HUD: So, here is another installment to the prompts! :) I'll just tell you guys this one - it's mermen. :D This will be chaptered, so enjoy!

Also, I got a promotion at work, which means I'm going to have less time to write for a few weeks. Please be patient, my friends. I haven't forgotten anything! :)

Tony Stark hated meetings. He hated meetings almost as much as he hated no coffee in the morning, which was horrendous. The only reason he went to them was because of Pepper Potts.

Tony might have hated meetings, but he was terrified of her more.

So that brought him here, to the beautiful coast of Cuba. It was a work-related trip, but that hardly mattered. He and Pepper were the representatives for Stark Industries at a somewhat small clean energy seminar, and after Tony gave his third speech and fiftieth hand shake of the day, he was ready to call it quits.

Tony blatantly ignored the calling of his name from some guy he already forgot the name of (Joe? Jim? Whatever - the ZenTech asshat) as he exited the hotel, finishing up his text to Pepper.

Tony, you're really doing this?

Yeah, sorry/not sorry. See you at dinner! X

The genius pushed his mobile into his pocket and kept walking. He left the swimming pool and lounge area and headed for the path to the private beach. All those uptight bigwigs would be inside, and the beach was for guest accommodation only. He shouldn't run in to any locals or anyone from the seminars.

Tony slipped out of his loafers as soon as he touched sand, picking the shoes up in his hand. The beach was as he'd hoped - deserted - and beautiful. The sun was just beginning to set over crystal blue water, a myriad of hues and depths of blue that Tony had only ever seen on enhanced computer backgrounds.

They weren't so enhanced, he decided - the shades were pretty spot on.

Tony took a left and walked the length of the beach. He rolled the legs of his slacks up once the tide began to shift. The water was warm and welcome against his toes. Tony walked slowly and kept an eye on the sunset, trailing lower and lower beside the sea until the sky above him began to tinge purple.

Tony knew he had walked for an easy thirty minutes away from the hotel. A quick glance over his shoulder proved no one had followed him; even better to watch the sunset alone, then. He found a smooth rock a few feet up from the tides and sat down. He expected the water would eventually reach him, but for the time being he could simply enjoy.

The soft lap of water evened out Tony's breathing and allowed him to relax for the first time all trip. Pepper wanted them to attend these things together, but really she could do just fine on her own and Tony knew that. She was new(ish) to the game, and so Tony allowed her a few trumps throughout the year. A trip to Cuba just so happened to be one of them.

Tony leaned back on his elbows and crossed his legs at his ankles. He took a deep breath and let his head fall back; he looked at a dense collection of palm trees and ferns and closed his eyes. The sounds of the water and the soft rustle of branches and the distant cries of wildlife encompassed him, creating a picture in his mind's eye as beautiful as his actual surroundings.

That's when he heard it.

It was so soft at first that Tony thought he was imagining things. He opened his eyes and stared behind him, towards the dense vegetation. There couldn't possibly be anything beyond there but thick bramble and mosquitoes he had no intention of finding.

The music proved otherwise, and Tony found himself pushing away from his warm rock and walking over. The wide branches of the trees cast enough shade and foreboding to dissuade any sane person from progressing, but obviously Cuba had never met someone like Tony Stark.

After some working and willpower, Tony was able to push through to a semi-hidden path, weathered by age and disuse. The sand was softer there, and cooler. Small sea shells pricked his soles as he walked, but Tony hardly paid it any mind. The further he walked the louder the voice grew, more melodious. There were no words, but the tone was rich and deep and so sad. It made Tony yearn beyond a sense he could understand, the sensation so sudden that it stuttered his steps and made his heart swell.

After several more steps, Tony could just make out the shape of a person. He brushed aside a few more branches and paused, taking a moment to admire the hidden beauty of what he found.

There was indeed a person in the clearing, sitting atop a rock similar to how Tony had been. His head rested against his shoulders, cascading long black locks that barely grazed the top of the rock. The man's back was to Tony, giving the inventor a few more moments to observe and listen. The stranger's voice was beautiful and rich, a low baritone that simply flowed around and through Tony so subtly that it left him wanting for more.

Tony decided he needed to know his name and stepped out from where he'd been hiding. "Hey."

The man turned calmly, as if he had known Tony was there the whole time. His eyes were so green that they practically glowed in the waning light. "Hello, there."

