A/N: Sorry for the wait you guys! Quarantine really sucks (as I'm sure you guys know) and I've had nothing but time, but I kept coming back to edit this chapter over and over. I'm trying not to go full perfectionist since this is technically only like a second draft, but I can't help it. Anyway, here's the conclusion to previous chapter! Hope you enjoy!
Lunch ended up being a lively affair. With Clint alternating between peppering her with questions about her day and introducing her to the many old and new faces that surrounded their picnic table. The beautiful day allowed them to sit outside at a picnic table underneath a massive oak tree. Clint assured her that this had been their spot since Thor had forcibly claimed it in ninth grade and that they always sat together when weather permitted. Natasha found that she thoroughly enjoyed being outside and surrounded by an ever changing crew of teenagers.
Clint was apparently rather popular or at least just friendly with the majority of their grade. With only a few exceptions, he'd either pointed out or introduced Natasha to the entire junior student population of Marvel High and several students in other grades. His usual group of friends sat close by them and Natasha had quite a bit of fun getting reacquainted with many of them and goofing off with the few she'd remained in constant contact with. She even liked the apparently new additions to Clint's ever growing friend group.
The staples of her childhood remained the same. Steve Rogers, the blonde football captain; Tony Stark, the wild, dark haired genius with far too much time and money on his hands; his ever present girlfriend Pepper Potts, a red haired beauty that Natasha had always been friendly with; Bruce Banner, the shy, smart guy with an untidy mop of brown hair and forever crooked glasses; and Thor Borson, the ridiculously athletic hunk with an Australian accent and baby blue eyes that a girl could swim in. She'd grown up around these people and though she'd never considered herself a solid part of the group, they treated her as if she'd been with them all along.
It felt nice to simply belong for once. To not have to worry about making friends on the first day. To be immediately accepted and treated with a friendliness that generally spoke of years of companionship.
To both her dismay and the despair of those lazing about their table, Natasha had promised to speak with Mrs. Borson during her study hall. After making her excuses and listening to Thor's jokes about his mother being more popular than him, Natasha made her way back into the building. Thankful that Marvel was small enough to prevent her from getting lost too easily. It only took her five minutes to successfully find her way back to Mrs. Borson's classroom, a new personal record of hers. However, she hadn't anticipated the history teacher to already be entertaining another student.
The softly charming voice that she'd heard multiple times throughout the day flowed out into the hallway, causing Natasha to pause before entering the room. "...shouldn't have blown up like that," the voice apologized.
"No, you shouldn't have," came Mrs. Borson's stern reply. "You should have let me handle it, Loki."
"I know, I know. I just… He called you a bitch."
"As if you haven't done that before," Mrs. Borson chided.
Natasha heard Loki let out a small humorless chuckle. "Yeah, but I never meant it."
"No, you didn't," Mrs. Borson said in a softer tone. "But it doesn't change your actions."
"I know Ma. I'm sorry," he conceded. "I let my temper get the best of me and I shouldn't have done that."
To Natasha's shock it sounded as if he actually meant the words. It seemed that the troublemaker Fury had warned her about had a soft spot for their history teacher. How very interesting.
"Well at least you're apologizing this time," Mrs. Borson consented. "Even if it's a rehearsed one, I'm counting it."
"Could I sweep your floors and we'll call it even?" Loki asked, back to his normal suave persona in the space between one breath and the next.
Mrs. Borson hummed. "I guess that's an acceptable punishment. You know where everything is. And Loki," she paused obviously waiting until she had his full attention, "he shouldn't have said that to you either."
"He just said what everyone was thinking," was Loki's emotionless response.
"No," the history teacher corrected in a firm tone that brokered no argument, "he said something intentionally cruel, knowing it would get a rise out of you. No one else thinks that."
"Sure they don't," Loki mumbled, clearly unconvinced.
Natasha waited outside forcing herself to count to thirty before entering. Just to give the impression that she hadn't been lurking and listening to their entire conversation. A conversation that honestly left her feeling rather confused about just what the story behind Loki Silver entailed.
