Hey there! I know you were expecting this chapter to continue in Loki POV because of the 'Who is Miss Potts' question, but… We're actually gonna find Miss Potts instead in Tony's POV :p

PREVIOUSLY ON ASAF: Loki turned the diamond-adorned knob and let the warm rain wash his worries away. Then a thought occurred to him. "Jarvis. Who is 'Miss Potts'?"

CHAPTER 9

Tony was standing half naked in the corridor, with Pepper doing a very good imitation of a harpy, while Thor looked on through the open door of the room behind her. The blond was obviously trying very hard not to laugh, and Tony wondered how long he would be able to hold himself back. Perhaps if the alien prince erupted in very manly giggles, Pepper would be just distracted enough for Tony to flee to the other side of his tower.

"TONY! Are you even listening to me?" she yelled in a shrill voice, getting so dangerously close to his bare feet with her stilettos that he had a hard time not stepping back. "No, you're not! I know you! You were fleeing this conversation by computing some silly nonsense numbers in your head, and pretending to be listening all the while! Would it be too much to ask for you to actually listen?"

Tears were starting to form in her eyes; and now Tony felt bad. She always managed to make him feel bad, some way or another. It was just that every time they had a row, she repeated the same arguments over and over again, and he knew them by heart by now. He knew them by heart after the first time she used them, even. Could he really be blamed for letting his mind wander in these circumstances?

Pepper wrapped her arms around herself. "Tony, can we please continue this conversation in your room?"

A tear glided down her cheek, and Tony knew he was done for. Crying was the worst thing she could do to him; he never knew how to handle it. The only thing he could do was look on, dismayed. "Yeah, okay. Let's get inside." It was only after the door closed behind them that he remembered that Loki – oh God, his soulmate! – was only a dozen or so yards away.

"Tell me the truth, Tony. Do you still love me?" Oh, boy! This conversation had turned on its head fast!

"Of course I love you, Pepper!" What kind of question was that? Why would she doubt his sincerity? Was it because he had not called last night to tell her he was fine? How ridiculous was that?

"Yes, I know you do. I know you do, in your own way. But Tony, I don't know if you love me the way I love you. I'm not sure you are in love with me." Her voice broke on those last words, and tears were flooding her eyelashes now, running down her cheekbones and dripping onto her blouse. "I'm not sure you ever were," she added in a small, wobbly voice.

Tony could not have felt more unsettled if she'd suddenly cuffed him on the head. He was in love with her, right? Right? How different were loving someone and being in love with someone? How was he supposed to know, again? This was so confusing. She had thought they were both in love before, right? That had been enough for him; enough to think the same way. Why had she changed her mind all of a sudden?

"What do you mean?" he asked, and she addressed him a teary smile.

"How would you describe 'being in love'?"

Wasn't love supposed to be that great, beautiful, indescribable feeling – and did he mention indescribable? Was this some sort of trick question? She looked like she was awaiting an answer, so answer he did. "Er, wanting to be close to someone. Wanting to spend time with them, do things together? Uh, wanting them?"

Pepper's expression didn't change, but he got a feeling that was not what she had wanted to hear. How was he supposed to know what she wanted to hear? It wasn't as if she ever told him that! He was always supposed to just know; well, sorry, but he wasn't some kind of psychic! Geez, women could be so unreasonable!

"And wouldn't you describe 'loving someone' the same way?"

"What? Are you crazy? Of course not! As if I'd ever want to have sex with Rhodey! Christ!"

"I didn't mean that. But you describe 'being in love' like I would friendship, and you just add lust at the end of it."

Now it was Tony's turn to cross his arms. "Okay. How do you describe 'being in love', then?"

She looked at him in a funny way then. "Wanting to spend every second of the day with someone. Never wanting to be apart. Always thinking about them. Having your heartbeat skyrocket every single time you see them. Feeling butterflies flutter in your stomach every time you think about them. Wanting to make them happy, whatever the cost."

