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Every Avenger currently in the tower gathered in the common lounge area at Friday’s call.
“What’s going on, Tones?” Rhodey asked.
“We need to pick Pete up from school,” Tony explained. “Right now. Happy’s sick and I can’t go to Midtown right now. So, who wants to? He’s in gym class.”
All hands shot up. It seemed Peter’s sunshine influence had reached farther than anyone had thought.
“Uh, Reindeer Games, you can get him,” Tony selected. “The kid seems to like you for some unholy reason. You have to go to the front desk and let them know you’re there for Pete, and they’ll let you go in to get him. The gym is directly down the hall from the front desk, just walk all the way down the hallway and you should see it.” (i don’t think any schools are this lax about pickups, but it’s for plot stfu)
“Thank you, Stark. I shall be back with the child.” Loki inclined his head, smirking, and teleported to the school for genius kids.
“Good day,” Loki greeted the secretary at the front desk. “I am here to relieve one Peter Parker from this dreadful mortal prison called a school for the day.”
The woman smacked her gum, looking thoroughly bored. “Yeah, yeah. Go ahead.”
Well, that was simple, Loki thought as he made his way down the long hallway. Sounds of joyous screams and playful taunts began to reach his ears as he neared the gym. He slipped inside invisibly, maneuvered around children to get to Peter, and dropped his invisibility as he tapped the child’s shoulder.
“Hello, Peter,” Loki whispered. “Stark has sent me to retrieve you.”
Peter blinked. “Why you? You know what, actually let’s just get out of here before… oh god.”
Another child stormed over to Peter and Loki. “Who is this, Penis? Obviously you don’t know Loki. Stop lying.” (apparently i can’t write assholes don’t tease me)
“Who is this, Peter?” Loki drawled threateningly.
“Flash Thompson, what’s it to you?” the kid answered brusquely, clearly not picking up on Loki's subtle threat. Gods, this was why he hated children (with the exception of Peter).
Loki raised a brow, entering his mind easily even as he steered Peter toward the exit. The god watched memory after memory of this Flash kid beating up on Peter and teasing him, slowly getting angry. He made the kid ask his teacher to be excused to the restrooms, and pulled out of the boy’s mind after he planted the thought in the kid’s head to meet the god by the vending machines.
“Go sit over there, Pete,” Loki encouraged, directing the spider-child to a table across from the vending machines. “I just wish to speak with your little friend quickly.”
Peter rolled his eyes. “Fine. Don’t hurt him."
Loki sighed, sheathing his dagger. “The things I do for you, Peter. Fine, I shall not hurt him.”
Flash exited the gym at that moment and stood by the vending machines obediently. Loki sent a reassuring smirk at Peter and strolled over to meet him.
“Flash Thompson,” Loki said quietly, knowing Peter would be able to hear them with his enhanced senses. “I have heard some things about you, Flash Thompson. Quite frankly, I do not like what I have heard. Peter claims that nothing has ever happened, but I have seen Peter come home with bruises he swears are just from ‘falling over’ even though I know he has perfect balance. And that does not even include the things I have heard seen in his or your memories. I am confident I have apt reason to dislike you, and I am decidedly not the only Avenger to feel this way. Peter does know every single Avenger, and our relationship goes far beyond mere acquaintances. He is like a son to us all, and we would all kill for him. Keep that in mind, do you understand?”
Flash swallowed. “Yes, uh, sir, your highness. I’ll do whatever you want.”
“I want you to go apologize to Peter, sincerely. I will know if you don’t. Come right back here when you’re finished.”
The kid stumbled over to Peter as Loki leaned casually against the vending machine, entering the boy’s mind to make sure he apologized.
“Parker?”
“Yeah, what?” Peter leaned back in his chair casually, showing no signs that he heard Loki’s rant.
“I’m, um, really sorry for… everything.”
The spider-child raised an eyebrow. “Well, I appreciate that, Flash. I’m sure you realize that I can’t forgive you right now, since one apology doesn’t make up for years of teasing, but—but—I will consider it as long as you stick to it. Which means be kind. To everyone. I will not forgive you unless I see proof that you’re trying. You don’t have to go out of your way to pick someone’s books up for them or anything, but I expect the barbed comments you make to stop. And definitely stop bullying others physically. Just be civil, that’s all I ask. Does that sound fair?”
Flash nodded shakily. “Thanks, Parker. I’m super sorry for everything I’ve done to you. I was only teasing you because I was jealous of how smart you are.”
Peter smiled gently, scribbling on a piece of paper and handing it to the other boy. “I know. Here, why don’t you take my number. I offer tutoring in the library Monday through Thursday every week. If you’d like, you can text me to set up a one-on-one session and I can help you boost your grades.”
Flash entered the number in his phone and slipped it back in his pocket. “Thanks again, Parker. I will. And I’ll change, I promise you.”
“I have faith in you, Flash.”
The boys fist-bumped and Peter sat back in his chair while Flash made his way back to Loki.
“You did well, Flash. Perhaps now I will not kill you.” Loki smirked at the look of fear on the boy’s face. “Frankly, I think Peter is far too nice to give the likes of you another chance but that is not my business. What is my business is what I shall do to you if I find out that you have violated your agreement with Peter. Do not.”
The ‘or else’ wasn’t said, but it was clear Flash heard it anyway as the fear on his face intensified.
Loki pulled out a dagger and spun it between his fingers casually. “You may return to class. Remember what I said. Do not disappoint me. Now, leave my sight before you get hurt.”
The kid whimpered and hurried off.
Peter ambled over to the god once Flash disappeared. “Thank you for not hurting him. I still think that was entirely unnecessary and I can handle myself, but thank you regardless.”
Loki nodded, his dagger disappearing with a hand flourish. “You are welcome, Peter. Do not forget how much you are loved.”