Snake and Spider: Friends Forever

Chapter Eighteen

After Christmas the rest of the break seemed to go by a little too quickly for Peter's liking. They had gotten another blizzard on Christmas night making going anywhere difficult so they had spent most of their time indoors. He had noticed Loki had seemed happier after spending two weeks with his family and the next day, he had to return to the compound and back to the cell. Peter wished the god could stay with them forever, he was fun to be with. He thought maybe Loki had a similar desire as he looked back and forth between him and Aunt May and then stared down at his lap, almost as if he was trying to gather up the courage to say something. But what?

The question came later that night over a dinner on Aunt May's lasagna. It seemed to be Loki's favorite thing to eat so Aunt May had made it that night so he would have something good in his stomach when he got locked up again. They had been eating in silence as there was nothing to talk about when Loki dropped the bombshell. "H-hey, Aunt May, Peter, wo-would you two be okay with it if I stayed a little longer? It doesn't have to be much longer if you don't want it too, I just really do not want to be alone again. When I'm alone, my mind wanders into some dark places and being with you guys, it stays out of those places..."

Aunt May finished chewing and swallowing her bite. She sat her fork down slowly and looked Loki dead in the eye. "Loke, you're part of the family now, you can stay however long you want. I want you to be here with Peter and I, so please stay. You are always welcome here."

Loki eyes widened in surprise. Peter could have sworn he saw tears brimming in his eyes. "R-really?"

"Yes, Loke, really," Aunt May answered softly.

Loki sat down his fork and stared at his food. He put his face in his hands and Peter got the impression that the young deity was crying. Aunt May rose and put her arms around him, "Oh, Loke," she murmured.

Loki stood too and wrapped Aunt May in a hug. "Thank you," he sobbed, "Thank you so much!"

Peter himself was close to tears. He stood up and joined the Parker family hug. He felt Loki's and Aunt May's arms tighten on his upper back and he knew he was home. He had always known but now, he was certain.

"We should probably eat our food before it gets cold," Aunt May said tearfully.

"Yeah," Peter responded, just as tearful.

They all sat down to eat and it became the best meal Peter had ever had. He would remember this moment forever, the dinner he gained an older brother, even if he was probably a couple centuries older than Peter's entire bloodline. After they had finished they all went into the living room. Loki still had a little trouble walking but he seemed to be getting better, slowly. Peter silently wondered what they were going to do when he got a text from Mr. Stark. Loki ready to come back? Peter internally cursed. Of course Mr. Stark thought Loki was coming back, why wouldn't he. Peter replied with He's going to stay with us actually. Seconds later Mr. Stark responded, fine, but the second he starts causing trouble, he's right back in that cell. Peter looked over at Loki. He figured he wouldn't cause trouble anytime soon.

"So which movie do you guys want to watch?" Aunt May asked, "Loki how about you choose."

"The only movies I have ever seen are the Christmas ones we watched. Why don't one of you guys choose. I'll choose when I've seen a few more," Loki answered.

"Nonsense, get over here and choose a movie," Aunt May retorted.

Loki sighed but got up and looked at the movies with Aunt May. Peter heard him say, "That one looks fun." Aunt May took out a movie and popped it into the Blue-Ray. The movie Loki had chosen was one called Honey I shrunk the Kids. Peter was fine with it, it was a movie he hadn't seen in a while, plus it was funny, that is always a bonus. Loki chuckled along with the rest of them during the movie but was thoroughly confused by the ending. He didn't ask questions though and seemed to chalk it up to movie magic and left it at that.

"Hey Loki, since you're going to be here for a while, I'm going to get you a library card tomorrow after school, okay?" Peter told Loki.

"School," Loki repeated, "Do I have to go as well?"

"No, I don't think they'd let you," Peter responded, "You're way older than even the oldest seniors."

"So, I'm going to be here alone tomorrow..." Loki said wistfully.

"Hey, I can come home for lunch and so can Aunt May, you won't be alone all day," Peter explained.

"Alright," Loki responded slowly.

Peter hoped the divine figure didn't have any plans for sneaking off to school with him but he could never be sure. He decided that if the god did however, he would let him as long as he shapeshifted into something small enough to fit in his sweater pocket. He was not leaving the god of mischief in his locker, there was no way in hell he was doing that.

Soon Aunt May sent the boys off to bed and as they laid awake in the darkness, he heard Loki whisper, "So you're my brother now?"

"Yeah," Peter replied sleepily.

He thought he heard Loki nod, "I finally have a brother with more than three brain cells."

"I should have more than three brain cells, I was Mr. Stark's intern for a while there," Peter hissed laughingly.

Loki snickered to himself and whispered, "Good night, brother."

"Good night to you too," Peter responded.

He listened as Loki rolled over and fell asleep. Peter rolled over himself and started to fall asleep as well. Today had been a good day, one he wasn't going to forget anytime soon.