Stars Have Fallen - A Loki Love Story (Marvel/Avengers)

14

"Estrial," a voice called, echoing in the large living room. All four heads turned to see Tony entering the room. He stopped upon sight of them, eyebrows raising slightly. "Oh, am I interrupting something?"

"No, not at all," Jane responded respectfully.

"Good," Tony replied with a cocky smile. He continued to step over to the group. "Estrial, I need you in the lab for a second," he went on, beckoning her to follow him. As she stood, Tony smirked and added, "you can finish up your weird double-date later."

Thor raised an eyebrow, his gaze instinctively falling on his brother. Loki sighed, gritting his teeth slightly, which amused the God of Thunder. But the innocent star only asked in confusion, "double-date?" What in the world was that?

"This is so obviously not a date," Loki sighed dramatically. "I thought you're supposed to be the smart one?" He sneered at Tony and stood up, taking his place beside Estrial.

Tony shrugged and went on to tease, "well, I mean, maybe in Asgard this is some sort of romantic setting. How would I know?" In the past few days, Tony had grown to enjoy Loki's company. It was quite entertaining to poke and prod at him when he could do nothing in return.

Loki was about to say something in return, but was silenced by a warm touch on his arm. Estrial was casually wrapping her transparent fingers around his forearm, signalling that she was ready to go now. She didn't travel anywhere in the light without someone to hold on to, unless absolutely necessary. And it was often Loki that she was with now, being his full time prison guard. Though each day felt less and less like he was actually imprisoned.

"My suit?" Estrial wondered shyly. She had been patiently waiting for Tony to recreate her controls-suit for her.

"Not quite finished with it yet, Glowstick," he told her, "but soon."

"Could I come, too?" Jane piped up, standing from her seat on the couch. "I'd love to see what you're working on with Estrial."

At this, Thor stood as well. He didn't need to say anything, it was clear that he intended to go where ever Jane went. Tony rolled his eyes. "Alright, double-date field trip, let's go," he joked.

Loki scowled in hatred at the rich man as he began to lead the way to the lab. Estrial followed, pulling Loki along, and Jane trailed after with Thor.

After an extremely awkward and silent elevator ride, the five made their way to the lab. Inside, Bruce was in a lab coat already working with something. He looked over his shoulder as he heard Tony call out, "we're back."

Bruce smiled a bit. "I see you've brought an audience," he observed, refering to the two demigods and Jane, who's arrivals were unexpected. He quickly put down what he was working on and came over to meet them.

Jane, who had yet to meet the doctor, smiled in greeting. "Hi, I'm Jane Foster," she introduced, holding out her hand to shake his.

Taking her hand in his, Bruce shook it firmly. "Bruce Banner," he introduced himself, "it's a pleasure to meet you."

As the two scientists made small conversation, Tony called Estrial over to his half of the lab with the wave of a hand. "Alright, I need you to sit here and.." He trailed off, looking around in a small fluster until his eyes landed on Bruce. "Dr. Banner?" He asked across the room.

Bruce ended the conversation with Jane as politely as possible before rushing over to Tony. Loki also came over to stand beside the star, unable to deny his curiosity for what was going on. "So. How, exactly, do you" Tony began confidently, "take blood from something that isn't alive?"

"That's a good question," Bruce huffed, hands on his hips. His eyebrows were quirked in concern; what was Tony planning on trying?

Loki watched in irritation at the two men thought about it. The answer, to him, was obvious enough. "You can't," he answered with a huff.

Tony's eyebrows shot up; that was just the answer he was looking for. "Exactly," he exclaimed, "she's not alive, or dead, she doesn't have blood."

"Then what's keeping her body running?" Bruce finished for him, realizing now where Tony was going with this.

"Can I leave?" Loki wondered aloud.

"No," Tony, Thor, and Estrial all said in sync. Loki rolled his eyes dramatically. Not that he didn't like being with Estrial all of the time, but he absolutely hated when she didn't pay him any attention. And that almost always happened when others were around. Yes, he was jealous. But he'd never admit to it.

"But you breath?" Jane spoke questioningly to the star, stepping over to the crowd around Estrial. She nodded in response, taking a deep breath to show proof. "She obviously replicated a human body in every way she possibly could," Jane observed, "which would mean she has a heart, it just doesn't beat."

Estrial began to grow nervous, though no one seemed to notice. Except for Loki, of course, who's attention was glued to her. Gently, so that no one would notice, he place the palm of his hand to the center of her back. The star jumped slightly in start, but the coldness of his skin seeped through her suit, calming her. She knew that icy touch was none other than Loki's. She leaned back into it slightly.

"So," Tony began, picking up a prepared syringe needle from his desk. He held it up and continued his question, "what is running through her veins?"

There was a long pause in conversation before Bruce spoke up. "I don't think that's a good idea," he warned.

Tony only raised his eyebrows in challenge and winked at Bruce. "Only one way to find out." The scientist sighed in stress before accepting that this was happening. "Now," Tony began, turning his attention to Estrial, "I'm gonna put this in your arm, okay? It's gonna sting a little, but it's nothing to be worried about." His voice was gentle, not wanting to frighten the skittish girl.

Estrial drew her eyebrows in out of nervousness but nodded all the same. "Okay."