A/N: Chapters 1 and 2 have been re-written so that they flow better, so if you read the original versions, please go back and re-read them. Also, thank you all so much for the reviews! And to those of you who have favorited, you all have made me so happy ^_^ Enjoy Chapter 3!
Chapter Three
Getting up and going to a desk like area, Tony brought back a pen and paper and started writing. "Jarv, you're recording this right?"
"Yes, Sir," came the AI's reply.
Tony smiled. "Good. Here Lokes, sign on the dotted line. Look, I even drew the line for you," he said. The man was giddy, almost like a kid in the candy store, as he waited for Loki to sign the agreement.
"Aren't you charming," Loki said dryly, standing up to walk over to the desk where Stark stood. He leaned over to sign the paper, humoring the human.
Once Loki had signed it, Tony told JARVIS to scan the document into his system and store it on his private server. "So you never did tell me, if you aren't here to conquer the world again, just what does bring you to Ear-...er, Midgard? Oh, and while I'm thinking about it, for the record, you totally tried taking over the world the wrong way."
Loki rolled his eyes and stood there, arms crossed. "I will get to why I am here in time, Stark. And 'for the record,' I wasn't actually attempting to take over Midgard. The Chitauri needed a leader and I simply lead them to failure on purpose. It was more of an act of defiance than anything else, but that's a story for another day."
Tony looked up, a look of shock blatantly apparent upon his face. "Really? Wow, that's... quite the rebellious nature there," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I definitely want to hear that story, and soon."
"You have no idea how rebellious I can be, Stark," the god said with a glint in his eye once more.
JARVIS interrupted again. "Sir, your food is here. I took the liberty of ordering for Mr. Laufeyson as well."
"Thanks Jarv. What would I do without you?"
"You would starve, Sir."
Tony just muttered under his breath a bit about how he'd have to tone down his AI's sarcasm before he turned back to his guest. "Ever had shawarma before?"
Loki turned back to go and reclaim his seat while Stark grabbed their food. "The first and last time I ever even heard of that mortal food, I had a muzzle on my face and was chained at the hands and feet," he said with an air of bitterness. Loki decided to change the subject to one of a more appropriate nature, given the circumstances. "I suppose I should say thank you to you and your JARVIS for not turning me in to your Director as well as for the hospitality you have shown me; you have my thanks, Stark."
Tony retrieved the bags of food and sat them on the bar's counter, nodding his approval. "Don't mention it. You know that came from Asgard or something, that muzzle they had you wear? Damn thing was down right nasty inside. I was ordered to make it, well, You-proof. It seemed pretty brutal and Medieval to me, so I did what I do best. I made it better, more humane though. Spikes that would have gone into your lips and gums and even maybe into your jawbone... not cool in my book, and also not my style. Same with the chains. I may or may not have tampered with them a bit. Even a prisoner has rights, you know." Tony opened up the bag and began to divvy out the food containers that were inside. "So at least they weren't painful. You should just have asked for my lawyers." Tony finished dividing the food up for them both before looking up and winking at Loki.
"Well then, perhaps I should have to thank you properly, Stark," Loki said, returning the wink.
Before he could take a bite, Tony countered. "Owed a proper thanks from the God of Mischief? I think I'll like that." Tony grinned as he opened up his food and began to eat.
The look on Loki's face was pure mischief alright, and it was a look he wore proudly. "You will like it, I can promise you that, Stark." He gave the human a smirk before taking a bite of his food.
"So, what do you think of our Midgardian fare?" Tony took a few bites before he got up to grab himself and Loki a non-alcoholic drink. "Here," he said as he handed Loki a can of soda.
"It's certainly flavorful," he said after swallowing a bite. He took the soda and watched as Stark opened his own can before attempting to open the one he was just given. The can made a satisfying 'pop' sound once opened, and Loki smiled a bit at the sound. Midgardians and their inventions…
Now knowing Loki had never had soda before, Tony held in the inevitable snicker and waited for Loki's reaction. The carbonation was usually an interesting experience for the first timer.
Loki took a sip of the beverage and fought to not make a face. He swallowed the carbonated drink and set the can back upon the bar-top. "That... was interesting," he said as he glance back at Stark.
Tony couldn't help it, he tilted his head back and laughed. "Oh, that never gets tiring. Once you get past the bubbles, the taste is pretty good. Plus it hits the spot on a nice, hot day."
Loki scoffed as Stark laughed. "You are either very brave or very foolish to prank the God of Mischief, Stark," he leered. He licked his lips and took a bite of food before taking another sip of the soda. "Though I do agree that the taste is somewhat pleasant."
Tony's eyes sparkled in amusement. Shrugging after finishing another bite, Tony continued their conversation. "Well, if you can't prank the God of Mischief, then who the hell can you prank? Besides, who doesn't like a harmless prank? Well, maybe not when it happens to you but later you can laugh about it," he said with a smile and a shrug. Returning to his own meal but watching Loki out of the corner of his eye, he continued. "Plus, watching people try new things is always an interesting and usually an entertaining pastime of mine. Their facial expressions are typically quite funny, and in a way unguarded," he explained as he took a generous drink of his own. For once, it wasn't alcohol. God knows Pepper had been on him to slow down his drinking habits.
Loki sat silently for a moment and was extremely careful to keep his face devoid of any emotion, less he make one of those funny facial expressions Stark had mentioned. After a few more bites and increasingly more tolerable sips of the beverage, he cleared his throat. "I suppose you would like to know why it is that I have graced you with my presence, Anthony Stark." The god turned towards the mortal, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Looking into Loki's eyes and seeing that telltale glint in them, Tony couldn't help but feel like a lamb being led to slaughter. "Oh, finally feel like telling me there, Bambi?"
He chuckled and stood up to begin walking in a large circle around where they were sitting. "Perhaps, Stark, though I could always drag it out longer if you'd like; you certainly don't seem to be in too big of a rush to spend your time elsewhere in the company of someone else," he stated, giving Tony a pointed look laced with something else behind those green eyes of his. "Now, I have come here to ask for your assistance, Stark; I have need of your skill set, and am not yet too proud to acknowledge it." Loki paused for a slight dramatic effect as he continued to walk around like a panther stalking its prey. "I will not reveal the nature of the task at hand until you agree to help me, or decline, though I must say you'd be very unwise to deny me, Stark."
A/N: Reviews are always welcome! I'll try to have another chapter up tomorrow.