Given that Loki was incapable of getting drunk by the means of mortal beverages and didn't delight in being inebriated anyhow, the next morning he'd decided to get a head start on helping Tony with ideas. Both Rhodey and Tony were still in bed and would be till way past lunchtime if six bottles of wine were anything to go by. So Loki got to work.

Tony's previous medical products had been very good but the issue had been that he hadn't actually really questioned medical professionals about them. Most people upon meeting Tony would say whatever he wanted them to say. Unlike them, Loki was more than willing to give his honest opinion. Promptly hacking into Tony's ideas database with little more than a spark of magic, he had a quick skim through his most recent ideas and then even older ones. After that he, painstakingly, began from the very beginning of Tony's tenure at Stark Industries, writing down decent ideas and crossing out the technical and practical problems with the technology involved.

When Tony finally emerged at half-past three, Loki was immersed in work. While originally starting out in the lab, Loki had then taken all of his scribbled notes and set up camp at the kitchen's island counter, a cup of coffee helpfully positioned next to his right hand and a pen furiously scribbling in his left.

"And what, may I ask," drawled Tony, "Is this?"

To Loki's credit, he didn't spill his coffee. He twitched slightly at the interruption and then turned to face Tony before wrinkling his nose in disgust.

"Hangovers don't treat you well," he commented.

Tony laughed, running a hand through his bird's nest of hair. To Loki's dismay, it just caused the hair to stand up even more.

"Girls have told me that the effect is good - is that not the case?" The billionaire asked, ambling over to Loki.

"Definitely not," Loki muttered, twisting back round in his chair.

"You're not on the payroll yet," Tony joked. "There's no need to be working. I always say that, if the boss isn't up yet, you're safe."

"One," said Loki dispassionately, "I'm also the boss. Two, you're never awake. I don't count coffee as awake."

"Shame," Tony yawned, sipping some of Loki's coffee, "That means we're both asleep. I might go back to bed anyway - there's a rhino charging about in my skull."

"If I, too, am asleep, then I'm a bigger genius than I originally thought," Loki stated, pleased at his handiwork.

Tony rubbed at his eyes, eventually stopped squinting and slumped into a chair next to him.

"So you hacked into my systems," he said after a while, "Did a load of reading and then decided to improve everything I've ever created in one day?"

Loki looked at his colleague, waiting for his response.

"Alden, I'm - I'm bloody impressed. Just like at that interview all those years ago you're keeping me on my toes."

The other man yawned again.

"This must be a dream," Tony said, bewildered. "But, in case it's not, keep going because that's motherfucking amazing and, if you need me, I'll be in bed."

"Noted," Loki grinned, receiving a large smile in return. "Enjoy your dreams."

*

Rhodey did pop in a little later to say his goodbyes. He had to be back at base by the next morning and had a long drive ahead of him. Loki didn't envy him one bit.

"Good luck getting there in one piece," Loki called as Rhodey made to leave the mansion.

Rhodey groaned.

"We shouldn't have drunk so much."

"You should have booked more holiday," Loki commented.

"As if the military would let me have holiday. I called this trip essential. I can't remember which excuse it was this time - mother or death of a close friend."

Rhodey looked so confused that Loki felt sorry for him.

"They probably expect it to be Tony by now," Loki pointed out. "Having a billionaire need your assistance is pretty essential in my books. Say that Stark Industries is paying for your next defensive endeavour or something."

"You know that whatever the military is cooking up next is bound to be expensive?" Rhodey questioned, amused. "Or that they'll make it so knowing that Stark Industries will be paying for it?"

"Of course," Loki responded. "Unless Tony and I design it."

Rhodey considered this.

"True. I expect to be allowed to try out the prototype."

"Of course. We'll make you armour so that you can defend yourself from all your commanding officers," joked Loki.

"Sounds good to me," said Rhodey. "See you soon, Alden."

"See you soon, Rhodey. I'll have an excuse cooked up for you next time."

*

"Just thought I'd say," Loki commented later as they enjoyed a large pizza between them at gone eleven in the evening, "You promised I could prank Justin Hammer."

"I did, didn't I?" Tony said thoughtfully. "I reckon you've already worked out what you're going to do."

"Of course," Loki stated, without revealing anything.

Tony sighed, grinning.

"Well, I guess I'm just gonna have to wait and see."

"Yes," Loki smiled, "You will."

*

Justin Hammer was an interesting figure of a man. He had dirty blonde hair, shifty eyes behind cheap-looking glasses and was vaguely clean-shaven. Loki's first impression was of a vulnerable man, lacking the confidence required of a charismatic businessman. Loki wasn't entirely pleased with the image he saw.

"So..." Hammer paused to consult his notes, "Mr Walker, you are undoubtedly qualified. A first from Oxford, fluent in French, Spanish, Italian and Russian - it's all very impressive, Alden. May I call you Alden?"

"Why not?" Loki replied flippantly.

Hammer took that as consent.

"However, I don't feel that your qualifications really match the job. This is an engineering company. You would begin as a junior engineer."

"About that," Loki said smoothly, "Why is a CEO interviewing a lowly engineer? I must say it puzzles me greatly."

"You're a bright man, Alden," Hammer replied. "Tell me your thoughts."

"You're intrigued," Loki answered slowly. "You have someone showing up with a degree in anything but engineering and are questioning my motives."

"Indeed I am," Hammer stated. "I don't like not knowing things and I can't read you, Walker."

"Few can," Loki drawled. "I wouldn't take it personally."

"I don't like you, Walker," Hammer commented, annoyed.

"Fair enough," Loki responded.

"_But I think you'd be useful," Hammer continued.

"Well tough luck," Loki laughed. "I'd made my decision before you started speaking. I no longer want the job. I don't want to be used."

"You signed a contract_"

"No I didn't. You didn't read the forms because this is the first interview you've ever undertaken."

Hammer scowled.

"Get out."

"Gladly. I wish your company every success in the future," Loki smiled.

And he left.

*****

A.N. Just a nice humorous chapter for you all! Thank you for reading!