As time went on, Loki became not only closer to Tony but to Pepper, Happy and Rhodes as well. Loki grew to like Pepper for her determination and intelligence. They bonded over stories of managing the people in their lives. Happy and Loki bonded over, of all things, snarking at radio talk shows. Mostly Loki snarked and occasionally trolled the shows with comments. Happy would laugh so hard he would have to work to concentrate on driving. Loki always felt very happy, no pun intended, after one of those times.
Rhodes was more complex. Like the other two he saw that Loki was not harming Tony. In fact, Loki was a good influence…after a fashion. He was mischievous after all. Rhodes was still unnerved, however, about the secrecy of Loki's past. Loki felt annoyed, and a little guilty, that Rhodes and Tony clearly had several arguments about Loki. It reminded him of the Sif and the Warriors, but he figured Rhodes would just have to adjust. Loki had secrets but he would never hurt Tony.
Tony, being curious, just had to see how others would react to Loki. First he brought Loki with him to scientific conferences. Loki's knowledge and wit promptly made him a favorite. Loki being in public like this got the attention of the media. This led to a love-hate relationship with them. They thought him fascinating, but hated he wouldn't give them much to work with. Anyone that dared create any rumors was quickly devastated by Loki. He created more devastation, and curiosity, when he studied for the bar exam and passed it on his own in record breaking time. Even Tony remarked about that.
"I love you like that Scrubs show guy love song, but it's just not normal Loki. No one breezes through the bar that fast," Tony remarked.
Loki smiled bitterly. Tony wasn't about to reject Loki was he?
"I'm not normal," Loki replied bitterly.
"Hey, don't get that way. I'm not either it's just the kind of thing that might get you attention though," Tony replied in a way that somehow reassured Loki.
"I like being in the metaphorical sunlight. It makes sticking in the remaining shadows, if this hasn't blown them away, increasingly impossible. For once, what made me unusual is admired," Loki told Tony.
"We had screwed up lives," Tony mused.
Loki nodded. He suddenly thought of the money Tony had given him.
"Tony is there anyone who…helps children with unpleasant childhoods? As a philanthropist, you could help me find someplace," Loki asked cautiously.
"There are several that I support. I'll show you," Tony suggested.
Loki found a group he liked. He decided to donate all the money Tony had given him. He had pulled pranks anonymously, though everyone knew it was him anyhow, so why not do something good anonymously? Doing so caused something in him to shift. It's not just that I'm happier and can help those I care about. I can make a difference in my realm for people I don't know. Isn't that what true leadership should be about? Helping everyone? I'm not a prince by blood, unless…my birth parents were royalty but I don't want to think about that. Odin said Thor and I both had the blood of kings but that could have just been another lie.
What does it matter? I've just made a difference. It feels good to think of others besides myself or my friends. In Asgard I thought of others because it was expected of me. Here, it is my choice.
After hearing Tony complain about some of his competitors, notably one named Hammer, Loki wanted to meet them as well.
"Loki, I know I've complained but I am handling them," Tony backpedaled.
"Of course. I just thought it could be amusing," Loki commented with a grin.
"Hey I didn't want to take advantage, but if you're offering, it could be fun. You're going to chew them up and spit them out aren't you," Tony inquired mischievously.
"Do you mind," Loki asked dryly.
"Not at all: just let me watch," Tony answered.
"I wouldn't ever do otherwise," Loki agreed.
This led to meeting the aforementioned Hammer. Loki not only easily outmaneuvered the man -the sheer arrogance of the fool- but decided someone this idiotic deserved to be pranked. He found several of Tony's other competitors to be similarly deserving of his attention. He had to be discrete, but he used magic for some of the pranks. This caused Tony to shake his head several times because he couldn't figure out how Loki accomplished the pranks, but Tony didn't interrogate him about it. Tony was not the only one to wonder: Loki started being called 'Loki' all the time by Pepper, Happy, other Stark employees and even Rhodes. They didn't know who he was, but saying his name a lot could attract Heimdall's attention if Loki's spells were insufficient. Loki didn't care. This place was his home and he was done hiding…to a certain extent.