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Chapter Text

p>The air within the Avengers tower hummed with electricity, a mix of high-tech energy and barely contained chaos. Tony stood leaning against his lab desk, twirling a wrench between his fingers. His mind was half full of thoughts about the new arc reactor he’d been designing and half on the infuriatingly smug figure that lay stretched out on his couch.

Loki.

The God of Mishchief reclined as if he owned the place. His leg draped lazily over the other, fingers steepled in amusement. He had appeared, quite literally, out of the blue just over an hour ago (much to the chagrin of everyone involved).
“What’s the matter Stark?” Loki drawled, his voice sounding like silk over steel. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost”.
Tony scoffed. “Please Reindeer Games, I’ve seen weirder. A Norse god appearing in my lab uninvited barely cracks even the top 10”.
A smirk found its way onto Loki’s face and by heavens did Tony wish the others weren’t in the room at that moment.

Speaking of the others, Steve motherfucking Rogers stood in the doorway, his jaw set in an expression that brokered no nonsense. A touch dramatic if you ask Tony. “We should throw him in a cell”. His voice was firm but there was a slight edge of unease beneath it. Steve had dealt with Loki before, he wasnt about to take chances now.
“Agreed”. Nat spoke up from where she was perched on the armrest of a chair, twirling a dagger in her palm. Her gaze was sharp, calculating even. As if she was already picturing the best way to incapacitate the god if needed. Tony turned his eyes to Bruce. The one person he could hope to be on his side (even if the former didn’t know it). But he adjusted the glasses on his face and said nothing. However, Tony could see through his calm demeanor and recognise the wariness that was etched into his eyes. Bruce was no stranger to unpredictability but something about Loki’s presence made him strangely uneasy for reasons he couldnt put into words.

Even Thor, normally unshakeable in his love for his brother, looked uncomfortable. Shifting his weight from foot to foot. His grip was strong and clung to Mjolnir the way it always did when Loki was near, almost like he was bracing for impact.
“Brother”, he said at last. His voice low with warning. “Do not play games with us”.
Loki’s smirk didn’t waver for a second. But Tony could see it. He could always see it. The slight flicker behind the gods eyes, as if there was something going on underneath the surface. “I come with news. A threat greater than your petty mortal squabbles. But if you prefer to keep me locked away then by all means.” His hand gestured, daring any of them to make a move against them.
That’s when Tony noticed that all eyes were on him. Right. This was his tower. His brain scrambled for the right way to play this. He settled on scoffing, “And we’re just supposed to believe you? Forgive me if your track record doesn’t exactly inspire confidence Reindeer Games”.
Loki sighed. Like the burden of being constantly misunderstood was exhausting. And Tony had to admit, he was a damn good actor. “ I have no love for Midgard but what is coming threatens more than just your puny realm. It threatens mine.” Now that earned a moment of interest from Thor. “Explain yourself”.

Loki sat up, his eyes darker all of a sudden and his usual smirk falling away. “There is something stirring in the void. An entity older than the realms themselves. One that feasts on gods and mortals alike”. His gaze flicked across the room, taking in the skepticism. “But of course, if you’d rather wait until it is too late.”

Silence stretched. Again.

Steve sighed, rubbing his temple. “Fine. Say we believe you. What do you want exactly?” Loki’s smirk returned. “Simple. An alliance.”
The room erupted into protest. Betrayal splattered across Thor’s face. Steve livid and Nat's hand on her gun. Tony had had enough. Folding his arms, he looked the god dead in the eyes for the first time since he arrived. “Alright, fine. But if you betray us —”
Loki tilted his head, eyes glittering with mischief. “I Wouldn’t dream of it, Anthony.”

As the others continued their heated discussion, Loki’s gaze stuck to Tony. Just for a moment something unspoken passed between them, as brief as a breath but as significant as a storm on the horizon. Tony didnt react, he didnt let it show. But his grip on the wrench in his hand tightened, just slightly. The gods fingers drummed lightly against his knee, his expression unreadable. But Tony caught it - the soft curl of a smile that wasn’t meant for anyone else in the room.

When Tony turned back to his desk, he did so with the ease of someone who had long since learned how to hide what needed to stay hidden. He could feel the weight of Loki’s gaze lingering, just as he knew it would.

Some secrets were meant to be kept…for now.

Chapter Text

The conference room was colder than usual. Tony sat at the head of the sleek glass table, his fingers drumming idly against the surface. Across from him Loki was leant back in his chair, the very picture of indifference.

The rest of the team had taken their seats, each radiating their own brand of barely contained frustration. Steve’s arms were tightly crossed over his chest. Though his usual Captain America composure cracked just enough that Tony could see the irritation underneath. But that didnt bother Tony. No. What bothered him was the amount of times he had caught Nat flicking her gaze between him and Loki, her suspicion was barely concealed through her impassive expression. So yes, that bothered Tony. He couldn’t risk anyone on the team finding out what he was really up to during his “late nights” in the lab or spontaneous “business trips”. No thank you, he liked his limbs attached to his body.

“Right,” he started, breaking the painful silence in the room. “Let’s cut the glaring and get to the part where we actually try to save the world. Loki’s here, he’s got intel, and unless any one of you has a better plan, I say we hear him out.”. Steve exhaled sharply, “Tony you can't seriously be trusting him?!”. Tony tilted his head, eyebrow raised, “Trust? For heaven's no. But I trust a good opportunity when I see one. As much as it pains me to admit it, the guy has a knack for survival. If something rattled him, maybe we should be paying attention”.
“I assure you”, Loki drawled, propping his chin up on his hand. (And Tony couldn’t help but focus on how goddamn attractive the god was). “I am mearly here out of necessity”.
Nat raised an eyebrow staring pointedly at Tony. “You’re really on board with this?”. Tony shrugged, leaning back in his chair. “I’m not saying we braid eachother’s hair and exchange friendship bracelets or anything, but the guy has useful intel. And honestly? We’ve worked with way worse.”
Loki’s lips curled up in amusement “I’ll take that as high praise Stark”.
Bruce sighed. “Okay, say we do believe you. What do we do about it?”. It was the first time the man had spoken up since Loki had arrived and Tony would love to say he’s taking the whole situation as a champ but the way the man was aggressively rubbing his temple says otherwise.

