Spooky Action at a Distance | Frostiron

Face All the Pain and Take it On

Loki walked in, his signature smirk plastered on his face. His tall stance and his head held high gave him the illusion of confidence, it radiating off of him to everyone in the room.

After his mini-breakdown, he knew he had to pick himself back up. Sure, he was shaky, but he couldn't show it. He hadn't shown it in years. He'd made sure to hide his pain. Not only for Peter, but for everyone else. For himself. He didn't want any pity. Ever since he'd told the team that he was pregnant, all he had was pity. Pity was the only thing he had. Even after he gave birth. They all pitied him. He was a single parent. He was grieving. Of course they were going to pity him. It made him hate himself even more.

He smiled as Peter ran over to him, his heart bursting with pride. He couldn't be prouder of his son. Considering everything that had happened, the fact that Peter hadn't met his father until recently, that he was of royal blood, that he didn't have much of a blood family, that he was forced into a destiny that he couldn't change... all that, and Peter took it in his stride. He couldn't be prouder of his son.

At first it was hard. Well, it still was, but he'd figured out how to cope. It took a while, but he'd found some ways. He never thought he'd be a good parent. He didn't think he was one, even. He wanted to give Peter everything he wanted, he wanted to give him freedom, he wanted to give him happiness and safety, but could he? He couldn't give Peter a family. A blood family. That was something he'd always feel guilty about. The team had been incredible though, Loki knew. They were like a family for Peter, and Loki couldn't thank them enough for that. They had always been there to help, and even though it was mainly out of pity, Loki couldn't be more grateful.

"Hey, Solskinn." Loki smiled as he pulled his son into a hug. "Are you okay?"

Peter nodded quickly. "Yeah! Father told me some stories about Iron Man and Uncle En painted my nails!"

Loki chuckled as Peter showed him his sparkly blue nails. Very En, Loki thought. He followed Peter back to the sofa, the excited child practically jumping onto the sofa they held En and a bunch of nail products. As soon as Loki was close enough, En got up and pulled the god into a hug. Loki smiled as he hugged back, practically sinking into the elder. He'd missed En more than anything. En was his rock. He was always there to hold Loki through a breakdown, to be there to help pick up the pieces, to be there to help. En was the only one he really trusted, and that was comforting. He was glad that En had gone back to Sakaar. He knew that En missed his home, and he was happy that he'd gone back for a little while. It didn't mean that he didn't miss him though.

"It's good to see you in one piece," En said, his voice light and teasing even if there was an element of truth to it.

"It's good to have you back sober." Loki teased in reply, earning a gentle whack to the arm from the elder. He laughed softly as he gently pulled out of the hug.

"And to think I missed you." En smirked amusedly.

Loki smiled softly. "I missed you too."

En gently ruffled his hair, earning a teasing glare from Loki. The god fixed his hair as he sat down against a sofa on the floor, ignoring Tony's look as he did. He didn't want to talk to Tony. Not yet. He couldn't prick up the nerve to do that.

He watched as Steve and Bucky practically dotted over each other. Bruce and Thor were talking quietly, more than likely discussing their wedding. Loki hates seeing them like that. They were waiting to figure out how to get an heir before they actually got married. Loki wished that he could help. He wanted to, but both Thor and Bruce agreed that there was nothing Loki could do. That he'd done enough. Tony was trying to be involved with the conversation between En and Peter, but everyone could see that Tony wasn't in it. He wasn't fully involved. He was distracted.