They Come on White Horses: Chapter 7

Requested by: NoVacancyMind and many wonderful others
Sequel to Knights.

Like I said, this story has gotten a bit more angsty than I originally planned, but plenty of fluff as well hopefully. I have heard multiple requests for at least 1 of Loki's kids making an appearance, so I think that will happen, but only briefly.

Anyway, on to the fluff. Some brotherly love here and crying and Loki figuring things out. :)

Please enjoy and review!

Disclaimer: Don't own. Never will. So sad.

Brothers Know

Loki was getting the boys into their pajamas (which was eerie with how quiet they were both being) , when their was a knock on the door. Surprised, Loki straightened and asked Bruce to help Tony finish getting dressed, while he answered the door. He opened it, and found Steve and Thor standing on the other side bearing a small feast. Loki just stood there for a moment, then put a hand on his hip.

"As far as I know Anthony and Bruce are four and six year old children, not Volstagg." Thor chuckled while Steve looked confused, but accepted it. The captain shrugged.

"We figured you had your hands full already, so we made dinner for all three of you. Thor says you haven't been eating as much as you should have, especially with you magic…blocked." Loki's hand instinctively went to his bracelets. He was managing to ignore the constant dull throb and buzzing, but whenever he relaxed, it came to the forefront. Loki was about to protest all of the food when his stomach growled. Thor smirked at him, and Loki scowled as he stepped aside to let them into the room.

Tony didn't run to Steve as he normally would, but he did smile at him and slowly wrap his little arms around the super soldier's knees. Steve bent at an awkward angle to put the food down, then bent over again to pick Tony up into his arms. Loki almost wished he had a camera as the Captain started to sway back and forth as he spoke to the four year old in a soft voice. Thor knelt in front of Bruce, but was wise enough (For once-Loki) to not get too close.

"Are you alright, Friend Bruce? The Man of Fury was out of line today. I hope he did not scare you too terribly." Bruce shook his head, but didn't say anything. Thor nodded and smiled at the young boy.

"I am glad, but for my own assurance, may I embrace you? I did much the same with my younger brother when he was scared." Loki inwardly rolled his eyes, but was also secretly grateful to Thor for being so patient and gentle with Bruce as Steve was with Tony. Bruce seemed very hesitant, and shot a glance at Loki. The Norse god smiled at him.

"He is no where near as intimidating as he looks. In fact, most of that muscle is fluff, much like what is between his ears." This made Bruce smile a bit, and though he bit his lower lip in anxiety, he slowly nodded and let Thor wrap him in a hug. Thor held onto the boy and let go once he felt him growing restless and nervous.

"Thank you, Bruce. Now I feel much better." Bruce nodded and gave him a small smile.

"Your welcome." Loki came up next to Bruce and the boy wrapped his arms around one of his legs much like how Tony had earlier to Steve. Loki smiled and patted the boy's head before running his fingers through his brown curls.

"Are you hungry, Bruce? Thor and Steve brought us some food to eat before bed." Bruce nodded again and leaned further into Loki's leg.

"Alright. We'll have a little picnic in here." He went over to the dresser and pulled out an extra blanket from one of the bottom drawers. Shooing Thor out of the way, he then laid it out on the floor and grabbed some plates of food. Steve wandered over with Tony in his arms, and they all sat themselves down on the blanket. The Captain took some grapes and cheese cubes and offered them to Tony. Loki set aside some food for Bruce, making sure he ate; and Thor did the same to Loki, just in a much bigger portion. They all ate and chatted about menial things, whilst Thor watched his younger brother like a hawk to ensure he ate what he should. Loki would have thrown Thor out if he hadn't been so good with Bruce a few minutes before. As it was, the food really was helping. Loki was feeling significantly better, more relaxed and overall healthier. He honestly hadn't realized how little he truly had eaten since this whole thing happened until Thor had so graciously pointed it out. Thor had pointedly watched him until he had eaten at least an entire plate full. He had then proceeded to eat the contents of another plate until he was satisfied. Looking over at the boys, he found that they had eaten good portions and their eyes were drooping despite how hard they fought.

"Well, we must thank you two for providing such a meal for us, but I think it is time these two went to sleep. Say goodnight to the Captain and Thor, Bruce, Anthony." Bruce gave a quiet goodnight and all Tony managed was a slurred and mumbled something or other. Steve smiled fondly at the tiny scientists and stood.

"Goodnight, you two. Don't let the bed bugs bite." He grabbed up all of the plates and left the room, leaving Thor behind with his brother and the boys. Loki stood as well to shuffle the boys into bed.

"Thor, it is time for them to rest. You do intend to leave don't you?" Thor nodded and then surprised Loki by laying a hand on his shoulder.

"Brother, I must say that I am very proud of you for doing this. Taking care of the young Banner and Stark. I know how hard it is for you to be separated from your own children, and now forced to take care of others….I am sorry." Loki stood stunned for a few moments. He had never known Thor to be so considerate and wise. Midgard truly had changed him then. In lieu of an answer, Loki only offered Thor a nod, but luckily that was all the man seemed to need for now. He smiled, patted the back of his neck and left the room. Loki stared at the door for only a second, before tucking the young boys in.

"Goodnight, Little Ones." He kissed them on the forehead and watched them curl into each other, seeking comfort subconsciously. Despite the joking way Tony referred to his relationship with Banner as 'Science Bros', Loki could see the trust and true brotherhood that had erupted between the two in such a short period of time. Loki smiled down on them one more time before going to his own chambers.

