Okay so, A song to listen to while reading this... Seven Devils by Florence and The Machine. That's all. Oh, wait. GASP LOKINODON'TDIE HAHA MISERY.

Loki opened his eyes. The cold was now welcome, seeing as though, only moments ago, he was sweltering. The plan was working, he thought begrudgingly. But he was alone. He looked around, his breath clouding his sight. "Thanos," Loki half growled, his eyes darting everywhere. The dream blurred for a fraction of a second.

He didn't have too much time.

"Show yourself."

"Prince of both Asgard and Joutunheim. It's wonderful to see you here again." A rasping voice, behind him. Loki hid his anger.

"I am sure it is. I need you to do something for me." Loki turned, the disembodied voice solidifying into the leader. Thanos chortled, the sound reminding Loki of gravel.

"And why would I help you, little god? You failed me."

"Only because my mind was not my own, and you know this." He shuddered as he remembered the sceptre in his cold hands, the blue tesseract orb charging though his veins and... Controlling him. He could move, walk and talk, but he could not choose many of his actions.

The sceptre had given him power, but taken his freedom.

"Perhaps it was not, but that was the tesseract coursing through you. And you still failed."

"I am not here to talk about my failure. You injected me with something the last time, did you not?"

"I did."

"It saps my powers."

"Kills you."

"I have a deal to strike with you, if you'll have it." Loki hated begging, but if it would keep him from dying before his mortal lover, then so be it.

"I will listen."

The wave of nostalgia nearly swept him off of his feet. The same thing had been said, under different circumstance. Both times equally dangerous, with one person on top; Loki. But this time, Loki was not trying to kill anyone. At least, no one but himself. "I will willingly give you all of my magick, if you allow me some to shield myself from the warmth of Midgard. And you may execute me when the mortal, Mr Stark, has passed." His eyes shot up, flaring with rage. "Naturally passed. Without your meddling, nor anyone else's."

"So the magick of an exceptional sorcerer and promise of his life afterwards? Too good to be true."

"I do not lie. If I shall, cut my tongue out of my head and stitch my lips shut. I am not lying to you." His eyes bored into Thanos, demanding an affirmative.

For a while, the Chitauri leader was silent; thinking. Then, he smiled, a grave and ugly twist of a mouth. "Very well. However, I want you to live. You will serve me, little god, when your human has died."

"I did not agree to-"

"I will remove the poison."

"..."

Loki cursed, aloud and under his breath, and let his decisions play out before him. He could easily kill himself once Tony died, but there was a way to fill his body with power from some other source, like the casket. He wouldn't be an ice puppet, so dying was out of the question.

He thought about what Thanos would do with him, should he pledge servitude. He wouldn't be able to attack either Asgard or Midgard, the world he loved, and the wrong world to love. He refused. But there were countless other things he could easily do. Thanos seemed to be lacking in the field of torture, whereas Loki was some tree of knowledge. Ws that what Thanos wanted? Torture?

"Only if you swear to never make me attack Midgard." He could only choose one. Asgard brought him painful memories, but he would not let Tony's world be laid to waste because of his foolish actions. "Or anyone under your control."

"So shall it be."

"Remove my poison, return me the necessary enchantments, and I will be yours once Stark has passed."

"Remember your deal to me, prince."

"I shall."

And then he was gone, leaving Loki alone. The god felt his powers trickle in, felt the meager energy flow through with every breath he took. He finally sighed, clenching his fists.

"Tony," he breathed, looking up into the black expanse of sky above him. "I fear I've hurt you more than you will imagine."

Loki awoke, the cold of the room less comfortable than it was when he first entered. Already he felt stronger. "Talking roof," He said quietly. JARVIS responded by turning on the light.

"Yes, sir?"

"If you will it, will you open the door?"

"Of course, sir. At least you asked nicely."

The door creaked open, revealing a sleeping Tony with Lokitty curled up on his stomach. Loki smiled and stepped out of the room, reflexively bracing himself for a heat he forgot wouldn't come. He breathed, the air no longer searing his throat but normal. Not billowing out in front of him like a smoking dragon, but normal. He liked normal.

Loki looked down at himself. His borrowed shirt was fringed with ice, as were his pants. He brushed it off, then curled up next to Tony, wrapping an arm around his side. His eyes drifted and became heavy. He softly kissed the Iron Man, smiling at how peaceful he was. "I'm sorry for making you worry," Loki whispered, hoping he wasn't going to wake the man beside him.

Tony responded with a soft sigh, and Loki closed his eyes.

"I'll never let you go."

Hey so, did I make you scared? "OH NO LOKI NO"

Me: Oh shit Loki no don't aaaahoop. Never mind.

I swear, I have no control over the letters I type, they just flow out, become their own little masterpiece. I really love you all who have reviewed, especially Shakespeare42, for how inspiring you are. I don't think I could have gone on with this at all without your reviews and your amazing words. Thankful to everyone! Love you all so so much MWAAAAH