Hey guys thanks for your patience, I've been going through a lot of stuff in reality so it kind of took my muse from me.

For starters I had to move and was so busy packing that I couldn't get my muse back, then when I did move we had a lot of drama which got me stressed. Stress doesn't help either, and I had my internet cut off so I couldn't go back and look at the other chapters to make sure I follow along right. I'm back now, and I am NOT abandoning this fic you have my word. Updates might be slow from time to time, but no abandonment.

Loki and Sleipnir try to make the best start at the Avengers tower, but there are some annoyances that will get in the way. Stark and Steve try, but of course Thor and his brash behavior might have some trouble coming along. Also having a flashback or two, to make better explanation why Sleipnir despises Thor and Odin, maybe Frigga too.

Warning: Mention of past rape.

I don't own the Marvel characters.

Enjoy!

Loki's room:

Loki woke early the next morning, despite not getting much sleep at all he still felt as if he had. He spent most of the night watching Sleipnir sleep, curled up next to him with his long arms wrapped around his father's waist. Loki felt happy as they slept, but also sad that Fenrir and Hela weren't there with them. He wondered if he would ever get Fenrir back, and Hela would likely be staying in Niflheim but she could visit if Odin let her.

'Not likely.' Loki carefully slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom to wash his face. He almost thought it was a dream, but it hit him like a splash of cold water that all of this was real. The Norns saved him from a life of imprisonment and torture, giving him a chance to fix his mistakes and start over away from Asgard with his son. He wanted his other children here, but he would have to prove himself worthy in the eyes of the Norns if he should ever see them again.

Flashback:

"Father please! Don't take him away he's my child!" a young Loki pleaded with Odin as he stood protectively in front of a young foal, one that had been born not even a fortnight ago.

"You have no idea what sort of talk will go around for this Loki, do you not realize the consequences of your actions upon the family?" Loki's face flushed with anger, but the tears came flowing fast.

"I know but I'm willing to make up for it." he pleaded with his father, but Odin would not listen to reason.

"It'll be taken to the stables, he'll grow up with the other horses and if he's fit he'll be sold." Loki's eyes widened in terror. If the foal, if his son was sold he'd never see him again, no way would Odin let him stay!

"Father I didn't expect this! Please it wasn't of my consent but don't punish my child!"

"He has to be removed Loki, do not make this worse." Odin motioned for two Einhergar to come in but Loki used his magic to blast them away.

"I won't let you take him!" the foal started neighing in fear, backing against the wall.

"Thor!" Odin shouted and the elder brother stormed in to grab Loki and hold him back. The Einhergar picked up the foal and it squirmed in their hold. "This is for your own good Loki, accept it."

"NO! Father please he's innocent don't take him! Please!" Loki struggled to get free but Thor's hold was too strong. Odin watched as he fought, but Loki wouldn't stop.

"He's better off this way, you are not to see him again." with that said Odin turned and walked out after the men. Loki screamed and cried for his son, but Thor wouldn't let him go until he stopped struggling. Loki crumpled to the ground and placed his face in his hands, and Thor's bigger hand clapped on his shoulder.

"It's better this way brother, just let it go." Loki looked up at him with tear-streaked bloodshot eyes.

"How could you do this?" he growled at his brother.

"He asked me to, perhaps he'll be lucky and Father will let the foal stay."

"He's your nephew!" Loki stood up.

"He's an animal Loki; he belongs with his own kind." Loki stared at the blonde like he'd grown a second head. "Just leave it be, and don't let it happen again or you'll shame yourself." with that Thor left Loki alone, and the dark-haired prince silently cursed his brother and father.

End flashback.

As it turned out Sleipnir grew bigger and stronger than the other horses, and so Odin kept him as his battle steed. Sleipnir was given his name by Loki, and of course Odin didn't bother changing it. He broke the steed to do his bidding, but Sleipnir still despised the Allfather just as much as Loki did. Loki never forgave Thor for that day, nor could he forgive Odin or Frigga because Frigga wouldn't go against her husband. She had seen to it Sleipnir was cared for, and occasionally let Loki slip in to see him but nothing more.

It was worse the second and third time, when Fenrir was born Odin took him from Loki and had him chained and locked up in the caves of the dwarf realm. Hela was the same, except she'd been cast off into the deathly grim bowels of Niflheim and became queen; at least she had her own realm. Loki had been forbidden to see any of his children, he was furious with Odin for years but learned to mask it.

"Papa?" Loki was about finished washing when he heard Sleipnir. He peeked his head out so the boy could see him.

"I'm right here son, hold on." drying his face quickly Loki made his way back to the bed. "Are you alright?"

