So here is chapter 1 and finally the plot begins. Appologies in advance for the lack of Loki, but I promise there is more in the next chapter. There isn't much else to say except enjoy and please review!
Chapter 1
1 year later
The smash of the plate reflected everyone's thoughts at that moment. It was such a shock that none of them could process it, not the smashing of the plate but the revelation Bruce had just made.
"Y-you're engaged?!" Clint said, not knowing if it was a question or a statement.
Bruce's gaze panned over the room seeing nothing but shocked faces from his fellow team members. It was true, he hadn't expected them to jump for joy straight away but this was slightly insulting. Did they believe the green monster was so incapable of love?
"Yes, yes I am," He stated plainly.
Seeing there was no point dragging this out longer than necessary he added, "And to Betty, by the way."
Silence continued as everyone attempted to sort through their thoughts in order to find their rational selves. It was not like them to be so lost. The pancakes Steve had been preparing for breakfast lay forgotten and cold on the floor as the plate they had once sat on was smashed into small china pieces.
Bruce, now slightly bored of the whole situation, went to the fridge and tugged out the fresh carton of milk before heading to the cupboard that housed the cereal. He then settled himself at the long table and began to eat, his crunching being the only sound that interrupted the otherwise total silence.
The Avengers, minus Tony, followed his actions around the kitchen still not being able to process anything. Marriage! It was a big deal. But being a member of the Avengers with tendencies to turn into a giant green angry monster made marriage seem impossible. And yet Bruce had just announced himself that it was going to happen.
In a way they were all glad when Tony walked into the open plan room. At least he would have something to say and put an end to the awkward offending silence.
"I smelt pancakes," He said on entering then froze when he noticed the mess. "Err sorry if I'm stating the obvious but food is on the floor. Why is good food on the floor?"
Bruce looked up, taking another mouthful of cereal, and gestured to Steve.
"Okay someone talk your all scaring me. Point Break, are you in," Tony waved a hand in Thor's face before turning to Clint. "How about you, Legolas? What...nothing?"
"They're in shock."
Tony turned back to Bruce and took a seat opposite him. He studied the remnants of cereal in the others bowl deciding he wanted some too. Standing back up he collected the cereal box before ordering JARVIS to begin the coffee machine.
"Right away Sir," was the response he received before the room was abruptly filled with the sound of coffee brewing and soon the familiar smell wafted freely around the people still milling awkwardly.
"So anyone going to share with me this mystery that seems to be causing everyone to act like they're in a game of extreme musical statues?"
"It's not a secret, well not anymore. I'm engaged to Betty."
Tony, who had been sipping from his coffee-filled mug, choked and almost sprayed it across the table. For a few seconds he joined the others in stunned silence and confused expressions. Disgusted by the sprayed coffee, Bruce fetched a cloth and wiped it up.
"Well now I understand all this."
Tony waved a hand lazily at Steve, Clint, Natasha and Thor who seemed, finally, to be returning to the real world. Natasha was the first to reach rational thoughts and sat down, a seat away from Tony, followed then by Steve who began to clean up the mess he had previously made in the kitchen. That left Clint and Thor. Clint looked extremely close to laughter or tears, Tony couldn't tell which while Thor acted like nothing had happened and waited impatiently for more pancakes to be cooked.
"No offence by this, but you and one person for the rest of your life. Really? How are you going to cope?"
"We are not all like you Tony. We don't need a new person to fill our bed every night. Bruce has been in this relationship for a while and seems happy so this makes sense," Natasha said.
Tony scoffed at this, resuming the sipping of his coffee until only the dregs remained.
"Thank you Natasha for that excellent observation," He replied sarcastically. "I would rather not point it out but haven't you and Romeo over here been in a relationship for what, like forever and still not gone a step further."
Black Widow hissed menacingly at the snipe at her and Clint's relationship but didn't respond knowing it would only be more fuel for Tony's fire. She had always been protective over her relationship and it was by a genuine mistake of Tony not knocking on a door that everyone had found out. No matter what, Tony wouldn't keep his mouth shut about something like that.
"Anyway that wasn't my point. The point is that whenever this guy gets angry he goes crazy and turns into the Hulk and also what do you think Fury is going to say on the matter."
Appearing to be quite upset with these words Bruce remained quiet leaving everyone else to answer. No one did. They were all absorbed on their own thoughts on the matter. Fury was very unpredictable. One minute he was like any other normal human being, managing to communicate with other people in a civil way while there were other occasions where he was uncivil and demanding and wouldn't rest until his demands were met.
The whole conversation looked as if it was moving into dangerous territory where an argument could easily begin. Natasha was attempting to control her breathing while Clint sent her nervous glances. Tony was totally relaxed, reclining in his chair. And Steve had managed to cook enough pancakes to keep Thor satisfied.
