Chapter 14: Friends...Right.

The next day at school

You know, there are several misconceptions about Thor. One was that he was a little dimwitted and naive. False. Thor was actually more sharp and attentive than people give him credit for. Two; Because of his status as one of the hottest guys at Marvel High, people thought he saw a lot of action in the bedroom. False. Thor was a virgin, and the only girlfriend he ever had was his lady Jane whom he loved and respected dearly. Three; Thor and Tony only pals with each other because they both came from wealthy families. False. Thor found Tony to be one of the most unique, open, entertaining human beings he's ever met. Regardless of his name and status, Tony was a damn good friend. He and Steve were the first to befriend Thor no questions asked when he was brand new at Marvel High. At the time nobody else really wanted to roll with the "funny talking Euro Guy". Four; Thor was always happy-go-lucky. Nothing ever ruffled his feathers. False. Yes Thor preferred to be nonconfrontational whenever he could, but that didn't mean he was always in good spirits. In fact, he could get pissed when the situation called for it. Like yesterday.

It wasn't just Loki he was upset with. Not only did his father make the decision to bring his mother and brother to the U.S without him, but he didn't even tell him when they all arrived back. It would've been nice to know that Loki came in not too long after Thor left for Sam's going away party. Maybe he would've gotten a heads up about Loki taking a ride around town. After making sure his friends were okay, Thor went home in a slightly better mood. Loki was way out of line, but Clint was alright. When he arrived at his house, he decided to me merciful and not tell their father what Loki did. Just to be spared another argument so early upon Loki's arrival. Besides, Thor was so overjoyed from seeing his mother again that he couldn't stay upset even if he wanted to. It bugged him that Loki acted like he'd done nothing wrong the rest of the night, but again Thor decided to just move on from it.

In the morning, Thor woke up more sluggish than usual. He hadn't gotten a lot if sleep the night before last. Yesterday was no different. Just before he went to bed, Loki smiled mischievously at him as he passed his room. It made Thor feel unsettled. Loki had no remorse for his earlier actions during Hood Ornament. He still had an itch for getting under Thor's skin. That was bad enough in the past, but now it wasn't just Thor Loki wanted to piss off. Thor saw the way Loki stared at Clint. There was something there, and Thor didn't like it. It made Thor restless that night, imagining what Loki might want to try next. On their way out to school the next day, Thor thought he may be able to get some piece of mind as he prepared to walk to school. The cool morning air always made him feel better. However, his mother saw it best that he and his brother take Thor's car and arrive to school together. At least just for Loki's first day. Thor was not pleased but agreed for his mother's sake. Needless to say the ride to school was very awkward for him. It was only a few minutes to school, but Thor driving quietly while Loki just stared at him and grinned made it feel a lot longer than it really was.

Thank heavens Thor was older though. He was a senior while Loki was a junior, which meant they shared no classes. Thor dropped Loki off at Mr. Coulson's office to receive his schedule and after that Thor practically ran to his first period. Less than twenty-four hours of Loki after two years apart and already Thor was growing tired of his presence. How he was going to get through the rest of his days here in the US he had no idea. Thank god for friends though. He shared his first period science class with Bruce (who had more or less become his permanent lab partner), his second period with his lady Jane, his third with Steve and Tony, and fourth with a nice computer tech girl named Skye. Fifth period lunch was his favorite. Not only because he got to eat, but because by some miracle the whole Circle had fifth period lunch. Thor should have been in a much happier mood, but today felt a little odd.

As they all sat together, Thor noticed his friends weren't really in much of a higher spirit since he saw them last. Bruce had slipped back into his old habit of hunching his back and not making much eye contact with anyone. Natasha sat with her hands crossed and a blank face. Steve was smiling, but his smile felt emptier now that not only was Sharon not there but neither was Sam. Tony seemed especially mopey, since another one of their Circle wasn't there with them. Thor looked to Natasha.

"Is friend Clint arriving late?" he asked.

"Not exactly. He just decided not to show up today." she replied.

Thor's eyebrows furrowed.

"Is that so?"

Tony nodded.

"Yup. Didn't say why." he said.

"Maybe he's more shaken up than we thought. You know,...after yesterday." said Steve.

"He does this sometimes. I call it a 'nest day'." Natasha added.

