Loki wasn't surprised it had ended this way. Almost every fling Loki had ever had, both on Asgard and on Midgard, had ended like this. In the bed of a virtual stranger staring at the walls.
He didn't think he had scarcely the amount of interest in pursuing people as he used to. He supposed that was all part and parcel of being over a millennia old and having seen more of the universe than any human or Asgardian.
"Were you going to wake me up?" came a tired voice from beside him. "Or were you just going to leave without saying goodbye?"
"I'm not one for goodbyes," Loki said shortly. "It wastes time."
"You're not one for commitment either, are you?"
"Did you expect any more?" Loki asked, actually curious.
"No," Slade replied. "I'd already pegged you as a no commitment guy. I'm not really one for commitment either."
"That's a lie," Loki commented.
"Okay, it is a lie. What man doesn't want the chance to be in a relationship with a god?"
Loki shrugged.
"You make a valid point."
He got out of bed and dressed. He took his time doing so, aware Slade was watching.
"So, will I see you again?" the man asked.
Loki thought for a moment.
"Perhaps if you're good," he replied.
"Oh, I can get behind that."
"Goodbye, Mr Slade."
"Goodbye, Prince Loki."
*
When Loki returned to the tower, only Steve and Bucky were there. He really hoped he hadn't walked in on them having that conversation, but it would certainly explain Bucky's blush and Steve's reddening face.
"How was the rest of the party?" Steve asked immediately, looking for a way out of his conversation. "I left early. Pepper and Tony were schmoozing, I believe the term is. Gathering business contacts. Rhodey found a military friend and I'm not sure where Natasha went."
"Oh I went home with Matthew," Loki said nonchalantly, knowing what impact it would have on Steve.
"Mr Slade?"
"Yes."
"Oh."
Loki saw Steve put two and two together. He went as red as a beetroot.
"What's wrong with that?" Bucky hissed, confused, looking between the two of them.
"He means they, you know, fondued," Steve hissed back.
Bucky looked momentarily shocked and then he quickly got over it.
"Are you not surprised?" Steve asked.
Bucky shrugged.
"Tony's already showed me the... more interesting parts of the internet."
Steve looked mortified. Perhaps he hoped he could have broken the news to Bucky rather than Google.
"What were you talking about just now?" Loki asked.
They couldn't have been talking about that then.
"Steve was saying how much he'd missed me," Bucky said shortly.
"I'll leave you to it," Loki said kindly.
Now that Steve had seen Bucky's reaction to homosexual acceptance, maybe he would have the courage to talk to Bucky about his feelings.
And feelings were not something Loki liked talking about.
*
"Loki!"
"Yes, Tony?" Loki asked, exasperated.
He was signing forms, which was something Tony should be doing, and yet it was he who was sat here dotting his signature absentmindedly across a document.
"We have another party!"
Loki groaned. Tony looked surprised.
"I thought you liked parties!"
"I had a bit of a late night."
"Ah you did, did you?" Tony replied with a knowing look. "As it happened, so did I."
"Shut up before I fetch Pepper."
"Noted."
"Anyway, what's this party for?" Loki demanded. "Who is it in aid of? Why are you only telling me this now?"
Tony took all the questions in his stride.
"It's for the people affected by the World Trade Centre disaster."
"Not a disaster," Loki amended. "No lives were lost, thanks to us."
"Mainly thanks to you, but I get your point," Tony said. "Everyone affected got a free ticket to a really extravagant party, and I'm only telling you now because I forgot about it."
Loki clapped a hand to his forehead.
"Absolutely typical," he muttered. "I wish I was surprised, but I'm only disappointed."
He looked up.
"I assume all the others have been invited?" Loki asked.
"Yep, I've told all the others and everybody's down to go, except Steve, strangely."
Loki wondered idly whether Steve was spending time with Bucky or simply trying to avoid any parties now that he knew he wasn't duty-bound to attend them.
"I think he's a bit busy."
"I thought as much," said Tony happily. "I'm so glad I showed Bucky the internet."
Loki gave Tony a sharp look.
"You know?"
"Of course I know," Tony said, laughing. "I am a genius, remember, and Steve's puppy dog look isn't exactly hard to spot. I just want to know if Bucky knows and what he's going to do about it."
"I hope it all works out alright," Loki sighed. "I started this whole ball rolling."
"I'm sure it will," Tony said cheerfully. "I have a good feeling about this."
"That's just serotonin, Tony. You shouldn't trust it."
Tony shrugged, then smiled again.
"Anyway, party!"
*****
A.N. Well, love is in the air! Everyone fondues. xD
Again, like in the first book, my thoughts are with everyone affected by the events of 9/11. In this world, Loki managed to stop it. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case in reality.
RIP to all the victims.
YOU ARE READING
Starting Over #2 - Loki
Fanfic[SEQUEL] Loki has found his place among the Avengers, but when will his luck run out? The sequel to Starting Over.
