You Have Heart

Chapter 13

Loki led the way back to the elevator. He hadn't been on Midgard long, but he'd lived in the tower longer than you had, so he got to lead. Also the elevator was just down the straight hallway. "I'll give you a proper tour later," Loki promised as you waited for the elevator to come back up. "For now, just know that the first floor is an Avengers museum and is open to the public. The second and third floors are for conferences and meeting rooms. Fourth floor is the common room, kitchen, and dining room, which is where we're going," the elevator arrived and the doors opened. Loki pushed the button for the fourth floor once the pair of you were inside. "Everything above the fourth floor are living quarters, training rooms, and Stark's labs. Jarvis will not allow anyone without proper security clearance above the first floor," Loki explained as you rode the elevator down. You knew that part of his explanation was just to keep you from being nervous at meeting the Avengers.

It didn't help.

The elevator doors opened to the team gathered in the common room, which turned out to be a giant living room full of comfortable couches and a giant tv. "Good timing, the pizza just got here," Nat greeted the pair of you, indicating the stack of pizza boxes on one of the coffee tables in the room. "There's beer and soda in the fridge. Help yourself, though I'd stay away from Thor's special ale unless you're Asgardian. We'll do proper introductions once you're settled," she said kindly. You knew that some of that kindness was likely an act. She was a known super spy on top of being a super soldier, putting people at ease was kinda her thing.

You headed into the kitchen and grabbed a soda out of the fridge. You'd had enough to drink earlier with Loki. You didn't need any more now. You definitely didn't need any of Thor's special ale. You returned to the common room and found a seat on an unclaimed couch. Loki joined you with one of the pizzas to share. You noted that Thor was eating an entire pizza by himself.

"So I'll start the introductions," Nat said with a grin that told you that she may have been spending a bit too much time around Loki. "I'm Natasha Romanoff, Black Widow," she gestured with her beer bottle to the man sitting next to her. "This is Steve Rogers, Captain America,"

"Nat, I think she knows who we all are-" Steve tried to interject. It was pretty obvious who everyone in the room was. There weren't that many Avengers and they were all famous.

Nat ignored him and gestured to the next man. "Robert Downey Jr.-"

"Just because that incredibly attractive actor happens to bear a striking resemblance to me doesn't mean he actually is me, Romanoff," Stark replied while the rest of the team laughed. You couldn't help but to join them. The actor did bear a striking resemblance to Tony.

The rest of the team did their own introductions instead of trusting Nat to do them. Finally, it was your turn. You could feel the eyes of the team on you. You didn't blame them. You were the new one here, the oddity. And you were only here because of Loki, because you were Loki's new found soulmate.

Loki brushed his hand against yours, a gentle reminder that he was there. You weren't alone. You'd never be alone anymore. You had a soulmate now. So you gave the team your name and told them about your lame dead-end job in the city that barely paid the bills that you frankly hated.

"If you hate your job so much, come work at Stark Industries," Tony said as if it were nothing to completely change your life again. "I'm sure no matter what your skillset is, we need someone to do it and I'm sure our work environment is better than the shithole you're describing,"

You couldn't do anything but stare at him for what felt like a full five minutes, though it couldn't have been anywhere near that long. "Really???" That would be a dream come true. There would be room for advancement. A real career.

Tony shrugged and took another swig of his drink. "Sure thing. I'll have Pep set it up,"

And just like that, in a few short words, your entire world was being rearranged and turned upside down all over again.

And all for the better.