Lucky Thirteen

Peter blinked open his eyes and looked around. Sometimes it was still a little weird waking up in a different house, sharing a room with someone who wasn't Loki.

Good morning, Peter and may I wish you a happy birthday, JARVIS' voice resounded in the room, waking Harley as well.

"Thanks, JARVIS," Peter said as he rubbed his eyes and reached for his glasses.

"Hey, that's right," Harley said, sounding groggy as he rolled over and looked at him from his bed on the other side of the room. "It's your birthday. Happy birthday, dude," he said. "Wait, what time is it?"

It is 10 a.m. precisely, JARVIS answered. And Dr. Banner prepared waffles for you when you are ready for breakfast.

"Birthday waffles!" Peter sat up immediately.

"Birthday waffles?" Harley asked curiously.

"Yeah, dad makes us waffles for breakfast on our birthdays," Peter explained.

"Oh, so that's why he made waffles on Steve and Thor's birthdays," Harley said, sitting up. "Cool."

Peter and Harley hurried toward the kitchen where everybody was already awake and sat around the large table. Peter was immediately bombarded with several variations of birthday greetings and wishes. His dad brought them both a plate of waffles and sat them in front of them on the table.

"Happy birthday, little spider," his dad said then and kissed him on his head. "I have to go into work for a few hours, but I have it on very good authority that Tony has something special planned for you while I'm gone."

Peter's eyes widened and he looked at Tony. "It's a surprise," Tony said and made a motion of zipping his lips.

Peter then saw the way Tony looked at his dad like he was just as eager about whatever it was. Whatever it was, his dad smiled but also had a look that said he wasn't eager.

"Will you be back before the party?" Peter asked before taking a large bite of his waffles, which he made plenty sure to drown in syrup.

"Of course," his dad answered. "This is kind of a…" He stuck his tongue out slightly and held it between his teeth. Peter knew it was what he did when he was trying to find the right explanation.

"It's kind of a pre-party party," Tony said.

Peter furrowed his brow as he swallowed his bite of waffles and then took a drink of orange juice to chase it down. "But, dad, won't you be missing out?"

"Uh…" His dad looked like he was put on the spot and Tony chuckled softly. "Let's just say you'll enjoy this pre-party event much more without dad there. Don't worry about me. And, actually, I might make it back for some of it."

Dr. Banner, the car is ready.

"Right. Thank you, JARVIS," Bruce said, getting up from the table and taking his things to the kitchen. "Have fun," he said when he came back through. "Love you, kids."

"Aww, we love you too, Doc," Clint said teasingly although Peter wondered sometimes if his dad would ever love Tony's kids the way he loved him and his siblings or if Tony would love them the way he loved his kids.

"Have fun with the seminar," Tony said, standing up and giving Bruce a quick kiss. "No matter how desperately bored you get, don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Bruce laughed. "That doesn't leave a whole lot does it?" Tony gave a devious smile that reminded Peter of Harley. "And I'm trusting you," his dad said in a warning tone. "If anything happens, I'm blaming you."

"Don't worry. It'll be fine," Tony said and kissed him again before Bruce hurried out.

Peter wondered what his dad could be so worried about.

Peter was in the middle of playing on the Pac-Man machine in the rec room, trying to beat the current high score, when Tony came in and sat down on the opposite side of it.

"Is it time for my surprise?" Peter asked eagerly without looking up from the game.

"Just about," Tony answered. "Okay, Petey, I hope you don't mind, but this is going to be your present from me. Sorry it's a bit of a one-off type deal, but I think it's a pretty neat one-off deal. Also your dad kind of shut down all of my other ideas, one is apparently 'illegal' in the state of New York, and it was a challenge enough getting your dad to agree to this one," Tony explained.

Peter got so caught up in listening to Tony's explanation that he forgot about the game and lost. "Must be awesome if dad didn't want to agree to it." He also wondered what gift idea was illegal.

Mr. Stark, they are now set up.

"Guess it's time to head outside," Tony said with a wide smile, standing.

"Outside?" Peter questioned, but Tony didn't say anything else. Peter followed him and Harley and Pietro joined them along the way. Once outside, where the others were already gathered, Peter's eyes widened. "Whoa!"