He had an odd accent, something that Tony couldn't quite place. The greeting urged him to move closer, however. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I overheard you from the beach, and I - "

"Did you, now?" He man asked, his tone slightly surprised. Even just speaking his voice was enchanting. "How very interesting."

"Why's that?" Tony asked, unable to help himself. The man smirked, a ghost motion of his lips that disappeared as soon as it came. He rolled over, bracing himself on his elbows with his chin on one fist. The other pulled his hair over his other shoulder before joining the first; Tony swallowed.

"Not many listen to my song," he answered. "It has been heard, but never listened for."

Tony furrowed his brows. "Seriously? It sounds fucking amazing."

The man laughed, the sound almost as beautiful as the song that pulled Tony there. His eyes sparkled with an amusement that Tony immediately felt drawn to. "My thanks."

Tony smiled, then. "What brings you all the way out here? Are you staying at the resort?" If so, room number, please.

The man dropped one of his palms flat to the rock and shook his head. "No."

Tony couldn't help the slight disappointment he felt. "Are you local, then?"

The man smirked again, that small quirk that belied something more. "You could say that." There was a soft splash that drew Tony's attention. He tilted his head slightly and noticed the shallow pool of ocean water behind the man. The clearing was walled on one side by rocks and boulders, but there seemed to be just enough space for the water to trail in to make the pool; that coupled with the trees along the sides made the entire area into a makeshift grotto.

"You don't seem like a local," Tony ventured. It was true - the man was not obviously Cuban. He pushed his hands into his pockets and relaxed his posture. "You look more like you'd belong where I'm from."

The stranger's smirk dipped slightly, his eyes dropping to where his hand pressed against the rock. There was a shift in the air around him, his mood altering more to match the sadness of the song that drew Tony. The genius suddenly felt like a jerk.

"Hey, sorry," Tony quickly said. The man looked up again, confusion furrowing his brow handsomely. "I didn't mean - "

"It is fine," he answered, tilting his head to one side. "You are a curious one."

Tony flashed a quick smile. "Curious enough to earn your name?"

The man smiled and quirked his eyebrow just as Tony's phone went off. He huffed and drew his mobile free to see a message from Pepper about dinner, prompting him to look over his shoulder. Tony could just make out the sun entirely gone, the light within the grove dwindling.

"Shit, I'm sorry," Tony cursed, typing an answer back. "I have to get back, but I - " he looked back at the stranger under his lashes, disappointed to already see the man turning away. "I can come back."

The stranger hummed, sliding from his rock and further into the pool. "Will you, now?"

"Yeah," Tony answered, suddenly more determined by the drawl of the other's voice. "Yeah, of course. When will you be here? Around the same time?"

He glanced briefly over his shoulder. "I can be."

"Will you?" Tony asked. He felt slightly vulnerable, asking a literal random stranger to meet with him again. Not that he hadn't before, but this felt different, somehow. Intimate.

The man looked towards the rocks where the ocean leaked through, the water catching what little light was left and reflecting it across his face. His cheekbones were high and sharp, and the light left behind enticing shadows across his fair skin.

"Yes, I will."

Tony smiled as he looked back. "Good, great. I'll see you tomorrow, then. We'll talk more before the moon comes up, yeah?"

"Yes," the man answered with his own smile. He turned back to look across the water, seemingly dismissing Tony for another day. The genius wasn't quite ready to go.

"What's your name?" He asked. "I'm Tony."

Those green eyes swung on his again, suddenly sharp and bright. "I am Loki." Tony wanted to shake his hand, but something kept him where he was.

"Alright, Loki," he said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Loki nodded. "Until then."

"Yeah," Tony added. He paused for one more moment, drawing in the picture of Loki pressing his back to the rock he had been sitting on. The sunlight was almost entirely gone, forcing Tony to turn away to make it through the foliage before the lack of light caused trouble.

Tony stepped out onto the main beach a minute or so later, not at all surprised that he could make out Loki's voice again amongst the louder sound of the ocean. Speaking of, he made his way towards the rock he had been sitting on and groaned.

He'd left his shoes there, and goddammit, the tide whisked them away. Tony sighed, glad he'd packed an extra pair. Tomorrow he would wear his flip flops and not leave them abandoned, regardless of how enticing Loki was.

The next day, Tony was a mess. Horribly distracted at best, and he hardly slept at all the night before. Sure he had played his part with Pepper for the partners at dinner and stole away to his room as soon as he could, but still he couldn't rest. He tossed and turned and eventually ended up on his balcony. Tony looked towards where he had met Loki, the grotto fresh in his mind but entirely hidden from view. The mysteries surrounding that man were just the distraction he needed from his stupid work shit but not from sleep. As he looked on, he almost swore he could still hear that mournful song.

