I thought of "Skyfall" from the James Bond movie Skyfall when writing from when Tony calls Loki to the lab until the end of the chapter. I felt it could fit because the song made me think of being amazed at seeing something surprising that didn't seem like it would ever happen. Loki feels like that there.

Revision note: thepkrmgc pointed out I was using 'werguild' incorrectly so I changed Loki's thought about owing SHIELD.

Thanks to Agent Romanov the government had more than enough evidence to indict Hammer for breaking Vanko out of prison and illegally having Vanko work on government projects (the drones and the armor). Vanko was taken to a more secure prison. Loki noted all of this as he returned back home to rest. He was slightly tired. Perhaps he could have attacked the drones in a less draining way if he had had more time to study them. With peoples' lives at risk he hadn't had that time. He had had to attack with blunt strength versus the finesse he preferred. Loki was powerful but he preferred to use his strength as efficiently as possible. One never knew what challenges one might face and efficiency was more elegant. He got his energy back and resolved to study Earth weapons in general. This would allow him to create ideas to stop them which would be less draining. Being Tony's friend means I will need them. Plus the idea of doing nothing while people around me were harmed felt wrong. I was able to save people. I can see why Tony decided to be Iron Man. It feels good to know someone is breathing because you saved them. That whoever meant them ill has been stopped because you denied them victory. I still have to stay in the shadows somewhat, but I want to help how I can.

"Director Fury has arrived and wishes to speak with you," JARVIS informed him.

Loki was annoyed at the sudden visit. He thought of being very impolite and making the director wait but changed his mind. They did owe SHIELD for Agent Romanov's assistance after all. Blast it. I really dislike owing debts!

"Director," he greeted.

"Mr. Noen," Fury returned.

Tony came into the room. He obviously wasn't going to let Loki face Fury alone.

"So what's up Director?"

"I wanted to compliment Mr. Noen on helping to destroy the drones," Fury answered.

Loki maintained a bland poker face he thought Coulson could appreciate.

"Then you should be speaking with Mr. Rhodes instead of myself. He was the one fighting with Tony. I wouldn't want to claim credit for his deeds," Loki replied.

Fury gave him a 'not buying it' look.

"Spectators described green bolts of light destroying the drones. Rhodes didn't destroy drones that way. Plus, he was with Stark and these drones were destroyed elsewhere. You, on the other hand, no one knows where you were," Fury told him.

"The drones took out the cameras so many people and many events of that night are unaccounted for," Loki rebutted with a straight face. He had wanted to hide his magic so no one could see it, but knew that would have taken time that might have cost someone's life.

"It was a test of a new defense system," Tony offered with a similar expression to Loki's.

"Cut it you two. Noen you did something. I don't know what or how but you did. The question is why," Fury observed bluntly.

Loki was annoyed at Fury's persistence. He could see the less stressful tactic to take would be to acknowledge his role.

"They were ruining Tony's night," he conceded.

"Is that all?"

Loki did not like feeling like he was speaking with an all-seeing Odin.

"Pranks are one thing, but lives ended or harmed sits ill with me," he allowed.

"That's enough for me. Hopefully someday you'll trust me enough to tell me who exactly you are. In the meantime, I would like to invite you and Stark to both join the Avengers Initiative as consultants. You both have playing nice with others issues but you could help."

Loki and Tony exchanged looks. They owed SHIELD a favor, but was this too extreme? Tony gave Loki a 'trust me' look. Loki nodded.

"It sucks that I can't reveal Loki's role in this because it would get him too much attention. For him, I want SHIELD's promise of protection. If someone comes for him you'd better defend him with all the sneakiness and underhandedness you people have. Plus you can't give him a hard time either. He's a good guy so accept him for whatever he's willing to give," Tony bargained firmly.

Fury gave Loki an evaluative look but nodded.

"Done," Fury agreed.

"Rhodey and I are going to get medals. I want Senator Stern to be the one who gives them to us," Tony added to the deal.

Loki had to cackle in laughter at that. How humiliating! I wish I could get a medal and recognition too, but at least I'm not getting them for different reasons than when I was of Asgard.

Fury frowned but he did agree. Loki, despite not fully trusting SHIELD, felt a weight lift off his shoulders. Asgard did not take mortals seriously, but Odin still would not want to create an incident with them. If worst came to worst, and Loki was found, he would have help in being able to remain home.

Loki laughed, as did Pepper and Happy, during the awards ceremony. Loki still felt a little unhappy about not getting officially recognized but seeing Stern gritting his teeth helped. When Tony got back he gave Loki a cocky grin and went straight for his lab. Loki rolled his eyes and went back to reading a book. Ever since the attack Tony had been working on another individual project. Loki, meanwhile, had been studying Earth's weaponry as he had decided to do earlier. Things had gotten back to normal: Tony's arc reactor continued to work, Agent Romanov had gone back to SHIELD and Tony was CEO again.

