May! Yay! Not much going on at May, so let's make things interesting instead!
Here's the process so far;
1st Month- adjusting to Loki
2nd Month- Loki practicing magic
3rd Month- Loki's first Halloween
4th Month- Loki's first Dia de los Muertos and Thanksgiving
5th Month- Loki's first Christmas
6th Month- Loki's first New Years and first Loose Tooth
7th Month- Loki's Dino Training and first Valentine's Day
8th Month- Loki's first Summer Vacation and first Beach Day
9th Month- Loki's first April Fools and Easter Egg Hunt
10th Month- Loki's first Bad Guy Encounter!
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{9 months and 1 week}
"Daddy, when can I go on missions with you, Uncls and Aunt Jen?" Loki asked.
"When you're older, Loki," Rick gave him a smile. "Older and ready,"
"And when am I ready?"
"When people stop tracking you down for what your past self did," Rick ruffled his hair. "We just can't take the risk, especially when we're up against your past self's baddie friends. They'll try to use you against us,"
"Oh…" Loki sighed. "So I'm only a Domestic Hulk…"
"No, Loki, it's not like that—"
"No, I get it," Loki forced a smile. "Many people want to use me or want me dead. I can't do anything without people trying to kidnap me. It's alright, Daddy. I understand," He then stood up and left the room.
Rick sighed and leaned back on the couch.
{OFF-CAM!
"I know that he's an understanding kid," Rick states with a sigh. "but it doesn't lessen the pain that a father feels whenever he sees his own kid feeling left out. We all know that we're doing it for his own good, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt him too,"}
With a heavy heart, he got up from the couch and went to his son's room. He was just about to knock on the door when he heard sweet humming from inside. He stopped himself, slowly peeping in to see Loki on his bed, drawing on his sketchbook while Bloodshot laid down beside the bed.
"Da-ra-da-da-da," Loki hummed as he sketched. "Bloodshot, can you hand me my picture frame?"
Bloodshot let out a yawn but stood up and went over to the bedside table. He grabbed something on the surface and handed it over.
"Thank you," Loki smiled and took the frame, patting the Triceratops on the head.
He placed the frame down then he waved his hands, causing green magic to fuse the paper and the frame together. He beamed at his work then used his magic to paste it on the wall of his bed.
"Perfect," he grinned and turned to his dino friend. "What do you think, Bloodshot?"
Bloodshot hopped on the mattress and gave the Jotun an affectionate lick of approval. Loki laughed and hugged the Triceratops.
"Glad you like it, bud," he giggled and stared over at the picture. "When I grow up, I wanna be just like Daddy and the rest of the Smashers… The Strongest Heroes of all time!"
Rick was confused and leaned a little closer to see what his son had drawn. It was a sketch of them, all six of them, along with Devil and Bloodshot. He and the others were on the ground with smiling faces while Loki was on Bloodshot, raising a sword. The picture brought heavier guilt into the blue hulk's heart.
Bloodshot nuzzled closer to the Jotun child and stroked his horns gently on his head. Loki smiled up at him.
"I wish I could be one of them now too," he said with a sigh. "but I can't. My past self is still wanted, so it's too risky for me to be out in the battle field,"
Bloodshot let out a noise of protest and nudged the other. Loki laughed.
"No, I can't just 'sneak out' of the base. Still too risky," he shook his head. "You should have seen what my past self had done. He nearly destroyed Earth. I can't imagine him and me being the same person… but we are, and that's why it's risky,"
Bloodshot tilted his head in confusion, followed by more noise. Loki sighed and patted his head.
"He grew up with a cruel father and self-centered brother who matured too late," he told him. "Even his mother's caring heart couldn't save him from the pain his cruel father had done to him. Even when his brother changed, it was too late. He had asked for help, and the darkness welcomed him in when others turned him away for his magic and his tricks,"
Bloodshot let out a roar, sounding between angry and disbelief. Loki grinned and nodded.
