A/N: Hi again! First of all: I'M SO SORRY. It's just been a hard year, haha. Anyways, I feel like I'm finally out of my writing slump, so chapters should come sooner.

Also, a little disclaimer: I tried to do research on the legal stuff included in my story, but it didn't really make sense to me. So I just kind of skipped over as it wasn't essential to the story. If you have any tips or suggestions though, feel free to review or PM me. :D

I hope you enjoy and as always, be sure to leave comments/suggestions in the reviews below!

WARNINGS: brief mentions of violence and weapons.

Peter sat in the room (my room?) and stared at the new things around him. Earlier this morning, people had been moving in and out, carrying furniture, bags, boxes, and just about everything else. As a force of habit, he had counted the number of movers with blue shirts. Peter liked to count things whenever the world felt like it was moving too fast.

Coming back to the present, he blinked hard, wondering when this dream would end. Suddenly, it seemed he had a home. With a bed, and a dresser, and his own bathroom (my own bathroom!), and even a TV! It was all so new to him. Even when he was with May, they lived humbly.

Walking to the window, Peter couldn't contain his smile. The view from the room (my room) appeared to show the entire city, although he doubted that was actually true. He squinted trying to make out familiar landmarks scattered among various buildings. For the first time in a while, the pressure on his chest lessened.

"Enjoying the view?"

Loki stood in the door frame, dressed in all black (per usual). He smirked and walked to Peter's side, joining his friend in staring out at New York City. The kid smiled back, happy that he was on good terms with Loki again.

"Yeah." He sighed, returning to the tall buildings of his hometown. "This is so crazy."

"Oh?" The man peered at him from his side. Peter's large brown eyes were thoughtful and sincere.

"Don't get me wrong, it's not bad! It's just… different now. I haven't really had anyone for… for what feels like forever. I didn't think I would after… after May."

His mind once again shoved the memory of Mr. Ammons into his thoughts (if I'm not careful… this could all disappear). He shook his head, wincing a bit.

The god watched him carefully. "You can tell me if anything's troubling you, child."

Peter's lips tightened into a thin line, and his fingers fiddled nervously with the cuffs of his shirt (Ammons said he was always listening… what can I do?).

Making a decision, he walked to the desk and wrote a note, returning to Loki's side quickly.

"No, nothing's bothering me. Here's my phone number, in case you need anything." (He said he was watching me.)

The tall man cupped his hand around the paper and read it: We need to talk somewhere that no one will hear. Understanding the situation quickly, Loki replied, "I don't have a phone, but I will keep this just in case."

Loki folded it and tucked it in his pocket. "Peter, would you like me to show you some magic?"

"Yeah!" The teenager forced his voice to shake from excitement rather than anxiety. "I've always wondered about that!"

In a flash of emerald, they were gone.

Peter stumbled forward, suddenly dizzy from the strange and unfamiliar way of travel. He was often swinging around the city, which wasn't exactly stable, but this was different. It sort of felt like what he imagined being a tube of toothpaste was like.

Once he regained balance, Peter looked around. They were a small apartment, with modern furniture and appliances. It was an open concept, and he could see the kitchen and the living room from where he stood. A large bookshelf took up an entire wall, filled with plays (this must be Loki's apartment). He couldn't see what was down the hall, but it didn't matter. He didn't want to invade.

"We won't be heard here. No one knows about this place, even my brother. Now," he paused to take a seat on the black leather couch. "Who exactly is listening?"

Peter felt the tightness in his chest return. His eyes scanned the room rapidly, as if Ammons was going to pop out with his gun and do who knows what.

Loki sensed from the boy's body language that something was really wrong. "It's ok, Peter. No one is here. You may speak freely."

The teenager couldn't bring himself to sit down, the ball of nervous energy that was sinking in his stomach preventing him from being still. He paced back and forth, considering how to tell this story.

He sighed and began, "It was a few nights ago… maybe a week? I can't remember. Anyways, I was patrolling downtown a bit, since I thought there would be more action. I saw these big guys trading a duffle bag," Peter continued, making large gestures as he spoke. "And I thought, 'there's no way that's not crime' since they were doing it in a dark alley. You know, nothing good ever happens in a dark alley. And, I usually avoid them- dark alleys, I mean- but today I just couldn't help it because-"

"Peter." Loki could tell he was very nervous. Peter had a tendency to ramble, but it was not usually this bad. He had begun to speak very fast, another warning sign. "Focus, child."

The kid blinked. "Right. Focus. Okay, so these dudes got into this, like, sketchy van." He snapped his fingers. "Like the one the Wet Bandits use in Home Alone! You know, big and suspicious. Well, I guess this van didn't have any words on the side. And it was a different color… and it wasn't even that big. It was more like a medium sized van. Probably could fit-"

"Child. Take a breath."

Peter did as he was told, trying to force his brain to get to the point. The problem was, he didn't really want to get to the point. It was a terrible point.

