Warning: Depression, cutting, mentions of bullying and child neglect

Loki's Forgotten Son

"Alright," Dean huffed, peaking around the corner of the alley. "The Incubus is heading back to the bar." Sam peaked around his brother's shoulder, watching too. The angels by their feet stood silently as they waited for the hunters to voice their plan. The five had left Jody's not long after Bobby had burst in Lucifer's bedroom shouting about a case. Sam had argued with Dean while they got ready for the trip, not wanting to bring the angels along. The case wasn't as dangerous as most are though and after a few puppy dog stares Sam had melted into allowing the angels to come.

Gabriel sighed in boredom and looked to the other end of the alley, watching as people walked back and forth. He watched as an elderly man walked by with a Seeing Eye dog, a young lady and man walk by with a stroller, and then there was–

Loki paced down the halls of his home in Asgard, tears streaming down his face. A knife sat balanced between his fingers. He couldn't shake the pain burning through his veins. He'd tried fighting through it, but he couldn't do it any longer. Loki stopped his pacing and held up the knife he had been white knuckling. A scream howled from his lips and Loki slashed down with the sharp knife, letting the cool metal glide against his pale skin. Blood flowed from the wound and Loki fell to his knees. Blood dribbled down onto the tiled floor around him and grace glowed softly from his wrist. Loki held up the knife again, but stopped before he could do anymore to his body. The light draining from his wrist began to build, shifting into a small ball of light. Loki frowned and watched as the ball finally cut off from his body. The grace flowing from Loki stopped and the ball of light bobbed over to the young god. Loki held out his hands and the glowing ball of grace settled there and shifted until taking on a new form. The light started to dim and instead of a ball of light in his arms, Loki was blessed with a small baby. His tears from earlier drained away and the pain he'd been suffering once before disappeared, chased away by the soft cooing of the little boy in his arms. Loki ran gentle fingers along the baby's soft skin. He had borne a child from his own grace. It wasn't something typical of other pagan gods, but Loki was not a typical pagan.

"Oh…oh, my son…my little boy," Loki whispered, kissing his son on the cheek. "I name you –"

"– Vali." Gabriel breathed. A boy that looked to be in his late teens walked past the end of the alley. He had choppy black hair and his is skin was as pale as it had been when he was only a babe. His blue eyes were just as bright as the day of his birth and even more lost than the day he disappeared. A mantra of emotions thrummed at Gabriel's heart and he watched as Vali disappeared from his vision. His entire being ached for his son and before Gabriel realized it, his feet were moving from under him and he was out of the alley.

Gabriel's head swiveled back and forth, searching for his son in the crowd. He spotted Vali in the distance, dragging his ragged Nike covered feet with each step. Gabriel opened his mouth to call out to his child, but stopped himself. Would Vali talk? The child hadn't all those years ago, so why would he now? Gabriel's stomach knotted. No, he should have talked to Vali. He should have tried to help his son. What did he do? Nothing! Gabriel's eyes began to sting and he quickly wiped at them. He couldn't lose that chance now. He had to go to Vali. He had to know why Vali left, but how?

Gabriel looked down at himself, light bulb turning on above his head. Maybe Vali would open up to another child?

Vali started to grow farther and farther away and Gabriel quickly made his decision. The archangel dashed from the spot he'd been frozen to and ran after his son.

"Gabriel!" Sam cried out, call instantly echoed by his brother and the angels. The Incubus was long gone by now, but the hunters didn't care. They're three angels had suddenly become only two and panic was starting to set in. "Gabe, where are you?" Sam shouted again, but he was again left with no answer.

"Can you two sense him at all?" Dean asked the angels while peaking under a parked car. Castiel and Balthazar both nodded, eyes skimming down the street a ways away.

"He's close," Castiel started. "He's moving though."

"Growing farther away," Balthazar agreed.

"Quick? Like he's in a car or something?" Sam questioned. "Or slow?"

"Slow," Balthazar said with a nod. "He's definitely walking."

"Damn it, Gabe," Dean groaned, running a hand down his face. "What the hell could he be doing?"

"Let's hope something not life threatening," Sam mumbled under his breath. He scooped Castiel and Balthazar into his arms and nodded at his brother. "Come on. Let's go find him."

