What's this, you ask? More Marvel? Szay what has happened to you!? My less-than-regular anime + comics schedule will be back eventually, I doNotPromise. Whoops. Oh and yes, I got a new computer!

Pair: Loki \ Tony

Start

It was the second time he'd noticed him, sitting there in the corner of the cafe. The first time Tony had noticed him the other man had simply been chewing on the end of a pen as he scrolled through his laptop, barely ever actually writing something down on the small notepad he had with him. Tony only noticed because the pencil-chewing had a noise that could not be ignored. But the man had left before Tony got annoyed enough to get up and ask him to stop.

But now it was day 2 and pencil man was back at it again with that awful annoying noise. He looked deep in thought, though, so Tony decided this time to jam his headphones into his ears and blast the music just loud enough to drown out the noise, but just quiet enough that people in the surrounding tables couldn't hear the music he played, because as much as people liked to deny it- you most definitely can hear what someone plays through their headphones. He'll ignore it just this once, and should the man return again tomorrow and continue his antics, well, Tony won't have any of it. At least, that's what he thought.

It had been nearly half an hour and pencil man was still there. Tony had barely gotten any of his own work out of the way because he'd noticed pencil man had stopped chewing on the pencil and has been staring with a blank expression at his laptop screen for the past 10- Tony checks the time again- the past 15 minutes without so much as a blink. He wasn't going to lie, he was starting to get a little worried he might have had a stroke and died somehow still sitting perfectly straight in his chair, with his admittedly nice ink black hair cascading over his shoulders. The pencil was still in the mans mouth, hanging there limply as he continued to frown at his laptop.

Tony started to wonder if the man was stuck on some kind problem and was wracking his brain for a solution. As he was thinking it over he heard the telltale sound of pencil snapping. Lurching Tony out of his thoughts he once again glanced over to pencil man, whom had apparently just bit down on the pencil so hard it had broken. Tony sighed, enough was enough; helping this pencil Destructor out seemed to be the option for now. Besides, he looked so helpless at the moment, despite the completely blank stare he was giving the laptop.

Rubbing his temples in exasperation, Tony leaped up from his seat in the middle of the cafe and ambled over to pencil man. The other man quickly noticed Tony approaching him and glanced up with a slight frown and curious stare. Before pencil man could get a word out, Tony spoke up quick.

"You look like you are having some trouble, and I was wondering if you needed any help? I couldn't help but notice you have been staring at your screen for well over ten minutes now." Tony says, watching as pencil man just stares at him.

"You were watching me? Why?" Pencil man replies, his voice could be described as velvety yet rich.

"You kept chewing your pencil, it was loud and distracting." Tony shrugs, "I was going to ask you to stop but I didn't feel up for an argument."

"I see." Pencil nods, "So instead you offer your 'help'."

"If you don't want it, I can always leave." Tony says, jabbing a finger towards the exit of the cafe.

"It's not that I am declining your offer, it's more to do with the fact there is probably nothing you could help me with." Pencil man replies, leaning back in his chair.

"What, don't think I'm smart enough for the challenge?" Tony smirks, "I promise you I can handle it- I happen to be very intelligent."

"Cocky, aren't you?" Pencil man huffs, "But not the point. This has nothing to do with academics."

"Then what's got you stumped?" Tony frowns. "Maybe I can still help."

"Why, pray tell, would I share what the problem is with a stranger, hm?" Pencil mean says, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Geez, buddy, I was just offering my help. Could have turned me down, you know?" Tony replies, raising his hands in a defensive motion and slowly backing away.

Pencil man is quiet for a second before quickly responding, "I got fired."

Tony stops in his tracks and lowers his hands, "What?"

Pencil man audibly sighs and looks away, reaching out to his laptop and turning it around for Tony to look at. "Fired."

Tony shuffles up to the table again and bends to read over the email. With a grimace he pulls back and glances down to 'Loki' as the email had addressed him as Ah, a familiar name. "Shit, man, fired for pranks? Ruthless. They must've been pretty grand to get you kicked."

Loki snorts, "My pranks are nothing less than the best." He slowly shuts the laptop, not bothering to close the browser.

Tony nods, and slowly slides into the seat across from Loki. "What are you going to do now?" He asks.

"I guess I shall just have to find yet another job." Loki sighs.

"You speak as if this is not the first time you've been fired." Tony frowns.

"I have been fired roughly 4 times now." Loki replies, holding back a small smirk as if he was proud of this accomplishment.

