In Another Life • A Loki/Fixing Marvel FanFic

Chapter 13 : Party Time

_____
Tony: Hey, I decided to throw a housewarming party tonight.

Meredith: Okay? But it's been like two months since we all moved in.

T: I needed an excuse to throw one. You have to come! No hiding away this time."

M: Fine. Who's coming?

T: It's a party, so... lots of people.

M: Who do I actually know that's coming?

T: People. Housemates, Maria Hill, Cap's friend, Rhodey... Loki.

M: Okay, I'll be there.

T: Is it because I mentioned Loki?
——

____
Meredith: Hey.

Fury: Hello. How have you been?

M: Just great. How's your life as a hermit?

F: Quiet. It's never been this quiet before.

M: Well, I think it's about to get louder.

F: Tony's time to shine?

M: I believe tonight is when his evil robot twin shows himself.

F: You believe?

M: Ultron's first appearance was at a party at the compound. Tony is having a party tonight.

F: He always has parties.

M: Exactly why I said 'believe.' It might be tonight or it might be at another party.

F: Okay. Keep me posted.
———

As I was getting ready, my heart raced—not just because of the upcoming party, but because of everything that it might entail. Every moment here felt surreal, as though I was walking through a dream I couldn't wake up from.

"What are you wearing?" Natasha's voice pulled me from my thoughts, making me jump slightly.

I spun around, clutching the jumpsuit in my hand. "Ever heard of knocking, Nat?"

She rolled her eyes and walked in, her confident stride never faltering. "I didn't mean to startle you. Have you picked out what you're wearing tonight?"

I sighed, holding up the gold sequin jumpsuit that shimmered under the light. The off-the-shoulder sleeves and daring slit in the chest made it bold. "I'm going with this. Not really in a dress mood tonight."

Natasha's eyes gleamed with that knowing look that only she could pull off. "Loki will love it."

A small smile tugged at my lips. "I hope so." But even as I said it, doubt gnawed at me. Would he really? Did he truly see me—the real me—or was I just a convenient substitute for the woman who used to inhabit this body?

Natasha seemed to read my thoughts, her gaze turning from playful to serious. "Your relationship with Loki is... interesting. I can tell you like him, but it doesn't feel like the usual kind of love. It's something I don't quite understand. Yet, you seem hesitant, like you're not sure if this is right."

She had hit the nail on the head, as always. My life, my entire existence in this world, was built on a lie—on a twisted version of someone else's reality. "My life is complicated, Nat. There are too many variables that make this relationship nerve-wracking."

"What do you mean?" she asked, her voice softening in a way that made me want to spill everything, even though I knew I couldn't.

"I care about Loki, but he doesn't really know me—not the real me. And there's always this fear that I could disappear one day, mentally or physically. I have no idea how he would react." I felt the words spill out before I could stop them, each one laden with the anxiety that had been building up inside me.