Request- Loki is having trouble reading and writing in English, so, Tony helps him.
Warnings- language
Words- 3598
~~~~~~
Loki rolled his eyes at Thor, "Brother, I am a God, I am positive I can manage my way through the Midgard without any issue." says Loki, cocky and confident as per usual. The two brothers stood in the throne room in the Palace of Asgard. Thor sitting on the throne, Loki leaning in the stairs with a book in hand.
"Loki, you don't know how to read the Midgard language, English, nor can you write it, " says Thor, the booming voice echoing in the gold-laden room. "Why should it matter?" asks Loki. "The streets are labeled, in order to navigate throughout the city, you'll need to know how to read the signs, " says Thor. Loki scoffs and snaps his book shut. "Me? Reading signs? You are funny, brother, " says Loki, sarcastically. Thor huffs, "I'm being serious, Loki, you'll get lost and I won't be there to rescue you, " says Thor.
Loki runs his finger over the title of his volume on astronomy and scoffs, "Never needed your rescuing, " says Loki and Thor cranes his head. "What are you reading anyway?" asks Thor. Loki holds up the book, "Volume fimm ór astronomy: níurinn realms." says Loki, "It's the book Mother got for me a few years back."
*Volume Five Of Astronomy: The Nine Realms*
"You should read some books in English, brother, " says Thor, Loki rolls his eyes again and turns on his heels, his back now facing Thor. "No, thank you, brother, " says Loki, sassily. Loki walks out of Valhalla, and around the streets of Asgard. He didn't need to learn to read English or write it. What would even be the point? Not like he'll ever need the help.
Loki is being sent to the Midgard to work with the Avengers. Now, that the Avengers are becoming somewhat more comfortable with Loki, knowing that he doesn't wish to rule anymore. They want to work with him, maybe learn a few things about the Space Stone, Mind Stone, and Thanos. Thor would stay back and rule Asgard, the Kingdom couldn't be left unattended.
Loki greeted Heimdall politely, "Do you see anything?" asks Loki to the tall dark man with gold in his eyes. "I see, " Heimdall pauses, "You getting lost in the big city, " Loki huffs, "Did Thor tell you to say that?" he asks and Heimdall shakes his head with a smile as he wields his sword to open the Bifrost.
"Happy Travels, " says Heimdall, teasingly. Loki rolls his eyes for the third time today. He holds his book to his chest and gets sucked into the rainbow of the Bifrost. In almost no time, he lands in front of the Avengers Mansion, he sighs and walks in. The alarm systems go off and Loki freezes with a Cheshire cat smile. Agents point their guns to him and Loki stands there, unfazed, this is not the first time that this has happened.
"State your business here!" says an agent. Loki sees Tony walk in, "At ease, he's with us, " says Tony, "Loki, I am terribly sorry for our rude hospitality, " says Tony, sarcastically, as usual. Loki smiles and walks with him. "It's quite alright, we also have an alarm system for you when you come into Asgard, " says Loki, seriously. Tony laughs but still isn't sure if he was joking or not.
"Anyway, you'll be staying here for a little while, we have a room set up for you, " says Tony and he stops to pull over Peter Parker when he was walking past, earbuds in his ears, eye glued to his phone. Tony held Peter by his wrist. "Mr. Parker will show you to your room, " says Tony, leaving the teenager dazed and confused.
Peter took out an earbud, "Wait, what am I doing?" Peter asks and Loki chuckles, "I believe you are showing me to my living quarters, " he says and Peter nods and begins to walk with his lips pressed tightly together.
"So, you are Thor's brother?" asks Peter, "Well, adopted brother, but yes, his brother, " says Loki and Peter nods, "You were also the guy that did all that in New York?" the young man asks again. Loki sighs, "Yes, it was, " he says, and Peter asks yet another question, "So, are you chill with us now?"
Loki furrows his brows and cranes his head to the side as he looks down at Peter. "Chill?" he questions and Peter shrugs, "Well, yeah, like are you and the team on good terms?" Loki nods, "We are making amends, " says Loki, and Peter nods. "Okay coolio, " he says and Loki wants to laugh at the teenager's weird slang and lingo. Is this what Thor was talking about, Loki thought to himself.
