Tony fell into bed around three in the morning, exhausted, but completely content with a full night's worth of work done. He held up the locket and examined it further as Jarvis turned up the lights just a tad; enough for Tony to admire his craftsmanship without damaging his eyes.
He had debated the shape for days, unable to decide between the cliché heart or an oval pendant. Looking at it now, he was glad he had chosen a perfect circle.
He palmed it in his hand and let his fingers run over the carved border design. Lines spread over the edges, giving the illusion that the locket was overrun by vines. In the center was a carved image of a flower, though when looked at more closely revealed to be made of tiny, smaller flowers.
Tony smiled lazily, setting the locket on the nightstand by his bed.
Frigga was going to love it.
"Good morning, sir," Jarvis said. "It is currently 26 degrees Fahrenheit at 7:06 AM."
Tony groaned in protest. "Jarvis!" he yelled in frustration.
But Jarvis ignored his master's plea, continuing with his monologue. "I have prepared your coffee and am starting your shower now."
Tony rolled out of bed, wrapping himself in his comforter as he trudged the few feet to the coffee machine. "You're lucky you had coffee," he grumbled, grabbing his fresh cup and making his way to the bathroom, leaving his comforter on the floor.
Dummy made his way over and pulled at the blanket, dragging it, and everything else Tony had left on the ground, back to his master's bed. Seeing scraps of metal, empty coffee cups, a couple of socks and a soda stained notebook in a line behind him, Dummy whirred away, grabbing a small broom and dustpan, and sweeping most of the garbage into a trashcan.
He paused only a moment to pull at a sheet in the notebook, noticing his master's hand writing. Upon hearing the water turning off in the shower, Dummy dropped the notebook and went back to his corner.
Tony exited the bathroom moments later a towel wrapped around his waist and a coffee cup to his lips. "How's traffic, J?" he asked, setting down his cup.
"Approximately twenty three minutes to school if you take the highway, sir." Tony nodded, making his way out of the workshop.
o0o0o0o0o0o
Once dressed, Tony closed his bedroom door and walked quietly down the end of the hall. He knew it was pointless. No one was around except him - and the servants, but they were hardly out of their quarters that it was pointless to fret about them.
Finding the door he was looking for, Tony turned the handle and went inside. He leaned against the door and let out a breath.
It was his mother's room.
Painted in an inviting daisy yellow, it was still as pristine and elegant as when she was alive. Tony quietly crossed the room, letting his fingers play against the seat of the settee, the empty plant holders, and the bed he had crawled into when he had nightmares.
He stopped in front of her large and intricate vanity, old and dusty, wooden and strong. He picked up a photo of himself on his first birthday; Thomas the Tank Engine overalls and a cake smeared face. Setting the photo back down, Tony reached for the jewelry box and opened it, Chopin's Berceuse filling the air.
Tony ignored the earrings and pearls, the diamonds and rubies, and smiled when he saw what he was looking for. The silver chain he knew Maria Stark always kept at the bottom of her jewelry box. He smiled upon seeing it. He recalled how she disliked how it looked like she was growing leaves around her neck.
But Tony had always loved it. And now it was going to be appreciated.
He grabbed the chain and cupped it in his hands, shutting the jewelry box, ending the music. He closed the door quietly behind him and went back to the workshop, but not before stopping in the kitchen where he could smell freshly fried eggs.
With a plate in hand, and a piece of toast in his mouth, he sat on his bed, staring at the locket from the night before. Once finished with his breakfast, he strung the chain through locket and held it up.
"What do you think, Jarv?" Tony asked.
"Quite lovely, sir," Jarvis answered. "I am sure Mrs. Odinson will appreciate it greatly."
Tony nodded, setting the locket in a cushioned box. "Thanks." And taking a moment to stretch and check the time asked, "Who else is on my list?"
Jarvis was quiet before answering, "It appears that you have either made or purchased gifts for everyone except for Loki Odinson."
Tony ran his hands through his hair. "Oh god. What am I gonna get him?" He fell back into a chair. "It's gotta be awesome and mind blowing."
"Sex, I take it, is out of the question," Jarvis responded.
"I don't know whether you just insulted me or not," Tony admitted. "And you're correct in that assumption."
"Perhaps it is best to ask Mr. Odinson himself," Jarvis advised.
Tony huffed. "Fine." He grabbed his backpack and threw it over his shoulder. "But that takes the fun out of gift giving."
