How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful Chapter 22: Dinner and a Show, an avengers fanfic

Avengers || FrostIron || How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful || FrostIron || Avengers

Title: How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – New and Improved Avengers

Fandom: Marvel | Avengers

Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Marvel Comics for the creation of some of the most awesome heroes ever. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.

Warnings: m/m, not Infinity War compliant, team as family, team building, fluff, PTSD, hurt/comfort, past child abuse, explicit intercourse, anal, oral, m/f, f/f

Main Pairing: Loki/Tony

Side Pairings: Hope/Darcy, Valkyrie/Sif, Rhodey/Maria/Carol, Bruce/Jane, T'Challa/Ororo, Happy/Pepper

Junior Avengers: Peter Parker | Spider-Man, Shuri, Hela Lokisdottir, Miles Morales | Kid Arachnid, Edward 'Ned' Leeds, Harley Keener, Gwen Stacy | Ghost-Spider

Allies: Stephen Strange | Doctor Strange, Ororo Munroe | Storm, Okoye, Heimdall, Maria Rambeau, Monica Rambeau, Virginia 'Pepper' Potts, Happy Hogan, James 'Bucky' Barnes

Summary: Post Civil War, Tony has to build a new team of Avengers. Aside from new recruits, there are also two well-known Avengers that return to Earth – with a ship full of refugees. New and more functional Avengers rise from the ashes of the old and new alliances, new friendships and even new relationships are formed. Though the biggest wild-card proves to be Loki, not entirely unexpected.

How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful

New and Improved Avengers

Chapter 22: Dinner and a Show

Couples were strange. In their essence, they were the same, but every couple was so fundamentally different. Tony looked at Rhodey, Maria and Carol and saw the complexity of their dynamic, yet the ease with which they operated. Looking at Sif and Hilde though, those two lived for the competition, sparring half the time and always ending up in a heated make-out session, while they also sometimes had those solemn moments where they'd sit together on the balcony staring up into the foreign night sky, clearly mourning their planet and the people they lost, giving each other strength. Then there were Bruce and Jane, who occasionally finished each other's sentences, at least when it became scientific, and who existed in the same lab-space with such ease. Hope and Darcy were different. They seemed so contradictory, yet they complimented each other.

Where did Tony and Loki fit tough...? What... kind of couple were they going to be? What kind of things did one do with a trickster alien prince for their first date...? Tony was lost.

"Do you require some help here? You have groaned five times now."

Tony blinked a few times and looked up at Thor. Who... may be just the right person to talk to.

"You. You are like... the closest thing to a Loki-expert I have. Come here."

Tony patted the chair next to himself and the big guy complied, looking amused. "So he has finally asked you out on a date? Wonderful!"

"Actually, I had to ask him out. Twice", huffed Tony, waving a hand dismissively. "But that's not the point right now. I have no idea what to do for our first date. I felt so sure, but now... I have had like ten different plans and then just threw them out the window again. Either they were too pompous, or too... boring. What... What can I do to impress your brother?"

"You have already done a lot to impress him", assured Thor fondly, resting a heavy hand Tony's shoulder. "I believe you could serve him peanut-butter sandwiches on the balcony and he would be smitten with you, Tony. Please do not worry so much."

Pouting, Tony looked up at him. "Come on. Please, be more cooperative."

"Very well. I will give you one nudge", chuckled Thor. "My brother has always greatly enjoyed the theater. The arts... were not very well-funded on Asgard. It was one of the things he came to seek out on Midgard. He had this very talented friend named William!"

"...I'm not even going to go there. But thank you for that idea", nodded Tony relieved. "Thanks."

"You're very welcome", smiled Thor. "I wish the both of you the best."

/break\

Hela giggled softly as she watched her father walk back into his closet. For the fifth time. It was rare to see Loki try to make an effort like that for someone. Usually, Loki was so sure about everything, especially about his looks. It just showed that Loki seemed to like Tony a lot. Hopping off the couch, Hela left the suite so Loki could fuss in peace. Instead, she went looking for her friends. Harley and Peter were in Harley's room, playing video-games.

"Hello", greeted Hela as she walked in.

She was surprised to find Shuri sitting on Harley's bed, drawing designs on a Stark Tablet (she liked to play around with Tony's tech, usually improved it for her own gain). Shuri waved at her without looking up, prompting Hela to sit down next to her, smiling.

"We will be step-siblings when our fathers get married", stated Hela, looking at Harley. "My brothers are going to really love you! Don't worry."