Giving a polite knock, Natasha entered, flicking a quick glance at Loki before focusing in on Mrs. Borson.
"I'm not interrupting am I?" she asked.
Mrs. Borson gave her that same warm smile from earlier. "Of course not, dear! I asked you to come." She stood from her desk, walked over to a small table behind her and began pulling papers from various stacks and pilling them neatly together. "Now as I said earlier, I don't expect you to make up all of the work we've done so far. That would be plain cruel."
Natasha laughed. "Maybe you could tell that to the other AP teachers."
Mrs. Borson's lips fell into a thin line that, for once, looked anything but friendly. "Sometimes they forget what it is to be young. To have school and work on top of all the social implications. You have to be prepared, but there's certainly a line."
And just like that, Mrs. Borson became Natasha's favorite teacher at Marvel. True she hadn't met the others just yet, but she knew none would compare to Thor's mother. She spent the rest of the period talking through the material with Mrs. Borson and answering questions about her first day. All the while, Loki lurked behind them sweeping the floors, wiping down desks, and cleaning the board. He seemed perfectly content to ignore her completely, so Natasha did her best to return the favor.
By the time the sixth period bell rang, Natasha felt she had a handle on at least one of her classes. As she left Mrs. Borson and headed to her locker before yet another AP class, precalculus this time, Natasha found her thoughts turning back to the strange mystery of Loki. For whatever reason, he'd made an impression on her and she couldn't quite shake her contemplations.
It took Natasha reaching her locker before she realized that Loki had followed her from Mrs. Borson's class. Her worst suspicions rose at first but seeing him stop at a locker five down from hers stifled that feeling immediately. Leaving her to feel more than slightly foolish. She hadn't even had a proper conversation with the guy and she'd already been swayed by Fury's wanting from this morning. She was better than that.
Resolved to give him a chance, she turned to greet the teen she'd spent the past thirty minutes ignoring but was interrupted by a loud, boisterous voice yelling "TASHA" from down the hallway. Before she could so much as turn to find the culprit Bucky Barnes pulled her into a tight bear hug twirling her around with his one good arm.
"Whoa!" She laughed as he set her down gently and continued to hug her tightly. "It's good to see you too Bucky."
"It's been sooooo long Tasha," Bucky complained.
"Bucky," she said struggling in his grip, "it's been like four weeks tops. And you called me four days ago."
"But you've been in town for two whole days and didn't even bother to come see me!" He bemoaned. "You could've been dead for all I knew."
Shoving him back with all her might - which unfortunately still wasn't enough to break his hold - she tried to rationalize with her far too exuberant cousin. "You're overly dramatic and you're crushing my ribs."
"Worth it," he said, but after one final tight squeeze he let her go.
"Thanks," she wheezed.
Natasha leaned back against her locker to catch her breath and took in her nutjob of a cousin. Bucky Barnes had officially become part of their family when she and Clint were eleven years old. Bucky had been living on the streets of Detroit with his heroin addicted brother when the police picked them both up. Foster care had gotten involved and soon enough, Bucky landed with some of Clint's relatives in Marvel.
When she'd first met him he'd been small and gangly with long matted brown hair and deep circles under his eyes. These days he kept his cropped hair short on the sides and long on top, his signature hairstyle he proclaimed. And she rarely found him without a big goofy smile gracing his boyish face. He'd long ago filled out and now even had a little pudge lingering around his abdomen. Bucky had lost his left arm to an infection he'd gained while living on the streets. For years it had been a point of contention for him, but with his new prosthetic he seemed to be handling things much better. In truth, he looked healthy and so very happy.
Despite his many poor tasting jokes about his past and his newfound proclivity for physical contact, Natasha couldn't help but love the adorable goofball.
"So," he asked in that forever playful voice of his, "how's your first day been?"
"It's been alright," Natasha answered. "Not terribly exciting but not terrible either."
"Somewhere in the middle, excellent." His grin, if possible, widened further. "I'd hate for you to have too much or too little fun. Where's your miserable cousin?"
"You're right here Buck."
"Hardy har har, Tasha. I meant Clint. Isn't he supposed to be stalking you and making sure you're doing okay."
