Chapter Four:

Soulmate

Toni Stark woke up in a panic, her breath uneven as she breathed through her nose, pushing away the night terrors. Memories of the day before flashed through her mind and she felt herself relaxing as she turned and looked upon her current bed fellow. The Norse god Loki, his bare, pale, and finely chiseled chest peeked out from under the blankets. She drank in the sight for a moment, before shaking her head and gently and quietly lowering herself to the floor. This was Loki for goodness sake, not some eye candy.

The god didn't move at her departure, so she hastily crept away.

"Friday, run a scan on our guest. Give me the low down on his condition."

"Of course, Madam."

Quickly pulling on a robe, she made her way to the kitchen to start her morning coffee.

Since the Avengers had left, this place had begun to feel dead, empty. Consciously, she noted this was the first time since they had left that she hadn't just taken a pot of coffee down into the workshop with her.

A noise from behind startled her and she turned, somewhat surprised to find Loki himself standing there, a hand pressed against the wall. He looked shaky, but no longer like death. That was at least a step in the right direction.

"Madam, I apologize. Sensors read Mr. Laufeyson has healed significantly over the night."

"I can see that for myself, Friday. Thanks."

Loki looked around, nearly anywhere but at her.

"Your home looks as it had before my last visit, Stark. Have you no creativity?"

Toni snorted into her coffee. "That's rich coming from the man who wears only green and gold, with the occasional black. You aren't one to speak, Reindeer games."

Loki eyed her with slight irritation, but for the most part he ignored her as he walked to the windows of the penthouse and stared down at the streets below. He could remember his former actions on her planet and while he would never admit it, even under the threat of death, he felt a tingling of guilt in the pit of his stomach. His actions had not been his own, but then… surely it wouldn't matter.

"Look, uh, I have a meeting later today at my company. If you feel up to it, I do have time beforehand to show you around the city."

Loki blinked and turned to the strange woman. She gazed back at him in a deceptively calm manner.

"You would show me, your greatest enemy, around the city I once tried to conquer?"

Toni smirked. "I don't know about greatest enemy, but yeah. I mean, you're not trying to conquer Earth now, are you?"

Loki eyed her. "…No."

"Well good," Toni smiled, "No problems then."

Loki watched her as she left the room to change. She came back in minutes later dressed in a tight pair of jeans, a red tank top, and a white hoodie. She handed him a small black bag.

"These are some clothes left behind by my friend Rhodey. I think they will fit you, though they may be a bit big."

Loki stared inside the bag. "They will suffice." Without any warning, he began changing where he stood. Letting the sheet drop around him, she got an eye full of candy before she realized she was staring. Turning, her face beat red, she didn't notice his smirk. When the black sweats and blue t-shirt was finally on, he cleared his throat, regaining her attention.

"Better?"

"Uh…" she croaked and cleared her throat, face still a rosy shade of red, "Yeah."

He smiled, watching her as she drew out a black cap and a pair of fake glasses. "Here put these on. They will help disguise you a little more. Maybe tie your hair up in a ponytail or a bun?"

"Very well," he groused.

She smirked and put her own hair up before grabbing a pair of sunglasses and placing them over her eyes. Hopefully no one could recognize them. Luckily it was cold, she thought, as she grabbed a beanie and pulled it down over her ears.

"You look ridiculous," he told her bluntly.

She just rolled her eyes. "Whatever, we can't all be princes with sharp cheekbones and ivory skin who happens to look good, even in a bed sheet."

Loki blinked, but she rushed on before he could comment.

"Anyways, let's go Rudolph. We don't have all day." Grabbing his arm, she led him to the elevator. "I know you may not feel like walking a ton right now, seeing as how you're still recovering and all, but you need clothes other than what Rhodey leaves behind on the weekends. After that we can grab a bite to eat and then come back to the tower so you can rest."

As they walked, he had to admit, Midgard, though young and weak, was a beautiful planet. Still, what kept his attention most was the infuriating woman beside him. Surely, she knew he could strike her dead with the single touch of his hand and yet she continued to mock and tease him, being an all-around maddening woman.

"Are you hungry at all?" She suddenly asked mid ramble. "I know you haven't eaten anything other than the earlier pizza. Clothes are well and good, but you need to keep up your strength, not just your appearance."

He wanted to ask what she thought he needed to keep up appearances for, but he let it go as she dragged him into various stores along the New York busy streets. Hours later, the two were both beginning to tire, arms loaded with shopping bags of various styles and colors.

"So, Earth's not so bad huh?"

