AN: Just so you know, there will be NO slash in this fic, just friendship.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything but the idea of the Avengers as children.
Reviewer Replies:
syrac123747: I'm glad you liked the cliffhanger, I know they can get annoying sometimes! The next updates should e up pretty soon since I already have several chapters written out. After about seven more chapters, though, I'll probably update every 1-2 weeks.
dogsby: Glad you liked the beginning, In sorry it was so short. The plot begins to be revealed in two more chapters, but then the third raises a bunch of more questions. It's gonna take several character development chapters before the plot gets any real traction.
Chapter One
"So what you're telling me is that you have to create an ENTIRELY NEW spell and hope it works in order to bring back the most efficient fighting team I have?" roars Fury at the shaking black haired boy in the interrogation room. "And it might not even WORK?!"
"I'm sorry, sir! I'll find a way to fix it, I promise! I'm sorry!" sobs Loki, hiding under the metal table as Fury stares at him with shock. "Please, please don't sew my mouth shut! Don't pour acid in my eyes! I'll fix it, I'll do anything!" babbles Loki just as the other Avengers walk in.
"Uh... Fury? What's Rock of Ages talking about?" questions Tony as he peers at the other child. Thor's mouth tightens into a hard line and he rubs his face tiredly, looking far too burdened in a six year old's body.
"His punishment," states Thor, and seven heads swivel in his direction. "For his crimes against earth, Loki's mouth was sewn shut by me, he was bound to a rock with unbreakable chains while a snake dripped acid in his eyes, he was tortured every three days, and no one except his tormentors were allowed to visit him."
Bruce sits down, his five year old body tinged with electric green as he struggles to control the Hulk. Meanwhile, Tony walks up to Thor and slaps him in the face, hard. "What the heck, man? You SEWED his mouth shut and still call yourself his brother?"
"Man of iron, learn your place," growls Thor as he grabs Tony by the hem of the other boy's collar and lifts him up. There is a sudden flash of green and Thor drops the genius, instead rounding on his brother, whom had pulled his hands away.
"They are your friends, Thor. Do try and control yourself," the unfeeling voice that Loki uses seems so very... wrong, coming out of a four year old's mouth. His six year old brother shrugs the trickster's hands off and turns away, sulking. Suddenly, Loki stiffens and looks around in fear before diving back under the table and curling into a trembling heap. Sighing, Fury rubs the bridge of his nose and watches the chaotic scene while going back over the report created by a junior agent.
Loki Laufeyson:
Current Age: Four
Being: demigod
Status: Dangerous and unpredictable.
Future Plans: Use him and send him back to Asgardian prison.
Thor Odinson:
Age: Six
Being: demigod
Status: Ally, usually cheerful, spontaneous bouts of anger. Caution advised.
Future Plans: Get him back to adult self.
Tony Stark:
Age: Five
Being: human
Status: Still a sarcastic, rich, brat.
Future Plans: You know the drill.
Bruce Banner:
Age: Five.
Being: mutant
Status: Kind as a human, but use extreme caution due to an even more violent hulk.
Future Plans: Get him back to adult self before mini-Hulk kills us all.
Steve Rodgers:
Age: Six
Being: super soldier
Status: Responsible and loyal.
Future Plans: Return himself to adult stature.
Natasha Romanoff:
Age: Five
Being: human
Status: Violent.
Future Plans: Rather not say so I can survive. Sorry Director Fury.
Clint Barton:
Age: Five
Being: human
Status: Aggressive, hates Loki, head-over-heals for Agent Romanoff.
Future Plans: Too scared to say.
Sighing, Director Fury tossed the folders back onto the desk and surveyed the scene. All of the children were looking at him expectantly, with the exception of Loki, who was silently crying under the table. "There's been a change of plans. We were going to move you six to a safe-room on the helicarrier and lock Loki up somewhere," at that, Loki whimpers and wraps his arms tighter around his knees, desperately trying to find some form of comfort. "However, due to recent intel, all seven of you will share the same section of the helicarrier. There is to be no murder, attempted or otherwise. Understood?" everyone said 'yes sir,' even Tony and Loki. "Agent Coulson, please escort the children to their room."
"Yes, sir," acknowledges Coulson as Loki stares at him with wide, scared eyes.
"Are you a ghost?" whispers the demigod, and Coulson shakes his head, smiling. "So... I missed?" asks Loki, and Coulson nods again. "Good, I'm glad. Don't like hurting people," murmurs the toddler sleepily as he carefully creeps out from beneath the metallic table. Everyone else in the room shares a shocked look, but Coulson just kneels down in front of Loki.
"That's good, kiddo. Come on, let's get you and the others to your new room, would you like that?" murmurs the Agent, and Loki nods shyly before slipping his small hand into Coulson's larger one. Coulson leads the children out of the room, and Fury just stares after him, dumbfounded for the umpteenth time that day.
