Hello folks. Like usual, I own nothing except my wild imagination. Thanks for the reviews, favs and follows in the last chapter. I really appreciate it :)

Sorry for the late update. I have been very busy with life lately.

Anyway enjoy. (Fluffs?) This chapter is shorter than usual. I had write's block. Sucks.

And yeah, Fix You is definitely a Pepperony song.

Chapter 18- Going on

"Is that George R. R Martin's A Feast for Crows?" Darcy asked.

Loki looked up from his notebook, his eyes following Darcy's pointer finger. She was pointing toward Loki's bookshelf, on his A Song of Ice and Fire's book collection. He briefly nodded before went back to his book. She walked toward his bookshelf, fingering the books' spines. Loki sighed, relieved, as she sat down with a book of choice and sat down at his study desk.

Ever since she arrived to his house this afternoon, Darcy did little effort to shut up. She kept on asking Loki questions –what did he had for lunch, was he up for a walk, how long he will be alone for Christmas break etc. He answered most of her questions. Loki was annoyed at first, but found himself at comfort listening her constant chattering about her life.

Darcy celebrated Christmas with her mom and Granny, who flew all the way from New Mexico. From what she had told him, Darcy had a decent celebration, her grandmother cooking up a storm and her mother invited a couple of coworkers. Darcy's Grandma even made Loki a minced pie and chocolate chip muffins. He was silently thankful about that –he depended on pizza and takeouts since his foster family left for England.

"Can I borrow this book?" Darcy asked, momentarily pausing her reading. "I promise I will finish it quickly."

Loki narrowed his eyes. His collection of books was sort of like a personal holy shrine; he kept them in a pristine condition, the way Dean Winchester take care of his Impala. No one ever borrowed his books. Thor didn't read much –all he read was comics and sports magazines. Mr. Odinson rarely stepped into Loki's room and Frigga had her own collection of romance novels. And Loki didn't have any friends to start with.

He nodded. "Yes."

"Thanks."

He stretched, already finishing writing his to-do list in his notebook. Pushing his notebook and mechanical pencil far to the end of his bed, he turned to lie on his back. It was boring. It was lightly snowing outside. He watched as the snowflakes fell softly from the window.

"It won't do just to watch them," Darcy said suddenly. She already closed her book, looking at Loki. "You've got to go out there and experience things."

Loki felt warmth crept to his fingers. "Come on, then."

He got up from the bed and fetched a scarf from his dresser. They both got out from his bedroom and grabbed their jackets. They walked slowly, enjoying the sensation of melting snowflakes on their face. Darcy's long chestnut-colored hair was neatly kept under her gray beanie. His hair was uncovered though. Loki loved winter and the cold, unlike Thor, who always preferred the summer and the heat that come along with the season.

Darcy already took out her camera, snapping picture each time she saw something interesting.

"Why are you so eager taking those photographs?" Loki asked, showing his hands into his jacket's pockets.

"It's for my Art class. Miss Storm asked us to make a scrapbook with wintry theme," she answered, looking at the photos she had taken. "At least eight pages."

Loki looked at her. "How many pages you are on to?"

"Ten, maybe," she shrugged, focusing on a snow-covered tree. "I've taken hundreds of photos, but only six of them turn out the way I imagined."

"Hah." Loki kicked a small rock and it skipped on the cobblestoned path. "You like snow?"

Her eyes glinted mischievously. "I love snow."

"Why I have the feeling that you're not really talking about the snow I'm referring to?"

"Your feelings might be true," she grinned.

He threw his head back in realization. "You're talking about Jon Snow."

Darcy giggled. She took the moment to snap the picture of Loki, with his head thrown back, mouth partly opened and eyes closed. He looked like he was in a tranquil place, worries gone.

Loki grinned widely. "Seriously, what is so great about him?"

"Books or TV series?"

"Both."

Darcy slung her camera strap on her shoulder. "Well he is a Stark, to start with."

"He is a bastard."

"Okay, half-Stark," Darcy corrected, rolling her eyes. "He is sensitive, raised by the Starks made him morally driven and Kit Harrington is fucking hot."

Loki snorted, amused, ignoring the part that she just swore. "Girls, you only focused on the hotness of the characters."

"No!" Darcy countered. "I mean, sure, their hotness are major bonus point, but I actually enjoys the story."

"Even with the gruesome deaths?"

Darcy nodded. "I cried really hard when Robb Stark died."

Loki nodded morosely. He wasn't going to admit that he did the same. "He was a man with honor," was all he could utter. "And I hate Theon."

"Well, I don't," Darcy said.

"He betrayed Robb."

