Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tony makes it himself. His lips are pressed into a thin line, his breaths shallow, but his hands are steady. He doesn't actually want to make anything right now. He'd rather tear something up, punch through glass and hear it shatter. It’s the middle of the night and he has had one or two drinks too many, and he knows that this is probably not a good idea, but when are his ideas ever really good, anyway? They are always just brilliant or batshit crazy or both - yeah, most of the time both -, but good? Healthy, reasonable, carefully considered? Haha, yes, good joke. He’s never made a single good decision in his life and he’s not going to start now; he’s forty-five, for fuck's sake. The Train of Good Decisions left the station and is not coming back. 

It doesn’t take long. He cut a clean stripe of black leather out of his favorite jacket - tearing something up, hurray - and makes quick use of the almost forgotten sewing machine that’s burrowed under other stuff somewhere in the workshop. A bit of measuring, a bit of metal work, putting everything together, and then he tosses the finished thing in a corner and gets himself another drink.

*

He puts it on in the morning. It feels like a parasite, clinging to his neck and eating through his skin. The collar doesn't actually do that, obviously; he's just being dramatic.

He sighs and stops trying to tug it into a comfortable position. It's a simple black leather band, barely as broad as his thumb, no extra decoration, no loop at the front, very serious. Not his style, really, but for once in his life he didn't want anything flashy.

He doesn't like the way it looks on him, and that he feels how snugly it sits around his throat every time he swallows.

But well, it'll do.

*

He decides right away that JARVIS will be the only one who can know. Well, JARVIS and the bots, but it's not like they are capable of snitching. Tony won't tell anyone else, nobody else will know that he made the collar with his own hand and closed the clasp himself.

And that means that he has to lie to Pepper.

He doesn't like lying to Pepper, never has and never will, but well, he's done it before and he'll do it again. You would think he is good at it by now - and he is a good liar, but unfortunately Pepper is equally good at looking through him.

Still, she is the first person to see him with the collar on, and Tony does not want her to know. If she knew, her gaze would skitter away from him like it always does when she feels - not guilty, exactly, but still somehow bad because it didn't work out between them. As if that was her fault. Point is, she can't stand looking at him then, sometimes she even tries to start a conversation about healing and feelings and at least six other things that give him constipation.

He doesn't need to heal. He just needs people to fucking leave him be.

She comes down the stairs, thumbs blurring as she types away on her phone, and she's talking business as soon as she spots him by his desk. He's working on a new code; at the moment it's still filled with so many bugs that it might as well be the underside of a rock. He focuses on that as long as he can, but as soon as she cuts herself off and doesn't continue even after ten seconds, his vision starts to blur.

"Tony," she says, softly.

Tony looks away from the screen and raises a brow at her. "Miss Potts?"

"You -" She stops again, eyes drifting to his neck. Completely dumbstruck, which stings a little, even though it shouldn't. "Since when?"

"Last night," Tony says. It's not technically a lie. "Look, I know it's a surprise -"

"A surprise? I can't remember how often you said that you weren't planning on letting anyone collar you -"

"Yes, well," he cuts in before she can really get going. "Plans change, don't they?"

She looks at him for a moment. Frowning slightly. Damn, he has to take care not to sound too defensive, especially around her.

"I guess," she says slowly. "I didn't even know you… had someone."

"Sorry. It's not that I didn't want to tell you, but - uh. We've been keeping it private."

"Okay. That's - it's fine, of course, I'm just surprised."

"Yeah, I can tell."

"Who is it? Do I know them?"

Tony sighs and turns back to his computer. "Not really.  I’m not gonna introduce you for the time being, either.”

Pepper doesn’t give up this easily, of course. “Why?”

“I just don’t want to deal with the press, alright? They’ll go crazy enough when they see me wearing this.” Tony only barely resists the urge to tear at the collar as if it’s strangling him. “I know we can’t keep it a secret forever, but - this is kinda new to both of us, and we’re taking one step at a time. And this,” he gestures at the collar, “was already a pretty big one. I need some time to get used to it first before going public.”

Yes, he practiced this before Pepper came down to the shop. Yes, it’s still difficult to say this stuff without either doubling over laughing or puking into the nearest bucket.

"Telling me wouldn't be the same as going public," Pepper says and great, now she sounds a little hurt. "I wouldn't tell anyone."

"No, I know. Of course you wouldn't. It's just, we want to figure this out ourselves first, okay? Give me a bit more time, and then. We'll see." 

“Okay,” Pepper says, tone light. She’s still worried, though, he can tell by the look in her eyes. “Yes, I get that. That sounds like you’ve actually thought this through.”

“Don’t sound so surprised.”

“It’s because of what happened yesterday, isn’t it?”

Tony stares at the code on the screen, jaws clenched. He doesn’t want to think about yesterday, he’ll only get angry again. “Kind of.”

“Tony,” Pepper says softly. “You didn’t do it only to prove them wrong, did you?”

“It was a nice side effect, definitely.”

“Tony.”

Tony tries not to glare at her, he really does, but the look he gives her still isn’t very friendly. “Look, what do you want me to say? I’m just tired of it, I’ve been tired of it for a long time.”

“I know, but -”

“But what? What does it even matter?`I mean, yeah, maybe getting the entire rest of the world to finally shut up about me being an unowned sub - the only unowned sub on the team - was a bit of a factor. Because it’s been ruining my fucking days and they -” This makes him falter, for a second his tongue refuses to wrap itself around the words. He swallows, and doesn’t look at Pepper. “They offered to collar me because they figured it might help, and because they wanted to. And it turned out I wanted it, too, so here we are.”

Yes, well. Wouldn’t that be nice? Tony can’t keep himself from imagining it - himself, furious like he was last night, but not alone. A faceless Dom collaring him with gentle hands, smiling, wanting him. And then some pretty great sex and a few hours of dreamless sleep instead of passing out on the sofa in the workshop for less than an hour before a nightmare wakes him. 

God, forget the bucket, and forget doubling over laughing, at this point Tony’s lucky if he doesn’t start crying like a baby.

“So it’s something serious,” Pepper says into the silence, still a bit stunned.

“Would I wear a goddamn collar otherwise, Pep? Honestly.”

She smiles. “No, you wouldn’t. Tony, I - I’m really happy for you. I know you… I know you’ve been lonely.”

He manages a grin. “Well, not recently.”

She rolls her eyes but keeps smiling, and Tony knows that he’s fooled her. It’s not a very good feeling. 

*

Surprisingly, not all Avengers missions happen in New York. They were in San Francisco the day before, putting some wannabe world conqueror in his place. The battle didn’t last long, only an hour or two, but that was more than enough time for Tony to fuck things up, apparently. Well, he still doesn’t think he did anything wrong, actually he saved the day as usual, just like the others. But someone got it on camera; a shaky video, the audio quality terrible but sadly not bad enough that you couldn’t understand what was said. 

An exchange between Tony and Steve. Not long, only a few sentences fired back and forth. Tony, no, are you insane, come back here at once, yadda, yadda. It’s common knowledge that Steve is the leader of the team - not the only Dom, Natasha is one, too, and it’s not like that matters, anyway. All of them are pretty messed up dynamic-wise. The serum fucked Steve up a bit. The Red Room did things to Natasha she doesn't want to talk about, but she still ha something going on with Clint, whose past wasn't always kind to him, either. Bruce is technically a sub but the Hulk isn’t, so that’s a problem, and Thor's a Dom, but Earth confuses him. And Tony, well. 

The whole world knows that Tony is so much of a mess that no somewhat sane Dom would touch him with a ten feet pole. And they don’t let him forget it. Every time he does something they don’t agree with, every time he refuses to keep his mouth shut. Tony Stark, nearly fifty, known playboy, never had a long term relationship in his life. That must affect him, surely. Can’t be healthy at any rate. God, they had a field day when they got their hands on footage of him disobeying a perfectly reasonable order. Unstable, reckless, unpredictable. Not his fault, of course. He doesn’t have a Dom to keep him in line, after all.

But also totally his fault.

*

The rest of the team is already back in New York. When Tony is done moping in Malibu and wondering if the whole collar thing he started will just make everything ten times worse, he flies back to New York, too, prepared for the inevitable chaos. He lets the team see him wearing the collar first.

Steve is staggered, but not displeased. Natasha raises a brow and doesn’t say anything at all. Bruce seems to be genuinely happy for him. Thor pats his back so hard it leaves a bruise and congratulates him, also genuinely pleased but also genuinely confused because he doesn’t really understand the dynamics that are the norm on Earth. Clint is annoying as usual, asks about a million questions and makes even more innuendos, but in the end - well, in the end they are all fine with it, and they even respect it when he refuses to tell who his mysterious Dom is. They tease him about it, sure, but there’s not a hint of malice in it, no sign of suspicion.

Tony feels a little bad. And it does hurt a bit how surprised they all are, and then how happy. But by the time he calls Rhodey and lies to him, too, he’s used to it. It’s a nice fantasy at any rate. He’s told more unpleasant lies. 

He goes out two days after he returned to New York. A party in a club he frequents quite often. He doesn’t flirt anymore, naturally - he’s collared now, after all - but he dragged Natasha along with him, and they have a relatively good time, anyway, and in the next morning, his picture is everywhere. Tony Stark wears a collar now, the news spread like wildfire. Of course, there are lots of theories that Natasha is the one who put the collar on him, but as soon as Pepper got his confirmation that oh god, no, that’s so not what happened, she powers up the PR department. He gives a written statement, posted literally everywhere, and confirms that yes, this is what it looks like, and no, it’s nobody’s business but his own and he won’t answer any questions about his partner and their relationship. The rumors don’t quieten down immediately, it goes on for a week or two; the internet is full with theories about who it is.

But then the vultures find some other corpse to pick at, and they forget about Tony, in as much as they ever forget about Tony. 

They get reminded of him again about a month later.

*

Loki is back. Tony’s not going to throw confetti and sing praises, but admittedly he is not quite as annoyed as he should be when the sirens in the tower go off and JARVIS informs him that the God of Mischief and Leatherpants has returned to Midgard and is throwing a giant welcome party in Central Park. A party that’ll lead to lots of property damage and headaches, no doubt. 

Loki was MIA for a while - causing trouble in other realms, according to Thor - and of course it would have been nice if he hadn’t come back, but well. He’s not that big of a problem, really. Annoying, yes, mostly because nobody ever knows what the fuck he’s planning, and he’s always plannig something. But he doesn’t really endanger people anymore, he just likes to wreak havoc and laugh when the Avengers fall over themselves trying to fix it. For some unfathomable reasons people on Earth are quite fond of him now, because he’s weird and charming and, above all things, entertaining. Tony can't deny that. But he's a bit bitter about it, because come on, he didn’t carry that nuke on his back just to watch people flock to Loki and ask him the craziest questions just to see how crazy his answer will be. (It’s always even crazier.) 

A few times, SHIELD tried to get Thor to get Odin to throw Loki back into a cell like they planned in 2012. But Thor always gets mysteriously deaf as soon as anyone broaches the topic, and Odin seems to be happy as soon as his not-son is somewhere far away from him. Loki faked his death, apparently, and now they’re just letting him do whatever the fuck he wants. The Avengers catch Loki now and then, and he always stays for a few days and gets on everybody’s nerves before he escapes and starts causing trouble again. Rinse and repeat. 

It’s fun. Kind of. Not really. (Fine, maybe a little.)

Thor is in Asgard at the moment and Clint is at home with his family, so it's just Tony, Steve, Bruce and Natasha against the giant green dome that Loki put over Central Park. It looks like a force field, glittering in the sun, buzzing with energy. Tony has no idea what's inside.

There are a few entrances. Loki's clones guard them. Now and then Tony can hear one of them shouting - please, just form a line. Behave, little mortals. There is more than enough room for every single one of you.

And the little mortals form lines and wait until they can, one by one, enter the dome.

They also have to pay a dollar.

Tony, Steve and Nastaha try to keep the civilians from merrily walking their very own roads to ruin, but they're like lemmings. Tony wants to believe that Loki hexed them or something, but that's probably not it. New Yorkers are just goddamn stupid, apparently. The clones also don't let anyone near the waiting people; as soon as Tony or one of the others comes close, the clones attack. Tony always enjoys fighting them because they provide him with a challenge, but by now he's tired of it.

"I'm gonna try to get inside," he says through gritted teeth and dodges a green energy blast before he flies away. The clone waves him goodbye with a cheerful grin.

"Do you think you can?" Steve asks, slightly out of breath.

"I don't know, Steve, but we're not getting anywhere like this."

"Should I join you?" Bruce doesn't sound all too eager. He's still in the tower, observing; they haven't had a reason to bring out Big Green yet.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Natasha says. "There are civilians everywhere."

"I'll call Strange again," Bruce says. 

Tony ignores them. Strange might be able to get through the dome, but it would probably take ages. Unfortunately, their resident Sorcerer Supreme isn't as good at magic as their resident God of Mischief. Either way, Strange didn't pick up his phone earlier and Tony doubts he'll do it now; he's probably in the Himalaya meditating or something. 

They'll just have to try to get into the dorm with brute force. 

Tony flies up, and up and up, until he is above the dome. He considers for a moment, but then he decides that not thinking about it is a lot better.

"Wish me luck," he says, and then he dives down, going as fast as he possibly can, so fast that everything around him is just a swirling blur of colors.

He hears Steve yell something, but too late; Tony already collides with the green dome - it sounds like something shatters, but he's not sure if he just imagines it, because there is no glass around him. Actually, there is nothing around him. Even his suit is gone, just went fucking poof, and Tony is freefalling, wind tearing at his clothes, and he's screeching like a six year old probably but who even cares because what the fuck -

And then he stops.

Just stops, still in the air, only inches away from the ground. He can't move a muscle. For a second or too, he just hangs in the air, breathing heavily, blood rushing in his ears, and then he falls the last few inches, landing flat on his face.

Yes, what the fuck.

Groaning, he pulls himself up and sits back on his heels. His armor is still gone. He doesn't even wear his undersuit, instead he's in jeans and t-shirt, and he's freaking out because where the hell is his suit and also he has no idea where he is, except that he should be in Central Park, but this is Loki he's dealing with so everything is possible.

There are people close by. He can hear them talking and laughing, and he can hear music, too, the heavy bass thudding in his chest. It all sounds far away though, like it's happening in another room. Tony can't breathe, but he forces himself to stand up, anyway. He's surrounded by something green and shiny - another forcefield, courtesy of Loki's magic.

Fucking magic.

"My, what a pleasant surprise."

Tony whirls around, just in time to watch Loki step through the green barrier, looking like he doesn't have a single care in the world. He's dressed in - you guessed it - leather pants and a black dress shirt that's a bit too tight for Tony's taste. His hair is a little shorter than Tony remembers, but his smirk is exactly the same.

Tony lets out a breath. He tells himself that it's just Loki. He could kill him with a flick of his wrist, sure, but he and Thor have reached some sort of unspoken agreement and breaking it would be stupid, and Loki isn't stupid. He's just crazy.

Tony just hopes that "you must not kill an Avenger" is a part of that agreement.

"Loki," he says, "what the fuck."

Loki's smirk turns into a grin, showing teeth. "I'm pleased to see you again as well."

"Cut the crap. Where's my stuff?"

Loki waves a hand. "Momentarily displaced. You'll get it back, I assure  you."

Tony resists the urge to tell him that he wanted his stuff back now, thanks a lot. Loki would just make fun of him for sounding like an angry toddler. 

"Alright. Okay. Fine. What do you want?"

Loki doesn't say anything. His smile has fallen off his face, and his gaze is locked on -

Ugh. 

Tony wants to cover the collar with his hand, but that would just be entirely pointless, so he keeps his hands by his sides, clenched into fists.

The noise of people partying - because that's what's happening, right? - is still there. Muffled, like Tony is underwater. He feels like he's underwater. And when Loki takes a step toward him, and then another, it's like the water finally found its way into Tony's lungs. He can't fucking breathe.

"Now," Loki says quietly, reaching out, his long, pale fingers dangerously close to Tony's neck. "When did this happen?"

Tony grabs Loki's wrist. His skin is cold, and Tony wants to stop touching it at once. He pushes Loki’s hand away from him and lets go. “That’s none of your business, Prancer.”

“Oh, of course not,” Loki says, but it sounds distracted. He puts his hands on his back, it would look all prim and proper if not for the smirk that’s slowly returning. It doesn’t quite reach his eyes, Tony notes. “You'll want your armor back before you leave, I assume."

Tony frowns. "Wait, is that an offer?"

"Of course. Did you expect me to keep you trapped here?"

"Uh. Yeah?"

Loki rolls his eyes and walks off. Without looking at Tony, he says, "Come with me."

"Don't order me around."

"Oh, I wouldn't dare. It seems you have given that privilege to someone else, after all."

"Privilege?" Tony echoes, because, uh, what the hell?

Loki ignores him. Tony groans and follows him, trying not to lose sight of Loki in the crowd. People are dancing, cheering, screaming at each other over the deafening music - it's a club, is what this place is, or at least it looks like one. 

Tony catches up with Loki after knocking about a dozen people out of his way. "Loki, what the fuck is this? Are you throwing yourself a welcome back party or something?"

"Something like that, yes," Loki says lightly. Despite the noise around them, Tony can hear him perfectly well, which is odd. "I'm sure the New Yorkers were terribly bored without me, so I am letting them have fun for once."

"That's really generous of you."

"Thank you. I'm so glad you approve."

If this was a competition with the purpose to find out who could be the most sarcastic, Tony isn’t sure who would win. “Why are you making them pay a dollar?”

“Letting them in for free would have made them suspicious.”

“Right, okay. So, what, are you planning to kill them all off at once?”

Loki casts him a glance over his shoulder, dry as a desert. “That would lack both sense and finesse.”

“Yeah, because you’re such a sensible person.”

“Very much so,” Loki says, sounding like the notion is the funniest thing he’s heard all year.

Loki leads him from room to room, there are bars and sitting nooks and dance floors, and after about a minute Tony gives up trying to figure out the physics of this place. Fucking magic. 

“Are we even still in Manhattan?”

“Yes, of course.” Loki stops at a door and turns to Tony with a smile that could cut paper. “This is the exit.”

Tony narrows his eyes at the door. “Huh.”

“Well? I don’t have all day.”

Tony decides to give the not at all suspicious door a try, because what else is he supposed to do? To his surprise, it opens up to a familiar street. He looks at Loki, who arches a brow and waits, clearly done with this shit. 

Tony rolls his eyes and steps through the door, and suddenly he’s in his suit again, the green dome behind him, the door gone as if it had never been there. He lets out a sigh.

"Alright, guys," he says, ignoring everyone's surprise about his sudden reappearance. "I think he's just throwing a party for the sake of it."

"Are you suggesting we leave him alone?" Steve asks, wary.

"We can keep an eye on him, I guess. Or you can join him, Stevie, what about that? You just need to pay a dollar."

"He's not letting any of us in," Natasha says. "Did you need to pay a dollar?"

Huh. "No?"

"Any idea why?"

No. No, Tony doesn't have any idea why, and now that he thinks about it, that whole thing just now? Yeah, it was a little odd. 

Tony doesn't dwell on it. It's Loki, after all, and Loki's normal is really fucking weird, so a little odd won't do any harm, right?

Right.

*

The next morning, Tony looks at today's headlines and regrets everything. He regrets being born, he regrets living long enough to witness this horrible disaster of a day, and he regrets getting out of bed. 

His first coffee is still brewing. He's sitting at the kitchen island, staring down at the tablet that seems to be delivering messages straight from hell today. 

LOKI - TONY STARK'S MYSTERY DOM?

"They can't be serious. I'm dreaming. I - JARVIS, come on, is this a prank? Please say it's a prank."

"I'm afraid not, Sir."

Tony groans and lets his head drop onto the counter. He'll never hear the end of this.

And, sure enough, Pepper calls him ten minutes later, and she is not pleased.

"Look," he pleads, still sitting in the kitchen, still wanting to drown in his coffee mug, "it's not true. Okay? He was just throwing that party yesterday and I wasn't even at the party, I was just passing through, really, he let me in and then he let me go, and - shouldn't you be happy that he didn't kill me? Can't we focus on that? Because he didn't, and that's great."

"Yes, that's great," Pepper says. "That's fantastic. Now you two have more time left to find your way onto the front page."

"You're not jealous, are you? Pepper -"

"No, I'm not jealous," she interrupts, exasperated. "I'm worried. Loki's not exactly safe to be around. If the two of you -”

“Didn’t I just tell you that it’s not true? You know how reporters are, they’re just blowing this out of proportion, alright? Loki and I talked for like ten minutes yesterday, tops. It looked weird because I was the only Avenger he let in, but he just wanted to let us know that he wasn’t causing actual trouble and picked me by random. I think. Yeah.” He gulps half his coffee down in one go. “And anyway, he’s not that bad.”

“He’s not that bad?” Pepper echoes, voice rising in pitch.

“Not like - god. I just mean, he’s not the megalomaniac who invaded New York anymore, okay? It’s been years. Sure, he’s annoying, but his pranks are just - yeah. Pranks.”

Pepper is suspiciously silent.

Tony swallows, and after a moment he says, slowly, “That does not mean that the damn papers are right. Loki and I are not - a thing.”

“Tony Stark,” she says in a sweet tone that makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. “If you’re lying to me about this, I’ll make you regret it.”

“I’m not! Pinky promise. He’s not even my type.”

“He’s so much your type it’s unreal.”

“He - what? No.” Tony thinks about it for a moment. “Okay, maybe, but we’re still not. That.”

“Okay.” Pepper sighs. “Do you want to give a statement? I can fire up PR and -”

“No. That’ll just make them think they’re on the right track. Just ignore it, they’ll forget about it soon enough.”

Pepper agrees and finally decides to take pity on him and let him drink the rest of his coffee in peace. Tony hurries to get into his workshop, in desperate need for a distraction.

He and Loki? Fucking hell.

Ridiculous.

*

Because the universe hates Tony’s guts, Loki decides to cause trouble again just two weeks later. It’s not much of a problem, really, just the images on the billboards on Times Square crawling out of the screens like cheery and colorful Samaras. They’re nice to watch against the night sky, but also just a tad creepy, so Tony heads out to get Loki to end the show. Thor is there, too, but somehow he ends up surrounded by people on the ground who want his autograph and stuff, which is annoying, Tony’s been there, and he’s not about to step in and save Thor from a bunch of teenage girls. It’s every man for himself when it comes to that.

Tony finds Loki on a roof closeby, sitting on the edge with his legs dangling in the air. He gives Tony a lazy wave and doesn’t turn around when Tony lands behind him.

“Look,” Tony says, “I hate being the spoilsport here, that’s Cap’s job, usually. But he’s not in town at the moment, so I’ve got to step in and tell you to cut it out.”

“That’s terribly dull of you,” Loki says.

Tony kind of agrees, but he’s not going to admit it. “Yeah, well, so sorry about that. What’s the point of this, anyway?”

Loki looks at him over his shoulder, lips curling up into a smile. “Perhaps I just wanted something nice to look at.”

"Really."

"Yes. You would need to come out of your suit for that, of course."

Tony is glad that he is in his suit, because his eyebrows are somewhere near his hairline. It's not like Loki hasn't flirted with him before - the guy has a quick tongue and likes riling people up, and apparently he has good taste, too, so obviously he has flirted with Tony before. But well, that smile is a touch too charming, and Tony doesn't trust it.

"Cute. Really, I'm flattered. Are you going to buy me flowers and chocolates? Take me stargazing?"

"Should I?" Loki tilts his head back, looking up. "You can't see the stars in this city, unfortunately. We would have to go somewhere else."

"Right. I didn't know you were a romantic."

"You're the one who suggested stargazing," Loki says, turning back to the billboards. "The spell will fade in twenty minutes or so. If you wish to hover until then, please sit down."

"I don't 'hover'."

"Lovely. Do you want a drink?"

"A what?"

"A drink, Stark." Loki procures a bottle out of nowhere and lifts it so that Tony can see. "To pass the time while we wait."

See, Tony is clever. Seriously, he is. He can tell when he should do things and when he should not do things. This, he knows, falls under the second category. He still gets out of his suit and sits down next to Loki, because he's clever but fine, he's also a goddamn idiot.

Loki's face is bathed in neon lights. He makes two glasses appear with a flick of his wrist and fills them with an amber liquid in a manner so graceful he might as well be a bartender in some trendy, expensive club. Tony knows that he's staring - at Loki's long fingers wrapped around the bottle, the line of his jaw, at his hair where it's tucked behind his ear - and he knows that Loki knows he's staring. He's smiling with a hint of white teeth, one or two of them on the bottom are slightly crooked. They might be the only damn thing about him that isn't perfect, and Tony doesn't know why he can't stop looking. He's aware, objectively, that Loki is pretty easy on the eyes, but this is new. This makes Tony want to find out what's under Loki's clothes.

"Where is the Captain?" Loki asks and closes the bottle before setting it aside.

"Huh?" Tony says, intelligently. It's possible that he's still staring.

Loki gives him a knowing look. His eyes are surprisingly warm. "You said he wasn't in town."

"Oh. Right, he's off doing SHIELD stuff." Tony picks up one of the glasses and sniffs at it, trying to distract himself from that fact that he's blushing. "Not like that's any of your business. This isn't going to poison me, is it?"

"Of course not. It's scotch. I'm glad I don't have to be prepared for him swooping in to defend your honor."

Tony nearly chokes on his drink, which is indeed scotch. "My what?"

Loki quirks a brow. "He is protective of you, is he not? Given that you are the only sub on his team."

"I'm a sub, not a damsel in distress, thanks. And Clint's a switch, at least."

"I didn't say you were in need of protection," Loki says, unbothered by Tony's tone. "I know you are not. But I have witnessed him giving you orders more than once, and one can't help but wonder…"

It clicks, and Tony gets what Loki wants to know. "You think, what? Me and Steve?"

Loki's gaze flickers to Tony's collar, and Tony starts to laugh. A full, hearty laugh that makes his sides hurt, because, oh god, what the hell. This is the funniest thing he's ever heard. Loki frowns at him, which makes it funnier, and Tony giggles so hard that he spills scotch all over his undersuit.

"Fuck," he says, still wheezing, trying to dry his eyes with his sleeve. "Oh my god. That's. Ah. Brilliant, thank you."

"Is that idea so ludicrous?" Loki asks, full on scowling now.

Tony is still chuckling. He nods. "Uh, yeah. Listen, on a good day Steve thinks I'm annoying. On a bad day he can't stand being anywhere near me. He'd cut his hands off before putting a collar on me."

Loki looks almost angry now, but his expression smoothes out a bit after he took a sip of his drink, looking away. "Then who was it?"

"What?"

"Who put the collar on you?" 

First of all, rude. Second of all, what the fuck. "Why the hell do you care?"

"It's in my nature to be curious," Loki says, pinnacle of innocence that he is. "Is it someone I know?"

Tony only barely manages to swallow down a burst of hysterical laughter. "Might be. Again, none of your business."

Loki hums. "Would they be happy to see you here, like this?"

"With you?" Tony asks, matching Loki's casual tone. "Don't get proud, Princess, this is just us having a nice after work drink as enemies."

"I'm hardly proud. Merely wondering why you chose to stay."

"You offered me a drink."

"And you didn't even try to remind me that you were taken."

Shit. Yeah, that might have been a good idea, just to keep up the act. "I don't know how many times I need to tell you this, but whether I'm taken or not is none of your fucking -"

A click and a flash. Another click, and another flash, and shit, Tony's been famous for long enough that he knows immediately what's happening. 

And, yup, when he turns around, there is a guy with a camera standing behind them on the roof. Like an asshole, he takes another picture with the both of them staring at him. Tony is about to yell at him, but suddenly the reporter is just gone, vanished into thin air.

“Well,” Loki says, not sounding too bothered, “that was unfortunate.”

Tony looks at him, and Loki looks back at him innocently, and Tony wants to throw him off this fucking rooff.

“You bastard,” he says and stands up.

“I might be, yes,” Loki says. “You don’t want to finish your drink?”

Tony keeps himself from trying to punch him; he’s no match for Loki without his suit, and he’s not going to embarrass himself any further tonight. God, Pepper will yell at him so much. 

Behind him, Loki gets up as well, but Tony ignores him and gets into his suit, and then he promptly fires at Loki. Somehow, it catches him off guard, and Loki topples over the edge of the roof. The billboards go back to being just billboards, nothing special about them, no neon lights dancing in the air, and for a second - fuck - Tony thinks that Loki is a puddle of goo on the sidewalk now. But when he looks over the edge, Loki is gone, and he doesn’t show up again.

*

Tony needs about half an hour to convince Pepper that Loki set him up, and even after that, he isn’t sure if she believes him. Tony isn’t completely sure he believes it, either, except that he is, because he’s reasonably good at reading people and he’s sure that Loki looked a little too innocent, that it was a bit too much of a coincidence, that the reporter would have had to be pretty lucky to find the right roof at the right time. So, yes, he thinks Loki set him up.

What he doesn’t get is why. Just to be a little shit? Possibly, it’s Loki, after all. But it’s not really like he gets anything out of it, except if he enjoys the media circles that follows when the reporter publishes his photos. They are nice photos, really, very scenic, with the two of them little more than dark silhouettes in front of the neon lights Loki brought to life. Maybe Loki likes the attention, or likes knowing that Tony’s sitting in his tower fuming. But something about the way Loki looked at him on the roof - something about the way he smiled, all charm and warmth and -

Yeah, fuck it, Tony’s not going that route. He’s not thinking about it. It doesn’t matter, anyway, because the photos are out there now, and the public seems to be convinced they’ve figured out who put that collar around Tony’s neck. Tony gets about a million interview requests and finally has his PR guys come up with a statement that doesn’t confirm or deny anything, but mostly just tells people to fuck of and mind their own businesses. Some of them can’t read, apparently, because they act like he announced that, yes, Loki does pound him into the bed every night and always stays for cuddles after. Tony ignores that. He’s very good at ignoring the press; he’s been doing it all his life.

Thing is, it gets worse.

God, so much worse.

*

The first time Loki calls him ‘darling’ during a battle, Tony nearly flies into a building. Unlike Tony, Loki doesn’t really use nicknames when he wants to tease, and he has certainly never called any of them a pet name in that warm and amused tone of voice. He makes sure to do it when about a dozen phone cameras are turned on him, and of course a dozen versions of the same video are everywhere within minutes. Tony doesn’t yell at Loki, even though he wants to; if he makes a scene, people will just accuse them of having a cute little domestic or something equally horrendous. So he knocks Loki over with his unibeam and Loki just laughs, delighted.

The twentieth time Loki calls him ‘darling’ during a battle, Tony just flips him off, because whatever, right? If that was all he’d doing, Tony wouldn’t make a fuss, really, he wouldn’t. But it’s not all Loki is doing. There are also the flowers he sends to Tony’s office, and the time he crashes a gala and asks Tony for a dance with a smile that belongs in a romcom trailer, and the video of an old lady with green eyes and a mean smirk that shows up on twitter one day, where she swears by her five cats that she saw Tony Stark come out of her neighbor’s apartment this morning and yes, her neighbor is Loki, but he’s actually a very sweet boy, even helps her carry her groceries upstairs all the time. After that, Thor gives Tony the shovel talk, and Steve takes him aside and says it’s okay. It’s okay! Steve says that, to Tony, with his own mouth, if you want to be with Loki, it’s okay, like a fucking lunatic. As if Tony needs his permission, which, fuck that, alright? And as if he hasn’t been denying it for weeks. But that’s pointless, obviously; everyone just thinks he’s scared and repressed. Rhodey calls and asks if he can be Tony’s best man at the wedding, for fuck’s sake. He’s just joking, though. (There are no wedding rumors yet. Tony checked.)

After two months of that, Tony decides he’s done, it’s over. 

He’s going to find Loki and murder him with his bare hands.

Chapter Text

Loki lives in New York City. He moves every few weeks, if not days, because they keep finding him, but he always stays in the city. This time, it’s a nice apartment complex in Manhattan, and Tony’s not surprised when he finds out that Loki lives in the penthouse. He goes there by foot, because his cars just attract attention, and is thankful that it’s raining, that way he can hide under his umbrella. He sneaks through the lobby and takes the elevator to the penthouse, where he knocks on Loki’s door like crazy, without stopping even once until Loki opens the door, already scowling.

The scowl turns into an expression so puzzled Tony would find it funny if he wasn’t so pissed off.

“You,” he says, poking Loki’s chest with the umbrella, “need to stop. Because if you don’t, I will make everybody think you tried to kill me in my sleep, and then Thor will ship you back to Godland and this time, you won’t get out of whatever cell they put you in. Never. You’ll stay there and you’ll rot there, and I’ll sleep like a baby knowing that. Clear?”

Loki gets hold of the umbrella. His shock has faded, and of course he’s smirking now. “Crystal clear, yes. Would you like to come in?”

“Are there any reporters waiting in there to snap a pic of me? Do you want me to muss up my hair and open a few buttons?”

Loki rolls his eyes and turns away, walking back into the flat. “I’ll make coffee.”

Tony follows him and slams the door shut, because it doesn’t seem like Loki has really gotten the message yet. Tony makes a point of shaking his umbrella in Loki’s hallway, getting droplets of water everywhere, and he doesn’t take of his shoes before he enters the kitchen.

Loki is already at the counter, making coffee, and barely glances at Tony. “Why are you here?”

“I just told you why I’m here.”

Loki hums and fills a kettle with water. “Of course, yes. I didn’t think you would wait as long as you did.”

“Well, I didn’t think you’d keep it up for as long as you did, but obviously you don’t know when a joke’s not funny anymore.”

“Obviously,” Loki agrees lightly, leaning against the counter. “Why did you come on your own?”

“What?”

“Your partner?” Loki tilts his head to the side. “If my sub wanted to threaten a powerful, adversarial mage, I would not let them go alone.”

“If you’d think they couldn’t handle it on their own, sure. Whatever.”

“Oh, I would let them handle it,” Loki says with a dismissive wave of his hand. “I would also like to keep them safe and alive, that’s all.”

“Did you just threaten me?”

“No.” The kettle whistles, and Loki turns around and opens a cupboard to pull out a teabag. “I will not hurt you, Stark.” A smirk; Tony can see a hint of it when Loki turns his head slightly to the side. “Unless you ask me to, of course.”

“Very funny.”

“Aren’t I? So, where are they? I had hoped to meet them.”

“Who?”

Loki sighs. “Your Dominant, Stark. Really, have you slept well? Eaten enough? You seem a little slow today.”

“And you seem a little too obsessed with my Dominant.”

“Obsessed, no.” Loki turns around to Tony again, hands wrapped around his steaming mug. “Perhaps a little disappointed.”

“Disappointed?”

Loki lifts his shoulders. “I didn’t think you would ever bind yourself to someone boring.”

Tony is offended on behalf of a person that doesn’t even exist. He’s much too tired and annoyed for this. “You don’t even know who it is. Don’t call them boring.”

“But how could they not be, compared to you?”

Tony glares, but Loki quickly holds up a hand..

“Speaking from a purely objective standpoint, naturally. Did you find someone who can keep up with you? Someone who doesn’t only endure you, but enjoys you?” Loki grins; Tony wants to wipe it off his face. “I doubt it. I imagine someone like your captain, actually. Good, noble, and patient, and constantly trying to make you into something you are not. Do you think it will last?”

Tony slowly and silently counts to five. There is no point in punching the crazy god. The crazy god would probably dodge or, worse, punch back. And without his suit, Tony really wants to avoid being punched by a ridiculously strong alien. 

“First of all,” he says, voice cold, “I already told you, he’s not my captain. Secondly, it’s none of your fucking business.”

“Yes, you’ve mentioned that. Repeatedly. You didn’t answer my question. Do you think it will last?”

“I’m not here to play mind games with you,” Tony says. “And I’m tired of that other game you’re playing, too. The next time you do anything - anything at all - to make people think you and I are a thing, you’ll regret it faster than you can say ‘leather pants', promise."

Loki glances down at himself, at the leather pants he's wearing. He's not in full armour, only the pants and a green tunic-like thing. It's an annoyingly good look on him, but Tony does not notice that. 

Loki smirks, anyway, probably sure that Tony has noticed. "Are they prone to jealousy?"

"Loki -"

"Surely it bothers them at least a little," Loki says, ignoring him. "Everyone thinks that you and I are a thing, as you put it. If I were in their place, I would have wished to make our relationship known weeks ago. It would have put an end to all those rumors, certainly."

Tony has to grit his teeth to keep from yelling. "Is that what you want? Force us to go public?"

"I don't care whether you do that or not," Loii says, and somehow - maybe it's the way Loki looks away and turns to the coffee machine - Tony thinks that he's lying. Loki takes another mug out of the cupboard. "But I am curious, and I have to pass my time some way."

"Find something else to do, then. A bookclub, maybe. Crotcheting?"

Loki smiles and sets a mug filled with coffee on the counter. "You're angry."

"Well spotted," Tony says. He doesn't reach for the mug, his hands are curled into fists by his sides.

"Not jealous, then," Loki says, casual. "Maybe they just don't care?"

Tony lets out a breath to calm himself. It doesn't work. "What?"

"Well, you have to admit it's a little odd. The two of us seem to spend more time together than you and your partner."

"Yeah, because you've been causing trouble like every other day."

Loki acknowledges that with a nod. "Still. As far as I know, nobody has ever seen you in public with someone you seem close to. Not even once. And I know some reporters have been following you around recently, and they never witnessed you visiting someone, or them visiting you." He takes a moment to drink his tea, gives Tony a chance to say something, but when he doesn't, Loki continues. "I didn't think you would care about anyone knowing. You would do what you wanted, and I know you enjoy going out for dinner or drinks. You like spending time with the people you are close to. So either you don't like them that much, after all, or they don't like you enough to actually be with you. I sincerely hope it's the former, because you do not deserve the latter."

For some reason, he doesn't like hearing Loki say that. He doesn't like that Loki thinks stuff like that, that he's observed Tony enough to know that if he had a Dom, he wouldn't be shy about it, wouldn't care what any papers wrote about them, wouldn't - fuck. The anger spills out of a dark hole in Tony's chest and rises up his throat like bile. He's angry at Loki for saying shit like that, and angry at himself for starting this whole thing, for ever thinking that anyone could believe that he was just happy with someone. But no, surely that's a nonsensical thought, surely there must be something more behind it, something that keeps him from running around throwing flowers and announcing to the world that he's in love. There must be something wrong. Loki probably thinks some asshole Dom doesn't give a damn about what Tony does or doesn't do as long as he kneels and spreads his legs on command and, hell, he wouldn't be that far off. That's probably the only kind of Dom Tony could convince to collar him.

The kind who doesn't care about what a collar means.

"There isn't anyone," Tony says, icy. "Alright? If you think this is some great mystery you can solve to pass the time, fine, here's the resolution: there isn't anyone."

Loki stares at him, his mug raised halfway to his mouth.

"Did you hear me? I can say it again. You can stop playing detective now. I don't go out with my Dom because I don't have a Dom to go out with. I'm here on my own because I didn't tell anyone about it, because there's nobody waiting at home who cares about keeping me safe and alive."

"But you -" Loki looks at Tony's collar and back to his face, and Tony lets him figure it out himself. 

It doesn't take long.

Loki lets his mug sink. His eyebrows twitch into a frown. "You put it on yourself."

His voice is quiet. Almost soft, really.

"I won't ask you not to tell anyone," Tony says flatly. "Because I know it'd be pointless. So if you want to scream it from the rooftops, go right ahead. Tell them that you were just messing with me, or tell them that you ended things because I was too much of a mess even for you. Or tell them the truth, I don't give a fuck. Do what you want." Tony looks at the coffee mug. He hasn't taken a single sip. "Thanks for that."

He turns around and leaves the kitchen. 

"Stark," Loki says, but he doesn't follow him, and he doesn't say anything else.

Tony leaves, and Loki lets him go.

*

He expects the press and the internet to go crazy with the news. By the time he comes home, he's fully prepared for it, tense shoulders and clenched teeth and everything. 

But there's nothing. No tweet, no articles, nothing at all. So Tony keeps waiting. He waits the entire night, and the next day, and the next week. 

Still nothing.

*

Tony is curled up on the sofa, watching some awful hospital show on TV, when Loki shows up. One second Loki isn't there, sitting on the other end of the sofa, the next second he is, and Tony would be shocked enough to fall off the sofa if he wasn't so fucking tired.

"If you're here to kill me," he says, not taking his eyes away from the TV, "do it after this episode is over."

Loki doesn't say anything at first. When he does, he sounds bewildered. "What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?"

"Are you sick?"

"Why would I be - no. I'm not sick." Tony sighs. "It's what, 2am? I can't sleep and I'm too tired to work, so I'm moping."

"I see," Loki says.

Wait. Tony turns his head and squints at Loki, who is watching him with a crease between his brows. "What the fuck are you doing?"

"I have a proposition," Loki says and, wow, was that an actual answer? No counter question, no snark? 

Maybe Tony is dreaming. "A proposition."

"Yes."

Okay. Fine. Whatever. Tony yawns and sits up, pulling his blanket a little closer around him. He's cold. "Look, if you want to blackmail me, uh. Don't. Just don't."

"Blackmail is beneath me."

"No, it's not."

Loki sighs. "I'm not here to blackmail you."

"Well, aren't I lucky," Tony drawls, running a hand through his messy hair. "Then what do you want?"

Loki is watching him, eyes glinting in the dim light that falls through the windows. "I want you to listen to me before you throw me out. I don't think you will like my suggestion, at least not at first."

“Okay, doesn’t sound ominous at all. You’re aware that your brother lives two floors under this one, yeah?”

Loki wrinkles his nose. “Yes.”

“Just checking.” Tony puts his arm on the backrest, turning towards Loki, and flaps his hand. “Alrighty, then, I’m all ears.”

Loki looks at him, then down at his own hands, then at the TV. Finally, he says, “You collared yourself because you were tired of people saying you should find someone to collar you. Yes or no?”

“Yes,” Tony says dryly. “You get a gold star.”

“Thank you,” Loki says without missing a beat, making Tony snort. “You did not do it because you don’t want to be with anyone in general. You just wanted to be left alone.”

Tony frowns, unsure where Loki is going with this, and unsure if he likes it. “Yeah, I guess.”

Loki nods and looks at Tony again. “I wish to be left alone as well.”

“Well, then you should stop with the pranks.”

“I would rather not.”

“Right.”

“They are just pranks,” Loki says, voice even. “Nobody has gotten injured in quite some time, and there haven’t been any noteworthy property damages. The Midgardians are fond of me, even. And still you and your team monitor me as if you expect me to try to take over your planet again.” He pauses. “Regarding which I have no ambitions whatsoever, just to make that clear.”

“You want us to stop keeping tabs on you? Seriously?”

“Well, there must be other things you have to do. I’ve heard rumors about Amora, for example. In comparison I’m hardly a danger to your planet, and I don’t plan to become one again. You don’t trust me, that is more than fair, but I would be willing to try to win your trust if you leave me alone in exchange.”

Tony honestly thinks he’s misheard. “Wait. Just - am I getting this right? Are you telling me that you want to come to the good side?”

“Oh, please,” Loki says, scoffing. “I am and will always be on my side. But you have to admit that I could be a helpful ally, given my skills and experiences, and if being your ally gains me my freedom, well. Assisting you with certain matters would be a fair price to pay.”

That - doesn’t sound too bad, actually. Huh. Loki is a magic expert, for one thing, that alone could be very helpful, and apart from him being an brilliant fighter he also knows a lot of things, because he’s incapable of minding his own business. Sure, it’s annoying that he knows a lot of things about Tony and the others, but if he also knows a lot of things about other villains… 

“Okay,” Tony says. “Let’s say I’m taking you at your word here, and you’re not fucking with me. Why did you come to me?” In reaction to Loki's raised brow he adds, “I’m not the team leader, Cap is. Fury’s another person to go to with stuff like this.”

Loki looks appalled. “As if I would go to Fury with something like this.”

Which, yeah. Fair. “Okay, but still. That’s not the entire proposition yet, is it?”

“No,” Loki admits. “See, if I were to go to your Captain -”

“Not my Captain.”

“- or Fury and tell them what I just told you, they would not believe me. In fact, Fury would probably put me in a cell again. They would expect me to betray them at the earliest opportunity.”

“Well, you can say what you want about them, but they’re not dumb.”

Loki lifts a shoulder. “Unfortunately, yes. But well, if they believed I had an incentive to get into their good graces that goes beyond wanting my privacy, they would be a little more inclined to give me the benefit of the doubt, don’t you agree?”

Tony narrows his eyes at him. “What kind of incentive?”

“The desire to appease my sub, for example.”

Tony blinks. "You have a sub?"

Loki gives him a pointed look. It takes a while, but then it clicks.

"No," Tony says. "No way. That's a terrible idea."

"It's an excellent idea. We wouldn't even need to do much. They all already believe we're together, do they not?"

"No. I mean, yes, but I've been denying it the whole time, and I swear Pepper almost believes me again -"

“Of course you’ve been denying it. You didn’t want to make our relationship public out of fear it would make them think you were compromised. I, however, very much wanted everyone to know, which is why I have been acting the way I’ve been acting the past few weeks.”

“Loki, come on.”

Loki doesn’t let that stop him. He’s smirking now, pleased with himself. “We had a fight, but eventually you agreed to let people know, on condition that I stop being an enemy and start being an ally.”

“Right, and then we ride off into the sunset together.”

“Naturally.”

“Cute. No, really, that’s adorable, good for us. You’re not actually serious.”

Loki looks at him.

“You are serious,” Tony realizes. God, how is this his life. “Okay. You’ve lost your mind, you know that, right?”

“I won’t force you, obviously. But our current situation is perfect for a scheme like this, and it would give us both what we want, so I don’t see why -”

“Shut up,” Tony says. “I’m thinking.”

Loki shuts up, and Tony thinks.

There would be some backslash, certainly. Not everyone would be happy that Tony’s with the crazy alien who wanted to rule over Earth a couple of years ago, and Pepper will be furious because Tony has been ‘lying’ to her. But all of that would die down after a while, and then… and then maybe people would stop saying that Tony acts as he does because he’s unowned, because he’s somehow not whole. He wouldn’t have to worry about that anymore. And Loki would be a good ally, and Tony wouldn’t mind giving him some peace; the Avengers do have other shit to do.

In the end, well. Why the fuck not? It’s not like Tony has anything to lose.

“Alright,” he says. 

Loki gapes at him. Actually gapes at him; it’s the first time Tony thinks Loki might have something in common with his brother, after all. “Really?”

“Yes.” 

“Oh.” Loki stares at him for a few seconds longer, then he shakes his head. “Honestly, I didn’t expect you to agree.”

“I’m enormously sleep-deprived, so that’s probably playing into it. But I’ve done more stupid things I didn’t regret, so. Let’s do it.”

Loki nods as if that makes perfect sense. “We should talk about how exactly we want to do this, then. I will come back tomorrow, after you’ve had some sleep. If you -” 

“We can talk about that now.”

“I’d prefer it if you had a clear head during that conversation, in case you change your mind.”

Loki’s tone makes clear that he doesn’t intend to argue about this, and fine, whatever. Tony shrugs. “Okay. Tomorrow, then. Hey, do you want me to write it down? ‘I, Tony Stark, agreed to this goddamn crazy thing this goddamn crazy god suggested out of my own free will?’”

Loki rolls his eyes and stands up. He doesn’t leave right away, though, instead he looks at Tony, hesitating. “Will you be able to sleep?”

“If I say no, will you offer to tuck me in and read me a story?”

“Only if you’re good, Stark,” Loki says, grinning, and disappears.

Tony stares at the spot where Loki stood for a while.

“This was definitely a dream,” he says, and goes to bed.

*

It was not a dream. Tony realizes that when he wakes up, and he keeps thinking about it the entire day until Loki shows up in the penthouse again, looking like he never really left. He's just in the kitchen all of a sudden, peering into the fridge when Tony walks in, having been alerted of Loki's presence by JARVIS.

"I told you you could come by, not that you could snoop around."

"I'm hungry," Loki says, because he's deaf, apparently. "Have you eaten?"

No, Tony hasn't. And it's not like his life can get any weirder, so. "I can order something in if you want."

"Yes, please." 

"Pizza? Pasta? Burgers? Sushi?"

"Sushi would do well, I think." Loki takes a bottle of water out of the fridge. "Thank you."

So Tony has JARVIS order dinner, and he and Loki go and sit on the sofa. It's awkward. That's hilarious, Tony thinks, because of course it's awkward, what with them technically being enemies and everything. God, this really is a terrible idea.

"So," Tony says, watching as Loki pours water into two glasses he's brought from the kitchen.

"So," Loki says, smirking. He should stop smirking, it's fucking unfair. "Have you changed your mind?"

"No. You?"

"Of course not. How do you want to do this, then?"

Tony gives him a flat look. "What, you won't just dictate how it'll go and expect me to roll with it?"

"Would you like me to?"

Loki's tone is teasing, and Tony glares at him. "No."

"Then I won't."

The easy agreement makes Tony nervous for some reason, but he swallows it down and keeps his voice sharp. "You need to tone down your pranks a notch. Don't stop altogether, that'd be weird, too, but like, don't wreak havoc twice a week."

Loki pouts - he's not pushing his lower lip forward, but Tony almost expects him to, because the look in his eyes kind of screams petulant teenager. "Yes, fine."

Tony doesn't trust him one bit. "Really?"

"Yes, really," Loki says. The smirk returns, and he looks at Tony. "I will simply have to entertain myself in other ways."

"Why, sweetcheeks, aren't you a flirt."

Loki raises his glass of water in a toast. "It's true, though. We'll have to see each other regularly, so we might as well have fun."

Tony can't keep the corner of his mouth from curling up. "Fun, huh?"

"Not that kind of fun," Loki says without looking at him. His tone is off, too dismissive, but he brightens again after a moment. "I should visit you here often. Rogers will be incredibly annoyed in no time."

Tony snorts. "He forces us to have breakfast together every Sunday morning."

Loki's eyes light up like a kid's on Christmas, and Tony has to laugh.

"Okay, alright. You can come, but only if you don't start any actual fights."

"Oh, don't worry about that. I will be on my best behaviour."

"Mh hm, right. I call bullshit."

"Your lack of faith wounds me, Stark." Loki puts his glass on the sofa table and then leans back, throwing one of his legs over the other. "Do you think you'll be able to keep up the act around your friends?"

The way he says 'friends' is mildly mocking, but Tony doesn't even notice because he's busy trying not to stare at Loki's legs too openly. He's wearing the damn leather pants again, soft looking and slightly worn. Tony wants to touch them, feel Loki's strong thighs through the leather, and -

And, nope. Nothing. Abort, abort.

"Yeah," he says, forcing himself to meet Loki's gaze again. "I'm a good actor."

Loki smiles. "There is nobody you want to tell the truth?"

Tony thinks about Pepper, and Rhodey, but shakes his head. They would just try to keep him from going through with this. "No. What about you?"

"Who would I tell?" A horrified expression wanders over Loki's face. "Thor? Gods, no."

Tony huffs a laugh. "No, I mean will you be able to keep up the act?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"We'll have to act like we've been together for a few months. And not just together, but -" Tony's hand moves up to his collar, fiddling with the leather. "They have to actually believe that you own me."

Loki is watching him closely. Tony almost expects him to start laughing and declare that this has just been one giant prank, obviously he'd never want anyone to think that he owns Tony of all people. But Loki doesn't do that, he just tilts his head, pensive.

"We have a certain leeway," he says. "There is no specific way they expect us to behave, given that every dynamic is different and you and I are not exactly conventional people. If they find something odd, we'll simply claim that we do what works best for us, even if it may be unusual."

"Right," Tony says slowly. He thinks about Steve and the others - hell, Natasha will see right through them if they mess up even slightly. "But - still. They know me pretty well by now."

"Do they know how you act around a Dominant that is yours?”

Yours. Mine, the word echoes in Tony’s head, and he swallows. No, they don’t know that. He doesn’t even really know himself. “No.”

“Leeway,” Loki says again. “Thor has seen me with submissives before, but that was a long time ago, and he’s not very observant. In the end, no ruse succeeds if you draw too much attention to it. I suggest we act as if we are comfortable around each other, then their imagination will fill in the gaps.”

“Comfortable.” Tony plucks at the hem of his shirt. “Yes, fine. But I won’t -”

Loki waits, but when Tony doesn’t say anything, he prods, “You won’t?”

Fuck. Tony has no idea why talking about this is so hard, it isn’t even real. It’s exactly what Loki said, just a ruse. And still Tony’s stomach is in knots over it, and Loki doesn’t make it better by all that looking at Tony he’s doing. Attentive, as if there’s nothing else to pay attention to.

“Look,” Tony says finally. He sounds snappish, but well, that’s better than sounding how he actually feels. “I don’t know how you expect subs to act, but you’re ancient and weird and you have a major god complex -”

“I am a god.”

“Case in point. Thing is, I’m not going to cower before you, not even for show. I don't do that being quiet and docile twenty-four seven shit, especially not in public. Some people -” He shrugs and looks away, grabbing the glass of water Loki put on the table for him, just to give his hands something to do. “They expect that. Hell, they’ve been yelling it for years, if not decades. That Stark boy only needs a firm hand, then he’ll stop being this difficult, you know? So, nope. I’m not giving anyone that satisfaction.”

“I wasn’t planning to lead you around the tower by a leash,” Loki says, tone so dry that it gives Tony the mental picture of a tumbling weed in the desert. “I would not have you change, Stark. Be as difficult as you wish.”  He smiles and it reaches his eyes, makes them crinkle a little at the corners. “I’m not exactly well behaved, either. Thor would be surprised if I had fallen for someone who didn’t provide me with a bit of a challenge.”

Tony raises his brows. “That’s how you want to make it look like? That we’ve fallen for each other?”

“Of course. Like I said, Thor has seen me with subs before. He knows that I wouldn’t,” he briefly looks at Tony’s collar, “claim someone like this if I did not love them.”

This is a very weird conversation to have with an enemy - if that word still fits. Tony doesn’t like it. “You are a romantic, huh.”

Loki’s smile is sharp. “I can be.”

Right. Moving on. “Have you done that before? Collared a sub, I mean.”

Loki needs a little too long to answer. “No,” he says then, voice perfectly even. “Most of my relationships were little more than flings. Besides, by Asgardian standards, I am still considered a little too young to settle down. I wouldn’t even have considered collaring someone until - well.”

“Young?” Tony repeats, frowning. “Aren’t you like a thousand years old?”

“Yes, and I will live for several thousand years more.”

“I know, but like, you’re of age, right? I’m not robbing the cradle here?”

Loki actually laughs at that. “No, you are not. I’ve been considered an adult for one or two centuries. It’s not forbidden for Aesir of my age to marry, it’s just rare.”

Marry. Tony touches his collar again. “Thor won’t think we’re married because of this, will he? I’ve no idea how this shit works in Wonderland.”

“Well.” Loki’s mouth twitches. “In Asgard, you can marry in different ways. There is a ceremony similar to what you’re familiar with, although that is mostly reserved for people who don’t have a dynamic. It’s a surrogate, so to say, for…” Another glance at Tony's collar.

Tony groans. “Right, so he will think we’re married.”

“In every sense of the word that matters, yes.”

“God. Okay, yeah. Now the shovel talk he gave me makes a little more sense.”

Loki’s eyes widen a fraction. “Thor talked to you about this?”

“Uh, yeah, he threatened to break my bones if I break your heart, the whole shebang. He also welcomed me to the family. Most awkward conversation I’ve ever had with him, hands down.”

“Oh,” Loki says. He shifts a little, but doesn’t say anything else.

Slowly, Tony starts to grin. “Are you embarrassed right now?”

That earns him a glare. “No.”

“No? You sure? Because he was really looking out for his little brother there, you know. Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, it was kinda cute.”

“No, it was not.”

“Yes, it was. I’ll tell him you were really touched when I told you about it.”

“I am not -” Loki narrows his eyes. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Try me.”

“Stark -”

“Tony,” he corrects. “We’re practically married, honey. You can’t keep calling me by my surname.”

“We’re not married, darling." Loki lifts his hand and wriggles his ring finger. “Not in the Midgardian way, that is. And I’ll keep calling you by your surname as long as I am cross with you, thank you.”

“Did you just make me sleep on the metaphorical couch? Wow.”

“You may sleep in the bed if you promise to stay as far away from Thor as possible. What did you tell him, anyway?”

“Ah, you know.” Tony hides his smile by taking a sip of water. “That I’m not fucking his little brother, but if I was, he’d know. Because we’re both little shits and would do it in the community kitchen at least twice a week.”

Again, Loki laughs, and again Tony is a little surprised. He’s heard Loki laugh before, but this one sounds so different that it might as well be the first time. Warmer somehow. 

“I would have liked to see his face,” Loki says, still chuckling. "He must have been horrified."

“I can show you the footage.” Tony makes a face. “Clint overheard and threw an arrow at me.”

“You do realize that we should make them walk in on us at least once, yes? I’d hate it if we didn’t live up to their expectation.”

“Oh, now you want to do the whole PDA shtick? What happened to letting them fill in the gaps themselves?”

Loki waves him off with a smile that looks a little tight. “I can use illusions. Or clones.”

That catches Tony’s attention. “Wait, you could create a clone of me?”

“I could, yes.”

“I thought clones were just a you kind of thing.”

Loki shakes his head, but before he can say anything, JARVIS speaks up.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, Sir, but the delivery man has arrived.”

“Ah,” Loki says. “I’ll be right back.”

And then he’s gone.

Tony blinks, and waits. It doesn’t take long until Loki reappears, carrying a few boxes. He sits down again, puts them on the table, and opens one of them to examine its contents.

“Did the delivery guy see you?” Tony asks, taken aback.

“He did, yes. I tipped him.”

Tony has to stifle a laugh. The poor guy must have almost wet his pants when he recognized Loki. “Great. You know that he’ll post that somewhere, right?”

“That will only play in our favor, will it not?”

“I guess.” Tony grabs a box himself and draws his legs up onto the sofa. He doesn’t bother taking the chopsticks Loki offers him and just uses his hands, stuffing his mouth with maki rolls. 

Loki looks at him, amused.

“What?” Tony says with his mouth full. “I haven’t eaten all day. Stop staring and eat, Princess.”

Loki does eat, but not nearly as much as Tony expected. He even pushes the last box in Tony’s direction and smiles when Tony empties it, too.

Chapter Text

They come up with a plan. A plan that mostly consists of letting other people see them together and improvising a lot, but nevertheless a plan.

The first step of that plan is calling Rhodey. Tony considers it practice for the conversation with Pepper that he’ll have to survive soon, given that that is the second step of the plan. So he calls Rhodey, and tells him the ‘truth’, and Rhodey doesn’t even yell. He doesn’t seem surprised, either.

“Dude,” he says.

“I know,” Tony says.

“Only you, Tones.”

“I know.”

“He’s good to you, then? I mean, he’s - you know what I mean, treating you well?”

“I wouldn’t be with him otherwise.”

“No, I know, but. It’s just, he’s kinda crazy, isn’t he?”

“A bit,” Tony says. “But he’s pretty sweet, too. I mean, yes, he’s an asshole, but he’s - I like him. Okay? I really do.”

"Wow," Rhodey says. "You sound smitten as hell, it's adorable."

"Okay, no. I do not sound smitten, you're imagining things."

“Right, yes, sure. Well, if you’re happy, I’m happy, you know that, right? I’ve got your back, even when you pick the insane alien god to settle down with.”

Tony smiles, chest aching. “Thanks, Platypus.”

“Anytime. And I want to meet him the next time I’m in New York. We can do dinner or something.”

“Yeah, sure.”

When Tony hangs up, he turns to Loki, who is sitting right next to him with his feet on the kitchen table. He’s also grinning.

“Sweet, am I?”

“Oh, shut up.”

*

The conversation with Pepper doesn’t go quite as smoothly. Oh, she’s not surprised, either, but she does look a bit like she’s run into a stone wall at full speed when she comes into the workshop and sees Loki sitting on the sofa in the corner, reading.

“I knew it,” she says. “I knew it. Tony Stark, you’re in so much trouble.”

“It’s nice to see you, too, Miss Potts,” Loki says without looking up from his book.

“You stay out of this.”

At that, Loki does look up, stunned. It's the tone Pepper uses when she's about to come up with a very creative punishment, and Loki obviously picked up on that.

“Excuse me?”

Tony laughs at his shocked tone, but he stops as soon as Pepper looks at him. “I’m sorry, Pep, it was just - I know I should have just told you, but it was - it’s been -”

“Complicated,” Loki suggests helpfully.

“Yeah,” Tony says. “Complicated.”

Pepper looks at the two of them, and then she throws up her hands and walks out of the workshop again. Tony sighs and hurries after her, and they talk, and it’s okay. She’s just worried. Loki isn’t just some random guy Tony met at a bar, he’s - well, he’s Loki, so of course she’s worried. It’ll be fine. When he returns to the workshop, he almost doesn’t feel guilty. Almost.

He’s surprised when Loki is still there. He’s not needed anymore, they just wanted Pepper to see him here, but he’s still sitting on the sofa. It’s odd, seeing him there; Tony doesn’t really like it. He doesn’t let just anyone enter his workshop, and Loki wouldn’t be on the very brief list of people who are allowed in here if it weren’t necessary for their ruse. It would seem weird if Loki wasn’t allowed in the workshop.

“Are you alright?” Loki asks, which is another surprise.

Tony shrugs, a little wary, and returns to his desk. “She’ll come around.”

Loki nods and looks down at his book, fumbling with the page. “The two of you are very close.”

“Pep and me? Yeah.”

“You were together for a while, weren’t you?”

Tony sits down and doesn’t look at Loki. “Yup. Didn’t work out.”

Loki doesn’t prod. He doesn’t leave, either, just keeps reading. Tony can’t focus with him in the room.

“Hey,” he says. “What you said the other day, about your clones.”

Loki looks up. “Yes?”

“How do they work, exactly?”

Loki grins, and before Tony knows it, they’ve been talking for two hours.

*

They enter the elevator together, and Tony presses the button that will bring them down to the community floor. It’s Sunday morning, a little after nine. Loki isn’t wearing his leather pants for a change - thank god - but soft looking linen pants and a goddamn henley. The upper two buttons are open, revealing a triangle of pale skin between his collar bones, and Tony can’t stop staring at it. Loki’s feet are bare. His hair is tied into a messy knot at the back of his neck, and he keeps tucking a few loose strands behind his ears. He looks - normal. Vulnerable, almost, like he just stumbled out of bed and put the next best clothes on. Even a little sleepy.

If he’s uncomfortable, he doesn’t show it. He leans against the railing in the elevator, gaze fixed on Tony. “Are you nervous?”

“No,” Tony lies. Inside his chest, tension is strung so tightly that he feels like he’s going to burst. “Why would I be?”

Loki just hums. The elevator stops, and they follow the sounds of tired voices into the kitchen. Tony forces himself not to tense up when he feels Loki’s warm hand on his lower back, guiding him carefully. He’s not sure if they have ever touched before, except for the memorable time Loki threw him out of a window.

Everyone in the room falls silent when they walk into the kitchen. The entire team is already there, and they all stare with varying levels of surprise and shock. Tony smells pancakes and coffee and decides, fuck it. If there’s one thing he knows, it’s how to work a crowd.

“Morning, friends,” he says, grinning. “You all look like goldfish right now, it’s adorable. We should snap a group pic like that.”

“You owe me twenty bucks,” Clint says, looking at Natasha only briefly.

“Looks like it,” she says. “Hello, Loki.”

“Miss Romanoff.” Loki’s hand wanders up to Tony’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “Coffee?”

“Yeah. Please.”

Loki smiles. While Tony sits down at the table, Loki goes to the kitchen counter and opens a cupboard at random, probably looking for mugs. It brings him close to Steve, who is standing at the stove, in charge of the pancakes. At the moment he’s just staring, though. Loki doesn’t seem bothered by that, when he finds the mugs, he takes one and fills it with coffee.

“I believe there’s something burning, Captain Rogers,” he says in passing, and Steve starts and turns back to the stove. Loki returns to the table and sets the mug down in front of Tony, glancing over Bruce’s shoulder. “I’d prefer some of that, I think. It smells quite good.”

“Tea?” Bruce manages. “Uh. Yes, sure, it’s - second cupboard to the left?”

Loki nods and goes to make tea. Tony kind of expected him to be sharp and snarky, but Loki acts like nothing whatsoever is amiss, like this is perfectly normal, and the others are even more puzzled by that than they would be by snark. Thor looks like he isn’t sure if he’s still dreaming, frowning at Loki’s back, and the others aren’t much better off. At least Steve managed to save the pancake.

“This is ridiculous,” Tony says, wrapping his hands around the hot mug. “Don’t act like you all didn’t already know.”

“You kept denying it, Tony,” Bruce reminds him.

"I could have sworn you were telling the truth," Natasha adds. Clint pats her arm.

Tony feels a tad guilty for lying to them, but well, too late to back out now. “Yes, well, I wasn't. We’ve come to an agreement.”

“An agreement?” Steve asks.

“Yeah, Loki’s on our side now.”

Loki makes an indignant noise. “I am not.”

“As good as, though.”

Loki glares at him across the kitchen, but softens as soon as Tony gives him a sweet - and slightly smug - smile. Loki sighs and turns back to the counter, rifling through some tea bags. 

Clint lets out a quiet whistle. “Oh, he’s whipped.”

“I heard that,” Loki says without turning around. “And I am not.”

“He’s lying,” Tony says. 

Loki ignores him. “I simply agreed to stop playing as many pranks as before, and if I can be of assistance with,” he shudders slightly, “Avengers matters, I will.”

“Really?” Steve asks, stunned.

Loki gives him a sour look and comes back to the table, mug in his hands. “Yes, really.”

“Brother,” Thor says, speaking up for the first time, eyes bright. “That’s fantastic. I’m glad you finally -”

“I am not doing it for you, Thor,” Loki interrupts him. He pointedly sits down next to Tony, even pulls his chair a little closer to Tony’s. “Actually, I think it would be best if you didn’t speak to me at all.”

Steve clears his throat. “Would you like pancakes, too, Loki?”

“I don’t know, Captain, will you try to poison me or not?”

Under the table, Tony nudges Loki’s foot with his own.

Loki scowls at him. “Yes, pancakes would be nice. Thank you.”

“Whipped,” Clint says again. “Tony, can’t you do that to all of our enemies?”

“I think not,” Loki says darkly, making Bruce snort into his tea.

“I wanted to leave some for you, birdbrain.”

“Thanks, but no thanks,” Clint says. He’s grinning, but when he looks at Loki, his eyes are cold. “I’m surprised you’re not making him kneel by your feet. You were really into making people kneel back then.”

Ah, yes. Tony remembers Stuttgart, too, and Loki’s grand speeches. He glances at Loki, but Loki remains unimpressed.

“I can understand why you would like to see Anthony on his knees,” he says, most of his attention focused on his tea, “given that it’s quite the sight to behold. But I’m afraid that is for my eyes only.” He looks at Tony briefly, eyes glinting. “Also he’s not young anymore, unfortunately, and I wouldn’t want him to be uncomfortable.”

Tony makes a pained face. “Shit, yeah, you’re right. No sexy times for a month or so, alright? Just to give my dear old bones a chance to recover.”

Loki frowns. “Wait.”

“You dug your own grave there,” Natasha says idly.

Thor laughs. "I am happy you found someone who can keep up with you, brother.”

“I told him not to talk to me, did I not?” Loki asks, addressing Tony.

“Yeah, you did.”

“Good.”

Steve serves them pancakes and sits down as well. To Tony’s surprise, the banter keeps flowing easily. Loki doesn’t seem to be the biggest fan of maple syrup - the face he pulls is kind of adorable - and he is a little quiet, but he doesn’t start any fights, and the others don’t, either. Tony doesn’t stop being uncomfortable, doesn’t stop feeling weird and ever so guilty, but he has to admit that the whole thing isn’t as unpleasant as he expected it to be. Loki sits a little too close next to him, close enough that their thighs touch now and then, and once or twice his hand brushes Tony’s arm. It feels casual - familiar, even, as if they are used to touching each other. Maybe that is what’s weirding Tony out. 

