only thing i own is the story. enjoy.
Turns out the people at the store weren't kidding when they said his bed would be delivered 'first thing in the morning'; Tony and Fandral were woken by the insistent and very annoying buzz of the doorbell, and yeah, sure, finally having his bed was pretty awesome, but still, there was no need to deliver the thing so damn early.
Not much to be done about it now, they had no option but supervise the delivery (in Tony's case) and look through one of Tony's kitchen boxes in search of something edible (Fandral). No such luck.
But they had a guardian angel apparently, a beautiful, dark haired, green eyed, and very, very pissed off looking guardian angel.
Loki arrived and let herself in (with Fandral's keys Tony supposed) carrying a box of scones and coffee for everyone. Tony thought that this 'having friends' business was pretty awesome because no one had ever brought him scones and coffee just for kicks. Sure, Jarvis took it as a personal challenge to feed him regularly, and no matter how great he is, and how much Tony loves the man, he knows that at the end of the day, that is his job.
But back to the pissed off part, it wasn't that she arrived screaming murder or anything, it was the kind of silent rage that made the hairs in the back of your neck stand on end, Tony was familiar with that kind of anger, and you can thank Howard for that; experience told Tony to keep his mouth shut, however he didn't work that way.
"Whoa Snow White, what's got your knickers in a twist?" asked Tony, imitating Loki's accent at the best of his ability -which wasn't very good-.
Loki looked his way but remained silent, only offering a tight smile that made Tony frown a little because that wasn't the smile he wanted to see on her face, ever. That's when Fandral realized something was off and walked over to her, putting a hand on her cheek and the other on the back of her head to make her look at him while whispering something in a whole other language.
Ok then.
Tony felt uncomfortable, he wanted to make some excuse and leave the room because feelings, and it was none of his business, and he's just met them so it was awkward, but he also wanted to stay and figure out what was wrong because reasons.
In the end he stayed, but didn't found out what was happening because a very big and very blond guy entered his house (which was technically a dorm room but looked like an apartment, so there you have it) and honestly, they needed to up the security in this place.
Guy smiled at him and Tony was just confused, however, his mother taught him manners -even when he tended to avoid them- and manners said it was time to introduce himself, so he did.
"Hello big guy, I'm Tony stark, but you can call me awesome" he said, not his best he would admit, but it was hard to concentrate when he had to keep one eye on Guy and the other on Loki and Fandral (he was part chameleon now, apparently).
"Hello Anthony, I am Thor-" Blondie started, only to be cut off.
"Thor?" Tony asked looking between blondie and the couple.
"-Borson" Fishished Guy (now Thor) blinking at him.
"Oh, so, Snow White's brother, yeah?" He said pointing at Loki with his thumb, "I imagined you a bit different big guy, but it's nice to meet you anyway" Tony risked a quick glance towards his roommate and his girlfriend and saw that they were now watching the interactions between Thor and himself, Loki was glaring at her mountain of a brother and Tony felt like he should pet Thor's head when he saw the puppy dog eyes he pulled on her.
Loki kept glaring at Thor for a moment before smiling (rather unintentional if Tony could guess) and threw her arms up saying "Ok, you big oaf, just stop with the eyes or I will punch you" ahh, brotherly love, what a great thing that was …of course, something entirely unknown for Tony, being an only son and all; Howard wouldn't even think about having another kid, one was already too much... not that he actually ever paid any attention to him or anything, but whatever.
"It is very nice to meet you as well Mr. Stark" Thor said with a smile (damn, this whole group of people was particularly charming).
Tony inwardly cringed at that name but smiled and said "Mr. stark is my father big guy, call me Tony" as nonchalantly as he was able.
The air felt a bit less tense, but Tony knew that whatever the matter was, it was the farthest thing from over, neither Loki nor Thor -or Fandral for that matter- seemed like the kind of people who would back off from an argument just like that, he thought that the quick break up of it was mostly for his sake, and he was ok with that. Frankly, it was too early in their friendship for big bouts of drama (like his blooming crush wasn't enough already).
Thor's cell phone rang and after a short conversation (which Tony tried not to listen, 'tried' being the operative word) a tall, dark haired woman entered the room. Ok, maybe it was 'breaking in day' and Tony didn't know, but as long as the trespassers looked like this woman or Loki (or Thor and Fandral, but again, no homo), nobody would be hearing complaints from Tony's side.
