Disclaimer: I do not own the Avengers, those rights belong to Marvel.

Chapter 1: My Son

Visitors from other realms frequented Asgard constantly, what with the trade of goods and weapons. All over the land, species roamed from place to place, hoping around like jackrabbits. Still, it came as a shock to Thor when his brother wandered into the palace with a mortal. Stunned silence met the trickster, as he sauntered past his brother right up to the throne in the center of the chamber. He smoothly eased to his knees in a graceful manner, ordering the child to do the same.

When the boy appeared cautious, Loki pulled the boy close and whispered something soothing into his ear. Assured, the boy sank into the floor, keeping his head down. If not for the slight tremble of the child's shoulders, the thunder prince could well assume that his brother had put the mortal under a sleep spell. Not that Loki would ever do something so rash to a child, but he still had his reservations…

"Loki," The All-Father commanded from his throne, voices ringing through the surrounding area, "Why have you brought a Midgardian into my castle?"

The god in question simply gazed up at his Highness, not even a slight glimpse of fear on his person. Bravery was one of the many remarkable attributes of the mischief prince, though very few truly understood just how much so Loki was. Even the Warriors Three, would laugh if brought up the immense courage the god could conjure within himself. One look at the resolute sureness shining brilliantly in the trickster's eye, and Thor knew he would follow Loki in his venture anywhere.

On the other hand, Thor was also curious as to why this had anything to do with the shivering, terrified, mortal child. Glancing at the quaking mess of a child, the thunder god evaluated the boy from a far. A messy mop of brown locks, tan skin, and fine pressed clothes glared hotly back. Obviously from a well endowed family, and yet… Thor caught sight of something clutched tightly within the boys lithe arms. A toy. A small, insignificant bauble. Strange.

Loki smirked up at their father, "Odin, glorious day, is it not?"

"Do not test me today, boy. Answer the question." The All-Father growled viciously.

Obviously having realized that he was on the elder's last nerves, the mischief-maker cleared his throat, relieving a knot caught in it. Raising from his sore knees, Loki waved dramatically towards the boy.

"This," Loki began excitedly, "is Anthony Howardson Stark, a genius mind wrapped in a child's body. A true visionary, and at the wee age of 5 Midgardian years."

Hearing this, Odin leaned forward on his throne, interest suddenly overtaking his stoic features. With a wave of his large palm, Loki breathed out a relieved sigh.

"I have saved him from a most likely difficult life," Loki began. Using his hands to express his concerns, "taken him from those who would wish to torment him-"

"You stole this child away from his guardians?" Exclaimed a voice from the crowd (Fandral, Thor found out later).

"I offered him a way out," the prince hissed back, "and he accepted."

Odin moved his un-patched eye to lock on the child, who continued to stay fascinated by the lacerated laces of his shoes, "Anthony," looking up, large brown eyes blinked repeatedly; frightened of the man, "Is this true? Did you come by your own consent?"

With a side-look at Loki, Anthony peered back at Odin. He nodded his small head once, before his gaze shifted down again. 'Poor boy must be terrified' thought Thor, 'this must be horrifying for such a small lad.' Shaking his head, the blonde prince dropped his chin. He started tracing the marble lines, pointedly ignoring the conversation happening in front of him.

Thundering pounding snapped Thor back, eyeing pointedly, as the Great King stepped down to the commoner. Sudden protectiveness shot through the prince, urging him to stand up for the traumatized boy, Anthony. When he went to step forward, he found his feet stuck to the floor. He tried again, and again. It was no use, his soles just refused to shift more than an inch.


Loki glared up at his father, refusing to lose eye contact even as he moved fervently around them. He could practically feel the judging pupils roving over himself and Tony. More or less of the audience mimicked the facial expressions his Highness made, all fake emotions and opinions. And they called him the god of lies…

A pair of bright blue orbs caught the trickster's eye, and he finally relented in his onslaught battle with his fathers pupils. Not losing or giving up, simply allowing the old man to think he'd vested him. Meeting his eyes, his brother wore a grim expression. There was something else there too; was that sympathy? Worry? Whatever for? Reading his facial confusion, Thor darted his eye to the boy, and back again to Loki. The trickster glanced at his charge, to find the genius closing in on himself in fright.

On reaction alone, Loki placed a hand on Tony's shoulder. Relief suddenly eased over the young genius, pushing into Loki's comforting palm. Outrage broke out from the surrounding brutes, lashing out at the show of true weakness. Loki could only hope that the slandering pigs wouldn't put a dent in the All-Father's decision.

Stealing a quick look towards the king, the trickster found himself in a state of shock. With the gold interior light shining down, the shadows and lines of his fathers face almost gave off a sense of… compassion for the genius child. But that would be impossible, illogical. The All-Father would never show such emotion, such weakness.

