Chapter 21

Homecoming

NOTES:

Hi everyone,

NOW! I'm not going to hold you up any longer with a lot of talk,

We just really REALLY hope you will enjoy this chapter as you all have been waiting (falling) for 3 parts! (30 minutes!) XD

Anyway, enjoy! :D

'How about... Ice Star?' Quill suggested as he shifted the controls of his ship from autopilot to manual.

'I beg your pardon?' Loki asked, a chuckle disrupting his sentence.

'Come on, our epic bromance needs a name,' Quill smirked, 'How about... Freezing... awesome... freezing awesome god... guys?'

'Oh, please, that sounds horrible,' Loki laughed, shaking his head.

'Okay, well, you give it a try then.'

'Easy,' The god smirked, and as Quill's inquisitive eyes were on him, he merely shrugged. 'Frost-Lord.'

'O MY GOD, Loki!' Quill nearly squealed as he looked at him, 'That's freaking brilliant!'

'We are not calling ourselves that though,' Loki tried to warn him, but he had already lost Quill to the shipping madness.

'Oh, yeah, no, of course,' Quill shrugged casually, but his bright smile betrayed him.

'Besides, do you not have a girlfriend?' Loki teased. 'She would not be too happy to hear of this.'

'Ah, she wouldn't mind... I think... Plus! There's a difference between a BROmance and a ROmance, huge difference, my friend.'

'Is that so?' the trickster asked with a chuckle. 'Explain that to me, please.'

'Uh, well, romance is what Gamora and I have... and hopefully you and Right Peter as well... And Bromance is, well, what we have, just epic friends, who occasionally strip for each other,' he said, laughing at his own explanation. 'Basically, it's the same as a relationship but without the sex.'

'I see,' Loki shook his head with a smile, though he thought this over, which caused him to laugh even more. 'Quill?'

'Yeah, what's up?'

'You owe me a striptease,' the trickster laughed.

Starlord nearly choked on his drink as he had just taken a sip of beer, the liquid almost running out of his nose as he managed to swallow it down just in time. 'Oh you're on!' he laughed and turned on his Awesome Mixtape even louder, putting his vessel back on autopilot.

'What are you doing?' Loki asked with a slightly confused smile as the Ravager suddenly jumped from his chair.

'A striptease always starts with a sexy dance, right?' he smirked, moving to the rhythm of the song while singing along, causing Loki to laugh loudly.

'Quite, quite,' the raven nodded as he covered his mouth with his hand. 'Truly, you have a talent.'

'I know, right?' Quill said, moving his hips along. 'I could make serious money out of this, but considering you're my friend, you're getting a special discount.'

'I cannot believe my luck,' Loki laughed, watching the moves of the dancer, occasionally looking away as Starlord made him laugh to loudly.

'There you go! Luck's on your side again, Lucki!' Quill smirked, slowly tacking off his leather jacket and throwing it in a corner with a twirl of his body. He looked at Loki, a content feeling of happiness brewing in the core of his chest as he saw the trickster laugh. It was just another confirmation that the God's smile was indeed a lot lovelier than his frown.

'Usually I would say something about calling me that, but since your dance moves are so phenomenal, I will let it slide for once,' the trickster laughed as he kept his eyes on the Lord of Stars. He had to admit, the man had a great body, especially considering he was a Midgardian.

'That's what I thought!' Quill smirked as he took off his shirt and threw it in the trickster's face, hardly able to stand on his feet as his laughter threatened to disrupt his dancing. He managed to move his hands from his chest down to his lower abdomen, his fingers starting to play with the buckle of his black leather belt, slowly loosening it.

Loki closed his eyes as they started to fill with tears of laughter, causing the Celestial to stop his movements as they both nearly crumbled to the floor, their muscles starting to hurt and turn to jelly.

'Come on man!' Quill wheezed, hardly able to breath properly as he let himself fall on his knees, his upper body now resting on Loki's lap. 'I can't do this with a straight face with you laughing like that!'

'My dearest friend,' Loki replied, wiping a tear from his eyes, 'You are stripping for another man, I do not think there is anything "straight" about this.' As the Ravager looked at him with a cocky smirk, the god continued. 'Not that I mind though.'

'Thought so,' Quill shook his head as he finally managed to catch his breath. 'Oh, hey, I think we're almost home,' he stood up and looked through the window and saw Earth closing in.

'What a shame,' Loki chuckled, handing the shirt back. 'Better put this back on if you would ever want to romance with Gamora again.'

'Yeah, guess we'll have to continue this some other time,' Starlord nodded as he started to get dressed.

'Oh, you best remember,' Loki laughed. 'Midgard, you owe me a striptease by a Starlord.'

Quill put his red leather jacket back on as the large ship casually landed in the front garden of Stark Tower, one engine nearly bursting into flames from the Chitauri attack.

'Hey, looks like people actually missed us, huh?' Quill remarked as he saw Thor standing outside, watching the space ship along some other Avengers.