Natasha slapped playfully at his arm. "Shut it. He's barely left me alone for ten minutes all day. Let him be off on his own for a bit."
She turned her attention to the two guys who'd followed Bucky over and now stood watching the cousins in amusement. Steve Rogers was easily recognizable as she'd known him for years and had already spoken with him several times today. He and Bucky had taken to each other like ducks to water and had long since become inseparable. The other guy with them, a short, dark-skinned teen with a soul patch and laugh lines around his eyes, she thought might be Sam Wilson. All three were dressed in practice gear which could only mean they were heading to the athletic fields for the remainder of the day. Bucky had so much going for him these days and, sappy as it sounded, it made Natasha unbelievably happy.
Raising her eyebrow in disappointment to cover the odd surge of joy, she put on her best chastising tone. "You going to introduce me to your friends? Or are you going to continue being rude to them?"
Bucky waved her off with a scoff. "You've known Stevie here for years, so don't even try it. And I know he's a forgettable looking guy, but you should remember Sam. Your mom loved him at the last reunion."
Identity confirmed, Natasha shot Sam a quick smile. "I do remember him, I just thought he'd be smart enough to not associate with you wherever possible."
"Ha!" Bucky barked. "Sam is only cool because he hangs around me."
Sam's eyebrows rose to his forehead in direct conflict to Bucky's statement. "In your dreams Barnes. I'm-"
A loud bang that resounded through the hallway, drawing the eyes of all the students around them. A quick look around the hall was all it took to find the cause of the ruckus.
"Here we go again," Bucky muttered just loud enough for the four of them to hear.
"I'll go find Thor," Steve said, shaking his head before taking off down the hall.
In the time it took for her mind to catch up with everything happening, Justin Hammer and a skinny, weaselly looking guy she didn't know had Loki Silver pushed up against the lockers.
Based on the mutual looks of loathing, whatever the three were saying to each other obviously wasn't kind. Yet no one moved to separate them. When Natasha stepped forward to take initiative and break them apart, a strong hand held her back.
"Whoa whoa whoa," Bucky hissed, all humor gone. "You don't walk into this mess, Tasha. Let them sort themselves."
"It's two on one," Natsha argued.
As she spoke, Hammer's first connected with Loki's jaw, sending the latter's head slamming into the locker behind him.
Natasha turned a baleful glare on Bucky. "They're going to hurt him."
"Silver can manage on his own," Sam interjected. "He's never had a problem with it before."
"But-"
"Trust us Tasha," Bucky interrupted her before she could argue further. "Silver's not the victim here. Whatever he's done this time, Hammer will get even for it and then it's over for a bit."
"Hammer doesn't seem like the nicest guy here," Natasha felt the need to inform her cousin and his friend.
"'Course he's not," Bucky agreed. "He's a wanna be rich prick. But Silver is an asshat. So they even each other out."
"I don't-"
Bucky moved his hand to her shoulder and turned her away from the action as Hammer started shouting something she didn't catch to the crowd.
"Trust me," he cut her off again. "You don't want to get mixed in between those two. They can't stand each other and pretty much no one else can stand them. Let them get themselves in trouble. They aren't worth it. Besides, Steve went to go grab Thor. So it'll be even before long. No one screws with Thor."
"Bell's about to ring," Sam informed them. "We'd better clear out before Fury or one of the teachers show up."
Bucky nodded and pulled Natasha along with him. "Good thinkin, Sam."
With one final look behind her, Natasha reluctantly followed in the wake of her cousin and his friend.
Loki felt terrible after blowing up in Frigga's classroom. It hadn't been intentional and normally he could handle the stupid remarks from one Justin Hammer. Today had been different though. He'd already been pestered by the piss ant earlier in the day because the idiot hadn't done his anatomy homework and wanted to copy Loki's. Not that he'd ever willingly allow that to happen. But still, Loki had been rather fortunate that Mrs. Simmons happened to walk by at exactly the right moment. Hammer had been gearing up for a fight since their first week back to school and Loki's success at dodging him couldn't hold out for much longer.