"So Tony when are you going to settle down?" Bruce asked, managing to dodge the worst of the spray as the man in front of him spat out his fresh drink.
"I'm not. As some would say I am married to my work. All that romance and stuff, that's not my thing."
"What? It's got nothing to do with the fact that the only one you have ever loved ran off with someone else," Natasha cut in, determined to make Tony pay for what he had said about her.
That did make Tony freeze. He hadn't allowed himself much time to think about Pepper running off with another member of S.H.I.E.L.D. Well she hadn't even run off. She had told Tony straight about her new relationship and he was the one being immature about it, though he would never admit that. Pepper had been the only one he had ever thought he had loved and now she was gone which had left him quite lonely and seriously worried about his life choices.
Knowing everyone was watching him for his reaction, he decided to play it cool.
"No I just don't like the idea of having to put up with one person for the rest of my life both in the bedroom and out."
This statement made Steve retreat back to the oven and pretend to be busy. Sex was an uncomfortable subject for him to say the least. Tony smirked at that before reaching over to get another mug of black coffee.
"And anyway no one likes me and I defiantly don't like anyone myself so looks like I'll be alone for a little while longer."
To everyone's surprise, Thor began to chuckle. Sitting straight in his chair he surveyed all his team members with a wide smile plastered on his face.
"Something funny?"
"It is nothing except you are not the first to say that this morning, Man of Iron, my brother said almost the exact same thing not so long ago."
At the mention of Loki all the Avengers became more alert. Not in a way where they were ready for an unexpected attack, just more aware to their surroundings. Over Loki's first year with them there had been a lot of ups and downs. Most of the downs were because of Loki and his continued imprisonment in the tower. But time passed quickly, though, and soon he was accepted as one of their own.
It was easier than they ever first thought it would be to live with him and not once did he ever try anything remotely evil or anything that involved taking over the world. However he had played a few pranks on the residence of the tower because after all he was the god of mischief and no one could argue with that. And most of the time the results were highly amusing.
There had been some rough times like when the world had found out about Loki's punishment to stay on Earth and help make amends for his wrongdoings. Press had been everywhere and, despite all their efforts, the Avengers could not protect him all the time. So once or twice he was cornered and bombarded with questions and flashing cameras or else had abuse shouted at him from all sides.
Despite being accepted as almost an Avenger, none of the team had ever tried to get close to him apart from Thor. They could hold conversations with him or even go as far as working with him but that was as far as it ever got. Apparently Loki just wasn't friend material. The only one that had ever been able to truly talk to him was Tony although, if asked, he wouldn't admit it.
"Maybe you should get with Loki. I mean you both had messed up childhoods, no offence Thor," Clint raised his hands as a peace offering to the blond god who appeared to be angered and hurt by his words. "And he actually seems to listen when you talk but doesn't to anyone else."
Tony knew it was a joke but couldn't help thinking about it. Imagine him with Loki. In a relationship. No. NO! That just wasn't even worth thinking about, and yet he was. Him and Loki holding hands, him and Loki kissing, him and Loki... Wait where did all this come from he thought to himself. He definitely didn't like Loki and was even less inclined to date him.
"No thank you, Ex-psychopaths with tendencies to throw people out windows aren't really my type."
Abruptly Thor stood, struggling to contain a snarl.
"My brother is not a psychopath and never was. He is misunderstood! Now if you would excuse me I must go and..." He didn't bother finishing, instead just hurried out the room.
"Nice one Stark, really well done."
"I was just saying what everyone was thinking, Capcicle, and don't even deny it. When he first came here you were all against him and wanted him out. You all thought he was crazy and let's face it he was."
There was silence. None of them could reject his words because they were true. That is exactly what they had first thought of Loki. On the first few nights of him staying in the tower they had all slept badly with weapons concealed in or near their beds.
For many days Tony had worn his bracelets that allowed his Ironman suit to build itself around him because apparently there was room for the god nowhere else in the tower so he had to take up residence on his floor. The genius hadn't warmed to the idea but thought it best that at least he knew where Loki was.
"So sorry to deprive you all of my presence but I have work to do, being the important man I am." Tony made his way across the room. Before he disappeared down to his workshop he added. "And when I come back up I expect my kitchen to be spotless. I don't see why you can't just use your own."
Steve was the only one that said goodbye; the others paid no attention and carried on to polish off the fresh pancakes that Thor had left untouched.
For a while they didn't speak and just enjoyed the silence that Tony had left behind. Then a stroke of brilliance struck Clint and he almost went into a crazed fit of laughter. Natasha sent him a what the hell are you doing you moron look while the others just watched in silent wonderment.
"Are you okay," Steve asked, his tone showing his concern.
"I have just got an amazingly brilliant if not slightly crazy idea."