Loki knew he should be taking better care of himself, but it wasn't an easy thing. He had been living in…less than ideal conditions between his fall from the Bifrost and his capture on Midgard. When he was returned to said realm, he spent his first week on a Tony Stark schedule, which consisted of two to three hour naps every other day and mostly coffee and the occasional junk food in between naps. Following this is an accident in the lab, which results in him having to take care of two young boys. So, needless to say, Loki was not in the best of health. He felt bone weary and the dinner Thor had made him eat only then made him realize how hungry he truly was. However, his stomach ached from eating so much after so long of lacking sustenance.

Despite his exhaustion, Loki was having a hard time sleeping. He loved his mother dearly, but now with the bees rattling his skull and the ants crawling through his veins, he was having a hard time remembering those happy feelings. Loki knew his mother cared for him, otherwise she would not have gone to the trouble of creating the bracelets for him. He tried to ignore it, but he could only do so much. In the end, Loki's only option was to lay there until his exhaustion became too much and he passed out.

Thankfully, that point came soon.

Unfortunately, he was woken about an hour later by faint crying.

"Mr. Loki, Young Sir is very upset and is asking for you. Young Mr. Banner is quickly becoming distraught as well." Loki was swinging his feet out of bed immediately and throwing a t-shirt on over his bare chest.

"What is the matter? Is one of the hurt?" Loki was afraid that perhaps the injury Tony had gotten earlier that day was actually more serious than he had thought.

"No, Mr. Loki. It appears that they were both experiencing nightmares, and Young Sir is frightened. Young Mr. Banner is also frightened, but for Young Sir as well." Loki's breath slowed, though he didn't really recall it having sped up in the first place. Nightmares he could handle. Him making a mistake and possibly hurting a child further was not something he could handle.

Loki quietly crept into the boys' room and approached the bed.

"Anthony? Bruce? Is everything alright?" Both boys were clinging to each other and crying. When Tony saw Loki, he let go of Bruce and made grabby hands. Loki crawled up the large bed to them and settled himself between the two. He cuddled them both close to his chest and soothed them as best he could. Rubbing his hands up and down their backs, he let them cry. Loki had a feeling that neither Tony nor Bruce had gotten much, if any, love or comfort when they were children. Once they had calmed down to only a few hiccups, he kissed each of them on the tops of their heads.

"Would you like to tell me what you dreamt about? It will help you go back to sleep." The two boys were quiet for a moment, before speaking at the same time.

"D-daddy."

"Dad." They popped their heads up and looked at each other in surprise. Loki felt a small fire burning in his gut at both the boys' fathers for giving them reasons to have nightmares and Fury for scaring them so badly. His grip around the boys grew tighter, and they snuggled closer into his chest. Tony spoke then, in a quiet whisper.

"Is..is you daddy mean sometimes too?" Bruce nodded and replied,

"Yeah. He yells and…and h-hurts me." Tony's eyes got big and he held a hand out to Bruce. The older boy took it, and they kept a hold of each other as Loki kept a hold of them both.

"Anthony, does your father hurt you as well?" He didn't want to know, but he had to know.

"My daddy doesn't hurt me. He..he drinks stuff and gets really mean. He yells and calls me names and stupid. Then he cries. He says he lost his friend, his friend Steve. I thought-I thought if I could bring Steve back, Daddy would be happy again." Tony was sobbing once more, soaking the front of Loki's sleep shirt, not that he really minded all that much. Loki continued to rub the boy's back.

"And, Bruce? Why does your father hurt you?" Bruce sniffled quietly and mumbled into Loki's chest.

"He…he says I'm a monster. A freak. Thinks he can…hit the monster out of m-me." Loki knew then how much he cared for these two boys. His heart ached at the thought of any child being treated as these two were, but Loki finally realized how special Tony and Bruce were to him. They took him under their wings when he first arrived after attacking Midgard. They didn't treat him differently than anyone else, despite his actions (though Bruce was understandably wary at first). In all honesty, they were his only two true friends. (Outside his brother, though Loki would never count Thor.) Therefore, Loki would now see this as an opportunity to help his friends. Their childhoods had obviously not been pleasant, so he would make sure that before they changed back, they got some good memories to block out the bad. He stared at the far wall as he cleared his throat and spoke to them.

"Anthony, you are a brilliant, sweet little boy. Your father was wrong to say those things to you. He may have been upset or hurt, but that is no excuse. And Bruce, you are just as sweet. You are strong and caring. You deserve to be taken care of, protected, not hurt just like how you are always protecting Anthony. Your father does not deserve you if he cannot see that. You boys are…very special to me, and I promise that I will never hurt you like they did." They were silent for a few moments, then…

"Really?" Loki could not help the happy chuckle that escaped at such an innocent, hope-filled question.

"Yes, really." He could feel the boys smiling against him, and a tear fell from his eye when he heard a muffled,

"I love you…" Loki had to clear his throat so it would work properly. He kissed both Tony and Bruce on the head again and replied,

"I love you too. Both of you." They held each other for the rest of the night, falling asleep in each others' arms.

Now that Loki's admitted he likes them, I have a feeling he'll get more Papa Loki on them. :) Excited to see where this goes!

Please review! :)