Chapter Six: Warming Up
"So, what are you doing tonight?" Tony asked. "Want to go to Thor's house?
"I don't know." Steve shifted uncomfortably on the balls of his feet. "I already felt bad when we used to show up unannounced last year and Thor might not want us there, considering yah know..."
Tony chirped. "You're right. My house it is then."
"Aren't you grounded?" Bruce asked quietly as he hung up his gym clothes and closed his locker.
Tony casually shrugged as the three of them began walking out of the locker room.
"Howard isn't home anymore so how the hell would he know? I may or may not be able to hack into the security system but it's worth the risk. "
Bruce shook his head. "I still don't think it's a good idea."
Tony threw his hands up in defeat. "Then let's go to your house."
Bruce tensed. "Um." He hesitated, "Sure. As long as it's the usual gang."
"I get it. No inviting my hundreds of friends."
Bruce gave Tony a wary look as the three of them pushed the school doors open and led themselves out. The last bell had ranged fifteen minutes ago, indicating the school day was officially over. Steve and Tony decided to wait for Bruce after school as he finished up his last class of the day to talk to them.
They approached the metal bar that held parked bikes as Bruce walked over to unlock his green and black bike.
Tony whistled neatly at beauty. "Nice ride."
Bruce smiled sheepishly, "Thanks. I got it as a present from my uncle."
"Cool man." Steve added, "Hey listen guys I have a football meeting to go to and I'm already three minutes behind."
"It's the first day of the school. Football doesn't start until late September." Bruce commented.
"I know." Steve smiled, "it's like an orientation thing and we bring along new freshman as potential recruits and show them what were all about and things they could get if they made it on the team."
He turned to Tony. "I know this is last minute but do you think you could give me a ride by the way?"
Tony huffed. "Sure."
"Thanks." Steve grinned and patted Tony on the back before he began running off to his team.
"I'll text the others." Tony said as Bruce pushed the kickstand securely from the ground and straddled his bike.
"I'll see ya later then Tony. Bye Steve!" Bruce yelled as Steve waved back, already disappearing around the corner.
"Alright. Just text me a time." Tony said.
"Whenever is fine." Bruce announced as Tony held out his hand and the two did a simple but goofy handshake, similar to the one he had with Thor but much shorter.
Bruce smiled and leaned forward on his bike, turning slightly as he headed into his usual direction before pedaling off. Tony smiled and walked across the street to get to his car. As he began waiting on Steve he pulled out his phone and unlocked it with a fingerprint. He began going through his social media pages and then some mindless mobile games. When the game got tiring and the cars population in the school's lot began dwindling, Tony unlocked his messaged with an eye scan and went through them.
Fwd: Nat, Clint, Steve, and Thor!
(2:17pm) Tony: We're all going to chill over Bruce's house later on instead of mine or Thor's. Little Brucey thought it would be better this way since I'm grounded =P not really. Anyways who's going to bring what?
(2:17pm) Nat: I'll bring the snacks chips and soda.
(2:17pm) Tony: Maybe your boyfriend should bring the food instead. The last time you brought snacks you only had shit from Russia. Stuff my stomach doesn't agree with
(2:17pm) Nat: You're an ass and Clint is not my boyfriend. -_-
(2:18pm) Tony: Who said I was talking about him?
(2:18pm) Clint: Perfect timing I see...
(2:18pm) Nat: You always try to pair us up Stark which isn't happening.
(2:18pm) Nat: Hey Clint.
(2:18pm) Tony: Hey birdbrain, party at Bruce's place. Bring the beer!
(2:19pm) Clint: Stop calling me that ! and I'll see what I can do.
(2:19pm) Clint: Steve said he'll bring the movies.
(2:20pm) Nat: NO!
(2:20pm) Tony: Ya I finally agree with tasha on something! That dude cannot bring DVD's, they're all in black and white or come in crate of cassette tapes I mean who still has a VCR?
(2:20pm) Clint: K I'll tell him but you'll break his big heart.
(2:20pm) Tony: Screw him! he's breaking my patience. He said your football practice was only ten minutes since it's "syllabus week" or something like that. I've been waiting for like two hours.
(2:20pm) Clint: Drama queen it's been fifteen minutes. We're coming out in a few. The coach just wanted to go through guidelines and make sure every1 got their phys. apps :)
(2:20pm) Tony: Sounds boring bigbird :( Like everything else related to sports.
(2:21pm) Clint: Jealous we get better bodies? C;
(2:21pm) Tony: We can compare after school. But we all know who wins by a landslide green arrow
(2:21pm) Nat: That's totally not weird at all. -_-
(2:21pm) Tony: Hey tasha you're back to join the party! If you're still at school too I can give you a ride. ;)
(2:21pm) Thor: GREETING FRIENDS! I READ WE ARE ALL GOING TO BRUCE'S HOUSE INSTEAD OF TONY'S. THAT IS ALRIGHT WITH ME! I'LL BRING SOME GAMES OVER OR WHATEVER IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR GATHERING! :-)
(2:21pm) Nat: Don't every call me Tasha again or send me a winking emoji or I will make you regret it Tony. Secondly, I don't need a ride I'm already home and finally...I thought you taught Thor how to text NORMAL!