"...Brothers", whispered Harley, crashing his car against the wall and turning toward her. "Wait. Right. There's like a horse, a snake and a wolf you're related to. Are those... literal?"

"I don't understand the question", admitted Hela confused.

"Are they literally a horse, a snake and a wolf, or more like... the way T'Challa is a Black Panther and Peter is a spider", offered Shuri, slowly putting her tablet down.

"Oh", whispered Hela before furrowing her brows. "Both?"

"That's somehow even more confusing", noted Peter, both boys joining the girls on the bed.

"Well, my brother Sleipnir, he's really, really fast which gave him the eight-legged nickname, but he's not literally eight-legged. But he was born a horse. Magic. We do have... shapeshifting abilities. To different degrees. My brothers can shapeshift between animal and human skin."

"...This family is going to be absolutely amazing", whispered Peter in awe. "Wait. Will your brothers come to Earth too? Where are they anyway...?"

"Oh, I don't know", replied Hela with a shake of her head. "They've always liked adventuring about. Fenrir, he has a life of his own. Has a wife and two sons, you know. He's always felt... scorned by grandfather so he vowed to never return to Asgard. Sleipnir is always on the move. He never stays one place too long. And Jörmungand... I haven't seen him in the longest, I suppose."

"You... miss them?", asked Harley softly. "I couldn't imagine not seeing Kat that long."

"I miss them a lot", replied Hela solemnly, nodding slowly. "But... it has gotten better since I got here. Because I have you now. I never had friends before. This is... nice. I still miss them though. But surely they will come to meet our new father and you, once word reaches them."

Shuri cleared her throat at all the mushiness and decided to add a little realism. "You idiots do realize that Tony and Loki haven't even gone on their first date yet, right?"

"What are you saying, Shuri?", asked Hela very confused.

"I'm just saying that you're... asking a lot of a relationship that only just started", offered Shuri gently. "You're getting a little ahead of yourselves."

She smiled at Hela and patted her hand. Hela simply frowned in confusion.

/break\

In the end, Loki had settled for a simple black suit with a green dress-shirt, golden cuff-links. Elegant but blending into Midgard. He smiled pleased when he opened his door to Tony. The smile turned just an edge more pleased when he took in Tony. The man really knew how to wear a suit.

"You look ravishing", noted Loki pleased.

"Right back at you. I do love the usual leather-do but... this is very nice too", grinned Tony.

"Now, what are the plans for tonight?", inquired Loki as he offered Tony his arm.

"I figured we would go for a classic. Dinner and a show", replied Tony. "For now, the two of us are simply going out to eat. I reserved us a table in my favorite restaurant."

"Just one thing that I have to offer you first", hummed Loki, flicking his wrist.

Tony looked at him in confusion until they entered the elevator and he got to stare at their mirror-images. Two absolutely stunning women stared back at him, one tall, with black curls down to her waist, wearing a tight emerald dress, the other a short brunette in a red-golden dress. Blinking, he stared down at himself. No, still him, in his suit. When he turned to Loki, he saw Loki.

"A little glamour. You and I still see ourselves, but to everyone else, we are just two random, but gorgeous women on a date", supplied Loki. "I figured both of us are... too high profile to have a peaceful night out and I would much rather do this without the press tailing us."

"That is... insanely practical", hummed Tony pleased. "Also damn, we're hot."

He turned, looking at himself in the mirror. He would definitely fuck this version of himself. Loki rolled his eyes at Tony in amusement. It was strange to think he was going on a date with Loki.

/break\

Loki was admittedly surprised when they entered the restaurant. Which may just be a bit of a stretch. Restaurant, that is. It was one of those diners. A small place, not very impressive.

"Not what you were expecting?", guessed Tony with a grin. "See. I considered three dozen places, all over the world, for our first date. But... I guess I'm always overcompensating. So... I wanted to do this real. This place may just be my favorite restaurant. It's open all day, close to the mansion. I... snuck out a lot, came here to eat at odd hours when I got hungry, because... going into the kitchen was risking father noticing me eating at odd hours."

"So this place has... sentimental value?", asked Loki with a soft tone to his voice.

"I still come here often, when I had a long night. I know, I know, I could order in. But... then I'll continue working. Going out keeps me from it. Brucie and I... we used to come here a lot, back during the... first Avengers. Haven't really done it since you guys arrived here."

"Hello, Mister Stark. Your usual?"

