It took just under four hours for the plane to get back to D.C. It was already well into the evening and all Loki wanted to do was take a hot shower and curl up in bed with Tony again. If Tony was so inclined.

Loki sensed something was a little off with his boyfriend. When he had woken up in the bed on the plane, he was alone. He had gotten dressed painstakingly slow, his bones aching from the beating they took and other exertions, and joined Tony in the middle of the plane, where the genius had been dozing off in a chair. After he woke, Loki noticed that when Tony looked at him, if he looked at him, it was with a forlorn, almost guilty expression. And he didn't seem to want to touch him. Tony wouldn't even sit beside him.

On the drive back to the dorms, Loki had fallen asleep again, but for the short time he was awake he hadn't had a chance to speak to Tony. Tony had spent most of the time on the phone with first Milton then Howard. Howard was scolding his son for taking advantage of Milton's affection and kindness for him. Tony could not get a word in to explain why he needed the StarkJet or why he settled for the chartered plane. When Howard accused him of using his name to freely fly his boyfriend around the country, Tony told Howard to go fuck himself and hung up. He tossed his earpiece at the windshield and it bounced off, landing in Loki's lap. He apologized curtly and drove the rest of the way in silence.

Back at the dorm, Clint and Natasha were waiting for Tony and Loki's arrival in Clint and Loki's dorm. They left the door open so they could hear them when they returned. Natasha heard their voices—how, Clint didn't know or question—and ran out of the room.

"Loki!" She slammed into him and he winced in pain. He waved off Tony as Clint came out and stared, his mouth hanging open.

"Tasha…"

"Natasha. You need to let me go, darling." Loki pushed at her arms but she only tightened them around his already sore sides. He groaned and looked to Tony. He stepped in and pulled her away.

"What? Why can't I—" Natasha finally looked at Loki and her face froze. Her green eyes were wide, her Cupid's bow lips parted. Loki pressed a hand to his sore torso and when Tony slipped an arm around his thin waist, he leaned into him. "Loki…?"

"I'm fine, Natasha," he assured her when her eyes began to tear. "It is only painful when someone presses too hard into me."

"There goes your sex life." Loki was the only one to laugh at Clint's joke. Tony rolled his eyes and Natasha's head whipped around to glare at her boyfriend. "It was a joke! Jeez, Loki got it."

"I got that it was a joke," Tony said, as he started to help Loki into his dorm. "It just wasn't funny."

"Yes it was, spoilsport," Loki added under his breath. "Especially since we already know he's wrong." He nudged Tony with an elbow. His smile lost a little of its cheeriness when Tony didn't give him any response.

"Enough with the stupid jokes!" Natasha followed Tony and Loki into the room and stopped in front of the coffee table in the communal area. "What the hell happened?"

"Calm yourself, sweetheart," Loki told her. "Your face is turning red."

"I don't want to be calm. I wanna know who did this."

"What do you mean who?" Tony helped Loki lower to the sofa, missing the pleasantly surprised look on his boyfriend's face. Loki wasn't used to this kind of attention. And he didn't know Tony was capable of it. "Laufeyson did it."

Natasha gaped at them both. "Your father did this?"

"Oh, he is not my father," Loki corrected. "He is just a sad, bitter man who blames me for ruining his life—which was never in my power. And he took twenty years of hate and anger out on my face and body."

Natasha moved to sit on the coffee table in front of Loki as Tony wandered to the kitchen, with Clint belatedly following. "I'm sorry, Loki."

"Why? It was not your fault. You all warned me, but I had to learn the hard way. I always seem to have to learn the hard way…" Loki frowned at himself, angry at himself that he let things with Laufey go this way.

"So…?" Natasha interrupted his thoughts. "Where do you go from here?"

Loki grinned lopsidedly at Natasha then glanced up at Tony when he pressed a bag of frozen peas to his swollen jaw and grabbed his thin wrist, placing his hand on it to hold it in place. "Thank you." Tony ran a finger down Loki's cheek tenderly and returned to the kitchen. Loki was almost sad to see him go since it was the first sign of affection Tony had shown since they had been on the plane. "I owe Odin an apology, for one thing." He threw up a hand when Natasha frowned and straightened her back. "I do. It's hard to explain, but…meeting Laufey just helped me realize that Odin, while not the shining example of what a father should be, he…" Loki shrugged a shoulder. "He is not the monster I thought him to be either."

