Bruce never considered drinking, he didn't want a drunken green giant terrorizing New York. However, with SHIELD'S idea for Tony floating in his head he was very tempted. Tony wasn't like the Hulk, he wasn't a monster and that incident with the table was just a fluke. It hadn't even been that bad! They kept something important from him and he lashed out, it was an understandable reaction! Just from a little temper tantrum a monster is not made! Gamma radiation however, Bruce thought sadly before shaking the thought away. Tony was in space with Loki! He wasn't safe there or on Earth so where could he go? Even though Thor sad Tony might be fine, there was still a fifty percent chance he wasn't! He hated those statistics and how it felt like overall Tony was screwed! A voice in the back of his head growled in displeasure, Bruce froze a bit. His heart rating had started to beat at a quicker rate, he had to regular it before there was an accident.
"You heard about what SHIELD plans to do with Tony haven't you?" A silky voice said.
"It's the biggest mistake you guys made," Bruce said. "Hey Natasha.
The spy came out of hiding, taking a seat right besides him crossing her legs. Bruce frowned at her but sighed and looked away. Natasha seemed to know when he was about to 'Hulk Out', as if it was a sixth sense. She appeared whenever he got frustrated and more than ready to warn everyone, even ready to attempt to subdue him. He normally was happy anytime Natasha arrived, but right now, Natasha was just an agent. An agent who agreed in Tony being caged up. That's why she was there no doubt, to explain to him why it was a good idea to experiment on Tony. All would be bullshit and the Hulk might make a mess out of anger.
"He's not a monster," Natasha said. "He's reckless, narcissistic, a horrible team player, and all together a pain to work with. But he's not a monster. I don't think that, I never thought that even when SHIELD informed me that Loki was his mother. Clint thinks the same thing too, we don't really agree with it either. We were fine when it was simply just using him as an assurance that Loki wouldn't attack Earth again. Then...all of a sudden...Fury insisted that he'd be used as a weapon. We didn't expect that, we've even voiced our disagreement to it Bruce, you should know that. We're Tony's friends even if he thinks we're not, we will back him up if he needed help. What SHIELD has in store? It's inhumane."
"Where the hell did that idea come from anyway?!" Bruce shouted. "Steve said the same thing, they were just going to use him as a way to make sure Loki doesn't attack! Then, all of a sudden Tony's now the next atomic bomb? He doesn't want to hurt anyone and to be labeled as such...it's just...it's just!"
"Bruce calm down. I don't know what's going through Fury's head, when we had the tesseract...I could side with that, I could understand why that could be used to saved the world. Yet to use Tony like that, they're not even considering him to be human either!" She sighed. "It kind of makes you wish that they never found out, if they didn't find out Tony wouldn't have found out and neither would Loki. He wouldn't have taken him away and we'd be living without thinking that Stark would be the next atomic bomb."
"Natasha...Dammit...it's not fair to him...Is there anything we can do? You know, anything that would get them to change their minds?"
Natasha stood up and walked away from Bruce for a second. He watched her in silence before following her. She was staring solemnly at nothing, as if waiting for an answer to pop out of nowhere. Slowly, the spy turned towards him and frowned.
"No not really," She said. "In honesty...it's possibly best for Tony to stay with Loki rather than here."
"But at the same time he could be hurt!" Bruce said. "He could-"
"Would you rather him locked up?"
Bruce bit his lip before grabbing his head. She rubbed his back gently before taking him out of the room. They walked down the hallway not looking at any of the agents that passed by, hell if they did they might've wanted to kill them if they agreed with the plan. He let out a groan as he made it back to the other Avengers. Either Tony stayed with Loki where he MIGHT be corrupted by him, or he comes back here and will end up hating SHIELD because they want to turn him into a weapon. Which was the lesser evil here? He heard a growl in the back of his head. Hulk was still furious at what was going on and it felt like he was going to come out if Bruce was informed anymore bad news. Walking into where Steve and Thor was, the two looked up and saw a woman standing there. She didn't look like she was from around here, or rather, she didn't look like she was from Earth. Natasha reached for her gun, but Bruce held her hand down gently.
"AH Bruce and Natasha!" Thor shouted happily. "This is my friend Sif, she hails from Asgard as I do. She has finally come for me to take me back home and she also tells me that our friend Tony is quite alright! The most injuries he has ever sustain would be from today, where she was teaching him some vital sword techniques upon Loki's request."
"So he's safe!" Bruce said smiling. "Thank goodness...Uh..can...can we go with you to Asgard? I want to see it for myself."
"Anthony actually requested that I bring you all," Sif said smiling. "I think he may be lonely, he only talks with his grandparents, mother, and I no one else really."
"Then it is settled! We shall all go to see my nephew Tony. Sif may we go now?"
She nodded and held up the tesseract in her hands.