"Alright, here is everyone's new room. There's only six beds right now, but we're getting a seventh one brought up. Unfortunately, it won't be here until tomorrow, so someone will have to sleep on the floor," explains Coulson, and the children share looks, none of them desiring to sleep in the hard, polished metal floor.
"That's fine, I'll sleep on the floor," volunteers Loki, and everyone swivels to him in shock. The black haired boy hangs his head in shame and grabs a spare blanket before curling up in a corner of the room. Agent Coulson gives Thor a very obvious 'he-is-your-brother-fix-him-so-things-can-go-back- to-normal-and-he-will-stop-looking-like-a-kicked-p uppy' glare before leaving the room.
The Avengers are going to bed when they hear a sniffle coming from Loki's direction. Clint smiles sadistically and walks over to the youngest child, kicking him in the ribs. "What's wrong, freak? Scared? Well you should be, since nobody loves a worthless runt like you," Clint sneers, kicking Loki again. Thor simply stares at the two with sad eyes before returning to his bed. Tony, Steve, and Bruce stare at him, shocked that he would leave his brother like that.
"Please, I-I know I de-deserve it, but plea-please just no-not tonight," cries Loki as Clint kicks him again. Growling in rage, Steve walks towards the archer and punches him in the face.
"What the heck, Steve?" shouts Clint, but is immediately silenced by the glare the soldier is giving him. Grumbling, Clint walks to his bed and buries himself under the covers while Steve kneels next to the damaged demigod.
"Pl-Please, not you too. Don't hu-hurt me, please. You can d-do whatever you want with me tomorrow," begs Loki and Steve simply shakes his head and props up the younger child.
"I won't hurt you, I promise. Just calm down, it'll be alright," murmurs the soldier as he strokes Loki's hair while the youngest calms down. "I'm just going to ask you a couple questions, alright?" Loki nods fearfully, but relaxes slightly in the Captain's arms, knowing he can trust him. "Did this happen to you back in Asgard?"
Loki freezes and stares up at Steve with wide eyes before nodding slowly, then flinching, as if expecting a blow. "Hey, hey it's all right. Easy, buddy," soothes Steve, and Loki slowly relaxes again. "Did your da-Uh...did Odin, Frigga, and Thor know about?" asks Steve, and Loki nods again. "Were they okay with it?" Another nod. Steve gulped, he did not like where this conversation was going.
"I-If they stood u-up for me, the vi-visiting dignitaries m-might be mad. It was better for Asgard if the dignitaries d-did with me as they d-deemed fit rather than risk war," explains Loki shakily, crying more. Steve felt bile rise up in his throat at his rage and disgust. Evidently, it must have shown on his face, because Loki flinched back and scrambled away from Steve, whimpering. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, don't hurt me, don't hurt me,please,please,please don't hurt me,please I-I didn't mean to make you mad, I'M SORRY!" cries Loki, sobbing in fear. Steve's heart sinks in guilt as he watches the hysterical child.
"Loki, Loki, look at me. Look at me, alright," Steve murmurs, and Loki lifts his tear stained face from his arms, which are wrapped tightly around his borrowed black pants. "Listen to me, I'm NOT mad at you. I am mad, however, at Thor and everyone else who wronged you," assures Steve, and Loki slowly crawls out of the corner and sits next to Steve, resting his head on the older boy's chest.
"Don't be mad at Thor, he was a really good brother. He always believed in me, always gave me a second chance, even though... even though I'm a monster," whispers Loki.
Steve wraps his arms around the trembling child and looks him in the eye. "Loki, you're not a monster. I don't care what you are it what you've done, but you're not a monster. Alright?" Loki nods slowly, though he obviously still unsure. Sighing, Steve releases the trickster's arms and sets them in his lap, twiddling his thumbs nervously.
"Steve?" says Loki, suddenly hesitant. Steve lifts his head and gazes down at the boy's watery, emerald green eyes. "Will... will you be my friend?" Loki says it hesitantly, and flinches as soon as it comes out. When Steve doesn't immediately reply, Loki turns to move away, but stops when he feels a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Loki," begins Steve, and his tone leaves no room for argument. Loki feels fear set in as he wonders what Steve will do to punish him. "Loki, I would be absolutely honored to be your friend," states Steve, and Loki spins to face him, mouth forming an 'O' of shock. His mouth slowly morphs into a smile and he hugs Steve, and the Captain hugs him back.
"Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you," whispers Loki, his voice muffled in Steve's shirt.
"You're very, very welcome. Now then, no friend of mine is sleeping on the floor," states Steve, and Loki looks at him fearfully. "No, nothing like that, I promise. Here, think of it like this. Here on earth... or Midgard, whatever... friends have slumber parties, where everyone shares a room, plays games, has fun, and sleeps together. This is just a great, big slumber party, okay?" says Steve, and Loki nods warily before climbing into the large bed on the far right side. Sighing, Steve checks on the rest of his sleeping team before turning off the lights and crawling onto the left side of his bed.