Take a Bite of the Fruit
“You know, when you said you ran, I thought you meant casually.”
Loki raised a brow as they slowed to a stop. They’d been running for half an hour and weren’t even half way through. Steve said he liked an intense run in the morning, and Loki definitely needed it. They weren’t expecting Steve to chicken out so soon. Not when the sun hadn’t even risen.
“What? Tired already?” They asked with a teasing grin.
Steve rolled his eyes as he came to a stop next to Loki. “No- just- I wasn’t expecting you to run this much.”
“I have an appearance to keep,” they replied. “We can go the shortcut if you want?”
He shook his head. “No- no. Let’s keep going.”
Loki set off again and they heard Steve follow not too far behind. They hadn’t expected Steve to chicken out so soon, but the thought of it was quite funny to them. They weren’t the best at running, but they knew that their eating didn’t help that. They needed to get back on track with their diet and stop eating all the shit they’d been eating. They were slipping, but it was fine. They’d get back on track.
They ran for another hour before they both decided it was time to call it quits. Loki went back to the hotel room to find Tony still fast asleep in bed. They went in the shower, and by the time they came out Tony was up and on his phone. That shouldn’t have been a surprise, considering he had an hour before he had to leave.
“Am I getting up to this beautiful view every morning?” Tony asked.
Loki almost threw a cushion at him. “I’d ask the same, but you look like shit.”
He gasped. “That was just mean!”
They chuckled as they put some clothes on. “You might have a really tired Steve today.”
“How long did you run for?” He asked.
“An hour and a half,” they replied. “I kept asking if he wanted to stop but he’s really stubborn.”
He chuckled. “He hates being shown up when it comes to fitness. He went to the gym with Nat once. Never again.”
“Yeah, that adds up.” They thought for a moment. “Any plans for tonight?”
He shook his head. “Nothing after rehearsals. Why?”
“I was thinking of going to the V&A, if you want to join?” Fandral had never taken them up on the offer, but maybe Tony would. Probably not, but maybe.
He raised a brow. “What’s that?”
“It’s a fashion museum,” they replied. “Frigga used to take me there when I’d just gotten into modelling. She knew I didn’t want to do it, so she tried to make it fun.”
He was quiet for a moment. “I was going to ask if you wanted a Red White and Royal Blue moment, but maybe that’s not appropriate if your mother took you.”
They looked at Tony. “What’s that?”
His eyes widened. “What’s that?” He repeated. “You’ve never seen or read Red White and Royal Blue?”
They shook their head. “Is it good?”
“Loki, if you don’t do anything else today, you’re at least watching the fucking movie.” They’d never seen Tony move as fast as he did to get to his bag. He rummaged a bit before he pulled out a pastel blue book. “And you should absolutely read this. It’s beautiful.”
They took the book and looked over it. It didn’t look like something they’d normally read - they hated romances with a burning passion, so they avoided them like the plague. Then again, if Tony was recommending it then maybe it was okay.
“I’ll start it today,” they said as they flicked through the book. It was well loved, they could tell from the battered nature of the pages and how cracked the spine was.
“You’ve always struck me as a book nerd,” Tony said.
They shrugged. “I like horrors and fantasies.”
“You’ve never read a romance?” He asked.
They shook their head. “Not my kind of thing.”
“You’ll love that, trust me.” He started to get ready. “I finish at six tonight- should I come back here or meet you somewhere?”
“Whatever works best for you.” They shrugged. “I’ve got a meeting at twelve but nothing after that.”
He raised a brow. “A fun meeting?”
They shook their head. “Business. Money and stuff. Really dull.”
“You have to do that for modelling?” He asked.
“No, I’ve got a side business,” they replied. “I run a charity to support queer youth. We’ve just finished a partnership with another brand so we’re evaluating that.”
There was a pause. “Sometimes you come out with shit and I really have to reevaluate my entire life.”
They chuckled. “How come?”
“You run a fucking charity. Like- there’s nothing about that online and you make yourself seem like such an uncaring prick.” He finally looked at them. “You’re a fucking enigma. How about we do a partnership for tour?”
They raised a brow. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know. Like- we have donation shit and everything, could even do a giveaway at every show? People have to donate so much and they could have the chance to win some prizes?” He thought for a moment. “I don’t know how these things work.”
They raised a brow. “That could work.”
“So we’ve got a week to plan.” Tony thought for a moment. “I’ll speak with Fury, see how fast he can set this shit in motion. Anything you need from me?”
They shook their head. “I’ll bring it up in the meeting today and the business team will probably prod Fury about it.”
Tony smiled a little. “I have a really good feeling about this tour.”
——————————————
Tony hadn’t prepared them to cry over Red White and Royal Blue. They cried reading the book, and they cried watching the movie. They’d then ordered all of the authors books. God, it was beautiful. They’d never read anything like it. It was the kind of book they wished was around when they were younger and trying to find themself.
When they met outside the South Kensington tube station, Loki didn’t mention the book. Tony didn’t ask. Instead, Tony rambled on about rehearsals, how it felt like they’d never be ready for tour and all the insecurities that came with being a performer. Loki just walked by his side and reassured him that he was a fantastic performer and that he’d be fine, even if it felt like it would take a while to get there. Loki didn’t doubt that. Tony was one of the best performers they’d ever seen, even if he didn’t feel that way.