He'd escaped this morning, by sheer dumb luck. Meaning the rest of the day had been spent on pins and needles waiting for the other shoe to drop. After being dogged by snide remarks for four hours straight, Loki had finally reached his boiling point by fourth period. He'd snapped and, this time, gotten away with it and left the blame on Hammer. Which meant Hammer and his cronies would be out for his blood for the remainder of the day. And if they missed him today, then he'd pay for his mouth tomorrow.
His dad had always warned him that it was his mouth which kept him in so much trouble. But then his dad warned him about a lot of bull shit that he tried not to listen to or think about anymore. Sometimes he even succeeded.
Unintentionally, Loki found himself following the new girl after saying his goodbyes to Frigga. As it turned out her locker sat a few feet down from his own. While he swapped out books, he found himself contemplating Barton's cousin to stop other thoughts from creeping up on him.
Thor had been talking about the girl nonstop for the past few weeks. Apparently, they'd hung out several times in past summers. Usually with Barton and the rest of Thor's friends. If he put his mind to it, Loki could even recall being invited to a few of those outings. But summer had always been a difficult time for him to get away. He pulled extra shifts at the garage and had even started bussing tables at Gamora's bar in town. Anything he could do to stay as far from his house as possible for as long as possible.
From the way Thor spoke of her, Loki expected Natasha Romanoff to be much like Barton and the others. Loud, boisterous, and carefree, in other words a typical teenager. So he was pleasantly surprised to find that she was none of those things. His first impression of Romanoff had been astonishingly positive. She'd been polite and quiet and extremely respectful toward Frigga. Which won her several points in Loki's book.
Plus he wasn't blind enough to miss that Natasha wasn't all that bad to look at either. She had a nest of thick red hair which she'd managed to tame into a ponytail for today. Her face was still rounded with baby fat, but he could tell by her sharp jawline that one day in the near future that would be a thing of the past. With her strong bone structure and fierce eyes, she'd have men eating out of the palm of her hand by next year. Add that to her quiet but commanding personality and Loki knew she'd be a force to reckon with.
Before he could trace that rabbit trail much further, a pair of strong hands shoved him into the door of his locker with enough force to make him see spots. The culprit taunted him with a greeting not worth repeating as he pushed Loki's books into the floor.
The reverberating sound of his body hitting the lockers and his books hitting the floor, caused the many students in the vicinity to turn their attention towards Loki and his assailants. Long exposure to such incidents ensured that he knew no one would be stepping in to help. Or they wouldn't step in to help him at least. Sighing heavily, Loki turned his attention to Hammer and whatever cronies he'd brought as back up today.
"I'm appalled Hammer," said Loki, affecting a horrified air at Hammer's poorly worded greeting. "Even for you that's low and insulting. To use such language, tsk tsk."
Hammer closed the distance between them until mere inches kept them apart. Loki just barely fought back the instinct to flinch away, to put as much distance between them as he could.
"I'd keep your wise ass comments to yourself, dick weasel."
"Now that's more your speed," Loki replied, ignoring Hammer's warning. "Unoriginal and simple."
Rage glinted through Hammer's eyes. He grabbed the collar of Loki's jacket and shoved his back into the lockers once again.
"Your little stunt in History got me suspended from the first half of the game on Thursday."
"Well I'm sure the bench will miss your ass, but I'm sure you'll still be able to warm it up during the second half," Loki fired back, thoroughly unable to stop himself.
Hammer pulled him forward causing Loki to lose balance and stumble before he was slammed into the lockers once more as a response.
"Use your words, Hammer," Loki gasped.
He tried to force air into his lungs, but found himself largely incapable of the action. Loki was so focused on trying to breathe that he almost missed Hammer's cronie chiming in.
"I'd shut up if I were you, faggot," Hammer's long time companion, Corvus, advised.
While Loki normally made a point not to listen to the people who liked to make his life hell, he couldn't ignore Corvus Glaive. Corvus happened to be the step son of Thanos and brother to Gamora, who's bar he worked at over the summers. The small weasel-like boy knew Loki wouldn't retaliate to any of his words or actions. They'd both learned a few years back just how much Thanos valued Corvus over Loki. And Loki actively sought to never repeat that demonstration. So though he hated the idea of letting Hammer win this round, Corvus's presence left him few other options.