"4 Times?" Tony does a double take, "That's a lot, what kind of pranks did you do?"

"I would tell you but I have more pressing matters to attend to at the moment; job finding yet again being at the top of the list." Loki replies, his smirk fading, "As I said before, you couldn't possibly help me. But thank you for thinking you could."

"Well, you know maybe I could still help you out?" Tony offers, "I can help you find a job, maybe you could even get a job at my company, depending of course on your skills."

"I appreciate the offer, but I do not even know where you work, besides- I doubt your boss would approve of me." Loki says, slowly tucking his laptop back inside the emerald colored bag by his side. "Based on your attire, I assume an office job or perhaps something higher?" He gestures towards Tony's dress shirt and slacks.

"Don't think you'd be qualified, huh?" Tony grins. "You never know, maybe my boss might make an allowance for you."

"Oh please, I'm perfectly qualified for most jobs, but my not-so-perfect job record might not secure me any such job from now on since I've exhausted all of my father's contacts." Loki replies, "Which does seem like I'm being spoiled, but my father has high hopes for his sons, even his... less loved son. Wants us to follow in his steps and lead his company. I used to want that, and it would be nice to run it, but I'm sick of him always giving the better options to my brother. Leaving me with his... leftovers."

"Geez, sounds rough dude." Tony says.

"Apologies for rambling." Loki mutters, "I should probably go, now I have to find a new job. Bills have to be paid. Your offer to help was thoughtful, but not needed. I'm sure I can make my own way."

Tony watches as Loki gets up and walks for the door, and oh- oh man. He might be sad to see him leave but oh, it was nice to watch him go; and it was that kind of thinking that made Tony jump and gently place a hand on Loki's shoulder. The other man just glanced behind, an eyebrow raised.

"It's clear you don't want my help at the moment but please, can you at least take my contact details in case you change your mind?" Tony says, trying to hold Loki's gaze with his own.

Their staring match ended after a few long seconds with Loki sighing and rubbing a hand down his face in exasperation, "You sure are insistent. Fine, I'll take it- but I assure you I will not need your help." He replies.

Tony grins and pulls out one of his business cards, scribbling his personal number above the business one. "There. I await to hear from you."

Loki grabs the card and stares at it before shifting his gaze back up to Tony, "You work with Stark? Is this a joke?"

Tony frowns, "Why would it be a joke?"

"Stark himself does business with my brother, have you been sent here to get me working with my brother again?" Loki glares, "If so, I even less want your help." Loki slips the card into Tony's pocket.

"Wait, I promise you that's not the case. I'm Stark. Tony, I mean, and I swear I didn't actually know who you were but you say I work with your brother?" Tony frowns, "Judging by your name, which I saw in your email by the way, then your brother must be Thor? I mean, who else could he be?"

Loki glares and looks away in irritation, "Yes, that would be him."

"Ok look, I'm sorry. I didn't know you were Thor's brother until just now, and now I know you most definitely don't want my help in the job department but... take my card anyway, and I'll still help you out if you ever need it." Tony smiles, not wanting to scare off Loki now that he knows that family and work to do with family are sensitive topics, "Or hell, maybe even texting buddies." Ok, now he's just grasping for reasons to talk.

Loki seems to genuinely consider it for a moment, before reaching forward taking the card back out of Tony's pocket with a sigh, "Alright, fine. I concede; you win, I'll take your number, but you can't... mention any of this to anyone, alright? If word gets to my brother, or Gods Forbid, my Father, I'll never hear the end of it and neither will you."

"I promise not to mention this to a soul." Tony grins.

Loki gives a curt nod and continues on his way towards the door. Tony smirks and heads back to his own table to continue working on some digital designs, he'd almost completely forgotten about his own belongings. Barely a half hour later his phone buzzes to alert him of a text. Grabbing his phone he checks the messages.

From Unknown to ScienceDaddy

[Unknown]: You wanted to be 'texting buddies' as I recall. Here's your chance.

Tony smiles down at the text, and as he begins to type out a reply, he begins to feel a liminal sort of feeling wash over him, as if things in his life were about to change. He sits send on the text and saves Loki's number.

[Loki + ScienceDaddy]

[ScienceDaddy]: You were quick to text me ;)

It was hours before a reply came back.

End

Never thought I'd be writing multichap for the MCU universe and actually uploading? I mean, we will all ignore that dreadful SHSS thing I uploaded all those years ago (and we can ignore it now because I deleted it). Yes, this is going to be multichap. But the question remains; will I ever get around to finishing it?