Hey guys thanks again for being so patient with me, it's greatly appreciated. Also thanks for the ideas you've given so far about Thor's arrival, I dare say I can't decide which to put in. We have time for that later though.

This chapter Loki and Tony have grown closer, and further along we might have Darcy coming around. LadySaphire asked that Darcy be more involved with Loki, and it'll give him more friends in case Thor shows up which might be soon. Also a private chat with Steve about the WSC, and some discussion of Loki's pain to help him move on. Towards the end we see a little start of something new .

I don't own the Marvel characters.

Enjoy!

A month later:

"Mr. Laufeyson, your clothing for the Gala tomorrow night has arrived." Loki was busy playing with Kira in her room when Jarvis called him.

"That was fast, Lady Pepper wasn't joking." Loki and Tony's relationship had grown in the past few weeks since that night at the restaurant. Tony would take him out to all kinds of places once or twice a week and otherwise have a night in the tower. Tomorrow was the annual gala as Pepper called it, a charity event for all rich mortals to show up nicely dressed for small talk and making donations all around the Midgardian planet. Tony always went, but he often brought Pepper as a date. This time he was bringing Loki, and Pepper would be going with Tony's friend Happy Hogan.

"Custom made suit from Venice, Pepper knows her fashions." Tony was on the other side of the room looking over some blueprints for a new robot suit. "Bring it up Jarv, wanna make sure it fits right."

"I did take all his measurements sir, do you doubt my calculations?" Tony smirked.

"Of course not buddy, just need to make sure Loki loves it." Loki laughed as he tickled Kira's feet.

"Oh Stark you spoil me." Kira started giggling and kicking her legs.

"I spoil both of you, don't forget those cashmere dresses and sweaters I bought for Kira."

"I told you it was unnecessary, but you insisted." Tony rolled his eyes.

"That's only because Nat thought it was a good idea to get her a cashmere blanket and she likes the soft material."

"Perhaps, but you didn't have to go what's the word…overboard?" Tony chucked a wad of paper that hit Loki's head. Loki retaliated by magically tossing it back into Tony's mouth, though it closed at the last second.

"Hey!" Tony laughed.

"You started it." Loki lifted Kira up and bounced her. She'd grown a good bit in the last few months, and it was nearly half a year when she and Loki came to live with Tony Stark in the Avengers tower. It had been trying, but with his growing friendships with the Avengers and likely relationship with Tony Loki felt like he was getting better.

The nightmares still came, but it wasn't as bad as before. With Kira things lightened up, but whenever Loki had a nightmare he would turn on some soft music called Jazz, and hum to Kira as she slept. He'd also talk about them with Tony and Natasha, even Bruce at times, and it helped get the weight off his shoulders. Blast it he was already starting with Midgardian sayings; it was only a matter of time before they were all he could say.

"Hey Loki, Tony." the door opened for Steve to step inside. "This came." Steve held up a package.

"Oh good." Loki stood up with Kira and saw it was his clothing. "Thank you Steve."

"Oh so you call him by his first name but you keep calling me Stark?" Loki snickered.

"I do as I wish Anthony." he planted a quick kiss on the genius' cheek and took the box from Steve. "I shall try these on after I put Kira down for her nap."

"Speaking of Kira, can I hold her please?" Steve held out his arms.

"Ooh Cap loves little Kiki." Loki gave Tony a slight glare.

"I told you not to call her that Stark."

"Hey Kiki is cuter than Kira, and besides it's just a nickname she'll grow out of it."

"Either way I prefer you call her by her chosen name." Tony rolled his eyes.

"Whatever you say Lokes."

"Don't call me that!" Loki magically threw one of Kira's soft toys and it hit Tony on the back.

"C'mon Loki, give." Steve held out his hands again and Loki passed Kira over. Loki took the box and moved to the other room to change, and Steve sat down with Kira on the couch. "You giving your mommy a hard time little lady?" Kira gurgled in response.

"You know Loki hates it when you call him mommy behind his back right?"

"Maybe, but he did give birth and he nurses so he technically is a mommy." Steve picked up Kira's rattle and shook it, making her try and grab it.

"True, but don't tell him that." Tony made himself a drink. "Where've you been all morning?"