"What uh, what's a 'nest day'?" asked Bruce, who still wasn't making eye contact.

"Once in a while, Clint will be in a certain state of mind where he just does not want to deal with anyone. He won't say or do much of anything. The hawk will want to do nothing but stay in it's nest." she explained.

Tony gulped and looked at her.

"Is that why he hasn't responded to any of my texts all day long?" he asked.

Natasha nodded and ate a few fries.

"Perhaps one of us should check on him after school. Forgive me if I'm wrong but it sounds like he could use some company." Steve suggested.

Natasha shrugged.

"Personally, I'd leave him alone. The rest of you feel free but,...I know my partner."

"Yes you do. Still, I'd feel better if someone went and checked on my boyfriend anyway. I have somewhere to go after school." said Tony who playing with his fingers.

Thor looked at him and asked,

"Are you alright, Tony?"

"Yeah. It's just you know, yesterday with what happened with your brother. Sam's moved away. Clint's not here. Mondays are dumb." he answered with a small smile.

Bruce chuckled as he ate a chicken strip.

"There's something we can all agree on. In the meantime I'm with Tony. Clint's our friend. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if one if us showed up at his 'nest'."

Bruce then looked at Steve and winked.

"Maybe Captain here can bring Clint some po-tay-to fries to help cheer him up."

Thor and the rest laughed while Steve blushed and looked down at his tray. Sam told them all yesterday how Steve said 'potato' just before he got on the road to Harlem.

"Aw crap." Steve mumbled lightly.

"Hey, I'm gonna go use the men's room. Be right back." Tony announced suddenly.

As the black haired teen stood up to exit so did Thor.

"As shall I." he said.

Thor didn't really have to go to the restroom. He knew neither did Tony. As mentioned before, Thor was more attentive than people thought. Especially when it came to his friends. Tony always had some sort of restless movements when he really had to pee. Today he was as still as Natasha. Something wasn't right. He bowed to the others before following Tony out of the cafeteria. When they were in the hallway and out of earshot from most people, Thor put his hand on Tony's shoulder and stopped him.

"Friend Tony, something troubles you."

It was a statement. Not a question. Tony huffed an exasperated sigh and leaned against the lockers.

"That obvious, huh?"

Thor nodded.

"You are usually much better at hiding it. What troubles you? Does it bother you that much that friend Clint has not come to school today?"

Tony scratched behind his ear and fiddled with his jacket.

"Partially. I mean yes I'm upset he's not here but it's something bigger. Something I don't really want the others to know yet. Well I mean I do want them to know but I also don't want anybody judging me. Even though I'm Tony Stark. I'm Tony fucking Stark. I shouldn't care what other people think. I don't care. But I do. And Clint does even though he doesn't and-"

Thor raised a hand and Tony ceased talking.

"Tony. Calm yourself. You are...what is the word? Rambling. You are rambling."

Tony closed his eyes, inhaled through his nostrils, and exhaled loudly. His fidgeting stopped as he calmed himself down. Thor smiled warmly at him.

"Yes that's it. Now Tony, what is it you are trying to say?"

Tony smiled at Thor with a small echo of sadness tugging at the corners of his eyes.

"Thor, you're my best friend. Our Circle is very important to me but let's keep it one-hundred percent, alright? I've known you the longest. If I tell you this, you can't flap your gums about it to anyone until I'm ready, okay?"

Thor continued to smile warmly at Tony. Tony knew Thor hated keeping secrets, but he was right. They were best friends. Rhodey had that privilege in the past, but not anymore. Whatever the secret was, Thor would keep it and deal with it.

"Aye, friend Tony. Now please tell me. Talking will help."

"Thor, I'm scared." Tony blurted out.

Thor's smile erased. He edged closer to Tony, prospectively standing over his smaller frame.

"Of what? Is someone making you feel uneasy?" he asked lowly.

If someone is threatening harm on my best friend, surely they do not know he is friends with ME!

Tony chuckled and backed up a few steps.

"Whoah whoah whoah, Hammy. It's not that. What I'm scared of is my new relationship with Clint."

Thor's face twisted in absolute confusion.

"What? But that does not make any sense. The two of you make an excellent pair. I can see the compassion written all over both of you whenever you are together."

Tony pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed.

