Chapter Four

Steve crossed his arms and stomped his foot on the ground. "Erik, I'm telling you it's a bad idea. Stark is crazy!" He watched as I got ready to head over to the classroom which he claimed to be my doom, soon realizing he needed to get ready for a class as well. He sighed and unfolded his arms. "Just be careful."

I couldn't help but smile at my best friend as I got my boots on. "Don't worry Steve. I lived through it all these times so far."

"Your luck is bound to run out some time." Steve smirked.

Nodding my head and beginning to regret this decision, I backtracked and shook my head quickly, jumping off the bed and grabbed my coat and Charles's scarf which I had yet to return. After waving bye at Steve and laughing at the 'hope this isn't the last time I'll see you' joke, I ran down the hallway and waited impatiently for the elevator. Once in the elevator, the ride seemed slow and I couldn't help but wish that for once I had just taken the stairs. The elevator ride gave me some time to think. The butterflies were restless in my stomach as I thought of getting to spend a whole two hours in the same room as Charles again today.

Of course there was that nervous feeling of being killed by Tony and his crazy experiment. I couldn't help but wonder if this was worth it. Guess only time will tell. The elevator reached the first floor and the doors opened too slowly for my liking. But as they opened, I stopped. I did not move an inch as I stared into a familiar face standing next to a taller male. I was choked up, the butterflies in my stomach seeming to die in an instant.

The taller man was Thor and he patted me on the back with a huge smile. "You alright there, Erik?! I figured you'd be surprised."

The smaller male smiled at me and I smiled back, my mind fluttering with images that I seemed to have forgotten in the short time Charles has stepped into my life. "Loki." The name slipped through my lips. "What are you doing here?" I kept the smile on my face to not seem suspicious.

Loki pointed to his brother and smiled. "Brother here got me fully registered. A little later than we thought, but I finally transferred out of my other college!" He threw his arms around me in a crushing hug, which of course I returned.

"He wanted to surprise you, so I wasn't allowed to tell you anything." Thor said, grabbing the suitcase and stepping into the elevator. Guess I was riding back up.

In case you're wondering, and I know you are, let me give you a little background history. In high school when Thor had transferred and become part of our weird little group, only a few months later did his little brother transfer as well. Of course the group welcomed him with open arms. Loki had taken a liking to me, and we spent countless hours with each other. A time at the beach turned into a kiss and from there on a relationship. Thor watched us like a hawk at first. But then he seemed to approve and let us be. After graduation, Loki had another year to go. And then he didn't get into the same college as us. I lost contact with him for a few months, but I knew he was trying to still apply for this school. It had what he wished to study along with me and his brother.

And that brings us to where we are now. See, me and Loki never broke up. I realized that's what all those nerves were just a few weeks ago. My excitement over Charles felt wrong because it was. Tony had even mentioned that I had my hands full, but I didn't pay attention. Am I a bad boyfriend? Seeing how I forgot that I was dating someone and taking interest in another man. Loki and I never had any issues in our relationship. So naturally I should be very happy to see him. Instead I feel fucked over. I watched as the doors to the elevator closed and we began riding back up, Loki still in my arms. As I pulled away, we made eye contact and I instinctively leaned in and kissed him.

Now don't get me wrong, it felt nice. It felt like a piece of the old days were back. Guess I didn't realize how much I missed the guy. Thor muttered under his breath and then spoke louder. "Could you two please wait until I am out of sight?!"

We laughed and Loki held onto me as I kept my arm wrapped around him. "So, where is he staying?" Last I remember all the rooms on our floor were booked to the last person. That last person being Charles.

The elevator door opened and Thor picked up the luggage with no problem. "He'll be staying with Bruce, Tony, and I. Managed to speak to the main office to get bunk beds into our room." He took long strides down the hall and fished in his pocket for the keys.

Loki now held onto my hand and we followed his older brother in silence. Remembering that my watch was also connected to that arm, I quickly checked the time and gave Loki a small hug. "Sorry, but I'm late for a class. I'll see you tonight at dinner with everyone else." With that, I ran down the hall and took the stairs this time.

0o0o0o

Tony was not happy when I arrived and he never let me hear the end of it as he sat me down on a chair and instructed me to take my boots off. I kept on the scarf, but discarded the coat. I waved to Charles who was seated behind his desk and he gave a wave in return. Tony made his way around the whole classroom, picking at others desk for the tools he needed. Upon return, he took a contraption of some sorts off his desk and smiled at me. "Now, this might sting a bit. But trust me, it's worth it!" Without further notion, he slipped the contraption onto my feet and locked it onto my legs.

