a/n: if you dont like my fic, dont read it, simple as that. keep your falmes out of my nice reviews. the usual disclaimers apply.
Loki stood before the mirror in his room. The doors were locked and he had requested that JARVIS halt any surveillance in this room for the next five minutes, and that he keep what he saw confidential, especially from Tony. The AI had been unwilling to cooperate at first, but Loki was not named God of Mischeif for nothing, and it was a simple matter to hack a simple midgardian machine.
He could see his own sunken eyes in the mirror, the gentle flush of his cheeks, how he appeared to have lost weight, if only slightly, and the paleness of most of his skin.
Well, that simply wouldn't do.
Tony had been ill for two days so far, and Loki, loathe though he did to admit it, was making ridiculously slow inclines back to health. Banner had assured him it was likely due to the differences between Jotun and Midgardian physiology, but it was infuriating nonetheless. Tony had cared for Loki through the worst of his own illness, and now Loki felt obligated to return the favour. And thus, he found himself in front of his mirror, fingertips sparking as he worked to bring what little magic he had the energy to create to the long, pale fingertips, changing the appearance of his body as they passed over his limbs and torso, and lastly, his head. His skin returned to it's usual pallor (at least in the Aesir form), the flush dissappeared, he appeared a little more filled out than before. Altogether it gave him the image of one who had recently been ill, but was entirely well at the present moment.
Loki smirked to himself.
Oh the thrills of magic, he thought.
Now he could care for Tony, as Tony had for him.
When he entered Tony's room, he found the millionaire buried under a mound of tissues, sneezing at an alarming rate. He waited until it seemed the man would have a pause between the sneezes, before clearing away the used tissues into the waste basket, and laying a hand on Tony's warm head. Loki smiled inwardly as he prided himself on being so thorough. He had used very simple spells to not only change his appearance, but also ensure his voice and temperature remained regular as well.
"How are you feeling?"
The words were followed by an intense coughing fit from the bearded man, but Loki laughed lightly.
"I believe I am the one to be asking that of you, Anthony. I am well, fear not."
Despite his own illness, Tony took the time to regard Loki properly. He did look well, actually. He had more colour in his skin, but not the fevered flush that was present before. He looked as though he had been eating properly again, which was just as well, as the God was already rather skinny. It made Tony's heart warm to think that he would no longer have to watch his love suffer so. He patted the bed next to him, and when Loki sat, pulled the stiff man into his embrace, stroking through his soft, ebony hair.
Tony wished the moment would never end, but all too soon he felt the familiar tickle in his nose. Unfortunately, the actual sneeze came on far too quickly to stifle. Tony tried to turn away from Loki, but was too late, sneezing openly on his partners shoulder. Tony grimaced, flush rising up his cheeks like fire, and stammered to apologize, mortified at what had just happened.
"Fuck...Loki, I'm s-s-so sorry. That was so disgusting and you've just gotten over this and what if i reinfect you? The common cold mutates between carriers you know, so its definitely possible. Let me call Bruce, have him bring some medicine and orange juice, just to be safe, we can protect you better now so you won't get it as harshly if you do catch it again...im so sorry love, oh god i'm so stupid, just go, don't be around me when i'm so disgusting."
Loki was stunned. He had never heard the other man so...embarassed. He smirked lightly, leaning over the clasp the cellular device Tony had picked up.
"I have no need of Banner. All I need right now is you. It matters not to me, what just occurred. I will be fine, but you need to relax and rest. Have no fear for me Anthony, I can care for myself just fine."
Loki leant over and kissed his love on the temple, only to pull back and notice the shorter man's eves drifting shut. Loki pulled the cellular phone from Tony's hands, and wrapped him in a light blanket. Then he lay down next to him, and he also drifted off into a nice, peaceful slumber, arms wrapped around the man he loved.
R and R please :D