"It's not like that Thor. Truth is,..."

Tony looked up at Thor. His chocolate browns lighting up like a candle.

"Thor, I'm falling for him."

Thor's smile now came back full force.

Friend Tony has finally done it!

Thor was a full romantic. The biggest believer in the power of love! How could Tony possibly be scared of this?! He slapped Tony hard on the bicep making him wince.

"That is wonderful, Tony! Wonderful! Why would you be afraid?"

Tony shut his eyes and looked down at the floor.

"I'll tell you why. A few reasons. One; we've only been going out for a little over a month now. I'm worried that's too quickly to fall for somebody. Two; Clint's not ready to hear the three magic words. He told me himself last night after I almost let them slip. Though to be fair we were almost involved in a deadly car accident yesterday. Three; Natasha once told me that 'love is for children'. She and Clint are partners for a reason. What if..."

Tony's lips began to quiver.

"What if Clint feels the same way?"

Thor's jaw dropped. For the first time in a while, he was speechless. He never knew Natasha thought that way. He never knew Tony could get so worked up either. His best buddy was a "roll with the punches" kinda guy. Tony sniffed and opened his eyes.

"You know I had a dream last night that Clint never came to my birthday party. Which means certain things ended up not happening. Like us getting together. I almost wanted to cry when I woke up. Then I come to school to find out that he's not here and didn't even bother telling me why. Thor,...what if I'm making a mistake by falling in love with him? He told me on the day that I do tell him the three magic words, hopefully he'd say them back. I'm not gonna lie, I have my doubts."

Thor frowned hard and slammed his fist into a locker. The loud clang made Tony jump and stand up straight. Thor had heard all he needed to hear. Now it was his turn to speak.

"Listen to me Anthony, don't you ever, and I mean ever think that love is a mistake. Maybe it is too soon for you to have fallen, I do not know, but point is you have. Nothing can change that. Clint said hopefully he would tell you back, and I do not have a doubtful bone in my body that tells me he won't. Clint may have trouble with his language and temper, but he is not a liar, is he?"

Tony shook his head 'no' and smiled again.

"Nope. He's never lied to me. And he never will. It's kind of a thing with him."

"I did not think so. Just give him time, Tony. Clint is not like other people."

Tony licked the corner of his mouth and laughed lowly.

"Nope. No he's not. That's what I love about him. That's why I lo-"

Tony stopped himself before he could finish, turning red as a tomato in his face and neck. Thor crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

"Do you want to finish that sentence, Tony?" he asked coyly.

Tony patted his shoulder and started walking back to the cafeteria with his signature shit eating grin.

"Nope. Not yet at least. I think I'm too far ahead of myself as it is, but that's a different thing."

Thor snickered.

Why do we always say that?

"If you say so. It may be a good idea however not to refer to yourself as his 'Sugar Coochie' as his brother called you."

Tony looked over his shoulder and playfully swung his hips.

"Oh he's gonna have to get used to that. I find it way too funny and endearing."

Thor smiled and shook his head as he followed. Both amused and slightly disappointed by his best friend.

Oh yes. He is in love alright.

Line Break Line break line break line break line break line break

Pietro and Wanda. The Maximoff Twins. The only other duo at Marvel High more mysterious than Clint Barton and Natasha Romanoff. Pietro was an average height young sixteen year old with thick, wavy hair that was brown on the sides and platinum blond on top. He had a runner's body, usually wearing form fitting tops and track pants. He was very non fashion conscious, but he loved Adidas and Nike running shoes. Wanda was a beautiful girl. In a dark, mysterious, almost neo-gothic kind of way. She had long, waist length dark brown hair. Her clothes normally consisted of lacy black dresses and a scarlet red jacket she never left home without. She was also big on eye shadow, always giving herself a dark, smokey look. It brought out the red colored contacts she enjoyed wearing to freak people out.

