Tony eyed the man sitting across from him.
He, Jamie, and Loki were having lunch in one of New York's fanciest restaurants. Jamie was the only one who hadn't opted to wear something fancy; Tony was in a white dress shirt and black slacks, while Loki was wearing the clothes he had worn in Stuttgart.
"Jamie, what are you doing?" Tony asked, after taking a sip of his wine. "Can't it wait?"
Jamie looked up from her notebook, where she had been scribbling several notes. "Oh, I didn't realize I was missing out on such a stimulating conversation." She glanced at Loki and Tony, who had been silent throughout the entire meal.
"You haven't touched your food," Tony pointed out.
Jamie sliced off a portion of her steak and popped it in her mouth. "There. Now I have."
Tony sighed and watched as his sister continued writing on her notebook. For the past few days Jamie had become absorbed in some new project, one that he wasn't aware of. Tony glanced at Loki again, noting that the god had already finished his food and was studying the other Midgardians around them.
"So, uh, Loki," Tony began, and Loki turned his head slowly.
"Yes?"
"When are you and your brother returning to Asgard?" Tony secretly couldn't wait to get Loki out of Stark Towers; he felt as if the place had suddenly become too overcrowded.
Loki tilted his head and smiled. "In time. I assure you I will not stay here any longer than necessary."
"Good. I just thought you might want to settle some unfinished business," Tony said, referring to Loki's rocky relationship with his foster father.
Apparently the reference wasn't lost on Loki, who narrowed his eyes slightly. "Indeed. I long for that day to come," he answered sarcastically.
"Boys, behave," Jamie said, finally crossing a huge block of text and closing the notebook with a sigh.
"Don't look at me, I tried talking to him." Tony dabbed his mouth with a napkin and tossing it on the table.
Jamie gave him a look of disdain and began eating. The two men fell into silence once more, which was occasionally interrupted whenever Tony requested a refill for his wine glass or Jamie muttered under her breath, doing some complex calculations.
"…would be a lot faster if there was a sample, but forget it," Tony heard her mumble. "Although it certainly wouldn't hurt to ask."
"Hey kiddo, what are you doing?" Tony asked, leaning back. "Hopefully something that can improve my suit."
"Tony, I just submitted several blueprints that identified some of the kinks in your suit," Jamie answered, nibbling on some peas. "I think that's enough upgrades for this year. Unless of course you want to have a portable iPad fitted on your wristband?"
"Well," Tony said, shrugging. "The new model looks pretty flashy."
Jamie inhaled deeply and flipped her notebook open, adding a few notes with a flourish. At the same time, she forked the final piece of her steak and popped it in her mouth, finally setting the fork on the plate. "Done."
Tony snapped his fingers and one of the waiters slid towards their table, their check at the ready. Tony dropped a credit card on the tray and checked his mobile phone for any messages. Jamie pocketed her notebook and pen, while Loki looked at them expectantly.
"So what are your plans for today, big bro?" Jamie asked as Tony reclaimed his credit card from the waiter. "Another 'bored' meeting?"
"Very funny." Tony slipped his hands in his pockets and stood up. "No, I have a free day, actually. What are your plans?"
"Uh, I was planning on stopping by the labs," Jamie admitted. "But I can do it some other time. Loki, where do you want to go?"
Loki looked taken aback. "I do not know this realm. I leave the decision to you."
Jamie squinted, thinking hard. "What about the zoo? I bet you'd like to see the different animals."
"How stimulating," Tony commented dryly, and Jamie reached over and poked her brother on the waist. The maitre d' held the door open for them, and Jamie thanked the man as she passed by.
"Well do you have any suggestions? If you were visiting, where would you want to go, Tony?" Jamie shielded her eyes against the sun, while Loki stood to one side, scanning the area.
"I'd take him to the best example of modern architecture the country has ever seen."
"Tony, that's Stark Towers."
"Exactly."
"But he lives there!"
Tony grinned slyly and took out his sunglasses, which he slid over his eyes. "Fine, the zoo then. Jesus we should have brought Pepper with us."
Jamie gestured to Loki, who immediately fell into step beside her. He noticed that everyone they met were looking at him, Jamie, and Tony, and Loki had to check that he hadn't accidentally reverted to his Jotunn form.
"You look fine," Jamie whispered, leaning close to him. "We get a lot of stares whenever we're out. Me and Tony, I mean."
