Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Marvel Franchise and its Characters. I only own my OC's.

A/N: This took place in Chapter 14 after Loki and Clio had a heart to heart talk and before he goes back to Asgard.

CHAPTER 30.5:

BONUS: CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Clio woke up feeling refreshed and, despite the tragedy befall on them the other day, a smile appeared on her lips. She decided today was going to be a good day. There's no point scolding her father. What's done is done. There was no need to linger at the past, anyway.

"Good morning, Clio. You seemed to be in a good mood today," the A.I. commented when she called him out.

She walked over to her bathroom, humming as she prepared for the day.

"It's a beautiful day, JARVIS," she commented with a chuckle. "I don't think a frown is appropriate for it."

"Indeed," agreed the A.I.

After she took a quick shower, she started combing her dark locks and noted silently the length of it remembering the last time she took a haircut.

"Hmm," she uttered as she stared at her mirror. Her hair almost reached her waist line to her slight surprise. Did time pass so quick?

"Anything the matter, Clio?" the A.I asked

"Do you remember the last time I took a haircut?"

"Indeed, I do," the A.I. answered. "Your last haircut was eight months ago. Should I call your favorite hairdresser and schedule your appointment?"

She smiled widely at the suggestion of her favorite A.I. She loved JARVIS, having him while growing up felt really like home.

"Thanks, J. You're the best," she said before walking out of her room and into the elevator.

She pressed the floor to the living area. "Don't tell me Dad's holed up inside his laboratory again? she asked with a raised brow.

After they managed to extract the extremis from Pepper's body, he started looking for more ways to extract the organism inside her body. She tried pointing out to him that it might be an impossible feat but he was stubbor as always. As much as she didn't like his idea, she was grateful for it. She was grateful for Tony Stark.

"No, on the contrary, he's out today," answered the A.I.

Clio's brows rose in surprise. "Today? It's still early in the morning. Did he go for a jog?" she asked when she noticed her watch turning just 7:12 in the morning. Which was unusual since Tony has a schedule for a jog and today wasn't one of them.

"Today is the 27th day of December. It's also the death anniversary of your grandparents and your 26th birthday. Happy birthday, Clio," the A.I. greeted before the elevator door opened to her designated floor.

Her mouth gaped open at the realization. How come the dates never occured to her until now? She tried not to celebrate her birthday but having Tony Stark as a father, he would plan to throw her a grand party

She just didn't feel like this date at all. It was the day he found her. Her birth date was a reminder that she will never be Tony Stark's daughter and that put a familiar pain in her chest. Being adopted was never an issue to her until the press and media started harrassing her about it when she started appearing publicly with Tony which truly was a low blow to her. That's the reason why she chose not to be on the spotlight too much whenever her father was in it.

"Thanks, J," she replied as she changed her floor destination to the garage. "Tell, Pepper and Loki that I'll be gone for a moment."

"Certainly, Clio."

She watched him from a distance. His head bowed over the two tombstones on the ground. She suddenly felt bad waking up happily a while ago and forgetting their death anniversary.

Tony used to tell her stories about Maria Stark – how loving of a mother she was and how graceful of a woman she once was. She loved how much Tony admired and adored his mother. She would have loved her as much as he did if she was ever alive.

But Howard Stark, well, she rarely heard Tony talk about his late father. All she knew as that he was the founder of Stark Industries and the creator of the Super Soldier Serum. She often wondered if he was alive would they get along just fine? Or would he be cold and calculating just like what Tony used to tell her.

A sniff was heard from the background that snapped her out of her reverie. Tony, with his glasses on, was murmuring his prayers to his deceased parents. She was lucky enough that she grew up with a father like Tony.

"Found you," she spoke after some time.

Tony whirled around, startled at her sudden appearance.

"Hey, Sugarplum," he greeted back. He put an arm around her shoulder and kissed her temples. "Happy 26th birthday, baby girl."