"Loki," His voice rang like a bell, resonating past the hordes of mindless drones, "Is this really what you wish? A child is a large responsibility, my son."

Without missing a beat, the trickster answered, "Aye, it is."

Understanding seemed to pass between father and son, and Loki froze in realization that this was the first time they had a moment such as this. It was… emphatic to say the least.

The All-Father nodded his consent, before speaking to the crowd, "The boy has been granted this, that he shall grow among us. When he comes of age, he shall begin eating the apples of Idunn. Loki Odinson," Sharp green flashed at the mention of his name, "You shall raise him up, and guide him in our ways."

Hushed whispers created an ambience under the great voice of the Almighty Odin. No arguments louder than a mere growl here and there reached Loki's ears, no one wished to defy his majesty.

"I hope you know what you have to do now," Oh… he had forgotten this part, "We can't have the boy wondering where his birth makers are."

This would be difficult to do to one so young, but it was a necessity. Loki reached down and gestured for Tony to stand as well.

"I know. Thank you, father."

Turning on his heel, Loki made his way through the legion of glaring miscreants. He didn't even need to turn to know that Tony was following, lingering threats under breath following a short break after him. A small fist worked its way into his, unknowingly easing the tricksters mind.

His child… His son. He rather liked that term. His child. His charge. His toddler, shook with tremors, fear wracking inside his tiny body. And yet… the boy, hisboy flashed a smile and continued with his head held high.

Pride swelled in his stomach, and Loki had to force his mouth to remain straight. When they finally made it past the hateful glares, Loki turned right; headed straight for his rooms.

New clothing would need to be sewn, and sizing taken. If his son reacted as badly as himself and Thor to the needles entering so close to his skin, then amusing times we're sure to ensue. Pleased at the thought of maids and knitters running around in panic, his thoughts suddenly drew back to the infuriated peasants.

A dark look crossed the mischief prince's features. Those worthless swine would not dare speak so crudely to his son in the future, Loki would make sure of that. All the empty promises for vengeance on his head, the trickster would doubly return with a wrath unknown to even the gods. If they were (Highly doubtful) wise, they would leave his son intact and leave well enough alone.

Loki could have smacked himself, it hadn't even been a single day, and yet he already had a protective urge for the boy. His son. A smile broke out of his cool demeanor when he felt a little pull on the clenched fist.

"What is wrong, little one?" A small spike of pain shot through his chest at the thought that perhaps the boy was missing his parents.

Tony stared out a window, a very distressed expression weary on his feature, "You're not going to make me wear a dress, are you?"

Loki blinked, "I apologize, what do you mean?"

When Tony finally looked at the trickster, a deep fear remained laced in his large brown orbs, "All the men in that room were wearing dresses. You're not going to make me wear one, right?"

A moment passed, before Loki collapsed in himself and gave a full-belly laugh. My, what an amusing one.

"You mean robes. And no, not unless you wish it, my son."

Freezing, it occurred to Loki what he had let slipped. Luckily, either Tony didn't hear Loki, or he didn't care. Oh how the trickster hoped it was the latter option.

Shouts reverberated down the hall they had just stepped out of, magic detecting bulks form coming closer and closer. Loki stepped in front of Tony protectively, magic turning to static in the heavy air. If any of those peasant mongrels thought that they had a chance to end the happiness the prince had newly gained, they had another thing coming. Lashing out heavily on the solid form headed straight into him, green light exploded into heavy muscle, and thick bone.

No sound reached Loki's ears, which he found odd. With that much force behind his attack, and the size of the man, Loki would have expected resounding boom. Peeking over the wall his back was lying against, Loki released a large sigh of relief.

"Loki, brother!" Of course it was his brother, no other god would be that resilient to the tricksters magic.

"Yes, Thor?" Loki asked with a somewhat bored expression. Not that he didn't love talking to his brother, quite the opposite. Thor was one of the only gods in Asgard that Loki favored. Though right now the trickster just wanted to be finished with the manual labor that came with making Tony officially his child.

The thunder prince sighed, "How is the boy? He appeared quite frightened in the eye of Odin."

Loki was about to answer, but a small, yet infuriated, young voice spoke out behind his leg, "I wasn't scared, it was cold in there is all." Tony insisted, eyeing Thor irritably.

A deep rumbling escaped the god's chest, "Trust me, little one, larger men have relieved their bowels, when put in a similar situation as you were. You will make a fine warrior, Sir Anthony." A large smile split the genius's face in half.

Loki felt a spark of jealousy pool deep in his gut. Once again, the beloved son of Odin was showing his superiority in the face of the forgotten younger brother. No. Loki thought angrily, Not with this child, not in front of my son.

