Chapter 19
If there was one thing he missed about Asgard, (besides his mother of course), it was the libraries. Not just the one, though the palace library was the largest, Asgard had several scattered over the different parts of the city. Loki probably knew the halls of those buildings better than those of the palace itself. After his fall, and subsequently loosing his right to freely peruse the libraries of Asgard, Loki had started his own collection, and after only two years he had to give himself credit, he had managed to amass quite a collection. Books, and scrolls from all nine realms, covering any kind of subject that caught his eye, though most of them were of magic. A large portion of it had been kept close at hand, in his hideout. Now they were likely locked up in a Shield warehouse somewhere.
Well, not all of them exactly. During his time in the Avengers tower, Loki had been called for his 'magical expertise'. The first few times it had been to look at something after the fact, the villain had already been defeated and Shield only wanted Loki to look at a weapon or artifact that had been found on their person. Mostly just so he could inform them what it was and what it could do. Sometimes it was a little more difficult, and he had to watch recordings of magical attacks by individuals that hadn't been caught yet. In these cases it was Loki's job to tell Shield how to best combat each foe and put a stop to their attacks.
For the most part Loki found it rather easy to answer their questions. For one thing, he had never held any sort of loyalty to his fellow villains, and he knew without a doubt that any of them would have sold him out just as fast as he did them. For another, it was easy to help Shield because Midgard sorcery was hardly that advanced, and those that used it all seemed to use it in the same way. It was easy to pick out the patterns in an attack, and then tell Shield exactly how and when they should strike back. Sometimes though, a mortal would surprise him, either by using Midgardian magic in a very unique and creative way, or by somehow getting a hold of a different kind of magic altogether. These cases were few and far between, but Loki found himself enjoying it when he came across one. It was a puzzle, something for him to work out.
And usually in these cases he could not rely solely on his own knowledge, and needed to research. In the first few occasions this happened, he would have had to describe the books he needed in exact detail, and they would be brought to him from wherever they were being held. In recent weeks though, a new way of acquiring his books was presented to him. Bruce had given him a laptop, and on it was a program that had a catalogue of all of his books, including quite a few he'd forgotten he'd had. Now whenever he needed one of his books, he only had to scan through the digital library to find the picture of the book he required.
Of course, in the beginning when he was presented with any of his old books, Shield agents would watch him every second it was in his hands. He couldn't blame them really. Knowledge was his weapon as much as Mjionir was Thor's. But over time their security grew lax, until he could be left alone for hours with his books, and no one paid him any mind. He wasn't sure if it was because they were lazy, or if they were suddenly beginning to trust him, but Loki had taken the opportunity to sneak in a few extra books for his own personal projects. As previously mentioned, there was more than one kind if magic, and one did not have to be a sorcerer (or have active use of their magic) to use Runes.
It was a secret, what he ended up doing. He was sure that if Shield knew that he was using any type of magic, they would likely take away what leniency he'd been given. Unfortunately, he hadn't been as careful as he'd thought.
He had been alone with his children in the common room one morning when Bruce had entered. The boys' attention was glued to the television, and they didn't even glance away when Banner took a seat next to Loki. The thin man had a pad of paper in hand, which he then wordlessly handed over to Loki. On it was a small circle of runes, a set that Loki recognized immediately though he made sure not to show it in his face. Instead he raised an eyebrow in question.
"You wanna tell me what this is?" the scientist asked, his face carefully blank.
"They appear to be runes," Loki answered simply.
"Yes, I was hoping you could explain why there are a set of these drawn into every corner of my lab."
Loki did not react visibly, but inside he was shocked that the man had found them at all. He had been so careful, placing the runes behind heavy machines and well out of sight.
"Why would you assume I would know anything about it?"
"Well, probably because out of everyone who has access to my labs, you are the only one you knows anything about magic." He held up the pad so that the runes were facing Loki. "Why did you do it?"
Loki's mind worked furiously to come up with a reason, at least one other than the truth.
Bruce spoke up before he could think of one though. "And for the record, yes, I do know what they are for. I had a little video chat with Doc Strange."
