Chapter 11

~*Domestic demon*~

"I was wondering you'd finally given up on him…" Rhodes mused not even glancing away from Loki.

Loki was sure both of them felt the new presence in the room and he wondered if it filled only him with unease. He wouldn't call it was dreadful. His situation hung up on twin hooks and the big black demon hovering over him made Loki desperate enough to tune out such blaring warnings.

"Have I ever?" The voice this time wasn't the usual amused sneer. It was dry and irritated. Tired. Worn-out.

"Well, it's been some time since I've last seen you so beaten up and yet out of your hole," Rhodes finally stepped to the side to level Tony with a look. "Man, you look like shit."

"I'm not in the mood bitches," Tony hissed through gritted pinkish teeth. "Let this little shit down and I won't burn your eyes out."

"I thought Pepper beat some sense into that thick skull of yours by now –"

"Don't. Even. Try." Tony gritted out as Rhodes took a step toward him. The big man halted and tensed up. "You don't fuck with my deals!"

"Yes I remember all clear. But Tony, this is going insane. Your obsession- "

Was that concern in his voice? The world spun around Loki, because wow! He was learning new, still pretty creepy things every day, that didn't necessarily made him easier to sleep at night. Some pretty abnormal circle of demon-friends? Every hunter would laugh at him if he mentioned such thing.

"Pepper just finished this lecture half an hour ago, thank you Rhodey," Tony's voice was tight and vibrating with frustration. The lights were flashing out and his shape was shivering as if the tension just wanted to burst him. "And my obsession is none of your fucking business. My deal, my fuck."

"Sorry Tony but we still have some unfinished business here," Rhodey didn't really seem moved by the wrecked up state Tony was in.

"What, cupcake, come on! He dug up some graves on your territory or what?" Tony's voice was brushing hysteric. "I swear I'm gonna smite you in the next ten seconds if you don't let me fuck this bastard into next week!"

Damn…

First, Loki was screwed. That had been obvious ever since Tony kissed him for the first time. But now? Tony was really in no condition to stand up for his word and it said a lot about Loki's mental state that the idea turned him on all the same.

There was a thick red puddle gathering near Tony's feet and his torn suit was hanging from his shoulder drenched in blood. There were claw marks on his face and clavicles, a flash of bone under the mass of torn flesh. His right shoulder jumped out of its socket and the bone-structure of his legs didn't look all good either. Not to mention the crack on his forehead and the definitely broken line of his nose.

So much blood everywhere it made Loki sick.

But it only seemed to worry him alone.

Tony seemed to win their growling match about who is scarier because Rhodes stepped away from Loki and backed to the far corner.

Tony's eyes flashed at Loki before he turned back to Rhodey for an afterthought.

"One last advice: don't ever take a nosedive from the top of the Empire State Building. It hurts like hell."

Rhodes winced slightly at the implication of 'you will if you fuck with my deals ever again!' but otherwise kept his poker face.

The next moment the tension in Tony's body vibrated in front of Loki.

"I'm going to fucking make you regret your little hunting trips," Tony spat in Loki's face and squeezed his jaw that made Loki hiss in pain.

Then Tony pressed him up against the nearest flat surface. The heat of his body was scorching even through so many layers of clothing, hands cold and moist with his own blood, lips burning as he sucked on Loki's pulse. Loki was fighting for air. He felt his shoulders strain to their extent still hooked up, back aching, and he couldn't bite back his moan as Tony pushed their groins together.

"Man, at least get a room," Loki heard Rhodey's exasperated tone, but as he managed a glance up Rhodes had a straight face, like someone used to the sight.

"Go to hell or I'll fuck you next," Tony all but growled at the man.

Oh that voice did funny things to Loki. Tony's tone was dark and hoarse coming from the depths of his chest and scraped through his throat. It sounded possessive and damn, that did turn Loki on! While on the other hand it also settled cold fear in his chest and made his stomach drop, because this time Tony lacked all his usual smoothness and elegance. He was brusque and wild, and Loki wasn't entirely sure he would survive this round or maybe in one heated moment Tony would tear his throat open and suck his blood out instead of just all his air and energy.

Loki could barely recall blurry memories of a tanned shoulder and the smell of blood.

Then a bit later damp hair under his chin and hot breath fanning over his clavicles.

Biting sharp pain on his shoulderblades. His thighs burnt and back hurt.

The next time he actually woke up for more than mere fleeting moments his digital clock read 20th June 18.42. Three days after his little accidental encounter with the demon called James Rhodes.