"Okay, so he isn't as big a douche bag as your birth father turned out to be. But, for crying out loud, he still doesn't approve of you and Tony. He won't approve of you with any guy."

Loki's eyes went toward the kitchen, but he couldn't see either Tony or Clint. "Well…he and I will just have to have a chat about it, won't we?"

"Yeah…because that has always worked out for the two of you so great in the past," Natasha said with a roll of her eyes and a pout.

Loki angled his head. "You needn't be so negative, darling. Circumstances have changed."

"I'm not being negative; I'm being realistic, Loki." She sat forward, her arms resting on her knees, and took his hand between hers. "Maybe things have happened that have changed you. But he hasn't. You have been through so much this year because of him. I'd just hate to see you disappointed one more time because he's such an asshole."

Loki covered their joined hands with his other. "I don't want to be disappointed either, Natasha. But Odin has had a heart attack. I would hope after everything that has happened before and since would have had some effect on him. If not…" he sat back again and shrugged. "Then I will say what I have to say and leave it at that. If he still chooses to not want me in his life because I want to be with Anthony, so be it. I will not give up my relationship simply because he is not comfortable with it."

"Tasha, let's go." Loki and Natasha both glanced up at Clint and Natasha shook her head.

"Go if you want. I want to stay and spend some more time with Loki."

He laid a hand on her shoulder and sent her a level look. "Why don't we give them the night, babe? You have plenty of time to see Loki."

Loki didn't miss the look they exchanged and looked toward the kitchen. "I am tired, Natasha. And I must still call Thor."

Natasha looked at Clint again, who indiscernibly jerked his head toward the door, then back to Loki. "Yeah, okay. I'll see you later. I'm staying at your place so come get me if you need anything." She leaned over and pressed her lips lightly to the uninjured side of Loki's mouth. She cupped his cheek, his hand went to her arm and squeezed. When she pulled back she was frowning at the tears that stung her eyes. "God damn it. Stop scaring me with this shit. I don't like this!" She pointed a finger at her damp eyes.

Loki only smiled apologetically. Clint waved his goodbye and the two walked out arm-in-arm. It was quiet and Tony didn't immediately come out from the kitchen. As carefully as he could, because his body hurt more from exhaustion than the actual bruises, Loki got to his feet and made his way across the room, still holding the peas to his face.

"Laufeyson did it," Tony said, a harsher tone to his voice than he had meant to be there. Natasha moved to sit on the coffee table. Tony was about to sit beside Loki when Loki reminded them all that Laufey had literally beat the shit out of him. He figured Loki would be fine with Natasha for a little while and walked away.

He made his way into the kitchen, wandering around aimlessly at first. He went to the refrigerator, his head was deep in it looking for something decent to eat or drink. What he really wanted he didn't keep in the dorm anymore. There wasn't much in the fridge at all. Or the freezer, he thought as he straightened and pulled that door open. He stuck his head back in the refrigerator and was wondering who slacked on the grocery shopping—probably him—when Clint popped in.

"Hey. You okay, Tony?"

Tony turned his head to look at the archer then straightened and closed the door. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

Clint's face remained impassive. "Because for the second time in five months you've had to take care of your boyfriend after someone else bruised him up."

Tony stared at Clint silently for a minute. Yeah. Cause he needed that reminder. "He wasn't my boyfriend the first time. And Natasha took care of him, not me." Clint frowned as Tony turned and opened the freezer. Tony would have preferred to give Loki a piece of steak to put on his battered face, but a bag of frozen peas was the best they had. As he left the kitchen to give Loki the peas he thought to himself, who the hell bought frozen peas?

The way Loki looked up at him, said thank you so softly; it made his stomach knot. He touched Loki's cheek in a gesture that looked affectionate, but for Tony, it was reassuring—Loki was here; Loki was safe. He was a little banged up, but he was okay. Something ached in his chest, as it had been all day since he got Loki back, and he made his way back to the kitchen, pushing past Clint. His breath began to quicken and he fisted his hands on the counter.