"Yes…where are we?" Sleipnir rubbed his eyes.

"In Stark tower remember?"

"Oh…yes. I'm hungry papa." Loki gave a light smile.

"Alright, let's see if we can find a kitchen."

"If I may sirs, the kitchen is on the floor below you just down the hall from the elevator." Sleipnir jumped up and into Loki's arms.

"Who is there?" Sleipnir started shaking.

"That's Stark's butler machine son, don't worry." he set Sleipnir down and both slipped on their morning shoes. "Come, I'll make you something. Thank you Jarvis."

"You're welcome Mr. Loki." the two walked from their room and took the directions the machine gave. Sleipnir's stomach growled loudly, Loki could only smile. The boy was his image mostly, but he also took a little after his…other father. Loki tried his hardest all the time to forget about Svaðilfari, the brutal stallion that impregnated him. Sleipnir was still much like Loki though, only he had a loud mouth when angry.

"Papa, what can I eat?" they found the kitchen and Sleipnir sat at the table. Surprisingly the kitchen was well stocked and furnished, the Potts woman did her work well.

"Let's see…how about some fruit?" a cooling device kept some fruit of apples and more, red apples were Sleipnir's favorites.

"Yes." Loki took out two bananas and apples, cut them up into little pieces and found a glass.

"Jarvis, what is there to drink?"

"There is orange juice, water, tea, and coffee sir."

"Orange juice it is." Loki found the liquid and poured two cups. He decided to have some bread with his fruit, he wasn't starving but he wasn't sure how Midgardians made their morning meals so they'd start simple for now.

"How long are we staying here papa?" Loki sighed.

"I don't know Sleipnir, I wish I did." they sat down and ate in silence, it was still early morning so the mortals were likely still asleep.

"Good morning." right then Loki looked up to see the blonde mortal, Rogers standing in the doorway.

"Hello Captain." Sleipnir gave a nod.

"When did you two get up?"

"Not too long ago, why are you up before your comrades?"

"I'm an early riser, always have been. Tony might be up soon, if he smells coffee brewing." he went over to the counter, and from what Loki assumed he was preparing said beverage. "So what're you two planning on doing today?"

"I don't know, we cannot leave the tower Sleipnir will not do well around too many humans." Loki went to his boy's side, Sleipnir was almost finished with his breakfast.

"I'm still sleepy papa."

"Do you wish to go back to bed?" Sleipnir nodded.

"There's a couch in the next room, and a blanket over it if you don't want to walk back to your room." Loki looked in the opposite door and saw the couch, a dark blue with a burgundy blanket draped over the top. "Tony often sleeps there when he's had a late night, but it looks like he's still asleep in his room."

"Sir should be waking soon Mr. Rogers and Loki, but the couch is comfortable for young Sleipnir." Jarvis spoke and Loki led Sleipnir over to the couch. He adjusted the pillows and the boy laid down, Loki placed the blanket over him and he was asleep in seconds.

"How old is he?" Rogers came in, and sat down on a chair with a cup of coffee in hand.

"In Asgard he's a teenager, in appearance to you he's twelve." Loki stroked his son's dark hair as he slept, it calmed him down.

"I…I almost couldn't believe he came with you. Surprised the queen was able to allow it."

"I won't hold my breath for the others, my other son and daughter are still somewhere I can't be." Loki tensed up.

"Wait…you have three? I thought you had more." Loki shook his head.

"Only three, Sleipnir, Fenrir, and Hela all stolen from me after their births; Odin always told me how disappointed he was, and in so he stole my children from me to hide the shame of having a son who's…argr."

"Argr…you mean homosexual?" Loki nodded. "So you prefer men?"

"I have had my share of women, but only those whom were smart enough to see Thor was a blundering fool so not very many." Loki shuddered, one of the women had been Amora the Enchantress. The woman hated Thor for using her, and so she slept with Loki in retaliation but of course developed a friendship that gave Loki some ease until she was forced to leave due to a rumor Sif made about her attempting to seduce Thor with love spells. Of course it wasn't true, but Thor didn't care and neither did anyone else. Lorelei, Amora's sister, was the same but she had her own reputation for seducing men though she was careful. The last time Loki saw her was in Vanaheim when she became rather 'friendly' with a diplomat.

"It's also an insult in Asgard, often times I was bullied because of it." Loki sighed.

"Well I don't have a problem if you're gay, I had a friend who liked guys." the chaos god turned to the blonde.

"Did you?"

"Yeah, my best friend we grew up together and joined the army." the captain frowned. "It's a long story but…he was kidnapped around the time I fell into the ice. An enemy we all know, HYDRA, brainwashed him and made him a killing machine. He got away, but he's disappeared again I don't know where."