His whole body screamed in pain as he struggled out of bed. Man, he felt like having been fucked through those 3 days he couldn't actually recall.

What did it say about his mental stability and his past years if he wasn't even surprised by this suspicion that much? It was most likely true either way.

What he wasn't prepared for was Tony Stark to be found lunging on his couch. All too domestic and homey. As if he belonged there.

What a terrifying thought.

But still…

Remember those stories you read about what funny things it does to your insides and knees to find your jerk of the person you did not like lazing around in your living room wearing a pair of all-too-familiar sweatpants that is absolutely not his size? And you could even bet the bastard didn't tie it too tight so that it would hang low on his hips offering a nice view of hipbone and muscle and skin on purpose?

On top of all Tony was hugging a fluffy pillow to his chest resting his chin on top of it and blinking up lazy and unimpressed at the show on TV.

Now Loki had to seek leverage in the form of the door-frame due to such effects that did not exist.

"I was wondering when you got up," Tony only tilted his head to the. "I would suggest you sit down but that probably wouldn't do much good either."

"I so much want to punch you right now," Loki growled, because who did he want to fool? He just wanted a horse-kick amount of painkillers and go back to sleep for another day.

"You mortals are exceptional. I always knew I have to preserve your suicidal ass for the future," Tony flashed a lazy crooked grin at Loki, "How you've got so much energy even beaten up like you were – you've gotta teach me the trick."

"I'd kill for that trick too. I feel drained," Loki groaned as he fell to the cushions of the comfortable couch next to Tony. The couch certainly wasn't his – his was a torture to sit on – but right now his aching back and behind was utterly grateful for missing that.

"Well you don't just feel like it, you're actually drained."

"So now you're an energy vampire?" Loki scoffed and levelled Tony with a glare.

He realized Tony was again without a scratch or remnant of any scars. Bastard.

"I took my payment after I got Rhodey off your back."

"Fuck you," Loki told him without the slightest resonance of gratitude.

"We can do that again later, I really wouldn't mind," Tony shrugged too cheerful for Loki's murderous mood.

Inhale. Exhale. Now again. Deeper.

"Didn't know you were into her show," Loki noted dryly jerking his chin in the television's direction to change topics.

Not that Loki watched so much TV. He merely checked the news now and then and some hilarious so-called horror series because he couldn't fall asleep when it was airing, while he carefully kept his agreement to himself as horny-Tony complained about the show's inaccuracy and terrible CGI effects from the other end of the couch. But he also came across the report show of Ashley Turnsdale. She became very successful out of nowhere and ever since she got the best jobs. She could report among the firsts from all the scenes, from Iraq to Iran, she travelled around the world and she just happened to be at the place where something big was happening. She had a great talent in writing her articles too with just enough sarcasm that it couldn't get her into real trouble. About two years ago she gave up the 24/7 travelling and was offered to host a show on her own.

Loki was only so up to date on her because he learnt about a few strange murders through her show. That's all.

"'M not," Tony said and checked the clock. "It's just my investment is on live."

"Shouldn't it be midnight?" Loki rubbed his forehead.

"In London it is." Tony smirked. "Ashley and I happened to make our deal abroad and different time zones are valid in deals."

"How come she's so calm?" Loki frowned at the screen – his interest was already piqued by this. "She's supposed to sense hellhounds all around her isn't she?"

"Usually." Tony smiled mysteriously.

"Just as Yinsen didn't meet any hellhounds either," As soon as the words left his lips Loki grew a bit insecure, "Or did he?" Maybe it would just take him longer and didn't start in his last 24 hours?

"No, he didn't. And the ungrateful son of a bitch called me to account for the lack of my pets! By the way he told me a few things about you. He had this little illusion that you might kill me before his time came…"

"You don't really seem upset about it." Loki didn't remember Tony paying him any visit after he got back from Yinsen.

"No, it was actually funny how small this world is. I paid him a personal visit, I like to think I owed him that much," Tony pondered too amused to be honest. "And just to answer your question, I arranged all ugly monsters to stay away from dear Ashley. So she doesn't see a thing. She will realize something's wrong when it's already too late."

Tony planned to collect the woman's soul while the interview was broadcasted live? In front of thousands of watchers? It sounded suspiciously like planned out.

"I have to go without these credits." Damn, he must have said it out loud. "But that's the beautiful part darling. Listening to how they'll try to explain what's just happened in front of the people's own eyes, and they are going to believe the media. See – she'll freak out and run out of set and then they're going to find her dead body mutilated but no wild animal that could be held responsible. It'll be the best show ever."