Loki whirled around confused. No one should be able to look through the glamour. A girl stood there, wearing an apron. Blonde, with the tips of her hair dyed bright-pink. She was chewing bubblegum, her name-tag identifying her as GWEN. What extraordinary mortal was this...?

"How did you...?", asked Tony startled, staring at her.

"Eh, holograms and face-changing isn't really new technology. At least not for the super-spies and superheroes", shrugged Gwen, tapping her pen against the paper in her hand. "Fancy brunette lady walks in here, looking like that, wearing red and gold? Dunno what new technology that is, but..."

"Yes, the usual, Gwen", smiled Tony fondly. "And keep it to yourself, not everyone's as clever as you, kiddo. And make it two, for my... friend here. Tell me about your science fair when you bring the drinks over, okay? Lo, come with me to my usual table."

He rested a hand on Loki's lower back and guided him toward a table in the back with a wide view on the park on the other side of the street. Loki stared out the window for a little bit, simply contemplating the situation. He was on a date with a mortal – a hero, at that. One of Thor's friends, which may just be the biggest offense, really. How strange his life was turning out right now. The girl, Gwen, returned with two gigantic glasses of brown substance with colorful straws.

"There you go. Two chocolate milkshakes with extra chocolate and caramel sauce."

"You are an absolute angel, Gwen", smiled Tony pleased. "Now, that science-fair."

"Three dudes from Midtown High beat me and Anya. But I blame their high-profile sponsor", grunted Gwen, side-eyeing Tony. "Congrats on the new son, by the way."

"Hey, I just paid for... some... things. The science-part was all them!", exclaimed Tony.

"The science-part is easier to make when you have your own lab and unlimited resources. They had vibranium in their science-project! How's an orphan living in a poor foster home supposed to combat that, huh?", huffed Gwen, though she didn't look overly upset.

"Next time I'll sponsor you, kiddo. You can go all out against my boys, make them work for it."

"I'll hold you to that, Mister S", grinned Gwen before she left.

"Is she another one of your children?", inquired Loki, looking after her.

"What? No. Not every teen I interact with is my child", huffed Tony, drinking his milkshake.

"Well, you adopted two of them and I do feel as though Miles, Ned and Peter have adopted you", noted Loki with a smirk. "So, the clever girl here, she does fit the overall theme there, doesn't she?"

"...I can't, could I?", whispered Tony, staring after Gwen with fatherly concern.

"Technically, one can't simply decide to adopt random children", noted Loki, furrowing his brows. "Admittedly, I was more... teasing you, Tony."

"I figured", chuckled Tony and shook his head. "She's an orphan. And after her parents died, her uncle took her in. Who... relatively recently... turned out to be a supervillain. Now she's going from foster home to foster home. She's waiting tables here to earn some own money because she can never trust the system on how long she gets to stay somewhere..."

Loki arched one eyebrow and returned sharp eyes to the blonde girl who navigated the busy diner with expert ease. Tony Stark's heart truly was too big and loving, Loki had no idea how to comprehend that. Somehow, this man managed to make Loki feel that same warmth. Love. Not necessarily even the romantic kind – Tony was just naturally radiating it, the same way Frigga used to, filling a room with acceptance and warmth for everyone, it was what had made her subjects love her as a queen and Loki saw the Avengers bring that same kind of respect to Tony for the same reason. Loki was a fool, truly a fool, to fall for this loving mortal.

"What about your kids?", asked Tony after Gwen left, having dropped two burgers and two large servings of fries off. "I know you have more than just Hela."

"My oldest, Fenrir, he is living with his own family... many, many light years away", offered Loki. "I visit them for the holidays, when I can. Jörm, he's... an adventurer and traveler, he sends postcards... used to send postcards. I suspect the boys are going to track us down after they realize that Asgard isn't receiving postcards anymore, what with it being gone."

Tony hummed and dipped a fry into his milkshake. "You miss them? I mean, of course do you miss them, I see the way you're with Hela, you must miss your boys a lot."

"Some days more than others", hummed Loki honestly. "They have their own lives, they're all grown up, after all. You can't hover all their lives. It's... their childhood, I guess. I mourn how much I missed of those. I'm glad I have a chance with Hela now, though."

"It was a big part of what drove you and your adopted parents apart?", asked Tony tentatively.

"Wonderful topics for the first date", huffed Loki and shook his head. "But... yes. Odin framed it as an embarrassment because I wasn't married to their mother, but after I learned I was adopted, he never saw me as a serious contestant for the throne, I realized he just didn't want the bastard children of the one who wasn't good enough for the throne anyway."

