The estate was truly a place of exceptional sublimity and Anthony Stark found himself in a peaceful state of mind once he arrived there. His dear cousin Jane was not exaggerating with her enthusiasm when she persuaded him to acquire the place.

For now, he was fully satisfied with the tranquillity that his new manor provided and savoured the longed-for flee from industrialized cities. Though, the amenities of living in the provinces swiftly arose. It was their third day in the Estate of Netherfield Park when the man of the Odinson house came by for a visit and an invitation for a ball that was being held next Thursday in order to celebrate his son's return as an officer. While Tony – as only a few people were allowed to call him - himself wasn't yet eager for crowds and dances, Jane was so excited about the invitation itself, he had to accede it. He expected it either way, he knew that his arrival – a single rich man of American origin – would not be overlooked by local society.

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Notwithstanding earlier averseness about the ball, Tony found himself in quite good fettle on Thursday. Jane was looking ravishing and Tony himself felt that he was presenting himself quite well. The invitation also included his friend Steven Rogers, who had come with him from America, so he wouldn't be surrounded by unfamiliar faces entirely. Besides, there was something suspending in the air that Tony couldn't quite grasp and name, but nevertheless it was adding excitement to the evening.

They arrived as one of the first guests. Mr. Odinson, the man of the house, was waiting with the rest of his family to welcome every guest.

"It's most pleasurable to meet you once more, Mr. Stark." Mr. Odinson shook Tony's hand. His grip was firm and steady. "This is my wife and my sons— well, one son, the younger has vanished again."

"My brother does that." the eldest son said apologetically. "I am Thor Odinson."

"Anthony Stark. And this is my beloved cousin, Jane Foster and my friend, Captain Rogers."

Jane bowed graciously. "I'm honoured to meet you."

"I see you are a man of army like myself." Steven accosted Thor. The young Mr. Odinson was clad in a splendid uniform that couldn't go missing from anyone's attention. Thor nodded with a smile. He looked like he wanted to converse with Jane, but the upcoming visitors had obliged Tony and his companions to go along.

Steven and Jane went to acquaintance with the others of that had gathered, but Tony felt like he had enough of introducing for this evening. He started to wonder if coming was indeed a good idea. He took a seat on one of the chairs mounted in the corner. He felt a need for some alcohol – like always when he was constrained to commune with crowds.

"You have occupied my seat, sir."

The words came unexpected and Tony almost jumped. He raised his head to look at the source of the plea. Before him was standing a young man of fair height and svelte silhouette. His raven black hair was in a swept-back fashion, the colour offsetting his pale skin and deep green eyes.

Tony stood up, his eyes unable to leave the stranger. "My apologies, Mr.-?"

"Odinson." he said with a grimace, like introducing himself with that name was giving him a headache.

"The younger son, I presume. I am Anthony Stark."

Young Mr. Odinson shook his hand, clearly to fulfil the courtesies, and took the seat next to the one he previously claimed. He sipped the beverage he held in his left hand. It looked like it wasn't the first portion of alcohol he treated himself today, his eyes twinkling vaguely. Slightly confused, Tony retook his chair.

"Is that alcohol?" Tony enquired. "I'd kill for a glass."

"I believe you will find some at the other end of the room. Though, I do not recommend the wine. But that is still to come." he answered and his lips curved into a mischievous smile once he mentioned the wine. Still more intrigued than confused by the young Odinson, Tony went by the given directions.

When he returned, the raven-haired man was still in his place, however his glass was empty.

"You are quite into celebrating your brother's return, aren't you, Mr. Odinson?" Tony eyed the once full glass.

"Oh yes, my brother's return." he repeated gesticulating energetically, his voice full of sarcasm. "Let's celebrate and throw a ball!" He suddenly composed himself. "Well, my absence went almost unnoticed, as well as the return of mine." he muttered. Their eyes met for a second - angry green ones with confused brown. "Excuse me."

The youngest Mr. Odinson stood up and left the room. Tony felt a sudden urge to run after him, but quickly realized how ridiculous the thought was.

