Tony was annoyed. For the past three days he had been dragged, literally dragged, from his bed at ass o'clock in the morning by Thor's psychotic, deranged, pissy little brother. Then said psychotic, deranged, pissy brother continued his dragging theme and shoved him on some prissy little girl window seat and told to meditate or some shit like that. The only up to the whole situation was that Loki's room was full of some the most interesting lighty up things, and yes that is a technical term, that Tony had ever seen and he had it on Loki's word that the damned things were cursed and wasn't that idea teeming with possibilities? Not that he had ever been allowed to get more than a glance at them. Loki always shoved him past all interesting things to try and teach him magic. That's right, Loki, hater of the human race, was trying to teach Tony Stark, protector and member of said race, freaking magic. And people called the man crazy before.

The nights were spent relatively well. After a full day of sifting through parchment with Loki, they even had lunch in his damn study, he was all too excited to expend a little pent up frustration. The whole of the palace would eat dinner together and when they said it was time to eat dinner, they really meant it was time to party. Every night he had spent there was great. Every night they drank, they danced, they told stories, they sang. It was crazy good clean fun. Sure it was missing Tony's favorite drinks and the music totally sucked, but the mead was good quality and the company was entertaining as hell to watch.

Day three had been particularly bad as Loki had dragged him straight from Thor's room to Loki's own by his foot in his underpants all because Tony had told him where he could shove his damned magic lessons. There may have been a Harry Potter reference in there somewhere; Tony hadn't really been awake.

Either way it had been humiliating to be dragged on his back eliciting giggles and stifled laughs from every passerby. Tony planned revenge even as he smiled and waved to the people who passed.

He put the plan into effect the instant Loki stepped out to find some reference material that he needed. Something about a library and how he didn't trust anyone to actually know where it was and Stark better damned well keep his hands to himself while he was away and blah blah unimportant jerberish blah. When the door closed he went to work.

He had selfishly spent the whole morning looking up all the different chemicals that Loki had sitting on his tables and their properties. It would take a clear understanding of how all these things worked to get his desired affect. He grinned to himself as he mixed the tubes and rearranged beakers. He added chemicals here subtracted there, moved this burner to that side. He had just finished and thrown himself into his chair when the large wooden doors opened again and Loki came striding into the study his nose already in his book. He sat back down without even acknowledging Tony's presence.

Tony grinned.


What was really sad about the whole situation was that Tony was adjusting. On the night before day four of the new 'Loki routine' Tony had torn through the pleasant haze that had taken residence in his mind and tossed the excess of Thor's bedding on the floor where he landed the past three mornings. It didn't stop him from hollering as he was yanked back and fell, though. Loki had laughed hard and Thor threw a pillow and told them to get on with it. Tony's mouth fell open.

"Get on with it? Are you serious? Your comrade, your brother in arms is getting kidnapped and all you have to say is get on with it?"

"Get on with it please." Thor amended sleepily. He yawned, rolled over and unceremoniously burrowed back into the pillows ignoring them.

Loki smirked and Tony flipped him the bird. Loki didn't miss a beat, however. He yanked Tony off the ground, manhandled him into semidecent cloths and shoved him out the bedroom door. He was ushered down the hall and back to Loki's room and his window seat.

"And you said you were worried about unwanted affections. What the hell should I call this then, cause I think I'm starting to get a weird stalker vibe." He tried to duck Loki's hand

"I call this training and if you spent less time talking and more time focusing we might actually be seeing a bit more progress." Loki said that, but after every one of these little get togethers he would rub his chin with one hand and stare at Tony as if he could see right through him before nodding all satisfied like. The ass.

Tony sighed and closed his eyes waiting for the sun to rise. His brows furrowed as he felt… something. It felt exciting, like when he had a breakthrough at work and couldn't stop until he followed it through to the end. But he wasn't working; he was sitting on a window seat at sunrise. Tony's eyes flew open and he realized Loki's hand was on his shoulder and the god's eyes were closed. Loki was working hard to make this work and Tony felt a twinge of guilt that he hadn't been taking any of it seriously. He opened his mouth the same time Loki opened his eyes. They were bright green, glowing with power. Tony's voice caught and Loki glared.

"Really Stark? All I ask of you is to sit still so I can work and you cannot even do that for me?" He hissed

Tony immediately took offense. "I was sitting still, you jackass, but I felt something weird and excuse me for wanting to know what's fluttering through me!"

Loki was suddenly in his face. Tony recoiled against the window. "What was fluttering through you? Tell me the details. How would you describe it. Have you ever felt it before? If so, when?"

Tony blinked back at him and slowly unfolded his knees from where he had pulled to his chest at Loki sudden move. That was a touch girly, not that he was going to admit that to anyone ever. He took a more dignified position and cleared his throat.

