Eventually Loki returned to serving those who came into Tea and Potions looking for a quick bite to eat or drink to sip. He removed his sign. Made certain that the water was constantly boiling. Loki hid the letter from SHIELD in a rather large but rusted jug that must have at some point held cookies but now held only air. It was perfect. Soon enough his mind drifted away from the possibilities. Away from the paper and ink hidden behind his back. Instead Loki focused on each customer.
The Avengers stared at Tony for what seemed like an impossibly long time. He just stood there. He wasn't talking, or shaking, barely even thinking. For once Tony stayed in the time and place of his body. He watched as his team, his friends, seemed to fight over their own minds. As if they were uncertain to be proud of his wish to help someone or sickened because he had chosen to help Loki. He wasn't sure if he even minded what they thought. It didn't matter, not really. And as he came to that thought he started to make his way to the door.
Every customer that came through the doors was greeted with a smile that was almost too sickeningly sweet. The music playing was almost too fast, as if trying to force the most cheer into every corner of the room. And it smelled like every good pastry was being baked all at once. It wasn't particularly unpleasant. If the customers had been asked they would have told anyone that Tea and Potions was more full of life and good feelings then they ever thought possible. But the regulars knew better. They could see how Loki's smile cracked at the edges. How his fingers twitched just hint faster than the music which in turn only seemed to speed up all the more. They could see how thin he had become over the last weeks. A few of the regulars were even a bit worried for him. Though none had yet spoken up to him about it. As if they didn't know what to say. As if they weren't allowed to be worried about the man behind the counter.
Tony made it to the door before Steve put a hand lightly on his shoulder. Just as quickly as it was there the hand was gone again.
"We just don't want you to get hurt." Steve sounded like he cared. Like he was only worried that Tony and Loki could get into the equivalent of a lovers quarrel.
Tony gave Steve a small smile. He wanted to say how they weren't lovers, not even close. How Loki wasn't going to hurt him not because he didn't necessary want to but because he physically wasn't at a point where he could. Loki probably wasn't even mentally in a place where he could hurt anyone. "Why don't you just come with me?"
"To Tea and Potions?"
Tony's smile got wider. "Of course."
The music Loki played as fast as his heartbeat seemed to fit more in a festival on Asgard then his little tea shop. But the customers didn't mind. Actually, a few even swayed in time to the violins and drums. The little children danced enthusiastically, arms waving, ready to break anything in their path. Loki himself sung lyrics that were different each time. Lyrics that were not even apart of the music coming from the speakers.
Loki didn't seem to notice when the bell at the door jingled. He just kept passing mugs and plates to everyone who ordered. His body moved in time to the beat. Fingers that had stopped twitching were now dancing across the counter. For the first time in a long time he was smiling. Every so often he bent down and reached for a mug that never seemed to empty even though he had been sipping from it for hours. He had managed to push SHIELD's letter and any other problematic thoughts right from his head.
Then Tony and Steve were standing on the other side of Loki's counter. The music slowed down just a bit. Loki's singing cut off mid sentence.
Tony leaned over the counter. "How's it going, snowflake?"
Loki stood frozen. His eyes darting back and forth between Tony and Steve. Any contentment he had seconds earlier was gone.
"Ooookay." Tony realized that Loki wasn't expecting him let alone Steve. "Probably shouldn't have just barged in here like this. But I was hoping to have Capsicle try some actually good coffee."
"Any flavor in particular?" Loki didn't try and think about anything other then the order.
"Two of your largest cups with whatever. Oh and how about some food to go with that."
Loki raised an eyebrow as if to say, want to narrow down what food you are asking for.
Tony chuckled and didn't bother to specify any more of the order.
Loki shook his head and whispered so Tony could hear, "It's a miracle you ever manage to get anything if you always order things like you do here. Or do you just expect people to read your mind? Because even if I had all of my magic, I certainly wouldn't be able to read yours."
"No you would rather make people forget their thoughts entirely and shape them into your own!" Steve hadn't meant to speak up, not really. But he didn't regret it.
The blood seemed to rush from Loki's face. His mouth opened and shut yet no words came out. Instead he turned to the coffee maker and did what he was becoming best at. He ran his shop. He picked up a large red plate and filled it with cookies and cakes. He placed it on the counter in front of Tony and Steve with a soft clatter. He turned away and filled his largest mug, which happened to have a large crack down its side, with cinnamon blueberry coffee. He filled a slightly smaller mug, which was in no way flawed except for the fact that it's blue color seemed a bit faded, with autumn spice flavored coffee.
Tony took his mug from Loki the second he had turned back around. He sniffed at the coffee and took in a small sip. "Another blueberry flavor."
Loki couldn't tell if Tony was pleased or not. "If you don't like it-"
Before he could even think of finishing the sentence Tony cut him off. "Of course I like it. I love it. This is even better than the last thing you gave me. Cinnamon. I like it. Now give Steve his cup before I finish my own."
Loki gave Tony a small smile and passed the second mug to Steve. "That will be twenty five dollars."
Steve almost dropped the mug that he was being handed when he heard the price, "That's-"
Tony pulled out his wallet and handed over thirty. "I was wondering when you would start over pricing me for this stuff."
The money was slipped into the cash register. "Your one of the few customers who can afford such treatment."
They smiled at each other and Steve wasn't sure how he felt about it. But instead of saying anything he took a small sip of coffee. He hoped it wasn't poisoned or anything. And after that first sip he knew it wasn't. He knew he would be coming back just like Tony was. Seeing as this was the best coffee he probably had in his whole life. He barely even noticed that Tony was walking away with the plate of goodies. Steve practically ran after Tony. He had his eye on a specific chocolate chip cookie and didn't want Tony to get it before he could.
Loki watched from behind his counter. Where he was safe with his unlimited supply of tea. Tea that he almost spilled over everything when Tony sat at a table and called, "Aren't you going to have some too?"
