Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story. This is just for fun and I hope you enjoy reading it.
The God of Sweet Treats
By Angelwings Sorrow
Chapter 1 "Good and Not so Grand Opening"
He had finally done it. It had taken a lot of work and selling of most of his cherished Norse God collections and artifacts as well as a big loan from the bank but he had done it. He had worked tirelessly finding the right place then finding the right equipment. He worked and reworked all of his recipes until they were perfect. He poured his blood, his sweat and his tears when he thought that he was going fail, into this place. Finally it was ready, now he had his own Sweet & Bakery Shop called 'Lo-Key Café' and he did without his Stepfather's money and influence. It also helped that he changed his last name to Friggason. So no one would know he was related to the great Security Software developer giant.
He knew that he was not Odin's son, his mother's son yes. It turned out that during a break in their marriage Frigga had an affair with Odin's Business rival and he was the by product. Even though he looked like his older half sister with the dark hair his green eyes stood out among the blue of his siblings. For just being born his adopted father made life harder for him. You would think that destroying Laufey Jotun's Company making the man penniless would have calmed Odin's anger, but no it only flared more whenever he looked upon Loki.
Well not any more he was free from him and his abuse. Hela was the oldest of the three of them and left home long before he entered school age so she never knew of how heavy handed he was treated by Odin. He had done his best to hide the worst of it from Thor who ten years older than him. His siblings knew that Odin truly hated Frigga's son and he didn't hide it from anyone as he would belittle and berated Loki for everything he did, but not how deep the hatred ran. Odin would take every opportunity to beat him and starve the boy for just existing. He grew up wearing long sleeves and long pants to hide bruises and scars. He never learned to swim because it would mean exposing all his shame to the world.
So when he left home for College and Culinary school he changed his name in the Norse tradition. Just like Odin did but at least he chose another name instead of naming his last name after himself. Loki always that Odin Odinson was the stupidest name ever but Odin wanted his son to be an Odinson. The name fit his brother 'Thor Odinson', but it never suited him. Loki Odinson never sounded right to him.
Now Loki Friggason's had a clean slate and new lease on life. His life began right now. Today was his opening day and the smell of fresh bread filled the air. Winter gave his place a cozy feel and only four days until Christmas so he made sure to make plenty of Hot Chocolate. His little assistant was wiping down tables and making sure all the napkin holders were filled. Peter was a smart and eager to please kid. His Aunt May was Loki's best friend since they were in college then she dropped out when her older brother and his wife died in a hit and run on their way home from a movie. So Loki had been in the little boy's life since he was five years old, helping May out over the years and the child had taken to calling him Uncle Loki. May raised her nephew to be strong, sweet, and kind; it was a pleasure to work with Peter because he had such a positive attitude.
"Uncle Loki! The front is ready can I flip the sign?" The teen came running into the kitchen.
"Of course Peter. When lunch time comes you can run some lunch to your Aunt. Knowing May, I am sure she forgot to take lunch with her again." Loki smirked as Peter nodded as he remembered her running out house with brief case in hand and a muffin in her mouth.
"Thanks Uncle Loki, Aunt May is a bit scatter brain in the mornings." Peter said sheepishly before his he lost interest and ran over to the oven. The boy always did have a low attention span. "Oh, the Blueberry Muffins are done!"
"After you take them out you can open the café up. I need to go upstairs and shower I have been baking since dawn." Loki smiled taking his apron off and hanging it up on the wall by the door. He was fortunate to buy the building that had an upstairs apartment attached to it. This would save on rent and help build up profit faster. He was barely through door when a booming voice nearly had the raven baker jumping out his skin.
"Brother! You have finally arrived." The tall Muscular blond picked the younger man up in a bone crushing hug.
"Thor? What are you doing here and how did you get into my apartment?" Loki demanded once he managed to escape the strong hold.
"Mother gave me and Hela keys in case you had need of us." Thor smiled.