The others adjust to Loki’s presence well enough, as soon as they get over their initial surprise. They’ve probably been expecting this for a while. It pisses Tony off, because shit, they really didn’t believe him at all, did they? But fine, okay, whatever. Maybe he wouldn’t have believed himself, either.

He and Loki leave together. They are quiet until they are back in the elevator, riding back up to the penthouse.

“That went well,” Tony says.

“Yes,” Loki agrees. “Well, then. I will see you soon?”

“Yeah,” Tony says. Then, “No. I mean, wait.”

The elevator stops and the doors open. Loki looks at him. “Yes?”

Tony leaves the elevator and Loki follows close behind. Tony can’t really look at him. “What Clint said. He and you - during the invasion.”

Loki stops walking. “Are you asking me if something happened between Barton and me?”

“Well, obviously something happened between you. He was practically yours for a while there, wasn’t he?”

“He was not mine,” Loki says, and for the first time since - god, Tony doesn’t even know, for the first time in a long time, Loki’s voice is sharp and angry. “I had other things on my mind than claiming submissives I did not even know or care about.”

“Okay, first of all, he’s a switch. And you did use that scepter on him -”

“That’s hardly the same thing.”

“No, it’s not,” Tony allows. “Still. You really didn’t order him around?”

“Of course I gave him orders.”

Tony quirks a brow. “You’re just playing dumb at this point, aren’t you? You know exactly what kind of orders I’m talking about.”

“Oh, do I?”

“Yeah, you do.” Tony studies Loki’s face for a moment, thoughtful. “You’ve got the charisma, you know. The power. A bit of posturing, a bit of steel in your voice, and you could make most subs do a lot of things. Maybe not whatever you wanted, but,” he shrugs, “more than enough, I’d say.”

“As far as I know, that way of ‘ordering people around’ is illegal in this country.”

“Yeah, sure. Doesn’t mean that Doms don’t do it all the time."

Loki's anger fades suddenly. "Do people treat you like that?"

Tony turns away from him, making his way to the kitchen. "Not in a while. When I was younger, yeah." And in Afghanistan, too, but he's not about to open that can of worms right now. "More tea?"

Loki doesn't reply, but he comes with Tony into the kitchen, so that's probably a yes. Tony starts the coffee machine and puts the kettle on, watching Loki while he does it.

"I didn't mean to imply you were like that," he says evenly. "You've never once tried it with me, not even before the Window Incident. What Clint said made me wonder, that's all."

"The Window Incident?" Loki drawls. "Is that what we're calling it?"

"What else should we call it? The time I offered you a drink and you tossed me out of a window in response?"

"I tossed you out of a window in response to you insulting my virility."

"You should put that on a t-shirt."

"For what it's worth, I am sorry."

Tony has to do a double take. "Sorry, what? What was that?"

Loki sighs. "I will not say it a second time."

"No, wait, I think I didn't hear it right. Did you really just apologize to me? You? About the Window Incident?"

"We're not calling it that."

"It's a perfectly good name for it. And it’s okay.”

Loki looks surprised. “Okay?”

“Yeah. I mean, it’s not. What you did was very much not okay in every possible sense of the word, but. You’re not really the insane guy who opened up that portal three years ago. You’ve got a clear head now, for one thing.” Tony shrugs. “No idea what place you crawled out of back then, but I know it was a dark one.”

“I would rather not speak about it,” Loki says stiffly.

Ah, yeah, that’s another can of worms right there. Tony gets it. “Then don’t. You’re an Avenger now, there are things you can do to make up for what you did.”

“I am not an Avenger.”

“You just had breakfast with the team, Princess. They think you’re with me. The five of them are weird as hell, and we don’t see eye to eye about a lot of things, but they're good friends and even good people most of the time, and for the time being, they’ve accepted you as one of the club.” Tony salutes and grabs his coffee, turning to leave the kitchen. “Congrats. Are you coming down to the shop or what?”

Loki is scowling once again, but he takes his tea and follows Tony. “For what?”

“Do you think you could make a clone of my suit that I could fight in?”

“We could find out,” Loki says and well, yes.

Tony likes the sound of that.

*

He isn’t really used to working on projects with other people. He and Bruce get along well enough; they can move around each other in the lab and work on the same thing without saying more than ten words an hour. 

It’s different with Loki. 

More difficult, because Loki has an opinion about everything, and Tony feels like about seventy percent of the time Loki secretly agrees with what Tony’s saying, but disagrees only to be contrary. He’s arrogant and thinks he’s always right and doesn’t like it when he’s wrong. He glares and rolls his eyes a lot. 

It’s also easier, though. No, not easier - more fun. Because even though they argue a lot, the words never turn bitter or cold, which is odd. Loki only gives Tony something to push back against, and before Tony knows it they are ten steps further. He is surprisingly patient and curious to a degree that’s probably unhealthy - Tony can relate - and he can't stand it when he doesn’t understand something. He’s good at explaining things and likes it when Tony asks a million questions about magic, and he seems to have no trouble following Tony even when he rambles fast, taking ten mental leaps in a minute. Loki smiles a lot. Most of his smiles are easy and sharp and insincere, but some of them are pleased in a way that makes Tony’s skin tingle.

Somehow, they spend the next three days in the workshop.

*

They have their first public outing a week later. Tony picked a restaurant, a nice, fancy place he’s been to a few times. He doesn’t like it very much, but it’s discreet - he doesn’t want any reporters blocking the door when they want to leave. Sure, people will stare and talk when they see them together, but Tony is used to that, and he thinks that Loki is, too.

Loki is already waiting in front of the restaurant when Tony arrives. It’s a warm evening and Loki is wearing a black suit that Tony is pretty sure is illegal. He could cause car accidents looking like that, for fuck's sake. Even worse is the way he smiles when Tony arrives - he's a good actor, and that smile? Looks like he's happy to see Tony, actually happy. 

"Don't overdo it," Tony says in lieu of a greeting.

"I'm not doing anything," Loki says, and then he leans down to kiss Tony's cheek.

The kiss lingers. Tony tries not to think too much about it, and he's certainly not blushing when Loki straightens again. "Yeah, sure you aren't."

"We can hardly shake hands like business partners, can we? Shall we go inside?"

Tony nods and shoves his hands into his pockets. He takes the lead and opens the door for Loki, which makes Loki smile for some goddamn reason and Tony really can't let himself look at him for too long, because shit, he's nice to look at.

In the restaurant, Loki's hand is on Tony's lower back again. Tony doesn't protest and lets Loki lead him to their table. A few heads turn, Tony can feel eyes on him, and his skin itches. It really is a nice restaurant, classy, but not strictly traditional - when Tony was younger, there were still a lot of places where submissives had to kneel by their owners' feet. And places like that still exist, but this isn't one of them. There are pillows on the ground next to the tables, yes, and a few women and men are kneeling, but it's not a must. And that's good, because the thought alone makes Tony want to hide in his workshop for a year or two.

The whole kneeling in public thing, it always reminds him of his parents. Good, old-fashioned Howard Stark and sweet, well-behaved Maria, model couple of the upper class, harmonic in public and usually fighting in private.

"We won't need that," Loki says, picking up the pillow from the ground next to their table. He hands it to the waitress with a smile. "Thank you."

Tony waits by the table for Loki to sit down first, but somehow Loki takes that as a cue to pull Tony's chair out for him. Tony has to press his lips together to keep from laughing, and Loki's confused expression doesn't make it easier.

"What is it?" he says quietly, his hand still on the backrest of Tony's chair.

Tony just shakes his head, and Loki gives in and sits down across from Tony. It's a table for two, very romantic, with a freaking candle between them, even. Tony's glad that he didn't put on a tie, right about now he would have the desire to tug it loose to get some room to breathe. The collar is already bad enough.

The waitress comes back and gives Loki the menu, and he smiles at her in thanks but is frowning again soon enough, looking between the menu and Tony's empty hands.

Tony rubs his mouth to hide his grin. "You have no idea how things work here, do you?"

He can see the wheels turning in Loki's head. "I… don't go out often."

"Right, you don't go to parties, you just throw them."

"Well, yes."

"I won't get one until you ask for one," Tony explains, taking pity on him. "And just for the record, I was waiting for you to sit down first just now. Although the chair thing was charming, I'll give you that."

"Oh," Loki says, understanding dawning. He looks down at the menu again. "Would you like me to -"

"Nah, it's fine, you can choose. I'm not a picky eater."

Loki smiles, and it's one of the warm, pleased ones. "Very well."

Tony regrets his decision immediately. It's not like this is a big deal, it's just dinner, and Tony doesn't really care what he eats. He doesn't like giving that to Loki, though, even if it's just a small thing. He does like Loki's smile, likes it way too much and well, that's just unsettling.

He looks around, at the other tables, and sure enough, a few people look away too quickly. He resists the urge to fiddle around with his collar.

"You're not comfortable here," Loki says.

Tony shrugs, reluctant to admit it. "I'm used to fancy places."

"Do you want to leave?"

"Why?"

"Because you're not comfortable," Loki says, in a tone that screams duh. 

"I'm not uncomfortable. The staring is annoying, that's all."

Loki watches him for a moment longer, then he finally opens the menu. "We'll go somewhere different next time."

Sure, as if people won't stare at them everywhere they go. But that's not the weirdest thing about what Loki just said, it's the tone that catches Tony's attention. Firm, decisive, like this isn't up for discussion.

"Do I get a say in that?"

"If I can't trust you to pick a place you would actually like to go to, no."

Woah, okay. Tony looks at the table. "Fine.'

He can feel Loki looking at him, but it takes a while until he says something. Then, "Anthony."

The tone makes Tony's gaze snap back to Loki's face. Stern, but not harsh. And the name is still new, too; Loki has used it before, but never addressed him with it directly. It's weird.

"I didn't mean to -"

"I said it's fine," Tony says again, feeling very hot all of a sudden. He clears his throat. "So, uh. You didn't do any research before you suggested this? You know, about etiquette."

"It didn't occur to me," Loki says. He doesn't look very pleased, but at least he's willing to play along with the change of topic. "I didn't expect things to be this different here. A misstep on my part, it seems."

"How do things work on Asgard? I've never really asked Thor about that."

"Well, submissives are very rare, so they are coveted and cherished." Loki looks away from Tony - thank god - and focuses on the menu. "They are expected to behave, certainly, but they also grow up knowing exactly what power they hold. To get into their good graces, Dominants usually trip over themselves. Courtship is an elaborate ordeal that may last decades."

"Courting, huh? You done that before?"

Loki glances at Tony over the menu and returns his smirk. "Once or twice."

"Successfully?"

"I already told you, I have never considered collaring someone before, but I did succeed in other ways, yes."

Tony can read between the lines. He grins. "So you just slept around. That's what you're saying, right?"

"No, that's what you're saying," Loki corrects. "I merely implied it."

Tony snorts. "Right. Would people up there be surprised by, you know, you settling down?"

"Oh, yes. Very. My mother would -" He stops.

Tony knows that Loki's mother is a sensitive topic. Thor mentions once that she and Loki were actually very close before Loki found out that he was adopted and went on a rampage.

"Let me guess," Tony says. "She'd be overjoyed and ask about a trillion questions, and she'd force you to invite me for dinner or something. And I'd be fucking terrified."

The waitress comes and asks if Loki is ready to order. Loki is, and he does, and when she's gone again, he smiles. "Terrified?"

"I'm not someone you bring home to meet the parents, Lokes."

"Yes, I assume your wealth, fame and long list of good qualities are very off putting."

Tony is about to snark back, then he realizes what Loki said. "Long list of good qualities?"

"You're intelligent," Loki says, deadpan, as if he doesn't get why he has to even spell it out. "Kind and generous as well, and passionate about everything you do, not to mention that you are rather nice to look at. Objectively."

"Objectively," Tony repeats.

"Yes.”

Tony leans forward and squints.

Loki looks at him warily. "What are you doing?"

"I'm checking if I'm imagining things," Tony says. "But no, you're definitely blushing."

"You are imagining things."

"Nope. A bit more and your ears will turn pink. I want to see that, actually, so tell me more about how great you think I am."

"On second thought," Loki says coldly, "you are a terrible person and I don't know why I put up with you."

"Because I'm funny. I also have a nice ass."

"Well, I can't deny that."

Of course he can't, it's a simple fact of life. Still, Tony preens. "Damn right."

Loki doesn't reply. He's looking at a spot behind Tony, expression stony all of a sudden. Tony looks over his shoulder at a table close to theirs. He vaguely recognizes the lady sitting there from a party or a gala or some such thing. She and her friend are staring.

Tony sighs and turns back to Loki. He knows Loki's ears are better than his, so. "Did they say something?"

"Nothing of consequence," Loki says, and smiles at them. 

It's not a warm smile. It's sharp and shows too many teeth without reaching his eyes, and Tony doesn't need to look to know that the ladies will be determined to get as far away from Loki as possible.

Tony can't keep from smiling. "You're really weird, do you know that?"

"Yes," Loki says, unbothered. His smile changes when he looks at Tony.

Tony has to look away again.

*

When he sees the photo, he is angry for about five seconds before he remembers that making people gossip was the only reason they went out last night. The photo looks like it was taken by another patron of the restaurant, it shows their table at a weird angle, and a part of Tony’s body is hidden behind another person’s head. He’s smiling, though, and his collar is in clear view. Loki is talking, leaning forward a little, hands in the air, face lit up with that damn grin of his, the one that shows his dimples and makes Tony want to throw himself into the Hudson.

Tony sighs and scrolls through the replies - of course whoever took the photo posted it immediately, and again he has to remind himself that that’s what they, what he wanted. The replies are nice enough, anyway. People suddenly seem to think they’re cute, or whatever.

He looks at the time. Almost 4am. He has no idea if Loki is asleep or not, doesn’t know what he does when he isn’t making people believe that he fell for Tony Stark so hard it made him want to change sides. Hilarious, that. Tony does know that Loki also tinkers, and if he works on his spells at least a little like Tony works on his suits, there’s a good chance that he’s awake as well.

Loki has a phone. That alone was a cause of endless wonder when Loki told Tony about it, because he’s not sure that after years of living here, Thor knows what a phone even is. Loki rolled his eyes when Tony said that. He’s better at adjusting to new things than his brother, it seems - partly because he’s so curious and stubborn, partly out of sheer necessity. Loki has been in exile the last three years, hopping around what they call the Nine Realms; of course he’s good at adjusting to new things. It’s a little sad when Tony thinks about it for too long, so he doesn’t think about it for too long.

Anyway, Loki has a phone, and when they were in the workshop a week ago and Loki was distracted, Tony grabbed it and changed his ringtone to the intro of The Fairly OddParents. He likes the thought of calling Loki just because he likes to imagine Loki answering the phone with the Scowl to End All Scowls. He hasn’t called him before, though; they’ve just texted, which is already weird enough on its own. 

He calls Loki now. He makes his chair spin slowly while he listens to it ring. He’s not sure why he’s absolutely sure that Loki will not pick up, but he’s stunned when Loki does.

“Anthony?”

Oh, not that again. It reminds Tony of the restaurant, of that note in Loki’s voice that made Tony want to look down and obey. That hadn’t happened in a while. “Nobody calls me that, you know.”

“I’ll keep calling you that until you ask me not to,” Loki says, sounding like he’s stifling a yawn. “Are you alright? Did something happen?”

“Did I wake you?”

“That horrendous song woke me, in fact. You know, it's odd, but I don't remember choosing it as my ringtone.”

Tony smiles at how sleepy Loki sounds, voice still quiet and a bit raspy. “Huh. That's weird. Getting forgetful in your old age?"

"Hilarious. Was there something you wanted other than keeping me from sleeping?"

"We were successful last night.”

“Oh?”

“There’s a picture of us going kinda viral,” Tony says. “And I’ve got a few interview requests and stuff already.”

“Do you want to accept one of them?”

“They want you there, too.”

Loki hums. “That wouldn’t be a problem.”

Right. Knowing Loki, he’d probably have everyone wrapped around his little finger within seconds. “Yeah, okay, but. Maybe not yet. I was thinking of putting out a statement, something along the lines of yeah, it’s true, now leave us the fuck alone, please.”

“Yes, alright,” Loki says, chuckling. “Should I do anything?”

“Uh. Maybe you can make sure somebody sees you when you come here later.” He pauses. “Are you coming here later? Or are you busy?”

“I might be able to squeeze you in. I could make it look like I am leaving the tower to get breakfast.”

Tony grins. “Even better.”

They end the call, and Tony gets back to work. 

Loki does come to the tower a few hours later, and he comes bearing gifts in the form of bagels and fresh coffee. Oddly enough, there’s a picture of him leaving the tower and waving at some passersby in a vaguely threatening way. They have breakfast in the workshop, Loki asking questions about the project Tony is working on, and again Tony doesn’t even really witness the time flowing by. 

At around noon, he starts getting too tired to focus, and of course Loki notices. Tony isn’t sure how Loki does it, but he gets Tony to go to bed faster than Pepper ever managed.

*

Tony gets invited to about a thousand parties and galas and charity events every year, and he goes to about… five? Maybe? It's not that he doesn't like them. Okay, fine, he doesn't like them, although it can be fun to rile up some pearl-clutching, traditionalist Dominants by behaving as badly as possible. And the drinks are pretty good most of the time. And Tony looks fantastic in a tuxedo. 

Apart from that, though? Yeah, not his idea of a good time. When you get drunk at events like this, it's never in a fun way, only ever in a miserable, pitiful way, and the music sucks and the company is terrible. 

Tony is sitting at the bar and talking to an older man who keeps staring at Tony's collar like he can't believe what he is seeing. It's the kind of stare Tony can cause by being annoying and rude, and every time he manages it he adds a new tally to his mental chart. When Loki walks up to them, there are eight tallies, and Tony and the man haven't even spoken for ten minutes.

God, finally.

"Hi, honey," Tony says, grinning at Loki. "Would you mind aiming your mojo at this gentleman? Because he's been getting on my nerves."

"Oh, has he?" Loki slides into the place next to Tony's stool and leans against the bar, giving the man an unimpressed once over. "How so?"

"Your boy is a bit rude," the man says, and the look on Loki's face makes Tony snort into his glass. "You should train him better."

Loki lifts a hand to idly inspect his fingernails - and his fingers start to glow green. "Perhaps you should train yourself first, mortal. Or would you like me to do that for you?"

The man seems to have some functional survival instincts, because he quickly takes his leave. Maybe Tony should just keep Loki around all the time just to scare off annoying people, he's really good at that.

“Thanks for that,” he says. “I swear half the people here think subs are either dogs or eight years old, and I don’t know what’s worse.”

Loki’s fingers have stopped glowing by now, and his menacing supervillain expression has made room for mild horror. “You seem awfully used to that.”

“I’m a high society kid, Lokes. Of course I’m used to it.”

“Why didn’t you tell him to leave?”

“More fun this way. Fifteen more minutes and I would’ve induced a heart attack. You look great, by the way.”

Loki smiles and yeah, now he looks even better. He’s in a tuxedo, too, something Tony hasn’t seen before, but of course Loki pulls it off just as well as Tony himself. Tony has to remind himself not to stare too much.

“Thank you,” Loki says and leans in to kiss Tony’s cheek, his hand on his shoulder, thumb brushing what little of skin he can reach between Tony’s clothes and his collar. “You as well.”

“I don’t think there’s a camera pointing at us at the moment,” Tony says, but doesn’t stop smiling.

“Oh, but people talk, don’t they?”

The low pitch of his voice almost makes Tony shiver. Only almost, promise. Tony grins and gets up from the stool, causing them to stand a little closer to each other than would be considered decent in a public place.

“Then we should give them something to talk about,” Tony says. “C’mon, let’s dance.”

Loki returns his grin and takes Tony’s hand to lead him out onto the dance floor. “Can you dance, Anthony?”

“Like I said, high society kid. Of course I can dance. You?”

“Not this kind of dance,” Loki says, watching the other pairs out of narrowed eyes while he pulls Tony close. “But I will figure it out. You’ll have to lead for the time being.”

Tony laughs. “That’ll definitely give them something to talk about.”

So he teaches Loki how to waltz, and Loki figures it out fairly quickly. No surprise there - he’s made for this kind of thing, all long legs and elegance. He’s not shy, either; now and then his hand wanders to so low on Tony’s back that everybody glancing at them would think that what he actually wants to do is grab Tony’s ass. The temperature in the hall is pretty okay, but Tony’s starting to feel too hot, anyway. It’s probably just been too long since he got laid. That’s also embarrassing, but not quite as embarrassing as getting turned on by dancing with Loki of all people. 

Yeah, better not think about that for too long.

"So," Tony says, wondering how to bring distance between their bodies as soon as possible. "Any prank ideas for tonight? Because I have like six."

Loki has at least twelve, of course, so it takes a while until they agree on something. It ends up being fun, though.

Tony will probably get fewer invitations now, but really, he counts that as a plus.

Chapter Text

“What do you mean, you haven’t seen Star Wars?”

Loki is busy frowning at his ice cream cone. He was a bit overzealous when he was confronted with all the different flavors, now the upper scoop threatens to slide off. “I mean that I haven’t seen Star Wars.”

“You’ve been living here for what, three years? And you haven’t seen Star Wars?”

“I didn’t spend the entirety of those three years on Midgard.”

“But you have a TV! I know you do, I’ve seen it.”

“Yes, but I mostly just turn it on and,” Loki waves his hand, “watch whatever is on at the moment.”

“So you just watch crappy TV with lots of ad breaks.”

“The ad breaks are very annoying.” Loki reaches out to touch Tony’s back and make him turn left. “I came up with a spell to get rid of them.”

Tony doesn’t ask why Loki wanted to go left. They are just on a walk in Central Park, and it’s not like Loki’s going to abduct him. “You came up with a spell to get rid of ad breaks?”

Loki glances at him. “Are you going to repeat everything I say today?”

“If you keep saying stuff that gives me whiplash, yeah. I want that spell on my TV, by the way.” Tony remembers that he’s got ice cream, too, and that it’s melting too quickly in the afternoon sun, so he licks at it for a while. Loki doesn’t say anything, and after a moment Tony looks at him, raising his brows. “What are you staring at?”

Loki just shakes his head and looks away.

Tony licks his lips. Mainly for show, if he's honest. “You’re blushing again.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. Loki, I’ve just decided something. I’ll take pity on you and improve your life by -”

“Making me watch Star Wars,” Loki says with a sigh. “I should have expected that.”

“Yep, you should have. You free tomorrow? You could come to the penthouse and -” Then it hits Tony like a brick. They can’t just watch Star Wars in the penthouse, there’s no point in that. “Oh. Wait. I can ask the others if they want to do movie night.”

Loki casts him a sidelong look. “Why?”

“So they can. You know. See us together.”

“Ah.” Loki seems to be very interested in some trees. “They see us together nearly every Sunday. As far as they are concerned, I’m practically living with you in the penthouse. But yes, of course.”

Tony doesn’t like that tone. It’s not angry, not even annoyed - it’s not much of anything, really. They’ve been doing this for a few weeks now, and Tony is getting better at reading Loki, and he likes it when he can take at least a good guess at what’s going on in Loki’s head just from how his voice sounds. This, though? This just makes him antsy. 

He clears his throat and concentrates on his ice cream again. “I’ll ask them.”

Loki nods, and that’s that. They walk in silence for a while. Around them, people stare, some raise their phones to take pictures, but so far nobody has actually bothered them. Maybe because Loki glares at everyone who comes near them. Tony doesn't say anything about that, because it's practical, for one thing, and also it gives him the chance to look at Loki as much as he wants and ignore everything else.

“Anthony?"

“Hmm?”

“Why did you never let anyone collar you?”

Tony nearly chokes on a bite of cone. He coughs. “Funny that you think I never let anyone. Nobody ever wanted to.”

Judging by the look on Loki’s face, that doesn’t make a lot of sense to him. “I find that difficult to believe.”

"You do, huh?" But Tony doesn't give Loki any time to reply to that, instead he continues with a shrug, “I mean, yeah, sure. A few people did offer when I was younger. But that was just because they wanted my money. You know - we fucked once, maybe twice, and they thought I’d accept their collar and then go and register them as my owner and ta-da, all my stuff is theirs. As if I’d ever do that.”

"You don't want to be owned?"

"Why are we talking about this?"

"I'm curious."

"Your curiosity's gonna be the death of you some day, you know."

"Yes, I know," Loki says, cheerful. "So?"

Tony finishes eating the cone and licks his fingers. “When it became clear I was a sub, my dad wanted to find me an owner. Someone good and competent who would lead the business like dad did himself. Pissed me off, so I made sure no sensible Dom would want to touch me with a ten feet pole. When people still offered because they thought they’d manage to get me in line somehow, I pissed them off until they changed their minds. Worked like a charm.”

“Your father is dead. And if you found somebody who wanted to own you, giving them control over your properties and finances would be optional, yes?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“So your reply doesn’t answer my question. Do you want to be owned?”

“You’re way too fucking stubborn,” Tony tells him, but when he sees how Loki is looking at him, he gives in. “Look. For a while, I thought it’d work between Pepper and me, but it didn’t, because I’m too much to handle, apparently. That’s okay, I knew that already. So I gave up looking, and it’s fine, and I just want to live the rest of my life in relative peace without people breathing down my neck and yelling about how better I'd feel if I found someone.”

“Do you want this?” Loki offers Tony the rest of his cone. “I don’t like it.”

He’s probably full after eating like four scoops, but Tony doesn’t say that. He takes the cone, and Loki watches, and Tony knows he’s not done yet. And sure enough, Loki speaks up again.

“Do you like being given orders? Rules?”

Tony wants to ask why Loki wants to know that, but the answer would just be the same. Curious. “Depends on the orders, depends on the rules. Sexual ones, sure. If you want to give me some structure, make me go to bed at a reasonable time, stuff like that - hey, at least you tried. Tell me I’m not allowed to look at you whenever I’m talking to you or have to kneel as soon as you enter the room and I’ll scratch your eyes out. That enough for now or do you want me to write you an essay or something?”

Loki hasn’t broken eye contact even once. Tony is acutely aware that he’s the sole focus of Loki’s attention at the moment. He doesn’t like that. Maybe he likes it too much. 

“Yes,” Loki says finally. “That is enough for now. Thank you.”

God, fuck him and that voice of his. No, not fuck him. To hell with him. Yes. Tony clears his throat, puts his hands in his pockets and looks at the ground.

“So,” Loki says, tone a little lighter. “Star Wars.”

“What about Star Wars?”

“Tell me why you like it.”

Right. Yeah, okay. That’s easy. Tony can do that.

*

Loki is arguing with Clint about Star Wars, and Tony would be immensely entertained if he wasn’t way too fucking comfortable to even listen properly. They've gathered in the living room of the community floor for a movie night, and it's getting late by now. Bruce is already asleep in one of the armchairs, and Thor ate too much popcorn and looks seconds away from a food coma. Steve didn't pay attention to begin with, he's drawing. At this point, Natasha, Clint and Loki are probably the only ones who are actually watching the movie.

Loki's arm is around Tony's shoulders, a constant source of comfort. He alternates between drawing lazy patterns on Tony's upper arm and playing with his hair. Tony hasn't done the whole cuddling and open affection thing in ages, and it took a while to get over the initial discomfort that stems from the knowledge that they are only doing this for show. 

It didn’t feel like that, though, and it still doesn’t. No, Loki sat down first, and the way he looked at Tony was enough for him to know that he was supposed to follow, and it was Loki who pulled him close in the first place. He’s a nice thing to lean against, warm and solid, and Tony melted into it soon enough. It’s still doing weird things to his chest, makes something in there ache and flutter, but he’s not about to pull away because of that. His head is on Loki’s shoulder by now, and he’s closed his eyes and fuck, it’s nice. It doesn’t hurt to enjoy it a little, right? They need to sell this right, after all. It wouldn’t do for Tony to be all stiff and uncomfortable in Loki’s arms.

“Tony, tell your boyfriend that he’s wrong.”

Tony sighs and refuses to move or even look at Clint. “He’s not wrong.”

“How do you even know?” Natasha asks, amused. “You haven’t been paying attention.”

“Loki’s clever, and unlike some people, he’s actually been to space. If he says relations between planets don’t work like that, I’ll side with him.”

“Thank you,” Loki says, smug, and runs his hand through Tony’s hair.

Tony nearly fucking purrs. This is embarrassing. He sighs and presses a little closer, keeps his eyes closed. He hasn’t slept well in the last few days - ha, as if he ever sleeps well - and it’s catching up with him. He could fall asleep like this very easily. Gotta be careful.

He only realizes that he did fall asleep when he wakes up.

It’s Loki who wakes him, his hand still in Tony’s hair, voice deep and warm. Tony groans and sits up, cursing his stiff neck and the fact that he’s awake although he doesn’t want to be. He yawns and leans into the body next to him, until he finally remembers where they are and who that body is. 

“Shit,” he rasps, rubbing his eyes. The TV is still on, but the others are gone. “Did I really fall asleep?”

“Yes. You drooled on my shoulder, I think.”

Tony points a finger at him in warning. “We’re never talking about this again. What time is it?”

If Loki is even trying to hide his amusement, he's doing a terrible job. “So late that it may as well be early. The others left a few minutes ago.” His hand moves to Tony’s back. “Let’s go to bed.”

Tony doesn’t protest when Loki makes him stand up and herds him up to the elevator. He leans against Loki again in there, because fuck it, that’s why. “I should go and get some work done.”

“No, you should not. Go to bed and sleep. You can get back to work tomorrow.”

Tony huffs. “Yeah. Okay.”

“Good,” Loki murmurs, so pleased that it hurts, and Tony wants to ask him to come to bed with him.

Fuck.

He’s in so much trouble.

*

A few hours later, Tony shuffles through the penthouse on the quest for coffee and nearly stumbles over his own feet when he looks at the sofa.

He stops dead and stares, and then he crosses the room to lean over Loki, who is sleeping like a baby, curled up on the sofa. 

Tony pokes him. Once, twice, and then a third time when Loki doesn't wake up. Finally, he stirs, even lifts his head, squinting. He's tense, but relaxes again after looking around, and lets his head drop back onto the sofa cushion.

"Morning, sunshine," Tony says. "Not that I mind, but what are you doing here?"

"What does it look like?" Loki grumbles, closing his eyes again.

Ah, what the hell. Tony decides to leave Grumpy be and goes to the kitchen to get some coffee. On a whim, he also makes scrambled eggs and bacon and tells JARVIS to tell Loki about it when he wakes up. The thought of Loki waking up and eating food Tony made for him is kinda nice, but Tony pushes it away because, well, he was hungry, anyway, and it was no bother making a bit more, right? That’s all.

Loki hasn’t moved an inch when Tony leaves the penthouse. Tony rides down to the workshop and busies himself with work. He keeps trying to remember if Loki said anything about wanting to sleep here tonight and keeps coming to the conclusion that Loki did not. He brought Tony to the bedroom, but didn’t come in - even though he could have. Yeah, he could have, Tony’s pretty sure of that. He was pretty clingy last night and still wants more of Loki’s touches, even now that he’s rested and thinking absolutely clearly. If Loki had just come to bed with him, Tony wouldn’t have said a thing about it. He would have just wrapped himself around Loki like an octopus and fallen right asleep, no questions asked.

Tony is still brooding about that when JARVIS tells him that Loki wants to come down to the workshop. Tony agrees easily enough; Loki was in the workshop a lot of times in the last few weeks, and Tony likes having him here. Another thing that makes Tony want to scream into a pillow right now, but whatever.

Loki is wearing different clothes when he walks into the workshop, but his hair is still a bit of a mess. He still looks fantastic, because he's an asshole like that. Tony already can't stop staring at his neck. He'd like to get his mouth on that throat, please and thank you, and he wants Loki's hand in his hair pulling his head downward.

“Good morning," Loki says, and Tony tries to look like he isn't thinking about sucking Loki's cock.

“It’s like 2pm, but yes, good morning.”

Yes, that's good. Perfectly normal answer, now if he could just get himself to stop looking. He clears his throat and makes himself look at the boot of his suit, which he's currently working on, sitting on the ground.

Loki sits down next to him, cross-legged, careful not to touch any of Tony’s tools that are scattered over the ground. “I didn’t mean to sleep this long.”

“It’s fine. Why did you sleep on the sofa, though?”

“I was awake a little longer, and then too lazy to skywalk home.”

Tony meant why he didn't sleep in the bed, but fine. "Right. Did you eat something?"

"I did, yes," Loki says, smiling. "It was excellent."

The praise makes Tony flush, and he bends a little lower over his suit. "It was eggs and bacon, Loki, not a five course meal."

"Still. Do you enjoy cooking?"

Loki and his damn questions, honestly. "Sometimes," Tony says, and leaves it at that.

Loki does not need to know that Tony has no opinion about the act of cooking itself, apart from that he doesn't have the patience for it when he's alone. Loki does not need to know that Tony enjoys cooking for someone else, even though he sucks at it. Excellent. Tony likes the feeling of a job well done, he likes the praise, he likes knowing that he's useful. He likes being used, too. If it's by the right person. And Loki? God, Tony's starting to think that if Loki asked him to serve him, Tony wouldn't even hesitate.

Loki does not need to know any of that.

Tony works for a while, and Loki stays. They talk, and by now that's familiar, easy to fall into. And really, Tony has only himself to blame about this. He and Loki have always gotten along oddly well, in as much as enemies can get along well. Tony should have known that if they stop being enemies, he would stop finding Loki mildly entertaining and start finding him - something. He doesn't even know. 

When JARVIS interrupts them, Loki is nearly finished recreating the boot of Tony's suit with magic. That's probably a bad idea, showing someone like Loki how his suit works, but Tony's been showing Loki that for a while now, just like Loki has been telling him all kinds of things about his magic, including its weaknesses. They are trading secrets, and Tony enjoys it far too much.

"I would need to figure out a way to keep it solid for an extended period of time," Loki says, eyes narrowed at his shimmering green creation. "It takes quite a bit of energy like this."

"So I couldn't use it?"

"You could, I think, but not for very long. Perhaps thirty minutes or so. If I -"

"Sir, I'm sorry to interrupt, but Agent Barton would like to speak to you."

"We're busy, J. Tell him we're fucking or something."

"Or something," Loki murmurs, distracted by his magic.

"I tried, but he's very insistent. There seems to be something wrong with his shower."

"His - what am I, a plumber?"

"Talk to him," Loki says. "It won't take long, I'm sure."

God, Tony's so fucked. That wasn't even a proper order, but he wants it to be one. He sighs. "Fine, J. Patch him through."

Immediately, Clint's voice comes through the speakers in the workshop, sounding somewhat hysterical.

"I swear to god, Stark, you've lost your fucking mind. You could have picked anyone, anyone. Someone normal. Why didn't you pick someone normal?"

"Now, I don't think that's the appropriate way to speak to your host, is it?" Loki says, in a sweet tone that promises danger.

"You - no, I'm not talking to you. Tony, look,  I'm not judging, if you want to fuck the crazy warlock, fuck the crazy warlock. But -"

"I am not a warlock," Loki says, appalled.

"You kind of are," Tony says. "What's your problem today, Clint? Did you put your arrows somewhere they're not supposed to go? We've talked about that, I don't care if it's hot, it's not safe and sane."

"Very funny. My shower - there are these fucking bubbles everywhere, and they don't go away unless you pop them, but if you pop them they start singing ABBA and it's creeping me the fuck out -"

"Wait, what? Bubbles? In your shower?"

Clint makes a frustrated noise. "In the whole bathroom! They just didn't - they keep coming out of the shower. I had to close the door!"

Tony is trying really hard not to laugh. "And they're singing ABBA?"

"This isn't funny! Tony -"

"It's a little funny. Well, I don't know what to do about singing bubbles, really. You wouldn't happen to have an idea, Lokes, would you?"

Loki's smirking like the little shit he is, not even trying to act innocent. "I'm not sure. I would try popping them one by one, maybe they will stop appearing after a while. Singing along might help."

"This means war," Clint says darkly. "I'll get you when you least expect it, you hear me? Fuck. I don't even like ABBA."

"Really? Hey, we should watch Mamma Mia the next time we do a movie night."

Loki grins. "I haven't seen that one before."

"I hate you so much," Clint says. "Both of you."

And then he has JARVIS end the connection.

Tony's grinning so hard his face hurts. "You were awake a little longer, huh? Looks like you used that time wisely."

"I always use my time wisely," Loki says, disgustingly pleased with himself.

"You know," Tony says, thoughtful, "JARVIS has cameras in every room in the tower."

"Is that so?"

"Yep. Even in Clint's bathroom. I'd never thought I'd even consider taking a peek, but. ABBA bubbles?"

"JARVIS," Loki says decisively, "we would like to take a peek."

Tony has JARVIS make some screenshots of the footage. He'll frame them and give them to Clint for Christmas.

*

In the next few days, Tony comes up with a list. It's a very important list. It is titled "Parts Of Loki's Body I Am Not Allowed To Look At Ever".

Loki's eyes are on that list. And his mouth. The line of his throat, and his shoulders, and his surprisingly narrow waist. His ass is on the list, obviously, and his thighs, and his hands. (Fuck, his hands. ) Tony wants to print one of those human silhouettes that belong on coroner's reports and mark the whole thing red. Bright fucking red, for Don't Look At Under Any Circumstances. He'd need to draw a speech bubble and mark that red, too, to remind himself that Loki's voice is dangerous as well.

Consequently, he's not allowed to look at or listen to Loki at all. That is a problem. Because Tony likes looking at and listening to Loki, and if there's one thing he's good at, it's doing what he wants even though he shouldn't.

They start watching movies together. Just the two of them, without the others. And there's nothing to it, there isn't, they spend lots of time alone in the workshop too, after all. It's fine. They're friends. (Wait, they're friends? Since when?) So Tony shows Loki the wonders that are Midgardian fantasy and science fiction movies, because clearly they don't have enough of that in their lives already, and Loki has a lot to say about the science and magic systems in those movies, and it's glorious. It's fun. Tony isn't used to enjoying just someone's simple company this much.

Still, every time they sit down on the sofa together, Tony wishes the rest of the team was there. It's all he can think about. Tonight, too, they are watching Pan's Labyrinth, and there's too much space between them. If the others were there, Tony could make that space disappear. He could tuck himself against Loki's side, and Loki would smile and run his fingers through his hair, slide them over the collar as if it’s his. The thought alone is terrifying. That Tony likes the thought even more so.

“I didn’t expect this to be quite so dark,” Loki says when the credits are rolling. “Your description made it sound much lighter.”

Tony didn’t really witness anything that happened in the movie; it was just the next one in the very long list of movies Loki might enjoy. (Tony’s a big fan of lists these days.) Tony was too distracted thinking about all the thinks they could be doing, but shouldn’t, and about whether Loki would even want to do any of them. 

“Did you like it?” Tony asks, hoping that Loki doesn’t want to have a meaningful conversation about the plot.

“Yes, quite. You picked well.” Loki sits up and stretches. “Do we still have to attend that thing tomorrow?”

“It’s called a party, Lo, and yes. You told everyone we would."

"That was last week. I didn't consider the consequences of my acceptance then."

"What consequences?"

"That we would have to attend."

Tony thinks about the party Loki threw when he came back to Earth and raises a brow. "I thought you liked parties?"

“It depends.”

“On what?”

“The party. When does it start?”

“Seven or so?”

“Be ready at eight, then. I’ll pick you up here.” Loki stands up and gives Tony a smile. “We’ll be fashionably late.”

Tony nods, and a few seconds later Loki is gone. His words are still ringing in Tony’s head. Be ready at eight. Decisive, firm. He didn’t even wait for Tony to agree, he just assumed he would. It reminds Tony of the other times Loki spoke to him like that. 

I will come back tomorrow, after you've had some sleep. 

If I can't trust you to pick a place you would actually like to go to, no. 

That is enough for now. 

Tell me why you like it. 

Go to bed and rest.

Tony hasn’t thought about that much until now. Hasn’t allowed himself to think about it. But now he does, now that Loki’s gone and Tony is safe alone with his own thoughts, he imagines Loki speaking to him in that same tone of voice, the one that makes Tony want to do anything he says. Telling him to go to the bedroom and wait on his knees, or - or maybe Loki would want to have him right here, bent over the sofa, holding his wrists together on his back. That would be nice. Even nicer would be serving Loki while kneeling between his legs, swallowing all of Loki’s cock he can handle, Loki’s hand tight in his hair. Loki’s voice only a pleased murmur between gasps, the feeling of a job well done.

Ideas keep flashing through Tony’s mind; he can’t decide which one he likes the most. By the time he gets stuck on the thought of leaning back against Loki’s chest, Loki ordering him to touch himself, Tony is hard as a rock. Loki whispering into his ear how well he’s doing, how good he is, what lovely sounds he’s making -

He’s determined to ignore it for about ten seconds. It’s already bad enough that he notices how annoyingly hot Loki is fifty times a day, he’d be so fucked if he had to be around Loki knowing that he jerked off thinking about him just the night before. But then, well, then he thinks about what might happen if Loki somehow knew, if he ordered Tony to make it up to him with that smirk of his, it wasn’t Tony’s right to take what’s rightfully Loki’s, after all.

Yep, ten seconds, and then Tony’s self control runs for the hills. Fucking fantastic.

*

Tony blushes as soon as he sees Loki, and inwardly breaks into a tirade of curses, because, come on. Usually, he doesn't blush and he isn't shy or ashamed and he does not freak out about anything sex-related. If this was anyone - anyone - else, Tony wouldn't even be thinking about it anymore, he'd brush it off as a one time thing. Everybody knows not to think too much about the stuff they fantasize about seconds before they come, right? But shit, this is Loki. Loki, who won't leave him out of his sight all night, who will touch him and smile at him and whisper into his ear, maybe kiss his cheek, maybe hold his hand. And Tony would rather stay in the penthouse with him than go to the party and share him with anyone else.

"Are you quite alright?"

"Uh," Tony says, realizing a little too late that they are already on their way to the elevator. "Yeah." Yes, sure, he's fine. Peachy. Hey, it's a little hot in here, right? He winces and tugs at his collar, wanting more room to breathe. "Why do you ask?"

"You look a little flushed," Loki says. Even sounds actually concerned. "If you're not feeling well -"

"I'm fine. Just. Tired."

"Ah. Did you not sleep well last night?"

The blush intensifies. Nah, I slept just fine after coming my brains out thinking about you, thanks. Yeah, right. "Eh, you know how it is. Better three hours than none at all, and stuff."

“I suppose. What did you do all night, then?”

He’s doing that on purpose. Isn’t he? Fuck, maybe he does know. Maybe his weird alien nose can smell when people have gotten off at some point in the last twenty-four hours. Tony should ask Thor about that. No, wait, he shouldn’t. Terrible idea. 

“Just - things,” Tony says, eloquently, and looks at the ceiling, praying for a swift demise. Maybe the elevator could just crash and put him out of his misery, that’d be great.

“Things?” Loki asks and great, now he’s amused.

“Nothing interesting.”

“Oh? Is that why you’re blushing so much?”

“Shut up.”

“You always point it out when it happens to me,” Loki says, way too cheerful. “It’s only fair to repay you in kind.”

“Okay, I’ll stop doing that if you stop asking.”

“I’ll think about it.”

The elevator stops, and Loki leads Tony out into the community rooms of the tower, hand on his back and everything. Tony wishes his clothes weren't in the way.

The party is nice enough. The Avengers are present, some friends and acquaintances they made along the way, some SHIELD people they couldn’t not invite, and Tony’s friends. Well, all three of them. Loki is - surprisingly or not at all surprisingly, Tony can't decide - the life of the party. It's not that people like him, per se, but they gravitate to him, anyway. He is, if nothing else, good entertainment, because he's witty and charming and unpredictable. He's also pretty easy on the eyes in his suit; Tony catches a few subs looking at him with interest and hurries to pull Loki away from them every time.

What is definitely a surprise is that Loki is starting to get along with Tony's friends, too. Pepper kisses Tony’s cheek and smiles brightly at Loki, which is a lot of progress, and Happy tells Loki so much about Downtown Abbey that Loki will actually want to watch it, lord have mercy on Tony's soul. Rhodey and Loki hit it off for some reason, although they didn't have much to talk about except stories about his and Tony's time at MIT, which Tony would kill Rhodey for later. 

"Alright," he says loudly at one point, grabbing Loki's elbow to bring some distance between him and embarrassing stories about Tony's past. "Thanks for that, Rhodey. Why don't you make a powerpoint next time?"

"Wait, I wanted to tell him about the time you tried to flirt with that girl and she thought -"

"Nope," Tony says over his shoulder. "See you later, Platypus. A drink, Lo?"

"I want to hear the story," Loki says, but doesn't stop Tony from dragging him across the room to the bar. "What did the girl think, Anthony?"

"Didn't you hear enough embarrassing stories about me for tonight? Come on."

"Anthony."

God, nobody has called him that in ages. Maybe not ever. Even his parents called him Tony most of the time. But Loki seems to have decided that it's the name he wants to call Tony by, and Tony - well, he doesn't mind. By now he's fucking used to hearing that name come out of Loki's mouth. He likes the way he makes it sound.

He sighs. "It's not even that funny."

"Still," Loki says. "I'm -"

"Curious. Yeah, when aren't you?" Tony turns to Loki when they reach the bar and lets go of Loki's elbow, strangely pleased that Loki let him drag him around like that. "Can I get a drink, at least?"

"Aww, such a good boy, asking for permission," says Clint, who is manning the bar at the moment.

"Nobody asked you to comment, Agent Barton," Loki shoots back. His voice is aloof, but the coldness doesn't quite make it up to his eyes.

"Nobody asked me to keep my mouth shut, either."

"Yeah, it's a real shame," Tony says, hopping on one of the bar stools.

Loki orders drinks for them, and he and Clint bicker a little while Clint prepares them. It's a bit surreal, but by now Tony has almost come to terms with the fact that Loki and the Avengers actually get along. Not brilliantly, not almost smoothly - Loki and Steve will never agree on anything ever, he doesn't like being anywhere near Bruce if it's not necessary, and it'll take a century or two until Loki and Thor can talk to each other like normal people again. But Loki and Natasha will be besties in a few months, probably, and he and Clint act like they hate each other, but the prank war they've got going doesn't include any real hostility. 

It's kind of nice, actually.

After Clint slid their drinks over to them, Loki leans against the bar and looks at Tony expectantly. "I'm waiting."

Tony rolls his eyes. "Okay, okay. I'd been at MIT for like two months, right? And there was this girl in one of my classes and I was determined to hook up with her. Mostly because Rhodey - we barely even knew each other back then, but we sat next to each other in that class, and he said I'd never manage, she was way out of my league, yadda yadda."

"Was she?" Loki asks. "Out of your league?"

"Obviously, yeah. I asked her for a date, anyway, and she said yes, so I ran straight back to Rhodey and asked him for advice because what the hell do you even do with a girl, right?"

Loki's mouth twitches. "Right."

"Yep. So, Rhodey gives me a bit of a crash course, and then I meet the sleep-deprived college girl of my dreams in her dorm room, fully prepared and intending to get in her pants. She's sweet, she gives me a coke, and then she starts talking about class stuff, even pulls her text book out and everything." Tony takes a sip of his drink, pausing for dramatic effect. "She thought I'd asked her to tutor me."

Clint laughs at him, which was to be expected. "That's bitter, Tony."

"Tutor you?" Loki echoes, flabbergasted. "You?"

Tony grins at him. "Lokes, I was fifteen. She was nineteen or something, she saw me as a kid. Not even a kid, probably, just this - this tiny gremlin with oil stains on his shirt and a nervous eye twitch because there was more coffee than blood in his veins. I ended up explaining stuff to her, though, that's something."

"Ah. Are they pictures?"

"No. Definitely not."

"I shall ask the Colonel about that."

"You're evil."

"Does that surprise you?"

Tony wants to reply, but then Loki takes a sip of his drink and promptly spits it out again. Tony gapes. "Uh, you okay?"

Loki puts his glass down and wipes his mouth. "Barton -"

But Clint has already left the bar and is heading to the other side of the room, where Natasha is talking to Pepper. He knows what's good for him. By now, Tony is laughing, and Loki looks seriously miffed.

"This wasn't even a good prank."

"No, your face was great, though."

"Stay here," Loki says and takes Tony's hand to kiss his knuckles. "I will be back in a minute."

He goes after Clint, then, and Tony leans over to grab Loki's drink and sniff at it. He dips a finger in and licks it off, immediately scrunching up his nose - that's more lemon juice than anything else.

"You two are really good together."

Tony looks up, surprised to see Steve behind the bar; he didn't even notice him taking Clint's place.

"Thanks?"

"I mean it, Tony. I'm happy for you."

Tony arches a brow. "Really."

"I mean, sure, he's, ah." Steve looks over to where Loki is talking to Clint now, probably giving him nightmares or something. "You know. But he cares about you a lot."

Tony snorts at that, he can't help it.

Steve's smile dims out. "You don't think so?"

"No, I - I know he does. But I doubt this is, uh, built to last." Right, so Tony's just bullshitting his way through this one. "His lifespan is insane, remember? Mine isn't, so. He'll move on in a few years. Probably sooner."

They need to prepare people for their inevitable falling out, anyway. Although they haven't talked about that before. Wait, why haven't they talked about that before?

"Maybe," Steve says. "Maybe not. With how smitten he is with you, I kinda doubt it."

"He's not smitten." God, why does everyone keep saying that they're smitten?

"He absolutely is," Steve says, stubborn as usual. "I've got to admit I didn't really believe it in the beginning. Thought he was putting on an act or something. But when he asked me for that drawing, well, either he's a freaking good actor or he's not acting at all."

Tony feels like he's had one or two drinks too many. "Wait, what? What drawing?"

"The one I made of you two." Steve rests his arms on the bar, frowning. "That first movie night he was at? You fell asleep, remember?"

Yes, Tony remembers. "And you drew us?"

Steve shrugs. "It was just a quick study. He didn't tell you?"

"Uh. No?"

"Oh." Steve pauses, thinking about that. "Well, I showed it to him before we left you alone, and he asked if he could have it. It wasn't even that good, so I said I could draw a proper one, but he wanted that one. Said he'd like to keep it as a memory."

Huh.

"Huh," Tony says, because right now that's the only thing he can say.

"I thought he was messing with me," Steve adds. "He wasn't, though. He looked like he hated asking me for it, but he still did it, and he was really happy when I gave it to him. It was pretty adorable, actually."

"Huh," Tony says again.

Steve frowns. "I hope he doesn't want to give it to you for Christmas or something. I'll draw a better one."

Thankfully, Tony is saved from having to reply by Loki’s return. He’s smiling as if he’s very happy with the recent developments, and spares Steve only a short look before turning to Tony. “Are you ready to leave? I would like to go upstairs.”

“Yeah, sure.” Tony empties his glass and winks at Steve. “We’re gonna go and have some innocent, totally G-rated fun.”

“I’m sure, Tony.”

“Don’t be jealous, dear Captain,” Loki says, taking Tony’s hand to help him off the bar stool as if he was some elegant lady walking down a flight of stairs in an old movie. “Some day, your prince will come.”

Ah, Tony knew that showing Loki old Disney movies was a great idea. He waves at Rhodey from across the room when they leave, and doesn’t miss that Loki keeps holding his hands even when they are out of sight, standing in front of the elevators.

“What did you do to Clint?” Tony asks. He’s curious, but mostly he wants to distract himself from how he should withdraw his hand and how much he doesn't want to.

"I gave him nightmares," Loki says, in the same tone one might say 'I gave him flowers'.

Tony nods. "Called it."

"Did you meet someone last night?"

Tony nearly sprains his neck from how fast he looks at Loki. "What?"

Loki tilts his head, watching Tony curiously. "Your behavior earlier made me wonder."

Crap. Tony should have know Loki would come back to that. "Uh. I met you last night."

"And after I left?"

What's this, an interrogation? "What's it to you?"

"I'm sure you agree that it would be counterproductive if someone saw you meeting somebody other than me," Loki says, brow arched.

He doesn’t sound angry. Not at all. No, he sounds like he’s commenting on the weather and yeah, fuck that. "Nobody saw me do anything."

The elevator stops and Tony walks out, Loki trailing after him. 

"So you did meet someone."

"What, isn't that allowed?"

“Allowed, yes. Wise, no.”

“Well, what are you gonna do about it? Put me over your lap and spank me?"

"Would you like that?"

Tony stops walking and looks at Loki. His arms are crossed, and he's staring at Tony in that attentive way of his, a slight crease between his much too green eyes. Usually, that just puts Tony on edge, makes him feel like in a few seconds, Loki will tell him to kneel, but right now - god, right now it chases a different kind of shiver down Tony's spine. Not quite fear, but close. 

And because Tony is a tired forty-five year old genius who's been through some shit and waved his self-preservation instinct goodbye about a decade ago, his reaction to that fear is anger.

"Does that matter to you?"

The look on Loki's face turns cold. "I'm sorry?"

"Does that matter to you? Cause I can't tell."

"I don't know what you're talking about, Stark."

Stark, is it? 

"Don't pull that shit with me," Tony says and takes a few steps, stopping right in front of Loki. "You're not stupid or blind, Loki. A bit clueless when it comes to how dynamics work here, maybe, but you know what you're doing."

Loki says nothing. His mouth is a grim line, and Tony's oddly satisfied.

"You've been testing the waters," he says, holding Loki's gaze. "Let's see how I react to this or that little order, right? What a fun game, finding out what'll make me break."

"Stark -"

"You thought the prospect of a little punishment might do it? That I'd beg you for forgiveness, or correction?" Tony grins, and knows very well that Loki's not the only one who can make a grin look like a threat. "Newsflash, snowflake. What I do or don't do with other people is no concern of yours. And if you want to play a game, fine, but don't forget that you're playing against me."

"I wasn't trying to play against you," Loki says coldly. "Neither was I the one who brought the prospect of a punishment into our conversation.” 

“No, you weren’t. I was joking, though. You wanted to get a rise out of me.”

“Well, I seem to have succeeded, haven’t I? And to answer your question, yes. It does indeed matter to me.” He hesitates, just for a second, but long enough that Tony notices. His jaws are clenched. “Clearly I misunderstood your reactions. I can’t read your mind, Stark. If I overstep again, do tell me instead of seething quietly like you must have been.”

Wait. What?

Tony’s anger goes and hides somewhere, making room for confusion. Is this a bluff? Double bluff?  If I overstep again… That sounded an awful lot like remorse right there. Mortification, even. Loki looks angry, yes, but also like he’s wishing for a hole to sink into. Triple bluff? 

While Tony is just standing there having a crisis, Loki says, “Shall I come back tomorrow morning?”

“Tomorrow?” Tony echoes blankly. Oh. Sunday. Breakfast. Right. “Uh. Yeah?”

Loki nods and disappears.

*

Tony honestly doesn’t know what he expected. It’s not like he thought it through. It made sense in his head, though; Loki would definitely get a kick out of bringing one of Earth’s mightiest heroes to his knees, even more so if that hero submitted to him willingly. All those little orders, the smile and the charm, even when they were alone without anyone listening in - all part of a game, right? Right? Because why else would Loki act like that?

Tony thought Loki would deny it. Play innocent. Or snap, maybe, and claim Tony like he’s been leading up to. That’s the scary thought, the one that made Tony snap - the thought of Loki ordering him around for real, no pretense, no charming little things like go to bed or tell me about Star Wars. Loki’s a Dom. He gets off on power. And there’s a lot of power in that voice of his, never mention those damn smiles, the strength of his hands - he could take control so very easily. It wouldn’t take much now that he doesn’t reek of crazy anymore. He could convince just about every sub on the planet that serving him would be a privilege.

And that justifies a bit of fear, Tony thinks.

But well, Loki didn't snap, did he? Not really. And he didn't act innocent, either, at least not for long. He just left Tony alone, and he stopped.

Yes, he stopped.

Two weeks, and no order at all. Not I’ll be here at eight tomorrow, but when will I see you again? No time spent alone in the workshop or in the penthouse. They only meet when other people are around to see it. Loki still touches Tony then, he still smiles at him; it’s almost like it was before the party.

Only almost, though.

After Natasha knocked him off his feet and pinned him down by sitting on his back and twisting his arm into a position Tony hadn't known was even possible, she asks, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sure," Tony wheezes, teeth gritted. "Fine. Peachy. You're - ow - just breaking my arm or something, that's -"

"I'm not breaking it. I could break it if I applied a little more pressure here -"

"Shit! Nat, come on, I yield, alright? You don't need to break any bones to drive the lesson home."

Nat lets go of his arm and climbs off him, sitting down on the mat next to him. "I meant you and Loki."

"What?" Tony asks, distracted by checking if all his limbs and joints still work. They do. Great. He rolls onto his back and catches his breath. "You're evil, Natasha."

"I'm not. Just better than you."

"Ugh. What about me and Loki?"

"Are you two okay? You know, relationship-wise."

Jesus. "Why wouldn't we be?"

Natasha shrugs and starts to redo her braid. Which Tony pulled at earlier, because he's not above fighting like a toddler if need be. "He hasn't been around much."

"He's busy."

"Doing what?"

"Building a death ray. Watching Grey's Anatomy. Running for president. You know, trickster god things."

"So you had a fight?"

"I swear you're almost as bad as Pepper," Tony complains, wiping his sweaty forehead with his sleeve. "Much too observant. And nosy." He drops his arm and sighs. "Yeah, we had a fight. A small one. It's fine. We're fine."

"That doesn't sound like you're fine.”

“Okay, maybe we’re not fine. It’s okay, though. We’ll figure it out. I think. He’s just - pissed at me. He’ll get over it.”

“What happened?”

“Nat, please don’t make me have this conversation.”

“I’m not.” She nudges his leg with her foot, grinning. “Just keep in mind that I give the best relationship advice. The others are practically useless.”

“Practically?”

“Well, Bruce doesn’t really have the patience for it, Clint’s the guy to go to if you want to drown your sorrows in whiskey, and I doubt you want to talk to Thor about how things between you and Loki are going. And Steve is -”

“Steve,” Tony says. 

“Yes. So, of the people living with you in this tower, there’s only me left. And JARVIS, maybe. Does JARVIS give good relationship advice?”

“You know, he does, actually. No idea where he learned that.”

“He probably downloaded all the books the first time he witnessed you getting lovesick,” she says, smirking.

Tony lifts a finger. “I do not get lovesick.”

“Sure you don’t,” Natasha says placatingly. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. But the thing is, you seemed really happy for a while, and now you don’t anymore.”

Happy? No, Tony wasn’t happy. Why would he have been happy? He looks at the ceiling of the gym, aware that he has to be very careful. He was right earlier, Natasha is observant and nosy, and that makes her dangerous. Still, the past few days he’s been feeling like his chest is bursting, and if he doesn’t let it out it’ll force his way out eventually, and that won’t be pretty.

“You remember the party two weeks ago?”

Natasha nods.

“Yeah. After, he asked me about what I’d done the night before. If I’d been with someone else.”

Natasha’s eyebrows shoot upward. “How did he get that idea?”

“I don’t know,” Tony says, then winces. “No, okay, I kinda do. I acted a bit weird before the party, I think, because - reasons. Reasons totally unrelated to this. Or not. Anyway - I didn’t want to talk about it, and he somehow came to the conclusion that I might’ve met someone else.”

“He does seem like the jealous type,” Nat says. “He barely lets you out of his sight when we’re all together. Was he angry?”

Tony looks at her. “Aren’t you gonna ask if I cheated on him or not?”

She rolls her eyes. “I know who I’m talking to, Tony.”

“Yeah, exactly. Playboy, remember?”

“You’d never cheat on him,” she says, clearly not impressed. “Why would you? He’s much too interesting for that. You probably haven’t thought about anyone else in months. So, was he angry?”

Huh. Now that he’s thinking about, he really hasn’t thought about anyone else in months. God, Natasha is scary. Tony shakes his head. “Not angry, no. He just - he just wanted to know.”

“So not jealous, after all?”

“No,” Tony says, smiling. He sincerely doubts that Loki thinks Tony’s something to be jealous about. “I mean, he wasn’t okay with the idea, I guess. But he didn’t make a scene or anything.”

“Let me guess, you did make a scene.”

Tony laughs. “Kind of? I was really annoyed because he’d asked that, so I was like - I asked what he’d do about it. If he’d punish me for it. And whether it would matter to him if I would be okay with it or not. The punishment, I mean.”

“Matter to him?” Natasha repeats, concern more audible now. “Does he punish you? In a way you’re not okay with?”

“No,” Tony says with a sigh. “No, he doesn’t, stop freaking out. He’s not like that.”

“Good,” she says, appeased. “But then it probably annoyed him that you said that.”

“It did a bit, yeah. But mostly he just - god. He talked about misunderstanding my reactions and - and if he overstepped again, I should tell him, stuff like that. Can you imagine?”

“I can,” she says, surprised. “It sounds like he was worried he did something he thought you wanted, but you didn’t actually want it.”

“Right? It’s crazy.”

“Crazy?”

Ah. Right. So, Tony can hardly tell her that yes, it’s crazy because it’s Loki, and they’re not actually together so why would he worry about shit like that? Why would he care?

“There’s no - he doesn’t have a reason to worry about that,” Tony settles with, because that’s vague enough, he hopes. “I’m still not sure if he was just messing with me when he said that.”

The look in Natasha’s eyes softens. “Why would he do that?”

“Uh, have you met him? He loves messing with people.”

“People, yes. You, not so much, at least not since you’re… well.” The corner of her mouth twitches upward. “He’s very sweet with you, you know. It’s disgusting.”

“He’s not, and it isn’t.” Tony groans and finally sits up. “I don’t know, it’s just - I have no idea what he’s playing at. He’s weird.”

“He likes you a lot.”

Right. Yes. Sure. Tony stares at the mat. “I don’t even really know why I snapped. I was - he just made me so angry.”

Natasha thinks about that for a moment. Finally, she says, “Did it bother you that he wasn’t jealous?”

Tony thinks about that for a moment. “Oh,” he says then. “Oh, shit.”

Natasha nods wisely and pats Tony's head before she walks off into the direction of the showers.

Chapter Text

Really, Tony should have known that Loki would kill it at game night. He doesn't know any of the games, of course, but he's a quick learner and a good tactician, and also he likes things that are fun. That sounds like a redundant statement, probably, but it's not, because Loki is grumpy and aloof most of the time. It's fun watching him get excited over Clue of all things.

But well, that was four hours ago. By now they're playing Bullshit. Natasha and Loki are the only ones still playing, though. Tony has been permanently banned from participating for counting cards, Clint and Thor gave up, and Bruce fell asleep on the sofa about an hour ago. Steve is off on some SHIELD mission, and he'll regret not being there to witness Natasha, unchallenged Bullshit champion of the tower, getting her ass handed to her.

She has three cards left. She puts two of them down on the gigantic pile on the floor and says, "Two kings."

Loki looks at her for a moment, then smiles. "Bullshit."

He turns the two cards around, revealing a 2 and a 5. 

The room stays silent while Natasha groans and takes the entire pile of playing cards. Since they're playing with two decks, she can barely keep them all in her hands, let alone organize them in any helpful way.

Loki has one card left. He puts it down - face up, as if to save her the trouble - and says, "Ace."

Natasha mumbles something angry in Russian while Clint dissolves into laughter. Thor pats his brother's back and congratulates him on his victory, and Loki doesn't even slap his hand away because he's far too satisfied with himself.

"I told you he'd win," Tony says. He's lying on the floor with his head on Loki's thigh, enjoying the contact even though he knows he shouldn't.

"No, you said I should remember what he's the god of," Natasha says, not pouting, because Black Widow doesn't pout. Tony knows better than to even think she might be pouting.

"This is a game you win by lying." Tony gestures up at Loki's face. "God of lies."

'He's right, Tasha," Clint says, still grinning. "You could've thought about that."

"I really enjoyed this game," Loki says, running his hand through Tony's hair. The touch makes Tony want to throw everyone else out of the room. "Another round?"

On the sofa, Bruce stirs. His voice is drowsy, he's still half asleep. "Tony and I have to be in DC tomorrow at like. Early."

Tony tenses just for a second. He didn't tell Loki about that, because he sees no reason to tell him anything at the moment. But the only sign that it catches Loki off guard is his hand pausing briefly in Tony's hair.

"Yes, of course," he says then, and his hand starts moving again. "I completely forgot. You should get some sleep."

"I don't wanna move."

Loki is not very impressed by that, and it doesn't take long until he gets Tony to stand up. The others make their ways to their respective floors, too, but there's a lot of talking and laughing before Tony and Loki are finally alone in the elevator. 

At once, Loki is like three feet away, and Tony feels like there is a cold stone sitting in his stomach.

 "I didn't know you were leaving New York."

"It's just for a few days. A science thing. Doesn't really matter."

"I should probably make an appearance."

"Yeah. Okay, sure."

When Tony enters the penthouse, he's alone. He does go straight to bed, but of course he can't sleep. He thinks about Loki instead. He's been thinking about Loki nonstop since that conversation with Natasha. Tonight was the first time in a while that Loki spent a whole evening with the team, and Tony wishes it would have lasted longer. There's so much easy affection in the way Loki treats him when other people around, and for some weird reason it makes Tony's chest burn with jealousy. It's ridiculous, because he can't actually be jealous of himself, can he? But he is, kinda. Jealous of the version of himself that managed to catch Loki's attention and hold it, jealous of the role he plays to keep their ruse going.

The worst thing is that Tony thinks he could probably have Loki if he tried. Loki's been flirting with him for a while, after all, and probably wouldn't refuse if Tony dragged him to the nearest bed. Loki would be very good, Tonythinks. He'd be greedy and thorough, probably rough, but maybe - just maybe - a little gentle, too, if it gets him what he wants. Tony would spend the whole night floating, eager to serve like he hasn't been in ages, and then -

And then what? Then their ruse would become real?

Yeah, right.

Tony curls up on his side, closes his eyes and tries to come up with a plan. He's good at plans. He knows that the best thing to do would be to put an end to this - stage a break-up, take off his collar, never talk to Loki again. Better do it soon rather than wait for Loki to get bored and disappear. Yes.

He'll talk to Loki about it. Soon.

Or, well. Soonish.

*

Thankfully, the conference eats up a lot of Tony's time, so he doesn't really get around to freaking out about the general state his life is in while he and Bruce are in Washington. 

Loki shows up now and then, mostly to make Bruce think he spent the night in Tony's suite, and the evening before they return to New York, they go out for drinks and Loki comes with them. Tony isn't sure why, because Loki's not exactly a fan of Bruce. But they manage to have a conversation like at least sort of normal people, and Tony wishes and wishes and wishes. Many different things, but most of all that he hadn't gotten so used to Loki's presence. And his decisions, too. It's easy by now to let Loki decide where they sit and what they drink. Tony hates that it's so easy. He hates that Loki knows exactly what drink Tony would choose, and that he always arches a brow at Tony right after he orders to give him a chance to protest.

Bruce looks surprised a few times. He asks Tony about it, too, when they are alone. "I didn't think you'd let anyone do that," he says. "Decide for you like that, even if it's just little things."

"He's not just anyone," is all Tony can say in response.

The truth is that it's nice not to have to make decisions for a change. Even if they are just small decisions, and even if Loki is the one making them.

Or maybe because Loki is the one making them.

When they are back in New York, Tony returns to an empty penthouse. He's used to that. Was used to it before Pepper moved in and got used to it again when she moved out. Just like he was used to not having a Dominant (fake or otherwise) before this started and will get used to not having a Dominant again when this ends.

It'll be fine.

*

Every time he sees Loki, Tony wants to tell him that they should figure out a way to break up without it ending in a giant shitstorm. The problem is that they are never alone except for longer than half a minute, and they can hardly talk about this in public or when the rest of the team is around. So Tony tells himself like fifty times a day that he'll text Loki later and say that they need to talk, but somehow he always forgets.