He glanced at her. "Not entirely," he agreed, "I have been to your planet before the invasion, did you know? It was a long time ago, hundred of years in fact. I will admit, your race has progressed much since then, though I have little doubt you are a major contributor to that impressive fact."

"Did you just compliment me?" she asked, staring at him with open amusement.

He huffed. "Of course not."

She laughed and he found himself enjoying the sound of it. It had an almost melodious tone, pleasing to the ears.

"Hungry?" she inquired once more as they drew closer to Stark Tower.

He glanced at her and noted the faint blush upon her cheeks.

"Very well," he nodded, "you have a place in mind, I take it?"

She smiled. "Plenty, but yeah… I have one I think you'll find fascinating."

He cocked an eyebrow which she ignored and sighed as he followed her. Soon they came upon a small shop in the middle of the city known simply as Gorios. Loki seemed uncertain, but Toni entered without a second thought and hurried to a small table in the back of the restaurant which he begrudgingly followed her to.

"Hey kiddos, what can I get for you?" a woman greeted. Her orange hair curled and tied high above her head, sticking out in various directions. Loki couldn't help but stare and wonder if lightning had somehow struck the mortal.

Toni quickly ordered for them both when she noted Loki only staring at the poor woman's hair. It certainly was a sight, like she had stuck her finger in a light socket or something.

"You midgardians are all rather odd, aren't you?"

Toni waved her hand. "Pot, meet Kettle."

Ignoring his confusion, she continued talking. "You aren't very familiar with earth food, so I figured I would just order for you. Hope you don't mind."

Loki was silent. "I suppose I can trust this isn't poisoned either?"

She snorted, rolling her eyes. "Yes. Anyways, now that we have some time, why did you come to me?"

Loki met her eyes. He knew what she was asking.

"Believe it or not, Stark, there are worse things in this universe than me. I… had a run in, with one such being. As luck would have it, I escaped and opened a portal. Unfortunately, that portal was opened in a rush and unconsciously, I seemed to have opened it in your kitchen specifically."

Toni hummed and stayed silent as the woman from before arrived and sat down two glasses of water, as well as two wine glasses and an entire bottle of wine. Thanking her, Toni poured some of the deep, red wine into both of their glasses.

"So, coming here then was just an accident?"

"Completely."

Toni nodded. Loki eyed her.

"My turn. Where are your friends, woman of iron? I thought you were just biding your time while I healed before calling your superiors, but you have taken me out into your world even purchased clothes for me to 'keep up appearances'. Where are the other Avengers?"

Toni didn't meet his gaze and he found this curious. All this time she had readily met his eyes in an almost bold manner, as though taking it as a personal challenge of sorts, but now she refused, as though looking away might hide her from his sight. He felt something strange within himself. Some weird sort of anger in the pit of his stomach and maybe… concern? Just what had happened between the midgardian warriors, he wondered quietly.

"The Avengers… we aren't together anymore," she finally said, her voice almost a whisper.

He noted she hadn't said friends. He leaned back, arms crossed, observing her. She peeked at him, but then looked away again, taking a sip of her wine.

"I know of my brother, his having returned to Asgard. However, I knew nothing of your…'dissolvement'. He never mentioned anything of the sort and my brother can be quite open about most things. Normally shouting them from the roof tops."

Toni huffed a laugh.

"Yeah… well, things happened. I doubt even he wants to really think about it much."

Loki was not satisfied with that explanation.

"Things never happen without a reason," he remarked.

She clenched the glass in her hand. He noticed but stayed silent.

"On earth we have people we call meta-humans. They… have special unique abilities. A lot of people think them dangerous, the Avengers as well, but others think they are protectors of the people and citizens like any other."

Loki noted her sadness.

"You disagree?"

"No… and yes. I think they are people and have rights like any other. They can be protectors and they are dangerous, but they shouldn't be kept in cages or experimented on. However, I think they should be governed and their powers, at least kept in check, for the safety of everyone on earth."

Loki cocked his head, watching her. "You are torn between the two ideas."

Toni sighed.

"I guess. I was asked to give my opinion and when I did… well, people have a tendency to hear what they want to hear, I guess. The media took it that I agreed with the idea that mutants are dangerous and need to be kept in check. My team also took it that way. After things with Ultron, I just… I want security. If keeping tabs on those with abilities made a difference, I don't see why it shouldn't happen. It's not like we are caging them, but I didn't mean it that those with abilities are a danger to society."

Loki was silent. He could see the deep regret in her eyes from actions past.

"Perhaps you should tell them that, help them understand your thoughts and feelings on the matter."

"I tried. They wouldn't listen to me."

She chuckled, but it was a dry, hollow sound. She was hurting.