Much like Barton and Romanoff (in the past anyway before they started hanging out with Tony fucking Stark of all people), the Twins kept mostly to themselves. An exclusive party of two. Only difference being that many students found the Barton/Romanoff duo intriguing and interesting enough to shamelessly gossip about. And occasionally fight with, but that's a different thing. Pietro and Wanda Maximoff? Not so much. Everybody just found them...weird. And with good reason. It wasn't like they were ugly or anything. In fact the Twins were quite attractive in their own rights. But when you're a pair of orphaned siblings from Sokovia who mostly speak Romanian to each other and give everyone sour stares, you tend to be avoided. That was fine though. They only needed each other. They only HAD each other. They never bothered making friends with anyone else and vice-versa. Excluding teachers and other faculty, they might as well have been invisible. Which was fine, you know? Invisible was just fine,... It was a Monday afternoon during lunch time when something changed.

As usual, Pietro and Wanda found a small table in the corner if the lunchroom, sat down and ate quietly. Time passed by with nothing too interesting happening. Wanda was busy drawing in her sketch pad and nibbling on chicken strips while Pietro tapped his foot and impatiently waited for the bell to ring. He never did like sitting down still for too long.
As the Twins sat and ate in comfortable silence, the smell of mint hit Pietro's nostrils. He was so used to the scents of candles and incense from Wanda's room on them that any other smell hit him right away. Someone had approached them. That was weird. Nobody approached the Maximoffs. Pietro looked to his side and saw someone he didn't recognize. Carrying a tray was a tall, pale slender boy about their age with shoulder length black hair and bright pale blue eyes wearing green and gold clothing. It was weird. There was something about the boy. A certain presence to him Pietro couldn't quite place. He frowned. He automatically didn't like him. He didn't care if it was unjustified. If there was anyone who wasn't Wanda that came up to him, Pietro disliked them in an instant. It was just easier that way.

"What? There is an empty table right over there." he said harshly.

His words caught Wanda's attention. His sister looked up from her sketchbook and locked her eyes on the stranger. She didn't sneer at new people like Pietro always did, but Wanda also never showed interest in being around anybody but her twin. In Romanian she said,

"Leave us be."

The stranger only chuckled and sat down across from them at the table. In Romanian he sarcastically replied,

"Well I'd much rather sit here. You two seem nice."

Pietro raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. In English he said,

"Alright, color me impressed."

"You speak Romanian?" Wanda asked.

The stranger shrugged, opening his chocolate milk carton.

"A little. Read a few books and took some language courses. Is that where you originally hail from? Romania?" he replied in a familiar accent.

Wanda's brow furrowed out of curiosity.

"No but close. Sokovia to be exact. I'm sorry, are you new here?" she asked.

Pietro rolled his eyes and snorted.

"Clearly. Otherwise he would know to avoid us."

"Now why would I do that?" asked the stranger with a sip of his milk.

Pietro and Wanda looked at each other with confused expressions. They had no idea what to make of this.

"Everyone does." they replied simultaneously.

"Is that so? Pardon me. Yes I am brand new here. I am Loki. Of Asgardia."

"Asgardia? Like...like Thor?" asked Wanda.

Loki curled his lip at the mention of the name.

"Yes. Indeed like Thor. That big oaf is my adoptive brother."

Wanda's eyes bulged at the revelation, while Pietro glared at Loki with contempt.

"Then what the hell are you doing sitting with us? Thor could get you in with the popular kids with a snap of his fingers. You must be a huge moron. Either that or playing a trick on us, in which case you better think twice before-"

Loki laughed and held up a hand to stop Pietro.

"Easy peasy, lemon sqeueezy. I can assure you, I have no interest in my sharing Thor's popularity or trying to fool either of you."

Pietro bit down on his thumb to keep from saying anything else, but he still stared skeptically at Loki. Wanda placed a hand on his shoulder, and right away Pietro calmed down. Her eyes fixated on Loki's. She had a talent for telling when others were lying to her and her brother.

"I believe you. But it does beg the question why are you here? We weren't kidding when we said everyone avoids us."

Loki took a bite of a fry and shrugged again.

"You look like you could use a friend. Quite frankly, so could I. Excuse me, where are my manners? What would your names be?"

Pietro scoffed and looked to the side at nothing.

"Friends...Yeah right."

Wanda rolled her eyes at her brother's attitude then replied,

"Wanda. My name is Wanda. This is my twin, Pietro."

Loki grinned at them and tapped his fingers on the table.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. Twins, huh? Interesting. That is verrry interesting."

A/N: Yup. Loki AND the Twins are here. Possible clash with the Circle perhaps? ;)