Chapter Text
“...Loki.”
A touch on his shoulder. Shaking him.
“Loki, there's only one bed.”
Brows furrowing at the dim light, he managed a sound like ‘What?’
“There’s only one bed, Loki.”
He squinted his eyes open, thoughts hazy and slow. Tony was staring down at him.
“...what are you talking about?”
“Every bed in the penthouse and on the guest floor is a soggy wet mess, Loki. I can’t sleep there. Fucking magic. ...Loki.”
Understanding dawned in the fog of his mind, joined by irritation. Amora. “Alright, you can stop saying my name now. I’ll handle it,” he said, and stayed just as he was.
Only... a few seconds more.
“Loki.”
His eyes snapped open. Oh, Norns. Right. Right.
A tired hand passing over his face, he made to sit up, but the hand on his shoulder kept him. Confused, he peered up at Tony.
“I wanna sleep with you.”
Just like that, he was fully awake.
Wide-eyed, he took in Tony’s mildly rumpled self: he was visibly inebriated, suit and hair no longer pristine. The charity auction must’ve been surprisingly entertaining, for him to have stayed this long.
Disappointingly, there was nothing in his manner that suggested a... suggestion.
Loki stifled a sigh. He closed his eyes, promising himself he’d deal with this. Just. In a moment.
“Can I?” Tony asked. His hand left Loki’s shoulder to paw at the blanket, producing small sounds as his nails slid over it.
Amused despite himself, Loki opened his eyes to find Tony’s big and pleading.
Alright. Fine, then.
He sighed his agreement and wiggled to make room. Turning his head to make sure he wasn’t disturbing Merlin – where was Merlin?
The pillow to his left was empty. That was... not exactly worrying, but. He squinted at the spot in confusion.
A meow sounded behind him. He turned his head in Tony's direction, resolutely not looking at the active disrobing taking place.
Merlin sat gazing at him, following with another meow. As if assuring him, almost.
Loki chuckled, and stretched out his arm for a gentle caress. Smiling sleepily as he said, “Did you read my mind, little one? What a considerate cat, you are.” Merlin purred and leaned into his touch, and Loki sighed contentedly, then took his hand back.
Only a few moments later, Tony had finished losing nearly all of his clothes (Loki might've been looking a little bit) and scooped up Merlin. He lifted the blanket and laid on his side facing Loki, putting Merlin down to curl on a pillow between them.
Loki swallowed, staring up at the ceiling.
Again, Tony’s hand found him – but without a barrier this time. Roughened fingers curled around his upper arm; just… resting.
It was warm.
....good.
......lovely.
And yet somehow, not nearly enough.
“Good night, Loki,” came a whisper. It was so soft that Loki almost thought…
Heart aching, he willed his voice steady. “Good night, Tony. ...sleep well.”
A mellow hum gentled him, and finally he sank back into slumber.