Chapter 19: Crowd

Pietro frowned. The new guy was definitely a boundary pusher. During lunch time at school, once again Loki sat with them without permission. Pietro wouldn't have minded so much if Loki wasn't as pushy. The twins don't have any friends. They hadn't had any friends in a long time. He and his sister weren't socially inept, but if Pietro wanted to make friends with someone he knew he would have to be eased into interaction with them. But Loki just plopped right down at their table like he was expected or something and kept calling them his new friends. It was cool that Loki wasn't put off by them but still, Pietro just wasn't that comfortable around Loki. Wanda took more warmly to him, but both of them were still unclear on how they felt about Loki. Wanda held conversation with Loki while Pietro mostly grumbled and kept to himself. It was weird. Pietro wasn't even remotely trying to hide the irritated vibe he gave off, yet Loki seemed to kind of...enjoy it. The older Maximoff twin definitely didn't know what to make of this. Was Loki really trying to be friends with them or was he playing something? And why was Wanda keen on talking with him? She wasn't as scowly as Pietro was but she definitely didn't take to most new people too kindly.

Later on after school, Pietro waited impatiently for her out by the front steps. He always felt weird being around anyone who wasn't his twin or his grandmother, and endless pools of people were walking about all around him. Pietro tapped his foot on the ground and tugged on his sleeves. He hated people. He wasn't socially inept but he wasn't social. It was almost ten minutes since the last bell rang and he was growing uneasy.

Where the hell is Wanda?

Another minute passed until finally Wanda came out of the building...with Loki. Pietro fought a scowl. Wanda was smiling and listening attentively at something Loki was saying. Pietro also noticed that she had taken off her signature red jacket, showing off her bare shoulders and the strapless black dress she was wearing. She also had her hair pushed back, which usually hung like a dark brown curtain around her clavicle.

Wanda doesn't like to show skin. What the hell? Did-did she lie to me?

"Hello, Pietro." Wanda said when she came up to him.

"Greetings, friend Pietro." said Loki with a wide grin.

An irrational part of Pietro wanted to smack that grin off of his face, but Pietro choked that down. That didn't stop him however from narrowing his eyes at the Asgardian.

"Still a presumptuous son of a bitch, aren't ya?"

Wanda rolled her eyes at him but Loki's grin only furthered.

"You still have not denied my claim, Mr. Maximoff."

Pietro chewed on his lip.

"Let's just say the jury's still out on that."

Pietro shot a look at Wanda, silently letting her know he was ready to just get home already. Wanda tugged on her earlobe and looked down at the pavement. Pietro huffed. Great. Now she was being reluctant.

"Loki um, invited us for lunch. I uh, want to...go." she said quietly.

"My treat, of course." added the Asgardian.

Loki placed a hand on Pietro's shoulder, making him jump. He hated himself for it, but Pietro had a thing with getting touched by strangers.

"Take your hand off me please." he asked with as much politeness as he could muster.

Loki slowly withdrew his hand bit his grin didn't falter.

"I do hope you will accept my invitation. My mother expects me to occupy my time hanging out with Thor. As you can tell, I would rather not."

Pietro crossed his arms, bringing his eyes to his sister. He knew yesterday she wanted to go out for lunch with Loki when he asked. Today was no different. He wanted to be selfish and blow it off again, but Wanda stared at him with a pleading expression. Pietro groaned. He hated people, but he loved his sister. Also he didn't hate Loki. Despite his weird approach and attitude, Pietro found himself reluctantly drawn by his charisma.

"I...I suppose coffee wouldn't be so bad. Plus you're paying soooooo why not?"

Wanda smiled gratefully at him, making Pietro roll his eyes.

You're lucky I love you.

Loki clapped and beamed at the twins.

"Excellent! Let us be off then. Where to, new friends?" he asked.
Wanda pointed out past the parking lot.

"There's a coffee place called Groot's not too far from here." she replied.

Pietro couldn't help the small smile that broke through his earlier scowl. Groot's was a pretty cool place to get coffee. Loki edged between the twins, gesturing forward with his arms.

"Lead the way, new friends." he said.

Pietro exhaled deeply. This really wasn't going to let up.

xxxxxx

Pietro, Wanda, and Loki took a seat at one of the tables around the outside area of Groot's. The male Maximoff was trying hard to hide his discomfort. Quite a few students from school were there. Ordering lattes and talking and using the Wi-Fi for their laptops and what not. This was alien to Pietro. Most days after school, he and Wanda would either go straight home to their grandmother or to the store for a quick grocery run. Maybe even the library. Pietro took a deep breath and shoved another cookie in his mouth. Wanda who sat next to him, giggled as she sipped her tea.

