Chapter 8
Tony and Loki decided they were going to steep some tea as they further discussed topics. They didn't have a lot in common but, oh, they got along well when they weren't trying to kill one another.
Tony's story of one of the many times he caught himself on fire was haulted when Steve walked in and (as politely as possible) immediately asked who Loki was. Loki shrugged and said "You've seen me around." leaving the captain thoroughly confused because he's pretty sure he has not seen her around before but she is hauntingly familiar; he only figured out her true identity when Thor came in and bellowed out a "Sister! Come and play the playstation 4 with me! We shall defeat Clint." Which lead to a 2 vs 2 team of the two siblings and the two shield agents, leaving Tony and Steve to spectate. Bruce was elsewhere, likely meditating or in the lab.
Before joining them, Loki quickly changed back to male him. Steve seeing him was a fluke.
He had never played a gaming console before but he quickly got the hang of it and annihilated Natasha and Clint. When he voiced this he got even more outrage than when he initially won. For kicks, the next round after killing their team once more he threw a flash grenade at Thor then pushed him off of the waterfall letting the game show the cutscene of his soldier falling, so close to grasping onto the edge but not enough before he plummeted to his death causing Loki to cackle as Thor frustratingly began to tell Loki it is not kind to toss his own brother and teammate off of a cliff. Loki, of course, did it again. And again. Until they took the controller from him and gave it to Steve instead.
Steve played for a bit before he nearly crushed the controller in a fit of anger so he in turn gave it to Tony.
"How come you guys get to play all rounds but Loki, Steve, and I have to share a controller?"
"Because."
"Gee, thanks, Clint. That was so helpful. Scoot over. You've played long enough."
Natasha set her controller down and got up. "No, it's okay. I have a headache anyway. You guys can play. I'll be in my room."
Loki grinned and grabbed the controller. He and Tony exchanged looks before silently agreeing to form an alliance despite them being on different teams.
Bruce ran in the room when he heard screaming and yelling and a few claps of thunder and the sound of something smashing.
He walked in to see a controller through the tv screen, a coffee table flipped, Loki pinned to a wall, and Tony screaming about his tv.
Bruce shook his head and left.
It was later at dinner that they all gathered around the dining room table than Thor announced he thought it was time for his brother to return to Asgard.
Loki scoffed, "Hel no, brother. It is much too fun here." He took a bite off of his fork before setting it back down. "It was your idea after all."
Half of the party groaned, the other half grinned.
Tony showed Loki where, now, she could stay. Tony wasn't sure of the extent that Loki's genderfluidty went. Whether she always felt like all the genders or her gender just constantly switched, but whenever they're alone Loki is in the appearance of a woman.
Tony told the goddess that if she needed anything she could probably find him in the lab but she could just ask J.A.R.V.I.S. and he'd help her either find Tony or with whatever else she needed.
Loki laid a hand on his shoulder to show her thanks before her outfit changed into an elegant nightgown and she began walking to the bed. Tony took this as a cue to leave.
Loki sighed in content. She had never felt so welcomed or safe.
Tony was about to begin tinkering away in his lab when he realized something. He was actually tired, and he felt like he could sleep.
He went up to his room and dressed in his pajamas. He laid his head down on his pillows before his eyelids fluttered shut, and for the first time in a long time he truly slept.
It was almost magical.