"It felt kinda like the feeling I get when I have just realized some new innovative thing I can do. It's like an excitement that courses from my brain all the way out to my fingers and I just can't sit still." He tried to explain. Even now he felt the need to do something with his hands.

Loki pulled back looking triumphant. "I have successfully unlocked your core. Now all that remains is to teach you how to do it yourself. Normally that is the simplest part, but I will make no assumptions with you. You cannot even ride a horse for heaven's sake." He was smiling

"You say mean things, but we both know you're happy." Tony grinned

Loki shot an annoyed look at him. "Do shut up, Stark. You are ruining my moment."

"Hey, I'm pretty sure I am part of that moment."

"Do you consider the dog a part of your moment when you successfully teach it not to pee on your floors, or do you pat yourself on the back and commend your own patience?" Loki asked pleasantly

"Did you just akin my core magic thing to a dog being potty trained? You know what, I don't want to know. Asshole."

Loki laughed and Tony wanted terribly to give his own asshole-ish reply, but he bit his tongue. He knew for a fact that Loki wouldn't be laughing for long.


Loki was grinning when he entered the study. He had managed to unlock Stark's magic core in just four days. That would be a record if anyone had ever tried to teach a mortal the art of magic, which no Asgardian had before himself. Though he constantly berated the mortal on his lack of focus and overall interest in the affair, they were moving pretty quickly on that front. Imagine what they could accomplish if the damned mortal actually applied himself. Gasp! Perish the thought. But the mortal would have to apply himself for the next bit of magic training or they would have no hope of success.

These were the thoughts in his mind when he opened the study door and walked to his stack of papers.

He blinked at them.

And again, just to be sure.

No, the pages were definitely pink, a blazing, obnoxious, undeniable pink.

He heard Stark laugh from across the room and his eyes swung to the mortal, pinning him with a look.

"What did you do?" he growled storming towards the mortal, papers in hand.

Said mortal smirked at him not the least bit frightened. "I turned them pink, obviously. I think it fits you."

Loki could feel his face turning red from shear anger. "And how, pray tell, did you manage that? You cannot do magic."

"Didn't need to, Cupid. I just played with your alchemy set a bit." The mortal looked like a cat with a court of cream

"Don't be ridiculous. You have no knowledge of the chemicals used here, nor their properties or alchemic applications." He seethed, but he was beginning to suspect that perhaps, just maybe, Stark did in fact know.

"I have been doing nothing for the past three days, but read book after book after book on the sciences and magics of your world. Do you really think a genius like me didn't pick up on the uses of this places' dangerous chemicals? Come on, that's like my favorite subject."

Loki realized his mouth was hanging slightly open and quickly shut it. He was distinctly reminded of the time the Black Widow had pulled the wool over his eyes in their flying fortress. He ground his teeth and waited for Stark to continue, which he was all too happy to do.

"Well, you see, I got the idea on the third day I had been yanked out of bed by your princely jackassness. You know as you were dragging me down the hall half naked?"

Loki scoffed, "I did not damage you."

"And the paper is still legible. Now, where was I? Oh yes. I decided to read up on the chemicals you were keeping on your tables and see if there was anything I could use, getting to know my workplace and what not. Then you went after a book and I played musical beakers with your little chemistry set-"

"Alchemy."

"Whatever. The point is I figured out that by mixing a few chemicals and heating them at certain temperatures would cause one to release a poisonous gas that, while toxic if breathed or ingested, would leave a bright pink stain on papers it had come into contact with. That's how you check for it in your food by the way, heat it up and hold a piece of parchment over it. People don't use it much anymore cause it's so easy to check for."

Loki rolled his eyes, thoroughly unimpressed. "I am a prince and have thus been educated in such things, Stark."

"Anyways! If you use a lot of it you could, conceivably, turn a whole library or study pink. Pop open a window, light a fuse on your way out, lights the burner causing the chemicals to move and distill, making a poisonous gas that sinks into the pages. The excess goes out the window which also airs out the room, leaving no trace or danger, just poisonous pink pages."

Loki didn't know if he should applaud the excellent display of understanding and use of Asgardian alchemy or beat the fear of Hel into the man.

"Both I think."

"What?" Stark asked

"Have decided to both commend you on your excellent use of alchemy-"

"Thanks babe, I'll be here all week."

"And beat the fear of Helheim itself into you."

They stared at each other for a moment as he allowed the seriousness of his words to sink in. Stark's smile finally began to fade.

"Wait-"

"Due to my previous acknowledgment of an act well done and your lesser physical ability, I will allow you a handicap of ten seconds and limit myself to only three solid hits."

"You are fucking kidding right now."

