"Morning," Loki sighed, walking into the kitchen the next morning.
The Avengers were gathered around the counter, waiting for Steve to finish cooking.
"Morning," a chorus greeted him. They had grown nearly completely used to the god, the previous awkwardness and wariness almost nonexistent.
"What shall we dine upon today?" he asked.
"Well, reindeer games, I was hoping you might be on the menu," Tony smirked, thoughts racing through his head that made him sincerely hope that neither of the Norse gods could read minds. Loki rolled his eyes at the pass.
"Oooo rejected," Clint laughed, earning a slap from Tony. Tony didn't miss the glance between the archer and the god of mischief.
"Good morning brother, I trust you slept well," Thor smiled warmly.
"Yes, I did," he smiled, a lie, but lies were his specialty. This is why he was currently able to maintain his cool composer while being undressed by the eyes of a certain genius not five feet away.
"Ready!" Steve grinned, turning around with a platter stacked high with pancakes.
"What, pray tell, are those?" Loki asked, eyeing the flat bread suspiciously.
"It's flat, sweet bread," Thor smiled, proud that he knew something for once that Loki didn't.
"They rock," Clint smiled, the first to sit as they migrated to the table. Loki had to admit, he was quite pleased with the fluffy cakes, and he was especially pleased with the sticky, sweet liquid that was meant to be poured over them. However, Loki still could only eat one or two forkfuls, with his stomach and digestive system still thin and dysfunctional.
"I must say, that was exquisite, Mr. Rodgers," Loki smiled.
"Thank you," Steve grinned, still slightly surprised every time the god was kind to him.
"Well, we have a full agenda today, Rudolf," Tony smirked.
"We?" Loki asked, eyebrows raised.
"Well, first your check up, because we neglected to do it yesterday, then shopping."
"Shopping?" Loki asked, thoroughly confused.
"Or do you plan on wearing those oversized sweatpants for the unforeseeable future?" he smirked, using the sentence as an excuse to look down at the pants that just barely clung to Loki's frail hips. "Though, now that I think about it, it's cool with me if you want to." Loki scoffed at the audacity of this man; he certainly was the cockiest mortal he had ever met.
"Very well," Loki sighed, earning a broad smile from Tony.
"Great!" the billionaire grinned, tugging Loki towards the elevator.
"Watch your a-" Clint started before Bruce jabbed his side the same time Natasha smacked his head.
Then the doors closed on the pair, leaving them alone.
"To the lab!" Tony exclaimed, pressing the 'lab' button with more zeal than usual. Loki looked down to see Tony sporting a mischievous grin.
"What?" he asked, but the words had barely left his lips before he felt two hands pressing his shoulders forcibly onto the wall, "Persistent mortal," Loki said, smirking.
"As ever, reindeer games," Tony smirked, pulling the god's shoulders down so their faces were level.
"Yet, to no avail," Loki chuckled, standing so quickly Tony was knocked off balance.
"Stubborn god," Tony grumbled from his spot on the floor.
He hated this, this longing.
"As always," Loki laughed, light and warm. He reached out his hand towards the man. Tony laughed as he grasped the offered hand, all frustration melting away at the slight of the god's smile, then he was being pulled to his feet.
"To the lab!" Loki grinned, mimicking Tony's excitement.
"Little rat," Tony chuckled, leading the way as the doors slid open.
"Actually, I do believe I am considerably taller than you," Loki smirked. Tony waved his hand as through to brush the comment away.
"Drop your pants," Tony said, hiding the giddy feeling that was erupting in his stomach.
"Do what now?" Loki asked, horrified.
"Come now, Loks, do as the doctor says," Tony smirked, preparing his equipment. Loki grumbled as he let the pants drop to the floor.
"On the cot," Tony ordered, not allowing himself the luxury of setting his eyes on the god, not yet. He wanted to make the god squirm.
"What are you planning on doing?" Loki asked warily.
"Just the norm, except, in order to get a full scan, I need you exposed," which of course, was a lie. Stark's scanner was grade A; capable of scanning a life force through a foot of steel, but Loki didn't need to know that.
"That is a lie, Stark," Loki said, causing the genius to twitch, "Tell me, did you enjoy yourself last night?" Tony whirled around to see Loki sporting a knowing smirk.
"I don't have any idea what you're…" Tony started but trailed off as he stared into the deep green orbs.
"I may not have my powers, Stark, but I can feel eyes on me," Loki grinned sadistically, enjoying the flustered look Tony gave him.
"I… I um…" Tony babbled while his mouth felt dry as cotton.
"Sir, would you like me to begin the scan of Mr. Laufeyson?" Jarvis interrupted, Tony thanked him silently.
"Yeah," he breathed, surprised when the smirk slid from Loki's face to be replaced by the ghostly calm features of a man who expected no good news, "Just a few more seconds," he said, watching the scan load on the screen in his hands. "And, we are done," he said, reaching over and switching off the scanner.