"Woman of iron, you have done much for this planet, but in the end, this will always happen. They shall always strike you down should you even appear to go against the social order. Should you raise your hand out of place, in fear of your own abilities, they shall revolt. I take it this Ultron you spoke of was one such incident?"

"Speaking from experience, reindeer games?" she asked, her tone defeated.

Loki did something he hadn't done in a very long time. He was honest.

"Yes. In Asgard, my father loved my brother Thor. However, he rarely ever gazed at me beyond a simple glance. For years I tried to be a better son and hope he would recognize me for what achievements I did make. The day I realized this would never happen, I threw away my Asgardian upbringing and embraced who I truly was. That was the day my father saw the real me, but it was also the day Asgard rejected me once and for all. I was different. I was powerful and dangerous. I needed to be 'Governed'."

Toni looked sick. "Didn't think of it that way. God, I can't imagine your own family doing that to you."

Loki shrugged. "The past is the past. If one becomes stuck there, nothing can be accomplished that is significant in the future."

Toni stared at him before slowly she broke into laughter. Soon that laughter increased, and she was almost laying over on the table, her stomach aching with how hard she was shaking. Loki eyed her, a bit uncertain.

"What are you laughing at you pathetic excuse for a mortal?" he groused, though his lips twitched at the sight of her teary eyed smile.

She smirked. "Nothing, just… you actually have some useful words from time to time. Imagine you, giving me, advice. The world is truly coming to an end."

Loki looked largely offended. "I always have useful words."

Toni just chuckled into her glass. Loki was about to say more when the strange haired waitress returned carrying large dishes of food in her hands. As they were placed before him, Loki stared.

"What is all this?" he finally asked.

Toni hummed as she took a bite and allowed herself to enjoy each flavor that exploded across her taste buds.

"It's called World Tour. You have a little bit of food made by each country in the world. Try it, you might like something."

Loki looked hesitant, but slowly he picked up his fork and began to eat. His eyes widened at times and at other times, he looked sick before shoving a particular plate to the side. The waitress kept up and would retrieve said plates each time before they found their way to the floor. Toni looked highly amused and found herself smiling each time the god took a bite of anything. For a man known for his lies and manipulation, he was not doing well hiding his reactions concerning what he did and didn't like.

Toni suddenly realized, maybe he was doing so purposely. Maybe… he was doing this for her.

She watched him closely after that and once in a while, nearly unnoticeable, he would glance at her when he thought she wasn't looking. It was crazy, highly unlikely, and extremely ridiculous to even consider Loki of all people caring about her feelings, and yet… she somehow knew, he was doing this for her, to make her laugh.

A warm tingle shot through her chest, a bright sharp feeling that nearly left her breathless. She wasn't the only one, for a suddenly as it was there, it was gone and when she looked up, he was staring at her, green eyes open wide in stunned disbelief.

"You…" he whispered.

She blinked. "What? I…"

"You can't be," he whispered, eyes narrowed as he studied her.

She frowned. "Loki, what are you…"

She was unable to say another word because as suddenly as she started to, he had snapped his fingers and they were in the tower. Startled, she turned to question him, only to have his cold, soft lips suddenly pressed against hers, and instead of drawing back as she should have, as he thought she would, she leaned into the kiss and deepened it. That same feeling from before, that sharp, hot, wonderful tingle shot through her chest once more and left her nearly gasping for breath as she felt him pull back, his green eyes searching.

"To think you were the one all this time."

She frowned again.

"I don't understand what you're talking about, Loki. I…"

"In Asgard, nay, even in your world, there are things such as soulmates, correct?"

"Uh, yeah, I mean there are myths, but…"

"When a soulmate is found, there is always a mark that appears. Tell me, woman of iron, what area of your body do you find yourself thinking about most of all?"

AVNGRS

Toni stripped off her clothes in the comfort of her own room and stepped in front of the mirror. Ignoring the ugly scars stretching out across her skin from her reactor, there just above said reactor, right above her heart, was a small black snake, much like a tattoo.

"Do you see it?" a voice suddenly asked.

She stepped back, very aware of the fact she was nearly naked, save for her underclothes. His eyes took in her body, the scars spreading out across her chest, and most importantly the light that kept her alive and the snake placed just above it.

"And you?" she asked, "Where is yours?"

Loki stuck out his tongue, a tongue surprisingly very long and very snake like as it stretched out past the norm and there, as though tattooed onto the tongue itself, was her symbol. It looked like a black ink drawing of the reactor, but it was there.

"So, this means… we are…"

"Soulmates," he agreed. "You are my soulmate, Antoinette Stark."

"Oh my god."

Loki smirked. "Exactly."