LOKI'S POV

"Loki, come in..sit down." Phil invited me into the Principal's office. I couldn't believe the Sheriff called my high school principal.

Even more, I don't think the son of a bitch has ever smiled at me. I was surprised to find Howard Stark sitting in the second office chair. Something was up. When I didn't return his smile and stood, he got annoyed. I ignored the irritated look on his face as I sank down into the office chair, ready to get this crap over with.

What?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

"I'm sure you've talked to Mrs. Hilton about your..um..situation?" he asked

"You mean the fact that Odin has decided to cease and desist his award winning parental services? YesI know. So what? I can't wait to have kids so I can pawn them off on someone else. Must be great to be a parent."

He had enough tact to ignore my outburst. "Well you see Loki, the thing is.."

"Let me guess? Back to the orphanage,e I go. Ok, whatever. No big deal. I've spent the afternoon there, it seems quite…lovely. Save the 'I'm sorry' lecture."

"Um no actually that wasn't what I was going to say at all, if you'd let me finish." He said sternly looking at me as if he wanted me to agree to shut up. Fat chance, Philip.

"Loki, I know you don't want to go back to the orphanage..hell I wouldn't want to go back either..so…the thing is…I've arranged for you to stay with the Starks, I believe you know Tony?"

Tony Stark… Mr. Popular..not sure how the Hell he earned that titled..Thor was infinitely more likable than that tool. Just thinking of all the ways to torture him while under the same roof…the possibilities were endless.

Coulson went on "It's temporary…" Of course, most situations I'm involved with are 'temporary'..that might as well be my fucking middle name.. Loki Temporary Laufeyson..sorry Loki but you can only stay here until we get divorced and then your father won't want you.. so pack up your shit and get the fuck out.

"Just until we find something a bit more permanent for you. We'd love to have you though. What do ya say?"

I say that you're full of shit…but what I was really said was "On what grounds?"

"Grounds?" he asked surprised and looked at Howard who had a mischievious grin on his face, not at all unlike Tony's.

"Yeah, you know..terms..rules..that kind of thing. I'm sure there's something I have to do to get this fantastic opportunity." I said sarcastically.

Stark continued to look at me with a smirk on his face. "Well of course there are rules..but no more than there should be. No drinking.."

I could practically hear the underlining and bold used on that word.

"Do your chores, go to school, do your homework, keep your room clean. Those kinds of rules."

School? I couldn't remember the last time I stepped foot in Marvel High voluntarily. Technically I was supposed to be a junior but credit wise I was still more like a sophomore..if I was that lucky. Room, chores? Haha, this guy was cracking me up. Of course I knew better than to laugh out loud.

"And what if I don't want to do those things?" I asked.

"Well Loki, it's simple. Either you do this or you go back to the orphanage until we are able to get a hold of your mother, if she even decides to come back and get you. And if you do that, chances are good that you'll be up to your usual tricks and then the odds are even better that you're gonna hurt yourself or someone else. And then the State of New York will probably offer you a home in one of their famous prisons."

Damn. He had a point. "And what does your son think of this situation?" I couldn't help but asking. It's not like Stark and I had been best buds. He'd always been Thor's counterpart.

"He's excited to have you. Look, let's try it a few days. If you don't like it, we'll work something else out. Ok?" Stark said offering his hand to shake.

I hesitated a moment. If only to be a bit difficult. I wanted him to think that I really was considering not doing it. But really, at this point did I have any other options?

"Ok." I said shaking his hand. What did I have to lose? It was a place to stay, food to eat and person to make miserable..really…how bad could it be?