He keeps himself busy. He improves his suits and develops stuff for Stark Industries, and he doesn't sleep a lot. Ever since Loki - more or less - switched sides, the Avengers haven't had much to do, but there are small missions now and then. Loki doesn't come along; he makes a bit of a show out of scoffing and claiming that he's not an Avenger, thank you very much, and when they come back he lets the others see that he's been waiting for Tony to make sure he's fine. He does help sometimes, mostly by giving them information, because as it turns out Loki knows a lot of shit about a lot of people. 

So, every time Loki speaks up at Sunday breakfast with something like "ah, by the way," he's basically smirking at the criminal of the week and showing them a card that reads Go directly to jail. Do not pass Go. Do not collect $ 200. By now, they know better than to ask where he got his information. They just do some fact checking and then hand whoever it is this time over to SHIELD on a silver plate.

That's how it usually goes. This Sunday, though, Loki looks up from his plate and says, "Ah, by the way, I've found out where Amora is hiding," and two hours later they are somewhere in New Jersey fighting against a very jealous, very angry witch. For a change Tony dragged Loki along because, uh, magic against magic sounded like a great idea, and of course he was right. 

Fighting against Amora is still a hassle, but with Loki on their side it's a little less of a hassle. He's got a counter spell for every spell she throws at them and then a counter counter spell for every counter spell she throws at him, and also his skywalking skills and magical shields are a goddamn blessing.

He's also kinda hot to watch, not that Tony does. Watch, that is. Okay, fine, maybe a little. Maybe too much, given that Amora manages to blast him straight off the sky in a second where Loki's not paying attention and Tony's paying too much attention to how Loki's ass looks in his leather pants.

Tony crashes into the roof of a car. The car is totally ruined in the process - add it to the list of things Tony will have to pay for after this - and Tony's not much better off if he's honest. Nothing life-threatening, according to JARVIS, just two cracked ribs and a badly sprained ankle from where Amora's magic hit him. The boot of his suit is more or less unusable and his foot is trapped inside, which doesn't help against the sprain.

"Charity," he grits out while trying to sit up in the dent he left in the car. "Maybe I should've just done some charity after Afghanistan and left it at that. Could have gotten a cat. Cats. Shit like this wouldn't happen if I'd become a crazy old cat genius instead of Iron Man."

"Did you hit your head?"

Tony barely has the chance to look at Loki before Loki's hands are on him, helping him get off the car and onto his feet. Right, his feet, one of which is definitely in a lot of pain right now.

"Very funny," Tony grunts and tells himself this isn't the time for dignity; he'll just lean against Loki and try to breathe and ignore how much his ribs ache. Loki doesn’t seem to be bothered by the weight of Tony’s armour. It’s kind of funny, actually, like this Loki has to look up at Tony. Nice change, that.

"I’m not joking. Did you hit your head?"

Tony finally recognizes Loki's tone - concern, what the hell - and looks at him. The HUD immediately provides some info, Loki's name and the state he's in currently. At the side of his thigh, his pants are scorched. There's a bit of blood, but the wound is probably already healing.

"I'm fine," Tony tells him, and can tell right away that Loki doesn't believe him. "Where's Amora?"

"The others are keeping her busy."

"They need you, probably. Take me up to the jet, I've got a suitcase there -"

"You still want to fight?"

"I told you I'm fine."

Loki isn't pleased. His face goes blank except for a slight downward twitch of his mouth. Right, here we go. Tony expects him to pull the Dom card - he could, it'd be a nice show for the others. Tony almost wants him to. 

But Loki just presses his lips into a thin line and reaches down to touch Tony's suit. There's a jolt of energy and the entire damaged leg of the armour disappears. Tony's about to protest, but he's distracted by a shimmer of green magic around his leg. When it fades, his suit is as good as new, with one slight change.

Tony's annoyance vanishes. They've tinkered with this in the workshop, but never tested it in the field. Loki just made a functional, magical copy of the damaged suit parts, and suddenly this is the best day of Tony's life. He can control the new parts as if he made them himself, even; he tries it out and ignores the pain of his ankle.

"Did you have to make it green?" he breathes out, but he doesn't manage to actually sound annoyed.

"Yes," Loki says, smug as hell. "This will fade in about half an hour. We should take care of Amora before that."

And they do.

*

As so often, Agent Coulson shows up just in time. He takes a knocked out, soon-to-be seething Amora into custody, and the Avengers - and Loki - retreat to their jet and enjoy what little there is to enjoy about the aftermath of a battle. Bruce is curled up under a blanket and asleep even before they take off. Clint and Natasha sit in the cockpit and bicker while Thor raids the already half empty stash of snacks. Tony lets Loki glare him into sitting down and giving his foot and ribs and everything else that hurts a chance to rest. Steve checks on all of them, like he always does, and even though Tony waves him off when he asks him if he's okay, he doesn't seem pleased.

"You shouldn't have let him keep fighting," he says, a bit uncomfortably, and Tony needs a second to realize that he's talking to Loki.

Loki is entirely unimpressed. "Anthony wouldn’t appreciate it if I gave him orders during a battle. And besides, have you tried keeping him from doing what he wants?"

"Isn't that like, your job?" Clint calls over from the cockpit, earning himself a swat against his arm from Natasha. "Ow."

Loki looks like he's trying to turn things into icicles just by glaring at them. "My ‘job’ is to give him what he needs, not to train him out of habits and characteristics you aren’t fond of.”

Tony feels a little warm.

“Also, even I can’t cure him of his idiocy.”

Well, that was cute for about three seconds. Tony rolls his eyes. “Yeah, right. He is still in the room, by the way.”

“Sorry,” Steve says, addressing Tony this time. It sounds earnest enough. “I didn’t mean to - uh.”

“It’s fine, Capsicle.”

“Right. Er, anyway. You two did really well today.”

“Ah, right. Forgive me, I forgot.” Loki pats his pockets and finally pulls out a thin booklet, offering it to Steve. “Here.”

Steve frowns, but takes it and looks at it. “What’s this?”

“You can put a little gold star in it every time you think I did well,” Loki says, smiling brightly. “When it’s full, you’ll have to reward me by not talking to me for a full month.”

Laughter fills the jet. Even Steve quirks a smile while he rolls his eyes. The booklet flickers out of existence, leaving only a few green sparks behind. Steve leaves them alone, then, thankfully. Tony only realizes he’s been staring at Loki when Loki looks at him, raising a brow.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

Loki hums. “How are you feeling?”

“Uh, I’m starving and I need a shower. Maybe some new bones. Apart from that, fine.”

“Now that I’m thinking about it, this flight is unnecessary,” Loki says and puts his hand on Tony’s arm. He turns to the others. “We’ll see you not anytime soon, hopefully.”

Natasha waving at them from across the jet is the last thing Tony sees before Loki teleports them to the penthouse. The seat Tony’s been sitting on is replaced by the sofa without as much as a hitch, but Tony’s head is spinning, anyway.

“Jesus, warn a guy,” he says and squeezes his eyes shut for a second, rubbing his temple. “Not all of us are used to being beamed around like that.”

“My apologies,” Loki says not at all apologetically. His hand is still on Tony’s arm for some reason. “Show me your foot.”

“What?”

“Your foot. I’d like to take a look at it.”

“Why?”

“Because I will heal it if I can,” Loki says, impatient. “Now, please.”

Tony has no idea how he does it, but Loki makes the please sound like it’s both sincere and for show. Or maybe Tony’s just imagining things. Either way, it’s the first order-like thing Loki has said to him in weeks, and Tony’s body reacts before he can decide whether he likes it or not. He moves away from Loki a bit and turns towards him so that he can lift his leg and put his foot on Loki’s knee. His chest feels about two sizes too small.

Loki looks at him for a moment longer, then yanks his eyes away. He pushes his hair behind his ear and then touches Tony’s foot. He’s only wearing socks, and Loki tugs at it carefully. He puts it aside and then rolls up Tony’s pants so that he can take a look at his ankle. It’s swollen and already turning an ugly blueish purple, and Tony can’t help but wince when Loki touches it. His hands are cold.

“I don’t like to agree with your Captain,” Loki says quietly, “but I’m afraid he was right this time. You should not have fought with this.”

“Not my Captain.”

“I know.”

“Couldn’t you have just healed it right then and there?”

“I didn’t think it was this bad. I should have checked.” He glances at Tony. “This will hurt for a moment.”

He’s right, it does hurt. Like a bitch. But when Loki takes his hand away and the sparks of magic fade, the pain is completely gone.

“Huh,” Tony says, moving his foot. “Neat. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Loki pulls Tony’s pants back down without meeting his eyes. “Where else?”

“I told you I’m fine.”

Loki gives him a look.

Tony sighs. “My ribs. But -”

Loki nudges Tony’s leg out of his lap and leans further, pulling Tony’s shirt up without further ado. Tony looks down at himself and sure enough, his side is pretty colorful, too. Loki sighs and trails his fingers over the bruise. Tony’s muscles tense under the touch.

“This is a little more tricky,” Loki says. “Since there are vital organs nearby.”

Tony looks back at Loki’s face. It’s a little too close, a little too lovely to look at. He swallows. “Yeah, uh. Please don’t damage any of those.”

“I won’t.” Loki smiles at him, just a brief upward twitch of his lips. “Hold still.”

Tony does. Again it hurts, worse this time, but he’s good at handling pain and doesn’t even flinch. He does let out a breath when the pain fades.

“That was one,” Loki says, his voice low. “There is another crack, I’m afraid. Ready?”

Tony nods.

“Has he always spoken to you like that?”

Tony is momentarily distracted by the pain bursting through his side, but when that fracture is healed, too, he frowns. “What?”

“Or about you, I suppose,” Loki adds.

“You mean Steve?”

“Yes.” Loki withdraws his hand and pulls down Tony’s shirt. He doesn’t move away, stays where he is - sitting much too close. “It was rather patronizing, wasn’t it?”

Tony wants Loki’s hand back on his skin. His blood is rushing in his ears. “You’ve spoken to me like that.”

“Hardly.”

“Well, close enough.”

“Do you like it?”

“When it’s Steve?” Tony says, a little breathless. “Or when it’s you?”

“Both. Either.”

Tony’s mind just blanks. He should push Loki away. He should do something, anything except say the truth. He can’t not say the truth, though, not with Loki looking at him like that.

“No,” he says. “And yes. In that order.”

He’s surprised by the look on Loki’s face. It’s not lust, there’s no smugness, nothing predatory. It looks awfully much like relief. “It didn’t sound like it the last time we talked.”

The last time we talked, as if they haven't exchanged a single word since that night after the party. In a way, they haven’t, at least not when it’s just them. 

“I was angry,” Tony says.

“Yes. And determined to think the worst of me, as usual.”

Tony should probably apologize, but he doesn't really know how. "I'm still doing that. I think."

Loki tilts his head to the side. "What do you think I'll do?"

Right off the bat, Tony can think of about a hundred terrible things. He says the first one without thinking. "Hurt me?"

Loki doesn't miss a beat. "I will if you ask me to."

"Use me?"

"I'd love to."

"Leave me."

"Not unless you want me to."

Right. Tony laughs. "It's not that easy."

"You don't have to believe me," Loki says. He's not smiling, but his voice is so soft that Tony's heart lurches. "I'll show you."

Tony almost kisses him. It seems like the logical thing to do. Loki will take him to bed, then, and use him expertly, and in the morning it'll be over.

"Go and take a shower," Loki says, squeezing Tony's thigh. "I'll take care of dinner."

"Dinner."

"You said you were hungry."

Tony lets out a breath. "Yeah. Okay."

Shower. Dinner. Easy. Tony can do that without having an existential crisis. Maybe. 

They part ways. Loki goes to the kitchen, Tony to the bathroom. He concentrates on making one movement after the other and tries not to think too much. He's terrible at not thinking, though, so he stands in his closet for what feels like an hour because he doesn't know what to wear after the shower. As if he's a nervous teenager before his first date with his crush. Which is not the situation he's in right now, not at all. Shit.

He wonders what Loki would do if Tony asked him what to wear. Roll his eyes and tell him that it didn't matter? Or pick something for him?

Tony pulls himself together and grabs his favorite sweatpants and a random shirt, because it's not like it fucking matters. He takes the clothes with him into the bathroom and takes a thorough shower, fully aware that he's stalling.

When he finally arrives in the kitchen, Loki is making meatballs. As if that's not surreal enough, he smiles at Tony like he does when they meet up in public, all giddiness and warmth. Thor sometimes tells stories about what Loki was like before Everything. Tony thinks that when Loki smiled back then, it must have looked a lot like this.

"We're not ordering in?" Tony asks. He's not sure what to do with himself, what to look at, where to put his hands.

"I thought cooking might be nice. I had to make a brief trip to get the ingredients. Chop the tomatoes, please."

That gives Tony something to do, which he's grateful for. "I didn't know you could cook."

"I'm not very good at it. But JARVIS assured me the recipe is easy enough."

It is. Everyone can make spaghetti with tomato sauce and meatballs, even an alien prince and a billionaire. Tony forgets about his nervousness after a few minutes, mostly because Loki keeps giving him things to do. That's probably the reason Loki decided to learn how to cook tonight, come to think of it. Tony's not sure if that counts as manipulation or if it's just tactical thinking, but it doesn't really matter, anyway. By the time they sit down to eat, he doesn't feel like he's coming apart at the seams anymore, and that's good.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?"

Tony doesn't look at Loki. He is scared that if he does, he won't be able to look away again. "Fix my suit, I guess."

"Meetings?"

Probably. He may not be the CEO of Stark Industries, but he's still involved, so of course there are meetings. "No idea. JARVIS?"

"A board meeting at 10am, Sir."

"Cancel it," Loki says.

Tony breathes in and out. He takes a sip of the water Loki poured for him earlier. "J, tell Pepper I won't be there."

She wouldn't be worried, not even surprised. Tony cancels about every second meeting he's supposed to go to.

"Very good," Loki says. "Thank you."

Tony snorts and pokes at the noodles on his plate. "You don't have to thank me."

"I wanted to," Loki says, as if that is a good enough reason. For him, it probably is. "You may look at me, you know."

Tony looks at him. Loki's eyes are warm and he's smiling, and Tony wants to smile back. He also wants to hide under the table. "I may, huh?"

"Yes. I'd prefer it, actually."

Tony makes a noncommittal noise and looks at his plate again, shoving too many noodles into his mouth.

"You don't have to, of course. If it makes you uncomfortable."

Uncomfortable. Tony takes a moment to chew and swallow before he replies. "Looking at you doesn't make me uncomfortable."

"It doesn't seem to give you comfort, either."

"Can't you just -" Tony cuts himself off, glaring at Loki, and tries again after a moment. "You're a bit much sometimes, that's all. It's like you're not even seeing anything else."

Loki smirks, causing Tony's scowl to deepen.

"What."

"Nothing," Loki says, perfectly innocent. "I simply find it hard to believe that you don't enjoy being the sole focus of someone's attention."

"Not someone's attention. Yours. And I enjoy it too much, probably."

"Good."

"What do you mean, good?"

"It's a simple word. I'm sure you're familiar with it."

"I'll throw a meatball at you."

Loki rolls his eyes. "I want you to enjoy yourself, Anthony. Is that so difficult to believe?”

A little, yeah. “I don’t get you. I have no idea what you want from me. This - this can’t be it.”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“Spaghetti and meatballs?” Tony says, disbelieving. “Cooking together? Come on. You’re not the domestic type.”

Loki just looks at him. 

“This,” Tony gestures at them both while he reaches for his glass again, “is what the other Loki would do. The one you’ve been showing to the others and the reporters snapping pics of us in public.”

“This is where you went wrong, then.”

“Huh?”

“You assume I’ve been playing a part.” Loki points at Tony’s plate with his fork, his eyes big and sulky. “I made those meatballs from scratch.”

“Are you trying to guilt trip me into eating up?”

“Yes.”

Tony huffs, but he does eat up, because he’s hungry as hell and Loki might actually be a good cook, the bastard. When they have finished, Tony stands up and takes their plates to the sink. Loki made no movement to do it himself, and it’s not like Tony minds. Quite the opposite in fact. The thought of Loki staying seated, expecting Tony to do the work and watching him the whole time - Tony shakes it off, shoulders tense. He would even do the dishes by hand if Loki ordered him to. He wonders if Loki gets off on being served or if it’s nothing special for him, being a prince and all. Tony had servants growing up, too. He has always liked the fantasy of being pulled out of the comfort of that position and into the simplicity of a different one.

“Are you staying the night?” he asks, his back still turned to Loki.

“Yes.”

Loki’s voice is firm. Tony frowns. “What would you do if I didn’t want you to?”

“I would leave,” Loki says, “and come back tomorrow. Would you prefer that?”

Tony shakes his head. “So, uh. At what point are you going to tell me to strip and crawl to the bedroom?”

Loki is quiet for long enough that Tony turns around to look at him. Loki looks like he bit into something sour.

It almost makes Tony laugh. “What?”

“You make it sound like I might as well ask you to walk to your execution,” Loki says. “So I won’t ask anything like that of you for the time being, I think.”

“Then why are you staying the night?”

Loki’s face softens, and he stands up. “I’m not interested in your money, and there will be no sex unless you are sure it’s what you want.” He takes their glasses. “Fortunately, you have far more to offer than just those two things, despite what other people may have led you to believe. What’s the next movie on that list you made?”

For a few seconds, Tony is too stunned to speak. “You want to watch a movie?”

“Yes.”

“And then?”

“Let’s tackle one hour at a time, shall we? So?”

“It’s a pirate movie.”

Loki pauses. “Pirates?”

“Yeah. You’ll probably like Jack Sparrow.”

Loki smiles and leads the way into the living room, where they settle down on the sofa. Tony starts the movie, but doesn’t really pay attention. 

A few minutes in, Loki says, “Come here.”

Tony looks at him. There is more than enough space between them, but Loki is holding out a hand, inviting him to come closer. “Why?”

“I said come here.”

Just stern enough that Tony swallows. Loki’s eyes are gentle, though, which is almost worse. Tony scoots closer and finally, thinking about all the times they did this at movie night with the others, leans against Loki’s side. Loki lets out a pleased hum and wraps his arm around Tony’s shoulders. He’s warm and solid and familiar, and Tony melts against him without even wanting to. No, that’s wrong. He’s been wanting it for ages. Just the two of them, alone, with nobody watching or hell, even drawing them, and Loki still wanting to keep him close. A nice fantasy, that. Tony finds it difficult to believe that it might be true.

Loki likes the movie. Especially the whole curse thing. Soon enough he’s talking about figuring out a way to make something like that work for real. It would be very complicated magic, apparently, and he delves into fixed enchantments and spell conjunctions and god knows what else. Tony listens and asks questions, and sometimes Loki’s eyebrow twitches in a way that tells Tony he’s impressed with something Tony said, which is nice. He’s not a mage, but he’s been paying attention in the last few months, and he is a genius, thank you very much. Of course he’s understanding the systematics even though he can’t make practical use of that knowledge himself.

They are still talking when the credits start rolling, and then Tony needs to fill Loki in on the actual plot of the movie before they start the second one because Loki was too distracted by his ideas to pay attention. Tony keeps shifting, changing positions, but he always stays in contact with Loki, who seems to want it that way. When the second movie ends, Tony’s lying on his side with his head in Loki’s lap, eyes half shut because Loki is playing with his hair and scratching his scalp and it’s so nice, what the fuck. Every time Tony thinks about how much he likes it his throat tightens up, so he doesn’t think about it much. 

“It’s getting late,” Loki says softly. “I want you to get some rest.”

Tony nods and sits up, a little wary. “Fine. Are you gonna sleep on the sofa again?”

“I’d rather sleep in your bed with you.”

Okay. Yeah, sure, why not.

So they go to bed, and it's fine. Nothing to freak out about. Loki brushes his teeth with a toothbrush he plucked out of the thin air and changes into his version of pyjamas with a green shimmer of magic, and all the while he pretends that Tony isn't hovering in the doorway and watching as if he expects Loki to steal the hand towels. (Which he doesn’t, just for the record. He just expects Loki to sneak out of the window or something.) Loki politely leaves the bathroom to give Tony some space to get ready for bed.

When he walks into the bedroom, he nearly has a stroke because Loki's already sitting in bed, cross-legged, squinting at his phone. Tony already thought the whole "let's act like you collared me so people will leave us the fuck alone" was weird, but this is - this -

"Maybe I did hit my head," he says. "Maybe I have a concussion and I'm just imagining things."

"I'm not a hallucination, if that's what you're worrying about."

"You sure?"

"Yes, quite." Loki smiles at Tony and looks him up and down, then he holds out a hand. "Come here and check."

Tony rolls his eyes, but sits down in the middle of the bed next to Loki, even takes his hand. Loki's fingers are cold as usual, but their grip on Tony's hand is tight.

"See?" Loki smirks and lifts Tony's hand to his lips to kiss his knuckles. "Very much real, I assure you."

"You're the worst person on this planet," Tony tells him. "Honestly. Who even does that? I'm not some kind of maiden you need to woo, you know."

Loki lets go of Tony's hand and makes his phone vanish. "Not a maiden, no." 

Tony narrows his eyes. "Wait, are you wooing me?"

"I told you, courting is an elaborate process where I grew up."

"Is that a yes? God, that sounds like a yes. You are wooing me."

"I have been wooing you," Loki corrects. He tugs at the blanket Tony is sitting on. "Move."

Tony does, and shortly after they are both under the covers, a bit of distance between them. The only light in the room comes from Tony's arc reactor shining through his shirt. Loki yawns.

"But we were just putting on a show," Tony says, helpless.

Loki sighs and turns his head, looking at him out of tired eyes. "You're not stupid, Anthony, and you can read people fairly well. You know when someone wants you."

"Wanting me and wooing me are two very different things," Tony says, aware that he sounds a tad hysteric. "A lot of people want me. I knew you wouldn't say no to sleeping with me, but -"

"I already told you that's not the only thing you have to offer. I want much more than just that."

Tony stares at him. "Much more."

"Yes."

He seems disinclined to elaborate, and Tony figures out why fairly quickly. "You're blushing."

Loki scowls and rubs at the tip of his ear. "I am not."

Tony feels like he's dying. Not because he's panicking or something, but because the past few months flash before his eyes. He can think of about a dozen things Loki said and did that are very much worth freaking out over if they weren't just for show, which they apparently - were not.

"Oh my god," Tony says. 

Okay, fine, maybe he is panicking. He can't fucking breathe.

"Do you want a cat?"

"What?"

"You were talking about cats after you fell." Loki yawns again and rolls onto his side. "I'm fond of cats. Mostly because Thor isn't. I could tell you a rather funny story about him and a cat, if you wanted."

"Why are we talking about cats right now?"

"To distract you from panicking," Loki says. "I want to touch you."

Tony stares and finally nods, and Loki moves closer, carefully putting his arm over Tony's middle and hooking his leg over Tony's thigh. He doesn't actually lie down on top of him, but it's a close thing, and he's heavy. His breath is warm when it brushes against Tony's neck.

"Breathe," Loki murmurs, his hand moving to Tony's chest. "Yes, perfect. You may push me away if I hold on too tightly in my sleep. I might complain about it in the morning, but I won't actually be offended."

"Right," Tony says. "Right. Okay. You - you really want to sleep like this?"

"Yes. Very much."

"Okay," Tony says again. "Sorry about the light."

"Hm?"

"The reactor. It's annoying."

"I don't mind." There's a long pause. When he speaks again, Loki's voice is very quiet. "I sleep with the lights on sometimes. This saves me the trouble."

Tony won't ask about that. He's been stuck in dark places before, too. He keeps breathing and turns his head so that he can bury his nose in Loki's hair. "Okay. Uh. That story about Thor and a cat."

"Of course," Loki says, and a second later he's telling it.

Tony falls asleep before the story is over.

Chapter Text

Tony wakes up before dawn. Loki is still asleep, pressed against Tony's back. They must have changed positions at some point during the night. For a while, Tony tries to convince himself that he's still asleep and thus doesn't need to move but well, nature calls, and also this is much too warm. It's been ages since he last slept in the same bed as someone else. When he and Pepper were together, he didn't sleep, period.

He slowly and carefully frees himself out of Loki's death grip. He pads into the bathroom and when he comes out of it again, Loki is awake, although just barely. 

He's lying on his back and stretching like a content cat. A small ball of soft green light appears over the bed, allowing Tony to see Loki's bleary eyes and the tilt of his mouth when he looks at him.

"Good morning." 

Tony shuffles his feet. He's torn between crawling back into bed and hiding under it. "Sorry I woke you. I, uh. I'm gonna go and make coffee."

"I'll be with you shortly."

Tony decides that's as good a time as any other to flee the bedroom. He can breathe again when he's in the kitchen with the coffee machine running. It's early, he's still tired, but it's fine, he's used to that. He's not used to feeling like he swallowed a bunch of livid butterflies, but hey, what can you do?

Loki walks into the kitchen just moments after Tony finished his first coffee, looking much more awake now. Freshly showered, too. 

Tony must be looking at him like a goldfish, because Loki explains, "I used your shower."

Tony nods because well, duh. He likes that. Loki has known his way around the penthouse for a while now, knows where stuff is in the kitchen and everything. And that's good, because if this is really a thing now, Loki has every right to treat this place like it's his.

Wait. Is this a thing now?

"It's not too early for breakfast, is it?" Loki asks, sitting down at the kitchen table.

"A little," Tony says. He tries to remember what Loki likes. "I can - scrambled eggs? I might have bacon."

Loki beams at him. "Yes. And tea."

And tea. Of course. Tony nods and stands up to make tea, and while the water is boiling, he peers into the fridge. He does have bacon. He grabs it and a few eggs and gets to work. He knows that Loki is watching him, but Tony's nervousness still fades. This is just breakfast. He can do breakfast. What did Loki say last night? One hour at a time.

When Tony puts a mug filled with hot tea in front of him, Loki doesn't thank him, which is good. Tony isn't doing this for gratitude. Loki's smile is reward enough, along with the pleased look in his eyes. It makes something curl hot and tight in Tony's stomach.

It doesn't take long to make scrambled eggs and bacon, so soon enough, Tony puts a plate in front of Loki, and promptly his thoughts stop with a record scratch. 

What is he supposed to do now, then? Wait until Loki is finished? Ask for permission to sit down himself? Or just kneel down by Loki's feet right away and get it over with?

"Anthony."

Tony blinks. "Yeah?"

Loki is watching him, slightly amused. "I think it would make this easier for us both if you just asked me what I want you to do instead of trying to figure it out yourself."

Shit, can he read Tony this easily? That's bad. That's really bad. Tony swallows and looks away, unable to hold Loki's gaze. "And then I'll just do as you say and that's it?"

"Ideally, yes. It would save you both time and nerves."

True. Kind of. Thing is, Tony is scared to death of what Loki might order him to do. But not knowing what he wants is even more annoying, and there's only one way to find out. "What do you want me to do now, then?"

"Sit down next to me," Loki says without hesitation. "Eat something if you're hungry. Make more coffee if you must."

Oh. Well, that's underwhelming. Tony relaxes. "If I must?"

"You shouldn't drink gallons of it," Loki says, finally starting to eat. "I read that it isn't healthy."

"I don't drink gallons of it."

The look Loki gives him is very dry. "No, but close."

"Do you really want to decide what I eat and drink?"

"I might, yes," Loki says calmly. "But only if it's necessary. Is it?"

That shouldn't be hot. It is, though. Apparently, Tony likes the thought of Loki being in control in any form and fashion. Go figure.

He sighs and wipes a hand over his face; he's getting a headache. "No, it's not."

"Good. Go ahead, then."

Tony gets himself a plate and more coffee - partly out of spite, partly because it's just his second today, come on - and then sits down next to Loki, who is smiling at him again. There must be a way to get him to quit that. He can't just go around smiling at people like that.

"We should talk about this," Loki says after watching Tony for a while.

Tony has to laugh, because Loki sounds almost as reluctant as Tony feels when it comes to talking about this. "Yeah, uh. Can we not?"

"No, I'm afraid we must. You should know -"

He stops.

Tony stares at him. He's not used to seeing Loki falter, hesitate, have trouble finding words. That's rare, and Tony doesn't like it. "I should know what?"

"The truth," Loki says finally, frowning slightly. "I'm not good at that, I'll have you know."

"God of lies and stuff."

"Indeed."

"You are, though." Tony gestures around with his fork and speaks with his mouth full. "Good at the whole truth thing. You just, well. You just say shit all the time."

"Everything I say is of excellent quality, thank you very much."

Tony snorts a laugh. "Oh, totally. It's just that I don't usually go around telling people that I'm courting them and will stay with them until they want me to leave. You know."

"I should hope so. I'd hate hearing you say that to someone other than me."

"See? That's exactly what I mean."

Loki's mouth twitches. "I planned this."

Tony pauses his chewing. "Huh?"

"When you told me that you were not, in fact, owned, I saw a chance and took it. Me suggesting our ruse was a ruse itself."

Tony thinks that over, then nods. "I know."

Loki is quite obviously flabbergasted.

"What? You weren't subtle, Bambi. You said it yourself, I know when someone wants me. And I know you've been wanting to get into my pants ever since that night on the roof over Times Square. If you did all this just to get me horizontal, fine."

Batshit crazy, but fine.

Loki relaxes a little and arches a brow. "I am not talking about 'getting in your pants'. I am talking about ownership."

Tony nearly chokes on a bite of bacon. "You - wait. That's what you want?"

"If you're amenable."

"If I'm amenable? You -" Tony puts down his fork. "Loki, you ask people if they're amenable if you want to take them to dinner or something, not when you want to own them. Jesus."

Loki frowns. "Is there a Midgardian ceremony I'm not aware of? I haven't come across one in my research. Should I get down on one knee when the time comes? I've been under the impression that's only required for a proposal of marriage."

"You're killing me here. Actually killing me. No, I don't want you to go down on one knee. Also, research? You've been doing research now?"

Loki shrugs. "I knew barely anything about Midgardian etiquette when this started - as you know - and I don't like not knowing things."

Tony can relate to that. But still, what the fuck? "Okay, can we - let's get back to the ownership thing, alright? Because, I mean, I'm flattered, I guess, but we haven't even -"

Loki holds up a hand. "I don't expect you to give yourself to me right away. But you should know that that is what I want, and have been wanting for some time now. You don't have to say yes just yet, I'm just asking you not to say no for the time being."

Tony feels like someone pulled the chair away from underneath him. He’s just staring at Loki, trying to make sense of him. It’s impossible. Loki is blushing again, and he’s a little too focused on his goddamn scrambled eggs. 

“You’re insane,” Tony says faintly.

“So I’ve been told.”

“You don’t - want that. Me. You don’t.”

“I’m aware that you have a bad opinion of yourself, but please don’t tell me what I do and do not want.”

“What?” Okay, now Tony is annoyed. “No. That’s not - no. I don’t have a bad opinion of myself, I’m great. I’m a catch. I’m fucking fantastic.”

“Clearly.”

“I just don’t get you, that’s all.”

Loki leans back in his chair, watching him closely. “How so?”

“I - Earth likes you now, you know? There are about a billion subs out there who have a thing for tall, dark and crazy and would throw themselves at your feet as soon as you give them the chance.”

“So?”

“What do you mean, so?”

“I don’t want them,” Loki says simply. “I want you.”

Tony feels himself flush all the way up to his ears. “You’re saying shit again. Stop.”

Loki smiles, then, like he knows he’s won a fight, but he doesn’t say anything else. Tony stays silent as well, because what else is there to say? He’s half convinced Loki is messing with him, that this is just a giant prank, but maybe that’s just another case of always thinking the worst of Loki. If it is, it’s fucking unfair. Sure, Loki is Loki, but he deserves being given the benefit of the doubt here. In the past few months, he didn’t give Tony a single actual reason to think badly of him. Tony feels terrible all of a sudden, because Loki is - he’s being kind of sweet, isn’t he? And Tony’s making a mess of things, as usual.

“I’m sorry,” he says, making Loki’s gaze snap to him. “About - after the party. What I said was, uh. Out of line.”

“You weren’t wrong,” Loki says, tone even. “The way I treated you was no accident on my part. I wanted to see what you would do.”

Somehow, that he admits it makes this a little easier. Tony gives him a crooked smile. “Wind me up and watch me go, huh?”

“It’s not my fault that you’re very watchable.” Loki pushes the rest of his scrambled eggs around on his plate. “I thought you wanted it. Evidently, I should have asked.”

“I did, though,” Tony says. “I mean, I liked it. I do.”

“I said wanted, not liked. Different things.” Loki quirks a brow at him. "But yes, I'm aware. You said you're not one to be quiet and docile, but you do seem to like following orders."

"Also different things," Tony shoots right back. "Everyone always thinks the one's needed for the other, but it's not." He pauses, frowning at his plate. "Or maybe I'm just bad at both. Yeah. That's probably it."

"Obedience doesn't require lack of personality or independent thinking," Loki says, gently. "I greatly enjoy the former but would be bored to death if the latter two were missing."

Right, so he likes obedience. Of course he does, Tony knew that already. “How - how do we do this, then?”

“Well, how do you want to do this?”

“No fucking clue,” Tony says, which is a lie. He does have a clue. Several, in fact.

Loki throws a knowing look at him. “Then I will make a few suggestions now and you will tell me if you agree or not.”

“Uh. Okay?”

“You will do as I say,” Loki says. “Yes or no?”

A bit general, but okay. That as a ground rule is pretty much a given. “Yep.”

Loki rewards him with a smile. “If you don’t want to obey an order I gave you for any reason whatsoever, you will tell me at once. Yes or no?”

“And what will you do then?” Tony asks, frowning. “Make me do it, anyway?”

"I will never make you do anything against your will."

"That's not a no."

Loki nods in agreement. "I won't let you get away with disobeying unless it is justified. Yes or no?"

Fair enough. Tony clears his throat and looks at the table. "Yes."

"There will be punishments if you earn them. Yes or no?"

Oh, discipline. Tony's really bad at discipline. He shifts on his chair. "Yes."

"Neither you nor I will sleep with anyone else. Yes or no?"

"Yes."

"I will not interfere with your life apart from making sure that you take care of yourself. Yes or no?"

Tony looks at him again, surprised. "What do you mean by that?"

"It means that you may do whatever you want unless I give you a contradictory order."

"Oh. So you - you're not gonna keep me from being - you know. Iron Man?"

"I think this is where my promise not to make you do anything against your will applies."

God, he really is crazy. Or maybe he’s just not Pepper. She couldn’t stand Iron Man - out of fear for Tony’s life, of course, but still. Tony nods. “Yes."

"Good," Loki says, smiling. "That's it for now, at least from my side. Do you have anything to add?"

Tony's hand moves up to his neck. "What about this?"

Loki's gaze focuses on Tony's collar. "Ah."

Tony waits. He hooks a finger under the leather, wondering what it would be like to take it off. He has been wearing it for so long now that he is barely even aware of it anymore.

"Well, you can't take it off," Loki says finally. "I don't want to risk anyone seeing you without it."

"But do you want me to take it off?"

Oh, Loki's eyes darken at that. His voice is still smooth, though. "That's not for me to decide."

Wait, it’s not? "No?”

"I'm not the one who put it on you, pet. And even if I was, in Asgard, taking a collar off is the decision of the submissive wearing it, and theirs alone."

Tony blinks at that. Pet? That's new. Also - "Wait, really?"

"Yes, really. I told you, submissives are rare. Anyone lucky enough to be allowed to put their claim on one would never voluntarily let them go again."

Oh. Suddenly, Loki talking about ownership is even more staggering. Tony swallows and lets his hand sink. "Back in the day, subs weren't allowed to take their collars off themselves. They were always owned by someone - there was a government institution, even. If you were independent and didn't have a Dom willing to take you, they'd collar you and tell you how to live your life."

"Midgard has always been slow," Loki says quietly. "I'm glad you were not born in that time."

Tony shrugs. This is not what he wants to talk about. "It's a mutual decision by now. So it - it matters to me. If you want me to wear it or not."

Loki doesn't move, and he doesn't look away from Tony. "I would prefer it if you didn't. But as I said -"

"We should take a few days off," Tony says. "I haven't taken a day off in ages. It's time for a vacation."

"Vacation," Loki echoes, looking like he has no idea what Tony is talking about.

It's kind of adorable. Tony smiles. "You know I've got a house in Malibu, right? We could go there for a while, and." Yeah, and what? "Figure things out." Ah, yes, that. "We'd be alone. They'd be none the wiser."

Understanding lights up in Loki's eyes. "An excellent idea. We'll leave as soon as possible."

Tony takes the collar off. 

It's a simple thing to do, he just has to reach for the clasp at the back of his neck and open it, but it feels - heavy, somehow. He's gotten so used to the collar - and associating it with their ruse, which is, apparently, not a ruse anymore - that not wearing it feels weird. The skin of his neck itches slightly, and he runs his hand over his bare throat. He wonders if there is a stripe of paler skin where the collar was. Although Tony has been wearing it nonstop for about ten months, even in the Iron Man suit, the collar itself is still in good condition. The leather is a little worn, but it’s good leather, meant to last decades. It was Tony’s favorite jacket, after all.

He puts the collar on the table and stands up. “More tea?”

Loki nods, but he’s distracted, fingertips approaching the collar. “I would like to have this.”

“Sure,” Tony says, without thinking about it much. He doesn’t know what Loki wants to do with it, and he doesn’t ask. Maybe he’s planning to destroy it. Maybe he wants to give it back to Tony himself. Put it on him, even? Oh. The thought makes arousal flare in Tony’s gut, and he concentrates very hard on making tea.

“I read that there is a step between independence and ownership,” Loki says slowly, “and about items symbolizing that.”

Tony knows immediately what he’s talking about and only almost spills hot water all over the counter. He clears his throat. Fuck. “Tokens, yeah. They show that someone’s not - or maybe not yet - owned, but… looked after. Protected.”

“Tokens,” Loki repeats. “Yes. Traditionally wristbands, if I remember correctly.”

“Yup. It can be anything, though, it’s just that when it’s a wristband of some sort, everyone knows what it means.”

“Have you worn one before?”

Oh, god. Tony swallows. Loki’s tea is waiting on the counter in front of him, but he can’t make himself turn around and bring it to him. “Not for very long.”

Pepper gave him one. He took it off after the battle of New York, when she started looking at him differently. She left not much later. 

“Would you accept one from me?”

Alright, so Tony’s dreaming. That's the only possible explanation for this whole - thing. Whatever you call it when something like this is happening.

He does turn around now, the mug with Loki's tea in his hand. "You want to give me -"

Loki waits, and arches a brow when Tony doesn't continue. "Yes?"

"You don't have to."

Loki just sits there, turned toward Tony, looking dumbfounded. “You know,” he says finally,  “for someone so intelligent you’re also impressively slow on the uptake.”

“Hey! I’m not. Slow on the uptake, that is, I am intelligent, I swear. It’s just, we’ve only just, and we haven’t even really - ”

“We haven’t even done what, exactly?”

“You know, uh. Couple… token… things.” He holds up his free hand before Loki can say anything. “Don’t - say anything to that, it was awful, I’ve no idea what I’m saying. Give me a moment.”

Loki isn’t even trying to keep from laughing at him. Asshole. Tony would glare at him if he wasn’t so busy trying to get his thoughts in order. 

“Okay,” he says. “Alright. Look. I guess what I’m trying to say is, shouldn’t you - I don’t don’t know, wait? Until you’re sure you want -” He gestures at himself. “Because I’m not gonna lie to you here, I won’t make this thing easy for you. I’m not -”

“You’re not a product I want to test out in order to figure out if I want to buy it or not.”

“Sure, I mean, I know, but you haven’t even touched me. Except for the - the cuddling, I guess, we did cuddle a lot last night, didn’t we? But it was just -”

“It was not just anything,” Loki says, and then he stands up and oh, god, Tony knows what he’s going to do before Loki does it.

He can’t do anything except stay where he is and stare and then Loki is already taking taking his face in both hands and kissing him and ah, well, Tony sucks at talking about shit, but he’s good at kissing, kissing he can do, so he might as well - 

Loki makes a pleased noise when Tony kisses back. It’s the best thing Tony has ever heard, and he arches up into it with all he has, gasping when his lips open under Loki’s. It’s not particularly gentle. No, Loki kisses him as if he already put his collar around Tony’s neck, and Tony lets him. His brain shuts up within seconds. There’s only Loki pushing him against the counter and the rough press of his mouth against Tony’s, again and again, his hands firm on each side of Tony’s neck to keep him where he wants him.

When Loki pulls back, Tony feels dizzy. Actually fucking dizzy.

 “Where’ve you been hiding that?” he says, not nearly enough breath in his lungs to get the words out. 

Loki, smug little shit that he is, just smirks and kisses him again, briefer this time and softer, too. Tony likes that just as much. Loki reaches for the mug Tony is still holding for some reason, he kind of forgot about that, and sets it on the counter behind Tony. He doesn’t move away, keeps Tony pinned between his body and the counter, and Tony might actually be losing his mind here.

“I am exceptionally bad at getting what I want,” Loki says, his voice low. He’s a little breathless, too, thankfully, otherwise this would be embarrassing. “Because I am even worse at knowing what I want. I always pick the wrong things.” He laughs and rests his forehead against Tony’s, one of his hands moving down Tony’s chest to his side, clinging to his shirt. “But you’re not wrong. You can’t be. And I know - I know.”

Oh. There is desperation there, so much of it that Tony can almost taste it. He can see it, too, when he pulls back a little to look into Loki’s eyes. And for the first time he believes Loki, actually believes him. Because if he has been wanting this all this time, of course he’s fucking desperate.

It doesn’t last long, though. Loki gathers himself quickly and brings a bit of distance between them. He lets out a breath and runs a hand through his hair. “I have time,” he says, simply. “I can wait.”

Tony swallows. "Alright, fine. You can give me a wristband of some kind. But I want a cool one! And it can't get in the way when I'm working, otherwise I'll take it off."

Loki stares at him, and then he nods several times, breaking into that illegal smile of his. "Yes. Of course, yes."

Tony can't help but smile back. "I'd like to go down to the workshop now, but I can - I'll have someone go to Malibu and make sure everything's ready? I haven't been there in ages. And then we can leave tonight. If you want."

"Yes," Loki says, and kisses Tony's cheek before reaching for his tea. "I'll come with you."

*

Being in the workshop with Loki isn't any different than how it was before. Tony fixes his suit and Loki lets him tinker in peace while he himself is sitting in another corner of the workshop, muttering about skeletons and moonlight. He's actually trying to recreate the curse of the Black Pearl, because he's insane, and Tony is smitten as hell.

Around noon, Loki leaves for a while to get some things from his apartment, and he returns with lunch. He gets all excited when Tony asks him about his curse, and they pass the afternoon talking about that. Tony had JARVIS prepare everything for their trip to Malibu right after breakfast. When he tells them that the house is ready for them, they interrupt their science - magic? - talk and Tony looks at Loki, arching a brow.

Loki grins. "Let's go, then. Do you need to pack a bag?"

"No, I've got everything I need there. But I should - give Pep a call." Tony hesitates, thinking it might bother Loki that Tony wants to talk to his ex. But well, if it does, he can deal. Still, Tony doesn't want to make him think he has a reason to be jealous. "Or text her, at least. I don't want her to worry."

Loki takes his hand and pulls him away from his desk. "Are you asking me for permission, Anthony?"

Tony blinks. Is he? "I don't know. Do I need to?"

"She is your - friend." Loki covers up the pause well, but not well enough. "Isn't she? I have no desire to keep you away from your friends."

"She's also my ex."

"I'm aware," Loki says and oh, would you look at that. That's a hint of annoyance, Tony thinks.

"Aren't you jealous at all?" he asks innocently.

Loki takes a moment to reply. They reach the elevator, and he lets go of Tony's hand to put his own on Tony's back. "Should I be jealous?"

"That's not a reply, God of Counter Questions."

Loki doesn't look at him. "You don't want me to be jealous, pet, so it would be better if we both pretended that I'm not."

"Nah."

That earns him a frown. "Excuse me?"

"I thought we were done with pretending things," Tony says as they step into the elevator. He thinks about the desperation he saw in Loki's eyes in the morning, and about how quickly he hid it again. "Look, I get it. You're big and powerful and perfectly in control, but you've got feelings, too. Sucks, I know, but don't worry. It's not fatal."

Loki huffs. "So?"

"So if you're jealous, you're jealous, no matter if I like it or not. Are you jealous?"

"She was your lover for a while," Loki says, desert-dry, "and you're obviously still fond of her. Yes, I'm jealous. Yes, you may speak to her whenever you want. Yes, if you flirt with her, I will be very unhappy."

"I flirt with everyone. It's kinda my thing."

"Then make sure to remember that you are not hers anymore and it won't be an issue."

"Ohh, is that you pissing on my leg? It is, isn't it?"

Loki looks at him, and for a moment Tony thinks that he's in trouble now, but then Loki blinks. "Are you actively trying to make me mad?"

"Not mad, no." The elevator stops, and Tony walks into the penthouse, looking over his shoulder to throw a grin at him. "You're not the only one who likes playing games, Lokes. What do I need to do to make you snap, you think?"

Loki grabs his shoulder and pins him to the wall. It happens so quickly that Tony can’t do a thing against it; instead, he goes perfectly still. Loki is much stronger at him, there would be no use in fighting back even if he wanted to. Loki's face is close to Tony's and he doesn't look angry, not even annoyed anymore, but the grip of his hand is firm and Tony thinks that if he even tried to move away, Loki wouldn’t be happy with him.

"I do not snap easily," he says, his voice calm and quiet. It sends a shiver up Tony's spine. "However, if you require a firm hand, I'll gladly provide."

Oh, Tony can't wait. He also can't believe how much he wants - 

A firm hand.

"Very intimidating," he says. "I'm intimidated."

Loki narrows his eyes.

"No, seriously. Very good, ten out of ten. I hope you're not just all talk."

Tony's gaze flickers to Loki's mouth for just a second, but judging by the return of Loki's smirk, he noticed.

"You'll see," he says smoothly. His grip on Tony's shoulder loosens. "Go to the bedroom and call your friend. You -"

"Why to the bedroom?"

"I assume you'd like some privacy. I will wait in the living room. You have five minutes."

"Five minutes including or excluding the walk to the bedroom? Because you know, it's a big penthouse."

"Anthony."

"I'm going, I'm going."

Seriously, though, the bedroom is so far away. Loki probably did that on purpose.

*

Loki teleports them to Malibu. He's clearly happy about it, and Tony wonders if hates the tower. Well, the tower itself isn't the problem, it's more the inhabitants. Tony thought that Loki's been warming up to them, but he's not all too sure anymore. Loki keeps his unpleasant emotions hidden somewhere deep where Tony won't see them unless he looks for them, so maybe he really does hate being in the tower and pretends he doesn't in order to - yes, what? Claim Tony as his sub? Is that the end goal?

Sounds fake, but okay.

Tony gives Loki the tour; Loki likes the big windows in the living room and throws a curious look at the piano. Tony shows him one of the guest bedrooms, too, but Loki isn’t interested in that. He asks - no, he tells Tony that he will sleep in Tony’s bedroom and honestly, Tony is fine with that. He likes the easy way Loki takes control. There is nothing he does for show, he doesn’t add anything to heighten the dramatics, he just leads and expects Tony to follow. He’s been like that since they started their ruse, but it still surprises Tony a bit. He doesn’t know what he expected. Grand speeches, maybe. A lot of manhandling. Tony would welcome a little more manhandling, actually, the stunt in the penthouse was really - interesting. Yes.

He saves the workshop for last. Loki hasn’t met the bots yet and it’s kind of sweet how eager he is to get to know them. He plays with them and asks questions, and they talk and banter like they have always done. Tony already knew that Loki isn’t the type to expect constant, meek submission - he would get bored in three seconds flat - but he’s still relieved. Also antsy, though, because he still doesn’t really know what Loki wants. He hasn’t bent Tony over the nearest surface yet, which is weird, right? It’s weird. Because he could. Tony wants him to. At least sex would be familiar territory.

Maybe he’s waiting for Tony to initiate. He did say that there wouldn’t be any sex until Tony is sure it’s what he wants. But how to initiate? The easiest way would be to just kneel in front of Loki and ask him to fuck him, pretty please with a cherry on top. Tony could pull that off, cast down eyes and pleading tone and everything; he isn’t above using submission to get what he wants. Whether his pride allows him to do that in this case or not is a different matter, though, and besides - Loki might recognize a show when he sees one, and Tony doesn’t want him to feel like… well, like Tony is putting on an act. Tony wouldn’t like that if it was the other way around, either.

So maybe he should just kiss him. Loki seemed to like kissing him this morning. Is Tony allowed to kiss him, though, just like that? Or does he need to earn it somehow? He doesn’t like that thought very much.

A hand on his shoulder pulls him out of his thoughts. “Anthony.”

“Hmm?” Tony blinks and realizes that he’s been staring at the computer screen for quite some time without doing anything. He just wanted to work on some code while Loki encourages the bots to dismantle the workshop by playing fetch. “Sorry, did you say something?”

“I did, yes,” Loki says, an amused smile tugging at his lips. “What were you thinking about?”

“Uh. Nothing much.”

“Is that so.”

“I don’t have to tell you about every thought that’s going through my head, do I?”

“Of course not,” Loki says easily, as if he didn’t even hear Tony’s less than polite tone. “Come upstairs with me.”

Tony’s first impulse is to do just that, but he lifts a shoulder and looks back at the screen instead. “I’m working.”

“No, you are not. You have been staring blankly at the screen for the last twenty minutes or so.”

“I’m thinking about work. That counts as working.”

“Don’t lie to me, pet,” Loki says, and there’s a stern note in his voice now. He strokes a hand through Tony’s hair. “It’s getting late, and you need a break.”

Tony can’t stop himself from leaning into the touch. “A break from what?”

“Thinking, I’d say. It looked quite painful.”

Tony lets out a breath of laughter. “Asshole.”

“I don’t like repeating myself, Anthony. Don’t make me.”

Is that a threat? It sounds a bit like a threat. Tony wants to push back, but maybe not just yet. Better see what Loki wants to do upstairs, first. 

So Tony nods and stands up, and Loki seems pleased enough. They go upstairs, and what Loki wants is apparently to sit in front of the windows doing… yeah, no idea. 

“What are we doing?”

“I have to work on something,” Loki says. “You may watch, or entertain yourself in whatever way you prefer.”

“Kinky. Can I keep working, then?”

“If you can focus enough for that, certainly.”

That makes something hot curl in Tony’s stomach - something between anger and shame, tinted with arousal. Of course he can focus enough, he’s Tony fucking Stark. Then again, his mind is all over the place right now and he really could use a break, Loki is right about that. Of course he’s right, he is annoying like that.

Loki sits down on the sofa and crosses his legs. “And make tea, please.”

Tony sighs. He doesn’t mind making tea for Loki, but - “Sure, but I’ll take a scotch.”

“No.”

Tony already walked a few steps, but now he stops and turns back around. “What?”

“I said no,” Loki says calmly. "No alcohol for the time being."

“Why?”

Loki gives him a look, then, not impatient per se, just… expectant. “Because I want you to stay sober while we stay here. That should be reason enough for you, don’t you think?”

“I’m not planning to get smashed.”

“And I’m not planning to continue this discussion.”

“It’s not a discussion.”

“Excellent. Go, then. I’ll wait here.”

Tony goes. 

When he comes back, he carries a cup of tea and a glass filled with scotch. Loki’s face darkens and he uncrosses his legs, but apart from that doesn’t move. He doesn’t say anything, either, just watches as Tony sits down next to him, the glass in his hand. Loki makes no move to take it from him. 

“What, you’re not gonna stop me?”

“Stop you?” Loki’s voice is still calm, there’s no harshness in it whatsoever, and still Tony’s stomach drops a few inches. “No. You are perfectly capable of making your own choices, aren't you? I trust you’ve taken the consequences into consideration.”

“Consequences, huh?”

“If you take a single sip,” Loki says, glancing at Tony’s glass, “I will not touch you at all until I can be sure every trace of alcohol is completely out of your system. And your punishment will increase in severity, of course.”

Tony frowns. He doesn’t take a sip just yet. “But you’re going to punish me either way.”

“I told you not to get a drink."

"Yeah."

"You did, anyway. I said I would punish you if you earned it, and you agreed. It wouldn’t do at all if I didn’t follow through.”

Right. “I won’t get drunk from this, you know. My tolerance is like, off the charts.”

Loki doesn’t say anything. His hands glow green for a second and suddenly he is holding a square of thin black leather. He procures a knife, too, and a wooden tray he places on his lap. He doesn’t look at Tony. 

“Is ignoring me my punishment?” Tony asks. His heart is starting to beat faster. He doesn’t like being ignored, never has, never will. In his twenties he semi-regularly met up with a Dom who always ignored him for a few minutes when Tony mouthed off at him, and he hated it every fucking time. Which made it a good punishment, probably, only that you’re supposed to feel better after punishments, and he never did.

“No, it is not. I am merely waiting for you to make your choice, and then we will take it from there.”

Damn, Tony shouldn’t look at him at all. It makes him want to give in right away. What confuses him is the total lack of anger. No impatience, no annoyance, just - Tony looks away. After a long moment, he puts his glass on the sofa table.

“Very good, pet,” Loki says. “On your knees, then.”

Tony glares at him. “And then what?”

He sees the exact moment Loki decides he has enough. It makes his eyes darken, turns his mouth into a thin line. The tray and the leather vanish into thin air and he turns his upper body toward Tony, putting his hand on the back of neck. 

Tony tenses up; he doesn’t know if Loki is going to kiss him or just maneuver him to his knees using his strength. Loki does neither, he just pulls Tony closer and makes him look directly into his eyes. Tony’s hand automatically reaches out to steady himself and lands on Loki’s thigh. Right away, it's too much. There is something hard in Loki's eyes that makes Tony want to roll over and show his belly. He also wants to look away, but Loki doesn't let him.

“Why is it,” he says, dangerously low, “that you followed my orders without protest until I told you I wanted you? Do you think I will leave as soon as you present me with the slightest difficulty?”

Oh.

That might be it, yeah.

“Do you have anything to say? No?”

Tony swallows and shakes his head.

“Well, maybe that’s for the better, given that your mouth has done nothing but get you in trouble tonight.” Loki brings his hand up to the back of Tony's head, grabbing a fistful of his hair. “You may not speak until I permit it.”

Tony makes a face. Of course Loki immediately finds the one thing Tony is terrible at.

“Punishment,” Loki reminds him, and thank god, there's an amused glint in his eyes, so he's not absolutely pissed. “If you’re good, I might let you speak again before the night is over. Am I understood?”

Tony tries not to squirm. It should be funny, really, it’s like Loki thinks he can control Tony’s vocal cords. Tony could just speak if he wanted to. And still, that Loki acts like he can, like of course Tony won’t talk if he’s not allowed, makes Tony feel something that’s definitely not annoyance.

He nods.

“And if I let go of you, will you be a good boy and do as you're told?"

Tony wonders, for the fragment of a second, what Loki would do if Tony shook his head, or spoke. He wants to do that, kind of - maybe? - not really. Anyway, he ends up nodding.

"Go and pour out that drink," Loki says, running his hand through Tony's hair once before he lets go. "And then kneel in front of me."

Okay. That’s just two things. Tony can do that. He stands up, grabs the glass and pours the scotch - perfectly good scotch, by the way, it’s an utter waste - into the nearest potted plant. Loki makes a vaguely distressed noise.

“You said ‘pour it out’, not ‘pour it into a sink like a normal person’,” Tony says, defensive, and when he’s already about to kneel down in front of Loki, he pauses. “Oh.”

“Oh, indeed,” Loki says dryly. “Forget again and I shall put you over my lap, after all.”

Tony opens his mouth to say something. Loki raises a brow, and Tony closes his mouth again. It’s not like he’s scared of a spanking. It’s just. He hasn’t had one in ages. He’d probably get overwhelmed and cry like a baby. And then feel better after, probably. Maybe. God, he should not think about Loki spanking him right now. 

“Oh, you would like that, wouldn’t you?” Loki says, almost softly. “Well, another time.”

Tony knows his face is getting red. He doesn't look at Loki when he sinks down onto his knees. He's thankful for the rug beneath him. He has to close his eyes for a moment. He hasn't knelt for anyone in years. He has been thinking about kneeling for Loki for weeks. It comes with a certain calmness, oddly enough. He is kneeling at Loki's feet, just like Loki wanted, and Loki will tell him what to do next. All he has to do is stay quiet and wait.

Both things Tony isn't great at. Scratch that thing about calmness, this is a disaster. And it’s hot, too, Tony can’t deny that it’s arousal that is making his mouth a little dry.

A hand cups the side of his face and makes him tilt up his hand. Loki's expression is warmer now, and his pupils are dilated - wait, that's want, isn't it? Oh, it totally is.

Tony can work with that.

He turns his head and nuzzles Loki's palm. He kind of wants Loki's fingers in his mouth. Or maybe something else. God, yes. A nice distraction, too; Loki will definitely let him speak again after Tony's done with him.

Tony looks up at Loki and then, pointedly, down at Loki's crotch. 

Loki smiles. The sharpness of it goes straight to Tony's cock. "Is that what you want?"

Ha! Mission accomplished. Tony nods.

"A marvelous idea," Loki says. He traces Tony's lower lip with his thumb. "You're very good with your mouth, I'm sure. I've been wanting to fill it with my cock for a long time. Maybe that can be your reward, hm?"

Wait, what? Reward? Reward means that it's something he has to earn, rather than just being given it right away, and that means -

"For staying quiet and waiting until I'm done," Loki continues and raises his brows, "instead of trying to distract me with that mouth of yours."

Ugh. So much for that, then.

Loki grins and leans back against the sofa, pulling one leg up to tuck his foot under his left thigh. “I don’t blame you for trying, pet. Believe me, you’re very tempting.” The tray and knife and leather reappear in Loki’s lap, and Loki spreads out the leather on the tray and bends over it. “As you know, I’ve been doing some research about Midgardian customs. For such short-lived creatures, you humans really do spend a lot of time thinking about sex, don’t you?”

Tony wants to reply, but in the last second he remembers that he’s still not allowed to speak, and what will happen if he does. Loki isn’t known to stay true to his word, but Tony thinks that with this, Loki will keep his promises. Especially when he glances at Tony with a smirk - god, he’s just trying to set Tony up at this point. He probably thinks he’ll end up giving Tony that spanking, anyway.

Tony shifts a little on his knees and stares right back, defiant. He’s always had a competitive streak. Loki thinks he can’t do it? Joke’s on him, Tony won’t say a single fucking word.

“It makes sense, of course,” Loki says. The blade gleams as he guides it over the leather, smooth and precise. “Given how your society is constructed. Asgard is much more prude, all in all.”

Tony wonders how Loki did all that research. Hopefully not by watching porn. Then again, Loki watching porn is pretty nice image. Not because of the porn, but because of Loki, hard and aching, touching himself. Maybe wishing it was Tony’s mouth instead of his own hand.

Tony looks at Loki’s crotch again, but sadly it’s covered by the tray now. He is wearing black jeans that look almost as good on him as his damned leather pants. Tony’s fingers twitch on his thighs; he wants to pull the zipper down and get his mouth on Loki’s cock as soon as possible. Tony himself is already hard - has been steadily getting harder since he started kneeling. 

“Anyway,” Loki says cheerfully, either oblivious to Tony’s dilemma or pretending to be oblivious. Knowing Loki, the latter is more likely. “I came across safewords - the concept was new to me, but it sounds sensible enough. Would you be alright with me choosing one or would you rather pick one yourself?”

Not a yes or no question. Everything that’s not a yes or no question is difficult to answer when you can’t speak. Tony doesn’t think it’s accidental. He rolls his eyes and indicates Loki with a jerk of his head. 

“Alright.” Smiling, Loki sets the knife aside. “Give me your wrist.”

Tony frowns, but holds up his hand. Loki’s fingers are cold but gentle when he pulls Tony’s hand a little closer toward himself. He cut a clean stripe off the leather, less than half an inch broad, and he wraps it around Tony’s wrist, measuring the length he needs. Tony is confused for all but one second - so far he didn’t even think about what Loki was doing, because Loki is a tinkerer, too, it’s not unusual to see him messing around with leather and knives. But he is - Loki is making - 

“Star Wars, then.”

What? 

Tony looks up at Loki blankly. Oh, right! Safeword. Star Wars. Why the fuck not. Tony nods. 

“Very well.” Loki shortens the stripe of leather by an inch or two and puts it back on the tray. He starts to cut off a second one. “You will say it when you need me to stop, no matter what I am doing, no matter for what reason. You will say it even when you are not allowed to speak. When you find that you need me to stop but cannot speak, be it because of a gag or any other reason, you will tap anything you can reach three times, as strongly as you can. Do you understand?”

Tony nods again, and Loki smiles. Shit, Tony really would do a lot of things just to see that smile.

“I know you don’t enjoy talking about these things,” Loki says quietly, a little distracted. He has three stripes of leather by now and is making sure they are all the same length. “You don’t want me to ask about what you want. You want me to take what I want from you, and you think I will leave as soon as I get it, so you don’t have the time or the right to make demands. You would let me use you and then leave you, and you think that is all it will be. Am I correct?”

He looks up, meets Tony’s eyes, and Tony can only stare. 

“Am I correct, Anthony? Do tell me if I’m not. I can’t actually read your mind, after all.”

Sure looks like it, but okay. Tony looks down at his knees. His heart is pounding in his ears. That’s shame, bright and clear. He doesn’t like that Loki can read him that well. It might make this easier, though.

He nods.

“I am not leaving,” Loki says. He makes it sound so simple. “You’d have to drag me out kicking and screaming, I’m afraid.”

It’s meant to be a joke, but it falls a little flat. Tony cracks a weak smile, but doesn’t look up again. 

Loki takes hold of his chin and makes him look up. “Tomorrow,” he says, “you will ask me to give you something you want, and I will give it to you. I don’t care what it is, as long as it is something you want, not something you think you have to do to please me. Not something you think I expect of you, not something you feel will move this along with the least possible collateral damage. I want you to be greedy. Selfish, even, if necessary. Do you understand?”

Tony’s mind feels empty, can't think of anything to ask for. Still, he nods, wary and slow. 

Loki lets go of Tony’s chin and brushes his fingers against his cheek before sitting up straight again, turning his attention back to the - his project. He plucks something new out of the air, a bit of dark green fabric, and cuts a stripe off of it as well. 

“I haven’t done this in decades,” he says as he puts the four strings together and starts to braid them in a somewhat complicated manner. “I used to braid my hair when I was younger. I’m sorry if this seems makeshift. It may not be the prettiest thing you have ever worn, but it’s mine.”

The wristband is finished within minutes. Braided leather and fabric, black and green, about as broad as Tony’s little finger. Loki puts his on his palm, eyes narrowed in concentration, and it glows green for a few seconds.

"Protection spell," he explains. "It will shield you from hostile magic."

He binds it around Tony’s wrist himself, makes sure that it sits snugly but isn’t too tight. Tony can’t breathe, let alone think. This means - this means that Loki really wants to stay, at least for now. Protection spell. He wants other people to know that Tony is not alone, that he’s not owned yet, but taken.

Tony can’t bring himself to look at Loki. He lets his forehead drop against Loki’s knee instead, squeezing his eyes shut. Loki threads his fingers through Tony’s hair.

“Are you alright?” Loki asks, gently. “You may speak.”

Tony isn’t sure if he knows how, but after a moment, he manages. “It’s not my usual style,” he says hoarsely, “but it’ll do.”

Loki laughs and tugs at Tony’s hair, more playful than chastising. “I’m relieved to hear it. You did very well."

The praise makes something burn bright and hot in Tony's chest.

"Are you hungry? It’s getting quite late, and we haven’t eaten since lunch.”

Tony wants to stay just like this, but he pulls himself together and lifts his head. “I could eat. You said I could suck you off, though.”

Loki smirks. “Later. Let’s find something to eat first.”

“Do you want me to die of blue balls or something?”

“You weren't quite so eager last night."

"I got over the initial shock. Now I'm dying of blue balls. Did I mention my blue balls?"

"Fleetingly, yes. Stand up, pet.”

Tony groans, but obeys. His knees complain a bit, but it’s fine, he’s fine. “So that’s a thing now, huh? You calling me that all the time?”

Loki arches a brow and leads the way to the kitchen. "Do you mind?"

"Uh, no. Not really."

"Then I don't see why it shouldn't be a thing."

Tony hesitates. He fiddles with his new token, pulling carefully at the leather strings. "Do you want me to - I don't know, call you anything? Or?"

"For example?"

Tony shrugs. He wants to take Loki's hand, but it's ridiculous because they're just on a twenty second way to the kitchen, so he puts his hand into his pocket instead. "I don't know. You're literally a prince and a god, so that gives you some obvious options, your Highness."

"I'm not."

"Huh?"

"I'm not a prince. Not anymore."

Oh, right. Touchy subject. "Sorry. None of that, then?"

"Use my name," Loki says. "Just - my name."

Ah, fuck it. They are in the kitchen, and Tony takes Loki's hand. "Sure, Loki."

Chapter Text

They sit and talk, and they go to bed very late. Tony lets Loki have the bathroom first, and then he takes a shower. When he comes back into the bedroom, Loki is leaning against the frame of the open glass door leading out to the balcony.

"I quite like this view," he says. "The sea in Asgard is nothing against the vastness of this one."

"From what Thor told me, Asgard is like, surprisingly tiny." Tony makes a face. "And flat."

"It is, yes."

Tony sits down on the edge of the bed. "Do you miss it sometimes?"

Loki looks at him over his shoulder, eyes sharp. "Why would I?"

"Sometimes I miss the house I grew up in," Tony says with a shrug. "Doesn't mean I want to go back."

Understanding wanders over Loki's face for a moment before he turns back to the view. "I miss my mother. Asgard, not so much." A beat. "The library, maybe. Nothing on Midgard can compare."

"Midgard's got me, though."

Loki laughs and finally turns his back to the ocean. He leaves the door open. "Indeed it does."

Tony leans back a little, grinning. "You said I could suck you off later. Is now later?"

"You seem eager for me to fill your mouth," Loki says, strutting to the bed without hurry, like he knows what he wants and also that he's going to get it. "Unusual for you, to demand an activity that will keep you from rambling. Did you like not being allowed to speak that much?"

Tony wrinkles his nose. "Yeah, right."

"Well, it certainly made some things easier." Loki is in front of Tony now and reaches out to cup his chin, tilting it up. "Perhaps I should keep you gagged, to teach you that you don't always have to argue."

Tony's cock twitches at that. He does like gags, not having a choice, likes it when he can only lie there and take it. But he grins up at Loki, anyway. "That'd be boring, though. You like it when I argue."

"It's entertaining," Loki allows. He slides his hair into Tony's hair. "Adorable, really. Do you truly believe your defiance will keep me from doing whatever I wish to you?"

Actually, yes. Tony's completely sure that if the defiance was real, or if Tony used their newfound safeword, Loki would stop everything at once. But it's hot to think about Loki's strength, his power. Tony has had about a thousand human partners - well, maybe not quite a thousand - and they tied him up often enough that he knows what it's like to be at someone's mercy, but Loki… Loki is on a whole other level. He could hold Tony down with one hand, maybe just with a single thought, given his magic. He could hurt him, take him apart completely, and there wouldn't be a single fucking thing Tony could do about it. Compared to Loki, he is weak and small and helpless. At his mercy, indeed.

"Well, it's worth a try," Tony says, a little roughly. "Can't make it too easy for you."

"No?" Loki's grip on Tony's hair tightens and he pulls back his head, making him bare his throat. "Do I need to tie you to the bed, then? Straddle your chest and force my cock between your lips, into your throat? Would you thrash and fight, even though you know it's absolutely pointless?"

His eyes are dark. It's a fabulous sight, and Tony is still grinning. "You'd get off on that."