The silence stretched, heavy with the weight of what was left unsaid. Loki glanced over to Tony. A silent exchange passed between them that went unnoticed by the rest of the room. ‘Top level spies my ass’, he thought. Tony leaned forward, “Well first step? We don’t waste time arguing about whether or not this is happening again. Instead? We prepare”. Thor stepped forward, nodding his head.
“I agree with friend Tony. If what my brother says is true, then this enemy will not wait for us to be ready.”

“Great. See? Teamwork. That wasn’t so hard was it? Now, let’s all take turns pretending we’re totally fine with this and get to work.”

As the team filed out, Loki lingered behind. Tony barely glanced up as he adjusted the interface on his tablet, though he knew the god well enough to have felt his presence before he spoke.
“You should be careful Anthony,” he murmured, his voice carrying that velvet quality that always put Tony on edge (In a way he’d never admit to the gods face). “You play this game well but you are not the only one with secrets.”
Tony finally looked up, holding Loki’s gaze with a smile softer than his usual smirk. He hoped it looked closer to understanding. “I know Lokes. But secrets don’t have to be weapons do they? Sometimes they’re just…things we hold close”.
Loki’s expression flickeres. It looked like Tony had struck a nerve within the god, but the shift was gone sooner than Tony could even begin to ponder it. “Spoken like a man who understands the weight of them”. His gaze was challenging.
Tony exhaled, setting his tablet down. “Let’s just say I know a thing or two about keeping them for the right reasons”. His voice was quieter now, more measured. “And about when to trust someone with them.”

Loki’s lips parted as if to deliver a sly retort, but something about the way Tony was looking at him made him pause. His usual sharp tongue faltered and for just a fraction of a second, uncertainty flickered across his face. Instead he tilted his head, feigning amusement. “You flirt like a man who isn’t entirely joking.”
Tony leant in further, resting his elbows on the table and his grin turning lazy. “And you deflect like someone who enjoys the attention.”
Loki hummed, eyes running up and down the man infront of him. Then, with a ghost of a smile, he closed the distance between them by another inch. “Perhaps”, he mused, voice lower now, “because it’s coming from the right source”.

This time Tony didn’t hesitate. His hand brushed up against Loki’s in a touch so bried it could have been accidental. Well, if not for the way Loki’s fingers curled in response, holding for just a split second longer than necessary. “You know this isn’t just a game Lokes” He murmured, his voice quiet but certain.
Loki’s smirk softened into something more genuine; Something reserved just for moments like this. “No,” he whispered. “It isn’t.” For a moment neither of them moved. The air thick with the familiar pull of something that had long since stopped being uncertain.

With a knowing glance Loki moved back, slipping back into his usual composed exterior. He smirked but it lacked its usual bite. “Careful Stark, People might start to think you care.”
Tony rolled his eyes but his grin was undeniable. “Yeah well, maybe I do”. The gods gaze lingered for just a beat longer before he vanished into thin air. The space where he had been suddenly cold in his absence and the air was with something neither of them could afford to say aloud just yet.

Tony exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair before looking back at the empty place Loki had occupied. His fingered drummed against the table, his mind replaying the moment in perfect clarity.
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small and familiar trinket. A silver chain that had once belonged to somebody else. He turned it over in his fingers, lips twitching into a slight smile before tucking it away again. Then with a short laugh, something breathless and entirely too fond, he muttered, “God I’m so fucking screwed.” And for the first time in a long while he wondered just how much longer they could keep this secret, and whether they even wanted to anymore.

Chapter Text

The night air was crisp against the high-rise balcony of Stark Tower. Tony leaned against the railing, a glass of whiskey dangling loosely in his fingers, eyes fixed on the glittering skyline. He should be inside; Reviewing the data they’d pulled on the entity threatening their existence. He knew that, but his mind refused to operate.

All because Loki was here. The god had reappeared in the shadows of the balcony as if he’d never left. Typical.
“Couldn’t even give me a full hour before you decided to pop back in?” Tony muttered, not bothering to face the god.
Loki chuckled, the sound rich with amusement. “You wound me Anthony. I thought you would simply enjoy the company”.
Tony sighed, finally turning to face him. Loki stood with his arms folded, expression unreadable but his eyes were bright in the ambient city glow. His presence was both incredibly irritating and distracting.
“You’re lucky I didnt set the security system to zap you this time,”Tony said while taking a sip from his glass. “Or maybe I did and you’re just too damn stubborn to show it.”
Loki smirked, “Please, we both know you enjoy my visits way too much for that.”
Tony rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. It was true anyway and he knew the god was fully aware of it. Instead, he motioned vaguely towards the horizon. “Do you ever just…stop and look at it? The city, I mean.”
The man infront of him arched a brow, “ What profound existential crisis has led you to this moment?”
“Nothing new. Just, things are changing fast. The whole team is on edge and you? You drop cryptic comments and just disappear. Makes a guy wonder.”
Loki stepped closer, the space between them narrowing ever so slightly. “And what, exactly, do you wonder?”
Tony’s fingers tightened around the glass he was holding before he set it safely down on the railing. “If you’re actually sticking around this time, Lokes.”
Loki tilted his head, expression softening ever so slightly. “Would that be so terrible?”
The man exhaled, raking a hand through his hair (a habit that seemed to have gotten a lot more common when a certain god was around). “No. Not really.”

