Chapter 25: First Day of Pre-School

Suddenly, it was the eve of Alex's first day at the daycare. No need to say Loki was a wreck of emotion.

"What if the other children don't like him? What if he has trouble following the group? He could get upset at any moment and he doesn't have control on his magic. What if the other children figure out he is not from Earth?"

That was the most Loki had spoken since coming here. It was now late at night, right before Loki's own bedtime and he was in the living room speculating over every single thing that could go wrong for Alex.

"Hey, relax. Everything will be fine," assured Natasha. "I will drive him there and he will be fine."

"Alex seemed exited about going. He will be happy there," ensured Steve.

"But what if he is not?"

"We did agree the first day is just half a day," said Tony. "Natasha will bring him at dinner time and you will be able to talk to him, see how it went from his perspective."

"I remember Cassie's first day," said Scott. "I was working for my ex-boss at the time. The job because of which I then commit a felony. Anyway, I was worried something would happen to Cassie. She was so small at the time. I think I called the daycare like fifteen times before Maggie — that's Cassie's mother — called me and yelled at me to stop harassing the daycare, that everything was fine. Cassie had a great time there and made a lot of friends."

"Parents always worry about their children, it's normal," said Natasha. "It just makes you a good father who cares about Alex."

Loki nodded. Everything will be fine. Right?

"I would like to inform you that it is now mister Loki's bedtime," said Friday.

"Thank you, Friday," said Loki. "Well, good night."

"Good night."

And Loki left the room, heading toward his room. But Scott followed him and reached him in the hallway.

"Hey, Loki."

"Mister Lang?"

"Just call me Scott. Look, if I could have been with Cassie that day, I would. But I didn't have the power to. However, I have it now. How about I request a day off tomorrow, get my suit and go with Alex to the daycare? I would be ant size, invisible. I could keep an eye on Alex and maybe interfere if something bad happens."

"You would do that? For Alex?"

"Yes! No trouble at all! It will be fun, like an infiltration mission, but more like training."

oOo

The next morning at breakfast, Loki was still stressed. In front of Alex, he had managed to hide it completely, but the Avengers could all see it.

"You will listen to what the adults say at the daycare, okay?"

"Yes daddy."

"And you will be nice with the other children."

"Yes daddy."

"Great. Have a good day!"

"You too."

Loki hugged Alex once more.

"Tony, is it okay if I take the car for the whole morning," asked Natasha.

"Oh yeah, you have a day off. No problem, keep the car for as long as you need," said Tony,

"Hey Alex, you're ready," asked Natasha.

"Yes. Bye Daddy!"

"Bye Alex. Have fun!"

And just like that, Alex and Natasha were out. It was the first time Alex and Loki were separated by such a great distance. And this time, it was Alex who was far away, not Loki because of training or punishment.

"Steve, can Vision and I have a day off," asked Wanda. "You know, to go shopping in town."

"Well, Scott called sick this morning and Natasha had already requested the day off. So why not? Anyone else?"

"No, I'm good," said Bruce drinking his tea.

oOo

Scott had done exactly what he said he would do. He had sneaked inside Alex's coat and was now at the daycare. Oh, it was like any normal daycare. Children were playing, having fun, the usual.

oOo

After dropping Alex off, Natasha roamed in the neighbourhood. Meaning she parked the car and stayed close to the daycare all day. She had managed to talk to a few parents and listen to conversations.

oOo

Tony, like usual, locked himself in his lab. But this time, he had other work to do. In the last week, he had managed to hack his way in the phone of all the employees of the daycare. No, he was not looking for compromising sexy photos. He just wanted to be able to listen to every noise inside the daycare. And God it was noisy, children screaming, crying, playing, having fun. And a woman introducing Alex to the group. Tony could hear Alex talking with children and actually being in good terms with them.

oOo

And recess, Natasha was perched in a tree nearby. Totally not abnormal. It was something Clint had taught her. So up there she was, just observing the playground. She spotted Alex playing soccer with a few children.

oOo

"What are we doing here," asked Vision.

"Let's call it a surveillance mission. You can turn invisible and crossed through walls. How about you just go there and see if Alex is okay," suggested Wanda.

