disclaimer:i do not own marvel, just wish i did.

Chapter 11

Tony and Loki avoided each other over the next several days. The only times they spoke to or saw one another was during breakfast or the occasional times they had to work together. They did end up falling into a routine for breakfast, however. Tony would make his idea of coffee early in the morning or late in the night, depending on his sleeping pattern, and would try to get Locke to drink it, or rather, to like it. Since the purest black form did not seem to be to his assistant's taste, Tony decided that he would make Locke need coffee. It was his idea of a peace offering toward the man in the morning, even if it meant doing the sacrilegious act of adding sugar or milk to the heavenly black elixir.

So far, Tony had only tried adding sugar, one or two teaspoons, but the coffee still produced the same unwanted effect from Locke. He couldn't be sure about it, but Tony silently swore the look on Locke's face was that of somewhat lesser disgust, so he kept trying adamantly to make the man need his morning coffee. Steve would probably be proud of Tony for continuing to try and not giving up.

Today, Tony was going to try milk, a daring attempt for a coffee purist like him. He figured that adding cold milk to a hot beverage would collide too much in temperature for it to have a good taste, so right now, he was waiting for the milk to warm while mulling over how much he needed to pour in the coffee. Tony heard a shuffling sound from the direction of the hallway and Locke entered into view, looking visibly uncomfortable as he walked in his cast. Tony learned from prior days that talking to Locke before he'd had a drink or some food in his system would result in silent dark glares. Locke was definitely not a morning person any more than Tony. Tony figured it was all the more reason to get him addicted to coffee, especially since he really seemed to be stuck with the guy.

Pepper had made his assistant's work contract and Tony read it thoroughly, looking for some sort of loophole, but he could find none. Unless Locke did something to breach the stipulations of the contract—and annoying as it was to admit, aside from being a stuck-up prick, Locke was a pretty decent assistant—he was stuck with him. Tony cursed Pepper's efficiency.

The milk was almost done and Tony swore he could feel the boring stare of the other man at his back. He tried not to let it get to him and started pouring the milk into Locke's coffee cup. He placed the cup of cream-coloured coffee in front of his assistant, who gave him a sceptical look in return, but picked up the mug nonetheless and held it in his hands. Locke smelled the coffee first before bringing it to his lips to taste. As he took one sip, Tony waited for the response.

The normal reaction of utter disgust didn't surface. Tony lifted an eyebrow. "Well?"

"Well what, Stark? Morning is no excuse to avoid complete sentences."

At least Locke was talking. That was as an improvement. "How's the coffee, Highness?"

Loki still hated Stark's use of the nickname, but he had ceased his attempts to get the man to stop calling him that. It only resulted in worse names to be called, like "Princess" or "King of the Hobos." He really had to hold back on the last one, too. His fingers had itched with the urge to strangle Stark. Loki sat there and eyed his hot drink for a moment as if he contemplating his verdict. "I must confess, it is not as bad as earlier. I fear I'm growing…used to its taste."

Tony shouted a mental Yes! in his mind and a wide grin appeared on his face to claim the tiny victory. "I knew it! There's no way any person can deny the greatness that is my coffee. For Christ's sake, it's the nectar of the gods, all thanks to me." Tony felt that stare again piercing him from across the table.

Locke took another sip of the coffee as he kept his eyes on Tony, a look of burning annoyance crossing his features. "Stark, you talk too much in the morning."

Tony's mood was not ruined at all by his assistant's snarky comment. He was still basking in his win. "Still cranky, I see. Don't worry, the coffee will fix it."

"I do not need to be fixed."

"Oh, come on, Highness. You act like you have permanent PMS. Just drink some coffee and be a normal person."

A grim look crossed Loki's face and the smile on Tony's faded as the atmosphere turned bleak. "I will never be a normal person, Stark."

"Yeah, yeah. I get it. You're special," Tony snarked, with a dismissive hand gesture. "But for fuck's sake, live a little. I can't stand dealing with all your shit every day."

