"Loki! Thank God I've found you!" Tony exclaimed, relieved. "We're going to a party in an hour."

Loki had spent a good few hours having fun blowing up rocks on Muspelheim. He hoped the fire giants and Surtr had enjoyed the display.

He raised an eyebrow and Tony reddened.

"Also, I hope you're alright," he muttered.

"Perfectly fine, thank you," Loki replied, turning his outfit into a formal suit with a wave of his hand.

Tony stared at him in amazement and awe.

"One day you have to show me how to do that."

"Maybe one day the human race will evolve. Until then, I admire your optimism and ambition."

"I trust the blowing things up was a success?" Tony queried tentatively.

"Oh, it was perfect, thank you," Loki replied sarcastically. "The inhabitants of Muspelheim really appreciated their new craters."

"I'm sure they do. Now, party?"

"I'm all set."

*

It emerged that the party was for all eminent business owners, as they often were. Tony, Loki and Pepper had all been invited but it had apparently been strongly hinted that Tony should drag along a few Avengers to make the party one to remember. Showing a remarkable show of intellect, Tony had chosen the most polite Avengers: Steve and Rhodey, but also Natasha because she could put on the best poker face of all of them.

Like always, Steve didn't look overly comfortable. Loki and Tony had asked if Steve enjoyed the parties, for of course he was never forced to go, but Steve always insisted he liked them. Still, Loki wasn't going to enchant some poor woman again. Steve was on his own.

Rhodey on the other hand, while giving the impression that he was too superior for something as immoral as a party, must love them, for he was best friends with Tony, the greatest entertainer of all. Loki knew that Rhodey had seen some good times at MIT, because sometimes he teleported along as well.

Loki thought that maybe Natasha did like parties, no matter how much she kept her face plain and inscrutable at these events. Even spies were allowed to have fun, and Loki thought Natasha loved playing tricks on eminent businessmen and getting the upper hand whenever she'd successfully deceived them.

When they arrived, Pepper immediately took Natasha to meet some friends of hers, and Tony and Rhodey made a beeline for the casino, leaving Steve and Loki standing around awkwardly.

"You didn't have to say yes, you know that, right?" Loki said to Steve, amused.

Steve shifted uncomfortably.

"I was always asked to attend events like this during the war," Steve replied. "At least here I don't have to wear a costume."

"Even though some of them might expect us to," Loki said shrewdly.

Steve sighed.

"The whole superhero gig is a strange one to me. During the war I was a morale booster when we truly needed it, so I sucked it up like a proper American citizen. Now I don't know what we're meant to represent."

Loki shrugged.

"You have Bucky back, at least," he pointed out, ever the optimist.

"That's true," Steve answered, brightening up immediately.

"How are things going with him?" Loki asked cautiously. "Any developments?"

"We went out for dinner the other day and a waitress called us boyfriends. I've never seen Bucky look more unsure in my entire life."

Loki patted Steve on the shoulder.

"Had you spoken to him before that?"

"No, I guess. Perhaps he didn't know what to say. Maybe I don't know what to say."

Loki hummed.

"I think that's probably it," he agreed. "It'll all work out, I promise."

Loki didn't need to pay attention to Steve's gloomy face one second longer, for suddenly Tony appeared at his elbow, with Pepper following exasperatedly behind.

"Do we know that guy over there?" he questioned, pointing vaguely in the distance.

Loki sighed.

"Take me to him and I'll tell you."

So Tony grabbed his arm and dragged him off.

*

"I recognise you," Tony said suspiciously as they stood opposite the man.

Their prior acquaintance grinned slightly.

"Why do I recognise you?" Tony continued. "Were you a crush or a one night stand?"

"He was a one night stand," said Loki definitively. "After a party."

"You have a good memory," Steve pointed out, who had chosen to tag along with them.

Loki shrugged.

"My role covered PR for a long time. I had to know where Tony was at any given time so I could deal with the press."

"Loki was a lifesaver," Tony said, clapping his friend on the back.

Pepper offered a hand, never one to shy away from a challenge, or indeed one of Tony's flings.

"Pepper Stark, pleasure to meet you, Mr...?"

"Mr One Night Stand," the man replied with a laugh.

"Wasn't it Mr Slade?" Loki asked suddenly.

The man grinned again.

"Yes, it was. And I remember you, Dr Walker."

Loki shook his hand.

"You're one of the few people to call me by my proper title, Mr Slade," Loki purred.

"What is life without a little respect?" The man replied, bending down to kiss Loki's hand.

Before Tony could ogle this strange occurrence, Pepper whisked him and Steve away.

Loki himself was stunned at the forwardness, but not irritated; rather he was charmed, and it was nigh impossible to charm Loki, the smoothest god around.

"So what do you do now, Mr Slade?" Loki asked, as Mr Slade lifted his head, still holding onto Loki's hand. "I remember you were an IT consultant."

"I'm a manager under Justin Hammer."

"Really? That's interesting."

If Loki was ever going to spill company secrets after a few drinks, he wasn't now.

"I suppose you know of the animosity between him and I?" Loki questioned casually.

"Know? It's practically legend in the company," Slade laughed. "Few turn down job offers from one of the largest tech companies in the world."

"Would you turn down an offer from Stark Industries?"

"Are you offering?"

"It depends upon whether or not you dance with me."

"I suppose I could stretch to a slow dance with an Asgardian god."

"Good," Loki replied, satisfied. "I'm not used to people rejecting me, but I would have accepted it."

He paused.

"I would have to spend a great of time refining my technique before I could get over it though."

"Your 'technique' is perfectly fine, Your Majesty," Mr Slade assured him.

Loki smiled. He liked this man.

"Could I have the splendid honour of this dance, Mr Slade?" He asked.

"Please, call me Matthew."

"Could I have this dance, Matthew?"

"Of course, Dr Walker."

"Please, call me Loki," Loki said graciously.

"Very well. To the dancefloor it is... Loki."

*****

A.N. Party time! Loki allows himself to be seduced by the enigmatic Mr Matthew Slade. Whatever will happen next??? DUN DUN DUNNNNN

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