There was no sting, no tingle, so I shrugged and thought to start small talk with Charles. Turning slightly in my seat, I saw he was watching Tony and me intently. "No work of your own?" I asked him and he shook his head and smiled, resting his chin in his palm. "Why not?" I asked while Tony set to work with whatever tools were in his hand.

"All done." Charles answered. He pointed to the professor in the front of the room who seemed to be looking something over intently. "The project I was given was bloody easy."

Nodding I went on to ask what the project was. Charles went on to explain, but I have to admit I have no idea what he's talking about. So instead I spent the next twenty minutes nodding my head and going along with the conversation as a secret excuse to run my eyes over his lips, occasionally down his neck and back up to his beautiful eyes. I knew in my head how wrong this was, seeing how I was just kissing my boyfriend who I haven't seen in months about ten minutes ago, but I couldn't help it. I was so preoccupied with staring at Charles that it came as a shock to me when a sharp pain entered my right foot. I gave a short scream, catching myself and turning to glare at Stark.

He quickly threw up his arms in defense; his special glasses making his eyes look four times bigger. "Sorry! Wrong wire!" He set back to work and another sharp pain shot through my leg before the whole contraption caught on fire. He jumped back and then set to trying to taking it off.

I tried to be as still as possible while Stark tried to blow out the flame. Next thing there is a fire blanket thrown onto my foot and the fire is out. I glance up to see Charles a bit short of breath standing directly in front of me. "Are you okay?!" He asked as he pulled the blanket off and tossed it to the side.

I nodded my head quickly and gulped the lump in my throat. In truth, my foot was throbbing, but I could tell that there was no damage done. Stark quickly took off his project and apologized a million times over. As I stood I glared at him and then shrugged my shoulders. "Same time tomorrow?" I asked.

Stark smiled a mile wide. "Yes! Thanks for not giving up on me."

Charles grabbed my arm and I turned to look at him, concern written all over his face. "Erik, this is the sixth time you got hurt."

I waved my hand. "No worries Charles. Look, no damage done." I showed off my foot and frowned. "Well, except my pants." They were burned up to the knee completely beyond repair.
Charles sighed and rubbed my arm in assurance. I loved the way his bare hand felt on my bare arm. Shaking my head quickly, I turned to Tony and pointed to the clock. "It's almost dinner and I have to go change my pants. So, we done for today?"

"Yeah, I have to look over this a bit more before I make you wear it. See you at dinner." He turned his back to Charles and me, now dead to the rest of the world.

With that, Charles and I headed back to the dorm together. Upon entering, Steve was already there and setting his books back in his drawer. He took one glance at me and rolled his eyes. "I warned you."

"It wasn't as bad as you think." I grabbed a pair of jeans out of my draw and changed, throwing the other ones into a waste bin.

Steve sat on his bed and crossed his legs while leaning back on his arms. "Thor said you were speechless."

I mimicked his position on my own bed as we both waited for Charles to finish putting his books away. "Speechless?"

"Your surprise." He stated tiredly.

"Oh." I looked to Charles who was now closing his bag and turning to us with a smile. "Yeah, I was. Shall we go?" I asked standing and striding to the door.

Steve looked confused but shrugged and got to his feet. We met up with Bruce and rode the elevator down. Apparently Tony hasn't returned yet and Thor had been giving his brother the tour of the school and said they would meet us there. Charles looked to Bruce. "He has a brother?" He asked, shivering slightly.

Bruce nodded. "Yeah, he just transferred in today. A bit late, but he's really smart so he'll catch up just fine."

"His name is Loki." Steve offered, and then nodded to me.

I cleared my throat and nodded. "You'll see." With that I looked down, but I knew Steve was watching me. I could feel his eyes burning into me. But I couldn't blame him. What was I doing? Trying to keep the truth from Charles? Yeah, how long will that last when Loki stood in the dorm right across from us? And why was I doing it? Loki and I had no problems so I wasn't exactly planning on dumping him. I don't even think Thor would allow it. Still, I didn't want to tell Charles.

We all entered the cafeteria and got on the line to get dinner. Steve was a bit more satisfied with the menu, but stopped when his phone went off. Looking to the screen he rolled his eyes as he answered. "Yes Stark?" He asked into the receiver. After a small pause, Steve sighed. "Only for today. It is Friday." After another pause he hung up the phone.

"What was that about?" Bruce asked.