Loki hissed. "It is not your shit to endure! Do not speak of things of which you obviously have no knowledge."

"The hell it isn't!," Tony responded, leveling a matching glare at his assistant. "You live here, so it definitely is shit I have to deal with, especially when I'm constantly around that attitude of yours. Trust me, if I had my way, you'd be long gone by now."

"But you're not getting your way, are you?" Loki stood up and eyed him. "Face it, Stark. For now, I am here to stay. And yes, I do have shit 'to deal with,' most of which has been caused by you." He pressed his finger into Stark's shoulder, putting extra emphasis in his words. "If it were up to me," he hissed in a low, dark voice, "I would never be in this position. If it were up to me, I would be comfortable making my own way." He pressed hard enough against Stark to leave a bruise, the small act only fueling his ire. "But no, because rambling idiots like you always interfere and royally fuck up my life, I'm left to pick up the pieces and restore order and balance."

Most people would have turned their head at the start of his rant. Not many would have dared to stare back into the eyes of a man raving with such anger, but Tony was not most people. He was used to facing things far worse than an angry assistant. He looked into Locke's eyes the entire time the man spoke and even after he finished. Whatever emotions Locke had kept hidden from everyone had poured out in a heated, venomous voice laced deep with hatred. One of his eyebrows had contorted in anger and his bed hair and beard only added to the menacing look. But hidden emotions lingered in those eyes, a sadness familiar to Tony and one not meant for others to see. Perhaps Locke himself did not even realize it. Tony recognised that perhaps he had just seen something in Locke that others had ignored. Bob had been right in punching him. The bruise on his face was now almost faded, just a slight discoloration pinpointed its location and it didn't even hurt. Locke, however, was still a wounded man in more ways than one. Tony knew he had fucked up again.

Loki's heated rant cooled to ice, clipped and frosty. "Your day, Stark, consists of work. At 2 o'clock, you have a meeting with Bruce Banner. The driver will pick you up and I urge you to not be late. Doing so will have consequences." Loki walked away after this statement, clenching his fists to contain the anger that threatened once again to overflow.

Loki closed the door to his room and sank onto his bed, running his hands through his hair. Too many emotions ran amok through his body, each fighting for dominance and control: anger, hatred, sadness, and even a sense of relief cried out. His mind screamed at him to do something – break things, throw things, cry and scream. Humans experienced everything so differently. He experienced everything so differentl now and it was a challenge of extreme patience and strength of will to not let these newfound sensations get the best of him. But even when he vied for control, his humanity would rear its ugly head and make him feel things as though he were under a magnifying glass. It was happening more frequently, triggered by small things or comments that wouldn't have made him so much as bat an eyelash before.

There was also the lingering disquiet surrounding the comforting feel of Stark's hand on his forehead earlier and his body's reaction to it. He'd wanted to lean in to that cold touch. For just a moment, he had wanted to savour that contact.

This was the second time in his life that he truly felt lost and he held no fond memories of the first. He felt compelled to take a form of action and be rid of this…thing, this unsettling feeling . He punched his nightstand, causing his knuckles to hurt as soon as he hit the wood. He yelled out, "I hate you!" to no one in particular. Just like after his little speech in the kitchen, he felt oddly relieved after letting everything out. It seemed like bottling things inside and trying to keep his emotions at bay only worsened them to the point of explosion. How very human.

He wanted to get out of Stark Tower and it seemed that his appointment at the hospital would take care of that, though he would have to dress soon and leave or he'd be late. He washed his injured hand under the faucet in the bathroom and took another look at "his" face. In the month he had spent here, his hair had grown considerably. He reminded himself that he needed to do something to get rid of the hair on his chin, too.

Locke sat in the back of one of Stark's many vehicles and looked out the window. Outside, it looked like a perfect day, with the right temperature and clear sunny skies overhead. The streets were busy with people walking around, being merry. Loki thought it was a sickening idea that a sunny day could give the inhabitants of this city such a communal feeling of joy and so eagerly steered in a specific direction.

They…we…are foolish creatures.

