They both slept late the next day. Tony managed to roll himself out of bed sometime around one in the afternoon and when he shuffled out of his room, he had to laugh at the picture on his sofa. Loki's thin frame was literally spread out across the red sofa, one arm and one leg hanging off the side, the other arm tossed above his head dangling over the armrest. And his head seemed to be submerged under the blanket. Tony had another scare when he tried to wake the sleeping man. He had been resting on his stomach and once Tony laid a hand on the arm on the armrest, Loki had bolted up to a kneeling position with his hair mussed and hiding half of his face.

They spent the day together, ordering in food and Tony introducing Loki to the wonderful world of video games. Loki discovered he quite enjoyed the driving and tactical warfare games. He didn't so much like the sports-themed games, and he found Tony was a worse winner than loser. He returned to his own room that night and found he had several messages from Frigga and Thor waiting for him, and one from Bucky. None from Odin. He didn't bother listening to any of them. Then he showered, and crawled into bed. He wasn't very aware that he fell asleep with another smile on his face.

The next morning he planned to spend his day working on his poetry portfolio and a few papers. Tony, apparently, had others ideas. He had returned to Loki's room and, though it took some coaxing, Loki eventually agreed to have lunch with him off campus. This time there was no lull or difficulty talking to each other. Not that it was as deep as the conversation two nights before. They discussed basics—likes, dislikes, favorites, and their mutual acquaintances, though Loki could tell Tony was being careful not to bring up Thor—which he greatly appreciated.

Loki found he liked spending time with Tony. He hadn't enjoyed another's company this much since Bucky. He hadn't laughed with anyone else like he did with Tony either. As he did now, after Tony divulged the tale of Steve and fondue. They were walking back to campus, and he had to stop and brace himself against a tree until the laughing fit passed. Finally composed, he wiped at his damp eyes and fell in step next to Tony.

"I'm sorry. I'm not quite sure why that tickled me so much," he added with another soft "ehehe."

"Trust me; you're not the only who's laughed their ass off at that. I dread the day he and Peggy actually do want to fondue. I'm pretty sure he's gonna come to me for pointers."

"You are the expert, are you not?" he asked with a smirk.

Tony grinned. "Is that the rumor going around about me?"

"Hm, not really a rumor; it's more general knowledge—and a warning to susceptible young women. I'm not sure who's got the higher count between you and Clint."

"Me," Tony said as if it was the most obvious answer ever in the history of obvious questions. Loki only chuckled. They walked in what seemed like companionable silence now, but Loki could tell Tony's constantly-churning mind was working. "Are there any other rumors about me?"

Loki grinned at him briefly. "I'm afraid I don't know. I'm not much for gossip. I've been the subject of vicious rumors before, remember?" Tony made a face that read "oops," but still got Loki to laugh. "I'm sure there are still plenty of rumors going around about me even now."

"Well…it's just the one really."

"Hm." Loki swung his arms behind his back and thoughtfully looked up at the cloudy sky. "Let me guess: people are speculating about whether or not I'm gay?"

Tony's eyebrows shot up. "That would be the one."

Loki made a noise in his throat—not of surprise or agreement, simply acknowledgement. He felt Tony's eyes on him but kept his gaze ahead of him. They walked in silence the rest of the way, and Loki felt the anxious energy from Tony growing by the second. They had just reached their rooms when the anxious bubble finally burst.

"Are you gay?" Tony blurted out.

Loki had just opened his door and, with a small smile curving his lips, he turned to look at Tony. "Sorry?"

"Look, I know it's none of my business. To each his own, whatever floats your boat, whatever tickles your pickle, love is love, and all that other shit; I get it. But I just—I have to know. Me, personally. It's driving me crazy. I won't tell anyone, if you don't want me to; I just need to kn—I can't figure you out, okay! Like, what was the deal with you and Bucky and you and Maria? I mean, what! Are you—"

Tony's rant was cut short when Loki took one step forward and clapped a hand over his mouth. "Stop. Talking." Tony's brown eyes flared. Loki sighed. "Please?" Softening, Tony lowered his eyelids and gave a nod. Loki took back his hand and moved away.

"Sorry."

"No you're not," Loki said with a grin.

