Worked up as the others down in the lift on their way to the lab they stand both frowning, Tony because what the hell, and Loki…
because he knows that in a way, he'd given Clint exactly what he wanted.
…He's known all along…the cost at caring so much, at…
…He glances at Tony, who's rather distraught. He can guess to his thoughts, one urgent, wrathful question that his words might just resolve.
"He knew I would catch it. He wasn't trying to kill you," not that that had needed clarification, but one's mind can take and bring him. Loki sees that it's of import Tony be certain, lest he find himself asking why Clint would to him do this, when he was never in fact the target.
And doesn't Tony know that. "Obviously." Doesn't he and Loki both know precisely of his aim. "He's a phenomenal dick, but he's not an idiot." He knew exactly what he was doing, and had that ever been his intent, however implausible that was: "…You woulda killed him, he knows."
"I would've killed her," retorted sharply, heatedly that just then Tony sees really how fiercely Clint had aggravated him.
"Right," he's angry now again then the words his mind tackle wondering why her.
Stops the lift and out steps Loki…
…But Tony doesn't move, in place frozen.
…Why her?
Responded instantly to by the fact that Clint loves her, and it's obvious…
…Still…Why-
…
…Browns drastically widen.
Loki turns wondering what has kept him,
worries for a beat genuinely
if it's what he'd said, the way he'd said it.
…
…
Inside Loki knows…
…he isn't good.
In himself he knows there's a cold, callous cruelty, an inherent tendency to violence that will never subside.
And though Tony's eager always to forgive, blame someone else, look for the good…Does he see sometimes, does it grow too clear…
that there's so little left.
…
…Is it this fact inalterable that had widened so those eyes that are at him looking? Has the revelation hit him hard enough that as out slowly so he approaches he questions his affection
towards what is no less than
a monster.
…
…Before him Tony stops, a look in those eyes so conflicting that Loki cannot read and so sorely this unnerves him.
A hate he bears for himself that keeps him firmly from seeing, what truly to those eyes had come, what abruptly, overwhelmingly had taken them.
To ask why her, to know to Clint what she means, to know what Loki from him would've taken, and all in retaliation…to what Clint had from him faked to take.
Someone he…
…[Do you…really?]
…
"…Kiss me," was all he'd said that for a second Loki was stumped truly. That confusion so profound shows, Tony smiles faintly, coming closer.
Looking up into greens that soften he cups Loki's neck, brushing the lines of his jaw with his thumbs then insisting: "Kiss me." He needn't say it again for on his mouth Loki's latches instantly, fervidly.
Confused as he was his heart acts for him, giving everything in this kiss, to those lips that against him press as strongly, firmly locked so intensely that it's seconds then they're breathless, parting inches stood unmoving in each other's arms sharing the air between them that's warm.
This time in browns Loki sees it clearly. There is no doubt not a sliver of apprehension, there's nothing short of a deep, so intimate affection that it seems won't waver, he prays won't quiver because he won't withstand it, losing him he won't survive it – death would be more welcomed – He doesn't exaggerate, he…
…
…
Tony was it.
…
There was nothing else.
…Nothing else.