And that was when he realised she was looking at him with pity; because she knew, even before he did, that he'd never been in love with her, or with anyone in his entire life. For all the women he had slept with, for all the few he had dated, including Pepper, none had elicited the feelings she was describing, and he suddenly wondered if he was even capable of being in love.

"Oh," he said, and heavily sat down on the edge of the bed. A strange bubbly feeling prickled his throat, and then chuckles escaped him, unexpected, and they transformed themselves in honest to God laughter while Pepper looked on, shocked. Was that what Loki had meant by fate? Putting the two fuck-ups together so they wouldn't end up alone? Wow. Wasn't that a brilliant idea? That way they could be miserable together!

"You think this is funny?" Pepper shrieked. Yay, the anger spiel was back! God, what a day! And he hadn't even had coffee yet!

"No, it isn't funny at all. It's ironical, that's all."

"What ar—" Pepper stopped mid-sentence, her eyes roaming over Tony's shoulders, and when she looked back at him they were filled to the brim with hurt. "Where is she?"

Tony blinked, confused. What 'she'? "Who?"

"Don't fuck with me Tony!" Oh shit! Pepper had cursed at him. She never did that! And he didn't even know what he had done wrong this time! How fair was that? "What do you think I am, blind? I can see your bed has been slept in on both sides! So, where is she? Did she leave earlier this morning? Don't you dare tell me she's still in here!"

"Oh God!" he said out loud, even though he didn't mean to; belatedly slapping a hand over his mouth hadn't helped either, strangely enough. New tears joined the dried ones. "No, Pep! It's not what you think!" Fuck! How the hell was he supposed to explain the whole Loki situation? It wasn't as if 'no, I didn't sleep with some woman, I didn't even sleep with anyone, I just slept next to my soulmate, who happens to be a male-female alien – oh, and an ex-villain' was going to go over very well.

Without a word Pepper strode towards the walk-in closet and slammed the doors open. She then turned back towards him, breathing hard and fury distorting her features, and he couldn't help but stand up and back away – anything to get away from those nails and stilettos. But that put him between her and the bathroom – as if he was trying to block her, and that certainly didn't look good. Especially since the bathroom was actually occupied.

"Is she in there?" Shit, shit, shit! All hell would break lose if Pepper found a locked door… Tony stepped aside when she stomped towards it, leaving little round imprints in the carpet where those dangerous shoes hit the floor. He looked at the closed door just like she did, and when she'd find out the handle wouldn't turn… No, wait, the door wasn't locked! It was even slightly ajar! Right! Of course that arsehole had been listening in!

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Loki had successfully used the shower, and it certainly was an interesting way to wash oneself. Even though he preferred the ease and rapidity of a cleaning spell, he could not use it now, and these mortal showers where certainly practical, in a non-magical environment. And the strange liquid soaps were not too bad either.

Loki had just finished drying his hair as dry as it could get with a towel – which meant it was pretty wet still, and, unfortunately, even more wavy then their natural dry state – and he was opening the door, hand on the handle, when he heard more than one voice coming from the bedroom. He let the door go, but as it was ajar now, he could hear pieces of the conversation being held on the other side of it.

When he heard Anthony tell Miss Potts – for Jarvis had told him everything he needed to know about Virginia 'Pepper' Potts – that, of course, he loved her, Loki had not been surprised, and yet he felt a pinch in his heart that he could not explain. Why would Anthony not love some insignificant woman? Why should he care about who Anthony loved? Their being soulmates did not make the mortal his; especially here on Midgard.

He contemplated closing the door again; he did not need to hear this. And yet his curiosity kept him where he was. Anthony's description of love was certainly lacking, and his reaction – laughter and gloom – to Potts' exaggerated portrayal was certainly odd. When the question of cheating came up, he was the one who almost laughed out loud. He was definitely not some woman Anthony had charmed into his bed!

Anthony's growing panic while Potts searched for this elusive woman was amusing, until it suddenly turned to anger, and the door was thrown open so fast it would have hit him in the head if he had not jumped back in time. Showing obvious surprise at the entrance of the red-headed mortal was anything but difficult.

