He took a deep breath…

Wait, where was the pain?

He took another.

Nothing.

How bout that?

There was the familiar heavy scent of spice in the air.

Hmm…is this what death is like? Interesting… That can't be right.

A warm cloth pressed to his forehead, then his cheeks. And humming…there was humming.

Russet eyes cracked open a fraction. Tony saw the source of the light melody. A kind motherly figure came into focus. "Frigga?" He croaked.

"Welcome back, Anthony. The goddess smiled softly.

Sunlight. Her voice was like sunlight.

He brought his hand to the reactor touching it lightly, the glow from the core shining brightly. Tony sighed and closed his eyes again. He was in the most comfortable bed he had ever laid in. The sheets, so incredibly luxurious, they must have been made for a god.

"Loki!" He started as his eyes flew open and tried to sit up. Frigga pressed him back into the plush bedding.

"Hush now. He is resting, as should you." The goddess brushed her fingers through his soft unruly hair. "He has been watching over you for the last eight days and has refused rest. He finally succumbed to his exhaustion and worry a few hours ago." The Queen of Asgard nodded her head towards Loki's sleeping form lying next to him. The circles under his eyes spoke of the lack of sleep. He was still as beautiful as ever. He watched his god sleep peacefully before turning back to Frigga. "How? How is this possible?"

"Odin intervened. He witnessed the length the both of you were willing to go to for the other. You gave your life for Loki. He in return, gave his for all of the nine realms, because of his love for you." She gave him a motherly smile that warmed his heart. "You have saved us all with the love you have for my son." Tony wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. He looked over at Loki as he slept, his heart swelled with love and joy. "Rest now, my son."

Tony turned back towards her, she kissed his forehead lightly. A warm spring day. He grinned softly at her words. My son. "Thanks, Mom." He murmured and drifted back to sleep.

"Anthony."

"Anthony."

"Anthony, I know you can hear me. I can see you smiling."

Tony had snuggled up to the god next to him as he slept. He was barely awake enjoying the cool, yet warm body he curled around, not wanting to wake. "Five more minutes, Loki."

The god chuckled, "I think eight days is more than enough, my love. You must rise now."

Please don't let this be a dream. He hesitated. "If I open my eyes, will you still be here?"

"Of course I will. Please Anthony, let me see into your beautiful eyes." The god whispered as he caressed his cheek. Tony opened his eyes to gaze directly into Loki's brilliant sparkling emerald eyes. "I have missed you." He kissed him lovingly. "I was afraid you would never wake."

Tony smiled, "I have missed you more than you know." He carded his fingers through Loki's hair. "You hair has grown out, a lot."

Obsidian locks reached well passed his shoulders now. "A result from regaining my magic, I think. I am uncertain; however, it needs to be cut. It is too long."

"Don't cut it just yet. I kinda fancy it." Tony smiled and glanced around. "So where are we anyway?"

Loki leaned over his love. "We are in my chambers, in Asgard."

Tony pushed up into Loki's touch as he ran his fingers over his shoulder, across his collarbone, and around the arc reactor, then stilled his hand. "Wait, I thought I wasn't allowed to come to Asgard."

Loki climbed out of his oversized bed. "Exceptions have been made. Roger's is here as well, per Thor's request. Steven was worried after the ordeal, so Odin agreed, allowing him to come. It only seems fitting since he has been with us from the beginning. He appears to be handling it quite well, being on another world and all."

"Tony snorted. "That's saying something being that he can barely handle living in the 21st century. How long are we staying?"

"As long as you wish." Loki came around the side of the bed and held his hand out to Tony. "As much as I would relish staying in bed with you for the rest of eternity, you are in dire need of a bath and I have a few matters to attend to before I can devote all of my attention to you and only you."

Tony took his hand and stood from the bed. This was the first time he had gotten a good look at the god's chambers. "Jesus, your room is huge!" He exclaimed as Loki lead him to the bathroom which was more ornate than any he had ever seen before. "Damn Lok's, I feel like I live in a studio apartment on the upper eastside."

Loki chuckled as he personally prepared the bath with assorted oils. "Well, I am a god after all." He striped Tony down gradually, enjoying the sensation of touching his mortal once again, and then helped him into the gargantuan bath. At the engineers insistence he join him, Loki reluctantly pulled away lest be yanked into the tub himself. "As much as I'd like to and as tempting an offer as it is, I must decline. For now. Your clothes are on the dresser. Take your time and relax. I will be back shortly wherein I will take you to get some proper nourishment. And believe me; you will need it for what I have in store for you." He bent down and placed a chaste kiss upon his lover's lips, which quickly turned heated when Tony wrapped his arms around the god almost pulling him in. Loki chuckled lightly. "Later, my love, for hours upon hours. I promise."

"Mmm, I'm going to hold you to it." Tony ogled him deviously (which almost had the god change his mind about leaving) before settling into this well-deserved luxurious bath.

AN: well, my lovelies, is this better? Not one drop of angst or heartbreak to be found…I think you have deserved it.. The next chapter will be, let us say, a little more lusty.. besides our god of mischief has promises to keep, does he not? Please be so kind as to leave a review.. besitos!