Okay, this is self-indulgent crap ahead. You can probably skip this chapter.

Thirty-Sixth Installment: Interlude: Loki's Promise

For the first twenty minutes or so, Tony kept thinking he was dreaming. Normally after a round of sex, he needed to rest for a while before he could go again. Maybe because of the Tesseract, his stamina seemed to have tripled. He'd gotten fully aroused after orgasm in less than five minutes, and right now he had a very compliant Norse god of mischief lying beneath him. It all felt too good to be anything but a dream.

Loki had kept his word. In the last twenty minutes he hadn't really stopped kissing his partner for more than a few seconds, and Loki hadn't uttered so much as a look of complaint. In fact, the god was so beautifully responsive Tony had about made up his mind. Yep. I think I'm in love.

They were aligned from head to foot. Loki's legs were tangled around Tony's, and he currently had three fingers working inside the god. Is it all right if I think of him as my lover? Loki had accepted everything Tony wanted, and the man had only one complaint. Loki was still being so quiet, but he didn't want to push his luck by demanding he let out his voice more. The god just let out these faint, breathy little gasps now and then, and when Tony massaged his prostate just so it made Loki pant. So far, he'd only gotten one faint moan, one he'd happily swallowed during their last kiss.

Watching Loki seemed to be his new favorite activity. The god was laying with his black hair fanned out on the pillow, hands resting beside his head. His expression was one of complete relaxation, which was gratifying. That frightening edge of madness was gone, his verdant eyes bright once more. Tony wasn't shy about flattering himself - his idea deserved credit. I deserve credit. Would he have gone to Thor for help like this? Nope. Just me.

So what if Loki hadn't actually come to him for help? Tony still deserved credit.

Loki abruptly gave him the barest hint of a smile. It had the usual smirk mixed in. "You're being awfully attentive to my pleasure, Stark. What about your needs?"

I really, really love his voice. "I'll get to them," he murmured, leaning down to fuse their mouths together once more.

It was a languid, slow, borderline lazy kiss. His tongue roamed around inside Loki's mouth, curling around Loki's, writhing around in a kind of erotic, wet tango. Loki responded to everything, eyes closed in apparent bliss. One of his hands came up to tangle in Tony's hair, neither tugging nor directing, just stroking through the dark strands. And Tony absolutely loved it. He loved Loki touching him, since their trysts up to now had been altogether lacking in that regard.

He'd let his own free hand map every inch of Loki's skin it could reach, and he'd learned a lot about what Loki did and didn't like. He didn't like it when Tony did anything more than lightly brush over his nipples. He seemed to enjoy Tony stroking his waist and inner thighs, but he didn't seem to particularly enjoy it when Tony paid any attention to his arousal. He hadn't protested even a little, though, when Tony started fingering him.

And even though Loki was quiet, his face did have little tells of enjoyment. It was all in his eyes and mouth, a slight tightening of disapproval when he didn't like something, or a slight curving up at the corners of his lips when he did . . . the tiniest hint of a warning in green eyes or total contentment. And even though Loki was being very complacent, Tony didn't want to push his luck. Complacent wasn't the same as allowing anything in the sex book.

The kiss grew a little messy, and Tony felt a bead of saliva trail down Loki's cheek. He caught it with his thumb, smearing it before Loki let out something like a tiny growl and bit Tony's tongue. Not hard, but a clear warning. Tony chuckled and decided he'd had enough foreplay for the moment. Finally withdrawing his fingers, he was pleased to feel the barest hint of a shiver crawl over Loki's skin. He sat up.

"I want you to ride me," he said.

Loki didn't hesitate, following Tony up. When Tony laid back, he stopped Loki from climbing over him with a smile. "Not that way, gorgeous. Face the other way."

Surprise flickered briefly over Loki's face, but it was replaced quickly by curiosity. He didn't protest, straddling Tony's hips backward. It gave the man a new and incredibly enticing view. With one hand on Loki's waist and the other holding his all-but-begging length, he guided Loki down and watched himself disappear into the god now above him.

Once he was fully sheathed, he grasped Loki's wrists and gently tugged them back. It caused Loki's spine to arch, and it was beautiful. There wasn't a centimeter of Loki that wasn't beautiful, and Tony's greedy eyes took in the firm muscle, the slightly too-visible ribs, the way ebony hair fell around the perfect, pale neck, the taut, graceful shoulders.

Loki made a faintly amused sound. "Will you move, Stark, or shall I?"

An undertone of arousal colored his voice, only just audible. Given the way he was holding Loki, it would make it really awkward for him to set the pace. So he took charge of that, rolling his hips, a long and slow and deep motion that made Loki's spine arch again. The muscle rippled beneath ivory skin, and Tony wondered how that could possibly be so erotic. Was Loki even capable of being un-sexy?

After a few moments of careful angling, he found Loki's prostate again. His arousal seemed to do what fingers could not, eliciting a whisper of a moan. Fuck, that's so god-damn sexy! He ground up hard and constant, trying to never ease the pressure against that little magic button, wanting to hear more. So much more. He wouldn't demand it, because earlier Loki had finally come all over them, and even better he'd allowed Tony to come inside him.