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Coulson zipped up his pants and flushed. Humming Jingle Bells, he pumped soap into his palm and began washing his hands, a smile on his face.
He had had a rather nice weekend. His date with Clara on Saturday went well, and he put up his Christmas tree on Sunday. He got most of his gift shopping done and there was no traffic this morning on the way to work.
All in all it was a rather pleasant Monday morning. He felt like he could take on the world.
It wasn't until he pulled at the paper towels that his humming died. His hands were blue.
He stared at them in disbelief.
Blue? How did his hands get blue?
He turned on the sink faucet and pumped mosre soap onto his hands. He scrubbed and scrubbed, but his hands didn't seem to lose their new color. If anything, they were getting bluer.
It was then that he heard a flush and a student came out of the stall and began his washing his hands. Coulson watched him from the corner of his eye.
The kid stopped mid-wash to stare at his hands. Blue. The student turned to face his vice principal.
"Yeah," Coulson said, holding up his own hands. "I know."
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Fury stared down the boy before him, embarrassingly blue hands folded behind his back. "Well?"
Loki smirked. "What makes you think I did it?"
Fury leaned against his desk, arms folded strategically so as not to reveal his hands. But if Loki's choked back laugh was anything to go by, Fury knew he had seen. "I know it's you."
"Innocent until proven guilty," Loki responded. "I feel like a victim of prejudice."
"So if I were to analyze the security cameras, you wouldn't be seen entering and exiting every boy's room?"
"Oh please," Loki scoffed, calling Fury's bluff. "Those cameras don't actually record anything."
Fury sat down and took a good hard look at the teen. He had the look of a kid that had nothing to lose. It frightened Fury, though he'd never admit it.
Principal Fury cared about his students. He believed in them. He worked hard to ensure his students received the best education and the best schooling experience. And if his students were having problems, he wanted to know.
"So you didn't do this?" Fury asked, holding up his hands.
"No, sir," Loki stated.
Fury nodded pensively. "Because if you did, I would have to call your parents."
"I understand."
"And," Fury added, "you will be suspended."
"A perfectly reasonable punishment, Mr. Fury," Loki replied.
Fury leaned back in his chair and cast his eye on Loki. The boy stared right back at him. He didn't like the look in Loki's eye.
"Get out of here," Fury ordered. "You've already missed most of first period." As Loki rose out of his chair he added, "But don't think I won't be investigating this," picking up his phone to inform Mr. Higgins Loki would be there momentarily.
Loki didn't respond as he grabbed his backpack, closing the door silently behind him.
He walked down the empty hallway, staring at nothing. He passed his classroom and stopped at his locker, grabbing his coat. He put it on as he walked right through one of the exit doors. The cold December air hit him hard, but Loki barely reacted.
He paused a moment to look at the football stadium that stood before him. He cut through it and made his way to the bleachers. He climbed up to the top and dropped his backpack. He dug into his pockets and pulled out his hat and a pair of gloves. Once on, he lay down, his head atop the bag.
He let out a deep breath and watched it swirl above him until a strong gust of wind blew it out of sight.
Loki closed his eyes.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Coulson pumped hand sanitizer onto his hands furiously, wiping off some of the blue with a napkin. This was going to take forever, but he refused to have blue hands for the rest of the day. The last thing he wanted was to have proof he was one upped by some teenager.
As he tossed the now blue napkin into the trash bin, his phone rang. "Coulson," he answered, lounging in his chair and staring intently at his left hand.
"No, he's here," Coulson said. "He was in Fury's office first period. Why?" Coulson sat up slowly. "Yeah... I'll see what I can do."
Moments later he was opening Fury's door and saying, "Brewster says Loki's not in class."
Fury looked up from the email he was composing. "What?"
o0o0o0o0o0o
Tony stared vacantly out the window, waiting for the barely audible conversation between Coulson and Fury to end. He wasn't sure why he had been called to Fury's office. Unless he thought Tony was the one to put blue dye in the soap dispensers.
Well he wasn't guilty, so screw that. At least he was missing third period. AP physics sucked.
"Hello, Stark," Fury growled out, waking Tony from his daydream.
Tony grinned broadly. "Hiya, Fury. Your eye patch is looking lovely this morning. Is it new?"
Fury leaned forward at his desk, blue hands visible. Tony tried not to stare. "Very funny."