Surprisingly, Tony laughed, startling Loki. "I'm sorry, inappropriate, but... I had to think of my own father. He would be so angry if he'd see me, unmarried, adopting two 'working-class children'. Howard Stark and Odin, those two would have gotten along like a house on fire."

Loki paused for a moment before he too laughed. "You're right, they would."

/break\

"Tempest", whispered Loki pleased as they sank into their seats.

The theater had a private balcony reserved to Tony Stark. Best seats in the place, naturally. Dating Tony Stark was quite like dating royalty around here. Though Loki did wonder how they got in.

"No one's gonna question someone not Tony Stark coming here. I regularly let my employees use my boxes – opera, theater, sports", offered Tony at the unasked question. "Because why should they go empty just because I can't go all the times to all the things. And the seats are paid for, why not let those who enjoy the finer things in life actually enjoy them."

Loki smiled, incredibly pleased by this. The arts! He loved the arts. It had been his biggest change when he had been king. Free access to the arts, theaters for everyone. His smile turned softer.

"Tell me what you're thinking about right now", prompted Tony curiously.

"The theater. While I was king, it was one of my pet-projects. Opening the theater up. It was always just a high-class thing and... a very rare one at that. The arts always took second place to fighting and brawling and all that nonsense. But when I opened the theater to everyone – to watch and to participate – it... flourished. So many joined and enjoyed it."

"That's why your father didn't think you'd be a good king", mused Tony, startling Loki a little. "Your father was a man of war, he wanted a king on the throne who would also be a man of war. You... are not a man of war. You're a man of art and magic, both not... very respected on Asgard."

"I suppose you're right", agreed Loki thoughtfully.

"It wasn't you", whispered Tony softly. "It was all on him."

Loki knew this, had been telling himself this for a long time now, yet... hearing it from someone else? Hearing Tony say it like that was so different and so much better. What was this mortal doing to him? How awful, to feel so validated and... understood. Loki blinked a couple times.

"Ah, the play is starting", whispered Tony excitedly, leaning forward some.

Loki tore his eyes away from Tony – which was harder than it should be – and focused on the play at hand. They enjoyed it in silence, Loki found himself relieved that Tony wasn't a talker, people who talked during a performance were rather annoying. However, Tony did share his reactions with Loki. When something exciting happened, Tony reached out to grasp Loki's hand, squeezing, tugging every now and again to get Loki's attention as though he was trying to say 'Look!'. It was... utterly adorable. About halfway through, Loki found himself far more captivated by watching Tony than watching the actual play. How could this man hold his attention like that...?

/break\

"Surprisingly enough, I had a good time tonight."

"How dare you", huffed Tony amused. "I did too, though. Have a good time, that is."

The two of them were standing together, in front of the mansion. Both shifting slightly. Fidgeting.

"JUST KISS ALREADY!"

Both startled and dove apart, turning toward the door. It stood open ajar, showing Hela, Peter, Miles, Harley and Shuri leaning over each other to poke their heads out of the door. Peeking out behind the curtains were Rhodey, Hope, Sharon, Darcy, Jane and Thor – Darcy having been the one to yell loudly. Loki looked irritated and Tony just felt flustered, to be honest.

"Darcy, you promised to be patient and quiet", chided Jane amused.

"The anticipation was killing me", countered Darcy with a huff.

"...Are... Are you eating popcorn, Darce?", asked Tony startled.

"This is my dinner and my show", stated Darcy, pointing at the popcorn and then at Tony and Loki.

"Lokes, I am so sorry, I forgot that I am harboring barbarians", muttered Tony, shaking his head.

"It's... quite alright", whispered Loki, a nearly fond look on his face.

Tony blinked a couple of times. Oh. Loki liked this. He liked having people invested in him, liked having a place to come home to that felt like home. On a whim, Tony reached for Loki's neck, pulling him down into a kiss. The trickster seemed surprised for only a split-second, but when the peanut-gallery started cheering loudly, Loki eased into the kiss, wrapping his arms around Tony's waist and pulling him close to deepen the kiss. They kissed long enough for their bystanders to awkwardly leave and yet it felt as though time stopped mattering.

"A good way to end the day", whispered Loki when they parted.

"I... Yes...", nodded Tony, gulping a couple of times. "I... good night?"

"Good night, Tony. I'm looking forward to our second date", smiled Loki.