In one of the side yards were a man and a woman who had several lizards and insects. But the thing Peter's eyes went straight to was a tarantula.

"No wonder dad didn't want to be here," Steve said with a laugh. "How did you get him to agree to let Peter actually handle a tarantula?"

"Do we really want to know that answer?" Loki asked with a smirk.

Peter wasn't quite sure what that meant or why Steve coughed and Sam said, "Oh, dude, didn't need that mental image followed by Tony saying, "Hilarious" in a tone that didn't sound like he was amused.

All Peter could think about was Steve said he could handle the tarantula.

"I get to touch it?" He finally asked in disbelief.

Tony smiled wide. "Yep," Tony said with a wide smile and emphasis on the 'p' as he looked down at him. "This is a petting zoo and the nice folks will help you handle the tarantula and his other friends to your heart's content. Happy birthday, buddy."

"I can't believe it!" Peter was more excited than he'd ever been. He could finally actually touch a tarantula. His teacher back at his old school had never let them touch the class pet. "Thanks, Tony," he said, truly thankful. "This is the best gift ever!"

"Poor dad doesn't stand a chance now," Natasha said.

"So you're the birthday boy, are you?" The lady asked him.

He nodded. "My name's Peter."

"Well, Peter, why don't we jump right in here," she said. "Tarantulas are venomous, but really quite harmless." Suddenly the man came over with the tarantula on his outstretched arm. "Why don't you go ahead and take a few pets so you can get accustom to how he feels."

Peter did, squirming a little but in a way that was exciting. Behind him Jemma cried, "Eww!"

"That's so gross," Darcy agreed.

"Tarantulas aren't for everyone," the lady said. "But we do have some snakes and lizards and a few other creepy crawlies that might be your cup of tea."

"I highly doubt that," Skye said. "I'm a cat person." A few of the others agreed.

"Dog person," Clint chimed in and those who hadn't agreed with Skye agreed with him.

"I like all animals that are cute," Jemma said decidedly. "These aren't cute."

"No?" The guy then said and Peter watched as he transferred the tarantula to the lady's hand and moved to grab something else. When he returned he held a gecko and he walked over to his little sister, crouching down in front of her. She shied away a little, but Tony held her shoulders reassuringly. "What about this little guy? You don't think he's a little cute?"

Jemma looked long and hard at the gecko until suddenly it stuck its tongue out and she giggled. "Okay he's a little cute," she said and looked up at Tony who smiled at her. She then began petting it before being allowed to hold it.

Peter turned his attention back to the tarantula and was finally allowed to hold it. "This feels so weird," he said.

"This reminds me," Tony said as he came over and pet the tarantula crawling up his arm. "Have you watched Free Willy yet?" Peter shook his head. "Then we definitely need to do that tonight after dinner."

"You haven't seen Free Willy?" Wanda asked incredulously. "It's way old, but really good."

Tony scoffed. "Way old? That's harsh. At least refer to it as a classic," he said moving his hands as he spoke.

"No, the classics are the films before the 70s," Steve argued.

"True that," Sam agreed.

"Okay, okay, whatever, we're watching it," Tony said. "Now I really want to handle a snake. Anyone else?"

"Absolutely not," Loki said and cringed. Loki hated snakes.

Peter rolled his eyes. "I do," he said even if it meant passing on the tarantula to someone else for the time being. The petting zoo continued for what both felt to Peter like forever and not long enough. "I wish I could have a pet tarantula."

"Apparently they're illegal in the state of New York, buddy," Tony replied. "Trust me, I looked."

"You did?!" Peter couldn't believe it. The more he was around Tony the more he felt bad he had ever said he didn't want another father. He still loved his dad more, but Tony was cool and super nice.

"There's no way dad would have allowed that," Thor said as he handed the turtle he'd been holding back to the guy.

"What wouldn't have dad allowed?" Peter turned and saw his dad had joined them.

"Me getting a tarantula as a pet. If it wasn't illegal," Peter added.

"Oh, yeah, no. That would have been a definite no," Bruce said. "Sorry."