"You don't really have to tell me, if you don't…want to…" His voice died away when Loki moved forward again forcing him to back up until his back hit his own door. His cheeks pinked with embarrassment. Loki placed a hand on the doorjamb near his face and Tony's eyes stayed locked on his.

"Why are you so interested in my orientation?" he asked with a small smirk.

"I told you," Tony murmured, his voice low.

Loki's head angled to the side. "Because you're curious…? Well, I'm curious, Stark." Loki lifted a hand to Tony's chest, tracing the letters on his AC/DC t-shirt. "What is your opinion?" He saw Tony swallow before answering.

"I dunno. That's why I'm asking."

"Is that really the only reason you're asking?" His voiced had lowered another octave. There was fear in Tony's eyes—fear of the unknown and unfamiliar, likely—but there was something else. An interest. A curiosity in something more than just Loki's sexual orientation. And that was the part that was making this game, toying with Tony's reserve, so much fun for Loki. He knew he was pressing too far because of the rate Tony's heart was beating under his finger, as he nodded in response to Loki's question. Loki dropped his arm to his side and stepped back. "I see."

He reached for the doorknob, faced Tony again while he stood inside his dorm.

"Then the simplest answer to answer your question is…yes and no. Have a good night, Stark." He closed the door, leaving an unsatisfied Tony in the hallway.

Tony spent a good hour wearing a beaten path into the floor of his bedroom. He had been pacing since Loki went back to his room. And there were so many reasons why he was pacing. He couldn't sit still long enough to work on his projects. He couldn't sit still! He had more questions for Loki. He wanted to talk to Loki. He missed Loki. How did that happen? He spent two and half days hanging out with the guy and suddenly he couldn't go an hour without talking to him?

This was bad news. Or was it?

Tony wasn't sure what he was feeling. Sure, he liked Loki. Just like he liked Steve or Clint or Thor. He stopped and dropped to the bed, his head falling into his hands. Nope. He was lying to himself. He was attracted to Loki. He, Tony Stark, notorious ladies' man who had slept in at least one room on each floor in each dorm building on the campus with at least one girl at a time, was attracted to another male. But so what, right? This was the 21st century, for crying out loud.

Tony jumped up and walked briskly to his door, flinging it open, and stared at the door across the way. He thought about barging in again. But that didn't go over so well the last time. He could knock, but he had no idea what he should say. He was at a loss for words. He was at a loss for words. What the hell was Loki doing to him?! He was still in the middle of contemplating what to do when the door across the hall swung open.

Loki froze mid-step.

Oh shit. "Hey…"

Loki straightened. "Hello." He stuck his head out and looked both ways down the hall, as if he was about to cross a busy street. "What are you doing?"

"Just getting some fresh air," he said crossing his arms. Loki's eyebrows rose and Tony realized how stupid his lame attempt at being casual sounded. He chose to ignore it. "What about you?"

He laughed softly. "Actually, I was coming over to speak with you. May I?"

"Uh…" Tony was tongue-tied again, so he just nodded and walked back into his place, waiting by the coffee table until Loki joined him. Once inside, Loki closed the door and leaned against the dining table. "So, what's up?"

"I wanted to apologize for earlier."

Tony made a face. "Why? I was the one prying. Again," he mumbled under his breath.

Loki grinned and nodded. "You were prying again, that's true. But I, um, exploited that. And fear that I may have made you uncomfortable. I forget sometimes that not everybody is like me."

"What do you mean like you?"

Loki lowered his chin then looked up at Tony through his lashes. "I'm attracted to men and women, Stark. Some people are very judgmental about that. And some are…curious about how that actually works." Tony chuckled almost bashfully. "I've never sat and analyzed it myself. Basically, if I find that I am attracted to someone and they are attracted to me then…it naturally progresses."

"Is that how it happened with Bucky?"

That faint line appeared between Loki's eyebrows again. "I never slept with Bucky. What?" he asked on a chuckle when Tony angled his head.

"Come on, Loki. I've heard all the stories. That he would find his way to your place and crawl into your bed drunk as a skunk. I know how that works; I've done it. If you're drunk and you're trying to find your way into someone's bed in the middle of the night, chances are you're not there to sleep."

