"Awhile ago you showed me your scars. By awhile I mean it's been months. I think you said something about not wanting to heal them with magic but they should be healing on their own. So, I was wondering if they've gotten any better since then?" The pair had been sitting on the couch for awhile when Tony interrupted the tv show with his question. Tony was playing the part of big spoon as they laid out on the couch. "I mean you don't have to show me or anything. It's just. Back then you still looked burnt. You had fingers that hadn't healed properly. And I gave you those new bracelets but I can't even remember if I asked if they were helping or if they were hurting you more. I could probably make something. Or…" Tony forced himself to stop talking.
Loki lifted his hands slightly and noticed that they only had the slightest tremble to them. He pushed himself away so he could sit up and look Tony in the eyes, "I...um...haven't checked much. The illusions have been their own form of medicine I suppose. However, I do feel rather better than I once did." Loki closed his eyes and let the illusion drop for the first time in months.
Tony gently took Loki's hands in his own. He rubbed small circles as he looked at the remaining damage. The cuts and lash marks were only scars. The burns seemed mostly healed. Even the misty eye was clear once more. Though Loki was still a bit too thin and a few bones were still twisted wrongly.
He curled in on himself. Legs crossed. Spine bent down. Loki's hair covered part of his face.
"And how are you doing mentally."
Letting out a chuckle that was more like a huff of air Loki looked back up and turned the question back to Tony, "Well how are you doing mentally?"
The question seemed to reverberate between the two of them, waiting for one or the other to answer first. They both sat there for a few moments almost able to enjoy being in the presence of someone who wasn't inflicting pain. Someone who cared. They sat there and enjoyed the fact that they were simply able to be held.
"I haven't had any nightmares since we've started sleeping together. At least I don't think I have, right Jarv?"
"That's right sir. Actually, both you and Mr. Friggason seem to sleep much better when you are together. I'd also like to share that your eating habits have certainly improved, sir."
Loki smiled and ducked his head down a bit. He rubbed at Tony's hand in a similar manner. After a breath he looked up. "I must admit that our time together is enjoyable. I feel...better, perhaps a bit safer, around you. You, you seem to care. You've come to my aid and protected me. I still panic at times but it's nice to know someone is nearby to sort of help hold me together." The ending sentence almost lilts up as if it is a question.
"Well, I do care. Though I'm not sure if I've done the best with taking care of you-"
He is interrupted before he can continue, "You found me after I was taken. You have provided me a place to heal. The opportunity to have things so I can heal. You helped me move and have respected my boundaries. Other than Frigga you are the only person I can think of who cares about what happens to me." Loki reached a hand out and caressed Tony's face, "Thank you for that." He leaned in.
"Don't," Tony hadn't meant to say anything but he had seen Loki leaning in. "I mean, if you were gonna do what I think you were going to do I don't mean stop. I do. But also don't. I mean-" He took a breath and continued, "You weren't leaning in to kiss me or something were you?"
"And what if I was?"
"Why? Because if it's some kind of Asgardian payment plan thing I don't want it. Or if it's because you feel like you have to. Or because..I don't know, someone dared you to do it. In those cases I don't want it."
Shifting back Loki answered, "Who would possibly dare me to kiss you? Other then you and Jarvis I don't have many people I talk to consistently. The people in this tower still half expect this to be a long con of some sort. It doesn't seem like something Shield would be particularly interested in. The people I serve in my shop know nothing of us. And Asgardians don't usually pay with affections. I suppose I do feel like I have to but only because it feels right?" With a flick of his wrist the tv turned off and the room fell silent. "I have found that in the rare times when life is kind, those are the times one should take advantage of. This is the longest I've gone in quite some time where someone has not hurt me. I have not had cuts and bruises to add to the large collection I've curated across the years. Here with you and at work in Tea and Potions I exist. I exist not to be a thing. I do not exist in pain. I simply am."
Leaning slowly in Loki gives Tony time to adjust. He caresses his cheek once more. Lets his hand rest there as he goes in to give a light peck to Tony's lips. Loki's lips smirk upwards and he leans back again. He bites his own lip before saying, "I don't know what this is. However, I seem to like you. You seem to like me back. If you don't want then we don't have-"
"I am so taking you out on the best damn date I can think of! Just give me like twenty four hours to find something perfect. I am going to wine and dine you. Then I'm gonna kiss you like you deserve."