"Those are only for emergencies, what is urgent about today?"
"Seriously have you forgotten what today is?" Thor looked surprised at his younger brother.
"I have been busy getting my Café up and ready for opening I haven't had much time for anything else. Speaking of Business why aren't you at work? Shouldn't you be at your Fitness headquarters make soccer moms drool as you show them how to perform squats?" Loki asked exasperated with his brother.
"I have taken today off to help you with the first day of your Café opening and tonight we celebrate your birthday with our dear sister at your Favorite Restaurant Sakaar."
"It's my birthday?" Loki was slack jawed. How could he have forgotten his own birthday?
"Yes today is the day you made me a big brother and brought much joy to our family." Thor hugged the raven once more.
"I would like to breathe brother." Loki muttered into the broad shoulder. Thor was so naive at times but he was glad of his less than perceptive nature it allowed him to hide anything that would hurt the blond more easily. Though he knew Odin disliked Loki for being a bastard he didn't know of the physical abuse and Loki intended to keep it that way.
"Sorry brother. I forget sometimes how thin you are." Thor smiled releasing his hold.
"Never mind that; why don't you go down and help Peter open up while I shower and get ready for the day. He'll be happy to see his Uncle Thor."
"Young Peter is working for you? How wonderful; this is fantastic, he is a good lad. I will head down stairs then see you after your shower." The blond patted his little brother on the back almost knocking him to the floor before leaving for the café.
"I swear he is going to kill me one day with his brotherly love." Loki muttered heading to the shower feeling the bruise forming on his shoulder.
XxXxXxXxXx
"Well May, I think we can schedule the next phase of testing everything looks good here."
"Great, Dr. Banner I will start planning out the next line of tests for after the Holidays." May said writing down notes on her Stark pad.
"Oh right, I forgot the Holidays were coming up! I need to shop for presents or else Natasha will be kicking me to the couch!" Bruce slapped a hand to his forehead for his stupidity.
"Relax Bruce you still have four shopping days left." A voice laughed as they entered the lab.
"Pepper! Please don't tell Nat I forgot again."
"Don't worry your secret is safe with us right, May?" the red head smiled. "Tony's looking for you; something about the prosthetic arm going crazy."
"Shoot! I'm on my way!" Bruce ran out of the lab to the elevator.
"Prosthetic arm?"
"Tony's cousin, Bucky, lost his arm in Afghanistan. Even though he has the support of his husband Steve and the help of his Physical therapist Sam the loss of his arm has really put his mentally on a very fine thread. Tony has been working on better prosthetic than they have available right now."
"Wow that's amazing." May was impressed. Their boss could be a bit self centered and bit eccentric it was a surprise to see him taking the initiative.
"I know. Oh looks like you got a visitor." Pepper smiled as Peter entered the lab with a couple of paper bags and a thermos. "Hello Peter."
"Hi-ya Mrs. Coulson, I was bringing my Aunt some lunch there is more than enough if you're hungry. Uncle Loki packed a lot." Peter greeted before setting up the Lunch on his Aunt's desk.
"This is enough to feed an army what was Loki thinking?" May shook her head in exasperation.
"He knows you forget to eat." Peter shrugged.
"These look delicious. Your friend is like a god in the kitchen." Pepper said nicking one of the blueberry muffins. May had been with Stark Industries Research department for Eight years. She can in as an intern while taking online courses to finish her degree in Applied Physical Science. Over that time the two women had become close friends and May was one of her bridesmaids at her wedding two years ago.
"I know I am lucky that Peter and I are not as big as elephants with how he always tests out all his treats on us. In fact today was his opening day at his café called Low-Key Café."
"Clever name; I guess that means you are now fully employed Peter."
"You bet Aunt May would only let me graduate early if I had a job to help save up for college next fall. Uncle Loki is great he has being employing me since last winter as I have helped him renovate and set up his shop. I'll be good to go next fall."