/break\

The second date went smoother in preparations. Both lost their nervousness about what to wear and what to do. Tony took over the planning again – Loki was still getting used to modern Midgard and even more so to New York, while Tony knew where to go and what to get. This time, they did go out for fancy dinner, feeling like kings. Tony enjoyed that. Not the feeling like a king thing necessarily (though it didn't hurt), but making Loki feel like a king. He knew Loki wanted it, enjoyed it and deserved it. Even though he may have done wrong in the past, Loki still deserved better. And this? This was something Tony could do, something Tony was good at.

"This place, I liked it", noted Loki as the two of them walked through the park after.

"I figured you would", smirked Tony. "Best Italian in the whole city."

"Mh...", nodded Loki, looking a little distracted. "Would you like to go for milkshakes?"

"Milkshakes?", asked Tony confused, turning toward Loki.

"Yes. The little place you took me for our first date. The milkshakes were great."

The milkshakes weren't that great. FRIDAY made better milkshakes at home; the burgers were what Tony came to the diner for. But Tony figured this wasn't about either of those. He smiled at Loki and led the way back to the diner. It made him smile even more when he saw Gwen, leaning against a table and talking to two other teenage girls sitting there.

"Hello, Mrs. S", greeted Gwen with a slight wink. "The same as always?"

"No. Not today. We just come from dinner. Just... the milkshakes", replied Tony.

"And a serving of your fried potato sticks", added Loki, earning a look from Tony. "What? I liked the way they tasted when you dipped them into our sweet drinks last time."

"We literally just ate", huffed Tony and shook his head.

"Oh, they are small fries, there is room for that", dismissed Loki cheerfully.

"Ah, you really are a man after my own heart", chuckled Tony.

Loki cleared his throat, perhaps a little bit because he was embarrassed and flustered by the other man. It only took a pleasantly short time for Gwen to bring them their milkshakes.

"Thank you", nodded Loki pleased, pausing for only a moment. "Those two girls, are they the ones you entered your science... fair with?"

"My friends, yeah. Anya and Mary-Jane", shrugged Gwen.

"How... is your current stay?", asked Tony tentatively.

"Not the worst", shrugged Gwen, though she shifted away from them. "Roof over head, food on the table, they mostly ignore me. I ignore them. It's going fine. Besides, I'm nearly sixteen. Two more years and I'll be outta the system anyway. Ain't no one gonna adopt a fifteen year old who was raised by a supervillain. It's fine. I'm saving up, gonna make it big."

"Make it big? As a scientist?", inquired Loki, genuinely interested.

"Nah", laughed Gwen and shook her head. "The science stuff is more like a hobby. I'm gonna be a musician. I got a band, with my girls over there. I'm a singer."

"Music? You're an artist?", asked Loki, perking up some.

"Ye—ep", grinned Gwen, looking so genuinely proud. "I got a CD... if you wanna... listen into it?"

"Yes, I'd like that", nodded Loki.

"Uh. Gotta get back to work. Enjoy your milkshakes", chimed Gwen, waving at them.

"Now you're looking like you want to adopt her", whispered Tony amused.

"An artist", huffed Loki. "I got none of my children to become artists."

"That why you're so fond of Miles too? I saw you hover over the spider-boys", accused Tony.

"He is a very brilliant boy with immense artistic talents, yes. I do think, if he had Asgardian blood, he would have quite the talent for magic too. Shuri too", nodded Loki thoughtfully. "Darcy. But she would probably not care much to study it properly."

"She definitely wouldn't. She'd probably just use it to conjure up sandwiches and such", huffed Tony. "You and Darcy, you have a very strange friendship. I saw you play cards the other night, with Carol, Maria and Hilde. It's nice seeing you make friends."

"I take offense to that accusation", hissed Loki. "I am not making friends."

Those bourbon-eyes were sparkling knowingly at Loki and he felt quite offended by that. How dare Tony mock him like that. Friends. He endured them and enjoyed the mild entertainment they could provide occasionally, but they most definitely weren't his friends. The way Tony smiled at him indulgently told Loki that Tony wasn't buying it. Perhaps Loki wasn't quite buying it himself...

Author's note: So I was talking about this fic the other day on tumblr and said how it includes NEARLY everything I love for a Marvel fic, because among the various potential children for Tony my personal absolute favorite is Gwen Stacy... and I was told to just include her if I want to. And you know what. That's true. I added so many characters later on and this fic already grew so much, why not include my girl Gwen too.

ANYWAY! FrostIron has officially sailed and gone onto their first date and exchanged their first kiss! Let's see how their relationship will... progress *eyebrow wiggle* next chapter ;D