"You know, maybe you should hold the tarantula, Bruce. Just face your fears," Tony suggested and Peter looked up at his dad with wide, hopeful eyes at that idea.

"It's not a fear. I'm not…" Bruce sighed. "I’m not arachnophobic. I just don't think spiders are pets and, you know, they bite."

"Dogs bite," Harley pointed out.

Bruce sighed again. "I really don't want to touch it, thank you."

"Hey, you don't have to," Tony said, wrapping an arm around Bruce's waist. Peter thought it was a little gross when they did stuff like that, just like when Natasha kissed her boyfriend, but he decided to focus his attention on petting the tarantula a few more times before the handler put him up. "I was just giving you a hard time. We all have our things. But, hey, see I told you he would be fine."

"I'm just glad I didn't come back to him having turned into Spider-man," Bruce said with a laugh.

"That would be so cool," Peter said, turning back to his dad.

"I take it you had fun?" His dad asked him with a smile.

"Tons! This has been the best birthday ever," he said excitedly.

"Well, I guess we can just skip the gift I got you and the cake right? Since this was obviously more fun than you can handle in one day," Bruce said in a serious tone.

Peter's eyes widened. "I didn't say that."

They all laughed.

Peter had to admit that Free Willy was pretty interesting for an old movie, but not as interesting as the remote control car his dad had gotten him. He'd been sitting on the floor playing with it through most of the film.

And he certainly wasn't crying like someone else seemed to be. He spun around, still sitting cross legged, to see it was Jemma and their dad was trying to console her. He then saw maybe it wasn't just Jemma. Clint, Steve, Thor and Jane all dried their eyes. 

"It wasn't that sad," he said, looking at them strangely. He then looked back at Harley beside him.

Harley shrugged. "Clint always gets teary eyed. Sam does too sometimes."

"Yeah, but Homeward Bound is the 90s animal movie that really gets me," Sam said in response to that. "When Peter calls for Shadow, man, that's emotional manipulation and I love it."

"Okay, that one was sad," Peter admitted and not just because the boy's name in the movie was Peter.

"I cry when Shadow is actually trying to get out of the pit," Steve said.

"I cry when Sassy protects the little girl," Skye said.

Jemma started sobbing harder and they all looked at her, except Natasha who had fallen asleep with her head against Thor's shoulder.

"Yeah, Jemma cried for a good few days after we watched that one," Bruce said. "I didn't realize it was going to be too much. Sweetheart, why are you crying over this movie?" He then asked.

"Be… Because," she said, sniveling, "he saved him and now he's never going to see him again."

"Well, there is a sequel," Tony offered in a comforting voice.

Jemma sniveled and looked over at him. "There is?"

"Totally. And Jesse does get to see Willy again," Tony said.

"I don't remember it being very good," Bruce said.

"Eh, not as good, no," Tony replied and then looked at his watch. "But we probably could squeeze it in if it would help."

"I want to watch it," Jemma said to that. "And can I have some chamomile tea?"

"You certainly may," Bruce answered and Peter watched as his dad left with Jemma to make some. Tony followed after them.

"Well, if we're going to watch another movie," Thor said, "I think we're going to need some more popcorn."

"How can you stomach it after two pieces of cake, ice cream, dinner and the popcorn we've already had?" Loki asked with a sneer.

Thor shrugged and then jumped to his feet and Natasha went falling, head landing in Sam's lap since he'd been sitting on Thor's other side. Natasha bolted awake and Peter snickered along with Harley.

"What the hell?" She grumbled and looked around.

"Hello to you too, sleeping beauty," Sam said with a laugh as he looked down at her.

Natasha pushed away with a groan. "Don't call me that."

"She's right," Steve said, but Peter thought he looked a little mad about something. "Doesn't seem to suit her."

"So what did I miss?" Natasha asked.

"Jesse freed Willy," Peter answered.

"Bet you didn't see that one coming," Pietro joked and they laughed. "Now we're watching the sequel."

"There's another one?" Natasha asked with a raised brow before dropping her head back on the couch. "Is this like an obligatory thing?"

"Jemma had a meltdown so probably," Loki answered.

