Author's Note: Alrighty, next chapter in this story and I'm thrilled to see how many people have read this and added it to their subscriptions and favorites. Don't worry, I'll earn all of your reviews, I promise. Thanks so much!

I hope you all read and relax and (hopefully) review. Enjoy!


Chapter 2: Mornings

Tony Stark was not a man to give into temptation, well at least not often -perhaps occasionally - but he'd pushed aside his curiosity and left Loki alone, unwatched, for a full day. Instead, Tony had spent his time in his office playing around with designs and figures, and definitely not thinking about the demi-god.

But now, boredom had struck.

"Jarvis, bring up the security feed," Tony ordered against his better judgement. This time, the AI was silent.

The video popped up, and it looked as if Loki hadn't even moved. He was still in the same corner, still curled in on himself, still concealing his face from the camera.

"Rewind it to my last visit," Tony murmured and perched his chin against his hand. The feed popped up again, just in time to see Loki smash the glass of water. The billionaire watched himself storm off. After that, Loki had returned to his default position.

It had only been an hour until Thor appeared again, though this time Tony didn't bother to watch the conversation. The God of Thunder left shortly after only to return again, and this whole process repeated itself, gone for an hour and back again only for a few moments. Tony watched his movements, sharp and quick with frustration, while his brother sat unmoved for the entire speech.

As the video's time neared the current, Tony slowed it down to watch Thor's latest attempt.

"-you know that already, I know you do," the thunderer sighed loudly, his shoulders sagging. "Father cares, he simply does not express it in th best of ways. He only wishes for his son's return, can you not see that?"

This was the first time Loki had ever stirred when Thor was there, lifting his head at last.

And Tony was struck, suddenly, by the look that flitted across the other man's face. In those twin emerald pools, anger flared, accompanied by anguish and regret.

"All I see now are the lies and treachery of Odin," Loki snapped, and then gave Thor a pointed look, "and a fool who is wasting his time."

"Then you are blind!" Thor roared, once again pounding his fist against the glass. "Father saved you from a life of wretched existence and delivered you a family and a kingdom."

"A kingdom destined to be ruled by you," Loki hissed back venomously, standing to his full height. "I was a trophy, a stolen relic."

"You were my brother," the thunderer insisted. "You were my kin, and my friend."

"I was none of those - and I shall never be again."

Loki's voice fell softly, the last echo of his words ringing in his cell. The two gods stared evenly at one another until finally, Thor turned to leave, his loud steps fading into the silence.

And Loki has stood calmly, staring after the blonde, then retreated back to his corner and slid slowly down into his crouched position. Tony could only stare as unknown emtions swirled within Loki's eyes

Sir? JARVIS asked hesitantly, as if the machine could see the trouble brewing inside his maker.

"Get me the elevator," Tony groaned, "I think I might just have a death wish."

. . . . .

"I surely thought that I had permanently scared you away."

Loki's triumphant voice pierced the quietude of the lab, forcing Tony to finally meet his gaze. The god's grin was dark, yet somehow more tired than it was malicious.

"A little broken glass isn't all that terrifying," Tony made a face. "I mean, you threw me out of a building not too long ago. Plus, I figured you could use some company aside from your brother."

At this, Loki curled his upper lip and barred his teeth, but an almost light-hearted laugh escaped him.

"Ah, yes," Loki pushed himself to his feet and approached Tony. "If this is your Midguardian torture, then I commend you."

"If I had known it would've worked this well, then trust me, Thor would be locked down here along with you," Tony smirked as the sneer slowly slid off of Loki's face, only a placid mask left in its wake. "Don't suppose you're ready to talk now?"

There was a pause, the briefest of hesitations.

"About what, pray tell? My employer?" Loki scoffed, "This information is all that keeps me breathing, I am sure."

"That and the fact that Muscles up there would probably break anyone who tried to touch you. Really, such a brotherly bond," Tony arched a careful eyebrow.

"Do not speak of things which you know nothing about," Loki spat back at the billionaire.

"You first," he retorted. Loki only rolled his eyes but Stark took the opportunity to continue. "I've been pretty damn hospitable for a guy whose planet you tried to destroy-"

"Conquer."

"-whatever. The point is that I'm being nice when I don't have to be. Clearly, I'm just wasting my time too," Tony turned to leave whe suddenly there was a soft tap on the glass cell followed by Loki's call.

