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The golden apples of Idun became a myth long before Asgardians decided to rule over Nines. Actually, they may have never become fearsome, fearless and feared warriors if not for the fools beguiled by the idea of immortality drawn to their land, like moths, wishing to take what had never and could never belong to them. Because, like any myth, Idun’s apples were not exactly what stories made them to be.
Yes, they were apples, and yes, they were golden, and they even granted a prolonged life. In fact, they gave such a long life that some confused it with immortality. But that’s where the truth ended, and myth began.
Firstly, many believed that Idun was a Goddess and had an orchard, which was a big stretch at best. At one time Idun has existed, but she wasn’t a Goddess. She was an enthusiastic mage, tampering with the things she barely understood and paid a hefty price for it.
She created a spell that infused fruits with many interesting characteristics: strengths, healing, flight, random powers. But it wasn’t quite enough for her. She wanted to create something out of this world, and she managed it. She created an evergreen apple tree.
It bloomed and gave fruits, claiming Idun’s life in the process. It sucked her dry, trapping her soul in the soil, as if her essence was the fertiliser.
Nobody really knew much about the fruits, since the tree itself was discovered a few centuries after Idun passed, and what little they knew about them came from her hectic notes. What every Asgardian knew, though, was that golden apples were hard to eat without vomiting.
The first rulers of Asgard figured that to gain prolonged life one should prove their resolve, since eternal life wasn’t a walk in the park after all. Thus, the disgusting taste. If one couldn’t overcome such a simple complication, one wasn’t ready for the hardships of thousands of years to come.
Loki was speared the ceremony. Between him being adopted frost giant and a mage, he really didn’t need an enchanted apple to prolong his life. His life would be long enough as it was. Far too long, in his humble opinion, but no one asked him, so he kept this and many other thoughts to himself.
However, he still remembered broken sobs of mothers whose children were incapable of consuming a golden apple and were forced to part with them, since nobody became Asgardian by birth. To become an Asgradian one had to consume an Idun’s apple. If not, then “sorry, but…” and off one goes down the rainbow bridge whenever the Norns would lead them.
It was sad, but Loki hadn’t pondered on it. His family was immortal, and his romantic interests firmly lay with long-lived races, until he met Tony Stark.
At first it was a mild interest, not strong enough to pay any particular attention to it. Tony was his friend, and they were close. In Loki’s opinion, they were closer than friends should be, but it soothed his wants, thus, he let it rest. But then, Loki started noticing how frequently and how close to death Tony waltzed, and when he almost cracked his skull open for the third time in three days, Loki had enough.
Firstly, because his heart couldn’t take that much pain in such a short amount of time, and, secondly, he realized that his mild interest, wasn’t mild nor an interest. The emotion that he developed was fierce and, to his utter misery, loyal.
Telling Tony to be more careful would not be appreciated and coming from him would be frighteningly hypocritical. He was the God of lies, but even he couldn’t pull that one off with a straight face. Wishing that Tony would finally see sense and started caring for himself was a fool’s hope. Thus, the only one solution remained.
The acquiring of the apple wasn’t a fuss. He simply popped by Asgard, asked his mother, suffered a bit of her teasing, and done. The application of it was a bit of a hassle.
He couldn’t just slip it into Tony’s food or drink and convincing him to eat it without a good enough reason was impossible. He could always voice the real reason he wanted Tony to consume it, but he doubted it would be welcomed with joy or considered valid. Thus, the conundrum.
Loki has lost weeks on conjuring ridiculous plans that amused him but were as useless as his brother at diplomatic talks. He wouldn’t say that it frustrated him, just slowly drove him crazy.
These thoughts consumed him on daily bases, thus, he became a bit reckless. Probably, because of it, he hadn’t registered Tony’s arrival. So, the engineer caught him playing with the apple thoughtfully when he waltzed into the communal kitchen.
“Don’t tell me that apples are also golden!?”
Loki heard a disbelieving snort and looked at the man who occupied his life, dreams, and, lately, his heart. Tony wore a sceptical expression, curiosity burning in his gaze, and Nines he was gorgeous. Loki’s fingertips burned with the wish to touch him, so he smirked, raising an eyebrow, and showcased the apple mockingly.
