"Just the work of an expanding company," Loki said. "And his normal naughty habits. You know how Tony is." He grinned, though. While he might roll his eyes, Tony kept his life interesting, and also helped him keep his own inner spark of mischief alive. It was always nice to be around someone who could appreciate a good laugh, and having that daily was probably the only thing that kept him from going mad.
Well, there was the new thing with the previously unknown daughter showing up, but he didn't feel like he ought to talk about that yet. It would be on the gossip vine soon enough, and Natasha would surely forgive him for being circumspect.
"Not firsthand, fortunately," she laughs, looking bemused because yes, Stark was a name that made frequent rounds through the gossip mills, although much less in recent years. Apparently his wife had been a good influence on him. She didn't envy her the task. "Although it's good to hear he's doing well. Even if he is keeping you so busy. And now I know who to take it up with next time you go missing for weeks on end."
Loki laughed. "That ship has sailed now, my dear. All you ladies are safe now, as far as I've seen." He nodded. "There are times when it gets a bit intense. I've slept in my office a time or two. Or on Tony's couch. It's a nice couch. But it keeps me busy and out of trouble."
"Safe from Stark, at least." Her lips twitched in amusement. "That doesn't meant there aren't plenty of others more than willing to step in and fill the void he left in his absence."
She should know. One of them was going to be her salvation.
She shook her head at the latter part of that, a small frown flitting across her lips. "Loki. You should be taking better care of yourself. Who will I complain to if you wear yourself away to nothing with all this work?"
"Careful you don't tempt me to see you there early just so we can all browbeat some sense into you," she countered with a wry look. "At the very least, you would certainly get much rest there. Out of sheer boredom, if nothing else."
"I think I'd go mad, with that story of boredom. Then you really would have to put me in the asylum." In a nice cell next to his mother, probably. Gah.
"So let's not. How about I just promise to take you out for a drink instead?"
"Ooooh, promises now, Loki?" she gives him a teasing smile and a laugh, laying her hand on his arm. "One I'll hold you to. There's a party up on the hill later this week. You should come. I may need that drink afterwards."
Loki grinned. "I make all sorts of promises." Just if he intended to keep them was the question. Oh my, is it going to be terribly boring? I might need to go just to protect your sanity."
She gives him a hint of a smirk and straightens once more. "Oh, I think I can promise something a little better than boring. I'd hate for you to miss a front seat for the season's new bout of juicy gossip." She leaned in and dropped a friendly kiss on his cheek. "And yes, that's all I'm telling you. I have to get back anyway. Rue will be home from school soon."
"Oh, you wicked girl. Fine, keep your secrets. I'll ferret them out soon enough. Or enjoy the melodrama of their revelation unspoiled. Both sound quite fun." He grinned. "Give Rue a kiss for me."
August 3
"Just the work of an expanding company," Loki said. "And his normal naughty habits. You know how Tony is." He grinned, though. While he might roll his eyes, Tony kept his life interesting, and also helped him keep his own inner spark of mischief alive. It was always nice to be around someone who could appreciate a good laugh, and having that daily was probably the only thing that kept him from going mad.
Well, there was the new thing with the previously unknown daughter showing up, but he didn't feel like he ought to talk about that yet. It would be on the gossip vine soon enough, and Natasha would surely forgive him for being circumspect.
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She should know. One of them was going to be her salvation.
She shook her head at the latter part of that, a small frown flitting across her lips. "Loki. You should be taking better care of yourself. Who will I complain to if you wear yourself away to nothing with all this work?"
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He laughed. "When you've all condemned me to a hospital, you can come to my bedside and I shan't be able to escape."
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"So let's not. How about I just promise to take you out for a drink instead?"
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