Well damn. That made coming up with a valid lie that much harder. Still, he was the liesmith for a reason, and every believable lie has a shred of truth in it.
"With the amount of time my sons spend in there with you, did you think I wouldn't take measures to protect them?" he asked evenly.
Bruce just stared at him before leaning back in his seat. "So you drew runes into the walls of my lab to 'promote calmness', because you were worried I might hulk out on your kids?" he nodded slightly to himself, "Alright I think I could buy that, if it weren't for the rest of the runes that are supposed to help thought productivity. How's that supposed to help your kids?"
Loki dropped his eyes, feeling trapped.
"Loki," Bruce called lightly, "We're friends, right?"
Again, Loki couldn't find anything to say to that.
He heard Bruce sigh. "Look, it's ok for friends to do favors for each other. Favors like doing what you can to keep me calm and making it easier to do my research. I'm actually really thankful you did, I've noticed the difference since you put them up." There was a pause in which neither of them said anything, but then Bruce said in a voice a little louder than before, "Loki, look at me."
He did, and the scientist was watching him with an earnest expression.
"Thank you Loki."
There hadn't been any more words after that, and Bruce didn't bring up the subject again. Loki knew that the mortal had seen the others though, the protective runes he had carefully placed in strategic places all over the tower.
They did not make the tower impenetrable or anything, they simply protected against basic threats, though one custom set of runes located near the main entrance did stop shape shifters from entering the building under disguise. That had been an interesting afternoon...
Loki shook his head, and focused on the tome in front of him. Doom was one of the mortals that was continually surprising him with his forays into magic. Loki knew that most of the mans knowledge came from Morgan le Fae, and he was certain the Latvian was working with at least three spell books that Loki himself had read before. The problem was that Doom had a bad habit of mixing magic with Midgard science.
Now Loki had once heard Thor talking to his mortal woman, telling her that their science was practically Asgardian magic, and it was all he could do at the time not to laugh outright.
It was not exactly as simple as that. In fact, magic and science were so different that mixing the two was particularly dangerous. And yet Doom was doing it somehow, and he found it an interesting. Not that Loki would voice his opinions as such, as he was sure Shield was rather less impressed by the Doctors inventive work.
As a point of fact, Loki was careful to keep any of his personal opinions of Midgard's villains to himself. The conversations they inspired were something he would prefer to avoid if he could, with the exception of one memorable occasion when he had been overheard discussing Doom's methods with Banner by Stark. The bearded mortal had then commented on how well Loki seemed to know the Latvirian villain, and in a very roundabout way, jokingly insinuated that perhaps Doom was the father to Loki's unborn child.
It was not meant as a jibe, Loki was sure when he saw Starks eyes widen when he realized what he'd said. But the words had been spoken, and those present in the room waited to see Loki's reaction. Bruce pressed his lips together, saying nothing but Loki could sense the disapproval the man felt for his friend's careless statement. Everyone else just seemed torn between waiting to see if Loki would tear into Tony, or admit the truth of the statement.
The paternity to his child was not a new topic at all, but Loki maintained that it was none of Shield's business and continued to tell them so when asked. Unfortunately, it would seem that by not revealing the name of the father, that left room for people to make their own assumptions. A quick glance at Thor informed him that his foster brother feared that Stark was right, but was reluctant to ask outright.
Loki decided then to deal with the situation, if they were going to gossip about him, he would give them something worth gossiping about. Bruce, having correctly interpreted his intentions, demonstrated exactly why Loki liked the man so much.
"I really don't think that was very appropriate," the scientist admonished, adjusting his glasses on his face as he did so. "Especially from you."
The second half of his statement had it's desired effect, directing everyone's attention onto Bruce which gave Loki a moment to school his expression for what was coming next. Everyone else was looking at Bruce and likely wondering why Tony would be expected to do anything but ask inappropriate questions.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tony predictably asked and Loki had to admire Bruce's acting ability.