Darcy exhaled. Her breath steamed in front of her face. "I can relate to Theon, actually."

"Which part?"

"All of it," she answered. "He was given away to the North by his father, like he meant nothing. He might be taken care like the ward he was but still, he was in fact a hostage. His father did nothing for him. And when he came back to the Iron Island for his help, he insulted him. Most can relate with his character."

Loki furrowed his eyebrows. "For not being accepted?"

Darcy nodded. "He always felt like he doesn't belong. He seeks the approval from his father, but he turned him down. By the time he realized he made the wrong choices, it was too late."

They continued to walk in silence until they reached the playground. They both seat on the nearest bench. Loki pondered on what Darcy had said. He always felt like he doesn't belong. He seeks the approval from his father, but he turned him down. Most can relate with his character.

Yes, he can relate with Theon's character. Funny how you never seem to notice certain things until someone else pulled up their perspective.

"Hey, Lokes, look here," Darcy called.

He turned, looking at Darcy with a bewildered expression. Darcy quickly photographed his expression, feeling it was a golden moment. The corner of his lips quirked up in amusement, seeing her gleeful as she managed to capture his expression perfectly.

"You're going to fill your scrapbook with my face," he said. "Ms. Storm is not going to be pleased."

"You don't know that," she stuck out her tongue childishly.

He grinned. He felt comfortable around Darcy. She was unlike Thor and Frigga, who were careful around him. Darcy was definitely unlike Mr. Odinson who was cold toward him. Darcy was warm and friendly and reckless. A ray of sunshine in his grayscale life.

Loki didn't mind the warmth, not a little bit.

They sat there a little longer, discussing the characters' deaths from Game of Thrones, arguing about the Red Wedding (he argued with her that Robb should've seen the Frey's betrayal coming, since he broke his oath. 'How could he expect that?' she replied, 'he sees the best in everyone!'). And then they moved into more sensitive topic –his wellbeing, because that was the purpose of their meeting exactly.

Sometimes Loki forgot that Darcy was there to help him. She made it seem less like a session but more like a time to have fun. Between her laughs and sardonic replies, there were wise words. She made being happy seem effortless.

They parted ways as the sky gets darker. She waved him as she went, promising that she will let him see her scrapbook when she was done.

He went home, kicking the small rocks as he walk on the cobblestoned path. There were a lot of things he need to do when he reached home. Loki hung his jacket on the coat stand as he stepped into the house. A piece of paper fell out the pocket, and he bent down to pick it up.

'The worst things in life come free to us.' Sometimes, so are the good things.

P. S: Call her, she misses you.

He grinned. When the wildcat did slipped the note into his pocket? Loki sat down on the couch at the living room, contemplating whether to call the 'her' Darcy mentioned. Maybe he shouldn't call. He was too nervous and bitter to talk to her. Sending a text will do, he thought.

Miles away in England, Frigga's Blackberry beeped. She unlocked the Blackberry, looking at the screen that signaled she had a new text.

Hello mom, it's me Loki. I hope you're having a good time on your trip. In case you're wondering, I am doing fine. A friend came by and brought me food. She also said to say hello to you. I –I love you. –L

The text sent a warm feeling to her heart. Before she realized, tears were tracking down her cheeks. Her boy, texted her! This was a miracle. Loki was distant since he found out he was adopted. He rarely texted or called unless it was really, really important. Wishing her to have a good time and to tell her that he was doing fine and that a friend brought him food was completely a mundane task, for Loki. It was nowhere near dire or important. Just a regular update. Loki was used to just wait for her to call.

The text was something else entirely. Loki never called her mom after he knew he was adopted. It was always Frigga or Mrs. Odinson. It tore her heart to have the boy she regarded as her own son, behaving so cold and distant.

She stared at the I love you in the end of the text. Frigga dared not hope that the old Loki was back, the reserved yet mischievous darling boy of hers, but she can't help but wish it was. Seeing how there were two I's in the text, she knew Loki had a personal debate with himself whether or no he should put the word in. Frigga smiled and pushed the 'reply' button.

Wish you were here, Loki. I'm glad you're fine. You can call me if there's anything. I love you too.

x

"Can you explain this thing?"

Peter turned to Bruce, pointing with his mechanical pencil to a line in his Physics textbook. Bruce took the book from Peter and started reading. Thermodynamics was pretty easy for Bruce to understand when he was a freshman. But Peter was not Bruce so he started explaining. They were hanging out at Peter's house with Wade Wilson, whom Bruce met during Christmas dinner two days ago.

"Guys," Wade whined, "It is holiday, come on." He threw himself on the couch, between Bruce and Peter.