“Don’t do that shit.” Tony grumbled, coming closer and pocking the apple.
“What shit are you referring to?” Loki teased, waving the apple away, and earning a displeased whine from Tony, who glared at him.
“Stop being you for a sec, and give my science brain an orgasm, please.”
“Since you’re asking so nicely…” Loki said, feigning amusement and congratulating himself on not sounding how he felt, which was utterly compromised.
The apple appeared on the counter. Tony yelped excitedly and rushed to it, squeezing past him, and giving his imagination more fuel for sweet, ruining fantasies.
“So, are those famed golden apples?” Tony asked absentmindedly, taking the apple, and sniffing it. “Smells, like an ordinary apple.”
“Except that it’s anything but.” Loki said enigmatically, piquing Tony’s interest.
“How so?”
“They grow on a tree that is believed to be as old as Yggdrasil itself, feeding on the soul of its creator, prolong life, give one automatic Asgardian citizenship, and the taste is terrible.” Loki explained casually, not seeing the benefit in lying.
Tony’s brow furrowed. He watched it suspiciously, then licked it.
“Tastes fine.” He said accusingly.
“I assure you it’s not. That’s why Asgardian population is so small, and many travel to Asgard to participate in a summer festival when anyone who wishes can eat one. To consume an Idun’s apple is to prove one’s character and bravery.” Loki said seriously.
“You mean to tell me that if I eat it, I will automatically become a famed space Viking?” Tony asked dubiously.
“If you could do it than you will not only become a famed warrior, but you will also be the only mortal to do so.” Loki said, hope flaring in him. The chance to trick Tony into eating it presented itself out of nowhere.
“Still sounds bulshity to me. It’s just an apple, Lo.” He drawled sceptically, sniffing it again.
“Then eat it.” Loki said calmly. Too calmly for his taste. But it would have to make do.
Tony frowned, turning the apple idly.
“It seems, like a big decision to make.” Tony said unsure, but Loki heard the endless addiction to danger and insatiable desire to experiment, so he pushed.
“Chicken?” Loki teased. “It’s ok. Much sturdier races faltered in the face of the fruit.” He added, pretending to reach for it. Tony bristled and cradled it to his chest protectively.
“I am not.” He said stubbornly.
“Prove it.”
“That’s cheap.” Tony said, rolling his eyes.
“I dare you.” Loki added with a grin.
For a second Loki thought it worked. Tony acquired a mulish look, and a spark of defiance entered his gaze. He watched Loki challengingly, raising an apple to his lips. Loki stared at him, trying to keep the eagerness out of his expression, but instead of biting Tony chuckled, smirking at him infuriatingly.
“I will eat it if you tell me why it’s important that I do.” He said casually, mirth pouring out of him.
Loki blinked and snorted.
“A bit of fun.”
“Not buying. Try better.” Tony said, smiling at him, like he cracked the mystery of the Universe. Loki prayed he didn’t.
“Eat it and I’ll tell you.” Loki bargained, instead of deflecting. Nines knew deflecting didn’t work on Tony.
“Where’s my guarantee?” Tony fired back.
“You don’t trust me!?” Loki shot back and missed.
“We both know that trusting you is not recommended and foolish.” Tony teased light-heartedly.
“Fine. Have some faith then.” Loki said, crossing his arms. Tony’s remark didn’t exactly hurt him, just annoyed.
“I have all the faith in you and your abilities, and one of them is wiggling out of the situations you don’t find particularly beneficial, so, no faith either, Lo. Give me something substantial.” Tony argued.
Loki should have known that tricking Tony wouldn’t be easy. Tony was a remarkable businessman, thus, knew how to find profit where it seemed to be none. Besides, his secret would be outed the moment Thor returned from Asgard, so, in a sense, he was fucked either way.
“I will tell Jarvis, and if you eat the apple, he will replay my words to you.” Loki amended.
“Deal.” Tony said, grinning at him brightly and bit into the apple.
The chunk he bit off was quite big, and Loki was afraid he would choke on it.
Tony coughed, and put a hand over his mouth, his eyes watering. Loki watched him sympathetically, but it was lost to Tony, who chewed stubbornly and swallowed, making a gagging noise.
