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Princesses and Halloween Candy

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A/N: So my hand slipped and I wrote over 6000 words. Oops. And as you can probably tell from the title this is a part two/sequel to Princesses and Pink Unicorns, but it can be read by itself. The first one just kind of introduces you to Thor’s life on Midgard and Lina. Also, Ragnarok? Don’t know her. IW? Really don’t know her. We’re pretending Thanos was caught and everyone is happy. This is my submission for @loki-the-fox Halloween Marvel Writing Challenge! It was inspired by this video. And as I stated before I’m such trash for Marvel men with little kids.

Prompt: Look, I dressed up as you.

Pairings: Loki x Niece & (some) Thor x Daughter

Summary: Loki spends Halloween night with his niece.

Word Count: 6.2k (oops)

Warnings: Fluff, swears, people being rude to a child, pregnancy

He loved his family, even if he was hard pressed to admit it. His annoying and obnoxious older brother, his gentle and kind sister-in-law, and his happy and carefree niece. And that’s how he ended up knocking on the door to his bother’s domestic Midgardian home on Halloween.

Thor opened the door, grin breaking out across his face. “Brother! You’ve come!”

“Of course,” Loki said, stepping inside the quaint house. Thor shut the door behind him. “You said there was something I just had to see.” Loki rolled his eyes a bit, sure whatever Thor wanted wasn’t that big of a deal. But he did enjoy time with Lina and getting out every now and then.

Thor nodded excitedly. “Yes! They’re finishing up with it now.” He patted Loki on the back. “You’ll love the surprise.”

“So, it’s a surprise now?”

“That’s how Lina put it, yes.”

Loki nodded and sat down on the living room couch. He didn’t know what was going on and didn’t know how long it was going to take. Honestly, he wasn’t sure it would be worth the wait at all. But if it was for Lina, he’d begrudgingly cave.

From the direction of Lina’s bedroom, he heard his sister-in-law call, “Okay! Here she comes!”

Loki stood up just in time to see five-year-old Lina come running out of her room. And she was dressed just like him. From her boots to her leather armor to her tiny green cape to her horned head piece. She was adorned exactly as he is in battle. Except for the pink unicorn wand she clutched in her hand. He was speechless.

“Uncle Loki!” She yelled, running right to him. “Look! I dressed up as you!”

He crouched down to her level. “I see that. But I don’t seem to recall carrying around a pink wand.”

She scoffed. “That’s because I’m also a princess.”

He smiled at her, pulling her into a hug. “Good call. Can’t let the commoners forget that.” She wrapped her little arms around his neck and hugged him fiercely. She was so sweet. So innocent. She had this effect on him that just made him melt. “This is the best costume I’ve ever seen.”

Lina pulled away and giggled happily. “Mommy and Daddy helped make it.”

Loki looked between the two adults. Both wore matching smiles. “Whose idea was this?”

“All hers,” his sister said, gesturing to the little half pint currently waving her wand. “She said she wanted to dress like her favorite superhero.”

Loki couldn’t help but laugh. “How does it feel, Brother? Beat out by me for your own daughter’s favorite superhero?”

Thor dramatically rolled his eyes, waving Loki off. “She’s lucky she’s as cute as she is.”

“She does wear it better than me.” Loki bent down and picked Lina up. “Don’t you, Petal?” He kissed her cheek and she squealed with delight. “This actually was a marvelous surprise.”

“Are you gonna come trick-or-treating with me and Daddy, Uncle Loki?” Lina looked at him with pleading blue eyes. He bit his lip, unsure of how to respond. Midgardian activities weren’t really his forte but how could he deprive his niece of such a simple request?

Thor spoke up, “You should come. You can get some free candy.”

He set Lina back down on the ground. “Well, alright.”

Lina cheered happily, dancing around in a circle. Loki was sure she was going to make herself dizzy. But her mother grabbed her hand, stopping her prancing. “C’mon, Olina,” she said, pulling the tiny girl. “We have to grab your candy bag.”

With the two females out of the room, Loki spoke softly to Thor. “Are you sure she’s alright to go out like that? I don’t want…after New York…what if someone’s mean to her for her outfit?”

