A/N: Characters mentioned below are definitely not mine. The plot, however, is my own idea. Story written for pure joy of writing. Not making money from it.

'How was your day, son?' Frigga's voice was a bit longing. Maybe their last visit at parent's house was longer ago than he thought. On the other hand, the workload was overwhelming and his mother's innocent jokes about grandchildren were a little bit too much to bear right now.

'I appreciate your concern, but it's only ten in the morning. Two to ten in the morning, to be precise.'

'And you want me to believe that you didn't do a single thing? Loki, I know you all too well.'

Odinson sighed. Quietly, because even though he didn't like when his mother was irrational, he knew and appreciated her motivation.

'Right. But I have to warn you, it's both painfully boring and drastic. It's your last chance to withdraw.'

None response came through the phone, so Loki wasn't successful enough to discourage his loving mother from her small attempts on updating on his everyday life.

'I got up at an ungodly hour. Went jogging, about ninety minutes or so. And before you ask – I was wearing all the proper clothes to prevent illness, not a single dog chased me, I didn't meet anyone interesting and didn't lose my keys, credit cards, left shoe or anything of sorts. After returning to my gloomy bachelor pad I took a shower, ate my breakfast as any other good little boy, dressed up like a model for Wealthy Man In Search Of Good Wife Magazine…'

'I'm still not over your last prank for April Fools. Don't try my patience with mentioning this fictional abomination of a tabloid.'

'Right. I apologize once again, mother. Though I still claim it was one of my better ideas. Shirtless Thor on the cover, shirtless and in swimming trunks Thor inside, few classy pictures of myself… Oh, that deadly silence is a clear message to my prankster soul to cease its dreams. At least for few more minutes. Where were we? Ah, I locked the door to my apartment, mind you, I always do that. Then I drove to office without a single traffic law violation. And here I am, sitting behind big, wooden desk which is probably worth more than I would be ever willing to pay from my own funds and I'm talking to my mother. End story.'

'Loki, what is wrong?'

'Nothing. I was just answering to all possible questions you might have asked me. It's making conversations into monologues, but it also gives the speaker some new perspective.'

'Well, have it your way. I hope it's nothing serious and that after a while you'll be willing to speak sincerely with me.'

'I'm sorry mother.' he closed his eyes and rested his head against leather chair 'It's getting really busy here, but I promise that after closing the deal with Stark I will visit you and…'

'Mr. Odinson, your father called.' Loki's secretary, Judith, spoke via intercom.

'I've got to go. Thank you for the call, mother. And please don't worry, everything is under control.' he lied smoothly, but it was all for the best now.

'Mr. Odinson, your father would like you and your brother to meet with him in a quarter.'

'Thank you, Judith. Has my brother confirmed it?'

'He is not in his office, Sir. Also, he is not picking up his mobile.'

Loki sighed. Back to that path again. And it was supposed to be such a peaceful day.

'Right. Thank you, Judith.' apparently, the younger brother once again had to fetch the older one from confines of R&D, just three floors down from his office.

But there were also some perks.

When his brother's teen – like infatuation began and need to pay close attention to Thor's whereabouts arose, there seemed to be a boon for whoever decided to collect 'prince' from R&D.

The Head of Department's assistant. Ladies and Gentlemen, Miss Darcy Lewis and her amazing… Well, maybe even more than amazing, especially in clothes she preferred to wear. Business casual? Everything but casual.

When Loki saw her after getting off the elevator, she was sitting behind her desk and typing. Also, she was trying to lose any connection to here and now with a little help of her iPod.

Odinson wanted to tease her about company's policy on not being able to hear a phone call while at workplace, but lovely cleavage of her blue blouse was far too distracting. Silky article of clothing in one of his favorite shades appeared to be more suitable subject for some slight mocking.

Before Head of Legal Department managed to open his mouth, his ears picked up on conversation behind the closed door. And laughter. Oh yes, Thor's voice was as loud as a thunder. Perhaps parents had some kind of epiphany on their side when choosing names, not only power of long family tradition.

'Yep, officially going deaf. Please, Jane, look through the pretence and appreciate the externals. Jump the bones of our fair knight on a shining motorbike or in a cute sports car on rainy days and end my misery. Hell, I'll betcha he paints it white if you tell him so.' melodic murmuring was interrupted with a small gasp 'Hold the phone. Jump his bones wherever you like, but allow me to be at least one hundred feet away. Make that two hundred and with three thick brick walls separating little ol' me and your love suite.'

