Adventures in Babysitting an Asguardian

Author's Note: Thor and Loki kid!fic. I renamed hide and seek quest for the lost, to try and make it less Midguardian sounding. Also, Loki is three in earth years, but he's Asguardian and Loki, so assume that he is still slightly more intelligent than Thor, who is six. I wrote this a while ago for tumblr, but no one liked it, so it might be happier here. Please review. One shot.

"Thor," Frigga called to her oldest son.

"Yes, Mother?" Thor eagerly scampered down the hall, managing to almost trip over the cape. It had been a gift for him on his birthday, and it pleased him greatly. It was very long though, much too long for his six year old frame.

"Your father and I are hosting a banquet tonight..."

Thor tried to contain a groan. A banquet meant food and shouting, which he enjoyed on occasion, but it also meant grown-up talk he was banned from hearing. That meant an extremely early bedtime.

Plus, Loki avoided banquets like bilgesnipe. It wouldn't be any fun without his little brother.

Even though Loki was only three (In the equivalent of earth years, mind you. In Asguardian, he was pushing a third century or so), he was still Thor's most sought after companion.

"...and I thought it would be nicer for you and Loki if you were to look after each other, instead of attending."

"You mean I don't have to go?" Thor asked hopefully. Frigga smiled, and nodded as she ruffled his blond locks. Thor gave a cheer that could be heard in Valhalla and dashed off to Loki's chambers.

"You may live to regret that," Odin muttered, as he wrapped his arms around his wife from behind.

"They'll be quite alright. Besides, they could do with a bit of mischief now and again."

"I hope you're right, for both our sakes." But Frigga just laughed in the face of her husband's doubt. She knew her boys.

"Loki! Loki Loki Loki Loooookiiiii!" Thor shouted for his brother as he banged on the door, but no reply came.

Thor decided to check the library. There, he saw his brother happily perched in an armchair that nearly swallowed his tiny body.

"Loki," Thor started, panting. "Guess what?"

"I was in the middle of something, Thor," but Loki smiled and put down the book none the less.

"We're free of the banquet, Brother."

Loki gave a small sound of delight and proceeded to wiggle his way out of the arm chair.

"So, what endeavor shall we undertake first?" Thor boomed excitedly and Loki covered his ears.

"Sorry," Thor replied, and Loki gave a small smile in return.

"Shall we play quest for the lost?" Loki inquired, his eyes taking on a mirthful twinkle.

"Alright, Loki. Who goes first?"

"I'll be lost, and you can set out to find me."

"Sounds great. I will find you as quickly as I can."

"Start counting, braggart. I'll go disappear."

Thor closed his eyes, and began to count down from thirty. Loki gave one more glance at his book before quietly sneaking from the room.

"Ready or not, here I come!" Thor shouted as he scanned the room, as if hoping Loki were still in plain sight. Of course, his clever younger sibling was hidden from him. He was about to race from the library when he spotted Loki's book open on the arm of the chair.

Thor placed the ribbon on Loki's page before closing it, having often heard lectures from him on ruined spines. He wondered why his brother had not closed it properly.

Then he saw the cover.

Any Competent Magical Being's Guide to Invisibility and Avoiding Detection

"Oh, bilgesnipe," Thor mumbled.