Loki’s body was still in its recovery stage, much to his dismay. On the other hand, his magic was almost back to full strength, which he was most thankful for. After their favourite assassins had visited at the tower, the couple had a few days to themselves. It was hard for them though. They were tired, exhausted even. Both were irritable with themselves and each other, but they worked through it all. Together they were learning how to be the best parents they can be, and they knew without the other, they would be sure to fail. They were the perfect team.

Eventually Thor returned from Asgard. He was utterly bewildered when he arrived on the landing platform to the loud cries of an infant. When he reached the inside of the penthouse, he was welcomed by the surprise of his new nephew. It was a particularly bad night for the parents, little Peter intent on running them ragged, not settling once. Thor was unsure of how to react, not used to seeing his brother and the Man of Iron so exhausted, dark circles around their eyes. He also didn’t know how to respond to the almost relieved look on Loki’s face. The tired trickster beckons Thor to him, immediately introducing him to Peter, a warm smile on his face, despite the relentless crying. Pride washes over the Thunder God, a large hand placed on his brother’s neck, kissing his forehead, congratulating him and Tony on their beautiful baby. As soon as Thor holds Peter in his strong arms, the crying ceases, wonder in his eyes as he stares up at his uncle. Loki and Tony watch wide-eyed as their son quickly drifts off to sleep, confused, but not questioning. Quietly they show Thor to the nursery where he decides to stay giving Loki and Tony the break they deserve.

Pepper’s eager visit followed the next day. She had brought Rhodey with her for moral support, the moment far too surreal for either of them to comprehend. They were about to meet the child of Tony Stark: the man they watched womanise his way around the world on a path to self-destruction. The man who was before the hero; before Iron Man; before he saved Manhattan from hislover’s alien army; the man who would easily stand in front of a crowd drunk, urinating into his suit, before he chose to do good. But all this was forgotten when they were shown to the nursery by Loki; their friend was already there, rocking baby Peter softly in his arms. This was the heart-warming sight that introduced them to Tony Stark: father. Pepper stepped up immediately to hold Peter, not even giving Rhodey the chance, that odd female instinct kicking in. All was well until he vomited onto her pristine black, suit jacket. The amused parents stood by acknowledging the irony of the situation, Peter clearly wasn’t happy when Aunty Pep wondered out loud whether he would be better at business related to paper work than his father. They got the answer to that loud and clear. It was this moment she knew she had to find and train her successor to be immune to all that is the Stark-bullshit. Tony wasn’t going to help her by training his heir to the company. For the love of Odin, help her.

Visits from their friends and colleagues were becoming more frequent, which Tony and Loki were now comfortable with. It had taken time, but they finally settled into a routine they were happy with, and Peter didn’t seem to mind either. He didn’t spend as much time crying anymore, and they hadn’t had a repeat of the night that preceded Thor’s arrival. Speaking of the God of Thunder, he had been a blessing in disguise for the parents. Every couple of days he would fly in — literally — and spend an hour or so with his nephew, giving the trickster and his genius some alone time. Sometimes they didn’t even spend that free time together, they needed a break from the other too. It was always nice for Tony to get back to his workshop, and Loki relished in the time he was able to reintroduce himself to his magic in the reinforced training area.

When Steve, the sensitive soul he is, was introduced to baby Stark-Lokison, he had taken like a duck to water. Peter felt safe in the protective arms of the super-soldier, and it showed as he babbled happily. The couple left the two, vacating to the living area. Loki snuggles himself into Tony’s chest, most comfortable cuddled in the billionaire’s lap. They sat quietly, talk minimal, but kisses plentiful. Just when things began to heat up, Loki on his back being straddled, Tony’s hands pushing his shirt up, baring his now flat, pale stomach, Jarvis’ voice crackled from overhead.Sirs, Mr Rogers requires the assistance of, and I quote, ‘anyone who knows what to do with a crying baby’. The couple rushed back to the nursery where they left Steve, and they couldn’t help but chuckle when, for the first time, they see real panic in the eyes of the usually so calm Captain. Because he was hungry, and probably tired due to his busy day of visits, Peter was crying hysterically, hiccupping every so often. Loki decides, eventually, to step in and take pity on the poor soldier. Steve was traumatised.

Bruce had been another matter completely; all were cautious, if not secretly curious as to what would happen when he entered the tower the first time since Peter's birth. All knew he would never intentionally hurt the child, but no one could predict how the other guy would react, so they wanted to keep risk of that happening to a minimum. Banner dictated the meeting, he did not want anything going wrong, even though Loki was there at full magical strength. Thor wasn’t far and Tony’s suit was only a few feet away, but he still felt nervous. Tony was the one to bring Peter into the open space of the living area, where Bruce was sat on the sofa. He placed his son in the trusted arms of his science buddy — Tony, at least, had faith in Bruce. All held their breath waiting for Peter’s response, knowing that could be the teller as to what happens next. Thankfully it had been well, this was the smoothest introduction since Thor. Bruce sat tentatively as the small being snuggled sleepily into his chest.

All had been perfect up until the moment a sad, bitter smile contorts Bruce’s face. The couple sit watching sadly, as the story unfolds in his eyes. Tony once made the sentiment that the Hulk had saved his life from the gamma exposure, but yet he had stolen so much more from him. Sat with a child — not his child though — in his arms, Bruce realises he may never get to experience this with his own flesh and blood the way Tony and Loki do. All thanks to the Hulk. It hurt. He stands placing Peter back into Tony’s hold, and quickly exits to the elevator, all the way trying to ignore the sad smiles on his friend’s lips.

Finally, when all of the obligatory introductions — including Director Fury and a very not dead Coulson — had been fulfilled, the proud, but tired parents, collapsed hard against the sofa. For the last three days, absolutely non-stop, people were in and out of the tower, dying to meet the new addition to the Stark-Odinson household. Loki had decided to revert back to his adopted family name, once he had started to rebuild the bridges in his and Odin’s relationship. The new family were savouring the rare quiet that had settled upon the tower. Tony is sat with Loki's head in his lap, his fingers running through the dark strands of hair splayed over his legs. Peter is asleep on Loki's strong chest, tiny hands gripping tightly onto his mother’s shirt. As per usual, the quiet doesn’t last, not when you have Thor residing on the guest floor below the penthouse level. He is infamous for his ability of thundering into any peaceful moment.

“Ah, Loki, Tony, how are you this fine day?” His loud voice booms through the air, luckily not enough to stir Peter awake.

“We are great, Thor, we have finally finished introducing Peter to everyone,” Tony sighs content, ecstatic that he has no more awkward “baby passing” moments lined up. The best thing about that though, was it gave him a chance to show off how beautiful his baby — and subsequently his partner, he always liked bragging about being with Loki.

“My brother, you seem to have forgotten that the young one must meet his grandparents. Mother and Father are most looking forward to his first trip to Asgard!”

It turns out that Loki had in fact overlooked his adopted parents, despite Thor's presence, the constant reminder of family. Tony had just completely forgotten about extended family, including grandparents, especially since his own parents had passed away an age ago. Both remained frozen, stoic and expressionless on the outside, the sheer opposite of panic on the inside. The couple visibly pale, the blood draining from their faces, a gut-wrenching, ill feeling settling in their stomachs. Damn it all to Hel.