"Uhm, hello," he said as he took hold of the towel at his waist, as if he wanted it to hide more than it could. His eyes flicked from one mortal to the other, full of uncertainty. "I'm sorry, did you need the bathroom?"

Both Midgardians looked at him, gobsmacked, but for very different reasons. Potts was looking him up and down, probably astounded the woman she was expecting wasn't there, and Anthony… Anthony was looking at him as if he had never seen him before, and it was not surprising. Transformations that did not require any true transformation; those were the type of manipulation he preferred. There was nothing more thrilling than fooling someone with mere acting.

"Your hair is curly?" Anthony exclaimed, and this time Loki was the one to blink in surprise. Oh. Was that what had disturbed the mortal? What a curious man Anthony was.

He pulled at one of the locks framing his face. "It isn't that curly. And I normally straighten them."

"Why?"

"They used to be shorter, and straight looked better. I've straightened them for… a very long time."

"Huh. Well, I think it looks good like this. Less… menacing, somehow." Anthony grinned, and Loki could only reciprocate. He was certain Anthony did not remember their first encounters fondly – when his hair was straight and slicked back, and Thanos was still in his head – contrary to, perhaps, the time when he, and his hair, must have looked dreadful.

"What are you doing here?" Potts suddenly asked. "Tony, what is he doing in your bathroom?"

Anthony opened his mouth to speak, but Loki was faster. "This was the closest unoccupied bathroom, and Mr Stark graciously let me use it."

Anthony blinked at Loki in surprise, while Potts turned to him for confirmation. Loki had left the choice to Anthony; he could tell his lover whatever he wished – perhaps the truth, perhaps a fancy tale full of lies. It did not matter to Loki. Or rather, it did, but he would not – could not – blame Anthony for choosing lies as the easy way out.

"I– He– God damn it! Why is my life so complicated?" Anthony sighed and turned away from them, walking back to the middle of the room and facing the view. The woman followed after a glance at Loki, so Loki stepped out of the bathroom as well. Anthony suddenly turned back towards them. "Pep', this is Loki. Loki, meet Pepper."

Potts' expression had been inflexible, and now it morphed into deep frown. She stared hard at his face and her eyes were stormy, but her melodious voice sounded deceptively sincere when she said: "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise," Loki lied with a friendly smile, and he did not have to look at Anthony to feel him frown.

"So, uhm. With the whole battle and stuff, everyone was exhausted, so I asked them all back to the tower – I mean, there are a couple of pretty good beds here, no need to go elsewhere, right. But it turned out a couple of guest rooms are pretty much trashed, so people had to pair up – I can't let people sleep on these horrible couches – and Loki here… slept in my bed. You know, next to me. And he's not… a woman. So you can stop freaking out."

Potts' expression hadn't changed throughout, but she had crossed her arms, her manicured nails tapping rhythmically on one fabric-covered arm. "I met some of the Avengers downstairs, yes. And I can understand you wanting to help them out for the night. What I don't get, is why you let him stay. Isn't he the one who attacked Stuttgart? And New York?"

"It's a long story, but he isn't our enemy. Not anymore. He helped us!"

It was Loki's turn to cross his arms over his bare chest. Not that it was not funny to watch these mortals interact, but he very much disliked being talked about as if he was not there.

"But you even let him sleep in your bed! How can you trust him not to suddenly kill you in your sleep?" Potts screeched, her voice unpleasantly increasing in volume.

"Because he can't!" Anthony yelled back.

Potts scoffed. "I thought he was a super strong alien like Thor? How would you stop him?"

"I wouldn't need to stop him, he can't kill me without dying himself!"

Silence fell while Potts glowered, and Anthony's mouth opened again, but no sound came out. Loki was surprised by Anthony's choice to suddenly allude to their bond; she would ask for an explanation, no doubt. Of course, Loki understood he would want to tell his lover about his situation; the timing just might not be the best.

"Perhaps I should leave the room? I didn't mean to interrupt your earlier conversation." And the fact that somewhere deep inside he felt satisfaction at the thought of this woman rejecting Anthony had nothing to do with his sudden urge to leave. No, he just wanted to go look for some fresh clothes somewhere else. Do keep telling yourself that.

