Natasha watched two of her male friends carefully as the group quietly sat at their usual booth that night after a long day of work. She took a sip of her wine and placed the glass down next to Clint's beer glass. The two exchanged a glance before looking at their two hardly ever silent co-workers.
"What's the deal with you two?" Clint finally asked, earning the attention from said males.
"You both look like someone shot your dog." Natasha mused lightly. Tony traced a pattern into the sweat on his beer glass and shrugged.
"You know, I'm not really a dog person." Tony answered as Thor looked at him.
"Stark."
"Okay, okay," the oldest of the group amended. "So the big guy and I didn't have the best day."
"And why is that?" the red-headed female asked, absent-mindedly watching Clint and Bruce thumb wrestle. Tony watched as well momentarily, and then looked back to meet his co-worker's determined stare.
"We met Loki Laufeyson today." was all he could bring himself to say. Natasha raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"The same Loki that-"
"Nat, Nat, Nat," Tony chanted, cutting her off quickly. "I don't want to talk about Stark Industries. Let's never revisit that. Got it? Good. Thanks, babe." he said, laughing off the whole past failure.
"Of course, Tony dearest," she smirked. "So Thor, what's your problem with Loki?" to this, Thor said nothing.
"Let the big guy sulk," the billionaire laughed. "Thor has the hots for the weasel and he doesn't know how to approach him, since the guy is such a puzzle to figure out. He has no idea how to talk to him. He needs some Tony mojo." said male mused. Natasha rolled her eyes and waved the older man off.
"Tony mojo?"
"You can't deny it." Tony winked. Natasha gave her co-worker a 'bitch please' face before looking up at the diner door opening.
"Right… Hey, Steve!" she called out, causing Tony to choke on his mouth full of beer. His eyes snapped to the front of the diner, where the male Natasha yelled for stood. As soon as their gazed locked, Tony pulled away and glared at the red-head.
"You invited him!?" he whispered, frowning. "Why would you do that?"
"Because I know you dig him," his co-worker rolled her eyes, smirking. "Come on, use that Tony mojo." she encouraged and looked up as Steve stopped near their table.
"Hi Natasha, Clint, Bruce," the blond smiled politely. "I don't believe I've been introduced to you two."
"They aren't much fun tonight anyway. Bad day." Clint waved the two sulking adult men off. Steve glanced at Tony, before looking at Clint.
"Those days suck," he agreed and sat down next to Thor. "But hey, the name is Steve Rogers." to this, Thor looked at him and smiled slightly.
"Thor Odinson. Congrats on the job." he answered and took Steve's hand, shaking it twice before letting go.
"Thanks. Nice to meet you, Thor," he chuckled, then leaned over and glanced at the bearded man. "You must be Tony." to this, the brunet glanced at Steve slightly before going back to attend to his beer.
"Tony Stark. Yup. That's me." he muttered and flashed a hesitant peace sign before talking a gulp of beer. Steve raised an eyebrow and looked at Natasha to see her pinching the bridge of her nose.
"So Steve," the only female in the group began, trying to make the evening less awkward. "Are you from New York?" to this, Steve smiled as he straightened his posture.
"New York born, ma'am," he laughed softly. "I'm guessing you weren't born here."
'Jesus, is he ever kind,' Natasha thought, smiling slightly. "No. I was born in Russia. My parents immigrated here when I was ten," she answered. She looked at the restaurant briefly and returned to look at Steve when she saw a waiter approaching. "Do you want anything to drink?" to this, Steve chuckled and drew an imaginary circle on the table top.
"I'm good with water. Not much of an alcohol guy. Thanks anyway, Natasha," he answered and watched the red headed girl order a water for him quickly. After the waiter left he looked at Clint and smiled slightly. "So, topic of conversation?" at that, Clint looked up at the blond and shrugged.
"Nothing really. Grumpy one and two are having boy issues. What else is new?"
"Boy issues?" the newest of Clint's co-worker's asked, tilting his head in confusion. Weren't they old enough to not have such issues? He supposed not. Clint snorted and nodded.
"You heard it right. Surfer boy has issues with a guy he's crushing on, while the playboy has issues with the guy grumpy number two is going after. What's his name? I came in after Stark Industries crashed and burned." Tony glared and sat up straight at the comment.
"Hey Barton," the bearded man muttered. "I thought you were here for the not revisiting part. Or is the noise passing through one ear and out the other?" said male waved a hand away as Bruce rolled his eyes.
"His name is Loki." the only person with glasses answered as he stacked the jams into an elaborate tower. Thor thumped his head down on his folded arms and grunted at the name, while Steve snapped, his eyes wide.
"Whoa! Loki Laufeyson?"
"You know Loki?" Thor asked before anyone else, his head snapping back up. Steve smiled awkwardly, settling back down as the waiter served his glass of water.
"There is only one person I know that could have such an odd name," Steve explained, taking a sip of water before continuing. "We went to the same high school. My dad was in the army and we had to move to California for my senior year." to this, Thor's smile finally broke across his features.
