Chapter 24
Though still early March, the weather was surprisingly warm. The flowers were showing signs of life, starting to once again brighten up the garden with their vast array of colours. Loki managed to appreciate this for an hour or so, for once enjoying the warmth on his skin from the sun shining above him. He sat on a garden chair slightly away from the rest of his family, thankful that no one was paying him much attention. If he had to endure family parties at least allow him some peace during them. Forced contact with people you didn't like can only really end badly. But it was Frigga's birthday and for that Loki would make an effort.
Thor and Jane were preoccupied talking to some cousins, and Odin and Frigga were sitting together surrounded by a few other close relations. They seemed very happy. Loki liked that. Everything may not be perfect but he liked that everyone was happy for once. There were no arguments. No one was angry. The sun was shining. And his phone had just buzzed.
Sorry for being sentimental but I miss you. Can't wait to see you later.
Loki smiled widely, unable to deny the warmth spreading through him from just that short text. It was cliché as hell but who cares? Loki was still a teenager after all and he had just as much right as anyone else to get excited over the little things. Because ultimately, you could laugh at anyone for being happy about receiving such things but when the roles are reversed and you receive a small gesture of a message saying something such as this, you too would probably react in just the same way.
From a little way off Odin noticed the sudden brightness in Loki's expression and, after a quick study, saw his eyes were fixed on his phone. Very few reasons could bring such a smile to his son's face. Taking a steady breath, he got up and walked over to where Loki was sitting. He tried not to feel hurt when he registered Loki's new expression of surprise and confusion.
"Who is that?" He asked, gesturing to the device in Loki's hand.
"Um...Tony," Loki said, hesitating before he spoke. The subject had been broached enough since that fateful dinner that he no longer had to explain each time that Tony was his boyfriend.
"Frigga said you're staying at his house tonight."
"Yes." He couldn't think what else to say. He thought he knew where this conversation was going and he was just praying that it wouldn't actually go there.
"That's...well...good. But Loki...I want you to remember that you need to be safe."
Yep, it was going there. And Loki was going to die of embarrassment.
"Look we really don't need to talk about this. I'm pretty much an adult and I know how...how things work."
Odin shifted uncomfortably beside him. He stared around the garden as though seeking out some sudden inspiration so as to know what to say.
"I know you are very intelligent Loki. But I just want you to be safe and comfortable. And I don't just mean sexually," he added quickly, cutting Loki off before he could interrupt. Loki closed his mouth without saying a word, though his expression was significantly darker. But that could have just been due to the blush now creeping up his cheeks. "I don't Know...Tony." He hesitated briefly over the name, worried in case he got it wrong. "But I'd like too. Invite him round."
"What? Now?" Loki asked, totally stunned.
Odin nodded. "I would like to get to know him properly and I'm sure Frigga would also. I know being surrounded by family isn't the best way to introduce him but I know how much you hate these things and Thor has his girlfriend here so you should be allowed to have your boyfriend here too."
Loki was so genuinely shocked that it took him a minute or two to gather his thoughts well enough to reply.
"Uhh, thanks, thankyou. I'll, um, I'll go call him to, you know, ask him." And with that Loki practically skipped off into the house where he could call Tony to invite him round.
Turning his head, Odin jumped as Frigga sat down beside him. He hadn't noticed her coming over.
"What did you say to him? He looked like he might float off from joy."
"The right thing, for once."
Frigga made no other comment about how cryptic he was being, but continued to stare at the open doorway from where Loki had just disappeared into the house.
He was in his garage as usual, working on about five different projects at once. He just couldn't find the motivation to finish one at a time. If he focussed on one for too long he would just get so bored that he'd abandon it completely which would just annoy him more. Anyway, the fact of the matter was that he was bored. Bored of school work, bored of his projects, bored of pretty much everything. He needed something new. A new challenge that didn't involve getting up at like six everyday to get to school or else spending all day in his extremely untidy garage. He wanted change.
He thought Rhodey understood, he'd tried to explain it enough times. The constricting feeling in his chest, the constant tap of his fingers on any drumable surface. But Rhodey just put it down to nerves of the impending exams or else the fear of growing up, moving on to university. No. That wasn't it. He wasn't nervous for the exams, he just wanted them over. He wasn't scared of growing up either; he'd outgrown this town long ago. He needed change. He wasn't scared for university. In fact it was the total opposite. He couldn't wait to go. To have the freedom, to have the choice, to finally do something he really wanted to do.
With a frustrated sigh, he dropped the screwdriver in his hand onto one of his many workbenches, not caring that its impact sent bits of mental and screws tumbling to the floor.
Of course, there would be things that he would miss. Rhodey obviously. His friends. Clint, Darcy, Bruce, Thor and Steve. Even Natasha now that they were closer. And then there was Loki. There was no doubt that he would miss him.
They had briefly discussed what would happen when they both went off to separate universities. It was the day that Loki had received his first offer and he'd been over the moon. Tony was happy for him, or course he was. But somehow they'd moved on from the congratulating to a heated discussion on what the future held for their relationship. It had culminated with Loki snapping at him that perhaps they shouldn't be together at all if all Tony was thinking about and looking forward to was moving away, to which he had to promptly explain that yes, he was looking forward to moving away, but that that in no way meant that he didn't want to be with Loki or would end their relationship because of that reason. He even admitted that one of the only things he would miss would be seeing Loki on a regular basis.