"So he's like you?" Rogers nodded.

"I've been looking for him for months, but he's good at hiding. Tony tries to help but…no luck."

"And you? Are you…the same as him?" the man seemed to understand his question.

"I am, for a long while I've known. I loved a woman once, but after I was freed from the ice she was an old woman who almost can't recognize me. Once I saw her I…did some soul searching and I realized that I was like Bucky."

"Why are you telling me this?" this man had a strange sense about him, why tell him such facts?

"Because I want you to know that you're not alone here, and if you're worthy of redemption to those women then you deserve a chance. So don't blow it." Loki couldn't help but smirk.

"Amen." both men turned and saw Stark enter the room. "Good morning, I see you're all up or…most of you." he saw Sleipnir on the couch.

"Try not to wake him Stark." Sleipnir stirred slightly.

"Oh sorry." Stark leaned against the wall. "Listen the others are going to be up soon, and I have some work to do in the lab. Steve?"

"I'm not really doing anything today Tony, but I think Bruce has to go see Helen Cho, then Nat and Clint are going to SHIELD for whatever reason."

"So that just leaves you, me, and Point Break in the tower with Lokes and Horsey there." Loki glared.

"Tony he has a name, and he's not a horse anymore." Stark shrugged.

"I'll remember that, if he behaves."

"He will, my son only acts in anger if he's provoked. Thor will likely cause problems for him."

"Why's that?"

"Because he held me down while Odin took Sleipnir away from me, and told me to get over it." the two men stared at him, and exchanged a glance between themselves. "Same with my other children, all taken away soon after birth."

"I'm…I'm sorry." Rogers. "Look, I won't try and make it difficult for you here so…for starters just call me Steve. If you want I can show you and Sleipnir how the TV works."

"You don't even know how the TV works Steve." Tony laughed and Rogers glared slightly.

"Shut up Tony I'm not that old."

"That is kind of you Steve, but I don't think Sleipnir will want that. He's still very afraid of you all."

"Well…how about some books? Pepper can look up some good stories for you."

"Books are fine, I used to read to him when I could." Sleipnir stirred again. Loki remembered the few times he could see his son, and when he read to him the boy often loved his reading voice.

"Ok, Jarvis look up books from Shakespeare, Harry Potter, Twilight, and anything with mythical stories."

"As you wish sir, should I charge the company card?"

"Charge the platinum, Pepper won't mind."

"Of course sir." Stark went back to get more coffee, asking if Loki wanted some and of course Loki said yes. The beverage smelled good, and Thor liked it so why not?

"Excuse me sirs, but Mr. Odinson is waking up and is asking to see Loki."

"Tell him I will not see him Jarvis, I have to look after Sleipnir."

"As you wish." it went silent for a bit before Stark came back with the coffee. Thor's heavy footsteps were heard coming down the hall, and the blonde stepped through the kitchen. His electric blue eyes fell on Loki, and to Sleipnir.

"You may not wish to see me yet brother, but we will speak later." it wasn't a request, that much was heard from the blonde's stern tone.

"Thor, you can't demand him anything so lay off." Stark glared slightly at the thunder god.

"He is my brother, I will…"

"You will do nothing unless you wish to incur not the wrath of the Norns but also me. Remember 'brother', I am here to redeem myself and I will do so without you getting in my way." he said 'brother' as if spitting venom, and Thor wanted to retort but turned on his heel and went back into the kitchen. "If you'll excuse me, I have to make sure Sleipnir isn't disturbed." Loki carefully lifted his son up into his arms. He walked back to their room and just wished that this day could go well enough without Thor's childishness; but of course things were never easy, ever with Thor.

Back in the den:

"Thor, come in here wouldja?" once Loki was clear out of earshot and in the elevator Steve and Tony were ready to have a talk with the golden prince. They weren't going to have any arguments between the two gods, after all Loki was trying so far but Thor was making this difficult.

"What is it?" of course the idiot would be upset, the lines on his forehead made him look like an angry old man almost.

"For starters, don't take that tone in my tower. Second, you need to stop riling Loki up this is his chance to fix his mistakes and you seem ready to ruin it for him."

"I only wish to speak with him, nothing more."

"You can talk to him only when he says so, how many times do we have to say it?" Steve rubbed his head, he shouldn't be getting so annoyed with Thor first thing in the morning. "Thor, do you remember what those women said about your treatment of Loki?"

"Yes, it was untrue."