"I had to go talk with Coulson, apparently the council is getting restless."

"Restless over what? Loki?"

"The tesseract being stored away, they want to take it back out and continue making weapons. Fury is stalling as best as he can, but they won't let up. They thought this whole thing with Loki was temporary, as far as keeping the cube locked away."

"Well screw them; they can't just get back into it after all the trouble that magic thing brings."

"They can if they find reason, and maybe try and force Loki to help." Tony's grip on the glass he held tightened. "Fury won't let them though, but he thinks the only way to make it possible for them to leave Loki alone is for him to talk with them face to face."

"He's not ready for that."

"I know, Nat and Clint we all know. The only problem is if we can't find a way to protect Loki and Kira from the council then they could be locked away and placed under heavy security. Reasons being because neither of them are like us, and that terrifies them."

"Loki hasn't done anything except ask for help."

"I know Tony, that's why we have to keep protecting him as best as we can. We have to warn him though…"

"No need." both men turned to the door and there was Loki, fully dressed in his expensive Italian suit that was black and green with a long tie that had gold trim around it. "You should really lower your voices if you intend for your conversation to be unheard from another room."

"Loki…"

"Steve, don't." Loki held up his hand. "I…to be honest I have been thinking about speaking with the council." both men's eyes widened. "For a few days now."

"Loki are you sure?" Tony placed his cup down.

"No." Loki shook his head. "But I did have a chat with Romanoff the other day, she thinks that she and Fury can vouch for me in the meeting."

"Her and Fury? You want them there if you speak to the council?" Tony sounded a bit hurt.

"Anthony I live under your roof, Romanoff and Fury don't, or at least Natasha is always on missions. It would compromise things for me and Kira, but you can listen in on the meeting. I want you there, and Steve, but it's best if Natasha and Fury are there."

"Loki you don't have to do this."

"No, I do. My magic is returning to its full power, so if they do try anything with me I have a right to defend myself." of course that also meant if Loki used his powers, provoked or not, the council would find some way to put him behind bars and take Kira.

"Yeah but Loki this is the World Security Council, they will make you disappear whether you're Earthling, Asgardian or Jotun. All they need is one excuse and boom there you go, but this is your choice."

"Do you doubt me Steve?"

"No, but I have some experience with politic busybodies as does Tony, the only reason they don't attack us is because to the people I'm an icon and Tony's…."

"Loaded with money that funds most of SHIELD's research labs and organizations, which I could easily withdraw if they do anything to hurt you and trust me I won't let it happen."

"I understand your concerns, but you forget I too have been around political figures, raised around them in fact." Loki smirked slightly. "This has to be done, so I will pass a message along to Fury to arrange a meeting after the gala." both mortals exchanged a look, they knew this had to be done but neither thought Loki was ready for it.

"If you're sure Lokes, then we've got your back." Tony walked up and patted him on the back, right before he looked him up and down. "Oh damn you look good."

"Keep your eyes up here Anthony, lest you want me to give you rainbow hair." Tony's hands went to his head and twisted in the dark tresses.

"Hey no rainbow! I dyed my hair one time and I looked like a ghost." Loki and Steve laughed.

"Alright then, just keep your hands and eyes to yourself for tomorrow night." one quick wink and Loki disappeared back into the bathroom. Tony took a quick glance back at Steve.

"Tony…"

"I'm supportive, but I don't like it. I gotta go work in the lab for a bit let me know if you guys get hungry."

"I can just cook up some steaks Tony." Tony's eyes shined with happiness, he loved steak and Steve was a great cook.

"Ok then I'll order up some New York strips and potatoes." Steve laughed, Tony sounded like a kid being told they could have ice cream before dinner. The rest of the evening went by fine, all small talks of the upcoming ball, Loki's ideas to discuss with the Council, and of course Steve and tony offering whatever support they could so long as Loki and Kira were still free to do as they wished.

Tony kept his eyes on Loki the whole time, not able to get that image of Loki in that expensive suit out of his head but pushed all dirty thoughts aside. He didn't need to be thinking like that, Loki was still recovering from Hell and it wouldn't do any good for Tony to be looking at him like a fresh piece of meat. Tomorrow night would be great though, he'd make sure of that for Loki.

