Heimdall stood in his most favored Asgard-watching spot. All had been quiet for days—weeks—months, really. Of course, he was grateful. But it was a bit of a challenge to maintain a keen eye with nothing to engage his senses. He idly cast his gaze to the far beyond and smiled slightly to see Thor with his Midgardian friends, and, interestingly, with Loki. He hadn't seen either prince up close for quite a while, and he wondered how Thor's romance with Jane was going, and also if Loki was truly behaving himself.

Heimdall had been pondering the fallen prince's recent apology quite a bit. He believed it was sincere, and it called into question some of the watcher's previous assumptions. Perhaps he had been a bit hasty in forming an opinion during Loki's growing up years—he recalled more than a few instances where it appeared to him that Loki could have used a friend, and he had failed to offer a sympathetic ear, thinking the smart-mouthed lad deserved to be taken down a peg. Now, he wondered what would have happened if only he'd offered the young god a few kind words and a bit of impartial guidance, wondered whether things might have gone differently for him... and for so many others.

Heimdall sighed. Probably not. Loki had shown he could be headstrong and self-assured to a megalomanic degree, and Heimdall doubted he would have listened to him, even as a youth.

But now, he wished he had at least tried.

All regretful thoughts were unexpectedly pushed aside as the God of Thunder called upon him to open the bifrost. Heimdall hastened to make way for him and he grinned delightedly when Thor subsequently appeared before him. "Ah, my Prince! At last you have returned to us. It is good to see you."

"And you as well," Thor agreed cheerfully. He paused a moment to gather his thoughts and then he spoke in a more somber tone. "I have need of the Allfather's counsel. Where can I find him?"

"He was relaxing in his chambers this morn. I believe he is still there."

"Excellent." The cheeky grin returned. "Then, I shall hasten to disturb his peace."

Heimdall chuckled. "I suspect he will welcome it. Things have been entirely too placid around here lately. I'm sure he'll be glad for the distraction." He gave Thor entrance to the kingdom, and then he returned to his musings, resuming his watchful stance.

Odin was seated at a stately wooden desk the size of a medium-sized Midgardian car. He had a jeweler's loupe in his remaining eye and was closely peering at a golden locket. Others jewelry pieces lay before him, some still in a presentation box, others clearly cast aside. The Allfather looked up as Thor entered, letting the loupe fall into his hand. "Ah, my son. I'm glad you're here. What do you think of this one? Is it too plain for your mother's taste?" He dangled the locket in question from his forefinger and held it out to Thor.

Thor smiled indulgently. "I have a matter of great importance upon which I need to confer with you, Father. You would have me fritter away our time together examining baubles?"

"Your calm demeanor tells me that the matter is less than urgent. Believe me, soothing your mother's fiery anger at my having forgotten the third millennial of our wedding vows is of greater importance to me than whatever travails your human friends are suffering. Now, I asked your opinion and I will have it." He again gestured at Thor with the locket. "How would this one be received, do you think?"

Thor rolled his eyes, but took the loupe from his father and stared into it at the gold pendant. On first glance, it appeared to be an otherwise simple piece with an intricately carved rose at the top. But with magnification, Thor could see the flower's stem was actually two intertwined snakes with their heads forming the leaves. Thor smiled slightly and nodded. "I think she would love it."

"My thoughts exactly." Odin made a huff of satisfaction as he took back the locket and placed it in a gift box. "Now. What seems to be the trouble?"

Thor sat in a large chair upholstered with deerskin and took a deep breath. "You may recall that during Loki's attack on Midgard, he used the power of the Tessaract to control two human's minds in order to have them do his bidding. Yes?"

"Oh, yes... Such foolishness." Odin leaned back in his chair and stared out the window, clearly not interested in dwelling on his adopted son's previous misdeeds.

"Well, unfortunately, the two men affected are now experiencing some sort of residual... connection with Loki's mind. It causes them great distress, and the elder, Dr. Selvig, is in ill health. If these episodes continue, his heart could fail." Thor waited expectantly for a response from his father, but the older man just continued to gaze out into his kingdom.

Thor shifted impatiently. "Do you understand the gravity of the situation, Father? Dr. Selvig is very close to me and my lady Jane, and the other man is a valued compatriot of mine. I wish to end their suffering. I brought the matter to Loki, but without his seidr, he hasn't the skill or knowledge to devise a remedy, and neither does anyone else on Midgard. So, I've come to you for assistance."