"Wade," Peter glared at his friend.

Wade ignored his glare. "It's holiday. There's a PS3 and popcorns and movies. If I were you, I would sit back, relax and enjoy."

"But I am not you," Peter said. "Neither is Bruce."

"You should consider not being you," Wade replied. "You are boring. But I don't want you to be me, either. There won't be any space for awesomeness if you were me."

Bruce grinned lightly. Wade continued to annoy Peter until Peter gave in.

"Okay, okay," Peter rolled his eyes. "Sorry, Bruce. I really wanted to take notes."

"Nah, it's okay," Bruce shrugged. "I have to go, actually."

Wade looked at Bruce. "Hey, come on. There is American Psycho if you don't want to watch fun movies."

"It's okay," Bruce said, "I have to go meet someone."

"Your girlfriend?"

Bruce made a mental note that Wade was really blunt and a little annoying, kind of like Tony. He first met Wade two days ago, during a Christmas dinner at Wade's house. Wade's mother was Mrs. Banner's coworker. Peter was at the dinner too. Which was how they ended up together this holiday.

Wade was the same age as Peter, but a little taller and he didn't go to SHIELD Prep. Wade went to Culver High, and he did a little effort in study. His hair was dull yellow and he had scars on his face and arms. According to Peter, Wade got involved in an accident as a kid and a cancer survivor. But looking at Wade, Bruce would say that the guy look like he had ninety-nine problems and his life ain't one.

"Um, yeah," Bruce answered, almost blushing. "Uh, bye. Have fun."

"Have fun, big guy!" Wade shouted as Bruce walked out. "Come on Peter, lets watch a movie!"

Bruce shook his head as he stepped outside. He turned up his collar as he felt the pricks of cold wind on his neck. Betty's text was still fresh in his inbox.

I'm the park, she texted, where r u?

Bruce took a cab to the park, getting bagels and coffees as he went. Betty waited for him at the park they had met first time. A lime green snowcap sat atop on her head. She smiled as she saw Bruce.

"Hey," she greeted, pecking his lips. "I missed you."

Bruce shrugged. "Well, me too. How was your Christmas?"

"Boring," she answered, taking the coffee Bruce handed and the bagel. "How was yours?"

"I feel bad for saying this, but I had fun."

"Ouch."

"My mom's coworker, Mrs. Wilson invited us for a Christmas dinner. It was great –mom managed to convince to sing carols with them."

Betty laughed. "What I wouldn't give to see that."

"Peter has the video."

"Who's Peter?"

"A freshman at SHIELD Prep," Bruce said. "He's friends with Mrs. Wilson's son. He was at the dinner too."

Betty leaned back on the bench. "Oh."

"So what you did on Christmas?"

"Pretty much eating," Betty said. "And he pestered me for my college choice. I mean, I already decided where I wanted to go. And his friend was there."

At the subtle mention of Emil Blonsky, Bruce felt his temper skyrocket. "Did he- did he.."

"No," Betty shook her head. "I avoid him at all cost. And even if he did, I'm not afraid anymore. I've got you."

Bruce smiled as he reached for Betty's hand. "You've got me."

x

By New Year's Eve, everyone was already back in New York. Jane was eager to tell all the fun she had while spending Christmas with the Odinsons, she went with them since Loki didn't. ("Sure, you get to have fun, Darcy said, rolling her eyes, and I was stuck with his brother.") Tony was quieter than usual and he clung to Pepper like a toddler to his mother. Pepper told them the cops found some clues for his case and Tony was over-thinking, again. Steve had completed his scrapbook, which was filled mostly by the photographs of them and his best friend, Bucky while spending holiday in Brooklyn. Clint and Natasha were forty-five minutes late to the gang's meeting at Tony's penthouse.

"Reliving all the sexual tension, huh?" Tony said grinning mischievously.

Clint at least had the decency to blush. Natasha gave Tony her withering glare as she fixed her wild hair and straighten her tee.

This year New Year's Eve was different. Usually, there were only ten of them. This year they had three additions –Betty, Peggy and surprisingly Loki. Darcy convinced Loki to join them. Loki hesitantly agreed.

Tony was forbidden to go out, in sake for his security. His almost-killer was still out there. Also for his safety, he was forbidden to throw a party ("Remember what happened the last time you threw a party?" Officer Reagan said when he explained Tony's situation.)Two cops were put to guard Tony. He whined about it, but Pepper managed to knock some sense into his head.

So, here they were, at his penthouse. The alcohol cabinet was found and locked by the cops. Tony cursed at that, but stayed silent about his secret stash in the lab. Pizzas and various other junk foods spread on the coffee table as they get comfortable.