The woman, Tony noted was carrying a heavy looking box of unknown content (but marked as 'books' although the veracity of the sharpie mark was yet to be revealed), and Tony also noted that neither Thor nor Fandral offered to help her with it even when both of them looked like they wanted to. Interesting.
"Where should I put this?" she asked; no greetings, no nothing.
Loki snorted softly and went over to the kitchen counter and placed the box of scones and coffee on top of it, Tony accidentally caught her eye while he was trying not to stare at her too much and was rewarded with an actual smile, and no, his knees definitely did not went weak at that, he was just so hungry he was going weak all over…starting at his knees.
Loki made a gesture with her head to tell him to come closer and Tony absolutely did not trip over his own feet in his haste to get to her, and she was just chuckling at something totally unrelated, obviously.
"Blueberry scone?" Loki asked pointing at the inside of the box and grabbing a napkin, Tony smiled and nodded before grabbing a napkin of his own and taking one of the pastries, nodding again in thanks "Don't pay attention to her, she's just mad that she has to spend all day helping Fandral move in, instead of 'hanging out' with my brother" she explained.
"And by 'hanging out' you mean?" Tony asked before taking a bite of the scone.
Loki laughed a little, "Exactly what you're thinking" she said before taking a bite of her scone.
Tony laughed with her, took another bite (it was delicious) and noticed that they were the only ones in the room, the door was open so the other three were probably getting more of Fandral's things, Tony looked at her thinking if maybe he should help his roommate move in as well, it wasn't like he had anything better to do today, though he could get around to put his things in place, but he'd rather procrastinate that particular task.
"So, are we helping them?" he asked casually, it was only polite to offer.
"You're welcome to do so, if you wish" she said, looking like she didn't care one way or the other "I for one, have things to do, like go to the campus office to get our time-tables and such" she said noncommittally.
"Getting out of the heavy-lifting, eh? How sneaky of us" Tony said with a smile.
Loki looked at him and rolled her eyes "Thor and Fandral would never let me carry anything heavier than this box of scones, Sif would just mock me for being the frail damsel even now" she rolled her eyes again, "and Hogun and Volstagg would just agree with her every word, I'm fine going on my own for a bit" she finished and Tony blinked.
"Woah, wait, of all the people you just mentioned, I only know who Thor and Fandral are" he laughed.
"Sif" Loki said, "Miss 'Where should I put this', she's my brother's girlfriend and another one of his and Fandral's best friends, told you about her last night I think" she said while taking another scone from the box and sitting on the kitchen floor (they really needed to get the place properly furnished) with her back resting on the counter, Tony followed her example, took another scone and sat next to her, minding not to touch her because he still felt itchy all over, no need to make it worse, "Hogun and Volstagg, they were downstairs waiting to bring the rest of the boxes up, the five of them have been friends forever, you'll meet them in just a bit" she finished saying and took a large bite of her scone.
"We don't like them then?" he asked, and then realized he's been referring to himself and Loki as 'we' for longer than socially accepted this soon in a relationship –of friends. Damn it.
Loki stared at him for a moment, eyes scanning him, making him feel exposed, he nervously drummed his fingers on his bent knee while pretending that that look didn't bothered him until she finally spoke
" we " she started, and shit, she noticed too "don't like them, I because I know them, and you, because you don't" she said, and that didn't make a whole lot of sense to Tony.
"But the real question is, will I like them when I get to know them?" he asked arching his eyebrows at her.
"I do not want to speak ill of them, but if you are looking for smart conversation, these aren't the droids you're looking for" she said, and oh em gee… was that a reference? Score! Just when he thought she couldn't be more perfect; Tony stared at her and then burst off laughing.
They were still chuckling when Fandral, Sif, Thor and two other very big guys (Tony wondered what their parents fed them) entered the dorm carrying two boxes each, even Sif! Tony made a mental note to start working out ASAP.
The parade continued, Loki and Tony were just sitting on the floor eating scones and drinking coffee, watching as the five amigos went in and out the dorm, after a while, Loki took the last gulp of her cup of coffee and made to stand up, Tony automatically took her hand to help her while still on the floor, he felt her soft skin and the itching intensified tenfold. Great.