"Magic is not approved in Asgard," he let out a sigh. "Especially Seidr. Only women use it, apparently. I know that it's bias, but that's Asgard for you,"
Bloodshot whimpered and nuzzled against him. Loki gave him a soft smile.
"That's why I can't go out with Daddy and the rest of my family," he said. "After magic lessons with Uncl Strange, I head here to watch over you and Devil while the others are out in mission. It's the same routine over and over again,"
{OFF-CAM!
"Man, now I really FEEL guilty now," Rick sulked. "I didn't even know how much Loki was used to being home to an empty base. We just have so much missions now since Thor announced that past Loki's Seidr had 'mysteriously disappeared from the surface of Midgard'. His words, not mine,"
He sighed and leaned back, a hand on his forehead. "I didn't know Loki missed our time together as a team… as a family. Hell, he doesn't even know how our time together as a team works since he's never went out on a mission before!"
He groaned and leaned forward as he dragged his hand down his face. "Man… we've been trying not to repeat Odin's mistakes so badly that we… we repeated Thor's mistakes and kept Loki in our shadow,"}
"I gotta fix this," Rick muttered before turning to discuss the situation with the team.
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{9 months and 2 weeks}
"You sure that this is a good idea, Jade Jaws?" Red asked as they all stood next to the jet to wait for Rick to pick up Loki from his magic lessons.
"Yes, we don't have a choice," Hulk nodded. "You heard what Rick said. We've been so protective that we've been keeping Loki in our shadow instead of n him make his own among ours. We can't keep him in the dark forever,"
"But… what about the risk?" Jen asked worriedly.
"We'll have to take it," Hulk replied firmly. "Look, we can't have the same thing happen to Loki. The lack of attention and action led to him trying to destroy the world. We can't make the same mistake again,"
"Yay! Loki Nephew going on a mission!" Skaar cheered. "Skaar protect Loki Nephew! Skaar teach Loki Nephew to Slash enemies!"
"Well, guess we're doing this then," Jen sighed. "but if he gets at least one scratch, we are dead to Rick,"
"Jones suggested it," Red defended.
"No, he told us the problem, and we made a solution," Hulk pointed out.
"Wait, wait, wait, so Jones has NO idea about all this?!" Red face-palmed. "We are so doomed,"
"Eh, just roll with it," Jen grinned.
"Uncls! Aunt Jen!" They turned to see Rick carrying Loki while walking towards them.
"Hey, kiddo," Hulk smiled and ruffled his hair as soon as he got close enough. "So, we're all going out on a mission. Dr Doom's Doom-Bots were spotted heading east, stealing some stuff from laboratories,"
"And I have to stay here and watch the dinosaurs," Loki nodded. "I understand,"
"For once, kid, you don't," Red smirked.
"What are you guys talking about?" Rick looked at them with furrowed eyebrows.
"Well," Hulk grinned. "we decided that, since Loki is almost ten and that he has passed most of his fighting and defense lessons with Red, he can come along with us as his first official mission,"
"WHAT?!" Rick's jaw dropped.
"REALLY?!" Loki gasped. "I CAN GO ON THE MISSION?!"
"This one time," Jen chuckled and stroked his hair. "Don't want you to get hurt that badly,"
"I…" Rick shook his head and set Loki on the floor. "Loki, can you go get your dagger while I talk to your Uncle Hulk about the mission?"
{OFF-CAM!
"Well, this won't end well," Hulk grimaced with a nervous grin. "Rick's rage is Something we're getting used to, but it's still scary to a degree,"
"I TOLD YOU THAT WE'RE DEAD!" Red's roared in the background.
"Yeah, yeah," Hulk sighed, waving the red hulk off. "We're definitely dead,"}
"Okay, Daddy," Loki, oblivious to his father's rage, dashed off.
As soon as he was gone, Rick turned to his team and crossed his arms. "Whose bright idea was this?!"
