AN: Thank you so much for all the feedback! It was amazing to read your thoughts, emotions, reactions … You have a lot of questions and I hope this chapter answers a few of them. Enjoy!

The Lover That Went Wrong

- Chapter Ten -

"Ready, aim–"

"Sir, is this really a good idea?"

"–fire!" Tony pulled the trigger, a blast of energy shooting from the gun, the force causing him to stumble back and blow a hole in the mannequin's chest that stood about five yards away. Smoke filled the basement, the smell of burning plastic unpleasant to Tony's nose, but he'd become used to that. "Look at that, Jarvis," He announced happily as he gazed at the doll that, for all intents and purposes, had been killed.

"I would suggest recalibrating the god-stunner, sir," Jarvis said with his typical emotionless voice, "Data from the mannequin is streaming into the server right now."

He didn't have any interest in recalibrating the gun or studying that data right now. What he wanted was to toy with the gun a bit, see how powerful he could make it, before having to turn it into a real stunner, which would just spoil all the fun. Lifting the gun a fifth time, he aimed it at the last mannequin standing, and with a grin on his face – because truly, he was having fun for the first time in weeks – he aimed the weapon at the mannequin's head and fired. Again, he stumbled back, but what made him laugh was the sight of the doll's head being blow off. Next time he did that, he would fill the head with paint. Now that would make for great special effects.

"Jarvis, I'm gonna need new mannequins," He announced, turning back to one of the many work-benches stationed in this basement. He placed the gun-that-would-soon-be-a-stunner down, the handle slightly warm, so it needed to cool. With his hands free now, he picked up the glass of whiskey he'd poured himself not ten minutes ago and took a generous gulp, enjoying the way it burned his throat as it made its way down to his otherwise empty stomach. Was he aware that he had a bit of a drinking problem? Very much so. Did he care? Not at all.

"Of course, sir," Jarvis replied, only to completely ruin Tony's mood by adding, "Steve Rogers is making his way down, sir. He will be here now."

The door to the basement opened not two seconds later, revealing the Captain, and Tony groaned loudly, wanting Steve to hear. "Thanks for the early heads' up, Jarv," He mumbled before downing the rest of his drink, already having a feeling that he would need more alcohol in his system in order to deal with Steve's inevitable pep-talk.

"God, what is that smell?" Steve asked as he walked into the basement, his face contorting rather funnily in Tony's opinion.

"Well, it's not me for a change," Tony replied, grinning. He glanced around to see where he'd dumped his bottle of whiskey. "I took a shower this morning, so I really hope you haven't come to nag about that."

"That's not why I'm here," Steve said.

"Then I hope you haven't come to fish for an apology either." Tony stepped around the work-bench and grabbed the bottle of whiskey that he'd apparently left near Dum-E, which really hadn't been a smart decision. Snatching the bottle from the table, Dum-E buzzed almost disapprovingly, but Tony still went on to pour himself another glass, wondering only for a moment how many glasses he'd already had in the last hour. "You completely invaded my privacy," He continued when Steve didn't instantly reply, "I don't regret throwing stuff at your head."

"That's not why I'm here either," Steve said, and Tony was actually surprised that the guy sounded as calm as he did. Of course, then Steve had to be an ass and pull the nearly empty bottle of whiskey from his hand, making Tony sigh exasperatedly, because here it came – the pep-talk. "We need to talk, Tony."

It left him with a choice. He could be an ass and tell Steve to go and nag to someone else, to leave him alone, or for once he could suck it up, pretend to listen to whatever Blondie had to say and then hope he'd be left alone for at least two weeks. Option number one never really worked out for him so Tony decided to try out option number two.

"Do tell," He said, only realizing a second too late that he should probably drop the sarcasm in his voice and behavior. If he wanted Steve to leave him alone for weeks to come, he would have to at least appear interested.

"Listen, Tony," Steve began, moving to stand on the other side of the work-bench and for one brief moment, Tony could have sworn to guy seemed uneasy, restless, even nervous. It was so unlike Steve that it had Tony grow alert. "I should have told you a long time ago and I want to start with saying that I'm sorry that I didn't."

"Oh God, if this is a love declaration, I'm gonna stop you right there."

"Tony."

It took biting down on his lower lip to prevent himself from laughing.

"Fine, fine," He said, unable to hide the amusement in his voice because while he felt rather curious and slightly anxious to hear what Steve had to say, the guy was just such an easy prey to laugh with.