Peter sees the book that Loki kept to his chest. He furrows his brows at the weird letters on the leather-bound spine of the book. "What language even is that?" Peter asks, "It's Old Norse, not really spoken anywhere here on your world, " says Loki with a smile. Peter purses his lips, "Do you have Harry Potter on Asgard?" asks Peter. "Harry Potter? Is that a person?" Loki asks with furrowed brows.
"Well, kinda, a person in a book. Super popular, " says Peter, "It's about wizards and witches and spells, all that stuff." Loki smiles, that would be something he'd like to read. "Where can I find this book?" asks Loki, "It's a series, I have them all, you can borrow them, " says Peter and Loki nods with a smile. Peter stops at Loki's room. "I'll bring them over later, " says Peter as he continues to walk down the hallway
Loki walked into his room. He cringed at the basic room. He had to spruce it up. Plain walls, plain bed, plain desk, plain dresser. Loki flicked his wrist and his baggage fell to the floor beside his feet. He then walked over the walls and ran his fingers on the surface, a gold lace pattern painted that walls wherever Loki touched. He tapped the bed frame and that also turned gold.
He smiled as he looked around, the room feeling a bit more like home. He begins to unpack his bags and place all of his clothes nicely in the dresser drawers, some are hung up by hangers. He placed his shoes in a nice, neat row next to the door. He took the bedsheets off and felt them. He frowned at the texture, he couldn't sleep in this, this will not do. He folded the original sheets and placed him in the closet and then with a snap of his fingers, delicate Asgardian cotton and silk sheets were placed on top of the acceptable mattress. He fluffed the pillows and sighed happily when he was finished redecorating.
There was a knock at his door, he welcomed in whoever was knocking. Peter stuck his head inside and then fully stepped inside. His brown eyebrows rose when he saw all the gold and yellow accents to the room. "You like gold and yellow?" asks Peter. "Hmm?" says Loki and just he realizes Peter's question, "Oh, yes, it was my mother's signature color and the beautiful colors of Asgard. Do you like it?" asks Loki. Peter nods as he silently takes in the room.
Peter finally snaps out of his trance, "O-Oh, I-I brought the book, " says Peter, stuttering. Loki smiled and took it from his hand. "Thank you very much, young Parker. I shall read it soon, " says Loki. "Yeah, when-whenever you finish it I have the other books to the series, " says Peter. Loki nods and ushers the boy on his way.
Loki goes to read the cover of the book. He frowns. It's in English, he should've known. He thumbs through the pages, it's all in English. Loki purses his lips and pushes them to the side. He'll figure something out, maybe after some dinner. Loki sets down the book on his desk and pulls out his phone. He did decide to learn how to use the technology here, it wasn't very difficult at all for him.
He looks upon the search engine, Google, places to eat in Manhattan. A place called Little Italy caught his attention. Loki had never had Italian food, but it did look appetizing on the advertisements. Loki grabbed his wallet, remember that he will actually have to pay for food here. He pulled on his shoes and teleported to Little Italy, Manhattan.
The streets were slightly crowded, buzzing with life and energy. Some people were her eon dates, some were here just by themselves, some in groups of many people. The street looked welcoming with a big sign stretching building to building saying Little Italy on it. Flags attached to the buildings, the Italian Flag, the American Flag, and a rainbow flag that was unfamiliar to Loki. He hummed and craned his neck in curiosity at the flag.
He walked down the sidewalk, the aroma of freshly made pasta, and sauces, and food overwhelming his senses. It made Loki smile. He observed the people around him. He saw multiple couples, married and dating, guys with guys, girls with girls, guys with girls. All smiling at their partner while holding hands. He saw one group of about five women, they were all talking loudly, their New York accents thick in their speech. Laughing and giggling, disturbing the party next to them.
Loki stopped at this one restaurant, the smell had welcomed him in. There was a host at the front with a stack of menus in hand and tablet in the other. He stepped up and the gentleman smiled, "Hello there, table for one?" he asked and Loki nodded his head, "Yes please, " he said and the gentleman clad in black led him to a table next to a window. He placed a menu in front of him.
"Your waiter will be right with you, " he says with a bright smile, the man didn't look like something he was used to on Asgard. He wore makeup, his skin looked smooth and his lips were painted red. He had bright colors on top of his eyelids and long eyelashes. His voice more high pitched. Although Loki could still tell he was a guy, he presented himself as a lady. It was curious to Loki, but he didn't feel offended or uncomfortable. It was what he could only explain as unique.
