Prequel Chapter 38

“Today. We just need to pack. My jet’s waiting for us, so we should be there in just a few hours.” Tony checked his phone. “You’re gonna love it there.” He grinned at Loki then went to pack his things.
Loki grabbed the first bag he found and started to pack his things.
Tony tossed a few things into his suitcase then set it out near the door.
“Jarvis, tell Fury his boys need their own ride.”
“He is getting them ready now Sir. They will meet you there and give you a short security brief.”
“All right.” Tony made sure he had everything. “Does my lab there still work?”
“I have been maintaining it regularly Sir. It is functioning perfectly.”
Loki smiled as he went to find Tony with his bag over his shoulder. His bag however was, mainly full of books.
Tony looked at the god and chuckled a bit. He looked so excited to get out of the tower. “Ready?” He grabbed his own things and headed out to his car with Loki. “We’ll be there for two weeks, maybe a little longer.”
Loki nodded. Maybe Jarvis could order him a few more books.
Tony drove them out to the flight strip and they got on the jet. He set his things down and checked a few things on his phone. There was some staff, but other than that he and Loki were alone. “Fury’s gonna send some SHIELD agents there, but the same rules apply there as at the tower, okay?” He said as he looked at Loki.
Loki smiled and nodded. "Will I be able to join you in the lab from time to time?"
“Yeah, sure. It’s smaller than my lab back at the tower and I don’t have many suits there. I haven’t had a chance to use that lab since I moved to New York.” Tony smiled a bit and looked at Loki.
Loki nodded as they headed onto the plane.
Tony got comfortable and sighed relaxed. He was excited to be going back to his old home, even if it was just for a little while. He looked out the window and waited a moment as they got ready to take off.
Loki sighed as they flight finally took off. "I think I prefer horses to your aircrafts."
Tony laughed a bit. “Don’t worry, I designed it myself. It had the smoothest flight of any aircraft.” He sat back in his chair, looking through his phone before sending Pepper a text.
We’re on our way to Malibu. Fury okayed it. You going to drop by? – Stark
I'll drop by around three. –Pepper
Loki frowned. "Doesn't mean I like them anymore." He replied
Tony smiled at the god. “We’re gonna land in a few hours. Besides, you have me here if you get scared.” He grinned smugly.
"I'm not scared." he said.
Tony shrugged and looked out the window. He liked seeing the view from so high up.
They arrived in Malibu just a few hours later. It was a private jet, so there were no stops. Tony got off and stretched a bit. He smiled when he saw his home.
“Ah, it’s so nice to be back.”
Loki smiled as they were back on the ground. There was a car waiting for them to get them from the airport to the house.
Tony got into the car and their bags were put into the trunk. He sat in the passenger seat, though there was no driver.
“Hello Sir.” Jarvis spoke, taking control of the car.
“Hey Jarvis. Got everything ready?”
“Yes Sir. I have also cleaned out your pool.”
Loki got into the car and settled into the seat.
"Welcome to California Mr. Laufeyson."
Tony smiled as they drove towards his home. He missed being there. The sun, the warmth, not to mention the isolation so close to the beach. It was perfect.
“Did you get Loki’s room set up?”
“Yes Sir, and there are a few books there waiting for him as well. I also made sure to double check your security grid and sent details to Fury.”
“All right.”
When they arrived Loki couldn't see anything worth jumping for joy over. It wasn't until they had it inside and he saw the view of the ocean that his mouth dropped open at the view.
Tony chuckled a bit at Loki’s reaction. “You can swim in the open water or you can swim in the pool. I have a hot tub too.” He set his things down and took a deep breath. He missed being in Malibu. He smiled as he looked around and the house hummed to life.
“It’s good to be back here.”
“Yes, it certainly is Sir.”
Loki nodded and then followed Stark to be shown the rest of the house.
“The kitchen’s here, living room, and I have my own little library if you want to put your books here.” Tony walked around, showing Loki all the rooms. “Oh, and this is my favorite.” He smiled the led Loki up to the roof. There was a gazebo there, overlooking the ocean view below. “It looks better when the sun sets.”
Loki smiled at the view. "It’s nothing like Asgard but it is impressive."