Taking another swig from his whiskey, Tony came to the conclusion that the alcohol didn't have the same effect it had a few months ago. One bottle used to be enough to dull his senses a bit, but now that wasn't the case anymore, and he was well aware that he shouldn't be drinking and working at the same time, but who was he going to hurt down here? Exactly, no-one.

"Say what you have to say, Rogers, so I can focus on the god-stunner again because if you guys use it in this condition, you'll end up blowing the biblical whore's head off."

Steve remained quiet for a long moment, long enough to make Tony feel uncomfortable and more than slightly anxious.

"I don't know how else to tell you, so I'll just say it," He finally started, breaking the silence, "Your son is alive."

Tony stared at him and waited. He waited for Steve to burst with laughter and tell him that it had been a really bad joke. He waited for him to say that was a lie, but that he'd said it to have his full attention. He waited for him to say something, anything, but Steve stayed quiet, his uncertain blue eyes staring at him, and Tony wasn't sure what was going on.

His grip on the glass of whiskey grew so tight he feared he would break it, so he slowly put it down on the work-bench, strategically avoiding Steve's piercing eyes. "I don't know why you would say something like that," He said, shocked to hear his voice soft, cautious and, most of all, hurt, "But that's really fucking low, Steve."

"You know me, Tony," Steve replied, and there wasn't a hint of humor in his voice which was the first real indication that this wasn't a joke at all, "I wouldn't laugh about something like this, I wouldn't lie. SHIELD never approved of your relationship with Loki and when he ended up pregnant, the Council went as far as to say they had an international threat on their hands."

"An international thr-?" Tony couldn't even finish the sentence. His shocked, stunned, angry gaze turned to Steve, and for the first time in a long time he actually wanted to punch him in the face. He wanted to hurt him because everything he said felt like a blow to his stomach, making him feel sick and nauseous.

Steve stayed remarkably calm. "They believed that should Loki raise the child, it would only be a matter of time before they had another enemy on their hands," He continued and truly, Tony appreciated hearing the truth like that, but it also really made him want to grab the god-stunner and fire it at Steve's head, "They were already planning ways to somehow separate the boy from you, but then everything went south and you brought Loki to SHIELD and–"

"Oh, this is my fault?" Tony asked incredulously and bitterly.

"No!" Steve's eyes widened with a mixture of exasperation, fear and regret, but Tony couldn't care less what Steve felt or how difficult it was for him to break this news to him. "I never said that. I only meant to say that the Council saw their chance and they took it."

"And you knew," Tony said with a low voice. Every muscle of his body grew tense, his hands turning into fists. "You knew and you never said a word." For one brief moment, Steve's composure crumbled, his blue eyes softening before he cast his gaze down, seemingly unable to look at Tony's growing rage. "Why?" He asked sharply.

Again, Steve stayed quiet. The once so honorable man was quickly losing Tony's respect – fuck, he'd already lost it. Steve was supposed to be honest and honorable and righteous, but now Tony was looking at him and he saw nothing more than a liar, a deceiver and a hypocrite.

"That's just great," Tony breathed, desperately trying to control himself, desperately trying not to give into his anger and scream and shout. That would gain him nothing, but the longer this conversation continued, the harder it became, because he understood now. "That's just terrific," He said angrily, "You agreed with them. You didn't think Loki and I were fit to raise a child."

Finally, Steve seemed to have found the courage to look back up and meet Tony's eyes. "I made a mistake–"

"Fuck you, Rogers!" Tony yelled, watching Steve flinch at his sudden outburst. He sucked in a deep breath, only to realize that he no longer cared about staying calm and decent and civil. "Just fuck you," He repeated more calmly, though there was no denying the hatred in his voice, "Yeah, Loki and I might not have been a match made in heaven and we certainly weren't going to win the couple-of-the-year-award, but we loved that kid, or we would have loved it."

"I'm sorry," Steve said, and truly, Tony could tell he was sincere and that he regretted his silence, but none of that changed the fact that his betrayal – and he had most definitely betrayed him – had sent him in a downward spiral and had pushed Loki right into Amora's arms. "I'll help you find him and–"

"No," Tony quickly interjected, shaking his head. He was faintly aware that he was breathing hard and shallow, and that he should blink now and again as he glared at Steve, but he couldn't control the hostility and rage grabbing hold of him. "No, I'm done with you, Captain. I don't need your help."