It didn't take long for Gabriel to catch up with Vali. The boy only went down a few blocks before settling in an alley behind a Chinese restaurant. Gabriel frowned as he watched his son push through garbage bins and dumpsters. The boy collected half eaten Chinese food and ratty fabrics before walking over to a dimply lit part of the alley. It was there that Vali settled down, draping the fabrics over his legs to keep warm. He used his fingers to pick through the Chinese food he collected, slurping up over-cooked noodles and half-eaten dumplings. Gabriel's stomach lurched as he watched. Was this how his son had been living? Gabe held a hand in front of his mouth, trying to hold down the bile rising in his stomach. "I should have found him ages ago. I should have saved him from this," Gabriel muttered to himself.

"Are you going to hide over there all day?" Gabriel startled. Vali was staring at him, mouth full of noodles. Gabriel cursed under his breath, but stepped out of the shadows so Vali could see him. The pagan looked him over, brow creasing ever so slightly. "You aren't a normal child," Vali stated. Gabriel remained silent, watching Vali carefully, trying to determine what to do.

"I'm hungry," Gabriel stated, ignoring Vali's statement. Vali glowered at him and pointed a sauce covered finger at the garbage bin.

"I've cleaned it out. There's nothing for you here." Gabriel flinched at his son's coldness, but didn't back down.

"Please," Gabriel whimpered, swaying on his feet a little to add to the act. "Just a taste?" Vali glowered at him stubbornly, but even he was no match for the angel's big golden eyes. Vali caved with a sigh and patted the ground next to him.

"Come on, but don't eat all my food." Gabriel nodded and hurried over, plopping next to his son. The box of noodles and dumplings found its way down to him then and Gabriel picked out a smaller dumpling for himself before letting Vali take the box back. They ate together in silence, staring straight ahead and nibbling at their food.

"My name's Gabriel," Gabe said at last, breaking the silence. "What's your name?" Vali's eyes slit and he glared at Gabriel in the corner of his eye.

"A name is a dangerous thing," Vali stated, sounding far older than his body made him appear. "In the wrong hands terrible things could happen." Vali tossed his box of food then and pulled the rags he used as a blanket closer. "I've just met you and have no idea what it is you are. Why would I trust you?" Gabriel bothered at his lip, wracking at his brain in attempt to come up with an answer. When nothing came out of his mouth, Vali let out a snort and rose to his feet. "Bye then." The young pagan started walking then, taking a turn down another alleyway. Gabriel stumbled to his feet, racing to catch up.

"Hey! Wait up!" Gabriel shouted. He rushed to Vali's side and grabbed at his black sweatshirt. "What if I don't know what I am?" Gabriel questioned, deciding it would be safest to keep up with his unknowing child act.

"That makes two of us then," Vali laughed with a voice laced with venom and pain.

"What?"

"Nothing," Vali hissed, walking again. Gabriel followed close behind, mind whirling. What did Vali mean? He's my son.

"What can I call you?" Gabriel tried again. Vali growled low in his throat, shaking his head.

"Mr. Leave me the fuck alone." Gabriel snorted. Not only was the kid stubborn, but he was full of sass too.

Gabriel continued to nag his son as they walked, not even noticing when they crossed farther and farther into the slums. They were just walking by a rundown donut shop when a startled cat tipped over a nearby garbage can. Gabriel yelped in surprise, clinging to Vali tightly while the young pagan glared at the cat currently scurrying into the dark shadows nearby.

"Hey!" A voice shouted from a shifty looking drug store. Vali turned and Gabe followed his gaze, eyes taking in the shape of a dark figure standing in the doorway of the drugstore. The figure stepped out after a second into the light of a nearby street lamp, revealing the dark figure to be a balding man with thick wire-framed glasses and a slight beer belly.

"Can I help you?" Vali growled. His eyes were like ice as they glared at the store owner.

"What are you up to, kid? You trying to steal from me?" the man snarled, lifting a clenched fist that held a buck knife. Vali held his arms out mockingly instead of in surrender.

"I'm homeless, not a drug addict," Vali hissed. The man with the knife growled at him.

"Don't be smart with me you little shit! I'll teach you for trying to steal from me!" Vali's eyes blazed with irritation and Gabriel felt a shiver run down his spine as he felt Vali's powers spike. He turned his gaze onto the pagan.

