With a huge grin on his face, Tony made his way to Dr. Banner's office located in the science building. So far this had been the best birthday he had ever had, including his eighteenth, which he celebrated with a bottle of Jack and the two girls who lived in the dorm down the hall from him at the time. He was whistling a little to himself as he stepped into the hallway and turned the corner for Banner's office. He knocked and opened the door before Banner had a chance to answer.

"Hello, Tony. Come on in and have a seat." Banner turned away from his computer and folded his hands in front of him.

Tony plopped himself into the chair across from the scientist. "What's up, Dr. B?"

Banner removed his glasses. "How is all that extra work coming along?"

"Done," Tony answered with a cocky shrug of his shoulders. "I finished it yesterday. I don't plan on working much this weekend."

"Why's that? Got big plans?"

Tony nodded, smiling. "It's my birthday today. I'm having a party on Saturday."

"Oh. Well, happy birthday."

"Thanks! I'll bring that work to class on Monday. I didn't feel like bringing it today." He started to get up. "Is that all you needed?"

"Nope. Park it," Banner said as he motioned with his glasses for Tony to sit back down. He did with a heavy sigh and propped his feet on the corner of Banner's desk. "I know you don't need it but how would you like some extra credit?"

"Like you just said, I don't need it." Tony spread his lips wide, showing Banner his teeth in a cheeky smile. The doctor laughed.

"Okay, let me put it this way: you do me a favor, earn some extra credit in my classes for it, and I might just consider your request to work in my lab after you graduate."

Tony's feet hit the floor with a bang. "Are you serious?" Banner nodded. Tony started to smile then stopped, narrowed his eyes. "Wait…what's the favor?"

Banner grinned. "I've got a new student in my calculus class."

Tony made a face. "New student? The semester is half over. How does someone start halfway through?"

"Don't ask me, man. She probably knows somebody who knows somebody or she's got a rich dad—um…" Banner caught himself and cleared his throat.

"Hey." Tony aimed a finger at Banner. "I earned my way into this school, thank you very much."

Banner smiled apologetically. "Sorry. That was mean."

"Yeah, yeah," he waved him off. "Don't tell me you want me to tutor her."

The older scientist removed his glasses again and lifted his shoulders. "Would it help if I said please?" Tony groaned and dramatically fell back in his chair, letting his arms dangle at his sides, his legs collapse like they were broken. "Come on, Tony. A few hours a week until she's caught up won't hurt you."

"Why me?" he asked straightening in his seat. "I'm not even in that class."

Banner almost glared. "Really, Tony? Are you going to make me say it?"

"I'm gonna need a good reason to agree to do this."

"You mean besides the possibility of a job in my lab?"

"Yup," he said, lifting his shoulder and smiling in a move that read Aren't I cute?

Banner sighed, slipped his glasses back on, and laced his fingers together, resting his hands on his desk in front of him. "I'm asking you because you are a genius."

"And…?" Tony rolled his wrist, encouraging Banner to continue to heap praise on him.

"And my favorite student," Banner said blandly.

"Ever…?"

"Ever."

"Of all time?"

"Stark."

Tony chuckled. "All right fine, I'll do it."

Banner shook his head. "God, you're a pain in the ass, Tony."

Tony stood and snapped and clapped his hands together. "A pain in the ass that is a genius and about to do you a huge favor. Are you done with me? Because I've got a hot date at home who's waiting in my bed for me butt naked." Tony chuckled when Banner scowled and shuddered.

"That was way too much information, Tony."

"Don't be a hater, Brucie."

"Tony," Banner said in a warning tone.

"Sorry," Tony muttered, not sorry at all. "When am I supposed to meet with this chick?"

"I'm sure you think it's charming, but don't call women 'chicks,'" Banner said distractedly as he shuffled through some papers. "Can you take a few minutes out of your day and meet up with her tomorrow?"