“The fuck…” He rasped, tears rolling down his cheeks.
‘’Told you.” Loki said, trying to sound neutral, a harsh sadness enveloping his heart. Tony put the apple on the counter and took a deep breath.
‘’It should be eaten all, right?” Tony asked, watching it with a sore expression.
‘’Of course.’’ Loki said seriously.
“Of course.” Tony echoed sarcastically. “Is there a time limit?”
“Sorry?” Loki re-asked, finding a question bizarre.
“How quickly the apple should be eaten?” Tony elaborated, looking at Loki hopefully.
“I don’t know. No one asked before you.” Loki confessed.
“Idiots.” Tony grumbled, with a smirk. “Could you find out?”
“You really hate losing.” Loki teased, smiling at Tony gratefully.
“Yeah, something like that.”
>>*<<
That night Loki went back to Asgard to do research. Luckily there was no time limit. Odin, predictably, magically ordered him to keep this information to himself, and let people to continue to believe that the apple should be eaten then and there. Unfortunately, the same stipulations were forced on Tony, so the chaos that Loki imagined creating couldn’t happen. But it mattered little since Tony found a loophole and would eat the apple.
The knowledge of it brightened Loki’s days. He was constantly in a good mood, and even impending doom of a confession couldn’t damper it.
“What are you doing?” Barton asked one night, when Tony was gaging over another piece of the apple.
“What are you doing?” Tony asked, breathing heavily. Loki stopped reading and paid extra attention to the situation, without being obvious about it.
“Seriously, Tony.”
“Seriously, Bird brain, how many times should I say that my lab is a restricted area?” He grumbled, straightening up and crossing his arms.
“Except for him.” Barton said, jerking his head in Loki’s direction and burning him with distasteful stare. Loki snorted, and demonstratively turned the page of the book, ignoring Barton.
“Brucie, Pep, Peter, and Rhodey. Your point?” Tony challenged, forcing Barton to look back at him.
“We are a team, Tony.” Barton said, turning and walking out of the lab, like a normal person.
“I swear I will instal lasers into the vents one day.” Tony grumbled, turning to his work.
“But you are a team, Tony.” Loki said mockingly, parodying Barton’s voice.
“We are, Prancer. Not so sure about them.” Tony said, still glued to his screens.
Loki stared at him for a moment, but when Tony didn’t give him his attention, he hummed his agreement and returned to his reading.
>>*<<
“I fucking done it!” Tony exclaimed a month later. “Now I am officially an immortal.”
Loki smiled, watching Tony amusedly.
“Not exactly. That apple healed your body and prolonged your life for a few thousand years at best.”
Tony’s giddy expression faltered, and he gaped at Loki in horror.
“That’s cheating!” He exclaimed, pouting.
“A bit, yes. But you will be that much harder to kill, and I cannot ask for more.” Loki said gently.
“Hmm, yes. I figured. But now when it’s all said and done, let’s go for a date, yeah?” Tony asked him casually, but Loki’s heart stuttered. He was totally unprepared for this turn out of events. So instead of enthusiastically agreeing, he came up with a strangled:
“What?”
“You. Me. Good food, good wine. Making out, sex, holding hands, feelings, and all that follows after. In short, dating.” Tony said amusedly, and that tone got through Loki.
“You knew.” He accused, feeling caught out and stupid.
“Sure, Prancer. But Thor said you would never date a mortal, so ta-da-da, I am not one anymore.” Tony teased, but something hopeful was burning in his gaze and it sweetened Loki, but not enough to take a mercy on Tony.
“Thor forgot to mention that I don’t date Asgardians on principal, and since you are one now…” Loki remarked naughtily.
Tony rolled his eyes and invaded Loki’s space, taking his breath away.
“You were saying?” Tony inquired, laying his hands on Loki’s shoulders, and standing on his tip toes.
Loki was saying nothing, nor he thought of anything besides the wish to consume the man, so boldly challenging him.
Loki claimed his lips in a rough caress, enjoying the closeness of their bodies and the passion that sipped into the kiss. When they broke for air, they still lingered close, and it was sweet. Loki kneaded Tony’s sides softly, thrilled with the thought that he was allowed to do this.