Loki officially classified this speech as the biggest highlight of Thor's awkward courtship.

'I'm in trouble, am I not?' she asked sheepishly, slowly lifting up her eyes to him 'I am VERY sorry, Mr. Odinson. I thought I was completely alone and it was unacceptable and I can honestly promise…'

'That you do that again the next time I have to collect my insuffrable sibling from your boss' office.' Loki was smiling genuinely and praising whatever good luck he had that Darcy was rather secluded from the rest of the staff and wasn't aware of his reputation among coworkers. Or maybe it was just the matter of her working at TNR Corp. for just few months. Either way, she probably wasn't warned that he was one cold, condescending prick of a manager. Due to which, she was treating him with respect but also with a lot of… normality. Similar maybe to the way which young niece speaks to one of her parents' younger brother. Not so young niece and definitely younger uncle. Huh.

'Pardon?'

'I hope you will keep up with your creativity because I have a strong feeling that frequency of my appearances next to the core of the problem is going to rise. Rapidly.'

'Tell me about it. Mr. Odinson. It was pure luck I managed to talk to Jane just after getting here, because Prince Charming, I mean Thor, I mean Mr. Odinson, waltzed right in before nine. And I really, really would prefer NOT to go in there because I don't want to be traumatized for life. Or sacked for interrupting our future CEO's. I'm sorry, it was uncalled for. Mr. Odinson is your brother and…'

'Though he surely is, I would be even harsher with my words. I trust your discretion and I hope this conversation will remain between just the two of us. But even if you are not gossiping and R&D's Head's office is not in the middle of a busy town square, people have already started talking. While I don't give much care to office chitchats this little issue can be potentially problematic.'

'I won't say a word about this. I swear.'

'I say, for a moment there you resembled of a Medieval fair maiden giving an oath. Rather appealing view.'

Darcy smiled widely.

'Why thank you, my prince. Shall I fetch thy brother from his lady's chamber?'

'Alas, no. I wouldn't like to expose you to some dreadful sights, for example my brave brother fighting with a stapler or trying to decipher Miss Foster's development strategies. Let's go in together, if something troubles thy there is always my chivalry to hide behind.'

Miss Lewis giggled.

They stood in front of the door, whispered 'On the count of one, two…'

'…three…' said the shorter intruder not trying to hide her shock.

'Thor… While I admire your physical strength I do suggest to put Miss Foster back on the floor. I'm not judging any activities of two willing, adult parties behind the closed door but father wants to see us. And I will not supply any excuses because this WILL BE all your fault if we're late.'

Older Odinson's face was turning more and more red and Loki was sure it had nothing to do with holding Jane Foster in the air. With his two hands just under her backside.

'We were just…' mumbled Thor, gently putting his lovely burden on the carpet.

'Yes, we were looking for…'

'Of course you were, Miss Foster. My brother will return to helping you look for whatever you need as soon as it's possible. For now, have a nice day. Miss Foster. Miss Lewis.'

'Mr. Odinson.'

In the empty elevator Thor was trying to get rid of colour from his cheeks. Without immediate success.

'Say it.'

'Say what?' Loki was honestly not to say anything. At least anything not related to charming Miss Lewis and her preference in colours and fashion.

'That I'm acting like a teenage hormone ridden idiot. Or that it's pathetic. And that you have to cover for me all the time and that I'm irresponsible.'

'I have nothing further to add.' younger Odinson smiled lightly 'Just to clarify: I would never say your infatuation is pathetic. Strange, maybe. Impossible to understand also, because I can't imagine what you two discuss when you clearly don't understand the half of things she's working on. I don't care what employees gossip about in the bathrooms because it's probably still nicer than anything they could come up about me. But if it becomes a threat to the company…'

'You will take course.'

'I won't defend your course of action before our father.'

'Fair. And by the way – now the first of top ten most popular gossips is that you have some serious kink. Like bondage or even…'

'Well, it can be considered as some kind of improvement. I can't say I miss being thought as a "still in a closet gay with a serious kink and possible mommy issues. Our mother is far too good to be disgraced by such triviality, but I hated when they were whispering about it.'