The Next Evening:

The trip to the Gala was for the most part a quiet one; the entire group minus Natasha and Barton were formally dressed and ready to start the evening. Loki had been reluctant once again to leave Kira, but Natasha promised to call if anything came up and she was a great babysitter. Tony and Loki were both wearing similar suits but Loki's had green and Tony's had red/burgundy. Pepper was dressed in a lovely lavender evening gown with a silver shawl and diamond jewelry, and Happy Hogan was cleaned up by Tony so he looked rather dashing in his dark blue Calvin Klein suit. Steve was in a normal black tuxedo, but he looked good especially with the American flag pin on his jacket.

"You sure you're ok Loki?" Steve saw Loki staring out the window of the limo Tony had sent for, they were almost at their destination.

"I'm fine Steve, it's just been a long while since I've been to a gathering like this." Tony put a hand on Loki's leg and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"It'll be fine Lokes, the press already know about us being out but no one knows the real details. Besides the media doesn't bug me, and everyone here will try and get on my good side just to donate money to whatever foundation they have going." Loki snickered.

"And will you?" Tony shrugged.

"If it's legit and for a good cause." Tony wouldn't just give money away for nothing, he always had a reason if he did.

"There are a few cancer charity reps coming, one for the Children's Hospital, the orphanage fund in London, and a couple of others for those less fortunate." Pepper looked up from her phone.

"Then I might give them some, but we'll see."

"Anthony, are we to expect any of your past…conquests at this party?" Loki hit the nail on the head with that one.

"No doubts about that." Tony took a sip of champagne. "But don't worry, I'm not looking forward to anything but a night with you guys." he raised his glass and they all did the same.

"You might get lucky Steve." Pepper winked at Rogers.

"Not counting on it Pepper, not at all." no one else said a word as the limo pulled up towards the art museum and the camera lights started flashing as the group exited the vehicle. People kept trying ask Pepper and Tony questions but received only a 'No comment', and then they turned to Loki and the rest but they stayed silent until they entered the museum.

The heavy scent of expensive gourmet food and wine hit Loki's nose instantly, and the soft music along with the heavy bits of low chatter were heard all around. Loki was a bit anxious, but he kept his composure up as he walked with Tony to the bar. They were served drinks, and Loki kept close to Tony as he felt his anxiety slowly building up.

"Take slow sips, it helps." Tony whispered to him and drank his glass. "I hate these things, not the giving money part no only the schmucks who try and schmooze up to me just because I'm Tony Stark."

"How often do you attend them?" Loki took a small sip, the wine was sweet but it was weak compared to Aesir ale.

"Only when Pepper forces me to, if I don't I just give a brief amount of money to a good cause. Most often times people try and compare me to Howard, and I leave before I break out the suit and blast the wall."

"He built weapons, and you didn't know until you were…" Loki looked at his chest.

"Yeah, and the one man I trusted like a father betrayed me. I'm glad he's dead, but I'm not glad that Howard is. He was a cold jerk, but he wasn't horrible just a businessman who loved his company more than his own blood." Loki smirked slightly.

"I daresay he and Odin might've gotten along, but of course Odin was a father to Thor who let him have his way."

"Yeah, and Howard didn't really care what I did even when it was me feeding the media. My mom, she worried on me a lot but she never held back her love. She was the peacekeeper, I could tell her anything and she'd always listen."

"Frigga did the same for me, she taught me everything I know." one more sip. "I wasn't hers, but she loved me anyway."

"But she's still guilty right?" Loki nodded. "It's never easy, when you're adopted and the one person you think is your parent says nothing. It's hard, I've never been adopted but I've known people who were and while it's a shock, they find a way to accept it."

"Stark, I don't think it's the best time to talk about this."

"Yeah, sorry." they both sipped their drinks, and kept watching as the people all around started talking and socializing until a blonde in a sleeveless aqua dress with a very steely pair of eyes directed at Stark came their way.

"Hello Tony, fancy seeing you here tonight." she had a lusty look about her eyes. "And your…friend." she gave Loki a stern gaze, but she seemed interested.

"Yeah…hey Claire." Tony didn't seem happy to see her.

"Y'know my company is looking for new investors, our old ones are retiring or selling…" she winked at him.

"Yeah no."