"Certainly," Loki says, unbothered. "I've thought about it often enough. Earth's mightiest hero, brave and stubborn as usual, but also so very needy. Forced into submission, falling apart under my hands and mouth, until you finally forget that you're supposed to fight back and beg me to fuck you instead. That would have been a nice turn of our first proper conversation, I think."

Oh, Tony should have known that Loki's dirty talk would be deadly. But hey, what a way to go, right?

"Better than throwing me out of the window, at least," he gets out, thankfully without embarrassing himself completely. His voice is still sort of even, hurray.

Loki arches a brow. "Too soon?"

Tony lets out a laugh. "Hey, it's been what, almost six years? If you want to cope with it by turning it into a sex thing, I'm game."

Loki smiles, amused. "Of course you are. We can play that game another time." He lets go of Tony's hair and strokes his cheek, smiling when Tony leans into the touch. "Don't be mistaken, Anthony. I would enjoy that, but I would also enjoy having you kneel right here between my legs, so eager to please me that all other thoughts become trivial. You'd be such a lovely sight, and even lovelier to listen to when you beg me to use your mouth."

Tony's gaze darts to Loki's crotch. There's the beginning of a bulge there, just waiting for him to pay attention to it. "I don't beg easily."

"Oh, we'll see, pet. Stand up."

Tony does. Loki takes a small step back to give him space - but not much space, only enough that Tony can get onto his feet. Loki’s hands settle on his sides, gaze wandering over Tony’s chest with more appreciation than Tony’s old t-shirt and baggy sweatpants deserve. 

Loki sighs, a little resigned. “If you had any idea how often I wanted to tear your absurd shirts right off of you.”

“It’s not my fault if you don’t get the science jokes, Glinda.”

Loki, of course, is unimpressed. “Strip. Now.”

Fucking finally. 

Tony flashes Loki a grin and pulls his head over his shirt. He tosses it aside and runs a hand through his hair to get it out of his eyes - it’s been just a little bit too long since he last had it cut - before he takes off his pants and boxers. His cock jumps free, and Tony is overjoyed to notice that Loki gives it a long look. It distracts him from the knowledge that there is metal embedded in his chest, surrounded by thick scars that aren’t pretty even when you try to look at them from a “hey, at least they show that you’re strong enough to survive having one of your own bombs blow up right in your face” angle. There’s also the fact that he’s nearing the other side of fifty, but well. He’s still hot, he likes to think. As long as he keeps his shirt on.

Loki doesn’t seem to be in any way displeased.

“And now?” Tony asks, taking pleasure in the way Loki's eyes fly up to Tony's face.

He's not embarrassed about being caught, of course, because why would he be? "Now," he says, "you will pick up your clothes and fold them. I don't care for the mess."

"Oh, come on," Tony says, but Loki's expression tells him that it's wise not to protest right now, so he grumbles and picks up his pants. "You don't give a damn about the mess. I've seen your apartment, you know."

"My apartment is spotless."

Tony remembers books scattered everywhere and empty mugs standing around, but yes, sure. “I think you’re delusional."

“Do I have to remind you what happens when you don’t watch your mouth, pet?”

Tony finds his shirt on the ground and turns away from Loki to pick it up, giving him a nice view of his ass when he bends over. He's not shy about using his best assets. “You wouldn’t have to if you just gave my mouth something else to do.”

“Fair enough," Loki says, his voice is still smooth, but it's quiet - Tony can hear the restrained arousal.

Tony wants to cross "make a god crazy with want" off his bucket list, and he thinks he's on a good way. He grins and folds his clothes, putting them on the nightstand for the time being.

"Come here."

Tony looks at Loki to find that he is sitting where Tony sat before, on the edge of the bed, legs spread indecently wide. His pants are gone.

"I wanted to do that," Tony says, distracted by the sight of Loki's thighs, his cock standing out from under his shirt. It's fucking mouth-watering, long and pale. No body hair in sight, but then again, Tony has never seen Loki with even as much as five o'clock shadow, so maybe he just doesn't have any.

"Do what?" Loki asks, pulling Tony out of his admiration.

"Undress you." There is a green throw pillow on the floor by Loki's feet, and Tony can feel something in himself give in and soften when he sees it. A fucking throw pillow, magicked into existence just for him and his knees. Loki doesn't want him to be in pain. "Next time? You'll let me, yes?"

It's not begging, but close. Loki's smile tells him that he knows it, too. "Of course."

For the second time tonight, Tony kneels for Loki. He looks up at him, waiting.

"Closer," Loki says, his hand finding its way into Tony's hair again. He pulls, and Tony shuffles forward on his knees. "You may use your mouth, but not your hands. Touch yourself and you will not come tonight."

Tony nods, eyes already zeroing in on Loki's cock. "And if I do well?"

"This is your reward for managing to stay silent when I told you to, pet. Don't be greedy."

"I thought you wanted me to be greedy," Tony says, but his heart isn't in it; he likes this too much. Of course Loki is arrogant enough to think that sucking his godly cock is a reward. Tony can't even blame him.

"Hush," Loki says, and guides Tony's head down to his cock. 

Tony opens his mouth and takes Loki right in. Just like the rest of his body, Loki's cock is oddly cool, but Tony realizes that only dimly, filing it away to maybe ask about it later. It's been a while since he last did this, but he falls into it easily, minding his teeth, using his tongue to tease the head of Loki's cock and get it as wet as possible. Loki is big - not a surprise, those leather pants of his don't leave much to the imagination - and it'll be a challenge to swallow all of him, but Tony is nothing if not determined.

He pulls off to catch his breath, sucking hard before Loki's cock slips out of his mouth. There is a shaky exhale above him and Tony looks up, his stomach doing a somersault when he sees that Loki is watching. They didn't turn off the lights, so Tony can see Loki's face perfectly well, slightly open mouth, his cheeks tinted pink, his eyes black except for thin rings of green.

Tony holds Loki's gaze when he leans back in to kiss Loki's cock, lave at it with his tongue. Loki watches like he forgot about the entire rest of the room, his hand still in Tony's hair. He lets Tony set the pace, though, at least for the moment, and Tony feels drunk on something akin to power. 

This is Loki. Loki's hand grasping his hair, Loki's cock heavy and throbbing in his mouth, Loki's breath quickening. Tony wants to hear him moan. He takes another calm breath and then takes Loki's cock into his mouth again, deeper now, swallowing around it. He moves his head up and down slowly, letting Loki's cock slide in deeper and deeper, until he almost chokes on it. 

Loki gasps and his hand clenches in Tony's hair, tugging painfully - an accident or on purpose, Tony can't tell. Either way, he groans around the cock in his mouth and pushes himself down, tears burning in his eyes. One of his hands moves to Loki's leg, clinging to him, the nails of his other one dig into his thigh. He just holds Loki's cock right there where it burns and wills himself to relax and breathe through his nose, once, twice. Then he swallows, and Loki's cock slides further down.

"Oh, yes -"

Tony's nose is rubbing against Loki's pelvis. He feels giddy, lightheaded, and lets himself savor it for a moment before he pulls back, breathing heavily. He doesn't give himself much of a break, doesn't want to get used to not having Loki's cock in his mouth. He takes him in deep again and sucks, moving his head, makes his throat a hot and tight hole for Loki to fill again and again. 

"That's it," Loki says, his voice like gravel, breath hitching. His hand helps Tony along, holds his head down when he swallows and lets go when he needs it. "So good, that's perfect, don't stop -"

He trails off with a groan in reaction to a particularly firm suck, and Tony moans his own appreciation. He picks up speed, greedy for more praise, more noises like that, and Loki doesn't disappoint.

"Oh, gods, I - yes, love, you're so good at this, aren't you? If only you could see yourself right now, so eager, such a mess, and all mine. I - oh -"

Hot liquid hits the back of Tony's throat, and every fiber of his body comes alive with satisfaction. He swallows and listens to Loki's breathless moans, and even when Loki stops gasping, Tony doesn't pull off completely just yet. He keeps sucking, slow and gentle now, until Loki stops him.

"Enough," he says with a quiet, warm laugh, dragging Tony's head off his cock by his hair. "Enough, pet. Breathe. Oh, look at you."

He cups Tony's face with both hands and wipes his cheeks with his thumbs. Tony knows what he looks like, eyes red from tears, lips swollen and wet. There's saliva on his chin, probably. His throat aches, god, he'll feel this so much tomorrow.

"Exquisite," Loki murmurs. "I honestly believe you were born to have my cock in your mouth, but that may just be the endorphins speaking "

Tony laughs, and leans forward to kiss Loki's knee, still catching his breath. Fuck, he feels great. 

"Alright, pet?"

Tony nods.

"Talk to me," Loki says, fingertips massaging the back of Tony's neck.

"M'fine," Tony says, his voice raspy. "I liked that. A lot."

"Your throat? Sore?"

"Mhh. A bit, yeah." He lifts his head and grins up at Loki. "I like that, too."

"Good," Loki says, eyes bright. His face is still flushed. He slides his hand down to Tony's neck. "Tell me if you stop liking it. I can heal you."

Before Tony can say anything to that, Loki reaches down and just grabs him. He lifts Tony up as if he wears nothing and sets him down on the bed, lying on his back. Fuck, Loki's strength really is something. Tony's cock throbs, but he makes no move to touch it, remembering Loki's earlier words.

Loki loses his shirt and tucks himself against Tony's side, propped up on his elbow. His grin is wide and sharp, and Tony feels like he's going to burst out of his skin he's so happy. 

"I want to see you come," Loki says lowly, his hand wandering over Tony's chest but staying clear of the arc reactor. "For me, at my command, and not a second earlier. Clear?"

"Crystal," Tony says, grinning back at him. Loki looks perfect like this, relaxed and open, in control but still - approachable, somehow. Real. "Can you - may I -"

Loki's hand is still on his chest, exploring, thumb rubbing over a nipple that hardens under his touch. "Yes, pet?" 

"Kiss me?"

Loki hums and sits up. He throws one of his legs over Tony, straddling his thighs. He’s heavy, but Tony notices that he doesn’t sit down completely but stays on his knees, as if to keep at least some of his weight off of Tony. He wants to ask about that, but Loki distracts him by stroking both his hands up Tony’s chest. He looks his fill, hungry, and Tony feels his eyes go round when he sees that Loki's cock is hardening again.

"What - again? Already?"

"Not mortal," Loki reminds him absently. He takes Tony's hands and puts them over his head, holding them there with one hand while the other trails down his side again, the touch so light that Tony shivers. "Do not move."

Tony nods. He’s already panting, just the sight of Loki above him is almost too much, his weight on Tony’s thighs. Touching him like it’s his right, like he’s exploring newly conquered territory that belongs to him and him alone. Loki’s fingers dip lower and spread out over Tony’s belly, not far away from where his cock is throbbing and leaking. 

Tony sees the want in Loki’s eyes and manages another lopsided grin. "Gonna fuck me?"

"If I want to," Loki says, casual, like Tony has no say in it at all. His fingers, warmed from Tony’s skin, curl around his cock and start to stroke, and Tony’s toes curl into the mattress, but he tries to hold still, he does. One of his hands comes down a bit to grasp at the pillow under his hand, anyway.

“Anthony,” Loki says, a warning, but doesn’t stop stroking, firm and slow, his fist like a vice. His palm is slick, suddenly - fucking magic - and it smoothens the way, makes it even better.

Tony makes a sound that is not a whine, thank you very much. “Sorry, sorry. It’s just, it’s good, it’s so good -”

“So good that you can’t focus on a simple task?”

Oh, this is on. “Shut up,” Tony says, glaring, and puts his hand back over his head.

Loki just laughs and it’s a low, dangerous sound that makes Tony’s cock even harder, which he didn’t know was even possible. Loki leans over him, thighs tensing so that he can hold his balance without letting go of Tony’s cock, and his other hand is on Tony’s throat - not choking, just there. A reminder.

“Behave, pet, or I’ll make you go to sleep hard and aching. You don’t want that, do you?”

Tony shakes his head at once, because Loki would. He’s not making empty threats here. 

“Good,” Loki says, and his hand wanders from Tony’s throat to his nipple. He pinches and twists, eyes darkening even more when he hears Tony's gasp. “Gods, you’re so gorgeous like this.”

Before Tony can even think about replying, Loki kisses him. Tony arches into it, mouth opening, and moans when Loki starts to stroke him faster. He’s got clever fingers, of course he does. They play with the head of Tony’s cock, slide over the leaking tip, even reach down to squeeze his balls now and then. Tony doesn’t know how he just does that while also kissing Tony senseless when Tony’s starting to have troubles focusing on anything at all, let alone on two things at once, but he’s not complaining. It’s what he has been wanting for so long, Loki everywhere around him, taking what he wants.

Tony can feel his orgasm approaching, a hot tightness in his gut and sparks of pleasure fucking everywhere. When Loki breaks the kiss and sits up straight again, looking Tony over with a gaze so greedy that Tony’s arousal surges even more and god, he can’t wait anymore, he can’t.

“Loki , I need - ah, fuck -”

Loki’s eyes flare, but his strokes stay slow and steady. “Ask nicely and I’ll let you.”

Tony thrusts up into Loki's hand and whines, frustrated. It's good, it's so fucking good but it's not enough, but he's right there, he's close. "You - asshole, c'mon  - a little more - I'm so -"

Loki takes his hand away, and Tony curses.

"I doubt you'll make me give you permission by calling me names," Loki says, amused. "So perhaps you'd like to reconsider your approach."

"Sorry," Tony gasps out. "Didn't mean it, sorry. Just - keep going?"

Loki smiles, and his hand returns to Tony's cock again. Fuck. Tony gets close again in an embarrassingly short time, but Loki's strokes aren't quite fast enough, hard enough, the bastard knows exactly what he's doing.

"Loki, give me - I need more, can't you just -"

Loki lets go again and leaves Tony twitching, hips bucking. "That's not quite what I want to hear, darling."

Tony groans and digs his fingers into the pillow above his head. Desperation curls through his stomach and it's been so long since someone else touched him and he wants, he wants so much that he's aching with it.

"Fuck you," he says, but it comes out a little weak. "I'll try, okay? I'll try."

"That's all I can ever ask of you, pet," Loki says, softly, and starts stroking again.

Tony tries not to think too much. He's not good at not thinking, but right now it's getting easier because shit, Loki's hand feels good. Pleasure coils tight and threatens to snap, and Tony can't help but thrust up into Loki's fist. Loki doesn't stop him.

"C'mon, c'mon - Loki -"

"Ask. Nicely."

His tone makes Tony shudder. He obeys without thinking, the words finally just spilling out of him. “May I come, please? Please please please -”

“Yes,” Loki says at once, his hand moving faster and harder. “So good, love, let go for me. ”

It takes a few seconds, a few of those goddamn perfect strokes, but then Tony comes with a gasp and a whimper, spilling over Loki’s hand and his own belly. Loki keeps touching him through it, lets go only when Tony squirms and whimpers, too sensitive. Tony needs a moment to come down from it, to let his body relax. His eyes are squeezed shut, but he blinks them open when he hears a moan and the tell-tale sounds of -

Loki is still kneeling over him, and his hand is on his own cock, jerking without restraint. It’s almost enough to make Tony want to go again himself, but he’s not sixteen anymore, unfortunately, and shit, is he too old to fuck a god? But who cares, he can help Loki along, anyway. 

“Please,” he says again, the word coming over his lips so easily now. He knows what he sounds like, hoarse and fucked out, and knows that Loki adores it - can tell by the way Loki’s lips fall open with a moan. “On me, Loki, please. Let me see it, yeah? I couldn’t watch earlier but I wanted to, want to see you come because of me -”

Loki must have been close, because that’s all it takes. His head dips back and he lets out an almost surprised gasp while adding to the mess on Tony’s belly. He’s breathtaking, and Tony did that. 

Tony did that. 

Loki takes a moment to catch his breath, and then he grins again, showing his dimples. Tony grins back, just as giddy.

“Very good, pet,” Loki says and wipes his hand on Tony’s skin. That’s filthy and mean, but it makes Tony feel good for some weird reason - good and useful. “You may move. Come here.”

Loki lies down and pulls Tony against his chest, wrapping him up in his arms. Tony lets out a content sigh and buries his face against Loki’s neck. An odd breeze sweeps over him, and suddenly he feels considerably less sticky and sweaty. Again, fucking magic. 

He smiles against Loki’s skin and murmurs, “thanks.” 

“Oh, no,” Loki says quietly, stroking Tony’s hair. “Thank you, Anthony. That was perfect.” A pause, then he adds, “Especially your begging.”

Smug bastard. Tony doesn’t even care right now, he’s too comfortable. He’ll be asleep in about ten seconds, probably. “You too.”

“Hmm?”

“Perfect.” Tony snuggles closer and lets himself drift off. “You’re perfect.”

He doesn’t hear Loki’s reply, if he even says anything.

*

Tony wakes up because Loki moves. It's very rude of him, so Tony makes his outrage known with a sleepy grunt.

"I need to use the bathroom," Loki whispers, apologetic, and pushes Tony away gently. “I’ll be back in a minute. Do you need anything? Water?”

Tony shakes his head and rolls onto his back, unwilling to even open his eyes. There is a blanket covering him - Loki must have done that - and he’s warm and comfortable and tired, but Loki leaves. Tony opens his eyes, then, missing Loki’s warmth, and lifts his head. Loki pads into the en-suite bathroom and closes the door. Tony can see a dim green light come through the slit under the door, and not much later he hears the flushing of the toilet. Right, Loki did say that.

Tony lets his head fall back again. It's dark in the room; the sun isn't up yet. He slept - god, he slept really good. His throat is sore, but it’s not unpleasant, just the feeling of a job well done. 

Loki comes back and crawls into bed again, tugging at the blanket until Tony gives enough of it up that Loki can pull it over himself - or them both, rather.

“You’re a blanket thief,” Tony tells him.

“You’re a blanket thief.”

Tony snorts and rests his head on Loki’s shoulder again, shivering slightly. He’s awake now, much to his chagrin, so Loki might as well entertain him. “Question.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you always cold?”

“Oh,” Loki says. It doesn’t explain much.

“I mean, not that I mind,” Tony adds quickly. “It’ll be damn handy in summer.” Wait. Summer is like five months away; it’s likely that Loki doesn’t even plan to stay that long. Tony puts his hand on Loki’s stomach. “I mean, would be. Could be. It’s an alien thing, right?”

“So to say, yes.”

Tony thinks about Thor, who always runs a little warmer than everyone else in the tower. “Does it have something to do with the, uh. Adoption?”

Loki’s body stiffens and he stays silent for some time. “Thor told you about that.”

“Hm? Oh, yeah. He gave us a rundown. No details, just - he wanted us to know what was up with the two of you, so we all know the gist of what happened.”

“Do you know what I am, then?” Loki asks, tense. “What I did?”

“Yeah. You don’t have to talk about it.” Tony pats his chest. “I’m just curious about, you know, the physiology. You look pretty human from the outside, but are you different inside? I’ve noticed you weigh more than you should - can I weigh you? Scan you, maybe?”

Loki relaxes, even chuckles. “I would rather not serve as your lab rat, Anthony.”

“You’d make a great lab rat, though,” Tony says. Loki pinches his arm for that, but Tony just grins. “You don’t have to, obviously. I just get excited over the fact that you’re a literal alien sometimes, it’s no big deal.”

“I’ll show you,” Loki says. “Eventually. My heritage is not - something I am comfortable with.”

Tony looks up at him, but can't see his face properly in the dark. He knows that Loki has been to some dark places, that his own head was a dark place for a very long time, and he gets not wanting to talk about that. He's not keen to tell Loki about Afghanistan, either, or about people calling him the Merchant of Death, seeing him as something greedy and cold and careless. Of course, he never tried to invade a planet, but - god, he doesn’t care.

“Okay,” Tony says. “No pressure. What are we doing today?”

Loki sighs. “You are not going back to sleep, are you?”

“You woke me up, so you’ve only got yourself to blame. So?”

“Well, let’s see.” Loki puts his hand on Tony’s, but his fingers quickly move to the leather around Tony’s wrist. “First, I would like to take a shower and have you join me. You could give me your mouth again. Yes?”

Tony swallows and nods. “Yeah, sure.”

“Later, we will do whatever you choose to ask of me, of course. I also want to talk to you about - limits, is the word you would use, I think. Apart from that, I don’t have any plans.”

Oh. Right. Tony completely forgot about that. He decides to think about the first thing later and concentrates on the second thing for the time being.

"I don't have many."

"Hmm?"

"Limits," Tony explains. "I've done a lot of stuff, and my pain tolerance is pretty high. Of course I'm a fragile little mortal, yadda yadda, so you can't use all your strength on me. And you have to be a bit careful about the reactor. But as long as you keep that in mind, I can take whatever you want to do to me."

“Would you enjoy it, though?”

“Huh?”

“I’m sure there are things I enjoy that you do not. I don’t want to do something to you only to find out later that you merely endured it for my sake.”

“I’d tell you if I didn’t like something.”

“Would you?”

Tony wants to say yes, sure, why are they even talking about this, but then he realizes that he’s getting annoyed and defensive and really, why are they talking about this? And he doesn’t even know anymore. His skin itches since Loki mentioned taking a shower together. He rolls off Loki, onto his back, and scowls at the ceiling.

“You’re really annoying, do you know that?”

Loki turns onto his side, props himself up on his elbows. “I’ve been told so in the past, yes.”

“I’m pretty vocal about what I want,” Tony says, because he is, isn’t he? He is. “But - I don’t know, as long as I feel useful, it’s okay, right?”

Loki sighs. “That doesn’t do much to reassure me. You remember what I told you yesterday, yes? About what you’re supposed to do if you need me to stop?”

“Star Wars,” Tony says. “Yeah.”

“Good. Now tell me something you don’t enjoy. The first thing you can think of.”

“Shower sex,” Tony says, because it’s fresh on his mind, and then, immediately after - crap. 

Loki goes still. Then he moves, sitting up, and suddenly Tony can see his face because there is a green light hovering in the air above them. He doesn’t seem pleased.

“Anthony,” Loki says, deceptively light.

Uh oh. “Yeah?”

“You would have followed me into the shower and let me have you there,” Loki says, still calm. “Yes or no?”

Very much uh oh. “Okay, yeah, but it’s not -”

“No but, pet.”

“It wouldn't traumatize me or anything, though. I just don’t like - the water, okay? On my face. But if you really want to, we can -”

“No,” Loki says, and his tone allows no talking back. “JARVIS?”

There is a brief pause, and Tony wonders if JARVIS is as surprised as he is. Then, “How can I be of assistance?”

“Would you put together a list for me, please? Every sexual - or even remotely sexual - activity you can find, I don’t care how long it is. Anthony and I,” he gives Tony a pointed a look, “will go through it this morning.”

“Certainly, Mr. Laufeyson. You will find it on all of Sir’s tablets in a few minutes.”

“Thank you, JARVIS.”

Tony is still staring at Loki, stunned. “But that’ll take ages.”

“It will, yes. But I’m afraid we’ll have to suffer through it, since I apparently can’t trust you to tell me no when it’s necessary.”

Tony is starting to feel very cold. “You’re angry.”

“Not angry,” Loki says at once, voice softening. He leans down to kiss Tony, slow and chaste. “Trust me, you’ll know if I’m angry. I don’t hide it well.”

“But now we’re going to spend the whole day brooding over a stupid list? That’s not what you wanted.”

“I haven’t done this in years, Anthony, and I wish to do it right. Even - especially - if it takes a little more work than I anticipated, yes, that is exactly what I want to do.” Loki kisses Tony again and moves to get out of bed. “I’ll take a shower in one of the other bathrooms. Go and get ready, then wait for me in the kitchen.”

Tony sighs. “Yes, fine.”

Loki goes, and after a moment Tony stands up, too, stretching. Outside, the sun begins to rise.

Chapter Text

They are sitting on the sofa in the living room, Tony leaning against Loki's side with Loki's arm around him. They enjoyed a lengthy breakfast, during which Loki made Tony tell him exactly what he needs to keep in mind regarding the arc reactor. It's kind of adorable how determined he is, actually. Or it would be adorable if this didn't take so long. Loki is holding the tablet with the list, and they have been scrolling and talking for what feels like ages. 

"See, this isn't so difficult, is it?" Loki mutters, marking the item "spandex" with a 1 for don't enjoy it, but wouldn't object if asked to do it. "I have no desire to put you in something like Rogers' costume, if I'm honest."

"Thanks. I had enough of that when I was a kid."

Loki frowns at him.

"Not in a fetish way," Tony says with a snort. "I went as Captain America as a kid every year at Halloween until I was like, eleven."

"Ah. I'm sure you wore it better than him."

They are almost finished with the first category JARVIS came up with - apparel - and Tony is already… well, not bored out of his mind, at least, but not comfortable, either. It's clear that Loki expects him to be honest, and Tony is honest, because he knows that Loki would be disappointed otherwise. But saying that he's not into spandex is easier than some stuff in the other categories will be. There is one labeled Submission that will give Loki a pretty good idea of just how much Tony wants to, well, submit. Loki is clever, he already figured out that Tony likes serving him tea and food. But if Tony has to actually tell him - with words - that he wants to help Loki dress in the mornings and give him control about all kinds of things, not just sex, he'll die of embarrassment. He doesn't know what would be worse, Loki deciding that Tony's too much work and leaving right away or Loki trying to stay, only to find out that Tony sucks at giving up control, no matter how much he wants it.

"Hey," he says. "Can we - let's take a break? We've been at this for like two hours already."

"It's been twenty minutes."

Tony's head drops back against Loki's shoulder. "No way."

"I would feel better if we got this done," Loki says quietly, pressing his lips against Tony's hair. "And I like learning these things about you."

Ah, damn. Tony's going to be such a pushover when it comes to giving Loki things he wants. "God, you're way too adorable for your own good."

"I am not adorable."

"Mh hm, right. Okay, let's get this over with, then. Give me that."

Loki gives him the tablet without protest and yes, that's better. Tony can just work through the items one by one and answer questions if Loki has any. Because it's a thoroughly Earthly list, Loki doesn't even know what some of the things even are, so Tony explains them to him. But apart from those questions - what is that, exactly? How does that work? - Loki doesn't ask anything at all. He just watches and pets Tony's hair or rubs his shoulder, attention never once straying away from Tony and the list. Even when Tony has to think about something for a while longer or when he blushes and moves on too quickly after marking something with a 5 or 6, Loki doesn't say anything.

When Tony is done, he doesn't want to look at any lists ever again. 

"Excellent," Loki says, taking the tablet from Tony. He scrolls through the list once more, too quickly to really read it, maybe just checking if Tony missed anything. "For now, we will stay away from things you marked with a three or lower."

That makes Tony frown. Three stands for things he's indifferent to, things he doesn't hate or dislike, but also doesn't enjoy; there would be no harm in doing them. "Is that - okay for you? Because we can totally do everything that's a three or a two if you want to."

"If I asked you to do something that's a zero for you, you would," Loki says without taking his eyes away from the list. "Yes or no?"

Tony glares. "Well, not anymore now that you'd know it's a zero. I bet your superior alien brain already memorized the whole list."

"You told me once that you would scratch my eyes out if I gave you a rule you didn't like," Loki says, softly. "What happened to that?"

Tony remembers that day in the park, talking about Star Wars, Loki looking at him as if he was the only person in New York who was interesting enough to listen to. And Tony thinks about the list - eye contact restrictions: 2 - and that if Loki wanted to make him into some docile, always kneeling, always quiet sub, Tony would kick him out right away. But still.

He didn't think that Loki would ever want to stay.

"I'd still tell you off," Tony says, looking down, jaws set. "But if you wanted - I don't know, to fuck me in the shower, that'd be twenty minutes of discomfort -"

"There is a zero next to everything involving water, I think," Loki cuts in, helpful as ever.

Tony rolls his eyes and tries not to think about Afghanistan, about a hand pushing him down again and again, about passing out for seconds at a time and coming up again coughing and wheezing. 

"Intense discomfort then, whatever. Point is, if it would make you -"  He looks for the right word and doesn't find it. He thinks about stay, but discards it, horrified, and happy, but that's not much better, really. He decides to leave the sentence unfinished, and ends up saying something else entirely. "I didn't think you'd care this much, is all."

"Me neither." Loki lifts a shoulder when Tony looks up at him again. Now it's him who averts his eyes, scrolling slowly and aimlessly on the tablet. "I didn't think I still could. After… well."

Again, Tony does not think about Afghanistan. Sitting in that cave, everything seemed pointless and dark, as if nothing would ever matter anymore, and still he had gotten out of there caring much more about everything than he ever had before.

"Yeah," he says. "I get that."

"I don't like electricity."

If Tony didn't also always change topics extremely fast when he's uncomfortable, he would be confused right now. "Electricity?"

"There was this wand," Loki says and scrolls again, but gives up after a second or two, "well, somewhere here. You marked it quite highly, if I remember correctly."

"Oh. Yes, it's fun."

"Using it on you would make me sick, probably. It reminds me of Thor."

Oh, right. Tony laughs. "Yeah, thinking of your brother during a scene would be a bit of a turn-off, I can see that. We don't have to do that, obviously."

"Why not?"

"Because you - " But Tony stops as soon as he sees Loki looking at him with an expression of innocence so pure it would put Mother Mary to shame. "Wait, this is a trick. I'm not answering that question."

Loki smirks. "I'm only trying to make you see reason." He taps the tablet. "I still expect you to tell me if you don't like something, of course. And believe me, I won't run away simply because I'll have to shower alone."

"Great," Tony says. "Thanks. I mean. Yeah. Can we do something else now?"

Loki puts the tablet on the sofa table. "Yes. Is there something you want to ask me, pet?"

Ah, damn. Tony still hasn't thought about that. "Uh, no. Not really. But - you know what I want now, right? Can't you just pick something with a five or six?"

"I'm curious what you would pick given the choice. It doesn't have to be something sexual, either."

"What if I want you to choose?" Tony feels his face heat up and tries to hide it behind a grin. "I like it when you choose."

"Then I will. I did promise you to give you whatever you asked for."

That would be easy, then. Tony has never been a fan of easy. And Loki just went out of his way to make sure he wouldn't do anything Tony didn't want, he obviously wants Tony to enjoy himself, and all he's trying to achieve is for Tony to meet him halfway. It's - fucking sweet, really. Tony doesn't want him to feel like he doesn't appreciate it.

"I'll think about it," he says. "I still have time, right?"

Loki gives him a knowing look, but doesn't argue. "Yes, of course. Would you like to go downstairs, then?"

Tony agrees, so they go down to the workshop, where Tony gets to work, only that he mostly just keeps his hands busy while he's trying to come up with something to ask for. Now and then, he glances at Loki, who sat down as well and is looking at Tony's list again - no, making his own, Tony realizes after a while. Loki is trying so hard, he wants to get it right so badly, and Tony isn't used to that at all. It's not like Pepper never tried, but with her it felt like she had to drag him along every step of the way while Tony wanted to run into the opposite direction. Tony doesn't want this to end like that, too.

So while Loki works on the list, Tony thinks. Greedy, Loki said. Selfish. Tony is supposed to be good at both, so it can't be that hard to come up with something, right? It has to be something he wants, first of all. He wants a lot of things; going through the list was good for something, at least, because it gave him about a hundred ideas of what he wants to do with Loki. But he's sure that Loki wants a lot of those things, too, so Tony wouldn't feel particularly greedy asking for any of them. Except maybe -

Oh.

Tony looks up from the computer screen and stares at Loki, who is still hunched over the tablet. He tied his hair back at some point, it's in a loose knot at the back of his neck, and he's just sitting there in surprisingly soft looking leather pants and one of his Asgardian shirts, and Tony wants him so much that his head is spinning with it. Also, and it's probably about time he admits it, he's half in love with him already. Maybe a little more than a half.

Tony takes a breath, and then he stands up and goes over to Loki. He's sitting at a different desk, feet perched on the tabletop, the tablet on his knees. 

Tony doesn't remember the last time he knelt without being ordered to - maybe he never did - but it doesn't matter, really. He kneels next to Loki's chair with his hands on his thighs, looking up at him. Loki is watching him, the tablet forgotten, and he looks overjoyed - and hungry. Tony grins, because yes, he does look great on his knees, thanks. 

“I’m almost done,” Loki says. “You don’t mind waiting, do you?”

The question is purely rhetorical, but Tony replies, anyway. “If you can focus enough for that, sure.”

Loki doesn’t seem to mind having his own words thrown back at him, he just gives Tony an amused look before turning back to the tablet. “I think I’ll manage, thank you. Kneel on that.”

Tony is confused for all but two seconds before he notices the pillow next to him, the same as the night before. He smiles and moves to kneel on that instead of on the floor. "You think kneeling on the floor for a few minutes will kill me or something?”

“I’ve heard you complain about neck pain after making a single weird movement,” Loki drawls. “I’m not taking any risks.”

Fair. “Is that you telling me that I’m old?”

“For a mortal, maybe. Your hair is turning gray.”

“Hey! It’s not.”

Loki throws a pointed look at Tony’s temples. 

“Fine, okay. Suits me, though. Fine wine, right?”

“The finest.”

Tony narrows his eyes at the sarcasm. “Dum-E is pretty good with the fire extinguisher, you know.”

“You wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh, wouldn’t I? What, are you gonna spank me?” Tony leans in, grinning. “I think you’ll find that there’s a five next to that one.”

“I remember. But trust me, if I intend it to be a punishment, it will be one. Too much of a good thing, and so on.”

“Right,” Tony says. He is not getting a little hot right now, and even if he is, that’s just the fault of Loki’s voice.

Loki smirks, satisfied, and keeps working on the list. Tony watches for a while, wondering what numbers Loki is filling in. Actually -

“Can I read it when you're done?"

“That’s the idea, yes," Loki says. "I added some things I can do with magic, and there are a few activities and objects I've come across on my travels that you might enjoy. We can explore those eventually."

Now that's interesting. "What can you do with magic?"

"Well, I don't need rope to tie you down, and I can inflict pain in different ways - to be fair, most of that is meant for battle, but I've found ways to tweak that magic to make it pleasurable instead of destructive. Enchantments can be handy, and I can use clones if I need or want an extra pair of hands. I'm also skilled at manipulation of the mind, and while that can be interesting to play with, it's also intense and risky, so I'd rather not do it at the beginning. It's quite common on Alfheimr."

Tony stays quiet long enough that Loki looks up from the tablet and raises a brow.

"Sorry," Tony says. "My brain's playing that Aladdin song right now. I've never even thought about - okay, I want to try like, all of that. Manipulation of the mind?”

“It’s a broad field. Influencing senses is a favorite of mine. Blindfolds become rather unnecessary when I can make you see whatever I want with but a thought.”

“That’s scary as hell,” Tony says, amazed. “When can we start?"

Loki blinks at him. "Really? You're interested?"

"Are you kidding? Yeah."

Loki's smile is almost shy. "Using magic like that is considered inappropriate. Taboo, even."

"Is that an argument for or against it?"

That makes Loki laugh. A full on laugh, one that Tony is - oh, when did that happen? - used to hearing by now, because Loki actually laughs quite often in Tony's presence. 

“We’ll try it,” Loki says, still grinning. “But not today.” He takes his feet off the desk and offers the tablet to Tony. “I’m finished. You may look at it now, if you wish.”

Tony takes the tablet from him, and pauses. “Huh.”

“Anthony?”

“Nothing.” Tony shakes his head, tries to remember when Loki started handing him things, and finds that he can’t. He smiles. “All good.”

*

They are, Tony realizes, compatible to a near scary degree. That could be the catch phrase of their whole relationship, of course, so it’s not a surprise. Sure, there are a few things Loki likes and Tony isn’t into that much - knives, for example, and again, no surprise there - but all in all, well. In the brief time they were together, Tony and Pepper never really wanted the same things, and most of their scenes had felt forced, somehow, like they had learned the lines but the roles didn’t quite fit. Tony hopes that he and Loki won’t have the same problem, and he’s starting to think that they won’t, and not even because their interests align nicely. Also not because they have a lot of chemistry - Tony and Pepper had that, too, and look how that turned out. 

No, it’s because, when Tony remembers the night before, all he feels is a pleasant, buzzing warmth. It wasn’t the kinkiest of Tony’s nights by far, but all of it felt right, like something falling into place. Kneeling for Loki feels similar; there’s nothing forced about it. Tony isn’t sure whether it’s because he likes Loki so much, or just because Loki doesn’t treat him any differently even when he’s on his knees, doesn’t expect him to act differently. Maybe both.

Yeah. Probably both.

“Satisfied?”

“Yeah.” Tony looks up at Loki, grinning. He’s not kneeling anymore, that got uncomfortable after a while and Loki allowed him to change positions, but he’s still sitting on the pillow at Loki’s feet, cross-legged. “Looks like we won’t get bored.”

Loki looks at him with an have you met me? expression. “Perish the thought.”

Tony laughs and looks at the tablet, aware that Loki is watching him. No, not just watching - waiting. He’s been waiting for a while. The expectant glances are difficult to miss. And Tony knows what he wants, and there’s no real point in making him wait, given that Tony figured out what he wants to ask for.

He fiddles with the edge of the tablet, trying not to look like he’s on the brink of freaking out. “So, uh. Can we go upstairs? To the bedroom?”

Loki nods and stands up in one smooth motion, offering Tony his hand. Tony lets himself be pulled up to his feet and returns Loki’s smile. He curls his fingers around Loki’s, relieved when Loki lets him. Loki doesn’t seem to have anything against letting Tony touch him whenever he wants. Tony’s been with Doms who made him ask for permission for even the slightest touch, and while that can be hot in a scene, Tony isn’t really built for keeping things like that in mind twenty-four seven. If he and Loki are really doing the whole relationship thing, Tony wants to touch him, goddammit. 

They make their way upstairs in silence. Loki seems calm, in control, and Tony tries to remind himself that he doesn’t even need to do much. He only needs to do what Loki told him to - ask him for something he wants - and then Loki will handle the rest. That’s trust, Tony realizes dimly as Loki opens the bedroom door for them. Trust. Loki will handle it. Tony only needs to let him.

Loki closes the door behind himself and puts his hands behind his back, perfectly at ease. “Kneel.”

Tony does, letting out a breath of relief. Loki comes a little closer, and even the way he walks is hot. It’s unfair, really. Tony tries to focus. “So.”

“So?” Loki says pleasantly.

“I - you said anything, right? Anything at all?”

“Yes, pet. Anything.”

And that’s trust, too, isn’t it? Loki trusts him not to ask for something that would bring either of them pain, in any way whatsoever. Tony’s chest feels tight.

“I want,” he says, but no, he can’t start like that. “Can we - sit on the bed? With you behind me?”

“Yes. And then?”

“Touch me? And tell me -”

Loki looks at him, waiting. Tony doesn’t know how to say it, feels pathetic just thinking about it, like he’s begging for something he doesn’t deserve. 

“Fuck,” he says and rubs his face. Shame is coloring his cheeks red, he can tell. “Sorry.”

“No.” Loki is close, suddenly, and cards his cold fingers through Tony’s hair, steady and soothing. “Don’t be sorry. Just tell me, and I will see it done.”

Tony can’t look at him. He looks at Loki’s feet instead, bare against the hardwood flooring. Seconds tick by, one after the other. Loki hums, low and deep, just as soothing as the hand in Tony’s hair.

“Do you want me to be cruel to you, pet?” he asks, no trace of judgement in his tone. “Break you with words until you cry for me? That would be no problem at all, I assure you.”

Tony laughs. Yeah. Loki would be great at that, wouldn’t just call Tony his dirty slut and call it a day. No, he would find all of Tony’s weak points and shatter them like glass, voice honey-smooth and brutal. Tony would like that, he thinks, eventually. Sometimes, there’s nothing better after a long day than being brought to his lowest and then pushed even lower, only to be slowly and painstakingly put together again after. 

But no, not today.

“No. I want -” He exhales. “The opposite. Please.”

At first, Loki is quiet, but then he says, “Ah. I see. Yes, of course.”

“But only if it’s the truth,” Tony says, quickly. He even manages to aim a threatening look at Loki. “Don’t - don’t lie to me, alright? It’s fine if you’ve got nothing nice to say, but then - I don’t know, just shut up. You can - if I’m doing a good job, tell me that, or if you like what I… I don’t know. Just don’t lie to me.”

“Few have bothered to ask that of me,” Loki says quietly, stroking Tony’s cheek. “Thank you, love. That is a very good idea. Stand up, and take off your clothes.”

Tony nods and gets up, feeling a little weak on his feet. Love. The word echoes in his head, makes pleasure pool in his belly. He undresses without making a show out of it, even remembers to fold his clothes instead of just tossing them away. Loki gets on the bed, leaning against the headboard, and spreads his legs.

“Come here.”

Tony goes. He’s desperate for the contact - the reassurance - but he still hesitates before settling down between Loki’s legs and leaning against his chest. Loki is still fully clothed, but the fabric and the leather feel nice against Tony’s back. Grounding. Loki makes a pleased noise, wrapping his arms around Tony from behind. He grabs him and pulls him a little closer, angling his legs so that they press against Tony’s, helping to keep him place.

“In fact, an excellent idea,” Loki murmurs close to Tony’s ear, nuzzling his hair. “This is nice.”

“Yeah,” Tony agrees, nervous. He’s not really used to being nervous in bed, and he doesn’t like it. “If you - if you’d prefer the other thing, though, then we can -”

“Oh, no, not at all,” Loki cuts him off. His hand glides over Tony’s arm, chasing the goosebumps the light touch causes. “I would enjoy that, too, naturally. I’d like to make you cry from pain and shame some day, you would fall apart beautifully.”

Tony manages a chuckle at that. “Sadist.”

“Very much so.” Loki brushes his smile against the shell of Tony’s ear while his hand wanders to Tony’s inner thigh. “It’s an odd thing, to want to be gentle with somebody. It never came naturally to me.” He chuckles. "But you've done nothing except make me want things I'm not used to wanting, so I shouldn't be surprised."

He keeps still stroking every part of Tony he can reach, his arm, side, stomach, thigh. Tony feels like he's about to start purring. His cock is getting hard, but Loki isn't doing anything about it, and Tony isn't needy enough to ask for it.

Instead, he leans his head against Loki's shoulder, peering up at him. "What do you want?"

"You know. I told you." Loki sighs. "It's all terribly domestic, I'm afraid. Maybe I'm getting old. You're supposed to want to settle down at a certain age, aren't you?"

"I thought you were too young to settle down. And you're not the type, anyway."

"No," Loki agrees, quiet. "I'll get restless eventually. Midgard is a lot less stagnant than Asgard, but every place becomes dull when you stay in it long enough, and there is so much else to see. When I leave, I'll take you with me. Spread your legs a little more."

Tony obeys, drawing his knees up a bit to give Loki better access. "With you?"

"Yes, pet. With me."

"You'd want that?"

"How could I not?" Loki brings his second hand into the mix. His fingers curl around Tony's throat, right under his chin, and manage to tilt his head just so that Loki can kiss his temple. "What you achieved here is extraordinary, but you could go so much further. I want to watch you explore the dwarfish forges, the great library in Alfheimr, all those planets even I haven't seen yet. You're so clever, love, and watching you learn - teaching you, if I can - will please me more than you can imagine."

"Forges? I want to know more about those."

"Later. We're not leaving this planet anytime soon. We have time." Loki pinches Tony's nipple, making him gasp. "Mh, I do love how sensitive you are."

Tony arches into Loki's hands without even wanting to, his mind finally arriving where his body has been waiting for some time - he's in Loki's arms, naked, and Loki is touching him, so why are they talking about forges and libraries?

"Loki -"

There is a soft intake of breath behind him. He keeps playing with Tony's nipple while his other hand caresses his inner thigh. "My, you're getting so hard, aren't you? Does this feel good?"

Tony nods and tilts his head back over Loki's shoulder, squirming, trying to get Loki to touch his cock. "Yes, it's - it's good."

"Good," Loki purrs, pressing his lips against Tony's neck. "I want you to enjoy yourself. You deserve it, you've been so good today."

Tony closes his eyes. He's glad that they are not facing each other; like this he can at least try to hide his face from Loki. He knows he shouldn't ask - it'd be just fishing for compliments - but he can't help it. "Really?"

"Oh, yes. You worked through that whole list, and you told me what you wanted, just like I asked you to, so you've been very good indeed." He nibs at Tony's jaw. "The best."

Tony's stomach sinks. "I said no lies."

"And I'm not lying."

"But I'm not - the best. I'm not even good, really." 

Loki slaps his thigh. It's not hard enough to actually hurt, so it's surprise more than anything else that makes Tony hiss.

"I don't like hearing you talk badly about yourself," Loki says, tone dark, promising trouble. "I may not own you yet, but still, I won't have it. You're the best man I know, Anthony. Not because you have no faults, but because you work to overcome them every day. That's far more than most people can say about themselves." He stops briefly, and his voice is quiet when he adds, "More than I can say about myself."

Tony swallows. He puts his hand over Loki's, clinging to it. "Can you - again?"

"Hmm?" Loki's hand stills. "Oh, another slap?"

"Yeah. Yes."

Loki makes a pleased noise low in his throat and hooks his hand under Tony's knee, pulling his leg up and a little further to the side so that Tony has to put his foot on the other side of Loki's leg. It makes it easier for Loki to touch Tony's inner thigh, and Tony melts even more against Loki's chest when he feels his hand there, both a promise and a threat.

"Do you want me to hurt you?" Loki asks, warm and sweet and deep, arousal clear as day in his voice. "Yes?"

Tony's cock is throbbing. He has to bite down on a whine; Loki's voice is going to be the death of him. "Yes, Loki."

"And?"

Tony turns his head, hiding his face against Loki's neck. He swallows. "Please?"

"There we go," Loki says, his grin audible. “Good boy, begging so prettily for me. How could I say no to that?”

His hand comes down on Tony’s thigh again and this time it stings. Tony sucks in a breath and instinctively angles his knee to keep Loki’s hand away from his thigh. Loki simply grabs his leg and puts it back into place, keeping him open and exposed to the series of slaps he gives him, all of them short and precise. The pain gets to Tony’s head embarrassingly quickly, but it’s been so long since he felt this so he just gives in, arching his back and digging his fingers into Loki’s leg so hard that it would hurt if Loki was mortal.

“It astounds me,” Loki says right next to Tony’s ear, “that you feel greedy asking for praise you so clearly deserve. But you don’t know that, do you?” His other hand slaps Tony’s other thigh, and from there on he alternates between the sting of the slaps and the sharp bite of his fingernails moving over Tony’s thighs and sides. “Didn’t you listen to me yesterday?”

Tony writhes and tries to get away from Loki’s hands, but Loki’s strength makes that impossible. Tony’s cock is leaking by now, and the only thing he wants is for Loki to touch it. “Loki, please, I need -”

Loki’s chest rumbles with a low growl and he takes hold of Tony’s throat. “Oh, no. You asked for this, pet, and now you will listen.” But his other hand does touch Tony’s cock, fondling the head. “You’re dripping, love. So desperate for me.”

“Oh, fuck - Loki, please -”

“Didn’t I tell you how perfect you were?” Loki says, ignoring Tony’s whining. “Your mouth is a revelation, darling, it ruined me for everyone else. And why would I want anyone else when I can have you squirming and begging in my lap, just like this?”

Tony tries to thrust up into Loki’s hand, needing more, but he can’t move much because Loki’s hand is still on his throat and he can’t find the leverage. “Fuck - Loki, c’mon, please, give me more -”

“By the Nine, you’re beautiful.” Loki starts to stroke him in earnest now and Tony whimpers, not even knowing if it’s because of the touch or the words. “I've always thought so. If you knew how often looking at you made me forget everything else even before we grew closer - especially when you're thinking, or fighting, or tearing apart a rude reporter in an interview with nothing but a grin and a few well-aimed words. Astonishing." His lips brush Tony's temple. "I started wanting you when we first spoke in your tower and haven't stopped since."

Tony wants to melt. He squirms, doesn't even know himself if he's trying to crawl out of Loki's arms or press closer. The words, Loki's voice - it's too much. "Loki, stop -"

"You know what to say to make me stop," Loki says, his hand on Tony's cock pausing. He's listening. Waiting.

It's on the tip of Tony's tongue - Star Wars - but he doesn't say it, doesn't want to say it, because what he actually wants is to hear more. 

He leans his head back against Loki's shoulder and puts his hand on Loki's arm, holding onto it. "Please."

Loki lets out a breath and his hand starts moving again. "Anything, pet. You deserve all I can give you and more, and I want to give you everything. I want to keep you."

Tony wants to say something but it turns into a strangled noise somewhere along the way, distracted by a particularly clever twist of Loki's fingers.

"I’m not lying," Loki says. "I won’t lie to you, you have my word. Can’t you feel it, pet? How much I want you?”

Tony can. Loki’s erection presses against his back, hard as a rock. Tony nods, all of his thoughts zeroing in on Loki’s hand on his cock, god, he’s so close already.

“Good boy,” Loki says, voice dripping with pleasure. He lets go of Tony’s throat. “So good for me, the best. I want you to know that, always. I’m here, and I want you, all of you, and I am not leaving.”

He twists Tony’s nipples and it hurts and that’s it, Tony’s gone. Loki holds him through it, pets him and kisses his neck until the waves of pleasure subside and Tony can breathe again.

“Perfect,” Loki murmurs. “Just perfect. Are you with me?”

Tony nods and cranes his neck in order to kiss Loki’s jaw. “M’with you.”

Loki smiles. “Turn around. I want your mouth.”

Oh, god, yes. Tony nods again and reminds his limbs how to move. He turns around and, after a bit of fumbling, lies down on his stomach between Loki’s legs. Loki is still wearing his clothes and Tony squints at the pants. Even though they are fairly casual, the fastenings look complicated. Asgardians sure like their straps and buckles. Loki chuckles and strokes Tony’s hair, but makes no move to help. That’s fine, Tony can figure it out. He’s a fucking genius, after all. 

And sure enough, within a few seconds he has Loki’s cock bare and hard in his hand. Loki lets out a relieved sigh as soon as his pants don’t restrain him anymore, and another soft, encouraging moan when Tony leans in and starts sucking. He keeps his hand on Loki’s cock, too, stroking and squeezing, sometimes reaching down to his balls. It doesn’t take long. Tony drags the orgasm out of Loki with his tongue and feels dizzy with the murmured praise that keeps falling from Loki’s lips. He swallows and rests his head on Loki’s thigh, looking up at him out of half-lidded eyes.

“Good?”

Loki smiles at him, eyes soft. “Not good, Anthony. Brilliant.”

Tony hums and closes his eyes. Loki lets him bask in it all for a while, stroking his hair and neck, but after a while he gets Tony’s attention by patting his shoulder. He wants him to drink something, so Tony does, and when Loki tells him to lie down and spread his legs, Tony does that, too. Loki checks his thighs, the touch of his cool hands soothing on the red skin. Loki puts something on them that lessens the burn, but Tony can’t quite tell if it’s a balm or magic, and he doesn’t really care either way.

Loki lies down next to him and pulls him against his chest. He keeps talking to him, soft and grounding, and Tony floats for quite a while longer. He comes out of it only when his stomach starts to make itself known, shit, he’s hungry. And he needs to pee. He groans and presses his face against Loki’s chest, reluctant to acknowledge anything that isn’t Loki’s voice or body. 

"There you are," Loki says lowly, gently scratching Tony's scalp. He sounds a little concerned. "I didn't expect you to go quite so deep, pet. Alright?"

Tony sighs. After a moment, he nods and moves, propping himself up on one elbow so that he can rub his eyes. He still feels drowsy, like he just woke up from a long nap. It takes a while until his thoughts come properly online. 

Then he looks down at Loki, blinking and says, "Huh."

"How do you feel?"

"Good." Tony sits up slowly and because he's been lying basically on top of Loki, he ends up straddling Loki's hips. Loki doesn't seem satisfied with the short answer, so he adds, "No, really. That was - nice. I'm just surprised."

Loki's hands settle on his thighs. "About?"

Tony can't quite meet Loki's eyes. He still feels - soft, somehow. Pliant. "I haven't gone under like that in - I don't know." He plays around with the hem of Loki's shirt. "Never really did when I was with Pepper. Wasn't sure if I even still could. I'll probably freak out a bit later." He realizes that in a dim, detached sort of way. He thinks it over once more, then nods. "A bit much."

Loki sits up as well and wraps his arms around Tony, drawing him close against his chest. He's still clothed, but that's okay.

"I'll be there," Loki says, quiet, like a vow.

Tony nods against his shoulder. "I'm hungry."

"Then we should change that, hm?"

So Loki gets Tony to stand up and put on some clothes. He makes him take a shower, and by the time Tony comes down to the kitchen, Loki already made sandwiches. They eat them in front of the TV and then make fun of a crappy reality show for a while before Tony beats Loki's ass at Mario Kart. Repeatedly.

It's a pretty great day, all things considered.

Chapter Text

The freaking out happens in the middle of the night, because of course it does. God forbid Tony ever gets a proper night's sleep.

Loki doesn’t wake up when Tony gets out of bed, and Tony doesn’t wake him. He grabs the hoodie he wore last night and took off when they went to bed and leaves the room as quietly as he can. The house feels too fucking big and empty, so Tony looks at his own feet while he makes his way downstairs. 

In the workshop, he turns on the lights. They hurt his eyes and he remembers how exhausted he is. It’s bone-deep and cold, and he shivers while he goes to his desk. He sits down and stares at the dark screens, and already knows that he won’t be able to focus. His thoughts are scattered. He clears his throat and flexes his fingers, trying to stop his hands from shaking.

“Are you alright, sir? Your heart rate -”

“My heart rate is fine,” Tony says, and stands up. “I’m fine.”

He’s just going to lie under a car and forget everything for a while. Yes, that sounds great. He chooses one at random; he’ll just pick it apart and put it back together after, that helps. Usually. It doesn’t help now. Because there isn’t enough space under the car and working on it doesn’t seem fun, even though it should be fun. It doesn’t matter, though, because right now every activity Tony can think of doesn’t seem like fun. So he grits his teeth and works, and notices too late that he can’t fucking breathe, so he gets out from under the car again and sits on the ground like an idiot, trying to calm down. Thing is, he is calm. He’s not even hyperventilating. It just feels like the air itself is pressing down on him, and he’s tired and lonely and just wants to curl up somewhere and cry.

Fuck.

Tony wipes his face and stands up. He goes to the small bar in the workshop and pours himself a drink, only to remember that he’s not allowed to drink, is he? Double fuck. Tony puts the glass down and holds onto the edge of the bar, leaning forward. Breathes in. Shit, if Loki knew about this, he’d punish him, probably. And out. If a few thigh slaps and some nice words make Tony lose his mind like this, he doesn’t want to know what state he’ll be in when Loki stops going easy on him. And in. He pours the drink into the sink. And out. He’s not supposed to be like this.

“Do you want me to wake Loki, sir?”

“No,” Tony says and sits down, just right there on the floor in front of the bar. “I’m fine. I’m okay. Just give me a moment.”

JARVIS stays silent. Tony breathes. It’s too bright in the room, so he presses the heels of his palms against his eyes, his elbows on his drawn up knees. Okay, so, this is pathetic. He wants to go back upstairs and curl up next to Loki. He never wants to talk to Loki again. He wants Loki to tell him stories that will distract him from the chaos in his head. He never wants to talk to anyone again. 

He hears it when the glass door of the workshop opens and yeah, god, that’s great. Fucking fantastic. Thanks for that, JARVIS.

Slow steps approach him. Tony doesn’t look up, keeps his hands on his eyes.

“I’m fine,” he says. His voice is surprisingly even. “Fuck off.”

“I don’t think so, pet.”

“Go back to bed.”

Loki doesn’t go back to bed. He sits down next to Tony, leaning against the bar - Tony doesn’t look up, but he can feel Loki moving, his body close to Tony’s own without touching him.

“Are you in pain?”

“Define pain.”

“Have you been drinking?”

Tony’s eyes start to burn. He wants to lash out, but his throat closes up and he can’t say anything at all. He sucks in a wet breath. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

“Anthony,” Loki says. Concerned.

“I wanted to,” Tony gets out. “Sorry. Can we - wait with the punishment until I - I’ll be ready in a bit. Just give me - a moment. I’m fine.”

“Oh, pet.” Loki touches him, then, the back of his fingers brushing Tony’s forehead before stroking through his hair down to the back of his neck. Careful. Gentle. “You don’t get punished for mere thoughts.”

The touch makes Tony want to break. “I didn’t just - I mean, I did. Just poured it down the sink.”

“That’s worth a reward, then, I think.”

“Fuck.” Great, now Tony’s crying. “Why are you so -”

“So?”

“Dunno.” Tony makes an effort to pull himself together, straightening his back, taking his hands away from his face, wiping his eyes. His voice still sounds choked, though, and he can't keep it in, fuck, he just can't. “Sorry. I’m sorry. I don’t know why I can’t just be fucking normal.”

Loki pulls him close, then, and Tony cries. Loki lets him. He holds him tight and puts his chin on Tony's head, and he doesn't say a single thing. Tony just gives up trying because clearly there's no point in it, anyway. He sobs like he hasn't done in years, maybe not ever. It doesn't help that he's a fucking ugly crier; there's no way Loki wants to stay after this.

But Loki stays.

Tony stops crying after a small eternity. He feels like there isn't anything left to cry about. His eyes are burning and his nose is clogged, and Loki's shirt is disgusting now and everything is terrible except - well. Except that Tony doesn't feel quite so lonely anymore.

He doesn't move. Loki doesn't push him away, just strokes his back slowly, without hurry. Tony has to breathe through his mouth, and he clings to Loki's shirt, willing him to stay.

"I know I said I'd like to make you cry," Loki says finally, his voice a quiet murmur, "but this isn't exactly what I had in mind."

Tony's tired laugh makes his throat hurt. He lifts his head and knows that he looks terrible, but right now he doesn't even give a damn. "S'not sexy, I know."

Loki plucks a tissue out of the air and hands it over. Tony blows his nose. 

"Sorry. I don't - I don't know where that even came from."

That's a lie, of course. He knows. He missed it so much - just being with a Dom, being able to let go like he could yesterday. He didn't think he'd ever have that again and god, it's so much, it's too much. In a good way, but also in a terrifying way.

"You're overwhelmed," Loki says. "It happens."

"I guess."

"I'm sorry if yesterday was too much."

"It wasn't. I can take a lot more. My thighs don't even really hurt anymore."

"I'm not talking about the pain. I am not used to it, either. To the -" Loki waves his hand. "Emotions."

"Emotions," Tony echoes, as if they are talking about some disgusting bug.

Loki smiles and leans in again, pressing his lips against Tony's temple. "I don't like waking up alone. I thought I had driven you away."

Tony recognizes that for what it is - the need for reassurance. It's easy to recognize, really. Like looking in a mirror. He imagines waking up and finding Loki gone - finding him crying alone in a room on the other end of the house. God, he'd feel terrible.

"You haven't," Tony says. "It's not your fault. Sorry."

Loki shakes his head. "It's not your fault, either. But - wake me next time, yes? Even if you would like to be alone."

Tony nods. He looks down at his knees, fiddling with the tissue. "It's, ah. Subdrop. It's a thing."

"I read about it," Loki says, tilting his head. "Is that usual for you?"

"It's not supposed to be." Tony sighs and rubs his face. It’s fine, it’s okay, he can explain this. No biggie.  “Look, I - no idea what’s it like for you guys, but us humans - a sub’s brain is built for this kinda thing. It’s why some people are subs and some aren’t, the brain’s just wired differently. Different hormones and everything, it’s a long list. There’s this craving for the high of subspace because it’s needed to keep the balance on a chemical level, you know?”

Loki nods along like he knows what Tony is speaking about. “So going without it for a long time is considered unhealthy, yes.”

“Yeah, exactly. Thing is, after that high there’s an inevitable low when all that stuff that makes you all happy and floaty fucks off again. But most subs just get tired as hell and take a nap, and then they feel really great for a few days, maybe a week, maybe two, it depends. That’s how it should work.”

“But you don’t just get tired.”

Tony shrugs. “Coming down has always been - hard. For me. I crash a lot of times, that was already a problem before Afghanistan. I mean, I’ll be okay. Tomorrow or so. Maybe it’s just because I haven’t gotten that high in so long.” He leans his head against the bar. “I should’ve told you this before - well. Sorry about that."

"It's hardly anything to be sorry about."

Tony isn't so sure about that, but okay. "I used to have trouble even getting to subspace, but hey, at least that doesn't seem to be a problem. Hurray."

"It was -" Loki stops, looking for words. That alone is already a little worrying. Finally, he settles on, "It meant - means - a lot to me."

Tony looks at him and manages a smirk. "Blushing."

"No."

"Definitely."

Loki rolls his eyes, but there is no real annoyance in it. "What do you need?"

"Hm?"

"What can I do to make you feel better?"

"Better?"

"I understand there's not much we can do until your body and mind adjust, but I'm sure there are things that would make you at least more comfortable. Work, perhaps?"

"Work," Tony echoes. It's not like he doesn't want to work, he always wants to work, but right now he's too wrung out to even try to focus. "I don't know."

"We could watch a movie?"

"Mhm."

"Break into an ice cream parlor?"

Tony blinks. "What?"

"It's the third thing I could think of," Loki says, like that makes perfect sense.  "Is that a yes?"

"Uh. I guess?"

"JARVIS, find us a place with a lot of options regarding flavor, please. Distance doesn't matter, but it would be convenient if it was closed." Loki grins at Tony and stands up, offering him a hand. "I have been wanting to do this for some time, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. It's research for a prank."

Tony takes Loki's hand and Loki pulls him up onto his feet. "You need to do research for your pranks now?"

"Only when it's fun."

*

Of course they don't actually break into an ice cream parlor.

Loki just teleports them into one. 

They stay there for hours, trying all the flavors and even making new ones when they figure out how the machine works. Loki doesn't run out of stories to tell, and Tony still isn't sure if it's because he is a thousand years old or because he makes half of the things he says up on the spot. 

By the time they leave, the night is almost over and Tony feels a lot better. They go straight to bed, and he falls asleep without problems.

*

"- talk to her, then."

"She would like to talk to Sir."

"Well, Anthony is asleep, and I see no reason to wake him."

"I already told her that, Mr. Laufeyson. I'm afraid she is insistent."

"Then tell her she has to insist on something else."

With a sigh, Tony gives in and opens his eyes. "Stop arguing, kids, it's the middle of the night."

"We're not arguing," Loki says in the same second JARVIS says, "I would hardly call this arguing, Sir."

"Sure," Tony says, yawning. He realizes that he is half sprawled over Loki's body and wonders briefly if Loki's uncomfortable before he remembers that he probably weighs next to nothing for Loki, weird immortal being that he is. "Morning, Lo."

"I think it's late afternoon," Loki informs him. "Go back to sleep if you want to."

"I'm awake now," Tony says, but makes no move to get up. "And don't deflect. What's up?"

"Miss Potts seems to think I abducted you."

"What."

"Nothing quite so drastic, sir," JARVIS says. "She is only worried about your wellbeing."

Good god. Tony sighs and lifts his head, rubbing his eyes. "Patch her through."

"Would you like to use your phone, sir?"

"Nope. Loki can listen in," he gives Loki a look, "if he doesn't cause any trouble."

Loki blinks at him as if to say, trouble? Who, me?

Yeah, Tony's not buying it. "Now, J."

JARVIS doesn't reply, but a few seconds later, Pepper's voice comes through the speakers in the bedroom.

"Tony?"

"Hi, Pep. Just so you know, you woke me up and I'm not happy about it. In fact, I'm about to throw a tantrum like a tired toddler."

He can hear her sigh. "So you're okay?"

"No, he is currently chained to the bed," Loki chimes in pleasantly, "and unfortunately, I forgot to feed him. He's all flesh and bone, the poor dear."

Honestly.

"I'm fine," Tony says. "Obviously."

"Okay. I mean, good. It's just, we got this message from this ice cream parlor in Chicago -"

"Ah, shit, really? Are they complaining? Because we didn't break anything, promise, and I had JARVIS transfer so much money to them that they won't even have to work for a couple of years. We left a note and everything."

"No, they're not complaining. They posted the note and wanted to thank you for the publicity, actually."

'Oh. Well, great, so what's the problem?"

"Tony, you ate a few gallons of ice cream last night."

"Well, I didn't eat gallons of ice cream on my own. It was Loki's idea."

Loki glares at him.

"Don't look at me like that, it's true, and you deserve to take the credit. It was a great idea because I felt awful, but then I didn't anymore, and then I slept for - what time is it, J?"

"4:07pm, sir."

"Right, I slept for nine hours straight. Nine hours, Pepper. I think the last time that happened was right after that bomb ripped a hole into my chest, and that was more like a coma."

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh. So I'm fine, and I told you I would be fine, so stop shitting your pants and let us enjoy our vacation, okay? Thanks. I'm done, J."

JARVIS ends the call, and Tony sits up and wonders why he's so fucking pissed right now. When he looks at Loki - propped up on his elbows, frowning, watching - he knows.

"I know you wouldn't," he says.

Loki blinks slowly.

"Chain me to the bed and forget to feed me," Tony explains. "I don't care what anyone else thinks, and I - I'm sorry people always think the worst of you."

"It's hardly unjustified."

"Still. I know you wouldn't."

Loki doesn't move, but he looks thoughtful now, gaze still fixed on Tony's face. "I could."

"I'm not saying that you can't, I'm saying that you won't."

"I thought about it."

"You thought about chaining me to a bed? Shocker."

"No, I thought about keeping you," Loki says. "Against your will, if necessary. You're awfully easy to abduct, you know."

Tony sputters. "I am not easy to abduct."

Loki gives him an exasperated look. "Do you remember the party I threw when I came back to Midgard?"

"What about it?"

"What if it hadn't been a party at all?"

"It was a party," Tony says, but then he actually thinks about what Loki said. "Wait, you wanted to abduct me?"

Loki sits up as well, cross-legged, looking relaxed - no, pretending to be relaxed, Tony can tell by his fidgeting fingers that he's anything but. "I considered it. I left Midgard to get rid of the," he winces, "fascination I felt for you, but even on Alfheimr it didn't fade. So I thought about ways to pursue it, and abduction was one of the first things I came up with. I thought about taking you to Alfheimr."

"Wow," Tony says flatly. "You know, when most people have a crush, they come up with a trip to the movies."

"I'm not most people," Loki says, and it should sound playful and smug, but it doesn't. He isn't smug about this, or proud, not even defensive.

He's bitter.

Tony tries to figure out what to say and can't. He doesn't even know if he should be angry or not. "You changed your mind, obviously."

Loki nods, but he's not looking at Tony. "It would have been easy."

"Abducting me? Yeah, you've mentioned."

"No, convincing you to stay."

Tony raises a brow. "Honey, no offense, but if you'd taken me to a different planet without asking me, I'd have been fucking pissed at you."

Loki waves his hand. "At first, certainly. You've never been to Alfheimr before, have you?"

"Uh, no."

"So you don't know the languages, nor the customs of the people, I'm not sure if you could even breathe the air without the help of a spell."

"So I'd be completely dependent on you, is what you're saying."

Loki nods. "I would have to keep you trapped at first, of course. I would bring you food, and stay for conversation - or for you to curse and spit at me, rather. You would try to attack me or flee several times, but eventually you would learn that there's no point, and then you would make a different plan. You would start talking to me, asking questions about the planet, that would soothe both your inevitable curiosity and move your plan along. I would bring you gifts, elvish things for you to tinker with, and I would be interesting. You're not good at staying away from interesting things. Curiosity and fascination would make you forget about your anger at least for a few hours at a time, and the fact that you're attracted to me physically would certainly be of use. You'd be eager for my company, although you wouldn't want to admit it. Desperately eager to be wanted, too, because you always are. We would become friends and then, in time, more than that. We would explore the planet together, and by then you would have discarded your plan to gain my trust and manipulate me into bringing you back to Midgard. If you asked me to take you home, I would, and I would come back with you to New York."

Tony hasn't done much except stare while Loki spoke, and he doesn't do anything else now that Loki is finished.