"Oh." Loki glanced at Tony, who was taking the attention all in stride. Several Midgardians even came up to Tony and asked for his autograph, which he readily gave (he had to borrow Jamie's pen, however). Jamie automatically moved to the side, letting her brother claim all the attention.
How does she do it? Loki wondered silently, looking down at Jamie as she watched her brother talk animatedly to the people who had gathered around him. To simply stand by and watch as her brother basks in all the glory, without taking none for herself?
Jamie noticed his curious expression and smiled. "It's like this almost every time we go out. I got used to it eventually."
"But how do you stand it? How can you watch your brother get all the glory while you are left in the sidelines?" The words slipped from Loki's mouth before he could stop himself, and he looked at Jamie again, worried that she might take his question the wrong way.
"He's my brother," Jamie said simply, and Loki saw she was smiling fondly at Tony. "And I love him. Plus I never was one who liked being the center of attention. Can you imagine having to deal with that every day?"
Loki tilted his head noncommittally. "Perhaps. But in Asgard, glory was given whenever you garnered a victory over your enemies."
"Well you triumphed over The Other a few days ago," Jamie reminded him. "They're probably hosting a grand poobah in Asgard, except you're not there to enjoy it."
"Poobah," Loki murmured, liking the way the word felt in his mouth. "What does that mean?"
"Oh, it's a slang word for 'party'. You know, a celebration." Jamie laughed softly. "Finally. Loki Laufeyson said a slang word. I should record that." She took out her new mobile phone and tapped it a few times, before raising it a few inches from Loki's face.
"Say 'poobah' again, Loki," she said, grinning. "Please?"
Loki frowned slightly, staring at the small white device in Jamie's hand. "What for?"
Jamie sighed. "Just say it. Please?"
"Poobah," Loki said.
Jamie giggled and tapped her phone twice, and then slipped it back in her pocket. "You're the greatest, Loki. The best. The king!"
"Careful Jamie." Tony came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. "He might get ideas in his head again."
"He won't," Jamie assured him, giving Loki a covert wink, who returned it with a smirk.
"So you're his spokesperson now?" Tony shot the two a dubious look and rolled his eyes. "What have the two of you been doing?"
"Nothing." Jamie patted her brother's hand. "If I even wanted to take over the world, I think Jarvis would be aware of it. By the way, have you contacted Mike Pointier?"
The three stopped at an intersection and waited for the traffic light to change. Tony nodded and ran a hand through his hair. "Yup. Guy was pissed at first, but his new car changed his mind."
"Or maybe he thought you'd blast his office if he didn't nut up or shut up," Jamie said with a grin. Jamie noticed Loki was being awfully quiet, so she slowed her pace and started giving him a running commentary of the different places that they passed.
Loki listened, taking everything in. Every so often he saw something that piqued his interest, and Jamie and Tony stopped and explained him why the figures in some of the shop windows didn't move, and what the Times Square Jumbotron was.
"Strange," Loki kept on muttering, and Jamie couldn't help but laugh at his bewildered expressions.
"See what you could have missed out on if you succeeded in ruling the Earth?" Jamie teased.
Loki smiled thinly but said nothing.
Before the three of them could reach the zoo, however, Tony and Jamie's mobile phones buzzed. The two answered their phones at the same time, only to find out that it was Nick Fury.
"We need you two here," Fury said. "And bring Loki with you."
The two Starks looked at Loki, who raised his eyebrows.
"Guess the zoo will have to wait," Jamie said, disappointed.
"The portal is ready," Nick Fury announced, pacing the length of the rooftop suite. It seemed to have been converted into the common meeting room for the Avengers, until such time the construction for the underground lair was finished.
Loki was standing behind Jamie, who was sitting on one of the bar stools, looking apprehensive.
"Jane Foster has successfully created a bridge between the two realms, which can be used to bring you home." Fury fastened his gaze on Loki, who looked unconcerned.
Thor grinned and twirled Mjolnir in his right hand. "What are we waiting for?" he bellowed. "Let us go home, Loki."
All heads turned towards Loki, save for Jamie's. She had bowed her head, staring at the ground.
"Well brother?" Thor asked, hoisting Mjolnir on his shoulder. "What say you?"
