cuttingremark | For starkingenuity

That reach means more to Tony than Loki could have known, bond or no bond. People need him when they want something of him. They don’t need him just because they like what they’ve felt when their with him.

Honestly, Tony doesn’t even believe that Pepper could fall into that category. In a way, he’s her project.

Loki’s not asking him to change. Or to be anything other than what he is. It’s refreshing. And it’s a little terrifying too. Maybe that’s why Tony likes it so much.

Fear makes him feel so alive.

He sighs and the corners of his lips lift. “Okay. I can deal with that,” he says, sliding his fingers into Loki’s palm.

The tension that leaves Loki isn't physical, but Tony will be able to feel the relief when their hands touch. From this position they could easily go into a hug, but Loki is too aware of the glass walls and people inside who are likely watching them. So he simply gives Tony's hand a squeeze and shows him one of his rare, true smiles before turning around to lead the other inside.

"We were quite successful in our rescue efforts!" he says as they cross the threshold back to the common area. Thor is sitting on the couch trying to pretend he wasn't watching the two of them, Natasha is reclined on the couch reading, while Rogers is in the kitchen apparently attempting to find food. "One of your human news persons even interviewed me."

"Yeah, we're not letting that air," Natasha says.

“Uh, no. No I absolutely need to hear it,” Tony insists. He hasn’t let go of Loki’s hand and he doesn’t intend to do so either. Not unless Pepper shows up and then only because it would not be fair to do it in front of her before they had a more thorough discussion.

Thor, however, gets mightily to his feet and comes to stand beside his brother. “Stark, it was quite the well delivered speech. Your bonded stood tall and proud, perhaps even majestic, and loosed green magical tendrils from his fingertips.” Thor attempts to demonstrate this, though it really just looks like jazz hands.

In the kitchen area, Rogers can’t help but poke his head out to watch.

“It was no less than any Asgardian would do for the mortals of this planet,” Thor says, pretending to affect Loki’s voice in a really very affectionate but horribly insulting way. It sounds both snooty and over the top childish, nothing at all like Loki’s melodic notes. “My brother and I will always stand by Midgard and her people, we will also be sure to cultivate respect and generosity—“

Tony outright stares at Thor and then glances at Loki.

“I mean,” Tony smirks, “that sounds just like you. Words and tone,” he deadpans.

Loki buries covers his face with his unoccupied hand and groans.

"Thor, stop. Never imitate me again."

"But brother, I was affecting your charisma and charm!"

Natasha smirks. "Tony's right, he did sound a lot like you."

"Never. Again." There is an implicit threat there, but it's more of the violent brotherly sense rather than the violent maniac sense. Thor seems to notice the subtle difference and smiles.

"Hey Stark!" Steve calls from the doorway to the kitchen where he was watching the display. "You got any food in this joint?"

At the mention of food, Loki's stomach gives a very loud growl. Thor looks like he is fighting to not laugh.

"...Sustained magic takes a lot of energy," Loki says, trying not to blush in embarassment.

About to answer Rogers, Loki’s stomach grumble make Tony shift his eyes sharply in his direction before he bursts out laughing. “You know we haven’t actually moved in yet?” Tony turns and gestures at no one in particular. “J?”

“Will twenty pies be sufficient, sir?”

A glance at Thor causes Tony’s eyes to roll. “Twenty-five. And wings. And cheese fries.”

JARVIS confirms as Tony takes Thor’s space on the couch with his legs kicked up over the arm rest. Once again, he’s completely forgotten about Pepper.

"Pies?" Loki asks as he moves to the couch as well. He isn't sitting right against Tony, but he is close. "Like meat pies?"

"Pizza," Natasha says.

Thor cocks his head to the side. "I have heard of this 'pizza', but have never before sampled it."

Loki, still obviously confused, looks at Tony.

Tilting his head so it’s resting partially on the back of the couch and craned towards Loki, Tony engages in a rather lengthy debate about the pizza from
Brooklyn, how the water interacts with the dough and why it’s the best food the Asgardians are likely going to eat. Rogers has to agree, though perhaps that’s because he’s partial to Brooklyn.

When the food arrives, and Banner is called out of the lab, Natasha finally pulls Tony aside to explain to him that he’s being understandably distracted but also the worst human being on the face of the planet. While Tony might interject about rapists and warlords, he understands where Natasha is coming from and he slips off to finish what will end up being a break up with Pepper Potts.

