Little One

Chapter 12

Astrid's pov

"Can I go up now?" I asked.

"Nope." My father replied.

"I think my head's gonna explode." I groaned.

Tony walked on the ceiling.

"Tony, why are you hanging off the earth like a bat?"

He burst into laughter. "Loki, her face is the same colour as Thor's cape. Let her down." He said between laughs.

"Not until she tells me where she hid my helmet." My father exclaimed.

"It's in Tony's lab!" I said.

He laid me down and ran off.

"So, where is it, really?" Tony asked, leaning on the bar.

"Not in your lab. That's for sure." I said.

He jerked his thumb at the bar, and I hid behind it.

"She who lies and runs away lives to lie another day," I muttered.

"Huh? Where'd she go? My helmet is not in your lab. Do you know what was in your lab? A slime bucket." Dad said.

I clapped a hand over my mouth to stifle my laughter.

"I think she said something about the garage and then bolted." Tony excused.

My father ran off.

"It's not in there either," I said.

"I figured. Jarvis, says he can't find it. The funny part? Your dad's the prince of lies, right? Yet, he's too concerned with his helmet to tell I'm lying through my teeth." He said, smirking proudly.

I nodded. "Yeah, when are Steve and the others getting back?" I asked.

"Uh, later today. They're following up on a lead with Carol. They might've found one of Thanos' ships, so they're up on the SWORD station."

I nodded. "Cool, I miss Nat."

He nodded.

"It's not in there. Try again." Father said, tapping his foot.

"I know! She hides everything in the gym." Tony said.

He ran off again.

"Didn't you shove a magnet in there?" I asked.

"Yup," Tony said proudly

"Isn't he wearing his armour?"

"Yup."

"Whoa, boy." I groaned.

"STARK! YOU'RE IN COHORTS WITH HER!" Father screamed.

Tony vaulted over the bar. "I'm not dying today." He muttered, pressing himself against the shelf.

"Both of you? Where are you?" Father called. "Norns!" He exclaimed.

I peeked my head up, and he was looking around.

He's looking for us. I thought to Tony.

He nodded.

"Astrid, I'm not mad. I only want my helmet back. Stark, however, I'm gonna kill you."

I covered my mouth to keep my laugh from bursting out.

Tony rolled his eyes. Tony moved slightly and knocked a bottle over.

"Curse your drinking habit! Book it!" I shouted as father came at us. Dad grabbed me and held me still.

"Where is it?" He asked.

I conjured it, and it appeared on my head. "Tada!" I exclaimed.

He broke into a smile. "I never would've found it." He said.

"Nut uh. Here you go." I held it out.

He reached for it, and I chucked it at Tony. "Keep away!"

He shook his head and ran off.

-Time Skip-

I was still smiling when Steve, Nat, Clint, and Bruce got back.

"Never again! I hate space!" Clint shouted while walking in.

"You hate everything," Natasha said.

"Not true. I love dogs, Laura, my kids, my extra kid, coffee."

She looked confused.

"Astrid, the shared kid. Duh." She nodded.

"Hey, Nat!" I exclaimed, running to hug her.

"Hey." She said happily, embracing me.

"Reindeer Games! Your brother's back." Tony shouted.

He rotated while groaning. "Hello, Thor."

"Uncle Thor!" I shouted, running to greet him.

"She's never that happy to see me," Father complained.

"Hello, Astrid. Mother sends her love and promises another visit soon. There's was a small rebellion she had to help with." I nodded.

He hauled me up on his hip. "Rebellion, whaddya do? Go." He said.

I bit my lower lip and thought. "Diffuse the situation. Find out who's in charge and listen to their grievances. Maybe even improve the quality of life." He looked impressed and nodded.

"Odin's solution is to throw them in a cell." Loki sneered.

"Astrid would make a wonderful monarch." Uncle Thor boomed.

Father nodded in agreement.

"Astrid! School starts tomorrow. It's 9:30!" Tony shouted.

"Shoot!" I hopped down and ran into my room. Brush teeth, hair, pyjamas. I quickly completed my routine. "SOMEONE COME TUCK ME IN!" I shouted.

Father came in.

"Hey!" I said happily.

He smiled. "Hello, Astrid." He pulled my covers up to my chin and kissed my forehead. "I'll see you in the morning Älskling." He said.

"See you in the morning, father," I said.

"You know, you don't have to call me father. Right? You can call me dad or something if you prefer."

I smiled and nodded. "Nighty night, dad."

He turned out the light and closed the door.

Loki's pov

I smiled as I closed the door.

She called me dad.

I walked out into the main area.

"What's got you smiling like a goof?" Stark asked.

"She called me dad." I lowered myself into the seat beside Thor.

"Elvire would be so proud, Loki."

That means more to me than you'll ever know.