Tony shoved his hands in his pockets and groaned. "On the Friday of my birthday weekend? That's asking a lot, B. My man's already bummed we had to cancel our lunch plans today so I could come here. I don't know how he'll feel about possibly cancelling more plans to meet up with a woman."

Banner looked at him blankly. "You're her tutor, not her date. I'm sure your man can tell the difference."

Tony rolled his eyes up and twirled a finger. "Whatever. Tell her to meet me at the library at noon," he said before turning toward the door.

"Tony?"

"Yeah…?"

Banner looked at the younger man over his glasses. "You think you might want to know the name of your new tutee?"

"Oh! Yeah, sure, what is it?" He returned to the desk as Banner skimmed his papers again.

"Uh…Armstrong. Amora Armstrong."

The next day Tony met up with Loki after his class and they walked to the library together to meet this Amora. They sat on a low stone wall just outside the large brick building, Tony gulping down his black coffee with two sugars, still trying to wake up, and Loki sipping at his latte as he checked his missed text messages.

"Natasha's class was cancelled. She wants to know if we want to meet up with her for lunch by the Student Union in half an hour. Peggy will be there, too."

"Yeah, sure, sounds good."

Loki texted his response and slipped his phone into the pocket of his sweater. He looked at Tony and, for a moment, admired his handsome boyfriend, hiding behind his dark sunglasses. "So, who is it that Dr. Banner is having you tutor?"

Tony yawned, not bothering to cover his mouth. "I dunno. Some chick—oh, I'm not supposed to call her that. Whatever. Anyway, she just started here."

Loki lowered his cup and licked coffee from his upper lip. "In the middle of the semester?"

"I know, right? That's what I said!"

Loki laughed softly at Tony's sudden excitement. "What are you tutoring her in again?"

"Calculus."

"Are you taking calculus?"

"No. But I took two levels in high school, and a couple here, so it should be a cinch. And Banner said he might give me a job in his lab. A shot at least," he added with a shrug and a smile.

Loki returned his smile. "That's wonderful, love. Are you looking forward to tomorrow?"

"Kinda. I'm a little—well, not nervous, but close to it."

"Why would you be nervous?" Loki looked at Tony but couldn't tell if Tony was looking at him behind the drak glasses.

"First party in a while, first time having a drink in a while."

Loki reached up and smoothed back Tony's hair. He hadn't gotten a haircut in a while and if he didn't slick it up and back with gel, it tended to flop over his forehead, like it did today. "It is your birthday, darling. You should feel free to enjoy it any way you want."

Tony took Loki's hand in his, kissed the backs of his fingers, and lowered their joined hands between them. "I just don't want to drink too much. I've been doing really well."

"You will learn your limits. I will be there, so will the others, if you need help with that."

Tony squeezed his hand. "Thanks," he said before leaning forward and puckering his lips. Loki smiled and bent his head to meet them. As they pulled apart, a beautiful blonde strolled up to them.

"Sorry to interrupt."

Tony turned his head and briefly looked over the top of his sunglasses at the blonde. "Oh. Hey. You must be Amora." He got to his feet and held out his hand. "Tony Stark."

"Amy, please. Amora sounds so mythological." She took Tony's hand, gave it a couple of shakes, but held on to it a little longer than was necessary. She tucked her hair behind her ear and batted her eyelashes which were coated heavily with black mascara.

Behind them Loki ran his eyes over Amy's outfit of black tights and a bright green long button-up shirt. Recognizing the signs of flirting, he stood with a small grin on his face. Tony reached behind him for Loki's arm and pulled him forward. "Okay. Amy. This is my boyfriend, Loki."

Amy looked at Loki, smiled flirtatiously and batted her eyelashes again. "Hi, Loki," she said holding out a slim-fingered hand to him. "Amy."

He gave it a quick shake. "Hello."

She looked at Tony again. "So should we go in?"

"Oh, no, we're not doing anything today!"

Amy didn't hide her disappointment very well. "We're not?"

"Hell no, woman. Are you crazy? It's Friday."

