Chapter Text
When Tony introduced Thor to Peter Parker for the first time, the only thing that had been on Thor’s mind was the way his stomach did its usual somersaulting whenever he found something he knew he had to have. It had been too good to be coincidence; Thor had been visiting with his brother for the day, arriving not that long after Peter had already turned up for training with Tony.
“Thor, this is Peter,” Tony had said, his hands on Peter’s shoulders as he stood behind the child with a proud smile on his face. “Peter, this is Thor.”
“Oh, wow!” Peter’s eyes had lit up so vibrantly, Thor found himself hoping his tunic was long enough to hide his growing arousal. “You’re really Asgardian?! That’s so cool! Mr. Stark talks about you all the time!”
Thor grinned, straightening his back as he became more attentive at the scrutiny. “I would be more than happy to talk to you about Asgard if you wish.”
Peter looked fascinated at the offer, and Thor’s grin only widened. He looked back to Tony now, and his eyes held a childish excitement that made Thor lick his lips in desire. “Mr. Stark, can we talk about Asgard?!”
Tony nodded, but at the same time he cast an annoyed glare to the corner of the room behind Thor where his third guest was seated on the couch, away from everyone else. He couldn’t help but growl at the god, “He isn’t to go anywhere near your brother, Thor. I mean it.”
Thor also looked over his shoulder to see Loki, curled up on one of the couches with displeasure written all over his features. He looked back at Tony with a winning smile as his voice softened into that innocent tone he’d long-since learnt would get him anything he wanted from most Midgardians he encountered. “My brother is harmless with an Asgardian seal, Stark. He cannot use his magic, no matter how much he wants to.”
“I don’t care; he plays with knives and Peter is my responsibility while he is here.” Tony fumed as he squeezed Peter’s shoulder. “You two can talk about whatever you want, but if Loki lays a finger on the kid, I’ll kill him myself.”
Thor’s expression twisted into something dark for a brief second before he relaxed into his trademark gentle smile. “There is no need to worry; Loki has had his weapons taken from him and destroyed by Asgard. He is as harmless as a baby achkan.”
“What’s an achkan?” Peter’s quizzical tone was almost desperate, and he looked so excited, Thor’s smile widened as he wrapped Peter around his finger more and more.
“You do not have achkan on Midgard?” It was a genuine question, but it only drew Peter in to him further.
Peter shook his head, but before he could ask any more questions, Tony scowled and murmured, “Fine, but if anything happens, it’s on you.”
Thor looked unperturbed as he wrapped his arm around Peter’s shoulders and walked him to the couch Loki was resting on, chattering all the way. Peter was so absorbed in everything Thor had to say, he didn’t even notice the way Loki cringed and moved away from them, as if being anywhere near them physically sickened him.
The pair talked about Asgard for a long time, Thor telling Peter about growing up with Loki and how he became such good friends with the Warrior Three. In turn he questioned Peter about Midgard and what it was like to grow up there, but the entire time, Peter never once noticed the way Loki remained uncomfortably silent and on edge; he was so utterly fascinated with Thor and everything the god had to say, he had no attention for anything else.
Eventually, Thor excused himself for a brief moment, promising to get drinks for the three of them. For the first time since Peter had been sitting there, Loki moved. Loki spoke; a single word uttered with such disgust and hatred, Peter felt uncomfortable. “ Run .”
Peter did not heed the warning. Whatever problem Loki had with Peter, the boy was sure they could resolve their differences in the future; he just first had to figure out why Loki hated him already when they’d only just met. He waited impatiently for Thor to return, and as soon as the god was reseated, Peter launched into more questions about Yggdrasil.
However, Tony returned only a short time later to collect Peter and drive him back to Queens before his Aunt May lost her mind on where he was. Peter couldn’t help the disappointed expression on his face, nor could he hold back his sad tone as he murmured, “I guess I’ll see you next time…”
Thor nodded. “I would very much enjoy talking to you again, Peter.”
They waved farewell at each other. Thor’s smile never faltered as the door closed behind Tony and Peter, not even when he looked at Loki and spoke in a such a cold tone, if anyone was around to hear it, they would have run for safety. “What did you say to him, Loki? I saw your lips move.”
Loki shrugged. He tried to pretend his hair wasn’t standing upright with nerves as he said with all the coolness he could muster, “I gave him advice. That’s all.”
Thor’s smile only widened. He moved his hand upwards to cup his brother’s cheek. The tip of his thumb caressed Loki’s pale flesh as he spoke so calmly, Loki knew he was going to pay dearly as soon as they were properly alone for the night. “Brother, you know I love you, but if you get in the way of the things I want, I will have to hurt you. I will get what I want, Loki, and I want him . You will stay out of my way.”
Loki didn’t reply; he knew better than to get himself in trouble with Thor when all his power had been sealed away in retribution for his attack on Midgard. It was suicide.
Although… To be completely honest, suicide wasn’t such a bad idea at this point in Loki’s life.