"Thanks, Dad," she replied and hugged his side tightly. They both stared at the tombstone on the ground silently.

"Mom would have been overjoyed if she met you," he commented after some time.

"I would have adored her too," she replied with a nod. "And grandpa Howard, too."

Tony heaved a heavy sigh. "I don't want to be like him," he confessed

Clio scowled at his statement and glanced sideway. "What do you mean?" she asked in confusion.

"He was always so cold to me ever since I was a kid. I even thought he never wanted me," he explained.

"That's not true! I'm sure grandpa loved you in his own ways," she defended. The reason? She didn't know. She barely knew Howard Stark but she suddenly have the urge to comfort Tony about it.

"Yeah, I know he did," Tony said softly.

"And you're nothing like him, like ever," she added, a little to intense to emphasize her point. Tony glanced at her in surprise. "You may be stubborn but you will always be the best dad for me. I wouldn't even think of trading you for another dad. Not ever."

Tony's mouth gaped open at her remarks. Silence descended upon them and only the chirping birds were heard from the background.

Clio glanced at him and saw him secretly wiped his eyes. "Dad?" she called out worriedly.

"Yep?" he quickly retracted his hand away from his face and turned to her. Despite the glasses he was wearing, she could clearly see how red and glassy his eyes were.

"I love you," she said and leaned towards him.

"Love you too, Sugarplum. Thank you for coming here," he replied and kissed her forehead.

"So, what do you want to do today? Yacht party? Disco party? Infiltrate the biggest laboratory in states? Go to the zoo?"

She rolled her eyes "Zoo? I'm not a kid anymore, Dad," she pointed out jokingly.

"Stop growing up, you wacko," he chided teasingly and chuckled. "Oh, if I could just stop the time."

"Please don't. We all know how that will end. You might just invent a time machine in the future," she groaned.

Tony laughed lightly and ruffled her freshly combed hair. "I just might, you know," he answered.

Clio slapped her father's chest lightly to stop his upcoming remarks. "Why don't we just have a simple dinner with the others? We can call Nat, Dr. Banner and the others over. Besides, after everything that's happened, I don't think Pepper can handle the stress of a grand party," she suggested to which Tony seemed to consider her request.

"Alright, wish granted," he said after some time. "Are you planning to go back to Asgard?"

Clio was silent for a moment before she shook her head. "I've got my hands full here," she answered and smiled at him. "Besides, I'm feeling quite better now."

"What about Rock of Ages?" he asked with a scowl on his face. "I swear that man is infuriating – him and his Asgardian accent."

"Both of you are infuriating," she pointed out. "It's a good thing I'm healthy or else I'd be dealing a serious heart attack."

"Touché," he agreed and then gave her a frown. "What's going on between you two? I don't like it."

"What do you mean between us?" she asked suddenly nervous. She never had a type of talk like this with her father. Well, boys were never an issue to them since she was so adapted to her studies that the thought of boys never even crossed her mind until now.

"Don't play innocent with me, Clio Isabela Stark," he rebuked that made Clio pursed her lips. "He's a killer maniac. Have you forgotten what he did to New York? That guy is a psycho."

Clio glanced at her father in disbelief. A slight pang of pain hit her chest at the way her father was badmouthing the God of Mischief.

"Dad, you know he's been brainwashed doing it. He changed already," she defended with a scowl. "We all made mistakes and we learned from it the hard way. You make mistakes but that doesn't mean that my love for you lessened."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "So, you love him?" he asked.

Clio was taken aback by the question. She could feel her face suddenly heating up. "W-What do you m-mean I l-love him?" she stammered; her heart started hammering crazy when she remembered Loki's gently smile last night and how his lips touched her forehead. "That guy? Why d-did you suddenly asked that? T-That's not even m-my point!"

Tony stared at her intensely that made her regret coming here. Do fathers do this to their daughters? She was about to open her mouth to rebuke when suddenly, he chuckled.

