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Frostiron: Comfort and Calm

Warning: Mention of abuse

932 words

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The garden was his place. His place where he could be alone and safe, away from his father. So, of course, when he heard a rustling noise come from the bushes Tony could only assume the worst. That his father was back early.

Starting to cry silently, as he had learned to do from many nights spent in his room alone, Tony prayed that Howard wouldn't hear and continue on his way.

However,  when "Howard" began to speak, Tony soon realized that it was not his father rummaging through the greenery.

"I know it's here somewhere" a child-like voice spoke. He figured that the owner couldn't have been more than 10 years old and, from the sounds of it, was another boy. How on earth did someone get into his garden?

"Would you mind lending me a hand? I seem to be stuck" the voice inquired. Questions flowed into Tony's mind like a river not soon after. How did they know he was here? He hadn't said a word nor done anything to alert the child of his presence... Had he? Who the hell is this and how did they get here?

Half of his questions and worries were answered when the person continued speaking.

"I can hear you thinking, quim, now come here and help me at once."

Used to taking orders, Tony immediately sprung into action, set on finding the owner of the voice and helping them. Though what he didn't expect to find was an ebony-haired boy tangled in the remnants of his deceased mother's roses, once beautiful clothes severely ruined by the tears and holes now occupying them. Without considering the possibility of the boy being a danger, Tony leaped into the thorns to help the boy, not caring whether he, himself got hurt or not.

Having finally reached the boy after wading through sharp points, Tony proceeded to detangle the kid from thorns. With questions still racing through his head, he decided to start asking, hoping for some answers that would lead him to figure out how he got here. Not wanting to startle the child, Tony started with the most basic question.

"So... What's your name?"

"Loki Odinson" Loki replied. 

"That's a cool name, I'm Anthony Stark but everyone calls me Tony because it's easier" he shrugged.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Tony"

"Me too, Loki"

There was an awkward silence that filled the air afterward, neither one quite knowing what to say next. Though it was clear that they had the same question on their minds.

"How old are you?" They spoke in unison, both chuckling after realizing what they had done.

"You first" continued Loki, seemingly the one to always be polite.

After hesitation, Tony replied "10".

A mixture of shock and confusion shadowed over Loki's face and he muttered something to himself, unheard by the other. This, in turn, made Tony confused and also slightly worried. Was something wrong with his age? Was Loki going to hurt him just like his father did? The only logical thing that he could think to do was apologize and hope for the best.

"I'm sorry" Tony murmured meekly. To be honest he didn't know what else to do.

"Why are you apologizing? There is nothing to be sorry for, I just thought you'd be older considering we're in Asgard." Loki said, half to himself.

"Az...guard?" Tony repeated in a questioning manner.

"If you truly are only 10 then that would mean..." Loki trailed off, only just realizing the obvious.

"What's Azguard?" Tony continued to ask, clearly not aware of Loki's odd nationality.

"We're not in Asgard." Loki finished with a sigh on his lips, but an exciting expression left on his face. "I've never been to another planet before" he whispered to himself. On the other hand, not two meters away Tony was busy being extremely confused, still trying to figure out what the hell "Azguard" was and why it sounded so familiar.

"Loki?" Tony turned to his new friend. "What is Azguard?"

"It's Asgard, not Azguard and Asgard is where I am from. It may be a bit confusing but Asgard is on a different planet" Loki paused aware that it was probably a lot for Tony to take in a once.

"So... you not from Earth?" Tony asked, still slightly confused.

"No, I'm not. But where I'm from we call it Midgard." Loki replied, pleased that he wouldn't have to dumb it down even further. "I have to go back now but maybe I'll see you again sometime?"

"Yea, I hope so. Maybe I can show you around when I see you again?" Tony asked hopefully.

"I'd like that" Loki called behind him as he started to walk back through the roses.

Tony started to smile, glad that he had made a new friend when he remembered something.

"Wait!" Tony yelled having thought back to his previous question as to how Loki appeared in his garden, to begin with. "One more thing!" 

I'll tell you next time.  He heard in his head, answering one question by invoking another. But as Loki disappeared out sight Tony became more and more sure of himself that he'd see Loki again and all his confusion would dissolve then.

Unfortunately, everything positive was wiped out of his mind as soon as he heard his father's car pull up in the driveway. If his father happened to bring alcohol back with him, which he almost always did, he was in for a hell of a night. And not a good one.