Another Chance

Panic

Saving the distances, being in a Student Council meeting was very similar to attending one of Odin's meetings in Asgard. Sure, his companions were infinitely younger than the millennial members of the Eternal Realm Council, but the essence remained. Someone exposed a problem that had been sent to him, the rest argued for a long time about solutions, pros and cons, and in the end everyone voted.

There was another thing in common: the suspicious glances in his direction. He had almost missed that. Without the almost. And without missing it at all. The only ones who seemed content with his presence were Clint and Natasha. And about the last last one, Loki wasn't sure that she was entirely sincere. He didn't notice the lie from her direction, but he hadn't noticed it during her little stunt, a little while ago, either.

He found that...fascinating, if he was to be honest with himself. How much did Natasha believe in her own lies in order to deceive her very essence? Loki's hands itched from using the spell he had learned from Sylvie to enter the redhead's head. He wanted to understand it, to understand what it was that made her so different even in this world.

But he held back. He kept his hands clasped on the table, and his gaze directed to some indefinite place near whom was speaking at that moment. He couldn't risk it, not with a spell he knew so little about. Maybe... If he could make his peace with his variant, maybe he could ask her to tutor him. If he ever managed to talk to her without her ripping his head off, of course.

He didn't have high expectations about it.

After what felt like an eternity the meeting ended and the Council members dispersed. Loki tried not to look too eager to get out, so he took his time getting up and rebuttoning his suit jacket. But before he could finish, Clint asked him:

"What do you think?"

Loki looked at him.

"Exactly as insubstantial as I would have expected."

The man made a sound, half a snort and half a laugh. Natasha, who was finishing writing something on her laptop, smiled sideways.

"This is boring. But someone has to do the work for the other students to enjoy the freedoms they have."

Loki grimaced.

"No one has ever accused me of caring for the common good," he half growled.

"Then it is a pity that you have lost a bet that could destroy your reputation."

It was Loki's turn to smile.

"On the contrary. Now if you'll excuse me..."

"I'll see you at the skating rink on Monday," Clint said, reminding him of the other half of his bet. "The boys start training an hour before drama club. And don't worry, I'll let you go to your rehearsals," he added with a sarcastic smile.

"That's exceedingly kind of you," Loki said dryly. "Anything else?"

The two shook their heads and Loki was finally able to leave the meeting room. As soon as he crossed the threshold he let out a resigned sigh.

He had hated every second, but he got the point.

Loki had known from the first moment that all of SHIELD's benefits were not common to other schools. There was no gender separation in the dormitories, and no strict curfews. The food was worthy of luxury restaurants, and it was more than clear that all the facilities and equipment were updated to the latest in the market. He wasn't an idiot, and he was aware that parents paid for it, but that wasn't unique to SHIELD, and not all schools used that money for what they were supposed to.

So, as tedious as Student Council meetings were, he understood their usefulness. And the need for him, if he wanted to continue enjoying those comforts. And, as much as he hated it, Loki knew that the following Saturday he would be back there even without Clint reminding him of his bet.