"One… Two…"

"Shit."

The mortal was fast and intelligent and unfortunately managed to make it to Frigga before Loki could exact his revenge, but it was a near thing. The damned mortal ducked two of his hits by sliding around corners and nearly toppled the Queen in his haste. He had quickly composed himself, pulling his tragically matched clothing straight and perhaps Loki should have taken more care in how the mortal dressed when he woke him in the morning. He complemented the Queen on her beauty and attire asking if the clothing was handmade and if she would mind terribly if he stole the maker for a few weeks. His mother was charmed as she had been before and Loki wanted to chase the damned immoral mortal off his mother's sent. But that would have been unseemly and his mother would have been terribly embarrassed, so he began scheming of another way to get back at the man as they accepted the offer of lunch with the Queen.


Tony literally shrieked. Screamed at the top of his lungs in total horror the instant he tried to begin reading. He threw his headset across the room.

"What the hell?!" He cried and suddenly he froze. He turned slowly to where Loki sat by the window. Loki glanced up at him from his own book and very slowly, calmly, sadistically, he smiled. "You!"

"Whatever could be the matter?" He asked sweetly

"What did you do to my music, you sick, little prick?" Tony growled

"Oh is that what you called that god awful noise?"

"It really doesn't matter what it is. What matters is that you messed with my stuff and you are gonna have to fix it." He threw the Stark Tech MP3 Player right at Loki's head who caught it easily. The bastard.

Loki glanced at the device. "I see nothing broken, Stark, and besides I am sure I have no idea what you are so upset about." He tossed it back

"You turned my music into that exceptionally lame harp music that you people play and you don't know what I' upset about? This is like the only thing even worth listening to in this place and you ruined it." He tossed it back. "Fix it."

"Ruined? I think it has been much improved from that blaring, angry, pathetic attempt at rhythmic noise." Tossed back. "I think it is better as it is."

"Well isn't that cute? But I don't, so fix it." Tossed

"No I don't think I will." Toss

"Yeah, I think you will." Toss

"No." Toss

"Yes, damn it! It's mine and you obviously used some kind of lame ass magic trick to change it and now you are going to fix it!" Throw

"You know, Stark, at least I had the decency to commend you on your work when you turned all the books I own pink. But, since I am the better man, I will make a compromise. If and when you change my books back to a more natural color, I will lift the spell from your musical device." Throw

"The hell? It was a chemical reaction Loki, I can't just undo it. Why don't you try your magic crap, seems to be very capable." Toss

"It is, but it cannot undo this for it was not done by simple chemical reactions, Stark. Did I not tell you that you have magic about you? Did you yourself not say that when I unlocked your core it felt similar to the feeling you get when you are creating? You use your magic when you use your science or in this case alchemy. So no, I cannot undo this because it is chemicals interlaced with your magic and that is not so simple." Toss.

"…Oh. Well I sure as hell don't know how-"

"Yes I am aware, Stark."

"And you're still not going to fix it?"

"You alter my things, I alter yours. It seems fair does it not? Besides I offered a solution to our disagreement." Loki smiled devilishly and went back to his book.

"I just said I don't know how!"

"True enough, but I did offer."

"Let the record show that Loki Liesmith did offer. Damn it, Loki!" Tony ran his heads through his hair in frustration and turned a circle. His music! He turned back to Loki. "You seriously aren't going to-"

"No." He looked so damned happy

"You realize I can just download more music, right?" Tony laughed

"It is an enchantment, you fool. Any music added to that device will end up the same as the others, but by all means feel free to try. It should provide for some good entertainment at the very least."

Tony grit his teeth eyes narrowed, "You do realize this isn't over."

"Oh, I should hope not."


"So are you excessively fond of sharing Thor's bed or do you not have a room of your own?" Loki suddenly asked

They were currently sitting down in the golden hall of Asgard eating breakfast and as such it was perfectly understandable that Tony's mouth was full when Loki said that. It was also perfectly understandable that he spat his mouthful across the table at Sif. He nearly fell out of his chair laughing and Sif nearly fell out of her chair in disgust. The Warriors Three attempted to smother their laughter in their napkins and Loki just sat in his chair grinning mischievously.

"It is good to see you two getting along so well!" Thor laughed

"What?"

"Oh, Thor you complete idiot." Loki planted his head in his hand.

"What? I am only happy that you and Tony have become friends, brother." Thor's smile was radiant. "I had thought you two might do well together, did I not say when you first got here that you two would do well together?"

"Actually I think you insulted me by comparing me to your crazy brother is what I thought happened. Hey Xena can you pass me the milk there please? Yeah thanks." Tony poured himself some milk as Loki glared daggers and Thor threw his hands up and laughed.

