"So Kiddo, how's it going?"
"How is what going," Loki countered. Nothing was more entertaining on a dull Sunday evening than winding Steve up. He was wedged oh so awkwardly on the sofa between his parents with his little padfolio held on his lap and Thor had taken up the little armchair so Loki tried to make himself comfortable on the floor.
"Life," Steve shrugged calmly and gave his trademark serene smile. Nothing ever seemed to bother him which provided an incentive to Loki to keep trying. He noted his mother's light colouring and her stern look that told him he was being rude. Good.
"Same as ever I guess. I go to school, I come home. I go to school again. How is it going for you?"
Steve chuckled a little and nodded.
"Pretty good. I go to work and get to chat to great kids like you so it can't be all that bad."
"Yeah right," Thor laughed. "Loki is probably you're toughest one. He doesn't 'chat'.
"Would you like some more coffee, Steven?"
"No, no but thank you. I'll have to head home now, cat won't feed itself," he brushed a few crumbs from his trousers and attempted to lever himself from the sofa without having to ask for assistance. Loki stood quickly, the tingling in his leg slowing him as he helped Steve up. Odin was already clearing cups into the kitchen as Frigga fussed over coats. Hovering in the doorway, Loki leaned against the cool panelling of the doorframe as his mother showed Steve out.
"Thank you," he heard her whispering conspiratorially. "Anytime. I couldn't borrow Loki for a moment, could I?"
Upon hearing his name he ventured into the hallway, passing his mother and stepping out onto the front step where Steve was waiting.
"How are things?"
"We've already done that bit," Loki smirked as Steve rolled his eyes.
"You get cheekier every time I see you. And I know you don't always, well, you know."
"Tell the truth?"
"Your mother told me you are doing well in school. Are you enjoying it?"
The sound of a horn blaring startled them both and Steve frowned at the silver car that had pulled up. There was a tense moment in which he merely stared at the driver, Loki trying to see through the tinted glass.
"So, school."
"It has it's moments."
He nodded. "You like your friends?"
Loki shrugged.
"Loki, I need you to tell me."
"Why?"
"Because I need to know that you're okay. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't."
"Pretty terrible job, driving round all the time checking up on moody teenagers."
"There's more to it than that and you know that," he replied sternly but not with unkindness.
"Yeah, I know," Loki replied feeling mollified.
"I want to help keep the bad guys at bay. I can't do that without your help. Deal?"
He held his hand out for a low five and Loki obliged.
"You'll text me if you want to chat, yeah?"
The car horn blared again and Steve actually looked mad as he approached it.
"Text me," he called while he opened the passenger door and disappeared into it. The car swiftly backed out of the driveway and drove away. Loki headed back inside, wiping the grit from his bare feet.