A/N: OK, this is a damn sight fluffier folks (although there is a dab of smut and angst,) and I really hope that it makes up for the horrendous dose of feels I gave everyone last chapter. Hope you like this! Let me know whatcha think ;)
"Tony!" the voice was laden with need, shaking him from his sleep.
Heat scent filled his nose and mouth as he woke, sending a wave of desire rippling through him. He could barely see Loki in the dark of the night, just the outline of a supple body in the bed. He didn't know what time it was. It was about the fourth night of Loki's heat, though honestly Tony was having trouble keeping track – neither was getting much sleep.
"Unnnngh," Loki whined, bringing Tony's mind more fully out of its sleep-fug.
"Shhh Lokes," Tony murmured softly, reaching a hand out in the dark to caress Loki's hip, "I gotcha baby."
He didn't know when Loki had become 'baby' – it just happened, like breathing.
Supple lips found Tony's in the dark, gentle and tender. He could taste the need on Loki's breath, every inch of him sending out hormones to the Alpha - take him, have him, taste him, love him.
There was a flurry of clothing as each gave in to their body's demands and stripped rapidly – and then there were only soft hands in the dark, each moving tenderly over the warmth of the other, guided only by the blue light of the arc reactor and the heaving insistence of instinct. Alpha hormones mingled with Omega, making Loki sigh with enjoyment at the contact, his body folding into Tony's.
They joined as they were – side by side, using the bed for support as Tony moved so beautifully slowly inside Loki. Loki moaned with the pleasure, throwing his head back to loll in the sensation. Tony's hands cupped Loki's form, guiding their movements, the legs of each a beautiful tangle upon the bed.
Yes, the knotting, when it came, was painful. Loki panted, gripping slender hands in Tony's hair and trying to steady his breathing. Tony pulled the soft form closer, wrapping the Omega in his warmth, soaking him in Alpha comfort as the knot moved into him finally, and brought them both to their end.
Tony spilled his knot into Loki, filling him and soaking his insides with what they so desperately needed.
Loki spilled between them, covering them with the gentle and sweet Omega substance that would never impregnate a soul, useful only as a symbol of fulfilled desire, "Tony," he breathed softly as he released, then rested his head happily on the Alpha's shoulder as his lover gently pulled out.
Maids had become a frequent necessity. Called at all hours of the day and night they were invariably eager to hang around longer than necessary in order to store up every scrap of conversation for their vast gossip banks. Sometimes Tony wondered if they were Shield agents. If not, then maybe they should be.
Loki was still requiring more coupling than Tony would have expected, though (and thank whatever deity you wish) the gaps had certainly lengthened, allowing him more respite. Tony theorised that the years of suppression the Omega had had to endure in his not inconsiderable lifespan had left his body literally starving for the substances that only an Alpha could provide – even tricking his biology would'nt have stopped his inherent need. Tony prayed that he would never have to go to Asgard, because he wouldn't be able to stop himself from doing something stupid – hopefully to Odin's intestines – and starting a major war between the realms.
Still, even with this slowed rate of coupling, Loki was getting through numerous pairs of pyjamas, and they were requiring a ridiculously large number of sheets. That meant maids. Luckily, they had a 24/7 rota – and also paid better rates than pretty much anywhere else – which guaranteed service when required.
They'd got themselves into quite the routine – Tony would alert Jarvis, a little time later a knock would arrive at the door, Tony would answer and take the pyjamas back to Loki, help him to clean and dress, and then move him to the armchair and go back to the door to let in the curious woman hovering outside.
Tonight's maid was a portly middle-aged lady who muttered, "Sweet Jesus," as she trotted in and cast a look around at the dramatically toussled bed, and the thin and tired Loki, "you boys have certainly kept us busy in the last few days – is he treating you well honey?" She looked kindly at Loki, reserving only a wary 'I know what you've been up to and I don't care how much money you have,' look for Tony, who was sitting on the arm of Loki's chair.
"Y-yes," Loki muttered, thrown by the woman's easy no-nonsense tone.
She gave him a more searching look, "You sure honey?" she asked warily, "You've got rights, y'know. If he," she jerked a thumb towards Tony, "ever acts anything but the gentleman, you let me or one of the other girls know. I've got three kids and two're Omega – I don't love 'em any less for it; God's gift, all of 'em. Lord knows what I'd do if I thought some puffed-up Alpha was treating 'em bad – and I can't stand the thought of anybody else finding out their baby's been hurt by a jackass," another glare at Tony whose expression was caught somewhere between humiliated and amused, "so you just say the word – I'm not afraid of Mr Hot-Shot."
