Chapter Twelve: Something Like That

Loki was surprised to see that the sword-turned-handle had not gone all the way through the door. When Tony closed the door he the second sword through it, creating another handle.

"Interesting." Loki commented while glancing around. Everything had a layer of dust to it. "It might be prudent to hire some servants."

"I like it. Looks rustic." Tony began shedding his bags and furs, carelessly dropping them to the side. "Would you like a drink? Father always had the best drinks."

"Weren't you only in your 800s when you left for Svartalfheim?" Loki asked while following the other Aesir.

"Something like that." The walls were covered with weapons of all sorts, all of which still looked deadly despite disuse. Their footsteps echoed off the marble floors. "You can put down your things anywhere." Tony paused in front of a door with a metal star that was all sharp edges. The older god tapped the middle before twisting it in a few directions. It popped out slightly and Tony turned it. Just like with the other door there was a click before it opened. "My old man was a fan of locking things."

"Not surprising considering he was the God of Mechanisms." Loki mused while they walked into a study that was lined with books. Tony swept papers off the desk carelessly before sitting on it.

"Well, in the end that didn't get him too far." Tony upturned two crystal cut glasses and opened a decanter. He filled both the glasses before handing one to Loki. Tony took a sip and hummed happily.

"What do you mean by that?" Loki asked before trying out the drink. It was definitely not Aesir mead, but not bad. It had the sweetness of elf made wine and the heat of dwarf scotch.

"He's dead. They're both dead." Tony knocked back the rest of his drink.

"Everyone dies." Loki stated, trying to read Tony's expression. Tony poured himself another glass.

"Yeah, but we're still alive!" Tony raised his glass and Loki toasted with him purely out of habit. "Look at you. You're a lightweight." Tony plucked the half finished glass out of Loki's hands. His face did feel a bit warm, not that he'd admit that. Tony set the glasses aside before heading back out of the study. Loki followed him. The door behind them closed and clicked in place, startling Loki. "Are you satisfied or would you like to snoop while I get cleaned up?"

"Princes do not snoop." Loki scowled and Tony glanced at him with a grin. It was strangely disarming.

"If that's the case I can lead you back to the door. Otherwise I can show you to the library. We have many books that even the royal library doesn't have." Tony turned around so that they were face to face. "Books or the door. What do you want?"

"What makes you assume I am interested in books? I am an Aesir after all." Loki raised his chin up.

"Other than the fact that you're a mage?" Tony chuckled. "You're missing that tan Aesir warriors usually have."

"You don't have it either." Loki said defensively. Whatever that drink was it made Loki's tongue a bit looser than he'd like it to be. Tony's laughter grew louder.

"Yeah, that's because I've been in Niflheim. In case you didn't notice there's not a lot of sun there." Tony lazily put his hands in his pockets, looking confident and at ease. It was unnerving. The other Aesir warriors usually weren't that comfortable around him, either because of his magic usage or because they knew him. "Books or the door?"

"Books." Loki said while crossing his arms and trying to look regal.

"Right this way, your majesty." Tony's voice was the perfect balance of mocking and playfulness. Loki didn't know how to react, so when Tony turned back around and began walking Loki just followed behind.

They came to a door just like every other. It had the same star-like metal adorning it. Tony twisted and turned it in what looked like a random order until it popped out, creating a knob. The scent of parchment wafted out, instantly relaxing Loki as the door was opened.

"I'll be back soon. Don't set the place on fire." Loki only nodded in response, his eyes already flitting over the various titles. The door closed behind him and he was so enraptured that he didn't notice the lock clicking back in place.

There were books from nearly all the realms. A few of the titles were even written in languages Loki didn't recognize. He traced one of them with his fingers, the All-Speak allowing him to read it. It was a spell book on shape shifting, something he was well versed in, yet something told him there was more information here.

Loki grabbed the book before plopping down onto a couch and promptly sneezing. This place really needed a cleaning. Actually, he was surprised there wasn't more dust considering the manor had been empty for a millennium.

Regardless, Loki flipped open the book, skimming the contents. His eyes widened when he found a passage about staying shape shifted even when knocked out.

Time slipped away without his notice.

The clicking of the door startled him.

"Glad to see you're enjoying yourself." Loki looked at the other Aesir, feeling a bit stunned. He looked completely different. His once shaggy hair was cut and styled, his ragged clothing had been replaced by fine Aesir garb, and his once dirt stained skin was spotless. "Luckily my father's old clothing fits me." Tony stood a bit straighter. "Are you ready to head back to the palace?" Loki glanced down at the book in his hands. "You can borrow it."

"My thanks." Loki snapped the book closed and brushed himself off while standing. As they made their way out Loki noticed that the once black runes on the front door were now red.

The trip to the castle was far different than the trip to Tony's manor. The Aesir were staring, but now they actually recognized Tony since he looked so much like his father. Many whispered and others just stared in amazement and disbelief.

The palace gates were opened for them and two servants met them to take their steeds.

"I could have sworn this place was bigger." Tony mused while walking next to Loki.

The younger god snorted before wordlessly split away from him, heading to his chambers while Tony doubtlessly headed to the throne room.

Loki held back a scowl when he saw that the door to his chambers were open. Thor was sitting in the lounge, or more accurately stewing in the lounge.

"The audacity of that low-blooded Aesir!" Thor said while jumping out of his seat. Good, so he wasn't here to exact revenge on Loki for waking him up this morning.

"Forgive him brother. He has been away from royal court for far too long." Loki drawled out his words as he walked to his bedroom. Thor followed him, unperturbed by Loki's less than enthusiastic response.

"Does he not know I am a prince?! Surely he hasn't gone soft in the head since we last met!" Thor was stomping his feet as he walked and Loki could feel a headache forming. "I should challenge him to a duel and remind him of his proper place." Thor smiled as if he just had the most brilliant idea in all the nine realms.

"Perhaps it would be wise to observe his fighting abilities before you challenge him." Loki said while divesting himself of his armor and heading for the bathroom. Now that he was back in Asgard he could smell the funk he'd built up in Niflheim.

"I am a prince of Asgard and the student of the greatest teachers. I have slayed-"

"He took the same lessons as you did until he went missing. Why you've been attending to your princely duties he has been traversing the realms for a thousand years, adventuring and sharpening his skills." Loki said while standing in the doorway to his bathroom, half dressed. "Now leave me in peace so that I may get cleaned up." He closed the door a bit harder than was necessary. He listened and made sure Thor left before he started his bath. "Idiot."