"You're taking full advantage, aren't you?" she asked.

Pietro nodded, wiping the crumbs off his mouth with his sleeves.

"Excuse me?" he asked.

"Don't play dumb, brother. That was what, your tenth cookie? I swear you have more than one sweet tooth in that piehole of yours."

Pietro shrugged and ate another. Sweets were his weakness for sure.

"Perhaps he has an entire month full." said Loki who returned with a dozen more cookies and a hot chocolate.

Pietro nodded thankfully at him and swiped the tray. Wanda giggled as Loki took his seat.

"So Pietro, has the jury reached a verdict on the 'new friends' status?" he asked.

Pietro flashed Loki a shit eating grin.

"Treat me to a dozen more cookies and we'll see."

Wanda's eyes bulged.

"A dozen? A dozen more cookies? Are you serious?" she asked incredulously.

Loki simply chuckled and sipped his hot chocolate.

"So be it, Mr. Maximoff."

Wanda held up a hand.

"Are you sure, Loki? Coffee shop snacks tend to be a bit pricey here in the U.S."

Pietro growled at her. He hated when she did stuff like this.

"What is this? What are you doing? Don't try to deny me my sweets, dammit."

Loki laughed and slapped the table.

"Oh you two do not cease to amuse me. I will gladly purchase ALL of this establishment's sugary goodness if you desire. I am an Odinson after all. I am good for the money."

Pietro ate another cookie, and against his will he smiled at Loki.

Okay. You got me. Dammit, you've got me.

Pietro continued to wolf down the goodies, feeling a lot more comfortable. Though he wasn't a fan of the occasional googly eyes Wanda kept making at Loki when she thought nobody was looking. Oh yeah. Pietro wasn't dumb. It was obvious why she accepted the invitation. Still though, maybe Loki was alright. When Pietro was halfway through with the tray, Loki leaned forward and clasped his hands together.

"Would you two care to hear something interesting?" he asked quietly.

The twins looked at each other then back at Loki and shrugged.

"What?" they asked simultaneously.

Loki chuckled and said,

"My brother believes that I am crushing on one of his friends. I didn't intend to give off that vibe but his reaction was most entertaining."

Pietro raised an eyebrow. Gossip? With an Odinson? This was new territory.

"I don't know much about Thor but we see who he hangs out with daily. Who does he think you're crushing on?" asked Wanda.

Pietro licked his lips.

"Jane Foster? I bet it's her. Are you making googly eyes at your brother's girl?"

Loki wrinkled his nose, clearly pit off by that suggestion.

"No, 'tis not Jane Foster. Although that would be funny as well."

Loki's eyes looked past the twins and a strange smile began to slowly spread across his sharp face.

"'Tis one of them." he said with a point.

Pietro turned in his seat and suddenly his mouth ran dry. From a distance they saw a familiar group heading towards Groot's. Thor Odinson. Jane Foster. Tony Stark. Clint Barton. Steve Rogers. Another brown haired fellow with glasses Pietro didn't really recognize. What a coincidence. Of that lot was his crush. Pietro swallowed hard, knowing Wanda saw his reaction.

"I see. Who uh, who is it?" Pietro asked cautiously.

Loki pointed in their direction and smiled.

"Him. My brother believes I am crushing on him. Again I am not but I shall let my brother continue to think so."

Pietro's eyes widened, and the taste of the cookie in his mouth was all but forgotten. He saw Wanda struggling not to laugh. Pietro turned back around in his seat and made a sour face.

This is just rich. The person Loki's brother thinks he has a crush on is the one I DO have a crush on.

Pietro's heart sped up when he saw both Wanda and Loki eying him curiously.

"What?" he asked.

Loki raised an eyebrow at him, smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

"You know of whom I speak, do you not?" he asked with pure smugness.

Pietro shoved three more cookies in his mouth to keep himself from answering that question. Wanda put a hand on his arm, giving him a knowing glance.

"No, Wanda." he warned her.

She'd better not.

Wanda stuck her tongue inside her cheek and looked at Loki.

"Let's just say he does."

"Dammit, Wanda!"

The female Maximoff just shrugged and stole a cookie from his tray. Pietro reddened around his ears and neck which he hated. Loki licked his lips, clearly reveling in his embarrassment.

"I see. No need to feel ashamed, new friend. 'Tis okay to desire for someone."