"Fine," she said with an eye roll and then looked at Sam. "You were soft." She plopped back down against him. "Wake me up when it's over."

"I should just push you off onto the floor," Sam said.

"Only if you don't want to live," Natasha replied without opening her eyes.

Peter thought Steve looked even madder, but didn't really care. He decided to go back to playing with his new car. It had a spider decal on it that made it a million times more interesting than whatever his brother was mad about.

Bruce's stubble prickled at Tony's skin, adding to the intoxicating sensation, as he sucked at his collarbone with the intent of leaving a mark. "I should spoil your kids more often," Tony said with a breathy chuckle, but groaned slightly at the end when Bruce bit down on the spot.

"Not really about the spoiling," Bruce murmured against his skin before pulling back and looking down at him. "It's you getting to know my kids and making them happy," Bruce explained with a thin smile.

Tony smiled back. "Well, then, good to know this is an appropriate response to that sort of thing because I owe you a million of these," he said, glancing down in the general direction of the bruise on his skin that he couldn't actually see.

Bruce leaned down and joined their lips together in a kiss that was tender but also filled with heat. Tony moved one of his hands to cusp the back of Bruce's neck; he could feel the slight movement of Bruce's muscles as the other man's lips moved against his own.

Tony gave up control and allowed Bruce to lead the kiss, knowing he would want the same if their positions were reversed. If Bruce wanted to show his appreciation, Tony had no problems with that.

Definitely no problems with that, he thought to himself when Bruce's hand teased the hem of his sweat pants.

Loki was reading Beowulf in the library when he was interrupted by a casual knock on the open door. "It isn't closed," he drawled without looking up.

"Really? Didn't notice," Skye quipped in return. Loki marked his page, closed the book and looked up at her. "Yeah, so Sam, Steve and I were going to head down to that coffee house I told you about. There's a soul band playing there tonight that Sam is like stoked to see or something." She shrugged. "I just thought you might want to join us."

"Don't want to be the third wheel?" Loki asked with a knowing smirk.

"God, no," she replied earnestly. "But I figure all the other options for a fourth wouldn't really appreciate the vibe."

"Well," Loki said smoothly, "I'll have mercy on you and tag along."

Skye rolled her eyes. "Please tell me you're going to try out for the drama club. Because I think they're doing Shakespeare."

"That was the plan," Loki indulged her as he stood to his feet to accompany her.

When they arrived, Loki quickly took in the place and its inhabitants. It was crowded, but not cramped like a Starbucks. The mood lighting was infinitely better. The seating was much more diverse with a few alcoves, some booths, individual arm chairs, tables for two and large group seating as well. There was a sort of old fashioned, organic feel to the space while also feeling hip to the modern coffee house scene; he liked the contrast.

"Nice isn't it?" Skye interrupted his appraisal.

"We had a rather nice one back at home. College town," he supplied and she seemed to get the point. "But this is nice, yes," he admitted. "Although it won't mean a thing if their drinks aren't any good," he pointed out.

"Not any good? Okay, trust me, that's not a problem," she said confidently. "Come on," she urged and then practically dragged him to the ordering line. "I like everything if coffee is involved and can't decide most the time so I usually just order the house special when I come. But…"

Skye's chatter faded into a slightly annoying buzz of noise in the background when Loki caught a glimpse of the blonde haired, blue eyed girl at the register. She was taking orders quickly and with a blinding smile. Her skin was perfection. She was beautiful and yet not a frail and wispy sort of girl that most would probably think if he were to try and describe her complexion.

"Hi, Skye," The girl said and Loki blinked, realizing they were next in line and that the girls knew each other. "House special?"

"Hey," Skye said in return. "Uh, yeah. Sounds good. This is one of my dad's boyfriend's sons," Skye then said. "His name's Loki and it's his first time so…"

"Loki?" The girl said and gave him a curious glance that didn't seem judgmental rather intrigued. "As in the Norse demigod?"

"Yes," he answered. "My real name is Loren, but I go by Loki. I find it sets me apart in the theater."

"You're into theater too?" She asked with wide, blue eyes and Loki smiled in spite of himself. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be gabbing until I'm on break. Um, so, Loki, what will you have?"