Loki studied him for a moment, debating his options. He could keep his guard up, keep this everlasting game of cat and mouse they have going on. Or, he could stay. Let the mortal who’s captured his heart in. Let a person in. And so, in an uncharacteristically smooth motion, he leaned against the railing besides Tony, their shoulders touching.
“I don’t intend to leave,” Loki whispered. “Not unless I must.”
Tony glanced at him sidelong. “Big statement there for someone who likes an exit.”
“Even I get tired of running, Anthony”.
Tony let that hang between them, considering his words carefully before offering a quiet, “Good.”
The weight of the moment settled, lingering longer than either one of them expected. Then, deciding that he’d indulged enough, Loki let out a breath, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off whatever had settled between them. “Well, I suppose I better leave you to your brooding.”
Tony snorted, nudging Loki’s arm lightly with his elbow. “Yeah because you’re such a ray of sunshine.”
Loki smirked but didn’t move away. He stayed right where he was, letting the calm, quiet stretch between them. Tony huffed, shaking his head, but he didn’t argue. He simply reached for his whiskey again. This time, pouring another glass and sliding towards the god.
Loki glanced at the glass, then at Tony, before picking it up with a quiet hum of amusement. “A peace offering?”
Tony shrugged, “Something like that.” Loki clinked his glass against Tony’s before taking a sip.

Meanwhile, deep in the recesses of the Tower, Nat quietly pulled up security footage with a knowing smirk. Her fingers tapped against the desk as she rewind the footage, again and again. Watching the body language, the tension, the way Stark’s eyes softened ever so slightly when he thought no one was looking. Something was there. Her gaze flicked to the size, where classified reports on Thanos lay scattered across the desk. The pieces weren’t adding up. Not just about the threat they were facing, but about Loki himself. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him exactly, but she knew Tony. And she knew he was hiding something, and she was going to figure it out.

Chapter Text

Natasha Romanoff wasn’t a woman who wasted time. The next morning, she called an impromptu meeting and assembled the team in the main conference room of the tower.
“What’s this about?” Steve asked, already sensing something was off with the spy. Nat tapped a few keys on the console in front of her and pulled up paused security footage on the large screen behind her. The dim glow of the balcony feed flickered to life, showing Tony and Loki standing close. Their conversation was muted but their body language spoke volumes.
“This.” she said simply.
Clint raised an eyebrow at his partner, “You spying on Tony’s late night chats now? Thought we were past that.”
Nat ignored him. “I’ve been watching them. Loki isn’t just loitering around the tower for fun. Something is different this time. And Tony? He’s not exactly acting like this is just a personal alliance.”
Bruce frowned, “You think Loki is manipulating him?”
Steve frowned deeply, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “That’s what worries me. Tony’s too smart to get outright played, right? This looks different. Personal. And we all know how Tony gets when emotions are involved.”
“That's putting it lightly,” Nat muttered. “This isn’t just Tony letting his guard down, he’s being reckless. With Loki.”
Clint let out a humorous laugh. “You mean the guy who tried to kill us? More than once? Many times actually. Yeah, forgive me if I’m not exactly thrilled about this little development.”
Bruce sighed, “look even if there is something happening here, does it really change anything? Loki’s been helping. And Tony-”
“Tony’s emotionally compromised.” Nat cut in. “That’s what changes things. And with Thanos looming over us, we can’t afford distractions.”
Steve sat back, expression thoughtful. “So, what do we do?”
Nat’s gaze flicked towards Thor, waiting. It was his brother after all. The Asguardians face remained neutral but there was an edge of reluctance in his voice. “I do not believe my brother means Stark harm. But he is not accustomed to trust, neither is Stark. If they have found it in each other, then perhaps it is not our place to interfere.”
Nat exhaled slowly, considering the ideas in her head. “I don’t like the idea of Stark keeping secrets from us.”
“We don’t even know how far this has gone,” Steve said, his voice tight with frustration. “But if it is what it looks like…then we might have a real problem. If Loki has access to Stark’s tech, to our plans…we need to be sure of where his loyalties lie.”
“Then perhaps,” Clint said leaning forward with a smirk, “instead of confronting them, we find out exactly how deep this goes. Catch them in the act yknow?”
Nat tilted her head, intrigued. “What are you suggesting?”
Clint twirled his knife between his fingers. “We set them up. Force their hand. Something subtle, nothing obvious. If there’s something going on, we’ll see it.”
Steve frowned but there was a begrudging acceptance in his voice, “And if we do?”
“Then we’ll deal with it.”

Meanwhile Tony and Loki sat in the workshop. Loki perched on one of the stools, absentmindedly fiddling with a small piece of tech, while Tony adjusted the settings on one of his holo-displays.Their proximity was almost instinctual at this point. Loki’s knee occasionally brushing up against Tony’s, the latters fingers ghosting over Loki’s wrist when reaching for tools. Little touches, easy to dismiss, but deliberate nonetheless.
“You realise your friends are talking about us,” Loki said casually, watching the way Tony’s hands stilled for just a fraction of a second before continuing.
Tony scoffed. “Yeah, well, it was only a matter of time before Romanoff started putting the pieces together.”
Loki smirked, leaning in just a little, his voice dipping low. “She is terribly perceptive, isn’t she?”
Tony turned towards him, raising an eyebrow. “That bother you?”
“Not particularly. Does it bother you?”
Tony hesitated. He could lie, brush it off or make one of his usual jokes but it’s Loki he’s talking to. The one person in the entire world who takes him as he is. No judgement. He exhaled and leaned on the workbench, eyes locking with the god in front of him. “I just don’t feel like explaining something that’s none of their business.”
Loki studied him, the teasing glint in his eyes momentarily replaced with something quieter. Then, he tilted his head, watching him closely. “And…what exactly is this to you, Anthony?” His voice quieter than usual, carrying something almost hesitant beneath.
Tony held his gaze. The man stepped closer, closing the distance between them until their knees nearly touched. “It’s real,” he said, voice steady. “And I don’t want to let this go.”
Loki’s voice hitched, small and almost undetectable, but Tony caught it. Slowly, the god reached out, trailing his fingers along Tony’s forearm before gripping his wrist. His touch firm but gentle. “You mean that?”
Instead of answering with words, Tony lifted a hand and traced along his jaw, his thumb brushing over the sharp angle of the god’s cheekbone. “Yeah Lokes,” he whispered. “I mean that.”
Loki closed his eyes for a brief second, leaning ever so slightly into the touch before letting out a soft exhale. When he opened them again, the teasing glint had returned, but there was something else now. Fondness. “For once, my dear Anthony, we agree.”
Tony smirked, his hand slipping to the back of Loki’s neck. Fingers threading through the dark strands of hair before giving it a light tug. “That’s got to be a first.”
Loki huffed a quiet laughand in an uncharataristically open gesture, he reached up and ran his fingers through the hair at the nape of Tony’s neck, brief but deliberate.Tony closed his eyes for just a fraction of a second. Enough to enjoy the sensation before exhaling and meeting Loki’s gaze again.
“Well if they weren’t suspicious before, they definitely will be now.”
Loki smirked, “Let them wonder.”
Tony leaned in just slightly, their foreheads nearly touching before he pulled back, fingers lingering on the gods wrist. Neither moved away.