(2:22pm) Tony: What? Thor hit the arrow next to the Z and A button.
(2:22pm) Thor: I'M TRYING BUT MY HANDS ARE STILL GETTING USED TO THIS SMALL KEYBOARD. I SHALL HAVE YOU FIX IT LATER ANYWAYS RIGHT? :-)
(2:22pm) Tony: Sure Wreck it Ralph. How's your brother and stuff?
(2:22pm) Steve: Hey guys!
(2:22pm) Steve: I guess I'm not bringing my movies over. Sucks because I just got Mr. Smith Goes to Washington on Blu-ray it's new... I think.
(2:22pm) Steve: I got that Ralph reference Tony :) Bucky and I saw that movie before.
Tony grimaced, Steve was such an old soul. Despite always constantly hanging out with his them it seemed his old country life just wouldn't shake off. Him and his family were super patriotic and lived in a two-story little shack with a huge lawn on the edge of their street. Tony could never spend the night there like ever. Every time he tried he always had a bad experience with their blurred lines of extreme conservationism and being plain Amish. Tony was surprised they allowed Steve to even attend a public school. Their school was prestigious and had high expectations so that could've been it. That was the only logical solution Tony could come up with as he unlocked his car door. The black doors rose automatically as he stepped inside, madly typing away.
(2:23pm) Tony: Kudos! Now hurry the fuck up before I decide to leave you and btw blu-ray isn't new old man it's been out since like 2010.
(2:23pm) Steve: =(...wait what does btw mean again?
(2:23pm) Clint: It means Balls to the wall.
(2:23pm) Tony: That would be bttw idiot.
(2:23pm) Nat: So when are we going to meet at Bruce's? I hope he actually knows we're coming over.
Tony rolled his eyes.
(2:23pm) Tony: Of course he knows. We can't just show up unannounced we'd probably give the guy a fucking heart attack. You know he's fragile.
(2:23pm) Nat: That's so un-Stark of you. Considering other people. And don't automatically think Bruce is weak. He can hold his ground :T
(2:23pm) Tony: Ya sure whatever.
(2:24pm) Clint: Would you mind if I key your car Tony?
(2:24pm) Tony: Go to hell Eastwood.
(2:24pm) Clint: You're not funny.
(2:24 pm) Steve: Tony which one is your car again?
(2:24 pm) Tony: The one with the hot rims and has 2 billion dollar parts on it and looks far better than rest.
(2:25pm) Steve: …...
(2:25pm) Tony: I'll pop the trunk open. I'm the car with the now open trunk apparently your old aging brain is now affecting your sight.
(2:25pm) Steve: I'm going to ignore that.
(2:25pm) Tony: If you just addressed it then it's not being ignored.
(2:25pm) Clint: Asshole
(2:25pm) Tony: Now is not the time for self reflections Clint.
(2:26 pm) Clint: Duck off blotch!
(2:26pm) Tony: Wtf?
(2:26pm) Clint: Autocorrect is being stupid
(2:26pm) Tony: Don't blame autocorrect for your stupidity and Steve get your ass over here. The school's parking is not that far.
(2:26pm) Steve: You parked across the street …..
(2:26pm) Tony: Woopdeedoo! who cares? just get your ass over here.
(2:26pm) Thor: :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
(2:27pm) Clint: Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm what?
(2:27pm) Thor: I JUST THOUGHT EVERYONE NEEDED A SMILE! YOU GUYS ARE ALWAYS ARGUING :-) SMILE AND LIVE WONDROUSLY AMONG YOURSELVES GUYS. ESPECIALLY YOU TONY. HAS MY GENEROSITY SIMPLY BRUSHED BY YOU?
(2:27pm) Tony: The only things that stick to me are money, good looks, and girls and a little extra stuff on the side. I can be generous I guess...
(2:27pm) Thor: Thor has sent an attachment – 28172 jpg.
(2:27pm) Steve: ….
(2:28pm) Tony: Dammit not another dick pic Thor!
(2:28pm) Nat: My cue to leave this conversation. I'll see you guys around five I guess. I'll bring movies instead. Bye
(2:28 pm) Clint: I'm with ya Nat. I'm not supposed to be driving as it is while texting. I got the chips! and possibly beer :)! And Thor whatever file you want us 2 open...just delete it dude none of us are gonna risk it... Over and Out! Ciao!
(2:28pm) Thor: IOEWHFUGHLGAGBHRG
(2:28pm) Tony: So Thor you will bring games and hopefully get a new phone. I'll get pizza and since Steve is tagging along he'll get soda. See ya. The Star- Spangled Banner has approached.
(2:29pm) Thor: THEIKAITCNESS
(2:29pm) Thor: THE PICTURE IS OF KITTENS!
(2:30pm) Thor: HELLO? GUYS?