Thor clapped his brother on the back. “That was a long time ago, Brother. Everyone knows Thanos was the real one behind New York. His capture revealed that, which, if you remember, you aided it. And you’re a different man now. Besides, Lina simply adores you. This was her choice. She wears your clothing proudly, Brother. So should you.”

While this wasn’t the first time he had heard of his niece’s adoration, it always had the same effect. He was honored. Lina was the greatest joy in his life and he felt so unworthy of being her favorite superhero. Especially when he didn’t feel like a hero at all.

And he knew the truth about the New York attack had come out to the public. Thanos had forced his hand in it. Thor made sure the air was cleared when the purple monster was finally brought to justice. But it was still Loki’s face that was connected to it. He was the one physically there, attacking. Some people, no matter what, still held him solely responsible for it. He couldn’t say he blamed them really. Even if he was key in capturing Thanos.

He was about to comment again when Lina came running back out, her candy bag in hand. It was a simple brown tote. On one side it looked like she tried to spell her name. Olina was sloppily painted on, each letter a different color.

“She wrote her name all by herself,” Thor whispered to his brother.

Loki nodded as Lina’s boots were properly fastened with her mother’s help. “Are you not coming with?” He asked, noticing his sister was still in just her socks.

She laughed and rested her hands on her large belly. “Walking around for two hours with swollen feet and a baby that could come at any time? No, I’m staying here. Someone has to give the trick-or-treaters candy.”

When Lina was ready she gave her mother a kiss and kissed her belly. Thor followed suit, adding to his wife how much he loved her and that they wouldn’t be gone for long. Loki felt slightly awkward and out of place. He merely waved his good-bye which she reciprocated with her own wave and smile. The three of them headed out the door, Lina in the lead.

“C’mon, Daddy! Uncle Loki!” She practically ran out of the house and onto the sidewalk. Her little candy bag was swinging wildly in her hand as was her pink wand. Thor chuckled and called for her to slow down.

“She’s very excited,” Loki commented as Lina started to jump up on down in one spot while she waited for them.

Thor laughed, the two men meeting up with the small girl. “She takes her free candy very seriously.”

Lina took off towards the first house once Thor and Loki reached her. She dashed to their neighbor’s front door and rang the doorbell with gusto.

Loki watched nervously, hoping Lina wouldn’t be shunned for her choice of costume. He was beyond flattered that Lina would want to dress as him. His heart swelled with love for the little girl, but she was young and naïve. She didn’t know what all he had done. She didn’t know all the people he had killed. If she did, would she still dress as him? Would she still call him a hero? He was selfish and hoped so. He wanted to live up to her image of him. The thought of disappointing her caused an ache inside of him that he just couldn’t explain.

The neighbor’s opened the door and Loki could hear Lina scream “Trick-or-treat!” He was flooded with relief when the neighbors simply smiled and placed the candy in her bag. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Once she had her candy. Lina raced back to them, jittery from her first score. With no encouragement she went over to the next house, Thor and Loki in tow.

Loki had to admit, he was enjoying himself. Watching Lina go from house to house, the smile never leaving her little face. Coming back to the two of them and saying what kind of candy she got before taking off to the next house. He could almost see why his brother was so fond of this life.

As he walked, he began to wonder. “Was this all planned?” He asked Thor as Lina was on her fifth or sixth house.

“What?” Thor questioned, glancing over at Loki. “Getting you to stay for Halloween? Not entirely. Lina wanted you to come see her costume-“

“Not that,” Loki cut him off. “All of this. Her,” he gestured to Lina, “your marriage. Your life here on Midgard. Was this all planned from the beginning?”

Thor chuckled and shook his head. “Not at all. She wasn’t planned at all.” He jerked his head towards his daughter. “After a mission there’s a lot of emotions and adrenaline. One thing led to another-“

“I don’t need details.” Loki waved off his brother’s words, not wanting those images in his mind.

“Her mother and I weren’t even together, you know,” Thor continued apparently unfazed. “But once we found out she was pregnant with Lina we began a proper courtship. We fell in love, Lina was born, and we wed. She’s very fond of Midgard, as you probably know.” Loki nodded. She was Midgardian after all. “So, we established a life here. This second child, our son, he was planned. But everything else, not so much.”