Loki looked at the menu. "What would you recommend?"

"Tea or coffee?" She asked.

"Tea," he answered, even if he drank both.

"We have a tea frappe that is to kill for," she replied and he tilted his head.

"Then I'll have that," he said with another smile. "You realize the usual turn of phrase is to die for?"

"It's a nonsensical turn of phrase," she said as she rang up their order and took their payment. "If you were to die to get the drink, you would be dead and unable to enjoy it. This drink is good enough that you'd be willing to kill somebody else to get it." She smiled as she looked back up from the register again. "I hope you find the drink to your liking, Loki."

He finally glanced down at her name tag before looking back at her. "I do believe I will, Sig. Thank you."

"Great. Now I'm the spare wheel in the trunk," Skye muttered teasingly as they walked away to wait for their orders. "But you might be interested to know she's recently single."

Loki looked back toward the girl. Interesting indeed.

Loki wondered a little at how less than three weeks the two families seemed to find that in addition to their changes in surroundings and company their routines had changed greatly as well. For him and his siblings the doors were opened up to hundreds of activities and privileges while it seemed to him that their father, used to organizing schedules and keeping their whereabouts known, had stepped in as a grounding force the Starks weren't quite as accustomed to.

On week nights the end of family dinner – and Loki also wondered at how they all easily called it family dinner without blinking at the implication – had become dedicated to both fathers asking them if any of them had plans away from the house or wanted to go somewhere away from the house the following day while they were at work. Loki got the impression that during summer Tony had mostly relied on JARVIS to notify him or having them check in with him, but Bruce was more inclined to know in advance especially with so many kids to keep track of now and his concern about Peter and Jemma.

So as they sat around the table finishing their meals on a Thursday night Loki was forced to listen to everyone make up their minds as to whether they wanted to leave the Stark palace, as he referred to it dryly, the next day. It was already decided that Clint was going to take Pietro, Harley and Peter to the beach. Loki had no interest in that as he typically burned like a lobster. And Thor, according to them, had talked Sam and Steve into giving football tryouts a shot – although Loki knew that Sam was the one who got Steve to give in on Steve's condition that Sam try out too.

Natasha was next to discuss her plans. "Tomorrow is open tryouts for that ballet school I'm interested in."

"Do I need to be there for that?" Bruce asked.

Natasha shrugged. "It didn't say anything. Probably not since it's just tryouts. If they accept me then there'll probably be paperwork."

"Well, best of luck, but I know you'll do fine," Bruce said.

Loki could be cruel and point out that there was sure to be stiffer competition in New York than Virginia, but decided to hold his tongue. Natasha was already on edge as apparently some of her friends from their old school had called her about homecoming, which Loki thought was ridiculous as school hadn't even started yet.

"Seeing as I have no interest whatsoever in trying out for cheerleading," Skye started with a roll of her eyes, "I'm going to just chill here."

Jane and Darcy quickly agreed to the notion of staying at home. Loki wasn't sure he would call the place 'home' yet himself, but he knew Jane did. Still, he was about to speak a similar sentiment when Wanda spoke up first.

"I want to take Scarlet out for a long ride tomorrow," the girl said. "I checked the weather and it's supposed to rain Saturday and Sunday. I don't like taking her on muddy trails." She grimaced even as she said it.

Loki tilted his head, considering. He wondered if he might not ask to tag along with her. She was one of the more preferable Starks to hang out with and he still hadn't had a chance to see the stables where she housed her horse.

"Hey, Loki, maybe you'd like to go with her?" Tony asked before he had to make the effort. "They have day long training sessions if you're interested."

"I might be," he hedged. He didn't particularly like the process of learning new things as it meant being vulnerable and incompetent, but it was something he wanted to learn.

"Well, if you like it enough the first session, we can probably get you set up with Wanda's instructor," Tony continued casually.

"I want to see the horses, daddy," Jemma suddenly said and looked at their father.

"Ah, I don't know…" Bruce started in that concerned way of his.