Loki caught Amy's look of surprise and chuckled. "Anthony has a strict rule about not doing any schoolwork on Fridays. You should feel flattered that he got himself out of bed today to come and meet you."

Amy giggled and Loki found himself having to fight an eye roll. "Well, then I am truly flattered."

Tony had to physically shake himself out of the confused staring he was aiming in Amy's direction. "Uh, yeah, so, we'll meet regularly about three hours before your class on Mondays and Wednesdays. But I can't this Monday, so we'll meet on Sunday just this once. If that works for you, of course. If not…"

She smiled again. "No, that sounds wonderful." She glanced at Loki then turned her body fully toward him. The buttons of her shirt were undone enough to show a peek of the black lacy bra she wore beneath it. "I hope you won't mind me taking up so much of your boyfriend's time."

One of Loki's brows went up. "I'm sure I'll manage to survive an hour or two without him," he responded flatly. Tony discreetly jabbed his elbow into Loki's side and tried not to laugh out loud.

"Good. Maybe we'll all become really close friends."

Tony looked pointedly at Loki with lifted eyebrows then cleared his throat. "Yeah, maybe—um, how about we meet around three on Sunday?"

Amy's face scrunched. "That late?"

"That's late?"

Loki chuckled. "Forgive him, once again, Amy. He does not wake up before noon if he can help it." Beside him Tony nodded and pointed a finger at his boyfriend, as if to say, Yes, that. "But he will be sleeping especially late on Sunday, and most likely nursing a hangover."

"Hangover?" Tony turned his body to look at Loki. "I don't get hangovers, babe. I sleep it off."

Amy giggled softly, drawing both men's attention. "Why would you be hungover?"

"My birthday was yesterday, so my awesome boyfriend here…" He slipped his arm around Loki's waist and pulled him close, "is throwing a big dorm floor party for me tomorrow night. You should come by. You can meet everybody."

"Oh." She giggled again, making Loki frown. "Maybe I will. It sounds like fun. So I guess I'll see you guys then."

Tony dropped his arm from Loki's waist to lace his fingers with the long pale ones. "Okay, then. We'll see ya," Tony said as he started to pull Loki away. Loki smiled thinly at Amy.

"Bye."

They were a few yards away when Amy ran back. "Oh, wait!" They stopped and looked over their shoulders at her. "I forgot to give you my number. Just in case you ever need to get a hold of me."

"Oh, yeah," Tony released Loki's hand to reach into his pocket for his phone.

"Here. This'll work." Amy took his other hand and wrote her phone number on his palm. Over her head Tony looked at Loki. They shared an amused glance and this time Loki tried not to laugh out loud. "There."

"Let me give you mine." He held out his hand for the pen.

"No, that's fine. Just go ahead and text me the directions to the party. I don't live on campus, so…"

"Oh…okay, then. I'll text you later. We're late for meeting some friends for lunch." Tony took Loki's hand again and with a final wave they headed for the Student Union.

"Bye," Amy waved and smiled as she watched them go. Once they were out of sight she pulled out her cell phone and sent off a text. "It's done. He bought it. They both did. A."

Natasha pushed her way through the crowd of people in the hallway, looking for a familiar face. Someone bumped into her and made alcohol slosh over her cup and onto her suede boot. She yelled "Bitch!" after them, but whoever it was just kept going. Finally reaching Loki and Clint's dorm, she found Loki leaning against the back of his sofa, sipping from a small clear plastic cup.

"Hey," she shouted in greeting. He nodded in greeting. "What is that?" She took his cup from him before he could take another drink and tasted it. "Blecch!"

Loki chuckled and took back his cup, finishing it off. "It's White Zinfandel. Someone brought half a bottle and I didn't want it to go to waste."

"Gross," Natasha said before washing the taste away with her own drink. "Why are you standing here alone?"

"Should I be somewhere else?"

"Are you keeping an eye on him?"