Speak of the devil, Tony thought as his phone started to ring.
"What's up?" He asked, balancing the phone between his shoulder and ear while he started to clear up the mess he'd made on the floor.
"Do you want to come over?" Loki replied. When Tony didn't answer for a second or two, he continued, assuming that he was waiting for an explanation. "I know I'm staying over at yours tonight but my father just invited you round. He...eh...he wants to meet you."
"Please tell me this is a joke. You're having me on right?"
"I wish," Loki sighed. "But he's genuinely serious and I didn't want to refuse seeing as this could be my only chance to convince him that my relationships are just as acceptable as Thor's."
Tony was silent for a few very long seconds. "Okay, but only if you promise it's not a trap and your dad's not waiting to harpoon me or something when I walk through the door."
"He won't harpoon you," Loki chuckled. "But I might if you don't hurry up and get here," he added.
"Give me twenty minutes."
With that he hung up. And proceeded to panic. Okay, okay, so he was going to meet Loki's parents, formally this time like actually meet and greet them. He could do that, couldn't he? Okay so, so far in his life he has avoided that commitment spectacularly. But this was Loki, someone he actually gave a shit about. Yes, he could do that.
He managed to get through having a shower and getting dressed before panic spiked to life within him once again. He'd reached the door and was just reaching over the grab his keys when he was hit by the ridiculous question of what if they didn't like him? What if they didn't approve of him or think he was good enough?
It took quite a few minutes to calm down from that bout of panic meaning that, when he finally did start the engine of his car and reverse out his drive, thirty minutes had passed and not twenty. Luckily he made it to Loki's house in good time, though it proved useless when all he did upon arrival was hover outside the door, debating whether or not he should knock or run away. Fortunately he was saved from making the decision himself because a second later it opened, revealing Loki with a relieved smile on his face.
"You came!"
"Did you think I wouldn't?"
And, to Tony's great surprise yet no complaint at all, Loki kissed him.
"What was that for?" Tony asked, after they broke apart some seconds later.
Loki just shrugged in reply, taking hold of Tony's hand and guiding him through the house. Just before they emerged into Loki's family-filled back garden, Tony felt the pressure on his hand increase. It all made sense now. Loki was nervous. Probably even more so than himself. Eager to reassure him, Tony squeezed Loki's hand back before willingly following him back out into the bright sunlight.
The garden was fairly noisy yet not overly crowded. However, that could have been down to the garden being of a significant size and not due to the lack of people. On the contrary, there were around twenty to thirty people milling around, all with drinks in their hands, and all seeming to be in deep conversation. Maybe that would mean that they could slip by unnoticed.
"Loki, who's this?"
Maybe not.
They both turned towards the source of the voice, a woman in her mid to late thirties, long blonde hair falling just above her waist, deep-set dark blue eyes and an overall kind face. Tony guessed she was a family friend; she didn't seem to quite fit into the family picture that he could see, anyway.
"Uhh," Loki began, looking more nervous than Tony had ever seen him. To show his support, he took up an even firmer grip on his hand and took a step closer so they were standing side by side, their arms brushing together. It seemed to be enough to give Loki the confidence to continue. "This is my boyfriend Tony and Tony, this is my mother's friend of many years, Fulla."
"Nice to meet you," Tony said politely, shaking her hand and returning her smile.
"Frigga never said you had a boyfriend!" She exclaimed loudly. Despite her light-hearted indignation of not knowing about Loki's relationship, she didn't appear as though the fact of him being with another man bothered her at all.
"Didn't she? Well, we've been together for over three months and..."
Loki's next words were swallowed by her squeal of delight before she pulled them both into a hug.
"Ahhh I'm so pleased for you and you're both so cute."
"Fulla, leave these two alone. They don't need you fawning all over them."
It was Odin. Oh God, Tony thought, it was Odin. Loki's dad. Walking over to them. Smiling. Wait what? Smiling. Seriously? This day was just getting weirder and weirder. Still, at least he didn't look angry, or maybe he was hiding it well? Damn, he told himself, I need to stop thinking like this. Everything had gone fine so far so why couldn't it carry on being just as fine?
"I'm not fawning, I'm just happily indignant. I can't believe you didn't say anything before considering you both talk about Thor and his girlfriend enough. Oh well, at least I know now. Still, you two better run off and say hi to Frigga otherwise she'll be on a warpath, I'll catch up with you both later," Fulla said without pausing for breath.
With another magnificently wide smile, she turned away back to the group she had been in conversation with before. Now alone, Loki and Tony shared a glance before turning their heads in unison to look at Odin. They really had no idea what to expect.
"Loki, go and see your mother like Fulla said. Tony will join you in a minute, I just want to talk to him first."