"Hey do you want to earn a little side money say this Saturday?" Pepper asked nibbling on the delicious muffin.
"Sure the café closes at seven. I'm free after that."
"Perfect, I have to attend Tony's Christmas charity Ball and I want Phil to go with me but our sitter canceled on us. I was wondering if you would consider baby sitting Morgan for us. She sleeps through the night now and has had little trouble with teething so far so she won't be that much of a handful."
"I would love too, Mrs. Coulson." Peter agreed. "Text me the info and I'll see you Saturday. Aunt May I got to go the Café was really filling up when I left. Uncle Thor was helping out but I think he was getting overwhelmed by the costumers."
"Then you better go. I bet half of those customers were single women drooling over the Exercise God." May kissed the boy's cheek and pushed him out the door.
"Who's Thor?" Pepper asked, pouring herself a cup of Hot Chocolate from the Thermos.
"Thor is Loki's older brother and has the body of a god. He owns 'Big Thunder Fitness' and he has several Gyms through out the country. Loki is real close to his siblings even if he protests spending time with them. I wonder why Thor was over there today I mean I thought he only came around for New Years and... Oh Shoot! I forgot! It's Loki's Birthday today!" May couldn't believe she forgot her best friend's birthday.
"Don't worry! You can leave early today so you can go celebrate his opening and birthday. You can take tomorrow off too it's almost Christmas anyways this will give you a slightly longer vacation." Pepper reassured.
"Really? I can come in tomorrow. Loki isn't really a party animal so I'll be well rested in the morning."
"I mean it. You deserve the time off. Bruce told us yesterday all of the first round testing was complete so you would just be here just reviewing findings something boring you can do when you get back. So no worries you can leave at two and enjoy your holiday. I'll leave you to finish your lunch and I'll just steal one more muffin before checking on the boss to make sure the arm didn't kill him. Have a great Christmas and text me the Café address these are really good." The CEO said taking another bite of muffin before dashing out the door.
"Well that will give me plenty of time to get Loki a little something for his birthday." mumbled May as she sat down to finish her lunch.
XxXxXxXxXx
"Well you're still alive I see." Pepper looked the scene over. It looked like Tony and Bruce went three Rounds Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. They had torn shirts and bleeding scrapes and Tony was sporting a black eye. U and DUM-E were cleaning up the mess that was once the known as Tony's Private Lab.
"Yeah, well test number 36 went really bad." Tony stated getting up off the floor. Then he zeroed in on the food in His CEO's hand. "What is that?"
"Oh this? It's a muffin…" Pepper pointed to the half eaten pastry but suddenly it was snatched from her had.
"This is a blueberry piece of heaven." The genius said inhaling the fresh tantalizing scent before devouring the rest of the treat. "This is so good where did you get it and is there more?"
"Hey that was mine! No I don't have any more and May's nephew Peter brought it from his job along with her lunch today." Pepper whacked the Genius upside the head.
"May? Peter? Do they work here?" Tony asked picking all the crumbs from the muffin wrapper.
"Tony, May Parker is my assistant in the R&D department. She's worked here for eight years." Bruce pinched his nose at his best friend's obliviousness of anything not involving science.
"And Peter is her nephew that works in a café. He brought in her lunch but he didn't stay long it's the café's opening today and they are really busy." Pepper finished explaining as she texted May for Low-Key's address and number after telling her that Tony stole her muffin. She got an 'LOL' reply with the address and hours of operation.
"So there are no more muffins." Tony pouted staring at the empty muffin wrapper.
"Tony, go get cleaned up; I'll send Peter a text and muffins will be here in about an hour." Pepper rolled her eyes. "Oh Bruce I told May she could leave early and that she could take tomorrow off since you guys are finished early."
"That's fine, great in fact I will be out tomorrow anyway I have serious shopping to do." Bruce agreed.
"Shopping why? Is there something going on?" Tony asked as he was putting his tools into the tool bag DUM-E was holding.