(2:32pm) Thor: :-(
"Hey." Steve said as he slid inside the passenger's seat. "Sorry about the wait."
"I accept all apologies in cash, check, or credit." Tony mused.
Steve shook his head. "You're something else Tony."
Tony put his car into drive and began heading to the store. He was so grateful that the school was on the edge of their neighborhood so it didn't take him forever to reach one of the gate entrances. Within eight minutes Tony was at the gate entrance/exit, punching in the code, and then speeding off to the closest town.
Tony glanced at Steve who was too busy looking at all the nothingness the country had to offer them. "I found out what a Loki is, or should I say who Loki is."
Steve's grin faltered as he turned his attention to Tony. "You know I was there when you punched Thor in the face right?"
"Yeah." Tony sped past by a red light as Steve grimaced, "Apparently, everyone except me knows what happened before I moved here and it revolves around him and I want to know so..."
Tony glanced at Steve who only bit his lip in bewilderment.
Tony huffed. "I want you to tell me Steve, damn is it empty up there?"
Tony made a move to give Steve a nookie but the older boy dodged it easily. Tony rolled his eyes as a look of clarity went past the blonde's face.
"I can't tell you Tony, it's simply not my place. Let by gones be by gones."
"Is that so? Hmm. If that's the case, why do you guys avoid him? Seems like you guys are holding onto the past."
Steve faced Tony with a stern look. "I thought you told Thor you would let go of the past."
"Calm down Rogers, you're turning red." Tony snickered, "I mean I'm just a little curious I could just ask Loki myself."
Steve dropped his jaw a little, "He's dangerous though Tony! Put your social antics aside and think about your safety for a second. That's what really matters safety first."
"Mhm." Tony slid his phone out of his pocket and unlocked it.
To: Thor!
(2:47pm) Tony: Hey are you going to invite Loki?
(2:49pm) Thor: I WASN'T PLANNING ON IT HE'S STILL A LITTLE JITTERY
(2:49pm) Tony: You should :) It would be good for him.
(2:50pm) Thor: I WILL ASK HIM IF HE WANTS TO GO.
(2:50pm) Tony: Cool
"Tony for Christ's sake pay attention to the road!" Steve yelled as he grabbed the wheel himself and swerved over debris that looked like it may have fallen from a truck recently in the middle of the road.
Tony groaned. "Jarvis take over please."
Steve's face lit up in fear as Tony took both hands off the wheel and unlocked his phone.
"Tony!" Steve cried out.
"Ugh relax dude! It's Jarvis my AI remember? He's going to take us to the store."
Tony tried with all of his self-control not to laugh at Steve who looked like he would have a heart attack at any moment.
"Jarvis?" Steve stuttered out, his hand fell from his chest as he gripped his seat-belt tightly.
"Hello Mr. Rogers. Nice to see you again." JARVIS sounded as Steve jumped in his seat and began wildly looking around.
"I have never gotten used to him."
Tony couldn't contain his fits of laughter as they pulled into the town and within a few minutes, the store's parking lot.
"Sorry to alarm you Mr. Rogers, but you have arrived at your destination." JARVIS voiced as Steve hurriedly snapped off his seat-belt and opened the car door, almost falling over in the process.
"I need some fresh air and you need to stop trying to be that lunatic's friend."
"Okay Steve." Tony said condescendingly.
"You promise?" Steve urged.
Tony took one hand off the wheel and crossed his heart. "Scouts honor."
Steve didn't look completely convinced. "Laws aren't meant to broken Tony. I just don't want to see anybody get hurt especially, when it's clear that someone can hurt you."
Tony didn't say anything and began to pick through his music collection. Steve took his silence as reassurance.
Tony made a face. "Now get out so I can park properly dork. I'm not going in the store."
Tony handed Steve some cash to cover for his portion as the blonde grinned and went to go get their items. Tony began messing with the buttons on his seat before he finally hit the right one that allowed his seat to pull out a leg rest from underneath it.
Tony smirked, silently humming away to himself. Silly, dramatic, Rogers.
Tony was never one to obey the law.
"Carry on my wayward son. For there'll be peace when you are done."
Tony sung along to the old rock station tunes that blasted through his speakers. Tony pounded his fists on the dashboard and glanced at the storefront.
He sighed impatiently singing out his frustrations with the music. "Steve is sooo slow. He should've been out minutes agooo."
Tony grabbed his phone and sent a text to Steve before going through his one of his social media pages. Suddenly the music stopped and his ringtone began to echo through the car. Howard's name appeared on his phone and car screen as Tony blanched.
"Jarvis what should I do?"
"I recommend you answer Mr. Stark. Your father could be calling about your punishment and you would not want to miss an opportunity to end it." JARVIS advised.
"Ugghhh you're probably right. Fine you can answer."
Tony groaned at the sound of his father's voice.
"Tony?"
"Yes."
"What are you doing?"
Minding my own business, something you should take note of. "Nothing much. I'm waiting on Steve, he had to stop by the store and pick up some stuff."