"Well I figure if my life plan doesn't work out, I can just become an alcoholic and tell jokes for a living."
"An admirable career," Fury said. Then, straightening and casting his eye at Tony, asked, "You haven't seen Loki this morning, have you?"
Tony was caught off guard. Well that was an interesting question. "Or heard from him. Via phone or the like?"
Tony stared in confusion at the principal. "I'm sorry, what?" Fury didn't respond. "No," Tony answered. "He got grounded over the weekend so his Pop took his phone and the like," he mocked.
"Do you know why he was grounded?" Fury asked.
Tony bit the inside of his cheek. "Yes," he admitted, though quickly added, "And no I'm not telling you. What's going on? Is this about the blue dye in the hand soap?"
"No," Fury answered. "Well, thank you." He stood and held the door open for Tony. The boy slowly got up and was surprised to find Thor sitting in a chair outside the office.
"Greetings, Tony," Thor rumbled.
Tony wiggled his fingers. "Hey, Herc."
Thor entered the office, leaving Tony alone in the hallway.
What the hell just happened? He dug into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
Where in the world is Carmen San Diego?
No response. Not that Tony expected one. A, Loki didn't like to text during class; and B, his dad had taken his phone away. Also, maybe Loki didn't get the joke, though knowing Loki, he probably did. Most definitely A or B.
Fury had asked if he had seen Loki, and now that he thought about it, he hadn't, which was odd. Nearly every morning he greeted Loki at his locker. Loki wasn't there, so he figured he and Thor were running tardy.
Tony had seen Thor in swimming so it wasn't like he didn't know the other Odinson wasn't in the building.
Was Loki missing? It would only be the proper reason for Thor being sent into Fury's office. Thor wasn't the kind of guy who got called in for his own misdeeds.
Tony sat in the chair once occupied by Thor. He was going to wait and figure out what the hell was going on.
o0o0o0o0o0o
Loki was sure he couldn't feel his legs. He was glad for it. His body was completely numb. Just like how he felt.
He wondered what time it was.
Did it really matter?
He let out a laugh that hurt his whole body. He turned his face towards the school building. How odd it looked from afar. He held out his hands as if holding a small control. He pressed the imaginary, big, red button, making an explosion noise with his mouth. He let out a giggle as he imagined the entire building bursting into flames, just piles of debris.
A vibration in his pants pocket brought him back to reality. He stared down at himself, not sure how to reach his phone.
He pulled his glove off with his mouth and lifted his coat slightly to reach into his pants. The thought of him reaching into his pants put him into another fit of hysteria. Once he had the phone in hand he stared blankly at the message.
Where in the world is Carmen San Diego? Norway, he thought. Australia. Mt. Vesuvius. In a volcano.
Carmen San Diego, where are you now?
"Alaska," he mumbled to himself. "On Mount Olympus. High above the sky, like a bird, or a cloud, or a god." He smiled vacantly. "Yes, like a god."
o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Thor did not like the look Tony was giving him. It was bad enough that Fury had informed him Loki was not in class. The last thing he wanted, or needed, was his brother's boyfriend to look at him like he knew what was going on.
Because he didn't.
"But he is here?" Tony asked.
"He would not simply leave," Thor assured Tony.
Tony nodded. "If I were Loki, where would I hide?" Tony thought out loud.
But Thor was not paying him any mind. Loki had never done anything like this. Even when upset, he showed up to class. But this morning, Loki had disappeared almost instantaneously. Once minute he was in the car, the next, Thor was alone, key still in the ignition. Fury had asked him why Loki would act out and Thor had suggested the argument he had had with his father the night before.
Thor had heard his father yell for Loki but he did not know the details. All he knew was when Loki returned to his room, both his father and brother were not happy.
Thor couldn't help but feel he had somehow failed as a brother.
"Cheer up," Tony said, offering a feeble smile in return. "He's probably... He doesn't cut or anything like that, right?"
Thor stared at disbelief at Tony.
"No," Tony answered himself, shaking his head violently. "He's too pristine to do something like that." He patted Thor's arm before shouting, "Fuck!"
"Perhaps you had better go to class," Thor told him. He could tell the situation was bothering him.
Tony shook his head. "No way." Then after a brief pause asked, "You're not going back to class, are you?"
"I must look for my brother, despite Fury's suggestion," Thor replied.