Loki laughed faintly and reached for Tony's hand where it was draped around the back of the chair, "I promise," he smiled weakly, "Tony's been... I really couldn't ask for better," his voice cracked and tears glistened in his eyes, "I'm sorry," he laughed, still crying, "I'm a little...over-wrought."
Tony moved to drape his arms around Loki's neck, kissing his hair, "That's the heat baby," he murmured, squeezing Loki gently, "I keep telling you that you don't have to apologise."
The woman's smile was broad, and her eyes were kind as she looked at Tony embracing Loki, "Good," she stated, giving a nod. "Honey," she turned to Loki, "you just take a nap there in the chair, I won't be long with the sheets."
She worked quickly – unlike any of the previous maids. When she was done, she took one look at Loki's pale body, curled towards Tony in the chair, and moved towards them, offering one pudgy arm for Loki to grab onto as Tony supported the rest of him. The Omega took weary and tottering steps towards the bed, sighing with relief when he finally sank into the soft bedding, and nestled beneath the duvet.
"There you are hon," the maid smiled gently, "you're never alone boy, you hear? There's people will stick up for you."
"Thank you madam," Loki muttered fuzzily, "I like you..."
The maid chuckled, "Good to know," she murmured, rolling the laundry trolley out of the room, Tony at her heels. At the door she stopped, "I meant no disrespect Mr Stark," she told him, "but I had to make sure that boy was alright. The world's a cruel place to Omegas, and it's just not right - I had to satisfy myself that he was being looked after."
Tony shrugged, "Not all Alphas act like animals. But I'm not going to get angry at an employee who has the guts to stick up for what matters and protect people."
The woman nodded, "Good," she said. "But...be careful with him Mr Stark. That boy's been broken – you can see it in his eyes. Don't break him again – there's only so much sadness a soul can bare, and he's about had his fill."
Tony nodded, "Yes ma'am," he said, and watched her as she headed off down the corridor.
"Jarvis?"
"Yes Sir?"
"Have a bunch of flowers – nice ones – and a 'Thank You' card sent to the maid."
"Any message Sir?"
"Thanks for looking out for him. Yours, Tony Stark."
"Thor, come out of your room," Widow stood with her arms folded outside Thor's bedroom door.
"Nay," was the answer.
"Thor! What's done is done. Now get your ass out here before I break in there and make you!"
She heard chuckling behind her, "Well," she said to Steve, "you try getting Sir Pouts-a-lot out of his room."
"Is this still about Loki's letter?" Steve asked.
"Yup."
"And he still won't come out?"
"Nope."
"How has he been going to the bathroom?"
"To be honest, I don't wanna think about it."
"Thor!" Steve called, "I put some pop-tarts on for breakfast!"
The door opened a crack and one round blue eye peeped through.
"It makes her look like a whore," Loki muttered.
Tony laughed, "Well, I cetainly wouldn't have put her in white," he said.
Loki snickered, eyes still focussed on the bridal show they were watching. They were propped up in bed, Loki nestled in Tony's arms. The detritus of their breakfast-in-bed – empty plates, coffee cups down to the dregs, a half-eaten muffin – lay on the bedside tables next to them.
Trashy TV was fascinating to Loki – particularly bridal shows. True, he loved the sparkle and the fabrics, and the hormones in his system luxuriated in the fluffy romantic side, but really he just loved the opportunity to critique the fashion. And Tony's sense of humour blended perfectly with his own.
Loki's brow suddenly creased as a thought flitted through his mind, "Tony?" he asked.
"Yeh?"
"Why are these all Beta marriages? There's the occasional Alpha and Beta engagement, but no Omegas."
Tony's eyes narrowed as he thought through all the episodes of these shows he had seen, "...Huh," he answered, "You're right. I guess Omegas are just too fabulous in everything they wear," he smiled, hugging Loki tighter, "they don't have the chance of disaster that the producers are looking for."
Loki grinned at Tony's white lie, turned his head and pecked the Alpha on the cheek.
He blushed a light shade of blue, surprised at his own actions, "Hormones," he murmured.