Work Text:
He was warned thoroughly by every Avenger, and twice by Thor, to stay the fuck away from Loki, in every combination known to English language, and he, like the responsible adult and recovering addict, ignored them.
Anyone who had seen the God would instantly know not to forbid Tony of contacting him, that’s why Pepper sighed heavily, and made him promise to arrange an appointment with the rehab stat.
He grinned and showed her the papers. Six months form this evening he would be shipped into the fancy rehab, with or without his consent. Pepper, as per usual, was appointed as his guardian.
Pepper nodded solemnly, and then her expressions softened.
“Try not to die till then, Tony.” She teased.
“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted and went to find a resident God of Mischief.
>>*<<
Their socialization had a rocky start. Loki was a distrustful piece of shit, who on many occasions left Tony hanging, and went off world to get his high, but Tony was a piece of work himself, so he wasn’t discouraged, if anything, Loki intrigued him further.
The breakthrough happened suddenly and unexpectedly.
“People have been hurt, Loki. And where were you? Drunk out of your mind, dancing with the elves.” Thor chastised the obviously hangover God, who flipped him uncaringly, and waved his hand. A green ball appeared, pulsed, and scattered.
“Isn’t it what mortals do?” Loki snarked, crushing on the couch.
“Yeah, it is.” Tony agreed, sauntering into the room. “Thanks, Prancer.”
Loki waved him off, hiding a pleased smile. He liked the mortal, and his praises managed to elevate his mood, like no other could, but he was cautious. Mortals were, well, quickly snuffed, and he was hurt one time too many to take this chance. Thus, he preferred to ignore it profoundly.
“What are you doing up, Tony?” Thor asked, making Tony roll his eyes.
“Aren’t you supposed to be an ignorant oaf, hm?” He snarked, enjoying Loki’s amused chuckle. “Loki healed us.” He voiced the obvious, and usually that would be it, but this time something pushed him to add: “You should pay more attention to what Loki does, versus to what he doesn’t. A lot of shit tried to end us yesterday, and you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see that if we were fighting without protection, we wouldn’t have been able to withstand a portion of it.”
Thor squawked shockingly, watching Loki suspiciously. Loki though was looking at him, like he had never seen him before. Tony smirked and shrugged.
Later that day Loki had invited him to a party, and since then they were having fun nonstop.
>>*<<
At first, Tony though he would break by the end of the week. He wasn’t twenty anymore, and even if he was, it was nearly close to impossible to keep up with Loki.
He didn’t know the limits. He was partying, like it was the last time, doing things that were out of this or any other world. It took a toll on Tony, and he was half-heartedly toying with the idea to end their arrangement, since to the contrary to popular belief, he didn’t want to die.
Loki had noticed, and laughed his ass off, teasing Tony for trying to keep up with an immortal. Tony took offence, but Loki sweet talked him out of it and healed him. Several days after, Loki gifted him a charm that improved his health and stamina, while erasing the ill effects that their partying ultimately brought.
Tony marveled at the miraculous bracelet, noticing that Loki behaved differently, while they were alone or partying.
And surprise, surprise – people adored Loki. He was fun, easy-going, and charming. Tony saw Loki from a different angle, and couldn’t help but be enamored by the Trickster, like all the others.
That’s why when Loki waltzed to him with two stunning elves on his arms and proposed to join them in the bedroom Tony agreed without a thought, and what a night it was.
Five months flew by, like a minute.
Tony discovered a new level of high, and was on cloud nine, feeling more alive than ever, and no amount of displeasure and threats were going to stop him. He even said so. Alright, he shouted that, threatening to ban the Avengers from his tower, because who the fuck they were to tell him how to live his life? Since last he checked, they depended on him, and without his genius, and money, they would be nothing.
The Avengers didn’t take it well, and moved out of the tower, leaving the tech behind. Thor and Bruce had stayed. They both didn’t have a place to go, and Tony had nothing against them staying. He had but a simple rule: don’t fuck with me and mine, and those two had finally got that. So, all was well.