Odin made no move to acknowledge Thor's question. Thor waited with pursed lips until he could stand it no more. "You are the Allfather, but I am your son. Must I beg for your attention like a commoner?" he said in exasperation. His words hung in the air, and he knew he was sounding like a demanding brat—a technique that never went over very well with his father, but he couldn't help it. Still, he forced himself to calm down and in a more respectful voice he added, "Father, please. Won't you help me?"

Odin settled deeper into his chair and stayed silent for several more moments. He then turned and looked Thor in the eye. "No," was all he said.

Thor made an annoyed growl under his breath. "But, why? Is it because you wish Loki to discover the solution for himself? I just told you, he has no resources available to him!"

Odin sniffed a bit, a sly twist on his lips. "No, clever boy, it is because I'll have no truck with Midgardian goings-on. I no longer oversee their insignificant little realm and have no desire to be mixed up in their inconsequential struggles and triumphs. Clearly, I have a son who is quite eager to tend to them, so don't waste my time begging me to interfere with whatever trouble they've gotten themselves into lately. You can handle it perfectly well, I'm sure."

Thor fought back rising ire, trying to focus on the meaning beneath his father's blase attitude and finding himself completely flummoxed. "But, I cannot! I know nothing of the sorcery Loki employed to gain control over Selvig and Barton's minds. That is the sort of thing you are well familiar with, and seeing that it was your son who brought about this trouble in the first place, I see no reason why you shouldn't feel responsibility toward the mortals who were harmed."

"If it was my 'son's' doing, he should be the one to un-do it."

"But, his magic is unstable due to his condition, you know that! If the humans were harmed in the process of him trying to help them, you'd—" Thor caught himself as realization set in and his eyes narrowed. "Oh, gods. That's what you want, isn't it? For Loki to inadvertently violate the terms of his probation so that you can punish him? So that you can at last put him to death, regardless of Mother's—or my—protests." Disappointment and anger came over him. "How could you?"

Odin turned a disgusted grimace on Thor. "Is that what you think of me? That I'm sitting here in this chamber, gleefully rubbing my hands together, waiting for Loki to fail once again? In spite of everything, I still consider him to be my son—and always will. Do you not know that my heart was broken by his terrible fall, and that I wanted nothing more than for him to somehow save himself? Yet, think of what he did instead.

"And then, when you brought him back to me, he had no remorse, no desire to right things—so I had no choice but to punish him. But you and his mother believed in him and together, we found a way to get through to him. And, I have been so proud of him, of what he's made of his life these last few months." The gusto behind his impassioned speech petered out and he spoke softy. "I would do anything to make sure he has continued success. But, whether he wishes to attempt to help your friends or not, I cannot interfere. It is his choice."

"It is not his choice if he has no clue as to how to go about it! Can you not offer guidance? At least, tell me of a place where I can go to learn of a solution. It can't be that difficult, surely?"

Odin was again silent for a time. Finally, he gave a resigned sigh followed by a grim chuckle. "How persistent you are. You won't allow me the slightest chance to maintain the illusion of the all-knowing king." He met Thor's eyes again, and this time the pain of truth was evident in his countenance. "The fact is... I have no guidance to offer."

"What do you mean?"

"Loki's ability to rule other men's minds was only possible due to the power lent to him by the Tessaract..." Odin dropped his gaze. "...and I have no knowledge of the intricacies of that stone's powers."

Thor stared at his father with an incredulous expression. "Oh, gods. You're saying you don't know what to do?"

Odin snapped, "I know its value full well! I know how others have employed it, for good, for evil.

However, I do not know how to use it to perform tricks of the mind on easily-led Midgardians." Odin shrugged. "Sorry."

"You're sorry? A man could die!" Thor swiped a hand over his mouth, feeling a burst of frustration course through him. "All right. Well, there has to be someone who can help, someone who knows about such things, someone who can—"

"Talk to your mother," Odin said simply. He went back to evaluating the jewelry laid out on the desk in front of him.

Thor gaped at him for a moment, and then disgustedly rose from his chair. He went out into the hall to find Frigga.

After Thor's departure, the three Avengers and Loki continued to sit around the deli table, now in benumbed silence. This time, it was Tony who broke it up, addressing Clint and Natasha.

"Well, okay. Thor's on the case and there's not much we can do here. Carry on with your day, people. The minute I hear from His Honor, I'll let you know."

"You think I'm going to let that bastard out of my sight?" Clint demanded, gesturing at Loki.