"Not as much as you are." Natasha scowled up at him. He cocked a brow at her. Conceding, she looked away. "He isn't off on a drunken binge, Natasha. He is celebrating his birthday. I see nothing wrong with him having a few drinks with his friends."

She pointed with her red plastic cup full of some combination of several bottles of alcohol and punch tossed into a large tub together. "That's not a few drinks, Loki. Those are shots! He's playing quarters with, ironically, the quarterback of the football team."

"Let it be, Natasha."

She drank more and they people watched for a few minutes, making fun of people's attires, commenting on the way some were dancing, and questioning whether a particular person in the crowd even attended the school. Phil came through the door and headed for them.

"Hey, Phil," Natasha said.

"Phillip! Thank you so much for allowing us to have this party for Anthony."

Phil grinned, barely as usual. "It was no problem. I figured one night wouldn't hurt anyone. Have you seen Pepper?"

"Pepper? Why would that bitch be here?"

Loki glanced at her, making a scolding face, before looking back at Phil. "I don't believe Miss Potts would attend, Phillip. She and Anthony have not spoken in a few weeks."

"Oh, I know. I invited her. As my date." Phil's eyes moved down to Loki's arm, where Natasha's hand had moved to in response to his statement.

Loki tried not to laugh, but did grin a little. "Oh? Well...if we see her, we will make sure to send her your way."

"Cool. Thanks."

The two best friends watched Phil walk out of Loki's room and disappear amongst the crowd in the hallway. Then they fell into a fit of giggles. They stopped only when Clint came by. "What's so funny?"

"An unlikely couple," Natasha answered.

"Tasha, that's not a very nice thing to say about your best friend and his boyfriend."

"Ha, ha," Loki deadpanned.

"No," Natasha tugged on Clint's sleeve until he sat on the back of the sofa next to her. "I meant Phil and Pepper."

He jerked back. "Phil and Pepper? When did that happen?"

"Tonight apparently," she answered. "He asked her to come as his date."

Clint's features shifted only a little in what seemed to be a scowl. "I don't like it. I kinda miss his fixation on Cap."

"What about me?"

"Jesus!" Clint jumped, nearly onto Natasha's lap, when Steve popped up behind him. Steve smiled and apologized.

"I don't believe you need worry about Philip bothering you anymore, Steve," Loki told him, leaning over to see him past Natasha and Clint.

"Why? Oh, you mean because of Pepper?" He popped a small piece of a tortilla chip into his mouth.

"You knew?" Natasha asked.

Steve nodded as he munched on another chip. "Yeah, he told me. He asked me if I thought Tony would have a problem with it. I figured since you two were still together, even after what happened at the St. Patty's Day thing, he wouldn't."

Loki chuckled. "Thank you?"

"You're welcome. Oof!" Steve fell onto Clint when someone landed on his back. He straightened, apologized to Clint, and turned to have an armful of Peggy launched into his arms. "Peggy!"

"My Stevie!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a long, noisy kiss on his lips. Clint let out a long whistle.

"Oh, my lord," Natasha muttered.

"Gods," Loki mumbled, looking away.

Steve's face went red and he nearly squealed trying to pull his girlfriend off of him. "Mm! Peggy!" He held her at arms' length, eyed her closely. "Are you drunk?"

"No!" Peggy said before running her fingers over Steve's face.

"Uh, yeah, you are." Natasha said under her breath. Loki nudged her, as did Clint. She glared at them both.

Steve removed Peggy's hands and stepped away from Clint. Peggy moved with him and nearly stumbled in her heels. She giggled and held up her thumb and forefinger close together. "Okay, maybe I am a little teensy, weensy bit drunk." She tried to attack Steve's mouth again.

Steve turned his face at the last minute. "Peggy!" Still struggling with Peggy, he turned to his friends for help. "What am I supposed to do?"

"I would normally just lie there and let Anthony tire himself out," Loki said.

"Take advantage of it," Clint offered.