"This is boring," Tony complained.

"Blame your almost-killer," Clint said as he and Natasha snuggled closer.

"I am blaming him," Tony rolled his eyes, "I hope he burn in hell."

Steve shrugged. "That was mild."

"He will burn in hell, that's for sure," Tony nodded, "but before that –"

"Guys! Let's play a game," Darcy said cutting off Tony's words.

Rhodey sat up. "What game? Cluedo?"

"Sure not," Tony piped up. "That game shouldn't have existed. It is far worse than the corporate meetings I had to attend."

They argued for awhile, until Tony suggested a drinking game. They had no alcohol, so Pepper went to the kitchenette and grabbed two large bottles of Coke.

"That will do," Pepper said sternly.

They sat in circle, and started playing. Steve started first.

"Umm, never have I ever…drunk two bottle of whiskey at once?"

Nobody except Tony drank his shot of Coke.

They continued playing. Each statement starting to get funnier.

"Never have I ever record my own singing."

"Never have I ever danced to 'Party in the USA'."

"Never have I ever cried watching TV shows."

"Never have I ever gone skinny dipping."

"Never have I ever hid a hickey."

They went on and on until they had had enough of Coke. On Darcy's request, JARVIS blasted Young Blood by The Naked and Famous. They started dancing around.

We're only young and naive still
We require certain skills
The mood it changes like the wind
Hard to control when it begins

Pepper slung her arms around Tony's neck and they swayed near Thor and Jane. Darcy jumped around with Rhodey and Clint and Natasha. They were laughing and jumping and it was all teenage hormones and adrenaline.

Loki swayed his body awkwardly. He enjoyed the music, but was holding himself back a little. A little insecure.

"Guys! Fireworks coming up!" Peggy shouted over the loud music.

It was close to midnight. They gathered in the balcony, watching over the streets where people had gathered, for New Year's Eve.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6…

The bittersweet between my teeth
Trying to find the in-betweens
Fall back in love eventually
Yeah yeah yeah yeah,

This year had been bittersweet, Tony thought as he pulled Pepper close. He was almost dead, no thanks to his almost-killer, as Clint fondly named. Most of things turned out good. He confessed his feelings to Pepper, though it was less dramatic than he liked. Clint and Natasha got together, diminishing all the sexual tension they had been keeping for years since Natasha hit puberty (yeah like he and Pepper weren't suffocated by their own UST.).

Can't help myself but count the flaws
Claw my way out through these walls
One temporary escape
Feel it start to permeateWe lie beneath the stars at night
Our hands gripping each other tight
You keep my secrets hope to die
Promises, swear them to the sky

Tony buried his nose in Pepper's hair. She smelled like strawberries which was ironic, because Pepper was allergic of strawberries.

"I have a secret," he whispered in her ear, his lips grazing her earlobe.

"What is it?"

He smiled. "I love you."

"That is not really a secret," she replied.

" –since the day I saw you at the kindergarten."

She smiled shyly back at him. "I never know that."

"And that is why it is a secret."

5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

He leaned and kissed her on the lips. Tony didn't need to look up to know his other friends doing the same. Cheesy, he thought. Rhodey, Darcy and Loki who were dateless just shouted over the balcony. Well, at least Darcy and Rhodey were, Loki just stood there and watch the fireworks with a faint smile on his face.

So, this is having friends feels like, Loki thought.

As it withers
Brittle it shakes
Can you whisper
As it crumbles and breaks
As you shiver
Count up all your mistakes
Pair of forgivers
Let go before it's too late
Can you whisper
Can you whisper
Can you whisper
Can you whisper

"Hey, Lokes," Darcy gripped his hand all of sudden, "I wish you have a good year."

"You too."

She winked. "Here's to a nicer year, yeah 2012!"

"What about the apocalypse?"

"Ain't nobody got time for that!"

He leaned back on the railing, averting his eyes from the couples. Thor's eyes met his and he nodded. Loki still distant with Thor but they were 'getting there'. His mind wandered back to Darcy's scrapbook, which she had shown him before they were going to Tony's penthouse.

His photo, the one where he thrown his head back with closed eyes and slightly opened mouth. Darcy had it in black and white and the caption, never forget who you are, for surely the world will not.

And the other, him with the bewildered expression, growing strong.

House Tyrell wasn't his favorite house, but still it was kind for her to insert his liking to his favorite series.

The fireworks highlighting the night sky, and the music blasted louder than before. The other started dancing and drinking. Adrenaline was high tonight. Loki smiled and looked at the fireworks.

Never forget who you are.

Growing strong.

X

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I will try to update quicker.