Prequel Chapter 78

Loki was looking at the things in the display box. "Could I have a few of these to try as well?" He asked pointing to come cookies.
“Here you are, you can have a sample.” She gave Loki a piece of one of the cookies to try. She set the cake on the counter.
Loki hummed at the taste. "They're good." He smiled at her.
“They’re very popular.” The woman smiled and packaged half a dozen for Loki.
“All right, is this all?”
“I think so.” Tony went over and paid for the pastries.
“Thank you very much for your business Mr. Stark.”
Tony smiled. “Thanks Rosy.”
"You're always welcome Mr. Stark. You and your find have a nice day.' She waved.
Loki couldn’t wait to get back to the tower so he could eat the pastries they got.
Tony headed back with Loki, chuckling at the hungry look in his eyes. “Did you like the cookies that much?”
"Yes." Loki replied. "And I really want to eat some of the cake as well." Loki said.
Tony smiled and nodded. “I don’t blame you. It’s really good. Pepper had me try it once and I’ve been buying cake from there ever since. They almost closed though; Rosy loses a lot of customers to the bigger bakeries in the city.”
"So you're the only one keeping her open?" He asked.
“I was for a while. That’s why I paid her so much for the cake. She cried when I told her I would contract her bakery with the company. She doesn’t have a lot of customers, but I send people her way all the time.”
Loki nodded. "Good man."
“I think you’re the first person who’s said that to me.” Tony smiled at the god and walked back into the tower with Loki. He set the cake down and opened the box, smiling. “My mouth’s watering.”
"Would you like some?" Loki asked with a faint smile.
“Cake or cookies?” Tony looked at Loki then glanced back at the cake. It really was his favorite.
"Either." Loki replied.
Tony smiled then went into the kitchen to get two plates and forks. He set them on the island.
“Then I’ll have some of your cake.”
Loki chuckled at him. "Alright." He said with a smile.
Tony served himself and Loki some cake then got some milk as well.
Loki smiled at the milk and started in on the cake sipping the milk from time to time.
Tony took a few bites of the cake and hummed in his throat, licking his lips. “This is the most amazing cake I’ve ever had.”
"But you eat it every year." Loki replied.
“That’s what makes it taste so much better though. If you eat something all the time, it starts to lose flavor, you know? That’s why I save it for special occasions.”
Loki shrugged. It made him miss the food from Asgard more and more.
Tony took another bite of his cake. “When Fury gives you more clearance, I need to take you to the zoo.”
"A zoo?" Loki questioned.
“It’s a place where exotic animals are kept. It’s basically a large scale breeding program to help endangered animals, but people go to see them too.” Tony showed Loki a picture. “They have some of those animals I showed you a while back.”
Loki nodded in understanding. "Right."
“Oh, then we have to see the aquarium. They have a ride during the summer so you can go out and see the whales up close.”
“That’s if Fury allows me out that far."
“Hey, your probation ends in a few months. After that, it won’t be up to him. You’ll get your powers back and you’ll be able to go wherever you want.” Tony took another bite of the cake.
Loki looked at him. "You're right. I will be." He said.
Tony nodded. “You still have to serve a sentence with us as part of the Avengers but at least you’ll have more freedom.” The playboy finished his slice of cake.
Loki nodded. "I'll settle for that." He smiled at Tony before digging back into his cake.
Tony smiled back and finished his milk.
“Mm, now that the portal things done I say we take another vacation at my beach house.” Tony grinned.
Loki grinned. "Now that I can be happy about." Loki smiled.
Tony gave Loki a playful grin. “We’ll be able to enjoy it more this time. Won’t need nearly as many agents there as last time.”
Loki smiled. "Perfect. When can we go?"
“In a few hours. We have to give Fury enough time to get his agents all pretty.” Tony smiled.
Loki rolled his eyes and abandoned his cake. “I'll have to pack the books we got to take with us." Loki smiled.
Tony chuckled and stood. “Go get packed then. Jarvis.”
“I have already informed Director Fury and he has grudgingly given permission Sir.”
“Good!”
"I've also ordered food and the pool is being cleaned as we speak.” Jarvis informed.
“Oh Jarvis you spoil me.” Tony smiled and went to pack his clothes.
Loki moved everything to the front door so they could go when it was time.
Tony pulled out two suit cases and packed up then set his things by the door. “Got the plane ready?”
“Yes Sir, it is waiting for you on the launch pad as usual.”
Loki smiled at him.
"Yes, Sir. By the time you reach the airport everything will be ready for your departure."
“Perfect!” Tony put the cake away and set it with his things. He’d want more later. He looked at Loki and smiled. “Ready to go?”
“SHIELD agents have already been dispatched and are waiting Sir. Everything is in order.”
"Of course I'm ready." Loki smiled at him.
“Then let’s go.” Tony headed to the garage with their things and set everything in the trunk. He got into the car and they headed off.
Loki thought about the large pool Stark had and beautiful sunset.
"Ms. Potts will join you when she can Sir." Jarvis informed him.
Tony smiled and nodded as he drove along. “Good. Guess she found time to spend with us.”
They arrived at the landing pad soon enough and boarded the plane that waited for them there.
Loki smiled. They'd not seen much of Ms. Potts in the last few months.
“Ms. Potts has set aside a few days of vacation time Sir. She is quite eager to have a moment to relax.”
“She should do that more often.” Tony sat down in the private plane and checked a few things on his phone.
"Only if you decided to take on a larger work load, Sir." Jarvis stated.
Tony chuckled and shook his head. “No.”
The plane took off and they headed towards California. Tony stared out the window, admiring the view.
“It’s pretty amazing, huh?”
"I will show you a view even better than this when we got to the simulation chamber." Loki said.
Tony looked at Loki and smiled. “Oh yeah? What are you going to show me?”
"The best view of Asgard."
Tony chuckled. “Pretty sure I’m looking at it already.” He winked playfully at Loki and smiled.
"Shut up." Loki replied looking out of the window a slight blush on his cheeks.
Tony laughed a bit but noticed the tinge of pink in Loki’s cheeks.
They arrived in the early evening and Tony had his assistants carry everything in. He stretched and sighed.
“Ah, time to relax.” He grinned.
“Will you need anything else Mr. Stark?” One assistant asked, slightly tense as she glanced at Loki.
“Nah, I’m fine. Thanks.” He sent them off then went to get a drink. “Aw Jarvis, you remembered my favorite juice.”
“I have it stored in my hard drive Sir. Of course I remembered.”
"You spoil him Jarvis.” Loki said finally with a fond smile.
"That may be true but he did create me to do so." Jarvis replied.
“You love me Jarvis.” Tony said with a cocky little smile.
“Someone has to Sir.”
Tony pouted and opened the juice, pouring himself a glass. “Hey Loki, you want any?”
Loki put his hand out for the offered drink. "Thank you." He replied.
Tony handed Loki his juice then sipped his own drink. “Oh it feels great out here. No rain, not too hot.” Tony smiled.
"Do not get happy just yet Sir. The forecast promises rain the day after tomorrow."
Tony huffed and grumbled. “Fine, I’ll just have to enjoy the pool right now.” Tony set down his drink and pulled his swim trunks out of one of the bags.