“Do you have something in mind for our first outing?” Loki inquired quietly, luxuriating in the moment. Tony shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, nuzzling his chin and neck. Loki shuddered from the action, tightening his grip on the man. “How about a bedroom?”
Tony chuckled, biting the available skin, and lightly sucking on it. Loki purred appreciatively.
“Yours or mine?” Tony asked, between his ministrations.
“I have a house in Alfheim. Could be ours?” Loki inquired tentatively, not sure if it was too soon for such a preposition.
“Ours sounds good. Let’s go.” Tony said firmly, and up they went to the wonderland.
>>*<<
Loki lived much longer than any mortal could ever imagine, and his experience was vast and versatile, but something about Tony made it if not new than quite refreshing.
Maybe it was the feelings that he was harbouring for Tony. Maybe the easy friendship that they shared before they relationship deepened, or the fact that he wasn’t held to any expectations. Maybe something entirely different, but he never reached such level of satisfaction as he did with Tony.
And it wasn’t perfect. Far from it.
They have managed to get into the argument in the middle of it. Tony had suffered from a mild panic attack when Loki had caged him and touched the arc reactor suddenly. Loki hissed at Tony when he complimented his lean complexion.
Tony wasn’t a fan of hard bites, and Loki was ticklish in certain places. He also was shit at teasing and run low on patience, whereas Tony liked to take his time and drove him nuts with long, deep kisses.
Yeah, it wasn’t ideal, but they made it work, and that was … indescribable.
Because of their willingness to listen, learn and accommodate the needs of each other, Tony happily clasped his legs around Loki’s middle, so he could fuck him hard and fast. In return, Loki didn’t complain when Tony decided to taste every inch of him and hadn’t been ashamed when he came simply from that. Tony’s smug expression helped him to cope with it wonderfully.
In short, they both were relishing in their relationship, and haven’t discussed how would they break the news to the team. Mainly, because the team was the furthest thought on their minds.
Thus, when they came back and were called on an urgent meeting, they were expecting a discussion of a new threat, and not their budding romance.
They came into the room all grins and teases and sat near each other. Tony’s hand rested on Loki’s thigh, and he felt on the top of the world.
The team was rolling their eyes, full of disapproval and usual hyper-seriousness. They simply ignored them, wishing to be done with it, so they could spend more time together without the world bothering them.
“So, who died?” Tony asked impatiently.
“Thankfully nobody did.” Steve said with a righteous disapproval.
“Ok. Why are we here then?” Tony inquired sarcastically.
“Because you have disappeared for two weeks without notifying us.” Natasha explained, equally sarcastic.
“I wasn’t aware I owed you an explanation, since, you know, I have Jarv.” Tony drawled.
“And I can pop everywhere from anywhere.” Loki added.
“Plus, we were together, soooooo…” Tony sing-sang.
“Which poses another problem.” Steve said sternly.
Tony and Loki blinked, exchanged a glance, and burst out laughing.
“It’s not a laughing matter.” Natasha added dangerously low.
Tony rolled his eyes and stood up. Loki raised an eyebrow quizzically, but followed suit, nonetheless.
“My tower, my rules. Anything else?” He inquired rudely, but his voice was ice cold, a clear threat in there.
“Just to be clear, you are choosing a former enemy over the team, yes?” Natasha inquired sweetly. Loki didn’t want to tense, but he did. In that moment, the doubts crushed on him, and he flinched minutely. The spider saw it all, smirking smugly.
“To be clear, this is not a cheap soap opera where the good guys have moral ground to stand on. It’s real fucking life, where the billionaire who owns the fucking clothes that you are wearing is telling you that if you won’t back off you will be out of the job that feeds you.’’ Tony said, staring them down. The staring match lasted for a few minutes, and when Steve opened his mouth to comment, Tony threw his arms in the air, groaning dramatically: ‘’Why am I wasting time on this? You’re adults. You’ll figure it out.” He didn’t give them time to put the word in and turned to him, asking sweetly: “Lo, anything to add?”
