Chapter 10
"Of course I suggested it that way," Thor agreed with a thud as the two men hugged briefly. "At least you'd know it's us. But Loki told me no. II think he's always sick after it," he whispered conspiratorially to Tony, but he didn't lower his voice too much, so Loki heard it. The god of mischief blushed slightly to Stark's surprise, but then immediately frowned and folded his arms across his chest.
"That's not true at all!" He countered immediately, glaring at his brother.
"Would you like a beer, Thor? It's nice that you decided to join us, but it's a pity you didn't come earlier. Barton wasn't here, but Steve and Rhodey stopped by, and the Captain would love to see you."
"I'd rather not have a beer," Thor shook his head, looking as if it had a big problem rejecting Tony's offer.
Loki grinned, happy as a flea, that it could repay Thor and tease him a little too. "Thor is a fresh abstinent, so don't try him, Stark."
"It's a shame I didn't catch Rogers," Thor remarked as the two Asgardians went with Tony to the kitchen. "I have to hope that next time I'll have better luck."
"If you want, you can return to Avengers Base. Steve brought Falcon and Barnes with him, and as I understand it, Nat will often go to them for some training," Tony grinned. He liked the idea of Natasha torturing them with long training sessions. "I guess she wants to so that the team can get to its feet and be in the best possible shape. In fact, it's good that they're going to do it, we'll need it."
Thor suddenly looked embarrassed, looking a little angry at himself. "Listen, Tony, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I wasn't here to help you. I was... I was introverted, and it never occurred to me that you needed my help. At the same time, if I were here, maybe it would have been resolved earlier and Peter wouldn't have been gone that long..."
Tony just stared at him for a moment, then shook his head. "Let it be. We can't know what would happen if you were here with us and helped us, but I still don't think it would be much different and it would turn out the same way. You don't have to blame yourself. Your brother helped us a lot," he said carefully, giving Loki a look.
"I heard," Thor nodded, smiled, and pated Loki on the back. "My brother eventually becomes a good man."
"At Odin, perhaps not," Loki muttered, suddenly not knowing where to look. He wasn't used to something like that, and he didn't like it very much.
"So where is Peter? I'd like to see him."
"I think he's in his room, probably gone to bed. He needs to recharge his energy properly. But maybe Bruce might still be in the workshop, don't you want to see him?" Tony suggested, and when Thor agreed, they went to the workshop together. Loki told them he'd rather stay here and offered to check on Peter. He didn't like to admit it, but he was starting to care a lot about the boy. He wanted to know how he was doing and if he was doing well.
Peter did not sleep. He had slept so much in the last days that he was sure he would not fall asleep tonight. He was as alert as he had long been, and his sister now occupied his keen mind. He put together all the information he had so far and tried to figure out how and where he could find more. He doubted she wouldn't let them know about herself, and he didn't want to get into the same situation he was in now. He didn't want her to find him again and bring him to her. No, this time he wanted to find her and have some triumph in his hand, to have a moment of surprise on his side. But she might let him watch. Maybe some of her scouts are already watching their house if she doesn't work alone, which he doubted a little. Although Mary preferred to rely only on herself, she needed someone to do most of the dirty work for her. Maybe his sister is riding the same wave.
"Are you listening to me?" A familiar voice interrupted him. Peter winced and looked in surprise at Loki, who stood with his hands on his chest against the wall, his eyebrows raised. He thought so much, gave his thoughts a free pass that he completely forgot he was lying in his room.
"I've been thinking for a while," Peter apologized and sat down.
"How do you feel?"
"Actually, quite well. I'm just not tired at all, and I'd rather go see Michelle today," he blurted out, suddenly embarrassed.
Loki grinned. "So what's stopping you?"
"Well," Peter stammered, "I can't pack in the middle of the night, especially now, my parents would be scared and-"
"Please, no one will attack you today," Loki snorted, then waved. Peter's absolutely convincing double appeared on the bed. "What do you say to that?"
"That's better than Beck's illusions," he muttered in astonishment. He was impressed.
"What are you so surprised about? I am a god of mischief and trickery. So go ahead, but don't look for problems, or your father will pull me out of my skin."
"I don't go looking for problems. Problems usually find me," Peter grinned but obeyed. He pulled out his old suit from his closet, put it on, and then jumped out the window. As he fired his webs and jumped from house to house, he was suddenly blissfully calm. The streets were quiet and peaceful and that was a nice change for once.
After a while, he appeared at the house where Michelle lived. He had only been here twice, accompanying her, but she had never taken him inside. Hopefully, she wouldn't kick him out.
Michelle hadn't slept yet. Her window was the only one that was lit. Peter felt his heart pound when he saw her sitting on the bed reading a book. He must have smirked at this situation. He sneaks up on his girlfriend like a thief! He fired his webs, jumped up to her window, and tapped softly on the windowpane with one hand while holding on with his other hand.
MJ raised her head in confusion and looked out the window. She widened her eyes when she saw Peter snuggling there. She tossed the book on the bed and ran to open it for him. "Peter! What the hell are you doing here? In the middle of the night! You should be home and rest!"
"I had to see you," Peter replied, smiling at her as he quietly climbed inside and sat down on the windowsill.
Michelle opened her mouth to say something, but it seemed that Peter had completely uttered her words with his confession. Eventually, she smiled too, but then stabbed him in the chest with her index finger. "You said you'd let me know."
"I thought I could wait back then. Besides, it wouldn't be a surprise," he grinned. Then he made his puppy eyes on her. "So, will you leave me here for a moment? I missed you."
She sighed, but she was still smiling. She gently took him by the cheeks and pulled him close. "What shall I do with you? I missed you too," she whispered before leaning over him and kissing him.