"You know," Wanda intervened, "I was about Jemma's age when I started formal lessons, but it's dependent on coordination and ability to follow very careful instruction. I think Jemma would be fine with that, but they have a junior instructor who will gauge that and if she's not ready for lessons she can still do some lead riding to prepare her for lessons later if she's interested."

"Okay," Bruce said, "I only understood half of that." He chuckled softly.

"She's just saying they do this for a living and they take very good care of the kids who come to them," Tony responded. "Jemma would be perfectly safe, but we can take her another day when we're actually able to go along," he offered."You wouldn't be the first dad to be a little wary of putting their little princess on a horse." Tony looked at Wanda as if to make his point clearer.

"He was a nervous wreck," Wanda said to that. "Mom…" Her sentence trailed and she picked at what was left on her plate with her fork.

"Maya insisted we let her learn," Tony explained. "Insisted I was being paranoid. And…" Tony paused before finishing, "she insisted we buy her a horse for her... her birthday..."

Loki saw his father's eyes widen as he looked at Tony. Loki glanced quickly at Tony in time to see him nod, expression set in a soft frown. Loki then looked back at Wanda and saw there were tears brimming in her eyes even though she seemed keen to hide it. Loki could only guess that her horse was a bittersweet reminder of her mother. He hadn't the privilege of knowing his mother and his father had clearly not wanted him or Thor, but Loki liked to believe his mother would have done everything to take care of them had she lived.

"I would like to go," Loki offered. "I would like to at the very least see this special horse of Wanda's." Wanda looked up at him with a small smile. Loki then looked at his father. "And I can watch Jemma if she at least wants to look at the horses or ride the ponies," he offered.

His father blinked several times – Loki was self-aware enough to know his offer surprised him as he was not naturally altruistic – and Jemma looked on with hopeful eyes.

"Okay, I think I'm fine with that," Bruce said slowly. Then he weighed his head back and forth. "And I guess if the junior instructor wants to gauge her readiness for formal lessons, I'm okay with that too. But they won't take her out on an open trail to do that right?"

"No, just a corral for all perspective riders under ten," Wanda replied, clearing her throat before she did. "Loki will probably get a small trail ride."

"You know," Skye suddenly interjected. "Sig's cousin owns the stables. She works there too as one of the junior instructors." She looked at him with a sly smile.

"Your horse is aptly named," Loki said as Wanda showed him how to groom a horse at the end of her ride and his lesson. The instructor had allowed her to take the lead on this particular part of the instruction and Loki got the impression the instructor was testing her to see if she would make for a good junior instructor herself.

"Thank you," Wanda said. "She's a chestnut. Her registered name for showing is Scarlet Witch."

"Scarlet Witch," Loki repeated. It was an unusual name. "I like that," he decided. "So you show her yourself?"

"Not yet," she answered. "I'm learning and hope to have her in some shows next year. What about you? Did you enjoy your lesson? Do you think horses are for you?"

Loki gave a considering look at the horse as they finished with the grooming. "I think so," he said with an earnest smile.

"Well, if you ever buy a horse you should name him Sleipnir." Loki turned to see Sig was the source of the comment. She was walking slowly toward them, Jemma at her side.

"Clever," Loki replied to her joke. "It would be rather fitting."

"Loki!" Jemma bounded over to him and tugged at his arm. "Sig let me ride without holding the leadline! Loki's eyes widened and he spared a glance at Wanda to see her looking around guiltily.

"It was only for thirty seconds," Sig said in a reassuring tone. "She wasn't in any danger. It's just a necessity for me to gauge her comfort level of holding the reigns independently."

"Still," Loki said cautiously, "I do think we should keep this a secret between us, Jemma. I don't believe father would be very happy. At the very least, I was with you the whole time."

"Okay," she responded and Loki hoped she would be true to her word.

"I don't think I've ever cooked for this many people at once," Bruce said with a laugh as he talked to Sam's dad.

"Well, at least you have an assembly line to help you," the Colonel said in reference to Loki, Natasha and Clint who were at the table prepping a mountain of ribs with dry rub for the Labor Day barbecue that Tony put on for some select employees and the Board of his company.

Loki rolled his eyes. "He realizes we can hear him, yes?"

Clint shook his head. "With Uncle Rhodey, who knows?"

