A/N: Time frame wise, this is set 8 years after Burning Curve, for reference. :)
So updates might be a little slow as I deal with some big personal stuff. If you're interested you can read about it at my Tumblr. megaranoelle . tumblr . com
I don't own The Avengers, Loki, Iron Man, or anything of the like. Just the thoughts inside my head. And taking some personal freedoms with mythology and lore.
Loki frowned, looking at the clock, and glanced out the window. The sun was getting lower towards the horizon and Tony still wasn't home. Bruce was with Melisande, the little girl insisting on giving the scientist a tour of the house.
"Sir?" JARVIS intoned and Loki turned from the balcony window. "My systems registered that Mr Stark's vehicle entered the premises exactly 32 minutes ago, but he has not entered the house. I have tried contacting him from the vehicle's remote access and have been unable to reach him."
"Thank you, JARVIS," Loki said even though his frown grew deeper. He headed for the front door and saw the car, then saw Tony on the ground by the car. Loki ran over to him and fell to his knees, pulling Tony's head to his legs. "Tony? Tony, I need you to answer me." Loki started to rub Tony's temples, lightly slapping his cheeks. The man didn't even flinch. "Tony, come on." He let his magic do a quick once over, probing for any wounds that might have caused his condition.
Loki closed his eyes and let his magic go a little deeper. At least he tried. He frowned and opened his eyes when his magic was rejected. That was something that Tony was unable to do, their connection as Master and Pet prevented him from doing that. Loki moved quickly, picking Tony up, his arm under Tony's knees, moving a little slower with his growing stomach. He needed to get Tony inside of the house quickly, not willing to leave either himself or Tony subject to another attack.
He seemed to be in luck when he was able to make it to their bedroom without running into Bruce or Melisande. He didn't want to worry the little girl. He extended his powers as much as he could to activate protection runes that were around the mansion. Loki thought he might have to make some new ones, unaware of how strong this new enemy might be.
Tony's chest moved evenly like he was asleep, but something was obviously wrong. Loki couldn't think of anyone in recent history who would want to attack either one of them. Their trip to Jotunheim had been peaceful, and uneventful after announcing Emma's engagement. Hela was still secluded in Helheim, and Elpis was positive that Pandora's box was still hidden.
"Dad?" Loki turned when he heard the little voice at the door. Melisande was standing with Bruce looking at them. "Daddy sweepy?"
Loki got up and walked over, picking up the little girl. "Yes he is sweetheart," Loki told her. He glanced at Bruce and the shorter man took the hint and walked into the room as Loki walked out with his daughter. "Did you show Uncle Bruce your play room?" She nodded with a smile on her face. "Would you like to invite your brother over for dinner tonight?" Loki wasn't sure if Eindride, Elpis and Sander would be in danger being so close to them in Malibu and San Francisco. "You can help Sander in the kitchen."
Melisande let out a little gasp and nodded quickly. "Yes! Pwease!" She added the second word after a short pause. Loki kissed her cheek and sat down on the couch, balancing her on his leg. He grabbed a StarkPad from the table and turned it on.
"Let's call them, and you can ask. I think they would like that." Melisande put her little hand on the pad, looking for Sander's name to call first. Loki glanced down the hall but didn't see Bruce coming out yet.
"San!" Loki glanced back over at the screen when Melisande called out his name.
"Hi Melli!" Sander grinned at her from the screen. He glanced at Loki and could see that something was off. "What's up, munchkin?"
"Dinner? Unca Bwuce here!" Loki could still feel impressed that his 15 month old daughter was getting closer to complete sentences. "Pwease? We cook?"
"How can I say no to cooking with you? I'd love to come to dinner." Melisande giggled and clapped her hands. "I'll see you in a little bit, okay?"
"Okay! Bye!" She smiled and waved before the screen went blank as the call ended. "Call Anners now?" She looked back at Loki. When he nodded she started to move through the names again on the screen, pressing little fingers to start a call with her other brother.
Eindride answered the call, Elpis next to him, sorting through some papers for him to sign, both still at the office. "Well, hello squirt." Elpis glanced at the screen and smiled at them.
"Hi, Anners. Hi Elppy." Melisande even managed to get Elpis to look away from paperwork, which not even Eindride was able to do most of the time. "Dinner? Unca Bwuce here! San cook! Pwease?" Loki could practically see Elpis gushing over how cute it was, knowing that being pregnant made it look more adorable than it should be.
"Of course we'll come over for dinner, sweetheart," Elpis answered. "We're just going to finish up some work and we'll be right over."
"Yay!" She put her hands in the air in excitement. "Tank you. Bye!" She waved before touching the screen to end the call. Melisande looked back up at Loki. "They coming! San cook!"
"Very good, darling." Loki dropped a kiss on her forehead. "You need to change your clothes now. You can't cook in your play clothes." Melisande wiggled down from Loki's lap and hurried as fast as she could back to her room to pick out some clothes. Loki got up and followed her, stopping by his bedroom door to glance inside. Bruce had just pulled the blanket over Tony's legs and headed for the door.
"I can't find anything natural that's wrong with him," Bruce told him quietly. "All of his vitals are normal, but it appears that he has no reflex reactions, and he doesn't appear to be in an REM sleep cycle. It's odd, he's not asleep, but he is. It's magical in nature, and I can't do anything about that."
Loki let out a little sigh and nodded. "Thank you. Can you make sure that Melisande manages to get changed? I need to check on him. Sander, Eindride and Elpis are on their way as well." Bruce nodded and headed for the toddler's bedroom. Loki walked into the room, shutting the door and over to Tony. Bruce had taken off his glasses and Loki pushed Tony's hair back from his face.
"Tony, I need to know what happened. I need to know if we're in danger." Loki looked at him, Tony looking peaceful, but he knew this was anything but normal. "I need to know how to help you." He let out a sigh.