"Tony?" Clint stepped closer, speaking softly so he didn't alert Loki and Natasha. He couldn't see Tony's face, but the way his body curled in on itself and the way he shook, Clint could tell something wasn't right with him. "Tony, what's wrong?"

Tony's cheeks burned with embarrassment. Only he wasn't sure what was more embarrassing: how much the thought of losing Loki scared him or that he was so scared he was fighting tears. Clint said his name again, laid a hand on his back. And he lost it.

"Shit. I'm sorry. Tony…"

The tears that Tony had held off all day came pouring out of him. He fell to a crouch, his back against a cabinet, and buried his face in his arms.

Clint stared dumbstruck. He could barely deal with crying chicks—which is why he was so grateful Natasha wasn't prone to tears—let alone a crying male. Unsure of himself, he squatted in front of Tony and hesitantly laid a hand on his arm, patting him awkwardly. "You…you okay, man?"

Tony only nodded.

"Is this just, like, a release thing? I mean, are you actually hurt or something? Should I get a doctor?"

He shook his head.

"Should I get Loki?"

Another, more vigorous shake.

"You want me to shut up?"

He nodded, sniffled.

Clint nodded to himself and pursed his lips first toward one side then the other. But eventually he realized he couldn't handle all of this emotion coming from someone he wasn't even sleeping with. "Why don't I take Tasha back to my room and give you guys some privacy?"

Tony lifted his head a little. His eyes were bloodshot, his lashes wet, and his nose was as red as Rudolph's. He nodded once again.

Clint mustered up a smile—as best he could. "He's home, Tony. And, for the most part, he's good." He got to his feet and patted Tony's shoulder before turning away.

Tony nodded again and dropped his head back on his arms again. He heard the low rumble of Clint's voice as he spoke to Natasha and Natasha's snappy response. He couldn't hear what was said after that, but he got to his feet, keeping his back to them as they passed by and walked across the hall. He needed another minute to gather himself and inhaled in three quick breaths—the kind taken after a good cry.

"Anthony?"

Tony's head snapped up and he whirled around. Loki was leaning a hand on the counter and Tony must have looked worse than he thought. And Loki must have forgotten about his injuries—for a split second. He dropped the bag of peas and lunged toward Tony, his hands clasping Tony's head in a death grip.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying? Anthony."

"I'm fine," his voice was a cracking rasp. He cleared his throat and made Loki take a step back, setting him against the counter behind him.

"If you are fine," he breathed as he settled, realizing he shouldn't have moved so fast, "then why do you look like you've been crying for hours?"

Tony lifted the hem of his shirt and wiped it over his eyes and cheeks. He grabbed a paper towel and dried his nose. "Because I just…" he sniffled, remembered why he was crying and shook his head. "It doesn't matter. I'm fine now."

Loki pressed a hand to his side. "Yes, it does matter. To me. Now tell me what is wrong." He touched his fingers to Tony's chin, tipping it up enough so Tony would look at him. "Were you crying because you were scared of losing me?"

Tony stared quietly for a moment before he scoffed and jerked his head away. "I hate how well you know me." He used his sleeve to wipe away more tears. Why wouldn't the damn things stop already?

"Anthony…"

"You could have died, Loki! What if you couldn't get away from Laufey? He would have beaten you to a bloody pulp. And where would that have left me? Do you have any idea how pissed off I was at you for not calling me back? If something worse had happened to you…" The thought made Tony's words die off in a choked sob and he pressed his wrist to his mouth. Loki ignored Tony's resistance and pulled at him until he was in his arms, his head resting on Loki's shoulder.

"Nothing happened to me, my love," he said softly, once Tony had calmed down. "And I did get away. And I came back to you. You have nothing to feel guilty about."

Tony sniffled. "I never said—"

"You did not have to."

He groaned, his fingers curling into the sides of Loki's sweater. "I hate you."

Loki smiled crookedly and pulled Tony away from him, cupped his face. "And you call me a liar." He pecked Tony's lips lightly. Before he could pull back completely Tony's fingers tightened in the material at his chest and held him close so he could kiss him more deeply. But Loki had to lift his mouth away. "Mm, Anthony. My mouth…"

Tony sniffled again and hugged Loki to him tightly. "Don't do anything like that ever again. You hear me? I will kick the shit out of you myself next time, I swear, Loki."