A fact that even the dull witted Hammer picked up on rather quickly.
Flashing a rather malicious grin at his prey, Hammer stepped in even closer. "Now that's better, freak. You see, Corvus and I were just talking on the way over here and we were wondering how you always manage to stay out of trouble with Mrs. Borson."
"Cant be 'cause she likes you," Corvus interjected, "since no one really does."
"So we talked it over and I figure you must be sleeping with her."
Loki's glare turned positively malevolent. Poisonous rage flooded through him at Hammer's disgusting implications. "Shut your filthy mouth Hammer."
"Ooh now that hit a nerve," Hammer laughed.
"Must be true then," said Corvus.
"Like I said, your little stunt cost me playing time," Hammer continued his voice low. "And yet Mrs. Borson let you off the hook, like always. You can't be that good in the sack."
Corvus let out a derisive snort. "Considerin' how filthy he usually is, tha's not likely. She'd have to let him touch her for it to be any good and no one would want to sleep with someone who ruts around with the dogs."
Laughter sounded through the hall as the students surrounding them eagerly watched them. Their lives so pitifully boring that they had to resort to tormenting each other for entertainment.
"The smell alone would be enough to turn any normal person off," Hammer added. "So unless you're giving it to her good enough to make up for everything else, I just don't see the appeal."
Loki took several deep breaths, trying to keep his anger at bay. He couldn't kill Hammer in front of this many witnesses. It simply wouldn't be practical. "What do you want, Hammer?"
I want to make you pay for screwing me over. I got in trouble because of your big mouth. That's hardly fair, even if you are doing a little extra credit on the side." Hammer shot him a wink that turned Loki's stomach, then continued.
"I've let things like this go before, but this year I'm making certain no one takes your bullshit. So whenever you decide to open that smart mouth of yours, or to pull some joke on one of the teams, or say something rude to one of your superiors, or so much as step a toe out of line I want you to remember that I'll be there to remind you why it's a bad idea."
Loki glared straight into Hammer's puke green eyes refusing to back down. The boy had just promised him endless torment this year while assuring him they wouldn't need a reason to attack - not that they ever had before. He might not be able to touch Corvus, but Loki couldn't take a threat like that laying down and survive the year.
Finding his feet, Loki forced himself to close the minimal distance between them. "Like you've ever needed a reason before, Hammer," he whispered. "Just admit that you get off on this shit and leave me alone."
In hindsight he should've seen the punch coming, but hindsight being 20/20 he'd missed the cues. Hammer's fist connected with his jaw jolting Loki's head back into the locker. That one would leave a bruise.
"You all saw that right," Hammer asked the crowd around him. "The faggot tried to kiss me."
The students around them laughed or scoffed, but no one stepped to his side. They remained perfectly content either taunting Loki or calling for Hammer to handle him properly.
Hammer turned that malicious smile back on him. "Disgusting little freak. I know just how to handle this."
Still holding Loki by the collar, Hammer's fist connected with his stomach. Twice. Loki gasped at the sudden impacts, too quick for him to defend. While he doubled over trying to catch his breath, Hammer kept him on his feet and pushed back against the lockers.
"Let's hope this lesson sticks."
With those parting words and help from Corvus, Hammer stuffed Loki into the locker he'd foolishly left open during the initial attack. Loki tried to fight back, but he was still winded and the two had surprise firmly on their side. In the work of a few short seconds the locker door slammed shut, leaving Loki alone in the suffocating darkness.
Despite knowing better than to bang on the locker door in protest, Loki couldn't stop himself from doing just that as panic crept up his throat threatening to drown him. The small slits in the door sat perfectly at eye height for him, meaning he could see the students on the other side laughing at his frantic display. That still wasn't enough to stop him from bloodying his knuckles pounding on the door, desperate to get out of the tiny space he should be accustomed to by now.
