Tony worried, constantly, without any breaks in between. He worried about Earth. He worried about Pepper. He worried about new threats, about old threats reemerging, about lifespans and decades and the generations to come. He was intelligent enough to see too many angles; too smart to ignore signs of danger, and too reckless to leave well enough alone.
He worried about Lynn, and he also worried about how much she hated it. She tolerated his impulses under protest, resenting the amount of information JARVIS piped into his ears. She hated when he revealed how much he knew, and she particularly hated even the faintest whisper of trying to control her life.
So he'd compromised in the only way he knew how: manipulate her into the spot he wanted her.
The job offer was earnest. He really did have a whole meeting with Jane, Thor, and Fury, talking through the pros and cons of sending Lynn on regular trips to Asgard. Ultimately he'd won any debates, of course. Tony was at peak form when he wanted something, and he wanted Lynn protected as often as possible. She'd been taken three times, once while under his direct care, and he took this personally. The fact that the kidnappers had been the Ten Rings just added to how angry the whole event made him, and the fact that she'd died...
No more chances. Tony wanted her safe, and immortal space Vikings were, as always, the better option. Especially since she wouldn't just stay locked in his tower indefinitely.
Of course, she'd been taken once from here too. Tony hadn't forgotten that, nor that he hadn't even been here to try and stop it from happening. He hadn't ever forgiven himself for that failure, especially in light of how close they'd become in the years after. He almost hadn't had that time. She almost hadn't. She deserved better, but he was what she got. So he'd do his own version of the best he could.
He didn't want to deal with Loki's mood swings, and he understood Thor just enough to understand the man had other priorities, like a whole kingdom of people. Tony got it. But neither of the Asgardian brothers were useful to him when it came to prioritizing Lynn. Jane had assured him, several times, that she would keep an eye on the kid. That was good; he liked Foster, and the physicist meant it when she said she worried too.
But Jane was only a human, and Lynn was...well. Not quite that anymore. She'd outlive them all, and then where would she be? In the same spot, without him around to keep an eye on her. It wasn't right. So he planned to fix it.
Tony strode into what the humans called the "cafeteria" and the Asgardians insisted was the "stofa." Tony wouldn't admit out loud that he preferred the Asgardian term, feeling this might be perceived as traitorous, but he'd made a point to look up the word in his spare time. Pepper hadn't asked why he called the stove stofa yet. She humored him when it was easier to just go along.
The inventor scanned the crowd, eyes skimming over most of the scientists who shared various Earth and Asgardian fare. This room hadn't needed conversion to serve this purpose, since Asgardians loved their large gatherings and feasts. The fact that the humans appreciated a daily joint feast as a reward for the morning's work was well-received, and the humans who joined the team here quickly learned that lunches were taken all together lest one want to be nagged and hassled by an Asgardian wondering why their comrade insisted on working through mál.
Jane and Tony had started taking bets on which human scientists would try to argue. Jane had him by three at this point, which he insisted was because he didn't interview their teams directly anymore. Jane didn't argue, just smiled that innocent smirk-smile of hers, and he resolved to more thoroughly read people's files to better predict their level of stubborn.
The recent post-docs were always the worst. They argued on their first day, and were sometimes even taken by the arm and gently led away from their station by a helpful coworker.
Today, the only new person to bet on was Lynn. He didn't see her yet, but he also didn't see Jane, so the two young scientists were probably still gossiping over some tiny science. Tony knew she'd argue if she knew what was happening; he couldn't wait to see how she explained to their Asgardian hosts that she didn't need to eat a full plate of food. He himself had that very same argument the first time he'd come here and lost, publicly. These Asgardian cooks were big on public humiliation for resistance to host duties.
As he strode through the hall, one younger group waved him over, eyes bright with welcome and excitement. Carter Johnson, who'd graduated with his PhD just last year, was the veteran of this particular crew. He'd met Loki once before at a dog and pony fundraiser, engaging with the trickster about a recent gravitational breakthrough. He'd contacted Tony directly a week later, outright begging for the opportunity to study the kinds of physics Jane had brought to that conversation. Now here he was, so excited he practically shook.