He definitely wanted to do that again. It was a massive turn-on, knowing he'd filled Loki with his seed.

Another several moments of this, and he released Loki's wrists. He had no way of knowing how long he'd have to wait for this compliant Loki again, so he wanted to do as much as he could before his stamina ran out. When he stopped moving, Loki shifted to look over his shoulder.

Tony decided it would be safer to ask for what he wanted than command. "Feel like trying some different positions?"

For a second, he thought Loki would refuse. Then he lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "If you like."

"Then lay down on your stomach," Tony said, trying to make it sound like a suggestion.

Another hesitation while Loki clearly debated whether or not he would acquiesce. Then, to Tony's surprise and delight, he lifted his hips to obey.

o0o

Though Loki wasn't about to do anything he didn't want just because Stark wanted it, he had made a promise. That promise would only allow so much, but after a few seconds of deliberation he decided to go along with Stark's request. He was exhausted, yes, and it was somehow nice to let Stark do all the work and simply enjoy the man's ministrations. Because as it turned out, Stark hadn't been lying.

He was a skilled lover.

Climbing off Stark, he laid down on his stomach. Stark prompted Loki to lift his hips, and when he did the man slid a pillow beneath them. Well, that was thoughtful. He let Stark position him to his liking, and then the human draped himself over Loki's back before sliding back inside him. Loki reflexively shivered. The initial moment of penetration was probably the best part. A feeling of not quite violation but definitely not comfort, pleasure and the intensity of being joined in such an intimate place.

"Is this okay?" Stark murmured in his ear, hands stroking up and down Loki's arms.

"As long as you keep moving," Loki said, pushing back into Stark's hips a little.

Stark obeyed the not-quite-request, and Loki fell easily into the man's slow but deep rhythm. Whatever else you might be, Stark, you certainly are attentive. The human had picked up on every nonverbal cue as to what Loki liked, didn't like, didn't care for, or simply loved. He felt a bit like a well-played harp in Stark's capable hands, and he didn't regret his decision even a little. Though sex hadn't been his intent, he was glad he'd allowed this.

Even if it was a mistake to let Stark so close. So intimately, invasively, inescapably close.

Doors were being opened now that wouldn't so easily shut.

Walls were weakening, and this might be just the catalyst that would send them tumbling down. Loki couldn't even imagine what that would be like. But it wasn't as alarming as once it had been.

In, out. Back, forward. A delicious drag of skin on skin, friction and pressure. The pleasure was sweetly begging Loki to give in to it, to let Stark sweep him away in a wave of sensation. The cool sheets had warmed under the combined heat of their bodies, the pillow under his hips doing little more than brushing over his aroused length. Stark slid the hand not bracing himself under Loki's belly, pressing into his abdomen almost like a massage. For such an innocuous touch, it was quite erotic.

He'd definitely never had sex like this.

It felt like a long, long time of this lazy pleasure before Stark began building up a faster, stronger pace. He had this way of moving his pelvis in the most delicious way that somehow sent a glitter-bright burst of pleasure singing along Loki's nerves. He rewarded Stark's effort with a faint moan, well aware how much the man loved hearing him. When Stark did it again, Loki shuddered.

Stark's massaging hand strayed lower, not quite too low, pressing more firmly. It felt so strangely good, and Loki felt completion rushing up on him again. Just as his muscles started to tense and the first wave of pleasure began, the man abruptly reached down and clasped the base of his arousal and squeezed. Loki's eyes snapped open, head coming up with a vicious warning ready on his tongue.

"Stark-"

"Just trust me," Stark breathed in his ear.

This was taking things a bit too far, but before Loki could voice a protest Stark did that thing again. For some reason, having orgasm choked off just as it began made the stimulation to his prostate almost unbearably intense, and this time Loki simply couldn't stop the gasp that ended in a soft moan. Because Stark kept doing that, every firm thrust pushing Loki harder and harder into a release that he just couldn't reach because of Stark's damn hand. The fingers of which kept rhythmically squeezing tighter until Loki felt he would go mad for entirely new reasons.

Then, without any warning at all, Stark released him. He grabbed Loki's arms and tugged them back by the elbow. It forced his spine to arch, somehow allowing Stark to thrust so deeply it took Loki's breath away, the pressure against his prostate sending him spiraling into an orgasm so powerful his vision whited out and his senses utterly deserted him.

All senses save the ability to feel.

And the pleasure lit up every nerve-ending in his body. Stark pushed him higher and higher, and then everything drifted away, leaving him floating on a golden cloud.

o0o

Tony had no way of knowing how the dwarves told time, but he knew on Earth it would be late by the time he finally ran out of energy. He'd made love six times to a Loki who grew more compliant with every orgasm, after which he passed out. Though he himself was pretty much done for, Tony managed to haul himself out of bed and wet a cloth in the wash basin to clean them both up enough he could relax. Then he climbed back onto the bed and dragged Loki into his arms. Not an iota of tension remained in Loki's skinny body as he draped over Tony's chest.