()()The next morning()()
Loki smiled down at his son who curled up besides him in his bed. How he had even gotten in with the guards still standing by his door Loki wouldn't know. There was also no other way to get in, perhaps Anthony accidentally used some magic to get in. Had a hiccup and all of a sudden was teleported into his room. Either way Loki was happy to see him. He ran his hand through his son's soft hair and laughed when the child snuggled against the hand. Gently, Loki leaned down and kissed him on the forehead before getting out of bed without waking him. Quietly he tip toed towards the door then knocked on it gently. The guards opened it then noticed Anthony lying there. Both had a perplexed look on their faces, so they truly didn't know that he was in there. A chuckle escaped his lips, his son was quite a wonder that was for sure. They rushed in and he followed them, one of the guards asked for permission to take him back to his room and Loki merely said to let him stay there. Neither of them looked like they wanted to listen, yet that look he was giving them got them to back off. Never get between him and his son.
He walked back towards the window and looked out awaiting for him to awaken. Technically this was going against his punishment, Anthony being in there, but Odin had given him some of his magic back which was more than enough to scare the guards into letting him do whatever. Of course, Loki knew he couldn't push that luck or else they'd take him away. His son was all he needed right now, nothing else mattered just him. Closing his eyes, he smiled in contentment as the thought of him staying in Asgard for good settled into his mind. Anthony didn't have a single thing he didn't like, he enjoyed having this lifestyle, what would even coax him to return? But the Avengers. The smile disappeared and was replaced with a frown.
"Brother are you in there I need to speak with you."
All the blood in his body seemed to drain out as he heard the familiar voice. Thor finally returned, far too soon for Loki's liking. Getting up, Loki was about to leave when he heard a small sound.
"Mother..?" Anthony asked yawning. "Who's that..? Is that Uncle Thor...?"
"...Shh go back to sleep Anthony," Loki said smiling. "I need to speak to someone real quick, right now just rest. We have lessons today and I want you wide awake for it."
"Okay mother..."
After he was sure Anthony fell back asleep, Loki opened the door and glared at the man standing there. Thor looked at him with a huge smile on his face before attempting to barge his way in. No, he was not going to have his loud, obnoxious brother enter his room reawaken Anthony. With a shove, the man forced him out into the hallways then shut the door behind himself. Quietly of course.
"So Thor you are finally back," Loki said and looked. "And you brought your friends."
"Where's Tony?" The man (who's name was Bruce from what he could remember) said.
"It's quite nice that you're worried about my son. Anthony is currently in my room sleeping and I would appreciate it if you were to keep your voice down a bit so he may rest longer. Also, before you even bother asking, he is fine."
He truly didn't want to be bothered with these droll people any longer than he had to. Their mere presence screamed danger to him as they no doubt wanted to take back Anthony. Loki wouldn't allow it of course, he wanted to hold onto his precious son a little longer. Leaning against the door, the God listened in to the door slightly worried that he'd wake up from the noise. No, there was still no sounds coming from inside. Maybe he should open the door just a bit so he could hear better. Just as he was about to, Thor yanked him away from the room and further down the hallway. He scowled at this before struggling in his brother's grip. The further they took him away from his room the angrier he became. How dare Thor do this when he was well aware that Anthony was in there! What if all of a sudden he started to suffocate from the pillows? What if the covers strangle him because he tossed and turned too much? What if he fell of the bed and hit his head hard? He wouldn't know this because he's too damn far away!
Taking a deep breath, Loki exhaled scowling all the while. Perhaps he was getting a little too nervous, just a bit. Anthony wouldn't die from such things, maybe the guards, but not pillows and sheets. If the guards did touch a single hair on his head though they would lose their lives.
"Brother we need to know for certain that Anthony is fine," Thor said.
"He IS fine when I cannot watch over him mother does or Sif," Loki said annoyed. "Everyone knows that if he gets one bruise I will kill them slowly and painfully so he does not have threats at all. Anthony is also already well loved and known as a prince of Asgard you don't need to worry for him."
"Excellent...then he can stay here..."
Loki stared. They came here, merely to confirm whether Anthony should stay there or not? He raised an eyebrow out of confusion and the man with the shield, Steve, noticed it right away. They whispered amongst themselves with Clint glancing over at him now and then with looks that could kill. Natasha, the only female there, would have to make him look away each time insisting that he wouldn't do anything to them. It was all true, Loki wouldn't kill them because Anthony cherished them, however the second he hated them...
"Will you promise not to attack SHIELD or Earth when we tell you why we want him to stay here?" Steve asked.
"I won't harm them anyway," Loki snarled. "You matter to my son for some reason."
"...SHIELD was originally going to use Tony as something to keep you from killing innocent lives."
"That I knew, it's obvious how much I love my son and I know that they were watching. None of that is news and none of it will make want to kill-"
"They changed the plan. Now they want to use Tony as a weapon, as a last resort in case something bad happens. Apparently, since he has untapped magic and strength, it's just as good as a bomb. One release and it could take out the problem. SHIELD also wants to keep him locked away from the public eye...just in case he were to-"
"HE IS NOT A DANGER AND HE IS NOT A TOOL TO BE USED BY THEM!"
"Mother?" A familiar voice asked.