Loki meets Tony's eyes, the corner of his mouth tugging upward without any real joy in it. "Time consuming, but all in all - easy."

Right.

Okay.

For the first time in a while Tony remembers that yes, right, Loki's a bit of a madman. But that he imagined this kind of thing at all is less disturbing than the fact that it would probably work. Loki is, above all things, a manipulator. An expert at figuring out what people want, need and think and then using that to get what he wants. That explains why he’s constantly watching, listening more closely than anyone else Tony has ever met. He wonders if it’s exhausting, paying that much attention to everything and everyone all the time. If it’s something Loki chooses to do or if it’s so ingrained in his very being that he can’t even help it anymore, because manipulation is the only thing that ever worked for him, the only thing that ever brought him a step forward, if only to take two steps back right after.  

Desperately eager to be wanted. He knows how Tony ticks. Often figures out why he does things - do you think I will leave as soon as you present me with the slightest difficulty? - faster than Tony himself. Loki could use that skill to trap Tony in a net of carefully placed strings, but so far he’s done nothing but use it to give Tony what he needs. 

And now he looks at Tony as if he expects to be thrown out of this bed.

“Alright, Mr. Stockholm Syndrome." Tony puts a hand on Loki’s knee. “Wanna know a secret?”

Loki looks at him, wary.

“You don’t get punished for thoughts. Alright? If that goes for me, it goes for you, too.”

“But I -”

“No. Nope. When you came back to Mid - Earth, for fuck’s sake. What was the plan? You didn't actually want to abduct me, did you?”

Loki sighs. "No. I decided to… try to do it properly.”

The way he says it, properly sounds like right. And that’s all he’s been doing from the start, hasn’t he? He said it, even, I intend to do this right. Loki, trying his very best. Charming, considerate, attentive. You don’t want me to be jealous, pet, so it would be better if we both pretended that I’m not. Trying to be exactly what Tony needs. It seems effortless, but Tony’s starting to believe it very much isn’t. 

“Loki,” he says, carefully. “You - you’re doing it right. You’re doing great. You know that, right?”

Loki smiles, but it looks strained, not quite sincere. “You don’t mind at all that I was planning to abduct you?”

“I don’t think you planned it. I think you -” Tony stops, because what he thinks is that Loki was sure Tony wouldn’t stay with him unless he was forced to, and he can’t bring himself to say that. He sighs. “No, I don’t mind. Look, I - I know you’re really great at like, repressing your feelings -”

“I am not repressing anything.”

“Uh huh, sure, me neither. My dad totally loved me, by the way, we didn’t have any issues whatsoever. Not repressing anything, see? I know how that game works, don’t play it with me.”

“I’m not playing a game,” Loki says, tense, and Tony softens.

“No, I know. I just mean - you don’t have to do that with me. The abduction thing? You can tell me things like that, and you can be jealous, and all that other unpleasant shit that comes with, I don’t know, being a person. It won’t scare me off.”

“Perhaps it should.”

“No. I know who’s sitting in my bed right now.” Tony raises his brows, but Loki doesn’t reply. “What? Did you think I forgot who you are just because you’re a really good Dom? Nope, no chance. I know about the things you’ve done and been through, and people don’t survive stuff like that without coming out of the other end a little darker than they were before.”

Loki tilts his head in acknowledgement, but stays silent.

“And if you can take me getting snot all over your shirt the middle of the night, I can take you being a tad weird and scary now and then.”

“I’m not ‘a tad’ scary.”

“You’re terrifying,” Tony assures him, patting his knee. “Point is, I don’t want some watered down version of you that you think is easier to stomach, alright? Because don’t underestimate me, I can stomach a hell of a lot. And I don’t expect you to be perfect all the time. Also you have to take me to Alfheimr at some point, because I’m curious now.”

“I will,” Loki says, and takes Tony’s hand to bring it up to his lips. “Thank you.”

It sounds like it was somewhat painful for him to get those two words out, so Tony grins. He’s not sure if the message really arrived in Loki’s head - Tony isn’t as good at this sort of thing as Loki is - but for now, it’s okay.

“So, what was the plan, then? When you came back to Earth?”

Loki readily - and judging by the look he gives Tony, gratefully - accepts the change of topic. “The party was meant to be the beginning. But then, of course -” His mouth twists as he glances at Tony’s neck, displeased. “There was a change of plan.”

Tony blinks. “Wait. You threw that party for me?”

“I thought you might enjoy it. Did you only figure that out now?”

Tony shakes his head slowly, not to say no, just because he’s stunned. Kind of cute, how Loki went from abduction to a party in ten seconds flat. And if that party really was for Tony, that means that Loki came back to Earth to court him. Loki had wanted him even before that. And all he’s done since then, their ruse and their dates, the movie nights with the team, the Sunday breakfasts, the trying to do it right - everything was for Tony. 

“You became an Avenger for me,” Tony says, grinning widely.

Loki’s eyes widen, horrified. “I am not an Avenger.”

“Oh, you so are.” Tony puts his hands on Loki’s chest and pushes him back. Loki indulges him and acts like Tony is strong enough to maneuver him around, and his hands come up to Tony’s hips when he straddles him. Tony is still beaming, couldn't stop even if he wanted to. "And you did it for me."

Not just to get into his pants. Not for his money or his power. For him. 

What a fucking wonder.

When Tony kisses Loki, there's a split of second where he wonders if he's allowed to do that without asking, but he forgets about that right away because Loki immediately kisses back. It's soft and slow and makes Tony think that they should brush their teeth first, and he's so giddy that he doesn't give a damn. 

"I really," he says, pulling back, "god. I really like you. And you - you don’t have to be one. An Avenger. If you don’t want to be one, I mean. I don’t give a damn either way, as long as - " As long as you’re with me. He can’t bring himself to say it.

Maybe Loki heard it, anyway, because Loki wraps his arms around him and yes, now his smile is very much sincere. "I really like you, too," he says, and his voice sounds teasing but the look in his eyes is so soft.

Tony smiles back. He keeps his hands on Loki's chest. God, he wants to touch him all over. "Loki?"

"Yes?"

"Last night you said I'd get a reward."

"I did," Loki says, curious.

"Can I - may I ask for something?"

Loki's smile widens. Delighted. "You may."

God, he's so fucking adorable. Not all Doms see submission as something precious - some think it's their birthright, nothing more and nothing less - but Loki? Even the slightest show of submission has him over the moon, and it only makes Tony want to give him more.

He thinks about laying out clothes for Loki. Dressing him and touching every patch of skin before covering it with leather and fabric. He'd take his time and make sure that Loki would remember Tony's hands on him all day. But well, that's a nice fantasy, but kind of pointless given that they're not planning to leave the house. When they aren't wearing comfortable clothes that can be easily removed, they'll be naked - that's what Tony hopes, at least. 

There are other things Tony can do for Loki, thankfully.

"Can I brush your hair?" he asks, not looking Loki in the eye. Instead, he plays with the tips of Loki's hair. It's so long that it reaches past his shoulders. 

"My hair?"

"Yeah."

Loki looks surprised, but he nods, hands squeezing Tony's hips. "If you like, yes."

Tony beams. He thinks that maybe he's not the only pushover in the room - thinks that if he only asks, Loki will give him anything.

*

Freshly showered, Loki sits down on the floor next to the bed. His hair isn't wet anymore - thanks, magic - but looks like he's let it air-dry for a while. It's frizzy, which is a surprise. Loki's hair always looks soft and sleek, usually. 

"Don't tell me you've got curls," Tony says as he sits down behind Loki on the bed, carefully putting his legs on either side of Loki so that he's sitting between them.

"Something like that," Loki says dryly. "It mostly does whatever it wants when I don't keep it under control."

"At least you're washing it now."

Loki makes an indignant noise. "Well, forgive me, I didn't have access to a shower in the Void." He lifts a hand and offers Tony a hairbrush - black, golden runes as decoration, ancient, but well looked after. "I used to keep it short. They already gave me enough trouble for looking like a woman as it was."

"I like it long," Tony says, taking the brush. "I should've known even your hairbrush would be fancy."

"My mother gave it to me. Do you?"

"Huh?"

"Like it long."

"Yeah. It suits you." Tony combs his fingers through Loki's hair, gathering the strands on his back. "And anyway, Thor's got long hair, too."

"Thor also has a beard and is about twice as broad as most other men."

Tony snorts and starts brushing Loki's hair, carefully loosening up the knots he comes across. "You don't need to shave at all, do you?"

"No."

“Handy. Would save me a lot of time.”

“You would already save some time by wearing a less elaborate beard.”

“My beard’s not elaborate.”

“No? Then why do you need to fuss over it for ages every morning?”

“I don’t need ages.”

“Thirty minutes, at least.”

“Ten, tops.”

“I’ll measure the time tomorrow.”

“You do that,” Tony says, acting unbothered while he is wondering how the hell he’s supposed to manage less than thirty minutes. Damn. He’ll just have to try to distract Loki tomorrow.

Neither of them talks for a while. Tony keeps brushing Loki’s hair, enjoying the way Loki tilts his head to give him better access. It’s a simple act, doesn’t take long, but it still makes something calm and content settle in Tony’s chest. Every other thought quietens down, unimportant for the time being. He’s intensely aware of the feeling of Loki’s hair between his fingers, of Loki’s quiet breaths, his body where it touches Tony’s legs. Intimacy. He could probably slip into subspace just from this.

“You shed like a pekingese,” he says, mostly to pull himself out of the beginning of a haze.

“I do not. What is a pekingese?”

Tony laughs. “A dog. Small, cute and hairy.”

“I do not,” Loki repeats, offended now. 

“You definitely do,” Tony says and shows him the brush.

Loki scowls at it and waves his hand, making both the brush and all loose hairs disappear. “No. I suppose you’re not deft at braiding hair, are you?”

Tony fiddles with the tips of Loki’s hair. I used to braid my hair when I was younger, Loki said. “Uh, yes, actually. I can manage a French one, I think. You want one?”

“I do," Loki says, softly.

Tony smiles. Loki probably doesn’t know what a French braid is, but he does seem to want Tony to keep going, and that’s nice. So Tony gets to work and divides his hair in even sections - he hasn’t done it in ages, but he’s always been good with his hands, and his fingers remember the movements well enough. It’ll be a bit messy, but maybe he’ll get better. With practice.

“Did you do this for Miss Potts?” Loki asks when the braid is about half done, his voice casual. Maybe a little too casual.

Tony doesn’t let himself think about the answer for very long. “Once or twice. We didn’t really have time for stuff like this.”

“Why not?”

Tony thinks about all the hours he spent in the workshop, exhausted, obsessive, unable to stop, let alone relax, let alone sleep. “Work. We were both pretty busy. And I was - well, I wasn’t good at submitting to her in, uh, ways that didn’t have anything to do with sex. Does that make sense?”

Loki hums. “All my former, well, encounters were strictly limited to the bedroom. This is the first time I’m attempting something more, so you might have to be patient with me from time to time.”

“You’ve been doing great so far. I mean it. You’ve never once made me feel like -”

When he cuts himself off and doesn’t continue, Loki tilts his head back to look at him. “Like?”

“Look forward or I’ll mess this up.” 

Loki rolls his eyes but obliges, and Tony keeps his gaze fixed on the black strands in his hands.

“I tried it with Pepper,” he says after a moment. “The whole 24/7 thing, rules that aren’t just meant to turn us both on, and… yeah. She thought she could help me. Fix me. Something like that. And I - like I said. Wasn’t good at it.”

“There is a difference between being not good enough and not comfortable enough,” Loki says, voice soft. “You asked me for this. Did you ever ask her for anything?”

Tony frowns. The braid is finished and he holds the end between his fingers, wondering what to do now. “Well, you made it very clear that I’m supposed to ask you for stuff I want.”

"Yes, you are." Loki procures a hair tie and gives it to Tony. “Did she not?”

“No. I mean, yeah, of course she did. That wasn’t it. We’re - really good at being friends, and we thought we’d be good at being more than friends, but we weren’t. You know? I wanted the idea of her, she wanted the idea of me, but our ideas just didn’t match.”

“And still you always make it sound like it was your fault.”

Tony lifts his shoulders. “Well, I’m a lot. And I was a real mess back then. Probably still am. It’s not her fault that she needed less stress in her life.”

“Is that what you think will make me leave eventually?”

God, Tony’s glad that they’re not face to face right now. “I don’t know. I don’t think you’ll try to change me, at least. It’d be kind of hypocritical of you.”

“Oh?”

“Well, yeah. Sorry to break it to you, but you’re a bit of a mess yourself. No offense.”

“None taken.” Loki reaches up to feel his hair, fingers wandering over the braid. He lets out a breath, a little shaky.

"You okay?"

"I - yes." Loki clears his throat. “This was - lovely. I’d like you to do this again soon.”

Tony bends down and rests his forehead on Loki’s hair, eyes closed, hands on Loki’s shoulders. Shit, he wants to keep him. “Anytime you want.”

Chapter Text

They’ve been in Malibu for two days and already their sleep schedule is fucked up. Honestly, Tony isn’t surprised.

It’s 2am, and neither of them is tired since they slept all day after their visit to the ice cream parlor. Tony is lying under a car, tinkering, and usually he’d have music playing, but Loki talking to Dum-E is background noise enough. It’s nice to know that Loki is nearby, for one thing, and also it’s really entertaining, because Loki keeps trying to explain an Asgardian board game to Dum-E as if he actually expects him to understand. By the time Tony emerges from under the car, Loki and Dum-E are playing, but Tony strongly suspects that Loki has been making most of Dum-E’s moves.

“He’ll need at least a few months to get that,” Tony says, squinting down at the board. It’s just about the most complicated thing he’s ever seen, and that is saying a lot. “Hell, it looks like I would need a few months to get that.”

“Years, surely,” Loki says, and ducks expertly when Tony swats at his head. “Would you like to play?”

“Yeah.”

So they play, and Tony gets the game in less than ten minutes, even though there is magic involved. Loki smiles that pleased smile Tony has been addicted to for months. His hair is still in the braid Tony did for him, although it’s even messier now than it was to begin with, and Tony likes him so much that it aches. Shit, he’ll be utterly useless for at least a few days. Weeks? Maybe years. Who knows how Tony is supposed to ever get anything done again with Loki around.

“You’re not paying attention, pet.”

Tony blinks and looks down at the board. Apparently it’s his turn. “Oh, yeah. Not my fault, you’re very distracting.”

“Am I now?” Loki takes a sip of his smoothie - Dum-E brings him one glass after the other, Lokii is officially his new favorite person in the world. “How so?”

How so, he says, as if he’s not sucking at the straw like he’s sitting at a bar and trying to seduce the handsome stranger next to him. Tony shakes his head and focuses on the board. What is he, fifteen? “Looking at you makes me want to suck your cock. It’s a problem.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t call it a problem,” Loki says without missing a beat, voice dipping lower. “Do you feel better, then?”

“Hm? Oh, yeah. I do.” Wait, he does? Oh. He does. “Much."

He's not freaking out anymore, and he doesn't feel like he's going to burst into tears again anytime soon. Except for the usual aches thanks to the arc reactor, he's not in pain. Hell, he's not even tired. All in all, he feels great. Still embarrassed about his breakdown, still scared that it will happen again, but - for now, it's fine.

Huh.

"You look surprised."

Tony shrugs, distractedly rubbing his chest. It's just that he's not used to being okay. It'll take some time to adjust. "It's fine. What about you, you okay?"

"Yes," Loki says, without hesitation. He looks down at the board, slowly moving one of the figures. "I'm glad to be here."

He sounds surprised as well, like it's new for him to be glad to be anywhere. Tony wants to touch him, but he's distracted by their game.

"First of all, it's my turn," he says, moving Loki's figure back to where it was. "Secondly, that's against the rules. You're cheating."

"I'm not. You must have misunderstood the rules."

"And now you're lying. What do you get if you win?"

Loki raises a brow. "What do I get? Shouldn't you be asking what you will get if you win?'

"Nah. Yesterday was about what I wanted, tonight's about you."

"I'd like to believe that everything we do will be about both of us."

"You know what I mean. And don’t think I didn’t notice you changing the topic.”

Loki obviously tries his best to look innocent, but he isn’t fooling anyone. Idiot.

“We were talking about your cock,” Tony reminds him pleasantly, moving one of his own figures on the board. “And in case you’ve been waiting for me to initiate, that was me initiating.”

Loki stays silent. After a moment, Tony looks up at him, and what he sees gives him pause. Not once since the battle with Amora, Loki hesitated. Always taking the lead, always showing the way. Tony realizes what a steady source of comfort that’s been only now that Loki does look hesitant.

“We don’t have to,” Tony says, out of his depth, ”uh. Do anything. If you don’t want to.”

“Well, I - I'm just wondering if we should wait a little longer, after last night."

Oh.

Tony's stomach sinks, but he makes sure that his face is blank. "You're scared I'll freak out again."

"I'd like to avoid it if possible, yes."

Right. Tony sighs. "I told you, it wasn't your fault. There isn't anything you can do about it. Maybe it'll get better in time, maybe it won't, but either way - it'll happen again. So either we can deal with it or, if you don't want to deal with it, I can," he holds up his hand, "give this back."

Something fiery lights up in Loki's eyes and he surges forward, kneeling on the game board without care. His mouth is on Tony's in an instant, knocking all air out of his lungs.

"Don't," Loki says when he pulls back, his voice low and urgent. He stays close, his hands on either side of Tony's face, their noses brushing against each other. "Don't say that if you don't mean it. I'd have no choice but to accept it if you were serious, but I can't -" He stops and kisses Tony again, briefer this time. His voice dips into a whisper. "I know it is no collar. I know that. But there's a chance, yes? You wouldn't give it away again so lightly."

Oh, god, Tony fucked up again, didn't he? The sound of Loki's voice fucking hurts.

"I wouldn't," Tony says, tentatively reaching up to touch Loki's wrist. "I won't, it's just - don't feel obligated to stay or anything."

"Foolish mortal," Loki hisses. " Obligated, me? Honestly."

"Loki -"

"No. If you can't believe me when I tell you I want to stay with you, because of you, then at least believe me when I say that I do what I want."

"Loki."

" If I wanted to leave, I would. If I am here, it is because I don't know a place where I would rather be." Scowling, Loki taps his knuckles against Tony's temple. "Try to get this into your thick skull, please."

"Okay," Tony says, stifling a laugh. "Yes, alright, okay. But I - can we go back to - look. I know last night kind of sucked, alright? Not just for me, for you, too. I just meant, what do you wanna do about it? Never top me again? Come on. That would only make us both miserable."

Loki frowns and brushes Tony's hair out of his face. "Don't think I want to deprive you, pet. Or me, for that matter. But would it be healthy to go under again so soon? You said you feel better now, I wouldn't want that to change."

"You worry too much, do you know that?"

Loki gives him a look, and Tony sighs and gives in. At least Loki is the one freaking out for a change. Unfortunately, Loki’s much better at the whole giving comfort thing. Well, here goes nothing.

“Okay, in general you can assume that subspace is always healthy for me, alright? But I - well, I can’t control it, so you have to make sure I don’t go too deep, or stay under for too long. Rule of thumb is -” God, he was taught this ages ago, remembers being fifteen, about to leave for college, and Jarvis pulling him aside for the most embarrassing conversation of his life. “If you feel like I’m going deep, pull me out a little about every thirty minutes, just to check if I’m still, you know, lucid. And all in all, more than three hours is considered too long, but it’s kind of an individual thing. I never managed more than an hour, anyway.”

Loki nods, already looking a lot less worried. “I will keep it in mind. And after? Regarding - subdrop, as you call it?”

“Well, chances are that I won’t crash that badly again, at least not right away, but even if I do - I’ll be fine. As long as -” He stops and looks down at his hands on Loki’s shoulder, swallowing. “As long as you’re there. You - you helped a lot. Okay? So, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Don’t tell me you don’t worry about it at all,” Loki says, unimpressed. His eyes are soft, though, and warm. “I expected you to have some reservations about giving yourself to me, after…”

Tony manages a grin. “Eh, ask anyone, I never think about the consequences of my actions. Subdrop is a problem of future me, present me is horny.”

Loki laughs, but it’s short-lived. “I wouldn’t mind waiting, that’s all I meant to say.”

“Waiting would give us more time to overthink and panic, right? Aren’t you supposed to get back in the saddle right away after you fell off?”

“Yes.” Loki sighs and wraps his arms around Tony, pulling him close so that he can put his chin on Tony’s shoulder. “I’m sorry if I ruined the mood.”

Tony hesitates, but then holds Loki close in return, patting his back. “Nothing’s ruined, honey. Except our game, maybe. You’re still kneeling on the board, by the way.”

“Mh, I’m aware. It’s not very comfortable.”

Laughing, Tony pulls back. “Where’s that throw pillow you always magic into existence for me?”

“Waiting for you upstairs.” Loki arches a brow, running a hand through Tony’s hair. “Two minutes.”

Oh. 

Tony grins and kisses Loki, and can’t stop for quite a while. Loki lets him, doesn’t let go of him just yet, but he does push him away eventually, lips red and smiling.

“Nearing one minute, I think.”

It’s a good thing Tony’s fast.

*

When Loki walks into the bedroom and closes the door behind himself, he doesn't look hesitant anymore, which is good. He smiles when he sees Tony kneeling on the pillow in front of the bed, naked except for the token Loki gave him.

"Your clothes on the stairs were a nice touch," Loki says. "Did you want me to trip over them?"

"Honestly I thought you'd teleport and wouldn't even see them."

Loki snorts and comes over to Tony, looking his fill. There is heat in his eyes and also in his cheeks, a hint of pink spreading out over those damned cheekbones of his. Loki’s pale skin really does flush easily, and when he’s aroused it looks much like when he’s flustered. That’ll be a problem in the future, Tony thinks. The next time Loki blushes, Tony won’t manage to tease him about it, instead he will think about this. 

“Do you not want to ask me what I wish to do to you?” Loki asks, curious, when he stops in front of Tony. His hand settles in Tony’s hair again; Tony is starting to think Loki has some sort of thing for his hair. Not that he minds.

“Not really,” Tony says. Like this, he’s practically on eye level with Loki’s crotch, which presents him with a lot of possibilities. “As long as it features your cock in me, I’m all in.”

Loki’s smirk is sharp and pleased. “You keep coming back to that. Incapable of thinking about anything else tonight, aren’t you?”

“Are you complaining?”

“Oh, not at all. Stand up, please.”

Tony does, and Loki opens his arms, an invitation.

“Undress me.”

Tony smiles so hard his face hurts. That Loki remembered - next time? You’ll let me, yes? - shouldn’t mean so much, but it does. Loki returns his smile, but then his brows twitch into a frown.

“Perhaps I should have changed. There’s not much for you to take off of me, I’m afraid.”

“I’ll peel you out of a three-piece suit another time,” Tony says, reaching for the hem of Loki’s sweater. “Or your armour, maybe.”

Loki lifts his arms when Tony pulls up the sweater. “Thought about that, have you?”

“Have you seen those leather pants you always wear?”

“I have seen you staring at them, certainly.”

Tony hides Loki’s smug face by tugging the sweater over his head. He tries not to ruin Loki’s braid, not that it’s any use, it’s already messy as it is. Tony folds the sweater and puts it aside. Loki is wearing a t-shirt underneath, and it’s still a marvel to see him in normal clothes, all Earthly and soft. Looking like this, he could be a college student. The thought makes Tony grin.

Loki tilts his head at him, questioning, but Tony only grabs his t-shirt and pulls it over his head as well. It quickly joins the sweater, but Tony barely notices what he’s doing. The sight of Loki leaves him breathless. Loki has been naked in his presence before, two nights ago, but then Tony didn’t have the chance to really look, let alone touch. He can touch now, right? That’s allowed?

Tony puts his hands on Loki’s waist - surprisingly slender, but firm, his hip bones standing out slightly under Tony’s thumbs. He moves his hands up over Loki’s abs, just a light touch because he half expects to be pushed away. But Loki just watches him, patient, even a little curious, as if he’s interested in finding out what Tony will do. Only when Tony’s fingertips trail to his sides he reaches for his wrist, gently. 

“Don’t tell me you’re ticklish,” Tony says.

“I won’t,” Loki says, haughty. “And you won’t mention it again if you know what’s good for you.”

As if Tony ever knows what’s good for him. He’ll definitely - well, not mention it, maybe, but he’ll use the knowledge wisely. For now, he just grins and keeps touching. Loki’s chest is pale and smooth all over, not a single hair in sight, although there are several scars, even whiter than the rest of his skin. His body tells of the way he moves in battles, fast and efficient, relying on speed and skill rather than on mere strength. He’s not half as bulky as his brother; a runner, not a wrestler. He’s gorgeous, and Tony wants to know him inside out, every part of him. He’d like to lay him down and touch him until he’s boneless, drunk on being worshipped. He is a god, after all. 

Tony tugs at Loki’s loose braid so that it’s lying on his shoulder, pitch black against his skin. Loki is still watching, eyes dark. Tony meets them just briefly and god, he wants to kneel again. He looks down, more in submission than to watch what he’s doing. It’s still new and surprising, this urge to follow and obey, tinged with so much adoration that it nearly overflows, but his hands are steady when he opens Loki’s pants. He’s not nervous. 

He pushes Loki’s pants over his hips. No underwear. He is half hard, but Tony pays that no mind for the time being and crouches. Loki lifts first one foot, then the other, so that Tony can help him out of his pants and take his socks off, too. He stands up with the clothes in hand and adds them to the pile before turning back to Loki, who is smiling at him.

“It’s nice to see you so calm,” he says quietly, cupping one side of Tony’s face. Tony leans into the touch. “On the bed.”

Tony nods and goes, sitting down in the middle of the bed. Loki follows after him and soon puts a hand on his chest, pushing him down. Tony has no choice but to lie down on his back, helpless against Loki’s strength and god, his cock is throbbing between his legs. 

“It hasn’t escaped my attention,” Loki says, in a tone like he’s talking about the weather, “that these bedposts are excellent for attaching restraints to them.”

Tony grins up at him. “Not just excellent. This bed is custom made.”

“Of course it is,” Loki says, delighted. “I will use magic for this."

It sounds firm, but the following pause tells Tony that this is Loki checking in with him, so he nods. Loki smiles and it’s fucking dazzling; Tony wants him so much he’s dizzy with it. He would keep staring at Loki all night, probably, if he wasn’t distracted by something else. Something wraps around his right wrist and pulls it up over his head, startling him. He arches his neck and stares, but all he can see is green tendrils of magic, glowing faintly as they settle against his skin. They feel warm and soft and oddly alive , and if he didn’t know better, he would think it was Loki’s hand around his wrist. In a way it is, he supposes, since Loki’s magic is an extension of him, nothing more and nothing less.

“Huh,” he says and pulls at the restraint. There’s a bit of a leeway; he can see where the magic is fastened to bedpost, and he can move his hand just as if it was actual rope. “Can I scan this?”

“Yes.”

Now magic ties Tony’s other hand to the bed, but he’s too busy blinking at Loki to pay attention. “Wait - yes?”

“Yes,” Loki says again, amused. “I’ll make them again and explain how they work when I am done with you, if you can wait until then?” His hand wanders lower, fingers grazing the head of Tony’s cock. “Or I could explain it to you now, I suppose, but you might not be able to focus very long.”

Tony’s heart skips a beat and his cock jumps, still so close to Loki’s fingers, and all he wants is for Loki to touch him. His mind is blank with it for a second, then he gets out, “Uh, later is fine.”

Loki’s answering smile is downright predatory. “Lovely. Say your safeword, please.”

“What? Why?”

“Indulge me.”

“I’ve got a good memory, you know. I won’t forget.” But in reaction to Loki’s expression, Tony hurries to say, “Star Wars. Now can we -” 

He looks up at the headboard again. The magic binds are gone. Just poof, gone. He looks back at Loki. 

“Oh. Do they - what, automatically?”

“Yes. The three taps have the same effect. You should be able to do that even with your hands bound like they just were. Acceptable?”

God, Tony’s just going to melt into the bed at this point. Loki cares so much, and he’s so fucking good.  How is Tony supposed to deal with that? He swallows thickly. “Yeah. Acceptable. Can you - again? Please.” Two seconds later, Tony’s hands are tied to the bed again. Yeah. Much better. He exhales. “Thanks.”

“My pleasure,” Loki says, and it sounds like he means it. 

Loki straddles Tony's thighs, kneeling over him. He leans down to kiss him, slow and deep, and Tony gasps into it. His hands try to move, grab Loki and pull him closer, but they don't go farther than a few inches, held by Loki's magic. And with Loki all but sitting on his thighs, Tony can't move much at all. Still, he presses up into it as well as he can, wanting to kiss Loki back with everything he has. 

Fortunately, one of them remembers that Tony does actually need to breathe every once in a while. It's not Tony, obviously. Loki breaks the kiss and mouths at Tony's jaw instead - his beard must be scratchy, but Loki doesn't seem to mind - while Tony pants and squirms, still tugging at the magic that holds his hands in place above his head.

"You can pull all you want, love," Loki murmurs into the skin below Tony's ear. "They won't budge until I allow it."

And that's half a lie, isn't it? But it sends a thrill down Tony's spine, anyway, and it goes straight to his cock and makes him buck his hips. He wants to speak, but Loki's mouth is on his neck, kissing and sucking at sensitive skin. And when he shifts and rolls his hips, grinding their cocks together, Tony finds that he doesn't want to speak, after all. He would be embarrassed by what he'd say, anyway. 

Thankfully, Loki doesn't seem to expect him to speak, and he doesn't say anything either, for a change. But that's probably not because he doesn't have anything to say; his mouth is just otherwise occupied. He kisses his way down to Tony's chest, his hands touching everything they can reach, without hurry, but demanding. Possessive. Tony shivers under the touch, and writhes under the steady roll and roll and roll of Loki's hips. It's not enough friction to get him off, but just the feeling of Loki's cock against his his and the breathy sounds Loki makes with every languid movement - and Loki's mouth doesn't stop working, either, there are probably a few marks on Tony's neck by now.

"Loki," he gets out, gasping when Loki's tongue flicks over his nipple, teasing. "You're killing me here."

"I should hope not," Loki murmurs, peering up at Tony. The light of the arc reactor casts his face in a blue glow. "You're mortal, I know, but not that fragile. And besides, I'm hardly even doing anything."

"Exactly."

Loki laughs, a sound that comes from deep in his chest, and sits up, keeping his hands on Tony's body, spread out over his ribs below the arc reactor. He looks down at him, eyes wide and dark, lips slightly parted. Hungry.

"By the Nine, you're beautiful like this," he breathes out and reaches up to pinch the nipple he teased earlier, making Tony hiss. "Maybe I should sit on a chair next to the bed and just touch myself to the sight of you. It would be more than enough for me, and you would finally learn some patience."

Tony doesn't know if the idea fills him with arousal or dread. He can't stand the thought of any distance between them right now, of Loki not touching him, but watching Loki jerk off while looking at him, tied to the bed and helpless - yes, well.

"Is that - is that what you want?" Tony says, voice rough, tongue stumbling over the words.

Loki looks at him for a long moment, then shakes his head. "No. No, I think I've waited long enough."

He climbs off Tony only to lie down on his side next to him, one of his legs thrown over Tony's thigh so that he can tuck his foot against Tony's knee and nudge his legs apart. His erection is pressed against Tony’s hip, hard and cold, but few drops of liquid dripping from the tip are near burning hot when they get smeared across Tony’s skin. It’s the oddest thing, really, makes it impossible to forget that Loki isn’t human, no matter how much he looks like one. Tony doesn’t miss the way Loki rubs himself against Tony’s side, with small thrusts and a shameless grin when Tony looks at him. Tony thinks his heart is going to stop beating. He squirms, trying to press himself closer against Loki. But even though he wants more, wants to give Loki more, he would be happy just lying here all night, being something Loki can use to get off, by touching himself while enjoying the view or grinding against him or fucking him, Tony doesn’t even give a damn.

Loki’s broad hand strokes over Tony’s chest up to his throat - the same hand he used to throw Tony out of a window, and now it only makes Tony feel safe. Loki’s fingers tap against his lips and Tony opens his mouth automatically, spurred on by the shuddering breath Loki lets out when Tony sucks his fingers in. They aren’t as cold as usual, warmed up from touching Tony, and he quite likes having them in his mouth. He can guess what Loki wants to do, so he does his best to get his fingers wet. Loki watches, enthralled, and by the time he pulls his fingers out, there is barely any green left in his eyes. 

“You do love it when I fill your mouth,” he murmurs, reaching between Tony’s legs. He rubs his palm gently over the length of Tony’s cock, making him moan. Loki hums, pleased. “I’ll endeavor to keep you filled as often as possible.”

Oh, Tony’s so on board with that. “Please.”

It slips out without his permission, but Loki’s radiant smile makes it easy to forget his pride. His hand dips lower and fondles Tony’s scrotum and god, that’s good. Tony spreads his legs wider, digs his feet into the mattress. The pleasure is getting to his head, it’s so easy to get lost in it. Loki rubs over Tony’s hole, and Tony doesn’t think his mouth got them that wet; Loki must have used magic to slick them up further. For a while, he just teases, hot breath fanning over Tony’s shoulder, and Tony waits, lets Loki do what he wants. Loki finally rewards his patience by pressing a first digit in. Tony can’t help but lift his hips, wanting more.

“How long has it been, hm?” Loki asks, a low purr. He pushes his finger in all the way. “Since someone fucked you?”

God, how is he supposed to know that right now? “I don’t want -”

“Yes? You don’t want what, pet?”

“Think about that right now. Who the fuck cares? Give me another finger.”

Loki lets out a sound that’s practically a growl and pulls his finger out - which, rude, but okay - before he moves to kneel between Tony’s legs, pushing them further apart with his knees. Before Tony can complain about the lack of fingers in his ass, Loki slides two into him. They are even slicker now but the stretch is still a little painful. It only makes Tony pull harder at his restraints, panting, trying to press down onto Loki’s fingers. Loki’s other hand holds his hips still, though, pins him to the mattress without any difficulty.

“That’s right,” Loki says, voice dark. He’s fucking Tony with his fingers now, slow and hard, spreading his weird magical lube. “I don’t want you to think about that, either.”

His other hand tugs at Tony's cock, his grip firm and unrelenting, and pleasure explodes in Tony's veins. He's not coming, not yet, but oh he's close already, so riled up from being tied to the bed and Loki's hands and mouth on him that it won't take long. 

"Fuck, Loki - wait, please, I - oh -"

Loki takes his hands away and leaves Tony fighting for air. Loki grips his own cock and gives himself a few strokes before he leans over Tony again, supporting himself on the mattress between Tony's head and his arms. His cock nudges at Tony's entrance and presses in, slowly, carefully. A lot bigger than his fingers, but Tony relaxes, and there's enough lube that it slides in easily as soon as the head is in.

Tony grunts, clutching at the magic binds. It's been so long, he's forgotten what it feels like, but he thinks that's good, Loki would like that. Loki wants him to know what Loki feels like, and nothing else.

Loki touches his forehead to Tony's, lips parted with a gasp. He pushes in until he's fully sheathed, pressed against Tony's body, and then he doesn't move, just stays still and breathes. His cock felt cold at first, but it doesn't anymore, and Tony can't fucking breathe it's so good. He lifts his chin, aiming for a kiss, but he only ends up rubbing his nose against Loki's.

"Please," he says, choked, not enough air in his lungs to get the word out. "Fuck me, come on. Please, Loki."

Loki groans and pulls his hips back to give a first thrust, hard enough that it catches Tony by surprise. Loki keeps moving, puts his forearm on the bed next to Tony's head for support, and his fingers somehow find their way into Tony's hair. They pull, and Tony keens.

"Do you know how furious I was,” Loki says with a voice like gravel, hitching with every roll of his hips, “when I came back to Midgard to court you, claim you -” A sharp trust hits Tony’s prostate and has him cursing, and Loki shifts to keep that angle. “Only to find you wearing someone else’s collar?”

Tony wraps his legs around Loki’s hips, urging him closer, deeper. “Please -”

“I wanted to tear it off you right then and there, as soon as I saw it.” Loki bites at Tony’s neck, a stinging pain; his next words muffled by Tony’s skin. “I couldn’t stand the thought of another’s hands on you, another’s cock in you -” He lifts his head and pulls at Tony’s hair, making him look at him. “But you’re giving this to me. Me.”

Tony nods and when he tries to kiss Loki this time, he doesn’t miss. There are no more words after that. Loki kisses Tony like he’s starving, artless and messy, and grinds against him with a precision that’ll ruin Tony for everyone else. Loki doesn’t pull out all the way, not even once, so his thrusts are hard and shallow, but they keep on coming and coming. The way Tony’s pleasure builds is slow, but inevitable, a burning feeling low in his belly that borders on being painful, muscles tensing. He can’t keep his eyes open and can’t keep quiet, either, every thrust has him crying out. His cock is trapped between their bodies, rubbing against Loki’s stomach, and god, fucking hell, maybe that’ll be enough.

It is enough.

He comes with a moan, doesn’t have time to be surprised before it rolls over him in waves, cock twitching while he clenches down on Loki. Loki fucks him right through it, muttering something in a language Tony doesn’t understand, and then he pushes into him a few times more, hard and fast, before he stills and comes, groaning against Tony’s neck.

Loki relaxes on top of him, nuzzling Tony’s skin. Tony tries to catch his breath, and he doesn’t want to move, but Loki’s weight is starting to press against the arc reactor uncomfortably, and Loki is still rolling his hips, although just slightly, enjoying the afterglow. Tony whines and tugs at the magic around his wrist, but of course it still doesn’t move.

“Loki - too much. Can you -”

Loki moves at once, lying down next to Tony again. He reaches up to take first one of Tony’s hands, then the other, pulling them down gently. “Can you breathe, love? Was I too heavy?”

Oh. Maybe that’s why there’s still not enough air in his lungs. “A - little, yeah.”

Loki puts his hand on Tony’s chest next to the reactor. “Is it better now?”

“Yeah. S’fine.” 

“And your arms?”

Tony snorts and rotates both his wrists and rolls his shoulders to show that he’s fine. “All good.”

Loki pulls Tony against his chest, and Tony is more than happy now that he can bury his face in the crook of Loki’s neck and breathe him in. He sighs and snuggles closer, closing his eyes. Loki strokes his hair and back, and there is that tell-tale breeze of magic again, cleaning them up.

Tony grins against Loki's skin. "That's really handy."

"I live to serve," Loki says around a yawn.

Tony pats his stomach lazily. "Stamina of the gods, huh? Need a nap?"

"Not at all," Loki says, and Tony suspects it's mainly out of spite. "I could go again, if you're not tired yet."

"Sure," Tony says, also mainly out of spite. "I won't get it up again as quickly as you, but don't let that stop you."

Loki makes a thoughtful noise. Tony lifts his head so that he can look at Loki, and the expression on Loki's face makes him laugh.

"You're having filthy ideas, I can tell.”

“Not filthy,” Loki says, but his mouth twitches. “Purely scientific, you have my word. How many times could I make you come, you think?”

Tony grins. “Want to find out?”

“Yes.” Loki smiles, fingers tracing Tony’s spine. “But not tonight. I'm starving.”

Not tonight, that means he’s making plans. That means he wants to stay, at least for now. Tony wants to stay in bed for at least a few days more, but well, he could eat, too. “Same, but I’m not moving.”

Loki sighs and ruffles Tony’s hair before he sits up. “Will you be alright without me for a few minutes?”

“I’m not a toddler, Lo. I won’t fall out of bed or stick my fingers into an outlet.”

“Perhaps I should tie you up again to make sure.” 

Loki stands up and stretches. The sight of him - still naked, so much pale skin - makes Tony wonder if he can get Loki to turn not tonight into right now. “Yeah, maybe you should.”

Loki smirks and disappears into thin air. Tony stays in bed for a moment, reluctant to move more than necessary, but then he groans and gets up to pee. When he washes his hands, he sees that Loki did indeed leave marks on his neck. He hopes they won’t fade all too soon. Or that Loki will just give him new ones if they do.

Loki isn’t back yet when Tony returns to the bedroom, so Tony lies down again, feeling - yeah. Good. His ass is a little sore, but it’s a pleasant sort of ache. He’s still basking in it when the mattress next to him dips, making him flinch. 

“Sorry,” Loki says, cheerful. He’s still naked and sitting cross-legged next to Tony, a take-out box in his lap that smells like Chow Mein when he opens it. There is a second box sitting on the bed in Tony’s reach, but Loki offers Tony the box he just opened.

Tony sits up, laughing, and accepts it. “I thought you went to the kitchen. Like, downstairs? You know there’s food down there, right?”

“I had a craving,” Loki says, already opening the second box. “Would you like something else?”

“What? No, oh my god, this is great. Tell me you got dressed, though.”

“I did not.”

Tony almost drops his chopsticks right after picking them up. “You didn’t?”

Loki chews without hurry before he says, “Strictly speaking, no. I did use an illusion.”

“Well, as long as you used an illusion,” Tony says around a mouthful of chicken. “You run around naked often, then?”

“I’m sure you’d like to know.”

Tony squints at him. “You’re messing with me, right?” 

“Why would I ever mess with you, pet?” Loki says, perfectly innocent, fooling absolutely nobody, as usual. “How do you feel? Your chest?”

Tony shakes his head. He really went and fell for one of the weirdest, most amazing people in the universe, didn’t he? “I’m fine. It was nothing.”

“It was not nothing. You couldn’t breathe well enough.”

“Only at the end. You’re heavier than you look, you know. All that on the reactor isn’t the best of ideas.”

Loki’s expression is dark, and for a moment Tony thinks he’s in trouble for something, but then Loki says, “Yes, I know. I forgot. I will do better next time.”

“Hey,” Tony says, frowning, nudging Loki’s leg with his foot. “It’s fine, really. It’s not your fault that my lungs are a fucking warzone.”

“Yesterday, you told me I mustn’t put too much pressure on your chest. I forgot.”

“Yeah, but -”

“No.” Loki stops eating and looks at Tony. “Should I have put all my weight on you like that?”

Tony can’t hold his gaze, so he pokes around in his food. “No. You shouldn’t have.”

“No, I shouldn’t have,” Loki agrees, a lot less stern. “You did very well, telling me it was too much.” A pause. “You were lovely altogether, in fact. Thank you.”

Tony feels himself blush, a pleasant warmth spreading in his chest. Loki is so ridiculously sincere about this, Tony can’t not believe him. He should probably say something back. “It was - great.”

Yeah. Flawless. He didn’t even look up from his fucking noodles. 

“Sorry,” he adds, glancing at Loki. “I’m really bad at this kinda thing, but. It was great.”

“It was, wasn’t it?” Loki tosses his braid over his shoulder and brushes a loose strand behind his ear before picking up his chopsticks again. His gaze flickers to Tony’s neck. “I quite like leaving marks on you.”

Tony grins, relieved. “I thought the same thing earlier.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.” Tony looks at the bracelet around his wrist, black and green. He thinks - yes. He’d really like to wear Loki’s collar one day. Fuck. “Did you really - when you saw me in that collar, did you really hate it that much? Or did you just say that because it was hot? I mean, it was, but -”

“I meant it,” Loki cuts in before Tony can start rambling. 

“Oh.”

Loki looks at him, face blank. “I have always been - possessive. I will try to keep it to myself if it bothers you.”

At first, Tony can only shake his head. Possessive. He wonders if somehow, a part of Loki considers Tony his. Loki clearly doesn’t want him to see anyone else - stated it as a rule for both of them, even - and he does expect Tony to submit to him, doesn’t he? He even talked about ownership.

So why the fuck isn’t Tony freaking out?

“Anthony?”

Tony shakes his head again. “I’m fine. And you don’t have to - keep anything to yourself. This is a two way street, right?”

“Right,” Loki says, but it sounds - confused, almost.

“I mean -” Tony gestures around with his chopsticks. “I want to give you what you need, too, that’s all. It’s not just about me.”

Loki just stares at him and Tony thinks again, possessive. Jealous. A need to be reassured that Tony is here, with him, and with nobody else. Doesn’t want to be anywhere else, with anyone else. God, yes, it is a two way street. Tony is starting to think he’s not the only one with abandonment issues even larger than his ego.

“Hey,” Tony says, careful. “About the party. You… you thought I hooked up with someone else the night before, right? And I should’ve told you, but I was fucking upset because the only thing you seemed to care about was our ruse, and not - well. Anyway. I didn’t.”

Loki looks at him blankly.

“Hook up with someone,” Tony explains. “I didn’t. Actually, I got myself off thinking about you and then freaked out like a teenager facing their crush, and it was ridiculous but I couldn't just tell you, right? So. Sorry I didn’t. Tell you, that is.” When Loki still doesn’t say anything, Tony starts to get worried. “Loki? You with me?”

“Eat up,” Loki says. The want is both visible in his eyes and audible in his voice, but he does an impressive job at keeping it in check. “I’ll reply to that confession properly when we’re finished.”

“Uh. I’m not in trouble for not telling you sooner, am I? Because -”

“No, pet, you’re not.” Loki idly picks up some noodles with his chopsticks. “But you will tell me everything you did and everything you thought about. In great detail.”

Heat returns to Tony’s belly. “Oh. Yeah. Okay.”

“And I will show you that my hands are much preferable to your own.”

“Unnecessary,” Tony says, grinning to himself. “I already know that.”

But if he eats a little too fast, well, who can blame him? 

Chapter Text

"Natasha asks if we're alright." Another message comes in, so Tony adds, "and if we're coming back at some point this year, because Steve's apparently having a crisis."

"We've been gone for five days," Loki says, turning a page of his book. "I'm sure they will survive without us a while longer. What crisis?"

"No idea. The last time he had a crisis, he didn't talk to anyone for about a month and went through twenty punching bags a day."

"Oh dear."

"The others will take care of him." Tony frowns. "Maybe I'll text him later, just to check."

Loki nods. "I would do the same, but since I tend to infuriate him, I would probably just make it worse."

Tony snorts and types a message back, telling Natasha that yes, they're alright, and no, they probably won't be coming back for at least another few days. They're busy, after all.

Good for you, Natasha writes back, with a few emojis that show that she has her own - not inaccurate - ideas about what’s keeping them so busy. Tony sends a few even more obnoxious emojis back and drops his phone on his chest, getting comfortable again. His legs are sprawled out over Loki's lap, and Tony was actually about to doze off before his phone distracted him. Loki's hand is on his calf, absentmindedly massaging while he reads, and Tony hasn't been this comfortable in years. This is probably what people call the honeymoon phase, but Tony doesn't give a damn if it's cheesy because it's also fucking brilliant.

Loki doesn’t treat him any differently. Sure, he gives Tony orders now and then, but he is just as sharp and sassy as he has always been. He teases and banters and he's still curious. Curious about what Tony does and likes and thinks and feels, and he doesn't mind hearing him ramble or keeping himself busy while Tony is distracted by his projects, and he still argues with Tony about said projects just to be contrary.

Tony tugs at the leather band around his wrist, just because he likes the feel of it. Loki's hand is still on his leg, thumb moving absentmindedly. Maybe Tony really should try to sleep, and get Loki to do the same. They'll have to get their sleep rhythm under control again eventually.

"Do you want to go back to New York?'" he asks instead, making Loki look at him.

"Do you?"

"Unfair. I asked you first."

Loki's lips twitch into a smirk. "Not particularly, no. I quite enjoy being alone with you."

"We can't stay here forever, though."

"Can't we?"

"No."

Tony's tense tone makes Loki's smile fade. "I told you, Anthony, I won't try to keep you away from your friends. If you wish to return to New York, we can leave right away."

Of course. Tony knows that, but the reminder still helps him relax again. "No, I know. That's not why I asked, I don't want to leave. Not yet, anyway."

"Why did you ask, then?"

Tony shrugs and sits up, but keeps his legs in Loki's lap. "You know they're your friends too, right?"

Loki looks like he bit into something sour. "That's debatable."

"No, they are. I know you and Clint send each other memes."

"We do not."

"Can I see your phone?"

"No."

They definitely send each other memes. Tony smiles a little. “But you like the tower, right? You don’t mind being there? Because - I meant what I said the other night, you don’t have to be an Avenger just to - well. You know.”

“If I left the team now, people would only get suspicious. They think I became an ally for you, after all, so what would it mean if I suddenly stopped making the effort?”

“That you stopped caring, I know. But - you did become an ally for me. That wasn’t the ruse I thought it was.”

“Precisely, and I haven’t stopped caring, so I will stay.” He glances at Tony. “To answer your question, yes. I like being in your tower well enough. The others are… easier to endure than I anticipated.”

He sounds pained, but Tony knows him by now. “Coming from you, that’s practically you pledging your undying love and fidelity.”

Loki scrunches up his nose and pointedly looks back at his book. Tony grins and picks up his phone again to check the time; it’s almost midnight. He really does think going to bed is a good idea, although for reasons other than sleeping. He draws up his knees so that he can put his feet in Loki’s lap, and at first he moves them under the pretense of finding a comfortable position. Loki doesn’t react apart from taking his hand away to give him room to move. He doesn’t say anything when Tony makes it a bit more obvious, either, just keeps reading his book. But that’s fine, Tony is just as stubborn as Loki, so he’ll just keep rubbing his foot against Loki’s crotch until -

“Is there something you want, pet?”

Tony grins at Loki’s idle tone and mimics it expertly. “Other than playing footsie, you mean? Maybe, yeah.”

God, he wants a lot of things. They haven’t had sex again since the night Loki fucked him. There were a few kisses and Loki definitely touches him a lot - gentle, but unmistakably possessive touches that are equally comforting and arousing. Tony isn’t sure what Loki’s deal is, if he’s just not in the mood for sex or if somehow came up with a reason why they shouldn’t in that funny little brain of his. By now, Tony is scared it’s the latter. Loki may be excellent at being in control, but he’s just as good at overthinking and creating problems where there shouldn’t be any. It’s not like Loki doesn’t say it when he’s concerned about something, but Tony doesn’t want to know how big the dark figure of things Loki worries himself silly about is. 

“Maybe?” Loki repeats, quirking a brow. “Well, I wouldn’t want to do anything to you if you’re not sure.”

Tony laughs, but Loki doesn’t join in. He just smiles thinly and closes his book, leaning forward to put it on the sofa table. Something on his face makes Tony stop grinning.

“Hey, you okay? Did I say something wrong?”

Loki shakes his head and gently squeezes Tony’s ankle. “No, not at all. Get up.”

Tony stands up and Loki does the same, taking Tony’s hand. They go upstairs to the bedroom, and Tony would be really happy about that if something about the way Loki is acting wasn’t fucking off. 

“You sure you’re okay?”

“Quiet, please,” Loki says, closing the bedroom door behind them. “Come with me.”

He goes into their bathroom. Tony frowns, but follows him. Loki doesn’t smile at him. The look in his eyes is hard, determined, but he looks like he wants to be somewhere else. Tony isn’t used to seeing Loki so uneasy, and he doesn’t like it.

“Close the door,” Loki orders.

Tony obeys, more on autopilot than because he wants to. When he turns around to Loki, his upper body is already bare and he is taking off his pants. Tony watches, but for the first time seeing Loki’s naked skin doesn’t excite him.

“Loki?”

Loki gives him a look that reminds Tony of his earlier command  - quiet, please - and he shuts his mouth, shuffling his feet. There is a cold, churning feeling in his stomach that gets even worse when Loki crosses the room, approaching the shower.

“Take off your clothes.”

Tony clenches his teeth and does as he’s told. His hands are a little numb, but it’s fine. He’s fine. He puts his clothes on a pile on the floor. What did he say when they went through that list, twenty minutes of discomfort? Yeah. If he gets Loki off quickly, it won’t even be that long. He’s had worse, right? God, that fucking list. Totally pointless.

“Anthony.”

Loki’s voice is firm, but warm. Way too fucking warm for what he’s about to do. Tony realizes that he must have been staring at the floor for ages without moving, and he doesn’t look at Loki now.

Loki sighs, a quiet sound, but it’s much too loud in the silent room. “Come here.”

Tony glances up briefly to see that, yup, Loki is already in the shower. It’s big, more than enough room for two or even three people, separated from the rest of the room by a glass wall. The stone tiles cost a small fortune. Tony has no trouble entering it when he’s alone. He’s not going to drown himself, after all. 

Loki is strong, though. Tony wouldn’t even be able to put up a fight.

“Can’t we do something else?” he asks - pleads, if he’s honest. The sound of his own voice grates on his ears. “Anything. You wanted to make me cry, right? We could -”

Loki turns on the shower. He holds his hand under the water and adjusts the temperature to his liking. Tony stares. Finally, anger takes over. He keeps his hands by his sides, nails digging into his thighs.

“I don’t want to.”

“I know,” Loki says, softly. “Come here.”

“But you -” You said you wouldn’t. You said you wanted to do this right. You said - “So the whole list was just a giant waste of my time, huh? You’ve just changed your mind and decided there’s no reason to give a damn?”

Loki just looks at him. The water keeps pouring down on him gently, and he strokes his hair back. Waiting.

“Or did you just fucking - find out what I can’t stand just to make me really suffer? Is that it? Because that's messed up, even for you."

"Do I have to say it a third time?"

Tony shivers in reaction to Loki's tone. Low, dangerous, promising punishment. Everything in Tony is wired to obey, he's a sub, after all, he's supposed to follow orders. He’s never been good at it, never wanted to be good at it, but with Loki… for Loki, he could do it. He still - and shit, how pathetic is that? - he still wants to do as Loki says. But he also wants nothing less than to step into the fucking shower right now.

"What do you want?" he grits out. He can't  breathe properly, and this time it's not because of the arc reactor. "I'll give it to you, you asshole. Fuck me against the wall? A blowjob? You can have that over here -"

"I want nothing of the sort," Loki says.

Yeah, right. Then why is he - Tony glances down and, oh. Loki isn't hard at all. And not only that, he - shit, he doesn’t look much better than Tony feels, eyes wide, mouth a thin, straight line. Not angry. Not indifferent. Reluctant. Horrified.

Tony stares, breathing harshly. Maybe that's why Loki isn't hard right now, maybe that’s why he looks so - freaking out is unattractive, after all. Tony resists the urge to rub his chest. His skin stings where he's pressing his nails into his thigh. Fuck, why would he - 

No. The thing is, Loki wouldn't. Tony knows that - knew that. Was completely sure of it just ten minutes ago. You know what to say to make me stop.

Fucking hell.

"Star Wars," he says. "Alright? Star fucking Wars."

Loki turns off the water at once. He comes out of the shower and toward Tony, reaching out to touch him.

"Don't," Tony snaps and turns to pick up his clothes. 

Loki nods. There is a shimmer of green and he's dry and dressed. Tony puts on his pants and shirt and leaves the bathroom. Loki follows him, but Tony doesn't even care what Loki does right now, he just - god, he just needs to breathe.

He walks through the bedroom to the balcony. The air outside is blissfully cool. He's still shaking, but he puts his hands on the parapet and takes one breath after the other. Loki is standing behind him, enough distance between them that Tony doesn't feel trapped, but close enough to reach out easily.

"Don't," he says, voice trembling only slightly, "ever do something like that again. It’s not funny.”

“I don’t think it’s funny,” Loki says. “May I touch you?”

Tony looks down at his hands, grinding his teeth. “Yes.”

Immediately, Loki’s arms wrap around him from behind. Tony shudders and Loki hesitates, loosening the embrace again, but Tony turns around and buries his face against Loki’s shoulder, hands coming up to Loki’s sides and grasping his shirt. Tony’s throat closes up. Fuck. He is not going to cry. Loki pulls him even closer, something desperate about the way he clings to Tony.

“I’m sorry,” he says. Tony hasn’t heard him sound this distressed before. “I had to make sure. I’m sorry.”

“I thought the fucking list was you making sure,” Tony says, muffled by Loki’s shirt. “You said we wouldn’t - nothing lower than three, you said, and that was -”

“I know.” Loki lets out a shaky breath and strokes Tony’s back. “I know. But I could have told you a thousand times, you would still -”

“I said I’d tell you off. If you did something I didn’t want.”

“I didn’t believe you.”

That stings. Tony pulls back, but keeps his gaze fixed on Loki’s shoulder. “You didn’t believe me.”

“I’m not so sure you believed yourself,” Loki says. His hands sink a little lower, but stay on Tony’s back, keeping him close. “If you had no difficulties ‘telling me off’, you would have done so as soon as we entered the bathroom earlier.”

“I told you I didn’t want to.”

“And you were about to do it, anyway. We agreed on a safeword for a reason, pet. I need to know that you will use it if necessary.” Now Loki lets go of him, but only to reach up and cup his face. The look in his eyes is way too much. “Because perhaps it will be necessary. I - the things I want -"

He sucks in a breath and stops. Tony looks at him, waiting and frowning. After a few seconds, Loki still hasn't spoken. Tony isn't sure what he sees in Loki's eyes, if it's shame or just uncertainty, but he is sure that he doesn't like it.

"I saw your list," Tony says finally. "You're a sadist. That's fine."

"I want to hurt you."

"Yes, that's usually what being a sadist means. Loki -"

"No, I -" Loki pauses and looks at him, and Tony can practically see how Loki chooses his words one by one. "I do want to hurt you. Do you have any idea how often I thought about making you suffer for me, and me alone? I want you overwhelmed, crying and begging me to stop, and I want to continue, anyway."

"Yes," Tony says, slowly. "Okay. That's great, I'm on board. So?" Loki gives him a look. Tony swallows. His gaze flickering downward. "Right, sorry. Go on, please."

Loki's hands stroke up his arms, soothing. "I know that you are not opposed to games of that nature, and I'm grateful for that. I look forward to playing them with you. But there shouldn’t be any games at all when I can’t be sure that you enjoy every single thing I do to you.”

“I get that. Okay? I really do. I’m not some kind of newbie, I know how this stuff works. Do you know how many rough scenes I’ve done?”

“Enough, I assume.” Loki’s expression turns dark. “I do wonder how many of them you actually enjoyed.”

Fuck. Tony’s all but vibrating out of his skin with - anger, yes, but not only. Fear, too. Fear that he’s gone and fucked this up again. “You’re being a bit of a condescending prick here, do you know that? I’m not - you worry way too fucking much. I’m not that fragile, for fuck’s sake. I can take much more than you think.”

“It’s not about what you can take.” Loki takes hold of Tony’s chin and keeps him from looking away. “It’s about keeping you safe. Even from myself, if necessary. I am responsible for your well-being at the moment, and I will not let you let me hurt you. Do you understand?”

“Yes, well. That stunt with the shower? That hurt me.” Tony turns his head, freeing himself out of Loki’s grasp, and Loki lets him. “Maybe I suck at using safewords, so what? I know you won’t actually harm me.”

“I will try not to,” Loki says, frustrated. “I thought it would be fine. That if I just stuck to the list - but the list does not cover every move, every word. And besides, I believe some numbers you chose were not quite correct."

"That's not -"

"There was a three next to praise, if I remember correctly. Given how much you enjoy it, it should be closer to a five." 

Great. "I wasn't - lying, or anything. It's just - this shit is fucking hard."

"Yes, it is," Loki agrees, voice soft. "Which is why you need to help me make it easier. I'm good at reading people, Anthony, and I'm good at reading you, but I can't figure everything out by myself. What if I do or say something you despise, simply because I don't know any better? What if I forget about your chest again?”

“My -” Tony connects the dots, and a spark of anger returns. “The reactor? Wait, is - is that what this is about? I couldn’t breathe properly for what, two minutes, and you go and pull something like this? I told you to get off me!”

“You did. But it made me - I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.” Loki shakes his head, gaze flickering away. “I don’t wish to ever cause you pain. The thought alone - how you looked at me in the bathroom earlier - you would come to hate me, eventually.”

“Bullshit.”

“Is it? Tell me, then, when I told you to join me under the shower, what was your first thought?”

Tony looks at him for a moment longer but, yes, it’s still too much. The urgency in Loki’s eyes, the naked need. Trying to do it right. Shit. Tony sighs and lets his forehead drop onto Loki’s shoulder again. “That if I just got you off quickly enough, it’d be over soon.”

“Yes,” Loki says, darkly. He wraps his arms around Tony again. “Do you think that is what I want this to be like? That I care so little about your comfort?”

“No, I - no.”

“And then, after, you would resent me. Perhaps even fear me. Do you think that would please me?”

A few years ago, Tony might have said yes. During the invasion, it looked like Loki positively got off on striking fear into the hearts of every poor little mortal he came across. Now, though - well, Loki is different now, isn’t he? And he has been feared and resented more than enough in his long life, Tony knows that.

“No,” Tony says. “It wouldn’t.”

“If you cannot easily tell me no for your sake,” Loki says quietly, “then maybe for mine. The safeword is not only for you, Anthony. It gives you a way to make me stop, anytime and without any unpleasant repercussions, and it helps me to learn to give you what you need.”

Tony closes his eyes. “You could’ve just told me that.”

“I could have. You would have agreed and then tried to distract me with either jokes or sex, and all in all it wouldn't have taken us any further."

Touché. Tony lifts his head again to look at Loki. "But that just now - you didn't really want it. You wanted me to safeword out."

"Yes."

"But if it was something you really wanted, and I -" The look on Loki's face makes Tony pause. After a moment, he swallows and looks down again. "You'd still want me to safeword out."

"Yes, I would. As would you, if it was the other way around."

Tony can't meet his gaze. "Can we go inside?"

Loki nods and lets go of him. Tony goes to sit down on the edge of the bed, watching Loki - or his feet, rather - as he moves to close the balcony door.

Tony likes the cool air, though. "Leave it open?"

Loki does. He sits down next to Tony, carefully, as if he isn't sure if he's welcome.

"You're not going to punish me for - for disobeying, are you?"

"No," Loki says at once. "I won't punish you for needing to stop."

"Not ever?" God, he sounds like a frightened child. He sighs and rubs his eyes - he wasn't really tired before they went upstairs, but now he is exhausted.

"Not ever," Loki says. "Have you been punished for something like that before?"

Tony shrugs. The truth is that he can't really remember if he ever called a stop at all. He remembers being nineteen and lonely as hell, desperate for even the slightest scrap of intimacy. He was fucking stubborn back then, and stupid - one reckless one-night stand after the other, taking anything the Dom of the night wanted to do to him, and then never talking to them again, not even once. Maybe that should have changed as he got older, but it didn't. Not until Afghanistan.

"Sorry," he says. "For getting angry."

"I would have been horrified if you hadn't gotten angry, pet."

"Still, I -" That's messed up, even for you. "I should have known right away that you wouldn't - do that. Instead I went and -"

"You reacted exactly as I hoped you would," Loki cuts him off. "You didn't obey and suffer through it. You got upset, and you made me stop." He pauses. "And I'm still here."

Oh. He is, isn't he? Tony used their safeword, and the world didn't end. And if he hadn't - if he needs to use it and doesn't, Loki would be upset. It would suck for both of them. Tony remembers Loki's face when he stood in the shower, terrified, but determined to push through. And the fact that he's even still thinking about this - about the arc reactor incident, however brief it was - shows that he cares less about getting off than he cares about Tony. 

Tony manages a weak smile. "If you want to prove a point, you don't do it halfway, huh."

"I once committed high treason to prank my brother. Rest assured that 'doing things halfway' is not something I'm familiar with."

Tony snorts. "Yeah, right."

"Am I forgiven, then?"

"I don't know." Tony glances at him. "It really was an asshole move."

"I'm sorry."

Tony wonders, just for a second, if Loki ever apologizes to other people. Tony certainly hasn't heard it before.  "Give me - I don't know, some time to get over it. It'll be fine."

Actually - it's kind of a relief. Loki won't stop trying if he realizes that telling Tony certain things is pointless. He'll just try something different, and maybe that'll feel like getting whacked on the head with a frying pan, but if it works - well, Tony's always been on board with unconventional, efficient methods. And now, if Loki actually missteps and does something Tony can’t stand, Tony will at least remember Loki’s expression in the shower. Unpleasant, but effective.

Yeah. It’ll be fine.

"If you want me to leave you alone -"

Tony shakes his head before Loki can even finish the sentence. "No. Stay."

Loki nods, looking relieved. He leans in to kiss Tony's temple. "I really am sorry."

"Stop saying that," Tony says, amused despite himself. "Wait, no. Are you really?"

Loki's shoulders tense up. "I'm not lying."

"No, I know. But you -" Tony pauses. "You've been thinking about this for almost two days."

"Yes."

"You knew I'd hate it."

"Yes."

And he did it, anyway. So he's not sorry about having done it, he's just sorry about the effect it had on Tony. He mulled it over, again and again, while Tony was working, while they were cooking or talking or watching TV - trying to find a way to make sure Tony would call a stop if he needed to. Tony knew Loki had been worrying about something. At least now he doesn't have to ask himself what it is anymore.

“I wasn’t even thinking about it anymore,” he says quietly. “About the arc reactor, I mean. It wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“So you said.”

“Yeah, and I meant it." 

Tony looks at Loki with a frown. He seems tired, too, and concerned - his gaze never leaves Tony's face, as if he's scared he'll disappear if he looks away for a second.

"Look, I -" Tony tries to find the right words. He's not as good at it as Loki, but he'll manage. "I get that you’re trying your best and everything, and you’re doing really great. Even this - you're just trying to keep me safe, I know. Still, though. I did let you know about the arc reactor the other night, right?"

Loki nods slowly. "Yes."

"Yeah. So, it was fine. But stuff like that will happen again, okay? Maybe you'll hurt me by accident or do something I just don't like, maybe I'll safeword out now and then - I promise I will if I need to, alright? And that's - well, it's just a part of it, isn't it? It can't all be smooth sailing."

"I'm aware."

"Are you, though? Because - I mean, you're still thinking about the arc reactor thing. And I just - if something goes wrong like that, I don’t want you beating yourself up about it for days after.” He hesitates, but after a moment adds, "I trust you. And by that I don’t mean that I think you’ll never do anything wrong, but that you’ll feel bad if you do, and try to do better next time. You know?”

The look on Loki's face makes Tony think that maybe he needed to hear that, and that makes it a little easier. He takes Loki’s hand - cold, as always - and Loki turns his hand and entwines their fingers.

“Still?" he asks faintly. "You still trust me?"

"Yeah." Tony raises a brow. "Did you think I wouldn't, after this?"

“A justified fear, I should think,” Loki says, which is basically a yes.

God, his head is a weird place. Here he is, so determined to put Tony first and keep him safe even if it means landing in the doghouse for a while - or forever, even, they both know that Tony has trust issues. Maybe Loki thought Tony would run away after this. No, maybe that’s what Loki is so scared of - that he’ll fuck up and make Tony leave. But why did he take the risk, then?

“Huh,” Tony says. “Maybe I’m not the only one with self-sabotaging tendencies.”

Loki’s brows knit together. 

“Pepper called it that,” Tony explains. “Self-sabotaging tendencies. I’ve got some, apparently. I swear she felt like she had to be my therapist sometimes.”

“I wasn’t trying to sabotage anything.”

Tony isn’t so sure about that, but judging by defensive Loki sounds, maybe it’s better to talk about this at another time. This conversation has already been difficult enough as it is. He puts his hand on Loki’s thigh. “Alright, let’s make a deal, then. You’ll try not to think yourself into a frenzy about every single thing you might do wrong, and I’ll work on - I don’t know. Getting better at the whole…” Tony waves his hand. 

“Communication,” Loki suggests.

“Communication, yeah, I guess.” He winces. "I guess praise should really be a - a five. Maybe."

“Maybe,” Loki agrees dryly. “We’ll take another look at the list later.”

Tony nods, but he’s thinking about that damn list again, and he remembers Loki telling him to be honest. Yeah, that worked well. He looks at his knees. “Sorry, I - I didn’t mean to lie or anything. I never liked it - uh, praise - that much in - well, outside of my thoughts.”

“But you did enjoy it the other night.”

“Yeah.” Tony hesitates, but Loki just keeps looking at him, and he probably - he wants to hear things like this. He’s interested. He cares. “I always felt like people were just messing with me, I guess. And even when they weren’t, there was always a but coming.”