Pepper commented on his state after the beginning of the break for lunch. He sat through everything with his sunglasses on just in case he began to doze.

"Are you alright?" She whispered, touching his elbow. Tony looked towards her and felt guilty for the worry in her eyes, but he didn't think he could fully explain his behavior.

"Sure I am, Pep," he answered with a smile. Her brows furrowed (he never really could get away with lying to her) and her lips pressed in a thin line.

"I don't believe you," Pepper concluded. She folded her arms over her chest and quirked an eyebrow. "You're telling me right now."

Tony sighed. He didn't want to tell her exactly why he couldn't sleep, but he knew of a sure fire way to evade. "I was just wrapped up in my own head. This is the longest I've been away from my lab, you know." Pepper looked unimpressed. "What, I'm serious! Insomnia is just making me its bitch right now."

His PA sighed and smiled softly. "Well, if that's it - "

"It is," he answered, taking and squeezing her hand. "I'm sure I'll be fine soon."

Pepper squeezed back. "Good; let's go eat, then."

Tony walked beside her to the luncheon room, his guilt flaring up again. He wasn't sure why, exactly, he couldn't tell her what he'd found on the beach. Something was holding him back in that same odd way that something had drawn him to Loki. Maybe after talking to Loki again he would be able to. Tony hated keeping secrets from Pepper; she was more than just his employee, she was his best friend and the closest thing he still had to family. Because of that, Tony knew she would understand why even if he didn't himself.

The rest of the day trickled slowly away until Tony was finally free to steal off to the beach. He changed from his stuffy slacks and suit to something more suited - soft white drawstring 'beach' pants (seriously the name) with a matching white shirt and the flip flops he would not be taking off.

Pepper waved at him from where she lounged by the pool as he strode by. "Walking on the beach again?" She asked, looking at him through her shades. Tony nodded.

"Yeah; helps clear my mind," he answered. Truthfully, he was happy to notice.

Pepper smiled and leaned back against the lounge chair. "Don't get lost."

"I won't!" He called, already opening the gate to the beach. He knew exactly where he was going anyway, and this time he wouldn't waste time sightseeing.

Tony walked until he found the rock that banished his loafers and paused, looking to see if perhaps they had washed up a few feet away. His hunt was distracted, however, by the same sound he heard the night before. Tony's stomach flipped - he really came back - as he abandoned his futile search and instead looked for the path he took previously.

Tony found it with little trouble and walked quietly, enjoying the melody. Loki's voice was still rich and deep and comforting, but the tone was still saddened. Tony wanted to ask what could possibly upset him, and, who's ass did he need to kick to end it.

He came upon Loki the same as before, pausing to appreciate the sight. The pale man lounged against the rock again, his lower half beneath the water. He rested his chin in one palm as his other hand traced idle shapes on the rock while he hummed. The sight was beautiful - the sunlight fell through breaks in the leaves to dance across the grotto, accenting Loki as the jewel in the middle. It darkened his hair with shadows and brightened his skin with light, taking Tony's breath away. He certainly hoped Loki wasn't too attached to Cuba.

"Hey," Tony finally called, slightly embarrassed by the deepening of his voice. He swallowed and smiled, stepping fully from the path. Loki looked up, his eyes still so bright, and smiled softly.

"My, you are early," he drawled, crossing his arms over the rock. Tony shrugged.

"So are you," he observed. Loki lifted one shoulder elegantly to match the shrug Tony had given.

"Perhaps I never left," he answered lightly. Tony blinked, making Loki's smile turn mischievous.

"Don't tell me you slept out here," Tony asked seriously, stepping towards Loki. Before he had lingered closer to the trees; today, he wanted to be much, much closer.

Loki shook his head, his smile still lingering. "No, and I did not stay." He leaned over the other side of the rock away from Tony, giving the inventor a wonderful view of his naked chest. The muscles bunched and pulled as he twisted, making Tony swallow, until he came back into view. "I believe these belong to you?"

Tony looked away from his eyes to his hands, suddenly surprised to see his loafers from the day before. "My loafers! How did you - ?"

Loki shook his head and beckoned Tony with a curling index finger. Tony willed himself forward until he stood over the rock Loki lounged on. The man offered his shoes up, which Tony took gently, before crossing his arms over the rock again and smiling up at him. "My secret."