"Tony, please–"

"Get out," Tony sneered, hating the fact that Steve didn't instantly obey. The idea of grabbing hold of the god-stunner and aiming it at his head became more and more attractive. "I want you and every other SHIELD-operative out of my building. Now."

"The others didn't know," Steve said softly, "I discovered it by chance."

In one smooth movement, Tony cleared the contents of the work-bench, sending every piece of paper, blueprint, tool and the god-stunner to the floor.

Steve flinched a second time, his eyes closing, his lips pressed together into two thin lines.

Tony could feel he was mere seconds away from jumping over the table and punching the guy in the face. It would hurt his fist more than it would hurt Steve's face, but he wouldn't mind.

"I don't fucking care," He hissed, his eyes wide and frenzied, "I'm done with you, I'm done with the Avengers and I am most certainly done with SHIELD."

Steve didn't move. His eyes opened, remorse and sorrow filling them, but he said nothing.

"I swear, Rogers," Tony said slowly, darkly, "If you don't leave now, I will grab the god-stunner and I will fucking use it on you if you don't get out of my sight right now."

Steve gazed into Tony's eyes for three more seconds before nodding once and then he left. Tony stared at his retreating form and he hoped that his anger would become manageable as Steve disappeared from his sight, but nothing changed. Rage made his blood boil and his fingers itched to destroy. Without thinking, he grabbed the god-stunner from the floor and fired it at the mannequins that had managed to stay standing. Just five seconds later, nothing remained of them, but Tony still didn't feel better. He still felt like Steve had stabbed him in the chest, only it hurt more than when Loki actually didstab him.

Loki.

He had to know. Breathing heavily, his heart beating wildly in his chest as if trying to leap out, Tony threw the god-stunner aside, uncaring where it landed, and made his way out of the basement. He had to find Loki. He had to tell him.

-/-

"It's a bit extravagant, isn't it?"

Tony spun around, his gaze instantly landing on the man standing not five yards away from him. There had been a time where the mere sight of Loki had his heart race with excitement and passion, and while it felt like his heart was still trying to burst from his chest, Tony had a feeling it was for entirely different reasons now. There was still excitement and passion – not that he would admit that at this point in time – but there was also an ounce of fear filling him, a small voice in the back of his head telling him to be careful, because last time he'd come face to face with Loki Odinson, he'd been stabbed in the chest, literally and figuratively, too.

"I didn't know how else to reach you," He said, looking back up at the sky to find four letters blazing between the clouds. It had been a challenge to burn Loki's name in the sky, but he was Tony Stark and mixing the right chemicals had been easy. Getting them up in the sky and having them detonate had been easy, too, since he was still Iron Man, and frankly, he was proud of the result.

Returning his gaze to Loki, somehow expecting him to stand directly in front of him, one of those shiny green daggers in his hand, Tony found that the god of mischief still stood a few yards away, looking at him with narrowed eyes.

"It's not like you left a phone-number or anything," He added in a vain attempt to lose some of that suffocating tension between them.

"Well, I'm here," Loki said. He sounded cold and distant and calculated, but Tony knew Loki like no-one else did – not even Thor – and he'd heard that faint edge of emotion to his voice, that hint of sentiment that told him that a part of him still cared. Or perhaps those were only his personal hopes and he was imagining everything. "Stop staring at me and say what you have to say, Stark. I don't have all day."

Tony nodded, knowing he had to get to the point immediately before Loki became bored and just left, but this wasn't exactly the type of news one could just blurt out.

"I need your help," He began, but of course Loki had to be dick and already interrupt him.

"My help?" He asked, his emerald green eyes widening with disbelief, and then he was laughing, the sound high and loud, and Tony hated it. He wanted the old Loki back, the one he'd spent months fooling around with, the one with whom he'd danced in his living room and had dinner with almost every single night. "You have a lot of nerve asking for my help, Stark."

"He's alive," Tony said, not knowing what else he could say or how he could say it. He suddenly empathized with Steve – that bastard – and understood why he'd had such trouble breaking the news to him, not that that excused him of his actions, of course. Tony still wanted to rip his head off of his shoulders. "Loki, our son is alive."

Emerald green eyes instantly narrowed and Tony knew that should looks be able to kill, he would be dead already. Perhaps he would still die. Loki wasn't one known for patience or reason and he definitely had a shoot-first-and-ask-questions-later-attitude. He'd probably – gladly – stab him in the chest a second time should that make him feel any better, and for one brief moment, Tony wondered what the hell he was doing, why he was telling Loki this without back-up or without wearing his suit. He really should have kept his suit on. He was seconds away from making the same mistake all over again after all. Honestly, Mensa was bound to ask his membership-card back.