“I’m not messing with you.”

“I know.”

Loki smiles. “Well, the list isn’t set in stone. We will simply change it, and if anything else comes up, we’ll correct it, too. Preferences and dislikes don’t always stay the same. after all.”

“You’re not mad?”

“No.”

It’s kind of amazing, really. Everyone and their mother knows that Loki has a bit of a temper. Sure, between the two brothers, Thor is the reckless one with a hint of anger issues, but Loki isn’t a zen guy, either. His anger just isn’t very loud. Tony has seen it in cold smirks and sharp looks, heard it in cruel words, but he’s not sure if he ever heard Loki raise his voice. He usually doesn’t need to.

“Are you?” Loki adds.

“A bit,” Tony says. “But, like I said. It’ll be fine. I’m sure you’ll find a way to make it up to me.”

His flirty tone makes Loki snort. “I’ll do my very best.” He raises a hand and brushes Tony’s hair out of his face. “You’re tired.”

“Yeah.”

“Then you should sleep. Would you like me to stay in another room tonight?”

Tony looks at him. “You really would?”

“Yes.” Loki tilts his head. “I wouldn’t like it, but I would.”

Tony smiles faintly and stands up to get his sleeping clothes. It’s weird - he is mad at Loki, at least a little, but he wants to be around him, anyway. Loki’s presence is a steady source of comfort. And besides, Tony’s anger is not much more than an echo at this point, it’ll fade soon enough. He knows why Loki did what he did and that he hated it just as much, so what’s there to be angry about? 

“You can stay,” he says, so Loki stays.

They are in bed not much later. Usually, Loki is clingy when they go to sleep - one of these days Tony will tell Thor that his little brother is the biggest cuddler this planet has ever seen, and then he will land in the doghouse - but tonight he stays on his side of the bed, not touching Tony at all.

Tony rolls onto his side to look at him. “Are you freaking out?”

“A little.”

“You don’t have to.”

“If I went too far tonight -”

Tony reaches out to pat Loki’s arm. “You’re sorry. I know. It’s fine.” 

That doesn’t seem to help much. What does Loki do when Tony’s freaking out? Distraction? Distraction.

“What would make you angry?” Tony asks. Is that a good thing to distract him with? Probably not. Well, too late. “Honestly.”

“Many things make me angry.”

“Yeah, but - things I could do?”

Loki frowns at that, and thinks about it for a moment. “Repeated intentional disobedience, I think. I don’t mind playing games or putting you in your place if you need it, but at the end of the day, I want - I don’t want this to be a constant fight.”

There’s a bit of exhaustion in that, Tony thinks. He hasn’t gotten much peace in his life, either, and recognizes the need for it when he sees it. Alright, so, not too much bratting. Tony remembers that from Loki’s list. And it makes sense, because Loki likes the control, the power, but what really gets him off is the trust. Devotion. There’s a reason he talked about ownership. He wants Tony to be his, and he doesn’t want to feel like that stands on shaky legs. 

“Sorry,” Tony says. “I know I’m not exactly an easy sub.”

Loki softens. “That is not what I meant. I told you, I wish to put in the effort needed to make this work. I wouldn’t like feeling like I have to force you into submission, that’s all.”

“You’re not. I -” 

Tony wants to say it, he does. Because it’s true. He’s submitting out of his own free will, and he would do a hell of a lot of things just to please Loki. He wants to let Loki decide things and follow his orders, and it doesn’t feel forced at all. Before, he always felt like submission didn't leave any room for, well, himself - like it was some sort of alter ego rather than a part of him. But now, with Loki, he's starting to feel at home in his own skin, somehow. Like maybe they can actually make this work.

"I want to do this right, too," he settles on finally. It sums it up nicely, he thinks. He puts his hand on Loki’s, squeezing. “I think we’ll figure it out.”

“Yes,” Loki says. He stays lying on his back for a moment. Then, “I’m not sure if I can sleep like this.”

Tony huffs a laugh and turns onto his back again. “Come here, then.”

“Yes?”

“Yes.”

Loki doesn’t need to be told another time. He moves closer and puts his arm over Tony’s stomach, and his head on Tony’s shoulder. Tony shifts and squirms a little, but eventually they are both comfortable, and Tony has to agree that yes, this is much better.

“Good night,” Loki says, softly.

“Night,” Tony says. “Also, don’t think I haven’t noticed that you kept us from having perfectly good sex tonight. Tomorrow, you’ll fuck me.”

Loki sighs. “Yes, sir.”

Tony picks up on the dry tone, but he can’t help but tease right back. “Oh, my. Did I just flip your switch?”

“I don’t have a switch.”

“You sure? Because I remember how you looked shackled and gagged, and not gonna lie, that was kinda hot. And I don’t have a switch, either, so that’s saying something.”

“Weren’t you tired ten minutes ago?”

“Oh, right.”

Chapter Text

“I think that smell is - fuck - our lunch.”

“I don’t care much about that at the moment, to be honest,” Loki murmurs, his lips moving against Tony’s neck. “Do you?”

“I cooked it for you,” Tony says, and he’s not whining, thank you very much. He’s being - flippant. Yes. “And I’m so bad at cooking, but this time it turned out okay and now it’s burning, so yes, I do care, actually.”

“You’re perfectly capable of following a recipe.” Loki pushes his slick fingers in deeper, making Tony stand up on his toes, panting. “You just tend to get distracted.” 

“Gee, I wonder why,” Tony gasps, clinging to the edge of the kitchen counter. “I’m not kidding, though, can you -”

There’s a faint click when the stove turns off. Given that both of Loki’s hands are on Tony’s body, he must have used magic. 

“Thanks,” Tony says, breathless. “And I’m going to make you eat the burned bits, don’t think I won’t.”

“Of course, pet.” Loki rubs his nose against Tony’s neck and moves his fingers steadily, teasing Tony’s prostate every other thrust. “Now hush and let me have you.”

Tony nods quickly. He’s hard as a rock, has been since Loki came up behind him and pulled his sweatpants down, simply, just like that. Like he doesn’t even need to ask. And, fuck - he really doesn’t.

Loki fucks him with his fingers for a while longer, slowly, without hurry. He keeps his mouth on Tony’s neck and sucks one mark after the other into the sensitive skin. Once, Tony reaches behind himself to grab Loki, pull him closer, but Loki isn’t amused.

“Ah. No. Keep your hands on the counter.”

Tony puts his hand back where it was. “Then stop making me wait, come on.”

“I’ll make you wait as long as I wish, thank you,” Loki says, and as if to prove his point, he pulls his fingers out. Tony doesn’t protest, but only because he hears the sound of a zipper. “And you will be good for me, won’t you?”

Fuck. There’s nothing Tony wants more. “Yes, Loki.”

Loki all but purrs in reaction to that. Tony has figured out by now that Loki likes it when Tony uses his name, and he’s not above using that to his advantage. He wants to say Loki’s name again, but it gets swallowed by a moan when Loki pushes the head of his cock inside. He presses Tony harder against the counter, effectively trapping him there. Tony’s head is spinning, everything narrowing down on the need in the pit of his stomach. He’s had Loki’s cock in him a handful of times by now, but it’s not any less exciting than the first time. He shuddered under the touch of Loki’s hands where they soothingly - and possessively - stroke up and down his sides. 

“There,” Loki breathes out. He wraps an arm around Tony and rocks into him, slow and deep, so deep. “That’s good, isn’t it?”

“Fuck, yes.” Tony closes his eyes, concentrating on the feeling. “Good. Oh, god.”

Loki chuckles and slides a hand under Tony’s shirt to play with his nipples. He twists and pulls and pinches, and Tony’s whimpers and moans only encourage him, which is good, because they’re meant to be encouragement. 

Tony’s cock is trapped between his body and the kitchen counter - it’s too hard and dry to comfortably rut against, and after a few minutes he is already shaking with need. He’s bent over the counter by now, on his elbows, and Loki seems to like holding him down. One of his hands is on Tony’s back and keeps him in place while he fucks him, his thrusts harder and shorter now. He’s out of breath, but apart from that quiet. Loki likes to talk during sex - no surprise there - and Tony almost misses his voice, but only almost. Loki is too focused on his own pleasure to speak, and the knowledge makes Tony’s skin tingle all over. 

When Loki comes, it’s quiet, too. His breath stutters along with his hips, his nails dig into Tony’s skin under his shirt, and his cock pulses inside of Tony while he moans out his appreciation. Loki takes a moment to even his breaths, still gently rolling his hips. Tony’s legs are trembling, he’s grateful for the counter beneath him.

“Perfect,” Loki whispers, kissing the skin under Tony’s ear. “You’re so good, love. So good for me. That was excellent.”

Tony glows under the praise. The knowledge that he pleased Loki only makes him more desperate. “Loki, please.”

“Yes, pet?” Loki’s grin colors his voice. He’s still moving his hips, although his cock is softening. “Can I do something for you?”

Tony squirms. Begging still doesn’t come easily to him, but Loki coaxed it out of him every time Tony wanted to come in the past few days, so he’s getting more used to it. And right now he wants it so much that he doesn’t give a flying fuck, anyway. “Can I come, please?”

He doesn’t like the sound of his own voice, all breathless and worked up, but Loki makes a pleased noise. He works a hand between Tony’s body and the counter and finds his cock. Tony gasps.

“What if I said no?” Loki murmurs, fondling Tony’s cock, the touch not firm enough to do anything except tease. “Would you wait?”

Tony whines. “Not fair . I asked, didn’t I? Just like you wanted.”

“Yes, pet. Just like I wanted. You’re doing so well.” Loki’s voice drops a little lower. “But would you wait?”

There’s only one possible reply, so Tony nods again, quickly. “Yes, Loki.”

“Good boy.” Loki takes a small, careful step back. “Turn around. Or do you need to sit down?”

Tony shakes his head and turns around. It’s a little awkward, what with his pants hanging somewhere around his knees, but he manages. He keeps his hands on the counter, mostly to steady himself, but also because Loki hasn’t actually allowed him to put them somewhere else.

Loki already pulled up his zipper again. He’s smiling, face flushed, and leans in to kiss Tony, slow and deep, before he gets down on his knees. There are a lot of Doms out there who wouldn’t even think about getting on their knees in front of a sub, so Tony almost has a fucking heart attack. 

“You may come when you’re ready,” Loki says and procures a tie to bind his hair back into a rather careless ponytail. “Hold still. If you -”

“You don’t have to -”

“Interrupt me again and I won’t.”

Tony shuts up.

Loki waits for a moment, then nods and continues, “If you take your hands away from the counter, I’ll stop. If you move your hips, I’ll stop. Do you understand?”

“No fucking your throat? Alright. Okay. Gotcha. I’ll be good, I swear.”

“I might let you fuck my throat another time,” Loki says, giving him an amused look, “if you’re very good.”

Tony’s about to babble some more nonsense, but he forgets about that when Loki’s tongue touches Tony’s cock. Tony clutches the edge of the counter under him and presses his lips together while Loki flicks his tongue over the head, teasing for a while before he wraps his lips around it. Tony’s eyes flutter shut. He forces them open again because fuck, he wants to watch. Loki is peering up at him from under his lashes, a spark in his eyes, and holds his gaze when he swallows around Tony’s cock. Tony has to suppress a moan, and Loki sucks as he pulls off. 

“You are under no orders to stay quiet, pet. I would hear you.”

“Sorry, I -” Tony forgets what he wanted to say when Loki swallows him all the way down. “Fuck, okay, okay. This won’t last long.”

It doesn’t. 

*

A few minutes later, after Loki has cleaned them both up and pulled Tony’s pants back over his hips, Tony’s head is still spinning. He stays where he is, leaning against the counter, and watches as Loki goes to the stove to frown at the pot and save their lunch. He looks lovely, relaxed and open, with his hair still in that messy ponytail, his feet bare on the tiles. It’s been more than a week since the Shower Disaster, and in the span of that week they had a few more difficult conversations, went through both of their lists again - twice - and had a fight that ended with both of them sulking for a few hours before they got their shit together. Thankfully things have stopped being awkward by now, mostly because Loki has apparently decided to kill Tony by making him have more sex than should be humanly possible. This was the third time today, and they’ve been awake for less than six hours. Not that Tony's complaining.

“You’re going to say no at some point, aren’t you?” Tony asks, still slightly out of breath.

“Yes,” Loki says cheerfully. "Desperation will be a very good look on you."

Tony's glad that his face is still red from the fun they just had, because that way it doesn't look like he's blushing. "Right."

Loki raises a brow at him. "Any objections?"

Tony shrugs and walks over to the stove as well. "Let me do that. And no, not really. It's just."

Loki steps aside to let Tony finish cooking. "Just?"

"I won't be good at it, that's all."

"You have been good at not coming without permission so far."

"Yeah, but you came up with that rule four days ago, and you haven't said no yet. When you do, I don't know if I - if I'll have the discipline."

"You're one of the most disciplined people I know."

Tony looks at him like he's crazy, just to let him know that he's being crazy. "Well, not when it comes to denying myself pleasure."

"But you wouldn't be denying yourself, would you?" Loki says. "I would be denying you. I thought you might like the control."

"Yeah. I mean, I would. I do. I'm just preparing you for the inevitable disappointment."

"I would only be disappointed if you didn't even try to obey." Loki comes up behind Tony again and wraps his arms around him, putting his chin on Tony's shoulder. "And even then, I would simply find a good way to punish you. And then?"

"Clean slate?" Tony says, smiling. They haven't been in a proper punishment situation yet, but they talked about it the other day.

"Clean slate," Loki confirms. "But I think you will try your very best. You always do. Because you've gotten quite fond of being good for me, haven't you?"

Tony laughs. "That's one way to put it. And don't try to start another round, you've literally just gotten off."

"I'm not trying to start anything."

"Uh huh. Then what's your hand doing down there?"

Loki huffs and takes his hand away from Tony's crotch. "Don't tell me you have already reached the end of your stamina."

He sounds lofty, but the kiss he plants on Tony's shoulder before going to sit down at the kitchen table is soft. 

"Already?" Tony echoes. "Already? Come on, you've got to be done at some point today."

"Oh, not remotely," Loki says, crossing his legs. "I still want to find out how many times I can make you come."

"Yes, right. For science. I thought you wanted me to not come at all."

"I see no reason why we shouldn't alternate."

Tony can't help but agree. He joins Loki at the table not much later and watches him eat, although he tries to be subtle about it. He likes watching Loki eat food Tony made for him, partly because Loki never fails to show his appreciation when Tony does a good job, partly because he remembers what looked like after his failed invasion - weary and thin, much too thin. Tony likes taking care of him.

He nudges Loki's foot under the table. "Any plans for tonight?"

Loki hums around a mouthful of curry and swallows before he speaks. "Nothing we couldn't do another day. Do you have a suggestion?"

"I thought we could go out." Tony pauses, then adds, "Like, on a date. That's what people do, right? People go on dates. With other people. People they like."

"Do tell me more. What do people do, exactly, when they go out on dates with other people they like?"

This time, Tony doesn't only nudge Loki's foot, he gives it a kick. "I'm serious."

Loki smiles, eyes twinkling. "Have you ever asked someone for a date before?"

That actually gives Tony pause. "Uh. No. I don't think so. People were always just - you know, kind of there. When I wanted them.” Loki hums, but before he can say anything, Tony adds, “Have you? Asked someone for a date, I mean."

"Yes. Well, the Asgardian equivalent, at least."

Ah, right. The elaborate courting process. "What's the Asgardian equivalent?"

Loki shrugs. "A day on the markets. Tea in the palace gardens. An afternoon on the sparring grounds, or a flight over Asgard. Or," he gives Tony a mockingly scandalized look, "especially daring, a ride in the woods, without any companions."

"A ride, huh?" Tony leans back against his chair, grinning. "Sounds like fun."

"It was," Loki says innocently. "To answer your oh so eloquent question -"

"Is that sarcasm? I'm sensing sarcasm."

"- yes, I would love to go out with you. Again."

Tony's already beaming when the last word registers. "Wait, again?"

"If you recall, we have been on what most humans would call dates before."

"Yeah, but those weren't real."

Loki smiles, but doesn't look at Tony. "They were for me. What would you like to do, then?"

Tony isn't sure if he feels bad or like a fifteen year old girl whose crush just asked her to go to prom with her. It's just - god, he's so sorry he took so long. 

"You choose," he says. "Please."

Loki's smile is dazzling. Giddy. "Of course."

*

Loki takes Tony upstairs a little after seven, the grip of his hand on Tony’s tight and warm. Loki makes a beeline for Tony’s walk-in closet, and as soon as they’re in there Tony notices something weird.

“Uh, I think that door hasn’t been there this morning.”

Loki grins and opens said door. Behind it, there is another room filled with clothes - a lot of black and green.

“Fucking magic,” Tony breathes out. “Did you - when did you even do this? You can really just add rooms to houses? Oh my god. Wait, is this real? Am I hallucinating? Are you doing that thing where you’re making me see things?”

“That ‘thing’?” Loki lets go of Tony’s hand and puts a hand on his lower back to give him a nudge into the room.

“You mentioned it in the workshop the other day, like, why use blindfolds when - oh, this feels real, though.” Tony lets the sleeve of a dress shirt slide through his fingers. “Could you make it feel this real?”

“I could, yes, but it would require a lot of energy. This is as real as your clothes next door.”

“So you changed my floorplan?”

“No. I borrowed some space from my apartment in New York and placed it here.”

Right, yes. That makes sense. Tony stares at Loki, awestruck. “I have so many questions.”

Loki smiles. “I’ll explain if you do well.”

“Do what well?”

“Choosing clothes and helping me dress.”

“Oh.” Tony lets his hand sink, swallowing. “Are you - you don’t want to choose yourself?”

“No.”

God. Tony has thought about this before, laying out clothes for Loki and helping him dress. Just the idea - his hands all over Loki, taking care of him, serving him - is enough to get Tony’s cock a little hard. Well, so much for having reached the end of his stamina. Take that, godly arrogance!

“At some point today, please.”

Loki’s stern tone makes Tony shiver. He looks around the room again - there are several suits and dress shirts, and clothes that look complicated and Asgardian, but also sweaters and jeans, even a few t-shirts. He has never seen Loki in a t-shirt before.

“Where are we going?” Tony asks. “I mean, what kind of clothes?”

“That’s up to you, pet. You know I don’t care much about human dress regulations.”

No, he’d wear a suit to eat in a fast food restaurant. The thought makes Tony smile. He  doesn’t give a damn about dress codes, either, and it’s good to know that he can just choose something he thinks Loki will like. 

He goes straight for the suits. He picks one he has seen on Loki before - mostly he remembers Loki’s ass in the slacks, but he’s sure the rest looks just as good - and a dark green silk shirt most people wouldn’t be able to pull off. He shows both to Loki, who takes a proper look and then nods, smiling.

Tony preens and puts the clothes on a free hanging rail that he thinks Loki put there for this exact purpose. Then he sets about choosing a matching tie, shoes and socks. The shoes earn him another smile, but the tie makes Loki shake his head.

"No. Try again."

Tony picks a different one, and Loki nods. "Better. Cufflinks?"

Tony looks for them while Loki takes his clothes off. By the time Tony returns with a pair of ridiculously fancy emerald cufflinks, Loki has already stepped into his slacks.

Tony opens the buttons of the shirt and takes it off the rail. Loki turns his back to him so that Tony can help him into it. He gently pulls Loki's hair away from underneath the shirt and then walks around him to close the buttons. The green looks perfect on Loki's pale skin, and Tony can't resist brushing his fingers over Loki's abs.

Loki smiles at him. "You like this."

Tony smiles back, but doesn't manage to hold Loki's gaze. "Yeah."

"Because of the power?"

Tony's hands still. "Power?"

"You chose my clothes. That gives you a certain amount of power over me, doesn't it?"

Oh. Right. Of the many dominant activities on their list, choosing clothes for one's partner is the only one Tony marked higher than three.  That is the reason Loki let him choose his clothes, Tony doesn't doubt that, and he knows that they wouldn't be doing this if Loki didn't like it, but - well. Tony doesn't want him to feel like his position is in danger or something.

"It doesn't feel like that," Tony says without looking Loki in the eye. He forces his hands to move and close another button. "Like - power. It's not like I told you what to wear. You told me to pick something. That's just like any other order, right?"

Loki tilts his head. "So I might as well order you to spank me?"

Tony shrugs. He turns up Loki's collar and grabs the tie. "I've been with doms who liked pain, so, yeah, I guess."

"I wouldn't like that much," Loki says, frowning. "And according to your list, you wouldn't, either, so choosing my clothes must be special in some way."

As usual, Loki's too observant for his own good. Or well, maybe for Tony's good, because he doesn't like to talk about stuff like this. But Loki is watching him, eyes warm and curious, and Tony's supposed to get better at communication, so.

"Look, it's like. You'll wear these clothes tonight, right?" Tony puts the tie around Loki's neck and binds it with quick fingers. "And everytime you see your reflection in a window or something, you'll think about this. Like… a reminder. That I chose these and put them on you. Because I wanted you to wear something nice, something you feel good in. It's not about controlling you, or - or having power over you. It's about -" He clears his throat and smooths Loki's tie down before he turns to the side to take the waistcoat from the rail. "Staying with you."

Loki cups his face, turning it toward him, and kisses him. It's soft and warm and steals the air right out of Tony's lungs.

"You spoil me," Loki whispers, pulling back. 

"Yeah," Tony says. "Yeah, that's the goal."

He helps Loki into the waistcoat and the jacket, and then into his shoes. While Tony is still on his knees, Loki puts on the cufflinks.

"Would you like to buy me clothes?"

"You don't need me to buy you clothes."

"I also don't need you to dress me, but given that we both take pleasure in it, you will do it often." Loki offers Tony a hand and pulls him onto his feet. "You see choosing my clothes as an act of service, so perhaps giving them to me would be the same, only - more.”

“I guess.” Tony lifts his shoulders and tugs at Loki’s jacket until it sits just right. “I’ll buy you anything you want.”

“Look at me.”

Tony does, realizing that he hasn’t looked at Loki at all in the past few minutes. He’s sure that - Tony keeping his gaze down in submission while he serves him - gives Loki its own kind of thrill, but Loki has also told him before that he likes it when Tony looks him in the eye.

“It’s not about the money,” Loki says calmly, holding Tony’s gaze. “I couldn’t care less about Midgardian currencies. The comfort your wealth gives you is practical, of course, but I am not here because of that. I thought you might enjoy taking care of me in that way, that’s all.”

“I know. It’s just. It’s happened before.” He gives Loki a smile. “I like getting people nice things, in general, so. I’ll think about it. And you’ve probably got stacks of illegal money hidden in your lairs, so I know I don’t have to worry about - you know. You being a golddigger.”

“First of all -”

“Uh huh.”

“I do not live in lairs. Secondly, no money I own is illegal.”

“I’m pretty sure you magicked it into existence, and I think that counts as counterfeit. Or do  you work at Wendy’s to pay your rent when I’m not looking?”

“I don’t pay rent at all.”

Tony has to stifle a laugh. “You live in a penthouse in Manhattan, and you don’t pay rent?”

“Well, I wanted to. But the landlord recognized me, and I’m afraid he was too scared to tell me the number. It would have been ludicrous, anyway.”

Tony laughs, and Loki pouts, but Tony thinks that the pout as well as his defensiveness is just for  show. “You scared the living shit out of him on purpose, don’t tell me you didn’t.”

“I would never.”

“Yeah, I call bullshit.” Tony’s hands are still on Loki’s sides, mostly because he doesn’t want to stop touching him just yet. He thinks, for a moment, about suggesting Loki to move out of his apartment once and for all - but he thinks that Loki would say yes, is the thing. He’d move into the penthouse in a heartbeat, and Tony… well, he’s still waiting for the other shoe to drop. He clears his throat. “You look really good.”

Loki grins and turns his head to take a look at the mirror on the wall. “I do, don’t I? You chose very well. I knew you had a fashion sense hidden away somewhere underneath your ridiculous t-shirts.” 

“My ridiculous t-shirts are an effect of my impeccable fashion sense, thanks.”

“We’ll see about that.” Loki kisses Tony’s cheek and takes his hand to pull him out of the room into Tony’s closet. “We should hurry a little. The movie starts at eight, and I still need to pick your clothes.”

Tony can’t help from smiling like an idiot. “I dressed you in a three-piece suit to go watch a movie?”

“Yes,” Loki says, unbothered. He pauses. “It’s a little uncreative, isn’t it? But I’ve never been in a movie theater before.”

Adorable. “No, it’ll be fun. You can scare them into giving us free popcorn.”

Loki just sighs and goes to rifle through Tony’s clothes. He chooses jeans, one of said ridiculous t-shirt and a leather jacket, so they’ll make quite the mismatched pair, but Tony doesn’t care - he can’t, not when Loki dresses him with gentle, possessive hands, like every item of clothing he puts on him makes him a little more Loki’s. 

Tony is putting on his shoes when Loki dangles something in front of his face and says, “Oh, and this.”

Tony stares at the collar for a moment. He totally forgot about that, but of course, when they’re in public - “Oh. Yeah, you’re right.”

“Put it on yourself, please.”

Tony swallows and obeys. He notices that Loki doesn’t look at him while he does it; he pretends to be busy adjusting his cufflinks. He probably can’t stand the collar. Tony can’t stand it, either, because it’s not Loki’s. But it’s fine - for a few hours, it will be fine.

“Sunglasses?” he asks, trying to make it sound like he’s just reminding Loki and not asking for permission. 

Loki smiles and picks a pair, and then he places Tony in front of the mirror and just looks at their reflections, his chin on Tony’s shoulder. 

Tony raises his eyebrows. “Satisfied?”

“Yes,” Loki says at once. “Very nice.” Tony can see his eyes move in the mirror, looking Tony up and down once more. “I do prefer you naked, however, or at least in clothes that grant easier access.”

“Right.” Tony’s heart skips a beat. “Like in the kitchen earlier?”

Loki hums and presses a dry kiss to the side of Tony’s neck above the collar. “You enjoyed it. That I took you without asking, without even giving you a warning.”

It’s not a question. It was obvious enough, Tony guesses; it’s not like he did anything except moan and push back against Loki’s hand when Loki pulled his pants down to finger him. The thought actually makes Tony blush a bit, but well.

“Everyone and their mother knows that I’m easy, Lo, it’s not a surprise.”

“Easy?” Loki repeats, thoughtful. His hand wanders up from Tony’s side to his neck and covers his throat, not squeezing, just there. “For me, yes. You will not let anyone else touch you like that.”

Tony leans back against Loki’s chest, his gaze fixed on Loki’s face in the mirror. His mouth is dry. “Just you.”

Loki’s eyes darken with pleasure, and Tony has the feeling that he’ll often find himself bent over the nearest surface at inappropriate times from now on. In inappropriate places too, probably - when they’re back in the tower, the others will suffer.

It’s weird to suddenly have so much to look forward to.

*

It’s a weekday, and Loki chose a movie Tony knows will be terrible just from taking one look at the poster, so the theater is nearly empty when they take their seats. Loki is excited, though, and that is as usual adorable to watch. He nearly made the poor girl at the counter shit her pants, which is a little less adorable, but at least they’ve got free popcorn - well, not really, because Tony gave her a gigantic tip that covers everything they bought and then some, but still. 

“You’ve been living on Earth for years,” Tony asks, watching Loki put his feet on the backrests of the row before them to avoid putting them on the sticky floor, which he has been complaining about, “and you’ve never gone and watched a movie?”

“Why would I do that?” Loki seems a little distracted by the popcorn. “This is very salty.”

“I warned you. And maybe to, I don’t know, watch a movie?”

“I’ve been to the theatre a few times. I prefer watching real people, all in all.”

“Don’t tell me you’re a theatre kid. What did you see, Phantom of the Opera?”

Loki glares at him, but doesn’t reply, which Tony counts as a yes. He laughs, and Loki throws popcorn at him. 

“Rude,” Tony says, fishing it out of his hair. He tosses it back at Loki, but he catches it effortlessly. “Honestly, how old are you?”

“Younger than you, if you consider my lifespan, so it is my right and my duty to be childish every once in a while.”

That makes Tony stop and think for a moment. Loki’s right, of course - he has lived through about a fifth of his life, so by human standards he would be, what, twenty? Apart from his pranks, Loki doesn’t act like he’s twenty, most of the time, but Tony isn’t sure if that’s because a human’s twenty years don’t really equal a god’s thousand years, or because of Loki’s experiences. Maybe both. You can’t be around for a millennium without growing in ways a human can’t in twenty years. But Tony knows that Loki is still considered young by godly standards, so maybe he would act a lot younger if he hadn’t experienced whole wagon loads of shit. And fuck, if that isn’t a sad thought. Tony reaches over the armrest between them for Loki’s hand.

Loki looks up from the popcorn, and when he sees Tony’s face, he frowns. “Anthony?”

“I’m fine,” Tony says, shaking his head. “I’m glad you’re here, is all.”

“Here as in here with you, or as in here in a theater with sticky floors?”

Tony rolls his eyes. “You wanted to come here, so stop complaining about the sticky floors.”

Loki just smiles and kisses the back of Tony’s hand. The screen comes to life with ads, and Loki watches for about five seconds before he seems to lose interest. He leans his head back, watching Tony. Now that the lights are out, Tony takes off his sunglasses and slides them onto the collar of his jacket. He puts his feet next to Loki’s and steals a handful of popcorn.

“Are you planning to just stare at me the whole ninety minutes?”

"Maybe,” Loki says loftily. He doesn’t look back at the screen until the movie starts. 

They have many things in common, and one of them is their utter inability to sit still for longer than ten minutes without something to keep their brain busy. The movie is not nearly interesting enough to keep Tony’s brain busy, but he pretends that it is, because it’s fun to watch Loki lose his mind out of the corner of his eye. Loki’s foot starts tapping after about fifteen minutes, and after thirty he’s done with the popcorn and not happy about it. After forty-five, his hand is on Tony’s knee. 

Tony doesn’t move or look at Loki. He deserves an Oscar for suppressing his smirk and acting like he’s enthralled by a run-of-the-mill action movie with characters as flat as a stamp. Loki doesn’t give up that easily, of course. His hand slowly creeps upward, fingers brushing against Tony’s inner thigh. Tony is still riled up from dressing Loki and being dressed by him, he craves Loki’s touch, so his body reacts instantly. He holds still, anyway, and ignores the slow, caressing movements of Loki’s fingers and his own quickening pulse. Loki makes a low, pensive sound and shifts in his seat, leaning over the armrest. His hand wanders further between Tony’s legs, fingertips tracing the seam of Tony’s jeans right above Tony’s slowly swelling cock. When Tony still doesn’t react, Loki brushes his jacket aside to move his hand up Tony’s chest.

“Are you aware,” Loki murmurs, his lips touching the shell of Tony’s ear, “that I can hear your heartbeat?”

Tony turns his head to look at Loki, but it’s too dark to really see his face. He keeps his voice low, too. “You can?”

“When I am close enough, yes. Your self-control is admirable, but I’m afraid your heart,” Loki taps the arc reactor through the t-shirt, “gives you away.”

Well, fuck. Tony recalls all the moments Loki made his heart beat faster, with words or his looks or damn, just by existing, and now he wants to disappear into his seat. He remembers that party and hoping that Loki couldn’t somehow tell that Tony had gotten off some time before.

“Don’t tell me you can smell when I’m horny, too,” he whispers.

“How did you get that idea? Put your feet on the ground.”

Tony does. “Dunno. There are other people around, you know. We don’t want to traumatize anyone.”

They’re sitting in the last row - Tony has the suspicion Loki did that on purpose - and there aren’t many people around. The have the upper few rows completely for themselves, so if they keep whispering nobody will even hear them over the explosions on the screen. It’s not like Tony’s never gotten in trouble for doing certain stuff in public before, so one more time doesn’t really matter. But still, the risk is there, and Tony has always been an adrenaline junkie.

“If you think I would let anyone hear or see what is reserved for me only, you're gravely mistaken."

Tony blinks and squints at the air around them, but he can't see a single shimmer of magic. That doesn't have to mean anything, of course.

"You're hiding us?"

"Why? We're not doing anything inappropriate, are we?"

Oh, he's definitely planning something. And, sure enough -

"I would like to try something."

Tony looks at Loki, waiting. From what he can see in the light from the movie screen, Loki is smiling.

"You mentioned it earlier," Loki says. His hand is back on Tony's thigh, a reassuring weight. "The movie is quite boring, don't you think so? I could make you see something else."

Oh. Oh. Tony swallows. "That magic thing? Manipulation of the mind?"

"Not your mind itself, just your sense of vision. I would have no access to your thoughts or memories. It won't hurt, although some people get a mild headache afterwards. I can make it stop as soon as you need me to."

"So you'd just - decide what I see?"

"Yes."

Tony looks at the screen, biting his lip. Sensory deprivation has always been hit or miss for him, he either loves it or hates it, depending on how well he's able to let go. That depends on his partner, mostly, and so far - well, so far Loki has been brilliant at that, helping Tony let go. But they haven't tried blindfolds yet or anything else of that sort, so Tony is a bit cautious. In the end, though, his curiosity gets the better of him.

"Ten seconds?" he asks, so quietly that a human probably wouldn't have understood. "Just so I can see what it's like? And then -"

"Yes." Loki puts his feet on the floor as well. He turns his upper body toward Tony and while one hand stays on Tony's thigh, the other strokes through his hair and settles on the back of his neck. "Yes, of course. Ten seconds."

Tony nods. His heart pounds away in his chest - god, Loki can hear that - but he concentrates on breathing evenly. "Okay. Yeah. I'm ready."

Loki doesn't say anything, but he doesn't make Tony wait. He blinks, and suddenly he's in a room so bright that he has to squeeze his eyes shut for a moment. They get used to the light quickly, though, and he sees a balcony behind golden columns, sunlight falling onto a big bed that is covered in dark furs and lush green pillows. He can still feel the seat under him and Loki's hands on him, can hear Loki's breaths, even, and he isn't scared. 

"You can really just do shit like this," he whispers, awed, and looks at every tiny detail he can see - the white tops of the mountains behind the balcony, the folds of the open curtains around the bed, the carafe filled with water on the table he can only see when he turns his head, glinting in the sunlight. 

He hears Loki's soft chuckle. "Eight," he says, a warning, and Tony nods. 

A moment later the room changes - no, of course it doesn't, because the room never existed. Tony only saw it because Loki wanted him to, and fuck if that isn't an entirely new and thrilling form of control. It gets dark, and the movie screen and the rows of seats return.

"Well done," Loki says, his voice low and warm, a tone Tony already knows well by now. It's what Loki sounds like when he's pleased and drunk on what Tony gives him - trust and power and devotion, wrapped up in ten seconds of submission.

Just ten seconds. It must be intense for Loki, then, Tony thinks. He did say this was a favorite of his. God, Tony wants to give him everything.

"Again," he says. His voice is rough. "Please, Loki."

Loki lets out a breath. His hand squeezes Tony's thigh. "Twenty seconds."

Tony nods, and suddenly he sees nothing at all. Like someone switched the lights out. An instinctive fear makes his chest tighten and he reaches out for Loki at once. Loki is still right next to him, Tony can feel him, and Loki takes his hand into both of his. Tony blinks, but the darkness doesn't fade.

"I'm right here, pet." Loki's quiet voice is close to Tony's ear. "Fifteen. For me, yes?"

Tony breathes in and out. He nods. He doesn't count the seconds, instead he focuses on the movement of Loki's thumb on the back of Tony's hand, and on Loki's breath and the scent of his hair. Tony calms down. He can give this to Loki easily, and gladly, and when Loki murmurs, "twenty," Tony is disappointed that the time is up.

He blinks against the lights of the screen. It seems trivial, boring compared to sitting still for twenty seconds and staring at nothing, being practically blind because Loki took that away from him. The loss of control of it makes Tony lightheaded. He's hard in his pants, and he wants more.

"Alright?" Loki lets go of Tony's hand to stroke his cheek.

Tony leans into the touch, nodding. "Again, please."

Loki kisses his cheek and does it again.

Tony spends the rest of the movie in a daze, seeing what Loki wants him to see and listening to numbers whispered in Loki's voice, affectionate and stern and soothing and hungry all at once. Tony keeps asking for more, again and again and again, he wants to spend the entire night like this, with Loki as the center of his entire world.

But then, eventually, Tony asks for one more time, and Loki says no.

"That is enough for now," he adds, and Tony whines in protest, but Loki slides his hand down to Tony's neck and pulls him close so that he can hide his face in the crook of Loki's neck. "Shh. You did so well, darling. I couldn't be prouder."

It's easy enough to bask in that. Loki rubs soothing circles into Tony's upper back, the touch firm enough that Tony gets a little more aware of their surroundings.

"Tell me your full name," Loki orders, and Tony grunts, but after a moment he mumbles Anthony Edward Stark into Loki's shoulder. Loki hums, satisfied. "Very good. The thirty-seventh digit of Pi?"

What the fuck. Tony groans and straightens to rub his eyes. He thinks, and thinks, and then he counts. "Four. You don't even know that."

He sounds drowsy and feels like it, too, as if he just woke up from a long nap. Good, though. No, fucking brilliant.

"Well, I do now," Loki says, amused. He cards his fingers through Tony's hair. "That was perfect, Anthony. Thank you."

Tony hums his agreement and looks at the screen - the lights in the room are on, and below them people are leaving. On the screen, the credits are rolling. Tony sighs and rests his head on Loki's shoulder again.

"Can we go home?"

"Yes, of course. Close your eyes, please."

Tony does. He doesn't even really feel it when Loki teleports them away, and he's glad that he doesn't have to watch the swirl of colors. When Loki pats his shoulder and Tony opens his eyes, they are sitting on the edge of the bed in the mansion.

Tony yawns and lets himself fall back, stretching his arms above his head. "That was a lot of fun."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it." Loki stands up, but only to bend down and take off Tony's shoes. "How do you feel, pet? Do you have a headache?"

"No."

"Any confusion or disorientation?"

"No. I feel really good, I just need to pee."

Loki snorts a laugh. "Shall I help you with that?"

"Ugh. No. You can help me up, though."

Loki does just that, and Tony knows that Loki hovers near the bathroom door because he's by his side again as soon as Tony pokes his head back out. Loki looks concerned and restless, and Tony doesn't like it, so he gives him something to do.

"I'm gonna take a shower. Think you can organize something to eat? I'm fucking starving."

Loki nods. He already changed into more comfortable clothes. "Oh, and Anthony?"

Tony was about to close the door, but stops and looks at Loki. "Yeah?"

"Just a shower," Loki says, throwing a pointed glance at Tony's groin.

Tony feels very hot all of a sudden, but he manages to roll his eyes as he closes the door. "Yeah, yeah, I'm not gonna touch what's yours, no need to remind me. I want cheeseburgers."

"Your wish is my command," Loki says, and it should sound amused and dry but it only sounds a little startled, and Tony doesn't figure out why until he's in the shower washing his hair.

Not gonna touch what's yours. Huh. Well, with that he just voiced what they both thought when Loki gave him that rule. Because for Loki, of course no touching or coming without his permission isn't only a form of control, but also a product of his possessiveness. Loki is already in a possessive mood today, so what Tony said to him must have struck a chord. God, Tony has to ask him if he's okay.

He forgot to take off the collar before the shower, but he does it now that he's done, and he doesn't bother getting dressed. In the bedroom, Loki is sitting on the edge of the bed. The smell of greasy food fills the room, coming from a bag on the nightstand. Tony ignores that - even though his stomach complains about it - and goes straight to Loki, sinking to his knees in front of him.

Loki blinks down at him and doesn't protest when Tony rests his arms on Loki's knees.

“Can I do something for you, Loki?” he asks, briefly looking at Loki’s crotch. He doesn’t seem to be hard, but Tony could get him there easily.

Loki shakes his head. “Not right now. I would rather just sit with you. And eat.”

It’s a wonder that he’s still hungry; he ate about a ton of popcorn. Tony doesn’t say that, though, he just smiles. He gets it - he didn’t come, and he’s sure that he would need about five seconds to get hot and bothered if Loki touched him right now, but… he feels good. Sated, and at ease. What they did in the theater was fulfilling in a way that didn’t have much to do with sex. 

“Sure, whatever you want.” Tony pauses. “I’m okay, though. Promise. I really liked it.”

"I believe you, pet."

"Good. Are you, though? Okay?"

"Yes,” Loki says at once. “A little… overwhelmed, that is all."

“That was - intense for you, huh?”

Loki nods slowly and puts his hand on Tony’s arm. “It must be difficult to trust someone like that. I don’t think I could do it.”

The awe in his voice is almost too much to handle. Tony isn’t used to that, to being looked at with so much reverence, and he hears what Loki doesn’t say - thank you. I’m honored. I’m scared to death. Tony knows those feelings very well.

“I wasn’t scared,” he says, then gives a lopsided smile. “Well, for a second at the start, yeah, but - I knew I didn’t need to be. You were there.”

Loki reaches down and picks Tony up, just like that. He places him in his lap as if he weighs nothing and yes, his strength is still breathtaking. Tony grins and wraps his arms around Loki’s neck, snuggling up against him. It’s nice, being naked while Loki is still fully clothed. Tony thinks he’s still a bit high. 

“Did you enjoy it, though?” he asks, resting his chin on Loki’s shoulder. “We don’t have to do it again if it’s too much.”

“I enjoyed it.” Loki sighs and strokes Tony’s back. “It’s - electrifying, to have you put yourself in my hands like that. I could have spent the whole night just watching you.”

Tony smiles. “I thought something similar while we were at it.”

“Truly?”

“Yeah.” Tony pulls back a little to look at Loki. “I want to do it again. Not tonight, but - soon. Preferably while you fuck me.”

Loki cups the side of his face and kisses him. It’s soft and slow and lazy, and fucking fantastic.

“You really are a wonder,” Loki says, then nods at the nightstand. “We should eat before it gets cold.”

“Yeah, it’s not like you couldn’t just heat it up.” But Tony climbs out of Loki’s lap and goes to open the bag. “Also, hey. Did I do well?”

“Hmm? Of course you did well, pet. You were lovely.”

“Yeah? Good, because you said that if I did well, you’d explain how you planted another room in my house. And while you’re at it, you can tell me how that vision stuff even works. That was Asgard, right? That first room - your bedroom or something? - and then later the library and some kind of market, and a forest. Did you pull that out of your memories or did you make it up? And why don’t you do that in battles?”

He grabs two cheeseburgers out of the bag and sits on the bed, leaning against the headboard. Loki is just staring at him, so Tony quirks a brow.

“So? I’m waiting. Tell me everything, please.”

Loki softens all over. He fishes fries out of the bag and sits down next to Tony. “I don’t use that skill in battles because it is rather intimate. I prefer to keep my magic out of other people’s minds and bodies if I can.”

He doesn’t look at Tony while he says that, and Tony thinks there is something about this kind of thing - playing with magic - that he will never fully understand, no matter how often Loki explains it to him. But well, this he understands well enough - when Loki says other people, he doesn’t mean Tony.

“Okay,” Tony says, smiling. “Yeah, that’s fair. So, Asgard?”

And Loki starts to talk, and explain, and they stay up late into the night.

Chapter Text

When Tony wakes up, it’s light outside. He’s still exhausted, but he sits up and stares at nothing for a while. Finally, he touches Loki’s arm and shakes him gently. Loki wakes up at once, although he looks reluctant and disoriented at first. 

“Hi,” Tony says quietly. “I think I’m dropping.”

“Oh.” Loki hides his yawn behind his hand. “Sorry. Anxious?”

Tony rubs his chest below the reactor and thinks about that. He shakes his head. He’s not anxious. Or annoyed. Or hyperventilating. Or sad. Huh.  “No, just - I don’t know. Tired.” 

“You don’t have to get up,” Loki says, his tone so gentle that Tony wants to melt. “You can rest all day if you need to.”

Tony grimaces. “I’m really bad at resting.”

“I know.”

“I’d probably wake up in a bit and freak out.”

“Maybe,” Loki says. “Maybe not. But if you are tired, I want you to sleep.”

Tony breathes out slowly, and then he nods. “Yeah. Okay.”

He lies back down, safely tucked against Loki’s side. Loki doesn’t speak, he just holds him, and after a while Tony falls asleep again.

*

The next time Tony opens his eyes, the bed next to him is empty. He frowns and waits for a moment, thinking that Loki might have needed a trip to the bathroom, but he doesn’t hear anything. 

“Good afternoon, sir,” JARVIS says before Tony can really start panicking. “Loki is downstairs. He asked me to tell you that he wouldn’t have left you alone if it hadn’t been necessary. He is currently in the kitchen, talking to Colonel Rhodes.”

Oh, god. That explains why it was necessary. Tony groans and gets out of bed to put on some clothes. He goes downstairs and sure enough, Loki and Rhodey are in the kitchen. The atmosphere is just a tiny bit strained.

"What's this, a tea party? Without me? You wound me, guys." Tony stops behind Loki's chair and leans down for a quick kiss. “Why didn’t you wake me?”

“You needed the rest.” Loki's hand curls around Tony's wrist. "Do you feel better?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"What happened?" Rhodey asks, frowning.

"A bit of subdrop, nothing to worry about. I just got a little tired." He pins Rhodey with a meaningful look while he heads for the coffee machine, and he sees right away that Rhodey understands. He knows what subdrop usually looks like for Tony, that for him it's not just getting a little tired, but falling apart at the seams. "Platypus, not that I'm not always overjoyed to see your cute face, but what the fuck are you doing here?"

Rhodey is leaning against the counter, a steaming mug in his hands. He grins at Tony, but it's overshadowed by the concern in his eyes. "Just wanted to check if you were still alive."

"Ugh, let me guess. Pepper sent you."

Rhodey pointedly takes a sip of his coffee. "Uh, no comment. Thing is, even if she did -"

"She totally did. I told her to leave us alone -"

"- nobody's heard from you in almost two weeks, Tones. I know Pepper called you, and I know you exchanged a few texts with Natasha, but we're all -" Rhodey's gaze briefly wanders over to Loki. "Worried."

Tony rolls his eyes and pushes the button of the coffee machine with a little too much force. "Yeah, right. Loki, you've got to send your ransom note again, looks like it got lost somewhere between here and New York."

"Perhaps I should send a strongly worded email, then," Loki says coolly, without missing a beat.

"Yeah. Because you know, I'm only allowed to run around freely because it's Wednesday. Loki's in a good mood on Wednesdays, he thinks they're funny."

"It's Thursday," Rhodey says, unbothered.

"Oh, damn. I better go back in my cage, then."

Rhodey just looks at him, and Tony sighs.

"What? Do you want to check for bruises? I'd love to show you some, but I don't have any." Tony pulls his hoodie down to reveal his neck. "Except maybe a hickey or two, but that's allowed, right? I swear it was all safe, sane and consensual."

He doesn't expect the shock on Rhodey's face. It startles Tony so much that he drops the act and forgets about his coffee. Rhodey's shock turns into anger, and he glares at Loki.

"You serious? Is this all just some sort of game for you, then?"

What? Tony looks at Loki, too, and Loki's eyes are wide and his mouth a thin line. He's looking back at Tony, and his gaze flies to Tony's neck before focusing on his face again. Tony automatically touches his throat, and -

Oh. Oh, right.

Tony groans and rubs his forehead. God, he hasn't been awake long enough for this. "Rhodey. Rhodey, my bestest friend ever in the whole wide world, please don't freak out right now.”

"Oh, I am freaking out," Rhodey says and puts his mug on the collar. It's his military voice, which means that shit's going to go down if nobody keeps it from going down. "It can't have been easy for you to let him collar you, and now, what, he's changed his mind? But he's still making you stay here -"

"He is making him do nothing," Loki cuts in, darkly. He leans back in his chair and sips his tea. "Well, not without his consent, at least."

"I'm not talking to you."

"Oh, you're not? I thought you were, given that you think Anthony so incapable of making his own decisions. Have you considered the option that he took it off himself?"

"If you knew him at all you'd know that he wouldn't do that," Rhodey snaps, and Tony decides to jump in because no way he's letting two stubborn Doms bump heads in his fucking kitchen before he even had his first coffee.

"Alright, okay, first of all - shut up, both of you."

Loki glares at him over the edge of his mug. "I didn't even -"

"No, zip it. I'll tell him and it'll be fine, so just shut up for a moment." Tony turns to Rhodey, glaring. "He's right, though. You think he's making me stay here? Really? I'm fucking done with staying somewhere I don't want to be. So I'm here because this is good - because he is good - and you don't need to worry. Okay? Yeah? Great. And this?' He touches his neck, where a collar should be but isn't. "This wasn't real. Sorry for lying, I guess, whatever. But this?" He pulls up the sleeve of his hoodie to show Rhodey the leather wristband Loki made for him. "This is."

Rhodey blinks. Tony can see the gears turning. And, see, Rhodey is really fucking smart - of course he's fucking smart, he's been Tony's best friend since their MIT days - and he figures it out within seconds.

"You'll have to tell Pepper yourself," he says, shaking his head, and then he sits down at the table next to Loki, patting him on the shoulder. "Sorry about that."

Loki shrugs and stands up, a fluid movement. He catches Tony's gaze. "Hungry?"

"Yeah."

"Sit down, then."

Tony sits down on Loki's chair, and Loki's hand settles on the back of his neck for a moment. Tony wants to lean into it, and he wants Rhodey gone because everything is so much easier when it's just Loki and him but well, damn, they can't keep the world out forever, can they?

Loki starts to cook. Rhodey watches his back for a moment, and then he turns to Tony, raising a brow. "So?"

Tony sighs, and explains.

*

Rhodey can’t stay long because he has to get back to work, but he eats with them. Loki says about three whole sentences, and he doesn’t relax until Rhodey and flies off in the War Machine suit. Tony brought him to the balcony, where Rhodey had parked the suit, and when he returns to the kitchen, Loki is doing the dishes. By hand.

“You know that we’ve got a dishwasher, right?” Tony says, and pats the front of said dishwasher before he leans against the counter next to Loki. “And I think one of us has magic, but I keep forgetting who it is.”

“I needed to keep my hands busy.”

Tony understands that well enough, so he grabs a towel sets upon drying the plates and about fifty empty mugs. “He won’t tell anyone about our little ruse, in case that’s what you’re worrying about.”

Loki shakes his head without looking at him. “I would not mind if anyone knew.”

“Do you want to tell everyone, then?”

“You may, should you wish to, but I have nobody to tell.”

“Bullshit.”

Now Loki does look at him, eyes narrowed.

Tony isn’t impressed and just smiles. “What? I did mention that Thor gave me the shovel talk, right? He’s interested in everything you tell him, ‘cause even when you insult him he’s happy you’re even talking to him. You know, like a giant blond Asgardian puppy.”

“Yes. It’s insufferable.” Loki looks down at the pot he is rinsing off. It takes a while, but finally he says, “He would be immensely disappointed.”

“What, because we lied? Sweetheart, if he forgave you for the whole coronation disaster, he’ll forgive you for this elaborate plan to win my affections.” He flutters his eyelashes, which at least gains him a smile, although it’s strained.

“Well, even if he didn’t,” Loki says, “it would not bother me all too much. I am used to not being forgiven.”

“I forgave you. We all did.”

“Did they?” Loki looks away again. “To me it is rather evident that they did not. Otherwise they would not always expect me to hurt you.”

Yeah. Yes, that makes Tony angry, too, but he can’t blame Pepper and Rhodey for that, not really. Loki isn’t a random guide who’s a bit of a rude asshole now and then, he quite literally tried to invade the planet. “Maybe they just don’t know you well enough. And anyway, I’m pretty sure the rest of the team thinks we’re good together.”

Loki stays quiet. Tony watches him, and he knows what it’s like, to always be the odd one out, the one people look at and whisper about and never trust, not fully, not like they trust the others. They always look at Tony, too, and whisper that he’s reckless and hopeless, a lost cause, and everything he ever did was to prove them either wrong or right, depending on his mood. 

“It doesn’t matter what they think,” Tony says, quietly. “To me, I mean. You know that, right?”

“I do,” Loki says, but Tony doesn’t really buy it.

“Rhodey was right, you know.”

Loki looks at him, wary. “With what?”

“Not with anything he said about you. I know this isn’t a game for you. But the thing he said about me, about the collar, that’s true. I wouldn’t just take it off again, not like that. Not so easily.”

The suspicion fades and turns into something else. Maybe relief. “You said it was a mutual decision here.”

“Yeah, sure. That doesn’t mean a sub can’t just take their collar off and leave a shitty Dom, though.”

“And you wouldn’t do that?” Loki asks, alert now, the dishes totally forgotten. His eyes are sharp. “I do hope you would.”

Tony waves his hand. “Yeah, I would, I guess, but that’s not what I mean. It’s just - I wouldn’t run away. Not anymore. Rhodey knows - he’s one of the only, like, three people who know - that I've been fucking lonely and miserable for  a long time, and that I’ve always wanted -” He stops, looks away. “You know. Someone. So I wouldn’t just take a collar off and leave, not if there’s a way to fix things. With Pepper -”

He can’t. He just can’t. He swallows and puts his hand on the counter, fingers tapping restlessly. 

“Yes?” Loki prompts, in just the right tone of voice - not too demanding, not too lenient. Like he’s ordering Tony to speak not because it’s his right to decide what Tony says and doesn’t say, but because he wants to listen to what Tony wants to say.

“With Pepper,” Tony tries again, and this time, he can. “With her, it was like - I knew I’d break her, in time. Not because she was weak or - or didn’t care about me enough, but just because things between us didn’t work like they should have. That was already a problem before New York, and when I took off her token, it was - I did it because we’d tried, and tried and tried and tried, but we couldn’t make it work. We’re better off as friends, when she doesn’t have to feel that level of - you know, responsibility for me.”

He clears his throat and grabs another mug to dry. He can feel Loki's eyes on him, but doesn't let that stop him.

"I'm good at running away," he says, with a crooked grin. "Really good, let me tell you. But I don't do things halfway. So if we're doing this, we're fucking doing this. You don't have to worry about me - I don't know, changing my mind when we go back to the tower and people aren't always happy with us. And when you put a collar on me, I'll fight tooth and nail to keep it on, because - I think it'll be worth it."

Loki just stares at him without saying anything. Tony sighs and bumps Loki's shoulder with his own.

"So stop worrying, is all I'm trying to say."

Slowly, Loki starts to smile. "I'm not worried," he says and leans down, kissing Tony's temple. "I'm not."

Great, now he sounds like a unicorn that's high on fairydust. Tony laughs. "What?"

Loki shakes his head and turns back to the dishes, still smiling. "You said when."

"Huh?"

"When I put a collar on you. Not if."

Tony's brows fly up. He thinks it over and finds that Loki is right.

"Yeah," he says, returning Loki's grin. "I guess I did."

When they are done with the dishes, Loki reaches for him with still wet hands, and Tony complains about the stains on his shirt but laughs into their kiss. Loki moves his thigh between Tony's legs, and the laugh turns into a moan.

Loki chuckles. "Are you still tired?"

Usually, the answer to that question is yes, always yes - Tony has been tired since he woke up in a cave with a hole in his chest. But now he's fine, he feels good, and he is wide awake. He shakes his head, grinning, and wants to say something, but then Loki's hand is on the side of Tony's neck, fingertips finding the marks he left there with impressive accuracy.

"I can take you to bed, then?"

"Or to the kitchen table. Just in case you're really that impatient."

"Don't forget who you are talking to, Stark."

Tony laughs, because that takes him way back to arguing with Loki during a battle or sitting on a roof with him, neon lights dancing over their heads. He's still laughing when Loki gives him a push. Tony's back hits the bed and Loki climbs on top of him, straddling his hips. Tony is a bit dizzy - teleportation will do that to a person - but he eagerly arches up when Loki kisses him again.

There is still the need lingering from the day before, the memory of closing the buttons of Loki's shirt one by one and preening under his pleased smile, and of sitting there blinded by magic and feeling so completely Loki's. Tony wants that again. He wants Loki closer and deeper and everywhere, and he wants it now.

He puts his hand on Loki's shoulder and pushes. 

Loki pulls back and looks at him. A blush is spreading out over his cheekbones, and his lips are red and wet. Tony props himself up on his elbows and stares, just stares at him for a moment, because -

"Fuck."

Loki cocks his head to the side. "A request, pet?"

God, Tony's so in love that it's ridiculous. The words almost come out of him, just like that, Loki is looking at him with heat and hunger in his eyes and shit, the heart-to-heart can wait a little longer.

"Yes," Tony says and pushes at Loki's shoulder again, but of course he doesn't move an inch, annoyingly strong alien that he is. "I want to ride you."

"Oh?" Loki runs his hands over Tony's chest. "Ask me."

Tony asks, and he begs, and Loki wastes no time. He gets them both out of their clothes and maneuvers Tony to the middle of the bed, where they kiss for quite some time, hands roaming and hips grinding against each other, before Loki rolls onto his back and pulls Tony onto him. Loki's pupils are blown wide. His usually cold hands have been warmed up by Tony's body, their touch firm on Tony's thighs.

"Prepare yourself," he orders, eyes flickering to the side.

Tony follows Loki's gaze and spots the bottle of lube on the bed next to them, summoned from the nightstand. He takes it and pours a generous amount over his fingers. Reaching behind himself, he grins down at Loki, a little nervous. He always loved this position, because for others it may look like it’s him setting the pace and calling the shots, but actually it’s such a good chance to be useful. He likes lying on his stomach and getting fucked silly as much as the next person, but he’s never been a passive lover, and he likes having to work for it. That much is still true, but Afghanistan fucked him over and wrecked him all the way down to his core, and he knows that like this, with him straddling Loki’s hips, Loki has a perfect view of the battlefield that was once Tony's chest.

But Loki doesn’t seem disgusted, not even uncomfortable. He is smirking up at Tony, expectant, and Tony is determined to give him his money’s worth. Tony knows how to put on a good show, but when he bends so that he can comfortably slide his fingers between his cheeks, it doesn’t feel like a show at all. His breaths come quick and already ragged and god, he’s impatient, wants Loki in him right now. Loki looks unbothered, unhurried, but his eyes betray him, his eyes and the way he is holding Tony’s hips just a little too hard. 

Tony presses a finger into himself, makes sure that he is slick enough, and quickly decides that it will do. He stops touching himself and grips Loki’s cock instead. It’s hard and thick, curving against Loki’s belly and painting a thin wet trail over his skin. Tony smears lube over it as well and tosses the bottle aside. He shuffles forward on his knees, keeping his legs on the mattress on each side of Loki’s body, and looks at Loki. It takes a moment until Loki drags his gaze away from Tony’s body - Tony doesn’t know what he was looking at, wasn’t paying attention, but it can’t have been the ridged flesh and scars around the reactor, because Loki still doesn’t look repulsed. Just fond, and greedy. 

“May I?” Tony says, breathless, because it feels right to ask.

“You may. Slowly.”

Tony nods quickly and takes the base of Loki’s cock in hand, holding him still so that Tony can align himself. He presses down and his breath hitches when the head stretches him and finally slips in. 

“Down,” Loki commands, in the tone that makes Tony want to obey more than anything else. “Be a good pet and take me all the way in, but do not move until I tell you to.”

Tony nods again. There isn’t enough air in his lungs to speak. He puts his hand on Loki’s chest, firm and cool and smooth under his palms, and slowly sinks down until Loki is fully sheathed. Tony moans at the feeling, he wants to move back up and slam down again right away, to fuck himself on Loki’s cock until he sees Loki lose control. There is a tight pressure in Tony’s groin, his own cock hard and leaking, but he doesn’t touch himself. Loki hasn’t given him permission. 

Loki supports himself on one elbow and reaches up, a hand on Tony’s neck to pull him down and into a kiss. The movement makes Loki’s cock shift inside Tony, and he gasps into Loki’s mouth but holds still, lets himself be kissed. A catch of teeth on his lower lip, then Loki breaks apart but keeps Tony close, the touch of his hand tight and warm on Tony’s neck. 

“There you are,” he murmurs. “Filled with my cock, just like you should be. Are you going to be good for me, Anthony? Work your hips until I come inside you and mark you as mine?”

“Fuck.” Tony swallows, but his mouth is too dry, and he feels so full that he thinks he’s going to break. “Yes. Please.”

“Good boy.” Loki taps Tony’s chest with a fingertip. “Up. I will watch you. You’ll have to do all the work for a change. But you don’t mind, do you?”

The teasing, almost condescending tone makes Tony’s cock twitch. He shakes his head and straightens, placing his hands on Loki’s chest again. “No, Loki.”

At the use of his name, Loki’s smirk widens into a grin. “Move, then. Let’s see if you’re good at this.”

“Oh, this is on,” Tony grumbles, and the surprised, full-hearted laugh Loki lets out makes him grin in return.

He is good at this. He knows just how to move and writhe, and he knows that he looks good doing it, at least when you ignore the arc reactor issues. He loses his breath more quickly than he would like, and his legs grow tired sooner than they did when he was twenty, but he hopes his skill and stubbornness make up for that. So he moves up onto his knees, enjoying the drag of Loki moving inside of him, and rolls his hips back down to take Loki all the way in again. He keeps it slow at first, wanting them both to feel every inch, every movement, and is rewarded by the sight of the blush spreading from Loki’s cheeks to the tips of his ears, his lips parted, pink tongue darting out now and then to wet them. His nails bury into Tony’s skin where Loki’s hands are still grabbing Tony’s hips, and Tony knows that he will have bruises there later. He can’t wait to see them.

He tries to make it last. He does, but it feels so fucking good to have Loki like this, to be the sole focus of his attention. Loki doesn’t move a muscle, even though he could probably thrust up into Tony easily; he is making Tony do all the work, and Tony doesn’t mind at all. Every move of his own hips pulls a moan out of his throat, the angle is just right, and he can’t move fast enough but damn, if he could, he would come just from this. 

“Faster,” Loki orders, his voice deliciously rough. “Faster, now. Show me.”

Tony picks up speed, fucking himself on Loki’s cock harder, until his thighs start to tremble. He can’t focus on anything except the feeling of Loki inside of him, doesn’t care about what the arc reactor looks like anymore as long as Loki is pleased with him and fuck, he looks pleased. He looks like he’s close, too, eyes glassy with need, his knees lifting up slightly behind Tony as if to steady him. He takes a hand away from Tony’s side and curls it around Tony’s cock, a tight grip that has Tony crying out and bucking his hips, impossibly close all of a sudden.

“Loki, fuck, please, I - can I? Please?”

“Can you what, pet?” Loki asks idly, even though his breath is stuttering slightly. He gives Tony’s cock a few hard pumps, and Tony shudders. 

“Can I come, please? Let me, c’mon, I’m so -”

“No,” Loki interrupts, his hand tightening like a vice on the base of Tony’s cock. The sudden pain makes Tony hiss. “No, not yet. Make me come first, then maybe I’ll let you.”

Tony whines and nods, and Loki’s hand returns to his side, nails scratching over his skin. Tony leans forward, his hands on either side of Loki’s head, fingers grasping the sheets. He pants and moves, clenching down on Loki’s cock. Loki groans, choked, and Tony knows Loki and his body well enough by now to know what will make him fall over the edge. He says Loki’s name, again and again, and he says please, a steady, breathless chant that lasts until Loki growls and grabs Tony’s hips harder, finally thrusting up into him as he comes. His head tips back, revealing his pale throat, and Tony can’t resist, he leans down and mouths at the skin there, sucking a mark into it that he knows will fade in an hour, maybe even sooner. 

Loki lets out a shuddering sigh, and then he takes Tony by his shoulders and flips them over, kissing Tony hungrily. His cock is softening, but he still pushes deeper into him a few times, as if he can’t stop. Tony tries to grind against Loki’s stomach, mindlessly searching the last bit of friction he needs. Loki rolls off of him and runs a hand down Tony’s chest to his cock. He starts to stroke him hard and fast.

“Now, pet. You did so well, you deserve it. Come for me now.”

Tony needs a few seconds more, but Loki gets him there easily by biting down on Tony’s shoulder. The pain blurs with pleasure, and Tony clutches Loki’s arm and fucks up into his fist when his orgasm rolls over him. 

“Fuck,” he says then, drowsy. Half of the letters get stuck somewhere in his throat.

Loki chuckles and presses a kiss to his jaw. “Do you own a plug, Anthony?”

“Hng?”

“A plug.”

“Oh. Yeah, sure.” Tony flaps a hand up to point at his - or their, he supposes, given that the room with Loki’s clothes is still there - closet. “There.”

Loki hums and gets out of bed. “Do not move.”

“Funny that you think I can.”

“Oh, don’t be dramatic.”

Tony grins. He listens as JARVIS points Loki to the closet that contains Tony’s toys. It doesn’t take long until Loki returns with a plug. It’s on the smaller side, made of steel. Loki raises a brow. Tony nods and closes his eyes, content to just lie there while Loki nudges Tony’s legs apart. He presses two fingers into Tony, making him sigh, and apparently he decides that Tony is still wet enough, because he pushes the plug in right after. It’s small compared with Loki’s cock, but it still provides a pleasant feeling of fullness, and Tony likes knowing that it’s there, locking Loki’s come inside. 

“That looks lovely,” Loki comments, tapping the plug with a nail. “I have half a mind to keep you plugged all the time.”

“Fine with me,” Tony says, which earns him a chuckle.

Loki lies down next to him, and Tony immediately wraps himself around him. He doesn’t want to sleep, but he does want to just lie here for a while. He’s a cuddler. Sue him. 

“You have a large collection,” Loki says, petting Tony’s back. 

“Hm? Oh, yeah. I’m a playboy and a billionaire, of course I have a large collection.”

“I suppose others have used all those things on you?”

“Yeah.” Tony brings his hand up to Loki’s neck, carefully touching the mark he left there. The spot on his own neck where Loki bit down earlier is throbbing, but it’s a good pain. “We can throw them away, if you want. And go buy new stuff.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’ll enjoy using every single item on you until you have forgotten that it was ever used by anyone else.”

Tony grins. “That’s also fine with me.”

Loki is quiet for a moment, then he says, “That movie last night was horrible.”

Tony laughs. “Yeah, it was.”

“I don’t know how that happened. I’m excellent at choosing movies, usually.”

“Uh huh.”

“I am. Better than Barton, anyway.”

“That’s a pretty low standard you have there, sweetheart.” 

Loki tugs at Tony’s hair for that, and Tony laughs again. He sombers after a while, though, thinking.

"Loki?"

"Yes?"

"Am I in trouble?"

Loki is still for a moment. "In trouble?"

"Yeah."

"Why would you be in trouble, Anthony?"

Tony hesitates, and he is glad that Loki can't see his face right now. "For telling you to shut up? When Rhodey was there."

"Why should I punish you for that?"

"Dunno." Tony frowns. "It was - disrespectful. Right?"

Loki hums. "I do not think it necessary to punish you for that, but I will if you need me to."

Huh. "You don't?"

"No."

When Tony doesn't say anything, Loki seems to figure out that he should explain, which is good, because Tony already doesn't like this conversation and he doesn't want to have to pull every reply out of Loki's nose.

"You're not a very respectful person, all in all," Loki says drily. "And I think if I made you be polite to me at all times, we would be yelling at each other within the first five hours. Not to mention that I would be tremendously bored.”

Huh, again. 

“Besides, I am glad you intervened. I would have provoked him, and it would be a disadvantage if your oldest friend couldn’t stand me.”

A disadvantage. He makes it sound like something purely tactical, and Tony knows that it is , in a way. Loki doesn’t care much about Tony’s friends, except maybe for some sort of second-hand fondness that keeps him from blatantly disliking them. He gets along with the Avengers surprisingly well, but even that is mostly tactical thinking - maybe. He and Clint do send each other memes.

“I wouldn’t want you to feel bad about it, however,” Loki continues. “Do you?”

Tony shakes his head. God, no. He just wanted them both to shut up before things escalated, there’s hardly anything wrong about that. “No. I don’t want a punishment, either, I just - wondered. You’ll tell me, right? If I do something to deserve one?”

