A/N: Bwuahahahahaha! Not so many time jumps next chapter.

I don't own The Avengers, Loki, Iron Man, Thor, or anything of the like. Just the thoughts inside my head.


Tony came from the back of their cell and saw Loki sitting on the floor in front of the bars, staring across the way. He had just finished washing his hair and some clothes and raised an eyebrow at the sight. "Is there something interesting out there?" Tony walked over and stood behind Loki.

"There is something quite interesting, please do not disturb me." Loki told him, not moving, nor blinking. Tony looked in the direction that Loki was staring and bit his lip to keep a laugh in. It seemed that Loki and their four year old neighbor, Naiden, were having a staring contest. His parents were out in the arena and Tony usually took to keep the child entertained until they came back.

"How long have you two been staring at each other?" Tony asked as he ruffled his hair, flinging droplets of water around.

"Since you left to get cleaned," Loki replied. His emerald green eyes patiently held the gaze of bright golden eyes.

"That was almost an hour ago," Tony blinked then sat down next to Loki. "Have you two honestly not blinked for almost an hour?"

"No, I had to rearrange the rules for the small boy-"

"I'm not small," Naiden interrupted.

"It is whomever looks away first is the one that loses," Loki finished.

"He hasn't blinked," Naiden pointed out. "He's trying to show off."

"He is indeed showing off," Tony agreed glancing over at the boy, who was keeping his eyes solely on Loki. "It's kind of something that he does. What did he offer you if you win?"

"I could ask him a couple of questions," the boy replied with a small smile.

"The mighty Loki would answer a couple of questions honestly?" Tony put a hand to his chest. "That is a worthy prize indeed, he rarely answers my questions." Tony pushed himself up off the ground. "Well, I'll let you two continue your game, I'll be back." He shook his head and headed towards the back of the cell so he could hang the wet clothes to dry.

Tony wondered how many times Loki had secretly kept the boy company while Tony was busy. He smirked and looked at the two the sighed slightly. Tony knew that he was just setting himself up for something, he wasn't sure if it was heartbreak, and he knew he wasn't doing himself any favors by holding onto his feelings inside as he was, but what else could he do. There was no way that he could tell Loki that he was kinda, maybe, possibly in love with him.

Tony sighed and and finished hanging the shirts and pants and turned, not paying attention, and yelped when he fell into the large bucket that served as a bathtub and washing tub. He sighed as he spit out some water.

Loki blinked and turned his head just enough when he heard Tony's yelp before remembering what he was doing. "Yes!" Loki winced a little when the little voice celebrated his victory.

"Anthony!" Loki growled and there was a mumbled sorry. Quickly followed by laughter.

"I get two questions, right?" Loki looked back to the ever curious Naiden and he nodded. "Good."

"You already know what you want to ask?" Loki raised an eyebrow as he watched Naiden lean back and cross his arms over his chest.

"Of course," he nodded. "Mum was going to ask, but I wanted to beat her too it. She says that I have something called magic, and she says that you know how to use it. Will you teach me?"

Loki blinked his eyes open a little wider then nodded once. He had sensed some magic coming from the boy, and knew that the two adult elves would have some themselves, but it would be blocked like his own. He wasn't aware that Devra and Jek had thought that he was worthy enough to teach another.

"Of course I will, now what is your last question?" Loki leaned forward, a little interested in where this could go.

"How long have you and Tony been together?" Naiden asked easily. Loki blinked a little, caught off guard.

"Hmm, well," Loki tapped his chin. "Tony has been here for a a little over five years, before your mother started carrying you."

"No, no," Naiden shook his head and leaned forward against the bars. "How long have you two been in love? Like my parents."

Loki felt his breath catch in his throat. "And how exactly do you know about love?" Loki's head whipped around so fast he thought for sure he heard a snap. Tony was walking towards them, his hair wet again, but he had changed into some dry clothes. "You're only four."

"I listen to my parents," the little boy grinned and Tony snorted as he chuckled. "But you didn't answer my question."

"Technically it was your third question," Loki pointed out. "I only agreed to answer two of them."

Naiden crossed his arms and started to pout. "That's not fair, it wasn't what I meant to say."

"Let this be a lesson in wording," Loki smirked slightly and pushed himself up. He glanced at Tony, letting his fingers brush across his arm as he passed by him. Tony closed his eyes briefly before taking Loki's spot on the ground.

"Back where he used to live, they would call him a trickster, and the God of Mischief," Tony smiled gently at the boy.

"What did they call you?" Naiden leaned forward again, his attention easily swayed to another topic.