"Morbid."

"Indeed. But that's what the Western Society so desires, don't you agree? All those so called horror and thriller movies… while they should just open up their eyes a little bit –"

"Hunters will find you," Loki interrupted coldly and his intense gaze burnt into the temple of the blonde woman on screen.

"Don't be such a jinx. They won't."

"Do you think there won't be hunters just after the obvious appearance of hellhounds? It's live broadcast for God's sake. Anyone who at least heard about crossroads deals will know what's just happened. They'll eventually reach to her deal, summoning the demon and getting rid of it. You."

"Princess, you should know best that they can't. You specialized in me after all. They can't touch me."

"But can draw attention to you and then what happens to your peaceful business?" Loki shot back stubbornly.

"So caring, I'm touched," Tony laughed and levelled Loki with a strange look. "I have people to answer such calls without so much as mentioning me. Or even if it really leads back to my precious presence," he shrugged nonchalant, "this is what I have a PA for."

"The one who just tore you to pieces a few days ago I assume."

"The one and only," Tony nodded and Loki recognized the expression just passing over his face as fondness. "Pepper's a lovely woman, though a bit hard to date. Why do you think Happy is so afraid of her? She's the best at her job."

"Which is? If it's blackmailing your competitors with torture and then standing up to her word please don't tell me."

"Afraid you'd fail going after her?" Tony teased.

"Based on your previous state," Loki shot back with a dirty look, "she'd be more than happy to help me get rid of you."

Tony made a great show in clutching the pillow to his chest in shock.

"You hurt my feelings! Are you really willing to sacrifice the awesome sex for killing me?"

"Without a second thought."

The demon pressed the outside of his wrist to his forehead and with a dramatic sigh he sunk back into the cushions of the couch.

He glanced at the clock, "I believe I have a few minutes to let down all your newly found hopes," Loki groaned and somehow rejected to rub his forehead. "See the main point of relationship between demons is usually interest. As in everything in this corrupt world."

Loki knew there comes some 'but' that would make him want to smite Tony's ass even more than ever before.

"But," if he could win the lottery like this! "It can reach an extent that you also might call building a small circle of friends."

The expression on Loki's face made Tony burst into bellowing laughter. "Don't look at me like that! This is the most common term I can use. I looked it up in dictionaries, trust me. I've known Rhodey for like thirty years, I even backed him a bit into Air Force. He's a Colonel now there, did you know?"

Yes, Loki did know. It didn't help him sleep easier to know that there were demons so embedded in the army and who knew if they were any higher.

"We plan invasions and new wars together, I provide them with weapons and sometimes we go out drinking and he also listens to me now and then when he can tell me him to shut it and I ignore him. And then there's Pepper. She always has my back and in exchange she got her own little empire to rule. She's a bit megalomaniac but she hides it quite well. She's at least as much a control-freak as I am, except that it's impolite to say it for a very successful and scary lady."

Loki needed most preferably years for this information to sink in. He wasn't absolutely convinced that they really were friends, but if the small signs he read, no matter how much his mind tried to forget them, these three demons seemed to care for each other. Or rather, Rhodes seemed to care for Tony and maybe Pepper too on the way as a tiger does, while Tony probably just kept them around because he needed company or because he found this new setting fascinating.

"Are they also…you know," Loki made some vague gestures with his hand which Tony ignored. "Bund? Or could I at least exorcise them?"

"No, they are not bund. Rhodey calls it unnecessary and that it takes away the excitement and makes you too comfortable in your skin." Tony's eyes hardened all of a sudden and a chill ran down Loki's spine. "But don't even think about exorcising them. You won't see the end of it."

Loki fought his inner demon whether to meet up the challenge and reject to always be the one to surrender. He wanted to live long enough to see the end of this monster!

They glared at each other until they realized that the constant buzz of the TV was gone and they were sitting in silence for a few moments now. The shark-like grin that broke on Tony's face left no doubt as to what was about to happen. They turned back to the screen and tension filled up the air, vibrating and ready to blow up with the smallest spark.

Tony was correct in all his assumptions. The cameraman and the audience had no idea why all of a sudden Ashley Turnsdale froze and all colour drained from her face. Her pupils dilated, she even forgot to breathe in her shock. The next moment time started flowing again and she jumped to her feet with an agonized scream, fell against the scenery, untangled herself from the wires lying all around and she dashed off the scene.

Her scream rang through the set.

Orders were barked in stifled tones and not half a minute later other screams and cries shook the studio. Everything sunk into chaos. The camera that followed Ashley on her way showed a glimpse of her bloody, torn feet before it was abruptly turned to the ground and the screen went black.

