Fenrir's massive head laying his head in his lap brought Tony back to the present. He didn't remember walking to the pasture or sitting on one of the boulders that protruded from the ground or wrapping Loki's green cloak around him. He didn't realize he had been crying until the trail of tears dropped onto the hand stroking the fur of the wolf in his lap.

Blinking he looked down at his lover's youngest son. "How long have I been sitting here? Oh. You can't tell me, can you? No, I guess not. Not without Loki's magic." His frown deepened.

"You have been sitting here for quite a while." Fenrir responded.

"How—"Tony asked confused.

"I am unsure how it is you can understand me. Perhaps it is Father's magic. It's all around you." Puppy dog eyes met his own; they were filled with a great sadness.

"Who told you?"

"Slepnir. He sees Father's body on occasion when the curtains are not drawn. The healers have not been able to revive him. Lady Frigga insists he needs sunlight to warm his skin." He raised his head and sat next to Tony. He couldn't meet Fenrir's sorrowful gaze.

"How does Slepnir get here? Has anyone told Jormungandr?"

"He has his own magical bond with this place. I do not know how he gets here. Usually Father has to be here for that to happen. I don't think Jormungandr knows. I have not seen him." Suddenly, the canines head snapped to the right. He stood guarded between Tony and the eight legged beast coming into the clearing, hackles raised. Tony was slightly thrown off by Fenrir's reaction to his brother.

"Why do you protect him brother?" Slepnir snarled. "You know he is responsible for Father being at Hel's door. Stand aside."

Fenrir growled menacingly in response. "You blame him for Father's actions? Do you think him ignorant of what he was doing? He saved Anthony's life!"

"He was a fool for doing so! For a mortal who would be dead in a matter of years! What significance does he hold?"

"Father loves him! That is all the reason you need." Fenrir squared off with the stamping steed. "You will not harm him, I will not allow it!"

Tony had tried to speak several times; however, his voice had not been heard. He stood behind Fenrir backing away, when there was a tremendous bubbling from the lake behind them.

"What is going on here?" Everyone turned their stunned attention to the Midgardian serpent. " Where is Father?"

"Father is dead. Because of his mortal." Slepnir sneered and snorted.

"You take the situation out of context Slepnir." Fenrir snapped, turning to Jormungandr, "Father is not well. He used all of his magic to save Anthony from fatal injury."

"Father is not well?! He is dead Fenrir and it's all because of him!" Slepnir yelled.

"Enough!" Jormungandr hissed. Lowering his massive head, he commanded Tony to get on. Climbing onto the great serpent he held on for dear life as the gigantic head swung toward the flat rock Loki use to stand on to speak to his son. Depositing the human onto the rock foundation Jormungandr encouraged him to explain. "Tell me what happened to my father."

Tony regaled the story having to stop twice to clear the lump of emotion from his throat. The serpent studied him as he spoke. "I see." He thought carefully. "How did you summon me here Anthony? Father is the only one who can conjure enough magic to call me to this place. His scent and power encompasses you as if—"Jormungandr paused. The two brothers warring behind him were a distraction. Swinging his head towards them he roared, "Silence!" The boom of his voice startled them mute. He stared at Tony trying to find where the scent came from; clearly his father's garment stilled smelled of him. But where was his magic? Reptilian eyes settled on the blue radiant circle embedded in his torso. "Why do you carry a light source in the center of your chest?" How had he not noticed this before?

Tony looked down at the reactor beaming through his shirt. "This is what keeps me alive. I have tiny pieces of metal trying to make their way into my heart. This device stops that from happening."

Jormungandr needed a better look. "May I see it?" Tony unbuttoned his shirt, holding it open for the creature. He studied the core closely. There was a faint green swirl amongst the brilliant blue of the reactor. The light began to pulse; Tony was finding it hard to breath and gasped for air. His step faltered as he attempted to steady himself. Eyes going wide they moved rapidly over the serpent's confused face. Tony reached out to touch Loki's son, he gasped as green light flittered in his vision. "Father?"

"Jormung—"Tony's voice was not his own. Piercing green eyes rolled back in his head, and then everything was black.

Tony could hear the rush of running water, the chatter of birds in the distant trees, the rustle of wind through the leaves. He could feel the sun warming his skin; the grass tickled his neck, a familiar weight by his side, the caress of fingertips along his cheek. Smiling softly he turned into the caress; the pad of a thumb brushing his bottom lip.

"Anthony."

Dark lashes parted to reveal chocolate brown eyes. It was like seeing through a haze. The figure of his lover hovered over him with a gentle smile on his thin lips. He was in heaven. He had to be. He reached up to tuck a stray ebony lock behind Loki's ear. The god kissed the palm of his hand and placed it on his chest. There was no pounding of the god's strong heart. Tony's eyes questioned as to why.

"Anthony, you have forgotten me." Loki's silky words hit him like a slap to the face, although they were not spoken harshly but with sadness.

Tony gripped Loki's shoulders desperately, shaking his head violently. "No, I didn't! How could I? You're all I ever think about. I could never forget about you!" The words came out in a panicked rush.

Loki pressed his fingertips to his lips calming him. "Calm yourself, my love." The once proud god of mischief and chaos now exuded peace and serenity. "By continuing to mourn, you have forgotten to live, thus forgetting me. I do not want you to grieve for me Anthony. I want you to continue living for me." He brushed away the stray tear that fell from his lover's eye. "No more. Understand?"

Tony nodded. "I miss you." He choked out.

"And I you." Loki cupped his cheek. "How is that you have brought my children together? And why do they fight? Is it because of you?"

It was Tony's turn to silence Loki's questions. "I don't know how they all got here. Slepnir blames me for your death. Fenrir has been defending me and Jormungandr just found out. I think he suspects some of your magic is floating around in the reactor."

