Wednesday 4:00 pm

Tell me again why we couldn't hang out after school?

I have an afterschool job.

Doing what?

I work for Stark Industries.

Ew.

What? That's not usually the reaction I get.

I don't like Stark.

You know Mr. Stark?

Well… not really. But I've disagreed with him.

I know he was considered a bad guy. But he's changed.

I'll take your word for it.

Well I've got to go, Luke.

Okay. I'll message you before bed.

Deal.

Thursday 6:30 am

Good morning.

Morning messages now, love?

I-I just thought since

I'm teasing you, love.

Rude.

Hey, I say that too.

*smiles* Wait, I'm mad at you.

Are you sure about that?

Of course, I'm not mad at you.

Good. I would hate for my jokes to ruin another relationship.

Uh… what happened before?

My dad doesn't like my jokes.

Is that why you don't live together?

Yeah. It's recent.

Are you okay?

Yes, love. It's not the first time we've been separate. Now, get ready for school.

What if I just want to sit and talk all day?

At some point, we'd run out of skin.

Not if we read quickly.

What?

You really are new to the soulmate thing. The writing on our thighs should have gone down since that conversation is over.

Oh. It has. That's rad.

Rad? Really?

I'm classic. Now it's time for school. We can talk at school.

On public skin?

Well I have my emo look to maintain. I have no public skin. But I will lift up my sleeves and pants to read.

Oh, my goodness!

Love, go to school.

Thursday 8:00 am

"Hey." Loki says standing next to Peter.

"Hey." Ned replies while Peter just stands there grinning.

"Is he okay?"

"My guess is you broke him."

"Definitely not my intention. Peter." Loki says, touching his back.

"Yeah. Oh, hi. Hi, how are you?"

"I'm okay. How are you?"

"Very pleased." Peter says.

"Should I leave?" Ned asks.

"Stop teasing us." Peter says.

"Stop being so couple-y." Ned shoots back.

Loki frowns.

The morning bell rings.

"Bye." Ned says and walks away.

"Shall we?" Loki asks.

"We shall." Peter says grinning.

Loki's not sure what to do.

"Oh, are you Luke or Lucy?" Peter says breaking the one sided awkward silence.

"Uh, neither. Or both. I'm not really sure how to describe it."

"Interesting. How about I call you Lu?"

Loki smiles.

"I'd like that."

Thursday 9:10 am

The class passes quickly. They don't notice they sit closer than they did the day before.

"Walk me to class?" Peter asks.

Loki is about to agree but remembers what Ned said.

"I would but I need to talk to my next teacher about my pronouns. They got mixed up yesterday."

"Ok." Peter is clearly bummed.

"But we can talk."

"Ok." Peter brightens immediately.

He almost reaches for Loki's hand. For a shake or hold. He's not sure.

"Bye." Peter says, awkwardly.

Thursday 9:35 am

What's your favorite color?

Green.

I expected you to say black.

Black isn't a color.

Oh, you're one of those people.

What kind of people?

A technicalist.

Is that a word?

It is now.

Wow. Okay. What's your favorite color?

Right now it's a tie between red and blue. It used to be pink.

Why the change?

I can't say.

Ok.

Sorry.

It's okay.

"Ms. Laherty, can you join us?"

"My apologies. Newly discovered soulmate and all."

"I understand the appeal. But your romantic life needs to not interfere with your education. Can you solve this equation?"

Loki solves it in two seconds, leaving the teacher speechless.

Romantic life, he thinks sitting down.

Thursday 10:15 am

Sorry. I had to pay attention in class.

Me too.

Why are teachers so annoying?

Because they care about their jobs and passions and students don't give a damn.

Did Peter Parker just curse?

I'm a hot blooded male.

Crap reason. And I'm pretty sure that's not what that response applies to.

Oh, no. Did I make it sexual?

Loki raises an eyebrow.

Now you did.

And that's not a place you want to be. Oh my, God, you're not into that.

I'm very into that.

You're not into that with me.

I am. I mean given the opportunity, I'd be down. This is not where I imagined this conversation going.

Where did you imagine it going?

"Penis Parker has a soulmate!" Flash announces.

Peter looks up, embarrassed.

"Someone wants to be with you for life." Flash adds.

"Flash, sit down so we can continue."

Great defense, teach.

I have something to tell you.

Ok, shoot.

I can't be in a romantic relationship.

Oh. Um, yeah?

Loki feels like a dick.

There's still things I can't say, in person or through the soulmate system.

Oh. Me too.

Secrets, love?

Yeah, sorry.

No worries. I'm in the same boat.

So, friends.

Friends.

Peter thinks Flash is right. No one wants to be with him for life.