"Me? They called me many things," Tony grinned a little, then actually thought about what he was called. "And some of them I'll tell you when you're older." The boy stuck his tongue out at Tony, and he returned the gesture. "They called me a genius though, and a billionaire."

"What's a bill- billa- billnir?" Naiden struggled with the word.

"It means that I had a lot of money, which let me buy things," Tony continued when he got a weird look. He forgot that the boy didn't know anything other than the cells and battles. "Things like clothes, and food, and all difference kinds of stuff to drink."

"Whenever you wanted?" The toddlers eyes got big.

"Whenever I wanted, and however much I wanted," Tony told him, smiling a little sadly. "And I had a place to live, it was a house, it was big, really big. I had several of them." Tony tried not to focus on how he was using the past tense.

"Bigger than these cells?"

"Much, much bigger. These cells," Tony gestured around him, "was the size of just one room. And there were many different rooms in the house."

"Can I see them one day? Me, and mum, and dad?"

"Mum, and Dad, and I." Loki corrected from the back of the cell.

Tony rolled his eyes then nodded. "Yeah, and we'll bring Loki, too." Naiden smiled widely and Tony felt his heart break a little.


"Kid sure is curious," Tony commented later that night, fiddling with some of the wires that connected to his arc reactor. Loki glanced up from one of the books that he had bartered from some of the guards.

"It is only natural for someone of his age," Loki responded, looking back down, but not reading the words. "The love that he speaks of is one that he knows only between a parent and their child," and if he sounded bitter Tony didn't notice. He was too busy thinking of his own bitter memories.

"I wonder why he would think that we were even involved," Tony wondered quietly.

"Because children can see little interactions that adults would rather block," Loki answered and Tony raised his head. "It is getting late, and I believe that we will be woken early tomorrow for another battle." Loki closed the book and turned over on his cot. Tony blinked and scrunched his brows together in confusion.


Tony flailed his arms when one of his boot boosters started to short out. He could see Loki and a couple of his clones, battling against the last giant. He could feel some of the circuits directing electricity back to his reactor, but he could take of that as soon as they took down the last mace wielding Giant.

"Hey!" Tony called out as he got closer to them. "Big, green, and ugly!" Tony's boosters gave out and he flailed around, landing on the giant, who promptly threw him off and into Loki. "Well, that was unplanned."

The Loki he had landed on disappeared and Tony looked around to see the mace take out the last clone. The actual Loki held his staff close to his head, eyes closed, and he was speaking quickly, He saw the arm of the giant swing back and Tony scrambled to his feet, gauntlets charging up.

"Loki!" The sorcerer's eyes snapped open at his voice and saw the mace in mid swing, arcing towards his body. Tony slammed his boot against the ground and it propelled him up enough for Tony to wrap an arm around the Giants neck. He planted his hands on its neck and let the repulsors fire. The Giant roared in pain and Tony jumped off as it started to tumble forward.

Tony reached Loki as he hit the ground on his back, his clothes quickly becoming dark, and shiny with his blood. "Shit, heal yourself, do it now," Tony said frantically as he pulled his shirt off and tried to staunch the the blood. His shirt was soaked within seconds, the mace having torn Loki's side to shred.

"My magic, is weak," Loki breathed out, trying to concentrate on his magic flow. He scrunched his eyes together and Tony saw the bracelet start to spark.

"No!" Tony's eyes got big when Loki's clothes changed, his magic having been cut off again. Loki gasped as the pain he had tried to block rushed through his nerves.

Tony turned when he heard the boots of their guards, and pushed himself up quickly. "Let him use his magic," he said quickly. The two Yar seemed to laugh as they walked closer. Tony stood in front of Loki, his arms stretched out to stop them. "He'll die if you don't let him heal himself!" He couldn't let Loki die out here, not here. "Just for a minute! Please!"

One of the guards narrowed his eyes at Tony, using his full height to his advantage to tower over Tony. He growled something out and Tony narrowed his eyes. "No, I make this request, I'll take on the burden." Tony took a step closer. The only fear he held was saved for Loki, and making sure he lived. "If he dies you'll lose most of your audience out there," he pointed towards the still cheering fans. "You know as well as I do that we're you're best team."

The second guard grumbled something to his partner, who never took his blood red eyes off of Tony. He suddenly smirked and nodded, then garbled out something. Tony's back stiffened a little, then he glanced at Loki, who looked like he might pass out any second. "Yes," he said quickly. "Yes, I'll do it, just let him heal himself," Tony hissed through a glare.

