Starting Over - Loki (COMPLETE)

45) Fan girls

"Can Tony give us a warning when this kind of thing is about to happen?" Complained Clint, attempting to tie his bow tie.

Losing patience, Natasha flew in and did it herself.

"Apparently he forgot," Loki reported. "Miss Potts had told him in advance, though. She arranged it, I think."

"Don't you normally get told?" Steve asked Loki, confused.

"Usually," Loki smiled, "But Pepper does normally go to Tony first since they are dating."

"Pepper?"

"Pepper Potts," informed Natasha. "Tony likes making up nicknames for people."

"So I've noticed," Bruce rolled his eyes.

"Is everyone vaguely ready?" Tony asked, walking in and stopping to admire the view before him.

It wasn't everyday you got to see the Avengers in black tie, after all. The men all wore similar suits, with Steve, Bruce and Loki opting for black and Clint for grey. Thor had somehow managed to fit into a massive navy suit which made Loki glad he wasn't bulked out with muscle. Thor had, considerately, not mentioned their tense conversation since it happened.

"Vaguely is the right word for it," Natasha nodded, watching Bruce attempt to effortlessly tie his shoes but not really pulling off the casual look.

Natasha wore a modest grey dress and an expensive diamond necklace which Loki knew Tony had bought on a whim for Pepper. Pepper, however, had promptly lent it to Natasha for this exact occasion.

With Bruce finally ready, and Steve looking no more comfortable than before, the Avengers descended to the garage where Happy was waiting in a limousine. Rhodey was waiting for them at the venue since he was representing the military during the conference.

"This is too much," Steve muttered.

"Face it," said Tony, "You're all celebrities now."

This made Steve and Bruce look uneasy and Natasha and Clint pleased. Despite this, all did bundle into the limousine and make the journey, albeit in silence, to the hall where the press conference was taking place. Once there, they were beset by the paparazzi.

"Mr Stark! Mr Stark, can we have your thoughts on the battle?"

"Captain America, could the Avengers have done anything differently?"

"Dr Walker_ Loki, what will the repercussions be for S&W Industries?"

These questions promptly answered, they made their way in and took a seat on the stage next to Rhodey who was dressed in his colonel's uniform. Rhodey, as one of the only members of their team competent in public speaking, gave his speech first.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for being here tonight. We appreciate that this must be a stressful time for you all. With the advent of aliens on this planet, it does seem like a dire time. But, as the public's defence mechanism, we ask that you put your faith and trust in us. The Avengers are here to defend the people. Thank you."

Loki spoke next.

"I understand how, speaking as 'an alien', I might be classed as an enemy," he said slowly, scanning the audience for people who were uneasy at seeing him and Thor on a panel of the world's saviours. "However, I have been here for years. You all know me as Alden Walker, co-CEO of S&W Industries and an extremely formal speaker."