'We have to make it discreet and quick.' Odin looked at two men sitting in front of him on leather armchairs.

'So anything public is off. No restaurants, conference halls, golf clubs, yacht clubs. My apartment is too small to host this meeting. It would be like a sleepover with college buddies, including ordering pizza, drinking warm beer straight from the can and not enough space on the floor to put sleeping bags.'

'My apartment is also out of the question. Not to mention, there are far too many people with mobile phones in the area. One kid can jeopardize our plans if he puts a seemingly innocent video on a website.' Loki looked at his brother 'Maybe we could use the mansion?'

'Quite obvious and good option.' Odin agreed 'And in that case we can make it seem more… casual. I know that Stark will bring along his most trusted co – worked, Doctor Bruce Banner. Not to mention very high probability of Virginia Pott's presence. No one can blame her for keeping a close eye on a man with Stark's reputation.'

'There goes the guest house. I would prefer to be kept as far as possible from Stark's nocturnal activities.' Loki's face was exaggeratedly disgusted.

'I want you to invite a few people to make it seem more like a friendly meeting over the weekend.' Odin looked at Thor 'Trustworthy people and preferably male.'

'I can call Steve and Clint. Will they be suitable?'

'Wise choice.'

'I second that. Clint will probably win every single poker game and Steve is my personal candidate to make Stark suffer.' younger Odinson's eyes were shining like green gems 'Anyone else?'

'Yes, there will be a special guest, our silent third investor. Miss Natasha Romanoff.'

Respectful silence was the only answer to that statement.

'Good to know. We need to brace ourselves before the man – eating ruthless businesswoman arrives. Maybe it would be wise to have more female participants?'

'If I'm not mistaken you are both single, Loki.'

'True, but Thor is making some small attempts on poaching.'

Older Odinson's face turned pink above his beard. His father was lightly amused but definitely not surprised.

'Pray tell?'

'Well, it's nothing right now. Nothing serious.'

'An intelligent woman will be a good addition to this meeting. Invite Miss Foster.'

Neither of Odin's sons commented on his suspiciously vast knowledge.

'But there is no more room in the guest house.' Loki's voice was as innocent as during negotiations with hostile company's representatives 'Stark plus one, Romanoff, Barton… And I forgot Rogers, who would have to sleep in guest room upstairs.'

'There are plenty unused rooms in the mansion. Your mother will have them prepared on time, the new maid is very efficient.'

'When is the party?'

'On Friday in three weeks' time. I plan to have guest stay until Sunday.'

'Very well, I will call Steve and Clint today.'

'If I may suggest…' Loki was more pensive than usual 'Miss Foster would probably feel more comfortable if a chaperone of sorts was invited too. It would make it clear that she is not expected of anything more than a short visit on clear, friendly terms.'

'I see.' Odin looked at his older son 'What do you say to that, Thor?'

Older Odinson clear relief was painted all over his face.

'Excellent idea, brother! Do you have someone particular in mind? Someone trustful enough to be included in this meeting?'

'Perhaps… I'm not quite positive it will be possible. But we can try Miss Lewis, Miss Foster's assistant.'

'Of course! They know each other for years, she's more like a friend to Jane than a worker. She will go.'

'I wouldn't be so sure of that.'

'You wouldn't?' Odin gave a knowing look to Loki. Damn, father didn't fall for that.

You win a few, you lose a few.

When Odinson returned to his office, Judith said something about receptionist but he was too distracted analyzing possible strategies for the upcoming meeting.

'Forgive me, I wasn't paying attention. What was that you were saying?'

'I've said that a letter to you was delivered to our reception desk, Mr. Odinson.'

Loki slowly closed the door.

Plain white envelope was waiting on the pile of files on the right.

It looked like all the previous ones, but it could be anything. An old acquaintance from school. Invitation to an exhibition. Invoice to be paid. Some stupid ads. Anything.

But when he saw elegant handwriting all hope was lost.

Angrily he opened the envelope. Inside was just one sheet of paper. The same elegant letters were used to form a short message but it was more than enough.

'You bastard, making yourself comfortable among people who are not related to you? Face it and leave before they throw you out. Sincere friend.'

Loki crushed the letter in his hand.