"It is over, Anthony."

"Promise me."

Loki sighed, rolling his eyes a little. "I promise I won't do it again."

"Good. Now call Thor." He pulled back and swiped a hand under his nose before pulling out his cell phone. "Don't argue, just do it."

Loki cocked a brow and took the phone. "I was not going to." He dialed Thor's number and raised a hand to Tony's face again. Chocolate brown eyes lifted to his, softened as he turned his face into the palm. Loki looked away and dropped his hand to Tony's chest when Thor answered as if speaking to Tony. "Thor…" he lifted the phone from his ear when Thor began to shout question after question. "Thor—Th—Brother—Thor!"

Tony chuckled and, because it was all they had, took out one of Thor's beef-flavored noodle cups and filled it with water before setting it in the microwave.

"Well, be quiet for five seconds so I can give you an answer! Thank you…I'm fine. Yes, I know. I have already gotten an earful from Anthony."

"He can take some more!" Tony shouted as he passed by Loki, ducking away from the shove that was coming his way. He pulled out a fork and aimed it at Loki. "Be nice or I won't let you sleep over."

Loki made a disbelieving noise and returned to the phone. "What? …I would not say things went well, but…" he sighed again, "Thor, shut up for a moment, would you? I need to speak to father." Tony stopped and faced Loki, who met his wide-eyed gaze evenly, before he pulled out the noodles from the microwave. "Yes, I am aware I just called him father. Will he be up for visitors in the morning?"

Tony whistled to himself then jumped up to sit on the counter, twisting his fork into the steaming noodles. He widened his legs when Loki moved to lean against him. Because he could, Tony pressed his lips to the top of Loki's head.

"Well, where is he? Oh…will you be staying there?" Loki looked up at Tony over his shoulder pleadingly and Tony fed him a small forkful of noodles. "All right," he murmured around the food to Thor. "…then Tony and I will be there in the afternoon. I understand that, Thor…" Loki's face creased into a frown and he swallowed. "…You speak as if I plan to fight with him every time I see him; I don't. I do not even plan to stay long tomorrow. I will say what I need to and leave."

Tony continued to listen to Loki's half of the conversation, slurping up noodles. At some points he could hear Thor's booming voice through the phone. He couldn't hear the words but he could hear the angry tone. His hand froze, another forkful of noodles halfway to his mouth, when Loki went rigid and moved away from him.

"He told you of that? What did he say? Well, because—it's none of your business, Thor. Yes, Tony knows…because I told him. You know he means more to me than that, brother, and don't you dare play innocent with me. I know you tell Jane everything that goes on within our family. She has told me as much, that's how! Thor, I did not—I just—you—argh!" Loki held out the phone to Tony. "I cannot speak to him when he is being unreasonable. You do it."

Tony took the phone, still chewing, and Loki walked out. He headed into Tony's bedroom and slammed the door shut. Tony could hear Thor still yelling about something and slowly brought the phone to his ear. "Yo! Thor! He gave me the phone 'cause you were pissing him off. What the hell did you say?" Thor launched into another tirade of why Loki didn't tell him himself about Laufeyson and Tony set down his mostly eaten cup of noodles. "Thor. Thor. Thor! Thor! Shut the fuck up!"

It went silent on both ends and Tony sighed heavily as rubbed a hand over his face.

"I'm sorry, but for god's sake, dude. Do you honestly think it would be easy for him to talk about his real dad with the brother who has been insisting half of his life that Odin is his father? This has not been the best last few days of his life, and I will let him explain to you why later, but I don't think he really needs you giving him shit for stupid stuff like this when you should be thankful he's even here and alive and breathing!"

Thor wasn't happy with Tony's tone and told him so.

"Well, I'm sorry I'm yelling but now you've pissed me off. So peace the fuck out! We'll see you tomorrow!" He ended the call and tossed the phone to the counter. He started for the bedroom, forgetting about his food, and jumped back when he spotted Loki in the doorway. "What the hell are you doing there? You scared the shit out of me."

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

"I thought you were going to bed."

"I nearly was. Then I heard you yelling at Thor."