"How does it look?" Loki asked, watching Tony study the screen, his face unreadable. Tony let out a sigh, scratching his neck agitatedly. "What?" Loki asked, worry growing in his stomach. Tony plopped down on the office chair beside the cot.
"I hate this," Tony muttered, allowing himself to finally lay his eyes on Loki, "Hate this," he repeated, absentmindedly reaching up and running his fingertips over Loki's abdomen.
"Will you just tell me?" Loki frowned.
"Not much to tell," He shrugged, "in all honesty, not much has improved."
"I don't understand," Loki scowled, "by now, my magic should be replenishing, my body healing!"
Tony looked sadly at the flustered god, "Look, if you were a normal human, you would've been dead probably a few days after you got captured. That's over a year that you should've been dead. But because you are you, you stayed alive, but just barely. You didn't have food or water for year, for the love of Odin I don't know why we expect you to recover quickly. You're not going to be able to recover quickly, it'll take time," Loki huffed at Tony, crossing his arms, "Hey now," Tony smiled reassuringly, "At any rate, you are better. I can see some of your muscle has started to return," he hummed as he ran his fingertips over every indent of muscle. A frown settled on his face when he ran his hand over the god's rib cage. Each bone stuck out, harsh against his skin. Tony moved his hand to feel the hip, which protruded horribly and unnaturally. How had they done this to him? This proud god's very energy, demanded respect, emitted regal aura in pulses.
"You look disgusted," Loki frowned, his face twisted in unidentifiable emotions.
"Not with you," Tony corrected. Loki just nodded, he didn't need a speech. "Well, we should finish up," Tony sighed. Loki didn't look at him, turning his head to face the blank walls of the lab. He felt humiliated, defeated, horribly and undeniably exposed both physically and mentally. His body ached for the return of the muscles and strength, his very soul pleaded for the electric buzz of magic to course through his veins. But, what did it matter if his body ached, his soul pleaded? He was broken, dependent and weak. It was a vicious cycle of not having enough magic to strengthen himself, and not enough strength to regenerate his magic. It was cruel, far crueler than anything those guards had done to him in that cell.
"You should have left me there, all of you," Loki said, so quietly he wasn't sure if Tony had heard.
"And miss out of seeing this body? I don't think so," Tony said, hiding the tug on his heart.
"The level of audacity that you possess is unfathomable, Man of Iron!" Loki growled, "Can you take nothing seriously?"
"Ok, you want the truth?" Tony spat, growing tired of the god's self-loathing, "No, we should not have left you in there. If we had, you would, as a matter of fact, be dead. And even if you wouldn't have minded, even if back then I wouldn't have minded, I mind now! So cut the self-loathing, teenager crap because you have an entire mansion of people ready to help you however they can! You have a brother that would sacrifice everything for you; he broke you out of jail, for the love of whatever gods are out there! You have Tweedy-bird, Tasha, the Good Doctor, and Spangles! You have me! So stop acting like an emotional adolescent and grow some balls!"
Loki stared at the man in utter disbelief. Who was this man to chastise him? Who was this man to lecture him? He was a god and this man, this man that smelled of oil and grease and alcohol, he was a man. But, he wasn't just a man. He was the Man of Iron, he was Tony Stark, he was the man Loki grabbed by the collar and pulled down until their lips crashed together. This was the man that managed to treat him like both a king and a china doll, able to make him feel respected and protected.
"I should yell at you more often," Tony smirked as they broke the kiss.
"Shut up," Loki smirked back, earning a lustful growl from Tony.
"Let's go get you some clothes," Tony smiled, kissing the god once more. Loki simply nodded, standing from the cot, his muscles screaming at him in the process. "You okay?" Tony asked as he put away the medical equipment.
"I'll be fine," Loki said, bracing against the bed.
"Here," Tony said, disappearing under the desks and reappearing seconds later with a bottle and a plastic container in his hand, "Take these."
"This is alcohol," Loki said as Tony handed him the items.
"And pain killers," Tony corrected.
Loki shrugged, uncorking the bottle and opening the small container. He popped a few of the pills in his mouth before taking a hearty swig of the drink. He could've moaned in pleaser as the burning liquid engulfed his throat in warmth. "It has been years since I had a good drink," Loki grinned, taking another swing, "though, midguardians alcohol isn't as strong as Asgardian's."
"Sounds like a challenge," Tony smirked, taking the bottle from the god's hand and taking a swig for himself, "I should try some sometime."
Loki chuckled, snatching the bottle back.
Tony had nearly forgotten the man was stark naked until he saw him tugging on the sweat pants.
"Let's go," Loki smiled, turning his head to look at the man as he pressed the button for the elevator.
"Okay," Tony grinned.