Loki had a small smile on his face as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I am aware that is what most people believe and would probably do. But I'm not most people, and neither is Bucky. I don't lie when I say that I have never had sex with Bucky. Yes, he would crawl into my bed, because for some reason it was the only place he could remember how to get to in that state. And, yes, because he was inebriated he would…" He trailed off, his smile growing as if remembering those nights fondly. Tony realized with a quick jolt he didn't like that. "He would make advances toward me. But I never gave in, Stark. If I'm going to take advantage of someone in bed, or let them take advantage of me, I'd rather they were sober when it was done."

Tony nodded, taking it all in. "And I guess Bucky is like you? Cause, from what I know about him, he also… likes guys and girls."

Loki's pursed his lips. "No, Bucky and I are not alike. Bucky will willingly have sex with both men and women, but he only has relationships with women."

Tony blinked. "And you're…not like…that?"

Eyes on Tony, a faint smile curving up one side of his lips, Loki shook his head slowly. "I've had relationships with both," he said softly.

"Oh." Tony lowered himself to sit on the coffee table. He had never known anyone who had dated both men and women. In reality, Bucky was the first person he knew who slept with both sexes. He wondered if that's what he found so intriguing about Loki. And in the back of his mind, in the farthest deepest pit of it, he saw Loki as a challenge. He immediately shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose between his fingers, at such a ridiculous thought. He had screwed Pepper over enough. He didn't need to do that to Loki, too.

"There is one other reason I wanted to speak to you."

Loki interrupted his thoughts and he lifted his head. "Yeah? What was that?" He followed him with his eyes as Loki moved to sit on the coffee table next to him.

"It is a, uh, delicate subject, I think." Tony said nothing, waited. "First, I want you to know that I have very much enjoyed these past few days." He lifted his eyes, jade-colored at the moment, to Tony's. "With you," he finished.

Tony's lips started to curve. "Me, too."

Loki lowered his eyes again and sighed. "Then I hope you won't be too upset when I ask if we could keep it between us?"

His face fell. "What? What do you—why?" Loki avoided looking at him again, he noticed. He didn't know where his sudden anger was coming from or why he felt so offended by Loki's need for secrecy. "Why, Loki?" His tone had changed and he couldn't control the harsh tone of it.

"I'm only thinking of your reputation. If you're seen with me, you will become a part of the rumors about me. And that is certainly going to put a damper on your bedroom activities."

"Fuck that!" Tony pressed a hand to his shoulder and roughly shoved him around, forcing Loki to face him. "Tell me the truth. Now."

Loki's chin lifted and he raised his hands in surrender. "I simply do not think it is a good idea that you and I…become friends."

"Bullshit. I wanna know why you think that."

"Thor," he answered after a brief hesitation that didn't go unnoticed by Tony.

"That's crap!" He yelled angrily and jumped to his feet, beginning to pace again. He whirled on Loki aiming an angry finger at him. "You know you're such a bull-shitter, Loki! And a fucking liar. You sit there and act like you hate Thor, but everything you do or don't do comes back around to him. You either do something because you know it'll hurt him or because he'll run back to daddy and it'll embarrass both of them. Then you turn around and try to pull this crap? Why do you even care? Why do you even care what they think?" He turned away but continued his tirade. "I thought you didn't care what anybody thought. And why shouldn't we be friends? Because he's my roommate, or because I'm friends with him? Who gives a shit anyway? I have tons of friends who aren't friends with Thor! We're not attached at the hip, you know. I mean, what would you do if I didn't live with him, huh? What would you do if—"

Once again, Loki interrupted Tony's long-winded speech. But this time he did it with his mouth.

Tony's entire body tensed. His shoulders hunched, his hands were stuck in mid-air, fingers stiff as if ready to attack; his eyes were wide open, his head caught between Loki's hands so he couldn't move. Loki's lips were soft, gentle, coaxing against his. His own were pressed together in a tight line. Slowly, gradually his muscles began to relax, easing one by one, until his hands rested lightly at Loki's sides. His eyelids fluttered closed and he finally let his jaw go slack. His lips softened against Loki's and he started to return the pressure the other man had been applying. But as soon as he did, as soon as he started to enjoy it, the kiss was broken and Loki was gone.

