Step one: The Gift

Ever since his little talk with Thor two days ago, Tony couldn't stop thinking about what he had learned from the god of thunders. Dating up in the god-land seemed to be a complicated matter. But Tony was nothing but determined to go through it. All for his handsome, raven-haired beauty.

It was bizarre that he had fallen in love with Loki so quickly after the gods came to living in the tower with him. However, when he was thinking about it now, they were destined to be together anyway. Loki's brain matched his own. His wit was just as big as Tony's and let's not forget the fact that Loki was the most beautiful creature Tony ever laid his eyes on. He couldn't fight this attraction any longer. That's why he decided to approach Thor in that matter. Because, as much as he was a playboy, he did not know how to date someone properly.

Let's be honest here. With Pepper, it was something else. Tony, of course, was attracted to her and he most definitely loved her. But before they even started things together, they were friends for a long time and after the kidnapping by Ten Rings, something changed between them. Pepper suddenly started to be closer to him, feeling overprotective of him. Tony deprived of real affection for a long time, naturally leaned into such affections. Before he realized he was her boyfriend? Wait, wasn't he too old for being someone's boyfriend? Maybe the better word was a partner? Well, he was definitely something, until it all went shit. Pepper wanted him to change himself. Even though Tony wanted to change, he couldn't. He could not fit into the perfect image she had in her head thus they broke up roughly a month before the Civil War with Captain America started.

They tried again two years later, but it didn't work out. Tony was too busy with mentoring Peter and working with the new Avengers, while Pepper was busy with running the SI and opening the new diversion of SI that was working on prosthetics.

And that's how Tony was single again, not really looking for a new lover. But how could he restrain himself when a god approached him in his whole glory and with that devious smile that Tony wanted to wipe off by kissing. Oh, how he wanted to kiss Loki. Even more, he wanted Loki in his bed, but who could blame him? He was a god, who wouldn't want to tap that. But make no mistake! Tony wanted more from Loki than just sex. He wanted to hold his hand, hug him, kiss him, sleep with him so innocently as well. He wanted the god to live with him on his floor, share breakfast, dinners. He wanted to share his life with Loki, hear about his problems, support him, laugh with him. He wanted Loki to his partner for better and worse.

It strangely sounded like a want of a marriage… Tony quickly shook his head, as he sat in his lab. Maybe, sometime later he would consider to finally tie a knot. Loki seemed to be the perfect future candidate, as long as he would accept his courtship.

"Is something the matter, boss?" FRIDAY asked him suddenly. "You've been staring at the empty screen for half of an hour. Should I alert doctor Banner that you are in need of his assistance?"

"I'm good, Fri."

"Can I help you with anything?" the AI inquired again. "Even DUM-E and U are worried, boss. What's the matter?"

"Ahh," he groaned loudly, leaning back on his chair and looking up the ceiling.

Technically, he had no one to talk about Loki with. His team, despite accepting the raven-haired god into their ranks, still had some restrains towards him. Tony couldn't blame them. They weren't as keen on forgiving as he was. It would be very awkward to talk with Pepper, his ex, about Loki - his possible future boyfriend. And Rhodey… he was busy with his new girlfriend, Carol. So in the end, Tony had only his kids to talk with about his god.

"Maybe you can help me," he finally added. "You heard what I've been talking to Thundercat about?"

"The courtship of Mr. Friggason? Yes."

"And the first step… giving him something of a great value…" he continued, playing with his fingers. "There's nothing I can give to him, that he can't get himself. I mean, he's a mage. He can literally puff anything into existence. And I don't have any cool family thing I can give to him. There are two necklaces that belonged to my mom, but I'm pretty sure Loki won't be into wearing pearls. So, what can I give to him? Help daddy out."

"Hmmm…" FRIDAY drawled before she went silent for a while. Tony hoped she would come up with something good. He lacked any idea what offer to his Asgardian Prince.