"You guys!" Natasha exclaimed. "Idiots. Steve, listen to me. Take her home and put her to bed. Make sure she takes a couple of aspirin and drinks a full glass of water. Then come back! Let Maria take care of her later. You do not want her like this for your first time."

Clint's head whipped around to Natasha then Steve. "First time?"

Steve struggled with Peggy, who seemed to have turned to liquid in his arms, and grunted. "Thanks, Natasha."

"Oops. Sorry. I thought everyone knew."

Steve hauled Peggy over his shoulder in a fireman's hold. "See you guys later. Peggy, stop that!" He yelled and squirmed when Peggy pinched his butt.

Natasha nudged and leaned closer to Loki. "Guess you're not the only one who has to deal with a drunk tonight."

He looked down at her. "Oh, goody?" Natasha laughed and Loki smiled, thinking it was amazing how much being with Clint had lightened her up.

"Hey, who's that?" Natasha and Loki followed Clint's chin nod and looked at the door where Amora had just walked in. Natasha shoved Clint hard. Clint stared. "Ow."

"Calm down, Natasha dear, that's the new student Tony is tutoring." Loki lifted a hand in a half-hearted wave. "Oh. Damn," he muttered when Amy heads their way with a big smile on her face.

"Hi, Loki!"

Loki eyes widened a little at Amy's enthusiasm and he gave her a friendly nod. "Amy. These are my friends Natasha and Clint. This is Amy, Tony's new tutee." Loki watched as Natasha gave Amy a tip of her head and Clint reached over his girlfriend to shake her hand. Loki hid his laugh when Natasha glared at Clint, by turning away and pretending to need to set his empty cup down.

Clint frowned at his girlfriend. "What? I'm just being nice."

"Be nice without touching," she said under her breath, but they were close enough for him to hear.

Clint's lips curved ever so slightly. "Yeah, okay, baby." He leaned forward and placed a small kiss on the tip of her nose. The glare on Natasha's face didn't change.

"Where's Tony?" Amy asked, drawing Loki's attention. "I brought him a bottle of wine." She held up a dark green bottle and Natasha and Clint shared a glance.

"I'll take that." Loki took the bottle before Amy could stop him and handed it off to Natasha who handed it off to Clint who carried it to the kitchen and asked the guy playing bartender to open it up and pass it around with everything else.

Amy watched with her brows drawn together. "Um…?"

"Tony doesn't keep alcohol in his place," Natasha explained. "And this is Clint and Loki's dorm and they don't drink very much. So we'll just put it with everything else to be consumed tonight."

"Oh." Amy touched a finger to her lip as if she was pausing to take a mental note. "I didn't know that. But that's fine. Is he around?" She began to unbutton her black coat. "I'd like to wish him a happy birthday personally." She slid the coat from her shoulders to reveal a form-fitting, low-cut, mini dress in a shimmery gray.

The three pairs of eyes in front of her all went wide. Simultaneously, Natasha and Clint looked Loki's way. He saw this out of the corner of his eye and returned the taken aback look.

"Whoa…" Clint murmured. He earned another elbow to the ribs.

"That is a, uh, very…eye-catching dress, Amy," Loki said.

Amy tossed her coat over the arm of the sofa behind Loki and ran her hands down her torso. "Oh, this old thing?" She giggled. "Thank you. You look very handsome yourself, Loki." Amy stepped forward and boldly took the purposely loosened skinny black tie around his neck in her hand. Tony had asked Loki to dress nice for him tonight, even if he would be the only one not in jeans and a t-shirt. It would just make him stand out, Tony had said.

Loki was rethinking that at the moment. He cleared his throat and slyly nudged Natasha. "Thank you."

"Uh, so where're you from, Amy?" Natasha asked quickly, trying to draw Amy away from Loki.

Amy looked into Loki's eyes, smiled, but still didn't move away. "Around," she answered Natasha absently.

