Chapter 3: Dreams and Decisions

A/N: The dream sequence will be in italics so if you find that difficult to read, I am sorry. We get to see more of Deadpool here too.

Triggers: Swearing, grief, slight mature content (heavy kissing, slight touching, brusing kisses). loss, self-depreciation, talk of death and slight violence.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot.

That night, after seeing that Peter went to bed at around eleven o'clock or so, he didn't make coffee before he went to sleep, wanting to sleep well. He intended to use the locket that hadn't left his neck since tonight and he would be damned if he didn't do his upmost to get it to work. He curled around himself in the covers on Loki's side of the bed and felt himself slip off to sleep, left hand clutching the locket for dear life. A few minutes later, he let the dreamscape and the magic in the necklace do its thing. He was in his sitting room, that much he knew, but was confused. He looked to the couch, hoping to see Loki there, but he wasn't there. He was about to be pissed, but heard humming coming from the kitchen. He walked in the kitchen, a strangled sigh coming from his mouth as he drank in the image of the taller man, dressed in black leather and silk, long black waves flowing down his shoulders. He turned around slowly and strode over to a startled Tony, taking his left cheek in his left hand gently, "I promised, didn't I?" he spoke softly. Tony threw his arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, causing Loki to pick him up with a soft chuckle. Tony started shaking, letting the sobs come out of his throat. Loki pulled away from the intense kiss, stroking his back gently as he held him close, speaking soothingly in a soft voice, "You are safe, beloved. I am going to continue visiting you here if you will allow me to?" Tony whispered, slipping away his tears with the heel of his hand roughly, croaking out, "Please… I need you here, Lokes. I need you." Loki shushed him and whispered, "Then every night, this is where you shall find me, my dear. Now, since it's the first night, I think cuddling will suffice, do you not?" Tony chuckled softly, kissing his jawline happily, "Don't want me in that way, hm?~" he suggestively asked with a small smirk. Loki chuckled darkly, kissing behind his ear gently, before whispering into it, "No tonight, dearest but simply because it is the first time you coming here. I do not wish to exert your strength, Believe me, I very much wish to~" He chuckled softly, hugging the god close as he snuggled him. Loki whispered, "Would you like me to carry you or would you prefer to walk upstairs?" Tony blushed softly but replied, "Please carry me? I miss your arms so much, dammit and those long, graceful legs… What I'd give to have them wrapped around me." The god chuckled softly, smirking at him, "That can be arranged, beloved." he smugly replied, carrying the inventor up to their room. They got into bed and cuddled close. Loki was laying on his side of the bed, while Tony was on his, curled around him, the paler man's arms wrapped protectively around him. He placed a variety of kisses to the god of mischief's body, or what little was exposed of it, causing him to chuckle softly, "Would you prefer to feel skin against skin perhaps, my dear?" Tony pouted, "Don't tease me, just do it please." Loki nodded, slowly removing the silk black shirt by unbuttoning the remaining closed buttons and removing the leather trousers so they were laying in their underwear together, nothing too different for the two of them. He left nips and bites wherever he could on the god's expanse of pale skin, to which he let out soft gasps at before tugging the inventor back to his side to drag his lips slowly against his in a heated kiss. After that, they cuddled close, Tony safely tucked under Lok's chin, the other's arms wrapped around him protectively. Tony whispered, "I love you so much and I don't want to leave, frost prince…" Loki held him tighter, kissing his forehead gently, "I am always here, iron warrior, fear not. I love you deeply and will be right her tomorrow night." Tony snuggled him close and found himself waking up, so he clutched the other like a lifeline. He woke up moments later with a pang of sadness but grinned slowly when he saw the beginnings of a purple-grey bruise Loki had given him in the dream. That sure was interesting. He gasped softly, that meant… if bruises stayed when he was awake, what else did? He shook himself off and showered before getting dressed, smirking a bit at the bruise, it was just barely visible over the neckline of a green long sleeved vee-neck that had been the Asgardian's. It was warm and still smelled like Loki, so it was comforting to him to wear. He asked JARVIS, "Hi Jarv, do we have anything planned for today?" The AI replied after a few moments, "Ms. Potts is calling, sir. Shall I put her through?" Tony sighed slightly, of course Pepper was checking on him, she was efficient and amazing like that. He nodded, "Sure. Thanks Jarvis." Pepper's face appeared on the wall as she asked, "Good morning, Tony. …Thank God, you look rested, who knows what you had to do to get some sleep for on— is that…a hickey?" Tony would have flushed if he were anyone else, but he grinned proudly, "Yes ma'am. Sure is." Pepper looked confused and a bit worried, "You're seeing someone? So…so soon?" Tony shook his head, "I'd pull the arc reactor out of me before betraying him like that. He gave me something, a magic locket, that lets me see him in dreams. I didn't know that it would be there when I woke up, Pep." She grinned at him, looking absolutely delighted, "That's wonderful Tony! I'm glad that you'll get to see him."