"Hey," Gabriel called. The young pagan shook out of his rage and glowered at the angel. Gabriel forced a smile. "You don't have to fight him." Gabe held out a hand. "Let's go." Vali hesitated, eyes staring warily at Gabriel's hand. The archangel frowned at first, confused by his son's apprehension. Then it hit him. He was asking for his son to trust, something his son didn't seem to have in him at all. Whatever had happened to him, Vali had lost in trust and now here Gabriel was with his hand in the air, asking for him to trust that they could just walk away from the crazy store owner without picking a fight. Maybe, just maybe, this was his chance to get through to his son.

"Come on." Gabriel wiggled his fingers, tempting Vali to take them. "He's old and fat. If we run he'll never catch us. We'll be fine." Vali's fingers fiddled with the cuffs of his sweatshirt nervously. "Trust me, Vali," Gabe pleaded, letting out a small pulse of grace that was barely detectible in attempt to give at least a little reassurance.

The old man was walking from the store door toward them now, but Gabriel kept his eyes fixed on Vali's. His son's finger's shakily unrolled from the sweatshirt sleeves he was fiddling with and Gabriel held his breath as his son grew closer to him. Vali's fingers carefully reached out and wrapped around Gabe's hand.

Gabe tugged instantly, pulling Vali into the half open door of the rundown donut shop nearby. The store guy howled with anger at them and the chase was on. Gabriel pushed close to his son, fingers squeezing gently in reassurance as they ran. He pulled Vali out the backdoors of the donut shop and into the busy streets. "Take that off," Gabe instructed, pulling off his own coat and tossing it. Vali's face paled.

"What?"

"He'll recognize us right away because of our clothes. If we get rid of our jackets we'll be harder for him to spot." Vali still hesitated, looking uneasily at the dark sweatshirt hugging his body. Gabriel squeezed Vali's hand again, harder this time. "Please, just trust me." Vali bothered at his lip and Gabriel started to worry that if he kept it up he'd have a split and bloody limp to deal with later.

"Fine," Vali said after a beat, releasing his lip from between his teeth and nodding slowly as he pealed the sweatshirt over his head.

Underneath, he wore a long sleeved grey shirt. The sleeves were rolled up, revealing his scared arms. Gabriel's world crashed at the sight and his mouth fell open. Vali didn't seem to notice his reaction and chucked his sweatshirt away. He laced his fingers along with Gabriel's then and walked down the sidewalk with the rest of the crowd. They heard shouting behind them as the store guy ran through the streets in search of them, but they went unnoticed.

Vali turned them down another block before taking a seat at the bus stop. Vali let out a slow sigh of relief and looked to Gabriel with a small smile.

"The name's Vali," the pagan stated. Gabriel's eyes widened and Vali shrugged. "You asked me to trust you and…and I did. I might as well use it up while I have it, right?" Gabriel grinned and held out his hand, taking Vali's and shaking it.

"Nice to meet you Vali." Gabriel's eyes skimmed down to the cuts littering Vali's skin. This time Vali did notice his gaze. Carefully, Vali rolled his sleeves down, hiding the markings.

"Sorry," Vali whispered. "I know it bothers some people…" Vali trailed off, chancing a look at Gabriel. What he found was just a sad looking, golden haired boy. "What?" Gabriel let out a little sniffle and Vali's eyes widened when he saw the tears in Gabriel's eyes.

"Gabriel?" he called as gently as he could. "Are…are you okay—"

His sentence was quickly broken by a startled gasp as Gabriel lunged at him, wrapping his arms around the young pagan. "What are you –" Gabriel sniffled again, this time against Vali's chest

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I'm so sorry." Vali pushed Gabriel back with a gentle, but strong hand. He stared into Gabe's eyes a second and then moved his hand to Gabriel's face, wiping at the tears that managed to fall down the angel's face already.

"Hey, hey," Vali whispered, looking at a loss of what to do other than wipe away Gabe's tears. "It's fine. I just…I'm kind of screwed up."

"No you're not. You're just a kid," Gabe whimpered, forgetting about the cover he had been trying to uphold. "You should be with your family and living happy not…not…" Vali pulled his hands back from Gabriel's face, looking sadly at his lap.

