I would like it to be known, now and for the record, that I had nothing to do with any of this nonsense. That stated, do please tell me I'm not the only one left.
There are some other grownups... [Bruce basically counts, right? He's roughly 16 and a genius at science so he's totally a grownup.] Not everyone's crazy young.
Glad this wasn't a prank because honestly it's pretty poorly thought out.
Well... I can take care of a few anyway. [Like Tony. He feels obligated!]
Stress isn't the big problem. [Actually, it might be, but he doesn't believe that yet.]
Oh, you're taking care of her? That's... good. [A relief. Bruce likes her energy when she's grown up, and it isn't her energy that worries him when she's little. It's the idea of making sure she stays alive and stuff that has him stressed.]
I can help you with her too, though. When she wanders.
Of course I will, but someone must care for them all. I don't need as much rest as a human does. I will take my fair share of the work.
[Besides, his son has eight legs and weighs at least twice as much as he does in this form. And happens to be a horse, at that. If he could handle that child, he can handle these ones.]
That's... sweet. [He hadn't been expecting that. Not because he's evil or whatever! Even people who have a history of murdering people don't always like kids. You learn something new about Loki every day, he guesses.]
[There really is a lot of sympathy in his eyes, and surprise at that; for some reason he just never would've pegged Loki as the paternal type. It reminds him of how much he wants kids, but he's too afraid of what his blood might do, what he might pass on. Plus the sex thing, but in this situation, that's minor. He bites his lip.]
You're good with kids then, huh? That's good. We should set up a daycare. [Trying to... turn to happier topics.]
I don't think he's terribly fond of me, but I expect he'd listen to you. As for what we ought to do... not fretting overmuch is a good place to start. We'll manage, one way or another.
[He pauses a moment and inclines his head faintly before continuing.]
My previous offer still stands, incidentally. If you find yourself in need of help of any persuasion, you may contact me. The hour doesn't matter.
[Loki doesn't expect to be getting much sleep anyway.]
[Not fretting. Right. That's the best place to start. The reminder of Loki's offer hits... maybe too close to home. He looks at him for a second before he nods, blinking, and he's almost ready to brush it off, but... that's irresponsible.]
Thanks. I -- I might.
[For a second he looks like he wants to say more, but then he stops himself. Anyway he shouldn't go babbling about his inner demons on a public channel.]
Good luck with everything. Don't let Kenzi take over. [Ha ha, because another you tried to take over my planet that one time.]
You're very optimistic if you think I can stop her. She's enough of a terror when she's older; now she's practically monstrous. I swear that I shall do my level best, though, for the sake of us all.
Glad this wasn't a prank because honestly it's pretty poorly thought out.
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[Have a wry smile.]
You are well?
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I hear you were watching Kenzi earlier. [She scares him.]
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[And that sounds... really threatening, oops. He should probably elaborate.]
I have a son. Children aren't entirely foreign to me. Caring for all of them will be... stressful.
[So better him than you, for obvious reasons.]
As for Kenzi, I am still watching her, but she's fond of her independence. I am content to let her wander, for a time.
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Stress isn't the big problem. [Actually, it might be, but he doesn't believe that yet.]
Oh, you're taking care of her? That's... good. [A relief. Bruce likes her energy when she's grown up, and it isn't her energy that worries him when she's little. It's the idea of making sure she stays alive and stuff that has him stressed.]
I can help you with her too, though. When she wanders.
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[It's an order more than an offer. The stakes are just that much higher when all the potential victims are children.]
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[Besides, his son has eight legs and weighs at least twice as much as he does in this form. And happens to be a horse, at that. If he could handle that child, he can handle these ones.]
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You said you have a son?
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[And that might just provide some insight into why he's so willing to care for the children now.]
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[There really is a lot of sympathy in his eyes, and surprise at that; for some reason he just never would've pegged Loki as the paternal type. It reminds him of how much he wants kids, but he's too afraid of what his blood might do, what he might pass on. Plus the sex thing, but in this situation, that's minor. He bites his lip.]
You're good with kids then, huh? That's good. We should set up a daycare. [Trying to... turn to happier topics.]
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[He smiles faintly.]
Do you know of anyone else who might help? We can manage our own, but the others...
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[Oh and... Loki stabbed him. Once. Sort of. He winces.]
Yeah, not Phil.
[He sighs and rubs his hand over his face.] I don't really know what to do, honestly.
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[He pauses a moment and inclines his head faintly before continuing.]
My previous offer still stands, incidentally. If you find yourself in need of help of any persuasion, you may contact me. The hour doesn't matter.
[Loki doesn't expect to be getting much sleep anyway.]
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Thanks. I -- I might.
[For a second he looks like he wants to say more, but then he stops himself. Anyway he shouldn't go babbling about his inner demons on a public channel.]
Good luck with everything. Don't let Kenzi take over. [Ha ha, because another you tried to take over my planet that one time.]
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You're very optimistic if you think I can stop her. She's enough of a terror when she's older; now she's practically monstrous. I swear that I shall do my level best, though, for the sake of us all.
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