A/N: Sadly, this is the last chapter I have prewritten for now... Sorry...

After a week, Loki started to get bored of playing with his action figures. The little men didn't talk to him or move on their own, and it felt kind of desperate to talk to fake people. So, after a lot of whining, hiding, almost crying, and puppy dog eyes, Loki was granted a day in Tony's lab while he worked.

At first, it really worked. Loki was quiet, in awe of everything Tony did. And because he was so well behaved and didn't touch anything, Tony thought nothing of letting the kid sit in there for the next couple of days. It certainly solved Loki's problems of boredom and loneliness, and eventually he became curious about the wonders of science.

For the next two weeks, Tony's mouth was constantly moving. Every moment of his work day was spent answering questions and explaining how things worked. Loki was an attentive listener, and soon Tony felt okay letting him touch stuff. Some stuff...

Loki became a lab assistant of sorts. He often handed Tony tools or offered ideas from a much simpler point of view. Sometimes Tony's mind was just too scattered and advanced to see the plainer answers.

So, Loki, with his weak understanding of science, helped Tony as much as he could. But, he was, after all, still a child, and it didn't take long for him to become bored again.

-[]-

Tony was alone in the lab for the first time in almost a month, and he found himself talking out loud even though he knew no one else was there. He was working on an engine for some robot or something, just tinkering away without much thought. Sometimes, he expectantly paused with his hand out, waiting for Loki to put a tool there.

After a few hours, Tony actually felt sort of lost and alone. He didn't like the feeling, and he understood that Loki had worked his way into his heart... It sucked because he actually missed the little guy.

He sighed quietly and reached out his hand to grab his screwdriver, only to find that it wasn't there. He frowned and looked at where it had been sitting. Where did it go?

He glanced under the table and didn't see it among the usual clutter. Odd... He looked back at where he left it, only to see it again. But wasn't it just gone?!

Tony frowned and scratched his head. Maybe he needed to take a nap...

Later...

He'll definitely take a nap later.

Not thinking much of the occurrence, Tony returned to his work. Soon, he reached for the wrench he needed to tighten a few bolts. His hand clasped on thin air. Again confused, he looked at the spot where the tool had just been.

It was not there.

Tony closed his eyes and lightly smacked himself upside the head. "See, Stark? This is what happens when you drink so much alcohol. You loose brain cells and you go delusional!" When he opened his eyes again, the wrench was right there.

It practically mocked him.

'I was always here,' it whispered. 'You are just insane!'

"I'm imagining that my tools are talking to me," Tony gaped. "I can hear it's little voice in my head. Sweet mother of whiskey-"

Light, mischievous laughter burst into the room. The brunette startled at the sound and turned to see his miniature lab partner cackling on the couch. Loki's head was thrown back, and his arms were wrapped around his sides. Tiny tears formed at the corners of his eyes. His laughter was bright and sounded almost like something twinkling.

Bells perhaps.

Twinkling bells, Tony thought and almost asked JARVIS to compare the two sounds. Instead, the billionaire frowned lightly and waggled his finger at the boy.

"So you're the one who's been making my tools disappear!" He declared in a playful manner. He knew from experience that sounding truly upset could make the boy instantly dissolve into a quivering mess of tears and snot bubbles.

"Yes! Your face was hilarious!" The green eyed child stared at Tony for a long moment before he fell to another round of laughter.

"You wanna laugh?! I'll give you something to laugh about!" Tony gave a battle cry and lunged for the boy who barely had time to gasp in surprise. The brown eyed man was suddenly upon him, tickling his sides and the back of his neck.

"No! NO!" Loki screeched with laughter loud enough to be heard down the hall. "Ahahahahaha! NOOOOOOO~!"

A few seconds later, Steve was at the door in pajamas and a sweatshirt, carrying his shield and ready to defend the duo. He stopped short once he realized what was happening and leaned peacefully against the doorframe. Stark could be a pretty sweet guy it seemed.

Tears of happiness rolled down Loki's cheeks and he softly kicked and hit at Tony trying to free himself. "STOP!" He laughed. "S-Stop! I-I... c-can't breathe!" At that, the brunette quickly pulled his hands away and allowed Loki to catch his breath.

Abruptly, Loki launched forward with a shriek of delight and wiggled his fingers viscously under Tony's arms and down his sides. The billionaire was quiet for a moment in surprise before he dropped to the ground with a bark of laughter.

"N-no! I won't... let you w-win!" He managed.

Around that time was when Natasha appeared in the doorframe with a towel around her neck and a camera. It seemed she had gotten out of the shower just in time to record the tickle-fight.

"Should we not stop them?" Thor wondered as he stood behind the spy and the American. "Loki can loose his breath quite easily if he's not careful."

Natasha chuckled. "Don't worry so much. JARVIS monitors everyone in the tower, and Tony's always cautious about this stuff. They'll be fine." The blonde god nodded, and the trio continued to watch until Loki triumphantly claimed a victory (one that Tony had obviously given him!) and happily skipped out of the lab for dinner.

-{[(•)]}-

A/N: *tickling Loki*