"Tony, It's Christmas! You have your Charity Ball in two days!" the CEO shouted.
"No need to yell Pep I can hear you."
"You can hear but do you listen?" Pepper sighed. "Jarvis, Please set reminders for the ball and make sure he is out the door by 7:30 Pm. Use electro shocks if you need too."
"Reminders have been set and tazzers are on stand-by." The AI reported.
"Hey you're my AI!" Tony protested.
"It is my job to assist you in maintaining your health and the running of Stark Industries. I will do whatever is required to help you succeed." The AI replied.
"Thank you Jarvis. Now go upstairs and take a nice shower. The muffins will be here before you know it." Pepper pushed the Grease Monkey towards the elevator watching her boss perk up at the mention of Muffins.
"Pepper there is no doubt you are a great mother you handled Tony like a pro." Bruce said putting on his lab coat to hide his torn shirt after the genius left.
"Thanks, Tony is like a big kid. After what he went through captured by the Ten Rings and Obadiah's betrayal, I'm surprised he is functioning as well as he is. He has been through a lot that left more scars then the ones on his chest and face, that it seems that no one can heal him. I tired when we dated but he pushed me away just like all the others in his life. I worry about him, so I try to take care of him when he let's me. Tony has become the Annoying brother that you can't help but want to take care and protect."
"Yeah, I can understand that. Between you and me along with Happy and James, we're all he's got. Nat won't be home until tomorrow night so I'll head home and change; then I'll come back and check on him make sure he doesn't open any fresh bottles tonight."
"Thanks Bruce, I'll call Rhodey maybe he can come by and hang out with you and Tony. He knows this is a tough time of year for him." Pepper was grateful Tony had such great friend to help out in these dark times for the orphaned inventor.
XxXxXxXxXx
"Who eats two dozen blueberry muffins?" Loki asked as he packed up the box with the freshly made pastries. He was glad he had Large to go boxes made up for the café; he just didn't expect to use them so soon after Opening Shop.
"Mrs. Coulson's boss, I guess. At least that's what she said when she texted in the order. She also told me to save the credit information for future orders. Jarvis will more than likely be ordering more muffins as soon as Mr. Stark eats them all."
"Who's Jarvis?"
"Mr. Stark has this cool AI system named Jarvis that is like a butler and orders thing for Mr. Stark and runs the robots and stuff in Stark Tower. Anyways Happy Mr. Starks Personal Body guard will be here to pick up the order soon." Peter chattered. Loki had to stop and really listen because the lad tended to talk a mile a minute when he was excited.
"Well then take this to the front. It's ready to go."
"Amazing Brother already receiving outside orders and you have only been opened a few hours." Thor cheered.
"Yes it is unusual but still it is good business."
"Speaking of business your Honey Bran muffins do well at my gyms that you supply. I make sure all profits are sent to your account each week. I am so proud of you brother and I am happy your dream of owning your own shop has finally come true."
"Thank you Thor it means a lot to hear you say so. When does Hela get here? I know she is very busy." Loki asked as he placed another tray of éclairs in the oven. Éclairs we Hela's favorite; he wanted to make sure he always have plenty on hand should she ever visited unannounced.
"Aye, but I am not sure when she will arrive. She did say nothing was going to stop her from taking a short day and spending the evening with us celebrating your birthday." Thor smiled at the baker.
"That's right Little Brother. Baby Brother will always come before the Old Ox." A voice answered entering the kitchen.
"Hela," The Younger Raven was surprised to see their sister standing there in a full pants suit looking like she was ready to walk in to a Boardroom and start firing people.
"Happy Birthday Little Loki." She crossed the room and swept the smaller man into a tight hug. Hela was rarely affectionate but Loki cherished these rare moments. Hela then gave Thor a very brief hug before turning back to him. "Now I brought a change of clothes for going out and staying the night for both me and Thor. We shall celebrate like we use to when we were children. Mother said she would call you later. The Ox is being difficult again."
