Stepbrothers
Chapter Nine
The last dance, the last toast, the last speech...
They went back to the house. At almost 4 AM. They were exhausted but they had just the time to get some sleep. Fran and Larry had to get to the plane early so they went with deep circles under their eyes and a massive hangover for Larry. They were truly worn-out newlyweds.
Yet they seemed happy as they hoped in the taxi to the airport. Loki sincerely wished it.
As he wished that everything would be fine those three weeks with Thor…
And, seeing that Thor was clenching his teeth while seeing the taxi disappearing down the lane, it was not a sure thing.
Feeling his own hands shaking didn't help.
Once the door was closed, Loki could hear his heart in his own ears. He forced himself to breathe. Thor was also quiet. Loki had his back turned on him, pretending to return to the salon. Looking at Thor right now was too hard. Too intense. He could smell him, see him with his back on the door, waiting for Loki to make some gesture…
Loki used the "cool host" technique. Whatever happens, act as a host. One of Francesca's etiquette lessons. A car breaks in front of you ? A disturbed individual roams in your garden ? Cops at the door ? An angry neighbor raving and ranting for whatever reason ? Act like an host. Loki wasn't so sure about the disturbed individual and the angry neighbor though… But acting polite, in control and calm made bullies confused. So it seemed appropriate right now. Sometimes it worked. And Thor wasn't irrational, Thor was just as tense and confused as Loki was. Nothing more.
"So… What do you wanna do ?"
Thor was not making a sound. Loki hoped he was not going to bounce on him and carry him to the bedroom on his shoulder like a caveman… If they were going to make it to the bedroom anyway… Thinking about it, it might be scary yet… thrilling to Loki.
"Loki…." Thor's voice was hoarse " I forgot to tell you..."
Before he could say any more, a booming voice made them jump out of their skin.
"WOAH ! ODINSON ! GET YOUR GEAR UP, A**HOLE, WE BROUGHT THE KEG !"
And before Loki realized what the hell was going on, the whole football team barged in with the whole "crazy party" equipment, yelling, screaming, alcohol-holding, half-naked, stupid hats wearing (one had his own underwear stuck on his head, luckily he still had his pants on) and looking adamant the Laufeyson house was now their personal pigsty.
Loki looked at that newly arrived pandemonium then at Thor. The way Thor blanched indicated Loki that he currently had a VERY scary look.
"I… might have told a pal or two… about the fact that we would be alone… And..."
He couldn't finish his sentence for one of the hooligans was trying to play (or rather hammer down on the poor instrument...) the latest muzak song on Francesca's piano and Thor had to run to save him from Loki's wrath.
One word could describe the following 24 hours : CHAOS.
Two words could sum up Loki's state of mind during that period : MASS MURDER.
And four could do a digest of Thor's conclusion of all this : I am soooo dead…
On a rational level, Thor's football friends in the end were not the total jerks Loki thought them to be for so long. They had easily guessed that Thor had not forewarned his new stepbrother and, as much as they disliked the "weird kid" that was their dad's boss's son (and nothing more until then), they were smart enough not to push Loki's buttons too much. Partly because they did like Thor, Mr. Popular Guy, partly because they did not want to antagonize his step-dad (who had their families' income in his hands) and partly because Loki made the huge effort to be a good, though unwilling, host, showing graciously the house around, providing beers and appetizers, getting the pool ready, setting the home movie set on and such… All the while, throwing daggers through his eyes to his blanching new "brother."
Especially when one of the dumb blonde cheerleaders they brought with them openly flirted with Thor. Meaning that she sat on his lap right away before he said anything and started giggling and chatting like a parrot in his ear, gluing her arms around his neck...
Loki had to remember that his father kept the guns in his safe with a good password he changed every week. So, no use there. Luckily…
He decided to endure and make Thor pay dearly afterwards.
Dearly.
The party lasted until next morning. Loki could hear his own heart in his ears and he hadn't had a drop of alcohol contrary to the rest of the present assembly (including Thor who was trying to escape the huge mess in his mind.) After the latest party-going cockroach left, Loki simply took the cleaning gear and handed them to Thor wordlessly. Thor took them without a complaint. His mess, his responsibility. Luckily, it was more putting things back to their normal place then actual cleaning. Except for thongs behind found in the piano (god knows what happened there…) and Loki had to breathe reeeally deeply not to scream hysterically seeing such a blaspheme. He was at the end of his goodwill. Yet he maintained control.
He didn't talk with Thor for 24 hours after that. Except to say that if his "friends" came back he would welcome then with their dad's old Winchester. If not worse.