"Rick, you said it yourself," Hulk stepped forward. "We've been putting Loki in our shadow. That's not what a family does. A family helps each other and raises each other up, pushing no one down. Loki can come on our mission as long as we keep an eye on him,"
"And don't worry, we'll keep an eye on him," Jen added. "Besides, it's just Dr Doom. I'm sure we'll be able to handle him with no casualties,"
Rick let out a sigh. "Alright, alright. I hope you're right, tho…"
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"YOU GUYS SAID THAT THERE WOULD BE NO CASUALTIES!" Rick yelled as they battled against the Doom-Bots to save a city from being burnt into crisp.
"Eh, we underestimated Doom," Red shrugged, taking out both of his guns.
"Calm down, Rick," Hulk reassured the blue hulk. "Look at Loki. He's doing great,"
Truth be told, Loki IS doing great. He had a sharp dagger in one hand and a gun in the other as he tore through the Doom-Bots.
"LOKI SMASH, DASH AND ROLL!" Loki shape-shifted into a ball and rolled towards the robots, destroying every one of them in top speed.
"GO, LOKI NEPHEW!" Skaar let out a cheer. "LOKI NEPHEW SMASH BOTS!"
"Oh yeah!" Jen grinned, using her gauntlet as she spotted the Jotun roll past him. "Show those bots who's boss!"
"See?" Hulk smirked at his best friend, who groaned.
{OFF-CAM!
"Okay, okay, I get it. Loki's doing FANTASTIC," Rick sighed. "but this doesn't mean I'll stop worrying about him. Look, I know that he can take care of himself just fine, he's a tough kid, but I mean, this is his first mission, and it got so intense in a minute! Gosh, I'm starting to hate the unexpected!"}
"Daddy, WATCH OUT!" Rick snapped out of his worry-filled thoughts as a Doom-Bot was smashed right above his head by the rolling ball.
"Oh God," the blue hulk shook his head and went over to check on his son, who shape-shifted back and ran to him. "Are you okay?"
"Uh-Huh," Loki nodded. "You?"
"I'm fine," Rick smiled and ruffled his hair. "Now, let's show Doom the best living wrecking balls to smash through his system!"
"Yay!" Loki cheered then they turned into balls before dashing off.
Hulk had smashed through a couple of Doom-Bots when he heard battle cries and fast rolling. He turned to find the father and son duo smashing through the other bots. He smiled.
{OFF-CAM!
"I knew that this would be a good idea," Hulk let out a sigh of relief. "Past Loki was never close to Odin. Now, Loki and Rick are pretty close, so it hurts him whenever they don't spend as much time together as they used to. Bringing him along would strengthen their bond and Loki's bond to us too,"}
"How many more robots are there?!" Jen hissed as she did a sonic boom with her gauntlets.
"One huge one!" Red pointed up, and they all turned to see a huge metallic creature stomp in front of them.
Rick and Loki shifted back into their normal forms and gasped. Hulk clenched his fists and glared up at the robot.
"Doom."
"Hello, Hulks." Doom's voice echoed though the metallic creature.
"How did YOU manage to get your hands on another Destroyer?" Hulk growled.
"Made it from the scraps that the laboratories left behind." Doom seemed to be amused. "It does not contain the same magic as the Destroyer, but it is just as dangerous,"
Hulk snarled and raised his fist. "Hulks, SMASH!"
He then jumped to punch Doom's Destroyer. The punch sent it back, letting Red get the chance to kick it off. Jen did the next move, elbowing Doom's Destroyer to Skaar, who let out a roar to punch it on the back.
"ARGH!" Doom growled as the creature stumbled back. "You waste your time. This armor is indestructible."
"Let's test that, shall we, kiddo?" Rick winked at his son.
Loki beamed with a frantic nod then they shifted into their ball forms. They rolled forward and through a ramp, giving them a boost to hit Doom's Destroyer on the chest and on the head.
"Little PESTS!" Doom hissed and took the chance to grab the Jotun.
"Gah!" Loki's instincts made him shift back into his normal form. "Let go!"
"Ah, so the once-all powerful trickster is a child once more," The grip on the child's waist tightened as Doom's Destroyer pulled him up. "How pathetic."
