A/N: Hi ya'll! I'm back, and here is the sequel to "Little Brother". Hopefully it lives up to expectations, and meets the same approval as the first part did. Reviews are love!

Happy New Year!

Loki was at his wit's end. Fenrir and Jormagundar both refused to go to bed, and it was already an hour past bedtime for the children. They had gotten into their sleep-clothes, and said good night to Frigga and Thor. Hela was already in her own bed and asleep, what was wrong with the boys? Loki took a deep breath to calm his temper. Now the boys had all but disappeared.

"Fenrir, Jormagundar, I've had enough of this. Come out where I can see you." Only laughter was heard in reply, along with the shuffling of two children's feet as they ran farther away. "What will it take for the two of you to settle down for the night?"

"A story!" Fenrir said, still keeping out of sight. Loki smiled.

"The only way you're getting a story is if you two are in bed." Fenrir sighed and made himself and Jormagundar visible once more. But when they turned around, they found that Loki had disappeared.

"Father?" Fenrir called cautiously. Gunner looked a little scared.

"Papa?" He looked up at his brother. "Where'd he go?" Fenrir shrugged, wide-eyed.

"I dunno."

"What if a bilgesnipe got him?" Gunner hypothesized.

"Father would never let himself be taken out by something as clumsy as a bilgesnipe…" Fenrir said reassuringly, but he didn't sound so certain. He grabbed a hold of Gunner's hand as a loud clatter echoed through the hall. "Besides, Uncle Thor would never let one into the palace…right?" The crashing sound came closer (or seemed to, at least.) Both boys were shaking by now.

"Right."

"Nothing to worry about then…AGH! Something touched me…"

"I'm scared…" Gunner whispered, cowering closer to his brother as one by one, the torches extinguished themselves.

Suddenly they found themselves in Loki's arms. Fenrir actually shrieked a little (which he later denied.) Loki's velvety laugh echoed through the hall, as he picked them both up.

"You should have seen the looks on your faces, my sons." He kissed the tops of their heads as he carried them and set them on their beds. Gunner grinned, and snuggled into the blankets.

"I bet we looked pretty funny…" he conceded. Loki laughed again.

"Indeed you did." Fenrir hugged Loki tightly before allowing himself to fall backwards out of his father's arms and onto his bed.

"So, what about that story you promised?" Loki nodded and opened one of the books.

Once in a realm, not very far from here…


Loki closed the door, his sons both fast asleep. After checking on Hela once more, he went to the feast hall where he knew Frigga would be waiting for him. He smiled a little, thinking of the past year.

How short a time it seemed, yet how long…A year since he had found and freed all three of his children. Their growth in the past year astounded him. At the same time, it made him wonder exactly what he had missed. He still cursed Odin for giving him no choice, and for lying to him about the circumstances of Angerboda's death.

"Loki? Are you all right?" Frigga called when she saw him pacing the balcony. Loki whirled around to see the queen watching him with motherly concern.

"Yes, quite well, actually." He paused, staring out at the lights coming up from the city below. "Any news from Midgard?" he asked. Frigga shook her head.

"Not that I've heard. Your brother still fights alongside his friends."

"I see. And what of Darcy?" He really had no idea why this mortal concerned him so. Perhaps because she had been the one to tase Thor. Loki had always wondered what it would be like to do something like that to his brother. Maybe it was her fondness for his children, but whatever the reason, he found her amusing.

"She is well. Darcy does miss the boys." Loki said nothing, only nodded.

"And Odin?" Frigga remained silent. "Tell me. What happened, mother?" Loki stepped around and took her by the shoulders. The queen turned her head away from her son, her lips pressed together in a thin line.

"I have seen so many things, Loki, even if I could tell you, it would be too late. You must draw your own conclusions. I wish I could tell you…Oh how I wish…" She threw her arms around him, leaning on him for support. "Please, do not hate me for this…" Loki held onto his mother, burying his face in her golden curls.

"I could never hate you, mother. Does Thor know of Odin's whereabouts?" Frigga nodded.

"Yes."

"Has anyone found out that it's not really me?"

"None, save your brother, and his companion, Stark. Darcy and Jane also know, of course."

"Does Odin pose an immediate threat?" Frigga looked uncertain.

"Yes, and no. It depends upon your definition of 'family'."

"What do you mean? If he is no threat to my children, why do you tell me of this?"

"You enjoy the company of Miss Lewis sometimes, do you not?" Loki drew a sharp breath.

"Yes…But I fail to see…" Then it hit him. He had been spending quite a lot of time going back and forth between Asgard and Midgard. He and Darcy had a habit of meeting at some small café or restaurant for coffee and conversation. She enjoyed hearing about how his sons were adjusting to life as normal children. Despite his initial impression of her, she had some depth of personality, and was much smarter than most would give her credit for. To anyone who actually gave them a second glance, it would seem as though they were indeed 'dating'. If Odin had caught wind of the fact that Loki and Darcy were indeed involved with each other, it could be dangerous for Darcy.

Loki had learned this lesson once, and Angrboda had been the one to suffer for it. He would not allow Odin to harm Darcy.

Taking a deep breath to quell the spike of panic in his chest, he gave his mother a half smile.

"It seems I shall have to pay Miss Lewis a little visit."