"Your face is all red!" he teased, chuckle turning to laughter.

Clio rubbed her face and glared at him. "It's not funny!" Her other hand clutched her heart to calm her down.

"It is!" Tony argued but his laughing fits slowly died down into a wheeze. "Oh, god. Okay, sorry."

Her face was morphed into annoyance and her glare never wavered until his grin was the only ones teasing her.

"Done?"

"Yes," he answered with a grin before his face turned serious again. "Clio, you're in the right age where you know what's best for you and what's not. There are times when I need to step in as your father for your own sake."

"I know that," Clio murmured. Will he step in between whatever she and Loki have? After she and the God of Mischief made amends last night?

Tony sigh. "But as long as you're happy then I'll support you in any way," he stated and put a hand on top of her head.

Her eyes widened at his statement. What's this? Was he giving her the blessing? The blessig for what? For forming a bond with Loki? A smile broke on her face at his statement. "Thanks, Daddy."

Tony smiled back and put an arm around her shoulders. "I still don't like him, though."

"Give him a chance to prove himself," she said.

"That's for me to decide. Now , let's go back. Rhodey and Happy were baking cake before I left," he said.

"Really?" she asked; overwhelmed and flattered at their effort.

"Yeah, let's pray they did not burn the place down."

When they arrived back at the tower, chaos greeted them.

Rhodey and Happy were both wearing apron and were arguing like a married couple. Between them, on top of the island, was what seemed to be a black lump.

"It says here it should be in the oven for 45 minutes!" Happy argued as he pointed something on the cookbook to which Rhodey sighed frustrated at the man before him.

"Yes, it should be 45 minutes in the oven with a heat of 325 FAHRENHEIT and not CELSIUS! If you convert that to Celsius, it's going to be 162 degrees! And the oven is Celsius modified!" Rhodey barked.

"Woah, Woah, Woah," Tony held up a hand at the two. "What's the fuss?"

Clio walked over to the island and poked the thing. "Is this a bread?" she asked in confusion at the crispy texture. She covered her nose when the burning smell wafted her nostrils.

"It's supposed to be a chocolate cake or whatever you mortals call it," a deep voice answered which did not belong to any of the three earlier.

Clio whirled around to find the god of mischief leaning at the doorway looking both amused and bored at the same time. The sight of him wearing a white shirt and black sweatpants made her heart do several wild flips. Her mouth hung open in shock. She had seen Steve Rogers and even Thor in that kind of clothing but they did not add up to the charisma Loki put in that mortal clothing.

"Like what you see?" he snickered and gave her his usual trademark smirk. Blessed her soul! How can this man be hot and be cold at the same time? It did not even help that she suddenly remembered what Tony asked her a while ago.

Her face reddened when she realized what he had said. "I-I don't know what you are talking about," she stammered and looked away from him and to Tony who rolled his eyes at her.

"The cake is dead as a corpse," Tony commented at the burnt bread.

"No, shit," Rhodey muttered.

"Yeah, I told you we should stick to the recipe book!" Happy accused Rhodey who sighed frustratingly.

"—Uh, why don't we just—" Clio tried to but in but Rhodey cut her off.

"-Stick to the recipe book, he says! Yet you didn't even read every single word that is written inside. What's she going to get on her birthday now-"

"—It's okay, I don't mind not having cake—"

"—Why don't you cook instead—"

"—Uh—"

A metal clanging on the ground so loud made the three jumped, startled.

"You are done playing the married couple?" Tony asked with his arms folded on his chest. Impatience was seeping off his face. "It's a cake! Let's just buy her a cake! Are you okay with the idea?"

The two were silent for a moment with Clio in between them with a grateful smile at the interruption.

Happy sighed and took off his apron after some time. "Caramel cake it is," he muttered under his breath.

"Hey, we agreed to Chocolate. What happened to that?" Rhodey asked as he followed Happy towards the elevator.

