The next couple of days were spent with Loki and Tony lazing about in each other's arms. Tony tried his best to hide his heartbreak, but at times it was just too overwhelming and a tear or two would slide down his cheek. Loki would kiss them away or he would bury his face in the god's shirt. Hands were always touching, caressing, remembering each other's features.

Tony lay against Loki on the couch, his back to the god's front, tracing up and down his long slender fingers. Pressing their palms together to see how much larger those magicless hands were than his own. Loki curled his fingers over the tips of his callused digits. "You have the longest damn fingers." Tony muttered before kissing each one. Loki in turn, mapped out Tony's hands. He made the engineer explain how he received every scar he came across, and then pressed light kisses to them all.

They had stopped sleeping at night, feeling that it wasted the precious time they had left together. Opting instead for cat naps during the day. At the moment Tony was curled up on the couch having fallen asleep during Loki's favorite movie. Loki decided to let him sleep. He meandered into the kitchen to make his love something to eat when he woke. Steve had wandered in a few minutes later for a quick snack after his workout, when he found the god slowly beating eggs together.

"Hey Loki. You hungry? Want some help?" Loki shook his head indicating that he was not hungry and pointed towards the couch. "You cooking for Tony?" A nod. "Are you making omelets?" Another nod. Steve watched his measured movements and noticed his hands shaking. "You sure I can't help? I don't mind." Loki stopped for a moment and rubbed his hands together, then nodded offering Steve a small smile. "Alright then." The super soldier smiled back and began preparing the stove. By the time they were finishing Steve had added bacon, toast and pancakes to the order. They heard Tony hollering Loki's name from the other room, "He's in here Tony."

The genius flung himself into the kitchen area to see them making the final preparations before moving the food to the table. Tony gave a sigh of relief when he saw Loki folding the omelet in the pan. He looked up with a smile at Tony that turned into a frown at the worried expression on his face. Tony placed a kiss on his cheek. "It's okay babe. I just panicked when I woke and you weren't there. Is this for me?" Loki nodded and gave him a small smile. "Thanks Lok's, it looks delicious."

It was about that time Thor barreled into the room. "By the Nine, it smells glorious in here!"

"Well, have a seat, we made plenty for everyone." Steve said happily.

The four sat at the table and conversed with one another. Well three did, the other listened and observed as he sipped his tea. Steve, ever the mama of the group noticed first. "Loki, you're not eating?" He shook his head and slowly lifted his tea as if to say this was enough.

There was a lull in the conversation and Loki sighed. Trembling hands brought the tea cup back to the table. The hand that rested on his knee squeezed lightly and he regarded Tony. He shook his head at the questioning stare he received. Taking Tony's hand in his, he stood as he reached for Steve's, setting both hands on top of each other on the table's surface. He then reached for Thor's and placed it on top of the other two. His hand lingered for a moment before patting them. Looking at each of them, he gave a curt nod. A single tear rolled down his cheek. Take care of each other. Turning he walked away. The trio all glanced at each other, then back at Loki. He took another step before crumbling to the ground.

"Loki!"

They were all out of their seats the instant they saw him fall. Tony got to him first. Loki sat with his hands covering his eyes, trying to hide the tears that were falling. "Loki, look at me." When he got no response he pulled Loki's hand away. Loki's eyes wet with sadness stared up at him. Tony pulled him in close as the god tucked his head into the crook of his neck. "I know babe. I know."

Moments later they felt two pairs of strong arms envelope them. They were a family, in more ways than one and this hurt them all. Rain began pouring in sheets as the thunder boomed overhead. Thor had tried his best to control his emotions as long as he could knowing his little brother wouldn't want him to fuss. They stayed huddled together until Loki had fallen asleep. Thor gently picked him up and laid him on the couch. Tony crawled on the other side curling protectively around him.

Steve and Thor watched them from the hallway, the melancholy hanging heavy in the air. They knew there wasn't much time left.

"When?"

"…Soon."

L~T~L~T~

"Jarvis, a little help here?"

"I believe Mr. Laufeyson is trying to tell you he wishes to go to the beach, Sir."

Loki had pulled up about fifteen holographic screens of various beaches all over the world and had scattered them around the living room. Tony walked around the room, hands in his pockets, looking at the various screens then back to Loki. "So you want to go to the beach." Loki rolled his eyes and gave him a deadpanned expression. "You know, it's moments like this I'm glad you cannot speak." Stark did his best Loki impersonation. "Anthony, for being a self-proclaimed genius, you most certainly are an idiot." Loki smirked. "Ah-ha! See, I knew that's what you were thinking." Bringing all the screens together he stood behind Loki, chin on his shoulder, arms around his waist. "So which one do you want to go to?" Loki shrugged his shoulder and closed several of the windows. He picked a rather secluded beach nearby as opposed to the tropical destinations that were on most of the screens. "Babe, you sure? We can go anywhere you want. It won't take long to get there in the suit." Loki pointed to the screen once more and pouted. Tony chuckled, ", Alright, but let's get you bundled up. It's going to be chilly."

About twenty minutes later they were walking along the beach hand in hand. The brilliant green cloak Loki's mother had made for him draped over his lean shoulders. Tony tried to remain upbeat and positive, wanting to make this day special and not dampen Loki's tranquil mood. They walked back to where the suit was and sat in the sand. Loki rested in between Tony's legs and leaned back into him. Knees bent Tony relaxed his arms on top of them while playing with a lock of raven hair. Loki looked back at his love and smiled. He smiled back and placed a tender kiss on his lips. The god closed his eyes and listened to the peaceful sound of the ocean's roar.

