A/N: I am SO sorry about the delay. I was grounded from the computer. This chapter is short, but I haven't really had time to work on it. I guess this is sort of filler and comfort. The awesome stuff is next chapter. Which will be huge if I remember right.

Please give "Chasing Cars" By Snow Patrol a listen for this part.

Oh, and thank you for everything guys! The reviews! The views! The faves! I am so happy! And please keep it up.

Tony raised an eyebrow unable to immediately come up with a reply. With others he had been with, the phrase had been so eagerly thrown about that it lost its value. But this was Loki. This was not just some small, meaningless cluster of words. This had some serious weight behind it.

Tony remained silent for a little while. "I ... the feeling is mutual, Shakespeare." He said warmly. But as soon as the words left his lips he instantaneously despised his own unwillingness. He wanted to just say- Loki, I love you too. But the words wouldn't come. And it sickened him. Hid own coldness and inability to love.

Loki was too inebriated to notice what his words had done, though he meant it all. He cuddled against Tony's chest, nestling his face in Tony's neck and breathing in his scent he began to snore softly.

Tony sighed; this was so not his style. It was almost humorous. Ask any of his former lovers if he was clingy, touchy feely, warm and fuzzy type and they would respond with a scoff. He usually never showed such ... genuine warmth. Sure he usually came across as a people-person and was very sociable ... but none of it was genuine. And Tony was almost ... just a little bit (though he would never admit it) scared of the power Loki had over him. The power that would make him share his soul, make him feel such deep emotions.

Loki looked up into Tony's face, smiling broadly. Then, giggling, he ducked up and pecked on Tony's lips, turning scarlet.

Tony was not overly surprised ... but he still responded rather tentatively to the unfamiliar action. "Hmm, Loki?" he managed to mutter when Loki pulled back. Damn, Tony thought, there was moonlight pouring through the thin blinds and Loki's pitch black hair was completely messy and rumpled. And with the carefree look in his eyes, Tony had to use every ounce of self control not to just tackle him.

"I love you," Loki repeated, "And you love me ..." he trailed off his brow suddenly furrowing "I never want to go home. He suddenly drew back and burst into tears. "I never ever want to go home!"

Tony refrained from groaning, although he certainly felt like it. Instead he sat up and embraced his friend firmly. He could feel the hot tears lightly hitting his shoulder.

"Loki ..." he breathed soothingly, "You don't have to go home if you don't want to." He whispered slowly, making his words slow and precise. He would not allow the alcohol to muddy his words. And he purposefully skirted around the "L" word thing. He was not nearly drunk enough to talk about that.

Loki stopped crying, pulling from the embrace, his face wet. "Do you truly mean that?" He didn't have all his mental functions at the moment and everything he'd been holding back was threatening to come spilling out.

"Of course I do." Tony said decisively, staring into the red rimmed emeralds before him. The best he could do right now was to be there for his friend, to be there to put him back together after he poured out his soul. Tony only wished that someone had been there for him to open up to. But no, he had kept it all to himself. He had it all away inside.

"Why didn't he tell me sooner? Why did they give me up? Am I some kind of horrid monster no one wants? I was never the best. It always went to that empty headed moron." Loki finished with a hiccup.

At first Tony just listened, clasping his friend's pale hands firmly. Loki just needed to let it our right now. Tony was there simply to put it back together. When he seemed to have stopped, Tony cupped his face in his hands and stared into his eyes.

"Loki-stop. Stop it right now. Odin didn't tell you because he thought he could raise you as his own. But it turns out that you are superior to his biological son. Therefore, he naturally tried to put his focus on his son. But only because you were far surpassing Thor. And Loki ... you are not a monster." He said with utter conviction, and it was genuine. "Would you be here in my bed if you were?"

Loki looked into Tony's amber eyes, "Really?" He hadn't thought it that way before.

Tony sighed, still holding Loki's face. "Loks, listen to me. You are not a monster. You and I are ... different. But we are not monsters. You can't think that way. Believe me-I have. And it never leads to good things. So please Loki ... don't do that to yourself."