Forcing a grin to spread, the trickster bended down to Tony's level, "Son, this is Thor. He is my brother, your uncle," He drew closer to the child's ear and began whispering, "Feel free to ignore anything he says, as he has the tendency to sound like a raging moron."

Loud guffaws shook the boy to his core, mischief gleaming in his hazelnut eyes. Thor stood baffled by the child's utter glee. He hadn't thought his name was that funny…

"Well, if you'll pardon us, brother. We must be on our way."

Again, they began the hike back to Loki's bedchambers, the trickster knowing full well that Thor was following close after. The blonde god resembled a puppy in so many ways, that Loki sometimes forgot his brother wasn't part canine himself. "Do you need anything else, brother."

The heavy footsteps stuttered in there continuous loop, the blonde obviously assuming that Loki's trained ears couldn't hear him. Idiot.

"I wish to accompany my brother and new nephew, is there an issue with this?" He reframed from saying littlest, knowing the unease Loki felt and could possibly turn back around on him.

"I suppose not"


Finally, finally, they made it through the winding tunnels that make up the enchanted castles. It wouldn't have taken nearly as long, if Tony hadn't stopped to gawk at every random piece of technology and magical tool. While it was tedious to say the least, Loki couldn't help the spring of joy he felt at explaining the different concepts to his charge. It made him feel warm to have a boy with a thirst of knowledge to teach all the marvelous studies too.

They walked through the large decorated doors, Loki sighing in extreme relief. In the last few weeks he had spent so much time trying to find that one creature worthy of his teaching, his knowledge. While he doesn't regret finding Tony, he dearly missed his home.

"Welcome to your new home, Tony. You should already have some fitting linens in your quarters, though we will still need to have you fitted into some dressings resembling your new status. Feel free to make yourself comfortable." Tony took off running in the direction he'd pointed, excitement expressed openly on his face.

Loki turned back to where Thor had stopped right in front of the door. The thunder prince wore a cheeky grin, enjoying the sight of his brother being so tender.

"I cannot wait to see your facial features, when the boy turns 500 and begins to learn his talent." Full-bellied laughter left Thor clenching his stomach, hoping to suppress his need for breath.

While Loki wanted to argue that, no, there would be absolutely nothing different from his normal posterity, the fact remained that Thor was possibly right. If Loki were acting coy about this right now, he would never last. Instead, he smirked at his brother, and nodded his head.

While he would embrace the day that Tony could begin honing his skills, he was also glad they'd be a ways off. Knowing the fact that Tony would long to return to that dreaded planet spiked rage inside him. No matter, he would find a reason to keep Tony on Asgard with him, away from the selfish vermin that make up Midgard. This he promised deep within himself, for the sake of his new family.

Tony chose this moment to come back into the room, squealing with childlike glee. He still clutched the red, white and blue figure to his chest, but had changed into a crimson tunic, and black leather. Loki gestured for his son to come to him. When the boy neared, the trickster dropped to his knees in front of his son, grabbing his shoulders in his hands.

"Tony, what I'm about to do is very vital to you being allowed to remain here. Do you understand? I need to know that you want this. This spell has to be voluntary; I cannot force you into it. Can you trust me?" Stupid question, Loki thinks, asking someone to trust the god of lies.

A moment passes, before Tony reluctantly nods his head.

"Are you positive? There is no going back."

A nod.

"Alright."

Placing his palms on the boys forehead, Loki allowed his magic to dance from his fingers into the boys skull. He began chanting in the ancient languages, closing his eyes and yet seeing. He felt himself being pulled into Tony's thoughts, pushing straight forwards to where the boy's memory's were stored. When he felt the child start to tremble against him, Loki called out to his brother.

"Thor, stop playing dead and hold him still!" He shouted out, angered that his bone-headed brother had not come to help.

When he felt a pair of arms slide between the recesses of their body's, Loki began his incantations again. Soon enough, he felt the telltale whirr of his magic, shifting backwards into his own body. It was done. Tony was his. Forever.

Even though he shouldn't feel worried, Loki still flinched when he saw Tony was not conscience. He felt the wear on his bones from the excessive use on

"Thor, can you carry Tony to my bed chambers," Thor smirked, "Oh don't give me that look, you know as well as I that he won't want to wake up alone." Thor stood up, cradling the boy's head gently. As they made their way out, no one paid any notice to the action figure laying sideways, abandoned on the cold, hard floor.

A/N: Hey bros. Just a little heads up, my internet keeps fritzing out, so I may not be uploading for awhile.

Also, if you're a fan of my work, I have a personal narrative up on Fiction Press. Mine, along with several better writers, is under the login: ClaudeMonettR-1. Check it out if you have a minute, I'd really appreciate it. Plus, the more viewers and reviewers we get, the more likely my teacher will let me upload during school.

Thank you so much for reading! I'll upload again as soon as possible! R/R