The Yar started to laugh and Tony fell to his knees and saw the bracelet spark again. He grabbed one of Loki's hands and placed it on the wound on his side. Loki hissed and pain, then tilted his head to look at Tony. "Ask questions later, right now you need to stay the fuck alive," Tony told him. "Don't make me regret this.

"Why?" Loki rasped out, his fingers dancing with green power as it started to knit together his skin, stopping the blood. "Why would you make a deal with them?"

"Call me an emotional fool," Tony muttered as he pulled his now heavy and drenched shirt away, his armour having stayed in place. He'd be lying if he said he didn't want to keep it on as he faced the Yar. "Naiden may or may not have been extremely observant." Loki looked up and Tony smiled shyly. "At the risk of sounding cliche-"

"Yes, I do believe that I harbor feelings of love for you also," Loki cut him off and Tony blinked. He suddenly grinned and looked at Loki. "Do not make me regret this," Loki parroted Tony's earlier words. Tony chuckled a little and grabbed Loki's hand, pulled him up to his feet slowly. Loki groaned a little, but knew that he would live.

Tony kept a hold of Loki's hand and took a step closer to the taller man. Loki looked down at him and opened his mouth to say something but was stopped when one of their guards pulled Tony away, gripping his shoulder painfully.

"So, I'll see you in a bit," Tony called out as he was led in a different direction and Loki frowned as he made his way towards their cell.

"Loki?" Jek looked over at the single occupant once the bars were secure again and they were left alone.

Loki glanced over as he slowly sat on the cot. "He's still alive," he knew what the couple had been thinking. They hadn't seen him return alone in many years. "He did something, although I am unsure as to what it is he agreed too." The elf nodded a couple times and returned to his family when he saw Loki turn his gaze elsewhere.

He glanced at his bracelet idly, wondering what exactly had happened, what exactly Tony had bargained for. He could still feel tiny bits of his magic, something that Loki could pull on and store for a later use. Perhaps he could use it as a means of escape, for him and Tony.

He wasn't sure how long he had been sitting on the cot, but along with the dinner rations came a rather exhausted, and pale looking Tony. Loki had jumped up and caught the engineer under his arms as he was pushed into the cell. The shorter man chuckled a little and pat Loki's cheek, looking at him through half lidded eyes.

"Tony." Loki led him to his own bed and left him lay down on it, kneeling in front of Tony. "What happened?"

Tony's eyes closed briefly before he looked at Loki. He chuckled a little and let out a lazy smile. "Mmm, Loki, pretty Loki," his words slurred. Loki frowned and put the back of his hand against Tony's forehead. "Not sick," he shook his head slightly. "Just playing guinea pig," he nodded once and reached out putting his hand on Loki's cheek. "You're a God, that's pretty amazing. I want you to be my God." Tony closed his eyes again. "I'll be able to sleep tonight, no numbers, no bombs, but that means no Loki." Tony frowned suddenly.

"I need to know what they did to you," Loki tried again. Tony was only half aware of what was happening, but he could work with half. "I need to know what you agreed to."

"Hmmm," Tony hummed, then turned his head on the pillow to look at Loki again. "Yeah, I remember, You were dying, and it hurt, right here," Tony let his hand flop down on his chest. "Didn't think it could hurt there anymore, but it did. So I saved you, I made them give you back your magic." He let out a yawn and turned a little on the cot.

Loki grabbed his hand and laced his fingers with Tony's. "What did they say to you? What did you say yes to?"

Tony smiled and lightly squeezed Loki's hand. "Told them that it wasn't you asking, you're too stubborn to make a deal with them. So they said that there was someone who was looking at people, studying them, after battles. They seemed real happy about it, which made me feel not so happy about it." Tony hummed again and brought Loki's hand up to rest on his stomach. "They poked and prodded a little," Tony shrugged. "And then I was told I could come back to my Loki. I never saw their faces though," he added quietly. "Agreed that they could do this for a while, along as they let you have your magic on the battlegrounds."

"It wasn't worth this, Tony," Loki him, keeping a strong grip on Tony's hand. Tony smiled and brought Loki's hand up and pressed his lips to his knuckles.

"Sure it was," Tony said simply. "It'll always be worth it. Someone needs to be looking for you." Tony's head dipped to the side and his breathing evened out as he seemed to fall asleep suddenly. Loki blinked and kept a hold of Tony's hand for most of the night.


Tony groaned as he rolled over in the bed, his face coming in contact with the hard stone wall. He wanted to curl up and pretend he'd never woken up, to not think about the aches and pains that his body was going through. He vaguely remembered being taken to a different room after the battle, and probably making some smartass comment about the room not having bars. That's when the two 'guests' came out, saying they were observing. Only he never saw their faces, and only one of them spoke.