However, it was not FRIDAY, who gave him the perfect answer. Tony was engrossed in his thoughts when he felt a hard poke in his shin. He quickly looked down and spotted DUM-E, holding something in his claw. The robot pushed the item into his hand and Tony realized it's his first arc reactor that Pepper put in a glass as a memento.

"You are a genius, DUM-E!" Tony exclaimed and smiled to himself. It was a perfect representation of his feelings. He already gave his real heart away to Loki and now he could give him his other heart. It was perfect. Tony patted and kissed DUM-E's arm. "So smart, my boy."

DUM-E beeped happily in response. He was a lot smarter than his younger siblings.

"Ok. We'll wrap it, make some candlelit dinner and try to woo my Loki-doki."

"Yes, it is a good idea, boss," FRIDAY agreed with him. "Should I order some food?"

"Yes. I'm terrible in the kitchen… or no. Call Thor, baby girl." A few seconds later, Tony heard the loud Asgardian prince. "Thor, my man!"

"Friend Tony, lady FRIDAY says you are in need to converse with me."

"Yeah, yeah. Need your help, bro." Tony jumped off his chair stepped out of his workshop. DUM-E and U quickly on his heels. "I need some ideas on what to prepare for Loki. I want to make some dinner and officially propose a courtship to him. So? What's his favorite?"

"He loves the salad mother used to make, with fresh flowers of her garden and a few bits of a ku."

"A what?"

"It's like a cow in your realm, my friend. Mother always cooked the meat on a white stone, seasoned with the herbs of Vanaheimr." Thor hummed to the phone. "It was delicious. Loki always tried to eat everything. He could pass on a good meet prepared by our cooks, but when mother prepared the salad, he was the first one to eat."

"Cool, could you maybe tell FRIDAY more specifically what kind of herbs your mom used?"

"I am sorry my friend, but I do not know," Thor admitted sadly. "I never paid attention to how it was made. However, I am certain that whatever you will prepare, Loki will like it. As long as you'll do it with love."

"That's utterly sap of you, Thor," Tony called him on it. "Ok, salad with beef and herbs. How wrong could it go, right? I can handle it."

"Of course you can, my friend," Tony could imagine that if Thor was next to him, he would definitely clap his shoulder. "I must go, Tony. Lady Jane and I are visiting Jane's mother tonight. She wants to know how our wedding will look like and how should she prepare for a trip to Asgard. Farewell, Tony."

"Yeah, bye, buddy. Good luck with your mom-in-law."

With a boost of confidence from Thor and a shopping list for FRIDAY, Tony was ready and full of hopes. He could do it. He could woo Loki with food.

But then, it turned into a disaster. Two hours later and four portions of the burnt meat, Tony was close to tears. As much as he tried, he just couldn't cook the meat properly. Maybe he should just do a vegetarian version or give up altogether and order some Earth's food that Loki seemed to like. He fancied spaghetti with meatballs and Indian curry that Bruce introduced him to one evening.

"Fuck it, FRIDAY just…"

"Is something burning here?" he suddenly heard the smooth voice of Loki behind his back. Tony quickly turned on his heel and faced the very confused god in his usual Midgardian attire. Black jeans and a green silk button shirt with sleeves rolled up. My, oh my, he looked delicious with his long hair casually tossed to the back. On their many movie nights, Tony occasionally got his fingers into the soft locks. "Anthony?"

"What are you doing here?" he tried to be casual, but he was panicking inside.

"It is seven o'clock, Tuesday. It's our movie night," he replied, showing up a paper bag. "I got some ice cream. I brought your favorite, strawberry, and whiskey. And what were you doing?"

"Ugh!" Stark growled loudly. "This is not how it's supposed to be. I'm not ready. Ugh!" He came closer to Loki. "Sit down on the couch and wait until I call you, ok?"

"But Anthony…"

"Just do as I ask, Lo." With that, he made a beeline to the dining room. Nothing was ready. "FRIDAY, order us some spaghetti with meatballs, ok? And give a good tip so the delivery would be here asap."