Loki spotted Tony beyond Amy's head and moved his hands to her hips to move her aside. "Watch out," he said just as Tony started to walk his way, swaying only a little.

"Baby!" Tony collapsed against Loki, fisting his hands in the white dress shirt, and pulled him into a sloppy kiss. Clint snickered beside them. Loki laughed himself against Tony's mouth before he was finally able to break the kiss and hold Tony back.

"All right, love, that's enough."

Tony looked at Natasha and Clint. "Guys, guys, guys. We are about to play King's Cup. Who's down?" Tony fell against Loki, using him as support, as he spoke to the giggling couple.

"No, sweetheart, look at me." Loki took Tony's face in his hands and studied him. Tony's eyes were bloodshot and dilated. He smiled goofily at Loki. "Do you think you may have reached your limit, love?"

Tony's nose scrunched and he tapped a finger to Loki's nose. "No. I think you think I reached my limit, love." Natasha snorted and Loki spared her a look.

"You're not helping, Natasha."

"I wasn't planning to."

"Hey, everyone! Turn down the music!" Phil stood in the doorway trying to get everyone's attention. Natasha could see the bit of red hair just behind him, hiding. "Sorry to break this up, but campus police are shutting us down." Boos and moans were heard throughout the dorm, the hallway and in the other rooms. "Yeah, I know. Send any complaints my way and…I'll ignore them." Phil's soft blue eyes searched out Loki. When he found him, struggling with a handsy, tipsy Tony, he smiled and shrugged. "Sorry."

Loki shook his head, got to his feet and held up a hand. "No problem. Thanks." He held Tony by his hips and gave him a small shake. "Anthony, love, it's time to go."

"Where? Why? Is the party over?" Tony wavered a little and put his hands on Loki's shoulder to steady himself.

"Yes, the party is over."

"Need some help?"

Loki glanced at Natasha and had to wrap his arm around Tony's waist to stop him from walking away. He could hear Tony shout hello to Amy. "No, I'm taking him to his room. Are you staying here tonight, darling?"

"Yep," Clint answered. He stiffened when his girlfriend's red hair swished across his face with her head spin.

"Thank you, darling," she said with a dark look. He grinned and kissed her lips. She tried not to smile and failed.

"Anthony, stay still." Loki nearly fell over with Tony who seemed to forget how to move his feet, moving only the upper half of his body. Loki looked at Amy. "I'm sorry the party got cut short."

She sent him one of those dazzling smiles. "It's okay. Night's still young. I could come over to his place?" She ran her tongue across her top lip and smiled flirtatiously.

Loki wanted to say something but was distracted by Tony again and he forgot what he was going to say. "Maybe some other time, Amy. I've got to get this one to bed."

"Who? Me?" Tony let out a loud whoop and reached for Loki's belt, making his boyfriend laugh at his cold fingers. "Let's get these off!"

"Anthony! Not here," he scolded scooting his hips back away from Tony's grasp.

Natasha rolled her eyes and placed a hand on Loki's shoulder. "Can I please knock him out?"

"No!" Both Loki and Clint responded.

"Fine," she said with a pout. Clint slipped his arm around her waist and started to pull her way. They wished Tony and Amy good night, and Loki good luck, and snuck off to Clint's bedroom. Loki tried to say goodnight but could only manage an awkward wave because he was too busy fighting off Tony who was busy trying to gnaw on his boyfriend's neck. Amy stood by, arms crossed, amused by Tony's antics.

"Have fun with him tonight," she said lifting her coat from the sofa.

Loki chuckled. "Believe me. He doesn't need alcohol to behave like this."

Amy's eyes lifted to his. "I wouldn't either if you were my boyfriend."

Loki frowned at her, catching Tony by the wrist just before his hand reached between his legs. "Goodnight, Amy."

Amy wiggled her fingers as Loki pushed Tony out of the door toward the dorm across the hall. She buttoned her coat and walked out into the hallway. A young brown-haired man got in her path and smiled. "No," she said before pushing past him.