"No offense Point Break but those Norns, I think they only speak the truth. Clearly Loki doesn't like you, and you obviously don't get why but I think I do. Loki has been ridiculed his whole life because he's not like you, a sorcerer instead of a warrior, a man who relies on intelligence rather than brute strength to get the job done. You and your friends all teased him for it, and you probably didn't make him think anything other than he was weak."

"We merely jested, he was too sensitive." Tony's eyes narrowed.

"Saying it once or twice is jesting, but repetition of the same words is plain bullying. Your friends obviously never appreciated Loki and neither did you, so he has reason not to trust you."

"That and the fact that you forced him down when Odin took his children, and told him to get over it."

"Father did what was best for Loki, but he chose to frolic with monsters and give birth to them. He should not have the horse here." Steve slammed his cup down.

"Thor dammit this isn't a joke!" no one had ever heard Steve yell before. "You're standing here telling us that it was ok for you to help Odin take Loki's kids away, bully him, hurt him, and you think it's just all fun and games? It's not!"

"Loki is always one for mischief, he should've just listened to our father and me and perhaps he could've made something of himself, the argr fool." that made the nerves tense up in Tony's head.

"Listen to you and your dad? And be a selfish jerk?" blue eyes flashed at those words but Tony stepped between Thor and Steve.

"Point Break, I can't believe I'm saying this but…" Tony sighed. "I side with Loki here, he's trying to be…well good enough for his son, and you're the one who's trying to pick a fight. So here's my rule, you leave Loki alone unless he says you can do something. If you don't…well then you can go back to Asgard and sulk like the overgrown child you're behaving as. Hell I doubt even Jane would wanna be around you in this state."

"Don't bring her into this." Thor growled and summoned Mjolnir.

"How typical, the golden prince of Asgard throws a tantrum when things don't go his way." all eyes turned to the door again and there was Loki, with his arms folded over his chest. "You're lucky I have Jarvis playing music for Sleipnir, so he can't hear a word we say."

"You and I have words to say to each other."

"Do we?" Loki snarled. "Because all I'm hearing from you is how much of an ungrateful wretch I am."

"You should be grateful that Father even spared your life."

"He was ordered to do so, for if the sentence he gave me were carried out I would be with my dear Hela right now." Thor froze for a second, he clearly didn't think Loki would take his own life, or that he was capable of such. "I would rather be dead than be made mortal and forced a lifetime in the dungeons. My children would follow me after." that mad the two mortal men blanch.

"You would take the coward's way out than serve out your sentence as a man?"

"A life of pain, is no life to begin with." the two not-brothers were practically nose to nose with each other. "You've had everything given to you, I had to work hard to get my powers where they are now. I had to fight for my life against the Chitauri, before they had me come to Midgard. I fought to get my children back, and it appears everything I ever fought for gets taken. I make a mistake then it's Ragnarok, but Norns forbid if the Mighty Thor makes a mistake it's laughed off as if nothing!"

"I have made mistakes, and I paid for them." Thor growled.

"The only mistake you've taken credit for was the next war against Jotunheim, and only AFTER your precious hammer was taken and you were banished here. You always get off easy, and yet me? I get punished like a criminal even when I try to right my wrongs."

"You are a criminal, you attacked an innocent realm!"

"So did you!" now they looked ready to tear each other apart.

"ENOUGH!" Tony and Steve both yelled and got between the two gods. "I'm not going to let you two fight in my home, especially when I just got done repairing the damage from the Chitauri attack. Loki, do you want Thor to be near you?"

"No."

"And Thor, are you going to respect Loki's wishes and do as the Norns said? If you don't then you can leave." Thor was red in the face, ready to explode but used his brain for once and gritted out 'Yes'. "Good, now you two are not allowed in the same room unless it's to keep quiet. Loki, do you need anything?"

"I had come to see if Ms. Potts were here yet, I wish to thank her for the clothes she bought for me and Sleipnir."

"Well she'll be here at eight, in ten minutes she's always on time. Thor?"

"I wish to eat my morning meal." the golden god kept his eyes on Loki.

"Then go eat the poptarts in the cabinet, and go easy on the coffee it's my favorite brew." Thor marched away, and Loki left to the elevator again. Tony looked at Steve and collapsed on the couch.

"Better buckle up Cap, because we're in for a long drive."

Well I hope this will hold you all over until I can post the next chapter. Again sorry for making you wait so long, I wish I could update more frequently but I'm not as imaginative as I was in my teens.

Next chapter we have a time skip, not a big one but enough to give Loki and Sleipnir more time to adjust. We'll have some bonding between Steve and Loki, and a little talk between Natasha and Loki. Can't leave her and Barton out for too long, but Barton will show up later on.

Might bring Bucky in a little sooner than I planned, but we'll see where that goes later.

R&R

Later!