Loki sucked in as deep a breath as he could manage and tried to calm himself. Someone would let him out eventually. He just had to remember that and focus on something else. Anything else but the tiny space he found himself occupying. The tiny space that gave him room to stand and little else. The tiny space that seemed to close in on him even as he tried casting his mind to any other subject.
If he could turn his mind to anything but the slowly tightening walls, he might survive. After several more seconds of failed attempts, Loki stopped his frenzied escape attempts and rested his head and hand on the door, forcing himself to breath slowly. Remembering the poem they were meant to have memorized for English, he began reciting it word for word. So effectively clearing everything else from his mind but the words that he missed the sixth period bell ringing and dispersing the lingering students.
Silence coated the halls and another thirty or so minutes passed before help came in the form of Thor. His big and lovable brother from another mother. The sudden light blinded Loki as he fell face first out of the locker. Luckily, Thor was there to catch him before he could hit the floor.
Thick hands grabbed Loki's shoulders and gently leaned him back against the lockers. The same hand ran cautiously along the bruise forming on his jaw causing Loki to hiss and cease the fast paced muttering of his lips.
"Loki," a calm and gentle voice called to him. "Hey Loki, open your eyes man."
The gentle hand on Loki's shoulder moved to his neck in a comforting manner that could only indicate one person. With Herculean effort, Loki pushed the panic down and opened his eyes. Thor stood in front of him, that usual worried look on his face and anger simmering beneath a poorly constructed mask.
"Thor," he gasped. "Im sorry. It's, the lock, lock, lo…" Loki paused and forced himself to breathe slowly. He couldn't get his words out, if he didn't breathe and he'd be damned if he started stuttering like a child again. "The locker," he finally managed to explain. "It was too small."
"I know Loki," said Thor. "But you're out now. Wide open hallway." Thor indicated the empty hall they stood in. Keeping his hand in place, Thor took a step back to give Loki a bit of extra space. "You're safe now, brother. It's okay. You've got breathe, Loki."
Loki gasped out a hysteric laugh at the calm command. Couldn't Thor see that he'd tried to slow his breathing? That he'd been trying to calm himself for however long he'd been stuck.
"Come on Loki," Thor said again in that infuriatingly calm voice. "Breathe." He grabbed Loki's wrist in a gentle but firm grip, placing it on Thor's chest. "Follow me, okay man." Thor took several deep well practiced breaths. "Breathe in… and out… it's okay. Everyone's gone just you, me, and some much needed oxygen."
Thor continued with his comforting platitudes, urging Loki to breathe with him the whole time. He maintained enough distance between them to not crowd Loki, but kept close enough to provide comfort. His brother had become fairly adept at such meetings over the years.
"How did...why are you… who…" Loki managed to complete absolutely none of those sentences, but he did manage to settle his hyperventilating into something far slower and more controlled. If his hands still shook and he found himself in desperate need of a cigarette, Thor didn't mention either.
"Steve found me," Thor said instead. "Told me Hammer was being a dick and that I'd better get here fast. I was already at the football field when he messaged me or I'd have been here sooner. He had to find me and talk Coach into letting me leave for a few minutes."
"You're the star player," Loki pointed out, managing to sound a bit more himself. "He should give you a bit a leniency without question."
"He doesn't exactly see it that way," Thor laughed.
Loki shot him a sheepish smile. Last year he would have been angry at Thor's interference, but now he was too grateful to be out of that damn locker to feel much else.
"Thanks Thor," he mumbled quietly.
"Anytime," the blonde promised. "Let's go grab a smoke behind the field house and I'll sweet talk Couldon to write us passes for missing sixth."
Loki followed Thor as the blonde led the way outside. "You're going to smoke? Mr. Health Magazine Cover Incarnate is going to willingly do something to damage said health?"
"Eh," Thor shrugged, "you can smoke and I'll keep you company."
"Cop-out."
"Those things will kill you Loki."
"Yeah well, we all have to go somehow."
For the first time all day, thanks warmth and safety of Thor's presence, Loki felt as if everything might turn out alright for once.
