Avengers' Adventures

Brothers of Mischief (Kid!AU)

 "Come on Loki! Stop being such a scaredy cat!" Tony called down from his place in the tree, sticking a leg out so as to reach a nearby branch. "I don't think that's such a good idea Tony!" Loki called back, steadying himself on a large branch. "After all, you're so small, it doesn't seem too difficult for you to break something."

 The young brunet glared down at his friend, shaking the branch he was on and causing it to rain some leaves down at his friend. "Hey!" Loki shouted, pouting as he looked up at his smirking friend. He simply sat himself down, and watched as the other attempted to climb up further. That is, before he got caught.

 "Anthony Edward Stark! What the heck do you think you're doing?" Maria yelled, running out the back door of the house, apron still tied around her waist. Tony and Loki shared a fearful look as they both climbed down, Loki reaching there first. Maria kept her eyes on the tree, watching as her son emerged, some dead leaves still caught in his hair. He looked up at his mother with his wide eyed stare, feinging innocnce.

 "Enough, Anthony." Maria scolded, crouching so that she was now eye to eye with her son. "What have I told you about climbing in the tree?" "That it was dangerous and I shouldn't do it." Tony said, kicking at the dirt with his toe. "Then why did you disobey me and climb the tree?" The mother asked, and Tony shot a look at Loki, who looked ready to take the fall. "I didn't mean to, Loki and I were playing and I, forgot." The brunet said, looking at his mother apoligetically. "I'm sorry."

 Maria looked over her son, before sighing. "It's close to dinner time. Why don't you go wash up?"

 "Can Loki stay for dinner mom? Please?" the boy begged, and Loki looked hopefully at Maria as well. She sighed again, before looking at her son. "As long as Loki's mom says it's alright." Tony beamed, looking over at his friend, who smiled back.

 "I'll go ask right now!" he said, taking off in the direction of home. "He's gonna go ask." Tony said.

 "Well, while we wait for him to get back, you can go get clean and help me set up the table." Maria said, and her son nodded, before going into the house. The woman stood, smiling as she watched him go. "That boy and his imagination." She muttered, before following her son into the house.

~*~

 "Alright Tony, lights out in five." Maria said as she poked her head into the boy's room. Tony was lying in his bed, next to Loki, who was sleeping over. The boys nodded, before returning to the book they were reading. The mother smiled, leaving the boys alone. "Tony?" Loki began, causing the other to look at him.

 "Yeah Lok?"

 "Why did you say it was you, earlier? I mean, it was my idea to climb the tree, so why didn't you let me take the fall?"

 "Because that's what brothers do." Tony explained, shrugging lightly. Loki went to question him, but he was interupted by Maria once more entering the rom. "Time for bed." She said, kissing her son's forehead. "I love you." She whispered, and Tony yawned. "Love you too momma." The mother smiled, before flicking off the light and closing the door behind her.

 "Well, night Loki." Tony murmered, and closed his eyes. "Night Tony." Loki murmered back. Tony slowly fell asleep, and the boy beside him began to fade away slowly, until there was no one there.