Loki shook his head. He felt rather out of his depths. Usually, the blame fell on him, and he didn’t quite remember when someone had chosen him over others, so he stayed silent in fright that if he speaks the moment would be broken and the tables would turn.
“Great. Since there’s nothing real to discuss, we’ll be off. Call when something does happen. Ta-ta.” Tony said mockingly and they exited the common room, leaving the team speechless.
The elevator ride to the penthouse was amusing. Tony was fuming, cursing the team with every swear word he could come up with. Tony’s complaints helped Loki to relax and switch his mind from gloomy thoughts to more pleasurable ones.
“Yes, yes, they are ungrateful pigs that do not deserve your benevolence.” Loki agreed, chuckling, when they entered the penthouse. Tony hummed his agreement and went to the bar to fix a drink. “Would you like one?” He asked. Loki nodded, joining him at the bar.
“I am…grateful. Not exactly the feeling, but let’s go with that for now.” Loki said, catching Tony’s attention. “And I do not doubt your ability to show them their place. But is it worth it?”
Tony blinked and returned to the pouring of alcohol. When they drinks were done and set on the bar, he looked back at Loki, watching him curiously.
“Are you asking because you care or because you doubt your worth?”
“Both, I think.” Loki said, shrugging. There was no point in hiding.
“Don’t worry ‘bout me. I own half of the S.H.I.E.L.D. initiative, and what I do not own I sponsor. They will not cross me. Pretend that they might is all they can do.” Tony soothed. “I cannot help you with the other thing, but you know that. All I can say is that I am willing to match the effort you have put into us.” Tony added and clicked their glasses, smiling softly at him. Loki returned the smile, and they drank.
“Oh, but their faces! Such a feast for the eyes.” Loki gloated, lowering his drink.
“All for you, babe.” Tony said, patting his hand affectionately.
Loki’s smirk softened. He took Tony’s hand and intertwined their fingers, squeezing gently.
“My treasure.” Loki cooed, making Tony blush. “Oh, that’s nice.” He remarked softly, tugging the man, so he could kiss him.
>>*<<
The insistent beeping of his phone woke him up at ungodly hour - 10 am! He groaned pitifully, blindly searching for it, and hitting the answer button, before he could properly put it to his ear. So, he caught the end of the phrase or was it a tirade?
“…..dating Loki! And had the gall to keep it from me!” Pepper hissed on the other line.
“Et tu, Brute.” Tony answered tiredly.
“What!? Are you drunk?” Pepper asked indignantly.
“No. You actually woke me up. What were you saying?” Tony inquired.
“I was telling you that it was awfully hurtful of you to inform these mongrels before me!” Pepper repeated, still fuming.
“Ah! Pep, darling, I was about to, I swear. It’s just slipped and didn’t go well, as you can imagine. How did you find out?” Tony asked quietly, not to wake a peacefully sleeping God.
“Steve called and started yapping bullshit. I didn’t have the patience to listen.” Pepper explained more calmly.
“Yeah, you told me so.” Tony agreed with a smile.
“That I did. If I won’t be first to hear about the engagement ...” She threatened, making it hard not to laugh out loud.
“You will be, I promise.” Tony swore, grinning.
“Good. See you at the meeting tomorrow.” She said, disconnecting the call.
Tony rolled his eyes and dropped the phone on the nightstand.
“Who?” Loki inquired sleepily, watching him with clouded eyes. He looked abnormally cute. Tony smiled at his partner and leaned in to peck him on nose. Loki hummed, snuggling to Tony’s side. Tony embraced him, caressing Loki’s side idly.
“Pep. She was furious that I hadn’t told her about us. Have to make sure I tell her about further developments, or who knows what she might do.” Tony explained amusedly.
“What kind of developments?” Loki asked, sounding half-asleep.
“Living together, engagement, wedding…kids.” Tony listed carefully.
“Fierce women such a pain. We’ll inform her simultaneously with my mother, so none of them has the ground to complain.” Loki mumbled, nuzzling his neck.
“Sure.” Tony agreed, feeling unprecedently happy.
Loki hummed, relaxing further into Tony hold, and after couple of minutes fell asleep. Tony stayed awake, enjoying his partner’s steady breathing and subtle warmth, thinking that his life couldn’t turn out better.