Does Tony love her? He believes he does, but he knows that there isn’t room in his mind for his inventions and Loki and anyone else in that way. And she gets it too.

She’s always been second. She’s always hated the part of him that’s Iron Man. She’s accepted it but watching him head into danger time and time again has been difficult for her.

There are things left to work out when she leaves but Natasha will handle that part. She’s taken a liking to Pepper during her undercover assignment a year or two back. They’ve gotten close. And Tony is thankful not to have to dredge painful things up.

By the time he returns to the group, Rogers is passed out half in his armor on a chair that looks barely able to support him and Thor is halfway through the Lion King, glued to the projection JARVIS set up on the largest wall. Tony arches an eyebrow at Loki, sharing in their tiredness, and then unabashedly sits in the space left by his hip and arm.

Pizza is pretty good. Loki would dare say it's the best thing he's eaten on Earth so far, but that isn't a very large sample size to pull from. He wouldn't say it's the best thing ever, but the appeal is apparent.

Dinner is surprisingly easy. Everyone is tired, so much of it passes in silence with the occasional question or comment thrown around. He can feel Romanoff watching him through much of the meal, though she's been doing that all day. He suspects she's mainly here to watch him on behalf of SHIELD, to report back the moment he messes up. Briefly he wonders about that morning's fight and what she told Fury about it.

She speaks with Tony alone and Loki feels his bonded's shame as he goes off to find Pepper. He feels the same sort of deep sadness, but it has a more resigned quality to it than this morning. No doubt the human has had time to think and is better prepared now. Loki wishes the red head would give it a chance, but he also understands why she wouldn't.

Seeing his brother's sadness, Thor suggests some form of entertainment. Rogers says he's working through watching modern Midgardian movies and asks JARVIS to put the latest one on the large screen in front of them. The Captain doesn't make it long, however; quickly succumbing to the weariness of a day's hard work shortly after the opening musical number.

Tony comes back and sits next to him on the couch. Loki unconsciously moves and throws his legs over Tony's lap.

"It is an interesting form of entertainment," he says, pointing at the projection, "though it lacks something from a live performance. Thor started crying when the father lion died."

"It was very emotional!"

“Who authorized Disney? It’s not Asgardian friendly,” Tony says, draping an arm over Loki’s legs like it’s easy to do. He’s never been one for physical affection in public, but this seems more like an extension of himself.

Meekly, from the corner, nibbling on a chicken wing without any sauce, Banner raises his hand. “I like this one.”

Maybe the Tower’s turned into this weird frat party, and Tony doesn’t know how long he won’t mind it, but for now, it feels nice to be surrounded by people that don’t seem to hate him.

He’s not going to tell Banner to stop his research on separating him and Loki, though, but he isn’t sure he’ll want it to happen if there ends up being a breakthrough.

The connection feels strong again. And without a barrier now. Tony will let himself be angry at that though later.

“At least it’s not Beauty and the Beast,” Tony muses. “But the music for that one is better.”

Loki is starting to like Bruce. He's insanely curious about the beast supposedly hiding in the man, but it's uncouth to bring up such delicate matters without actual reason. The scientist had been very patient in answering Loki's questions about the movie, though they had to do so more quietly after Thor shushed them the third time.

"Wait, what makes this 'not Asgardian Friendly'? It is just a show for children, correct?"

Tony makes some absent gesture at Thor before he leans over Loki’s legs to get himself some pizza. Lokis, it seems, make fairly decent lap tables. “Seems to me like you have your answer,” Tony points out. “Animated stories confuse some of you.”

Meaning Thor of course. Tony doesn’t dislike the Asgardian Crown Prince, but his loyalties obviously side with Loki.

“It’s better than Star Wars,” Bruce points out and after a moment’s pause, he wrinkles his nose. “Too soon?”

“Or too early,” Tony remarks and bites into his slice.

"I am not confused by anything!" Thor says, not taking his eyes off the screen. "This is a wonderful tale so far."

Loki rolls his eyes and grabs another slice himself. The calorie-heavy food is perfect for regaining his strength. He's eaten what adds up to a little over two full pizzas by himself, mostly pulling from different types in order to sample everything. So far he likes the one with pineapple and ham the best.

"Now this 'Star Wars' sounds interesting. What is it about?" And are you ready for Loki to nit-pick everything about the Force?

A lengthy discussion of plot and lore later sees Thor thoroughly annoyed that there had been talking during crucial moments of his movie, Steve jerk awake for a moment before shifting to sleep again at a new and equally uncomfortable angle, and Tony continuously trying to get Bruce to side with him.

