Lullabies and Love (an Avengers fic)

Disclaimer: All rights belong to Marvel. I own nothing and no profit is being made.
"Baby Mine" song and lyrics (c) Ned Washington

oOoOoOo

Loki woke when he heard the sobs and wails coming from the crib across the room. Rising as though he'd been awake for hours not seconds, he crossed the room and cooed softly at the baby who was fussing and red faced. Lifting his son into his arms, the trickster gently rocked the baby, who continued to fuss. Walking to the rocking chair near the crib, Loki sat and used the soothing motion of said chair to calm his son.

When the wailing became soft hiccups Loki started singing softly, still gently rocking back and forth.

Baby mine don't you cry
Baby mine dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine

Little one when you play
Don't you mind what they say
Let those eyes sparkle and shine
Never a tear, baby of mine

If they knew sweet little you
They end up loving you too
All those same people who scold you
What they'd give just for the right to hold you

From your head down to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows
But you're so precious to me
Sweet as can be, baby of mine

Loki smiled as his beautiful son fell back to sleep, a tiny hand fisted in his shirt, and soft little snores filling the air. He sat there for a while long, just rocking back and forth, still humming the melody of the lullaby. He lifted his head when he heard footsteps and his emerald gaze landed on the half naked man standing in the doorway, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest and a loving smile on his face. Big blue eyes watched him and Loki had a moment of self-consciousness before shoving it away.

He watched the man approach and continued humming. Even when the man was standing next to the rocking chair, a hand on his shoulder, he kept humming. He smiled when the man leaned down, lips brushing against his temple, then his cheek, the corner of his mouth and then his lips. It was a sweet kiss. Meant to convey love. He basked in that, returning it with ever ounce of his being, and his smile widened when the kiss ended only so the man could lean down further and place a butterfly kiss on the baby's forehead.

When the man straightened, just enough to look into Loki's eyes, the trickster couldn't help the way his heart stuttered at the way love lit those beautiful blue eyes up, making them shine brighter than any star. The man was smiling when he sang part of the lullaby to Loki.

Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine
You're so precious to me
Sweet as can be, baby of mine

Loki leaned forward and brushed a quick kiss to the man's lip. "I love you, Clinton," he whispered, eyes filling with love.

Clint let his forehead rest again Loki's even as he carefully placed a hand against their son, feeling the baby press closer to his touch. "I love you, too," he whispered back. "Both of you."