Once the two were out of sight, Tony turned towards her with a sigh. "I'll make arrangements with the dinner. I'll call Pepper for the plan, is that alright for you?"

Clio nodded. "More than alright! Thank you."

"Anything for you, Birthday Girl," he replied and kissed her temple before walking towards the exit.

"Today is your name day?" Loki asked in surprise.

"No shit, Captain Obvious," Tony called out from the outside to which Clio shook her head at her father's quirkiness.

"Yes," she replied as she walked towards him.

"I'm sorry," he muttered when she stopped just a few meters from him.

Clio raised a brow. "For what?" she asked.

"I didn't know it was your name day. If I had known, I would have given you a gift," he confided solemnly.

Clio chuckled lightly. "It's fine. Besides, it's not, really, my birthday," she stated.

"What do you mean?"

"It is just the date when my dad found me," she explained as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

He stared her down with an intense gaze that made her heartbeat wildly. She gazed at his beautiful green hues. She'd never tire of staring at those hues and even if she'd lose her memories, she'd remember these.

"What?" she asked, chuckling when he never wavered his gaze. "Is something wrong?"

"What do you want me to do?" he asked in all seriousness.

"Huh?"

"It's your name day, you should ask something from me," he explained. "Anything, as long as it's within my powers."

Clio stared at him incredulously. "What? No, that's not necessary at all!"

"I insist. You know stubborn I am, woman. You have me at your command," he insisted.

Clio shook her head again but the determination in his eyes never wavered. Why can't he just gave her a gift rather than like this? She didn't know what to ask him-- an idea rang inside her head like a bell so suddenly. "Anything?" she asked; her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Loki raised a brow at her sudden show of giddiness. "Yes," he answered nonetheless.

A Cheshire grin appeared on her face. "I'm not going to like it, do I?" Loki asked again to which Clio chuckled at.

"When I said 'anything', I didn't know it would turn out like this," Loki muttered under his breath as he cringed when his hair was pulled.

Clio huffed. "Stop squirming!" she complained.

"What is it with you and my hair?" Loki grumbled as he watched her behind on the mirror of the bathroom.

He was sitting inside her bathtub with nothing but pants on. She requested to wash and pamper his hair. 'Ridiculous,' he thought. Usually, he'd reject the idea but since it was her name day, he had no choice but to agree.

"Wow, I thought your hair was greasy!" Clio said incredulously and looked over at his shoulder with a grin. "Turns out, it's the opposite."

'Is this girl a scientist?' he thought to himself as he watched her grin triumphantly as if washing his hair was something to be called a victory.

Well, it was worth it anyway. He'd never forget the way her face turned red as a tomato when he stripped his shirt in front of her. It sent satisfaction to him when he saw her ogle at his abdomen. He might not be as packed as Thor but he was damn well built.

"I don't know whether I should be offended or be flattered," Loki said as he sighed. "I wash my hair, too, for your information. And you just wasted your wish for something stupid."

She was silent. For a moment there, Loki thought he'd offended her but then he saw a soft smile appeared on her face in the mirror. His heart suddenly thumped wildly in his chest. Her beauty knows no bounds!

"I didn't waste it," she remarked.

"What do you mean?" he asked with a scowl on his face.

She glanced up and stared at him through the mirror. A tint of red on both of her cheeks as she sported a genuine smile that seemed to light up the entire room. "I get to spend time with you, don't I?"

Loki covered his mouth suddenly to hide the sudden smile that split on his face. "Idiot," he murmured.

Clio chuckled as she washed his hair with water before she dried it with a clean towel. "All done!" she exclaimed as Loki stood up from the tub.

She watched him wiped the excess water that flowed down his biceps, chest and on to his abs. Before she made a fool of herself, she suddenly stood up and turned her back to him before marching out to the bathroom and in her bedroom with Loki in tow.

She threw him his shirt from the ground to which he caught with ease. "Put that on," she demanded without looking at him.