He made Tony feel old.
Tony shook his hand with a friendly smile, then allowed Carter to introduce him to the assorted team. All of them were newer human members; some of them were only on their second rotation in Asgard. At least one of them was studying the Bifrost directly; another was delving into the properties of Asgardian metals. All of them poured enthusiasm out at him, giving him a headache. Carter waved at him to stop as he turned to go, stumbling from the bench he sat on and approaching quickly.
"Mr. Stark, do you know if Loki can come to the labs more often?" he said as soon as he was close enough. Two of the team members nodded their agreement, while the rest continued whatever conversation Tony had interrupted.
"More often?" Tony said, uncertain if he'd heard right. Inside, he called himself several versions of idiot. He should've known this would happen, should have anticipated.
"Yeah, right now it's only twice a week, but if he could maybe come four days instead - "
"Got it," Tony said. He smiled while inside he screamed and beat the walls. "Four times a week. I'll talk to him."
Carter, bless the kid, brightened right up.
"Thanks Mr. Stark!" His excitement sometimes translated into spittle. "He said you'd be the one to ask. Thanks so much!"
"I'll just bet he did," Tony said. He left them to their excited murmurs, mood unswayed. If anything, this just proved his concerns.
"Well met, friend Stark," said Fandral as Tony slid onto the bench next to him. Sif sat across the table next to Hogun. Volstagg was home as usual, dining with his family. The four of them were not scientists of any kind, but they made themselves available as needed to help with certain studies of Æsir physiology and weaponry. Now that research would really ramp up, since he'd finally installed a true biosciences division.
He belatedly realized he probably should've warned the Asgardians first.
"I need a favor," he said. Of course he could've led into the topic, tried to be anything other than a pain in the ass. It wasn't his style.
Hogun, who was sipping something that looked very much like tea with the leaves still inside of it, set his cup down and waited. Sif shifted in her seat, probably already suspecting what Tony was about to say. She was sharp, sure; but more importantly, she was suspicious. Even paranoid about some things.
Well...about one specific thing, anyway.
"We do not have control over his whereabouts, Stark," she said. Tony sighed. That was going to be his next question; he shrugged and waved a hand through the air.
"I'll deal with it. Look, this is more long-term. A once I'm dead kind've deal."
Fandral's eyes widened. He wasn't as quick as Sif on the uptake, who braced her elbows on the table and clasped her hands. She leaned forward as though conspiring with the three men, and Fandral leaned forward in turn. Tony met her eyes and sighed. He wasn't sure how much he'd need to explain; Lynn's...condition...wasn't common knowledge. He scratched his cheek, considering his options, when Sif's hand briefly clasped his other on the table. He met her eyes again, eyebrows up, and realized that somehow, she at least knew - and had told no one.
"Loki told me," she murmured. Fandral scowled; Hogun tensed. "You request that we watch Lynn Creed, to keep her safe as long as we might."
One of those statements didn't directly connect to the other, but in this conversation, only Tony and Sif knew that. Fandral smiled warmly, thinking this a simple matter of an overprotective friend. Hogun might think the same, though his expression remained impartial.
"That's right," Tony said.
"Surely this need not be asked," said Fandral. He was buttering a large, still-warm brauð roll. The smell made Tony's mouth water; the food here really was spectacular, especially now that the mat-sveinn had incorporated Midgardian flavors as well. Silverware hadn't caught on as yet, but there were some who used a fork at times after watching how the humans ate.
Tony crossed his arms lightly, hands resting at his elbows.
"I don't like to assume," he said. "The fact is that I won't always be around, and the kid..."
Sif nodded, the only one understanding all of the messages here. Hogun and Fandral nodded as well, only understanding one message but agreeing nonetheless. He'd have to talk to them later, to really explain how long this commitment was - but Sif had agreed easily. The passage of centuries was nothing to them; they were older than most modern countries. Maybe he wouldn't have to explain at all. If Lynn kept living, they would still be her friends, wouldn't they?
"Great," Tony said, "we're all settled. Next on my list - "
He'd started to push up, to be met with Fandral's shocked look.
