AN: Thanks a lot to anonymous and 8fangirl8 for commenting in the previous chapter . And also thanks to everyone that has added this story to their alert or favorite list, you are awesome :D! Hope you enjoy this chapter!
And 8fangirl8, don't worry. Bruce will appear very soon ^^
At the school gates, near the duo of brothers, three young guys were watching them ,with a mixture of amusement and confusion on their faces.
"Great, just what this school needed: another fucking loony and a feeble " one of the guys remarked, as he smoked a cigarette with his back leaning against the wall. He had black hair and the shadow of a half shaved beard around his mouth. He wore sunglasses and a red shirt ,with the sleeves rolled to his elbows.
"I bet they won't last a day, Tony "collaborated another boy, this one with brown hair and sharp eyes, wearing a gray sweatshirt and pants that matched "Two days at most, and that if the poor bastards are lucky"
" A day or two? Come on, Clint, don't be like that "claimed the smoking boy, named Tony, tossing the cigarette into the trash can nearby, but his aim failed and the cigarette instead landed on the homework of another student that was sitting on the lawn. The paper set on fire almost immediately, but Tony didn't even notice this small mistake and went on talking "That pair of rookies will not last a single hour. They are fresh meat, walking directly to the slaughterhouse we call school, and Hulk, our beloved butcher, is surely ready to quarter them"
"Heh, it's been a while since the good old Hulk welcomed someone! If I remember correctly, you were the last unhappy moron to be so honored, eh, Steve? "
"I do not know why you love so much to remind me of that, Clint" repudiated the third boy, Steve, with short, blond hair and strong body type. He was wearing blue jeans and a white short-sleeved shirt "That was four years ago, get over it and change your joke already"
"Steve , my dear friend, know that even if a century passes, we will never forget that day" replied Tony this time , smiling boldly and slapping Steve on the back " I can still clearly see your face in pain as Hulk pulled up your underpants and left you dangling on the flagpole, while we all sang the school anthem"
"Ha, right, I had forgotten that part! "Clint added with a mocking smile, just to start laughing along with Tony . Steve folded his arms and idly waited for his friends to stop laughing at that old (and embarrassing) incident .
That could take a while...
"Yes, it was very funny ,indeed" Tony finally said, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. He turned around to see Clint with a wry smile and added ": But then I remember how you were welcomed, Clint, how Hulk hung you by your ankles with a rope at the gym and then used you as a punching bag for hours, and I literally die laughter. Tell me, do you still keep some bruises or just the physiological trauma from that expierence? "
Clint's smile froze at that moment and vanished, being replaced with a frown and a reproach almost palpable in his eyes.
"I bet he keeps a little of both" Said Steve, kidding this time, taking this opportunity to avenge the taunts that Clint had thrown at him.
"Ha ha, very funny, childish idiots" blamed Clint while Tony and Steve were laughing in his face.
At that moment, the school's bell rang .The three friends would have gone on a spree if they had planned it earlier, but instead , they entered the school along the other students.
"There are so many people in this school that I sometimes feel like I'm in a market " Clint commented to Steve and Tony. They were pushing through an almost endless stream of people while searching for their assigned classroom.
"And have in mind this is a private school, my friend "said Tony "Because in public schools, you technically feel like you were in a city made up of nerds ,athletes and pretty girls in miniskirts"
Steve pondered that for a few seconds and added :
"But we are neither athletes nor brains, much less girls in miniskirts. So, what would we be in that place if we were there? "Asked Steve to Tony, out of naïve curiosity.
"We would be the same we are here, my sanctimonious pal... "said Tony at the same time he checked the list of names on the door of a classroom , to see if his name was there. He gave a triumphant applause when he saw that not only his name was there, but Clint's and Steve's as well. Tony put sunglasses on his eyes and answered to Steve with proud, conceited voice: "The coolest and greatest guys in the whole school!"
"Nationwide, you mean!. At least, I know I am " said Clint, smugly passing a hand through his hair.
"And you are humble, too ... "Steve joked, rolling his eyes.
Tony was going to joke about it, but a familiar female voice reached his ears , and his words stopped before they could leave his lips.
"Pf, please. You?. The coolest guys in school?. Damn boys, I see that the holidays really damaged your brains "
The three boys turned around to see the girl .
"And just when I thought it would be a perfect day, you have to turn up …." Tony sighed, gazing at the girl with indiscreet displeasure . Clint gave him a blow with his elbow before approaching the girl to give her a hug.
"And just when I thought that you had learned how to choose your friends a little more wisely, Clint ... "replied the girl coldly, watching Clint as if expecting a quick response and an explanation.
An excuse, in other words.
"Come on Natasha, you know that Tony is only joking when he acts as if he didn't like you. Right, Tony?" tried Clint, smiling nervously.
"Actually ...no,I'm not" said Tony indifferently, shrugging.
"Shut up, Tony" whispered Steve to Tony, not wanting another fight to began between Natasha, Tony and Clint, just like the many that had occurred last year . Steve found funny the fact that Natasha had more conflicts and discussions with Tony than she actually had with Clint, whereas the second was her boyfriend.