"That is to be expected Sister. Now we are all grown and gone from home he no longer has to acknowledge my existence. I will treat Mother to lunch before New Years to make it up to her." Loki reassured before he turned to check on something that was simmering on the stove. He did not see the looks of concern the older two exchanged.
"Uncle Loki we're running Low on Pumpkin and Apple Pie and Hot Chocolate!"
"Peter, is that you? You have grown since I last saw you." Hela let a small smile grace her lips.
"Aunt Hela!" the teen ran and hugged the Software Executive tightly. "I missed you. Oh and I have finished that game I was working on. If you are still here tomorrow I'll bring it to work in the morning."
"That sounds acceptable Peter; now get back to work before the customers get backed up." Hela ruffled the messy brown hair and shooed him off to the showroom.
"Oh Sister I hope you don't mind May coming along. Her boss gave her the rest of the day and tomorrow off." Loki asked as he wiped his hands off on a dish towel before taking another tray of pies out of the oven.
"That's fine; it's been awhile since we last hung out." Hela smiled. "I'll go upstairs and change for the evening. Thor you are supposed to be helping Loki today get back to work."
"Yes, Hela I'll go wash the pans, since I am not much of cook." Thor smiled heading to the sink."
"Take your time, Sister when you return I will have some éclairs waiting for you." Loki smiled.
"You are always so thoughtful Baby Brother. I won't be long." Hela went up the back stairs to the Apartments, leaving the brothers to work in comfortable silence.
"Brother, will you not come to Christmas dinner this year?" Thor asked quietly after awhile.
"No Thor. I have found that Odin and I have a better relationship if I never return home. I love you, Hela and our mother but Odin prefers if I keep my distance. Celebrating my Birthday and New Years together is enough for me. Please don't push for what can not be." Loki replied.
"Father may dictate the holidays, but not our lives. I will always make time for you Brother. He can not stop me from visiting you."
"I know, but do not anger him too much Thor or else he will cut off your contact with Mother." The raven warned. Odin had tight control over his wife since Loki's birth. He made it known that should she divorce him then he would leave her with nothing and that he would never allow her to see their children again. Loki wondered why she didn't leave after he left for college. Frigga once told him things are not always as simple and that she could endure as long as he and his siblings flourished.
"Very well I will be careful for mother's sake but I will never stop calling and texting you." The blond flash one of his mega watt grins. Seriously you needed sunglasses to shield against the brightness of that smile.
"Of that I have no doubt, Brother." Loki often received odd texts at odd hours of the day from Thor letting him know he cared.
"Oh brother I have a package coming soon it is your gift. It will be here before your closing hours. I had not the time to fetch it this morning but my assistant said that she would pick it up and drop it off before she leaves for the her trip with her Boyfriend."
"That is fine; you didn't need to get me a gift."
"Of course I did! You are very important to me and you deserve to receive gifts on your birthday despite what father says."
"We must get back to work brother it is still five hours until closing. Here take this tray to the front and help peter stock the display case. I want to concentrate on this Tiramisu." Loki said wanting to end the conversation. Odin's phantom presence was starting to sour his day and he wanted today to be perfect.
"Of course." Thor took the tray leaving the baker to his craft.
The men worked tirelessly until Closing time. Hela in a rare moment of generosity played waitress during the evening rush refilling coffee and Hot Chocolate to the seated patrons. May came in with a brightly wrapped package for the birthday boy and jumped into lending a hand with orders.
"What successful Day Little Loki." Hela said before checking her phone.
"Thank you all for helping out on my opening day. I don't think it would have been this successful with out you all." Loki said going over to lock the door but was stopped when a young couple carrying crates came in. "I'm sorry but we're closing up for the night."
"Oh Loki, this is my Assistant Wanda. She is dropping off your gift." Thor said making his way over to the couple.
"And her boyfriend Vision who is my assistant and dropping off your gift from me." Hela finished joining the group.