And somewhere in the depths of the Tower, the Avengers plotted their next move, their unease growing by the second. The threat of Thanos loomed closer with each passing day, and trust? Well that was already becoming a dangerous game.

Chapter Text

The Avengers had been through plenty of tense meetings before, but this one felt…different. The gravity in the air was thick, pressing down on the room as they gathered around the large table in the Tower’s conference room. The main screen displayed a looming image of Thanos, a reminder of the threat that lingered just beyond their reach. Tony was leaning back in his chair, an arm draped lazily over the backrest and fingers occasionally tapping against the wood. Across from him, Loki sat in an identical posture, mirroring him almost perfectly. Except for the small smirk tugging at his lips every time caught he Tony’s gaze. If the tension in the room wasn’t already at a breaking point, their subtle interplay certainly wasn’t helping anything.

Steve stood at the front, nodding towards the display. “Thanos isn’t going to wait forever. We need a strategy. And fast.”
Natasha’s eyes flicked between the screen and Tony, as though debating whether to acknowledge the bigger battle, or the smaller one playing out infront of her. Clint, who was sat beside her, muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like, “We’ve got more than a war on our hands.
Bruce adjusted his glasses, “We need to figure out what we’re dealing with first. His movements have been unpredictable, but the latest reports suggest he’s after another infinity stone.”
“Which means,” Natasha added, “if he gets his hands on it, we’ll be in even deeper trouble than we already are.”
Thor, who’d kept his silence until now, exhaled sharply. “I have heard of Thanos before. He will not be outnumbered easily. We must act before he gains more power.” His gaze darted to Loki, as though expecting him to interject.

Loki only sighed dramatically, tapping his foot against the leg of the table. “You mortals do enjoy your strange meetings, don’t you?” A shame none of them ever end with a particularly clever plan.”
Tony smirked, nudging Loki’s knee under the table with his own. “Careful, Reindeer Games. We don’t want you getting bored.”
“Oh, I find ways to entertain myself. “ The god quipped, a playful glint in his eye.
“We don’t have time for whatever this is. The real question is where Thanos is headed next. We need eyes on the ground.” Steve said, attempting to refocus the conversation.
“I can pull some satellite imaging?” Bruce offered. “Maybe cross-check it with the data we have on cosmic anomalies?”
“And what of the stones?” Thor asked. “We must ensure none remain unguarded.”
“We already lost the mind stone,” Nat said, shooting a glare at Loki. “Let’s not make a habit of it.”

Loki merely raised a brow, feigning innocence. Though Tony caught the way his fingers started to tap against the table. The god was restless, irritated even. Without thinking, Tony reached over and let his fingers trace lightly over Loki’s wrist in a brief but deliberate motion. Loki glanced at him, amusement flickering behind his eyes before he turned his attention back to the group.
Steve’s eyes darkened. “This isn’t a joke, Stark. You’re making it harder for us to trust you.”
Clint leaned back, arms crossed. “Yeah , well last time we trusted him things didn’t exactly end well did they?”
“You’re playing with fire, Tony.” Bruce sighed, shaking his head.
“Righttt, because I clearly don’t know how to make my own decisons. Is that it?”

Steve sighed, “Alright we’re losing focus on Tracking Thanos’ next move. Thor, you work on contacting your Asguardian sources. Bruce, check the satellites. Nat and Clint, see if any of your informants have picked up anything off-world. And Loki–” Steve hesitated. “Try not to cause trouble.”
Loki placed a hand on his chest, looking almost wounded. “I would never.”
“Yeah, sure. That’s believable.” Tony coughed, badly disguising a laugh.
Nat fixed Tony with an openly critical look. “So…what exactly are you doing, Stark?”
“Me? Oh. I'll be in the lab. Working. Obviously.”
“You’ve been… preoccupied lately.”
Tony forced out a short, nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, well, world-ending threats tend to do that.”
Natasha didn’t blink. “That’s not what I meant.”

His stomach twisted slightly, but he kept his expression neutral. Of course she wasn’t buying it. She never did. Natasha saw things, patterns, inconsistencies, things he thought he covered up. She was trained to sniff out lies before they were even spoken. He was stupid to think otherwise.
She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. “You’ve been different. Less available. More… distracted.”
Tony scoffed. “Oh, I’m sorry, did you have an appointment?”
Deflect, deflect, deflect. He could do this all day.

Loki hummed beside him, his fingers still tapping. “If you require Stark’s attention so badly, Romanoff, I do suggest you get in line. He’s a rather coveted man these days.” His smirk deepened as he turned to Tony. “Aren’t you, dearest?”
Tony shot him a look that was equal parts exasperation and amusement. “Not helping.”
Natasha, unbothered, continued as if Loki hadn’t spoken. “You’re always working, but lately, it’s like you’re working around something. Or someone.” She let the words settle, her gaze steady, waiting for a reaction.
Tony felt a slow prickling sensation crawl up his spine. Keep it casual.
“You’re reaching, Nat.”
“Am I?” Her voice was cool, measured. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with Loki.”

