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The car ride was uncomfortably silent. Stark sped across the roads in blind disrespect for the laws and speed limits but no officer ever came after them.
"I took the responsibility of taking you out, got you a suit, introduced you to my friends and co-workers, and you thank me by ruining my friend, Gorman's gala." Stark broke the silence with those words. They stung more than Loki thought they would.
"I am grateful," cautiously started Loki. What could he say? He already explained why he did it and for no other reason. Irritably though he knew he had to stifle his pride and pleasure from the prank for the moment, to fix the betrayal he had just committed towards Stark so he could soon escape the confines of his room and prison that he dreaded to return to. "And I am sorry that you believe I betrayed you, but I am not sorry for what I did."
"You called mortals dim. Do you think I am too? Do you trick me into feeling something for you so that I do stuff for you like dress your wounds? So that I protect you from the other Avengers from imprisoning you in a cell instead of room, and from S.H.I.E.L.D to taking you away to torture you for information? So that I free you from that room from time to time?" He was yelling it all.
"I honestly never thought of that," replied the Trickster. He really hadn't, and he was unexpectedly surprised. Why hadn't he thought of that before? Was he so irritated by Stark that such an obvious plan would never delight him? Or had his loss of powers made him slower witted?
"Even now you're thinking about it," Stark said bitterly.
"Alas, the seed of evil has been planted by another. No, Stark. I promise you I never thought of such things."
"Even though you said it's in your nature for such deception."
"The plan to trap everyone within the ballroom as the fire alarm sprinklers went off was, yes. Notice how I did not attempt escape."
"Good point. Answer that one," he commanded.
"It would lack the point and effort. I would be found and brought back by force."
Although true why had he decided to satisfy his appetite for trickery instead of freedom and had assumed he would be by Stark's side by the end of the night? The question troubled him deeply. He struggled and frowned, grasping to solve this riddle. Its stubbornness to be deciphered angered him. Then he froze, shocked by the possible explanation.
"What magic are you casting upon me?" he cried, suddenly very fearful.
"What are talking about? Is this one of your 'tricks'?"
"Why am I bound to your side?" he cried again. "What mage have you gotten to do your bidding?"
"None!"
The thought for escape barely crossed the surface of Loki's mind and it concerned him greatly. If sorcery has truly been absent then he was afraid he had indeed made stupid, dim like a human.
Stark stayed quiet for a long time after that remark. Loki didn't mind. He preferred it to the outcries of loose emotions and instead calmed himself by the passing scenery. He refused to admit what was lurking beneath his heart. Long moments passed before Stark finally broke the silence with a question.
"What happened to your stitches?"
Loki briefly wondered whether he should tell the truth, or lie just as was expected of him.
"It was done by your 'friend,' Gorman." He did enjoy tearing apart a friendship.
"What?"
"Just what I said."
"No, did you do something to make him mad? You pissed off a lot of people tonight."
"It doesn't matter." Suddenly, Loki would rather not give the humiliating details.
"Tell me," Stark said very sternly. "What happened?"
The man was furious. It would be best if Loki just said it.
"He touched me." There, it was said. And now the Trickster sat uncomfortably in his seat with his cheeks burning, and not just from his injury.
Stark slammed his hands against the steering wheel and screamed a very obscene word.
"He was my friend, that bastard!"
They were arriving at Avenger's Mansion. Speeding past the security systems, Stark drove his car into the garage where he kept some of his most expensive cars, parked, and shut off the engine. Then reached over, holding out his hand towards Loki's face.
He paused, and asked, "May I?"
Loki wondered why he was asking but he nodded, and Stark laid his hand over his and gently removed the wad of damp paper towels.
"Luckily the stitches have held, but there's a nasty bruise forming." He turned Loki's head slowly to get a better view. "You need ice for the bruise and ointment for the stitches."
"I hate being mortal," muttered Loki. He still hadn't got used to the fact that without his magic he couldn't heal himself immediately, and he was weary of getting injured.
Stark chuckled only slightly, and ran his fingers over the tender skin. Loki pulled away, startled by the burst of pain.
"Don't touch it!" he yelled. He brought the towels to his face again and slumped against the car window. He wasn't angry, just suddenly very tired.
Stark left the car and came across the other side. Then he opened the passenger door and held out his hand. Loki took it very hesitantly. Together the pair strolled into the Mansion. It was quiet. Everyone was most likely in bed or at least in their rooms. They walked to the infirmary saying nothing, but Stark held onto his hand the entire way.
Loki seated himself on the crinkling patient's table as Stark gathered ice into a bag and brought an unmarked tube.
"Did he go all the way?" asked Stark as he applied a pungent cream to the area.
Loki assumed he was speaking about his situation with Gorman.
"No," he replied. "He kissed me but nothing more. When he heard the alarms, he fled."
"That's good," was all he said. He pressed a bandage pad on top of the bruised stitched skin and handed over the ice bag to Loki.
"Keep that over the bruise," he commanded as he washed and dried his hands.
Loki did, ignoring the initial icy burn. It felt good on his flaming skin and he wondered if this was part of those archaic medical rituals humans performed when they were injured.
Stark came up to him and slowly pressed his forehead against the God. He breathed a sigh of relief. "God damn it, Loki," he whispered against his lips. "I don't know why I am so drawn to you either."
The Trickster was struck by the same words he said a short while ago and realized something horrible. They were infatuated with each other. He almost drew away but caught himself and stayed caught in Stark's embrace. Was it so bad if they were? He prohibited himself from thinking further of what this might entail. He thought only of the gentleness that Stark treated him with and the concern he showed for him. He was also the only man who understood him more than anyone, even his own brother, Thor. He tipped himself just a bit forward and met Iron Man's warm lips. It was a tentative and slow kiss, but full of heat and affection.
"Thank you," Loki said somewhat grudgingly.
Stark grinned. "I should personally cater to you more often."
Loki moved lower and nipped at Stark's naked neck. "Take me to you bed," he whispered, almost pleading.
As soon as they entered the room they headed for the bed and tore themselves from their clothes. Stark kissed fiercely the man beneath him and Loki kissed back just as fiercely, but abruptly Stark stopped even as Loki continued.
"Something wrong?" asked the Trickster breathless.
"Is this okay? What Gorman did to you…"
Loki pushed himself up on his elbows and stared at Stark's furrowed expression. "I'm fine. I have been through worse situations, Stark. You don't have to ask every time you are going to do something to me." To save him the trouble of responding any further and interrupting the moment, Loki pulled him down for another kiss and snaked a hand under the covers causing Stark to buck reflexively.
"Finally," gasped the billionaire.
"That was a funny prank, I admit," Stark said afterwards as they lay side-by-side, exhausted but satisfied.
Loki couldn't help but smile from the image of soaking wet guests and Stark holding his shoes and socks in his hands. It also made him oddly pleased to hear this compliment.
Loki fell asleep shortly after Stark did. His bruise was starting to flare again. He reached over on the bedside table for his ice bag and turned onto his side and rested it over his cheek. He was forced to face Stark because of this, but the man was asleep so it did not irritate Loki as much as he thought it would. He was safe, he was warm, and he was comfortable. A life such as today was becoming increasingly enticing, but it was boring.
He hungered for chaos and destruction.