He started recognising the surroundings outside the vehicle. The car slowed down, stopping in front of the hospital.

"Sir, we are here." The driver held the door open for him, something he could get used to in this world.

He stepped out of the car and surveyed the area. Things already seemed different from his previous stay. "This should not require much time. I ask you to wait for my return."

"Of course. I'll see you soon, sir." Being waited on was nice, even if the servants did not like you or only did so because of your status, instead of from respect. The glass doors to the hospital slid open and Loki moved toward the reception desk, where one of the clerks instantly recognised him.

"Oh! You must be Mr. Ladislav. The doctor will see you upstairs in ten minutes. Just take the elevator to the third floor and head toward your old room."

He briefly wondered how she knew who he was. He had no recollection of her from before. "I will heed your advice. Thank you." It would be wasteful to not act kindly in this building, especially when one never knows what the future will hold. The receptionist gave him a kind and friendly smile as he nodded and went on his way. Perhaps she was one of the nurse's friends who had contributed to his gift basket when he was bedridden. What was that nurse's name again? Samantha? No…Sandy.

Upon arriving in his former room, he concluded that everything was exactly as he had left it. Even the file holding his medical records was in the same spot. He vaguely wondered if Miss Potts had anything to do with this when the door opened.

"Ah, I see you're already here, Mr. Ladislav. Just sit down. The nurse will be here soon to assist me." The doctor reached for Loki's medical records as he sat down on the bed. "Ready to get that cast off?"

Loki faked a smile. "As ready as ever." You fool.

A shrill, excited voice came from the doorway. "Locke! Oh, I'm so glad to see you're doing well."

Great.

"Sandy, it's good to see you too," Loki lied through his teeth. "Considering my state, I would say that I am doing fairly well."

"That's good to hear. Well, let's get you out of this now." She rolled up his trousers to just above his knee and took a pair of heavy, blunt scissors. "Your leg may feel a bit odd once this is off, just to warn you."

The moment the scissors snapped shut and made the first cut in the cast, fresh air hit his skin, releasing it of its bound state. His skin tingled, but not unpleasantly, and when she had finished making a long cut he wiggled his toes. After a few more cuts, the cast came off fully and Loki welcomed the feeling of being free. His joy was severely disturbed, however, by Sandy, who had the audacity to caress his leg where the cast had once been.

"Everything looks alright. No bruising or scratch marks." She smiled at him and blushed. "You've healed up nicely, Locke."

By the nine this was not happening! Let go of my leg you dumb wench. She didn't and let her fingers linger a bit more, drawing a half circle with her thumb and pretending to inspect something. Loki decided her behaviour must cease immediately. "Think I can stand again?" he asked the doctor suddenly, rolling down the leg of his trousers before the nurse could find the chance to fondle him again.

The doctor replied, "Of course. The cast was there as an aid and preventive measure. Just don't start running marathons." He motioned to Loki. "Go ahead. Walk around the room and let me know if anything feels off."

Loki stretched his leg before letting both feet touch the floor. He took a tentative step forward but, aside from his foot turning cold from the tiles, there were no additional effects. He walked around and concluded that he was, in fact, properly healed.

The doctor smiled. "Well, that's it. You're a free man again, Ladislav. I hope we won't have to see you again anytime soon." The doctor then stood up to exit the room, leaving Loki alone with the nurse.

Loki started to put on his socks and fasten his shoes in the hopes that Sandy would understand the hint. Unfortunately for him, she had her own thoughts about the matter. She shuffled nervously as if wanting to ask something. "Yes? Do you want to say something?" he queried.

She played with her fingers as she tried to find the correct words. "I was wondering…" she took a deep breath, "if you would like to go on a date with me?"

He did not need to think twice about his answer. thoughts. "Sorry, I do not date your kind." I do not date humans.

"Oh…" Disappointment rang evident and clear in her voice. Then, to his surprise, she giggled. "Ooooooh."

What? Loki raised an eyebrow. This was an unexpected reaction.