"Oh." Tony walked past him into the room and kicked off his shoes as he unzipped his pants. "That. Well…he pissed me off."

"I heard. And I see." Loki walked back into the room, closed the door, and sat on the bed. "What did he say to get you so angry?"

"I dunno. He was bitching about you not calling him and not telling him about Laufey and being all butt-hurt about it." Tony ripped off his shirt and climbed into the bed, moving around Loki and covering himself with the sheets and blankets. "You gonna come in or what?"

Loki smiled down softly at Tony, running a hand over his dark mussed hair. "No. I want to take a hot shower first. Relax myself."

"Oh. Okay."

"Disappointed?"

"No. Well, yeah, kinda…" Tony snuck a hand from under the covers and took Loki's hand, brought it to his lips. "I know you're here and you're okay and everything. I just…wanted to cuddle. But it's fine. I'm all agitated now anyway cause of stupid ass Thor."

Loki draped himself over Tony until they were face to face. "You could join me. I might be able to help with some of that agitation."

Tony chuckled and was glad the irritation he was feeling was already starting to wane. "Loki, stop hitting on me. You're in no condition to be doing stuff, you know that."

"No, I don't know that. I had no problems earlier." His fingers trailed down Tony's torso. "And you seem quite responsive to the idea."

Tony scoffed and tried to brush Loki's hand away from his boxers, with not much luck. "I'm always responsive to the idea. I'm ready to pounce on you twenty-four hours a day, babe. I just don't think we should when you're all bruised up." His voice lowered at the mention of the injuries, as well as his eyes. "I don't want to make you hurt more, Loki."

"Anthony, look at me." Hesitantly, Tony lifted his brown eyes. "Stop worrying about that. If I was not up to fooling around with you, I would not offer." He kissed Tony's lips lightly then sat up and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. "Come on," he said, holding out his hand toward Tony.

"What?"

Loki's lips curved, his eyes glittered like emeralds. "I need help undressing."

Tony barked out a short laugh, but still, he slid across the bed and took Loki's hand, letting him pull him toward the bathroom. "Okay, now you're the liar."

It took Loki an hour to drag Tony out of bed the next morning. Not because he wouldn't wake up or because he wanted to stay under the warm covers with a naked Loki, but because he just didn't want to drive out to Richmond and deal with Loki's family drama. Loki promised to buy him lunch and that they wouldn't stay long, but once he said Tony could have his way with him when they got home, the short genius happily jumped out of the bed.

Loki had fallen asleep again on the drive and Tony woke him just as he turned onto the street his parents' home was located on. They pulled up into the driveway and saw Thor standing on the porch, arms crossed, waiting for them.

"Did you tell him we were on our way?"

"No. He must have been waiting for awhile. I've not spoken to him since last night."

"Wait for me to get the door." Tony put the car in park, shut it off and jumped out and around to the passenger side.

Watching from the porch, Thor jumped into action when he saw Tony reach in to help Loki out of the car, rushing to the car. "What happened to my brother, Stark?"

"Ask him. He's right in front of you," Tony snapped slipping an arm around Loki's waist.

Loki let him but also tried to ease away from him. "You don't need to do this, Anthony. I can walk on my own."

Tony shook his head. "I'm not taking any chances."

Thor frowned and tried to study Loki's face—his purpled jaw and puffy lips. "Loki, what happened to you? You look—"

"Like someone beat the shit out of him?"

Loki sighed and scolded, "Anthony."

"Get out of the way, Thor." Tony shoved him away, but he didn't move very far. Tony moved around him leading Loki up the steps and into the house.

"Who has done this to you?" Thor asked as he followed the pair into the foyer. "I demand answers now, brother."

Loki motioned for Tony to stop and waited for Thor to come into his eyesight. "And you shall have them, in just a moment. Where is mother?"

"I am right here—Loki!" Frigga had stepped out from the kitchen, took one look at Loki, and fell apart. Loki had to hold out his arms to keep her from putting her arms around him. "Loki…!"

"Mother, please. I'm fine—I promise you. It's much worse than it looks. Thor, some help here would be appreciated." Thor grumbled under his breath, but moved around Frigga to pull her away from Loki.

"What happened to you? You look awful!" Unable to hold Loki, Frigga grasped onto Thor's large hand as tears still streamed from her eyes.