"Wait."

Tony turned slightly. Loki's jaw was working soundlessly as he tried to come up with the proper words.

"I am-," Loki cut himself off as a loud grumble erupted from his stomach.

"Hungry?" Tony guessed lightly.

Amusement crinkled the edges of Loki's eye and suddenly, the serious mood has disappeared, dissolving between the two men easily.

"Actually, I am quite famished," laughed the trickster. "But, I was going to say, that I am ready."

. . . . .

The only word that Tony could use to describe the look on Loki's face was skeptical. His green eyes examined every minuscule detail, the vaulted ceilings, various liquor cabinets, large TV and rounded couch. Yet as expensive as all of the furnishings were, Loki seemed unimpressed to say the least.

"Your Midguardian style is strange, Stark. You have all the wealth of a king, though you dwell as a peasant," Loki seated himself in the smooth, modern chair at the even more streamlined kitchen table.

Tony was a little more than on edge having the God of Mischief completely unbound, but the other man was making no move to throttle him, or stab him, etc. He marked this as progress and stepped behind the counter.

"Do you want an omelette, or maybe some pancakes?" Tony glanced over at the clock, it was barely six in the morning.

Loki stated blankly back, oblivious to what Tony was saying.

"You know what? I'll fix something up and you just eat, sound good?" Tony disappeared into the pantry.

In the meantime, Loki took in more of his surroundings. Strange little cloths, one for each seat, adorned the table. He was busy picking at the strangely thick and knitted fabric when a large bowl was plopped down before him.

"Here," the billionaire said, almost victoriously.

Small, bright orange squares lumped and floated together in a sea of white, converging around the hilt of a metal spoon. The god blinked at it a few times.

"What, in Odin's name," Loki pointed at the offending bowl, "is that?"

Tony grinned as he placed a cup of coffee beside the villain, taking his seat just opposite. He said simply, "Captain Crunch."

"Whom is in my milk?" Loki's startled expression was enough to make Tony chuckled, though immediately smothered it with the back of his hand.

"He's...well it's a name for the cereal, like a brand," Stark fumbled with the explanation, leaving Loki only more confused. Finally he gave up, instead saying, "Just try it, I swear you'll like it. No one can say no to cereal."

Ever brave, Loki grasped the spoon between his long, dexterous fingers and took a generous scoop into his mouth. Again, Tony would have laughed if not for anxiously awaiting the trickster's response.

Loki's eyes lit up as he pulled the empty spoon from his lips. He glanced down at the cereal as if he were truly seeing it for the first time.

"Good?" Tony assumed.

"It is-," Loki paused, as if decidedly keeping himself in check. His tone was devoid of all it's precious delight, "It is edible."

"Mhmm," Tony hummed knowingly. "Well, I also got you some coffee, in case you also want to seem that 'drinkable'."

This time, with less hesitation, Loki took a swig of the black liquid and almost instantly recoiled. He coughed and hissed at the vile beverage and then turned his rage upon the smirking billionaire.

"Do you mean to poison me?" he snarled, gesturing wildly at the mug.

This time, Tony didn't even try to contain his laughter as he got up to get the cream and sugar. He said between chuckles, "No, not exactly. It's actually a very common drink here, but usually with these it's better."

Hastily, Loki dumped the entire cup of cream into his coffee followed by several cubes of sugar. Only then did he dare for another sip which he still wrinkled his nose at.

"And I am called the God of Lies," Loki sniffed, abandoning his coffee in place for the two sat in silence for a moment, the only sound being the soft clink of metal against porcelain as Loki ate his breakfast.

"You know, we probably should get you some different clothes to wear," Tony noted.

Loki looked down at his rumpled armor, chewing contemplatively. He smoothed out the creases in the heavy clothes before downing the rest of his cereal. Suddenly, it reminded Tony of Thor's impressive appetite, with the way that Loki looked longing at the empty bowl. Their unconscious similarities were almost endearing - almost.

"I would appreciate a bath, if available," Loki had the grace to look not so superior, humble being nearly out of his reach, but not nearly so demanding as before.

"Sure, this way," Tony got up and started off down the nearest hallway. It wasn't until the billionaire was a few steps ahead that Loki stole into the kitchen and snatched the cereal box, concealing it quickly within his robes.