"Tony?" Tony's eyes opened slowly and he turned to see Loki sitting on the edge of the bed. "Are you better now?"

Tony blinked owlishly and stared at Loki for a second. "I must be in a bad way," Loki scrunched his brows together. "You never call me Tony, it's usually Anthony or Stark."

"I am merely pleased that you are awake, and in your right mind this time," Loki finished quickly. He moved to get off the bed but Tony leaned up and took his wrist. Loki froze, then relaxed back into his seat. They let their hands drop and Tony was a little shocked when Loki laced their fingers together.

"I fell," Loki said suddenly and Tony looked up at him. "That is how I got here. You are always asking how i came to be here, and the answer is, I fell." Loki looked down at his feet and Tony sat up properly, keeping a hold of his hand. "I have told you of the battle in Asgard, it was then that I fell from the destroyed bridge, after being denied by Odin." Tony almost found it easy to keep his mouth shut. "I was in the Void, I know not how long, and there was nothing there, only darkness and silence."

Tony squeezed Loki's hand and the taller man turned to look at him. Tony suddenly grabbed Loki's face and moved forward, pressing his lips to Loki's. Loki stilled, briefly, before taking over the kiss, running his hand through Tony's hair gently, his thumb rubbing behind Tony's ear. Tony moaned and Loki to the advantage, slipping his tongue past his lips, mapping every line and contour of the mans mouth.

Tony moaned again, pressing himself closer to the sorcerer. "I think I know why they call you silvertongue," he breathed when they finally stopped for air. Tony smirked a little as Loki's thumb continued to rub circles behind his ear. Loki just smirked.


A nine year old Naiden was making faces at Tony, as the older man retaliated it. In truth it was the engineer who had started it and Loki had rolled his eyes, leaning against the bars as he read one of his books. He slipped it shut when they heard the familiar heavy boots of the guards and they all stood up. Devra and Jek must be on their way back.

Tony glanced out and frowned suddenly, pulling on Loki's arm. Loki knew, he had heard it, or rather didn't hear it. There were only two sets of feet coming their way; not four. The two Yar stopped in front of the almost barren cell and Naiden stepped back. Tony moved around when the two almost giants blocked his view.

"Hey! Let go!" If Tony could have fit, he would have slipped through the bars when they heard the boy start to shout. The boy kicked his feet and wiggled as the guards had grabbed him and turned to leave the cell.

"Wait!" Tony suddenly shouted and they stopped to look at him. "What are you doing?"

One of the guards growled an answer out and they turned to move, but Loki stepped forward. "He is not of age to fight, you know that." Tony wondered how he could sound so calm, but knew there was a hidden rage. The other guard growled out something short as they started to move again, Naiden kicking and screaming.

"No! We'll take him!" Tony said quickly and without thought. Loki didn't move, only wondered how long it would have been before he had said the same thing. "He can stay here, with us."

The first guard turned to look at Tony, a smirk on his face as he answered Tony. "Yes, I know," Tony glared. "I never know when to hold my tongue. And I don't care if you think I make too many demands, you-"

"Take it as my request then," Loki cut his mortal off. "We will take the boy in. I do not see how you can say no, it only saves you some extra effort in attempting to find a partner for him," Loki kept a steady gaze with the guards as he spoke. "There will not have to be any exchange as we will have to split our rations anyway. There is a not a way that it doesn't work in your favour."

The guards considered his words. Tony let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when they moved back towards their cell. The two backed up as the bars lowered and Naiden was dropped inside. Tony quickly wrapped his arms around the young boy as he pressed his face into Tony's shirt. Loki sent a glare at the guards as they walked away, standing protectively close to Tony and Naiden.

Loki felt his hands fist up, then glanced down at Tony on his knees, comforting the boy. He became aware that Tony was talking. "-she's nice, and you'll see the ocean. It's this big body of water, just sitting there, and you go swimming in it, like it's the largest bathtub in the universe."

Naiden sniffed once, holding onto to Tony's shirt tightly. "I'll teach you how to build things, and then Loki will teach you how to make them better with magic."

Loki could feel the magic that he had been storing for years, and knew that he didn't have long to plan their escape. There was now one more person to take with them. He would tell Tony of his plan later that night


It have been five years since Naiden moved, and Tony and Loki had been tense for the last two. They knew it was only a matter of time before Naiden was told that he had to fight. The two could only bargain so much with the guards to delay the inevitable, and Tony was still paying on his debt that had saved Loki's life.