Tony stiffened slightly, but forced himself to stay calm. “Didn’t realise I needed a permission slip for my social life.”
“You don’t,” Natasha said smoothly, “but when you start keeping things from the team, people start asking questions.”
Loki scoffed from across the table. “Oh yes, because trust within this group is simply flawless. I assume I should expect a full report on Barton’s whereabouts at all times?”
Clint's head shot up at the sudden mention of his name, "Hey, leave me out of this! You've done enough, we're not all stupid enough to believe your act."
Tony exhaled through his nose, feigning impatience. “Oh, let me guess, team unity and trust, all that crap?” He waved a hand about dramatically. “C’mon Nat, we’ve got bigger problems. Like the giant purple murder machine looking for the next infinity stone. Remember that whole thing?”
It was a good move. Shift the focus, steer the conversation back to a safer ground. He knew how to maneouver these things. Yet Nat kept watching him, steady and unwavering. The way a predator watches, looking for the first sign of weakness.
“And yet,” she continued, her voice even, “you seem a little more concerned with something else.”
Before Tony could retort, Jarvis cut in smoothly, “Sir, I must remind you that avoidance tactics have never been your strong suit.”
“Fantastic. Betrayed by my own AI.” Tony groaned.
“Jarvis seems to agree with me”
Tony rolled his eyes, “He’s just programmed to nag.”
“I am programmed for efficiency. You, sir, are a walking inefficiency at the moment.” Jarvis replied evenly.

Tony’s mouth opened, then shut. He hesitated just for a second too long. He could almost feel Loki watching him, waiting. His fingers twitched slightly before he forced himself to relax, sighing with practiced ease.
“I just didn’t know my personal life was a part of the mission briefing.”
Nat’s smirk didn’t move and her eyes remained locked in place, sharp and unrelenting. “It is when it involves someone with a history of–” she paused, choosing her next words carefully, “unpredictability.”
Loki gasped, “How dare you, I am nothing if not delightfully consistent.”
Tony swallowed, the weight of the conversation pressing down on him, He’d known this was coming. He’d known it the moment he let Loki get too close, the moment stolen touches became lingering ones; The moment an alliance became something else. But that didn’t make it any easier.
He rolled his eyes, trying for indifference. “Right, because trusting an ex-HYDRA agent worked out sooo well for you guys.”
“We gave second chances when they were earnt. But let’s not pretend Loki’s ever been a team player.”
Loki clicked his tongue. “Oh, I am hurt.” Then with a sharp, knowing smile, he turned his gaze to Tony. “Though, in my defense, I am quite… persuasive.”
And by god, Tony nearly choked on air. “Alright we’re done here.”

Natasha’s gaze flicked between the two of them, eyes narrowing just slightly. Tony could feel her piecing it together, not the full picture. Not yet anyway, but she was getting closer. And whatever she saw made her lean back, her expression unreadable
“Just don’t let it become a problem,” she said, voice colder now. “Because if it does, you won’t like the outcome.”
Tony exhaled, running a hand through his hair. “Great pep talk, as always.”
Loki chucked, standing in one fluid motion. “Well if there’s nothing else, I do believe Stark and I have urgent matters to attend to."
He placed a hand on Tony’s shoulder in an exaggerated gesture of camaraderie before leading him toward the exit, pausing only to glance back at the others. “Do try not to be too jealous.”
Steve muttered something under his breath, but didn’t stop them as they moved toward the door. And Tony didn’t miss the way Nat and Clint exchanged glances, or how Thor exhaled like a man trying very hard to ignore something that was plainly obvious.

As the doors slid shut behind them, Tony let out a slow breath, rolling his shoulders like he was shaking off the last remnants of the conversation. Then, he turned to the god with a smirk that was both amused and tired.
“Well aren’t you just my personal PR rep?”
“Ah, so you did appreciate my little performance then? Besides, your AI is quite insightful”
Tony snorted. “Yeah well, he’s a menace," Tony muttered. “Just like you.”
Jarvis cut in, “I take that as a compliment sir.”
“You wound me. I was merely correcting an unfair line of questioning." Loki placed a hand over his heart in mock offense.
Tony quirked a brow. “Right. And totally not making it worse.”
“I fail to see how I did anything but solidify your impeccable reputation."
Tony let out a short laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah, because nothing says trustworthy like a glowing endorsement from the guy who once tried to take over the planet.”
Loki smirked, leaning in just slightly. “And yet, you still let me get close.”

Tony opened his mouth, ready with a snarky retort, but hesitated for just a fraction of a second too long. He hated how Loki could do that...turn a casual jab into something sharp and knowing with just a few words.
He huffed, shaking his head. “Unbelievable. You know what? Next time she comes after me, I’m throwing you under the bus.”
Loki grinned. “Oh, please do. I’d love to see how the infamous Black Widow plans to interrogate me.”
Tony snorted. “Yeah, because that’s exactly what we need, you trying to out-snark the deadliest spy on the planet.”
Loki flashed a wicked grin. “I do love a challenge.”
Tony sighed, running a hand down his face. “Yeah, I’m doomed.”
“Perhaps,” Loki murmured, voice quiet now, “but at least you won’t be doomed alone.”
Tony exhaled, tension bleeding from his shoulders as he squeezed Loki’s hand briefly before letting go. “Yeah. Let them scheme.”
He threw one last glance over his shoulder toward the conference room.
“They won’t figure out anything before we’re ready.”

Chapter Text

The battle started without warning.
One moment the team was gathered near the outskirts of an industrial zone following up about a possible sighting of Thanos’s forces. The next, the ground shook beneath their feet as alien warships broke through the clouds and released a wave of foot soldiers that hit the team like a storm.
“Jarvis, analysis.” Tony barekd as he shot into the air, repuslsors flaring.
“The enemy forces appear to be Chitauri and Outriders, sir. Estimated numbers: approximately 200,” came the measured reply.
Tony’s sensors locked onto the nearest cluster of soldiers and he fired without hesitation. “Oh great, just a casual stroll through hell then.”

