"Get up! Thor's already been over, you can go back now."
"What… oh my head." Pepper threw Tony's shirt at him, he was draped over the couch and Loki was curled up in a ball in one of the smaller chairs. They had somehow miraculously ended up in Pepper's flat last night, giving Jane and Thor some privacy. Tony took his shirt and whipped it over his head, his stomach churning with every sudden movement. He winced, the alcohol was taking its toll. Loki never drank much but last night must have been an exception, he looked worse off than Tony. His thin form twisted into a very uncomfortable looking position, his eyes had extremely dark circles and bags big enough to shop with.
"Come on lightweight, Pepper's kicking us out."
"Oh he can stay if he wants, at least he doesn't snore." It must be PMS he thought, she was in such a bitchy mood. He grumbled, looking at his watch. Jane must be an early bird, it was only half past nine on a Saturday. Thanks Thor, he thought. As soon as he got back to his room he was going back to sleep. He nudged Loki, who woke violently, staring around him with eyes as big as an owls, wide open. He pulled his jacket over his head, groaning.
"Leave him be, Tony you're so mean."
"For the record, this is the worst B&B ever Pepper, you'd be a terrible hostess." He gave her a cheeky grin before legging it out the door, narrowly missing a pillow. When he got outside he wheezed, the fast movements making him shake and ache. He stood up straight, powering back to his flat like a wounded soldier who'd been through every war. When he got inside, he jumped on top of the bed, falling into a deep dreamless sleep, not even noticing the mess left by Thor and Jane in the living room.
Tony woke four hours later, to find Steve standing in his kitchen. He always stood so straight. Chill out a little, Tony thought. He smiled, about to ask why he was in his kitchen, but saw Loki walk past in a red campus jumper and some black jeans. His brain clicked when he saw the awkward look on Steve's face, Tony was just staring at him in his boxers and shirt, as if he was expecting something. He realised what he was doing though when Loki coughed, looking up at him. He quickly jumped from one foot to the next, finding it hard not to laugh awkwardly, to break the tension.
"Okay, anyway, see you later…" Loki was barely surprised by Tony's mechanisms. He just took him as he was, how else could someone live with a man like Stark. Steve seemed a little uncomfortable around Loki when Tony was there, not sure how to act. Loki walked past Tony, heading for the door, Steve in tow.
"Oh… okay, I guess… see you later." Tony felt hurt, he didn't know why, but said nothing as Loki nodded his head, muddled. He frowned at him, not understanding what was going on with him. Loki felt excited, this was his first date in almost a year, and he actually like Steve. They were only going to the common hall to talk over notes but maybe they could get some lunch together. Steve was funny, charming. He was thrilled to have another man in his life that wasn't Tony, Thor or Clint. They walked out together, talking animatedly down the corridor, becoming harder and harder to hear.
Tony rubbed the back of his head, not sure what to do with himself now that Loki was gone. They usually talked over their notes, and he would always help him with chem, but now he was on his own. What was he supposed to do? He still never found out what was inside that box, which was annoying him even more now. He decided to make something, he was so bored. What could he make out of a damaged microwave and some scraps…