"Maybe they'll show it in the midnight news," Tony mused, his voice husky and heavy with dark satisfaction.

"Will they?" Loki turned to him and acknowledged surprised that the disappointed face he saw reflected in Tony's blackened eyes belonged to him.

"We can check," Tony purred and he pulled closer pressing his shoulder up to Loki, his fingers slowly started a little teasing walk up his thigh. "Aren't you something special," his hot breath now fanned over the skin of the white throat. "Such cruelty hidden beneath the pure surface," his tongue swiped up to Loki's ear nibbling sensuously at the lobe.

"It's exciting, isn't it? The chase… the anticipation when you're gonna glance your prey." Tony moved his hand up Loki's thigh his nimble fingers drawing patterns and arousing little circles at all the places he knew to be arousing for Loki but promptly avoided his crotch. They soon started sneaking up to his face, taking Loki's chin in his hand and turning his face so that they saw eye to eye again.

"I'll keep you for myself. After all we're not that different, you and I," Tony murmured against Loki's lips.

This last sentence was everything Loki needed to be able to shake off the amazement. He'd never agree to something like this.

"In your dreams maybe," he said with his own teasing smirk.

For a fleeting moment he pressed their lips together for a chaste kiss but as soon as Tony wanted to dive in for more Loki shoved him off and retreated to the opposite corner of the couch to Tony's greatest dismay.

It was childish, but neither of them complained so it was all deathly serious. They spent a couple of minutes in silence, Tony sulking and Loki enjoying the momentary calm his victory brought. Then Tony came up with his new scheme for ruining Loki's domestic evening.

"Your brother called." Tony said.

Loki's gaze hardened and his lips thinned into a sharp line.

"He hasn't called for four years," he said and his words cut like shreds of ice.

"Oh but he did," Tony's eyes twinkled with mischief addled up with that menacing dark fire he carried about himself from Hell.

How dared he….?!

"He has been calling you for four years."

Tony presented Loki a phone – a phone that looked exactly like the one he threw out the window and was positive that the device either broke to pieces, was stolen or was driven over but definitely couldn't be there in front of his nose with only some scratches. Not even the screen was cracked.

Despite his better judgement Loki snatched the phone out of Tony's hand. It read 238 missed calls.

"Impossible," Loki gasped. Emptiness tried to devour the ferocious anger rising inside him.

"He calls you every week, and there are another two extra calls each year, the dates 30 July and 2 February ring a bell to you?"

That smirk! That superior condescending glint in his eyes! They were enough for Loki to see red and he threw himself at Tony tackling both of them to the floor. Loki turned on top straddling the demon's waist, his trembling arms pinning his shoulders to the ground. Loki loomed over Tony who still dared to grin up at him! It was when the first punch went smack on Tony's face, then another and another until Loki was panting and shivering from anger but there was no more power left to put it out on the demon.

The only thing he could do was to stare maliciously at the bruise forming around Tony's eye and the split lips, blood oozing from them drawing a pale ribbon from the edge of that cocky mouth into his goatee.

"You bastard," Loki heaved and shook Tony sinking his fingers into the meat of his shoulders, "You're all just making this up. It's a trick, you sick son of a bitch!"

"It's not such a big deal putting a phone back together," Tony smirked and wriggled a bit under Loki until he could lift his knee and rub his thigh to Loki's crotch. "You have no idea how hot you are when your eyes flare red…"

The next second Loki found himself sprawled on the floor. Tony switched their positions effortlessly and now had Loki pinned by the wrists at either sides of his head, one knee between his wide-spread legs.

Tony leaned close and purred, "Very thoughtful of him not calling you on dear daddy's birthday."

Before Loki could have the chance to use his head as the last mobile part Tony dove in to press their mouths together. Loki tried to bite him, but it seemed everything fired back at him – Tony's kiss was wild and rough, passionate with the ironic taste of blood and sharp nip of teeth and the hot swipes of tongue. Tony dominated him even after Loki managed to tear away and turn his head to the side.

"I'm going to end you," Loki swore and bit the inside of his cheek to swallow back a moan that Tony rubbed out of him.

"I have no doubt," Tony said and sank his teeth in the tendons of Loki's throat. "Look at you! I fucked you through three days and you are still hungry for more," Tony ground their groins together and bit down on Loki's pulse point that made all the hickeys and bite-marks flare up on his entire body.

The phone went off next Thursday.

And a week later.

Loki always carried the device around. But never answered.