Chaos erupted. Steve led the charge on the ground, barking orders as he shield-bashed his way through an advancing line of Chitauri. Thor’s hammer crackled with lightning as he swung it through the ranks while Nat and Clint moved with precision, taking down enemies with gunfire and arrows. Bruce had already hulked out, tearing through the battlefield with devastating force. Loki fought with his usual effortless grace. Green magic flared around him as he weaved between the attackers, daggers flashing in his hands. He sent a group of Outriders flying with a burst of energy, only to narrowly dodge a plasma shot from above. He glanced towards his teammates, expecting cover fire at the least.

It never came.

Loki’s lips pressed into a thin line as he flicked his wrist, conjuring a barrier just in time to absorb another round of blasts. He was used to fighting alone, he’d done it for most of his life, but he was supposed to be a part of the team. Guess not.
Tony noticed first. From his vantage point in the sky, he’d notice how Loki had been left exposed, the way no one moved to back him up. “What the hell are you all doing?” he snapped over the comms. “Loki’s getting swarmed down there!”

A pause – too long of one.

“He can handle himself,” Steve finally said, voice even.
Tony’s eyes narrowed. He had been expecting resistance. He’s not stupid, but the casual dismissal of Loki’s plight and disregard of his safety made his blood boil. His HUD blinked red, Loki’s vitals spiked sharply before dropping just as fast.

Tony’s gut clenched.

Then he saw it, Loki, a step too slow, a moment too exposed. An Outrider pounced him from behind, its claws slashing deeply across his side. Loki staggered, one knee hitting the ground and his magic flickering unsteadily.
“Jarvis, is he–?”
“His injuries are critical but not immediately fatal, sir. However, continued combat will drastically reduce his survival odds,” the AI responded. Tony moved before he could even process the data.
A concentrated repulsor sent the Outrider flying, and Tony landed hard beside the injured god. “Hey, stay with me, alright?”
Loki coughed, a sharp smirk tugging at his lips even as blood stained them. “And here I thought you’d let me perish dramatically.”
“Yeah, well, letting you bleed out isn’t exactly on my to-do list Lokes,” Tony exhaled sharply, pressing his palm over the wound to slow the bleeding, “Besides you still owe me a drink as payback, I’m not about to let that go now.”
Loki’s fingers twitched as he gripped the mans wrist weakly, “Not much of a wager if I’m dead”

Tony looked up, anger flashing in his eyes as he took in the rest of the team. They were still fighting, completely ignoring what had just happened. “You left him,” he snarled into the comms. “You left him, and he almost got torn apart.”
Clint was silent for a moment. “We had to focus on the larger fight–”
“Bullshit,” Tony snapped. “You didn’t hesitate to cover eachothers backs.”
No one answered.
Jarvis spoke quietly in Tony’s ear, “Sir, the silence is telling.”
“Yeah no kidding.”
Loki shifted slightly, wincing. “Anthony–”
“Shut up,” Tony said, voice softer now. “You’re not dying on me okay? Jarvis, I need an extraction…now.”
“Already en route, sir.”

As Tony focused on Loki, a shadow loomed over him. Steve had approached with his shield in hand, expression unreadable. Before Steve could say more, Thor burst into the fray. His eyes burnt with determination as he strode towards his brother but enemy fire rained down. In an instant, Thor was forced to dive behind a shattered wall, his hammer clattering to the floor as he took cover. Tony caught a glimpse of Thor’s clenched fist and the anguish in his eyes as he tried to break free. He knew Thor had tried to help, attempted to reach Loki, but the battle had him pinned down. But that didn’t excuse the rest of them. His blood boiled. “You all made your choice!” he shouted, voice trembling with fury and desperation. “No one cares until it’s too late!”
“Medical transport is thirty seconds out, sir”
Loki let out a pained chuckle. “You’re pretty dramatic when you’re angry.”
Tony huffed, adjusting his grip to ensure Loki was stable. “Yeah, well turns out I dont like watching the guy I–” His voice faltered, then his jaw clenched, “The guy I actually care about get shredded because no one thought he was worth saving.”
Loki’s gaze held something unspoken but before he could reply, the hum of approaching transport filled the air.
The rest of the battle blurred into a distant roar as Tony lifted Loki and moved him toward the extraction site. The team could later rationalise their choices, but Tony knew the truth; they didn’t protect Loki because they didn’t want to. And that? That wasn’t something Tony would just forget.

As the extraction jet began its ascent, Tony and Loki were loaded inside it, The metal clanged shut behind them and they sped away from the chaos. Tony’s mind churned with a mix of rage and sorrow. He glanced out the window, watching the distant forms of their teammates scurry for cover and regroup. In that moment, Tony was painfully aware that even Thor was pinned down, forced to watch as fate took its course. It was a bitter reminder that when lives are on the line, the team's priorities were skewed and sometimes, sacrifices are made.
Tony clenched his jaw, voice low and determined, “They might think they’re doing what’s best…but I’’ make damn sure they don’t do that to you again.”
“I know, Anthony. And I appreciate it more than you could know.”

Loki was in bad shape.