"Vision? That's an interesting name." May commented.
"My Parents when to a lot of rock concerts and did inhale the smoke." Vision laughed as he set his large crate on the floor and Wanda placed hers on the table.
"Open Thor's gift first. Though I believe we had the same idea for a gift Thor's is smaller than mine." Hela smirked.
Loki was hesitant as both crates were animal carriers. What were his siblings thinking? He opened the smaller crate and out tumbled two tiny kittens. The orange tabby was pouncing on the black kitten who looked like he wanted a nap instead of playing kind of how he had Thor had been as children.
"They are brothers from the same litter. Though they may be different in color they are Family. I wanted you know I am always thinking of you Brother." Thor said watching Loki gently pick up the kittens and cuddled them to his chest.
"Well played Thor, but while your gift is for comfort, mine is for protection. Though he may be small now when he is full grown he will be a fierce protector." Hela said opening the larger crate. Out stumble a ball of fur and long gangly legs. "This is an Irish Wolf hound from the best stock in Ireland. I have set up his training for after the New Year so you will have the best protection Baby Brother."
"I am overwhelmed but thank you both." Loki said kneeling next to the Puppy letting the animals meet and become family. This had been the birthday in his thirty years of life. Yes it would have been better if is mother was there but his brother and sister went out of their way to make this day special so he couldn't deny what a great day it was. This year was not going to be a lonely Christmas like it had been in earlier years because now he had a part of Thor and Hela with him.
"Our thanks to you Vision, and Wanda for picking up the little rascals it kept Loki in the dark about the surprises." Thor smiled shaking Vision's hand and giving Wanda a one arm hug.
"It was our pleasure and surprise." Wanda laughed. "I started laughing when Vision told me he had to pick up a puppy from Hela's apartment. Then he laughed when I told him I had to pick up Kittens from Fandral's place."
"I am just surprised we all managed to fit in Wanda's Mini cooper it was rather a tight fit." Vision chuckled. "Well Boss, good night and I will see you on the second of the new year."
"Enjoy your Holiday and ignore any calls or messages from the Old Ox. I will not have the old man dictating when my employees may take their leave." Hela declared. Though she worked for her father's company Asgard Cyber Security she had her own offices and her own employees to take care of. They were not his to order about.
"Enjoy your Holiday as well Wanda the Gyms will all be closed until after the New Year as well. I am just going in tomorrow and Monday to finish up the year's paper work." Thor said waving off the couple.
"Thanks Thor, I'll see on the second then." Wanda smiled pulling her boyfriend out the door.
"Well I am going to take Peter home and then I'll meet you Guys at Sakaar's." May said getting her coat then noticed that her nephew was busy wrestling with the puppy. "Come on Peter time to go."
"Oh right! See tomorrow Uncle Loki, Uncle Thor, and Aunt Hela." Peter gave them each a hug before grabbing is own coat and heading out the door.
"Shall we brothers? Let us settle the young ones down for the evening and head out to Celebrate."
"Aye Sister, we shall."
"Thor, Hela, before we go I just want to say thank you for making this the best Birthday in years. This day that I had mostly dread and I wish to forget, you have changed for me. So thank you both."
"No thanks are necessary, Baby Brother we love you. Though we are far apart we are always close in thy heart." Hela hugged Loki who had silent tears falling from those emerald eyes. Thor hugged them both squeezing them with his love. As snow fell upon the city the three siblings let the world pass them by as they stood as one.
A/N: Okay told myself I wasn't goint to start a new story but the New Spider-Bun Plot Bunny came in Deleted Hawkeye-Buns story he was trying to write and wrote up this little Gem. Now Warning there are no Super heroes. There might be a hint of Lime in later chapters maybe a Lemon. Not sure but spider-Bun has Plans. I can Promise it is not as long as Child of Silence. New plot Bunny has a low attention span. Thanks for Reading. Reviews are Plot Bunny food.
