Under the sea
Days went by much slower than Tony was used to; even though he buried himself in work the hours just didn’t seem to pass. The genius found himself checking the camera footage of the cove every five to ten minutes in case Peter dropped by even though he was fully aware that it could take the boy weeks until he was able to come and visit.
Tony made his new suit and checked the map a few times memorizing where Peter went. The boy actually didn’t go far, a few miles from the shore and then deeper and deeper. Tony never knew that the ocean was so deep out there but now he knew.
The genius did feel a little guilty that he tricked the boy though. At the morning before they departed Tony had smuggled a tiny GPS sender into Peter’s food and the boy had swallowed it. Gladly the device was designed to send from a stomach and even if it hadn’t worked all the way Tony would have at least gotten a pretty good idea where the boy lived.
“Sir Mr Fury is here to see you.”
Tony frowned and looked up from his work, “what do you mean he is here?” The AI pulled up the visual from the camera at the front door, “he is currently standing at the entrance, demanding to be let in and I am certain that he has a gun.”
The genius huffed at that and rose from his seat, “well then let’s see what he wants, if he does something weird call the police and Pepper.”
“Of course Sir.”
Tony walked through the glass doors and upstairs only to see that the man had already let himself inside. How rude.
“Mr Stark, finally we meet again,” the man greeted but there was neither joy nor friendliness in his voice. Tony raised an eyebrow, “did it ever occur to you that I don’t want to meet you again? And by the way how did you get inside?” Fury’s one eye narrowed, “I am here to talk about your guest.”
Tony stiffed at that, “Dr Banner?” The man in front of him slowly tilted his head. Tony could see how pissed he was but he managed to keep his face mostly emotionless.
“No not him, you know who I am talking about, the one Hydra captured, you saved and then erased all data about. We are not stupid Stark and we have been watching you for a long time and we want to know what you found.”
Tony walked up to his bar and poured himself a drink, “and why should I share anything with you?” Fury followed and sat down on a stool snatching the glass out of Tony’s hand as he intended to take a sip.
“Because we are here to keep our people safe and comfortable and we cannot do that if we have to fear that something is lurking underwater for them. We know you found a mermaid Stark, so you tell me, is this a threat to humanity?”
Tony glared at the man. No one besides Pepper had the nerve to steal his drink, hell he had ruined people for that, “no,” he said angrily snatching his drink back.
“They want to be left alone and have a strict no talking to humans policy so don’t worry about them.”
The dark skinned man rubbed his chin thinking about that, “how would you feel if I offer you a job?”
That caused something that had only been told in myths; Tony Stark was at a loss of words. The genius was unsure if he should feel insulted, amused or intrigued. He settled for insulted.
“Do I look like I need a job offer from some shady organization? Well let me answer that for you, no, I don’t so now leave my house or I will make you.”
Fury seemed like he was considering shooting him but the man was more diplomatic than Tony would ever be so he didn’t. He let out a breath and walked up to Tony, “you talked to them Stark, to a species only known from fiction and only you can tell me if they are a threat and I have to trust your judgment so please help me here.”
Tony crossed his arms in front of his chest, “out, now!” The man’s eye twitched in anger and he sighed as he walked away, “very well gladly you are not the only person who was in contact with the fishman.”
The genius watched him go and once heard the door shut close he exhaled, “Jarvis, try to keep an eye on that one and call Pepper she needs to warn Bruce. He is not allowed to talk about Peter.”
“Of course Sir, by the way the updates are installed and ready for use.”
That for once were good news and Tony smiled as he walked down into the workshop to take a look at his work. The deep sea suit was almost ready and he just itched to take it for a ride, well swim.
The genius looked at the charts on his monitor and smiled then he looked at the new suit and grinned.
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If Loki had legs, he would pace right know. Peter had seen that from Tony and Pepper and he could almost imagine how the prince would look like with two long pale legs walking around.
“I mean can you believe it, that oaf went to Jotunheim,” Loki said his tail twitching nervously. Peter sat on the floor of the archives and watched his friend.
“Why did he go there?”
The prince rubbed his eyes and sat down next to Peter, “I don’t know he asked me to come along but I refused, gods if I had just talked him out of it.” Peter watched as Loki removed the hands from his eyes and was surprised how guilty and scared he looked.
“Why didn’t you?” Peter asked with apprehension and the prince slightly tensed at that question. Green eyes glanced at him and Peter frowned, but in the end Loki answered.
“I was about to search for you, he caught me just before I went off to find Jor and I was so worried about you that I just shot him down and didn’t listen.”
Peter put an arm around his friend who just pulled his tail up to his chest, hugging it tightly. He completely missed how Loki tensed up for a moment before he eased into the touch.
“Do you think we could sneak in and safe him?”
Loki’s eyes widened and he looked at Peter, “what? No! I just got you back and I will not endanger you like that!” Peter blinked at him and even Loki seemed surprised at his reaction. Both boys looked away slightly embarrassed and confused.
