Fourth Installment: The City
Never let it be said that Tony Stark wasn't smart. He was the smartest human he knew, and in all the Nine Realms he'd only met one person he considered smarter than himself. There were a few people he thought might be as clever as himself, but not more.
So when he woke in the morning, his mind immediately started working. Just like it always did when he fell asleep with a problem.
First, he took stock of the things he now knew. One. He could tell by Loki's body language all yesterday his lover wasn't completely sure how to feel about having Tony around. Two. Aether wanted him to stay. Three. Loki's ability to process and/or feel emotions seemed to have been damaged. Four. His body was far from recovered from his ordeal.
But most importantly, Loki had completely relaxed when Tony acted as though nothing at all was wrong.
He needs me to be normal. To show no concern, to express no sympathy or worry. That would be difficult but not impossible. He didn't think it was pride that kept Loki needing the normalcy. Not quite. Tony wasn't fully sure yet, but he would figure it out.
Finally, he opened his eyes and came completely awake. The cabin's surprisingly well-built ceiling greeted his eyes with earthen brown. Taking a deep breath, he felt surprising resistance. Weight on his chest. He immediately smiled. Loki had shifted in his sleep. He was no longer lying beside Tony on the narrow-ish bed.
He was lying on top of Tony, his narrow hips wedged between Tony's thighs, sprawled belly-down on Tony's chest. He could feel the buff of each warm breath over his skin that Loki took, and a glance down showed him that his lover was deeply asleep.
Deliberately, he took long and deep breaths just to feel Loki there. It was uncomfortable but blessedly welcome.
The tiny bedroom's door opened, and Aether walked in. "Tony? Would you like eggs for breakfast?"
Tony glanced pointedly downward, not wanting to disturb his sleeping lover.
She gave him a small grin. "He won't wake. It really tires him to use magic."
Though he felt a bolt of concern, Aether seemed unworried so Tony tried to relax. "Yeah. Eggs sound good. Thanks, princess."
She beamed him a smile as she left, and true to her word Loki didn't stir. Idly, Tony ran his hands up Loki's arms and thought about what his lover had said yesterday. He thought of a use for me. I wonder what he meant by that. Whatever he wants me to do, I'll just have to make sure it takes a LONG time. That will give me plenty of opportunities to convince him he wants me to stay.
Tony Stark could be very, very persuasive.
o0o
A blade would have been better.
The feel of a blade along flesh is painful, but it is natural. Skin and muscle being torn and causing a pain reaction in the brain, warning the body it needs to do something different to avoid more damage. Pain is comforting, in its way.
This . . .
This is . . .
It has reached inside him. It has poured down his throat. Torn open his pores. Invaded his being through every part of him. Left him open. Ragged. Raw. He can't even scream, for it has robbed the very breath from his lungs. He can only stare, wide and unseeing, as he is filled with fire worse than poison. It beats down his defenses. Leaves him completely vulnerable.
It is INSIDE him. Inside him, in a place it has no business being, tearing into him, feeding off him, bleeding him dry. He can smell his own blood. Feel it seeping out of him. No, he thinks distantly. Very, very distantly. Not blood.
Seiðr.
You are mine. You are mine. Singing around and around in his head.
He is choking on it. He cannot breathe.
You are mine. You will obey me.
"They are interfering. Destroy them, Loki."
Destroy them.
Destroy them.
Eyes the color of an Asgardian summer, and he is meant to destroy them.
Something his entire being protests.
But his body obeys.
o0o
Tony felt a pulse of nauseating fear when Loki's entire body suddenly tensed up and started shaking wildly as if he was having a seizure. Without thinking, he locked his arms and legs around his lover to hold him steady and put his mouth right by Loki's ear.
"Wake up, Loki," he whispered. "C'mon, babe. Show me those pretty green eyes. Wake up. Nothing bad's happening. It's just a dream. You're with me. C'mon, wake up."
As quick as it started, it abruptly stopped. Loki's skin went from much too warm to freezing cold in the blink of an eye, and the shaking stopped. The god made a quiet sound of definite irritation.
"Are you trying to smother me, Stark?"
Unable to help it, Tony chuckled and kissed his forehead. "What can I say? I'm a cuddly guy, and I haven't seen you in four months. Sue me if I want to snuggle my lover."
For a few seconds, Loki was very still. Perhaps trying to figure out why Tony wasn't mentioning the nightmare. Was that what it was?
Then he snorted softly, slowly sitting up. He looked pale and tired. Tony sat up, too.
"You got a shower or bath or something?" he asked, stretching.
A glance down showed Loki watching him, something strange in his verdant eyes. Then he blinked and it was gone.
"No," the god replied. "Aether brings water from the river, but she has no concept of how indoor plumbing works."
"Sponge bath it is. Want me to wash you, too?" He grinned.
Loki looked away, expression cold. "No. Go help Aether if you want to be useful."
Tony tried not to sigh. These strange mood swings would take some getting used to. Something was definitely wrong, this wasn't like his lover at all. No matter how much time it takes, I will get to the bottom of this, Loki.
