Admittedly controversial in the little group, it'd be hard to say everything was alright, that the bracelet was only a sentiment, even a peace offering. Maybe if Loki had of kept it to himself, there wouldn't be such uproar between the pair, and things wouldn't have been so difficult. But such was life for that of Tony Stark and Loki, as both were as stubborn as mules and both were defensive in their own right even after realising both were wrong. It'd even be hard to say at this point what Tony didn't feel like doing. He could lash out, he really could have, he could have crumpled to the ground and felt hopeless yet again, or he could even have run out and found Thor, awaiting his back hand upon the bastards cheek. But then he'd witness Loki's reaction, a shadow of doubt was enough to run this down into the ground. For how the villain's true emotions may lay deep within for Loki, his mental stability wasn't existent. Bi-polar in cases, but what was he to do? The tension had risen between the two, and Tony almost felt his eyes brimming, yet they were just about under his control. There was a thick silence, something they were so used to was being broken again. Emotions were flying around the place, hitting off the white tiled walls and bouncing back to their opposite owners.

"Is that…?"

"Yes. It's from him."

Silence again, Tony swallowed, staring at the ground. Did Loki recognise what was happening, or was he as lost as he was right now?

"You can't."

Silence.

"…Why not?"

The tension was rising, what had it been, like half an hour now?

"Because… because of what he did to you."

"…He, has explained. His grandmother… passed away suddenly. They were close, Tony, really close. He said, he felt like he couldn't talk about it with anyone. Not even me… I-I've forgiven him."

Lying, cheating, plotting, manipulative, villainous son of a bitch. He sucked his teeth, but kept his eyes trained on the black marbled floor. What did he just hear? The names somewhat unimaginable were running through his mind, spitting out of the black, churning only to revive as even crueller and malevolent.

"No. Please, Loki… I-"

"What is it, Tony. I can't make head or tail of you anymore, why can't you just bloody well come out with it because, for once, you know, I am actually sick of it. All this drama, Tony. Just spit it out."

Just say it, say it, say it, shout it just fucking tell it."

"…I don't want to lose you again." No, chicken, say it right. Don't blow this Tony, you have your chance. Take it.

Loki's face fell, but he masked it instantaneously, and smiled, sudden realisation.

"You never did in the first place."

"You don't understand, Loki, please… I-"

"You're still here! We're ready to order guys would you please just come and sit down! Honestly!" Tony didn't move, Loki snapped his head up, irritated by the sudden interference. Pepper stood, looking at the pair, she saw that both were distraught. Like she had just interrupted something private, she coughed. "Or take as long as you want… whatever"

"No, I think it's best we don't hold Thor from his food don't you?" Always the showman, thought Tony, when Loki quickly rejected her invitation to stay. But then again, so was he.

He put on a face of devastation, the best one he could emerge on his sullen features. How could he be so… dismissive?

Loki had masked his previous emotions to those of subtle indifference. Blocking out all feelings, treading water. He did not glance at Tony, nor acknowledge his presence throughout dinner. He talked and joined in, but was still slightly withdrawn from the animation. Pepper was aware, however, of Tony's apparent fallen puppy dog face, and how he barely touched his food whatsoever. Thor ate however, not finding anything wrong with his less than normal company. Tony sat, not looking at Loki once, Loki wasn't oblivious to this and tried all the same to grab his eye attention. Yet it was all in vain. It's not like he'd done anything extremely wrong, if Tony wasn't being so damn selfish about Loki having a relationship outside of the little groups' then there would be no glowering angelic faced toddler sat in front of him.

The night was endured, and barely tolerated by the two men. Pepper chose finally to leave them to it and she talked with Thor for most of the night, even chatting with the waiter. All in an effort to keep the mood light, and she left plenty of openings for them to join in, but it was a candid effort. Returning home, Tony had asked Pepper if he could possibly spend the night at hers, out of Loki's ear shot, and she had obliged, believing she'd fish the problem out of him when they got back.

Thor had driven himself back, the other three took the cab. Pepper sat in the front, leaving the two men to squish into the back. Tony's hand brushed off Loki's knee, as did Loki's knee off Tony's. It was like high school again, where the awkward feeling of butterflies swims into your stomach after that limb brush of fate. He felt stupid when at the same time they both mumbled sorry, finally settling down into a less comfortable position in aid to keep each other as far away as possible. Why had he mentioned anything, everything normal feels unnatural and awkward as be damned.

I should question him further, I know he had something else to say. God if only I had let him say it instead of leaving the bathroom. What on earth was I thinking? It was my idea for him to say it. Why are we acting like this Anthony, what has happened here? He's refusing to even look at me, staring into the rain. Turn around goddammit! … I'll get something out of him when we get home, he'll have to answer me then. I'll bust his door in if I have to. What on earth am I doing here? …And of course there's Steve to think of now. C'mon Loki… think, think, think.

*Meet me on the Enquinox, meet me halfway…* The cab driver turned up the music, politely trying to drown out the silence.

I knew he'd never feel the same way. All this time I've been lying to the one person who I can be honest with. Myself. Tony sighed, clenching his fists and continued to watch the rain batter the windows. He'd like to be outside right now.

*your last breath, moving through you… As everything, everything ends, as everything, everything ends.*

That music is starting to irritate me, mr driver. I can't think straight. But Loki didn't speak, he simply stared at Tony's clenched fist on his knee.

Tony could feel his eyes watching his hand, but he boldly left it as it was, daring not to move. He felt so sick, and completely ecstatic at the same time. His stomach was going crazy with the weight of Loki's gaze upon him, not to mention his head. I should have told him, I should have said it. I had my chance-
A slight cough escaped his lips.
-I love him.