"So, while I've finally got your ear without any risk of interruption," Rhodey started after a few moments of quiet and he pitched his voice a little lower which only made Loki strain his ears to listen in. "I've been meaning to talk to you about my son and yours."

Loki saw the knowing look Clint and Natasha gave one another. So it seemed everybody was probably aware of the thing that was happening there.

"Sam and Steve?" Bruce asked casually. "Uh, yeah. It seems they've become really great friends."

Loki nearly gave an audible groan. Well, almost everybody. He looked at Natasha and she gave him a meaningful look. He was the only one of their family who knew she was asexual so it probably wasn't all that surprising their father hadn't picked up on cues between the two boys. In fact, Loki could easily imagine Tony had probably had to make the first move in Germany to make his interest apparent.

"…all Sam has really talked about the past few months," Rhodey was saying when Loki started listening again. "But I have a pretty good feeling my son likes your son a little more than what's friendly, Dr. Banner."

"You…" Bruce started, disbelief clear in his voice. "You think Sam has a crush on Steve?"

"I do. I think if Steve were to ask him out point blank Sam would probably be over the moon. That's how confident I am." Rhodey paused. "Not that I don't understand. I've maybe been paying extra close attention to Steve to see what he's like. Seems like a great kid. But I obviously can't make a call on what your son's feeling. He could legitimately only see my son as a friend and not suspect a thing and I know Sam won't do anything to make him uncomfortable if he thinks… Well, I'm sure you understand what I mean."

"I do," Bruce said solemnly. Then after a pregnant pause, "Oh my god, I… I don't even know. I suddenly feel like a horrible father. You were able to figure out your son's feelings by phone and I'm…"

Loki smirked when Natasha shrugged as if to say, well.

"Hey, no judgment here," Rhodey said in response to their father's slight meltdown. "You have seven. I only have one. So you're not sure where Steve stands then?"

"I'm sorry, I don't. I know he was into this girl back home, but that never went anywhere because he's… He's always seemed a little unsure with the whole dating thing. So I never really pried or pressured him about his crush. I… I'll keep a closer eye out now though." Bruce paused and then asked, "Are you concerned about my son being here? In the same house? Because if it's a problem, I can—"

"No, no," Rhodey responded and Loki was a little surprised to find he was reassured by that. "You're fine. Sam's old enough to handle it until I get back."

"Okay, but… if it's mutual? Then what?"

"Well, I guess that partly depends on what you're okay with," Rhodey answered. "It also probably depends on if they figure it out before I'm back," he added with a laugh.

Clint snorted.

"Gezundheit," Natasha said casually.

"Thanks," Clint said just as casually and they all three continued with the subterfuge of not listening.

"Look, Dr. Banner. If it's mutual there's probably not much we can do besides lay down some rules since the shared house thing makes it a little unusual, but honestly it doesn't bother me since it's not like you and I are the ones in a relationship here."

"Hey," Tony came bounding in at that moment. "Can I borrow Loki for a moment?" Loki looked at him curiously.

"Uh, yeah, I'm sure the other two can manage without him," Bruce answered with a gleam in his eyes.

Loki wondered at that, but shrugged and went over to one of the sinks to wash his hands. He then followed Tony to wherever it was he was needed. To his surprise, Tony only led him to the living room that was currently empty.

"So, not even I with all my powers of persuasion could convince your dad to let me buy you a horse," Tony began without segue way.

"I wasn't aware I asked for one," Loki said dryly.

"No, but I was under the impression you've been enjoying your little trips to the stables the past week. Or is it exclusively to flirt with Sig?" He asked with a raised brow. "Because if so let me know. No judgment here," he said, holding up his hands in surrender. Loki didn't answer. "But if you're interested in riding I found an alternative your dad isn't against."

Loki tweaked his jaw slightly and then looked at him curiously. "I'm listening," he said casually.

"A horse at the stable just became available for lease a few months ago. He won't be yours technically," Tony explained, clucking his tongue a little, "but he'll be yours to care for, ride and receive instruction with for the duration of the lease. If you're interested."

Loki swallowed his pride and smiled. "I am," he admitted.

