Chapter 3 – The Unexpected Apology

It was two weeks after their date, their first and only date to that day, and Loki sat at the same table in the cafe as he had every morning before, and every morning since. He was reading the morning paper, sipping at his coffee, amused and yet disgusted by the actions of the regular human minds. He wondered if it took effort for them to be that stupid, or if it was a naturally born talent.

"Is this seat taken?"

Loki didn't look up, but two weeks worth of built up curiosity was automatically lifted.

"That would depend."

"On?"

Loki folded his paper carefully, setting it on the table and taking another sip of coffee. He set the cup back on the table, folding his hands in his lap before finally looking up.

"It depends on which Tony Stark is asking."

Tony seemed to instantly relax, and gave a smile that would have appeared nervous on anyone else, but only seemed charming on him.

"The one who asked you to dinner. Not the one who walked with you afterwards."

Loki's relief was immediate, but he gave no reaction, other than to lean back in his seat, lifting his coffee to his lips, other hand resting on the table. Tony took that as an opening, pulling out the chair and sitting across from him.

"I'm sorry," he began, but Loki immediately waved him off.

"There's no need-"

Tony cut him off by putting his hand over Loki's for an instant.

"Yes there is."

Loki pulled his hand away but made no further moves to stop him from speaking.

"I'm sorry." Tony began again, "That I ruined your night by what I can only refer to as my automatic reaction." he seemed to wince as he say it, and though it pleased him, Loki wondered why Tony Stark, the man who apologized for nothing, was here apologizing to him.

"It really doesn't matter," Loki said, now uncomfortable with the thought that this was unusual Stark behaviour. "You offered, I declined. The world has yet to stop spinning." he looked away again, wondering briefly if he could excuse himself, or maybe end it amicably and choose a new cafe to frequent. The idea had him cringing, but the apology was almost embarrassing.

"I didn't mean to offer." Tony said, irritated that his attempt of an apology was being blown off, and Loki looked up again. "I didn't want you to come up." Now he raised a single brow in a cool expression and Tony let out an annoyed huff.

"well I DID want you to come up, but not like that."

Loki just stared at him, arms now folded in front of his chest as he lounged back in his chair.

"Not like what, exactly?" he asked, and now Tony scowled at him.

"Not only for one night. Dinner was great. I didn't want it to be the only one we had together."

Loki remained silent for a moment, his eyes never leaving Tony's face, curiosity burning inside of him to ask why this man was apologizing. His curiosity finally got the better of him.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Tony asked, confused.

"Why are you apologizing to me?" he leaned forward, eyes intent with the question. "Tony Stark, the man who never apologizes for anything, is sitting here apologizing to me for something he normally would not even think twice about. Why?"

"Because you're different."

Loki recoiled at the words, all emotion gone from his face.

"So that's in then, I'm a collectable item – a novelty?" he stood, pulling on his coat, glaring at his gloves as he pulled them on as well. "I'm not some trivial person to be trifled with, Mr. Stark. Next time you wish to collect someone, you'd do well to stick to brainless women." he breezed out the door into the cold, scowling at the weather as he started down the street, turning his collar up against the breeze. He'd already hated the cold, but now he loathed it with every particle of his being for adding to his already terrible mood.

"Loki!" Tony called, watching as the tall, slender man weaved his way through the crowd ahead of him. He didn't slow, or even glance back, instead he seemed to speed up. Without even a moments hesitation, Tony chased after him, following him through the crowd. He followed Loki as he made his way through the streets, and it came to the point where they both knew that Tony was on his heels. Loki turned into the park, walking down the pretty, snow dusted paths. Finally, he spun on his heels, nearly colliding with Tony, who skidded to a stop just in time.

"Stop following me." Loki said darkly, glaring at Tony.

"Not until you listen to me."

Loki's glare only darkened. "I've heard quite enough, thank you." he said, moving to turn away again, but Tony stopped him with a hand on his arm. Loki's eyes dropped to Tony's hand on his arm before lifting to meet Tony's gaze, his eyes dangerous. "I would suggest you remove your hand," he said icily, "Before I remove it for you."

Tony dropped his hand, but stayed put.

"Just listen to me. I didn't mean what you thought I meant. I don't see you as a collectable. I have enough of those as it is." he winced at his own words but pushed on. "What I meant when I said you were different is that it meant something. Spending the evening with you wasn't a normal evening for me, because I rarely enjoy my dinner dates as much as I enjoyed you. In fact, I don't think I've ever enjoyed one as much."

"Why are you saying this to me." Loki asked, and though he appeared skeptical, he was no longer trying to leave.

"Because I want to do it again. Dinner, I mean. Or lunch. Or even just coffee."

"But why?" this time it was disbelief, and Tony rolled his eyes, the first action of the day that seemed to fit.

"Do I have to have another reason? I had fun. I like having fun. Fun is the most important thing to have."

That nearly got a smirk, but Loki fought against it. He wasn't sure he wanted to accept the apology. Tony's words were so much different than what he expected, and yet he almost wanted to believe them. It had been a long time since he'd enjoyed another persons company. A long time since he'd stopped running long enough to meet any such person he may enjoy. Though he was tempted to keep running, he craved even so much as a friend again. Just any contact that wasn't another fight. He was so tired of fighting.

Tony saw the conflict behind Loki's eyes, and took a step forward.

"Tomorrow, meet me for dinner again. There's a place I'd like to try."

Loki hesitated, but only for a moment, the man was trying to hard to prove himself that he couldn't be anything but honest.

"Where?"

Tony grinned, and Loki was once again relieved by the familiar reaction and expression.

"I'll pick you up at eight."

Loki frowned again. "You don't know where I live." he said, and Tony's grin just widened.

"I know everything." the cockiness back, Tony slid his hands in his pockets, already starting to walk away.

"Tomorrow at eight. Wear something nice."

Loki shot him a look but didn't respond, instead turning to continue walking. It looked like he would be seeing the famous Tony Stark again, and he wasn't quite sure how he felt about it.