"So you could tell me something about him? Were you two friends?" the other blond asked. Steve took a deep breath and shrugged.
"Somewhat. We were almost opposite sides of the high school scene," the male answered, blinking at the awed expression Thor held. "We were Chemistry partners… And Biology partners…" he sighed. "And we did a huge English project together. He was quite the smart kid. He graduated third in our class."
"That is excellent!" Thor exclaimed, clapping. "I am having trouble with what to say to him. I feel as if he looks down upon me whenever we speak. I run out of words and the cold looks unnerve me." the older of the two spoke quickly. Steve looked thoughtful; processing everything Thor managed to spit out.
"So you want to ask him out and not fail?" Steve asked.
"Pretty much." Thor summed up, smiling brightly. The other blond ran a hand through his hair and chuckled slightly.
"Alright. Well, Loki intimidates people. He did all of my senior year. I have to admit even I was nervous," Steve explained. "He's got a sharp tongue and can wreck someone's day in a matter of seconds."
"Or corporation." Clint sneered.
"Shut the fuck up, Barton." Tony groaned.
"Both of you need to shut up," Natasha warned, ceasing further exchange between the men. "Go on, I want to know more."
"Alright," Steve amended, taking a sip of water. 'Never thought I'd be talking about Loki again.' he thought and looked back at the only other blond. "I recommend showing him kindness. He loves the attention and thing of grandeur. Any fancy parties coming up?" he asked. Everyone but Steve looked at Tony after the word 'party' was mentioned alongside 'fancy'. The oldest of six groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"No fucking way am I letting Loki come," he protested until his eyes fell upon a sad Thor. "Not the kicked puppy look…" the billionaire trailed off.
"Tony," Thor begged. "If the roles were switched I would do it for you." this caused the brunet to give an exasperated sigh.
"Fuck. Fine. Don't let him near me, Thor. I'm not putting up with his smug attitude at my charity event." Tony warned as he made contact with a smiling Steve.
"And what about Steve?"
"I guess you'll need him for damage control," the older of the two nodded. "So why not?" he shrugged, his gaze locked with Steve's.
"Damage control. Right." Bruce rolled his eyes again, adjusting his glasses.
"Shut up." Tony muttered as Steve broke their gaze with a sweet smile, beginning to chat with Natasha and Clint.
"Shutting up," Bruce said as Tony flicked over the breakfast spread tower. "Thanks Tony."
"You are so welcome it hurts."
Lekný watched her brother pace back and forth across their living room, taking a sip of wine as Pachelbel's Cannon played quietly in the background. "Wait, so you let Thor and Mr. Stark rustle your jimmies?" she asked, almost bursting into laughter as she posed the question. Loki looked up from the floor his was walking on and frowned at his sister.
"I know not what that means," her twin scoffed and continued his pacing. Lekný rolled her eyes and kicked her feet back and forth as she lay on her stomach across their couch. "However, Stark's comments were far from endearing."
"Never mind… Can you blame him, brother?" she asked, taking another sip of wine. Her quiet evening was far from a success and looked to be ruined now. "You did bring down the company that made him rich in one foul swoop of your talons." the dark haired woman explained.
"I care not. I cannot stand him." the male twin spat. Lekný sighed and sat up, placing her wine down on the coffee table. She got off of the couch and smoothed down her night gown as she straightened her posture.
"Oh I know that much, my dearest brother," she extolled, walking over to him. She placed both hands on his shoulders and looked into his vivid green eyes. "But what of Thor?" to this, Loki's expression hit a momentary snag before becoming one of utter indifference.
"What of the oaf?" he asked, trying to pass of his curiosity as he closed his eyes.
Lekný saw right through it.
"I know you are beguiled by him, brother," the female twin spoke softly. "What has you so taken with him?" she asked. They stood still, both in a loss of words as Pachelbel's Cannon continued to play its melody. Loki finally opened his eyes and locked his stare with his sister.
"This is where you are mistaken," he finally said. "He's nothing like my type." Loki explained haughtily. Lekný scoffed and folded her arm over her chest. They stared into each other's eyes before the male twin ripped his gaze away.
"I know you are lying!" she began as her brother walked out of the living room. "Why do you always have to be cold!?" to this, Loki turned around in the hallway and stared his sister down.
"As if he deserves my interest! I'm not beguiled with him! As soon as father allows me to resume my position, I will not hesitate to leave!" he yelled, his eyes flashing with such a carnal anger it caused the female to flinch.
"I hope he never lets you back," she responded, her tone firm but quiet. Loki's face became void of all anger, leaving behind nothing but a blank stare. "He wants to get to know you but you're selfish. I can't believe you're still thinking about that stupid job!"
"Why would I think of anything else!?" the male twin shot back. "I am done speaking to you, sister. Goodnight." he seethed and walked off down the hallway. Lekný looked down at the floor and winced as her brother's bedroom door slammed closed.
"Oh Loki," she sighed as she sat down on the cool wooden floor. "What am I going to do with you?"
And just like that, chapter 3 was written.