Lina came running up to them, bag and wand in hand. “Daddy, I got peanuts. Here.” She reached into her tote and pulled out the little baggie of peanuts. She gave them to Thor before going to the next house.

Thor laughed and opened the bag. “It wasn’t until it all happened that I realized this was the life I wanted.” He took a couple peanuts out of the bag and began to eat them. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything.” He offered Loki some nuts. Loki politely declined. Thor shrugged and ate another handful.

Loki thought about Thor’s words. This was all some big accident that lead to such an incredible life. It was a bit unbelievable if you asked him.

He noticed Thor glance over at him again. “You know you’re always welcomed here with us, Brother. We have room at the house and you know how much Lina loves you. She’d be so happy if you stayed.”

He thought about it for a second. Is a domestic life on Earth what he wanted? He wasn’t sure. “Thank you, Brother. But I think I’ll stay on Asgard for now. Someone has to watch the nine realms while you play here.”

Thor laughed. Loki knew Thor enjoyed his time on Earth and that’s what Loki wanted: for Thor to be happy but far away so he wasn’t annoying.

Lina came running up the them again. “Here, Uncle Loki.” Apparently, she got another bag of peanuts and this time Loki was lucky enough to get it. He took it with a smile and Lina went back to the lines of houses to get more candy.

The brothers followed Lina silently for a while. As time wore on, Loki noticed Thor check his phone more and more. Loki looked at him, perplexed. “Are you alright, Brother?”

Thor nodded, checking his phone again. “We’ve been out for almost an hour. She’s got two days left but she could go into labor at any time…” Loki realized Thor was just worried about leaving his pregnant wife at home alone. “Olina!” Thor’s loud voice carried easily towards the little girl who instantly turned towards her father. “C’mon! We gotta go home now.”

“Aw!” Her audible cry came out long and whiny. “But there are still other people out!” She dragged her feet as she approached them. “I still want candy!”

“I know.” Thor took her hand, pulling her along. “But Mummy is all by herself and her belly is so big. We have to go back and make sure she’s okay.”

Lina tried to resist. “But Mommy has baby brother in her tummy! He can keep her okay!”

“Let’s go.” Thor didn’t try to argue or reason with her. He simply pulled her towards home.

Loki wasn’t sure he was speaking until it was too late, “I can take her the rest of the time.”

Thor cocked his head, giving his brother a questioning look. “Are you positive?”

“How difficult can it be?”

Thor looked unsure but let go of Lina’s hand. “If you insist.” He reached into his pocket and gave Loki his cell phone. “Take this. Lina can show you how to use it. If you need anything or something happens, please call.”

Loki took the phone and placed it in his own pocket without so much as a glance at it. “Everything will be fine, Brother. Go home to your wife.”

Thor crouched down to Lina’s level. “I’m gonna go home to Mummy. Uncle Loki is gonna take you to get more candy. Are you gonna be good for him?” Lina put her whole body into her nod and Thor smiled. “I love you, Olina.” He kissed her cheek and she squealed.

“Are you absolutely sure?” Thor asked again.

“Yes, Brother, yes. I’m perfectly capable of caring for Lina for an hour.”

“Alright.” Thor gave Lina one more kiss before heading home. Lina waved at her father before going back to trick-or-treating.

Loki found watching Lina to be easy. She did all the work. All he had to do was follow her. And still no one seemed to react to her costume. At least not that was obvious. If anyone found it in bad taste they didn’t let on and simply gave Lina candy anyways.

Honestly, he quite liked being with Lina, even if she didn’t pay him much attention. He found joy and pleasure just watching her running around, looking just like him.

As she went he got a couple more tiny bags of peanuts and a few bags of pretzels. Lina apparently didn’t like anything that wasn’t doused in chocolate and or sugar. He would simply have to steal some of that goodness from her later. Or maybe he could simply ask her and she’d yield. He was her favorite super hero after all.

Lina came running up to him. “Uncle Loki, can we cross the street there and get more candy?” She looked up at him with pleading eyes.

He checked the phone Thor had given him, making note of the time. “Sure, Petal. We can across the street. Will you hold my hand?”