None of the group answered but they leant closer with mild interest. It must be a good idea if it was sending Cling to the brink of uncontrollable hysterics.
"Well you know how Tony is sad and alone and you know how Loki is sad and alone, maybe we should get them together."
"For god's sake that is what you just said," Natasha said, exasperated.
"No not as a joke, I mean for real like make a plan and force them together. And before you say it yes I still hate Loki's guts but I'm also terribly bored and could do with a laugh."
A thoughtful silence followed his words as everyone contemplated his point. They could all do with a laugh, but at one of their owns expense? Were they all that heartless? Hell yes, they could do with a laugh.
"I'm in," Natasha announced. "Maybe it will finally make Stark shut up about us. How about you, Steve?"
"I don't know. Tony is our friend and it seems harsh to do this but I suppose it wouldn't hurt to be involved. It's not like we will be locking them in a room together for hours on end."
Not yet anyway Clint thought to himself.
Bruce, who hadn't said a word in some time, chose that moment to give his input. Leaning back on his chair so the front legs only just brushed the cold wood flooring, he remained looking thoughtful for another moment before saying in his slow calming tone, "I'm in too but I'm not sure what I can do to help. And if this goes wrong or Tony finds out, I will not accept the blame. Oh and I wouldn't mention this plan of yours to Thor because he will probably be very angry and say you are attempting to defile his brother."
Knowing his warnings were wise Clint nodded in agreement.
"Also make sure that Loki doesn't find out because he might just throttle us in our sleep," he joked, but the warning was deadly serious.
Loki, with his long jet black hair and tall frame, was still menacing even without his Asgardian leathers and weapons. The thought of him finding out about their little scheme was truly terrifying. Even though he had lived with the team for a year they still couldn't read him. His expression was always impassive so they had trouble working out what he was thinking. He was a closed book and would remain that way only until someone was brave enough to turn the first page and attempt to read the difficult mess of words within.
They all knew that he wasn't the emotionless, heartless soul he professed to be but he had not yet made a mistake and let any emotion show so they didn't hold their breath. One day his barriers would be broken and the mess inside would be revealed. But until that day the team was content to just live with the unreadable being that was Loki.
"Do you have any ideas about what you are going to do? And just out of curiosity what happens if it does work? What are you going to do if they do start dating?"
"I have absolutely no idea, Cap, but if the time comes where they are together I will think about how good my prediction skills are and probably worry about both their sanities. Though I highly doubt it will happen and, in answer to your other question, I do have some ideas but I will not be sharing them yet."
At that precise moment Loki entered the room. He swept forward in total silence and made for the washing machine. In one swift movement he bent down and tugged out a freshly washed towel before heading straight back out without a word.
"Good morning to you too," Natasha muttered after Loki was out of earshot.
"Just be thankful that he didn't hear us," Bruce said, pouring the remainder of the coffee into his mug and adding two sugars.
Breakfast continued in pleasant silence, the remaining occupants at the table going into their own little worlds. Unfortunately the peace didn't last as long as they would have wished because Tony shortly came tearing into the room.
"Please say you haven't blown something up again," Steve said before he could even open his mouth.
"Such low expectations for a genius like me. No I haven't but there was a small fire but it's sorted now. Anyway I came to say I need some help with part of my work later, any of you wonderful people care to help?"
"Flattery won't work Stark." Natasha sent him a scathing look. "And Clint and I have a meeting with Fury later so we're out."
Tony huffed then turned to Steve and Bruce, a pleading glint in his usually amused dark brown eyes. Bruce announced that he had to meet with Betty so he couldn't help which only left Steve.
"Um I'll see Tony, I might be busy. You could always ask Thor."
The look on his face was hard to say no to. It was full of hope and disappointment that it was almost believable but the team knew better. They knew Tony. His expression was fake, he would never plead with them. Tony Stark did not beg.
"No I can't use Point Break, his hands are too big," Tony said.
He turned to leave seeing as there wasn't much point staying. Food wasn't being prepared anymore and everyone seemed to just want to be left in peace. This meant that his continued presence was probably getting on his teams nerves. Natasha wasn't pretty when she was angry.
"Wait Tony," Clint shouted after him. The genius spun on the balls of his feet to face his team member. "Take this to Loki's room on your way."
With excellent aim, the archer threw a book which sailed straight to where Tony's hands waited to receive it.
"Suppose I don't have much choice now."
Tony left and all eyes fell on Clint who had a smirk plastered on his face.
"The book is actually Loki's, Thor left it for him earlier and I was going to give it to him later but I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to begin our plan."
With that he smiled widely then sighed contentedly. He was going to enjoy this, he thought to himself as he heard shouting begin from down the hall in the direction of Loki's room. He was going to enjoy this very much.