"Thank you," Loki muttered sarcastically. He glanced at Tony when the other nudged his thigh with his hand. "Where is father?" He directed the question to Thor.

"Father?" Frigga's tears stopped for a moment and she stared at Loki in astonishment.

Thor was still frowning at him. "He is in his room, but he is sleeping right now."

"We told you we were coming specifically so Loki could talk to him," Tony interjected. Frigga's eyes were drawn to the short dark-haired young man standing next to—no, holding onto Loki. This must be the one, she thought with a soft smile and curiosity lighting up her blue eyes.

"Anthony," Loki took his arm, gripping it tightly until Tony looked at him. "Calm yourself, love." He looked at Thor and saw the two of them were ready to rip each other's heads off. That was all he needed today. He lowered his arm until his fingers met Tony's. "Darling, I am thirsty. Could you get me some tea while I explain to them what has happened? Please?"

"Yeah." Tony squeezed Loki's fingers and after Loki pointed out the way, he left for the kitchen. Frigga started to go after him but Loki stopped her.

"No, mother, Anthony is fine on his own. I am sorry you two could not have met under better circumstances." Frigga only nodded. "Could we sit somewhere and talk?"

"Can you walk all right?" Frigga asked hesitantly reaching out for his arm.

"I am fine." He let her take his arm anyway. "Anthony is just a bit of a hoverer sometimes, especially when I am a little out of sorts."

"Then let's go into the great room," she said as she started to lead him forward. She glanced over her shoulder at her eldest son, who stood glaring toward the kitchen, his large arms crossed over his massive chest. "Thor, are you coming?"

"Yes, mother. I will be with you shortly. I am going to find something to eat."

"Thor, get your stubborn ass into the room right now!" Frigga and Thor stared in shock at Loki, as he had whipped around, quicker than anyone thought he could, to glare at Thor.

"Loki?" A hard voice called from the kitchen.

Loki sighed, leaning a bit into Frigga. "It is fine, Anthony. We are going into the great room now. Just pass through the dining room and turn to your right and you will find us."

"…'Kay…"

Loki's eyes moved to Thor's and he lowered his voice. "You will not touch him. Once I have explained to you what has happened, maybe you will understand why he is upset. Until then, you keep your hands to yourself, you understand?"

After a moment, and a glance at Frigga, Thor gave Loki a short nod and the three of them filed into the great room. Frigga sat with Loki on one sofa, while Thor took the other across from them. Once settled, Loki explained that Odin had told him of his birth father and how he had travelled to Michigan to search for him. Tony had wandered in and set a cup of tea in front of Loki on the glass table between the sofas just as Loki was explaining the squalor Laufey lived in and how he had done drugs in front of him. When he began explaining how the fight began, Tony quickly excused himself and asked for the bathroom.

Loki watched him go with a frown on his face. "He blames himself for this."

"Why? It was not his fault." Frigga ran her fingers through Loki's hair, brushing it from his face, in the way only a mother could. "Nothing any of us said would have kept you from going after Laufey."

Loki sipped at his cooling tea. "I know that. And you know that. But he feels some guilt for not accompanying me and stopping this from happening again."

"What do you mean again?" Frigga's fingers paused.

Loki peeked briefly Frigga's way and knew he was about to add to his mother's bad day. "Anthony was there the night Odin showed up at my dorm and we…scuffled."

"Oh…" Frigga pressed her fingers to her lips and Loki lifted his arm to envelope her when the tears filled her eyes.

"Mother, please, stop crying. I am fine."

"Loki, what happens with this Laufey now?" Thor asked drawing his attention. "Will he try to come after you?"

Loki shook his head. "I doubt it. He wanted nothing to do with me before. I can't imagine this meeting has changed anything. And I do not know how he would manage to make it here anyway. He does not seem to have much money. He does not seem to have much of anything."

"But, Loki—"

"Thor, I wanted to find him and I did. As far as I am concerned, Laufey does not exist anymore."

Tony came back into the room and stopped mid-step when three sets of eyes aimed at him. "What happened?"

"Nothing, love," Loki answered, drinking again.

