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One thing that the Avengers quickly learned from Loki’s subsequent visits, was his fondness for nicknames.
Thor was always ‘darling’, uttered with fondness, love and exasperation or a combination of the three. Even in official capacities, Thor was his darling, and by the look on the thunder god’s face, he was thrilled to be.
Steve was a dear, in actuality and for Loki. It was always ‘dear captain’ or ‘dear Steven.’ The nickname flustered him like nothing else, not even Loki’s affectionate pats on his cheek made him blush as much as being called ‘dear Steven’ did.
Tony got a reverse nickname, of sorts. Loki never called him Tony, only Anthony in a vaguely disapproving or excited tone. Tony told him that it felt like he was being scolded by his mother, for which Loki had only one reply.
“I am certainly old enough to be your mother, Anthony and if she were with us, she would approve of my disciplining you.”
And Tony really couldn’t argue with that.
Bruce had two, ‘the lovely doctor’ and simply Bruce. It would have felt a little unfair, but it seemed like Loki knew exactly who would be comfortable and who wouldn’t. For Natasha, he had a Russian nickname that made her twitch a little, but ultimately smile. And as for Clint, nobody could really keep up with the rapid-fire signed conversations between him and Loki, except Natasha so they never asked. That, and Loki had banned Thor from translating.
So, the Avengers got used to two gods living amongst them and dropping in at least once a year. Thor was on semi-permanent loan from Asgard, to help the Avengers and make good on the promise of Midgard being under his protection.
Loki, they didn’t see as often. Being the brains of the couple, as he had so smugly explained, he played advisor to the All-father and had a more diplomatic, involved role in Asgardian politics than Thor did. There was no bitterness between them over this.
“This is one reason why Loki is perfect for me,” Thor said, proudly. “I have no head for taxes, or running of the state. He can do everything.”
“Don’t diminish yourself so, darling. You can charm the magic out of a Vanir. You simply have a different set of capabilities.”
That much, was quite evident in the way humans responded to them. Both Natasha and Fury had immediately pegged Loki as a threat, knowing that there was more to him than the affable, loving husband display he put on for them. There was a darkness that lurked there, that came with his being from a warrior race. Thor was strong and equally intelligent, but had none of the cunning that Loki did, which made him more trustworthy.
Another thing they noticed, was that Loki’s help was only offered by Thor or the All-father. He liked the Avengers well enough, and was quite fond of them. But he had little love for Midgard, beyond what caught his husband’s fancy. It wasn’t deliberate, or cruel, just a simple disconnect. They couldn’t blame him for not loving the planet, when he had barely existed in it as a guest and all who he knew would die soon.
But he tried.
He would visit often, when Thor was with the Avengers and even help them when the occasion called for it. He would bring gifts and cook for them, and fluster Steve. That, seemed to be a favorite hobby of his.
They were so used to Loki’s infrequent visits, that one day Tony realized that he hadn’t come to Earth for at least two years. But Thor was around, eating Tony out of house and home.
“Hey big guy, is everything okay at home? Trouble in paradise? Sleeping on the couch?”
Thor frowned.
“I do not understand what you’re trying to say.”
“Loki,” Tony prompted. “Haven’t seen him a while. You two okay?”
A bright smile took over Thor’s face. Tony was a little blinded.
“Of course! Loki has simply gone to Jötunheimr for this period. He feels safer there when his magic is out of sorts. He is getting better now; I have visited him last week and he is recovering splendidly. Fenris took a lot out of him.”
“Wait, was he sick? And who’s Fenris? Someone’s ass we gotta kick?”
“No, there will be no ass kicking, friend Tony. Fenris is my-“
And of course, that was when Doom decided to attack and the conversation was forgotten for the rest of the week.
“Who gave Thor a baby? And why does it look like he knows how to handle one?”
Steve immediately went to Thor, extending a curious finger towards the baby. Natasha, on the other hand, went to Loki, who seemed to have materialized out of nowhere.
“I think you will find, Anthony, that it was Thor that gave me the baby, not the other way around.”
There was a beat of silence.
“Congratulations,” said Bruce, awkwardly. “We didn’t know you were…expecting?”
Loki nodded his thanks.
“Jotun pregnancies can be complicated, and my father insisted on having me near during mine. It was the reason I was unable to visit for the last two years.”
There was a certain softness to Loki, now that they all knew what to look for. His eyes sought out Thor and their baby more often, and there was a small, unwitting smile tugging at his lips.
“Wait, hold on. How come this is the first we’re hearing of this?”
Thor immediately stood up and handed the baby over to Loki, before burying his face in his husband’s hair and taking calming breaths.
“Do ignore Thor’s reaction. The Aesir were not thrilled at our wedding, and the pregnancy would have been undoubtedly dangerous in Asgard. The All-mother placed a spell of secrecy on those who knew, and I went to Jötunheimr under the pretense of helping my father. Thor would have been unable to speak of it until the babe was born.”
“Fenris!” said Tony, suddenly. “That’s what you were talking about when I asked about Ice Prince last time.”
Loki looked slightly amused.
“Yes, our son’s name is Fenris. You all are, of course, invited to his first official name day celebration. It will happen in a few months of your Midgardian time.”
Bruce looked at the baby like he was a ticking time bomb.
“He’s awfully quiet.”
“I assure you, Dr. Banner, there is no way Thor’s spawn could be anything but quiet.” Ignoring Thor’s squawk of protest, Loki continued. “My sweet is a rather well-behaved child, all things considered.”
“Yes, a wonder considering his bearer is the god of chaos,” muttered Thor.
“What was that, my darling?”
“Simply proclaiming my love for you. Come, let me show my son to our friends.”
Fenris was adorable, with round, ruddy cheeks and tufts of blonde hair on his head. His face was all Thor, but when he opened his eyes, they were the same brilliant green of Loki’s Aesir form. Tony wanted to buy a few dozen toy stores for the kid, and he couldn’t even walk yet.
“Your baby is very round,” Tony informed Loki. “It’s so cute, it should be illegal.”
“Thank you, Anthony. He will remain a child for the duration of your lifetime, so you will have plenty of time to spoil him.”
Though the unsubtle reminder of their inevitable mortality was not kind, it was nice to know that they would have a perpetually young, baby godling to chase after and coddle. Even if his mom was a little mean.