He’s drawn to the Gamma radiation riddled scientist as much as Loki is, curious and appreciative of his strangeness and the way he hides at every turn. Tony wants to pry him out. Like a hermit crab. Or a Pearl. Neither are exceptionally good metaphors.

Eventually, Bruce decides it’s time to get to bed and while there aren’t that many spaces that are furnished in the Tower, there’s enough space and beds to accommodate them. “Should we...” he asks, glancing at the snoring Captain America, and Tony shrugs.

“He’ll be fine. Romanoff will be back with a new assignment in a few hours and he’ll work out whatever kinks he’s got— Or probably not,” he says, capitalizing on the double entandre. “I think he’s too represented to work out any kinks.”

It takes a lot for Tony to ignore Thor’s questions, and when the Thunderer realizes he’s being ignored, he loudly proclaims he is off to see the Lady Jane. That leans Tony and Loki with lots of pizza crusts.

Loki snickers at the 'kinks' joke, waving Thor off with a 'tell you later.' He pouts, but quickly gets over it when he brings up going to see Jane.

"Careful not to swallow a bug on the way there," Loki teases as Thor goes out to the landing pad to.

The common area finally quiet, Loki settles more on the couch and snags a final piece of Hawaiian pizza.

"Dr. Banner was telling me there is a live stage adaptation of that Lion King movie. Have you seen it?"

Pepper used to tell him that Broadway would build character, but he’s always resisted. “No. Recent East Coast re-transplant,” he explains, resisting the urge to once again snag food from Loki. He doesn’t care for that observation at all in himself but at least he can stop himself from doing it.

He takes instead to gently rubbing his thumb into Loki’s leg, over his trousers of course, and wonders briefly if Asgardians, or Jotuns in Asgardian shape, have leg hair.

“Do you want to go and see it?” Tony asks, glancing in Loki’s direction. Maybe it’s not a bad idea to spread a little New York culture to another new transplant. They could be on Earth together for a long time.

The gentle massage on his leg relaxes Loki even further, causing him to sink down to the point of being almost horizontal on the couch. He stretches out almost like a cat.

"That sounds lovely, but perhaps after the city is a bit more stable." He's partially here to help rebuild, it feels wrong to take some sort of leisure before that is done.

“You really haven’t been here in a few decades,” Tony laughs, causing Rogers behind them to jerk awake again. He actually makes a startled cry, which causes the older human to to hook an arm over the back of the couch and blink at him. The blond looks disoriented and then a little embarrassed. “Pick one of the rooms, Rogers. Actually sleep.”

It might be the kindest thing Tony’s said to the guy. Ever.

He settles his chin on his hand and looks back to Loki. “Reform takes a lot more work than one day of being a decent guy. I should know. We should go to bed too.”

He gives Loki’s legs a tap to indicate that he wants to get up as Rogers thanks him and shambles out of the room. Tony doesn’t watch him go, gaze focused solely on Loki.

“Or do you want a separate room too?”

"I am well aware," Loki says, watching Rogers tumble off the the chair with a smirk. "I have no plans of stopping my work after a single building. I vowed to help the city restore itself, and I will hold to that vow."

Loki slowly peels his legs away from Tony so they can both stand. He is very tired, probably would have fallen asleep like Rogers had he not been engaged in conversation, but the food has given him enough energy to at least get to a bed.

"I am far too tired to pretend I want to sleep in a separate room. Unless you think sleeping together will cause complications for you with the others."

“I should probably care,” Tony says with half a shrug. “But let’s be honest here. I don’t care what anyone thinks about me.” Except, perhaps, what Loki thinks of him. But that’s debatable given their connection now.

It’s a familiar road traveled. Just yesterday, Tony had ‘sprung’ Loki from the lab’s containment to lead him to his bed, after all. Tony doesn’t feel the need to speak, though if Loki wants to comment on the austerity of Stark’s aesthetic, he certainly can. There are no rich room dressings, no tapestries, nothing really of note. The bed is plain but comfortable. The walls are blank. The windows show a view of a half demolished city that Tony commands JARVIS to shut out with the blinds closing.

Tony undresses to his boxers and tugs down the black and red quilt to reveal plain white sheets beneath. There are no furs. So if Loki gets cold, he’ll have only Tony to help with that.