The scientist looked uncomfortable for a moment, glancing around at all the eyes that were turned to him as though just now realizing that he wasn't alone. "Well... considering that... I mean, I understand if you..." Bruce stopped all of a sudden and stared at Tony as though he had just realized something. He then faced Loki who by this point had pulled a sullen expression over his face.
"Haven't you told him yet?" Bruce asked, a slightly incredulous tone to his voice.
Loki averted his eyes and frowned. "I did not agree that I would in the first place," he admitted and Bruce frowned at him. Everyone else just looked lost.
"Uh, hey? What's going on?" Clint asked from his perch on the couch.
"Loki," Bruce said forcefully, completely ignoring everyone else. "Come on, you have to."
"Has to what?" Stark asked but was ignored.
Loki and Bruce ignored them all; instead they were staring each other down. Finally, without breaking eye contact with Bruce, Loki addressed Stark.
"He is referring to the fact that you are the father," he admitted, and only when he heard Tony's laugh did he look away from Bruce. "Do you find this amusing?"
Stark's grin turned patronizing, "Yeah, though I don't know what's more funny, the idea of me sleeping with you, or that you think I would ever fall for that."
"Tony," Bruce said gently, as though saying it quietly would soften the blow, "He's not lying, I did the blood test myself. Several times."
Stark remained unmoved, "Yeah, that's great, except that I never slept with him."
"Is that so?" Loki asked, a dangerous smile forming on his face.
"Yeah, I think I'd remember that." Tony was all confidence.
Loki savored his next words, each syllable falling from his lips like poisoned honey. "You don't remember the Bellagio?" he asked, and to his great pleasure Stark's grin froze on his face. "Or the green dress? I suppose it might have been hard to recognize me in that borrowed form, but surely you remember what happened after?"
Everyone was looking at Tony now, who looked more and more like a mouse that had been cornered by a viper. "This isn't funny."
"It wasn't intended to be so," Loki snapped, pushing himself out of his chair and striding from the room, Bruce following shortly after.
They only just managed to make it back to Bruce's lab before they both broke down in laughter. Tony's face had been perfect, just spectacular. Completely worth all the research he'd put into a conversation that might never have come up.
Tony Stark was most certainly not the father, but it was sinfully fun to make him believe he was. The fact of the matter was, Bruce was the only one who knew who the true father was. Loki had willingly told the man one afternoon in the lab and Bruce had just nodded. Loki felt it couldn't hurt telling him really, the mortal already knew of the father's to the rest of his children, what was one more?
"It's almost a little anti-climatic," Banner commented afterwards. "I mean Sleipnir's dad has that whole wall story, Jorgumand's is some kind of nobleman, same with Fenris', Hela's dad is an elf, and this new baby's, you what, met him at a bar?"
That discussion led into who else would have made a more interesting story if they had been the father, which then evolved into who would be the most scandalous. This of course is how they both reached the agreement that Tony Stark would make the largest scandal of them all. After that it didn't take long to go from Bruce imagining what Tony's reaction would be like to actually planning a to find way to get the man to believe it.
The real trick was finding information on a conquest of Stark's that would have had to have taken place around the time of possible conception. Thankfully everything seemed to be recorded on this planet, especially if you were as famous as Stark was. After a suitable subject was found, all that was left to do was wait for the opportune moment. Stark had been pestering him for months, nothing worthy of murder (at least not the eyes of Shield), but enough to set Loki on edge and itch for retaliation. Giving the mortal a small heart attack at the idea of impending fatherhood would have to suffice until Loki got his magic back. Bruce had played his part perfectly, and Loki had to concede that he really couldn't have pulled it off without his help.
Loki was only just wiping the tears from his eyes when Miss Potts entered, the clicking of her heels the only warning they had to sober their expressions before she saw them.
"May I please see the results to the paternity tests you did Dr. Banner?" she asked, her tone already exasperated.
Bruce gave her his best shy smile, ready to give up the game early, but Loki saw and opportunity and leaped on it.
"If I vow that upon the return of my magic to show you exactly how Stark reacted, would you consider... waiting a short while longer before telling him there are no blood tests?"
Miss. Potts fixed him with a level stare, one that might have been intimidating if it weren't for the spark of interest in her eye. Loki held her gaze, already certain of her answer.