Loki was interrupted from his studies again by Tony calling him to the lab. Loki wondered what his shield brother had been working on. When he entered the lab he saw Tony was excited but also nervous.

"Here's the situation. You're as likely to stay on the sidelines when stuff is going down as I am. I could make you some armor like mine, but you've got a different style. I hope this works: anyone who sees you in it will know you mean business," Tony said.

Loki blinked. Tony held clothing that was black leather with gold and green interwoven in it. It was elegant and dangerous just like Loki could be. Loki cast a spell and then he was wearing the outfit. He looked in a mirror appraisingly and grinned.

"No one will underestimate me in this," Loki commented happily.

Armor had been made for him before, but this felt personal because Tony had chosen to make it for him. It was not made by an armorer who wanted royal favor or money. It was made by someone who respected Loki and felt he deserved it.

"Thank you my friend," he said and continued to admire himself in the outfit. It was strongly built and fit well with him.

"Well, I couldn't resist making this too," Tony added with a snarky smile.

Loki rolled his eyes at the golden helmet with elaborate horns, but accepted it. He put it the helmet on and cackled at the effect. His cackle stopped when he saw what Tony now held out to him. His eyes grew wide. Was this what he thought it was? Was this for him too?

"I made this for you too. You just seem like a staff kind of guy. The outer layers are made of vibranium which is the same stuff Captain America's shield was made of. This is so it shouldn't break under anything. Getting this much vibranium was hard, but hey it's worth it for you. The inner layers, though, are made of the same stuff my suit is. That is because the staff has a blaster and a rocket. At the top of the staff you've got the same firing mechanism I use in my gauntlets. At the bottom is a powerful rocket for flight like the ones in the suit's feet. Pop this little switch here and you've got a platform to stand on so you can fly the staff. I bet you'll figure out a magic way to fly just holding the staff, but I wanted to include a backup. Anyhow, pop switches here, here and here for storage compartments. This way you can store some throwing knives or something holding extra magic in case you're facing something extra nasty. Loki? Loki? You still with me shield bro," Tony spoke.

When Thor had received Mjolnir, and Loki nothing, it had cemented the Loki's jealousy of his brother and added to the bitterness he held towards Asgard. Thor, who had a warrior's strength but no magic, was given a magical weapon. People respected Mjolnir. Loki's magic, which served him the place of brawn or a magic hammer, as not respected. If people thought Loki Thor's equal, or wanted him to be Thor's equal, they would have given him a special weapon too. He had not received anything more substantial than a few throwing daggers which anyone could get. Then Thor had been given the title of heir and god of thunder. Loki was given no other additional rank and disparagingly made god of lies, mischief and chaos. He struggled to receive respect and acceptance as Thor had. He finally left Asgard when he realized he would receive neither.

This staff…not even Mjolnir had been created exactly for Thor. It had been created for Thor's grandfather and then the handle redone for Thor. This staff had been made personally for Loki. It was his in a way in which Mjolnir would never be Thor's. He held the staff with trembling hands. He ran his fingers over the weapon looking at everything. He swiveled it experimentally and it fit. This weapon was his.

"Loki," Tony interjected concernedly.

Loki swallowed with difficulty. His eyes also felt odd.

"You made this for me. Not for anyone else or because you had to. You crafted this for me," Loki managed to comment.

"Hey I didn't think it fair that brother of yours got a spiffy hammer and you got nada."

Tony knew how he felt. Loki managed to look at his friend.

"This weapon is as powerful as Gungnir and mighty as Mjolnir. For a rarity, words fail me. I cannot properly express how much gratitude I feel for this," he said sincerely.

"You don't have to Reindeer Games. You've done a lot for me: being a science bro, helping with the palladium mess, the list goes on. I made this to make you happy and keep you safe. As long it does those things I'm happy. Feel free to add your own magical touches to it. I'd like to watch though. I love watching you do magic," Tony said and waggled his eyebrows to lighten the serious moment.

Loki laughed. He cast one spell to lighten the staff slightly since it was heavy due to the weight of the rocket and the blaster. He then fine-tuned the spell so that his shield brethren would benefit from it too. He then added another spell. This would make sure that anyone else who tried to take it, or anyone who was hit with it, would feel the staff's original weight and more. He explained each spell as he cast it. Tony watched in wide eyed wonder. It took years, and cynicism, off his face. Loki knew being appreciated had to do the same for him. He still felt lingering bitterness over Asgard, but being able to be himself and be appreciated for it helped a lot. It was what he really wanted. Yes, part of him had wanted power but those two reasons were ultimately why.

You have given me so much. I won't fail you.