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Chapter Text

Steve Rogers was a man who signed up for an experimental procedure that radically altered his body, fought in World War 2 and after he was frozen for seven decades, went off to fight aliens attacking New York. 

Things got stranger after that- one of which was him being named guardian of a child time variant of the man who led that attack on New York. 

Loki Laufison (Thor had to comply with the Jotuns on that, even though he wished for Loki to be Odinson), was a boy of what they believed to be twelve, with pale skin, clear blue eyes and curly dark hair. For Steve, he couldn’t connect the would-be destroyer of Earth and a general egomaniacal pain in the ass to the little rascal. 

But from conversations with Thor, and what he saw from his friend, he could tell that the thunder god saw the brother he lost, and who he believed was coming back to him when Loki the elder sacrificed himself. 

As for everyone else, it was better to just not think about it- besides the kid’s life so far had to have guaranteed that he would never walk the path of his elder self. Steve had to admit that he liked the kid- he was sharp, resourceful, always getting into trouble and just endeared himself with people. 

He had gotten to know Loki more when Thor moved him to New York, and then he got him a dog when Dr. Jane Foster was panicking about the anniversary of a hellhound pup’s death. He picked up Kay, a german shepard mix from the animal shelter Arnie Roth worked at, and that led to him training the puppy with Loki and that would result in him and Peggy being de facto guardians for the kid if anything should happen to Thor or Jane.  

Sam would joke about how Tony’s protege was an honor student who helped little old ladies cross the street, but he got the baby god of mischief. Honestly, he didn’t mind. He got along with the kid and he listened to him. Besides, Peter Parker, without even trying, always seemed to get into the most bewildering catastrophes that no one would think was possible for a MIT freshman. 

Steve was pretty sure that he was responsible for at least half of Tony’s gray hair. 

(Then again, he was certain that Loki will definitely have the lot of them go gray once he enters his adolescence.)

But Steve was certain that a twelve year old can’t get into too much trouble at a farmer’s market. Which is where they were at, on a bright October morning. The crisp air and occasional tree with yellow and orange leaves signaled that it was officially autumn. Steve already got some vegetables and the apples Peg liked, when he was wondering if he should get one the pumpkins displayed at one teenage vendor who he swore he met before but couldn’t place them. 

His train of thought was interrupted with an enthusiastic declaration, ““Kay wants this!” 

Steve looked and saw Loki pointing to the pet bakery stand, with the dog Kay sniffing at the doggie cookies. 

Steve still could not get used to the fact that there were bakeries for animals. This particular one was named Pawesome All Natural, with an older couple at the helm.  

Steve got closer to the stall where Loki was chatting with the vendors, who were middle aged and both wore sweaters, with the man wearing a beanie and the woman wearing a tie-dyed scarf around her gray hair, and both quite friendly. They were showing Loki the doggie treats, a variety of bully sticks, bones, and bone shaped dog cookies and mini waffles, all of which had Kay’s interest. 

Steve scratched between the dog’s ears, Kay sat down and lifted his head in approval, but it was clear that the dog wanted what the bakers were selling. 

“How much for…the pumpkin ones?” He heard that pumpkin was good for canine digestion, and tried not to balk at the price and requested just the one bag. And two bully sticks.

The vendors packed up the treats and handed over the credit card reader. 

“Here,” The lady handed the bag to Loki, “Help your father.”

Loki took the bag and politely said, “Thank you.” 

They said their goodbyes and wandered away. As Loki tempted Kay with one of the cookies, Steve was thinking about how easy it was to assume that he could be the kid’s dad. 

Steve is guessing that to any outsiders, Loki could be his. He was sure Thor and Jane would get a kick out of that. 

It's not like the Pawesome people knew that the helpful boy was Loki, God of Mischief. Or more specifically, a variant of him. But it happened. It's been five years since the Multiverse event and they had to defeat Kang and had to get the the universes straight- the result was that Peggy from a destroyed universe decided to move in with him- a second chance for both of them and an adult Loki, who is now keeper of time, tasking his brother to go and save his younger self. 

The kid was currently living in New York with them, with a cat and a dog and posting videos on TikTok. And here, he was just a kid at the farmer’s market with his dog. In other words, he was living a very different life than the other version lived, and hopefully it meant that he would have a better future. 

