Snake and Spider: Friends Forever

Chapter Ten

That night, Loki received a letter. Odd, whoever it was sent it via Raven Mail. They had done their research! Loki walked over to the raven and took the scroll from it. The ebony bird croaked and flew off again. He opened the scroll carefully, as to him it was precious. And Loki almost choked when he read it. It was from Peter! How had Peter found a raven? They didn't live in New York...

Dear Loki,

Hi. You had sent a letter to me before so I thought I'd send you one too. Also I just can't wait to tell you the good news! Aunt May has invited you to spend Winter Break with us in Queens. You don't have to come if you don't want to but I'd be grateful. Plus you'll be lonely in the compound as Mr. Stark has said he's not going to take me over the Christmas holidays. Please say I found a smart bird that got the letter to you. They're kind of hard to find around here.

See you tomorrow,

Peter Parker

Loki held the scroll gingerly, afraid to damage it. He was invited to stay with the Parkers! Loki looked around his cell, there wasn't much he really had to pack. The books Peter brought him and the few changes of clothes he had. That was it. Loki carefully rolled the scroll back up and placed it on the bed side table. He realized his cell hadn't been locked, strange. He walked out into the center of the cell block and looked around. His eyes fell onto the area where he had always seen Ezzy come from. What was back there? He peeked his head around and saw an open room, a kitchen like area. He had seen this part but what lay beyond that door? He opened it slowly and on the other side appeared to be an office. The desk was clean, all papers in a single stack. The top paper was a drawing of the two of them. Loki remembered drawing it when he was a kid. She still had it. Loki felt tears come to his eyes. He allowed them to spill as he was alone. On top of that paper was a key. Loki picked it up and looked at it. It must unlock the other door he decided. He walked up to it and inserted the key. The door flew open and he sucked in a quick breath at what he saw. Sitting suspended in midair, was Ezzy's staff. Loki examined the tubes that led to it. The entire place drew on her strength, sucked her power and energy. Loki approached it and pulled it free, it was his duty to protect it in her absence.

Loki quickly left the area where Ezzy had worked, but not before taking his drawing. She would be getting these two things back when she returned. He reentered his cell and propped the staff up in the corner. He sat on the bed and laid his head back. He decided that he wasn't just going to leave the compound for a matter of days, he was going to ask if he could stay with the Parkers until the world forgot him, until he was finally a free man once more.

~~~~❋~~~~

A week later, Loki sat in the living space of the Parker residence. He had just been told where he would be sleeping (sharing a room with Peter) and given a list of things he was expected to do (chores). He was also told to limit the use of magic to get the said chores done. Loki was fine with these things, it gave him something to focus on other than the churning shards of ice in his mind. Aunt May called them to the kitchen for dinner. Peter and Loki raced to get food. Aunt May presented them with a lasagna. It smelled amazing and tasted even better. Such food did not exist in Asgard and Loki wished it did.

"So Loki, how are you doing," Aunt May asked, "Are you feeling better?"

"Not really," Loki admitted, "But I should return to normal eventually..."

"Like Asgard normal or as normal as you can get after..." Peter stopped. There was no need to speak the man's name, they both knew exactly who he was talking about. Thanos.

"I do not know..." Loki responded.

"Well don't you worry," Aunt May reassured him, "You've got Peter and now, you have me!"

"Thank you so much, for allowing me to stay," Loki blessed them, "I promise to try to keep from reverting to my full Asgardian nonsense around your home."

Aunt May smiled warmly, "Please refrain from breaking things."

"You have my word," Loki bid her. He then decided to change the subject, "So Peter, how was your schooling?"

"Oh, it was good. The teachers didn't assign homework like they did last year. I have all of break to do things!"

"That's wonderful Pete," Aunt May exclaimed, "Did Flash cause you any trouble today?"

Flash? Who was Flash and why was he causing Peter trouble? Loki thought.

"He didn't seem interested in going after me today, but then again, he was pursuing another girl. I hope she's okay."

"Don't mind my asking, but who the Hel is Flash and why is he causing you trouble?"

"Flash is the school bully..." Peter explained, "I'm kind of his prime target..."

Flash needs to bleed for hurting Peter Loki's mind hissed. He needs to understand that no one messes with my friend and survives. No one.

"But other than that my classes went good, I passed my Spanish test so there's that," Peter announced.

That was how the rest of dinner went. Peter talked of his day and sometimes Aunt May or Loki would interject with questions or concerns. Soon however, they were all finished and Aunt May deployed the boys to clean up dinner. Loki washed the dishes, with less trouble this time. They then put the rest of the lasagna in the fridge and joined Aunt May in the living room. She sat in a chair with an open book, reading.

"Oh that reminds me," Loki informed Peter. He pulled out the books that he'd been lent, "I finished these a while ago."

Peter took them. "So what did you think of Harry Potter?" he asked in a joking manner.

"It was good," Loki answered, "Do you know if there is a sequel or something?"

"Oh there's several books in the series," Peter answered, "Here's the deal, I'll take you to the library tomorrow so you can find some new books."

"Oh thank you!"

Then the boys sat down and Aunt May put on a movie. Loki thought that movies and TV shows were a bit strange but were entertaining nonetheless. They really didn't have anything like this in Asgard, just plays, musicals, and operas. They sat watching for several hours before Aunt May scolded them "Boys! You should have been in bed two and a half hours ago!"

"Sorry Aunt May," Peter apologized.

"Yeah, sorry," Loki muttered, ashamed to have angered the woman who had been so kind as to let him stay.

"Just get to bed," Aunt May ordered.

They obeyed and a few minutes later, both boys lay awake in the darkness. "So what did you think of your first day here?" Peter asked.

"Oh, I thought it was nice," Loki responded politely, "Your aunt is so kind as to let me stay!"

"She didn't want you to spend the holidays alone," Peter returned.

They then fell silent. Loki listened for a while. He heard the sounds of Peter moving in his sleep. Loki listened for the tell tale signs of a nightmare but he didn't catch any. He rolled onto his side and reflected on his day. He thought of Aunt May in the highest regard. She had extended her hospitality to him, the invader of New York, the man who probably killed someone she cared for or loved, all because she didn't want him to be alone. Aunt May was probably the kindest woman he knew, beside Ezzy.

Yes, he thought lazily, I'm going to like it here.