Suddenly, a smile appeared on the woman's face. "That depends, just how spectacular was it?"
"It was marvelous." Loki assured her and her evil little grin brightened.
Addressing Banner this time, her tone switched back to a much more professional one. "Thank you very much for your help Dr. Banner, I completely understand that you have a lot of work that Shield has keeping you busy. Just send those tests my way when you get the chance." And with that she was gone, the clicking of her heels tapping down the hall.
"You should sell cars." Bruce commented after she left. Loki only raised an eyebrow to that and Banner waved him off. "Never mind. So now what? All of my current projects are processing, and I'm pretty sure if we head back upstairs Tony will pounce on us. Peter's going to be watching the boys for another hour or so, any idea what we should do in the meantime?"
"There was something I was hoping to have your assistance on," Loki said and Bruce looked at him, already interested.
The project Loki proposed didn't take too long to do really, not after they figured out Sleipnir's birthday. Soon, he and Bruce had cross-referenced seasons and centuries until they had an approximate day for each of his sons birthdays, right down to the Midgardian month and date.
Honestly, he felt a little bad that he hadn't thought of it before, but Bruce had placated him by reasoning that he'd had a busy couple of months. And besides, they hadn't missed any birthdays either. Sleipnir's would fall about a month after the birth of the baby, and Fenris and Jorgumand's wouldn't be until the new year.
The boys were delighted when he told them, and were soon planning the party that Peter had told them would have to take place. Soon it became an intense study for the two older boys, discovering exactly what was expected at a Midgardian birthday party. A list of invitee's was made, with the Avengers names written out in crayon. Frigga's name was added as well after Sleipnir had asked him if she would like to come.
"I'm certain she would be delighted Sleipnir. She will be visiting after the baby is born, I'm sure you can give her an invitation then."
Also added to the list were his sons new young friends, the two children of the Fantastic Four.
He still wasn't sure who was behind the whole idea, though he was putting his bets on Mrs Storm herself. All he knew was that one day after the Avengers had returned from a joint mission with the other New York based team, plans had been made for something called a playdate between his children and theirs.
That was not what it was called officially of course. The excuse was that Reed Richards was to work on a joint project with Banner and Stark, the rest of his team had just happened to come along, their children as well.
Franklin and Valeria were about the same age as his older two sons. The children were hesitant around each other for a bit, his own sons more unsure than anything. It was with a note of sadness that Loki realized that this would be the first time his children were presented with the opportunity to make friends without a cover story.
Eventually curiosity won out in the end, and the children began peppering each other with questions. Most of them are answered right away, but some the children turned to their respective parents for. Like when his sons asked why their Hulk was orange, and why he never seemed to turn back, or when Valeria asked why the boys called their father 'Mama'? And then suddenly, they were friends, and Sleipnir and Jorgumand were dragging the Ritchards children around, showing off their home and belongings proudly.
The only downside to the whole day was that in addition to making new friends, his sons had also decided that Ben Grimm, aka The Thing, was 'The coolest superhero'\ ever'. Not only did this show off their growing modern vernacular, but they also expressed the need to emulate their new hero in everyway they could, up to and including turning all of their clothes the same garish colour of orange. Not to mention that Thor was rather put out that the boys had chosen another hero to idolize.
Thankfully, their infatuation died down to more manageable levels after a week, and the boys set their clothes back to rights eventually. Now all Loki had to deal with was the growing collection of Fantastic Four paraphernalia that was taking over the toy box, and the occasion cry of "It's clobberin time!" whenever the boys deemed appropriate.
At the moment his sons were playing in one of the mat covered sparing rooms with Steve, expending as much of their considerable energy as possible. Now that they were for the most part sleeping through the night, the boys' energy levels had taken a notable rise, and everyday Loki was tasked with finding outlets for that energy before the boys began bouncing off the walls. It didn't help that now at 7 months pregnant, Loki was beginning to find it difficult to move around and was almost constantly tired. It was for the sake of his sons that he accepted help when offered.
