Chapter Text
"What is the purpose of this?" Loki asked, staring at the roll of tissue Tony had pressed into his hand.
Tony rolled his eyes. "You're not serious? Really? You're a trickster god, Lokes. This house didn't have candy so we're supposed to play a trick on them. We toilet paper their house for being cheap and boring. You should be in your element here."
Loki looked at him dubiously. "How is this a trick? I can make apparitions to scare them. A much better trick than using flimsy tissue paper."
"But this is earth, er, Midgard! You said you wanted to experience our festival! Come on, it'll be fun. You can even use your magic to make this epic. Much better than just throwing the rolls as high as possible and hoping they get stuck on something."
"Oh!" Loki smirked. "In that case, allow me."
***
"I can't believe you got us lost, Anthony." Loki grumbled for the fifth time. "I also do not understand the purpose of this... corn maze?"
"Because it's fun." Tony retorted, growling under his breath when they were faced with yet another dead end.
"This is your idea of fun?"
"I thought you would enjoy it. For that matter, how are you lost? You're supposed to be all magic and stuff, shouldn't you have been better at this?"
"I was trying to be authentic." Loki retorted hotly. "I thought using magic would be cheating."
"Oh. Um... sorry Lokes. Why are we fighting again? We're supposed to be having fun."
"I don't know." Loki sighed, sounding dejected. "Perhaps this was a mistake."
"Hey no!" Tony said, latching onto Loki's arm to get him to look at him. "I'm totally having fun. I just don't like being lost."
"Oh. Well neither do I. Perhaps a little magic to get us out of here wouldn't be..."
"Loki look!" Tony suddenly exclaimed, grabbing the god's arm and pointing excitedly. "We found it! We found the centre! Come on!"
***
An hour later, having finally found their way out of the corn maze, carved a pumpkin and had their photo taken by a harvest festival volunteer, Tony and Loki had found a quiet park where they could look through their loot.
Tony was now flat on his back, staring at the moonlit sky and groaning softly under his breath. Loki watched him, a look of fondness in his gaze while Stark continued to mutter under his breath.
"I feel awful Loki." Tony groaned for the fourth time, his pirate hat lying upside down beside him in the grass and his eyepatch resting on his forehead.
"I told you not to eat so much Anthony." Loki teased, a smile playing on his lips when Stark glared up at him.
"But that's the whole point of all this!" Stark protested, forcing himself up to sit cross-legged on the grass beside him. "You dress up, go to stranger's homes and get free candy and then go home and gorge yourself on all the free stuff you got."
"I imagine you aren't meant to eat it all the same night." Loki mused, popping a hard candy in his mouth, a smile on his lips when the flavour turned out to be grape.
"But that's so boring!" Tony pouted.
"Be that as it may, I'm certain you don't wish to end our fun by being sick for the rest of the night."
"Stop using logic on me, spoilsport. We're supposed to be kids, doing dumb kid stuff, not arguing logistics Lokes."
"I thought the trick or treating was over for the night."
"Well, yeah." Tony muttered, scuffing his shoe on the ground while he pulled grass with his fidgeting hands. "But stuff for adults is still happening."
Loki narrowed his eyes and paused in unwrapping another candy. "You said this night was only for children, Stark. Did you lie to me?"
"No, I didn't lie. Trick or treating is for kids and costume parties are for adults. But I did tell you that it's too late for you to get tickets to one."
"Then why did you bring it up?" Loki demanded, feeling cross and looking even more adorable with his childlike face scrunched up in annoyance.
"Because JARVIS reminded me after I said it that I had an invitation to a party that I forgot about." Tony grumbled back, hating the sound of his whiny voice as the words left his mouth. "I hate parties like that. Especially when I don't have anyone to go with me."
"Anthony. Are you saying you've changed your mind?"
"Maybe."
"I see."
Tony grumbled under his breath some more before huffing a loud sigh. "You're mean. Fine! Yes! I've changed my mind! Um... Loki?"
"Yes Anthony?" Loki replied, failing to keep his nervousness out of his voice.
"Would you like to go to a party with me?"
"I would be delighted."
"Awesome! Let's go! Oh wait! We should probably change back now, huh?"
"I'll take care of it Anthony." Loki said as green light engulfed them both. A snap of fingers followed and their candy disappeared as well as their child-like selves.
"Hey! Where'd our candy go?"
"I sent it back to your penthouse of course."
"Oh! Well. That's good then."
"You are being quite adorable Anthony." Loki said with a smirk on his lips, making Tony blush. "Now, where is this party located?"
"M'not adorable." Tony huffed, though he still pulled out his phone to show Loki the address. "Here. This is where it's supposed to be happening."
"Very well. Hang on to me tightly then. I will teleport us to the entrance."
"Ooh. Awesome!" Tony exclaimed, grinning like a fool as he latched onto Loki and his whoop of delight followed them through the portal.