Loki was counting the days to the end of the semester. There were ten more to go, not counting the weekends. Those close to him figured he wasn't eating, sleeping and short of temper because he was stressing about finals, but poetry, classic literature, French literature—his schoolwork in general—were the farthest things from his mind. All he had been thinking about for the last week or so was Tony Stark. It was his own damn fault. He never should have kissed him. Short and barely a kiss as it was, he never should have done it.

So now he avoided both residents of the dorm across the hall. He changed routes to classes, left for them early, and spent most of his time away from his room and at the library—in a new spot—or at Natasha's. A very small part of him hoped the tiny little half-kiss had scared Tony off and that he wouldn't have to worry about him getting in his way. But, if even after a few days Loki was still thinking about him every minute of every day, after a week's worth of Tony-centric thoughts, he knew he was in trouble.

At this point, he would've welcomed a conversation with Thor before he would Tony. It took him too long to write papers; when he read a book he read the same sentence five times because he just couldn't concentrate. And sleeping? Forget it. He lost count of the mornings he woke up sporting a raging hard-on because of his especially salacious dreams. He had never heard any details of Tony Stark's sex life, but if it was anything like what his subconscious conjured, Pepper Potts was a lucky girl.

Free of any pressing assignments this night and with Clint off at his Thursday night archery class, Loki decided to stay in, curl up on the couch, and watch the repeat of Grey's Anatomy. Usually, he watched with the study group girls and Steve, but with the end of the semester fast approaching, everyone was off doing their last minute prepping and studying. He didn't like the show at first, finding it way too saccharine and implausible, but watching it with other people somehow made it more enjoyable, and now he was a fan.

There was an extremely bloody emergency playing out on his screen and he jumped when his phone buzzed with a text. It was Natasha asking if he was willing to meet her at the library and quiz her on Environmental Law. He was typing his response, now that it was on commercial, when Tony came through the door without knocking. Loki's fingers froze around his phone and all he could think was Why didn't I lock the damn door?

"What do you think you're doing?" Loki asked as he got to his feet. "Have you ever heard of knocking?"

Tony laughed, forced and short. "That's funny because I'm always telling Thor to knock before he barges into my room."

Loki stared at him in confusion, doing his best to ignore how fast his heart had started beating. "What do you want, Stark?"

"Well, first of all, I want you to stop calling me by my last name. I feel like you're doing some weird control thing; like you're trying not to be too friendly. And clearly…" Tony trailed off and moved closer and closer, but Loki's eyes never left his. "Second, I wanna know why you've been avoiding me."

Loki's lips parted but before he could speak, Tony placed a finger over his mouth. His pulse raced even faster and it took every bit of his self-control not to wrap his tongue around that finger and draw it into his mouth.

"I'm not done yet." He dropped his hand. "Third, and last, I want an explanation."

"For…?"

Tony's lips curved slightly. "You know what for." At the noise from the television, Tony stepped forward to grab the remote from the sofa, his chest brushing against Loki's arm. Loki's eyes rolled up to the ceiling in arousal and annoyance because the small touch made him shiver. Tony stepped back, after shutting off the TV, and the room became awkwardly silent. "So…?"

Loki managed a small smirk. "I believe you already know the answers to your questions…Anthony."

Tony smiled before he caught himself and straightened his lips. He bobbed his head up and down, seemingly nodding in agreement and, without a word, pivoted his once again bare feet and headed toward Loki's bedroom. Loki's jaw dropped marginally as he watched him go.

"Where are you…?" Loki chased after him but when he entered the room, it was dark. "What are you doing—?" He felt against the wall for the light switch but never found it. Fingers wrapped around his wrist and tugged him hard into the room, the door slammed shut. He lost his footing in the dark and fell against the back of his desk chair. "All right…I don't know what game you're playing at, Star—Anthony, but I want to know what's going on right now."

He reached over to the corner of his desk and flipped on the desk lamp, illuminating only a small part of the room. His eyes searched through the dark and finally landed on Tony's eyes, two bright dots in the dark. He seemed to be standing against the closed door.

"What is this?"

To his surprise, Tony sighed almost sadly. "If you have to ask, I'm not doing it right—which, by the way, isn't my fault. I'm usually really good at this but I've never done it with…someone like you, so there's gotta be a margin of error for a first timer, like me, right. 'Cause I don't believe in beginner's luck; mostly because I don't have any, but—"

"Anthony." It wasn't a reprimand this time; it was softer, like a tender but annoyed sigh.

