Later that evening, Loki and Grace retreated to her apartment to get ready for the after-party. He asked her where she had put his clothing and she gestured to the closet. His new garmets were hanging next to the few clothes she had brought from Detroit and the new ones she had purchased in Chicago. There was something both strange and yet happy about this arrangement and he could not entirely decide why he felt the way he did upon seeing his clothing hanging beside hers. Perhaps it was because he took it as a sign he was being accepted by someone or perhaps it was because he felt so comfortable being a part of life in Midgard. Either way, he was content to select his blue velvet jacket and plaid pants from their hangers while she selected a leather skirt and pulled a box from the shelf. He dressed quickly and sat on the bed, waiting for her. She pulled something leather from the box and latched it at the front with eye hooks before tightening the laces at the back and asking him to tie them snug.
"This is not a garment I am familiar with."
She turned after he had knotted the laces and smoothed her hands down the front, "It's a corset- you don't have them in Asgard? Women here have been wearing them for about 400 years, maybe longer. I'm not really sure. A long time, by our standards."
"What is its purpose?"
"Originally it was used to help support women's bodies while wearing really heavy dresses, but then it was used to reshape bodies to make women better fit whatever standard of beauty was popular at the time. And now what used to be underwear is both for under the clothes and to be used as clothes when ladies want to feel super sexy."
He was not quite sure how to respond to her, unsure as to what was actually appropriate to say, "It is quite striking." She smiled and sat down to replace her long green earrings with a set of onyx and gold studs, the black cameo choker still around her neck. She switched out her black shoes for the purple glitter ones she had found in Chicago.
"So do I get to call you a flirt this time? I'm not sure quite how to take that you think the corset is striking." She was grinning mischeviously.
Loki blushed a little, "You already know I find you quite beautiful..."
She stood, her platform heels bringing her closer to his height, "Well you'll be in good company when we get to the after-party. The effect of a corset and leather on some men is to cause them to devolve into blathering, drooling idiots. It's actually quite fun to watch."
"I can easily imagine such a reaction."
She winked at him, "And let me guess, it wouldn't take much to push you in that direction?"
He grinned and placed both hands on her waist, kissing her forehead, "Miss Grace, it would take very little if you so wished...but as I have said before, grief is hardly the state of mind one wants to be in when one is making such decisions. For now, I prefer to stay simply friends...though do not think I will not stare in appreciation when you are dressed so delightfully and so daringly."
"Asgard girls can't hold a candle to this?"
"Women in Asgard do not wear corsets...nor do they wear skirts of this fashion. So no, they cannot."
"Well you look fun, too- very retro, and I love it. Fun and funky! Come on, let's go make the best of this. I know the press will make a huge deal of it if I don't show up at least for a little while." She led him to the living room and handed him the key to her apartment, her credit card, and her phone, "Can you put these in your jacket pocket? No pockets on a corset." He gladly obliged and they then headed down to the lobby. Only Bruce, looking very uncomfortable, and Steve, were waiting for them, "Nobody else coming to this shindig?"
"No," Steve replied, "Bruce and I are only going to stay for a little while, but we thought it would be a good idea to make a short appearance. Pepper is in no shape to go and the other ladies are staying with her. Thor might make it down- he wasn't sure if he was going or not. We'll know in a few minutes."
Bruce's phone vibrated and he checked the message, "No Thor. He still hasn't figured out how not to type in all caps, either."
Grace sighed, "Right, so it's just the four of us. Let's get there and do this thing before we all decide to hermit by the bar."
When they arrived at the after-party, the press crews were swarming the red carpet leading to the ballroom trying to interview anyone who was even remotely famous. There were quite a few prominent stars in attendence and they seemed all too willing to discuss just what they thougth about Tony's death and what they hoped his after-party would be like. Security was everywhere, from S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to event guards and a few off duty police officers.
Grace took a deep breath as their car pulled up to the red carpet, "I don't know about you folks, but I'm going to make a run for it and hope they don't try to interview me."