Tony had seen his fair share of injuries, heck he’d been on the recieving end of a lot of them, but the sight of Loki pale and barely conscious on the medbay cot made something uneasy settle in his chest.
“Come on Reindeer Games, don’t check out on me now,” Tony muttered as he worked quickly, stripping away torn fabric to properly assess the wound. Blood still seeped through despite the healing tech, and his fingers pressed harder than necessary to stop it.
Loki let out a breathy laugh, though it quickly turned into a grimace, “If you wanted to get me out of my clothes Anthony, you could have just asked.”
Tony shot him a look but leaned in and pressed a firm kiss to his clammy forehead before pulling back. “Be quiet would you? I’m elbow deep in your blood, and you’re flirting with me?”
“Is it working?”
“You’re impossible.” Tony sighed, shaking his head.
Loki ummed, eyelids fluttering. “Yet you’re still here doting on me.”
The man brushed back a strand of Loki’s hair, fingers lingering for a moment. “Yeah well…somebody’s got to make sure you don’t die.” His voice dropped, softer now, “And I don’t trust anyone else to do it right.”
“Thank you, Anthony.” Loki’s smirk faded into something softer.
Tony swallowed hard, letting his thumb brush gently over Loki’s cheek before leaning in to press another kiss against his temple. “Get some rest, okay? No more dying on me. That’s an order.”
“I’m not one to follow orders.” The god quipped, lips twitching.
Tony smirked back despite himself. “Yeah well…try and make an exception for me.”
“I’ll consider it.” Loki exhaled, his grip weakly tightening around Tony’s wrist.
Tony sat back in his chair next to where Loki lay, running a tired hand over his face. The battle had been brutal, but nothing compared to the cold weight of knowing how close he’d been to losing Loki.
For now, the god was safe. And Tony? He’d make damn sure it stayed that way.

Chapter Text

The tower was quiet. Too quiet.

Tony paced outside the med bay, fingers raking through his hair and his arc reactor casting sharp blue light against the dim hallway. Jarvis had reassured him, multiple times, that Loki was stable, that the bleeding had been controlled and that the damage wasn’t too fatal. But Jarvis wasn’t the one looking at the pale, barely-breathing god on the other side of the glass. He wasn’t feeling the weight of it like Tomy was.
“Vitals remain steady, sir,” Jarvis intoned again, but Tony barely registered it.
He exhaled sharply, pressing his palms against his eyes. “Yeah okay, great. Just…keep monitoring him.” His voice was hoarse, raw from crying and the shouting match he’d just had with the team after the battle. Not that they really said much.
Because they knew. They knew and they still did nothing.
Tony swore under his breath, then turned sharply at the sound of approaching footsteps. He knew this was coming. He knew they wouldn’t let him just stew in silence.

The room was tense when he entered. Steve sat rigidly at the head of the table, arm crossed. Nat and Clint were placed on his left and right respectively, both of their gazes sharp and assessing. Thor was near the window, his shoulders squared but guilt was evident in his eyes.
“We’re not here to yell,” Steve said, though his tone suggested he wasnt far from it. “We do, however, want some answers.”
Tony scoffed. “That’s rich coming from you. What exactly do you need clarified? That you all left someone to die because you don’t like him?”
“That’s not what happened,” Steve said evenly.
“No?” Tony’s voice rose, sharp with anger. “Because from where I was standing, it sure as hell looked like you all decided Loki wasn’t worth saving.”

There was a long pause.

Thor was the first to break it. “I tried,” he said, his voice heavy. “I swear to you friend Stark, I did.” He exhaled sharply, his grip tightening on Mjonir, “The enemy ensured I could not reach him.”
Tony’s gaze flicked to him, and despite his fury, he nodded once, “I know.” His voice was quieter but firm. “I saw.”
Thor’s expression flickered with something akin to relief.
“That doesn’t excuse the rest of you.” he said, turning back to the others, anger reigniting.
Nat’s jaw tightened, “He’s powerful enough to hold his own.”
“So is Thor. So is Hulk. Hell, so is Steve, but I didn’t see any of you just letting them fend for themselves.”
“We had to focus on the bigger fight,” Steve said, voice carefully even.
Tony let out a bitter laugh. “That’s real funny Steve, because from what I saw, you had absolutely no problem covering the rest of the team's backs. Just not his.”
“Tony–” Bruce sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Tony snapped his gaze to him, his anger still simmering. “What? You gonna lecture me too?”
“No,” he said simply. “I understand.”
Tony’s breath hitched for just a second before he masked it with a scoff. “Do you?”
Bruce nodded. “I’m not saying it’s easy to wrap my head around, but I’ve been watching. The way you look at him, the way he looks at you. Hell, I’d have to be blind not to see it.” His expression softened just slightly. “I don’t have to like it to know that it matters. And for what it’s worth? You’re right. What happened out there wasn’t okay.” He exhaled. “They…no. We should’ve had his back.”

Nat was watching him carefully now. “How long?” she asked.
“Oh, I'm sorry Natasha, was I supposed to file a report?”
“This isn’t a joke, Stark.” Steve said, voice edged with steel.
“No kidding,” Tony shot back. “You all made that crystal clear when you decided his life wasn’t worth the effort.”
Steve inhaled slowly. “This isn’t just about the fight.”
“No, I’d say watching someone I care about nearly die while you all stood around doing nothing is a pretty damn good reason to be pissed.” Tony said, clenching his fists.
Steve’s gaze didn’t waver. “Someone you care about,” he repeated.

The words settled over the room like a slow-burning fuse.

Thor’s expression remained neutral. Tony hadn’t quite figured out how the god of thunder felt towards the whole ‘I may or may not be involved with your brother’ thing yet. But Nat’s lips were pressed into a line, and Clint just sat there shaking his head. And Steve…well, Steve looked like he’d just put together the last piece of a puzzle he hadn’t wanted to solve.
“You’re involved with him.” Steve said, more of a statement than a question.
Tony’s jaw tightened. “And?”
“This is dangerous, Tony. He’s dangerous.”
“Right..and none of us are? You thik I don’t know exactly who I’m dealing with?” he leaned forward. “You ever consider that’s maybe why it works?”
Steve just rubbed a hand down his face in response, looking away.

“I do not oppose this.” Thor finally spoke again.
All eyes turned to him.
Thor met Tony’’s gaze. “Loki is…difficult. But I have seen him change. I have seen who he is with you.”
Bruce nodded. “Same.”
“Wait, really?” Tony blinked at both of them.
Bruce shrugged. “I’m not saying I'd have bet money on it, but I’ve seen worse ideas. And if anyone could handle him, it’s you.”
“That’s…almost comforting.”
Steve pushed back from the table. “This isn’t over.”
Tony stood as well, his anger cooling into something more resolute. “No, but I’m done justifying myself to you.”