"Doing it again, huh?"

Loki let out a small laugh. "Yes. Now, can I get an explanation? Why have you entered my living quarters as if you live here yourself? And why are we in my bedroom?"

There was a beat of silence.

"Come on, Loki. You're a clever guy." Loki detected a teasing tone and the hairs on the back of his neck went up. "Why are two people usually in a bedroom? Alone? In the dark? When they're attracted to each other?"

Loki's belly fluttered as Tony slowly stepped away from the door, toward him, advancing toward him like an animal stalking its prey. He tried to speak, but the rush of words to his mouth and the heated flush covering his body made it come out as a quiet laugh. And suddenly Tony was in front of him. He tried again. "You're attracted to me?" was the best he could manage.

"Don't play dumb. It doesn't work for you."

In control of himself now, Loki smirked. "Since when then…?"

"Does it matter?"

"I'm afraid it does." He stepped around Tony, needing the distance because otherwise he would jump on the shorter man and tackle him to his bed. And if this was going to happen, he didn't want to rush it. He wanted to enjoy every second of it. "I've been here before; you have not. Correct me if I'm wrong, you've only been with women, yes?" Tony wasn't having it, apparently, because he quickly closed the distance between them.

"Hence, the first-timer crack I made at myself. Look, can we skip all this? I promise we can analyze the fuck out of whatever you want later. But it's been roughly twelve days, five hours, sixteen minutes, and…" He lifted his wrist, checked his watch, "Twenty-seven seconds since you first kissed me. And I really want you to do it again. Like…really."

Heat pooled low in Loki's belly. All he had to do was dip his head just a little bit and capture that mouth again. But there was a tiny nugget of doubt sitting in the back of his mind—he wondered if Tony was serious about this or if Loki was just another science experiment for him. He had conquered women, could he conquer a man too?

"Eighteen minutes. Damn it, Loki, Clint's gonna be back in less than an hour! I had to take two shots of tequila just to build up enough nerve to come over here—"

"Anthony. Hush." Loki laid a hand on Tony's unshaven cheek and lowered his mouth, laying his lips lightly on the other man's.

Tony's lips went taut and pressed together. Loki slid his other hand up Tony's chest and he held his face in his palms, lifting his lips just off of Tony's.

"Relax," he murmured softly. He ran a thumb across Tony's bottom lip.

"Trying," he croaked out.

Loki grinned and moved his hands to Tony's waist. "Sit." Before Tony could argue, Loki shoved him down to his bed. His brown eyes were wide, looking up at Loki, as the standing man removed his cardigan sweater, and followed him as he lowered next to him onto the bed. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Tony nodded, his eyes glued to Loki's mouth. He shifted on the bed, bringing one leg up so he could fully face Loki. Loki laid his hand on Tony's thigh and it jerked under his fingers.

"You must relax."

"I'm trying. I'm…weren't you nervous the first time someone touched you…like this?" His eyes went wide when Loki pushed his leg back off the bed and moved his body closer.

"Not really."

Loki smirked at the way Tony's body tensed then forcibly relaxed again. His hand snaked its way up Tony's thigh once more, ghosting over the vee between his legs, making a path up his chest. Tony's breathing was steady but shallow and when Loki's hand reached his neck he could feel the fast pulse beating there. Using light pressure to the side of his head, Loki brought Tony closer until he could press his lips to the side of his neck, testing, tasting. His fingers curled into wavy brown hair and Tony let his head fall back into Loki's hand, exposing more of his neck; an invitation.

Loki's lips curved against Tony's heated skin and he moved his mouth up to Tony's ear. His tongue flicked out to lick the lobe before he pressed his lips to the sensitive skin behind it.

"Ohh…Jesus…" Tony breathed. Loki was pressing open-mouthed kisses along his jaw, his neck and his collarbone. Tony's hand flew out to grab hold of something and found Loki's thigh. "Fuck this."

