(Still 6, three years later)
This time, it hadn't come as too much of a shock. The inventor was getting older, and his heart had already given him several close calls. But just because you can see it coming, doesn't make it any easier. Loki was currently sitting by Tony's bedside as he slept, doing his best not to cry with his legs tucked up to his chest.
Beeps and little noises sounded from the machines around the two, but no other noises could be heard. The other avengers were off, as much as they wish they could have stayed by Tony's side, Dr. Doom had chosen that day to attack a small town on the coast line. Pepper was busy taking Tony's place in the Ironman suits, because someone had to do it. This left Tony and Loki alone.
The doctors had informed them he didn't have much longer, Loki was trying to be hopeful, but it was hard.
An hour or two passed before Loki began to speak. His voice wavered
"H-hey, Tony. I-I just w-wanted to s-say thank you. I-I know I-I c-can be-e r-real-ly hard-d to-to deal w-with, a-and s-somet-times I-I j-just coul-dn't un-underst-tand y-you. B-but y-you n-never g-ave up o-on m-me. T-thank y-ou."
He paused for a few seconds, rubbing at his eyes to stop the tears from falling before continuing.
"I-I love y-you. P-please d-don't l-leave."
By now, his eyes were fixed on his lap, but a noise caused him to look up. Loki saw Tony open his eyes and move them to him. Hurried, he sprung out of his chair moving to carefully grab one of Tony's hands. The hand weakly curled around his much smaller one, and his other moved to gently cup his face. Tony's eye were drifting in and out of focus, but there was no doubt that his attention was on him.
It took a few seconds, but he slowly began to speak to the young god.
"Hey kiddo. You're amazing, you know that? Thanks for sharin' a bit of that light with me."
Tony pulled in a gasping breath before continuing.
"I love you too, and I'm sorry I couldn't hold on any longer."
And with that, he pulled the kid into his arms, sobbing tears and all as he went limp, the screech of the machine not even reaching Loki as he sobbed for Tony to wake up, to no avail.