So while the boys were off with different Avengers, Loki used his free time to go through his spell books and set about making plans for when he got his magic back and could properly teach the art to his sons. Sleipnir and Jorgumand already had some ability with magic, but most of it was for survival, ways to go about without being noticed and basic defense. It was a necessary skill from their previous lives, but now he could teach them so much more. He was confident that they would learn quickly as well, all three of them were already quite powerful. Even Fenris, whom Loki had yet to give any proper lessons to, had already shown signs of a talent for shape shifting. So far no one else had noticed, but then it was excusable since all the child had done was change the colour of his eyes from pale green to a light blue. Loki imagined people might pay more attention when Fenris started to change other more obvious features.
Suddenly there was a knock at his door, and Loki placed a scrap of paper to mark his place in his book before getting up and answering it. Steve stood on the other side, his face a mix of worry and bemusement with Jorgumand and Sleipnir standing at his sides. Fenris' feet could be seen behind Sleipnir and that was all. Loki raised his brows in question and Steve automatically started to speak.
"We were in the workout room playing hide and seek, and when we found Fenris, he looked like this," Steve explained bluntly and Sleipnir stepped aside dutifully to reveal Fenris. A blonde Fenris, with short hair that greatly resembled a certain super soldier. Fenris looked up at him with a blank look that Loki found himself mirroring. Glancing back at Steve, Loki gave the man a look that clearly said 'continue your explanation.'
"I just want to make sure that- that this was nor- uh... that he was ok?"
Loki glanced back down at his youngest son again and gave him a smile. "Of course he is," he stated, holding his arms open for Fenris who readily allowed himself to be lifted up into an embrace. "Though I don't understand why you seem so upset, I thought that imitation is considered the sincerest form of flattery."
Steve let out a small laugh, "I guess I was just worried you'd think I'd dropped him in a puddle of peroxide or something."
"What is peroxide?" Jorgumand asked.
"It is a substance mortals put in their hair to change its colour," Loki explained as Sleipnir slipped past him, making a beeline for his Lego. "Sleipnir, aren't you forgetting something?"
His eldest jumped back up and ran to the door. "Thank you very much for playing with us Steve!"
"Yes, Thank you!" Jorgumand added much more enthusiastically before following Sleipnir back to the toys.
"I hope they weren't any trouble," Loki said once it was just him, Fenris and Steve at the doorway.
"Of course not, I was only a little freaked out by Fenris because I wasn't sure if something like that was supposed to happen. The boys told me it was ok, but I just wanted to make sure. Changing hair colour isn't something I normally expect when babysitting." the soldier shook his head. "They sure are full of surprises."
Loki smirked at that. "Captain, you have no idea."
I'm sorry about the delay, I kind of forgot how huge the chapters were, and accidentally broke my beta reader. I'm pretty sure she hates me right about now…. Anyways! Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I hope it answers some of those questions you had!
But before you go, I need help! As you all know, this story is done, leaving me way to much free time on the train. I already have one story half done, and another in the works. What I need help with is the second new story. The story is going to take place halfway through 'Thor', and go from there, and I want everything to be as canon as possible (except for the obvious changes to the timeline my fic creates). What I need help with is this: I need a pairing. preferably slash, as I can not pair Loki with a female without imposing my own self into that girl. Now normally I'd just go with the tried and true Tony/Loki, but as I mentioned, I want this to be as canon as possible, and that means Tony is in a healthy relationship with Pepper in the Avengers. I've tried playing out a Bruce/Loki or Steve/Loki but I'm struggling cause they are so very straight. I need help. Please! You all helped so much with the shaping of this story, and giving me ideas so I am asking for the same here. Leave me a review or a PM with plot ideas or suggestions for a pairing for Loki, he needs some love in this story. Hopefully something will spark in my head and help me get past this block!
As always, thank you so much for reading and for all the wonderful reviews!
EDIT: THIS IS NOT THE LAST CHAPTER! I meant that I'm finished writing this story, I have not finished posting though! There is still one more (HUGE) chapter, and a (HUGE) epilogue! I repeat! This is NOT the last chapter.