“I am sorry I-I didn’t want to yell at you, please forgive me,” Loki finally said resting his forehead on his tail. Peter rubbed his shoulder with a soft smile, “there is nothing to forgive, he is your brother and you have every right to be worried but I am just a friend.”
Loki let his gills flare at that, “you are not just a friend Peter, you are my only friend and I don’t want to lose you, not again.” The last words were a mere whisper and once again Peter felt this weird warm feeling inside his stomach.
Maybe he was getting sick, maybe he should ask May what it was. First he had this feeling being with Tony and now with Loki? It was so weird.
The prince slowly shifted, leaning against his friend and enjoying the touch. Normally it would be absolutely inappropriate for two mermen to be this close while not being related but as always the archives were deserted and they were the only ones around.
Merfolk tended to not write down their history, it may be to the fact that they had to carve it into stone to preserve it so tales and facts were mostly told from parent to child. The same was for school, Peter’s teachers, in Loki’s case it was a private tutor, only knew what they have been told by their teachers and since both boys were naturally curious they always wanted to know more.
That way they first met here in the archives, between shelves of stone sheets where words and pictures were carved in to preserve at least something of their history. Now they were in the cave to hopefully find out something about the Jotuns.
They only found one sheet and it had scarcely any information on it. Peter looked at the plate that lay in front of them on the ground as he absently rubbed his friends shoulder.
“If what it says is true,” Peter absently began, “then they will not give Thor back easily, our people may be warriors but the Jotuns are hunters.” Loki nodded, enjoying the close contact with his friend.
“I know and honestly it doesn’t look good for my idiotic brother, well at least he is still alive.”
Peter nodded, “what does Odin want to do about it?” Loki sighed ignoring the urge to press his nose against Peter’s slightly warm skin.
“He will meet with Laufey and discuss my brother’s return with him, but he doesn’t want me to be present at that meeting. He refused to explain to me why though.”
Peter hummed, “I guess he is just scared that he will lose another son.” Loki sighed, “yeah probably.”
They sat together for a little longer until Peter decided to leave and since they didn’t wanted to be seen together Loki left a few minutes after him.
If the two boys had picked up the sheet one more time they maybe would have noticed that on the backside was explained that the Jotun were some of the most passionate merfolk there were and they not only mated for reproduction but also for pleasure.
Which would have proven valuable information in the future.
Peter was on his way back home rounding a corner when he faced the queen. The golden haired mermaid was the most beautiful woman under the sea and Peter was gaping at her as she swam in front of him flanked by two guards.
“Oh my you must be Peter, am I right?”
The boy blinked and quickly bowed, “forgive me my queen,” he said reaching out to touch the ground in front of her but a flick of her tail stopped him.
“Oh please don’t do that your aunt insisted on those old and stupid traditions, too. I don’t like that at all.”
Peter straightened and nodded shyly. Suddenly Loki rounded the same corner he did just a minute ago and stopped dead in his tracks as he spotted them.
“Ah and there is my lovely son, how do you fare today?”
Loki swam up to them a wary expression on his face, “I fare well mother.” Peter blinked at him and quickly bowed, “my prince.” Loki raised an eyebrow before he remembered and nodded.
“Oh my how cute, well would you leave us alone?”
The boys watched as the two guards hesitated but eventually obeyed and left so the three had some more privacy. Peter was a little confused and at a loss of words so he was completely caught off guard as the queen swam forwards and hooked her arm into his, “please join me and my son in my private cave. I long since wanted to meet you and now that I have the pleasure we will talk.”
Peter stared with wide eyes at Loki who just shrugged helplessly and followed behind.
Frigga led them into her private cave. No one had access to it and even Odin had to ask permission to enter it. Peter felt like he had no right being there and if it wasn’t the queen at his side leading him in he would have probably turned and swam as far away as possible.
Once inside Frigga let go of Peter and sat down on rock that was almost shaped like a couch and covered by some spongey plant. The two boys took a seat in front of Frigga and Peter ran a hand over the weird plant. It was not as soft and comfortable as Tony’s furniture but it was a lot better than what he was used to.
Frigga chuckled as she watched the boys, the one curious and the other tense and wary. They made a good couple. The queen tilted her head and a wave of golden hair danced in the water, “so Peter, I had the honour of meeting your aunt a while ago.”
The boy blushed and looked down on his hands, “ah yes well I hope she didn’t bother you too much.” The queen wrinkled her nose in amusement, “oh no not at all and I can understand when a woman becomes protective of her little guppies.”
Loki blushed as she looked at him but the prince didn’t retort he simply looked at his fin that lazily moved in the slow current. Peter glanced at Loki with a small smile before looking at the queen, “but I am just her nephew and not her son.”
The mermaid chuckled and the golden fabric that covered her seemed to jingle a little as it moved, “but that doesn’t make a difference little one. My sister took in the son of her handmaiden as she died unexpectedly and she raised him as her son. He is her kin now.”
Peter frowned but nodded, he would never dare to disagree with the queen. Frigga smiled and watched the young merman with growing interest. Being raised as a Vanir and not Asgardian Frigga had never understood many things her husband and his people did. Of course as the queen she had to accept and even enforce some of the rules and old traditions but she had never liked to do so.