Message received…
For all his anger, Loki was surprised by his own control. Six months ago, the whole situation would have made him ballistic or depressed. Now, he was just furious but normal furious.
He had to admit that Thor's blunders, even those of massive proportions like this one, made him cuter and more attractive to Loki than ever.
Thor, by the way was holding the mop and washing the floor sheepishly... Loki was tired of the whole "I'm a poor misunderstood victim" display.
Loki decided not to press the guilty part any further. Thor had sworn they wouldn't come back as he had a thorough talk with his "friends."
"Look, I'm sorry, okay ?" Thor whined, "I only told Fandry Reyes and Volsy Holdman...
– Yep," growled Loki " the retard tight-end who almost made out with some stupid blonde on my father's desk and the Neanderthal line-back who vomited in the bathtub. Lovely.
– Yeah, well... they're cool... But they talk too much, I should have known and …
– And they told that uptight soccer team star Sivv Warman who hates my guts because I
told her she was an hypocrite for dying her hair black and pretending it's natural when she is actually an authentic beach blonde...
Thor chuckled.
– Yes," Loki snapped "I know she has a crush on you and no, I don't care ! Though I care about the fact that she obviously invited her gloomy sidekick, Hoggy the mute, to spite me because he hates my guts for having him dethroned as number one mathlete !
Thor laughed.
Well, what can I say. You and I are the popular stuff now !
Loki sighed. Being "popular" was not his goal. He preferred to be on the other side of the whole fuss. And besides...
- Thor, don't you think that's another problem ?
Hearing Loki's sad and brutally grave tone, Thor raised an ear.
What do you mean ?
Loki turned around and faced his new stepbrother. Right now, that golden-haired oaf with the puppy look and stupidly adorable grin was the only thing he ever wanted in this world.
I mean, your reputation Thor. I don't have one to start with but, you... You are the number one football team champion, the school darling, even if sometimes your grades are not up to it...
Loki, come on !
…. And if... We are together for good and if... it is known...
Thor looked at Loki, the one that haunted him almost from the beginning, the one that kept pulling and pushing him away, the mystery he thought himself close to finally crack... That incredible being that occupied his whole mind most of the time looked really pale and worried. Worried about him, Thor. He couldn't help but feel elated.
Babe, we'll deal with this when it will happen. IF it will happen which is not a given.
But, what about you ? Your reputation ?
Thor frowned. It was not a "Loki thing" to think about reputation...
I mean..." Loki hesitated, "I don't care since I don't have any for myself. I am the "weird kid" you know... But, you... If … You're not with someone and they start... Asking questions or...
Thor put his hand on Loki's mouth as a way to stop his hesitating flow of words.
That, my love, we will see. Because if I had it my way, and if we are for good...
Thor took a step back and put his two hands cupped on his mouth to mimic a loud speaker.
- I WOULD SCREAM IT TO THE WORLD !
He smiled and left a bewildered Loki to meditate on this.
Next day at school, first day as stepbrothers. People were cheering them (well, Loki wasn't a fool : they were cheering THOR) and congratulating them (or pitying Thor for getting such a burden... Okay, Okay, Loki decided to stop assuming things and people so much or he'll get a migraine). The rest of the day went normally but Loki felt like a weight in his stomach.
He didn't know what to do.
Two nights ago, he was this close to sneak inside Thor's bedroom, and consequently, Thor's bed. He had felt feverish, not a disease fever but a mental, bodily burning he had never felt before. Up until now, his hormones had been on the low side. With all that had been happening to him, he had no time to process his own desires. But now, temptation was constant in the form of a handsome blond hunk who happened to be in love with him and more than willing. Except that Thor was being flirty but not forward. Open but not direct. As if he was expecting for Loki to make the first move. Which Loki could understand since Thor had been doing all the moves up until now.
Yet, that night, Loki gave up the minute he had his hand on the doorknob of Thor's bedroom. He turned around to his own room, head down and feeling stupid and ashamed for some reason.
Probably for not having the guts to demand Thor for what they both clearly wanted.
Indeed, what was wrong with him ? The first week would be passed soon and they were still on the same point. No progress at all. Yet Loki couldn't simply jump on Thor like a dog in heat or something ? Could he ? Loki silently laughed to himself. He was almost sure that Thor would love that.
The question is Loki didn't feel he had the courage to step forward and say it to his pseudo-stepbrother-could-be lover...
