To say that Tony was annoyed would be a bit of an understatement. Perhaps irritated or frustrated were some words that could describe how he was feeling. But there is not a word in the English language that could describe how Tony feels while talking to his fad. And judging by the expression on his father's face, along with the white-knuckled grip on his coffee mug, Howard Stark probably had the same thoughts whirling around in his mind.
"I still don't see why you're making me jump on the welcome wagon for this kid. In case you haven't noticed, you're not the only one who's occupied with experiments and such." Tony argued, only growing more frustrated once he noticed the same unfazed look on his dads face as before. "Not to mention a to do list that will most likely take a long time to complete; probably longer than the last nanny you hired stayed with us."
His father believed that a motherly figure was what his son was missing in his life; hence the past five nannies in the past two months. All lasted at least a few weeks at most but the last was the quickest, staying for a mere six days before proposing some weak excuse to his dad and leaving. If he wasn't so angry with him, Tony would have thought it was the most sentiment Howard ever showed the brunette in his seventeen years of living.
"It's good for press and he's your age, mind you. I'm not asking for you to befriend the boy, just make sure to be spotted in public together." His dad explained with the little amount of patience he had left for Tony.
"In case you haven't not-"
"In case you haven't noticed, Odin Cooperation is the biggest weapons manufacturer in England and all of Europe. They are the European equivalent of Stark Industries. Some people still aren't behind the idea of our companies merging but our publicists believe that if the public eye sees the sons of the two companies getting along then maybe others will come to terms with the idea." Howard let out the breath he was holding after his mini speech and brought the coffee mug to his lips, taking a long gulp. "Also take in mind that I'm your father and what I say goes."
All Tony could do was glare daggers at his dad from across his gigantic wooden desk. The tone of voice he used towards the end suggested that the discussion was closed for good and Tony was given an order, not a suggestion like he originally said their talk was going to be. The anger inside him swelled up greatly at the tiny wave his father used to usher him out of his office, one that a person would use on a house pet when they were too busy to play.
The brunette could practically feel his body shaking with rage and turned for exit before he could curse profanities at his father. Tony slammed the door shut, knowing he hated it and felt a surge of satisfaction course through him when he heard him call out his sons name angrily. He decided that if he would have to be forced to spend time with a potential British snob, he should at least have some background information on him. Tony took a shortcut through one of his houses many entertainment rooms, past the billiard room and up the stairs which would lead to his room.
So far, the basic knowledge Tony had on the boy was that his father was CEO of the family business, he had an older brother by one year, they were from England and he had a stupid ass name that seemed to escape Tony at the moment being. He entered his room, stepping over some of the clothes on the floor and over to his desk by the window to grab hold of his laptop. Tony made a mental note to clean his room so he didn't seem like a total slob when company was over. Once he was sprawled out on his bed, taking comfort in the silk sheets and the many pillows, Tony booted up the laptop and clicked on the internet symbol to begin his endeavor. At the search results, the brunette groaned, grumpily getting up and deciding to grab a mug of coffee since it seemed he was getting close to no sleep that night.
~ 3 days later~
Loki stayed silent as his father discussed the course of action once their private jet landed in Malibu, and fought the urge to interrupt with his own comments on the matters they were currently on. If there was one thing he remembered being taught at a young age, it was never interrupt his father unless he enjoyed being scolded. Odin was up to the topic of publicity and Loki was not particularly fond of where this conversation seemed to be leading. His attention was slowly being divided once he began to hear Thor's booming commentary to whatever shoe or movie was capturing his brother's interest.
He moved his position on the small leather couch, bringing up his legs and tucking his feet between the two cushions for warmth as he drowned out whatever seemed to make Odin go off on a tangent. His father's words seemed to go in one ear and out the other. Loki suddenly heard the name Tony Stark, the words 'befriend' and 'hang out' and snapped his head up, ignoring the cracking that resulted from doing so and stared at his father with wide green eyes who only looked at his son with raised eyebrows. He certainly must have heard wrong or it was a test from Odin to see if Loki was listening to a word he was saying.
"Are your words true or is this mockery?" Loki spoke aloud after a moment of silence between the two.
A look of confusion took over his father's features. "My son, why would my words be taken as mockery when there was no intent for such?"
"Because either my hearing has suffered greatly from take off, which I highly doubt, or you speak with jest. My dislike for the son of Stark is known by all of the housemaids of our old estate back in England as well as mother and Thor." He responded, aware of his snarky tone but choosing to ignore it as he eyed his father suspiciously. "Certainly you know this or you would have not suggested this ridiculous idea of me befriending him."
"Loki, this is nonsense. You have never met the son of Howard Stark so it would seem quite rude to judge character off of one might hear in the tabloids." Odin said in defiance to his son.
Loki snorted at his father's words and relaxed more into the couch. "Surely, that is another joke on your part." He stated condescendingly, his green eyes sparkling with feign amusement. "Those tabloids of which you speak are more of the reason I should judge him. You hear what he does: the sleeping around, the underage drinking as well as gambling. Tony Stark is the walking poster boy for what expecting mothers hope their child doesn't grow up to be." He spat and removed his feet from between the two cushions to a normal sitting position.
"The boy may have his fault but be sure to keep in mind his great accomplishments at such a young age." His father said, irritation for his younger son beginning to show on his features.
"Faults?" Loki echoed with a laugh that held no form of humor behind it. "Fault is such a light word for what ridiculous stunts Stark does in which he considered extracurricular activities. He is no more virtuous than that bloody Lohan girl you hear about on TMZ right after the latest scandal about Stark! I believe the correct term is vice, which fits in better with his immature decisions and such stupidity for a supposed genius." Loki snapped, growing angrier with the idea of spending his free time with the irresponsible prat known as Tony Stark.
His father opened his mouth to retaliate but the voice of Thor flooded into the room from his place further back in the plane. "Father! I bid you bad news from this reporter. I suggest moving rather swiftly if you wish you catch what this woman speaks of."
Loki stared at Odin, anger still present on his facial features as the both stood to venture down the hallway into the lounge room Thor was currently occupying.
"We shall finish this discussion later tonight." Odin said simply before making his way over to Thor with a sulking Loki in tow. "What is it, my boy?"
"This reporter speaks of Stark Industries and Odin Corporation as well as how the son of Howard showed up heavily intoxicated to a press release involving the fate of the companies becoming one." Thor informed them both.
Loki couldn't help the smugness that pulsated through him at his brother's words and the reaction on his father's face from the unpleasant news. "Speaking of immature decisions and said stupidity for a genius." The seventeen year old said with a hint of satisfaction in his tone from just mentioned such recklessness a few moments ago. Loki sent his father a smug smirk with raised brows in amusement before leaving the lounge and heading into one of the planes many bedroom quarters.