Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Faver, where do babies come from?" Reid asked as Loki laid him in his bed.

“Wait until tomorrow and ask Thor when he gets back.” Loki said tiredly. It had been a long day.

"Otay." Thankfully, Reid was nearly out of his 'no' phase, and he was asleep in minutes. Loki stayed in his room, watching over him, until he snuffled in his sleep and turned over. Then he blew Reid a kiss, turned the light out and left, leaving the door open so some light from the hall trickled in.

(19:38) Loki: Reid is going to ask where babies come from when you get home. Just a heads up.

(19:43) Thor: My thanks, Loki. Ought I prepare my answer?

(19:43) Loki: Whatever you feel is best. It must be child friendly by Midgardian standards, though.

(20:15) Thor: Agreed. Goodnight Loki.

(20:16) Loki: Goodnight.

(08:09) Loki: Good morning. See you soon.

Thor arrived back in a flourish of his cloak, accompanied as always by the sound of thunder. It used to terrify Reid when he was small (well, smaller) so Thor used to zap in further from the tower and walk in.

He swept Loki up in a hug, lifting the squirming demigod above his head.

"Unhand me, you buffoon!" Loki cried out.

Thor put him down, and picked up Reid instead.

"My child! You wish to learn about babies!"

Reid squealed in delight. "Yeah!"

"When two people love each other very much, they-" Loki shot him a look. "-they share a special hug. And Uncle Heimdall sees it and sends them a baby." Thor nodded in satisfaction. "There's a bit more, but you have to wait until you're this high to hear that." He held a hand level to about his chin.

***

Crash! Loki startled off the couch where he and Thor were reading.

"Reid! Reid, are you okay?" A sob was his only response. He ran into the other room, where Reid was lying on a pile of cushions and stuffed toys. At least he had a soft landing, Loki thought. He sniffled, but nodded. Now that Loki's worry was abated, he felt angry.

"Reid, what were you doing? You could have hurt yourself!"

"I wanted to be thaaaat high so I could know where babies came from." Reid explained, straining to hold his hand as high as possible.

"Reid!"

"Wha-at?"

"Father meant that tall; otherwise we'd have already told you."

"Huh?" Loki picked him up.

"Look how high you are now, huh? But when I put you down, you aren't that high." Reid nodded solemnly.

"Tall, not high. Down now, faver!"

Chapter Text

"Faver! I'm five an' a half now. You said vat was old nuff to see va Bifrost." Reid tugged on Loki's pant leg.

 "I think Reid is old enough to see the bifrost, Don't you?" Loki smiled.

"Agreed. Heimdall!"

The glittering bridge came down around the three of them. Reid stared about in wonder as they flew through to Asgard.

It deposited them gently on the floor.

"Heimdall, old friend!" Thor greeted jovially.

"Thor, Loki." He nodded. "Reid. You've grown since the last time I saw you."

"I don' 'member you." Reid told him.

"No, you wouldn't." Heimdall assured him. You weren't born, for one thing."

That cheered Reid up.

"Oh yeah! You gif people va babies, don' you?"

Heimdall looked at Loki in confusion, who mouthed 'just go with it'.

"That's right. Um, how did you know?"

"Faver told me! He said when two people love each other they share a special hug and Heimdall sees and gives them a baby! Vat's you." He told Heimdall seriously.

"You're right, that's me."

"Come along Reid, it's time to go see Odin." Loki called.

"Bu-bye, baby man." Reid giggled.