"Surely you won't miss mál, Stark!" Sif smiled into her meal while Fandral pulled Tony back into his seat by his elbow. "There is more than enough - you couldn't mean -"
"No no, of course not," Tony said. "I was distracted, that's all."
Hogun pushed a freshly prepared plate in his direction, brimming with today's meal. Tony took a bite obligingly, was rewarded with a clap on his back from Fandral and a nod from Hogun, and smirked at Sif, whose grin had not yet faded.
Tony hated prisons. He hated confinement and he definitely hated having to walk underground to the Asgardian cells. Even if this was deserved - even if it was right - he hated it. His nervous energy grew as he stepped downward, echoes relaying his footsteps back to his ears. He snapped his hands in front and in back, wove his fingers together, scratched one palm. The further in he walked, the further the entrance and dimmer the light from outside, the more his nerves sang.
Best to be done with this as fast as possible.
"Hello, Dr. Lecter," he said as he approached the furthest cell. The golden barrier shimmered at the edges while the occupant looked up over the edge of a book. Tony glanced at the title on the spine, then over the rest of the cell. There wasn't much to speak of. Books, a chair, and a bed where the trickster sprawled while reading.
Loki had only raised his eyebrows, clearly intrigued by his presence.
"Stark," he said. "What a pleasure."
"Whatever," Tony said. He looked around the bare hallway, screwing one side of his mouth up. "I should've brought a chair."
And lo and behold, a chair shimmered into existence next to him. He hesitated, then checked the seat for stability, not entirely trusting that it would bear his weight once he settled.
"It is safe," Loki said from the side. He still sprawled on the bed, eyes once again down and reading. Tony turned the chair backwards and sat, arms dangling against the back. He waited until Loki's eyes looked up again, and this time only one brow rose. Tony continued waiting, fingers twiddling, until Loki sighed and set the book aside.
"Is this the promised chat, finally?" the trickster said, his tone scornful and amused. "It is quite overdue."
"Yeah, we'll get to that. Twice a week huh?"
Loki blinked, his own fingers twitching with unspent energy.
"Yes," he said after a time. "Young Dr. Jackson - "
"Is your biggest fan, yeah, look, I get it." When Loki began to speak again, Tony waved a hand to cut him off and plowed ahead. "I get it. It's nice to be adored. I'm a hypocrite, sure, but I do get it."
"I have hurt no one," Loki said. While he wasn't under anyone's control, precisely, he sounded annoyed. Tony wondered who he thought the inventor would tattle to.
"I have maintained what you call professionalism, I have cooperated; Jane Foster allows - "
"Jane knows?" Now that was a surprise. Or maybe it wasn't. She'd been a big part of all sorts of difficult conversations between Thor and Fury regarding this particular thorn in everyone's side. The only reason Fury hadn't come to Asgard himself was his lack of a proper organization to back him. He was only involved in those discussions as a courtesy on Thor's part.
"Yes, she knows," Loki said. Still annoyed, but now once again intrigued. Apparently keeping his involvement quiet hadn't been his idea.
"Alright," Tony said. He ran a hand down his face, scrunched his fingers against his top lip. "Carter wants four, not two. You behave, you can even have some gadgets."
Loki tilted his head, a sneer playing on his lips.
"I do not believe that is your call, as you would say."
"I'll talk to Foster," Tony said. This was so different from talking with the kid. By now she would've seen through his act, his slow attempts to work himself up to a more difficult topic. Tony didn't like having to take the initiative here, but Loki was starting to reach for the book again, apparently dismissing the inventor.
Screw it.
"Do you love her?" he said, and Loki's eyes snapped to his, his hand frozen over the book. The trickster leaned back fully again, eyes narrowed and nostrils flaring.
"What, too direct?" Tony rolled his eyes. "Let's get to the point, I have shit to do. Do you?"
He could see the lies piling up. The fact that Loki didn't immediately spout the first thing he thought was progress, but that didn't mean he was noble enough to resist all of them.
"Why do you ask?" Loki said, surprising Tony enough to make the inventor lean back from the chair. If Loki wasn't going to be a smart-ass about it, he decided to play ball.