"Oh." There was a bit of scuffling on the phone and Tony could hear the sounds of honking cars and a muffled radio. "Are you going to be on your way home immediately afterwards."
"Umm no. Why? Hey where are you anyways?"
"You're still grounded Tony. You know you'll be locked out of the house at a certain time."
Tony made a fist, trying to maintain his composure. "Yeah I know."
"So I want you in there before that happens."
"Or you could just not punish me and take the lift off the house so I can start living like a normal human being and not a felon on house arrest."
Howard dismissed his comments again. "Tony I'm coming home tonight between one to three in the morning possibly sooner."
"What! You're supposed to be on a business trip."
Howard began yelling at someone else before a loud car honk blasted through Tony's speakers causing him to cringe in pain. Howard then came back to the phone. "I changed my mind."
"Why?" Tony snapped.
Howard chuckled, but the sound was bitter. "Well my only son, my only heir and key to the success of Stark Industries has proven numerous times that he's a failure who continuously, throws his life away in party, sex, and cigarettes. With those thoughts haunting my mind I decided that I wanted to be a little more...involved this year. It's your senior year, the most important of your life, and there are colleges for you to pick. Choices that will make or break your future"
Tony laughed. "So, that's what this is about. First you control my life without even being here and of course you want to control my future. Woopdedoo."
"Why do you find that a bad idea Anthony?"
"Oh I don't know I kind of don't want to be like you. Hell, the money is nice but come on Howard I don't have time for this. Steve is going to be in the car with some cold soda's and we don't want them to go warm. Remember no talking and driving."
"I have had it with your nonchalant attitudes and disrespect Tony! You're not going by the guidelines of our agreement"
Tony put his hands in his pockets acting as if he had no other cares in the world. "I have been keeping a low profile, like we agreed."
"Oh yes. That party last month that captured the front cover of every magazine was completely under the radar."
Tony could feel his blood boiling, "No one has been back since."
"That's because I had to break the bank to silence the paparazzi! I bailed you out!" Howard's voice began to rise just as quickly as it began to simmer, "I'm tired of cleaning up your shit!"
This time it was Tony's turn to yell, "Yah well I didn't ask you to!"
"You're my son." Howard said as if it was the simplest notion in the world.
Tony laughed humorlessly, "No Howard I'm your mistake remember. Your failure."
"Do not test me Anthony! I am not your mother and I am certainly not your friend. Try that when I'm there, when you're in my presence and see what happens. I've been trying with you but you are grasping at straws at this point. I have reached the end of my rope with you so get yourself together or get out of my house."
Tony could feel tears form beneath his eyelid. He was so pissed. What could he even say? He was going to be trapped, he was trapped and his father was right. That was the part that hurted him most of all, that he was a failure, an alcohol failure who only had daddy's money to run on. He would never be smart enough or good enough to ever be anything. The silence was suffocating and Tony found his breath's becoming shorter and shorter as he tried to hold back his pain. He wiped quickly at his eyes and looked around. His eyes widened as he saw Steve walking to the car.
"Look." Tony bit his lip, and swallowed hard to cap his emotions. "I have to go, Steve is on his way."
"When I get home, I want the house to be spotless and I want to see all of the syllabi supplied to you from your classes, and were going to make a plan on how-"
"Yeah bye, talk to you later." Tony blurted out in a rush as Steve placed the bags in the back and got comfortable in his seat.
Tony hung up the phone and tried to calm his breathing. "What took you so damn long."
"Sorry Tony, the lines were pretty long."
"Oh yeah it was the lines. Perfect excuse."
Steve awkwardly laughed. "Yeah well." He put on his seatbelt as Tony set the car in drive, ready to pull off.
"Hey I briefly heard your dad on the phone. Everything good? I haven't seen him around for a while."
"Don't worry about it Rogers, you wouldn't get it. Living in your little trailer park with your sweet mum and dad."
"Oh I see." Steve grumbled "It's a money problem? What? Daddy had to cancel an order on your three thousand dollar yacht."
Tony pinched the bridge of his nose. "My bad Steve. I didn't mean it like that."
Steve huffed. " Whatever. It's fine."
Tony cracked a smile. "You know I would love to come over your house anytime."
Steve patted Tony's back a little too hard for Tony's liking and laughed. "I wasn't born yesterday Tony we both know that ain't true. As long as you're not seeing Loki I guess I can forgive that comment."
Steve removed his hand and then nodded at Tony as if he understood, but Tony knew otherwise.
As they began to pull out of the lot Tony couldn't fight off the feeling of being helpless. He was pissed at Howard but he was determined to never let that douche get the upper hand. He would find a way around Howard, give him a taste of his own medicine one day. Like the saying always goes, like father like son. Tony slouched in the driver seat as J.A.R.V.I.S began to operate the car. Tony gave Steve a pair of headphones to listen to his own music. He was tired, no one else's parents pressured, squeezed, and tried to conform them into something they never wanted to do. They let their kids grow. Clint wanted to be a professional archer, a job that was in-between non-existent to just plain ludicrous and yet he took archery classes and his parents took him hunting almost every weekend. They supported Clint no matter what and it was something Tony envied. Despite their rigidness, Steve's parents encouraged their son to join the army, it wasn't something they forced upon him, it just happened naturally. Bruce's uncle gave Bruce advice on his future but never tried to dictate it. No one ever tried to force things down their throat, no one ever tried to take over their life. He just wanted support.