She heard him shuffle, indicating he was putting on the clothes. She went over to her dresser and grabbed a brush. When she glanced at the mirror in front of her, he was standing right behind her so close.

Startled, she turned around suddenly tripping from her carpeted floor. Loki held out his arm to catch her. Their position turned out to be more compromising than any position they've ever been to.

"L-Loki," she muttered as she could his hot breath fanning her face. He tucked a stray hair behind her ear and stared at her with longing. Her heart began hammering crazy in her chest. Loki was the only one who can do that.

"What else do you want?" he asked softly. "Just ask me anything."

Her cheeks were heating up and she could feel sweet electricity that passed through her spine and down to her toes. There were flutters of butterflies inside her stomach and she suddenly wished to be closer to him; to feel his skin on hers, to never let him go anymore.

As if reading her mind, he dipped his face slowly closer to hers. Her eyes automatically closed as she waited for his lips. She could already feel his hot breath near her lips.

"Clio, I hate to interrupt," JARVIS spoke up suddenly making the two jumped from each other, startled. "But Mr. Rock-of-Ages have visitors waiting for him at the living area."

"V-Visitors?" she mumbled, a little out of breath; her head clearing slowly. Her lips burned from the yearning she had felt a while ago.

She glanced at Loki who was staring at her. Annoyance from the interrupted actions they were about to make was visible on his face.

She, too, was disappointed of the interruption. But at the same time, she was a bit relieved by it. She didn't know if her heart could take it of the continued further anyways.

"Yes," the A.I. answered. "They said they're names are Hogun and Volstagg."

Clio's eyes widened at the name. "O-oh! W-we'll be there. Thanks, J," she replied.

"Certainly, Clio."

Silence enveloped the room as the two stared at each other. Realization slowly hit them. "They're here," she murmured.

Loki could only nod his answer.

"We should go see them," she offered to which he nodded again. But neither of them moved an inch and she thought no one was planning to until he cleared his throat and beckoned her over to him.

"Let's go," he said. They both exited her bedroom and into the elevator just outside her bedroom door.

The ride up to the living area was quiet and awkward. Her head hung low. They're going to take him back now. She suddenly felt a heavyweight on her chest at the thought.

"What's the frown for?" he asked, breaking the silence.

"Well, you're going back," she answered truthfully and glanced at him.

"' You're'? You mean, you're not coming back with me?" he asked, surprised.

She realized she never told him of her plans to stay and now she suddenly felt guilty.

"For now," she immediately supplied. "I have so much to take care here first and I couldn't just leave it behind. But I promise I'll come back."

Loki opened his mouth to reply but closed it when the elevator door opened.

In the living area, Volstagg and Hogun were sitting on the sofa. Their big weapons were out of place with the white couch. Pepper was at the other couch, chatting with the two.

"Ah, there they are!" Volstagg cheered when he noticed them.

"Hi," she greeted and gave the two a hugged. "How is Asgard?"

"Asgard is shining like a golden torch as always, my lady," Hogun answered to which she nodded.

"I hear it's your Name Day?" Volstagg asked with a joyous grin. "Ha! I should have gone and got you something! A horn of a golden stag from one of my hunts would be lovely! I will give it to you later in Asgard."

"Oh, actually, I'm not coming back yet," she answered with a sad voice.

"What?" Volstagg asked, confused. He glanced at Loki who was behind them with a grim expression.

"There's something that I need to do here, first. But I'll come back, I promise!" she explained.

The two were silent and glanced at each other. "Well, if that's the case then we can't stop you, can we?" Volstagg supplied.

"Yeah," she muttered.

"Well, it's time then. Odin wanted Loki back immediately. And he's not happy about him leaving the kingdom," Volstagg added.

"So soon?" Pepper, who was watching the whole conversation, piped up. "But can't you guys stay for dinner?"

"Yeah," Clio added, surprised. She thought she still get to spend time with Loki until dinner; until her birthday ends. "It's just a few more hours."