"I do have a family," Vali admitted. "I…um…had a dad and tons of other siblings, but…" Vali swallowed. "I'm not like any of them. I was always different. My siblings always picked on me and I…" Vali shook his head sadly. "I went to my dad to talk to him about my problem, but I couldn't bring myself to ask. I was the black sheep of the family and I think Dad knew that too. He always did spend more time with my other siblings after all. I thought it was because of my abnormal powers, but it was probably because I wasn't as successful as my other siblings. My name is hardly mentioned in any books about the Norse gods. I feared that if I talked to my dad that he'd let his rejection known. I didn't want to get hurt like that." Vali ran a hand over his eyes, forcing back tears as it all flooded out to him. "Eventually I got tired of being the freak of the family and ran away. Even while trying to live a new life as a human I was still the black sheep. My powers were what frightened me the most. I knew nothing about them and knew of no one who had the same strengths of me. I tried to conceal them, but every once and a while I'd get angry or upset and they'd blast out. I started isolating myself, hiding in the shadows. On the bad days I'd lash out my powers onto myself." Vali lifted a hand, letting the sleeve fall a little to reveal the scars. "I could heal them, but I don't. They're a reminder of what I am; a freak."

"NO! No you're not a freak!" Gabriel screamed at last, trembling as he grabbed at Vali's shirt. Vali stared at him wide eyed, watching as Gabriel broke completely. The concentration on hiding his wings snapped and the golden appendages poofed into reality. Vali only had a moment to stare though because Gabriel was shaking him and speaking again. "You're different from your brothers and sisters, but that was never your fault, Vali. The others were mostly adopted and all that, but you…you were special." Gabriel pulled down his sleeve, revealing his wrist. He waved his opposite hand over it and a long white scar appeared. "You are a part of my grace, my very essence," Gabriel admitted. "You were different from the others because you weren't a pagan like them, Vali. My son, you were born an angel. Just like me."

Silence coiled around them and Gabriel's eyes widened when he realized what had just happened. Vali stared at him with wide eyes laced with confusion and shock.

"Loki?" Vali stammered. Gabriel shook his head.

"No and yes. I'm actually the archangel Gabriel. I ran away from home and took up the identity of Loki. I started over, but even that life disappeared for me. Now, I'm an angel again. Well, a fledgling, but an angel none the less." Anger burned in Vali's eyes and he pushed his father from his lap, sending him tumbling onto the ground. Gabriel moaned as his knees scraped against the sidewalk, but he ignored the pain and gave his full attention to his son.

"I was an angel and you never thought to tell me?!" Vali screamed, getting up from his seat. "Didn't you think I deserved to know? To have an explanation for my differences from the other children of Asgard?!"

"I didn't realize how bad you were hurting," Gabriel admitted. "I should have. You were my son. My beautiful baby boy…" Gabriel wiped a hand over his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Vali. I don't have an excuse for treating you like I did. I should have been there. I should have fought the bullies away or been by your side when you were upset. I failed you, Vali, and I…no amount of apologies will every make up for the hell I've put you through."

"Damn straight," Vali hissed, turning his back on his father. His shoulders were shaking. Gabriel watched him, reaching out a hand.

"I don't deserve you, Vali, but I need to say it…." Gabriel swallowed thickly and rose to his feet, walking over to stand behind his son. "I asked you to do this before, Vali. I asked you to trust me and I'm going to ask you again. I won't blame you if you say no, but I love you, Vali. I've learned so much about family since we last met. I went back to my brothers and made amends with them. I learned what being a family is about and…Vali I want that with you. I want to be your dad again." Gabriel let out a shaky breath and held out his hand, watching as Vali looked at him over his shoulder with reddened eyes. "Please, Vali, trust me."

Gabriel waited, watching as his son stood stiffly in front of him. He waited for the rejection he knew that was coming, but Vali surprised him.

"Why are you a child?" Gabriel blinked at his son in shock and Vali repeated his question. The archangel shook himself and looked at his feet.

"It was a witch and God himself," Gabriel explained. "They de-aged me and my siblings to teach us a lesson."

"The lesson you spoke before? About family?" Vali asked. Gabriel nodded slowly, a small smile curving over his face.

