Wow, this took longer than expected to update. I'm really trying to update more often. I swear I am. I'll get the next few chapters written over the weekend and hopefully post them... I told you guys you're free to invade my inbox on tumblr to get my ass in gear. But I'm gaining readers, and that's pretty cool! So I hope this next chapter doesn't let you down.
Odin stepped into the living room with a stack of mail in his hands, half reading the return addresses. Bills, bills, and offers for magazine subscriptions. Loki was curled up on the sofa reading the Bell Jar.
"Hello, Loki. Did you make anyone cry today?" He raised an eyebrow, sifting through the last couple pieces of mail.
"Sadly, no. But it's only 4:30." Odin grinned in a proud manner at Loki's words. Thor entered and gave his father a bear hug.
"Hey, dad."
"Hello, my son."
"And where've you been, Thor?" Loki looked at his brother with a condescending squint.
"Nowhere," he shot back, glaring. Odin paused his mail examination, reading an envelope.
"What's this? It says Sarah Lawrence?" Odin looked at Loki with a measure of scrutiny. Loki leaped up and plucked the letter from his father's hands, cheering excitedly and flying across the room. "I got in! I got in!" He yelled, waving the paper around, bursting with glee. His green eyes were animated with glee.
"Uh, darling, that's great, but isn't that all the way across the country?"
"Thus the basis of its appeal!" Loki raised his eyebrows. The glimmer was fading, knowing his father's disapproval was lurking.
"I thought you were going to stay here? And go to the same university as me?"
"No, that's what you decided." The dark haired teenager looked vexed.
"Oh, so you just pick up and leave, is that it?"
"Let's hope so, father," Thor chimed in. Loki's responding glance could have killed the blonde where he stood. Then he turned the malice in his face to a sugary grin.
"Father, ask Thor who drove him home."
"Loki, do not change - drove?" Odin turned to face his son who was glowing only moments ago. "Who drove you home?" His voice turned into a thunderous boom.
"Now, do not get flustered, father, but there is this boy-"
"Who is a flaming imbecile."
"Stop,"
"I think he plans to ask me-"
"Stop. I know what he is going to ask you. And I think I know the answer. No. It is always no. What are the house rules? First, no dating until you have graduated. Second, no dating until you graduate. Do I make myself clear?"
"Father, that is so unfair!" Thor pouted.
"Do you want to know what is unfair?" Odin was addressing both of his sons. "This morning a fifteen year old boy came in to get tested. He turned out HIV positive. Do you know what he told me?"
"'I'm a crackhead and a fool and I should have made my nasty boyfriend wear a condom?'" Thor offers sourly.
Odin seemed to consider the statement. "Close, but no. He said 'I should have listened to my father.'"
"He did not."
"That is what he would have said had he not been so panicked."
Thor sighed, rolling his blue eyes. "Can we just focus on me for a moment? I am the only one in school who is not dating."
"You are wrong, Loki is not dating."
"And I do not intend to," Loki scowled at Thor.
"And why is that?" Odin hopes for Loki's answer to convince his brother he would be better off not dating.
"Have you seen the unwashed miscreants that go to school?"
"Where did you even come from? Planet Cold-Hearted Frost Giant?"
"I have a new idea. The old rule is out," Thor's face lit up. "The new rule: Thor can date;" his face brightened more still, but Loki grimaced like he was witnessing roadkill rot. "If Loki does."
"What if he never does? He is a freak!"
"Then you will never date. Oh, I like that," the second part was almost meant for himself. "I will get to sleep at night, the deep slumber of a father who is not worried about his sons going out and getting STDs and HIV." Odin's pager beeped. "I have to go. We will talk about Sarah Lawrence later," he declared to the retreating Loki.
"Fine,"
"Loki! Can you not just find some idiot to go to the movies with? So I can have just one date?"
"Oh, I am sorry, I guess you are going to have to miss out on the witty repartee of Tony 'eat me' Stark."
"You suck,"
"You suck!" Loki mocked in a whiny tone.
Steve sat down in the library with Thor. He was still blown away by the blonde's entire being, he just radiated confidence and golden joy.
"Can we make this quick? Maria Hill and Wade Wilson are having a big breakup on the quad again."
"Sure. I thought we could start with pronunciation?" The smaller blonde suggested with a partial grin.
"Not the hacking and gagging part. Please."
"Well, there are alternatives. French food. We could, uh, maybe get something together? Maybe Saturday evening?" Steve pressed his lips in a thin line, like that would seal his hopefulness away.
"Are you asking me out? That is adorable! What did you say your name was again?"
"Steve. I know your dad won't let you go out, but I thought this could be an exception since it's for French class."
"Oh wait a minute, Stefan-"
"Steve,"
"My father came up with a new rule. If my brother dates, than so can I!"
"You're kidding! Do you like sailing? I heard there is a place to rent boats-"
"A beaucoup problemo, Samuel. In case you have not heard, my brother is a particularly awful breed of loser."
"Yeah, I noticed he's a bit antisocial. Why's that?"
"Unsolved mystery. He was actually quite popular, but then, I don't really know. I think he grew bored of it. Maybe there is another reason why, but he has become rather incapable of human interaction. Besides that, he acts like a total bitch."
"Well, there could be someone around here willing to take a risk. It would be comparable to skydiving. Extreme dating. There's gotta be someone."
"Do you think you can find someone so extreme?"
"I'm sure I can!" Steve was cheering up. Thor touched his arm lightly.
"You would do that for me?"
"Of course! Er, I mean, you know, I could definitely look into it."