Yeah But No But Yeah
ooooo
"Stark?"
"It's Tony. And yes, Loki?"
"You do realise I don't appreciate being humiliated, right?"
"Uh, yeah, no one does, but I take it it's a lot worse when it comes to you because you could easily smite anyone here. But what's your point?"
The demi-god bit his lip, pale cheeks blushing.
"I've never been one to enjoy physical activity. Not that I cannot. I just choose not to as much as possible. Furthermore, I am completely unfamiliar with this. If I fail, and you take delight in that, I will have your head. Understand?"
Tony gulped audibly.
"I won't laugh at you I swear."
ooooo
"Okay so basically all you gotta do is swing the ball and hope it goes any direction that isn't the gutter. Best is if you hit all 10 pins. But one pin is better than nothing. Alright? I'll go first. Might be a bit rusty, do forgive me."
Tony grinned to himself. He hadn't been to a bowling alley for years, but he'd always been good at it.
One thing that Tony prided himself in was the fact that despite not having super powers, he was almost always able to find a solution to things with just his mind. He was quick to assess the situation, and quick to improvise. In this case, although he was out of practice, the engineer in him was at play. Rather than blindly swinging and hoping, he knew that with the right amount of pressure and strength used, and releasing the ball at the right time and distance from the ground, he could easily take down all 10 pins. He swung, then let go of the 11 lb ball.
True enough, he knocked down all 10 pins, a big "X" flashing across the score screen.
He turned around to grin at Loki, who was already chewing at his bottom lip again.
"Aww come on, don't need to be nervous. It's just a game. It's fun even if you suck at it. Go on, it's your turn!"
The demi-god slowly walked up to pick a ball. He approached the lane with caution. He tilted his head to look back at Tony who just gave him an encouraging smile. He huffed out a breath, as though it would calm himself down. It didn't quite work, but he swung the ball and let go of it anyway. He stood rooted to the ground, as though staring at the ball would somehow sway it to the center of the lane instead of the gutter. It seemed to roll much slower than Tony's had, and when it finally reached the pins, it abruptly decided to drop to the left, narrowly missing a pin. The word "GUTTER" flashed repeatedly on the screen. His shoulders stiffened as he hung his head down in embarrassment.
Tony bit his lip in attempt to stiffle his laughter. He honestly felt bad for the guy, but he couldn't help it. Never in his life would he have imagined the demi-god to stand so defeated, even more so than when he failed to take over the Earth nearly 5 years ago. He slowly approached the sulking man and placed a hand on his shoulder gently.
"Hey hey, no worries you can try agai-"
Immediately the demi-god lifted a hand in silence, as if to say "It's ok, I GOT THIS."
Tony took the hint and sat back down, grinning from ear to ear.
Loki picked another ball, and took aim. This time the ball rolled steadily, slightly to the right. Both Tony and Loki stared at the ball, one in complete anxiety and one in complete excitement. For Loki's sake Tony hoped it wouldn't end up in the gutter. Come on come on come on!
The ball rolled gently by the pins and hit just one, as if to say "Haha, you tried, but fuck you!"
Loki's whole body literally went rigid, heat creeping up from his neck to his cheeks. He turned around and glared at Tony.
"This game. It is highly unamusing." He sulked his way back to his seat. Tony gave him a sympathetic smile. "Aww come on, it's your first time. No one gets it right the first time and even if they do, it's just luck. Even I can't get a perfect score. Trust me it makes for a better game when you're crap at it."
Tony took aim and swung. For Loki's sake, he'd put in slightly less effort, not quite calculating his swing. Come on come on come on don't strike please!
"X" "X" "X"
Tony could feel sweat bead across his forehead before he even turned around to look at the demi-god, who spoke his next words ever so softly, laced with venom.
"Even I can't get a perfect score? You lie to pacify me! And how could anything be more satisfying if you fail at it?"
Tony chuckled lightly before gesturing for Loki to come over to him.
"C'mere."
The demi-god raised a brow at that, but didn't question as he walked towards the genius. Tony tugged at his hand gently towards the lane.
"First of all, pick the ball that you're most comfortable with. That's important not only for your safety, it's going to really decide where the ball ends up."
After a minute Loki decided he felt most comfortable with a 10 lb ball.
"Alright good. If that weight fits you, that means you can swing it easily, but then you gotta know just how much strength to put into that swing, and how fast or slow you want it to go. You'll eventually get used to it, then hopefully you'll be kicking my ass instead."
He stood behind Loki, one hand on his waist, the other gently pulling back the demi-god's arm to the height he thought was best.
"Does this feel right?"
Loki swallowed thickly.
"Yes."
"Let's go then."
He swung and released the ball, aiming for a faster roll this time. Both of them stood still, eyes glued to the ball in anticipation.
"X" "X" "X"
"FUCK YEAH!" Tony roared happily, squeezing Loki's waist tighter. Loki blushed furiously, ecstatic yet embarrassed at the same time. "Calm down you silly man!" Tony giggled before letting him go.
"That's why it's better to suck at it first. You get a hot pro to teach you!"
He picked a ball and scored another strike before Loki could quip back.
"You are insufferable."
On his next turn, Loki took aim and swung, this time knocking down only half of the pins. As he waited for his next turn, he turned to see a group of young teenagers playing at the lane right next to them. They were either cheering or jeering at each other, or laughing at complete strangers from other lanes. Distracted, he aimed poorly and his ball promptly ended up in the gutter, earning a fit of giggles from the teenagers. His mouth twitched, not going unnoticed by Tony, who was already by his side.
"Come on girls, don't pick on us. We're only just warming up."
"HAH! Old farts! MONEY CAN'T BUY YOU MAD SKILLS MR STARK!"
Tony let out a harsh laugh, very much like a bark.
"OH IT IS ON, PRE-TWEEN DRAMA QUEENS!"
He looked Loki squarely in the eyes.
"Let's do this baby."
In any other circumstance, Loki would've demanded an explanation for the use of a term of endearment, but the warrior inside him was ripping his way out, determined to kick teenage butt.
"I've got this."
Tony grinned evily as he saw Loki's hand glow green ever so faintly.
By the end of the game, Tony and Loki scored the perfect game, the teens mouths wide open in rage and disbelief.
As they left their lane Tony smiled at the teens, casually waving at them.
"Better start sharpening those mad skills of yours kids. I've got both money and mad skills, it would totally suck to have none."
Loki couldn't contain his laughter at the look on their faces as they walked out of the bowling alley.
They reached Tony's car, Tony walking slightly slowly, suddenly nervous. They stopped right next to it, not getting in quite yet.
"So.."
"Anthony?"
"How was that? You happy? Content? Was that good enough to be considered a date?"
"You're not kissing me tonight, Tony."
Tony pouted, genuinely disappointed.
"You mean it totally sucked?"
Loki laughed and shook his head.
"No, in fact it was quite amusing in the end. But no kiss tonight. Maybe next time when the evening isn't quite as embarrassing or being interrupted by wild and rowdy youths. Besides, we cheated the whole last half of the game. I'd like to genuinely win next time."
"Hey I didn't cheat. Your demi-god ass cheated!"
"Yes, and you were genuinely superb, and we got those annoying children to shut up all the same."
It still left Tony pouting, but soon the pout left as Loki held his hand.
"What I'm saying is, I'd like to do it again sometime. Meaning you have many more chances to kiss me. Also, you can hold my hand all the way home if you like."
Tony beamed up at the taller man, content enough for the moment.
He just had to come out with the big guns soon.