"Ah, I see your plan now," said Vision, winking.

He then disappeared and ended up in the playground of the daycare. In the meantime, Wanda floated and landed on the roof. They were both observing Alex and making sure he was happy.

oOo

"Hey, I don't have children, but I understand you are stressed," said Bruce. "Look, he will be fine and happy, I'm sure of it. And you get to see him in a few hours."

"But eventually, he will go there for longer periods of time, for the whole day," said Loki. "What if he has an accident? I know he never does, but he could."

"It's normal for kids that age to have accident, that's why you send him spare clothes. As for other kinds of accidents, he is a child, it's normal to fall down and get hurt a bit. It's not something too bad, just a scratch."

"But he will get to nap there. What if he has a nightmare? Or if he cannot sleep?"

"Loki, once he gets comfortable and feel safe there, he will sleep without a problem. Some kids bring their blanky or their stuffed animal just for nap time."

"But what if he never gets to feel safe?"

"He will make friends. Alex is really friendly. Okay, the first day or even week might be unusual for him, but he will adapt. Kids his age adapt quite well and quickly."

"He had had to adapt to so many changes so far. I just wish I was there with him."

"Eventually, you will have to let him live his life. If you are there always to protect him, he will never know who he is without you. And being far from you a few hours a day won't make him love you any less. Believe me, in his eyes, there is no one to replace you."

"I just want him to be okay," said Loki desperately.

"I understand. It's normal for a father to care about his child. It is Alex first day of daycare, but it is also your first day without him."

"All that time in training, I was afraid of the day someone would take Alex from me. Slave children can always be taken away and sell separately."

"But Alex had not been sold, he is just at the daycare. Wait, have you ever leave your parents?"

"Of course, to go hunting, for battle, for a lot of things."

"But you all lived in one castle."

"One giant castle. If I didn't want to see them, it would have been easy."

"But you never move out of your parents' place?"

"There was no need. The princes live in the royal estate to show an illusion of a united family, which we are definitely not. They are not my family."

"Sometimes, being apart from the ones we love to make the reunion even more meaningful. Because you missed them, you realised how much you loved them. And you definitely love Alex. It is normal for a parent to worry about his child when said child is not near. Right now, you are not worried about Storm."

"Well, she is right here," said Loki pointing at the baby playing with a noise maker.

"Exactly, you are worried about what you don't know. Alex will come back and tell you all about his day. Then, you will be less worried."

oOo

"What is that, " asked Natasha to herself seeing something strange and red. "Wanda?"

Natasha took her cellphone and called the little witch.

"Hey Wanda. I was just wondering what you were doing," said Natasha on the phone.

"Oh, you know, just hanging out. I'm with Vision at the mall," said Wanda on the phone.

"Oh, Wanda. I'm training you to be a spy and I can tell you are lying. Can you guess why I can find your lie?"

"What? We are at the mall. You can pinpoint my location with my phone, can't you?"

"No, not that. Well, I could, but I'm not doing it. You want to know how I know you are not at the mall?"

"Okay, what gives? How did I fall this time?"

"You are on the roof and I can see you. Next time, try a higher point to hide, with more cover, like a tree."

Wanda looked up and search for Natasha in the trees, but Natasha had dress in an appropriated colour so Wanda could not see her.

"Nice try. I'm better at hiding that you," said Natasha.

"Why are you here?"

"Probably same reason as you. Alex is doing great."

oOo

In the playground, Alex was indeed having fun, but there was more. He kicked the ball and suddenly, the ball just got kick by air and change course, landing in the nest. Goal! Hurray, Alex won.

Wait, how did the ball changed course? Of course, it was Ant-man. But Vision didn't see him just yet.

On the roof, Wanda was intrigued. What if Alex had used his magic without knowing and the other kids were to realise?

"Nat, did you see it? I think Alex used his magic."

"I don't think it's Alex's magic. His magic is slightly blueish. No, that was something else," said Nat still on the phone. "Where is Scott?"

"Scott? He took the day off," said Wanda.

