I hope this satisfies all of your guys' desire to update and continue soon ;P
Full Title: Appreciation of a God: 5 Times Stark Was Grateful for Loki (but didn't know it) and 1 Time Loki Was Grateful for Tony (and did know it)
Chapter Two: For His Confidence
Tony hated crying. Not because crying is what girls do when their favourite Barbie is broken and manly-men don't have feelings; he hates it because it goes along with the whole vulnerability thing of showing emotions and, mostly, because something-or someone, in this case-had reduced him to this state and he didn't like people having that kind of power over him. But he was only a thirteen-year-old high-schooler and although his name and money made sure he got attention, he was lonely.
Lonely and picked on because even girls had better coordination than he did and he wasn't helping out the stereotype by nerding out so much in his AP Physics, Chemistry and Biology classes. Plus, his lunch money was gone and he had already gotten lost twice. Piled all on top of each other, he was surprised he made it this far in his first day of school without tearing up. Why did this have to be so hard?
Why did he have to be so different?
He sucked in a breath, glancing bleakly at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. Not that he could really see himself, these things look like they hadn't been cleaned in years. "Come on, Tony, you're better than this-you're better than them," he rubbed furiously at his uncooperative eyes. "Stop it. You're a Stark,"
"I don't think that's working, dear," this time spoken by a warm, motherly voice sitting on a sink beside him. He jumped and her smile was just a tad too pleased by his shock to fit her beautiful, blonde face. And even though he had never seen this women before in his life, he knew exactly who she was. Sort of.
"You-I didn't summon you," he stuttered.
She scoffed. "Just like the spirits you summoned last time were under your control. I come when I wish to, however I wish to. That is only one of my many talents,"
"Well," he sniffed. "Go away. I don't want you here," Witnessing my humiliation was left unsaid, but understood.
Her expression softened and she slid off the porcelain to step closer to him. "I had hoped you learned your lesson, last time, Tony. I may not be what you want, but I am what you need even if you don't yet realise it. And what you need is a hug right about now,"
"No, don't-" he sighed as his protests were once again ignored and cut off by the squeeze of her deceptively strong arms. It wasn't the worst thing to happen to him today-certainly the oddest-but still, kinda nice. He even hugged her back slightly, reluctantly. But she ruined it all when she began to hum a strange melody and press a kiss to his forehead; his resolve completely shattered and he cried out all of his frustrations and pain and fears onto her shoulder. She only pulled him closer, patted his head softly and hummed louder until her voice was the only thing left making a sound. Tony listened to the notes, calmed in an inexplicable way by them and her touch and the sound of her heartbeat to prove that she was real. The only other sense left out was taste and that made him blush at such a forbidden and dirty thought.
"Of course I'm real," she laughed quietly. It was gentle and loving even though she was laughing at him. Nothing like the chaffing noise of the kids that teased him. He looked at her in shock. "You just don't believe in me anymore. But the time will come for that soon enough. I have a message for you, little one,"
"You do?" he asked, sounding very much like a child. She nodded.
"I need you to listen well, Tony. You mustn't forget this,"
"I won't," he said earnestly, immediately, somehow totally transfixed by the magic of her presence.
She smiled. "Very well. Life is not going to be easy for you, and it certainly won't be normal like everyone else here because you grow up to be an important man, a hero even. You are brave and strong and handsome and so very intelligent. The world will adore and respect you. And you find many loyal friends who do not care for your money but Tony Stark, the real you. Remember that because you are a Stark, and the lives of your tormentors have nothing on you. So, do not let their words or actions hurt you like this again and do not be afraid to be who you really are. Let them instead be worried about your acceptance, not the other way around. Do you understand?"
"I think so," he said slowly after a minute of taking it all in. He could have never imagined all that for himself, he didn't really believe it. He was just some young teenager, with pimples and dorky glasses no less, who hardly knew where he was going to be in the next year. How could he become all that? He never had anyone have expectations for him, much less such large ones like this. It wasn't possible. But at the same time, he couldn't stop thinking about it. And the more he thought about it, the more he wanted it to happen.
The more he was determined to make it happen.
"Oh, Tony," she sighed, giving him one last squeeze. "You are precious to me. Now go show the world that," She pushed him out of the door before he could turn around and get one more glance back.
She was right, of course, but even if she wasn't, Tony soldiered his confidence on the strong conviction which she spoke them. His next day of school was decidedly much better.
And everyday after that, his confidence grew to where his cockiness no longer needed anyone's approval-he managed just fine on his own. But he did carry a small sense of humility, only visible to those who were close enough to view the real him, never entirely forgetting that he once was no better than a just a typical teenager once upon a time.