A/N: Hello all! This is just a short little chapter, but I figured I'd better post it while I had the chance. We're almost to the end! As always, thank you so much for reading, for the faves and follows, and the reviews! I send you many virtual kitten and puppy cuddles.

Seds

Thor was holding court, his tiny nephew easily cradled in one arm. Since there appeared to be no threat of the infant having the Jotunn power of turning humans into popsicles, he very generously allowed each of the waiting team members to take an up-close look at Jacob, proudly proclaiming them to be the tyke's "Aunt" or "Uncle," by way of introduction. Natasha cooed something in Russian to the baby and stroked a sky-blue cheek; the baby instantly turned his face in that direction and tried to nuzzle her. "Oh, crap," Natasha said in English. "I'm in love. Thor, let me hold him!"

"In a moment, my dear. Let the Captain have a look."

Steve stepped forward and tentatively peered at the small face before breaking into a big smile and saying "Hey—welcome to the world, little guy!" He put his finger in Jacob's tiny fist, and the baby instinctively gripped it, making Steve laugh in amazement. "Gosh, he's strong! He'll be a tough one in the ring someday!"

Thor laughed too, and then turned his gaze to Clint. "Hawkeye? Come, meet the newest Avenger!"

Clint hung back for a moment, but then curiosity got the better of him, and anyway, Natasha gave him a tiny-but-effective shove and he moved closer, frowning, his eyes locked on the little half-alien infant. It was a good thing he was prepared for the blue skin, or he might have said something to earn a nasty growl from Thor; as it was, he took in the sight and was captured by the beautiful dark, knowing eyes staring back at him. He took a deep breath. "He's a little small to handle a bow and arrow right now," Clint said slowly. "But when the time comes, I can, uh... I can show him a few things. If his dads want me to."

"I'm okay with that." Tony walked in, followed by Loki with Frigga on his arm. Tony turned to give Loki a mild look of warning. "How about you, Daddy-Bear?"

Loki left Frigga's side and strode up to Thor. He gave his brother a small grin. "If it won't pain you too much, dear Uncle Thor, I'll take my son now." Thor looked a bit chagrined at the thought of Loki ripping the tiny creature away from him, but then he broke into a huge grin himself. "Of course, brother. He's a fine one. I daresay you couldn't have done better."

Smiling, Loki gathered Jacob into his arms and turned back to Clint. "Well, Barton, I'm grateful for your kind offer. I can't think of anyone more suited to train my son in the ways of the archer." Loki stood straight and tall, but without the mocking glint in his eyes he so often reserved for potential nemeses. He offered a hand to Clint. "It would, in fact, be an honor."

Clint held Loki's gaze for a long moment. He didn't trust the guy, and probably never would. But this wasn't a time for friction, and Tony's encouraging expression helped him to reach out, take Loki's hand, and give it a firm shake. "Yeah, well. Don't want him to pick up any bad habits while he's learning." Don't ever want him to question which side he's on, either. Not if I can help it.

Loki's grin deepened, as if he could hear Clint's very thoughts, and he nodded agreeably. "Of course. Very farsighted of you. Again, my thanks."

There was a snap of tension as Clint internally questioned whether Loki was back wandering around in his brain, but it passed when Bruce and Pepper, and then Farbauti and Alfarin, came to join the group. Natasha wasted no time relieving Loki of his little bundle—"I've got to grab him before the grandmas get a hold of him again," she said—and she whisked Jacob off to the couch to get the full baby-effect of cuddling and snuggling him. Pepper was right behind her, and Frigga and Farbauti watched genially, waiting their turn to claim more time with their grandson.

Tony pulled Loki to him. His love looked suave and gorgeous, but Tony knew him well enough to sense when he was putting on his game face. "Tired?" Tony asked gently.

Loki had a fond expression on his face as he watched the women crowd around Jacob, but it faded at Tony's question and he ruefully drew his brows together. "I'm exhausted. I was able to use my seidr to heal myself, but nothing can make up for my depleted stores of energy. I... I feel I could sleep for days."

"Well, you'll never have a better collection of babysitters on hand than you do right now. Go, lie down, sleep—I'll make sure Romanov doesn't sneak off with the kiddo."

Loki snickered. "I think you'll have more trouble with Mother and Farbauti, but all right." He turned to go to their bedroom, but paused and looked back at Tony. "May I have a word, first?" He tilted his head toward the door.

Tony nodded and followed him to the bedroom.

They walked in and Loki closed the door behind them. He put his arms around Tony's neck and looked into his eyes. "I have to say this now, or I never will. No one has ever loved me as you do. No one has ever taken care of me the way you have. You've been by my side through one of the most challenging experiences I've ever had, and you've brought me nothing but joy and kindness. I-I've never done very well in relationships, but I promise—I will not fail you, Stark. I don't know how to show you the depths of my gratitude, but please know, you and Jacob are my life now. I'll do anything to keep both of you safe—and, if at all possible, happy—as long as I am alive."

Tony just stood there, stunned. Loki was free enough with his affection and he'd let Tony know how he felt about him in a lot of ways, but verbal declarations were rare. The genius didn't quite know what to do, so he gave a careless shrug and said, "Well, maybe you could start by not making poor ol' Clint think you're still controlling his frickin' mind. For a minute there, he looked like he was going to have a heart attack."

Loki dropped his arms and laughed. "Oh, come on, I have to have a little fun." But then, his mood became serious again and he nodded. "Of course, you're right. I still have many bridges to mend, and tempting as it is to play at lighting Barton's short fuse, I should behave better. And, I will." He dropped his voice, as if speaking only to himself. "Tsk, if only he wasn't so easy!" He somberly stared at the floor and shook his head wryly before looking up and giving Tony a cheeky grin, his eyes dancing with the old mischief. Tony had to resist the urge to wrestle him to the bed and get him out of his dapper, well-fitted garments. Instead, he cleared his throat and motioned at the bed.

"Will you please go take a nap? You just had a baby, for God's sake, I'd think you'd have better things to do than drive me crazy!"

Loki chuckled as he made his way under the covers. "I have many better things to do, but not many of them bring me as much pleasure as driving you to distraction. Now, give me a kiss and go see to our son. I hope he's not like a duck, imprinting on all the wrong people."

Tony leaned down and kissed Loki, at first chastely, and then deeply, their tongues finding each other and causing lightening strikes of excitement to charge between them. Tony pulled back and eyed Loki appraisingly. "Hey, so, you're all healed up, right? Does that mean we can...?" He waggled his eyebrows lasciviously.

"Get away from me, Stark," Loki said with a theatrical sigh of doomed exhaustion as he pulled the covers over his shoulder and turned on his side, away from Tony. Tony mock-pouted and began to head back to his guests, but as he made it to the door, he heard Loki call after him. "Tony?"

"Yeah?"

Loki was sitting up, a sly grin on his face. "Maybe tomorrow."

Tony smiled back, ready to make a snarky comment. Instead, his grin softened, and he nodded. "You're amazing, babe. I love you."

The wickedness faded from Loki's expression, and he gave Tony a genuine smile. "So are you," he said with what sounded like wonder. "I, uh... love you, too."

"Good. Now, go to sleep. I'll see you in a little while." Tony winked and left the room.

Loki settled back under the covers and quickly fell unconscious, still feeling Tony's warm lips on his.