"So did you! It might just be Scott."

oOo

Back at the compound, Steve was worried. Well, a different worry than everybody else. He was anxious about Alex's first day, but he thought the training with his fellow Avengers would calm him or at least keep him distracted. But he had canceled the training when five of his team members suddenly took time off. So now, he would confine in somebody. Which landed him in front of Tony's lab.

"Hey Tony, can I speak to you?"

"Sure. What's up?"

"Well, I'm worried about Alex. And Loki."

"Oh, yeah. I understand. Alex is a sweet boy and we don't want anything bad to happen to him."

"Exactly."

"Well, can I tell you a secret?"

"Tony?" asked Steve now worried about what Tony had done.

"It's nothing illegal, just maybe not ethical, but I did it with good intentions."

Tony moved to the screen and showed Steve the daycare.

"Did you plant cameras there?"

"No, absolutely not. I hacked in those who were already there. Believe me, if it were me, the images would be a better quality."

So Steve looked at the footage of the playground. And what he saw let him speechless and slightly angry.

"What is going on," exclaimed Steve.

"Well, it looks like Redwing was flying around. Did Sam take the day off too?"

"Yes! And now he is using Redwing to spy on Alex. Just like you."

"Wait, Alex did make a lot of friends this morning. He has already like nine or ten friends. That's incredible," said Tony.

"But Sam went there to spy with Redwing," said Steve. "I'm calling him back."

"Looks like he's not the only one," said Tony observing the screen. "Is that Wanda on the roof?"

On the screen, Tony had managed to get the footage from Redwing which showed Wanda hiding in plain sight on the roof of the daycare. But she was also looking up in a tree.

"Sam, can you meet me in the gym in fifteen minutes," said Steve slightly angry.

"Oh, you know, it's my day off, Cap," said Sam on the phone.

"Yeah, I don't care. Can you also pick up Wanda and Vision while you are at it?"

"Only them, not Scott," asked Sam.

"What? Scott is there too?"

"Well, I'm pretty sure he is. I did not see him, but he's really small," said Sam.

"Yeah, Scott too."

Really? Sam, Scott, Wanda and Vision! Steve thought some of them would be better at that. Wait, where was Natasha? She did ask for a day off like the rest of them.

"And pick up Natasha if you see her," said Steve before hanging up.

"At this point, you should have asked them to pick Alex as well, would save up a trip," suggested Tony.

Out of the Avengers at the compound that day — Tony and Bruce not being real Avengers at the moment because they were too busy being Science Bros — only Rhodey had stayed put at the compound. Wow! One out of six.

oOo

The Avengers came back to the compound with Alex. Let's just say the boy was the only one smiling.

"Hey guys, what do you think Cap is going to do," asked Scott.

"Well, he's not going to be happy," said Rhodey welcoming them home.

Loki saw them and immediately ran to Alex.

"Daddy!"

"Alex, how was your day? What happened?"

Loki hugged Alex, but he was worried to see all the Avengers take him home a bit earlier than planned.

"It was fun! I made friends! There's Lucy, and Louisa, and Victor. And there's also Tom and Robby and Daisy. And we played soccer and I am good. I even made a goal, daddy! And we drew. And we learn about animals! I told them about snakes. Victor also loves snakes and he likes blue! And Tom is smaller than me, but Louise is taller."

Alex rambled, but Loki was so glad to hear him and to know the day went well. Oh, Alex had made friends and he had had a good day. So Loki hugged him again.

"Will I go back to the daycare?"

"Yes, Alex. You had fun there?"

"Yes! It was so fun!"

"That's great," said Loki and then he stood up. "And why did you bring him back early? Why did it take all of you to pick him up?"

Steve was beside Loki, arms crossed.

"Yeah, why did you come back earlier when you all had a perfectly good day off with no mission whatsoever, no spying, no hiding, no hacking," said Steve looking at them and Tony.

"Well, I told Loki I would keep an eye on Alex," said Scott. "I didn't know everyone else would also be there."

"Steve, you know we won't let Loki down," said Natasha. "Loki and Alex are part of the group and we protect our own."

Our own? Loki was touched. Natasha Romanoff had spied for him, to keep Alex safe.

