Disclaimer: I do not own The Avengers or any characters in them.
Loki stared at Tony, the moment seemed to pass in slow motion. Both of them were breathing heavily. Tony glared, red-faced at Loki. Another fight. It had started over something small as usual. A small comment Loki had made about Howard, which progressed to both of their daddy issues being thrown out in the open, which then resulted in another screaming match. Worse than the others. Objects had been thrown, glass shattered. But then there was one word. One word that stood out over all of the others for Loki. Monster. "You heartless monster! You don't fucking feel anything! Did you ever really love me at all?!" Tony had shouted, causing Loki to freeze. And that was what lead to this moment right now. Both of them standing, frozen. Staring at each other and panting. The word echoed in Loki's ears still. Monster. It was a word that haunted him all his life, something he always tried to escape from. Despite everything, Tony was the one he loved and trusted more than anything. The only one he loved and trusted. To have that one person take his biggest fear and insecurity and toss it at him as if it was nothing, felt like being betrayed in the worst of ways.
Tony must have sensed this, because he stepped forward and reached out to take Loki's hand. "Loki I.." Loki pushed him away, walking quickly to their room. He slammed the door and locked Tony out. Loki sat on the bed, where he concentrated on not letting a single tear fall from his eyes. He couldn't remember the last time he cried. He lost the battle when a few tears slipped down his cheeks, and then he was lost in sobs. His shoulders shook as he buried his face in his hands. Tony knocked on the door, not wanting to ask JARVIS to do it for him. "Loki.. please open the door.. I'm.. I'm sorry, okay?" he said, leaning against the door. His heart only hurt more when he heard Loki sobbing. Loki never cried. The fact that Loki was now a crying mess was Tony's fault.. It was something he couldn't bare. "JARVIS, unlock the door." he said, walking inside the room and sitting down beside Loki, gently reaching out to hold him.
Loki allowed the touch. It was rare that that happened, considering that Loki hated physical signs of affection aside from sex. Tony gathered Loki in his arms. "Shh.. I'm sorry, Loki." he said softly, smoothing back Loki's hair. "I really didn't mean it.. it slipped out. I lo-" Tony caught himself there. He hadn't realized he almost just said it. The ultimate deal breaker. Tony closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and swallowed his fear. "I love you." he told Loki. Loki's eyes shot up to meet Tony's, scanning them for lies or deceit. He found none. "I.." he breathed, not finding the words. He closed his eyes, knowing he felt the same way. But he just wasn't ready to say it, instead he relaxed into Tony's arms. Silence for a few moments. "Tony.. you know that you have an ability no one else has... you can hurt me more than anyone else, Tony." said Loki softly. "You have the power to break me."