Tony smiled warmly, "Yeah, it's honestly great. I'm actually happy, Pep. I mean, give it like until one today and I'll likely be miserable again because he's not here here but y'know, it's something." Pepper asked softly, "Does Peter know?" Tony blushed a bit at that, "No, because the kid would ask, and I don't particularly want to talk to him about certain things and like hell am I lying to him when I don't have to." Pepper grinned, "Such a good dad." she fondly teased him with a smile. He chuckled, smirking at her, "Shut up, Aunt Pepper." She giggled slightly at that, seeing Peter come into the room when Tony didn't, "Good morning, Peter." Tony turned and smiled at him, "Morning, squirt." Peter beamed at being called that and hugged him tightly, "Hey dad, hey Aunt Pepper." Pepper nodded, grinning at the sweet boy, "Did you sleep well?" He nodded and looked up at Tony, "Have you ever had French toast, Dad? I was here alone with father once and he showed me how to make it. It was fun." Tony smiled at the seventeen year old softly, "Yeah, it used to be one of my favourite breakfasts. He…he used to put strawberries beside it, presentation was everything and God help you if you messed it up before eating it." he chuckled softly, remembering how particular his lover had been when making food for them. Peter grinned, "I know, but I kind of thought it was sweet. Shows that he cared. Anyway, I was going to make some. Want to join us, Aunt Pep?" Pepper's eyes were glistening with tears at how the seventeen year old was comforting his adoptive father so well, "I'd love to, Peter, but I'm in LA. Sorry, sweetheart." Peter smiled, "Just me and dad then. I'll also put on some coffee, okay dad?" Tony hugged him close, "Whatever I did, thank God I did it, for such an amazing son. Thanks squirt." Peter trotted off to the kitchen, happy to ahead and make the food for him and his dad. Pepper smiled softly at him, "He's strong, considering what he's been through.." she mumbled. Tony grinned, "Ain't that the truth? Brave little spider. See you later, Pepper." She nodded, "I'll call by when I can to come and see you guys, you know that this expo for the company is vital." He nodded, "Believe me, I know. I ran the damned thing for a few years, thinking I was continuing dear old dad's legacy. Thanks Pep, talk soon." The screen of the video call went black and Pepper's call ended. He got a text then, from Bucky, of all people. It read; 'Hey, me and Steve were in the neighbourhood – we have a small place in Brooklyn and wondered if we could come over?' Tony smiled, it would be good for Peter to be surrounded by more people than him and his early morning mood that would slowly sour from his blissful night in his partner's arms. He texted back, 'Sure. Peter's making breakfast, want some? Tell Steve to give you the address." Tony walked into the kitchen and poured some orange juice for his son, passing it to him as he told him, "Cap and Bucky are on their way, but they don't want breakfast so it's fine. I thought it would be good for us both to have company other than our own and Pepper's/" The boy that was Spiderman nodded, "Good idea, dad. Hey um…are they like, together? Like you and father were?" The man that was Iron Man nodded, "Smart kid, yeah they are. Oh wait, speaking of your smartness… What's this I hear for you applying for my old alma mater?" Peter flipped the French toast as he asked, eyes wide, "How do you know about that?" Tony smirked a bit, "Your school sent me an email about it, since I put myself down as your guardian." Peter grinned, "That makes sense, I guess. Thanks dad. I know that you'll be supportive of me going there."