"Hey, all I have to say for myself is that I didn't even leave my lab," said Tony.

"Loki, you knew about Scott," asked Steve.

"He did say he would do it. But I wasn't sure he would follow through," answered Loki.

"Well, I was harmless, and invisible," said Scott.

"But you all used your power or some other tricks to do something without authorisation," said Steve. "Rhodey, Bruce, can you keep an eye on Alex and Storm? The rest of you, in the gym, now."

oOo

Was Loki in trouble? It was hard to tell. He had not done anything wrong, but nothing right neither. He had just kept the truth about Scott's intention to himself. But at the same time, it had reassured him to know Alex was not alone.

oOo

So here they were, Loki, Sam, Scott, Tony, Vision, Wanda and Natasha all lined up in front of Steve in one of the gyms.

"What you did is wrong, do you realise that?"

"But we did it out of kindness," justified Wanda. "To help Loki."

"Loki here is the less guilty of you all, because your crimes, Loki, is to not report to me what Scott was about to do."

"Cap, he doesn't have to tell you," said Scott. "He said he didn't believe I would do it. Loki should not be punished. And no one saw me. How did you even know I was there before you called?"

"You kicked the ball," said Natasha like it was nothing.

"I made Alex won the game. He was really happy about it," said Scott.

"But we should not interfere," said Steve. "I get that you all love Alex and you all turned into mother hens to make sure he is safe. The thing is you should not spy on people without reasons or proofs that something bad is happening there. We are the Avengers, we protect, but we don't just climb in trees to spy on four years old. We also don't hack in people's phone for the sake of knowing the name of Alex's friend ahead of time. Basically, you did illegal things and I could report you for breach of privacy."

"Steve, can we just acknowledge the fact that the daycare didn't even realise there were — how many? — Wanda, Vision, Scott, Natasha and Sam, five! Five people spying directly on the daycare. And the daycare didn't even realise it."

"Okay, you are all good at your job and well trained, but you should not have done it in the first place," said Steve. "So now, you are all going to suffer the consequences."

"Wait, Steve, I understand that what we did is slightly wrong, but it should not be too hard," said Natasha.

"It is more that 'slightly wrong', and since you are all guilty, to different degrees, you will all be punished," said Steve.

Loki stepped forward, immediately, all eyes were on him.

"Please, Mister Rogers, may I place a word?"

"Yes Loki, of course."

"They all acted for the good of my son. Please, don't send them in the cell. I am the only guilty one. What they did, I admire it, I am grateful for Alex to have that kind of support, truly, it means a lot. But they should not pay for it. I will take their punishment, I will go to the cell."

"No, Loki, no. There are different kinds of wrong doing. This is light. Okay, not so light and I cannot let it pass. But it is not severe enough for me to send any of you to the holding cells. No, the punishment will be in two parts. The second one is going to be the end of everyone's day off, therefore, there will be training this afternoon," announced Steve. "That part does not affect you, Loki. You are still in paternity leave. Nor you, Tony, thought I would highly recommend it. However, the first part of the punishment is for everyone. You will all do 15 jumping-jacks, 20 push-ups and 30 laps around the gym."

"No! This is too much, I'm out," declared Tony.

"Tony! You are as guilty as the others," said Steve. "Just because you didn't leave the lab doesn't mean you didn't hack cellphones."

"It's not fair! They all are more physical than me," complained Scott.

"If you want, we can add a two minutes plank or 20 more laps," suggested Steve.

"Before we start, I just want to say I am grateful for the support you showed for Alex," said Loki. "It means a lot, so thank you."

And on that, the Avengers nodded and started their jumping-jacks. Some of them were slower, but they were not complaining anymore at least. They were superheroes, they could totally run a few laps without breaking a sweat. After all, the part that bother most of them was that it was imposed by Steve as punishment, because, usually, it was part of their normal training.

As for Loki, that punishment was light. It was physical, but not a corporal punishment like a beating. For Loki, a god, doing exercise was easy. He grew up with Thor and his big brother had always been the best at a lot of physical activities, but Loki was far from the worst. So Loki took his punishment with pride and did the jumping-jacks.