***
"Hey Lokes." Tony said as he joined him near a pillar dripping with cobwebs and spiders, handing him a martini glass filled with a bright red liquid. "I got us some Halloween drinks."
"Thank you Anthony." He said, taking a sip. "What is it?"
"It's called Vampire's Kiss. I noticed you don't seem to like rum or whisky, so I got you vodka. They mixed it with cranberry juice, raspberry liqueur, grenadine and lemon. How is it?"
"Quite good actually. Thank you. And what did you get?" Loki asked, eyeing the dark liquid Tony was holding.
"It's called Death Wish." Tony replied, smiling when the god arched a brow in his direction. "It's coffee, whisky, Benedictine and syrup. It's awesome."
"If you say so. I assume it derives its name from the implication that you should not mix caffeine with alcohol?"
"Probably." Tony shrugged. "But since caffeine hardly has any effect on me, I think I'm safe."
"That is true. Given how much coffee you ingest."
"Hey now. No dissing my coffee or we're gonna have to have words."
"I wouldn't dream of doing so Anthony." Loki smiled, sipping more of his drink when he noticed Tony tense beside him. "What's wrong?"
"Don't look now, but we're about to have company." Tony replied stiffly. "Unwelcome company." He growled under his breath as Steve Rogers stopped before them.
"Hey Tony." Rogers said, pointedly looking at how close Loki and Tony were standing together. "What are you doing here?" He asked, which both men took to mean, what are doing here with Loki.
"What's it look like Steve? I'm having a drink and enjoying the party. Better question, what are you doing here? I thought you hated parties like this."
Steve flushed and glanced away before straightening his shoulders to answer. "Fury thought it would be a good idea for some of the Avengers to make an appearance. It's been a while since we were out in public as a team."
"Right. So I assume since I wasn't told about it that the "some" Avengers didn't include me."
"It's not like that Tony. You're in the public eye more than anyone. Which makes me wonder what you're doing here with Loki of all people. What about Pepper?"
"Do not speak about me as if I am not here Captain. You won't like the results." Loki hissed, causing Rogers to flinch back as though he'd forgotten what the god was capable of.
"First of all." Tony retorted, ignoring Steve's reaction. "You already know the truth about the invasion. So don't pretend you don't. Second of all, my personal life is none of your damn business, so back the fuck off."
"Tony. You have to know how this looks. An Avenger associating with a known criminal?"
"Stop being an idiot Steve. You're the one making us look bad. No one knows Loki was a part of that and you know it. I don't know what made you think you had any right coming over here to spew nonsense at me but you've worn out my patience, so get lost."
"But Tony..."
Loki drew himself up to his full height and stepped into Rogers' personal space, forcing the mortal to back up. "Stark told you to leave Rogers. I suggest you do so, before we have a problem you are ill-equipped to handle."
Rogers' face flushed red with anger and would have responded if not for the whispers he'd been hearing growing louder, alerting him to the fact that he now had an audience. "Fine. I don't know what game you're playing Loki, but I'm not going to let you get away with it." He growled as he turned and walked away, disappearing back into the crowd.
Loki turned to where Stark was still glaring at the spot where Rogers had disappeared. "I apologize Anthony. I should not have lost my temper like that. Perhaps it would be best if I made my departure now before anyone else approaches."
"What?!" Tony blurted, turning startled eyes to Loki's muted expression. "No. No way in hell we're letting that asshole ruin our evening. Let's get another drink."
***
"I suppose you're right." Loki mused later, sipping at the Pumpkin White Russian he'd ordered. "Rogers is a bit of an ass isn't he?"
Tony laughed, coughing as he nearly inhaled the Sweet Poison concoction he'd wanted to try, claiming that he liked the look of it when he'd seen it in someone else's hand. "Don't say things like that when I'm drinking Lokes." He said with a smile when he recovered himself.
"I will try to restrain myself Anthony." Loki said with a teasing smile.
"Uh Loki?"
"Yes Anthony?" Loki replied, distracted by the variety of costumes parading around the room.
"Would you... I mean... wouldyouliketodancewithme?"
Loki blinked in confusion, the spill of words coming from Anthony's mouth was so fast that he barely caught any of it. He turned in time to see Stark's cheeks flush with colour, the other man's eyes trained on the empty glass in his hand. "I'm sorry Anthony, but I didn't catch that."
"I... well... I asked if you wanted to dance with me. You don't have to, of course. I mean after what happened with Steve I guess it's probably a bad idea. Yeah um... just forget I said anything."
"You wish to dance with me? Now?" Loki asked, unable to keep the surprise off his face.
"Well, yeah." Tony hesitated. "Why wouldn't I? You're... Well, it would be a nice end to a really fun evening. Unless you don't want to."
"I would. Very much." Loki said, taking Stark's empty glass and setting it on a table with his own. "I'm just surprised you would want to, in such a public place."
"Really?" Tony asked a small smile curling his lip as Loki led them to the dance floor. "And of course I want to be seen with the hottest guy here."