"What? Oh, no, that's okay, you don't have to go." Anthony's gaze was pleading, and panic crept along their bond.

"Dreading a conversation will not change the outcome, Anthony." And with that he turned around and walked out of his soulmate's room.

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Tony watched Loki walk out in dismay, and he was torn between calling after him – which would be pathetic – and sticking his tongue out at him – which would be childish. But the arsehole had called him 'Anthony' just to spite him, he was sure! And really! Dreading a conversation will not change the outcome, blah blah blah! Saying nothing at all would have been just as helpful!

"I don't understand anything anymore, Tony. What is happening?" Now that they were alone Pepper looked so vulnerable again, and he didn't know what to do. He wanted to hug her, but he doubted she would appreciate it right now. Maybe she wouldn't ever again. Not after she knew everything. After all, she already knew he didn't love her with the same intensity as she did him – a fact that still surprised and saddened him. Learning all this cosmic bullshit and tales about fate… It would break her heart, he knew.

But he could not exactly keep it from her, now could he? It was the truth – Tony knew that now, even though he absolutely hated it. If she learned of it some other way – and he didn't doubt she would, sooner or later – then she would hate him for having kept it from her. For not having told her the moment he knew. Because even before they became a couple, she – and Rhodey – were his only true friends, his best friends. And best friends owed each other the truth – he had learned that lesson well enough.

Tony heavily sat down on the couch facing the city, and looked at the clear, almost blue sky. He took a deep breath, and started, refusing to look at her. It would be easier to not know what would go through her mind. And it would have been easier if he'd had at least had a coffee or ten. "Okay, this is gonna sound super weird. Like aliens-invading-New-York weird. So please, don't think I'm suddenly off my rocker or something." Tony paused, gathering his thoughts. How the hell did you say something like this?

"So, er… I was confronting Loki in the penthouse, before the alien army arrived, and we were having passive-aggressive conversation, when he tried to mind-control me with his sceptre." Pepper gasped, and Tony quickly continued before she could interrupt. "But he didn't succeed because of my Arc reactor. He didn't like that, so he tried to choke me—"

"What?" Pepper shrieked.

"— and that's when the strange mojo kicked in. Turns out we—" Jesus, this was hard! "Well, we have, uhm, a link, like magical link, that attacked the guy that was controlling Loki, 'cause it turns out Loki was not the only one controlling people. So Loki was there screaming on the floor, the magic control spell thing being kinda burned out of him, and then he passed out and turned blue – like, his skin was blue, because he's an alien. And when he woke up, he told me everything he knew, and helped me defeat the Chitauri army with the nuke and close the space portal. And when we went to get shawarma all together with the Avengers, he healed my hand with magic. And because he was really weak at the time, there was some kind of dangerous ice spell stuff that activated itself, but it couldn't hurt me because of that… link. And when we came back here, Thor and Loki told me what the link was, and I gotta say I didn't believe them at first 'cause it sounds so much like fairy tale bullshit, but… The things I can feel, Pepper! They are so eerily real!"

Tony turned to look at her now, but looked away when he saw her tears. And he hadn't even said it yet! From the corner of his eye he saw her shaking her head. "I don't understand what you're saying, Tony."

"Right. I didn't really explain. I don't think I really can, it's like super complicated and full or weird names, but the two Asgardian yahoos said something like: there is some sort of well were souls are born, and then they go up a tree or something where they are split in two, and given to people when they are born. And when people die, their soul goes to hell, where they reunite with their other half-soul and go back to the tree to be reborn or melted down or whatever. But sometimes something very rare can happen, something so rare that even gods think it's a myth, and that is those half-souls meeting before death. And guess whose life got fucked up again?"