Loki had already donned the soft tunic and trousers he sleeps in before the movie began, so no change of clothes happens for him. He pulls back the covers on the other side of the bed and slides under them. They are soft, as is the bed, something Loki is very grateful for.

The lack of furs don't worry him, he never got cold that easily, but the lack of their insulations may pose a surprising problem for Tony if Loki decides to snuggle up. His skin is much cooler to the touch, especially his hands and feet.

"If it's all the same to you, I think we will forgo our Asgardian lesson for the night. I do not believe I can keep my eyes open for much longer." The weariness he feels is almost like helping someone move as opposed to a day of working out: a long day spent doing moderately strenuous work where the tiredness creeps up on you.

As Loki settles in and breaks the disappointing (of understandable) news about their new, ritual nightly lessons, Tony slips an arm around his chest, under his arms, and presses himself against the other.

He probably ought to have given more warning than that, but the time to fight the bond with Loki has already ended. He sleeps better like this, though he’d been more of a solo sleeper even when he shared the bed with Pepper. If last night time him anything, it was that touch with his bonded was tantamount to a good night sleep.

He’s gone so long with such terrible dreams that he’ll happily spoon Loki for a chance at rest.

Once again, Loki sleeps soundly. It would be nice to believe it was due to the hard day's work, but he knows that's only part of it. As he wakes up on the third day of having found his soulmate, he finds it's getting harder and harder to even think of the excuses anymore. He feel comfortable with Tony, more comfortable than he's ever felt next to anyone. Why should he even try to pretend he doesn't?

The early morning light shines around the edges of the lowered blinds, just enough to not make the arc reactor in Tony's chest unbearably bright by comparison. Loki studies the human more closely as he sleeps: the subtle variations in color in his hair, the way his eyes flicker behind closed lids, the subtle lines just starting to form around his eyes.

He could get up, perhaps start breakfast, begin discussing the day's plan with the Captain (he can tell the man is likely an early riser), but that would mean leaving the warm bed and his soulmate. The world could wait for just a few more minutes.

He does, however, sit up, gently maneuvering Tony's head from his chest to his lap. Holding out a hand, a book appears: "The Hobbit" by one JRR Tolkin. Banner had said it was a classic of modern Midgardian literature, so it seemed a good idea to read.

There is not one moment where Tony believes he’s with anyone else when he drifts from sleep nearly a full hour later. There’s not many times in his life where he’s woken up this way, no dream to plague him and hold him down, no spike of ‘inspiration’ so painful he couldn’t risk laying still for a moment more. He slips a hand up Loki’s leg, thumb massaging his knee cap before his palm falls still again.

“The Hobbit?” There’s just an instinctive knowledge of the book Loki is reading, and that he is reading at all, before Tony even begins to wake. It’s a blessing to wake with such a beautiful picture in his mind, too.

There is a lot to do, but Tony chooses to spend a few more minutes with his bonded before slipping out of bed towards the shower. An invitation for the other to join us very nearly on his lips, but gets left unsaid.

"Dr. Banner suggested it to me," Loki says, flipping another page. He's well over halfway done judging by his placement in the book. "Well, he actually suggested the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, but said I could start here as it was technically composed first."

The hand that turned the page comes down to rest in Tony's hair. "We should not be too long. No doubt the others will want to get as early a start as possible." That said, it's not like he's exactly hopping out of bed himself.

Though it may be a no to the shared shower, Tony isn’t heart broken. He doesn’t take too long, though he does make a point of washing his hair quickly before shaving and dressing again. Loki’s presence has reduced the anxiety of wetting his head a great deal but his habits are hard to break.

Breakfast is quick, a JARVIS provided continental affair shared because all of the Avengers and Loki as Cap goes over their marching orders for the day. The next week or so is much the same. Breakfast. Clean up New York. Meet with leaders. Dinner. Asgardian lessons or sometimes films, and then a separation of the majority of their members before Tony and Loki slipped off to bed. Tony can honestly say it’s the most time he’s spent with any number of people, but he doesn’t exactly hate it.

By the end of the week, New York more or less working again, the group splits. Steve heads to DC to work more closely with SHIELD, Tony or or less nopes out of that but his connection with Loki isn’t something that can be overlooked or allowed to just carry on without study.

And it’s for that reason, not long after the team’s dispersal, that Tony and a rather sharply Midgardian dressed Loki head down to HQ. Ostensibly, it’s because there has been Chitauri technology detected in Europe and they want a consultation, but as Tony flies them out of New York, he can’t help but state how he really feels.

“I had having a babysitter.”

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