Tony just needed someone to understand.
Loki understood a lot of things. But he couldn't wrap his head around why Thor was so persistent.
"Come on it would be fun!"
Loki swallowed his daily pills and scowled, "These tastes better than your constant nagging and that's saying something."
"It'll just be me, Bruce, Steve, Clint, Natasha and Tony. Five other people Loki! Five friends that could help you!"
"Dammit Thor! I don't need anyone's help! How many times do I have to tell you?" Loki barked.
Thor put his hands up in a surrender, "Okay, okay. Loki I get it, you don't want to come. You can just stay here with father and I'll have all the fun."
Loki would've laughed but the phrase stay here with father didn't sit well with him. His eyes searched Thor, but he knew his brother wasn't saying it to be spiteful.
Loki hesitated, jacket still in hand as he sighed, "Thor wait."
Loki walked out of his room to see Thor already downstairs, looking up at him with a small smile as if he expected Loki to change his mind.
Loki rolled his eyes and sauntered down the stairs before punching Thor in the arm. "I hate you brother."
Thor chuckled, "You'll forget all about my annoyance once we get out of here."
"Well at least you admitted you're annoying." Loki countered as the two of them snickered.
"And where do you think you're going?"
They stopped in the middle of the hallway and turned around to see Odin staring back at them, hands neatly folded behind his back.
"Loki. Where are you going?"
"He's coming with me father." Thor spoke up, "We're going to hang out at Bruce's place."
"No. I need Loki to come with me." Odin remarked.
Loki looked at Thor, almost in a pleading matter as Thor cleared his throat, "Please father! Loki wants to make friends! Get to know the neighborhood again! Isn't that what we all agreed he needed anyways? Interaction with others."
Odin squinted at Loki. "I'm sorry Thor but I really need your brother to come with me."
"Don't let him take me Thor." Loki whispered so quietly Thor couldn't make out a word he said.
Loki took a cautious step back as Odin walked over to them. Thor knew Loki and Odin didn't get along, but Loki was always overreacting about the situation. Odin wasn't a prison guard, he was their father. It almost angered him the way Loki always separated himself from their father and sometimes from Frigga and himself. Still, he didn't want to fall back into his brother's bad graces again.
"When mother asks us what we did today during dinner and I told her Loki had to pass out on a good experience on his first day of school I don't think she would be very happy."
Odin titled his head sideways, a twinkling in his eye, "Are you trying to blackmail me Thor?"
Thor smirked, "Of course not father. But I would also need to borrow the car if you don't want to get yelled at by mom."
Instead of a lashing, Odin actually began to laugh as Thor joined him. Odin then ruffled Thor's blonde hair.
"Go on then you two."
"Thanks father." Thor laughed as Loki watched the two of them silently.
He knew if he pulled off any of the things Thor did he would've been scolded or possibly worse. No matter how much he wanted to feel appreciated too, he knew he couldn't because of the way things went as a child. He was too messed up.
As Thor ran outside to the car Odin grabbed for Loki, abruptly stopping him in his tracks. Loki winced as Odin squeezed his arm, causing pain to spike in his shoulder.
His father, this grueling man, gave Loki a hard look before saying, "Do not embarrass me. Do you understand?"
Loki shuddered and bit back a retort. To Loki it seemed Odin was only letting him go with Thor so Thor wouldn't fall suspicious of Odin's real feelings towards him.
"Yes. Ah!" Loki hissed as Odin yanked on his arm.
"What did I tell you about that?" He barked.
Loki corrected himself, "Yes, sir."
"I advise you to say it without the sass next time, it's bad enough people call you a monster around here. Wouldn't want them to call you a faggot either."
Loki tried to pull his arm out of Odin's vice-like grip and almost cried out when Odin only squeezed it harder. Loki with widened his eyes, cringing with his jaw set back as sweat began to dot along his forehead. He was afraid, afraid of his future life that meant he had to stay in a house with someone who could cause him harm and knew he couldn't do anything about it.
"Loki come on!" Thor's voice bounced through the hallway as Odin released him and pushed him forward.
"Go on boy." He insisted as Loki rubbed at his arm, he pulled his sleeve up and saw his arm was a deep shade of red.
Despite his dexterity Loki could feel frustrating tears touch the corner of his eyes. He wiped at them with his good arm and ran out of the house without another word.
"Hey now Loki that's the spirit! Run brother so that we won't miss the fun activities my friend's plan! They are very fun people!" Thor spoke cheerfully as Loki made his way inside the car.