Steven's voice took him unawares. "There you are! Already accompanied by alcohol."

Tony smiled half-heartedly as his friend looked at him with disapproval.

"There are a lot of people who want to meet you, Tony."

Tony joined him without demur, as well as without any enthusiasm.

The evening went by with more of introducing and perfunctory conversations about nothing. Sometimes during situations like these, Tony wondered if the age he was born into was indeed adequate for him.

Before the dances were to start, the man of the house wanted to raise a special toast for his son, Thor. The toast of his best wine, which was a production of his family from Europe, the pride of the house. He opened the first bottle with celebration, round about followed by the servants and the special tipple was sloshed among the guests. It was then that Tony remembered the raven-haired Odinson who warned him about the wine. Not being entirely certain why, he decided now to trust his words and when everyone drunk the first sip, Tony remained still.

A choir of disgusted moans filled the room.

"What happened to my wine?" cried Mr. Odinson. Servants started to collect the wine glasses hastily.

"We are terribly sorry." said Thor, heckling the fuss. Tony didn't listen to his explanation.

"I need some air." he murmured to Steven and left.

The night air was refreshing and soothing. Tony decided to take a walk around the main building. He was feeling better with every step that receded him from the ball and the hum. The moon was shining brightly, so the odds were with him and he didn't worry about breaking any limbs in the dark.

Tony noticed him only when there were a few metres of distance between them. He was sitting on hillock that pitched towards the forest, moonlight outlining his silhouette.

"Oh, Mr. Stark, did you swear to disturb my person this evening?" The youngest Mr. Odinson took a sip from a bottle he held in his hand. He was lisping.

"When did I deserve such an accusation?"

"You are talking to me for a second time," he listed. "You are noticing me for a second time." he said, more to himself than Tony and sighed. "Wine?" He offered, raising the bottle. "Though, I must warn you, I do not possess any glasses."

Tony sat by his interlocutor, his gaze fixed on the bottle. "Quite so, the wine, would you like to explicate this particular topic?"

The raven-haired Odinson giggled.

"So the fuss just now was about the wine?"

Tony confirmed with a nod. His companion giggled again and Tony felt a pleasant tingling along his spine.

"This bottle is good." he assured as he raised it once more in a tempting gesture. "The only one that remained good."

Tony decided to surrender to the moment and took a sip. Tipple was indeed very fine and Tony suddenly decided to focus on fishing out it's flavours and neglect the thought that Odinson's pale lips were touching the same bottleneck seconds ago.

"What did you do?"

"Vinegar mainly."

"Well, that wasn't the query that I wanted to put, let me correct myself: why did you do it?"

"I wanted to spoil my brother's big day a bit." he shrugged. "Well, the real aim were my beloved father, but in this case, it is the same."

"Mischievous solution to your purpose. Though, a waste of good alcohol."

"Mischievous, you say?" Odinson smiled mysteriously. "Funny choice of words."

Tony raised his brows in a query.

"Are you familiar with Nordic mythology, Mr. Stark?"

"No, I've never had a chance."

"You see, my family is of Scandinavian origin. That is the source of my brother's and mine's atypical names. My name is Loki— after the Nordic God of Mischief."

"So, the spoiling of wine was your revenge for an odd name?" Tony grinned and Loki giggled once again.

"No. I have come to terms with that long ago and now I actually do like it."

"It is likeable indeed. I have always hated the pompous names of our age. I think I should have been born in other times." Tony frowned. Though the expression might had suited his last words, what really bothered his mind was inner discussion if he truly should allow a drop more of alcohol to get into his organism.

"You are an inventor, Mr. Stark, it is quite obvious your mind should be of futuristic nature, ahead of the rest of us." remarked Loki.

Tony looked at him perplexed. "You know who I am?"

"Yes, I do hold such knowledge. I'm quite sure that the majority knows you as "rich man from America", but I did spend a reasonable amount of time in the kind of companionship that was aware of your inventions and bright mind."

Tony couldn't move his gaze from Loki, his person enthralling him more and more.

