Legal Disclaimer: My work is my own creative intelligence and property, but I do not own the original source material it stems from (I wouldn't be writing fanfiction if it was). The opinions and interpretations of characters reflected in my stories may not follow what is portrayed from the source material. Please don't sue me, I'm a stay at home mom.

Summary: Loki wouldn't miss the invite to Pride from Harry for the world.

Rated: K+

Genre: Family

Featured Ship: James "Rhodey" Rhodes/Tony Stark/Loki [Frost Iron; War Zucchinis]

Warning Tag: References Pandemic

Competition/Challenge Block:
Written for/Stacked with: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry (Term 14); Monthly Challenges for All (Year 4)
Hogwarts: Ravenclaw - A11 (Epidemiology #5: Write a fic set during any sort of pandemic, or in the time preceding.); Pride Booth (Yellow/White/Purple/Black; [2])

MC4A: Firework Factory (Speak Now; Evergreen; Family Matters); Community Garden (Hugging; Jewelry; Tony Stark/Loki); Su Hunt (Jewelry); Su Bingo (4C-Young); Sh Bingo (5E-Words of Affirmation); Shipping War (Fusion/Crossover); FR (Satisfaction; Liberation); ER (Unicorn); StL (Car in a Tutu; Lock & Key; Three's Company); T3 (Terse; Tether); LiCK (Tansy); Star (Wabi Sabi); Fence (Machismo); BAON (Found Family; Nontraditional; Zucchini Bread); ToS (Spinning Plates; Unwanted Advice); ICs (In a Flash (Y); The Real MC; Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y); Neurodivergent (Y); Rian-Russo Inversion x2 (Yx2); Ethnic & Present x2 (Yx2); Lovely Triangle (Y); Claimed; Ship Sails (Y); Zed Era (Y); No School MCx2; Old Shoes x2 (Yx1); Gwen's MCU Bribery (Frost Iron); Marvelous Cinema; Marvelous HP; Best Stories (Y); Colors Galore (Y);

Author's Note: For reference, Loki uses the xe/xyr/xem pronouns in this piece and is genderfluid (it's canon! YAY!), which, based on the prompt I used, is represented with the nonbinary colors.

Word Count: 863

Xe Is Not A Typo

Loki had business off-world, but wasn't going to miss the important event Harry had told xem about that he really wanted everyone invited to attend. Xe promised to come, finding the Pride movement quite intriguing to investigate. Harry seemed to be well-educated on the matter, and that meant that Loki trusted xyr child's instincts on it.

Making sure xyr arrival was discreet, Loki found xemself in the heart of Los Angeles with only a vague idea of where to meet Tony and Harry at. The large garden space xe entered was quite incredible. There was so much to look at and explore. As Loki moved through the ever-growing crowd, xe started to feel like xe dressed a little too formal. Donning a pair of black slacks, shoes, and an emerald green button-up collared dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows and slicked back hair, xe did stick out a bit among the flurry of colors. Even the simple gold chain he favored that could barely be seen through the v of the unbuttoned collar seemed to be too much.

A lot of people eyed xem as xe passed, though xe paid them no mind while searching for xyr family, spotting them at the fountain that was tucked in a corner of the park and around several generously large trees. Loki smiled warmly when xe approached, but noticed they all were wearing masks.

"I almost gave up looking," Loki said, "You failed to state that this place was massive."

"You made it!" Harry said, giving xem a welcoming hug before offering a striped yellow, white, purple, and black mask. "These are for you. I picked the nonbinary colors, I hope that is okay. I couldn't find genderfluid ones, or at least not yet. I am sure one of these booths has it."

Loki accepted it, removing the plastic wrap around it, and put it on. Harry carefully pinned a decorative button at chest level as xe adjusted the mask's straps to fit better. Xe'd nearly forgotten about Midgard's plague-like situation that required them.

Xe looked at the button once Harry stopped fiddling with it, curious to see what it was. It sported the same four colors like his mask for each letter, and it had "Xe/Xyr/Xem Pronouns" written on it.

"Thank you," Loki said, smiling and pulling Harry into a half-hug. "I am genuinely surprised you were able to find one."

"One of the booths I went to made custom ones, and after some explaining and assurance I didn't mistype anything, they were happy to make it," Harry explained sheepishly. "Otherwise the closest they had was 'they/them.' I ended up getting Luna's made too while I was there. The person there was genuinely interested in learning about the pronoun sets."

Loki genuinely liked Harry's eagerness to educate people on new or uncommon things. Xe liked how expressive his words were, too. Because last time Loki checked, xe wasn't a typo.

Turning to finally address the rest of the group, xe looked between Rhodes and Tony and their matching tshirts, raising a slight brow at the cutesy looking food on them. "Zucchini?"

"I'll explain later," Harry said.

Tony appeared to be frowning dramatically based on the expression around his eyes in return to xyr raised brow. Loki moved in to stand at his free side, curling an arm around him.

"What? You don't like adorably faced squashes?"

"It is hardly the issue, merchant," Loki quipped back, placing a light kiss on Tony's temple through xyr mask. "I was only taken off guard by its… adorableness on how you two are matching."

"You say that like you are still surprised by this antic of his," Rhodes stated, regarding Loki with a nod.

"Fair assessment, Colonel."

Xe felt Tony's tension almost dissipate at the contact, giving Loki a moment to take in the large fountain and surroundings. "Are Luna and Blaise still coming?"

"They should be here soon. Andy and Zabi, too," Harry said cheerfully. "They just texted actually. I was hoping we could grab some food and get situated at our spot for the parade once they get here."

Tony's phone buzzed then, prompting him to step away from the group to take it. "It's Andy."

"This place is quite fascinating, Harry," Loki said, scanning over the area peppered with booths and food trucks and everything else imaginable. "It would take all day to see everything."

"That is the plan," Harry replied.

Loki was pleased to see Harry so excited and happy while looking forward to something for a change. Midgard's global pandemic put a lot of stress on everyone, Harry especially. Being barred from seeing his friends took a toll on him. It was a new obstacle Loki had to teach Harry how to control his abilities around, but it didn't deter or discourage xem or have xem question xyr teaching skills. Xe learned from the best, and xe still was learning everyday from xyr mother's guidance and advice.

It was nice to have everyone be able to meet up and experience something new and positive, especially when that new thing was all about Pride and what it entailed.