This is a one shot inspired by a post on ImagineLoki on Tumblr. It was originally posted on the blog, but I've since made a few edits, including a name change for the main character.

Story is AU where Loki has always known he wasn't the son of Odin. Thor was never banished to Earth (so has never met Jane), and is married to Lady Sif. A restless Loki traveled to Earth, where he met and fell in love with Sarah. This one shot takes place when their daughter is approximately 4-5 years old.

Sarah stood at the balcony rail. She could see the gently pulsing rainbow bridge that led to the bifrost. Heimdall would surely be on guard, she thought, seeing the golden dome in the distance. She thought, fleetingly, of home. She wondered what chaos Earth was currently going through.

“Mama, Mama, Mama!”

Sarah turned to see Cecelia’s chubby little legs propelling her across the floor until she skidded to a stop in front of her. She knelt in front of her daughter, gathering her up into her arms, hugging her close before setting her back on her feet. “And what adventures have you been up to?” she asked, one hand rifling her daughter’s shoulder length ebony curls.

Bright green eyes twinkled up at her. They were so like her father’s eyes, even though his were rarely as merry as hers. “I want to fight like Auntie Sif when I get big!” she cried.

“So you were at the training grounds again?” Sarah asked, one dark brow raised. “And what have you been told about going to the training grounds without Daddy or me?”

Cecelia looked down, and slowly dragged one slippered foot back and forth over the marble tile. “I know I’m not supposed to,” she said slowly then looked up at Sarah pleadingly, “but Uncle was there, and he picked me up, and he made me sit and watch from the balcony, and he said I would be a great warrior some day, like Auntie Sif, but I had to watch first because I’m too little right now.” Her dark brows knit in a frown, and her lower lip puffed up in a pout. “When will I stop being little?”

“When you grow up,” Sarah said with a small while biting back a smile. Cecelia rolled her eyes, and Sarah couldn’t help but laugh. She gathered Cecelia close for another hug before setting the little girl on her feet. Rising, she held out her hand to Cecelia, “Come,” she said, “let’s…”

She didn’t get the chance to finish her sentence as the double doors opened, and Loki walked purposefully into the room. “What…may I ask…is this?” he asked, pulling a miniature wooden sword from behind his back.

“DADDY!”Cecelia cried, abandoning Sarah completely and running full tilt for her father.

Sarah couldn’t help smiling as she watched Loki scoop up their daughter mid-stride and spin her in circles until they were both laughing. He set her on her feet, and kneeling in front of her, proffered the wooden sword. “I assume this is yours? Thor mentioned that you’d forgotten to take it with you today.”

Cecelia took the sword solemnly, grinned suddenly, and twirled the sword much as Sif was wont to do. Since Cecelia’s chubby little hands weren’t nearly as experienced with swordplay, the small wooden sword clattered to the ground after a moment. Her lower lip puffed up in a pout, she glared at the sword.

Loki ruffled her hair lovingly. “You’ll learn with practice, dear one,” he chuckled.

“Will you practice with me?” she asked hopefully.

He shook his head. “We have our own lessons, remember?” he asked, waving one hand and conjuring a belt and sheath that would fit her small sword. She made to snatch it from him, but he kept it slightly out of reach. “Remember our deal,” he reminded, “your turn.” Loki set the small belt and sheath beside him, along with her sword.

Cecelia held her hands in front of her, palms up, and squeezed her eyes shut in concentration. As Sarah watched, a faint blue tinge crept over her daughter’s skin. It started at her fingertips and worked slowly up her arms. Loki’s gaze lifted from their daughter to Sarah, waiting for a reaction. When he received none, he turned back to Cecelia. The blue tinge faded as quickly as it had come, and after a moment, a small wriggling puppy took form in her hands. Giggling with delight, the child set the puppy on the floor. Reminiscent of Jingle, a small husky puppy in a storybook from home, the puppy bounded around Cecelia and her father, slipping on the marble tile once or twice before hunkering down and peeing less than an inch from Cecelia’s slipper.

Sarah sighed, and covered her face with one hand.

Loki chuckled, waved a hand, and the small puddle disappeared. “Well done, dear one!” Loki hugged their daughter. Cecelia beamed at her father’s approval and threw her arms around his neck in as tight a hug as she could manage. The puppy sat at Cecelia’s feet and dissolved slowly.