"I'm sorry, who are you exactly?" the woman, Claire, stared at Loki with slight venom.

"You must've lived under a rock if you don't know me, and yet I don't know you."

"Name's Loki, Loki Laufeyson." he held out his hand to shake hers. "Forgive me if I struck a nerve." she took his hand, and Loki noticed the rather expensive diamond earrings, necklace, and bracelet on her wrist, and a wedding ring that matched. "Your husband must be very lucky to have such a…woman of your looks on his arm."

"And that's him over there." Tony pointed towards an elderly man with a hunched back wearing a lot of gold rings, a gold watch on his left wrist, and an expensive looking suit. "Old Mr. Theodore Locklear, man owns twelve 'Locklear Jewelry and Boutique' shops all across the globe. Fifty-nine years old, married and divorced twice, newest wife of two years and longest lasting…Claire Locklear." he pointed back at Claire.

"Yes but…my husband is a man of business meaning I'm just his trophy like his last wife. The poor girl left after he cheated on her, and took only a small amount of money with her."

"Let me guess…drinking friends?" Claire smirked.

"She lives in Cancun with her new husband, works as a hotel manager now and he's a carpenter. They're actually expecting their second child." Tony nodded. "He's a wealthy tycoon, but he lacks passion unlike you Tony."

"Yeah sorry Claire but I'm not interested, especially when the last time I saw you it was after you tried stealing the plans from my lab." Claire rolled her eyes.

"That was last year Tony, and I wasn't stealing I was just curious on your work."

"Using your cellphone to take pictures?" she frowned. "Yeah Claire we had one time, and to be honest it wasn't that good."

"Excuse me?" Tony rolled his eyes.

"You were wasted and crying, because your dear hubby had cut you off after you went on a spending spree with his credit card and you were caught with the pool boy at a motel. Yeah Ted's a cheater, but the best you could've done to get back at him was to be faithful and take his ass to court. Of course you know that, but you won't leave him because if you do you get nothing…something about a pre-nup?"

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"I believe he does Mrs. Locklear." Loki put his glass down and picked up a full one. "Based on the way your husband is talking to that younger woman over there I'd say he's about to embark on a new conquest." Claire turned and saw her husband chatting up with a redhead who looked to be in her early twenties. She was getting angry

"Now I think I remember you…" she turned back to Loki with a smirk. "You were with Tony that evening some time back. It was all over the papers…"

"Yeah well it was just two friends having dinner." Tony patted Loki's back. "Absolutely none of your business, and speaking of which I will not be funding anything of yours; perhaps you should look elsewhere."

"Perhaps I will, but I'll be seeing you again very soon Mr. Stark. Good day to you Mr. Laufeyson." she winked at Tony again before walking off.

"Don't worry about her, she's just another trophy bitch."

"Are they all like that?" Tony laughed.

"Not all, but ones like her are only in it for the money though some aren't as smart as her. Young women with an older gentleman who can give them all they desire, jewels, clothes, money, they get everything. That's why I never married."

"Your mother wasn't like that."

"No, but almost every girl I've been with thinks I'm some easy paycheck hell no. I've had a few good times in the past but none of them ever clicked with me." they started walking around towards the bar, and Loki spotted Steve talking to some rather lovely women in the far corner of the room. He seemed fine, just a bit uncomfortable.

"Looks like the Captain might get lucky." Tony laughed when he saw Steve.

"Maybe, or he'll just play nice and slip away when it's convenient." Tony put his empty glass down and looked around the room quickly. "Hey…follow me." Loki gave him a curious look but followed Tony away from the crowd and into an empty hallway before turning at a corner.

"Why are we here?" Loki looked around seeing all the various art pieces hanging off the wall.

"It's quiet, and it's easy to get away from all those rich idiots out there." Tony rolled his eyes. "Pep will likely have my head later, but at least she won't have to take me home drunk again." the billionaire leaned against the wall. "You alright?"

"I'm fine, it's just been a while since I've been around a large crowd like this one."

"Asgard have a lot of parties?" Loki rolled his eyes.

"Feasts several times a week, noisy things."

"You didn't like them?"

"Let's just say they weren't always in my favor." Loki sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Mostly for Thor and his group of misfits."