"I just gave her a job," Tony said. "A permanent position, maybe - I mean, at least while I'm alive and she works it."
Tony stood from the chair, unable to stay still for any longer. He began a slow pace in front of the cell, moving in a lazy circle as he spoke.
"See, I figure we got about seventy years before she decides Earth isn't her style anymore. She needs a place to live where she won't be a freak."
Tony gestured upwards and around, a general indication of Asgard as a whole.
"This place, it's got all the perks. Good weather, good friends. There's just one catch." He'd come to the middle of his circuit, facing Loki directly through the shimmering barrier.
"I'm sure you can guess what," he said. "I wanna know how messy you'll get."
"Which answer would you prefer?" Loki had straightened by now, enjoying Tony's investment in the question.
"It's not a riddle, bud," Tony said. His feet were braced apart, arms lightly crossed, always ready for a fight even when in casual clothes. "Plain 'yes' or 'no' works."
"I am not sure why it matters," Loki said. He stood from the bed, arms spread to indicate his cell. "I am confined."
Tony was annoyed. He slanted one palm down, gripping the chair back. "Uh huh."
Loki smirked.
"It matters because I want to know what I'm dealing with here," Tony continued. "You can go nuts any time. You'd be the worst kind of ex."
"I do not have any intention of harming her," Loki snarled. "And she is too wise to accept me."
"Maybe not now. Maybe not thirty years from now. But one hundred? One thousand?" Tony shook his head. "Where there's a will there's a way."
"Ah, I see now," Loki said. He stepped back, then to the side, beginning his own slow pacing. "You worry about what I will do once you can no longer scowl at me."
Loki placed a fist to his chest, bowing slightly. Mocking.
"You have my pledge to do no harm," he said with a leer. Tony rolled his eyes and sat properly in the chair this time, elbows braced on his knees as he leaned forward. He rubbed his palms together.
"Here's what I think," Tony said quietly. Loki stepped closer, listening intently.
"I think you have no idea," the inventor said. Loki leaned up, then back. He pressed his lips together in a tight line of annoyance.
"I'm serious," Tony said, answering a denial that wasn't there. "I mean, sure, maybe you love your mom. I guess you like Thor. But Lynn?" Tony shook his head, still rubbing his hands together. "It's something new, isn't it? You've never felt anything like it. You never thought you could, did you?"
Loki said nothing.
"Bet it took a while too. Hell, I bet you didn't even have a name for it. Probably just get all messed up, cover it with a wise crack."
Loki looked away for the first time in this conversation, shielding his eyes from Tony's persistent stare. Tony raised his eyebrows.
"Huh," he said. "Maybe you didn't realize until just now."
"It matters not," rasped the trickster, sounding caught out and annoyed again. This conversation had not gone nearly the direction he'd anticipated from years of digesting mortal tales of protective fathers and raging brothers. He'd expected some sort of ultimatum, an extraction of a protective vow. Perhaps threats, even a direct challenge. But here the inventor sat, for all the world having a simple conversation, man to man. Loki looked at him again, and promptly lost his patience.
"What do you want, Stark?" he snarled out. He clenched his fists, power radiating from the cell. The very air around him snapped with energies craving release; Tony sat up in the chair, outside of the cell but sensing the change in the atmosphere around them.
"I could strike you dead now," Loki said. His voice was dark and cold, his eyes glittering queerly in the bright sheen of the barrier. "I could pull you asunder, render you through, banish you to silt good only for nourishing Yggdrasil's child."
"But you won't," Tony said. He was calm, even amused. "You never would, and we both know why."
Loki hissed and turned away. The unspent seiðr crackled around him. He unfurled his fists, knowing he was beaten.
"I think that answers my question," Tony said from behind him. He heard the shuffling of feet and chair legs as the inventor stood. "So long as that's true, maybe it'll be OK."
Loki turned and scowled at him. Tony raised his hands.
"Hey, I won't tell. Especially not the kid."
"In exchange for what?" The trickster knew a bargain when he heard one. Tony's mouth quirked to the side, nearly forming a grin.
"I'll let you know," Tony said, and went back the way he came.