But Loki didn't attack. He didn't throw any knives at his head or shoved him off of this roof with a simple magic-spell. When he spoke, however, his voice sounded low and dangerous, like an animal cornered, and Tony had a feeling he was only seconds away from lashing out.

"If this is some pathetic way to get me to–"

"Oh, come on!" Tony said sharply, loudly, and it was probably the wrong way to approach the situation, but the truth was that he was upset, too. He had no idea how to handle this either, but he was trying and that had to earn him some points. "I know I'm a liar and cheater and a drinker, but I wouldn't lie about this. Honestly, the fact that you'd even think that offends me. Fredric is alive, Loki, and SHIELD has him, but I don't know where and that's why I need your help."

Whatever reaction he'd expected – disbelief, anger, elation, horror, bewilderment – it didn't come. Loki simply continued to stare at him with sharp, narrowed and apprehensive eyes, with his jaw clenched together and the muscles of his neck so obviously tense. Tony could practically see that thick vein in his neck pulsate with anger. So there was definitely outrage there, but that was about as far as Tony got to understanding him. He definitely couldn't begin to comprehend what else was going through that pretty head of his at the moment.

"It's been over four months," Loki said after a long and heavy pause.

Ah. So that was what had been going through his head.

"If you think I've known for a while already, you're wrong," Tony said. He dared to take a step closer to Loki and when Loki didn't step back or draw a knife or hissed at him, he dared to take another one, and another one. "I only learned the truth yesterday and now I'm here. This isn't some kind of trick, Loki, you have to trust me."

He stood directly in front of him now and it was hard to keep eye-contact, but he didn't look away. He didn't reach out to touch him just yet either, no matter how much he wanted to. Being so close to him, watching the turmoil behind his eyes, it made Tony remember that Loki was a being with emotions and sentiments just like everyone else. He'd spent weeks, months even, hating him for leaving, for hooking up with Amora, but now he knew that they needed each other more than they realized.

"What about Thor?" Loki suddenly asked and for the first time, his anger rang clearly in his voice. Tony wished he wasn't so afraid of him. There had been a time where he trusted that man with his life, but not anymore. Now he was afraid to get stabbed in the back should he turned away from him, but on the other hand, this was Loki and no matter how hard it was to trust him, Tony couldn't deny that he had fallen in love with him a long time ago and that after everything, he still loved him.

"He didn't know either," Tony answered, and then, for the first time since he'd been with him, he did something he wasn't sure he could get away with. He lied. "No-one knew," He said, gazing directly into Loki's shielded eyes.

He hated Steve for what he'd done and he definitely enjoyed his little fantasies of crushing his skull, but he knew that he'd never actually try and kill him for his betrayal. But now he was talking about Loki and there was no doubt that he wouldn't hesitate to drive a knife through Steve's heart should he know the truth. No, it was best if he didn't know at all.

"But I'm done with SHIELD," He added when he found Loki gritting his teeth together, apparently not liking what he was hearing. Those new words made his features soften, however, and he inhaled deeply. "And if the others choose to keep working for Fury, then I'm done with them, too."

Loki remained quiet for a long time, his gaze piercing Tony's, searching for the lie, searching for the betrayal, and Tony felt his chest grow painfully tight. Loki was a master in deceit and Tony was just … Tony, so could he really expect to get away with lying? Apparently he could, because Loki said nothing and finally Tony dared to take a risk even though it could cost him a limb.

He reached out and placed a hand to the side of Loki's neck, feeling the frantic pulsating of a vein beneath his fingertips. "We have to bring him home," He said softly. He watched as a hint of a smile suddenly curved the edges of Loki's lips upward and he felt a shiver run down his spine, because it was the kind of smile that he hated – cold and calculated and cruel.

"I suppose you want this back," Loki said as he lifted a hand, an emerald green stone lying in the palm of it.

Tony found himself staring at it for a long time before he looked back up to meet Loki's expectant eyes. This was a test, but he didn't fear failing. "Do you know how to use it?" He asked.

Loki frowned ever so slightly, clearly not having expected that, and Tony enjoyed knowing that he could still surprise the god of mischief. "I know how to torture souls with it, if that's what you mean," He said.