Loki nods with a smile as he looks down at his menu. Fuck, he thought. It's still in English. Why didn't he think of this before he left? He looked at the words, they all looked like a jumbled mess, nothing looked at all like Norse. Loki bit his lip and contemplated leaving, abruptly.
The waitress showed up and greeted herself. Loki was now stuck. "Can I start you off with anything to drink?" the waiter asks as she fills up a glass with ice water. "The water will be just fine, " he says, "No, he'll have your finest wine." a voice says. Loki looks up and sees Tony sitting down in front of him. The waiter nods and walks off. Loki cranes his neck, "What are you doing here, Stark?" Loki asks and as Stark settles himself in the chair across from Tony.
"Your brother called. Told me you didn't know how to read or write English and then you go straight into the city. Like can you even read the menu?" says Tony with his full of sass and attitude tone. Loki rolls his eyes and avoids eye contact, slightly humiliated. Tony takes his menu, "Oh they have amazing calamari here, it's a must-have. Also, their pasta here is to die for, quite literally, I had a friend that choked and died on the pasta here, " says Tony and Loki furrow his brows.
"What do you want?" Loki asks confused. "Well, (1) I am here to make amends. (2) Make sure you don't make a fool of yourself. Your last impression here wasn't very bright, " says Tony. Loki doesn't know exactly what to say. The waitress comes back with a very expensive bottle of wine and pours both of the men a glass.
She pulls out the notepad and pen. "Are you gentlemen ready?" she asks. "Yes, we are, " says Tony, he takes over for ordering their food. "We'll both get an order of calamari, and then your pasta of the day, " says Tony with a wink. The waitress smiles and writes down the order. "Anything else?" she asks and Tony shakes his head, "That'll be it, for now, honey, " says Tony, and the waitress walks away.
"Now, pull out your phone, go to the app store, type in Duolingo, download it, use it, " says Tony and Loki first has to register in his head what he meant by the app store. But, he realized that he meant something on his phone. Loki pulled out the thin, glass phone and goes to what is labeled the app store. "Duolingo?" Loki asks and Tony asks and makes a gesture with his hands telling Loki to give him his phone.
Tony freezes when he realizes that Loki's digital keyboard is not in English. He stares at the phone, trying to figure out a Plan B. He goes on a hunt to find the settings. He changed the language to English and went back to the app store to download the app. "You can speak English just fine, it's the reading and writing, " says Tony, "This'll help."
Loki is handed back his phone and he smiles, "Thank you, Stark, " he says and Tony smiles. The waitress brings out the calamari and nods with a smile as she walks away to assist another group of people. The two men eat in peace.
~~~~~~
Loki sat on his bed at the Avengers Mansion. He had just finished sitting in a bright room with a bunch of adult-children arguing over the smallest of things. Loki thought of the many insults he could throw the Avengers way, but he tried his hardest to be nice. But, that was hard, especially after hearing Sam argue and roast Bucky, Tony, and Vision because he was clearly in the wrong.
Loki sat with his phone in hand, practicing English on the app Tony told him to use. It was interesting and sort of fun. Loki was very proud of himself each time he went through the activities and lessons without getting a single question wrong. Loki was able to find some similarities from English to Norse, but there wasn't much. But, it was working. He was practicing for a few hours, every so often, he'd look back to the book Peter given to him.
He felt bad, early today, Peter had asked him if he had started reading. Loki said no and felt horrible when he saw the sad face Peter made. Loki sighed and figured it would be good practice. He took the book and opened it to the first page. Since he knew how to speak English, he knew how each letter sounded, he would be able to sound it out seamlessly. It might just take a moment. He stared at the letters and pieced them together bit by bit in his head.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much."
He froze, 'Mr.'? What is a Mr., is it a name? He took the book and went on the hunt for Tony, he would know. Loki found him where he most expected him, in the bright lab surrounded by advanced technology. Tony looked up at the sound of Loki's boots on the tile floor. "Hey, what's up?" he asked with a pencil in his mouth. "I have a question, " says Loki as he holds up the book. "Look, if it is about that wizard boy, ask the kid, " says Tony.