Odin watched the two from the kitchen counter. He didn't like it, but he had to be hard on Loki, part as punishment for everything he had cost them when he was a child and in hopes that he wouldn't repeat the same mistakes. He didn't know how to handle his son, he didn't know how to apologize. To ask Loki for forgiveness for allowing him to be born. Loki wasn't meant to be in their world, in their home and yet he was, Odin wasn't sure why he had picked up the boy from England. Frigga's crying and mourning was a factor but wasn't the biggest persuasion. It was the dreams. Odin shivered at the thought, the only thing that seemed to frighten him as he grabbed a tea kettle from the cabinet. He glanced at the oven's clock, 5:23 pm .
Odin sighed, he was doing the ultimate favor for Loki today, in less than an hour at best. It required the most fragile kind of trust and the most persistent type of charm. If Loki did anything to jeopardize his family again, Odin grimaced, he would have no choice but to carry out what he was supposed to do the moment Loki was thrusted upon his life.
Odin would kill him.
"Taken 3?"
"No."
"28 Weeks Later."
Natasha stretched her legs across the couch, "Put that in the maybe pile. That soldier guy Doyle is cute."
Clint took another nacho from his bowl and threw 28 Weeks Later into the maybe pile. "Okay what about The Dark Knight and really guys? Who brought The Little Mermaid."
"I don't know." Steve said as he sat down by Natasha's feet and placed the popcorn in her lap. Suddenly the doorbell ranged.
"Doorbell." Natasha announced.
"I'll get it." Bruce said as he patted his jeans and ran to the door.
"Hey Thor..." As Bruce opened the door further his smile disappeared, "...I see you brought Loki." Bruce managed a small grin.
Loki just gave Bruce a hard look as Thor smiled, holding a bag of food. "No one ever really brings what they're assigned. "
Thor snickered as he hi-fived Bruce. Bruce left his hand slightly up for Loki but the other boy only sneered.
"I haven't been here in a while Bruce."
"Ya." Bruce said as he took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "It's literally been forever."
Loki smiled, the way a lion would smile at an innocent gazelle, "Hasn't been long enough."
Thor pushed Loki and gave him a look.
Bruce cleared his throat, "Everyone's in my living room Thor."
The two of them followed Bruce as Bruce asked the others in the room, "Pick a movie yet?"
"No but hey!" Clint looked towards Loki, "Why don't we let Edward Scissorhands pick?"
Loki gulped, controlling whatever negative emotions he felt and sat down on the leg rest behind Clint. "Sure."
He gritted as Clint threw the DVD's at Loki, sending them flying all over the place, only The Little Mermaid landed securely in his lap. Loki smirked, "Were going to watch The Little Mermaid."
Everyone groaned, "O come on!" Clint sighed, "Another Loki."
Natasha reached over and smacked Clint on the head. "It's your fault he picked it."
Loki couldn't help but smile, "Nice backswing Natasha." He mused.
"Don't make me use it on you. We are not cool Loki, I would prefer it if you didn't talk to me. The only reason I'm tolerating you is because you're related to Thor. Nothing more." Natasha asserted.
Loki could see Thor ready to defend him and exchanged looks with him telling Thor to back down. His brother could not keep fighting his battles for him like this.
"Where's Tony?" Thor asked suddenly as Loki chose to ignore Natasha for the time being.
"Kitchen, watching the popcorn." Clint said, "Hey when you're in there do you think he could get me another can." Clint shook his Coke. "I'm running a little low."
"Sure." He said.
Thor made his way to the kitchen to see Tony messing with his phone.
"Hey there buddy." Tony said without looking up.
"Hey Tony. What are those?" Thor asked pointing to the green cases beside Tony.
"Your video games, as you can see I'm on popcorn duty." Thor laughed as Tony handed him back his video games.
"I see. how's it been?"
"Great." Tony said boredly, "Never better."
"Well that's good Tony." Thor said, "I could get the popcorn for you in exchange for a favor."
"I'm not giving you money or oral." Tony outright stated.
"Tony!" Thor looked at his friend in shock.
Tony snickered, "I was just putting it out there."
"Despite your wit your perversion really makes me re-evaluate some life choices."
Tony and Thor shared a laugh as Thor grabbed a coke for Clint.
"It's about Loki. Look, I know I'm not the brightest light and I know it seems weird but do you think you could help Loki make friends? You're the only one I've witnessed who has shown my brother a kind hand this entire day."
"Aw thanks buddy," Tony touched his heart. "Two hundred bucks though."
Thor pushed Tony lightly. "Cut it out."
Tony tried to sustain his chuckles, "Okay, I'll give you a 50% discount but that's the lowest I'm going. One hundred bucks on helping Loki."
"You're…actually serious Tony? Are you actually serious!?"
Tony shrugged. "Don't take this the wrong way but your brother is kind of a jerk. I mean I like it but it needs some work. So yeah, I'm nice to brother Thor but that's because he's your brother and so logically, I will be seeing a lot of him."