She nodded happily and let him take her hand. She waited by his side and he looked to make sure cars weren’t coming before walking across with her. He had to keep her in check. She wanted to dart across as fast as her little legs could carry her.

Once they were safely on the other side she tried to wiggle free, but he kept hold. “For safely escorting you to this side of the street, I request one chocolate as payment.”

She scrunched up her face, giving him her meanest glare (which also happened to be her cutest). She angrily stuffed her hand into her tote and started rooting around for some chocolate to give to him. He crouched down to her level as she searched. She would pull out a piece but then quickly shove it back in. He watched her with an amused smile. She was simply adorable.

Finally, she found a piece. “Here,” she handed him a squished piece of candy.

He happily took it from her. “Thank you, Petal,” he said with a chuckle.

“Now can I go get more candy?”

“You may.” She didn’t need any more prompting. She ran towards the next house, ringing the doorbell with excitement.

Loki ate his piece of candy and continued to watch her. She showed no sign of slowing down. Once the candy was eaten, he went to put the wrapper in his pocket. When he did so, he felt the phone that Thor had given him. He pulled it out and looked at it again.

The time was plastered in big numbers on the screen, making it easy for him to see. Other than that, the phone was just black. Big, rectangular, and black. It couldn’t be that hard to figure out. He didn’t need a five-year-old to show him how to use simple Midgardian technology. In fact, just to prove that he knew what he was doing, he was going to call Thor and tell his brother how simple it was.

Except, he wasn’t sure how to do it. He had seen Thor talk into the phone before, maybe that’s how one starts it. He brought the phone close to his face. “Phone,” he commanded, “call Thor.” The phone did nothing. The time numbers on the screen even went away. Clearly that wasn’t right.

His second attempt was to shake the phone. Maybe movement made it work. The time came back after he jostled it a bit but that was it. Only the glowing white numbers stared back at him.

He was starting to get frustrated. He was a God. He could work a phone. He squeezed it in his hand tightly. Maybe he needed to be more forceful with it. Maybe it needed to know that he was the one in control on it now.

He wasn’t sure what he did, but the screen lit up. The time moved and became smaller, making room for a big picture of Lina and Thor. Lina was dressed in her sleepwear, tucked snuggly into Thor’s side. Thor had a small book propped open on his lap. Both of their heads were down, looking at it. It appeared as though he was reading to her. It was a sweet picture that caused him to smile.

Beside the picture there was a grey block on the screen as well. It showed his sister’s name and the message: Everything going ok with Lina?

A thought struck him. This was Thor’s phone. Obviously, it couldn’t call Thor. How stupid he felt. He brought the phone back up to his face and instructed it to call his sister. He was even more annoyed and embarrassed when that didn’t work. Maybe he did need the help of a five-year-old.

He was about to admit defeat and call Lina over when her small voice caught his ear. “No! Stop! That’s mine!”

He didn’t realize he had started to lag in keeping up with her, fussing with the stupid phone. She was several houses down but he could still make out her green shape. There were several other girls with her. They looked older. And bigger. One had grabbed her bag and was pulling on it, making Lina scream.

Quickly he rushed over to the scene, shoving the phone back in his pocket. He got there just as Lina’s bag ripped and her candy went flying. The other girls were grabbing at it and stuffing it into their own bags as Lina cried.

“Hey!” He yelled at them. “What’s going on here?”

“Uncle Loki,” Lina sobbed. He couldn’t understand the rest of her words, they were too muddled with tears.

He glared at the other girls. How dare they make his niece cry. “What happened? Why did you make my niece cry?” The girls looked up at him, eyes wide in fear. When they didn’t answer he took a step towards them, placing himself between them and Lina while making sure to avoid stepping on the candy. “Why. Did. You. Make. My. Niece. Cry.” On instinct he started to draw his daggers but quickly stopped. These were children still, no matter how horrible they might be.

The girls crowded together. Lina continued to cry and sniffle behind him, fueling his rage. “Well?!” He took another step towards them.

Another voice caught his attention. “What the fuck is going on out here?” An adult woman came over to them, looking from the girls to Lina and then to Loki. “What the fuck are you doing to my daughter and her friends?”

