okay i know this is short but its the LAST CHAPTER except the epilogue :P
Tony had to fight back tears at the sigh of the God of mischief. Tony had long admitted to himself he had feelings for Loki, and while seeing him vulnerable had been cute at times this was just...this was painful. Loki had obviously been using spells to hide the fact that he wasn't recovered from his illness, and Tony knew why.
Once he fell ill, Loki had put aside his own health and cared for Tony.
Tony swallowed the guilt rising up in his throat and focused on the situation at hand. His feelings werent important right now, what was important was getting Loki some serious help. The lithe God looked exhausted, dark circles ringing his eyes, looking almost like bruises. Even with his shit on, Tony could count Loki's ribs, the god looked emaciated. His skin was so pale it was practically translucent, and his breathing came in deep, rattling breaths that sounded like a chainsaw coming to life. The pale fingers on each hand twitched with each inhale, as though it were painful, and Tony had no doubts that it was. Sweat rolled from Loki's forehead, which was what had Tony most worried. This fever was higher than the last, had probably lasted for days, and just wasn't normal for Loki. He was a frost giant, his skin was usually a tad cooler than everyone elses.
Loki's eyelids fluttered just then, and both Tony and Thor seemed to hold their breath. Loki stirred a little, and then finally awakening further, attempted to sit up.
Attempted, Tony had to say, rather foolishly.
His arms were weak and shaking as he tried to push himself up, and he gasped as a wave of extreme dizziness hit him. The gasping caused him to start coughing, persistent, non-stop coughing that had his lungs screaming out for mercy from the pain. Thor held Loki from behind as this continued, allowing his weak, weary brother to rest propped up against him for support.
"Tony?"
Loki's voice was soft, barely there, and an odd pitch from his undoubtedly agonising throat, but it still made tiny fireworks explode in Tony's brain to hear that all Loki cared about right now was him. He was Loki's first thought...even if he was delirious with fever.
"Tony, you should not be...out of bed...you are ill"
Loki had to pause to take deep breaths every few words, and rounded off the ludicrous statement with a soft sneeze that left him choking again.
Tony lifted Loki from his position on the floor, disregarding Thor's indignation at having his brother taken from him.
"You fool" Tony whispered softly in Loki's ear as he carried him, bridal style, towards his bedroom. "Don't you ever scare me like that again. My arc reactor almost gave out. It's not bad to admit you need someone. I need you too."
As he turned into the doors of Loki's room, and settled the Half awake God beneath the blankets, vowing to make sure they were BOTH taken care of this time, Tony was just able to catch three sleep slurred words.
"I love you"
As Loki's eyes fluttered shut, his breathing evening out, Tony lent down and kissed the burning forehead before beginning to run his hands through the ebony hair.
"And I you, reindeer games."
R and R please :)