“Yes. Always and immediately.” Loki yawns. “You will have a say in the matter, of course.”

Tony nods. Yes, that’s good. He can work with that. After all, punishments are not just for training  - he doesn’t like that word, he’s not an actual pet, for fuck’s sake, but it’s accurate enough. They’re meant for both of them. For Tony, so that he doesn’t have to feel bad about whatever happened anymore, so that he knows that Loki is there to catch and correct him, and for Loki, to put him back in control. But even though Loki is clearly very possessive, he doesn’t want to control everything about Tony, not nearly, and it looks like he’s aware that it would be counterproductive if he punished Tony for things Tony doesn’t intend to change.

Well, thank fuck for that, is all Tony can think about that.

Tony looks up at Loki, surprised to find that Loki’s eyes are closed. Tony pats his chest. “Are you tired, god of mischief? It’s me, Tony.”

Loki opens his eyes to look at him in that bland and unimpressed way he does when he realizes that Tony makes a reference and doesn’t get it in the slightest. “I didn’t sleep much after you woke up the first time.”

Tony needs a moment to remember that, yes, right, he woke up when he was freaking out about the fact that he wasn’t freaking out. It’s kind of cute that Loki stayed awake after that, keeping an eye on him. He can’t have gotten much sleep, given how long they were up talking the night before. “Sorry.”

Loki shakes his head and closes his eyes again. “You’re supposed to wake me when you have need of me, pet.”

“Yeah, I know. I obviously wore you out, though. I’ll put that on my resumé - fucked a god so well that he passed out after.”

“That highly exaggerates today’s events.”

“Every resumé is highly exaggerated. Take a nap, Lo. I’ll be in workshop, alright?”

Loki agrees, and Tony goes downstairs to get some work done. It’s a bit of a shock how domestic it all is, but he thinks he handles it like a champ.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Tony calls Pepper. He doesn't really want to do it, but he also doesn't want her to grill Rhodey until he caves in, so. He does it. It goes about as well as can be expected. It's fine, though. She'll get around, and she promises not to tell anyone else, so that's good.

"That was exhausting," Tony says after the call, draping himself over Loki's lap. "Entertain me."

They end up playing the Avengers version of Guess Who, which is absolutely ridiculous. But at least the little cartoon figure that is meant to be Tony is hot enough, although the nose is a little weird.

"Does your person wear black?" 

Tony frowns at his board. His person is Fury, who looks adorable with his tiny eyepatch. "Yes, but that's not going to help you much. I just noticed how many people in the hero business wear black. It's kind of depressing. If you put them all in a room, it'd look like a funeral."

"A very weapon- and armour-loaded funeral," Loki says, but he does flip a few images down. "May I ask you something?"

"Yeah. Does your person wear a hat? No, wait. Does your person have anything on their head?" Loki opens his mouth, but Tony adds quickly, "Something other than hair."

He has learned by now that with Loki, he has to word his questions very carefully. 

Loki pouts just slightly. "Yes. Have you ever noticed that your closest friends are all Dominants?"

Tony's hand pauses over his board, but then he continues flipping a few people over. "Why do you ask?"

"I realized it earlier. Miss Potts and Colonel Rhodes, and the rest of your team as well. I found it interesting. Is your person mortal, without any enhanced skills?"

"Yup. And it's - I don't know. Clint's a switch, first of all. But, yeah. I guess. Does it matter?"

"Oh, hardly. It just made me wonder."

Tony looks at him, frowning. "Because it looks like I can't get a Dom but also can't get by without a Dom?"

Loki mirrors his frown. "I don't care much what it looks like. Is that how it is?"

"Well, I don't want to know what a therapist would have to say about it."

He sounds bitter, and of course Loki picks up on it right away. “I meant no offense. I was just curious.”

Yeah, he’s always curious. Tony sighs. “No, I know. Was your person born in America?”

“Yes.”

“It’s not like I let them order me around or anything,” Tony says. “Apart from when Pep and I were together, of course, but that’s different. She’s never tried it again since then. Rhodey - he did try it once, when we were in college, just because he thought it would help me, maybe, but I didn’t talk to him for two weeks after that, so.”

“Rogers orders you around.”

Tony glances at him, but Loki is looking down at their game. “Sometimes, yeah. There’s no real dynamic at play, though. And I never do what he says, anyway.” 

Loki nods, but stays quiet. He doesn’t ask a question to figure out who Tony’s little cartoon figure is. Tony fiddles around with the board, flipping little Mister Fantastic up and down. It’s not like he’s never thought about it, that there are a lot of Doms in his life. Even Happy is one. It’s a bit of a paradox, what with him insisting left and right that he’s fine without a Dom, regular one-night-stands notwithstanding. And yeah, there might not be a real dynamic between him and the Avengers, there are no rules or anything like that, but there is definitely some dynamic going on. It starts with Tony letting them all live in the tower for free and ends with Natasha sparring with him to knock some sense into his head. Tony is sure Loki knows that. He’s good at noticing these things, but he has never mentioned it before, and Tony doesn’t want to talk about it. 

“Obadiah was a Dom, too,” he says, talking to his game board. He doesn’t want to talk about that, either, but they probably have to at some point. 

“Obadiah?”

Right. Tony has never mentioned him before, because why would he? “Obadiah Stane. He was my dad’s business partner. Friend, too. When my parents died, he took over the company until I was old enough, and he stuck around then, too. He was - a bit of a father figure, I guess. So we never did a proper scene or anything, not even close, but he did order me around now and then. Which doesn’t mean that it worked. Do you - you know how I became Iron Man, right?”

Loki tilts his head to the side, watching Tony closely. “The gist of it. You were abducted and built your first suit in captivity.”

Uh huh. Tony doesn’t look at Loki. “Does your person wear spandex?”

“It’s not your turn.”

“Well, you weren’t asking anything.” And before Loki can do so, Tony says, “Obadiah orchestrated the whole thing. The - abduction. He’d been fucking me over for a while, I’d just been too blind to see it. I trusted him. And I think I didn’t really care about what he did, anyway, as long as he kept things rolling. I let him do whatever he wanted. But then I -” He stops, clenching his teeth for a second. “He’d been selling my weapons underhand. And the guys he had been making deals with, they threw me into a cave and wanted me to make more weapons for them. They made me kneel and ordered me to do it, and I’m still - you know. Terrified. That I would have given in eventually. That a part of me might have wanted to. Because it was an order, and good subs do as they’re told, right?”

Loki doesn’t say anything. Tony can feel his gaze on him, though, although he doesn’t look up to meet it.

“I didn’t do it. Obviously. So they punished me. Beat me. Didn’t let me eat or sleep. Almost drowned me a couple times.”

He does glance up now, only briefly, and he sees understanding in Loki’s eyes - good. He has connected the dots, then. Tony doesn’t want to make him feel bad. or rather worse. about the Shower Disaster, but well, he feels like Loki should at least know where Tony’s apprehension of water comes from. 

“Where is that person now?” Loki asks, and for the first time in ages he sounds like he did during the invasion - calm and cold, and like he's about to kill someone and grin while he does it.

“Obadiah?”

“Yes.”

Tony shrugs. “Dead.”

Satisfaction darkens Loki’s eyes. “Good.”

Tony doesn’t say more. He doesn’t say how much it fucked him up, that a Dom he trusted betrayed him like that, or that strangers threatened to kill the only friend he had made in that cave if he didn’t kneel and do as he was told, or that they punished him for something he had every right in the world to do. He doesn’t need to explain any of that. 

Loki is clever. He’ll figure it out himself. 

“So,” Tony says, trying a grin. “Spandex?”

Loki needs a moment until he answers. “Yes.”

“It’s Cap.”

Loki frowns. “This game is boring.”

“Nobody likes a sore loser, honey.”

*

A few days later, JARVIS wakes them up in the middle of the night because the team needs their help. Tony is wide awake immediately and gets out of bed, ordering JARVIS to get the suit ready, but before he can dart out of the room and down the stairs, Loki grabs his arm and teleports them to the workshop. 

When Tony’s head stops spinning, Loki is wearing his armour. He gives Tony a push forward. “I will bring us there as soon as you’re ready.”

“Right, yes, okay,” Tony says, and hurries to get into his suit. 

In New York, humanoid lizard creatures are crawling out of the sewers and terrorizing the city, but what else is new. At this point Tony knows that as an Avenger, you save the day first and ask questions later. 

Natasha is down - apparently the lizards spit some sort of acid and she got hit and can’t walk - and Thor isn’t even on Earth at the moment, so Steve, Clint and the Hulk have been trying to get rid of the creatures on their own. They keep coming, though, and coming and coming, and even though they get the upper hand quickly when Tony and Loki arrive, it’s sunrise by the time the battle is over. 

They meet in the penthouse, and Tony has a gigantic déja-vu when he jogs down the stairs to greet Loki. He would make a joke about it, but the sight of Loki’s arm distracts him. His armour there is in bits and pieces, and what Tony can see of Loki’s skin looks burnt and, for some weird reason, blue. Tony is sure that the lizard acid didn’t cause the change of color.

“Are you alright?” Loki asks, looking Tony up and down.

“I’m okay.” Tony reaches for Loki’s arm. “Let me -”

“No,” Loki says, so sharply that Tony’s eyebrows fly up. Loki shakes his head and lets out a breath. “It’s fine. Already healing.”

“Uh. It’s blue, though.”

Loki’s smile is strained. His armour disappears in a green shimmer, replaced by more casual clothes. He pulls up the sleeve of his tunic. “You don’t need to worry. See?”

Sure enough, the burnt skin is smoothening out, and the blue fades back into the pale skin Tony is used to. “That’s not because of the acid, is it?”

“The color? No.”

Loki’s shoulders are stiff and his expression is guarded, as if he expects an attack of some sort. He tugs at his sleeve until it covers his arm again. Tony has never been brilliant at recognizing social clues, but Loki’s face is a giant TREAD CAREFULLY sign. Even Tony can’t miss that.

“Apart from that you’re okay?”

“Yes.”

“Great. Hey, would you take a look at Nat? Because she won’t heal like you do, and I don’t know what the doctors can do about her leg. If they can do anything.”

Loki’s wariness turns into surprise, and finally he relaxes. He looks away for a second, clearing his throat.. “Fine. But I will make it clear that I will only help because you asked me to. I’m not a healer.”

Tony grins and kisses Loki’s cheek before he runs off. “I’m gonna take a shower. Meet downstairs?”

“Yes,” Loki says, and plucks something out of the air - the collar. “Put this on, please.”

Tony nods and catches it when Loki tosses it over to him. Loki smiles and disappears, and Tony makes his way to the bathroom. 

When he enters the community floor half an hour later, Loki isn’t there yet. Steve and Bruce are, though - Bruce is sprawled out on the sofa, most of him hidden under a blanket, and Steve is sitting on the floor in front of the sofa, his legs stretched out in front of him.

“You guys are so adorable I can taste my dinner,” Tony says when he walks into the room.

“Gross,” Bruce mutters from under the blanket. 

Tony sits down on the other sofa, pulling his legs up. “Well, that was fun, wasn’t it? Do we know who’s responsible for the lizards? I want to send a gift basket.”

“We don’t know yet,” Steve says. “Probably someone did some, uh, experiments in the sewers.”

Tony puts a hand on the reactor and lets out a wistful sigh. “Ah, science gone wrong, always good for a surprise. Where’s Clint?”

“With Natasha. It’s not - it’s not looking so well. She’ll be fine, of course, but her leg -”

“No, she’ll be fine,” Tony cuts him off. “Completely, I mean. Loki’s with her right now.”

As if on cue, Loki materializes in the air in front of Steve, who first flinches, then sighs. Loki just smirks and turns to prod at Tony’s legs until he lifts them. Loki sits down, and Tony places his legs in Loki’s lap, which is nice, especially when Loki puts his hand on Tony’s shin. The contact calms Tony down a bit - he doesn’t want to be nervous, but he is, because this is the first time they are around the team since… well, since they’re together. Really together, not just for show. The others won’t notice the difference, of course, but still. 

“Natasha?” he asks.

“Fine,” Loki says. “She and Barton are on her way.”

Steve clears his throat. “That was… very kind of you.”

“Anthony asked me to,” Loki says, dismissive.

“Yes, well. Still.”

“Is anyone else thinking pizza?” Tony says, before the situation can get awkward. Well, more awkward. “Because I’m thinking pizza.”

A hand appears from under the bundle of blankets on the sofa. “I’m thinking pizza, too.”

"Isn't it too early for pizza?" Steve asks.

"It's never too early for pizza."

So JARVIS finds them a restaurant that delivers at this ungodly hour, and they have pizza for breakfast. Clint and Natasha join them not much later. Natasha sits down on Tony's other side, smiling, and he winks at her, and that’s the only sort of conversation they will ever have about the whole thing, which suits Tony just fine. 

She does lean over to him after a while, lowering his voice so the others can’t hear. “Did you figure it out, then?”

Tony keeps his focus on his piece of pizza. “Figure what out?”

She just arches a brow, and Tony rolls his eyes.

“You make it sound so ominous. We didn’t need to figure anything out, we just wanted to get out of the tower for a while. Some privacy, you know? And a sound-proof bedroom.”

“The bedrooms here aren’t sound-proof?”

“Of course they are. Who do you think I am?” Tony gives her a look he hopes will put an end to the conversation. “It’s fine, Nat. We’re fine.”

She doesn't say anything else about it.

It's a slow, lazy morning, and Tony thinks they have earned it after fighting lizards for half the night. Bruce sleeps off his Hulk-hangover on the sofa, unbothered by the chatter and banter of the rest of them. Loki tells a story about the time he, Thor and Thor's friends had to fight similar creatures in a realm Tony can't pronounce. Clint and Steve argue about some TV show they have been watching while Tony was away, which Tony complains about relentlessly because it's just bad roommate manners. Natasha nods off with her head on Tony's shoulder at some point. It feels a little like a cat choosing one's lap to sleep on, so Tony doesn't dare to move until Clint's screech - Loki turned the olives on Clint's pizza into beetles - wakes her up.

She goes to bed, then, and Clint follows her. Steve gently wakes Bruce before he cleans up the mess they made, and Bruce wanders off to bed as well. Usually, Tony goes down to the workshop after post-battle team-bonding, because there's only so many fuzzy feelings he can take before he has to distract himself with work, but now Loki's with him, and Tony spontaneously decides that sex will work just as well as tinkering with the suit.

So, when they enter the elevator and Loki asks him if he wants to go to the workshop or the penthouse, Tony pushes Loki against the elevator wall and kisses him.

Loki is surprised for about half a second, then he kisses back, hands cupping Tony's face. JARVIS must have decided to bring them up to the penthouse, because that's what Tony sees when the elevator opens and he manages to pull away from Loki long enough to check.

"I take it the battle hasn't tired you out?" Loki says, smug as usual. His hands are on Tony's sides, keeping him pressed against Loki's chest.

"Nope, but you will." 

Loki laughs and lets it happen when Tony takes his hand and pulls him out of the elevator. "I see. And how will I tackle that honorable endeavor?" 

"I've got some ideas if you can't come up with anything." They have reached the sofa, and Tony pushes at Loki's chest until he sits down. He straddles Loki and runs his hands up his chest, but then he pauses. "You're staying, right?"

"Where else would I go?"

"I don't know? Your apartment, maybe, or -"

Loki interrupts him with a kiss. Tony decides that means Loki intends to stay, and that talking about it is not nearly as important as making out like teenagers. Which they do, for a long while. Loki doesn't seem to be in a hurry; he pays no attention to the growing tent in Tony's pants, he just takes his time exploring his mouth while his hands roam over every part of Tony's body he can reach. 

Eventually, though, Loki pulls back, and when Tony tries to lean back in and kiss him again, Loki chuckles and puts a hand on Tony's shoulder.

"Breathe, pet."

"I am breathing," Tony says, panting. "I'm really good at breathing. Can I ask for something?”

“Yes.”

The easy agreement makes Tony grin. “Anything?”

“Well.” Loki narrows his eyes. “Within reason.”

“What’d be beyond reason? Clone sex? You said we could do clone sex.”

“I said we could do clone sex eventually,” Loki corrects, then frowns. “Also I’m sure that I did not call it ‘clone sex’.”

“I like your clones, though. They’re hot.”

“Yes, obviously.”

"So? Is that a no to clone sex?"

Loki sighs. "I used a lot of magic during the battle, so I wouldn't be able to keep them solid for very long. So, yes, it's a no. But was 'clone sex' what you wanted?"

"No." Tony looks down at Loki’s neck, at his collar bones, half hidden by his tunic. “I want you to hurt me.”

“Oh?”

Tony can hear Loki’s arousal in that word alone, and he thinks that he’s going to get what he wants. He hasn’t asked for it until now, so maybe that is what Loki has been waiting for. He hasn’t even been particularly rough during sex so far. Tony thinks it has something to do with the Shower Disaster, but he’s tired of that looming over their heads. He wants the pain, and he doesn’t see why he shouldn’t have it.

“I’ll safeword if I need to,” he says. “Pinky promise. But if you don’t want to -”

“Oh, I want to,” Loki cuts him off, his voice low. “Have been wanting to for a long time, in fact. Would you like to make a suggestion or shall I choose?”

Tony breaks into a grin. “Wait, is that a yes? That’s a yes, right?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Alright, okay. Yes. Uh - I thought we could start with a good, old-fashioned spanking, but if you want to use a whip or something -”

“I would like to use my hand on you,” Loki says. “I quite enjoy the direct contact. Spanking it is, then.” His hand moves to Tony’s neck. "May I take this off you?"

Oh, right. He's still wearing the collar. Tony nods, and within two seconds the collar is gone. There is a satisfied spark in Loki's eyes, and Tony wonders what Loki would look like if he put his own collar on him. Tony wants to know. His longing for a collar has always been sort of vague and general, a product of fantasies and things he saw in pop culture as a kid. It was never like this. Now, the possibility makes him breathless with desire, because it's Loki and Loki means - warmth. Safety. A bit of chaos sometimes, but that's exactly what Tony wants, someone who keeps him on his toes but never, never in the dark. Loki won't leave him alone. He wants to stay, and he wants to make this work. He's been absolutely honest about that in the past three weeks, and he's - well. He's waiting. For Tony to come around, make a decision. Tony knows that.

He almost says it, then. Almost offers. But the words don't want to come out, not yet, they get stuck somewhere in his throat and all he can do is close his eyes for a moment, resting his forehead against Loki's. Get a fucking grip. 

"Anthony," Loki murmurs. His hand is still on Tony's neck, thumb stroking over the edge of Tony's beard. "Are you with me?"

That, at least, Tony can say. "Yeah. Yes. Absolutely."

"If you would rather rest, we can. There's no hurry."

And isn't that a lovely thing, to not be in a hurry. Tony smiles. "Yeah, I know. And, no." He pulls back, his hands on Loki's chest. "I don't want to rest. I want you to spank me and fuck me and then I want to pass out and sleep for fifteen hours or so."

Loki laughs quietly. "Yes, very well. How hard do you want it?"

"The spanking?" Tony thinks about it, frowning. "You don't have to go easy on me."

"That's not what I asked, though, is it?"

The stern tone makes Tony avert his eyes. "No, I know." 

Loki softens. His other hand rubs Tony's back in small circles. "You should know that I haven't done this with a mortal before."

“You’ve hurt me before. You - slapped my thighs. That one time.” The memory makes heat rise up into Tony’s cheeks, and of course Loki notices.

“The time I touched you and told you how wonderful you are?” he asks innocently. “How good? Do you mean that?”

Tony musters up a weak glare. “Shut up.”

“I don’t think so, thank you. And that was hardly more than teasing.” He furrows his brow. “Wasn’t it? You didn’t seem to be in any pain after, but if I miscalculated -”

“You didn’t,” Tony says quickly. “No, it was fine. I mean, it stung a bit, sure, but that was the goal, right?”

“Yes, it was. Still. I have too little experience with mortals to estimate your perception of pain, and I don’t want it to be unpleasant before simply because I don’t know how to measure my strength.”

Oh, right. Tony kind of forgot about that. Loki could do severe damage with a single misjudged blow. He could easily break Tony’s bones. That shouldn’t be hot. It’s also a bit scary. But Tony has been doing a lot of scary things in the past few things, because everything about their - oh, god - relationship scares him shitless, so what does it even matter. Tony doesn’t give a damn about should and shouldn’t. It’s hot, full stop.

“That’s hot,” he says, even though that’s probably not the input Loki wants from him. “Your strength. It’s hot. Can we start now?”

Loki sighs the sigh of the world-weary and long-suffering. “For a genius, you have a remarkably short attention span sometimes.”

“What? No. I’m paying attention. I’m paying a lot of attention. And for the record, I want it hard. I like it hard. In general.”

“In general?”

“I -” Tony shrugs, looking at Loki’s chest. “I like it when it’s too much. Or almost too much. Shuts my brain off. But we can start slow if you want to, it’s not like - uh. We have time, right?”

Loki beams. “Yes, we do. I wish to give you what you want, of course. If you want it rough, I will deliver.” He pauses, thinking. “But I do not want to do too much too soon.”

Right. In general, Tony is a fan of running before walking, but he gets what Loki is concerned about. He pats Loki’s chest. “You won’t fuck it up, don’t worry. And even if it’s a bit too hard, I won't die from it or anything.”

“Very reassuring, pet.”

“No, I mean it. I won’t have a breakdown if it’s not - you know, perfect. We’ll figure it out.” He frowns. “Fair warning, though, it’s kinda likely that I will freak out. As in, cry a bit. Or a lot. If I get - overwhelmed. Sorry in advance.”

Loki studies his face for a moment. When he speaks, his voice is soft. “That’s hardly a reason to apologize, love. If you do start to cry, do you want me to stop?”

“Uh.” Tony squirms a bit. “Not - necessarily. It doesn’t mean that it’s bad, just… a lot. In a good way. Right?”

“Yes, I understand. Well.” 

Loki absentmindedly strokes Tony’s back. Judging by the way his eyes darken, he’s thinking some lovely thoughts. And given that Tony is still sitting in Loki’s lap, he can feel that Loki’s body is following right along. 

Tony smiles at him. “You’d like that. The crying.”

“Yes,” Loki says, unashamed. “But not if it doesn’t feel good for you as well. Never that.”

“I know. I -” Tony’s throat feels dry. The thought of that, of falling apart for Loki, of having Loki catch him and hold him after, god, that’s practically heaven. Also terrifying, but well. Tony would feel so thoroughly Loki’s, and he’s beginning to realize that there is nothing he wants more. “I’d like it, too. When it’s for you.”

“You shouldn’t say such things when I’m trying to think,” Loki complains, but his smile and the look in his eyes betray him. He looks so soft. Like he couldn’t be happier. “It’s distracting.”

Tony snorts, but he’s smiling, too, even though he can’t quite look Loki in the eye. “Sorry, your Highness.”

“Yes. Well, then, let’s see.” Loki seems to consider it for a moment longer. “I would ask you to count, but I don’t want you to have to concentrate on the numbers so much that you can’t enjoy yourself.”

Tony nods along. He’s good with numbers, counting stuff and doing math comes naturally to him, his brain keeps itself busy like that all the time, so he could probably do it. But he gets what Loki means, and agrees. He doesn’t want to be so hung up on counting a fast series of smacks that he can’t enjoy them properly.

“I will talk to you instead,” Loki decides. “If you become unable to do answer me properly, I will stop.”

“Alright.”

“And if you tell me to stop, I will.”

Tony tilts his head to the side. “What if I tell you to stop without really meaning it, though?”

Loki takes a breath. Tony smirks. Bingo. Loki gives him a knowing look, but Tony acts innocent.

“What? I know you’d like that. Your list says so. And your dick.”

“My dick doesn’t make the decisions right now,” Loki says, and Tony has to laugh so hard he almost falls off Loki’s lap. Loki rolls his eyes and holds him there, his hands firm on Tony’s hips.

“Are you quite finished?” he asks after a few seconds. His lofty tone isn’t fooling anyone, though; his mouth is already pulling upward at the corners, a sharp smirk that makes Tony want to kiss him. Not that that is any sort of a new development.

“Yeah,” Tony says, still chuckling. “Yeah, sure. You should make that your slogan.”

“I don’t need or want a slogan.”

“Remember when you made it rain those ugly Loki for President buttons a bit after you came back to Earth? You had slogans then.”

“No, I did not, and they were not ugly.”

“Yes, you did, and yes, they were. You made them hideous on purpose.”

Loki glares at him. “Anyway. Where were we?”

“We were discussing your cnc kink. And your dick. Your dick’s a very important part of this conversation.”

Finally, Loki caves and laughs. Tony grins back, reveling in the sound. He does like making Loki laugh.

“Yes, well,” Loki says, smiling. “There’s no point in playing coy, is there? I would like that. Very much. But I would rather revisit the idea at a later date, if you don’t mind. Tonight, stop means stop, and no means no. You can also use your safeword, of course.”

Tony nods. “Yes, alright. Understood.”

“Excellent. I don’t plan to go on when you can no longer speak, so this might be redundant, but if you want to tell me to stop and find that you can’t -”

“Three taps,” Tony says. “Yeah, I know.”

“Very good, pet.” Loki lets his hands wander down Tony’s sides to his thighs. “I want you here, on the sofa, with your lovely ass in the air for me. You won’t touch yourself. If I want to pleasure you, I will use my hands - or magic, if you’re amenable.”

Tony is about ready to nod and agree on everything as long as they can get started some time today, but he knows that Loki wouldn’t be happy with a blank agreement like that. And besides, the magic thing makes him curious. “Magic?”

Loki nods. “Like this.”

Tony feels a warm touch on his shoulder, ghosting up his neck to his face. It feels like careful fingers cupping his jaw. He blinks. He could swear it’s one of Loki’s hands - he knows how they feel by now, after all - but those are still on his thighs. And the touch does feel a little different, warmer, and somehow tingly.  

“Huh,” he says, leaning into the touch. “Feels just like you. A bit too warm, though.”

“I thought you might prefer that. My hands are always so cold.”

His whole body is always cold. Tony thinks about Loki’s blue arm again, but this isn’t the right time to mention that. “Can you make it colder? Please.”

Loki swallows visibly, his eyes a little wide. “Of course, pet. If you’re certain.”

“Yeah. I’m certain.” Tony likes Loki’s cold hands a lot by now. He likes that they warm up to Tony’s own temperature when they have been touching for a while. He’s not sure how Loki’s body works and doesn’t even begin to understand the issues he obviously has with it, but Tony is determined to at least not make those issues worse.

The magic touch cools down a little, until it’s just right. Tony grins. “We could have a lot of fun with that.”

Loki smiles and replaces the magic with his own hand, stroking Tony’s cheek. “Oh, yes. An extra pair of hands is always an advantage.”

Tony kisses him, then, because he can’t possibly wait a second longer. Loki returns the kiss, deepens it, and Tony wants to sink right into him. He pulls back, panting, his hands grasping at Loki’s shirt.

“Can we start now? Because I swear to god I’m dying from anticipation here, and you don’t want me dying, don’t you?”

“Of course not, pet.”

“Right, yes, see? So we can start. How do you want me? On the sofa, I know, but -”

Loki’s hand covers his throat, his thumb and middle finger pressing against each side of Tony’s neck. Tony shuts up. The touch is too light to choke, but the threat is real enough. Loki just looks at him, gauging his reaction.

Tony holds perfectly still. The hand on his neck makes his pulse quicken, but it doesn’t stop him from grinning. “I think this is the point where I make another defenestration joke.”

Loki’s gaze lazily flicks over to the windows. “No, I think this is the point where you stay quiet and do as you’re told to avoid defenestration.”

“Right, okay. So you want me to be quiet?”

“Well, I’ve always wanted many impossible things,” Loki says dryly. “You’ll just have to try your best.”

Tony wants to come up with a quip, but he can’t. It’s embarrassing. He wants to try his best. Because Loki deserves his best, and more. He swallows and nods, looking at Loki, and Loki stills for a second. He probably expected backtalk. Right away, he softens, the pressure of his hand on Tony's throat easing into a caress.

"I know, love," he says, quiet and warm. "I know. You'll always try your best for me, and you will be so good. You already are. Are you ready, darling? Can we start? You may speak."

Tony lets out a breath and nods. The praise makes him feel soft all over. "Yes, Loki."

"Stand up, please, and strip."

Tony climbs out of Loki's lap and takes off his clothes. Loki stays seated, watching. He crosses his legs and puts one arm on the backrest of the sofa, looking every inch like the king he never was. Tony is overcome by the urge to kneel, but Loki didn't tell him to, so all Tony does when he's naked is stand there and stare while his heart beats wildly in his chest.

Loki seems to be thinking similar things, only the other way around. He looks about ready to eat Tony whole. “I don’t think I’ll ever tire of looking at you. Come here, on your knees.”

He pats the sofa next to him. Tony goes to kneel on the cushions, automatically reaching out for the backrest with one hand to steady himself. Loki stands up and comes to stand behind Tony. His hand is cold on the small of Tony’s back.

“Lean forward. Both arms on the backrest, please. Look ahead.”

Tony obeys. The sofa is broad and the backrest low enough that he can bend over comfortably. He rests his chin on his arms and arches his back, preening when he hears the pleased noise Loki makes.

“You are stunning as always, pet. Are you comfortable like this? Your reactor?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

“Tell me if that changes.”

“Yes, Loki.”

“Good boy.” Loki lets his hand trail up Tony’s spine. Tony shivers under the touch. “Do you have any idea what you do to me, saying my name like that?”

Tony has some idea, for sure. The hunger in Loki’s voice tells him everything he needs to know. He doesn’t say anything, just arches his back a little more, pressing his chest against the backrest. If it brings his ass up a little higher, well. He wants Loki to have a nice view, that’s all.

“Pretty thing,” Loki murmurs. His fingers stroke over Tony’s ass, squeezing firmly. “I’ve thought about this so often. Every time you mouthed off at me during a battle I wanted to put you over my lap. Perhaps I should do that now, hm? Would that be better?” He chuckles softly. “Then again, I won’t have you humping my thigh. I don’t think you would be able to control yourself. Do you?”

Tony breathes in, and out. His cock is fully hard by now, throbbing and heavy between his legs, and Loki hasn’t even touched it. Sadly, the sofa is too far away to grind against it. “Probably not, no.”

Loki’s hand moves further down, a feather-light touch on Tony’s inner thigh. “Then this is much better, isn’t it? I quite like it when every bit of pleasure you get comes from me, and me alone.”

Tony closes his eyes. He likes that, too. “Yeah. Yes.”

“Remember, Anthony. No coming without my permission.”

Tony nods against his arms. “Yes, Loki. Can you -”

“Yes?”

“Touch me?”

“I am touching you,” Loki says, squeezing Tony’s ass again. His nails dig into the flesh. “Don’t be greedy. I’ll give you what you need, all in due time.”

Tony lets out a slightly quivering breath. “Sorry.”

“No need. Just hold still for me.”

Tony nods. Loki keeps touching him. His hands wander over Tony's ass and down to his thighs, and sometimes between his legs to fondle his balls. He presses his fingers into the muscles of Tony’s back and shoulders, sore and tense from the battle, and Tony can only hold still and turn into putty under Loki’s hands. He’s never been good at the whole patience thing. He’s always been greedy. But there’s something nice about this, too, about just staying where he is and letting Loki touch him however he likes. It’s a bit of a thrill, knowing that Loki will decide what Tony gets and when and if at all, that Tony himself doesn’t have a say in it. The lack of control helps him relax. Every touch Loki gives him is firm and gentle, interrupted by the occasional sting when Loki's nails scratch his skin. Tony shivers and gasps and sighs, and Loki doesn't say a word except mumbled praises now and then, or once or twice a quiet reminder to mind his posture.

The first smack comes without a warning. It's hard, harder than Tony expected, but it doesn't pull him out of his haze, or at least not all the way. The pain contrasts sharply with Loki's touches before, and Tony needs a moment to adjust.

"Alright, pet?”

“Yeah,” Tony breathes out. His voice sounds raspy and a little far away, but it's steady enough. “Alright.”

"Do you want more?"

"Yes." Tony presses his ass up against Loki's hand. "Please, Loki."

Tony rewards him with another slap, and another, and another. After a few, Tony is gritting his teeth, hands tightly clutching the sofa beneath him while he's trying not to flinch, and oh, wait, that's not how it's supposed to be, is it?

"Loki, wait, can you - shit."

Behind him, Loki freezes. His hand settles on Tony's lower back. "Anthony?"

"Sorry, it's just -" Tony forces himself to relax his hands and drops his forehead on his arms. He sucks in a breath. God, he's ruining this. "Sorry."

"Tell me what's wrong," Loki orders. He sounds concerned, but not angry. Not even annoyed. 

Tony exhales slowly, pulling himself together. The words leave him in a rush. "Too hard. That was too hard. You can get there later on, just at first, can you - a bit softer? Please."

"Yes. Yes, of course. I'm sorry, I never meant to -" Loki cuts himself off. When he continues, he sounds a lot calmer. "I should have checked. Forgive me."

"S'not your fault." Tony wanted it hard, for fuck's sake. It's not Loki's fault that he has no frame of reference on what hard means for a human, exactly. "Can we keep going?"

"You don't want to stop?"

"No." Tony turns his head, looking over his shoulder at Loki. "You?"

Loki shakes his head. "I would like to try to do better, if you let me." He strokes over Tony's back, soothing. "Thank you for telling me, love. I'm so proud of you."

Tony hums and turns back around, making himself comfortable again. It's a bit of a shame; he was well on his way into subspace earlier, and now he isn't anymore. His erection has flagged, more because of the stress of the conversation than the pain. It's a relief to know that the stress is completely unnecessary, though. Loki isn't pissed, he's proud, and that alone makes Tony's thoughts get a little fuzzy again.

Loki starts touching him again - both of his hands on Tony’s hips, pulling him up a little. Tony lets himself be maneuvered around. It’s not like he can’t do much about Loki’s strength, anyway, and that thought makes a spark of arousal flare up in his stomach. He feels Loki’s hands on his ass, the back of his thighs, and desperately wants them on his cock. Or inside of him. Kneeling on the sofa like this, he’s at the perfect height for Loki to fuck him. Loki seems to have similar ideas, because he parts Tony’s cheek and rubs a finger over his hole.

“Please,” Tony says, before he can stop himself.

Loki chuckles, but doesn’t say anything. Instead, he withdraws his hand, but only to spank Tony again. It’s much better now, just hard enough that Tony gasps, wanting more immediately. 

“Is that better, Anthony?”

“Yeah,” Tony says at once. “More, come on. Please.”

Loki wastes no time. It’s a lovely buildup this time; Tony can feel his skin burning a little hotter with every slap. The pain quickly turns into pleasure somewhere along the way, clouding his head. He presses his forehead against his arms, trying to stifle the sounds he makes, but suddenly there is a hand in his hair, pulling his head back up. The leather of Loki’s pants presses against his thighs, and those pants must be uncomfortably tight by now, because Tony can also feel Loki’s cock, big and hard against his ass.

“I want to hear every noise you make,” Loki says, his fingers curling in Tony’s hair. His tone, stern and commanding, goes straight to Tony’s cock. “Because they are all mine, aren’t they?”

“Yes, Loki.” If his voice cracks a little on Loki’s name, he swears that’s just a lucky accident.

“Gods, you’re perfect,” Loki says, breathless, and gives Tony another smack. “My precious pet.”

That makes something hot and blissful coil in Tony’s chest. It makes his face flush with embarrassment, but he wants to be Loki’s, something that is dear and precious to him. Loki keeps spanking him and Tony just melts, it’s so good. He can barely feel the sofa below him anymore. Loki’s hands are so much more important. Loki keeps talking to him, checking in with him, makes him reply in full sentences to questions and compliments. It gets easy, after a while, to speak when Loki wants him to speak - yes, Loki and fuck, please, yes, it’s good, I love it and thank you, Loki - and stay quiet when he’s supposed to be quiet. Loki praises him for the sounds he makes as he moans and whines and begs for more. The first time Loki touches Tony’s cock, one hand between his legs while the other kneads his reddened ass, Tony’s knees almost give way under him.

“Poor thing,” Loki coos, the pity in his voice mostly fake. The tone drips down Tony’s spine like liquid heat, making him shudder. “So needy. Does it hurt, pet?”

God, yes. Tony is so hard that it does hurt, a steadily growing ache that makes him desperate for even the slightest touch of Loki’s hand. “Yes.”

Loki almost purrs in reaction to the sound of Tony’s voice. “Good.” 

He gives Tony’s cock another squeeze, then takes his hand away. Tony keens, and Loki lets out a cruel little laugh that is just about the hottest thing Tony has ever heard. Loki’s hand comes down on his ass again, hard, and more slaps follow in a relentless rhythm that has Tony crying out. His ass and the backs of his thighs are throbbing, burning. Something wraps around his cock again and Tony knows right away that it’s not Loki’s hand, because Loki’s hand doesn’t tingle like that. He can’t tell whether it’s too hot or too cold or maybe that’s just him and all his overwhelmed nerve endings, but he doesn’t give a damn, anyway. He bucks his hips, wanting more of the touch. He squeezes his eyes shut. The pleasure is so much, too much.

“Do you like that, pet?” Loki asks, his voice deep and rough. His nails rake over Tony’s ass, surely leaving welts behind in the already sore skin. The stinging pain makes Tony’s head go blank for a second or two. “Is that what you need?”

Tony doesn’t manage a reply that goes beyond “fuck, yes, please,” but Loki seems to be content with that. His spanks are getting harder now, and between that and the magic stroking him, Tony doesn’t know what to do himself, whether to push back against Loki’s hands or flee from them into the tight grip around his cock.

It comes over him suddenly. Loki says something - Tony doesn’t even know what, but it’s the sound of Loki’s voice that tips him over, so full with want, and then there is another hard slap and the magic tightening around him and that’s it, he’s done for. He comes with a sob, clinging to the sofa with both hands. It washes over him in waves and leaves him shaking and gasping for breath. Belatedly, he realizes that Loki’s hands are on him again, keeping him from collapsing. He drops his head onto the backrest, still shuddering. He’s crying. 

“Stay,” Loki says, his hand smoothing over Tony’s sweaty back. “I want to come on you. Hold still, my love, just for a moment longer. Can you do that for me?”

Tony nods and murmurs his reply. Yes, yes, of course, anything. He’s not sure what he says, but it doesn’t matter, Loki understands. One of his hands stays on Tony’s ass, cold on the burning, swollen flesh. Tony hears him fumble with his pants and then groan as he starts to get himself off. Tony is too tired to turn and watch, but he angles his ass a little higher and lets out a quiet moan when he feels Loki’s come hitting his skin. Loki’s breathless groan fills Tony with satisfaction from head to toe. He loves helping Loki come. He loves being good for him, and doing what he says, and -

Oh, fuck.

Dread forms in his stomach like a cold stone. He shudders. Suddenly he can’t breathe. Fuck, fuck, fuck.  

“Anthony? What’s wrong? Anthony -”

Loki’s alarmed voice makes Tony’s throat close up. He presses his face into the backrest, doesn’t want Loki to look him. “M’sorry. I didn’t mean to, I swear, I just - I -” A sob tears from his chest. “I’m sorry, I wanted to ask, I just - I forgot, I couldn’t -”

“Oh - oh, darling, no. Come here.”

Loki wraps his arm around him and pulls him into his lap as he sits down on the sofa. He cradles Tony against his chest, Tony’s face buried in the crook of Loki’s neck, and holds him so tightly that it almost hurts. It helps Tony breathe. He feels small like this, naked while Loki is still fully clothed, Loki’s voice murmuring soothing nothings into his ear.

The sobs subside after a while, but Tony is still trembling. He grasps Loki’s shirt. “I’m sorry. Should’ve asked for permission, I just - I forgot.”

“It’s alright,” Loki says, pressing his lips to Tony’s hair. “It wasn’t your fault. You did so well.”

“I didn’t. You wanted me to ask and I - I didn’t.”

“But that was intense for you. It was so much, and you took it so beautifully.” Loki hooks his arm under Tony’s knees, pulling him even closer. “I should have given you permission to come much earlier. I wanted to ask if you were close, but you were already there.” He chuckles softly. “And it was lovely, believe me. I almost couldn’t open my pants fast enough.”

Tony takes a moment to breathe. He’s so tired. “You’re not mad?”

“No. I’m not mad.”

“You liked it, anyway?”

“Very much so. How could I not? I’m so pleased with you, pet. So proud.” He rubs Tony’s back. “I’m sorry about the beginning. Was it better, after?”

Tony relaxes. He rubs his nose against the cool skin of Loki’s neck, getting comfortable. He doesn’t want to move. “Yeah. Really good.”

“Good. I'm glad."

“I love you.”

Loki’s hand stills on his back. After a long moment - Tony is already drifting off - it keeps on petting him. “And I love you, Anthony. Are you tired? Do you want to go to bed?”

“Can we stay?” Tony murmurs. “Like this. Just a bit longer.”

“Of course.” Loki wraps his arms around Tony a little tighter and rests his chin on Tony’s head. “As long as you want.”

Tony breathes, and he sinks. He listens to Loki’s even breaths and enjoys the aftermath, the pleasant throb of his backside, the glowing feeling that comes with being the center of Loki’s attention. He knows he’ll fall asleep like this, but well, Loki can handle that and carry him to bed or something. Tony is too tired and happy to worry about that.

Chapter Text

He wakes up in the penthouse bedroom, lying on his stomach. He dimly remembers Loki nudging him half awake and teleporting them to the bed, where he put Tony on his stomach and checked on his ass while Tony was already drifting off to sleep. 

Tony lets out a sigh and props himself up on his elbows to rub his eyes. It’s light in the room, he has no idea how long he slept. Loki is still asleep next to him, on his side. Tony’s ass hurts like hell, but it’s a good sort of pain. It reminds him of Loki’s hands.

Slowly, carefully in order to let Loki sleep, Tony stands up and makes his way to the bathroom. He looks at himself in the mirror, craning his neck, and presses his finger to the red skin of his ass. It’s turning a little purple here and there. Sitting will be a bitch for a few days, but that’s okay. Tony can work standing on his feet.

Tony is grinning when he returns to the bedroom. Loki is awake, although only barely. Tony crawls back into bed next to him and ends up lying half on top of Loki because he just has to kiss him, there’s no way around that. Loki returns the kiss somewhat lazily, his hand wandering down Tony’s back to his ass to give it a squeeze. Tony complains with a soft noise.

“Oh, my,” Loki murmurs, smiling. “Does that hurt?”

“Shut up.”

Loki nudges his shoulders. “Lie down. I want to take a look.”

So Tony rolls back onto his stomach and lets Loki take a look. Just like Tony earlier, Loki prods the swollen skin. He’s gentle, light touches and even lighter kisses. He mouths his way up Tony’s spine.

“It looks perfect,” he whispers into Tony’s skin. “And rather painful. Do you want me to heal you?”

“No, it’s not that bad.”

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t mind.”

“I like it. Reminds me of you.”

Loki sighs and plants a kiss between Tony’s shoulder blades. “You can’t imagine how happy you make me. Thank you.”

Tony doesn’t know what to say. Everything that crosses his mind feels like too much, and at the same time not enough.

“If you change your mind, just tell me. I don’t want to see you in more pain than you want to be in.”

“Thank you,” Tony says. It's the only thing he comes up with that feels appropriate. Loki tries so hard and cares so much, and Tony - well. 

He sighs and turns onto his back so that he can look at Loki. Loki still looks a little sleepy, but he sits up next to Tony, cross-legged. When Tony hasn’t said anything after a while, Loki raises his brow.

Tony answers the unspoken question with a shrug. “I still feel - I don’t know. Bad.”

“About what?”

Tony shrugs again. He puts a hand over the arc reactor, tapping the glass. As much as he has always wanted to please the Doms he was with, he never really minded displeasing them, because he knew he would never see them again, anyway. Pepper was the exception, but they were both so used to Tony displeasing her that it didn’t even really matter. Which was part of the problem, probably. 

Displeasing Loki, though? God, the thought is terrifying. 

“Coming without my permission?” Loki asks softly. “Do you feel bad about that?”

Tony holds his breath for a second. “Yeah.”

“I’m not angry, pet. Truly.”

“I know. I mean, I believe you, but it’s…"

"Yes?"

Shit. Tony waves his hand. "Okay, look. I’m not used to this. I’ve never really felt bad about disobeying. I like disobeying. The other day Fury texted me to call him like a million times and I loved not doing that.”

Loki laughs. “I think the situation is a little different.” He puts his hand over Tony’s, stopping his fidgeting. “I’m glad you feel that way, though.”

“You’re glad I feel bad about it?”

“No,” Loki says, but then he tilts his head. “Well, maybe. In a way. I certainly would feel like there was something amiss if it didn’t matter to you at all. You disobeyed an order I gave you. You didn’t mean to, and it wasn’t your fault, but you did, and that it bothers you is a sign that you wish to give that control to me, and that pleases me greatly.” He squeezes Tony’s hand. “Unless I got that wrong?”

“No. I do - uh. Want that. But I told you I’d be bad at it.”

Loki shakes his head. “It’s a lot to ask, pet, especially in a moment like last night. Coming wasn’t a deliberate decision you made, was it?”

“Nah. It was - an accident, really. But I still should have -”

“Yes,” Loki interrupts him. “An accident. We agree on that, then.”

Tony rolls his eyes, but the look Loki gives him keeps him from arguing. He gives Loki a pointed look in return. “I still feel bad, though.”

“Well, I -” Loki stops. He looks at Tony, and Tony does his best to look unassuming. Loki doesn’t buy it, of course. His eyebrows wander upward. Tony can practically watch as Loki thinks and finally decides to take a gamble. “I should punish you, then. Would that help?”

Tony lets out a breath. Relief that he doesn't have to ask for it mixes with - not fear, not quite, but anticipation. “Yes.”

Loki smiles and kisses the back of Tony’s hand. “Very well. Not today, though. Can you wait until tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Would be better, probably.” He’s not sure if he’s going to drop, and being punished during subdrop is the last thing he needs. “Thanks.”

“No need to thank me, love.” Loki gets out of bed, stretching. “Is the kitchen here stocked?”

Love, Tony thinks. Oh. Oh. He’s so distracted by the memory that he barely even manages to reply. “Uh. Should be, yeah."

“Good. You can make breakfast, then.”

Tony nods and stands up as well. Love, he thinks again. Ah, to hell with it. “Loki, wait.”

Loki stops on his way to the bathroom. “Yes?”

“What I said yesterday - when we were, uh, cuddling? I know I was high on happy hormones and everything, but I still - I meant it. Don’t think I didn’t.”

Loki stares at him, frozen in place. Shit. Maybe he doesn’t even remember. But no, wait, that’s nonsense. Of course Loki remembers. He always remembers the important stuff.

“I just wanted you to know,” Tony says lamely.

Suddenly, Loki moves, crossing the room again to pull Tony into his arms. He kisses his cheek, and Tony has to laugh.

“I meant it, too,” Loki says, giddy.

“Okay, alright,” Tony says. “I mean, yay. Glad we got that settled. I’m gonna go make breakfast now.”

Loki pulls back, smiling in that way that makes Tony’s knees all wobbly. God, he’s too old for this. He grabs Loki’s shirt and pulls him into a kiss, because that, at least, he can do without feeling awkward.

*

There are two pictures of them. One shows them during the battle the day before, Tony in the air, gesturing to Loki who is looking up at him while blasting magic into the face of a lizard. The other photo was taken in the movie theater they went to - thankfully it doesn’t depict them watching the movie or rather not watching it, instead they are standing at the counter, ordering popcorn. The poor cashier looks like she wants to flee, which probably has something to do with Loki’s slightly manic grin. Tony looks at himself, leaning against the counter with a smirk, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses. They make a bit of an odd pair, Loki in his full suit, Tony in his leather jacket, but at least nobody can say that they’re not hot.

Tony skims the article while making breakfast. He’s still scowling at the tablet when Loki comes in, freshly showered and dressed.

“Oh, are clothes overrated?”

“Vastly,” Tony says. He only put on some boxers. It’s warm enough in the penthouse, and he has already decided that today will be a lazy day. 

Loki hums and comes to stand behind him, sliding a hand down his back and straight into Tony’s boxers. He nuzzles shoulder.

Tony grins to himself. “Bit clingy, aren’t you?”

Loki just hums and squeezes Tony’s ass. 

“Ow,” Tony says, needlessly. “You’re going to do that all day, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.” Loki kisses Tony’s neck. “Do you mind?”

“No. It hurts, though.”

“Poor pet,” Loki purrs, but the fake pity in his voice seems a lot less fake when his hand suddenly starts to cool down. Tony makes a surprised noise, but the feeling is actually fucking bliss. “Is that better?”

“Yeah, much.” Tony sighs. “I should put some ointment on it, probably.”

“I will do that.”

Tony smiles, leaning back against Loki’s chest. “Alright. Breakfast first, though.”

“As you wish. What’s this, then?”

Tony glances at the tablet he put on the kitchen counter. “Oh, that. People can’t decide whether we’re cute or weird.”

“Fantastic. I would hate to be just one of the two.”

While Tony laughs, Loki grabs the tablet and reads the article, leaning against the counter. Soon enough, he starts to frown. “They followed us to the movie theater?”

“I don’t think there were any paparazzi there. Someone posted some pics on twitter or something, probably.”

“Hm. I should come up with a spell for that.”

“Right. Are you going to turn people’s phones into snakes?”

“Possibly. Maybe leeches.” Loki raises a brow. “My, this reporter thinks I’m dashing. I’ll have to send him a bouquet.”

“With a vaguely threatening card?”

“Much more than just vaguely threatening.” Loki puts the tablet aside. "I don't like how they talk about you."

Yeah, well. It's funny, really, how Tony could never do anything right before he had a Dom because all he was supposed to do was find a Dom, but now that he has a Dom, he's doing that wrong, too.

He lifts his shoulders. "They'll keep talking about me like that as long as they don't like how I talk to you."

"I find no issue in the way you talk to me."

"Really? Not even when I order you around?"

He glances at the tablet, thinking about the picture someone took during the battle. He remembers that moment, telling Loki to teleport some civilians out of the way. Loki didn't seem bothered by it then and doesn't seem bothered by it now, which is good, because Tony would be pissed if he was.

"If it was an order, it was a perfectly reasonable one," Loki says easily. "If people would prefer it if you put your submission to me over other people's lives, I'd say there is something wrong with them, not you."

"If people knew how sensible you are, they wouldn't be scared of you at all."

"I'm not sensible," Loki says, offended. "I'm simply no idiot."

True enough. Smiling, Tony gets two plates out of the cabinet. "There are nice articles, too. Some people think we're role models."

“Oh? I have never been a role model before.”

“Congrats, then. I bet a million teenage subs are fawning over you. Posters over their bed and socks with little horned helmets on them, the whole shebang.”

Loki looks mildly horrified. “Posters?”

“Yup.”

They move over to the kitchen table. Loki takes the tablet with him and, sure enough, looks for posters of himself. He scrolls idly, and his eyes get that vaguely manic shimmer that always makes an appearance when he plans a prank and that shouldn’t be attractive at all but oh, god, it very much is. 

“I am going to order hundreds of these and renovate Thor’s floor,” Loki says, sounding like he just found ten buckets of gold at the end of a rainbow.

Tony puts a cup of tea on the table in front of Loki. “Can you make it so he can’t get them off?”

Loki grins at him. “Naturally.” He reaches for Tony and pulls him into his lap, wrapping his arms around him. Tony hisses – his ass his throbbing – but he leans against Loki’s chest, anyway. Loki rubs his nose against the side of his neck, his hand on Tony's stomach. “Are you sure you’re alright, pet? You enjoyed yourself yesterday?”

“You don’t have to keep asking me that.” 

“I want to hear it.”

The way Loki says want, it sounds a lot like need. Tony turns his head, looking at him. Loki returns his gaze calmly, and Tony can’t tell if that’s a mask or not. He hesitates. “You’d tell me if you were dropping, right?” 

Loki blinks slowly. “I’m not dropping.”

“But you know that can happen, right? You’d be able to tell?”

“I believe so.”

“Uh huh.” Tony pats Loki’s hand. “I loved it. It was exactly what I wanted.”

Loki all but purrs. “Yes?”

“Yes. And you can ask a million times if you want. Can we eat now, or…?”

“Yes, of course.” 

“Can I move to a chair?”

“No.”

Tony snorts. He stays sitting in Loki’s lap until they are done eating.

*

They go to the workshop in the tower soon after breakfast, and Tony grudgingly decides to take care of the SI stuff that piled up while they were in Malibu. There are about a million emails. He might not be the CEO anymore, but he’s still involved in the creation process of pretty much everything Stark Industries builds and sells, so it’s a surprise that the world didn’t end while he was away.

While he works through the mess, Loki is sitting at another desk in the workshop, working on his own stuff. He’s quiet and doesn’t complain about the music Tony plays. He doesn't interrupt Tony's work, either. Tony notices that something’s wrong after a few hours, when there’s a quiet noise that makes him look up in concern. 

Loki is sitting at another desk, bent over one of his books that look like they’re a couple centuries old. Judging by the noise he made, he’s not having a good time.

“You okay?”

Loki doesn’t look up from his book. “Yes.”

“What are you working on?”

“It would take too long to explain.”

Uh huh. Loki never minded explaining magic to Tony. He loves it, usually. Tony drops it, though, and just keeps an eye on Loki while he works. Loki reads his book and scribbles down notes, and now and then there are a few green and golden sparks. He still doesn’t look like he’s having a good time - no, he looks like Tony feels when he encounters a problem he can’t solve. Eventually, Loki closes his book with a frustrated noise and shoves it off the table. Tony is already used to there being a lot of books where Loki works on his magic, but usually he doesn’t just toss them around like that. Loki presses the heels of his hands against his eyes and just sits there for a while, quite obviously seething.

Well, that’s new.

“Loki?”

“I’m fine,” Loki says, voice muffled by his hands.

Right. Tony gets up and goes over to Loki, stepping over the book on the ground. He doesn’t know what it’s about. Hell, he doesn’t even recognize the language the title is written in. 

“Was that book rude to you?” Tony asks, feeling a bit out of his depth. “I can set it on fire if you want.”

“No, thank you.”

“Can I touch you?”

“I would prefer it if you didn’t.”

Oookay. “Alright. What’s up, then?”

Loki doesn’t look at him, but at least he takes his hands away from his face, if only to run one of them through his hair. His expression is grim, and Tony doesn’t like it. It makes him nervous. He doesn’t think he did anything wrong – Loki would tell him, right? Right.

“Okay,” Tony says when Loki doesn’t reply. “Well, I don’t know what time it is, but let’s just say it’s lunchtime, because I’m hungry. We could go upstairs and order something in?”

Loki takes a breath. At first, Tony thinks it’s in order to calm himself, but Loki really doesn’t look calm at all. “Yes,” he says, still not looking at Tony. “Of course. I forgot.”

“Huh?”

“Food,” Loki explains, sounding distracted. He rubs his eye, and Tony can’t help but think that Loki looks fucking exhausted. “I forgot. It won’t happen again.”

He stands up and smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Tony shakes his head, because, uh, no. That won’t do. “Okay, no. Sorry, but you’re freaking me out. What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine. A little tired, that’s all.”

“Yeah, right. Remember when you told me to tell you when I feel like shit? Because I think that should count for you, too, and you look like you feel like shit. So?” Before Loki can even reply, Tony remembers when exactly Loki told him that, and suddenly this makes a lot of sense. “Oh, wait. Are you dropping? Is that it?”

Loki opens his mouth, only to close it again. He frowns. Finally, he says, “Perhaps.”

Oh, god. He didn’t even realize. Tony wants to hug him and not let him go, but Loki said he doesn't want to be touched, so. 

"Alright," Tony says. He can handle this. He doesn't know how, exactly, but he can.  "Hey. It's alright, it'll pass. What can I do?"

Loki sighs and shakes his head. "You're hungry. You should eat."

"Okay. Only if you're coming with me, though."

Loki nods, so they go up to the penthouse. They have JARVIS order food and wait for it in the kitchen. Tony makes tea for Loki, thinking it might help. Loki likes tea. 

It makes sense, really. Their scene yesterday was intense, the first time seriously playing with pain for both of them, and Loki's behavior this morning - he always touches Tony a lot, but today he's been especially clingy, and he asked Tony if he was okay about a million times. I'm not dropping, Loki said, even though he was already freaking out. Tony wouldn't be surprised if there were some dark things going on in Loki's head right now.

Loki has JARVIS order food, seemingly on autopilot. Tony sits down next to him with a cup of coffee for himself, trying not to wince because yup, his ass still hurts. He does what he always does when he has no idea what to do: he starts to talk.

"Okay, uh, look. I don't know much about domdrop, to be honest. I know that it's a thing that can happen, obviously, even though all those magazines and blogs seem to think it only happens to subs because a lot of people are idiots, right?"

"Right," Loki echoes, probably just to indulge Tony, but well, that's enough.

"Anyway, what I mean is that I don't really have much experience dealing with it because you know, when I was young I never really stuck around after a scene or picked Doms who I knew wouldn't want to stick around, and the one time I was with someone while they dropped I handled it like a champ, by which I mean that I handled it like an asshole, really, no surprise there, but I'd like to do better now, okay? Pepper dropped once or twice and it was - should I be talking about my ex? I probably shouldn't be talking about my ex, right? Point is, I think I'm not as much of an asshole as I was at twenty-something, so I'll stay with you until you feel better and it'll be fine. Okay? Or do you want to be alone? I can also leave you alone if you want to be alone, I'd just be worried sick probably, but if you -"

"I don't want to be alone."

"Okay. Okay, good, do you want me to shut up? I can shut up. Just, one more thing - this is about last night, right? About the pain? Because I need you to know that I wanted that. I loved it. And I know that you liked it, too, but if you feel bad about that right now, that's okay. That's just your brain telling you that it's fucked up to get off on hurting me. And that's bullshit, just like when my brain tells me that I suck in a million different ways after a scene. Bullshit. Alright?"

Loki doesn't look at Tony, but at least he seems a little less likely to snap like a bowstring. He's staring down at the table, fiddling around with the handle of his mug.

"It used to be the only thing I was good at," he said finally. "Well, the only thing the Aesir approved of, anyway."

Tony has about a million questions right off the bat, but he swallows them down and waits. Loki continues after a while, his voice still quiet.

"I'm not conventionally attractive by their standards, I always used too much magic and too little brute strength, I was much too fond of pranks and mischief." He smiles faintly. "If anyone ever said a good thing about me, it had something to do with my qualities as a Dominant. No matter what they thought about me otherwise, everyone - every sub - knew that I was… safe. I was good at it."

"Loki," Tony says. "Honey, you're still good at it."

Loki shakes his head. "It doesn't - it doesn't feel like it. I try, but I - I keep failing."

Tony isn't used to hearing Loki stutter and stumble over words. He doesn’t like it. "You're not failing. When did you ever -"

"I pushed you too hard before that party," Loki cuts him off. "I forgot about your reactor, I almost made you get in the shower with me. Last night, I hit you too hard and enjoyed it, I didn't even notice until you -"

He stops and closes his eyes. His shoulders are tense, he's frozen in place, and Tony can't bear it.

"Can I touch you now?" he asks - begs, almost. "Please, Loki."

Loki gives a slight nod. Tony stands up and moves to stand behind Loki's chair so that he can wrap his arms around him from behind, his chin on Loki's shoulder. Tony hears and feels Loki suck in a breath and presses closer against him, relieved when Loki puts his hand on Tony's arm.

"We made a deal, didn't we?" Tony says softly. "I get better at telling you shit, you stop making yourself crazy about every tiny thing that goes wrong. Right?"

"Yes," Loki says, his voice strained.

"Yes. Okay. I don't even think about all that anymore, to be honest. I'm not secretly mad at you or anything, okay? I'm not. I trust you. I know you'll take care of me."

Loki's breaths are uneven. "I'm not sure if I can. After everything I did, I'm not - maybe I just can't, anymore."

"Bullshit. You can. You do."

"I'm trying."

"I know. You're doing really well."

"No matter what I did, you are - I want you to be safe. With me."

"I feel safe with you," Tony says, holding Loki a little tighter. And again, just for good measure, "I feel safe with you."

Loki doesn't reply. The grip of his hand on Tony's arm is so tight that it hurts, but that's okay. Tony feels like Loki might be crying, but he doesn't look up to check. He just holds him. He feels like, in one way or another, this was a long time coming. The drop after the scene yesterday just brought it out.

After a while, JARVIS informs them that their food has arrived. He instructed the delivery man to leave it in front of the door. Tony only reluctantly lets go of Loki, but god, this hugging position is not good for his back. 

"Do you want me to go fetch it?" he asks, running a hand through Loki's hair.

"Yes," Loki says. It still sounds a little choked.

Tony kisses his cheek and goes to the door. He peers into the plastic bag and sees sushi, which is good because that's Loki's favorite. Thanks, JARVIS. Tony grabs the bags and brings them back to the kitchen, where he finds Loki blowing his nose and looking miserable, but a little less miserable than before, Tony thinks.

"I'm sorry," Loki says and flicks his wrist, making the tissue go poof. His eyes are a little red, but dry. "I know this isn't exactly appropriate."

"Yeah, because you and I care so much about appropriate. Here or on the sofa?"

Loki picks the sofa, so they move over to the penthouse living room. Tony gets two plates, and soon enough they are sitting close to each other on the sofa, and that's better. That works. Loki will feel better once he has some food in him, Tony's sure, and Tony already feels much better because Loki isn't crying anymore. Tony has never been good at handling crying people, and the last thing he wants is to fuck this up.

"You're not a robot, you know," Tony says, watching as Loki picks up one of the last maki on his plate. He eats like he just doesn’t know what else to do. "I know that's what some people expect, but you can't be in control all the time. You're allowed to have bad days and stuff. It doesn't piss me off, and I don't think it's - you know, not appropriate."

"I like being in control. It helps, usually." Loki pauses. "And this certainly doesn't make you comfortable."

Tony rolls his eyes. "Were you comfortable when I had a mental breakdown in Malibu? Yeah, didn't think so. It's a part of the package, babe, we’ll just have to deal with it."

"Yes, but I'm supposed to -"

"You're supposed to eat sushi and stop double standard-ing yourself," Tony says, gesturing at Loki's plate with his chopsticks. "You'll feel better soon, promise."

Loki doesn't seem convinced, but he keeps eating. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your work.”

“No, it’s okay. I’m kinda tired, anyway.” Tony watches Loki for a moment. “This isn’t the first time you're dropping, is it? Can’t be.”

“I’m not sure.” Loki lifts his shoulders. “If it happened before, I didn’t notice.”

“You’ve never felt down after a rough scene?”

Loki is quiet for a long time. Finally, he says, without looking at Tony, “I always ‘felt down’. If I felt terrible after a night with someone, it just meant that I had to work harder at being good at it.”

Tony’s mind goes blank for a second, because fuck, that’s the saddest thing he’s ever heard. He imagines a younger Loki, an outsider on that fucking flat asshole planet, trying so hard to be good - if not at anything else, then at least at this. And fuck, it fits. The first time they went to dinner for their “ruse”, Loki didn’t know shit about Earthly etiquette, but by now he’s read up on subdrop and safewords and tokens and god knows what else, and at times he’s so busy being firm and good and in control that he forgets that he’s allowed to be a person, too. I will not let you let me hurt you, he said after the Shower Incident. As if hurting Tony is all he will do if he doesn’t actively keep it from happening. If he fucks up, it means that he isn’t trying hard enough. If he feels like shit, it means that he has to get his shit together and do what he’s supposed to do. He’s a bad person, after all, deep down. He doesn’t deserve this. He needs to work twice as hard as everyone else if he wants to keep it.

And well, would you look at that. Tony recognizes all of it. It’s familiar, and it hurts. 

He almost says it, then. I want you to give me a collar. Because he does, god, he does. He wants to be Loki’s. The knowledge makes him dizzy, but it’s clear and bright as day. He wants it. He’s been wanting it for a while, probably.

But he can’t say it, not now. Loki’s miserable; Tony doesn’t want him to think later that he only asked for a collar to cheer him up or even worse, out of pity. He’ll do it when Loki feels better. 

Yes.

“I’m sorry,” he says, staring at Loki. He’s been silent for much too long. “That you - that it was like that for you.”

“It’s fine,” Loki says. Defensive.

“No, I know. I just want this to be different. Okay? If you feel terrible after a night with me, or if you feel terrible, full stop, I want you to tell me. Even if I can’t make things better, I want to sit them out with you. You’re not -” He takes a breath. “Fuck. Two-way street, alright? Order me around all you want, but don’t think it’s all on you to make this work. It’s not. I’m with you.”

Loki puts his plate on the sofa table. He leans against Tony, his head on his shoulder, face buried against his neck. Tony sets his own plate aside so that he can put his arm around Loki’s shoulder, pull him closer.

“Thank you,” Loki says quietly.

Tony doesn’t reply, he just presses his lips to Loki’s hair. He decides that they don’t have to do anything today. He doesn’t want Loki to worry about having to make sure that everything works smoothly. 

They deserve to just fucking be for a while.

*

The next morning, JARVIS tells them that Ntasha would like to spar with Loki. As any other reasonable person would, Loki almost falls out of bed.

“Why?” he asks, disentangling himself from the sheets. “She’s never wanted to spar with me before. I’ve been living in the tower for weeks - months, even -”

“You haven’t, really.”

“She thinks I have,” Loki says. He thinks about it for a second. “Well, that’s it, then. If she wishes to kill me, we’ll have to flee the planet.”

“It’s a good thing you aren’t dramatic at all.” Tony yawns and stretches his arms over the head, accidentally hitting the headboard. “She’s not going to kill you, Loki. She’s good, but not that good.”

Loki gets out of bed. “She managed to trick me during our very first conversation. I won’t make the mistake of underestimating her again. I’ll see you later, yes?”

“No, wait, I want to come with.”

Loki pauses and looks at him.

Tony looks back innocently. “What? I want to watch.”

"You want to watch."

"Yep."

Loki's mouth twitches. "Alright."

"Hey, I know what you're thinking, and it's totally uncalled for."

"Of course, pet."

"Maybe I just want to watch you guys to learn from you, did you consider that? Maybe I just have a healthy appreciation for well-performed hand-to-hand combat."

"Oh, yes, naturally. Hand-to-hand combat."

"Don't make it sound like an euphemism! It's not an euphemism!"

*

Of course it's an euphemism. So what? It's not Tony's fault that he has a healthy appreciation for Loki's fighting style. And if he steals a glance or two at Natasha, too, well, she won't kill him for that. Probably.

"I think that's, uh. Yeah, eleven for Loki, six for Nat."

Loki's knife glints in his free hand as he helps Natasha up. "That was quite good. For a mortal."

"You're holding back," she complains.

"Forgive me, I was under the impression you didn't want me to break your bones."

They fall into bickering. Tony rolls his eyes and waits. He's standing outside of the boxing ring that Loki and Natasha have turned into a boxing-knifefight-let's-see-who-dies-first ring. 

"What are they doing, exactly?"

Tony flinches and turns to look at Bruce. "Dude, you need a bell."

"Sorry," Bruce says, sounding not very sorry. "Are they killing each other?"

"A little," Tony says. Up in the ring, Natasha and Loki are still fighting about the rules of their game. "I think it's their version of bonding. Adorable, actually."

"No," Loki calls over from the ring.

"Yes," Tony calls back. "Are you guys done soon? I'm getting tired of standing here."

"Why don't you sit down?" Bruce asks, glancing at the bench behind them.

"Yes, Anthony, why don't you sit down?" Loki says, sweet as honey.

Tony narrows his eyes at him. "Oh, wait, looks like I was wrong earlier. Six for Loki, six for Nat."

"Now that's just rude, pet."

"Oh, okay," Bruce says and pushes up his glasses. "I get it."

He's smirking, too, the bastard. All of them are smirking at Tony now. Tony rolls his eyes and waves his hands.