"I love you," he said.
Like melting ice, the cold bled out of Loki's eyes and he rose. Half a step had him next to Tony, and he slid his arms around the human's waist, resting his head on the man's shoulder.
"So you've said. Sentimental fool."
Practically giddy, Tony wrapped his arms around him. "Hey, did I tell you Jane's pregnant?"
Silence for a moment. Then, "Is she? I'm sure her idiot husband is over the moon."
The affection in his voice made Tony grin. "Guess that means it's our turn next, huh?"
Loki pushed him away, but Tony's anxiety vanished when he saw the look on Loki's face. The god was smirking, looking torn between amusement and murder.
There he is, the thought flitted through Tony's head. That's my Loki.
"What exactly do you mean by that, Stark? Surely you aren't suggesting what I think you're suggesting?"
Tony gave him a cheeky grin. "It just sorta slipped out. I wasn't suggesting anything. I might get castrated if I suggested anything."
The amusement definitely seemed to be winning over murder. "Yes . . . living out the rest of your days as a eunuch wouldn't diminish your quality of life."
"Like hell it wouldn't!" Tony protested. "To never want sex again? I don't even want to imagine what that would make me!"
Loki gave him the faintest grin before it faded and he sat on the edge of the bed. "See the chest in the corner? My Astral pocket's key is in it. Bring it to me, and I'll get you a change of clothes. What you're wearing isn't practical."
Considering Tony was only wearing jeans . . . Trotting to the chest, which was well made and quite beautiful, Tony opened it. It was filled with simple but elegant leather and linen clothing, and sitting right on top was that strange amulet-key thing. Scooping it up, Tony brought it to his lover.
Loki opened up thin air and extracted more clothing. Soft suede breeches. Knee-high boots of flexible, buffed leather. Linen shirts of several earthy colors. And dark brown and black leather tunics similar to the one Loki wore but slightly different styles.
Plenty happy to blend with the natives (he smirked in his head), Tony shucked his jeans.
Loki snorted. "No underwear, Stark?"
"I like to be ready," Tony said, unapologetic and unashamed. He winked. "For anything."
Loki rolled his eyes, and to Tony's surprise he laid back down. "I should have guessed."
Tony tried not to be disappointed that Loki didn't want to watch him be naked. The clothing was comfortable and fit perfectly. "Hey, don't fall asleep just yet. You said you'd thought of a use for me. I'm dying of curiosity."
"I hardly think so," Loki said, eyes closed. But he smiled softly. "We'll talk when you and Aether get back."
And that seemed to be that. Sighing, Tony moved to the bed and leaned down to steal a kiss. Delightfully, Loki allowed it.
Aether was right outside, sitting in the grass with a pile of leaves. She seemed to be trimming the edges off them, so Tony went to see what she was doing. She had a basket of eggs on one side of her and a basket of berries on the other. She grinned up at him.
"You look good in that."
"Why thank you, princess. Glad someone around here appreciates my sexiness."
Her grin widened. "I've seen you naked."
He snorted. "So you have more reason than most to appreciate it."
She laughed. It was still weird to hear nothing but know she was laughing all the same.
"I've been thinking about a name for myself, and you're right. I don't want to be called Aether forever. I really like the name Skaði. What do you think?"
"Skaði, huh? That sounds very Viking."
She giggled. "It is. I think it suits me. Don't you?"
It did. "Sure does, princess. How'd you pick it?"
"Mm, it's hard to explain. I have some residual knowledge of old history from when I was inside Loki."
"Well all right then, Skaði. You have any coffee around this dump?"
She laughed, tipping her head back in the process, which caused the wan morning sun to glint off her frost blue-white hair. "It's not a dump! I worked very hard on it. I think it's cute!"
"It's very cute. Coffee?"
"No, no coffee. There is a city, that way." She pointed east. "It's pretty big."
"A city?" Tony repeated, perking up. "How far?"
"Let's see. I think it's about . . . fifty leagues."
Tony winced. That was over one-hundred and seventy miles. "How big is this forest?"
"Very big. To the west are the mountains, and it's a chain that goes on for over two-thousand leagues. The forest itself goes all the way to the ocean to the north. Loki told me there isn't a lot of civilization on this planet. I think most of it is mountain, ocean, and arctic wasteland. It's not nearly as hospitable as Midgard. It was part of the reason I chose it."
"And I take it you and Loki have never been there?"
"No. He's never been well enough to travel that far. We would either have to walk or he would have to use magic."
"Well then, it's a good thing I brought my suit." A flight of one-hundred and seventy miles would take twenty minutes. "I think I should go check it out."
She sighed. "I wish I could come with you. But I won't leave him, and I doubt he'd let you carry him." She giggled as if just the thought was funny.
Which it was. Tony wondered if he could convince his lover. "Whatcha doin' with those leaves, anyway?"