The queen had always hoped to change the hearts and minds of her people because she always knew that it would be their downfall if they didn’t change their ways anytime soon. She was pulled out of her thoughts as Peter cleared his throat.
“Uhm if you don’t mind me asking, is there word of Prince Thor, yet?”
The queen studied him for a moment, “are you and my son…” The young merman blushed, “n-no I don’t know the prince, I am just concerned about the heir, as everyone is.”
The queen slowly nodded, “as everyone is. No I am afraid there is no word from him, yet.” She sighed and the boy looked away again looking rather uncomfortable.
Frigga had always known that Thor would one day take the throne but she had never intended for him to rule, she always knew that her second son with all his smarts and curiosity would be the true and better leader of their people. Maybe with Peter he could be the one to truly bring change along the way.
One thing that was also frowned upon by their people was the mating of two merpersons of the same sex. They only mated when they had a reason and it was never for pleasure so the mating of two men would be considered useless on many levels.
“Mother I believe that Peter has to leave, his aunt will surely be worried if he stays out too long,” the prince turned to look at Peter, “won’t she?”
The boy blinked and shot up, “ah yes she gets kind of nervous nowadays.” The queen waved her hand, “oh I will explain it to her if she asks so don’t worry, sit down.” The last part was an order and Peter didn’t dare to refuse.
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Of course May was angry with Peter because he disappeared for so long but once he explained to her that it had basically been the queen’s fault she calmed a little.
The mermaid prepared a meal and Peter sat on the table waiting.
“I cannot believe you met the queen she is great isn’t she?”
Peter forced a smile, she was rather intimidating and scary but he couldn’t say that to his aunt, “yes…she is.” May kept on talking and telling him about her meeting with Frigga, “honestly I never expected to hear from her again, I mean she is the queen and we are just…we, but seeing that she sought you out gives me real hope. Maybe if she and the king approves of your friendship with the prince, maybe we could rise in status.”
Peter didn’t like how excited May sounded about that but he couldn’t be angry about it. It was indeed a great chance for her and he had no right to deny it to her. It was about time that something good happened to May.
They ate mostly in silence while Peter’s mind wandered, first he thought about Tony, all alone inside his huge cave, no house it is called a house and then to Loki. He may have tried to hide it from Peter but he could see how worried he was over his brother and he was determent to help him. It was his duty as a friend.
After Frigga’s interrogation Peter had stayed away from the royal cave and had even avoided the guards since he kind of feared that they would drag him to the queen if they spotted him. It was a silly thought because if she wanted to see him she could just order him to come by sending someone to his home.
It was still a nice game to him. Peter had always liked to be sneaky and silent and so it was no surprise he actually didn’t mind his situation so much. After three days Loki once again sought him out.
Peter was sitting with Ned in his cave playing the merfolk version of chess as a guard entered after a quick nod. The two boys looked up equally confused.
“Peter Parker, the second prince summons you to the royal archives!”
The boy blinked and looked at Ned who gaped at him, “the prince? You know the prince that is awesome.” Peter flushed and got up his tail flicking nervously, “I don’t really know him just met him a few times in the archives.”
Ned nodded looking a little disappointed, “oh alright stay safe.” Peter gave him a smile and followed the guard to the royal caves. If Loki sent a guard to get him he was either unable to find him or the matter was dire, both scenarios were not really good.
The guard left as soon as Peter swam inside the archives and he immediately spotted the prince. Loki was pulling out sheets and putting them back in the shelf just to occupy his hands, now Peter became even more worried.
“Loki, what is wrong?”
The prince spun around and with a quick flip of his tail he was in front of Peter.
“My father, the meeting it is tomorrow and he still refused to let me join.”
Peter shrugged, “yeah well we already knew that, so where is the problem?” Loki ran a hand through his hair but for once his hair was braided and adorned with glistering stones and seashells so his long fingers got tangled up in it.
With a hiss he pulled his fingers free, “I have a bad feeling about this meeting, we need to go there.” Peter let out a chuckle more out of disbelieve than because he thought it was funny, “yeah right we are going to spy on your father, the king and his royal party.”
Loki raised an eyebrow at him, Peter cursed, “Loki no! We are going to be in so much trouble!” The prince sighed and swam closer, “Peter we need to do this, maybe we will be able to find out where Thor is and can free him. Please you need to help me!”
Peter fought the urge to move backwards, “what happened to you don’t want to endanger me and all of that.” The prince looked down sheepishly, “I…there is no one else I could ask,” Loki whispered and Peter kind of felt bad for him.
Loki grabbed his hands and with a pleading look squeezed them, “I will not put you in danger I promise, but I need you for this, please Peter, we can do this.”
The younger merman sighed, “alright I will help you but you need to promise me that you will also not put yourself in danger.” The prince hesitated but in the end he shook Peter’s hand, “alright tomorrow we will find my brother.”
Peter sighed, “or we will find a shit ton of trouble.”
Tony would have been proud by his choice of words.