Quickly Loki turned around and saw Anthony standing there rubbing his eyes. He noticed then Avengers right away and grinned upon seeing them. However, just as he was about to run up to them, Loki got to his knees and held onto him possessively. The Avengers stared at him in awe but Bruce was the one who rushed up to Loki. The trickster was about to murder him for getting too close, but instead stopped when he saw him kneel besides them. He rubbed Anthony's head gently laughing slightly as he mocked his long hair. His son frowned at that yet started to laugh anyway, causing Loki to calm down a bit and release his hold.
"You guys are actually here!" Anthony said excitedly.
"Of course you had us worried," Bruce said. "Now we come here and you're nine."
"I'm still in my thirties thank you very much and I looked TEN not nine."
"Oh my mistake Tony. We were just talking to Loki to see if he didn't mind if you were to stay here for a little while longer. Just long enough until SHIELD calms down and listens to your side of the story. Apparently they think that you might be just a bit untrustworthy just a bit don't worry. I'm sure they'll remember you're the same arrogant asshole as you normally are and not an evil bone in your body."
The grin on Anthony's face grew larger as he rushed away from Loki to go speak with the other Avengers. He watched his son go before looking at Bruce who watched Anthony fondly. From what he remembered, this man was a genius just like Anthony and was quite strong, at least, when he turned into that beast. His lips formed a smile as he watched Bruce for a second. It...almost looked like a father staring at his own son.
"You know it's rude to stare," He said.
Loki almost fell upon hearing those words but quickly stopped himself. Bruce quietly stood up and held his hand out. There was a slight pause as he slowly took it. There was a slight trust issue that Loki had with him, after all this man had successfully slammed him into the ground and caused him a great amount of pain. If he got angry again he'd no doubt do the same damn thing.
"I'm not going to smash you," Bruce said laughing then glanced over towards them. "...Lets continue this conversation elsewhere while Tony plays with his 'Uncle Thor'."
"The lummox will hurt him though if he's not too careful," Loki whispered.
"He'll be fine don't worry. Besides I'm sure he'll come running back to you after he gets annoyed with Thor. Which seems to be in a few minutes."
He watched as Thor lifted up his nephew in his arms laughing. Anthony frankly looked upset and was struggling to get out of his arms. Clint was mocking him all the while saying that his 'dress' looked quite fetching on him, which got his son to curse at him. Loki decided to let that one slide, for now, and nodded at Bruce. Just for a few minutes he'll willingly talk to him, he needed to know more about what the people in Midgard had in store for Anthony.
The two of them sat in Loki's room by the window and stared at the opened door. Now and then Steve would rush by it with Anthony by his side as they attempted to get away from Thor. Apparently they had started off talking like adults which bored his son to no end. So, he decided that since he now could go up to par with Steve and Thor, it was time for a little racing. Bruce would laugh as Anthony would quickly stop by and wave before continuing his run.
"You know I'm not surprised that Tony is acting like this," He said. "It's like he got a new ironsuit and he's giving it a test run."
"We were on the topic of what SHIELD had in store for my son," Loki said.
"...I want you to know I'm going to try my hardest that I will stop them from even attempting to start that plan. Even if I have to...get angry. None of us want him to be locked up! He's not a monster or a weapon, he's a person!"
"Thank you for your concern. Maybe if I were to go and threaten them they'll stop..."
"They'll threaten someone Tony cares for, do you think he'd like that?"
He let out a sigh. Anthony passed by the room again with Clint chasing after him furiously. Loki would've stopped him, but it seemed to be a game of sorts so he decided not to. They were simply watching over his son while he had a conversation with Bruce. How very sweet of them, if he accidentally broke any of their bones he'd heal it...eventually.
"I wish for Anthony to stay here," He whispered. "I want to continue to watch over him...however I know sooner or later he'll wish to go home, to see his lover and the others. He's a sneaky one, he'll find a way to get back to Asgard without any of us knowing. Anthony would also be apprehensive on attacking SHIELD."
"I think the worse outcome would be Tony being considered a threat to the world and...killed," Bruce said silently. "...But I don't think he can die easily anymore..."
"...You really care for my son I've noticed."
"Of course, the entire time he was here I was worried that he would be hurt or worse...it was a lose lose situation though. Either Tony gets hurt here or on Earth. But.." Bruce smiled at him gently. Loki just stared at him with mild curiosity. "I'm glad that Tony is having a great second childhood. You must be a great mom."
Loki smiled at this. He stood up and started to walk out with Bruce following him. Glancing down at the shorter man, Loki whispered silently.
"Thank you..."
UUUGH! FINALLY WRITTEN! Okay thought that would NEVER get finished. So, Loki's been inform and the Avengers are playing with tiny Tony. Next Chapter will have some more Thor and Tony Uncle Nephew thing while Steve, Bruce, Natasha, Clint, and Loki figure out what to do about SHIELD.
Thank you for reading my story so far and I hope you'll read it till the very end. I'm currently having a poll about a oneshot story that involves the whole Loki Son! Tony thing. Check it out, vote, be awesome people and get a cookie and what not. Well till next chapter.
~Trickster