The day went on without much grief. Things went by just like they were before the wedding. Loki was almost disappointed. He had expected some groundbreaking changes in his life, in Thor's, in the people's attitude, but no. It was as if nothing had happened. It was midday, past lunch. Thor was on training outside. Loki was heading to the library until the last classes were on again. An ordinary busy day.
On the way to the library was the rose garden that was the pride of the school. They hired a gardener especially for this part of the institution. In spring, in full bloom, it was simply a beauty. A magnificent colorful surprise in this otherwise gloomy place. Yet, at this time of the year, they simply cared for the rose trees and pruned them thoroughly for the next season. Actually, the gardener was already making his shears click in a regular rhythm. Almost like a musical beat. The gardener looked skillful and even gracious if he wasn't wearing that common brownish-green overall and that cap that made him look like any other employee of the campus. Even the guards wore the same plain colors. It was as if you were talking and interacting with the same person, duplicated several times for different chores. Except that this one had a distinctive trait. He was clearly still young, barely in his forties, seeing the way he moved (Loki could see that even if the man was turning his back on him), and yet, his hair was all snowy white. Like the one of an old man...
That was peculiar. Loki stepped forward. The man also had a very pale skin as it showed on his wrists below the leather gardening gloves. An albino ? The man then stopped his pruning, stood up and turned around, not seeing Loki. He had big thick sunglasses that almost hid the upper part of his face. Indeed, an albino. It must be hard for him to work in the sun like this. Loki was a bit surprised. There were no albinos in the neighborhood. As Loki was staring, the man was then aware of his presence.
"Hullo there, lovely day right ?"
Loki smiled. The man had a deep calm voice with an almost English accent. Curiously, he sounded educated, more like a teacher than a blue-collar. He was the most paradoxical person Loki ever saw on campus.
...But maybe not so lovely for you, isn't it ?
Loki laughed uneasily.
What makes you think that, sir ?
The gardener raised his right hand in a joking way.
A little finger told me... Aren't you the Laufeyson boy ?
Loki was surprised to be busted that fast but not so much. His father's money spent on campus made sure that everyone remembered who he was.
Yep, I guessed so. Is not your daddy recently remarried ? Been the talk of the whole block for some days...
Loki laughed even more awkwardly.
I guess so. It was very sudden.
I heard it was a bit of a shotgun wedding indeed. Though a high-class one..." The gardener laughed, "some people live the high life, go first and think later. I like this if you tell me ! But... " He stopped, as if realizing, "It must have changed your own life a great deal, hasn't it ?"
He looked concerned. Although Loki thought he was acting a little weird and altogether too familiar for a campus employee, it was good to hear about his story in a different light. Even if it was by a total stranger, talking about his delicate situation felt good.
Well, our lives changes indeed. It was hard at first but it's okay now. Many things were turned upside down in a very few time...
The gardener wiped his gloved hands on his trousers.
Tell me about it. The wife left me a few years ago and took the kids with her..." Loki cringed, the man prevented any word with a gesture,"It's okay, made my peace with that. My fault anyway and they're doing better without me..."
Loki felt bad. Here he was, whining about his sorry ass and real people had their own real issues. The man looked emotional about his loss even if he was carefully hiding it.
That's the trouble, kid, you don't realize what you have lost until you actually lose it.
Loki could actually feel what the man said. Though it was a really naive philosophy.
- But sometimes you gain something else that is more than anything in the world." He sniffed, " If you're smart enough to acknowledge it and grab it while you can.
With that the man grabbed his shears, his gloves and his basket still on the ground near the rose trees.
- I'll see you around, kid.
Loki saluted him with a nod. He watched him walk to the staff building (forbidden to the students) and proceed to keep working in the library. Though his mind wasn't into his equations. Neither was he in his last classes though they were easy. He knew that by now Thor had left practice and headed home as he didn't have as much classes as Loki. Which was for the best for Loki didn't want him to walk him home in the state of mind he was in.
He surprised himself by running to the house, not to waste any minute more. He opened the door and ran into the salon. Thor wasn't there. His football gear and bag was, meaning he had directly gone under the shower or was drying in his room.
Loki ran to the stairs, saw the bathroom door on the left open and went to Thor's room on his right. He opened without knocking (he didn't realize it). Thor was naked, covered with his unusually large towel.
- Jesus, Loki ! What the … ?!
Loki only answered by jumping on Thor and tackling him on the bed (on which Thor landed brutally with a "Huff...! Damn Loki wha... ?!"). Any other protests was soon muffled by Loki's tongue in his. And everything stopped to matter for Thor, anything besides Loki there is.
– I love you too.
