Chapter 15
“I really am sorry,” Tony says for what seems like the hundredth time. “I saw that Peter was hurt and I acted rashly. I really didn’t mean anything by it.”
“You might not have meant anything,” Loki snaps. “But you made it very clear where I stand.”
“Look, I don’t actually think that you’d hurt Peter.”
Loki shakes his head. “I think you did.”
Tony isn’t great at people, he never has been. But one thing he’s learned is if you sweeten the deal enough, people will let you get away with almost anything.
“Have I shown you the pool?” Tony asks. “We have a pool at the Tower. You and Peter could go swimming, if you want.”
“Oh, I’m allowed outside now?” Loki asks. Mother would tell him that holding grudges is unbecoming — but Loki is hurt. There was a moment yesterday when Loki genuinely thought Peter was going to die. (In the back of his mind, Loki considers the possibility that Peter is more than an intern. He has seen Midgardians do things they shouldn’t be capable of — perhaps Peter is one of them. Enhanced, Rogers had called it.)
Tony winces. “So, should I call Peter?”
“Fine,” Loki snaps. He wants to stay angry, to scream and rage at Tony. But he’d rather see Peter than be petty. (Though he quite enjoys being petty.)
Loki and Peter stand by the edge of the pool, sunlight reflecting off the perfectly blue water.
“You can swim, right?” Peter asks.
“Of course I can swim,” Loki says. “Why wouldn’t I —”
Loki isn’t able to finish his sentence because, thanks to Peter pushing him in, he is busy spluttering. He treads water, the t-shirt and shorts clinging to his skin.
“Stand back!” Peter says. Obligingly, Loki swims a little bit away.
Peter jumps in. When he comes up for air, Loki pushes as much water towards him as he can. Peter chokes and laughs and splashes Loki back. Revenge is sweet.
Look, Loki isn’t great about personal space. Having grown up with Thor and being extremely inquisitive, when Loki sees something interesting, he crowds it. Except in this case, it is Peter.
“What are those scars?” Loki stares at the mostly-faded scars on Peter’s torso. “Were you hurt in battle? Because these are very strange battle scars.”
“No,” Peter blushes. “It’s private.”
“Oh.” Loki leans back. “I apologize.”
Loki and Peter stand in the shallow water for a minute, neither of them speaking. Loki is about to apologize again when —
Peter sighs. “They’re from a surgery.”
“A surgery?” Loki sounds puzzled. “What caused such a strange injury?”
“Top surgery.” Peter sighs. “When I was younger, everyone thought I was a girl. But I’m a boy. So I had surgery so my body would match who I actually am.”
Loki stares at him. “That’s allowed?” He whispers.
Peter grits his teeth. “Just because your culture is homophobic does not mean that I shouldn’t be allowed to…”
Loki shakes his head. “No, this is wonderful.”
Peter looks up. Loki is smiling wider than Peter has ever seen him… her? Loki’s hair is a little bit longer, face a little softer. (Thankfully, she was wearing a t-shirt and swim shorts to begin with, claiming that she didn’t want sunburn.)
“How did you do that?” Peter asks, half awed and half jealous.
“I’m well versed in shifting my form,” Loki says. “But, this isn’t really the same. Usually, when I shift, I’m taking on a new skin. One that is obviously not mine. But I’ve always been able to shift between girl and boy without actually using any seidr.” She shrugs. “It’s just how I am.”
“Underoos, are you staying for dinner?” Tony asks.
“Yeah,” Peter says, toweling off. “I just have to call Aunt May to let her know.”
Loki wanders over. “Did I burn?” She asks Peter.
He looks at her. “You’re a little pink. I don’t think you burned though.”
Loki nods.
Tony squints at her. “That’s new.”
“Is there something you would like to say, Stark?” Loki asks, a challenge in her voice.
Tony shakes his head. “Nope. Not at all.” He walks away, calling behind him. “Dinner’s in 30!”
The Asset took the little red book with the codes that undid his mind with him, when he left. Days and states away, he watches it burn.