"What kind of companionship would that be?" he asked, honestly curious.

"I spent the last two years at the Royal Institution."

Tony's eyes widened in astonishment. "That's astounding!"

"Truly?" Loki was honestly doubting the amazement of the American.

"Yes, absolutely! May I ask for anything more on your stay there?"

"Well, I was an assistant of Mr. Faraday."

"The Faraday? My God, I did not know I have the honour of talking to a scientist of such magnitude."

Tony might have thought for a moment that Loki actually blushed, but it had to be a play of light mixed with alcohol.

"Are you mocking me, Mr. Stark?"

"I have no such intentions, I am only perplexed why you would not believe in my sincere appreciation of spending an evening in the company of a brilliant mind, Mr. Odinson."

Loki took a large gulp from the bottle.

"Well, my family does not think that being a scientist is anything respectful. My father is a retired general, he only values military achievement, as you can see." he made a gesture towards the house full of people celebrating officer Thor Odinson's return. "I had been gone for almost as long as my brother, though when I came back a week ago, I've started to wonder if my absence had been noted at all." He made a pause and laughed miserably. "You see, Mr. Stark, I came back home because Mr. Faraday notified that at this stage my potential is coming to waste as merely an assistant and that I should start work of my own. But research needs funding. The Royal Institution may help me partially, but the base must be my own input. So, I came home, begging my father for the part of the family wealth that should belong to me." He took another sip of the wine as Tony listened to him, enchanted. "But when my father heard that my stay in London was not youth's folly and that I have no intention in joining the army or seeking a wife, well... Let me say, Mr. Stark, that I had never been my parent's favourite, but that seemed to nullify me completely. The very next day, just before my brother's return, I was informed that all of Odinson's inheritance is being transferred to Thor as soon as he becomes married. I am left bare, only possessing my knowledge and ambitions, but that is nothing, as my dear father had proved to me. I do not even own a roof to live under, even in that issue I'm finding myself dependent on my brother's pity."

Tony found himself speechless. And suddenly brimful of detestation towards the man of the house of Odinson.

"It seems we have both found ourselves in wrong times, Mr. Odinson." he said finally. "Full of prejudices and disregard towards means of development. I was surprised when you called me "an inventor", because for most of people, I am a rich man who owes everything he has to his heritage. No one cares I had doubled my assets by my own means, and I fear I will forever live in my father's shadow." Without warning, Tony took the wine from Loki's hands and drunk the rest of the bottle.

"I am fain to fund your research, Mr. Odinson."

Loki opened his mouth, but no sound left. He continued to look at Tony, full of astonishment, disbelief and hope.

They both jumped when a third voice reached them from behind.

"There you are, Tony! I was fearing you had twisted your neck in the dark."

"You are always so full of worries." Tony stood up and looked at his friend Steven.

"Someone has to worry about you!" attested Captain Rogers. "Miss Foster said she was tired and wanted to leave."

"Then we are indeed obliged to go."

Tony looked at Loki who had also stood up and impressively managed to hold vertical position. Tony, on the other hand, was trying really hard not to stagger too much.

"That was a really enjoyable evening, Mr. Odinson. I hope to see you again soon."

"My words exactly, Mr. Stark."

They both bowed politely and Tony went towards the house along with Steven. His friend was narrating about the events after the wine incident, but Tony wasn't listening. His head was buzzing with alcohol, and full of a young scientist named Loki Odinson. His person was fascinating and enthralling and Tony wondered if eternity would be enough to get to know him thoroughly. He wanted to take him apart.

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I can't believe I had actually started writing it. The idea popped into my head as I was rewatching BBC's "Pride and Prejudice" and it just couldn't leave me alone. I hope you will enjoy it. I will really really appreaciate any reviews!

Big big thank you for DarkCrimsonShadowBlossom for being awesome beta!

The title is inspired by Kelly Clarkson's song "You found me" - it suprisingly fits.

It's a multi-chapter work which I wish to continue if there will be readers who'd like to know the rest of the story ;) Update should appear within a week.