"He's not going anywhere that I can't find him," Tony responded crisply. "And he already told you he can't help you. So, we might as well all go home, get drunk and watch some Netflix in comfort."

Natasha smiled at the thought. "That actually sounds like a really good idea. Come on, Hawk. I could use a drink and I bet you could too. It's noon somewhere."

"What about him?" Clint asked, again pointing at Loki.

"Stark'll keep tabs on him. Let's go, before Fury decides he needs that mission report in the next ten minutes."

Clint snorted as he fixed a baleful look on Loki, but allowed the redhead to lead him out of the deli.

When they were gone, Tony gave Loki an appraising look, and he didn't like what he saw. Loki looked drained, sitting glumly slumped in his chair with his chin resting in his hand, all the regal-ness about him wilted. Tony popped up into a standing position and took Loki's arm. "Come on, babe. Let's go home. You look like you could use a nap, big time."

"I am feeling a little worn," Loki admitted. He rose and followed Tony to the door.

They left the deli and headed toward Stark Tower. This time, the walk was more of a trudge, as Loki didn't speak other than to make noncommittal "hmm's" whenever Tony tried to start a conversation.

Seeing Loki so subdued tore at Tony's heart. He'd finally had an entire morning with the part of Loki that had, up to now, only been doled out in short spurts, tantalizing glimpses of a young man enjoying life, having fun with his partner and looking forward to the future.

Now it was as if a giant boulder had been set on top of Loki's shoulders. Tony gave his neck an affectionate squeeze.

"Hey, cheer up. Everything's going to be okay."

A delicate eyebrow raised and Loki huffed sarcastically. "Oh, really? Such an optimist. I believe there's a very large probability that things aren't going to be okay in the least."

"Why?" Tony demanded.

"Because."

As a rule, Loki's flair for the melodramatic tended to make Tony dismiss half of his dire predictions, but he really did seem to have had his legs knocked out of him by the morning's events, and Tony felt a twinge of discomfort himself. "Because why? I need specifics if I'm going to join you in your little angst-fest."

"Because Thor is going to Odin to ask for help. You know as well as I do that Odin isn't going to lift a bloody finger to help me. In fact, I imagine he'll find a way to use this against me."

"How?"

"Let's say Selvig dies as a result of one of his visions—"

"I'd rather not say that, but okay. Go on."

Loki shot Tony a grim look and stopped in the middle of the busy sidewalk. "From that, Odin could very well extrapolate that I was responsible for a mortal's death. Therefore, I will have violated the terms of my probation, and ta-da! The universe will be short one stunningly handsome god of mischief. Which is precisely what the bastard's been hoping for all along." Loki's eyes held Tony's for a moment longer, the anguish in them betraying his cool delivery of that bit of speculation.

For a moment, Tony wanted to punch the daylights out of Clint Barton. This was all his fault, bringing this distress into their lives. He shoved the thought aside and focused instead on getting Loki out of his fatalistic mood.

"No way, babe. I know Odin's a douche bag-extraordinaire, but even he couldn't make that charge stick. It wouldn't be fair to blame you for an after-effect you have no control over."

"Just so you know, Odin's interest in fairness is underwhelming."

"Your mom won't let him."

Loki pondered that for a moment, and then a small smile tugged at his lips. "Well... that's true. And Thor will take care to represent the facts correctly, seeing that he's invested in my continued success. He'd hate to lose his gamble that I'm worth saving—wouldn't give his future subjects a lot of confidence in his kingly judgment if he did."

"That's right!" Tony said enthusiastically. "Now, let's shake a leg, I need vodka like you wouldn't believe."

They strode onward toward home, but Tony's elation at having cheered Loki up faded with every step. His ire at Barton crept back—he really wanted someone to take out his frustration on. Here he'd been enjoying what had been shaping up to be one of the nicest days he'd ever had in his life, and naturally, it got derailed by somebody needing something—something next to impossible—from him. Well, from Loki, but from Tony by extension.

And, in an uncharacteristic flash of self-awareness, he realized—shit like this was going to happen all the time once he had a kid.

Okay, maybe not exactly like this, but yeah. Kids got sick when dad planned a night on the town; they had important school events going on when he desperately needed a trip to the beach to clear his head; and just when he was about to enjoy a long overdue romantic interlude with his sweetie, the sound of a nightmare would fill the room through the baby monitor.

