Chapter 34
“You had ONE JOB!” Tony yells over the phone. “One!”
“Technically,” Loki says, “you told me not to go viral again. You said nothing about approaching a brainwashed supersoldier and swaying him to the side of good through the power of gay love.”
To Loki’s side, Barnes lets out a surprised laugh.
“I didn’t think I’d have to tell you not to do that! Why would you need specific instructions about that!”
Loki shrugs. “I don’t know. We live in strange times.”
“Sorry, Mr. Stark.” Peter says from behind Loki, who moves over so Peter can join her in huddling over the phone. They’re still in the Captain America exhibit, having stayed when their classmates went on ahead.
“Where were you during this, Peter?” Tony asks carefully. Loki is 95% sure he is calculating how likely it is that Aunt May is going to kill him.
“Oh, I was over on the bench,” Peter says. “Listening to the lecture.”
Tony sighs over the phone. “I’ll be there with a Quinjet in an hour. I’m assuming Barnes is turning himself in, due to the lack of screaming and murder on your end?”
“I will only turn myself in to Steve. No one else.” Bucky says, flesh hand clenched by his side.
“You drive a hard bargain for a wanted assassin,” Tony says.
“I am fully aware that HYDRA infiltrated SHIELD a couple years ago. I repeat: I will only turn myself in if Steve is present.”
Loki has no doubt that Barnes will be gone in the wind if his request is denied. Loki is about to step in when Tony sighs.
“That can be arranged. Peter, Elle, I know you have a school thing, but can one of you stay with Barnes until we get there?”
“I can,” Loki says quickly. “Actually, do you think I could come back with you? We’re supposed to fly home tonight anyway.”
“Why?” Tony asks. Loki can visualize his eyes narrowing in thought. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah.” Loki’s voice lowers. “It’s just that I’ve been feeling more boy-adjacent today and I think I might claw off my skin if I have to present as female for much longer.”
“Shit,” Tony says eloquently. “Yeah, I’ll call your teacher in a moment. Peter, can you make sure Loki’s stuff gets back to New York?”
“Of course,” Peter says.
The man who was once James Bucky Barnes tucks his notebook full of memories into his back pocket. He and Loki wait, surrounded by a shine to a time long gone, and get ready to face the future.