"Yeah, alright, are you done? The winner of the next round wins the game, so get going."

They get going. Tony tries to follow every movement with his eyes, but some of them are just too goddamn fast.

“I’m really happy for you, you know.”

“Hm?” Tony glances at Bruce. “What?”

“You seem happy,” Bruce explains, nodding at Loki. “Both of you. It’s just, you know. Good to see.”

“Thanks, Brucey. That’s really sweet of you. I saw that, Loki!”

“I didn’t do anything!”

“Don’t bullshit me, you just made her slip. What’s this, Mario Kart? Use a magical banana again and I’m giving her the point.”

“We said no magic,” Natasha says, a little out of breath.

Loki lets out a long sigh. “You’re utterly boring, all of you.”

“That’s new, though,” Bruce says as Natasha and Loki start sparring again.

Tony follows Bruce’s gaze to his own wrist. He’s wearing the bracelet Loki made for him, of course.. He’s wearing the - wrong - collar, too, thank god, otherwise this would have been difficult to explain.

“Oh, yeah,” he says. “Loki read about tokens and wanted me to have one. They don’t have them up in Godland.”

Bruce’s smile says that he considers giving them a medal for Absolute Adorableness or something, so Tony changes the topic. He knows why Bruce is here - he and Natasha spar sometimes, mostly to help him with his anger issues. But Bruce doesn’t like talking about that, so Tony starts a scientific discussion that makes Bruce’s nose get a green shimmer in no time. 

To Tony’s slight surprise, Natasha wins the round. Loki doesn’t seem to mind much; he’s smiling as he leaves the ring, and doesn’t protest when Natasha grabs his arm to tell him something. Tony can’t hear what she says, which, ominous, but okay. Loki shrugs it off, so it can’t be that important.

“I need to take a shower,” he says to Tony when he comes over to him and Bruce. “Come upstairs with me?”

Tony nods, and a while later they are in the elevator. 

“Well, that was fun,” he says, leaning into Loki’s touch when he reaches for him. “What did she say to you there at the end?”

“She thanked me for healing her after the battle.”

“Aww. I told you she likes you.”

Loki shrugs. “She is… tolerable.”

“I’m so glad you made a friend, honey. You can invite her to your birthday party.”

Loki rolls his eyes, but unfortunately, he doesn’t snark back. “Is it really still that bad?”

“Huh?”

Loki’s hand slides down Tony’s back and squeezes his ass. Tony laughs.

“No, it’s alright. I mean, it still hurts, but I still like it, so. All good.”

Loki hums and leans in to kiss Tony’s jaw. Then his neck. When the elevator stops, Loki ignores the open door. “Must you rile him up like that?”

“Who?”

“Banner.”

“Bruce? I didn’t rile him up, I was just teasing him a bit. I know just enough about biochemistry to come up with outrageous sentences that make him want to jump off the nearest cliff.”

“I kept thinking he would turn green and break your spine."

"I'm surprised you could listen and battle Natasha, honestly."

"Hm."

Finally, Loki pulls away and leaves the elevator. Something about the way he pointedly does not look at Tony makes Tony grin from ear to ear.

"You couldn't, could you? That's why you lost."

"I 'lost' because you stole my points."

"No, you lost because you were worried about me. That's hella cute and hella unnecessary. You know that Bruce has it under control, right?"

"He broke my spine. Also, I did not actually lose. I won eleven rounds, she won seven."

"Nope. You said I could be in charge of the points."

"I didn't know you would use that power for evil."

Tony laughs. "Your own fault. You shouldn't have teased me about my sore ass."

In the bedroom, Loki pulls the tie out of his hair, giving Tony a scrutinizing look."You still don't want me to heal you?"

"No."

Loki smiles. It looks like the sparring did him good; he seems a lot better than yesterday, although a bit uncertain. "As you wish. Well, I'll take a shower now, then, and after that, we should take care of your punishment, shouldn't we?"

"My -" Tony stops as he remembers. "Oh, right."

Loki pauses on his way to the bathroom. "Do you object?"

"No, just. Uh. You feel better, then?"

"Yes," Loki says, then sighs. "I'm fine. I would tell you if I wasn't."

"Okay," Tony says. "Okay, that's good, but we don't have to start with a punishment if you - well, we can do that another time."

"No, I - well."

Tony raises a brow.

"Well," Loki says again. He bounces back and forth on his feet once, twice. "I think it would help."

"Help?"

"I feel a little…" Loki cuts himself off, frowning. "Out of control."

That's painful to admit for him, probably. Tony gets it, though; Loki needs the reassurement that their dynamic is still intact. No, Tony doesn't only get it, he wants it, too. Yesterday was rough, and when he remembers that he broke a rule Loki gave him - well, it still rubs him the wrong way. And he's still not used to that, he's never really let it happen before, this… this desire to obey. He's never craved correction, never let anyone hold him accountable because he'll just fuck up again, anyway, so what's the point? But with Loki, there is a point.

"Anthony?"

Tony looks at Loki, realizing that he's been silent for too long. He holds Loki's gaze. "Can I watch?"

Loki blinks. "Watch?"

"You wanted to take a shower. Can I watch?"

"I -" Loki looks briefly at the bathroom door. "I am not going to make you come into the bathroom with me."

Tony huffs a laugh. "Look, if you don't drag me into the shower, I don't mind being in the bathroom with you. And I can still enjoy the show, right?"

"I suppose," Loki says, smiling. "Yes, of course you may watch. You may fetch me new clothes, too."

He waves his hand at the door that leads to Tony's walk-in closet, and Tony already knows what he will find when he opens it: lots of Loki's clothes. He wants to run off and check right away, but first he crosses the room and grabs Loki's shirt to pull him into a kiss. Loki leans into it, his hand on Tony's elbow.

"I'm glad you feel better," Tony says quietly.

"I do." Loki's smile is soft and warm. He cups Tony's jaw and kisses him again. "I'm lucky to have you."

"Damn right," Tony says, grinning, but he doubts that can hide how ridiculously glad he is to hear that.

Loki rolls his eyes and gives him a nudge. "Go."

In the closet, Tony does find Loki's clothes, although not nearly as many as in Malibu. He picks something simple and comfortable and makes his way to the bathroom. Loki is already undressed and stepping into the shower, but he looks at Tony when he comes in.

"Leave the door open, and strip. I want that collar off."

Tony immediately puts Loki's clothes aside and takes off first the collar, then his clothes. He watches as Loki turns on the shower and steps under the spray. There, on the floor close to the shower, is a black throw pillow waiting for Tony, and he smiles when he manages to yank his eyes away from Loki long enough to spot it.

He kneels there while Loki showers. Loki takes his time. Through the foggy glass, Tony can see the silhouette of Loki's lean body, his long legs, the arch of his neck when he leans his head back to wash his hair. Tony was never under the impression that Loki was in any way uncertain about his looks - quite the opposite, really - but now he thinks about what Loki said yesterday. Not conventionally attractive by the Aesir's standards. Tony absentmindedly calculates the rough size of the bomb that would be necessary to blow Asgard up.

When Loki finally gets out of the shower, Tony is already on his feet, offering Loki a towel.

"You know, just for the record," he says as Loki dries his hair, "I think you're really fucking hot."

Loki raises an amused brow at him. "Oh?"

"Yes. Absolutely. I could stare at you for hours without getting bored and that's saying something, because usually I get bored in two seconds flat when my brain's not occupied."

Loki looks a little flushed, but that might just be because of the shower. His voice is quiet. A little surprised. "Why, thank you, pet."

Praise kink? Praise kink. Tony grins. Of course; he remembers Loki's list. One of these days he'll tell Loki about all the things he adores about him until Loki loses his cool and bends him over the nearest surface.

"My clothes, Anthony."

"Oh, right."

It should feel ridiculous, helping Loki in his soft Asgardian leather pants and a henley, but it doesn't. Loki even lets him brush his wet hair, and by the time they are ready to leave the bathroom, Loki's easy confidence is back. 

"Very good," he murmurs and puts his hand on the back of Tony's neck. "Down. Hands and knees."

Tony obeys. Loki's hand goes down with him, although it moves into his hair when he's on the ground.

"Crawl," Loki says. "To the bed."

Tony nods, mostly to feel the painful tug of Loki’s tight grip on his hair. When he starts to move, Loki lets go of him. He follows Tony into the bedroom. Tony can feel Loki’s gaze on him, unwavering and hungry.

“I could get used to this sight,” he muses. “I want you on the bed.”

Grinning, Tony gets up and sits on the bed, wincing a bit in reaction to the pressure on his ass. “I’ll crawl for you whenever you want.”

“And you’ll like it, too, it seems,” Loki says with a glance at Tony’s cock. He sits down on the edge of the bed. 

“Are you going to put me over your lap now?” 

Loki looks unimpressed. “No. I need you in a position you can hold for quite some time. On your knees with your upper body down would be lovely, but I’m wondering if that would be good for your chest?”

Tony opens his mouth to say, yes, sure, of course, but the look in Loki’s eyes makes him think better of it. “Uh.”

“The true answer is the correct one, pet.”

“I don’t know,” Tony says, one hand coming up to touch the reactor. “Half an hour or so wouldn’t be a problem. But, uh, eventually the pressure on the reactor gets too much and then it hurts so - I can do it, though. It won’t kill me or anything.”

“My goal goes a little beyond not killing you,” Loki says dryly. “On your back, then.”

“Are you sure? I can -”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“I’m sorry. If you -”

“I don’t need to repeat myself, do I?”

Loki’s tone is still calm, but it conveys perfectly that making him repeat himself is not a good idea. Tony swallows and shakes his head, already moving to lie down on his back.

“Spread your legs,” Loki orders and kneels between Tony’s legs as soon as there is enough room. He summons the throw pillow from earlier, and Tony quickly lifts his hips when he realizes that Loki wants to place it under his ass. Loki smiles at him. “Good. Knees up, please. Hands on your thighs.”

Tony lifts his knees, his hands hooked under them to keep his legs in place. The position makes him feel all too vulnerable under Loki’s attentive eyes. He feels himself blush. “Like this?”

“Yes.” Loki’s hand strokes over Tony’s ass, nails digging into a spot that’s still an angry red from the spanking the other day. “If you move your hands, you’ll need to give me another one. On top of the ones you’ll be giving me, anyway, of course. If you absolutely cannot hold the position any longer, tell me at once.”

“Another one? Another what?”

“Oh, you’ll see,” Loki says. His smirk is a little terrifying, and it widens into a not even slightly less terrifying grin when he sees Tony’s wide eyes. “No reason to look so scared, pet.”

“I feel like you saying that is a perfectly good reason to be scared.”

“You should thank me, then.”

Breathless, Tony watches as Loki’s finger brushes over the length of Tony’s hard cock, finally collecting the drop of liquid that has gathered on the tip. Tony’s brain short-circuits when Loki lifts his finger up to his mouth and licks it. “Huh?”

“You like being scared,” Loki says casually. When he touches Tony’s cock this time, it’s not just to tease; the firm grip of his hand pulls a gasp out of Tony’s throat. “You like feeling helpless. So if you are, and if you do, you should thank me.”

“Thank you, Loki,” Tony says. He’s rewarded with a pleased spark in Loki’s eyes, and a few slow strokes of his hand. “Fuck. Look, I don’t know where you’re going with this, but -”

“Do you need to?”

“What?”

“Do you need to know? Or do you just need to do as I say?”

Tony squirms. “I -”

“Yes?”

“I just need to do as you say. Loki.”

Loki doesn’t say anything, but he jerks Tony’s cock a little faster, a little harder, so Tony must have picked the right answer. He’s panting by now, trying to hold still while also pushing up into Loki’s hand. The position doesn’t give him a lot of leverage. Loki shuffles forward on his knees, the leather of his pants pressing against Tony’s ass. His other hand goes from stroking Tony’s inner thigh to squeezing his balls.

“Loki -”

“Hush.”

Tony shuts up. He feels hot all over, Loki’s hand a tight, cool vice around him. Loki is quiet as he plays with him, and Tony doesn’t know why, but that’s hot - not that he’s not always happy to hear Loki’s voice, but there’s something about this, too. Because being played with is exactly what this feels like. Like Loki is just pleasuring him for his own amusement, because he likes to see him come undone under his hands. Tony’s heart beats so loud and fast that Loki can surely hear it, and before long he’s moaning and rocking his hips in time with Loki’s strokes as well as he can. When something squeezes into his ass - an almost dry fingertip - he groans, suddenly realizing how close he is.

“Fuck. Fuck, that’s good, yes, I - Loki -”

Loki hums and pushes his finger in deeper while also speeding up his strokes. Tony’s trembling, eyes squeezed shut, the sensations so good that he can only pant and take them as they wash over him. This time, though, he remembers.

“Loki, I’m close, I’m - oh, god - can I, please?”

“Of course, pet. Come for me.”

Tony does so with a grunt, his cock pulsing in Loki’s hand as he spills over his own stomach. Catching his breath, Tony grasps the sheets under him and enjoys the feeling of satisfaction trickling through his body. Loki’s hand is still on his cock, teasing, and Tony is so sensitive that he writhes a bit under the touch. He blinks up at Loki, who is smirking again. His other hand is gently stroking Tony’s thigh. 

Tony manages a lazy grin. “That didn’t feel much like a punishment.”

“No?” Loki says, his voice velvet-smooth. He wraps his fingers around the base of Tony’s softening cock, pumping slowly. “I wonder when that will change. After three times? Five?” His hand squeezes. “Ten?”

Tony’s mouth drops open. “Uh, Loki -”

“Of course, that,” Loki glances at Tony’s hand that’s resting on the mattress, “means that you will give me one orgasm more. Eleven, then.”

Tony hurries to get both his hands back under his knees and assume the position Loki wants him to be in again. “Loki, I - mortal here, remember? And I’m not twenty anymore, I -”

“Shh.” Loki starts to stroke him in earnest, and because Tony’s body is a filthy traitor, his cock twitches, eager to get hard again. “You were so greedy the other day, coming without permission. You need to learn that you don’t control your pleasure anymore, my love. I do. If I tell you to wait, you wait. If I tell you to come, you come. Even when it hurts.”

Tony swallows thickly. His voice is raspy when he says, “Yes, Loki.”

He flinches in surprise when something presses against his hole again - not a finger, this time, but something warm and tingly and oddly slippery. He lifts his head, stares at Loki’s hand. There is a soft green glow. Fucking magic. It pushes into him, fills him up and stretches him, and after a moment it hits right against a spot that makes his hips twitch. The magic is insistent, a firm pressure right against his prostate that feels painfully good. 

“Fuck,” he gasps out. “Loki, I - I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I can’t - not so soon, I can’t -”

“Oh, darling.” Loki digs his nails into Tony’s thigh, making him gasp. “That doesn’t matter. I will make you.”

Tony takes one shuddering breath after the other. He stares at Loki. Loki raises a brow at him. Okay. Okay. Loki will make him. It’s out of his hands. He just needs to let it happen. 

He licks his lips and nods. “Yes, Loki.”

The whispered words make Loki smile. 

Chapter Text

Tony doesn’t know how often he came, or how much time it took. He just knows that Loki was there with him the whole time, with his steady voice and unrelenting hands, a fixpoint in an otherwise hazy world. After, when he is satisfied, he puts Tony back together painstakingly, patiently, until Tony stops crying and begging and just breathes, curled up in Loki’s arms like a child. Loki rocks him gently, murmurs to him. He makes him drink and eat something small, even brings him to the bathroom when Tony complains about needing to go. Tony is too exhausted and clingy to care about privacy. It's alright. Everything is fine now. It’s easy to do as Loki says and not think about anything else.

When they are back in bed, Loki talks to him until he falls asleep.

*

“I’m never having any sex again ever,” he informs Loki, while Loki buttons up Tony’s shirt for him. “And you don’t get to complain about that. It’s your own fault.”

“You say that now,” Loki says, unbothered.

“I mean it."

"You know just as well as I that I could get you hard right this second, and very easily.” As if to prove his point, he presses the heel of his hand against the crotch of Tony’s slacks.

Tony lets him. He likes the way his own body reacts to Loki’s hand on him even when he still feels wrung out after having more orgasms than a nearly fifty year old mortal man should have over the span of a few hours. Fine, that was three days ago, so it’s no surprise that his sex drive is back from the dead. It’s always been a pesky menace.

“Yes, okay, that’s a point for you, but please don’t. I’m still sore.”

“Are you begging me not to touch your cock? That’s new.”

Fuck him. Two can play this game. Tony leans in, close enough that they would be kissing if it wasn’t for that last small inch. “Please, Loki. Don’t make me. I can’t, please.”

And because Loki has a total thing for making him do things, he blushes all the way up to his ears. He moves to kiss him, but Tony stops him with a hand on his chest, grinning.

“Sorry, honey, but I really need to get to that meeting.” He pats Loki’s chest and takes a step away from him to grab his suit jacket. “I’ll see you later.”

“I should punish you again just for being a tease,” Loki mutters, but comes with Tony when he leaves the closet.

Tony flutters his eyelashes at him. “If you think it’s necessary, Loki.”

Loki gives him a narrow-eyed look. “Go, before I decide that it is necessary.”

Tony grins, because Loki can’t fool him one bit. His mouth is the fragment of a second away from twitching into an amused smile.

“Will you be busy all day?” Loki asks as they make their way to the elevator.

“Nah, probably not. It’s just this meeting, and then maybe I have to make the rounds and strike fear into the hearts of SI employees. Some of the stuff they came up with while we were in Malibu is fucking terrible. And then I need to get some work done myself, probably.”

“I see.”

Tony stops in front of the elevator, looking at Loki. “Are you going to tell me I can’t?”

Loki tilts his head to the side. “Can’t what?”

“Uh. Be busy? Be away from you for the better part of the day?”

“I doubt you would appreciate that,” Loki says dryly. “And I am capable of keeping myself entertained for a while. I don’t expect you to spend every minute of every day with me.”

“Yeah,” Tony agrees. “I mean, good.”

Loki gives him the look that says he knows that something is up. “Yes?”

“I don’t know. It’s weird, right? Or is that just me? It’s probably just me. Maybe I’m like a toddler, you know, with separation anxiety. Or a dog.” Tony makes a face. “No. You can be the dog. Pekingese, remember?”

Loki reaches out to straighten Tony’s tie. “What feels weird, Anthony?”

“I don’t know,” Ton says again. “Just, we were together nonstop the past two weeks. It’s weird to just, you know, keep living as if nothing happened.”

“As far as I am concerned, things are still happening,” Loki says, frowning. “I admit being alone in Malibu with you was lovely, especially to find our footing, but we can hardly ignore the rest of the world forever, can we? You have your business, and your little team of heroes -”

“Our little team of heroes,” Tony corrects, but of course Loki ignores him.

“And I have…” Loki thinks about it for a moment. “A pressing need to terrorize some New Yorkers, probably. I haven’t decided yet.”

Tony snorts. “You said you’d stop with the pranks as long as our game is going on.”

“Oh, but our game is over, isn’t it?” Loki grins widely. “Or rather, it’s not a game anymore. That counts. I’ve wholly fulfilled my part of the deal.” 

“Okay, fine, but don’t start another invasion or something. That would be uncool. Like, so 2012.”

“No, nothing quite so drastic.” Loki nods at the open door of the elevator. “Go. I wouldn’t want you to be late.”

“I’m already twenty minutes late because you needed ages to pick my suit.”

“Yes, well.” Loki grabs Tony’s suit jacket and pulls him close. His hands slide under the jacket, cool through the fabric of Tony’s shirt. “I wanted you to wear something nice.”

Tony’s chest fills with something very warm. Maybe he’s having a heart attack. He remembers dressing Loki before they went out in Malibu, one piece of clothing after the other. Because I wanted you to wear something nice, something you feel good in. This is Loki’s way of staying with him even when they are apart. And, sure, it’s just for a few hours, but Tony knows that he’ll keep running his hands over his suit today, just to remind himself that Loki chose it for him.

“Shit,” he says. “The whole love thing is really kinda overwhelming, isn’t it?”

“I am, as always, impressed by your romantic streak.” Loki cups Tony’s chin and kisses him briefly. “I will have my phone with me, so you can reach me if you have need of me.”

“Very mortal of you, Lokes.”

Loki sighs and all but pushes him into the elevator. Tony goes and leans against the wall when the door is closed, taking a moment to catch his breath. It is weird. He isn’t scared, it’s not that bad, just - it’s so good, being with Loki. Tony feels like he needs to keep an eye on him, as if Loki will vanish otherwise.

He tugs at the leather bracelet around his wrist. Yeah. That helps a bit. 

He just wishes he’d be wearing a different collar.

*

Tony is in the middle of dressing down the head of the software design department when his phone rings. He excuses himself and steps out onto the corridor to take the call. It’s Loki, unsurprisingly. What is surprising is that Tony’s ringtone has been changed into the Spongebob title song.

“When did you even do that?” Tony asks instead of a greeting. “Also, have you seen Spongebob?”

“I don’t see why I should tell you and yes, I have. Unfortunately.”

“Hey, don’t insult a classic. Is this your revenge? Been planning it since I changed yours, huh?”

“Wait until you see what else I have changed,” Loki says cheerfully. “Have you eaten?”

Tony narrows his eyes. “I think you’re bluffing. You just want me to waste time checking everything to see what you did.”

“In what way is that a reply to my question?”

“Maybe it’s a double bluff.”

Loki laughs quietly. “My question, Anthony.”

Tony looks at the screen for a moment to check the time. Almost 1pm. “No, I haven’t. Yet.” He hesitates. “I, uh. I wanted to have lunch with Pepper, actually. She needs me to sign some patents and stuff.”

“Oh,” Loki says. “Yes, I see.”

Tony waits for the other shoe to drop, but Loki doesn’t say anything. Tony swallows. “Is that - alright?”

“Yes,” Loki says, but it sounds a little distracted. That only lasts a second, though. “Yes, of course. This isn’t a surveillance call, I just wanted to check on you.”

“Separation anxiety,” Tony says. “Like a pekingese.”

Loki’s sigh is audible through the phone. “I will see you later, then?”

“Yeah,” Tony says, but before Loki can hang up, he adds, “Hey, wait.”

“Yes?”

“What are you up to? I haven’t heard of any explosions yet.”

“I have not caused any yet. I’m in my apartment.”

Tony frowns. “Oh. Well, okay then.” 

"Anthony?" Loki asks, obviously having picked up on Tony's tense tone.

Tony stares at a spot on the wall for a second. "But - later, are you -" Someone in the office behind him calls his name. “Nevermind. I gotta go.”

“Anthony -”

Tony hangs up. He wants to go back into the office, but his phone rings again. He sighs and picks up. “Yes?”

“Hang up on me again and I won’t be pleased,” Loki says. 

His tone makes Tony’s hair stand on end. “Woah, sorry, princess. I didn’t know you wanted to do the whole ‘no, you hang up’ bit.”

“Anthony,” Loki says, a quiet warning. “You were about to ask me something."

"Was I? Huh."

"What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me.”

“Everything’s fine,” Tony snaps. “Obviously. I really need to go. May I hang up, please?” 

His tone is so bitingly sweet that the SI employee who just left his office to check on him walks right back into the room.

“Yes,” Loki says after a long moment. “You may. Thank you for asking. Let me know when you are back in the penthouse.”

His tone is even worse, of course. Tony is glad that they aren’t face to face; he probably wouldn’t be able to look Loki in the eye right now. He grits his teeth and hangs up.

Fucking great.

*

After lunch, Tony spends more time in the workshop than he initially planned. It's almost six when he finally drags himself to the elevator, tension wrung so tightly inside of him that he jabs the elevator with his finger about fifty times even though JARVIS already sent it up to him.

In the elevator, he types a message to Loki. On my way up.

Loki is online in an instant. He doesn't reply, though. 

The penthouse seems dark and empty at first, but when he enters the living room, he sees Loki sitting on the sofa. Relief makes Tony's throat close up at the sight, but he refuses to let it show. He's already pathetic enough, he doesn't need to make it worse.

Without looking at Loki, he starts making his way in the direction of the bedroom, already pulling at his tie. Fuck. He hates this, everything about this. How do other people handle it, this - neediness? Then again, maybe that's just yet another Tony Stark thing. Well, it's not like he didn't warn Loki, right?

"Anthony. Come here."

Anthony stops dead in his tracks. Loki's voice says very clearly that he isn't pleased, but there is no anger in it. It makes Tony shudder, anyway. The wish to obey, to go and kneel at Loki's feet and let him handle this, is strong.

He pushes through it. "Can I at least -"

"No. Come here."

Tony turns around and marches over to the sofa, stopping right in front of Loki to glare down at him. The look in Loki's eyes is hard, but Tony forces himself to hold his gaze, even though it's difficult. He knows that Loki doesn't mind it when Tony looks him in the eye, likes it even, but there's something about it that makes Tony want to sink to his knees and hide his face against Loki's legs until he can breathe again.

Loki stands up. Given their height difference, Tony has to lift his head a little while he keeps his gaze fixed on Loki's face. His heart is starting to beat faster. He almost takes a step back, but finds himself unable to move.

"Kneel."

Tony shivers in reaction to Loki's voice. Pure want rushes through him. His gaze flickers away for a second, down. He feels a flush rise up to his face. He doesn't move.

"Anthony," Loki adds, and his sharp tone makes Tony flinch. "I said kneel. Now."

Tony drops down to his knees. They complain about the sudden collision with the floor, but he clenches his teeth and stares at Loki's legs.

"You seem angry with me," Loki says. "I would like to know why."

Tony stays silent.

"I cannot fix it if you do not talk to me. I will force it out of you if I need to, but I would prefer it if we could skip that."

"Yeah, I bet."

"I'm sorry?" Loki says, ice-cold.

"I said 'yes, I bet'," Tony repeats, louder this time.

Loki grabs his hair and pulls his head back. Tony has to swallow a pained noise. He swears he has some sort of Pavlovian reaction to Loki's hand in his hair; the feeling goes straight to his cock.

"Look at me."

Tony obeys. Loki's grip tightens a little more, making it impossible for Tony to move his head.

"One last chance," he says. "What is the matter?"

"Nothing."

"Very well." Loki lets go of Tony's hair. "Stand up. Strip."

Tony stands up. His legs feel a little shaky. He takes off the collar first - finally - and tosses it aside. The suit jacket follows, then the tie and his waistcoat, he throws everything on the floor next to the sofa. For once Loki doesn't complain about the messy pile just to be contrary. He just watches and takes his own suit jacket off. While Tony opens the buttons of his dress shirt, Loki puts his jacket over the backrest of the sofa and rolls up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing his pale forearms, drawing attention to his hands, and he totally does that on purpose. Tony doesn't know whether he wants to storm out of the room or push Loki onto the sofa and ride him until he leaves his handprints on Tony's hips again.

Loki sits down again while Tony is pushing down his pants. He kicks them out of the way and does the same with his underwear a moment later, and then he's naked except for the leather on his wrist.

At first, Loki just looks at him. Tony stares back, face burning with frustration and an unusual burst of shyness. He wishes Loki would just grab him and get it over with. He wishes his own cock wasn't so hard already. 

"Come here," Loki says finally, holding out a hand.

Tony takes two steps toward him. As soon as he is close enough, Loki grabs him and pulls him down, putting him over his lap. Tony kicks his legs a little, trying to find purchase on the floor, but Loki just drags him to the left a few inches more so that he can only reach the ground with his toes, his upper body in the air. Loki grabs his arms and pulls them onto his back, holding them in place with one hand. Tony is panting, struggling to fight Loki's grip, but there's nothing he can do. Loki is too strong. The position puts a bit of a strain on Tony's shoulders, but he doesn't even notice. The only thing he does notice is that if Loki let go, he'd topple face forward to the ground. He has to trust Loki to hold him up.

The tension seeps out of Tony's bones almost immediately.

When he stops moving and goes silent except for his panting breaths, Loki’s other hand comes to rest on Tony’s ass. Tony stares at the ground, waiting for the first hit.

“Just to make this clear,” Loki says, his voice calm and firm. “I enjoy your sass. But I do expect a modicum of respect, and that includes talking to me when something bothers you rather than mouthing off at me and sulking the whole day. Do you understand?”

“Just get it over with,” Tony snaps, and at once Loki slaps his ass. Hard. Tony lets out a quiet grunt he can’t stifle in time.

“Do you understand?” Loki repeats, enunciating every word. 

To his horror, Tony’s eyes start to burn. Through clenched teeth, he says, “Yes, Loki.”

“Excellent,” Loki says. “Then do start talking as soon as you’re ready.”

He finally starts the spanking, then, a quick and steady series of smacks that build up a burning pain Tony can’t ignore. It clears his head like nothing else, even as he kicks his legs and tries to wriggle away from Loki’s hand. He doesn’t allow himself to make any noises at first, but the feeling of helplessness gets to him just as much as the pain, and soon enough every stroke of Loki’s hand makes him cry out. Eventually, he stops fighting and starts trying to rut against Loki’s thigh, in desperate need of relief. He can’t get the angle right. The frustration tears a sob from his throat. Something in his chest cracks.

“I’m sorry! Fuck, I - I’m sorry, alright? Please stop, please -”

Loki stops. He gently rubs the hot flesh he’s been hitting. “What are you sorry for, Anthony?”

“Being rude to you. Not -” Tony takes a few fast breaths. He can’t see anything through the tears in his eyes. “Not telling you what bothered me. I’m sorry. Loki.”

“Apology accepted, pet. I know that was hard, love. Well done.”

Tony squirms. “Can I - I need to come, please, I just need -”

“No. Are you ready to come up?”

“I don’t know.” Tony shakes his head, trying to get both his breathing and the crying under control. “I don’t - I don’t know.”

Loki makes the decision for him. He first pulls Tony up and then lowers him to the ground. “On your knees. There, very good. Breathe for me, darling.”

Tony breathes, his forehead pressed against Loki’s knee. His heels dig into his ass; it feels glowing hot. Loki pets his hair, reaches down to rub his neck and his sore shoulders. 

“Tell me,” he says, quiet but firm. “Now.”

“It’s -” Tony squeezes his eyes shut. “It’s the collar. I hate it. I hate wearing it. It’s not yours.”

“Then you don’t have to wear it ever again,” Loki promises at once. “What else?”

“I thought you weren’t coming back. Here. I thought you were staying in your apartment and not coming back. Because I wanted to have lunch with - I don’t know. I’m sorry.”

“Oh, pet.” Loki gently scratches Tony’s scalp, making him shiver. “I was in my apartment because I still have some things there. A few books and trinkets I would rather not see in the hands of any humans. They are warded, but I wanted to pick them up and bring them here. Or to Malibu, perhaps. I thought you might be willing to give me more room for my things in your workshop.”

It takes a while until that registers.

“Fuck,” Tony says then, weakly. “Yeah. Okay. Yes. Anything you want.”

“I’m not leaving, Anthony. Especially not because you wish to share a meal with a friend.” He pauses briefly. “I trust you. I know that any jealousy I might feel is unfounded.”

Tony nods against Loki’s leg. He’s not ready to move yet. “I - I got so scared. I don’t know. Fucking pathetic. I’m sorry.”

Loki gives Tony’s hair a painful tug. “Call yourself pathetic one more time and I will put you over my lap again.”

“I should be able to be without you for a few hours. I should -”

“And you were,” Loki interrupts. “You are. That is not what this is about. You’re simply scared that I will lose interest in you. Which won’t happen, pet, you have my word. I am here to stay, and I will remind you of that as often as necessary.”

Tony can only nod. Loki keeps stroking his hair. After a while, he breaks the silence again.

"About the collar… I could use an illusion, I suppose. I would need to stay close to you, though, so it's rather impractical."

Tony closes his eyes for a second, taking a breath. Fuck it. Out with it. “No, I - I want to wear yours.”

Loki’s hand stills in his hair. “My - what? My suit?”

What? Tony laughs so hard his shoulders shake. He lifts his head, feeling like he should be looking at Loki’s face for this. “No. I want - I want you to give me a collar. Please.”

Loki cups his face and tilts it up. “Say that again.”

The intense look in Loki’s eyes - like he’s forgotten everything else around them - makes Tony a bit dizzy, but he doesn’t try to look away. “I want you to collar me. I want to be yours.”

The sheer happiness on Loki's face tells Tony all he needs to know. He laughs again when Loki leans down and kisses his forehead.

"You're sure?" he whispers when he pulls back. He touches Tony's throat, as if to map out where a collar would - will - be. "You want to -"

"Yes."

Loki looks at him, searching his face, and then he breaks into a broad smile. "Then I will get you one first thing tomorrow. I would make it myself, but I've never been talented at metalwork. Maybe I'll go to Nidavellir…" He trails off and cards his fingers through Tony's hair. "It should match your eyes and hair.”

Tony would offer to make it himself, but providing the collar really is a Dom thing, so he’ll just let Loki fuss over it. His excitement is adorable. “What, are you telling me it won’t be black and green? I’m shook.”

Loki shakes his head, grinning. He reaches for Tony. “Come up here.”

Tony lets himself be pulled up in Loki’s lap and kissed thoroughly. Loki looks flushed and giddy as he runs his hands over Tony’s body, more than once squeezing his once again sore ass. 

“You’ve been waiting for that,” Tony says, gasping. His arousal is more than ready to become a part of the conversation again. 

“Hoping,” Loki says. “Yes, very much. Do you feel better now?”

Tony nods quickly. This was just what he needed, a reminder that Loki is with him and in control. “Yeah, thanks. Can you fuck me now?”

Loki laughs. “Oh, pet. No. I don’t think so.”

“But -”

“No.” Loki puts his hand on Tony’s jaw, thumb stroking over his beard. “The next time you come you will be wearing my collar.”

Tony opens his mouth and closes it again. His brain needs a moment to come up with something to say. “You’re really making me wait? Until tomorrow?”

“I am, yes. Of course, I could fuck you, anyway.” Loki reaches down to flick his thumb over Tony’s nipple. “But I don’t think we should take the risk. Unless you’re sure you can hold back, even with my cock filling you up and my hands pinning you down?”

“But I -”

“I might even have to play with you while I fuck you,” Loki says, his hand moving to Tony’s hardening cock to give it a squeeze. “You make it so difficult to resist when you’re hard and aching for my touch.”

Tony squirms, trying to evade Loki’s hand. It feels too good, and he’s already keyed up from the spanking. “Loki, come on, that’s not fair.”

Loki’s grin is sharp. “Have you met me?”

“But you wouldn’t - you wouldn’t give me permission?”

“No. Not until my collar is around your neck.” Loki pulls Tony closer against him so that Tony can feel how hard Loki is. Loki sighs. “Unfortunately, I find myself quite eager to bend you over the sofa right now. It’s been much too long since I was inside you.”

Tony groans. “Do you want me to come without permission or something?”

“No, not at all. I would be very displeased.”

“Okay, then you can’t fuck me.”

“Oh?” Loki purrs, dangerously quiet. “But if I want to take my pleasure from you, I should be able to, shouldn’t I? You wouldn’t dare to deny me my right to use you as I wish.”

Tony’s breath catches in his throat. “Loki -”

“You wouldn’t,” Loki says again. He reaches for Tony’s cock again, stroking slowly. “You would be good and let me have you. Yes?”

“Yes, Loki. But -”

“Shh. No. If I tell you not to come, I expect you to obey, no matter what I do to you. It’s hardly my fault if you can’t control yourself, is it?”

This whole thing has no right to be as hot as it is. Tony whines. “Loki, come on, please.”

“Mh, no.” Loki presses his grin to Tony’s jaw, his other hand on Tony’s back, keeping him close. “You made me so hard, pet. I’m afraid now you’ll have to follow through, one way or another. You don’t want to leave me unsatisfied, do you?”

Tony shakes his head almost violently. “Never, Loki.”

“Good boy.” Loki lowers his voice to a conspiratory whisper. “You may always beg me to use your mouth instead, of course.”

“Fuck,” Tony breathes out when Loki’s hand speeds up, making the pleasure low in Tony’s belly tighten. He’s close. He really wants Loki to fuck him. “Loki, you - unfair.”

“Make a deicison, pet. I’m growing impatient.”

“Stop - stop touching, please. Please.”

Loki hums and stops, putting his hand on Tony’s side aside. 

Tony fiddles with the buttons of Loki’s shirt. He wants to reach for Loki’s belt right away. “Please use my mouth instead, Loki. My throat. I’ll make it so good for you, I swear. May I, please?”

“You might want to try it without the glare.” In reaction to Tony’s continuous dark look, Loki just laughs. “Well, I don’t want to make it too difficult for you. Yes, you may.”

Tony sinks to his knees between Loki’s legs immediately.

*

Later that night, when they are lying in bed, Loki reaches for Tony and draws him close, his chest pressed against Tony's back. He wraps his arms around him tightly and kisses the back of his neck.

"Anthony."

Tony is too tired to open his eyes. He was already half asleep when Loki made him get up from the sofa earlier. "Hmm."

"You've made me very happy today."

"And here I thought I fucked up big time today," Tony says with a drowsy smile. "Or what was the spanking for?"

“To remind you of your place, of course.”

“My place? Kneeling at your feet like a good pet or what?”

“No. Safe and at ease. With me.”

Yeah, Tony can get behind that. “Thanks,” he says quietly, and it doesn’t feel like enough, but he just hopes Loki understands.

“Anytime, Anthony.” His fingers inch closer to Tony’s neck again. “And you really are sure -”

"Yes,” Tony says before Loki can even finish that ridiculous sentence. “I’ve been wanting to ask for days. Just didn’t know how.”

Loki doesn’t say anything, he just presses himself a little closer against Tony’s back. His clinginess makes Tony smile.

“I wouldn't die of blue balls for just anyone, you know."

Loki rubs his nose against Tony's neck. "You're not going to die. You know what to say to put an end to it."

Tony does open his eyes now. "If I safeworded out right now, you'd let me come?"

"If that was what you wanted, yes, of course I would."

"Hm." Tony pats Loki's arm. "No, s'okay."

"Yes?"

"Yeah," Tony says. "Maybe I like having to work for it. And that you - don't."

He can feel Loki's smile against his skin. "I couldn't be prouder, Anthony."

Tony sighs and closes his eyes again. "Don't start with the praise now or I'll be too horny to sleep."

"Are you telling me to shut up?"

"Yeah. Sweet dreams."

Loki chuckles. He does stay quiet, though, and Tony is asleep a few minutes later.

*

Loki leaves long before sunrise. He wakes Tony up, his hand gentle on Tony's shoulder.

"Hmm?"

"I have to make my way to Nidavellir if I want to give you a collar today. My phone won't work there, I'm afraid."

"Okay." Tony yawns. "It's safe, though, right?"

"As safe as can be."

"That's not an answer."

Loki chuckles. "I'll be fine, you have my word. I would take you with me, but I know only one way to get to Nidavellir from here, and the path is not suited for a mortal."

“What if I wear my suit?”

“It gets very, very cold. I would rather not risk it.”

Tony rolls his eyes. “Fine, then. Just keep in my mind that I’ll kill you if you die.”

“I would expect nothing less.”

"You could get one here on Earth, you know. We've got entire stores just for collars."

"I need something that takes well to enchantments," Loki says, shaking his head. "I’ll by leather and some uru. I wondered if you would like some matching cuffs?"

Tony gives him a knowing look. "You've been awake all night thinking about this, haven't you?"

“I don’t require nearly as much sleep as you.”

“Alright, High and Mighty. Cuffs would be great.”

Loki beams. “Good. I will be back in the evening, hopefully sooner. You are not to wear that other collar.”

“I won’t. I’ll just stay in the workshop all day, nobody will see me.”

“Good. I promise I’ll hurry.” Loki moves to stand up. “And don’t touch yourself until I am back.”

“Yes, Loki,” Tony says. He holds out a hand. “Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Come here?”

Loki smiles and comes back to the middle of the bed, leaning over Tony to kiss him. Tony buries one hand in Loki’s hair and strokes his back with the other. Loki pulls back first, grinning down at him, and Tony can’t handle how happy Loki looks. Tony never thought that the prospect of collaring him would ever make someone not want to run away, let alone look at him like this. 

“Come back soon,” he says, his voice rough, “or I’ll find you and drag you back here myself.”

“I love you, too,” Loki says and kisses Tony again before he leaves.

*

Tony spends the day hiding in his workshop. He doesn’t get much work done because he’s too excited, not like he’ll ever admit that to anyone. When Loki is back, Tony will have to quiz him about inter-realm travel, because that Tony can’t come along just won’t do.

In the late afternoon, there is a faint cracking noise that makes Tony look up from the computer screens. Loki is standing right there next to Tony’s desk, looking a little worse for the wear - he’s in Asgardian clothes from head to toe, and Tony sees a few scorched spots of leather here and there. There’s soot on Loki’s face.

“You got into a fight,” Tony says with a sigh.

“I got into a fight,” Loki says, grinning. “The dwarves aren’t fond of me, sadly. But I got everything I wanted.”

“You’re okay?” Tony gets up from his chair and reaches for Loki, trying to wipe the soot away from his cheek. He pulls his hand back with a surprised hiss. “Shit, you’re ice cold.”

“The path to Nidavellir is terrible. I only just changed back.”

Changed back? Frowning, Tony touches Loki’s face again. The soot turns his fingers black, too. He thinks about that battle, about Loki’s arm turning blue. “Okay. Are you going to show me at some point?”

“I -” Loki’s gaze flickers away. “I will show you, if you wish me to. I’m not trying to trick you into letting me collar you before you’ve seen it.”

Woah, okay. Tony shakes his head. “I’d never think that.” He strokes Loki’s cheek, but Loki stays tense instead of leaning into the touch. “Loki, I don’t. Look, I only know what Thor told us, and that’s not much, but. I know that the planet you’re from, Asgard thinks it’s shitty, right? But I don’t have all that baggage. From my perspective, you’re an alien. That’s really cool, for one thing, but it also means that it doesn’t really matter to me what, uh, kind of alien you are. Right? Am I making sense?”

He forces himself to stop rambling and looks at Loki, who doesn’t seem reassured.

“Yes,” Loki says. “You are making sense, but you forget that I look very human, like this. My true form is… different.”

“Blue, you mean.”

Loki looks away again, and Tony starts to think that he’s not being very sensitive about this. He runs his hands over Loki’s arms, trying to soothe him.

“Alright,” he says. “Let’s see it, then.”

Loki’s gaze snaps back to him. “You - now?”

“You want to collar me tonight, right? Or did you change your mind?”

“No, of course not.”

“Good. Me neither. And I don’t want you to think I’ll change my mind as soon as I see - you know, you. I don’t want that hanging over us the whole time. I’m in this for good, and I need you to know that.”

“I don’t doubt you,” Loki says at once. “I couldn’t blame you for despising it.”

Because he despises it himself, yeah. That much is clear. Tony shakes his head. “Show me, just for a moment. You don’t have to do it ever again if you don’t want to, but - I just don’t want you to worry about it. Not tonight. Not ever. Please, Loki?”

Tony knows right away that Loki has given him. Loki sighs. “Of course, pet. Would you - give me a moment.” He runs a slightly frantic hand through his hair. A green shimmer washes over him and leaves him dressed in more comfortable clothes. “Take a step back.”

His voice is hard, but Tony guesses that’s not directed at him. He obeys. “Do you want me to look away or something? While you change, I mean.”

Loki just shakes his head. His hands clench into fists and unclench again while he looks down at them, frowning. It takes a moment, but suddenly his fingertips turn a bright azure blue. His nails are black. The blue spreads over his whole hands and disappears under the sleeves of his shirt. It reappears on his collar bones and seeps up his neck, until there isn’t a spot of white skin left. There are lines on his face, a lighter blue pattern that makes his features seem even sharper. When he looks at Tony, his eyes are ruby red without any white in them, the irises a shade darker than the rest. 

It’s weird. Of course it’s weird; Loki is fucking blue all of a sudden. But it’s still Loki, so it doesn’t matter. Tony knows how difficult this is for him, how vulnerable he must feel right now, and that alone makes him the most beautiful thing Tony has ever seen.

“Can I touch you?” he asks. He can’t stop looking at the lines on Loki’s face. Fuck, he wants to touch him all over. “Please.”

“I -” Loki’s voice is strained. He glances at his hands. “I’m cold.”

That’s not a no. 

Tony takes both of Loki’s hands and bows his head, bringing them up to his lips. He kisses Loki’s fingers. It’s the most submissive - reverent - gesture Tony can make without getting on his knees, and maybe it should feel ridiculous, but it doesn’t. If anyone is deserving of his reverence, it’s Loki. Kissing his hands is a privilege.

When he looks up again, there is a violet dusting over Loki’s cheekbones. He’s blushing, Tony realizes. He smiles. “Can we go upstairs now, Loki?”

Loki’s red eyes are soft. “Yes,” he says quietly. “I think we should.”

Tony squeezes Loki’s hands and then lets go of them. They are already turning back into the color he is used to. He doesn’t comment on that, instead he leans up and kisses Loki’s cheek just as the blue fades from his skin.

“Thank you,” Loki says. “I want you naked and kneeling in front of the bed in two minutes.”

Tony grins. “Yes, Loki.”

Chapter Text

When he rushes through the bedroom door, Loki isn’t there, but Tony can hear him in the bathroom. Getting rid of the soot, probably. It’s unfair; with his teleporting skills he’ll always win every race.

Tony takes off his clothes in record time and puts them in a folded pile by the door before he goes to the bed. There’s the throw pillow Loki always magicks into existence for him - another Pavlovian response right there - but his gaze fixes on something else. 

There’s a collar on the bed. A collar and four matching cuffs. Dark brown leather, matching Tony’s hair just like Loki said. The metalwork looks like brass, old, but with an odd shimmer to it that Tony hasn’t seen on any metal before. Every cuff has two buckles, and Tony forgets how to breathe when he imagines Loki closing them around Tony’s wrists and ankles to tie him to the bed. And the collar - soft on the inside, the outsides decorated with small nordic-looking knots in the middle, a pattern Tony recognizes from pieces of Loki’s armour. A D-ring at the front. The whole thing is pretty, but surprisingly - simple. Intimate, not flashy.

“Didn’t I tell you to kneel?”

Tony can’t look away from the collar. “Sorry, I - it’s - it’s perfect.”

Loki’s arms wrap around him from behind. He presses a soothing kiss to Tony’s shoulders. “I’m glad you think so. I already enchanted it. For protection.”

“The metal looks really neat,” Tony says faintly. “Can I scan it?”

Loki laughs. “I brought you a piece of uru to tinker with. It would make a fine addition to your armour.” 

Tony can’t wait any longer. “Can I - please.”

Loki takes a step back, giving him room to move. He doesn’t need to tell Tony what to do. Tony kneels on the pillow, an odd sense of serenity washing over him. He's not uncertain about this. It's terrifying in its own way, of course, but he wants it, he wants it, he wants it. 

And Loki wants it, too. So much that he was up all night thinking about it. So much that he went to another planet even though he could have grabbed a random collar from the store down the street. So much that he showed Tony his blue skin and red eyes even though it scared him. He wants this to work. And Tony does, too.

And, hell, they'll make it work. They have more than enough brilliant brain cells between the two of them to figure it out.

Loki picks up the collar. He stands in front of Tony and uses his free hand to touch Tony's chin and tilt his face up. Loki seems calm, too, despite the heat and excitement in his eyes. His smile is warm.

"Do you want to wear this for me, Anthony?"

"Yes, Loki," Tony says, breathless. "Please."

He feels a twinge of embarrassment over his obvious eagerness, but Loki doesn’t tease him about it. His smile becomes even softer as he strokes Tony’s cheek. Tony leans into the touch for a moment, rubbing his face against Loki’s hand. His cool fingers are bliss against Tony’s heated skin.

Loki opens the clasp of the collar. He puts it on Tony and bends forward a little while he closes the clasp at the back of Tony’s neck. He tugs at it a little, making sure that it sits perfectly, and puts a finger between the leather and Tony’s skin to check if it’s too tight. Then he looks Tony in the eye, and for once Tony doesn’t feel even the slightest urge to lower his gaze.

“How does it feel?”

“Good.” Tony doesn’t even care about the crack in his voice. It doesn’t feel good, it feels perfect. A little heavier than the collar Tony made himself, but more comfortable due to the padding, and it’s Loki’s. Loki’s. Tony manages a smile. “Really good.”

Loki cups his face and wipes Tony’s cheeks with his thumbs. “Mine.”

“Yours,” Tony says at once. 

Loki sinks to his knees himself and presses his lips to Tony's forehead. It's not the first time he does it, but Tony still isn't used to it - there's something so chaste about it, and somehow it still manages to steal Tony's breath. Loki is grinning when he pulls back. Happiness is a really good look on him, Tony thinks. He's determined to make it stay.

Loki hooks a finger under the collar and tugs so that Tony has to lean in. Loki's grin softens into a small smile, and then he draws Tony in for a kiss. Tony’s heart does something funny. He returns the kiss but lets Loki control it, melting against Loki’s chest. Tony feels a bit lightheaded, already half in subspace just from feeling the collar around his neck.

Loki grabs Tony and pulls him into his lap, making him wrap his legs around Loki's hips. Tony barely notices the change of position, he just keeps trying to kiss Loki until Loki chuckles and turns his face to the side. That's fine, too; Tony can just kiss his neck. Loki somehow gets his feet under himself and stands up. Tony does make a protesting noise, then, clinging to Loki’s shoulders. Before he can actually complain about being carried around, he decides that it doesn’t matter, and also Loki is already putting him down on the bed and yes, that’s good, that’s much better than the ground.

Loki pins Tony to the bed and kisses him again. Loki seems determined to make Tony lose his mind without even touching him - oh, well, he touches Tony a lot, running his hands all over Tony’s body, kissing and licking and even biting in several places. Now and then he grinds down against Tony’s hard cock, but that’s not nearly enough friction, and soon Tony is squirming and whining. He doesn’t even get to touch Loki in return; Loki is keeping Tony’s hands above his head with the iron-like grip of one hand. Eventually, Tony can’t take it anymore. He gasps Loki’s name, not for the first time, but something about it makes Loki lift his head and look at him. 

“What do you want, pet?” Loki keeps Tony’s hands pinned to the bed with one hand while he runs a finger down Tony’s throat. “Tell me.”

“The cuffs,” Tony says, watching Loki’s smirk turn into a grin. “Tie me to the bed and fuck me. Please, Loki?”

“Of course, darling.” Loki sits back on his heels between Tony’s legs and turns to the side to grab two of the cuffs. “Give me your hands.”

Tony holds up his hands. He watches as Loki puts the cuffs on him. The pleasure on Loki’s face is obvious and god, he’s beautiful.

“I was right about the color,” Loki says. “It suits you perfectly. Beautiful.”

“Just thought the same thing about you.”

Loki laughs and kisses him again. He keeps it brief, sadly, after a few seconds he already pulls back, his hands on Tony’s sides. “Turn around.”

He moves a bit back on the bed so that Tony can turn onto his stomach without kicking him in the face. As soon as he’s on his belly, magic loops through the rings of the cuffs and ties his wrists to the bedposts. It gives him a bit of leeway, he’d probably be able to prop himself up on his elbows with a bit of shuffling around, but he doesn’t want to try. He’s panting already, anticipation making it difficult to think about anything that doesn’t have something to do with Loki pounding him into the mattress. That only gets worse when Loki stuffs a pillow under Tony’s hips, making sure that his ass is at the perfect height. Tony grinds against the pillow a bit, and even that bit of friction against his aching cock makes him moan.

“Now, now, pet. No humping the bed without my permission.”

“I wouldn’t have to if you hurried up a bit,” Tony shoots back, and of course that earns him a smack. His ass is still sore from the day before, and the pain makes him grunt. “Fuck, yes.”

Loki sighs. “You’re just trying to get me to spank you again, aren’t you?”

“I have to do something to pass the time.”

Loki buries his hand in Tony’s hair and pulls his head up. Tony hisses in reaction to the sharp sting, his heart beating faster.

“Tell me, Anthony,” Loki says, his tone perfectly casual. “Who is in charge here again? Is it you or me?”

Loki’s grip on his hair makes it impossible to think, dammit. Tony gasps. “You, Loki.”

“Indeed? Well, then we will do this at my pace, and you will be grateful for everything I give you. If you’re not, perhaps I should leave you here for an hour or two while I do some reading in the living room.”

“Loki -”

“Is that necessary, pet, or will you be good?”

“I’ll be good,” Tony says quickly. “Thank you, Loki.”

“Much better,” Loki purrs. He lets go of Tony’s hair, soothing the pain with a caress before the touch disappears for good.

Tony is even harder and more impatient now, but he doesn’t whine while Loki puts the two remaining cuffs around Tony’s ankles and ties them to the bed as well. It leaves Tony spread-eagled and vulnerable, his ass in the air. He feels Loki kneel between his spread legs again, feels Loki’s hands on his inner thighs. They move up to his sides and over his back, tracing the bumps of his spine, digging slightly into the tense muscles of his shoulders. He’s a bit stiff after being in the workshop all day, but he melts under Loki’s hands.

“You’re so warm,” Loki murmurs and, oh, this is the first time Tony considers that. 

Of course, if Tony constantly notices Loki’s cold skin, Loki constantly notices Tony’s warmth. He seems to like it, or at least he never complained about it. Maybe he’s like a reptile. Or a cat, always seeking out the sunny spots. Maybe he should build Loki a -

His line of thought cuts off abruptly when Loki bites down on Tony's shoulder. Loki soothes the imprint his teeth left with his tongue before he moves further down. He leaves more bite marks on Tony's side, then the curve of his ass, and the message couldn't be clearer: mine. Loki's lips chase the shiver his touches cause. More than once Tony feels Loki's smile press against his skin. Finally, Loki's hand moves to Tony's ass. His fingers are slick already and press into Tony without hesitation. Tony moans and tries to lift his hips, but there's not much he can do in the position, so he just grinds against the pillow under him with minute movements.

"Loki, come on -"

Loki chuckles "It seems I do need to teach you a lesson about patience."

"No." Tony writhes under Loki's touch, trying to get more of it. "No, I - you never said I couldn't beg."

"Oh? And are you begging, pet?"

"Yes! Fuck me, please? Please."

The noise Loki makes comes from somewhere low in his chest, deep and pleased. "Say my name."

"Loki," Tony says, doesn't even think about it. "Please, Loki. I need you, please -"

He'll be embarrassed about his later, all the raw need in his voice, but right now he's too desperate to care. And Loki is pleased. He growls and pushes his cock into Tony, hard enough that it punches the air out of Tony's lungs. He presses his face againsg the bed and breathes roughly while Loki leans over him, his arms on the mattress by Tony's head. They hold all his weight; Tony can feel Loki's chest against his back, but he makes sure not to put pressure on Tony. He's keeping the reactor in mind. The realization makes Tony's eyes sting. He is extremely aware of the collar, snug around his neck.

"Loki," he says, his voice rough. "Loki, please."

"You have me," Loki murmurs. He kisses Tony's shoulder and snaps his hips, giving him a hard thrust. "And I have you, Anthony. You're mine."

Tony doesn't manage a reply. Thankfully, Loki doesn't seem to expect one. He just keeps fucking him with hard and steady movements, until Tony is whimpering and pulling at the restraints only because he wants to feel them. His cock is rubbing against the pillow under his hips and he's so frenzied from waiting a whole day for this that the need inside him is building up much faster than he is used to. Loki's breaths are ragged, too, and the noises he makes - rasped moans and pleased grunts - only spur Tony on further.

He remembers to ask this time, though. He's close already, the fear of coming without permission again a white-hot spark at the back of his mind. It's a wonder Loki make sense of what he says, what with all the cursing and begging, but he must have understood at least a can I, please because he chuckles.

"Oh, yes. You may. Come for me, pet. Now."

It's the commanding tone that does it. Tony comes with a cry that's only half muffled by the pillow, toes curling against the bed. It leaves him breathless and pliant, his head spinning. He dimly realizes that Loki must have finished as well at some point in the last few seconds, because he is already pressing a kiss to Tony's shoulder while pulling out. 

The warmth of Loki's body disappears. Tony protests with a whine, but Loki shushes him and makes him roll onto his back. The magical restraints are gone. Tony contentedly stretches his arms, satisfied in a way that’s new to him. 

Loki smiles at him. He runs his hand over Tony’s stomach, cleaning him up with magic. “Alright, love? Your reactor?” 

“M’okay,” Tony says. Loki reaches for his wrist to loosen the cuff, but Tony frowns and pushes his hand away. “No. Mine.”

Loki snorts. “Fine. But tell me if they start bothering you. Come here.”

Tony tucks himself against Loki’s side and rubs his cheek against Loki’s chest, closing his eyes. Fuck, he hasn’t been this comfortable in a while. Loki is quiet. He strokes Tony’s hair, and now and then his fingers brush against the collar. Tony feels every single one of Loki’s even breaths. They could lull him to sleep easily, but he wants to stay awake, to lie around and do nothing for a while. Every time he swallows he gets reminded of the collar. He’s collared now. Fucking collared, and for real, this time. And he’s not even freaking out. Instead, a warm feeling of belonging strikes root in his chest, and he thinks it’s there to stay.

“I forgot about the vows.”

Tony shifts so that he can look up at Loki’s face. “Hm?”

Loki laughs quietly. “In Asgard, it’s an elaborate ceremony. Collaring, I mean. Much like a wedding. I totally forgot.”

“Oh.” Tony yawns. “Don’t say you prepared wedding vows, because then I’ll feel bad. Because I didn’t.”

“No, I did not. They have been in use for eons, nobody personalizes them. I never cared much about them.” Loki’s fingers find Tony’s collar again, stroking over the leather. “Except when I was a child, maybe. I used to dream about such a ceremony then.”

“Really?” The thought of Loki as a child is pretty endearing. “I thought you never wanted to collar someone. Before.”

“That doesn’t mean I didn’t like the idea of it,” Loki says softly. “I was - lonely. Especially as a child. I didn’t understand it at all, of course, but it seemed so lovely, having someone I could call mine. Someone who wanted to be mine.”

Endearing, and heart-breaking. Tony isn’t sure why he is even surprised. He puts his arm over Loki’s middle and presses a little closer against him. “That someone would be me, then. Nice to meet you, let’s go for a coffee some time.”

The joke doesn’t seem to land, or at least Loki doesn’t laugh. Tony listens to him breathe for a moment, then says. “So, the vows?”

“What about them?”

“If you want to use them, you can teach me. I’ll teach you our wedding vows in return. The ones I know, anyway.”

Loki doesn’t say anything at first, but then he starts to murmur something in a language Tony doesn’t understand. He’s heard enough of it to know that it’s Asgardian, though.

“I don’t speak French,” he says.

Loki laughs. “I doubt anyone ever bothered to translate them. It’s - well. You are mine to protect, mine to guide, and mine to keep. Never will I put anything or anyone before you, or leave you to fend for yourself. If I ever harm you, I shall drop dead on the spot.”

“I don’t think that last bit is right.”

“It conveys the sentiment,” Loki says dryly. “True to the Aesir, the original is gorier.”

Tony snorts and kisses Loki’s chest. “Ours aren’t that different, honestly.”

“Oh?”

Tony chuckles in reaction to Loki’s wary tone. “To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and obey –“ He falls silent for a second as a memory comes over him. “There was a video of my parents’ wedding. All pale colors and flickering. I used to watch it when I was a kid. Huh. I haven’t thought about that in ages.”

Loki hums. “Obey, hm?”

“Not a must, but – traditional. At least when the sub is speaking. There isn’t really a ceremony for collaring, so I guess that’s how people like to bring it into the wedding or something.”

“You don’t like it.”

“Dunno.” Tony sighs and closes his eyes. “It’s something so – you know. Private. I don’t need a bunch of people oohing and ahhing at my obedience or whatever. That’s just for you.”

“I felt similarly about the Aesir’s ceremonies when I got older,” Loki says, sounding thoughtful. “I have nothing against everyone knowing that you’re mine – I’d like that, in fact – but I wanted this,” he touches the collar again, “to be just for us.”

“You’re so freaking adorable,” Tony says, because teasing him about it is easier than bursting into happy tears.

“No.”

“Yes. I bet you’re blushing again.” Tony lifts his head briefly to check. “Yup.”

“You’re insufferable.”

“Sorry, you realized that like forty-five minutes too late. No refunds.”

Loki wraps his arms around him and pulls him even closer, his lips pressed to Tony’s temple. “I love you.”

Tony hides his face against the crook of Loki’s neck. “I love you, too.”

He’s about three seconds away from falling asleep when he opens his eyes again. “Wait a second. Are we like, actually married now? By Aesir standards?”

“Yes. In every way that matters, at least.”

Tony stares at Loki's neck for a while. "You know, I think I’ll just come to terms with that tomorrow.”

“I’m flattered that being married to me is something you need to ‘come to terms with’.”

“How do I tell Rhodey, anyway? He’ll be angry that he didn’t get to be my best man. Oh my god. We can not tell the others, we’d never live it down. Maybe we just shouldn’t tell anyone. About the married thing, I mean.”

“Anthony,” Loki tells him, obviously trying to calm him down. “Thor already told them about it months ago.”

“Oh,” Tony says. Because that’s true, isn’t it? Thor did give him the shovel talk. Loudly. Within earshot of the others. “Right.” He thinks about it for a moment longer. “I’m gonna make you a ring.”

Loki’s hand in his hair stops moving. “A ring?”

“Yeah. Problem?”

“No,” Loki says after a moment, very quietly. “No, of course not.”

That settled, Tony falls asleep.

*

The next Sunday, they make their way down to the community floor at 9am. Steve, Natasha and Thor are already there and greet them with various levels of awakeness. When Loki and Tony sit down at the table, Natasha is frowning at Tony as if he’s wearing a bright pink shirt that reads ON WEDNESDAYS WE WEAR PINK in glittery letters. He’s not, for the record. It’s in the wash.

“I need to wake up Clint,” she says. “He owes me twenty bucks.”

Tony just raises a brow at her.

“What happened to your collar, Tony?” Thor asks, concerned.

Tony glares at him and clings to his coffee mug. “Somebody broke it.”

“It was an accident,” Loki says, exasperated. 

Tony glares at him as well, just for good measure. 

“How do you break a collar?” Steve asks. 

“By pulling at it too hard during thoroughly G-rated activities,” Tony informs him. “Stop looking at me like that, Nat, I’m starting to think you want to eat me for breakfast. Not that I’d complain.” 

Loki reaches out to tug at his hair.

“Ow,” Tony says. “Yes, sure, I’d complain. Jesus.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t enchant the collar for sturdiness,” Thor chimes in again. He sounds a bit too innocent for Tony’s tastes. “Isn’t that the first thing you do?”

“Oh, yes,” Loki says. “I’m afraid I forgot about it in all my excitement. Terribly embarrassing. Is there bacon, Captain?”

There is bacon. Bruce and Clint join them after a while, so Tony and Loki have to tell the collar story two times more, but thankfully they stop being annoying about it when Tony starts telling the story in more detail than anyone else at the table wants to hear. It's a perfectly nice morning, and when he and Loki make their way to the elevator, Tony is all but vibrating out of his skin with excitement. Because they have the entire day to themselves. In the workshop. Science and sex! Tony is in fucking heaven.

"Nat knows," he says. "Thor, too, I think."

Loki makes a face. "Natasha, yes, perhaps. Thor doesn't pay enough attention to these kind of things to notice."

"Yeah, you're wrong about that. Wanna bet?"

"I am not," Loki says, amused. "What do you wager?"

"A blowjob. No, wait. Two blowjobs. And sushi for lunch. If you lose, I don't have to ask for permission to come for a week."

"Two days."

"Three."

Loki shrugs. "Deal."

Tony grins and puts his foot between the door of the elevator just before it can close. Down the corridor, Thor is just coming around the corner, still munching on a poptart.

"Hey, Thor."

Thor looks up. "Yes, Tony?"

Tony acts hesitant. "Uh. Don't tell anyone, alright? It's really nobody's business."

Thor swallows slowly. "Of course not, my friend." He brightens and looks at Loki. "I wasn't sure before, but now I can give you a wedding gift, yes?"

Loki groans and grabs Tony by the back of his shirt to pull him into the elevator. Tony laughs as the door closes. Loki looks like he just saw a very annoying ghost.

"I told you."

"Yes, you did," Loki says. "I want sushi for lunch, anyway."

"Sure. Also, a wedding gift?"

"A kitten, probably."

"Wait, what?"

*

During their ruse, they went out together pretty often, so Tony should be used to being in public with Loki. This is different, though, because it’s not a ruse anymore. Not at all. The collar he is wearing really is his, now. 

The waiter who greets them stares at him a bit rudely, so Tony stares right back, his chin held up high. If the guy wants to stare at his collar, fine. It is a pretty cool collar. 

Loki distracts him by putting a hand on his back. Tony leans into the touch right away and lets Loki lead him through the restaurant. Loki picked it, this time, and he picked well – it’s not too crowded and not frequented by the kind of high society people that Tony has been dealing with all his life. Not that the people here don’t stare and whisper. They do, but at least nobody here knew his parents.

Their table is by the windows, which is a bit of a bold move, but Tony highly suspects that Loki will glare at anyone who dares to stop walking to stare at them. His glares are very good at getting rid of annoying people. And anyway, it’s kind of nice. How unashamed Loki is, and how, well - openly fond of Tony. He’s showing him off a bit, probably. But that’s fine, because Loki isn’t doing it to impress other people, he’s doing it to tell other people to back the fuck off, he’s mine. He’s saying it with pride, no less. They’ve been sitting for two minutes and Tony’s already thinking about crawling under the table to suck Loki off. 

A waiter comes by with the menus. It’s not a very traditional place, so he offers them two menus. Tony decides to just let Loki handle that, and he does.

“We’ll just need the one,” he tells the waiter with a friendly smile. As usual, his friendly smile is a bit scary. “Thank you.”

When the waiter is gone, Tony leans forward, grinning at Loki. “You’re becoming a real Earthly etiquette expert.”

“Hardly,” Loki says, opening the menu. “I still don’t understand what you find so fascinating about science fiction movies.”

“We’re not having this discussion again,” Tony says. As it turned out, Loki is not a fan of Star Wars, and he likes making Tony feel it. “Your life is a science fiction movie, of course you don’t find it interesting.”

“It’s scientifically inaccurate.”

“Now you just sound like Bruce.”

“It is,” Loki insists. “And I thought we weren’t having this discussion again. What is -”

Loki stops. Tony heard it, too, the faint clicking noise of a phone camera going off. He just rolls his eyes. “What is what?”

But Loki doesn’t finish his sentence. He is staring at a spot behind Tony. Before Tony can say anything, the sound of an - admittedly rather small - explosion makes everyone in the restaurant flinch. It’s followed by a yelp and some clattering, and then it’s deadly silent in the whole room.

At the table behind them, the young man who took the picture is staring at the smoldering remains of his phone. He doesn’t seem to be injured. Just on the brink of pissing his pants.

“If anyone tries to take a picture of us again,” Loki says, loudly enough that everyone in the restaurant can hear, “the consequences will be much more severe. Did I make myself clear?”

Some people just stare at him, but a few hastily murmur their agreement, and Loki seems to be content with that. He turns back to the menu. 

“Well, that was fun,” Tony says. Around them, people carefully start talking and eating again.

“Crab cake,” Loki says.

“Huh?”

“Crab cake,” Loki repeats, smirking at him over the edge of the menu. “I’ve never had it before. It sounds disgusting. Is it disgusting?”

Tony laughs. “Depends. Order some and find out.”

Loki does. He doesn’t like it. (He thought it was a dessert.)

Later, they leave the restaurant and go back to the tower by foot. Tony checks his phone, there are already some semi viral twitter posts warning others from getting on Loki’s nerves.

When Tony tells Loki about that, he just shrugs and reaches for Tony’s hand. “It’s none of their business.”

Tony squeezes his hand. He’s right, of course. It’s their business, and theirs alone. “Hey.”

“Yes, pet?”

“We should fuck in the community kitchen just to annoy the living hell out of Steve,” Tony says, grinning. “Yes or no?”