The Jotun, the Billionaire, and the Other

New Folks to Our Ranks

"That movie was infuriating." Loki said to Carter after they'd put Gabriel to bed. The boy insisted on Loki singing his lullaby, and he did.

"I personally thought it was adorable."

"Everything was all happy and then not." He said as they sat down on the couch again. They'd spent the end of the day watching shows Gabriel was permitted to watch, Doctor Who being one of them.

"Well, as the Witch said: Not always."

"Yes, but a happy ending is always a good thing to see."

"But not all heroes achieve that."

"Mine did." Loki said gruffly. He'd lost poorly to the Avengers even though he married and had the child of one.

"Oh hush up, and besides, you know that little boy in the tree root thinks you're a hero, as does the man who helped conceive it. Your past matters little, its how you learn from it that will affect your future." Carter said, her dark eyes full of passion now. "If you were completely evil within your heart of hearts, do you think you'd have all this?"

"No."

"Exactly, because you would know that you couldn't. Evil people want this too, domestic life, but only to a point. One day, life and work mix and that doesn't end up well."

"No, it really doesn't."

"I'm dropping this conversation now however. Tomorrow we'll have to find some way to entertain him."

"Yeah."

"Well, I'm going to bed. I'll chat with you in the morning." She turned and went to her room, shutting the door. The home phone began to go off, and Loki intercepted it.

"Hello?" He asked.

"Babe, you show answer with: Stark's." Tony's voice came through the other line. He was obviously tired by the sound of his voice, and Loki knew he was homesick.

"Oh stop. How are you?"

"I'm fine, the others are all in bed and I didn't want to go to bed until I called you guys. Is Gabriel awake still?"

"No I just put him to bed actually."

"Damn. I'd ask you to wake him up, but I don't think that's a good idea. He sleeps as heavily as you do."

"So I've noticed."

"Did he nap with you and refuse to wake up?"

"I'm guessing he's done that to you before?"

"Too many times."

"Well, yes actually that is how I found out. I'll call you in the morning so he and you can talk. He'll also want to talk to Auntie Nat."

"Auntie Nat's plane took off an hour ago. She's running an errand for S.H.I.E.L.D right now and will be back tomorrow. Meaning, no Auntie Nat. Clint, well, we don't know exactly where he is."

"What do you mean?"

"We aren't in Paris."

"What do you mean? Repeated Loki.

"We're at Clint's house right now. With his kids and wife."

"Oh there is no way."

"Way. Nice people, I asked if they'd like to come back to the Tower to live, his wife instantly said no. There's this young girl we have with us too, her name is Wanda Maximoff, just lost her brother though."

"What?"

"Well, let's just say I am the biggest fucking idiot in the world."

"I already know that."