“I haven’t done a thing,” Loki said, offended. “They,” he pointed at the girls, “made my niece cry, ripped her bag, and stole her candy.” He huffed. “Demon children.”

The woman narrowed her eyes at Loki. “Fuck.” She pushed the girls behind her. “You’re that monster who attacked New York!”

Loki scoffed. “That’s not the point-“

“You’re a fucking monster!” The woman screamed.

“No more of a monster than your child!” Loki retorted.

“Don’t you say a word about my daughter.” She said angrily, taking a step towards him. “That thing,” the woman pointed at Lina, “probably attacked my girls first!”

He was seething. It’s one thing for this woman to yell and insult him but for her to say something about Lina was crossing the line.

“Take your child and leave now,” he growled lowly. “Or I’ll make sure you regret it.” He could feel the daggers forming in his hands. She was an adult who brought this upon herself, right? He was just defending himself and Lina.

The woman took another step towards him. “You do one fucking thing and I’ll call the goddamn Avengers myself and have them murder your ass right here.” She made eye contact with him and held it surprisingly well. The fact that she wasn’t showing any sign of fear would have impressed him in another situation.

“Uncle Loki.” Lina’s small voice broke his glare. As much as he wanted to slice this woman to pieces he knew it wasn’t a good idea. He didn’t want to expose Lina to that kind of violence. And while he wasn’t scared of what the Avengers would say if this insane woman called them, he knew it would get back to his sister. Now that was a scary thought. Especially with her being pregnant.

He was the one who backed down, albeit begrudgingly. “C’mon, Petal,” he said, shifting his focus to Lina. “Let’s go.” He went to take her hand.

“But my candy,” she whined and started grabbing at the remaining pieces on the ground.

“Okay,” he spoke softly, “okay.” He grabbed as much as he could and stuffed it in his pockets (along with her wand). When it was mostly picked up he took her hand and pulled her away. She followed, tears still falling. Her torn little tote dragging behind her.

Quickly, he got her away from the scene, trying to cool himself off. When he deemed them a safe distance he stopped and crouched down to Lina’s level. “Can you tell me what happened?”

Lina nodded. “Those girls,” she said, wiping her nose on her sleeve, “said mean things!”

“What kind of mean things?” He pressed.

“They-“ she tried to calm herself down, “they said- they said you were a bad person!” A new wave of sobs took over her. “They said you did bad things and I told them no you’re a good person not a bad person.”

His heart was breaking. Did all this happened because she tried to defend him?

“They said since I was dressed like you that I was a bad person and bad persons don’t get candy and they grabbed my baggie and then it ripped and they took my candy!” Lina was crying and near hysterics again.

“Petal…” He pulled her into a tight hug. She returned it, wrapping her small arms around his neck and holding on tightly. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.” He stood up, taking her with him. She continued to cling to him and cry her tiny eyes out. He whispered soft reassurances to help, rocking her gently and rubbing her back. Anything he could think of to help her calm down.

When her tears finally slowed and there were pauses between her sniffles, he pulled her away. She was still being held tightly in his arms, but he wanted to be able to look at her. “You didn’t have to defend me,” he said. This was exactly the thing he was worried about. Someone would get upset about her costume and be mean to her. This is what he told Thor about, but Thor just brushed it off and now Lina got hurt.

“But,” she sniffled again, “but you’re nice and they said you were mean.”

“I know,” he said, thinking his words over carefully. “But it’s okay if they think I’m mean.”

“But you’re not,” she argued, wiping her eyes. “Right?”

“Oh, Petal.” He brushed some of her blonde hair behind her ear. “Once, a long time ago, I was mean.”

“You were?”

“I was. And some people only think of me as mean.”

“Were you mean a real long time ago?”

“A very very long time ago.”

“Before I was born?”

“Way before.”

“Before Mommy and Daddy were born?”

He gave a soft chuckle at the absurdity of her question. “Not quite that long ago. It was right around when your parents met.”

“Oh,” she replied and wiped her eyes again. “Were you mean on purpose or on accident? Sometimes I do things on accident but its only because I didn’t mean to do them.”

“Um,” he thought about how to answer. “A bit of both. I made some poor choices and ended up in a bad situation. Then someone forced me to be mean.” He could feel himself tense at the thought of being back with Thanos. He stiffened, trying not to relive that nightmare.