"You don't have to say such things Anthony." Loki protested. "I enjoy spending time with you."
"I'm not saying it just to blow smoke up your ass Loki." Tony said, slipping his hands around the god's waist to rest on his lower back. "If you haven't noticed by now, I like you. Quite a bit, if I'm being honest. You do know that I don't let just anyone enter my workshop right?"
"Well, yes." Loki replied, though he still wore a look of confusion in his face. "But I assume you leave your more important projects in a separate area when you know I might show up."
Loki didn't think it was possible, but with that one sentence, he seemed to have rendered Stark incapable of speech. "What?" Loki demanded, warmth blooming in his chest even as his mouth went dry and his chest tightened as though someone were sitting on it. "You... you... no, that's ridiculous. How could you...?"
"Oh you gorgeous, oblivious man." Tony said, smiling at him as he tightened his hold on Loki's waist. "I don't hide anything from you Lokes. Not since you started popping in to randomly visit and question me on everything new about Earth that you can't learn anywhere else."
"I..." Loki managed, finding himself suddenly unable to speak.
"Sorry Lokes." Tony said, pressing himself closer. "I guess I wasn't being as obvious as I thought."
"You don't need to apologize Anthony." Loki whispered, his hands settling on Stark's cheeks to gently force him to meet his eyes. "It just never occured to me that... that anyone, especially you, would ever trust me so much."
"Well I do." Anthony insisted, the look in his eyes so intense it nearly stole the gods breath away. "You're amazing Loki and I... you've become one of my best friends."
"Just friends?" Loki whispered, trying desperately to keep the hope he felt from being heard.
"No." Tony shook his head, closing his eyes for a moment. "Not just friends, but I didn't think you'd ever want more than that from me. I mean, you're a god and I'm... I'm just a lowly mortal."
"You're not "just" anything Anthony." Loki said forcefully. "Your friendship has meant the world to me. The fact that you gave me a chance and trusted me after everything I did to you and your planet... you have no idea how rare a thing that is."
"I'm beginning to get an idea..." Tony whispered back, still nervous but revelling in the fact that he was in Loki's arms.
"I certainly hope so." Loki huffed and then drew him into a kiss, making Tony groan and return the kiss just as insistently.
When they broke apart, Tony couldn't keep the wide grin from forming on his lips, giddy that Loki was mirroring the same happiness back at him. "Should we maybe head back to the Tower now?"
"I thought you'd never ask." Loki said and Tony grinned as the god's magic wrapped him in a gentle embrace, the music fading as his penthouse formed around them a moment later.
"Welcome home sirs." JARVIS said from above them as the lights came on.
"Thank you JARVIS." Loki murmured into Anthony's hair. He released him a moment later, green magic washing over them both to vanish their costumes and leave them dressed in their sleep wear.
Tony grinned and pulled Loki down for a light kiss. "I love your magic." He whispered before pulling away from the god. "Would you like tea or coffee or something?"
"That would be lovely, Anythony." Loki grinned back, though he let go somewhat reluctantly, moving to seat himself on the couch. "Tea please. I shall find something for us to watch, if that's alright?"
"That sounds perfect Lokes." Tony said, returning his smile. "Be with you in a moment."
***
"This is quite good." Loki said, his hair brushing against Tony's cheek, his eyes riveted to the big screen.
"I've always liked Johnny Depp movies." Tony agreed, pressing a kiss to the top of Loki's head. "And his version of Sleepy Hollow is an awesome performance. You picked a good one."
"I am glad you decided to join me tonight." Loki added, pressing himself more firmly into Tony's side.
"So am I. Honestly Lokes, thank you for inviting me. This whole night has been one awesome thing after another. Thank you for asking me to share it with you."
"You have been nothing but kind to me Anthony. I did not realise you had never participated in this holiday before, but I am glad I was able to give you this."
"The best part is right here and now." Tony said, tightening his grip on Loki's shoulder. "There's nowhere else I'd rather be and no one else I would rather share this with."
Loki turned his head to see the raw honesty of Anthony's words shining back at him in his gaze, the sincerity there causing his heart to race. "You, my sweet Anthony, are a rare treasure."
"Right back at ya Loki." Tony said, his smile wobbling with the rush of emotion in his heart.
"Mmm." Loki murmured, pressing a kiss to Tony's lips with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Perhaps later, we can retire to your room and show each other what that looks like."
"I can't think of a better way to end a perfect day."
"That makes two of us." Loki smiled, settling once more against Tony's side.
"I can't wait." Tony said after a beat, causing the god in his arms to chuckle under his breath as warm contentment washed over them both.
Neither spoke for the remainder of the movie, though they shared an occasional kiss as it played.
Later, they lay sated in each other's arms, content in the knowledge that the future now before them was much brighter than either had thought possible. For finally, they both had found their equal and their other half, the piece that had been missing had finally been filled, in a place neither of them had ever expected to find it.
It was as satisfying and as reassuring as coming home.
*fin