Deity

Daylight

(Here's a lil flashback chapter. Set before they moved to Canada)

"Loki. It's just for a few days." Thor tried to get his brother to let go of his cape. They were hoping to give Loki a break from being an adult and from Asgard. "You like Kayla. She showed you that thing once."

"I don't want to!" Loki stomped his foot, holding tighter to Thor's cape. "I want to go home!"

"You're going to hurt Kayla's feelings." Thor looked tired for a moment. "Please, Loki. It will be fun. And it would make me very happy."

"Fine." Loki pouted, finally letting go of Thor's cape. He crossed his arms, looking rather sulky.

"Thank you." Thor beamed at his brother, scooping the pint sized god up and took him to New York. "Hello, my friends!"

"Hi, Thor." Steve smiled. He was doing the crossword puzzle, wearing one of his old man sweaters and some khakis.

"Hey, Point Break." Tony smirked and waved, currently sitting on Bucky's back while the soldier did push ups. He was working on his tablet currently, making some adjustments to the Hulk pants.

"Where is Kayla?"  Thor peered around for the goddess. He wanted to thank her again.

"Making some pancakes." Bucky finally spoke, laying on his stomach on the floor now. His face was sweaty and hair stuck to it, small strands having escaped the hair tie holding it back.

"Lots of pancakes." Kayla came out, hair tied back in its customary braid and flour on her cheek. "Breakfast is ready. Hello, Loki."

"No." Loki scowled. He was going to stay there but he didn't want to. The little god looked around the room, taking in the furnishings that had changed since his invasion. There were a lot more photos on the walls and some plants (Bucky had developed a knack for both gardening and knitting).

"Loki, please be kind." Thor begged. He knew the experience would be good for his brother. His mother had agreed with him and had actually overruled his father. He had acknowledged that maybe Loki needed time outside of Asgard in a place where people did not despise him. A place where he could just be a child.

Loki took a deep breath, looking like he was being tortured. "Hello, Miss Kayla." He forced a smile.

"Let's eat." Bucky was hungry. He carried Tony into the kitchen and sat down. He reached for a pancake and yelped as his fingers were zapped.

"Wait for everyone else!" Kayla hollered into the kitchen. She locked eyes with Thor for a moment and tilted her head, silently discussing the plan.

Thor carried Loki into the kitchen and sat down, holding his little brother. "This looks amazing." He had picked up more Earth slang lately.

"I agree, Miss Kayla." Loki spoke politely, eyeing the large platters of pancakes and other breakfast foods. His stomach rumbled, reminding him that he hadn't touched the breakfast he had had set in front of him in Asgard.

Kayla dished up for Loki, Tony and herself. Her guess had been right when she saw the pleased look on both Loki and Tony's faces. They liked being taken care of even if it was hard for them to ask or show need for it. "Dig in, guys."

The other four needed no other encouragement and proceeded to demolish the large piles of food. It was magically delicious and made all of them feel good inside.

Loki groaned and ceased eating first, his little belly full. He curled against Thor, looking sleepy. The combination of good food and being held, had lulled the trickster's usually sharp mind into a more childlike state. The dark haired boy fell asleep, hands tucked to his chest and cheek smushed to Thor's chest.

The blond god looked pleased. "He does not often fall asleep so easily. Loki has nightmares quite often so he is hesitant to fall asleep."

"Poor boy." Kayla murmured softly, watching Loki sleep. She held her arms out for the child and carried him to the room they had set up for him. The brunette knelt down and tucked him in, smoothing a stray strand of hair away from the child's face.

Loki sighed softly, cuddling against the soft blanket tucked in his arms. His dreams were normal child dreams of playing and enjoying treats.

"Is he sleeping soundly?" Thor asked once the woman had returned to the other room.

"He is. He'll be okay, Thor. Don't worry. We will take care of him." Kayla reassured the thunder god. "Don't forget it's only for a week. Seven days and nights."

"I know. It's just hard." Thor admitted, rubbing his face with one hand while the other clenched at his side. "He is vulnerable and it's making me want to bundle him up and hide him."

"You're his older brother. Of course you feel that way." The deity soothed, looking at Thor softly. "This is just a way to get Loki away from the mess in Asgard."

"So why does it feel like I'm abandoning him?" Thor was usually a confident man but he was worried about his brother. He had messed up a lot before and wanted to do better.

"First time you've left him since he was turned into a child." Kayla was smiling fondly at Thor. "It's natural. Now, get back to Asgard and straighten everything out for him."

"Thank you." Thor was grateful and left, feeling much more reassured.