Loki sniffed, trying to relax to Tony's words. "Why would you think of yourself as a monster? None of it was your fault."

Tony pulled his hands away and averted his gaze. His expression hardened. "It's ... complicated."

Loki flinched, used to Tony's comforting warmth. He had not meant to upset him. "You can tell my anything, you know." He whispered.

Tony sighed, running a hand through his hair. Good gods, all the wine was not helping anything. "I know. And I really, truly, honestly am sincerely thankful for that. Just knowing that I can tell you is enough for now, though." He tried to soften his tone. He was internally berating himself for already pushing Loki away. "I'm sorry, Loks." He muttered.

Loki looked down at his hands, suddenly wishing he'd never suggested they drink. It had led to so much pain and misery. "It's fine." He whispered and slid down under the covers, rolling over carefully, his back to Tony.

Strengthening his resolve, Tony looked over Loki. He was not going to let this slip through his fingers. Not like Tony. He was not going to push him away. "May I?" he said softly, scotching up behind Loki. Very tentatively, he put his arms around his friend and rested his forehead on his shoulder.

Loki tensed and let out a frustrated breath. He did so enjoy Tony's warm body against his. He took a breath and relaxed. "It is your room." He relented, hiding his feelings behind the words.

"Thank you," Tony whispered. Right now, he just needed someone to be there. He gently slipped into sleep and did not have his usual nightmares. They usually left him sweating and weary when he woke. But tonight, his dreams were clear and peaceful. '

Loki lay awake a bit longer, thinking over his life. He remembered every time he was ignored while Thor was praised and thought over Tony's words. He didn't know when these memories became dreams but he eventually fell asleep curled against his friend and the man he loved.

The next morning Tony's uncle came in and watched the two boys, sleeping peacefully, hugging onto each other. Then, perhaps after a picture, he broke the moment by reaching over to shake his nephew awake."Wake up, Tony and Loki. You two are going to school right? It's seven."

Tony's eyes opened and he had one of the worst hangover headaches ever. Luckily, he had experience dealing with such things. "I'm on it. Jarv." He muttered, keeping a hand over his eyes. Untangling from Loki, he sat up. "Loks. Stay here. I'll be back in a sec."

He very slowly opened his eyes, adjusting to the blinding light. All of his movements were painfully slow as he stood and walked into the small adjoining bathroom. Washing his face, he grabbed painkillers for both of them. When he came back out, he was slightly more conscious. He sat on the edge of the bed near Loki and waited for him to wake up, painkillers and water in hand. With that much wine, he was sure to have the same killer headache Tony had.

Loki groaned awake as Tony settled beside him and tried to open his eyes. His head screamed in protest. He squeezed his eyes shut and detangled an arm from the blanket to put over his eyes. "Oh gods, I hate hangovers." He muttered to Tony.

Tony helped him sit up and handed him the water and pills. "Eyes closed." He ordered and added, "You've been hungover before?"

"Once," Loki took the pills, "When Odin and my mother went to Norway on a business related trip. They left Thor in charge, which wasn't really a smart move on their part. Do you remember that massive party everyone claimed to have been at last Christmas?"

Tony smiled tiredly, "Yeah, I heard some stuff about it."

Loki returned with his own exhausted smile. "Long story short; I was going to stick with tea but guess who thought to spike my drink? You may know him. He's tall, blond, and usually, rather dim."

"Ahh," Tony nodded, standing up. "Be right back with your clothes. Do you have any preferences?" He walked carefully into the closet that held Loki's clothes.

"Not really. Just something comfortable. How are we going to explain this?" Loki asked as he moved the blanket aside so as he could look at his ankle. It still ached but at least the swelling had gone down.

Grabbing some loose dark jeans and a long sleeved green shirt, Tony walked out and handed them to Loki. "The doctor's excuse says that you dislocated your ankle during a hiking accident. Not completely untrue."

A/N; Again, sorry for the shortness. Please keep reading and reviewing. I'm sorting out my issues.