As soon as the car doors opened, though, avoiding being seen was impossible. Loki stepped out first and offered Grace his hand and they both declined to comment when the microphones appeared in front of their faces. When they were no longer able to move forward, she began to feel overwhelmed and clutched his hand tighter, hoping that security would intervene. Steve and Bruce, behind the crush of reporters, flagged down a few members of the security team and told them on no uncertain terms that either they were going to break up the knot of people currently blocking Grace's path or they were going to do it themselves. The guards still moved too slowly, so Steve took matters into his own hands and gently moved people aside to get to Grace and Loki, Bruce right behind him, trying to keep his anger in check at the injustice of cornering the sister of the deceased and insisting on an interview to run on the evening news. While she focussed on not having a breakdown in a crowd of people, Loki put his arms protectively around her and tried to press forward.
Steve gave the sound bite that he knew he would hear later on the news, "Alright, we're done here. She's obviously not comfortable with this, so why don't you all just back off and let her grieve? You can talk to me if you have to, but let her go...or I'm going to make sure she can get through and you're not going to have any say in it."
Bruce was getting nervous and stepped beside Grace, "Come on, let's get you in. He glared at the reporters in front of him, "Move or we get the Captain over here to move you...or I get angry. And every one of you knows what happens when I get angry." They moved rather quickly.
Once inside, Grace collapsed at a table and dropped her head onto her crossed arms, "Fuck, that sucked. I hope they stay outside."
Loki settled in next to her and surveyed the room, "I don't see any of them in here."
Bruce brought over drinks and checked his watch, "Well Steve had better get in here soon or else he'll miss the start of the party. I hope they don't keep him out there too long."
As the lights dimmed a few minutes later, the DJ addressed the assembled crowd, most of them sitting at tables or mingling by the couches that lined the dance floor, "Good evening, everyone, and welcome to Tony Stark's after-party. No doubt we all want to get this party started! So we're going to get this show on the road with a video clip Tony left for us. He wanted to be able to explain a few things on his own."
The screen to the side of the DJ station lit up and once again Tony sat on the couch in the ragged sweater, his knee tucked to his chest as he spoke to the camera, "Hey again, everybody. I'm still dead, but welcome to my after-party. I want to lay down a few ground rules before we get started. First, no fighting. That shit's not cool and this is my party so I make the rules. No superheros against bad guys, no crazy government schemes. If you're too drunk to keep your fists to yourself, take it outside. Second rule...um...go get something to drink. Nobody wants to be dehydrated and pass out on the dance floor. That means drink something other than booze, too. Oh, and third rule, nobody makes a pass at my sister, if she's here, unless she wants it. I don't want to get word that one of you decided that since I was dead, she's fair game. She's still my sister, and I'm sure my friends will make sure that if she asks somebody to take care of a problem, it'll happen. And that's if she doesn't get to you first. You don't want to be that problem. So there, three simple rules. Respect the dead, respect your body, and respect my sister. Do those three things and this will be a great night for everyone. So here we go, my last requests- mister DJ, you've got the list, you've got the bands lined up, let's rock."
And with that, the DJ played the first song, three familiar chords ringing out in succession in the dimly lit room. Grace laughed. Loki looked mildly confused, vaguely recognising the song from many years before, but not really knowing what she found so funny. Bruce simply shook his head, muttering about how the choice of first song was perfectly Tony.
'No stoplights, speed limits, nobody gonna slow us down.'
Loki thought about asking Grace just what he was supposed to be laughing about but she put a hand on his arm and sang along, singing loudly to the chorus when it arrived. Suddenly Loki recognised the song from their drive between Detroit and Lansing. The song was, indeed, definitely one only Tony would decide to play first at a post-funeral after-party. Very few people could get away with 'Highway to Hell' being a part of their send-off to whatever came next.
The song was followed by upbeat dance tunes for about a half an hour before the DJ introduced another video clip from Tony, "So by now you're all probably having a pretty good time, have had a few drinks, found a dance partner- good for you! I've got a few requests and dedications I'd like to do before the night is out. We're going to start off with Gracie. I don't know if you're still here, but if I know you, you're there and just thinking about getting ready to leave. I'll keep this short so you can flee. But I can't pass up the chance to embarass my little sister when she can't do anything to stop me. Gracie, you're one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I want to make sure everybody knows that, especially you. So I'm going to dedicate this next set to you, sweetheart. The first one...well, I wouldn't know it if you hadn't insisted that I watch that Harry Potter musical and put the entire thing on my iPod. It's a great song, and the guy who wrote it is here to sing it for you. I know it's going to make you cry, but I also saw you dancing to it in one of the sweetest and saddest moments I've seen in your adult life. So it's for you because of that, and it's for you because even if you think I'm gone for good, you're never alone and a part of me will always be with you.