"Loki!" Rick ran to get his son. "LET HIM GO, DOOM!"
"You dare to care for this… this child?" Doom's laughter echoed metallically. "He is a pest and a nuisance. Only a fool would love him,"
"How DARE you call my family a fool, metal man?!" Loki roared and used his horns to slash the metal arm holding him.
"GRAH!" Doom's Destroyer stepped back as the arm fell.
"Loki!" Rick jumped up and grabbed his son as soon as he could. "Are you okay, my little baby blue?"
"N-No," Loki winced, his hand moving to his side.
Rick understood in an instant and gave a nod, turning to Hulk. "We're getting to the jet!"
"And we'll deal with Doom!" Hulk yelled back then he turned to the Destroyer just as the others gathered with him.
"What happened to Loki?" Jen asked.
"Hurt. Badly," Hulk hissed, gritting his teeth.
"DOOM DARES TO HURT HIM?!" Red took out a machine gun with a growl. "HE IS SO DEAD!"
"SKAAR SLASH DOOM FOR HURTING LOKI NEPHEW!" Skaar bellowed then he and the red hulk attacked the Destroyer, with Hulk and Jen following behind them.
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"Daddy…" Loki whimpered as his father wrapped the bandages around his waist.
"I know, I know, it hurts," Rick sighed and kissed his forehead. "This is my fault,"
"N-No, I'm sorry," Loki sniffled. "I… I wanted to battle with you so badly…"
"I should have given you more time, like we used to do," Rick gently cupped his son's cheek. "but you were great out there, kiddo. Like the true hulk that you are, and I'm so, SO proud of you,"
"I… r-really…?" Loki's eyes widened.
"Really, really," Rick grinned and pulled the boy into a hug. "I've always been proud of you, kiddo. And I will always love you. We all will,"
Loki smiled and cuddled up to his father, both so occupied that they failed to hear the four enter the jet. Well, they did, but they didn't bother to let them ruin their moment.
Hulk and the others didn't want to ruin their moment. Instead, they walked past the father and son to give them their privacy.
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{9 months and 3 weeks}
"Simple healing spells don't always help when it comes to these type of injuries," Stephen said as he checked his nephew over. "Whatever Dr Doom used to make his Destroyer affects magical beings like Loki,"
"I knew that we should've called you sooner," Rick dragged a hand down his face.
"Is there a spell to heal him, Strange?" Hulk asked.
"There is," Stephen gave a nod and held his hands up. "but it's an advanced one. And a very difficult one as well. A-Bomb, if you may hand me some assistance?"
"Anything for Loki," Rick nodded and went by Stephen's side.
"Uncle Strange, Dad, is it gonna hurt?" Loki asked weakly.
"A little, but do not worry, Loki," Stephen gave him a smile and gently cupped his cheek. "It would be best if you cast an anesthetic spell on yourself,"
"I… I'll try," Loki weakly raised a hand, allowing green magic to surround him.
"Good," Stephen then turned to the other hulks. "Some privacy, if you may?"
"Right," Hulk gave a nod then he and the others moved to the other room.
{OFF-CAM!
"It's been a week, and Loki isn't getting any better," Hulk sighed. "There was a big bruise on his side. It turned black and blue in an instant and kept spreading all over his body. We tried everything we could, but we couldn't get the spreading to stop. We had to let Strange check on him to see if magic could heal him,"}
"Do you think he'll be okay?" Jen asked as she sat down on the couch.
"Loki's a tough kid," Hulk assured them. "I'm sure he'll be fine,"
"Hope you're right, Greenie," Red sighed, rubbing his arm subconsciously.
"Skaar no like this," Skaar murmured.
"We don't either, but we have to trust Strange on this," Hulk told him then he turned to all of them. "Nothing else would heal him. Magic is our last option,"
"And what if magic doesn't work?" Red snapped. "What if he's still hurt after he's been healed?!"
