Authors Note: Oh gods. It's been like what, FOREVER, since I updated this so I apologize. I wish I had an explanation that wasn't I was too lazy and I kinda lost it for this story. But when I was working on Cobalt I can back to this and so here it is :) again sorry for the long wait but enjoy this chapter!

Review Response:

Guest: *gives you an innocent look* I have no idea what you're talking about, being evil. Surely ending the chapter right before they kiss isn't evil at all!

Disclaimer: I do not own nor am associated with Marvel or any of the characters.

Loki didn't know exactly when their lips met, but it was utterly amazing when they did. All he could see was stars, bursting in brilliant colors behind his eyelids, and all he could feel were Tony's soft lips against his own, and the smooth hands that were gripping his cheeks. He fisted his hand in the brown hair of the other man unconsciously, more focused on moving his lips in time against the billionaire's. A tongue poked at his lips, a strange feeling indeed, and he granted it access.

The kiss lasted for all of a minute, and they pulled away happily dazed and breathless. Loki couldn't speak. He was too busy catching his breath and gazing into Tony's eyes shyly. Tony, on the other hand, was grinning like an idiot, excitement with a hit of embarrassment tangible in the air around him. No one spoke for a moment.

"So... what do you want to watch?"

Tony's cheeks burned red and he cursed himself internally for the awkward statement that had just slipped out of his mouth. Beside him Loki cast his eyes down and laughed nervously. They sat in silence after that, neither of them willing to talk, and it took all of Tony's control to not slap himself across the face for ruining the moment.

Loki was perched rather stiffly beside Tony, looking for all the world ready to jump up and run at any moment. Both made a pointed attempt to not look at eachother; Tony from embarrassment for what he'd said, and Loki for only he knew what. The billionaire wrung his hands nervously and tried to push the thought that maybe Loki hadn't enjoyed their kiss from his mind. His insecurities crashed over him as he weighed 'what-ifs' in his mind. What if Loki didn't feel the same way? What if Loki was scared now? And the less pressing thought, what if Loki was going to use him after this? At this sliver of a possibility, Tony's eyes darted over the god. But any expectations of a cold, calculating look were met with the reality of Loki's downcast eyes and nervous posture.

Tony cleared his throat and leaned back against the sofa. It was a conscious effort to get Loki to relax as well; and it worked, because shortly after the god glanced over, widened his eyes slightly and then proceeded to copy Tony's posture.

Tony was smart, and so he guessed that when he relaxed Loki would do the same. So he picked up the remote and fiddled with the buttons. He wasn't looking for anything in particular, in fact he wasn't even watching the tv. He was looking at Loki out of the corner of his eye, who was both oblivious and slowly relaxing. His rod-straight back had softened a little, and he was allowing himself to be supported by the cushions more so than his arms. He sheepishly curled his legs into a ball and wrapped his hands around them.

Tony couldn't help the puff of air that escaped his lips as a laugh when he pictured Loki as a baby, all curled up on some fancy gold seat in Asgard. Loki snapped his head over to him, startled, but when Tony gave him a reassuring smile with no explanation for the noise, he smiled back. They proceeded that way in silence; Tony flipping through channels slowly and Loki gradually loosening his position.

"...this one." Loki's quiet voice echoed in the large room.

He watched Tony out of the corner of his eye, as if he were afraid to be yelled at. The tv had paused on a runway show. Models were stalking up and down the cat walk in fashionable, expensive clothing. Tony recognized it as a show he had been invited to. He much preferred his current situation.

"You like runway shows, Princess?" Tony couldn't help the breathy laugh that escaped him. Loki, God of Mischief and Prince of Asgard, liked fashion shows.

"It is always good to look your best." Came the hesitant reply.

Loki could tell if he was being mocked, and he knew Tony was genuinely curious if not a little humored. That made him relax, if only slightly more.

Tony smiled gently again. "Well you always look fabulous. No need to take tips from anyone." He leaned in a little closer to Loki. "In fact you could teach them all a little something. Maybe not to be so stick like. Yeah, you have the perfect body."

The wine he had had that night loosened his lips a little, along with the courage found after kissing Loki.