Tony blinked, looking from first his shoes and then to Loki. "These were washed out to sea. Did they come back on your way or something?" His curiosity was getting the better of him. The shoes weren't wet, debunking his own statement but not his curiosity. Maybe they had washed up after he left and Loki found them and set them out to dry?

Loki just continued to smile and didn't answer. Tony furrowed his brow but didn't press. He set his newly reacquired shoes down on the soft sand and sat on the rock with Loki. The other tilted his head slightly to still hold his gaze but made no move to leave.

"Tell me about yourself," he asked, eyes bright. "I would like to know about you, Tony."

Tony nodded - he could talk, sure. Perhaps, in exchange, he would learn more about Loki. He began with his company and explained what he did. When he touched on the unlimited clean energy, Loki's eyes lit up. He asked calculated questions, things only someone entirely new to the topic would ask. Tony answered them all and explained most of the science behind it, too. Loki devoured all of his answers and comments eagerly. It made Tony smile - Loki sounded a lot like he did whenever he found something incredibly interesting. He wanted to know all about it, and it seemed Loki shared the same appetite for knowledge as he.

Tony then moved to his home in New York, his flat in Stark Tower. He asked if Loki had ever been, to which the man shook his head. Tony smiled and began to describe a world exactly opposite of Cuba.

"Imagine the tallest buildings you could ever think of, all in one place," he said. Tony loved the way Loki's eyes lit up as he spoke. "Instead of trees and rocks, buildings made of steel and glass that light the night like stars in the sky." He waved his hand for emphasis, having always been someone who spoke with his entire body. Loki tracked the motion with a smile, his eyes softening as they settled back to hold Tony's gaze. "The best view is the highest you could get, which is the roof of my tower. You can literally see for miles on a clear night. Reds and greens and blues, blinking lights - it's amazing."

"It sounds like you lead a wonderful life," Loki said softly, his chin resting on his palm. Tony grinned sheepishly, feeling a bit of heat raising up his neck.

"Sometimes," he answered, his grin softening. "Why don't you take the reigns? Tell me about Loki."

Loki sighed and dropped his gaze to the rock. There was a sudden sadness there that wasn't before that left Tony scrambling. "If you want to," he added quickly. "Otherwise, I can just keep going."

Loki met his gaze again. "That is noble of you," he began. "However, it is only fair that I concede as well." Loki paused, as if to decide what and how much to share.

"I do live here," he answered after a moment. "A little further away, but not far. I have been traveling to this grotto for several years, now. You are the second person I have ever met."

Tony blinked. "Only the second person you've met here?" Loki paused before shaking his head no. Tony blinked again. "Only the second person you've met ever?"

"Yes," Loki answered softly. "Do you find that strange?"

"That depends on the variables," Tony said. "Of which I know I'm missing some."

Loki smiled, then. "You remember I said that many hear my song, but few listen to it?" Tony nodded. "You are the first to actually listen; the one before merely heard."

Tony felt like he still wasn't getting a straight answer, but the only way to find out was to ask directly, and well, Tony was nothing except painfully direct. "Loki, what do you mean?"

Loki pushed away from the rock, making Tony flinch. Was he about to leave? Had Tony pushed too far? Every possible scenario rushed through his mind except the one - the very obvious one that Loki was totally using to literally blow his mind.

"I have heard stories from those of my kind that speak to land dwellers; they say we are believed to lure travelers and sailors to their deaths by our songs," Loki said, pulling himself fully up on the rock. Tony felt his eyes widen. "It is lore, I can assure you. We are peaceful. However, the one before you did not think so. He found me and attempted to kill me before I could him, in his words." Loki waved a hand in the air to dismiss it, his tone amused. Tony couldn't tear his eyes away. "You did not mind my song, Tony. If anything, it seems to have drawn you to me."

At his name, Tony looked up to meet Loki's gaze. His eyes danced with mirth and curiosity, the green brighter than ever before. Tony quirked a smile, his initial shock beginning to dwindle. "You could say that."

Loki smiled back at him, shuffling further back on the rock until they were side by side. He dropped a hand to his lap and brushed away what looked like traces of seaweed. "Tony, I want to ask - have you met another, or am I your first?"

Tony trailed his gaze along Loki, now fully free of water. From his torso up, he was definitely human. He was lithe but strong and taunt; about three inches below his navel it began. Scaling, or what Tony was pretty sure it was, folded carefully one over the next. It encompassed Loki from his hipbones down to where his feet would have been, where a wide red fin was instead. All of his scaling was a deep red with a shimmer of gold - oddly enough, Tony's favourite combination.