He almost offered to go with, but he decided that it would be in his best interest not to be alone with her in a prolonged space of time, and limited himself to wish her luck with whatever she had to do.
Well after Loki had gone to run her errands, Tony found himself bored out of his mind, so he decided to play nice and help his roommate.
Volstagg and Hogun were in charge of getting Fandral's bed-frame and mattress inside, while Thor, Sif and himself got the last boxes which were curiously marked as 'Why do you still have all this?', 'I don't want to know', 'I don't get paid enough for this' and 'I give 0 fucks'.
"I love those labels, though they are horribly vague" commented Tony, he just couldn't help it; Fandral looked at the boxes and laughed loudly.
"Loki wasn't very thrilled to help me sort all of my things, eventually she was promoted to official labeler, though I think she didn't take her job very seriously" Fandral said, fondness clear on his voice, Tony was about to comment when he heard Sif speak.
"Does she ever take anything seriously?" she said mockingly, Tony didn't like that tone, and by the looks she received from Loki's brother and boyfriend, neither did they, though Tony noted that they remained silent. Very interesting.
Thor and Fandral shared a quick glance, the conversation that was taking place was almost visible, but then Thor sighed as if in defeat "Sif, please don't start this again, you and my sister made a deal, remember?" Thor said warningly, while simultaneously trying to placate his girlfriend and trying not to cause offense; honestly, Tony now understood why Loki didn't like this woman if this is how she always acted, and judging by Thor's tired tone it was.
Fandral sighed -and probably counted to ten-, then sent a look towards Sif and the matter was dropped.
"Whatever" Sif said turning her head away from Fandral, an unattractive (ok, not really, but he was already biased) frown on her face.
Thankfully that's when Thunderstruck started playing via his cell phone, at this point he would take a telemarketer's call just to get out of the awkwardness, and he hates telemarketers.
"Starkman speaking" he answered.
"Mr. Stark? I'm calling to inform you that Mr. Stark requires your presence, you are to see him in his office in half an hour, a car has been sent to pick you up" said the voice of Howard's (kiss)assistant before hanging up on him without letting him say a word.
Tony sighed (everyone was sighing today), how typical of Howard, to assume he had nothing else to do than cater to his every whim, and while it was true, it was still infuriating.
"Well, that's my cue to leave, mi casa es su casa" he said to the presents, and threw a "literally" in Fandral's way, who smiled and waved at him.
Tony had to wait for a hundred hours before his father could see him, classic. Not that he was particularly looking forward to it, but how fucking typical it was that if Tony was late for half a second his father would hound him for it for all eternity, while he could wait outside his father's office in these fucking uncomfortable chairs for hours and not be offered a simple apology for it in return.
Tony snorted when his father's assistant got out of his office trying to fix her hair and button her shirt at the same time, she startled when she noticed him and tried to act natural, "You can go in Mr. Stark" she said sitting on her chair behind her desk.
Tony raised an eyebrow "That's what she said" he said looking at her "but I'll better wait a few more minutes, give dear old dad time to wipe the lipstick from his di-" her brow creased, her lips thinned and her cheeks burned, but her eyes never left his while she stated sharply "Yes, that would be best" before withdrawing all her attention from him and pouring it in some of the papers and files that were on her desk.
Tony scoffed and re-took his seat; he was feeling sick at his dad's behavior (and his own, to be completely honest). Good thing his mother was dead, at least she didn't have to deal with this kind of shit anymore.
And wasn't that just the most depressing thought ever?
He went to take his phone out, when he felt something else inside his pocket. It was one of the blueberry scones wrapped in a napkin, he took it out and stared at the little bundle in his hand for a bit.
'Maybe', he thought.
"Mr. Stark will see you now" (his dad's assistant said.
He got up and put the scone back in his pocket, while opening the door he took a second to look around, it was as if nothing untoward had taken place not five minutes ago; Tony took a (discreet) deep breath and stepped inside, closing the door after him.
'Maybe things will start looking up'. Tony thought.
"You're late" was the first thing his father said, not taking his eyes from the papers in his hands.
'Then again, maybe not'.