When Thor stopped Tony in the hallway just before 6th period and said, "I wish to speak with you once school has ended, Anthony," Tony's first reaction was to run for his life.
What he actually did was more like a "Oh...uh...yeah. Totally, Thor, buddy old pal. Sounds...um... good. Great! Can't wait. Talking. Yay." Proof that Tony was indeed one smooth operator.
A million thoughts plagued Tony's mind throughout the rest of the day. He couldn't concentrate. Actually he already couldn't concentrate. He was concentrating less. And considering before this whole screw-up he hardly concentrated at all, this was saying something.
It was like they took out his fucking brain was chiseling at it with a jackhammer. Was that possible? Did jackhammers chisel? Or jack? What was the appropriate term for that?
Tony hit the side of his head. There were more important things to think about. Like physics. Physics. Ppphhhhhysicssssss. Phisics. Pheysics?
He was going to die.
Oh dear god in heaven, Thor was going to kill him. Tony knew it. He just - what else could it possibly be? Loki probably said, "Kill Tony." And then Thor was all, "OF COURSE, BROTHER. ANYTHING FOR YOU, BECAUSE WE ARE BROTHERS."
If Tony had any sort of sense he would pass out. Right now. Get sent to the nurses office and then rightfully know he wouldn't have to face Thor. Either way he'd make his way to the nurse's office.
Wait. Today's Friday.
The nurse doesn't come in on Fridays.
Tony was seriously going to have to have a talk with one of the higher ups. Fury, maybe... Coulson. He'd talk to Coulson. And demand that the school nurse be in everyday. What happens if you get burned during a science lab or Thor beats you to a pulp on the days she wasn't here?
'Sorry, but you should have thought of that before bleeding to death.'
'No, you should've been there to patch me up!'
Tony glanced at the clock, knowing that the inevitable was near. Two periods and a half. Two periods and a half until he died. Tony was seriously regretting never having made a will. He was the son of billionaire Howard Stark, he should totally have a will. It should be signed and checked and double checked and oh my god have they really only been sitting here for six minutes?
He didn't know what was worse, knowing that he was going to die or knowing he was going to die and time ticking mercilessly away at an unnatural pace.
o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
Thor was waiting for Tony at his locker. Holy shit, it's like those high school bully movies. Does that make me the Karate Kid?
"Anthony," Thor greeted, his voice reverberating off the lockers and hitting Tony like a jackhammer.
Tony flinched as he slowly approached the bigger boy. "Hey..." he tried without his voice cracking. He failed. Terribly.
And if Thor's face was any indication, he heard it. "Are you ill, Tony?" Thor asked, all consideration and sweetness. If the guy was trying to confuse him, he was doing one hell of a job.
"I had hoped we could discuss a few things," Thor said, once Tony supplied a dismissive wave to his question. "When you have finished here," he continued, completely unaware of the sudden lack of color in Tony's face, "meet me in the parking lot."
Tony watched as Thor walked away. Once out of sight, Tony's legs gave in and he would've fallen into a gelatinous mess on the ground if he hadn't gripped tightly onto his locker.
Parking lot. That was like the universal code for "I'm going to kill you."
Tony shoved a whole bunch of crap into his locker and made his way to the parking lot. Hell, it even sounded ominous in his head. THE PARKING LOT. Narrated by Victor Price.
Stepping outside, Tony was immediately blinded by the sun. That's a bad omen, right? He trampled leaves as he went and apologized to each one. He knew what it was going to be like to be squashed with no help in sight.
Spotting Thor at his car, Tony took a deep breath and tried his best to stay cool. "Hey!" Tony called, all nonchalant, and was that a smile on his face, because if it was, Tony was one hell of an actor.
Thor grinned back and offered a friendly wave. Tony hated that he looked like a giant puppy. It just made his inevitable death all the more intolerable.
"So...," Tony drawled out, hands in his coat pockets, eyebrows raised, lips pursed and rocking on his feet nervously. "What... uh... you wanna talk about?"
Thor opened his door and simply said, "Get in."