Slowly, carefully, Tony folded his other hand over Loki's, making his long, pale fingers close around the gem again. "Then keep it," He said and he really couldn't believe that he was saying that in the first place, but somehow he didn't care what damage Loki could do with it, "It might come in useful."

"Look at you," Loki said softly, his eyes trained on Tony's hand on top of his. Tony watched as tension visibly slipped from his shoulders and he somehow didn't appear as hostile anymore, and Tony knew right then and there that there was still hope for them, or maybe it was the calm before the storm. Either way, it was equally terrifying. "The great Anthony Stark is turning his back on his old ways."

"No," Tony said resolutely, "I'm not turning my back on anything. I'm just done working for a corrupt organization that makes everyone believe they are the good guys while they're nothing more than liars and kidnappers."

Loki hummed and glanced back up. There was no denying that those bright green eyes held a hint of amusement. "I remember telling Miss Romanoff approximately the same."

"And you were right," Tony said through gritted teeth, anger coursing through his veins, and he had a feeling Loki enjoyed seeing that in his features, "But don't dare say I told you so."

Loki's fingers curled around Tony's wrist close to his neck. There was no denying that his gaze darkened, that his attitude grew hostile and dangerous all over again. Tony wasn't sure what was happening, and for one brief moment he thought that was it, that Loki still didn't believe him and that he was going to kill him now. Nothing happened, however.

"I will burn them for this, Tony," Loki hissed after a short silence.

"I won't stop you," Tony instantly replied and it was true. He wouldn't stop Loki if he were to burn down every SHIELD-facility on this planet. He'd probably hand him the lit match that could start it all at this point. Before he could say anything else, however, his gaze was drawn to movement over Loki's left shoulder and he groaned inwardly. "But first, I think you'll have to deal with that."

Because there she stood, Amora, and she didn't look particularly happy. Loki spun around to face her while Tony was seconds from calling his suit and preparing for battle, but there was something in the way Loki and Amora were looking at each other that told him that this wasn't his fight somehow – if there even would be a fight.

"What is … this?" Amora asked with a voice as smooth as silk, and that Tony hadn't expected. He had thought she would scream and shout and curse everything and everyone, but there she stood, seemingly so calm and composed, though there was no denying that her gaze stood hard and bleak. "Don't tell me that the two of you are getting back together again," She said. Clearly she found the idea both ridiculous and disgusting.

"I'm afraid our partnership ends here," Loki replied. He took a step sideways and Tony was fully aware that he was actually shielding him from Amora's gaze, but he would have none of that. He wasn't afraid of that woman and he wouldn't mind butting heads with her. The idea of pushing her off of the roof they were currently on was actually very appealing.

Amora tossed her head back and laughed, the sound loud and sharp, and Tony found himself slightly concerned. As much as he liked to believe that she was weak and nothing compared to Loki, he knew that could easily match his strength. "Do you really expect me to just walk away?" She asked with a high voice that vibrated with incredulity. "I came here to rule this world, with or without you by my side. You turning your back on me – which doesn't surprise me, to be honest – won't stop me."

Tony expected a fight to happen any moment now, expected Loki to charge forward or perhaps throw a few daggers in her direction, but none of that happened. Loki took just one step forward and lifted a hand, Amora's gaze instantly widening and Tony hated that he couldn't properly see what was going on, what could have Amora – Amora – actually look frightened for once.

"Will you fight me?" Loki asked lightly, as if he hadn't a care in the world.

"How dare you," She spat, both angry and fearful. Her hands turned to fists and her face paled. "You will regret this, Loki. I could have given you everything you ever wanted and you're throwing it all away, and for what? For him?"

"Whatever I wanted in the past, I don't want it anymore," Loki replied, "People change, Amora, and you better get used to it." He lifted his hand just a little bit higher and only then did Tony spot the green stone. Ha, he wouldn't actually mind if Loki showed him the power of the gem with Amora as his guinea pig. "Don't come back. We're done."

For one long moment, Amora stared at him and then she was gone, having disappeared in the blink of an eye, and Tony hated her for doing that. Somehow he didn't like the idea of her out there somewhere, doing God knows what. She would most likely plot her revenge or something. It was predictive, yet not at all reassuring. He would have been much happier knowing that she was rotting in some dark cell. Perhaps one day he'd get that wish, but right now, he only wanted to focus on Loki – Loki who turned back to face him as he slipped the Infinity Stone into some hidden pocket of his leather coat.

"Let's find our son," He said with a hint of a smile on his face.

Tony didn't object to that.

TBC …