"Ditto."
o0o0o0o0o0o
It had come to that point in his day that Coulson wasn't surprised to see Thor and Tony wander the empty halls when they ought to have been in class.
He was sure Fury wouldn't mind. "Any luck?" Coulson asked.
"None at all," Thor said.
"I checked all the empty classrooms," Coulson told them.
"Shouldn't you be yelling at us?" Tony asked.
Coulson smiled. "Like you'd be able to concentrate. Besides the sooner we find Loki, the better."
"What will happen to my brother?" Thor asked.
Coulson thought it over a minute before answering. "I don't suspect he'll get into too much trouble. Fury'll probably send him to the counselor."
Tony guffawed at that. "Good luck getting Loki to talk to Miss Hill."
"Perhaps we ought to split up," Coulson suggested, ignoring Tony's comment. "Let's meet back at my office in ten minutes."
o0o0o0o0o0o
Tony stood in the middle of the frozen football field, freezing his balls off. Good god it was cold. He really ought to have grabbed his coat. Was it this cold this morning? He couldn't even remember.
He wasn't sure if Loki was even out here but it was worth a shot. Not to mention that school was stifling. "Where would I go?" Tony mumbled. "If I was a hot, crazy, Loki?"
He chuckled at himself, blowing hot air onto his hands. The bleachers. Obvious.
Tony ran to the foot of the bleachers, in hopes of warming himself. He stared at the bleachers in agony. This was definitely Tony's exercise for the week. Scratch that, year. Possibly lifetime.
He climbed the stairs, checking each row and finding nothing.
"Loki!" he shouted with no response. He kicked at one of the seats in frustration. He was about to leave for the comfort of inside when he saw a gloved hand not a few feet above him.
Tony ran up the rest of the stairs only to find Loki laying on the ground, his face completely red from the cold. "Loki?" he asked.
Author's Note: I told you being at home does wonders for me. This super long chapter is long. It wouldn't stop. Proof that I have no life. Honestly, someone needs to make me into a computer. A little upset no one got my Transformers reference two chapters ago. I'm still waiting though. I'm sure someone will realize it. You guys totally dug the angst, you terrible terrible masochists. The flowers on Frigga's locket are Lady's Bedstraw, also known as Frigg's grass. And Loki is totally suffering from mild/moderate hypothermia. It's why he's a little loopy. It can cause mental confusion and that's how I interpreted that. Plus when I'm outside for too long I get really weird. My rational.
REVIEWS!
whitebengal14: He does. How does that work? If anything that would inspire me to definitely not do my homework, but to each their own. The last chapter was specifically lacking in detail. I was concentrating on the argument rather than the inbetween. And look how detailed this chapter is. I was totally thinking of you. And thanks, but save your happy birthdays till December. It's only 33 days away. My birthday, not the actual month.
xRDJ603: I laughed for like a million years at the Speedy Gonzalez comment. I need to go eat something. Isn't that the weirdest thing in the universe? Though if there was a club called The Hobbit, you'd have to drag me out kicking and screaming. It would be awesome.
ITrustThyLove: Hi! Again. Nice to know you're not dead in a ditch. I'm gonna bring some Howard in. I just need to get around this whole thing first. He will return. He is a player in this game.
Chuchutu: I have a birthday radar or something. I honestly am super good and I'm glad my update greeted you. I struggled forever deciding between Frigga interfering or not. And in the not scenario, Odin was super douche evil man. So I couldn't do that.
Tomazine: Thanks so much. I'm glad you found it believable. I think parents are really caught up in what they believe to be normal and their whole sort of mindset that they don't realize that they're being insensitive jerks. They think they're helping and what not. I can't believe also that they're making it into three films, but the first one comes out the day after my birthday, and the second on it. It's gonna be awesome. Two hobbit filled birthdays. And MARTIN FREEMAN IS MY HERO. He's so many iconic characters. How does he sleep at night knowing he is a god among men? Honestly. Plus Benedict Cumberbatch and Lee Pace. I'm not going to make it through three seconds of any of these films without dying automatically.
Note to self: don't reply to reviews while cooking dinner. I totally burned the potatoes. I salvaged them, but that pan is gonna be a bitch to wash. Oh well. My sister's washing it. And I've downloaded some new music and I can't stop listening to all of it. So I switch between writing diligently to singing off key to orgasmic music. My life. I tell you guys. Ta!