"You know I can never understand Peps… I mean, I invited her out for fun and well… she refused. I thought she likes me? Or am I reading her signals wrong?"

"Stark", a sigh, "could you please do me a favour? Do not call me in the middle of the night just to ask me about Miss Potts."

"Come on Lok!-"

"And do not give me idiotic pet names."

"-I'm currently at Peggy's. Swing by and help me drown my woes!"

"Goodnight Stark."

With brutal finality, Loki Odinson ends the call then turns off his mobile phone just in case the childish inventor would ever think of calling him again. He doesn't believe in Stark's brand of "TGIF", as it mostly involves getting wasted and having risky sex. But he wouldn't have to worry about that for now. The mayhem is currently bothering poor Steve Rogers…

What could be the Odinson CEO's brand of TGIF you ask?

Easy. It would be staying in his office until morn, making more money than he could possibly burn away in a year.


Of Burdens and Glorious Purposes

Chapter 1

The English Breakfast

Loki Odinson was raised under the strict guidance of his mother- the famous Frigga Odinson.

Frigga made sure that both of her boys treaded the right paths to their beautiful futures, whilst ingraining as much culture and manner in their minds as possible. You could say that Loki looks up to his mother because of this. He had been a very difficult child- armed with the whip-like wit and laser-intensity silver tongue that he is known today. The woman practically wrestled and fought with his whimsy every time she deemed him unreasonable.

Fast forward years later and at thirty-five, he can still proudly say that his dear mother can make the both of them- Thor and he- bow to her every request.

Frigga knows of her power over her sons and though she doesn't really like abusing the privilege of being able to boss around two of the most powerful men in the world, (one, in influence and the other, in physical) sometimes she just has to. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

"Mother-"

"No Loki, darling. I will not hear you until you finish hearing my concerns."

Well, that is a bit too much.

An hour ago, Frigga Odinson arrived in her son's penthouse and was welcomed with the emptiness of the place. It was unusual… for every time she sends a message that she'll be coming over to check on him he would be there to welcome her (as par to what she taught him of being a good host).

Thirty minutes after her arrival, Loki barrelled into his flat, still in what she could discern as yesterday's suit. Turns out he was not able to read her message because he switched off his phone in order to prevent disturbance.

Now, the two of them are having breakfast in his dining. His chef was fast enough to respond to her demands of a heavy English breakfast for her malnourished son.

Is he even eating on time?

"Darling", she lets out a disappointed sigh. "…you spent your whole night in the office again. You've wasted yet another beautiful Friday night with your computers…"

"AND project proposals."

She shoots him a look. "Yes… and project proposals. Tony called me."

Loki, though already a fully-grown man (a fine specimen of a fully-grown man) groans of childish displeasure. His mother has this unhealthy fondness of the Stark brat. Then again, everything concerning Anthony "Tony" Stark is unhealthy.

"Loki, you are not to think ill of Anthony. He is a good friend of yours- being worried and all that-"

Worried… yeah right…

"He told me you rejected his invitation last night. I am disappointed darling… you could have spent that night in relaxation. Perhaps you could have even found someone interesting enough to bring home."

"Mother!" The thought is horrifying. Is Frigga Odinson truly suggesting that he go out and find someone to bring home? As in find someone to have a one-night stand with? Stark must have been rubbing off her. She's even starting to think like him.

"Darling, your father and I are not getting any younger. Thor and Sif are- thankfully- expecting their first born. You, on the other hand, need a push. You wouldn't want to grow old and senile alone, grouchy and God forbid… alone. You are now thirty-five, son. Do hasten the search. I believe you are never opposed to using any means necessary"

"Goodness… you must be really desperate."

"You have no idea. I do not want you to die alone, Loki."

"Worry not Lady Odinson! This friend of his shall never leave him!"

Loki suppresses another groan climbing up his throat. The man-boy doesn't really know when to quit. He even took his mother's presence as an opportunity to push his unneeded (and possibly extremely harmful) assistance.

"I shall assist our dear prince find his princess. That is why…" How Stark was able to cross the living space and dining without anyone's notice is a wonder. He flourishes a flamboyant bow, whilst holding out a crème envelope between his index and middle fingers. "I have organized a gathering!"

Frigga smiles at the antic of the dark haired inventor in grey ensemble, who she treats like her third son. "Good morning Tony."

"Good morn my lady and good morn to you too oh dark-brooding-prince-who-desperately-needs-a-good-conquest", Anthony Stark smiles crookedly, taking his place in the dining table without invitation. He doesn't need one… Frigga had long given him the familial privileges.

The chef is quick to set him a plate.

"Is that for your birthday?" she asks.

"Why yes... I am overjoyed that you can remember my birthdate, my lady. So, will I be honoured of you and your husband's presence? I already had my staff send out your invites."

"Of course…" She beams, blue eyes sparkling with glee. "You came here to personally give Loki his? That is sweet of you…"

"Well, we know Rock-of-Ages my lady. He craves personal and intimate involvement. If I will leave his invite up to my people, even his shadow will not cross the entrance of the venue. As my best friend, his attendance is mandatory you know."