"Dammit. I'm so sorry for misunderstanding. I made a complete ass of myself, didn't I?"

You still are.

"I'll be on my way then. Bye, Locke." She waved at him cheerfully and mumbled something about it always being the good ones. Loki had no clue as to what had just transpired or the meaning behind Sandy's words.

After his visit to the hospital, Loki had taken the time to gather new garments and the business suit Miss Potts said he needed. She had sent his measurements to the clothing store earlier and now he just had to find what he needed and write down the reference numbers of the selected items. The tailor was chatty. Loki ignored the man and his questions about what it must be like to work for the great "Iron Man." But after enough suffering, the incessant chatter finally came to an end. The day had passed more slowly than anticipated and the sun was already starting to set as colours filled the sky. The ride back took longer than necessary due to traffic being jammed everywhere, causing their route home to become obstructed.

As he sat in the car waiting to get back to Stark Tower, watching the colours of the sky change from blue to warmer oranges and magenta, Loki was still thinking about his situation with Sandy at the hospital. He had refused her offer, so her initial reaction of disappointment was expected. However, her reason for joy eluded him and he set his mind on finding out the answer. He could not ask Stark and he did not want to ask his driver. Potts was likely unavailable, plus she would probably say that he ought to know these things already.

It suddenly hit him as he was looking at the numbers programmed on his phone. Jarvis. The A.I. seemed impartial, rational, and willing to answer any question so he dialled the button for Jarvis.

"Sir, is there something with which you need assistance?"

"Yes, actually. I find myself in a situation I cannot comprehend."

There was a short silence before Jarvis' reply. "I often find myself in similar circumstances."

Loki started explaining what happened with Sandy at the hospital, starting with her advances and ending with her waving goodbye. He even gave Jarvis a detailed explanation of her reactions.

Jarvis' voice sounded more monotone than normal in his reply, as if the A.I. had to bite back a laugh. "She believed you to be gay, sir."

"What!"

"A gay man, sir."

Loki remained silent and because Jarvis could not see his reaction he answered for a third time. "Homosexual, as in attracted to the same gender."

The sound of laughter interrupted the silence and Jarvis was promptly cut off.

"What did you do this time, Tony?"

That was first thing Pepper asked when she saw him. No "Hey Tony, how are you?" or "Hey, how are you holding up with that assistant I forced on you?" Nice.

"Who says I've done anything noteworthy, besides saving some lives and the city? Because yes, that is something worth mentioning. Oh, and I looked gorgeous while doing it." He grinned broadly. "It's all part of my natural charm, Pep."

"You know that's not what I mean." She crossed her arms, giving Tony that look.

Tony shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "Then no, there's nothing worth mentioning."

"What about Locke?" A moment of short silence on Tony's side was all Pepper needed to know that something had gone down between them. Whatever it was had caused Tony to hesitate in his normally speedy answers. What had happened? Last week had been unusually silent. Neither of them had called to complain to her. Tony probably didn't say anything only because he knew he couldn't charm his way out of this predicament.

Tony gave her bright brown puppy eyes. "It hurts my feelings that you don't ask about my well-being first, Pep."

"Oh, cut it out!" Did Tony look slightly guilty or was her imagination running wild? She sighed, wondering what type of damage control would need to be done this time. "What happened?"

"Nothing, really. He's an okay assistant, I guess. Ask Steve. I'm glad. He'll tell you that." Damn bastard assistant had the guts to cancel my date.

Pepper raised an eyebrow in further questioning. "And?"

He could not tell her the full truth. He could tell her about the anger, the fight, and the words tossed between them, sure, but he couldn't tell her about the feelings he had seeing Locke's torn eyes. He simply shrugged again and shook his head dismissively. "We disagreed. Nothing special."

She sighed, knowing that it was a loss to try and get more out of him. She took a small stack of papers and handed them over. "Apologise," she said and then she released the documents in his hands, hoping that her intentions were clear.

