Chapter 21

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I had a really hard time uploading chapter 20. I had to try several times for it to update. Please check and see if you've read chapter 20 before this one. I'd hate for anyone to miss the last chapter and be confused. 3

Loki spent the better part of the next morning searching all the databases available to him for any and all Peter Parkers living in New York City. He was a bit surprised at just how many there were.

'Do humans not understand the concept of originality?' He thought, putting his head in his hand, staring at his computer screen in his office. Back on Asgard it was practically unheard of for two people to have the same name. Especially both first and last names.

He sighed in mild frustration and edited his search for people under thirty years old. He frowned at the results. There were still many Peter Parkers in the city.

Then Spider-Man's words echoed in Loki's mind, "I'm your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!" the boy had said the first time they had met.

'Neighborhood...' Loki thought to himself and wondered if that meant he lived in Queens as well.

He edited his search again for Peter Parkers living in Queens. Once the results popped up on his screen he smiled in satisfaction. There was only one Peter Parker living in Queens who fit the age bracket.

"Found you," Loki said out loud. He clicked the name leading to all the personal information the city had on the boy. He printed off the address and went back to his work, planning to pay Peter a visit.

He worked until around two that afternoon and took off early to find out exactly where Spider-Man lived.

When he arrived at the address and rang the doorbell, a woman who seemed to be in her early to mid thirties answered the door. He gave her a charming smile and asked for Peter Parker.

"Yes, he lives here," she responded, her brow knitted a bit in question. "What's this about?"

Loki introduced himself and gave her the best reason he could come up with off the top of his head. "Is he available?" he asked.

The woman seemed to believe him. "No," she said. "He hasn't come home from school yet." She stepped away from the door and opened it wider for him. "Please come in and wait. He shouldn't be long. I'll text him."

Loki smiled at her and stepped inside the apartment. It was a simple home, but looked cozy enough. The woman offered to take his coat. "Thank you," he said, removing it and his scarf and handing it to her to hang up.

"Would you like some tea?" she asked, leading him to sit in an armchair in the living room.

"That would be lovely, thank you," he said charmingly. While she was in the kitchen, hhe looked around the room at all the pictures and nick-nacks on display. The pictures were mostly of the woman and a man he assumed to be her husband. There were a few, however, of a small, skinny boy with brown hair. This must be Peter Parker.

The woman came back in the room just then with cups of tea. Loki thanked her and they sat down to wait.

Thankfully they didn't have to wait long. The front door finally opened, interrupting the woman (who Loki learned was named May and was Peter's aunt) from her chit chat. Loki was thankful. He hated idle chit chat.

May stood up and greeted Peter. She led him into the living room telling him someone from the city counsel wanted to speak with him.

Peter turned the corner into the room and froze when he saw Loki sipping from the tea cup. His eyes were the size of saucers and the color had drained from his face.

Loki put the cup down and stood. He walked over to the boy and gave a satisfied smirk. "Hello, Kitten," he said softly so May wouldn't hear.

Peter didn't respond.

Loki straightened up. "You asked to interview me," he said cordially as if this were a business meeting. "I'm available now."

He went to get his coat and scarf. He turned to Peter. "Unless you've changed your mind?" he asked.

Peter shook his head quickly and dropped his bookbag on the floor. "No!" he said rushing to catch up. "I'll be home later, Aunt May!"

Once outside the apartment, Peter chased after Loki. "How did you find me?" he asked.

Loki stepped up to a fancy black car and opened the back door. He turned to Peter and smiled slyly. "You underestimate me," he said. "Now get in."

Peter hesitated. Loki rolled his eyes and got in first instead. He looked out at him. "What's the matter? Have you never rode an Uber?"

Peter slid in the car and shut the door. Loki told the driver to take them to a small yet nice restaurant. "I don't have any money," the boy said quickly.

"I didn't ask if you did."

"Thank you, Mr. Odinson," Peter said genuinely.

"I get enough of Mr. Odinson at work," Loki said. "It's enough to drive you mad."

"Well then, should I just call you Loki?"

He shrugged. "That's my name," he said.

"And you've got to stop calling me Kitten," Peter said suddenly. "It's weird."

Loki laughed. "I'll stop if you stop coming in through my window like a stray kitten."

"Fine."

The car stopped at their destination. "Good," Loki responded to Peter. "Now let's eat and you can ask all your questions."

They ate their meal and talked. Afterwards, Loki took Peter back home and then returned home himself.

He found Deidra doing laundry. "So how did it go?" she asked.

"The boy's amusing," he responded, heading into the bathroom for a shower. She followed him.

Deidra leaned against the bathroom sink as he undressed and got in the shower. "You like him," she teased.

"He has a certain quality that's...endearing," Loki responded from behind the shower door.

"Aw. Loki's made a friend."