"The second song in your set comes from a bet- and you win. You told me that Nickleback wasn't entirely terrible and challenged me to find one song of theirs I liked and you'd make me call them a real band...and I did. I still won't call them a rock band, but a band...I have to admit you're right. Your third song...well, it's always reminded me of you. Always. Just reverse the genders in the song and it's so yours. And the last one is...well, you'll know when you hear it. The obvious message about now and the after-life, whatever it is, and also the other worlds you navigate between. You'll get it. Just listen. I love you, honey. And I'm always going to be with you- that handprint on your heart thing you taught me from that musical. So dance. Cry. And you'll get through. Hang in there."
A man with curly hair took the stage, "Hi, everyone. I'm Darren, and Tony and I met a few times thanks to Grace's insistence on flying to see every Team Starkid show that we announced on YouTube. This song is from one of our first- A Very Potter Musical. He wanted me to sing this one in person."
With the first few chords on the piano, Grace rose from her seat at one of the small round tables and extended her hand to Loki; he took it and she curled against him, dancing slowly, "Do you remember when we did this the first time?"
"Of course, Miss Grace. We were saying goodbye and I was unsure if I would survive to see you again."
"Tony must have been watching."
"Of course he was- he had to make sure you were safe. Even after spending a weekend alone with you, he still needed to be reassured that when no one was watching, you were still fine."
"I think he was also looking for a reason to kick your ass- he couldn't believe that the man who threw him out a window was going to be a gentleman with me...you know, looking for that ass grab or something, just waiting to pummel you."
Loki chuckled, "I am happy that I passed his test." He stepped her back so he could look into her eyes, "Are you alright, my dear?"
She shook her head and lost the fight against her tears, "Nope, not at all. I miss him so much. And he picked these songs out for me. Jesus, Loki, I've still got to deal with the reading of the will. How am I going to get through this?"
"By taking one moment at a time. Now, come here, rest against me." She did as he asked and tried to sing along quietly with the song. He stroked her hair as he danced with her, neither of them noticing the curious faces who were watching, wondering who Grace's dark-haired stranger was, some of them taking pictures with their phones.
After the song was over, Darren came over to Grace and shook her hand, "I just wanted to tell you that it's an honour to be asked to sing for you."
"You were fantastic. Thanks for being here. Do you want to join us for a little bit?"
"No, but thank you- I've got to get back to L.A.- the team's got a new show opening in a month and rehearsals are in full swing. Will you be there opening night?"
"Wouldn't miss it. This is the reboot of 'Holy Musical, Batman', right?"
"Yep. Things have changed a lot since we wrote that- and now super heroes are real! So it's going to be a lot of fun."
They said their goodbyes as the next song came on, 'My best friend gave me the best advice, he said each day's a gift and not a given right...' Once again, Grace danced close to Loki, but this time they noticed the cameras that were either recording them or taking photographs.
Grace smiled and whispered in his ear, "I can see the headlines now, 'Miss Grace Stark- in mourning or in love?' and 'Mysterious stranger holding bereaved sister of deceased multibillionaire Tony Stark'...and there will be grainy photographs taken on iPhones all over social media, a few that will make their way into terrible speculative tabloid pieces pondering my sex life and pointing out that a few short days ago I said I wasn't dating anyone."
"And is this a problem? We can stop dancing if you would rather."
"Nah. I've had worse pictures taken of me and it won't be the first time the smut pages will try to figure out if I'm going to be hearing wedding bells anytime soon. I'd rather be happy and deal with their bullshit later than play it safe and never have to deal with the press. I think I'd have to be a hermit to avoid them."
"And I can also guess that you somewhat enjoy the game as well- playing with their questions, twisting them around your fingers."
"Just like you would, eh, fellow Slytherin?"
"Yes, indeed."
Grace kissed his cheek, "Well I guess we'll give them something to talk about, then." The Nickleback song ended and Tony's third request started with a strong piano piece. People flooded the dance floor- it was a classic, one of the rock songs Tony had been known to play very loudly when he wanted to cheer Grace up, the notes reverberating through the tower as he tried to make her smile wherever she had been.
'Just a small town girl, living in her lonely world. She took the midnight train going anywhere. Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit. He took the midnight train going anywhere.'
