#&(loki)

Truly, breaking into any vault was simpler than breaking into Odin's treasure room -- which Loki had done numerous times and only been caught a handful. But losing a bet to his brother meant playing by his rules. So here he was, breaking into some random mortal vault without magic. A mortal con. How boring and tedious, but at least he learned to lock pick by seven. He just needed to find the right person to help him navigate the labyrinthine passageways and give him the credence necessary to make it a few steps into his plan.

"Ah, there you are!" The god of mischief turned the corner of an identical, florescent lit white hallway to see a stunning blonde. He knew two types of blonde mortal women: vapid and self centered, or out to prove themselves. Thankfully, the lines he fed always started the same.

"We are-- out of danger. However, propulsion systems will need a solar day to recoup." Pilot's voice rang through the tier in the wake of a starburst away from the sticky situation, and her head tipped vaguely upwards in response. "Got it, we're good. In one piece anyway." She answered, pushing off the wall she had been thrown into; eyes returning to him curiously. As if he were suddenly more interesting.

Which he was.

loki watches stark from across the dimly lit room, amusement curling at the edges of his lips. the was was an enigma - loud, brash, ceaseless in his chatter - yet in this moment, he is silent, focused on something in the blue glow of a holographic display. a rare sight. a tempting one.

loki moves closer, the faint rustle of his coat the only sound as he came to stand beside stark, pretending to study the projections. he could feel the warmth radiating from him, the scent of metal and something sharp, something so distinctly him. 

with a deliberate slowness, loki leans in, just enough for his breath to ghost against stark's ear. a test. challenge.

"you get so serious when you work," he murmurs, his voice smooth as silk, just shy of teasing. "it's almost endearing."

One track mind. Anthony Stark had been accused of many things in his life, but that one stuck like an annoying tick. Mentors, college teachers, Janet, and even Pepper had pointed out how when something got in his head, he simply forgot about everything else around him. Dates, responsibilities, promises, everything got shoved to the sidelines to make room for whatever had peaked his interest to take the spotlight.

Right now, it was Loki.

Or well, Loki's powers. His shape shifting abilities that he insisted on calling magic had given Tony an itch that he couldn't NOT scratch. It was fascinating and Tony wasn't afraid to call it so, despite Thor's pleas not to stroke Loki's ego. Tony called it as he saw it, and the ability to become anyone and anything Loki wanted was simply fascinating.

Now, Tony knew there were limits. He wouldn't bother trying to find a way to turn a human being into a realistically sized snake —like the story Thor had shared about their childhood, Loki becoming a snake to lure his brother closer, then stabbing him as a prank, or perhaps a failed fratricide attempt. Tony didn't ask—, but finding a way to change a person's features? That felt within the realm of possibilities. And so he would make it possible. Would turn that concept plaguing his mind into a reality.

He didn't even notice when Loki got close, not even when the Asgardian was right beside him. One track mind.

Tony nearly jumps out of his skin when he feels the man's cold breath against his ear. His hand goes to his chest, the holographic projector fading into nothingness, leaving his arc reactor as the only source of the telltale blue glow that characterized anything Stark-made. His racing heartbeat only making the reactor glow even brighter.

"Holy shit," he breathed out. "You trying to kill me, Snowflake? Jesus..."

His mind catches up to Loki's words and tone and a slight warmth creeps up his neck to his ears, a combination of embarrassment at being crept up on and the fact that Loki was a handsome guy, and if Tony didn't know better he'd think he's trying to hit on him.

Most likely one of his pranks.