Seventy Eight
As with every Christmas, Pepper had gone all out for decorations. Trees and garland everywhere. She went as far as hanging stockings for everyone. She greeted us with hugs and glasses of Chardonnay.
It was good to see everyone, despite the looks I was getting from a few of the guys. Steve wouldn't even look in our direction. I wrapped my arm around Loki tighter.
"Are you ok?" Loki whispered to me.
"Yeah, I just need a drink." I made my way to the bar to pour myself something stronger, leaving Loki to talk to Bruce and Natasha. Rhodey cautiously approached, pouring a drink for himself.
"Tony, I never would have thought." He started.
"What? Me with a guy?"
"No, I could have seen that. Just you settling down, that I can't see."
"What do you mean? I was with Pepper longer." I protested.
"You with a kid." He explained, leaning against the bar.
"Oh. You should see Loki with kids." I leaned next to him, smiling back at my lover. "He is a wonder with children." I found myself sighing. Rhodey rolled his eyes and walked off.
I made my rounds, trying to smooth things over with the rest of my team. Things seemed okay with most of everyone. The year that we were missing off the planet seemed to allow everyone to calm down and settle.
"So, I've always wanted a gay friend to go shopping with." Clint handed me another drink.
"You're funny, you're real funny Clint."
"What am I supposed to call you?"
"You can call me Tony, same as always. I'm pretty sure you've met my boyfriend, the God of mischief." I called Loki over to me with a gesture. "He had you brainwashed for a few weeks a while back? Remember?"
"Yeah, I remember." Clint grimaced at the thought.
"Are you okay, love?" Loki asked concerned I had brought him over.
"I'm fine, love bug." I leaned in to kiss Loki. Clint fake vomited and walked off. "Just reminding our teammates of their place. How are you doing?"
"Encountering about the same issues as you. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. I've gotten more dirty looks since we've arrived." Loki sighed.
"What they think is not what I think. And I think you're beautiful tonight." I said straightening his tie. I had a tailored Armani suit made for Loki, complete with a tie to match his gorgeous green eyes. He smiled at the gesture.
"Well, what are we going to do?"
"Let's just get through tonight. Then we can figure out what to do." I kissed him again, assuring him it would be okay. I intertwined fingers with him, dragging us back to the party.
I tried to make decent conversation, but it seemed the conversation kept coming back to our relationship. Loki didn't seem to mind talking about it with the few people who accepted us from the start. But as some of the others made comments about us, I saw the anger grow behind his eyes.
"I don't see how their relationship works. It's unnatural. It's not the way God intended." Steve said rather loudly. I wanted to tell him off, but Loki was already marching his way to Steve. I followed, holding my head in my hands.
"I am a God and if say this works, it works. I also say if you don't exist, you will cease to exist." Loki approached him holding an energy ball of green flame.
"Stark! Control your lapdog!"
"Loki, as much as I'd love to see you incinerate him." I paused. "You know, I can't find a reason not too."
"Sounds like you Stark, have someone fight your battles for you." Steve yelled
"At least I didn't need a super serum to fight my own battles." I yelled back, clasping my hand over the ball of green fire, extinguishing it between our hands. It would have hurt more if I wasn't so angry.
"This is why your father was a better man."
"My father was an abusive drunk, who found an excuse to beat me anytime I didn't live up to your standards. Better man, my ass."
"Tony, let's go home." Loki tried to pull me away.
"Your father fought for what was right and good in people. He'd be disappointed in your sleeping with the enemy." Steve poked me right below my Arc Reactor to make his point. I swung, hitting Steve square in the jaw. I expected a broken hand from hitting the super solider, not him hitting the floor. He stood rubbing his jaw, and pulled back to swing.
"Friends," Thor stepped in between us. "Let us not fight, this is a joyous time. Here, a drink to celebrate my brother's new found happiness." He and Jane passed out drinks for a toast.
"This isn't done yet." I said, glaring at Steve.
"A toast!" Thor boomed. "To Loki and and Tony."
Most of our group raised their glasses in the toast. It wasn't long after, I watched Jane escort a very tipsy Loki off to our suite, my head fuzzy as Thor kept talking to me, preventing my escape upstairs with my love. As soon as Loki was out of sight, my world fell black.