Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Marvel-characters!

AN: I have finally done it! I wrote the final chapter for this story. I completely lost track of this, but I know you guys like this story and I didn't want to leave it unfinished. I did my best and I hope you'll be pleased with the result. Thank you so much for reading (and reviewing) this story. I love you all!

~ Nobody Sees ~

Chapter 13

~ 0 ~

A few weeks later.

~ 0 ~

All in all, everything was running smoothly. Loki had never expected that. He had never thought he would be able to pick up his life so soon after the events with Doctor Doom. Living with his mother didn't prove to be that easy, but at least he was home with his family, and the media attention had finally died out. Life was slowly turning normal again. At least, Loki thought it to be normal. He didn't know what the concept of 'normal' contained.

Now the summer was coming to an end, but Loki had barely any expectations for the future. He needed to make plans, but it had been years since he'd been allowed to make his own decisions. He didn't even know if he could handle real life. He had to finish the last year of his high school education and then he needed to choose what he wanted to study next year. He needed to pick a University and decide what he wanted to become. Those decisions would affect the rest of his life and that was a scary thought because he knew better than anyone that one wrong choice could destroy everything.

"Do you know what school you are going to attend this year?" Reed asked.

Loki was instantly pulled from his thoughts. He gazed into Reed's warm and kind eyes and felt lucky he had ended up with this psychologist. He had met with him every week now. The beginning of their sessions had been rough and Loki hadn't always wanted to talk, but eventually he opened up. He trusted Reed and he knew he was a decent, sympathetic man.

"Mother wants to send me to a private school," Loki answered thoughtfully. Frigga was very overprotective of him lately, but he couldn't blame her. "She thinks it would make it easier for me, but I wouldn't mind going to a public school."

Reed smiled kindly. It was one of the few times he didn't have a notepad lying in his lap. He simply looked at Loki and talked to him as if they were having a normal, casual conversation. "Are you excited about it?"

"Excited, yes," Loki sighed. He hadn't spoken about this to anyone. "I'm also terrified."

"Which is understandable," Reed replied, his smile never faltering, "you haven't been to school in four years, it makes a lot of sense you are scared. If you are really so nervous about it, we could always work towards the big moment. We could visit the school you choose so you could get used to the new environment. Perhaps we can arrange a meeting with a few teachers and we could train your social skills if you like. It might help you make friends."

Loki liked that last part. As a boy, he had always been very open and social, but through the years, he had grown more manipulative. He had never considered people to be his friends. They were simply objects he could use to achieve certain goals. When he'd ended up in juvie, everything had just been a matter of survival. Loki couldn't count all the times he'd been in a fight with another boy on both his hands. He was certain he had barely any social skills left.

"Yeah, that could help," he said only mildly enthusiastic. He still hid most of his thoughts and emotions. He certainly hid them from his family. He had been such a burden to them the last few years that he wanted to ease their lives now. It was the least he could do. He knew his parents and brother would hate for him to think this, but it was the simple truth.

"Great," Reed said, "I'll prepare something for next week. Perhaps we could do a few role-plays." He glanced at his watch.

"Is our time up?"

"I'm afraid so," Reed answered, "but we have been making great progress during our sessions together."

Loki nodded. Great progress might be a bit of an overstatement. It was always one step forward and two steps back. But at least he was talking to Reed, confiding in him. That was something. Loki knew he just had to take everything one day at a time, but it could be very frustrating as well. There were days he wished he was just a normal boy and every day he wished he could undo his actions of four years ago.

"I'll see you next week," he said. He stood from his seat and watched Reed follow his example. They shook hands – which they always did – and said goodbye.

The moment Loki stepped outside, he felt the sunlight hit his face. He took a moment to enjoy the warmth. The summer was coming to an end and Loki vowed to enjoy it for as long as he could. He went swimming in Tony's pool every week and Thor took him to the park as often as he could. They would walk and just…talk. The topics could be hard and meaningful, but sometimes they just joked around. Finally, Loki had the feeling he knew his older brother again. He knew what Thor's mind was occupied with, he knew who his friends were and he had even met Jane.

It was Thor who came to pick him up with their mother's car. That was a surprise since Frigga barely allowed Thor to drive.

"Hey," Thor greeted him with a broad smile.

Loki had never once believed Thor would ever be happy to see him again. Their relationship was still strained at times and there could be awkward silences, but that was to be expected. Loki was merely glad they were brothers again. They had each other's backs.

"Thanks for picking me up," he said.

"No problem," Thor said casually, "Mother is still at the hairdresser. It's a miracle she let me borrow her car."

They both laughed. Loki knew Thor could be a wild spirit at times and whenever he wasn't home, Frigga couldn't help but think he would do something rash. It wouldn't be the first time Thor crashed a car. He'd had an accident about year ago and it was a miracle he walked away from it without a scratch.

"It's still early," Thor continued when Loki remained silent, "so I thought we could swing by Tony's first. We could take a quick dive in his pool and I know Tony would be happy to see you again." Clearly Thor was rambling, but Loki didn't mind. He enjoyed listening to his brother's mindless blabber. It soothed him. "Of course we have to be home on time because Father is coming for dinner. Mother was already freaking out when I left her this afternoon. I keep telling her it's just dinner, but she's nervous all the time and-"

"Thor?" Loki interrupted his brother. He was amused by Thor's continuous talking, but now he really wanted to ask a question that had been on his mind for weeks now. "Are they getting back together?"

Thor threw him a quick glance before focusing on the road again. "Honestly, I don't know," he said, "but it would be nice, right? We would be a family again. I think they are going to try and make it work because no one doubts they love each other, but… I just don't know."

"It would be nice to be a proper family," Loki admitted. He gazed at his hands which lay folded in his lap. "I really am sorry for all that I did, Thor. I realize it's my fault our parents broke up and why you had such a hard time these past few years."