"I am your best friend? I thought the title goes to Rogers?" Loki raises an eyebrow, joining the conversation. He does not need Stark to further corrupt his mother. It's bad enough to hear Frigga suggesting that he should have one night stands. She really is desperate.

"You know what", man-boy replies with palpable enthusiasm. "I did too! Until Bucky Barnes showed up last night and I saw Cap give him a willing bro hug! Apparently they are best friends."

"Uhhh… poor you?"

"I know! And as if to make matters worse, Peps called earlier today to tell me about the Jap's visit. Apparently, they want me to tour them. Me? And here I thought I never included 'tour guide' in my biography."

"Stark, if you badly want these people to invest in your company, you need to butter them up. And yes, that includes adding 'tour guide' in your biography."

"I know that", man-boy rolls his eyes. "I just want to complain."

"See this, Mother. You are fond of this… this… abomination."

"Loki, darling, don't be ridiculous. Tony's just joking…"

Loki blows off the damp strands of raven locks from his vision. It's a habit he picked up when he was in boarding school- the place from where Stark started forcing his insufferable company upon him.

"And darling…" Frigga adds as she takes a sip from her tea. Her eyes appraising him from the rim. "Your hair's too long. Don't you think it is time to have it trimmed?"

"Mother-"

Once again, Stark beats him with his childish enthusiasm, "Actually Madame Odinson, It's the hair. Girls love his hair. I mean, I do too..." he touches his chest in mockery. "The length is perfect for-"

"Stark."

"…a ponytail!"


"You should really swing by Peggy's."

Loki never saw this coming. After Tony Stark gave the Japanese investors a tour around his famous Stark Tower, he had JARVIS (his AI butler program) send him an email saying that he'll be coming over for lunch. What the inventor's up to, is still a mystery to him. He's been tailing him like a kicked puppy. Loki doubts this still has something to do with Ms. Potts.

He lets out a sigh, clicking "Save" then "Send". Finally he's able to finish correcting the data those incompetent fools from the Statistics floor got wrong. He will have to visit them.

"Stark", he makes a grab for the still-covered chopsticks placed beside his mouse. The only good thing about the man-boy interrupting him for lunch is the sushi box he brought with him. "What is it that you really want? You have been incessantly nagging me to come with you to the Rogers' place."

Tony frowns. Too perceptive… He stabs the last fatty tuna in his box. Yes. "Stabs". The Tony Stark is useless when it comes to using chopsticks. No judging please. "I just want to make Steve jealous."

An infamous raise of an eyebrow. "Does Mrs. Rogers know of your unrequited feelings towards her husband?"

"You know it's nothing like that love… I'll never trade you for the muscly military officer. I am rather taken of your… tall, dark and brooding."

"Well… should I be ecstatic?"

"You should be… you have the Tony Stark wrapped around your tiny finger. But seriously though, I am a bit peeved of that Bucky Barnes." The way Stark says the name drips of venom. "He just showed up and then all the ladies' attention shifted onto him. I am truly contemplating to enter service 'cuz of the charm."

"Oh… so that's what this is all about. Bucky Barnes stealing the girls. I thought you promised to Pep-"

"No Rock-of-Ages. Don't you get it?! Tony Stark is the gift of God to the ladies. Ladies, Lok. Ladies."

A shrug, "If you say so."

"Enough of mine… we should focus on yours."

"You are really taking this seriously…"

"Course I am! This is my first project with Frigga! If this goes well, we are going to enter the match making biz."

On normal days (days that don't involve talks about his apparent barren love life) he would gladly indulge in mind boggling banters with Stark. But not today… as this involves scandalous number of attempts to get him spilling about the matters of his little black heart.

Loki is not one to throw away his time for girls. It's not like he cannot appreciate a pretty face and a comely body. Non. He is very much a man… and he has everything that entails being a man. However, he is not blind to the fact that relationships surpassing the limitations of transience and physical are hard to come by these days. Tony Stark is the best example. Not that he gives him much credit.

He gives the blabbering inventor a once over before hanging his head and focusing his attention on the sushi. Screw friendly talks… he's not one for them anyway. Let the idiot blabber all he want.

Tony Stark is not making any sense... As if he ever does.

Maybe he'll humor him and swing by Peggy's just for the heck of it? He could use a good drink. Hell. He needs it.


And yeah... Hey there. I just want to polish a few things about OBAGP. First, the Odinson family will be "Odinsons". I will not use the Viking's way of naming. So, Odin will be "Odin Odinson"... no matter how weird that will be. Second, this fanfic will proceed a bit like "How I Met Your Mother". Hence, Jane and Loki will be meeting in a much later chapter, although there will be instances of close meeting. Third, the fic is a bit crass... so if you are not used to frank talks, then this is not for you. Fourth and last, the setting is modern and all-human. I made it a point to envision how the characters will act in a typical world.

That should be it... see yah next time.