Lifting one by its stem, she pointed to tiny little prickles with her wooden shears. "These nettles will cause a nasty reaction on skin. I'm cutting them off, because the leaves can be brewed into a fragrant tea which helps with pain."
No more explanation was necessary, and Tony felt himself grimace. "I'm gonna go check out that city. You need anything before I go?"
"You could build me a fire. In the hearth. There's wood inside. I'll cook us eggs."
Tony did so, then went into the small bedroom. Loki was asleep again, sprawled gracefully over the bed. He's so beautiful. So goddamn beautiful. Sighing quietly, Tony leaned down and kissed both closed eyelids. Loki made a soft sound but didn't wake.
Grabbing his magicked suit amulet, Tony trotted back outside and put it over his neck. A second later he was wearing his suit.
"Take care of him, princess."
"I will, Tony!" she called, waving as he took to the skies.
As soon as he cleared the canopy, Tony gazed around in open wonder. Skaði (not Aether, he told himself firmly) was right. The forest was absolutely enormous. Trees as far as the eye could see. Here and there he could spot narrow gashes in the green where the rivers must run, and it was quite beautiful. He could see small birds and butterflies everywhere, and in a few spots there were vast swathes of grayish gauze that could only be spider webs.
It was comforting to know that a world so far from Earth wasn't so very different from it.
Skaði was almost dead on with the distance. JARVIS informed him he'd traveled 50.3 leagues when he saw the city.
It definitely wasn't what he'd been expecting. Though what he'd been expecting he wasn't quite sure. A medieval type city with stone walls and wood buildings and cobblestone streets and courtyards? The city below him looked like an enormous industrial hub, the buildings made of a shiny metal and the streets paved with something that appeared similar to concrete.
There were vehicles going up and down them, not powered by anything Tony recognized: big glowing orbs of sky blue. Magic? Probably. They almost looked like carriages, the vehicles, being towed by those orbs.
"JARVIS?" he inquired. "Any ideas on that power source?"
"Scanning sir," the AI said. "It appears to be pure energy, though I've never detected anything like it. It doesn't appear to be magic."
"Huh," Tony mused.
The men were all wearing nice slacks and shirts with lace and ruffled scarves, topped off with perfectly tailored vests. The women wore either dresses that reminded Tony of Victorian England or half-breeches with their own versions of lacy shirts and vests.
And most of them had some tiny little device over one ear that was obviously powered by the same glowing blue stuff as the vehicles. Bet anything those are this world's version of a Bluetooth. Curious and excited, Tony landed out of sight and put the suit away, tucking the amulet beneath his shirt. His clothing was a bit different from the people here, but not so much he should overtly stand out.
Stepping onto the streets, he immediately blended into the fast-moving crowds. No one gave him second glances for his clothing, but he did notice quite a few women give his face second looks. To them he winked, and most of them looked away with blushes and smiles.
Yep, still got it.
The thought crossed his mind, I wish I could make Loki blush.
It made him smirk. That'd be the day.
The shops all had nicely painted signs, but Tony couldn't read any of them. Further confounding him, he couldn't understand the language the people spoke. They looked perfectly human, near as he could tell, but they may as well have been speaking gibberish.
Damn. I was hoping I'd be able to learn about the local currency. Skaði's woodworking skills were useful, but there were some jobs that could only be done by metal. Still, he walked around and tried to get a feel for the layout of the place. The streets seemed to follow a basic grid, and it was easy enough to tell by what was in the shops what they sold. He frowned to himself.
I wonder if Loki will be able to understand them? It's strange that everyone I met in the Nine Realms spoke English, but damn it was useful. Deciding he had nothing to lose, he stopped a cute woman in a cream-colored shirt.
"Can you understand me?" he asked hopefully.
She blushed, looking quite flustered, and said something he didn't understand.
Trying not to feel disappointed, he let go of her arm. "Sorry, darlin'."
She giggled as she hurried off.
Well, shit. A lot of these shops seem to have really useful stuff, and I'd LOVE to get my hands on one of those blue orb thingies. He stepped out of sight and put his suit back on.
"JARVIS, if you scan all the signs with writing on them, any chance you could write translation software?"
"Very possibly, sir," JARVIS confirmed, "but the energy requirements would be quite high. Right now, I have enough power for basic functions and can run off that for at least two years. Performing any special feats would be draining."
"Great. Now I really want one of those blue orbs."
"Based off the readings, I would deduce they are a form of power," JARVIS agreed.
"Thanks, Sherlock," Tony said, taking to the skies. "Go ahead and scan everything with writing and save them for later perusal. Maybe Loki can help with the translation."
"Yes, sir. Loki would still need to have some interfacing device so I could display the writings for him."
"He's the most clever, resourceful bastard I have ever met. Chances are he's got something in that handy little Astral pocket of his."
"Yes, sir. Commencing scans."
Tony flew over the city as slowly as JARVIS needed, not particularly concerned about being seen. It took about half an hour to record the writings of ten city blocks, then Tony decided he'd had enough for one day. Time to return to the place that didn't exactly feel like home, but something startlingly close.