"Not when they're taken!" Pietro exclaimed, suddenly looking mortified from confirming Loki's suspicion.

He shoved more cookies in his mouth, hiding his eyes behind his floppy thick hair. His body felt hot as Wanda and Loki continued to bore their eyes into him.

"Why the fuck are you two still staring at me like that? What do you want, a confession? Apparently you already know!" he lashed.

"Just say it, Pietro. No need to get pissy." Wanda teased.

Pietro slapped the table hard, the loud bang making Loki and Wanda startle in their seats. Pietro swallowed more cookies and looked at Loki who finally shut his trap.

"Gimme your card, Loki. I'm going inside to use the restroom and then I'm getting more sweets."

Loki shrugged and handed over his debit card without another word. However the look in his eyes said it all.

You like him. Thor thinks I do but it's you, isn't it?

If Loki wasn't treating him to snacks, Pietro would've been tempted to slap him. But he wouldn't do that. Pietro was gruff, not rude. He quickly got up from his chair, hiding his coy smile as he walked to the front doors. Wanda probably already knew, but he was sure Loki didn't. Pietro was embarrassed but also feeling slightly opportunistic. He wanted an excuse to get a quick closer look at him.

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Clint rolled his eyes as they came upon the Groot's parking lot. The short brunet with thick glasses known as Peter Parker was following them and really starting to get on his nerves.

"No, Parker." he said for the third time.

Tony however wasn't so quick to brush him off. The traitor.

"I think it sounds alright. Let's give our favorite school journalist a break." he said.

Peter pushed his glasses up his nose and fidgeted with his camera.

"Look Barton, I'm just asking you to consider the idea."

Clint snorted and held up his hand.

"I have considered it, and my answer is 'no'." he replied gruffly.

"How could you've considered it already when I basically just asked you like a minute ago?" asked Peter.

"Easy. I just did." said Clint, quickening his pace.

"I don't know, Clint. I mean, maybe you should." said Jane.

"Aye. 'Tis something that could possibly fare well for you and Tony." added Thor.

Clint threw his hands in the air.

"Seriously?! All of you?" he asked annoyed.

Steve shrugged.

"I'm a neutral party on this one." said the good old captain.

"Great. The one time I actually want you to step in and be the problem solver, and you go all Switzerland on me." snarked the stormy eyed teen.

Tony threw his arms around Clint and Peter's shoulders, which made the journalist/photographer flinch. Clint couldn't help but chuckle a little. He sometimes forgot that Tony had status which lightweight intimidated some people.

"Look, how about you join us for lunch and we'll talk it over some more, alright? On me. Whattaya say, Parker?"

Peter's face lit up like a fireworks display on the fourth of July.

"Th-th-that would be great! I-I-I mean if it's not too much trouble having me hang out with you. I uh don't wanna cramp you guys' style." Peter said excitedly.

Clint shrugged Tony's arm off his shoulder and rolled his eyes.

"Oh no, that's just fine. I love people. I fuc- ahem, freaking do." he said sarcastically.

Clint saw Steve shoot him a thumbs up out of the corner of his eye.

Yup. Congratulations, Steve. I'm watching my goddamn language around you.

The lot of them stepped inside of Groot's and took seat in a nearby booth. Clint and Tony sat on one side, Thor and Jane on the other side and Peter and Steve in the middle. Clint couldn't help but feel a little annoyed. Peter was beaming and bouncing I'm his seat like he was in a VIP section with celebrities. It was understandable seeing how his boyfriend was the heir to the Stark Industries throne, Steve was class president and Thor was a football star but...okay maybe a mere kid like Peter had the right to be excited but still.

We're all just people. Stop acting so fucking giddy. God I miss Natasha. Hope she and Bruce are alright.

"So Peter, what exactly is your agenda?" asked Tony.

Peter looked down at the table and continued to play with his camera.
"I don't really have an agenda. It's just...well pretty much everybody at school kinda put two and two together and I uh, I-I think it would make a great story. I wanted to talk to you two about it first. Get your permission and all that." the nerd explained.

Clint tapped his fingers on the table and focused his sharp eyes on Peter.

"Then you should know why I'm not exactly okay with this, right, Parker?"

All the others swerved their heads towards Clint.

"What do you mean?" asked Jane.

Clint exhaled irritated.

"Does everyone at this table have short term memory loss or something? Not too long ago I was the low key 'bad boy' of Marvel High. Not a title I came up with myself but whatever. Sure a lot of folks gossiped about me and Natasha but for the most part I didn't do anything to draw attention to myself. Hell, I still don't draw attention to myself. I don't like it, okay? The only reason I put up with it now is because of all these guys here at the table."