---

"Loki, you're being childish!" Tony barked, forehead pressed against the outside of the changing room door.
"No I am not!" Loki whined.
"Then come out!"
"No!"
Tony groaned, "Why?"
"The reasons are endless!" Loki moaned, "I look ridiculous! Midguardians clothing is... impractical and... Uncomfortable!"
"Says the man who wears full body armor and antlers on his head!" Tony retaliated.
"That is for protection!" the god whined.
"Please come out," Tony sighed. It was the first store they had been to so far in the giant shopping mall. Although they'd been there almost an hour, all he had accomplished was to apparently shame the god into a changing room.
"I look ridiculous," Loki grumbled.
"You're gorgeous, so stop being such a Steve and get out here so I can see!"
"You are lucky that I am not at the peak of health," Loki sighed, opening the door. Tony felt his face burn almost instantly. Loki stood, sheepishly before him, in a sleek black suite and deep green tie. "Well?" Loki asked, as if waiting for Tony to begin laughing and rolling on the floor like an idiot.
"Stunning," Tony said, so quietly he wasn't sure if he had said it at all. A blush crept up the god's face as he turned to face the mirror. "Nice. Very nice," Tony said, walking up behind the man and straightening the cloth. He ran his hands over the god's back to smooth out the creases.
"You jest," Loki said, hiding the shutter of pleasure the touch sent down his body.
"Me? Never," Tony smirked, rubbing small circles on the god's sides with his thumbs. Loki let out an involuntary whimper at the touch, blushing furiously when Tony chuckled, "Sensitive much?" the playboy joked, continuing the motion.
"A year without contact... That will make even the proudest god quiver at the touch of a lo-" but he caught himself, horrified that he had been a syllable away from saying that word.
"I'll keep that in mind," Tony smirked, rubbing the god's sides with his palm. Standing on his toes, he leaned up and placed his lips at the quivering man's ear, "Lover."
Loki gave an undignified squeak, his face as red as his natural eyes. Tony was chuckling, enjoying the reaction. In his excitement, he hadn't realized his hands had inched away from the god's sides and were pressed against his thighs. Tony smirked, realizing that Loki hadn't noticed.
"So what would happen if I did this?" Tony asked, rubbing Loki's thighs, allowing his hands to linger on the insides of his leg.
"Mr. Stark," Loki exclaimed, overwhelmed by the sudden explosion of heat that was crashing through his body.
"Can't you just call me Tony?" Tony smirked, increasing speed.
"Anthony," Loki said smoothly before turning around quickly. He grabbed the collar of the shorter man and pressed his lips atop the others, "Refrain from doing that... In public."
Tony smirked, locking their lips together once more. Loki's hand migrating to Tony's nest of brown hair while Tony's remained clinging desperately to the collar of the suite. "No promises, Rudolf."
"Excuse me?" a voice said beside the men, "Excuse me!" The men pulled apart reluctantly, turning their eyes to the voice. "This a public place and I would appreciate it if-" a stocky employee started, but stopped when he saw who he was speaking to. He didn't recognize Loki, he had changed too much in the last year, but he did recognize Tony. "Oh, um, I apologize. I did not-" Tony stared as the man sweated and looked around awkwardly.
"We would like to purchase this suite," Tony said simply, pointing to Loki.
"I do not believe we agreed to that!" Loki retorted.
"Irrelevant, Rudolf, you don't get a say," Tony smirked.
"Audacious mortal," Loki grumbled as the stocky worker scurried away to ring them up.
"Always," Tony smirked, giving the pouting god a quick kiss.

---

"Happy, you have no idea how stubborn gods are," Tony moaned theatrically as he stepped into the car with shopping bags in hand.
"Oh, sir, you've never had Thor try to navigate somewhere," Happy chuckled from the drivers' seat.
"I must agree Thor truly is awful with navigation," Loki added in an attempt to pull the attention from himself.
"I'd take crappy navigation over stubborn adolescence any day," Tony rolled his eyes.
"I do not know what you are speaking of," Loki said, crossing his arms over the shirt Tony had let him borrow while they shopped.
"We only got two pairs of pants, five shirts, a pair of shoes, and some underwear!" Tony retaliated, "Who knows how long you'll be living here? This is hardly a wardrobe!"
"Midguardians clothing is strange! Besides, we purchased that awful black suite..."
"Just because we don't look like we belong in Shakespeare in the park, does not make it weird."
"Shakespeare?" Loki asked, suddenly intrigued.
"Yeah, I mean seriously, with you guys, it's like: doth mother knowist you wearith her drapes?"
"Are you speaking of the time that Thor dressed a Frigga and I a bridesmaid in order to steal back Mjölnir from Prymr? Because we had no choice in the matter! Otherwise he would have-"
"Wait, you two did what now?" Tony asked, his face red from repressing laughter.
"No! No! I jest! I did not-" Loki said, panicked.
"Jarvis! Remind me to look up Norse mythology once we get back!" Tony laughed.
"Certainly, sir," the AI replied.
"The ghost! Why is he allowed in the car?" Loki barked, glaring at Tony accusingly.
Tony was now holding his sides, laughing so hard he was losing his ability to breath.
"I pray to Odin you fall over dead before we arrive," Loki pouted.

Notes