Loki's surprised yelp was muffled against Tony's mouth when he was seized by him and suddenly his back was pressed to the bed and he had an armful of Tony. He tried to get control again, but his grip on it was lost as Tony's hands began to wander, and his velvety tequila-laced tongue was halfway down his throat. He moaned into Tony's mouth and laid back, letting Tony have at him...

Tony was a living, breathing contradiction, at the moment. He was impatient, but hesitant. He was eager to discover, but nervous at what he would find. He knew Loki was moving slowly for his sake, but he wanted to touch, to taste, to feel. So he made his move.

He liked the sound Loki made when he pinned him to the bed. He wanted more of it. He loomed over Loki, perched on one hand while the other explored his backside, nibbling at his lips, dipping his tongue deep into Loki's mouth. He felt hands at his waist and his heart leapt. Then Loki was moving, sliding his leg under Tony's and shifting their bodies until he was fully beneath the shorter man. Tony grinned into the soft kiss he pressed to Loki's mouth, as the latter stretched his legs open so Tony could settle between them. Height didn't matter when you were lying down.

Tony's hand slid up to Loki's chin, turning it away from him so he could attack that long, pale neck with lips, tongue and teeth. Loki moaned and it sent a hot spear of desire straight through Tony; involuntarily, his hips pressed against Loki's. He felt Loki's fingers on his skin now, skimming up his back, along his spine under his navy blue t-shirt, igniting little fires everywhere he touched. Tony sat up suddenly, resting on his knees, to yank the shirt over his head. He paused, taking in the sight before him. Loki, legs spread wide, obvious bulge straining against his tight pants, his chest rising and falling with panting breaths, and his eyes the darkest green Tony had ever seen them. He made sure to commit this to memory.

Loki reared up then, laying his hands on Tony's bare chest. He rose to his knees so they faced each other. "How far do you want this to go tonight?" he asked as one hand traveled over Tony's hip to the curve of his ass.

"I don't…" He groaned low when Loki squeezed. His eyes, closed on the groan, opened and focused on Loki's face. "No sex." Loki lifted his eyes. "N-not yet," he added softly. Loki held his gaze for a silent beat then nodded once.

"Whatever you wish, Anthony. I won't push you." His fingers skittered up the length of Tony's arms, over his shoulders, settling at the nape of his neck. "Just tell me what you want."

"Lose the shirt. And stop talking."

Loki smirked, and again, more graceful than Tony had ever seen a man move, he pulled his white tee over his head.

"Come here." Tony grabbed for Loki, pulled his mouth down to his. His hands met cool, soft skin over taut, sinewy muscle. Tony hummed against his mouth in approval. Loki was lean but his body was fit. At Loki's insistence, Tony began to fall back to the bed, but Tony held onto him, keeping him close, and Loki drew his legs over Tony's so he could straddle his lap. Tony's face was cupped between long, thin fingers as their kissing grew rougher, hungrier, wetter. He tore his mouth away to bite at the pale chest in front of him. He licked his way up to Loki's neck again; the light skin there was already starting to darken from his attention. His teeth scraped across what must have been a particularly sensitive part of Loki's skin and his fingers curled tightly into Tony's hair.

"…Anthony…" he sighed.

Tony could've lost it right then and there. His erection was getting painful at this point, pressing against his boxers and jeans, begging for attention. But Loki was keeping his hands at shoulder level, waiting for Tony's okay to go lower, he realized. His face buried in Loki's neck, he searched blindly for Loki's hand and upon finding it, placed it over the burgeoning bulge between his legs.

"Touch me. Please."

Shit, was he begging? By the devilish curve to Loki's lips, he saw the answer was yes. But he quickly ignored that. Their gazes locked, Loki reached down between their bodies and flicked open the fly of Tony's jeans and lowered the zipper. The blood was coursing through Tony's veins, anticipating Loki's touch. When his fingers slid beneath the hem of Tony's boxers and cupped his length, the sound he made was embarrassing, but he was too immersed in pleasure to care. Clenching every single one of his muscles, silently begging his own body not to end this before it began, Tony still reached up to capture Loki's mouth in a slow, languorous kiss, sliding his tongue along the other's in a seductive, intimate dance. He moaned and swore viciously into Loki's mouth when Loki's fingers began to move, to fondle, to stroke. Tony's body jerked when something swiped over the head of his cock. He nearly took back his 'no sex' request when Loki removed his hand from Tony's pants and licked the precum from his thumb before slipping the whole digit into his mouth.