He pretended to think, both to tease Loki and to give himself some time to absorb meeting a fucking mermaid. "You know, I can safely say you're the first."

Loki smiled brightly, his teeth white and, well, normal. Tony kind of expected fangs. "It is a shame you aren't my first, then."

Tony really couldn't be blamed for the direction his mind went with that phrase, so he just smiled back. "I'll agree with that. So that's how you got my shoes, huh?"

Loki nodded. "After you left, I did as well. I quite literally swam into them as they sank."

Tony laughed at the image of Loki bumping his nose into his loafers. "Sorry for that."

Loki chuckled as well, the sound still as beautiful as before. "I can say I've had worse." Tony laughed again and shook his head. Loki was definitely something.

They settled into a companionable silence, looking out from the rock they shared over the ocean. Tony looked at it in a new light now, his knowledge of what lies beneath the waves entirely skewed. Having met Loki, he fully believed there was more to this world than just what science could explain. Granted the evolution made sense, but Tony was openly enjoying the feeling of an unknown. Normally he would drive himself crazy trying to decipher any and everything, but he didn't feel frenzied by this. Loki was real; he was sitting directly beside him as they watched a sunset, and even with his lack of sleep, Tony didn't believe he was hallucinating.

But he could never be too sure.

"Hey," he said softly, breaking the serene silence between them. Loki tilted his head to show he was listening. "Can I - and, I'm not trying to be weird or anything, but - could I, maybe, uh, touch...you?"

Loki turned to face him, but Tony pointedly didn't look. His request came out way lamer than he'd been aiming for, especially since Loki was still stunning and normally he had, like, no problem talking to gorgeous people because he was Tony fucking Stark, but he supposed he could cut himself some slack because, well, Loki was a fucking mermaid -

"Yes," Loki said, halting all of Tony's doubts. He looked over and blinked, feeling heat raise up his neck.

"If that's, like, too much, please don't - " God, he sounded like a stuttering teenager with a crush.

"Would it be too much to admit that I want you to?" Loki countered, again halting any and all of Tony's fumbling.

"No," Tony said, his throat suddenly feeling dry. He swallowed and shifted to fully face Loki, his legs hanging off the side of the rock. During their chat he'd taken off his flip flops (safely - he checked first), leaving his feet bare. His toes grazed the tip of Loki's fin, barely touching the water. Loki didn't flinch or pull away, giving Tony the little bit of courage he needed.

He felt his heart rate increase as he lowered his palm to where Loki's thigh would have been. The scales were smooth and damp and warmed from the sun. Tony smiled quickly and glanced at Loki - he wore a smile himself, but softer. He inclined his head to silently urge Tony to explore.

Tony didn't have to be told twice.

Tony ran his palm slowly along the scales, enjoying the smoothness. When he slid his hand back up, he felt the ridges of each scale ripple. Loki shifted, and Tony could immediately feel the muscles beneath press up against him. He grinned, feeling giddy as he traced a few of the scales with his fingertips. "You're amazing, you know?"

Loki chuckled, the sound reverberating through his body and shaking his scales. The motion tickled Tony's fingers. "I can say the same of you."

Tony smiled and looked back to Loki. He knew Loki had been watching him the entire time, but he didn't mind. "You win, though. I mean, obviously."

Loki chuckled again. "I suppose."

"Loki," Tony began, dropping his gaze back to where his hand had settled. He wondered if Loki could feel his palm shake. "Can I - would it be too presumptuous of me to ask if I could kiss you?"

Loki tilted his head again, this time in curiosity. "I would think not, but I'm afraid I don't know what that is."

Tony blinked and looked up to see if Loki was lying. He wasn't, his eyes bright and calm. Tony felt his heart beat just a little faster. "I can show you, if you'd like."

"I would," Loki answered immediately. "Show me, please."

Tony nodded and swallowed, feeling his heart still race. He inched slightly closer, sliding his palm over to Loki's other side to pull him closer as well. Loki allowed it, dropping his left hand over Tony's. Tony brought his other hand up to Loki's face, tucking back a few strands of hair behind his ear.

"Ready?" He whispered, now just a few inches from Loki's lips. It was mostly to be courteous, but partially Tony was asking himself. Loki nodded, and Tony took the plunge and closed the distance to press their lips together.