For Vision, being an android who could do practically any physical tasks, that punishment was just light. He could have been done with it really fast, but he took his time to not anger the others.

Tony complained about wanting his suit, but he did the exercises anyway. He may not enjoy it, but he got time to think of what he could do to watch over Alex and not getting caught again. Well, not telling Steve would be a great start.

Wanda was using her magic for that. Well, she was pulling energy from elsewhere for herself. But it was normal for her to do that, it was part of her magic. Though she preferred to fly instead of running and jumping.

Sam was glad Steve was not running against him. He had more fun while someone was not passing him twice per lap saying "on your left".

Natasha was doing the exercise like it was nothing. Well, the red room trained her well and she was not complaining. Okay, she had lied and spied, but she would not blame herself for that. She too wanted to make sure Alex was okay on his first day.

Scott was complaining and pestering, but he was keeping it to himself. He was scared to still be on probation because he knew the Avengers could have fired him. But, honestly, he would have done the same for Cassie if he had the suit back then. And hey, did Hank Pym use it for the same purpose at one point? Probably!

Surprisingly to them, Loki was the first to finish. Well, Vision could have finished before, but he didn't want to.

"Wow, already? You should race Captain America," suggested Sam.

"Loki, how fast can you go," asked Steve.

"Pretty fast, Sir, when necessary. I haven't exercised in a while though," answered Loki. "But with my magic, I could teleport; even faster."

Steve looked at him curious.

"Can I ask for a demonstration?"

"Sure, but you have to order it, mister Captain," said Loki with mischief in his voice.

"Loki, I order you to teleport to the other side of this gym," stated Steve.

And Loki popped at the end of the gym. Wonderful! Yes, he could teleport if needed. And, he must admit, it was cool to do magic. Oh, he had done magic recently, but shapeshifting was not the same kind of magic.

"How cool is that, " exclaimed Sam.

"Wow. And I thought I was awesome," said Scott desperate. "I'm lame."

"Good job," said Steve. "Well, you did the laps, and the jumping-jacks, everything. You can go if you want."

Oh, Loki knew he was not permitted in most of the gyms, or really rarely. And why? Well, it was the Avengers compound and he was a secret and an enemy. He should not see the training and the Avengers' secrets — well, their other secrets. But Loki wanted to be with Alex right now and learn more about his day at the daycare.

oOo

"And we talk about our favorite colour and I told them I have a little sister — Daisy has a big brother call Al — and we talked about the animals," said Alex at supper.

"Do you want to go to the daycare every day," asked Loki.

"Yes, it was fun!"

"See, the kid had a good day," said Rhodey, "no need to worry."

Yes, Alex had been happy and had made friends. Apparently, Loki had worried for nothing, but he also learned he had not been the only one to worry for Alex wellbeing. This was a good thing, because Loki might be a criminal with a life sentence of slavery, but Alex and Storm would have a decent chance in life. Now, Alex would have to experience pre-school like a normal midgardian child. Was Loki proud or glad for that? Well, yes. Of course, he would have preferred to change a lot of things over the last seven years. He would not have betrayed Asgard — well, not the way he did, but Thor was not ready to be king. He would not have started an invasion on Earth against the Avengers — but he did assemble them, so it has a good downside. He would not have had the children or been raped if he had a choice — but of course, he did not, that's the whole concept of rape. He would have chosen to have an abortion for Alex — but then again, he did not regret having him now. He should have tried harder to escape the slave training — but he might not have lived through it if he had succeeded. He could have decided to have an abortion for Storm, but he was happy of his choice.

At the end of the day, looking back on everything he had done, he was happy with his life. Alex was well and happy. Storm was a beautiful healthy baby. The Avengers actually care for him and the children. He had a family. A weird unusual family. But a family. And it was great! Loki was glad that his children would grow up with all that support and love. No, Loki would not misbehave, not because Alex and Storm would be left alone if he got punished, but because he wanted to be a part of this family and see his children grow up. Life was good. Maybe not great, but good. He was still a slave, but Loki knew he had finally come to term with his sentence.