"Alright, well, then I'll talk to the stable master and get it worked out. And just between you and me," Tony said then, "I'll keep working on your dad about getting you your own. When's your birthday?"

Loki blinked several times. "February. Uh, the ninth," he answered, a little taken off guard by everything.

"Huh, right before the twins. Good to know. I think that's plenty of time to bring your dad around if you're still interested by then. No promises it won't be a belated gift, but we'll see," Tony gabbled and Loki gave a soft laugh.

"You certainly have a lot of faith in your relationship with my dad lasting." Loki gave him a calculating look before further indulging his good will. "I hope you're right. I'm starting to get used to our weird little army."

Tony smiled broadly. "Well, this wasn't a bribe to get you in my corner, but hey I'll take it."

"See, I had no doubt you would make the starting team," Sam said to Steve, the sound of pool balls clacking together punctuating his statement.

Bruce took advantage of Peter's long chain of plays in their game of Pac-Man to shamelessly observe the two older boys' game of pool. He was starting to see the cues from Sam that made him suspect Rhodey was right while he looked for similar cues from Steve, hoping he knew enough about his son to know his tells when it came to these matters.

"I think I'd rather be backup," Steve responded with his easygoing smile as he moved to stand just beside Sam to set up his next shot. "Less pressure."

"Yeah, but cheerleaders don't date the backup," Sam said and Bruce wondered if he was phishing for Steve's dating interests.

As for Steve, he fumbled at the comment, backing away slightly from his shot when he almost dropped the cue stick. That was an interesting reaction.

"Uh," Steve stammered, "I think I'd live. I'm not really the cheerleader type." Bruce knew that much about his son to be true. Steve then glanced behind him quickly before taking his shot. "I take it you're the cheerleader type then?" He asked standing back up so that he and Sam were touching shoulders, neither looking at each other but the table instead. Bruce's eyes widened and finally he began to wonder.

"Uh, no," Sam answered, not moving. "Not really."

Bruce saw the precise moment Steve hesitated before taking whatever plunge he had in mind which turned out to be his turning his head slightly and asking as casually as he seemed to be able to manage, "So what is your type?"

Bruce brought his hand up to his mouth in realization as he continued to spy on their obvious moment. Sam turned his head slightly as well to meet Steve's gaze and his answer to Steve's question was clearly written all over his face. You, Steve, Bruce's mind filled in the blanks. Sam opened his mouth no doubt to stammer out some kind of response, if the slight hesitation was any indication, when the boy was saved by the bell. Or, in this case, an AI.

It is 8:50 p.m. All Starks and Banners under thirteen, please begin to prepare for bed. The rest, this is your first warning to finish whatever you are doing.

Peter groaned at that. "Up, go on. Sorry, Peter," Bruce said sympathetically. Reluctantly he got up and Bruce did too, not having any excuse to stay.

However, Bruce lingered at the door of the rec room. He was watching as the boys hurriedly returned to their game before their own lights out alarm when Tony passed by. The billionaire stopped with a curious glance.

"Spying are we?" He whispered.

Bruce shooed him away from the room and down the hall. After a few moments of walking in silence he said, "They almost had a moment."

Tony stopped beside him. "So it's mutual then?

"Seems like it."

"Well, this should be interesting."

Bruce sighed. "I just don't know why I didn't see it sooner. It makes me wonder what else I'm missing. I told myself I would never harass my kids about their crushes and certainly not their orientations, but now I'm wondering if I've been too hands off." He looked at Tony, his brow creasing in concern. "What if they don't trust me enough to come to me about this stuff because they think I'm not interested?"

Tony sighed next. "I don't know the answer to that. I'm probably floundering in that department too. I couldn't begin to tell you if any of my kids have crushes. Well, except Wanda. Pretty sure she has a very improbable crush that I really don't know what to do with," Tony said with a wince. Bruce tilted his head curiously. "JARVIS," Tony said silently, covering his mouth to hold in a laugh at the end.

Bruce couldn't help his own laugh. "Yeah, okay, you win. I think I'd rather be oblivious in your shoes. This was unexpected, but that… Yeah, I don't know what you can do with that either. Sorry."