He checked the papers briefly. She never made mistakes, but he felt like giving the papers a once over would clear his mind a bit. "Yes, Pep. And afterward we'll have hot, steamy, make-up sex like all the other normal couples," he said lightly, but it actually came out slightly bitter.

"Stop trying to cover things up with humour, Tony. I'm too used to that from you."

"I'm dead serious, Pep. See? I'm not laughing in the slightest." He held a stern face while telling her this. "This is my serious face. You've seen it before. I am very serious."

"As am I, Tony. Goodbye."

"Yeah…" He got into the car, trusting that Happy knew where to go.

His comment might have been funny, if there wasn't an inch of truth to some of the words. He still denied most of whatever he felt, but it kept creeping out slowly, looking around the corner, waiting for a moment of weakness. He remembered Locke's reactions a few days ago when he'd touched his forehead, trying to check for a fever. The man had flinched back angrily and looked confused. At that moment, those clear blue eyes had reminded him of someone else, a person he was adamant on purging from his mind, but the thoughts remained intact as both a blessing and a curse. Nevertheless, he'd found himself admiring those bright blue eyes in that moment. For the first time, a small shiver crept up his spine that was not caused by the man before him.

Loki.

Thoughts of a previous dream filled his mind with vivid flashes of imaginary moments spent in the hold of that man.

God…

"Fuck." He put down the documents besides him, taking a deep breath, and regained his composure. He needed his mind on the right track and off this highway to hell. He needed something to cause enough of a diversion and entertainment for him to sleep without being haunted – teased – by dreams and visions. He should call Nat. Their previous "date" had been cancelled, if you could call getting a laid a date, but he was sure he could convince her to reschedule for tonight. She'd be the perfect bedtime snack.

"Jarvis."

"I am currently unavailable, sir."

"What? Are you leaving me too? This world is so cruel." Tony rolled his eyes at the injustice of the day.

"I am resolving a matter for Mr. Ladislav."

"Locke? What the hell. Why would he need you? I thought that smart ass knew everything."

"No man knows all, sir." Jarvis emphasized the word man.

"Yeah, and I bet you do? I should have given you a lower IQ."

"It must be terribly frustrating to you that I always do such an excellent job. I further advise you not to listen in on other people's private conversations."

"Don't sass me, Jarvis. Now put the conversation on audio. I want to hear this." It better be good.

Locke's voice drifted out of the speakers. "I rejected her advances, so clearly her saddened reaction was expected. But…"

Wait a minute. Girls actually like this guy? Enough to ask him out? Dear God, this world is going mad. He continued listening to the conversation between his A.I. and his surly assistant.

"But I never expected her second reaction. She started giggling and I found myself wondering where I went wrong, since I know my reply was accurate."

God, who even talks like this nowadays?

"Whatever I said must have made her happy because as she waved farewell she said…"

This better be good. I could use a distraction.

"It's always the good ones." Locke's confusion was evident in his voice.

Wait, what? "Jarvis, did he really just say what I think he did? Oh god, he totally did!" Tony grinned. This guy was really dense.

It was probably a good thing Tony had never programmed Jarvis to actually sigh. "Sir, I think it would be unwise to mingle in this."

"Oh hell no. I could eat popcorn while listening to this."

Jarvis chose to ignore him further. Tony Stark never listened to him and he knew that he would later regret the given advice. So he gave Locke his answer, "She believed you to be gay, sir."

"What!" Tony heard Locke reply. He could picture the look of confusion on the man's face.

"A gay man, sir."

The laugh that started to form in Tony's throat suddenly subsided. Jarvis' voice now seemed to be aimed not only at Locke but to Tony as well.

"Homosexual, as in attracted to the same gender."

Tony should not have pictured Locke's puzzled expression. He should not have even pictured his face at all. He should have listened to Jarvis, the voice of reason that he always chose to ignore. But then, bright laughter came from the speakers and interrupted the silence. He didn't get the chance to curse Jarvis or himself. Locke's laugh was melodious and beautiful and Tony was immediately tempted to think of the how the lips producing that laughter would feel pressed against his own.

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