"Um, yes. Two of my younger brothers and I are staying with a few human friends. We've been staying at a little house with one of my older brothers and it's been cramped, but…" Gabriel smiled sheepishly back at his son. "There's always room when it comes to family." Vali tensed.

"Your friends would want a freak like me staying with them?" Gabriel barked out a laugh. "Trust me. You are far more normal than majority of them. They don't look at people like that, Vali, and neither do I. I promise, Vali. Please, just believe me?"

Vali turned around, facing his father with a tired look in his eye. He looked at Gabriel's outstretched hand, looking torn at what to do.

Feet pattered down the alley and five familiar faces came into view.

"Oops," Gabriel whispered as he watched the Winchesters and his brothers run towards him, knives and guns at the ready.

"Who are…" Vali trailed off as Gabriel suddenly flew into the air, hovering protectively in front of Vali, wings out and flared wide. The Winchesters and Cas and Balthazar all stopped in their tracks, glaring at the archangel.

"What the hell, Gabe?!" Dean shouted at the archangel. "You had us worried sick!"

"We've been looking everywhere for you!" Balthazar joined in while he and Cas both glared daggers into the archangel's face. The only one not yelling was Sam. Instead, the younger Winchester was staring past Gabe and at Vali with a curious look.

"Gabe, who's this?" Sam questioned. Everyone stiffened, suddenly noticing too that Gabriel was not alone. Castiel and Balthazar stepped forward, frowning at the stranger.

"He's an angel," Castiel gaped, confusion written all over his face. Dean and Sam both frowned at that.

"Which one and why is he a teenager? I thought the angels were all turned into babies?" A look of panic flashed across Dean's face. "Don't tell me we have to deal with teens too? I can barely keep up with the kids we got!" Balthazar and Castiel both shook their heads.

"No, he's not one of our siblings," Balthazar stated.

"His grace is nothing like what we've seen before, but…" Castiel glanced at Gabriel. "It is similar to another angel's." All eyes fell on Gabriel and the archangel cleared his throat.

"Guys, meet my son Vali. Vali, this is my family I told you about," Gabe introduced.

"Son?!" Dean sputtered. Sam raised a brow at his brother.

"Oh, come on, Dean. It makes sense. Gabriel's Loki, remember? Loki had tons of kids."

"We're uncles," Balthazar and Castiel gasped, smiles quirking at the corners of their lips. In the blink of an eye, Balthazar and Castiel shot towards Vali and Gabriel, not stopping until they hovered right in the two's bubbles.

"I'm Balthazar."

"And I'm Castiel," Cas said, copying Balthazar's smile.

"Uh…Vali," Gabriel's son said, eyes focused on his uncles' wings currently flapping in the air. Gabriel smiled a little and turned his head to watch as Dean and Sam made their way over next. Dean slapped a hand against Sam's shoulder, causing the teen to flinch in sympathy.

"Looks like we're going to have to add another room to our blueprints for the new house, huh?" Dean questioned. Sam nodded and Vali's eyes bulged.

"Wait, what?" he gasped. Dean raised a brow at him.

"You're family aren't you?" Dean spread his arms wide. "We've always got room for family." Gabriel gave the hunter a thankful smile and glanced over his shoulder at his son, holding his hand out once more. Vali stared at the hand again.

"You really, mean it?" Vali whispered. "You really want me?" Gabriel nodded, tears burning at the corners of his eyes again. Vali ran a hand through his dark hair. "Dad, I don't know. I…this is too much."

"Shhh…" Gabriel hushed. He flew upward and pressed a hand to his son's cheek. "I know, Vali. Listen, you don't have to do anything, okay? I'm— we're here for you. Just…I want another chance. I want to make things right between us." Gabriel pulled back from Vali and held his hand out palm up. "Please give me another chance?"

Vali stared at Gabriel's hand and the air grew tense. Gabriel held his breath, fearing that if he slipped even the tiniest of breaths he'd scare Vali away. Vali's eyes skimmed over Dean, Sam, and his two uncles. They each gave him small, encouraging smiles and Vali slowly drew his gaze back to his father. He reached out with a shaking hand, threading his fingers with Gabriel's.

"Okay, Dad," Vali whispered. "I trust you."

Thank you, Lovelysalem (guest), for the request! I hope you all enjoyed Vali because he will be staying around for a little longer.