Thor huffed. "Look I will only explain this to you once because you're my best friend and you don't understand. Tony, my brother has been away for a very long time and before that he didn't have the best time either. He was bullied and his…his antics and are all a disguise. A defense mechanism as they say. I just…I just want him to find some peace and a place to belong and you're you Tony. I believe you have some skill and charisma that I don't have to necessarily help him that way. I mean if you really get to know him you'll probably find a lot in common. So, could you please, out of the kindness and purity of this friendship help him out, for free."
Tony looked at Thor, letting his best friend's speech settle in before answering.
"Fine." Tony sighed, "Sixty bucks and that's my final offer."
"Tony!"
Tony laughed. "What? I have to make bank somehow!"
Thor pointed a finger that made Tony prepare himself for a long spiel of honor and friendship but was interrupted by the ringing in Thor's pocket. Thor grabbed his phone and Tony glanced at the caller ID before looking away politely. As the phone continued to ring a few more times Tony looked at Thor who was just staring at the phone with a long frown.
Tony looked confused. "Aren't you going to answer it?"
Thor shook his head and ended the call. "Sif and I will no longer be talking."
Tony raised an eyebrow and went over to Thor. "What happened? Man, it's only been one day of school."
Thor nodded in agreement, his expression saddened. "She was being super disrespectful to Loki, calling him a psycho. She was just acting so out of line and spiteful, it was something so nasty I never even knew was part of her character."
"Damn, I'm sorry Thor." Tony comforted his best friend. "Maybe she was calling to apologize."
"Well I don't want it."
Tony looked at Thor, shocked. "I mean you guys have been friends practically at birth, was it really that bad?"
"Tony. I can tolerate many things but I will not tolerate such things said or done to my brother!"
Tony jumped as Thor slammed his fists into the counter-top.
"Woah woah woah buddy let's calm down okay. She is not worth damaging Bruce's stuff okay? Okay."
"I'm sorry Tony she just made me so angry! She's supposed to be my friend, she's supposed to be supportive and I just I'm just so shocked and outraged!"
"No I get it buddy, let it all out. Hey how about for now, so you don't get too loud and disturb the others yah know. So you don't maybe make Loki upset or feel bad let's just let it go for now and we rant about it tonight."
Thor took a deep breath. "You're right Tony, I'm sorry."
"No need to be."
"What were we just talking about? Before she called."
"Umm don't worry about it I was just joking about money but-"
Thor grimaced seeming a little distracted as he went into his pockets and handed Tony a twenty. "There you go my friend, I'll give you the rest some other time. Just know this breaks my heart."
"Thor, you don't actually have to I mean… I will actually do it for us if you want me to."
"No no no you set your price Tony. I just hope it haunts you at night, knowing you're taking money from such a poor young man."
Tony scoffed, the tension in the room completely disappeared. "Oh, please Thor. You probably wipe your ass with twenty dollar bills."
Before Thor could protest Tony called out for Loki. "Loki!"
"Be nice to him Tony." Thor stated as Tony nodded his head.
"No promises." He joked.
"What is it Thor?" Loki asked as he came inside the kitchen only to see Thor leaving.
"You and me buddy." Tony started as he grabbed a soda for himself. "We're going to have a little chat."
Loki pursed his lips. "Why? Me? Alone? With the infamous Tony Stark? I would prefer not."
"Oh please." Tony snorted, "I just want to talk business."
Loki made a childish face that had then turned into curiosity. "Is that your arc-reactor?" Loki poked at Tony's chest as the shorter man dodged the slight touch.
"I'll tell you later if you let me call you Loks." Tony said.
"I'd rather die." Loki stated.
"Counting on it." Tony chimed. "Now come on in the basement. I promise there is no fifty shades of grey going on down there."
"What?" Loki perplexed.
"Oh gosh you're another Steve when it comes to references! Dammit, I had high hopes for you Loki."
Loki rolled his eyes, "Just tell me what you want Stark."
"I plan to." Tony said as he put a hand through his hair and began to go down the basement. "You just have to trust me though."
"And why should I?" Loki hissed, so his voice could echo down the steps.
Tony reached the bottom of the stairs, found the light switch and flicked it on before looking up at Loki. "Because you have no one else."
"Why exactly did you drag me down here Stark?" Loki asked before sitting down in the only chair in Bruce's basement.
Without admitting it Tony had hit him somewhere in his gut when he pointed out that Loki really had no one else in the world to turn to. It surprised Loki in a way that made him nervous. Was he really that readable? Loki examined the layer of dusk that seemed to coat everything in Bruce's basement, including the chair. Loki swiped at the arm of chair.
Tony wiped at the dust and sat down on a small edge of the table beside Loki's chair, trying not to chuckle at Loki, who looked disgusted at all the dust.
Tony smiled. "I have a proposition for you and I don't want anyone to butt in on it"
Loki put his hand up. "Let me stop you right there. Who put you up to this and why is it such a secret?"
Tony looked confused. "No one," Maybe Thor and fifty bucks. "I'm just trying to do some good charity work because I'm a nice person."
