Chapter Text
“Now I want you to focus. Just like when we’re meditating, Loki.” Stephen said, walking in a circle around the boy. “Just focus on the energy. I know you’re good at science, kid - your Dad always shares your report cards in the group chat he forced me to join. The energy is what makes everything around us. Focus in on the energy, and you can control it.”
Illusion-casting. Loki had been at the Sanctum for nine days, working through meditation, daily reading, and even telepathy. Now they were up to illusion-casting, and Loki was ready. He could feel it thrumming beneath his skin, eager to emerge. Uncle Stephen’s voice became hazy and far away as Loki fell into his own mind, eyes closed as he concentrated deeply. Everything disappeared as he could practically feel his own molecules separating.
“Loki, open your eyes.”
He opened his eyes, and there he was. The illusion was a mirror image of himself, down to the pink athletic leggings and too-large t-shirt, wide eyes rimmed with lilac. “Oh.” He said, taking a step back. “I… I did it.”
“You did. Your concentration has improved tenfold since you’ve been here, and I’m very proud of you.” Stephen looked at the illusion and then back at Loki. “I’m going to be honest with you, kiddo, I don’t think you need to be here anymore.”
Loki turned to look at him, and the illusion faded away. “Are you kicking me out, Uncle Stephen?”
“No, Loki, I’m just being honest with you. You being here everyday, being away from school, from your family and friends, is going to be a toll on every kind of health inside your body.” Stephen explained. “I think going back to your regular schedule will help with this new concentration. In addition, I’ll be coming over on Sunday afternoons to work with you. Every week. We now have an outstanding date.”
Loki nodded. “I do miss home. And school, even.” He looked around the room and sighed. “Yeah, I guess I should go back. The dampener bracelets have been helping a lot. I don’t think I’m going to lose control anytime soon.”
He hoped they would, anyway. He couldn’t afford to lose control.
///
“Take me up to the penthouse, Fri.” Loki had his gym bag slung over his shoulder, Fitzgerald held in his arms. The cat was purring and drooling, seemingly at ease, which made Loki feel moderately okay. The elevator ride wasn’t long, but it felt like ages stretching out before him. When the elevator finally stopped, and the doors slid open, Loki stepped out into the familiar hall.
“Lokey Dokey?”
“Uncle Sam!” Loki dropped the gym bag and let Fitzgerald out of his hold before rushing the man, pulling him into a tight hug. “Oh, I missed you.”
“Missed you too, kid.” Sam patted his back and pulled away, smiling at him. “Hey, your dads are taking a nap in their room, if you wanna go join them.”
"Harley too?" Loki asked.
"Nah. Downstairs with Wanda and Vis. Go on."
Loki nodded. He kicked off his Converse and shuffled through the living room and the kitchen, to the hallway where the bedrooms were. He didn’t knock on the door - instead, he simply turned the doorknob and walked in, shutting it behind him. The room was dark, the shades pulled down over the large windows, but Loki could see enough to crawl up onto the bed and shimmy until he could fit comfortably between the two men. Loki pulled up the blanket and let out a yawn, letting his eyes close. It was all going to be okay.
///
Tony woke slowly. He blinked a few times and saw Bruce sitting up against the headboard, reading through a thick book, glasses slipping down his nose. His hand was petting through long, dark hair, because that was Loki still fast asleep between them, fingers clutched at Tony’s t-shirt like they always had, since he was just a toddler. “He’s home.” He croaked out. It felt like a dream, and he didn’t want to wake up.
“He’s home.” Bruce agreed, sliding his bookmark into place and setting it back on the nightstand before sliding back beneath the blankets, curling around his son. “He must have been tired.”
“We should wake him up soon, so he’ll sleep tonight.” Tony said. “Can you text the team and ask one of them to order pizza or something?”
Bruce hummed, reaching over Loki to take Tony’s hand, intertwining their fingers. “Steve and Buck are already on it. Just relax and cuddle your boy, baby.”
Tony couldn’t argue with that.
///
The whole family was on the den. Loki had happily greeted Uncle Scott and Aunt Hope, who were very rarely in town, and had obviously flown in for the “Loki-mergency,” as Peter had dubbed it. Aunt Carol had shown up with Uncle Nick and Aunt Maria, and Loki hugged each of them as well. As dinner took place, Loki was passed from family member to family member, given hugs and cheek kisses, his hair being ruffled. Izzy hugged him for a full five minutes, tucking her face close to his neck. But Harley, well, he had so much to tell his big brother. He clung close to him and passed him drawings he had done, filled him in on all the comings and goings he had missed, and Loki was damn grateful.
“Before anyone leaves, there was something I wanted to say,” Loki said, standing and looking around at all of them. “All of you know, duh, why else would you be here, but three weeks ago, I started showing signs of the magical ability that the other Loki had. It was terrifying, and I decided to keep it close to my chest, causing me to… t-to…” Loki sniffled and took a deep breath, “to lash out. I left because I didn’t want to hurt anyone else, and I wanted to gain control. That was a mistake, but also a blessing. Uncle Stephen was able to talk some sense into me, and I did spend a week and some change working on myself and these new powers that have appeared. And I just want to say thank you to all of you, for always being there for me, even when I’m an emotional little shit.”
Pepper had to laugh at that. “Like father, like son.”
“Hey!” Tony said, pouting. “Rude.” He tugged Loki down into a hug, the boy going easily. “All you’ve gotta know, squirt, is that we’re here for you no matter what. You’re my son, and we’re your family.”
“Besides, I’ve got an advantage that the other Loki never had.” Loki said softly.
“Oh yeah?” Steve asked. “What’s that?”
Loki sat up a bit and looked around at them, eyes shiny with tears. “I have all of you, of course.”