Loki smiles and walks over to Tony. "Actually, it's a question on the pronunciation, " says Loki and holds his finger up to the word he is having trouble with. Tony reads it and smiles. "It's the abbreviation for Mister. The one with an s on the end is the abbreviation for Missus, " says Tony, smiling. Loki nods and begins to walk off. Tony stops him.
"Actually, stay here, there is a chair over there. If you need help with other words, you can ask. It's better than having to walk back and forth from your room to the lab, " says Tony. Loki smiles at the kind gesture and sits on the chair in the corner of the room. he crosses his legs and lays the book in his lap and continues to read.
~~~~~~
Loki sat in the lab again, this time, not watching adult-children arguing over something stupid. They were discussing the properties and abilities of the Mind Stone and Space Stone. Everyone added in their piece, Tony and Bruce added in their scientific theories. Clint talked about the brainwashing. Steve talked about it being used in HYDRA with Zola. Loki talked about his personal use to it, how he used them to teleport and brainwash, and such, which Clint gave him a stank eye for.
Bruce asked them all for a report on what they know. Everyone agreed, except for Loki, but it was too late to refuse since everyone had already walked off. Loki was handed a sheet of report paper and pen with no further word. He stared at the paper and pen. Maybe he could write it in his language and he could get away with it.
No, that's stupid, he thought to himself. He slowly shuffled to a chair and hunched over the paper that laid on the metal table of the lab. He puffed his cheeks out and huffed. He could speak, and he reading was getting better each and every time he read that Harry Potter book, but now he had to write. He tried to reassure himself that he could do it. But, thankfully, Professor Stark came to the rescue.
"Hey, wanna' help me on this?" asks Tony, like he was a student in high school asking for help on his math assignments. "Help me first, " says Loki, muttering. Tony smiled, "Tell me what you want to write, " he says as he pulls out a blank sheet of lined paper. "Wait, you aren't going to do this report for me, right?" Loki asks and Tony laughs. "No, I'm just gonna' write down what you want to write, and then you can copy it on your own piece of paper, " says Tony, getting his pencil ready.
Loki begins to tell Tony about his time with the Stone's and their abilities and what he was able to do with it. He talked about how it was able to transport you to other worlds and teleportation with the Space Stone. He talked about his brainwashing, with the Mind Stone. How the Space Stone is kept inside the Tesseract and was in Asgard for some time. He talked about the powers The Vision has with the Mind Stone, being able to fly and phase through walls and such. After a few more details, the report was done and all Loki had to do was copy it himself.
He had never written in English before, this was new territory for him. But, nothing he couldn't handle, right? He picked up the thin, ballpoint pen and copied the words exactly like Tony's. After a little while, Loki was done, he finished the report in full English with the help of someone he used to hate.
~~~~~~
Loki's time in Asgard has come to an end for now. Loki stood out on the lawn of the Avengers Mansion. He was about to hand nack Peter the unfinished Harry Potter book, but Peter gave it back to him. "When you finish it bring it back to me and you can read the second one, " says Peter, and Loki smiles and nods.
Tony and Loki stand face to face, Loki smiles and bows slightly. "Thank you, Stark, for all your help in the past week, " says Loki, gratefully. Tony smiles and holds out his hand, Loki shakes it. It almost like they were mending a bond with the very gesture. "It was a pleasure. Come back, anytime, the kid seemed to take a liking to you, " says Tony as he lets go of the God's hand. Loki nods again and steps away.
The Bifrost stormed down from the sky above, burning a pattern into the grass, Loki shoots up into the stars and walks out to the entrance of Asgard. Heimdall smiles, "How were your English lessons, Loki?" he asks, teasingly. Loki rolls his eyes and struts on. He walks down the bridge and straight into the palace. He runs into Thor, who was strolling down the hallways with a few of the Valkyrie.
Thor smiles when he sees his brother, excusing himself from the woman clad in armor. He and his brother share a hug. "Brother, how was your visit to the Midgard?" asks Thor, Loki smiles, "I was surprisingly well, " he says. Thor's eyes land on a book, a book with English words. He smiles, "So, you did learn how to read in English!" Thor exclaims with a hearty laugh, "I told you so!"
Loki rolls his eyes and pushes his brother away as he scurries off to his room to continue reading.