After moment, Cecelia pulled back. One small chubby hand played with Loki’s shoulder length hair. “Daddy?”

“Yes, dear one?” he asked, smiling.

“Can I braid your hair?” Cecelia asked, her eyes transfixed on the ebony strands sliding through her fingers.

Sarah chuckled, but turned it quickly into a cough when Loki looked at her. “Is that some Midgardian custom I’ve not been made aware of?” he asked her.

Unable to suppress a smile, Sarah answered, “She likes to braid my hair sometimes.”

Cecelia was nodding emphatically. “Mommy’s hair is a lot longer than yours.”

“Yes, it is,” Loki said fondly before turning to their daughter. “I suppose there’s no harm in it,” he said, sitting on the floor. Cecelia clapped with delight and dashed around to her father’s back. Her hands immediately tangled in his dark hair. Loki’s eyes met Sarah’s. “Come here, wife,” he said, extending one long fingered hand.

As long as they’d been together, that word never failed to cause her heart to leap in her chest. His knowing smile made her grin. She came to him and took his hand. With a tug, he pulled her onto his lap. Sarah laughed as he slid his arms around her. “Does she know what she’s doing?” he asked her.

Sarah glanced over his shoulder at Cecelia. Her brows were drawn down in concentration as her chubby little fingers slowly worked on his hair. Sarah couldn’t help but grin at Loki. “Somewhat,” she admitted. “At least she doesn’t just tie knots anymore.”

Loki blew out a breath and rolled his eyes.

“All done!” Cecelia crowed. “See, Mommy? Two braids…but not as long as yours.”

Sarah crawled off Loki’s lap and moved behind him to kneel beside her daughter. Two very messy and short braids hung just above his shoulders. “You’re getting better!” Sarah complimented, giving Cecelia a hug.

“How do I get to see?” Loki asked.

The double doors boomed as they opened, cutting off any answer Sarah might have made. “Where is my warrior niece?! There is training to be done!”

“Uncle!” Cecelia called, waving her chubby arms. One small elbow caught Sarah in the nose, and she briefly saw stars. “Daddy and I were practicing, and lookit what he let me do after I made the puppy!” She pointed at the twin braids she’d created in Loki’s hair.

“You look ravishing brother!” Thor chuckled, and Loki’s back stiffened. “All you’re missing are ribbons!”

“Green and gold to match Daddy’s armor,” Cecelia agreed.

“Cecelia…” Sarah began, but Loki interrupted her, “It’s alright, love.” He turned slowly and got to his feet. “Brother,” he nodded in Thor’s direction even as he extended a hand to Sarah. She took his hand, and Loki helped her to her feet. “Come to take her back to the training ground?” he asked, his expression severe.

Thor scooped up Cecelia and spun her in a circle until she squealed with delight. “What do you say, niece? Sif is looking forward to training you.”

Cecelia opened her mouth, and then remembering her mother’s earlier words, she turned to Sarah. “Mama, please?”

Sarah looked to Loki, who nodded imperceptibly. Sarah turned back to Cecelia. “Very well, but,” she added after Cecelia crowed with delight, “you are to be back in time for your lessons with me.”

“Mama!” she whined, clinging a bit tighter to Thor, “what’s the use of those guardian scribbles?”

Sarah’s mouth worked for a minute as she worked the words out. “Did you mean Midgardian scribbles?” she asked. She glanced at Loki, who, his lips twitching, looked at Thor. Thor found the marble tiles very interesting suddenly.

Cecelia nodded. “Yep! Guardian scribbles, just like Uncle…”

“I believe it’s time we were off, little warrior!” Thor interrupted, “where is your sword?” He set her back on her feet. She ran to her father, who knelt to hand her the sword and sheath. She took them from him, turned, then turned back to hug him tightly. She let go and ran to Thor, who scooped her back up into his arms. Thor nodded to Sarah. “I will have her back in time for her lessons.” He nodded to Loki and turned to go.

“Brother?” Loki’s voice was soft, but Thor heard and turned back. “Keep her safe.”

Sarah waited for some quick reassurance, but it didn’t come. Instead, Thor nodded solemnly. “Always, brother.” He turned again with Cecelia in his arms.

Cecelia waved at Loki and Sarah as she and Thor headed for the door. As they cleared the doorway, Cecelia said, “Uncle…can I braid your hair?” The doors shut before they could hear his response.