Pepper didn't say anything, but she had her hand plastered against her mouth, so he couldn't blame her. "You guessed it, it's me. Turns out that went we touched back when Loki was still controlled, our half-souls connected and, like, fused together to become one soul again or something? And that is what something he called soul magic that freed him from the control, but now we have a bond. Like, on Asgard they don't even consider us two people anymore, but one person. We have a soul bond, and something like a magic bond, and a mind bond and what not. I mean, I know when he lies because it tingles behind my Arc reactor, and I can feel his feelings when I concentrate."

Tony closed his eyes to help him focus. "Right now, he's… Woah! Okay. Uhm, he's angry, and kinda… nostalgic, maybe? And exasperated, definitely. I'm guessing he's with Thor." And he wasn't only guessing. Now that he was trying to follow that weird-arse bond, he could pinpoint Loki's exact location. Twenty yards behind him, and four yard to the right. "Oh, and I think it comes with some kind of location voodoo, because I know exactly where he is. Maybe that's why one of the soulmate rules is not being far apart."

"Soulmate?" came her tiny sounding voice.

Tony blinked. "Ah. I guess I managed to say it after all. Yeah, soulmate. Looks like it's a thing after all. Like magic and aliens. All real, it turns out. Who would have guessed?" He knew he was rambling, but he knew her words, or her silence, would be even worse. "Not me, that's for sure. They kinda broke my whole 'one hundred percent science' belief system. And they won't even give me a refund, the bastards. Loki told me to blame Lady Fate. If ever I meet the woman I'll give her a piece of my mind, no kidding!"

"Tony!"

"Yeah Pep'?"

"What are you saying? I'm not sure I—"

"Loki and I are soulmates, we are connected in strange ways, like I can feel what he feels and vice versa I'm sure, and we both gotta stay not too far away from each other, just like in fucking fairy tales, because that is what real life looks like nowadays."

"Soulmates?" She stepped in front of him, partly hiding the view, and he squinted up at her in the strong light.

"You already asked that. Yeah, soulmates. Not in the romantic way, but in the 'fate screwed me over' way. I'm looking at this like a kind of Vulcan-like bond." As in permanent, and marriage, and mind melds and shit. Fuck fiction, life was way weirder.

"Soulmates."

"I know this is strange, I get that, but could you please stop repeating that? I'd prefer to forget about it, you know!"

"You. And that… alien that attacked Earth? Soulmates?" She suddenly started to laugh, and a few seconds later abruptly stopped. "You're soulmates, and so you slept with him?"

"Wha— Woah, hell no! No, are you crazy? He's a guy!" Wait, he wasn't, was he? "Or maybe not," Tony amended, "he's some sort of weird alien hermaphrodite, he said. But that doesn't make him a woman either! Of course I didn't sleep with him!" There might have been some involuntary cuddling going on in the end there, but he couldn't be blamed for crazy things he did in his sleep, could he? "I didn't want this! You know that, right?"

Pepper's legs buckled all of a sudden, and she dropped to her knees with a thud; Tony hadn't even had time to stretch out an arm to catch her. She swept a hand over her face, and held it there.

"Are you okay?"

She sharply looked up. "What do you think? Of course I'm not okay, Tony! Today I've confirmed what I've long suspected: that my boyfriend never considered me anything more than a friend with benefits! And now you tell me you were fated to meet that crazy alien villain because you two are soulmates?" Tony could only stare at her, mouth agape, while her anger rose and she scrambled back up. "I hope you two live happily ever after, like in the 'fucking fairy tale' you mentioned earlier. I don't want to have anything to do with it!" And she strode towards the door and threw it open.

Tony sprung up and followed. "Pep'! What do you mean?"

She abruptly spun around, and he had to swing his weight backwards so they wouldn't collide. "Are you stupid? We're over Tony! Now leave me alone!" She turned around again, hand on the handle, and walked out.

"Pepper!"

His only answer was the panel being yanked shut in his face with a bang.

Fufufufu! Kukukuku! Nyahahaha! (These are my Machiavellian laughs. Never mind me ;))

Poor, poor Pepper XD Tony managed to throw it all in her face at once! Ain't that horrible? (Yes! Buahahaha! I got rid of Pepper!) Sorry Pepper lovers, but the Pepperony is over :p

Spread the Luv!

LL