"I'm charity?" Loki raised an eyebrow Tony realized he must look like a douche, which only spark some more snarky remarks from Loki.
"Look ignore that just hear me out." Tony said. "I'm going get you some friends."
"Hmm," Loki mused. "Sounds like a challenge Stark, why don't you make a bet on it, you're very bad at gambling according to the NY Times.
"Hey!" Tony scoffed, "I'm good at gambling, NY Times is full of pompous pretentious asses anyways. And there's no need for a bet, it's just a favor."
"How boring."
Tony looked at Loki. Maybe Thor wasn't wrong. He could catch bits and pieces of his old and current self in Loki, more of the old than new however. The wit and humor, the joy of risk to make things interesting. The confident attitude, but it was intense and cold, just like Tony before he got his life together. At least together enough to get Howard off my back. He thought to himself. Maybe he could actually help Loki in some way, and the stakes of a bet really did interest him, he was just positive Thor would kill him though if he found out.
Tony smirked. If Loki wanted to bet on it then how could he say no?
Tony threw his hands up in defeat. "Well if you really want to, we can make it a bet. I bet I can get you twelve friends by the end of the month. Rules are they'll all sign a list for me saying they're your friend and you have to genuinely try to be friends with them. Loser has to do whatever the winner says for a whole day. I lose if I can't get you twelve friends and you lose if I can."
Loki glanced at Tony. "Deal, but the loser gets to call out a time-out on one thing if they absolutely don't want to do it."
"What! You're a chicken Loki? Can't take what all life wants to give? Bawk! Bawk Bawk!" Tony folded his arms to his side to resemble wings as he began to cluck like a chicken. "Bawk! Bawk! Bawk!"
"I'm not a chicken Tony nor am I a child. Those are my conditions, take it or leave it." Loki tensed.
Tony stopped imitating a chicken a stuck his tongue out. "Your brother is funner."
"You are both idiots." Loki countered as Tony laughed.
"Hey Tony? Loki?" Bruce peeked out from the steps before making his way down, the bag of popcorn was in his hand.
"Ah! Loki here's a potential friend. Bruce be Loki's friend." Tony piped up.
When Bruce didn't move, Tony cleared his throat and then mouthed the words Just Go With It before folding his arms.
Bruce furrowed his brow. "Oh umm, okay..."
Loki chortled. "I specifically remembered you along with everyone else whom shunned me away, no thank you.
"A lot had happened. I really am sorry about that Loki. There's just so much to tell you." Bruce said quietly.
Tony nodded. "That's good. Now go on Loki, tell Bruce you're sorry too."
"But I'm not. And wait- for what?" Loki said simply as he kept his arms folded.
Tony huffed and grabbed Loki's hand. Before Loki could protest Tony softly pulled on his hand and Loki found himself in Bruce's grip.
Bruce looked just as uncomfortable as Loki as the two shook hands.
"Give me another chance Loki?" He asked.
"Hell n-" Tony luckily, punched Loki's good arm. Loki still shot daggers at him.
"I mean of course Bruce, but the next time you isolate me I will find you in the middle of the night and stick a nice rusted edge blade right in-between the cracks of your ribs."
Bruce dropped his hands to his side, and actually grinned. "I wouldn't doubt you for a second Loki." He sheepishly began to kick at the dust at the bottom of his stairwell.
"I'm going to go back up there, just wanted to check on you guys."
"Um, yeah I'll join you Bruce." Tony said smiling, he took Bruce into a bro-hug.
"I totally owe you one dude." He whispered as they pulled away.
"Chess club is next Thursday and the Science club starts in three weeks." Bruce announced to no one in particular but Tony knew that was one of his bargain deals for Bruce having to bail him out. Tony nodded as Bruce left without another word.
"That wasn't so bad was it Lo? Yah know, aside from threatening Bruce." Tony asked.
Loki looked agitated, "O by the heavens. Now nicknames. Great. And Bruce was the closest thing I had to a friend when I was little. He knows when I'm serious or not."
Tony stood up, that was interesting. "So, were you joking?"
It was Loki's turn to smirk. "Test me Stark and we shall see."
"I shall in due time Loki." Tony commented as he began to go up the stairs." We should probably join the gang though. Two friends, thirteen more to go."
Tony winked at Loki before vanishing out the door. Loki could hear cries of laughter as everyone upstairs began to enjoy themselves.
Loki sighed before resting his head and hands onto the table, he needed a miracle. If Tony could really pull off what he claimed, he could do then Loki, despite his reluctance, would really give Tony the whole world. He didn't doubt Tony's skills, he'd seen him in the media and magazines. But no one wanted to know him, no one cared for Loki. He needed a miracle, just one simple miracle.
I know I said update days are Thursdays (or Sundays if I can't make it on Thursday) but it's spring break and I really wanted to just get this chapter out there because the more chapters I post the closer I am to the goodness that is FrostIron (lol). I'm so excited to continue and bear with me, a few more chapters and the ship will be ready to sail. Thanks for reading and for the feedback!
Stay awesome~!