"Hmm," Tony smirked slightly when Loki dropped a wet cloth on his forehead. "I'm not even an old man yet, and here you are, taking care of me."

"I would not get used to it," Loki told him, washing the dirt, and what he was sure was blood, from Tony's face. "I am only doing this because Naiden is still washing clothes."

"And here I thought you loved me," Tony pouted but Loki only smirked. "I'm wounded."

"I know you are," Loki replied, dipping the cloth in the small bowl of water again. "Which is why I am forced to look after you." Tony stuck his tongue out at him and attempted to sit up.

"It's not as bad as some days, and you know it," Tony pointed out as Loki helped him. "I'm just a little sore anyway, I can still move around."

"Hmm," Loki watched him then shook his head. "Well, try not to get yourself killed. For some inane reason your insanity keeps mine in check."

"Is that your way of saying you don't know that you'd do without me?" Tony grinned, but Loki refused to speak further. "It is, isn't it?" Tony smirked a little and leaned forward, dropping a gently kiss on his cheek. "Well, the same goes for me. I want to be the only one who drives you up a wall."

"So far, it is working," Loki mumbled. "With Naiden in a close second."

Tony snorted a little as Naiden came back from the back of the cell. "Are you two done with your emotions now?" His brown hair was slicked back with water, resting just at his ears, and he was almost as tall as Tony.

"And miss the chance to-" Tony stopped as all three looked towards the hall.

"I thought you two had just fought yesterday," Naiden said quietly as the footsteps got louder. Somehow they knew where they were headed. Loki stood up quickly and Tony pushed himself up slowly. They saw that they guards came prepared, including a brand. Tony and Loki moved immediately.

"Hold onto my arms tightly," Tony told Naiden quietly as he pulled him over Naiden frowned in confusion, but held onto Tony's arms with his hands. Loki stood in front of them, speaking a spell quickly. Tony glanced back as the guards entered the cell and hoped that the spell wouldn't take too long.

Loki opened his eyes and watched the Yar. He glanced back at Tony and Naiden as power danced through his hands. Tony looked at him and shook his head. He grit his teeth as he set the traveling circle alight around the two. Tony's eyes widened and Loki smirked at him before turning back to the now furious guards.

Tony closed his eyes when they were suddenly covered in light, he felt a strong pushing sensation and the ground leave their feet. He held on tightly to Naiden, forcing himself to breathe. Tony stumbled when his feet were suddenly on solid ground and he opened his eyes, hoping to see Loki standing in front of them with that damned smirk on his face.

He felt a familiar ocean breeze hit his face and he took a breath. They were standing by the water of his Malibu home, just underneath the outcropping that the mansion sat on. Naiden pulled back slightly to look around and his eyes widened and he quickly shielded his eyes from the bright sun.

Tony's chest tightened as he quickly turned around. Loki wasn't there, he hadn't followed them. Tony closed his eyes and started to rub at his temples with his fingers. He needed to think, needed to think of how he could get Loki. He had a lab at his disposal now, he was sure he could figure something out. He was sure-

"Tony!" Tony's eyes snapped open and he saw Naiden in front of him, holding on to Tony's arms. Tony swallowed then remembered why they had moved when they did. Naiden wasn't there, he was safe.

"Come on," Tony said softly, taking Naiden hand. "There's a lot to do." He forced a small smile out and Naiden nodded. "First thing's first, we have to find out what day it is." They started to walk across the sand, and Naiden stumbled a few times, unused to the feeling, but Tony kept him up. "I wonder if Pepper canceled the paper," he idly wondered.

It took a little bit but they finally made their way to the front of the mansion. Tony punched in the code for the gate but it didn't move. He frowned a little and looked at the scanner. "JARVIS? I'm home."

"Good morning, sir," Tony couldn't have grinned further at the familiar voice. He pressed his thumb to the scanner and the gate started to open and Naiden pressed himself to Tony's back. Everything was new to the teen and Tony was going to have to take it slow.

The front door opened and Tony led Naiden inside. He sat him down on the couch inside and grabbed the paper that had already been looked through on the table. "We'll be able to see if anything happened while I was gone." Tony smiled gently at Naiden and looked at the paper in his hand.

Naiden was looking around the strange place, looking out the windows, gaze transfixed by the moving water. There was a rustle of paper and a thud as Tony fell onto the couch. Naiden turned his head quickly and looked at Tony's wide-eyed gaze. "What happened?"

"I'm four years in the past."