They Say I'm So Lucky
Tony’s surprise ended up being a museum. Not what Loki was expecting in the slightest, but they didn’t complain. Admittedly it was a ‘Mob Museum’, they didn’t quite know what that meant, but they weren’t surprised to see a bunch of people there. It was a photo opportunity more than anything.
The moment they got there a bunch of people started asking for photos and autographs. Loki was surprised by how many people spoke to them and asked them for photos, but they didn’t let it show. They just chatted to as many people as they could.
There were moments where they regretted coming out. They’d been blacklisted by most designers and they’d been dropped by their management and agent. It all seemed so hopeless, but when there were people telling them how much it meant to them to see someone with some influence being unapologetically queer, it made them feel like they’d done something good. Like they’d lost everything for a reason. A good reason. Maybe they could help pave the way for the people who would come after them.
They spoke to a group of young queer people for a while. How they found it to be queer without being in the public eye, and to be a little younger than they were too. It was fascinating. Tony joined the conversation a little later and related better to them considering they were all American and Loki was English. They had a hugely different upbringing, especially when it came to queer culture.
Once the group dispersed Tony led them up the stairs where it was allegedly quieter. They followed him, not once letting go of his hand. They would insist that it was because there were people around, but part of them knew that it was grounding. Amongst all the people with their phones pointed at them, there was something grounding about Tony’s touch.
“I still think you’re an entitled bitch,” Tony said, “but it was sort of cool seeing how those people talked about you being openly queer.”
They raised a brow. “Aren’t you?”
He shrugged. “Yeah, but I’m openly bi. No one ever takes notice when I’m with men because I still get with women. They treat bi people like they don’t exist. I don’t know what they’re going to say about us. Anyway- sexuality is one thing. Gender is another.”
“I was sort of out before I came out publicly. Sexuality wise, at least,” they said. “People knew that I was bi. People in the industry, mainly. Not sure how. I was probably on something in a party and did something. But- no one really gave a shit.”
He raised a brow. “So why’d you come out?”
“I was tired of hiding.” They shrugged. “And I thought I had nothing to lose. And I was high.”
“Loki, bring any drugs near me and I’ll kill you.”
“I’m clean,” they replied quickly. “I’m trying to get my shit together.”
Tony chuckled. “That makes two of us.”
“But yeah. I just- I was tired of hiding. I’d always been quite androgynous, but I always used he/him pronouns, which I hated. So when I was at a huge low I just- posted on Instagram. Did a shoot in a dress. Got blacklisted. Lost my manager and agent. I just got lucky that Mobius didn’t give a shit and gave me a chance.”
Tony was quiet for a moment. “Mobius seems nice.”
“He’s really nice,” they replied. “Really kind. He got in touch with me not long after I was dropped. Honestly- he chased after me for ages but I wasn’t going to fucking do it. I mean- everyone turned their backs on me. So I was going to quit. Just- go. But he managed to catch me in a cafe and we talked- and I agreed to let him sign me.”
“You agreed?” He chuckled. “So kind of you.”
They smiled. “Yeah. Really kind of me. Think he’s regretted it every day since.”
“I would too.” He was quiet for a moment. “We did whatever we wanted to for ages, but then Fury saw us at a local bar and wanted to sign us, then instantly wanted to get us a record label. I’ve heard too many horror stories about labels. Then I fucking hated fame and bought into the rockstar image and I think I’ve made him regret signing us ever since.”
They snorted. “Maybe this is their revenge.”
“Yeah. Maybe. No, not maybe- it definitely is.” He chuckled. “Maybe we should stop being a problem for our managers.”
“Like that’ll ever happen,” they replied with a grin. “I’m sure they’ll get us back eventually.”
“Maybe. Like this isn’t enough.” He shook his head. “We need to head off if you’re going to catch your flight.”
They checked the time on their phone. “Oh- yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah.”
Loki didn’t even notice the hours pass. Tony had actually been some decent company. They’d found some common ground and apparently that was safe territory for them to get along on. They followed Tony out to the street where a car was waiting on them. They both got in and let the radio fill the silence. They didn’t want to risk talking in case it ended in another argument. They preferred to leave it on a positive note.
The car dropped Tony off at the hotel and that let Loki relax on the way to the airport. The drive was longer than they expected but they still got there in time. The plane was empty as well, and they could only count their blessings. They read for the majority of the plane ride, and the other they spent going through social media, which obviously turned out to be a mistake.
Tony Stark’s been tamed? Inside the relationship between rockstar Tony Stark and model Loki Laufeyson
Is this a pity relationship? Grammy-nominated Tony Stark has been seen holding hands with washed up model Loki Laufeyson
Washed up? Ouch.
Alcoholic Tony Stark and meth-head Loki Laufeyson are a match made in heaven
Did Tony Stark help Loki Laufeyson get a fashion week gig?
How in the fuck did people know about that already? The announcement wasn’t meant to go out for another few days. How could people find out? And why did people credit Tony for their career achievements?
The first place they headed after getting off the plane was their AirBnB. They usually got a hotel, but they were due to be in LA for a couple weeks before heading home. At least they could spend a couple of weeks at home before they had to leave for Milan.
Loki unpacked their bags and tidied themself up before they headed out into the streets of LA. Part of them was excited for their coffee meeting with Verity to find out what her texts were about. If she didn’t have answers then quite frankly they would just walk out. She couldn’t just tease them like that.
The cafe wasn’t too far, but it was a peaceful walk. They took a deep breath before they walked in, toying with the gold ring on their finger as they looked around for Verity. She was sitting in a booth far away from everyone else. They slid in opposite her with a small smile.
“Hey.”
“Hey, stranger,” she said with a grin. “How’re you?”
They raised a brow. “I’ve just had to skip a week with my partner to spend a few days with my fake partner, so it’s going as well as you’d expect.”
She smiled sadly. “I’m sorry. But this is going to do the two of you good. But- I know you got the Milan gig- how fucking great is that?”
They grinned. “That’s pretty fucking great. What’s going on with your ominous questions?”
“Well, Mobius came for my job so I need to one up him.” She pulled a file out of her bag and slid it across the table to Loki. “They had someone drop out last minute and the dress was already made. You’re the only person free that can fit into it.”
Loki opened the file and their eyes widened. Dior. Paris Fashion Week. A black lace bralette and a black lace skirt. There was something underneath it - a hoop skirt, potentially, but only to the mid-thigh. Then the slit at the front of the fabric opened. With knee high fishnets and black combat boots. It was perfect. It was everything they wanted to do.
“They just really like the idea of a septum piercing. Not sure why.” She shrugged. “It’s yours if you want it, but fashion week starts Monday and the latest they can push your fitting is Friday.”
They raised a brow. “Today’s Wednesday.”
“Yeah. You up for it?” She asked.
They looked down at the file with a grin. “Yeah. Absolutely.”