'Well, some people like us for more than our looks, apparently,' Loki grinned.

'Really?' Quill asked in a sarcastic voice. 'So, there's still hope for us?'

'Always, just as long as you keep your good looks, then we should be just fine.'

'Oh, so you only love me when I take my clothes off, huh?' Quill said, pretending to be outraged. 'Scandalous, Lokes.'

'Obviously,' Loki countered with a seductive smirk and he closed in on the Starlord. He opened his mouth to make another remark, but was hushed by a breeze of hot summer air as the door of the vessel slowly opened.

'Oh well, I'll take it,' Quill laughed, quickly placing a hand on the trickster's shoulder as he suddenly noticing a silhouette standing in the doorway. 'What's up, Thor?'

'Lord of Stars,' Thor nodded, but his attention quickly switched to the raven, 'Brother! It is good to see you again!' he walked in and wrapped his arms around the younger god, nearly lifting him off his feet.

'Well, yes, I suppose,' Loki nodded, laughing at his brother's exaggerated reaction, forgetting for a moment that they have been gone for nearly a week. 'It is good to see you as well,' he added, patting his brother on the back.

'There is something urgent I need to discuss with you,' Thor said as he released his brother again.

'What's wrong, big guy?' Quill smiled, casually leaning against Loki. 'What is it you don't understand?'

Thor stared at Starlord for a moment before saying anything. 'This does not concern you, Lord of Stars. It is something between-'

'Hey, whatever you've gotta tell my man over here, you can say to the both of us.' Quill stated confidently.

'Just let the man speak,' Loki laughed, 'or I am cancelling my striptease.'

'Thank you, br-,' but as the words hit him, Thor raised a highly confused brow. 'Wait, striptease?!'

'No way,' Quill laughed, 'You wouldn't. The Peter Power has too strong a hold on you, or it's just my sexy dance moves, or both!'

Thor stared at the two for a moment, watching how his brother and Quill were now laughing together, almost unable to stand on their own feet anymore, their muscles sore with giggles. 'What, what happened between the two of you on that ship…?'

'Nothing, brother,' Loki said with a chuckle as he tried to catch his breath.

'Amaaaaaaazing things!' Quill interrupted with a lascivious smirk before Loki could continue. 'Really, you should have been there.'

'Or perhaps it was better that he was not,' the raven said as he turned to his friend.

'Yeah, guess that would have been awkward,' Quill agreed.

'Right...' Thor raised a highly confused brow, moving closer to Loki. 'Did you move on already?!' he whispered harshly as none of this situation made sense to him.

'Move on?' Loki frowned, almost drunk on his laughter, 'My dearest brother,' he continued, wrapping an arm around Quill's waist, pulling him closer. 'I merely love this man for his abs and strip abilities, nothing more.'

'It's true,' Quill said in a dramatic voice, clasping Loki closer as he raised his eyes to the heavens. 'We are star-crossed lovers. There is no future for us.'

'…Well, that is a relief,' Thor said awkwardly, 'But really, there is something I need to tell you, it-'

'Okay, wait, Quill,' Loki wheezed as he tried to catch his breath and take his distance. 'We are on Midgard again, we should behave ourselves. No one can know about our secret.'

'I think he already knows, Lokes,' Quill said as he pointed at Thor. 'But you're right, it'll be our dirty little secret.' As he walked past the trickster, he stopped for a moment. 'Frostlord forever, huh?' he whispered jokingly.

For a full minute, Loki could not utter a single syllable without laughing. 'Forever,' he said at last, a bright smile on his face as he could properly breath again at last. 'See you later?'

'I'll be waiting!' Quill shouted as he stumbled towards the front yard. 'Every second apart from you is agony!' he added as he raised his hands towards the sky.

'I would not say that too loud, if I were you,' Loki laughed. 'I think your girlfriend is out there.'

'She is!' Gamora's voice sounded and the three saw her standing in the doorway of the spaceship. She raised a brow, her arms crossed, though she did not bother to interfere in this weird bromance she was overhearing.

'I love her so much,' Quill said with a chuckle, laying a hand over his heart. 'I'm in trouble, though. See you later, trickster.' He wrapped an arm around the woman's waist as they walked towards the Stark Tower together.

'Now, tell me brother,' Loki said as he shook his head, his attention now finally towards the older god. 'What is it you so desperately needed to tell me?'

'Right, yes, so, as I have been trying to tell you,' Thor said as he tried to regain his focus and he and his brother walked towards the exit of the ship. 'You see, Peter and I have talked and-' Thor looked up as he focused on his hearing. He turned around, seeing a figure storming through the front doors of Stark Tower and racing towards them. The blond's eyes grew wide and he quickly turned back to his brother. 'A-alright, okay, this is what I mean, well, how do I even say this...'

'Thor… what is going on here?' Loki asked hesitantly. He took a step back as he noticed the figure as well, his eyes growing wide as he immediately recognized who it was. He raised his hands and quickly turned around. 'I suddenly remembered that I have to get off this planet.'

