection. Thor looked at him gratefully, huge hand resting gently on Loki’s back.
“Alright, lunch!” Tony carried a big oval plate loaded up with sandwiches and placed it in the middle of the table.
Loki sat with some prodding from Thor, eying the bread with wary curiosity.
“I wasn’t sure what you’d like so we’ve got ham, cheese and tomato, peanut butter-” he looked at Thor with sudden horror, “He’s not allergic to nuts or anything, is he?”
“We do not have allergies, Man of Iron.”
“Right, divine immune systems. Guess you don’t get colds either, hey?”
“Our fevers and ailments are magical and much worse than yours.”
“Yuck. Anyway, peanut butter, the ham ones, and some cream cheese and salmon. I’m not sure that’s really a kid thing but I figure you’ve got refined Asgardian taste.”
Loki half-suppressed a giggle and Tony smiled, glad when the god returned it. He leaned in to inspect the sandwiches before taking one of each. He didn’t start eating though until the others all had one in hand, watching how they ate before attempting it.
“What do you think, brother?”
“I like this peanut butter,” he said around a mouthful, “It is crunchy.”
“It’s even better smooth.” Steve winked at him.
“Don’t listen to Steve – he’s crazy.” Tony scoffed.
“What? How am I crazy for stating a preference?”
“You’re crazy if the preference is wrong. What do ya say, big guy? Smooth or crunchy?” Tony looked at Thor for support.
“My apologies friend Steve, but I too enjoy the crunchy.”
He sighed. “That’s okay Thor. I don’t criticise people’s taste.”
Tony laughed off the look the captain shot him. “Please! That’ll be the day.”
Natasha walked into the kitchen and froze when she saw Loki. He noticed her around the same time, mouth going still with a hunk of sandwich in his cheek. The pair stared at each other as Thor watched worriedly.
“Loki, this is the Lady Natasha. She is a warrior too.”
“Women cannot be warriors.” Loki frowned.
Natasha raised a brow. “Is that so?”
“Brother, the Lady Sif has become one of the greatest fighters of Asgard in the time you do not recall. Lady Natasha is just as ferocious.”
Loki looked a little more uncertain but his tone stayed sceptical. “Sif?”
“Indeed. She has saved my life many a time.”
“She is Asgardian. How could a woman of Midgard compare?”
“My apologies, Lady Natasha – he is young and unused to your Midgardian ways-”
The redhead drew a knife from somewhere in her waistband and flung it into the sandwich an inch from Loki’s hand. The boy’s eyes went huge as Thor stood, face stormy, and Steve scowled at her.
“Agent Romanov, have you lost your damn mind?”
“He is a defenceless child!”
“We do not use weapons in the Tower unless there is a threat.” He folded his arms over his chest.
“How am I to trust him in your care?”
The knife flew back across the room, Natasha snatching it just before it hit her shoulder. The three men turned to stare at Loki smiling impishly.
“Thor speaks true. You are a warrior.”
“Nice aim, kid.” She said coolly.
“It could be better.”
“Maybe I’ll give you a couple of lessons.”
He beamed at her shyly and went back to his damaged sandwich as if nothing had happened. Natasha sauntered over to the (replacement) couches and sat, leaving the trio gobsmacked.