If that wasn't a warning sign that Thor was going to murder him in the vehicle and then dispose of his body, then Tony didn't know what it was. But seeing as there were a couple of witnesses and Thor was being kind of friendly (he's just messing with you), and Thor could easily hurt him just by resting a hand on his shoulder, Tony decided it was the slightly lesser of every evil he could think of.
Tony closed the door quietly and began contemplating whether he should put on his seatbelt or not. Safety first!
"My brother is not well," Thor said softly, which was very odd. Softly and Thor didn't belong in the same sentence. Or the same planet.
Tony tried not to look guilty. "Is that why he hasn't been in school?" Tony inquired, clearing his throat midway through his sentence. This wasn't uncomfortable in any way? No, sir.
Thor nodded. He turned to Tony and added, "I think you should visit him."
Tony just gaped. If asked, he'd say he didn't, but he was honest to god gaping at Thor like a fish. And not those cute little fish. One of those fish that don't realize how stupid they look. The kind that evolution was not kind to.
"I do not think it is an illness of the usual kind," Thor plowed on, completely dismissing Tony's face of shock. "He is, at times, prone to making himself ill. He is distressed and I believe that seeing you will make him better."
Tony chuckled nervously. "I don't think that's it, big guy," Tony muttered.
"It is," Thor affirmed. "You will see my brother and apologize for any grievance you have caused him."
"Woah," Tony blurted. "What do you mean grievance?" Not the best strategy, but if he plays dumb maybe, just maybe, things'll work out.
Thor shrugged. "I know not the details but he acted strangely once I returned from Fandral's house and as you were the only one in the house before my arrival, I must assume you have upset him."
Tony didn't respond to that. What would he say? So Tony drooped his shoulders and slouched down in the seat in defeat. "Yeah..." he said. "Alright."
"Good," Thor grinned. He beamed at Tony which only made him feel worse. "I shall expect you at our home within the hour."
Tony grimaced as he exited the vehicle. Tony wished Thor had just killed him. That would have been much easier. Much better. Not as gut wrenching and heart pounding as being forced to apologize to the guy you screwed things up with.
The guy you threw feelings at and then ran away.
But Loki was sick.
And if Tony was the cause of it, well then he was just going to suck it up.
He'd been trying to apologize all week anyway.
So Tony swallowed his pride and most of his fear (which was fairly difficult considering he could feel it creep up his esophagus and god that word was weird) as he fished around his pockets for his car keys.
As he started his car, Tony tried to think up a plan of action. Loki was not just going to let him in his room and forgive him. He'd have to really fight. Hell, he'd have to fight for Loki to even look at him. Open the door. Not kill him.
Tony wasn't sure what it was about the Odinson's that just set him on edge. Bodily and physical harm (and mental with Loki) were always on the menu. Loki, not so much as it used to but that didn't mean he didn't have the potential, and Thor only when Tony knew he had done something wrong.
It wasn't long before he was standing in front of Loki's bedroom door, Thor peering his head out of his room and offering a thumbs up.
Tony wondered what his life had got to. When had he allowed things to get so far gone that Thor was offering thumbs up to him like it was a special potion that would make everything better.
Tony sighed before knocking lightly on the door.
Nothing.
Well, no surprise there.
Tony knocked again.
"Go away, Thor," groaned Loki. Tony turned to Thor who merely shrugged his shoulders sheepishly. In other words, he was on his own.
He knocked again, this time adding, "It's me, Loks."
Tony stood there, heart pounding, palms sweating, and the beginning of a panic attack stirring, each second ticking away at his mental and physical health. He considered putting his ear to the door but decided he didn't want to seem too needy.
So instead, he stood there. At the doors to purgatory. If they opened, he had a chance at redemption. And if they didn't...
Well then Tony was going to be standing around for quite a while.
No one had ever said purgatory was easy.
Author's Note: This chapter literally spewed out of me. And you're all thinking, "if it did then why didn't you post it yesterday?" And the reason is I literally did nothing yesterday. Today I was doing things, like raiding Old Navy and getting my new glasses (which are totally boss, by the way), and buying cake. And then I wrote this bad boy. This chapter is literally a mess. A fun mess. I say a mess simply b/c I talk and think like this. Ok. Reviews.
Royal Elephant: That's more or less what Thor did, right? Although that would be far more amusing.