The genuine fear on both Loki and Tony's faces at that point could have been considered comical if it wasn't for the fact that no one was there to laugh. Instead they just shared another look, Loki tightening his grip on Tony's hand before giving him an apologetic look before following Odin's instructions and walking away. Tony was left alone with Odin, his hand significantly colder now it was no longer being held.
Odin walked over to a small garden table that was conveniently empty and took a seat. Tony didn't need to be told to follow. He sat down on the only other chair, that also happened to be directly opposite Odin, and attempted to compose himself. Unfortunately, he wasn't given much time to do so.
"I suppose I should begin by apologising for what happened the last time we met, if you can call that meeting. My behaviour was unforgivable and yet I hope that you can look past it." Tony could only nod. "Alas, I didn't tell Loki to invite you because of that. I told him to invite you because I think it's about time that we were properly introduced to each other."
There was a pause that stretched on rather longer than it ought to have done. That was until Tony finally caught on that he was supposed to be talking.
"Oh right, well hey hi. I'm Tony Stark, but I think you know that already, I live with my legal guardian James Rhodes and I go to the same school as Loki and Thor. Um..." he stopped, unsure of where to go next. "I was recently offered a place at MIT and as long as I get the grades in summer then I'll be starting there in September."
Odin nodded slowly as he spoke, just a small tip of the head. "Good, good, you seem all set for the next few years. Do you know what you want to do after you graduate?"
"I legally inherit my father's business Stark Industries when I turn twenty-one so probably just take over as CEO and run the company myself."
"A lot of responsibility," Odin said in an approving voice. So Tony was doing well so far. "Stark Industries has a very high status."
"Yeah, my dad's friend Obadiah Stane took over when my parents died. He just keeps everything going until I'm old enough to inherit it."
Tony wasn't entirely sure why they were discussing this or why he was giving probably irrelevant information, but he just thought that the best thing to do was to keep talking. Don't let any awkward silences fall even if it means carrying on with awkward ramblings. What did he have to lose, really? Dignity? He could afford to lose a little of that if it meant not sitting in uncomfortable silence with Loki's adoptive father.
"I think I understand now why Loki likes you."
That took Tony by surprise.
"I'm sorry?"
"I never really understood why you two were together. I mean, I've heard of you of course. As soon as Loki mentioned your name I knew who you were, your father was exceptional in the business world and it was a horrible shock to many when the accident happened. But I didn't know why Loki was drawn to you particularly seeing as in the past his relationship choices haven't...well...haven't been the smartest." Tony tried to hide a scoff. He and Loki had recently had a talk about previous relationships - more of a light-heart 'I can't believe I went there' kind of thing - and he had discovered that Loki had definitely been adventurous before he started dating Tony, and not necessarily in a good way. "I can see now, though, why you two work well together. You are both very similar in intellect and emotionally too and I'm glad it's you that Loki is currently dating and, to be honest, I hope it remains you for quite some time."
"Ehh... thankyou," Tony said, unsure whether or not he should actually be thankful. How on earth did Odin know they were similar emotionally? What does that even mean? Still Tony was just going to take what he was given and roll with it.
"Now go and see Loki, I'm sure Frigga will want to speak to you as well."
Relieved at finally being dismissed, Tony got to his feet. Just as he'd taken a few steps across the garden he stopped and turned back. "Seriously, though, thankyou. Loki's really cool and...and I really like him so I'm glad you approve too."
Odin smiled his best smile, which wasn't really all that great, and gave him a jovial wave of the hand. Yeah, Tony thought as he joined Loki once again, he could deal with that.
They spent the rest of the party meeting more guests and attempting to hide from Thor who kept on insisting that they should all go on weekly double dates, him and Jane, and Tony and Loki. There were so many reasons why it was an awful idea that they couldn't even form them all into words and so just decided to change the subject whenever it was broached, or else just run and hide. That one proved the most effective. Multiple times they were tracked down by Fulla and her insistence that they tell her everything from how they first met to where they got coffee the previous weekend. But most of the time they were saved from answering as Frigga swooped in and engaged her in conversation enough for the two of them to slip away.
As soon as Tony had joined Loki again after his talk with Odin, he had been pressed for every tiny detail of what was said. In truth Tony couldn't remember much but reassured Loki that Odin seemed pretty cool that they were together and how he apparently approved of Tony's life choices for the future. He also made it clear to Loki how weird he thought Odin was and made him swear to never leave him alone with him again, reasoning that parents didn't usually give a longwinded description of how similar their child and his boyfriend were. After saying that, Loki was in agreement that that was indeed weird and no he would do his level best to never abandon Tony with his adoptive father again.
It was around seven o'clock when they left Loki's house and headed to Tony's, ready to spend the night together. It's not as though it was the first time that Loki had stayed over but it did seem that this time might hold slight more significance to their relationship as a whole. And when the lights were turned out some hours later something significant definitely did occur.
Fun Fact: Fulla is the handmaiden of Frigg (Frigga) in Norse Mythology.
I could spend forever apologising for the wait of each chapter but right now in my life I just can't post regularly yet I am so grateful for all of you who stick with me, every favourite, follow and review I receive makes me smile so thankyou to all of you because you are amazing! (and don't worry, next chapter will be very Loki/Tony-centric)
