Chapter Six
Honey Pie
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A keen eye. A steady arm. Internal patience. These are all characteristics that define archers. Tasia had inherited the talent her father possessed, and target practice was a great way to let off steam after a long day at school.
"Keep your elbow stiff." Bulls-eye. "That's my girl."
Sometimes, Clint liked to join his daughter in the training area for target practice, just to see how her skills had improved. He was unbelievably proud of her. From what Tasia had been told by her parents, she had been very hard to conceive, so both parents showered her with affection and love.
"So, boxing?" Tasia said. Clint raised on eyebrow in question, knowing how his daughter felt about boxing. "Uncle Steve has been practicing with me. It's better to be safe, rather than sorry."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, dad! Gosh!"
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Loki was small. He knew that. While Matthew and Markus were more toned and athletic, and Peter had those stringy muscles that drove him insane, he was small and lanky and he hated it. It didn't help that the magic made him feel awkward in his own shoes; he felt distant from the people he normally felt comfortable around.
Except for with Peter. The older boy was nosing at his neck, reciting Shakespeare and rubbing his side. Loki shifted a bit beneath his boyfriend, letting out a sigh of comfort.
"I've missed you, babe," Peter said.
"Pete..." Loki slid his hands up onto Peter's cheeks, tilting his face upwards. "I'm sorry I've been so distant. It's just this... Magic, y'know. It comes out at really random, really out of place times."
Peter propped himself up on his elbows, a look of confusion over his face. "Like when?"
A thick red blush spread over Loki's face. "Uh, just, y'know, random times." He looked away from Peter's eyes.
"No way." Peter grinned. "Your magic comes out when you...?"
"Yes. Look, I can't help it! It's a very... Climactic moment!" Loki grabbed the pillow and held it over his face. Peter grabbed it away and held Loki in place. "Pete... Peter, c'mon..."
The older boy frowned for a moment, and then gently reached up to push Loki's bangs out of his eyes. "Loke, I don't think this should be an awkward thing between us. I mean, I know we haven't been dating all that long, but we were friends before we were boyfriends. We were BEST friends. I was the one you came to the first time you actually got off, remember? Do you remember?" Loki nodded slowly. "And sure, sometimes those moments might... Include fantasies... That might include the other person... Or in my case a lot... It should not be a taboo topic between us."
Loki smiled then, a smile long forgotten. "Okay. I'm sorry I got so weird about that. I... I do love you, y'know?"
"I love you too, you gorgeous dorkwad." Peter kissed him then, slowly and sweetly. Loki responded happily.
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Bruce was not an OB/GYN, that was a given. But when the time came, when a female member of the team got pregnant, he would fire up the ultrasound machine. He was not incompetent; he could use the Internet to look things up. Jane was up on the table, Thor sitting in the chair beside her.
"I ALWAYS forget how cold that gel is," Jane said as Bruce worked the sensor over her belly. "How's it lookin', old man?"
Bruce rolled his eyes at the comment, but still smiled. "Your little blip looks just fine." He tilted the screen so they could see. "Not much of a baby yet, but he or she seems to be developing accordingly."
Thor's eyes twinkled. "Thank you for this, Bruce. You are a true friend."
The printer beeped from the freshly printed pictures. Bruce wiped off Jane's belly and grabbed the pictures. "Here you go. I'm sure the twins are really excited to see."
"Oh, that reminds me! Markus wanted to talk to you, later." Jane said. "I'm not sure why, but he sounded pretty serious."
"Hm. I hope everything is okay." Bruce said. "Send him down to my office after dinner."
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Markus was standing outside the door to his Uncle Bruce's office, pacing, thinking about what he was going to say. He was so, so worried that he would be angry at him, and refuse to let him-
"Mark?" Bruce said. "What're you waiting out there for? C'mon in."
Markus perched on the chair in front of his Uncle's desk. "Uh. Well. I wanted to talk to you about something that... That's been bothering me for quite awhile." Bruce nodded. "I... I like Chloe, sir. A-as more than a friend. And she feels the same way. I know the age difference is pretty major, and I want my intentions to be clear. I don't want to steal her innocence or anything like that. I just want to be there for her if she needs me. And I'd like your permission."
Bruce smiled at his nephew. "Markus, were you really worried that I would refuse you? Kid, I was present at your birth. I know you would never hurt Chloe. You two have been very close for a very long time. I trust you with her."
"Really?" He said.
"For sure." Bruce said, clapping the boy's shoulder. "Take care of her."
"Thank you thank you thank you thank you!"
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"He asked your permission?" Darcy asked sweetly. She was sitting on Bruce's lap, alternately between feeding him and feeding herself. "That's so cute! Aw, Chloe's very lucky to have two people who care so much about her."
Bruce nodded in agreement. "Poor kid, looked like he was about to pass out. He'll be good for her."
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It was Family Dinner in the Stark-Rogers house. Steve made fried okra and chicken, and the three of them sat down together at the smaller kitchen table.
"So, Pete," Steve started. "How's school going?"
Peter finished chewing. "Good, Pop. Still have top marks. I'm not losing any concentration, if that's what you're asking. I start my research job at Stark Industries next month, with Doctor Fleinman. He promised I'll still have time with schoolwork."
"Good boy."
"And how's Loki?" Tony added.
A smile spread across Peter's face. "He's doing great, Dad. Working through his issues, slowly but surely. I'm always happy to help him."
"Do I have to buy to buy condoms?" Tony questioned.
"Tony! We are not condoning teenage sex!" Steve said. "Our son is not even sixteen yet!"
Tony rolled his eyes. "I want him and Loki to be safe when the time comes! Peter, if you need condoms, don't be afraid to ask."
Peter sank down in his seat and rubbed at his eyes.
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A/N: so sorry my sweets. I graduated high school and have spent some time relaxing. Please review!