Steve then directed them to the stand where they could get the cooking oil he liked to use. 

Chapter Text

Peggy Carter was making final preparations for the night before she had to head off when she heard the doorbell. As soon as she opened the door, a raven haired excitable figure slightly shorter than her ran past.

“I forgot my jacket!” explained Loki as he ran to the guest bedroom that was unofficially his. 

She turned to the other person still at the doorway, Peter Parker.

“Hi Mrs Rogers,” he greeted her, ever the deferential young man. He made his aunt proud. 

“Hello Peter,” Peggy said, letting him inside. 

“Sorry about this, we were about to head out and he was looking for the rest of his costume. We’ll be out of your hair soon.” Peter explained. 

Steve and her were on call since All Hallow’s Eve is usually the time when things happen. So since they were busy and Loki could be trusted- within reason- he was going to go to a party with some other children at Parker’s apartment complex and then sleepover at May’s.  

“It's fine,” Peggy said, “We will be handing out candy until eight and then get to headquarters. You have our number, should anything happen?”

Stark’s protege replied, “And Tony’s. And Thor’s.” 

“So, what will be happening at this gathering of tweens?” She asked. 

Peggy was a bit curious about the holiday as it currently was. In some ways, it was very much the same as when she was a girl nearly a century ago- people wearing costumes, having parties and children going out trick ‘r’ treating and pumpkins are still in vogue. But it seemed to have had an escalation in popularity and status- people were getting ready for the holiday as early as late August. And Peggy remembered when every neighborhood had that one house transforming itself to a kitschy haunted house, but now everyone is decked out in the most bombastic adornments representing the spooky and supernatural, even when they’re on a budget. 

With her own home, Steve just put up a zombie version of himself with a speech bubble attached stating: I don’t eat brains, only candy of the US of A!

He thought it was hilarious, as did Bucky who got it for them. 

At least it wasn’t one of those inflatable abominations. 

Peter was looking at the file she had on the coffee table, and shrugged, “Nothing crazy- they got bobbing for apples, some games like Withered Corpse and musical chairs. We also got a movie, one of the dinosaur flicks. I think it's the one with the Bridgerton guy?”

Peggy nodded- her and Steve watched the series (the third season was weak but the Edwina spinoff was superb). 

“Got it!” Loki ran out, now wearing a dark blazer with a large boa. The rest of the ensemble was pink trousers with a white flower pattern and a large blue ruffled necktie. 

“Who are you going as?” Peggy asked

“Brook.” he said, “From One Piece”

Peggy nodded, she had very little knowledge of that cartoon. 

“And you, Peter?”

Peter held up a top hat, “Jonathan Harker. MJ is going as Dracula.” 

Peggy hummed her appreciation at the take on a couples theme. 

The boys said their goodbyes and promises to be safe, and then Peggy went to fetch the candy bucket for the oncoming army of trick ‘r’ treaters. Quite ordinary for a life that has taken some odd turns. Because it was understandably odd to be a time variant and then placed in a New York where technically, she had long passed away. 

But she was here, with Steve and they had a mostly quiet private life when they weren’t galavanting all over the place Avenging. 

And she is also a part time guardian of a godling, also a fellow time variant, along with her husband. 

In short, she is now living in the age of Marvels. 

Steve came home soon after with groceries bags.

“I got the candy for the kids!” he said, kissing her on the cheek. 

“Just in time, I spot a tiny witch and a few young Avengers,” Peggy said, as the neighborhood children, who were in fact dressed as Avengers (the original line up) walked towards the house. 

They poured out the mounds of candy bars, sweet tarts and the sort into the large bucket, which they would later leave on their stoop for any latecomers. And off they went. 

“Loki came by?” Steve asked.

“He forgot a part of his costume. He’s going as a pirate skeleton,” Peggy explained, as they went out the door, and then said, “Peter has our number if anything should happen.”

“It's a kids party,” Steve said, “They can’t get into too much trouble.”

Later on, they got a message from Peter.

“Hi Mrs Rogers. So um…I don’t want to alarm you, I got help but we are sort of fighting dinosaurs? So you might want to call SHIELD so they can set out a perimeter? I’ll keep you updated.” 

Steve and her stared at the phone and wordlessly agreed that they should head over to Parker’s. With backup. Maybe a tank.