"Tony, I am sorry about my behavior last night over the telephone." Thor got to his feet and approached his friend and roommate. "I see now that my anger was misplaced and you…" he looked at Loki briefly, "You had every right to be angry with me."

Tony looked to Loki as well, unsure and a little uncomfortable. Family situations did that to him. "Uh, yeah, no worries, big guy, we're cool. Oh!" Tony gasped when Thor grabbed him and hugged him tightly. Tony's hands clapped against his back but Thor wouldn't let go.

"Thor, let him go. He can't breathe." Loki set down his cup of tea, got to his feet and moved to Tony's side.

"Oh, apologies, my friend," Thor said good-naturedly as he released Tony.

Tony gulped in air and pushed Thor away, keeping him at arms' length. He straightened as Loki neared him. "Can't he thank me some other way? God…"

"I told you, you don't know your own strength." Loki smacked the back of his hand against Thor's arm. He only shrugged and laughed. Loki took Tony's hand and pulled him toward the sofa. "Mother, I'm sorry this is coming so late and not at a better moment, but…" he tugged on Tony's hand until he could wrap his arm around his shoulders. "This is my boyfriend, Anthony Stark. Anthony, my mother, Frigga."

Tony could feel himself blushing. He always hated these 'meet the parents' moments, which was one of the reasons he avoided getting into relationships. The fact that the fathers never liked him was another. He smiled his most charming smile and took her hand, smoothly bringing it to his lips for a kiss. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he added as an afterthought.

Frigga was flustered. "Oh…well. I am happy to meet you, as well, Anthony."

"You can just call me Tony."

A muffled call for Frigga was heard and the room suddenly grew tense again. Tony dropped Frigga's hand and she looked to Loki. "Do you want me to see to him first?"

"Uh…yes. Make sure he's comfortable. And let him know I just want to speak to him briefly. I don't want to argue. I don't want to fight. I just want to talk."

Frigga took his hand and cupped his cheek. "I will." She gave his hand one last squeeze and left for her bedroom.

"You sure you're up for this?"

Loki inhaled deeply before meeting Tony's gaze. "Yes. I am not planning on talking about the two of us just yet. I will wait until he is better. I just want him to know how I feel about meeting Laufey and…him now."

Tony nodded and took Loki's hand. "Hey, listen, this is probably a weird time to ask you this…considering we're at your parents' house…and it's just not the right time…and…" Tony shot Thor a look over his shoulder. "Your brother can hear me, but…" He looked up at Loki, grinned awkwardly. "Do you want to move in with me?"

Loki frowned at Tony. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Thor's head whip around and both he and Tony looked at him before Tony turned back to him. He shrugged a shoulder and grinned fully up at him.

"Truth is, I've been in those dorms for almost six years now. Mostly cause it's convenient to get to school and it was easy to bed hop—when I was into that. But I'm not anymore, so…" He turned to Thor again and held out a hand to him. "No offense, Thor. You've been an awesome roommate." He looked back at Loki. "But I'd like to not have to worry about him or Clint or Natasha walking in on us. And…I dunno, I thought it might be nice to have our own place to—"

"Yes."

Tony's eyebrows shot up. "Yes?"

Loki laughed. "Yes. I didn't need the explanation, love. I was going to look into apartments for Thor and myself, but I would much rather be with you. No offense, Thor," he said without looking at his brother, his eyes fixed on his lover.

"Does no one care what I think?" Thor asked, holding out his arms.

"No," Tony and Loki answered simultaneously. Thor tossed up his hands and moved to the other side of the room.

"So…you sure?"

Loki pressed his lips to Tony's in a short, sweet kiss. "I am."

"Loki. Odin's ready for you now," Frigga said as she reentered the room.

"Thank you, Mother."

"Mother—"

"You let me tell her, you big oaf," Loki said sharply, cutting off Thor. He frowned and pouted, crossing his arms again, like the big baby he was, and Frigga looked between the two of them completely confused.

"Tell me what?"

Loki glared hard at Thor. "I will speak to you about it later, mother. I need to speak to Odin first." He looked to Tony once more, looking for a last bit of encouragement. Tony smiled and rose on his tiptoes to press a quick kiss to his lips.

"Come back to me," he said softly, almost jokingly.

Loki grinned, squeezed his hand, and moved to leave the room. "I always do."