For Steve, those fights were not very nice ,as he never knew what to do or what to say, and feeling the pressure of having to side with someone certainly made him feel quite uncomfortable and awkward.
Therefore, Steve thought it was best for all of them to keep things at peace.
Too bad neither Natasha nor Tony seemed to share his point of view.
"You know what, Stark? I have decided that from now on, I won't let your stupid comments upset me, because unlike you, I've matured a little" casually declared Natasha.
"The keywords here are -a little- " Tony replied "Although they could be exchanged for –at all- and it wouldn't be any difference"
Natasha buffed angrily, looking away.
"Whatever. Clint, let's go " said Natasha, holding Clint's hand and indicating the classroom with a nod.
"Of course, hun" Clint replied, starting to walk with the girl towards the classroom.
"Oh no, don't tell me I will have to watch your "Kissing & flirting" displays in class! " Tony shamelessly exclaimed, slapping his forehead and visibly upset that Natasha was in the same classroom with him and his friends "Come on, lovebirds, that's why the bathrooms and luchtime exist"
Clint glared at his friend and without Natasha realizing, he gave Tony the middle finger.
"I'll miss you too, my friend. Have fun with you chick" Tony dismissed him ,waving a hand and smiling widely.
"Hey, Tony, sometimes you're a ... how to say in a politely ... "Steve hesitated, one hand on his chin "... well, a complete idiot with Clint and Natasha"
"I know, "accepted Tony, looking very pleased, as if Steve would have spent a compliment " and I'm proud of that"
"Tony, you will never change ... "Steve sentenced with some disapproval, only to then enter the classroom with Tony.
Once inside, the time to choose their places came. Steve asked Tony which seats the should choose , to which Tony replied by saying it did not matter , as long it wasn't near the lovebirds Clint and Natasha
Loki had never liked crowds, preferring little and silent places, almost solitary.
Thor had always liked people, feeling comfortable in the company of others.
What did that mean?
That Loki was already hating this new school, while Thor was feeling completely comfortable in it, as if he had studied there for years , even when he had just arrived half an hour ago
"Wow, this school is great! Look Loki, they even have cafeteria! "Thor exclaimed, with amazed and sparkling eyes, as if he was about ride the biggest attraction in the amusement park.
"Every school has one, Thor " Indicated Loki, feeling how people passed ear him, giving nudges and even accidental trampling.
"Yeah, but this one has tables and chairs! " Thor explained.
"But the other cafeterias also had ... Look, stop acting like a fool and let's go to the classroom at once, before I get crushed under this stampede of people! "Loki urged desperately.
"Sure, as my little brother wishes! " Thor answered immediately. He grabbed Loki's right arm and then started to run through the middle of the crowded hall, forcing his way through while pushing everyone away so strongly he made them fell to the floor.
"Sorry, we are really sorry ! "Loki apologized to those whose his older brother had left scattered on the ground.
After being dragged like a sack of potatoes by his big brother throughout three halls and forty steps, Loki at last arrived to the classroom ,where his and Thor's names were written in the list attached to the door.
"Yep, this is our classroom. But what is this? There are already several people inside!. I guess in this school, students are really studious and applied... "Thor commented, peering inside the classroom through the door's glass.
"Or maybe, they arrived on time because they weren't foolishly amazed for more than twenty minutes by the drinkers and the cafeteria "observed Loki, a little too tired to properly chastise his brother.
"But those drinkers are something special, Loki!" Thor answered cheerfully "Those actually have clean water and not recycled water!"
"Or at least that's what you think, though I would not risk it ... " Loki replied, with some disgust. He brushed off the dust on his clothes the best he could and took a deep breath before continuing "All right. Now Thor, first we will enter the classroom, then we will apologize for being late. After that, the teacher will ask us to introduce ourselves in front of everyone. When that happens, what are you gonna say? "
"Ehh ... Wait,let me remember ... "Thor asked, trying to bring back to his memory the dialogue that Loki had told him to remember " Oh, I know. I will say that my name is Thor, but then I'll shut up to let you speak, and not matter what, I won't mention the tiny detail that we are brothers! "
"Exactly "praised Loki, relieved that his brother hadn't forgotten his plan "and if someone, though it hopefully won't happen, realizes of our fraternal bond ... "
"Then I'll say I am adopted! "completed Thor before Loki, just as proud as if he was answering a question in a national contest.
"I am surprised, Thor" Loki said with feigned admiration that Thor understood as real.
While Thor did not fully understand one hundred percent why Loki insisted so persistently in keeping secret their status as brothers, Thor was sure that Loki's only intention was to keep him safe from the bullies he would defend Loki of.
There was no doubt Loki was an amazing little brother, so Thor was determined to be the best big brother in return.
After a minute of silence, Loki was the one who opened the door of the classroom and the first one to get inside, with Thor following him.
Tony, Steve, Clint and Natasha unconsciously looked at them at the same time.
Thanks for reading!