Chapter 12: Chaos (Loki’s POV)

I woke up with my head pounding. I groaned tiredly trying to rid myself of the headache. That was a bad idea yesterday. Or was it still today? I think it was yesterday?

Stupid Tony Stark and his stupid moo-vee.

My throat felt like sandpaper. I refuse to drink the water from the bathroom sink, however. I am still a Prince. At least I was raised in royalty. So I debate my options and finally decide to walk to the kitchen. I slowly walk to my door feeling slightly shaky. I open the door and walk quietly through the hallway. It looks dark out so I did not want to disturb anyone's slumber (No matter how annoying they are). When I walk into the room I hear someone's voice saying "Morning Sunshine."

I jump and the light turns on.

"What are you doing sneaking around so early in the morning?" Says the person.

My eyes adjust to the light and I see Tony sitting on the couch, holding a coffee cup.

"If you must know I was thirsty," I say tiredly.

Tony holds his hands up in surrender.

"Not meaning to offend, Reindeer Games," He says.

I walk over to a fridge and grab a plastic water bottle.

"Whatcha doing 'up at 3:00 AM anyway?" He asks taking a sip of his coffee.

"I'm always up this early. I just ventured over here this morning for a drink as I already said" I say starting to get annoyed.

"I'm hoping you mean water because you get violent when you drink the other stuff," He says lightly.

I roll my eyes and start walking towards the hallway.

"Hey! Wait, come and sit down" Tony pleads as he pats the seat next to him.

I cross my arms but walk over to the sofa anyway and sit down. We sit there awkwardly for a moment.

"So, I've been wondering if you can convert Asgardian years to human years?" Tony says, cutting across the silence.

"Yes, you can," I say without elaborating.

Tony nods.

"And, how old are you in human years?" He asks, his eyes shining with excitement.

I sigh and take a sip from my water bottle.

"I'm about 17 in human years," I say.

Tony jumps up and looks surprised.

"Wait, you're only a kid!" He says almost yelling.

"Well…" I say before Tony cuts across me.

"You're saying a kid got cast out, then tortured and then forced to fight us and take over the world, then you come here because your adoptive father sends you here where there is a chance you could have died!" He says without taking a breath.

"I mean.." I say but he once again cuts across me.

"You're saying I gave alcohol to a TEENAGER!!" He says as he paces.

"I have been able to drink for 500 years!" I say indignantly.

Tony sits back down on the couch exasperated. That's when Banner enters the room.

"Is everything ok in here, I hear yelling?" He says calmly as he walks to the counter and starts fixing coffee.

"Yes.." I say as Tony cuts across me.

"No! He just told me that he is 17! I gave alcohol to a 17-year-old!" He says exasperatedly.

Banner looks shocked.

I sit there awkwardly, regretting all of my life choices. Nobody says anything so I sip on my water.

"Loki?" Banner says, shocking me out of my stupor.

"Yes?" I say awkwardly looking down at my feet.

"I was wondering if I could take you to the lab so we could check how you're doing, '' Banner suggests.

I get up without saying anything and start walking towards the hallway. I hear movement behind me and before I turn around I feel a hand clasp my wrist. I feel myself flinch as I turn around and see Banner there.

"Sorry, please stay, we don't have to, it was just a suggestion," Banner says apologetically.

I look over at Tony and walk back over to the sofa and sit down. I sit down uncomfortable with my back being stabbed by the armrest, that's fine however as I do not want to fall asleep.

"Do you want a blanket? Or maybe sit more comfortably, there is enough room on the couch!" Tony says.

I shake my head and look over at Banner who is surveying me from the otherside of the couch. He sees me looking and takes his eyes away from me. I adjust myself to be more comfortable, if I am conversing with them I won't fall asleep. I look over at Tony. He always has something to say.

"So I've been reading up on Norse mythology since you came here," He says as if reading my mind.

I nod.

"Can you tell me what is true and what is not?" He says.

I nod and notice Banner is once again looking over at us.

"OK! First, it says you have children?" He says questioningly.

Stupid Thor and his friends.

"No, I do not have any children. It was merely a drunk Thor and Friends doing what they thought was funny and spreading rumors about me" I say calmly.

"Really interesting, Ok next I read that you can shapeshift and change your gender?" He says, looking at me.

I go quiet. A million thoughts running through my head. What if they reacted like father… Like Odin.

"Loki, you are my son. I can not permit you to embarrass yourself like this. You are a prince, not some maiden." Odin says loudly.

"But Father…." I say quietly,

"NO Loki!" He yells over my words.

I feel someone shaking my shoulders. I look over and see Tony's face inches from my own. I back up a bit and take a deep breath.

"Yes I can," I say quietly.

"Cool," Tony says.

"Wait, what do you mean cool?" I ask.

"I mean on Earth there is something like that called Genderfluid '' He says in a matter-of-factly tone.

"Oh, could you explain it to me?" I say my curiosity peaked.

"I'm no expert but I can try my best!" He seems excited.

"So basically they don't have a fixed gender. Sometimes they are a girl or sometimes they're a boy and so on." He says.

Tony takes a sip of coffee during my pause.

"Yes, I believe I identify with that term," I say finally.

Tony nods.

I look over at Banner hoping that there won't be any judgment from him. Instead, I see a kind smile on his face. I take a breath, it is a relief that it did not go like last time.

"You still there Loki?" Tony asks.

"Yes. I was just lost in thought" I say evasively.

"Is it fine if I ask you a question Loki?" Banner asks.

I nod my head and turn to look at him.

"So it seems like Asgard doesn't have any terms like Earth does so, do Asgardians like different genders and stuff or," He says awkwardly.

"Yes it doesn't really matter in Asgard but most people like the opposite gender" I explain.

"What about you, Reindeer games?" Tony asks.

"I like both females and males," I say calmly.

"Yeah, on earth we call that Bisexual" Banner says.

I nod my head. This was certainly a strange chat.