With that, he turned, heading straight for the med bay. Where Loki, his Loki, was still fighting to recover. And to Tony that was the only fight that mattered.

Chapter Text

Loki hadn’t woken up in nearly 2 days.

Tony had barely left his side, running on nothing but coffee and sheer willpower. He had FRIDAY monitoring Loki’s vitals constantly;y, had Bruce check in more times than he could count, but none of it settled the gnawing weight in his chest. He told himself he was staying because someone had to keep an eye on him, someone had to make sure Loki’s healing factor was doing its job. But in all honesty…he just couldn’t leave.

Loki had always been a pain in the ass, sharp-tongued and insufferably smug but seeing him like this? Too pale, too still. The usual fire in his eyes completely distinguished.

Silence.

He let out a shaky breath, rubbing his face before glancing at Loki again. “Okay, seriously, this is getting ridiculous, Reindeer Games. You love hearing yourself talk. I figured you would’ve woken up just to make some smartass comment by now.”

Tony’s chest tightened. He ran a hand through his hair, fingers tugging at the strands. “I yelled at them, by the way. Thor tried to get to you, but the rest of them? They left you there. ” His voice was bitter, sharp. “And, yeah, they’re pissed at me for… this. ” He gestured vaguely between them. “Bruce gets it, at least. But the others? Not so much.”

Still nothing.

Tony exhaled sharply, leaning his elbows onto the bed, head hanging forward. His hands twitched toward Loki’s but hesitated at the last second. “Just…just wake up, okay?” His voice dropped to barely more than a whisper. “I need you to wake up.”

A few agonizing seconds passed. Then, finally, a sharp inhale. Shallow, but there. A faint groan. Tony’s head snapped up just as green eyes fluttered open. Loki’s gaze was unfocused at first, pupils blown from exhaustion, but then he locked onto Tony’s face, blinking sluggishly.

“...Why do you look like death?”

The relief that crashed over Tony was so overwhelming he almost laughed. “Look who’s talking,” he shot back, but the words came out shakier than he liked.

Loki tried to sit up, but Tony was already pushing him back down, hands firm but careful. “Nope. Bad idea. You almost died, and I am not letting you make that my problem again.” 

Loki’s lips quirked slightly. “You make it sound as though you care.”

Tony scoffed, but his hand lingered where it rested against Loki’s arm. “Yeah, well, don’t let it go to your head.”

Loki tilted his head, eyes scanning Tony’s face, the exhaustion written in every line of it. “You haven’t slept.”

Tony snorted. “Oh, now you’re paying attention?”

Loki hummed, then, with what little strength he had, reached out and brushed his fingers along Tony’s jaw, tracing the edge of his stubble. “You look terrible.”

Tony let out a breathy laugh, leaning into the touch before he could stop himself. “You’re not exactly a picture of health either, sweetheart.”

Loki exhaled slowly, his fingers lingering, a silent acknowledgment that he was alive. That he was here.

Tony swallowed hard. His throat felt tight. Before he could second-guess himself, he leaned down and pressed his lips softly against Loki’s forehead.

Loki blinked, momentarily thrown off. “Tony—”

“Shut up,” Tony muttered, voice rough. “Just let me have this one.”

Loki, for once, didn’t argue. Instead, his hand curled into the fabric of Tony’s shirt, tugging him just slightly closer.

Tony huffed. “Alright, I get it. You missed me.”

Loki’s lips twitched. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

Tony rolled his eyes but didn’t pull away, resting his forehead against Loki’s. “Don’t scare me like that again.”

Loki’s voice was softer than usual, his usual sharp edges dulled by exhaustion. “You were scared?”

Tony let out a breathless laugh. “I just kissed your ridiculously pretty forehead and poured my heart out like some rom-com protagonist. What do you think?”

Loki smirked weakly. “Noted.”

For the first time in two days, Tony felt like he could actually breathe.

And then he kissed him.

It was slow, careful—nothing like their usual sharp banter or heat-filled tension. Just warmth, just relief. Loki sighed against his lips, fingers tightening in Tony’s shirt, and for once, neither of them tried to deflect or joke or pretend it didn’t mean something. And then the door swung open. Tony barely had time to react before Steve’s voice cut through the moment.

“What the hell is this?”

Tony groaned against Loki’s lips before pulling back just enough to glance at the doorway. Steve, Natasha, and Clint stood there, looking varying degrees of uncomfortable and so not ready to deal with what they just walked in on. Bruce, standing behind them, just sighed.

Loki tilted his head back against the pillow, eyes half-lidded with amusement. “Really, Stark? No locking spells?”

Tony huffed. “Didn’t think I needed one.”

Steve was not amused. “You think this is funny?”

Tony sat back, crossing his arms. “Oh, I think it’s hilarious.”

Natasha’s arms were crossed. “You’re seriously doing this right now?”

Tony’s patience was razor-thin. “Oh, I’m sorry, was there a better time for you to barge in and interrupt my very important kissing business?”

Clint scoffed. “We’re literally preparing for a war, and you’re making out with the enemy. ”

Tony’s expression darkened. “Yeah? Well, maybe if the team actually had his back, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

Steve clenched his jaw. “Tony—”

“No, you listen ,” Tony snapped. “I get it. You don’t trust him. You don’t like him. But news flash? I don’t give a damn. He almost died out there, and pretty much none of you so much as hesitated to leave him behind.”

Bruce ran a hand through his hair. “Look, we don’t have time for this. Whether any of us like it or not, we have bigger problems. ”

Natasha sighed. “We do. But don’t expect us to be happy about this. ”

Tony smirked. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Romanoff.”

Steve exhaled sharply. “This isn’t over.” 

Tony leaned back against Loki’s bed, smirking. “It never is.