Tony really shouldn't have been amazed at how wonderfully their lips slid together, but he was. Loki gasped slightly but didn't pull away; Tony wanted to take the movement as an invitation but refrained. If this really was Loki's first kiss, then he sure as hell wasn't going to ruin it for a little tongue.

After a brief hesitation, Loki pressed back. His lips were soft and pliant, if a little searching. Loki learned from the tentative pressure Tony applied and adapted it for himself, surprising Tony when he suddenly wasn't in charge of the direction of the kiss. Loki angled his head just slightly and applied the right amount of pressure that Tony actually moaned.

The sound must have surprised Loki because a laugh bubbled up between them; his lips spread into a smile he couldn't fight. Tony felt himself smile right back as Loki's chuckle disrupted the kiss, the laughter traveling through him to warm Tony's chest. Loki pulled back but Tony followed, pressing once more against those smiling lips.

Tony's smile grew when he opened his eyes again and watched Loki lick his lips. "That was a kiss?" He asked, bringing his fingers up to Tony's face.

"Yeah," Tony answered, turning to press his lips against Loki's fingers in a soft peck. "What did you think?"

Loki smiled and traced the sharp edges of Tony's facial hair. "This tickled."

Tony grinned. "It can, sometimes."

Loki hummed and trailed along his jaw, then his neck, and came to rest on the slight jut of his clavicle through the thin shirt. "Can we do it again?"

Tony swallowed, watching Loki's eyes drop to where his throat worked. "Yeah."

This time, Loki leaned forward. He pressed his lips to where he watched Tony's throat bob, breathing warm air as he followed the trail his finger had. His lips were soft and cool on Tony's skin, and as he again reached Tony's lips, the genius pulled his body until he could feel the press of scales through his drawstring pants.

The kiss was as soft and languid as before; Tony allowed Loki to take control and explore, occasionally tilting his chin for a better angle. His heart hammered in his chest and his palms shook, but Tony never pulled away. He rubbed along Loki's flank, trailing the meeting of skin and scale along his hipbone. Loki tentatively gave a lick and Tony was not at all ashamed of the lewd sound he made.

Loki pulled back at the sound and smiled. "Am I doing fine?"

"Yeah," Tony breathed. "Better than fine. You sure you haven't done this before?"

"I have been told I am a quick learner," Loki answered. Tony snorted.

"Understatement, but okay," he leaned in for a soft peck and sighed. The sun was already almost gone and the sky was definitely turning dark. It was a shame, because Tony wanted nothing more than to ignore it and stay with Loki. But Pepper would be worried, and he didn't doubt she would be able to find him if she tried.

"Loki, I have to go," he muttered.

"I understand," Loki answered quietly. He took Tony's hand from his side and held it in both of his. "Can you return?"

"Yes," Tony said without hesitation. "I can come back tomorrow, same time. Will you be here?"

"I can be," Loki teased, a coy smile curling his lips. Tony smiled back.

"Will you?" He asked, echoing their conversation from the night before.

"Yes, I will," Loki answered. Tony's smile grew as he leaned forward for another quick kiss, surprising himself with how much he just wanted to touch Loki.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he whispered, to which Loki nodded. He reluctantly pulled away from him and slipped his flip flops on. Tony stooped to grasp his loafers and waved slightly, his gaze lingering on Loki.

The waning light caught his scales and set them to shimmer red and gold, and Tony was pretty sure he was in love. Loki was beautiful and special, something only Tony could have. Walking away then was simple, but he already knew leaving the island after the seminar would be anything but. If Loki were willing, he'd find a way.

"Have a good night, Tony," Loki said, shaking him from his thoughts. Tony nodded.

"You, too," he said with a smile. Tony was aware of exactly how much he'd been smiling, knowing full and well the reason for it. He waved again, his stomach flipping when Loki did the same.

Tony turned and headed for the beach, feeling Loki's eyes on him as he walked. He pushed aside branches and stepped lightly, the path yielding and giving him no trouble. As he reached the white sand of the beach, he could hear Loki begin to sing again. This time, the song wasn't quite as melancholy as before.

Tony met Pepper for dinner in the foyer, holding up his shoes. "Gotta run to the room first."

"Are those the loafers you lost yesterday?" She asked, falling into step beside him. "I thought you said the tide took them out."

"Yeah," he answered, smiling. "Guess I had a little help."

A/N: Hope you all enjoyed! Please let me know your thoughts. :) Also, go check out Shi-Toyu's version - it's wonderful. :3