Loki let out another noise of surprise—this time more amused—when Tony launched himself forward so he could once again mount him.

"You're killing me," Tony breathed, sliding a hand down Loki's thigh.

"I can finish you, if you like."

Tony growled and bit at Loki's bottom lip, and Loki's hand was back down his pants again. They both froze, Loki in mid-stroke, when the front door opened and closed.

"Loke, I'm home," Clint called. "And I brought a friend."

"Shit." Tony dropped his forehead to Loki's bare shoulder. "Worst timing ever, Barton." He lifted his head again. "He brought a girl home from class?" Loki shrugged beneath him.

"He often brings home women from everywhere," Loki murmured, swiping a finger across Tony's glistening forehead.

"Loki!"

His eyes grew wide and he nudged Tony aside, nearly tripping over his own feet, trying to get to his door. He pressed himself against the door just as Natasha tried to push in.

"Is that Natasha?" Tony asked in hushed tones, fixing himself and carefully drawing the zipper of his jeans up. Loki nearly hissed a yes at him, motioning for him to be quiet.

"Loki?"

"Yes, I'm here. I'm…not decent," he lied and rolled his eyes at the poor attempt to do so.

"Well, get dressed and come out. We got a pizza."

"Uh…" He looked at Tony as he joined him, tugging on his t-shirt again. Tony could see the disappointment in his eyes, especially after he licked his lips while watching him. "I'm not hungry."

"Liar," Tony mouthed with a smirk. He snickered, immediately covering his mouth, when Loki gave him a half-hearted shove.

"Okay…" Natasha answered from the other side. Tony and Loki glanced at each other. They could both hear that she wasn't buying it. "Are you all right?"

Loki's head fell against the door silently. "Yes, Natasha, I'm fine. I'm just…tired."

"Okay, then."

Tony's ears strained to hear the sound of her boots retreating and eventually he heard the muffled voices of her and Clint speaking to each other. Loki sighed beside him and muttered something about her interrogating him at a later time. Then suddenly he was kissing Tony again, catching the shorter man off-guard.

"Now what?" he asked quietly once Loki pulled away.

"Now you stay in here until it's clear out there. Unless you're fine walking out with your…" his eyes dropped down toward Tony's crotch, his fingers brushed across it, and Tony caught his wrist, taking it away, "Very apparent arousal."

Tony chuckled. "Can we just keep on…kissing?"

Loki's lips stretched in a smug grin, and with a finger of the hand whose wrist wasn't caught between Tony's fingers, he traced the outline of Tony's lips. "Enjoy that, do you?" He pulled his wrist free from Tony's grasp and started forward.

"Yes…" Tony moved backwards and his heart started to thud heavy in his chest.

Loki's head cocked to the side. "Is that all you want to do…Anthony?"

"I'm starting to think it was a bad idea to have you stop calling me Stark," he said with a grin.

"Why is that?" He asked this as he ran his hands up Tony's chest.

"Every time you say my name…I kinda get more—" He fell ineloquently to the bed "—excited." He lay still as Loki straddled him again, lowering himself until his mouth hovered near Tony's.

"Is that a bad thing?"

Tony let out a breathless chuckle. "I'm starting…" his eyes drifted closed as Loki's tongue swept across his lips, thick, smooth, and wet, "to think…haa…" Loki cupped him again, and began to massage him through his jeans, "…it's not." He made an aroused noise, nearly crying out, and Loki moved quickly to cover his mouth with his own.

"Shh…don't make me have to bind that lovely mouth of yours." He grinned wickedly when Tony's brown eyes went wide, and he began to undo Tony's pants again. Tony looked down then back to Loki's face.

"What if one of them walks in?" he whispered in slight alarm.

Loki huffed out an impatient breath, lifting himself onto his hands on either side of Tony's head. "They won't, darling. They both know better. Now, do you want to discuss this more or do you want to kiss me breathless?" Tony's brows drew together and Loki smirked in response. "Shall I tell you which I prefer?"

Tony roughly grabbed Loki's face, brought him down close to him. "Shut up, Loki." He crushed his mouth to Loki's and rolled, putting Loki on his back once more.