"I already did that, boss," she admitted. "When the third portion of beef burnt, I took precautions and ordered yours and Mr. Friggason's favorite."

"Thank you, baby girl. You're the best." Tony then turned towards DUM-E and U. "Ok, guys, now you have to help daddy out as well. Set the table, U and DUM-E, pick the delivery up, ok?"

Both bots beeped in response and moved to ordered tasks. While Tony ran towards his bedroom.

"Ok, what to wear?" he asked himself loudly.

"Mr. Firggason likes you in your black Armani suit, the one you had at the gala at the Museum two months ago," the AI responded quickly. "He appreciated your look in a conversation with Master Odinson. I believe he will be delighted if you wear something of his colors as well. Maybe add a green bowtie?"

"You are a lifesaver, FRI."

Twenty minutes later, after the quickest shower in his life, Tony was ready to woo Loki. He made his way back to the dining room and discovered that U and DUM-E did a wonderful job. He was afraid that something will go wrong, knowing DUM-E and his clumsiness, but everything was perfect, minus the food he wanted to prepare. Tony lit the candles and shushed the bots out of the room. With an order for FRIDAY to play some nice music, when they step into the room, Tony went to retrieve Loki.

He found the god leaning over the kitchen aisle and examinating the disaster salad.

"I failed at this…"

"What was it supposed to be?"

"I wanted to prepare you a salad with ku, or at least the Midgard's version of it, but I'm a total disaster in the kitchen."

"But why did you wan…" when Loki's eyes caught Tony they widened in a shock. He was eyeing him from head to toe with mouth slightly open. He opened and closed his mouth a few times before he swallowed hard. "Am… have I missed something? Are you not available tonight?"

"Oh, I am available, for you, Lokes. For you, always." Loki cocked his head to the side. Tony walked closer to him took his hand in his. It was so smooth and cool. Perfect for Tony's calloused and warm hands. "Come with me."

Tony walked Loki straight to the dining room and opened the door for him. When Loki spotted the beautiful view before him he was astonished, or at least Tony thought so, as he watched his face full of awe and confusion as well. Stark slightly pushed Loki inside and drew a chair for him. When Loki sat down, he took his seat next to him. He didn't want to be too far from the god.

"I do not understand, Anthony."

"I wanted us to have this special dinner," Tony smiled shyly at him. He was nervous, ok? "I really like you, Loki."

"I like you as well, Anthony, you are my dear friend. One I have not had before. I value our friendship the most."

"Yes, well… oh, what I'm trying to say is that I like you more than just a friend, ok? It's been like this for a while and…" Loki's eyes widened in shock again. "Look, I'm terrible at this whole love and relationships. But I like you so damn much and I hope you like me as well and accept this." Tony reached the floor where the gift was placed. He wrapped it in a green paper with a red ribbon. He offered it to Loki and bit down on his lip. "You already have the real one but I want you to have this one as well."

Loki slowly opened the gift and inhaled the air loudly. He looked from the arc reactor to Tony and back, opening and closing his mouth repeatedly.

"I give you both of my hearts, Loki Friggason and I hope that with those gifts you will accept my courtship."

Loki gripped the glassed arc reactor harder and for a moment, Tony was afraid that it would break. But nothing like that happened. The mage placed the gift on the table and ran his fingers softly on the edges. His green eyes were shining with unshed tears as he looked at Tony again. Pink blush decorated his sharp cheeks, making him look even more gorgeous than before if that was possible. Tony dared to take Loki's right hand in his and entwined their fingers. With the pad of his thumb, he stroked the top of Loki's palm.

"So? Loki Friggason, will you let me court you properly and take my hearts into your care?"

"I will, my Anthony. I will."

Tony brought their joined hands to his lips and placed a kiss on the top of Loki's palm. He couldn't stop smiling for the rest of the dinner. The first step of courting was achieved, now he could move to the second step.