Loki glanced at Jamie, at the Avengers, and finally at Thor. Finally he took a few steps forward, so that he was standing beside Jamie.
"I think I'll stay, even if it is just for a little while," he said, his fingers finding Jamie's. He gripped her hand and felt her squeeze it gently, and he smiled slowly. "I would very much like to know this realm more."
Bruce glanced at Tony, who had his arms crossed. Pepper was smiling, while Steve, Clint, and Natasha looked surprised. Thor was grinning and he nodded.
"I shall inform Father," he assured Loki. "Behave, brother."
Loki chuckled. "I will. Say hello to Mother for me."
Thor nodded and strode over to Loki, enveloping him in a tight hug. "It's glad to have you back," Thor whispered, so only Loki could hear. "See you soon, brother."
Loki watched as Thor followed Agent Maria Hill out of the suite. Nick Fury stared at Loki for a moment before speaking.
"I just want to make a few things clear, Loki," Fury started, walking up to the god. "If you try to take over this realm again, you will not get a second chance."
"I'll vouch for him," Jamie spoke softly. She had slid her hand from Loki's when the latter had hugged Thor, and was now drumming her fingers on her thigh.
Fury turned to her and then to Loki. "You have a decent girl looking out for you. I sorely hope – for your sake – that you do not have the audacity to break her trust. Otherwise I highly suspect that her brother will break your face."
Tony's mouth twitched at these words.
"I may be many things, Nick Fury," Loki said, raising his head slightly, "But I am not the type who would hurt a woman deliberately."
"See that you don't, Reindeer Games," Tony declared. "Jamie's the only thing holding me back from throwing you out."
"Tony," Jamie sighed, and Tony gritted his teeth.
Fury clasped his hands behind his back, nodded once, and entered the elevator. Once the elevator doors had closed over Fury's features, the Avengers looked at one another.
"So what's next? Has the Avengers Initiative been deactivated – again?" Clint asked, leaning forward on his elbows.
"I don't think so," Bruce replied. "Didn't you notice Fury's expression? He seemed worried."
"Well whatever threat's coming, we can handle it," Tony said confidently. "Anyone up for a drink?"
While the rest of the Avengers murmured their agreement, Loki and Jamie moved away from the bar and onto one of the couches. Pepper joined them, patting Jamie's leg as she sat down.
"Hello Loki, I'm Pepper Potts," Pepper greeted, reaching over to shake Loki's hand.
"A pleasure." Loki smiled at the perky blonde and leaned back.
Jamie rested her head against Pepper's shoulder, and the older woman squeezed Jamie's hand. "So you're happy Loki isn't leaving, huh?"
"Well, yes," Jamie admitted hesitantly, aware that Loki could hear every word they said.
Jamie was scared that Loki would leave; she had become good friends with the God of Mischief and was afraid that she would never see him again. He may be serious at times, but Jamie felt comfortable with him. It felt strange to think that he wouldn't be around anymore; it was as if he had always been there for her.
Pepper didn't pressure Jamie any further, for which she was glad. Beside her Loki watched as the Avengers chatted over a few drinks. Jamie noticed where he was looking at and raised her head.
"Do you want one?" she asked, tugging slightly at Loki's scarf.
"I remember your brother offering me a drink once." Loki smirked. "I wonder if he did."
"Hey Reindeer Games, still up for that drink?" Tony raised a glass and looked straight at the god.
Jamie giggled. "My brother has the unfortunate habit of remembering almost everything. Go." She gave Loki a slight nudge, and the god stood up and joined the Avengers, who didn't seem to mind that he was there with them.
If anyone told me several days ago that I would be sharing a drink with the Avengers, I would have told them they were insane, Loki thought, watching the others over the rim of his glass. But I owe this – all of this – to her.
As Loki finished his drink, his eyes wandered over to Jamie. To his surprise, she was smiling at him.
He screamed.
His fury, his rage, and his displeasure were evident in his scream, one that reverberated throughout the chilly expanse of his realm.
The Other had failed and had been destroyed. His Chitauri army was vastly depleted, and while it would take some time for him to make more, his plans had all gone awry.
It was all because of him.
Loki Laufeyson.
The very name now seemed like an abomination in his eyes, and he longed to wrap his fingers around the god's neck and squeeze the life out of him.
"The time will come, Loki Laufeyson, when you wish you had never struck a bargain with me."