Scars

Loki sat back in the corner of the jet, slumped, exhausted, and in a daze like everyone else. It seemed as if only Clint and Tony were safe from the girl's torture. Loki didn't know they had landed until he saw everyone filing out. He slowly followed behind everyone, looking at the ground. He bumped into the back of Thor as everyone came to a stop by the porch; turning back at Loki, Clint looked very serious.

"Listen-"

"This is your family's form. Your wife and children live here. It's a well-kept secret. I won't hurt anyone, nor will I tell."

"When did you find out?" Clint asked, more concerned than surprised that he knew.

"I saw it during New York when I took a look in your head."

"So you've always known but said nothing?" Steve asked

"I've known longer than the rest of you. I did not and do not wish to harm your family. If you want, I can go elsewhere..." Loki didn't know where he would go, but he wouldn't stay somewhere he was not wanted, nor would he make anyone uncomfortable, especially at a time like this.

"no, you're okay. I trust you... to an extent."

"Fair enough".

Clint opened his front door and was immediately greeting his beautiful pregnant wife. Loki stood back as all the Avengers greeted the family. Laura stepped around him. "I don't know whether to slap you or shake your hand."

"I deserve the first but would like the second ... You have another five months before your child is born. Would you like to know the gender?"

"It's a boy, right?" she whispered, ensuring Natasha couldn't hear it.

"Correct. A very healthy one at that."

"Oh, you know what that means? More mini Hawkeyes and bow and arrows."

"Actually, I think this one will take more after his aunt. Be prepared for ballet classes and gymnastics."

"Thanks, softens the blow."

"Warning: the future godmother is coming."

"Hey," Natasha said as she stepped between the two. She did not like how casual they suddenly were. She hugged Laura and rubbed her swollen belly." How's my little Natasha doing?"

Laura looked sheepishly. " She's ... Nathaniel." Natasha's smile was immediately wiped from her face. She bent down to Laura's belly and whispered.

"traitor"

Loki and Laura laughed. As he watched the other Avengers play with the children, he could see their fears and pain slowly fading away. All was well, all but Thor. He stood in the back of the room like Loki, but he looked more concerned and in thought. Suddenly, he started walking out the door, and he and Steve followed.

"Thor!"

"I saw something in that dream. I need answers. I won't find them here." With that, he spun his hammer and flew off. Steve sighed and turned back to the house.

"He's not going to like his answers," Loki said. Steve stopped by the thrush hold. "They were a nightmare, Captain. It's best not to dwell on them. They'll be consuming ... trust me, I know."

-

Steve and Tony were outside chopping wood, Natasha and Bruce were upstairs cleaning themselves up, Clint was outside fixing the porch with his son Cooper, Loki and Laura were in the kitchen cooking, and Barton's daughter Lila was in the living room reading a book.

"Thank you for helping with dinner," Laura said

"It's no problem. I don't mind. I've been through the motions. I know it gets difficult. " Laura raises an eyebrow in his direction. " I have three children myself," he says, not looking up from cutting vegetables. Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Slepinir ... I actually mothered Slepinir for 11 months pregnant, not fun." Laura almost dropped the pan she was putting in the oven, but Loki swooped in and saved the day, putting it in the oven.

"Oh my god, 11 months, how? Why? I'm barely getting through 9″

"It's a long story."

"Dinner isn't for a few more hours. We've got time."

-

"That's... oh my god... I don't know what to say." Laura was left speechless. She didn't know whether to pity him for how he got his children or congratulate him for having the children. It was just ... an unbelievable story.

"You don't have to say anything. Just know I've been on both sides of the parenting thrush whole. Also, maybe the others shouldn't know where my children come from."

"Of course".

Even though Laura did have a nice conversation and they were on an understanding level, she was still pissed about what he did to her husband. But his children and charm let her grudge melt away. However, that didn't mean she trusted him or anything; she'd give him a chance.

After telling Laura his story, Loki began to think about the day he told Alice about his children.

It was a late Saturday night, or maybe very early. They were both curled up, cuddling on her couch, watching Michiko & Hatchin, an anime show the two had grown fond of. The show was about a woman going through South America on a scooter looking for her first love. Along the way, she finds his daughter from another woman, and she tags along. The two continue through South America together, following the trail he left behind and meeting new people.

"Isn't it just beautiful" (y/n) says as the end credits roll.

"What is?" Loki asks

"Their relationship. Hatchin is the child of her lover. When she finds her, she doesn't hesitate. She takes her then and there and keeps her as her own. And then, as they travel, Michiko slowly falls in love with her... I like it."

"You seem to really like children."

"Even though I've never actually been around or seen children, I read many books and have seen videos."

Loki leaned back a bit and cleared his throat. This next question was a bit personal and uncomfortable to ask, seeing as their relationship was still unlabeled." Um... do-do you want kids? In the future, I mean?" (y/n) was not at all uncomfortable with the question, nor did she process why he asked it. "I'd love to be a mother and have children. I think it would be wonderful."

The two fell into silence, Loki into his thoughts, and (y/n) the next anime shows on TV.

Taking a deep breath, Loki suddenly blurted out, "I have children," shocking (y/n). She didn't say anything, so he waited for a late reaction. Maybe it wasn't the best time to tell her.

"How many?" she finally asks. "What are your names? How old are they? Where are they? Who is their mother? .... oh my gosh, are you married? Oh my gosh, I kissed a married man. That's not good. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry".

(y/n) began to cry and hyperventilate. Loki watched all her emotions rush through her in less than a minute.

At a young age, Tony drilled the thought of cheating and how wrong it was into (y/n) head. He taught it to kiss, touch, share secrets, or have emotional connections to someone when you have another person. You're supposed to be doing this when you're betraying that person, your significant other, by giving another the attention you're supposed to give them. That- that was cheating, that was wrong, that was so wrong.

(Tony omitted the fact that he did not hold himself to these values when he gave them)

"I'm not married, I have no wife, there is no cheating. It's just me and you." Loki pulled her into a hug and stroked her hair, calming her down.

"I have three children. Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Sleipnir, and well, they're much older than you." he chuckled a bit. " Sleipnir, my youngest, is with Odin. Fenrir is my eldest, but I don't know where he is; Jormungandr is my middle child. I don't know where he is, either, which is probably bad parenting. They all had different mothers... I'm not married, never have been, but hope to be someday" (hint, hint). Loki kissed her cheek.

"Tell me more about your children," she said. He told her everything about his children, their upbringing, and their mothers or, in Sleipnir's case, their fathers. She didn't interrupt or question until the end.

-

Thinking about Alice now brought pain into his heart. He knew the moment physically she was safe, but emotionally and mentally, she was very hurt. If only he could get to her.