Seventy Seven

The weeks before Christmas we're uneventful. As long as trying to explain that holiday to someone who isn't of this world, is called uneventful. It was a long explanation that by the end, even I was confused. I ended up summing it up as a time to be with family and friends.

Speaking of friends, Pepper had invited us back to New York for a Christmas party. I couldn't find the right time to tell Loki. I didn't know if he wanted to go back and deal with his not brother any more. I certainly didn't want to deal with Captain Spangles and his issues with my choices in life. But, I've dealt with worse rejects in my life, I could deal with him too.

Two nights before the party, I still hadn't told Loki. I had woken up early, trying to play the words in my head. I made coffee and wandered out into the garage. I tinkered around with the 1967 Ford Mustang, toying with the carburetor. I looked at the box that held the head gasket I'd been neglecting to put on.

I set my coffee down and set to work tearing apart the engine. I'd bought the car as a project before I'd met Loki. It was supposed to be something to keep my mind off Pepper. Loki does a pretty good job of keeping my mind occupied. But the car was in rough shape, needing lots of work.

"Tony? You out here?" Loki called disturbing my train of thought.

"Yeah." I called back, but not leaving the car. I just had the gasket on but had lost my ratchet. Loki came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my naked torso. His fingers easily finding the reactor, caressing it.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Losing my mind. I just had that confounded tool, where did it go?" I turned in his arms to give him a kiss.

"Ack! What is all over you?" He grimaced and let go. I looked at my hands that were covered in grease and dirt.

"What? This? It's engine grease." I showed him my hands.

"It's all over your face too." Loki started backing up.

"What's wrong, babe? Don't want it on you?" I stepped forward once, reaching out to him.

"No, don't put that on me." Loki took off running through the house, I was hot on his tail. I tackled him to the floor, smearing grease on his face. I kissed him over and over, spreading the engine grease into his hair.

"I love you." I said looking into his deep green eyes.

"I love you too." He said relaxing on the floor.

"Lo?"

"Hm?"

"Pepper's invited us to a party in New York. I know you're not to keen on the idea of seeing Thor, but I was hoping you'd go. You know, for me."

"I don't know. Thor isn't ready to accept this and neither has the solider."

"I know, I'm not ready to deal with them, either. But there's Pepper and Bruce and Nat. They all want to see us. They've all been getting the tower ready for the holidays. Please?" I begged, smearing more grease on his face.

"I'll go if you quit putting that on me." He conceded. I kissed him deeply, making sure I got more grease on his face. "When do we need to be there?"

"Tomorrow. Let's get in the shower and get this off you." I said running my thumb over his grease streaked chin. I think I actually copied his Jotun markings onto his porcelain Aesir skin.

After our shower, I'd set to packing for us. I hadn't noticed how much of the closet space had become Loki's clothes. There was much I hadn't been noticing, like how much longer his hair was since we'd first met.

"What's this box?" Loki asked. I blushed as he had caught me staring.

"It's a gift, for you."

"For me?" He questioningly looked at me.

"It's a holiday thing. I wanted to give it to you before we left." I smiled. "Open it."

Loki sat down with the box, meticulously picking away at the paper. I sat next to him, my hand on his back. I suddenly had the desire to run my fingers through his hair.

"You got me a phone?" He said almost disappointed. I grabbed the brush and readjusted to wrap my legs around his waist.

"Yes, it's so if we're ever apart I can call you and hear your voice." I said as I started brushing his hair. "I usually buy women jewelry, I didn't know what to get you. I just knew I never want to be apart from you again."

"I didn't get you anything. I didn't know."

"It's okay. I'm allowed to spoil you." I buried my face into his soft hair." Let's get packing."

Loki sat on the bed, fiddling with the phone. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, and didn't say anything to me. I sighed. I needed to fix this.