'No, brother! You do not understand!' Thor held on to the raven's wrist for a moment. 'I need to tell you-'

'I think I understand perfectly! He is clearly angered!' Loki shouted, pointing at Peter who was now dangerously close. 'What did you tell him?!'

'No, Loki! That is not it. He is not angered!' Thor tried. 'You cannot leave!'

Taking a deep breath, the raven pulled his wrist free, turning to the teen. 'Yes, alright, I will face the consequences! The consequences you caused!' Loki shouted as he readied himself for impact.

'No, it's not-' Thor raised his voice, the two now shouting at each other as equals.

'IT'S NOT WHAT?!' Loki asked, but was unable to hear the answer. A weight tackled him, taking him off-guard as lips were pressed against his own, and they fell on the ramp of the spaceship. Peter cupped the startled trickster's face in his hands, kissing him passionately while trying to regain his breath through his nose. After a full minute, he stopped and looked at Loki, a bright smile on his face as he laughed with tears in his eyes, still panting from his run. He straddled the god's lap, his arms tightly wrapped around his neck before looking him in the eye again.

'Hi!'

'... What...?' was the only thing Loki could mutter, trying to grasp what just happened and why the teen was now lying on top of him on the ramp of a spacecraft. 'WAIT A MINUTE!' he suddenly shouted, startling both Peter and Thor. 'WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!' He then looked over Peter's shoulder at his older brother. 'This is your doing, is it not, brother? What is this? Some ill jest?!' he asked angrily.

'I tried to warn you! Are you not happy?!' Thor asked, raising his arms in innocence. 'I thought your relationship with the Lord of Stars was a jest!'

'Who?' Peter asked confused, though he made no attempt to get up, now turning his attention to Loki again. 'Did you visit Sakaar?'

'Sakaar...?' Loki frowned after which he heavily shook his head. 'No, you bloody oaf! I would never! Now, what is it you think you are doing?!'

'I-uh, well,' Peter started awkwardly, his nerves causing him to laugh sheepishly.

'WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!' Loki shouted, feeling like his world was spinning as he had never felt so utterly confused.

'Loki! You should not shout!' Thor shouted, trying to help.

'You keep your mouth shut!' Loki hissed back as he pointed at his brother. 'This has nothing to-'

'Lokes!' Peter interrupted desperately, raising his voice to make himself heard over the shouting Asgardians.

'WHAT?!'

'Shut up,' Peter kissed the trickster again though it was more gentle this time. He placed his hands on the god's cheeks, breathing calmly as he took in his fragrance. He waited, patiently, until he was convinced that Loki had calmed down. Leaning in closer, Peter pressed his body against the trickster's, feeling the god's warmth seeping through his clothes. At least a full minute went by before his lips finally let go of the god's and Loki just stared at him in absolute wonder. Peter chuckled, 'You talk too much.'

'... I, I do not believe I understand,' Loki blinked, quickly taking a deep breath to collect himself. 'I am... confused. What is going on here? How long have we been gone? What year is it?'

Peter laughed as he finally moved away, sitting down next to his friend. 'You've been away for almost a week,' he said with a slight smile, although some worry still shone through.

'Ah, yes... Quite,' Loki slowly nodded, his mind still completely blank. 'So, you kissed me because...?'

Peter shrugged and sighed, eventually finding the words he was looking for. 'Because I love you, you dunce.' He smiled, his eyes softly sparkling in the warm late noon sun.

'... No, you do not,' Loki eventually replied as he sat up straight.

'Yes, I do,' Peter argued back, his eyes wide in surprise.

'No, you do not,' the raven stated, getting back to his feet. 'You said so yourself, you love Meya a-and you care for me, remember?'

'Wha-?' Peter asked in confusion, suddenly remembering his conversation with Thor. 'Oh… OH! That, yeah, no, I love you! You are Meya! You are the same person! Just in a different package.'

The god stared at the teen for a moment longer, contemplating what he just heard, his mind finally seeming to return to him again. 'So... you love… me?'

'Well, that is what I have been trying to say here,' Peter chuckled a bit nervously. 'So, what do you think? I mean, I get that this is all a little overwhelming, but if y-'

At that moment, the teen felt two arms wrapping around his waist as the raven replied to his question with a tender and loving kiss. A voice whispering, soft and honeyed, 'I love you too.'

NOTES:

And that's it!
Please, please let us know your thoughts on this chapter! What did you think about the, for Loki, sudden love confession?
At first, we thought of making this scene really heavy, emotions going everywhere. Then we were like, nah, let's do something really romantic!
But eventually, we settled with this, an overly happy Peter and a heavily confused Loki.

What will come next? Love, humor, romance, fluff, maybe even some smut, just throwing some of it out there!

Anyway, thanks for spending your precious time on reading this chapter and we hope to hear from you!

PS. for those of you reading my other fic "Another Love" I am now at the last chapter... but I'm not happy with it... so I'm re-writing it... so it will take a day or two longer to post it... Sorry! ^^'