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Loki found Tony after a long day.
He’d had to watch from the shadows as Tony argued with his former comrades, physical fought them at times and struggled to do what was right for his world. It had been days of desperation and weariness and Loki couldn’t reveal himself from the shadows when Tony was constantly surrounded by other mortals.
His heart strained to be with the other man, but he was forced to keep them apart.
Tony’s eventual retreat into his workshop had been the first chance in a week for Loki to visit the other man.
Tony was slumped with his forehead in his hand, his body weary, his heart heavy and his mind too focused on surviving to ever let his tears fall.
Loki arrived quietly and let his steps be heard as he made his way to the other man - to his lover.
He let his palm rest gently on the other man’s head before running his fingers through the messy strands. He didn’t say anything, and Tony just let out a wretched little sob.
Loki made a hushing gesture before sliding his hand down Tony’s neck to his shoulder, encouraging his weary mortal to stand.
Tony moved without protest, letting Loki guide him to his feet and into his embrace, feeling Tony’s heavy arms come around him, only to fist in the fabric of his shirt as he buried his face in Loki’s neck.
Loki continued to make soothing sounds, both his arms wrapping around Tony and lightly rubbing his back. He held Tony against him and let the barrage of pained emotion meet his immovable strength as he told Tony he was right, they were idiots and they were not worth his pain.
He told Tony that he would overcome this and go on to help Midgard, he would survive the wars to come, and that Loki would be standing there by his side.
He promised his lover that this too would pass, that his frustration would not remain - that he would succeed - and slowly, he felt Tony’s strength begin to return to him.
It was watching, feeling, seeing that reaction that make Loki privately marvel at it being him of all people who saw Tony when he was cracking, and that it was he, Loki Liesmith, who was able to sooth this beautiful man, and return him to his former strength and glory.
He hardly believed that it was he alone who could tilt up Tony’s chin and smile softly at the precious mortal before him, gaining a tired but genuine grin in return. That he could then press forward and pull the other into a gentle kiss that was readily accepted, and that only helped Tony Stark to stand even taller and prouder.