Chapter 30 – The Proposal

Hello all! I'd like to send out a huge thanks to everyone for reading this and for writing reviews! It's been a pleasure! I have another story arc in the making for this pair, but for now, this one is over. Thanks again for reading and hopefully you've enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Here is the last chapter.

It had been a long day. Between press conferences and Pepper's nagging, Tony had hardly had time to breathe, and that was something he needed to be able to do, especially with what he had planned for that evening. He was nervous – which again was not a good thing, but he supposed it couldn't be helped. It wasn't everyday a normal man proposed to an ageless god. Again he felt nervous, loosening the hated tie that felt like it was slowly trying to suffocate him. He didn't even really know where Loki was, although he assumed at home. Loki rarely left the house at this time of year, unless Thor came to drag him out, or Tony managed to coax him to get some fresh air. It was the same time of year that he'd been possessed by his old keeper, and going outside reminded him, then especially, of all the lives he'd destroyed. That was enough to keep most people in bed, but Loki was doing better. At least Tony liked to think so. He seemed happier, freer, and smiled far more often, and told Tony he loved him without the sadness that had used to accompany the words. He pulled the ring box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a simple and slim band of platinum set with three green stones. He'd picked something simple because he knew it would be Loki's preference, but it wasn't the ring itself he was worried about. He was worried about the answer he'd receive.

Loki had never spoken of marriage, or whether it was a tradition where he came from. He didn't even know if it was accepted. Or wanted. Of course he knew that Loki was aware it was a human custom, but that didn't reassure him of an answer.

Would he say no because it wasn't a custom he recognized? Or yes just because he knew it would mean something to Tony? Neither were what he wanted. When he asked, and he was going to ask, he wanted Loki to say yes because it was what he wanted too. But if Loki did indeed say yes, would Tony be able to tell the difference between a yes for himself or a yes for Tony? With a sign of disgust for his own insecurity, he closed the box and shoved it back in his pocket, riding the elevator up. Now he pulled the tie completely off, shoving it into his pocket, mumbling irritably at the uselessness of such things. He stepped out of the elevator to find Loki exactly where he'd hoped he would be, lounging on the couch, a book in hand. He looked up as Tony came in, giving him a smile before returning to his book.

"What are you reading?" Tony asked, and then waited a beat for Loki to pause in reading and look up again.

"What you would consider a 'classic'." Loki replied, and Tony resisted grinning. Loki read a lot of classic novels; from love stories to war stories, he read everything and anything from the more classical era of human civilization. The nerves came back as he found himself standing in the living room, feeling unsure of what to do next for what felt like the first time in his life.

"Do you want to go out for dinner?" he asked, trying to delay the inevitable moment of popping the question, and this time Loki set down his book, looking up at Tony curiously.

"Is something the matter?" he asked, and Tony just scowled at him.

"What makes you think something's wrong?"

"You're fidgeting and refuse to sit down, as well as the fact that you scowled at me when I asked." he smiled as he stood, moving towards Tony and then past him, stopping only to pull Tony closer to place the briefest of kisses on his cheek. "Cheer up. We can go to dinner if you'd like."

"I only want to go if you want to, too." Tony complained, and wondered where this neediness was coming from. He followed Loki into the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed and watching as Loki searched for clothes to wear to dinner.

"And I'm happy as long as I'm with you." Loki said with another smile, pulling his t-shirt over his head and then holding up two dress shirts for inspection. He chose the white shirt, shrugging it on before reaching for a vest, buttoning it over top. He turned to get Tony's approval only to see Tony laying flat on his back glaring up at the ceiling. Loki stared at him in confusion, knowing he had two options; one to soothe, and one to demand an answer, and decided upon a third option, wandering over to lay down next to him and stare up at the ceiling as well.

"I've got a problem." Tony finally admitted, and Loki smiled, remaining silent as he waited for Tony to continue. "There's something I want, but I don't know if it's something I can have."

"When has that ever stopped you from trying before?" Loki asked curiously, and Tony shook his head, still staring at the ceiling.

"This is more important. The most important."

Uneasiness passed over Loki. There was no more important thing than matters of the heart, but Tony had never really been afraid of voicing his feelings before. Was Tony considering leaving him? He shook the feeling off. Tony wasn't one to pretend either, and if he were going to leave it would have been much more apparent. Wouldn't it?

"If it's that important to you, nothing should stop you. You should never be afraid to try if it's something you want this desperately." he said, despite of his growing fear that Tony was considering leaving him. He didn't know what he would do, but he wanted Tony to be happy, after all he'd done for Loki, after having saved him from his very self, he wanted only for Tony's happiness. And though it would destroy him to be without Tony, he'd be willing if it were best for Tony.

Tony got up then and Loki sat up as well, following Tony's movements. Tony stood in front of him, his back facing Loki, arms up in front of him.

"I am afraid." he admitted, and Loki blinked in surprise.

"Of what?"

"Your answer."

Loki's heart dropped and he closed his eyes. This was what he'd feared. Tony was going to leave him and was afraid of his reaction.

Tony turned to see Loki sitting with his eyes closed, a pained expression on his face.

"I would never do anything to purposefully hurt you, Tony." Loki said softly, and now it was Tony's turn to be surprised. What was Loki talking about. He stared at Loki in confusion, taking in the hands clenched in fists on his knees, the way his face was turned away, the unhappy expression, and realized what it was Loki was thinking. He almost could've laughed, and with that he was no longer afraid. Deciding to do it the traditional way, he dropped to one knee in front of Loki, opening the box to reveal the simple ring.

"Loki, will you marry me?"

Loki opened his eyes, the surprise apparent, followed immediately by jubilation.

"You – you wish to marry me?" he asked in surprise, though the thrill was obvious in his voice.

"Yup. That's exactly what I want. Just you and me. Forever. So what do you say?"

Loki practically tackled him, the box flying out of Tony's hand and landing safely on the bed while Loki landed on Tony, kissing him senseless.

"I'll take that as a yes." Tony decided, grinning up at Loki foolishly, who mirrored the expression.

"You'd be an idiot to think I would say anything else." Loki informed him, and Tony's grin just widened.

His horrible day had just become the best day of his life.