"And he is correct. Jormungandr has always been so brilliant." Loki swelled with pride, before coming back to the here and now. "All my power resides here." He caressed the arc reactor affectionately.

"But why? You could have survived the impact if you had at least half of your magic." He laced his fingers with the gods.

"Yes, but you would not." Loki sighed and sat back, Tony followed. "You do not seem to comprehend what you mean to me, Anthony. I could not survive knowing that I may have possibly been able to prevent your death." He cupped the back of his neck, playing with his lover's short hair. "All will rue the day you draw your last breath for my sanity and heart will surly die with it."

Understanding filled large brown eyes. "Loki—"

He held up his hand. "I have lived many lifetimes over and never have I known love and passion like yours. You are what keeps me grounded, what keeps the monster that I am dormant a while longer. There will never be another Anthony Stark for me."

Loki brought his lips to Tony's. To date it was the most loving embrace they had shared. Tony pushed his god back to the ground not wanting to end the kiss. His lips began to tingle and he saw green hues shifting behind closed lids. There was a deep intake of breath beneath him. Pulling away, he pecked Loki's lips once more before resting his head on his chest. Long fingers carded slowly through his hair as the god breathed deep. Tony snuggled closer as he could hear the faint sound of the god's heartbeat gain in strength.

Entwining their fingers Tony gave his love an ultimatum. He was hoping this was more than a dream, but could not be certain. "I will live for you but you must do the same for me. I know you will outlive me and that this is just a bump in the road, I get that now. But when I'm gone I don't want you raining down destruction on everything. I want you to cherish what we had/have. Please promise me you won't go off the deep in Lok's."

"I can promise nothing. But I will try not to let my grief take me in a blind rage." The god conceded.

"That's all I can ask." Tony smoothed his thumbs over the back of a pale hand. "When will you come back to me? I'm lonely."

"Do you not find it ironic that you tell me to carry on without you after your passing when you have been in utter despair over my supposed death for the past six months?" Loki twirled a piece of Tony's hair as he spoke. "Did you not hear Mother tell you that I had not perished?"

"Yeah well, when you're holding the lifeless body of the man you love in your arms, it's pretty hard to really 'hear' anything." Tony countered.

"Point taken." Loki's expression suddenly became very weary. "Anthony, it is time for you to awaken. My children grow concerned. You must put their minds at ease. Tell them that you have breathed life back into me and that my heart beats again. Though it will be some time before I regain consciousness." Loki rolled them over so that he hovered over the only man he has ever truly loved.

"Can't you tell them? Slepnir won't believe me. Kinda hates me, remember?"

"They will believe you. My magic has grown stronger in you during our brief exchange here. Tell Slepnir to go back to Asgard to confirm that what you say is truth." Loki gazed down at Tony with tender, yet tired eyes. "I must rest now. Please do as I ask Anthony. I will come for you when I am able."

"Lazy ass." Tony smirked. "Don't take forever ok, sugar lips?" Tony smiled.

Loki pulled back. "Sugar lips? Ha, hardly. Silvertongue I accept, sugar lips is out and if you ever wish to have them on you again then you will do well to never refer to me as that horrendous nickname. Ever."

Tony chuckled. "Ok, ok. No sugar lips got it sweet cheeks." Loki pursed his lips and raised a brow. Smiling when Tony broke out into a fit of laughter. "Hey, quick question. Why don't you just take all your magic back with you?"

"It is not that simple." Voice fading, fatigued eyes blinked slowly, Loki spoke again but it was lost to the sounds of rushing water, birds chirping, and rustling leaves. He kissed the palm of Tony's hand as it came to caress his cheek. Loki took his hand in his own and placed it over the arc reactor. Light and magical energy encompassed him once more and he woke with a jolt.

"—kill him now, it will bring Father back."

"If Anthony dies, Father's magic dies with him."

"If you kill him they both die! Slepnir, you are not thinking rationally!"

Tony woke to the sound of Loki's children arguing over his fate. Thanks Reindeer Games. Fenrir was once again standing between him and Slepnir. Jormungandr towered over them all. The wolf's huge paw was close to his side, he reached out for it bringing Fenrir's attention to him. "Stand down Cujo." They all became silent when he stood on shaky legs. Tony took a cleansing breath to get his bearings. "Well that was fun. Your father wants you three to stop fighting. I don't know how it happened, but I managed to give a small amount of his magic back to him to get his heart beating again. He's breathing, but still not awake. Slepnir, he said if you don't believe me, go check for yourself." Dusting himself off, he picked up Loki's cloak and began to fold it. "That being said, Fenrir, Jormungandr thanks for not letting me die in my sleep. Now, if you will excuse me I have to figure out how to get Loki's powers back to him without killing us both in the process."

The all share a look. This was the cock-sure Tony Stark they had come to know. Tony had insisted Loki try to see them more regularly and as such the god dragged him along with him. They had grown fond of their father's 'friend', Slepnir being the exception—he was tolerant.

"Anthony!" Fenrir ran up to him as he neared the tree line. "Did you really see Father?"

He turned to his lover's child. "Yes I did. I've been going about this all wrong. I just needed him to remind me of that." He scratched behind the wolf's ear. "I have his magic buddy. I was able to pass it to him in my dream, but I need to figure out how to do it while awake."

"Can't you just go back with Slepnir to Asgard and give it to him there?" Fenrir asked.

"And put you guys at risk? No way. Plus, Loki would kill me. I have to get ahold of Thor." He turned to Jormungandr. "I'll be back in a couple of days to let you guys know if I've made any progress." Addressing Slepnir, "Anything you find out on your end Sea Biscuit will be a big help. Chao."

Slepnir looked at Jormungandr, "What is a Sea Biscuit?"