"I love you Loki." Tony spoke softly as he watched the wave's crash against the shore. "I always have. I could never love anyone like I do you. I know it sounds cliché and you know this isn't really my thing, but you complete me. It's like you're the piece of me I've been searching for my whole life I thought I could never find." Loki turned and rested his hand over Tony's heart. He wished at that moment he had his words to express all that Tony meant to him. How much he had changed his life for the better, how meaningless his existence had been before. He gazed deeply into his lovers eyes laying his soul bare before him. Tony stroked his check lovingly. "I know Loki. Same here." For once, Tony Stark was at a loss for words. But he found none were needed as the demi-god and super hero held each other close in their warm embrace watching the waves roll by.

The sky began to darken quicker than they had hoped. Heading back to the tower they saw the rainbow colored clouds stretch across the horizon slowly giving way to the night. It was a beautiful flight and they took their time as they flew along the city's skyline. Reaching the tower Tony smoothly set Loki on his feet on the platform before flying back to the landing to remove the suit.

Strolling back to his side he tugged his god close and kissed him languidly. Loki leaned in, gripping his shoulders tightly. It was then that he noticed the god was breathing hard. Tony pulled back slightly to see Loki go pale and fall limp in his arms.

"Times up."

Tony twisted around to see Hel stepping from the shadows. He looked back down at Loki as he gasped for breath, laying him on the ground. His eyes wide and glassy as they darted over Tony's face. A rage Tony had never felt before consumed him and he turned on the goddess of the dead. Bright green flames licked at his fingers as he leveled his hands at her, hitting her with an onslaught of magic.

Hel cackled maniacally. "You cannot defeat fate Man of Iron. Try as you may, you can do no real harm. Being that you have giving half of your gift to a dying god. Your power is weak." This only fanned the flames. Tony hit her with everything he had as hot angry tears fell from his eyes. "You are merely wasting your time mortal. Look at him, his life fads away even at your futile denial." He turned towards Loki. Everything moved in slow motion. He could hear Steve and Thor shouting through the glass barrier on the deck. Hel's own brand of magic insuring they do not interfere.

Loki lie laboring for breath, his perfect thin pink lips slowly turning blue. He bent down running his fingers over his face. No. Not today. "Does your offer still stand?" Loki gripped Tony's wrist, fear in his eyes. Not for the inevitable death that awaited him, but for the foolish bargain his mortal was about to make.

"But of course." The black mist around Hel crept towards Tony, crawling over his limbs invading the reactor. "Will you die for him?"

Loki's eyes begged him, No.

"Yes."

The light in the reactor flickered out as Tony fell to Loki's side. The god sucked in a deep breath before sitting up and swiftly gathering Tony in his arms. "You idiot! What have you done?" Loki put his hand to the arc reactor trying to force his magic back into him. "Why?"

Tony's skin took on an ashen hue as he began sweating profusely. He could feel the shrapnel making their way closer to his heart. "S'ok, babe. Doesn't hurt." Tony winced. "That bad."

"You damn fool." The god whispered, his words trembling. "I cannot save you this time." Though his voice was a hush on the wind, Loki's magic and anger along with his anguish raged inside him. Twisting and writhing as he watched his mortal slip away. Black and green tendrils of magic swirled around them, threatening to release the darkness; to destroy all in its path.

Hel, do you realized what you have done? What you have released?!" Thor yelled over the torrent of wind, rain and dark magic lashing out over the tower.

His power gained in strength, whipping around then like a gale force wind. The nine realms would feel his wrath, his pain, his lose. His magic abruptly exploding outwards throwing Hel against the far wall, windows shattered throughout the building.

"Hel you must end this!" Thor bellowed, Mjolnir in hand ready to strike her down.

"It is too late." The goddess of the dead yelled over the wind, a wicked gleam in her eyes. "What has been done cannot be undone."

Tony gasped for breath. The shield around them protecting against the untamed deluge of the god's fury. "Loki, you said you would try. Remember?"

Loki stroked his cheek affectionately. "And you promised me you would live. As I see it, our agreement is null and void."

"Please don't do this, babe." Tony cried out in pain. "Not for me."

"If not for you, then who? You were not supposed to die for me, Anthony." A tear trickled from his unblinking eyes. Thor tried to reach for them; the barrier Loki erected would not be breached.

"Look, just put the Ragnorok thing away for now, ok? Save it for a rainy day." Tony panted.

"Is it not raining now?"

It sounded like a damn monsoon mixed with a freakish electrical storm. "Fucking Thor. You god's need to take it down a notch." Tony began going into cardiac arrest. "Love…you." He gritted out.

"As I do you." Grief all consumed him ripping his heart to shreds. The god of mischief kissed his mortals forehead, then his lips. "Do you remember what else I told you, Anthony?" A silver dagger appeared in his hand as Loki laid him on the ground.

"Loki, no!" Steve and Thor were both shouting at the god, beating against the magical barrier to no avail.

He swept his fingers through dark brown sweat slicked hair. "I promised I would never leave you." Loki's voice, calm and loving, was the last thing Tony heard. The sight of his god jerking forward, unshed tears in his eyes, was the last thing he saw before his heart stopped beating and his world went black.

~L~T ~L~T~

AN: wooo, ya'll are going to be mad at me..please let me know what you think..this stories not over just yet..