Lina laid her head on his shoulder, almost like she was now comforting him. “It’s okay, Uncle Loki,” she said into his neck. “I think you’re very nice.”

He kissed her forehead. “Thank you, Petal.” He hugged her tightly. “Do you want to get more candy?”

She nodded. “But my baggie broke.” She started to cry again.

Loki used his thumb to remove her tears. “It’s okay. Don’t cry. I can fix it.” He set her back down and gently pried her little bag from her clenched fists. With a little bit of magic, the seams of the tote came together and sealed themselves. He gave it a tug to show Lina that her bag was secure once more.

“Thank you,” she said softly. “But…” The tears were coming again. “I lost all my candy.”

“We saved some.” Loki started pulling what he had out of his pockets. As he put the candy back in her bag he suddenly felt guilty for asking for a piece earlier. Her little tote wasn’t even half of its fullness. “And I have your wand, Princess.” He pulled the pink stick out and gave that to her as well. She grabbed it.

“Now,” he said once Lina had everything. He looked at the phone again, ignoring the message that was still on the screen. “We have fourteen minutes left to get candy. Shall we?”

She nodded, and he offered her his hand. “Will you carry me?” She asked so softly. How could he refuse her?*

With ease he scooped her up again. She snuggled in against him, holding her wand and her bag. She sniffled and leaned against him. “Where should we go first?” he asked her.

She pointed in the direction she wanted to go, and he carried her there. He tried to set her down, so she could go up to the houses, but she refused, simply holding on to him tighter. He wasn’t particularly pleased to have to walk up to each house for her. He wanted to limit his human interactions. And he was now worried about what reactions he would get. Instead of seeing people from a distance he was now up close and personal with them.

Thankfully, his worst fears were not met. Every house they went to people simply gave Lina the candy. She was shying away from people, speaking softly, holding out her bag, and burying her face in his neck. Most people seemed to find her cute (which she was) and would ask if she was tired. Loki went with it.

When trick-or-treating came to an end Loki carried her home. Her tote was almost to the point it was before her candy was taken. He still felt so bad for her. He felt like he ruined her Halloween. He would have to find a way to make it up to her.

He set her down when they reached her home. The door was unlocked, and they walked in, Lina in the lead. Her smile returned as soon as she stepped into her home. “Mommy!” Lina took off to her mother, dropping her tote and wand. Her mother was sitting on the couch, feet propped up with a pillow and a plate of food on her belly.

“My Lina!” She opened her arms for the little girl and Lina dove in, fitting neatly next to her mother. “You wanna watch Hocus Pocus with me?” Lina nodded, curling her legs under her.

Loki took a few more steps in and Thor emerged from the kitchen carrying a smaller plate of food. “Everything go okay, Brother? She wasn’t too much trouble, was she?”

Loki shook his head. “No, not at all.” He didn’t want to tell them about the incident with the woman and the older girls. Not yet. He didn’t want to cause his sister distress and make Lina relive it at the moment. That would be something he could tell Thor in confidence when they were alone.

Thor handed Lina the small plate. “Thank you, Daddy.” Lina took it and started eating.

“Did you have fun with Uncle Loki?” His sister asked to which Lina nodded. Her eyes stayed glued to the television as she ate. “Thank you, Loki, for staying with her. It really means a lot to us how much you care about her.”

Loki waved off the sentiment. “It’s nothing. She’s a pleasure.”

The girls snuggled on the couch, watching… whatever it was that they were watching. While he probably should have just left to go back to Asgard he felt compelled to stay where he was. At least for a little while. Long enough to eat Thor’s food and return the cell phone.

He hunkered down in the kitchen with his brother while mother and daughter were cozy in the living room. He wasn’t sure what he was eating, but it was good nonetheless. Midgardian food always was a mystery to him.

“Were things as good as you say they were, Brother?” Thor asked in a soft voice, so their conversation wouldn’t be overheard.

Loki sighed, pushing his food around. “Not quite.” He told Thor of the encounter with the woman and the other girls and what they did to Lina. Thor pressed him for details and descriptions. Loki told him what he could, and Thor vowed to investigate it discreetly. He didn’t want to upset his pregnant wife which Loki agreed with.

