Disclaimer: I do not own, nor profit from.

Author's Note: 2 more chapters to go...

After the Storm

Loki slowly opened his eyes, blinking in the soft sunlight. A sharp noise from the alarm clock pierced the silence. Loki turned and glared at the device.

"Why won't you ever just shut up?" Loki punctuated the question with venom, though his tone was tired. He heaved himself out of bed, and padded towards the kitchen, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. It was only in the emotion he ever felt these days. When it was still too early to remember Tony, remember what he, a god of Asgard, had done. That was then the numbness spread over him again, until he could fall into a drunken stupor the next night. The rain started to fall again outside the window, patting against the pain. Why does it always rain in England? Loki twitched his fingers, and the radio turned itself on, filling the room with soft sound.

"...and the Prime Minister finished up by thanking all who attended the rally. In other news, Tony Stark, who had been in hospital recently receiving specialist care has been released from hospital. Although he is physically better, his close friend Steve Rogers, and his business partner, Pepper Potts, released a joint statement saying that Mr. Stark will withdraw from the public eye for the next few weeks. Mr. Stark had apparently been seeing someone, and although both Mr. Rogers and Ms. Potts declined to comment on the relationship, just saying that Mr. Stark and his new interest had split, and that Mr. Stark wanted to be left alone in peace. In the sports news, Sebastian Vettel is the new three times World Champion in Formula 1..." The words drowned out, buzzing replacing the words. He leaned against the worktop, wrapping his arms around himself.

Tony was better then. But Tony missed him. Badly enough to withdraw from the public eye. He knew that Tony would be pissed. Maybe slightly hurt. But missing him that badly, Loki hadn't foreseen that. He knew Tony's reputation, most of it was true. He knew that Tony did badly in relationships. Pepper was testimony to that. Loki continually felt like he was dying inside. He continually wanted to run back to America, to run back to Tony, no matter how much dignity he lost.

But you can't hurt him like this, this far away from him.

Because although he wasn't the one to physically deal the blows, it was because of him Tony ended up in hospital at all. Surely Tony, however miserable, was better off without him?

... Loki looked into the brown eyes. The boy in front of him stared back into Loki's emerald ones.

"I'm never gonna leave you Loki. You are my best friend. I'm never gonna hurt you. Not like your father or brother." Tony rested his hands on Loki's skinny shoulders. "Got that?" Loki nodded.

"Why though?" The emerald eyes were pained.

"You're my best friend. Best friends look out for each other." Loki smiled, a small twitch of the lips. Tony reached out and enveloped the boy god in a hug.

"You and me against the worlds." Tony spoke with certainty. Loki nodded.

"You and me against the worlds."...

Loki gasped, grasping the worktop.He'd promised. Tony had promised Loki he'd never hurt him. He'd never leave him.

But Loki had just gone and done that right back at him.

He slid down the worktop, his emerald eyes glassy. He may be the God of Lies, but he wouldn't ever break a promise to Tony.

He needed to go back.

And with that departing thought, he left, the rain still streaming outside on the London landscape.

o0o

Tony curled up further around his pillow, watching the door unseeingly. It had been 3 days, 17 hours and 52 minutes since he'd woken up. 3 days, 17 hours and 52 minutes since he'd found out that Loki had left him.

Steve, Pepper and Charles had been continually updating him on his progress, how he was mending physically. But nothing took away the hurt of missing Loki.

He was finally just starting to drift off into a dreamless sleep, when the glare of a bright green light pierced through his closed eyes.

"Tony?" The voice, that familiar tone he was used to, echoed through the silence of the room. Tony screwed his eyes shut, trying to convince himself this was a dream. A hand ghosted over his shoulder. Tony tensed.

"Tony?" The voice wasn't much more than a whisper. Tony finally allowed his eyes to open, and turned slightly towards the other man. Emerald eyes locked onto his.

"Tony?" Loki whispered again, his tone hesitant. Tony stared, his gaze hardening.

"What exactly do you want, Laufeyson?" Loki visibly flinched at the sound of his surname.

"I... I shouldn't have left. It was... It was cowardly. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." The words tumbled from Loki's lips, and he made no effort to stop them.

"Why should I believe you? You're Loki Laufeyson, God of Lies. Why should I believe anything you say?" Loki recoiled further. He wrapped his arms around himself, hugging his wet t-shirt to himself. His hair was plastered to his face, covering his eyes slightly. He was shivering slightly, trying not to show it.

"How long have you been out in the rain?" Loki gave a small shrug.

"Possibly about half an hour. I arrived in Central Park, but then I couldn't muster enough magic at the start to get myself here. So I sat in Central Park."

"In the pouring rain?" Loki nodded.

"There was no where open, I didn't have the key to my apartment." Loki explained. Tony jumped up, heading over to his wardrobe, and started pulling out clothes. "What are you doing?"

"Finding something warm for you to wear." Loki stared, open-mouthed.

"Why?" Tony gave a short, low laugh.

"We can't have you catching a cold, can we now? The last time you were ill, you were not only really cranky and overally sarcastic, you also managed to change the colour of my house to green, turned all of the water in the house to custard, and managed to get a flower to start growing out of my head. I'm not having you ill again." Loki smirked.

"I really am sorry about that. But it was a very nice daffodil." Tony snorted.

"Never again." Tony pulled Loki's shirt off him, tossing it into a corner of his room, and pulling on a Black Sabbath t-shirt over the pale chest.

"I'm just going to go get a blanket, okay?" Tony looked into the emerald eyes. Loki nodded his assent. As Tony backed out of the room, Loki continued to undress and redress himself, until he was completely clothed in warm clothing. Tony returned, pulling a tartan checked blanket behind him.

"What is that monstrosity?" Loki wrinkled his nose in distaste.

"Uh... a blanket?" Tony threw it over the bed. When Loki just stood there, Tony sighed. "Get in." Loki gaped.

"Into the bed?" Loki sounded hesitant. Tony resisted the urge to facepalm.

"Yes, into the bed." Loki slowly moved over, and nestled himself under the duvet. He stiffened when Tony joined him.

"You're joining me?" Tony smirked.

"Uh huh. Need to keep you as warm as possible. And I know for a fact you kick the covers off when you sleep." Loki giggled, and wriggled further underneath the duvet. Tony pulled Loki over to him, and Loki shuffled until he was comfortable on Tony's chest. Tony stroked Loki's hair, listening to the god's breathing even out.

"I really am sorry, Tony. And I would never lie to you." Loki murmured into Tony's chest, sounding sleepy.

"I know." Tony whispered. Loki smiled, and neither man made any more sound until morning.