"Red—"
"NO!" Red stomped towards the other, teeth gritting and fists clenching. "WE DON'T EVEN KNOW IF LOKI IS DYING OR NOT! FOR ALL WE KNOW, HE COULD BE HURT AND DYING JUST AS WE SPEAK!"
"YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT!" Hulk roared out. "YOU THINK THAT I'M NOT SCARED AND WORRIED FOR LOKI'S CONDITION! I AM ANGRY AT MYSELF FOR LETTING DOOM GET TO LOKI LIKE THIS! I AM ENRAGED AT MYSELF FOR LETTING HIM ON THE MISSION AND GETTING HIM HURT, SO SHUT THE HELL UP FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THE END OF IT!"
Red clamped his mouth shut, surprised by the response. Sure, they always fought, but neither of them would admit their faults like this.
Hulk took a few deep breaths before sighing and slumping down on the couch.
"Please, Red, I know this is my fault," he spoke, almost in a whisper. "It was my idea to bring him, after all,"
"Cous, it isn't all your fault," Jen patted him on the shoulder. "We should've all done something when Doom grabbed him,"
"But we were all too shocked," Hulk groaned. "We should've never taken him out in a mission that dangerous,"
"Yeah, we shouldn't have," Red sat down on an opposite couch. "but… yeah, Shulkie's got a point. It ain't all your fault. No one had anticipated how dangerous Doom was gonna be, so don't pull yourself down so much, Jade Jaws,"
"It's all our fault," Jen smiled. "We should have all realized the risk and took him away before things could take a dark turn. And next time, we will,"
"Yeah, we will," Hulk nodded in agreement. "We'll make sure Loki doesn't get hurt like this ever again,"
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{10 months}
"Happy Birthday, my little boy blue," Rick greeted as he entered his son's room, with a tray of pancakes on his hand. "How ya feeling?"
"A little better, thank you, Daddy," Loki smiled as the tray was set down on his lap. "Mm~! This all smells yummy!"
"A birthday breakfast for a special birthday boy," Rick patted his head then he turned to see Bloodshot and Devil drag a cart full of presents. "Oh! Look what you got, bud?"
"GIFTS!" Loki gasped.
"For our almighty hulk hero," Hulk chuckled as he and the others came in.
"Hey there, little Rookie," Red ruffled his hair with a grin. "Feeling better?"
"A little," Loki gave a soft smile before sighing. "I… I'm sorry for getting hurt on a mission,"
"We all get hurt, kiddo, it's nothing to be ashamed of," Jen assured him. "This isn't Asgard, realm of bias,"
"Loki Nephew tough!" Skaar patted the Jotun on the back. "Loki Nephew brave! Skaar proud of Loki Nephew!"
"We all are," Hulk smiled. "Always,"
"We should be more careful next time, though," Rick chuckled. "On the next mission, you're sticking close to either of us, got it?"
"Wait… NEXT MISSION?!" Loki let out another gasp. "I can go on missions with you and the team, Daddy?!"
"You can," Rick nodded. "but you're sticking closer to us than the bad guy, okay? We're not letting another baddie hurt you again, clear?"
"Loud and Clear, Dad!" Loki playfully saluted, causing everyone else to laugh.
{OFF-CAM!
"This month had been pretty eventful, but I think we're gonna have a little break from missions until Loki heals," Hulk sighed. "It was a pretty close call, and Loki was seen by Doom. That's not good. Not sure if he'll tell the Avengers, or at least leak it, so they would be able to track him down to us, but let's be hopeful if he doesn't,"
He groaned and leaned forward. "Though after Loki destroyed a part of Doom's Destroyer, I'm pretty sure he won't forget that Loki is a kid and is living with us, especially after he screamed that we are his family. We need to make sure we have a cover up if ever Thor comes here to question us. But I have to admit; Loki can fight marvelously with magic and with a weapon. I don't know why Asgard would pull him down just because he uses magic with his fighting style, but it's their loss and Earth's gain because Loki is truly a force to be reckoned with. Hulk out,"}