Peter nodded, digesting his words. Thor, Steve, and Jane gave him thankful nods. Tony licked his lips and leaned in close to Clint.

"Among other things." he drawled out, giving Clint a kiss on the cheek.

Tony was wearing his special cologne, and Clint knew he was wearing pineapple chapstick. Clint couldn't help the small shiver that ran down his spine. Was Tony trying to turn him on in public? Peter straightened his glasses and cleared his throat.

"I understand that Clint. Really I do, but just hear me out. Tony here isn't low key. Let's keep it one-hundred percent, alright? He's not."

"Heck I'm surprised he hasn't gotten a megaphone and announced his relationship status to the entire school already." Steve joked.

Tony shrugged.

"You know I should probably be offended by that but he's telling the truth." said the millionaire.

"Please refrain from doing so friend Tony." said Thor.

Clint shuddered at the thought of doing that. Talk about embarrassing.

"I agree. Please don't."

Peter giggled at them all.

"You guys are pretty funny. Anyway as I was saying, Tony's not low key and it's...I'm sorry to say but it's um, pretty obvious you two are going out."

Clint hid his face in his hands and groaned. He didn't want to hide his relationship with Tony but dammit he didn't want people talking about it. It was bad enough in the past when everybody and their mama speculated on what his relationship with Natasha was. Tony ran his hands through the spikes in Clint's hair, and the blond came dangerously close to moaning.

Dammit, Tony! What you do to me.

"Relax, Clyde. It's not the end of the world. You kinda knew what you were getting into with me."

"Crap baskets." Clint grumbled.

"News flash, you and Tony aren't the only same-sex couple at Marvel High. You are the most interesting however. Think about it, Tony here has been in tabloids before. Tabloids."

Tony tugged on his earlobe and smiled sheepishly.

"That I have, Parker. That I have. Rich boy with wild card tendencies, what can I say?"

"Well, a story like this could do you some good. Publicity and all that. And who knows the kind of effect it might have on my readers. This is potentially a really good thing." Peter added.

Clint pinched his nose. If he did this and let Peter run his story about him and Tony, there was no going back. He sighed hard. Tony was obviously okay with it but Clint wasn't so sure.

"I don't know, Parker. I need some time to think it over."

Peter drummed his fingers on his camera.

"No problem. No pressure. Just try and get back to me soon with your answer, okay? My editor is kind of a blowhard and I'm surprised he's letting me pursue this story anyway." said Peter.

Steve arched a brow.

"Mr. J Jameson? Wow. Heard that guy was a nightmare.

Peter shrugged.

"Oh JJ's not so bad. You know...if you have plenty of aspirin."

The group laughed softly. Peter was pretty okay.

"Enough of this subject for now. I hunger." announced Thor.

Clint got up from the table as Tony handed him his wallet.

"Big friggin surprise. Okay. I'll go ahead an order for us."

Tony grabbed Clint's elbow.

"Clyde, wait."

"What?"

Then Tony pulled him down into a kiss. Clint was caught off guard and embarrassed that he was doing this in public but dammit if this boy couldn't kiss. Clint leaned into the kiss, nibbling Tony's lower lip to taste that sweet sweet pineapple. Tony broke it off seven seconds later, showing that damn shit eating grin again.

"One of our ground rules, remember? In case you forgot." he whispered.

Clint turned red in the cheeks as he turned around, hearing some wolf whistles from his friends. He cleared his throat, knowing he had grown some chub in his pants. Thankfully not enough for him to have to walk funny and hide it. He walked up to the counter, stifling a laugh at the cashier's uniform. They wore bark patterned shirts and hats shaped like a log with a face.

"Welcome to Groot's. What can I getcha today?"

"Hey there. Yeah, gimme eight Star Lord specials, six Gamora shakes, and two sides of Drax fries with extra sauce. Actually, make that four Drax Fries with extra sauce."

The cashier stared at him as she punched in the numbers on the register. Clint scratched behind his ear.

"Here with a group of friends. One of them has a tape worm."

The cashier giggled.

"You mean the big blond guy over there?" she asked.

Clint chuckled.

"There are two of those you're describing. It's the one with the long Viking hair."

The cashier nodded.

"Oh yeah. Thor Odinson. I'm in his computer class. Definitely a big eater."

"Sure is, Skye." said Clint looking at her nametag.

Skye winked at him and gave him his receipt after he paid.

