A Changing Appearance
Loki had realized that once he became mortal, he would begin to age. He hadn't counted on other physical changes, though.
As a god, Loki never got sick. He also had an insanely fast metabolism. Loki could eat enough food for five men every night for a month and never gain an ounce.
Now that he was mortal, that had changed.
At first Loki hadn't really noticed anything besides the fact that he could not eat as much as he used to. His mortal body didn't allow it. Still, he continued to have a very large appetite, all considering. It wasn't unusual for him to eat two or three plates of food at breakfast and dinner. He routinely out-ate Steve, too, which was quite a feat.
About a month after losing his power, Loki noticed that his clothes were a little tighter. Not by much, just a little bit. He didn't think much of it. He figured that something had probably gone wrong with the wash.
At two months in, people started making comments. Mostly, they were nice comments. Natasha had noted that he looked healthier, as had Thor. Bruce mentioned something about him looking much better than he had when he had first returned to Midgard.
Then, three months in, Loki tried to button his jeans and found that he couldn't do it. It was then that he stripped down to his boxers and finally looked in the mirror. Really looked. What he saw almost made him cry.
He wasn't fat, per se, but he was definitely bigger than he had ever been before. Whereas his stomach had been previously flat, it was now slightly curved. He couldn't see his rib bones anymore - that was a plus, maybe. His thighs were slightly thicker as were his arms.
He turned to his side, and pinched an inch of fat that had never existed prior.
Sighing, he went off to find a pair of sweat pants, hoping that those would fit.
00
Loki didn't really have much of a choice but to admit to Tony that he couldn't wear his jeans anymore, seeing as how he would need Tony's money to get another few pairs.
Tony had been very nice about it, saying that it wasn't a big deal. He sent out a staff member to buy Loki an entirely new wardrobe, too.
Though Tony didn't press the issue, Loki was still upset. He decided to ask the others if they had any tips about how to lose weight, or at least maintain it.
Natasha had been the one with the most knowledge, being a mortal herself without any superhuman strengths or powers. She had come up with a diet and exercise regime. A regime that would work, for someone like herself, who was already in great shape. For Loki... well, it didn't turn out so nicely. He struggled to run for the thirty minutes that Natasha had required, having to stop every few minutes to catch his breath. He may have been strong as a god, but as a mortal he was no better than most of the out of shape American population.
Finally, he began his final lap around the track, only to trip over his own feet. Several ice packs and an x-ray later, Bruce determined that he had a hairline fracture in his ankle. He would have to stay off his foot for six to eight weeks.
So that was the end of that. Loki didn't even bother trying the dieting part.
00
Eventually, Loki evened out. He was still pretty average looking. One wouldn't look at him and think anything more than that. He was pretty much okay with it too, now. It was only when Tony had planned a week long getaway in Aruba for the whole team that Loki reconsidered his physical appearance.
"I'm going to be the only one there who isn't fit," he said, as he watched Tony pack away his swimming trunks.
"You're fine, Loki-dokey," Tony replied.
"But everyone else will be great looking and then there'll be me," he said, sadly.
Tony shook his head. "No one is going to look at you and think anything bad. But if it makes you feel any better, a fit, handsome, genius billionaire philanthropist thinks you're gorgeous."
The comment made Loki smile.
"Actually, it does make me feel a bit better."
Tony grinned, and moved closer to Loki, pulling him into a hug.
"I love you just the way you are."
Tony planted a kiss on Loki's forehead, then kissed his lips as well.
Loki couldn't help but blush.
"Thank you, Anthony. I love you too."