"You see? You twist my words much like Loki."

"Do shut up Thor. Are you going to answer the question Stark?" Loki asked pointedly

"Well, if I had to rate Thor's bed against every bed I had ever shared with anyone, ever, I would say it definitely ranks in the top 3." Tony smiled

"It is a good bed." Thor agreed easily. "And it bothers me not. Loki and I often shared a bed when we were young."

Loki's face was the definition of sour. "Had you your own room and it was facing the rising sun there would be no need to have you in my quarters."

"What? Don't want me in your room?" Tony grinned. Seemed like someone was considering the consequences of fucking with Tony's music.

"Amazingly enough, no." Loki replied smoothly snagging the milk

"He has a room, brother, but it does not face the east." Thor interjected taking a huge bite of food.

"You have been going to Loki's room?" Sif asked and Tony internally rolled his eyes. This was going to suck.

"Yep, something about sunrise being better for magic learning or some such thing. Do you guys have orange juice or some-"

"Afraid not, Tony." Thor

"Thing like that. No?"

"That is surprising. I did not think you trusted him so." Sif started again

Loki stood suddenly and smiled winningly at the group. "Forgive me; I only just remembered I have questions I must speak of to Odin."

Loki left the room quickly and Thor's eyes followed him sadly. Tony watched and thought. Though he only saw the trickster a complete ass who tried to enslave his people, Thor saw his little brother. This man was once a kid that Thor played with and learned with and shared a bed with. He could just see the two of them as little kids giggling under the covers playing make believe or whatever it was brothers do. He didn't have siblings, but he had seen movies and that was close enough.

"You know what I think is surprising. I think it's surprising that you don't seem to trust Thor's judgment even though you have known him longer than me. That I find surprising." They all stared at him, but he could see a warmth in Thor's eyes that made it totally worth it. "And besides, people can change. I changed. Loki, in his own way, has changed. Thor has changed. People change."

"Aye, Man of Iron. Everyone changes." She replied softly.

Tony stood, satisfied with that and made to head back to the study when he heard Sif continue.

"Might we hear your story someday, Anthony Stark?" She asked

He looked at her. She was serious and stubborn and he could tell that she was pretty set in her ways, but he also knew this woman had the hots for Thor. Thor believed in Loki and if she wanted to get Thor's approval she would need to learn to deal with Loki as well. Maybe his story would put things in perspective for her. Or maybe not. Either way he was mad at her and really didn't want to deal with it right now. This is what he had Pepper for.

"You know maybe. One day. When I'm not feeling about you like I am feeling about you right now. Yeah then it might work. Hey Thor, I'm heading back to the study. Talk to you later."

"Wait, I will accompany you." He called and jumped to his feet to follow him leaving his friends to puzzle out exactly what he had meant by his statement.

Tony shrugged and they walked side by side out of the dining hall.

"I had lunch with your mom a few days back, did I tell you that? I think I forgot to tell you that. Anyway, Loki and I have this crazy prank thing going on and I am planning some pretty ridiculous things to get back at him for what he did to my music. Did I tell you what he did to my music?"

"No I do not believe you did, though I think I may have heard what you did to deserve it." Thor chuckled

"Ok. I turned the pages of his books pink, but they are still in good condition and useable. I have to use them too, I don't know what he's complaining about. Anyway, his idea of fair retaliation was to make my MP3 player, that's a music player, convert all the music on it into harp music." He made a gagging sound and Thor laughed. "It was horrible! And of course he won't fix it, so I'm gonna have to get him back somehow."

"Oh dear, this should be interesting."

"You can bet your ass on that."

"Tony."

Thor stopped walking and Tony felt a flutter in his chest. They were going to talk feelings, Tony just knew it. He didn't do feelings and why was Thor always trying to single him out for talks on feelings anyway. Did he look like a feelings kind of guy?

He took a deep breath and turned around slowly.

Thor was looking at him with big soulful eyes. "Thank you for befriending my brother."Oh here it comes. "I know he can be difficult and I know that you two did not meet under the best of terms, but you have still done your best to be civil with him. Indeed you are even standing up for him and enjoying his company in earnest. It is more than I could have expected or would have dreamed to ask and I thank you, my friend."

Luckily Tony had braced himself for the spine crushing hug that was sure to come so when it did he only squeaked a little as the air rushed out of him. He allowed himself to hang in the air for a good while before he politely reminded Thor that he needed to breathe. Thor chuckled and set him back on the ground and Tony inwardly cringed to see his eyes bright and misty. He patted the big man on the shoulder.

"Hey what are friends for?"


A/N: Another update? I am on a roll. Who knew how productive holidays can be? Monday I am back full time so they may be slower for a while, just a heads up. Let me know how you like it so far!