"Hey now, we have parties down here and I hate going to them but Pepper often says it's good for the company. She runs it though, so in most bits I do as she asks."

"Plus I think she could easily strangle you in your sleep if you ever disobeyed her. Pepper is a very interesting woman."

"An amazing woman she is, I don't think I could trust anyone else besides her to run Stark Industries. Look Loki…there's something I want to tell you but, I'm not sure if you'd like it." Loki felt a bit tense, but he sensed no ill will from Stark's posture.

"What is it?" Tony sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, this wasn't going to be easy. He'd thought about this for a while, but he could never get the words to come out right. "Have I done something?"

"No, no you haven't, it's just I think I need to confess something." now Loki was a little suspicious.

"Confess what?"

"Y'know I've tried thinking about this a lot, and every time I just can't get the words out so I'll just say it. I like you Loki."

"I like you as well Stark, that much is obvious correct?" Tony laughed a little.

"No I mean…I like you more than a friend. I…like like you does that make sense?" Loki understood it, he'd heard a lot of things on the films he watched with Natasha.

"You…you desire me?" Loki paled a bit.

"What…no I mean yes but…dammit now I'm all mixed up." Tony rubbed his forehead. "I mean I do like you, and yes I desire you but not like you think. Loki, I care about you and Kira and I gotta admit ever since the two of you came into my life it's really brightened up."

"Stark…"

"No, let me finish please." Tony touched Loki's shoulder. "What I would like…is to spend more time with you Loki. I want to date you, if you want it that is." Loki stiffened slightly but didn't pull back.

"Tony...I…"

"I know you've been through a lot, but we can take it slow. Despite my reputation as playboy I can be a gentleman, after all my mom taught me everything I needed to know. If you don't want to then it's fine, I understand. I went through some tough shit when I was abducted, I know how bad PTSD can mess you up. To this day I'm still dealing with it, and it's hard most of the time, but it gets easier as you go along."

"Tony, I will admit that the time I've spent with you is…wonderful. I am fond of you as well, but I do not know if my feelings for you are…the same."

"Which is why we can take it slow, I admit I'm a little confused myself but…I want to give this a shot if you do." Loki turned away, and he thought for a good moment. He admitted he liked Tony a lot, he liked spending time with him, Kira liked him, and he gave him a home, a roof, food, care, everything he didn't deserve when he came to Midgard. This man saved his life, he protected a god from another realm when he could've just thrown him to the wolves.

"Tony, if I agree to this…will it involve us being intimate?" Loki felt his stomach churn as he asked the question, but he had to know.

"Not unless you wanted it, I can be celibate believe it or not." that was relieving, but Loki could still remember the feel of Thanos on him, the pain and the agony that came along was still fresh on his mind. His senses however said he could trust this mortal, after all he'd done perhaps giving him a chance would help.

"I…Tony I will allow this, but only if we start slow as you said." Tony gave a soft smile, and held out his hand which Loki took. Tony kissed his knuckles, and Loki felt a blush flare on his cheeks.

"As slow as you want Frosty." Loki punched his shoulder and Tony laughed. "Don't like that? How about Snowflake?"

"No." Loki rolled his eyes.

"Ice queen?"

"No."

"Iceberg?"

"No." now it was starting to get annoying, but Loki could easily see the humor.

"Oh I got it! Snowball!"

"Oh just go with Snowflake dammit!" Loki shoved the man against the wall and Tony laughed. Both men ended up laughing and Tony just wrapped his arm around Loki's shoulders. The touch was comforting and loving, it helped ease Loki's anxiety away.

"Snowflake you and I are gonna make something beautiful together." one quick kiss to Loki's cheek and the two made their way back to the party before anyone else decided to get suspicious.

I know it's a bit sappy at the end, but hey even Tony Stark has a soft side. I apologize for making you all wait so long for an update, I'm trying to update my other fics but it's just been hard and this year is starting off better so far.

Next chapter we dwell some more into Tony and Loki's new relationship, but no smut yet. Loki's gone through a lot and he's not ready for that plus Tony's not gonna push. We'll mainly include the meeting with the WSC, need to get that out of the way first. I might skip ahead in the chapter after that, timewise at least, but we'll wait and see.

R&R

Later!