"Ok. So, I followed the van and it went to this super creepy abandoned hospital. Like Horror movie material. Definitely not a normal building. I mean, compared to the-" He stopped when Loki gave him a look. "Right. Focus... I followed the dudes and, to make a long story short, I ended up in this even creepier room with a big bulletin board. It had a lot of pictures on it…"

When Peter shuddered and trailed off, the god felt a bit of concern. "Pictures of what?"

Their eyes met, and for the first time since the story started, Peter stopped moving. Loki could see fear in the kid's face, and it unsettled him deeply.

"Of… of everyone. Saying he was going to bring you down… Mr. Stark, Mr. Captain America, Mr. Thor, Ms. Widow… you… they were all there." The god stood up, masking his shock and allowing Peter to continue. "He had some pictures of Spider-Man, but he didn't know who I was… but the thing is… I knew him."

Loki's green eyes were alight. "What? Who is it?"

"I-It's my gym teacher. Mr. Ammons."

Silence followed his statement and let it hang in the air. For a moment, it seemed like everything was still.

"What? He's at your school? Peter, why didn't you tell us earlier? We can handle this right-"

"No!" Agitated, Peter shook his head. "You can't. He threatened me, telling me he'd kill everyone. He said that he was always watching. You can't, Loki, please. You have to just act like I never told you, alright? If he finds out…"

The older man closed the distance between them and put an urgent hand on the kid's shoulder. "Peter, this is a significant issue, I can't just act like you never told me! You shouldn't handle this alone."

"Loki," Peter pleaded, brown eyes wide. "You have to let me. I told you so that you could be on the lookout… for yourself and for the others. I can't protect everyone."

His friend let out a strained breath and clenched his hand into a fist. "I'll do what I can do. But, child, I can't let you go to school with him there."

Peter smiled painfully. "It would be more suspicious if I didn't go. He can't find out who I am, Loki. That would put MJ and Ned in danger."

Loki was consistently amazed at the selflessness of this child. He sighed and considered the circumstances for a moment.

"You have to let me do something, Peter. You can't expect me to sit by while you're in danger."

This was an oddly sentimental statement from Loki, but the teen was too high-strung to really notice.

"But-"

"Trust me. I'll find a way."

xXx

When Loki said he'd find a way, this was not the way Peter expected. It was his first day back to school since the events of the weekend, and he had woken up nervous. The idea of going to gym class and pretending that nothing had happened scared him. The truth was, he wasn't sure if he would be able to act that well. The image of Mr. Ammons threatening him and his loved ones was lodged in his brain.

Peter headed to the kitchen to grab an apple for breakfast, still uncomfortable with eating a lot Mr. Stark's food. When he arrived, someone he didn't recognize was sitting at the counter. He looked to be about the same age, with shaggy black hair that fell flat and framed his face (he looks so familiar… where do I know him from?).

He was so surprised at the new presence that he just stood there for a second. Snapping back to the present, Peter squinted at the other boy. "Who are you? What are you-"

The realization hit him with a jolt. "Loki?"

The boy cringed and turned to face Peter fully. Sighing, he nodded. "I thought this appearance would be subtle enough."

His voice was different, a little higher and less of the characteristic fluidity. Loki sounded like a teenager.

"Woah… you look… woah." It was a bit like having deja vu. "I almost didn't recognize you! How did you… and why?"

Loki stood, a bit awkwardly, and took another breath. "I decided to try and disguise myself as a way to help you at school."

Peter's brain jolted into motion. "Wait. You're going to High School with me?"

"Yes, I suppose so." The other boy was wearing black skinny jeans and a black turtleneck, with a dark gray blazer on top. He had even accessorized with silver necklaces, shaped like norse symbols Peter didn't recognize. To top it off, he held a black school bag in one hand.

He looked down at his own outfit, a science tee with faded blue jeans, and then back at Loki. "Don't you think you're… overdressed? It's just school."

His friend looked shocked briefly, but shook his head. "That's not the point. I'm only going to help you."

"Exactly. So why did you dress like this was fashion week?"

"I always dress well, Peter. It's not my fault Midgardians have low standards," he replied, slightly defensive.

Peter laughed. "Alright, alright. Moving away from the fashion, how did you just enroll? And how do you look like this? It's amazing!"

He leaned closer, examining the now younger face. Squirming under the gaze, Loki turned away and waved his hand. "I pulled a few strings. As far as how, I am well trained in the art of illusion; this was nothing."

"Awesome! Ok, so what do I call you at school? It obviously can't be Loki."

"I have enrolled as Hjalmar Fredrikson." When seeing Peter's face, he explained, "I must not stray from my heritage. But, you may call me Mar."

"What does the name mean?" (it's actually a really cool name, just a bit hard to pronounce.)

"Fighter with a helmet."

REVIEWS:

.Banana: Thank you! I hope you enjoyed. :D

xXxOtAkU-444xXx: Thank you so much! I appreciate your review ;)

Sydnienicole04: :D :D :D :D :D :D ;D

xSapphirexRosesxFanx: Yeah, I tried to do legal research, but none of it made sense. I hope that's ok! If you have any suggestions, please PM me!

Lilagrace2008: So sorry the update took so long! I hope you're still interested. :)

Persassius Jackson uwu: Sorry for the long wait!

See you next time!

-katilange :)