"Should be ready in a jiffy. And what can I get you today, sir?" she asked when a familiar figure came up to the counter.

Clint narrowed his eyes at the guy. He was familiar but Clint couldn't quite remember his name. Clint arched a brow. He was kinda cute though.

"I'll take a of a dozen Rocket cookies and one whole cinnamon Rocket Pie."

Sky sucked in through her teeth, clearly thinking this guy had a desire for diabetes.

"Okie dokie. That'll be 15.95."

The cute guy paid and edged to the waiting area as well. Clint couldn't help but chuckle.

"You here with a group too." he asked.

The guy looked at Clint, brushing some of his bright platinum hair out of his eyes.

"Excuse me?" he asked with a tiny hint of an accent.

"A group. You here with one?" Clint repeated.

The guy's silvery gray eyes looked down at the counter.

"Um, y-yes. I am. Kind of. Though the uh, the treats are all for me." he said.

Clint looked him up and down, noticing his awkward body language.

"Hey um, do I go to school with you? You seem kind of familiar."

The guy shyly looked away, which made Clint smile a little. It made him seem even cuter somehow.

"Little bit of an odd question, I'm afraid. My sister and I tend to kind of be invisible to everyone."

Then something clicked in Clint's head.

"Sister...invisible...are you one of the Maximoff twins?"

The other guy nodded, hiding his silver eyes behind his hair again.

"P-P-Pietro. My um, my name is Pietro." he replied with a nervous laugh.

Clint arched an eyebrow. Why was Pietro acting like this? From what he remembered, the Maximoffs were in their own little permanent duo who liked to frown at everybody. Then Clint laughed internally at himself.

Doesn't that sound familiar?

"So um, who you here with?" asked Clint running a hand through his hair.

Pietro turned his head towards the window and pointed at the outside area. Clint turned his head in the same direction and dropped his smile. At a table he saw Loki looking real chummy with a brunette girl he assumed was Pietro's twin.

What was her name again? Right. Wanda. I think.

Clint chewed on his lip and looked back at Pietro.

"Loki? You're friends with Loki?" he asked suspiciously.

Pietro scoffed.

"Not exactly. But he's treating me today and he seems to like me and my sister. Most people don't. But that's a different thing."

Clint looked closely at Pietro, and he could swear the Maximoff had a sheepish grin donning. Seriously, when the hell did he get so good looking? Had he ever seen Pietro's face before? Damn!

"Word of advice, Pietro; keep and eye out for that guy. I don't know about you and your sister but he kinda has it out for Thor and his friends. Which includes me by the way."

Pietro crooked his lips to the side and looked back out the window. Wanda was laughing at something Loki said and twirling her fingers in her hair.

"Yeah. I'll do that. I like him but...I will admit there's something kind of wormy about him." said Pietro.

Clint chortled. Boy he had no idea.

"Here's your stuff, buddy." said Skye who came back with his massive order.

Clint grabbed the tray and grinned sideways at Pietro.

"Maybe I'll see you around?"

"Excuse me?" asked Pietro clearing his throat.

"Uhhhhhhh, I said maybe I'll see you around."

"Excuse me?" the Sokovian asked again, this time averting his eyes away from him.

Clint shook his head and went on his way.

Okay. That was weird.

He sat back down at the table, handing out all of the food items to everyone. Thor of course dug in immediately, making Jane giggle.

"Aye! Sustenance!"

"Thanks, you guys." said Peter as he grabbed his meal.

"No problem. So Clint, am I sharing you now?" asked Tony.

"Say what?"

"Don't pretend like I didn't see you over there flirting with that Maximoff guy."

Peter, Thor, Jane and Steve all looked away uncomfortably. Clint rolled his eyes and grabbed the back of Tony's head. Then he grinned at him.

"I'll admit I think he's kinda cute, but I was not flirting with him. Besides,..."

Clint crashed their lips together, and Tony was butter in his hands. He angled his head, tasting every inch of Tony's supple pink lips with heat.

Tony Stark, you are mine.

When he pulled their mouths apart, Tony gasped lightheaded.

"You've seen how I flirt, T. It's all five by five."

"Whoa. Yeah. Five by five."

"Jesus Christ, you two. Get a room." joked Jane.

Peter laughed nervously.

"That was too cute not to capture. I took a photo. Want me to give it to you?" he asked holding up his camera.

Clint looked at Tony who was still feeling lightheaded. That would be nice.

"Yeah. Why not? Now let's eat."

A/N: Peter Parker. More or less of him?