Beside him Loki blushed and hid his face. Tony smiled down at him- for perhaps a grand total of seven or eight times that night- and casually placed his arm on the top of the couch. Loki knew that he was meant to situate himself under that arm, but he was lying on the couch now and he didn't feel like moving. Instead he slid a little closer to Tony.

The next five minutes were spent in silence again, and Loki reviewed what Tony had said about his having a "perfect body" while Tony's mind dabbled in getting Loki to kiss him again.

In reality, things were going much better than Tony had expected. It was obvious now that Loki did indeed like him at least slightly, and he hadn't failed to notice the game of "who can subtley slid the closest without the other saying anything." His arm across the couch had been an invitation Loki had not missed either.

And Loki. He looked so cute sitting there, curled on his side with his head resting on his hands as he intently watched the clothes on the television. He looked so innocent, so young and untouched by evils that Tony wanted to steal him away forever and protect him.

"Hey, Reindeer Games. How ya feeling about this now, huh?"

In all honesty Tony had meant about the tower. About living on Earth and repenting and only slightly about his newfound relationship (if it could be called that).

But Loki took it another way, apparently, for he snuggled himself closer to Tony. He pecked the mortal on the cheek and cuddled himself under Tony's arm, body pressed close to the other's with his head under Tony's chin. He didn't say anything, just sighed contentedly and returned to watching the tv.

That was all the answer Tony needed.

Loki had been gone far too long for Thor. His brother had only been gone for five days, at the most, but for Loki, who could be rather antisocial, it was a long time. He didn't know his way around Midgard, and Thor wouldn't entertain the thought that the younger was having a good time there. He had always been Loki's favorite, the one Loki spent the majority of his time with, and he wasn't about to get replaced by some mortal.

It was petty, he knew, to be jealous of his teammate. But he couldn't help it; Loki was his brother, and now soon to be husband.

Yes. He had talked it over with Frigga and Odin, who had only taken a small amount of convincing to agree.

Thor had presented what he thought to be a flawless argument. The youngest prince of Asgard had proven himself incapable of ruling. His actions in Midgrad had betrayed a hidden wicked nature. But, Thor had claimed, not one that couldn't be removed. He had gone into lengthy tales of his and Loki's adventures as a child, and ended with an explanation that Loki discovering his heritage had pushed him off the edge; made him go a little crazy. But the damage was erasable and with Thor by his side Loki could flourish again.

With the marriage, Thor and Loki could both rule as intended. Thor could keep Loki out of trouble, and he could insure his brother would never meet or marry another creature thag could push him back to the wrong path. The conditions were this: Loki would be permanently released from any imprisonment, he would regain his status of heir to the throne (except this time as Thor's queen, and not as an independent king), and he would no longer be held responsible for anything he had done in the past. A clean slate and ruling capabilities. Thor knew (or hoped very strongly) that Loki would take kindly to the offer.

For all the pleasantries he had spouted he knew the real reason was his love for the younger Frost Giant. He knew he felt a special way, a non-brotherly love way about Loki and he convinced himself that Loki felt the same.

Back in the present, Thor strolled through the door of the seamstresses quarters. She bowed as he approached and then scurried off to collect her creation for him. It was yet to be finished and most of the fabric was still taped to the form.

It was to be Loki's ceremonial wedding outfit. It was green and gold and leather, a myriad of fancy designs, plush fabrics and unyielding metal. A gold cape fluttered nearby, and Thor rubbed it under his fingers as he inspected it. Little diamonds were sewn around the edges, and the fabric itself had been made of gold fibers. Even Loki's helmet had been restored. It say under a glass protector in the same room. The gold glittered in the fire light; it had been polished and bent back into shape, and Thor was considering adding a crown to fit around the front. He would let his bride decide on that.

The prospect of it all made him giddy, and as he left the room with a utterance of thanks, he mentally went over the details.

Everything needed was either ready or being specially constructed. The outfits, the food, the ceremonial vows, for instance. the only thing missing was his bride to be. But, oh, that would be an easy fix.

Thor stuck his hand out and waited for Mjolinir to come to him. He had a little errand to run.