Loki, surprisingly, was concerned about the rip in the team, asking him if he was all right, and even apologized for bringing the chaos in his life. Tony laughed, and hugged him, reassuring him that everything was peachy. Since then, Loki adapted a strange gleaming look, that was lingering on Tony’s skin, but it wasn’t creepy. Tony actually liked it. It made him feel special.
Seventh month in, and Tony started to wonder why Pepper said nothing. He ditched the appointment, and she didn’t haunt his ass. Something fundamentally wrong was happening. So, despite his instincts screaming to leave it be, he called her.
“Hey, Pep. How are things?” He asked tentatively.
“Everything is good, Tony. Why are you asking?” She asked confusedly, a frown marring her features. Tony felt a stab of guilt. He didn’t wish to worry her. She was perfect, if only because she never underestimated him.
“The appointment.” Tony said, nearly flinching. She smiled at him adoringly.
“Loki reassured me that you won’t be harmed. I decided to trust him, and it turn out wonderfully.” She said calmly. Tony frowned.
“Since when you are speaking with Loki?”
“Since the second week of your partying, I think. I made him promise to give me recaps every other month.” She said casually.
“And he agreed!?” Tony asked incredulously.
“It was either that or giving you up.” She remarked, looking at him pointedly.
“Oh…Savage, by the way.” Tony grinned.
“Pfft. I was your assistant Tony. Some kid with magical powers will not outdo me.” She said amused.
“Too young then?” Tony asked.
“Aren’t you supposed to have this crisis before you sleep with ‘em?” Pepper teased. Tony shrugged, smiling shyly. “Go for it, Tony. He’s good for you.”
“Huh, miracles surround me these days.”
Pepper laughed, shaking her head.
“A double date next week?” She asked.
“Sure. Send me the details.” He said, without missing a beat. Yeah, Loki was right for him.
“Will do. Bye, Tony.”
“Bye, Pep.”
>>*<<
For a few days Tony was devising a plan of breaking the news to Loki. Tony wasn’t apprehensive per se. Loki wasn’t obvious about it, but Tony knew where to look, and it couldn’t be clearer, Loki was taken by him.
He had several scenarios mapped out, but they crumbled when Loki came up to him with another. The preposition was evident, but Tony didn’t wish to share Loki anymore nor he wished to be shared.
“No.” Tony said, and Loki appeared crushed for a moment, before his expression cleared and he grinned at him brightly, albeit falsely.
“Your loss.” He teased.
“No.” Tony repeated, capturing Loki’s wrist, and tugging him close, forcing the guy to let him go.
“Hey!” The guy protested. Tony grinned at him dangerously, shooing him off. The guy glanced at Loki, but the God’s attention was focused solemnly on Tony.
“Beat it.” Tony growled irritably, not hiding the jealousy that rose in him. Loki gasped beside him, the guy snorted and walked away briskly. Tony glared after him, enjoying the moment. Elegant hands, stroking his chest tentatively, broke the moment and forced him to look at his Trickster.
Loki appeared mystified, and achingly vulnerable.
“I only know how to go too far.” He warned, swallowing nervously.
“Suits me perfectly.” Tony said confidently, tugging him down and Loki followed obediently, whimpering into his mouth, and desperately clutching to him.
>>*<<
“Babe, where is that tie pin you gave me?” Tony asked, watching himself in the mirror. His casual deep-red Armani looked good on him, and he thought that a gold accent wouldn’t go amiss.
Loki came into the dressing room, looking edible in his black Burberry suit, pin in hand.
“Thank you.” Tony said, taking it and pinning the tie. “How do I look?” He asked teasingly, raising his eyes to look at Loki, who appeared to be stunned.
“Mine.” The God whispered, gliding to him, and embracing from behind. His green eyes burning with emotion.
“Marvelous, then.” Tony concluded, turning in Loki’s arms, and kissing him sweetly.
Yeah, Loki was for him.