Despite how tired he was, Tony found himself unable to sleep. It was still difficult to believe what had just happened. What he'd just spent the last . . . what, four hours? doing. And to whom he' been doing it. He tangled his fingers in Loki's ebony hair. It was a little damp, but it still slid through his fingers like silk. God, you're beautiful.

Loki stirred. "Why aren't you asleep, Stark?" he murmured, voice adorably slurred.

Tony smiled, pressing his lips to Loki's forehead. "Just thinking how amazing you are," he replied quietly.

"And does that commonly keep you awake?" Loki inquired, his hand sliding over Tony's ribs.

Tony couldn't help chuckling. Exhausted Loki was cute. "More than it should," he admitted freely. Then, because it was still on his mind, "Is this going to help you on a lasting basis? Or am I going to need to be your personal sex-god from now on?"

Loki laughed. It was a low, soft sound, utterly relaxed. "You weren't lying when you said you were a skilled lover."

The words sent a thrill through Tony. "Not to nitpick, but I said fantastic lover," he pointed out.

Another soft chuckle. "Fantastic, then."

So, well-fucked Loki is amenable and actually very sweet, Tony made a mental note. "You should sleep," he said. "You need it way more than I do."

Loki said nothing more, and after a few moments Tony realized it was because Loki had fallen back to sleep. A surge of all-too warm emotion flooded his breast, and whatever lingering doubts he might have had vanished. He closed his eyes and didn't feel the dread he'd half expected.

I'm in love.

He fell asleep with that realization flowing around in his heart.

o0o

Intense pain in his chest woke Tony with a cry several hours later. His entire body jerked, startling both him and Loki into full wakefulness. The mage looked alarmed, sitting up.

"What is it?"

Tony grabbed at the Arc reactor. He'd never felt pain from it before, not like this. It felt like the thing was trying to tear his chest apart from the inside out. "What's happening - ?" he gasped, vision graying at the edges.

Loki's hand covered his, pulling it away. "The regenerative magic," he said. "Is this device some sort of healing implement?"

"It's . . . preventing shrapnel from . . . my heart," Tony gasped, bowing forward. His vision was beginning to darken.

It still managed to surprise him, after all this time, how strong Loki was as he pushed Tony down on the bed. "Your body is trying to heal around the shrapnel," he said, voice clinical and emotionless. "Lie still. This is going to hurt."

So saying, his hand started glowing bright green and he plunged it into Tony's chest.

Did he scream? Did his heart burst? Did he stop breathing and die? It certainly felt like it. Whatever Loki was doing hurt just as much as the initial injury all those years ago. Tony wanted to grab Loki's arm and make him stop, but he couldn't move. He couldn't do anything except lie on the bed with his entire body screaming in protest of this abuse, trembling wildly. Was it possible to die from pain?

"I'm sorry, Anthony. It's over, I'm done. You're all right."

After probably a year or so, the red cleared from Tony's vision and he realized the pain was diminishing. Blinking, he found himself gazing up into the gentlest expression he'd ever seen on Loki's face. Did he really just say that? Or was I completely hallucinating?

Loki's lips curved in a smile when Tony focused on him. He held up his hand for the human to see, and there were three pieces of metal on his palm. Two were quite small, the third was as large as both Tony's thumbnails. Enormous, for something embedded in his heart. He stared blankly.

"You . . . pulled them out?"

"I did," Loki confirmed. He looked down beside Tony's head. "That thing, too. Given the nature of its existence, you don't need it any longer."

Startled, Tony turned his head to find the Arc reactor lying there. Its faint glow, so familiar, sent an automatic pang of anxiety through him. He was too used to needing it. Carefully, he sat up and looked down at his chest. The shallow valley for the reactor was gone. Only smooth skin greeted his eyes. It was the most shocking thing he'd seen yet on this expedition.

"It's gone," he murmured. "You healed me?"

"No," Loki replied. "Well, not directly. The regenerative ability with which I imbued you is what healed you. All I did was remove the shrapnel."

Reaching up, Tony rubbed his hand over the smooth area. "I can't believe it. I've carried that thing so long, and now it's . . . gone. It's just gone."

"Is that a bad thing?" Loki inquired, setting the shrapnel on the bedside table and picking up the Arc reactor. He turned it in his hands, eyes curious.

"Bad?" Tony mused. "No, not bad. Just very strange."

"If your body rejected the thing keeping you alive," Loki said, sounding a tad distracted, "that means the regenerative magic has fully integrated with your body's functions. That's good. This device is really quite clever. However did you dream it up?"

Being called clever, even indirectly, made Tony pretty damn happy. "I'll tell you the story sometime," he promised, grabbing the reactor and tossing it on the table. He then flopped backward on the bed, yanking Loki with him. "Right now, I want to sleep more."

Loki didn't protest or resist, resting his head where Tony's shoulder met his chest. "As do I," he murmured. He ran a cool hand over the place where the Arc reactor had once been. "It's a little strange not to see it there."

"Tell me about it," Tony muttered, already drifting back off to sleep.

He had a feeling when he woke up, it was going to be pretty fucking weird.