Yep, definitely Loki's kid.

Chapter 24: Dark and Scary Has Gone Soft

I can't stomach explaining more than absolutely necessary, so I start at just earlier today when I got the call, although the rest is pretty clearly implied. I feel like I have to force my words out, pushing past every instinct in me that is telling me to stop. I don't have a choice, and how much worse can it really get?

When I finish explaining and get up to the point where Loki found me, obviously leaving out the conversations after that, the panic about losing the kids is even stronger. I try to push the panic away not wanting to show this panic for a second time in front of them, I already feel weak enough.

"I didn't mean to hurt her, I just needed her to let Scarlet go. I can't let any of the kids get hurt." I finish, my words struggling to form.

It is quiet for several moments while the words settle in. Suddenly, Tony pulls out his phone and starts typing. Instantly my heart rate picks up. He is going to turn me in.

"No please- please don't- I can't- I would never be able to see the kids again. Please I need to make sure they are alright, I-" I desperately plead with him.

"Finnley, calm down. I am not calling the police, I am contacting my lawyer." He pauses and continues typing. "I have some of the best lawyers available, I am sure we can easily get you cleared on self-defense. I also am going to make a few calls, I am going to get those kids placed somewhere together and in a place that I can guarantee you they will be safe. I am also going to figure out how we can get temporary guardianship of you until the trial and you are all cleared."

I don't know what to say.

"You... you would do that for me?"

"Of course, we would." Tony looks at me with a surprised look, as if that should have been obvious. "You are a good kid, we are going to fix this."

I subtly nod and look down at my lap where I am ringing out my hands.

I look up again when Peter speaks up from next to me. "Finney... I- I am so sorry. I am so sorry you had to go through that, I should have... I should have done something. I should have-"

I cut him off. "Please Peter, don't apologize. You did nothing wrong, I didn't want anyone to know, I couldn't. It's not your fault, this is on me."

Loki quickly turns his head to the side to face me. "No. This is not on you. It was not your fault either. The only person at fault is that wretched caretaker."

Father holds harsh eye contact, making sure that I take in his words. My eyes well slightly as I nod and wrap my arms around myself, feeling so small. He takes me into another hug, the hugs that I love so much, and makes me feel so safe and like all my problems can not reach me as long as I am in his arms. He pulls me into his chest and rests his chin on my head. As he does I hear several literal sit-com-worthy gasps from around the room, but I ignore them.

When we finally part, I look around the room and find everyone's faces wearing extremely shocked or very concerned and nervous expressions. Even Uncle Thor wears a shocked, wide-eyed expression.

After a few moments of awkward silence, Tony buts in with his usual comment. "What happened to Dark and Scary? When did he go all soft?" he speaks sarcastically to the rest of the room.

Loki simply glares at him, sending him a look that could kill him beyond dead, but says nothing.

While Father is attempting to kill Tony with his eyes, I look over at Uncle Thor, he looks a bit different from the last of the short memories that I was able to string together of him. When he notices my eyes on him, he meets them with his own. He has a questioning look on his face like he is searching for something that is on the tip of his touch but can not find it. He moves his eyes between me and Loki, curiously. Eventually, he lands back on me and smiles. I wish we could tell him.