There was silence between the brothers for a while as they ate. He took this time to think about his own childhood. It wasn’t great. He didn’t have nearly as many people as Lina does who cared for him. He was so grateful that the adults in her life loved her unconditionally, him included. He would do whatever he possible to ensure she didn’t suffer like he did.

Loki could faintly hear the television and occasionally Lina’s giggles. It was a pleasant sound and made him smile. “Uncle Loki!” He heard her yell between giggles. “Come see this!”

Loki raised an eyebrow at Thor who simply shrugged. Not knowing what he was getting himself into, he simply obliged. Lina’s eyes were glued to the television as he sat down next to her. He looked but had no idea what was going on. There were three oddly dressed woman and a talking cat. It was quite bizarre.

Lina handed her plate of food to her mother and scooted closer to Loki. He instinctively opened his arm for her and she nestled right along side him. While he normally enjoyed her cuddled up with him he felt especially fond of it now. Especially protective of her.

Between giggles Lina would explain what was happening in the movie but he didn’t bother to keep up. For one her explanations were terrible and for two he didn’t really care. He mostly found Midgardian entertainment boring. But he sat there and watched it with her while her mother struggled to get up and take the plates to the kitchen. He removed Lina’s head piece, so he could idly run his fingers through her hair. She snuggled closer to him.

The movie ended shortly after and Lina’s mother came back in. “Okay, Lina. Daddy’s gonna give you a bath now. Say ‘good-bye’ to Uncle Loki.”

“Aw!” Lina whined much like she did when Thor tried to hinder her trick-of-treating. “Does Uncle Loki have to go home?”

His sister sighed. “He’s been here all night, love. You dragged him all over the neighborhood for trick-or-treating. I’m sure he wants to go home and rest.”

Lina turned and looked up at him, eyes wide and sad. Her little lip quivered, and he caved instantly. “I can stay a bit longer, Petal.”

She hugged him happily before she was pulled away. “You still need your bath. C’mon, Daddy’s waiting in the bathroom.” Lina’s little hand was grabbed by her mother and the tiny girl followed without complaint.

Loki didn’t know what he was supposed to do so he just stayed on the couch watching as the same movie came back on the television. Maybe the damn thing was cursed.

His sister came back out, but without Lina, and sat down next to him. The cushions sank under her weight, but he knew better than to comment on that. She propped her feet back up. “Thank you so much, Loki,” she said, resting her hands on her large belly. “You really didn’t have to do all this for her.”

“I’d do anything for her,” he said. He meant every word.

She smiled. “Lina really looks up to you, you know. We asked her what she wanted to be for Halloween a couple months ago and she said you. No prompting from us at all. So, we went to work on how to make her a tiny version of your outfit. It came out a lot better than I thought it would. She was so excited when she put it on for the first time. She wanted it to be a big surprise for you, too.”

“It certainly was a surprise. And an honor.”

A comfortable silence fell between them until little Lina came running back out, Thor behind her. She was dressed in her sleepwear and her hair was dripping wet. “Uncle Loki!” She yelled and dived onto the couch next to him and scurried onto his lap. “Will you read me my bedtime story?”

“Sure, Petal.” Lina cheered in delight then proceeded to giver her mother and father a kiss goodnight. Loki followed her into her bedroom. She grabbed a book from her nightstand and got under the covers of her bed. Loki got in next to her, a bit squished as the bed was more child sized than adult.

He opened the thin book as she laid her head against his chest. He started to read it to her softly, taking his time and cherishing the moment. It struck him that this was just like the picture that he saw on Thor’s phone. He wondered if his brother felt as peaceful then as he did now.

He wasn’t even half way through the book before he noticed Lina had fallen asleep against him. Her breathing came out in even puffs. Her hair falling in front of her face. She looked like a tiny angel.

He knew he should take this as his cue to leave but she looked so sweet he didn’t want to wake her. Instead, he adjusted in the bed, pulling Lina right against him. “I love you so much, my little Petal.” He kissed her temple gingerly and she didn’t move. He kept her close as he closed his eyes. Staying a little longer wouldn’t hurt.

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