A.n.: I'm a horrible person, I know. Not even trying to apologise anymore... School is still a bitch, but four weeks is just too much for any excuse. Anyway, on with the story (to which now I have so many plans it hurts not being able to write everything in between). This chapter is mostly filler, sorry...

Also, I finally give up trying to write in the present, as there are always some sentences slipping to past unoticed (as I prefer writing that way) - not that anyone cares, though ;)

It had been ten minutes sitting in the livingroom before Loki's calm demeanor faltered. Odin had not come yet - not for him, not for the children (and he new for sure it wasn't ignorance regarding their presence what had kept the man upstairs).

Quietly disentangling his fingers from Hella's, the now father got up - in the process touching Fred's shoulder, telling him not to follow - and headed for his father's study. Whether Steve noticed it or not (so distracted he was with his younger nephews) was irrelevant, as his brother rarely intruded on discussions between Odin and Loki - no one wise would, sometimes.

Once at the massive (though now not as much as when he was a child) and hated door, Loki didn't hesitate or anounce himself before barging in the room, features controled as always.

"Good morning, father." Although calm, his voice wasn't even nearly sincere.

Odin was standing in front of one of the bookshelves, his back to the door and holding an open book. "Morning, Loki.". Their 'conversations' had always been like that: a few false pleasanteries and bitter comments.

"I see you're too busy reading", and looked pointedly to the book, "Dumas to actually go downstairs and meet your grandchildren."

Turning around, the man faced his son with his one eye and decided to speak the harsh truth Loki didn't want to see. "I have already talked to you about this." Although the word 'talked' was met with a scoff, he kept on pridefully as ever. "You're young and reckless. You can't take care of those kids."

"I don't know if you realise, Odin, but your opinion matters not to me. They're not 'those kids', they're my children and want to meet their grandfather."

Then they stared at each other, a natural progression for father and son. Uncomfortable silence reigned the room for some moments, but neither was willing to let go or simply try to understand the other's point of view.

It went on until a soft tap on the door was heard and Steve opened the wooden piece. "Father, Lok', aren't you coming down?" His smile was visibly awkward.

"I'm taking my family home." The older brother said, already heading for the first floor. After a moment of hesitation and a look of disapproval to their unrelenting father, Steve ran after Loki, catching up with him before both entered the livingroom.

"Lok', don't go so soon!"

"I told this wasn't a good idea. Why do you always insist, Steve?" The angry voice didn't even dent the youngest's resolution, so accustomed he was to it.

"And why are you always so pessimist? Give father a chance, he just needs to get used to the idea."

"He doesn't even want to meet them! How am supposed to deal calmly with that?"

"Don't the kids want to meet him? Think of them, instead of yourself." This was met with a venomous tone.

"Are you accusing me of bad parenting as well, brother?"

"For Christ's sake, you know I'm not! Just..." The blonde took a deep breath to keep calm and not fall for his brother bitter words. "Can we stop this silly discussion already, Lok'? You know very well that in the end you won't be mad with me anyway." The lighthearted change seemed to reach it's goal, as said man eased the tension on his posture and took a deep breath himself.

"Okay then, Captain." The old nickname (earned because of his bossy moments) brought a smile to both faces. "What do you suggest I do regarding your unreasonable father?"

"Our father. Just let me talk to him and wait for us downstairs."

"Anything else, boss?" Steve rolled his eyes and went back upstairs to fix the quarrel. 'Like in old times.' He thought, not exactly amused.

Back in the livingroom, Loki tried to put up a relaxed facade for the children, but fooled no one - absolutely no one.

"Dadddy? Why you are sad?" Little Victor asked, his plush wolf suddenly not so interesting anymore. Nathan let go of his toy boat as well and went to hug his father, along with Stephan.

Too surprised by how perceptive they were, the man took a seat on an armchair and pulled both boys to his lap before saying anything.

"I'm not sad, it's only that I had a misunderstanding." Seeing his smile - perfected through the years to seem always natural - the younger ones, including John, acquiesced. Fred warily let go, but Hel didn't even pretend to buy the act.

Partially frustrated that he couldn't hide from his daughter, and at the same time strangely conforted by it, Loki met her unwavering gaze collected but not fakely so.

"What happened, father?" Now Fred returned his eyes to him as well.

"I had a discussion with Odin, but I'd prefer not to comment on it." A moment of silence followed, until she sighted and then smiled.

"All right, then. Now tell us, is Uncle Steve always talking about history?" The change of subjects, way from subtle, was still effective - Loki really wanted to know what they thought of his little brother and never could miss a chance of jesting at his expense.

The relaxed banter between the three continued for many minutes, eventually going from Steve to things like where they could go during the short vacation and what they expected of school this year, until heavy steps were heard coming from the stairs.

A.n.: thumbs up to sensible Steve for dealing with Loki much better than anyone else would (except Natasha, of course). Sorry for the short filler chapter

P.S.: I won't make more promises, as I keep none... Again no Thor :( but not for long, I hope