People were singing along, jumping to the beat. Grace found Steve and Bruce and dragged them to the edge of the dance floor. She tried to encourage them to dance along. She only managed to get Steve to bounce a little to the beat, the same with Bruce, who looked nervous.
Loki tried to share her enthusiasm, but found himself self-conscious, wondering if he was going to be in trouble with Odin for being so high-profile while on Midgard. Thor was allowed. Thor was the hero, the golden child, the protector of Midgard. Loki was just the screw up little brother and still felt that way, even while on the dance floor of Tony's after-party. He was trying actively to not feel like he was being watched for mistakes, but could not help feel like there was going to be some sort of repercussions for being so close to Grace and even for daring to enjoy himself on Midgard and to possibly even want to stay.
Grace noticed his hesitation and took his hands, "Come on, dance with me." Steve excused himself, using Bruce's discomfort as a reason to leave the party early. She said her goodbyes and returned her attention to Loki trying to get him to dance again, wrapping her arms around him, smiling, "Are you feeling shy?"
"Yes and no. Not because of anyone in Midgard, or because of the cameras, but because I fear what Odin will say if he discovers I am beginning to wish I could stay in this realm with you. I do not want him to see me here and believe I am up to something or that I would break the terms of my punishment in Asgard. I still cannot move freely there, you know this."
"But dancing shouldn't be a problem, should it? Especially to a Journey song. Nobody every went bad listening to Journey. Let go, Loki. If he was going to pull you from Midgard for doing something fun, he would have done it in Chicago. You're OK. Odin trusted Thor to watch over you- he's not going to pull you out of here unless you do something he doesn't think Thor can handle. Now relax and dance with me." At her encouragement, he did a little, smiling as she sang to him, "'Don't stop believin'- hold on to that feeling.'"
Journey cross faded into Van Halen as the last song in Grace's set began, "Tony sure did a good job picking out music for me- he starts off making me cry and ends with making me sing and laugh."
"And what, praytell, is this song about, Miss Grace?"
"It's called 'The Best of Both Worlds'- first lyrics are 'I don't know what I've been livin' on, but it's not enough to fill me up. I want more than just words can say, I want everything this life can give, hey hey.' And it goes on to talk about bringing heaven to earth...but you can bet Tony was thinking of me wanting the best of Asgard and Midgard when he put it on my list."
"Ah. So while the song was meant religiously, he took it perhaps more literally for you?"
"It's Van Halen...I'm not so sure religion was what they were thinking, but sort of. More like living for today and making the world awesome instead of just waiting for awesome to happen after you die."
"That seems fitting as well."
"It does." Grace took his hands and danced with him during the entire song, singing along with it. She kissed his cheek as it ended and thanked him before they both went to get a drink at the bar. They sat together on one of the couches around the edge of the dance floor for a little while as dance music mixed with some of Tony's favourite 80s rock, but it was not too long before Grace decided that she really just needed to get some rest and they ducked out, dodging the reporters as they did. Grace called for a car and they met one a few blocks away from the party.
When they returned to her apartment in the Tower, Loki very carefully hung his suit back in her closet as she took off her jewellery and dressed for bed. He still was amazed by the effect that seeing his clothing beside hers had on him. He sat on the end of her bed and waited for her to return from the bathroom, her face free of makeup. He said his goodnight and she slipped into bed as he went to wash his face and use the toilet.
When he stepped from the bathroom, Grace called to him, "Loki? Can you come here for minute?" He stepped back into her bedroom, "I don't want to be alone tonight...could you come here for a little bit? At least until I fall asleep?"
He returned to her bed and slipped beneath the covers. She quickly curled up against him and he held her gently as she began to sob, the tears she had not shed over the past few days suddenly too much to contain. He stroked her hair, kissed her forehead, whispered to her that she could cry all she wanted and he would stay with her, and rubbed her back until she fell asleep in his arms. He could not bring himself to leave her, knowing that if she woke in the middle of the night, she would likely still need him. They would have some time to rest the next day before the reading of Tony's will in the evening and he knew she would likely need to feel safe expressing her grief again throughout the day. He still did not entirely trust himself to know what to do, but he did know that so long as she trusted him, he could figure out how to help her. He only hoped that he would not do anything to break that trust during whatever time they would have together.