Tony held Loki's hair back out of his face. Morning sickness.

After a few more minutes of some pretty unpleasant retching, Loki sighed and straightened, "OK," he murmured, "I think that's it for the time-being."

Tony pulled him close, ignoring the smell of sweat and sickness. He placed a gentle hand over Loki's small bump of a stomach, rubbing little circular motions across the skin, cradling the body that his child was growing in.

"Alright," Loki half-laughed, pushing his lover gently away, "I need to change my clothes, Tony! I stink!"

"Do not!" Tony laughed, pressing his nose against Loki's skin and inhaling deeply.

"Yuck!" Loki yelped. "Should I be worried that you don't smell that?"

"Nah babe, it's all good."

"Did everybody but me know that Loki wanted a proposal?" Tony asked, pinching the bridge of his nose.

The others around the table looked at him like they would a small child. They were in the meeting room, even though it wasn't a meeting so much as a gossip/'yell at Tony' session.

"I thought you were supposed to be smart," Tasha quipped.

"I thought so too," Bruce agreed from across the room, "but apparently he is that stupid."

"Cheese and crackers, Tony!" Cap put in, "How could you be so irresponsible?"

"Yes," Tasha said wearily, before Tony could ask, "He did just say that."

Tony turned to her, grinning, "Really? That's just great."

"Tony!" Bruce snapped, clicking his fingers to get Tony's attention back, "Point in hand? Are you going to propose?"

"Well... yeah. I kind of... was wondering how, though."

Clint made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat, "Seriously? You want tips on how to propose to the evil alien you knocked up?"

"Hey! A little respect, soldier," Cap barked.

Clint scowled but said nothing else.

"Soooo..." Tony smiled, moving on, "anyone know how to propose to my pregnant alien-god boyfriend without completely messing up and getting my dick blown off by a pissed-off sorceror's magic blast?"

Widow smirked, "I'd pay to see that."

Bruce grimaced, "Yeah... I'd rather not have that mental image myself."

Tony sighed dramatically, "Ideas, guys...?"

Candles. All over their suite. And rose petals. That was nice.

Loki was taken aback for a moment, and then smiled a curling smile. Maybe he did care.

"Loki, my love?" Tony, walking towards him, wearing a tux, hand outstretched gallantly, "Why don't you join me for a while?"

He took Tony's hand – he was always surprised by how much he enjoyed its warmth. Tony must find Loki's own hand an iceberg against his skin. He never mentioned it. Loki was thankful for that display of tact.

Tony led him through to the window, where he had placed an elegant high-backed chair. Nothing more, just the chair. Loki had been expecting that all this was leading to a nice romantic dinner. Now he was slightly confused.

"Tony-..."

"Shhh, babe. I have some things I wanna say."

Loki closed his mouth hesitantly, waiting for Tony to speak. Tony looked at the chair pointedly, until Loki got the picture and sat, sinking into the velvet and lolling deliciously against the arm-rest. It made Tony's throat go kind of dry.

Loki raised an eyebrow as Tony got down on both knees in front of the chair.

"Who would've thought," Tony mused gently, "that one day I'd be more than willing to kneel for you."

He reached out and took Loki's hand in his, warming it with his fingers. His face was full of love in the candlelight.

"Loki, baby... I love you. I don't know what I'd do without you by my side. I know that you've already honoured this... mere mortal..." a wry grin, "so greatly; by allowing me to touch every part of you; by taking me into your bed, your life, and, I hope, your heart."

Loki's eyes were wide and strangely trusting; glinting in the lights. It made Tony nervous – but he was determined to do this. He was going to prove to this man just how much he loved him.

"...I love you so much," he continued, voice getting increasingly choked up now. "My beautiful Loki... will you..." he pulled a ring box from his tux, opened it to reveal a bright and shining diamond, "will you... allow me to love you the way you should be loved, and agree to be my husband?"

"You...?"

"Marry me, Loki."

Pregnancy hormones conspired against him, made him more open than he'd normally allow himself to be. His throat caught a little.

"Tony," he whispered. "Yes," maybe there was a tear or two – but Tony would've never suggested such a thing. Loki's fingers curled tightly around his, and it was perfect.

Loki laughed, "For that diamond, I'd marry Nick Fury."

Tony chuckled in return, "Then I'm glad I asked first!"