They sat down to eat soon and were just finished when the doorbell went, to reveal Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes, hands entwined out of view, but he'd done that so many times with Loki, he noticed it immediately. He greeted them, "Guys, it's not the forties anymore, you can be seen holding hands with your boyfriend, Cap." The blond blushed a bit, slightly embarrassed but waved it off. Bucky gripped the others hand in a supportive manner, "Hey Tony." Steve greeted, Bucky not saying much for the moment before saying, "I didn't know you had a kid." Peter smoked at the former Winter Soldier "Hi, Mr. Barnes, Captain Rogers." Bucky smiled at the slightly shorter boy, "Steve isn't actually a captain, kid." he told him softly. Peter smiled a bit, "I know, but it's always good to be polite." Bucky chuckled, going to say something but Steve interrupted him, "In that case, Peter, Bucky's a Sargent." Peter nodded, "Thanks, Captain Rogers. Sorry for the mix up, Sargent Barnes. I'm going to my room now, dad. See you soon. Hey, is it okay if Ned comes over later?" Bucky smiled; this kid was reminding him a bit of Steve when they first met. Tony nodded, unable not to grin at being called 'dad', "Sure, kid. Make sure to text him the address so I can log him into the security code." Peter grinned, "Thanks dad, I will." He walked to his room quickly. Steve smiled at Tony, "I never knew that you'd be good with kids." He chuckled, "It's kind of different when you're attached and love the kid like it's your own blood, Rogers. Now, to what do I own the pleasure of you two being here?" Bucky smirked, which Tony wondered if something good was on it's way. The former Winter Soldier spoke warmly, pressing Steve's fingertips to his lips gently, softly asking, "Can I tell him, or do you want to, darlin'?" Steve smiled warmly, "It doesn't matter as long as he knows, honey." Bucky nodded, clenching his jaw in thought before nodding, turning back to Tony, "So, Steve and I are tying the knot. It's been something we wanted to do since…well since I got my memory back, really." he shrugged a bit. Steve smiled warmly, putting a hand on Tony's shoulder, "We're telling you because we don't exactly have many people to ask, so we wanted to ask if you'd want to be a part of it?" Tony smirked at him over his mug of coffee, asking playfully, "Steve Rogers, are you asking me to be your best man?" Bucky nodded, "Yeah, we are. …We'd have asked Loki to be my best man." Tony softly spoke, "Peter could do it. He's probably never been to a wedding." Steve smiled, "Actually, that sounds great. So um, well go now and leave you to go about your business. We'll send you the invitation sooner to the date." Tony nodded and grinned a bit at them for having something interesting to be able to tell Loki tonight. He opened the door for them and nodded, "Talk soon then, Cap, Bucky." They nodded before walking out the door.

Peter's friend Ned came over soon, so Tony let him in. He got a text from an unknown number saying, 'Hiya, I'm a mercenary but I was looking to be a bit more organised and shit. I learned through a mutual contact of ours that you have a bunch of people get together to kick robot ass now and then. Wondered if I could team up some time with you guys? Or maybe if I could have a meeting with you?' Tony wondered what this was about, but curiosity piqued him to reply, 'Sure, but I'll need a name and a date you'd prefer to schedule a meeting for?' A text came back soon, 'Wade Wilson or Deadpool. Anytime you're not busy'll be fine. Just text me a location and I'll make my way there.' Tony texted back, 'Okay. I'll have an assistant put that in a memo. I'll be in touch.' He then called the number for a pizza delivery for him, his son and his son's best friend, hoping it would help the tow. They were probably in Peter's room either finishing the Star Wars Lego set that Ned said he'd bring, doing homework or talking about Spiderman related things. Soon, the pizza arrived, and Tony called them out the table. Today had been kind of fine, but he was anxious for night to come so he could see his sorcerer once again, but he wasn't stupid. He knew that Loki would kill him if he forgot to live in his absence, so he headed to his lab, fixing up some glitches on some prototypes for a couple of hours.