By 7th period, Natasha had all but forgotten about the incident in the hall. Fury had warned her about taking too many AP courses, but she'd been adamant that she could handle it. Now that she actually looked at all the work she'd be required to make up and do, Natasha found herself ever so slightly overwhelmed.
Thankfully, her final period of the day would be spent as a library aide. The librarian - a tall, thin, and extremely muscular blonde woman named Mrs. Morse (the exact opposite of what she'd imagined a librarian to look like) - had cheerfully told her she could use the period to catch up on whatever work she needed. Apparently, students were only allowed in the library with passes and for a limited amount of time. So Natasha's workload wouldn't be too terrible for the period.
As she poured over the sources Mrs. Borson has given her, the doors to the library swing open admitting the last person she'd expected. Loki Silver kept turning up around her like a bad penny. Every time she'd driven him from her mind, he'd reappear and forcefully drive himself back to the forefront of her thoughts.
Thankfully, Mrs. Morse headed him off before he could get more than three steps into the library. "You're not supposed to be in here yet, Mr. Silver."
That charming but cold smile pulled across his face, though this time it held some actual amusement. His clothing was less than pristine after his encounter in the hallway and his hair had obviously been a mess that he'd run a hand through right before he'd walked through the door. However, the friendly Mrs. Morse paid attention to neither his disheveled appearance nor the bruise which had formed along his jaw. A fact which told Natasha, Bucky had been correct. The incident she'd witnessed earlier was all too common for the teen.
"And here I thought you'd be glad to see me so early."
"Not likely," said Mrs. Morse. "Where are you supposed to be right now?"
Loki flashed a slip of paper towards her. "I'm Coulson's aide this period, but I sweet talked him into letting me come here to ask if I could go ahead and get my detention out of the way this period."
Mrs. Morse looked unimpressed. "Your detention isn't until this afternoon."
"Yes ma'am," he answered, managing to sound contrite. "But I was hoping I could take care of them during seventh instead of after school."
"Students don't get to choose when they serve detention, Mr. Silver. You of all people should know that. It tends to defeat the purpose of punishment."
Loki's smile slipped ever so slightly. "Of course." The teen leaned onto the circulation desk and began speaking a tad quieter. "But see, the thing is I have track practice and work after school everyday. And I can't really afford to miss either of those."
"I'm sure Coach Coulson won't mind you missing one week. I'm even positive that he'll let you make it up once your detention is over each day."
"Yes ma'am, he would," Loki admitted. "But I can't stay any longer at the school because of work."
"I guess you'll have to make a sacrifice or two then Mr. Silver."
Loki's face fell entirely at her further rejection. His voice became small and something almost like sincerity crept into his bearing. "Please Mrs. Morse, I can't stay after school."
"You'll have to take that up with Fury," she replied without an ounce of pity. "Because if you don't show up, I'll make sure that he places a call to your father this afternoon to explain your actions."
Loki tensed at her words. Casting his eyes to the floor, the teen seemed to crumble in the face of the librarian's threat. His shoulders lost their confident hold and he pulled his arms closer to his body. Folding in on himself in a manner that Mrs. Morse obviously took as defensive, but which Natasha thought might be something else.
"There's no need for that Mrs. Morse," Loki pleaded. "Please, I'll even come in during study hall or in the mornings. I, I, I, I just… I just can't stay after school. I'll even talk with Fury about it."
The librarian studied him for several long moments before coming to her decision with a nod. "Today you'll stay after school. Tomorrow, you talk to Fury and get it okayed with him and you can come during seventh for the rest of the week, if he okays it."
Loki breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you Mrs. Morse. I really appreciate-"
"I don't want to be here later than I have to," she said, cutting him off. "And I refuse to start my mornings with you. This is for me as much as it is for you. Now get back to class."
"Yes ma'am," he nodded. "Thank you again."
With that he walked out the doors and Mrs. Morse returned to her office. Leaving Natasha alone and with far more questions than she'd ever wanted on her first day back to school.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Please let me know what you think in the comments/reviews. As always, I'll see you guys in the next chapter (hopefully this time next week).
Stay well!