Tony chuckled a bit and leaned on the railing, looking down at the water. “I miss being here. Ever since I joined the Avengers, we all had to move to New York. It’s easier if Fury needs us when we’re all the same place.” He shrugged and took a deep breath of the air.
He nodded. "Would make sense if something happened. But how do you intend to call upon my brother."
“You mean if we need him during a mission? Well, Fury decided he won’t call your brother unless we’re facing something other-worldly.” Tony looked at the god. “He said that way it would be easier so Thor doesn’t have to keep zapping back and forth.”
Loki nodded before looking up at the sky knowing Heimdall had his eyes on him.
Tony watched Loki for a moment then looked back at the view.
“Sir, Ms. Potts has arrived.”
“Oh, let her in.” Tony headed back inside, smiling when he saw Pepper. “He gave us two weeks.”
Loki went to Greet Ms. Potts as well. Walking over to her he took her hand and kissed it. "Ms. Potts."
Pepper’s eyes widened as she looked at Loki and she blushed. She smiled sheepishly. “It’s good to see you Loki. How are you enjoying the change of scenery?”
“How come you don’t greet me like that?” Tony asked playfully, but there was a small tinge of envy in his eyes.
"I'm enjoying it a great deal." Loki smiled. Pepper was right, Loki did look a lot better with a smile on his face.
"I don't greet you like that because you're not a woman. I have no intentions of greeting you in the way we do in Asgard." he said. "I don't like hugs.” He grumbled.
Tony smiled playfully when he heard Loki’s last words. Hugs, huh? Pepper put her arm in front of Tony, clearly not intent on trying to get between him and Loki if he got on the god’s bad side.
“Well, I hope you enjoy it here.” She said to Loki. “Do you have any swim trunks?”
“I brought some he can borrow.” Tony chimed.
She nodded. "Are you sure they'll fit?" Pepper asked.
Tony shrugged. “Maybe not exactly, but they can be loosened or tightened.” Tony grinned at Pepper. “Did you bring a swimsuit?”
Pepper smiled a bit. “Of course I did. I haven’t been swimming in a long time.”
"So we're going swimming?" Loki asked them.
"Yes we are." Pepper smiled. "Go get ready."
Tony went to get the swim shorts out. He grabbed his pair and handed the other ones to Loki.
“Here, try em on. If they’re too loose just pull this string.”
Tony started to strip, not thinking anything of Loki still being there.
Loki quickly left him to find a bathroom to change in. Loki made the change and went to the living room to wait for Stark and Ms. Potts.
Tony ran out after he’d put on his swim shorts. He ran at the ball and dove in, whooping before he hit the water. Pepper shook her head with a smile then started putting on some sun screen.
“Do you want some? It keeps you from getting burned.”
Tony surfaced and shook some of the water out of his hair. “Oh, this is amazing!”
Loki's head cocked to one side. “What do you mean getting burned? There is no fire to burn me." he pointed out.
Pepper looked at him then smiled a bit. “I mean from the sun. See, it gives off ultraviolet rays and it can cause burns in the skin if you’re not careful.” She handed him the lotion. “Go ahead and put some on your skin.”
Tony swam around then floated around on his back before standing in the pool. “Come on, aren’t you guys getting in?”
"Well not everyone gets a burn." Pepper said. She finished putting sunblock on and joined Tony in the pool.
Tony he smiled then went to the edge of the pool. “Not sure if it works the same with you, but there’s something called melanin in the body. People with darker skin don’t burn as easily since their skin is better suited to protecting against the sun. People with pale skin,” He motioned at Pepper. “Need sunscreen.”
Loki didn't bother with it and slipped over to the pool to get in.
Pepper dunked under the water to get used to how cold it was. She surfaced then began to swim around.
Tony floated on his back again, relaxing in the water.
Loki almost got ready to set a spell so he could breathe under water and sighed. Taking a deep breath he sank under the surface.
Tony had his eyes closed as he floated around on the water. He stood again then ducked under the water and started swimming around. He past Pepper and accidentally splashed her. The redhead yelped then splashed back.
“Hey!” Tony grinned then splashed her again.