"As much as I want to taste the delicious fillings of Midgard has to offer, alas, we can't," Volstagg said sadly; almost dramatically when it comes to food. "We have urgent matters to attend to. Odin required Loki's presence immediately."

"Oh, that's unfortunate," Pepper said with a sad smile. "The others would have love to meet you."

"Aye, apologies for our sudden exit, My Lady," Hogun said with a bow.

Pepper shook her head and waved it off politely.

She glanced at Loki when he suddenly grabbed her arm. "Loki?" she asked in confusion. A frown was present in his godly face. He, too, didn't want to go just yet.

"Just tell me," Loki muttered only to hers. "Tell me not to leave and I won't."

"What?"

"You heard me," he said, almost desperately. "Make it one of your wishes. I'll stay."

Clio stared at his eyes; how desperate he was to stay with her here despite Odin's demand. Her heart fluttered with merit and happiness to which was immediately crush when Volstagg spoke again.

"That can't do, Prince Loki," Volstagg piped in when he heard their conversation. The two stared at the warrior in confusion. "King Odin is furious when he learned that you left Asgard without his consent. Disobeying your father now will only fuel his anger."

"I don't care," Loki hissed and glared at Volstagg.

"Loki," Clio scold lightly. She wanted him to stay and be selfish for once. But then she suddenly heard herself saying, "Go."

"What?" he asked; surprised and hurt were present in his eyes.

"I want you to stay, really I do," she explained and smiled sadly. She grabbed his hand and squeezed it gently for reassurance. "But I don't want you to start disobeying Odin, not after he pardoned you from all your crimes. Besides, it's not like you'll never see me again. I'll come back soon."

Loki stared at her eyes. Now that she explained things, his eyes held understanding and gratitude.

He grabbed her face and kissed her forehead. "I'll come back and get you when you're ready," he promised to which she nodded. "Call out for Heimdall and I'll be coming."

"Thank you," she muttered and smiled. "I'll see you soon."

After a few more moments of farewells and goodbyes, the two warriors and their prince left. The light descended from the sky and unto them when they stepped on the helipad of the tower. Loki never let his gaze waver from hers until they vanish with the light.

Pepper rubbed her shoulders comfortingly. "Are you okay, sweetie?" she asked in her motherly voice.

Clio turned around and smiled sadly at her. "Yeah," she answered and hugged her. "Thank you."

"You'll see him soon. Why the long face?" she asked.

Clio sighed. "I don't know," she muttered. "I need to stay here, Pep. For dad and for you. This is my family."

"Aw," She hugged her tightly. "Thank you for considering me as your family."

"Let's go get ready for the party, shall we?" Pepper suggested as they entered the living area. "Your dad called up the rest of the Avengers and most of them agreed. Even Fury might turn up tonight."

Despite the absence of Loki at the dinner that night, she couldn't afford to sulk upon the people who turned up tonight. And Pepper was right, even the director of S.H.I.E.L.D.S, Nick Fury, turned up wearing a Santa Hat - not a bit pleased with it.

Laughter and cheers echoed the dining area with its gold, green and red theme shining brightly to lift up the mood. The only ones not present was Barton who, explained by Natasha, had other plans and Thor, who was clearly in Asgard.

Everyone was having fun; even Dr. Banner afforded to relax and laugh at Tony's corny jokes. He even managed to crack one or two. Steve Rogers, still new to everything around him, managed to have fun.

A smile broke on her face as she watched from a distance. Her birthday wasn't so bad after all with the right people. This was her family and she'll soon see Loki and Thor with this group of people. She couldn't wait for that to happen.

A/N: Hey, everyone! Merry Christmas! I know it's already late but it's better late than never right? Anyways, I was having a minor writer's block over the next chapter so I made these bonus chapter. It might get me back to track. And it's a little gift from me to my dearest readers!

Thank you for reading and I promise to get on with the next chapter. Please review!