A few days later, Wanda takes Loki and Thor shopping. The places they go are fun, funky, and full of colour. But the entire trip is stunning to Loki, not just the clothing she has to choose from. The rivers of people on the streets, the height of the city itself, the noise of the traffic and of so many bodies traveling in one place, the smells of humanity, of food, of exhaust. Everything is part of an entirely overwhelming learning experience and she clutches Wanda's hand so as not to get swept off in the current. Thor keeps a protective hand at Loki's elbow, gently guiding, keeping her from stepping into the crosswalk or from being caught up in the rush of people coming and going from the subway entrances.
Their first store specialises in undergarments and though she is initially hesitant to talk about things such as breast size with a stranger, the shop owner puts her at ease as they try lightly cinching her waist, gently coaxing her to tell what she envisions. Loki is careful not to talk about shapeshifting. She brings out a selection of bras and what will fill them. When she finds out that this is Loki's first shopping trip as a woman, she is nearly as excited as they are. She leaves the shop with curves. When Loki steps out onto the street, it feels almost like a different body walks from the shop, a she. And it feels good.
Shopping with Wanda is fun. Each store is an oasis from the chaos outside and while Loki can hardly convince Thor to try anything on, Wanda is more than willing to play. There are so few of the silks she knew in Asgard, but she does find a few shirts and a few pairs of flattering black jeans. The long flowing gowns she adored back home are absent, however, and this saddens her. Wanda finds some long cotton sundresses and she is a bit happier. Then they go shoe shopping. Loki has never walked in heels before and she hates them, opting instead for sandals. Wanda finds her a pair of black ballet flats that she also deems acceptable.
On the way back to the tower, they ride the subway for a short distance, then call for their car. Loki is quiet and very tired. Thor leaves her at the apartment, saying a temporary goodbye. There is business to attend to in Asgard.
Wanda stays for a little while, talking through how to care for the new clothing and trying to keep the mood light, but it is not working and Loki is slipping back into a more morose mood, "Wanda, may I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"Why was it that everyone seemed so excited today? The shopkeeps behaved as though I had won some sort of prize, or perhaps defeated an enemy."
"What you are- transgender- is not common here. Those who do reveal themselves are often shunned by at least one person in their life, and sometimes by their entire family. The people you spoke to today see this transformation as an incredibly brave thing to do. The love and joy they showed you was meant to say that you are not alone and you can be happy."
"Why are they shunned?"
"Because some people think it is very wrong for someone to seek to be a different sex or gender."
"But why?"
"Sometimes they think it is the will of their god. Other times it is fear."
"So what I am is reviled here."
She takes Loki's hands, "Only by some people. Do not think this means you are anything less than beautiful."
"Why are you doing this for me?"
"I have told you."
"And I still do not understand it May I call you my friend?"
"Yes." She smiles and kisses her cheek, "You may. I have to go upstairs- Steve called while we were out and I ignored him as long as I could, but we have a meeting. I will see you later. Do not forget to wash off your makeup before you go to sleep."
Sleep, she knows, is not far off, so when Wanda leaves, she washes her face and slips naked into bed. It has been a good day, but an exhausting one.
Upstairs, the meeting is less than restful. Tony is pacing while Steve tries to get him to sit. Sam is trying to distract himself by playing chess with Vision, but it isn't working. James watches, wondering what is going to happen when Wanda joins them.
The door enters and Tony explodes, "What were you thinking?! You took him out into the city, you didn't let any of us know! Did you even think about what could have happened? What we could have had to deal with thanks to your little excursion? And for what? A few bras? Fake tits? Heels?"
She slaps him so hard he staggers sideways, "He is no prisoner! Thor asked you to house him here, not to jail him. And what did you expect to happen? Hmm? What? Did you expect he would do what you seem to whenever you are in a new city? Destroy it in the name of security? Reduce it to rubble for the safety of its residents?"
Steve steps between them, "Come on, guys. This isn't worth fighting about."
"Not worth fighting about? Whose side are you on, Cap? She could have gotten somebody killed!"
"Now, Tony, I don't think you're reacting rationally. Loki's not like Thor anymore. No super strength. No magic. Nothing. He's just a tall guy who really needs to see the sun a little more. Might have a vitamin D deficiency. Needs to put on a little weight. And if you do the math, he's only about 20. Nothing's going happen taking him shopping unless someone decides to attack Wanda and Thor. I doubt they'd have much trouble dispatching anything that comes their way."
"Are you kidding me? For all we know, this is an act. Maybe he's not so powerless after all."
Wanda walks away, "Have your meeting without me."
Sam intercepts her before she reaches the door, "You trust him?"
"He has given me no reason not to."
"He let aliens into New York City!" Tony protests.
"Excuse me, Sam." She turns to Tony, "And that is a reason not to trust him? Not to allow him another life? And what, I ask, should I think of you?"
"Wait, what?"
"You destroyed my country trying to create world peace!"
"Whoa, that was Ultron-"
"And who created Ultron? Tell me, Mr Stark, should I trust you? You who created that monster? And what of me? Do you consider what I have been as a creature of HYDRA to make me unworthy of trust?"
The room is silent.
"I trust you. And Loki." Vision's voice breaks the tension.
James shrugs, "Thor trusts him. I think he'd know if Loki wasn't on the level with us."
"If he's just a regular guy, what's the harm in it?" Sam asks.
"Yeah, what's the harm in the crazy cross-dressing brother of a god going shopping in New York? How could that go wrong at all?" Tony throws up his hands.
Wanda glares, "Find your heart, Tony. He is a hurt young man with no one to turn to. Were he anyone else you would not be so unkind."
"Yeah, but he's not somebody else. That's kind of the problem."
"You know nothing of him."
"And you do?"
"Yes. I at least know his favourite colour and the length dress he favours."
"See, there we are with the cross-dressing again."
"He is transgender. When you see him as a woman, he is a she. Not a cross-dresser, but a woman. And I expect you will mind that. We are done here." She leaves.
Steve looks from face to face, "That went well."