"Don't say that," Thor replied, "yes, we have had a rough time, but it has passed now. We have to make the best of what we have. We are a family again and that's all that matters."

"You're really not angry with me?" Loki asked, surprised to hear his own voice so terribly soft and fragile.

"No, not anymore," Thor admitted, "I won't deny that I haven't cursed your existence at least once, but again, not anymore. Besides, we are brothers and we are supposed to be angry with each other sometimes. I'll admit we have a…peculiar relationship, but that doesn't mean I don't love you. I left you once and I refuse to do that again."

Loki couldn't help but break into a broad smile. "I love you, too."

~ 0 ~

Thor was still in the pool, but Loki decided he rather lay in the grass for a while. He closed his eyes and only felt of the sun on his face. He let his thoughts wander and for the first time, he didn't feel anxious when thinking of the future. He knew he had Thor's support and he knew his parents would support him as well.

It was only when he heard approaching footsteps that he was brought to the present again. He didn't even need to open his eyes to know it was Tony. He had that typical confident step after all.

"Having a good time?" Tony asked. He sounded very relaxed.

Loki opened his eyes – momentarily blinded by the sun – and turned to look at the young billionaire. He really didn't know how Thor had ended up befriending that man, but he was glad for it. He liked Tony Stark. He didn't take any of his bullshit and he was one of the few people on this earth that could tell when he was lying.

"Absolutely," he replied, smiling, "thanks for letting us use your pool so often."

"I'm always happy to receive visitors," Tony grinned.

"You hate visitors," Loki countered. It was strange that he had gotten to know Tony so well during the past few weeks. He simply felt he could trust the man sitting at his side and it made him feel a little less lonely.

"True," Tony laughed, "very true." He glanced towards Thor who was mindlessly drifting through the clear water. Obviously he couldn't hear them and that seemed to appease Tony. "Now tell me, Loki, how are you really?"

"Better," Loki answered truthfully. There really was no point in lying because – as he'd pointed out earlier – Tony could tell when he was full of bullshit. It was a good thing it worked both ways. "I'm nervous about the new school year obviously. I wish Thor still went to High School. That would make the experience easier."

"You'll do fine," Tony replied confidently, waving away Loki's concerns, "you have interesting stories to tell after all. The other kids will be mesmerized. Also, you're not to be messed with. I'm sure you could beat every kid's ass."

"There you've said it," Loki sighed, "kids. I'm not a kid, Tony, I was forced to grow up four years ago. How will I ever fit it? Starting fights won't do me any good either."

"It's just one year," Tony comforted him, "then you're off to College. A new life will begin and I can assure you, you'll love it."

"College," Loki echoed silently, "another big decision."

"That it is," Tony agreed, nodding. He lied down on the grass and closed his eyes for a moment. "Do you have any idea where you want to go yet? What you'll study?"

"I don't know," Loki said glumly. He actually hated to think about these decisions. "I'll probably go to a Community College or something. My grades at school won't be brilliant after all and what College wants to accept a guy like me? They'll all be terrified I'll try and burn the campus down or something."

Tony sat up instantly, his brown eyes standing earnestly. "You are my friend, Loki Odinson," he said, all joking aside, "and I will not allow you to go to a random Community College. Not that it's a shame, but you name whatever school you want to attend and I swear, I'll do anything to get you in."

Loki arched one eyebrow, not quite sure what he was hearing.

"You forget who I am, Loki," Tony continued airily, "I have influence. Yale, Harvard, Princeton, Brown. You name it and I'll get you in."

Loki shook his head. "I'm not going to use our friendship like that."

"Who cares?" Tony laughed warmly. "What else are friends for? Besides, I won't be the only one on your side. You forget your parents have a bit of influence as well. The state owes you big time, too. And you are seeing a psychologist, right? What's his name? Perhaps he can help as well."

"Reed," Loki answered, "his name is Richard Reed."

Tony's eyes widened almost comically. "You have no idea who that is, haven't you?" He asked breathlessly. "I happen to know Reed rather well. We were a bit of…rivals in College. He's a genius, Loki, and I think he has degrees in mathematics, physics, mechanics, and he has a PHD in psychology. He is very good man and he would love to help you get into any College you want."

"I'm not sure I can ask him such a favor," Loki said uncertainly.

"If you don't ask him, I'll just ask," Tony said stubbornly. His smile grew wider.

"I…I don't know what to say," Loki admitted, "I was terrified of the future, but I think I'll be able to handle it now. Just as long as I have my parents, Thor, and you as my friend. I'm still a bit anxious to see what else will come my way, but then again, who isn't?"

"Exactly," Tony agreed. He put a hand on Loki's shoulder and squeezed it. "Everything will be okay."

"Thanks, Tony," Loki smiled. Just as he was about to say something else, he was splashed with cold water. "Hey!"

Thor was at the edge of the pool, his eyes narrowed as he observed his brother and friend. "What are you two contriving there?" He asked, his voice holding only amusement. "I feel very left out."

"Nothing, we are concocting nothing," Loki grinned. It was hilarious to see Thor's suspicious eyes.

"Well, then get your butts up and get into the pool," Thor ordered, "I'm getting lonely here. And bored. Especially bored."

Loki burst with laughter. "In all the years that have gone by, you haven't changed one bit, have you, brother?" Thor frowned at his comment. "You're still horribly bossy."

In that moment, Loki felt good. He felt strong and confident. He felt he could handle the world and the future. He had his brother back and he had gained a valuable friend. His parents might be getting back together and he had a future to look forward to. Things might just turn out okay. He might just turn out okay, and that was a good thing.

A very good thing.

~ 0 ~

The End.

~ 0 ~