The museum had closed by the time they got there, but Loki had called ahead and made a generous donation for them to stay open a little longer for them. Tony didn’t seem too fascinated by the exhibits, but when they got to the main hall he seemed to perk up.
“They filmed a bit of Red White and Royal Blue in here,” he said as he looked around. “When that movie came out, me and Pepper had just split and I just- I thought that love didn’t exist, y’know? And I thought that everything was pointless- but Nat knew that I loved the book so she ordered some burgers and we sat and watched the movie. I want to do something like that for someone. Make something like that. I want to make music that'll help someone. Like- David Bowie. History remembers him as someone who was so carefree and so- important.”
“History, huh?” They grinned as they put Can’t Help Falling in Love on on their phone. They set their phone down on one of the information blocks. “Bet we could make some.”
Loki’s heart fluttered at the grin that made its way onto Tony’s face. They wrapped their arms around his shoulders, and in return he wrapped his arms around their shoulder. They’d never danced with anyone before. Not properly. They’d wanted to, but they had no one to dance with. Sure, there was Fandral, but he wouldn’t do it in case anyone was watching. Even in their homes. He was embarrassed by them and how could they blame them? They couldn’t imagine how it felt for Tony to be forced to be seen with them. He must’ve hated it.
“You watched it then?” He asked.
They nodded. “And read it. It’s so fucking beautiful.”
“So now you’re a romance fan?” He grinned.
They shook their head. “I still hate romances. Why would I read about something so outlandish?”
“You said you liked fantasy books,” he said. “They’re quite outlandish.”
“Yeah, but odds are I’ll meet a vampire before I ever have anything like something in a romance book,” they replied. “You’re only here because you have to be.”
He raised a brow. “We have nothing planned for this week, other than being seen in the same area as each other. I’m here because I genuinely like you, Loki. Not because I have to be. Anyway- you have something like that with Fandral.”
They chuckled. “We’ve been together for two years. Why do you think we never came out?”
His face fell. “That’s not your fault. He’s just an egotistical prick- and I know I said I wouldn’t say anything bad about him again, but- you deserve better, Loki. So much better.” He thought for a moment. “When I was with Pepper, I thought I was happy. I mean- how couldn’t I be? I had a fantastic girlfriend and a good career. But we’d fight all the time. The band kept trying to tell me that it wasn’t healthy, but I never listened. When we broke up, I felt like shit. Like- like nothing was worth it anymore. I think that’s when we met. I mean- you saw how much of a prick I was. But then I realised that they were right. It wasn’t a healthy relationship and I forced myself to get better, because I deserve to be happy. And so do you.”
They raised a brow. “You actually remember us meeting now?”
He shook his head. “No memory of it, but Steve remembers. Do I need to apologise for calling you names or did I do that behind your back?”
They chuckled. “You did it behind my back but I’d love to hear what you said.”
He snorted. “I was an absolute prick and we can leave it there. I do feel awful about it though. I shouldn’t have used your reputation to insult you, and I’m really sorry that I did.”
They shook their head. “Don’t worry about it. I held a really petty grudge and I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t petty. I used your reputation against you not knowing what that meant. I mean- I still don’t, but- I’m not stupid. I realise now how hurtful that was and I’m really fucking sorry.” He frowned. “I misjudged you a lot. And I’m sorry.”
They shrugged. “Tony, it’s completely fine. You really don’t have to worry about it.”
“And I was a prick when we started this,” he said.
They raised a brow. “So was I. Honestly I still am half the time. Your point is?”
He groaned. “You make apologising really fucking hard.”
“Because you have nothing to apologise for,” they replied. “Yeah, you were a dick back then, but you didn’t know. And yeah, you were a dick when we started this, but so was I, and I’ve been worse. You’re okay, Tony. I’ve forgiven you for any vaguely negative thing you’ve done.”
He was quiet for a moment. “I’ve forgiven you too, if that helps.”
They smiled a little. “It does. Thank you.”
He thought for a moment. “Considering we’re not a real couple, this is the most romantic thing I’ve ever done.”
They chuckled. “Yeah. Same.”
“You and Fandral never done anything romantic?” He asked.
They shook their head. “He wouldn’t be caught dead with me. Left our dates really- lacking. I mean- we’ll do movie nights, or go clubbing together, but that’s it.”
He frowned. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
They shrugged. “It’s fine. Shit happens. We’re still doing okay, even if we can’t do anything in public.”
“If we were actually dating, I’d show you off so much. I mean- how could I not? You’re literally a fucking model.” He grinned. “Oh! I forgot to ask- do you mind if the band know you wrote that song?”
They raised a brow. “You wrote it just as much as I did.”
“It’s your song, I just made it into an Avengers song,” he replied. “If you have any more songs you’ve written I’ll absolutely take them.”
They chuckled. “Maybe I’ll try to find one.”
“Or write a new one. I’ll take that too,” he replied. “We’re going to spend enough time together anyway.”
They smiled. “Maybe, but no promises.”
He groaned. “I’ll make a songwriter out of you yet, Lokes. Maybe I’ll even get you up on stage sometime.”
“Absolutely fucking not.”
He grinned. “I’m taking that as a challenge.”
“I’m not getting up on stage with you.”
“We’ll see about that.”