And, hell, even if he did put his own needs first, he'd probably spend the entire time feeling guilty. Guilt was not among Tony's top ten favorite emotions... For the first time, he wondered if he'd even be able to do it. Would he, Tony Stark, billionaire philanthropist, etc., etc., ever be able to put aside his own selfish needs in order to take care of a child? A horrible sense of doubt hit him in the stomach like a sack of rotten potatoes.

And, he suddenly became aware that Loki was staring at him.

"What?" Tony asked.

"You look sad," Loki said accusingly. "I thought we decided to be happy again."

Tony gave a weak grin. "You notice when I look sad?"

"Of course I do! Look at you, you're doing it now! It's disconcerting, and I don't like it. Stop it this instant," he ordered imperiously. After staring a moment longer—during which Tony's expression didn't change at all—he cocked his head and asked in a genuinely puzzled tone, "Why do you look sad?"

"It's nothing."

"Were you lying to me when you said everything was going to be all right?"

"No!"

A knowing look crossed the trickster's face. "Oh, I know. You're thinking of what happened back at the deli. Are you feeling ashamed that the archer was being rude and crass and terrible to me, yet you did nothing to defend me?"

"Uh... No?"

"Well, that's unfortunate, because you should."

"I figured you kids needed to learn to work out your differences for yourselves."

Loki sneered at him. "I'm pregnant and hormonal! I shouldn't be subjected to name calling and implications of evil-doing—I should be pampered and made much of, given gifts and ice cream, and told how attractive I am even with a few extra pounds on me." With an irritable sniff, he ran his hand over his tummy and gave Tony a side-eye. "Or, am I mistaken about that?"

They arrived at the Tower, and Tony chuckled. He took Loki's arm and led him to the elevator. It opened immediately and once inside, Tony pulled him into his arms for a tight hug. "No, hot stuff, you're not mistaken. You're fucking gorgeous, and always will be, no matter what. As for those extra pounds, I love 'em, because it means my baby's growing strong and healthy inside you." He pulled Loki's head down so he could press their brows together. "I'm sorry Clint was mean to you—you're right, I should have said something. And, I'll get you all the ice cream you want, and presents too. I'll... rub your back and draw you a hot bath, if that'll make you feel better. Anything you want."

They pulled back to look at each other, and to Tony's surprise, Loki was now grinning smugly. "Ah, see? Problem solved—now you don't look sad at all. Aren't things better when you're fully occupied with worrying about my needs?" He mischievously lifted Tony's chin and met the billionaire's darkening eyes. "Next time you feel down, ask yourself this: Am I doing all I can to ensure Loki's happiness? Is he comfortable? Is the temperature to his liking? Is he being sufficiently entertained? Most importantly, would he like something to eat? I'm certain if you'd just learn to focus on maintaining a useful line of thought such as that, you'd never feel sad again, and—ACK!"

Tony shoved Loki against the wall of the elevator car —carefully though, so as not to hurt him—and filled his mouth with Tony's tongue. They arrived at the living quarters floor and the doors opened. Tony walked Loki backwards, not taking his lips off of him until they reached the couch. Tony eased Loki down and settled himself on him, wriggling between his legs to keep his full weight off of Loki's stomach. "You... are a serious pain in my ass," he informed Loki.

"Hardly. To date, you haven't allowed me even the tiniest bit of access to your ass."

"There's a reason for that. Tony Stark doesn't bottom."

Loki smiled up at him and gently caressed his face. "We'll discuss that further after the baby's born. For now—I really want to know. Why were you so sad?"

"Aw... I got to thinking about how much having a baby was going to change my life—I mean, our lives. How I wouldn't be able to handle sacrificing all the stuff I like to do in order to take care of the kid's needs."

"Which is ridiculous. Look at how you take care of me."

Tony looked down at his trickster and preened a little. "I am pretty good at it, aren't I?"

"Oh, yes."

They kissed, and then Loki continued. "It's because you love me. And, think how much you're going to love that baby. I have a feeling it won't seem like a sacrifice at all. Mostly."

Well-worn laugh lines deepened on Tony's face as he smiled. "Sometimes I forget how smart you are."

"Mm, I am exceedingly smart," Loki said modestly. Then he bared his teeth in a feral smile. "I'm also randy as hell." He bucked his hips upward, rubbing his erection demandingly against Tony. "Take me to bed immediately."

Tony laughed, delighted. "Ah, there it is. Smart, smart, smart."

He took a moment to ravish Loki's mouth a little more and then stood up and led him to their bedroom.