OneTooManyHeadAches: Oh... thank you so much :D I'm glad I've reduced you to keyboard smashes.
Jaiime95: Yeah. It felt kind of good. I hope you enjoyed the Thor/Tony convo.
Doctor Maz: I know. I kind of really love it.
xXshizayaXx: How can you like Loki angst? Loki angst makes me sad...
Kitty Bane: Thor loves his brother to pieces. It literally brings me much joy to know that about Thor. And I'm glad you love my story. And totally go for it. If you want Fandral to make out with Loki and then do the macarena I will support you a hundred percent. Don't take that advice. Unless it's set in the 90's while that song is playing. Context...
NumberXVI: Garsh. Thanks. I completely forgot! I mean, not about the songs, just about letting you know. There were some rather interesting songs, but overall I did enjoy your recommendations. I have the beginnings of a FrostIron playlist and I feel super cool. So thanks!
cara-tanka: Thank you for finding my story and I'm sorry you were crying. I honestly don't mean to do that. I hope things work out soon too.
Kenizz: *excited author squeal*
Guest: Thanks. Glad you love it.
Rorybob: I love overprotective Thor. And those two are just completely clueless and it is killing me. It is like "Tony, you can't go around shoving feelings in peoples' faces and think it's ok." "And Loki, you're allowed to be loved and liked and have friends. Go. Go and tell Tony you want his babies!" That might be a bit much, but still.
Beowolf's Pen: How will you survive? I will have no internet. I won't be able to download the new episode of Doctor Who. I can't read any potential ff updates. No tumblr. It'll just me, my roommate, and my movie collection. And most likely a tub of chocolate chip ice cream. I'm dreading it... Sorry bout ranting at you. And I too feel bad for Loki. He's all worked up and confused and sulking.
SeriousStuffHere: I need all the luck I can get. As you can see, Tony was not ready. Not ready at all.
HappyEmoness: The happy died. I strangled it and threw it in the bin. I'm sorry bout your heart. There's probably a doctor that can patch that up for ya.
angelafarooq: Yeah. Clint and Natasha. Doing things. It's not so much school, cause I like school. If I college doesn't end, I wouldn't complain. It's just the hassle of moving in and coming up with an idea for my experimental film. Oh no. Add that to my to do list. I'm glad you're so understanding. And I'm sure school will be just great for you. If not, plot everyone's demise. Like Loki does.
Chuchutu: Have I told you lately, that I love you? Honestly that song popped into my head. Oh no. Don't die. I will fix this wrong. Someone hand me duct tape.
afab2100: Oh! Thank you so much. I'm squealing over here, you don't even know. And I fall into the habit of speaking like Thor and Loki almost immediately after writing a chapter.
CreeperFace: Super spoiled. I'm glad they make you laugh. Sometimes I feel like I'm rambling at no one so knowing someone is reading them makes me kind of sort of really happy. I really was laughing. I'm kind of evil. I'm sorry you all had to find out this way.
Bazinga26: I like to pretend I don't have a life, and for most of the time it's true, but then WHAM! It happens. I don't like it. Don't like it at all. I also love the Thor/Loki bromance. They're just... ugh... I can't explain how much I love their brotherness. And I shall endeavor to do my best.
Discreetly Gleeful: Good. I was scared everyone ran and hid in their closets in protest :D
Zarushi: Oh no. That makes me genuinely sad. You're not worthless! And will try not to make them suffer so. And thanks for their birthday wishes. I'll let them know. I will get weird looks, but I will do it just the same. I'm used to those looks anyway.
photo41: Oh, wow. I'm glad you've discovered the magic that is FrostIron (even if it is just this story). I'm definitely considering a spin off. It might not be right away, but it might (highly likely) happen. Just because I absolutely adore Clint and I want to explore his reactions to everything.
Ok. Wow. It's really been a while. So I will end with a movie recommendation. I rewatched Soapdish this afternoon and it just reaffirms my love for 80s/90s RDJ. And Kevin Kline. All of the Kevin Kline. I'm gonna watch I.Q. and pass out. Also, today is Gene Kelly's 100th birthday. Yay!
Later my loverlies. Besos.