The Avengers always knew that when they hadn't seen Loki for a few weeks, he was planning something big; it's been three months now.
"I'm predicting end of the world apocalypse stuff," Tony said. "You know Old Testament- style, hell on earth, and rising of the dead."
"Stark," Thor said, "My brother would not raise the dead."
"Are you sure about that?
"I cannot foresee him performing the same prank twice," Thor replied, leaving Tony speechless.
The call finally came in, a few days later, that Loki had been spotted entering an abandoned warehouse by the river and the Avengers prepared to confront him.
"So we've agreed then?" Tony asked as he, Clint, Steve, Natasha and Thor stood outside the dilapidated building. "We all rush in and Thor, you split his head open with you hammer?"
They all nodded and with a wry smile Thor said, "I will consider the head splitting."
They entered the building as stealthily as someone accompanied by a man in an iron suit can, checking corners of each room, behind doors and under tables.
The building was a wreck; hardly any windows remained with scrap metal and dirt everywhere. They heard a laugh echo through the empty structure and saw light shining from behind a half-closed door.
Clint and Natasha took point, silently communicating with hand gestures as they crept towards the source of the sound, pushing the door open.
Loki was laying on his stomach, his knees bent and his feet idly tapping the air as he giggled again. It took him a moment to register the presence of the people watching him, and a startled look crossed his face.
"What are you doing here?" he snapped. "I have not given you cause to invade my quarters."
Clint and Natasha edged into the room, moving to the side to allow the others to enter.
"This is certainly some lair you have here Loki. I imagined you would have something a little more extravagant," Tony said. He then noticed the surprised look on Clint and Natasha's faces. Loki was holding a small stick with a leather cord that ran from the tip to a small bundle of green feathers. On the floor in front of him, idly batting at the feathers was a tiny black kitten with white paws with beautiful green eyes.
"Loki! You did not tell me you were with child again," Thor boomed, pushing past Tony and scooping up the little black bundle of fur in his arms. He cooed at it, "Hello little pumpkin, I am your uncle Thor."
Tony flipped his visor up as The Avengers looked at each other and Clint shrugged his shoulders, shaking his head. Loki climbed to his feet and smiled at his brother, gently rubbing the tiny kitten’s chest.
"Thor…" Steve finally said. "I don't know if you've noticed, but it's a cat."
"My brother has birthed many different and wondrous creatures Captain," Thor replied, placing a hand on Loki's shoulder and beaming with pride. "Each one is beautiful in its own way." Loki smiled, looking almost coy, as he bent one knee and tilted his foot.
"Sorry Thor, but you are mistaken. I found her tied up in a burlap sack in a river," Loki said. "You Midgardians can be so cruel. All her litter-mates were dead."
"No!" Thor cried. "Who could do such an evil thing to such a helpless creature?"
"It happens quite often, sadly," Natasha said, moving closer, and giving the kitten a tickle under the chin.
"What is her name?" Thor asked.
"She is called Mittens," Loki said proudly.
"That is a fine name brother."
