"...to publicly announce that we have closed 70% of our weapons facilities and are currently investing in retraining programs for our new facilities which are focused on renewable energy. We already have a fully operational facility in Michigan," Tony said with a triumphant smile as he looked out over the crowd of reporters.

It wasn't a massive announcement, just their yearly punch at reaffirming that they were getting away from weapons and never going back. A lot of the current rushes forward were because Tony had thrown himself into work while waiting to see if Loki was able to pull off anything and get himself back here. It had been three months and not any word from Asgard. Jane hadn't even heard anything from Thor. Tony and the scientist had struck up a friendship quickly with them both being scientists and in love with immortal alien near-gods. She told him to be patient, but he could see when she had trouble waiting too. Maybe they was just being mortal, but it didn't seem to bode well that they'd heard nothing, so they had both distracted themselves with their own pieces of work.

Brown eyes trailed over the crowd and paused as he caught sight of a familiar face, but one he never expected to see again. Veli Pekkanen, the Hang Harginger, stood in the back of the assembly, his expressionless face unnerving in the animated crowd. As their eyes locked a tiny, barely perceptible smile touched the thin lips- "Mr. Stark!"

Tony's eyes darted over to the black haired reporter and instantly there was a smile on his face as he took in her question before he looked back up only to find an empty spot where Veli had been. His eyes narrowed. While the Harbinger had been silent according to Fury since Loki left, having ducked out of the SHIELD facilities with ease, the Maes Security Corporation had been operating off of Amelia's abilities and Tony was sure Veli was helping her. Though to see her lover here? Why? Or was he just seeing things? Probably that. He must be getting desperate to even be seeing Veli around in hopes of word about Loki.

He cleared his throat and continued with more specifics on training programs and the reorganization of employees as they complete their retraining. He paused as the dark hair woman raised her hand again, "What about the security area of your business? There's been talk that the Maes Corporation has been edging in on that a lot," she asked.

Tony's eyes narrowed at her as he focused in more on her this time. Her dark hair was pulled up into a clean French bun, sharp features were slightly softened by a heart shaped face, but it was her eyes that made him finally come up short. Bright green eyes that turned downward at the edges slightly and crinkled jut a bit at the outer corners. She hooked a hand under her chin and leaned forward, "Mr. Stark?"

"That, ma'am, is a very good question. But the Maes Corporation has seen quite the down turn since their main proprietor up and disappeared. I'd say we don't have much to worry about in that field," he gave her a cheeky grin and she returned it with a thankful nod.

He forced his eyes away from her, focusing on finalizing the speech so that he could get out and stop seeing Loki in a woman that had no idea that she reminded him of a Jotun from another planet that was currently standing trial on Asgard. She couldn't be him, even if he was a shapeshifter. The moment the press conference ended he practically bolted from the stage to his office, ignoring everyone he could. He needed a bit of fresh air.

Tony pulled off his suit jacket as he called, "Happy! I'm out!" And threw on a baseball cap, leather jacket, and some chucks before ducking back out before Happy could really protest.

It was easy enough to disappear even just outside his own building. New York was bustling as ever and the crowds let him disappear quickly. Probably a bad idea because of who he was, but damn if he was going to stay upstairs right now. He walked, letting his feet carry him wherever they wanted, until he realized he was being followed. He pursed his lips and sighed to himself before ducking down a side alleyway. Whoever was following him moved with him and Tony quickly swerved back onto a main road to duck into the crowd. What he didn't expect was for the pursuer to catch up in the blink of an eye, grab his arm and hook it back behind his back and have a hand over his mouth as he dragged him back into the alleyway.

No, not him, her. Once they were back in the alley she let him go and Tony wheeled around to see the woman from the conference standing there with a pleased and mischievous grin on her face. "Mr. Stark."

"The hell lady? I'm all down for the kinky stuff, but usually I extend an invitation first," he said, holding up his hands.

She pouted, curved lips pulling downward, "And yet the word is you're off the single's list, but no one's been seen about your penthouse for months. Makes one wonder who's got your attention now."

His eyes narrowed at her, "And where do you get that kind of information?"

High heels clicked on concrete as she moved to circled around him, smirk still in place, "A certain…" and as she moved behind him the click of her shoes changed with her voice, "…redhead."

Tony's heart went into his throat and he stared straight ahead, afraid to look behind him. Instead, Loki moved into his field of vision, still grinning, black hair pulled back and green eyes still glittering playfully. "You sorry pain in the ass. You realize how much shit you've put me through and I still waited," Tony grumbled out, "and now you're playing tricks?"

The playful look softened into an apologetic smile, "I am sorry, for what that's worth."

Tony crossed his arms over his chest to make sure he didn't hug the other man. He wanted to reach out to him but his pride wouldn't let him yet, "So what is this? A visit and you're gone again? What did the big king of space-Asgard-whatever say?"

Loki chuckled, folding his hands in front of him, "Actually, I am here to stay."

Tony stared at him, disbelieving, "Y-you're joking?

"Well, there are a few…stipulations as suggested by Thor, but no. I am not joking, Tony," he affirmed, seeming to swallow a bit thickly.

"What…" Tony paused, taking a breath, "What stipulations?"

"Well, first and foremost I must assist you and your...SHIELD organization to get an appreciation for those I have considered 'lesser' than myself," Loki sneered, making Tony laugh, something short that he bit off quickly, "And the other is that I am not to go unseen by Heimdall."

There was a long pause and then Tony's eyes squinted, "So…" he pointed up, "Voyeur?"

Loki resisted his smile widening, "If you are still willing to have me in your bed..."

"Are you kidding?" Tony finally gave up being responsible, "You were the woman in the crowd! So you have your shapeshifting back? I am not passing that up," Tony said with an adventurous smirk, "Plus, I'm very much an exhibitionist."

Loki laughed at that, "Then I am sure the arrangement works out for everyone."

"On that note," Tony reached out and grabbed Loki by the lapels of his jacket and pushed him up against a wall and dove in for a kiss.

It was long and demanding, but Loki let him have all of it as long arms wrapped around his waist. The human pulled back finally, licking his lips and humming pleasantly, "You have a lot of making up to do, sir."

"Of that I have no doubt," the trickster said, "But I do believe there is a tabloid photographer that may be getting away with our picture."

"Don't care, not hiding this. This is step one of those reparations. I get to fucking flaunt you," he growled, grinning deviously.

Loki rolled his eyes, "I am hardly opposed now that I don't have an army of Chitauri to worry about."

"Good," Tony then pulled back and locked his fingers in with Loki's, "Let's start with my office building!" Loki could only chuckle and allow himself to be pulled along.

~~~/~~~/~~~

"Is he well, Heimdall?" came the Queen's warm voice next to the guardian.

Gold eyes turned to her and he nodded, "He is smiling again, my Queen. Though I am sure a visit from you would not go amiss."

Frigga smiled, "Let him enjoy his human lover for now. I will visit both him and Thor when they are more settled. My husband is still not taking that both his children have fallen in love with humans well," she said with a sigh and shake of her head.

"Time will show what comes of it," Heimdall said with a nod to the Queen as she moved quietly away with a thankful smile and he returned to his duty.

~~~/~~~/~~~

[A/N: It's... It's done. Hell SHITE. *falls flat on face* So, I've wanted to give this an epilogue for a while because that was the original intention, but I had to focus myself eslewhere for a lot of reasons. I posted the epilogue but a did some minor clean up of the story over on my AO3 account. If you would like to reread it witht he clean up please go there as i will not be posting any changes here.

Thank you guys for reading, reviewing, and enjoying this! You're all beautiful, wonderful people!]