Steve waved us all together. "Back to the dorms. Tony is buying boxes of pizza and beer for everyone as a celebration of Loki's arrival. But I think he's using that as an excuse to have pizza and beer."

Bruce smiled and shrugged. "Like you said, it is Friday."

We all began making our way back to the dorms and up the elevator. I was quiet the whole way. I guess the nerves were kicking in. Charles was about to meet Loki. And once again, I shouldn't feel wrong about it, but I do and that's that. When the elevator doors opened I felt sick to my stomach, but I did my best not to show it. Steve banged on the door and Tony opened it a second later, ushering everyone inside. The bunk beds were already set up and the room was spotless, savor for Stark's mess.

The pizza was already there, beer rested in a cooler. He'd been planning this for a while. I had to side with Steve that he was using Loki's arrival as an excuse. But what they hell, it's Friday, there are no classes tomorrow, and I wouldn't mind a beer right now. Snatching one up, I downed it fast and grabbed another. Tony pushed me away from the beer and laughed. "Don't be all German and drink all the beer Lensherr!"

The door opened and Thor let Loki in first before stepping in and closing it behind him. Everyone rushed to greet our old friend. I hung back, seeing how I already saw him this morning. I watched as Steve introduced Charles to Loki, taking sip after sip of my beer. Loki spotted me and I waved at him, smiling as I gulped down the last of my beer.

Stopping to grab a bottle of beer, Loki made his way over to me. "Seems like you're all out." He said, smiling up at me. I made to take the bottle from him, but he pulled his arm back. "Where is my thank you?" He asked.

This was a game we always played and I couldn't help but smile at the memories. I leaned in and kissed him gently, letting my arm trail from his hip up his sides and to his shoulder, where I then deepened the kiss and trailed up fingers caress his arm until I reached he bottle, taking it from him and pulling away. "Thank you." I said, opening the bottle and taking a sip.

Loki took the bottle from me and took a sip before returning it and going over to Stark who was handing out pizza. I looked around the room, stopping at Steve and Charles. They were whispering among each other and that unsettled me a bit. I walked over and patted Steve on the back. He looked at me and smiled. "Hey buddy, what's up?" He asked.

I shook my head, smile stuck on my face. "Nothing. What are you two talking about?" I asked.

Steve looked at Charles and then back at me, his features told me he was reading me like and open book he had read a million times over. "I was just telling him about how you and Loki got together. What's it been, three years now?" He asked, resting against the wall.

This was an old tactic I was way to use too. Steve was trying to read my expression on whatever he said. It's how he could tell my real emotions apart from what I say. But I learned to keep my featured composed. "Just about." I nodded.

Steve was still watching me, his eyes never blinking, as Tony and Loki walked over. Tony gave Steve and Charles their slices and went back for his own. Loki handed me one and chewed on his. "So, what's the topic?" Loki asked, grabbing my beer once more.

"Us." I responded. "Steve was telling Charles how we got together."

"I figured someone should." Steve said lightly taking a bite of his pizza.

Bruce walked over with Thor and Tony. "Oh, I sense tension." He said, taking a step back.

Both Steve and I laughed. "No there isn't." I said. "Anyways Charles, me and Loki started dating back in high school. Even after I graduated we'd spend all summer together. Once I started college that calmed down a bit. And then we managed to lose contact."

Loki nodded. "Yes, I changed my number and told Thor to give it to you. He claims he kept forgetting."

Thor looked up from his slice. "I did." He set back on his pizza.

Charles giggled and took a sip of his beer. "The point is you two are reunited. I think it's really romantic." He smiled at both Loki and I.

Loki handed me back my beer and I downed the rest, attempting to drown the nerves in my stomach that refused to settle. Guess I needed a few more beers. And surly enough a few more beers later, everyone was relaxed. At some point Bruce and Thor set off singing and Steve got a call from Natasha. Hushing everyone in our drunken state just made us all laugh even more. He made a note to call her in the morning and find out what the hell she was talking about.

The beer bottles were all gone and Stark complained about it for a good minute before staring at his empty bottle for five minutes. I swear I don't think he blinked once. He threw up his hands and hushed everyone. "You guys! Oh my gosh you guys!" He paused for a long moment as we all stared at him.

Steve threw a pillow at him. "What Stark?!"

Everyone laughed and a pillow fight somehow broke out. Tony hushed everyone once more as and once everyone's attention was grabbed he smiled at us. "You guys, we should totally play spin the bottle." He said and then hiccupped.