Starting Over - Loki (COMPLETE)

28) Virginia Potts

True to his word, Tony did wake Loki in an hour, despite still quietly seething. But they'd already agreed in advance to go through everything with their new assistant and Loki didn't like company rifts over personal grievances. Their PA was already there waiting in the lounge when Loki and Tony walked in.

"Dr Walker," she said politely, standing up, "It's a pleasure to meet you in person."

They shook hands.

"We're delighted you chose to come on staff, Miss Potts; you gave us a wonderful resume."

Virginia Potts was a tall woman with long blonde hair and a hugely professional air about her. Natasha had been forthcoming in finding them an assistant and, although Tony had still chosen Miss Potts because her sex appeal far outweighed that of the other candidates, Potts had luckily also been the most well-equipped for the job.

"Thank you, Sir."

"I'm sure Mr Stark has already been over your duties as our assistant," Loki stated, "But we would just like to go over a few details."

He briefly outlined the rules around the mansion and policies regarding knocking and entering, etcetera etcetera. Miss Potts would only be around at headquarters for the most part but being an assistant did sometimes require late night briefing sessions at the mansion as Natasha had proved during her reign as their personal assistant.

"That all seems perfectly fine," the woman said, smiling.

Tony smiled back, obviously smitten. Loki suspected it wouldn't last but what did he know? Certainly not as much as Tony expected him to.

"Brilliant," said Loki crisply, shaking her hand again and standing up. "We'll see you next week, Miss Potts."

Tony seemed slightly perturbed by his rush in getting the assistant out of the building but Loki's headache was slowly creeping back, as was his annoyance at Tony.

"Thanks, Virginia," he grinned, standing and shaking her hand as well.

Loki rolled his eyes at the lack of professionalism showed by his colleague. Luckily the assistant wasn't put off by Tony's actions, having likely been clued up by either the internet or Natasha herself, and left without another word.

"I'm sorry, Alden, I shouldn't have shouted at you," Tony said timidly a few minutes later once it became clear that the assistant had left the building. "How's the headache?"

"Fortunately receding," Loki replied a tad icily, despite the pressure building behind his eyes.

Tony sighed and sank onto the sofa Miss Potts had just vacated, appeased by the lie.

"I just feel like Dad's still following me around, you know?" He confessed, and it was rare to see him so open.

Loki said nothing, merely stood there.

"Dad always talked about Steve Rogers, always. Steve was a wonderful soldier, a good man - you're none of that... Blah, blah, blah."

He sighed.

"After my father... died, I just wanted to forget about him. Everybody kept thrusting his legacy in my face, telling me I had to follow in his footsteps and I just didn't want to. So you asking me to take a look into medical technology all those years ago... That was a step in the right direction. You, Alden, helped me realise that I didn't have to take the same route as my father.

"I'd just about shaken off his memory and then bloody Captain America shows up alive and well, a patriot from Dad's age, ready to see a Stark heir who worshipped his dad but getting a disappointment like me instead. I didn't want this, Alden - I didn't want any of this."

Loki hesitantly sat down opposite the wretched man. He felt a tiny bit bad given that he was the one who'd revived Rogers. But what was he expected to do - leave the man cryogenically frozen for all time? Now was better than centuries in the future. After all, he hadn't totally expected to find the man's body, so he had got a lot more than he bargained for.

"I wasn't trying to make your life hell," he started slowly. "I went looking for Captain Rogers' body to try and uncover the secrets of the last century and found something I never thought I would or even wanted. Rogers isn't exactly delighted to be alive right now and he's got to spend time adapting when he's lost everything and everyone. He just wants to claw back a bit of normalcy, Tony. He knew your father and he wants to cling on to this one thing from the past."

Loki sighed and looked directly at Tony.

"You may not like to hear it but you are like him."

Tony visibly recoiled but Loki continued, ruthless.

"You're a playboy, Tony, like he was, and you're incredibly smart. You are both supremely talented engineers and you've followed in the family business. You may not have liked the man you knew but the man Steve knew was like you - kind, friendly, funny, caring. This isn't a mistake, letting this man into your life. Perhaps you could remember the man your father was with Rogers, who he was supposed to be with you, instead of regretting the man you got to know."

Tony spent a moment in silence and then spoke up.

"I guess... You could be right. But why on earth couldn't he be like that with me? If what you're saying is right, why or how did he change from a carefree guy to a downright monster?"

Loki gave him a sad smile.

"Having children changes everyone, some for the good, some for the bad. I never knew my father but you still have a chance. Get to know the man your father was, even if he was far better than the man you got to see. It may not help you feel better but getting to know what he was like once upon a time must count for something."

Tony nodded and was quiet for a moment. Then he spoke again and this time his voice was tinged with nerves and a hint of excitement. He was very good at shaking off his anger; Thor could take lessons from him. As could Loki, if he was being completely honest. But Tony was also very good at ignoring Loki's words of wisdom and forgetting them shortly after.

"I made something," he said, grinning. "Want to come and see?"

"It better be good," Loki replied with a smile.

Tony only laughed.

*****

A.N. Tony and Loki fight for very first time and make up almost instantly. I guess you could just say they're really good friends. xD

Any vulgarity of language is the characters speaking through me so yeah... The stuff about Pepper is because of how Tony sees her... At the moment.

Thank you for reading!